A comparison of PBDE serum concentrations in Mexican and Mexican-American children living in California.

BackgroundPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), which are used as flame retardants, have been found to be higher in residents of California than of other parts of the United States.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the role of immigration to California on PBDE levels in Latino children.MethodsWe compared serum PBDE concentrations in a population of first-generation Mexican-American 7-year-old children (n = 264), who were born and raised in California [Center for Health Analysis of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) study], with 5-year-old Mexican children (n = 283), who were raised in the states in Mexico where most CHAMACOS mothers had originated (Proyecto Mariposa).ResultsOn average, PBDE serum concentrations in the California Mexican-American children were three times higher than their mothers' levels during pregnancy and seven times higher than concentrations in the children living in Mexico. The PBDE serum concentrations were higher in the Mexican-American children regardless of length of time their mother had resided in California or the duration of the child's breast-feeding. These data suggest that PBDE serum concentrations in these children resulted primarily from postnatal exposure.ConclusionsLatino children living in California have much higher PBDE serum levels than their Mexican counterparts. Given the growing evidence documenting potential health effects of PBDE exposure, the levels in young children noted in this study potentially present a major public health challenge, especially in California. In addition, as PBDEs are being phased out and replaced by other flame retardants, the health consequences of these chemical replacements should be investigated and weighed against their purported fire safety benefits

COVID-19s Impact on the Hispanic Community: How Understanding Culture Can Improve Outcomes

Background: A disproportionate burden of SARS-Cov-2 infection, or coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), and death are highest among racial and ethnic minority groups. Based on data available on June 12, 2020, Hispanic people are more likely to acquire COVID-19 and have higher incidence of hospitalization and death compared to their white, non-Hispanic counterparts. While this issue is complex, many have hypothesized that the difference is due to societal factors and communication methods. The aim of this project was to evaluate information related to how the Hispanic population is affected by COVID-19 and how communications about the disease should be designed based on past research, physician input, and cultural sensitivities. Methods: We conducted a thorough literature search on COVID-19 articles, both peer reviewed and grey literature, evaluating race and ethnic differences in disease prevalence and severity. Additionally, we conducted interviews with a small number of Indiana doctors who treat Hispanic patients to obtain a doctor’s perspective on the Hispanic community’s needs during the pandemic and ways to help reduce prevalence. Results: Physicians in Indiana believe the main approach to help the Hispanic community is by utilizing trusted community resources to communicate information and build relationships with patients over time. It is recommended to develop new methods to deliver essential information about COVID-19 through multiple mediums, in a clear way, and in Spanish with focus on the collective good of the family. In addition, it is important not to just translate resources from English to Spanish but to design materials addressing barriers specific to the Hispanic community. Conclusion: More culturally tailored information should be released to educate the Hispanic community about COVID-19. This information will assist in the design of materials and initiatives for the Hispanic community that we hope will improve methods of communication and care delivery related to COVID-19

La influencia del marketing relacional en la lealtad de los 4 principales bancos del Perú en Lima Metropolitana

El objetivo principal de esta investigación consiste en identificar la influencia del marketing relacional de los cuatro principales bancos de Lima Metropolitana en la lealtad de los sus clientes. El modelo de marketing relacional presentado se basa en el propuesto por los autores Morgan y Hunt, el cual aterriza en dos dimensiones: compromiso y confianza, analizando como estos influyen en la lealtad del consumidor. La metodología de la investigación es correlacional. Para el trabajo de campo, se aplicó encuestas a una muestra de 385 personas de 20 a 70 años de edad de los NSE. A y B, que residan en Lima Metropolitana y que posean a título personal algún producto de los cuatro principales bancos del Perú, con la finalidad de identificar qué aspectos de la gestión de la relación de los bancos BCP, Interbank, Scotiabank y BBVA Continental influyen en la lealtad de sus usuarios. Los resultados demostraron que existe relación de forma directa entre las variables marketing relacional y lealtad dentro del sector bancario, comprobando de esta manera la hipótesis planteada.The main objective of the investigation is to identify the influence of relationship marketing of the four main banks in Metropolitan Lima on the loyalty of their clients. The relational marketing model presented is based on the one proposed by the authors Morgan and Hunt, which lands on two dimensions: commitment and trust, analyzing how this influence consumer loyalty. The methodology is correlational. For the field work, surveys were applied to a sample of 385 people from 20 to 70 years from the SES. A and B, who reside in Metropolitan Lima and who personally own a product from the four main banks in Peru, in order to identify which aspects of the relationship management of the banks BCP, Interbank, Soctiabank and BBVA Continental influence in the loyalty of its users. The results showed that there is a direct relationship between the variables of relationship marketing and loyalty within the banking sector, thus verifying the hypothesis raised

