61 research outputs found
Germination behaviour of four mediterranean Cistus L. species in relation to high temperature
Cistus is one of the most characteristic genera of the Mediterranean flora. These species, natives of lands surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, are present in scrubland and garigue on siliceous ground and often on acid soil; seven species in particular are founded in Sicily. The adaptation of the genus to Mediterranean environments is evident from ecological characteristics such as fire-dependent seed germination; the heat generated by fire is in fact a key germination input.In this view, two experiments were performed to study the effects of high temperature on germination of four Cistus species (C. creticus L., C. crispus L., C. monspeliensis L., C. salviifolius L.). In the first, in relation to untreated control, 7 different high temperature pre-treatments (from 70°C to 130°C) for different timings (from 1 to 10 minutes) were analysed in relation to two sowing strategies (soon after the seed collection and after a 6 month period at 5°C to simulate the winter season effects). The pre-treatment with high temperatures can improve the germination; the storage at 5°C to simulate the winter season effects did not modify the germination process. In any case the results showed a species-dependent response. High germination percentage was obtained for C. creticus, while a lower germination rate was achieved by C. crispus and C. monspeliensis.In the second experiment, seeds were treated for different periods (80°C for 10 min, 90°C for 5 min and 100°C for 1 min) with high temperature in dry and wet (immersion in distilled water) conditions. Also in this case the responses were strictly linked to the species. Especially C. crispus and C. monspeliensis showed high germination percentage in wet conditions. In all species the wet heat treatments determined an accelerating of process like demonstrated by lower T50 values
Serum Creatinine and Tacrolimus Assessment With VAMS Finger-Prick Microsampling: A Diagnostic Test Study
Rationale & Objective: Kidney transplant recipients require frequent venipunctures. Microsampling methods that use a finger-prick draw of capillary blood, like volumetric absorptive microsamplers (VAMS), have the potential to reduce the pain, inconvenience, and volume of blood loss associated with venipuncture. This study aimed to provide diagnostic accuracy using VAMS for measurement of tacrolimus and creatinine compared to gold standard venous blood in adult kidney transplant recipients.
Study Design: Diagnostic test study. Prospective blood samples for measurement of tacrolimus and creatinine were collected using Mitra VAMS and venipuncture immediately before and 2 hours after tacrolimus dosing.
Setting & Participants: A convenience sample of 40 adult kidney transplant participants in the outpatient setting.
Tests Compared: Method comparison was assessed by Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analysis. The predictive performance of VAMS measurement compared to venipuncture was also assessed through estimation of the median prediction error and median absolute percentage prediction error.
Results: A total of 74 tacrolimus samples and 70 creatinine samples were analyzed from 40 participants. Passing-Bablok regression showed a systematic difference between VAMS and venipuncture when measuring tacrolimus and creatinine with a slope of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.03-1.13) and a slope of 0.65 (95% CI, 0.6-0.7), respectively. These values were then corrected for the systematic difference. When used for Bland-Altman analysis, corrected values of tacrolimus and creatinine showed a bias of -0.1 ÎĽg/L and 0.04 mg/dL, respectively. Tacrolimus (corrected) and creatinine (corrected) microsampling values when compared to corresponding venipuncture values met median prediction error and median absolute percentage prediction error predefined acceptability limits of <15%.
Limitations: This study was conducted in a controlled environment using a trained nurse to collect VAMS samples.
Conclusions: In this study, VAMS was used to reliably measured tacrolimus and creatinine. This represents a clear opportunity for more frequent and less invasive sampling for patients
Cannabidiol Reduces Intestinal Inflammation through the Control of Neuroimmune Axis
Enteric glial cells (EGC) actively mediate acute and chronic inflammation in the gut; EGC proliferate and release neurotrophins, growth factors, and pro-inflammatory cytokines which, in turn, may amplify the immune response, representing a very important link between the nervous and immune systems in the intestine. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an interesting compound because of its ability to control reactive gliosis in the CNS, without any unwanted psychotropic effects. Therefore the rationale of our study was to investigate the effect of CBD on intestinal biopsies from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and from intestinal segments of mice with LPS-induced intestinal inflammation. CBD markedly counteracted reactive enteric gliosis in LPS-mice trough the massive reduction of astroglial signalling neurotrophin S100B. Histological, biochemical and immunohistochemical data demonstrated that S100B decrease was associated with a considerable decrease in mast cell and macrophages in the intestine of LPS-treated mice after CBD treatment. Moreover the treatment of LPS-mice with CBD reduced TNF-α expression and the presence of cleaved caspase-3. Similar results were obtained in ex vivo cultured human derived colonic biopsies. In biopsies of UC patients, both during active inflammation and in remission stimulated with LPS+INF-γ, an increased glial cell activation and intestinal damage were evidenced. CBD reduced the expression of S100B and iNOS proteins in the human biopsies confirming its well documented effect in septic mice. The activity of CBD is, at least partly, mediated via the selective PPAR-gamma receptor pathway. CBD targets enteric reactive gliosis, counteracts the inflammatory environment induced by LPS in mice and in human colonic cultures derived from UC patients. These actions lead to a reduction of intestinal damage mediated by PPARgamma receptor pathway. Our results therefore indicate that CBD indeed unravels a new therapeutic strategy to treat inflammatory bowel diseases
EL VALOR DE LOS CONCEPTOS EN CONTEXTO. EL APORTE DE TONY DĂŤAZ AL SABER DISCIPLINAR | ACTAS - Jornadas de InvestigaciĂłn
El Proyecto de investigaciĂłn “Hacia una epistemologĂa de la Arquitectura. EpistemologĂa y Episteme desde el Horizonte Proyectual de Tony DĂaz” Parte II, que postula, que la arquitectura no es un campo unificado del conocimiento, y que por tanto propone, constatar que en esta disciplina, se hace indispensable operar sobre el absoluto de los lĂmites planteados por la razĂłn instrumental, ya que si se opera sĂłlo desde allĂ, se impide el despliegue de la capacidad propositiva de la arquitectura, limitándola, al mero rol de productora de objetos in-significantes (Plan de estudios 2008); es el lugar desde donde este trabajo de investigaciĂłn se enmarca, teniendo desde allĂ como objetivos, apelar a la apertura e interpretaciĂłn de aquellos textos que son citados en la obra de Tony DĂaz y que aportan conceptos, que devienen de otros saberes de la cultura, y que aportan al hacer especĂficamente disciplinar; construir una serie de relaciones posibles, entre el planteo a cerca de “el proyecto como escritura” de Tony DĂaz y las referencias tanto dentro de la disciplina como fuera de ella, para asĂ, producir una arquitectura “legible”. El análisis de una trayectoria, particularmente coherente, de un reflexionar disciplinar, constituido desde el estudio de la teorĂa de la arquitectura, y plasmado en el construir, resulta indispensable para la consecuente transmisiĂłn de este corpus de conocimiento a quienes serán los prĂłximos encargados de construir arquitectura, de construir ciudad. Este trabajo tiene la intenciĂłn de reafirmar esa amalgama rigurosa que consigue DĂaz, al escribir sobre la disciplina, y contextualizar tĂ©rminos diversos y no especĂficos, que luego en sus escritos, pasan a serlo, siendo además contundentes en el andamiaje de conocimiento propuesto. Y verificándose en modo material, en la obra de dicho arquitecto. MetodolĂłgicamente este trabajo, inscripto, como se aclara al comienzo de este escrito, en El Proyecto de investigaciĂłn “Hacia una epistemologĂa de la Arquitectura. EpistemologĂa y Episteme desde el Horizonte Proyectual de Tony DĂaz” Parte II, trabaja desde la ciencia fenomenolĂłgico hermenĂ©utica, sujeto que percibe e interpreta desde su perspectiva. La acciĂłn en su proceso de producciĂłn; asĂ, se seleccionan casos: “textos” (escritos y obras) del autor que permiten indagar su proceso de producciĂłn, se describen e interpretan esos procesos, otorgando valor a esos registros, se abordan “textos” de diferentes autores que ha elegido DĂaz tanto como para producir arquitectura o pensamiento sobre la misma, se interpretan esos procesos que devienen de su verdad, verdad situada, construyendo asĂ la diferencia, la puesta en valor de la transgresiĂłn en su hacer, su aporte tanto a la arquitectura, como al pensamiento sobre la misma. La selecciĂłn de citas o referentes abordados, se fundamenta en el concepto de “arquitectura como escritura”: Hal Foster, historiador y crĂtico de arte estadounidense, es citado por DĂaz en Tiempo y arquitectura para darle fundamento a los conceptos de archivo, museo, memoria. En el capĂtulo archivos de arte moderno, del libro, Diseño y Delito, Foster trabaja tambiĂ©n la interpretaciĂłn de la imagen contextualizada en tiempo y lugar, algo que DĂaz tambiĂ©n toma en sus escritos. Se acerca tambiĂ©n a Giorgio Grassi, arquitecto y teĂłrico de la arquitectura italiano, con sus escritos en La arquitectura como oficio, trayendo de allĂ, el trabajo que Ă©l plantea en el capĂtulo, la relaciĂłn análisis proyecto, para aproximar al hacer especĂficamente disciplinar, los planteos del lenguaje y su contextualizaciĂłn, fundamentados en la interpretaciĂłn y rescate de lo ya hecho y probado. Juan Goytisolo, escritor español, citado por DĂaz en incertidumbres, capĂtulo de quĂ© hablamos cuando hablamos de arquitectura, por el sentido de los conceptos, leer y releer, interpretados en relaciĂłn, uno con el otro. Estos conceptos hilan este trabajo de investigaciĂłn. Y tambiĂ©n Marti Aris, citado por DĂaz en el mismo artĂculo, porque de allĂ se toma el concepto de tipo, este está extraĂdo de la obra las variaciones de la identidad ensayo sobre el tipo en arquitectura
Experiences of medical dominance in pharmacist-doctor interactions - an elephant in the room?
Background The development of new roles by pharmacists supports the delivery of healthcare services but potentially also encroaches into other healthcare professions’ domains of practice. Some novel pharmacy services are only reluctantly accepted by the medical profession and are surrounded by a discourse which expresses medical dominance, with pharmacists facing resistance to their closer involvement in patient care. Objective To investigate whether and how pharmacists may experience medical dominance in their practice. Methods For this qualitative study, pharmacists working in primary care settings were introduced to concepts of sociology in healthcare and medical dominance, then asked to reflect on personal experiences of potential medical dominance, and their emotional and behavioural response. The reflective texts were thematically analysed using a framework based on theories of medical dominance, self-regulation and the influence of emotions on cognition to interpret themes. Results Twenty-five pharmacists provided detailed reflective accounts. Most worked in a community pharmacy when they experienced medical dominance in interactions with doctors. They described how doctors demarcated territory, evaded scrutiny or disparaged pharmacists’ professional expertise. Pharmacists perceived limited options in negotiating these experiences and often employed patients in resolving issues which were left unaddressed. They felt frustrated, undervalued and angry after their experiences and described apprehensiveness in future interactions with doctors. Conclusion Although experiences of medical dominance by pharmacists working in primary care seem to be an infrequent though regular occurrence pharmacists do not seem to be well prepared to counter or negotiate around it. Perceived and actual dominance in interprofessional interactions with doctors are stressors which may affect pharmacists’ ability to problem-solve, their role effectiveness and satisfaction
Los elementos de Arquitectura concebidos como categorĂa en proceso de proyecto.
La unidad conceptual de la parte en la producciĂłn de espacio fĂsico habitable.
El trabajo se enmarca en el proyecto de Investigación acreditado: “El campo disciplinar de
la arquitectura, su delimitación. Su objeto de estudio en diálogo con distintos saberes”,
dirigido por la arq. Nidia Gamboa, radicado en la UNR. La propuesta metodolĂłgica parte
de la ciencia fenomenolĂłgica donde un sujeto interpreta desde su lugar, desde su
perspectiva; y desde la hermenéutica, donde la ciencia se supedita a la práctica social, a los
procesos de producciĂłn para generar un conocimiento en pos de la acciĂłn.
Se propone indagar sobre el rol que tienen los elementos de arquitectura dentro del proceso
proyectual cuando se los concibe como una categorĂa conceptual. Partiendo de la nociĂłn de
que los elementos de arquitectura se constituyen mediante un proceso de proyectaciĂłn
propia de cada autor y que esto supone un recorte, una inclusiĂłn y una exclusiĂłn de
particulares caracterĂsticas; y que Ă©stas pueden pensarse como expresiones de valores e
intenciones, es posible categorizarlos y mediante su estudio comprender el proceso de
proyecto que los origina como parte de la idea organizadora total. Los elementos de
arquitectura son concebidos y materializados aportando a la TeorĂa y la crĂtica de la
disciplina; posibles de ser interpretados y provocando categorĂas conceptuales que
entendidas como “verdades situadas” nos ayuden a construir conocimientos colectivos; en
definitiva la EpistemologĂa de la Arquitectura desde nuestra universidad pĂşblica. Como
resultados
Reconocemos como avance preliminar la recuperaciĂłn del valor del lenguaje de la
arquitectura como forma de comunicaciĂłn social-cultural en la formaciĂłn especĂfica, el
valor didáctico de trabajar con los elementos de arquitectura y con las leyes de
organizaciĂłn como palabras y sintaxis. Facilitar la comprensiĂłn aportando conocimientos
del propio lenguaje para ser leĂdo o transmitido para operar en el Ciclo Formativo;
aportando una metodologĂa de trabajo donde la palabra y la gráfica se complementan y
permiten pensar el proceso proyectual.
En este trabajo abordaremos la producciĂłn de distintos arquitectos; provocando un recorte
enfocado en la propia concepciĂłn de los elementos de arquitectura dentro de sus textos y
proyectos, tratando de generar un aporte al debate disciplinar
Whose turf is it anyway? Pharmacists’ perceptions of medical dominance – effects on role and behaviour
Effects of salt stress on growth of Quercus ilex L. seedlings
High salt concentration is one of the main factors that affects plants’ growth, especially in urban areas. Many Mediterranean sclerophyllous species manifest high resistance to salt, although few information exists in the literature on Quercus ilex. The aim of this work was to evaluate the response of Q. ilex seedlings to salt stress conditions generated by an increasing concentration of sodium chloride on water supply irrigation. A 2-year experiment was conducted by using salt water at different concentrations (first year 50–100–200 and second year 75–150–300 mM NaCl). At increasing salt concentration, a plant growth reduction was registered in both years. Until 200 mM NaCl, the plants grew and did not show any visible damage on the leaves, while at 300 mM NaCl, all the plants died. Also, the photosynthetic rate decreased at increasing salt concentration. Sodium was accumulated in the plant parts and this accumulation occurred at the expense of potassium uptake
Recommended from our members
The Evolutionary Trajectory of EU Trade in Algae for Human Consumption
- …