Improving spatial synchronization between X-ray and near-infrared spectra information to predict wood density profiles

Wood density is one of the most important physical properties of the wood, used in improvement programs for wood quality of major timber species. Traditional core sampling of standing trees has been widely used to assess wood density profiles at high spatial resolution by X-ray microdensitometry methods, but alternative methods to predict wood properties quality are also needed. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, a non-destructive technique, is being increasingly used for wood property assessment and has already been demonstrated to be able to predict wood density. However, the estimation of wood density profiles by NIR has not yet been extensively studied, and improved models using spectra information (NIR) and X-ray data need to be developed. To this end, partial least square regression (PLS-R) models for predicting wood density were developed at a 1.4 mm spatial resolution on Pinus pinaster wood cores, with an improved spatial synchronization along the tangential and radial directions of the strip, between X-ray data and NIR spectra. The validation of the best model showed a high coefficient of determination (0.95), low error (0.026) and no outlier. Compression wood samples were not detected as outliers and were correctly predicted by the model. However, pith spectra were detected as outliers and its predicted values were overestimated by 33% due to unusual spectra suggesting a diverse chemical composition. The results suggest that NIR-PLS models obtained can be used for screening maritime pine wood density profiles along the radii at 1.4 mm spatial resolutioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Geography determines genetic relationships between species of mountain pine (Pinus mugo complex) in western Europe

Aim  Our aims were to test whether morphological species of mountain pines were genetically supported in the western part of the distribution range of the Pinus mugo species complex (Pinus mugo Turra sensu lato), to resolve genetically homogeneous clusters of populations, to determine historical demographic processes, and to assess the potential hybridization of mountain pines with Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L. Location  Populations were sampled in the Iberian System, the Pyrenees, the French Mont Ventoux, Vosges and Jura mountains, the German Black Forest and throughout the Alps. This corresponded to a range-wide sampling for mountain pine sensu stricto (Pinus uncinata Ram.) and to a sampling of the western parts of the ranges of dwarf mountain pine (Pinus mugo Turra sensu stricto) and bog pine/peatbog pine [Pinus rotundata Link/Pinus × pseudopumilio (Willk.) Beck]. Methods  In total, 786 individuals of P. mugo sensu lato from 29 natural populations, and 85 individuals of P. sylvestris from four natural populations were genotyped at three chloroplast microsatellites (cpSSRs). Populations were characterized for standard genetic diversity statistics and signs of demographic expansion. Genetic structure was explored using analysis of molecular variance, differentiation statistics and Bayesian analysis of population structure (BAPS). Results  One hundred haplotypes were identified in P. mugo sensu lato. There was a stronger differentiation between geographical regions than between morphologically identified taxa (P. mugo sensu stricto, P. uncinata and P. rotundata/P. ×pseudopumilio). Overall genetic differentiation was weak (GST = 0.070) and displayed a clear phylogeographic structure [NST = 0.263, NST > NST (permuted), P < 0.001]. BAPS identified a Pyrenean and an Alpine gene pool, along with several smaller genetic clusters corresponding to peripheral populations. Main conclusions  The core regions of the Pyrenees and Alps were probably recolonized, respectively by P. uncinata and P. uncinata/P. mugo sensu stricto, from multiple glacial refugia that were well connected by pollen flow within the mountain chains. Pinus rotundata/P. × pseudopumilio populations from the Black Forest, Vosges and Jura mountains were probably recolonized from various glacial populations that kept their genetic distinctiveness despite late glacial and early Holocene expansion. Marginal P. uncinata populations from the Iberian System are compatible with elevational shifts and long-term isolation. The causes of haplotype sharing between P. mugo sensu lato and P. sylvestris require further researc

The timing of leaf flush in European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) saplings

Spring phenology is considered one of the most important determinants of growth and survival in young stands. It is relatively easy to monitor and is expected to respond to climate changes that will affect the favourable period for growth in temperate regions. The response of trees to the environmental cues that govern spring phenology is largely under genetic control and inter-populational differences exist within species. This suggests that the trait undergoes site-specific selection. Data obtained through monitoring of bud burst at multiple beech provenance-trials were compared with specific site and weather data to reveal geographical clines in beech phenology. We fitted the Weibull function to harmonise phenology data collected using various flushing scales and at different intensities of monitoring. By comparing data from 20 annual census of phenology performed across 13 sites throughout Europe, we showed that accumulated temperature sum > 5°C modelled the timing and duration of flushing more consistently than other temperature sum models > 0°C or > 8°C, or simply Julian Day. Inconsistency in the number of degree hours required for flushing among sites, reinforced the need for testing of more complex mechanistic models that include photoperiod, chilling period, and summer drought in addition to temperature sum. South-North, East-West, and low-high elevational clines were confirmed from the analysis. These findings; reinforce the need for caution in planting provenances from the south-east of Europe, suited to warmer-drier summers, in more north-westerly sites; and highlight the location of some potentially valuable late-flushing populations that also tolerate warm dry temperatures.Peer reviewe

