Conference Agenda

Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) is a source of diverse phytochemicals with reported antitumoral activities; however, the specific compounds responsible for cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study evaluated the cytotoxic, redox-modulating, and mitochondrial effects of different OFI extracts obtained via sequential exhaustive extraction (SEE) with hexane, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, butanol, ethanol, and water on human colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. Ethyl acetate (EA) and water (W) extracts exhibited the strongest cytotoxicity at 100 µg/mL, reducing cell viability to 43.07% and 63.80%, respectively, whereas the remaining extracts showed no significant effects. EA extract decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and simultaneously reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), indicating a cytotoxic mechanism independent of oxidative stress. The phytochemical profile showed a high concentration of flavonoids in the EA extract, consistent with the observed antioxidant effect. These results demonstrate that the antitumoral activity of OFI is strongly solvent-extraction-dependent, highlighting the EA extract as the most promising candidate for the development of antitumoral therapies. These findings support OFI as a source of potential antitumoral molecules and encourage future evaluation of mechanistic pathways and selectivity toward healthy colon cells.

Abstract– Microplastic contamination in agricultural soils represents an emerging threat to soil productivity and quality. In the Carabayllo district, where agriculture supplies 45% of the horticultural production for Metropolitan Lima, the accumulation of microplastics in the soil is a source of environmental concern. This study evaluated the effectiveness of biochar in reducing the negative effects of microplastics in agricultural soil in the Chocas Bajo sector of Carabayllo. The design of the investigation was quantitative exploratory-correlational with soil sampling at nine points to quantify microplastics through digestion with H2O2 and separation by density with NaCl. Subsequently, biochar doses of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 5% of the soil weight were applied in a pot experiment. Soil chemical properties (pH and electrical conductivity) and growth variables of the selected crop (shoot length, root length, and fresh biomass) were analyzed. The results showed an average concentration of 95.9 ± 57.1 microplastic particles per kilogram in the soil. Application of biochar regulated the pH towards neutral values and showed a significant positive correlation with electrical conductivity and with growth variables, with the 2% dose standing out for its best performance.

Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder affecting approximately one percent of the global population, with heritability estimates reaching eighty percent. While recent large-scale genomic studies have identified numerous risk loci, systematic analysis of variant distribution patterns across key candidate genes remains limited. This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of variant distribution patterns across six schizophrenia-associated genes using data from the SCHEMA consortium. We analyzed 4,180 genetic variants from CACNA1C, COMT, DAOA, DISC1, GRM3, and NRG1 genes to determine gene-specific functional constraint patterns and their implications for disease mechanisms. Our analysis reveals dramatic differences in functional constraint across genes, with DAOA exhibiting the highest proportion of high-impact variants at 7.73 percent compared to NRG1 at 0.49 percent, representing a 15.8-fold difference in tolerance to functional disruption. We quantified distributional heterogeneity using multiple metrics, finding a fold difference of 7.76 times in variant burden, coefficient of variation of 70.24 percent, and clear gene-specific constraint signatures. Notably, genes involved in neurotransmitter regulation such as DAOA and COMT showed higher functional constraint than those involved in neurodevelopment including NRG1 and CACNA1C, suggesting distinct pathogenic mechanisms. These findings provide novel insights into the genetic architecture of schizophrenia and establish a framework for prioritizing variants in precision psychiatry applications.

This study evaluates the valorization of surplus bread as a substrate for microbial production of bioactive peptides with antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Surplus bread was enzymatically hydrolyzed (alcalase, α‑amylase, amyloglucosidase) and fermented with a collection of 35 isolates (20 yeasts, 15 lactic acid bacteria) obtained from sourdough, lyophilized sourdough, kefir and commercial probiotics. Fermentates were characterized for peptide content (α‑amino nitrogen), enzyme inhibition (ACE, α‑glucosidase), antioxidant capacity (DPPH, FRAP) and bacteriostatic activity (agar well diffusion against S. aureus and E. coli). ANOVA indicated a significant effect of strain on peptide release (R² = 87.7%, adj. R² = 76.2%), and strain and peptide concentration significantly influenced antioxidant assays (DPPH R² ≈ 97.6%, FRAP R² ≈ 92.6%). Fermentation increased peptide levels 1.5–4.8‑fold relative to hydrolysates. Several LAB ( L₁, L₂, L₁₁, L₁₂) consistently produced 60–70% ACE and α‑glucosidase inhibition, while several yeast isolates (Y₁₁, Y₁₉, Y₂₀) achieved the highest ACE inhibition (up to >90%). Antioxidant capacity reached ~40–48% in top-performing strains. Antimicrobial assays revealed clear inhibition halos against S. aureus for specific LAB (L₁, L₃, L₁₁, L₁₃) but no activity against E. coli, indicating selective Gram‑positive antagonism. These results demonstrate that surplus bread can be converted into multifunctional peptide-rich fermentates with potent antidiabetic and antioxidant effects and targeted antimicrobial activity. The work establishes a strain repository and supports further proteomic and structural characterization to optimize peptide yields and bioactivity. Valorization of surplus bread aligns with circular bioeconomy and SDG objectives by reducing food waste while generating value‑added functional ingredients with translational potential

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in Quimistán, Santa Bárbara, takes place within a geological setting dominated by metamorphic rocks associated with auriferous hydrothermal systems that naturally contain potentially toxic elements, such as arsenic. In this context, artisanal ore-processing practices primarily mercury amalgamation and the reprocessing of tailings through cyanide-based leaching interact with pre-existing geogenic conditions, increasing the vulnerability of the aquifers used by the communities of Santa Cruz Minas and La Mina for drinking water, productive activities, and mining operations.

To establish a baseline of groundwater quality, a sampling campaign was conducted during the 2025 rainy season at 17 water supply sources. Total, free, and WAD cyanide were analyzed, along with metals, metalloids, and physicochemical parameters. The results were assessed using a Water Quality Index adapted to ASGM contexts, which revealed a heterogeneous and predominantly impaired condition of the resource: one source classified as good, eleven as fair, four as marginal, and one as poor.

Arsenic concentrations exceed the maximum permissible value in several sources (0.02–2.456 mg/L), while nickel also shows exceedances at multiple sites. In addition, electrical conductivity exceeds regulatory limits in most of the evaluated sources, indicating high mineralization. Overall, the results reflect the combined influence of geogenic processes and anthropogenic pressures associated with ASGM and underscore the need for prior treatment, continuous monitoring, and preventive water resource management in territories with similar geological and mining conditions.

Aerospace engineering projects require strict control of laboratory access, inventory traceability, and accountability, particularly during the development of mission-critical hardware, a challenge that is amplified in emerging space programs operating under limited resources and evolving infrastructure. This paper presents a cloud-based access and inventory control system developed using Google Apps Script and Google Sheets within Proyecto Morazán, the first national satellite development initiative of the country. The system was conceived as a mission-driven mitigation mechanism to support traceability and operational awareness during laboratory activities, rather than as a standalone software product. The proposed solution follows a serverless, socio-technical approach that combines automated validation with defined human oversight and has been validated through sustained use in an engineering laboratory supporting the ongoing development of the Engineering Model, with recent adaptations introduced to prepare for clean room operations. Results indicate improved visibility of laboratory activity, clearer component usage records, and reduced operational uncertainty during periods of increased activity, demonstrating that low-cost, cloud-based systems aligned with mission-level requirements and Human-in-the-Loop principles can effectively support access control and inventory traceability in emerging aerospace programs.