Activity and Expression of Midgut Proteases from Mexican and US Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) Strains Exposed to Bacillus thuringiensis

Abstract Proteases in the insect midgut have been associated with differences in susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal toxins. Therefore, we evaluated the protease activity of laboratory versus field strains of Trichoplusia ni that were previously characterized by their susceptibility to Bt Cry toxins or protoxins and antimicrobial peptide production (Tamez-Guerra et al. 2006, 2008). In addition, because aminopeptidases may be involved in Bt resistance, the expression of T. ni aminopeptidase N1 transcript (tnapn1) was analyzed by RT-PCR. These strains included Mexican (NL) and American (US) laboratory strains, as well as a field collected strain (GTO), and strains obtained by XenTari® selection from the laboratory strains (NLX and USX) or field strain (GTOX). The activity of proteases in midgut extracts were evaluated by in vitro assays or in-gel activity with specific substrates. The results indicated that the ratio of midgut protease activity (trypsin:chymotrypsin) was higher in the laboratory NL and US strains, but the differences did not correlate with Bt resistance. The ratio was slightly increased in the Xentari-selected field strain GTOX, and zymograms with Xentari or Cry1Ac as substrates suggested that both high and low molecular mass protease activities were increased in GTOX. Selection also resulted in 87% and 300% higher tnapn1 amplification in Xentari-selected NLX and USX, respectively. The relationship between Bt susceptibility, proteases and tnapn1 expression and activity alterations is discussed. Key Words: trypsin; chymotrypsin; Bt protoxins and toxins activation; aminopeptidase N1; enzymatic alterations Resumen Diferencias en la susceptibilidad de insectos a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) se han asociado a la actividad de proteasas intestinales del insecto. El presente estudio se realizó para evaluar la actividad de proteasas del intestino medio de cepas de Trichoplusia ni de laboratorio y campo en las que anteriormente se había caracterizado su susceptibilidad a protoxinas y toxinas Cry de Bt y producción de péptidos antimicrobiales (Tamez-Guerra et al. 2006, 2008). Debido a que la aminopeptidasa N1 se ha relacionado con la baja de susceptibilidad a Bt, también se analizó la amplificación de este transcrito (tnapn1) por RT-PCR entre las cepas de T. ni. Las cepas evaluadas fueron de laboratorio de México (NL) y Estados Unidos (US), así como las cepas colectadas de campo (GTO) o después de sobreexponer las larvas a XenTari® (NLX, USX y GTOX). La actividad de proteasas presentes en el extracto del intestino medio se evaluó en ensayos in vitro o en gel usando sustratos específicos. Los resultados mostraron que el rango entre la relación de tripsina:quimotripsina era mayor en las cepas de laboratorio NL y US, pero estas diferencias no mostraron correlación con la resistencia a Bt. El rango se incrementó ligeramente al seleccionar la cepa de campo GTOX con XenTari, mientras que los zimogramas usando Cry1Ac o XenTari como sustrato sugieren que se incrementó la actividad de proteasas de alta y baja masa molecular, especialmente en la cepa GTOX. También se observó un incremento del 87% y 300% en la expresión del tnapn1 en las cepas NLX y USX, respectivamente, seleccionadas con XenTari. Se discute la relación entre la susceptibilidad a Bt con la alteración de la expresión de tnapn1 y la actividad de proteasas. Palabras Clave: tripsina; quimiotripsina; activación de protoxinas y toxinas de Bt; aminopeptidasa N1; alteraciones enzimática

