Report from a krill focused survey with RV Kronprins Haakon and land-based predator work in Antarctica during 2018/2019

The primary objective for this krill research activity was twofold 1) to conduct a survey that provides updated estimates of the biomass and distribution of krill which are used in models to estimate sustainable yield in CCAMLR Area 48 and 2) to develop knowledge on the marine environment essential for the implementation of a Feed-Back Management (FBM) system. The survey follows a similar design as a survey initiated by CCAMLR in year 2000 for comparative purposes, but in addition focuses on high krill-density areas, contains state-of-the art methods and employs modern technology for the research topics currently in focus. In terms of FBM, Marine Protected Area (MPA) development in CCAMLR Planning Domain 1 encompasses the major krill fishing grounds. Thus, data supporting FBM are critical if the fishery is to be managed by an empirical understanding of krill density, distribution, availability and predator needs as opposed to purely conservation-based measures. A future developed FBM system, requires acoustic data to be collected, processed and reported continuously during the fishing season as a measure of the available prey field. This information can be integrated with finer-scale knowledge of krill predator feeding strategies and updated through specific scientific studies at regular (multiyear) intervals. The survey and coupled FBM process studies took place during the Austral summer 2018-2019. The work was coordinated by Norway and involved collaborative international efforts as well as vessels from Norway, Association of Responsible Krill fishing companies (ARK) and the Norwegian fishing company Aker BioMarine AS, China, Korea, Ukraine and United Kingdom. This report presents preliminary results from the survey performed with the Norwegian RV Kronprins Haakon during 08th January – 24th February 2019 and the land-based predator research carried out between 21st November 2018 and 20th February 2019.publishedVersio

Measuring the health-related Sustainable Development Goals in 188 countries : a baseline analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Background In September, 2015, the UN General Assembly established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs specify 17 universal goals, 169 targets, and 230 indicators leading up to 2030. We provide an analysis of 33 health-related SDG indicators based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 (GBD 2015). Methods We applied statistical methods to systematically compiled data to estimate the performance of 33 health-related SDG indicators for 188 countries from 1990 to 2015. We rescaled each indicator on a scale from 0 (worst observed value between 1990 and 2015) to 100 (best observed). Indices representing all 33 health-related SDG indicators (health-related SDG index), health-related SDG indicators included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG index), and health-related indicators not included in the MDGs (non-MDG index) were computed as the geometric mean of the rescaled indicators by SDG target. We used spline regressions to examine the relations between the Socio-demographic Index (SDI, a summary measure based on average income per person, educational attainment, and total fertility rate) and each of the health-related SDG indicators and indices. Findings In 2015, the median health-related SDG index was 59.3 (95% uncertainty interval 56.8-61.8) and varied widely by country, ranging from 85.5 (84.2-86.5) in Iceland to 20.4 (15.4-24.9) in Central African Republic. SDI was a good predictor of the health-related SDG index (r(2) = 0.88) and the MDG index (r(2) = 0.2), whereas the non-MDG index had a weaker relation with SDI (r(2) = 0.79). Between 2000 and 2015, the health-related SDG index improved by a median of 7.9 (IQR 5.0-10.4), and gains on the MDG index (a median change of 10.0 [6.7-13.1]) exceeded that of the non-MDG index (a median change of 5.5 [2.1-8.9]). Since 2000, pronounced progress occurred for indicators such as met need with modern contraception, under-5 mortality, and neonatal mortality, as well as the indicator for universal health coverage tracer interventions. Moderate improvements were found for indicators such as HIV and tuberculosis incidence, minimal changes for hepatitis B incidence took place, and childhood overweight considerably worsened. Interpretation GBD provides an independent, comparable avenue for monitoring progress towards the health-related SDGs. Our analysis not only highlights the importance of income, education, and fertility as drivers of health improvement but also emphasises that investments in these areas alone will not be sufficient. Although considerable progress on the health-related MDG indicators has been made, these gains will need to be sustained and, in many cases, accelerated to achieve the ambitious SDG targets. The minimal improvement in or worsening of health-related indicators beyond the MDGs highlight the need for additional resources to effectively address the expanded scope of the health-related SDGs.Peer reviewe

