Changes to Physical Activity, Sitting Time, Eating Behaviours and Barriers to Exercise during the First COVID-19 ‘Lockdown’ in an English Cohort

© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)This study aimed to determine the effect of the first English national COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity (PA), sitting time, eating behaviours and body mass in an adult cohort. This was further examined to determine whether conforming to recommended guidelines on PA and sedentary behaviour was improved. Based on an online survey (n = 818) incorporating the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), self-reported body mass change showed that in 32.2% of participants body mass increased, with 39.1% reporting an increase in food intake. Never exercising at the gym or undertaking an exercise class (online or live), increased by 50.8% during lockdown, with 53.5% changing from exercising frequently to never exercising, suggesting a lack of engagement with online and home workouts. However, outdoor running and cycling >2 times/week increased by 38% during lockdown. Walking at least 30 min continuously on >2 occasions/week increased by 70% during lockdown with minimum 10-min walks on 7 days per week increasing by 23%. The lockdown had a negative impact on sitting time (>8 h a day), which increased by 43.6% on weekdays and 121% at weekends. Furthermore, sitting 4 h/day decreased during lockdown (46.5% and 25.6% for weekdays and weekends, respectively). Those citing tiredness or lack of time as a barrier to exercise reduced by 16% and 60%, respectively, from pre-lockdown to during lockdown. More of the sedentary group met the Public Health England PA recommendations, however most participants still did not meet the UK Government guidelines for PA. Improvements in health per additional minutes of physical activity will be proportionately greater in those previously doing 30 min/week, the area where most improvements were found although, conversely sitting time was greatly increased. This study may assist in informing whether future lifestyle changes could improve the health of the population.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Quadricuspid Aortic Valve Defined by Echocardiography and Cardiac Computed Tomography

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Primer registro de la sanguijuela Oxyptychus inexpectatus depredando sobre Pleurodema somuncurense y Rhinella arenarum en la Meseta de Somuncura, Río Negro, Argentina

Fil: Velasco, Melina Alicia. División Herpetología. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Gullo, Bettina Sandra. Cátedra de Zoología Invertebrados I. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Kacoliris, Federico Pablo. División Herpetología. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Kass, Camila Alejandra. División Herpetología. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Carrera, Joaquín Daniel. División Herpetología. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; Argentin

Diet of critically endangered Valcheta frog, Pleurodema somuncurense (Anura: Leptodactylidae), in the Somuncura Plateau, Patagonia, Argentina

In this work, we studied the diet of Pleurodema somuncurense and assessed selection patterns based on resource availability of terrestrial and aquatic prey items. We discuss potential implications for the current conservation status of this species and for management actions conducted with this species. Pleurodema somuncurense is endemic to the Valcheta Stream, Somuncura Plateau, Patagonia, Argentina. The conservation status of this frog is Critically Endangered, according to the IUCN red list. Our analysis frameworkwas based on assessing the diet composition in frogs through stomach flushing technique versus prey availability in the habitat. We also estimated the relative importance for each consumed prey. Of the 55 sampled individuals, we found identifiable contents in 47 stomachs.Our results showed that diet sample is composed of 179 prey items, most of them arthropods, including aquatic and terrestrial preys. The highest IRI was for Diptera (mostly from Family Tipulidae), Lepidoptera (Family Tineidae), Amphipoda (Family Hyalellidae), Araneae (mostly from Family Linyphiidae) and Isopoda (Family Armadillidiidae). The highest volumetric percentage was for Lepidoptera and Diptera. The use versus availability test showed active prey selection of P. somuncurense for Armadillidium isopods, and rejection of several prey items, particularly ants that were the most abundant terrestrial item. This dependence on terrestrial preys makes P. somuncurense susceptible to the ndirect effect on land use that affect prey availability, at least on aestival months when diet samples were taken.Fil: Velasco, Melina Alicia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; ArgentinaFil: Akmentins, Mauricio Sebastián. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Kass, Camila Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Chilecito. Departamento de Ciencias Basicas y Tecnologicas; ArgentinaFil: Williams, Jorge Daniel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Kacoliris, Federico Pablo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentin

A management strategy for the long-term conservation of the Endangered sand-dune lizard <i>Liolaemus multimaculatus</i> in the Pampean coastal dunes of Argentina

The sand-dune lizard Liolaemus multimaculatus is an Endangered species endemic to the Pampean coastal dunes of Argentina. To inform the development of a future Action Plan for this species, we investigated the demography and conservation status of all remaining populations, and we suggest management actions appropriate to local needs. We used population viability analysis to assess extinction risk in three inbreeding scenarios and estimate the minimum viable population and the minimum area requirement. To assess the current status of each local population, we used information related to population size, human pressure and connectivity. The results were then used to set and prioritize conservation management actions at local level. Our models indicated that populations of > 2,400 individuals would be viable in the long term and that inbreeding depression has a strong effect on extinction risk. The southern patches of coastal dune contain the largest populations of sand-dune lizards, and they are also better connected and less threatened. We suggest land protection as the priority management action for populations larger than the minimum viable population, whereas habitat recovery, when possible, should be the priority for patches of coastal dune smaller than the minimum area requirement. Supplementation with a small number of individuals could stabilize unviable populations but should be considered only in certain situations.The long-term conservation of the sand-dune lizard will be feasible only if a conservation action plan is developed and implemented.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Lifespan extension and the doctrine of double effect

Recent developments in biogerontology—the study of the biology of ageing—suggest that it may eventually be possible to intervene in the human ageing process. This, in turn, offers the prospect of significantly postponing the onset of age-related diseases. The biogerontological project, however, has met with strong resistance, especially by deontologists. They consider the act of intervening in the ageing process impermissible on the grounds that it would (most probably) bring about an extended maximum lifespan—a state of affairs that they deem intrinsically bad. In a bid to convince their deontological opponents of the permissibility of this act, proponents of biogerontology invoke an argument which is grounded in the doctrine of double effect. Surprisingly, their argument, which we refer to as the ‘double effect argument’, has gone unnoticed. This article exposes and critically evaluates this ‘double effect argument’. To this end, we first review a series of excerpts from the ethical debate on biogerontology in order to substantiate the presence of double effect reasoning. Next, we attempt to determine the role that the ‘double effect argument’ is meant to fulfil within this debate. Finally, we assess whether the act of intervening in ageing actually can be justified using double effect reasoning

Developing a Comprehensive Pesticide Health Effects Tracking System for an Urban Setting: New York City’s Approach

In recent years, there have been substantial investments and improvements in federal and state surveillance systems to track the health effects from pesticide exposure. These surveillance systems help to identify risk factors for occupational exposure to pesticides, patterns in poisonings, clusters of disease, and populations at risk of exposure from pesticide use. Data from pesticide use registries and recent epidemiologic evidence pointing to health risks from urban residential pesticide use make a strong case for understanding better the sale, application, and use of pesticides in cities. In this article, we describe plans for the development of a pesticide tracking system for New York City that will help to elucidate where and why pesticides are used, potential risks to varied populations, and the health consequences of their use. The results of an inventory of data sources are presented along with a description of their relevance to pesticide tracking. We also discuss practical, logistical, and methodologic difficulties of linking multiple secondary data sources with different levels of person, place, and time descriptors

ECOLOGÍA ESPACIAL, DINÁMICA POBLACIONAL Y CONSERVACIÓN DE LA RANA MANCHADA DE SOMUNCURÁ ATELOGNATHUS REVERBERII (CEI 1969)

