Anatomy and evolution of telomeric and subtelomeric regions in the human protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi

Background: the subtelomeres of many protozoa are highly enriched in genes with roles in niche adaptation. T. cruzi trypomastigotes express surface proteins from Trans-Sialidase (TS) and Dispersed Gene Family-1 (DGF-1) superfamilies which are implicated in host cell invasion. Single populations of T. cruzi may express different antigenic forms of TSs. Analysis of TS genes located at the telomeres suggests that chromosome ends could have been the sites where new TS variants were generated. the aim of this study is to characterize telomeric and subtelomeric regions of T. cruzi available in TriTrypDB and connect the sequences of telomeres to T. cruzi working draft sequence.Results: We first identified contigs carrying the telomeric repeat (TTAGGG). of 49 contigs identified, 45 have telomeric repeats at one end, whereas in four contigs the repeats are located internally. All contigs display a conserved telomeric junction sequence adjacent to the hexamer repeats which represents a signature of T. cruzi chromosome ends. We found that 40 telomeric contigs are located on T. cruzi chromosome-sized scaffolds. in addition, we were able to map several telomeric ends to the chromosomal bands separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. the subtelomeric sequence structure varies widely, mainly as a result of large differences in the relative abundance and organization of genes encoding surface proteins (TS and DGF-1), retrotransposon hot spot genes (RHS), retrotransposon elements, RNA-helicase and N-acetyltransferase genes. While the subtelomeric regions are enriched in pseudogenes, they also contain complete gene sequences matching both known and unknown expressed genes, indicating that these regions do not consist of nonfunctional DNA but are instead functional parts of the expressed genome. the size of the subtelomeric regions varies from 5 to 182 kb; the smaller of these regions could have been generated by a recent chromosome breakage and telomere healing event.Conclusions: the lack of synteny in the subtelomeric regions suggests that genes located in these regions are subject to recombination, which increases their variability, even among homologous chromosomes. the presence of typical subtelomeric genes can increase the chance of homologous recombination mechanisms or microhomology-mediated end joining, which may use these regions for the pairing and recombination of free ends.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilFIOCRUZ MG, Ctr Pesquisas Rene Rachou, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Minas Gerais, ICB, Dept Parasitol, Belo Horizonte, MG, BrazilUCLA, Barquisimeto, VenezuelaFdn Inst Estudios Avanzados IDEA, Caracas, VenezuelaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Long-term response planting method on wheat under conservation agriculture

Objective: To compare different bed planting systems: narrow beds (80 cm), wide beds (100 cm), and flat soil, on the growth and yield of wheat under conservation system. Design/methodology/approach: Treatments were established on a complete block design with three replicates; also, wheat crop was grown during five seasons. Treatments were as follow: A) wide beds (furrows at 100 cm), B) narrow beds (furrows at 80 cm) and C) flat soil. Response variables were dry weight of 50 stems, weight of 1000 grains, number of spikes (m2), harvest index and yield. Also, the relationship between relative yield and cold units and degree-days were measured. Results: Flat soil reach the highest dry weight of 50 stems, whereas narrow beds had the maximum number of spikes per m2. Yield was equal between flat soil and narrow beds. No differences were found in the harvest index (HI) among the evaluated treatments. When comparing results between years, dry weight of 50 stems increased and the HI index decreased, affecting negatively the yield. A negative association was found between chill hours and yield. Findings/conclusions: Despite yield was equal between flat soil and narrow beds, reduction on yields was mainly associated with of reduction in chill hours occurring in each season.Objetivo: Comparar diferentes métodos de siembra: camas angostas, camas anchas, and melgas planas, sobre el crecimiento y rendimiento de trigo cultivado baja agricultura de conservación. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Los tratamientos fueron establecidos bajo un diseño de bloques completos al zar con tres repeticiones. Además el cultivo de trigo fue cultivado durante cinco años. Los tratamientos fueron: camas de siembra anchas (100 cm), camas de siembra angostas (80 cm) y siembra en melgas planas. Las variables de respuesta fueron el peso seco de 50 tallos, peso de 1000 granos, numero de espigas (m2), índice de cosecha y rendimiento. Así mismo, se identificó la relación entre el rendimiento y las horas frio y unidades grado. Resultados: El tratamiento de melgas planas, alcanzó el peso de tallos más alto, mientras que las camas angostas tuvieron el mayor número de espigas m2. El rendimiento fue igual entre las melgas planas y las camas angostas. No se encontró diferencias en el índice de cosecha entre los tratamientos evaluados. Cuando se compararon los variables en los años evaluados, el peso seco de 50 tallos incrementó y el índice de cosecha se redujo, afectando negativamente el rendimiento. Se identificó una asociación negativa entre la reducción de horas frio y el rendimiento del cultivo. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: La utilización de camas de siembra anchas, redujo el rendimiento del cultivo de trigo, y no se recomienda su utilización. Hallazgos/conclusiones: El rendimiento fue igual entre el tratamiento de melgas planas y camas angostas. La reducción en el rendimiento se asoció principalmente a la reducción de horas frio ocurridas en cada año de producción

