Metropolitan Autonomous University

One of the causes of hypertension is the activity of angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE-I), making its inhibition a crucial strategy for controlling the disease. Protein hydrolysates are a known source of bioactive peptides that contribute to ACE-I inhibition. This study aims to evaluate the ACE-I inhibitory activity of amaranth seed hydrolysates after fermentation with Enterococcus faecium-LR9 and to compare it with Leuconostoc mesenteroides-18C6 and enzymatic hydrolysis (Alcalase®). The fermentation strategy with LR9 proved to be more effective in inhibiting ACE-I (79.1 ± 2.6 %) in vitro compared to 18C6 (68.0 ± 9.8 %) and enzymatic hydrolysis (69.4 ± 1.2 %). Consequently, these protein hydrolysates were subjected to in silico analysis, identifying 125 novel peptides. Bioinformatics and molecular docking analyses revealed 10 peptides with high ACE-I inhibitory potential. Among them, the IFQFPKTY and VIKPPSRAW peptides stood out. Therefore, E. faecium-LR9 is a promising strain for the release of bioactive peptides from seed storage proteins.

The cerebellum is an important structure to determine fetal development because its volume has a high correlation with gestational age. Manual annotation of the cerebellum in 3D ultrasound images (to measure the cerebellar volume) requires highly trained experts to perform a time-consuming task. To assist in this task, we developed a totally automatic system for the 3D segmentation of the cerebellum in ultrasound images of the fetal brain, using a 3D Point Distribution Model (PDM) obtained from another statistical shape model based on a spherical harmonics (SPHARMs) representation, which provides a very efficient basis for the construction of statistical shape models of 3D organs with a spherical topology. Our PDM of the fetal cerebellum was automatically adjusted with the optimization of an objective function based on gray level voxel profiles, using a genetic algorithm. An automatic initialization and plane selection scheme was also developed, based on the detection of the cerebellum on each plane by a convolutional neural network (YOLO v2). Our results of the 3D segmentation of 18 ultrasound volumes of the fetal brain are: Dice coefficient of 0.83 ± 0.10 and Hausdorff distance of 3.61 ± 0.83 mm. The methods reported show potential to successfully assist the experts in the assessment of fetal growth in ultrasound volumes.

This chapter argues that PISA helps to strengthen the hegemony of the ruling groups. Still, at the same time, it generates political opposition from local actors and criticism from scholars. It displays the contents in six sections. First, it provides a brief background on the rise of the OECD and PISA and describes the content of the test. Second, it portrays the Global Education Reform Movement (GERM) and the role of the OECD in its promotion. Third, it presents an analysis of how the OECD and the governments that applaud its action use the parsing of science. It aims to strengthen the ideas that good education is only one in which 15-year-old students answer questions about language, mathematical understanding, and science. Fourth, it sets the speculation that on why teachers are the main piece of the reforms’ purposes and, consequently, provoke rejection and opposition to PISA. Fifth, it exhibits the case of how the Mexican government ask for the OECD help to launch an education reform in 2009. However, the Department of Education rejected the OECD proposal in 2010. Afterwards, the government that took office in 2012 made a move following the OECD commendations. Still, the new administration rejected them again in 2018. Sixth, it discusses whether PISA meets the characteristics of normal science, that is, a paradigm that helps solve problems that education did not disentangle before. Or, if it is another tool, with sophisticated methodology, to reinforce the dominant ideology.

Introduction. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that colonizes various human sites. The pharynx has been considered as a site of little clinical relevance and little studied. Recently, it has been reported that S. aureus can colonize more the pharynx than the nose. In addition, S. aureus can persist in these sites for prolonged periods of time. Hypothesis. The composition of the pharyngeal and nasal microbiome will differ between persistent, intermittent carriers and non-carriers of S. aureus . Aim. Determine whether the pharyngeal and nasal microbiome is different between carriers and non-carriers of S. aureus . Methodology. S. aureus carriers were monitored by means of pharyngeal and nasal exudates of apparently healthy adult university students for 3 months. Samples from individuals of the same carrier type were pooled, and DNA was extracted and the 16S rRNA was sequenced. The sequences were analysed in MOTHUR v.1.48.0 software, by analysing the percentages of relative abundance in the STAMP 2.1.3 program, in addition to the predictive analysis of metabolic pathways in PICRUSt2. Results. A greater colonization of S. aureus was found in the pharynx than in the nose. The microbiomes of S. aureus carriers and non-carriers do not show significant differences. The main microbiome difference found was between pharyngeal and nasal microbiomes. No significant differences were found in the abundance of the genus Staphylococcus in pharyngeal and nasal S. aureus carriers and non-carriers. The nasal microbiome was found to have more variation compared to the pharyngeal microbiome, which appears to be more stable between individuals and pools. Predictive analysis of metabolic pathways showed a greater presence of Staphylococcus -associated pathways in the nose than in the pharynx. Conclusion. S. aureus can colonize and persist in the pharynx in equal or greater proportion than in the nose. No statistically significant differences were found in the microbiome of the pharyngeal and nasal carriers and non-carriers of S. aureus , but the pharyngeal and nasal microbiomes are different independent of the type of S. aureus carrier or non-carrier. Therefore, the microbiome apparently does not influence the persistence of S. aureus .

