Estado De Research Articles

First Report of White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Brussels Sprouts in Mexico.

The Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) is a cruciferous vegetable with high health-promoting value and Mexico is one of the most valuable exporters worldwide (Data Mexico 2023). From September to November 2021, white mold symptoms (Rimmer et al. 2007) were observed in Brussels sprouts (cv. Confidant) fields in Tonatico, Estado de México, Mexico. Irregular, necrotic lesions were observed on leaves, whereas abundant white mycelium, and later black sclerotia were produced outside and inside of stems. Disease incidence ranged from 20 to 40% in five fields. For fungal isolation, symptomatic stem pieces were surface sterilized with 2% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min, rinsed in sterilized distilled water twice, placed on PDA medium, and incubated at 25°C in darkness for 3 days. Sclerotinia-like colonies were consistently obtained and six isolates were purified by the hyphal-tip method. Fungal colonies were white and fluffy. Irregular, black, and small (3 to 6 mm diameter) sclerotia were produced at the edge of colonies after 5 days of incubation. The morphological characters were consistent with those of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Saharan and Mehta 2008). Two representative isolates were selected for molecular analysis and pathogenicity tests. The isolates were deposited in the Culture Collection of Phytopathogenic Fungi at the Colegio Superior Agropecuario del Estado de Guerrero under the accession numbers CSAEG50 and CSAEG51. For molecular identification, genomic DNA was extracted, and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified by PCR and sequenced using the primer pair ITS5/ITS4 (White et al. 1990). The sequences were deposited in GenBank (accession nos. OQ878510 and OQ878511). BLASTn searches in GenBank showed 100% identity with the available sequences of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (accession nos. OQ891471, OQ891472, HQ833448, and MT177216). A phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method placed isolates CSAEG50 and CSAEG51 in the same clade as S. sclerotiorum. Pathogenicity tests were performed by inoculating 10 healthy Brussels sprout seedlings (cv. Confidant) grown in pots. A mycelial plug was directly placed on the stem of each plant. Five uninoculated Brussels sprout seedlings were used as control. All plants were placed in a moist chamber at 25°C with a 12-h photoperiod for 2 days. White mold symptoms appeared on inoculated plants after 3 days, whereas control plants remained symptomless. The fungi were reisolated from the infected plants and found to be morphologically identical to the isolates used for inoculation, fulfilling Koch's postulates. Pathogenicity test was performed twice with similar results. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum has been previously reported to infect Brussels sprouts in the USA (Campbell 1947). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causing white mold of Brussels sprouts in Mexico. The disease is widely distributed in Brussels sprouts fields in the central region of Mexico, therefore additional studies are needed to develop effective disease-management strategies.

Geotechnologies applied to geographic information system (GIS) of Fish farming in Rondônia state, Western Amazon

This research demonstrated a Geographic Information System (GIS) of licensed fish farms in Rondônia state, Brazil. Based on structuring of the GIS, spatial analyzes of location and distribution of fish farms were carried out in relation to highway network; to drainage; to microregions of Rondônia and the verification of the density. Methodological procedure consisted of modeling the Database (DB), whose information was obtained from Secretaria do Estado de Rondônia para Desenvolvimento Ambiental (SEDAM/RO), which holds the references of licensed fish farms processed in SPRING and ARCGIS 9 Arcmap 9.3 software. For spatial statistics, the Kernel density estimator was applied. The main result is the fact that GIS made it quick and easy to search for data and information about the fish farms studied. The highest density was 4937.64 fish farms per unit area in Ji-Paraná microregion, which is located in the Central region of Rondônia state. In thematic mapping, the fish farms showed some spatial dependencies, as follows: I – They depend on main access, highway BR 364. II – The cluster of fish farms is arranged where there is greater availability of water, that is, they depend on water courses. Therefore, positioning and distribution of fish farms take place in the three main microregions, Ji-Paraná 40.30% of licensed fish farms, followed by microregions of Cacoal 16.02% and Ariquemes 15.87%.

