Estudio genómico de la Quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd): técnicas de secuenciación e identificación genómica. Una revision. / Genomic study of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd): sequencing techniques and genomic identification. A review.

INTRODUCCIÓN. La quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd), es considerado uno de los alimentos más completos debido a su alto contenido en ácidos grasos, oligoelementos y proteínas ricas en aminoácidos esenciales; sin embargo, también posee metabolitos con propiedades anti nutricionales (saponinas) que deben ser eliminados antes de su consumo. Algunos estudios realizados en el genoma de la quinua, se han basado en la identificación de genes involucrados en la producción de saponinas para inhibir su expresión y evitar los tratamientos de pos cosecha (escarificado). OBJETIVO. Establecer, mediante revisión bibliográfica, las técnicas de biología molecular aplicadas a la expresión genómica de saponinas en quinua (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) MÉTODOS. La revisión bibliográfica, se realizó tomando en cuenta varias fuentes de información, entre ellas: tesis doctorales, artículos científicos, libros y algunas plataformas WEB (www.bbc.com, www.fao.org, www.sidalc.net y https://biología.laguía2000.com) con principal interés en: genoma de la quinua, técnicas de secuenciación, genes identificados y su posterior expresión génica. CONCLUSIONES. El descubrimiento del genoma completo de la quinua en el año 2017, aplicando la técnica SMTR u otras técnicas como la pirosecuenciación, fue el punto de partida para el estudio de genes que le proporciona su adaptabilidad a varias condiciones bióticas y abióticas. De esta manera, en relación a los factores abióticos, se documentó en dos oportunidades que la expresión génica de saponinas, estaba relacionada con genes del citocromo P450 y enzimas como las glucosil transferasas. Ahora bien, aunque los genes involucrados en la respuesta a los agentes bióticos aún no están identificados, este se mantiene como hipótesis relacionándose con el contenido de saponinas.

INTRODUCTION. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd), is considered one of the most complete foods due to its high content of fatty acids, trace elements and proteins rich in essential amino acids; however, it also has metabolites with anti-nutritional properties (saponins) that must be eliminated before consumption. Some studies carried out on the quinoa genome have been based on the identification of genes involved in the production of saponins to inhibit their expression and avoid post-harvest treatments (scarification). OBJECTIVE. To establish, through bibliographic review, the molecular biology techniques applied to the genomic expression of saponins in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd). METHODS. The bibliographic review was carried out taking into account several sources of information, among them: doctoral theses, scientific articles, books and some WEB platforms (www.bbc.com, www.fao.org, www.sidalc.net and https://biología.laguía2000.com) with main interest in: quinoa genome, sequencing techniques, identified genes and their subsequent gene expression. CONCLUSIONS. The discovery of the complete genome of quinoa in 2017, applying the SMTR technique or other techniques such as pyrosequencing, was the starting point for the study of genes that provide its adaptability to various biotic and abiotic conditions. Thus, in relation to abiotic factors, it was reported on two occasions that the gene expression of saponins was related to cytochrome P450 genes and enzymes such as glucosyl transferases. Although the genes involved in the response to biotic agents have not yet been identified, this remains a hypothesis related to the content of saponins.

Tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico y su impacto del estrés durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment and its impact of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic

El COVID-19, ha generado estrés a nivel mundial ante la ausencia del desarrollo de los hábitos diarios, causando complicaciones físicas y psicológicas. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de literatura (RSL) del tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico y su impacto del estrés durante la pandemia de COVID-19 desde el 2019 hasta el 2021. La estrategia de búsqueda consiguió obtener 25.078 artículos, escogidos de las 6 fuentes de investigación (Taylor & Francis, Springer Link, Wiley Online Library, ARDI, Microsoft Academic y Nature Portfolio), luego se realizó un filtrado de 4 etapas con 2 criterios de exclusión cada una de ellas, quedando solo 78 artículos, los cuáles se utilizaron para responder 4 preguntas de investigación planteadas. Se precisó alteración del bienestar emocional de la población en general, con aumento alarmante de prevalencia de ansiedad, depresión e insomnio; el presente estudio brinda información necesaria sobre los tratamientos, ya sea farmacológico (teniendo como principal en un 31,11% a los antidepresivos y antupsicóticos); como no farmacológico (teniendo como principal en un 21,62% a la telemedicina), orientados a mejorar el estado psicológico, sobretodo de la población vulnerable, que demanda abordaje integral, ante la incertidumbre asociada con la infección por SARS-CoV-2, más el efecto el aislamiento físico, que repercute negativamente sobre la salud mental, incrementando pensamientos suicidas, alucinaciones, y trastornos psiquiátricos(AU)

COVID-19 has generated stress worldwide in the absence of the development of daily habits, causing physical and psychological complications. A systematic literature review (RSL) of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment and its impact on stress during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2021 was carried out. The search strategy managed to obtain 25,078 articles, chosen from the 6 research sources (Taylor & Francis, Springer Link, Wiley Online Library, ARDI, Microsoft Academic and Nature Portfolio), then a 4-stage filter was carried out with 2 exclusion criteria, each of them, leaving only 78 articles, which were used to answer 4 research questions. Alteration of the emotional well-being of the general population was specified, with an alarming increase in the prevalence of anxiety, depression and insomnia; The present study provides necessary information on treatments, whether pharmacological (having antidepressants and anthropsychotics as the main one in 31.11%); as non-pharmacological (21.62% having telemedicine as the main one), aimed at improving the psychological state, especially of the vulnerable population, which demands a comprehensive approach, given the uncertainty associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, plus the effect of physical isolation, which has a negative impact on mental health, increasing suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, and psychiatric disorders(AU)

Efectividad de las vacunas COVID-19 / Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines

La pandemia del SARS-CoV-2, ha generado que se realicen esfuerzos considerables en el desarrollo de las vacunas, para comprobar su efectividad se requiere que ensayos clínicos y emplearlos en la población a nivel mundial. Se realizó una revisión sistemática de literatura (RSL) del COVID-19 y su impacto en el desarrollo de las vacunas desde el 2019 hasta el 2022. La estrategia de búsqueda consiguió obtener 8 646 artículos, escogidos de las 6 fuentes de investigación (Wiley Online Library, Taylor & Francis, THE LANCET Infectious Diseases, National Library of Medicine, Nature Portfolio y Oxford Academic), luego se realizó un filtrado de 4 etapas con 2 criterios de exclusión cada una de ellas, quedando solo 78 artículos, los cuáles se utilizaron para responder tres preguntas de investigación planteadas. Se identificaron en los artículos científicos analizados, los laboratorios más referenciados que desarrollaron vacunas Pfizer/ BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Sinopharm y Sputnik V, se identificó la utilización de nanotecnología en el diseño de las vacunas, principalmente utilizaron ARN mensajero, vector viral y subunidades proteicas, según el caso con coadyuvantes que potencia la inmunogenicidad. Los estudios demostraron buena efectivad, en los diferentes grupos priorizados y gracias a la dosificación de las inmunizaciones contra la COVID-19, se ha prevenido el número de casos graves y por ende la tasa de mortalidad. Sin embargo, se recomienda promoción y educación sanitaria a la población en general para incentivar la aceptación(AU)

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has generated considerable efforts in the development of vaccines, to verify their effectiveness, clinical trials are required and use them in the population worldwide. A systematic literature review (RSL) of COVID-19 and its impact on vaccine development was carried out from 2019 to 2022. The search strategy managed to obtain 8,646 articles, chosen from the 6 research sources (Wiley Online Library, Taylor & Francis, THE LANCET Infectious Diseases, National Library of Medicine, Nature Portfolio and Oxford Academic), then a 4-stage filter was performed with 2 exclusion criteria each, leaving only 78 articles, which were used to answer three research questions posed. In the scientific articles analyzed, the most referenced laboratories that developed Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Sinopharm and Sputnik V vaccines were identified, the use of nanotechnology in the design of the vaccines was identified, mainly using messenger RNA, viral vector and protein subunits, depending on the case with adjuvants that enhance immunogenicity. The studies demonstrated good effectiveness, in the different prioritized groups and thanks to the dosage of the immunizations against COVID-19, the number of serious cases and therefore the mortality rate have been prevented. However, health promotion and education is recommended for the general population to encourage acceptance(AU)

A functional screen for regulators of CKDN2A reveals MEOX2 as a transcriptional activator of INK4a.

The CDKN2A locus encodes two important tumor suppressors, INK4a and ARF, which respond to oncogenic stresses by inducing cellular senescence. We conducted a genome-scale cDNA overexpression screen using a reporter containing INK4a regulatory sequences to identify novel transcriptional activators of this locus. This screen revealed 285 cDNAs that putatively regulate the transcriptional activation of INK4a. Of these, 56 are annotated as transcription factors, including two previously reported activators of the locus, ETS2 and JUNB. Fourteen genes were further validated for activity and specificity, including several homeodomain proteins. We found that the transcription of one of these, the homeodomain protein MEOX2 (GAX) is enhanced in primary cells during the induction of senescence, and forced expression of this protein results in the induction of premature senescence. We further demonstrate that MEOX2-induced senescence is dependent upon INK4a activity, and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies indicate that MEOX2 directly binds the INK4a promoter. These results support a role for this homeodomain protein as a direct regulator of INK4a transcription and senescence in human cells.

Perfil organizativo-funcional de la familia nuclear psicosomática con un hijo asmático / Organizational and functional profile of the nuclear psychosomatic family with one asthmatic son

Introduction Asthma is a current problem worldwide. By one hand the prevalence of the disease has been increasing in México during the last decades; on the other hand there is a considerable number of patients in whose the disease can not be controlled. The analysis of familiar function is a convenient weapon to approach in a more integrated manner such problem. In this systematic focus, the family becomes the protagonist in the symptoms of the indicated patient. It is within the family where the study proposes to find characteristics that instigate the development of the psychosomatic disease. The psychosomatic family basically suffers problems with boundaries. As with most family problems, the psychosomatic illness pertains to this dynamic group of families where the family roles are intermixed. The desire for a unified family creates a difficult home environment for individual spaces. This difficulty interpreted by Minuchin (1990) as the absence of psychological distance and defined it as the moment where one, or various family members begin to function as a family subsystem to which they do not pertain. According to Onnis (1990), there are four main characteristics of the psychosomatic family: Agglutination This refers to the reciprocal over-involvement of the family members. Each member is prone to intrusive actions, thoughts, feelings and communication with the other members. Reciprocal over-protection The members of the family demonstrate a high grade of diligence and reciprocal interest, encouraging and supplying answers that are of a protective type. As a result, the illness of the patient has a protective function towards the family. Rigidity This is the principal characteristic of the psychosomatic family. The family is resistant to change, and show itself as a unified and harmonious one, where the only problem is the illness of the patient. Outside relationships are scarce and the family remains stuck in the attempt to maintain it's own homeostasis. Avoidance of conflict There is a very low capacity for tolerating conflicts by the family and applies all possible methods to avoid it, which in the end the family only manages to hide the problem. In such a pattern, the patient plays a central and vital role by interfering every time the tension between the parents raises to a threat and the appearance of a symptom blocks the conflict by attracting the attention of the family members towards him/herself. The present study was done to characterize the organizational and functional profile of the nuclear family with one asthmatic child. Methods This is a descriptive semi-quantitative, non-experimental study to understand the family behavior and function of twenty nuclear families with one asthmatic child. The family function was evaluated in nine different areas with Emma Espejel Acco's the Scale of Family Function. This instrument was chosen because they could attain the desired objective and they were standardized for the Mexican population with a sensibility of 0.91 to discriminate between dysfunctional and functional families. Emma Espejel Acco's Scale of Family Function include the following areas: support, affect, disruptive conduct, communication, resources, authority, supervision, negative affect and control and final evaluation of each areas were reported in four categories: functional, fairly functional, poor functional and dysfunctional, attending Espejel Acco's recommendations. The study population was taken from a pool containing 102 psychosomatics families, whose participated in a previous study to characterize clinical patterns of asthma in children, also their relation with social and environmental factors leaded by Rodríguez-Orozco at the University of San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, México. Those nuclear families with an asthmatic children, within the ages six and twelve years, were included. There were only twenty families that fit the nuclear typology also, requirements for the study and those twenty were the ones included in this study; 95% was considered statistically significant and Pearson's Correlation was applied to study the relations between explored areas of the Scale of Family Function. The written consent was previously received for participant families and this study was run during 2005 at the University of San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, México. Results The 80% of the families were poorly functional in the area of affect. The communication was poorly functional in 60% of the families, in the area of resources 50 % of the families were fairly functional. Attending authority (75%), supervision(95%) and control (50%) of the families were fairly functional. 70 % of the families were fairly functional in support, and 65% were fairly functional when disruptive conducts were analized. In the area of negative affect almost 50% of the families were fairly functional. Within the obtained results, there was a positive correlation with a significance P <0.05 between the following areas authority and disruptive conduct r= .545 between the areas of authority and communication r=.518, and between disruptive conduct and resources r=.524 Discussion The principal characteristics found in the studied nuclear psychosomatic families with one son with asthma were agglutination, overprotection, rigidity and avoidance of conflict according to the four main characteristics referred in psychosomatic families. The familiar dinamics was really complex, even when all areas of the familiar function are compromised there is a predominance of poor efficacy to demonstrate affect and to communicate their feelings; it is associated with persistence of negative feelings which can not be treat adecuately due to a limited number of resources to solve conflicts. There was a positive correlation between authority and communication; authority and disruptive conduct and disruptive conduct and resources. This means that when authority resides in a parental subsystem, feelings are good expressed within the family; the emerging situations such as addictions and innapropiate social behaviour are well-discussed, despite of the major part of this innapropiate conducts remain unsolved because the family can not recognize the instruments to solve this problems. Conclusions The nuclear psychosomatics families with an asthmatic son, are rigid ones, and all areas of familiar functioning according. Espejel's Scale are affected, in agreement to other authors rigidity, as the crucial characteristics accompanied of avoidance of conflict, reciprocal-overprotection and agglutination. All evaluated areas of family function were affected in nuclear psychosomatic families with an asthmatic son. That is the way to stop the psychosomatic system. The psychological assistance is necessary to integrate to the medical treatment.

Introducción El asma es un problema de salud mundial, su incidencia continúa aumentando en nuestro medio y para su control en muchos casos no resulta suficiente el tratamiento farmacológico; por ello una perspectiva más integradora para su atención debe incluir el manejo de las circunstancias que detonan las crisis y las apuntan hacia la cronicidad de la enfermedad en la familia, la escuela y el trabajo. Bajo este enfoque sistemático, en la familia se encuentran las características que instigan el desarrollo de la enfermedad psicosomática y deviene en protagonista de los síntomas que el paciente exhibe. La familia psicosomática sufre básicamente problemas con las fronteras y los papeles que sus miembros tienden a entremezclar en una complicada madeja; en consecuencia, los deseos de unidad familiar están ligados a las dificultades para mantener los espacios individuales. Según Onnis (1990), existen cuatro características principales que caracterizan a la familia psicosomática: la aglutinación, la hiperprotección recíproca, la rigidez y la evitación de conflicto. La aglutinación se refiere al hecho de que los miembros de la familia se sobreinvolucran recíprocamente; cada uno mantiene tendencias intrusivas en los pensamientos, acciones, sentimientos y comunicaciones de los demás; los límites generacionales e interindividuales son frágiles, y se confunden papeles y funciones. La hiperprotección recíproca se establece cuando miembros de una familia muestran entre sí un alto grado de solicitud e interés recíproco; se estimulan y aportan respuestas de protección, en especial cuando el paciente asume el comportamiento sintomático todos se movilizan para protegerlo. La rigidez es una de las características más importantes del entorno psicosomático, una familia rígida es resistente al cambio aunque con frecuencia se presente unida y armónica, con escasas relaciones externas por lo que, aparentemente, el problema único es la enfermedad del paciente. La evitación del conflicto es otro de los rasgos típicos de la familia psicosomática, se aplican varios mecanismos para evitar el conflicto y ocultar el problema. Existe en la familia un bajo umbral de tolerancia al conflicto, por lo que es frecuente encontrar un niño en quien la aparición del síntoma consigue el bloque de las tensiones entre los padres y atrae hacia él la atención de la familia. Métodos La presente investigación se realizó en la ciudad de Morelia, Michoacán, durante el año de 2005; es una investigación de tipo cuantitativo, no experimental, transversal y descriptiva; se estudiaron 20 familias nucleares con un hijo asmático con edades entre seis y 12 años; el objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar el funcionamiento y la organización de la familia por su relación con la detonación y persistencia de los síntomas asmáticos en el miembro de la familia que experimenta la enfermedad. Para obtener las mediciones se aceptó un rango con 95% de confiabilidad y se usó la Correlación de Pearson para estimar la relación entre las áreas de función familiar evaluadas. Para estimar el funcionamiento de la familia se usó la Escala de Funcionamiento Familiar de Emma Espejel que permite evaluar nueve áreas: apoyo, recursos, afecto, conducta disruptiva, afecto negativo, comunicación, autoridad, supervisión y control, ésta última está validada para la población mexicana y puede discriminar familias funcionales de familias disfuncionales con una sensibilidad de 0.91. Resultados De las familias estudiadas 80% se mostraron poco funcionales en el área de afecto; 60% fueron poco funcionales en la comunicación; y 50% moderadamente funcionales en recursos. En las áreas de supervisión, autoridad y control fueron moderadamente funcionales 95%, 75% y 50% respectivamente. Fueron moderadamente funcionales en el area de apoyo, 70%. El 65% de las familias fueron moderadamente funcionales en el área que explora conductas disruptivas. En el área afecto negativo 50% de las familias fueron moderadamente funcionales. Las correlaciones positivas que más llamaron la atención entre las áreas de función familiar estudiadas fueron: entre autoridad y conducta disruptiva, r=.545, P<0.05; entre autoridad y comunicación, r=.518, P<0.05, y entre conducta disruptiva y recursos r=.524, P<0.05. Discusión El perfil organizativo-funcional encontrado en estas familias correspondió con las principales características reportadas por otros autores en las familias psicosomáticas: rigidez, sobreprotección, evitación de conflicto y aglutinación. Esta dinámica causa poca eficacia en cuanto a la demostración del afecto y para sustentar la comunicación, lo anterior se traduce en una permanencia de sentimientos negativos que repercute en la pobre utilización de recursos para salir adelante y, en ocasiones, se desconoce la existencia de éstos. La existencia de correlaciones positivas entre autoridad y comunicación, entre autoridad y conducta disruptiva y entre conducta disruptiva y recursos, significa que cuando la autoridad radica en el sistema parental los sentimientos son mejor expresados por la familia, se favorece el intercambio de puntos de vista y las situaciones emergentes como las adicciones y los comportamientos inapropiados son mejor discutidos. De igual forma los problemas en el comportamiento de la familia y las conductas inadecuadas tienden a no quedar resueltos debido a la limitación en el reconocimiento y manejo de las herramientas adecuadas para salir adelante.

Phosphorylated p40PHOX as a negative regulator of NADPH oxidase.

