ABSTRACT. The aim of this work was to analyze a RmS-17 polypeptide from Rhipicephalus microplus strains and isolates from different states of Mexico. in silico analysis of the amino acid sequence was performed in order to select a region of 145 amino acids. Subsequently, a pair of specific oligonucleotides was designed to amplify the fragment of interest in each strain and isolate, obtaining a 435 bp amplicon. The products were cloned into the pCR® 4-TOPO® vector and the plasmids transformed into the competent E. coli TOP10® cells. Positive clones were selected for sequencing purposes. The results showed an identity percentage of 99.08% for the reference strain “Media Joya” with respect to the previously reported strain in Brazil (KC990116.1). The strains “Vargas”, “Hybrid”, “Huastecas” and the isolates from Campeche, Chiapas, Hidalgo, Morelos and Guerrero an identity and similarity percentage of 100% was observed. These results demonstrate a high degree of conservation in the sequence of the RmS-17 polypeptide and suggests that it is appropriate to carry out the development of an immunogen that will be useful to control R. microplus infestations in several geographical areas of Mexico.

RESUMEN. El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar un polipéptido derivado de la proteína RmS-17 en cepas y aislados de garrapatas Rhipicephalus microplus de México. Se realizó un análisis in silico de la secuencia de aminoácidos con el fin de seleccionar una región que constó de 145 aminoácidos. Posteriormente, se diseñó un par de oligonucleótidos específicos para lograr la amplificación del fragmento de interés en cada una de las cepas y aislados de garrapatas en estudio, obteniendo un amplicón de 435 bp. Los productos obtenidos fueron clonados en el vector comercial pCR® 4-TOPO® y los plásmidos transformados en células competente de E. coli TOP10® . Se seleccionaron clonas positivas con fines de secuenciación. Los resultados mostraron un 99.08% de identidad para la cepa de referencia “Media Joya” con respecto a la cepa previamente reportada en Brasil (KC990116.1). En relación a las secuencias de las cepas “Vargas”, “Híbrido”, “Huastecas” y de los aislados de Campeche, Chiapas, Hidalgo, Morelos y Guerrero se observó un 100% de identidad y similitud. Estos resultados demuestran un elevado grado de conservación en la secuencia que codifica para el polipéptido RmS-17 y sugiere ser una propuesta para llevar a cabo el desarrollo de un antígeno vacunal que coadyuve en el control de infestaciones por garrapatas R. microplus en distintas zonas geográficas de México.

In this work we report the implementation of the response surface methodology (RSM) for the optimization of photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye (MO) using as photocatalyst sulphated TiO2 prepared by sol-gel method. The variables studied were pH of the solution (3-11), catalyst concentration (0.1-1 g/L), and MO concentration (10-30 ppm). The effects of these parameters over the degradation of MO were evaluated according to a Box-Behnken design. The only crystal structure identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) was anatase phase. The optimum conditions for the photocatalytic degradation of MO according to the methodology applied were pH 6.0, 17.78 ppm MO concentration at each concentration level of the catalyst.

Se reporta la aplicación de la metodología de superficie de respuesta (MSR) para la optimización de la degradación fotocatalítica del colorante naranja de metilo (NM) empleando como catalizador dióxido de titanio sulfatado preparado por el método sol-gel. Las variables estudiadas fueron pH (3 - 11), carga de catalizador (0.1 - 1 g/L), concentración del colorante NM (10 - 30 ppm). Se evaluó el efecto de estos parámetros sobre la degradación de naranja de metilo a través de un diseño Box-Behnken. La estructura cristalina identificada por difracción de rayos X (DRX) para el dióxido de titanio fue la fase anatasa. Las condiciones óptimas para la degradación fotocatalítica del NM fueron: pH de 6.0, concentración del NM de 17.78 ppm en cada nivel de concentración de catalizador.

Proteína Tau desempenha um papel crucial na fisiopatologia da doença de Alzheimer, onde sua hiper-fosforilação promove agregação e desestabilização de microtúbulo. Tau submete-se a splicing alternativo que gera seis isoformas no cérebro humano, devido a inclusão/exclusão dos exons 2, 3 e 10. A desregulação do processo de splicing do exon tau 10 é suficiente para causar Taupatia e mostrou-se ser influenciado por peptídeos beta-amilóides, entretanto o splicing de outros exons é menos estudado. Nós estudamos os efeitos da beta-amiloide(42) no splicing alternativo de exons tau 2/3 e 6, usando células PC12 não tratadas ou estimuladas pelo fator de crescimento do nervo. A exposição de beta-amilóide levou processos celulares formados a retrair em células diferenciadas e alterou a expressão de exons 2/3 tanto em células indiferenciadas como diferenciadas. A expressão do exon 6 foi reprimida apenas em células indiferenciadas. Nossos resultados sugerem que beta-amilóide interfere com o processo de splicing de exons 2/3, favorecendo a sua exclusão e, portanto, a expressão de isoformas imaturas de tau que são menos eficientes em estabilizar microtúbulos e também podem ser mais propensas a hiper-fosforilação. O mecanismo molecular para essa interação amilóide-tau permanece a ser determinado, mas pode ter implicações potenciais para a compreensão dos processos neuropatológicos fundamentais na doença de Alzheimer.

Protein tau plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, where its hyperphos-phorylation promotes aggregation and microtubule destabilization. Tau undergoes alternative splicing which generates six isoforms in the human brain, due to inclusion/exclusion of exons 2, 3 and 10. Dysregulation of the splicing process of tau exon 10 is sufficient to cause tauopathy and has shown to be influenced by beta-amyloid peptides, but splicing of other exons is less studied. We studied the effects of beta-amyloid(42) in the alternative splicing of tau exons 2/3 and 6, using untreated and Nerve Growth Factor-induced PC12 cells. Beta-amyloid exposure caused formed cell processes to retract in differentiated cells and altered the expression of exons 2/3 in both undifferentiated and differentiated cells. Expression of exon 6 was repressed in undifferentiated cells only. Our results suggest that beta-amyloid interferes with the splicing process of exons 2/3, favoring their exclusion and thus the expression of immature tau isoforms that are less efficient in stabilizing microtubules and may also be more prone to hyperphosphorylation. The molecular mechanism for this amyloid-tau interaction remains to be determined, but may have potential implications for the understanding of the underlying neuropathological processes in Alzheimer's disease.

Clinical analyses of Procyonidae groups are extremely limited. The aim of this work was to obtain gender baseline data on the blood chemistry and hematological values of Nasua narica, in conditions of semi-freedom. For this, 14 males adults and 30 females adults were sedated with ketamine hydrochloride and captured. The blood was collected from the femoral artery, and conventional techniques were used to analyze the samples. Males showed statistical differences in hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocytes, compared to females. The females on the other hand having higher platelet counts than the males. For blood chemistry, the females showed higher concentrations of magnesium compared with the males. On the other hand, the males showed higher values in Albumin/Globulin relation with respect to the females. These results could be useful as reference values for adult individuals of Nasua narica, in order to develop future criteria regarding the health-disease processes of this species.

Los análisis clínicos a grupos de Procyonidos son muy limitados. El objetivo principal del presente trabajo fue obtener valores basales de química sanguínea y biometría hemática de Nasua narica, en condiciones de semi-libertad. Para esto, 14 machos y 30 hembras adultos fueron sedados con hidrocloruro de ketamina y capturados. La sangre se colectó de la arteria femoral; fueron utilizadas técnicas convencionales para analizar las muestras. Los machos mostraron diferencias estadísticas en hemoglobina, hematocrito y eritrocitos comparado con las hembras. Las hembras, por su parte tuvieron mayor número de plaquetas que los machos. Para química sanguínea, las hembras mostraron mayores concentraciones de magnesio en comparación con los machos. Por otro lado los machos mostraron valores más elevados en la relación Albumina/Globulina, con respecto a las hembras. Estos resultados podrían ser útiles como valores de referencia para los individuos adultos de Nasua narica, a fin de desarrollar futuros criterios en relación con los procesos de salud-enfermedad de esta especie.