Search Results (31)

Invasive plant species pose an increasing threat to mangroves globally. This study assessed the impact of Paspalum vaginatum invasion on carbon loss and early recovery following four years of restoration in a mangrove forest with Rhizophora racemosa in Benin. Organic carbon was quantified in the total biomass, including both aboveground and belowground components, as well as in the soil to a depth of −50 cm. In addition, soil gas fluxes of CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O were measured. Three sites were evaluated: a conserved mangrove, a site degraded by P. vaginatum, and the same site post-restoration via hydrological rehabilitation and reforestation. Invasion significantly reduced carbon storage, especially in soil, due to lower biomass, incorporation of low C/N ratio organic residues, and compaction. Restoration recovered 7.8% of the total biomass carbon compared to the conserved mangrove site, although soil organic carbon did not rise significantly in the short term. However, improvements in deep soil C/N ratios (15–30 and 30–50 cm) suggest enhanced soil organic matter recalcitrance linked to R. racemosa reforestation. Soil CO₂ emissions dropped by 60% at the restored site, underscoring restoration’s potential to mitigate early carbon loss. These results highlight the need to control invasive species and suggest that restoration can generate additional social benefits. Full article

The Sonora Estuarine Biocultural Corridor (CBES) is made up of six coastal wetlands with mangrove forest, internationally certified as Ramsar Sites. Four are part of indigenous territories whose inhabitants have serious development lags and low water security. Five are alongside six irrigation districts of national relevance. The objective is to learn about the socio-environmental problems of the CBES, focused on the issue of water, as well as community proposals for solutions. Intercultural, mixed methodology approach. Prospecting visits were carried out in the six estuaries of the CBES, and 84 semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from all social sectors who know the problems of the CBES in three (out of six) estuaries associated with indigenous territories. The main problem is centered on the issue of water: they receive contaminated water from agroindustry, aquaculture, and the municipal service; the fresh water of the rivers is almost nil, rainfall has decreased while the heat increases, and marine and terrestrial biodiversity decreases. This affects the food and economic security of the local population and generates conflicts between the different productive activities. A multisectoral organization that integrates the six estuaries would improve community wellbeing and, in turn, climate resilience. Full article

Agraz (Vaccinium meridionale Swartz) is a shrub native to the Neotropical region of South America, including Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru. Known for its edible fruits valued for their nutritional, nutraceutical, and medicinal properties, the species remains underexplored despite its potential. This research aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of agraz in Colombia, focusing on native individuals from Santander and commercial individuals from Boyacá and Cundinamarca, providing insights that can support conservation and genetic improvement efforts. Methods: In this study, genotyping by sequencing (GBS) was used to analyze genetic variation and population structure in V. meridionale. The sequencing data were aligned to the V. corymbosum cv. Draper v1.0 reference genome. The obtained single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were employed to evaluate genetic diversity, population differentiation, and inbreeding coefficients, with measures such as expected heterozygosity and F-statistics providing insights into population structure and genetic composition across regions. Results: A total of 12,910 SNPs were obtained, and the results revealed moderate genetic diversity within the agraz populations, characterized by an expected heterozygosity (He) of 0.3586. A negative Fis value indicated an excess of heterozygosity and low genetic differentiation among the sampled regions. Population structure analysis identified three distinct subpopulations, with Subpopulation 3 exhibiting the most unique genetic composition. Conclusions: This study provides the first genetic diversity analysis of V. meridionale in Colombia using the GBS approach. The findings contribute to the understanding of the species’ genetic variability and offer valuable information for conservation strategies, genetic improvement and breeding programs to enhance its agricultural potential and ensure the sustainable utilization of agraz resources. Full article

The mangrove ecosystem is reported to have a large diversity of species that develop in environments with high salinity levels. Plant species from mangroves are used in traditional medicine and are potential sources of chemicals entities with therapeutic applications. The present work aims to assess and document the influence of salinity on the antioxidant activity exerted by extracts of mangrove species through spectroscopic and chemical analysis. The highest salinity is recorded in Río Verde (RV) in Petén Neyac (PN), an LPBR site. The leaves of Laguncularia racemosa (from RV and PN) recorded the highest extraction yield (35.29 ± 0.45%). Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of several families of secondary metabolites in the leaves of Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and L. racemosa collected in PN and RV, and the chromatographic profile confirms the complexity of the extracts, especially in L. racemosa-RV. The highest content of chlorophylls, carotenoids, and simple phenols was recorded in R. mangle (in RV and PN); flavonoids were high in A. germinans (RV), and the highest antioxidant activity was recorded in L. racemosa (RV) using the DPPH model (EC₅₀: 39.74 ± 0.91 μg/mL; E_max: 67.82 ± 1.00%). According to HPLC, gallic acid (GA), and quercetin (Q) are important metabolites in L. racemosa. FTIR spectra can identify several chemical groups and fingerprint regions in complex mixtures, such as methanolic extracts of the species under study. In this context, this is the first report on chemical changes resulting from species collected at sites with different degrees of salinity. GA is the main metabolite affected by salinity and participates in the antioxidant activity exerted by the original extract, which could explain the physiological adaptations of L. racemosa and its traditional uses. L. racemosa (RV) is ideal for a bioguided phytochemical study that would yield valuable knowledge about its medicinal properties, support ecological conservation, and drive innovation across multiple industries. Further analytical studies are needed to corroborate the impact of salinity on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Full article

The document provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) with renal involvement, focusing on granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). It outlines the definitions, clinical presentation, histopathological classification, monitoring strategies, induction and maintenance treatments, as well as special considerations for relapsing, refractory, and frail patients with renal AAV. The document was prepared by the Catalan Group for the Study of Glomerular Diseases (GLOMCAT), which comprises nephrologists with extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of AAV patients. Several virtual and face-to-face meetings were held for coordination, section assignments, and content discussion. An exhaustive and systematic search of the literature was carried out, which included, among others, the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov, as well as the abstract books of national and international congresses. Overall, the document provides a comprehensive guide for clinicians managing patients with renal AAV, offering evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment across various clinical scenarios. Full article

We used social network analysis (SNA) to identify the types of water-related conflicts between the users and members of the institutional arena of the Rio Mayo Irrigation District (RMID) within the ancestral territory of the Yoreme Mayo indigenous group in Sonora, northeastern Mexico. We combined ethnography with an analysis and visualization of bimodal networks that consisted of 118 users and their connections to the institutional arena’s 30 identified social actors who influence water management. Using a clustering algorithm, we identified four types of conflicts: (1) disputes between small- and large-scale farmers over (i) irrigation water and (ii) payments for water rights and land rental; (2) the struggle by large-scale farmers against the upper level of the water hierarchy, to obtain more water; (3) struggles by rural indigenous women against water providers, to conserve indigenous vernacular systems of managing water for domestic use; and (4) a “conflict” that turned out to be merely a structural remnant of the algorithm. We conclude that land- and water-grabbing in the RMID mainly affect indigenous small-scale farmers and that the combination of SNA and a clustering algorithm can identify the types of natural resource-related conflicts that might go undetected by other methodologies. However, SNA should in some cases be accompanied by a qualitative methodology. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) models in the classification of electromyographic (EMG) signals represents a significant advancement in the design of control systems for prostheses. This study explores the development of a portable system that classifies the electrical activity of three shoulder muscles in real time for actuator control, marking a milestone in the autonomy of prosthetic devices. Utilizing low-power microcontrollers, the system ensures continuous EMG signal recording, enhancing user mobility. Focusing on a case study—a 42-year-old man with left shoulder disarticulation—EMG activity was recorded over two days using a specifically designed electronic board. Data processing was performed using the Edge Impulse platform, renowned for its effectiveness in implementing AI on edge devices. The first day was dedicated to a training session with 150 repetitions spread across 30 trials and three different movements. Based on these data, the second day tested the AI model’s ability to classify EMG signals in new movement executions in real time. The results demonstrate the potential of portable AI-based systems for prosthetic control, offering accurate and swift EMG signal classification that enhances prosthetic user functionality and experience. This study not only underscores the feasibility of real-time EMG signal classification but also paves the way for future research on practical applications and improvements in the quality of life for prosthetic users. Full article

DNAM-1 (CD226) is an activating receptor expressed in CD8+ T cells, NK cells, and monocytes. It has been reported that two SNPs in the DNAM-1 gene, rs763361 C>T and rs727088 G>A, have been associated with different autoimmune diseases; however, the role of DNAM-1 in ankylosing spondylitis has been less studied. For this reason, we focused on the study of these two SNPs in association with ankylosing spondylitis. For this, 34 patients and 70 controls were analyzed using endpoint PCR with allele-specific primers. Our results suggest that rs763361 C>T is involved as a possible protective factor under the CT co-dominant model (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.13–0.88, p = 0.022) and the CT + TT dominant model (OR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.17–0.90, p = 0.025), while rs727088 G>A did not show an association with the disease in any of the inheritance models. When analyzing the relationships of the haplotypes, we found that the T + A haplotype (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.13–0.73, p = 0.0083) is a protective factor for developing the disease. In conclusion, the CT and CT + TT variants of rs763361 C>T and the T + A haplotype were considered as protective factors for developing ankylosing spondylitis. Full article

For decades, mangroves have been exposed to various pressures, resulting in the loss of large swathes around the world. For this reason, ecological restoration actions are presented as alternatives to recover mangroves that can restore their ecosystem services while helping to mitigate climate change’s effects. Mangroves are crucial, as they capture and sequester carbon in biomass and soil, highlighting their importance in environmental conservation and in the fight against climate change. In this research, the amount of carbon sequestered in a mangrove area restored eight years ago and its relationship with soil physicochemical parameters were evaluated and compared to those of a reference forest. Soil cores were collected at a depth of 30 cm from both sites, and in situ measurements of physical chemistry were made at different depths. In addition, soil salinity, bulk density, and carbon concentration were determined. The results revealed a similar amount of carbon sequestered both in the reference forest (BR) (470.17 ± 67.14 Mg C/ha) and in the restoration area (RA) (444.53 ± 86.11 Mg C/ha) (p > 0.05). A direct relationship was observed between carbon sequestration and soil depth. In the case of the RA, a direct relationship was found between carbon sequestration and soil salinity. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the behavior of carbon sequestration in soil is determined by the physicochemical conditions in both the BR and the RA, as well as by the presence or absence of vegetation. Full article

(1) Background: In Mexico, 76% of water consumed is used for crop irrigation, and close to half of this is used in 86 irrigation districts for agroindustry throughout the nation. The present study combines a political ecology approach with social networks analysis to identify how water-use-related information networks are structured according to the ethnicity (indigenous and non-indigenous) of the users of the Rio Mayo Irrigation District 038 (RMID) and how these networks are influenced by users’ type of land tenure and land use. (2) Methods: The study involved three stages: identification of social actors that influence water management (SAIWM); application of 118 structured interviews with users of RMID; and ethnographic fieldwork. (3) Results: Thirty SAIWM were identified. Only 11.8% of RMID users interviewed were indigenous farmers and only 5% were indigenous holders of collective landholdings. The information network metrics indicate that indigenous users have less access to information than non-indigenous users. (4) Conclusions: Ethnicity as well as land tenure and land use influence the structure of information networks and determine whether RMID users work as land-holding farmers or as hired labor. Full article

Hybrid films for applications in organic electronics from NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) in poly(3,4 ethylene dioxythiophene), poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were fabricated by the spin-coating technique. The films were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy to subsequently determine their optical parameters. The electronic transport of the hybrid films was determined in bulk heterojunction devices. The presence of NiFe₂O₄ NPs reinforces mechanical properties and increases transmittance in the hybrid films; the PEDOT:PSS-NiFe₂O₄ NPs film is the one that has a maximum stress of 28 MPa and a Knoop hardness of 0.103, while the PMMA-NiFe₂O₄ NPs film has the highest transmittance of (87%). The Tauc band gap is in the range of 3.78–3.9 eV, and the Urbach energy is in the range of 0.24–0.33 eV. Regarding electrical behavior, the main effect is exerted by the matrix, although the current carried is of the same order of magnitude for the two devices: glass/ITO/polymer-NiFe₂O₄ NPs/Ag. NiFe₂O₄ NPs enhance the mechanical, optical, and electrical behavior of the hybrid films and can be used as semi-transparent anodes and as active layers. Full article

Background: Vaccination is a known trigger for the appearance of immune-mediated glomerulopathies (IMG). The appearance of IMG after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with suspected causality has been described. Our aim is to analyze the incidence of IMG flares before and after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in our center. Methods: All persons with native kidney biopsy (KB) from January 2019 to March 2022 in our center were included in the study. We compared the incidence of IMG before and after the start of vaccination. We also collected information about whether the patients had received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine or have suffered from COVID in the six weeks before the IMG. We also evaluated the analytical characteristics of the outbreaks. Results: A total of 386 KB were studied. Of them, 86/218 (39.4%) were IMG performed pre- and 85/168 (50.6%) post-SV (029). The incidence of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), studied separately, was also significantly increased post-vaccination (n = 18 (10.7%)) compared to pre-vaccination (n = 11 (5%)) (p = 0.036). There were no differences in the incidence of vasculitis or IgA nephropathy. Up to 17 (20%) flares occurred 6 weeks before SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and only 2 (2.4%) within the first 6 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Within those 17 flares, the most common diagnosis was IgAN (n = 5 (29.4%)); a total of 14 (82.4%) received an mRNA vaccine and 9 (52.9%) took place after the 1st vaccine dose. There were 13 cases of minimal change disease (MCD) with debut/recurrence pre-SV and 20 MCD with debut/recurrence post-SV (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The incidence of IMG, INS and MCD flares in our center increased significantly after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Importantly, 20% of IMG flares took place within the first 6 weeks after receiving a vaccine dose, with the first dose being the riskiest one and IgAN the most frequent diagnosis. Full article

The productivity of mangrove ecosystems is associated with litterfall production, which continuously contributes large quantities of organic matter, in the form of detritus, to the food web via adjacent ecosystems. However, the degree of deterioration of mangrove ecosystems worldwide has been increasing due to anthropogenic activities, leading to the loss of vegetation cover and changes in hydrological patterns, the chemical conditions of interstitial water and soil, and the litterfall degradation rate and, thus, the integration of organic matter into the ecosystem. In this study, we investigate the relationship between leaf degradation and interstitial water chemistry in two mangrove forests located in Oaxaca, Mexico, that are characterized by differences in environmental conditions, species, and anthropogenic activity. Forty-two 10 cm × 20 cm nylon mesh bags were installed in the Rhizophora mangle forest along two flood-associated lines (21 per line), and twenty-one bags were installed centrally in the Avicennia germinans forest because of the flood conditions in this area. Three bags per line were collected each month. This material was then dried and calcined for determination of the decomposition rate (k). The in situ redox potential and interstitial water salinity of mangrove forests were measured using a HACH HQ40d multiparametric probe and A&O refractometer, and the sulfate concentration was determined by ion chromatography. The results show that daily average decomposition rates were higher in the Salina lagoon (k = 0.01 g·day⁻¹) than in the Chacahua lagoon (k = 0.004 g·day⁻¹). The degradation model was Y = 66.054e^−0.010t, R² = 0.89, p ≤ 0.05, for the Salina lagoon and Y = 67.75e^−0.004t, R² = 0.76, p ≤ 0.05, for the Chacahua lagoon. Leaf decomposition rates differed between the Salina and Chacahua lagoons (F_1,206 = 4.8, p < 0.03). In the Salina lagoon, dominated by A. germinans, an inverse relationship was established between the percentage of degraded biomass with respect to salinity concentration (R² = 0.82, p < 0.013) and redox potential (R² = 0.89, p < 0. 015), and for the Chacahua lagoon, dominated by R. mangle, the percentage of degraded litter biomass was found to be inversely correlated with redox potential (R² = 0.94, p < 0.005) and sulfate concentration (R² = 0.88, p < 0.017). Based on the results obtained in this study, we conclude that variations in the chemical conditions of interstitial water and hydrological patterns can affect the process of mangrove leaf degradation based on species and the integration of organic matter in the soil and in adjacent ecosystems. These findings are potentially useful for mangrove management because they advance understanding of the dynamics of organic matter in mangroves and the importance of maintaining the health of these ecosystems, which is necessary for the maintenance of coastal fishing production. Full article

Background: Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common glomerulonephritis worldwide. The concomitant presence of both crescentic proliferation and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) in this pathology represents a rare coincidence. However, it is not clear to what extent the presence of ANCA (IgA or IgG) in these patients could have any clinical significance. The aim of the current work is to describe the presence of ANCA (IgA or IgG) in patients with IgAN and crescentic proliferation and its possible clinical implications. Methods: We retrospectively recruited all patients in our center with a histological diagnosis of IgAN with crescentic proliferation between January 2013 and December 2020. The main demographic and clinicopathologic data, fundamental histological characteristics, as well as the treatments implemented and main kidney outcomes, were collected and analyzed at a 6 and 12-month follow-up. Results: Between January 2013 and December 2020, a total of 17 adults were diagnosed with concomitant crescentic proliferation through a kidney biopsy of IgAN. Five (29.4%) patients showed ANCA, three (60%) showed IgA-ANCA and two (40%) showed IgG-ANCA. All ANCA-positive patients had some degree of crescentic proliferation. At diagnosis, the mean age of patients was 48 years old (range: 27–75). Nine of them were women (52%) and the most common clinical presentation was hypertension (71%). At the time of biopsy, the mean serum creatinine and proteinuria were 2.2 mg/dL (DS 1.42) and 3.5 g/mgCr (DS 1.22), respectively, with no statistical differences between ANCA-positive and -negative patients. Histological analyses showed that 11 out of the 12 (91%) ANCA-negative IgAN patients displayed less than 25% cellular crescents, whereas 100% of ANCA-positive IgAN patients displayed more than 25% cellular crescents (p = 0.04). Notably, five (30%) patients displayed fibrinoid necrosis, with four of them (80%) being IgAN-ANCA-positive (p = 0.01). Only one ANCA-negative patient needed renal replacement therapy (RRT) upon admission (5%). The mean serum creatinine and proteinuria were 1.94 mg/dL (DS 1.71) and 1.45 g/gCr (DS 1.78), respectively, within 6 months of immunosuppressive therapy. At 12-month follow-up, the mean creatinine was 1.57 mg/dL (DS 1). Four (23.5%) patients needed RRT at the end of the follow-up and four (23.5%) patients died. Conclusions: Probably due to the limited number of IgAN-ANCA-positive and IgAN-ANCA-negative patients, no significant differences were found between the clinical and laboratory characteristics. IgAN-ANCA-negative patients seemed to display less extracapillary proliferation than IgAN-ANCA-positive patients, who tended to show significantly higher fibrinoid necrosis. There were no differences regarding renal prognosis and patient survival after aggressive immunosuppressive therapy within 6 and 12 months when comparing the two samples. Full article

Mangrove forests have proven to be resilient to most environmental change, surviving catastrophic climate events over time. Our study aimed to evaluate the chemical variability of pore water and its effect on phenological production in three mangrove species (Rhizophora mangle, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa) along the coast of the state of Campeche during a year of severe drought (2009) and a year of average precipitation (2010). Pore water salinity and redox potential were measured monthly in a mangrove forest in 2009 and 2010. Litterfall production and reproductive phenology was measured monthly. We determined the relationships among litterfall production, reproductive phenology, pore water chemistry and precipitation of three species between years. Precipitation, pore water salinity and redox potential significantly differed among years, seasons and sites, and also showed significant interaction between years and seasons (p < 0.05). Significant variation was observed in litterfall production, propagules, flowers, and leaf litter among sites (p < 0.05). A significant change was observed in propagules and flowers among years, and in total litterfall and leaf litter between seasons and species (p < 0.05). Under severe drought, salinity had the strongest effect on total litterfall and propagules in R. mangle, while A. germinans, had the strongest effect on propagule/flower precipitation. Both A. germinans and L. racemosa showed higher resilience than R. mangle at all sites under severe drought conditions. These findings can support activity allocation for mangrove conservation and restoration by providing the tolerance thresholds of the three species that dominate in the regional area of Campeche state. Likewise, this research provides knowledge to the Intergovernmental Experts Group on climate change about drought intensity and its magnitude of impact on mangrove productivity, reproduction and integrity. Full article