Effects of Phragmites australis growth on nitrogen retention in a temporal stream

En los últimos años, en el SE ibérico con el incremento de la superficie de regadío, se ha producido un crecimiento masivo de las poblaciones de Phragmites australis que terminan invadiendo por completo las ramblas y en general los cauces de aguas superficiales. Esta situación lleva consigo la transformación física de los cauces, modificando muchas características implicadas en los procesos bióticos y abióticos de retención de N. En este estudio testamos la hipótesis de que la ocupación de los cauces por Phragmites australis afecta negativamente a la retención de N. Así comparamos las tasas de retención (%R)de N − NO−3 y N − NH+4 en diferentes subtramos de una misma rambla: un subtramo no vegetado (238 m2) y dos subtramos vegetados que diferían en superfície (480 m2 y 910 m2). Los resultados demostraron que las eficacias de retención (%R) para ambos solutos fueron superiores en el tramo no vegetado. Aunque no existen resultados concluyentes parece intuirse que estas diferencias fueron más acusadas fuera del periodo vegetativo del heófito, mientras que en los meses de primavera y verano pudiera ocurrir un incremento de las tasas de retención en los tramos vegetados. Así mismo, la capacidad de los subtramos para la retención de N-nitrato, mostró una clara dependencia de los aportes de nitrógeno, disminuyendo conforme la carga de nitrógeno aumenta. Sin embargo, el tramo no vegetado mostró una mayor capacidad de carga que el tramo vegetado de mayor superfície y este que el tramo vegetado de menor superfície. Este estudio pone de manifiesto que la ocupación de los cauces por Phragmites australis, fenómeno generalizado en muchas partes del mundo, no sólo puede suponer cambios en la estructura de la vegetación y la fauna de las ramblas sino que también afectar a su funcionamiento y muy especialmente a un proceso clave implicado en la calidad de las aguas como es la eliminación del nitrógenoIn recent years in Southeast Spain with the increase in irrigated land surface, there has been a massive growth number of Phragmites australis populations which ended up invading completely the intermittent streams (ramblas) and the shallow water channels in general. This situation brings forth the physical transformation of the channels, thus modifying many characteristics implicated in the biotic and abiotic processes involved in nitrogen retention. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the channel invasion by Phragmites australis negatively affects nitrogen retention. Therefore, we compared the retention rates ( %R) of NO−3− N and NH+4− N in different subreaches of the same temporal stream: a unvegetated subreach (238 m2), and two vegetated subreaches that differed in surface areas (480 m2 and 910 m2). The results showed that the retention efficiency ( %R) for both solutes were higher in the unvegetated subreach. Although there are no conclusive results, it seems that the differences were more important outside the vegetated period of the helophytes, while during the spring-summer period an increase of the retention rates in the vegetated subreaches could occur. In the same way, the capacity of the subreaches for N-nitrate retention, showed a clear dependency of the nitrogen inputs, decreasing as the nitrogen load increases. However, the unvegetated subreach showed a greater load capacity than the vegetated subreach with larger surface, and this one, greater than the vegetated subreach with the smaller surface. This study reveals that channel invasion by Phragmites australis, a generalized phenomenon in many parts of the world, not only can bring about changes in the structure of the vegetation and the fauna in the streams, but can also affect its function, and especially a key process involved in water quality, such as nitrogen eliminatio

Heterologous Expression of a Plant Small Heat-Shock Protein Enhances Escherichia Coli Viability under Heat And Cold Stress Ref.: 1

A small heat-shock protein (sHSP) that shows molecular chaperone activity in vitro was recently purified from mature chestnut (Castanea sativa) cotyledons. This protein, renamed here as CsHSP17.5, belongs to cytosolic class I, as revealed by cDNA sequencing and immunoelectron microscopy. Recombinant CsHSP17.5 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli to study its possible function under stress conditions. Upon transfer from 37°C to 50°C, a temperature known to cause cell autolysis, those cells that accumulated CsHSP17.5 showed improved viability compared with control cultures. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of cell lysates suggested that such a protective effect in vivo is due to the ability of recombinant sHSP to maintain soluble cytosolic proteins in their native conformation, with little substrate specificity. To test the recent hypothesis that sHSPs may be involved in protection against cold stress, we also studied the viability of recombinant cells at 4°C. Unlike the major heat-induced chaperone, GroEL/ES, the chestnut sHSP significantly enhanced cell survivability at this temperature. CsHSP17.5 thus represents an example of a HSP capable of protecting cells against both thermal extremes. Consistent with these findings, high-level induction of homologous transcripts was observed in vegetative tissues of chestnut plantlets exposed to either type of thermal stress but not salt stres

Equity and patient autonomy in the care strategies for patients with chronic disease of health services in Spain

Objetivo Analizar los modelos de atención a pacientes crónicos de los distintos servicios de salud en España y discutir las cuestiones éticas derivadas de la aplicación de algunos de sus componentes. Método Revisión narrativa de las estrategias y de los programas de atención a pacientes crónicos y el estudio de sus componentes, a partir de la búsqueda en las páginas web de las consejerías y departamentos de sanidad, utilizando los términos “Programas”, “Estrategias”, “Pacientes crónicos” y “Cronicidad”. Resultados Se encontraron 15 programas. En la mayoría se incluyen todos los componentes de los modelos de atención a pacientes crónicos, siendo el «apoyo a la toma de decisiones» el menos representado. Los principales conflictos en la autonomía de los pacientes surgen por el uso de bigdata para estratificar a la población y la telemonitorización. La estratificación de la población no considera los factores sociales que acompañan a la enfermedad. Conclusiones Las estrategias de atención a pacientes crónicos deberían considerar la autonomía y la intimidad de los pacientes en el uso de los datos clínicos y la telemonitorización. Para ser equitativas, deberían prestar una atención integrada e incorporar medidas para reducir las desigualdades debidas a los determinantes sociales que acompañan a la enfermedad.Objective To examine the chronic care models of the different Spanish health services and to discuss the ethical questions derived from implementing some of their components. Method Narrative review of care strategies and programmes for chronic patients in the different Autonomous Communities, searching in official health departments’ web pages, using the terms “Programmes”, “Strategies”, “Chronic patients”, and “Chronicity”. Results 15 programmes were found. Most of them include all components of the chronic care model, “decision-making support” being under-represented. The main conflicts in the autonomy of patients arise from the use of big data to stratify the population and from telemonitoring. The stratification of population does not consider the social factors that accompany the disease. Conclusions Chronic care strategies should consider the autonomy and privacy of patients in the use of clinical data and telemonitoring. In order to be equitable, they would have to provide an integrated health care system, incorporating measures to reduce the inequalities due to the social determinants that accompany the disease

Aplicabilidad de las herramientas de ayuda a la toma de decisiones compartidas en los servicios de urgencias: una revisión exploratoria