Comparative Evaluation of Phenoloxidase Activity in Different Larval Stages of Four Lepidopteran Pests After Exposure toBacillus thuringiensis

Microbial entomopathogen–based bioinsecticides are recognized as alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Insects defend themselves against microbial pathogens by innate mechanisms, including increased phenoloxidase (PO) activity, but its relationship with microbial bioinsecticides efficacy is little known. This study evaluated the differences in PO activity at different developmental stages of the tobacco budworm Heliothis virescens Fabricius (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Pyralidae), beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Noctuidae), and cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Noctuidae). Additionally, 2nd- and 4th-instars were exposed to the LC50 value of the commercial Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray, Biobit®. The percentage of insecticidal activity (IA%) on 2nd-instar Biobit–exposed larvae was approximately the predicted 50 % mortality for all species except S. exigua. With all 4th instar Biobit–exposed larvae, mortality was not significantly different from that of unexposed larvae. Unexposed insects had a significantly higher PO activity in pre–pupae and pupae than early–instar larvae and adults, whereas PO activity was higher in adult females than in males. Correlation analysis between IA% and PO activity revealed significant r–values (p < 0.01) in 2nd instar H. virescens (r = 0.979) and P. interpunctella (r = 0.930). Second instar Biobit–exposed P. interpunctella had 10 times more PO activity than unexposed larvae. Similarly, the amount of total protein was lower in 4th instar Biobit–exposed H. virescens and higher in S. exigua. Therefore, the results indicated a relationship between Biobit susceptibility and PO activity in some cases. This information may be useful if the Biobit application period is timed for a developmental stage with low PO activity. However, more studies are needed to determine the correlation of each insect with a particular bioinsecticide

Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR)-Based Genetic Diversity in Interspecific Plumcot-Type (Prunus salicina × Prunus armeniaca) Hybrids

The main objective of many fruit-breeding programs around the world is the release of new cultivars from interspecific hybridizations between species of the Prunus genus. Plum × apricot (Prunus salicina Lindl. × Prunus armeniaca L.) are the most widespread interspecific hybrids, which include plumcots, pluots, and apriums. In this work, 115 accessions of interspecific hybrids from different origins and 27 reference genotypes of apricot and other diploid plum species were analyzed using eight simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to assess the population structure and current genetic diversity. A total of 149 alleles were obtained, with an average of 19 alleles per locus. The overall polymorphic information content (PIC) mean value of SSR markers was 0.81, indicating a high degree of polymorphism of the SSR. The genetic analysis revealed 141 unique genotypes and two synonyms. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA) dendrogram and the population structure with five groups inferred through the discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) revealed a clear genetic differentiation between apricot genotypes and the rest of the accessions since the interspecific hybrids clustered with the Japanese plum genotypes. Repeated backcrosses between interspecific hybrids with plum genotypes could be the cause of the higher genetic proximity of the hybrids with respect to plum than with apricot genotypes. This corresponds to the fruit morphology and agronomic behavior observed in most interspecific hybrids, which also resemble plums more than apricots.Publishe

Necesidades de polinización, necesidades agroclimáticas y diversidad genética en ciruelo de tipo japonés

En el ciruelo de tipo japonés (híbridos de Prunus salicina Lindl.) se está produciendo una intensa renovación varietal, con la introducción de un gran número de nuevas variedades en los últimos años. En la mayoría de las variedades se desconocen las necesidades de polinización y sus requerimientos agroclimáticos. Este cultivo, presenta algunas particularidades que impiden el uso de una sola técnica para determinar las necesidades de polinización como ocurre en otras especies del género Prunus. En este trabajo se ha puesto a punto una metodología para determinar las necesidades de polinización a través del seguimiento de la fenología en campo, polinizaciones controladas, observación del crecimiento de tubos polínicos al microscopio de fluorescencia y genotipado molecular de los alelos S (Capítulo 1). Utilizando esta metodología, se han determinado las necesidades de polinización de un grupo de muestras de variedades y selecciones avanzadas, de las que 12 fueron autocompatibles, 91 autoincompatibles y 5 androestériles. Las muestras autoincompatibles se asignaron a los correspondientes grupos de incompatibilidad. Se han identificado tres nuevos grupos [XXVII (ScSo), XXVIII (ScSk) y XXIX (ShSo)] y cuatro nuevos alelos (Sα, Sβ, Sγ, Sδ). Se observó gran variabilidad en la época de floración entre localizaciones y años, mostrando la necesidad de combinar las relaciones de incompatibilidad entre variedades con las épocas de floración en cada zona para la selección de variedades polinizadoras (Capítulo 2). Se han establecido las necesidades agroclimáticas de 95 muestras pertenecientes a variedades y selecciones avanzadas a través de ensayos experimentales en diferentes zonas de Aragón y Extremadura. Se encontró gran variabilidad en las necesidades de frío y calor, pero todas las muestras completaron sus necesidades en todas las localizaciones y años, mostrando la buena adaptación del cultivo en las zonas de estudio (Capítulo 3). Con la metodología de los capítulos anteriores se ha estudiado un grupo de híbridos interespecíficos de ciruelo × albaricoquero, determinando la autocompatibilidad (n=3), autoincompatibilidad (n=31), el genotipo S (n=59) y las necesidades agroclimáticas (n=23). La mayoría de los alelos identificados en los híbridos se correspondieron con alelos descritos en ciruelo japonés, con excepción de dos nuevos alelos (Sε y Sθ) (Capítulo 4). Para determinar las relaciones genéticas entre 161 muestras de ciruelo de tipo japonés, se caracterizaron molecularmente con el uso de ocho marcadores microsatélites. Las muestras de ciruelo de tipo japonés se agruparon en función de su origen genealógico, que se correspondió con la estructura poblacional de siete grupos moderadamente diferenciados (Capítulo 5). Con la misma metodología se establecieron las relaciones genéticas entre 115 muestras de híbridos interespecíficos ciruelo × albaricoquero y 27 genotipos de referencia de ciruelos y albaricoqueros. Se encontró una mayor proximidad genética entre los híbridos interespecíficos y los genotipos de ciruelo que con los de albaricoquero. La estructura poblacional también se correspondió con el origen genealógico de las muestras (Capítulo 6). El cultivo de ciruelo de tipo japonés y de híbridos específicos ciruelo × albaricoquero presenta gran potencial por el interés de consumidores y productores. Aunque el manejo de su cultivo es más complicado que en otros frutales de hueso, la información disponible permite dar respuesta a la necesidad de polinización cruzada y a la adaptación a condiciones de poco frío invernal, dos de los principales condicionantes del cultivo.<br /

Ultrasound assisted one-pot synthesis of benzo-fused indole-4, 9-dinones from 1,4-naphthoquinone and α-aminoacetals

A one-pot synthesis of benzo[f]indole-4,9-diones from 1,4-naphthoquinone with α-aminoacetals has been developed. This method provides a straightforward synthesis of benzo[f]indole-4,9-diones via intramolecular nucleophilic attack of aminoquinones to aldehydes under mild reaction conditions. The detailed mechanism was also investigated

El cultivo del ciruelo japonés: situación, variedades y perspectivas.

Las nuevas variedades de ciruelo japonés e híbridos interespecíficos han aumentado la variabilidad en características del fruto como sabor, color y dureza de pulpa y han ampliado el periodo de recolección. Sin embargo, en muchas de las nuevas obtenciones se desconocen sus necesidades agroclimáticas y de polinización.Publishe