Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Game & Play: La cultura del juego digital

Peer-reviewedGame & Play: La cultura del juego digital ha reunido una serie de ponencias sobre los aspectos sociales y culturales del universo de los juegos digitales. A partir de distintas aproximaciones teóricas y metodológicas, los ponentes han analizado las características de los juegos,los creadores y los jugadores. Asimismo, han reflexionado sobre diferentes cuestiones relacionadas con la imagen de los juegos en los medios de comunicación o los valores que trasmite el juego digital. En general, los ponentes han centrando su atención en los juegos digitales como objetos mediados por las experiencias de sus creadores y sus usuarios y por los medios y otras instituciones. Los investigadores reunidos en el simposio provienen de campos como la comunicación, la educación, la teoría y la estética del arte y los estudios narrativos y literarios.Game & Play: La cultura del joc digital ha reunit una sèrie de ponències sobre els aspectes socials i culturals de l'univers dels jocs digitals. A partir de diferents aproximacions teòriques i metodològiques, els ponents han analitzat les característiques dels jocs,els creadors i els jugadors. Així mateix, han reflexionat sobre diferents qüestions relacionades amb la imatge dels jocs en els mitjans de comunicació o els valors que transmet el joc digital. En general, els ponents han centrant la seva atenció en els jocs digitals com a objectes intervinguts per les experiències dels seus creadors i els seus usuaris i pels mitjans i altres institucions. Els investigadors reunits en el simposi provenen de camps com la comunicació, l'educació, la teoria i l'estètica de l'art i els estudis narratius i literaris.Game & Play: The digital game culture has gathered a series of presentations on the social and cultural aspects of the digital game universe. Based on different theoretical and methodological approaches, the speakers analyzed the characteristics of the games, the creators and the players. They have also reflected on different issues related to the image of games in the media or the values transmitted by the digital game. In general, the speakers have focused their attention on digital games as objects mediated by the experiences of their creators and their users and by the media and other institutions. The researchers gathered at the symposium come from fields such as communication, education, the theory and aesthetics of art and narrative and literary studies

Game & Play: La cultura del juego digital

Peer-reviewedGame & Play: La cultura del juego digital ha reunido una serie de ponencias sobre los aspectos sociales y culturales del universo de los juegos digitales. A partir de distintas aproximaciones teóricas y metodológicas, los ponentes han analizado las características de los juegos,los creadores y los jugadores. Asimismo, han reflexionado sobre diferentes cuestiones relacionadas con la imagen de los juegos en los medios de comunicación o los valores que trasmite el juego digital. En general, los ponentes han centrando su atención en los juegos digitales como objetos mediados por las experiencias de sus creadores y sus usuarios y por los medios y otras instituciones. Los investigadores reunidos en el simposio provienen de campos como la comunicación, la educación, la teoría y la estética del arte y los estudios narrativos y literarios.Game & Play: La cultura del joc digital ha reunit una sèrie de ponències sobre els aspectes socials i culturals de l'univers dels jocs digitals. A partir de diferents aproximacions teòriques i metodològiques, els ponents han analitzat les característiques dels jocs,els creadors i els jugadors. Així mateix, han reflexionat sobre diferents qüestions relacionades amb la imatge dels jocs en els mitjans de comunicació o els valors que transmet el joc digital. En general, els ponents han centrant la seva atenció en els jocs digitals com a objectes intervinguts per les experiències dels seus creadors i els seus usuaris i pels mitjans i altres institucions. Els investigadors reunits en el simposi provenen de camps com la comunicació, l'educació, la teoria i l'estètica de l'art i els estudis narratius i literaris.Game & Play: The digital game culture has gathered a series of presentations on the social and cultural aspects of the digital game universe. Based on different theoretical and methodological approaches, the speakers analyzed the characteristics of the games, the creators and the players. They have also reflected on different issues related to the image of games in the media or the values transmitted by the digital game. In general, the speakers have focused their attention on digital games as objects mediated by the experiences of their creators and their users and by the media and other institutions. The researchers gathered at the symposium come from fields such as communication, education, the theory and aesthetics of art and narrative and literary studies

Bird diversity-environment relationships in urban parks and cemeteries of the Neotropics during breeding and non-breeding seasons

Background Urbanization will increase in the next decades, causing the loss of green areas and bird diversity within cities. There is a lack of studies at a continental scale analyzing the relationship between urban green areas, such as parks and cemeteries, and bird species richness in the Neotropical region. Bird diversity-environment relationships in urban parks and cemeteries may be influenced by latitudinal gradients or species-area relationships. However, the seasonal variation of species diversity- environment has not been analyzed at a continental scale in the Neotropics. Methods Bird surveys were conducted in 36 cemeteries and 37 parks within 18 Neotropical cities during non-breeding and breeding seasons. Bird diversity was assessed through Hill numbers, focusing on species richness, the effective number of species derived from Shannon index and the Simpson index. Environmental variables included latitude, altitude, and local scale variables such as area size, habitat diversity and pedestrian traffic. Results Species richness and Shannon diversity were higher during the breeding season, whereas Simpson diversity did not vary between seasons. During both seasons, species richness increased with area size, was negatively related to altitude, and was the highest at 20° latitude. Species richness was also positively related to habitat diversity, pedestrian traffic, and was highest in suburban areas during the non-breeding season. Shannon and Simpson diversity showed significant relationships with habitat diversity and area size during the breeding season. Bird diversity was similar between parks and cemeteries. Discussion Our results showed that urban parks and cemeteries have similar roles in conserving urban bird diversity in Neotropical cities. However, species diversity-environment relations at the continental scale varied between seasons, highlighting the importance of conducting annual studies