Search Results (353)

The internationalization of university research is driven by multiple, overlapping rationales that operate across institutional and individual dimensions and condition how international engagement becomes feasible in practice. This study examines how Honduran university faculty constructs and articulates the reasons for internationalizing their research activities; it identifies the discursive positions that emerge from these accounts. A qualitative–structural approach was used to analyze the discursive data produced in the group meetings convened through with an ad hoc structural sample. The analysis identified and graphically represented five discursive positions configured as a relational structure: (A) Professional Development, (B) Ethical–Political Commitment, (C) Financial Acquisition, (D) Academic Prestige, and (E) Sociocultural Engagement. Together, these positions capture distinct yet interrelated motivations by which faculty members pursue research internationalization. By mapping this relational configuration, the study contributes to the literature by showing how faculty rationales are combined and hierarchized in situated academic practice and provides empirically grounded insights for designing, planning, and managing strategies that align institutional priorities with the diversity of faculty rationales, thereby leveraging their tensions and complementarities to strengthen the effectiveness and sustainability of research internationalization within the university context. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Black Caribbean population of Honduras, also referred to locally as Negro Inglés, constitutes one of the country’s nine recognized indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples. Predominantly settled in the Bay Islands and sections of the Caribbean coast, this community traces its ancestry predominantly to West Africa and has remained culturally and linguistically distinct for more than three centuries. Despite its demographic and historical relevance, no population-specific short tandem repeat (STR) database has been established for this group. Methods: Allele frequencies for 23 autosomal STR loci were characterized in 100 unrelated Black Caribbean individuals from the department of Islas de la Bahía. DNA was extracted from blood on FTA cards and amplified with the PowerPlex Fusion 6C System (Promega Corporation). Statistical parameters were computed using Genepop v4.2, Arlequin v3.5 and GDA v1.0. Results: A total of 241 distinct alleles were detected across all 23 loci (mean 10.48 ± 3.85 alleles/locus). Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.6541 (D13S317) to 0.9350 (SE33), with a mean of 0.8150 ± 0.0664—values consistent with a population of predominantly West African origin. No locus exhibited a significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction (α = 0.0022). The combined power of discrimination exceeded 99.9999% and the combined chance of exclusion surpassed 99.9999%. Conclusions: This first genetic characterization of the Honduran Black Caribbean population delivers an essential, population-specific reference dataset for forensic casework, paternity testing, and population genetics research. The data also deepen the understanding of Afro-descendant genetic diversity in Central America and constitute a critical step towards equitable forensic genetic services for all Honduran ethnic communities. Full article

Entrepreneurship education has been promoted as a pathway for strengthening entrepreneurial orientation among university students; however, uncertainty remains regarding the mechanisms through which it influences entrepreneurial intention, particularly in emerging economies. This study examines whether entrepreneurship education influences the entrepreneurial intention of university students in Honduras indirectly through entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial motivation. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and explanatory study was conducted with a sample of 431 university students. Data were collected using a structured 56-item questionnaire with a seven-point Likert scale. The analysis was carried out through confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling using the WLSMV estimator. The results show that entrepreneurship education positively influences all dimensions of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial motivation included in the model. Personal attitude emerged as the strongest predictor of entrepreneurial intention, followed by subjective norms and specific dimensions of self-efficacy related to business planning and management and entrepreneurial leadership. In contrast, the innovation and problem-solving dimension did not show a significant direct effect on entrepreneurial intention, while perceived behavioral control showed a marginal effect. The parsimonious model explained 75.9% of the variance in entrepreneurial intention. Overall, the findings suggest that entrepreneurship education exerts its influence primarily through indirect pathways by strengthening capability beliefs and motivational appraisals that are proximal to action. Full article

Yellow fever (YF) remains a re-emerging vector-borne zoonotic disease in tropical regions of the Americas despite the availability of an effective vaccine. In South America, the virus is maintained through a jungle transmission cycle involving Haemagogus and Sabethes mosquitoes and non-human primates (NHPs), which act as amplifying hosts and key epidemiological sentinels. This narrative review examines the current status of YF epizootics in South America, with a focus on the role of NHPs in viral circulation, early detection, and spillover risk to human populations. We synthesize recent evidence on epizootic patterns across endemic countries, the differential susceptibility of neotropical primates, and the ecological and environmental drivers influencing transmission, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and human encroachment into forested areas. In addition, we analyze current surveillance strategies, including wildlife monitoring, entomological and genomic surveillance, and their integration within a One Health framework. This review highlights that YF epizootics are expanding geographically and are closely linked to environmental change and human–ecosystem interactions. Strengthening integrated, multidisciplinary surveillance systems is essential to improve early detection, guide vaccination strategies, and prevent human outbreaks. These findings underscore the critical importance of operationalizing the One Health approach to enhance preparedness and response to YF in South America. Full article

(1) Background: Potentially arthropod-pathogenic and plant-associated Metarhizium fungi are of high interest for basic research, biological pest control and plant growth promotion. Unambiguous species delineation enabling the taxonomic assignment of new isolates and the identification of new Metarhizium species is of crucial importance for both research and application. Recently, the new species Metarhizium hybridum and Metarhizium parapingshaense were introduced on the basis of phylogenomic studies. (2) Methods: Neighbor- joining and Bayesian inference-based phylogenetic reconstruction of ribosomal intergenic spacer (rIGS) sequences were used to critically evaluate new species introductions. A species-discriminating diagnostic PCR tool for Metarhizium was adapted to M. hybridum and M. parapingshaense. GenBank database mining was performed to identify cryptic descriptions of the new species. (3) Results: The introduction of M. hybridum and M. parapingshaense was corroborated by rIGS sequence comparison. Data mining revealed cryptic first descriptions of M. hybridum from Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, the USA and the Philippines, and of M. parapingshaense from China, India, Japan, the Philippines and South Korea. (4) Conclusions: Results support the reliability of rIGS as a single taxonomic marker for species-level identification of Metarhizium fungi. Species-discriminating diagnostic PCR was successfully adapted to enable the sequencing-independent identification of the confirmed new species M. hybridum and M. parapingshaense. Full article

Background: The genus Brucella has expanded considerably in the 21st century. With the advent of advanced phylogenetic analyses, a close genetic relationship between Brucella and Ochrobactrum has been identified, leading to reclassification of Ochrobactrum species within the genus Brucella. Among these, Brucella anthropi (formerly Ochrobactrum anthropi) is increasingly recognized as a rare cause of invasive human infection. We report a clinically significant case of B. anthropi infective endocarditis and review the available literature. Methods: We report a case of B. anthropi infective endocarditis and conducted a narrative review of the English-language medical literature through 2025. Cases were analyzed for demographics, clinical presentation, antimicrobial susceptibility, and outcomes. Results: A 75-year-old man with a prosthetic aortic valve and prior endocarditis presented with fever of unknown origin, weight loss, and prior transient ischemic attacks. Blood cultures grew B. anthropi after prolonged incubation. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated vegetations involving both the aortic and tricuspid valves, and the patient required targeted combination antimicrobial therapy due to persistent bacteremia. Seven additional cases of B. anthropi infective endocarditis were identified on review of the literature. Most patients had underlying valvular disease or prosthetic material. Reported lethality approached 25%. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were variable, underscoring the importance of targeted individualized therapy. Conclusion: Consistent with other Gram-negative bacilli, B. anthropi is a rare but established cause of acute bacterial endocarditis. Despite its rarity, it may represent an under-recognized cause of invasive disease. This case highlights the importance of prolonged culture incubation, careful microbiologic interpretation, and susceptibility-guided therapy. Full article

Background: The Pech ethnic group, comprising approximately 6024 individuals in northeastern Honduras, represents one of the country’s smallest indigenous communities with a rich cultural heritage extending to pre-Columbian times. Despite their historical significance, no population genetic studies have been conducted on this group, and population-specific databases are essential for accurate forensic applications. Methods: Allele frequencies for 23 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci were determined in 100 unrelated Pech individuals (58 females, 42 males) from communities in the departments of Olancho, Colón, and Gracias a Dios. DNA was extracted from blood samples collected on FTA cards and amplified using the PowerPlex Fusion 6C System. Statistical parameters were calculated using Genepop v4.2 and Arlequin v5.3.2.2. Results: All loci exhibited substantial polymorphism. No statistically significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were detected after Bonferroni correction (α = 0.0022). Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.4033 (TH01) to 0.8563 (FGA). The combined power of discrimination exceeded 99.9999%, and the combined chance of exclusion was 99.9999%. Conclusions: This study presents the first genetic characterization of the Pech population, providing essential reference data for forensic identification, paternity testing, and population genetics research. The dataset fills a critical gap in the Honduran forensic genetic infrastructure and contributes to understanding indigenous Central American genetic diversity, enabling accurate forensic analyses for individuals of Pech ancestry in compliance with CODIS and ESS standards. Full article

Background: The Garifunas are a distinctive Afro-indigenous community of Honduras, originating from the historical admixture of Island Carib, Arawak, and West African peoples in the seventeenth-century Caribbean. With an estimated 43,111 individuals residing primarily along the northern Atlantic coast. Their dual ancestral composition yields a genetic profile that differs meaningfully from those of other Honduran reference populations, consistent with pairwise FST comparisons with previously published Lenca and Tawahka datasets generated on the identical platform; yet no population-specific short tandem repeat (STR) reference dataset had previously been established. Methods: We genotyped 23 autosomal STR loci using the PowerPlex Fusion 6C System (Promega Corporation) in 100 unrelated Garifuna individuals (70 females, 30 males) sampled from three coastal settlements in the department of Atlántida: Triunfo de la Cruz, Ensenada, and Corozal. DNA was extracted from blood collected on FTA cards, and statistical parameters were computed using Genepop v4.2 and Arlequin v5.3.2.2. Results: A total of 217 distinct alleles were identified, with 5 to 19 alleles per locus (mean 9.43 ± 3.54). Expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.6392 (D13S317) to 0.9010 (SE33), with a population mean of 0.7893. No locus deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction (α = 0.0022). The combined random match probability was approximately 1.9 × 10⁻²⁶, and the combined chance of exclusion reached 99.99999993%. Conclusions: This study provides the first Honduran Garifuna population-specific autosomal STR reference database for precise forensic likelihood ratio estimates, kinship assessments, and population genetic studies. The Garifuna’s high diversity—consistent with their West African and Amerindian ancestry—indicates the risk of systematic bias when non-specific databases are used. Full article

Yellow fever remains a major public health threat in endemic and re-emerging regions of Africa and South America, with recent outbreaks highlighting persistent gaps in prevention and surveillance. Pregnant women represent a particularly vulnerable population, yet the epidemiology, clinical impact, and preventive strategies for yellow fever in pregnancy are insufficiently characterized. Physiological and immunological changes during gestation may influence host responses to infection; however, current evidence does not demonstrate increased susceptibility to or severity of yellow fever during pregnancy. Adverse materno-fetal outcomes, including miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and, in rare cases, perinatal transmission, have been reported but remain poorly characterized. Diagnostic challenges, overlapping clinical presentations with other arboviral and hepatic diseases, and limited access to specialized care further complicate clinical management in many endemic settings. This perspective provides a comprehensive overview of yellow fever in pregnancy during the 2024–2026 outbreak in the Americas, including a risk-stratification framework for prevention. We summarize current evidence on epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and supportive care, and examine prevention strategies with particular emphasis on vaccination. Accumulated observational evidence and substantial real-world experience have not demonstrated an increased risk of serious adverse events and generally support the effectiveness of yellow fever vaccination during pregnancy when administered with appropriate clinical judgment. In high-risk settings, the benefits of maternal immunization clearly outweigh theoretical concerns, supporting a flexible, risk-based approach, despite relatively limited evidence. We also discuss national and international policies, post-pregnancy booster recommendations, and the importance of integrating vaccination assessment into antenatal care. Finally, we highlight critical knowledge gaps and research priorities, including the need for prospective registries and strengthened pharmacovigilance. Coordinated clinical and public health strategies are essential to protect maternal and neonatal health and to reduce the burden of yellow fever in endemic and re-emerging settings. Full article

Based on data from 208 students involved in entrepreneurship studies at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, this paper examines whether prior experience with AI, expectations, gender, and age reinforce future AI use. To achieve this objective, we applied binary logistic regression with random oversampling to balance the dataset. We complemented it with additional model performance metrics, including the confusion matrix, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve. The results show that prior experience with AI, age-related technology use, and positive expectations regarding AI are associated with a higher likelihood of reinforcing future AI use. In terms of gender, the results indicate a gender gap favoring women, who are more likely to use AI when they perceive greater utility and confidence, as well as a stronger desire to succeed. Full article

This study provides an integrated agronomic–functional–nutritional–bioactive characterization of three Oxalis tuberosa varieties (Yellow, Pink, and Black) cultivated under open-field conditions. Unlike previous studies that have typically examined isolated trait groups or single quality dimensions, this work simultaneously evaluates yield-related morphology, starch functional behavior, proximate composition, antioxidant activity, and pigment-associated color attributes within a unified experimental framework, enabling robust varietal comparison and application-oriented interpretation. The Yellow variety matured later (125 ± 2 days) and produced the highest total biomass (587 ± 32 g) and yield per plant (462 ± 28 g), with the longest tubers (8.7 ± 0.3 cm) and the greatest tuber number (12.1 ± 1.1 per plant). Functional assessments indicated that the Yellow variety exhibited superior swelling capacity (10.2 g/g) and solubility index (6.3%), together with the highest starch content (68.4 ± 2.1 g/100 g DW). Nutritional profiling further showed lower moisture and higher carbohydrate levels in the Yellow variety compared with the other varieties, supporting its suitability for food processing and agricultural production. In contrast, the Black variety showed the strongest antioxidant potential, with higher DPPH scavenging activity (46.2 ± 1.3%), total phenolics (5.9 ± 0.3 mg GAE/g DW), and flavonoids (2.3 ± 0.1 mg QE/g DW), consistent with its darker pigmentation and greater nutraceutical potential. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated, multi-trait comparison of oca varieties under the same open-field conditions with standardized agronomic management, allowing for the first simultaneous assessment of agronomic performance, starch functionality, nutritional quality, antioxidant capacity, and color attributes. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of varietal selection in determining agronomic performance, starch functionality, nutritional composition, and bioactive traits in Oxalis tuberosa, providing actionable evidence for targeted agricultural and industrial applications. Full article

Our current understanding of snake venom is highly biased towards species known to be medically significant in human envenomations. This vastly under-represents the true evolutionary and ecological breadth of snake venom, with gaps spanning entire clades and unique lifestyles. As a result, many genera of rear-fanged snakes lack well-understood venom profiles despite these taxa composing around 65% of known extant snake species. Methodological challenges associated with venom extraction have long been a key reason responsible for the lack of venom research on this group. Modern advancements in venomics technologies have allowed researchers to overcome many of these challenges and investigate the venom components of understudied genera. The genus Coniophanes (black-striped snakes) presents an ideal system for investigating venom and the venom delivery system in a rear-fanged venomous species with well-documented accounts of human envenomations. We sequenced and annotated de novo transcriptomes of the Duvernoy’s gland (DVG) for seven individuals across four species of Coniophanes (Dipsadidae) and confirmed toxin expression in representative venom proteomes. We assessed interspecific venom variation within this genus and further examined intraspecific venom variation within C. imperialis. We found that toxins account for 38.8% to 66% of the total DVG transcriptomes and that 18 toxin families are represented in this genus, with prominent expression of cystine-rich secretory proteins (CRiSPs) in three species and snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) in all four species. In addition, we used diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced computed tomography (diceCT) to better understand the venom delivery system for C. fissidens, a widespread species within this genus, showcasing enlarged, grooved, rear fangs in close proximity to a prominent DVG. We provide the first ever characterization of the venom profiles of Coniophanes, highlight venom variation between and within species, and outline the venom delivery system of this understudied genus. Full article

The purinergic ionotropic receptor P2X7 stands out from other members of the P2X family due to its ability to form a macropore, activate multiple intracellular signaling pathways, and, as more recently reported, to mediate scavenger activity toward apoptotic cells. In addition, P2X7 exhibits a high number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and splice variants, several of which have been shown to impair ATP-mediated macropore formation. The aim of this study was to determine whether specific SNPs or deletion variants that have lost channel conductance or macropore activity retain other reported P2X7 functions. To address this, we analyzed the following variants: P2X7A (wild-type), P2X7B (unable to activate the macropore), P2X7 T283M (lacking conductance and macropore formation), P2X7 with N-terminal deletion (∆N; deficient in signal transduction), and P2X7 DN (dominant-negative double mutant W167A/C168A, lacking all known activities). We evaluated calcium influx, macropore formation, ERK and p38 signaling, and scavenger activity. Our results indicate that macropore formation depends on channel conductance, in contrast to what has been previously reported for P2X7B. Moreover, all modifications tested impaired signaling pathway activation. Strikingly, none of the mutations affected receptor-mediated phagocytic activity. These findings suggest that loss of conductance or macropore formation does not necessarily entail loss of other P2X7 functions, and our data reveals a functional independence between scavenger activity and the canonical roles of P2X7 (channel/macropore, MAPKs). This modular view provides a framework to reconcile the apparently discordant phenotypes of P2X7 variants observed across diverse pathophysiological settings. Full article

Emerging evidence suggests that certain cestodes, including Taenia solium, may actively modulate the host’s hormonal and immune environment to facilitate their survival. This study aimed to determine whether patients diagnosed with neurocysticercosis (NCC) exhibit immunoendocrine alterations associated with infection. A clinical study was conducted in Honduras, enrolling 11 adult NCC patients (9 female, 2 male) and 11 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum concentrations of seven hormones and two cytokines were evaluated. Compared to controls, NCC patients showed significantly elevated levels of 17β-Estradiol (E2), Progesterone (P4), Androstenedione (A4), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10). Conversely, Free testosterone (FT) and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels were significantly reduced. These findings support the hypothesis that T. solium may manipulate host immunoendocrine pathways to promote its establishment and persistence within the central nervous system. Full article

Bullying is not a dyadic interaction between victim and perpetrator, but a relational phenomenon involving multiple group networks: those who exercise physical, psychological, or symbolic violence; those who encourage it; those who suffer it; and those who, while aware of it, remain on the sidelines. Preventing bullying, or stopping it once it emerges, requires undermining the support base that sustains it: no one should play the role of cheerleader, and those who remain passive must become involved in defending those targeted. It is also necessary to foster in those who are bullied the strength and capacity to confront the situation. From a Freirean perspective, this implies weaving alliances between those who are kindred and those who are different, and even with outsiders, to oppose those who act antagonistically. Such a task demands debate, reflection, and the collective formulation of measures among the diverse group realities in schools, given that bullying is grounded in the refusal to recognize certain others as part of “us”, though we are all “others” to one another. This article sets out arguments for the need to address these diverse group realities and presents the phases and main contents of a participatory process for designing and implementing a School Coexistence Plan, drawing on the Participatory Construction of Peaceful Coexistence method as a framework for addressing bullying. Full article