Exploratory study: testicular microlithiasis in cattle from the Costa Chica region

Objective. To determine the presence of microlithiasis in cattle males from the Costa Chica region of Guerrero, México and to evaluate seminal quality of males affected with this pathology. Materials and methods. 77 males were evaluated in four municipalities of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Testes of the males were evaluated by ultrasonography, if microlithiasis was found, males were classified according to the number of observed points. In addition, semen samples were obtained by electroejaculation. For these samples, sperm concentration (x106 sperm ml-1) and individual motility (%) were estimated. Microlithiasis results are shown as percentage with respect to the total number of evaluated animals. Seminal traits were analyzed by ANOVA. Means where compared by Tukey test. Results. In the studied population, about 25% of the individuals evaluated showed microlithiasis. From identified cases, about 60% were classified as grade 2 (>5 <25 points). In Brown Swiss males the 3 grades of microlithiasis were identified, while in Gyr males none were identified. Regarding the seminal traits, general average for sperm concentration and individual motility was 992.5 x106 sperms ml-1 and 75.5%, respectively. Male breed did not generate statistical differences in seminal quality traits. Conclusion. The presence of microlithiasis was identified in cattle male from the Costa Chica region of Guerrero, however, sperm concentration and individual motility were not affected.O Objective. To determine the presence of microlithiasis in bulls from the Costa Chica, Guerrero, Mexico, and to assess the sperm quality of the bulls affected by this pathology. Methodology. Seventy-seven bulls were assessed in four municipalities of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. Bull testicles were subjected to an ultrasonography test and, in the event of microlithiasis, they were classified according to the number of points observed. In addition, semen was collected by electroejaculation. Sperm concentration (x106 sperm mL-1) and individual motility (%) were quantified from the samples. Microlithiasis results are expressed as a percentage of the total number of assessed animals. Seminal characteristics were subjected to an ANOVA and the means were compared using the Tukey test. Results. Approximately 25% of the assessed individuals showed microlithiasis. About 60% of such cases were classified as grade 2 (> 5, < 25 points). Three microlithiasis grades were identified in Brown Swiss bulls, while in Gyr bulls no grade was identified. Regarding seminal characteristics, in average, the overall sperm concentration was 992.5 x106 sperm mL-1 and the overall individual motility was 75.5%. The bull breed variable did not generate statistical differences in the seminal quality variables. Conclusion. The presence of microlithiasis was identified in bulls from the Costa Chica region in Guerrero; however, sperm concentration and individual motility were not affected

Europium doped-double sodium bismuth molybdate nanoparticles as contrast agents for luminescence bioimaging and X-ray computed tomography

A one-pot method for the synthesis of uniform Eu3+-doped NaBi(MoO4)2 nanoparticles with an ellipsoidal shape and tetragonal crystal structure functionalized with polyacrylic acid is reported for the first time in the literature. The method is based on a homogeneous precipitation reaction from solutions in an ethylene glycol/water medium containing appropriate bismuth, sodium, and molybdate precursors and polyacrylic acid. The luminescence properties (excitation and emission spectra and luminescence lifetime) of such nanoparticles are evaluated for different Eu3+ doping levels, finding an intense red emission for all synthesized samples. The X-ray attenuation properties of the nanoparticles have been also analyzed, which were found to be better than those of a commercially computed tomography contrast agent (iohexol). The dispersibility of the nanoparticles in a physiological medium was also analyzed, finding that they could be well dispersed in a 2-N-morpholinoethanesulfonic acid monohydrate medium (pH = 6.5). Finally, the cell viability of such a phosphor has been analyzed using MIA-PaCa-2 cells and its in vivo toxicity has been evaluated using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans model finding no significant toxicity in both cases up to a nanoparticle concentration of 100 μg mL−1, which is within the range required for most in vivo applications. The developed Eu3+-doped NaBi(MoO4)2 nanoparticles are, therefore, excellent candidates for their use as bimodal probes for luminescence imaging and X-ray computed tomography

Evidence of spatial clustering of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases in Greater Mexico City: report from the Mexican Inter-Institutional Group for the identification of the causes of childhood leukemia

BackgroundA heterogeneous geographic distribution of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases has been described, possibly, related to the presence of different environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the geographical distribution of childhood ALL cases in Greater Mexico City (GMC).MethodsA population-based case-control study was conducted. Children <18 years old, newly diagnosed with ALL and residents of GMC were included. Controls were patients without leukemia recruited from second-level public hospitals, frequency-matched by sex, age, and health institution with the cases. The residence address where the patients lived during the last year before diagnosis (cases) or the interview (controls) was used for geolocation. Kulldorff’s spatial scan statistic was used to detect spatial clusters (SCs). Relative risks (RR), associated p-value and number of cases included for each cluster were obtained.ResultsA total of 1054 cases with ALL were analyzed. Of these, 408 (38.7%) were distributed across eight SCs detected. A relative risk of 1.61 (p<0.0001) was observed for the main cluster. Similar results were noted for the remaining seven ones. Additionally, a proximity between SCs, electrical installations and petrochemical facilities was observed.ConclusionsThe identification of SCs in certain regions of GMC suggest the possible role of environmental factors in the etiology of childhood ALL

Maternal dietary patterns and acute leukemia in infants: results from a case control study in Mexico

BackgroundChildhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related mortality among children aged 5–14 years in Mexico, with acute leukemia being the most common cancer among infants. Examining the overall dietary patterns allows for a comprehensive assessment of food and nutrient consumption, providing a more predictive measure of disease risk than individual foods or nutrients. This study aims to evaluate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in Mexican infants.MethodsA hospital-based case–control study was conducted, comparing 109 confirmed acute leukemia cases with 152 age-matched controls. All participants (≤24 months) were identified at hospitals in Mexico City between 2010 and 2019. Data on a posteriori dietary patterns and other relevant variables were collected through structured interviews and dietary questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to estimate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in infants.ResultsThe “Balanced & Vegetable-Rich” pattern, characterized by a balanced consumption of various food groups and higher vegetable intake, exhibited a negative association with acute leukemia when compared to the “High Dairy & Cereals” Pattern (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29, 0.90). We observed that mothers who gave birth to girls and adhered to a healthy dietary pattern during pregnancy exhibited significantly lower odds of their children developing AL compared to those who gave birth to boys [OR = 0.32 (95% CI 0.11, 0.97)]. Our results underscore the significance of maternal nutrition as a modifiable factor in disease prevention and the importance of prenatal health education

Implementation of a roadmap for the comprehensive diagnosis, follow-up, and research of childhood leukemias in vulnerable regions of Mexico: results from the PRONAII Strategy

The main objective of the National Project for Research and Incidence of Childhood Leukemias is to reduce early mortality rates for these neoplasms in the vulnerable regions of Mexico. This project was conducted in the states of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Tlaxcala. A key strategy of the project is the implementation of an effective roadmap to ensure that leukemia patients are the target of maximum benefit of interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, clinicians, surveyors, and laboratories. This strategy guarantees the comprehensive management of diagnosis and follow-up samples of pediatric patients with leukemia, centralizing, managing, and analyzing the information collected. Additionally, it allows for a precise diagnosis and monitoring of the disease through immunophenotype and measurable residual disease (MRD) studies, enhancing research and supporting informed clinical decisions for the first time in these regions through a population-based study. This initiative has significantly improved the diagnostic capacity of leukemia in girls, boys, and adolescents in the regions of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Tlaxcala, providing comprehensive, high-quality care with full coverage in the region. Likewise, it has strengthened collaboration between health institutions, researchers, and professionals in the sector, which contributes to reducing the impact of the disease on the community

