Histological Study of Glandular Variability in the Skin of the Natterjack Toad-Epidalea calamita (Laurenti, 1768)-Used in Spanish Historical Ethnoveterinary Medicine and Ethnomedicine

Simple Summary Common toads, including the natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita), have been used since ancient times for remedies, and thus constitute excellent biological material for pharmacological and natural product research. After a previous analysis of the historical-folk therapeutic use of amphibians in Spain, a histological study was carried out to provide a complementary ethnopharmacological view through the analysis of the integumentary heterogeneity of the serous (venom) and mucous glands from two adult specimens. Plastic-embedded semi-thin sections showed that serous/venom glands are cytologically homogeneous in spite of their genetic and biochemical complexity, leading to a cocktail that remains stored until extrusion. On the contrary, mucous glands, working continuously, show a more complex cytological variation and regional heterogeneity, which suggests an adaptive variability, leading to an invisible topographic map of skin toxicity. Natterjack toad-based folk remedies are usually extracted from the whole animal as a therapeutic unit in ethnoveterinary practice. However, a new ethnopharmacological vision could emerge from the study of tegumentary regional variation. Common toads have been used since ancient times for remedies and thus constitute excellent biological material for pharmacological and natural product research. According to the results of a previous analysis of the therapeutic use of amphibians in Spain, we decided to carry out a histological study that provides a complementary view of their ethnopharmacology, through the natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita). This species possesses a characteristic integument, where the parotoid glands stand out, and it has been used in different ethnoveterinary and ethnomedical practices. This histological study of their glandular variability allow us to understand the stages through which the animal synthesises and stores a heterogeneous glandular content according to the areas of the body and the functional moment of the glands. To study tegumentary cytology, a high-resolution, plastic embedding, semi-thin (1 micron) section method was applied. Up to 20 skin patches sampled from the dorsal and ventral sides were processed from the two adult specimens collected, which were roadkill. Serous/venom glands display a genetic and biochemical complexity, leading to a cocktail that remains stored (and perhaps changes over time) until extrusion, but mucous glands, working continuously to produce a surface protection layer, also produce a set of active protein (and other) substances that dissolve into mucous material, making a biologically active covering. This study provides a better understanding of the use of traditional remedies in ethnoveterinary medicine

Estudio in vitro de la actividad citotóxica de resinas dentales tipo BIS-GMA

Las resinas composites se emplean desde hace varias décadas en distintas aplicaciones estomatológicas, volviéndose indispensables para lograr una alta calidad en los servicios modernos. Uno de los monómeros acrílicos más utilizados en estos materiales poliméricos de recubrimiento es el 2-bis-[p-(2-hidroxi-3-metacriloxipropoxi) fenil] propano, conocido comúnmente como Bis- GMA. El conocimiento de las interacciones de estos materiales con el sistema biológico es de vital importancia debido al uso tan difundido de los mismos en la práctica clínica. El comportamiento de una célula viva en contacto con un material extraño es un problema esencial en las aplicaciones biomédicas de polímeros sintéticos. Los ensayos in vitro son sistemas muy útiles para la evaluación de los efectos biológicos de los biomateriales. En el laboratorio de Inmunofarmacología del INOR se llevó a cabo la evaluación de la toxicidad de dos resinas dentales tipo Bis-GMA producidas por el Centro de Biomateriales de la Universidad de La Habana: el Obtudent Fotocurado (FC), resina fotopolimerizable para restauraciones dentales y el Cubridem Autocurado (AC), sellante dental para fosas y fisuras. Este estudio forma parte de las evaluaciones preclínicas biológicas de biomateriales y equipos médicos implantables que se lleva a cabo en Cuba a través de la Red Funcional de Implantología del Ministerio de Salud Pública. Se aplicó el método de citotoxicidad in vitro descrito por Stanley para la evaluación toxicológica de materiales dentales. Ambos composites resultaron citotóxicos para la línea de fibroblastos L929, lo que se corresponde con lo descrito en la literatura para este tipo de material. Su citotoxicidad se encontró en el rango de la de los análogos comerciales evaluados.Peer Reviewe

Diferencias biomecánicas entre jugadores principiantes y de alto rendimiento en el lanzamiento en salto en baloncesto

