Effects of single injection of naloxone and damgo within nucleus accumbens septi in the plus maze test in rats

Nucleus accumbens septi (NAS) is studied because its relations with cognition and anxiety. Its pharmacological manipulation is widely used in experimental psychopathology to reproduce psychotic signs and symptoms in animal models. In the present study, the effect of the injection of an agonist and a µ-receptor antagonist in this structure is assessed. Holtzman strain male rats (240-290 g) were cannulated bilaterally in NAS. One week after the injection they were subjected to an anxiety test, prior saline injection (controls), DAMGO ([D-Ala2, N-MePhe4, Gly-ol]-encephalin, opioid agonist) or naloxone (opioid antagonist). We evaluated the set of parameters classically considered in our laboratory (open arm time, time per entry, open arm entries, closed arm entries, open/closed arm quotient, open and closed arm ends arrivals, rearing, fecal bowls and grooming behaviors. There was only a significant increase in the length of stay in the open arm with the injection of DAMGO (0.2 µg/1 µL, p < 0.05) and a significant increase in grooming behaviors with naloxone (1 µg/1 µL, p < 0.001), compared with saline controls (1 µL). We conclude that the receptor stimulation in NAS generates effects compatible with anxiolysis, and blocking of such receptor in said structure results in an increase in grooming behaviors.Fil: Morsucci C. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Okasova A. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Mulet, Daniela. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Galiana, Graciana. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Vanesa. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Baiardi, Gustavo Carlos. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas; ArgentinaFil: Lafuente, José Vicente. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Elias, Pablo Adolfo. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Landa, Adriana. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Soaje, Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Gargiulo, Pascual Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Rendimiento académico de estudiantes en Educación Superior: predicciones de factores influyentes a partir de árboles de decisión

The article aimed to predict the academic performance of students of master's degrees in education, having as main authors Camborda Zamudio (2014), Candia Oviedo (2019), Castrillón et al (2020), Hussain et al. (2018), Yarlequé Wong (2019). The decision tree technique and data mining and tools provided by artificial intelligence were used to build a model with the J48 algorithm of the WEKA software, taking into account educational, family, socioeconomic, habits, and customs factors. The sample consisted of 237 students from a public university in Peru, obtaining a level of success through Cohen's Kappa coefficient of 66%. The results show a methodology capable of training a system to classify a student based on one of the academic performance categories. This classification can a priori identify students with possible academic performance problems. As a result, accompanying and mitigation measures can be implemented immediately. Keywords: decision tree; data mining; prediction; academic performance; WEKA softwareEl artículo tuvo como objetivo predecir el rendimiento académico de estudiantes de maestrías en educación, teniendo como autores principales a Camborda Zamudio (2014), Candia Oviedo (2019), Castrillón et al. (2020), Hussain et al. (2018), Yarlequé Wong (2019). Se empleó la técnica de árbol de decisión y minería de datos y herramientas que provee la inteligencia artificial para construir un modelo con el algoritmo J48 del software WEKA, teniendo en cuenta factores educacionales, familiares, socioeconómicos, de hábitos y costumbres. La muestra estuvo constituida por 237 estudiantes de una universidad pública en Perú, obteniendo mediante el coeficiente Kappa de Cohen un nivel de acierto del 66%. Los resultados dan cuenta de una metodología capaz de entrenar un sistema para clasificar a un estudiante, a partir de una de las categorías del rendimiento académico. Esta clasificación puede identificar a priori a los estudiantes con posibles problemas de rendimiento académico. Como resultado de ello, las medidas de acompañamiento y mitigación se pueden implementar de inmediato. Palabras clave: rendimiento académico; árbol de decisión; minería de datos; predicción; software WEK

Grape pomace extract induced beige cells in white adipose tissue from rats and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

This study investigated the effects of a grape pomace extract (GPE) rich in phenolic compounds on brown-like adipocyte induction and adiposity in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and control normotensive Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). HFD consumption for 10 weeks significantly increased epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) in WKY but not in SHR rats. Supplementation with GPE (300 mg/kg body weight/day) reduced adipocyte diameter and increased levels of proteins that participate in adipogenesis and angiogenesis, i.e., peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), vascular endothelial grow factor-A (VEGF-A) and its receptor 2 (VEGF-R2), and partially increased the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP-1) in WKY. In both strains, GPE attenuated adipose inflammation. In eWAT from SHR, GPE increased the expression of proteins involved in adipose tissue “browning,” i.e., PPARγ-coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), PPARγ PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16) and UCP-1. In primary cultures of SHR adipocytes, GPE-induced UCP-1 up-regulation was dependent on p38 and ERK activation. Accordingly, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with palmitate, the addition of GPE (30 μM) activated the β-adrenergic signaling cascade (PKA, AMPK, p38, ERK). This led to the associated up-regulation of proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC-1α PPARγ PRDM16 and UCP-1) and fatty acid oxidation (ATGL). These effects were similar to those exerted by (−)-epicatechin and quercetin, major phenolic compounds in GPE. Overall, in HFD-fed rats, supplementation with GPE promoted brown-like cell formation in eWAT and diminished adipose dysfunction. Thus, winemaking residues, rich in bioactive compounds, could be useful to mitigate the adverse effects of HFD-induced adipose dysfunction.Fil: Rodriguez Lanzi, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Perdicaro, Diahann Jeanette. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Landa, Maria Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Fontana, Ariel Ramón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Antoniolli, Andrea Noelia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Biología Agrícola de Mendoza; ArgentinaFil: Miatello, Roberto Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Oteiza, Patricia Isabel. University of California. Department of Nutrition and Department of Environmental Toxicology; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez, Marcela Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentin

Assessment of sorption capability of montmorillonite clay for lead removal from water using laser–induced breakdown spectroscopy and atomic absorption spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) techniques were applied for quantitative analysis of the remaining Pb content in water samples after treatment with a raw montmorillonite (MMT) and an organic derivative (MMO) clays for heavy metal removal, an issue of crucial importance for decontamination of water bodies. The Pb sorption capabilities of MMT and MMO clays were assessed by using solutions with known Pb concentrations, in the range 100-500 ppm. To carry out the LIBS analysis, the samples were prepared in the form of solid pellets with powdered calcium hydroxide addition. The measurement conditions were optimized to achieve reliable analytical results and the plasma parameters, i.e., temperature and electron density, were obtained. For quantification purpose, a calibration curve was constructed with the Pb I emission line at 4057.8 Å measured at the time window 30-45 μs by using reference samples with Pb concentrations in the range 56-715 ppm. The Pb residual content in the liquid samples determined with LIBS showed a good agreement with those measured with AAS. The sorption efficiency of Pb from contaminated water was calculated through a sorption percentage SPb%. The calculated SPb% was higher for MMT (56%-100%) than for MMO (27%-47%). The results also demonstrated the usefulness of LIBS method for the determination of Pb concentrations in liquid samples.Fil: Teran, Ezequiel Jesús. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Montes, María Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Corina Iris. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Humanas. Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales. Centro de Investigación y Estudios Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Martino, Lucila Juliana. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Quiroga, Miguel Angel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Landa, Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; ArgentinaFil: Torres Sanchez, Rosa Maria. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Tecnología de Recursos Minerales y Cerámica; ArgentinaFil: Diaz Pace, Diego Martin. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. - Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Física e Ingeniería del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Alimentación de los lenguados Cyclopsetta querna y Syacium latifrons en la costa de Jalisco y Colima, México

Flatfish are important components of shrimp fisheries bycatch. The purpose of this study was to analyze feeding habits of Cyclopsetta querna and Syacium latifrons, with the aim of expanding the biological knowledge of these species. Specimens were collected in seven sampling stations with shrimp trawl nets. Stomachs of 196 individuals of C. querna and 313 of S. latifrons were analyzed. The trophic spectrum of C. querna consisted of 12 food components, while 24 were recorded for S. latifrons. The main prey for C. querna were fish, while for S. latifrons it was crustaceans, such as stomatopods. A slight ontogenetic trophic variation was observed in C. querna, not so in S. latifrons; however, no differences were observed considering only the diet by sex. Diversity analyses of the food spectrum were less than 0.5 for both species. It is considered that in both species feeding is given mainly by the seasonal availability of resources and by the ability to capture prey. On the other hand, the coexistence of these species in the same area is due to the difference in the preferential consumption of prey hence reducing the competition for food.Los lenguados forman un componente importante como fauna de acompañamiento del camarón. El objetivo del presente trabajo consistió en analizar la alimentación de Cyclopseta querna y Syacium latifrons, con el fin de ampliar el conocimiento biológico de estas especies. Los ejemplares se colectaron en siete estaciones de muestreo con redes de arrastre de camarón. Se analizaron los estómagos de 196 individuos de C. querna y 313 de S. latifrons. El espectro trófico de C. querna estuvo constituido por 12 componentes alimentarios, mientras que para S. latifrons se registraron 24. Las presas principales de C. querna fueron los peces, mientras que para S. latifrons fueron los crustáceos, como por ejemplo, estomatópodos. Se observó una ligera variación ontogénica en la dieta de C. querna, no así en S. latifrons; sin embargo, en la dieta por sexos no se observaron diferencias. Los análisis de diversidad del espectro alimentario fueron menores de 0,5 para ambas especies. Se considera que en ambas especies la alimentación se da principalmente por la disponibilidad de recursos en las estaciones del año y por la capacidad de captura de presas. Por otra parte, la coexistencia de estas especies en una misma zona se da por diferencias en el consumo preferencial de sus presas al disminuir la competencia por alimento

Implementación herramienta 5S en Casa del Migrante

ITESO, A.C

Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST): Normative data for Spanish-speaking pediatric population

OBJECTIVE: To generate normative data for the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST) in Spanish-speaking pediatric populations. METHOD: The sample consisted of 4,373 healthy children from nine countries in Latin America (Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Puerto Rico) and Spain. Each participant was administered the M-WCST as part of a larger neuropsychological battery. Number of categories, perseverative errors, and total error scores were normed using multiple linear regressions and standard deviations of residual values. Age, age2, sex, and mean level of parental education (MLPE) were included as predictors in the analyses. RESULTS: The final multiple linear regression models indicated main effects for age on all scores, such that the number of categories correct increased and total number of perseverative errors and total number of errors decrease linearly as a function of age. Age2 had a significant effect in Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, and Spain for numbers of categories; a significant effect for number of perseverative errors in Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Spain; and a significant effect for number of total errors in Chile, Cuba, Peru, and Spain. Models showed an effect for MLPE in Cuba (total errors), Ecuador (categories and total errors), Mexico (all scores), Paraguay (perseverative errors and total error), and Spain (categories and total errors). Sex affected number of total errors for Ecuador. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest Spanish-speaking pediatric normative study in the world, and it will allow neuropsychologists from these countries to have a more accurate way to interpret the M-WCST with pediatric populations

Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III: Normative data for Spanish-speaking pediatric population

OBJECTIVE: To generate normative data for the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III (PPVT-III) in Spanish-speaking pediatric populations. METHOD: The sample consisted of 4,373 healthy children from nine countries in Latin America (Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Puerto Rico) and Spain. Each participant was administered the PPVT-III as part of a larger neuropsychological battery. PPVT-III scores were normed using multiple linear regressions and standard deviations of residual values. Age, age2, sex, and mean level of parental education (MLPE) were included as predictors in the analyses. RESULTS: The final multiple linear regression models showed main effects for age in all countries, such that scores increased linearly as a function of age. In addition, age2 had a significant effect in all countries, except Guatemala and Paraguay. Models showed that children whose parent(s) had a MLPE >12 years obtained higher scores compared to children whose parent(s) had a MLPE ≤12 years in all countries, except for Cuba, Peru, and Puerto Rico. Sex affected scores for Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Spain. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest Spanish-speaking pediatric normative study in the world, and it will allow neuropsychologists from these countries to have a more accurate interpretation of the PPVT-III when used in pediatric populations

PhoR/PhoP two component regulatory system affects biocontrol capability of Bacillus subtilis NCD-2

The Bacillus subtilis strain NCD-2 is an important biocontrol agent against cotton verticillium wilt and cotton sore shin in the field, which are caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb and Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn, respectively. A mutant of strain NCD-2, designated M216, with decreased antagonism to V. dahliae and R. solani, was selected by mini-Tn10 mutagenesis and in vitro virulence screening. The inserted gene in the mutant was cloned and identified as the phoR gene, which encodes a sensor kinase in the PhoP/PhoR two-component system. Compared to the wild-type strain, the APase activities of the mutant was decreased significantly when cultured in low phosphate medium, but no obvious difference was observed when cultured in high phosphate medium. The mutant also grew more slowly on organic phosphate agar and lost its phosphatidylcholine-solubilizing ability. The suppression of cotton seedling damping-off in vivo and colonization of the rhizosphere of cotton also decreased in the mutant strain when compared with the wild type strain. All of these characteristics could be partially restored by complementation of the phoR gene in the M216 mutant