Vulnerabilidad territorial ante la expansión urbana

En México según el INEGI para el 2010 la población urbana fue del 77.8%, lo que significa que un porcentaje importante de la población vive en localidades mayores a los 2500 habitantes. Las cuales tienen sus propios ritmos de crecimiento, funciones, especialización, cambios de usos del suelo y problemáticas específicas. Las ciudades principales se han expandido, en las últimas décadas, con escasa acción planificadora y bajos resultados en el ordenamiento territorial. Ello ha configurado crecimientos físicos dispersos y fragmentados con importantes efectos ambientales. En México, la dispersión urbana genera ocupación del territorio en riesgos, situaciones de vulnerabilidad con inexistencia de acciones públicas, porque se encuentra en pendientes abruptas, lugares que se inundan, en áreas naturales protegidas, entre otras formas, genera tejido construido en áreas no óptimas para el desarrollo urbano, todo ello impacta negativamente al medio ambiente y la calidad de vida de la población. El crecimiento urbano continuará porque en las ciudades se genera la riqueza del país, en ellas se encuentran las oportunidades y soluciones. La urbanización es el modelo para conseguir el desarrollo de la sociedad. En dicho desarrollo se aspira el crecimiento sustentable y armonioso con el ambiente. Se espera cambios regulatorios para revertir los efectos negativos generados durante décadas con la expansión urbana consumidora de recursos naturales, energía y recursos financieros. En este marco problemático se integra el libro “Vulnerabilidad territorial ante la expansión urbana”, es producto de las actividades científicas –foro y congreso realizados en 2015- de la Red internacional de territorios, sustentabilidad y gobernanza en México y Polonia (RETESYG) de la Facultad de Geografía, Facultad de Planeación Urbana y Regional de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEM), así como de la Facultad de Geografía y Estudios Regionales de la Universidad de Varsovia (UV) y la Facultad de Geografía y Biología de la Universidad Pedagógica “Comisión de Educación Nacional” de Cracovia. El libro tiene una visión integral de la vulnerabilidad territorial ante la expansión urbana, considera los enfoques de la geografía, de la planeación y del ordenamiento territorial para abordar las problemáticas ambiental y social. Presenta una visión amplia y de síntesis sobre vulnerabilidad del territorio y de las ciudades, en él se integran los saberes de la Geografía y de la Planeación Territorial. Destaca la necesidad de controlar el crecimiento anárquico y desordenado, las desigualdades sociales, los riesgos, los problemas ambientales, la falta de bases de datos geoespaciales dinámicas, entre otros. Los resultados de las investigaciones apuntan hacia el desarrollo territorial sustentable. El libro se conforma de dos partes, la primera presenta aspectos teóricos conceptuales y metodológicos de la vulnerabilidad territorial, estructural, física, ambiental y socioeconómica, los riesgos geomorfológicos, la sustentabilidad y manejo de recursos naturales, áreas naturales protegidas, metodologías para la evaluación de los impactos de la expansión metropolitana y gobernanza territorial. La segunda parte, desarrolla estudios de caso, a distintas escalas: desde huertos familiares, subcuentas, ciudad, municipio, zonas metropolitanas, megalópolis, regiones y país. En cada capítulo del libro se presenta bibliografía extensa, diversificada y actualizada que aportan al lector sobre el estado del arte de la vulnerabilidad territorial

Fatty acids homeostasis during fasting predicts protection from chemotherapy toxicity.

