The Wnt-dependent master regulator NKX1-2 controls mouse pre-implantation development.

Embryo size, specification, and homeostasis are regulated by a complex gene regulatory and signaling network. Here we used gene expression signatures of Wnt-activated mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) clones to reverse engineer an mESC regulatory network. We identify NKX1-2 as a novel master regulator of preimplantation embryo development. We find that Nkx1-2 inhibition reduces nascent RNA synthesis, downregulates genes controlling ribosome biogenesis, RNA translation, and transport, and induces severe alteration of nucleolus structure, resulting in the exclusion of RNA polymerase I from nucleoli. In turn, NKX1-2 loss of function leads to chromosome missegregation in the 2- to 4-cell embryo stages, severe decrease in blastomere numbers, alterations of tight junctions (TJs), and impairment of microlumen coarsening. Overall, these changes impair the blastocoel expansion-collapse cycle and embryo cavitation, leading to altered lineage specification and developmental arrest.

Schiff Base Ancillary Ligands in Bis(diimine) Copper(I) Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Five 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine ligands bearing N-arylmethaniminyl substituents in the 4- and 4'-positions were prepared by Schiff base condensation in which the aryl group is Ph (1), 4-tolyl (2), 4-tBuC6H4 (3), 4-MeOC6H4 (4), and 4-Me2NC6H4 (5). The homoleptic copper(I) complexes [CuL2][PF6] (L = 1-5) were synthesized and characterized, and the single crystal structure of [Cu(1)2][PF6].Et2O was determined. By using the "surfaces-as-ligands, surfaces-as-complexes" (SALSAC) approach, the heteroleptic complexes [Cu(6)(Lancillary)]+ in which 6 is the anchoring ligand ((6,6'-dimethyl-[2,2'-bipyridine]-4,4'-diyl)bis(4,1-phenylene))bis(phosphonic acid)) and Lancillary = 1-5 were assembled on FTO-TiO2 electrodes and incorporated as dyes into n-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). Data from triplicate, fully-masked DSCs for each dye revealed that the best-performing sensitizer is [Cu(6)(1)]+, which exhibits photoconversion efficiencies (η) of up to 1.51% compared to 5.74% for the standard reference dye N719. The introduction of the electron-donating MeO and Me2N groups (Lancillary = 4 and 5) is detrimental, leading to a decrease in the short-circuit current densities and external quantum efficiencies of the solar cells. In addition, a significant loss in open-circuit voltage is observed for DSCs sensitized with [Cu(6)(5)]+, which contributes to low values of η for this dye. Comparisons between performances of DSCs containing [Cu(6)(1)]+ and [Cu(6)(4)]+ with those sensitized by analogous dyes lacking the imine bond indicate that the latter prevents efficient electron transfer across the dye.

Controlled ploidy reduction of pluripotent 4n cells generates 2n cells during mouse embryo development.

Cells with high ploidy content are common in mammalian extraembryonic and adult tissues. Cell-to-cell fusion generates polyploid cells during mammalian development and tissue regeneration. However, whether increased ploidy can be occasionally tolerated in embryonic lineages still remains largely unknown. Here, we show that pluripotent, fusion-derived tetraploid cells, when injected in a recipient mouse blastocyst, can generate diploid cells upon ploidy reduction. The generated diploid cells form part of the adult tissues in mouse chimeras. Parental chromosomes in pluripotent tetraploid cells are segregated through tripolar mitosis both randomly and nonrandomly and without aneuploidy. Tetraploid-derived diploid cells show a differentiated phenotype. Overall, we discovered an unexpected process of controlled genome reduction in pluripotent tetraploid cells. This mechanism can ultimately generate diploid cells during mouse embryo development and should also be considered for cell fusion-mediated tissue regeneration approaches.

Implementación de estrategias interdisciplinarias para el retorno al trabajo: revisión de literatura / Implementation of interdisciplinary strategies for returning to work: literature review

