Productivity and Seasonality Drive Total Soil Respiration in Semi-Arid Juniper Woodlands (Juniperus thurifera L., Southern Spain)

We analyzed the relationship between forest productivity (joint effect of forest maturity and soil quality) and total soil respiration (mu mol CO2 m(-2) s(-1)) in semi-arid juniper woodlands (young woodlands growing in abandoned farmlands with deeper soils, and mature woodlands in lithic soils), and investigated the seasonal variation in soil CO2 efflux as a function of soil temperature and the soil water content. We measured the soil CO2 efflux from twelve cylinders in the soil over a three-year period using LI-6400 equipment. The results show that, in the more productive site (young woodland), soil CO2 efflux was higher due to greater respiration, mainly in the driest periods. Soil respiration followed a seasonal trend, being higher in spring and decreasing in cold periods. In both juniper woodlands and especially in the older forest, the CO2 efflux rates were low ( 25%) for both woodlands, coinciding with warm temperatures in the spring. This period also corresponded to the highest CO2 efflux recorded in both woodlands. The accumulation of organic C seems to also be important to maintain elevated soil respiration in summer, especially in young woodlands. Thus, apart from microclimatic conditions, factors related to productivity regulate respiratory activity

CIBERER : Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative

Altres ajuts: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low-prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15-year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research

Climate Change Impact on Water Resources in Northern Chile

International audienceNorthern Chile is characterized by desert-like climate. Five regions are recognized based ontheir geomorphological features which are grouped into four areas, these are the CoastalPlain and Range (Area I), the Central Depression (Area II), the Precordillera (Area III) and TheWestern Range (Area IV+ including the Altiplano). Streams are very restricted in theTarapacá region, distributed mostly in the Altiplano and Precordillera where they flowdownwards through narrow ravines (“quebradas”) until infiltrating when reaching theCentral Depression, which concentrates the majority of groundwater resources. The studyaims to understand how climate change affects water resources by calculating ExtremeClimate Indices (ECI). The methodology encompasses the use of precipitation andtemperature data from 75 meteorological stations from the XV, I and II regions in NorthernChile, as some neighboring stations in Bolivia and Northern Argentina in the monitoredperiod 1983 to 2012. ECI calculations were carried out using RClimdex script in the Rsoftware. Variations in ECI are stronger in Area II. In this area maximum daily temperaturetends to increase whereas the minimum decreases producing an augmentation intemperature daily oscillation. Evaporation is already very high in the Central Depression andthis temperature rise may trigger an increased rate in evaporated water during aquiferrecharge. Likewise this may also produce an increased rate in Prosopis Tamarugo (broadlypresent) transpiration causing higher aquifer discharge. Consequently the water budget inCentral Depression aquifers may be reduced. Effects in other areas can also be observed- in Area I the opposite effect to Area II occurs generating the increase of stratocumulus cloudsand augmenting fog availability something that coastal communities may take advantage of.In Precordillera the flush-flooding likelihood is bigger as evidenced by an increase in theR10mm index. Although there are 27 extreme climate indexes, only a few of them showedclear trends in the monitored period but evidencing important effects on water resources,especially in the most important aquifers in the Tarapacá region of Northern Chile

South American lake paleo-records across the Pampean Region

Although paleolimnological studies in the Argentinean and Uruguayan Pampas are relatively incipient, they have already provided critical information on the regional response of aquatic systems to climate variability. The combined results of these research initiatives highlight the key role Figure 2: Conceptual paleolimnological model displaying the relationship between trophic development of Uruguayan lakes (purple line), climate change in the region (black line) and Holocene sea-level curves (colored lines) observed in Uruguayan lakes. Temperature and humidity curves were reconstructed from opal phytolith data (Bracco et al., 2005; Inda et al., 2006; del Puerto et al., 2006; 2008; 2009). Sea level curves reconstructed from stratigraphical and topographical data. 117 PAGES news ? Vol 17 ? No 3 ? October 2009 Science Highlights: Paleolimnology of the subtropical region of South America (i.e., the transition between the tropics and the extra tropics) in deciphering the forcing factors of past changes in atmospheric circulation. Both Argentinean and Uruguayan Holocene paleolimnological records indicate similar paleoclimatic trends, i.e. dominant dry conditions were observed during cold phases, whereas wet conditions prevailed during warm climatic phases. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to integrate paleoclimatic data for the whole Pampean region. In addition, our results underscore the need to reinforce paleoclimate research at mid-latitudes in South America, in an attempt to fully appreciate natural climate variability beyond the instrumental record, as well as to design new strategies for the sustainable development of ecosystems and natural resources.Fil: Garcia Rodriguez, Felipe. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Piovano, Eduardo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: del Puerto, Laura. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Inda, Hugo. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Stutz, Silvina Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencia Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Bracco, Roberto. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Panario, Daniel. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Cordoba, Francisco Elizalde. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Sylvestre, Florence. Aix-Marseille University; FranciaFil: Ariztegui, Daniel. Universidad de Ginebra; Suiz

Northern Puna Plateau-scale survey of Li brine-type deposits in the Andes of NW Argentina

International audience17 Salars of the Andean Plateau in the Central Andes are the largest lithium deposits on Earth. The most 18 notorious are the Chilean Salar de Atacama, and Uyuni in the Bolivian Altiplano. Despite the relevance of the 19 region concerning the lithium resources, there is still scarce scientific literature on the hydrochemistry of lithium 20 deposits in the Argentine portion of the Andean Plateau. In this article we present new hydrochemical data from 21 the first regional-scale reconnaissance exploration of the four major salars in the northernmost Argentine Andes. 22 Data revealed that brines in the studied salars are characterized by mean Li + concentrations ranging between 82 23 and 1,014 mg L-1 , and mean Li:Mg ratios from 0.92 to 0.54. The size of the study salars becomes a potential 24 limitation for the whole Li resources in comparison with the giant Atacama and Uyuni. Nonetheless, when 25 considering the Li grade and the Li:Mg ratio of brines, the Northern Puna salars turn out to be very remarkable 26 lithium prospects. Data emerged from this survey represent a valuable tool for: 1) private investment projects by 27 defining Li mining targets, 2) for the administration of natural resources and the definition of the State's politics, 28 and 3) for scientific purposes, especially in investigations meant to better understand the processes involved in 29 the formation of Li brine deposits, salars, and endorheic basins. 30 3

Mortality Prediction in Patients Undergoing Non-Invasive Ventilation in Intermediate Care

Background Intermediate Care Units (ImCU) have become an alternative scenario to perform Non-Inva- sive Ventilation (NIV). The limited number of prognostic studies in this population support the need of mortality prediction evaluation in this context. Objective The objective of this study is to analyze the performance of Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II and 3 in patients undergoing NIV in an ImCU. Additionally, we searched for new variables that could be useful to customize these scores, in order to improve mortality prediction. Design Cohort study with prospectively collected data from all patients admitted to a single center ImCU who received NIV. The SAPS II and 3 scores with their respective predicted mortality rates were calculated. Discrimination and calibration were evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and with the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test for the models, respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to iden- tify new variables to customize the scores for mortality prediction in this setting. Patients The study included 241 patients consecutively admitted to an ImCU staffed by hospitalists from April 2006 to December 2013. Key Results The observed in-hospital mortality was 32.4% resulting in a Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) of 1.35 for SAPS II and 0.68 for SAPS 3. Mortality discrimination based on the AUC was 0.73 for SAPS II and 0.69 for SAPS 3. Customized models including immunosuppres- sion, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute pulmonary edema (APE), lactic acid, pCO2 and haemoglobin levels showed better discrimination than old scores with simi- lar calibration power. Conclusions These results suggest that SAPS II and 3 should be customized with additional patient-risk factors to improve mortality prediction in patients undergoing NIV in intermediate care

Estrategia farmacoinvasiva como tratamiento de reperfusión en áreas sin disponibilidad de angioplastia primaria

Introduction and objectives: Reperfusion therapy during an ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (STEACS) can be performed using fibrinolytic agents or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). The pPCI is the reperfusion strategy of choice, but many patients with STEACS initially come to non-PCI capable hospitals. Regional networks have been launched with both reperfusion therapies using thrombolysis in indicated cases followed by routine angiographic studies (pharmacoinvasive strategy). Our objective was to analyze the results of treatment in patients with STEACS in the Region of Murcia, Spain based on the patient’s place of origin. Methods: Retrospective study of a cohort of patients admitted due to STEACS to 3 health areas: pPCI-capable Area 1 (Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca), and non-pPCI capable Areas IV and V (Hospital Comarcal del Noroeste, Caravaca de la Cruz, and Virgen del Castillo, Yecla). Results: Six hundred and seventy-nine patients from health areas I, IV, and V of the Region of Murcia were treated of STEACS from 2006 through 2010. Out of the 494 patients from Area I, 97.6% (482 patients) were treated with pPCI while 2.4% (12 cases) received thrombolysis. In Areas IV and V, 73% (135) of patients were treated with pPCI and 27% (50) with thrombolysis. After thrombolysis, 46 patients (34%) required rescue angioplasty and 79 (58.5%) underwent a scheduled coronary angiography (pharmacoinvasive strategy). No statistically significant differences were reported in the overall mortality rate at 30-day (8.3% in Area I vs 6% in Areas IV and V; P = .31) or 1 year follow-up (11.3% vs 8.2%; P = .23) in Area I compared to Areas IV and V, nor for cardiac mortality. Conclusions: Although immediate pPCIs are less accessible in remote health areas, the healthcare network from the Region of Murcia can achieve similar mortality results compared to populations with pPCI availability.Introducción y objetivos: El tratamiento de reperfusión en un síndrome coronario agudo con elevación del segmento ST (SCACEST) se puede realizar con agentes fibrinolíticos o con angioplastia primaria (ICPp). La ICPp es la estrategia de elección, pero muchos de los pacientes con SCACEST acuden inicialmente a hospitales sin ICPp. Se han desarrollado programas de asistencia al SCACEST en los que se integran ambos tratamientos, utilizando la trombolisis en casos indicados, seguida de un estudio angiográfico (estrategia farmacoinvasiva). El objetivo del estudio es analizar los resultados del tratamiento del SCACEST según sea diagnosticado en áreas de salud con o sin disponibilidad de ICPp inmediata. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de una cohorte de pacientes diagnosticados de SCACEST en 3 áreas de salud de Murcia: área I con ICPp (Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca) y áreas IV y V sin ICPp (Hospital Comarcal del Noroeste, Caravaca de la Cruz y Virgen del Castillo, Yecla). Resultados: Entre 2006 y 2010 se atendió por SCACEST a 679 pacientes de las áreas I, IV y V de Murcia. De los 494 pacientes del área I, recibieron tratamiento con ICPp el 97,6% (482) y trombolisis el 2,4% (12). En los pacientes de las áreas sanitarias IV y V se realizó trombolisis al 73% (135) e ICPp al resto 27% (50). De los pacientes sometidos a trombolisis, el 34% (46) precisaron angioplastia de rescate y al 58,5% (79) se les realizó coronariografía programada (estrategia farmacoinvasiva). No hubo diferencias en la mortalidad total a 30 días (8,3% en el área I y 6% en las áreas IV y V; p = 0,31) ni al año (11,3 frente a 8,2%; p = 0,23); tampoco en la mortalidad por causa cardiaca. Conclusiones: A pesar de la menor accesibilidad a la ICPp en las áreas sanitarias más alejadas, la red asistencial regional de Murcia permite unos resultados comparables a los de las áreas sanitarias con disponibilidad de ICPp

Attitudes towards anti-smoking legislation and prevalence of tobacco consumption in Spanish primary healthcare personnel

Introduction Our aim was to ascertain how the anti-smoking legislation of 2005/2010 has affected the behavior of primary healthcare center (PHC) personnel (medical and nonmedical) with respect to their attitudes towards tobacco, its consumption and the legislative changes. Methods The sample consisted of 2040 PHC employees (1578 women, 77.4%). Never smokers, ex-smokers, and smokers represented 46.7%, 37.8%, and 15.5% of the sample, respectively. Tobacco prevalence amongst physicians and nurses was 12.3%. Following the introduction of the antismoking legislation, a decrease in consumption was observed. Most of the participants considered that tobacco consumption affected health, was an addictive illness, and passive smoking had an impact on the health of non-smokers. Whilst 91.6% agreed with the current legislation, only 25% felt that it encouraged cessation. Results The sample was made up of 2040 PHC employees (1578 women; 77.4%). Never smokers, ex-smokers, and smokers represented 46.7%, 37.8%, and 15.5%, respectively. Tobacco prevalence amongst physicians and nurses was 12.3%. Following the introduction of the anti-smoking legislation a decrease in consumption was observed. Most of the participants considered that tobacco affected health, was an addictive illness, and passive smoking had an impact on the health of non-smokers. Whilst 91.6% agreed with the current legislation, only 25% felt that it encouraged cessation. Conclusions Spanish primary healthcare professionals have a relatively low prevalence of smoking compared to the general population. It is necessary to implement more legislative measures to improve and maintain this outcome