Fasting exerts beneficial effects in mice and humans, including protection from chemotherapy toxicity. To explore the involved mechanisms, we collect blood from humans and mice before and after 36 or 24 hours of fasting, respectively, and measure lipid composition of erythrocyte membranes, circulating micro RNAs (miRNAs), and RNA expression at peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Fasting coordinately affects the proportion of polyunsaturated versus saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids at the erythrocyte membrane; and reduces the expression of insulin signaling-related genes in PBMCs. When fasted for 24 hours before and 24 hours after administration of oxaliplatin or doxorubicin, mice show a strong protection from toxicity in several tissues. Erythrocyte membrane lipids and PBMC gene expression define two separate groups of individuals that accurately predict a differential protection from chemotherapy toxicity, with important clinical implications. Our results reveal a mechanism of fasting associated with lipid homeostasis, and provide biomarkers of fasting to predict fasting-mediated protection from chemotherapy toxicity.General: We thank Prof. Jose Maria. Ordovas for his kind suggestions; nutritionists Helena Marcos-Pasero, Elena Aguilar-Aguilar and Isabel Espinosa-Salinas for their help with volunteers management; Rosa Serrano for her help with animal experiments; Susana Molina for her advice with PBMC isolation; Luisa Mariscal, Domingo Fernandez, Lola Martinez, Diego Megias, Patricia Gonzalez, Fernando Pelaez, Anabel Sanz, Carolina Pola, Celia de la Calle, Ana Ortega, Ana Sagrera, Jose Miguel Frade, Elena Lopez-Guadamillas, Maribel Munoz, Susana Llanos, Andres Fernandez, Aranzazu Sierra, Andres Lopez, Noemi Haro and Ildefonso Rodriguez for their excellent technical and scientific support. Work at the laboratory of P.J.F.M. is funded by the Ramon Areces Foundation, (CIVP18A3891), Asociacion Espanola contra el Cancer-AECC (SIRTBIO-LABAE18008FERN), a Ramon y Cajal Award from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICINN) (RYC-2017-22335), RETOS projects Program of MICINN (SAF2017-85766-R) and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT-MCTES, SFRH/BD/124022/2016). Work at the laboratory of ARM was funded by the MICINN (PID2019-110183RB-C21), Regional Government of Community of Madrid (P2018/BAA-4343-ALIBIRD2020-CM) and the Ramon Areces Foundation. Work at the laboratory of A.D.R. Funded by the Comunidad de Madrid-Talento Grant 2018-T1/BMD-11966 and the MICINN PID-2019-106893RA-100. Work at the laboratory of L.D. is funded by projects from the Health Research Fund (ISCIII FIS PI14/01374 and FISPI17/00508) and from a Manuel de Oya research fellowship from the Beer and Health Foundation. Work at the laboratory of A.E. is funded by a Ramon y Cajal Award from MICINN (RYC-2013-13546) and RETOS projects Program of the MICINN, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (SAF2015-67538-R). Work in the laboratory of M.S. was funded by the IRB and by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (SAF2013-48256-R), the European Research Council (ERC-2014-AdG/669622), and the "laCaixa" Foundation.S

The hepatocyte growth factor induces an anti-inflammatory and repairing response in the cholestasis-induced colon damage

Aim: Cholestasis remains a partially characterized disease. Evidence has been gained that it is a systemic disease that begins in the liver but significantly impacts other organs and systems such as the kidney, heart, and intestine, among others. One of the primary damage mechanisms is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which eventually leads to oxidative stress, impacting canalicular morphology and actin cytoskeleton changes that could worsen the problem. These characteristics are also observed in the kidney and intestine. The work focused on addressing the intestine effects of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) and the protective response of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Methods: The 10- to 12-week-old CD1 male mice were treated with ANIT and then treated or not with HGF; intestine damage was addressed by histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) of specific markers, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Results: Results show changes in the intestine histology, particularly the colon and ileum, induced by the cholestasis. HGF treatment restored the histology presentation and reverted the oxidative damage, clearly indicating a healing response. This observation was supported by an increment in anti-inflammatory macrophages (CD163+) in the HGF treatment. Conclusions: The data prove that HGF induces a protective and repairing response in the intestine under cholestatic challenges

Estudios sobre violencia en la educación. Enfoques, textos y contextos

El concepto de la violencia ha estado sobre la palestra desde el principio de nuestras sociedades. No obstante, en la práctica sus facetas son múltiples y en diversos ámbitos, lo que ha dado lugar a especulaciones acerca de los medios y los fines. Esto mismo incita a reflexionar en lo axiológico, pues la violencia alberga en sí un elemento adicional de arbitrariedad y, por lo tanto, se relaciona con aspectos fundamentales del derecho o los derechos humanos. En los ámbitos educativos han aparecido nuevas formas de violencia personal, que se reflejan en el bullying y el mobbing. En el ámbito universitario, existe un malestar que no se palía con estímulos o clientelismos y que se refiere a un tipo de violencia particular soterrada por las políticas públicas y el intervencionismo del Estado, los cuales han provocado tensiones entre las comunidades académicas; éstas tienen que ver con la defensa de los principios de libertad y autonomía de cátedra e investigación. En algunos casos, dichas voces han formulado críticas a los programas impuestos, ya que éstos se establecen sin reflexionar en los costos sociales que provocan en el trabajo académico y científico. De esas formas de violencia se quiere dar cuenta en esta obra, la cual fue desarrollada por la Red de Cuerpos Académicos en Política, Educación y Universidad

