Advancing Inclusive Biodiversity Research: Strategies for Equitable Practices and Collective Impact / Promovendo a Pesquisa Inclusiva em Biodiversidade: Estratégias para Práticas Equitativas e Impacto Coletivo

Biodiversity research is essential for addressing the global biodiversity crisis, necessitating diverse participation and perspectives. However, the field currently faces a significant inclusivity problem as local expertise from biodiversity-rich but economically disadvantaged regions is often underrepresented. The underrepresentation of local experts is driven by four main challenges: linguistic bias, undervalued contributions, parachute science practices, and capacity constraints. While fragmented solutions exist, a unified multi-stakeholder approach is necessary to address these interconnected and systemic issues. Here, we introduce a holistic framework of collective responsibility, integrating tailored strategies that embrace diversity and dismantle systemic barriers for equitable collaboration. This framework delineates the diverse actors and practices required for promoting inclusivity in biodiversity research, assigning clear responsibilities to researchers, publishers, institutions, and funding bodies. Strategies for researchers include cultivating self-awareness, expanding literature searches, fostering partnerships with local experts, and promoting knowledge exchange. For institutions, we recommend establishing specialized liaison roles, implementing equitable policies, allocating resources for diversity initiatives, and enhancing support for international researchers. Publishers can facilitate multilingual dissemination, remove financial barriers, establish inclusivity standards, and ensure equitable representation in peer review. Funders should remove systemic barriers, strengthen research networks, and prioritize equitable resource allocation. Implementing these stakeholder-specific strategies can help dismantle deep-rooted biases and structural inequities in biodiversity research, catalyzing a shift towards a more inclusive and representative model that amplifies diverse perspectives and maximizes collective knowledge for effective global conservation.

A pesquisa em biodiversidade é essencial para enfrentar a crise global de biodiversidade, exigindo perspectivas diversificadas. No entanto, este campo do conhecimento enfrenta um significativo problema de inclusão, uma vez que os conhecimentos ecológicos produzidos em áreas ricas em biodiversidade, mas economicamente desfavorecidas, são frequentemente sub-representados. Esta sub-representação é impulsionada por quatro desafios principais: viés linguístico, contribuições científicas subvalorizadas, colaborações baseadas em práticas colonialistas (parachute science) e lacunas na capacitação e no acesso a dados. Embora soluções fragmentadas existam, uma abordagem multilateral unificada é necessária para abordar estas questões sistêmicas. Aqui, introduzimos uma abordagem holística de responsabilidade coletiva, integrando estratégias personalizadas que abraçam a diversidade e desmantelam barreiras sistêmicas para uma colaboração equitativa. Esta abordagem delineia os diversos atores e práticas necessárias para promover a inclusão na pesquisa sobre biodiversidade, atribuindo responsabilidades claras a pesquisadores, editoras, instituições e órgãos de fomento. As estratégias para os investigadores incluem o cultivo da autoconsciência, a expansão das pesquisas bibliográficas, o fomento de parcerias com especialistas locais e a promoção do intercâmbio de conhecimentos. Para as instituições, recomendamos o estabelecimento de funções de intermediação especializadas, a implementação de políticas equitativas, a alocação de recursos para iniciativas de diversidade e o reforço do apoio a pesquisadores internacionais. As editoras podem facilitar a divulgação multilíngue, eliminar barreiras financeiras, estabelecer normas de inclusão e assegurar uma representação equitativa na avaliação pelos pares. Os financiadores devem eliminar barreiras sistêmicas, fortalecer redes de pesquisa e dar prioridade à distribuição equitativa de recursos. A implementação dessas estratégias específicas para as partes interessadas pode ajudar a desmantelar vieses profundamente enraizados e desigualdades estruturais na pesquisa de biodiversidade, catalisando uma mudança para um modelo mais inclusivo e representativo que amplifica perspectivas diversas e maximiza o conhecimento coletivo para uma eficaz conservação da biodiversidade global.

Advancing Inclusive Biodiversity Research: Strategies for Equitable Practices and Collective Impact / Promoción de la investigación inclusiva sobre la biodiversidad: estrategias para prácticas equitativas e impacto colectivo

Biodiversity research is essential for addressing the global biodiversity crisis, necessitating diverse participation and perspectives. However, the field currently faces a significant inclusivity problem as local expertise from biodiversity-rich but economically disadvantaged regions is often underrepresented. The underrepresentation of local experts is driven by four main challenges: linguistic bias, undervalued contributions, parachute science practices, and capacity constraints. While fragmented solutions exist, a unified multi-stakeholder approach is necessary to address these interconnected and systemic issues. Here, we introduce a holistic framework of collective responsibility, integrating tailored strategies that embrace diversity and dismantle systemic barriers for equitable collaboration. This framework delineates the diverse actors and practices required for promoting inclusivity in biodiversity research, assigning clear responsibilities to researchers, publishers, institutions, and funding bodies. Strategies for researchers include cultivating self-awareness, expanding literature searches, fostering partnerships with local experts, and promoting knowledge exchange. For institutions, we recommend establishing specialized liaison roles, implementing equitable policies, allocating resources for diversity initiatives, and enhancing support for international researchers. Publishers can facilitate multilingual dissemination, remove financial barriers, establish inclusivity standards, and ensure equitable representation in peer review. Funders should remove systemic barriers, strengthen research networks, and prioritize equitable resource allocation. Implementing these stakeholder-specific strategies can help dismantle deep-rooted biases and structural inequities in biodiversity research, catalyzing a shift towards a more inclusive and representative model that amplifies diverse perspectives and maximizes collective knowledge for effective global conservation.

La investigación sobre la biodiversidad es esencial para hacer frente a la crisis mundial de la biodiversidad, lo cual requiere una participación y perspectivas diversas. Sin embargo, el estudio de la biodiversidad se enfrenta actualmente a un importante problema de inclusión, ya que los conocimientos locales de regiones altamente biodiversas, aunque económicamente desfavorecidas, suelen tener menor representación. La escasa representación de los expertos locales se debe a cuatro retos principales: el sesgo lingüístico, la subestimación de contribuciones, las prácticas científicas de paracaídas y las limitaciones de capacidad. Si bien existen soluciones fragmentadas, es necesario un enfoque unificado de múltiples partes interesadas para abordar estos problemas interconectados y sistémicos. Aquí, presentamos un marco holístico de responsabilidad colectiva, integrando estrategias personalizadas que abrazan la diversidad y desmantelan las barreras sistémicas para una colaboración equitativa. Este marco delinea los diversos actores y prácticas necesarias para promover la inclusión en la investigación sobre biodiversidad, asignando responsabilidades claras a investigadores, editores, instituciones y organismos de financiación. Las estrategias para los investigadores incluyen cultivar la autoconciencia, la ampliación de las búsquedas bibliográficas, el fomento de asociaciones con expertos locales y la promoción del intercambio de conocimientos. En el caso de las instituciones, recomendamos establecer funciones de colaboración especializadas, implementar políticas equitativas, asignar recursos para iniciativas de diversidad y mejorar el apoyo a los investigadores internacionales. Los editores pueden facilitar la difusión multilingüe, eliminar las barreras financieras, establecer normas de inclusión y garantizar una representación equitativa en la revisión por pares. Los financiadores deben eliminar las barreras sistémicas, fortalecer las redes de investigación y priorizar la asignación equitativa de recursos. La implementación de estas estrategias específicas para las partes interesadas puede ayudar a desmantelar los sesgos profundamente arraigados y las desigualdades estructurales en la investigación sobre biodiversidad, catalizando un cambio hacia un modelo más inclusivo y representativo que amplifique las diversas perspectivas y maximice el conocimiento colectivo para una conservación global efectiva.

Threat of mining to African great apes.

The rapid growth of clean energy technologies is driving a rising demand for critical minerals. In 2022 at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), seven major economies formed an alliance to enhance the sustainability of mining these essential decarbonization minerals. However, there is a scarcity of studies assessing the threat of mining to global biodiversity. By integrating a global mining dataset with great ape density distribution, we estimated the number of African great apes that spatially coincided with industrial mining projects. We show that up to one-third of Africa's great ape population faces mining-related risks. In West Africa in particular, numerous mining areas overlap with fragmented ape habitats, often in high-density ape regions. For 97% of mining areas, no ape survey data are available, underscoring the importance of increased accessibility to environmental data within the mining sector to facilitate research into the complex interactions between mining, climate, biodiversity, and sustainability.

Identifying Critical Vegetation Types for Biodiversity Conservation in the Americas / Identificación de tipos de vegetación críticos para la conservación de la biodiversidad en las Américas / Identificação de Tipos de Vegetação Críticos para a Conservação da Biodiversidade nas Américas

The Americas contain highly biodiverse yet vulnerable ecosystems, with many threatened species inadequately protected. Finer-scale, localized habitat assessments are crucial for effective conservation planning, but continental-scale high-resolution vegetation maps remain limited. This study addresses this gap by identifying critical vegetation types across the Americas using the standardized framework of the International Vegetation Classification (IVC) system at the macrogroup level, representing the finest vegetation classification available across the region, as well as the highest-resolution Area of Habitat (AOH) maps currently available. By combining these high-resolution IVC macrogroup maps with detailed AOH maps, we highlight at-risk vegetation types based on 1) threatened and macrogroup-associated species (species that have at least 50% of their AOH in one macrogroup), 2) current protection levels, and 3) projected threats from land use changes, and 4) develop a conservation value index (CVI) that accounts for all these factors. The results highlighted the remarkable diversity of high conservation value macrogroups across the Americas, emphasizing their significance in regions such as the Andes, montane Mesoamerica, the Caribbean, Brazil's Cerrado, and the Atlantic Forest. Among the highest-scoring macrogroups, the Northern Andean Montane & Upper Montane Humid Forest emerged as critically important, harboring a high number of threatened and macrogroup-associated species. Other macrogroups of immediate conservation concern include the Brazilian Atlantic Montane Humid Forest, Pacific Mesoamerican Seasonal Dry Forest, Caribbean Lowland Humid Forest, and Central Midwest Oak Forest, Woodland and Savanna. However, the study revealed that nearly three-quarters of the over 300 macrogroups in the Americas fall below the global target of 30% protection. Notably, a fifth of all species were macrogroup-associated species, including over 40% of threatened species. Our findings emphasize the need for targeted conservation strategies that consider finer-scale habitat classifications and paired with high-quality species distribution data to guide conservation strategies for biodiversity across the Americas.

Las Américas contienen ecosistemas altamente biodiversos pero vulnerables, con muchas especies amenazadas insuficientemente protegidas. Las evaluaciones de hábitat hechas a escala más detallada son cruciales para una planificación eficaz de la conservación, pero los mapas de vegetación de alta resolución a escala continental siguen siendo limitados. Este estudio aborda esta brecha, identificando tipos de vegetación críticos en las Américas utilizando el marco estandarizado del sistema de Clasificación Internacional de Vegetación (IVC) a nivel de macrogrupo, que representa la clasificación de vegetación más detallada disponible en toda la región, así como los mapas de Área de Hábitat (AOH) de mayor resolución disponibles en la actualidad Al combinar estos mapas de IVC de alta resolución con mapas de AOH, determinamos los tipos de vegetación en riesgo basados ​​en 1) especies amenazadas y asociadas a macrogrupos (especies que tienen al menos el 50% de su AOH en un macrogrupo), 2) niveles de protección de las especies, y 3) amenazas proyectadas por cambios en el uso del suelo , y 4) desarrollar un índice de valor de conservación (CVI) que tenga en cuenta los tres factores anteriores. Los resultados demuestran la notable diversidad de macrogrupos de alto valor de conservación en las Américas, enfatizando su importancia en regiones como los Andes, la Mesoamérica montañosa, el Caribe, el Cerrado de Brasil y el Bosque Atlántico. Entre los macrogrupos con mayor puntuación, el Bosque Húmedo Montano Norte Andino y Alto Montano emergieron como de importancia crítica, ya que albergan un gran número de especies amenazadas y asociadas a macrogrupos. Otros macrogrupos de interés para la conservación incluyen el Bosque Húmedo Montano Atlántico de Brasil, el Bosque Seco Estacional Mesoamericano del Pacífico, el Bosque Húmedo de Tierras Bajas del Caribe y el Bosque de Robles, Bosques y Sabanas del Medio Oeste Central. Sin embargo, el estudio reveló que casi tres cuartas partes de los más de 300 macrogrupos en las Américas se encuentran por debajo del objetivo global del 30% de protección. En particular, una quinta parte de todas las especies estaban asociadas a un único   macrogrupo, incluidas más del 40% de especies amenazadas. Nuestros hallazgos enfatizan la necesidad de estrategias de conservación específicas que consideren clasificaciones de hábitats a escala detallada y se combinen con datos de distribución de especies de alta resolución para guiar las estrategias de conservación de la biodiversidad en las Américas.

As Américas abrigam ecossistemas altamente biodiversos, porém vulneráveis, com muitas espécies ameaçadas insuficientemente protegidas. Avaliações de habitat em escalas mais detalhadas são cruciais para um planejamento eficaz de conservação, mas mapas de vegetação de alta resolução em escala continental ainda são limitados. Este estudo aborda essa lacuna, identificando tipos críticos de vegetação nas Américas usando o quadro padronizado do sistema de Classificação Internacional de Vegetação (IVC) no nível de macrogrupo, que representa a classificação de vegetação mais detalhada disponível em toda a região, bem como os mapas de Área de Hábitat (AOH) de maior resolução disponíveis atualmente. Ao combinar esses mapas de IVC de alta resolução com mapas de AOH, determinamos os tipos de vegetação em risco com base em 1) espécies ameaçadas e associadas a macrogrupos (espécies que têm pelo menos 50% de sua AOH em um macrogrupo), 2) níveis de proteção das espécies, e 3) ameaças projetadas por mudanças no uso do solo, e 4) desenvolvemos um índice de valor de conservação (CVI) que leva em consideração os três fatores anteriores. Os resultados demonstram a notável diversidade de macrogrupos de alto valor de conservação nas Américas, enfatizando sua importância em regiões como os Andes, a Mesoamérica montanhosa, o Caribe, o Cerrado do Brasil e a Mata Atlântica. Entre os macrogrupos com maior pontuação, o Bosque Úmido Montano Norte Andino e Alto Montano emergiram como de importância crítica, abrigando um grande número de espécies ameaçadas e associadas a macrogrupos. Outros macrogrupos de interesse para a conservação incluem o Bosque Úmido Montano Atlântico do Brasil, o Bosque Seco Estacional Mesoamericano do Pacífico, o Bosque Úmido de Terras Baixas do Caribe e o Bosque de Carvalhos, Florestas e Savanas do Centro-Oeste Central. No entanto, o estudo revelou que quase três quartos dos mais de 300 macrogrupos nas Américas estão abaixo da meta global de 30% de proteção. Em particular, um quinto de todas as espécies estava associado a um único macrogrupo, incluindo mais de 40% das espécies ameaçadas. Nossas descobertas enfatizam a necessidade de estratégias de conservação específicas que considerem classificações de habitats em escala detalhada e se combinem com dados de distribuição de espécies de alta resolução para orientar as estratégias de conservação da biodiversidade nas Américas.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae biofactory to produce naringenin using a systems biology approach and a bicistronic vector expression strategy in flavonoid production.

IMPORTANCE: Flavonoids are a group of compounds generally produced by plants with proven biological activity, which have recently beeen recommended for the treatment and prevention of diseases and ailments with diverse causes. In this study, naringenin was produced in adequate amounts in yeast after in silico design. The four genes of the involved enzymes from several organisms (bacteria and plants) were multi-expressed in two vectors carrying each two genes linked by a short viral peptide sequence. The batch kinetic behavior of the product, substrate, and biomass was described at lab scale. The engineered strain might be used in a more affordable and viable bioprocess for industrial naringenin procurement.

Addressing the Publication Gap in the Tropical Andes: Unveiling Challenges and Implementing Solutions / Abordando la brecha de publicaciones en los Andes Tropicales: revelando desafíos e implementando soluciones / Abordando a lacuna de publicação nos Andes tropicais: revelando desafios e implementando soluções

Biodiversity and conservation research play a pivotal role in advancing knowledge and addressing global challenges. Yet, a striking gap in the publication of research between the Tropical Andes and other regions. To address this disparity, a comprehensive strategy was employed, encompassing a three-day workshop aimed at addressing research publication challenges in the Tropical Andes region, as well as a sequence of surveys. The registration survey, distributed to over 500 potential participants, examined the demographics, perceptions of factors impacting lower publication rates, personal barriers to publishing, and proposed strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Additionally, a pre-workshop survey delved into selected participants' specific interests, obstacles they aimed to overcome, and their preferences for workshop content. Subsequently, the post-workshop survey assessed the workshop's impact, participant satisfaction, valuable session topics, and recommendations for future workshops. The survey revealed a range of challenges, including limited training in publishing, cultural factors, language barriers, restricted resources, and financial limitations, all contributing to the publication gap. Surprisingly, workshop interest was primarily from experienced professionals, indicating that the challenge isn't due to a lack of skills but rather the struggle to convert their expertise into published work. Moreover, about two-thirds of participants had ready-to-publish materials, showcasing an untapped knowledge reservoir. A major personal barrier identified was understanding the publication process, surpassing even language concerns, highlighting the need to clarify this process. Other findings underscored the pivotal role of self-confidence, with self-doubt, fears of rejection, and confidence issues acting as main personal limitations. The study highlights the importance of addressing challenges faced by experienced professionals in the Tropical Andes by understanding individual needs, fostering support, and demystifying the publication process. This offers a promising path to close the publication gap while preserving the region's rich biodiversity and valuable scientific contributions.

