Efecto alelopático de la invasora Acacia dealbata Link (Fabaceae) en dos especies de plantas nativas del centro-sur de Chile

Plant species that growth close to or under the canopy of Acacia dealbata Link (Fabaceae, subfamily: Mimosoideae) withinits non-native range, survive with difficulty or not at all, especially if they are native. This phenomenon has been attributedto allelopathy; one of the strategies used by A. dealbata to trigger an invasion process. Native species Quillaja saponariaMolina (tree) and Helenium aromaticum (Hook.) H.L. Bailey (herb), share A. dealbata’s range in South-central Chile. Thisstudy was performed on the Mediterranean Biobío Region of Chile. We evaluated the effect of leaves, flowers, pods andseeds of A. dealbata on the germination and early growth of these native species. Biological assays were carried out underlaboratory conditions, based on aqueous extracts and the direct effect of plant material. Leaf litter prevented the germinationof both species and seeds of the invasive species impeded the germination of Q. saponaria. Other plant parts from A.dealbata also induced reductions of hypocotyl and radicle lengths in the native species, reaching over 50 % in some treatmentvalues. All plant parts caused radicle necrosis, preventing the formation of root hairs and, consequently, jeopardizing thesurvival possibility of the recipient species. The results show that A. dealbata can interfere with the establishment of pioneerherbaceous species in ecological succession and can also affect trees if they are reached by the invasion front.Las plantas que crecen cerca o bajo el dosel de Acacia dealbata Link (Fabaceae, subfamilia: Mimosoideae), cuando esta seencuentra en el rango no nativo, sobreviven con dificultad o no lo logran, especialmente si son nativas. Este fenómeno se haatribuido a la alelopatía; una de las estrategias utilizadas por A. dealbata para promover su proceso de invasión. Las especiesnativas Quillaja saponaria Molina (arbórea) y Helenium aromaticum (Hook.) H.L. Bailey (herbácea) comparten el rango dedistribución de A. dealbata en el centro-sur de Chile. El presente trabajo se realizó en la Región del Biobío y se evaluaronlos efectos de hojas, flores, vainas y semillas de A. dealbata en la germinación y crecimiento temprano de las especiesnativas mencionadas. Los ensayos biológicos se llevaron a cabo en condiciones de laboratorio, basados en extractos acuososy efectos directos del material vegetal. Nuestros resultados indicaron que las hojas impidieron la germinación de ambasespecies nativas, pero las semillas impidieron sólo la germinación de Q. saponaria. Otras partes de la planta de A. dealbatatambién indujeron fuertes reducciones de las longitudes del hipocótilo y radícula en las especies nativas, superándose el50% en algunos tratamientos. Todas las partes de la planta causaron necrosis en la radícula, evitando la formación de pelosradicales y, por consiguiente, comprometiendo la posibilidad de supervivencia de las especies receptoras. Estos resultadosmuestran que A. dealbata puede interferir en el establecimiento de especies herbáceas pioneras en la sucesión ecológica ytambién puede afectar especies arbóreas secundarias si son alcanzadas por el frente de invasión

Modelling, simulation and control of pedestrian avoidance maneuver for an urban electric vehicle

The mathematical model of an electric vehicle, as well as the control system for avoiding pedestrians in urban traffic is described. The vehicle is modeled as a continuous system consisting of several subsystems. In addition, a set of sensors and actuators along with a two-level discrete control system are modeled. Based on this model, a pedestrian avoidance maneuver for typical speeds in city traffic is simulated. When the sensory system detects a pedestrian in the vehicle's path, the decision system calculates its trajectory. Using this information, the speed and/or direction that the vehicle must take in order to avoid the accident are estimated. These values are sent to the low-level controllers of the accelerator/brake and steering, which generate the signals to be applied to such systems to achieve the desired trajectory and speed.This work is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, projects “Automatización y Control Inteligente de Vehículos Eléctricos Urbanos” (ACIVEU, DPI2012-36959) and “Assisted Navigation through Natural Language” (NAVEGASE, DPI2014-53525-C3-1-R)

Working together: a review on safe human-robot collaboration in industrial environments

After many years of rigid conventional procedures of production, industrial manufacturing is going through a process of change toward flexible and intelligent manufacturing, the so-called Industry 4.0. In this paper, human-robot collaboration has an important role in smart factories since it contributes to the achievement of higher productivity and greater efficiency. However, this evolution means breaking with the established safety procedures as the separation of workspaces between robot and human is removed. These changes are reflected in safety standards related to industrial robotics since the last decade, and have led to the development of a wide field of research focusing on the prevention of human-robot impacts and/or the minimization of related risks or their consequences. This paper presents a review of the main safety systems that have been proposed and applied in industrial robotic environments that contribute to the achievement of safe collaborative human-robot work. Additionally, a review is provided of the current regulations along with new concepts that have been introduced in them. The discussion presented in this paper includes multidisciplinary approaches, such as techniques for estimation and the evaluation of injuries in human-robot collisions, mechanical and software devices designed to minimize the consequences of human-robot impact, impact detection systems, and strategies to prevent collisions or minimize their consequences when they occur

Promoción y difusión de los derechos humanos desde Sindicatura Municipal de Guadalajara: Día de las mujeres y día de la niña y del niño

ITESO, A.C

Beneficial effects of essential oils from the mediterranean diet on gut microbiota and their metabolites in ischemic heart disease and type-2 diabetes mellitus

[Abstract] Ischemic heart disease (IHD) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain major health problems worldwide and commonly coexist in individuals. Gut microbial metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Previous studies have reported dysbiosis in the gut microbiota of these patients and the prebiotic effects of some components of the Mediterranean diet. Essential oil emulsions of savory (Satureja hortensis), parsley (Petroselinum crispum) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) were assessed as nutraceuticals and prebiotics in IHD and T2DM. Humanized mice harboring gut microbiota derived from that of patients with IHD and T2DM were supplemented with L-carnitine and orally treated with essential oil emulsions for 40 days. We assessed the effects on gut microbiota composition and abundance, microbial metabolites and plasma markers of cardiovascular disease, inflammation and oxidative stress. Our results showed that essential oil emulsions in mice supplemented with L-carnitine have prebiotic effects on beneficial commensal bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus genus. There was a decrease in plasma TMAO and an increase in fecal SCFAs levels in mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils. Thrombomodulin levels were increased in mice treated with savory and parsley essential oils. While mice treated with parsley and rosemary essential oils showed a decrease in plasma cytokines (INFɣ, TNFα, IL-12p70 and IL-22); savory essential oil was associated with increased levels of chemokines (CXCL1, CCL2 and CCL11). Finally, there was a decrease in protein carbonyls and pentosidine according to the essential oil emulsion. These results suggest that changes in the gut microbiota induced by essential oils of parsley, savory and rosemary as prebiotics could differentially regulate cardiovascular and metabolic factors, which highlights the potential of these nutraceuticals for reducing IHD risk in patients affected by T2DM.Junta de Andalucía; PI-0170-2018Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PT20/00101Junta de Andalucía; RH-0078-2021Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CPII19/00022Instituto de Salud Carlos III; FI20/0022

Expression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins in epicardial adipose tissue in patients with coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus: preliminary study

[Abstract] Objectives: Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) genes are crucial in lipid biosynthesis and cardiovascular homeostasis. Their expression in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and their influence in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD) and type-2 diabetes mellitus remain to be determined. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of SREBP genes in EAT in patients with CAD according to diabetes status and its association with clinical and biochemical data. Methods: SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 mRNA expression levels were measured in EAT from 49 patients with CAD (26 with diabetes) and 23 controls without CAD or diabetes. Results: Both SREBPs mRNA expression were significantly higher in patients with CAD and diabetes (p<0.001) and were identified as independent cardiovascular risk factor for coronary artery disease in patients with type-2 diabetes (SREBP-1: OR 1.7, 95%CI 1.1-2.5, p=0.02; SREBP-2: OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.2-3, p=0.02) and were independently associated with the presence of multivessel CAD, left main and anterior descending artery stenosis, and higher total and LDL cholesterol levels, and lower HDL cholesterol levels, in patients with CAD and diabetes. Conclusions: SREBP genes are expressed in EAT and were higher in CAD patients with diabetes than those patients without CAD or diabetes. SREBP expression was associated as cardiovascular risk factor for the severity of CAD and the poor lipid control. In this preliminary study we suggest the importance of EAT in the lipid metabolism and cardiovascular homeostasis for coronary atherosclerosis of patients with diabetes and highlight a future novel therapeutic target.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI13/02542Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI11/01661Red de Investigación Cardiovascular; RD12/0042/003

