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This work presents an economic analysis that illustrates the feasibility and the possible benefits related to the replacement of internal combustion vehicles (ICVs)by electric vehicles (EVs) public transportation in medium-sized cities. According to the current operating conditions, we calculate the cost of operating internal combustion vehicles and compare them with a selected EV with approximately the same passenger capacity. We calculate the CO2 emissions in both cases. Moreover, for the case of EV, we analyze two scenarios: 1) Use the grid to charge the EV and 2) a grid-connected photovoltaic system using the available land in the store terminals. The net present value (NPV) indicates the feasibility of two EV replacement scenarios: EV fleet using energy from the grid and EV fleet with a PV system energy generation interconnected to the grid. The economic analysis considers the different prices of electricity according to the existing tariff schemes in Mexico. Due to the electricity generation mix in Mexico, in the case of CO2 emissions, the reduction is not as expected in the only grid connection; but a PV system reduces more than 30% CO2. This analysis was carried out for two medium-sized cities: Morelia, Michoacán, and Cuernavaca, Morelos, both in Mexico.
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Dióxido de Carbono , Eletricidade , Cidades , Estudos de Viabilidade , Humanos , México , Veículos Automotores , Emissões de Veículos/análiseRESUMO
This work is based on the recognition of the existence of a complex relationship between social and environmental determinants and infants with chronic kidney disease of non-traditional etiology (CKDnT). The aim is to understand how the Social and Environmental Determinants are settled and its influence to the CKDnT in childhood, through knowledge built from the population that has lived the experience of this disease. This research was carried out with a narrative-conversational design. The experience of CKDnT was organized in stories focused on the experience of families in the social and environmental context where they live, get sick, suffer, and die from the disease. In the dialogue emerges the intersection of the social determinants of the disease, the different ways of life, and the relationship with the health services that attend them.
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BACKGROUND: COVID-19 outbreak has been associated with a wide variety of psychiatric manifestations such as panic, anxiety, and depression. We aim to assess the impact of the COVID - 19 pandemic on the levels of stress and depression of pregnant women in Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional web survey was carried out in pregnant women in 10 states of the Mexican Republic during the COVID-19 pandemic among public and private hospitals. The perception of stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale, while depressive symptoms were evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. RESULTS: A total of 549 surveys were applied, of which 96.1% (n = 503) were included in the data analysis. The mean participant's age was 28.1 years old. The mean perceived stress scale score was 24. 33.2% (n = 167) of participants had a score equal to 27 points or more and were considered highly stressed. The mean depression score was 9. A total of 17.5% (n = 88) participants had more than 14 points on the Edinburgh's depression scale, and were considered depressed. Stress levels were higher at later gestational ages (p = .008). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 pandemic has caused mental health issues in pregnant women reflected by high perceived stress levels and depression.
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COVID-19 , Complicações na Gravidez , Adulto , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , México/epidemiologia , Pandemias , Gravidez , Complicações na Gravidez/epidemiologia , Complicações na Gravidez/psicologia , Gestantes/psicologiaRESUMO
Candida auris is an emerging multidrug resistant fungal pathogen, which represents a major challenge for newborns systemic infections worldwide. Management of C. auris infections is complicated due to its intrinsic antifungal resistance and the limited information available on its pathogenesis, particularly during neonatal period. In this study, we developed a murine model of C. auris neonatal invasive infection. C. auris dissemination was evaluated by fungal burden and histopathological analysis of lung, brain, liver, kidney, and spleen at different time intervals. We found fungal cells in all the analyzed tissues, neonatal liver and brain were the most susceptible tissues to fungal invasion. This model will help to better understand pathogenesis mechanisms and facilitate strategies for control and prevention of C. auris infections in newborns.
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Candida , Candidíase Invasiva , Animais , Antifúngicos/farmacologia , Antifúngicos/uso terapêutico , Candida auris , Candidíase Invasiva/tratamento farmacológico , Farmacorresistência Fúngica , Camundongos , Testes de Sensibilidade MicrobianaRESUMO
Peptide-based drug discovery is re-gaining attention in drug discovery. Similarly, combinatorial chemistry continues to be a useful technique for the rapid exploration of chemical space. A current challenge, however, is the enumeration of combinatorial peptide libraries using freely accessible tools. To facilitate the swift enumeration of combinatorial peptide libraries, we introduce herein D-Peptide Builder. In the current version, the user can build up to pentapeptides, linear or cyclic, using the natural pool of 20 amino acids. The user can use non- and/or N-methylated amino acids. The server also enables the rapid visualization of the chemical space of the newly enumerated peptides in comparison with other libraries relevant to drug discovery and preloaded in the server. D-Peptide Builder is freely accessible at http://dpeptidebuilder. quimica.unam.mx:4000/. It is also accessible through the open D-Tools platform (DIFACQUIM Tools for Chemoinformatics https://www.difacquim.com/d-tools/).
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Técnicas de Química Combinatória , Internet , Biblioteca de Peptídeos , Peptídeos/química , Interface Usuário-ComputadorRESUMO
A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
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Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen, and Aedes aegypti has been identified as the main vector of the disease. Other mosquito species in the Aedes and Culex genera have been suggested to have the potential for being competent vectors based on experimental exposition of mosquitoes to an infectious blood meal containing ZIKV. Here, we report the isolation in cell culture of ZIKV obtained from different body parts of wild-caught female mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti, Ae. vexans, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. coronator, and Cx. tarsalis) and whole male mosquitoes (Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus) in Mexico. Importantly, this is the first report that shows the presence of the virus in the salivary glands of the wild-caught female mosquitoes species, Cx. coronator, Cx. tarsalis, and Ae. vexans. Our findings strongly suggest that all the species reported herein are potential vectors for ZIKV.
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Aedes/virologia , Culex/virologia , Mosquitos Vetores/virologia , Zika virus/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , México , Glândulas Salivares/virologia , Cultura de VírusRESUMO
Lymph nodes (LNs) have evolved to maximize antigen (Ag) collection and presentation as well as lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation-processes that are spatially regulated by stromal cell subsets, including fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs). Here, we showed that naïve neonatal mice have poorly organized LNs with few B and T cells and undetectable FDCs, whereas adult LNs have numerous B cells and large FDC networks. Interestingly, immunization on the day of birth accelerated B cell accumulation and T cell recruitment into follicles as well as FDC maturation and FRC organization in neonatal LNs. However, compared to adults, the formation of germinal centers was both delayed and reduced following immunization of neonatal mice. Although immunized neonates poorly expressed activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), they were able to produce Ag-specific IgGs, but with lower titers than adults. Interestingly, the Ag-specific IgM response in neonates was similar to that in adults. These results suggest that despite an accelerated structural maturation of LNs in neonates following vaccination, the B cell response is still delayed and reduced in its ability to isotype switch most likely due to poor AID expression. Of note, naïve pups born to Ag-immunized mothers had high titers of Ag-specific IgGs from day 0 (at birth). These transferred antibodies confirm a mother-derived coverage to neonates for Ags to which mothers (and most likely neonates) are exposed, thus protecting the neonates while they produce their own antibodies. Finally, the type of Ag used in this study and the results obtained also indicate that T cell help would be operating at this stage of life. Thus, neonatal immune system might not be intrinsically immature but rather evolutionary adapted to cope with Ags at birth.
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Airways infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is contained mostly by T cell responses, however, Mtb has developed evasion mechanisms which affect antigen presenting cell (APC) maturation/recruitment delaying the onset of Ag-specific T cell responses. Hypothetically, bypassing the natural infection routes by delivering antigens directly to APCs may overcome the pathogen's naturally evolved evasion mechanisms, thus facilitating the induction of protective immune responses. We generated a murine monoclonal fusion antibody (α-DEC-ESAT) to deliver Early Secretory Antigen Target (ESAT)-6 directly to DEC205+ APCs and to assess its in vivo effects on protection associated responses (IFN-γ production, in vivo CTL killing, and pulmonary mycobacterial load). Treatment with α-DEC-ESAT alone induced ESAT-6-specific IFN-γ producing CD4+ T cells and prime-boost immunization prior to Mtb infection resulted in early influx (d14 post-infection) and increased IFN-γ+ production by specific T cells in the lungs, compared to scarce IFN-γ production in control mice. In vivo CTL killing was quantified in relevant tissues upon transferring target cells loaded with mycobacterial antigens. During infection, α-DEC-ESAT-treated mice showed increased target cell killing in the lungs, where histology revealed cellular infiltrate and considerably reduced bacterial burden. Targeting the mycobacterial antigen ESAT-6 to DEC205+ APCs before infection expands specific T cell clones responsible for early T cell responses (IFN-γ production and CTL activity) and substantially reduces lung bacterial burden. Delivering mycobacterial antigens directly to APCs provides a unique approach to study in vivo the role of APCs and specific T cell responses to assess their potential anti-mycobacterial functions.
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Células Apresentadoras de Antígenos/imunologia , Antígenos de Bactérias/imunologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/imunologia , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/imunologia , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Tuberculose Pulmonar/imunologia , Tuberculose Pulmonar/microbiologia , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/administração & dosagem , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Antígenos de Bactérias/química , Antígenos de Bactérias/genética , Antígenos CD/genética , Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Carga Bacteriana , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Linhagem Celular , Citotoxicidade Imunológica , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Citometria de Fluxo , Imunização , Interferon gama/biossíntese , Lectinas Tipo C/genética , Lectinas Tipo C/metabolismo , Masculino , Camundongos , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Menor , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/patogenicidade , Peptídeos/imunologia , Receptores de Superfície Celular/genética , Receptores de Superfície Celular/metabolismo , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/imunologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/imunologia , Subpopulações de Linfócitos T/metabolismo , Linfócitos T/metabolismo , Tuberculose Pulmonar/metabolismo , Tuberculose Pulmonar/patologiaRESUMO
Real-time PCR of Amblyomma imitator tick egg masses obtained in Nuevo Leon State, Mexico, identified a Rickettsia species. Sequence analyses of 17-kD common antigen and outer membrane protein A and B gene fragments showed to it to be R. rickettsii, which suggested a potential new vector for this bacterium.
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Insetos Vetores/microbiologia , Rickettsia rickettsii/isolamento & purificação , Febre Maculosa das Montanhas Rochosas/transmissão , Carrapatos/microbiologia , Animais , Proteínas da Membrana Bacteriana Externa/química , Proteínas da Membrana Bacteriana Externa/genética , Sequência de Bases , DNA Bacteriano/química , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Feminino , Humanos , Insetos Vetores/ultraestrutura , Masculino , México , Microscopia Eletrônica , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase , Rickettsia rickettsii/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNA , Carrapatos/ultraestruturaRESUMO
Influence of three types of riparian vegetation on fluvial erosion control in Pantanos de Centla, Mexico. Wetlands constitute very important ecological areas. The aim of this study was to quantify the soil losses due to fluvial erosion from 2006 to 2008 in two riverbanks under three types of vegetal coverage dominated by Haematoxylum campechianum, Dalbergia brownei and Brachiaria mutica, in the Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserve, SE Mexico. The relationship between the texture, organic matter and pH of soils and soil losses was evaluated. We used erosion sticks to estimate soil losses in 18 plots (three plots per type, three vegetation types, two riverbanks). Soil loss decreased in this order: H. campechianum>B. mutica>D. brownie indicating that D. brownei scrubland has the most potential to retain soil. The higher erosive impact within H. campechianum sites can be related with the low density of these trees in the study areas, as we ll as the lack of association with other types of vegetation that could reinforce the rooting of the soil profile. Furthermore, soil losses in H. campechianum sites were dependent on soil texture. The soils under this type of vegetal coverage were mainly sandy, which are more vulnerable to the erosive action in comparison with fine textured soils or soils with higher clay content, like the ones found in D. brownei and B. mutica sites. Soil losses of 100 % in the second year ( B. mutica plots) can be attributed to the distribution of roots in the upper soil layer and also to livestock management along riverbanks. This study recognizes the importance of D. brownei scrublands in riverbank soil retention. Nevertheless it is necessary to consider the role of an entire vegetal community in future research. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (4): 1153-1163. Epub 2009 December 01.
En el presente trabajo se cuantificaron las pérdidas de suelo por erosión fluvial (2006-2008) en dos cauces ribereños con cobertura de Haematoxylum campechianum, Dalbergia brownei y Brachiaria mutica en la Reserva de la Biosfera Pantanos de Centla, SE de México. Se evaluó la relación entre la textura, materia orgánica y pH de los suelos con la pérdida de los mismos. Las pérdidas de suelo se estimaron en 18 parcelas con varillas de erosión. La principal tendencia de las pérdidas de suelo por tipo de cobertura vegetal se dio en el orden H. campechianum>B. mutica>D. brownei. El mayor impacto erosivo en sitios con H. campechianum se relacionó con la textura arenosa de los suelos y el grado de perturbación de los sitios (baja densidad de árboles, alta dispersión y falta de asociación con otros tipos de vegetación). Las pérdidas totales de suelo en parcelas con B. mutica al segundo año de estudio pueden relacionarse con la distribución superficial de las raíces de este pasto y con la actividad ganadera. Con este estudio se reconoce la importancia de los matorrales de D. brownei en la retención de suelos ribereños, sin embargo hay que considerar que la sola influencia de un tipo de cobertura vegetal puede no ser tan significativa como el papel de una comunidad vegetal, en la que su composición y densidad, así como su diversificación en morfología tenga un papel importante en la conservación de los suelos.
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Poaceae , Solo/análise , Movimentos da Água , Monitoramento Ambiental , MéxicoRESUMO
Wetlands constitute very important ecological areas. The aim of this study was to quantify the soil losses due to fluvial erosion from 2006 to 2008 in two riverbanks under three types of vegetal coverage dominated by Haematoxylum campechianum, Dalbergia brownei and Brachiaria mutica, in the Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserve, SE Mexico. The relationship between the texture, organic matter and pH of soils and soil losses was evaluated. We used erosion sticks to estimate soil losses in 18 plots (three plots per type, three vegetation types, two riverbanks). Soil loss decreased in this order: H. campechianum>B. mutica>D. brownei indicating that D. brownei scrubland has the most potential to retain soil. The higher erosive impact within H. campechianum sites can be related with the low density of these trees in the study areas, as well as the lack of association with other types of vegetation that could reinforce the rooting of the soil profile. Furthermore, soil losses in H. campechianum sites were dependent on soil texture. The soils under this type of vegetal coverage were mainly sandy, which are more vulnerable to the erosive action in comparison with fine textured soils or soils with higher clay content, like the ones found in D. brownei and B. mutica sites. Soil losses of 100 % in the second year (B. mutica plots) can be attributed to the distribution of roots in the upper soil layer and also to livestock management along riverbanks. This study recognizes the importance of D. brownei scrublands in riverbank soil retention. Nevertheless it is necessary to consider the role of an entire vegetal community in future research.
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Poaceae , Solo/análise , Movimentos da Água , Monitoramento Ambiental , MéxicoRESUMO
Armadillos are apparently important reservoirs of Mycobacterium leprae and an animal model for human leprosy, whose immune system has been poorly studied. We aimed at characterizing the armadillo's langerhans cells (LC) using epidermal sheets instead of tissue sections, since the latter restrict analysis only to cut-traversed cells. Epidermal sheets by providing an en face view, are particularly convenient to evaluate dendritic morphology (cells are complete), spatial distribution (regular vs. clustered), and frequency (cell number/tissue area). Lack of anti-armadillo antibodies was overcome using LC-restricted ATPase staining, allowing assessment of cell frequency, cell size, and dendrites extension. Average LC frequency in four animals was 528 LC/mm(2), showing a rather uniform non-clustered distribution, which increased towards the animal's head, while cell size increased towards the tail; without overt differences between sexes. The screening of antibodies to human DC (MHC-II, CD 1a, langerin, CD86) in armadillo epidermal sheets, revealed positive cells with prominent dendritic morphology only with MHC-II and CD86. This allowed us to test DC mobilization from epidermis into dermis under topical oxazolone stimulation, a finding that was corroborated using whole skin conventional sections. We hope that the characterization of armadillo's LC will incite studies of leprosy and immunity in this animal model.
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Tatus/anatomia & histologia , Células Epidérmicas , Células de Langerhans/citologia , ADP-Ribosil Ciclase 1/imunologia , Adenosina Trifosfatases/biossíntese , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/farmacologia , Animais , Anticorpos/imunologia , Tatus/imunologia , Biópsia/veterinária , Reações Cruzadas , Células Dendríticas/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Dendríticas/imunologia , Epiderme/enzimologia , Epiderme/imunologia , Feminino , Antígenos HLA-DR/imunologia , Imuno-Histoquímica/veterinária , Células de Langerhans/enzimologia , Células de Langerhans/imunologia , Masculino , Oxazolona/farmacologiaRESUMO
The state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico has had outbreaks of typhus group rickettsiosis, most recently recognized in 1997. Evaluation of the sera of 345 patients with a dengue-like illness revealed that 25.5% had antibodies reactive with typhus group rickettsiae and 16% had antibodies to Rickettsia parkeri. Rickettsiae were detected by PCR and shell-vial isolations in the field-collected Amblyomma ticks. Molecular characterization by DNA sequence analysis of the gltA, ompB, and 17-kDa gene identified the organisms to be R. prowazekii.