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This essay arises as part of a process of conceptual and empirical exploration around the dispute and transformation of public space, both in its material and symbolic expression, through cultural practices. I have focused on those expressions that have a performative character, in consideration of the capacity of bodies to break into everyday life, produce space and generate collective presences, while constituting processes of enunciation from the differences. This is especially significant for those who have restricted access to the constitution of the public, given certain power relations that define who and what counts for a community. Based on this observation, I analyze the case of Mery Cortez Ortiz, mother of a young Ecuadorian murdered by the Army in the framework of the so-called "Chilean Social Outbreak", using bibliographic and press review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid waste from biological stains is considered non-domestic wastewater difficult to treat, generating high environmental impact. Therefore, the objective of this work was to carry out secondary and tertiary treatment of these effluents at a pilot scale, using a fungal/bacterial consortium followed by Chorella sp., for 15 days. In addition, to obtain an adsorbent material for Malachite Green dye removal, sludge generated in the plant and pine bark co-pyrolysis was performed. For microalgae isolation and selection of the Chlorophyceae class, Chlorococcales order, and Chorella sp. genus Winogradsky columns were employed. After 15 days of pilot plant treatment, removal percentages of 91 ± 2%, 90 ± 4% and 17 ± 2% were obtained for Colour Units, Chemical Oxygen Demand and Nitrates, respectively. Two types of class II biochar (BC500 and BC700) and one of class III (BC300) were produced. The highest value for Fixed carbon (FC) was obtained at 300 °C (27.3 ± 3%), decreasing as the temperature increased by 25.9 ± 5% and 24.8 ± 2%, for BC500 and BC700, respectively. Biochar yield was 62.1 ± 3%, 46.3 ± 4% and 31.6 ± 3% for BC300, BC500 and BC700, respectively. Finally, BC500 and BC700 biochar efficiently adsorbed Malachite Green obtaining qe values of 0.290 ± 0.032, 0.281 ± 0.015, 0.186 ± 0.009 and 0.191 ± 0.012 mg g−1 at pH values of 4.0 and 8.0 ± 0.2, respectively. Pseudo-second order model demonstrated a chemical adsorption took place, which was influenced by pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Mexico and in the world, the Human Acquired Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a problem that goes beyond the scope of public health, converging with psychological, social, ethical, economic, political and human rights factors, among others. Objective: to identify the relationship between knowledge about unplanned pregnancies, HIV and STIs, and sexual resilience in adolescents. Methods: The study was transversal, the population was composed of adolescents between 14 and 17 years old, students of the first semester of high school. Sampling was by cluster per group and the sample size was 250 adolescents. Results: The measurement instruments showed acceptable reliability measures. Of the adolescents surveyed, 57.2% were female, with a mean age of 15.92 (SD=.52). There was a mean of 15.24 (SD=4.32) in terms of knowledge of HIV, STIs, and unplanned pregnancies. Sexual resilience also averaged 55.25 (SD=15.50). Mann Whitney's U-test was performed, with women showing greater acceptance than men (M=3.84, SD=3.87, p<.044). Knowledge about HIV, STIs, and unplanned pregnancy was found to be related to sexual resilience (p<.05) and personal competence (p< .01). While personal competence (p< .01) and acceptance of self and life (p< .05) were significantly related to sexual resilience. Conclusion: Therefore, it is important to point out that the level of knowledge that adolescents possess in these areas will make a difference in their optimal health status and the preventive measures they employ to stay away from risks, and it is essential that they strengthen their resilience to face sexual adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the safety of medical and surgical treatments used in women seeking voluntary pregnancy termination. Materials and Methods: Historical cohort of all pregnant women with up to 26 weeks of gestation who received treatment for voluntary pregnancy termination in a referral institution in Medellín, Colombia, between January 2013 and December 2014. Sampling was consecutive. Measured variables included sociodemographic and obstetric variables, undesired effects, and complications of the voluntary pregnancy termination treatment. A descriptive analysis was carried out. Results: Overall, 87 women were included. The mean age at the time of termination was 24 years (inter-quartile range [IQR] = 12), 69.0% were single, and 73,4% were unemployed. The main reason for termination was the risk to the mother's health in 61,0% of cases, followed by a history of sexual violence in 26.4% and fetal malformations in 12.6%; a total of 70 women (80,4%) had less than 18 weeks of gestation and were treated with misoprostol plus manual vacuum aspiration; 17 (19,6%) had between 18 and 26 weeks of gestation and were treated with misoprostol followed by dilation and curettage. The first group (gestational age < 18 weeks) experienced undesired effects such as pain and