Poverty and Income Distribution in Chile: 1987-1998 New Evidence

This paper presents an update on the poverty and income distribution situation in Chile during the 90s. The analysis shows unambiguously that there was less poverty between 1994 and 1998 than in all earlier years, whether poverty is measured by the headcoPoverty, income distribution, growth, Chile

Origins, potency, and heterogeneity of skeletal muscle fibro-adipogenic progenitors—time for new definitions

Striated muscle is a highly plastic and regenerative organ that regulates body movement, temperature, and metabolism—all the functions needed for an individual’s health and well-being. The muscle connective tissue’s main components are the extracellular matrix and its resident stromal cells, which continuously reshape it in embryonic development, homeostasis, and regeneration. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors are enigmatic and transformative muscle-resident interstitial cells with mesenchymal stem/stromal cell properties. They act as cellular sentinels and physiological hubs for adult muscle homeostasis and regeneration by shaping the microenvironment by secreting a complex cocktail of extracellular matrix components, diffusible cytokines, ligands, and immune-modulatory factors. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors are the lineage precursors of specialized cells, including activated fibroblasts, adipocytes, and osteogenic cells after injury. Here, we discuss current research gaps, potential druggable developments, and outstanding questions about fibro-adipogenic progenitor origins, potency, and heterogeneity. Finally, we took advantage of recent advances in single-cell technologies combined with lineage tracing to unify the diversity of stromal fibro-adipogenic progenitors. Thus, this compelling review provides new cellular and molecular insights in comprehending the origins, definitions, markers, fate, and plasticity of murine and human fibro-adipogenic progenitors in muscle development, homeostasis, regeneration, and repair

Evolving Roles of Muscle-Resident Fibro-Adipogenic Progenitors in Health, Regeneration, Neuromuscular Disorders, and Aging

Normal skeletal muscle functions are affected following trauma, chronic diseases, inherited neuromuscular disorders, aging, and cachexia, hampering the daily activities and quality of life of the affected patients. The maladaptive accumulation of fibrous intramuscular connective tissue and fat are hallmarks of multiple pathologies where chronic damage and inflammation are not resolved, leading to progressive muscle replacement and tissue degeneration. Muscle-resident fibro-adipogenic progenitors are adaptable stromal cells with multilineage potential. They are required for muscle homeostasis, neuromuscular integrity, and tissue regeneration. Fibro-adipogenic progenitors actively regulate and shape the extracellular matrix and exert immunomodulatory functions via cross-talk with multiple other residents and non-resident muscle cells. Remarkably, cumulative evidence shows that a significant proportion of activated fibroblasts, adipocytes, and bone-cartilage cells, found after muscle trauma and disease, descend from these enigmatic interstitial progenitors. Despite the profound impact of muscle disease on human health, the fibrous, fatty, and ectopic bone tissues’ origins are poorly understood. Here, we review the current knowledge of fibro-adipogenic progenitor function on muscle homeostatic integrity, regeneration, repair, and aging. We also discuss how scar-forming pathologies and disorders lead to dysregulations in their behavior and plasticity and how these stromal cells can control the onset and severity of muscle loss in disease. We finally explore the rationale of improving muscle regeneration by understanding and modulating fibro-adipogenic progenitors’ fate and behavior

Adherent muscle connective tissue fibroblasts are phenotypically and biochemically equivalent to stromal fibro/adipogenic progenitors

Extracellular matrix (ECM) gives structure, support, and is the niche for several cells found in skeletal muscle. ECM is mainly produced by muscle connective tissue (CT) fibroblasts during development and regeneration. Stromal fibroadipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are CT fibroblasts-like mesenchymal progenitors (MPs) with important roles in regeneration and degeneration. Chronic damage restrains the normal regenerative behavior of muscle fibroblasts/FAPs. Thus, the isolation and study of these mesenchymal progenitors are of crucial importance for understanding their behavior and biology. We investigated whether adult muscle CT fibroblasts (hereafter referred to as adherent fibroblasts [aFbs]) cultured via pre-plating strategy belong to a heterogeneous population of FAPs. By combining microscopy, western blot analyses, flow cytometry, and FACS we determined that aFbs isolated from skeletal muscle largely overlap with FAPs. In addition, we used the PDGFRαEGFP mice in order to corroborate our results with EGFP+ FAPs. Moreover, our strategy allows the isolation of activated EGFP+ FAPs from the murine DMD model PDGFRαEGFP; mdx and PDGFRαEGFP denervated mice. Here we report that 1 h 30 min of pre-plating strategy allows the isolation and culture of a highly enriched population of aFbs. These cells are phenotypically and biochemically a FAPs-like population of adherent cells. In addition, aFbs respond in the same fashion as FAPs to Nilotinib, an inducer of FAPs apoptosis. Moreover, flow cytometry characterization of these aFbs suggests that 85% of them express the MP marker PDGFRα, and isolation of aFbs from the PDGFRαEGFP mice suggests that 75% of them show high EGFP expression. Furthermore, TGF-β1 induces aFbs proliferation, myofibroblast differentiation, and ECM production. We were also able to isolate activated aFbs from skeletal muscle of the DMD mice and from the PDGFRαEGFP mice 2-days after denervation. Our findings suggest that the in vitro pre-plating strategy allows the isolation and culture of a relatively pure aFbs population, which resembles FAPs in vitro

Nilotinib impairs skeletal myogenesis by increasing myoblast proliferation

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are effective therapies with demonstrated antineoplastic activity. Nilotinib is a second-generation FDA-approved TKI designed to overcome Imatinib resistance and intolerance in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Interestingly, TKIs have also been shown to be an efficient treatment for several non-malignant disorders such fibrotic diseases, including those affecting skeletal muscles. Methods: We investigated the role of Nilotinib on skeletal myogenesis using the well-established C2C12 myoblast cell line. We evaluated the impact of Nilotinib during the time course of skeletal myogenesis. We compared the effect of Nilotinib with the well-known p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. MEK1/2 UO126 and PI3K/AKT LY294002 inhibitors were used to identify the signaling pathways involved in Nilotinib-related effects on myoblast. Adult primary myoblasts were also used to corroborate the inhibition of myoblasts fusion and myotube-nuclei positioning by Nilotinib. Results: We found that Nilotinib inhibited myogenic differentiation, reducing the number of myogenin-positive myoblasts and decreasing myogenin and MyoD expression. Furthermore, Nilotinib-mediated anti-myogenic effects impair myotube formation, myosin heavy chain expression, and compromise myotube-nuclei positioning. In addition, we found that p38 MAPK is a new off-target protein of Nilotinib, which causes inhibition of p38 phosphorylation in a similar manner as the well-characterized p38 inhibitor SB203580. Nilotinib induces the activation of ERK1/2 and AKT on myoblasts but not in myotubes. We also found that Nilotinib stimulates myoblast proliferation, a process dependent on ERK1/2 and AKT activation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Nilotinib may have important negative effects on muscle homeostasis, inhibiting myogenic differentiation but stimulating myoblasts proliferation. Additionally, we found that Nilotinib stimulates the activation of ERK1/2 and AKT. On the other hand, we suggest that p38 MAPK is a new off-target of Nilotinib. Thus, there is a necessity for future studies to investigate the long-term effects of TKIs on skeletal muscle homeostasis, along with potential detrimental effects in cell differentiation and proliferation in patients receiving TKI therapies

Structural decomposition for unemployment rate data: an application for the cities of Bío Bío Region, Chile

In this paper we characterize the unemployment rate for the main cities of the Bío Bío Region using the state-space multivariate approach, in order to isolate and evaluate their tendency and seasonal components. We present theoretical expressions for each structural model for monthly unemployment rate data which spans between I.1996 and XII.2005. We use an additive multivariate structural model for the cities of Chillán, Concepción, Gran Concepción and Talcahuano, an additive bivariant structural model for Coronel and Lota, and an additive univariate structural model for Arauco and Los Angeles. The main results show, firstly, that the estimated state-space approach models present a good explanation power (MAPE is less than 8 per cent for four cities); secondly, the hypothesis which states that seasonal peak levels for unemployment rate are related to cities strongly linked with the primary sector (raw materials) is verified, thirdly, quantifying the seasonal component for unemployment series in each city gives useful information to local policy-makers, because it can determine the optimal length for emergency employment plans.unemployment, state-space, trend and seasonal components, multivariate structural model

Analysis of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Knowledge of Cuban Teachers in Primary Schools and Preschools

Teachers' knowledge of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) plays a key role in the successful inclusion of children with ASD in regular schools. The objective of this study was to analyze Cuban teachers' knowledge of ASD of at inclusive primary schools and preschools and to compare it with the results obtained in previous studies carried out at an international level. To do this, a cross-sectional study was conducted with Cuban teachers from urban and rural areas throughout the country. The sample was selected using a non-probabilistic technique. In total, 131 primary school and preschool teachers participated. Data were collected by applying the Autism Knowledge Questionnaire (AKQ) that measures ASD knowledge. The results indicated that Cuban teachers had an acceptable knowledge regarding ASD (0.57). Primary education teachers (17.58 ± 4.06) showed a higher level of knowledge than preschool teachers (15.35 ± 2.74). Regarding previous training, teachers who claimed to have received some type of specific ASD training (10.88 ± 3.29) made a greater number of errors than teachers who had not received specific training on ASD (8.91 ± 3.06). At the international level, Cuban teachers were observed to have similar knowledge about ASD when compared to active teachers or pre-service teachers from other countries where similar studies have been carried out. The results suggest that the training of Cuban teachers is not yet optimal to educate students with ASD in primary schools and preschools which are open to diversity

Prognostic factors of suicidal behavior in patients addicted to psychoactive substances

Introduction: The relationship between drug addiction and suicide is associated in its function as a causal and precipitating agent of suicidal behavior. Objective: To determine the prognostic factors of suicidal behavior in patients addicted to psychoactive substances. Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study was developed. It worked with the universe, made up of addicted patients treated at the Central Military Hospital "Dr. Carlos J. Finlay" from 2016 to 2019. The variables studied were: Suicidal behavior, executive function, age, sex, clinical characteristics of consumption, substance consumed, cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used. Results: 257 patients with consumption, mainly of alcohol and marijuana, with an average age of 34 years were studied; the male sex predominated (89 %). Suicidal behavior was present in 53.7 % (n= 138). The main prognostic factors in the patients were: Subjective need for consumption (odd ratio-OR= 3.4), depression (OR= 3.3), cognitive impairment (OR= 3.0), being 30 years of age or less at the start of the consumption (OR= 2.6), family history of addiction (OR= 2.3), 9th grade school level (OR= 2.0), relapse before 6 months of treatment (OR= 1.1), time consuming 20 years or less (OR= 3.0) and consuming drugs other than alcohol (OR= 2.1). Conclusions: The main prognostic factors of suicidal behavior in the addicted patients studied are: the subjective need for consumption or craving, depression and cognitive impairment

Trends in Autism Spectrum-Related Motherhood Research: A Bibliometric Study

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in socialization. The amount of scientific research results on motherhood related to ASD has grown exponentially; however, there are no bibliometric studies in this field. Objective: This article aimed to analyze scientific research on motherhood related to the autism spectrum published in WoS. Articles on motherhood related to ASD were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS). The advanced search interface used was 'Title of the article, Abstract, Keywords'. The analysis and visualization of the selected documents and their data were performed using a wide range of tools and software such as MS Excel (v16.0), VOS viewer (version 1.6.15), and R packages (Biblioshiny, version 2.0). A total of 1660 articles were included in this study. Most of the publications were original articles. The United States published the most significant number of articles among the countries identified. P.R. Hastings, M.M. Seltzer, and J. Van de Water were the main authors. The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders was the most productive and impactful journal. The main research topics were related to mental health and social support in the role of motherhood. This desk study provides researchers with a comprehensive understanding of ASD-related maternity research trends by evaluating relevant publications in recent decades. The results of this bibliometric analysis can serve as a basis and orientation for new studies

The childbearing and mental health experiences of autistic mothers:A systematic review

It is recognized that diagnostic rates of autism in women is increasing and with this, areas such as pregnancy and childbearing need to be viewed through a neurodivergent lense. As autistic women have children and take on the challenges of motherhood, systematic reviews are needed to provide an orderly and up-to-date base highlighting the existing research gaps. This study aims to identify and analyze research that has addressed the childbearing experiences and mental health of autistic mothers, delineate trends in research, and identify areas for future studies. The protocol of this systematic review was registered in the international database of systematic reviews PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022368244). In this work, the guidelines of standards for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) were followed at all stages. The review identified 15 studies that explored the childbearing experiences and mental health of autistic mothers. Results indicate that autistic mothers are more likely to experience parenting difficulties, intense sensory experiences during prenatal, perinatal and postnatal periods, and mental health problems. However, there are studies that highlight that autistic mothers can receive the same social support and experience marital satisfaction. The findings of this review suggest that, to improve our understanding of the childbearing and mental health experiences of autistic mothers, studies should include multiple informants and mixed methodologies. Additionally training programs need to be co-produced to raise awareness in health care personnel