Identifying the Factors behind Climate Diversification and Refugial Capacity in Mountain Landscapes: The Key Role of Forests

Recent studies have shown the importance of small-scale climate diversification and climate microrefugia for organisms to escape or suffer less from the impact of current climate change. These situations are common in topographically complex terrains like mountains, where many climate-forcing factors vary at a fine spatial resolution. We investigated this effect in a high roughness area of a southern European range (the Pyrenees), with the aid of a network of miniaturized temperature and relative humidity sensors distributed across 2100 m of elevation difference. We modeled the minimum (Tn) and maximum (Tx) temperatures above- and below-ground, and maximum vapor pressure deficit (VPDmax), as a function of several topographic and vegetation variables derived from ALS-LiDAR data and Landsat series. Microclimatic models had a good fit, working better in soil than in air, and for Tn than for Tx. Topographic variables (including elevation) had a larger effect on above-ground Tn, and vegetation variables on Tx. Forest canopy had a significant effect not only on the spatial diversity of microclimatic metrics but also on their refugial capacity, either stabilizing thermal ranges or offsetting free-air extreme temperatures and VPDmax. Our integrative approach provided an overview of microclimatic differences between air and soil, forests and open areas, and highlighted the importance of preserving and managing forests to mitigate the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. Remote-sensing can provide essential tools to detect areas that accumulate different factors extensively promoting refugial capacity, which should be prioritized based on their high resilience

Analysis of spatio-temporal changes in annual and seasonal precipitation variability in South America-Chile and related ocean–atmosphere circulation patterns

Establishing relationships between coupled ocean–atmospheric patterns and precipitation accumulation is important to describe and predict spatio-temporal variability on annual or seasonal scales, and also to evaluate how this variability is influenced by global warming. The objective of this study was to examine the leading modes of interannual and seasonal (summer, autumn, winter, and spring) precipitation variability in South America-Chile, and their significant relationship to seasonally aggregated gridded data and climatic indices. Applying exhaustive data quality control measures to data from 238 rain gauges with different lengths of records between 1893 and 2013, a new data set was created with the objective of obtaining reliable records for further analysis. A comprehensive analysis through empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) allowed for determination of the leading modes of annual and seasonal precipitation and their main spatial patterns for the whole country. The percentage of explained variance in the relationship between seasonally aggregated indices and the leading modes of precipitation confirmed that most of the interannual and winter precipitation variability in Chile is linked to the seasonal aggregation of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The leading modes of summer, autumn, and spring precipitation were mostly linked to seasonal aggregations of the Madden and Julian Oscillation (MJO), and the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO)

About a case of excoriative disorder: Brief review of the literature

The instinctive tendency to manipulate the skin and its small imperfections is a normal part of body-focused repetitive behaviors. When this behavior increases without control and causes somatic and psychic damage to the individual, we are dealing with a case of Excoriative Disorder (ET), a pathology that has been included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), and that, in the Classification American Mental Disorders, is part of the disorders related to the obsessive-compulsive disorder. In adults, the lifetime prevalence of ET ranges between 3 and 5% and presents high comorbidities with affective problems, substance use and morbid personality traits. Although it is not apparently a severe pathology, it causes significant disability and requires systematic screening due to its frequent avoidance by both the affected patient and health professionals.Revisión por pare

Analysis of spatio-temporal changes in annual and seasonal precipitation variability in South America-Chile and related ocean–atmosphere circulation patterns

Establishing relationships between coupled ocean–atmospheric patterns and precipitation accumulation is important to describe and predict spatio-temporal variability on annual or seasonal scales, and also to evaluate how this variability is influenced by global warming. The objective of this study was to examine the leading modes of interannual and seasonal (summer, autumn, winter, and spring) precipitation variability in South America-Chile, and their significant relationship to seasonally aggregated gridded data and climatic indices. Applying exhaustive data quality control measures to data from 238 rain gauges with different lengths of records between 1893 and 2013, a new data set was created with the objective of obtaining reliable records for further analysis. A comprehensive analysis through empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) allowed for determination of the leading modes of annual and seasonal precipitation and their main spatial patterns for the whole country. The percentage of explained variance in the relationship between seasonally aggregated indices and the leading modes of precipitation confirmed that most of the interannual and winter precipitation variability in Chile is linked to the seasonal aggregation of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The leading modes of summer, autumn, and spring precipitation were mostly linked to seasonal aggregations of the Madden and Julian Oscillation (MJO), and the Antarctic Oscillation (AAO)

Use of top-down and bottom-up fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry for mapping calmodulin sites modified by platinum anticancer drugs

Calmodulin (CaM) is a highly conserved, ubiquitous, calcium-binding protein; it binds to and regulates many different protein targets, thereby functioning as a calcium sensor and signal transducer. CaM contains 9 methionine (Met), 1 histidine (His), 17 aspartic acid (Asp), and 23 glutamine acid (Glu) residues, all of which can potentially react with platinum compounds; thus, one-third of the CaM sequence is a possible binding target of platinum anticancer drugs, which represents a major challenge for identification of specific platinum modification sites. Here, top-down electron capture dissociation (ECD) was used to elucidate the transition metal–platinum(II) modification sites. By using a combination of top-down and bottom-up mass spectrometric (MS) approaches, 10 specific binding sites for mononuclear complexes, cisplatin and [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl, and dinuclear complex [{cis-PtCl2(NH3)}2(μ-NH2(CH2)4NH2)] on CaM were identified. High resolution MS of cisplatin-modified CaM revealed that cisplatin mainly targets Met residues in solution at low molar ratios of cisplatin–CaM (2:1), by cross-linking Met residues. At a high molar ratio of cisplatin:CaM (8:1), up to 10 platinum(II) bind to Met, Asp, and Glu residues. [{cis-PtCl2(NH3)}2(μ-NH2(CH2)4NH2)] forms mononuclear adducts with CaM. The alkanediamine linker between the two platinum centers dissociates due to a trans-labilization effect. [Pt(dien)Cl]Cl forms {Pt(dien)}2+ adducts with CaM, and the preferential binding sites were identified as Met51, Met71, Met72, His107, Met109, Met124, Met144, Met145, Glu45 or Glu47, and Asp122 or Glu123. The binding of these complexes to CaM, particularly when binding involves loss of all four original ligands, is largely irreversible which could result in their failure to reach the target DNA or be responsible for unwanted side-effects during chemotherapy. Additionally, the cross-linking of cisplatin to CaM might lead to the loss of the biological function of CaM or CaM–Ca2+ due to limiting the flexibility of the CaM or CaM–Ca2+ complex to recognize target proteins or blocking the binding region of target proteins to CaM

Rocky habitats as microclimatic refuges for biodiversity. A close-up thermal approach

In the present scenario of climatic change, climatic refugia will be of paramount importance for species per- sistence. Topography can generate a considerable climatic heterogeneity over short distances, which is often disregarded in macroclimatic predictive models. Here we investigate the role of rocky habitats as microclimatic refugia by combining two different analyses: exploring a thermal mechanism whereby rocky habitats might serve as refugia, and examining if the biogeographic pattern shows a high abundance of relict, endemic and peripheral species. The thermal profile of two populations of relict and endemic plant species occurring in Pyrenean cliffs was investigated by infrared images and in situ temperature data-loggers. Despite occurring in crevices of a south oriented slope, Androsace cylindrica showed a narrower daily range of temperature than the surrounding matrix, thereby avoiding extreme high temperatures. Borderea chouardii, of tropical ancestors, also occurred in patches where temperatures were buffered during the growth season, experiencing lower mean temperatures than the surrounding matrix and nearby areas during the warmer part of the day, and similar temperatures during the colder. The rocky habitats of both species, therefore, reduced temperature ranges and exposition to extreme climatic events. Compared to other habitats, the rocky ones also harboured a very high fraction of both endemics and peripheral plant populations according to the largest vegetation dataset available in the Pyrenees (18,800 plant inventories and 400,000 records). Our results suggest an association between the habitats of relicts, en- demics and species at their distribution limit, driven by a stabilizing effect of rocky habitats on extreme tem- peratures. Given the important role of rocky habitats as hotspots of singular and unique plants, their char- acterization seems a sensible first step to identify potential refugia in the context of climate change

Impact of COVID-19 on clinical trials and clinical research: A systematic review

Background: The World Health Organization has reported more than 31,186,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), including 962,343 deaths, worldwide as on September 21, 2020. The current COVID-19 pandemic is affecting clinical research activities in most parts of the world. The focus on developing a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 and the treatment of COVID-19 is, in fact, disrupting many upcoming and/or ongoing clinical trials on other diseases around the globe. On March 18, 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an updated guideline for the conduct of clinical trials during the current health emergency situation. The potential challenges, such as social distancing and quarantines, result in study participants’ inaccessibility and trial personnel for in-person scheduled study visits and/or follow-up. Due to the sudden onset and wide-spread impact of COVID-19, its influence on the management of clinical trials and research necessitates urgent attention. Therefore, our systematic review of the literature aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conduction of clinical trials and research. The search for the relevant articles for review included the keywords "COVID-19” AND "clinical trial" in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Google scholar and Google electronic databases. Key findings include: delaying subject enrollment and operational gaps in most ongoing clinical trials, which in turn has a negative impact on trial programmes and data integrity. Globally, most sites conducting clinical trials other than COVID-19 are experiencing a delay in timelines and a complete halt of operations in lieu of this pandemic, thus affecting clinical research outcomes

Efecto del peso del bulbo sobre la floracion y estudios de diferenciacion floral de Herbertia lahue (MOL.) Goldbl.

Resumen (Spanish, English)61 p.Debido al potencial ornamental que presenta la especie nativa chilena Herbertia lahue (Mol.) Goldbl., se realizaron estudios tendientes a dilucidar el efecto del peso de su bulbo sobre aspectos florales, fenológicos y multiplicativos de las plantas, efectuándose además un experimento complementario con el objetivo de determinar la influencia de la remoción de la túnica del bulbo sobre el comportamiento de las plantas. Ambos experimentos fueron conducidos bajo un diseño completamente al azar de un factor (con cinco categorías de peso 0,15 ± 0,1 g; 0,35 ± 0,1 g; 0,75 ± 0,1 g; 1,35 ± 0,1 g y 1,75 ± 0,1 g) y dos factores (con dos categorías de peso (0,85 ± 0,15 g y 1,35 ± 0,15 g, con y sin túnica), respectivamente. Paralelo a éstos se realizó mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido, el estudio de su diferenciación floral, asociando la formación de la yema floral al estado de desarrollo de la planta y los días transcurridos desde plantación. Los experimentos se realizaron en uno de los invernaderos fríos de polietileno de la Universidad de Talca campus Lircay, durante el periodo febrero de 2000 a enero de 2001. Se determinó que el máximo porcentaje de floración (97%-100%) se logró con bulbos de peso igual o superior a 0,75 ± 0,1 g; bulbos de 1,75 ± 0,1 g proporcionaron la mayor cantidad promedio de flores, cercana a tres; el mayor diámetro floral y longitud del tallo floral se obtuvo con bulbos de peso igual o superior a 1,35 ± 0,1 g; mientras que el diámetro del tallo no fue influenciado por el peso del bulbo. Aspectos fenológicos tales como los días transcurridos desde plantación a emergencia y a senescencia no fueron influenciados por el peso del bulbo, a diferencia de los días transcurridos desde plantación a floración, donde bulbos de peso igual o superior a 0,75 ± 0,1 g adelantaron su floración en comparación al menor peso de bulbo floral, transcurriendo en promedio 258 días desde plantación. El periodo de floración, es decir los días transcurridos desde la antesis de la primera flor hasta la antesis de la última, alcanzó un máximo de 22 días en bulbos de 1,75 ± 0,1 g. Bulbos de 0,15 ± 0,1 g presentaron 9,6 hojas emitidas, mientras que bulbos de mayor peso presentaron mas de 12 hojas, valor significativamente superior. El peso final de los bulbos cosechados fue superior en bulbos de mayor peso inicial, sin embargo se observó una ganancia mayor de peso, en bulbos de menor peso inicial, a diferencia de bulbos de peso igual o mayor a 1,35 ± 0,1 g los que presentaron pérdidas de peso. La capacidad multiplicativa de Herbertia lahue no se vio influenciada por el peso de los bulbos, alcanzando la tasa de multiplicación un valor levemente superior a 1,0 sólo en bulbos de peso igual o mayor a 1,35 ± 0,1 g. El comportamiento de las plantas no se vio afectado por la remoción de la túnica del bulbo al momento de la plantación, presentando la planta características florales, fenológicas y multiplicativas similares en bulbos con presencia y ausencia de túnica. La iniciación y diferenciación floral de Herbertia lahue tuvo lugar en el mes de septiembre, alrededor de 27 semanas luego de la plantación del bulbo, presentando la planta entre 8 a 10 hojas formadas

Sustainable decentralised wastewater treatment schemes in the context of Lobitos, Peru

The implementation of decentralised wastewater treatment systems, such as biodigesters, septic tanks and treatment ponds, provides opportunities for rural or remote communities to be self-reliant and avoid infrastructural connections to faraway urban areas. However, the effectiveness, sustainability and success of such systems is heavily tied to understanding the overall context (geographical, social, cultural, political and economic) in which they are installed, as well as the ease of their operation and maintenance in the long term. Shortcomings to addressing these aspects can lead to the failure of a project. Using the town of Lobitos, located in the Piura District on the northern coast of Peru, as the case study for this research, this paper is discussing and analysing the use of biodigesters as a more sustainable solution over larger municipal wastewater systems in the context of Lobitos. It explains reasons, such as community engagement, behind past failures of such systems and outlines lessons learned from a practitioner’s perspective. It concludes that addressing the local context as well as considering its impact throughout the project cycle, such as installation and future operation and maintenance, helps to ensure continued delivery of safe and sustainable wastewater treatment. </jats:p

Evaluation of passive samplers as a monitoring tool for early warning of Dinophysis toxins in shellfish

From June 2006 to January 2007 passive samplers (solid phase adsorbing toxin tracking, SPATT) were tested as a monitoring tool with weekly monitoring of phytoplankton and toxin content (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, LC-MS) in picked cells of Dinophysis and plankton concentrates. Successive blooms of Dinophysis acuminata, D. acuta and D. caudata in 2006 caused a long mussel harvesting closure (4.5 months) in the Galician Rías (NW Spain) and a record (up to 9246 ng·g resin-week−1) accumulation of toxins in SPATT discs. Best fit of a toxin accumulation model was between toxin accumulation in SPATT and the product of cell densities by a constant value, for each species of Dinophysis, of toxin content (average) in picked cells. Detection of Dinophysis populations provided earlier warning of oncoming diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) outbreaks than the SPATT, which at times overestimated the expected toxin levels in shellfish because: (i) SPATT accumulated toxins did not include biotransformation and depuration loss terms and (ii) accumulation of toxins not available to mussels continued for weeks after Dinophysis cells were undetectable and mussels were toxin-free. SPATT may be a valuable environmental monitoring and research tool for toxin dynamics, in particular in areas with no aquaculture, but does not provide a practical gain for early warning of DSP outbreaks