For livestock losses, a conservation scientist's ‘exceptional’ may be a farmer's ‘unacceptable’: A commentary to Ballejo et al. (2020)

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recor

Efecto del estrés hídrico a distintas temperaturas sobre la germinación de semillas de Bulnesia retama (Gill. ex. Hook.) Griseb. -Zigofiláceas - en San Luis, Argentina

Se estudió la germinación de semillas de Bulnesia retama frente a condiciones de estrés hídrico, simulado con PEG6000 a distintas temperaturas, y su recuperación ante el estrés. Las semillas recolectadas en San Luis (Argentina) se colocaron a germinar en bolsas de polietileno, con soluciones de PEG6000, para simular potenciales agua: 0 (Control con agua destilada); -0,25; -0,5; -0,75; -1; -1,25 y -1,5 MPa en estufa de cultivo y en oscuridad a temperaturas de 18º, 25º y 32 ºC. Las semillas que no germinaron ante el estrés simulado fueron lavadas y colocadas a germinar nuevamente en agua destilada a 25 ºC. Se registró el porcentaje y la velocidad de germinación de las semillas. Las semillas colocadas en agua destilada germinaron con porcentajes superiores al 70% en el rango de 18º a 32 ºC sin diferencias entre temperaturas. A 18 ºC, el porcentaje y la velocidad de germinación disminuyeron significativamente en todos los tratamientos con PEG, mientras que a 25 ºC la respuesta germinativa fue afectada a partir de -1 MPa. A 32 ºC la germinación no difirió del control en las primeras 48 horas hasta potenciales osmóticos de -1 MPa, pero luego la velocidad y porcentaje de germinación disminuyeron significativamente. El porcentaje de germinación en la recuperación después del estrés fue similar al porcentaje del control original, lo que demuestra que las semillas no germinan si no tienen determinadas condiciones hídricas y térmicas. Estos resultados pueden ser el resultado de la adaptación de la especie a las condiciones ambientales propias de la región.Se estudió la germinación de semillas de Bulnesia retama frente a condiciones de estrés hídrico, simulado con PEG6000 a distintas temperaturas, y su recuperación ante el estrés. Las semillas recolectadas en San Luis (Argentina) se colocaron a germinar en bolsas de polietileno, con soluciones de PEG6000, para simular potenciales agua: 0 (Control con agua destilada); -0,25; -0,5; -0,75; -1; -1,25 y -1,5 MPa en estufa de cultivo y en oscuridad a temperaturas de 18º, 25º y 32 ºC. Las semillas que no germinaron ante el estrés simulado fueron lavadas y colocadas a germinar nuevamente en agua destilada a 25 ºC. Se registró el porcentaje y la velocidad de germinación de las semillas. Las semillas colocadas en agua destilada germinaron con porcentajes superiores al 70% en el rango de 18º a 32 ºC sin diferencias entre temperaturas. A 18 ºC, el porcentaje y la velocidad de germinación disminuyeron significativamente en todos los tratamientos con PEG, mientras que a 25 ºC la respuesta germinativa fue afectada a partir de -1 MPa. A 32 ºC la germinación no difirió del control en las primeras 48 horas hasta potenciales osmóticos de -1 MPa, pero luego la velocidad y porcentaje de germinación disminuyeron significativamente. El porcentaje de germinación en la recuperación después del estrés fue similar al porcentaje del control original, lo que demuestra que las semillas no germinan si no tienen determinadas condiciones hídricas y térmicas. Estos resultados pueden ser el resultado de la adaptación de la especie a las condiciones ambientales propias de la región

Supernatants from lymphocytes stimulated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin can modify the antigenicity of tumours and stimulate allogeneic T-cell responses

BACKGROUND: Reduced expression of class 1 human leucocyte antigens (HLA1) is often a mechanism by which tumours evade surveillance by the host immune system. This is often associated with an immune function that is unable to mount appropriate responses against disease, which can result in a state that favours carcinogenesis. METHODS: In the current study, we have explored the effects of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) on the cytokine output of leucocytes, which is a key determinant in generating antitumour action, and have also assessed the effect of these cytokine cocktails on HLA1 expression in solid tumour cell lines. RESULTS: BCG potently activated a broad range of leucocytes, and also enhanced the production of cytokines that were Th(1)-predominant. Supernatants from BCG-treated leucocytes significantly increased the expression of HLA1 on the surface of cancer cell lines, which correlated with increased cytolytic T-cell activity. We also showed that the increased HLA1 expression was associated with activation of intracellular signalling pathways, which was triggered by the increases in the Th(1)-cytokines interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α, as counteracting their effects negated the enhancement. CONCLUSION: These studies reaffirm the role of BCG as a putative immunotherapy through their cytokine-modifying effects on leucocytes and their capacity to enhance tumour visibility

