Emotional distress and self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic in women from an indigenous migrant cultural collective in Mexico City / Malestares emocionales y su autoatención durante la pandemia de COVID-19 en mujeres de un colectivo cultural indígena migrante residente en la Ciudad de México

Abstract Introduction During the coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) pandemic, restrictive measures were implemented to reduce contagion. However, severely decreasing social interaction also negatively impacted the economy, particularly that of indigenous groups. Objective This article seeks to understand the emotional distress identified by a group of indigenous women residents, as well as their self-care practices, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico City. Method A digital qualitative study was undertaken since the fieldwork was conducted in person and online, using various Internet platforms, which served as a field scenario, data collection tool and a means of continuous connection with subjects. Results Anecdotal records were obtained from the subjects, who identified categorizations in the collective organization of the indigenous group, which became a support network for mobilizing official material resources. Information was also obtained on the way the women engaged in the self-care of their emotional distress in a range of ways with a sense of immediacy, through physical, spiritual, herbal, and psychological resources. They observed how women managed to cope with their situation and continue caring for and supporting their families to enable them to get by, distinguishing between those who were providers and those who were dependent on another provider. Discussion and conclusion The pandemic, together with social restrictions, created stressful situations, causing various emotional problems among the indigenous collective. Nevertheless, their capacity for self-management and self-care enabled them to cope with these conditions in the midst of structural contexts of violence, poverty, and social exclusion.

Resumen Introducción Durante la pandemia del nuevo coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) se instauraron diferentes medidas restrictivas con la finalidad de disminuir los contagios. Sin embargo, al reducir severamente las interacciones sociales también se produjo un impacto negativo en la economía, especialmente en los grupos indígenas. Objetivo Este artículo busca conocer los malestares emocionales identificados por un colectivo de mujeres indígenas residentes, así como sus prácticas de auto-atención, durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en la CDMX. Método Se desarrolló una investigación cualitativa digital ya que el trabajo de campo fue presencial y en línea, así como en diferentes plataformas de la red de internet, las cuales fungieron como escenario de campo, herramienta de recopilación de datos y un dispositivo de conexión constante con los informantes Resultados Se obtuvieron registros anecdóticos de las participantes, que identificaron: categorizaciones en la organización colectiva del grupo indígena, convirtiéndose en red de apoyo que movilizó recursos materiales oficiales; cómo las mujeres practicaron la auto-atención de sus malestares emocionales de manera variada y con un sentido de inmediatez, mediante recursos físicos, espirituales, herbolarios, psicológicos y el saber aguantarse para sobrellevar su situación, y continuar cuidando y apoyando a sus familias a salir adelante, diferenciando entre mujeres proveedoras y las dependientes de otro proveedor. Discusión y conclusión La pandemia junto con las restricciones sociales, generaron situaciones estresantes, desencadenando diversas problemáticas emocionales en el colectivo indígena, pero su capacidad de autogestión y autocuidado les permitió sobrellevar tales condiciones en medio de contextos estructurales de violencia, pobreza y exclusión social.

Preparing for tenure and promotion at PUI institutions.

In this paper, we discuss the importance for faculty to become familiar with the general guidelines for collecting, assembling and preparing a tenure and promotion (T&P) application or dossier at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI) and the critical role that mentoring plays throughout the T&P process. While key elements of the application process such as submission timelines and documentation guidelines are usually outlined in the faculty handbook of the specific institution, many aspects of assembling the dossier are not necessarily detailed in writing anywhere. Instead, there are important elements of the T&P process that typically rely on institutional knowledge and guidance that is often communicated informally. Junior faculty who have limited access to "informal communications" are at a significant disadvantage when they go through the T&P process even when they show accomplishments in teaching effectiveness, research, and service. The problem is especially important for women and underrepresented minority faculty in STEM disciplines that are less well represented among senior faculty in STEM. Senior faculty often serve as informal or formal mentors to their less seasoned colleagues. The goal of this article is to help demystify the T&P process by offering practical suggestions and describing some of the specific materials and steps that are an important part of documenting the development of a faculty member at a PUI.

Emotional distress and its care in empowered indigenous women exposed to domestic violence and the demands of child rearing / Malestares emocionales y su atención en mujeres indígenas empoderadas expuestas a violencia doméstica y exigencias de crianza de los hijos

Abstract Introduction Indigenous girls and women in Mexico suffer emotional distress due to marital violence and adherence to gender roles. They are unlikely to denounce violence or treat their health in a timely manner. Women can cope with their distress by participating in empowerment processes. Objective Describe in indigenous empowered women the emotional distress caused by domestic violence in their childhood and the current demands of raising their children and the actions they take to cope with them. Method Qualitative and phenomenological qualitative research, in-depth interviews, and participant observation were conducted with nine migrant indigenous women to explore experiences during their upbringing, emotional reactions, and current mental health problems. Results The software Atlas. ti V 7 was used to undertake a theoretical categorization of the data. Findings included exposure to violence, the influence of a good mother, and past and present emotional distress overcome through empowerment and professional care. Discussion and conclusion Participating in urban empowerment activities enables participants to reflect on the violence experienced and the attendant distress, identify them as gender violence, and use them in their favor. They are strategic when coping with current distress due to the conflictive upbringing of their children, using psychological services and the urban upbringing prescriptions of children's rights, and incorporating indigenous parenting practices, which encourage community commitment, responsibility, and early self-sufficiency in children. Empowerment is suggested as an effective means of improving the health of indigenous women in Mexico.

Resumen Introducción En México, niñas y mujeres indígenas padecen malestares emocionales por la violencia conyugal y el cumplimiento de roles de género. No es común que se denuncie la violencia o se atienda oportunamente su salud. Las mujeres pueden emprender la atención de sus malestares al participar en procesos de empoderamiento. Objetivo Describir en mujeres indígenas empoderadas los malestares emocionales causados por la violencia doméstica en su niñez; por las exigencias actuales en la crianza de sus hijos/as y las acciones que realizan para atenderlos. Método Mediante una investigación cualitativa situada y fenomenológica, se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad y observación participante con nueve mujeres indígenas migrantes. Con estas herramientas se exploraron experiencias durante su crianza; reacciones emocionales y problemas actuales de salud mental. Resultados Mediante el software Atlas. ti V 7, se realizó una categorización teórica de los datos. Así se encontraron: exposición a la violencia; la influencia de la buena madre; malestares emocionales antiguos y actuales sobrellevados con el empoderamiento y la atención profesional. Discusión y conclusión Participar en actividades urbanas de empoderamiento lleva a las participantes a reflexionar sobre la violencia vivida y sus malestares asociados; resituarlos como violencia de género, y usarlos en su favor. Se muestran estratégicas al enfrentar malestares actuales por la conflictiva crianza de su hijos/as, usando servicios psicológicos y las prescripciones de crianza urbana del derecho infantil, e integrando prácticas de crianza indígenas, que estimulan el compromiso comunitario, responsabilidad y autosuficiencia temprana en los hijos/as. Se sugiere aprovechar la eficacia del empoderamiento para mejorar la salud de las mujeres indígenas del país.

Scientific societies fostering inclusivity through speaker diversity in annual meeting programming: a call to action.

Scientific societies aiming to foster inclusion of scientists from underrepresented (UR) backgrounds among their membership often delegate primary responsibility for this goal to a diversity-focused committee. The National Science Foundation has funded the creation of the Alliance to Catalyze Change for Equity in STEM Success (ACCESS), a meta-organization bringing together representatives from several such STEM society committees to serve as a hub for a growing community of practice. Our goal is to coordinate efforts to advance inclusive practices by sharing experiences and making synergistic discoveries about what works. ACCESS has analyzed the approaches by which member societies have sought to ensure inclusivity through selection of annual meeting speakers. Here we discuss how inclusive speaker selection fosters better scientific environments for all and identify challenges and promising practices for societies striving to maximize inclusivity of speakers in their scientific programming.

Scientific Societies Fostering Inclusive Scientific Environments through Travel Awards: Current Practices and Recommendations.

Diversity-focused committees continue to play essential roles in the efforts of professional scientific societies to foster inclusion and facilitate the professional development of underrepresented minority (URM) young scientists in their respective scientific disciplines. Until recently, the efforts of these committees have remained independent and disconnected from one another. Funding from the National Science Foundation has allowed several of these committees to come together and form the Alliance to Catalyze Change for Equity in STEM Success, herein referred to as ACCESS. The overall goal of this meta-organization is to create a community in which diversity-focused committees can interact, synergize, share their collective experiences, and have a unified voice on behalf of URM trainees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. In this Essay, we compare and contrast the broad approaches that scientific societies in ACCESS use to implement and assess their travel award programs for URM trainees. We also report a set of recommendations, including both short- and long-term outcomes assessment in populations of interest and specialized programmatic activities coupled to travel award programs.

Bi-national cross-validation of an evidence-based conduct problem prevention model.

OBJECTIVES: To (a) explore the preferences of Mexican parents and Spanish-speaking professionals working with migrant Latino families in Minnesota regarding the Mexican-adapted brief model versus the original conduct problems intervention and (b) identifying the potential challenges, and preferred solutions, to implementation of a conduct problems preventive intervention. METHOD: The core practice elements of a conduct problems prevention program originating in the United States were adapted for prevention efforts in Mexico. Three focus groups were conducted in the United States, with Latino parents (n = 24; 2 focus groups) and professionals serving Latino families (n = 9; 1 focus group), to compare and discuss the Mexican-adapted model and the original conduct problems prevention program. Thematic analysis was conducted on the verbatim focus group transcripts in the original language spoken. RESULTS: Participants preferred the Mexican-adapted model. The following key areas were identified for cultural adaptation when delivering a conduct problems prevention program with Latino families: recruitment/enrollment strategies, program delivery format, and program content (i.e., child skills training, parent skills training, child-parent activities, and child-parent support). For both models, strengths, concerns, barriers, and strategies for overcoming concerns and barriers were identified. CONCLUSIONS: We summarize recommendations offered by participants to strengthen the effective implementation of a conduct problems prevention model with Latino families in the United States. This project demonstrates the strength in binational collaboration to critically examine cultural adaptations of evidence-based prevention programs that could be useful to diverse communities, families, and youth in other settings. (PsycINFO Database Record

Cadmium ion inhibition of quorum signalling in Chromobacterium violaceum.

Single-celled bacteria are capable of acting as a community by sensing and responding to population density via quorum signalling. Quorum signalling in Chromobacterium violaceum, mediated by the luxI/R homologue, cviI/R, regulates a variety of phenotypes including violacein pigmentation, virulence and biofilm formation. A number of biological and organic molecules have been described as quorum signalling inhibitors but, to date, metal-based inhibitors have not been widely tested. In this study, we show that quorum sensing is inhibited in C. violaceum in the presence of sub-lethal concentrations of cadmium salts. Notable Cd2+-inhibition was seen against pigmentation, motility, chitinase production and biofilm formation. Cd-inhibition of quorum-signalling genes occurred at the level of transcription. There was no direct inhibition of chitinase activity by Cd2+ at the concentrations tested. Addition of the cognate quorum signals, N-hexanoyl homoserine lactone or N-decanoyl homoserine lactone, even at concentrations in excess of physiological levels, did not reverse the inhibition, suggesting that Cd-inhibition of quorum signaling is irreversible. This study represents the first description of heavy metal-based quorum inhibition in C. violaceum.

Familial retinoblastoma due to intronic LINE-1 insertion causes aberrant and noncanonical mRNA splicing of the RB1 gene.

Retinoblastoma (RB, MIM 180200) is the paradigm of hereditary cancer. Individuals harboring a constitutional mutation in one allele of the RB1 gene have a high predisposition to develop RB. Here, we present the first case of familial RB caused by a de novo insertion of a full-length long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) into intron 14 of the RB1 gene that caused a highly heterogeneous splicing pattern of RB1 mRNA. LINE-1 insertion was inferred by mRNA studies and full-length sequenced by massive parallel sequencing. Some of the aberrant mRNAs were produced by noncanonical acceptor splice sites, a new finding that up to date has not been described to occur upon LINE-1 retrotransposition. Our results clearly show that RNA-based strategies have the potential to detect disease-causing transposon insertions. It also confirms that the incorporation of new genetic approaches, such as massive parallel sequencing, contributes to characterize at the sequence level these unique and exceptional genetic alterations.

Desempeño de la gestión por procesos en la coordinación de compras y contrataciones de la dirección general de administración del Ministerio de Salud

El desafío actual de la Administración Pública y especialmente del Ministerio de Salud Pública de la Rioja, a través de la Dirección General de Administración debe estar orientado al utilización de un modelo, que contemplando los cambios tecnológicos (revolución tecnológica basada en la información), cambios en el ciudadano ( necesidades que evolucionan y ciudadanos más exigentes) y cambios en el entorno, entornos complejos, muchos agentes implicados necesidades de innovación que trasformen el modelo de gestión tradicional, jerárquico, burocrático, de gestión por normas, con concentración de decisiones, manual, por un sistema de gestión participativo, de liderazgo compartido, de gestión proactiva, de decisiones compartidas, de búsqueda de la eficiencia y eficacia y fundamentalmente de gestión humana compleja, integridad (compromiso), empoderamiento e iniciativa...

The current challenge of the Public Administration and especially of the Public Health Ministry of La Rioja, within the general office of Administracion, must be oriented to the use of a model that contmplates the technological changes (technological revolution based on information), changes within citizens (evolving needs and more demandig citizens) and changes in the administrative environment. The complex administrative environment involves many agents and needs of innovation to transform the traditional, hierarchical, and bureaucratic model of administration, which concentrates in manual decisions, into an administrative and participative system of shared leadership, proactive management that seeks for efficacy and efficiency and above all integrity (commitment), empowerment and initiative...

El consumo de inhalables en las prácticas de socialidad de dos grupos de estudiantes de secundarias públicas / Inhalant use in the sociality practices of two groups of students at public middle schools

INTRODUCCIÓN: La extensión del consumo de inhalables hacia distintas poblaciones de México ocurre en el macrocontexto de la legalidad y la deficiente regulación sanitaria y policial de dichas sustancias, así como su gran disponibilidad y bajo costo, en combinación con los efectos placenteros de su inhalación, los cuales varían según el contexto y los usuarios. OBJETIVO: Aquí se describen las prácticas de coconstrucción de los contextos de consumo de inhalables. También, los efectos de éstos en dos grupos de estudiantes mexicanos de educación secundaria. MÉTODO: Se utilizó la metodología de la photo elicitation, analizando, en grupos de discusión, dos videograbaciones producidas por los mismos estudiantes, en las que consumen inhalables. RESULTADOS: Se realizó la categorización teórica de los datos con el software Atlas.ti. Se encontró que, a pesar de que los estudiantes inhalan tolueno, sólo una de las estudiantes experimentó mareo y dolor de cabeza, en tanto que otra compañera se sintió somnolienta. Sin embargo, el segundo video muestra que los estudiantes experimentaron la prendidez (euforia, desinhibición afectiva) y alucinaciones. El mareo, el dolor y la somnolencia parecen determinados mayormente por el consumo de tolueno y alcohol, pero los efectos disímiles, por la socialidad de los contextos de consumo del inhalable, la subjetivación de los estudiantes y su veteranía en el consumo. DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIÓN: Se discute que los estudiantes prefieren el consumo de inhalables porque la "prendidez" fortalece su socialidad. Se concluye que conviene desalentar el consumo de inhalables incorporando la agencia y la subjetivación juvenil, sin desatender los factores macrosociales de la producción, comercialización y regulación de los inhalables.

INTRODUCTION: Inhalant use among various populations in Mexico occurs within the context of its legality, inadequate health regulation and supervision of its production and sales, high availability and low cost, combined with the pleasurable effects of inhaling, which vary according to the context and users. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the social practices involved in the co-construction of inhalant use contexts of two groups of Mexican middle school students and their reported effects. METHOD: Photo elicitation methodology was used, with two videotapes produced by students on school sociality practices where inhalants we are used and then analyzed in discussion groups. RESULTS: The theoretical categorization of the data was performed using Atlas.ti software. It was found that although the students inhaled toluene, only one of the students experienced dizziness and headaches, while another classmate felt sleepy. The other video was different; students got high, experiencing euphoria, emotional disinhibition and hallucinations. Dizziness, pain and drowsiness seem largely determined by toluene and alcohol use, whereas the different effects appear to be caused by the sociality of the contexts of inhalant use, students' subjectivity and their length of consumption. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It is argued that students enjoy inhalant use because getting high reinforces their sociality. The article concludes that inhalant use should be discouraged by incorporating the agency and subjectivity of youth, without neglecting the macro-social factors involved in the production, marketing and regulation of inhalants.

La violencia simbólica de la explotación sexual de mujeres en una celebración estudiantil / Symbolic violence of women's sexual exploitation at a students' party

Se analiza una celebración estudiantil "desmadrosa" que es parte de una tradición desde hace un cuarto de siglo, que ayuda a financiar la titulación y otras actividades de los estudiantes y en la que las y los jóvenes participan en una representación histriónica de la explotación sexual. Los objetivos son describir cómo la violencia simbólica puede revivir de manera emotiva y gratificante a la explotación sexual y cómo esta transmutación es experimentada por las víctimas. La información reportada se basa en el trabajo de campo desarrollado en una comunidad estudiantil de una Escuela de Educación Superior de la zona conurbada del Valle de México. En esta comunidad se realizaron observaciones de la preparación, realización y post celebración "desmadrosa". En este contexto se conoció a varios estudiantes entre los 17 y 23 años, de ellos cinco mujeres, que participaron en un grupo focal (de dos sesiones) y en entrevistas en profundidad (de tres sesiones) para dar cuenta de las dimensiones más significativas de la celebración. Las cinco estudiantes fueron invitadas a participar mediante una carta explicativa, solicitándoles su consentimiento voluntario. Se realizó un análisis de contenido de los registros de observación y de la transcripción literal de los grupos focales y de las entrevistas. Los resultados indican que la celebración, que tiene una representación histriónica de la explotación sexual, incluye algunos componentes reales: ocultamiento, rapto, subasta, baile erótico y acoso sexual. Estos elementos son experimentados con disgusto por las informantes pero son revividos por los demás participantes como un momento emotivo y gratificante. Estos resultados son explicados conforme a la teoría de Bourdieu acerca de la violencia simbólica. Se concluye que la celebración es una afirmación complaciente de las creencias y prácticas machistas que legitiman la explotación sexual de las mujeres y una aceptación tácita de sus abusos, los cuales, aunque suelen ser ocultados, sí son reconocidos como una tradición venerable.

The article analyzes a wild students' party that is part of a twenty-five-year old tradition of helping to finance students' graduation and other activities, in which young men and women participate in a theatrical re-enactment of sexual exploitation. The aim is to describe how symbolic violence can reproduce sexual exploitation in an emotionally gratifying way and how this transmutation is experienced by victims. The information reported is based on field work conducted in a student community at a higher education school in the conurbated area of Mexico City. Observations of the preparation, implementation and wild post-celebration were carried out in this community. In this context, several students between the ages of 17 and 23, including five women, participated in a focus group (two sessions) and in-depth interviews (three sessions) to describe the most significant dimensions of the celebration. The five students were invited to participate through an explanatory letter requesting their voluntary consent. A content analysis of the observation records and a literal transcription of the focus groups and interviews were conducted. The results indicate that the celebration, which includes a theatrical representation of sexual exploitation, includes some real components: concealment, abduction, auction, erotic dancing and sexual harassment. These elements are experienced with displeasure but relived by the informants and other participants as an exciting, rewarding moment. These results are explained by Bourdieu's theory of symbolic violence. We conclude that the celebration is a gratifying affirmation of the sexist beliefs and practices that legitimize the sexual exploitation of women and tacit acceptance of their abuse, which are often concealed, but recognized as a venerable tradition.