Alteraciones morfológicas en el tracto respiratorio de ratas wistar inducidas por vapores de la raíz de hierba del zorrillo (Petiveria alliacea) del Suroeste de México = Morphologic Alterations in the Respiratory Tract of Wistar Rats Induced by Steams of the Root of Hierba del Zorrillo (Petiveria alliacea) from Southwest of Mexico

Petiveria alliacea, es conocida con diferentes nombres según el lugar donde se le encuentre. Estudios con hojas, tallo, raíz o extractos describen múltiples usos medicinales. Sin embargo, son pocos los que describen efectos tóxicos. En este estudio se evaluó el efecto morfológico de los vapores de la raíz de P. alliacea sobre el tracto respiratorio de ratas Wistar. Se emplearon 15 ratas divididas en 5 grupos (n=3): control absoluto, 0, 5, 15 y 30 minutos post-exposición (grupos I-V, respectivamente). Las ratas se sacrificaron y se colectaron muestras representativas del tracto respiratorio que posteriormente se procesaron por la técnica histológica convencional, hasta su inclusión en bloques de parafina. Los cortes histológicos se tiñeron con H-E, tricrómico de Masson y azul de toluidina. En tráquea, bronquiolos y pulmón de las ratas de los grupos I y II se observó una histología normal. En la tráquea de los grupos III, IV y V se identificaron áreas variables de hiperplasia en el epitelio, zonas desprovistas de cilios, signos de aumento en la secreción de las células caliciformes y áreas desprovistas de epitelio que se incrementaron con el tiempo. En la lámina propia se observó congestión vascular e infiltrado mononuclear que incrementó con el tiempo. En los bronquiolos de los grupos III y IV se observó activación de las células de Clara, áreas desprovistas de epitelio, y células mononucleares en la luz bronquiolar. En el grupo V se observaron características histológicas normales. En pulmón de los grupos III y IV se identificó engrosamiento de tabiques alveolares, incremento de las fibras de colágena, congestión y extravasación capilar, además de exudado intralveolar. En el grupo V se observó aparente reversión de algunas alteraciones morfológicas de los grupos previos, aunque otras alteraciones persisten. No se observaron diferencias en el número de las células cebadas

Efecto repelente y tiempo de protección de aceites esenciales frente al estadio adulto de Aedes aegypti

The aim of this was to evaluate the repellent effect and protection time of essential oils against the adult Aedes aegypti mosquito. A completely randomized design was used with a factorial arrangement that included 10 essential oils (Minthostachys mollis, Schinus molle, Ruta graveolens, Piper aduncun, Myrica pubescens, Lippia alba, Mentha piperita, Lantana glutinosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus globulus and the DEET control. 10%) and four concentrations of the oils (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/ml). Each experimental group consisted of 50 adult female A. aegypti mosquitoes raised in the laboratory and the repellent effect and protection time were evaluated using a sedated animal bait (Rattus rattus) with applications of 0.1 ml of the oils on the legs, tail and face. The rats and mosquitoes were found in two communicating cages of 25x25x40 cm. The oils with the greatest repellent effect and protection time, respectively, were C. citratus (97.4%; 165 minutes), E. globulus (95.8%; 165 minutes), L. glutinosa (93.8%; 180 minutes) and M. piperite (93.5%; 180 minutes) in its highest concentration (1000 mg/l); with differences between oils and between concentrations (p&lt;0.001). Likewise, DEET 10% obtained a repellency of 95.3% and a protection time of 173 minutes. It is concluded that the essential oils of C. citratus, E. globulus, L. glutinosa and M. piperita can be considered as having natural repellent potential for A. aegypti.El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto repelente y tiempo de protección de aceites esenciales frente al mosquito adulto de Aedes aegypti. Se trabajó con un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial que incluyó 10 aceites esenciales (Minthostachys mollis, Schinus molle, Ruta graveolens, Piper aduncun, Myrica pubescens, Lippia alba, Mentha piperita, Lantana glutinosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus globulus y el control DEET 10%) y cuatro concentraciones de los aceites (125, 250, 500 y 1000 mg/ml). Cada grupo experimental se constituyó por 50 mosquitos hembra adultos de A. aegypti criados en laboratorio y el efecto repelente y tiempo de protección se evaluaron usando un cebo animal sedado (Rattus rattus) con aplicaciones de 0.1 ml de los aceites en patas, cola y cara. Las ratas y los mosquitos se encontraron en dos jaulas comunicadas de 25x25x40 cm. Los aceites con mayor efecto repelente y tiempo de protección, respectivamente, fueron: C. citratus (97.4%; 165 minutos), E. globulus (95.8%; 165 minutos), L. glutinosa (93.8%; 180 minutos) y M. piperita (93.5%; 180 minutos) en su concentración mayor concentración (1000 mg/l); con diferencias entre aceites y entre concentraciones (p&lt;0.001). Asimismo, el DEET 10% obtuvo una repelencia de 95.3 % y tiempo de protección de 173 minutos. Se concluye que los aceites esenciales de C. citratus, E. globulus, L. glutinosa y M. piperita pueden considerarse con potencial repelente natural para A. aegypti

Bladder cancer index: cross-cultural adaptation into Spanish and psychometric evaluation

BACKGROUND: The Bladder Cancer Index (BCI) is so far the only instrument applicable across all bladder cancer patients, independent of tumor infiltration or treatment applied. We developed a Spanish version of the BCI, and assessed its acceptability and metric properties. METHODS: For the adaptation into Spanish we used the forward and back-translation method, expert panels, and cognitive debriefing patient interviews. For the assessment of metric properties we used data from 197 bladder cancer patients from a multi-center prospective study. The Spanish BCI and the SF-36 Health Survey were self-administered before and 12 months after treatment. Reliability was estimated by Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was assessed through the multi-trait multi-method matrix. The magnitude of change was quantified by effect sizes to assess responsiveness. RESULTS: Reliability coefficients ranged 0.75-0.97. The validity analysis confirmed moderate associations between the BCI function and bother subscales for urinary (r = 0.61) and bowel (r = 0.53) domains; conceptual independence among all BCI domains (r ≤ 0.3); and low correlation coefficients with the SF-36 scores, ranging 0.14-0.48. Among patients reporting global improvement at follow-up, pre-post treatment changes were statistically significant for the urinary domain and urinary bother subscale, with effect sizes of 0.38 and 0.53. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish BCI is well accepted, reliable, valid, responsive, and similar in performance compared to the original instrument. These findings support its use, both in Spanish and international studies, as a valuable and comprehensive tool for assessing quality of life across a wide range of bladder cancer patients

Pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma. Postoperative outcome after surgical treatment in a Spanish multicenter study (PANMEKID)

Background: Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) occasionally spreads to the pancreas. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the short and long-term results of a multicenter series in order to determine the effect of surgical treatment on the prognosis of these patients. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study of patients undergoing surgery for RCC pancreatic metastases, from January 2010 to May 2020. Variables related to the primary tumor, demographics, clinical characteristics of metastasis, location in the pancreas, type of pancreatic resection performed and data on short and long-term evolution after pancreatic resection were collected. Results: The study included 116 patients. The mean time between nephrectomy and pancreatic metastases' resection was 87.35 months (ICR: 1.51-332.55). Distal pancreatectomy was the most performed technique employed (50 %). Postoperative morbidity was observed in 60.9 % of cases (Clavien-Dindo greater than IIIa in 14 %). The median follow-up time was 43 months (13-78). Overall survival (OS) rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 96 %, 88 %, and 83 %, respectively. The disease-free survival (DFS) rate at 1, 3, and 5 years was 73 %, 49 %, and 35 %, respectively. Significant prognostic factors of relapse were a disease free interval of less than 10 years (2.05 [1.13-3.72], p 0.02) and a history of previous extrapancreatic metastasis (2.44 [1.22-4.86], p 0.01). Conclusions: Pancreatic resection if metastatic RCC is found in the pancreas is warranted to achieve higher overall survival and disease-free survival, even if extrapancreatic metastases were previously removed. The existence of intrapancreatic multifocal compromise does not always warrant the performance of a total pancreatectomy in order to improve survival. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd