Central University of Ecuador

About: Central University of Ecuador is a education organization based out in Quito, Ecuador. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 2220 authors who have published 1910 publications receiving 15052 citations.

Cooperation and bacterial pathogenicity: an approach to social evolution

Abstract: Kin selection could provide an explanation for social behavior in bacteria. The production of public goods such as extracellular molecules is metabolically costly for bacteria but could help them to exploit nutrients or invade a host. Some bacterial cells called social cheaters do not produce public goods; however, they take advantage of these extracellular molecules. In this review, the relationships between social behavior, cooperation, and evolution of bacterial pathogenicity are analyzed. This paper also examines the role of horizontal transfer of genes encoding for virulence factors and how the movement of mobile genetic elements would influence the pathogenicity and social relationships. Moreover, the link between ecological relationships and evolution in entomopathogenic bacteria, focusing on Bacillus thuringiensis is considered. Finally, the findings obtained with B. thuringiensis are extrapolated on Bacillus pumilus 15.1, an entomopathogenic strain whose pathogenicity is not understood yet.

A new phytotelm plant, crinum moorei (asparagales: amaryllidaceae), for the americas and its mosquito inhabitant (diptera: culicidae) in ecuador

Abstract: A new phytotelm plant for the Americas is recorded for San Miguel de los Bancos, Pichincha Province, Ecuador. In the leaf axils of Crinum moorei Hook. f. (Amaryllidaceae) were collected larvae and pupae of a common mosquito, Wyeomyia (Dendromyia) complosa (Dyar) (Diptera: Culicidae: Sabethini). This plant is a South African native, introduced into several countries, but never reported as a habitat for immature mosquitoes. We provide notes about its botanical and ecological characteristics, and also of the mosquito associated at this locality.

Efecto antimicrobiano de extractos acuosos de cáscara y semillas de cacao (Theobroma cacao) sobre cepa de Streptococcus Mutans: Estudio in vitro

Abstract: Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto antimicrobiano de extractos acuosos de cascara y semillas de cacao (Theobroma cacao) sobre el Streptococcus mutans. Materiales y metodos: En el presente estudio experimental la muestra estuvo constituida por 20 placas petri inoculadas con Streptococcus mutans ATTCC 25175 los cuales fueron reactivados por 24 horas a 35 +/- 2oC en agar sangre. Para la obtencion de los extractos acuosos se realizo el metodo de reflujo, utilizando agua destilada como solvente, los extractos se concentraron al 12.5% y al 20%. Para el analisis de los datos se utilizo la prueba U de Mann Whitney con un nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: No existieron diferencias significativas entre la media del halo de inhibicion del extracto acuoso de cascara y de semilla al 12.5% (p=0,27) y al 20% (p= 0.94), por lo que estos dos extractos presentan igual efecto antimicrobiano. Conclusiones: Los extractos acuosos de cascara y semilla de cacao presentaron efecto antimicrobiano sobre Streptococcus Mutans.

Hiposialia y Xerostomía Post Irradiación: Terapias Innovadoras en el Campo Biomolecular

Abstract: RESUMEN: Las glándulas salivales humanas pueden ser gravemente lesionadas por la radioterapia utilizada contra neoplasias de cabeza y cuello, produciendo hiposialia y xerostomía, las cuales afectan la salud oral y sistémica, mermando la calidad de vida e la persona. Los tratamientos convencionales actuales están diseñados para disminuir los síntomas, sin actuar sobre los cambios fisiopatoló gico que se dan a nivel glandular. Esta revisión intenta analizar aquellas terapias preventivas y/o curativas que están desarrollándose en el campo biomolecular y que tienen un futuro prometedor por sus características innovadoras: terapia génica, terapia con células madre y terapia con factores de crecimiento. Se evidencia un aporte adicional de la nanotecnología, la cual está mejorando las vías de aplicación de los tratam ient .

Gut Microbiome Changes with Acute Diarrheal Disease in Urban Versus Rural Settings in Northern Ecuador.

Abstract: Previous studies have reported lower fecal bacterial diversity in urban populations compared with those living in rural settings. However, most of these studies compare geographically distant populations from different countries and even continents. The extent of differences in the gut microbiome in adjacent rural versus urban populations, and the role of such differences, if any, during enteric infections remain poorly understood. To provide new insights into these issues, we sampled the gut microbiome of young children with and without acute diarrheal disease (ADD) living in rural and urban areas in northern Ecuador. Shotgun metagenomic analyses of non-ADD samples revealed small but significant differences in the abundance of microbial taxa, including a greater abundance of Prevotella and a lower abundance of Bacteroides and Alistipes in rural populations. Greater and more significant shifts in taxon abundance, metabolic pathway abundance, and diversity were observed between ADD and non-ADD status when comparing urban to rural sites (Welch's t-test, P < 0.05). Collectively our data show substantial functional, diversity, and taxonomic shifts in the gut microbiome of urban populations with, ADD supporting the idea that the microbiome of rural populations may be more resilient to ADD episodes.