Endogenous innate sensor NLRP3 is a key component in peritoneal macrophage dynamics required for cestode establishment.

The NLRP3 receptor can assemble inflammasome platforms to trigger inflammatory responses; however, accumulating evidence suggests that it can also display anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we explored the role of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain pyrin-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) in Taenia crassiceps experimental infection, which requires immune polarization into a Th2-type profile and peritoneal influx of suppressive macrophages for successful colonization. NLRP3 deficient mice (NLRP3-/-) were highly resistant against T. crassiceps, relative to wild-type (WT) mice. Resistance in NLRP3-/- mice was associated with a diminished IL-4 output, high levels of IL-15, growth factor for both innate and adaptive lymphocytes, and a dramatic decrease in peritoneum-infiltrating suppressive macrophages. Also, a transcriptional analysis on bone marrow-derived macrophages exposed to Taenia-secreted antigens and IL-4 revealed that NLRP3-/- macrophages express reduced transcripts of relm-α and PD-1 ligands, markers of alternative activation and suppressive ability, respectively. Finally, we found that the resistance displayed by NLRP3-/- mice is transferred through intestinal microbiota exchange, since WT mice co-housed with NLRP3-/- mice were significantly more resistant than WT animals preserving their native microbiota. Altogether, these data demonstrate that NLRP3 is a component of innate immunity required for T. crassiceps to establish, most likely contributing to macrophage recruitment, and controlling lymphocyte-stimulating cytokines such as IL-15.

The effect of intergroup competition outcome on ingroup cooperation: insights from the male warrior hypothesis.

Introduction: The Male Warrior Hypothesis (MWH) proposes that sex-specific selective pressures have promoted male cooperation with the ingroup members to outcompete rival groups. However, intergroup conflicts do not occur in isolation and the outcomes of previous competitions may influence group cooperativeness. Since this phenomenon is not well understood, we aimed to shed light on the effect of previous competition outcome on later cooperative behavior under intergroup conflicts. Based on the MWH, we hypothesized that repeated contests between groups could enhance ingroup cooperation, regardless of the outcome of the previous contest because status is at risk, but when competition is not present, participants would move to the symmetric equilibria. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we recruited 246 individuals organized in groups of 6 and measured cooperation using a threshold public good game over two rounds, manipulating the outcome in the first round to create groups of winners and losers. Results: Our results show that intergroup conflict scenarios promoted cooperation in both victory and defeat conditions, whereas, in the control scenario only losers increased their cooperation. Discussion: We argue that winners under the presence of an external threat may enhance in-group cooperation in order to assure their status; whereas, losers may be attempting to regain it.

[Economic burden assessment for the management of asthma patients at Mexico's National Institute for Respiratory Diseases]. / Evaluación de la carga económica para el tratamiento de pacientes con asma en el Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias de México.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la carga económica anual del asma, desde una perspectiva institucional y con base en la clasificación recomendada por GINA, en una cohorte retrospectiva de adultos atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER) de México. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, longitudinal y retrospectivo, llevado a cabo a partir de la información recabada de 247 pacientes femeninas con asma. Se estimaron los costos directos anuales: visitas, pruebas de laboratorio, tratamiento farmacológico y de las crisis o exacerbaciones, para determinar la carga anual de la enfermedad desde una perspectiva institucional, y según la clasificación de la Iniciativa Global para el Asma. RESULTADOS: El costo promedio anual fue de $43,813,92, que aumentó en relación con la necesidad de aumento de dosis de corticoides inhalados y beta-agonistas de acción prolongada. El costo promedio de la consulta médica fue de $2004.57, $982.82 por gestión de crisis y $2645.95 por pruebas de laboratorio. El tratamiento farmacológico representó la principal carga económica, con un costo promedio anual de $38,180.58. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados resaltan una carga económica del asma estimada en un costo anual por paciente de $43,813.92 MXN (DE=93,348.85), en el contexto del tercer nivel de atención en el sistema de salud público mexicano. La gravedad del asma, los tratamientos y los biológicos fueron los principales factores que aumentaron los costos directos de la atención.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the annual economic burden of the disease from an institutional perspective and based on GINA's recommended classification in a retrospective cohort of adults treated at Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias (INER) of Mexico City. METHODS: A retrospective, longitudinal observational study comprised by data from 247 female asthma patients, annual direct costs were estimated including: visits, laboratory tests, pharmacological treatment and management of crisis or exacerbations, to determine the annual burden of the disease from an institutional perspective and according to Global Initiative for Asthma classification. RESULTS: The average annual cost was $43,813.92, which increased in relation to the need of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists dosage increase. The average doctor's appointment cost was $2,004.57, $982.82 for crisis management and $2,645.95 for laboratory testing. Pharmacological treatment represented the main economic burden with an annual average cost of $38,180.58. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight an economic burden of asthma estimated at an annual cost per patient of $43,813.92 MXN (SD=93,348.85) in the context of the third level of care in the Mexican public health system. The asthma severity and treatments such as biologics were the main factors that increased direct costs of care.

The role of exogenous testosterone and social environment on the expression of sociosexuality and status-seeking behaviors in young Chilean men.

Testosterone plays an important role as a social hormone. Current evidence suggests that testosterone is positively related to sociosexuality increasing the psychological attitudes toward investing in short-term versus long-term mating and promotes status-seeking behaviors both by dominance and prestige. In addition, the social environment may play an important role in the expression of mating effort through changes in sociosexuality and status-seeking behaviors. However, the causal relationships among the mentioned variables are still debated. We employed a double-blind, placebo-controlled within-individual design, in order to test and integrate the proposed causal relationships between testosterone and social environment over short-term and long-term mating orientation and dominant and prestigious status-seeking behaviors in a sample of 95 young Chilean men. We did not find evidence that the administration of exogenous testosterone increased short-term or decreased long-term mating orientation as expected. Moreover, exogenous testosterone did not affect either aggressive or cooperative behavior failing to support the social status hypothesis. We also did not find any relationship between short or long-term mating orientation with status-seeking behaviors. Finally, we found support for the effect of social environment on sociosexual attitudes but not over status-seeking behaviors. Thus, men reported higher levels of short-term mating orientation in the presence of a woman compared to a man and no differences were found for long-term mating orientation. We argue that sociosexuality may be expressed flexibly, but contextual factors such as the presence of women seem more important than changes in testosterone levels.

Prevención de hemorragia posparto durante la cesárea mediante ligadura de las arterias uterinas en pacientes con factores de riesgo / Uterine artery ligation for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in patients with risk factors for cesarean section

Resumen OBJETIVO: Evaluar la utilidad preventiva de la hemorragia posparto mediante la ligadura bilateral de las arterias uterinas en pacientes con factores de riesgo. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo, experimental, aleatorizado no probabilístico, por conveniencia, de casos y controles, longitudinal, comparativo al que se incluyeron pacientes con factores de riesgo de hemorragia posparto que finalizaron el embarazo mediante cesárea de urgencia. Se integraron dos grupos: experimental, en quienes se aplicó la técnica de ligadura bilateral de arterias uterinas y el grupo control: solo con cesárea. Antes y después del procedimiento quirúrgico se estimaron la pérdida de sangre, los parámetros de hemoglobina y hematocrito y se compararon con el grupo de control. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 91 pacientes: 45 en el grupo experimental y 46 de solo cesárea. Se observaron diferencias significativas en la pérdida de sangre del grupo experimental (345.56 ± 64.69 mL) en comparación con el grupo control (426.06 ± 125.49 mL; p = 0.000247), en los parámetros de hemoglobina (grupo experimental: 11:13 ± 1.62 g/dL; grupo control: 10.49 ± 1.32 g/dL, p = 0.037) y hematocrito (grupo experimental: 33.86%; grupo control: 31.87%; p = 0.017). CONCLUSIÓN: La ligadura bilateral de las arterias uterinas a pacientes con factores de riesgo de hemorragia poscesárea es una medida preventiva eficaz que ayuda a disminuir la pérdida sanguínea. Al complementarla con los uterotónicos reduce el volumen de sangrado.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the benefits and harms of bilateral uterine artery ligation for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in patients with risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, experimental, randomized, case-control, longitudinal, comparative study conducted during 2022, which included patients with risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage who terminated pregnancy by emergency cesarean section. Two groups were included: the experimental group, in which the technique of bilateral uterine artery ligation was applied, and the control group, in which only cesarean section was performed. Before and after the surgical procedure, blood loss, hemoglobin and hematocrit parameters were estimated and compared with the control group. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were studied: 45 in the experimental group and 46 in the cesarean only group. Significant differences were observed in blood loss in the experimental group (345.56 ± 64.69 mL) compared to the control group (426.06 ± 125.49 mL; p = 0.000247), in hemoglobin (experimental group: 11:13 ± 1.62 g/dL; control group: 10.49 ± 1.32 g/dL, p = 0.037) and hematocrit (experimental group: 33.86%; control group: 31.87%; p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Bilateral uterine artery ligation in patients with risk factors for post-cesarean hemorrhage is an effective preventive measure that helps to reduce blood loss. When combined with uterotonics, it reduces the volume of bleeding.

Fracturas supracondíleas humerales pediátricas. Comparación de dos técnicas de reducción / Pediatric humeral supracondylar fractures. Comparison of two reduction techniquesin

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar los resultados de la técnica quirúrgica de colocación de clavillos Kirschner forma lateral versus cruzada en el manejo de las fracturas supracondíleas de húmero en pacientes pediátricos. Metodología: Se captaron a todos los pacientes con fractura supracondílea humeral en edad pediátrica que requirieron intervención quirúrgica, y posteriormente fueron evaluados a las 24 horas y 6 meses posterior al tratamiento quirúrgico para observar y comparar las diferencias entre cada técnica quirúrgica utilizada, tomando en cuenta las complicaciones agudas y tardías que se presentaron mediante un análisis con la prueba de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Para el presente estudios se evaluaron 44 pacientes pediátricos de los cuales 70% eran hombres y 30% mujeres, en quienes se presentaron complicaciones nerviosas y angulares sin importancia significativa alguna con el sexo y edades de los pacientes, siendo la afección del nervio cubital la de mayor frecuencia con 33% en la colocación de forma cruzada. Al realizar la comparativa con discriminación de variables se obtiene que la colocación de forma lateral presenta menos complicaciones posquirúrgicas tempranas y tardías y que tales no se deben al azar. Limitaciones o implicaciones: En el presente estudio no se incluyó el tipo de daño mecánico que provoca este tipo de fractura, ni se consideró el ángulo de Baumann. Otra limitación inherente en la población pediátrica es la habilidad del explorador para detectar un déficit neurológico, especialmente en pacientes de edad temprana dado a que los reportes de una exploración física siempre son subjetivos. Además, dada la limitación en cuanto a los detalles del mecanismo específico de daño, se puede subestimar el número de daños provocados por mecanismos de alta energía. Originalidad y valor: Su importancia radica en que ambas técnicas quirúrgicas fueron realizadas por los mismos cirujanos y que se trata de un estudio en población mexicana, siendo un aporte para la literatura de este país. Conclusión: Ambas técnicas quirúrgicas presentan resultados posquirúrgicos con casos de lesión nerviosa, deformidad angular, dolor y edema persistente, pero la que los presenta en menor frecuencia es la técnica de colocación de clavillos Kirschner en forma lateral, además de causar una significancia estadística en cuanto a la disminución de presentar cubito valgo en el seguimiento tardío de los pacientes.

Abstract: Objective: To analyze the results of the surgical technique placement of Kirschner pins lateral versus crossed in the management of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in pediatric patients. Methodology: All pediatric patients with humeral supracondylar fracture who required surgical intervention and were subsequently evaluated 24 hours and 6 months after surgical treatment to observe and compare the differences between each patient. surgical technique used. Taking into account the acute and late complications that occurred, through an analysis with the Mann-Whitney test. Results: For the present studies, 44 pediatric patients were evaluated, of whom 70% were men and 30% women, in whom nerve and angular complications presented without any significant importance with the sex and age of the patients, with ulnar nerve involvement being the most frequent with 33% in cross placement. When carrying out the comparison with discrimination of variables, it is obtained that the placement laterally presents fewer early and late post-surgical complications and that such are not due to chance. Or the present study, it is considered that a placement of Kirschner pins laterally regardless of the member, age, gender or classification; leads to better post-surgical results. Limitations or implications: In the present study, the type of mechanical damage that causes this type of fracture was not included, nor was the Baumann angle considered. Another limitation inherent in the pediatric population is the ability of the examiner to detect a neurological deficit, especially in young patients since reports of a physical examination are always subjective. Furthermore, given the limited details of the specific damage mechanism, the number of damages caused by high-energy mechanisms may be underestimated. Originality or value: Its importance lies in the fact that both surgical techniques were performed by the same surgeons and that it is a study in the mexican population, being a contribution to the literature of this country. Findings or conclusions: Both surgical techniques present post-surgical results with cases of nerve injury, angular deformity, pain and persistent edema, but the one that presents them less frequently in the technique of placement of Kirschner pins laterally, in addition to causing statistical significance in terms of the decrease of presenting cubitus valgus in the late follow-up of the patients.

[Transculturation and validation of a Questionnaire Factors Influencing Organ Donation]. / Transculturación y validación del cuestionario Factores que influyen en la Donación de Órganos.

Background: There are validated questionnaires in Spanish that evaluate the factors that influence organ donation, but they are not designed for the open population or do not delve into various aspects such as the one proposed. Objective: Validate an instrument to evaluate the factors that influence organ donation in Mexico. Material and methods: Phase 1: Development of the instrument. Translation into Spanish of the questionnaire "Factors Inffluencing Organ Donation in Qatar", adapted by experts in donation and clinimetry. Simultaneously, the definitive version of the questionnaire "Factors that Influence Organ Donation" (FIDO) and the questionnaire "International Donor Collaborative Project" were applied to patients, relatives and staff of a tertiary hospital in Puebla, Mexico. Mind a week after 200 respondents. Cronbach's Alpha (AC) (internal consistency), Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) (external consistency), and Phi (Phi) and Chi square Coefficient (concurrent validity in intention to donate) were obtained. Results: AC and ICC by domain: Knowledge 0.625 and 0.372; Attitudes 0.776 and 0.761; Beliefs 0.649 and 0.633; Intentions 0.126 and 0.123; Phi: 0.976, Chi square: 2.358 (p = 0.125). Conclusions: The FIDO questionnaire is valid and consistent to assess knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and intentions in organ donation in the general Mexican population.

Introducción: existen cuestionarios validados en español que evalúan los factores que influyen en la donación de órganos, pero no están diseñados para población abierta o no exploran aspectos diversos como el propuesto. Objetivo: validar un instrumento para evaluar los factores que influyen en la donación de órganos en México. Material y métodos: fase 1: Elaboración del instrumento. Traducción al español del cuestionario Factors Influencing Organ Donation in Qatar, adaptado por expertos en donación y clinimetría. Se realizaron pruebas piloto hasta lograr acuerdo en dos rondas consecutivas. Fase 2: Validez y consistencia. Simultáneamente se aplicó la versión definitiva del cuestionario Factores que Influyen en la Donación de Órganos (FIDO) y el cuestionario Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante a pacientes, familiares y personal de un hospital de tercer nivel de Puebla, México. Se reaplicó telefónicamente una semana después a 200 respondientes. Se utilizó alfa de Cronbach (AC) (consistencia interna), coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI) (consistencia externa), y coeficiente de Phi (Phi) y Chi cuadrada (validez concurrente en intención de donar). Resultados: AC y CCI por dominio: Conocimiento 0.625 y 0.372; Actitudes 0.776 y 0.761; Creencias 0.649 y 0.633; Intenciones 0.126 y 0.123; Global 0.774 y 0.675, respectivamente (p = 0.000); Phi: 0.976, Chi cuadrada: 2.358 (p = 0.125). Conclusiones: el cuestionario FIDO es válido y consistente para explorar: conocimiento, actitudes, creencias e intenciones en donación de órganos en población general mexicana.

Benralizumab in severe eosinophilic asthma: A real-world, single-center, observational study from Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: Urbanization has increased the prevalence of asthma in lower- and middle-income countries. Severe eosinophilic asthma (SEA), a subtype of asthma, can be refractory to standard therapy. Biologics such as benralizumab target interleukin-5 and have demonstrated effectiveness in managing SEA. There exists no real-world evidence on the effectiveness of benralizumab in Mexico. Therefore, this study presents data on the role of benralizumab in managing SEA in Mexican patients. OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of benralizumab on the quality of life (QoL), asthma control, lung function, symptoms of asthma, and benralizumab's safety profile were assessed. METHODS: The study sample comprised 10 patients with SEA treated with a subcutaneous (SC) administration of benralizumab 30 mg once in 4 weeks for the first three doses followed by a dose every 8 weeks for 2 years. Laboratory tests, resting spirometry, and skin prick tests were conducted. Levels of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were evaluated, when possible, with the intent to phenotype asthma, as T2 high or non-T2, before starting benralizumab therapy. The Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ), and Asthma Control Test (ACT) were administered to evaluate the effectiveness of benralizumab on asthma control and QoL. RESULTS: All patients showed significant symptom control, QoL, and lung function over 2 years. Mild adverse effects, such as headache and arthralgia, were observed. CONCLUSION: Benralizumab appears to be a promising agent in controlling SEA. This study has focused on measuring tangible outcomes, such as a reduction in symptoms, a reduction in exacerbation, and an improvement in QoL. Thus, benralizumab may constitute an important addition to the arsenal of medications against SEA.

Evidence of the active participation of women in the intergroup conflict based on the use of aggression and cooperation.

Intergroup conflict has been a persistent aspect of human societies since the emergence of our species. Various researchers have proposed that competition between groups has acted as a key selective force throughout human evolutionary history. Such intergroup competition for limited resources exacerbated the expression of intergroup aggression and intragroup cooperation. Furthermore, it would have a sexual dimorphism, with men demonstrating increased sensitivity to conflict threats-in order to maximize reproductive opportunities-, while women generally reject from active engagement in intergroup conflict. In the present study, we conducted behavioral experiments under controlled laboratory conditions to measure cooperation and aggression from using virtual games, specifically the Public Good Games and the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm, in a sample of 541 participants. We created control and experimental intergroup competition scenarios, where aggression and cooperation were necessary to increase monetary rewards. Our results shows that men modulate aggression and cooperation in the presence of intergroup conflict. In addition, our data also reveals that women cooperate more than men and display heightened levels of cooperation and aggression when confronted with intergroup conflict. These findings prompt a reevaluation of current functional theoretical models concerning the role of women in intergroup conflict and suggest that the dynamics of human aggression and cooperation may be more nuanced than previously believed.

MOF-based catalysts: insights into the chemical transformation of greenhouse and toxic gases.

Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based catalysts are outstanding alternative materials for the chemical transformation of greenhouse and toxic gases into high-add-value products. MOF catalysts exhibit remarkable properties to host different active sites. The combination of catalytic properties of MOFs is mentioned in order to understand their application. Furthermore, the main catalytic reactions, which involve the chemical transformation of CH4, CO2, NOx, fluorinated gases, O3, CO, VOCs, and H2S, are highlighted. The main active centers and reaction conditions for these reactions are presented and discussed to understand the reaction mechanisms. Interestingly, implementing MOF materials as catalysts for toxic gas-phase reactions is a great opportunity to provide new alternatives to enhance the air quality of our planet.

Low-Valent Metals in Metal-Organic Frameworks Via Post-Synthetic Modification.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) provide uniquely tunable, periodic platforms for site-isolation of reactive low-valent metal complexes of relevance in modern catalysis, adsorptive applications, and fundamental structural studies. Strategies for integrating such species in MOFs include post-synthetic metalation, encapsulation and direct synthesis using low-valent organometallic complexes as building blocks. These approaches have each proven effective in enhancing catalytic activity, modulating product distributions (i.e., by improving catalytic selectivity), and providing valuable mechanistic insights. In this minireview, we explore these different strategies, as applied to isolate low-valent species within MOFs, with a particular focus on examples that leverage the unique crystallinity, permanent porosity and chemical mutability of MOFs to achieve deep structural insights that lead to new paradigms in the field of hybrid catalysis.

SU-101: a Bi(III)-based metal-organic framework as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the CO2 cycloaddition reaction.

A non-porous version of SU-101 (herein n-SU-101) was evaluated for the CO2 cycloaddition reaction. The findings revealed that open metal sites (Bi3+) are necessary for the reaction. n-SU-101 displays a high styrene oxide conversion of 96.6% under mild conditions (3 bar and 80 °C). The catalytic activity of n-SU-101 demonstrated its potential application for the cycloaddition of CO2 using styrene oxide.

Electrochemical Studies of Magnesium Coated with Modified Chitosan and Electrosprayed as an Anticorrosive Protection Method in Bone Repair / Estudios Electroquímicos del Magnesio Recubierto con Quitosano Modificado y Electrorociado como Proceso de Protección Anticorrosiva en la Reparación de Hueso

ABSTRACT Magnesium (Mg) is essential for the metabolic reactions of the human body and is known for its biocompatibility, its mechanical and physical properties are similar to human bone, which is why it is considered to have high potential in biomedical applications such as temporary and resorbable implants. Through surface modifications, the high tendency to corrosion of Mg could be controlled, such as biodegradable membranes that prevent the passage of chloride ions present in the human organism. To prepare the membrane, solutions of chitosan modified with gelatin and/or glutaraldehyde are used and by means of the electrospray method applied to protect the Mg. To simulate body fluid conditions a Kokubo saline solution (BFK) was prepared. The study focuses on evaluating the corrosion rate of Mg with a coating made of a chitosan electrosprayed membrane, applying electrochemical measurements of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear polarization resistance. The key additive to improve the behavior of the membranes was observed with the use of gelatin, where the membrane with the best results lowing corrosion rates is the Mg CH+GE+GL system, which it was observed with very good physical integrity in the images of morphological analyzes of the surface after 30 days of exposure.

RESUMEN El magnesio (Mg) es esencial para las reacciones metabólicas del cuerpo humano y es conocido por su biocompatibilidad, sus propiedades mecánicas y físicas son similares a las del hueso humano, por lo que se considera que tiene un alto potencial en aplicaciones biomédicas como implantes temporales y reabsorbibles. Mediante modificaciones superficiales se podría controlar la alta tendencia a la corrosión del Mg, como por ejemplo membranas biodegradables que impidan el paso de iones cloruro presentes en el organismo humano. Para preparar la membrana se utilizan soluciones de quitosano modificado con grenetina y/o glutaraldehído y mediante el método de electrorociado se aplican para proteger el Mg. Para simular las condiciones de los fluidos corporales se preparó una solución salina de Kokubo. El estudio se enfoca en evaluar la velocidad de corrosión del Mg con un recubrimiento hecho de una membrana electrorociada con quitosano, aplicando técnicas electroquímicas de espectroscopia de impedancia electroquímica y resistencia de polarización lineal. El aditivo clave para mejorar el comportamiento de las membranas se observó con el uso de gelatina, donde la membrana con mejores resultados bajando los índices de corrosión es el sistema Mg CH+GR+GL, el cual se observó con muy buena integridad física en las imágenes de análisis morfológicos de la superficie después de 30 días de exposición.

Molecular and Sociodemographic Colorectal Cancer Disparities in Latinos Living in Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) among individuals <50 years (early-onset CRC) has been increasing in the United States (U.S.) and Puerto Rico. CRC is currently the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic men and women living in Puerto Rico (PRH). The objective of this study was to characterize the molecular markers and clinicopathologic features of colorectal tumors from PRH to better understand the molecular pathways leading to CRC in this Hispanic subpopulation. METHODS: Microsatellite instability (MSI), CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP), and KRAS and BRAF mutation status were analyzed. Sociodemographic and clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated using Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Of the 718 tumors analyzed, 34.2% (n = 245) were early-onset CRC, and 51.7% were males. Among the tumors with molecular data available (n = 192), 3.2% had MSI, 9.7% had BRAF, and 31.9% had KRAS mutations. The most common KRAS mutations observed were G12D (26.6%) and G13D (20.0%); G12C was present in 4.4% of tumors. A higher percentage of Amerindian admixture was significantly associated with early-onset CRC. CONCLUSIONS: The differences observed in the prevalence of the molecular markers among PRH tumors compared to other racial/ethnic groups suggest a distinct molecular carcinogenic pathway among Hispanics. Additional studies are warranted.

Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): Etiology, Diagnosis/Prognosis, and Innovative Therapies.

In 2013, recognizing that Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death by cancer worldwide and that it was a neglected disease increasing rapidly in Mexico, the community of researchers at the Biomedicine Research Unit of the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) established an intramural consortium that involves a multidisciplinary group of researchers, technicians, and postgraduate students to contribute to the understanding of this pathology in Mexico. This article is about the work developed by the Mexican Colorectal Cancer Research Consortium (MEX-CCRC): how the Consortium was created, its members, and its short- and long-term goals. Moreover, it is a narrative of the accomplishments of this project. Finally, we reflect on possible strategies against CRC in Mexico and contrast all the data presented with another international strategy to prevent and treat CRC. We believe that the Consortium's characteristics must be maintained to initiate a national strategy, and the reported data could be useful to establish future collaborations with other countries in Latin America and the world.

Microalgae-Based Biotechnology as Alternative Biofertilizers for Soil Enhancement and Carbon Footprint Reduction: Advantages and Implications.

Due to the constant growth of the human population and anthropological activity, it has become necessary to use sustainable and affordable technologies that satisfy the current and future demand for agricultural products. Since the nutrients available to plants in the soil are limited and the need to increase the yields of the crops is desirable, the use of chemical (inorganic or NPK) fertilizers has been widespread over the last decades, causing a nutrient shortage due to their misuse and exploitation, and because of the uncontrolled use of these products, there has been a latent environmental and health problem globally. For this reason, green biotechnology based on the use of microalgae biomass is proposed as a sustainable alternative for development and use as soil improvers for crop cultivation and phytoremediation. This review explores the long-term risks of using chemical fertilizers for both human health (cancer and hypoxia) and the environment (eutrophication and erosion), as well as the potential of microalgae biomass to substitute current fertilizer using different treatments on the biomass and their application methods for the implementation on the soil; additionally, the biomass can be a source of carbon mitigation and wastewater treatment in agro-industrial processes.

N6 -Methyladenosine modification of mRNA contributes to the transition from 2D to 3D growth in the moss Physcomitrium patens.

Plants colonized the land approximately 470 million years ago, coinciding with the development of apical cells that divide in three planes. The molecular mechanisms that underly the development of the 3D growth pattern are poorly understood, mainly because 3D growth in seed plants starts during embryo development. In contrast, the transition from 2D to 3D growth in the moss Physcomitrium patens has been widely studied, and it involves a large turnover of the transcriptome to allow the establishment of stage-specific transcripts that facilitate this developmental transition. N6 -Methyladenosine (m6 A) is the most abundant, dynamic and conserved internal nucleotide modification present on eukaryotic mRNA and serves as a layer of post-transcriptional regulation directly affecting several cellular processes and developmental pathways in many organisms. In Arabidopsis, m6 A has been reported to be essential for organ growth and determination, embryo development and responses to environmental signals. In this study, we identified the main genes of the m6 A methyltransferase complex (MTC), MTA, MTB and FIP37, in P. patens and demonstrate that their inactivation leads to the loss of m6 A in mRNA, a delay in the formation of gametophore buds and defects in spore development. Genome-wide analysis revealed several transcripts affected in the Ppmta background. We demonstrate that the PpAPB1-PpAPB4 transcripts, encoding central factors orchestrating the transition from 2D to 3D growth in P. patens, are modified by m6 A, whereas in the Ppmta mutant the lack of the m6 A marker is associated with a corresponding decrease in transcript accumulation. Overall, we suggest that m6 A is essential to enable the proper accumulation of these and other bud-specific transcripts directing the turnover of stage-specific transcriptomes, and thus promoting the transition from protonema to gametophore buds in P. patens.

A contrast echocardiography-based protocol to rule out thrombus in Venous-Arterial ECMO: A proof of concept.

Using an ultrasound-enhancing agent (UEA) has several indications, especially in diagnosing left ventricular thrombus. Herein, we present three cases of patients who were candidates for venous-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, among whom thrombus was ruled out via contrast echocardiography. The use of a UEA in these patients was a novel approach.

Palbociclib in advanced stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: real-world data from a Chilean multicentre registry.

Background: The addition of cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors (CDKi) to endocrine therapy (ET) as the first- or second line treatment improves progression-free and overall survival (OS) in hormone receptor-positive, HER2 negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced stage breast cancer (ABC). Our study compared survival rates and prognostic factors in Chilean patients that used palbociclib as first or subsequent (≥second) lines of treatment in a real-world setting. Methods: Our retrospective population-cohort study included HR+/HER2- ABC patients. We calculated 5-year OS and performed a multivariate analysis to determine prognostic factors. Results: A total of 106 patients were included. Median age was 49 years (19-86), 28.3% (30) had de novo stage IV disease; 63% received palbociclib with ET as first line, 54% of them with aromatase inhibitor over fulvestrant. Median OS for the entire cohort was 99 months and 5-year OS was 69%. Patients that received first line palbociclib had a 5-year OS of 89% versus 43% for ET monotherapy or ≥second line palbociclib (p = 0.0062). Multivariate analysis showed that the year at diagnosis and CDKi timing (first line versus ≥second line) were significantly associated with OS. Conclusion: Our real-world data show that first-line CDKi + ET provides a statistically significant benefit in OS versus ≥second line in HR+/HER2- ABC patients.