The chronic intake of excessive fluoride (F ⁻ ) (> 1.5 mg/L) affects several tissues, organs, and systems. This represents a worldwide issue due to the presence of the compound in nature, with drinking water being the main source of exposure. The underlying mechanisms by which F ⁻ is toxic are not completely understood, but proinflammatory cytokine activity is implicated in these events. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the health implications of proinflammatory cytokine activity at different levels of F ⁻ exposure. The search for original studies in which the activity of proinflammatory cytokines was assessed under exposure to F ⁻ was performed using the PubMed, Scopus, Springer, EBSCO, and Google Scholar databases by applying the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024546726). Sixteen studies were analyzed in the present review. Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1 beta (β), IL‐6, IL‐2, IL‐12, IL‐17, IL‐18, C‐reactive protein, and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) were the proinflammatory cytokines identified in the included reports. Alterations in cytokine activity were observed in response to varying levels of F ⁻ exposure, implicating an increased risk of toxicity and damage to the evaluated structures by highlighting the role of inflammation in the progression of these processes. Hence, the activity of proinflammatory cytokines at different levels of F ⁻ exposure has important implications for health, where inflammation plays a relevant role in the underlying mechanisms related to the resulting toxicity.

Humor is generally considered beneficial according to theories, roles, and authors, but what about its specific and particular use in times of trauma or disasters, even as part of resilience? Memes are presented as something funny, but how are they actually used in times of crisis and disasters? What perspectives do they hold and express, and how do they impact society? This article provides answers to these questions. First, through a brief theoretical and documentary review on the topic, theories, styles, and functions of humor in general and memes specifically. Second, through a selection of their use during the pandemic, focusing on some historical moments, particularly the beginning and end of it, its origin in China, and its conclusion with one of the South African variants. Specifically, it presents how the pandemic was received in Mexico through memes, the parade of strains, some confusion among them, and how the last famous one also ended up passing through the country. As a result, it can be said that humor is beneficial even in adverse times and that memes were present at different moments of the pandemic with a humorous note, and sometimes even hopeful or at least refreshing.

From an interpretative perspective, we reflect on the dichotomous and predominantly urban character of night in its broad sense. Through the analysis of the relationship between urban space and performance, we propose to examine the uses and meanings -both sym bolic and social- of urban night, which are expressed through lived experiences in a social space and time characterized by differentiated access, inequalities, and specific imaginaries that particularize and diversify cultural practices. Although the vast diversity and totality of nocturnal practices are evidently unmanageable, we introduce a methodological tool for their approach and analysis: a distinction between two broad, interrelated, complementary spheres with liminal boundaries that allow us to differentiate the uses and meanings of night, with an emphasis on labor practices. These spheres are: the private/everyday night (the nocturnal - noctis) and the social night that disrupts everyday margins (nocturnality - noctem).

AgNPs are being widely used due to their excellent antimicrobial properties that allow them to be incorporated in various areas of dentistry ranging from dental materials, orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics among others. The objective of this work was to review the use of AgNPs in different areas of dentistry and the associated technological innovations. Systematic searches were performed in the EBSCOhost and PubMed databases, with the keywords: “AgNPs” or “silver nanoparticles”, “dentistry” or “dentist” or “dental”, and “materials” in a period from 2012 to 2023 in the English language. A total of 261 articles were found, repeated articles, review articles, and articles that did not belong to the dental area were eliminated. A total of 116 articles that met the criteria were included in the review, it can be observed that most of the research is in vitro studies and a small part is clinical research or conducted on animals, most of the research show positive and innovative results for the use of AgNPs. The studies show an optimal antibacterial activity of AgNPs when they are combined with dental materials such as rinses, irrigant solutions, cements, resins, adhesives, metal coatings, antiseptic solutions, surgical dressings, among others. The literature reviewed shows a promising future for AgNPs since they not only have antibacterial activity against the main aerobic and anaerobic Gram positive and Gram-negative oral bacteria but also antifungal effect and anti-inflammatory properties, without compromising the properties of most of the materials in which they are incorporated. However, their use remains controversial because these nanomaterials belong to a new class of material; progress in this new discipline (nanotoxicology) depends on finding methodologies that allow the evaluation of toxicity in chemical states, in vitro and clinical studies.

