Laboratory and field insights into the dynamics and behavior of Argentine ants, Linepithema humile, feeding from hydrogels

BACKGROUND: Hydrogels that have absorbed a liquid containing a toxicant are a novel form of bait-delivery for ant control. Here, we study the abilities of Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) workers to imbibe liquid from hydrogels. We quantified feeding behavior with: (i) hydrogels containing different sucrose concentrations (20, 30, 40 and 50% w/w); (ii) hydrogels versus liquid droplets; and (iii) hydrogel age (air exposure time). We also performed a field assay to assess visits by L. humile and other ant species to hydrogels. RESULTS: Ingested volume and feeding time decreased with increasing sucrose concentrations, but the number and duration of pauses were similar. Feeding from hydrogels was slower than from a liquid droplet and ants imbibed less liquid and fed for shorter times from hydrogels. Feeding time increased with hydrogel age, whereas ingested volume decreased and approached zero after 120 min under laboratory conditions. In the field, ants attended the hydrogels during the full 120-min study period. When L. humile workers found a hydrogel, they monopolized it to the exclusion of other ant species. L. humile occupied and dominated hydrogels predominantly in shaded locations. CONCLUSION: Hydrogels with sucrose concentrations no greater than 30% appear best for liquid uptake by L. humile. Hydrogels not in direct sunlight will have greater attendance by L. humile and, therefore, less attendance by non-target ant species. Shady and humid places may prolong the longevity of hydrogels, which would imply higher intakes.Fil: Cabrera, Maria Emilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Rivas Fontan, Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Hoffmann, Benjamin D.. Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre; AustraliaFil: Josens, Roxana Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; Argentin

Dilemas éticos en el “buen morir”: Cuando los tiempos subjetivos no acompañan los tiempos cronológicos de la enfermedad

Throughout this text, we will analyze the concept of time and how this time could determine or limit what we understand in palliative care as "dying well". To understand these concepts, we use the bibliographic review as a work methodology, we search for authors from various disciplines, who suggest thinking about dying well, the subjective and chronological time. The review consists of an approach to the concepts, ideas, theories that motivate us to raise some questions regarding our practice, and thus, produce this writing. The following questions will guide this analysis: what happens when the chronological time of the disease is not the necessary time to accompany the speed with which death presents itself in the subjectivity of the patient and their family?, is there an ideal death?, should we all go through an ideal death?, what happens when chronological time does not allow us to subjectively elaborate the idea of dying?, can the loving and sympathetic care of the diseased body, by emphasizing the inherent dignity of the human being, have an impact in the perception of chronological time?.A lo largo del presente texto, será el concepto del tiempo quien guíe el recorrido y cómo este tiempo podría condicionar o limitar lo que en cuidados paliativos entendemos como “el buen morir”. Para acercarnos a dichos conceptos, utilizamos como metodología de trabajo, la revisión bibliográfica, realizamos una exploración de autores de diversas disciplinas, que plantean e invitan a pensar el buen morir, los tiempos subjetivos y cronológicos. La revisión consta de un acercamiento a los conceptos, ideas, teorías, que nos impulsan a generar algunas preguntas respecto a nuestra práctica, y así producir dicho escrito. Orientarán este recorrido los siguientes interrogantes: ¿qué sucede cuando los tiempos cronológicos de la enfermedad no son los tiempos necesarios para acompañar la velocidad con que la muerte se nos presenta en la subjetividad de un paciente y en el seno de una familia?,  ¿hay una muerte ideal?, ¿todos deberíamos atravesar por una muerte ideal?, ¿qué sucede cuando el tiempo cronológico no nos permite elaborar subjetivamente la idea del morir?, ¿puede el cuidado amoroso y empático del cuerpo enfermo, al hacer hincapié en la dignidad inherente al ser humano, tener algún  impacto en la percepción del tiempo cronológico?

Empoderamiento del alumnado adulto y de las personas mayores para una ciudadanía activa

Esta obra reúne iniciativas y experiencias de sensibilización y formación del profesorado y del alumnado adulto y mayor hacia una educación en competencias que contribuya a desarrollar la práctica de una ciudadanía activa compartiendo el tiempo libre, los conocimientos y las experiencias en proyectos sociales que consoliden y mejoren el entramado social de la ciudad, de las personas que la habitan y de la atención a sus necesidades. Su origen fue el proyecto CiudAct cofinanciado por el Programa Erasmus+ de la Unión Europea y en su desarrollo ha intervenido un equipo interinstitucional liderado por el Aula de Mayores+55 de la Universidad de Málaga y participado por el Centro de Profesorado «José Rodríguez Galán» de Antequera, la Asociación Cívica para la Prevención (ACP), la Asociación de Igualdad de Género Universitario (AIGU), y el Ayuntamiento de Faraján (Málaga). Con ellos, y con otras tantas instituciones y sus respectivos consorcios locales en toda Europa, se participa en la red supranacional Ciudades en Crecimiento.Programa Erasmus+ de la Unión Europea (referencia de proyecto 2015-1-ES01-KA104-014944

