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This concept paper builds on comparative work on sustainable agriculture in Canada and Cuba by exploring the role of agricultural co-operatives. Findings indicate that Canada and Cuba's agricultural co-operatives face the challenges of membership renewal and economic presence in their national economies. The paper argues that components of each agricultural co-operative system at the farm and tertiary levels could be adapted to the other nation's agricultural co-operatives in order to strengthen community control of local food systems. The paper further argues that a new approach to agricultural co-operatives must incorporate the state itself in any potential reform agenda in both countries. The paper calls for movement-to-movement contacts between the two countries, and the wider Americas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION The consequences of de novo balanced structural chromosome aberrations diagnosed antenatally are unpredictable, and, as a result, they introduce uncertainty into genetic counseling decisions. OBJECTIVE Describe de novo balanced structural aberrations present at antenatal diagnosis in samples from pregnant women in five Latin American countries and determine their effect on carrier individuals. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study based on analysis of 109,011 antenatal tests conducted from January 1981 to December 2016 in Cuba, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Colombia. Thirteen cytogenetic laboratories provided information that included the cases analyzed during the study period; number of de novo balanced structural aberrations diagnosed antenatally; number of diagnoses with de novo balanced structural aberrations that resulted in termination of pregnancy; detailed descriptions of the karyotypes of de novo balanced structural aberration carriers, and descriptions of the form of diagnosis, including types of samples used (amniotic fluid, chorionic villus or fetal blood). Each laboratory also provided pathology reports and genetic counseling at time of diagnosis. Postnatal followup for pregnancies carried to term continued for at least two years. RESULTS Of the 109,011 antenatal tests studied, 72 (0.07%) showed de novo balanced structural aberrations. These events primarily involved chromosomes 1, 2, 7, 14, 18, and 20. Of the 79 breakpoints identified, the most common were 5p15.3, 7q11.2, 7q22, and 14q24. We identified three breakpoints corresponding to 3.8% (3q13.1, 3q13.2, and 9p12) that were not reported in other studies of de novo balanced structural aberrations diagnosed antenatally in patients from other geographic regions or in studies of chromosomal fragile sites. Two of these breakpoints (3q13.1 and 3q13.2) were associated with high risk of phenotypic abnormalities. Information on antenatal or postnatal followup was available for 62 (86%) of de novo balanced structural aberration carriers; of the 44 carriers with postnatal followup, 10 had phenotypic abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS Three new de novo breakpoints were identified, presumably related to genetic admixture characteristics in Latin America. Since some diseases associated with de novo balanced structural aberrations detected antenatally have a late onset, followup for at least two years is recommended for carriers of these aberrations. The information in this study is useful in genetic counseling for pregnant women in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Antenatal cytogenetic testing was started in Havana in 1984, as a diagnostic option for fetal chromosome complement. The techniques applied are amniocyte culture, chorionic villus sampling, cordocentesis and fluorescence in situ hybridization in interphase cells. OBJECTIVE Describe the results of antenatal cytogenetic testing in the cytogenetic laboratory of the Cuba’s National Medical Genetics Center in Havana, from 1984 through 2012. METHODS A retrospective descriptive study was carried out of the 22,928 pregnant women who had antenatal testing with conclusive results during the period 1984-2012. Information was obtained from laboratory databases for four antenatal diagnostic techniques. Variables studied were: antenatal diagnostic method, indications for genetic testing, type of chromosomal abnormality detected and couple’s decision concerning pregnancy continuation if hereditary disease was diagnosed. Results were reported in absolute numbers and percentages. RESULTS Overall positivity was 2.8% (641 cases). Of the total, 20,565 samples were from amniocyte culture (558 positive cases, 2.7%); 1785 chorionic villus sampling (38 positive, 2.1%); 407 cord blood culture (28 positive, 6.9%); and 171 fluorescence in situ hybridization in interphase cells (17 positive, 9.9%). Advanced maternal age was the predominant indication for amniocyte culture and chorionic villus sampling. Positivity was higher for the two less frequently used methods, cordocentesis (6.9% positivity) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (9.9%). The predominant chromosomal abnormality was Down syndrome, with 45.4% of cases detected (291/641; 279 pure lines and 12 mosaic trisomies), followed by Edward syndrome with 12% (77/641, 71 pure lines and 6 mosaics) and Patau syndrome 4.7% (30/641, 27 pure lines and 3 mosaics). Sexual aneuploidy with pure lines affected 6.9% of cases (44/641) and with mosaicism 4.7% (30/641). Structural chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 22.5% of cases (144/641); of these, 70.8% (102/144) were balanced and 29.2% (42/144) unbalanced. In 78.6% of cases (504/641) with chromosomal abnormalities, whether mosaic or pure, the couple opted to terminate pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Antenatal cytogenetic testing has helped reduce chromosomal abnormalities, mainly in Havana, and has provided reassurance of chromosomally normal children for couples at high genetic risk. The percentage of continuing pregnancies after a diagnosis of major chromosomal abnormality has been low, supporting evidence of broad population acceptance of abortion as an option when severe genetic abnormalities are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Alergia de Mexico is the property of Coleg. Mexicano de Inmunologia Clinica y Alergia A.C.; Soc. Lat. de Alergia, Asma e Inmunologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This report discusses the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities in Central America. It addresses challenges such as food insecurity, water scarcity, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters. The report emphasizes the importance of implementing adaptation and mitigation strategies and calls for international cooperation to support these efforts. The authors provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between climate change and vulnerable communities in Central America. [Extracted from the article]

Discusses the introduction of gay themes and sensibility in contemporary Cuban theater. Evolution of Cuba's antihomosexual policy; Gay-themed plays created by Carlos Diaz and Senel Paz.

The European Pharmacopoeia Monograph on Allergen Products establishes the importance of protein composition determination to final products and also to the Allergenic Raw Material (ARM) and the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API). Analytical methods validation ensures the quality of the product from its initial stages. The aim of this work was to validate SDS-PAGE method for allergenic extracts of Dermatophagoides siboney (Ds) and Blomia tropicalis (Bt) mites in the three stages of the process (ARM, API and final product). Three BIOCEN laboratories participated on this study. Precision (Repeatability, Intermediate Precision and Reproducibility) was evaluated in relative content determination of the main bands that contain allergenic components. As a Specificity parameter of the method, the possible interference of ammonium bicarbonate was analyzed. Accuracy was evaluated and the Limit of Detection (LD) was determined in the molecular weight (MW) determination of the main bands. All established acceptance criteria were met. The method was precise, all the coefficients of variation (CV) calculated were <5% and there were no significant differences between the CVs compared by Fisher's test, p>0.05. There were no significant differences between percentages of the main bands in the allergenic extracts with Ammonium Bicarbonate in its original composition according to ANOVA test, p>0.05. The method was exact, there were no significant differences (t Student test, p> 0.05) between the MW experimental values and those reported in the literature. The LD was for MPA of Ds 5000UB, Bt 50000UB; IFA and Final Product of Ds 2500UB, Bt 12500UB. In conclusion, the SDS-PAGE analytical technique was validated for the protein composition determination in the house dust mite allergen extracts, in three different stages of the manufacturing process. Thus, the quality assurance of these products is strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatophagoides siboney is House Dust Mite specie, described and reported for the first time in Cuba in 1982, where it has a high incidence on the allergic population. We have developed and maintained a massive culture of this mite in laboratory conditions for 10 years, having fit the optimal growth parameters related to temperature and relative humidity. With the objective to improve the standardization of the allergen vaccines used for diagnosis and immunotherapy, we have considered to perform a characterization of the culture, regarding the allergenic potency, mRNA content, enzymatic activity and content of Der s 1 major allergen. Mites were grown in a hypoallergenic diet during 10 weeks. Inhibition ELISA was performed to determine the biological activity, using serum of allergic patients. The Der s 1 content was assessed using monoclonal antibodies ELISA. The presence of the Der s 2 mRNAs was detected by means of PCR using specific primers. The identity of both proteins was demonstrated by SDS-PAGE and Western-blotting IgE. For the determination of the cysteine-protease enzymatic activity of the Der s 1 allergen, a kinetic test was carried out using casein as substrate. The allergenic potency reached values of more than 10 000 Biological Units per ml. The content of Der s 1 varied between 10- 350 µg/ml. The selected oligo-nucleotides allowed to amplify a fragment of cDNA of 391 pairs of bases, that codifies for Der s 2 mature protein. Amplification of Der s 2 cDNA was noted already even in the latency phase of the culture. The extracts obtained from cultures in the exponential phase showed greater allergen potency and mRNA Der s 2 content. The extract showed cysteine-protease activity, which increased after 6 weeks of culture. The greatest Der s 1 content was observed during the last weeks of the culture, which corresponds with the fecal origin of this protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty-five samples of propolis were collected from eleven regions of Cuba; methanolic extracts of propolis were prepared from all samples, and a classification method was developed using a combination of NMR, HPLC-PDA, and HPLC-ESI/MS techniques. The analysis of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra and chromatographic profiles of all propolis extracts allowed the definition of three main types of Cuban propolis directly related to their secondary metabolite classes: brown Cuban propolis (BCP), rich in polyisoprenylated benzophenones, red Cuban propolis (RCP), containing isoflavonoids as the main constituents, and yellow Cuban propolis (YCP), probably with aliphatic compounds. Subsequently, the principal compounds of the brown and red types were characterized by HPLC-ESI/MS analysis. Instrumental techniques used are complementary; NMR was shown to be a quick and informative tool for the rapid analysis of crude propolis polar extracts and allowed the identification of the main class of secondary metabolites, while LC-PDA and LC-MS techniques were useful tools for qualitative and quantitative analysis of marker compounds of Cuban propolis.

Background: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides siboney and Blomia tropicalis are the most important allergenic mites in Cuba. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of polysensitization and correlation of the skin prick test (SPT) reaction size to these mites in asthmatic patients., Methods: A total of 232 adult patients with asthmatic symptoms caused by house dust and positive SPT to at least one mite were included. Standardized allergenic extracts were used in SPT., Results: A total of 88.4% of patients were positive to D. siboney, 87.1% to D. pteronyssinus, and 68.1% to B. tropicalis. Sensitization to Dermatophagoides species was predominant, demonstrated by the fact that 31.9% of patients showed positive SPT to either D. siboney or D. pteronyssinus only, whereas only 5.6% was sensitized solely to B. tropicalis. Nevertheless, most patients (58.6%) were polysensitized to the 3 species. The mean wheal size produced by the different allergens in positive patients was similar (n.s. p > 0.05). Reaction size was strongly correlated (r = 0.71, p = 5.3 x 10-09) between D. siboney and D. pteronyssinus, whereas no significant correlation was found between D. pteronyssinus or D. siboney and B. tropicalis., Conclusions: The results of this study support the need to include the 3 allergens in diagnostic panels and for combined allergen-specific immunotherapy.