This paper aims to improve the aqueous stability and electrochemical activity of HKUST-1 (or Cu3(BTC)2, BTC = benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylate; and HKUST from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) by the incorporation of Graphene Oxide (GO). The synthesis was carried out in two steps; first, CuII ions were pre-adsorbed on the surface of GO, and then the BTC organic linker was added to form the HKUST-1 structure dispersed on GO sheets. Two concentrations of copper were used in the synthesis, 3.57 and 14.27 mmol, to obtain the samples: GO@HKUST-1low and GO@HKUST-1high, respectively. N2 adsorption properties of GO@HKUST-1high suggest an increase in surface area compared to HKUST-1 up to 1082.0 m²·g⁻¹. In addition, the CO2 capture of GO@HKUST-1high increased from 5.34 (HKUST-1) to 6.92 mmol·g⁻¹ at 273 K and 100 kPa. This improvement is associated with the dispersion of the HKUST-1 on the GO sheets achieved through the synthesis strategy used, which also increased the surface area, H2O adsorption capacity of the composite material, and electrochemical stability. After the H2O adsorption tests, XRD confirmed that the material was stable under aqueous conditions, showing that the material did not undergo any structural modification.

Agri-biotech promotes genetically modified organisms (GMO) as solutions to achieve food security by increasing yields, reducing pesticide use through genetically introduced resistance to herbicides and as strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation. After 30 years of biotechnological crops, these proposals have failed on their pledges, while the risk assessment, non-considered outcomes to the environment, biodiversity and health have been overlooked. New Plant-Breeding Technologies (NPBTs), with the capacity of inserting, deleting, or modifying DNA or RNA nucleotides in specific genetic regions have emerged in the last 15 years. The most prominent technique used to edit genomes is CRISPR-Cas. Its proponents argue that mutations introduced via genome editing pose no risk to the environment and/or human health; thus, these products should be exempted from any regulation, risk assessment, traceability and labeling, a push that would actually restrict the freedom to choose of farmers and consumers. Our work summarizes the outcomes reported in the scientific literature on the use of gene editing tools in food crops. We discuss perspectives for upgrading biosafety governance of these new GMO in order to promote the autonomy of farmers, away from positivist techno-scientific fixes that downplay the systemic crises in which industrial agriculture plays a major role.

A series of 1,5-disubstituted tetrazole-indole hybrids were synthesized via a high-order multicomponent reaction consisting of an Ugi-azide/Pd/Cu-catalyzed hetero-annulation cascade sequence. This operationally simple one-pot protocol allowed high bond-forming efficiency and creating six new bonds (two CC , three C-N, and one N-N). Additionally, the products were evaluated against breast cancer MCF-7 cells, finding moderate activity in the compounds substituted with fluorine and chlorine .

Parabens are widely used because of their antimicrobial properties in drugs, cosmetics, and food; however, it has been reported that methylparaben may adversely influence female reproduction. Methylparaben decreases oocyte in vitro maturation at a mat-uration inhibition concentration 50 of 780.31 μM but also decreases oocyte viability at a lethal concentration 50 of 2028.38 μM. Additionally, parabens are endocrine disruptors, affecting steroidogenesis as well as cumulus cell expansion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate some of the mechanisms by which methylparaben alters cumulus cell expansion and decreases oocyte maturation through the evaluation of gene expression related to cumulus cell expansion, hyaluronic acid, and progesterone synthesis. For this, oocytes were exposed to different methylparaben concentrations of 0 (control), 650, 780, and 1000 μM for 20 and 44 h of in vitro maturation. The cumulus cell expansion rates, maturation rates, gene expression rates, and hyaluronic acid and progesterone concentrations were revaluated after 20 and 44 h of culture. At sublethal concentrations, methylparaben decreased in vitro maturation as well as cumulus cell expansion at 44 h. Additionally, methylparaben decreased the expression of Has2 and Cd44 at 20 and 44 h of maturation. The expression levels of Stard1, Cyp11a1, and Hsd3b1 were also altered by meth-ylparaben exposure at 20 and 44 h of maturation, suggesting its role as an endocrine disruptor. Hyaluronic acid and progesterone concentrations in the culture medium decreased at 20 and 44 h. These findings could partially explain some of the mechanisms by which methylparaben alters female fertility.

