Nuptial gift chemistry reveals convergent evolution correlated with antagonism in mating systems of harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones)

Nuptial gifts are material donations given from male to female before or during copulation and are subject to sexual selection in a wide variety of taxa. The harvestman genus Leiobunum has emerged as a model system for understanding the evolution of reproductive morphology and behavior, as transitions between solicitous and antagonistic modes of courtship have occurred multiple times within the lineage and are correlated with convergence in genital morphology. We analyzed the free amino acid content of nuptial gift secretions from five species of Leiobunum using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Multivariate analysis of the free amino acid profiles revealed that, rather than clustering based on phylogenetic relationships, nuptial gift chemical composition was better predicted by genital morphology and behavior, suggesting that convergent evolution has acted on the chemical composition of the nuptial gift. In addition, we found that, species with solicitous courtship produce gifts consisting of a 19% larger proportion of essential amino acids as compared to those with more antagonistic courtship interactions. This work represents the first comparative study of nuptial gift chemistry within a phylogenetic framework in any animal group and as such contributes to our understanding of the evolution of reproductive diversity and the participant role of nuptial gift chemistry in mating system transitions

Síndrome Hemolítico Urémico Atípico Primario: incidencia, manifestaciones clínicas, substrato genético, evolución, pronóstico y respuesta al tratamiento en una cohorte de 48 pacientes

Programa Oficial de Doutoramento en Ciencias da Saúde. 5007V01[Resumen] El Síndrome hemolítico urémico atípico primario es una microangiopatía mediada por el complemento. Estudiamos presentación, evolución y pronóstico en relación con edad, sexo, y trastornos genéticos en una cohorte de 48 pacientes diagnosticados de éste en el Hospital Universitario A Coruña. 40 adultos, 25 mujeres, 39 esporádicos. Los adultos presentaron con mayor frecuencia Hb < 11g/dl, valores de LDH inferiores, de creatinina superiores, mayor frecuencia de diálisis y de HTA. La creatinina plasmática fue superior en las mujeres. 57% de los 37 estudiados presentaron variantes genéticas, 11 no descritas previamente. 94% tuvieron recuperación hematológica, 48% entraron en diálisis. La supervivencia renal a 1, 5 y 10 años fue de 56%, 53% y 50% respectivamente. Todos los pacientes con eculizumab abandonaron la diálisis (80% recuperaron íntegramente función renal) (NNT = 1,96). 21% tuvieron recidiva en los riñones nativos y 46% en los injertos, que condicionó el 91% de las pérdidas. 19 pacientes recibieron 26 injertos. Los tratados con eculizumab no experimentaron recidiva y mantienen injerto funcionante. Mortalidad total 14%. Supervivencia de pacientes a 1, 5 y 10 años, 98%, 96% y 90% respectivamente. Al final del seguimiento 45% mantienen función renal íntegra, 19% tienen injerto funcionante y 23% permanecen en diálisis.[Abstract] Primary atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is a complement-mediated microangiopathy. We studied presentation, evolution and prognosis in relation to age, sex, and genetic disorders in a cohort of 48 patients with this diagnostic in the Universitary Hospital A Coruña. 40 adults, 25 women, 39 sporadic. Adults had with higher frequency Hb <11g/dl, lower LDH values, higher creatinine levels, higher dialysis frequency and of HTA. Plasmatic creatinine was higher in women. 57% of the 37 studied presented genetic variants, 11 not previously described.94% had hematological recovery, 48% went on dialysis. The renal survival at 1, 5 and 10 years was 56%, 53% and 50% respectively. All patients with eculizumab abandoned dialysis (80% fully recovered renal function) (NNT = 1.96). 21% had recurrence in the native kidneys and 46% in the grafts, which conditioned 91% of the losses. 19 patients received 26 grafts. Those treated with eculizumab did not experience recurrence and maintain a functioning graft. Total mortality 14%. Survival of patients at 1, 5 and 10 years, 98%, 96% and 90% respectively. At the end of the follow-up 45% maintain complete renal function, 19% have functioning grafts and 23% remain on dialysis.[Resumo] A Síndrome hemolítica urémica atípica primaria é unha microanxiopatía mediada polo complemento. Estudamos presentación, evolución e prognóstico en relación coa idade, sexo e trastornos xenéticos nunha cohorte de 48 pacientes diagnosticados dela, no Hospital Universitario A Coruña. 40 adultos, 25 mulleres, 39 esporádicos. Os adultos tiñan cunha frecuencia máis alta Hb <11g/dl, valores inferiores de LDH, niveis de creatinina máis altos, maior frecuencia de diálise e de HTA. A creatinina plasmática foi maior nas mulleres. 57% dos 37 estudados presentaron variantes xenéticas, 11 non descritas anteriormente. 94% tivo recuperación hematolóxica, 48% foi a diálise. A supervivencia renal aos 1, 5 e 10 anos foi do 56%, 53% e 50% respectivamente. Todos os pacientes con eculizumab abandoaron a diálise (80% recuperou a función renal totalmente) (NNT=1,96). O 21% presentaba recorrencia nos riles nativos e o 46% nos enxertos, o que condicionou o 91% das perdas. 19 pacientes recibiron 26 enxertos. Os tratados con eculizumab non experimentaron recidiva e mantiveron un enxerto funcionante. Mortalidade total 14%. Supervivencia de pacientes a 1, 5 e 10 anos, 98%, 96% e 90% respectivamente. Ao final do seguimento, o 45% mantén a función renal completa, o 19% ten enxertos funcionantes e o 23% seguen en diálise

Modeling of a combined CH₄-assisted solid oxide co-electrolysis and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis system for low-carbon fuel production

10th International Conference on Applied Energy, ICAE 2018, Hong Kong, 22-25 August 2018201906 bcmaVersion of RecordPublishe

El uso los rincones de aprendizaje en el Subnivel 2 de Educación Inicial

Learning corners are spaces that contribute to the acquisition of children's skills and abilities, as well as significantly enhancing learning. The objective of this study is to describe the use of learning corners in Sublevel 2 of the "Quince de Octubre" Public Educational Unit. The development of this work had a quantitative approach guided by a non-experimental descriptive design, as it describes the role of learning corners in an active teaching and learning process. The sample in this research consisted of 45 boys and girls and 6 preschool teachers. It is important to note that a non-probabilistic sample was intentionally selected based on convenience, taking into account relevant aspects such as problem identification. In relation to the results obtained, it is determined that there is a lack of proper organization in the learning corners, indicating that they are not being used appropriately and suitable didactic activities are not being implemented to strengthen the use of learning corners. It is concluded that it is of great importance to implement play-based activities in learning corners to enhance learning development and improve the skills and abilities of children.Los rincones de aprendizaje son espacios que aportan en la adquisición de las destrezas y habilidades de los niños, además de lograr fortalecer el aprendizaje de manera significativa. El estudio tiene como objetivo describir el uso de los rincones de aprendizaje en el subnivel 2 de la Unidad Educativa Fiscal “Quince de Octubre. El desarrollo de este trabajo tuvo un enfoque enmarcado en el aspecto cuantitativo orientado por un diseño no experimental de tipo descriptivo, pues se describe el papel de los rincones de aprendizaje para un proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje activo. La muestra en esta investigación estuvo definida por 45 niños y niñas y 6 docentes de inicial, es fundamental conocer que se trabajó con una muestra de tipo no probabilística de manera intencional por conveniencia; se debe tener en cuenta que para la selección de la muestra se tuvieron en cuenta aspectos relevantes como la identificación del problema. En relación a los resultados emitidos se logra determinar que no existe una buena organización en los rincones siendo evidente que no se les da el uso adecuado y no se aplican las actividades didácticas adecuadas para fortalecer el uso de los rincones de aprendizaje. Se concluye que es de gran importancia que se apliquen actividades lúdicas en los rincones de aprendizaje para fortalecer el desarrollo del aprendizaje y mejorar las habilidades y destrezas de los niños y niñas

Convergence-confinement curve analysis of excavation stress and strain resulting from blast-induced damage

Using the convergence-confinement curves methodology, we analysed excavation behaviour for a range of rock masses of different geotechnical qualities, taking into account blast-induced damage. The novelty of the research is (i) we include blast-induced damage to the rock mass in ground reaction curve construction, and (ii) we analyse results for 54 rock mass and rock geotechnical quality scenarios. The research, an application of a previously developed methodology (González-Cao et al., 2013), provides practical guidelines for the preliminary design phase for an excavation resulting from blasting. Our main conclusions are (i) that rock mass quality has a greater bearing on the plastic radius and excavation maximum displacement than blast-induced damage, and (ii) that the plastic radius and maximum displacement around an excavation increase with the level of blast-induced damage, most especially for poor quality rock masses. This would justify the need to limit blast-induced damage in poor quality rock masses.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad | Ref. BIA2014-53368

SeroTracker-RoB: a decision rule-based algorithm for reproducible risk of bias assessment of seroprevalence studies

Risk of bias (RoB) assessments are a core element of evidence synthesis but can be time consuming and subjective. We aimed to develop a decision rule-based algorithm for RoB assessment of seroprevalence studies. We developed the SeroTracker-RoB algorithm. The algorithm derives seven objective and two subjective critical appraisal items from the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Prevalence studies and implements decision rules that determine study risk of bias based on the items. Decision rules were validated using the SeroTracker seroprevalence study database, which included non-algorithmic RoB judgments from two reviewers. We quantified efficiency as the mean difference in time for the algorithmic and non-algorithmic assessments of 80 randomly selected articles, coverage as the proportion of studies where the decision rules yielded an assessment, and reliability using intraclass correlations comparing algorithmic and non-algorithmic assessments for 2070 articles. A set of decision rules with 61 branches was developed using responses to the nine critical appraisal items. The algorithmic approach was faster than non-algorithmic assessment (mean reduction 2.32 min [SD 1.09] per article), classified 100% (n = 2070) of studies, and had good reliability compared to non-algorithmic assessment (ICC 0.77, 95% CI 0.74–0.80). We built the SeroTracker-RoB Excel Tool, which embeds this algorithm for use by other researchers. The SeroTracker-RoB decision-rule based algorithm was faster than non-algorithmic assessment with complete coverage and good reliability. This algorithm enabled rapid, transparent, and reproducible RoB evaluations of seroprevalence studies and may support evidence synthesis efforts during future disease outbreaks. This decision rule-based approach could be applied to other types of prevalence studies

The impact of COVID-19 on levels of adherence to the completion of nursing records for inpatients in isolation

Producción CientíficaThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased workload for nurses and organisational and structural changes, which have been necessary to meet the needs of inpatients in isolation. Aim: To describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of adherence to the completion of nursing records that document the risk of developing pressure ulcers, falling, and social vulnerability among hospitalised patients in isolation. Methods: Observational pre-post comparison study. Comparison between nursing records (the Braden, Downton, and Gijón scales) belonging to 1205 inpatients took place in two phases. Phase 1: 568 patients admitted in February 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, vs. phase 2: 637 patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in March–April 2020, during the peak of the first wave of the pandemic. This research adheres to the STROBE guidelines for the reporting of observational studies. Results: The degree of completion of the Braden, Downton, and Gijón scales decreased significantly in phase 2 vs. phase 1 (p < 0.001). The mean Downton and Gijón scale scores for patients admitted in phase 1 were higher compared to those of patients admitted in phase 2 (p < 0.001). The mean Braden scale score in phase 2 was higher than in phase 1 (p < 0.05). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a decrease in the completion of nursing records in the clinical records of patients in isolation. The levels of risk of developing PUs, falling, and social vulnerability of patients admitted to hospital were lower during the first wave of the pandemic

Impact of Nursing Methodology training sessions on completion of the Virginia Henderson assessment record

Producción CientíficaThe Virginia Henderson model, integrated in the computer application GACELA Care, helps to standardise the nursing assessment and establish precise and personalised nursing diagnoses. The aim was to determine the extent of completion of the initial patient assessment record after nurses following a training programme on nursing methodology. A quasi-experimental, retrospective, randomised, observational, single-group study was performed in two stages: pre-training and post-training. Voluntary training sessions were held for the nurses that work with GACELA Care. The completion of the initial patient assessment using the needs of Virginia Henderson and the Norton scale was evaluated before and after the training sessions. Completion of the needs of Virginia Henderson in the initial patient assessment increased from 94.2% to 100% (p = 0.014). Completion of “hygiene/skin” increased significantly from 83.3% to 95.8% (pre-training and post-training, respectively). The remaining needs did not show statistical significance. Recording of the Norton scale increased from 63.13% to 92.5% (p < 0.001). The training sessions on nursing methodology have improved the completion of records and inclusion of normal characteristics, defining characteristics and risk factors, and improving pressure ulcer risk assessment through the Norton scale

A randomized clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of CO-oximetry and anti-smoking brief advice in a cohort of kidney transplant patients who smoke: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Randomized controlled trial[Abstract]Background: The cardiovascular risk in renal transplant patients is increased in patients who continue to smoke after transplantation. The aim of the study is to measure the effectiveness of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) measurement plus brief advisory sessions, in comparison to brief advice, to reduce smoking exposure and smoking behavior in kidney transplant recipients who smoke. The effectiveness will be measured by: (1) abandonment of smoking, (2) increase in motivation to stop smoking, and (3) reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Design: a randomized, controlled, open clinical trial with blinded evaluation. Scope: A Coruña Hospital (Spain), reference to renal transplantation in the period 2012-2015. Inclusion criteria: renal transplant patients who smoke in the precontemplation, contemplation or preparation stages according to the Prochaska and DiClemente's Stages of Change model, and who give their consent to participate. Exclusion criteria: smokers attempting to stop smoking, patients with terminal illness or mental disability that prevents them from participating. Randomization: patients will be randomized to the control group (brief advisory session) or the intervention group (brief advisory session plus measuring exhaled CO). The sample target size is n = 112, with 56 patients in each group. Allowing for up to 10 % loss to follow-up, this would provide 80 % power to detect a 13 % difference in attempting to give up smoking outcomes at a two-tailed significance level of 5 %. Measurements: sociodemographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, treatment, rejection episodes, infections, self-reported smoking habit, drug use, level of dependence (the Fagerström test), stage of change (Prochaska and DiClemente's Stages of Change model), and motivation to giving up smoking (the Richmond test). Response: the effectiveness will be evaluated every 3, 6, 9 and 12 months as: pattern of tobacco use (self-reported tobacco use), smoking cessation rates, carbon monoxide (CO) levels in exhaled air measured by CO-oximetry, urinary cotinine tests, nicotine dependence (Fagerström test), motivational stages of change (Prochaska and DiClemente's stages) and motivation to stop smoking (the Richmond test). Analysis: descriptive statistics and linear/logistic multiple regression models will be performed. Clinical relevance will be measured as relative risk reduction, absolute risk reduction and the number needed to treat. Ethics: informed consent of the patients and Ethical Review Board was obtained (code 2011/061). Discussion: Tobacco is a modifiable risk factor that increase the risk of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients. If effectiveness of CO-oximetry is confirmed to reduce tobacco exposure, we would have an intervention that is easy to use, low cost and with great implications about cardiovascular risk prevention in these patients.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI11/0135

Analysis of burnout syndrome and resilience in nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Producción CientíficaBackground: The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the occurrence of work-related stress on nursing staff. Being resilience an essential element to countering adversity. The aim of the study was to assess burnout syndrome as well as resilience in hospital-care nurses during the first outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of burnout syndrome and resilience of 101 nurses during the first COVID-19 outbreak. The Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Scale of Resilience of Connor-Davidson were used. Results: The burnout average score was 74.35 ± 12.78 points, and resilience was 27.94 ± 5.84. Temporary nurses reached a lower average score for the emotional fatigue dimension (23.80 ± 10.39 points) p < 0.05. The emotional fatigue dimension correlated adversely with the average score of resilience (r = −0.271; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The level of burnout in nurses was high, being higher on those who took care of COVID-19 patients. Resilient nurses were able to better cope with stressful situations