Hydraulic and photosynthetic limitations prevail over root non-structural carbohydrate reserves as drivers of resprouting in two Mediterranean oaks

Resprouting is an ancestral trait in angiosperms that confers resilience after perturbations. As climate change increases stress, resprouting vigor is declining in many forest regions, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Resprouting in woody plants is thought to be primarily limited by the availability of non-structural carbohydrate reserves (NSC), but hydraulic limitations could also be important. We conducted a multifactorial experiment with two levels of light (ambient, 2–3% of ambient) and three levels of water stress (0, 50 and 80 percent losses of hydraulic conductivity, PLC) on two Mediterranean oaks (Quercus ilex and Q. faginea) under a rain-out shelter (n = 360). The proportion of resprouting individuals after canopy clipping declined markedly as PLC increased for both species. NSC concentrations affected the response of Q. ilex, the species with higher leaf construction costs, and its effect depended on the PLC. The growth of resprouting individuals was largely dependent on photosynthetic rates for both species, while stored NSC availability and hydraulic limitations played minor and non-significant roles, respectively. Contrary to conventional wisdom, our results indicate that resprouting in oaks may be primarily driven by complex interactions between hydraulics and carbon sources, whereas stored NSC play a significant but secondary role

Trends and outcome of neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer: A retrospective analysis and critical assessment of a 10-year prospective national registry on behalf of the Spanish Rectal Cancer Project

Introduction: Preoperative treatment and adequate surgery increase local control in rectal cancer. However, modalities and indications for neoadjuvant treatment may be controversial. Aim of this study was to assess the trends of preoperative treatment and outcomes in patients with rectal cancer included in the Rectal Cancer Registry of the Spanish Associations of Surgeons. Method: This is a STROBE-compliant retrospective analysis of a prospective database. All patients operated on with curative intention included in the Rectal Cancer Registry were included. Analyses were performed to compare the use of neoadjuvant/adjuvant treatment in three timeframes: I)2006–2009; II)2010–2013; III)2014–2017. Survival analyses were run for 3-year survival in timeframes I-II. Results: Out of 14, 391 patients, 8871 (61.6%) received neoadjuvant treatment. Long-course chemo/radiotherapy was the most used approach (79.9%), followed by short-course radiotherapy ± chemotherapy (7.6%). The use of neoadjuvant treatment for cancer of the upper third (15-11 cm) increased over time (31.5%vs 34.5%vs 38.6%, p = 0.0018). The complete regression rate slightly increased over time (15.6% vs 16% vs 18.5%; p = 0.0093); the proportion of patients with involved circumferential resection margins (CRM) went down from 8.2% to 7.3%and 5.5% (p = 0.0004). Neoadjuvant treatment significantly decreased positive CRM in lower third tumors (OR 0.71, 0.59–0.87, Cochrane-Mantel-Haenszel P = 0.0008). Most ypN0 patients also received adjuvant therapy. In MR-defined stage III patients, preoperative treatment was associated with significantly longer local-recurrence-free survival (p < 0.0001), and cancer-specific survival (p < 0.0001). The survival benefit was smaller in upper third cancers. Conclusion: There was an increasing trend and a potential overuse of neoadjuvant treatment in cancer of the upper rectum. Most ypN0 patients received postoperative treatment. Involvement of CRM in lower third tumors was reduced after neoadjuvant treatment. Stage III and MRcN + benefited the most

TRY plant trait database – enhanced coverage and open access

Plant traits—the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants—determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait‐based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits—almost complete coverage for ‘plant growth form’. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait–environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives

Preparación y alimentación dirigida de peces cebra con componentes aislados del olivo

Resumen de la comunicación oral presentada en el II Congreso de Investigación PTS. Granada, 9-11 febrero (2022

Calidad percibida en una unidad de demencias: el portavoz del paciente como proveedor de información

Resumen: Introducción: Las unidades de demencia (UD) realizan un abordaje integral y especializado de las personas con demencia. Su evaluación suele limitarse a aspectos asistenciales. El objetivo del trabajo fue conocer la satisfacción y calidad percibida por familiares/cuidadores de pacientes atendidos por una UD. Métodos: Encuesta autocumplimentada con cuestionario de elaboración propia a 236 acompañantes de pacientes ya conocidos en la UD durante 2015, estructurada en 6 dimensiones (accesibilidad, organización, profesionalidad, trato, información e infraestructura) y analizada mediante tasas de problemas. Resultados: Tasa de respuesta de 53,4%, resultando la mayoría mujeres, cónyuges o familiares de primer grado de los pacientes. La tasa de problemas global fue 15,0% (IC 95%: 13,9-16,1), con amplias variaciones por dimensión: desde 0,1% (IC 95%: 0,0-0,4) en «trato» y «profesionalidad» hasta 49,3% (IC 95%: 45,4-53,2) en «información». La espera se percibe excesiva a partir de 30 min. Los problemas de información se centraron en actividades no directamente asistenciales. La satisfacción fue 8,29/10 (mediana 8; DE: 1,45) con 77,3% (IC 95%: 69,8-74,8) de puntuaciones excelentes. El 99% recomendarían la UD. Conclusiones: El cuestionario ha ofrecido una visión global de la calidad percibida por los familiares/cuidadores de los pacientes atendidos, y permitido identificar y priorizar dónde implantar acciones correctoras. Ha demostrado ser una herramienta útil para evaluar y mejorar la calidad asistencial en las UD. Abstract: Introduction: Dementia units (DU) provide comprehensive and specialised care to patients with dementia. However, assessment in these units normally focuses on patient management. The aim of this study was to determine satisfaction of the caregivers of patients managed in a DU and how they rated DU care. Methods: We created a self-administered questionnaire which was completed by 236 caregivers visiting the DU in 2015. The questionnaire included 6 dimensions (accessibility, organisation, professionalism, relationship with staff, information, and facilities); data were analysed using problem rates. Results: A total of 53.4% caregivers completed the questionnaire; most were women, patients’ spouses, or first-degree relatives. The overall problem rates was 15.0% (95% CI, 13.9-16.1), with sizeable differences between dimensions: from 0.1% (95% CI, 0.0-0.4) for ‘relationship with staff’ and ‘professionalism’ to 49.3% (95% CI, 45.4-53.2) for ‘information’. Waiting times over 30 minutes were perceived as excessive. Information problems were not directly related to patient management. Satisfaction was scored 8.29/10 (median 8; SD 1.45); 77.3% (95% CI, 69.8-74.8) of respondents were highly satisfied. Ninety-nine percent of the caregivers stated that they would recommend the DU. Conclusions: This questionnaire provides interesting data on care quality as perceived by patients’ caregivers. Our results have allowed us to identify problems and implement corrective actions. Our questionnaire has proved to be a useful tool for evaluating and improving care quality in DUs. Palabras clave: Demencia, Calidad percibida, Satisfacción del paciente, Cuestionarios, Cuidador, Organizaciones en salud, Keywords: Dementia, Perceived quality, Patient satisfaction, Questionnaires, Caregiver, Health organisation

Perceived quality in a dementia unit: Patients’ caregivers as information providers

Introduction: Dementia units (DU) provide comprehensive and specialised care to patients with dementia. However, assessment in these units normally focuses on patient management. The aim of this study was to determine satisfaction of the caregivers of patients managed in a DU and how they rated DU care. Methods: We created a self-administered questionnaire which was completed by 236 caregivers visiting the DU in 2015. The questionnaire included 6 dimensions (accessibility, organisation, professionalism, relationship with staff, information, and facilities); data were analysed using problem rates. Results: A total of 53.4% caregivers completed the questionnaire; most were women, patients’ spouses, or first-degree relatives. The overall problem rates was 15.0% (95% CI, 13.9-16.1), with sizeable differences between dimensions: from 0.1% (95% CI, 0.0-0.4) for ‘relationship with staff’ and ‘professionalism’ to 49.3% (95% CI, 45.4-53.2) for ‘information’. Waiting times over 30 minutes were perceived as excessive. Information problems were not directly related to patient management. Satisfaction was scored 8.29/10 (median 8; SD 1.45); 77.3% (95% CI, 69.8-74.8) of respondents were highly satisfied. Ninety-nine percent of the caregivers stated that they would recommend the DU. Conclusions: This questionnaire provides interesting data on care quality as perceived by patients’ caregivers. Our results have allowed us to identify problems and implement corrective actions. Our questionnaire has proved to be a useful tool for evaluating and improving care quality in DUs. Resumen: Introducción: Las unidades de demencia (UD) realizan un abordaje integral y especializado de las personas con demencia. Su evaluación suele limitarse a aspectos asistenciales. El objetivo del trabajo fue conocer la satisfacción y calidad percibida por familiares/cuidadores de pacientes atendidos por una UD. Métodos: Encuesta autocumplimentada con cuestionario de elaboración propia a 236 acompañantes de pacientes ya conocidos en la UD durante 2015, estructurada en 6 dimensiones (accesibilidad, organización, profesionalidad, trato, información e infraestructura) y analizada mediante tasas de problemas. Resultados: Tasa de respuesta de 53,4%, resultando la mayoría mujeres, cónyuges o familiares de primer grado de los pacientes. La tasa de problemas global fue 15,0% (IC 95%: 13,9-16,1), con amplias variaciones por dimensión: desde 0,1% (IC 95%: 0,0-0,4) en «trato» y «profesionalidad» hasta 49,3% (IC 95%: 45,4-53,2) en «información». La espera se percibe excesiva a partir de 30 min. Los problemas de información se centraron en actividades no directamente asistenciales. La satisfacción fue 8,29/10 (mediana 8; DE: 1,45) con 77,3% (IC 95%: 69,8-74,8) de puntuaciones excelentes. El 99% recomendarían la UD. Conclusiones: El cuestionario ha ofrecido una visión global de la calidad percibida por los familiares/cuidadores de los pacientes atendidos, y permitido identificar y priorizar dónde implantar acciones correctoras. Ha demostrado ser una herramienta útil para evaluar y mejorar la calidad asistencial en las UD. Keywords: Dementia, Perceived quality, Patient satisfaction, Questionnaires, Caregiver, Health organisations, Palabras clave: Demencia, Calidad percibida, Satisfacción del paciente, Cuestionarios, Cuidador, Organizaciones en salu

Non-equilibrium fluctuations induced by the Soret effect in a ternary mixture

International audienceWe present, based on fluctuating hydrodynamics, the theory of concentration fluctuations in a ternary mixture subjected to a stationary temperature gradient, so that composition gradients are present due to thermal diffusion (Soret effect). We neglect gravity and confinement (boundary conditions) but consider a completely generic diffusion matrix, including cross-diffusion effects. We find, as in the case of binary mixtures, an important non-equilibrium enhancement of the concentration fluctuations, which is proportional to the square of the gradient and inversely proportional to the fourth power of the fluctuations wave number, q−4. The results of this paper are expected to be asymptotically correct for fluctuations of large q, while for shorter q gravity and confinement effects need to be incorporated. Comparison with previous work in the topic is included. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.