Presencia de microorganismos eucariotas en muestras sanguíneas de oso negro (Ursus americanus) en el noreste de México.

En las últimas décadas, las zonas donde habita el oso negro (Ursus americanus) han sido disminuidas por la urbanización y la agricultura, de tal forma que se pueden observar frecuentemente, ejemplares de esta especie en las áreas conurbanas y rurales en busca de alimento y agua. Esta especie, al igual que otros animales silvestres, tienen un papel importante como reservorio de agentes etiológicos, entre ellos, algunos que pueden ser transmitidos al hombre. Existen pocos estudios realizados sobre la ecología y el estado de salud del oso negro en el norte de México. El objetivo de esta investigación fue de evaluar la presencia de microorganismos eucariotas en muestras de sangre periférica de oso negro mediante la identificación microscópica y a través de pruebas moleculares. Para ello, se utilizaron muestras sanguíneas de osos que fueron capturados para su reubicación en zonas conurbanas y rurales de los municipios de Monterrey, Santiago y Mina del estado de Nuevo León, así como los municipios de Ramos Arizpe, Arteaga, Parras y Saltillo en Coahuila. Se analizaron un total de 20 muestras de sangre completa de osos, a través de la observación directa de sangre en fresco y frotis sanguíneo, en donde se encontró la presencia de microorganismos eucariotas flagelares en un 85 % (17/20) de los osos muestreados. Para la identificación genética de los microorganismos encontrados en sangre periférica de osos, se utilizó la técnica de PCR para amplificar segmentos parciales del gen 18S de los miembros de la Familia Trypanosomatidae de 5 muestras obtenidas, en 2 de ellas obtuvimos un segmento de 733pb, similar al tamaño obtenido por T. cruzi. Se analizaron, así mismo, 9 muestras por PCR para miembros de la familia Amoebidae y Trichomonadidae, dando resultados negativos por este método para estas familias. Por último, se realizó una PCR para amplificar el ARNr 18S característico de eucariotas, en el cual, se utilizó un primer de bloqueo para mamíferos que impidiera la amplificación del ADN de gen 18S del oso y así demostrar que el producto amplificado correspondiera a otro eucariota, amplificando en las 12 muestras un segmento de aproximadamente 260 pb. Con estos resultados, podemos concluir que los osos que han sido capturados en estas regiones presentan microorganismos flagelados en sangre periférica, que son eucariotas y que algunos de ellos pudieran ser miembros de la familia Trypanosomatidae, por lo que se recomienda se realicen otros estudios para lograr la identificación del género y especie de estos microorganismo

The positive academic effects of mother tongue in the area of grammar in the second language acquisition process of students from the first year of the B.A. in Modern Languages: Specialization in French and English at the University of El Salvador during the year 2018

The purpose of this research was to determine that the use of the mother tongue has positive effects over the Second Language Acquisition. First, the statement of the problem is presented which is a brief description of the phenomena that was analyzed by the research group. In the following section the objectives to achieve are presented; meaning the goals intended to be attained at the end of the investigation. As a justification, the investigation group presents the main reasons why the development of this graduation work is important and what its contributions to the students and teachers from the Foreign Language Department would be. The investigation was supported by different theories conducted by some linguists and researchers and all this information was part of the literature that was previously studied and that was available in regards the investigation topic. As the hypothesis, it was established that “The use of mother tongue as an academic tool has positive effects in the grammar accuracy level of students” which was then tested through some technics and instruments such as a writing assessment(paragraph), diagnostic test(exam) and observation (Check list). Those instruments were implemented to a total of fifty-four students and to two teachers who were taken as a sample from a population enrolled in the semester II, 2018 of the first year of the B.A. in Modern Languages: Specialization in French and English, taking the subject Intermediate Intensive English I

Analysis on the legal recognition of gender identity in Ecuador. Your need for reform

