Abstract: Background: Tropical dry forests (TDF) provide numerous environmental services to its residents; this has led them to be humanized landscapes subjected to chronic disturbance with a high risk of disappearing. Research question: To establish the relationship of vegetation structure and composition of a chronically disturbed TDF, with some environmental factors and the intensity of agricultural land use. Study site and period of research: Our study was conducted during six months (July through November) in the TDF of the community of San Nicolas Zoyatlan (Guerrero, Mexico); a territory with a history of over 500 years of agricultural use. This use has led to a complex mosaic of vegetation fragments. Methods: A selection of 36 fragments was studied to determine vegetation structure and composition as well as environmental factors. Representative plants from sampled areas were collected. Data gathered was explored with regression and multivariate statistical analysis techniques. Results: A total of 59 families, 178 genera and 279 species were recorded. Species richness varied widely among fragments, in general with a low dominance and high turnover of species. Slope was the only factor that showed a solid relationship with vegetation variables. Three groups of fragments were established and the statistical differences between them were explained by the duration of fallow. The fragments with longer fallow period showed the best conditions in vegetation variables and 66.9 % of the species were found in them. Conclusions: Composition and structure of the tropical dry forests were related to intensity of agricultural land use. Although there is a process of impoverishment, vegetation dynamics involving species of the Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Burseraceae families show a potential for their use in the environmental restoration of Zoyatlan.

Resumen: Antecedentes: Los bosques tropicales secos (BTS) aportan numerosos servicios ambientales a sus habitantes, esto los ha llevado a ser paisajes humanizados sujetos a disturbio crónico con riesgo de desaparecer. Pregunta: ¿Cuál es la relación de la composición y estructura de la vegetación de un BTS sujeto a disturbio crónico, con algunos factores del medio físico y la intensidad de uso agrícola del suelo? Sitio de estudio y fecha: El estudio se realizó en la comunidad de San Nicolás Zoyatlan (Guerrero, México) durante seis meses (junio-noviembre). Este territorio cuenta con más de 500 años de uso agropecuario, lo que ha propiciado un complejo mosaico de fragmentos de vegetación. Métodos: Se muestrearon 36 fragmentos para determinar la composición y estructura de la vegetación y los factores ambientales. Se recolectó y herborizó el material botánico representativo de las áreas muestreadas. Utilizando análisis de regresión y técnicas multivariadas se establecieron, tanto relaciones entre la vegetación y los factores ambientales como grupos específicos de fragmentos. Resultados: Se registraron 59 familias, 178 géneros y 279 especies. Entre fragmentos la riqueza específica varío ampliamente presentándose una dominancia baja y un alto recambio de especies. Únicamente la pendiente mostró una relación consistente con las variables de vegetación. Se obtuvieron tres grupos de fragmentos cuyas diferencias estadísticas se explicaron por los periodos de descanso agrícola; las zonas con mayor tiempo de barbecho presentaron 66.9 % de las especies y las mejores condiciones en las variables de vegetación. Conclusiones: La composición y estructura de la vegetación del BTS estuvo relacionada con la intensidad de uso agrícola del suelo. Aunque se presenta un proceso de empobrecimiento de la vegetación, existe una dinámica en la que participan especies de las familias Fabaceae, Asteraceae y Burseraceae, con potencial para utilizarse en la restauración ambiental de Zoyatlan.

Abstract The universal use of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and its versions has created a framework of controversial inferences about the MBI’s Anglo-Saxon foundation. The study analyzes the universality of the MBI burnout construct in a Latin American context, examining its validity, through exploratory, confirmatory factor analysis plus reliability; 505 Nicaraguan teachers participated in the study; 41% of the items did not surpass the factorial loads. The major inquiring points out to the inferences of the Depersonalization and Emotional exhaustion was consistent and with acceptable reliability. The model of Confirmatory Factor Analysis with the best fit showed that burnout can be interpreted as part of a single latent variable. It was concluded that the MBI construct, as proposed, does not show enough weight to assume its universality among heterogeneous cultures. The inconsistencies found in Depersonalization and Personal Realization give indications that it is a specific phenomenon linked to particular cultural contexts.

Resumen El uso universal del Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), y sus versiones, ha creado un marco de inferencias polémicas sobre el cimiento anglosajón del MBI. El estudio analiza la universalidad del constructo de burnout del MBI en un contexto latinoamericano, examinando su validez, mediante análisis factorial exploratorio, confirmatorio y de fiabilidad. Un total de 505 docentes nicaragüenses participaron en el estudio. El 41% de los ítems no superaron las cargas factoriales. El mayor cuestionamiento acopia las inferencias de las dimensiones Despersonalización y Realización personal, apuntando a la probable falta de correspondencia cultural del constructo. El Agotamiento emocional resultó consistente y con la fiabilidad aceptable. El modelo del análisis factorial confirmatorio con el mejor ajuste mostró que el burnout puede ser interpretado como parte de una sola variable latente. Se concluyó que el constructo del MBI, tal como se plantea, no muestra suficiente peso para asumir su universalidad entre culturas heterogéneas. Las inconsistencias encontradas en la Despersonalización y la Realización personal dan indicios que se trata de un fenómeno específico ligado a contextos culturales determinados.

Objective: Obesity is associated with a high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. There is a causal association between obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in IR, proinflammatory state and markers of endothelial dysfunction in morbidly obese patients after weight loss following bariatric surgery. Methods: In this study, we measured the levels of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM1), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in 79 morbidly obese patients at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after gastric bypass. Also, we evaluated changes in IR. Results: Twelve months after surgery, there was a significant decrease in plasma levels of sICAM1 (p < 0.001), PAI-1 (p < 0.05), hs-CRP (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) (p < 0.001) and a significant increase of McAuley index (McAuley) (p < 0.001). Baseline levels of hs-PCR were positively correlated with sICAM-1 (r = 0.450, p < 0.01) and IL-6 (r = 0.451, p < 0.01). Significant correlations were also found between the decrease of PAI-1 and the decrease of hs-PCR (r = 0.425, p < 0.01) and tryglicerides (r = 0.351, p < 0.01). Conclusions: In patients with morbid obesity, substantial surgically induced weight loss is followed by a significant improvement in the endothelial function, inflammatory state and insulin sensitivity, that may reduce their cardiovascular risk. A relationship exists between improved inflammatory profile and endothelial function.

Objetivo: la obesidad está asociada con un aumento del riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular. Se ha propuesto una relación causal entre obesidad, inflamación, resistencia a la insulina, y disfunción endotelial. El objetivo de este estudio fue valorar marcadores de insulinorresistencia, inflamación y disfunción endotelial en pacientes con obesidad mórbida antes y después de la pérdida de peso por cirugía bariátrica. Métodos: se midieron las concentraciones séricas de moléculas solubles de adhesión intercelular tipo 1 (sICAM-1), inhibidor del activador del plasminógeno tipo 1 (PAI-1), proteína C reactiva de alta sensibilidad (hs-PCR) e interleucina 6 (IL-6) en 79 pacientes con obesidad mórbida antes y a los 3, 6 y 12 meses de la realización de un by-pass gástrico. También se evaluaron índices de resistencia a la insulina. Resultados: a los 12 meses de la cirugía disminuyeron los niveles de sICAM1 (p < 0,001), PAI-1 (p < 0,05), hs-CRP (p < 0,001), IL-6 (p < 0,001) y el índice homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) (p < 0,001) y aumentó el índice McAuley (p < 0,001). Los niveles basales de hs-PCR estaban correlacionados con los de sICAM-1 (r = 0,450, p < 0,01) y de IL-6 (r = 0,451, p < 0,01). También existía correlación entre el descenso de los niveles de PAI-1 y el descenso de hs-PCR (r = 0,425, p < 0,01) y triglicéridos (r = 0,351, p < 0,01). Conclusiones: en pacientes con obesidad mórbida una importante pérdida de peso por cirugía bariátrica se acompaña de una mejora significativa de marcadores inflamatorios, de función endotelial e insulinorresistencia, lo que puede suponer una disminución del riesgo cardiovascular. Existe una relación entre mejora del perfil inflamatorio y función endotelial.

Moringa has leaves, flowers and fruit with a high level of vitamins, minerals and proteins of interest for the food and medical industries. This species can be propagated by seeds or cuttings, methods that not suitable to introduce new cultivars. The aim of this research was to establish an in vitro propagation protocol of different cultivars of Moringa oleifera Lam. To disinfect seeds three different disinfection times were evaluated five, seven and nine minutes in 10 gL-1 sodium hipoclorite. Two methods for in vitro micropropagation were used: conventional system (semi-solid culture medium) and temporary immersion bioreactor. In the in vitro rooting phase, four concentrations of the naphthalene acetic acid and Indole butyric acid auxins (0; 2,5; 5,0 and 7,5 µmol L-1) were evaluated and also the kind of explant. The survival rates of the sprout during the acclimatization phase was evaluated in relation to their origin in the rooting phase. Besides the effect of the genotype on in vitro establishment and multiplication was determined. The disinfection of the Supergenius cultivar was better at seven minutes of treatment with sodium hipoclorite, with 54 % of germination. The Temporary Immersion Bioreactor increased the sprouts morphological quality and multiplication coefficient from 6,2 until 16,1 of the Supergenius cultivar. Rooting was successful without auxin and acclimatization survival was around 85 % at 35 days for shoots rooted without growth regulators, regardless of explant origin. It was shown that the genotype influenced the establishment and multiplication of explants

La Moringa posee hojas, flores y frutos con un alto contenido de vitaminas, minerales y proteínas de interés para las industrias alimenticias y médicas. Su reproducción es por semillas y estacas, métodos insuficientes si se desean introducir nuevos cultivares. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo establecer un protocolo para la propagación in vitro de Moringa oleifera Lam. La desinfección de las estructuras embrión-endospermo con hipoclorito de sodio 1 % (V:V) se realizó a los cinco, siete y nueve minutos. La multiplicación in vitro se realizó por: sistemas convencionales (medio de cultivo semi-sólido) y biorreactores de inmersión temporal. En el enraizamiento in vitro se evaluó la concentración del ácido naftalen acético y el ácido indol butírico (0; 2,5; 5,0 y 7,5 µmol L-1) y el tipo de explante. Se evaluó la supervivencia de los brotes en la aclimatización teniendo en cuenta la procedencia de la fase de enraizamiento. Se determinó el efecto del genotipo en el establecimiento y la multiplicación in vitro. La desinfección del cultivar Supergenius fue mejor a los siete minutos, con un porcentaje de germinación del 54 %. Los biorreactores de inmersión temporal incrementaron la calidad morfológica de los brotes y el coeficiente de multiplicación aumentó de 6,2 a 16,1 para el cultivar Supergenius. El enraizamiento se logró sin auxinas y la supervivencia en aclimatización fue de un 85 % a los 35 días para los brotes que se enraizaron sin reguladores del crecimiento, independientemente del explante de procedencia. Se demostró que el genotipo influyó en el establecimiento y multiplicación de los mismos

INTRODUCTION: Mesoamerican nephropathy, also known as chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology, is widespread in Pacific coastal Central America. The cause of the epidemic is unknown, but the disease may be linked to multiple factors, including diet as well as environmental and occupational exposures. As many as 50% of men in some communities have Mesoamerican nephropathy. OBJECTIVE: Describe prevalence of reduced glomerular filtration rate in a region of Nicaragua suspected to harbor high rates of Mesoamerican nephropathy; and investigate potential risk factors for such reduction associated with agricultural work (such as pesticide exposure and specific agricultural tasks associated with increased heat stress); sugar consumption; and traditional factors such as age, sex, diabetes, hypertension and nephrotoxic medication use. METHODS: This study uses a cross-sectional design with nested case-control analysis. Cases were individuals with estimated glomerular filtration rates of <60mL/min/1.73m² and controls were individuals with those >90mL/min/1.73m², estimated using serum creatinine. Data on nutrition, past medical history, medication and substance use, and agricultural behaviors and exposures were collected using medical questionnaires from June through August, 2012. Venous blood and urine samples were collected to assess hemoglobin A1c, and dipstick proteinuria, respectively; anthropometry and blood pressure measurements were made using standard techniques. Analyses were conducted using chi square, and univariate and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 424 individuals in the study, 151 had an occupational history in agriculture. Prevalence of glomerular filtration rate <60mL/min/1.73m² was 9.8% among women and 41.9% among men (male to female ratio = 4.3, p<0.0001). Proteinuria ≥300 mg/dL was observed in <10% of participants with decreased glomerular filtration rate. Hemoglobin A1c and use of NSAIDs were not associated with decreased glomerular filtration rate. Although systolic and diastolic blood pressure was higher among participants with decreased glomerular filtration rate (p <0.001), hypertension was uncommon. Significant agricultural risk factors for reduced glomerular filtration rate included increased lifetime days cutting sugarcane during the dry season (OR 5.86, 95% CI 2.45 - 14.01), nondeliberate pesticide inhalation (OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.32 - 8.31), and sugarcane chewing (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.39 - 7.58). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate a high prevalence of chronic kidney disease not linked to traditional risk factors, and suggest it may be associated instead with occupational exposure to heat stress in conjunction with pesticide inhalation, sugarcane chewing and sugar intake during the workday.

Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, is one of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations. With 25% of the state's population, it has one of the highest population growth rates in the country mostly due to large-scale tourism development. Economic and population growth mean greater water consumption. The region's main water source is the San José aquifer is overexploited. Private desalinization plants as well as wastewater reclamation plants are becoming important alternative technologies for water management at resort hotels. The projections for population growth and water consumption in the region are alarming. Clearly, there is an urgent need to design renewable resources management strategies, diversify technological alternatives, and design public policies to face the challenges of the future.

Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, es uno de los destinos turísticos más populares de México. Alberga 25% de la población del estado y presenta uno de los mayores índices de crecimiento demográfico del país, debido principalmente al desarrollo turístico de gran escala. El desarrollo económico y demográfico demanda un mayor consumo de agua, cuya principal fuente de abastecimiento de la región, el acuífero de San José, se encuentra sobreexplotado. La utilización de plantas desaladoras de agua de mar, de propiedad privada, así como de plantas para reúso de aguas negras se ha convertido en un factor fundamental en las estrategias de manejo del agua de los desarrollos hoteleros. No obstante, dadas las alarmantes proyecciones de crecimiento poblacional y de consumo de agua en la región, resulta imperioso desarrollar nuevas estrategias de manejo de los recursos, diversificar las alternativas tecnológicas y diseñar nuevas políticas públicas para enfrentar los desafíos regionales.