Relación entre parámetros de intercambio gaseoso y los primeros síntomas de Ulmus minor Mill. a la grafiosis

Research has been carried out into the identification of easily measured anatomical or physiological parameters that are related to resistance, with the aim of screening elms resistant to Dutch elm disease. Given that the factors which encourage diffusion of this disease in elms also lead to an increase in symptoms, it is hypothesised that estomatic conductance (gs) and specific leaf hydraulic conductivity (CH) could be related to susceptibility. These parameters were determined in 75 U. minor seedlings, aged 7, 6, 3 and 2 years old (n . 15), which were subsequently inoculated with the Dutch elm disease fungus. In plants of 7, 6, and 3 years a positive relationship was observed between gs at 14 hours, and the amount of wilting shown after 15 days (r2 > 0,40; P * 0,01). This relationship was shown weaker with the amount of wilting after 60 days in 7 and 6 year old plants, whilst in 3 year old plants it became nonsignificant. Similar results were obtained between CH and the amount of wilting after 15 days in elms of 6 and 7 years. It is thought that the relationships observed occured because a greater gas exchange favours the colonisation or diffusion of the pathogen within the tree. The fact that neither gs nor CH showed relationships with susceptibility in two year old plants makes it inadvisable to use these parameters for the early screening of resistant U. minor trees.Con el objetivo de encontrar olmos resistentes a la grafiosis se han tratado de encontrar parámetros anatómicos o fisiológicos, fácilmente medibles, relacionados con la resistencia. Dado que los factores que favorecen la difusión de la enfermedad en el árbol conducen a una mayor sintomatología, se plantea la hipótesis de que la conductancia estomática (gs) y la conductividad hidráulica foliar específica (CH) puedan tener relación con la susceptibilidad. Estos parámetros se determinaron en 75 ejemplares de la especie U. minor, con edades de 7, 6, 3 y 2 savias (n . 15). Los ejemplares fueron inoculados posteriormente con el hongo de la grafiosis. En plantas de 7, 6, y 3 savias se observó una relación positiva entre gs a las 14:00 h y el marchitamiento manifestado a los 15 días (r2 > 0,40; P * 0,01). La relación se hizo más débil con el marchitamiento manifestado a los 60 días, y en plantas de 3 savias dejó de ser significativa. Resultados similares se obtuvieron entre CH y el marchitamiento a los 15 días en olmos de 6 y 7 savias. Se piensa que las relaciones observadas responden a que un mayor intercambio gaseoso favorece la colonización o difusión del patógeno en el árbol. La falta de relación entre gs o CH y la susceptibilidad, en planta de 2 savias, desaconseja la utilización de estos parámetros para la selección precoz de U. minor resistentes

Assessment of vehicle emissions projections in Madrid (Spain) from 2004 to 2012 considering several control strategies

Road transport is a major source of air pollutant emissions in European cities. Moreover, vehicle exhaust emissions have been the cause of much concern about the effects of urban air pollution on human health. Local authorities need to develop strategies to control vehicular emissions through technological and socioeconomical measures. For this reason, an efficiency assessment of possible future measures to reduce air pollution is required for future traffic planning, regulatory and fiscal initiatives. This paper presents the assessment of several mobility and technology scenarios that can be used for emission reductions in Madrid (Spain) in the period 2004–2012. Pollutants considered are those related to typical air quality problems in urban areas in Europe (SO2, NOx, NMVOC, heavy metals, CO and particulate matter) and CO2 as a greenhouse gas. Results show an expected increase in mobility but a decreasing trend in future traffic-related emissions, except for CO2. This reduction is due to technological improvements linked to European Legislation for road vehicles (Euro Standards). CO2 emissions are expected to increase because the technological improvements will not be able to counteract the effect of the large mobility increase. With regard to control strategies, the most effective measure for emission reductions is fleet renewal. According to the hypotheses made in the paper, this would reduce, on average, the pollutant emission by 16.04%. With regard to CO2 emissions, the use of biofuels and the decrease in mobility are the most effective measures

Análisis cualitativo de la percepción del profesorado y de las familias sobre los conflictos y las conductas agresivas entre escolares

La conducta agresiva se define como aquella conducta que pretende causar daño físico y/o psicológico y en situaciones extremas, puede llegar a ser destructiva para la persona objeto de la agresión. El artículo muestra dos estudios realizados con profesores y padres de alumnos pertenecientes a los ciclos de educación primaria, educación secundaria y bachillerato. El primer estudio muestra la percepción del profesorado respecto de las conductas agresivas ejercidas en el centro escolar, el comportamiento de los alumnos ante ellas, las consecuencias que se derivan y las propuestas de mejora. El segundo, dirigido a las familias, indica en qué medida conocen las situaciones más o menos agresivas que ejercen o son ejercidas sobre sus hijos, las posibles causas de las agresiones y las alternativas de solución. Los resultados obtenidos indican que los profesores perciben que las agresiones acontecidas en el centro escolar son resultado de las características físicas y personales tanto del agresor como de la víctima, produciéndose, la mayoría de ellas, en situaciones de juego. Los padres, por el contrario, al menos, cuando su hijo desempeña el rol de víctima, desconocen la causa de la agresión, mientras que cuando actúa como agresor, consideran que es una respuesta a una situación violenta anterior. Sin embargo, padres y profesores manifiestan que el entrenamiento en habilidades prosociales y el incremento de la interacción entre familia y escuela son las claves para afrontar el problema

Diferencias en los niveles de motivación por sexo, curso y tipo de centro educativo en el aprendizaje estratégico de la lengua extranjera

This research shows an analysis of the main motivational models applied to foreign language acquisition and is aimed at identifying the motivational variables that present the highest influence in the strategic acquisition of a foreign language. The questionnaire Autoeficacia y Motivación Académica was given to a sample of 564 subjects (309 males and 254 females) who were studying 3rd (41.030%) and 4th (28.597%) of Secondary Education and 1st year of High School (30.373%) in two schools of the Comunidad de Madrid (41.7% in a public school and 58.3% in a private school). Results show that values of items related to instrumental motivation are the highest. Females obtained higher results in all factors studied in the same way as the private school with the exception of the variable Perceived Ability which was higher in the public school.La investigación realiza una revisión de los principales modelos motivacionales aplicados al aprendizaje de idiomas y se centra en la identificación de aquellas variables motivacionales que más inciden en el aprendizaje estratégico de una lengua extranjera. Para ello, se aplicó el Cuestionario de Autoeficacia y Motivación Académica a una muestra de 564 sujetos (309 varones y 254 mujeres) pertenecientes a 3.º (41,030%) y 4.º (28,597%) de ESO y 1.º de Bachillerato (30,373%) de dos centros educativos de la CM (41,7%, centro público y 58,3%, centro privado). Los resultados muestran que las puntuaciones en los ítems que indican motivación instrumental (motivos profesionales y de reconocimiento social) son los más altos. Las mujeres obtienen puntuaciones más altas en todos los factores así como el centro privado, salvo en la variable Habilidad Percibida, que es superior en el centro público

Interruption of cancer screening services due to COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from previous disasters

Purpose: To review the scientific literature seeking lessons for the COVID-19 era that could be learned from previous health services interruptions that affected the delivery of cancer screening services. Methods: A systematic search was conducted up to April 17, 2020, with no restrictions on language or dates and resulted in 385 articles. Two researchers independently assessed the list and discussed any disagreements. Once a consensus was achieved for each paper, those selected were included in the review. Results: Eleven articles were included. Three studies were based in Japan, two in the United States, one in South Korea, one in Denmark, and the remaining four offered a global perspective on interruptions in health services due to natural or human-caused disasters. No articles covered an interruption due to a pandemic. The main themes identified in the reviewed studies were coordination, communication, resource availability and patient follow-up. Conclusion: Lessons learned applied to the context of COVID-19 are that coordination involving partners across the health sector is essential to optimize resources and resume services, making them more resilient while preparing for future interruptions. Communication with the general population about how COVID-19 has affected cancer screening, measures taken to mitigate it and safely re-establish screening services is recommended. Use of mobile health systems to reach patients who are not accessing services and the application of resource-stratified guidelines are important considerations. More research is needed to explore best strategies for suspending, resuming and sustaining cancer screening programs, and preparedness for future disruptions, adapted to diverse health care systems

Mitochondrial ultrastructure and markers of dynamics in hepatocytes from aged, calorie restricted mice fed with different dietary fats

PMCID: PMC4104696In this paper we analyzed changes in hepatocyte mitochondrial mass and ultrastructure as well as in mitochondrial markers of fission/fusion and biogenesis in mice subjected to 40% calorie restriction (CR) for 18. months versus ad libitum-fed controls. Animals subjected to CR were separated into three groups with different dietary fats: soybean oil (also in controls), fish oil and lard. Therefore, the effect of the dietary fat under CR was studied as well. Our results show that CR induced changes in hepatocyte and mitochondrial size, in the volume fraction occupied by mitochondria, and in the number of mitochondria per hepatocyte. Also, mean number of mitochondrial cristae and lengths were significantly higher in all CR groups compared with controls. Finally, CR had no remarkable effects on the expression levels of fission and fusion protein markers. However, considerable differences in many of these parameters were found when comparing the CR groups, supporting the idea that dietary fat plays a relevant role in the modulation of CR effects in aged mice.Supported by NIH grant 1R01AG028125-01A1 (to JJR, PN and JMV), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and European FEDERBFU2011-23578 (to JMV), Junta de Andalucía Proyectos de Excelencia grant P09-CVI-4887 (to JMV), Junta de Andalucía Proyectos Internacionales (to JMV), and BIO-276 (Junta de Andalucía and the University of Córdoba, to JMV and EGC). JALD and LFdR were funded by predoctoral fellowships of the Spanish Ministerio de Educación and by BIO-276. HK was funded by a predoctoral fellowship of the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional al Desarrollo and by BIO-276.Peer Reviewe

The influence of dietary fat source on liver and skeletal muscle mitochondrial modifications and lifespan changes in calorie-restricted mice

The Membrane Theory of Aging proposes that lifespan is inversely related to the level of unsaturation in membrane phospholipids. Calorie restriction (CR) without malnutrition extends lifespan in many model organisms, which may be related to alterations in membrane phospholipids fatty acids. During the last few years our research focused on studying how altering the predominant fat source affects the outcome of CR in mice. We have established four dietary groups: one control group fed 95 % of a pre-determined ad libitum intake (in order to prevent obesity), and three CR groups fed 40 % less than ad libitum intake. Lipid source for the control and one of the CR groups was soybean oil (high in n-6 PUFA) whereas the two remaining CR groups were fed diets containing fish oil (high in n-3 PUFA), or lard (high in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids). Dietary intervention periods ranged from 1 to 18 months. We performed a longitudinal lifespan study and a cross-sectional study set up to evaluate several mitochondrial parameters which included fatty acid composition, H+ leak, activities of electron transport chain enzymes, ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial ultrastructure, and mitochondrial apoptotic signaling in liver and skeletal muscle. These approaches applied to different cohorts of mice have independently indicated that lard as a fat source often maximizes the effects of 40 % CR on mice. These effects could be due to significant increases of monounsaturated fatty acids levels, in accordance with the Membrane Theory of Aging.Supported by NIH grant 1R01AG028125 (to JJR, PN and JMV), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BFU2011-23578 (to JMV), Junta de Andalucía Proyectos de Excelencia grant P09-CVI-4887 (to JMV), Junta de Andalucía Proyectos Internacionales grant (to JMV), and BIO-276 (Junta de Andalucía and the University of Córdoba, to JMV). RdC is funded by the Intramural Research program of the NIA/NIH. JALD, JA, LFdR and EGC were funded by a predoctoral fellowship of the Spanish Ministerio de Educación and BIO-276. HK was funded by a predoctoral fellowship of the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional al Desarrollo and BIO-276. MCR and MdR were supported by BIO-276.Peer Reviewe

Diagnóstico de un sistema de producción ganadero y evaluación de las respuestas a las recomendaciones de la extensión rural

This research is aimed at evaluating a cattle production system through a joint diagnosis as a way of encouraging a closer link between rural extension and the farmers living on a farm located to the west of Camagüey city, Cuba. To this end, an opinion interchange with the farm producers about their decision on land management and the impact of such decisions was conducted. Besides, the farm bioeconomic and environmental results were analyzed, and interviews to producers were applied not only to evaluate the changes in physical and bioeconomic indexes, but also to assess their relationship to a credit-and-service cooperative collective venture. The integration of the rural extension to the farm with better results as to production and income levels was achieved.El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar un sistema ganadero diagnosticado en forma participativa y propiciar un estrecho vínculo entre acciones de extensión rural y las familias campesinas de una finca ubicada en la zona oeste de la ciudad de Camagüey, Cuba. En la primera etapa se dialogó con los productores sobre sus decisiones y sus efectos; también se evaluaron los resultados bioeconómicos y ambientales de la finca. Se realizaron encuestas para evaluar los cambios en los índices físicos y bioeconómicos en tiempo y cómo los productores se relacionaban con la cooperativa de crédito y servicios. Con la investigación se logró integrar la extensión rural y la finca, vinculación que posibilitó niveles satisfactorios de producción e ingresos

The recording of open-air Palaeolithic engravings as support to a complex management: a proposal from Côa (Portugal) and Siega Verde (Salamanca, Spain)

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

SEROPREVALENCIA DE Toxoplasma gondii EN Felis catus EN LA HABANA

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan with a wide range of intermediate and definitive (felines) hosts and causal agent of toxoplasmosis, re-emergent zoonosis of worldwide distribution. The seroprevalence in humans in Cuba is high but the prevalence in the domestic cat in the capital city is unknown. The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Felis catus in Havana, Cuba. A total of 300 serum samples from domestic cats were collected from 15 municipalities from October 2010 until April 2011. Samples were analysed by an ELISA Inhibition assay. Municipalities were grouped in a Central and in a Peripheral zone. The seroprevalence was 70%, without significant differences between zones and municipalities. The results allowed concluding that the seroprevalence of T. gondii in domestic cats in Havana was high, which constitutes a potential risk of infection for all hosts, including humans.Toxoplasma gondii es un protozoo con amplio rango de hospederos intermediarios y definitivos (felinos) y agente causal de la toxoplasmosis, zoonosis reemergente con alta distribución mundial. La seroprevalencia en humanos en Cuba es alta sin que se haya evaluado la seroprevalencia en el gato doméstico en La Habana. El presente estudio pretendió determinar la seroprevalencia de T. gondii en Felis catus en La Habana, Cuba. Se colectaron 300 muestras de sueros de gatos domésticos, recopiladas de los 15 municipios desde octubre de 2010 hasta abril de 2011. Las muestras fueron analizadas mediante ELISA de Inhibición. Los municipios fueron agrupados en una zona Central y una zona Periférica. Se encontró una seroprevalencia de 70%, sin diferencias significativas entre zonas y municipios. Los resultados obtenidos permitieron concluir que la seroprevalencia de T. gondii en gatos domésticos en La Habana fue elevada, la cual constituye un riesgo potencial de infección para todos sus hospederos, incluyendo al ser humano