Introducción: En el Ecuador en el año 2016 entró en vigor la “Ley Orgánica de Gestión de la Identidad y Datos Civiles”, esta ley marco un precedente como un punto de partida para la reivindicación de los derechos humanos del grupo LGBTI; sin embargo, debido al sistema heteronormativo presente en nuestra legislación, hace que esta ley contenga regulaciones que resultan vulneradoras de derechos de estas personas. ya que solo reconoce a las identidades lo que es considerado como normal. Objetivos: En el presente estudio se analizaron las normativas vigentes con la  necesidad de realizar una reforma parcial a la Ley Orgánica de Gestión a la Identidad y Datos Civiles del Ecuador, además se analizó la Constitución de la República del Ecuador, Tratados internacionales, Legislación ecuatoriana, Doctrina jurídica en lo que refiere al garantismo jurídico del grupo LGBTI con un estudio comparativo entre la legislación ecuatoriana y argentina en el reconocimiento de la identidad de género del grupo LGBTI. Metodología: La investigación desarrollada comprende un enfoque mixto: cualitativo y cuantitativo, cualitativo basado en la revisión de información, lo cuantitativo se enfocaron en encuestas a los representantes de los grupos LGTBI de la Región Sierra del Ecuador. Finalmente, la profundidad comprende desde un método descriptivo-explicativo, hasta concluir con el inductivo-deductivo. Resultados: Con la tabulación de las encuestas, la lucha de los grupos LGTBI, así como el esfuerzo de los Estados para garantizar su vinculación con la sociedad todavía sigue siendo difícil, es por ello que para pretender disminuir esta brecha de discriminación para marcar un hito en el país ecuatoriano. Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio justifican la necesidad de una reforma parcial a la ley orgánica de gestión a la identidad y datos civiles por resultar discriminatoria al momento de reconocimiento del grupo LGBTI. Área de estudio general: Ciencias Sociales. Área de estudio especifico: Derechos humanos.Introduction: In Ecuador in 2016 the "Organic Law of Identity Management and Civil Data" came into force, this law set a precedent as a starting point for the claim of the human rights of the LGBTI group; however, due to the heteronormative system present in our legislation, this law contains regulations that violate the rights of these people. since it only recognizes identities that is considered normal. Objectives: In the present study, the current regulations were analyzed with the need to carry out a partial reform to the Organic Law of Management of Identity and Civil Data of Ecuador, in addition, the Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador, international Treaties, Ecuadorian Legislation, Legal Doctrine in what refers to the legal guarantee of the LGBTI group with a comparative study between Ecuadorian and Argentine legislation in the recognition of the gender identity of the LGBTI group. Methodology: The research developed includes a mixed approach: qualitative and quantitative, qualitative based on the review of information, the quantitative focused on surveys of representatives of LGTBI groups in the Sierra Region of Ecuador. Finally, the depth ranges from a descriptive-explanatory method, until concluding with the inductive-deductive one. Results: With the tabulation of the surveys, the struggle of LGTBI groups, as well as the effort of the States to guarantee their connection with society, is still difficult, which is why to try to reduce this discrimination gap to mark a milestone in the Ecuadorian country. Conclusions: The results of this study justify the need for a partial reform of the organic law for the management of identity and civil data, as it is discriminatory at the time of recognition of the LGBTI group. General study area: Social Sciences. Specific area of ​​study: Human rights

Biotechnological Approach for the Production of Prebiotics and Search for New Probiotics and their Application in the Food Industry

Background and objective: Prebiotics and probiotics intake have been widely recognized in past recent years due to possessing multiple health benefits. Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates that promote the growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria in the colon which improves the health. Moreover, the incorporation of probiotics in food has also been a growing practice due to its immunomodulatory effect, the production of organic acids and other compounds that promotes the absorption of nutrients and the general health of the digestive system.Results and conclusion: Biotechnological strategies have been proposed for prebiotic production and purification in order to meet the demand to be included as ingredients in functional food formulation. Different aspects related to the substrates and different fermentation systems for their production as well as the purification and characterization processes are addressed. Also, we will present the benefits promoted by probiotics, the methods of isolation and characterization, as well as the evaluation of these attributes, so that they can be used in the food industry. With the technological developments in prebiotics and probiotics, it will be possible to deliver foods that respond to consumer demand with low cost and with pleasant sensory characteristics as well as providing beneficial health effects.Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest

Soluble inflammatory mediators of synoviocytes stimulated by monosodium urate crystals induce the production of oxidative stress, pain, and inflammation mediators in chondrocytes

Brief report[Abstract] We hypothesized that the secretion of inflammatory mediators from synoviocytes affects the chondrocyte homeostasis of articular cartilage. This study was a preliminary attempt to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which soluble mediators obtained from activated synoviocytes induce oxidative stress and inflammation in chondrocytes. We measured the concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), nerve growth factor (NGF), superoxide anion (O2•-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and nitric oxide (NO•) from articular human cells. First, we created a conditional basal medium by exposing synoviocytes (HS) to monosodium urate crystals (CBM). The chondrocytes were exposed to either CBM (CCM), urate crystals directly (CMSU), or remained untreated (CC) as a negative control. Data were analyzed by ANOVA tests; Bonferroni test was performed for multiple comparisons between groups. Interestingly, we observed that mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress were significantly higher in CCM than CMSU and CC groups (P<0.01). The specific concentrations were as follows: 19.85 ng/mL of IL-6, 9.79 ng/mL of IL-8, 5.17 ng/mL of NGF, and 11.91 ng/mL of MCP-1. Of note, we observed the same trend for reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (P<0.001). Soluble mediators secreted by synoviocytes after being activated with MSU crystals (as observed in individuals who present gout attacks) trigger chondrocyte activation intensifying the articular inflammatory, oxidative, and pain states that damage cartilage in OA; this damage is more severe even when compared to HC directly exposed to monosodium urate crystals. Key Points • The molecular relation between MSU depositions and cartilage damage could be mediated by pro-inflammatory soluble mediators and oxidative molecules. • The secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators by activated synoviocytes is more harmful to chondrocytes than a direct activation in the chondrocyte culture. • Under this model, there is an important imbalance in the matrix homeostasis due to changes in several chemokines, cytokines, and other factors such as NGF, as well as oxidative mediators

The SNP at −592 of human IL-10 gene is associated with serum IL-10 levels and increased risk for human papillomavirus cervical lesion development

BACKGROUND: Women with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) persistence are characterized by high levels of IL-10 at cervix. We have determined whether polymorphisms of IL-10 gene promoter might be associated with increased risk of squamous intraepithelial cervical lesions (SICL) and whether exist significative differences of IL-10 mRNA expression at cervix and systemic and serum IL-10 protein between SICL cases and non-Cervical Lesions (NCL). METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from SICL (n = 204) and NCL (n = 166) were used to detect IL-10 promoter polymorphisms at loci -592A/C (rs1800872), -819C/T (rs1800871), -1082A/G (rs1800896), -1352A/G (rs1800893), by allelic discrimination and to evaluate serum IL-10 protein. Cervical epithelial scrapings from NCL and biopsies from SICLs were used for HPV-typing and to evaluate IL-10 mRNA expression level. The systemic and local IL-10 mRNA expression levels were measured by real time-PCR. Genotypic and allelic frequencies of the selected polymorphisms were analyzed by logistic regression, adjusting by age and HPV-genotype, to determine the association with SICL. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between genotype frequencies at loci −819, -1082, and −1352. Individuals carrying at least one copy of risk allele A of polymorphism −592 had a two-fold increased risk of developing SICL [adjusted odds ratio (OR), 2.02 (95% CI, 1.26-3.25), p = 0.003], compared to NCL. The IL-10 mRNA expression and serum IL-10 protein, were significantly higher in SICL cases (p < 0.01), being higher in patients carrying the risk allele A. CONCLUSIONS: The −592 polymorphism is associated with increased risk of SICL and can serve as a marker of genetic susceptibility to SICL among Mexican women. According to IL-10 levels found in SICL, IL-10 can be relevant factor for viral persistence and progression disease