La valoración y el aprendizaje de la técnica del lanzamiento en salto en baloncesto están relacionados con el conocimiento de la diferencias existentes en la ejecución técnica de este gesto entre jugadores con diferente nivel de rendimiento. Las diferencias obtenidas en las variables biomecánicas, entre los tres niveles de rendimiento establecido, ha aportado los aspectos claves en los que debemos focalizar nuestra atención durante la ejecución de este gesto. La muestra que se ha utilizado para realizar esta investigación ha estado compuesta por jugadores representativos de tres niveles de rendimiento, analizándose los lanzamientos mediante la metodología de análisis tridimensionales de video (50 Hz). En general, se puede afirmar que las diferencias halladas entre jugadores de alto rendimiento y jugadores en fase de aprendizaje tienen su fin en la fase final de salida del balón, en donde los jugadores con menor nivel de rendimiento lanzan en trayectoria ascendente del centro de gravedad con el objeto de poder aplicar al balón una gran velocidad de salida. Por lo que se deduce que no existe un modelo teórico universal aplicable del alto rendimiento a jugadores en proceso formativo.Peer Reviewe

Trajectories of Weight for Length Growth for Infants During the First Year of Life

Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health problem. Studies of patterns of child growth contributing to the development of obesity are scarce, particularly in infancy. Group based trajectory analyses among infants are a novel procedure that may help characterize subgroups of infants with similar longitudinal growth profiles. Objective: To identify trajectories of weight for length growth during the first year of life. Methods: Subjects were singleton infants and their mothers (N=90 mother-infant pairs) who participated in the Pregnancy and Postpartum Observational Dietary Study. Women completed assessments throughout their infant\u27s first year of life and included sociodemographic characteristics and feeding behaviors. Infant weight for length measures from birth to 12 months were abstracted from pediatric office records. Weight for length percentiles were calculated according to the World Health Organization guidelines for infants. Group-based trajectory analysis was done to identify subgroups of infants with similar growth profiles. Results: Infants were from mother’s with average of 28 years (SD=5.2), 70.0% White, 60.0% high-school educated and 63.2% had two or more children. Over half of mothers introduced solid foods to their infants by 6 months of age (63.2%) and about one third self-reported breast feeding at 12 months post-partum (31.9%). Three growth trajectories were identified: a low and stable growth group (38.3%), a rapid growth group (35.0%) and a moderate growth group (26.7%). Maternal and feeding variables were all similar across the three infant growth trajectory groups (p\u3e0.05). Conclusion: Trajectory models suggested three patterns of infant growth. If replicated, future studies can help identify and subsequently target modifiable risk factors associated with rapid infant growth trajectories

Variación de las vocales medias en el español hablado en la ciudad de La Habana: evidencia fonético-acústica

Fecha de recepción: 3 de marzo de 2008. Fecha de aceptación: 23 de mayo de 2008.    En este artículo se presentan los resultados de un estudio sobre la variación de las vocales medias /e/ y /o/ en contextos de aspiración de /s/, en el español hablado en la ciudad de La Habana. La evidencia acústica obtenida señala que el alargamiento y la apertura de /e/ y /o/ esperados en dicho contexto son fenómenos sujetos a una variación fonética tal, que no permite considerarlos como procesos fonológicos categóricos, en vista de que el alargamiento parece ser un epifenómeno y la apertura vocálica no llega a ser estadísticamente significativa

Validation of the Questionnaire on Attitudes Towards Dog Assisted Interventions (CAINTAP) among Southern Spanish college students: perceived benefits and fears

Introducción: Las intervenciones asistidas por animales (IAA) cuentan con amplia tradición en varios países occidentales, donde diversas revisiones y meta-análisis han demostrado sus ventajas. No obstante, poco se sabe de las expectativas que los y las hispanohablantes mantienen al respecto. El presente estudio aporta una herramienta de evaluación sobre las actitudes hacia IAA. Material y métodos: un total de 474 estudiantes universitarios con edades de X=22,7 años (dt=5,61), en su mayoría mujeres (80%), tomaron parte del estudio. El equipo de investigación desarrolló un instrumento de evaluación denominado Cuestionario sobre Actitudes hacia las Intervenciones Asistidas por Perros (CAINTAP). Resultados: el análisis factorial exploratorio retuvo 20 ítems en dos factores, etiquetados como Actitudes Positivas (N=11) y Actitudes Negativas (N=9), ambos con alphas>0,87. El alumnado refirió mantener buenas expectativas hacia las IAA, mientras que los temores con mayor presencia correspondieron a comportamientos fácilmente modificables mediante adiestramiento. Discusión: este estudio aporta datos psicométricos del primer instrumento de evaluación sobre IAA en español, herramienta de utilidad para anticipar dificultades en centros en los que se desee llevar a cabo programas de intervención con perros.Introduction: animal-assisted interventions (AAI) have a long tradition in some western countries, with many reviews and meta-analyses demonstrating their benefits, but little is known about expectations held by Spanish-speakers. This study develops an assessment tool, and provides empirical data on perceived opportunities and dangers. Methods: A total of 474 college students (aged X=22.7; SD=5.61 years), mostly women (80%), took part in the study. Researchers developed the Questionnaire on Attitudes Towards Dogs Assisted Interventions (CAINTAP), which was then validated. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure which retained 20 items, scales being coined Positive Attitudes (N = 11) and Negative Attitudes (N = 9), both with alphas greater than 0.87. The students demonstrated good expectations for IAA, while the most frequent fears were related to easily modifiable behaviors. Discussion: This study provides psychometric data of the first questionnaire on IAA developed in Spanish, a useful tool that might help to anticipate difficulties regarding intervention with dogs

Effect of creatine malate supplementation on physical performance, body composition and selected hormone levels in spinters and long-distance runners

Purpose The aim of the study was to determine whether creatine malate (CML) supplementation results in similar ergogenic effect in sprinters and long-distance runners. The other goal was to compare changes in body composition, physical performance and hormone levels after six-week training in athletes, divided into subgroups supplemented with creatine malate or taking placebo. Results Six-week supplementation combined with physical training induced different effects in athletes. Significantly higher increases in relative and absolute peak power and total work (p < 0.05) were found in sprinters compared to other groups. Except for growth hormone, post-exercise venous blood serum hormone levels exhibited no statistically significant differences in athletes. After CML loading period, a significant increase in growth hormone was found in the group of sprinters. Conclusions A significant ergogenic effect was found in sprinters, which was reflected by the increase in anaerobic exercise indices and morphological indices and elevated growth hormone level, after graded exercise testing. The significant increase in the distance covered during graded test was only observed in supplemented long-distance runners, whereas no significant changes in maximal oxygen uptake, relative peak power and relative total work were noticed. This could be caused by later anaerobic threshold appearance in exercise test to exhaustion

Host Range of Meloidogyne Arenaria (NEAL, 1889) Chitwood, 1949 (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae) in Spain

11 páginas, ilustraciones y tablas estadísticas.The distribution of Meloidogyne arenaria in Spain was revised and new samples collected from representative areas. Species and races of the populations were determined by morphometrics, differential host tests and SCAR-PCR. Meloidogyne arenaria was found most often in warm areas, but it can occur in Northern Spain in greenhouses. A total of 125 citations were found, corresponding to 45 different host plants, of which 41 new reports (32.8%) are from this study. The populations studied belong to race 2, which reproduces on tomato plants carrying the Mi gene, or race 3, which reproduces on both resistant pepper and tomato. The most frequent hosts were vegetables, fruit trees, tobacco, grapevine, and weeds.INIA OT- 03-006C7-4 and RTA2007-00099-C00-00; Castilla La Mancha PAI09-0010-4701, INCRECYT CICyT CTM2006-07309.Peer reviewe

Survey of Hemileia vastatrix races from Peru to identify potential coffee mutants with disease resistance

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

June 2017: The Earliest European Summer Mega-heatwave of Reanalysis Period

This paper examines the characteristics of the heatwave that affected western and central Europe in June 2017. Using a novel algorithm, we show that its extension, intensity, and persistence were comparable to those of other European mega-heatwaves, but it occurred earlier in the summer. The most affected area was Iberia, which experienced devastating forest fires with human casualties and the warmest temperatures of the reanalysis period from daily to seasonal scales. The peak of the mega-heatwave displayed an unprecedented warm air intrusion due to a record-breaking subtropical ridge with signatures closer to those of July and August. The atmospheric circulation was the main triggering factor of the event. However, thermodynamical changes of the last decades made a substantial contribution to the event, by increasing the likelihood of surpassing high-temperature thresholds. This episode could be a good example of a coming future, with high-summer mega-heatwaves occurring earlier