Antivenoms for the treatment of snakebite envenomings: The road ahead

The parenteral administration of antivenoms is the cornerstone of snakebite envenoming therapy. Efforts are made to ensure that antivenoms of adequate efficacy and safety are available world-wide. We address the main issues to be considered for the development and manufacture of improved antivenoms. Those include: (a) A knowledge-based composition design of venom mixtures used for immunization, based on biochemical, immunological, toxicological, taxonomic, clinical and epidemiological data; (b) a careful selection and adequate management of animals used for immunization; (c) well-designed immunization protocols; (d) sound innovations in plasma fractionation protocols to improve recovery, tolerability and stability of antivenoms; (e) the use of recombinant toxins as immunogens to generate antivenoms and the synthesis of engineered antibodies to substitute for animal-derived antivenoms; (f) scientific studies of the contribution of existing manufacturing steps to the inactivation or removal of viruses and other zoonotic pathogens; (g) the introduction of novel quality control tests; (h) the development of in vitro assays in substitution of in vivo tests to assess antivenom potency; and (i) scientifically-sound pre-clinical and clinical assessments of antivenoms. These tasks demand cooperative efforts at all main stages of antivenom development and production, and need concerted international partnerships between key stakeholders.Universidad de Costa Rica//UCR/Costa RicaInternational Foundation for Science//IFS/SueciaCiencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo//CYTED/EspañaConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas//CRUSA-CSIC/EspañaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP

La evaluación del aprendizaje y el examen, deconstrucción de significados para reorientar la práctica docente. Consideraciones desde un estudio.

En el presente escrito abordamos dos aspectos fundamentales en el campo de la investigación educativa y la pedagogía que invitan a su reflexión y cuestionamiento, nos referimos a la evaluación del aprendizaje y al examen. Estos aspectos surgen desde la investigación llamada: evaluación de los aprendizajes, diversidad de significados, diversidad de prácticas. El enfoque que sustenta esta investigación es el cualitativo, pues desde éste podemos considerar a la evaluación como un proceso que contempla ritmos, contextos, sujetos, tiempos; una evaluación que implica “indagación de las experiencias de aprendizaje, mirando sus cualidades y representaciones, significados y acciones” (Eisner, 1998, p.40). La metodología para la recogida de información fue a través de observaciones in situ y un cuestionario con preguntas abiertas. El estudio se llevó a cabo con Profesores de Tiempo Completo de las diversas Facultades de la Universidad Veracruzana, Región Poza Rica, durante el período abril 2017 a julio 2018. Desde el estudio realizado podemos afirmar que, la evaluación del aprendizaje y el examen siguen siendo dos ámbitos complejos y polémicos, dado que en ellos se juegan elementos de formación docente, significados, experiencias académicas, institucionales y personales; dos grandes ámbitos que nos llevan a la reflexión y a la desconstrucción de sus significados necesarios para reorientar la práctica docente

Graduate programs in education, exploring its meaning and significance of training

[EN] In this research, we present an analysis carried out in the city of Poza Rica, state of Veracruz, Mexico on the meaning and significance of education that students attribute to the master programs related to education. We base this work from the Theory of Social Representations of Serge Moscovici (1961) and the Method of Symbolic Interactionism of Herbert Blumer (1969), this research is consistent with the educational policies in the training of professionals, due that from an inductive study with a cualitative perspective, we can do an analysis with more relevance on the impact that the offer of postgraduate has on the training of current professionals. Two study contexts were taken: masters in education offered in the public sector and masters in education offered in the private sector. As well, the agencies that shape the policies for the evaluation of postgraduate programs in Mexico, particularly with emphasis on the CONACYT framework.Landín Miranda, MDR.; Ramírez Hernández, D.; Núñez Olvera, FE. (2017). Graduate programs in education, exploring its meaning and significance of training. En Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Higher Education Advances. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1237-1345. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD17.2017.5566OCS1237134

Nanocatalizadores para la producción de energías limpias

En este trabajo se discute brevemente la importancia de la nanotecnología para el desarrollo de materiales aplicados hacia la obtención de energías limpias. Las aplicaciones de los nanomateriales tienen un amplio espectro, desde la producción de energía eléctrica por medio de celdas solares o celdas de combustible, producción de diésel y gasolinas de ultra-bajo azufre provenientes de fuentes fósiles (petróleo), así como la síntesis de diésel y gasolinas sintéticas