Diet of mid-Atlantic Sowerby’s beaked whales Mesoplodon bidens

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The first mid-Atlantic diet of Mesoplodon beaked whales is presented, from ten Sowerby's Mesoplodon bidens stranded in the Azores region between 2002 and 2009. This doubles the worldwide number of stomachs sampled, and reveals new feeding habits for this species. The mean number of prey items per stomach was 85±89 (range: 12–238), with fish accounting for 99.3% and cephalopods contributing less than 1% of total prey. Fish otoliths from 15 families and cephalopod lower mandibles from three families were identified, representing 22 taxa. The diet consisted mainly of small mid-water fish, the most numerous being Diaphus sp., Lampanyctus sp. and Melamphaidae species. Myctophids were present in all stranded individuals, followed by Diretmidae, Melamphaidae and Opisthoproctus soleatus, while the remaining fish species were scarce or single occurrences. Consistency of diet in four different years reveals a divergence from all previous records in continental areas, where mainly neritic and shelf-break benthopelagic fish species have been reported. Mid-Atlantic Sowerby's beaked whales' showed dietary plasticity, feeding on the most abundant mid-water groups occurring between 0 and750 m. Trophic level from prey numerical frequency was estimated at 4.4±0.46

Obstetric Outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Asymptomatic Pregnant Women

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Embaràs; Infecció asimptomàticaCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Embarazo; Infección asintomáticaCoronavirus SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; 2019-nCoV; Pregnancy; Asymptomatic infectionAround two percent of asymptomatic women in labor test positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Spain. Families and care providers face childbirth with uncertainty. We determined if SARS-CoV-2 infection at delivery among asymptomatic mothers had different obstetric outcomes compared to negative patients. This was a multicenter prospective study based on universal antenatal screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 42 hospitals tested women admitted for delivery using polymerase chain reaction, from March to May 2020. We included positive mothers and a sample of negative mothers asymptomatic throughout the antenatal period, with 6-week postpartum follow-up. Association between SARS-CoV-2 and obstetric outcomes was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. In total, 174 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies were compared with 430 asymptomatic negative pregnancies. No differences were observed between both groups in key maternal and neonatal outcomes at delivery and follow-up, with the exception of prelabor rupture of membranes at term (adjusted odds ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval 1.13-3.11; p = 0.015). Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers have higher odds of prelabor rupture of membranes at term, without an increase in perinatal complications, compared to negative mothers. Pregnant women testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at admission for delivery should be reassured by their healthcare workers in the absence of symptoms.This project was supported by public funds obtained in competitive calls: Grant COV20/00021 (EUR 43,000 from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III—Spanish Ministry of Health and co-financed with Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) funds. Dr Cruz-Lemini is supported by a Juan Rodés contract JR19/00047, Instituto de Salud Carlos III—Spanish Ministry of Health. The funding bodies had no role in the study design, in the collection or analysis of the data, or in manuscript writing

SalivaPRINT Toolkit – protein profile evaluation and phenotype stratification

The value of the molecular information obtained from saliva is dependent on the use of in vitro and in silico techniques. The main proteins of saliva when separated by capillary electrophoresis enable the establishment of individual profiles with characteristic patterns reflecting each individual phenotype. Different physiological or pathological conditions may be identified by specific protein profiles. The association of each profile to the particular protein composition provides clues as to which biological processes are compromised in each situation. Patient stratification according to different phenotypes often within a particular disease spectrum is especially important for the management of individuals carrying multiple diseases and requiring personalized interventions. In this work we present the SalivaPRINT Toolkit, which enables the analysis of protein profile patterns and patient phenotyping. Additionally, the SalivaPRINT Toolkit allows the identification of molecular weight ranges altered in a particular condition and therefore potentially involved in the underlying dysregulated mechanisms. This tutorial introduces the use of the SalivaPRINT Toolkit command line interface (https://github.com/salivatec/SalivaPRINT) as an independent tool for electrophoretic protein profile evaluation. It provides a detailed overview of its functionalities, illustrated by the application to the analysis of profiles obtained from a healthy population versus a population affected with inflammatory conditions. Biological significance We present SalivaPRINT, which serves as a patient characterization tool to identify molecular weights related with particular conditions and, from there, find proteins, which may be involved in the underlying dysregulated cellular mechanisms. The proposed analysis strategy has the potential to boost personalized diagnosis. To our knowledge this is the first independent tool for electrophoretic protein profile evaluation and is crucial when a large number of complex electrophoretic profiles needs to be compared and classified.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

PERCEPCION DE RIESGO LABORAL DE LAS ENFERMERAS DE UNA UNIDAD DE CUIDADO INTENSIVO

The purpose of this exploratory descriptive study was to determine nurses zs perception about their working environment in an intensive care unit in a hospital, through the application of a questionnaire containing closed and open ended questions. It was intended to determine the work environment risks and the preventive actions used to elimínate such risks.As the results were known, we learned that the most of the nurses consider their labor environment as confortable and cozy one; nevertheless, potential environment risks are perceived, principally the exposure to Chemical, physical, biologic and mechanical risks, associated to the lack of material and human resources as well as the lack of awareness among the nurses as far as the use of individual protection elements is concerned.Estudio de tipo descriptivo exploratorio cuyo objetivo fue describir las opiniones de las enfermeras de una Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo hospitalaria sobre su ambiente de trabajo a través de la aplicación de un cuestionario, conteniendo preguntas abiertas y cerradas donde se procuró detectar los riesgos del ambiente de trabajo y las medidas preventivas utilizadas para eliminar tales riesgos.Con los resultados obtenidos constatamos que la mayoría de las enfermeras encuentran su ambiente de trabajo confortable; no obstante, perciben riesgos ambientales potenciales principalmente la exposición a riesgos químicos, físicos, biológicos y mecánicos, asociados a la falta de recursos humanos y materiales, y a la falta de conciencia de las enfermeras en el uso de los elementos protectores individuales

Estructura de las Burbujas en la región Sureste de la Nube Mayor de Magallanes

Resumen: En este trabajo se presentan resultados preliminares obtenidos a partir del análisis efectuado a la estructura de burbujas de medianas dimensiones situadas en la región Sureste de la Nube Mayor de Magallanes. Mediante el balance de energía determinamos los parámetros característicos de estas estructuras (brillo superficial, densidad electrónica, medida de emisión, masa, Luminosidad, densidad ambiente, edad), lo que nos permitirá discernir cúal es el origen (viento estelar, explosión de supernova o algún otro mecanismo) de las diferentes burbujas que componen el supercascarón LMC 9, para de esta manera tratar de dilucidar si los objetos analizados poseen cinemáticamente alguna identidad de conjunto, o si se trata de objetos relativamente aislados sobre el fondo general difuso al que pertenecen.Abstract: In this work we present preliminary results obtained from the analysis carried on the structure of middle dimensions bubbles located in the southeast region of the Large Magellanic Cloud. We determine by means of the energy balance the characteristics parameters of this structures (superficial brightness, electronic density, emission measure, mass, luminosity, ambiente density, age) which will allow us to discriminate which is the origin (stellar wind, supernova explosion, or other mechanism) of the differents bubbles that form the supershell LMC 9. So, in this way try to elucidate if the analyzed objects have kinematically some identity as group, or if they are objects relatively aisolated against the diffuse background to which they belongFil: Oddone, Mónica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba; Argentina.Otras Ciencias Naturales y Exacta

Metal-THINGS: On the metallicity and ionization of ULX sources in NGC 925

We present an analysis of the optical properties of three Ultra Luminous X-ray (ULX) sources identified in NGC 925. We use Integral field unit data from the George Mitchel spectrograph in the context of the Metal-THINGS survey. The optical properties for ULX-1 and ULX-3 are presented, while the spaxel associated with ULX-2 had a low S/N, which prevented its analysis. We also report the kinematics and dimensions of the optical nebula associated with each ULX using ancillary data from the PUMA Fabry-Perot spectrograph. A BPT analysis demonstrates that most spaxels in NGC 925 are dominated by star-forming regions, including those associated with ULX-1 and ULX-3. Using the resolved gas-phase metallicities, a negative metallicity gradient is found, consistent with previous results for spiral galaxies, while the ionization parameter tends to increase radially throughout the galaxy. Interestingly, ULX-1 shows a very low gas metallicity for its galactocentric distance, identified by two independent methods, while exhibiting a typical ionization. We find that such low gas metallicity is best explained in the context of the high-mass X-ray binary population, where the low-metallicity environment favours active Roche lobe overflows that can drive much higher accretion rates. An alternative scenario invoking accretion of a low-mass galaxy is not supported by the data in this region. Finally, ULX-3 shows both a high metallicity and ionization parameter, which is consistent with the progenitor being a highly-accreting neutron star within an evolved stellar population region.Comment: Accepted by Ap

Características epidemiológicas de la infección por Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente en el Hospital Clínico Regional de Valdivia

Los factores de riesgo para adquirir una infección por Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente incluyen: factores del huésped, quirúrgicos y de la atención clínica. Dentro de los primeros están las edades extremas, estadía hospitalaria prolongada y enfermedades subyacentes como cáncer, diabetes e inmunosupresión. Los factores de la atención clínica involucran uso prolongado e inadecuado de antimicrobianos y múltiples procedimientos invasivos, entre otros. En el Hospital Clínico Regional de Valdivia, se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de 76 fichas clínicas de pacientes que tuvieron aislamientos de Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente en el transcurso de su hospitalización, en el período entre Enero y Junio de 1998. Estas cepas constituyeron el 60,8% de las cepas aisladas en ese período. El aislamiento se efectuó en pacientes mayores de 40 años en el 84% de los casos y el 53,9% de los enfermos adquirió la bacteria posterior a los 10 días de hospitalización. La bacteria se aisló de la herida operatoria en un 27,6%. Los factores de riesgo más frecuentes fueron el uso de antimicrobianos por más de 5 días antes del cultivo (76,3%), cáncer (27,6%) y enfermedad neurológica (27,6%). El factor de riesgo de la atención clínica más frecuente fue la intervención quirúrgica (78,9%). La infección nosocomial por Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente contribuye a aumentar significativamente la morbilidad, mortalidad y costo del hospital, por lo que es importante conocer la realidad local en relación a sus características epidemiológicas

INRISCO: INcident monitoRing in Smart COmmunities

Major advances in information and communication technologies (ICTs) make citizens to be considered as sensors in motion. Carrying their mobile devices, moving in their connected vehicles or actively participating in social networks, citizens provide a wealth of information that, after properly processing, can support numerous applications for the benefit of the community. In the context of smart communities, the INRISCO [1] proposal intends for (i) the early detection of abnormal situations in cities (i.e., incidents), (ii) the analysis of whether, according to their impact, those incidents are really adverse for the community; and (iii) the automatic actuation by dissemination of appropriate information to citizens and authorities. Thus, INRISCO will identify and report on incidents in traffic (jam, accident) or public infrastructure (e.g., works, street cut), the occurrence of specific events that affect other citizens' life (e.g., demonstrations, concerts), or environmental problems (e.g., pollution, bad weather). It is of particular interest to this proposal the identification of incidents with a social and economic impact, which affects the quality of life of citizens.This work was supported in part by the Spanish Government through the projects INRISCO under Grant TEC2014-54335-C4-1-R, Grant TEC2014-54335-C4-2-R, Grant TEC2014-54335-C4-3-R, and Grant TEC2014-54335-C4-4-R, in part by the MAGOS under Grant TEC2017-84197-C4-1-R, Grant TEC2017-84197-C4-2-R, and Grant TEC2017-84197-C4-3-R, in part by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and in part by the Galician Regional Government under agreement for funding the Atlantic Research Center for Information and Communication Technologies (AtlantTIC)

Multicenter prospective clinical study to evaluate children short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in congenital heart disease (children NEURO-HEART): study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most prevalent congenital malformation affecting 1 in 100 newborns. While advances in early diagnosis and postnatal management have increased survival in CHD children, worrying long-term outcomes, particularly neurodevelopmental disability, have emerged as a key prognostic factor in the counseling of these pregnancies. METHODS: Eligible participants are women presenting at 20 to < 37 weeks of gestation carrying a fetus with CHD. Maternal/neonatal recordings are performed at regular intervals, from the fetal period to 24 months of age, and include: placental and fetal hemodynamics, fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional echocardiography, cerebral oxymetry, electroencephalography and serum neurological and cardiac biomarkers. Neurodevelopmental assessment is planned at 12 months of age using the ages and stages questionnaire (ASQ) and at 24 months of age with the Bayley-III test. Target recruitment is at least 150 cases classified in three groups according to three main severe CHD groups: transposition of great arteries (TGA), Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction (LVOTO). DISCUSSION: The results of NEURO-HEART study will provide the most comprehensive knowledge until date of children's neurologic prognosis in CHD and will have the potential for developing future clinical decisive tools and improving preventive strategies in CHD

Portuguese Football Federation consensus statement 2020: nutrition and performance in football

Nutrition is an undeniable part of promoting health and performance among football (soccer) players. Nevertheless, nutritional strategies adopted in elite football can vary significantly depending on culture, habit and practical constraints and might not always be supported by scientific evidence. Therefore, a group of 28 Portuguese experts on sports nutrition, sports science and sports medicine sought to discuss current practices in the elite football landscape and review the existing evidence on nutritional strategies to be applied when supporting football players. Starting from understanding football's physical and physiological demands, five different moments were identified: preparing to play, match-day, recovery after matches, between matches and during injury or rehabilitation periods. When applicable, specificities of nutritional support to young athletes and female players were also addressed. The result is a set of practical recommendations that gathered consensus among involved experts, highlighting carbohydrates periodisation, hydration and conscious use of dietary supplements.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio