A review on viral metagenomics in extreme environments

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities in the biosphere, and have the ability to infect Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryotes. The virome is estimated to be at least ten times more abundant than the microbiome with 107 viruses per milliliter and 109 viral particles per gram in marine waters and sediments or soils, respectively. Viruses represent a largely unexplored genetic diversity, having an important role in the genomic plasticity of their hosts. Moreover, they also play a significant role in the dynamics of microbial populations. In recent years, metagenomic approaches have gained increasing popularity in the study of environmental viromes, offering the possibility of extending our knowledge related to both virus diversity and their functional characterization. Extreme environments represent an interesting source of both microbiota and their virome due to their particular physicochemical conditions, such as very high or very low temperatures and >1 atm hydrostatic pressures, among others. Despite the fact that some progress has been made in our understanding of the ecology of the microbiota in these habitats, few metagenomic studies have described the viromes present in extreme ecosystems. Thus, limited advances have been made in our understanding of the virus community structure in extremophilic ecosystems, as well as in their biotechnological potential. In this review, we critically analyze recent progress in metagenomic based approaches to explore the viromes in extreme environments and we discuss the potential for new discoveries, as well as methodological challenges and perspectives

Compromising between European and US allergen immunotherapy schools: Discussions from GUIMIT, the Mexican immunotherapy guidelines

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has a longstanding history and still remains the only disease-changing treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Over the years 2 different schools have developed their strategies: the United States (US) and the European. Allergen extracts available in these regions are adapted to local practice. In other parts of the world, extracts from both regions and local ones are commercialized, as in Mexico. Here, local experts developed a national AIT guideline (GUIMIT 2019) searching for compromises between both schools. Methods: Using ADAPTE methodology for transculturizing guidelines and AGREE-II for evaluating guideline quality, GUIMIT selected 3 high-quality Main Reference Guidelines (MRGs): the European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (EAACI) guideines, the S2k guideline of various German-speaking medical societies (2014), and the US Practice Parameters on Allergen Immunotherapy 2011. We formulated clinical questions and based responses on the fused evidence available in the MRGs, combined with local possibilities, patient's preference, and costs. We came across several issues on which the MRGs disagreed. These are presented here along with arguments of GUIMIT members to resolve them. GUIMIT (for a complete English version, see Supplementary data) concluded the following: Results: Related to the diagnosis of IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, apart from skin prick testing complementary tests (challenges, in vitro testing and molecular such as species-specific allergens) might be useful in selected cases to inform AIT composition. AIT is indicated in allergic rhinitis and suggested in allergic asthma (once controlled) and IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis. Concerning the correct subcutaneous AIT dose for compounding vials according to the US school: dosing tables and formula are given; up to 4 non-related allergens can be mixed, refraining from mixing high with low protease extracts. When using European extracts: the manufacturer's indications should be followed; in multi-allergic patients 2 simultaneous injections can be given (100% consensus); mixing is discouraged. In Mexico only allergoid tablets are available; based on doses used in all sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) publications referenced in MRGs, GUIMIT suggests a probable effective dose related to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) might be: 50–200% of the monthly SCIT dose given daily, maximum mixing 4 allergens. Also, a table with practical suggestions on non-evidence-existing issues, developed with a simplified Delphi method, is added. Finally, dissemination and implementation of guidelines is briefly discussed, explaining how we used online tools for this in Mexico. Conclusions: Countries where European and American AIT extracts are available should adjust AIT according to which school is followed

USO DE BLOQUES NUTRICIONALES COMO COMPLEMENTO PARA OVINOS EN EL TROPICO SECO DEL ALTIPLANO CENTRAL DE MEXICO

"El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el comportamiento productivo de ovinos complementados con bloques nutricionales en confinamiento y pastoreo. Se llevaron a cabo dos experimentos, el Experimento 1 se realizó con ovinos en confinamiento, el Experiment

Paciente con deficiencia de adhesión leucocitaria tipo 1 y doble falla primaria de injerto

Niño de 4 años de edad con diagnóstico de deficiencia de adhesión leucocitaria tipo 1, postrasplantado de células progenitoras hematopoyéticas en tres ocasiones, las dos primeras con falla primaria de injerto

Análisis comparativo de pruebas de tamiz para la detección de problemas en el desarrollo diseñadas y validadas en México

Introducción: En los últimos años se han desarrollado varias pruebas de tamiz para el desarrollo infantil temprano (DIT) en menores de 5 años en México. El objetivo de esta revisión fue comparar la calidad del reporte de validación publicado y riesgo de sesgo entre diferentes pruebas desarrolladas y validadas en México. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos, literatura gris y referencia cruzada documental. Se efectuó un análisis comparativo de la calidad del reporte (STARD) y el riesgo de sesgo (QUADAS y QUADAS-2). Resultados: Se incluyeron las siguientes cinco pruebas: Valoración Neuroconductual del Desarrollo del Lactante (VANEDELA), Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI), Prueba de Tamiz del Neurodesarrollo Infantil (PTNI), Cartillas de Vigilancia para identificar alteraciones en el Desarrollo del Lactante (CVDL) e Indicadores de riesgo del Perfil de Conductas de Desarrollo (INDIPCD-R). Ninguna cumplió el 100% de los ítems de acuerdo con STARD. Las más completas en su descripción fueron VANEDELA y EDI. El área de procedimientos de muestreo fue en la que hubo menor cumplimiento (VANEDELA, PTNI, CVDL, INDIPCD-R). En QUADAS, todas las pruebas presentaron algún riesgo de sesgo. Las más importantes fueron la selección de la muestra y la elección del estándar de oro, que en dos estudios se identificó que no era el más adecuado (PTNI, INDIPCD-R). Conclusiones: Las pruebas de tamiz mexicanas para el DIT varían en la calidad de reporte publicado y riesgo de sesgo. La de mejor calidad de reporte de validación es VANEDELA y la de menor riesgo de sesgo en los datos publicados es la prueba EDI

Los saberes en medicina tradicional y su contribución al desarrollo rural: estudio de caso Región Totonaca, Veracruz

The threat to biodiversity in rural areas persists mainly by high rates of deforestation, the expansion of the agricultural frontier, and the contamination of soil and water. The so close links between this cultural diversity in the territories of indigenous peoples make suppose an erosion of indigenous knowledge, linked to the use and exploitation of their plant genetic resources. This study analyses the process of transmission and exchange of knowledge on traditional medicine in two ways: 1) between family members; and 2) between traditional medicine and its complementarity with allopathic medicine. The study was conducted in 2013 in the Totonac region of the State of Veracruz. 53 questionnaires to heads and four key informant interviews were applied to disclose the acquisition and transmission of knowledge and the syncretic act of attention. The results show that traditional medicine still represents an important practice for the health care of members of the family and are the mother and father who favour the transmission of this knowledge to the children through the induction consumption of home remedies; however, gradual loss of knowledge of their ancestors is perceived. Although traditional medicine is kept at the local level and uncommercial in practice to coexist with allopathic medicine, where the actors recognize their respective areas of competence and benefits. Keywords: health, joint attention; medicinal plants, Totonac region, traditional knowledge.La amenaza a la biodiversidad de las áreas rurales persiste principalmente por las altas tasas de deforestación, la ampliación de la frontera agrícola, y la contaminación del suelo y agua. Los vínculos tan estrechos entre ésta con la diversidad cultural en los territorios de poblaciones indígenas, hacen suponer una erosión de los saberes autóctonos, vinculados al uso y aprovechamiento de sus recursos fitogenéticos. Este estudio analiza el proceso de transmisión e intercambio de saberes en medicina tradicional en dos vertientes: 1) entre integrantes de la familia; y 2) entre la medicina tradicional y su complementariedad con la medicina alópata. El estudio se realizó en 2013 en la región Totonaca del estado de Veracruz. Se aplicaron 53 cuestionarios a jefes y cuatro entrevistas a informantes clave para conocer la adquisición y transmisión de conocimientos, así como el acto sincrético de la atención mixta. Los resultados muestran que la medicina tradicional aún representa una práctica relevante para la atención de la salud de los miembros de las familia y son la madre y el padre quienes propician la transmisión de estos conocimientos hacia los hijos e hij as a través de la inducción en el consumo de remedios caseros; sin embargo se percibe pérdida paulatina de saberes de sus antepasados. Aunque la medicina tradicional se mantiene en el nivel local y poco comercial, en la práctica coexiste con la medicina alópata, en donde los actores reconocen sus respectivos ámbitos de competencia y beneficios. Palabras-clave: atención mixta; plantas medicinales, región Totonaca, saberes tradicionales, salu

Effect of Tibolone on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Low bone mineral density (BMD) on postmenopausal women causes bone fragility and fracture risk. Tibolone seems to prevent bone loss. Therefore, this systematic review with meta-analysis synthesizes the tibolone effect on BMD percent change in lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), and total hip (TH) in postmenopausal women. Controlled trials that provided tibolone evidence on the efficacy of tibolone in preventing loss of BMD were included. Regarding the included studies, a pooled mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) was estimated to determine the BMD percentage change. Eleven studies were identified and eight were included in the quantitative analysis. Tibolone at a dose of 2.5 mg increased BMD compared with non-active controls at 24 months in LS (MD 4.87%, 95%CI: 4.16–5.57, and MD 7.35%, 95%CI: 2.68–12.01); and FN (MD 4.85%, 95%CI: 1.55–8.15, and 4.21%, 95%CI: 2.99–5.42), with Hologic and Lunar scanners, respectively. No difference was observed when tibolone 2.5 mg dose was compared with estrogen therapy (ET) at 24 months, LS (MD −0.58%, 95%CI: −3.77–2.60), FN (MD −0.29%, 95%CI: −1.37–0.79), and TH (MD −0.12%, 95%CI: −2.28–2.53). Therefore, tibolone increases BMD in LS and FN compared to non-active controls, and there was no showed difference with ET

Suspension of irrigation during the maturation phase of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) cultivation

Objective: To evaluate if there is an increase in the concentration of sugars in grinder stems of sugarcane due to the effect of controlled water stress.Design / Methodology / Approach: An experimental plot on cultivar MEX 69-290 was established in 2nd ratoon cycle, on a Gleysol molic soil in the supply area of sugarmill Pujiltic. Five irrigation suspension treatments were established: T1 = 15 days; T2 = 30 days; T3 = 45 days; T4 = 60 days and T5 = 75 days of suspension. The treatments were distributed in the field in a design of plots divided in gradient, following the slope of the land, with four repetitions within each irrigation strip. Results: The results show that suspending irrigation between 45 and 60 days before harvest increases the quality of the juices, as well as the yields of the grinder stem. In addition, the natural precipitation plus irrigation water do not satisfy the water needs of the crop in the area under the scheme followed by the producers.Study limitations / implications: Irrigation innings.Findings / Conclusions: It is recommended to give the amount of auxiliary irrigations necessary to satisfy the water demand of the crop during the growth cycle but to suspend the irrigation at the beginning of the seasoning and maturity stage.Objective: To evaluate if there is an increase in the concentration of sugars in sugarcane grinding stalks as a result of controlled water stress. Design/Methodology/Approach: An experimental plot on cultivar MEX 69-290 was established in 2nd ratoon cycle, on a mollic Gleysol soil in the supply area of ​the​ Pujiltic sugar mill. Five treatments in irrigation suspension were established: T1 = 15 days; T2 = 30 days; T3 = 45 days; T4 = 60 days, and T5 = 75 days of suspension. The treatments were distributed in the field in a gradient plot design, following the slope of the land, with four repetitions within each irrigation strip. Results: The results show that suspending irrigation between 45 and 60 days before harvest increases the quality of the juices as well as the yields of the grinding stalks. In addition, natural precipitation plus irrigation water do not satisfy the water needs of the crop in the area under the scheme followed by the farmers. Study Limitations/Implications: Irrigation rotation. Findings/Conclusions: The authors recommend providing the necessary amount of auxiliary irrigation to satisfy the water demand of the crop during the growth cycle but suspending irrigation at the beginning of the ripening and maturity stage

Diversity and Genetic Structure Inferred with Microsatellites in Natural Populations of <em>Pseudotsuga menziesii</em> (Mirb.) Franco (Pinaceae) in the Central Region of Mexico

The amount and structure of the genetic diversity in Mexican populations of Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, is almost unknown, since most genetic studies have been carried out on populations from Canada and the United States. Here, we applied a set of 12 microsatellite markers to 12 populations (234 trees) from the central region of Mexico in order to determine values of genetic diversity and differentiation. Seventy-three different alleles were identified: an average number of alleles per locus (Na) of 6.083, effective number of alleles (Ne) of 2.039, observed heterozygosity (Ho) of 0.229, and expected heterozygosity (Ht) of 0.417. Genetic differentiation was high: the coefficient of differentiation (θ) was 0.270, while the coefficient of structure (Φst) was 0.278. Bayesian analysis identified two genetic groups in central Mexico. The PCoA and the dendrogram were in concordance with the two genetic groups. The results of the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicate that genetic variation exists mainly within populations (72.149%). Therefore, conservation efforts should focus on as many individuals within populations as possible, to maintain this variation