SAG3 Toxoplasma gondii cloning reveals unexpected fivefold infection in the blood of feral cats in the Mexican Caribbean

Background Currently, more than 300 genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) have been described throughout the world, demonstrating its wide genetic diversity. The SAG3 locus is one of the genes included in the genotyping panel of this parasite. It is associated with its virulence since it participates during the invasion process of the host cells. Therefore, cloning, sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis were used to deepen the understanding of the SAG3 locus genetic diversity of T. gondii in blood samples from feral cats. Results Six different SAG3 sequences were detected, five of which were detected in one feline. Three sequences were first reported here; one of them was an intragenic recombinant. In the cladogram, four out of ten SAG3 sequences did not share nodes with others reported worldwide. Conclusions Cloning and sequencing of samples with more than one restriction pattern by PCR-RFLP were very helpful tools to demonstrate the presence of more than three genotypes of T. gondii in the blood of feral cats from southeastern Mexico. This suggests a potential mixed infection of multiple T. gondii strains and high genetic diversity of the parasites in felines in this tropical region of Mexico.

Opportunities Surrounding the Use of Sargassum Biomass as Precursor of Biogas, Bioethanol, and Biodiesel Production

Climate change (along with other factors) has caused an increase in the proliferation of brown algal mats floating freely along the Atlantic Ocean since 2011. These brown algae mats are composed of sea plants from the Sargassum genus. The gargantuan agglomeration of biomass flows alongside currents and lands in beaches belonging to the Eastern coasts of the Mexican Caribbean and several other countries in the region. These events, dubbed golden tides, harm the local economy and environment. Current elimination approaches involve the mechanical harvesting of the Sargassum and ultimate landfill disposal. However, explorations into the commercial application of other brown algae have elucidated the potential of Sargassum as a feedstock for valorization. This review informs the trends, challenges, and opportunities presented by the coastal invasion of this biomass. Primarily, the potential use of this material is as a precursor in biorefineries where multiple value-added products are generated concurrent with the ultimate production of biofuels.

Medición y evaluación de la comunicación en empresas seleccionadas del gremio de comunicadores de Cancún / Measurement and evaluation of communication in selected companies of the Cancun communicators union

This paper inquired about how some selected professionals from the guild of communicators in Cancún grouped in the Association of Public Relations of Mexican Caribbean (ARPCM for its initials in Spanish) use measurement and evaluation. The research approach is qualitative, since the interest was to deepen in the phenomenon studied. A bibliographic and documentary review was used to form the theorical basis, as well as a semi-structured interview conducted virtually (which was recorded and subsequently transcribed) to a non-probabilistic purposive sample. Twenty-two subjects belonging to the ARPCM were chosen who met the following conditions: to be an active member of the Association in June 2021, that the terms Public Relations, Communication or Institutional Image appeared in the title of their position, and that they had been in the position for more than three years. Out of a population of 70 active members, 22 were selected: 2 belonging to civil associations, 5 to consulting agencies, 2 to hotels, 2 to restaurants, 3 to recreational parks, 2 to real estate agencies. 2 to travel agencies and 4 representing universities, from which 13 were women and 9 were men. Among the issues on which the interview focused were their conception of measurement and evaluation, whether they were doing it, and their satisfaction with the way in which they were currently carrying out this measurement and evaluation process. Also, there were inquiries about the indicators they used and if they were associated with their communication objectives, the main methods and the use given to the results, as well as the evaluation of the internal communication, indicators employed, among others. The results showed that they give the importance that these issues deserved, but are not completely satisfied with the way they put them into practice. On the other hand, they have evaluation indicators associated with their communication objectives, but the prevalence is on the measurement of products and effects, instead of results and impacts of communication; as well as they focus on reporting activities instead of goals, objectives and results that are correlated with those of the organization. At times of the so-called “new normality”, priority has been given to actions, messages, new media, but there is still something to be done for improvement in their evaluation; which is why, in the future, emphasis will have to be placed on this. Particularly, in improving knowledge about planning, goals, objectives, metrics, indicators, and their scope, as well as the possibilities to determine effects on the organization´s audiences. In view of the above, it is concluded that there is still a long way to go for the guild of communicators in Cancún in this regard.

Effects of COVID-19 on Variations of Taxpayers in Tourism-Reliant Regions: The Case of the Mexican Caribbean

Given the tourism industry’s risk and vulnerability to pandemics and the need to better understand the impacts on tourism destinations, this research assesses the effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on the variation of taxpayer units in the Mexican Caribbean region, which includes some of the major sun-and-sand beach destinations in Latin America. Using monthly data of registered taxpayer entities at the state and national levels as the analysis variable, probability distributions and definite integrals are employed to determine variations of the year following the lockdown, compared with previous years’ data. Results indicate that despite the government’s measures to restrict businesses’ operations and a reduction in tourism activities, registered taxpayers at the regional level did not decrease for most of 2020. Further, as business activities and tourism recovered, taxpayer units increased at the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021. Surprisingly, such a pattern was not observed at the national level, which yielded no statistically significant variations. A discussion of factors influencing the resilience of the tourism region in the study (e.g., outbound markets’ geographic proximity, absence of travel restrictions, closure of competing destinations) and implications for public finances are presented.

Commercial Potential of Pelagic Sargassum spp. in Mexico

The recent periodic influx of massive quantities of pelagic Sargassum spp. (sargasso) into the Caribbean has posed ecological, social, and economic challenges to the region. Sustainable use of the biomass is crucial to mitigate negative impacts of beached algae. The current uses of sargasso in Mexico are reviewed, and a biorefinery approach is proposed to optimize its commercialization. The commercialization potential of sargasso in the Mexican Caribbean is analyzed using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. The unpredictability of the influx to the Mexican shores is considerable, both in time and space, also, some areas receive consistently more sargasso than others. The lack of available technology, local infrastructure and regulations concerning sargasso are relevant, as is the urgent need to establish proper regulatory measures. In the context of the Mexican legal system, the category “special waste” can best be applied to sargasso that is collected from the beach or nearshore waters for the purpose of regulation. Lessons learnt from in Mexico may be applied elsewhere, with adaptations for each specific location. More importantly, mutual understanding of the constraints and possibilities of sargasso management in other countries, or territories, may facilitate the coordinated management of this transboundary macroalgae bloom.