A comparison of robust polynomial fitting, global geopotential model and spectral analysis for regional–residual gravity field separation in the Doñana National Park (Spain)

Doñana National Park is a protected area of approximately 500 km2 located on the SW coast of Spain with singular and interesting ecological and geological features. A gravimetric survey is presented where L&R gravity metres were used in the gravimetric observations with GPS and high-precision levelling positioning. Bouguer gravity anomalies were computed and least squares prediction was used for gross-error detection. Robust polynomial fitting, the recent EGM2008 global geopotential model (complete to degree and order 2159), and spectral analysis were tested for regional–residual gravity field separation. A detailed description of the gravimetric characteristics of the Doñana National Park is presented and the values of residual gravity anomalies were correlated with geological features, where the use of the EGM2008 global geopotential model has revealed an interesting tool for regional–residual gravity field separation. Finally, the interpretation of the results is justified by the well-known geological aspects of the park, but some modifications in the boundaries of the different geological features are needed in order to fit the modelled gravity with the residual gravity anomalies in the two cross-sections analysed.The studies presented here were part of CICYT (Spanish Research Directorate) research project nos. HID 97-0321 and REN2001-1293. We would like to thank all UPC members participating in these projects and the staff from the Biological Station of Donana (CSIC), Palacio de Donana and Donana National Park. We remain deeply grateful for the fruitful discussion with Dr. Salvany and for the geological review of the manuscript.Martín Furones, ÁE.; Nuñez Andrés, M.; Gili, J.; Anquela Julián, AB. (2011). A comparison of robust polynomial fitting, global geopotential model and spectral analysis for regional–residual gravity field separation in the Doñana National Park (Spain). Journal of Applied Geophysics. 75(2):327-337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2011.06.037S32733775

International nosocomial infection control consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 36 countries, for 2004-2009

The results of a surveillance study conducted by the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) from January 2004 through December 2009 in 422 intensive care units (ICUs) of 36 countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe are reported. During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN; formerly the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance system [NNIS]) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infections, we gathered prospective data from 313,008 patients hospitalized in the consortium's ICUs for an aggregate of 2,194,897 ICU bed-days. Despite the fact that the use of devices in the developing countries' ICUs was remarkably similar to that reported in US ICUs in the CDC's NHSN, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were significantly higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals; the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection in the INICC ICUs of 6.8 per 1,000 central line-days was more than 3-fold higher than the 2.0 per 1,000 central line-days reported in comparable US ICUs. The overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia also was far higher (15.8 vs 3.3 per 1,000 ventilator-days), as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (6.3 vs. 3.3 per 1,000 catheter-days). Notably, the frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates to imipenem (47.2% vs 23.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (76.3% vs 27.1%), Escherichia coli isolates to ceftazidime (66.7% vs 8.1%), Staphylococcus aureus isolates to methicillin (84.4% vs 56.8%), were also higher in the consortium's ICUs, and the crude unadjusted excess mortalities of device-related infections ranged from 7.3% (for catheter-associated urinary tract infection) to 15.2% (for ventilator-associated pneumonia). Copyright © 2012 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Clast shape-fabric analysis: A comprehensive and efficient methodology to measure particle-orientation data in solid and loose volcaniclastic deposits

Fabric analysis is essential for understanding the evolution of volcaniclastic deposits. Here we present a comprehensive and efficient methodology, called “Clast shape-fabric analysis,” which is part of the Quantitative Textural Analysis (QTA). This methodology combines high-resolution image analysis techniques with geospatial data processing tools.The fabric of a deposit refers to the three-dimensional orientation of the particles with respect to space, where the degree of iso-orientation of the major axes of the particles is taken into account. The process begins with the collection of oriented samples in the field. Then, in the laboratory, the samples are processed to obtain high-resolution images. The final stage involves the analysis of these images using the FabricS program, which combines image processing techniques and circular statistics.An application of the method was made at the Joya Honda Maar in Mexico, where shape-fabric analysis was used to identify the emission centers of pyroclastic materials.In summary, the “Clast shape-fabric analysis” is a reliable, low-cost and high-potential methodology that can be applied in several geoscientific disciplines and other areas of scientific research. • New Methodology for shape-fabric analysis is presented. • The methodology involves field work, laboratory work and image analysis. • Identification of particle orientations in volcaniclastic deposits

Antioxidant and neuroprotector effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) methanol leaf extract against 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA)-induced toxicity in PC12 cells

Las especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS) se producen normalmente durante el metabolismo celular, existen pruebas sólidas que sugieren que las ROS producidas en exceso alteran la célula y pueden estar relacionadas etiológicamente con diversas enfermedades neurodegenerativas. Este estudio se realizó para examinar los efectos del extracto de hoja de metanol de Lepidium meyenii (MACA) sobre la neurotoxicidad en células PC12 expuestas a 6-hidroxidopamina (6-OHDA). Se procesaron muestras frescas de hojas de "maca" para obtener extractos foliares y evaluar la actividad neurobiológica en células PC12, sometidas al efecto citotóxico de 6-OHDA mediante la determinación de la capacidad antioxidante, la viabilidad celular y los ensayos de citotoxicidad en células PC12. . Los resultados de las pruebas de actividad antioxidante, mostraron valores máximos de 2262.37 y 1305.36 expresados ​​en equivalentes de Trolox (TEAC). Para las fracciones metanólica y acuosa respectivamente. Los ensayos de viabilidad celular a una dosis de 10 μg de extracto mostraron un aumento del 31% y 60% a las 6 y 12 h de tratamiento previo, respectivamente. Los ensayos de citotoxicidad a la misma dosis y tiempo de exposición mostraron una reducción del 31,4% y 47,8% en la actividad de la lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH) y un aumento en la actividad de la superóxido dismutasa (SOD). Los resultados nos permiten afirmar que el extracto foliar metanólico de "maca" presenta una actividad neurobiológica in vitro de protección antioxidante, aumento de la viabilidad celular y reducción de la citotoxicidad contra el estrés oxidativo generado por 6-OHDA. En conclusión, el presente estudio muestra un papel protector para el extracto de hoja de Lepidium meyenii en la toxicidad inducida por 6-OHDA por un efecto antioxidante

Consenso mexicano de la enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico

Resumen: La enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico (EHGNA) afecta prácticamente a un tercio de la población mundial. México es uno de los países cuya población reúne varios factores de riesgo para esta enfermedad y su prevalencia podría superar el 50%; es por eso que el panorama a mediano plazo es muy pesimista si no se toman acciones inmediatas para contrarrestar lo que ya se considera un problema de salud nacional.De ahí el interés de la Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología y de la Asociación Mexicana de Hepatología para realizar el Consenso mexicano de EHGNA, en el cual se hizo una revisión actualizada y a fondo de temas como epidemiología, fisiopatología, formas clínicas, diagnóstico y tratamiento, con el objetivo de ofrecer al médico mexicano una herramienta útil para la prevención y el manejo de esta enfermedad. Abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects nearly one third of the population worldwide. Mexico is one of the countries whose population has several risk factors for the disease and its prevalence could surpass 50%. If immediate action is not taken to counteract what is now considered a national health problem, the medium-term panorama will be very bleak.This serious situation prompted the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología and the Asociación Mexicana de Hepatología to produce the Mexican Consensus on Fatty Liver Disease. It is an up-to-date and detailed review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical forms, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease, whose aim is to provide the Mexican physician with a useful tool for the prevention and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Palabras clave: Enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico, Consenso mexicano, Keywords: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Mexican consensu

The Mexican consensus on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects nearly one third of the population worldwide. Mexico is one of the countries whose population has several risk factors for the disease and its prevalence could surpass 50%. If immediate action is not taken to counteract what is now considered a national health problem, the medium-term panorama will be very bleak.This serious situation prompted the Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología and the Asociación Mexicana de Hepatología to produce the Mexican Consensus on Fatty Liver Disease. It is an up-to-date and detailed review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical forms, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease, whose aim is to provide the Mexican physician with a useful tool for the prevention and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Resumen: La enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico (EHGNA) afecta prácticamente a un tercio de la población mundial. México es uno de los países cuya población reúne varios factores de riesgo para esta enfermedad y su prevalencia podría superar el 50%; es por eso que el panorama a mediano plazo es muy pesimista si no se toman acciones inmediatas para contrarrestar lo que ya se considera un problema de salud nacional.De ahí el interés de la Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología y de la Asociación Mexicana de Hepatología para realizar el Consenso mexicano de EHGNA, en el cual se hizo una revisión actualizada y a fondo de temas como epidemiología, fisiopatología, formas clínicas, diagnóstico y tratamiento, con el objetivo de ofrecer al médico mexicano una herramienta útil para la prevención y el manejo de esta enfermedad. Keywords: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Mexican consensus, Palabras clave: Enfermedad por hígado graso no alcohólico, Consenso mexican

GWAS for systemic sclerosis identifies multiple risk loci and highlights fibrotic and vasculopathy pathways

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that shows one of the highest mortality rates among rheumatic diseases. We perform a large genome-wide association study (GWAS), and meta-analysis with previous GWASs, in 26,679 individuals and identify 27 independent genome-wide associated signals, including 13 new risk loci. The novel associations nearly double the number of genome-wide hits reported for SSc thus far. We define 95% credible sets of less than 5 likely causal variants in 12 loci. Additionally, we identify specific SSc subtype-associated signals. Functional analysis of high-priority variants shows the potential function of SSc signals, with the identification of 43 robust target genes through HiChIP. Our results point towards molecular pathways potentially involved in vasculopathy and fibrosis, two main hallmarks in SSc, and highlight the spectrum of critical cell types for the disease. This work supports a better understanding of the genetic basis of SSc and provides directions for future functional experiments