Comparison of resource and consumer dynamics in Atlantic and Mediterranean streams

This study integrates a wide range of ecological data into a comprehensive framework describing the functional and structural dynamics of streams located under different climatic conditions in Spain. Standing stocks of particulate organic matter, algal biomass and macroinvertebrate communities are examined and compared between Atlantic streams of North-West Spain and Mediterranean temporary streams of the island of Majorca. This data set, which link potential food sources to consumer dynamics, allows explanation for the structural and functional variability exhibited by these two fluvial systems. Results indicate that the differences in the dynamics of community trophic structure of the two types of streams are a reflection of their hydrology and climate characteristics.En este estudio se proporciona un marco conceptual que contrasta la dinámica estructural y funcional de ríos localizados en distintas regiones climáticas existentes en España. Con este propósito se examina un amplio rango de datos de materia orgánica particulada bentónica, de biomasa algal y de comunidades de invertebrados en ríos atlánticos del Noroeste de la Península y en ríos temporales Mediterráneos localizados en la isla de Mallorca. Esta serie de datos ecológicos, que relacionan las fuentes de alimentación potenciales con sus consumidores, suministra una base que permite diferenciar no sólo la estructura, si no también el funcionamiento fluvial de ambos sistemas. Los resultados indican que las variaciones en la importancia y dinámica de la estructura trófica en ambos tipos de ríos son un reflejo de sus características hidrológicas y climáticas

Understanding Primary Care Physician Vaccination Behaviour: A Systematic Review.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy decreases adult vaccination coverage and has been recognized by WHO as a major health threat. Primary care physicians (PCP) play a key role in vaccination by giving vaccine counselling to their patients. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and barriers (KBAB) associated with own vaccination and patient recommendation in primary care physicians. Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were used to search and identify relevant studies based on their title and abstract. In the next step, the full text of each previously selected article was read for eligibility. Articles were selected by two independent reviewers and data extraction was performed using tables. The following information was extracted: methodological characteristics, demographic factors, professional characteristics, and intrinsic or extrinsic factors influencing vaccination or recommendation. Results: Our search yielded 41 eligible papers, data-sources, previous practices, belief in the effectiveness or safety of the vaccine, perceived risk, and trust in health authorities were all shown to be related to own vaccination and patient recommendation. Conclusion: Internet is the main source of information for PCP related to vaccine hesitancy. It is therefore essential to increase the presence and access to pro-vaccination content in this area. In addition, involving PCP in the establishment of vaccination recommendations could improve their credibility in the institutions. On the other hand, training in communication skills and establishing reminder systems could reflect higher vaccination coverage among their patients

Understanding primary care physician vaccination behaviour: a systematic review

Background: Vaccine hesitancy decreases adult vaccination coverage and has been recognized by WHO as a major health threat. Primary care physicians (PCP) play a key role in vaccination by giving vaccine counselling to their patients. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and barriers (KBAB) associated with own vaccination and patient recommendation in primary care physicians. Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were used to search and identify relevant studies based on their title and abstract. In the next step, the full text of each previously selected article was read for eligibility. Articles were selected by two independent reviewers and data extraction was performed using tables. The following information was extracted: methodological characteristics, demographic factors, professional characteristics, and intrinsic or extrinsic factors influencing vaccination or recommendation. Results: Our search yielded 41 eligible papers, data-sources, previous practices, belief in the effectiveness or safety of the vaccine, perceived risk, and trust in health authorities were all shown to be related to own vaccination and patient recommendation. Conclusion: Internet is the main source of information for PCP related to vaccine hesitancy. It is therefore essential to increase the presence and access to pro-vaccination content in this area. In addition, involving PCP in the establishment of vaccination recommendations could improve their credibility in the institutions. On the other hand, training in communication skills and establishing reminder systems could reflect higher vaccination coverage among their patientsS

Ensayo de una tipología de las cuencas mediterráneas del proyecto GUADALMED siguiendo las directrices de la Directiva Marco del Agua

RESUMEN Utilizando la propuesta de tipología de ríos de la Directiva Marco del Agua en su anexo 2 se realiza un ensayo tipológico de los puntos de muestreo del proyecto GUADALMED. Según el sistema A, se presentan 16 ecotipos, lo que se juzga poco adecuado para la gestión de los mismos y sin una base ecológica que lo justifique. De acuerdo con la selección previa hecha por los miembros del grupo GUADALMED para 5 de estos ecotipos no habría estaciones de referencia. Con algunas variables medidas en los puntos de muestreo y otras de tipo geológico e hidromorfológico, se realiza un ensayo tipológico usando el sistema B. El método implica un análisis de la correlación entre variables, un cluster de las estaciones utilizando el método K-means y un análisis discriminante de cuáles son las variables que distinguen estos grupos. El estudio da como resultado la caracterización de 6 ecotipos que sin embargo, a juicio de los miembros del proyecto GUADALMED, no recogen la variedad de tipos de ríos mediterráneos. Valorando cualitativamente parámetros no introducidos (por falta de datos) en el análisis K-means, se propone una tipología provisional en 9 grupos. Un análisis de las comunidades de macroinvertebrados (a nivel taxonómico de familia) revela un grado importante de coherencia entre las familias asociadas a cada tipo y sus preferencias ecológicas conocidas. ABSTRACT A preliminary analysis was conducted of the river types in the GUADALMED project using the river typology proposed in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in its annex 2. Using System A, 16 different types were found, a number too high for water management purposes and such typology lacks a supportive ecological basis. For 5 of these 16 ecotypes, no reference stations exist. Reference stations were selected a priori in project GUADALMED for each of the 12 basins sampled. An ecotypological analysis was performed using System B of the WFD using several variables measured during the study, and other variables obtained from maps or data bases (e.g., geology). The method included the analysis of the calibration between variables, the clustering of stations by the K-means method and a discriminant analysis. The latter revealed which factors were distinctive of each group. Six ecotypes were established for the GUADALMED study sites. These, however, do not include all the mediterranean-type streams of the region. This is mainly due to the absence in the data base of some important features of streams in the data base such as temporality or the dependence of flow on the presence of karstic aquifers, attribute

Fútbol e identidade

Poucos fenómenos neste século levan mantendo mobilizadas a tanta cantidade de persoas diariamente coma o caso do fútbol. Mesmo podemos dicir que non é posible unha visión completa desta sociedade nosa sen atender ó chamado "deporte rei". Que se agacha baixo cada regate, cada pase en profundidade e cada gol?, que é o que está realmente en xogo?. Para comprende-la cuestión cómpre analizar o fútbol en profundidade. E hoxe por hoxe podemos afirmar que é este un dos lugares privilexiados para construírmonos a propia identidade: constitúese así nun verdadeiro ritual moderno, pois de fondo co que se está a actuar é co mundo dos ideais e os valores, co mundo espiritual. Traspasamos as barreiras do mero deporte e abrímonos cara a sociedade enteira. Se defendemos o fútbol coma ritual de constitución da identidade nas sociedades modernas, cómpre partir da pregunta: que é un ritual?, e por que o fútbol e non outra actividade?.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influencia de los tipos de vegetación y la cubierta de tierra en la capacidad de infiltración del agua en el suelo en un ecosistema de páramo de gran altitud

Mountain ecosystems are receiving increasing attention due to their role in the regulation and supply of water for a growing human population, a pattern that is especially important in high altitude ecosystems of the northern Andes (páramo). Although it is commonly accepted that the capacity of soils to retain and regulate water is mostly given by their structure and organic matter content, it could be also influenced by the differences in the depth and nature of plant ground cover in different vegetation types. By performing a series of water infiltration essays in soils under different vegetation or land-use categories in an Ecuadorian páramo, we evaluated the relative contribution of ground vegetation cover to water infiltration capacity. Water infiltration was extremely high under shrubland vegetation and Polylepis forest, and decreased markedly under grassland, Pine plantations, and cattle trails. In all cases, the layer of ground vegetation made a significant contribution to total infiltration capacity, as shown by the lower infiltration rates of the essays performed after this layer was removed. Management and restoration of mountain ecosystems should concentrate in the recovery of landscape-level heterogeneity and the protection of the ground vegetation layer that regulates soil micro-climate, and provides additional water storage capacity.Los ecosistemas de montaña están recibiendo mucha atención debido a su importancia en la provisión y regulación de los recursos hídricos, un fenómeno que es especialmente importante en los ecosistemas de altura de los Andes del norte (páramos). Si bien es ampliamente aceptado que la capacidad de los suelos para regular los flujos hidrológicos está básicamente dada por su estructura y su contenido de materia orgánica, esta capacidad también podría estar influenciada por las diferencias en la naturaleza y espesor de la cobertura del suelo en diferentes tipos de vegetación. Mediante una serie de ensayos de infiltración de agua en el suelo en localidades con diferentes tipos de vegetación o usos del suelo en un páramo ecuatoriano, evaluamos la contribución relativa de la cobertura de vegetación rastrera a la capacidad de infiltración de agua en el suelo. Las tasas de infiltración fueron extremadamente altas en las zonas arbustivas y en el bosque de Polylepis, pero decrecieron marcadamente en los pajonales, los bosques de pino y los senderos de paso de ganado. En todos los casos, la capa de vegetación rastrera contribuyo significativamente a la capacidad total de infiltración, como se demuestra por la disminución de las tasas de infiltración que reportamos cuando esa capa fue removida experimentalmente. El manejo y la restauración de los ecosistemas de montaña se debería concentrar en la recuperación de la heterogeneidad a nivel del paisaje y en la protección de las capas vegetales rastreras que regulan los microclimas del suelo y proveen una mayor capacidad de infiltración de agua

Effect of olive oil on early and late events of colon carcinogenesis in rats: modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism and local prostaglandin E2 synthesis.

BACKGROUND Animal model studies have shown that the colon tumour promoting effect of dietary fat depends not only on the amount but on its fatty acid composition. With respect to this, the effect of n9 fatty acids, present in olive oil, on colon carcinogenesis has been scarcely investigated. AIMS To assess the effect of an n9 fat diet on precancer events, carcinoma development, and changes in mucosal fatty acid composition and prostaglandin (PG)E2 formation in male Sprague-Dawley rats with azoxymethane induced colon cancer. METHODS Rats were divided into three groups to receive isocaloric diets (5% of the energy as fat) rich in n9, n3, or n6 fat, and were administered azoxymethane subcutaneously once a week for 11 weeks at a dose rate of 7.4 mg/kg body weight. Vehicle treated groups received an equal volume of normal saline. Groups of animals were colectomised at weeks 12 and 19 after the first dose of azoxymethane or saline. Mucosal fatty acids were assessed at 12 and 19 weeks. Aberrant crypt foci and the in vivo intracolonic release of PGE2 were assessed at week 12, and tumour formation at week 19. RESULTS Rats on the n6 diet were found to have colonic aberrant crypt foci and adenocarcinomas more often than those consuming either the n9 or n3 diet. There were no differences between the rats on the n9 and n3 diets. On the other hand, administration of both n9 and n3 diets was associated with a decrease in mucosal arachidonate concentrations as compared with the n6 diet. Carcinogen treatment induced an appreciable increase in PGE2 formation in rats fed the n6 diet, but not in those fed the n3 and n9 diets. CONCLUSIONS Dietary olive oil prevented the development of aberrant crypt foci and colon carcinomas in rats, suggesting that olive oil may have chemopreventive activity against colon carcinogenesis. These effects may be partly due to modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism and local PGE2synthesis

Caracterización del estado ecológico de ríos mediterráneos ibéricos mediante el índice IBMWP (antes BMWP')

En base a los datos obtenidos a lo largo de la primera fase del proyecto GUADALMED (1999-2001), se estudia la calidad biológica de las aguas de 65 ríos de 12 cuencas mediterráneas ibéricas y el comportamiento del índice IBMWP ("Iberian Biomonitoring Working Party"; antes BMWP"). Se proponen unas bases para el establecimiento de las clases de calidad para la evaluación de estado ecológico de los ríos, siguiendo las directrices de la Directiva Marco del Agua, basadas en los valores del índice obtenidos en las estaciones de referencia de cada una de las tipologías de ríos obtenidas en el estudio. Tras la comparación entre las cinco clases originales del índice y las posibles nuevas acotaciones obtenidas se observó una total coincidencia para todos los casos en que se contaba con un número de estaciones de referencia elevado (>50), observándose discrepancias respecto a aquellas tipologías de ríos en que el número de estaciones era escaso (50), while discrepancies were observed within river types when the number of stations was low (<50). Therefore, we propose that the same IBMWP classes continue to be used, until a greater number of reference stations are available, which would be necessary to evaluate whether discrepancies observed are due to specific differences of river types, or are due to an insufficient representation of reference stations of some river types

Criterios para la selección de condiciones de referencia en los ríos mediterráneos. Resultados del proyecto GUADALMED

La Directiva Marco del Agua (DMA) establece la necesidad de definir las condiciones de referencia, que sirvan de patrón del estado ecológico del resto de estaciones del mismo ecotipo. Varios son los criterios que pueden ser utilizados para la selección de las condiciones de referencia. En el proyecto GUADALMED cinco localidades por cuenca muestreada, fueron escogidas a priori según la experiencia de los expertos en cada zona, uno de los criterios contemplados en la DMA. Los resultados mostraron en muchas de las estaciones seleccionadas (un 72%) una calidad biológica alterada (IBMWP <100 en todas las campañas muestreadas) y un bosque de ribera perturbado (QBR <75). A partir de estos resultados se analizó si era posible el establecimiento de una serie de criterios que ayudaran a establecer condiciones de referencia. Para ello se seleccionaron diferentes criterios como la conservación del bosque de ribera, los usos naturales de la cuenca, la naturalidad del canal fluvial, la ausencia de embalses que regularan el caudal, un hábitat del lecho adecuado y concentraciones bajas de parámetros físico-químicos, en cada uno de los puntos estudiados. Algunas estaciones cumplían todos los criterios, mientras que otras podrían fácilmente cumplirlos reubicando el punto de muestreo aguas arriba o abajo del río o mediante técnicas de restauración. Los resultados fueron comparados con la tipología mediante el Sistema B establecida en otro trabajo de este volumen. En algunos ecotipos, la falta de estaciones de referencia y la imposibilidad de encontrarlas dadas las características de la cuenca y el tramo, implica la imposibilidad de establecer condiciones de referencia y la necesidad de establecer el Máximo Potencial Ecológico. Al comparar los criterios establecidos para cada estación con los valores de los índices biológicos hallados en todas las campañas, se observa que los criterios establecidos son adecuados, ya que las estaciones que los cumplen tienen un IBMWP y QBR superior. Este trabajo pretende establecer unos criterios generales que serán utilizados como base para la selección y validación de condiciones de referencia en la segunda fase del proyecto GUADALMED. ABSTRACT The water Frame Directive (WFD) establishes the need to define reference conditions in order to determine the ecological status of all the test sites from each ecotype. Several criteria may be used to select reference conditions. In the GUADALMED project, five localities per basin were selected a priori according to the experience of experts, which is one of the criteria considered in the WFD. Results showed that in 72% of selected reference conditions, water quality was poor (IBMWP<100 in all sampled seasons) and the riparian vegetation, altered (QBR<75). Consequently, we established a set of new criteria for appropriate selection of reference conditions for natural riparian vegetation status, natural basin uses, unaltered fluvial channel, absence of reservoirs, diverse river habitat conditions and low nutrient concentrations. A few sites conform to all these criteria, whereas others may comply when a site upstream or downstream is considered instead, or after restoration techniques are applied. Results obtained were compared with the previously established System B typologies. For some ecotypes, no reference sites were found occasionally because of the difficulty in finding given basin or river reach characteristics. In these cases, a"Maximum Ecological Potential" was used instead of the reference condition. When the criteria established were compared with the biological indices across seasons for each site, a positive and significant relationship was found between all criteria and the IBMWP and QBR indices. Here, we present a set of criteria for use as a general framework to select and validate reference condition during the second phase of the project GUADALMED