Preparation of red seaweed extract for use as a flocculant agent in sugarcane juice and comparison between two experimental designs

The sugar-energy sector is seeking to reduce its negative environment impact through productivity gains and process savings as a result of research and development of new technologies. For example, during the processing of sugarcane and the extraction of the juice, unwanted compounds are removed, requiring treatments such as clarification, which uses acrylamide compounds in the processing. However, there is a need to reduce the presence of these compounds in the process as they present carcinogenic potential. In this context, the present study aimed to develop a natural flocculant from red seaweed, based on carrageenan extraction. The best conditions for its preparation, dosage, and application in the treatment of sugarcane juice were determined by comparing two experimental designs. The experiment was carried out at the Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Frutal, Brazil, using sugarcane variety CTC072361 (2022/2023 Harvest). Seaweed samples were purchased from commercial centers. Regarding the red seaweed extract, the study was carried out in two stages. First, a univariate experimental design was used to determine the relevant variables that could influence the preparation of the seaweed extract. There was no direct correlation between the parameters. Subsequently, a multivariate design was carried out to verify the interaction between the assessed parameters. Thus, the seaweed samples were previously dried in an oven at 65 ºC, and the standardization and characterization procedures of the seaweed extracts were evaluated, considering the analysis parameters: drying time, granulometry, concentration, pH, temperature, and mixing time, in triplicate. Then, the dosage tests were carried out using a decanter, performing 12 different tests with doses of red seaweed extract (0, 5, 10, 35, 50, 75, 100, 150, 250, 400, 500 and 1000 mg.L-1) for univariate experimental design, and (0, 10, 100, 125, 275, 350, 425, 500, 800, 900, 1000 and 1200 mg.L-1) for the multivariate experimental design. After the retention time, the clarified juice was recovered by siphoning determining its Brix, Total Reducing Sugars, pH, Acidity, and Total Phenolic Compounds. This was used for checking whether the treatments differed from each other. Therefore, by comparing the experimental designs, significant differences were verified between the treatments applied, with emphasis on dosages of 500 mg.L-1 (multivariate design) and 1000 mg.L-1 (univariate design). For both experimental designs, the results obtained were satisfactory; however, considering all the interactions between the variables, the multivariate design was more suitable for the assessed data.

Understanding yellow fever-associated myocardial injury: an autopsy study

Yellow fever (YF) is a viral hemorrhagic fever, endemic in parts of South America and Africa. There is scarce evidence about the pathogenesis of the myocardial injury. The objective of this study is to evaluate the cardiac pathology in fatal cases of YF. This retrospective autopsy study included cases from the São Paulo (Brazil) epidemic of 2017-2019. We reviewed medical records and performed cardiac tissue histopathological evaluation, electron microscopy, immunohistochemical assays, RT-qPCR for YF virus (YFV)-RNA, and proteomics analysis on inflammatory and endothelial biomarkers. Seventy-three confirmed YF cases with a median age of 48 (34-60) years were included. We observed myocardial fibrosis in 68 (93.2%) patients; cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in 68 (93.2%); endothelial alterations in 67 (91.8%); fiber necrosis in 50 (68.5%); viral myocarditis in 9 (12.3%); and secondary myocarditis in 5 (6.8%). Four out of five patients with 17DD vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease presented with myocarditis. The cardiac conduction system showed edema, hemorrhages and endothelial fibrinoid necrosis. Immunohistochemistry detected CD68-positive inflammatory interstitial cells and YFV antigens in endothelial and inflammatory cells. YFV-RNA was detected positive in 95.7% of the cardiac samples. The proteomics analysis demonstrated that YF patients had higher levels of multiple inflammatory and endothelial biomarkers in comparison to cardiovascular controls, and higher levels of interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) in comparison to sepsis (p=0.01) and cardiovascular controls (p<0.001) in Dunn test. Myocardial injury is frequent in severe YF, due to multifactorial mechanisms, including direct YFV-mediated damage, endothelial cell injury, and inflammatory response, with a possible prominent role for IP-10. This study was funded by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.

Bounds on the Optimal Radius When Covering a Set with Minimum Radius Identical Disks

The problem of covering a two-dimensional bounded set with a fixed number of minimum-radius identical disks is studied in the present work. Bounds on the optimal radius are obtained for a certain class of nonsmooth domains, and an asymptotic expansion of the bounds as the number of disks goes to infinity is provided. The proof is based on the approximation of the set to be covered by hexagonal honeycombs and on the thinnest covering property of the regular hexagonal lattice arrangement in the whole plane. The dependence of the optimal radius on the number of disks is also investigated numerically using a shape-optimization approach, and theoretical and numerical convergence rates are compared. An initial point construction strategy is introduced, which, in the context of a multistart method, finds good-quality solutions to the problem under consideration. Extensive numerical experiments with a variety of polygonal regions and regular polygons illustrate the introduced approach. Funding: This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo [Grants 2013/07375-0, 2016/01860-1, 2018/24293-0, and 2019/25258-7] and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [Grants 302682/2019-8, 303243/2021-0, 304258/2018-0, and 408175/2018-4].