vomiting; in the second group (> or equal to 18 weeks), 41.0% of the women experienced hemorrhage. Conclusions: The risk to the mother's health was the main reason for the termination of pregnancy. Termination before 18 weeks was found to be safe, while termination between 18 and 26 weeks using misoprostol and curettage was associated with a high frequency of hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aromatic amine (4, 40-(4, 40-isopropylidene-diphenyl-1-10-diyldioxy) dianiline), was synthesized with the anhydride 4, 40(4, 40 (isopropylidene-diphenoxy) bis (phthalic anhydride) (IDBPA)), to obtain a polyimide which by microwave irradiation was grafted to the backbone a Caprolactam monomer. The poly (Caprolactam) obtained has good finish characteristics according to DSC and TGA results. The polyimide was characterized by instrumental techniques such as; Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, The aromatic amine (4, 40-(4, 40-isopropylidene-diphenyl-1-10-diyldioxy) dianiline), was synthesized with the anhydride 4, 40(4, 40 (isopropylidene-diphenoxy) bis (phthalic anhydride) (IDBPA)), to obtain a polyimide which by microwave irradiation was grafted to the backbone a Caprolactam monomer. The poly (Caprolactam) obtained has good finish characteristics according to DSC and TGA results. The polyimide was characterized by instrumental techniques such as; Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, 1HNMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bacterial leaf blight causes significant yield losses in rice crops throughout Asia and Africa. Although both the Asian and African strains of the pathogen, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), induce similar symptoms, they are nevertheless genetically different, with the African strains being more closely related to the Asian X. oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc). Results: Changes in gene expression of the African Xoo strain MAI1 in the susceptible rice cultivar Nipponbare were profiled, using an SSH Xoo DNA microarray. Microarray hybridization was performed comparing bacteria recovered from plant tissues at 1, 3, and 6 days after inoculation (dai) with bacteria grown in vitro. A total of 710 bacterial genes were found to be differentially expressed, with 407 up-regulated and 303 down-regulated. Expression profiling indicated that less than 20% of the 710 bacterial transcripts were induced in the first 24 h after inoculation, whereas 63% were differentially expressed at 6 dai. The 710 differentially expressed genes were one-end sequenced. 535 sequences were obtained from which 147 non-redundant sequences were identified. Differentially expressed genes were related to metabolism, secretion and transport, pathogen adherence to plant tissues, plant cell-wall degradation, IS elements, and virulence. In addition, various other genes encoding proteins with unknown function or showing no similarity to other proteins were also induced. The Xoo MAI1 non-redundant set of sequences was compared against several X. oryzae genomes, revealing a specific group of genes that was present only in MAI1. Numerous IS elements were also found to be differentially expressed. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed 86% of the identified profile on a set of 14 genes selected according to the microarray analysis. Conclusions: This is the first report to compare the expression of Xoo genes in planta across different time points during infection. This work shows that as-yet-unidentified and potentially new virulence factors are appearing in an emerging African pathogen. It also confirms that African Xoo strains do differ from their Asian counterparts, even at the transcriptional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To demonstrate the efficiency of vitrifying mature human oocytes for different clinical indications. Design: Descriptive case series. Setting: Cryobiology laboratory, Centro Colombiano de Fertilidad y Esterilidad–CECOLFES LTDA. (Bogotá, Colombia). Patient(s): Oocyte vitrification was offered as an alternative management for patients undergoing infertility treatment because of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, premature ovarian failure, natural ovarian failure, male factor, poor response, or oocyte donation. Mature oocytes were obtained from 33 donor women and 40 patients undergoing infertility treatment. Intervention(s): Oocytes were retrieved by ultrasound-guided transvaginal aspiration and vitrified with the Cryotops method, with 30% ethylene glycol, 30% dimethyl sulfoxide, and 0.5 mol/L sucrose. Viability was assessed 3 hours after thawing. The surviving oocytes were inseminated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Fertilization was evaluated after 24 hours. The zygotes were further cultured in vitro for up to 72 hours until time of embryo transfer. Main Outcome Measure(s): Recovery, viability, fertilization, and pregnancy rates. Result(s): Oocyte vitrification with the Cryotop method resulted in high rates of recovery, viability, fertilization, cleavage, and ongoing pregnancy. Conclusion(s): Vitrification with the Cryotop method is an efficient, fast, and economical method for oocyte cryopreservation that offers high rates of survival, fertilization, embryo development, and ongoing normal pregnancies, providing a new alternative for the management of female infertility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Land cover evolution is an environmental factor that can be used to characterize forest ecosystem services (FES). This study aims to analyze the change in forest cover and water bodies between 1990 and 2018 in the whole Czech Republic, and in the Central Bohemian and South Moravian regions, and its effects on freshwater provision. Additionally, we attempt to understand the societal implications of water quality, public perception, and environmental investment on natural ecosystems. Forest cover and water body data were obtained from the Corine land cover database, while water quality and investment were compiled from the Czech Statistical Office. Public perceptions on the Czech FES were collected from a national survey. Between 1990 and 2018, forest cover has increased by 3.94% and water bodies by 7.65%; however, from 2014 to 2018, severe droughts were reported that compromised the availability of surface water, presumably on artificial structures, causing an increase in the occupied area. Regarding public perception, respondents with less education, and the older population, obtained an assessment of the low performance of the FES, while the water quality and investment indicate that environmental funding has contributed to improving the quality of outflow water from the wastewater treatment plants, fulfilling all the allowed limits of the urban wastewater treatment directive. Hence, a multidisciplinary approach can help decision makers promote policies that integrate environmental management measures, investment protection, and contribute to sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CARDIAC INVOLVEMENT IN COVID-19 RELATED MULTISYSTEM INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME IN CHILDREN (MIS-C): A CASE SERIES FROM A TERTIARY CARE PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL. [Extracted from the article]

CARDIAC INVOLVEMENT IN COVID-19 RELATED MULTISYSTEM INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME IN CHILDREN (MIS-C): A CASE SERIES FROM A TERTIARY CARE PEDIATRIC HOSPITAL. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: violence in the workplace has become a global problem that crosses borders, work contexts and professional groups. In the health sector, it is a ubiquitous, persistent and under-reported problem. Case report: a 43-year-old liaison psychologist with 20 years of work experience, is threatened with death by the mother of a pediatric patient. He immediately presents nervousness, anxiety, insomnia and fear for his life. A diagnosis of acute stress disorder is made, the symptoms persist and a month later he continues with behavioral avoidance, reexperiencing of the trauma, negative mood, psychophysiological reactivity, dissociative symptoms and great dysfunction in daily life, which configures an anxiety disorder. posttraumatic stress. A month after the trauma, suicidal ideation and plans appeared, for which he was hospitalized for psychiatry. She is discharged with psychopharmaceuticals and outpatient psychotherapy, and incapacity for work. Revision: workplace violence for healthcare employees is a real and growing problem. There are multiple barriers that prevent making this situation visible. Workers and employers in the health sector need to identify this important occupational risk and understand that violence is not “part of the job”. Conclusion: violence in the workplace for those who work in the health sector is a common problem, which requires education, legislation and strategies to prevent it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The independent and repeated adaptation of populations to similar environments often results in the evolution of similar forms. This phenomenon creates a strong correlation between phenotype and environment and is referred to as parallel evolution. However, we are still largely unaware of the dynamics of parallel evolution, as well as the interplay between phenotype and genotype within natural systems. Here, we examined phenotypic and genotypic parallel evolution in multiple parapatric Dune‐Headland coastal ecotypes of an Australian wildflower, Senecio lautus. We observed a clear trait‐environment association in the system, with all replicate populations having evolved along the same phenotypic evolutionary trajectory. Similar phenotypes have arisen via mutational changes occurring in different genes, although many share the same biological functions. Our results shed light on how replicated adaptation manifests at the phenotypic and genotypic levels within populations, and highlight S. lautus as one of the most striking cases of phenotypic parallel evolution in nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El Bosque Seco Tropical (bs-T) es uno de los ecosistemas más amenazado del trópico por procesos antrópicos como la minería, expansión urbana, agrícola y ganadera. En Colombia se encuentra ubicado en la región Caribe, en los valles interandinos de los Ríos Cauca y Magdalena, en la Región NorAndina, Santander y Norte de Santander, en los valles de los Ríos Dagua y Patía y en piedemonte llanero. Este ecosistema tiene una gran importancia económica y social al generar bienes y servicios ambientales, como son los Productos Forestales No Maderables -PFNM-. Mediante una adaptación de un método triangular, que consistió en: muestreos focales, encuestas no dirigidas y talleres se evaluó el uso de las especies vegetales como -PFNM-, su forma de uso y partes usadas en relación con la edad del entrevistado. La categoría de uso con mayor número de especies fue medicinal, seguida por leña (la leña se evaluó teniendo en cuenta la importancia en uno de los sectores de estudio). Las especies medicinales se emplean principalmente para combatir afecciones como el dolor de cabeza, muscular o dental; y para enfermedades del sistema respiratorio. Las partes de las plantas más usadas son: hojas y ramas, mientras que el hábito más representativo fue el arbóreo, aunque también se destacaron el uso de los bejucos. Existe una alta correlación entre el número de especies reportadas y la edad del entrevistado. Finalmente, se identificaron algunas especies para ser priorizadas en futuros programas de reforestación e implementación de cadenas productivas; se recomienda la implementación de acciones que eviten el aprovechamiento de especies amenazadas e investigación de especies con propiedades antiofídicas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El Bosque Seco Tropical (bs-T) es uno de los ecosistemas más amenazado del trópico por procesos antrópicos como la minería, expansión urbana, agrícola y ganadera. En Colombia se encuentra ubicado en la región Caribe, en los valles interandinos de los Ríos Cauca y Magdalena, en la Región NorAndina, Santander y Norte de Santander, en los valles de los Ríos Dagua y Patía y en piedemonte llanero. Este ecosistema tiene una gran importancia económica y social al generar bienes y servicios ambientales, como son los Productos Forestales No Maderables -PFNM-. Mediante una adaptación de un método triangular, que consistió en: muestreos focales, encuestas no dirigidas y talleres se evaluó el uso de las especies vegetales como -PFNM-, su forma de uso y partes usadas en relación con la edad del entrevistado. La categoría de uso con mayor número de especies fue medicinal, seguida por leña (la leña se evaluó teniendo en cuenta la importancia en uno de los sectores de estudio). Las especies medicinales se emplean principalmente para combatir afecciones como el dolor de cabeza, muscular o dental; y para enfermedades del sistema respiratorio. Las partes de las plantas más usadas son: hojas y ramas, mientras que el hábito más representativo fue el arbóreo, aunque también se destacaron el uso de los bejucos. Existe una alta correlación entre el número de especies reportadas y la edad del entrevistado. Finalmente, se identificaron algunas especies para ser priorizadas en futuros programas de reforestación e implementación de cadenas productivas; se recomienda la implementación de acciones que eviten el aprovechamiento de especies amenazadas e investigación de especies con propiedades antiofídicas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the association between psychotic experiences and nonpsychotic mental disorders in the general population. Methodology: Analytical prevalence study with secondary information source applied in the general population aged 15 to 65 years old, randomly selected by probabilistic sampling. The instrument for collecting the information was the Composite International Diagnosis Interview (CIDI), which diagnoses 23 mental disorders according to the DSM-IV criteria (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Sociodemographic and psychiatric clinical variables were assessed, but the main variable evaluated consisted in six psychotic experiences (hallucinations and delusions). The primary study was approved by the University Research and Ethics Committee. The p-value <0.05 was the threshold for statistical significance. OR and its 95% CI were calculated as association measures. Results: 2072 people were evaluated, 1.85% presented psychotic experiences, of which 53.3% were women and 44.4% were adolescents. An association was found between psychotic experiences and suicidal ideation (OR 3.51, 95% CI [1.49-8.29]), being an adolescent (OR 2.29, 95% CI [1.24-4.22]) and belonging to the contributory health system (OR 0.34, 95% CI [0.18-0.63]). Conclusions: Young people and those with suicidal ideation were more likely to report psychotic experiences. Within the overall attempt to better understand in order to act more effectively in the face of suicidal behavior, especially in the younger population, a better understanding of the role of psychotic experiences (PE) can be of help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial development has increased wastewater (WW) volume; generating contamination and disturbing ecosystems, because of breeching disposal parameters. In this work, Coloured Laboratory Wastewater (CLWW), (1500.00 colour units, CU) was separately submitted to two secondary treatments. For the first one CLWW was treated for three cycles C1, C2 and C3 with P. pastoris X33/pGAPZαA-LaccPost-Stop producing rPOXA 1B laccase, immobilized in calcium alginate beads. For the second-one, rPOXA 1B enzyme concentrate was used (three processes: P1, P2, and P3). Both treatments were carried out in a 15 L reactor with 10 L effective work volume (EWV) with 72 h hydraulic retention time. C1, C2, and C3 effluents were flocculated and filtered through quartzite sand, while P1, P2, and P3 effluents were only filtered through quartzite sand. The mixture of secondary effluents was submitted to a tertiary treatment with Chlorella sp. For C1, C2, C3, P1, P2, and P3, CU removal was of 99.16, 99.58, 99.53, 96.72, 97.05 and 96.47%, respectively. Discharge parameters, total organic carbon (TOC), inorganic carbon (IC), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD5) decreased, although they reached different final values. After the tertiary treatment (144 h) effluent discharge parameters were reduced to 34 ± 4 CU, TOC to 6.6 ± 0.9 mg L−1 and COD to 155 ± 4 mg L−1. It was demonstrated that secondary treatments (immobilized recombined cells or recombinant enzyme concentrate) combined with Chlorella sp., (tertiary treatment) attained a considerable removal of discharge parameters, demonstrating a promissory alternative for CLWW sequential treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Self-medication is a common practice among university students worldwide. The objective of this article is to explore the attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding self-medication of herbal products and psychotropic drugs in medical students. Methodology: Cross-sectional, descriptive study that included 625 students from all twelve semesters offered at the medicine program at a private university in Medellin, Colombia. A questionnaire was designed for the study which included sociodemographic variables, a list of psychotropic drugs and herbal products, and aspects related to attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding self-medication during the last year. Results: Median age was 20 years and interquartile range was 2 years; minimum age was 18 and maximum was 28 years. 67% were women; the female to male ratio was 2:1. 39.5% of the students self-medicated with herbal or psychoactive drugs. 16.7% self-medicated to sleep better, 14.5% to reduce stress and anxiety, and 8.3% for mood enhancement. 90.1% of the students considered self-medication an unsafe practice. However, 78.6% stated that they would continue self-medicating. Conclusion: Four out of ten (39.5%) medical students surveyed self-medicate with herbal products or psychotropic drugs to improve common mental symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. The high use of medications without professional supervision exposes students to undesirable side effects, dependence, and suboptimal management of mental symptoms that deteriorate the quality of life of future health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Self-medication is a common practice among university students worldwide. It is also common among medical students and has been associated, in the case of nonsteroid, antiinflamatory drugs, with renal, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal adverse effects and multidrug-resistance in the case of antibiotics. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics and analgesics in undergraduate medical students and to characterize the attitudes, knowledge, and practices related to this behavior. Methodology: Cross-sectional study. 625 undergraduate medical students from a private university in Medellín, Colombia participated. A 45-question survey was designed. The dependent variable was self-medication of antibiotics and analgesics. Proportions and means with their dispersion measurements were obtained. We explored possible associations between the practice of self-medication, gender, and the training semester. Significant value was taken as p <0.05. Results: The survey was taken by 625 undergraduate medical students, that is, 58% of all students. Of these, 67% were women. The female to male ratio was 2:1. The median age was 20 years (interquartile range: 3). The prevalence of self-medication with analgesics was 84% for women and 81% for men, while with antibiotics it was 28% for women and 21% for men. 90.1% of students expressed that practicing self-medication was unsafe; likewise, 93% of students recognized that self-medication with antibiotics produces antimicrobial resistance. Regardless, 78.6% said they would continue to self-treat. Discussion: Self-medication with analgesics and antibiotics is a common and complex behavior in undergraduate medical students. While they are aware of the risks involved in this practice, most are not willing to change it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apomixis, asexual reproduction through seed, enables breeders to identify and faithfully propagate superior heterozygous genotypes by seed without the disadvantages of vegetative propagation or the expense and complexity of hybrid seed production. The availability of new tools such as genotyping by sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines for species lacking reference genomes now makes the construction of dense maps possible in apomictic species, despite complications including polyploidy, multisomic heritance, self-incompatibility, and high levels of heterozygosity. In this study, we developed saturated linkage maps for the maternal and paternal genomes of an interspecific Brachiaria ruziziensis (R. Germ. and C. M. Evrard) × B. decumbens Stapf. F1 mapping population in order to identify markers linked to apomixis. High-resolution molecular karyotyping and comparative genomics with Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv provided conclusive evidence for segmental allopolyploidy in B. decumbens, with strong preferential pairing of homologs across the genome and multisomic segregation relatively more common in chromosome 8. The apospory-specific genomic region (ASGR) was mapped to a region of reduced recombination on B. decumbens chromosome 5. The Pennisetum squamulatum (L.) R.Br. PsASGR-BABY BOOM-like (psASGR-BBML)-specific primer pair p779/p780 was in perfect linkage with the ASGR in the F1 mapping population and diagnostic for reproductive mode in a diversity panel of known sexual and apomict Brachiaria (Trin.) Griseb. and P. maximum Jacq. germplasm accessions and cultivars. These findings indicate that ASGR-BBML gene sequences are highly conserved across the Paniceae and add further support for the postulation of the ASGR-BBML as candidate genes for the apomictic function of parthenogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate oocyte vitrification efficiency using in-vivo matured (IVO) versus rescued in-vitro matured (IVM) oocytes. The results show that oocyte survival (85% versus 81%), fertilization (86% versus 76%) and cleavage rate (98% versus 89%) was not significantly different in IVO oocytes compared with rescued IVM sibling oocytes. The fertilized oocytes from IVO and IVM groups were cultured to blastocyst stage; however, embryo development was significantly reduced in the rescued IVM group (72% versus 15%). Embryo transfer was only performed with the embryos derived from IVO oocytes on day 5; 42 blastocysts were transferred to 18 recipients; 16 of 18 recipients had positive β-human chorionic gonadotrophin and a total of 26 fetal cardiac activities were detected in 15 recipients (implantation: 26/42, 61.9%). Ten of the 15 recipients have delivered 19 healthy babies, and the other five pregnancies are still ongoing. These data indicate that the combination of oocyte vitrification and rescued IVM not only yield a new strategy to extend the pool of total fertilizable oocytes, but also demonstrate that the efficiency of vitrified/warmed oocytes can be comparable to fresh oocytes with regard to clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent clinical reports not only show that cryopreserved embryos can be successfully used for human fertility treatment, but also that cryopreserved oocytes may be used successfully as an adjunct to human assisted reproductive technologies. Vitrification is known to establish a glass-like solid state during the cooling process, The high concentration of cryoprotectants and an extremely rapid rate of cooling are responsible for the formation of the solid state, and also prevent formation of intracellular ice crystals. Hence, in theory, vitrification should minimize cryo-injuries, and therefore has great promise for oocyte and embryo cryopreservation. This article describes two pregnancies from vitrified-warmed blastocysts obtained after intracytoplasmic sperm injection fertilization of vitrified-warmed oocytes. Vitrification was employed to cryopreserve the oocytes and the subsequent blastocysts. The results present the intriguing implication that vitrification may serve as an efficient method for clinical oocyte cryopreservation and embryo re-cryopreservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to analyze the definitions used in clinical studies to measure delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) and postoperative neurocognitive disorder (pNCD). Methods: an exploratory review of the literature. Clinical studies on postoperative neurocognitive disorder published since 2013 in journals indexed in Pubmed or Scopus were included. We critically analyzed the methods for assessing dNCR and pNCD, considering as reference the consensus's recommendations. Results: we identified 13 studies, four randomized clinical trials, and nine observational studies. Only three of these studies used definitions consistent with the consensus for dNCR or pNCD. The main reasons for non-adherence were the measurement points and the non-exclusion of delirium and other mental disorders as potential cognitive decline causes. Conclusion: despite assuming the nomenclature of perioperative neurocognitive disorders, the studies failed to adhere to the diagnostic criteria and measurement points. We propose developing a Core Outcome Set as a strategy to advance to perform more homogeneous, high-quality, and relevant evidence for clinical decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current chemotherapy of Chagas disease needs to be urgently improved. With this aim, a series of 16 hybrids of Cinchona alkaloids and bile acids were prepared by functionalization at position C-2 of the quinoline nucleus by a radical attack of a norcholane substituent via a Barton–Zard decarboxylation reaction. The antitrypanosomal activity of the hybrids was tested on different stages and strains of T. cruzi. In particular, eight out of 16 hybrids presented an IC50 ≤1 μg/mL against trypomastigotes of the CL Brener strain and/or a selectivity index higher than 10. These promising hybrids yielded similar results when tested on trypomastigotes from the RA strain of T. cruzi (discrete typing unit—DTU—VI). Surprisingly, trypomastigotes of the Y strain (DTU II) were more resistant to benznidazole and to most of the hybrids than those of the CL Brener and RA strains. However, the peracetylated and non-acetylated forms of the cinchonine/chenodeoxycholic bile acid conjugate 4f and 5f were the most trypanocidal hybrids against Y strain trypomastigotes, with IC50 values of 0.5 and 0.65 μg/mL, respectively. More importantly, promising results were observed in invasion assays using the Y strain, where hybrids 5f and 4f induced a significant reduction in intracellular amastigotes and on the release of trypomastigotes from infected cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: We developed a technique and a tool for degenerate primer design based on multiple local alignments employing the MEME algorithm supported with electronic PCR. The objective is to find adequate primers starting from sequences with poor global similarity. We show an example of its application in our laboratory to find sequences in Brachiaria with similarity to ESTs related to apomixis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article explores the singularities of Kichwa-Otavalo migrants in Bogota. With seventy years of historical presence in this city that includes continual relationships not only between people in Colombia and Ecuador, but at the worldwide level as well, this population constitutes a complex and significant case for migration studies. On the one hand, it raises the question of transnational relations where the "place of origin" has been dislocated through secondary foci around which the population is articulated. On the other hand, it illustrates the importance of migratory networks with respect to recognition by the state. Thus, we show different forms of integration into the city and suggest that a central determining factor of living conditions in the city is tied to people's relative position to established migratory networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptation to replicate environments is often achieved through similar phenotypic solutions. Whether selection also produces convergent genomic changes in these situations remains largely unknown. The variable groundsel, Senecio lautus, is an excellent system to investigate the genetic underpinnings of convergent evolution, because morphologically similar forms of these plants have adapted to the same environments along the coast of Australia. We compared range-wide patterns of genomic divergence in natural populations of this plant and searched for regions putatively affected by natural selection. Our results indicate that environmental adaptation followed complex genetic trajectories, affecting multiple loci, implying both the parallel recruitment of the same alleles and the divergence of completely different genomic regions across geography. An analysis of the biological functions of candidate genes suggests that adaptation to coastal environments may have occurred through the recruitment of different genes participating in similar processes. The relatively low genetic convergence that characterizes the parallel evolution of S. lautus forms suggests that evolution is more constrained at higher levels of biological organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitrification is now a widely applied and highly successful approach for cryopreservation in reproductive biology. Rapidly increasing data prove that it is also a highly efficient technique for low-temperature storage of human oocytes. The latest approaches with appropriately selected cryoprotectants, tools and techniques, and properly adjusted parameters allow close to 100% morphological survival rates, and in vitro embryo development, as well pregnancy and implantation rates, comparable with those achieved with fresh oocytes. With standardization of the technique and elimination of biosafety problems by preserving all the positive features, vitrification may become a common part of the everyday routine in a human embryo laboratory, and it may offer a solution for various medical and social situations as well as for simple logistic problems commonly occurring in assisted reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of oocyte donation cycles using egg “cryo-banking.” Design: Study conditions for vitrified/warmed oocytes for 20 non-autologous recipients (from 10 donors) were set prospectively, and outcomes of it were later compared retrospectively to nine fresh donations cycles. Setting: Private assisted reproductive technology program. Patient(s): Ten donors and 20 infertile recipients. Intervention(s): Oocytes were vitrified 3 to 4 hours after collection and cryo-stored. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed 3 hours after warming, and embryos were in vitro cultured for 5 days. Two or three blastocysts were transferred per patient. Main Outcome Measure(s): Oocyte survival, fertilization, development, clinical pregnancy, and implantation rates. Result(s): A total of 153 oocytes were warmed and 134 survived. A total of 117 fertilized and 68% developed to blastocyst stage. A total of 47 embryos were transferred (2.35 embryos per recipient) and 26 implanted. Fifteen patients achieved ongoing pregnancies initially, and two additional pregnancies were obtained after transfer of supernumerary vitrified/warmed embryos. Nine of the 10 donors from the current study had previous fresh donations cycles from where seven clinical pregnancies were established in nine recipients, providing the base for comparison. Conclusion(s): Oocyte donation using vitrified/warmed oocytes can provide high pregnancy and implantation rates, and thus can be considered as efficient treatment procedure with additional benefits to recipients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]