We revisit the quantum-mechanical two-dimensional harmonic oscillator with an electric field confined to a circular box of impenetrable walls. In order to obtain the energy spectrum we resort to the Rayleigh-Ritz method with polynomial and Gaussian basis sets. We compare present results with those derived recently by other authors. We discuss the limits of large and small box radius and also do some calculations with perturbation theory.

Background Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a prevalent hepatic condition linked to metabolic alterations. It gradually causes liver damage and potentially progresses to cirrhosis. Despite its significance, research, especially in the pediatric population, is limited, leading to contradictory findings in diagnosis and treatment. This meta-analysis aims to synthesize existing literature on therapeutic interventions for MASLD in children and adolescents. Methods A comprehensive search of randomized controlled clinical trials yielded 634 entries from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to 2023. Interventions included medications, behavioral modifications, dietary changes, probiotics, supplements, surgical procedures, or combinations. The analysis focused on studies with treatment duration of at least 3 months, employing a random-effects REML meta-analysis model. Treatment effects on anthropometric measurements and biochemical components were examined and adjusted for heterogeneity factors analysis. A bibliometric analysis for insights into research contributors was performed. Results The systematic review incorporated 31 clinical trials, with 24 meeting criteria for meta-analysis. These comprised 3 medication studies, 20 with supplements, 4 focusing on lifestyle, and 4 centered on diets. Significant overall treatment effects were observed for ALT, AST, BMI, and HOMA-IR mainly by supplements and lifestyle. Meta-regression identified age, BMI changes, and treatment duration as factors modifying ALT concentrations. Bibliometric analysis involving 31 linked studies highlighted contributions from 13 countries, with the USA, Spain, and Chile being the most influential. Conclusions We conclude that supplementation and lifestyle changes can effectively impact ALT and AST levels, which can help address liver issues in obese children. However, the evaluation of risk bias, the high heterogeneity, and the bibliometric analysis emphasize the need for more high-quality studies and broader inclusion of diverse child populations to provide better therapeutic recommendations. Trial registration PROSPERO, CRD42023393952. Registered on January 25, 2023.

Background Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a pathology that affects various organs, including the testicles. The mechanisms by which this condition alters fertility is unknown. This study aimed at determining if experimental CH affects gonocyte differentiation and arrests meiosis; and the possible role of the Sertoli cell (SC) in this condition. Material and Methods Two groups of rats consisting of Control group and Methimazole (MMI) induced CH rats were formed. The induction of CH was achieved by the administration of MMI starting on day 16 postcoitum and continued until euthanized. Euthanasia was performed at 5, 8, 10, 16 and 64 days of age. Following this, the testicular tissue of each animal was extracted and processed for histopathological and ultrastructural analysis. In addition, the tissue was used for the determination of proteins and their transcriptions, events which are characteristics of gonocyte differentiation. The SC functionality proteins was determined immunohistochemically, while sperm parameters of the cauda epididymis were verified. Results CH caused a delay in the gonocyte differentiation, and arrested meiosis and spermiogenesis. These events had long-term repercussions on the quality of the seminiferous epithelium. The results show that CH induces alterations in the functional state of SCs that may have led to the deficiency in the synthesis and/or in the release of molecules necessary for gonocyte differentiation; as well as disorders in the process of meiosis that resulted in sperm absence. Conclusion These results suggest that CH affects gonocyte differentiation and arrests meiosis, possibly through altering the functional status of SCs.

In the present work, the manufacture of a Cu-9Al-3Ag alloy was carried out easily through a green molding process. After dimensioning and slitting, the alloy samples were subjected to quenching, normalizing, and annealing heat treatments, to exert phase transformations that would, in return, aid into clarifying the influence of the phases present on the mechanical properties, such as hardness, as well as the behavior when exposed to a commonly known mildly corrosive media such as NaCl. The results obtained reveal an increase in hardness (assessed through either HRB) and (microhardness HV) in the quenched and annealed sample, as well as better corrosion resistance. The characterization was carried out through optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), potentiodynamic polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.