Liposomes as selenium nanocarriers for foliar application to wheat plants: A biofortification strategy.

In the present work, liposomes have been used as nanocarriers in the biofortification of wheat plants with selenium (Se) through foliar application. Liposomal formulations were prepared using 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and Phospholipon®90H (P90H) (average size <100 nm), loaded with different concentrations of inorganic Se (selenite and selenate) and applied twice to the plants in the stage of vegetative growth. Liposomes enhanced Se uptake by wheat plants compared to direct application. The highest Se enrichment was achieved using the phospholipid DPPC and a concentration of 1000 µmol·L-1 of Se without affecting the biomass, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and the concentration of mineral nutrients of the plants. The chemical speciation of Se in the plants was further investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The results from XAS spectra revealed that most of the inorganic Se was transformed to organic Se and that the use of liposomes influenced the proportion of C-Se-C over C-Se-Se-C species.

Selenium biofortification of microgreens: Influence on phytochemicals, pigments and nutrients.

Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. sabellica L.), kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea L. var. gongylodes L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Bancal) microgreens were cultivated in presence of selenium 20 µmol L-1 as sodium selenite and sodium selenate mixture. The influence of this biofortification process was evaluated in terms of biomass production, total Se, macro- and micronutrients concentration, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, chlorophylls and carotenoids levels and total soluble proteins content. The results obtained have shown a significant concentration of total Se in the biofortified microgreens of kale (133 µg Se·g-1 DW) and kohlrabi (127 µg Se·g-1 DW) higher than that obtained for wheat (28 µg Se·g-1 DW). The Se uptake in all the species did not produce oxidative damage to the plants reflected in the bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity or pigments concentration. These Se-enriched microgreens may contribute to the recommended intake of this nutrient in human diet as to overcome Se-deficiency.

The elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Mexico: From national health priority to national success story.

INTRODUCTION: Mexico was the first country in the Americas and the third in the world to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, as validated by the WHO in 2017. OBJECTIVE: To describe the critical elements that favored the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Mexico and the public health impact of this success. METHODOLOGY: A revision and compilation of data and information contained in the dossier presented by the country to PAHO/WHO to obtain the validation of trachoma elimination as a public health problem was conducted by a group of delegates from the national and local trachoma prevention and control program. Data from the national and local surveillance systems and reports of actions conducted after achieving the elimination goal were also included. Critical elements that favored the achievement of the elimination goal from 1896 to 2019 were extracted. RESULTS: Mexico reached the elimination of trachoma in 2016 obtaining the validation in 2017. 264 communities were no longer endemic and 151,744 people were no longer at risk of visual impairment or possible blindness due to trachoma. The key to the success of this elimination process was primarily the local leadership of health authorities with sustained funding for brigades, increased access to potable water and sanitation, and key alliances with indigenous authorities, health authorities, and government institutions that contributed to the achievement of the goal. The SAFE strategy started implementation in Mexico in 2004 as a comprehensive package of interventions. SAFE stands for surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, and improvement of the environmental conditions. These actions impacted drastically on the number of new cases trachmatous trichiasis (TT) and trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF), which decreased from 1,794 in 2004 to zero in 2016. CONCLUSIONS: The elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Mexico is a true success story that may serve as a model example for the elimination of other neglected infectious diseases in the Americas.

Residues of pesticides and some metabolites in dissolved and particulate phase in surface stream water of Cachapoal River basin, central Chile.

In the last twenty years, pesticide use in Chile has increased more than 160%, generating a greater risk of water resources pollution. The objective of this study was to assess the presence of 22 pesticides and 12 degradation products in surface water samples from the Cachapoal River basin, Central Chile, an area characterized by intense agricultural activity. Pesticide concentrations in the dissolved phase (DP) and particulate phase (PP) in samples collected in the dry season and after precipitation events was assessed. The solid-phase extraction technique was used to preconcentrate the samples and GC/MS and LC/MS were used to detect pesticides. The results present spatio-temporal variations in the proportion and concentration of pesticides and their degradation products in both the DP and PP for each site and sampling period. The most ubiquitous compounds in the dissolved phase were atrazine, atrazine-2-hydroxy (HA), cyprodinil, pyrimethanil, and tebuconazole, while in the particulate phase HA, imidacloprid, diazinon and pyrimidinol were detected. The results presented in this study make up the first record of pesticides in the dissolved and particulate phases in surface water in Chile. They show that the problem of pesticide contamination undoubtedly affects the quality of bodies of water in agricultural areas in Chile and support the need for a proper assessment of the water quality of the Cachapoal River in the future.

[Cervical thoracic duct cyst: An uncommon entity]. / Quiste cervical del conducto torácico: una rara entidad.

BACKGROUND: Cervical thoracic duct cysts are a rare anomaly. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of cervical thoracic duct cyst, and perform a literature review. CLINICAL CASE: A 78-year-old female, with a one-year history of a left-sided asymptomatic supraclavicular cystic mass. Computerized tomography revealed a cystic mass 42mm in diameter. We performed a fine needle aspiration puncture, obtaining a thick, milky, whitish liquid. The patient underwent surgery; finding a left-sided supraclavicular cystic mass, with some lymph vessels heading towards the jugulo subclavian venous junction. We performed a ligation of these lymph vessels and resection of the mass. The histopathologic study confirmed the diagnosis of thoracic duct cyst. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of cervical thoracic duct cyst should be suspected with a cystic lesion in the left supraclavicular region, which when perforated exudes a very distinctive thick milky, whitish liquid with a high content of lymphocytes and triglycerides. Treatment should be complete removal with ligation of the lymphatic afferent vessels.

Continued Sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to Artemisinin in Guyana, With Absence of Kelch Propeller Domain Mutant Alleles.

Because of concerns about possible emergence of artemisinin resistance strains of Plasmodium falciparum in mining areas of the interior of Guyana, a 7-day artesunate trial was conducted from March to December 2014. The day-3 parasite clearance rate, the efficacy of artesunate at day 28, and polymorphism of Kelch 13 (PfK13)-the marker of artemisinin resistance-were assessed. The study confirmed the continued sensitivity of P falciparum to artemisinin. A 7-day course of artesunate was 100% efficacious with only 2% (95% confidence interval, .1%-10.9%) of enrolled subjects positive at day 3. All day-0 parasite samples were wild type. Continued resistance monitoring is nevertheless recommended, given the widespread availability and uncontrolled use of artemisinin drugs in mining areas of Guyana.

Characterisation of tequila according to their major volatile composition using multilayer perceptron neural networks.

Differentiation of silver, gold, aged and extra-aged tequila using 1-propanol, ethyl acetate, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol and furan derivatives like 5-(hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde and 2-furaldehyde has been carried out. The content of 1-propanol, ethyl acetate, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol was determined by means of head space solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass-spectrometry. 5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde and 2-furaldehyde were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to highlight significant differences between types of tequila. Principal component analysis was applied as visualisation technique. Linear discriminant analysis and multilayer perceptron artificial neural networks were used to construct classification models. The best classification performance was obtained when multilayer perceptron model was applied.

Teoría del comportamiento planificado y conducta sexual de riesgo en hombres homosexuales / Theory of planned behavior and risky sexual behavior in homosexual men

OBJETIVO: Explorar la adecuación de modelo de la teoría del comportamiento planificado (TCP) para el análisis de la conducta sexual de riesgo en el colectivo "hombres que tienen sexo con hombres" (HSH) con el objetivo de proponer un modelo alternativo que mejore su comprensión. MÉTODOS: Análisis cualitativo de entrevistas semiestructuradas individuales y de grupos nominales realizadas con 45 HSH que durante los últimos 12 meses mantuvieron relaciones sexuales de riesgo (penetración anal insertiva o receptiva sin utilizar preservativo). Para el manejo de los datos se realizó un análisis del discurso mediante el "método comparativo constante" realizado en dos fases: a) identificación de variables de la TCP y de inadecuaciones entre esta teoría y las declaraciones de los informadores, y b) propuesta de un modelo psicosocial alternativo coherente con los resultados. RESULTADOS: Se confirmó una adecuación general de la TCP, su modificación en aspectos puntuales y la incorporación de nuevas variables que, en posteriores investigaciones, podrían ser incluidas para verificar cuantitativamente su potencial incremento de la capacidad predictiva y/o explicativa del modelo para la conducta sexual de riesgo en HSH. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados obtenidos parecen indicar la importancia de poner a prueba los postulados matemáticos del modelo TCP. Se estableció un equilibrio estable entre la validación de la TCP, sugiriéndose posibles modificaciones en aspectos puntuales que, en posteriores investigaciones, podrían ser incluidas para verificar su potencial incremento de la capacidad explicativa del modelo para la conducta sexual de riesgo en HSH.

OBJECTIVE: Explore the appropriateness of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) model for analyzing risky sexual behavior in men who have sex with other men (MSM), with the object of proposing an alternative model that improves understanding. METHODS: Qualitative analysis of semi-structured individual and nominal group interviews conducted with 45 MSM who engaged in risky sexual behavior (insertive or receptive anal penetration without use of a condom) during the past 12 months. In order to manage the data, a discourse analysis using the constant comparative method was performed in two phases: a) identification of TPB variables and incongruities between this theory and the statements made by the informants, and b) proposal of an alternative psychosocial model that is consistent with the results. RESULTS: The overall appropriateness of the TPB was confirmed, with changes in specific aspects and the introduction of new variables that could be included in subsequent research in order to quantitatively verify the potential increase in the predictive and/or explanatory capacity of the model for risky sexual behavior in MSM. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained appear to indicate the importance of testing the mathematical assumptions of the TPB model. A stable balance was established between validation of the TPB and suggesting possible changes in specific aspects that could be included in subsequent research to confirm the potential increase in the explanatory capacity of the model for risky sexual behavior in MSM.

Las bandas juveniles violentas de Madrid: su socialización y aculturación / Violent youth gangs in Madrid: socialization and culturalization

OBJETIVO: El presente artículo analiza el discurso de jóvenes involucrados en grupos violentos o bandas juveniles con el objetivo de profundizar en la interpretación que realizan de los procesos de adoctrinamiento, socialización y aculturación en sus respectivos colectivos. Complementariamente, de acuerdo con el marco teórico de partida (teoría de la socialización primaria y teoría de la asociación diferencial) se aborda la dinámica de influencia social con otros referentes sociales de los jóvenes violentos (pareja, trabajo, familia, etc.). MÉTODOS: Análisis cualitativo de 40 entrevistas realizadas a jóvenes pertenecientes a bandas o grupos violentos. RESULTADOS: En concordancia con la "teoría de la socialización primaria" y la teoría de la "socialización diferencial", se puede postular una sobresocialización del grupo violento y una infrasocialización del resto de agentes socializadores. En relación con la supervisión y el apoyo parental, se identifican tres tipos de familias claramente asociadas al problema de la violencia juvenil. La diversidad o unicidad de identidad social de los jóvenes violentos, así como su autoestima y autoconcepto individuales, conforman un conjunto de procesos de gran relevancia predictiva. Finalmente, un buen indicador de la evolución de estos jóvenes es el apoyo social percibido, absoluto y relativo (distribuido entre los distintos agentes de influencia). CONCLUSIONES: Se ilustra la necesidad de replantear las bases filosófico-epistemológicas y metodológicas de la investigación sobre esta clase de fenómenos sociales, incorporando elementos centrales del enfoque postmoderno, construccionista y crítico.

OBJECTIVES: This study explores the subject of youth involved in violent groups or gangs, with the goal of further understanding the indoctrination, socialization, and culturalization processes undergone by youth involved in group violence or gangs. Furthermore, to examine the dynamics between peer pressure and other social factors (dating relationships, work, family, etc.) within the theoretical framework of the theories of primary socialization and differential socialization. METHODS: A qualitative analysis of 40 interviews of youth belonging to violent gangs/groups. RESULTS: According to the theories of primary socialization and differential socialization, over socialization by the violent group and under socialization by all other social entities can be assumed. Regarding parental supervision and support, three family types were clearly associated with the problem of youth violence. The distinct or unified social identity of the violent youth, as well as their individual self esteem and self image, formed a combination of processes whose relevance was highly predictive. Lastly, an accurate indicator of how these youth mature is their support network-perceived, absolute, and relative (distributed among the various influencing forces). CONCLUSIONS: The study clearly outlines the need for re-imposing fundamental philosophical epistemology and methodologies on social forces of this kind, incorporating elements key to the postmodern, constructionist, and opposing perspectives.

Effect of pretreatment with interleukin-1 beta on inflammatory infiltrates and tissue damage after experimental endotoxic challenge.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of treatment with murine recombinant interleukin-1 beta on inflammatory infiltrate and tissue damage after experimental endotoxic challenge. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Experimental Unit, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital. SUBJECTS: Seventy-two female CBA/H mice, 20-21 g, supplied by the animal center of the Experimental Unit. INTERVENTION: The mice were randomized into three groups of 24. Group 1 (sham) received two intraperitoneal doses of 0.1 mL of phosphate-buffered saline; group 2 (lipopolysaccharide) was injected with 125 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli, intraperitoneally) 24 hrs after 0.1 mL of phosphate-buffered saline; group 3 was pretreated with 80 ng of recombinant interleukin-1 beta per mouse (intraperitoneally) 24 hrs before the endotoxic challenge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At 1, 2, 4, and 24 hrs after the endotoxic challenge, we studied inflammatory infiltrate and tissue damage in lung, liver, and intestine by determining myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde tissue concentrations. When we compared the pretreated group with the lipopolysaccharide group, myeloperoxidase concentrations decreased significantly in lung (p <.001) and liver (p <.001) at all study times, and in intestine (p <.001) at 2, 4, and 24 hrs; malondialdehyde concentrations significantly decreased in lung at 1 (p <.05), 2 (p <.01), and 24 (p <.001) hrs, in liver at 2 (p <.001), 4 (p <.01), and 24 (p <.001) hrs, and in intestine at 1 (p <.001), 2, 4 (p <.05), and 24 (p <.001) hrs. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with recombinant interleukin-1 beta significantly reduces inflammatory infiltrate and tissue damage in mouse lung, liver, and intestine after an experimental endotoxic challenge.