Correlatos psicosociales de depresión y riesgo de suicidio en trabajadoras sexuales del Estado de Hidalgo, México / Social correlates of depression and suicide risk in sexual workers from Hidalgo, Mexico

Los datos disponibles sobre la salud mental en trabajadoras sexuales en México son escasos. Sin embargo la poca evidencia disponible muestra que las prevalencias de depresión y problemática suicida son mucho más elevadas que en la población general. El objetivo de este artículo es explorar los factores psicosociales que se relacionan con la depresión y el riesgo de suicidio en una muestra de 103 trabajadoras sexuales del Estado de Hidalgo, México. Los resultados muestran que las frecuencias de depresión y riesgo de suicidio fueron más elevadas que en las mujeres de la población general (39.8 y 3.0%, respectivamente). Las variables que predijeron estos malestares fueron la mala relación con la madre, los efectos perjudiciales del consumo de alcohol sobre la salud física y las actividades domésticas, la violencia de la pareja y la violencia sexual. Es necesario considerar estos resultados para propiciar acciones que reduzcan o eliminen la violencia de pareja, fomenten la adquisición de habilidades para el manejo de las consecuencias negativas de la violencia, así como implementar estrategias para reducir el daño ocasionado por el consumo de alcohol en este grupo poblacional en situación de vulnerabilidad.

Available data on mental health among female sex workers in Mexico are scarce. The scarce evidence shows that the prevalence of depression and suicidal problems is much higher than in the general population. The objective of this article was to explore the psychosocial factors associated with depression and suicide risk in a sample of 103 sex workers from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. Among them, the frequency of depression and suicide risk was higher than for women in the general population (39.8% and 3.0%, respectively). The variables that predicted these illnesses were a bad relationship with the mother, the negative health effects due to alcohol use, partner violence, and sexual violence. It is necessary to consider these results to promote actions that reduce or eliminate partner violence, promote the acquisition of skills to manage the negative consequences of violence and implement strategies to reduce the harm caused by alcohol consumption in this vulnerable group of the population.

Bacterial signaling ecology and potential applications during aquatic biofilm construction.

In their natural environment, bacteria and other microorganisms typically grow as surface-adherent biofilm communities. Cell signal processes, including quorum signaling, are now recognized as being intimately involved in the development and function of biofilms. In contrast to their planktonic (unattached) counterparts, bacteria within biofilms are notoriously resistant to many traditional antimicrobial agents and so represent a major challenge in industry and medicine. Although biofilms impact many human activities, they actually represent an ancient mode of bacterial growth as shown in the fossil record. Consequently, many aquatic organisms have evolved strategies involving signal manipulation to control or co-exist with biofilms. Here, we review the chemical ecology of biofilms and propose mechanisms whereby signal manipulation can be used to promote or control biofilms.

Usos de la Internet y teléfono celular asociados a situaciones de riesgo de explotación sexual de adolescentes / Internet and cell phone usage associated with risky situations of child sexual exploitation

This paper reports on a research project designed to identify the uses of the Internet and cellular telephony that could place children at risk of contact with situations associated with sexual exploitation: hooking up on line, consumption of pornography and the production of humiliating, sexualized images. The questionnaires were administered to 147 adolescents with an average age of 13 years and 3 months. Results A total of 66.2% of the boys and 71.4% of the girls reported having Facebook, followed by Hi5 (69%) and My Space (43.3%). Teenagers were observed to provide their real names (64.7% of boys and 78% of girls) and actual ages in social networks. A total of 79.6% of the respondents reported that they liked to talk on Chat or Messenger, while a significant percentage (64.1%) had done so with strangers. A total of 53.1% of the population reported having met a friend with a sexualized image of their person through a cell phone (28.6 of boys and 11.6% of girls). These images were usually shared with friends (reported by 77.1% of boys and 62.8% of girls). But others were uploaded onto the Internet (34.3% of boys and 37.2% of women) and a minority were sold (8.6% of boys and 2.3% of girls). The paper indicates that true information on the person provided with no restrictions whatsoever by adolescents in social networks and their interaction with strangers in chats are indicators of unsafe Web browsing. Qualitative research results indicate that these acts occur when teenagers are seeking popularity. The paper also discusses teenagers' consumption of pornography as a type of manhood that is "hot" by nature and shows that the production of sexualized images occurs in contexts where amusement is combined with sexual transgression.

Se reporta una investigación que tuvo por objetivo identificar los usos de la Internet y la telefonía celular que podrían poner a niñas y niños en riesgo de contacto con situaciones asociadas a la explotación sexual: enganchamiento en línea, consumo de pornografía y producción de imágenes sexualizadas y humillantes. Se aplicaron cuestionarios a 147 adolescentes de 13 años y tres meses de edad en promedio. Resultados El 66.2% de los hombres y el 71.4% de las mujeres reporta tener Facebook, seguido de Hi5 (69%) y My Space (43.3%). Se observa que los adolescentes de ambos sexos proporcionan su nombre (64.7% de los hombres y 78% de las mujeres) y edades reales en las redes sociales. El 79.6% de las y los encuestados reportan que les agrada platicar en el Chat o el Messenger. Un porcentaje importante (el 64.1%) lo ha llevado a cabo con personas desconocidas. El 53.1% de la población reportó conocer a algún amigo con una imagen sexualizada de su persona a través de un celular (28.6% hombres y 11.6% mujeres). Estas imágenes fueron compartidas con los amigos (reportado por el 77.1% de los hombres y el 62.8% de las mujeres), pero otras fueron subidas a la Internet (34.3% hombres y 37.2% mujeres) y una minoría se vendió (8.6% hombres y 2.3% mujeres). El trabajo señala que la información verídica de la persona proporcionada sin restricción alguna por los adolescentes en las redes sociales y su interacción con desconocidos en chats, son indicadores de navegación insegura en la Internet. La investigación cualitativa indica que dichos actos ocurren cuando las adolescentes buscan popularidad. Además, el documento discute el consumo de pornografía de los adolescentes como reproducción de un tipo de hombría "caliente por naturaleza" y señala que la producción de imágenes sexualizadas ocurre en contextos donde se combina la diversión con la transgresión sexual.

Differential gene expression of medullary thyroid carcinoma reveals specific markers associated with genetic conditions.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma accounts for 2% to 5% of thyroid malignancies, of which 75% are sporadic and the remaining 25% are hereditary and related to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndrome. Despite a genotype-phenotype correlation with specific germline RET mutations, knowledge of pathways specifically associated with each mutation and with non-RET-mutated sporadic MTC remains lacking. Gene expression patterns have provided a tool for identifying molecular events related to specific tumor types and to different clinical features that could help identify novel therapeutic targets. Using transcriptional profiling of 49 frozen MTC specimens classified as RET mutation, we identified PROM1, LOXL2, GFRA1, and DKK4 as related to RET(M918T) and GAL as related to RET(634) mutation. An independent series of 19 frozen and 23 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) MTCs was used for validation by RT-qPCR. Two tissue microarrays containing 69 MTCs were available for IHC assays. According to pathway enrichment analysis and gene ontology biological processes, genes associated with the MTC(M918T) group were involved mainly in proliferative, cell adhesion, and general malignant metastatic effects and with Wnt, Notch, NFκB, JAK/Stat, and MAPK signaling pathways. Assays based on silencing of PROM1 by siRNAs performed in the MZ-CRC-1 cell line, harboring RET(M918T), caused an increase in apoptotic nuclei, suggesting that PROM1 is necessary for survival of these cells. This is the first report of PROM1 overexpression among primary tumors.

A mutation in the catalytic subunit of yeast telomerase alters primer-template alignment while promoting processivity and protein-DNA binding.

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex that is required for maintenance of linear chromosome ends (telomeres). In yeast, the Est2 protein reverse transcribes a short template region of the TLC1 RNA using the chromosome terminus to prime replication. Yeast telomeres contain heterogeneous G(1-3)T sequences that arise from incomplete reverse transcription of the TLC1 template and alignment of the DNA primer at multiple sites within the template region. We have previously described mutations in the essential N-terminal TEN domain of Est2p that alter telomere sequences. Here, we demonstrate that one of these mutants, glutamic acid 76 to lysine (est2-LT(E76K)), restricts possible alignments between the DNA primer and the TLC1 template. In addition, this mutant exhibits increased processivity in vivo. Within the context of the telomerase enzyme, the Est2p TEN domain is thought to contribute to enzyme processivity by mediating an anchor-site interaction with the DNA primer. We show that binding of the purified TEN domain (residues 1-161) to telomeric DNA is enhanced by the E76K mutation. These results support the idea that the anchor-site interaction contributes to telomerase processivity and suggest a role for the anchor site of yeast telomerase in mediating primer-template alignment within the active site.

Principales problemas identificados en la investigación y atención de víctimas de la explotación sexual comercial infantil en México / Principal problems identified in research on and treatment of victims of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in Mexico

The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the actions designed to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) which jeopardizes or affects the victims of exploitation. To this end, the paper analyzes the paradoxical results obtained in the research and actions to combat CSEC, implemented under the auspices of the institutions to promote research on CSEC and the prevention, protection and care of child victims of the phenomenon. These results were obtained by the research team when it systematized 16 CSEC diagnoses undertaken in various parts of the country and from the information derived from the fieldwork carried out between 2000 and 2005 by the Inter-Institutional Committees to combat CSEC and at the institutions for the protection and care of child victims of sexual exploitation. The fieldwork involved participant observation during the working meetings of the Inter-Institutional Committees and at the <

El objetivo del presente trabajo es identificar y describir las acciones en contra de la explotación sexual comercial infantil (ESCI) que ponen en riesgo o afectan a las víctimas de dicha explotación. Para ello, se documentan los resultados paradójicos obtenidos en la investigación y en las acciones contra la ESCI, implementadas bajo el auspicio de instituciones promotoras de la investigación de la ESCI y de la prevención, protección y atención a victimas infantiles del fenómeno. Estos resultados fueron obtenidos por el equipo de investigación al desarrollar una sistematización de 16 diagnósticos de la ESCI promovidos en diferentes partes del país, y al sistematizar la información del trabajo de campo desarrollado entre los años 2000 y 2005, en los comités interinstitucionales en contra de la ESCI, y en instituciones de atención de las víctimas infantiles de la explotación sexual. El trabajo de campo consistió en la realización de observación participante durante las reuniones de trabajo de los comités interinstitucionales y en los albergues de <

Nonradioactive method to detect native single-stranded G-tails on yeast telomeres using a modified Southern blot protocol.

Because of their low abundance and short length, telomeric single-stranded extensions have not traditionally been assessed by Southern blot analysis. Instead, most methods have relied on hybridizing radioactively labeled oligonucleotide probes to electrophoresed DNA within agarose gels. Here we describe a rapid and nonradioactive Southern blot-derived method to transfer and detect telomeric single-stranded G-rich overhangs (G-tails) under nondenaturing (native) conditions, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA. Restriction enzyme-digested chromosomal DNA is separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, transferred onto a charged membrane by electroblotting under nondenaturing conditions, and probed with a digoxigenin (DIG)-labeled oligonucleotide. Compared with the prolonged film exposure required to detect radioactive probes, detection of short single-strand G-tails with this method takes mere minutes. Furthermore, following detection of the single-stranded G-tails, the DNA on the membrane can be denatured and reprobed using conventional hybridization and detection methods.

Research resource: Transcriptional profiling reveals different pseudohypoxic signatures in SDHB and VHL-related pheochromocytomas.

The six major genes involved in hereditary susceptibility for pheochromocytoma (PCC)/paraganglioma (PGL) (RET, VHL, NF1, SDHB, SDHC, and SDHD) have been recently integrated into the same neuronal apoptotic pathway where mutations in any of these genes lead to cell death. In this model, prolyl hydroxylase 3 (EglN3) abrogation plays a pivotal role, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its inactivation are currently unknown. The aim of the study was to decipher specific alterations associated with the different genetic classes of PCCs/PGLs. With this purpose, 84 genetically characterized tumors were analyzed by means of transcriptional profiling. The analysis revealed a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-related signature common to succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumors, that differentiated them from RET and neurofibromatosis type 1 cases. Both canonical HIF-1α and HIF-2α target genes were overexpressed in the SDH/VHL cluster, suggesting that a global HIF deregulation accounts for this common profile. Nevertheless, when we compared VHL tumors with SDHB cases, which often exhibit a malignant behavior, we found that HIF-1α target genes showed a predominant activation in the VHL PCCs. Expression data from 67 HIF target genes was sufficient to cluster SDHB and VHL tumors into two different groups, demonstrating different pseudo-hypoxic signatures. In addition, VHL-mutated tumors showed an unexpected overexpression of EglN3 mRNA that did not lead to significantly different EglN3 protein levels. These findings pave the way for more specific therapeutic approaches for malignant PCCs/PGLs management based on the patient's genetic alteration.

Problemas y dilemas éticos en la investigación de la explotación sexual comercial de niñas y niños / Ethical problems and dilemmas in research on the commercial sexual explotation of children

The article begins by defining commercial sexual explotation of children (CSEC) as an exercise of power that commercializes the sexual abuse of children and adolescents so that the exploiters, nearly always adult men, will obtain financial profit or some type of social, psychological or other satisfaction. Victims of CSEC are girls and, to a lesser extent, boys. In any case, they are persons under the age of 18, who have been stripped of their right to be respected and protected from slavery and sexual abuse, discrimination, sickness and crime. This usurpation of rights occurs in certain businesses in the sexual industry (such as prostitution in bars, saloon bars, eateries, brothels, hotels and in the journals, videos and websites on the Internet run by pornographers and child molesters) and the street sex market (including prostitution in streets, squares, beaches, and parks). The main thrust of this article is to analyze some of the problems derived from the failure to comply with the principles of research ethics when studying commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC) in the sex industry and street sex market in Mexico. Research about CSEC started during the 90's focusing on the sex industry and street market in Mexico City and Guadalajara, Jalisco. By the end of that decade the National System for the Integral Development of Families (NSIDF) created a program against CSEC, with social research being one of its core objectives. A brief analysis is conducted of the problems derived from the failure to comply with ethical standards in the early covert research on CSEC in Mexico. It reports that this type of research encourages protection of the researcher without obtaining informed consent, respecting the dignity, confidentiality or anonymity of victims or providing any type of protection for the victims from any type of damage caused by their participation in the research. Most of the research projects focus on detecting victims in the sex industry and the stress sex market in various cities throughout the country. To this end, various methods and techniques have been used that require compliance with basic ethical standards in the relationship between researchers and key informants and in the reports by responsible researchers. Although it might be said that projects review and approval by an ethics committees implicitly assume compliance, there is still a considerable amount of studies without manifest ethic support. This article also discusses the fact that the de-contextualized application of the principles of research ethics to CSEC studies does not suffice to solve the previous problems, and may create ethical dilemmas in CSEC research. It also specifically describes one of the dilemmas faced in the authors' own research. Although a certain percentage of the research related to the issue is obviously reviewed and approved by an ethics committee that implicitly acknowledges this compliance, there continues to be a considerable number of studies with no manifest ethical support. Researchers responsible for the detection of and interviews with victims of CSEC also seek to defend themselves without protecting any of the latter. For example, many researchers act as clients in order to go unnoticed by exploiters and record the presence of teenagers in bars, saloon bars and diners without offering them any form of protection. These researchers never report that the victims interviewed have been informed of their right to refuse to answer or to leave whenever they wish. Ten years ago one researcher decided to penetrate a network that exploited adolescents. He managed to know the procedures followed to contact, enroll and coerce victims, as well as the commercial sex activities. Some authors consider that the violation of informant's rights in social research can be avoided by applying the universal principles of ethics in scientific research. However, the application of such principles seems to be insufficient to solve the wide range of ethical problems that raise in frequent and deep social relationships to informants. Applying the universal principles out of context would also obstruct the development of ethical validated social sciences such as participant observation, and generate other problems. For instance, the application of the principle of anonymity to protect the informant's identity when the participants wish to have their real names used on research reports, can make participants feel disappointed and stolen when reading their own experiences being reported under somebody else's name. This might persuade them to participate in other research projects. The article ends by describing the lessons learned during this work. Recommendations include protecting the physical, social and psychological welfare of the persons studied and those with whom one works, finding out about the social context where one's fieldwork is conducted; adopting a rights and gender approach; avoiding research solely designed to detect victims without offering them protection; detecting victims within the context of inter-institutional coordination (State Prosecutor's offices, Municipal and State DIF Systems and welfare organizations run by civilians), and rescue and protection programs that will guarantee the restoration of their rights and ensure the research team's welfare. At the very least, they should be quite clear that their own safety should always take precedence over their research.

En este artículo se define primero la explotación sexual comercial infantil (ESCI) como un ejercicio de poder que mercantiliza el abuso sexual de niñas, niños y adolescentes, con el fin de que los explotadores, casi siempre hombres adultos, obtengan alguna ganancia financiera o alguna satisfacción social, psicológica o de cualquiera otra especie. Las víctimas de la ESCI son niñas y, en menor medida, niños. En cualquier caso se trata de personas menores de 18 años de edad, usurpadas de su derecho a ser respetadas y protegidas contra la esclavitud y el abuso sexual, la discriminación, las enfermedades, la delincuencia, entre otros. Esta usurpación de derechos ocurre en algunos negocios de la industria sexual (la prostitución en bares, cantinas, fondas, casas de cita, hoteles y en las revistas/videos/sitios de la WEB de pornografía, pederastas, etc.) y del mercado callejero del sexo (la prostitución en las calles, plazas, playas, jardines, etc.). El propósito del artículo es analizar algunos problemas derivados del incumplimiento de los principios de la ética de la investigación al estudiar la explotación sexual comercial infantil (ESCI) en la industria sexual y el mercado callejero del sexo en México. De esta manera se hace un rápido análisis de los problemas derivados del incumplimiento de los estándares éticos en las primeras investigaciones encubiertas sobre la ESCI en México. Se reporta que este tipo de investigaciones privilegia la protección del investigador sin obtener el consentimiento informado, sin respetar la dignidad, la confidencialidad ni el anonimato de las víctimas y sin brindarles algún tipo de protección contra cualquier tipo de daño producido por su participación en la investigación. La mayoría de las investigaciones se centra en la detección de víctimas en la industria sexual y en el mercado callejero del sexo de diferentes ciudades del país. Para tal efecto se han ocupado métodos y técnicas que exigen el cumplimiento de estándares éticos básicos en la relación de los investigadores con los informantes clave y en el reporte de los investigadores responsables. Asimismo se discute que la aplicación descontextualizada de los principios de la ética de la investigación a los estudios de la ESCI no es suficiente para resolver los problemas anteriores y que puede generar dilemas éticos en la investigación de la ESCI. De manera específica se expone uno de los dilemas enfrentados en el propio trabajo de investigación de los autores. Es innegable que se podría asumir que cierto porcentaje de investigaciones relacionadas con el tema pasa por la revisión y aprobación de un comité de ética que da cuenta implícitamente de ese cumplimiento. Sin embargo, aun así persiste un número considerable de estudios que no tiene ningún respaldo ético manifiesto. Los investigadores responsables de la detección y las entrevistas a las víctimas de la ESCI también buscan salvaguardarse sin proteger a ninguna de ellas. Por ejemplo, muchos investigadores actúan como clientes para pasar desapercibidos ante los explotadores y registrar la presencia de adolescentes en bares, cantinas y figones sin ofrecer a ellas algún tipo de protección. Los investigadores nunca reportan que las víctimas entrevistadas hayan sido enteradas de que tenían derecho a negarse a contestar o a retirarse cuando lo decidieran. Finalmente se exponen las lecciones aprendidas en dicho trabajo, las cuales recomiendan proteger el bienestar físico, social y psicológico de las personas a las que se estudia y con las que se trabaja; conocer el contexto social donde uno hace su trabajo de campo; adoptar un enfoque de derechos y de género; evitar las investigaciones que persigan como único fin detectar a víctimas sin ofrecerles protección; realizar la detección de victimas en el contexto de programas de coordinación interinstitucional (ministerios públicos, sistemas estatales y municipales DIF; organismos asistenciales de la sociedad civil), de rescate y de protección que garanticen la restitución de sus derechos, y proteger el bienestar del equipo de investigación. Por lo menos debe quedar claro al investigador que su propia seguridad debe estar en todo momento por encima de la realización de las tareas de investigación.