Objetivo: analizar las estrategias interdisciplinarias implementadas en el retorno al trabajo de trabajadores que reportan enfermedad laboral y/o accidente de trabajo. Método: revisión de literatura que utiliza las palabras claves (tesauros): “Reubicación laboral”, “Reincorporación laboral”, “Trabajo”, “Estrategias” y “Terapia Ocupacional”, uso de boléanos AND y OR, búsqueda de la evidencia en las bases de datos: ProQuest, Ebsco, PubMed, Embase y Scopus, en el periodo 2006 - 2016. Resultados: los hallazgos muestran una selección de 20 artículos, encont rados principalmente en la base de datos de ProQuest. La estrategia interdisciplinaria más utilizada es la identificación de la exigencia del puesto de trabajo, las habilidades del trabajador y la evaluación del WRI (Entrevista del rol del trabajador) utilizada por Terapia Ocupacional. Conclusiones: las evaluaciones como estrategia del retorno al trabajo se centran en las capacidades y funciones físicas, con frecuencia no cuentan con el impacto psicosocial, conductual y ambiental como factores determinantes del rendimiento y capacidad laboral; es por esto que, con el uso de una evaluación basada en el desempeño ocupacional, los Terapeutas Ocupacionales lograrían evaluar de forma segura y efectiva la capacidad del trabajador para desempeñar tareas.

Objective: Analyze the interdisciplinary strategies implemented in the return to work of workers who report occupational illness and/ or work accident. Method: literature review using topics as: “job relocation,” “Return to work”, “Work”, “Strategies” and “Occupational Therapy”, using boolean AND and OR, search for evidence in the databases: ProQuest, EBSCO, PubMed, Embase and Scopus, in the period 2006 - 2016. Results: the findings show a selection of 20 items, found mainly in the ProQuest database. The interdisciplinary approach most commonly used is the identification of the requirements of the job and the skills of the worker and WRI (Worker role interview) assessment used by occupational therapy. Conclusions: assessments as return to work strategy focus on skills and physical functions, often they lack the psychosocial, behavioral and environmental impact as determinants of performance and working capacity; which is why using a web - based occupational performance evaluation, occupational therapists would achieve safely and evaluate effective worker’s ability to perform tasks.

Violencia de la pareja íntima durante el embarazo y sus repercusiones en la salud mental / Intimate partner violence during pregnancy and its impact on the mental health / Violência por parceiro íntimo durante a gravidez e seu impacto sobre a saúde mental

Este artículo presenta un estado del arte sobre violencia de la pareja íntima durante el embarazo y sus implicaciones en la salud mental de la madre, partiendo de 13 artículos publicados entre 2000 y 2014, obtenidos mediante búsqueda en bases de datos (Pubmed, Medline, Nursing Consult, sCielo, Dialnet, Redalyc, Lilacs, Index y Bireme), utilizando como palabras clave: embarazo, violencia de la pareja íntima, salud mental e implicaciones. Los hallazgos de este estudio, muestran que la violencia de la pareja íntima durante el embarazo incrementa la depresión y depresión posparto, así como el malestar emocional en la gestante.

This article presents a state of the art on intimate partner violence during pregnancy and its implications for the mental health of the mother, based on 13 articles published between 2000 and 2014, they were gotten by looking for databases (PubMed, Medline, Nursing Consult, SciELO, Dialnet, Redalyc, Lilacs, Index and Bireme), using as keywords: pregnancy, intimate partner violence, mental health and implications. The findings of this study show that intimate partner violence during pregnancy increases depression and postpartum depression, and emotional distress in pregnant women.

Este artigo apresenta um estado da arte sobre a violência por parceiro íntimo durante a gravidez e suas implicações para a saúde mental da mãe, com base em 13 artigos publicados entre 2000 e 2014, obtidos através de pesquisa bases de dados (PubMed, Medline, Enfermagem Consult, SciELO, Dialnet, Redalyc, Lilacs, Índice e Bireme), usando como palavras-chave: gravidez, violência por parceiro íntimo, saúde mental e implicações. Os resultados deste estudo mostram que a violência por parceiro íntimo durante a gravidez aumenta a depressão e depressão pós-parto, e problemas emocionais em mulheres grávidas.

Quantitation of trans-aconitic acid in different stages of the sugar-manufacturing process.

The sugar cane industry has seen how biomass production in sugar mills would be converted to a readily available source of molecules besides sugar. Properly managed, byproducts would be transformed into a sustainable source of renewable and environmentally friendly chemical products. As a principal and more abundant organic acid in sugar cane juice, trans-aconitic acid (TAA) has been studied for use as a plasticizer in the polymer industry. However, up to now no industrial-scale application has been reported. As a reasonable approach to recover TAA from a sugar mill, first, an analytical method to determine its presence in all stages of the sugar-manufacturing process is needed. A new modern method was developed to measure TAA in seven stages in a sugar mill located in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. The stages with higher content of TAA were syrup, with 3363.6 ± 589.3 mg/L, and honey (molasses), with 6110.05 ± 139.5 mg/L.