Global warming and recurrent mass bleaching of corals

During 2015–2016, record temperatures triggered a pan-tropical episode of coral bleaching, the third global-scale event since mass bleaching was first documented in the 1980s. Here we examine how and why the severity of recurrent major bleaching events has varied at multiple scales, using aerial and underwater surveys of Australian reefs combined with satellite-derived sea surface temperatures. The distinctive geographic footprints of recurrent bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in 1998, 2002 and 2016 were determined by the spatial pattern of sea temperatures in each year. Water quality and fishing pressure had minimal effect on the unprecedented bleaching in 2016, suggesting that local protection of reefs affords little or no resistance to extreme heat. Similarly, past exposure to bleaching in 1998 and 2002 did not lessen the severity of bleaching in 2016. Consequently, immediate global action to curb future warming is essential to secure a future for coral reefs

A new class of glycomimetic drugs to prevent free fatty acid-induced endothelial dysfunction

Background: Carbohydrates play a major role in cell signaling in many biological processes. We have developed a set of glycomimetic drugs that mimic the structure of carbohydrates and represent a novel source of therapeutics for endothelial dysfunction, a key initiating factor in cardiovascular complications. Purpose: Our objective was to determine the protective effects of small molecule glycomimetics against free fatty acid­induced endothelial dysfunction, focusing on nitric oxide (NO) and oxidative stress pathways. Methods: Four glycomimetics were synthesized by the stepwise transformation of 2,5­dihydroxybenzoic acid to a range of 2,5­substituted benzoic acid derivatives, incorporating the key sulfate groups to mimic the interactions of heparan sulfate. Endothelial function was assessed using acetylcholine­induced, endotheliumdependent relaxation in mouse thoracic aortic rings using wire myography. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) behavior was evaluated in the presence or absence of the free fatty acid, palmitate, with or without glycomimetics (1µM). DAF­2 and H2DCF­DA assays were used to determine nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, respectively. Lipid peroxidation colorimetric and antioxidant enzyme activity assays were also carried out. RT­PCR and western blotting were utilized to measure Akt, eNOS, Nrf­2, NQO­1 and HO­1 expression. Results: Ex vivo endothelium­dependent relaxation was significantly improved by the glycomimetics under palmitate­induced oxidative stress. In vitro studies showed that the glycomimetics protected HUVECs against the palmitate­induced oxidative stress and enhanced NO production. We demonstrate that the protective effects of pre­incubation with glycomimetics occurred via upregulation of Akt/eNOS signaling, activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway, and suppression of ROS­induced lipid peroxidation. Conclusion: We have developed a novel set of small molecule glycomimetics that protect against free fatty acidinduced endothelial dysfunction and thus, represent a new category of therapeutic drugs to target endothelial damage, the first line of defense against cardiovascular disease

Indole acetic acid is responsible for protection against oxidative stress caused by drought in soybean plants: The role of heme oxygenase induction

Objectives: This study was focused on the role of indole acetic acid (IAA) in the defense against oxidative stress damage caused by drought in soybean plants and to elucidate whether heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in this mechanism. IAA is an auxin that participates in many plant processes including oxidative stress defense, but to the best of our knowledge no information is yet available about its possible action in drought stress. Methods: To this end, soybean plants were treated with 8% polyethylene glycol (PEG) or 100 μM IAA. To evaluate the behavior of IAA, plants were pretreated with this compound previous to PEG addition. Lipid peroxidation levels (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)), glutathione (GSH) and ascorbate (AS) contents, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and guaiacol peroxidase (POD) activities were determined to evaluate oxidative damage. Results: Drought treatment (8% PEG) caused a significant increase in TBARS levels as well as a marked decrease in the non-enzymatic (GSH and AS) and enzymatic (CAT, SOD, and POD) antioxidant defense systems. Pre-treatment with IAA prevented the alterations of stress parameters caused by drought, while treatment with IAA alone did not produce changes in TBARS levels, or GSH and AS contents. Moreover, the activities of the classical enzymes involved in the enzymatic defense system (SOD, CAT, and POD) remained similar to control values. Furthermore, this hormone could enhance HO-1 activity (75% with respect to controls), and this increase was positively correlated with protein content as well as gene expression. The direct participation of HO-1 as an antioxidant enzyme was established by performing experiments in the presence of Zn-protoporphyrin IX, a well-known irreversible inhibitor of this enzyme. It was also demonstrated that HO-1 is modulated by NO, as shown by experiments performed in the presence of an NO donor (sodium nitroprusside), an NO scavenger (2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide), or an NO synthesis inhibitor (N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, NAME). Discussion: It is concluded that IAA is responsible, at least in part, for the protection against oxidative stress caused by drought in soybean plants through the modulation of NO levels which, in turn, enhances HO-1 synthesis and activity

The Effects of Parental Stress on Physical Activity Among Overweight and Obese Hispanic Adolescents: Moderating Role of Family Communication and Gender

Background: Previous literature has shown a negative relationship between parental stress and youth moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This study examined (1) the relationship between parental stress and adolescent MVPA, (2) the moderating role of family communication on this relationship, and (3) gender differences in these effects among overweight and obese Hispanic adolescents. Methods: Hispanic adolescents (N = 280, 52% female, 13.0 [0.8] y old, 44% obese, 12% severely obese) and their parents (88% female, 44.9 [6.5] y old) completed baseline measures for an efficacy trial. Adolescents self-reported MVPA in minutes per week for work, transportation, and recreation using a validated measure. Multiple regression analyses with interaction terms and multigroup methods were conducted. Results: There was a negative effect of parental stress on adolescent MVPA (β = −0.15, t = −2.018, P ≤ .05). This effect was moderated by family communication (β = 0.20, t = 2.471, P = .01), such that the association between parental stress and youth MVPA was stronger for adolescents with low levels of family communication. Furthermore, a multiple group model showed that the interaction was significant for boys (β = 0.27, t = 2.185, P = .03), but not for girls. Conclusions: Findings provide support that addressing parental stress and family communication may help facilitate MVPA among Hispanic boys, the most at-risk group for pediatric obesity

Formative Development of a Technology-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Grandparents and Grandchildren

Physical inactivity is a major public health issue among older adults and children. This study presents preliminary results that will inform the development of a technology-based physical activity intervention for grandparents and grandchildren (ages 6-12 years old). The authors used an iterative user-centered design framework to gather quantitative data from grandparents (n = 35) and subsequently invited a subset of 12 of them to engage in qualitative interviews. Participants were 63.1 ± 9.8 years old, 80% female, 64% U.S.-born, 43% Hispanic, 66% single, and 40% <$15K income. The majority of grandparents reported mobile device proficiency, very close relationships with their grandchildren, and interest in participating in an intergenerational intervention. Four key themes related to family closeness, dynamics, routines, and technology informed intervention development. Next steps involved a pilot trial using Fitbits and a fully functioning technology-based prototype. Grandparents are uniquely positioned within their families to serve as agents of change in health-promoting interventions

Crítica y Emancipación. Revista Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (Año III no. 6 jul-dic 2011)

Sumario: * Cuba, políticas de participación y prácticas de autonomía: organización, acción y discurso ... Armando Chaguaceda Noriega y Marlene Azor Hernández (9) * La democracia en Cuba, 1959-2010 Julio César Guanche Zaldívar (37) Cultura y política en América Latina: * El Estado Plurinacional y la nueva Constitución boliviana Contribuciones de la experiencia boliviana al debate de los límites al modelo democrático liberal. Carol Proner (51) * Lo cultural en su lugar dentro de lo social Roberto Follari (65) Diálogos Latinoamericanos: * El camino a la democracia directa Entrevista con Pablo González Casanova Claudio Albertani (85) Memoria: * Adiós al maestro Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez, 15 de septiembre de 1915 - 8 de julio de 2011/Estética y marxismo: entrevista a Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez. Sara Beatriz Guardia (105) * Haití: la refundación de una nación Jean Claude Bajeux (113) Perspectivas: *¿Tenía razón Marx? No es demasiado tarde para preguntar Terry Eagleton (123) * El acceso abierto y la división entre ciencia principal y periférica Jean-Claude Guédon (135) Lecturas críticas: * Un libro fértil e indispensable Sobre O Banco Mundial como ator político, intelectual e financeiro 1944-2008, de João Márcio Mendes Pereira Guillermo Almeyra (183

OSAL, Observatorio Social de América Latina (Año XIV no. 33 mayo 2013)

Sumario: Editorial: Guillermo Almeyra Venezuela: nuevos horizontes: Venezuela y la reinvención de la política: el desafío del socialismo en nuevos escenarios- Juan Carlos Monedero; Estado, disputa electoral y construcción de poder popular en la Venezuela bolivariana- Hernán Ouviña; Venezuela: proceso sociopolítico y conflictividad social. Un balance de 2012- Armando Chaguaceda Noriega y Marco Antonio Ponce; Informes sobre el conflicto social en 2012: Argentina, 2012: ¿crisis en la fuerza social democrática, nacional y popular? -María Celia Cotarelo Bolivia: informe de coyuntura y balance anual de 2012- Dunia Mokrani Chávez y Pilar Uriona Crespo; Brasil: agravamento da crise, coesão do bloco dominante e novos horizontes para as lutas sociais-Roberto Leher et al.; En el tiempo del libre mercado: conflictos y protesta social en Costa Rica durante el año 2012- Alejandro Alvarado Alcázar y Gloriana Martínez Sánchez; Ecuador en 2012: un largo año electoral- Mario Unda; Guatemala en 2012: reconfiguración autoritaria, movilización popular y criminalización de las luchas- Simona Violetta Yagenova; Entrevista: Compromiso político, tarea teórica y movimientos sociales. Entrevista a Enrique Dussel- Luz Estrello y Massimo Modonesi; Experiencias latinoamericanas: De la generación zapatista al #YoSoy132. Identidades y culturas políticas juveniles en México- Massimo Modonesi; Aportes del pensamiento crítico latinoamericano: Incitaciones a pensar. Apuntes en torno a la trayectoria política e intelectual de Fernando Martínez Heredia- Alejandra González Bazúa; Pensamiento social y política de la Revolución-Fernando Martínez Heredia; Reseñas: De Hacia la recuperación de la soberanía educativa en América Latina: conciencia crítica y programa- Marath Baruch Bolaños López; De Sociabilidades emergentes y movilizaciones sociales en América Latina- Efraín Quiñonez León; De Zapata cabalga por el Tepozteco- Valentina Sarmiento Cruz; Lista de publicaciones recientes