The Cashew Pseudofruit (Anacardium occidentale): Composition, Processing Effects on Bioactive Compounds and Potential Benefits for Human Health.

The fruit of the cashew, a tree belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, is composed of approximately 10% nut (cashew) and 90% stalk or pseudofruit, usually discarded in situ and fermented in the soil. This review identifies cashew pseudofruit's physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds and their possible relationship to health benefits. Different processing techniques have been used to preserve the pseudofruit, and the effect of these techniques on its nutrients is also reviewed in this work. Cashew is a highly perishable product with moisture content above 80% w/w and 10% w/w sugars. It also has a high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins and high antioxidant properties that are best preserved by nonthermal processing techniques. The pseudofruit presents the high inhibitory activity of α-amylase and lipase enzymes, has anti-inflammatory and body weight reduction properties and healing activity, and controls glucose levels, insulinemia, and insulin resistance. For all these reasons, cashews have been promoted as a propitious food/ingredient for preventive and therapeutic management of different pathologies such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, fatty liver, and acne. Moreover, it has positive effects on the intestinal microflora, among others. This pseudofruit has a high potential for the development of functional foods.

Using Event-Related Potentials to Evidence the Visual and Semantic Impact: A Pilot Study with N400 Effect and Food Packaging.

Packaging design is pivotal in motivating consumer decisions, as a key communication tool from creation to purchase. Currently, the interpretation and evaluation of packaging's impact are shifting toward non-traditional methods. This pilot study evaluated the packaging perception of York Ham and Turkey Breast products. The event-related potential (ERP) technique, the methodology priming words (positive and negative), and target images (original and modified packaging) were applied. A total of 23 participants were sampled using a 32-channels scalp elastic electrode cap and viewed 200 trials of word-image matching. Participants responded whether the images and adjectives matched or not, using the two groups of images. The results demonstrate an N400 effect in the parietal area. This region was observed to show evidence of cognitive processing related to congruency or incongruency, by contrasting the priming and target of this study. The evaluation positioned the York Ham packaging as the best rated. The findings show a relevant contribution to ERPs and research related to the food packaging perception.

Exposure of protected areas in Central America to extreme weather events.

Central America and the Caribbean are regularly battered by megadroughts, heavy rainfall, heat waves, and tropical cyclones. Although 21st-century climate change is expected to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of these extreme weather events (EWEs), their incidence in regional protected areas (PAs) remains poorly explored. We examined historical and projected EWEs across the region based on 32 metrics that describe distinct dimensions (i.e., intensity, duration, and frequency) of heat waves, cyclones, droughts, and rainfall and compared trends in PAs with trends in unprotected lands. From the early 21st century onward, exposure to EWEs increased across the region, and PAs were predicted to be more exposed to climate extremes than unprotected areas (as shown by autoregressive model coefficients at p < 0.05 significance level). This was particularly true for heat waves, which were projected to have a significantly higher average (tested by Wilcoxon tests at p < 0.01) intensity and duration, and tropical cyclones, which affected PAs more severely in carbon-intensive scenarios. PAs were also predicted to be significantly less exposed to droughts and heavy rainfall than unprotected areas (tested by Wilcoxon tests at p < 0.01). However, droughts that could threaten connectivity between PAs are increasingly common in this region. We estimated that approximately 65% of the study area will experience at least one drought episode that is more intense and longer lasting than previous droughts. Collectively, our results highlight that new conservation strategies adapted to threats associated with EWEs need to be tailored and implemented promptly. Unless urgent action is taken, significant damage may be inflicted on the unique biodiversity of the region.

Ciclones, olas de calor, sequías y lluvias intensas son eventos comunes en Centroamérica y el Caribe, cuya frecuencia, intensidad y duración se espera aumente durante el siglo XXI a causa del cambio climático. Sin embargo, en la actualidad, se desconoce cuál será la incidencia de estos eventos meteorológicos extremos (EME) dentro de las áreas protegidas. En este estudio examinamos la exposición histórica y futura a los extremos climáticos y comparamos el grado de exposición dentro y fuera de las áreas protegidas de toda la región por medio de 32 métricas que describen distintas dimensiones (intensidad, duración y frecuencia) de las olas de calor, los ciclones, las sequías y las precipitaciones. Los resultados indican que a medida que aumente el número de EME, las áreas protegidas estarán más expuestas a los extremos climáticos que las áreas no protegidas. Esto es especialmente cierto en el caso de las olas de calor, que, según las proyecciones, tendrán una intensidad y una duración medias significativamente mayores, y de los ciclones tropicales, que afectarán más gravemente a las zonas protegidas en los escenarios intensivos en carbono. Nuestros resultados también indican que las zonas protegidas estarán significativamente menos expuestas a sequías o lluvias torrenciales que las zonas no protegidas. Sin embargo, las sequías que podrían amenazar la conectividad entre áreas protegidas son cada vez más frecuentes en esta región. Se estima que aproximadamente el 65% del área de estudio experimentará al menos un episodio de sequía más intenso y duradero que las sequías anteriores. En conjunto, nuestros resultados ponen de relieve la necesidad de diseñar y aplicar con prontitud nuevas estrategias de conservación adaptadas a las amenazas asociadas a los EWE. A menos que se tomen medidas urgentes, la biodiversidad única de la región podría sufrir daños considerables.

Potentially toxic elements fluxes in 210Pb-dated sediment cores from a large coastal lagoon (southern Gulf of Mexico) under environmental stress.

Terminos Lagoon (TL), in the southern Gulf of Mexico, has been under intensive anthropogenic pressure (e.g., oil-industry development) since the 1970s. Historical changes in flux ratios of potentially toxic elements (PTEs; As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) were, for the first time, assessed inside TL by using 210Pb-dated sediment cores. Sediments showed minor enrichments for Cd, Ni, Pb, and V. However, according to international benchmarks, the As, Cr, Cu, and Ni concentrations could pose a risk for benthic biota. Sedimentary processes involved in the accumulation of PTEs were identified through a chemometric approach. Increments in PTEs flux ratios concur with the recent (⁓50 years) and extensive land-use changes, particularly the transport and deposit of materials delivered by rivers. These findings are expected to be used in managing this crucial natural resource, the larger Mexican coastal lagoon ecosystem, to mitigate the effects of global change.

Overexpression of Fut 2, 4, and 8, and nuclear localization of Fut 4 in ovarian cancer cell lines induced by ascitic fluids from epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

Fucosyltransferases (Fut) regulate the fucosylation process associated with tumorogenesis in different cancer types. Ascitic fluid (AF) from patients diagnosed with advanced stage of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is considered as a dynamic tumor microenvironment associated with poor prognosis. Previous studies from our laboratory showed increased fucosylation in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3, cancer-derived cell lines, when these cells were incubated with AFs derived from patients diagnosed with EOC. In the present work we studied three fucosyltransferases (Fut 2, Fut 4, and Fut 8) in SKOV-3, OVCAR-3 and CAOV-3 cell lines in combination with five different AFs from patients diagnosed with this disease, confirming that all tested AFs increased fucosylation. Then, we demonstrate that mRNAs of these three enzymes were overexpressed in the three cell lines under treatment with AFs. SKOV-3 showed the higher overexpression of Fut 2, Fut 4, and Fut 8 in comparison with the control condition. We further confirmed, in the SKOV-3 cell line, by endpoint PCR, WB, and confocal microscopy, that the three enzymes were overexpressed, being Fut 4 the most overexpressed enzyme compared to Fut 2 and Fut 8. These enzymes were concentrated in vesicular structures with a homogeneous distribution pattern throughout the cytoplasm. Moreover, we found that among the three enzymes, only Fut 4 was located inside the nuclei. The nuclear location of Fut 4 was confirmed for the three cell lines. These results allow to propose Fut 2, Fut 4, and Fut 8 as potential targets for EOC treatment or as diagnostic tools for this disease.

Local stakeholder perceptions of forest degradation: Keys to sustainable tropical forest management.

Land use policies and planning in Latin America have been partially successful in halting deforestation yet have not stopped forest degradation. Here, we study the different stakeholders' perspectives of the drivers of forest degradation. We use Colombia as a case study for understanding synergies and trade-offs of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and analyzed what the most important causes are, to whom it matters, and their regional contribution. We identified a common perception, but miscommunication and misunderstandings occur between local- and national-level actors in terms of their views on responsibilities and rates of change. The results are a call for action. Cross-scale governance is necessary to improve the design and implementation of policies for forest management at the subnational and local levels and to ensure that we move toward sustainable development without worsening existing inequalities. It is essential that countries provide the enabling conditions to develop a coherent governing framework.

Nonconventional Hydrocolloids' Technological and Functional Potential for Food Applications.

This review aims to study the alternatives to conventional industrial starches, describing uncommon sources along with their technological characteristics, processing, and performance on food products. Minor components remaining after extraction play an important role in starch performance despite their low percentage, as happens with tuber starches, where minerals may affect gelatinization. This feature can be leveraged in favor of the different needs of the food industry, with diversified applications in the market being considered in the manufacture of both plant and animal-based products with different sensory attributes. Hydrocolloids, different from starch, may also modify the technological outcome of the amylaceous fraction; therefore, combinations should be considered, as advantages and disadvantages linked to biological origin, consumer perception, or technological performance may arise. Among water-based system modifiers, starches and nonstarch hydrocolloids are particularly interesting, as their use reaches millions of sales in a multiplicity of specialties, including nonfood businesses, and could promote a diversified scheme that may address current monocrop production drawbacks for the future sustainability of the food system.

PHD finger protein 20-like protein 1 (PHF20L1) in ovarian cancer: from its overexpression in tissue to its upregulation by the ascites microenvironment.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is the most aggressive gynecological malignancy. Transcriptional regulators impact the tumor phenotype and, consequently, clinical progression and response to therapy. PHD finger protein 20-like protein 1 (PHF20L1) is a transcriptional regulator with several isoforms, and studies on its role in ovarian cancer are limited. We previously reported that PHF20L1 is expressed as a fucosylated protein in SKOV-3 cells stimulated with ascites from patients with ovarian cancer. METHODS: We decided to analyze the expression of PHF20L1 in ovarian cancer tissues, determine whether a correlation exists between PHF20L1 expression and patient clinical data, and analyze whether ascites can modulate the different isoforms of this protein. Ovarian cancer biopsies from 29 different patients were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of the isoforms in ovarian cancer cells with or without exposure to the tumor microenvironment, i.e., the ascitic fluid, was determined by western blotting assays. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical results suggest that PHF20L1 exhibits increased expression in sections of tumor tissues from patients with ovarian cancer and that higher PHF20L1 expression correlates with shorter progression-free survival and shorter overall survival. Furthermore, western blotting assays determined that protein isoforms are differentially regulated in SKOV-3 cells in response to stimulation with ascites from patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that PHF20L1 could play a relevant role in ovarian cancer given that higher PHF20L1 protein expression is associated with lower overall patient survival.

Modelling local patterns of child mortality risk: a Bayesian Spatio-temporal analysis.

BACKGROUND: Globally, child mortality rate has remained high over the years, but the figure can be reduced through proper implementation of spatially-targeted public health policies. Due to its alarming rate in comparison to North American standards, child mortality is particularly a health concern in Mexico. Despite this fact, there remains a dearth of studies that address its spatio-temporal identification in the country. The aims of this study are i) to model the evolution of child mortality risk at the municipality level in Greater Mexico City, (ii) to identify municipalities with high, medium, and low risk over time, and (iii) using municipality trends, to ascertain potential high-risk municipalities. METHODS: In order to control for the space-time patterns of data, the study performs a Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis. This methodology permits the modelling of the geographical variation of child mortality risk across municipalities, within the studied time span. RESULTS: The analysis shows that most of the high-risk municipalities were in the east, along with a few in the north and west areas of Greater Mexico City. In some of them, it is possible to distinguish an increasing trend in child mortality risk. The outcomes highlight municipalities currently presenting a medium risk but liable to become high risk, given their trend, after the studied period. Finally, the likelihood of child mortality risk illustrates an overall decreasing tendency throughout the 7-year studied period. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of high-risk municipalities and risk trends may provide a useful input for policymakers seeking to reduce the incidence of child mortality. The results provide evidence that supports the use of geographical targeting in policy interventions.

A Hybrid Visual-Based SLAM Architecture: Local Filter-Based SLAM with KeyFrame-Based Global Mapping.

This work presents a hybrid visual-based SLAM architecture that aims to take advantage of the strengths of each of the two main methodologies currently available for implementing visual-based SLAM systems, while at the same time minimizing some of their drawbacks. The main idea is to implement a local SLAM process using a filter-based technique, and enable the tasks of building and maintaining a consistent global map of the environment, including the loop closure problem, to use the processes implemented using optimization-based techniques. Different variants of visual-based SLAM systems can be implemented using the proposed architecture. This work also presents the implementation case of a full monocular-based SLAM system for unmanned aerial vehicles that integrates additional sensory inputs. Experiments using real data obtained from the sensors of a quadrotor are presented to validate the feasibility of the proposed approach.

Monocular Visual SLAM Based on a Cooperative UAV-Target System.

