Auxiliary System for Chemical and Production Data Analysis: ANAGEOT

This paper describes a computational tool developed to aid the analysis of chemical, isotopic and production data of geothermal wells. ANAGEOT is an interactive and user-friendly software that allows quickly and efficient manner, modification, retrieval and visualization of the wide amounts of data involved in the study of reservoirs. ANAGEOT optimizes time and resources, due to high quantity of historical data of most of the wells of various petroleum and geothermal fields which involve information sometimes of very long time periods. The system has the flexibility to work with different fields, considering a database for each one A very important feature of this tool is that the reports, charts and graphs are generated in a way which can be edited at any time. Similarly these can be used as source files for other applications, because they are generated in wide commercial use applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Golden Grapher

Analysis of the origin and training of the labor dedicated to the post-harvest process of banana in Tecomán, Cerro de Ortega, Colima, Mexico

Objective: Analyze and identify the place of origin, skills and working conditions of the workforce dedicated to working in the banana cutting and packaging process in the town of Cerro de Ortega, Tecomán Colima. Design / Methodology / Approach: A field checklist was designed and applied to 32% of the local crews and a survey directed to the members of the crews, surveying 21.3% of the total population. Results: Information was obtained to carry out the analysis of origin and the current situation of workforce dedicated to the post-harvest process of plantain in the study area. Limitations of the study: An important limitation for the investigation was the insecurity during the field work, which was present derived from the organized crime settled in the area. Findings / Conclusions: The most specialized workers in the area who are dedicated to the activities of cutting and packing bananas are not native to the municipality of Tecomán, much less the state of Colima, they belong to the states of Chiapas and Michoacán.Objective: To analyze and identify the place of origin, skills and working conditions of the laborers dedicated to the banana cutting and packaging process in the town of Cerro de Ortega, Tecomán, Colima. Design / Methodology / Approach: A field checklist was designed and applied to 32% of the local crews and a survey directed to the members of the crews, surveying 21.3% of the total population. Results: Information was obtained to carry out the analysis of origin and the current situation of laborers dedicated to the post-harvest process of banana in the study area. Limitations of the study: An important limitation for the research was insecurity during the field surveys, which was present derived from the organized crime settled in the area. Findings / Conclusions: The most specialized workers in the area who are dedicated to the activities of cutting and packing bananas are not native people from the municipality of Tecomán, nor from the state of Colima. They belong to the states of Chiapas and Michoacan

Investigaciones recientes sobre el langostino nativo Macrobrachium americanum (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) con fines de acuicultura y conservación

where good management practices on aquaculture are mandatory. The economic and ecological importance of prawns of the Genus Macrobrachium cause an impact at a global level involving economic, academic and social aspects. Macrobrachium americanum appears as one of the genus species with high nutritional value and an economic demand in the national and international markets, as well as a vital income for fisherman and producers of this species. For researchers, it is a challenge to find solutions to culture and propose conservation measures for M. americanum with emphasis on development, nutrition and reproduction. Although there are scientific studies supporting the economic importance of this species, our knowledge about its cultivation, reproduction and conservation is limited. This paper summarizes the latest studies made in cooperation with M. americanum in research lead by the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, Mexico. After several years of continuous research, it is considered that those efforts have produced useful information for the sustainable exploitation, conservation and basic management practices of this species.En los últimos tiempos ha existido una gran preocupación por la conservación y uso adecuados de los recursos naturales vivos, donde las buenas prácticas de manejo en la acuicultura son importantes. La importancia económica y pesquera de los langostinos del Género Macrobrachium causa un impacto a nivel global que incluye aspectos económicos, académicos y sociales. Macrobrachium americanum se presenta como una de las especies del género con alto valor nutritivo y demanda económica en el mercado nacional e internacional y constituye un importante ingreso para los pescadores y productores de esta especie. Para los investigadores es un desafío encontrar soluciones para la conservación del M. americanum con énfasis en el desarrollo, la nutrición y la reproducción. Aunque existen estudios científicos que avalan la importancia económica de esta especie, nuestro conocimiento sobre su cultivo, reproducción y conservación es limitado. Este artículo resume algunos estudios en colaboración sobre M. americanum, liderados por el Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, México. Después de varios años de investigación continua, se considera que esos esfuerzos han producido información útil para la explotación sostenible, conservación y las posibles medidas de manejo para esta especie

Particulate matter Air Pollution induces hypermethylation of the p16 promoter Via a mitochondrial ROS-JNK-DNMT1 pathway

Exposure of human populations to chronically elevated levels of ambient particulate matter air pollution < 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) has been associated with an increase in lung cancer incidence. Over 70% of lung cancer cell lines exhibit promoter methylation of the tumor suppressor p16, an epigenetic modification that reduces its expression. We exposed mice to concentrated ambient PM2.5 via inhalation, 8 hours daily for 3 weeks and exposed primary murine alveolar epithelial cells to daily doses of fine urban PM (5 µg/cm2). In both mice and alveolar epithelial cells, PM exposure increased ROS production, expression of the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), and methylation of the p16 promoter. In alveolar epithelial cells, increased transcription of DNMT1 and methylation of the p16 promoter were inhibited by a mitochondrially targeted antioxidant and a JNK inhibitor. These findings provide a potential mechanism by which PM exposure increases the risk of lung cancer

Particulate Matter-Induced Lung Inflammation Increases Systemic Levels of PAI-1 and Activates Coagulation Through Distinct Mechanisms

