Monitoring Patagonian Rangelands: The MARAS System

Rangelands in Patagonia have been managed with a lack of regulation since the introduction of sheep in the late 1880’s. Most rangelands are under private freehold in ‘estancias’ and the rest are public and managed by small subsistence-type farmers. Natural resources of rangelands are property of the provincial states according to the Constitution, but they have no mandate or resources to monitor their condition and public support funds have not been tied to proper management. Government agencies designed in the 1990’s two range evaluation systems hat have been applied extensively but they focus on short time - scale processes to allocate forage resources at the “estancia” scale. The need of a regional monitoring system to evaluate rangeland condition and trend is slowly being recognized by governments and farmers, and scientists of Patagonia have been discussing a possible unified methodology. The system has been named MARAS and is based on Australia’s WARMS (Holm 1998) and other similar methods. Lines of point interception and frequency samplers are used to evaluate herbaceous vegetation, Camfield lines to evaluate shrubs and patches, surface sampling, and estimates of soil condition. Ground observation points would be set one per cadastral unit (about 20.000 ha) and evaluated at five-year intervals. State funding has been obtained in 2004 to put in place the first monitors, and to design a web data base that would give selective access to the information to federal, provincial, or non-governmental institutions. The main challenge of the system is to assure funding through decades in order to assess long time-scale processes. We expect that ecocertification market requirements will induce farmers to support it, and that the new trend of public funding included in a new sheep promotion law will allow the system to continue.EEA Santa CruzFil: Oliva, Gabriel Esteban. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santa Cruz; Argentina.Fil: Oliva, Gabriel Esteban. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Unidad Académica Río Gallegos; Argentina.Fil: Escobar, Juan Maria. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Chubut; Argentina.Fil: Siffredi, Guillermo Lorenzo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentina.Fil: Salomone, Jorge Manuel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Chubut; Argentina.Fil: Buono, Gustavo Gabriel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Chubut; Argentina

Estresores adolescentes: Desarrollo de la versión española del Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ-S)

El propósito del presente trabajo es estudiar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ-S) para evaluar los estresores contemporáneos que experimenta la población adolescente entre 12 y 18 años.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Action of extracts obtained with organic solvents from Minthostachys verticillata(Griseb.) Epling on viability of Herpes simplex Type 1 virus (HSV-1)

It has demonstrated “in vitro” antimicrobial activity exerted by extracts from Minthostachys verticillata (peperina). Objective: Investigate antiviral action of organic extracts of peperina against Herpes simplex virus. Experimental: Vero cells and Herpes simplex virus type 1 strain KOS were used. Aerial vegetal parts of plant were submitted to sequential extraction with n-hexane, chloroform and methanol for 48 h at room temperature. Extracts n-hexanic (N-HE), chloroformic (CE) and methanolic (ME) were obtained. They were added on cell monolayers, and incubated for 48 h at 37°C. Cell viability was determinated by Neutral Red uptake (NRU) after treatment of cells with different concentrations of extracts (10-1000 μg/ml). The same method was performed to evaluate antiviral action exerted by N-HE (100-250 μg/ml), CE (100-500 μg/ml) and ME (range 80-200 μg/ml). Results and discussion: The three extracts showed dose-dependent cytotoxic activity on Vero cells with CC50 values: 502 μg/ml for CE, 244 μg/ml for N-HE and 192 μg/ml for ME. The replication of Herpes simplex virus type 1 “in vitro” was inhibited by each extract at non cytotoxic concentrations. The extracts showed selectivity of action because all concentrations tested inhibited more than 60% of viral production. The results are promising for future natural therapy antiherpetic.Fil: Sabini, Maria Carola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; ArgentinaFil: Cariddi, Laura Noelia. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Instituto de Biotecnologia Ambiental y Salud. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto de Biotecnologia Ambiental y Salud.; ArgentinaFil: Escobar, Franco Matias. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Aguilar, Juan Javier. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Tonn, Carlos Eugenio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Investigaciones en Tecnología Química; ArgentinaFil: Contigiani de Minio, Marta Silvia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología Dr. J. M. Vanella; ArgentinaFil: Sabini, Liliana Ines. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología; Argentin

Effects of astaxanthin in mice acutely infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

