Superior education institutions are interested in training human resources with a holistic and critical vision, which contribute to the attention of environmental problems from the health area. The ...objective was to analyze, with indicators and indexes, the achievement reached regarding the level of sustainability in the functions of directors, teachers, and students at the Superior School of Nursing No. 1 of the Autonomous University of Guerrero, Mexico. The methodology was quantitative; interviews were applied to three directors, and surveys to 18 teachers and 226 students. On environmental issues, the findings show that teachers have scarce knowledge, with 14%; directors vary significantly, registering 58%; meanwhile, students are located at 60%. In the social indicator, students had 66%, directors 64%, and teachers 31%; the economic indicator was the least valued with 41% for students, 40% for directors, and 15% for teachers. The sustainability index for teachers was 0.19%, in “collapse”; for directors and students, it was “unstable”, with 0.56% and 0.58%, respectively. It was concluded that teachers prioritize disciplinary content; students express greater concern, knowledge, and interest for the environment.
Herein, we performed microarray experiments in Schwann cells infected with live M. leprae and identified novel differentially expressed genes (DEG) in M. leprae infected cells. Also, we selected ...candidate genes associated or implicated with leprosy in genetic studies and biological experiments. Forty-seven genes were selected for validation in two independent types of samples by multiplex qPCR. First, an in vitro model using THP-1 cells was infected with live Mycobacterium leprae and M. bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). In a second situation, mRNA obtained from nerve biopsies from patients with leprosy or other peripheral neuropathies was tested. We detected DEGs that discriminate M. bovis BCG from M. leprae infection. Specific signatures of susceptible responses after M. leprae infection when compared to BCG lead to repression of genes, including CCL2, CCL3, IL8 and SOD2. The same 47-gene set was screened in nerve biopsies, which corroborated the down-regulation of CCL2 and CCL3 in leprosy, but also evidenced the down-regulation of genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism, and the up-regulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism and ubiquitination. Finally, a gene expression signature from DEG was identified in patients confirmed of having leprosy. A classification tree was able to ascertain 80% of the cases as leprosy or non-leprous peripheral neuropathy based on the expression of only LDLR and CCL4. A general immune and mitochondrial hypo-responsive state occurs in response to M. leprae infection. Also, the most important genes and pathways have been highlighted providing new tools for early diagnosis and treatment of leprosy.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This paper analyses the process of institutionalization of a new public sector accounting system. Taking the Cape Verdean Central Government as setting, it seeks to understand what have been the main ...factors interfering in the reform, how such action has led to the institutionalization of the system currently in force, and how it may determine future reforms. From the theoretical perspective of contingency, several stimuli drive the reform of public sector accounting in emerging countries. In Cape Verde, they have been: changes in the political regime, the dominating doctrine of business accounting, financial pressures, and requirement of a wider public sector reform. In the light of institutional perspectives, behaviors of seeking for legitimacy and presence of mimetic and coercive forces in the reforms, have been evident. This study makes other countries with similar contexts and under public sector accounting reforms, aware of how to promote and manage these processes successfully.
Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by microplastics (MPs) is mainly due to the release of high levels of MP particles from treated effluents by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Due to the lack ...of policies and regulations establishing criteria for the control and elimination of MPs from WWTP effluents, this research evaluates the presence of 38 and 150 µm MPs in influents and effluents from three WWTPs in the port of Acapulco, Mexico. Optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the MPs were polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride. MP removal efficiencies of 82.5–98.7% (38 µm) and 86.8–97.5% (150 µm) were achieved. Moreover, the MP average daily emissions to the receiving bodies of the three WWTPs ranged from 9.5 × 106 to 4.70 × 108 particles, while the annual emissions ranged from 3.05 × 109 to 1.72 × 1011 particles. This work reveals the urgency of implementing regulatory policies to avoid the continuous emission of MPs into aquatic ecosystems from WWTPs in Acapulco, Mexico.
Infections, ulcerations, gangrene and, in severe cases, extremity amputation, are common complications among diabetic subjects. Various biomaterials have been utilized for the treatment of these ...lesions. Chitosan is an amino sugar with a low risk of toxicity and immune response. In this study, we evaluated chitosan topical gel and film treatments for subjects with diabetic ulcerations and wounds associated with diabetes mellitus. In a pre-experimental design, we described the result of chitosan gel and film treatment for wounds and skin ulcers among patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus. We studied 8 diabetic patients with wounds and skin ulcers (long duration and Wagner degree 1–2). Initially, most lesions had some degree of infection, tissue damage and ulceration. At the end of the treatment (topical chitosan) period, the infections were cured. All patients experienced a significant improvement in the initial injury and developed granulation tissue and a healthy skin cover. This report represents one of the few published clinical experience regarding the chitosan for the treatment of skin lesions among diabetic subjects. These results are relevant and promising for the treatment of this disease.