Community integration in social housing: The colombian case = Integración comunitaria en vivienda de interés social: el caso colombiano

In the Colombian context, which ideally will now start a post-conflict period, it is necessary for the government to pursue strategies to prevent the causes of the conflict. This study considers the hypothesis that one possible cause for future conflict is the problems that emanate from coexistence of social housing neighbours. In Colombia, social housing programmes focus on providing shelter, in the sense that it is understood as something only physical. The problem is that this notion ignores the need of people to generate community integration. This study takes a conceptual approach to the issue by addressing the debates around citizenship as an identity and active citizenship. It also analyses concepts such as social capital, state-society-synergy and finally community and social housing. The study focuses on the case of Colombia, analysing the context and the challenges of social housing. It evaluates the housing policy and community integration programs of different institutions of the national government. Finally, it concludes with the suggestion that the government should have a participatory approach to building social housing that will help with arraigo (attachment) and to form the social fabric to achieve community integration, accomplishing better conviviality and housing conditions

Diagnosis of Methyl Malonicaciduria from 2013 to 2018

Foundation: methylmalonic aciduria is one of the most frequent organic acidurias and groups together a set of genetic defects, characterized by the excretion of elevated levels of urinemethyl malonic acid. The excretion of this metabolite may or may not be accompanied by elevated homocysteine levels depending on the affected metabolic pathway. Objective: to describe the implementation of a laboratory methodology that combines methylmalonic acid and homocysteine in the differential diagnosis and monitoring of methylmalonic aciduria in the period from 2013 to 2018. Methods: for patients with an increase in methylmalonic acid in the organic acid profile, homocysteine was quantified in plasma and urine. The identification of methylmalonic acid was performed by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry, while the homocysteine quantification by high performance liquid chromatography. Results: chromatographic methods allowed the identification and quantification of methylmalonic acid and homocysteine, respectively. Homocysteine was quantified in seven patients with increased levels of methylmalonic aciduria. Homocysteine levels in four of them were higher than normal values, suggesting aciduria combined with homocystinuria. Three of the patients with combined methylmalonic aciduria under treatment showed a decrease in the levels of both metabolites, corresponding to a satisfactory evolution. Conclusions: simultaneous determination of both markers allowed differential diagnosis and biochemical monitoring of this disease

Síndrome neuroléptico maligno: Algunas propuestas para un nuevo concepto y clasificación

Planteamos el posible reconocimiento del síndrome neuroléptico maligno mediante un nuevo concepto de síndrome extrapiramidal maligno, que se ajustaría más a la sintomatología y a la respuesta fisiológica de la vía extrapiramidal. Se da importancia al valor diagnóstico de cada síntoma, que no se tiene en cuenta en el diagnóstico de los desórdenes mentales IV, y se hace una revisión del tema con la presentación de un nuevo caso.The possible identification of the neuroleptic malignat syndrome by a new concept of extrapyramidal malignant syndrome, which would adjust more to the symptomatology and to the physiological response of the extrapyramidal route, is exposed. It is stressed the importance of the diagnostic value of each symptom that is not taken into consideration in the diagnosis of IV mental disorders. A review of the topic is made ingether with the presentation of a new case

Distribution and abundance of euphausiids and pelagic amphipods in Kongsfjorden, Isfjorden and Rijpfjorden (Svalbard) and changes in their relative importance as key prey in a warming marine ecosystem

