Analysis of the Intestinal and Faecal Bacterial Microbiota of the Cervidae Family Using 16S Next-Generation Sequencing: A Review.

The Cervidae family has a wide distribution due to its adaptation to numerous ecological environments, which allows it to develop a diverse microbial community in its digestive tract. Recently, research has focused on the taxonomic composition and functionality of the intestinal and faecal microbiota of different cervid species worldwide, as well as their microbial diversity and variation under different associated factors such as age, sex, diet, distribution, and seasonal variation. In addition, there is special interest in knowing how cervids act as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogenic microorganisms, which represent a threat to public health. This review provides a synthesis of the growing field of microbiota determination in cervids worldwide, focusing on intestinal and faecal samples using 16S next-generation sequencing. It also documents factors influencing microbial diversity and composition, the microorganisms reported as pathogenic/zoonotic, and the perspectives regarding the conservation of these species. Knowing the interactions between bacteria and cervid health can drive management and conservation strategies for these species and help develop an understanding of their evolutionary history and the interaction with emerging disease-causing microorganisms.

Levels of Reading Comprehension in Higher Education: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Higher education aims for university students to produce knowledge from the critical reflection of scientific texts. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a deep mental representation of written information. The objective of this research was to determine through a systematic review and meta-analysis the proportion of university students who have an optimal performance at each level of reading comprehension. Systematic review of empirical studies has been limited from 2010 to March 2021 using the Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and PsycINFO databases. Two reviewers performed data extraction independently. A random-effects model of proportions was used for the meta-analysis and heterogeneity was assessed with I 2. To analyze the influence of moderating variables, meta-regression was used and two ways were used to study publication bias. Seven articles were identified with a total sample of the seven of 1,044. The proportion of students at the literal level was 56% (95% CI = 39-72%, I 2 = 96.3%), inferential level 33% (95% CI = 19-46%, I 2 = 95.2%), critical level 22% (95% CI = 9-35%, I 2 = 99.04%), and organizational level 22% (95% CI = 6-37%, I 2 = 99.67%). Comparing reading comprehension levels, there is a significant higher proportion of university students who have an optimal level of literal compared to the rest of the reading comprehension levels. The results have to be interpreted with caution but are a guide for future research.

Unveiling the Fecal Microbiota in Two Captive Mexican Wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) Populations Receiving Different Type of Diets.

The Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) was once distributed in southern United States and northern Mexico. It is an endangered subspecies detached from the gray wolf, and likely exemplifies one of the original migration waves of C. lupus into the new world. This is a canine whose individuals survive in specialized facilities, zoos, and museums as part of captive-breeding programs. In order to contribute to the improvement of the management of this species and favor its long-term conservation in Mexico, we aimed to evaluate the diversity and abundance of the fecal bacterial microbiota in two populations exposed to different types of diet: (1) Michilia (23° N, 104° W); kibble daily and raw meat sporadically, and (2) Ocotal (19° N, 99° W); raw meat daily and live animals periodically. Next generation sequencing (V3-V4 16S rRNA gene) by Illumina was implemented. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in Michilia resulted in 9 phyla, 19 classes, 34 orders, 61 families, 204 genera, and 316 species, while in Ocotal there were 12 phyla, 24 classes, 37 orders, 69 families, 232 genera, and 379 species. Higher estimated Chao1 richness, Shannon diversity, and core microbiota were observed in Ocotal. Differences (p < 0.05) between populations occurred according to the Bray-Curtis beta diversity index. In the Michilia, dominance of bacteria that degrade carbohydrates (Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae, Blautia, Clostrodium, Eisenbergiella, Romboutsia, and Ruminococcus) was observed; they are abundant in kibble diets. In contrast, the Ocotal microbiota was dominated by protein-degrading bacteria (Fusobacteria, Fusobacteriaceae, and Fusobacteria), indicating a possible positive relation with a raw meat diet. The information generated in this study is fundamental to support the implementation of better management plans in the two populations considered here, as well as in different facilities of southern United States and Mexico, where this subspecies is kept in captivity for conservation purposes.

Attitude Toward Mathematics of Future Teachers: How Important Are Creativity and Cognitive Flexibility?

The attitude toward mathematics is shaped by cognitive components such as beliefs and cognitive processes. However, the importance of cognitive processes in attitude toward mathematics has not yet been researched. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the role of cognitive processes, creativity and cognitive flexibility, in the attitude toward mathematics of future teachers. For that purpose, 218 University students and preservice teachers, completed assignments on creativity and cognitive flexibility and a questionnaire on attitude toward mathematics. The results showed that the use of innovative details (a creativity subscale) rises the probability of exhibiting a positive attitude toward mathematics by 1.81. Besides, cognitive flexibility rises this probability by 2.32. The conclusion is that both, details and cognitive flexibility act as good predictors of a positive attitude toward mathematics. This has implications for educational practice in the planning of mathematics instruction in higher education, specifically, in future teachers.

Boys-Specific Text-Comprehension Enhancement With Dual Visual-Auditory Text Presentation Among 12-14 Years-Old Students.

Quality of language comprehension determines performance in all kinds of activities including academics. Processing of words initially develops as auditory, and gradually extends to visual as children learn to read. School failure is highly related to listening and reading comprehension problems. In this study we analyzed sex-differences in comprehension of texts in Spanish (standardized reading test PROLEC-R) in three modalities (visual, auditory, and both simultaneously: dual-modality) presented to 12-14-years old students, native in Spanish. We controlled relevant cognitive variables such as attention (d2), phonological and semantic fluency (FAS) and speed of processing (WISC subtest Coding). Girls' comprehension was similar in the three modalities of presentation, however boys were importantly benefited by dual-modality as compared to boys exposed only to visual or auditory text presentation. With respect to the relation of text comprehension and school performance, students with low grades in Spanish showed low auditory comprehension. Interestingly, visual and dual modalities preserved comprehension levels in these low skilled students. Our results suggest that the use of visual-text support during auditory language presentation could be beneficial for low school performance students, especially boys, and encourage future research to evaluate the implementation in classes of the rapidly developing technology of simultaneous speech transcription, that could be, in addition, beneficial to non-native students, especially those recently incorporated into school or newly arrived in a country from abroad.

General Microbiota of the Soft Tick Ornithodoros turicata Parasitizing the Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus) in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve, Mexico.

The general bacterial microbiota of the soft tick Ornithodoros turicata found on Bolson tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) were analyzed using next generation sequencing. The main aims of the study were to establish the relative abundance of bacterial taxa in the tick, and to document the presence of potentially pathogenic species for this tortoise, other animals, and humans. The study was carried-out in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve in the northern-arid part of Mexico. Bolson tortoises (n = 45) were inspected for the presence of soft ticks, from which 11 tortoises (24.4%) had ticks in low loads (1-3 ticks per individual). Tick pools (five adult ticks each) were analyzed through 16S rRNA V3-V4 region amplification in a MiSeq Illumina, using EzBioCloud as a taxonomical reference. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) revealed 28 phyla, 84 classes, 165 orders, 342 families, 1013 genera, and 1326 species. The high number of taxa registered for O. turicata may be the result of the variety of hosts that this tick parasitizes as they live inside G. flavomarginatus burrows. While the most abundant phyla were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, the most abundant species were two endosymbionts of ticks (Midichloria-like and Coxiella-like). Two bacteria documented as pathogenic to Gopherus spp. were registered (Mycoplasma spp. and Pasteurella testudinis). The bovine and ovine tick-borne pathogens A. marginale and A. ovis, respectively, were recorded, as well as the zoonotic bacteria A. phagocytophilum,Coxiella burnetii, and Neoehrlichia sp. Tortoises parasitized with O. turicata did not show evident signs of disease, which could indicate a possible ecological role as a reservoir that has yet to be demonstrated. In fact, the defense mechanisms of this tortoise against the microorganisms transmitted by ticks during their feeding process are still unknown. Future studies on soft ticks should expand our knowledge about what components of the microbiota are notable across multiple host-microbe dynamics. Likewise, studies are required to better understand the host competence of this tortoise, considered the largest terrestrial reptile in North America distributed throughout the Chihuahuan Desert since the late Pleistocene.

Microbiota bacteriana intestinal en pacientes mexicanos con inmunodeficiencia común variable.

INTRODUCTION: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the main symptomatic primary immunodeficiency and is associated with complex immune disorders. Gut microbiota interacts closely with the immune system, and intestinal dysbiosis is related to multiple diseases. OBJECTIVE: To describe for the first time the composition of gut microbiota in Mexican patients with CVID. METHODS: Fecal samples from five patients with CVID were collected and massive sequencing of the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was carried out using illumina technology. RESULTS: Bacterial relative abundance was observed at all taxonomic levels. Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia were the predominant phyla. The Clostridia class and the Clostridial order were the most common in their respective taxon; the Ruminococcaceae family predominated. A total of 166 genera were reported, with the most abundant being Faecalibacterium. Five species were identified, but only Bifidobacterium longum was present in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike healthy subjects' gut microbiota, where Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes predominate, the microbiota of the patients with CVID considered in this study was abundant in Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia. The low presence of Bacteroidetes and high abundance of Firmicutes might indicate the existence of intestinal dysbiosis in these patients.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La inmunodeficiencia común variable (IDCV) es la principal inmunodeficiencia primaria sintomática y cursa con alteraciones inmunes complejas. La microbiota intestinal interactúa estrechamente con el sistema inmune y la disbiosis intestinal está relacionada con múltiples patologías. OBJETIVO: Describir por primera vez la composición de la microbiota intestinal en pacientes mexicanos con inmunodeficiencia común variable. MÉTODO: Se recolectaron muestras fecales de cinco pacientes con inmunodeficiencia común variable y se llevó a cabo secuenciación masiva de la región V3-V4 del gen 16S rRNA mediante tecnología Illumina. RESULTADOS: Se observó abundancia bacteriana relativa a todos los niveles taxonómicos. Firmicutes, Actinobacteria y Verrucomicrobia fueron los filos predominantes. La clase Clostridia y el orden Clostridiales fueron los principales en su respectivo taxón; predominó la familia Ruminococcaceae. Se reportaron 166 géneros, el más abundante fue Faecalibacterium. Se identificaron cinco especies, pero solo Bifidobacterium longum estuvo presente en todos los pacientes. CONCLUSIONES: A diferencia de la microbiota intestinal de sujetos sanos en quienes predominan Firmicutes y Bacteroidetes, en los pacientes con inmunodeficiencia común variable considerados en este estudio fueron abundantes Firmicutes, Actinobacterias y Verrucomicrobia. La baja abundancia de bacteroidetes y alta de firmicutes podrían significar disbiosis intestinal.

Comparison of two DNA extraction methods from larvae, pupae, and adults of Aedes aegypti.

Mosquitoes are the most important arthropods from the point of view of public health, due to the fact that they can transmit a large number of pathogens which can cause diseases to humans and animals. Aedes aegypti (L.) is one of the most important vector species in the world, since it can transmit numerous pathogens such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Therefore, studies involving the molecular aspects of this and other mosquitoes species are currently increasing. In this report, we describe the comparison between two DNA extraction techniques, Chelex and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), for carrying out DNA extraction in larvae, pupae and adult female of Ae. aegypti. The Chelex technique was superior in the amount and purity of DNA as compared to the CTAB technique in the three life stages we tested.

Gut microbiota in Mexican patients with common variable immunodeficiency

Introduction: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the main symptomatic primary immunodeficiency and is associated with complex immune disorders. Gut microbiota interacts closely with the immune system, and intestinal dysbiosis is related to multiple diseases. Objective: To describe for the first time the composition of gut microbiota in Mexican patients with CVID. Methods: Fecal samples from five patients with CVID were collected and massive sequencing of the V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA gene was carried out using illumina technology. Results: Bacterial relative abundance was observed at all taxonomic levels. Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia were the predominant phyla. The Clostridia class and the Clostridial order were the most common in their respective taxon; the Ruminococcaceae family predominated. A total of 166 genera were reported, with the most abundant being Faecalibacterium. Five species were identified, but only Bifidobacterium longum was present in all patients. Conclusions: Unlike healthy subjects' gut microbiota, where Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes predominate, the microbiota of the patients with CVID considered in this study was abundant in Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia. The low presence of Bacteroidetes and high abundance of Firmicutes might indicate the existence of intestinal dysbiosis in these patients.

Working with Parents and Children Separated at the Border: Examining the Impact of the Zero Tolerance Policy and beyond.

The crisis of family separation caused by Trump Administration's zero tolerance policy (ZTP) on the southern border has focused the nation's attention and provoked public uproar due to the violation of basic rights and the expected negative impact on children and parents. There is decades' worth of research documenting the damage of separating children from their parents in a wide diversity of circumstances and for a wide variety of reasons. There is also ample research evidence of the impact of any form of childhood trauma and consequent disruptions in development, cognitive impairments, and health problems through adulthood. However, there is no first-hand documentation published of how these children and families specifically experienced separation at the border and the effects it is having on them to date. The present article first provides an overview of the historical and socio-political context of family separation policies in the US, and a thorough description of how ZTP was implemented in actuality. Second, this article offers a review of the literature on the impact of family separation on children and parents in diverse contexts. Third, we describe direct clinical experiences with these children and parents receiving services at the Terra Firma program in the Bronx community in New York. Finally, this article delineates important recommendations for policy makers, service providers, and the community as a whole.

Perfiles neuropsicológicos en anorexia y bulimia nerviosa / Neuropsychological profiles in anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Introducción. Los trastornos de la alimentación son trastornos mentales graves que se manifiestan de diferentes formas diagnósticas, como la anorexia nerviosa y la bulimia nerviosa. En los últimos años, diversos estudios han enfatizado la participación de procesos neuropsicológicos en la anorexia y la bulimia nerviosas. Objetivo. Revisar las evidencias sobre los déficits en funciones ejecutivas, sesgos atencionales y coherencia central en la anorexia y la bulimia nerviosas en relación con un perfil neuropsicológico de riesgo, un perfil neuropsicológico diferente asociado a las mencionadas patologías alimentarias y el papel de variables (índice de masa corporal, edad, ansiedad, impulsividad, alexitimia, estado de ánimo, imagen corporal) en la presencia de déficits neuropsicológicos. Desarrollo. Revisión de los estudios empíricos de los últimos siete años encontrados en las bases de datos Medline y PsycINFO para inglés, y Dialnet y Psicodoc para castellano. Se han seleccionado 28 artículos para el objetivo propuesto. La elección de los documentos se realizó conforme a unos criterios preestablecidos. Conclusiones. Según las evidencias disponibles, parece existir un perfil de riesgo caracterizado por rigidez cognitiva y coherencia central débil. Los resultados parecen más consistentes en relación con el perfil de riesgo en la anorexia nerviosa. Además, tanto en la anorexia como en la bulimia nerviosa existen sesgos atencionales relacionados con el reconocimiento de emociones y aspectos sociales, y el rasgo de alexitimia es una variable moduladora en dicha dificultad

Introduction. Eating disorders are severe mental disorders that appear in different diagnostic forms, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In recent years, a number of studies have highlighted the involvement of neuropsychological processes in anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Aim. To review the evidence on the deficits in the executive functions, attentional biases and central coherence in anorexia and bulimia nervosa in relation to a neuropsychological risk profile, a different neuropsychological profile associated with the aforementioned eating pathologies and the role of variables (body mass index, age, anxiety, impulsiveness, alexithymia, mood, body image) in the presence of neuropsychological deficits. Development. We reviewed the empirical studies conducted in the last seven years found in the Medline and PsycINFO databases for English, and Dialnet and Psicodoc for Spanish. Twenty-eight articles were selected as suitable for the purposes of this study. The documents were chosen on the basis of a set of pre-established criteria. Conclusions. According to the evidence available, there seems to be a risk profile characterised by cognitive rigidity and weak central coherence. The results appear to be more consistent as regards the risk profile in anorexia nervosa. Furthermore, in both anorexia and bulimia nervosa there are attentional biases related to the recognition of emotions and social aspects, and the alexithymia trait is a modulating variable in this difficulty

Reproductive outcomes of anestrous goats supplemented with spineless Opuntia megacantha Salm-Dyck protein-enriched cladodes and exposed to the male effect.

The possible influence of the "male effect" upon reproductive outcomes of adult anestrous goats under marginal rangeland conditions and supplemented with protein-enriched Opuntia megacantha Salm-Dyck was evaluated. Reproductive variables included: estrus percentage (EST, %), estrus latency (ESL, hours), ovulation percentage (OP, %), ovulation rate (OR, units), average largest follicle at ovulation (LFO, mm), largest corpus luteum (LCL, mm), embryo number (EBN, units), and embryo implantation percentage (EIP, %). During early May, anestrous mix-breed adult goats (Criollo x Alpine-Saanen-Nubian; n = 38, 26° N) were randomly distributed to (1) Control (CC; n = 12), (2), Non-enriched Opuntia (NEO; n = 14), and (3) Protein-enriched Opuntia (PEO; n = 12). Neither LW (P > 0.05) nor BCS (P > 0.05) or any of the evaluated ovarian variables differed (P > 0.05) among treatments; EST = 89.66%, ESL = 53.66 h, OP = 70.33%, OR = 1.07 units, LFO = 4.5 mm, LCL = 9.6 mm, EBN = 0.94 embryos, and EIP = 48.66%. Irrespective of nutritional supplementation regime, all goats denoted an increased response to the male effect just in the middle of the anestrous season and managed under marginal grazing conditions during the dry season (May to June; 26° N). The use of the male effect successfully invoked neurophysiological pathways to re-activate ovarian follicular and luteal pathways during the natural anestrous season in the female goat. Yet, such successful physiological scenario was not equally exerted to promote an increased embryo implantation rate; this issue claims further consideration. Therefore, it is essential to align not only the peri-conceptional but also the peri-implantation stages to the best suited environmental conditions in the rangeland, in order to increase both reproductive and economic efficiency while promoting sustainability in those rangeland-based marginal goat production systems.

[Neuropsychological study in patients with Parkinson's disease: the effects of deep brain stimulation]. / Estudio neuropsicológico en pacientes parkinsonianos: efectos de la estimulación cerebral profunda.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disorder whose clinical manifestations are observed in the motor and neuropsychological domain and have an impact on the patient's quality of life. Several scientific studies evidence the effectiveness of deep brain stimulation as treatment for the motor symptoms, but further research is required on the neuropsychological symptoms. AIM: To analyse the existence of significant differences in neuropsychological processes, such as attention, memory, language, visuoperception and the executive functions in patients with PD prior to and following deep brain stimulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our sample consisted of 20 patients of both sexes, aged 50-70 years, with PD, who were treated by healthcare service providers in Medellin. These subjects were administered the Continuous Performance Test and the Trail Making Test in order to assess attention, the Rey Complex Figure and Ardila memory tests to evaluate memory, the Boston and verbal fluency tests to assess language, the Rey Complex Figure Copy test for visuoperception, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test to appraise the executive functions. RESULTS: There are significant differences between the scores before and after deep brain stimulation in patients with PD on attention and memory. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of these findings is relevant for the neuropsychological therapy of patients with PD.

TITLE: Estudio neuropsicologico en pacientes parkinsonianos: efectos de la estimulacion cerebral profunda.Introduccion. La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es un trastorno cuyas manifestaciones clinicas se observan en el ambito motor y neuropsicologico e influyen en la calidad de vida del paciente. Diversos estudios cientificos muestran la eficacia de la estimulacion cerebral profunda como tratamiento sobre los sintomas motores, pero faltan estudios sobre los sintomas neuropsicologicos. Objetivo. Analizar la existencia de diferencias significativas en procesos neuropsicologicos, como la atencion, la memoria, el lenguaje, la visuopercepcion y la funcion ejecutiva en los pacientes con EP antes y despues de la estimulacion cerebral profunda. Pacientes y metodos. La muestra estuvo formada por 20 pacientes parkinsonianos de 50-70 años de ambos sexos, pertenecientes a entidades prestadoras de servicios de salud de Medellin, a los que se les administraron el Continuous Performance Test y el Trail Making Test para valorar la atencion, la figura compleja de Rey y la prueba de memoria de Ardila para evaluar la memoria, el test de Boston y fluidez verbal para valorar el lenguaje, la figura compleja de Rey copia para la visuopercepcion, y el test de clasificacion de cartas de Wisconsin para valorar la funcion ejecutiva. Resultados. Existen diferencias significativas entre las puntuaciones antes y despues de la estimulacion cerebral profunda en los pacientes con EP en la atencion y la memoria. Conclusiones. El conocimiento de estos hallazgos es relevante para la terapia neuropsicologica de los pacientes con EP.

How do therapists ally with adolescents in family therapy? An examination of relational control communication in early sessions.

Sequential analyses examined associations between the working alliance and therapist-adolescent communication patterns in 10 Spanish cases of brief conjoint family therapy. Early sessions with strong versus problematic alliances, rated by observers, were selected for coding of relational control communication patterns. No differences were found in the frequency of exchanges, but competitive responding by the therapists (reflecting an interpersonal struggle for control) was significantly more likely in problematic alliance sessions than in strong alliance sessions. Cases in which the adolescent's alliance with the therapist remained positive from Session 1 as compared with Session 3 showed a decrease in the likelihood of competitive symmetry. Notably, when the quality of the alliance deteriorated over time, the therapists were increasingly more likely to respond to the adolescents' domineering messages in a competitive manner. Results underscore the need to avoid competitive responding in order to ally with adolescents in conjoint family treatment.

Frequency, severity, and evolution of split family alliances: how observable are they?

Split alliances (within-family differences in the emotional bond with the therapist) were studied in 19 U.S. and 21 Spanish families using the System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances (SOFTA; Friedlander, Escudero, & Heatherington, 2006). Examining individual family members' scores on the corresponding self-report and observational Emotional Connection to the Therapist SOFTA scales, the authors identified mild, moderate, and severe split alliances. In both samples, self-reported splits occurred frequently and with almost all of the therapists. Although clients' observed interactions with the therapist often mirrored their self-reports, family members' perceptions of the therapeutic bond were generally more discrepant than their behavior suggested. The majority of families that dropped out had a moderately or severely split alliance in at least one session.