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Background: This article highlights how the Inclusive, Manumit, Practice-based, Accessible, Community-focused and Timely (I.M.P.A.C.T.) framework, a practical evaluation tool grounded in indigenous and culturally responsive and equitable evaluation (CREE) practices, can help expand the narrative from Made in Africa to Africa-led evaluation. Objectives: When building decolonised evaluation methods that are Africa-led, it is imperative that there be practical tools for evaluators. The authors describe their personal and professional influences on evaluation practice and contend that evaluation that fails to account for people’s lived experiences often fails to produce solutions with sustainable, positive impacts. Method: The I.M.P.A.C.T. framework, created by the authors and briefly outlined, is meant for use to advance CREE among multicultural, under-resourced communities. Results: The framework can help illuminate the multifaceted contexts of various countries represented in community-oriented work. Conclusion: Evaluators may apply it when planning, designing or implementing evaluations. Contribution: Furthermore, the simplicity of the I.M.P.A.C.T. framework encourages evaluators to keep in mind what socio-cultural dimensions to consider in advance of and while carrying out an evaluation.

The functional characterization of an Amaranthus hypochondriacus Natterin-4-Like-1 gene (AhN4L-1) coding for an unknown function protein characterized by the presence of an aerolysin-like pore-forming domain in addition to two amaranthin-like agglutinin domains is herewith described. Natterin and nattering-like proteins have been amply described in the animal kingdom. However, the role of nattering-like proteins in plants is practically unknown. The results described in this study, obtained from gene expression data in grain amaranth and from AhN4L-1-overexpressing Arabidopsis thaliana plants indicated that this gene was strongly induced by several biotic and abiotic conditions in grain amaranth, whereas data obtained from the overexpressing Arabidopsis plants further supported the defensive function of this gene, mostly against bacterial and fungal plant pathogens. GUS and GFP AhN4L-1 localization in roots tips, leaf stomata, stamens and pistils also suggested a defensive function in these organs, although its participation in flowering processes, such as self-incompatibility and abscission, is also possible. However, contrary to expectations, the overexpression of this gene negatively affected the vegetative and reproductive growth of the transgenic plants, which also showed no increased tolerance to salinity and water-deficit stress. The latter despite the maintenance of significantly higher chlorophyll levels and photosynthetic parameters under intense salinity stress. These results are discussed in the context of the physiological roles known to be played by related lectins and AB proteins in plants.

Defoliation tolerance (DT) in Amaranthus cruentus is known to reach its apex at the panicle emergence (PE) phase and to decline to minimal levels at flowering (FL). In this study, defoliation-induced changes were recorded in the content of non-structural carbohydrates and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs), and in the expression and/or activity of sugar starvation response-associated genes in plants defoliated at different vegetative and reproductive stages. This strategy identified sugar-starvation-related factors that explained the opposite DT observed at these key developmental stages. Peak DT at PE was associated with increased cytosolic invertase (CI) activity in all organs and with the extensive induction of various class II trehalose-phosphate synthase (TPS) genes. Contrariwise, least DT at FL coincided with a sharp depletion of starch reserves and with sucrose (Suc) accumulation, in leaves and stems, the latter of which was consistent with very low levels of CI and vacuolar invertase activities that were not further modified by defoliation. Increased Suc suggested growth-inhibiting conditions associated with altered cytosolic Suc-to-hexose ratios in plants defoliated at FL. Augmented cell wall invertase activity in leaves and roots, probably acting in a regulatory rather than hydrolytic role, was also associated with minimal DT observed at FL. The widespread contrast in gene expression patterns in panicles also matched the opposite DT observed at PE and FL. These results reinforce the concept that a localized sugar starvation response caused by C partitioning is crucial for DT in grain amaranth.