A eficácia pedagógica na cultura organizacional escolar e a comunidade profissional de aprendizagem

The objective of this study was to analyze teacher effectiveness in the organizational culture of schools and the professional learning community. This was a quantitative research, with a simple random sample of 359 elementary teachers at the initial, basic, and general unified level in the cities of Cuenca and Azogues, Ecuador. Four Likert-type questionnaires of five answer options were applied as instruments, with the t, F, and Scheffé test analysis method. Using correlation and multiple regression analysis, results indicated that teachers respond to school organization according to their personal characteristics. The school organizational culture is gradually being transformed into a positive and ideal culture. The professional learning community had a positive effect on teachers' effectiveness. In conclusion, the organizational culture of the school and the professional learning community should go beyond the interactive dimension and move towards the integration dimension to improve the school in order to obtain greater pedagogical effectiveness.El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la eficacia docente en la cultura organizativa de las escuelas y la comunidad profesional de aprendizaje. La investigación fue de carácter cuantitativo, con una muestra constituida por muestreo aleatorio simple de 359 profesores que trabajaban en escuelas de nivel inicial, básico y general unificado de las ciudades de Cuenca y Azogues, Ecuador. Se aplicó como instrumentos cuatro cuestionarios tipo Likert de cinco opciones de respuesta, con el método de análisis de prueba t, F y Sheffe. Mediante el análisis de correlación y regresión múltiple, los resultados indicaron que los maestros responden a la organización de la escuela, según sus características personales. La cultura organizativa de la escuela se está transformando gradualmente, en una cultura positiva e ideal. La comunidad profesional de aprendizaje tuvo un efecto positivo en la eficacia de los maestros. Como conclusión, la cultura organizativa de la escuela y la comunidad profesional de aprendizaje debe ir más allá de la dimensión interactiva y pasar a la dimensión de la integración como elementos de la mejora de la escuela para obtener una mayor eficacia pedagógica.O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a eficácia docente na cultura organizacional das escolas e na comunidade profissional de aprendizagem. A pesquisa foi de caráter quantitativo, com um exemplar constituído de amostragens aleatórias simples de 359 professores que trabalhavam em escolas de nível inicial, básico e geral unificado das cidades de Cuenca e Azogues, no Equador. Foram aplicados, como instrumento, quatro questionários tipo Likert de cinco opções de resposta com o método de análise de teste t, F e Sheffe. Por meio da análise de correlação e regressão múltipla, os resultados indicaram que os professores respondem à organização da escola, segundo suas características pessoais. A cultura organizacional da escola está se transformando gradativamente em uma cultura positiva e ideal. A comunidade profissional de aprendizagem teve um efeito positivo na eficácia dos professores. Em conclusão, a cultura organizacional da escola e a comunidade profissional de aprendizagem deve ir além da dimensão interativa e passar à dimensão da integração como elementos de melhoria da escola para obter uma maior eficácia pedagógica

Deregulated transcription and proteostasis in adult mapt knockout mouse

Transcriptomics and phosphoproteomics were carried out in the cerebral cortex of B6.Cg-Mapttm1(EGFP)Klt (tau knockout: tau-KO) and wild-type (WT) 12 month-old mice to learn about the effects of tau ablation. Compared with WT mice, tau-KO mice displayed reduced anxiety-like behavior and lower fear expression induced by aversive conditioning, whereas recognition memory remained unaltered. Cortical transcriptomic analysis revealed 69 downregulated and 105 upregulated genes in tau-KO mice, corresponding to synaptic structures, neuron cytoskeleton and transport, and extracellular matrix components. RT-qPCR validated increased mRNA levels of col6a4, gabrq, gad1, grm5, grip2, map2, rab8a, tubb3, wnt16, and an absence of map1a in tau-KO mice compared with WT mice. A few proteins were assessed with Western blotting to compare mRNA expression with corresponding protein levels. Map1a mRNA and protein levels decreased. However, ¿-tubulin III and GAD1 protein levels were reduced in tau-KO mice. Cortical phosphoproteomics revealed 121 hypophosphorylated and 98 hyperphosphorylated proteins in tau-KO mice. Deregulated phosphoproteins were categorized into cytoskeletal (n = 45) and membrane proteins, including proteins of the synapses and vesicles, myelin proteins, and proteins linked to membrane transport and ion channels (n = 84), proteins related to DNA and RNA metabolism (n = 36), proteins connected to the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) (n = 7), proteins with kinase or phosphatase activity (n = 21), and 22 other proteins related to variegated pathways such as metabolic pathways, growth factors, or mitochondrial function or structure. The present observations reveal a complex altered brain transcriptome and phosphoproteome in tau-KO mice with only mild behavioral alterations.The project leading to these results received funding from the “la Caixa” Foundation (ID 100010434) under the agreements LCF/PR/HR19/52160007, HR18-00452 to IF. We thank the CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya for institutional support. The Proteomics Platform of Navarrabiomed is a member of Proteored (PRB3-ISCIII), supported by grant PT17/0019/009 to J.F.-I. of the PE I + D + I 2013-2016 funded by ISCIII and FEDER. This work was funded by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (Ref. PID2019-110356RB-I00) to J.F.-I. and E.S. and the Department of Economic and Business Development from the Government of Navarra (Ref. 0011-1411-2020-000028) to E.S

Transcriptional Profiles of California Sea Lion Peripheral NK and CD+8 T Cells Reflect Ecological Regionalization and Infection by Oncogenic Viruses

The California sea lion is one of the few wild mammals prone to develop cancer, particularly urogenital carcinoma (UGC), whose prevalence is currently estimated at 25% of dead adult sea lions stranded along the California coastline. Genetic factors, viruses and organochlorines have been identified as factors that increase the risk of occurrence of this pathology. Given that no cases of UGC have as yet been reported for the species along its distribution in Mexican waters, the potential relevance of contaminants for the development of urogenital carcinoma is highlighted even more as blubber levels of organochlorines are more than two orders of magnitude lower in the Gulf of California and Mexican Pacific than in California. In vitro studies have shown that organochlorines can modulate anti-viral and tumor-surveillance activities of NK and cytotoxic T-cells of marine mammals, but little is known about the activity of these effectors in live, free-living sea lions. Here, we examine leukocyte transcriptional profiles of free-ranging adult California sea lions for eight genes (Eomes, Granzyme B, Perforin, Ly49, STAT1, Tbx21, GATA3, and FoxP3) selected for their key role in anti-viral and tumor-surveillance, and investigate patterns of transcription that could be indicative of differences in ecological variables and exposure to two oncogenic viruses: sea lion type one gammaherpesvirus (OtHV-1) and sea lion papillomavirus type 1 (ZcPV-1) and systemic inflammation. We observed regional differences in the expression of genes related to Th1 responses and immune modulation, and detected clear patterns of differential regulation of gene expression in sea lions infected by genital papillomavirus compared to those infected by genital gammaherpesvirus or for simultaneous infections, similar to what is known about herpesvirus and papillomavirus infections in humans. Our study is a first approach to profile the transcriptional patterns of key immune effectors of free-ranging California sea lions and their association with ecological regions and oncogenic viruses. The observed results add insight to our understanding of immune competence of marine mammals, and may help elucidate the marked difference in the number of cases of urogenital carcinoma in sea lions from US waters and other areas of their distribution