Evaluation of two treatment strategies for the prevention of preterm birth in women identified as at risk by ultrasound (PESAPRO Trial): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Premature birth is considered one of the main problems in modern Obstetrics. It causes more than 50 % of neonatal mortality; it is responsible for a large proportion of infant morbidity and incurs very high economic costs. Cervical length, which can be accurately measured by ultrasound, has an inverse relationship with the risk of preterm birth. As a result, having an effective intervention for asymptomatic patients with short cervix could reduce the prematurity. Although recently published data demonstrates the effectiveness of vaginal progesterone and cervical pessary, these treatments have never been compared to one another. Methods/Design: The PESAPRO study is a noncommercial, multicenter, open-label, randomized clinical trial (RCT) in pregnant women with a short cervix as identified by transvaginal ultrasonography at 19 to 22 weeks of gestation. Patients are randomized (1:1) to either daily vaginal progesterone or cervical pessary until the 37th week of gestation or delivery; whichever comes first. During the trial, women visit every 4 weeks for routine questions and tests. The primary outcome is the proportion of spontaneous preterm deliveries before 34 weeks of gestation. A sample size of 254 pregnant women will be included at 29 participating hospitals in order to demonstrate noninferiority of placing a pessary versus vaginal progesterone. The first patient was randomized in August 2012, and recruitment of study subjects will continue until the end of December 2015. Discussion: This trial assesses the comparative efficacy and safety between two accepted treatments, cervical pessary versus vaginal progesterone, and it will provide evidence in order to establish clinical recommendationsThe study has been funded by two national grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health and ISCIII

Muscle strength in adult patients with chronic kidney failure at the National Hospital and Military Hospital in 2021

Introducción: la fuerza muscular puede disminuir en los pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica por diversas causas. Objetivos: determinar las variables antropométricas, clínicas y la fuerza muscular en pacientes adultos con insuficiencia renal crónica. Metodología: se aplicó un diseño observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Se incluyeron varones y mujeres, mayores de 17 años, portadores de insuficiencia renal crónica que asistían al Hospital Nacional (Itauguá) y Hospital Militar (Asunción), Paraguay, entre abril y noviembre 2021. Se determinaron variables antropométricas, clínicas y laboratoriales. La fuerza muscular se midió con un dinamómetro de mano. Se utilizó un grupo de sujetos jóvenes sanos como grupo control para la comparación de la fuerza muscular. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva con el programa estadístico Epi Info 7™. La investigación fue aprobada por el Comité de Ética de la Universidad Privada del Este, Paraguay. Resultados: ingresaron al estudio 119 sujetos, siendo 62 (52%) del sexo masculino con edad media 56±15 años y 57 (48%) del sexo femenino, con edad media 51±16 años. La media de la depuración de creatinina fue 16,4±17,9 mL/min. La etiología más común fue la asociación de hipertensión arterial y diabetes mellitus (45%). Actuaron de grupo control 99 mujeres con edad media 25±5 años y 51 varones con edad media 26±5 años. Al comparar la fuerza entre los pacientes y los sujetos sanos se halló 66,4% de fuerza muscular disminuida entre los portadores de insuficiencia renal crónica. Conclusión: la fuerza muscular se halla disminuida en 66,4% de los pacientes insuficiencia renal crónica. Se recomienda la detección oportuna y el tratamiento precoz del déficit de la fuerza muscular en este grupo de pacientes.Introduction: muscle strength may decrease in patients with chronic kidney failure due to various causes. Objective: to determine the anthropometric and clinical variables and muscle strength in adult patients with chronic kidney failure. Methodology: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional design was applied. Men and women, older than 17 years, with chronic kidney failure who attended the National Hospital (Itauguá) and Military Hospital (Asunción), Paraguay, between April and November 2021 were included. Anthropometric, clinical and laboratory variables were determined. Muscle strength was measured with a hand dynamometer. A group of healthy young subjects was used as a control group for the comparison of muscle strength. Descriptive statistics were applied with the statistical program Epi Info 7 ™. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidad Privada del Este, Paraguay. Results: 119 subjects entered the study, being 62 (52%) males with a mean age 56 ± 15 years and 57 (48%) females, with a mean age 51 ± 16 years. The mean creatinine clearance was 16.4 ± 17.9 mL / min. The most common etiology was the association of arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus (45%). The control group included 99 women with a mean age 25 ± 5 years and 51 men with a mean age 26 ± 5 years. When comparing strength between patients and healthy subjects, 66.4% decreased muscle strength was found among patients with chronic renal failure. Conclusion: muscle strength is decreased in 66.4% of chronic kidney failure patients. Early detection and early treatment of muscle strength deficit is recommended in this group of patients

A POGLUT1 mutation causes a muscular dystrophy with reduced Notch signaling and satellite cell loss

Skeletal muscle regeneration by muscle satellite cells is a physiological mechanism activated upon muscle damage and regulated by Notch signaling. In a family with autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, we identified a missense mutation in 1 (protein O -glucosyltransferase 1), an enzyme involved in Notch posttranslational modification and function. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the mutation reduces O -glucosyltransferase activity on Notch and impairs muscle development. Muscles from patients revealed decreased Notch signaling, dramatic reduction in satellite cell pool and a muscle-specific α-dystroglycan hypoglycosylation not present in patients' fibroblasts. Primary myoblasts from patients showed slow proliferation, facilitated differentiation, and a decreased pool of quiescent 7 + cells. A robust rescue of the myogenesis was demonstrated by increasing Notch signaling. None of these alterations were found in muscles from secondary dystroglycanopathy patients. These data suggest that a key pathomechanism for this novel form of muscular dystrophy is Notch-dependent loss of satellite cells

Overview of recent TJ-II stellarator results

The main results obtained in the TJ-II stellarator in the last two years are reported. The most important topics investigated have been modelling and validation of impurity transport, validation of gyrokinetic simulations, turbulence characterisation, effect of magnetic configuration on transport, fuelling with pellet injection, fast particles and liquid metal plasma facing components. As regards impurity transport research, a number of working lines exploring several recently discovered effects have been developed: the effect of tangential drifts on stellarator neoclassical transport, the impurity flux driven by electric fields tangent to magnetic surfaces and attempts of experimental validation with Doppler reflectometry of the variation of the radial electric field on the flux surface. Concerning gyrokinetic simulations, two validation activities have been performed, the comparison with measurements of zonal flow relaxation in pellet-induced fast transients and the comparison with experimental poloidal variation of fluctuations amplitude. The impact of radial electric fields on turbulence spreading in the edge and scrape-off layer has been also experimentally characterized using a 2D Langmuir probe array. Another remarkable piece of work has been the investigation of the radial propagation of small temperature perturbations using transfer entropy. Research on the physics and modelling of plasma core fuelling with pellet and tracer-encapsulated solid-pellet injection has produced also relevant results. Neutral beam injection driven Alfvénic activity and its possible control by electron cyclotron current drive has been examined as well in TJ-II. Finally, recent results on alternative plasma facing components based on liquid metals are also presentedThis work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014–2018 under Grant Agreement No. 633053. It has been partially funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Inovación y Universidades of Spain under projects ENE2013-48109-P, ENE2015-70142-P and FIS2017-88892-P. It has also received funds from the Spanish Government via mobility grant PRX17/00425. The authors thankfully acknowledge the computer resources at MareNostrum and the technical support provided by the Barcelona S.C. It has been supported as well by The Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU), Project P-507F

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Pasados y presente. Estudios para el profesor Ricardo García Cárcel

Ricardo García Cárcel (Requena, 1948) estudió Historia en Valencia bajo el magisterio de Joan Reglà, con quien formó parte del primer profesorado de historia moderna en la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. En esta universidad, desde hace prácticamente cincuenta años, ha desarrollado una extraordinaria labor docente y de investigación marcada por un sagaz instinto histórico, que le ha convertido en pionero de casi todo lo que ha estudiado: las Germanías, la historia de la Cataluña moderna, la Inquisición, las culturas del Siglo de Oro, la Leyenda Negra, Felipe II, Felipe V, Austrias y Borbones, la guerra de la Independencia, la historia cultural, los mitos de la historia de España... Muy pocos tienen su capacidad para reflexionar, ordenar, analizar, conceptualizar y proponer una visión amplia y llena de matices sobre el pasado y las interpretaciones historiográficas. A su laboriosidad inimitable se añade una dedicación sin límites en el asesoramiento de alumnos e investigadores e impulsando revistas, dosieres, seminarios o publicaciones colectivas. Una mínima correspondencia a su generosidad lo constituye este volumen a manera de ineludible agradecimiento

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries