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Currently, the lack of adequate spaces for raising awareness among the population, coupled with disorderly urban growth, has led to an increase in water pollution from solid waste and the disruption of natural habitats in Villa Marshes. Therefore, this research focuses on implementing green corridors for the study of birdlife and environmental education, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of preserving this ecosystem. Various methodologies were employed, including climate analysis, characterization of flora and fauna, and bioclimatic design strategies supported by specialized software. The feasibility of this proposal was compared with other similar projects, emphasizing community importance. As a result, a network of green corridors was designed, including environmental education and visitor centers, along with the implementation of renewable energies to enhance energy efficiency. The main conclusion is that integrating renewable energies into the conservation of Villa Marshes offers a unique opportunity to promote a balance between human development and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to propose an architectural design for an Interpretation Center aimed at the revaluation of the flora and fauna of Cusco, Peru, in 2023. Due to the lack of awareness spaces, deforestation, water pollution, and the planting of introduced species in the area, there is a loss of endemic flora and fauna. The methodologies used in this study included climatic analysis of the location, characterization of the flora and fauna, and the application of bioclimatic design strategies supported by the use of software (AutoCAD, Revit, and 3D Sun-path). Additionally, urban design strategies were employed based on the Inca worldview and the Sustainable Development Goals. The feasibility of implementing this urban and architectural proposal was compared with other projects such as the Sydney Water Restoration Project and the Ataria Nature Interpretation Center. As a result, an ecological network was designed for the preservation of endemic species. The project also includes green spaces, which account for 51% of the total area. These green spaces will facilitate carbon dioxide absorption and contribute to the revaluation of the Huantanay River and the creation of microclimates in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Alcohol misuse early in life is associated with an increased risk of alcoholism. It is possible that this increased risk in adolescent drinkers is in part related to the susceptibility of the adolescent brain to ethanol. This study assessed the effects of ethanol exposure on several neuropeptides to begin to elucidate potential substrates that could mediate the differential effects of ethanol on adolescent and adult rats. Method: Male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to ethanol vapor or air during adolescence (30 days old, n = 9, controls = 8) or adulthood (80-90 days old, n = 9, controls = 8) for 10 days. Blood alcohol concentrations averaging 250 mg/dl were maintained during this period. After 7 weeks of cessation from ethanol vapor, brain tissue was collected from the frontal cortex, caudate, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus to assess the immunoreactivity levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY-LI), corticotropin-releasing hormone, substance P (SP-LI) and neurokinins (NK-LI). Results: Ethanol exposure decreased overall hippocampal NPY-LI and increased SP-LI and NK-LI in the caudate, but these effects were more prominent in adult rats. Rats in the adult treatment groups (both ethanol exposed and controls) also had significantly lower levels of frontal cortical NK-LI, frontal cortical SP-LI and hypothalamic SP-LI relative to rats in the adolescent treatment groups. Conclusions: These data indicate that brief exposure to alcohol has long-term effects on levels of NPY-LI, SP-LI and NK-LI. As these effects were primarily the result of changes in rats exposed to ethanol during adulthood, however, they are unlikely to contribute to the increased susceptibility of adolescents to the effects of chronic ethanol exposure. (J Stud. Alcohol 66: 46-52, 2005), BEGINNING TO DRINK ALCOHOL early in life is associated with an increased probability of misuse and dependence later in life (Dewit et al., 2000). Given that nearly 50% of adolescents [...]

Objective: Central tachykinin levels (i.e., substance P [SP], neurokinin A [NKA], neurokinin B [NKB] and neurokinin K [NKK]) have been reported to fluctuate in association with stress and anxiety. Ethanol can also modulate stress and anxiety. Further, ethanol intake can change as a result of stress and anxiety. This suggests possible interactions between ethanol and central tachykinins, i.e., changing tachykinin levels could influence ethanol intake and vice versa. However, to date few studies have assessed the potential relationship between tachykinin levels in the brain and ethanol preference. The present study was designed to determine if rodent lines selectively bred for differences in alcohol preference (i.e., alcohol-preferring [PI and nonpreferring [NP] rats) have different tachykinin levels in the brain. Method: Tissue samples from the brains of ethanol-naive P and NP rats were collected from the frontal cortex, caudate, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. Using radioimmuno assays, concentrations of SP-like immunoreactivity (SP-LI) and neurokinin-like immunoreactivity (NK-LI, i.e., neurokinin A, B and K) in P and NP rats were determined. Results: In P rats, SP-LI was significantly lower in the frontal cortex (F = 12.80, 1/26 df, p = .001) while NK-LI was significantly lower in the frontal cortex (F = 7.36, 1/26 df, p = .012) and hypothalamus (F = 5.32, 1/26 df, p = .029) compared with NP rats. Conclusions: These data indicate that endogenous SP and neurokinin levels are reduced in discrete brain regions of P rats compared with NP rats. These decreases may be associated with decreased serotonergic innervation of these brain regions in P rats compared with NP rats. (J Stud. Alcohol 62: 736-740, 2001), SUBSTANCE P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB) and neurokinin K (NKK) are members of the tachykinin peptide family. This family is characterized by a carboxy-terminal amino acid sequence [...]

