The catE gene of Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 is essential for growth in benzopyrene, and its expression is regulated by the Csr system.

Benzopyrene is a high-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon that is highly recalcitrant and induces carcinogenic effects. CsrA is a conserved regulatory protein that controls the translation and stability of its target transcripts, having negative or positive effects depending on the target mRNAs. It is known that Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 has the ability to grow and survive in certain concentrations of hydrocarbons such as benzopyrene, prompted in part by CsrA, as is present in gasoline. However, there are a few studies that reveal the genes involved in that process. To identify the genes involved in the Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 degradation pathway, the plasmid pCAT-sp containing a mutation in the catE gene was constructed and used to transform B. licheniformis M2-7 and generate a CAT1 strain. We determined the capacity of the mutant B. licheniformis (CAT1) to grow in the presence of glucose or benzopyrene as a carbon source. We observed that the CAT1 strain presented increased growth in the presence of glucose but a statistically considerable decrease in the presence of benzopyrene compared with the wild-type parental strain. Additionally, we demonstrated that the Csr system positively regulates its expression since it was observed that the expression of the gene in the mutant strain LYA12 (M2-7 csrA:: Sp, SpR) was considerably lower than that in the wild-type strain. We were thus able to propose a putative regulation model for catE gene in B. licheniformis M2-7 strain by CsrA regulator in the presence of benzopyrene.

Percepción de riesgos en la salud de la comunidad indígena Mixteca El Calvario, al sur de México / Perception of health risks in the Mixteca El Calvario indigenous community in southern Mexico

La situación de salud y percepción de riesgos de las comunidades indígenas se mide por el grado sociodemográfico y estudio etnográfico. Nuestra población en estudio “El Calvario” es la única comunidad indígena Mixteca de Chilpancingo, Guerrero, conformada por 21 familias que se dedican a la agricultura, producción de maguey y mezcal, y elaboración de algunas artesanías de palma. El objetivo fue estudiar las condiciones de Calidad de Vida y percepción de riesgos en dos grupos vulnerables adultos y niños. En el caso de los adultos, se hizo por encuestas y en el caso de los niños se usó el dibujo. En los habitantes se perciben en riesgos de salud y de perder su identidad indígena, debido a que solo hablan su lengua materna los adultos, no saben leer y ni escribir. Así mismo, es inminente el riesgo de sufrir daños materiales debido a que las viviendas no son adecuadas. La migración de jóvenes, la perdida de cultura, el padecer enfermedades metabólicas debido a la dieta alta en refrescos. Así mismo, los niños expresaron las deficiencias educativas. Finalmente, la población en general se encuentra olvidada por los organismos de gobierno actuales, en riesgo sanitario, y de perdida de cultura ya que los jóvenes migrarán a otros lugares a buscar nuevas oportunidades. Es un fuerte llamado de atención a la sociedad ya que, de no actuar en consecuencia con dicha problemática, se perdería la única comunidad Mixteca en Chilpancingo, Guerrero.(AU)

The health situation and risk perception of indigenous communities is measured by sociodemographic grade and ethnographic study. Our study population "El Calvario" is the only Mixtec indigenous community in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, made up of 21 families that are dedicated to agriculture, production of maguey and mezcal, and making some palm handicrafts. The objective was to study the conditions of Quality of Life and risk perception in two vulnerable groups, adults and children. In the case of adults, it was done through surveys and in the case of children, drawing was used. The inhabitants are perceived as being at risk of health and of losing their indigenous identity, because only adults speak their mother tongue, they do not know how to read and write. Likewise, the risk of suffering material damage is imminent due to the inadequate housing. The migration of young people, the loss of culture, suffering from metabolic diseases due to a diet high in soft drinks. Likewise, the children expressed educational deficiencies. Finally, the general population is forgotten by current government agencies, at risk of health, and loss of culture as young people will migrate to other places to seek new opportunities. It is a strong call for attention to society since, if it does not act accordingly, the only Mixtec community in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, would be lost.(AU)