Luigi Italo Villena Zapata

Background and Aim: Naturally occurring co-contamination of poultry feed with multiple mycotoxins can compromise broiler health and productive performance. Phytogenic formulations may provide complementary nutritional support under these conditions; however, evidence from commercial production systems remains limited. This study evaluated growth performance, feed efficiency, blood biochemical responses, and survival of Cobb 500 broilers receiving a natural detoxifying additive containing cynarin, betaine, boldine, and allicin during natural multi-mycotoxin exposure. Materials and Methods: A comparative 40-day commercial field study included 828 one-day-old Cobb 500 broilers allocated to male control, female control, male experimental, and female experimental groups (n = 207/group). The additive was administered at 1 mL/L of drinking water on days 3–5, 16–18, and 29–31. One commercial house received the additive, and one served as the untreated control; therefore, house was the experimental unit for supplementation (n = 1/treatment). Feed contained naturally occurring fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, and T-2 toxin. Growth, feed utilization, mortality, flock uniformity, and blood biochemical parameters were evaluated. Bird-level comparisons were adjusted for multiple testing using the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure. Results: At day 40, supplemented males were 95.33 g heavier than control males (2403.68 vs. 2308.35 g; p < 0.001; q = 0.001), whereas the corresponding difference in females was 16.01 g. A significant sex × treatment interaction was detected for final body weight (p = 0.008). The supplemented house showed a higher European Efficiency Factor (348 vs. 326). Supplemented females had lower feed intake and feed conversion ratio (1.91 vs. 2.02) and no mortality (0/207 vs. 6/207; p = 0.030). Creatinine was lower in supplemented females on days 26 and 40, while gamma-glutamyl transferase activity was lower in supplemented males on day 15; these differences remained significant after false discovery rate adjustment. Conclusion: Broilers in the supplemented house showed favorable productive and selected biochemical responses under natural multi-mycotoxin exposure. However, because supplementation was confounded with house, the findings cannot establish a causal additive effect. Replicated multi-house trials are required to confirm efficacy. Keywords: blood biochemistry, broiler chickens, feed efficiency, growth performance, multi-mycotoxin exposure, phytogenic feed additives, poultry nutrition, survival.

The genera Ladenbergia, Cinchona and Remijia, known as "quina trees" (family Rubiaceae), are recognized for their medicinal properties in the treatment of malaria and viral diseases. However, the traditional extraction of their metabolites by maceration of the bark in alcohol has generated deforestation and risk of extinction of species such as Ladenbergia oblongifolia . Faced with this problem, this research proposed a biotechnological approach to produce metabolites in a sustainable way, evaluating the effect of the growth regulators 2,4- Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and Thidiazuron (TDZ) on the induction and proliferation of calluses in vitro. MS culture medium (Murashige and Skoog) supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D and TDZ was used. The results demonstrated that the optimal concentration for callus induction was 1 ppm of 2,4-D, while for subculture the best response was obtained with 0,75 ppm of 2,4-D. These findings show that tissue culture is a viable alternative to obtain active compounds without harming natural populations, contributing to both the conservation of L. oblongifolia and the development of biotechnological applications in threatened medicinal species. This work highlights the importance of integrating sustainable methods in pharmaceutical and ecological research, opening new lines of study for the optimization of secondary metabolites.

In Peru, the organic cultivation of Coffea arabica L. var. catimor “coffee” has reached a high export demand, due to its quality, aroma and balanced flavor, with a touch of fruit, nuts or honey, depending on the roast and consumer taste. Given its economic value and the need to expand its cultivation, techniques that improve its germination characteristics are required. In view of this, the objective was to determine the influence of gibberellic acid and soaking time on the germination of C. arabica seeds. To this end, a study was conducted at the Biotechnology Laboratory of the Institute of Potato and Andean Crops of the National University of Trujillo, using gibberellic acid with different concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) and soaking times (0, 12 and 24 hours). The experiment was carried out with a completely randomized block design and variables such as germination percentage, germination rate and vitality (IC) were measured. It was found that the germination percentage, germination rate and vitality (IC) between the different concentrations of gibberellic acid and soaking time on the germination of C. arabica seeds did not show significant differences. It is concluded that the addition of gibberellic acid and soaking time are of little relevance to germination, therefore, its use on C. arabica var. catimor seeds is unnecessary.

The immersion of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education presents significant challenges and opportunities. This study examines the acceptance of AI as a teaching strategy among university teachers, following the extended UTAUT2 model with the inclusion of the teacher skills and knowledge for technology integration (SKTI) construct. Employing a quantitative cross‐sectional research design, data were collected from 318 university teachers with prior experience using AI as a learning strategy through nonprobabilistic convenience sampling across 10 universities in northern Peru. Participants completed an online survey, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis tests with Dunn’s post hoc comparisons, and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM). The results showed that performance expectancy ( β = 0.129 ^∗∗ ), hedonic motivation ( β = 0.167 ^∗∗ ), habit ( β = 0.405 ^∗∗∗ ), and SKTI ( β = 0.263 ^∗∗∗ ) had a positive influence on the behavioral intention to adopt AI as a teaching strategy. Additionally, behavioral intention ( β = 0.303 ^∗∗∗ ), facilitating conditions ( β = 0.115 ^∗ ), and habit ( β = 0.464 ^∗∗ ) determine the behavioral use of AI by teachers. The Kruskal–Wallis test revealed significant differences among age groups in the performance expectancy, social influence, habit, and behavioral intention constructs, with the 37‐ to 48‐year‐old age group showing higher average ranks. The discussion highlights that these findings suggest a positive adoption of AI among teachers, driven by individual and contextual factors, and challenges assumptions about the relevance of certain constructs in this specific context. In conclusion, this study represents a significant advancement in understanding the adoption of AI in university teaching and provides valuable guidance for practical implementation efforts.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment for improving blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive adult patients at a health center in Lima, Peru.Method: This study employed a quasi‐experimental design with a quantitative and longitudinal cohort approach. The participants included 50 adults who were diagnosed with hypertension and who regularly attended the health center in the Villa El Salvador district of Lima, Peru. The data were collected using three instruments: the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21), validated in Peru; a sociodemographic questionnaire; and a BP recording sheet. The Wilcoxon test was utilized to assess the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy on BP control, while the nonparametric Friedman test was used to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy considering confounding factors.Results: Therapy resulted in favorable outcomes for BP control. After eight sessions, the average systolic BP decreased from 122.8 to 115.0 mm Hg (a reduction of 7%), and the average diastolic BP decreased from 78.1 to 69.9 mm Hg (a reduction of 11%).Conclusions: Mindfulness is an effective complementary therapy for controlling BP in hypertensive adults. It also helps reduce confounding factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression.