Variable phenotype in HNF1B mutations: extrarenal manifestations distinguish affected individuals from the population with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract

Background: Mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor 1B (HNF1B) have been associated with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) in humans. Diabetes and other less frequent anomalies have also been described. Variable penetrance and intrafamilial variability have been demonstrated including severe prenatal phenotypes. Thus, it is important to differentiate this entity from others with similar clinical features and perform confirmatory molecular diagnosis. Methods: This study reports the results of HNF1B screening in a cohort of 60 patients from 58 unrelated families presenting with renal structural anomalies and/or non-immune glucose metabolism alterations, and other minor features suggesting HNF1B mutations. Results: This study identified a pathogenic variant in 23 patients from 21 families. The most frequent finding was bilateral cystic dysplasia or hyperechogenic kidneys (87% of patients). Sixty percent of them also fulfilled the criteria for impaired glucose metabolism, and these were significantly older than those patients with an HNF1B mutation but without diabetes or prediabetes (14.4 versus 3.3years, P<0.05). Furthermore, patients with HNF1B mutations had higher frequency of pancreatic structural anomalies and hypomagnesaemia than patients without mutations (P<0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Hyperuricaemia and increased liver enzymes were detected in some patients as well. Conclusions: Renal anomalies found in patients with HNF1B mutations are frequently unspecific and may resemble those found in other renal pathologies (CAKUT, ciliopathies). Active searching for extrarenal minor features, especially pancreatic structural anomalies or hypomagnesaemia, could support the indication for molecular diagnosis to identify HNF1B mutations

Morphology and Solubility Products of Calcium Arsenates Found in Arsenic Contaminated Soils in an Abandoned Smelter

"The dissolution of calcium arsenates in residues released on the premises of an inactive smelter has caused high levels of arsenic pollution in the adjacent down-gradient 6 km of a perched aquifer, reaching up to 158 mg/L of dissolved arsenic, and releasing a total of 7.5 tons of arsenic in a year. We characterized the morphology of the calcium arsenates responsible of this pollution and determined their thermodynamic solubility products by (1) following the dissolution of arsenic from soil samples in batch reactors until equilibrium was reached and (2) modeling dissolution data using the geochemical code PHREEQC. Solubility product calculations took into account soil solution chemistry. Our results provide critical thermodynamic data to better understand interactions between water and arsenic containing minerals in the environment.

Adolescents views of an unequal world: understanding economic inequality and factors for its reduction

Economic inequality has a huge impact on well-being, also affecting adolescents, who are the future agents of our societies. Nevertheless, research often overlooks their perspectives on economic inequality, poverty, and their attitudes towards its reduction. The present research evaluates adolescents’ perceived and ideal economic inequality, causal attributions of poverty, support for collective action against economic inequality and meritocratic beliefs (in school or in general). Findings from this cross-sectional study involving Spanish adolescents (N = 942) reveal age-related differences being older teenagers who had higher ideal economic inequality, more general meritocratic beliefs and made more external causal attributions of poverty. Younger teenagers show greater endorsement of belief in school meritocracy. Beliefs in school meritocracy moderate perceived economic inequality, with stronger endorsement correlating with increased economic inequality tolerance and lesser support for collective action as perceived economic inequality rises. External causal attributions of poverty and ideal economic inequality partially mediate the relationship between perceived economic inequality and support for collective action, shaping attitudes towards economic inequality and its reduction. Our research contributes to understanding adolescents’ comprehension of inequality and their motivation to reduce it. By shedding light on the mechanisms underlying adolescent perceptions of economic inequality and their implications for collective action, our findings pave the way for interventions and policies aimed at promoting social justice and well-being among adolescents and the rest of society

Light-induced effects on crystal size and photo-stability of colloidal CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals

CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have been synthesized using the hot injection method. The CsPbBr3 PNCs exhibit a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 73%. A comprehensive study of UV light interaction with the CsPbBr3 PNCs was performed. SEM images, photolumines- cence spectra, x-ray Diffraction and PLQY measurements were obtained for different time of UV exposure. The exposure to UV light modifies the crystal size (from 10 ×10 nm to 12 × 95 nm) and morphology (change from nanocubic to nanorods form). The XRD spectra show a change from tetragonal to cubic crystalline structure. In addition, the interaction of UV light modifies the optical properties of the PNCs by varying the photoluminescence. The material remains stable for a period of 1 h, however, with exposure to UV light, the PNCs show a decrement in QY from 73.3% to 46.6% after 30 days. These results indicate that light-induce variation in morphological and photo-stability of CsPbBr3 PNCs

Variable phenotype in HNF1B mutations: extrarenal manifestations distinguish affected individuals from the population with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract

CAKUT; HNF1B; MODYCAKUT; HNF1B; MODYCAKUT; HNF1B; MODYBACKGROUND: Mutations in hepatocyte nuclear factor 1B (HNF1B) have been associated with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) in humans. Diabetes and other less frequent anomalies have also been described. Variable penetrance and intrafamilial variability have been demonstrated including severe prenatal phenotypes. Thus, it is important to differentiate this entity from others with similar clinical features and perform confirmatory molecular diagnosis. METHODS: This study reports the results of HNF1B screening in a cohort of 60 patients from 58 unrelated families presenting with renal structural anomalies and/or non-immune glucose metabolism alterations, and other minor features suggesting HNF1B mutations. RESULTS: This study identified a pathogenic variant in 23 patients from 21 families. The most frequent finding was bilateral cystic dysplasia or hyperechogenic kidneys (87% of patients). Sixty percent of them also fulfilled the criteria for impaired glucose metabolism, and these were significantly older than those patients with an HNF1B mutation but without diabetes or prediabetes (14.4 versus 3.3 years, P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients with HNF1B mutations had higher frequency of pancreatic structural anomalies and hypomagnesaemia than patients without mutations (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Hyperuricaemia and increased liver enzymes were detected in some patients as well. CONCLUSIONS: Renal anomalies found in patients with HNF1B mutations are frequently unspecific and may resemble those found in other renal pathologies (CAKUT, ciliopathies). Active searching for extrarenal minor features, especially pancreatic structural anomalies or hypomagnesaemia, could support the indication for molecular diagnosis to identify HNF1B mutations

La Identidad profesional, género y la diversidad cultural: caso Institución de Educación Superior en México

En este artículo se analiza la relación que guarda la identidad profesional, el género y la diversidad cultural, así como la forma de como en su conceptualización teórica sean considerados para ser abordados en los planes y programas de estudio en las Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES), con la finalidad de disminuir la tensión en temas relativos a igualdad de género. Se busca comprender la manera en que género y diversidad cultural puede ser integrados de forma transversal en los planes y programas de estudios, esto permitirá que los docentes permeen a sus estudiantes como responder de forma respetuosa a la aceptación de la diferencia, reforzando además su identidad profesional. Se inicia con la consulta de la normatividad existente en una Universidad en México, atendiendo a convenios internacionales, así como leyes y reglamentos nacionales. Se aplicó como instrumento un cuestionario de la Universidad de Friburgo (2019) a un total 191 estudiantes para una Licenciatura Económico-Administrativa, las preguntas se avocaron a comprobar si los contenidos de materias y la evaluación de los aprendizajes se realizan con perspectiva de género. Los resultados obtenidos en el análisis de esta Licenciatura reflejan un avance de como la generación actual de estudiantes, identifica en los materiales y formas de evaluación, que si se observa la que están elaborados con perspectiva de género y el estudiantado a identificado áreas de oportunidad que aún se pueden mejorar

Incorporación de la igualdad de género en un programa de estudios universitarios en México

Gender equality has taken on an important role in the university environment, which leads to changes in the structures of universities in their legislation and administration, promoting a transformation from their mission, vision, philosophy, values, which form the basis of their organizational culture. This research analyzes the study plans and programs implemented in a faculty, the challenges, and actions in the field of gender studies, this leads to analyze and identify opportunities of the existing problem to propose strategies to support the student community.&nbsp; It is based on the legal framework based on the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (CPEUM), international treaties, the UN 2030 Agenda, and other laws and regulations on gender that address the issue of Gender Equality, continuing with the analysis of some subjects of the curriculum map program of a bachelor\u27s degree.&nbsp; Where areas of opportunity were found, which could contribute to professional training with a gender perspective.La igualdad de género ha tomado un papel relevante en el ámbito universitario, lo que propicia que se realicen cambios en las estructuras de las Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES) en su legislación y su administración, promoviendo una transformación desde su misión, visión, filosofía, valores, que forman la base de la cultura organizacional de la misma. En esta investigación se analizan los planes y programas de estudio implementados en una facultad, los retos y acciones en materia de estudios de género, esto conlleva a analizar e identificar oportunidades de la problemática existente para proponer estrategias de apoyo a la comunidad estudiantil. Se parte del marco legal a partir de Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos (CPEUM), tratados internacionales, la Agenda 2030 de la ONU, y demás leyes y reglamentos en materia de género que abordan el tema de igualdad de género, continuando con el análisis de algunas materias del programa del mapa curricular de una licenciatura, en donde se encontraron áreas de oportunidad, que pudieran contribuir a una formación profesional con perspectiva de género

Examining Students’ Motivations to Pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition

Introduction: With high level of obesity in Mexico, there is a growing need to train more students in nutrition. Understanding what motivates students to choose pursuing degree in nutrition is very important for in post-secondary education. Better understanding of motivating factors may help educators to make sure that students complete their degress. The aim of this paper was to determine factors influencing student motivations for pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nutrition at the University of Guanajuato.Methods: This was a survey study targeting 50 students at the University of Guanajuato. Questions in the survey targeted the following issues: general student characteristics, main reason for the choice of study area, objectives of higher education, university study field, and future plans. The descriptive statistics were calculated for the data obtained. The Z test was applied to analyze the differences between the ages.Results: The mean age of these students was 19 years; 74% were female while 26% were male. The students reported that the main reason for choosing a career in nutrition was personal preference and pointed out that such degree will give them better career options in the future, including better financial renumeration in comparison to other careers. Most of the students stated that their main reason for choosing University of Guanajuato was its prestige at the national and international level.Conclusion:  Our study corroborates previously published study suggesting that students pursuing healthcare professions are motivaed by prestige and financial renumeration. With importance of nutrition in tackling obesity epidemic, it is very important to continue research on factors motivating students to choose careers in nutritio

Study of inverted planar CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite solar cells fabricated under environmental conditions

Organic-inorganic inverted perovskite solar cells have been analyzed. This structure uses organic semiconductors as electron and hole selective electrodes and the perovskite as light harvesting layer. The anti-solvent deposition method is a frequently used techniques in the elaboration of conventional perovskite solar cells (FTO/TiO2/ CH3NH3PbI3/Spiro-OMetad/Au). However, the anti-solvent method is seldom used in the inverted structure. In this work, we use the anti-solvent method to fabricate the perovskite film for solar cells in the ITO/PEDOT:PSS/ CH3NH3PbI3/PC61BM/Ag configuration, systematically studying the effect of the anti-solvent dripping time and the relative humidity in cell fabrication and performance. The morphological, optical and photovoltaic analyses indicate that the right combination of these two parameters will result in a preferential crystal growth in the (1 1 0) orientation. This allows the formation of homogeneous pinhole-free films that enhance light harvesting and reduce charge-carrier leakage, hence increasing short circuit current and fill factor to obtain a photo-con- version efficiency of about ∼10%