To obtain autonomy in applications that involve Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), the capacity of self-location and perception of the operational environment is a fundamental requirement. To this effect, GPS represents the typical solution for determining the position of a UAV operating in outdoor and open environments. On the other hand, GPS cannot be a reliable solution for a different kind of environments like cluttered and indoor ones. In this scenario, a good alternative is represented by the monocular SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) methods. A monocular SLAM system allows a UAV to operate in a priori unknown environment using an onboard camera to simultaneously build a map of its surroundings while at the same time locates itself respect to this map. So, given the problem of an aerial robot that must follow a free-moving cooperative target in a GPS denied environment, this work presents a monocular-based SLAM approach for cooperative UAV-Target systems that addresses the state estimation problem of (i) the UAV position and velocity, (ii) the target position and velocity, (iii) the landmarks positions (map). The proposed monocular SLAM system incorporates altitude measurements obtained from an altimeter. In this case, an observability analysis is carried out to show that the observability properties of the system are improved by incorporating altitude measurements. Furthermore, a novel technique to estimate the approximate depth of the new visual landmarks is proposed, which takes advantage of the cooperative target. Additionally, a control system is proposed for maintaining a stable flight formation of the UAV with respect to the target. In this case, the stability of control laws is proved using the Lyapunov theory. The experimental results obtained from real data as well as the results obtained from computer simulations show that the proposed scheme can provide good performance.

Variación espacio-temporal de macroinvertebrados acuáticos en la Lindosa, Guayana colombiana / Spatio-temporal variation of the aquatic macroinvertebrates in La Lindosa, Colombian Guiana

Introducción: Describir los patrones de biodiversidad y los mecanismos que los subyacen es indispensable para afrontar las desenfrenadas presiones sobre los ecosistemas de agua dulce en el trópico. Esto es particularmente relevante en regiones escasamente estudiadas como el escudo guayanés colombiano Objetivo: Describir la estructura taxonómica y funcional de las comunidades de macroinvertebrados, y evaluar su variación a lo largo de escalas espaciales y temporales Métodos: Las comunidades de macroinvertebrados de cuatro ríos fueron muestreadas durante la época seca del 2017 y 2018. Adicionalmente, se evaluaron los patrones de diversidad dentro y entre los ríos y entre diferentes meses de muestreo en uno de los cursos hídricos. Los patrones de diversidad fueron evaluados mediante la comparación de los patrones entre y dentro de los ríos de la diversidad alfa (diferencias en la riqueza y abundancia de taxones entre comunidades) y de la diversidad beta (diferencias en la composición de taxones entre comunidades). La diversidad alfa fue estimada usando los números de Hill, mientras que la diversidad beta se estimó usando los índices de Sørensen y Morisita-Horn y comparada usando un análisis de similaridad (ANOSIM). Resultados: La composición de taxones fue distinta dentro (escala de mesohábitat) y entre los ríos (escala regional). Sin embargo, la composición de FFG cambió entre, pero no dentro de los ríos. La comparación de los números de Hill y de la composición de taxones sugiere que el tipo de mesohábitat es un factor determinante de la diversidad taxonómica pero no de la diversidad de FFG en distintas escalas. En la escala temporal, la diversidad alfa fue baja para los meses con altas precipitaciones (febrero-abril) y alta para la temporada seca (enero). La diversidad beta temporal fue alta para los periodos muestreados y los procesos de anidamiento fueron el componente más notable de la diversidad beta a lo largo del año. Conclusión: Los ríos de la Serranía de la Lindosa albergan una alta diversidad de macroinvertebrados acuáticos. La estacionalidad y las diferencias en la heterogeneidad del hábitat dentro de los ríos parecen determinar los patrones de diversidad observados a diferentes escalas temporales y espaciales. Profundizar en su estudio es necesario para entender el funcionamiento de estos ecosistemas y mejorar la habilidad para generar estrategias de manejo y conservación.

Introduction: Describing biodiversity patterns and the underlying drivers is relevant for tackling the rampant pressures on tropical freshwaters. This is particularly relevant in scarcely studied regions, such as in the Colombian Guiana shield. Objective: To describe the taxonomic and functional structure of macroinvertebrate communities and assess their variability across spatial and temporal scales. Methods: We sampled the invertebrate communities in four streams during the dry seasons of 2017 and 2018. Additionally, we assessed diversity patterns within and among streams and between different sampling months in one stream. To assess diversity patterns, we compared alpha (differences in taxon richness and abundance within communities) and beta (differences in taxon composition among communities) diversity patterns among and within rivers. Alpha diversity was estimated using the numbers of Hill, while beta diversity was estimated using the Sørensen and Morisita-Horn indices and compared using a similarities analysis (ANOSIM). Results: The taxon composition of the communities was different within (mesohabitat scale) and among streams (regional scale). However, the composition of FFGs changed among but not within streams. The comparison of the numbers of Hill and the taxon composition suggested that the mesohabitat type is a determining factor of the taxonomic but not FFG diversity across scales. At the temporal scale, alpha diversity was low for months with high precipitation (February-April) and high for the dry season (January). The temporal beta diversity was high among sampling periods, being nestedness processes driving beta diversity among years and turnover processes driving beta diversity within years. Conclusion: Streams from Serranía de la Lindosa host a high diversity of freshwater macroinvertebrates. Seasonality and differences in the in-stream habitat heterogeneity seem to determine the diversity patterns observed at different temporal and spatial scales. A deeper study is needed to understand the functioning of these ecosystems and improve the ability to generate management and conservation strategies.

Ecoregional Characteristics Drive the Distribution Patterns of Neotropical Stream Diatoms.

We assessed the relative influence of ecoregional features in explaining diatom distribution in the Orinoco river basin. Ecoregions in the Colombian Orinoco can be seen as imprints of the evolutionary history of the basin, for their current biodiversity and physiographic features are the result of the geological and climatic shifts that have occurred since the Tertiary. Thus, they represent an ideal testing ground for studying the interplay between ecological and evolutionary processes shaping diversity patterns of microorganisms, such as diatoms, in the present day. To study this interplay, we compared diatom community composition variance within and among seven ecoregions and assessed the explanatory power of environmental, spatial and historical drivers. This was done by a combination of correlation analyses, multivariate methods and constrained ordinations. We also deconstructed the whole community data set into ecological guilds (low- and high-profile, and motile) to explore their individual response to the contemporary and historical drivers. Taken together, these analyses indicated that contemporary constraints to species occurrence and dispersal, as well as the legacies of historical events, can provide an explanation for the contemporary distribution of diatoms in the Colombian Orinoco. Specifically, we provided evidence showing that both historical legacies and contemporary environmental conditions (temperature, pH, and phosphorus concentration) are interacting to determine diatoms' distribution. Our results suggest the need to consider ecoregional gradients for unraveling the mechanisms shaping tropical diversity as well as for designing conservation plans.

ASPECTOS AUTO-ECOLÓGICOS DE Bryconops giacopinii (IGUANODECTIDAE) DE LA SERRANÍA DE LA LINDOSA, SAN JOSÉ DE GUAVIARE, COLOMBIA / Auto-ecological traits of Bryconops giacopinii (Iguanodectidae) from la Serranía de La Lindosa, San José de Guaviare, Colombia

RESUMEN La relación longitud-peso y el factor de condición (K) son utilizados como descriptores de los aspectos auto-ecológicos de los peces, porque aportan información sobre el crecimiento, reproducción y bienestar. Por tanto, su caracterización podría ser de gran utilidad en la evaluación de poblaciones de peces en sistemas acuáticos afectados por diferentes niveles de intervención. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue la caracterización y descripción de la relación longitud-peso, factor de condición y dieta de Bryconops giacopinii en seis localidades en la Serranía de La Lindosa durante un ciclo anual (estación seca y lluviosa). Los peces (n= 333) fueron medidos, pesados, y su estómago fue removido para la identificación de los ítems alimenticios. Los individuos presentaron un crecimiento alométrico positivo durante ambas estaciones climáticas, sin diferencias significativas en el factor de condición durante el cambio estacional. Por otra parte, se identificaron 17 tipos diferentes de ítems alimenticios, la mayoría de ellos artrópodos terrestres. La frecuencia y ocurrencia de estos ítems no siguió ningún patrón temporal ni espacial. B. giacopinii presentó una dieta generalista, con un alto consumo de insectos terrestres. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian la estrecha relación entre esta especie y el bosque de ribera, demostrando la importancia que presentan estos corredores biológicos para el mantenimiento de la comunidad acuática y su conservación. Esta información aporta al conocimiento biológico de esta especie de interés comercial y puede ser utilizada en la comparación con otras poblaciones presentes en otras cuencas. B. giacopinii es una especie con un papel ecológico importante, por lo tanto, estudios de su relación con el ecosistema podrían ser relevantes y necesarios.

ABSTRACT Length-weight relationship and condition factor (K) have been used as a fish biological descriptor, because they provide information about growth, reproduction, and welfare. Therefore, these parameters can be used in the assessments of fish populations inhabiting aquatic systems affected by different levels of intervention. The main objective of this study was the depiction and description of the length-weight relationship, condition factor and diet of Bryconops giacopinii in six sites at Serranía La Lindosa over one annual cycle (dry and wet seasons). Fish (n = 333) were measured, weighted, and the stomach was removed to identify prey items. Fish displayed a positive allometric growth during both seasons, without differences in the condition factor during the seasonal change.On the other hand, 17 prey items were identified; most of them terrestrial arthropods. The frequency and occurrence of these items did not follow a temporal or spatial pattern. B. giacopinii displayed a generalist diet, with a high consumption rate of terrestrial insects. The obtained results show the strong relationships between this species and the riparian forest, proving the importance of this biological corridors to the maintenance of the aquatic community and its conservation. This information contributes to the biological knowledge of this species out commercial interest and can be used to compare other populations in other basis. B. giacopinii is a species with an important ecological role. Therefore, research of its relationship with the ecosystem could be of great relevance and necessity.

Ascites from Ovarian Cancer Induces Novel Fucosylated Proteins.

Ovarian cancer is considered to be the most lethal type of gynecological cancer. During the advanced stages of ovarian cancer, an accumulation of ascites is observed. Fucosylation has been classified as an abnormal post-translational modification that is present in many diseases, including ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer cells that are cultured with ascites stimulation change their morphology; concomitantly, the fucosylation process is altered. However, it is not known which fucosylated proteins are modified. The goal of this work was to identify the differentially fucosylated proteins that are expressed by ovarian cancer cell lines that are cultured with ovarian cancer patients' ascites. Aleuria aurantia lectin was used to detect fucosylation, and some changes were observed, especially in the cell membrane. Affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) were used to identify 6 fucosylated proteins. Four proteins (Intermediate filament family orphan 1 [IFFO1], PHD finger protein 20-like protein 1 [PHF20L1], immunoglobulin gamma 1 heavy chain variable region partial [IGHV1-2], and Zinc finger protein 224 [ZNF224]) were obtained from cell cultures stimulated with ascites, and the other two proteins (Peregrin [BRPF1] and Dystrobrevin alpha [DTNA]) were obtained under normal culture conditions. The fucosylated state of some of these proteins was further analyzed. The experimental results show that the ascites of ovarian cancer patients modulated the fucosylation process. The PHD finger protein 20-like protein 1, Zinc finger protein 224 and Peregrin proteins colocalize with fucosylation at different levels.

Biological and toxicological evaluation of Rhus trilobata Nutt. (Anacardiaceae) used traditionally in mexico against cancer.

BACKGROUND: Rhus trilobata Nutt. (Anacardiaceae) (RHTR) is a plant of Mexico that is traditionally used as an alternative treatment for several types of cancer. However, the phytochemical composition and potential toxicity of this plant have not been evaluated to support its therapeutic use. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the biological activity of RHTR against colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, determine its possible acute toxicity, and analyze its phytochemical composition. METHODS: The traditional preparation was performed by decoction of stems in distilled water (aqueous extract, AE), and flavonoids were concentrated with C18-cartridges and ethyl acetate (flavonoid fraction, FF). The biological activity was evaluated by MTT viability curves and the TUNEL assay in colorectal adenocarcinoma (CACO-2), ovarian epithelium (CHO-K1) and lung/bronchus epithelium (BEAS-2B) cells. The toxicological effect was determined in female BALB/c mice after 24 h and 14 days of intraperitoneal administration of 200 mg/kg AE and FF, respectively. Later, the animals were sacrificed for histopathological observation of organs and sera obtained by retro-orbital bleeding for biochemical marker analysis. Finally, the phytochemical characterization of AE and FF was conducted by UPLC-MSE. RESULTS: In the MTT assays, AE and FF at 5 and 18 µg/mL decreased the viability of CACO-2 cells compared with cells treated with vehicle or normal cells (p ≤ 0.05, ANOVA), with changes in cell morphology and the induction of apoptosis. Anatomical and histological analysis of organs did not reveal important pathological lesions at the time of assessment. Additionally, biochemical markers remained normal and showed no differences from those of the control group after 24 h and 14 days of treatment (p ≤ 0.05, ANOVA). Finally, UPLC-MSE analysis revealed 173 compounds in AE-RHTR, primarily flavonoids, fatty acids and phenolic acids. The most abundant compounds in AE and FF were quercetin and myricetin derivates (glycosides), methyl gallate, epigallocatechin-3-cinnamate, ß-PGG, fisetin and margaric acid, which might be related to the anticancer properties of RHTR. CONCLUSION: RHTR exhibits biological activity against cancer cells and does not present adverse toxicological effects during its in vivo administration, supporting its traditional use.

