EVALUACIÓN DE LA ACTIVIDAD Y EXPRESIÓN GÉNICA DE ENZIMAS ANTIOXIDANTES (SOD, GPX, GST, GR y CAT) COMO BIOMARCADORES DE EXPOSICIÓN A FTALATOS EN CULTIVO CELULAR

Elizabeth Brassea Pérez (2023, [Tesis de doctorado])

"El plastificante bis(2-etilhexilo) ftalato (DEHP) altera el equilibrio entre la producción de especies reactivas de oxígeno y las defensas antioxidantes. A pesar de la información disponible sobre los efectos tóxicos del DEHP en organismos modelo, la respuesta celular al DEHP en especies naturalmente adaptadas para tolerar el estrés oxidativo aún no se ha explorado. Los mamíferos marinos están naturalmente adaptados para hacer frente al estrés oxidativo derivado de la isquemia/reperfusión inducida por el buceo. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar los cambios en los indicadores de estrés oxidativo asociados al DEHP en células de músculo esquelético de humanos (Homo sapiens sapiens) y lobos marinos de California (Zalophus californianus). Se recolectaron muestras de músculo abdominal de mujeres sanas sometidas a cesárea programada, tras obtener su consentimiento informado. Las muestras de músculo de lobo marino se obtuvieron de crías encontradas recientemente muertas en la colonia de Los Islotes, Golfo de California. Las células de músculo esquelético se aislaron y cultivaron en condiciones estándar. Las células se dividieron en dos grupos. Un grupo fue expuesto a DEHP (1 mM) durante 13 días (n=25; exposición), el otro grupo se mantuvo bajo condiciones control, es decir sin DEHP añadido (n=25; control). Se midió la producción de radical superóxido (O2•-), el daño oxidativo, la actividad de enzimas antioxidantes y la expresión génica mediante métodos espectrofotométricos y RT-qPCR. En células expuestas al DEHP la producción de O2•- y la actividad de superóxido dismutasa (SOD) fueron mayores que en las células bajo condiciones control para ambas especies. La actividad de glutatión S-transferasa (GST) y los niveles de carbonilos proteicos (PC) aumentaron significativamente en las células humanas expuestas a DEHP, y no significativamente en las células de lobo marino. Por el contrario, las actividades de glutatión peroxidasa (GPx) y catalasa (CAT) aumentaron significativamente en las células de lobo marino, pero no en las de humano expuestas a DEHP. Se observó una expresión diferencial de los genes implicados en el metabolismo redox entre las células control y expuestas a DEHP y entre especies. Los patrones de expresión de 26 y 19 genes fueron significativamente diferentes en las células humanas y de lobo marino, respectivamente, después de la exposición a DEHP. En las células humanas, la expresión de la GST1 microsomal y la GST (κ, μ, θ, ω y ᴢ) fue mayor,

"The plasticizer bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) dysregulates the balance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defenses. Despite the information available on DEHP’s hazardous effects in model species, the cellular response to DEHP in organisms naturally adapted to tolerate oxidative stress remains unexplored. Marine mammals are naturally adapted to cope with oxidative stress derived from diving-induced ischemia/reperfusion. The objective of this study was to compare changes in oxidative stress indicators induced by DEHP in human (Homo sapiens sapiens) and California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) skeletal muscle cells. Abdominal muscle samples were collected from healthy women undergoing planned cesarean surgery at full term after obtaining informed consent. Sea lion muscle samples were obtained from recently deceased pups at Los Islotes rookery, Gulf of California. Skeletal muscle cells were isolated and cultured under standard conditions. Cells were divided into two groups. One group was exposed to 1 mM DEHP for 13 days (n=25; treatment), and the other served as a control (n=25; no DEHP). Superoxide radical (O2•-) production, oxidative damage, antioxidant enzyme activities and gene expression were measured using spectrophotometric methods and RT-qPCR. DEHP exposure increased O2•- production and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in both species. While the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and protein carbonyls (PC) levels significantly increased in human cells, these indicators showed a non-significant elevation in sea lion cells. In contrast, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activities increased significantly in sea lion but not in human cultures exposed to DEHP. Genes involved in redox metabolism showed differential expression between treatments and species. DEHP exposure led to widespread modifications in gene expression patterns, with 26 and 19 differentially expressed genes in human and sea lion cells, respectively. In human cells, DEHP increased GST1 and GST (κ, μ, θ, ω, and ᴢ), while suppressing 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1), CAT, GR, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) expression, suggesting increased oxidative stress and phase two detoxification processes. In contrast, DEHP increased OGG1, NRF2, GPx2 and SOD3 expression, suggesting that DEHP activates antioxidant defenses in sea lion cells, potentially contributing to maintain redox homeostasis and avoid oxidative...

Contaminantes emergentes, enzimas antioxidantes, estrés oxidativo, mamíferos, Una Salud Antioxidant enzymes, emerging pollutants, mammals, One Health, oxidative stress BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA QUÍMICA BIOQUÍMICA ENZIMOLOGIA ENZIMOLOGIA

An anion conductance, the essential component of the hydroxyl-radical-induced Ion current in plant roots

IGOR POTTOSIN ALBERTO ISAAC ZEPEDA JAZO JAYACUMAR BOSE (2018, [Artículo])

Oxidative stress signaling is essential for plant adaptation to hostile environments. Previous studies revealed the essentiality of hydroxyl radicals (HO•)-induced activation of massive K+ efflux and a smaller Ca2+ influx as an important component of plant adaptation to a broad range of abiotic stresses. Such activation would modify membrane potential making it more negative. Contrary to these expectations, here, we provide experimental evidence that HO• induces a strong depolarization, from −130 to −70 mV, which could only be explained by a substantial HO•-induced efflux of intracellular anions. Application of Gd3+ and NPPB, non-specific blockers of cation and anion conductance, respectively, reduced HO• induced ion fluxes instantaneously, implying a direct block of the dual conductance. The selectivity of an early instantaneous HO•-induced whole cell current fluctuated from more anionic to more cationic and vice versa, developing a higher cation selectivity at later times. The parallel electroneutral efflux of K+ and anions should underlie a substantial leak of the cellular electrolyte, which may affect the cell’s turgor and metabolic status. The physiological implications of these findings are discussed in the context of cell fate determination, and ROS and cytosolic K+ signaling

BIOQUÍMICA Anions Membrane potentials (Electrophysiology) Patch-clamp techniques (Electrophysiology) Oxidative stress Anion conductance Electrolyte leakage Hydroxyl radical

Freshwater exchanges and surface salinity in the Colombian basin, Caribbean Sea

Emilio Beier (2017, [Artículo])

Despite the heavy regional rainfall and considerable discharge of many rivers into the Colombian Basin, there have been few detailed studies about the dilution of Caribbean Surface Water and the variability of salinity in the southwestern Caribbean. An analysis of the precipitation, evaporation and runoff in relation to the climate variability demonstrates that although the salt balance in the Colombian Basin overall is in equilibrium, the area south of 12N is an important dilution sub-basin. In the southwest of the basin, in the region of the Panama-Colombia Gyre, Caribbean Sea Water is diluted by precipitation and runoff year round, while in the northeast, off La Guajira, its salinity increases from December to May by upwelling. At the interannual scale, continental runoff is related to El Niño Southern Oscillation, and precipitation and evaporation south of 12°N are related to the Caribbean Low Level Jet. During El Niño years the maximum salinification occurs in the dry season (December-February) while in La Niña years the maximum dilution (or freshening), reaching La Guajira Coastal Zone, occurs in the wet season (September-November). © 2017 Beier et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

sea water, fresh water, Article, Caribbean, dilution, dry season, El Nino, environmental parameters, evaporation, freshwater exchange, geographic distribution, molecular weight, oscillation, precipitation, river basin, salinity, seasonal variation, s CIENCIAS FÍSICO MATEMÁTICAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA Y DEL ESPACIO OCEANOGRAFÍA OCEANOGRAFÍA

Does access to improved grain storage technology increase farmers' welfare? Experimental evidence from maize farming in Ethiopia

Hugo De Groote Bart Minten (2024, [Artículo])

Seasonal price variability for cereals is two to three times higher in Africa than on the international reference market. Seasonality is even more pronounced when access to appropriate storage and opportunities for price arbitrage are limited. As smallholder farmers typically sell their production after harvest, when prices are low, this leads to lower incomes as well as higher food insecurity during the lean season, when prices are high. One solution to reduce seasonal stress is the use of improved storage technologies. Using data from a randomised controlled trial, in a major maize-growing region of Western Ethiopia, we study the impact of hermetic bags, a technology that protects stored grain against insect pests, so that the grain can be stored longer. Despite considerable price seasonality—maize prices in the lean season are 36% higher than after harvesting—we find no evidence that hermetic bags improve welfare, except that access to these bags allowed for a marginally longer storage period of maize intended for sale by 2 weeks. But this did not translate into measurable welfare gains as we found no changes in any of our welfare outcome indicators. This ‘near-null’ effect is due to the fact that maize storage losses in our study region are relatively lower than previous studies suggested—around 10% of the quantity stored—likely because of the widespread use of an alternative to protect maize during storage, for example a cheap but highly toxic fumigant. These findings are important for policies that seek to promote improved storage technologies in these settings.

Hermetic Storage Randomised Controlled Trial CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA STORAGE PILOT FARMS SEASONALITY WELFARE MAIZE

Transpiration of a tropical dry deciduous forest in Yucatan, Mexico

EVELYN RAQUEL SALAS ACOSTA José Luis Andrade Torres Jorge Perera ROBERTH ARMANDO US SANTAMARIA bernardo figueroa-espinoza Jorge M. Uuh-Sonda EDUARDO CEJUDO ESPINOSA (2022, [Artículo])

The study of forest hydrology and its relationships with climate requires accurate estimates of water inputs, outputs, and changes in reservoirs. Evapotranspiration is frequently the least studied component when addressing the water cycle; thus, it is important to obtain direct measurements of evaporation and transpiration. This study measured transpiration in a tropical dry deciduous forest in Yucatán (Mexico) using the thermal dissipation method (Granier-type sensors) in representative species of this vegetation type. We estimated stand transpiration and its relationship with allometry, diameter-at-breast-height categories, and previously published equations. We found that transpiration changes over time, being higher in the rainy season. Estimated daily transpiration ranged from 0.562 to 0.690 kg m–2 d–1 in the late dry season (April–May) and from 0.686 to 1.29 kg m–2 d–1 in the late rainy season (September–October), accounting for up to 51% of total evapotranspiration in the rainy season. These daily estimates are consistent with previous reports for tropical dry forests and other vegetation types. We found that transpiration was not species-specific; diameter at breast height (DBH) was a reliable way of estimating transpiration because water use was directly related to allometry. Direct measurement of transpiration would increase our ability to accurately estimate water availability and assess the responses of vegetation to climate change. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

SAP FLUX SEASONALITY STAND TRANSPIRATION EVAPOTRANSPIRATION DRY DECIDUOUS FOREST BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA BIOLOGÍA VEGETAL (BOTÁNICA) ECOLOGÍA VEGETAL ECOLOGÍA VEGETAL

DINÁMICA DE ACUMULACIÓN DE ARSÉNICO EN RELACIÓN A OTROS ELEMENTOS TRAZA Y POLISACÁRIDOS DE LA PARED CELULAR DE Sargassum spp. DE ARRIBAZONES

Paulina Annette Ortega Flores (2023, [Tesis de doctorado])

"La frecuencia e intensidad del fenómeno de arribazón de macroalgas marinas ha ido en aumento a nivel mundial. En el Caribe Mexicano, se ha identificado a especies pelágicas de algas pardas del género Sargassum como dominantes en estos arribazones. La gran cantidad de material que arriba a la costa ha resaltado la necesidad de generar información sobre la biología y composición química de las especies presentes en este fenómeno, la cual pueda ser incorporada en futuras estrategias sustentables de aprovechamiento de la biomasa arribada. En el presente estudio se determinaron las concentraciones totales de arsénico (As), cadmio (Cd), plomo (Pb), cobre (Cu), hierro (Fe) y zinc (Zn) en S. fluitans, S. natans I, S. natans VIII, recolectadas mensualmente durante un año, en Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México mediante Espectrofotometría de Absorción Atómica (EAA). Para As, se determinó el contenido de su especie química inorgánica (iAs) en los tres morfotipos mediante voltametría. Adicionalmente, en S. fluitans se determinó el contenido de alginato, fucoidano, ácidos urónicos y sulfatos y se identificaron las variables de contribución significativa en la acumulación de As a partir de un Modelo Lineal Generalizado (GLM). La presencia de As se detectó en el 100% de las muestras; seguido de Fe (98%), Zn (90%), Cu (78%), Pb (71%) y Cd (65%). Las concentraciones máximas obtenidas en las especies pelágicas de Sargassum fueron de 255.20 mg kg-1 para As, 3.75 mg kg-1 para Cd, 17.39 mg kg-1 para Pb, 6.44 mg kg-1 para Cu, 78.27 mg kg-1 para Fe y 33.25 mg kg-1 para Zn. En general, las concentraciones promedio de los elementos analizados se encuentran en rangos previamente reportados para algas pardas. Los elementos As, Cu, Fe y Pb presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre morfotipos, mientras que los elementos Cd y Zn no. El morfotipo S. natans VIII presentó las concentraciones más elevadas de As respecto a las especies S. fluitans y S. natans I, siendo la temporada de lluvias (julio a octubre) cuando se presentaron las concentraciones más elevadas de este elemento. En cuanto al iAs, este representó del 14.15% al 81.70 % del As total (TotAs), lo que corresponde a 12.69 mg kg-1 a 62. 93 mg kg-1..."

"The frequency and intensity of the seaweed massive influx and arrival phenomenon has been increasing globally. On Mexican shores, has been identified to pelagic species of brown algae of genus Sargassum as dominant in these events. The large amount of material that reaches to the coast, has highlighted the need to generate basic information about the biology and chemical composition of the species present in the arrival phenomenon to be incorporated into future sustainable strategies for the use of Sargassum biomass. In the present study, the total concentrations were determined for arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in S. fluitans, S. natans I, S. natans VIII, collected monthly during one year, in Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico. For As, the content of its inorganic chemical species (iAs) was determined. Additionally, in S. fluitans the content of alginate, fucoidan, uronic acids and sulfates was determined and a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was developed to identify the variables of significant contribution in the accumulation of As. The presence of As was detected in 100% of the samples; followed by Fe (98%), Zn (90%), Cu (78%), Pb (71%) and Cd (65%). The maximum concentrations obtained in the pelagic Sargassum species were 255.20 mg kg-1 for As, 3.75 mg kg-1 for Cd, 17.39 mg kg-1 for Pb, 6.44 mg kg-1 for Cu, 78.27 mg kg-1 for Fe y 33.25 mg kg-1 for Zn. Mean concentrations are in ranges previously reported for brown algae. The elements As, Cu, Fe and Pb showed statistically significant differences between morphotypes, while the elements Cd and Zn did not. The S. natans VIII morphotype presented the highest As concentrations respect to S. fluitans and S. natans I species, being the rainy season (July to October) when the highest concentrations was presented. –Regard to iAs. this represented from 14.15% to 81.70% of the total As (TotAs) which corresponds to 12.69 mg kg-1 to 62. 93 mg kg-1. In S. fluitans, identified the variables: Cu, uronic acids and sulfates from fucoidan, as variables that contribute significantly to the accumulation of As. Monitoring of the diverse components of sargazo is important for the decision making regarding the safe use and exploitation of this resource, as well as, the generation of basic knowledge regarding the process of metal accumulation in Sargassum upwelling."

Mexican Caribbean, Massive influxes, macroalgae, heavy metals Caribe Mexicano, arribazones, macroalgas, metales pesados BIOLOGÍA Y QUÍMICA QUÍMICA QUÍMICA INORGÁNICA METALES METALES

Variaciones en un transecto profundo frente a la costa de Nayarit, México

Emilio Palacios Hernández Luis Brito Castillo LAURA ELENA CARRILLO BIBRIEZCA CARLOS EDUARDO CABRERA RAMOS JORGE MANUEL MONTES ARECHIGA (2022, [Artículo])

"Six oceanographic cruises in a NE-SW transect were made nearshore of southern Sinaloa and Nayarit from March 2006 through May 2008, where no in situ hydrographic data are available. Applying the Thermodynamic Equation of Seawater 2010 (TEOS-10) to the observations, the hydrography and geostrophic currents of the region were characterized. Results indicate that surface variability (0-50 m) emerged mainly from seasonal atmospheric forcing. A relative salinity maximum was present during all cruises below this surface layer, which is attributed to a water mass intrusion of Subtropical Subsurface Water that could be associated with the Mexican Coastal Current. Another water mass intrusion is from the California Current. Samples from the 2007-2008 La Niña produced an uncommon circulation, where water flowing from the Gulf of California along the coast of Sinaloa was observed, opposite to what is commonly known as a mean circulation. This uncommon circulation matches the generation of anticyclonic eddies around the Islas Marias archipelago."

Gulf of California, Mexican Coastal Current, Nayarit Coast, seasonal variation, La Niña CIENCIAS FÍSICO MATEMÁTICAS Y CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA CIENCIAS DE LA TIERRA Y DEL ESPACIO OCEANOGRAFÍA OCEANOGRAFÍA DESCRIPTIVA OCEANOGRAFÍA DESCRIPTIVA

Genetic variability for aluminium tolerance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Subhash Chander Ana Luisa Garcia-Oliveira (2022, [Artículo])

Characterization Variability CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA ALUMINIUM TOXICITY STRESS SUNFLOWERS GENETIC VARIATION

Influence of poverty concerns on demand for healthier processed foods: A field experiment in Mexico City

Marrit Van den Berg Jason Donovan (2023, [Artículo])

Living in poverty can present cognitive biases that exacerbate constraints to achieving healthier diets. Better diets could imply food choice upgrades within certain food categories, such as electing processed foods with an improved nutritional profile. This study evaluated the influence of monetary and health concerns on the willingness to pay (WTP) for healthier processed foods in a low-income section of Mexico City. We employed priming techniques from the scarcity literature, which are applied for the first time to healthier food purchasing behaviours in low-income settings. Our predictions are based on a dual system framework, with choices resulting from the interaction of deliberative and affective aspects. The WTP was elicited through a BDM mechanism with 423 participants. Results showed that induced poverty concerns reduced the valuations of one of the study's healthier food varieties by 0.17 standard deviations. The latter effect did not differ by income level. The WTP for a healthier bread product but one with relatively high sugar and fat content was reduced by induced poverty concerns only among certain consumers without bread purchasing restrictions (78% of the sample). Potential mechanisms were assessed through regression analysis and structural equation modelling. The relationship between poverty concerns and WTP was mediated by increased levels of stress. While we could not rule out impact on cognitive load, it was not deemed a mediator in this study. Our findings signal that improvements in economic and psychological well-being among low-income consumers may aid to increase their demand for healthier processed foods.

Healthier Diets Poverty Psychology Dual System Model CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA DIET POVERTY PSYCHOLOGY STRESS WILLINGNESS TO PAY

Genetic gains in early maturing maize hybrids developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Southern Africa during 2000–2018

Amsal Tarekegne Dagne Wegary Gissa Jill Cairns Mainassara Zaman-Allah Yoseph Beyene Adefris Teklewold Kindie Tesfaye MacDonald Jumbo Biswanath Das THOKOZILE NDHLELA Xavier Mhike Prasanna Boddupalli (2024, [Artículo])

Early-Maturity Stress Tolerance CIENCIAS AGROPECUARIAS Y BIOTECNOLOGÍA DROUGHT TOLERANCE EARLY MATURATION GENETIC GAIN HYBRIDS STRESS MAIZE