Presence of ascogregarina culicis and ascogregarina sp. In natural sympatric populations of aedes aegypti and ae. albopictus (diptera: Culicidae) in argentina

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of the four arboviruses in America which have the greatest impact on human health. The introduction of Aedes albopictus in South America and Argentina acquires importance given the possibility that this species may be a new vector of arboviruses in this region. For this reason, the studies of the biology of their parasites, such as Ascogregarina spp., should be important for the knowledge of the invasive behavior of these vectors. We reported the finding of Ascogregarina culicis in Aedes aegypti and Ascogregarina sp. in Ae. albopictus populations in subtropical Argentina. The prevalence of parasitism by A. culicis in Ae. aegypti and Ascogregrarina sp. in Ae. albopictus was 34.81% (n = 464) and 37.23% (n = 70), respectively, differing between the seasons and habitats. The infection intensity caused by A. culicis and Ascogregarina sp. varied between 1 to 250 and 1 to 327 trophozoites respectively. Ascogregarina culicis was found throughout the all sampling period of Ae. aegypti (June 2016-April 2018). However the presence of Ascogregarina sp. in the midgut of Ae. albopictus was not recorded throughout the whole sampling period despite the presence of the host.Fil: Alonso, Ana Carolina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional. Área de Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Stein, Marina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Instituto de Medicina Regional. Área de Entomología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Micieli, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; Argentin

Efeito do diluente à base de gema de ovo e remoção do plasma seminal na viabilidade espermática do sêmen refrigerado de jumento

Developing effective cooled semen protocols is essential to increase pregnancy rates and reproductive efficiency in donkeys. This study aimed to evaluate the effect on sperm kinetic parameters and membrane integrity in cooled donkey semen diluted with defined milk proteins extender with 1% or 2% of egg yolk and the removal of seminal plasma. Twenty-four ejaculates from six jackasses were collected. Each ejaculate was divided into four aliquots that were diluted in extender with 1% (EY1) or 2% (EY2) egg yolk. One sample from each group was centrifuged, seminal plasma was removed (CEY1, CEY2 groups, respectively), and the samples were then refrigerated at 5 °C for 24 h. Fresh and cooled semen samples were assessed for sperm motility, morphology, and plasma membrane integrity. Total motility, progressive motility, sperm kinetic parameters, or live sperm cells were not statistically different when semen was cooled with an extender supplemented with 1% or 2% of egg yolk. Seminal plasma removal does not affect total motility or sperm kinetic parameters. However, progressive motility decreased (P<0.05) when semen was extended with 2% of egg yolk and seminal plasma was removed. Membrane integrity was affected (P<0.05) in centrifuged samples. In conclusion, the obtained results suggest that there is no difference in sperm kinetics and membrane integrity when 1% or 2% of egg yolk was added to the Equiplus(R) extender. Also, the removal of seminal plasma by centrifugation did not have any beneficial effect on cooled donkey semen. Further studies are needed to relate these results with in vivo fertility tests with cooled donkey semen.O desenvolvimento de protocolos de sêmen resfriado eficazes é essencial para aumentar as taxas de prenhez e eficiência reprodutiva em jumentos. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o efeito do diluente à base de proteínas do leite com 1 ou 2% de gema de ovo sobre os parâmetros cinéticos do sêmen e integridade da membrana em sêmen resfriado de jumento, com ou sem a remoção do plasma seminal. Vinte e quatro ejaculados de seis jumentos foram coletados. Cada ejaculado foi dividido em quatro alíquotas e diluído em diluente com 1% (EY1) ou 2% (EY2) de gema de ovo. Uma amostra por grupo foi centrifugada e o plasma seminal removido (grupos CEY1 e CEY2, respectivamente). Os pellets foram novamente ressuspendidos nas mesmas concentrações e diluentes. Em seguida, as quatro alíquotas foram refrigeradas a 5°C por 24 horas. Amostras de sêmen fresco e refrigerado foram avaliadas quanto à motilidade espermática e integridade da membrana plasmática. Motilidade total, motilidade progressiva, parâmetros de cinética espermática ou células espermáticas vivas não apresentaram diferença significativa quando o sêmen foi resfriado com diluente suplementado com 1% ou 2% de gema de ovo. A remoção do plasma seminal não afetou a motilidade total ou os parâmetros de cinética espermática; entretanto, a motilidade progressiva diminuiu (P<0,05) quando o sêmen foi diluído com 2% de gema de ovo e o plasma seminal removido. Nas amostras centrifugadas, a integridade da membrana foi afetada (P<0,05). Em conclusão, os resultados sugerem que não há diferença na cinética espermática e na integridade da membrana quando 1% ou 2% de gema de ovo são adicionados ao diluente Equiplus(R) e a remoção do plasma seminal por centrifugação não teve nenhum efeito benéfico no resfriamento de sêmen de jumento. Mais estudos são necessários para relacionar esses resultados com testes de fertilidade in vivo com sêmen resfriado em jumentos.

Alcohol consumption and self esteem in adolescents

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar la relación entre el nivel de autoestima y el consumo de alcohol en los adolescentes, a través de la realización de un estudio descriptivo transversal, en una facultad de enfermería en la ciudad de Querétaro, en México, en el mes de julio de 2008, en una muestra de 109 adolescentes, entre 17 y 20 años. Para la obtención de los datos fueron aplicados dos instrumentos: AUDIT y Cuestionario de autoestima de Rosemberg. La mayoría de los adolescentes participantes tuvieron la autoestima elevada (94.5%), ninguno presentó autoestima baja. El 80.7% de los adolescentes del estudio no tiene riesgo de consumo de alcohol. Se concluye que la mayoría de los adolescentes presentaron una elevada autoestima y tuvieron riesgo bajo de consumo de alcohol. Por lo que se sugiere implementar programas preventivos con respecto al consumo de alcohol y factores protectores a fin de que los adolescentes continúen con un estilo de vida saludable.O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a relação entre o nível de autoestima e o consumo de álcool em adolescentes, através da realização de estudo descritivo transversal, em uma faculdade de enfermagem de Queretaro, México, no mês de julho de 2008, com amostra de 109 adolescentes, entre 17 e 20 anos. Para obtenção dos dados, foram aplicados dois instrumentos, o AUDIT e o questionário de autoestima de Rosemberg. A maioría dos adolescentes participantes tinha autoestima elevada (94,5%), nenhum apresentou baixa autoestima. Nesta amostra, 80,7% dos adolescentes não possui risco para consumo de álcool. Conclui-se que os adolescentes apresentaram elevada autoestima e baixo risco para o consumo de álcool. Portanto, é necessário implementar programas preventivos relacionados ao consumo de álcool e identificar os fatores protetores para garantir a manutenção de hábitos saudáveis pelos adolescentes.The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of levels of self esteem and alcohol consumption in adolescents, by carrying out a transversal, descriptive study, in a college of nursing of Queretaro in Mexico, in the month of July 2008, with a sample of 109 adolescents, between 17 and 20 years old. For attainment of the data two instruments were applied: AUDIT and the Rosemberg self esteem scale. The majority of the participating adolescents had high self esteem (94.5%) and none presented low self esteem. Of the adolescents in the study 80.7% did not consume alcohol hazardously. It was concluded that the adolescents presented high self esteem and low alcohol consumption. Therefore, it is necessary to implement preventive programs related to alcohol consumption and to identify the protective factors to guarantee the maintenance of healthy habits for the adolescents

Rarity patterns and conservation priorities in Cactaceae species from the Southern Central Andes: a case study from the Calchaquíes Valleys, Salta, Argentina

En este trabajo se estudiaron 34 especies de Cactaceae de los Valles Calchaquíes, Argentina, para determinar 1) el nivel de rareza de las especies, 2) la proporción de especies raras entre grupos taxonómicos y ecológicos, y 3) la consistencia espacial de la rareza a lo largo del rango de distribución. Se definió a la rareza a través de un modelo que combina medidas del rango geográfico de distribución y el tamaño poblacional local de cada especie. La rareza no se concentró en ningún grupo taxonómico o ecológico particular de Cactaceae; sin embargo, 28 especies presentaron algún nivel de rareza. En la mayoría de las especies, la rareza varió a lo largo del área de distribución geográfica; sólo cinco especies fueron consistentemente raras en todas las poblaciones evaluadas. Seis especies fueron calificadas como extremadamente raras; todas de la subfamilia Cactoideae, cuatro endémicas del sur de los Andes Centrales y difiriendo en su forma de crecimiento. Sólo dos de las 34 especies estudiadas presentaron una rareza extrema y constante a lo largo de toda su distribución. La determinación del nivel de rareza fue útil para identificar especies que pueden estar en peligro o que pueden necesitar más estudios. Este trabajo permitió indicar qué especies de Cactaceae son más vulnerables a las perturbaciones antropogénicas o naturales, en comparación con las especies comunes. Muchas de las especies Cactaceae identificadas aquí como raras fueron mencionados por la IUCN en las categorías intermedias de extinción, por lo que la rareza parece estar relacionada con la vulnerabilidad a la extinción en la parte más sur de los Andes Centrales.In this study, 34 Cactaceae species from the Calchaquíes Valleys, Argentina, were studied to determine 1) species rarity level, 2) proportion of rare species among taxonomic and ecological groups and, 3) whether rareness is consistently distributed throughout the species geographical ranges. We used a model where rarity is defined by the geographic range and the local population size to define species rarity. Rareness was not concentrated in any particular taxonomic or ecological group of Cactaceae; however 28 species were rare at some level. In most species, rarity varied across the geographical range, only five species remained consistently rare in all the surveyed populations. Six species qualified as extremely rare, all from the Cactoideae subfamily, four endemic to the southernmost Central Andes and differing in their growth forms. Only two of the 34 studied species, appeared as both extremely and consistently rare across its distribution. Determining rarity levels is useful for identifying species that may be in danger and/or in need for further studies. Rarity, used as an indicator of species vulnerability, allowed us, to identify Cactaceae species that are more vulnerable to anthropogenic or natural disturbance, compared with common species. Many of the Cactaceae species identified here as rare were mentioned by IUCN at intermediate categories of extinction. Our approach seems then to yield useful results and rareness in the present context appears to be related with vulnerability to extinction within the southernmost Central Andes.Fil: Godoy Bürki, Ana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Aagesen, Lone. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Academia Nacional de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion; ArgentinaFil: Sajama, Modesto Jesus. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Escuela de Agronomía. Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bravo, Silvia Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Escuela de Agronomía. Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Alonso Pedano, Mariana Inés. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Escuela de Agronomía. Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ortega Baes, Francisco Pablo. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales. Escuela de Agronomía. Laboratorio de Investigaciones Botánicas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Correlação entre índice de massa corpórea e equilíbrio postural

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and postural balance in unipodal support. METHOD: 40 males, age 26 ± 5 yrs, body mass 72.3 ± 11 kg, height 176 ± 6 cm and BMI 23.3 ± 3.2 kg/m², were submitted to functional stability tests using the Biodex® Balance System (stability evaluation protocol level 2, which allows an inclination of up to 20° in the horizontal plane in all directions) to compare stability with BMI. RESULTS: The general stability index showed a correlation between BMI and postural balance - measured as imbalance (R=0.723-dominant side and R=0.705-non-dominant side). The anteroposterior stability index - measured as instability - showed correlations on the dominant (R=0.708) and non-dominant side (R=0.656). Lateral instability showed a correlation on the dominant side (R=0.721) and non-dominant side (R=0.728). The comparison of the balance indexes for dominant and non-dominant sides showed no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSION: High BMI demands more displacements to maintain postural balance.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a correlação entre o índice de massa corporal (IMC) e o equilíbrio postural no suporte unipodal. MÉTODOS: 40 homens, idade: 26 ± 5 anos, massa corporal: 72.3 ± 11 kg, altura: 176 ± 6 cm and IMC: 23.3 ± 3.2 kg/m² foram submetidos a testes funcionais de estabilidade corporal usando o Biodex Balance System (protocolo de avaliação nível 2, que permite uma inclinação acima de 20° no plano horizontal em todas as direções, índice que foi comparado ao IMC RESULTADOS: O índice de estabilidade geral - medido como instabilidade - mostrou correlação entre IMC e o equilíbrio postural (R=0.723- lado dominante) e (R=0.705 - lado não dominante). O índice de estabilidade ântero-posterior e médio-lateral mostraram correlação no lado dominante (R=0.708 e R=0728) e não dominante (R=0.656 e R=0,721). A comparação entre os indices do lado dominante e não dominante não mostrou diferença estatística. CONCLUSÃO: IMC alto exige maior deslocamento corporal para manter o equilíbrio postural

Anxiety in cancer patients during 18F-FDG PET/CT low dose: a comparison of anxiety levels before and after imaging studies

Objective - Assessing the level of anxiety in oncology patients who underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan and identifying the main reasons that generate anxiety. Material and Method - The study included 81 cancer patients submitted to the (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan. Patients filled in the Scan Experience Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan. Results - Substantial levels of anxiety were detected both before and after (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan (STAI mean > 30), with a significant increase in the state of anxiety after scan performance (p < 0.0001, Medianpre = 31.1, and Medianpos = 33.0). (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose results are the main cause of anxiety both before (79.1%) and after (86.9%) the scan. The information provided by staff both before and on the (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose day was classified mostly as completely understandable (70.5% and 75.3%, resp.) and as very useful (70.5% and 72.6%, resp.) and correlated positively with patients' overall satisfaction with NM Department (rS = 0.372, p = 0.004 and rS = 0.528, p = 0.000, resp.), but not with anxiety levels. Conclusions - Patients perceive high levels of anxiety during the (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan and the concern with scan results was pointed out as the main factor for that emotional reaction.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Modelling and evaluation of land use changes through satellite images in a multifunctional catchment: social, economic and environmental implications

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGFloods are recurrent phenomena with significant environmental and socio-economic impacts. The risk of flooding increases when land use changes. The objective of this research is to detect land cover changes via Sentinel-2 images in the Umia Basin (Galicia, NW Spain) in 2016–2021 and to analyse the associated flood risk. This study focuses on how forest use and nature-based solutions (NBS) can reduce the risk and hazard of flooding in cities and crops in the high-risk area. A flood simulation was performed with the land use obtained from Sentinel-2 (Observed) and three more simulations were performed changing the location of afforestation and NBS, i.e. “S-Upstream”, “S-Downstream” and “S-Total”. Finally, the environmental, economic and social impacts of the scenarios designed and estimated are analysed and discussed. Land cover change was successfully monitored with Sentinel-2 imagery. The catchment area showed noteworthy changes in land use, most notably for the category of trees, which covered 6700 ha in 2016 and 10,911 ha in 2021. However riparian vegetation decreased by almost 11%. For the flood hazard simulations, an average reduction in peak discharge was obtained for all three scenarios (9.3% for S-Up; 8.6% for S-Down and 13% for S-Total). From the economic perspective, all three scenarios show a positive net present value for the period studied. However, S-Down is the scenario with the lowest benefits (€15,476,487), while S-Up and S-Total show better values at €29,580,643 and €65,158,130 respectively. However, investment cost is much higher for the S-Total scenario, and upstream actions affect the whole catchment, so S-Up is the best decision. This study concludes that the information provided by satellites is a large-scale analysis tool for small heterogeneous plots that facilitates the comprehensive analysis of a territory. This information can be incorporated into flood analysis models, facilitating simulation through the use of NBS. It has been proven that the use of reforestation upstream only is almost as beneficial as reforestation in the entire catchment and is economically more viable. This confirms that the methodology used reduces flood hazard, despite the territorial complexity, facilitating decision making on the use of NBS.Universidade de Vig

Assessment of high spatial resolution satellite imagery for monitoring riparian vegetation: riverine management in the smallholding

Riverine habitats are essential ecotones that bridge aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, providing multiple ecosystem services. This study analyses the potential use of high-resolution satellite imagery, provided by the WorldView-2 satellite, in order to assess its viability for monitoring riparian ecosystems. It is performed by calculating the riparian strip quality index (RSQI) and calibrating it with the riparian quality index (QBR). The methodology was implemented in the Umia River, which is characterised by elevated anthropogenic pressures (located in the northwest of Spain). The results obtained by the method have a 92% of veracity and a kappa coefficient of 0.88. The average quality value obtained for the RSQI index was 71.57, while the average value for the QBR was 55.88. This difference could be attributed to the fact that the former does not differ between autochthonous and non-autochthonous vegetation. The areas with more accurate mapping corresponded to stretches of vegetation with optimal cover (80–50%), with good connectivity with the adjacent forest ecosystem and few or no presence of invasive plants. The worst-scoring sites had the next characteristics: low connectivity (< 10%), low forest cover (< 10%) and a higher presence of invasive plants. The degradation of vegetation could be explained by the presence of agriculture and deficient land use rationing caused by the type of ownership of the study area. The application of this index through satellite images will facilitate the environmental governance of multiple ecosystems and in special riparian ecosystems, obtaining a quick and objective methodology, easily replicable in other basins.Universidade de Vigo/CISUGXunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431B 2022/1

The dwarf planet Makemake as seen by X-Shooter

Makemake is one of the brightest known trans-Neptunian objects, as such, it has been widely observed. Nevertheless, its visibility to near-infrared spectrum has not been completely observed in medium-resolving power, aimed at studying in detail the absorption features of CH4 ice. In this paper, we present the spectrum of Makemake observed with X-Shooter at the Very Large Telescope (Chile). We analyse the detected features, measuring their location and depth. Furthermore, we compare Makemake’s spectrum with that of Eris, obtained with the same instrument and similar setup, to conclude that the bands of the CH4 ice in both objects show similar shifts.AAC acknowledges support from the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation for Research Support of Rio de Janeiro State, FAPERJ (grant E26/203.186/2016), the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, CNPq (grants 304971/2016-2 and 401669/2016-5), and the Universidad de Alicante (contract UATALENTO18-02). ACSF and WMF acknowledge support from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel, CAPES. NPA acknowledges support from Space Research Initiative/Florida Space Institute funds through the project ‘Digging-Up Ice Rocks in the Solar System’. JLO thanks support from grant AYA2017-89637-R and from the State Agency for Research of the Spanish, MCIU, through the ‘Center of Excellence Severo Ochoa’ award for the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (SEV-2017-0709)

Eficácia da música no controlo da ansiedade durante o exame de PET/TC

Em exames de tomografia de emissão de positrões (PET, do acrónimo inglês Positron Emission Tomography) com tomografia computadorizada (TC) a ansiedade pode interferir com a experiência do paciente e até com o diagnóstico. A música tem vindo a ser utilizada para controlo da ansiedade dos pacientes em inúmeros contextos clínicos. Objetivo – Verificar o efeito da música no controlo da ansiedade dos pacientes durante exames PET/TC. Métodos – Estudo exploratório onde foram incluídos 22 pacientes no grupo de controlo (GC) e 23 no grupo experimental (GE) que realizaram exame de PET/TC com fluorodesoxiglucose marcada com flúor-18 (18F-FDG). Os pacientes do GE ouviram música durante a aquisição de imagens, enquanto os do GC não. Todos os pacientes responderam a questionários sobre a experiência do exame (QEE) e a uma versão reduzida do questionário State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S) antes do exame (AE) e depois do exame (DE). Procedeu-se ainda à medição da pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) AE e DE. Resultados – Os valores do STAI-S não diferiram significativamente entre grupos, quer AE quer DE. Contudo, do AE para o DE verificou-se um aumento destes valores no GC e, em oposição, uma diminuição no GE. Comparando as PA entre o GE e o GC constatou-se que não existem diferenças significativas AE, mas existem DE, sendo que no GE os valores são inferiores aos do GC. No GE 91,3% dos pacientes relatou que a música é um auxílio durante o exame, classificando em média o nível de utilidade em 4,4 (0 a 5, sendo 5 o máximo). Conclusões – No presente estudo ouvir música parece ser eficaz no controlo da ansiedade em exames de PET/TC, mostrando-se os pacientes satisfeitos quanto à utilização desta técnica