The heterogeneous landscape of Nicaragua harbours a large diversity of freshwater fishes. The great Nicaraguan lakes, Managua and Nicaragua, and several adjacent crater lakes harbour numerous endemic fish species. However, information about their parasite fauna is still fragmentary. Here, we surveyed the great Nicaraguan lakes and four crater lakes and provide data for 17 metazoan parasite taxa infecting seven fish host species. We also gathered all the published records from the literature on the parasites reported from Nicaraguan freshwater fishes, as well as those for Costa Rica and Panama to discuss the region of Lower Central America as a whole. With this information we built a parasite–host and a host–parasite checklist. With data from near 50% of the native and endemic freshwater fishes in Nicaragua, the parasite fauna comprises 101 taxa in 51 fish species allocated in 11 families. Cichlids are the most diverse group of fishes in this region and have been the most extensively surveyed for their metazoan parasites. Helminths are the best-represented groups of metazoan parasites, with 42 trematodes, five cestodes, 24 monogeneans, two acanthocephalans, 20 nematodes and one hirudinean. Additionally, freshwater fishes are parasitized by copepods, branchiurans and oribatid mites. Even though the inventory is not yet complete, the patterns of diversity uncovered revealed promising information about the origin, biogeography and evolutionary history of the Nicaraguan freshwater fish parasite fauna. More studies are necessary to complete our knowledge about the diversity, host association and distribution of metazoan parasites in Nicaragua and other Central American countries.

In order to determine the sex of Chelonia mydas individuals found within one of the principal foraging areas of the Gulf of California during any given stage of ontogeny, 529 individuals were sampled in Bahía de los Ángeles from 1995–2012, and their morphometric data were collected. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed for the morphometric variables, and two principal components were obtained that unambiguously separated sexes and ontogenetic stages. The first component was defined by straight carapace length (SCL), curve carapace length (CCL), plastron length (PL) and carapace depth (CD), while the second factor was represented by total tail length (TTL). Allometric models were fitted with the most important variables determined by the PCA. The model PL = αSCLβ was able to distinguish between adults and immature individuals. For adult organisms, the model that best separated males from females was TTL = αSCLβ. Adult females had SCL values of 66–96.7 cm and TTL values of 16.3–25 cm, while adult males had SCL values of 66.4–12.5 cm and TTL values > 25 cm. As the organisms were considered immature only if SCL < 77.3, we were able to determine the TTL values for immature individuals by using elemental mathematics and solving for SCL in the equation TTL = αSCLβ for each group (i.e. adult females, adult males and immatures). So, considering the mathematical approach and acknowledging the lack of background information, immature individuals may be considered potential females if the TTL value is between 7.04–17.8 cm and potential males if the TTL value > 17.8 cm.

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) may include neurological disorders of various severities such as AIDS dementia complex (ADC) also known as HIV dementia and HIV-associated dementia (HAD), HIV encephalopathy, and Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND). As it seems HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders are associated with a metabolic encephalopathy induced by HIV infection and fueled by immune activation of macrophages and microglia. Despite of a group, evidences have described presence of cognitive alterations in HIV patients at different stages of HIV infection so far; little is known about the neurocognitive state of patients at very early stages of HIV infection. Here, we explored the neurocognitive profile of a group of cases of HIV patients at very early stages of HIV infection. We have analyzed of three groups of subjects, thus, we have studied a group of patients with early HIV infection, a healthy control group and a group of patients with mild cognitive impairment due to neurodegenerative causes. Our results suggested that cognitive processes are sensitive to very early neuropathological changes in HIV infection. Noteworthy, our results also showed that neurocognitive profile of HIV patients differs from those cognitive alterations in patients with mild cognitive disorders associated to primary neurodegeneration. Together, our results point out that HIV infection generates neural changes even at early stages of infection. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of a deep neurocognitive exploration at very early stages of HIV infection as this approach allow improve the accompaniment, clinical attachment and interventions.

Consistent with social-cognitive theory (Bandura 1994), adherence problems to treatments and difficulties to acceptance HIV diagnosis are linked with deficits in self-efficacy as well as problems in perceived social norms and behavioral intentions. In this study we have presented the beliefs and narratives of a group of recently diagnosed HIV patients who voluntarily decided not to tell to family or couples about their diagnosis. According to the patients’ reports they believe they should not tell about their own physical condition. In a second approach, we have explored empathetic and moral behavior (by using a usual procedure used to keep track those cognitive domains) in this group of HIV patients and we compared that behavior with a group of healthy controls. Results revealed a particular and differential empathic concern, and discomfort sensitivity in HIV patients who no tell in contrast to healthy controls. Together, our results highlight the importance of exploring the reasons, fears, and the empathetic and moral determinants of those patients who not to tell about their diagnosis. Our results open a new door to explore new approaches to accompany patients with recent HIV diagnosis.

Previous works highlight the neurocognitive differences between apathetic and disinhibited clinical presentations of the behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). However, little is known regarding how the early presentation (i.e., first symptom) is associated to the neurocognitive correlates of the disease's clinical presentation at future stages of disease. We analyzed the neurocognitive correlates of patients with bvFTD who debuted with apathy or disinhibition as first symptom of disease. We evaluated the neuropsychological, clinical and neuroanatomical (3 T structural images) correlates in a group of healthy controls (n = 30) and two groups of bvFTD patients (presented with apathy [AbvFTD, n = 18] or disinhibition [DbvFTD, n = 16]). To differentiate groups according to first symptoms, we used multivariate analyses. The first symptom in patients described the evolution of the disease. AbvFTD and DbvFTD patients showed increased brain atrophy and increased levels of disinhibition and apathy, respectively. Whole brain analyzes in AbvFTD revealed atrophy in the frontal, insular and temporal areas. DbvFTD, in turn, presented atrophy in the prefrontal regions, temporoparietal junction, insula and temporoparietal region. Increased atrophy in DbvFTD patients (compared to AbvFTD) was observed in frontotemporal regions. Multivariate analyses confirmed that a set of brain areas including right orbitofrontal, right dorsolateral prefrontal and left caudate were enough to distinguish the patients’ subgroups. First symptom in bvFTD patients described the neurocognitive impairments after around three years of disease, playing an important role in the early detection, disease tracking, and neuroanatomical specification of bvFTD, as well as in future research on potential disease-modifying treatments.

El objetivo de este trabajo es examinar la presencia o ausencia de una ideología colectiva en la expresión iconográfica de la cerámica polícroma de Tepeticpac, asentamiento fundador y miembro activo de Tlaxcallan durante el Posclásico tardío (1250–1519 dC). De acuerdo con la teoría de acción colectiva recientemente aplicada para Tlaxcallan, hipotetizamos que estas vasijas deberían carecer de íconos ligados a nobles, gobernantes o personajes particulares, promoviendo más bien la unidad colectiva. Para evaluar esta hipótesis, analizamos materiales procedentes de diversas excavaciones realizadas en plazas, conjuntos arquitectónicos, terrazas y templos. Concluimos que, lejos de privilegiar a personajes, individuos o incluso a una deidad en particular, la cerámica polícroma más bien muestra temas que no fueron regulados por las élites políticas y que están centrados en alusiones al sacrificio, la guerra, las festividades, los dioses, la jerarquía noble y probablemente, los méritos por conquista, temas y actividades en los que cualquier individuo, a cualquier rango, pudo involucrarse.

The disease caused by the influenza virus is a global public health problem due to its high rates of morbidity and mortality. Thus, analysis of the information generated by epidemiological surveillance systems has vital importance for health decision making. A retrospective analysis was performed using data generated by the four molecular diagnostic laboratories of the Mexican Social Security Institute between 2010 and 2016. Demographics, influenza positivity, seasonality, treatment choices and vaccination status analyses were performed for the vaccine according to its composition for each season. In all cases, both the different influenza subtypes and different age groups were considered separately. The circulation of A/H1N1pdm09 (48.7%), influenza A/H3N2 (21.1%), influenza B (12.6%), influenza A not subtyped (11%) and influenza A/H1N1 (6.6%) exhibited well-defined annual seasonality between November and March, and there were significant increases in the number of cases every 2 years. An inadequate use of oseltamivir was determined in 38% of cases, and the vaccination status in general varied between 12.1 and 18.5% depending on the season. Our results provide current information about influenza in Mexico and demonstrate the need to update both operational case definitions and medical practice guidelines to reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics and antivirals.

Among fish parasitic nematodes Rhabdochona is one of the most speciose genera, with c. 100 species. Twelve congeneric species occur in Mexican freshwater fishes, in a region located between the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographical regions. Host association and biogeographical history have determined the high species richness of Rhabdochona in Mexico. One of these species, Rhabdochona mexicana, is highly specific to the characid genus Astyanax. Characids are a group of freshwater fish with Neotropical affinity. In this paper, we explore the genetic diversity of R. mexicana through samples obtained from populations of Astyanax spp. across river basins of Mexico and Guatemala. Sequences of one mitochondrial and two ribosomal genes were obtained from 38 individuals and analysed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analysis. Phylogenetic analyses using cox1, and a concatenated alignment of 18S + 28S + cox1 recovered two genetic lineages. One of them corresponded with R. mexicana sensu stricto; this lineage included three reciprocally monophyletic subgroups; the other lineage was highly divergent and represented a putative candidate species. A detailed morphological study was conducted to corroborate the molecular findings. We describe a new species herein and discuss the implications of using molecular tools to increase our knowledge about the diversity of a speciose genus such as Rhabdochona.

Stratigraphy, geochemistry and radiocarbon dating of a succession of sediment in the Santiaguillo Basin (central-northern Mexico) help reconstruct the millennial-scale dynamics of hydrological variability that occurred in the southern part of western subtropical North America since the late last glacial. Runoff was generally above average during the late last glacial from ~ 27 to 18 ka. Following this interval, runoff decreased and deposition of authigenic carbonate and aeolian transported sediment increased until ~ 4 ka. Heinrich 1 and 2, and Younger Dryas were intervals of reduced runoff and increased aeolian activity. The wetter climate of central-northern Mexico and arid conditions in north–northwestern Mexico during the late last glacial were probably related to formation of tropical cyclones in the eastern North Pacific during the autumn with restricted rainfall swaths and an absent/weaker North American Monsoon. Enhanced North American Monsoon and tropical cyclones with expanded rainfall swaths brought more summer and autumn precipitation to a broader region extending from the central-northern Mexico to the continental interiors of southwestern US during the early Holocene.

The worldwide cultivation of fig (Ficus carica L.) has achieved great economic importance, mainly, due to its important role as a food supplement. This situation has generated great interest in researching its methods of production, processing and conservation. The objective of this research was to evaluate six intensive production systems of fig in hydroponic and greenhouse conditions. The experimental phase started on November 15, 2010 and was completed in September 2011. Production systems were established by varying the number of productive stems between three and eight in each plant, with densities of 1.25 plants m−2. A completely experimental – randomized design was used with five replications, with a pot and a plant as an experimental unit. The results indicate that the highest yielding of fresh fruit was presented by eight productive stems (109.5 t ha−1), this one outperformed the seven productive stems (94.8 t ha−1) in 13.3% and six productive stems (78.6 t ha−1), at 26.8%. The handling of productive stems allowed an increase in the leaf area index, harvest index and fruit yielding. These results suggest that intensive production in hydroponic and greenhouse conditions of fig is an excellent alternative production, allowing to collect up to 20 times of fresh fruit yielding in relation to the plantations in the open field.

Building materials are very complex samples of worldwide importance; hence quantitative knowledge of their mineralogical composition is necessary to predict performances. Rietveld quantitative phase analysis (RQPA) allows a direct measurement of the crystalline phase contents of cements. We highlight in this paper the use of laboratory X-ray powder diffraction (LXRPD) employing high-energy radiation, molybdenum (Mo), for attaining the RQPA of cements. Firstly, we evaluate the accuracy of RQPA employing a commercial calcium sulfoaluminate clinker with gypsum. In addition to MoKα1 and MoKα1,2 radiations, Cu and synchrotron patterns are also analyzed for the sake of comparison. Secondly, the assessment of the accuracy of RQPA results obtained using different radiations (synchrotron, Mo, and Cu) and geometries (reflection and transmission) is performed by analyzing two well-known commercial samples. As expected, for LXRPD data, accuracy in the RQPA results improves as the irradiated volume increases. Finally, three very complex aged hydrated cements have been analyzed using MoKα1-LXRPD and Synchrotron-XRPD. The main overall outcome of this work is the benefit for RQPA of using strictly monochromatic MoKα1 radiation. Best laboratory results arise from MoKα1 data as the effective tested volume is much increased but peak overlapping is not swelled.

Faecal incontinence is a disabling condition, with a high personal, social and economic cost. Whilst it may occur at any age, prevalence and severity of symptoms is higher among older people. There are many therapeutic options, ranging from non-invasive treatments to complex surgical techniques, with results that can be considered satisfactory in about 70% of individuals. A comprehensive study of the type of incontinence and its presentation and severity, together with consideration of the general condition of the patient and their environment, are the keys that will decide the best treatment option.

This study examined the relationship between medical advice to engage in physical activity with type of demand required by physical activity and demographic variables. A cross-sectional study was developed, featuring a questionnaire on physicians’ advice, and type of demand. The questionnaire was completed by a probability and nationwide sample of older adults in Spain (n = 933, M = 74.1, range 65–93), randomly selected using multistage sampling. More physically active older adults have, more often than the less active, received physicians’ advice to engage in physical activity. There is a significant relationship between medical advice and type of demand (p < .01) and age (p < .05). However, no relationship was found between physician medical advice and gender, social class, or income. Physicians can effectively promote physical activity among sedentary older adults through appropriate advice. Consequently, health authorities should promote physicians’ advising older patients to pursue physical activity.

Obesity is a major public health issue as it is causally related to several chronic disorders, including type-2 diabetes, CVD and cancer. Novel research shows that the gut microbiota is involved in obesity and metabolic disorders, revealing that obese animal and human subjects have alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota compared to their lean counterparts. Moreover, transplantation of the microbiota of either obese or lean mice influences body weight in the germ-free recipient mice, suggesting that the gut ecosystem is a relevant target for weight management. Indigenous gut microbes may regulate body weight by influencing the host's metabolic, neuroendocrine and immune functions. The intestinal microbiota, as a whole, provides additional metabolic functions and regulates the host's gene expression, improving the ability to extract and store energy from the diet and contributing to body-weight gain. Imbalances in the gut microbiota and increases in plasma lipopolysaccharide may also act as inflammatory factors related to the development of atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and body-weight gain. In contrast, specific probiotics, prebiotics and related metabolites might exert beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism, the production of satiety peptides and the inflammatory tone related to obesity and associated metabolic disorders. This knowledge is contributing to our understanding of how environmental factors influence obesity and associated diseases, providing new opportunities to design improved dietary intervention strategies to manage these disorders.

Obesity is associated with complications during pregnancy and increased health risks in the newborn. The objective of the present study was to establish possible relationships between gut microbiota, body weight, weight gain and biochemical parameters in pregnant women. Fifty pregnant women were classified according to their BMI in normal-weight (n 34) and overweight (n 16) groups. Gut microbiota composition was analysed by quantitative real-time PCR in faeces and biochemical parameters in plasma at 24 weeks of pregnancy. Reduced numbers of Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides and increased numbers of Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli were detected in overweight compared with normal-weight pregnant women. E. coli numbers were higher in women with excessive weight gain than in women with normal weight gain during pregnancy, while Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia muciniphila showed an opposite trend. In the whole population, increased total bacteria and Staphylococcus numbers were related to increased plasma cholesterol levels. Increased Bacteroides numbers were related to increased HDL-cholesterol and folic acid levels, and reduced TAG levels. Increased Bifidobacterium numbers were related to increased folic acid levels. Increased Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli numbers were related to increased ferritin and reduced transferrin, while Bifidobacterium levels showed the opposite trend. Therefore, gut microbiota composition is related to body weight, weight gain and metabolic biomarkers during pregnancy, which might be of relevance to the management of the health of women and infants.