216 research outputs found
ArqueologĂa en la cuenca inferior del RĂo Salado (Provincia de Santa Fe). Primeras aproximaciones al estudio de un sitio arqueolĂłgico con enterratorios mĂşltiples
En este trabajo se da cuenta de las tareas llevadas a cabo en el sitio arqueolĂłgico RĂo Salado Coronda II, en la ciudad de Santo TomĂ©, provincia de Santa Fe. Los estudios realizados abren una nueva serie de expectativas arqueolĂłgicas para el área de la cuenca inferior del rĂo Salado, la cual se mantuvo durante muchos años relegada en funciĂłn de las investigaciones realizadas en los ambientes de influencia directa del rĂo Paraná. El hallazgo por parte de vecinos en el barrio de Villa Adelina Este de la ciudad de Santo TomĂ© (provincia de Santa Fe) de Ătems arqueolĂłgicos, derivĂł en el descubrimiento de un área de enterratorios mĂşltiples, asociada a restos materiales que sugieren un uso particular de ese espacio por parte de las sociedades que lo ocuparon en el pasado, vinculado al sistema de creencias. Se presentan aquĂ los primeros resultados obtenidos del análisis del registro arqueolĂłgico del sitio mencionado. </p
Silicon fertilization effects in Pinus devoniana LINDL. in nursery stage
Objective: To evaluate the effect of applying silicon products on morphological variables, quality indices, and mineral content of Pinus devoniana seedlings during the nursery stage.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Four-month-old nursery seedlings produced on substrate were used. These were supplied with silicon in soluble powder applied on the substrate, and foliar liquid presentation and then evaluated in their morphological variables, foliar mineral content, and quality indices.
Results: The application of soluble silicon powder had a positive effect on stem length; while the stem diameter was favored by both applications, which improves its storage capacity. Regarding plant biomass production, the application of soluble silicon powder resulted in higher values of aerial biomass, while root production was favored by foliar liquid application. Plant quality was not affected by the silicon application from either the soluble powder or the liquid; however, the liquid foliar application had the best effect for determining variables of the species. The silicon application did not affect other essential element absorption.
Limitations/Implications of the study: The results and conclusions are limited to Pinus devoniana plants in their nursery stage under the described management and substrate conditions.
Findings/Conclusions: The silicon application favored growth, and did not affect the plant´s quality or other elements´ absorption. The soluble powder was positive for stem length, and the foliar application for root development benefited the stem diameter.
One Health Approach: Invasive California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) as an Important Source of Antimicrobial Drug-Resistant Salmonella Clones on Gran Canaria Island
The increase in the reptile population has led to a rise in the number of zoonotic infections due to close contact with reptiles, with reptile-associated salmonellosis being particularly relevant. California kingsnake invasion not only threatens the endemic reptile population of the island of Gran Canaria (Spain) but also poses serious public health problems by spreading zoonotic pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to the environment. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the occurrence, genetic diversity, and AMR among Salmonella spp. strains isolated from California kingsnakes in Gran Canaria Island (Spain). Of 73 invasive individuals captured, 20.5% carried Salmonella spp., belonging to different subspecies and serovars, with subsp. salamae as the most abundant. Pulsed-field electrophoresis showed high genetic diversity among subsp. salamae isolates, and among these, 73.3% showed resistance to at least one of the antimicrobials tested. In conclusion, the present study revealed the importance of wild invasive California kingsnakes as reservoirs of drug-resistant Salmonella spp. that could pose a direct threat to livestock and humans. Identification of drug-resistant Salmonella strains in wildlife provides valuable information on potential routes of transmission that involve risks to public and animal health.This study was supported by the project “POSTLIFE+ Lampropeltis para el control de la culebra real de California en Gran Canaria (LIFE10/NAT/ES/656)” financed by the Government of Canary Islands, Cabildo of Gran Canaria and Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU (IDOC 19/15, and INDI 20-21, INDI 22-34).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
The fully frustrated XY model with next nearest neighbor interaction
We introduce a fully frustrated XY model with nearest neighbor (nn) and next
nearest neighbor (nnn) couplings which can be realized in Josephson junction
arrays. We study the phase diagram for ( is the ratio
between nnn and nn couplings). When an Ising and a
Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transitions are present. Both critical
temperatures decrease with increasing . For the array
undergoes a sequence of two transitions. On raising the temperature first the
two sublattices decouple from each other and then, at higher temperatures, each
sublattice becomes disorderd.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
One Health Approach : Invasive California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) as an Important Source of Antimicrobial Drug-Resistant Salmonella Clones on Gran Canaria Island
The aim of this study was to investigate the invasive species Lampropeltis californiae (California kingsnake) as a reservoir of Salmonella and its ability to spread different clones of the bacterium with zoonotic potential into the environment, as well as study its antimicrobial resistance patterns in Gran Canaria (Spain). The main results showed that a high diversity of Salmonella subsp. salamae strains circulate in Gran Canaria with a high prevalence of resistance shown for antimicrobials of public health importance, as summarised in the European Decision 2013/652/EU. The increase in the reptile population has led to a rise in the number of zoonotic infections due to close contact with reptiles, with reptile-associated salmonellosis being particularly relevant. California kingsnake invasion not only threatens the endemic reptile population of the island of Gran Canaria (Spain) but also poses serious public health problems by spreading zoonotic pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to the environment. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the occurrence, genetic diversity, and AMR among Salmonella spp. strains isolated from California kingsnakes in Gran Canaria Island (Spain). Of 73 invasive individuals captured, 20.5% carried Salmonella spp., belonging to different subspecies and serovars, with subsp. salamae as the most abundant. Pulsed-field electrophoresis showed high genetic diversity among subsp. salamae isolates, and among these, 73.3% showed resistance to at least one of the antimicrobials tested. In conclusion, the present study revealed the importance of wild invasive California kingsnakes as reservoirs of drug-resistant Salmonella spp. that could pose a direct threat to livestock and humans. Identification of drug-resistant Salmonella strains in wildlife provides valuable information on potential routes of transmission that involve risks to public and animal health
Consensus document for the detection and management of chronic kidney disease.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health problem that, in its different stages, may affect up to 10% of the Spanish population and results in high morbidity and mortality, as well as high consumption of National Health System resources. Ten scientific societies involved in the management of kidney patients agreed to update the 2007 CKD consensus document. The current version is an abridged edition of the detailed general document, which can be consulted on the webpages of each signatory society. It includes the following aspects: CKD definition, epidemiology and risk factors and criteria on diagnosis, assessment and staging of CKD, albuminuria and glomerular filtration estimation. Progression factors and concept. Criteria for referral to Nephrology. Patient follow-up, attitudes and objectives by specialty. Prevention of nephrotoxicity. Detection of cardiovascular damage. Attitudes, lifestyle and treatment: management of high blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, smoking, obesity, hyperuricaemia, anaemia and mineral and bone metabolism disorders. Coordinated follow-up by Primary Care - other specialties - Nephrology. Management of renal replacement therapy, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplantation patients. Palliative treatment of terminal uraemia. We hope that this document will be very useful in the multidisciplinary management of CKD patients, in view of the updated recommendations
The Raman Laser Spectrometer for the ExoMars Rover Mission to Mars
The Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) on board the ESA/Roscosmos ExoMars 2020 mission will provide
precise identification of the mineral phases and the possibility to detect organics on the Red Planet. The RLS
will work on the powdered samples prepared inside the Pasteur analytical suite and collected on the surface and
subsurface by a drill system. Raman spectroscopy is a well-known analytical technique based on the inelastic
scattering by matter of incident monochromatic light (the Raman effect) that has many applications in laboratory
and industry, yet to be used in space applications. Raman spectrometers will be included in two Mars
rovers scheduled to be launched in 2020. The Raman instrument for ExoMars 2020 consists of three main units:
(1) a transmission spectrograph coupled to a CCD detector; (2) an electronics box, including the excitation laser
that controls the instrument functions; and (3) an optical head with an autofocus mechanism illuminating and
collecting the scattered light from the spot under investigation. The optical head is connected to the excitation
laser and the spectrometer by optical fibers. The instrument also has two targets positioned inside the rover
analytical laboratory for onboard Raman spectral calibration. The aim of this article was to present a detailed
description of the RLS instrument, including its operation on Mars. To verify RLS operation before launch and
to prepare science scenarios for the mission, a simulator of the sample analysis chain has been developed by the
team. The results obtained are also discussed. Finally, the potential of the Raman instrument for use in field
conditions is addressed. By using a ruggedized prototype, also developed by our team, a wide range of
terrestrial analog sites across the world have been studied. These investigations allowed preparing a large
collection of real, in situ spectra of samples from different geological processes and periods of Earth evolution.
On this basis, we are working to develop models for interpreting analog processes on Mars during the mission.
Key Words: Raman spectroscopy—ExoMars mission—Instruments and techniques—Planetary sciences—Mars
mineralogy and geochemistry—Search for life on Mars. Astrobiology 17, 627–65
Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London
Gene Expression and Functional Studies of the Optic Nerve Head Astrocyte Transcriptome from Normal African Americans and Caucasian Americans Donors
To determine whether optic nerve head (ONH) astrocytes, a key cellular component of glaucomatous neuropathy, exhibit differential gene expression in primary cultures of astrocytes from normal African American (AA) donors compared to astrocytes from normal Caucasian American (CA) donors.We used oligonucleotide Affymetrix microarray (HG U133A & HG U133A 2.0 chips) to compare gene expression levels in cultured ONH astrocytes from twelve CA and twelve AA normal age matched donor eyes. Chips were normalized with Robust Microarray Analysis (RMA) in R using Bioconductor. Significant differential gene expression levels were detected using mixed effects modeling and Statistical Analysis of Microarray (SAM). Functional analysis and Gene Ontology were used to classify differentially expressed genes. Differential gene expression was validated by quantitative real time RT-PCR. Protein levels were detected by Western blots and ELISA. Cell adhesion and migration assays tested physiological responses. Glutathione (GSH) assay detected levels of intracellular GSH.Multiple analyses selected 87 genes differentially expressed between normal AA and CA (P<0.01). The most relevant genes expressed in AA were categorized by function, including: signal transduction, response to stress, ECM genes, migration and cell adhesion.These data show that normal astrocytes from AA and CA normal donors display distinct expression profiles that impact astrocyte functions in the ONH. Our data suggests that differences in gene expression in ONH astrocytes may be specific to the development and/or progression of glaucoma in AA
- …