Solid teacher training can be a transcendental tool in solving the most pressing environmental problems of our time. The purpose of this study was to reinforce the competencies of in-service teachers ...through a training process on environmental and sustainability issues. The research was carried out during the 2020–2021 cycle in Preparatory School No. 47 of the Autonomous University of Guerrero. We sought to broaden the teachers’ knowledge of environmental education for sustainability, the sustainable development goals and methodological strategies. The information was collected through an initial questionnaire, as well as the record of teachers’ activities during the course, which was structured in four topics: socio-environmental problems, environmental education for sustainability, sustainable development goals 2030, and methodological strategies. The training process influenced the teachers’ perception, achieving a more complex vision of the topics studied. The didactic and pedagogical strategies proposed facilitated the integration of transversal activities in their discipline. The work carried out demonstrated the importance of strengthening training processes that include methodological strategies such as transversality taking advantage of the physical characteristics of the rural community. Teachers develop environmental competencies for sustainability in their educational practice, to contribute to the integral formation of their students.
Aim
To investigate the correlation between handgrip strength and performance of knee flexor and extensor muscles determined using an isokinetic dynamometer in community‐dwelling elderly women.
...Methods
This was a cross‐sectional study. Sample selection for the study was made by convenience, and 221 (71.07 ± 4.93 years) community‐dwelling elderly women were included. Knee flexor and extensor muscle performance was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3 Pro. The isokinetic variables chosen for analysis were peak torque, peak torque/bodyweight, total work/bodyweight, total work, average power, and agonist/antagonist ratio at the angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s. Assessment of handgrip strength was carried out using the Jamar dynamometer. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated to identify intervariable correlations.
Results
Only knee flexor peak torque (60°/s) and average power (60°/s), and knee extensor peak torque (180°/s) and total work (180°/s) were significantly (P < 0.05), yet poorly, correlated with handgrip strength (r < 0.30).
Conclusion
The majority of analyses did not show any correlation between variables assessed by isokinetic dynamometer and handgrip dynamometer. Caution is required when generalizing handgrip strength as a predictor of global muscle strength in community‐dwelling elderly women. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2014; 14: 185–189.
Teachers and university students require knowledge to generate positive changes and to overcome environmental challenges through innovative and relevant research. The Autonomous University of ...Guerrero lacks reliable methodologies and instruments required to evaluate progress towards sustainable development. This research proposes sustainability indicators as substantive functions at the educational levels of high school, bachelor’s degree, and postgraduate study. Indicators were developed via two surveys of 63 teachers and 511 students from four educational programs. Data processing was undertaken using SPSS 21 and Excel 2011. The results show that the environment was ranked more highly than the social and economic indicators. In terms of the participants, the functions of extension (61%), research (58%), teaching (45%), and management (43%) were ranked higher for students; in relation to teachers, research (15%), extension (18%), and teaching (43%) were ranked lower. It was concluded that students show greater socio-environmental concern, while teachers focus more on teaching rather than on the other substantive functions. These results represent relevant and well-founded information that can be used to make decisions that lead the university toward sustainability.
Passiflora is a large and widespread genus of tropical plants that includes over 500 species. Organogenesis-based in vitro plant regeneration systems have long been available for the commercially ...important species Passiflora edulis, the passionfruit, and for a few other related wild species. Recently, somatic embryogenesis from mature zygotic embryos was reported for passionfruit and for a related wild species, P. cincinnata, although the recovery of entire plants was obtained only for the latter. Here we assessed the in vitro morphogenic responses of zygotic embryos of five different Passiflora species (P. alata Curtis, P. crenata Feuillet & Cremers, P. edulis Sims, P. foetida L. and P. gibertii N.E. Brown) cultured in basal Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.5 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA) and different concentrations (13.6, 18.1, 22.6 or 27.1 μM) of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). We characterized these different responses using light and scanning electron microscopy. Somatic embryos were obtained in MS medium supplemented with 4.5 μM BA and either 13.6 or 18.1 μM 2,4-D for all species, except P. foetida for which only indirect shoot organogenesis was observed. Regeneration of entire plants that could be acclimatized was achieved for all species studied. Additionally, our results indicated that the in vitro conditions that promote somatic embryogenesis in some Passiflora species might induce shoot organogenesis in others, suggesting that the conservation of morphogenetic signals among Passiflora species might be limited by their phylogenetic relatedness.
This study aimed to assess the agronomic performance of five sorghum hybrids irrigated with two replacement levels of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The experimental design was randomized blocks in a ...5x2 factorial scheme with four replications. The factors were dual-purpose sorghum hybrids (AGRI 002-E, AGRI G1, AGRI G2, BREVANT SS318 and BRS 58) and water replacement levels (50% and 100% of ETc). The replacement of 50% of ETc was defined as water deficit (WD). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, and sorghum was grown in pots. The mean comparison test showed that plants under WD condition had low values of height, stem diameter, leaf area, chlorophyll content, and a 37% reduction in shoot dry mass productivity. The analysis of principal components revealed that the correlations between the variables changed according to the water regimes. Under WD, water productivity, shoot dry mass, and leaf area index were highly correlated with each other and with the hybrid AGRI 002-E. The hybrid AGRI 002-E showed better performance under normal irrigation conditions, while under WD conditions, the hybrids BREVANT SS318 and BRS 658 also showed good performance. Hybrids with higher leaf area and water productivity performed better under water-scarcity conditions.
PDF
