Spring diet of the pine marten in Sardinia, Italy

Alimentación primaveral de la marta en Cerdeña, ItaliaEl conocimiento del comportamiento de alimentación de un carnívoro es esencial para entender su ecología. La marta Martes martes se define comúnmente como un depredador generalista oportunista, porque su dieta en Europa incluye mamíferos, frutas, aves y invertebrados. A partir del análisis de las heces, hemos descrito los hábitos alimenticios en primavera y la amplitud del nicho trófico de la marta en ambiente mediterráneo en Cerdeña (Italia central). Los pequeños mamíferos (sobre todo Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus musculus y Eliomys quercinus) representan la fuente más importante de alimentación de la marta, ya que constituyen aproximadamente el 52% del volumen medio. Otra fuente importante de alimentos secundarios la constituyen los invertebrados (especialmente escarabajos y larvas de insectos) y las aves (paseriformes casi exclusivamente), mientras que los grandes mamíferos, los lagomorfos, los reptiles y las frutas están poco representados en la dieta. La composición de la dieta y el valor del índice de Levins indican que la marta en Cerdeña es un depredador especialista facultativo, con una especialización en la depredación de los micromamíferos.Knowledge of a carnivore’s foraging behaviour is essential to understand its ecology. The pine marten Martes martes is commonly defined as an opportunistic generalist predator since its diet in Europe includes mammals, fruits, birds and invertebrates. Based on faecal analyses, we evaluated spring feeding habits and trophic niche breadth of the pine marten in a Mediterranean landscape on the island of Sardinia (Central Italy). The most important source of food for the pine marten was small mammals (mainly Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus musculus and Eliomys quercinus), accounting for 52% of the percent mean volume. Important secondary foods were invertebrates (mainly beetles and insect larvae) and birds (almost exclusively passerines), whereas large mammals, lagomorphs, reptiles and fruits made little contribution to the diet. The diet composition and the Levins’ index value suggest that the pine marten in Sardinia behaves as a facultative specialist predator, with a specialization towards small mammals.Alimentación primaveral de la marta en Cerdeña, ItaliaEl conocimiento del comportamiento de alimentación de un carnívoro es esencial para entender su ecología. La marta Martes martes se define comúnmente como un depredador generalista oportunista, porque su dieta en Europa incluye mamíferos, frutas, aves y invertebrados. A partir del análisis de las heces, hemos descrito los hábitos alimenticios en primavera y la amplitud del nicho trófico de la marta en ambiente mediterráneo en Cerdeña (Italia central). Los pequeños mamíferos (sobre todo Apodemus sylvaticus, Mus musculus y Eliomys quercinus) representan la fuente más importante de alimentación de la marta, ya que constituyen aproximadamente el 52% del volumen medio. Otra fuente importante de alimentos secundarios la constituyen los invertebrados (especialmente escarabajos y larvas de insectos) y las aves (paseriformes casi exclusivamente), mientras que los grandes mamíferos, los lagomorfos, los reptiles y las frutas están poco representados en la dieta. La composición de la dieta y el valor del índice de Levins indican que la marta en Cerdeña es un depredador especialista facultativo, con una especialización en la depredación de los micromamíferos

Bronchoscopic techniques in the management of patients with tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to prevent Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission. Bronchoscopy can play a primary role in pulmonary TB diagnosis, particularly for suspected patients with scarce sputum or sputum smear negativity, and with endobronchial disease. Bronchoscopic needle aspiration techniques are accurate and safe means adopted to investigate hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in cases of suspected TB lymphadenopathy. Tracheobronchial stenosis represents the worst complication of endobronchial tuberculosis. Bronchoscopic procedures are less invasive therapeutic strategies than conventional surgery to be adopted in the management of TB-related stenosis. We conducted a non-systematic review aimed at describing the scientific literature on the role of bronchoscopic techniques in the diagnosis and therapy of patients with TB. We focused on three main areas of interventions: bronchoscopic diagnosis of smear negative/sputum scarce TB patients, endobronchial TB diagnosis and treatment and needle aspiration techniques for intrathoracic TB lymphadenopathy. We described experiences on bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial washing, and biopsy techniques for the diagnosis of patients with tracheobronchial and pulmonary TB; furthermore, we described the role played by conventional and ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the diagnosis of suspected hilar and mediastinal TB adenopathy. Finally, we assessed the role of the bronchoscopic therapy in the treatment of endobronchial TB and its complications, focusing on dilation techniques (such as balloon dilation and airway stenting) and ablative procedures (both heat and cold therapies)

Modulation of Fatty Acids and Interleukin-6 in Glioma Cells by South American Tea Extracts and their Phenolic Compounds

[EN] Dietary phenolic compounds are plant metabolites with beneficial effects on the central nervous system. Thus, our aim was to identify anti-inflammatory compounds from South American plants on glia, which regulates neuro-immune response. The compounds were extracted from Lantana grisebachii (LG), Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (AQB), and Ilex paraguariensis (IP) teas and identified by HPLC-DAD-MS. Extracts (0–200 mg/ml) were tested on human T98-G and rat C6 glioma lines. Cellular viability (by the resazurin assay), fatty acid profile (by gas chromatography) and proinflammatory interleukin-6 release (IL-6 by ELISA) were determined. Data were analyzed by partial least-square regression to discriminate bioactive compounds. Twenty-one compounds were determined in LG, mainly iridoids, which were linked to v-3 and v-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, but not to IL-6 release. Thirty-one compounds were found in AQB, mostly hydroxybenzoic derivatives, which were positively related to IL-6 release. Twenty-three compounds were identified in IP, including caffeoylquinic derivatives and mainly chlorogenic acid. They increased the v-7 palmitoleic fatty acid, which was related to IL-6 decrease. These results enhances phytochemical knowledge of widely available plants, and suggest the lipid-related anti-inflammatory activity of IP phenolic compounds, which give nutritional relevance to the tea

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Abstract:  Studies show that patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) have a higher risk of developing some type of cancer. Objective: to analyze the incidence and association between DM2 and cancer in patients from the “San Ricardo Pampuri” health center in Villa Carlos Paz. A retrospective observational study was carried out analyzing the medical records of 42,948 patients (years 2000-2018), 17,109 (39.8%) had DM2 and 332 had cancer (186M and 146H). The data analyzed were age, sex, type of cancer and suffering from DM2. Incidence ratios between sexes (RS = incidence in Men / incidence in Women) were calculated for some types of cancer. The work has ethical approval and corresponding confidentiality. Data were statistically analyzed with Infostat. Average age was 72 (DS 11) years for men and 68.5 (DS 12) for women (56% of the patients). 162 patients who developed cancer had DM2 (93M and 69H). In women with DM2 the incidences were: breast (51.6%), endometrium (7.5%), colon, pancreas and cervix (all with 6.5%). In women without DM2: breast (41.1%), colon (14.4%), cervix (7.8%), ovary and thyroid (both with 5.6%). In men with DM2 the incidences: prostate (27.9%), colon (19.1%), pancreas (8.8%), kidney (7.4%), Non-Hodgkin\u27s Lymphoma and bladder (both with 5.9 %). In those without DM2 they were: prostate (40%), colon (18.8%), bladder (12.5%) and melanoma (5%). The highest incidence rates between sexes (SR) for patients with DM2 were: lung (4.1), colon (3), Non-Hodgkin\u27s Lymphoma (2.7), kidney (2.3) and myeloma (2); in patients without DM2 they were bladder (3.8) and leukemia (2.3). It was observed that diabetic patients have a higher risk for pancreatic cancer (OR = 6.96; p = 0.01) and kidney (OR = 4.96; p = 0.01). Men showed a slightly increased risk for: colon (OR = 0.49; p = 0.02), bladder (OR = 0.16; p = 0.05) and kidney (OR = 0.29; p = 0 , 05). It was observed that patients without DM2 showed a slightly elevated risk for bladder cancer (OR = 0.33; p = 0.05) and melanoma (OR = 0.13; p = 0.05). Conclusions: Positive correlations were observed between cancer and age, for some tumors it could also be established with sex and DM2. Patients with DM2 showed an increased risk for pancreatic and kidney cancer and a small decrease in risk for bladder and melanoma.Resumen:  Numerosos estudios demuestran que pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 (DM2) tienen mayor riesgo de desarrollar algún tipo de cáncer. Objetivo del estudio: analizar la incidencia y asociación entre DM2 y cáncer en pacientes del centro de salud “San Ricardo Pampuri” de Villa Carlos Paz.  Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo analizando historias clínicas de 42948 pacientes  (años 2000-2018), 17109 (39,8%) padecían DM2 y 332  presentaron  cáncer (186M y 146H). Los datos analizados fueron edad, sexo, tipo de cáncer y padecer DM2. Se calcularon ratios de incidencia entre sexos (RS=incidencia Hombres/incidencia Mujeres) para algunos tipos de cáncer.  El trabajo cuenta con  aprobación ética y confidencialidad correspondiente. Se analizaron los datos estadísticamente con Infostat. Edad promedio fue 72(DS 11) años hombres y 68,5 (DS 12) mujeres (56% de los pacientes). 162 pacientes que desarrollaron cáncer tenían DM2 (93M y 69H). En mujeres con DM2  incidencias fueron: mama (51,6%), endometrio (7,5%), colon, páncreas y cuello de útero (todos con 6,5%). En mujeres sin DM2: mama (41,1%), colon (14,4%), cuello de útero (7,8%) ovario y tiroides (ambos con 5,6%). En hombres con DM2 las incidencias: próstata (27,9%), colon (19,1%), páncreas (8,8%), riñón (7,4%), Linfoma No Hodgkin y vejiga (ambos con 5,9%). En aquellos sin DM2 fueron: próstata (40%), colon (18,8%), vejiga (12,5%) y melanoma (5%). Las ratios de incidencia entre sexos (RS) más altos para pacientes con DM2 fueron: pulmón (4,1), colon (3), Linfoma No Hodgkin (2,7), riñón (2,3) y mieloma (2); en pacientes sin DM2 fueron vejiga (3,8) y leucemia (2,3). Se observó que pacientes diabéticos tienen un riesgo mayor para cáncer de páncreas (OR=6,96; p=0,01) y riñón (OR=4,96; p=0,01). Los hombres mostraron un riesgo levemente aumentado para: colon (OR=0,49; p=0,02), vejiga (OR=0,16; p=0,05) y riñón (OR=0,29; p=0,05). Se observó que pacientes sin DM2 mostraron un riesgo ligeramente elevado para cáncer de vejiga (OR=0,33; p=0,05) y melanoma (OR=0,13; p=0,05).  Conclusiones:  Se observaron correlaciones positivas entre cáncer y edad, para algunos tumores también se pudieron establecer con sexo y DM2.  Los pacientes con DM2 mostraron un riesgo mayor para cáncer de páncreas y riñón y una pequeña disminución del riesgo para vejiga y melanoma.

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Abstract:  Type 2 diabetes (DBT2) affects the central nervous system (CNS) and vision. Environmental enrichment (EA), allows to develop greater physical activity and neurocognitive stimulation, being able to help in experimental animals in the treatment of CNS pathologies. Objective: To study the effect of exposure to EA on the ultrastructure of the optic nerve and metabolic markers in diabetic animals. We used 24 12-month-old male Wistar rats, divided into 6 groups, 4 with a diet with 30% saturated fat (HFD) and / or moderate consumption (0.42 g / kg weight / day) of alcohol (Alc). The 2 non-diabetic control groups (C), consumed a standard chow diet. The EA groups were housed in large cages, with treadmills and ramps, the other groups in standard animal cages. The trial lasted 16 months. Metabolic markers (lipidemia, glycemia and weight) were measured. At the end of the test, the optic nerves were extracted, fixed and processed for electron microscopy. The data obtained were analyzed by ANOVA, p≤0.05. The animals presented DBT2 at 7 months of the test, in groups HFD, Alc, HFD + Alc, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia and obesity were observed. Animals with EA at the end of the trial decreased their glycemic values ​​(118 ± 5 mg / dl) and had a normal weight. In the optic nerves, signs of atrophy, alteration of the shape of mitochondria and their crests were observed in the animals on the HFD and / or Alcohol diet, compared with the control groups (C and C + AE). The HFD, Alc, HFD + Alc and HFD + Alc + AE groups showed thickening of the myelin sheaths (between 39 and 233%, p = 0.01). In the animals with the HFD diet, more intracytoplasmic electrodense deposits were found, in HFD + Alc and HFD + Alc + AE the myelin sheath was observed with a greater separation of the axon (75 and 50% more, p = 0.05) than in the group C. In the Alc group, larger mitochondria were observed (119 vs 107 nm, p = 0.05) than in C. Diet and lack of physical activity led the animals to develop DBT2. This condition affected the ultrastructure of the optic nerve. Exposure to an enriched environment partially improved metabolic and ultrastructural alterations.Resumen:  La diabetes tipo 2 (DBT2) afecta el sistema nervioso central (SNC) y la visión. El enriquecimiento ambiental (AE), permite desarrollar mayor actividad física y estímulo neurocognitivo, pudiendo ayudar en animales experimentales en el tratamiento de patologías del SNC. Objetivo: Estudiar el efecto de la exposición a un AE sobre la ultraestructura del nervio óptico y marcadores metabólicos en animales diabéticos. Utilizamos 24 ratas Wistar macho de 12 meses, divididas en 6 grupos, 4 con una dieta con 30% de grasas saturadas (HFD) y/o consumo moderado (0,42 g/kg peso/día) de alcohol (Alc). Los 2 grupos controles no diabéticos (C), consumieron una dieta chow estándar. Los grupos con AE se alojaron en jaulas grandes, con ruedas de correr y rampas, los otros grupos en jaulas estándar de bioterio. El ensayo duró 16 meses. Se midieron marcadores metabólicos (lipidemia, glucemia y peso). Al finalizar el ensayo los nervios ópticos fueron extraídos, fijados y procesados para microscopía electrónica. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante ANOVA, p≤0,05. Los animales presentaron DBT2 a los 7 meses del ensayo, en grupos HFD, Alc, HFD+Alc se observó hipertrigliceridemia e hipercolesterolemia y obesidad. Los animales con AE al final del ensayo disminuyeron sus valores glucémicos (118 ±5 mg/dl) y tuvieron un peso normal.  En los nervios ópticos se observaron signos de atrofia, alteración de la forma de mitocondrias y sus crestas en los animales con dieta HFD y/o Alcohol, comparados con los grupos control (C y C+AE). Los grupos HFD, Alc, HFD+Alc y HFD+Alc+AE mostraron engrosamientos de las vainas de mielina (entre 39 y 233%, p=0.01). En los animales con dieta HFD se hallaron más depósitos electrodensos intracitoplasmáticos, en HFD+Alc y HFD+Alc+AE la vaina de mielina se observó con una mayor separación del axón (75 y 50% más, p=0.05) que en el grupo C. En el grupo Alc se observaron mitocondrias de mayor tamaño (119 vs 107 nm, p=0.05) que en C.  La dieta y falta de actividad física llevaron a los animales a desarrollar DBT2. Esta condición afectó la ultraestructura del nervio óptico. La exposición a un ambiente enriquecido logró mejorar parcialmente las alteraciones metabólicas y ultraestructurales.

Demonstration of a partially integrated silicon photonics ONU in a self-coherent reflective FDMA PON

We report about the final results of the FABULOUS European project, demonstrating the feasibility of real-time Ethernet transmission on a self-coherent reflective passive optical network, using an optical network unit (ONU) whose main optical functions are performed by a silicon-photonics device; 500 Mbps per user with a power budget of 24 dB in offline processing and 21 dB in real time is shown. We also report details about the packaging process and the special technique developed for the flip-chipping of a CMOS electrical driver, used for driving the ONU with low voltage, onto a silicon Mach-Zehnder modulator

Study of the chloridratic ticlopidina's effects on macular microcirculation in diabetic patientes

The Authors evaluated the effects of the Ticlopidina cloridrato on diabetic background retinopaty by Fluorescein Angiographic and the retinal blood flow by Bleu Fiel

Retinal blood flow in senile macular degeneration. A Blue Field study [STUDIO DEL MICROCIRCOLO RETINICO CON LA TECNICA DEL BLUE FIELD IN PAZIENTI AFFETTI DA DEGENERAZIONE MACULARE SENILE]

The technique of the "Blue Field" simulation is based on an endo-optic phenomenon obtained by means of gazing a dark-blue and uniform light, of a 430 nanometers wave lenght. This phenomenon is due to the presence, in the retinal capillaries of 7-10 micrometers diameter, of red blood cells with some leucocytes among them, while the red blood cells do not allow the light to reach the retinal photoreceptors, the leucocytes are crossed by it, so being perceived as shining bodies.In order to obtain that, the patient is request to compare and balance the number of the perceived leucocytes,their velocity and rythm, by means of simulating with the help of a computer the presence of the leucocytes in a video display. This procedure is repeated five times.The Authors report the results obtained by using this technique in a group of 10 patients suffering from senile macular degeneration in prediskiform stage.In this way we pointed out that the circulation in the macular retinal capillaries in this patients is changed, in relation to the alterations of the visus from near

El filósofo legislador. Inactualidad del "nosotros" nietzscheano en la Genealogía de la moral

This work lies within the post-nietzschean theme regarding the question of �community�. �We are unknown to ourselves, we men of knowledge �and with good reason. We have never sought ourselves.� In this excerpt from the beginning of On the Genealogy of Morals are ciphered the gnoseo-epistemic problem of knowledge and truth (the problem of �knowing�), as well as the ethico-political problem of the organization of the community (the problem of �we�), and the logico-linguistic problem of the nomination of phenomena (the problem of �searching�). The problem of knowing, of knowing ourselves and the unknown is inseparable from the problem of the actual modes adopted by the search, and from the power relations expressed in languages. Once this map is drawn, we will sustain that Nietzsche�s �polemical work� is not only a genealogy of morals, but also a genealogy of truth and a genealogy of the subject