Seeds banks of desert annuals in an aridity gradient in the southern Atacama Desert

*Background/Question/Methods*
Annual plant communities are important components of the biodiversity found in the coastal southern Atacama Desert in Chile. Moreover, they are an important economic resource for the human communities living in that area. These plant communities develop, after heavy rainfall episodes, a phenomenon locally known as the “blooming of the desert”. Although the minimum rainfall thresholds for these plants to emerge are relatively well known, little is known about their seed banks, its composition, dynamics and variation across the latitudinal aridity gradient from south to north. This system is interesting to study species coexistence, as well as, to look for exotic plants invasion, since previous studies have shown that exotic annual plants decreases in importance northwards. We hypothesize that, as a result of the gradient, we should find more seeds of annuals in the southern part because of the increase of exotic species. The lowest diversity will be found in the northern limit, while the highest in the middle part of the gradient, coincident with a natural protected area, and less influence of exotics. In terms of seed size and viability, we should find larger and more viable seeds in the southern limit of the gradient, probably contrasting with smaller and more dormant seeds to the north. To test these hypotheses we selected 8 sites along the gradient and collected soil samples after seed set in December 2008 for seed bank determination. 

*Results/Conclusions*
According to our hypothesis we found more seeds in the southern part of the gradient. The northern seed banks (Rodillo and Cisne) are characterized by their low number of seeds and low species richness, according with their more extreme aridity. The central and southern seed banks have more than two times higher number and species richness than the northern ones. Southern seed banks (Lagunillas, Romeral and Punta Choros) contain more exotics’ seeds; meanwhile central seed banks (Pajonales, Carrizal Bajo and Los Bronces) have less seeds, and less exotics’ seeds. These results suggest that the increased seed number in the southern portion of the gradient could be due to an increased number of exotic species, rather than an increased diversity of native annuals. More viable and larger seeds were found in the southern sites, meanwhile, smaller seeds were found to the north indicating the use of a cautious opportunism strategy by these species. This is the first report on seed banks composition of this Atacama Desert area

Herbarium Areqvipense (HUSA): computerization and representativeness of its collection

Las colecciones científicas y entre ellas los herbarios representan importantes fuentes de información y enseñanza para los investigadores y profesionales en ciencias biológicas. El Herbarium Areqvipense (HUSA), registrado en el Index Herbariorum desde el año 2004, alberga una de las colecciones más importantes del Perú. En este trabajo brindamos información de la colección y damos a conocer su representatividad para la flora peruana. El HUSA cuenta con más de 11000 especímenes registrados, distribuidos en más de 2300 especies, correspondientes en su mayor parte a Magnoliophyta y Pteridophyta (ca. 98%), y en menor proporción por Basidiomycetes y Ascomycetes (Hongos y Líquenes) y Bryophyta (Musgos). Los especímenes provienen de 23 departamentos del Perú, donde Arequipa presenta el mayor número de individuos colectados (3375), equivalente al 31% de la colección. Las familias Asteraceae y de Solanaceae son las mejor representadas con 1571 y 964 especímenes, respectivamente. La mayor cantidad de especímenes georeferenciados corresponden a la zona de vida Bosque muy húmedo bajo tropical con el 15%, seguido por el Bosque muy húmedo premontano tropical con el 8%. Se dan además a conocer los tipos presentes en la colección, así como una reseña del desarrollo del HUSA desde su creación.Scientific collections and herbaria are essential sources of information and education for researchers and practitioners in biological sciences. The Herbarium Areqvipense (HUSA), registered at Index Herbariorum since 2004, holds one of the most important collections in Peru. In this paper we provide information about the collection, and its representativeness for the Peruvian flora. HUSA has more than 11000 specimens recorded to date, with more than 2300 determined species, consisting mostly of Magnoliophyta and Pteridophyta (ca. 98%), and a smaller proportion of Basidiomycetes, Ascomycetes (fungi and lichens) and Bryophyta (mosses). The collection includes specimens from 23 departments of Peru, where the samples belonging to Arequipa have the largest number of individuals collected (3375) accounting for 31% of the collection. Asteraceae and Solanaceae are the most collected with 1571 and 964 specimens, respectively. The majority of geo-referenced specimens came from the tropical wet forest with 15%, followed by the tropical pre-montane wet forest with 8%. We also provide a list of the nomenclatural types and a brief summary of the history and development of HUSA since its creation

Valor pronóstico de la concentración sérica de lactato de los receptores de trasplante cardiaco urgente: subanálisis del estudio multicéntrico español ASIS-TC

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. To study the prognostic value of serum lactate in patients under temporary preoperative mechanical circulatory support who underwent urgent heart transplant. Methods. We conducted a subanalysis of a Spanish multicenter registry recording data on patients under temporary mechanical circulatory support listed for highly urgent heart transplant from 2010 to 2015. Participants selected for the present study were those who received a transplant and who had known preoperative serum lactate levels. The main study outcome was 1-year survival after transplant. Results. A total of 177 heart transplant recipients were studied; preoperatively, 90 were supported on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, 51 on temporary left ventricular assist devices, and 36 on temporary biventricular assist devices. Preoperative hyperlactatemia (≥ 2 mmol/L) was present in 44 (25%) patients. On multivariable analysis, pretransplant serum lactate was identified as an independent predictor of 1-year posttransplant survival (adjusted HR per 0.1 mmol/L, 1.02; 95%CI, 1.01-1.03; P = .007). One-year posttransplant survival was 53.1% (95%CI, 45.3-60.9) in patients with preoperative hyperlactatemia and 75.6% (95%CI, 71.8-79.4) in those without preoperative hyperlactatemia (adjusted HR, 1.94; 95%CI, 1.04-3.63; P = .039). Preoperative hyperlactatemia correlated with adverse outcomes in patients supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, but not in patients supported on ventricular assist devices. Conclusions. Preoperative serum lactate is a strong independent predictor of worse outcomes in patients undergoing urgent heart transplant on short-term mechanical circulatory support.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Analizar el impacto del lactato sérico en receptores de trasplante cardiaco urgente en asistencia circulatoria mecánica de corta duración preoperatoria. Métodos. Se realizó un subanálisis de un registro multicéntrico español basado en pacientes incluidos en «urgencia grado 0» para trasplante cardiaco con asistencia circulatoria mecánica preoperatoria de corta duración entre 2010 y 2015. Se seleccionó a los receptores de trasplante con cifras preoperatorias de lactato conocidas. El desenlace principal fue la supervivencia 1 año tras el trasplante. Resultados. Se estudió a 177 receptores de trasplante cardiaco urgente, de los que 90 necesitaron asistencia preoperatoria con oxigenador extracorpóreo de membrana venoarterial, 51 con asistencia ventricular izquierda y 36 con asistencia biventricular. De ellos, 44 (25%) presentaban hiperlactatemia antes del trasplante (≥ 2 mmol/l). En el análisis multivariable, la cifra de lactato sérico resultó predictora independiente de mortalidad tras el trasplante (cada 0,1 mmol/l, HR ajustada = 1,02; IC95%, 1,01-1,03; p = 0,007). La supervivencia estimada al año del trasplante cardiaco fue del 53,1% (IC95%, 45,3-60,9) en los pacientes con hiperlactactemia preoperatoria y el 75,6% (IC95%, 71,8-79,4) en los pacientes sin hiperlactatemia (HR ajustada = 1,94; IC95%, 1,04-3,63; p = 0,039). El impacto pronóstico de la hiperlactatemia fue significativo en los pacientes asistidos con oxigenador extracorpóreo de membrana venoarterial, pero no en aquellos con dispositivos de asistencia ventricular. Conclusiones. Los valores preoperatorios de ácido láctico son un potente factor pronóstico independiente en receptores de trasplante cardiaco urgente

Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation with or without Simultaneous Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Support as a Direct Bridge to Heart Transplantation: Results from a Nationwide Spanish Registry

[Abstract] OBJECTIVES To investigate the potential clinical benefit of an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) in patients supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) as a bridge to heart transplantation (HT). METHODS We studied 169 patients who were listed for urgent HT under VA-ECMO support at 16 Spanish institutions from 2010 to 2015. The clinical outcomes of patients under simultaneous IABP support (n = 73) were compared to a control group of patients without IABP support (n = 96). RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the IABP and control groups with regard to the cumulative rates of transplantation (71.2% vs 81.2%, P = 0.17), death during VA-ECMO support (20.6% vs 14.6%, P = 0.31), transition to a different mechanical circulatory support device (5.5% vs 5.2%, P = 0.94) or weaning from VA-ECMO support due to recovery (2.7% vs 0%, P = 0.10). There was a higher incidence of bleeding events in the IABP group (45.2% vs 25%, P = 0.006; adjusted odds ratio 2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.02–4.67). In-hospital postoperative mortality after HT was 34.6% in the IABP group and 32.5% in the control group (P = 0.80). One-year survival after listing for urgent HT was 53.3% in the IABP group and 52.2% in the control group (log rank P = 0.75). Multivariate adjustment for potential confounders did not change this result (adjusted hazard ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.56–1.58). CONCLUSIONS In our study, simultaneous IABP therapy in transplant candidates under VA-ECMO support did not significantly reduce morbidity or mortality

Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change: A Synopsis of Coordinated National Crop Wild Relative Seed Collecting Programs across Five Continents

The Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project set out to improve the diversity, quantity, and accessibility of germplasm collections of crop wild relatives (CWR). Between 2013 and 2018, partners in 25 countries, heirs to the globetrotting legacy of Nikolai Vavilov, undertook seed collecting expeditions targeting CWR of 28 crops of global significance for agriculture. Here, we describe the implementation of the 25 national collecting programs and present the key results. A total of 4587 unique seed samples from at least 355 CWR taxa were collected, conserved ex situ, safety duplicated in national and international genebanks, and made available through the Multilateral System (MLS) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty). Collections of CWR were made for all 28 targeted crops. Potato and eggplant were the most collected genepools, although the greatest number of primary genepool collections were made for rice. Overall, alfalfa, Bambara groundnut, grass pea and wheat were the genepools for which targets were best achieved. Several of the newly collected samples have already been used in pre-breeding programs to adapt crops to future challenges.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

IDENTIFICACIÓN DE ÁREAS DE ALTA PRIORIDAD PARA LA CONSERVACIÓN IN SITU DE PARIENTES SILVESTRES DE LA PAPA EN EL PERÚ

Los parientes silvestres de cultivos son fuentes importantes de genes útiles para mejorar las especies cultivadas, especialmente frente a los desafíos mundiales actuales. La conservación in situ se refiere a aquella que se realiza en el entorno natural donde las especies evolucionaron y continúan interactuando con su entorno. Considerando que Perú es el centro de origen de la papa, se necesitan estrategias integrales para conservar esa biodiversidad en su entorno natural. En este trabajo, se informa sobre una metodología para identificar áreas de alta prioridad para la conservación in situ de parientes silvestres en general, pero usando a los de la papa como estudio de caso. En general, esta metodología permite la identificación efectiva de áreas prioritarias para acciones in situ para la conservación de parientes silvestres de cultivos y puede ser transferible a otras especies

RURANA ÑAN PUSAQ ZONAS DE AGROBIODIVERSIDAD NISQA HINA PERÚ SUYUPI RIQSISQA KANAPAQ

Con la finalidad de promover el reconocimiento de Zonas de Agrobiodiversidad a nivel nacional, y proporcionar información sobre el procedimiento para su reconocimiento, el INIA pone a disposición la Guía para el Reconocimiento de Zonas de Agrobiodiversidad en el Perú, a través de la cual damos a conocer de una forma didáctica y de fácil comprensión, los requisitos y pasos a seguir para alcanzar este reconocimiento. Se incluyen detalles sobre las condiciones y documentos necesarios para la postulación. Además, describimos los procedimientos de revisión de expedientes, damos un alcance sobre lo que ocurre luego del reconocimiento, y sobre los criterios que mantienen vigente tal reconocimiento. A través de este documento, también invitamos a las comunidades campesinas, poblaciones indígenas, Gobiernos Regionales y Locales, investigadores y profesionales agrarios, y al público en general, a fomentar el reconocimiento de la agrobiodiversidad peruana y la cultura milenaria asociada a ésta. [Quechua] Tiqsi suyukunapi riksirikuy Zonas de Agrobiodiversidad nisqa mirachinarayku, hinallataq ñan puriymanta riqsirikunampaq willakunarayku ima, INIA churan kay Rurana ñan pusaqta Zonas de Agrobiodiversidad nisqa hina Perú suyupi riqsirisqa kanapaq, maynintachus allimanta yuyaychamuyku, mañariykunamanta, ñam qhatipaykunamanta, kay riqsirikuy taripanapaq. Yaykunku imayna suyu qillqakuna ima kananta riksirikuy mañarikunapaq. Hinamampis, riqsichiyku imayna expediente técnico nisqap t’aqwirikusqanta, riqsirikusqa hamuqmanta, hinallataq imakunas hunt’akunan riqsirikuy kawsachkanallampaq imamanta. Kay qillqa mayt’unta, mink’arillaykutaq ayllukunaman, ñawpa ayllu masikunaman, suyu umalliqkunaman, llaqta suyu umalliqkunaman, t’aqwiriqkunaman, chakra purichiq yachaqkunaman, llapan runaman ima, riksirikuy agrobiodiversidad peruana nisqata ñawpa kawsay ima chayman tupasqaman hina kallpacharinankupaq