Urbanización, conservación de humedales y conflictos ambientales: el caso de la Laguna de Rocha

The urbanization of the flood-prone areas of the Greater Buenos Aires Agglomerate has traditionally been carried out by the least benefited groups. In times of Neoliberalism, many of these areas are being valued by real estate developers, industrial groups, among other economic actors. Following the precepts of the Ramsar Convention, civil organizations have been fighting for the conservation of these areas as wetland environments. Many of these areas, consequently, are stressed by various social actors with conflicting interests, logics and positions, leading to situations of great environmental conflict in which the type of use and form of occupation of those environments are questioned. The Laguna de Rocha, located to the southwest of the agglomerate, is a witness case of the above. This work proposes to investigate the specific ways in which this wetland has been incorporated into the city and its link with the emergence of environmental conflicts.La urbanización de áreas inundables del Aglomerado Gran Buenos Aires ha sido tradicionalmente protagonizada por los grupos menos beneficiados. En tiempos del Neoliberalismo, muchas de esas áreas están siendo valorizadas por desarrolladoresinmobiliarios, grupos industriales, entre otros actores económicos, así como por políticas públicas urbanas. Siguiendo los preceptos de la Convención Ramsar, distintas organizaciones civiles vienen bregando por la conservación de esas áreas en tanto ambientes de humedales. Muchas de ellas, en consecuencia, se hallan tensionadas por diversos actores sociales con intereses, lógicas y posicionamientos contrapuestos, derivando en situaciones de gran conflictividad ambiental, en las que se cuestiona eltipo de uso y la forma de ocupación de esos ambientes. La Laguna de Rocha, ubicada al Sudoeste del aglomerado, es un caso testigo de lo anterior. Este trabajo propone indagar las formas específicas en las que este humedal ha sido incorporado a la ciudady su vinculación con la emergencia de conflictos ambientales

Fluctuating ecological networks: A synthesis of maximum-entropy approaches for pattern detection and process inference

1. Ecological networks such as plant–pollinator systems and food webs vary in space and time. This variability includes fluctuations in global properties such as the total number and intensity of interactions in the network but also in the number and intensity of local (i.e. node level) species interactions. 2. Fluctuations of species' properties can significantly affect higher-order network features, for example, robustness and nestedness, and should therefore be taken into account in null models for pattern detection and hypothesis testing. 3. In ecological research, classical null models treat node-level properties as ‘hard’ constraints that cannot fluctuate. Here, we review and synthesize a set of maximum-entropy methods that allow for fluctuating (‘soft’) constraints, offering a new addition to the classical toolkit of the ecologist. We illustrate the methods with some practical examples, pointing to currently available open-source computer codes. We clarify how this approach can be used by experimental ecologists to detect non-random patterns with null models that not only rewire, but also redistribute interaction strengths by allowing fluctuations in the enforced constraints. 4. Explicit modelling of interspecific heterogeneity through local (i.e. species level) fluctuations of topological and quantitative constraints offers a statistically robust and expanded (e.g. including weighted links) set of tools to understand the assembly and resilience of ecological networks

Cross-cultural adaptation of the “barriers to incontinence care seeking questionnaire” in a elderly women population in an outpatient clinic.

Introduction: Urinary incontinence is a very frequent pathology in the female population, however it remains a hidden health problem. The main objective of the work is to cross-culturally adapt the BISC-Q questionnaire to be use spanish speaking population. Material and method: The cross-cultural adaptation of the Questionnaire (BICS-Q) was carried out in the following stages: initial translation, synthesis of the translations, retro-translation, expert committee, pre-test and review of the adaptation process by the researchers. Then, a content validation was carried out through a survey looking for new barriers that were not part of the original questionnaire. The responses of the patients were unified and categorized within the 5 original domains. Women over 65 years of age were included in an outpatient specialized center for older adults. Results: The survey included 164 women, 56% reported urine losses in the last 12 months, of which 71% never consulted the doctor about this problem. The answers about the barriers to consult were predominantly related to ignorance of the disease, shame and misconceptions about the treatment. The responses of the patients were unified and categorized within the 5 original domains. The new questionnaire retains three of the five domains of the BICS-Q, the domain "costs" and "related to the site" was removed and a new one was added on "lack of information". Conclusions: The Argentine version of the BICS-Q questionnaire is an instrument adapted for the evaluation of barriers to medical consultation due to urinary incontinence in spanish speaking women over 65 years of age.</p

Biological significance of soluble IL-2 receptor

A NUMBER of receptors for growth factors and differentiation antigens have been found to be secreted or released by cells. Following mononuclear cell (MNC) activation and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression, a soluble form of the Alpha;-chain of IL-2R (sIL-2R) is released. The sIL-2R has been shown to be present in the culture supernatants of activated MNCs as well as in normal sera and, in higher amounts, in sera from subjects affected by several diseases including neoplastic, infectious and autoimmune ones, and in sera from transplanted patients suffering allograft rejection. The blood sIL-2R levels depend on the number of producing cells and the number of molecules per cell, so that sIL-2R blood values may represent an index of the number and the functional state of producing cells, both normal and neoplastic. Thus, monitoring of the immune system, mostly T-cells and haematological malignancies might be targets for the measurement of sIL-2R. Since many conditions may influence sIL-2R production, little diagnostic use may result from these measurements. However, since blood sIL-2R levels may correlate with disease progression and/or response to therapy, their measurement may be a useful index of activity and extent of disease. The precise biological role of the soluble form of the IL-2R is still a matter of debate. However, we know that increased sIL-2R levels may be observed in association with several immunological abnormalities and that sIL-2R is able to bind IL-2. It is conceivable then that in these conditions the excess sIL-2R released in vivo by activated lymphoid cells or by neoplastic cells may somehow regulate IL-2-dependent processes. On the other hand, it cannot exclude that sIL-2R is a by-product without biological significance. Finally, it is puzzling that in many conditions in which an increase of blood sIL-2R values has been observed, MNCs display a decreased in vitro capacity to produce sIL-2R. These seemingly contrasting findings are discussed in the light of the data showing that sIL-2R production correlates with IL-2 production

Wetlands, disaster risk and climate change in the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires: Between geographical imaginaries, environmental conflicts and public policies

La mayor frecuencia e intensidad de eventos hidrometeorológicos extremos, atribuidos al cambio climático y a la proliferación de formas inadecuadas de urbanización en áreas bajas de la Región Metropolitana de Buenos Aires, han amplificado el poder destructivo de las inundaciones. Esto colocó en la agenda pública las formas controversiales en las que esas tierras y los humedales se incorporan a la trama urbana. En este contexto, basados en los postulados del ambientalismo y de la Reducción de Riesgo de Desastres ante el cambio climático derivada del Marco de Sendai, los humedales han cobrado una nueva notoriedad. Consideramos que ese reposicionamiento se debe a una serie de procesos interrelacionados: 1) cambios en los imaginarios geográficos, en los que la trama de sentido pone en valor a los bienes y servicios brindados por estos ecosistemas; 2) la emergencia de conflictos ambientales gestados por la contraposición de intereses, visiones y acciones entre los distintos actores sociales que participan en su urbanización y en el tipo de uso otorgado a esas tierras, y 3) la elaboración de políticas públicas tendientes tanto a la conservación de los humedales como al desarrollo de medidas de mitigación y adaptación al cambio climático bajo el paradigma de la modernización ecológica. Desde una mirada crítica, este trabajo busca describir y analizar los tres procesos antes señalados, así como plantear posibles líneas de investigación sobre el desarrollo de soluciones tecnocráticas basadas en la naturaleza que favorecen nuevas formas de mercantilización; las implicancias de las incipientes políticas en la materia, y el papel que tienen los grupos de más bajos recursos ante este escenario.The greater frequency and intensity of extreme hydrometeorological events, attributed to climate change and the proliferation of inappropriate forms of urbanization in lowlying areas of the Metropolitan Region of Buenos Aires, have amplified the destructive power of floods. This placed on the public agenda the controversial ways in which these lands and wetlands are incorporated into the urban fabric. Based on the postulates of environmentalism and Disaster Risk Reduction in the face of climate change derived from the Sendai Framework, wetlands have gained a new notoriety. We consider that this repositioning is due to a series of interrelated processes: 1) changes in geographic imaginaries, in which the network of meaning gives value to goods and services provided by these ecosystems; 2) the emergence of environmental conflicts derived by the opposition of interests, visions and actions between the different social actors that participate in its urbanization and in the type of use granted to these lands, and 3) the elaboration of public policies tending both to the conservation of wetlands and the development of mitigation and adaptation measures to climate change under the paradigm of ecological modernization. From a critical point of view, this work seeks to describe and analyze the three processes mentioned above, as well as to propose possible research lines regarding the development of technocratic solutions based on nature that favor new forms of commodification; the implications of incipient policies in this matter and the role that the lowest-income groups play in this scenario.Fil: Ríos, Diego Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Geografía "Romualdo Ardissone"; ArgentinaFil: Caruso, Sergio Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Geografía "Romualdo Ardissone"; Argentin

Denning ecology of Conepatus chinga (Carnivora: Mephitidae) in a grassland relict of central Argentina

In order to investigate the factors affecting den site selection in Conepatus chinga, we identified and characterized 199 (males: n = 108, females: n = 91) dens used by 7 radio-tracked skunks from August 2002 to October 2005 in a protected area of the Argentine Pampas grassland. Skunks frequently reused dens (25.1%), without significant differences between sexes. Although C. chinga are solitary animals, our data indicate that males and females may be able to share dens, presumably in the breeding season. Den sites were not homogeneously distributed within an animal’s home range, being the density in core areas greater than in middle and border regions of home ranges. This study confirmed that C. chinga selects specific habitat characteristics for its den sites and suggests that the access to prey is a major factor in their selection.Uso y selección de madrigueras por parte de Conepatus chinga (Mephitidae) en un relicto de pastizal pampeano del centro de Argentina. Para investigar los factores que afectan la selección de madrigueras de Conepatus chinga, identificamos y caracterizamos 199 (machos: n = 108, hembras: = 91) madrigueras utilizadas por siete zorrinos equipados con radiotransmisores en el periodo comprendido entre agosto de 2002- octubre de 2005, en un área protegida en los pastizales pampeanos de Argentina. Frecuentemente los zorrinos reutilizaron sus madrigueras (25,1%), sin encontrarse diferencias significativas entre ambos sexos. Aunque los zorrinos comunes son considerados animales solitarios nuestros resultados indican que tanto machos como hembras pueden compartir las madrigueras, presumiblemente en la época de apareamiento. Las madrigueras no estuvieron homogéneamente distribuidas dentro de las áreas de acción de los zorrinos, con mayor densidad en las áreas núcleo que en las regiones medias y externas de las áreas de acción. Este estudio confirma que C. chinga selecciona hábitats específicos para sus madrigueras y sugiere que el acceso a las presas es el principal factor que determina esta selección.Fil: Castillo, Diego Fabian. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Catedra de Fisiologia Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Luengos Vidal, Estela Maris. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Catedra de Fisiologia Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Caruso, Nicolás. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Catedra de Fisiologia Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Lucherini, Mauro. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Catedra de Fisiologia Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Casanave, Emma Beatriz. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biologia, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Catedra de Fisiologia Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Predictors of adherence and persistence to disease-modifying therapies in Multiple Sclerosis

Disease-modifying therapies; Multiple sclerosis; PredictorsTerapias modificadoras de la enfermedad; Esclerosis múltiple; PredictoresTeràpies modificadores de la malaltia; Esclerosi múltiple; PredictorsBackground and Aims: In multiple sclerosis (MS), non-adherence/non-persistence is related to suboptimal response to treatment, including disease relapses and the need for more expensive healthcare. The aim of this study was to identify predictors related to adherence to disease modifying therapies (DMTs) in a cohort of Argentinian MS patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the National Medical Care Program from Argentina. MS patients with at least one claim for a DMT from 1 January 2017 to 1 October 2017 were identified. A telephone survey was performed to assess clinical and demographic factors. The medication possession ratio (MPR) was used to estimate adherence; MPR <80% defined non-adherence. Associations were studied using a logistic regression model. Results: Our database included 648 MS patients. A total of 360 patients (60% females, mean age 55.3 years) accepted to participate. Of these, 308 (85.5%) patients were receiving DMT at the time of the survey. Some 198 (63.7%) were receiving injectable therapies. Optimal adherence was 47.7%. Adherence was associated with oral medication [odds ratio (OR) 1.83 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13–3.00, p = 0.014]. A factor related to oral drugs was higher educational level (OR 2.86 95%CI 1.41–5.81, p = 0.004). Conclusion: This real-world study showed better adherence and persistence on treatment with oral therapies in MS patients in Argentina.The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: GZ disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: this study was supported by a research grant awarded by the Florencio Fiorini Foundation. The article processing charges was funded by Roche

Progression to degenerative dementia in mild cognitive impairment patients: a cohort study

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a controversial clinical entity, conceptualized as a transitional zone between normal aging and dementia. Socio-demographic and genetic factors have been involved in the development of cognitive impairment and its progression to dementia. The aim of the present study is to describe the rate of conversion to dementia in a cohort of patients with mild cognitive impairment.Method: Design Prospective cohort. Setting: A cohort of subjects with MCI was assessed and followed for three years (2013-2015) in a private institution dedicated to neurology. Participants: Patients with cognitive complaints over 60 years old who consulted spontaneously and met the MCI criteria without commitment in activities of daily living, were included consecutively and followed up annually for 3 years. Variables: Dementia and MCI were defined according to DSM IV criteria. Statistical methods we describe conversion rate as a proportion with confidence interval (CI) 95%. Bivariate analysis was performed between dementia and sociodemographic predictors and Odds Ratio and CI was calculatedResults: We include 82 subjects with MCI (age: 76.6±6.9 years, 67% women, education: 11.5±3.7 years) 4 participants were lost to follow-up. The conversion rate to dementia was 14.1% (CI95% 7.7 to 23.2) In the bivariate analysis we compared the median baseline IQ of the patients who developed dementia (97; IQR 89-103) and those who did not (93; IQR 85-95) and we obtained a significant difference with a p = 0.040Conclusions: The conversion rate to dementia in this Latin American population is coincident with studies conducted in other populations. A larger sample size is required to establish the possible predictors of conversion to dementia.Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a controversial clinical entity, conceptualized as a transitional zone between normal aging and dementia. Socio-demographic and genetic factors have been involved in the development of cognitive impairment and its progression to dementia. The aim of the present study is to describe the rate of conversion to dementia in a cohort of patients with mild cognitive impairment.Method: Design Prospective cohort. Setting: A cohort of subjects with MCI was assessed and followed for three years (2013-2015) in a private institution dedicated to neurology. Participants: Patients with cognitive complaints over 60 years old who consulted spontaneously and met the MCI criteria without commitment in activities of daily living, were included consecutively and followed up annually for 3 years. Variables: Dementia and MCI were defined according to DSM IV criteria. Statistical methods we describe conversion rate as a proportion with confidence interval (CI) 95%. Bivariate analysis was performed between dementia and sociodemographic predictors and Odds Ratio and CI was calculatedResults: We include 82 subjects with MCI (age: 76.6±6.9 years, 67% women, education: 11.5±3.7 years) 4 participants were lost to follow-up. The conversion rate to dementia was 14.1% (CI95% 7.7 to 23.2) In the bivariate analysis we compared the median baseline IQ of the patients who developed dementia (97; IQR 89-103) and those who did not (93; IQR 85-95) and we obtained a significant difference with a p = 0.040Conclusions: The conversion rate to dementia in this Latin American population is coincident with studies conducted in other populations. A larger sample size is required to establish the possible predictors of conversion to dementia.Fil: Feldberg, Carolina. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires S. A.; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Feldberg, Carolina. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires S. A.; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Stefani, Dorina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Stefani, Dorina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Tartaglini, Maria Florencia. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires S. A.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Tartaglini, Maria Florencia. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires S. A.; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Hermida, Paula Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Hermida, Paula Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas; ArgentinaFil: Caruso, Diego. Hospital General de Agudos Cesar Milstein; ArgentinaFil: Caruso, Diego. Hospital General de Agudos Cesar Milstein; ArgentinaFil: Somale, María Verónica. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires S. A.; ArgentinaFil: Somale, María Verónica. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires S. A.; ArgentinaFil: Allegri, Ricardo Francisco. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Allegri, Ricardo Francisco. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaAlzheimer´s Association International ConferenceLos AngelesEstados UnidosAlzheimer´s AssociationAlzheimer´s Associatio

Outpatient minor oral surgery in patients with hemophilia : a case series of 23 patients

Hemophilia is an inherited coagulation disorder characterized by deficiency of the coagulation factor VIII or IX. When the management of hemostasis is inadequate, these patients are at high risk of experiencing intra and postoperative bleedings after tooth extractions. Coagulation factor replacement therapy allows performing most surgical procedures safely, although the factor levels and length of treatment have not been clearly determined. In this study, we present our experience in a retrospective series of 112 ambulatory tooth extractions under local anesthesia in 23 patients with hemophilia using a coagulation factor replacement therapy in combination with tranexamic acid. The results obtained with this protocol were satisfactory and only one episode of mild postoperative bleeding occurred after seven days in a patient who did not have good treatment compliance

Propuesta de técnicas de validación para la calidad de datos abiertos e identificación de patrones para predicciones con Machine Learning

La política de los datos abiertos busca promover la innovación y transformar la actividad gubernamental para brindar mejores servicios y generar mayores niveles de transparencia en la sociedad. Por lo que, mantener la calidad en las fuentes de datos disponibilizadas es fundamental para su tratamiento y obtener así, un conocimiento de éstas. Actualmente, son pocos los trabajos realizados en aspectos de validaciones, análisis de contenidos internos de estos datasets, herramientas de datos, identificación de patrones en su estructura y demás. En base a esto, esta línea de investigación se enfoca en el análisis, diseño y desarrollo de herramientas de software que utilicen técnicas y propuestas para la validación de la calidad de los datos públicos abiertos en el contexto de Gobierno Abierto. Además de detectar el “estado de salud” de estos datos (grado de integridad, redundancia y otros), se trabaja en el estudio de patrones con el fin de incorporar modelos de predicción para aportar un valor agregado a la información otorgada por los gobiernos desde aspectos de Machine Learning, lo que ofrecerá un mejor análisis para la toma de decisiones gubernamentales.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic