Search Results (27,362)

Lionfish is a predatory invasive species that endangers native species in the areas it colonizes. Hunting it is necessary to prevent this natural devastation while taking advantage of this unconventional natural source. The objective of this research was to utilize lionfish muscle to obtain hydrolysates with biological activities (antioxidant and chelating properties). The methodology of this study involved the obtention of hydrolysates with Alcalase^® at 30 (H30), 60 (H60), and 90 (H90) min. Degree of hydrolysis (DH), amino acid, electrophoretic profile, and antioxidant and chelating activities were determined for the hydrolysates obtained. The amino acid composition showed a high nutritional value since all the hydrolysates fulfilled the requirements proposed by the FAO (except tryptophan) for children, adolescents, and adults. The DH was >30% at 60 and 90 min. In the electrophoretic analysis, protein and polypeptides were identified. DPPH radical scavenging was 27.78% at 30 min. Iron-chelating activity was 64.23% at 90 min, and copper-chelating capacity remained at >90% in all hydrolysates. Lionfish are an invasive and unexploited source of hydrolysates with potential applications in the feed and food industries. Full article

Culture encompasses, among other things, the ways of living, feeling, and thinking of a social group and is transmitted from one generation to the next. In part, this transmission is accomplished by older adults. Generative cultural demand refers to the perception that older adults have of what society and their families expect them to contribute to the benefit of younger generations and the communities in which they live. This phenomenological study explores generative cultural demand. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 older adults between the ages of 61 and 89 from urban and rural areas in Mexico. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through content analysis using the MAXQDA program. The results show that the main category of cultural demand was wisdom, conceived as the transmission of experiences, knowledge, behavior, traditions, and values, which varied by sex and by type of urban or rural area. In rural areas, women emphasized the transmission of experiences about daily life, while men focused on matters of labor; in urban areas, both men and women highlighted the transmission of personal experiences. Participants considered themselves to be appreciated, still capable of contributing to society, and as a reservoir of knowledge, traditions, values, and principles useful to future generations. Full article

The increase in the human population has created pressure, due to the high consumption of natural resources, to meet basic needs. Poor waste management resulting from human activities has caused plastics to become pollutants that are present around the planet, including aquatic environments. The degradation of plastics through physicochemical processes has resulted in the presence of microplastics (particles < 5 mm), which have been found in species for human consumption and economic importance, including tilapia. In the last decade, research has shown the presence of microplastics in tilapia collected from different water bodies and aquaculture ponds, as well as in fish markets. In addition to this, there are studies that demonstrate that exposure to microplastics can have negative effects on the health of tilapia. The aim of this review is to compile and analyze the available information on microplastic contamination in Oreochromis spp., as well as in their environment, due to their importance as a species for human consumption. Full article

Background: Fatty liver disease (FLD), the most common liver disease worldwide, is associated with cardiometabolic diseases and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. It remains asymptomatic in its early stages, and late diagnosis heightens the likelihood of progression to severe liver diseases. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the utility of serum uric acid to HDL cholesterol ratio (UA/HDL-C) as a biomarker for FLD and compare its diagnostic utility versus established liver disease index (FLI, LAP, HSI, NAFLD score (FLS), and ALT/AST ratio). Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted between 2009 and 2013, included 1470 adults, 50.2% women and 49.8% men between 20 and 75 years old. FLD was diagnosed using non-contrast computed tomography. The population was stratified by sex and FLD. The associations with UA/HDL-C were analyzed using ROC curves and logistic regression analysis to evaluate and compare the predictive capacity of various indices for FLD. Results: Anthropometric, physiologic, biochemical variables, ratios, and indices were significantly higher in subjects with FLD (p < 0.001). In the unadjusted logistic regression model, UA/HDL-C is strongly associated with FLD (co-efficient 2.5, p < 0.001). The FLS, HSI, and ALT/AST ratios were also significant, whereas FLI and LAP showed no clear relationship. In the sex-adjusted model, the UA/HDL-C ratio remained strongly associated with FLD (3.47, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our results suggest that the UA/HDL-C ratio is associated with FLD as an established liver disease index and may be a practical, useful marker for FLD. The results highlight its potential as a scrutiny and early biomarker for effective preventive strategies for FLD. Full article

Starch is one of the leading nutritional carbohydrates in the human diet; its characteristics, such as digestion rate, depend on molecular structure, and in particular, the molecular composition, type and length of amylopectin chains, which are known to present a parabolic behavior with respect to digestion rate. Amylopectin with a higher density of small branches (Chains A) and those abundant in long chains (B2/B3) often present a marked resistance to digestion and could be a challenge in bread production since both fermentation and digestion could be further modulated in the presence of hydrocolloids or gluten. The objective of this work was to analyze different mixtures of starches (rice, potato, and corn) with hydrocolloids (guar and xanthan gum) and vital gluten to understand the relationship between chain length and molecular characteristics with respect to speed of digestion and glycemic index, and their incorporation into a bread loaf at 50 and 100% wheat flour substitution. A Plackett–Burman design was used to design the mixtures. Mixtures were characterized in terms of amylose/amylopectin content, fast, slow, and resistant (SDS, RS) starch digestion fractions, in vitro glycemic index, molecular weight (Mw), radius of gyration (Rz) of amylopectin, chain length distribution, and textural analysis. In the bread, a tendency to increase the SDS was observed when the mixtures included rice or potato, which can be related to the relationship between Mw and size and the prevalence of B2 and B3 chains. The Rz and RS content were related to average chain size and amylose content. The use of vital gluten was a determinant in achieving volume and textural characteristics in the final products and significantly affected the proportions of SDS and RS. By combining the molecular characteristics of starch with hydrocolloids, we can obtain food ingredients for specific applications, such as gluten-free products. Full article

This study aimed to explore and identify soil-dwelling nematophagous fungi (NF) from the “El Texcal” Ecological Reserve in Morelos, Mexico, and evaluate their potential as biological control agents against Haemonchus contortus infective larvae (HcL3), a major parasitic threat in livestock systems. The fungi were isolated from soil using the sprinkling of soil on water agar plates. The identification of NF was achieved using morphological identification keys, which was corroborated by molecular procedures using the PCR technique in the ITS4 and ITS5 regions. The nematocidal effects occasioned by these NF were examined through their predatory activity (PA) against HcL3 on water agar plates, and additionally, the larval mortality attributed to their liquid filtrates (LFs) was assessed at three different concentrations (25, 50, and 100 mg/mL) on 96-well microtiter plates. Two NF were identified and classified as two species of Dactylellina genus, namely D. haptospora (Dh) and D. phymatopaga (Dp). The PA exhibited by these NF were 94.79% for Dh and 68.88% for Dp; while their LFs showed 27.83% mortality for Dh and 32.86% for Dp at the highest concentration assessed. While the PA was notably high, the moderate larvicidal effect of the LF suggests that their efficacy may primarily rely on direct physical interaction rather than metabolite-mediated toxicity. The high PA demonstrated by these two isolates of NF indicates that they could be effective candidates for biological control agents against HcL3. Full article

Arsenic contamination in aquifers poses a significant global health risk due to its toxicity and widespread presence in groundwater used for drinking. Although several approaches for arsenic removal exist, many are either expensive or logistically difficult. This study assesses the efficacy of native limestones from two arsenic-contaminated regions in Mexico as a sustainable treatment alternative. Tested in batch and column experiments using synthetic solutions, as well as natural and arsenic-enriched groundwater, the limestones were characterized mineralogically (XRD) and chemically (XRF). Surface area, particle size, average pore volume in rocks, and competing anions (i.e., bicarbonate and sulfate) in groundwaters played important roles in removal performance. The results show that smaller particle sizes improve arsenic retention. Up to 87.6% of the arsenic was removed from groundwater containing 1.29 mg/L of arsenic when treated with rock particles smaller than 0.062 mm. Natural groundwater, however, in general, exhibited lower efficiency than synthetic solutions due to anion interference. Although site-specific evaluations are essential, these results indicate that limestone may be a cost-effective and locally accessible solution for addressing arsenic (As) contamination in regions with abundant limestone outcrops. Full article

MicroRNAs (miRs) are epigenetic regulators of several metabolic diseases, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objectives: Following a systematic review, we propose a pattern of key circulating miRs associated with placental changes and their potential role in the fetus. Methods: A systematic investigation of studies published between January 2011 and July 2024 was conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Trip Database, and Wiley databases. A total of 90 articles were analyzed. Results: Two hundred twenty-six circulating microRNAs were identified in women with GDM, and fifty miRs were validated by PCR, with miRs-16-5p, -29a-5p, and -195-5p being the most frequently reported. Interestingly, miR-16-5p was also expressed in the placenta but not in umbilical cord blood or amniotic fluid. Conversely, miR-126-3p was expressed in circulation, the placenta, umbilical cord blood, and amniotic fluid. Several reports describe high expression levels of miR-518d in maternal circulation, umbilical cord blood, and placenta. Controversial results regarding the expression of miR-29a-3p, -137, and -148a-3p were identified when comparing umbilical cord blood and the placenta. Conclusions: In silico analyses suggest that the miR-29 family, as well as miRs-16-5p, -126-3p, -195-5p, and -518b, may be involved in alterations in the heart, brain, and kidneys in the embryo when exposed to a hyperglycemic environment. Full article

Ellagitannins are bioactive phenolic acids found in various fruits, plants, and beverages such as wine and spirits. This review aims to discuss the metabolism, absorption, and some health benefits related to the intestinal activity of these molecules, as well as some supplements developed from them. Ellagitannins are first biodegraded to ellagic acid and then to urolithins, which are more easily absorbed. This process is mediated by specific enzymes and intestinal microbiota. Not all individuals can metabolize ellagitannins into urolithins due to differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota, resulting in three phenotypes: metabotypes A, B, and 0. In recent decades, ellagitannins and their derivatives (ellagic acid and urolithins) have gained significant attention for their potential benefits against various digestive diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, peptic ulcers, gastritis, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. As a result, nutraceutical supplements have been developed to treat these conditions, representing significant and promising applications of these compounds in digestive health. Full article

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Mexico, primarily due to persistent infection with high-risk Alpha-papillomavirus genotypes, such as HPV16 and 18. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revealed a high prevalence of Beta- and Gamma-HPVs, mainly Beta-2 types 38b, 80, 107, and 122, in cervical cancer samples from Mexico. Our group previously reported that HPVs 38b, 107, and 122 possess transforming properties in primary fibroblasts; however, the oncogenic potential of E6/E7-HPV80 has not yet been elucidated. For this purpose, primary human fibroblasts were transduced with E6/E7-HPV80 (FB-E6/E7-HPV80), and functional assays were conducted to evaluate changes in proliferation, metabolic activity, and cell migration. RNA-seq analysis identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched pathways. Fibroblasts transduced with E6/E7-HPV16 (FB-E6/E7-HPV16) or empty vector (FB-pLVX) served as controls. FB-E6/E7-HPV80 extended their lifespan and exhibited increased proliferation, metabolic activity, and migration capacity. RNA-seq analysis identified 196 upregulated DEGs (such as GPAT2, MST1R, ACAN, SLCO4A1, and CHRNA3) and 887 downregulated DEGs (such as KLHDC7B, TRIM58, CST1, FBLL1, INHBE, and TMEM132D) shared between FB-E6/E7-HPV80 and FB-E6/E7-HPV16. Enriched pathways included p53, TNF, IL-17, apoptosis, cell cycle, etc. These findings suggest that E6/E7-HPV80 exhibits transforming capabilities that could play an important role in cervical carcinogenesis. Full article