Systemin is a peptide hormone that regulates the wound response in tomato plants. Consequently, the overexpression of its prosystemin (ProSys) precursor protein leads to a resource-demanding constitutive activation of tomato’s wound-response. According to the growth vs. defense resource allocation premise, ProSys overexpression should negatively affect the physiological fitness of tomato plants. The present study was performed to explore why the opposite effect was steadily observed, instead. It was based on the premise that a better understanding of this unexpected outcome could help establish improved wound and related defense responses without negatively affecting crop productivity. To this effect, an experimental strategy was deployed to measure various physiological, biochemical and molecular parameters associated with either development, productivity, defense or in combination in untransformed (WT) and ProSys overexpressing (ProSys-OE) tomato plants. Thus, the chlorophyll fluorescence data obtained from plants grown under greenhouse experiments indicated that photosynthetic performance was not affected in ProSys-OE plants which also grew 7–14% taller than WT plants. Moreover, they showed accelerated flowering and yielded fruits of increased size (7–16% taller and wider) and weight (16–58% heavier), with modified fruit quality in terms of firmness (28% higher), titratable acidity (27–32% higher) and chemical composition. These findings suggest two complementary possibilities: (i) systemin is able to modulate both the wound response and plant development through the activation of jasmonic acid biosynthesis and signaling, and (ii) ProSys, an intrinsically disordered protein, acts as a signaling hub to regulate development and defense programs. These results shed light on the understanding of this plant regulatory mechanism and further suggest that systemin/ProSys-based regulation is central to control the defense-development balance in tomato. This knowledge could eventually lead to improved and more environmentally sound agricultural production practices.

Species introductions and extirpations are key aspects of aquatic ecosystem change that need to be examined at large geographic and temporal scales. The Pánuco Basin (Eastern Mexico) has high ichthyological diversity and ecological heterogeneity. However, freshwater fish (FWF) introductions and extirpations since the mid-1900s have modified species range and distribution. We examine changes in FWF species composition in and among four sub-basins of the Pánuco by comparing fish collection records pre-1980 to 2018. Currently, the FWF of the Pánuco includes 95 species. Fishes in the Poeciliidae, Cyprinidae, and Cichlidae, respectively, comprised most records over time. Significant differences in species composition were found between the first (pre-1980) and last (2011–2018) study periods, but not for periods in-between. Eight independent species groups were key for explaining changes in Pánuco river ichthyofauna; one group was dominated by invasive species, and saw increases in the number of records across study periods (faunal homogenization). Another group was formed by species with conservation concern with a declining number of records over time. Thirteen (2 native and 11 non-native) species were responsible for temporal turnover. These results strongly suggest high rates of differentiation over time (via native species loss) following widespread non-native species introductions.

This study was performed to test the working hypothesis that the primary determinants influencing seasonal driven modifications in carbon mobilization and other key biochemical parameters in leaves of poorly known Diospyros digyna (Ddg; semi-domesticated; perennial) and D. rekoi (Dre; undomesticated; deciduous) trees are determined by environmental growing conditions, agronomic management and physiological plasticity. Thus, biochemical changes in leaves of both trees were recorded seasonally during two successive fruiting years. Trees were randomly sampled in Western Mexico habitats with differing soil quality, climatic conditions, luminosity, and cultivation practices. Leaves of Ddg had consistently higher total chlorophyll contents (CT) that, unexpectedly, peaked in the winter of 2015. In Dre, the highest leaf CT values recorded in the summer of 2015 inversely correlated with low average luminosity and high Chl a/ Chlb ratios. The seasonal CT variations in Dre were congruent with varying luminosity, whereas those in Ddg were probably affected by other factors, such as fluctuating leaf protein contents and the funneling of light energy to foliar non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) accumulation, which were consistently higher than those detected in Dre leaves. Seasonal foliar NSC fluctuations in both species were in agreement with the carbon (C) demands of flowering, fruiting and/ or leaf regrowth. Seasonal changes in foliar hexose to sucrose (Hex/ Suc) ratios coincided with cell wall invertase activity in both species. In Dre, high Hex/ Suc ratios in spring leaves possibly allowed an accumulation of phenolic acids, not observed in Ddg. The above results supported the hypothesis proposed by showing that leaf responses to changing environmental conditions differ in perennial and deciduous Diospyros trees, including a dynamic adjustment of NSCs to supply the C demands imposed by reproduction, leaf regrowth and, possibly, stress.

Leaves of semi-domesticated Diospyros digyna and wild D. rekoi trees, sampled seasonally in Mexico in 2014, were analyzed. Metabolic fingerprints revealed higher metabolite diversity in D. rekoi leaves. The TLC bands characteristic of glycosylated flavonoids, predominant in this species, matched the detection of quercetin and quercetin 3-O-glucuronides by liquid chromatography (UPLC-MS) of spring leaf extracts (LEs). Further gas chromatography (GC-MS) analysis revealed abundant fatty acids, organic acids, and secondary metabolites including trigonelline, p-coumaric, and ferulic and nicotinic acids. Phenolic-like compounds prevailed in D. digyna LEs, while unidentified triterpenoids and dihydroxylated coumarins were detected by UPLC-MS and GC-MS. A paucity of leaf metabolites in leaves of this species, compared to D. rekoi, was evident. Higher antioxidant capacity (AOC) was detected in D. digyna LEs. The AOC was season-independent in D. digyna but not in D. rekoi. The AOC in both species was concentrated in distinct TLC single bands, although seasonal variation in band intensity was observed among trees sampled. The AOC in D. digyna LEs could be ascribed to the coumarin esculetin. The LEs moderately inhibited phytopathogenic bacteria but not fungi. Leaf chemistry differences in these Mesoamerican Diospyros species substantiated previous variability reported in tree physiology and fruit physical chemistry, postulated to result from domestication and seasonality.

Water deficit stress (WDS)-tolerance in grain amaranths (Amaranthus hypochondriacus, A. cruentus and A. caudatus), and A. hybridus, their presumed shared ancestor, was examined. A. hypochondriacus was the most WDS-tolerant species, a trait that correlated with an enhanced osmotic adjustment (OA), a stronger expression of abscisic acid (ABA) marker genes and a more robust sugar starvation response (SSR). Superior OA was supported by higher basal hexose (Hex) levels and high Hex/sucrose (Suc) ratios in A. hypochondriacus roots, which were further increased during WDS. This coincided with increased invertase, amylase and sucrose synthase activities and a strong depletion of the starch reserves in leaves and roots. The OA was complemented by the higher accumulation of proline, raffinose, and other probable raffinose-family oligosaccharides of unknown structure in leaves and/or roots. The latter coincided with a stronger expression of Galactinol synthase 1 and Raffinose synthase in leaves. Increased SnRK1 activity and expression levels of the class II AhTPS9 and AhTPS11 trehalose phosphate synthase genes, recognized as part of the SSR network in Arabidopsis, were induced in roots of stressed A. hypochondriacus. It is concluded that these physiological modifications improved WDS in A. hypochondriacus by raising its water use efficiency.

Este trabajo está orientado a examinar las coyunturas históricas que sirvieron de marco a los proyectos de desarrollo industrial ¡mplementados en el Istmo de Tehuantepec, desde las expediciones del siglo XIX hasta la elaboración del Plan Puebla-Panamá. La importancia geoestratégica y económico-productiva del Istmo lo han convertido en un espacio de confluencia de intereses empresariales nacionales y extranjeros, dirigidos a posibilitar el movimiento interoceánico para el tráfico internacional de mercancías y aprovechar, al mismo tiempo, los recursos naturales y humanos existentes. La concentración de infraestructura industrial en los enclaves asociados a la transformación y movimiento de productos petroleros y petroquímicos, así como de las actividades portuarias en Coatzacoalcos y Salina Cruz, han llevado a catalogar a estos sectores productivos como prioritarios, dentro de los numerosos planes federales de desarrollo económico enfocados a la región.

An analysis of key genes and enzymes of the betacyanin biosynthetic pathway in Amaranthus hypochondriacus (Ah) was performed. Complete cDNA sequence of Ah genes coding for cyclo-DOPA 5-O glucosyltransferase (AhcDOPA5-GT), two 4, 5-DOPA-extradiol-dioxygenase isoforms (AhDODA-1 and AhDODA-2, respectively), and a betanidin 5-O-glucosyltransferase (AhB5-GT), plus the partial sequence of an orthologue of the cytochrome P-450 R gene (CYP76AD1) were obtained. With the exception AhDODA-2, which had a closer phylogenetic relationship to DODA-like genes in anthocyanin-synthesizing plants, all genes analyzed closely resembled those reported in related Caryophyllales species. The measurement of basal gene expression levels, in addition to the DOPA oxidase tyrosinase (DOT) activity, in different tissues of three Ah genotypes having contrasting pigmentation levels (green to red-purple) was determined. Additional analyses were performed in Ah plants subjected to salt and drought stress and to two different insect herbivory regimes. Basal pigmentation accumulation in leaves, stems and roots of betacyanic plants correlated with higher expression levels of AhDODA-1 and AhB5-GT, whereas DOT activity levels coincided with pigment accumulation in stems and roots and with the acyanic nature of green plants, respectively, but not with pigmentation in leaves. Although the abiotic stress treatments tested produced changes in pigment levels in different tissues, pigment accumulation was the highest in leaves and stems of drought stressed betacyanic plants, respectively. However, tissue pigment accumulation in stressed Ah plants did not always correlate with betacyanin biosynthetic gene expression levels and/or DOT activity. This effect was tissue- and genotype-dependent, and further suggested that other unexamined factors were influencing pigment content in stressed Ah. The results obtained from the insect herbivory assays, particularly in acyanic plants, also support the proposal that these genes could have functions other than betacyanin biosynthesis.

La evolución de la industria petroquímica en nuestro país esta marcada por coyunturas históricas. Desde su genesis se caracterizo por una dependencia tecnológica y econbmica con respecto al exterior. El carácter estrategico de sus procesos en el ámbito internacional ha llevado a las grandes compañias a participar en el sector de acuerdo con sus planes, a su vez, fue pieza clave en las politicas industriales y estrategias de desarrollo regional que el Estado impulsó, desde el decenio de los años sesenta hasta el inicio de los ochenta, con el propósito de fortalecer la planta productiva del país y reorientar su localización hacia zonas de mayor potencial. Los espacios, cuyas ventajas competitivas permitieron su incorporación al proceso petroquímico, establecieron una vinculación económica en virtud de su especialización productiva. No obstante, la crisis financiera que ha padecido el pais, las fluctuaciones de los precios del petróleo y la desregulación comercial del sector desde los ochenta, facilitataron la existencia de un nuevo marco normativo favorable a la inversión extranjera, lo que anulo la posibilidad de aprovechar las bondades de este sector prioritario y lucrativo en la artrculacion productiva-territorial.

La industria petroquímica ha desempeñado un papel fundamental en la estructuración y organización de algunos espacios costeros del país, entre ellos el de la región sureste de Veracruz. El impulso que recibió esta región en el contexto del auge petrolero desencadeno una serie de procesos de cambio sociodemográficos, económicos y urbano-regionales que, por su dinámica acelerada, rebasaron la capacidad de los gobiernos locales, estatal y federal para dirigirlos en el marco de una política de ordenamiento territorial, lo que trajo como resultado profundos desequilibrios socioeconómicos en el interior de la región.

The present work analyzes the historical circumstances that served as bases for industrial deveiopment projects ¡mplemented in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, since the nineteenth-century expeditions to the deveiopment of the Puebla-Panamá Plan. Its geo-strategic and economic-productive importance have made of the Isthmus a space where national and foreign business interests meet, aimed at making possible the interoceanic exchange of intemational goods, while exploíting the existing natural and human resources at the same time. The concentration of industrial infrastructure in áreas linked to oil and petrochemicals processing and transfer, as well as port-related activities at Coatzacoalcos and Salina Cruz, have resulted in these productive sectors being rated as top-priorities within the numerous state plans for the region's economic deveiopment.

The petrochemical industry has played a key role in determining the spatial structure and organization of some coastal areas of the country, including the southeastern part of the State of Veracruz. The support given to this region during the oil boom period, led to an important development of the petrochemical industry. In turn, this gave rise to a series of processes of social, demographic, economic and urban-regional change, that, as a consequence of their accelerated dynamics, exceeded the capacity of local, state and federal governments to manage them. As a result, the southeastern part of the State of Veracruz currently presents deep socio-economic disparities.

Prognosis of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (mTNBC) remains poor despite recent advances in therapeutic options. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has shown promising efficacy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer, which is defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) 1+ or 2+ and lack of HER2 amplification by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the safety and initial evidence of efficacy of intratumoral administration of CF33-hNIS-anti-PD-L1 (CHECKvacc) against mTNBC. Oncolytic virus CHECKvacc intratumoral injection is currently undergoing investigation in patients with mTNBC as a single agent (NCT05081492). The patient was enrolled on the clinical trial CHECKvacc for the Treatment of Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer , received a single dose of CHECKvacc, and discontinued the study due to lack of immediate response. We report a case of a patient with mTNBC who was heavily pretreated and presented with extensive dermal metastasis. Two dermal metastasis biopsies in 2021 showed HER2 0 by IHC. The patient received a single dose of CHECKvacc and discontinued the study due to lack of immediate response. Twenty-five days later, the patient received treatment with T-DXd, and her tumor regressed significantly. The patient’s disease-free survival was 10 months (December 2021–October 2022). The sequential treatment with intratumoral injection of CHECKvacc followed by T-DXd may have significant clinical activity in select patients with heavily pretreated mTNBC. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05081492.

Abstract Background Alteration of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is a common genomic abnormality detected in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Everolimus acts synergistically with eribulin in TNBC cell lines and xenograft models. This phase I trial was designed to test the safety and tolerability of combining eribulin and everolimus in patients with metastatic TNBC. Methods The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and toxicities of the combination. Patients with metastatic TNBC who had up to four lines of prior chemotherapies were enrolled. The combination of eribulin and everolimus was tested using three dosing levels: A1 (everolimus 5 mg daily; eribulin 1.4 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks), A2 (everolimus 7.5 mg daily; eribulin 1.4 mg/m2, days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks), and B1 (everolimus 5 mg daily; eribulin 1.1 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks). Results Twenty-seven patients with median age 55 years were enrolled. Among 8 evaluable patients who received dose level A1, 4 had dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). Among 3 evaluable patients treated with dose level A2, 2 had DLTs. Among 12 evaluable patients who received dose level B1, 4 had DLTs. The DLTs were neutropenia, stomatitis, and hyperglycemia. Over the study period, 59% had a ≥ grade 3 toxicity, 44% had ≥ grade 3 hematologic toxicities, and 22% had grade 4 hematologic toxicities. The most common hematological toxicities were neutropenia, leukopenia, and lymphopenia. Thirty-three percent had grade 3 non-hematologic toxicities. The most common non-hematological toxicities were stomatitis, hyperglycemia, and fatigue. The median number of cycles completed was 4 (range 0–8). Among 25 eligible patients, 9 patients (36%) achieved the best response as partial response, 9 (36%) had stable disease, and 7 (28%) had progression. The median time to progression was 2.6 months (95% CI [2.1, 4.0]), and median overall survival (OS) was 8.3 months (95% CI [5.5, undefined]). Conclusion Eribulin 1.1 mg/m2 days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks with everolimus 5 mg daily was defined as the highest dose with acceptable toxicity (RP2D). The combination is safe, and efficacy is modest. A post hoc analysis showed that participants that used dexamethasone mouthwash stayed on treatment for one additional cycle. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02120469. Registered 18 April 2014

Resumen El modelo económico actualmente predominante se basa en la obtención del crecimiento a través del uso óptimo de insumos y factores de producción, la utilización de energías fósiles y la extracción acelerada de los recursos naturales. En las últimas décadas, este modelo ocasionó el agotamiento de los recursos naturales y la degradación y pérdida generalizadas de los ecosistemas, lo cual ha dado espacio para que surja un modelo económico alternativo denominado la economía verde y dentro del mismo la economía circular. El objetivo de este artículo consiste en analizar si la economía circular es una alternativa fiable y plausible para paliar los efectos de un modelo económico en crisis que permita propiciar una cultura altamente sustentable y su recepción en las diferentes legislaciones. La metodología adoptada se relaciona con la observación documental, el relevamiento, revisión y sistematización de la bibliografía que hay sobre el tema, la identificación de conceptos y principios teórico-técnicos específicos y el análisis de las legislaciones que receptaron esta nueva economía. Finalmente, se concluye que existe una preocupación mundial frente al deterioro ambiental y se avanza en la creación de un marco normativo, tanto a nivel nacional como regional e internacional que impulse la circularidad.