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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001330.].

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Among malignant neoplasms, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has one of the highest fatality rates due to its late detection. Therefore, it is essential to discover a noninvasive, early, specific, and sensitive diagnostic method. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are attractive biomarkers because they are accessible, highly specific, and sensitive. It is crucial to find miRNAs that could be used as possible biomarkers because PDAC is the eighth most common cause of cancer death in Mexico. With the help of microRNA microarrays, differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRNAs) were found in PDAC tissues. The presence of these DEmiRNAs in the plasma of Mexican patients with PDAC was determined using RT-qPCR. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the diagnostic capacity of these DEmiRNAs. Gene Expression Omnibus datasets (GEO) were employed to verify our results. The Prisma V8 statistical analysis program was used. Four DEmiRNAs in plasma from PDAC patients and microarray tissues were found. Serum samples from patients with PDAC were used to validate their overexpression in GEO databases. We discovered a new panel of the two miRNAs miR-222-3p and miR-221-3p that could be used to diagnose PDAC, and when miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p were overexpressed, survival rates decreased. Therefore, miR-222-3p and miR-221-3p might be employed as noninvasive indicators for the diagnosis and survival of PDAC in Mexican patients.

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miRNAs modulate gene expression and play critical functions as oncomiRs or tumor suppressors. The miR-182-3p is important in chemoresistance and cancer progression in breast, lung, osteosarcoma, and ovarian cancer. However, the role of miR-182-3p in cervical cancer (CC) has not been elucidated. AIM: To analyze the role of miR-182-3p in CC through a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. METHODS: Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were used for the expression analysis. The mRNA targets of miR-182-3p were identified using miRDB, TargetScanHuman, and miRPathDB. The prediction of island CpG was performed using the MethPrimer program. The transcription factor binding sites in the FLI-1 promoter were identified using ConSite+, Alibaba2, and ALGGEN-PROMO. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis was performed in STRING 11.5. RESULTS: miR-182-3p was significantly overexpressed in CC patients and has potential as a diagnostic. We identified 330 targets of miR-182-3p including FLI-1, which downregulates its expression in CC. Additionally, the aberrant methylation of the FLI-1 promoter and Ap2a transcription factor could be involved in downregulating FLI1 expression. Finally, we found that FLI-1 is a possible key gene in the immune response in CC. CONCLUSIONS: The miR-182-3p/FLI-1 axis plays a critical role in immune response in CC.

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Breast Cancer (BC) was the most common female cancer in incidence and mortality worldwide in 2020. Similarly, BC was the top female cancer in the USA in 2022. Risk factors include earlier age at menarche, oral contraceptive use, hormone replacement therapy, high body mass index, and mutations in BRCA1/2 genes, among others. BC is classified into Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2-like, and Basal-like subtypes. These BC subtypes present differences in gene expression signatures, which can impact clinical behavior, treatment response, aggressiveness, metastasis, and survival of patients. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the epigenetic molecular mechanism of transcriptional regulation in BC, such as DNA demethylation. Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) enzymes catalyze the oxidation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) on DNA, which in turn inhibits or promotes the gene expression. Interestingly, the expression of TET enzymes as well as the levels of the 5hmC epigenetic mark are altered in several types of human cancers, including BC. Several studies have demonstrated that TET enzymes and 5hmC play a key role in the regulation of gene expression in BC, directly (dependent or independent of DNA de-methylation) or indirectly (via interaction with other proteins such as transcription factors). In this review, we describe our recent understanding of the regulatory and physiological function of the TET enzymes, as well as their potential role as biomarkers in BC biology.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has demanded governments and diverse organizations to work on strategies to prepare and help communities. Increasing recognition of the importance of identifying vulnerable populations has raised a demand for better tools. One of these tools is the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). The SVI was created in 2011 to identify and plan assistance for socially vulnerable populations during hazardous events, by providing disaster management personnel information to target specific areas. We aimed to evaluate and determine the social vulnerability in different provinces and districts of Peru in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic using an adapted version of the SVI index. Ecological, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted. We adapted the SVI and collected indicators related to COVID-19. We organized and analyzed the population data of the 196 provinces of Peru, using data from government institutions. We found a distribution of high and very high SVI in the mountainous areas of Peru. High and very high social vulnerability indexes, due to the presence of some or all the variables were predominantly distributed in the provinces located in the southern and highlands of the country. The association between mortality rate and social SVI-COVID19 was inverse, the higher the vulnerability, the lower the mortality. Our results identify that the provinces with high and very high vulnerability indexes are mostly located in rural areas nearby the Andes Mountains, not having a direct correlation with COVID-19 mortality.

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Objetivo. Analizar los cambios en la Densidad de Recursos Humanos en Salud (DRHS) en el Ministerio de Salud a nivel regional y provincial en el Perú; a fin de describir la respuesta del sistema de salud sobre este componente durante la epidemia de COVID-19. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo basado en el análisis de la base de datos nacional de INFORHUS del Ministerio de Salud. Para el cálculo de la DRHS, se consideró como numerador al personal de salud registrado en la base de INFORHUS y como denominador a la población adscrita al Seguro Integral de Salud - SIS. Se excluyó a personal de salud que falleció y aún estaba registrado, y a personal diagnosticado de COVID-19 por prueba rápida o molecular durante los meses considerados en el análisis. Se analizaron los cambios porcentuales de DRHS entre los meses de abril hasta agosto de 2020 a nivel regional y provincial en el Perú. Resultados. En el periodo abril-agosto la DRHS a nivel nacional se incrementó en un 5,1%. A nivel regional este incremento se logró en 15 de las 25 regiones con una variación desde 0,2% hasta 12,3%, y se visualizó una reducción brusca y sostenida del personal nombrado, juntamente con un incremento del personal con contratos temporales. En el resto de las regiones se visualizó una reducción de DRHS la cual varió entre -0,7% hasta -7,7%. Conclusiones. La DRHS en el Perú mostró un leve incremento a nivel nacional durante el primer periodo de cuarentena por la pandemia de COVID-19; sin embargo, este resultado no ha sido equitativo en las diferentes regiones y provincias a nivel nacional. Esto sugiere una limitación en el alcance de las medidas tomadas por el gobierno, y la necesidad de tomar acciones para el fortalecimiento de la situación de salud y despliegue de RHUS en los sectores más desfavorecidos.

Objective. To analyze the changes in the density of human resources in health (DHRH), in the Ministry of Health at the regional and provincial level in Peru, in order to describe the response of the health system on this component during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods. Descriptive study based on the analysis of the INFORHUS national database of the Ministry of Health. To calculate the DHRH, the health personnel registered in the INFORHUS database were considered as the numerator and the population assigned to the Seguro Integral de Salud - SIS as the denominator. Health personnel who died and were still registered, and personnel diagnosed with COVID-19 by rapid or molecular testing during the months considered in the analysis, were excluded. The percentage changes of DHRH between the months of april to august 2020 were analyzed at the regional and provincial level in Peru. Results. In the april-august 2020 period, in response to the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Peru increased the DHRH by 5,1%. At the regional level, this increase was achieved in 15 of the 25 regions with a variation from 0,2% to 12,3%, and a sharp and sustained reduction in appointed personnel was observed, together with an increase in personnel with temporary contracts. In the rest of the regions, a reduction in DHRH was observed, which ranged from -0,7% to -7,7%. Conclusions. DHRH in Peru showed a slight increase at the national level during the first quarantine period due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, this result has not been equitable in the different regions and provinces at the national level. This suggests a limitation in the scope of the measures taken by the government, and the need to take actions to strengthen the health situation and deployment of human resources in health in the most disadvantaged sectors.

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Epigenetic mechanisms such as histone acetylation and deacetylation participate in regulation of the genes involved in encystation of Entamoeba invadens. However, the histones and target residues involved, and whether the acetylation and deacetylation of the histones leads to the regulation of gene expression associated with the encystation of this parasite, remain unknown. In this study, we found that E. invadens histone H4 is acetylated in both stages of the parasite and is more highly acetylated during the trophozoite stage than in the cyst. Histone hyperacetylation induced by Trichostatin A negatively affects the encystation of E. invadens, and this inhibition is associated with the downregulation of the expression of genes implicated in the synthesis of chitin, polyamines, gamma-aminobutyric acid pathways and cyst wall proteins, all of which are important in the formation of cysts. Finally, in silico analysis and activity assays suggest that a class I histone deacetylase (EiHDAC3) could be involved in control of the expression of a subset of genes that are important in several pathways during encystation. Therefore, the identification of enzymes that acetylate and/or deacetylate histones that control encystation in E. invadens could be a promising therapeutic target for preventing transmission of other amoebic parasites such as E. histolytica, the causative agent of amoebiasis in humans.

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ABSTRACT Objective Food insecurity and child malnutrition are central topics in many food programs around the world; however, these indices do not diminish. The creation of strategies is necessary to increase the effectiveness of nutritional improvement programs. The objective of this research was to improve the nutritional quality of three local dishes included in the regular diet of the population by adding amaranth and to evaluate their acceptance by children from three communities in Tochimilco, Puebla, Mexico. Methods The study was carried out in three communities of "Tochimilco", Puebla, Mexico, in order to evaluate three local dishes: banana smoothie, beans and corn tortillas, which were chosen by mothers of the region in participative workshops on preparation of local dishes enriched with amaranth. Two sensory tests were applied: paired-comparison and hedonic scale to 208 and 210 children of preschool and scholar age, respectively. Results It was found that consumers showed similar preference for banana smoothie and beans enriched with amaranth compared to non-enriched dishes; while the amaranth enriched tortilla gained more preference in the different statistical tests and it was the dish with higher content of amino acids. Sensory attributes were similarly assessed and there were no significant differences among rural and urban communities and school year. Conclusion Children easily accept the addition of amaranth to the dishes they are accustomed to, as it does not change their food culture. It is possible to improve child nutrition by designing healthier dishes and incorporating them into the daily cooking of those who prepare the food.

RESUMO Objetivo A insegurança alimentar e a desnutrição infantil são temas centrais de muitos programas alimentares ao redor do mundo; no entanto, esses índices não diminuem. É preciso criar estratégias para aumentar a eficácia dos programas de desenvolvimento nutricional. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo melhorar a qualidade nutricional de três pratos típicos da dieta normal da população local, adicionando amaranto às comidas típicas e avaliando a aceitação dele por crianças de três comunidades em Tochimilco, Puebla, México. Métodos O estudo foi realizado nas três comunidades para avaliar os três pratos típicos desta mesma região: vitamina de banana, feijão e as tortilhas de milho. Estas comidas foram escolhidas por mães da região em oficinas participativas de preparação de pratos locais enriquecidos com amaranto. Dois testes sensoriais foram aplicados: comparação pareada e escala hedônica para 208 e 210 crianças em idade pré-escolar e escolar, respectivamente. Resultados Verificou-se que os consumidores mostraram uma preferência semelhante pela vitamina de banana e feijão enriquecido com amaranto do que os mesmos não enriquecidos; enquanto a tortilha de milho enriquecida com amaranto ganhou mais preferência nos diferentes testes estatísticos e foi o prato com maior teor de aminoácidos. Os atributos sensoriais foram avaliados da mesma forma e não houve diferenças significativas entre as comunidades rurais e urbanas e as notas escolares. Conclusão As crianças aceitam facilmente a incorporação de amaranto nos pratos típicos da dieta delas, pois não repre-sentou nenhuma alteração da sua cultura alimentar. É possível melhorar a nutrição infantil, criando pratos mais saudáveis e incorporando-os na culinária cotidiana daqueles que preparam a comida.

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Ante el incremento de enfermedades crónico-degenerativas como la Diabetes mellitus (DM), es necesario e indispensable documentar y evaluar farmacológicamente las plantas utilizadas en la medicina tradicional regional para el control empírico de esta enfermedad. Este estudio presenta los resultados de una investigación etnofarmacológica de especies vegetales empleadas empíricamente en una comunidad del sureste mexicano para el control de la DM. La información se obtuvo en una comunidad de Tabasco, México a través de una entrevista estructurada TRAMIL y mediante la consulta de ejemplares de herbario. Se encontró un total de 36 especies vegetales usadas en la comunidad para este tratamiento y todas ellas conocidas por uno o más nombre locales. Las familias más representadas son las Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Meliaceae y Poaceae. Destacan cinco especies por su uso significativo TRAMIL (UST) para el control de la DM, siendo las más importantes Tradescanthia spathacea Sw. y Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen. La importancia de uso en la comunidad enfatiza la necesidad de iniciar estudios farmacológicos sobre la actividad hipoglucémica de estas especies.

Because of the increase of chronic degenerative diseases, such as Diabetes mellitus (DM), it is necessary and indispensable to carry out pharmacological studies in order to identify and to evaluate plant species that are used in regional traditional medicine for empirical control of DM. Results of an ethnopharmacological research on Mexican plants used for empirical control of DM in a community at the southeast of Mexico are presented in this study. Information was obtained from people at a community of Tabasco, Mexico by means of applying a TRAMIL structured interview, and by reviewing herbarium specimens. A total of 36 plant species that are used in the community to control the DM was found, all of those species are known by one or more local names. Botanical families with more species mentioned by people are Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Meliaceae and Poaceae. On the basis of their high TRAMIL significant use (TSU), five plant species are distinguished for local DM control, and two of them are the most important: Tradescanthia spathacea Sw. and Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen. The importance of using those species in the community emphasizes the need to initiate pharmacological studies on the hypoglycemic activity of them.

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Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated organism that is transmitted mainly to humans through the infected feces of triatomine kissing bugs (vector transmission in endemic areas) or by transfusion of infected blood, donations of infected organ, or transmission from an infected mother to her child at birth. Chagas disease was first described in 1909 by the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas, and due to the parasite's distribution throughout North, Central and South America, the disease is commonly known as American trypanosomiasis. However, this disease is now present in non-endemic countries such as Canada, the United States of America, and several countries in Europe (principally Spain). Moreover, Chagas disease was recently designated by the World Health Organization as one of the main neglected tropical diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize the research efforts recently described in studies conducted in Mexico on Chagas disease. In this country, there are no existing vector control programs. In addition, there is no consensus on the diagnostic methods for acute and chronic Chagas disease in maternity wards and blood banks, and trypanocidal therapy is not administered to chronic patients. The actual prevalence of the disease is unknown because no official reporting of cases is performed. Therefore, the number of people infected by different routes of transmission (vector, congenital, blood transfusion, organ transplantation, or oral) is unknown. We believe that by promoting education about Chagas disease in schools starting at the basic elementary level and including reinforcement at higher education levels will ensure that the Mexican population would be aware of this health problem and that the control measures adopted will have more acceptance and success. We hope that this review sensitizes the relevant authorities and that the appropriate measures to reduce the risk of infection by T. cruzi are undertaken to provide the Mexican people a better quality of life.

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La miocardiopatía dilatada (MCD) es un síndrome asociado a muchas enfermedades. La epidemiología, la clinica, los estudios seroinmunológicos y métodos invasivos permiten determinar la etiología de la MCD hasta en el 50 por ciento de los casos. En América Latina una causa de MCD es la infección crónica por Trypanosoma cruzi, que en 30 por ciento de los casos produce miocardiopatía chagásica (MChC). Un estudio ciego en 40 pacientes con MCD exploró la capacidad del electrovectrocardiograma (EVCG) para diferenciarla. Veintiuno de los 40 sujetos tenían datos epidemiológicos y serológicos diagnósticos de MChC, 19 tenían MCD seronegativa y de ditinto origen. No hubo diferencias en la distribución por edad ni sexo. En el grupo con MChC no existían condiciones comorbidas en 50 por ciento de los casos, en el grupo con MCD seronegativa había diabetes mellitus, hipertensión arterial sistémica y cardiopatía isquémica. Los trastornos del ritmo y de la conducción, así como las manifestaciones de lesión y necrosis, no mostraron diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los dos grupos (p > 0.05). Sin embargo, el grupo con MChC mostró mayor frecuencia de signos de isquemia subepicárdica (p < 0.05), con coronarias epicárdicas normales. Este hallazgo se relaciona probablemente con mecanismos patogénicos que involucran vasos menores

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La enfermedad de Chagas (tripanosomiasis Americana) afecta a más de 20 millones de personas en América. El 30 por ciento de los infectados desarrollan enfermedad crónica, miocardiopatía dilatada, sin tratamiento efectivo. En México el 40 por ciento de los sujetos con miocardioatía dilatada tienen anticuerpos contra Trypanosoma cruzi. En la fase crónica la parasitemia es esporádica y escasa; no es posible detectar el parásito por métodos directos. Comunicamos un método capaz de detectar T. cruzi, sebsible y específico. Dos oligonucleótidos (KNs1 y KNS2), diseñados a partir de la secuencia de ADN de minicírculos de cinetoplasto, se usaron para amplificar la región hipervariable por el método de la reacción en cadena de la ADN polimerasa (PCR). Se logró detectar el equivalente de 0.8 a 1.5 moléculas de minicírculo o 1/12,000 de parásito. AI aplicar el método a muestras de ADN de tejidos de ratones infectados con parásito, se amplificó un producto reconocido por una sonda específica para minicírculos. Estos resultados se correlacionan con estudios inmunohistoquímicos que muestran la presencia tisular del parásito a varios tiempos estudiados. El método desarrollado puede tener aplicación en estudios clínicos, epidemiológicos de campo y de vigilancia en bancos de sangre.

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