Fundamentos: Las herramientas de ayuda en la toma de decisiones (HATD) han sido muy utilizadas en las enfermedades crónicas, pero existen pocos estudios sobre su utilidad en los servicios de urgencias. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la utilización de las HATD en los servicios de urgencias. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión exploratoria. Se realizaron búsquedas de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados y controlados, revisiones sistemáticas y otros estudios secundarios donde se utilizaran las HATD para la asistencia a pacientes de cualquier edad en los servicios de urgencias, entre el 1 de enero de 2012 y el 1 de agosto de 2019. Dos revisores examinaron y seleccionaron los estudios. Se utilizaron las siguientes bases de datos: Pubmed, Embase, Web Of Science, Cuiden, Patient Decision Aids Research Group IPDAS Collaboration, Cochrane, Centres for Reviews and Dissemination, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Guidelines International Network. Resultados: Se incluyeron doce estudios, de calidad metodológica moderada-baja. Los pacientes del Grupo de Intervención (GI) tenían mayor conocimiento de la enfermedad (=3,6 frente a 3 preguntas correctas y =4,2 frente a 3,6) y más implicación en las decisiones (puntuación en OPTION: 26,6 contra 7 y 18,3 contra 7). El conflicto se redujo en el GI en las decisiones sobre pruebas de imagen en el traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) (=14,8 frente a 19,2). En el GI era menos frecuente el ingreso para realizar una prueba de esfuerzo en casos de dolor torácico de bajo riesgo (58% contra 77%; IC95%=6%-31%, y 37% contra 52%; p<0,001). Cuando se utilizaba una HATD en niños con diarrea o vómitos, en el 80% la decisión era seguir una rehidratación oral frente al 61% en el GC (p=0,001). Conclusiones: Las HATD en los servicios de urgencias mejoran el conocimiento de los pacientes sobre la enfermedad y la participación en los cuidados. Se necesitan más estudios para desarrollar HATD en los servicios de urgenciasBackground: Decision aid tools (DAT) have been widely used in chronic diseases, but there are few studies on their usefulness in emergency departments. The objective of this study was to analyse the applicability of DAT in emergency services. Methods: An exploratory review was conducted. Between January 1, 2012 and August 1, 2019, searches of randomised and controlled clinical trials, systematic reviews and other secondary studies where DAT are used to assist patients of any age in emergency services were conducted. The databases used were: Pubmed, Embase, Web Of Science, Cuiden, Patient Decision Aids Research Group IPDAS Collaboration, Cochrane, Centres for Reviews and Dissemination, National Guideline Clearinghouse, Guidelines International Network. Two reviewers analysed and selected the studies. Results: Twelve studies of moderate-low quality were included. The patients in the intervention group (IG) were more aware of their illness (=3.6 vs 3 correct answers and =4.2 vs 3.6), and more involved in the decisions (score in OPTION: 26.6 vs 7 and 18.3 vs 7). The conflict was reduced in the IG regarding those imaging tests in the TBI (traumatic brain injury; =14.8 vs 19.2). In the IG, admittance to perform effort tests was reduced in low-risk chest pain (58% vs 77%; CI95%=6%-31%, 37% vs 52%; p<0.001). When DAT were used in children with diarrhoea or vomiting, in 80% of the cases the decision was to use oral rehydration against 61% in the control group (CG, p=0.001). Conclusions: DAT in emergency services improve patient’s knowledge about the disease and their participation in care. More studies are needed to develop DAT in emergency service

Estrategias docentes para la integración de estudiantes chinos y para el desarrollo de competencias relacionadas con la atención a la diversidad y el respeto a los Derechos Humanos

Memoria ID-0075. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2017-2018

InnovÁvila: Propuestas de innovación en la Escuela Universitaria de Educación y Turismo de Ávila para la excelencia docente

Memoria ID-038. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2018-2019

A systematic review of progranulin concentrations in biofluids in over 7,000 people—assessing the pathogenicity of GRN mutations and other influencing factors

Background: Pathogenic heterozygous mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are a key cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), leading to significantly reduced biofluid concentrations of the progranulin protein (PGRN). This has led to a number of ongoing therapeutic trials aiming to treat this form of FTD by increasing PGRN levels in mutation carriers. However, we currently lack a complete understanding of factors that affect PGRN levels and potential variation in measurement methods. Here, we aimed to address this gap in knowledge by systematically reviewing published literature on biofluid PGRN concentrations. Methods: Published data including biofluid PGRN concentration, age, sex, diagnosis and GRN mutation were collected for 7071 individuals from 75 publications. The majority of analyses (72%) had focused on plasma PGRN concentrations, with many of these (56%) measured with a single assay type (Adipogen) and so the influence of mutation type, age at onset, sex, and diagnosis were investigated in this subset of the data. Results: We established a plasma PGRN concentration cut-off between pathogenic mutation carriers and non-carriers of 74.8 ng/mL using the Adipogen assay based on 3301 individuals, with a CSF concentration cut-off of 3.43 ng/mL. Plasma PGRN concentration varied by GRN mutation type as well as by clinical diagnosis in those without a GRN mutation. Plasma PGRN concentration was significantly higher in women than men in GRN mutation carriers (p = 0.007) with a trend in non-carriers (p = 0.062), and there was a significant but weak positive correlation with age in both GRN mutation carriers and non-carriers. No significant association was seen with weight or with TMEM106B rs1990622 genotype. However, higher plasma PGRN levels were seen in those with the GRN rs5848 CC genotype in both GRN mutation carriers and non-carriers. Conclusions: These results further support the usefulness of PGRN concentration for the identification of the large majority of pathogenic mutations in the GRN gene. Furthermore, these results highlight the importance of considering additional factors, such as mutation type, sex and age when interpreting PGRN concentrations. This will be particularly important as we enter the era of trials for progranulin-associated FTD.</p

Simulating rewetting events in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams: a global analysis of leached nutrients and organic matter

Climate change and human pressures are changing the global distribution and extent of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES), which comprise half of the global river network area. IRES are characterized by periods of flow cessation, during which channel substrates accumulate and undergo physico‐chemical changes (preconditioning), and periods of flow resumption, when these substrates are rewetted and release pulses of dissolved nutrients and organic matter (OM). However, there are no estimates of the amounts and quality of leached substances, nor is there information on the underlying environmental constraints operating at the global scale. We experimentally simulated, under standard laboratory conditions, rewetting of leaves, riverbed sediments, and epilithic biofilms collected during the dry phase across 205 IRES from five major climate zones. We determined the amounts and qualitative characteristics of the leached nutrients and OM, and estimated their areal fluxes from riverbeds. In addition, we evaluated the variance in leachate characteristics in relation to selected environmental variables and substrate characteristics. We found that sediments, due to their large quantities within riverbeds, contribute most to the overall flux of dissolved substances during rewetting events (56‐98%), and that flux rates distinctly differ among climate zones. Dissolved organic carbon, phenolics, and nitrate contributed most to the areal fluxes. The largest amounts of leached substances were found in the continental climate zone, coinciding with the lowest potential bioavailability of the leached organic matter. The opposite pattern was found in the arid zone. Environmental variables expected to be modified under climate change (i.e. potential evapotranspiration, aridity, dry period duration, land use) were correlated with the amount of leached substances, with the strongest relationship found for sediments. These results show that the role of IRES should be accounted for in global biogeochemical cycles, especially because prevalence of IRES will increase due to increasing severity of drying events

Simulating rewetting events in intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams: A global analysis of leached nutrients and organic matter

Climate change and human pressures are changing the global distribution and the ex‐ tent of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES), which comprise half of the global river network area. IRES are characterized by periods of flow cessation, during which channel substrates accumulate and undergo physico‐chemical changes (precon‐ ditioning), and periods of flow resumption, when these substrates are rewetted and release pulses of dissolved nutrients and organic matter (OM). However, there are no estimates of the amounts and quality of leached substances, nor is there information on the underlying environmental constraints operating at the global scale. We experi‐ mentally simulated, under standard laboratory conditions, rewetting of leaves, river‐ bed sediments, and epilithic biofilms collected during the dry phase across 205 IRES from five major climate zones. We determined the amounts and qualitative character‐ istics of the leached nutrients and OM, and estimated their areal fluxes from riverbeds. In addition, we evaluated the variance in leachate characteristics in relation to selected environmental variables and substrate characteristics. We found that sediments, due to their large quantities within riverbeds, contribute most to the overall flux of dis‐ solved substances during rewetting events (56%–98%), and that flux rates distinctly differ among climate zones. Dissolved organic carbon, phenolics, and nitrate contrib‐ uted most to the areal fluxes. The largest amounts of leached substances were found in the continental climate zone, coinciding with the lowest potential bioavailability of the leached OM. The opposite pattern was found in the arid zone. Environmental vari‐ ables expected to be modified under climate change (i.e. potential evapotranspiration, aridity, dry period duration, land use) were correlated with the amount of leached sub‐ stances, with the strongest relationship found for sediments. These results show that the role of IRES should be accounted for in global biogeochemical cycles, especially because prevalence of IRES will increase due to increasing severity of drying event