Grado de conexión con la naturaleza de los estudiantes de Ingeniería Ambiental de la Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina - Año 2020

Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Facultad de Ciencias. Departamento Académico de Ingeniería Ambiental, Física y MeteorologíaEl deterioro de la naturaleza tendría como una de sus causas la desconexión de las personas con esta. Bajo esta consideración, el objetivo de la presente investigación fue conocer el grado de conexión con la naturaleza de los estudiantes de ingeniería ambiental de la Universidad Nacional Agraria la Molina (UNALM), comparando los diferentes sexos y años de estudio. Para ello se tomó una muestra poblacional de 81 estudiantes y se adaptaron y validaron las escalas: Relación con la Naturaleza (NR) y Nuevo Paradigma Ecológico (NEP) como herramientas de medición. La NR evalúa los aspectos afectivos, cognitivos y experienciales de la conexión con la naturaleza, mientras que el NEP evalúa la relación de los humanos con la naturaleza para comprender la cosmovisión ambiental. Los resultados fueron procesados utilizando estadística descriptiva y análisis de varianza (ANOVA). La validación de las escalas se hizo a través de un análisis de confiabilidad, utilizando el coeficiente alfa (α) y omega (ω), y un análisis de validez interna, utilizando el análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA). Asimismo, se hizo una correlación de las escalas, utilizando el coeficiente de Pearson. Los resultados indicaron que los estudiantes presentan una alta conexión con la naturaleza. Esta conexión fue significativamente mayor en la población femenina, sólo con la escala NR. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los diferentes años de estudio con ninguna de las escalas. La escala NR presentó una confiabilidad moderada (α = 0.728 y ω= 0.731) y la escala NEP una pobre confiabilidad (α= 0.607 y ω= 0.444). El CFA mostró un ajuste pobre para el modelo de tres factores de la escala NR y para el modelo de un factor del NEP. Finalmente, hubo una correlación positiva entre las dos escalas. Sin embargo, se requieren exploraciones adicionales para entender las variables de cada escala en la población estudiada.Disconnection from natural world may be contributing to environment deterioration. The aim of the study was to determine environmental engineering students’ connection with nature from National Agrarian University La Molina (UNALM) comparing sex and year study. The sample population was composed by 81 students. Nature Relatedness (NR) and New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) where adapted and validated. NR assess affective, cognitive and experiential aspects of the individual connection with nature. NEP assess individual connection with nature to understand environmental worldview. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. Scales validations were made through a reliability analysis using the alpha (α) and omega (ω) coefficients and internal validity using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Scale correlation was analysed with Pearson's coefficient. Results evidenced that students are highly connected with natural world. NR results evidenced a more significant connection in women than in men. Regarding NEP, no significant sex differences were found. Both scales evidenced no significant differences in the year study. NR scale evidenced a moderate reliability (α = 0.728 y ω= 0.731) and NEP scale evidenced a poor reliability (α= 0.607 y ω= 0.444). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed a poor fitness in three factor model for NR and single factor model for NEP. Both scales were positively correlated. Both scales require additional explorations to identify variables behaviour in the study population

Porcine Models of Pancreatic Cancer: Current Status and Future

The KRASG12D and TP53R172H mutations are the leading causes of pancreatic cancer, with the third deadliest cancer mortality rate. Majority of the pancreatic cancer research utilizes mouse models. Our lab is currently studying porcine as a suitable model to study pancreatic cancer due to the comparative anatomy and genomic similarities between humans and porcine. Our first approach to develop the porcine pancreatic cancer model was to orthotopically implant the transformed and mutated primary pig pancreatic epithelial cells into the pig pancreas. The second approach was using the Oncopig model with KRASG12D and TP53R172H genetic mutations. The mutated genes were expressed by injecting adenovirus with Cre recombinase to develop tumors. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, plasmid, and RNA isolation were used to study the porcine pancreas before and after the tumor induction. Results showed that humans and porcine have similar histological characteristics showing comprising islets, ducts, and acinar cells. For the orthotopic model, after two weeks of orthotopic implantation, there were signs of pancreatitis and some evidence of tumor-like cells, but not tumors. Some signs were the formation of acinar to ductal metaplasia, massive immune cell responses, and vimentin expression in the regions of desmoplasia. Our results showed that the Oncopigs did generate pancreatic tumors successfully and are currently being characterized for future use, and the orthotopic model showed promising results. However, implanted tumor cells will be given additional help to allow them to survive from host immune response by over-expressing PD-L1 on the implanted tumor cells surface.https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/surp2022/1041/thumbnail.jp

A mosaic of phytoplankton responses across Patagonia, the SE Pacific and SW Atlantic Ocean to ash deposition and trace metal release from the Calbuco 2015 volcanic eruption

Following the April 2015 eruption of the Calbuco volcano, an extensive ash plume spread across northern Patagonia and into the SE Pacific and SW Atlantic Ocean. Here we report the results of field surveys conducted in the marine region receiving the highest ash load following the eruption (Reloncaví Fjord). The fortuitous location of a long-term monitoring station in Reloncaví Fjord provided data to evaluate inshore phytoplankton bloom dynamics and carbonate chemistry during April–May 2015. Satellite derived chlorophyll-a measurements over the ocean regions affected by the ash plume in May 2015 were obtained to determine the spatial-temporal gradient in offshore phytoplankton response to ash. Additionally, leaching experiments were performed to quantify the release of total alkalinity, trace elements (Fe, Mn, Pb, Co, Cu, Ni and Cd) and major ions (Fl, Cl, SO4, NO3, Li, Na, NH4, K, Mg, Ca) from ash into solution. Within Reloncaví Fjord, integrated peak diatom abundances during the May 2015 austral bloom were higher than usual (up to 1.4 × 1011 cells m−2, integrated to 15 m depth), with the bloom intensity perhaps moderated due to high ash loadings in the two weeks following the eruption. In the offshore SE Pacific, a short duration phytoplankton bloom corresponded closely in space and time to the maximum observed ash plume, potentially in response to Fe-fertilization of a region where phytoplankton growth is typically Fe-limited at this time of year. Conversely, no clear fertilization was found in the area subject to an ash plume over the SW Atlantic where the availability of fixed nitrogen is thought to limit phytoplankton growth which was consistent with no significant release of fixed nitrogen from ash. In addition to release of nanomolar concentrations of dissolved Fe from ash suspended in seawater, it was observed that low loadings (< 5 mg L−1) of freshly deposited ash were an unusually prolific source of Fe(II) into solution (up to 1.0 µmol Fe g−1), suggesting that the release of bioaccessible Fe from ash sources may generally be under-estimated when quantified from aged ash. This release of Fe(II) may make freshly deposited ash an unusually efficient dissolved Fe source with the 18–38 % fraction of dissolved Fe released as Fe(II) from Calbuco ash roughly comparable to literature values for Fe released into seawater from aerosols collected over the Pacific Ocean

Current State of Molecular Cytology in Thyroid Nodules: Platforms and Their Diagnostic and Theranostic Utility

The high prevalence of thyroid nodules and increased availability of neck ultrasound have led to an increased incidence of diagnostic thyroid fine needle aspirations, with approximately 20% yielding indeterminate results. The recent availability of molecular tests has helped guide the clinical management of these cases. This paper aims to review and compare three main commercially available molecular cytology platforms in the U.S.—Afirma GSC, Thyroseq GC, and ThyGeNEXT + ThyraMIR. Sequential improvements of the Afirma GSC and Thyroseq GC tests have increased positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity. Comparative studies revealed similar diagnostic performance between these tests, with considerations for factors such as cost and processing time. Thyroseq GC provides detailed genomic information and specific management recommendations. ThyGeNEXT + ThyraMIR, though less studied, presents promising results, particularly in miRNA analysis for weak driver mutations. Challenges in interpreting results include variations in reporting and the evolving nature of testing platforms. Questions persist regarding cost-effectiveness and the utility of ultrasound characteristics in selecting candidates for molecular testing. While molecular testing has primarily served diagnostic purposes, advancements in understanding genetic alterations now offer therapeutic implications. FDA-approved options target specific genetic alterations, signaling a promising future for tailored treatments

Novel fibrin-fibronectin matrix accelerates mice skin wound healing

Plasma fibrinogen (F1) and fibronectin (pFN) polymerize to form a fibrin clot that is both a hemostatic and provisional matrix for wound healing. About 90% of plasma F1 has a homodimeric pair of γ chains (γγF1), and 10% has a heterodimeric pair of γ and more acidic γ′ chains (γγ′F1). We have synthesized a novel fibrin matrix exclusively from a 1:1 (molar ratio) complex of γγ′F1 and pFN in the presence of highly active thrombin and recombinant Factor XIII (rFXIIIa). In this matrix, the fibrin nanofibers were decorated with pFN nanoclusters (termed γγ′F1:pFN fibrin). In contrast, fibrin made from 1:1 mixture of γγF1 and pFN formed a sporadic dis- tribution of “pFN droplets” (termed γγF1+pFN fibrin). The γγ′F1:pFN fibrin enhanced the adhesion of primary human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVECs) relative to the γγF1+FN fibrin. Three dimensional (3D) culturing showed that the γγ′F1:pFN complex fibrin matrix enhanced the proliferation of both HUVECs and primary human fibroblasts. HUVECs in the 3D γγ′F1:pFN fibrin exhibited a starkly enhanced vascular mor- phogenesis while an apoptotic growth profile was observed in the γγF1+pFN fibrin. Relative to γγF1+pFN fibrin, mouse dermal wounds that were sealed by γγ′F1:pFN fibrin exhibited accelerated and enhanced healing. This study suggests that a 3D pFN presentation on a fibrin matrix promotes wound healing

Developing an integrated microsimulation model for the impact of fiscal policies on child health in Europe: the example of childhood obesity in Italy.

Background We developed an integrated model called Microsimulation for Income and Child Health (MICH) that provides a tool for analysing the prospective effects of fiscal policies on childhood health in European countries. The aim of this first MICH study is to evaluate the impact of alternative fiscal policies on childhood overweight and obesity in Italy. Methods MICH model is composed of three integrated modules. Firstly, module 1 (M1) simulates the effects of fiscal policies on disposable household income using the tax-benefit microsimulation program EUROMOD fed with the Italian EU-SILC 2010 data. Secondly, module 2 (M2) exploits data provided by the Italian birth cohort called Nascita e Infanzia: gli Effetti dell'Ambiente (NINFEA), translated as Birth and Childhood: the Effects of the Environment study, and runs a series of concatenated regressions in order to estimate the prospective effects of income on child body mass index (BMI) at different ages. Finally, module 3 (M3) uses dynamic microsimulation techniques that combine the population structure and incomes obtained by M1, with regression model specifications and estimated effect sizes provided by M2, projecting BMI distributions according to the simulated policy scenarios. Results Both universal benefits, such as universal basic income (BI), and targeted interventions, such as child benefit (CB) for poorer households, have a significant effect on childhood overweight, with a prevalence ratio (PR) in 10-year-old children-in comparison with the baseline fiscal system-of 0.88 (95%CI 0.82-0.93) and 0.89 (95%CI 0.83-0.94), respectively. The impact of the fiscal reforms was even larger for child obesity, reaching a PR of 0.67 (95%CI 0·50-0.83) for the simulated BI and 0.64 (95%CI 0.44-0.84) for CB at the same age. While both types of policies show similar effects, the estimated costs for a 1% prevalence reduction in overweight and obesity with respect to the baseline scenario is much lower with a more focalised benefit policy than with universal ones. Conclusions Our results show that fiscal policies can have a strong impact on childhood health conditions. Focalised interventions that increase family income, especially in the most vulnerable populations, can help to prevent child overweight and obesity. Robust microsimulation models to forecast the effects of fiscal policies on health should be considered as one of the instruments to reach the Health in All Policies (HiAP) goals

Model-selection-based approach for calculating cellular multiplicity of infection during virus colonization of multi-cellular hosts

The cellular multiplicity of infection (MOI) is a key parameter for describing the interactions between virions and cells, predicting the dynamics of mixed-genotype infections, and understanding virus evolution. Two recent studies have reported in vivo MOI estimates for Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), using sophisticated approaches to measure the distribution of two virus variants over host cells. Although the experimental approaches were similar, the studies employed different definitions of MOI and estimation methods. Here, new model-selection-based methods for calculating MOI were developed. Seven alternative models for predicting MOI were formulated that incorporate an increasing number of parameters. For both datasets the best-supported model included spatial segregation of virus variants over time, and to a lesser extent aggregation of virus-infected cells was also implicated. Three methods for MOI estimation were then compared: the two previously reported methods and the best-supported model. For CaMV data, all three methods gave comparable results. For TMV data, the previously reported methods both predicted low MOI values (range: 1.04-1.23) over time, whereas the best-supported model predicted a wider range of MOI values (range: 1.01-2.10) and an increase in MOI over time. Model selection can therefore identify suitable alternative MOI models and suggest key mechanisms affecting the frequency of coinfected cells. For the TMV data, this leads to appreciable differences in estimated MOI values.This work was supported by grant BFU2012-30805 (SFE) and by 'Juan de la Cierva' postdoctoral contract JCI-2011-10379 (MPZ) from the Spanish Secretaria de Estado de Investigacion, Desarrollo e Innovacion. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Zwart, MP.; Tromas ., N.; Elena Fito, SF. (2013). Model-selection-based approach for calculating cellular multiplicity of infection during virus colonization of multi-cellular hosts. PLoS ONE. 8:64657-64657. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064657S64657646578Froissart, R., Wilke, C. O., Montville, R., Remold, S. K., Chao, L., & Turner, P. E. (2004). Co-infection Weakens Selection Against Epistatic Mutations in RNA Viruses. Genetics, 168(1), 9-19. doi:10.1534/genetics.104.030205Miyashita, S., & Kishino, H. (2009). Estimation of the Size of Genetic Bottlenecks in Cell-to-Cell Movement of Soil-Borne Wheat Mosaic Virus and the Possible Role of the Bottlenecks in Speeding Up Selection of Variations in trans-Acting Genes or Elements. Journal of Virology, 84(4), 1828-1837. doi:10.1128/jvi.01890-09Taylor, D. R., Zeyl, C., & Cooke, E. (2002). 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The role of multixenobiotic transporters in predatory marine molluscs as counter-defense mechanisms against dietary allelochemicals

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2010. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here by permission of Elsevier B.V. for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology 152 (2010): 288-300, doi:10.1016/j.cbpc.2010.05.003.Multixenobiotic transporters have been extensively studied for their ability to modulate the disposition and toxicity of pharmacological agents, yet their influence in regulating the levels of dietary toxins within marine consumers has only recently been explored. This study presents functional and molecular evidence for multixenobiotic transporter-mediated efflux activity and expression in the generalist gastropod Cyphoma gibbosum, and the specialist nudibranch Tritonia hamnerorum, obligate predators of chemically defended gorgonian corals. Immunochemical analysis revealed that proteins with homology to permeability glycoprotein (P-gp) were highly expressed in T. hamnerorum whole animal homogenates and localized to the apical tips of the gut epithelium, a location consistent with a role in protection against ingested prey toxins. In vivo dye assays with specific inhibitors of efflux transporters demonstrated the activity of P-gp and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) families of ABC transporters in T. hamnerorum. In addition, we identified eight partial cDNA sequences encoding two ABCB and two ABCC proteins from each molluscan species. Digestive gland transcripts of C. gibbosum MRP-1, which have homology to vertebrate glutathione-conjugate transporters, were constitutively expressed regardless of gorgonian diet. This constitutive expression may reflect the ubiquitous presence of high affinity substrates for C. gibbosum glutathione transferases in gorgonian tissues likely necessitating export by MRPs. Our results suggest that differences in multixenobiotic transporter expression patterns and activity in molluscan predators may stem from the divergent foraging strategies of each consumer.Financial support was provided by the Ocean Life Institute Tropical Research Initiative Grant (WHOI) to KEW and MEH; the Robert H. Cole Endowed Ocean Ventures Fund (WHOI) to KEW; the National Undersea Research Center – Program Development Proposal (CMRC-03PRMN0103A) to KEW; and the National Science Foundation (Graduate Research Fellowship to KEW and DEB-0919064 to EES)

BET-inhibition by JQ1 promotes proliferation and self-renewal capacity of hematopoietic stem cells

Although inhibitors of bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) proteins show promising clinical activity in different hematologic malignancies, a systematic analysis of the consequences of pharmacological BET inhibition on healthy hematopoietic (stem) cells is urgently needed. We found that JQ1 treatment decreases the numbers of pre-, immature and mature B cells while numbers of early pro-B cells remain constant. In addition, JQ1 treatment increases apoptosis in T cells, all together leading to reduced cellularity in thymus, bone marrow and spleen. Furthermore, JQ1 induces proliferation of long-term hematopoietic stem cells, thereby increasing stem cell numbers. Due to increased numbers, JQ1-treated hematopoietic stem cells engrafted better after stem cell transplantation and repopulated the hematopoietic system significantly faster after sublethal myeloablation. As quantity and functionality of hematopoietic stem cells determine the duration of life-threatening myelosuppression, BET inhibition might benefit patients in myelosuppressive conditions