During Trypanosoma cruzi infection, oxidative stress is considered a contributing factor for dilated cardiomyopathy development. In this study, the effects of astaxanthin (ASTX) were evaluated as an alternative drug treatment for Chagas disease in a mouse model during the acute infection phase, given its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and anti-oxidative properties. ASTX was tested in vitro in parasites grown axenically and in co-culture with Vero cells. In vivo tests were performed in BALB/c mice (4–6 weeks old) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and supplemented with ASTX (10 mg/kg/day) and/or nifurtimox (NFMX; 100 mg/kg/day). Results show that ASTX has some detrimental effects on axenically cultured parasites, but not when cultured with mammalian cell monolayers. In vivo, ASTX did not have any therapeutic value against acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection, used either alone or in combination with NFMX. Infected animals treated with NFMX or ASTX/NFMX survived the experimental period (60 days), while infected animals treated only with ASTX died before day 30 post-infection. ASTX did not show any effect on the control of parasitemia; however, it was associated with an increment in focal heart lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, a reduced number of amastigote nests in cardiac tissue, and less hyperplasic spleen follicles when compared to control groups. Unexpectedly, ASTX showed a negative effect in infected animals co-treated with NFMX. An increment in parasitemia duration was observed, possibly due to ASTX blocking of free radicals, an antiparasitic mechanism of NFMX. In conclusion, astaxanthin is not recommended during the acute phase of Chagas disease, either alone or in combination with nifurtimox.CONACYT PROY NO. 000000000156701. (REGISTRO INTERNO UAEM 3326

Attachment Patterns Trigger Differential Neural Signature of Emotional Processing in Adolescents

Background: Research suggests that individuals with different attachment patterns process social information differently, especially in terms of facial emotion recognition. However, few studies have explored social information processes in adolescents. This study examined the behavioral and ERP correlates of emotional processing in adolescents with different attachment orientations (insecure attachment group and secure attachment group; IAG and SAG, respectively). This study also explored the association of these correlates to individual neuropsychological profiles. Methodology/Principal Findings We used a modified version of the dual valence task (DVT), in which participants classify stimuli (faces and words) according to emotional valence (positive or negative). Results showed that the IAG performed significantly worse than SAG on tests of executive function (EF attention, processing speed, visuospatial abilities and cognitive flexibility). In the behavioral DVT, the IAG presented lower performance and accuracy. The IAG also exhibited slower RTs for stimuli with negative valence. Compared to the SAG, the IAG showed a negative bias for faces; a larger P1 and attenuated N170 component over the right hemisphere was observed. A negative bias was also observed in the IAG for word stimuli, which was demonstrated by comparing the N170 amplitude of the IAG with the valence of the SAG. Finally, the amplitude of the N170 elicited by the facial stimuli correlated with EF in both groups (and negative valence with EF in the IAG). Conclusions/Significance: Our results suggest that individuals with different attachment patterns process key emotional information and corresponding EF differently. This is evidenced by an early modulation of ERP components’ amplitudes, which are correlated with behavioral and neuropsychological effects. In brief, attachments patterns appear to impact multiple domains, such as emotional processing and EFs

Spanish version of the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) applied to undergraduate physical therapy students in Spain using Google Form

[Intro] The educational climate (EC) is an important factor in determining the effectiveness and success of the curriculum in a school of medical sciences. The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire was used to assess EC in a competency-based curriculum in the physical therapy program analyzing the mean total, subscale, and item scores, as well as response rates. To carry out a psychometric evaluation of the Spanish-language version of the DREEM applied to undergraduate physical therapy students, a total of 671 students enrolled on Degrees in Physiotherapy at 22 faculties across public and private universities in Spainresponded to the DREEM questionnaire using Google Form. (...

PROTEIN DIGESTIBILITY OF CHIA SEED Salvia hispanica L

Las semillas de Chia (Salvia hispanica L) se ha consumido en México desde la época pre-hispanica, esta semilla se ha caracterizado recientemente como fuente excelente del ácido graso omega-3, como también de fibra, exhibe un buen equilibrio de aminoácidos, pero la información con respecto a su calidad de proteína es pobre. La digestibilidad de la proteína es un parámetro valioso para establecer la calidad de proteína, en la cual podría ser clasificado: alto, intermedio, y bajo. La digestibilidad de la proteína es influenciada por la composición de aminoácidos, elementos anti-fisiolo'gicos, fibra, pH, temperatura, molienda entre otros aspectos. El propósito del proyecto fue evaluar la digestibilidad in vitro de la proteína de la semilla del chia. El estudio analítico contemplo con cuatro muestras que recibieron diversos tratamientos: el tostar, moliendo (harina), tostando más moler, el empapar en agua; uno fue dejado sin el tratamiento. Para todas las muestras, la digestibilidad de la proteína fue evaluada por el método de la pepsina. La muestra de la semilla del chia que se trató con moler consiguió una cuenta baja de la digestibilidad (79.8%). El resto de las muestras no consiguió ninguna clasificación de la digestibilidad. Solamente el tratamiento que fue molida mejoró la digestibilidad. La cantidad de fibra habría podido influenciar la digestibilidad de la proteína. Es necesario continuar estudiando la digestibilidad de la semilla del chia conjuntamente con otros granos y leguminoso, y las recomendaciones serían comer el chia en la combinación para mejorar su digestibilidad.Palabras clave: Digestibilidad de proteína; semillas de chía, Salvia hispanica LDigestibility protein, chia seed Salvia hispanica

Semaglutida en enfermedad renal diabética: Experiencia en dos programas de salud renal en Colombia

Contexto: la semaglutida ha mostrado beneficios renales en estudios previos, sin embargo, su eficacia y su seguridad en pacientes con enfermedad renal diabética en población latinoamericana ha sido escasamente estudiada. Objetivo: detallar los resultados clínicos y evaluar la eficacia y la seguridad glucémica y renal de la semaglutida en pacientes con ERD durante seis meses de seguimiento. Metodología: estudio observacional retrospectivo en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) y compromiso renal, con hemoglobina glicada (HbA1c) entre 7,5 y 10?%, tratados con semaglutida subcutánea durante seis meses. Resultados: 30 pacientes de edades entre 63 y 75 años, donde el 60?% eran mujeres. Duración de DM2: 10 años, la HbA1c basal promedio fue de 8,3?% (7,5-10?%), relación albuminuria/creatinuria en orina ocasional (RAC) 76,6 mg/g (8,8-670 mg/g), creatinina 1,5 mg/dl (0,85-1,87 mg/dl), tasa de filtración glomerular estimada (TFGe) 43,5 ml/min (28,0-94.0 ml/min). Se encontró una significancia estadística en la disminución de la HbA1c con mediana a los tres meses de 7,2?% (RIC: 6,5-7,9) y a los seis meses de 6,8?% (RIC: 6,3-7,4). En el análisis de subgrupos, en pacientes con albuminuria A3, el promedio fue igual a 816 mg/g (612-1670 mg/g) y se evidenció una disminución estadísticamente significativa con mediana a los tres meses de 754 mg/g (RIC: 514-1450 mg/g) y a los seis meses de 310 mg/g (RIC: 258-340 mg/g), p = 0,0060. No se obtuvieron resultados estadísticamente significativos en cuanto a la mejoría de la presión arterial (PA), el peso y el control de lípidos. Conclusiones: en la práctica clínica de la vida real, la semaglutida demostró ser un fármaco eficaz y seguro para el adecuado control glicémico de los pacientes con enfermedad renal diabética, demostrando también una reducción de albuminuria en pacientes con categoría A3

Brain signatures of moral sensitivity in adolescents with early social deprivation

The present study examined neural responses associated with moral sensitivity in adolescents with a background of early social deprivation. Using high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG), brain activity was measured during an intentional inference task, which assesses rapid moral decision-making regarding intentional or unintentional harm to people and objects.Wecompared the responses to this task in a socially deprived group (DG) with that of a control group (CG). The event-related potentials (ERPs) results showed atypical early and late frontal cortical markers associated with attribution of intentionality during moral decision-making in DG (especially regarding intentional harm to people). The source space of the hdEEG showed reduced activity for DG compared with CG in the right prefrontal cortex, bilaterally in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and right insula. Moreover, the reduced response in vmPFC for DG was predicted by higher rates of externalizing problems. These findings demonstrate the importance of the social environment in early moral development, supporting a prefrontal maturation model of social deprivation.Fil: Escobar, Maria Josefina. Universidad Católica de Chile; Chile. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Huepe, David. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Decety, Jean. University of Chicago; Estados UnidosFil: Sedeño, Lucas. Universidad Diego Portales; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; ArgentinaFil: Messow, Marie Kristin. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Báez Buitrago, Sandra Jimena. Universidad Diego Portales; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; ArgentinaFil: Rivera, Alvaro. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Canales, Andres. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Morales, Juan Pablo. Universidad Diego Portales; ChileFil: Gómez, David Maximiliano. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Schroeder, Johannes. Universitats Klinikum; AlemaniaFil: Manes, Facundo Francisco. Universidad Diego Portales; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, Vladimir. Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Ibanez Barassi, Agustin Mariano. Universidad Diego Portales; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Neurociencia Cognitiva; Argentina. Universidad Autonoma del Caribe; Colombi