El aporte de la investigación sobre la conservación de la biodiversidad en el avance del conocimiento y la respuesta a los desafíos globales es fundamental. Sin embargo, aún existe una brecha sorprendente entre los Andes Tropicales y otras regiones en relación a la publicación de investigaciones científicas. Para comprender esta disparidad, se empleó una estrategia integral, que abarcó un taller de tres días destinado a abordar los principales desafíos que enfrentan los investigadores en la región de los Andes Tropicales, así como una serie de encuestas. La encuesta de inscripción, distribuida a más de 500 participantes potenciales, examinó la demografía, las percepciones de los factores que impactan las tasas de publicación más bajas, las barreras personales para la publicación y propuso estrategias para superar estos obstáculos. Esta fue seguida por una encuesta previa al taller, en la que se profundizó en los intereses específicos de los participantes seleccionados, los obstáculos que pretendían superar y sus preferencias por el contenido del taller. Por último, la encuesta a posteriori, en la que se evaluó el impacto del taller, la satisfacción de los participantes, los temas de interés en las sesiones y las recomendaciones para futuros talleres. La encuesta descubrió varios desafíos, como la capacitación limitada en publicaciones, factores culturales, barreras idiomáticas, recursos restringidos y limitaciones financieras, todos los cuales contribuyen a la brecha en las publicaciones. Sorprendentemente, el interés en el taller provino principalmente de profesionales experimentados, lo que indica que el desafío no se debe a la falta de habilidades sino más bien a la lucha por convertir su experiencia en un trabajo publicado. Además, alrededor de dos tercios de los participantes tenían materiales listos para publicar, lo que mostraba una reserva de conocimientos sin explotar. Una barrera importante identificada fue la limitada comprensión del proceso de publicación, superando incluso a la barrera del  idioma, destacando la necesidad de aclarar este proceso. Otros hallazgos subrayan el papel fundamental de la confianza en uno mismo, siendo las dudas sobre uno mismo, el miedo al rechazo y los problemas de confianza las principales limitaciones personales. El estudio destaca la importancia de abordar los desafíos que enfrentan los profesionales experimentados en los Andes Tropicales al comprender las necesidades individuales, fomentar el apoyo y desmitificar el proceso de publicación. Esto ofrece un camino prometedor para cerrar la brecha de publicaciones y lograr que la ciencia producida en esta región se documente y amplifique aportando al conocimiento que ayude a   preservar la rica biodiversidad de esta región.  

A pesquisa em biodiversidade e conservação desempenha um papel fundamental no avanço do conhecimento e na solução de desafios globais. No entanto, há uma lacuna evidente na publicação de pesquisas entre os Andes Tropicais e outras regiões. Para enfrentar essa disparidade, foi empregada uma estratégia abrangente, incluindo um workshop de três dias com o objetivo de abordar os desafios na publicação de pesquisas na região dos Andes Tropicais, além de uma série de pesquisas. A pesquisa de registro, distribuída para mais de 500 potenciais participantes, examinou a demografia, percepções de fatores que impactam as baixas taxas de publicação, barreiras pessoais para publicar e estratégias propostas para superar esses obstáculos. Além disso, uma pesquisa pré-workshop explorou interesses específicos dos participantes selecionados, obstáculos que pretendiam superar e suas preferências para o conteúdo do workshop. Posteriormente, a pesquisa pós-workshop avaliou o impacto do workshop, a satisfação dos participantes, tópicos de sessões valiosas e recomendações para futuros workshops. A pesquisa revelou uma série de desafios, incluindo treinamento limitado em publicação, fatores culturais, barreiras linguísticas, recursos restritos e limitações financeiras, todos contribuindo para a lacuna na publicação. Surpreendentemente, o interesse no workshop veio principalmente de profissionais experientes, indicando que o desafio não está na falta de habilidades, mas sim na luta para converter sua experiência em trabalhos publicados. Além disso, cerca de dois terços dos participantes tinham materiais prontos para publicação, mostrando um reservatório de conhecimento não utilizado. Uma grande barreira pessoal identificada foi entender o processo de publicação, ultrapassando até mesmo as preocupações com o idioma, destacando a necessidade de esclarecer esse processo. Outros achados destacaram o papel fundamental da autoconfiança, com auto-dúvida, medo de rejeição e questões de confiança atuando como principais limitações pessoais. O estudo destaca a importância de enfrentar os desafios enfrentados por profissionais experientes nos Andes Tropicais, compreendendo as necessidades individuais, promovendo apoio e desmistificando o processo de publicação. Isso oferece um caminho promissor para fechar a lacuna na publicação, ao mesmo tempo em que preserva a rica biodiversidade da região e valiosas contribuições científicas.

pH-Responsive Chitosan-Doped ZnO Hybrid Hydrogels for the Encapsulation of Bioactive Compounds in Aquaculture.