Euphausiid (krill) and amphipod dynamics were studied during 2006–2011 by use of plankton nets in Kongsfjorden (79�N) and adjacent waters, also including limited sampling in Isfjorden (78�N) and Rijpfjorden (80�N). The objectives of the study were to assess how variations in physical characteristics across fjord systems affect the distribution and abundance of euphausiids and amphipods and the potential for these macrozooplankton species to reproduce in these waters. The abundances of euphausiids and amphipods were higher in Kongsfjorden than in Rijpfjorden and Isfjorden, and the highest abundances were observed at the innermost stations of Kongsfjorden, where Thysanoessa inermis and Themisto libellula dominated. The Atlantic species Thysanoessa longicaudata, Meganyctiphanes norvegica and Themisto abyssorum dominated at the outside Kongsfjorden. Inter-annual and seasonal variability in abundances of euphausiids and amphipods were evident. The presence of ripe euphausiids outside Kongsfjorden indicates that they may reproduce in these areas. Mature individuals of T. abyssorum were recorded mainly outside Kongsfjorden, whereas no mature or ripe T. libellula were present in both the inner and outer parts of this fjord. If the warming trend persists, as seen during the last decade, this would favour the Atlantic/boreal euphausiid species, while Arctic species, such as the amphipod T. libellula, may decline. Euphausiids and amphipods are major food of capelin (Mallotus villosus) and polar cod (Boreogadus saida), respectively, in this region, and changes in prey abundance will likely have an impact on the feeding dynamics of these important fish species

Immune dysfunction and increased oxidative stress state in diet-induced obese mice are reverted by nutritional supplementation with monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Purpose: Obesity is associated with impaired immune defences and chronic low levels of inflammation and oxidation. In addition, this condition may lead to premature aging. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a nutritional supplementation with monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on several functions and oxidative stress parameters in peritoneal immune cells of obese mice, as well as on the life span of these animals. Methods: Obesity was induced in adult female ICR/CD1 by the administration of a high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. During the last 6 weeks of HFD feeding, one group of obese mice received the same HFD, supplemented with 1500 mg of 2-hydroxyoleic acid (2-OHOA) and another with 3000 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Several functions and oxidative stress parameters of peritoneal leukocytes were evaluated. Results: The groups of obese mice treated with 2-OHOA or with EPA and DHA showed a significant improvement in several functions such as chemotaxis, phagocytosis, digestion capacity, Natural killer activity and lymphoproliferation in response to mitogens. All of these functions, which were decreased in obese mice, increased reaching similar levels to those found in non-obese controls. Both treatments also improved oxidative stress parameters such as xanthine oxidase activity, which decreased, catalase activity and glutathione levels, which increased. Conclusion: These data suggest that dietary supplementation with monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could be an effective nutritional intervention to restore the immune response and oxidative stress state, which are impaired in obesemice

Mutations in SMARCB1 and in other Coffin-Siris syndrome genes lead to various brain midline defects.

Mutations in genes encoding components of BAF (BRG1/BRM-associated factor) chromatin remodeling complexes cause neurodevelopmental disorders and tumors. The mechanisms leading to the development of these two disease entities alone or in combination remain unclear. We generated mice with a heterozygous nervous system-specific partial loss-of-function mutation in a BAF core component gene, Smarcb1. These Smarcb1 mutant mice show various brain midline abnormalities that are also found in individuals with Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) caused by SMARCB1, SMARCE1, and ARID1B mutations and in SMARCB1-related intellectual disability (ID) with choroid plexus hyperplasia (CPH). Analyses of the Smarcb1 mutant animals indicate that one prominent midline abnormality, corpus callosum agenesis, is due to midline glia aberrations. Our results establish a novel role of Smarcb1 in the development of the brain midline and have important clinical implications for BAF complex-related ID/neurodevelopmental disorders

Bases conceptuales de una política de innovación social

El presente documento, fruto del trabajo coordinado entre el Departamento Nacional de Planeación (DNP), el Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (Colciencias) y la Agencia Nacional para la Superación de la Pobreza Extrema (ANSPE), tiene como propósito establecer las bases conceptuales para la construcción de una política pública de innovación social (IS) que responda a las realidades y necesidades del país, para lo cual se abordan cuatro secciones siendo este apartado la primera de ellas. La segunda sección presenta los principales antecedentes conceptuales de la IS a nivel internacional y los antecedentes específicos en materia de política pública nacional en el país; la tercera sección presenta la formulación de una postura o definición de iIS a partir del análisis de los principales enfoques internacionales en las dimensiones de ámbito de aplicación, actores claves, objetivos y alcances, así como algunos ejemplos de IS en los entornos claves donde esta se presenta tradicionalmente y las características esenciales y deseables de la IS de acuerdo al concepto definido en el documento; la última sección enuncia los pasos a seguir en este proceso de construcción de una política de IS.Departamento Nacional de Planeació