The leukocyte NADPH oxidase catalyzes the production of O(2)(-) from oxygen at the expense of NADPH. Activation of the enzyme requires interaction of the cytosolic factors p47(PHOX), p67(PHOX), and Rac2 with the membrane-associated cytochrome b(558). Activation of the oxidase in a semirecombinant cell-free system in the absence of an amphiphilic activator can be achieved by phosphorylation of the cytosolic factor p47(PHOX) by protein kinase C. Another cytosolic factor, p40(PHOX), was recently shown to be phosphorylated on serine and threonine residues upon activation of NADPH oxidase, but both stimulatory and inhibitory roles were reported. In the present study, we demonstrate that the addition of phosphorylated p40(PHOX) to the cell-free system inhibits NADPH oxidase activated by protein kinase C-phosphorylated p47(PHOX), an effect not observed with the unphosphorylated p40(PHOX). Moreover phosphorylated p40(PHOX) inhibits the oxidase if added before or after full activation of the enzyme. Direct mutagenesis of protein kinase C consensus sites enables us to conclude that phosphorylation of threonine 154 is required for the inhibitory effect of p40(PHOX) to occur. Although the phosphorylated mutants and nonphosphorylated mutants are still able to interact with both p47(PHOX) and p67(PHOX) in pull-down assays, their proteolysis pattern upon thrombin treatment suggests a difference in conformation between the phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated mutants. We postulate that phosphorylation of p40(PHOX) on threonine 154 leads to an inhibitory conformation that shifts the balance toward an inhibitory role and blocks oxidase activation.

Modulation of p47PHOX activity by site-specific phosphorylation: Akt-dependent activation of the NADPH oxidase.

The leukocyte NADPH oxidase catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to O(2)(-) at the expense of NADPH. Extensive phosphorylation of the oxidase subunit p47(PHOX) occurs during the activation of the enzyme in intact cells. p47(PHOX) carrying certain serine-to-alanine mutations fails to support NADPH oxidase activity in intact cells, suggesting that the phosphorylation of specific serines on p47(PHOX) is required for the activation of the oxidase. Earlier studies with both intact cells and a kinase-dependent, cell-free system have suggested that protein kinase C can phosphorylate those serines of p47(PHOX) whose phosphorylation is necessary for its activity. Work with inhibitors suggested that a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent pathway also can activate the oxidase. Phosphorylation of p47(PHOX) by Akt (protein kinase B), whose activation depends on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, could be the final step in such a pathway. We now find that Akt activates the oxidase in vitro by phosphorylating serines S304 and S328 of p47(PHOX). These results suggest that Akt could participate in the activation of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase.

Investigating antibody-catalyzed ozone generation by human neutrophils.

Recent studies have suggested that antibodies can catalyze the generation of previously unknown oxidants including dihydrogen trioxide (H(2)O(3)) and ozone (O(3)) from singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)(*)) and water. Given that neutrophils have the potential both to produce (1)O(2)(*) and to bind antibodies, we considered that these cells could be a biological source of O(3). We report here further analytical evidence that antibody-coated neutrophils, after activation, produce an oxidant with the chemical signature of O(3). This process is independent of surface antibody concentration down to 50% of the resting concentration, suggesting that surface IgG is highly efficient at intercepting the neutrophil-generated (1)O(2)(*). Vinylbenzoic acid, an orthogonal probe for ozone detection, is oxidized by activated neutrophils to 4-carboxybenzaldehyde in a manner analogous to that obtained for its oxidation by ozone in solution. This discovery of the production of such a powerful oxidant in a biological context raises questions about not only the capacity of O(3) to kill invading microorganisms but also its role in amplification of the inflammatory response by signaling and gene activation.

Evidence for antibody-catalyzed ozone formation in bacterial killing and inflammation.

Recently, we showed that antibodies catalyze the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) from singlet molecular oxygen (1O2*) and water. Here, we show that this process can lead to efficient killing of bacteria, regardless of the antigen specificity of the antibody. H2O2 production by antibodies alone was found to be not sufficient for bacterial killing. Our studies suggested that the antibody-catalyzed water-oxidation pathway produced an additional molecular species with a chemical signature similar to that of ozone. This species is also generated during the oxidative burst of activated human neutrophils and during inflammation. These observations suggest that alternative pathways may exist for biological killing of bacteria that are mediated by potent oxidants previously unknown to biology.