In this study, we synthesized and characterized pH-responsive Chitosan-AgCl-doped ZnO hybrid hydrogels and evaluated their potential for loading aquaculture bioactive compounds, and assessed their antimicrobial properties against a threatening pathogen associated with disease across a broad spectrum of warm water fish and invertebrates. Hydrogel characterization consisted of assessing morphology via SEM, composition via EDS, hydrogels' network components interactions via FT-IR and pH response through swelling behavior determinations. The swelling characterization of the synthesized hydrogels demonstrated a pH-responsive behavior, showing that low pH values caused the hydrogel polymeric network to expand and capture more of the aqueous solution. These characteristics make the synthesized hydrogels suitable for the encapsulation and controlled release of drugs and bioactive compounds in aquaculture. Chitosan_ZnO hybrid hydrogels showed great antimicrobial activity against Vibrio harveyi, even better than that of loaded PB hydrogels. Here, we provide evidence for the potential capacity of Chitosan_ZnO hybrid hydrogels for the preventive and curative treatment of diseases that impact aquaculture animal health and prevent drug resistance by bacteria.

Tailoring evidence into action: using a codesign approach for biodiversity information in the Tropical Andes / Toma de decisiones basadas en la evidencia: un enfoque de codiseño para la información sobre biodiversidad en los Andes tropicales / Tomada de decisão baseada em evidências: uma abordagem de co-design para informações sobre biodiversidade nos Andes tropicais

Biodiversity conservation is a complex and transdisciplinary problem that requires engagement and cooperation among scientific, societal, economic, and political institutions. However, historical approaches have often failed to bring together and address the needs of all relevant stakeholders in decision­making processes. The Tropical Andes, a biodiversity hotspot where conservation efforts often conflict with socioeconomic issues and policies that prioritize economic development, provides an ideal model to develop and implement more effective approaches. In this study, we present a co­design approach that mainstreams and improves the flow of biodiversity information in the Tropical Andes, while creating tailored outputs that meet the needs of economic and societal stakeholders. We employed a consultative process that brought together biodiversity information users and producers at the local, national, and regional levels through a combination of surveys and workshops. This approach identified priority needs and limitations of the flow of biodiversity information in the region, which led to the co­design of user­relevant biodiversity indicators. By leveraging the existing capacities of biodiversity information users and producers, we were able to co­design multiple biodiversity indicators and prioritize two for full implementation ensuring that the data was findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable based on the FAIR principles. This approach helped address limitations that were identified in the stakeholder engagement process, including gaps in data availability and the need for more accessible biodiversity information. Additionally, capacity­building workshops were incorporated for all producers of biodiversity information involved, which aimed to not only improve the current flow of biodiversity information in the region but also facilitate its future sustainability. Our approach can serve as a valuable blueprint for mainstreaming biodiversity information and making it more inclusive in the future, especially considering the diverse worldviews, values, and knowledge systems between science, policy, and practice.

La conservación de la biodiversidad es un problema complejo y transdisciplinario que requiere el compromiso y la cooperación entre instituciones científicas, sociales, económicas y políticas. Sin embargo, los enfoques tradicionales/convencionales  a menudo no logran  reunir y abordar las necesidades de todos los actores relevantes en los procesos de toma de decisiones. Los Andes tropicales, un área clave  de biodiversidad donde los esfuerzos de conservación a menudo entran en conflicto con cuestiones socioeconómicas y políticas que priorizan el desarrollo económico, proporcionan un modelo ideal para desarrollar e implementar enfoques más efectivos. En este estudio, presentamos un enfoque co-diseño que integra y mejora el flujo de información sobre biodiversidad en los Andes tropicales, creando resultados personalizados que satisfacen las necesidades, tanto económicas como sociales, de las partes interesadas. Empleamos un proceso de consulta que reunió a usuarios y productores de información sobre biodiversidad a nivel local, nacional y regional, a través de encuestas y talleres. Este enfoque ha permitido identificar necesidades prioritarias y limitaciones del flujo de información sobre biodiversidad en la región; lo cual llevó al codiseño de indicadores de biodiversidad relevantes para los usuarios. Aprovechando las capacidades existentes de los usuarios y productores de información sobre biodiversidad, pudimos co-diseñar múltiples indicadores de biodiversidad y priorizar dos de estos para su implementación completa, asegurando que los datos sean localizables, accesibles, interoperables y reutilizables, según los principios FAIR. Este enfoque ayudó a abordar las limitaciones que se identificaron en el proceso de participación de las partes interesadas; incluidas las brechas en la disponibilidad de datos y la necesidad de información sobre biodiversidad más accesible. Además, se incorporaron talleres de desarrollo de capacidades para todos los productores de información sobre biodiversidad involucrados, los cuales apuntaron no sólo a mejorar el flujo actual de información sobre biodiversidad en la región, sino también facilitar su sostenibilidad futura. Nuestro enfoque puede servir como un modelo valioso para incorporar la información sobre biodiversidad y hacerla más inclusiva en el futuro; especialmente si consideramos las diversas perspectivas globales, valores y sistemas de conocimiento implicados en las interacciones entre  la ciencia, la política y su aplicación práctica.

A conservação da biodiversidade é um problema complexo e transdisciplinar que requer compromisso e cooperação entre instituições científicas, sociais, económicas e políticas. No entanto, as abordagens tradicionais/convencionais muitas vezes não conseguem reunir e responder às necessidades de todos os intervenientes relevantes nos processos de tomada de decisão. Os Andes tropicais, uma área chave para a biodiversidade onde os esforços de conservação entram frequentemente em conflito com questões socioeconómicas e políticas que dão prioridade ao desenvolvimento económico, fornecem um modelo ideal para desenvolver e implementar abordagens mais eficazes. Neste estudo, apresentamos uma abordagem de co-design que integra e melhora o fluxo de informações sobre biodiversidade nos Andes tropicais, criando resultados personalizados que atendem às necessidades, tanto econômicas quanto sociais, das partes interessadas. Empregamos um processo de consulta que reuniu usuários e produtores de informações sobre biodiversidade nos níveis local, nacional e regional, por meio de pesquisas e workshops. Esta abordagem permitiu identificar necessidades prioritárias e limitações do fluxo de informação sobre a biodiversidade na região; o que levou à concepção conjunta de indicadores de biodiversidade relevantes para os utilizadores. Aproveitando as capacidades existentes dos utilizadores e produtores de informação sobre biodiversidade, fomos capazes de conceber em conjunto vários indicadores de biodiversidade e priorizar dois deles para implementação total, garantindo que os dados sejam localizáveis, acessíveis, interoperáveis ​​e reutilizáveis, de acordo com os princípios FAIR. Esta abordagem ajudou a resolver as limitações identificadas no processo de envolvimento das partes interessadas; incluindo lacunas na disponibilidade de dados e a necessidade de informações mais acessíveis sobre biodiversidade. Além disso, foram incorporados workshops de capacitação para todos os produtores de informação sobre biodiversidade envolvidos, que visaram não só melhorar o fluxo actual de informação sobre biodiversidade na região, mas também facilitar a sua sustentabilidade futura. A nossa abordagem pode servir como um modelo valioso para incorporar informações sobre biodiversidade e torná-las mais inclusivas no futuro; especialmente se considerarmos as diversas perspectivas globais, valores e sistemas de conhecimento envolvidos nas interações entre ciência, política e sua aplicação prática.

A monolithic stationary phase with dendritic nanostructures for the separation of PEGylated proteins.

Separation of PEGylated protein mixtures into individual species is a challenging procedure, and many efforts have been focused on creating novel chromatographic supports for this purpose. In this study, a new monolithic stationary phase with hyperbranched nanostructures was chemically synthesized. For this, monoliths with a support matrix of poly (glycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene dimethacrylate) and ethylenediamine chemistry were modified with third-generation dendrons with butyl-end groups. The new monolith was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy, confirming the dendron with butyl ligands and exhibited low mass transfer resistance as observed by breakthrough frontal analysis. This support was able to separate mono-PEG ribonuclease A from the PEGylation mixture, indicated by a single band (∼30 kDa) in the electrophoretic analysis. Moreover, the separation of mono-PEGylated positional isomers was probably observed, as the protein with ∼30 kDa was found in two separate peaks. Interestingly, the dendronized monolith allowed the separation of the reaction mixture into individual PEGylated species when using high ammonium sulfate concentrations (2 M). A correlation between the PEGylation degree and the strength of the hydrophobic interactions on the monolith was observed. This chromatographic approach combines the natural branched architecture of dendrons and the higher capabilities of the monoliths enhancing the hydrophobic surface area, and therefore the interaction between the PEGylated proteins and ligands. Thus, the novel support represents a novel platform for the purification of PEGylated from non-PEGylated proteins with biotechnological applications.

iCLOTS: open-source, artificial intelligence-enabled software for analyses of blood cells in microfluidic and microscopy-based assays.

While microscopy-based cellular assays, including microfluidics, have significantly advanced over the last several decades, there has not been concurrent development of widely-accessible techniques to analyze time-dependent microscopy data incorporating phenomena such as fluid flow and dynamic cell adhesion. As such, experimentalists typically rely on error-prone and time-consuming manual analysis, resulting in lost resolution and missed opportunities for innovative metrics. We present a user-adaptable toolkit packaged into the open-source, standalone Interactive Cellular assay Labeled Observation and Tracking Software (iCLOTS). We benchmark cell adhesion, single-cell tracking, velocity profile, and multiscale microfluidic-centric applications with blood samples, the prototypical biofluid specimen. Moreover, machine learning algorithms characterize previously imperceptible data groupings from numerical outputs. Free to download/use, iCLOTS addresses a need for a field stymied by a lack of analytical tools for innovative, physiologically-relevant assays of any design, democratizing use of well-validated algorithms for all end-user biomedical researchers who would benefit from advanced computational methods.

Novel Technologies for Exosome and Exosome-like Nanovesicle Procurement and Enhancement.

Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles commonly produced by mammalian cells that in recent years have risen as a novel strategy for drug delivery systems and cancer therapy because of their innate specificity and high bioavailability. However, there are limitations that undermine their potential. Among them is the lack of mass production capacity with the current available sources and the failure to reach the intended therapeutic effect because of their insufficient uptake or their rapid clearance once administered. This review aims to show the current advances in overcoming these limitations by presenting, firstly, reported strategies to improve exosome and exosome-like nanovesicle extraction from possible novel eukaryotic sources, including animals, plants, and protozoa; and secondly, alternative modification methods that functionalize exosomes by conferring them higher targeting capacity and protection from organism defenses, which results in an increase in the attachment of ligands and cellular uptake of inorganic materials. However, even when these strategies might address some of the obstacles in their procurement and therapeutic use, there are still several aspects that need to be addressed, so several perspectives of the matter are also presented and analyzed throughout this work.

Design and Assembly of a Biofactory for (2S)-Naringenin Production in Escherichia coli: Effects of Oxygen Transfer on Yield and Gene Expression.

The molecule (2S)-naringenin is a scaffold molecule with several nutraceutical properties. Currently, (2S)-naringenin is obtained through chemical synthesis and plant isolation. However, these methods have several drawbacks. Thus, heterologous biosynthesis has emerged as a viable alternative to its production. Recently, (2S)-naringenin production studies in Escherichia coli have used different tools to increase its yield up to 588 mg/L. In this study, we designed and assembled a bio-factory for (2S)-naringenin production. Firstly, we used several parametrized algorithms to identify the shortest pathway for producing (2S)-naringenin in E. coli, selecting the genes phenylalanine ammonia lipase (pal), 4-coumarate: CoA ligase (4cl), chalcone synthase (chs), and chalcone isomerase (chi) for the biosynthetic pathway. Then, we evaluated the effect of oxygen transfer on the production of (2S)-naringenin at flask (50 mL) and bench (4 L culture) scales. At the flask scale, the agitation rate varied between 50 rpm and 250 rpm. At the bench scale, the dissolved oxygen was kept constant at 5% DO (dissolved oxygen) and 40% DO, obtaining the highest (2S)-naringenin titer (3.11 ± 0.14 g/L). Using genome-scale modeling, gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR) of oxygen-sensitive genes was obtained.

Production and purification of bacterial membrane vesicles for biotechnology applications: Challenges and opportunities.

Bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) are bi-layered nanostructures derived from Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Among other pathophysiological roles, BMVs are critical messengers in intercellular communication. As a result, BMVs are emerging as a promising technology for the development of numerous therapeutic applications. Despite the remarkable progress in unveiling BMV biology and functions in recent years, their successful isolation and purification have been limited. Several challenges related to vesicle purity, yield, and scalability severely hamper the further development of BMVs for biotechnology and clinical applications. This review focuses on the current technologies and methodologies used in BMV production and purification, such as ultracentrifugation, density-gradient centrifugation, size-exclusion chromatography, ultrafiltration, and precipitation. We also discuss the current challenges related to BMV isolation, large-scale production, storage, and stability that limit their application. More importantly, the present work explains the most recent strategies proposed for overcoming those challenges. Finally, we summarize the ongoing applications of BMVs in the biotechnological field.

HIV Stigma Mechanisms Scale: Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity in Mexican Adults.

We aimed to validate the HIV Stigma Mechanisms Scale (HIV-SMS) in a sample of Mexican adults living with HIV, which differentiates between sources and mechanisms of stigma. Adults (n = 362) with a median age of 32 years old completed a web-based version in Spanish of the HIV-SMS as well as sociodemographic and HIV-related characteristics questionnaire. Exploratory factor analyses with weighted least squares and oblique rotation were performed to assess the construct validity of the scale. The Spanish translation for the Mexican population of the HIV-SMS has adequate internal consistency (Ω = 0.86) and demonstrated a structure similar to the original scale. After excluding the items related to community and social workers, a five-factor solution with internalized, promulgated, and anticipated stigma from family and healthcare workers showed adequate construct validity. The HIV-SMS is a valid and sensitive scale that can be used in a Mexican adult population living with HIV.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue validar la Escala de Mecanismos de Estigma de VIH (EME-VIH) en una muestra de adultos mexicanos que viven con VIH. Esta escala distingue entre fuentes y mecanismos de estigma. 362 adultos con una edad media de 32 años completaron vía web una versión en español de la EME-VIH así como preguntas acerca de sus características sociodemográficas y cuestiones relacionadas con el VIH. Se realizaron análisis factoriales exploratorios de mínimos cuadrados ponderados con rotación oblicua para evaluar la validez de constructo de la escala. La traducción al español de la EME-VIH para población mexicana tiene consistencia interna adecuada (Ω = 0.86) y muestra una estructura similar a la escala original. Después de excluir los ítems relacionados con trabajadores comunitarios y sociales, se encontró una solución con validez de constructo adecuada de cinco factores: estigma internalizado, promulgado y anticipado ejercido por la familia y personal de salud. La EME-VIH es una escala válida y sensible que puede usarse en población adulta mexicana que vive con VIH.

A Comparison of Surrogate Behavioral Models for Power Amplifier Linearization under High Sparse Data.

A good approximation to power amplifier (PA) behavioral modeling requires precise baseband models to mitigate nonlinearities. Since digital predistortion (DPD) is used to provide the PA linearization, a framework is necessary to validate the modeling figures of merit support under signal conditioning and transmission restrictions. A field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based testbed is developed to measure the wide-band PA behavior using a single-carrier 64-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) multiplexed by orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based on long-term evolution (LTE) as a stimulus, with different bandwidths signals. In the search to provide a heuristic target approach modeling, this paper introduces a feature extraction concept to find an appropriate complexity solution considering the high sparse data issue in amplitude to amplitude (AM-AM) and amplitude to phase AM-PM models extraction, whose penalties are associated with overfitting and hardware complexity in resulting functions. Thus, experimental results highlight the model performance for a high sparse data regime and are compared with a regression tree (RT), random forest (RF), and cubic-spline (CS) model accuracy capabilities for the signal conditioning to show a reliable validation, low-complexity, according to the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF), coefficients extraction, normalized mean square error (NMSE), and execution time figures of merit. The presented models provide a comparison with original data that aid to compare the dimension and robustness for each surrogate model where (i) machine learning (ML)-based and (ii) CS interpolate-based where high sparse data are present, NMSE between the CS interpolated based are also compared to demonstrate the efficacy in the prediction methods with lower convergence times and complexities.

State-of-the-Art and Opportunities for Bioactive Pentacyclic Triterpenes from Native Mexican Plants.

Native Mexican plants are a wide source of bioactive compounds such as pentacyclic triterpenes. Pentacyclic triterpenes biosynthesized through the mevalonate (MVA) and the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-phosphate (MEP) metabolic pathways are highlighted by their diverse biological activity. Compounds belonging to the oleanane, ursane, and lupane groups have been identified in about 33 Mexican plants, located geographically in the southwest of Mexico. The works addressing these findings have reported 45 compounds that mainly show antimicrobial activity, followed by anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, anxiolytic, hypoglycemic, and growth-stimulating or allelopathic activities. Extraction by maceration and Soxhlet with organic solvents and consecutive chromatography of silica gel have been used for their whole or partial purification. Nanoparticles and nanoemulsions are the vehicles used in Mexican formulations for drug delivery of the pentacyclic triterpenes until now. Sustainable extraction, formulation, regulation, isolation, characterization, and bioassay facilities are areas of opportunity in pentacyclic triterpenes research in Mexico while the presence of plant and human resources and traditional knowledge are strengths. The present review discusses the generalities of the pentacyclic triterpene (definition, biogenic classification, and biosynthesis), a summary of the last two decades of research on the compounds identified and their evaluated bioactivity, the generalities about the extraction and purification methods used, drug delivery aspects, and a critical analysis of the advantages and limitations of research carried out in this way.

Characterization and optimization of polymer-polymer aqueous two-phase systems for the isolation and purification of CaCo2 cell-derived exosomes.

Exosomes are cell-derived vesicles that present attractive characteristics such as nano size and unique structure for their use as drug delivery systems for drug therapy, biomarkers for prognostic, diagnostic and personalized treatments. So far, one of the major challenges for therapeutic applications of exosomes is the development of optimized isolation methods. In this context, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) have been used as an alternative method to isolate biological molecules and particles with promising expectations for exosomes. In this work, fractionation of exosomes obtained from CaCo2 cell line and culture media contaminants were individually performed in 20 polymer-polymer ATPS. The effect of design parameters such as polymer composition, molecular weight, and tie-line length (TLL) on polyethylene glycol (PEG)-Dextran, Dextran-Ficoll and PEG-Ficoll systems was studied. After partition analysis, 4 of the 20 systems presented the best exosome fractionation from contaminants under initial conditions, which were optimized via salt addition (NaCl) to a final concentration of 25 mM, to improve collection efficiency. The PEG 10,000 gmol-1 -Dextran 10,000 gmol-1 system at TLL 25% w/w with NaCl, showed the best potential isolation efficiency. Following this proposed strategy, an exosome purification factor of 2 in the top PEG-rich phase can be expected furtherly demonstrating that ATPS have the potential for the selective recovery of these promising nanovesicles.

Substance use stigma mechanisms scale: Factor structure, reliability, and validity in Mexican adults that use drugs.

BACKGROUND: Studies among the Mexican population have suggested that stigma towards persons who use drugs (PWUD) may act as a barrier to treatment seeking and contribute to negative health consequences. However, there has not been a validated scale to measure this construct. This paper aims to validate the Substance Use Stigma Mechanisms Scale (SU-SMS) in a sample of Mexican adults who use drugs. This 18-item scale was developed to differentiate substance use stigma mechanisms and learn their impact on the health and wellbeing of persons who use drugs (PWUD) in the United States. METHODS: A sample of 407 adults with a median age of 27 years old completed a web-based version in Spanish of the SU-SMS, the WHO-ASSIST screening instrument, as well as sociodemographic and substance-use-related characteristics. We performed exploratory factor analysis with weighted least squares and oblique rotation, and correlations within and between mechanisms of stigma, and substance use. RESULTS: The Spanish translation of the SU-SMS has adequate internal consistency (Ω=0.92) and the same factor structure as the original scale. A five-factor solution with internalized, enacted, and anticipated stigma from family and healthcare workers showed adequate concurrent validity. Mechanisms of stigma were correlated between them, within sources, and negatively correlated with current substance use treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish translation of the scale seems to be a valid and sensitive scale that can be used among Mexican PWUD.

Mono-PEGylated lysozyme purification with increased productivity and isomer differentiation through heparin monolith chromatography.

PEGylated protein purification with the required quality attributes has represented a bioengineering challenge and Affinity Monolith Chromatography (AMC) has never been exploited for this goal. This work reports the generation of a heparin-modified affinity monolith disk by reductive alkylation with raised ligand density for its use as chromatographic support in the separation of lysozyme PEGylation reactions (LPRs) with three different PEG sizes (1, 20 and 40 kDa). For immobilized heparin determination a modified toluidine colorimetric assay adapted to microplate format was proposed. The heparin modified-disk was able to differentiate positional isomers of 20 kDa mono-PEGylated lysozyme at neutral pH using a salt linear gradient. Identity of PEG-conjugates was verified by SDS-PAGE and positional isomers were partially characterized by peptide mapping mass spectrometry. 20 kDa mono-PEGylated lysozyme conjugate purity (99.69 ± 0.05%) was comparable with traditional chromatographic methods while productivity (0.0964 ± 0.0001 mg/mL*min) was increased up to 6.1 times compared to that obtained in heparin packed-bed affinity chromatography procedures. The proposed AMC method represents a reliable, efficient, easy-handling, fast and single-step operation for the analysis or preparative isolation of PEGylated proteins containing a heparin binding domain.

Applying the Global Monitoring Plan and analysis of POPs results in atmospheric air in Mexico (2017-2018).

Air is one of the target matrices of the Global Monitoring Plan (GMP) of the Stockholm Convention to determine concentrations and transport of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Mexico participates in the GMP for POPs in ambient air through the AIR-Global Environment Facility (GEF) program. The objective of this study was to analyze the results of POPs monitoring of air samples collected in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, between 2017 and 2018. Passive samplers were used for the determination of chlorinated basic POPs, indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (Ind. PCBs), polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs). A principal component analysis was applied to determine relationships between pollutants and groups present in the ambient air of the rural study area. Of the total POPs analyzed, 85.56% were detected in ambient air samples from Mexico. Organochlorine compounds, as DDT derivatives, were identified mainly, as well as PBDEs, PCDDs, and PCDFs. The prevalence of compounds differed according to the seasonality of sampling, with no change in average concentration between monitoring years.