May Measurement Month 2018: a pragmatic global screening campaign to raise awareness of blood pressure by the International Society of Hypertension

Aims Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Canagliflozin and Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease in Primary and Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention Groups

Background: Canagliflozin reduces the risk of kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, but effects on specific cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain, as are effects in people without previous cardiovascular disease (primary prevention). Methods: In CREDENCE (Canagliflozin and Renal Events in Diabetes With Established Nephropathy Clinical Evaluation), 4401 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease were randomly assigned to canagliflozin or placebo on a background of optimized standard of care. Results: Primary prevention participants (n=2181, 49.6%) were younger (61 versus 65 years), were more often female (37% versus 31%), and had shorter duration of diabetes mellitus (15 years versus 16 years) compared with secondary prevention participants (n=2220, 50.4%). Canagliflozin reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events overall (hazard ratio [HR], 0.80 [95% CI, 0.67-0.95]; P=0.01), with consistent reductions in both the primary (HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.49-0.94]) and secondary (HR, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.69-1.06]) prevention groups (P for interaction=0.25). Effects were also similar for the components of the composite including cardiovascular death (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.61-1.00]), nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.59-1.10]), and nonfatal stroke (HR, 0.80 [95% CI, 0.56-1.15]). The risk of the primary composite renal outcome and the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure were also consistently reduced in both the primary and secondary prevention groups (P for interaction >0.5 for each outcome). Conclusions: Canagliflozin significantly reduced major cardiovascular events and kidney failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease, including in participants who did not have previous cardiovascular disease

Ciencias Sociales: Economía y Humanidades HANDBOOK T-I

Se presenta un breve examen de la producción y comercialización de rosa en México; un estudio en México sobre el ingreso mínimo de las familias que identifica la línea de pobreza alimentaria en el área rural del sur de México, 2012; un pequeño estudio donde hablará sobre el análisis comparado del Sector Gubernamental y la Economía Mexicana desde la perspectiva de los eslabonamientos productivos Hirshman-Rasmuss; un estudio sobre los canales de comercialización de limón persa en el municipio de Martínez de la Torre, Veracruz; una análisis del comercio estratégico en el TLCAN: El Estado en la política agrícola de biocombustibles; también se expresan acerca de la importancia de la comercialización del café en México; un diagnóstico, retos del comercio electrónico en el Sector Agroindustrial Mexicano; trabajo nos muestra y habla sobre la inversión extranjera directa y su impacto en crecimiento de México, un análisis en prospectiva: 1999-2010; un estudio acerca sobre la importancia de la Banca en México; un trabajo acerca de la competitividad de la producción agrícola en México, un análisis regional; se analizan todo acerca de el SIAL productor de quesos en Poxtla, competividad y territorio; se habla acerca de la intermediación financiera al servicio de la comunidad indígena: el fondo regional indígena Tarhiata Keri; ademas un estudio acerca de la demanda de Importaciones de durazno (Prunus pérsica L. Batsch) en México procedentes de Estados Unidos de América (1982-2011); Loera y Sepúlveda analizan los parámetros de la productividad forestal en la producción de madera en rollo; un análisis de factores sociales, ambientales y económicos del territorio rural cercano a la ciudad de México; un estudio acerca de la crisis económica mundial y su efecto sobre los flujos migratorios de América Latina; Magadán, Hernández y Escalona presentan la tipología de los sujetos sociales que intervienen en el mercado campesino de Ocotlán Oaxaca; la normalización del proceso de compostaje: una opción para desarrollar el mercado de la composta; acerca de la reestructuración del capitalismo y crisis política en México; la rentabilidad de la producción de miel en el municipio de León, Guanjuato; la economía del maíz en la región metropolitana, Chiapas, 2014; análisis de los centros de educación y cultura ambiental, necesidad de profesionalización Pedagógica de facilitadores ambientales; los Costos y competitividad de la producción del limón persa en el municipio de Martínez de la Torre, Veracruz