Primer registro de especies invasoras de chinches (Heteroptera: Coreidae) sobre naranja (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) en Mazatepec, Morelos, México

Algunas de las chinches conocidas dentro de la familia Coreidae están siendo consideradas como especies invasoras. Los autores recolectaron e identificaron adultos de siete especies sobre naranja var. "Valencia", en la localidad de Cuauchichinola, Mazatepec, Morelos. De ellas tres especies fueron de mayor relevancia en las colectas, (Leptoglossus zonatus), seguida de dos especies (Narnia sp y Leptoglossus concolor). Hasta la fecha no se tenían registros en el estado de Morelos de la incidencia de estas chinches sobre esta zona citrícola y específicamente sobre naranja var."Valencia" por lo que deben ser monitoreadas y valoradas como plagas potencialmente peligrosas asociadas con daños y caída de fruta en las zonas citrícolas del estado, así como su posible impacto económico

Forest genetic resources strategy for Europe

202

Association of APOA5 and APOC3 genetic polymorphisms with severity of hypertriglyceridemia in patients with cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma treated with bexarotene

Importance: hypertriglyceridemia is the most frequent and limiting adverse effect of bexarotene therapy in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Despite standard prophylactic measures, there is a wide variability in the severity of this complication, which could be associated with both genetic and environmental factors. Objectives: to analyze the association between genetic polymorphisms of apolipoprotein genes APOA5, APOC3, and APOE and the severity of hypertriglyceridemia during bexarotene therapy and to optimize patient selection for bexarotene therapy based on adverse effect profile. Design, Setting, and Participants: this case series study was conducted in 12 university referral hospitals in Spain from September 17, 2014, to February 6, 2015. One hundred twenty-five patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CTCL who had received bexarotene therapy for at least 3 months were enrolled. Nine patients were excluded owing to missing analytic triglyceride level data, leaving a study group of 116 patients. Data on demographic and cardiovascular risk factor were collected, and a complete blood analysis, including lipid profile and genetic analysis from a saliva sample, was performed. Main Outcomes and Measures: primary outcomes were the maximal triglyceride levels reported in association with the minor alleles of the polymorphisms studied. Results: among 116 patients, the mean (SD) age was 61.2 (14.7) years, 69 (59.5%) were men, and 85 (73.2%) had mycosis fungoides, the most prevalent form of CTCL. During bexarotene therapy, 96 patients (82.7%) experienced hypertriglyceridemia, which was severe or extreme in 8 of these patients (8.3%). Patients who carried minor alleles of the polymorphisms did not show significant differences in baseline triglyceride concentrations. After bexarotene treatment, carriers of at least 1 of the 2 minor alleles of APOA5 c.-1131T>C and APOC3 c.*40C>G showed lower levels of triglycerides than noncarriers (mean [SD], 241.59 [169.91] vs 330.97 [169.03] mg/dL, respectively; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance: these results indicate that the screening of APOA5 and APOC3 genotypes may be useful to estimate changes in triglyceride concentrations during bexarotene treatment in patients with CTCL and also to identify the best candidates for bexarotene therapy based on the expected adverse effect profile

Detección del virus de la hoja amarilla de la caña de azúcar y virus mosaico de la caña de azúcar en sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) en el Estado de Morelos, México

El presente estudio se realizó en los meses de junio-julio del 2017, con el propósito de determinar la presencia de virus asociados al cultivo del sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Se muestrearon 21 localidades, distribuidas en 10 municipios de los 33 que forman el Estado de Morelos. Se utilizaron dos anticuerpos para detectar las enfermedades Virus de la hoja amarilla de la caña de azúcar (SCYLV) y Virus mosaico de la caña de azúcar (SCMV). Se analizaron muestras de follaje colectadas al azar en cinco puntos de cada campo o parcela. El diagnóstico se realizó mediante el test inmunoenzimático tipo DAS-ELISA (doble anticuerpo), con un set de reactivos AGDIA (2017), con conjugado de fosfatasa alcalina para (SCMV) y el segundo set de reactivos de NANO Diagnostic (2017) “AC Diagnostic” con conjugado fosfatasa alcalina para (SCYLV). Los resultados obtenidos evidenciaron presencia de ambas enfermedades virales en el cultivo del sorgo para el estado de Morelos. Con muestras positivas al (SCYLV) y absorbancias altas (1,50 A° y 1,10 A°) en los municipios de Amacuzac y Tequesquitengo respectivamente. Mientras solo dos muestras positivas al (SCMV) fueron detectadas en las localidades de Puente de Ixtla y Yautepec, pero con valores bajos de absorbancia respecto a los controles positivos

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection