Adult Stem Cell Membrane Markers: Their Importance and Critical Role in Their Proliferation and Differentiation Potentials

The stem cells are part of the cells that belong to the stromal tissue. These cells remain in a quiescent state until they are activated by different factors, usually those generated by an alteration in the parenchymal tissue. These cells have characteristic membrane markers such as CD73, CD90, and CD105. Those are a receptor, which in response to their ligand induces strong changes in different metabolic pathways that lead to these cells, both to generate molecules with different activities and to leave their stationary phase to reproduce and even differentiate. This review describes the metabolic pathways dependent on these membrane markers and how they influence on parenchymal tissue and other stromal cells

MicroRNAs in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

miRNAs are sequences of 20–22 nucleotides that participate in the development, growth, and cell differentiation by the regulation of the mRNAs.Their possible participation in the development of degenerative diseases has been extensively investigated. Results show quantitative changes in miRNA transcription, to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases. In this chapter, the dysregulation of microRNAs reported in the samples taken from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) animal model or ALS patients is analyzed. Moreover,their probable participation in the pathogenesis of the disease is also analyzed

IL10 as Cancer Biomarker

Chronic inflammation can trigger events that would induce the malignant transformation of cells and carcinogenesis. Cytokines play a crucial role and can control the development and multiplication of cancerous cells. However, clinical data present controversy about the participation of these proteins in the establishment and development of cancer. Interleukin 10 (IL-10), a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine, has been the subject of multiple studies. Several studies have reported that IL-10 has pro- and antitumor effects. Elevated levels of IL-10 are associated with increased tumor growth with poor prognosis and drug resistance. However, this cytokine has both tumor-promoting and tumor-inhibiting properties. In vitro and in vivo studies report mechanisms by which IL-10 expression downregulates class I, which results in the control of the metastatic disease. IL-10 also inhibits tumorigenesis via downregulation of other cytokines. The variation observed could be the result of concentration ranges of this protein, genetic polymorphism, or both. The value obtained may serve as a biomarker indicative of tumor development and its prognosis

Análisis econométrico sobre el consumo de agua subterránea por el sector agropecuario en Guanajuato, México

Los factores que afectan el consumo de agua subterránea en los sectores agrícola de riego y pecuario en el estado de Guanajuato fueron estimados con un modelo de ecuaciones simultáneas, para lo cual se utilizó información estadística anual de 1980 a 2007. Los resultados encontrados muestran que la cantidad consumida de agua responde de manera inelástica a cambios en el precio, con elasticidades de -0.0527 para la agricultura de riego y de -0.00486 para la ganadería. Estas elasticidades indican que en el sector pecuario el consumo de agua es más insensible a cambios en el precio, en comparación a la agricultura de riego y, por ende, políticas de administración del consumo deberán considerar aumentos en el precio del agua en este sector.Los factores que afectan el consumo de agua subterránea en los sectores agrícola de riego y pecuario en el estado de Guanajuato fueron estimados con un modelo de ecuaciones simultáneas, para lo cual se utilizó información estadística anual de 1980 a 2007. Los resultados encontrados muestran que la cantidad consumida de agua responde de manera inelástica a cambios en el precio, con elasticidades de -0.0527 para la agricultura de riego y de -0.00486 para la ganadería. Estas elasticidades indican que en el sector pecuario el consumo de agua es más insensible a cambios en el precio, en comparación a la agricultura de riego y, por ende, políticas de administración del consumo deberán considerar aumentos en el precio del agua en este sector

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Perceived Distributed Leadership, Job Satisfaction, and Professional Satisfaction among Academics in Guanajuato Universities

The objective of this research was to identify the relationships between the variables of job satisfaction, professional satisfaction, distributed leadership, and the perception of insecurity in academics at five universities located in the state of Guanajuato. The research was of a non-experimental type and, according to its temporality, cross-sectional, because it was developed at a specific moment. The study is also descriptive and correlational, because it analyzes the degree of association between the variables. Finally, an exploratory factor analysis study was carried out (AFE). The results revealed that the relationship between the variables of job satisfaction and professional satisfaction was positive and significant, the relationship between the variables of distributed leadership and the perception of insecurity was positive but not significant, and the relationship between the variables of the perception of insecurity and the distribution of leadership was positive and significant. The relationship between the perception of insecurity and job satisfaction was positive but not significant. In the analysis of the control variables of sex, marital status, type of university, and level of studies with the dependent variable of job satisfaction, statistical tests were carried out to verify the existence of the significant differences between the groups. Furthermore, this analysis was conducted in relation to the variables of sex, marital status, and type of university

Análisis de los costos de producción de maíz en la Región Bajío de Guanajuato

El maíz es uno de los principales granos cultivados en el mundo y su uso no sólo se centra en el consumo humano, sino que es un insumo importante en la producción del sector ga - nadero; en México representa uno de los granos básicos por excelencia, ya que garantiza la seguridad alimentaria de millones de familias rurales. En este trabajo se desglosan y analizan los costos de la producción de maíz en el Bajío de Guanajuato durante el ciclo productivo primavera-verano 2010, en tres tecnologías (temporal, riego con actividad pecuaria y riego sin actividad pecuaria) los resultados indican que de los insumos comerciables el concepto de fertilización representó el mayor costo para el productor; superando 75% de los costos totales por hectárea, bajo los dos escenarios en que fueron analizadas las tres tecnologías: excluyendo e incluyendo el factor tierra