El objetivo general de mi tesis es estudiar la ecología espacial y demografía de la Rana Manchada de Somuncurá, Atelognathus reverberii (Cei, 1969) con el fin de profundizar el conocimiento de base sobre su bio-ecología, actualizar su estado de conservación y evaluar el efecto de las principales amenazas sobre la viabilidad de la especie a largo plazo. La Rana Manchada de Somuncurá (Atelognathus reverberii) es una especie que se encuentra categorizada como vulnerable tanto en la IUCN como en la categorización nacional de anfibios de la República Argentina. La principal causa para esto es la fragmentación de su hábitat, dada en su mayor parte por el uso humano del ambiente en el que habita la especie, ya sea por actividad ganadera o por la búsqueda de agua potable, y por el cambio climático global. La especie sólo fue descripta en 1969 y salvo unos pocos estudios llevados a cabo por mi equipo de trabajo, no hay información disponible acerca de ella. En particular, mi trabajo de tesis contiene una componente muy importante de trabajo de campo. Debido a que dicho trabajo de campo se lleva a cabo en la Meseta de Somuncurá (Provincia de Ŕío Negro), la pandemia del COVID-19 me bloqueó la obtención de datos necesarios para continuar con el desarrollo analítico de la información ya obtenida en campañas previas. Prácticamente todos los objetivos de mi tesis se basan en la información obtenida en el campo, por lo que al no tener todavía los datos iniciales completos (que iban a tomarse a lo largo de este 2020), no puedo generar los modelos espaciales y poblacionales, así como tampoco las simulaciones correspondientes a diferentes escenarios que puede afrontar la especie. Por el momento, sólo cuento con algo de información acerca de morfometría, uso de hábitat, estado de salud general y en cierto grado, sobre la estructura poblacional. En futuras campañas, cuando la situación actual lo permita, podré obtener la información faltante para generar una robustez estadística y estimar los parámetros poblacionales que serán utilizados en modelos de distribución, modelos de dinámica poblacional y modelos de viabilidad poblacional. Una vez obtenida esta información, podré plantear acciones de manejo para la especie

Spatial Ecology, Population Dynamics and Conservation of the Laguna Raimunda Frog, <i>Atelognathus reverberii</i> (Cei, 1969)

El objetivo general de mi tesis es estudiar la ecología espacial y demografía de la Rana Manchada de Somuncurá, Atelognathus reverberii (Cei, 1969) con el fin de profundizar el conocimiento de base sobre su bio-ecología, actualizar su estado de conservación y evaluar el efecto de lasprincipales amenazas sobre la viabilidad de la especie a largo plazo. La Rana Manchada de Somuncurá (Atelognathus reverberii) es una especie que se encuentra categorizada como vulnerable tanto en la IUCN como en la categorización nacional de anfibios de la República Argentina. La principal causa para esto es la fragmentación de su hábitat, dada en su mayor parte por el uso humano del ambiente en el que habita la especie, ya sea por actividad ganaderao por la búsqueda de agua potable, y por el cambio climático global. La especie sólo fue descripta en 1969 y salvo unos pocos estudios llevados a cabo por mi equipo de trabajo, no hay información disponible acerca de ella.Universidad Nacional de La Plat

Inventário da herpetofauna do Parque Nacional Talampaya, Patrimônio da Humanidade, na Argentina

Talampaya National Park (TNP) was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with Ischigualasto Provincial Park in 2000, but there is no list with updated information from reptiles and amphibians eighteen years after its creation. Therefore, we listed a complete inventory of the herpetofauna of TNP with the information obtained from bibliography, data from Argentina National Parks Administration (ranger reports and the species listed in their database) and fieldwork using pitfall traps, active search transects and pictures/material collected in the site. We confirm the occurrence of 35 species of herpetofauna in the TNP, including 29 reptiles and 6 amphibians. Some species found in TNP are of great value because their national conservation status is vulnerable (Chelonoidis chilensis, Liolaemus anomalus, Liolaemus riojanus) or even endangered (Boa constrictor occidentalis). Therefore, priority areas for conservation of these species should be proposed inside the park. Keywords: amphibians, conservation area, list of species, reptiles.O Parque Nacional Talampaya (TNP) foi declarado Patrimônio da Humanidade pela UNESCO, juntamente com o Parque Provincial Ischigualasto, em 2000, mas não há lista com informações atualizadas de répteis e anfíbios 18 anos após sua criação. Portanto, listamos um inventário completo da herpetofauna do TNP com as informações obtidas na bibliografia, dados da Administração de Parques Nacionais da Argentina (relatórios de guardas florestais e as espécies listadas em seu banco de dados) e trabalho de campo usando armadilhas de queda, transecções de pesquisa ativa e fotos/material coletado no site. Confirmamos a presença de 35 espécies da herpetofauna no TNP, incluindo 29 répteis e 6 anfíbios. Algumas espécies encontradas no TNP são de grande importância, pois seu estado de conservação nacional é vulnerável (Chelonoidis chilensis, Liolaemus anomalus, Liolaemus riojanus), ou mesmo em perigo (Boa constrictor occidentalis). Assim, áreas prioritárias para a conservação dessas espécies devem ser propostas para o parque.Palavras-chave: anfíbios, lista de espécies, répteis, unidade de conservação