38 research outputs found
Spatial variability, structure and composition of crustose algal communities in Diadema africanum barrens
Crustose algal communities were studied in
Diadema africanum urchin barrens around Tenerife (Canary Islands, NE Atlantic). A hierarchical nested sampling
design was used to study patterns of community variability
at different spatial scales (sectors, three sides of the island;
sites within each sector, 5â10 km apart; stations within
each site, 50â100 m apart). Although noncrustose species
contributed the most to community richness, cover was
dominated by crustose forms, like the coralline algae Hydrolithon farinosum, H. samoešnse, H. onkodes, Neogoniolithon orotavicum and N. hirtum, and the phaeophycean
Pseudolithoderma adriaticum. The structure of these
communities showed high spatial variability, and we found
differences in the structure of urchin barrens when compared across different spatial scales. Multivariate analysis
showed that variability in community structure was related
to the five environmental variables studied (wave exposure,
urchin density, substrate roughness, productivity and
depth). Wave exposure was the variable that contributed
most to community variability, followed by urchin density
and substrate roughness. Productivity and depth had limited influence. The effects of these variables differed depending on the spatial scale; wave exposure and productivity were the main variables influencing community
changes at the largest scale (between different sectors of
the island), while D. africanum density, roughness and
depth were the most influential at medium and small scales
Repeat cryoablation as a redo procedure for atrial fibrillation ablation: Is it a good choice?
Background: Ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF), both cryoablation ablation (CBA) and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), have demonstrated to be safe and effective. About 1 in 3 patients may face a redo due to recurrence and the best technique is unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of CBA as a repeat procedure in patients with prior CBA or RFCA. Methods: A nation-wide CBA registry (RECABA) was analyzed and patients were compared who had previously undergone CBA (Prior-CB) or RFCA (Prior-RF). The primary endpoint was AF recurrence at 12 months after a 3-month blanking period. A survival analysis was performed, univariate and multivariate Cox models were also built. Results: Seventy-four patients were included. Thirty-three (44.6%) were in the Prior-CB group and 41 (55.4%) in the Prior-RF. There were more reconnected pulmonary veins in the Prior-RF than in Prior-CB group (40.4% vs.16.5%, p = 0.0001). The 12-month KaplanâMeier estimate of freedom from AF recurrence after the blanking period was 61.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 41.4â75.8%) in the Prior-CB, and 89.2% (95% CI 73.6â95.9%) in the Prior-RF group (p = 0.002). Â Multivariate Cox regression pointed Prior-CB as the sole independent predictor of AF recurrence, with an adjusted HR of 2.67 (95% CI 1.05â6.79). Conclusions: Repeat CBA shows higher rates of AF recurrences compared to CBA after a previous RFCA despite presenting less reconnected veins at the procedure. These data suggest that patients with AF recurrence after CBA may benefit from other ablation techniques after a recurrence. RECABA is registered at clinicaltrials.gov with the Unique Identifier NCT02785991
The genetic ancestry of American Creole cattle inferred from uniparental and autosomal genetic markers
Cattle imported from the Iberian Peninsula spread throughout America in the early years of discovery and colonization to originate Creole breeds, which adapted to a wide diversity of environments and later received influences from other origins, including zebu cattle in more recent years. We analyzed uniparental genetic markers and autosomal microsatellites in DNA samples from 114 cattle breeds distributed worldwide, including 40 Creole breeds representing the whole American continent, and samples from the Iberian Peninsula, British islands, Continental Europe, Africa and American zebu. We show that Creole breeds differ considerably from each other, and most have their own identity or group with others from neighboring regions. Results with mtDNA indicate that T1c-lineages are rare in Iberia but common in Africa and are well represented in Creoles from Brazil and Colombia, lending support to a direct African influence on Creoles. This is reinforced by the sharing of a unique Y-haplotype between cattle from Mozambique and Creoles from Argentina. Autosomal microsatellites indicate that Creoles occupy an intermediate position between African and European breeds, and some Creoles show a clear Iberian signature. Our results confirm the mixed ancestry of American Creole cattle and the role that African cattle have played in their development
The genetic ancestry of american creole cattle inferred from uniparental and autosomal genetic markers.
Cattle imported from the Iberian Peninsula spread throughout America in the early years of discovery and colonization to originate Creole breeds, which adapted to a wide diversity of environments and later received influences from other origins, including zebu cattle in more recent years. We analyzed uniparental genetic markers and autosomal microsatellites in DNA samples from 114 cattle breeds distributed worldwide, including 40 Creole breeds representing the whole American continent, and samples from the Iberian Peninsula, British islands, Continental Europe, Africa and American zebu. We show that Creole breeds differ considerably from each other, and most have their own identity or group with others from neighboring regions. Results with mtDNA indicate that T1c-lineages are rare in Iberia but common in Africa and are well represented in Creoles from Brazil and Colombia, lending support to a direct African influence on Creoles. This is reinforced by the sharing of a unique Y-haplotype between cattle from Mozambique and Creoles from Argentina. Autosomal microsatellites indicate that Creoles occupy an intermediate position between African and European breeds, and some Creoles show a clear Iberian signature. Our results confirm the mixed ancestry of American Creole cattle and the role that African cattle have played in their development
Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world
Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality.
Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States.
Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis.
Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection
Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Actas de las V Jornadas ScienCity 2022. Fomento de la Cultura CientĂfica, TecnolĂłgica y de InnovaciĂłn en Ciudades Inteligentes
ScienCity es una actividad que viene siendo continuada desde 2018 con el objetivo de dar a conocer los conocimientos y tecnologĂas emergentes siendo investigados en las universidades, informar de experiencias, servicios e iniciativas puestas ya en marcha por instituciones y empresas, llegar hasta decisores polĂticos que podrĂan crear sinergias, incentivar la creaciĂłn de ideas y posibilidades de desarrollo conjuntas, implicar y provocar la participaciĂłn ciudadana, asĂ como gestar una red internacional multidisciplinar de investigadores que garantice la continuaciĂłn de futuras ediciones. En 2022 se recibieron un total de 48 trabajos repartidos en 25 ponencias y 24 pĂłsteres pertenecientes a 98 autores de 14 instituciones distintas de España, Portugal, Polonia y PaĂses Bajos.FundaciĂłn Española para la Ciencia y la TecnologĂa-Ministerio de Ciencia, InnovaciĂłn y Universidades; ConsejerĂa de la Presidencia, AdministraciĂłn PĂșblica e Interior de la Junta de AndalucĂa; Estrategia de PolĂtica de InvestigaciĂłn y Transferencia de la Universidad de Huelva; CĂĄtedra de InnovaciĂłn Social de Aguas de Huelva; CĂĄtedra de la Provincia; Grupo de investigaciĂłn TEP-192 de Control y RobĂłtica; Centro de InvestigaciĂłn en TecnologĂa, EnergĂa y Sostenibilidad (CITES