Efectos de los Juegos en Espacio Reducido (JER) sobre VO2máx. en futbolistas aficionados / Small Sided Games effects on maximum oxygen uptake in amateur soccer players / Efeitos dos Jogos no Espaço Reduzido no consumo máximo de oxigênio em jogadores de futebol amador

Resumen: Objetivo: determinar el efecto de los juegos en espacio reducido (JER) sobre el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2Máx.) en futbolistas aficionados. Método: se realizó un experimento controlado con asignación aleatoria, con grupo experimental y control. Se evaluó antes y después a 16 futbolistas de sexo masculino, edad 19,5±1,7, peso 73,6±8,5, talla 177,2±6,7 e IMC 23,2±1,6. El grupo experimental entrenó con JER, y el grupo control con método continuo variable tipo dos (MCV2). La intensidad se controló con monitores cardíacos. El VO2Máx. fue medido con el test de Léger. Se obtuvo aval del comité de ética de la Universidad de Antioquia. Los datos se evaluaron mediante análisis multivariado de la varianza (MANOVA) y estadística descriptiva. Se utilizó el paquete estadístico SAS UNIVERSITY. El nivel de significancia se estableció en (p<0,05). Resultados: no hubo diferencias significativas entre JER y MCV2 para la variable VO2Máx., ni mejoras significativas entre pretest-postest en los grupos. Conclusión: los programas de entrenamiento no mejoraron significativamente el VO2Máx.

Objective: To determine the effect of small sided games (SSGs) on maximum oxygen uptake (VO2Máx..) in amateur soccer players. Method: A controlled experiment, with random assignment in two groups (experimental and control), was conducted. Sixteen male soccer players, age: 19,5±1,7; weight: 73,6±8,5; height: 177,2±6,7; BMI: 23,2±1,6, were evaluated before and after. The experimental group trained with SSGs and the control group trained with the continuous variable method type two (CVM2). The intensity was controlled by heart rate monitors. The VO2Máx. was measured with the Leger test. Endorsement of the Ethics Committee of the Universidad de Antioquia was obtained. Data were evaluated by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and descriptive statistics. The statistical package SAS UNIVERSITY was used. The level of Statistical significance was established in (p<0.05). Results: There were not significant differences between SSGs and MCV2 for the variable VO2Máx., nor significant improvements between pretest-postest in any of the groups. Conclusion: Training programs did not significantly improve the VO2Máx.

Objetivo: determinar o efeito dos Jogos em Espaço Reduzido (JER) no consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2Máx.) em jogadores amadores de futebol. Método: Realizou-se um experimento bcontrolado com atribuição aleatória com dois grupos: um grupo experimental e um grupo de controle. Antes e depois, avaliaram-se 16 futebolistas de sexo masculino (idade: 19,5 ± 1,7, peso: 73,6 ± 8,5; uma altura média 177,2 ± 6,7, IMC: 23,2 ± 1,6). O grupo experimental treinou com JER e o grupo controle com o método contínuo variável tipo dois (MCV2). A intensidade foi controlada com monitores cardíacos. O Leger Test foi utilizado para medir o VO2Máx. A autorização foi obtido pelo Comitê de Ética da Universidade de Antioquia. Os dados foram avaliados por análise multivariada de variância (MANOVA) e estatística descritiva. O pacote estatístico SAS UNIVERSITY foi utilizado. O nível de significância foi estabelecido em (p <0,05). Resultados: Não houve diferenças significativas entre o JER e o MCV2 para a variável VO2Máx., nem houve melhorias significativas entre o pré-teste e o pós-teste nos grupos. Conclusão: os programas de treinamento não melhoraram significativamente o VO2Máx.

Visual-Based SLAM Configurations for Cooperative Multi-UAV Systems with a Lead Agent: An Observability-Based Approach.

In this work, the problem of the cooperative visual-based SLAM for the class of multi-UA systems that integrates a lead agent has been addressed. In these kinds of systems, a team of aerial robots flying in formation must follow a dynamic lead agent, which can be another aerial robot, vehicle or even a human. A fundamental problem that must be addressed for these kinds of systems has to do with the estimation of the states of the aerial robots as well as the state of the lead agent. In this work, the use of a cooperative visual-based SLAM approach is studied in order to solve the above problem. In this case, three different system configurations are proposed and investigated by means of an intensive nonlinear observability analysis. In addition, a high-level control scheme is proposed that allows to control the formation of the UAVs with respect to the lead agent. In this work, several theoretical results are obtained, together with an extensive set of computer simulations which are presented in order to numerically validate the proposal and to show that it can perform well under different circumstances (e.g., GPS-challenging environments). That is, the proposed method is able to operate robustly under many conditions providing a good position estimation of the aerial vehicles and the lead agent as well.

Diatom assemblages associated with turtle carapaces in the Neotropical region / Diatomeas epizoicas de los caparazones de tortugas de la región Neotropical

Abstract Few studies have explored the ecology and interrelationship with other organisms of the many endangered freshwater turtle species inhabiting the Neotropical region. The focus of the current study was to shed light on the relationship between Neotropical turtle carapaces and primary producers, insofar as the surface of former constitutes a suitable substrate for the colonization and establishment of the latter. The under-explored relationship between turtle carapaces and the diatom assemblages inhabiting them was investigated and characterized in terms of taxonomic and biological traits (bio-volume, life-form, and attachment). The carapaces of seven native turtle species were surveyed. Among these carapaces, a total of 45 diatom taxa were found, and diatom taxa varied among turtle species. Podocnemis vogli and Podocnemis expansa supported more diverse diatom assemblages than Podocnemis lewyana, Rhinoclemmys diademata, and Rhinoclemmys melanosterna, which were dominated by Navicula spp. Analysis, further showed that carapace size did not explain differences in diatom diversity. However, a trait-based analysis suggests that both carapace roughness and an assemblage's successional stage might explain the differences in assemblage composition. Because turtles can serve as dispersal vectors, characterizing their epibiont diatom assemblages may contribute to our understanding of diatom distribution on larger scales, as well as, give us some clues as to the auto-ecology of turtles that help us to effectively determine conservation areas for these endangered species.(AU)

Resumen De las especies de tortugas en estado crítico o vulnerable de conservación que habitan en la región Neotropical, son pocos los estudios que han ahondado en su ecología o relaciones con otros tipos de organismos. El presente estudio buscó caracterizar la asociación existente entre las diatomeas y el caparazón de especies de tortugas neotropicales, ya que este representa un sustrato adecuado para la colonización y establecimiento de este grupo de algas. Esta asociación fue estudiada considerando tanto la composición de especies como la de rasgos biológicos (biovolumen, forma de vida, y forma de adherencia) de la comunidad de diatomeas. En los caparazones de las 7 especies de tortugas muestreadas se encontraron un total de 45 táxones. La composición de táxones varió entre los caparazones de las especies. Se encontró una mayor diversidad en los caparazones de Podocnemis vogli y Podocnemis expansa, mientras que en Podocnemis lewyana, Rhinoclemmys diademata, y Rhinoclemmys melanosterna se encontró una comunidad de baja diversidad dominada principalmente por Navicula sp. Los resultados sugirieron que la rugosidad del caparazón junto al estado de la sucesión pueden explicar las diferencias observadas en la composición de táxones de los diferentes caparazones. Debido a que las tortugas pueden funcionar como vectores de dispersión, caracterizar las comunidades que pueden crecer sobre sus caparazones podría contribuir a entender la distribución de las diatomeas a escalas mayores. Además, esta caracterización podría darnos pistas clave para la delimitación de áreas de conservación efectivas para las especies más amenazadas.(AU)

Cooperative Monocular-Based SLAM for Multi-UAV Systems in GPS-Denied Environments.

This work presents a cooperative monocular-based SLAM approach for multi-UAV systems that can operate in GPS-denied environments. The main contribution of the work is to show that, using visual information obtained from monocular cameras mounted onboard aerial vehicles flying in formation, the observability properties of the whole system are improved. This fact is especially notorious when compared with other related visual SLAM configurations. In order to improve the observability properties, some measurements of the relative distance between the UAVs are included in the system. These relative distances are also obtained from visual information. The proposed approach is theoretically validated by means of a nonlinear observability analysis. Furthermore, an extensive set of computer simulations is presented in order to validate the proposed approach. The numerical simulation results show that the proposed system is able to provide a good position and orientation estimation of the aerial vehicles flying in formation.