Candida auris possesses distinctive features that facilitate its persistence and transmission in healthcare settings, causing outbreaks of infection that are difficult to treat. So, emphasis has been placed on implementing measures for controlling, eliminating, and preventing fungal transmission, such as environmental disinfection and patient decolonization. This review aimed to understand and analyze the agents for environmental disinfection and patient decolonization reported in the last 5 years. The PubMed database was reviewed, using the terms “Candida auris”, “disinfection”, and “decolonization”. Only original papers, published between 2020–2025, in English or Spanish, that included relevant information on the topic, were selected. After the selection process, 52 articles were chosen to analyze the agents for environmental disinfection and decolonization of C. auris. Natural and synthetic disinfectants and ultraviolet radiation were reported for the environmental disinfection, with variable efficacy, depending on factors such as concentration and exposure time. Natural and synthetic antiseptics were also reported for decolonization, with varying efficacy. For example, 2% chlorhexidine shows a 0.5 log reduction, while at concentrations >10% it is >4 log. However, most have only been tested in animal models. Based on the review, Far-UV-C radiation (222 nm) is safe and appropriate to mitigate (up to 1 log reduction) the spread of C. auris in the hospital setting. However, it is important to consider that the cost and limited availability of the device present a barrier to its implementation. Patient decolonization is still challenging nowadays due to the absence of agents with proven high efficacy in humans. Full article

This article presents a systematic literature review on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) applied to precision agriculture, focusing on their relevance to Colombia. It identifies key technical and administrative needs for digital transformation in the sector and proposes a conceptual roadmap for implementation. Findings highlight the potential of early warning systems (EWSs), the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve productivity, sustainability, and climate resilience. The study outlines current adoption barriers and proposes future empirical validation through field experiments. Full article

Freshwater cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (FCHABs) alter zooplankton communities, often adversely, through the production of cyanotoxins. While Daphnia magna is frequently used to evaluate the impact of toxicants, it is not commonly found in tropical waters; cladocerans from tropical and subtropical waterbodies should be used in bioassays. Here, we evaluated the impact of crude cyanobacteria extracts on three common, native species (Daphnia laevis, Ceriodaphnia dubia, and Simocephalus vetulus) based on acute and chronic bioassays. We analyzed the toxicity of cyanobacterial consortium collected from Lake Zumpango, Mexico. The FCHAB was dominated by Planktothrix agardhii (1.16 × 10⁶ ind mL⁻¹). A series of freeze/thaw/sonification cycles at 20 kHz was used to extract the toxic metabolites and the concentration of dissolved microcystin-LR equivalents was measured using an ELISA immunological kit. S. vetulus was the most sensitive species, with a median lethal concentration of 0.43 compared to 1.19 µg L⁻¹ of D. magna at 48 h. S. vetulus was also the most sensitive in chronic evaluations, showing a negative rate of population increase (−0.10 d⁻¹) in experiments with 20% crude extract. Full article

Artificial intelligence has experienced tremendous growth in various areas of knowledge, especially in computer science. Distributed computing has become necessary for storing, processing, and generating large amounts of information essential for training artificial intelligence models and algorithms that allow knowledge to be created from large amounts of data. Currently, cloud services offer products for running distributed data training, such as NVIDIA Deep Learning Solutions, Amazon SageMaker, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud AI Platform. These services have a cost that adapts to the needs of users who require high processing performance to perform their artificial intelligence tasks. This study highlights the relevance of distributed computing in image processing and classification tasks using a low-scalability distributed system built with devices considered obsolete. To this end, two of the most widely used libraries for the distributed training of deep learning models, PyTorch’s Distributed Data Parallel and Distributed TensorFlow, were implemented and evaluated using the ResNet50 model as a basis for image classification, and their performance was compared with modern environments such as Google Colab and a recent Workstation. The results demonstrate that even with low scalability and outdated distributed systems, comprehensive artificial intelligence tasks can still be performed, reducing investment time and costs. With the results obtained and experiments conducted in this study, we aim to promote technological sustainability through device recycling to facilitate access to high-performance computing in key areas such as research, industry, and education. Full article