Exposure of human populations to ambient particulate matter (PM) air pollution significantly contributes to the mortality attributable to ischemic cardiovascular events. We reported that mice treated with intratracheally instilled PM develop a prothrombotic state that requires the release of IL-6 by alveolar macrophages. We sought to determine whether exposure of mice to PM increases the levels of PAI-1, a major regulator of thrombolysis, via a similar or distinct mechanism. mice but was absent in mice treated with etanercept, a TNF-α inhibitor. Treatment with etanercept did not prevent the PM-induced tendency toward thrombus formation.Mice exposed to inhaled PM exhibited a TNF-α-dependent increase in PAI-1 and an IL-6-dependent activation of coagulation. These results suggest that multiple mechanisms link PM-induced lung inflammation with the development of a prothrombotic state

From father to son: transgenerational effect of tetracycline on sperm viability

The broad-spectrum antibiotic tetracycline is used in animal production, antimicrobial therapy, and for curing arthropods infected with bacterial endosymbionts such as Wolbachia. Tetracycline inhibits mitochondrial translation, and recent evidence indicates that male reproductive traits may be particularly sensitive to this antibiotic. Here, we report the first multi-generation investigation of tetracycline's effects on ejaculate traits. In a study of the pseudoscorpion, Cordylochernes scorpioides, in which siblings were randomly assigned to control and tetracycline treatments across replicate full-sibling families, tetracycline did not affect body size in either sex, female reproduction or sperm number. However, tetracycline-treated males exhibited significantly reduced sperm viability compared to control males, and transmitted this toxic effect of tetracycline on sperm to their untreated sons but not to their F2 grandsons. These results are consistent with tetracycline-induced epigenetic changes in the male germline, and suggest the need for further investigation of transgenerational effects of tetracycline on male reproductive function

Water–soluble choline compounds in human milk : their variation and impact of storage and diet.

Choline is an essential nutrient with potentially important roles for infant neurodevelopment. During infancy, choline is usually provided by milk, where is present mostly as water-soluble cholines (WSC). However, published data suggest wide variability in the WSC content with unknown cause, but maternal diet has been suggested as an explanation. It is also unclear if variability results from methodological approach or stability in expressed milk. The objective was to determine the milk WSC content and composition, to determine if variability is present and results from storage, or from expressing WSC/ml, as well as to determine WSC variability within and across women and the potential role of maternal diet. Two studies were conducted: 1) Milk expression and storage on WSC (n=6). Complete milk expressions were analyzed immediately and after different storage conditions. 2) Milk WSC intra and inter-individual variability within one day (n=20), with collection of dietary data. WSC was analyzed using LC-MS/MS and kilocalorie content with a Human Milk Analyzer. ANOVA was used to determine changes in milk WSC following different storage. Correlation analysis was used to explore associations between WSC/ml or kcal, and between maternal diet and milk WSC. Concentration of milk WSC remained similar over short term storage, and only changed when milk was stored for 6 months at -80 °C. Glycerophosphocholine was the most stable WSC;, milk phosphocholine decreased 30% and free choline increased 53 % after 4 hours of storage at room temperature. WSC content and distribution of free choline, phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine showed wide inter-individual variability, with some women showing high variability at different times in one day. Maternal choline intake was not related to the concentration of milk water-soluble cholines. Only 20% of participants consumed the Adequate Intake=550 mg/d, with eggs as the major food source of choline in the maternal diet. In summary, individual WSC compounds are not stable in expressed milk. The milk WSC content and composition is highly variable across and within women and sampling from one point might not represent infants’ intake. This is the first study addressing the storage and maternal diet as causes for the milk WSC variability.Land and Food Systems, Faculty ofGraduat

Variability of Water-Soluble Forms of Choline Concentrations in Human Milk during Storage, after Pasteurization, and among Women

Choline is critical for infant development and mother’s milk is the sole source of choline for fully breastfed infants until six months of age. Human milk choline consists to 85% of water-soluble forms of choline including free choline (FC), phosphocholine (PhosC), and glycerophosphocholine (GPC). Donor milk requires safe handling procedures such as cold storage and pasteurization. However, the stability of water-soluble forms of choline during these processes is not known. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of storage and pasteurization on milk choline concentration, and the diurnal intra- and inter-individual variability of water-soluble choline forms. Milk samples were collected from healthy women who were fully breastfeeding a full-term, singleton infantMedicine, Faculty ofOther UBCPediatrics, Department ofReviewedFacult

Alcohol Worsens Acute Lung Injury by Inhibiting Alveolar Sodium Transport through the Adenosine A1 Receptor

Objective: Alcohol intake increases the risk of acute lung injury (ALI) and the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and is associated with poor outcomes in patients who develop these syndromes. No specific therapies are currently available to treat or decrease the risk of ARDS in patients with alcoholism. We have recently shown increased levels of lung adenosine inhibit alveolar fluid clearance, an important predictor of outcome in patients with ARDS. We hypothesized that alcohol might worsen lung injury by increasing lung adenosine levels, resulting in impaired active Na + transport in the lung. Methods: We treated wild-type mice with alcohol administered i.p. to achieve blood alcohol levels associated with moderate to severe intoxication and measured the rate of alveolar fluid clearance and Na,K-ATPase expression in peripheral lung tissue and assessed the effect of alcohol on survival during exposure to hyperoxia. We used primary rat alveolar type II cells to investigate the mechanisms by which alcohol regulates alveolar Na + transport. Results: Exposure to alcohol reduced alveolar fluid clearance, downregulated Na,K-ATPase in the lung tissue and worsened hyperoxia-induced lung injury. Alcohol caused an increase in BAL fluid adenosine levels. A similar increase in lung adenosine levels was observed after exposure to hyperoxia. In primary rat alveolar type II cells alcohol and adenosine decreased the abundance of the Na,K-ATPase at the basolateral membrane via a mechanism that required activation of the AMPK. Conclusions: Alcohol decreases alveolar fluid clearance and impairs survival from acute lung injury. Alcohol induce