Extracellular membrane vesicles (EMVs) are produced by many Gram-positive organisms, but information regarding vesiculogenesis is incomplete. We used single gene deletions to evaluate the impacts on Streptococcus mutans EMV biogenesis of Sortase A (SrtA), which affects S. mutans EMV composition, and Sfp, a 4′-phosphopantetheinyl transferase that affects Bacillus subtilis EMV stability. Δ srtA EMVs were notably larger than Δ sfp and wild-type (WT) EMVs. EMV proteins identified from all three strains are known to be involved in cell wall biogenesis and cell architecture, bacterial adhesion, biofilm cell density and matrix development, and microbial competition. Notably, the AtlA autolysin was not processed to its mature active form in the Δ srtA mutant. Proteomic and lipidomic analyses of all three strains revealed multiple dissimilarities between vesicular and corresponding cytoplasmic membranes (CMs). A higher proportion of EMV proteins are predicted substrates of the general secretion pathway (GSP). Accordingly, the GSP component SecA was identified as a prominent EMV-associated protein. In contrast, CMs contained more multi-pass transmembrane (TM) protein substrates of co-translational transport machineries than EMVs. EMVs from the WT, but not the mutant strains, were enriched in cardiolipin compared to CMs, and all EMVs were over-represented in polyketide flavonoids. EMVs and CMs were rich in long-chain saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, except for Δ sfp EMVs that contained exclusively polyunsaturated fatty acids. Lipoproteins were less prevalent in EMVs of all three strains compared to their CMs. This study provides insight into biophysical characteristics of S. mutans EMVs and indicates discrete partitioning of protein and lipid components between EMVs and corresponding CMs of WT, Δ srtA , and Δ sfp strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In occupational epidemiology, a male‐centered perspective often predominates. We aimed to describe current research practices in terms of gender consideration at different stages of epidemiological studies. Methods: A systematic review of occupational lung cancer publications indexed in PubMed was conducted over the period 2003‐2014. Articles were described according to the sex composition of their study sample. Results: In 243 studies, 7 (3%) were women‐only, 101 (41%) were mixed, with a disproportionate men‐to‐women ratio (P50 = 3.5; P75 = 12.4). A shift was observed from mixed and unspecified source populations to men‐only final samples. Our results also suggest implicit generalization of results from men‐only studies, a lack of tests of interaction and often unjustified sex‐adjustment for mixed studies. Conclusions: The lower proportion of women in studies cannot be fully explained by their under‐representation in the target populations, since there were large numbers of women among both potentially exposed workers and patients diagnosed with lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, women are less likely than men to disclose their HIV status. This analysis examined the relationship between HIV disclosure and (1) perceived barriers to care and (2) quality of life (QoL) for women with HIV. The ELLA (EpidemioLogical study to investigate the popuLation and disease characteristics, barriers to care, and quAlity of life for women living with HIV) study enrolled HIV-positive women aged ≥18 years. Womencompleted the 12-item Barriers to Care Scale (BACS) questionnaire. QoL was assessed using the Health Status Assessment. BACS and QoL were stratified by dichotomized HIV disclosure status (to anyone outside the healthcare system). Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with disclosure. Of 1945 patients enrolled from Latin America, China, Central/Eastern Europe, and Western Europe/Canada between July 2012 and September 2013, 1929 were included in the analysis (disclosed, n = 1724; nondisclosed, n = 205). Overall, 55% of patients lived with a husband/partner, 53% were employed, and 88% were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Patients who were with a serodiscordant partner were more likely to disclose ( p = 0.0003). China had a disproportionately higher percentage of participants who did not disclose at all (nearly 30% vs. <15% for other regions). Mean BACS severity scores for medical/psychological service barriers and most personal resource barriers were significantly lower for the disclosed group compared with the nondisclosed group ( p ≤ 0.02 for all). Compared with the disclosed group, the nondisclosed group reported statistically significantly higher ( p ≤ 0.03) BACS item severity scores for 8 of the 12 potential barriers to care. The disclosed group reported better QoL. Overall, HIV nondisclosure was associated with more severe barriers to accessing healthcare by women with HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]