The role of social media groups on illegal wildlife trade in four Mexican states: A year-long assessment

Illegal wildlife trade consists of harvesting wildlife products and undertaking its trade contrary to national and international laws. It has become one of the main threats to wildlife, along with habitat loss and the introduction of exotic species. The Internet modified how illegal trade works as it increases species exposure and market venues. Although it is a critical problem in Latin America, it has received limited attention. A region worth studying is the country of Mexico, as it is a megadiverse country, has multiple commercial treaties, and is considered an active part of the wildlife trade. Thus, our objective was to determine the role of social media in illegal trade in Mexican states with different income levels. We looked for social media groups that serve as virtual marketplaces in the states of Estado de México, Guerrero, Jalisco, and Oaxaca. We comprehensively monitored the groups from January 1, 2019, until December 31, 2019. We browsed all the posts listed for sale and recorded all the available information, including the legal status of the individual. We found 175 posts in nine groups that offered 392 wildlife individuals. We registered 90 different species, of which 39 were mammals (202 individuals), 26 were birds and 23 were reptiles, with a total estimated selling value of US$ 683,967. Furthermore, we detected a significant difference between the number of individuals of mammals, birds, and reptiles sold. Our analysis indicates a large number and diversity of species being sold in social media confirming its importance as a virtual marketplace for biodiversity trade and not only for regional species.

A New Family of Route Formulations for Split Delivery Vehicle Routing Problems

We propose a new family of formulations with route-based variables for the split delivery vehicle routing problem with and without time windows. Each formulation in this family is characterized by the maximum number of different demand quantities that can be delivered to a customer during a vehicle visit. As opposed to previous formulations in the literature, the exact delivery quantities are not always explicitly known in this new family. The validity of these formulations is ensured by an exponential set of nonrobust constraints. Additionally, we explore a property of optimal solutions that enables us to determine a minimum delivery quantity based on customer demand and vehicle capacity, and this number is often greater than one. We use this property to reduce the number of possible delivery quantities in our formulations, improving the solution times of the computationally strongest formulation in the family. Furthermore, we propose new variants of nonrobust cutting planes that strengthen the formulations, namely limited-memory subset-row covering inequalities and limited-memory strong k-path inequalities. Finally, we develop a branch-cut-and-price (BCP) algorithm to solve our formulations enriched with the proposed valid inequalities, which resorts to state-of-the-art algorithmic enhancements. We show how to effectively manage the nonrobust cuts when solving the pricing problem that dynamically generates route variables. Numerical results indicate that our formulations and BCP algorithm establish new state-of-the-art results for the variant with time windows, as many benchmark instances with 50 and 100 customers are solved to optimality for the first time. Several instances of the variant without time windows are solved to proven optimality for the first time. Funding: This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [Grants 306033/2019-4, 313220/2020-4, and 314088/2021-0], the Région Nouvelle Aquitaine, France [Grant AAPR2020A-2020-8601810], the Agence Nationale de la Recherche [Grant ANR-20-CE40-0021-01], the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo [Grants 13/07375-0, 16/01860-1, and 19/23596-2], and the Paraíba State Research Foundation [Grants 261/2020 and 041/2023]. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/trsc.2022.0085 .

Senna multiglandulosa, a new natural host for Tobacco etch virus in Mexico.

Plants of Senna multiglandulosa (family Fabaceae), an ornamental shrub, growing adjacent to tomato and chrysanthemum greenhouses located in San Diego, Texcoco, Estado de Mexico, had leaves with putative virus symptoms, consisting of annular or irregular chlorotic spots of different sizes (Supplementary Fig. 1a). To investigate the presence of a virus, high-throughput sequencing (HTS) was performed. Total RNA was extracted from symptomatic leaves of S. multiglandulosa plants using the SV Total RNA Isolation System Kit (Promega, USA). A portion of the RNA was sent to BGI Genomics (China) for cDNA library construction and sequencing on the DNBSEQ platform (BGI Genomics). HTS yielded 14,673,469 clean paired reads (150x2), which were assembled de novo into 91,879 contigs using SPAdes v3.15 software (Prjibelski et al. 2020). The contigs ranged from 78 to 14,534 nucleotides (nts), which were subjected to BLASTx and BLASTn analyses. A single viral contig of 9,501 nts was detected (average coverage: 56,716x per nt) representing the nearly complete genome of tobacco etch virus (TEV). The highest identity was 79.26% at the nt level (92% query coverage) with TEV isolate TEV7DA (GenBank: DQ986288; length: 9,539 nts) from the USA, and 86.67% at the amino acid (aa) level considering the polyprotein, which are higher than the species demarcation threshold (<76% nt and <82% aa) for the genus Potyvirus (Inoue-Nagata et al. 2022). Additionally, the sequence obtained from S. multiglandulosa revealed 79.21-79.37% nt identities with different TEV isolates from Solanaceae plants (Capsicum annuum, MW748496; Solanum lycopersicum, OM471966.1; Nicotiana tabacum, OL311684.1). The new TEV genome was deposited in GenBank under accession number ON110203. The results obtained by HTS were confirmed by RT-PCR with the original isolated RNA using a pair of specific primers designed from the TEV sequence (TEV-NIb-F, 5'- GCGCTTAAATGCAGACTCGG-3' and TEV-NIb-R, 5'-GTGAAAGTTCAGCAGCAAGCGCA-3') that amplify a 550-bp fragment of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The obtained amplicon was sequenced by the Sanger method, and was 100% identical to the sequence generated by HTS. Subsequently, N. tabacum and N. glutinosa plants were mechanically inoculated using TEV-positive S. multiglandulosa leaves as the inoculum source. Twenty days after inoculation, light chlorotic spots and necrotic lesions were observed on N. tabacum and mosaic on N. glutinosa (Supplementary Fig. 1b-c). RT-PCR analysis confirmed the presence of TEV infection in these indicator plants. To determine the incidence of S. multiglandulosa plants showing TEV-infection symptoms, a survey (n=16) was carried out on two farms in Texcoco; the survey showed a 100% incidence of symptoms. Five survey samples were randomly selected, and the presence of TEV was confirmed by RT-PCR. The discovery of Tobacco etch virus (family Potyviridae: genus Potyvirus) in tobacco was reported in Kentucky, USA in 1928 (Valleau and Johnson, 1928), one of the most common and damaging viruses for the chili crop in Mexico (Delgado, 1974). TEV causes heavy yield loss in several Solanaceae plants and infects more than 120 species in 19 families of dicotyledons (Holmes, 1946). S. obtusifolia (originally Cassia obtusifolia) was the first legume reported as a natural host of TEV in Florida, USA (Anderson, 1954). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the natural infection of S. multiglandulosa by TEV in Mexico and the first TEV genome isolated and sequenced from a legume. S. multiglandulosa is widely distributed in 16 states in Mexico, both cultivated and naturalized, however, it is not considered native to the country (Rzedowski and Calderón, 1997). The occurrence of TEV in S. multiglandulosa represents an alternative reservoir of the virus, with an important role in the epidemiology of the disease.

Prevalence of HIV-1 infection and associated characteristics in a Brazilian indigenous population: a cross-sectional study

Despite significant progress in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, HIV continues to result in a substantial number of fatalities on a global scale each year. Gaining insights from epidemiological data can prove instrumental in the development of health promotion strategies, particularly within vulnerable populations, such as indigenous groups. Consequently, our study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HIV infection within the indigenous population residing in the second-largest region of Brazil. Additionally, we sought to explore the subtypes of HIV-1 and detect any drug-resistance mutations present within this population. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HIV-1 infection and explore its associated characteristics within the indigenous population residing in the villages of Jaguapiru and Bororó, located in the Dourados area of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil. Blood samples were collected for rapid HIV screening, serological tests, nucleic acid amplification, and HIV subtyping. Additionally, the HIV-1 viral load and CD4+ T lymphocyte count of the people living with HIV (PLHIV) were assessed at the time of recruitment and 24 weeks later. Out of the 2190 invited individuals, 1927 (88%) were included in this study. The average age of the participants was 34.2 (±13.8) years, with a majority of 74% being female. Moreover, 68.44% of the participants identified themselves as belonging to the Guarani-Kaiowa ethnic group. HIV seroprevalence was 0.93% (18/1927), and 73.22% (1411/1927) were unaware of their serological status. The prevalence of HIV-1 was higher in single indigenous people [10/617 (1.62%)], who received government benefits [14/1021 (1.37%)], had less than five years of formal education [11/685 (1.61%)], had sexual intercourse with users of injectable drugs [2/21 (9.52%)], with history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [10/62 (16.2%)] and incarceration [3/62 (4.84%)]. Of 18 positive samples, 44.4% (8/18) were successfully amplified, and HIV-1 subtype C was prevalent. Furthermore, we identified HIV-1 drug resistance mutations in four patients, specifically from the classes of Protease Inhibitor, Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor, and Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor. Notably, three of these patients exhibited a high viral load even after 24 weeks of undergoing antiretroviral therapy. Out of the 18 PLHIV, 66.66% (12/18) had a viral load below 1000 copies/mL, while 50% (9/18) had a CD4+ T lymphocytes count greater than 350cells/mL after 24 weeks of treatment. Despite the concerted efforts to control HIV infection, the prevalence observed in the indigenous population under study surpassed that reported in other Brazilian indigenous groups. This disparity highlights the disproportionate impact of the disease on this particular group. The detection of drug-resistance mutations further emphasizes the critical need to expand diagnostic coverage, closely monitor treatment strategies, and maintain ongoing molecular surveillance. These measures are imperative for enhancing HIV management within this vulnerable population. This study was partially funded by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento do Ensino, Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul (FUNDECT), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Secretaria do Estado de Saúde (SES) of Governo do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, and Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD).

Measurement of Water Matriial Potential in the Soil Through Instrumented Tensiometers with Pressure Sensors and Puncture Device

Objective: The search for a practical and accessible solution for measuring water tension in the soil using tensiometers is fundamental for irrigation management, efficient use of water and increased profitability of irrigated crops. The objective of this study was to propose a technique based on the instrumentation of a tensiometer with a pressure sensor and a device for reading the sensor's response. Theoretical Frame: This study used the following main quotes as a theoretical basis: Freescale and NPX Semiconductors manufacturers of pressure sensors, Azevedo &amp; Silva for the soil water tension correction methodology and Van Genuchten to describe the relationship between soil water content and suction. Method: Pressure transducers with a range of 0-50 and 0-100 kPa were used, with an analog signal varying between 200 and 4700 mV, whose response was measured by a digital multimeter with the scale adjusted to V or mV. The transducer was adapted by attaching a hypodermic needle Nº 7/30 to the vacuum measurement inlet, leaving the other inlet free for the atmosphere. The transducer was powered by a 9 Vcc battery with rectified voltage to 5 Vcc through a specific integrated circuit for this function. The conversion of the transducer response signal in mV to voltage in kPa was performed using the response function informed by the manufacturer, reversing the order of the variables so that the voltage could be measured as a function of the output signal in mV. The system was used to measure the water tension in the soil of tensiometers installed in an area cultivated with tomatoes in a greenhouse during a complete cycle, functioning satisfactorily. Results and conclusions: During the experimental period, the water tension in the soil observed with the new tensiometer with pressure sensor and sensor response reading device ranged from 0.00 kPa (minimum tension) to 53.33 kPa (maximum tension) in the two soil layers. analyzed soil, while the average tension was 23.64 kPa in the 0-20 cm soil layer and 21.38 kPa in the 20-40 cm layer. Soil moisture obtained from soil water tension and soil water retention curve ranged from 0.11 (minimum) to 0.50 m3 m-3 (maximum) in both studied soil layers, while that the average soil moisture in the depth from 0 to 20 cm was 0.21 m3 m-3 and from 20 to 40 cm was 0.20 m3 m-3. The instrumented tensiometer with pressure sensor and sensor response reading device makes it possible to satisfactorily determine the matrix potential of water in the soil. The matriial tension data obtained with the new pressure sensor are consistent with reports in the literature as adequate to provide higher yields in tomato cultivation. The technique and instrumentation proposed in this study allows measuring the water tension in the soil, knowing the soil moisture and carrying out irrigation management, applying an irrigation depth according to the needs of the plants, making a more efficient use of water and providing water and electricity savings. Implications of the research: This study qualifies as being of great relevance for the purposes of the Department of Agronomic Engineering at the Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Nova Mutum Campus, as well as for the entire academic and scientific community and rural producers interested in tensiometers to carry out a management of water from the soil and farm sustainably. Originality and value: The study sought to present to the academic, scientific and rural producers community a practical and accessible solution for measuring the water tension in the soil through tensiometers, thus providing current information on a new instrument for irrigation management, which makes it possible to carry out a more efficient use of water and increase the profitability of irrigated crops.

Self-expandable metallic stent-induced esophagorespiratory fistulas in patients with advanced esophageal cancer.

Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) are widely adopted for the palliation of dysphagia in patients with malignant esophageal strictures. An important adverse event is the development of SEMS-induced esophagorespiratory fistulas (SEMS-ERFs). This study aimed to assess the risk factors related to the development of SEMS-ERF after SEMS placement in patients with esophageal cancer. This retrospective study was performed at the Instituto do Cancer do Estado de São Paulo. All patients with malignant esophageal strictures who underwent esophageal SEMS placement between 2009 and 2019 were included in the study. Of the 335 patients, 37 (11.0%) developed SEMS-ERF, with a median time of 129 days after SEMS placement. Stent flare of 28 mm (hazard ratio [HR], 2.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-5.51; p=0.02) and post-stent chemotherapy (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.01-4.00; p=0.05) were associated with an increased risk of developing SEMS-ERF, while lower-third tumors were a protective factor (HR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.26-0.85; p=0.01). No difference was observed in overall survival. The incidence of SEMS-ERFs was 11%, with a median time of 129 days after SEMS placement. Post-stent chemotherapy and a 28 mm stent flare were associated with a higher risk of SEMS-ERF.

Drought occurrence and forest management: Interrelated drivers of sanitary logging in central México temperate forests

Drought exacerbates forest pest outbreaks, causing widespread tree mortality. In México, to control bark beetle outbreaks, mandatory sanitary logging is carried out by the landowners who can use or sell the resulting wood. We analyzed the temporal trend of reported bark beetle outbreaks and their relationship to drought conditions; and assessed the intensity of the sanitary logging in relation to land tenure type and the pre-existing Forest Management Program (FMP) as a proxy to determine whether sanitary logging is being used only for its primary purpose: bark beetle population control. We used official records of bark beetle outbreaks (n = 11,151) on four major conifer species (Abies religiosa, Pinus hartwegii, P. pseudostrobus, and P. oocarpa) that triggered sanitary logging authorizations (n = 1,968) between 2009 and 2021 in two highly affected states: Michoacán and Estado de México. Results showed that reported bark beetle outbreaks increased from an average of 38 in 2009 to 1,051 in 2021, and were associated with droughts that occurred up to two years earlier. More severe droughts were recorded in Estado de México, but more sanitary logging authorizations were issued in Michoacán (829 and 1,139, respectively). In Michoacán, the area logged was smaller, but the sanitary logging was more intensive (2,623 ha, x̅ 139 m3/ha of wood extracted) compared to Estado de México (9,227 ha, x̅ 38 m3/ha of wood extracted). These sanitary logging interventions occurred equally on communal and private lands, but from 58% (Michoacán) to 69% (Estado de México) occurred on properties without a pre-existing FMP. While the results suggest that in some areas, particularly in Michoacán, sanitary logging may serve as a legal pass to harvest timber, further research is needed on ecological and social issues, such as: forest characteristics that may influence beetle reproduction and dispersal, local pest management practices, forest governance and conflicts, and the effectiveness of technical assistance and monitoring to control outbreaks, among others.

Rare variants in the MECP2 gene in girls with central precocious puberty: a translational cohort study

Identification of genetic causes of central precocious puberty have revealed epigenetic mechanisms as regulators of human pubertal timing. MECP2, an X-linked gene, encodes a chromatin-associated protein with a role in gene transcription. MECP2 loss-of-function mutations usually cause Rett syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder. Early pubertal development has been shown in several patients with Rett syndrome. The aim of this study was to explore whether MECP2 variants are associated with an idiopathic central precocious puberty phenotype. In this translational cohort study, participants were recruited from seven tertiary centres from five countries (Brazil, Spain, France, the USA, and the UK). Patients with idiopathic central precocious puberty were investigated for rare potentially damaging variants in the MECP2 gene, to assess whether MECP2 might contribute to the cause of central precocious puberty. Inclusion criteria were the development of progressive pubertal signs (Tanner stage 2) before the age of 8 years in girls and 9 years in boys and basal or GnRH-stimulated LH pubertal concentrations. Exclusion criteria were the diagnosis of peripheral precocious puberty and the presence of any recognised cause of central precocious puberty (CNS lesions, known monogenic causes, genetic syndromes, or early exposure to sex steroids). All patients included were followed up at the outpatient clinics of participating academic centres. We used high-throughput sequencing in 133 patients and Sanger sequencing of MECP2 in an additional 271 patients. Hypothalamic expression of Mecp2 and colocalisation with GnRH neurons were determined in mice to show expression of Mecp2 in key nuclei related to pubertal timing regulation. Between Jun 15, 2020, and Jun 15, 2022, 404 patients with idiopathic central precocious puberty (383 [95%] girls and 21 [5%] boys; 261 [65%] sporadic cases and 143 [35%] familial cases from 134 unrelated families) were enrolled and assessed. We identified three rare heterozygous likely damaging coding variants in MECP2 in five girls: a de novo missense variant (Arg97Cys) in two monozygotic twin sisters with central precocious puberty and microcephaly; a de novo missense variant (Ser176Arg) in one girl with sporadic central precocious puberty, obesity, and autism; and an insertion (Ala6_Ala8dup) in two unrelated girls with sporadic central precocious puberty. Additionally, we identified one rare heterozygous 3'UTR MECP2 insertion (36_37insT) in two unrelated girls with sporadic central precocious puberty. None of them manifested Rett syndrome. Mecp2 protein colocalised with GnRH expression in hypothalamic nuclei responsible for GnRH regulation in mice. We identified rare MECP2 variants in girls with central precocious puberty, with or without mild neurodevelopmental abnormalities. MECP2 might have a role in the hypothalamic control of human pubertal timing, adding to the evidence of involvement of epigenetic and genetic mechanisms in this crucial biological process. Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, and the Wellcome Trust.

Human peripheral blood age-associated (CD11c+Tbet+) B cells: No association with age.

Human peripheral blood age-associated (CD11c+Tbet+) B cells: No association with age.

Understanding the impact of physico-chemical parameters on aquatic invertebrates in Lake Chalco, Mexico City

Many urban environments are places with strong stressors that substantially modify water quality. Although tests evaluating water quality are usually physico-chemical, including biological components can also provide relevant information. Lake Chalco, at the border between Mexico City and Estado de México, interacts with the surrounding human population. We investigated some water quality parameters and the community of macroinvertebrates living in Lake Chalco. From January to October 2017, we sampled water along the shoreline in 4 permanent areas of the lake. We recorded the NH4+, NO3-N, NO2-N, total P, Zn, Cu2+, ORP, DO, TDS, conductivity, and pH. In addition, we characterized the richness, composition, and abundance of the macroinvertebrate community. There was spatial and temporal variation in physico-chemical parameters, perhaps due to the agricultural activity around the lake. Nevertheless, water quality was unable to be placed in a category of the national law. Four out of 20 macroinvertebrate RTU’s significantly correlated with environmental variables. Thus, no bioindicators could be proposed. In general, lake water quality is poor, so it is not recommended for anthropic activities. Yet, the lake may be important as a center of dispersion for aquatic invertebrates.

Analysis of national and international tomato trade routes through the simplex method

Objective: To find the optimal national and international tomato trade routes through the simplex method to maximize profit. Design/methodology/approach: The apparent national consumption was determined from the production, the volume of exports, the imports, and the population of each state in the Mexican republic; based on this, the points of origin and destinations were established, to later optimize the routes through the simplex method taking into account two scenarios, a closed market economy and an open market economy. Results: Of the total offer, 21% is destined to the national market, where only 64% of the offerors supply tomato to national consumers. On the other hand, in the open economy it is evident that only 45% of the destinations through which tomato can be exported to North American territory are optimal, and it is also clear that 79% of national surpluses are destined to trade in a foreign market. Limitations on study/implications: The model was designed with data from 2020, considering all the tomato variants produced and exported in Mexico contained in the tariff classification 070200; the independent variable was the distance between offerors and destinations. Findings/conclusions: In conditions of closed market there is surplus production of tomato in 19 states that allows supplying the states with negative balance. Estado de México, Mexico City, and Veracruz concentrate the greatest demand due to their large population density. The two states with greatest surplus, Sinaloa and San Luis Potosí, destined the total of their offer to the foreign market, primarily because of their proximity to border customs. as.

An annotated checklist of terrestrial flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Geoplanidae) from Mexico, with new records of invasive species from a citizen science platform and a new nomen dubium.

A checklist of species of terrestrial flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Tricladida: Geoplanidae) recorded for Mexico is compiled, listing 11 species. Five are directly referenced in the literature: Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878, Bipalium vagum Jones & Sterrer, 2005, Diporodemus yucatani Hyman, 1938, Geoplana multipunctata Fuhrmann, 1914, and Pseudogeoplana nigrofusca (Darwin, 1844); and one species had been indirectly mentioned for the country: Parakontikia ventrolineata (Dendy, 1892), which was described from material intercepted in the USA in a shipment of ornamental plants from Mexico. Mexican records from the citizen science platform iNaturalist were reviewed, revealing the presence of five widely distributed invasive species: Caenoplana coerulea Moseley, 1877, recorded in Ciudad de Mexico; Endeavouria septemlineata (Hyman, 1939), recorded in Ciudad de Mexico, Estado de Mexico, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Morelos, and Oaxaca; Dolichoplana carvalhoi Corrêa, 1947, recorded in Jalisco; Dolichoplana striata Moseley, 1877, recorded in Morelos, Nuevo Leon, Quintana Roo, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz; and Rhynchodemus sylvaticus (Leidy, 1851), recorded in Jalisco. The presence of Parakontikia ventrolineata is confirmed for the country, being recorded in Ciudad de Mexico, Estado de Mexico, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacan, Puebla, Queretaro, and Veracruz. The original description of Pseudogeoplana nigrofusca was revisited and compared to subsequent descriptions and keys, noting that the specimens are not conspecific and that the original description is too vague to accurately identify the species, therefore, this taxon is hereby relegated as a nomen dubium. A key for the higher taxa (subfamilies and tribes) of the North American terrestrial flatworms is proposed.

0021 Bimodality prevalence in a sample of undergraduate students in Sao Paulo city

Abstract Introduction The concept of bimodality comprises a fourth circadian phenotype, the bimodal, whose identification is made by a re-scoring of the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and was first described by Martynhak and colleagues in 2010. Bimodal subjects are originally classified as “intermediate” because they answer the questions sometimes as a morning person and, some others, as an evening one. The present work aimed to describe the prevalence of the bimodal chronotype in a sample of undergraduate students in Sao Paulo city. Methods A web-based cross-sectional study conducted between September 2018 and March 2021, with a convenience sampling method, composed by 615 undergraduate students (82% females, mean age: 23.4±6.5 years) from two higher education institutions at Sao Paulo city. Results Forty-four students (7%) had positive bimodality indexes and bimodal individuals comprised 19 students (74% female; 26% male), 3% of the total sample. Conclusion We met our initial goal and found a bimodality prevalence of 3%. The description of bimodality prevalence in a sample of college students is interesting because they may be a maladaptive population from a sleep and rhythmicity point of view, which may be interesting for the design of academic public policies more consistent with the circadian preferences of students. Support (if any) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP).

Onset of chaotic gravitational lensing in non-Kerr rotating black holes with quadrupole mass moment* *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NNSFC, 12005077) and Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2021A1515012374). We also gratefully acknowledge the financial support from Brazilian agencies Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa

In the electromagnetic channel, chaotic gravitational lensing is a peculiar phenomenon in strong gravitational lensing. In this study, we analyze the properties and emergence of chaotic gravitational lensing in the Manko-Novikov black hole spacetime. Aiming to better understand the underlying physics, we elaborate on the boundaries of the accessible region through analyses of the contours of the effective potentials. The latter is associated with the two roots of a quadratic equation. In particular, we explore its interplay with an ergoregion, which leads to specific features of the effective potentials, such as the emergence of a cuspy edge and the formation of a pocket, which serve as static constraints on the geodesics. Additionally, we investigate the properties of the radial and angular accelerations at the turning points in photon trajectories. The accelerations are further examined and may provide kinematic constraints on the geodesics, as argued herein. It is concluded that the onset of the chaotic lensing is significantly related to both constraints; as a result, an arbitrary slight deviation in the incident photon is significantly amplified during evolution through an extensive period, demonstrating the complexity in the highly nonlinear deterministic gravitational system.

Echoes of axial gravitational perturbations in stars of uniform density* *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42230207) and the Brazilian Agencies Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal

This study investigates the echoes in axial gravitational perturbations in compact objects. Accordingly, we propose an alternative scheme of the finite difference method implemented in two coordinate systems, where the initial conditions are placed on the axis of the tortoise coordinate with appropriate boundary conditions that fully respect the causality. The scheme is then employed to study the temporal profiles of the quasinormal oscillations in the Schwarzschild black hole and uniform-density stars. When presented as a two-dimensional evolution profile, the resulting ringdown waveforms in the black hole metric are split into reflected and transmitted waves as the initial perturbations evolve and collide with the peak of the effective potential. Meanwhile, for compact stars, quasinormal oscillations might be characterized by echoes. Consistent with the causality arguments, the phenomenon is produced by the gravitational waves bouncing between the divergent potential at the star's center and the peak of the effective potential. The implications of the present study are also discussed herein.