Clutch size in great tits (Parus major) in orange-groves of Valencia and in the holm oak forest of Monte Poblet (Tarragona)

La estación de nidificación del Carbonero Común (Parus major) en la franja mediterránea ibérica comienza en abril y finaliza en julio. No obstante, la fecha media de puesta es diferente en distintas localidades. El tamaño medio de la puesta gira en torno a los 7 huevos por nido en las localidades estudiadas. Este valor es diferente del tamaño de la puesta al norte de los Pirineos y en regiones más occidentales de la Península Ibérica.In the Iberian Mediterranean area, the Great Tit's breeding season starts in April and finishes in July, but the mean laying date differs in different areas. The mean clutch size is about 7 eggs in the study sites. This values is significantly lower than mean clutch size both in more northern localities and in Salamanca (western Spain)

Variación del peso de los pollos de Carbonero Común (Parus major) tras abandonar el nido.

Durante el periodo 1992-2000 se estudió la variación en el peso de 111 pollos de Carbonero Común (Parus major) desde que se pesaron en el nido el día 15 de vida (D15) hasta la fecha de su recaptura, como máximo un mes y medio más tarde, en un naranjal de Sagunto (Valencia). Los pollos más pesados al abandonar el nido tienden a perder peso, mientras que los más ligeros a ganarlo. Incluso con estos cambios de peso, los pollos más pesados en D15 siguen siéndolo en el momento de su recaptura. Los resultados sugieren que las variaciones en el peso se producen en el nido o pocos días después de abandonarlo

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Breeding season, clutch size, and breeding success in the cirl bunting Emberiza cirlus

Se estudian algunos aspectos de la ecología de reproducción del escribano soteno (Emberiza cirlus) en el naranjal valenciano. Los datos proceden de 34 nidos activos encontrados en búsquedas sistemáticas entre 1981 y 1988. La estación de nidificación comienza a finales de marzo y termina a primeros de julio. El 76% de las parejas realiza dos puestas. La fecha media de inicio de puesta es el 19 de abril para las primeras y el 25 de mayo para las segundas. El tamaño medio de puesta es 3,81 huevos, y no varía significativamente a lo largo de la estación. El 31,4% de los huevos depositados produce pollos volanderos. Las principales causas de mortalidad son el fallo en la eclosión y la inanición, y su incidencia no varía estacionalmente. La tasa de predación es menor que en otras especies nidificantes en este medio. En comparación con otras localidades europeas estudiadas, la estación de nidificación comienza y termina antes en Valencia, y el tamaño medio de puesta no varía latitudinalmente.We investigated some aspects of the breeding ecology of the Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus) in orange groves near Valencia, East Spain. Results come from 34 active nests found during sistematic searchs from 1981 to 1988. The breeding season lasted from late March to early July (Fig. 1). 76% of the pairs laid two clutches. The mean laying date was 19th April and 25th May for 1st and 2nd clutches respectively. The average clutch size was 3.81 eggs, and it did not change significantly throughout the season (Table I). 31.4% of eggs laid produced fledglings (Table III), being unhatched eggs and starvation the main causes of the losses (Table IV). Predation was lower than in other species breeding in orange groves. Data available from other studies in Europe are presented (Table I) and discussed. No significant latitudinal trend in the clutch size has been found

Aves nidificantes en huecos de los naranjos

Dos especies de aves crían en los huecos de los naranjos, el Carbonero Común y el Torcecuello. El Carbonero Común presenta densidades que se insertan en el intervalo de los bosques caducifolios. La población se caracteriza por presentar parejas que no crían. La supervivencia en el nido es similar al de otras especies que construyen nidos abiertos, por lo que criar en huecos en el naranjal, no ofrece ventajas en el éxito reproductor. La predación ejerce una fuerte presión durante el período nidícola. La supervivencia de los pollos en el nido está determinada por la «calidad» del hueco, siendo la altura a la que está situada la entrada uno de los factores influyentes. Con estas características, la mortalidad una vez abandonado el nido debe ser baja para mantener la población estabilizada.Parus major and Jyns torquilla breed in natural holes in orange groves. P. major has a density of 5-8 pairs/10 ha. and J. torquilla has a density of 0.6-1.2 pairs/10 ha. Clutch-size of Great Tit is 6.4 eggs (n= 10). There are some Great Tit pairs which do not bred, although these pairs keep a territory throughout the breeding season. The breeding success is similar to open-nesting species, so nesting in orange tree-holes has not advantage for this species. Predations is the most important cause of nest mortality. «Quality» of tree-holes must be important in nest survival. Mortality after leaving the nest must be low to keep a stable population