Photoelastic evaluation of fiber surface-treatments on the interfacial performance of a polyester fiber/epoxy model composite

The interfacial adhesion between a polyester fiber and an epoxy matrix was improved by chemical and topological modifications of the fiber surface. The maximum interfacial shear strength was measured using photoelasticity to assess the interfacial performance in pull-out single-fiber composite specimens. An increase of the interfacial shear strength was observed when plasma-treated or surface-modified fibers were used: also, as the applied load to the free fiber was increased, the fiber treatment caused a reduction of the debonded area at the fiber-matrix interface. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Education can improve the negative perception of a threatened long-lived scavenging bird, the Andean condor

Human-wildlife conflicts currently represent one of the main conservation problems for wildlife species around the world. Vultures have serious conservation concerns, many of which are related to people's adverse perception about them due to the belief that they prey on livestock. Our aim was to assess local perception and the factors influencing people's perception of the largest scavenging bird in South America, the Andean condor. For this, we interviewed 112 people from Valle Fértil, San Juan province, a rural area of central west Argentina. Overall, people in the area mostly have an elementary education, and their most important activity is livestock rearing. The results showed that, in general, most people perceive the Andean condor as an injurious species and, in fact, some people recognize that they still kill condors. We identified two major factors that affect this perception, the education level of villagers and their relationship with livestock ranching. Our study suggests that conservation of condors and other similar scavengers depends on education programs designed to change the negative perception people have about them. Such programs should be particularly focused on ranchers since they are the ones who have the worst perception of these scavengers. We suggest that highlighting the central ecological role of scavengers and recovering their cultural value would be fundamental to reverse their persecution and their negative perception by people.Fil: Cailly Arnulphi, Verónica Beatríz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera; ArgentinaFil: Lambertucci, Sergio Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Borghi, Carlos Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Juan. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera. Universidad Nacional de San Juan. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones de la Geosfera y Biosfera; Argentin

Neonatal retroauricular cellulitis as an indicator of group B streptococcal bacteremia: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The relation between cellulitis and Group B streptococcus infection in newborns and small infants was first reported during the early 1980s and named cellulitis-adenitis syndrome. We report a case of a neonate with cellulitis-adenitis syndrome in an unusual location (retroauricular).</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 21-day-old Caucasian female infant was brought to the emergency department with fever, irritability and a decreased appetite. Physical examination revealed erythema and painful, mild swelling in the right retroauricular region. The blood count and C-reactive protein level were normal. She was treated with ceftriaxone. The fever and irritability were resolved after 24 hours, and the cellulitis was clearly reduced after two days of hospitalization. Blood culture yielded Group B streptococcus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A thorough evaluation must be done, and lumbar punctures for infants with cellulitis must be considered. We emphasize the lack of data about acute phase reactants to predict bacteremia and meningitis and to adjust the duration of parenteral antibiotic therapy to address this syndrome.</p

Meanings given to algebraic symbolism in problem posing

Some errors in the learning of algebra suggest students have difficulties giving meaning to algebraic symbolism. In this paper, we use problem posing in order to analyze the students’ capacity to assign meaning to algebraic symbolism and the difficulties that students encounter in this process depending on the characteristics of the algebraic statements given. We designed a written questionnaire composed of eight closed algebraic statements expressed symbolically, which was administered to 55 students who had finished their compulsory education and that had some previous experience in problem posing. In our analysis of the data, we examine both syntactic and semantic structures of the problem posed. We note that in most cases students posed problems with syntactic structures different to those given. They did not include computations within variables, and changed the kinds of relationships connecting variables. Students easily posed problems for statements with additive structures. Other differences in the type of problems posed depend on the characteristics of the given statements

Neurological diseases as primary gliopathies: a reassessment of neurocentrism

Diseases of the human brain are almost universally attributed to malfunction or loss of nerve cells. However, a considerable amount of work has, during the last decade, expanded our view on the role of astrocytes in CNS (central nervous system), and this analysis suggests that astrocytes contribute to both initiation and propagation of many (if not all) neurological diseases. Astrocytes provide metabolic and trophic support to neurons and oligodendrocytes. Here, we shall endeavour a broad overviewing of the progress in the field and forward the idea that loss of homoeostatic astroglial function leads to an acute loss of neurons in the setting of acute insults such as ischaemia, whereas more subtle dysfunction of astrocytes over periods of months to years contributes to epilepsy and to progressive loss of neurons in neurodegenerative diseases. The majority of therapeutic drugs currently in clinical use target neuronal receptors, channels or transporters. Future therapeutic efforts may benefit by a stronger focus on the supportive homoeostatic functions of astrocytes

A systematic review on the excess health risk of antibiotic-resistant bloodstream infections for six key pathogens in Europe

Background Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, which requires novel intervention strategies, for which priority pathogens and settings need to be determined. Objectives We evaluated pathogen-specific excess health burden of drug-resistant bloodstream infections (BSIs) in Europe. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources MEDLINE, Embase, and grey literature for the period January 1990 to May 2022. Study eligibility criteria Studies that reported burden data for six key drug-resistant pathogens: carbapenem-resistant (CR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, third-generation cephalosporin or CR Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. Excess health outcomes compared with drug-susceptible BSIs or uninfected patients. For MRSA and third-generation cephalosporin E. coli and K. pneumoniae BSIs, five or more European studies were identified. For all others, the search was extended to high-income countries. Participants Paediatric and adult patients diagnosed with drug-resistant BSI. Interventions Not applicable. Assessment of risk of bias An adapted version of the Joanna-Briggs Institute assessment tool. Methods of data synthesis Random-effect models were used to pool pathogen-specific burden estimates. Results We screened 7154 titles, 1078 full-texts and found 56 studies on BSIs. Most studies compared outcomes of drug-resistant to drug-susceptible BSIs (46/56, 82.1%), and reported mortality (55/56 studies, 98.6%). The pooled crude estimate for excess all-cause mortality of drug-resistant versus drug-susceptible BSIs ranged from OR 1.31 (95% CI 1.03–1.68) for CR P. aeruginosa to OR 3.44 (95% CI 1.62–7.32) for CR K. pneumoniae. Pooled crude estimates comparing mortality to uninfected patients were available for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and MRSA BSIs (OR of 11.19 [95% CI 6.92–18.09] and OR 6.18 [95% CI 2.10–18.17], respectively). Conclusions Drug-resistant BSIs are associated with increased mortality, with the magnitude of the effect influenced by pathogen type and comparator. Future research should address crucial knowledge gaps in pathogen- and infection-specific burdens to guide development of novel interventions

Excess resource use and cost of drug-resistant infections for six key pathogens in Europe: a systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis

Background: Quantifying the resource use and cost of antimicrobial resistance establishes the magnitude of the problem and drives action. Objectives: Assessment of resource use and cost associated with infections with six key drug-resistant pathogens in Europe. Methods: A systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis. Data sources: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Econlit databases, and grey literature for the period 1 January 1990, to 21 June 2022. Study eligibility criteria: Resource use and cost outcomes (including excess length of stay, overall costs, and other excess in or outpatient costs) were compared between patients with defined antibiotic-resistant infections caused by carbapenem-resistant (CR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, CR or third-generation cephalosporin Escherichia coli (3GCREC) and Klebsiella pneumoniae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, and patients with drug-susceptible or no infection. Participants: All patients diagnosed with drug-resistant bloodstream infections (BSIs). Interventions: NA. Assessment of risk of bias: An adapted version of the Joanna Briggs Institute assessment tool, incorporating case-control, cohort, and economic assessment frameworks. Methods of data synthesis: Hierarchical Bayesian meta-analyses were used to assess pathogen-specific resource use estimates. Results: Of 5969 screened publications, 37 were included in the review. Data were sparse and heterogeneous. Most studies estimated the attributable burden by, comparing resistant and susceptible pathogens (32/37). Four studies analysed the excess cost of hospitalization attributable to 3GCREC BSIs, ranging from -€ 2465.50 to € 6402.81. Eight studies presented adjusted excess length of hospital stay estimates for methicillin-resistant S. aureus and 3GCREC BSIs (4 each) allowing for Bayesian hierarchical analysis, estimating means of 1.26 (95% credible interval [CrI], −0.72 to 4.17) and 1.78 (95% CrI, −0.02 to 3.38) days, respectively. Conclusions: Evidence on most cost and resource use outcomes and across most pathogen-resistance combinations was severely lacking. Given the importance of this evidence for rational policymaking, further research is urgently needed