Unraveling the role of internal-external metal substitution in Zn3[Co(CN6)]2 for the styrene oxide-CO2 cycloaddition reaction.

We investigated the influence of the structural and textural properties along with the chemical environment of pure Zn3[Co(CN)6]2 in comparison with the modified phases on the catalytic performance in the cycloaddition reaction between styrene oxide and CO2. We relate these to the proposed reaction pathways and mechanisms. The natural cubic phase (ZnCoCn) was dehydrated to obtain the rhombohedral phase (ZnCoRn), while the stabilized cubic phase (ZnCoCs) was synthesized by substituting external zinc atoms with cadmium atoms. The rhombohedral stabilized phase (ZnCoRs) was achieved by the internal cobalt change with iron. All the materials were extensively characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N2 adsorption. The catalytic behavior of the four phases was tested. The crystalline structure of each phase was obtained, and by XPS, it was demonstrated that the chemical environments of all elements conforming to the rhombohedral stabilized phase are different from those of all other materials owing to the exchange of internal metals. The bulk textural properties were similar; only the ZnCoRs presented more micropore area but did not exceed the total surface area of the other materials. The product distribution and yield at reaction times of 2 h and 6 h were closer to those of the cubic phases. The natural rhombohedral phase exhibits the best performance. The tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) and rhombohedral stabilized phase work together to yield a bigger copolymer quantity at the expense of the styrene carbonate (StCO3) production. From the proposed mechanism, the TBAB cation (TBA+) has a "protection" function that drives the closing of the StCO3 ring; however, the charge distribution anisotropy in the four nitrogen atoms generated by Co replacement in ZnCoRs could hold TBA+ as the reaction time progressed, causing an unavailability that triggered the copolymerization propagation step.

Broadening the Knowledge of Mexican Boletes: Addition of a New Genus, Seven New Species, and Three New Combinations.

Boletes are one of the most common groups of fungi in temperate, subtropical, and tropical ecosystems. In Mexico, the northern region has mainly been explored in terms of bolete diversity. This study describes a new genus and seven new species based on macromorphological, micromorphological, molecular, phylogenetic, and ecological data. Garcileccinum gen. nov. is typified with G. salmonicolor based on multigene phylogenetic analysis of nrLSU, RPB2, and TEF1, and it is closely related to Leccinum and Leccinellum. Garcileccinum viscosum and G. violaceotinctum are new combinations. Boletellus minimatenebris (ITS, nrLSU, and RPB2), Cacaoporus mexicanus (RPB2 and ATP6), Leccinum oaxacanum, Leccinum juarenzense (nrLSU, RPB2, and TEF1), Tylopilus pseudoleucomycelinus (nrLSU and RPB2), and Xerocomus hygrophanus (ITS, nrLSU, and RPB2) are described as new species. Boletus neoregius is reclassified as Pulchroboletus neoregius comb. nov. based on morphological and multigene phylogenetic analysis (ITS and nrLSU), and its geographic distribution is extended to Central Mexico, since the species was only known from Costa Rica. Furthermore, T. leucomycelinus is a new record from Mexico. This study contributes to increasing our knowledge of boletes and expands the diversity found in Mexican forests.

Whole-genome sequence of Pseudomonas yamanorum OLsAu1 isolated from the edible wild ectomycorrhizal mushroom Lactarius sp. section Deliciosi.

We announce the genome sequencing, assembly, and annotation of the OLsAu1 strain and its taxonomic assignment to Pseudomonas yamanorum. The isolate comes from a wild edible ectomycorrhizal Lactarius sp. mushroom in the Abies forest. There is information regarding the strain's ability to promote plant growth, indicating its potential application in forestry.

Five New Species of Aureoboletus and Chalciporus (Boletaceae, Boletales) and Their Ethnomycological Aspects.

Among Boletales, the family Boletaceae has the highest diversity worldwide. Additionally, this fungal group has great ecological relevance because it not only includes mainly ectomycorrhizal but also saprotrophic species. Furthermore, some species are used as food and have sociocultural and economic importance worldwide. In Mexico, the Boletaceae family boasts a substantial number of species, yet our understanding of these species remains far from comprehensive. In this work, by using macro- and micromorphological and phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences from multi-gene analyses based on ITS, nrLSU, rpb1, rpb2, and tef1, we report five new species belonging to the genera Aureoboletus and Chalciporus: A. ayuukii and A. elvirae from a Quercus scytophylla forest, A. readii from a mixed forest, C. perezsilvae from cloud forest, and C. piedracanteadensis from both a mixed coniferous forest and a Quercus-Pinus forest. In Mexico, four species of Aureoboletus are used as a food source, and in this work, we add another one, A. readii, which is traditionally consumed by members of the Tlahuica-Pjiekakjoo culture, who are located in the central part of the country. This work contributes to our knowledge of two genera of Boletaceae in a geographical area that is scarcely studied, and thus, our understanding of its biocultural relevance is enriched.

Huitlacoche (Ustilago maydis), an Iconic Mexican Fungal Resource: Biocultural Importance, Nutritional Content, Bioactive Compounds, and Potential Biotechnological Applications.

Worldwide, the fungus known as huitlacoche (Ustilago maydis (DC.) Corda) is a phytopathogen of maize plants that causes important economic losses in different countries. Conversely, it is an iconic edible fungus of Mexican culture and cuisine, and it has high commercial value in the domestic market, though recently there has been a growing interest in the international market. Huitlacoche is an excellent source of nutritional compounds such as protein, dietary fiber, fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. It is also an important source of bioactive compounds with health-enhancing properties. Furthermore, scientific evidence shows that extracts or compounds isolated from huitlacoche have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antiplatelet, and dopaminergic properties. Additionally, the technological uses of huitlacoche include stabilizing and capping agents for inorganic nanoparticle synthesis, removing heavy metals from aqueous media, having biocontrol properties for wine production, and containing biosurfactant compounds and enzymes with potential industrial applications. Furthermore, huitlacoche has been used as a functional ingredient to develop foods with potential health-promoting benefits. The present review focuses on the biocultural importance, nutritional content, and phytochemical profile of huitlacoche and its related biological properties as a strategy to contribute to global food security through food diversification; moreover, the biotechnological uses of huitlacoche are also discussed with the aim of contributing to the use, propagation, and conservation of this valuable but overlooked fungal resource.

Seroprevalence of IgG and Subclasses against the Nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 in Health Workers.

BACKGROUND: The nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 participates in viral replication, transcription, and assembly. Antibodies against this protein have been proposed for the epidemiological analysis of the seroprevalence of COVID-19 associated with natural infection by SARS-CoV-2. Health workers were one of the most exposed populations, and some had an asymptomatic form of the disease, so detecting IgG antibodies and subclasses against the N protein can help to reclassify their epidemiological status and obtain information about the effector mechanisms associated with viral elimination. METHODS: In this study, we analyzed 253 serum samples collected in 2021 and derived from health workers, and evaluated the presence of total IgG and subclasses against the N protein of SARS-CoV-2 by indirect ELISA. RESULTS: From the analyzed samples, 42.69% were positive to anti-N IgG antibodies. A correlation between COVID-19 asymptomatic infection and IgG antibodies was observed (p = 0.006). The detected subclasses were: IgG1 (82.4%), IgG2 (75.9%), IgG3 (42.6%), and IgG4 (72.6%). CONCLUSIONS: This work provides evidence about the high seroprevalence of total IgG and subclasses of anti-N and their relations with the asymptomatic infection of SARS-CoV-2 and related symptoms.

Bacillus megaterium HgT21: a Promising Metal Multiresistant Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria for Soil Biorestoration.

The environmental deterioration produced by heavy metals derived from anthropogenic activities has gradually increased. The worldwide dissemination of toxic metals in crop soils represents a threat for sustainability and biosafety in agriculture and requires strategies for the recovery of metal-polluted crop soils. The biorestoration of metal-polluted soils using technologies that combine plants and microorganisms has gained attention in recent decades due to the beneficial and synergistic effects produced by its biotic interactions. In this context, native and heavy metal-resistant plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) play a crucial role in the development of strategies for sustainable biorestoration of metal-contaminated soils. In this study, we present a genomic analysis and characterization of the rhizospheric bacterium Bacillus megaterium HgT21 isolated from metal-polluted soil from Zacatecas, Mexico. The results reveal that this autochthonous bacterium contains an important set of genes related to a variety of operons associated with mercury, arsenic, copper, cobalt, cadmium, zinc and aluminum resistance. Additionally, halotolerance-, beta-lactam resistance-, phosphate solubilization-, and plant growth-promotion-related genes were identified. The analysis of resistance to metal ions revealed resistance to mercury (HgII+), arsenate [AsO4]³-, cobalt (Co2+), zinc (Zn2+), and copper (Cu2+). Moreover, the ability of the HgT21 strain to produce indole acetic acid (a phytohormone) and promote the growth of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings in vitro was also demonstrated. The genotype and phenotype of Bacillus megaterium HgT21 reveal its potential to be used as a model of both plant growth-promoting and metal multiresistant bacteria. IMPORTANCE Metal-polluted environments are natural sources of a wide variety of PGPB adapted to cope with toxic metal concentrations. In this work, the bacterial strain Bacillus megaterium HgT21 was isolated from metal-contaminated soil and is proposed as a model for the study of metal multiresistance in spore-forming Gram-positive bacteria due to the presence of a variety of metal resistance-associated genes similar to those encountered in the metal multiresistant Gram-negative Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34. The ability of B. megaterium HgT21 to promote the growth of plants also makes it suitable for the study of plant-bacteria interactions in metal-polluted environments, which is key for the development of techniques for the biorestoration of metal-contaminated soils used for agriculture.

Transcriptome Analysis Unveils Gln3 Role in Amino Acids Assimilation and Fluconazole Resistance in Candida glabrata.

After Candida albicans, Candida glabrata is one of the most common fungal species associated with candidemia in nosocomial infections. Rapid acquisition of nutrients from the host is important for the survival of pathogens which possess the metabolic flexibility to assimilate different carbon and nitrogen compounds. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, nitrogen assimilation is controlled through a mechanism known as Nitrogen Catabolite Repression (NCR). NCR is coordinated by the action of four GATA factors; two positive regulators, Gat1 and Gln3, and two negative regulators, Gzf3 and Dal80. A mechanism in C. glabrata similar to NCR in S. cerevisiae has not been broadly studied. We previously showed that in C. glabrata, Gln3, and not Gat1, has a major role in nitrogen assimilation as opposed to what has been observed in S. cerevisiae in which both factors regulate NCR-sensitive genes. Here, we expand the knowledge about the role of Gln3 from C. glabrata through the transcriptional analysis of BG14 and gln3Δ strains. Approximately, 53.5% of the detected genes were differentially expressed (DEG). From these DEG, amino acid metabolism and ABC transporters were two of the most enriched KEGG categories in our analysis (Up-DEG and Down-DEG, respectively). Furthermore, a positive role of Gln3 in AAA assimilation was described, as was its role in the transcriptional regulation of ARO8. Finally, an unexpected negative role of Gln3 in the gene regulation of ABC transporters CDR1 and CDR2 and its associated transcriptional regulator PDR1 was found. This observation was confirmed by a decreased susceptibility of the gln3Δ strain to fluconazole.

Biosorption of lead phosphates by lead-tolerant bacteria as a mechanism for lead immobilization.

The study of metal-tolerant bacteria is important for bioremediation of contaminated environments and development of green technologies for material synthesis due to their potential to transform toxic metal ions into less toxic compounds by mechanisms such as reduction, oxidation and/or sequestration. In this study, we report the isolation of seven lead-tolerant bacteria from a metal-contaminated site at Zacatecas, México. The bacteria were identified as members of the Staphylococcus and Bacillus genera by microscopic, biochemical and 16S rDNA analyses. Minimal inhibitory concentration of these isolates was established between 4.5 and 7.0 mM of Pb(NO3)2 in solid and 1.0-4.0 mM of Pb(NO3)2 in liquid media. A quantitative analysis of the lead associated to bacterial biomass in growing cultures, revealed that the percentage of lead associated to biomass was between 1 and 37% in the PbT isolates. A mechanism of complexation/biosorption of lead ions as inorganic phosphates (lead hydroxyapatite and pyromorphite) in bacterial biomass, was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses. Thus, the ability of the lead-tolerant isolates to transform lead ions into stable and highly insoluble lead minerals make them potentially useful for immobilization of lead in mining waste.

Toxicity effect of Auxemma oncocalyx fraction and its active principle oncocalyxone A on in vitro culture of caprine secondary follicles and in vitro oocyte maturation / Efeito da toxicidade da fração da Auxemma oncocalyx e seu princípio ativo oncocalyxona A no cultivo in vitro de folículos secundários e na maturação in vitro de oócitos de caprinos

The extract of Auxemma oncocalyx (A. oncocalyx) and its main component, oncocalyxone A (onco A), possess anti-tumoral activity that may affect fertility. There is limited literature on the action of these substances regarding caprine folliculogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of A. oncocaly and onco A on the in vitro culture of isolated secondary follicles (Experiment 1) and on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes from caprine antral follicles grown in vivo (Experiment 2). Isolated secondary follicles were distributed in six groups: the non-cultured control was immediately fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. The remaining follicles were cultured for 7 days in α-minimal essential medium (α-MEM+ ) alone (control) or with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), doxorubicin (DXR), A. oncocalyx, or onco A. After culture, the follicles were evaluated for antrum formation, growth rate, apoptosis (TUNEL), cellular proliferation (PCNA), as well as the expression of BCL2 and BAX. In addition, cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated and allocated into five treatments for IVM: control, cultured only in maturation base medium (TCM 199+ ); or supplemented with DMSO; DXR; A. oncocalyx or onco A. After IVM, oocyte chromatin configuration and viability were assessed. After 7 days of culture, a reduction was noted in the percent of morphologically intact follicles, antrum formation, growth rate, and numbers of PCNApositive granulosa cells (P < 0.05). After culture, the DXR treatment showed a higher percent of TUNELpositive follicles and relative BAX:BCL2 mRNA ratio’s (P < 0.05). After IVM of the COCs, DXR, A. oncocalyx, and onco A treatments showed a greater percent (P < 0.05) of abnormal oocytes and a lower percent of viable oocytes as compared with the control group (P < 0.05)...

O extrato da Auxemma oncocalyx (A. oncocalyx) e seu componente, Oncocalyxona A (onco A), possui atividade antitumoral, podendo afetar a fertilidade. Entretanto, estudos sobre a ação dessas substâncias em relação à foliculogênese caprina são desconhecidos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o efeito da A. oncocalyx e onco A no cultivo in vitro de folículos secundários isolados (Experimento 1) e na maturação in vitro (MIV) de oócitos de folículos antrais caprinos crescidos in vivo (Experimento 2). Folículos secundários isolados foram distribuídos em seis grupos, em que o controle não-cultivado foi imediatamente fixado em paraformaldeído 4%. Os folículos restantes foram cultivados durante 7 dias em α-MEM+ sozinho (controle) ou suplementado com DMSO, doxorrubicina (DXR), A. oncocalyx ou onco A. Após o cultivo, os folículos foram avaliados quanto à formação de antro, taxa de crescimento, apoptose (TUNEL) e proliferação celular (PCNA), bem como a expressão dos genes BCL2 e BAX. Além disso, os complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCOs) foram aspirados e distribuídos em cinco tratamentos para MIV: o controle em meio de maturação (TCM 199+), e os demais tratamentos suplementados com DMSO, DXR, A. oncocalyx ou onco A. Depois da MIV, a configuração da cromatina e viabilidade oocitária foram avaliadas. Após 7 dias de cultivo, observou-se redução na percentagem de folículos morfologicamente intactos, na formação de antro, na taxa de crescimento e no número de células PCNA positivas (P < 0,05). Depois do cultivo, no tratamento DXR foi observada maior percentagem de folículos TUNEL positivos (P < 0,05) e também aumento na taxa de RNAm BAX: BCL2 (P < 0,05). Após MIV dos CCOs, nos tratamentos com DXR, A. oncocalyx e onco A, observou-se maior (P < 0,05) percentagem de oócitos anormais e menor de oócitos viáveis quando comparados ao grupo controle (P < 0,05)...

Toxicity effect of Auxemma oncocalyx fraction and its active principle oncocalyxone A on in vitro culture of caprine secondary follicles and in vitro oocyte maturation / Efeito da toxicidade da fração da Auxemma oncocalyx e seu princípio ativo oncocalyxona A no cultivo in vitro de folículos secundários e na maturação in vitro de oócitos de caprinos

The extract of Auxemma oncocalyx (A. oncocalyx) and its main component, oncocalyxone A (onco A), possess anti-tumoral activity that may affect fertility. There is limited literature on the action of these substances regarding caprine folliculogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of A. oncocaly and onco A on the in vitro culture of isolated secondary follicles (Experiment 1) and on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes from caprine antral follicles grown in vivo (Experiment 2). Isolated secondary follicles were distributed in six groups: the non-cultured control was immediately fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. The remaining follicles were cultured for 7 days in α-minimal essential medium (α-MEM+ ) alone (control) or with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), doxorubicin (DXR), A. oncocalyx, or onco A. After culture, the follicles were evaluated for antrum formation, growth rate, apoptosis (TUNEL), cellular proliferation (PCNA), as well as the expression of BCL2 and BAX. In addition, cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated and allocated into five treatments for IVM: control, cultured only in maturation base medium (TCM 199+ ); or supplemented with DMSO; DXR; A. oncocalyx or onco A. After IVM, oocyte chromatin configuration and viability were assessed. After 7 days of culture, a reduction was noted in the percent of morphologically intact follicles, antrum formation, growth rate, and numbers of PCNApositive granulosa cells (P < 0.05). After culture, the DXR treatment showed a higher percent of TUNELpositive follicles and relative BAX:BCL2 mRNA ratios (P < 0.05). After IVM of the COCs, DXR, A. oncocalyx, and onco A treatments showed a greater percent (P < 0.05) of abnormal oocytes and a lower percent of viable oocytes as compared with the control group (P < 0.05)...(AU)

O extrato da Auxemma oncocalyx (A. oncocalyx) e seu componente, Oncocalyxona A (onco A), possui atividade antitumoral, podendo afetar a fertilidade. Entretanto, estudos sobre a ação dessas substâncias em relação à foliculogênese caprina são desconhecidos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o efeito da A. oncocalyx e onco A no cultivo in vitro de folículos secundários isolados (Experimento 1) e na maturação in vitro (MIV) de oócitos de folículos antrais caprinos crescidos in vivo (Experimento 2). Folículos secundários isolados foram distribuídos em seis grupos, em que o controle não-cultivado foi imediatamente fixado em paraformaldeído 4%. Os folículos restantes foram cultivados durante 7 dias em α-MEM+ sozinho (controle) ou suplementado com DMSO, doxorrubicina (DXR), A. oncocalyx ou onco A. Após o cultivo, os folículos foram avaliados quanto à formação de antro, taxa de crescimento, apoptose (TUNEL) e proliferação celular (PCNA), bem como a expressão dos genes BCL2 e BAX. Além disso, os complexos cumulus-oócitos (CCOs) foram aspirados e distribuídos em cinco tratamentos para MIV: o controle em meio de maturação (TCM 199+), e os demais tratamentos suplementados com DMSO, DXR, A. oncocalyx ou onco A. Depois da MIV, a configuração da cromatina e viabilidade oocitária foram avaliadas. Após 7 dias de cultivo, observou-se redução na percentagem de folículos morfologicamente intactos, na formação de antro, na taxa de crescimento e no número de células PCNA positivas (P < 0,05). Depois do cultivo, no tratamento DXR foi observada maior percentagem de folículos TUNEL positivos (P < 0,05) e também aumento na taxa de RNAm BAX: BCL2 (P < 0,05). Após MIV dos CCOs, nos tratamentos com DXR, A. oncocalyx e onco A, observou-se maior (P < 0,05) percentagem de oócitos anormais e menor de oócitos viáveis quando comparados ao grupo controle (P < 0,05)...(AU)

[Nutrient transfer and growth of Pinus greggii Engelm. inoculated with edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms in two substrates]. / Transferencia de nutrientes y crecimiento de Pinus greggii Engelm. inoculado con hongos comestibles ectomicorrícicos en dos sustratos.

An ectomycorrhiza is a mutualistic symbiosis of paramount importance in forestry and tree production. One of the selection criteria of ectomycorrhizal fungi that has currently gained importance is their edibility due to the economic, ecological and cultural relevance of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms as a non-timber forest product. The effect of the inoculation with three edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms: Laccaria laccata, Laccaria bicolor y Hebeloma leucosarx, which are widely sold in Mexico, on the growth and nutrient contents of Pinus greggii grown in an experimental substrate and a commercial substrate enriched with a slow-release fertilizer, was evaluated. Two years after sowing, differences in terms of shoot and root biomass and macro and micronutrient contents between inoculated and non-inoculated plants, were recorded independently of the fungal species and the substrate. Despite the fact that plants grown in the commercial substrate had higher growth and nutrient contents, their ectomycorrhizal colonization percentages were smaller than those of the plants grown in the experimental substrate. The differences in the nutrient transfer to the inoculated plant shoots among the evaluated fungal species were recorded. Ca mobilization by L. laccata, Na by L. bicolor and Mn by H. leucosarx were observed in the plants growing in the experimental substrate. It has been demonstrated that the selection of substrates constitutes an important factor in the production of ectomycorrhizal plants and that the three evaluated species of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms have an enormous potential in the controlled mycorrhization of P. greggii.

Transferencia de nutrientes y crecimiento de Pinus greggii Engelm. inoculado con hongos comestibles ectomicorrícicos en dos sustratos / Nutrient transfer and growth of Pinus greggii Engelm. inoculated with edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms in two substrates

La ectomicorriza es una simbiosis mutualista de enorme importancia en la producción de árboles de valor forestal. Uno de los criterios de selección de hongos ectomicorrícicos de gran interés es su comestibilidad, por la importancia económica, ecológica y cultural de los hongos comestibles ectomicorrícicos como un producto forestal no maderable. En este estudio se evaluó el efecto de la inoculación con los hongos comestibles ectomicorrícicos, Laccaria laccata, Laccaria bicolor y Hebeloma leucosarx, en el crecimiento y el contenido nutricional de Pinus greggii, crecido en un sustrato experimental, o en un sustrato comercial enriquecido con un fertilizante de liberación lenta. Dos años después de la siembra, se observaron diferencias en el crecimiento aéreo y radical y en el contenido de macro- y micronutrientes entre plantas inoculadas y no inoculadas, independientemente de la especie fúngica y del sustrato utilizado. Las plantas crecidas en el sustrato comercial tuvieron mayor crecimiento y contenido de nutrientes; sin embargo, sus porcentajes de colonización fueron menores que los de plantas crecidas en el sustrato experimental. Existieron diferencias en la transferencia de nutrientes a la parte aérea de las plantas inoculadas, al comparar entre las especies fúngicas implicadas. Se observó transferencia de Ca por L. laccata, de Na por L. bicolor y de Mn por H.leucosarx en el sustrato experimental. La selección de sustratos constituye un factor clave en la producción de plantas ectomicorrizadas y las tres especies de hongos comestibles ectomicorrícicos evaluados tienen un potencial relevante para la micorrización controlada de P. greggii.

An ectomycorrhiza is a mutualistic symbiosis of paramount importance in forestry and tree production. One of the selection criteria of ectomycorrhizal fungi that has currently gained importance is their edibility due to the economic, ecological and cultural relevance of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms as a non-timber forest product. The effect of the inoculation with three edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms: Laccaria laccata, Laccaria bicolor y Hebeloma leucosarx, which are widely sold in Mexico, on the growth and nutrient contents of Pinus greggii grown in an experimental substrate and a commercial substrate enriched with a slow-release fertilizer, was evaluated. Two years after sowing, differences in terms of shoot and root biomass and macro and micronutrient contents between inoculated and non-inoculated plants, were recorded independently of the fungal species and the substrate. Despite the fact that plants grown in the commercial substrate had higher growth and nutrient contents, their ectomycorrhizal colonization percentages were smaller than those of the plants grown in the experimental substrate. The differences in the nutrient transfer to the inoculated plant shoots among the evaluated fungal species were recorded. Ca mobilization by L. laccata, Na by L. bicolor and Mn by H. leucosarx were observed in the plants growing in the experimental substrate. It has been demonstrated that the selection of substrates constitutes an important factor in the production of ectomycorrhizal plants and that the three evaluated species of edible ectomycorrhizal mushrooms have an enormous potential in the controlled mycorrhization of P. greggii.

[Gastrointestinal bleeding and delirium, challenges in the diagnosis of gallstone ileus: A case report and review of literature]. / Sangrado de tubo digestivo y delirium, retos en el diagnóstico de íleo biliar: reporte de un caso y revisión de bibliografía.

BACKGROUND: Gallstone ileus is a non-strangulated mechanical obstruction of the small bowel or colon as a result of the passage of gallstones through a biliary enteric fistula. It is a rare complication of cholelithiasis, affects patients over 65 years, and the disease occurs predominantly in females. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult due to the lack of specific signs and symptoms in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities. CLINICAL CASE: A 93-year-old female presenting with a one-week history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, electrolyte imbalance and community- acquired pneumonia pneumonia. During her prolonged hospital stay she presented an intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis of gallstone ileus was made by CT scan. Despite surgical treatment, she died due to late diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Gallstone ileus is a rare pathology, difficulty in diagnosis prolongs hospital stay, which directly influences mortality.

Traditional knowledge and use of wild mushrooms by Mixtecs or Ñuu savi, the people of the rain, from Southeastern Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Mexico is an important global reservoir of biological and cultural richness and traditional knowledge of wild mushrooms. However, there is a high risk of loss of this knowledge due to the erosion of traditional human cultures which is related with the rapid acculturation linked to high migration of rural populations to cities and the U.S.A., and the loss of natural ecosystems. The Mixtec people, the third largest native group in Mexico only after the Nahua and the Maya, maintain ancient traditions in the use and knowledge of wild mushrooms. Paradoxically, there are few studies of the Mixtec ethnomycology. This study shows our ethnomycological research, mainly focused on knowledge and use of wild mushrooms in communities of the Mixteca Alta, in southeastern Mexico. We hypothesized that among the studied communities those with a combination of higher vegetation cover of natural pine and oak forests, lower soil erosion and higher economic margination had a greater richness and knowledge of wild mushrooms. Our study therefore aimed to record traditional knowledge, use, nomenclature and classification of wild mushrooms in four Mixtec communities and to analyze how these aspects vary according to environmental and cultural conditions among the studied communities. METHODS: In order to analyze the cultural significance of wild mushrooms for the Mixtec people, 116 non-structured and semi-structured interviews were performed from 2009 to 2014. Information about the identified species, particularly the regional nomenclature and classification, their edibility, toxicity and ludic uses, the habitat of useful mushrooms, traditional recipes and criteria to differentiate between toxic and edible species, and mechanisms of knowledge transmission were studied. The research had the important particularity that the first author is Mixtec, native of the study area. A comparative qualitative analysis between the richness of fungal species used locally and the official information of the natural vegetation cover, soil erosion and economic marginalization in each of the studied communities was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 106 species of mushrooms were identified growing in pine and oak forest, deciduous tropical forest and grassland; among the identified mushrooms we recorded 26 species locally consumed, 18 considered toxic, 6 having ludic uses and the remaining 56 species not being used in the studied areas but some of them having potential as food (56 species) or medicine (28 species). We recorded that 80, 22 and 4 species are ectomycorrhizal, saprotrophic and parasites, respectively. Our study shows that a complex and accurate knowledge related with the use, nomenclature, classification, ecology, gastronomy of wild mushrooms has been developed by Mixtecs; and that there is a relation between natural vegetation cover, lower soil erosion and higher economic marginalization and richness, knowledge and use of mushrooms in the studied communites. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that conservation and adaptation of ancestral mycological knowledge survives mainly through oral transmition, maintenance of cultural identity, forest protection, preservation native language and also paradoxically through the current socieconomical marginality among the Mixtec people. We also found that those studied communities with a combination of higher vegetation cover of natural pine and oak forests, lower soil erosion and higher economic marginalization showed a greater richness and knowledge of wild mushrooms. Use and sustainable management of wild mushrooms can be an alternative for local integrated development, but local knowledge and traditional worldview should be included into the regional programs of Mixtec biocultural conservation.

Accelerated follicle growth during the culture of isolated caprine preantral follicles is detrimental to follicular survival and oocyte meiotic resumption.

This study investigated the effect of androstenedione (A4) alone or in association with different concentrations of bovine recombinant FSH on the IVC of isolated goat preantral follicles. Follicles were mechanically isolated from ovarian tissue and cultured for 18 days in α-minimum essential medium supplemented or not with A4 (10 ng/mL) alone or in association with fixed (A4 + FixFSH: 100 ng/mL) or sequential (A4 + SeqFSH: Day 0, 100 ng/mL; Day 6, 500 ng/mL; Day 12, 1000 ng/mL) concentrations of FSH. After 18 days, the oocytes were recovered for IVM and fluorescence analysis. At Day 18 of culture, only A4 + SeqFSH treatment showed a lower (P < 0.05) rate of intact follicles, survival probability, and meiotic resumption, as well as higher (P < 0.05) percentage of degeneration and/or extrusion after antrum formation. Taken together, these results reported a positive correlation between fast-growing follicles and follicles that degenerated and/or extruded after antrum formation. When compared with control, the addition of A4 alone or in association of FSH did not increase (P > 0.05) the estradiol production or androstenedione levels on Day 6. However, on Day 18, the androstenedione levels were significantly lower in A4 + SeqFSH treatment when compared with A4 alone or to A4 + FixFSH treatments, whereas the estradiol production did not differ (P > 0.05). In summary, this study found that accelerated follicle growth negatively impacted the morphology of caprine preantral follicle cultured in vitro. In addition, the association of androstenedione with increasing concentration of FSH was detrimental to follicular survival and oocyte meiotic resumption.

Comorbilidad entre dependencia al alcohol y trastornos de ansiedad en pacientes hombres ingresados / Comorbidity between the dependence to alcohol and the anxiety disorders on admitted male patients during the period January 2011 to 2013

Introducción: El término comorbilidad es considerado como la presencia de dos o más trastornos mentales en el mismo paciente. Objetivo: En el presente trabajo se planteó determinar la comorbilidad desde el punto de vista dimensional entre dependencia al alcohol y los trastornos de ansiedad. Métodos: Para ello se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de tipo transversal con los pacientes hombres que ingresaron para desintoxicación por alcoholismo en el servicio de adicciones Rogelio Paredes del HPH, en un período de tres años comprendido de enero del 2011 - 2013. Se aplicó el Sistema de Evaluación en Neuropsiquiatría (SCAN) en su sección 5 y 11, así como otras escalas. Para lo cual se tomó una muestra de 70 individuos con un promedio de edad de 46.8 años. Resultados: La dependencia al alcohol se caracterizó principalmente por un patrón predominante de ingesta diaria, incapacidad de abstinencia, marcada tolerancia, con síntomas mentales mixtos con un tiempo de consumo de 30.1 años. De los pacientes estudiados los síntomas de ansiedad estaban presentes en el 50 por ciento, existiendo correlación fuerte con el TAG. Se detectaron además síntomas del trastorno de estrés postraumático y del trastorno de somatización. La correlación entre los síntomas de ansiedad y el tiempo de consumo fue significativa. Conclusiones: Por lo que se puede decir que existe desde el punto de vista dimensional comorbilidad entre dependencia al alcohol y los trastornos de ansiedad en la muestra estudiada(AU)

Introduction: The term comorbidity is considered like the presence of two or more mental disorders on the same patient. Objective: to explain in this study comorbidity from the dimensional point of view between the alcohol and the anxiety disorders. Methods: A transversal and descriptive study with admitted male patients for alcohol detoxification was carried out in the Addiction Service of the ward Rogelio Paredes from the Psychiatric Hospital of Havana. The study was done during three years, from January 2011 to 2013. Neuropsychiatry Assessment System was applied (SCAN) in its section 5 and 11, as well as other scales. A sample of 70 subjects was taken with an average of age of 46.8 years old. Results: Alcohol dependence was mainly characterized by daily intake, abstinence inability, a significantly tolerance to alcohol and mixed mental symptoms with 30.1 years- consumption. Anxiety symptoms were present in 50 percent of the studied patients and the presence of a strong relation with the generalized anxiety. Post-traumatic stress and somatization disorder were detected. The relation between the anxiety symptoms and the consumption time was significant. Conclusions: In the studied sample comorbidity is present from the dimensional point of view between the alcohol and the anxiety disorder(AU)