Pyrogenic organic matter from palaeo-fires during the Holocene: A case study in a sequence of buried soils at the Central Ebro Basin (NE Spain).

We studied the fire record and its environmental consequences during the Holocene in the Central Ebro Basin. This region is very sensitive to environmental changes due to its semiarid conditions, lithological features and a continuous human presence during the past 6000 years. The study area is a 6 m buried sequence of polycyclic soils developed approximately 9500 years ago that is exceptionally well preserved and encompasses four sedimentary units. The content and size distribution of macroscopic charcoal fragments were determined throughout the soil sequence and the analysis of the composition of charcoal, litter and sediments via analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC/MS). The high amount of charcoal fragments recovered in most horizons highlights the fire frequencies since the beginning of the Neolithic, most of which were probably of anthropogenic origin. In some soil horizons where charcoal was not found, we detected a distribution pattern of lipid compounds that could be related to biomass burning. On the other hand, the low number of pyrolysates in the charcoal could be attributed to high-intensity fires. No clear pattern was found in the composition of pyrolysates related to the age of sediments or vegetation type. The most ancient soil (Unit 1) was the richest in charcoal content and contains a higher proportion of larger fragments (>4 mm), which is consistent with the burning of a relatively dense vegetation cover. This buried soil has been preserved in situ, probably due to the accumulation of sedimentary materials because of a high-intensity fire. In addition, the pyrogenic C in this soil has some plant markers that could indicate a low degree of transformation. In Units 2-4, both the amount of charcoals and the proportions of macrofragments >4 mm are lower than those in Unit 1, which coincides with a more open forest and the presence of shrubs and herbs. The preservation of this site is key to continuing with studies that contribute to a better assessment of the consequences of future disturbances, such as landscape transformation and climate change.

A randomized control trial: training program of university students as health promoters.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the following as determining factors for the adoption of healthy lifestyles among undergraduate students: gender, socioeconomic level, prior lifestyles, environment, parental lifestyles and health status, career choice, and healthy support networks. However, these factors are influenced by students' knowledge about healthy lifestyles. METHODS/DESIGN: We will carry out a randomized trial in a sample of 280 new undergraduate students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico's Faculty of Higher Studies-Zaragoza (FES-Zaragoza, UNAM). There will be an experimental group (n = 140), comprising 20 students from each of the seven university departments (careers); these students will receive training as university student health promoters through an e-learning course. This course will allow the topics necessary for such promoters to be reviewed. There will be a control group (n = 140), comprising 20 students from each of the seven departments (careers); these students will not undergo the training. Later, the students who comply satisfactorily with the e-learning course will replicate the course to 10 of their classmates. A healthy-lifestyle questionnaire will be given to all the participants, and the parameters established in the self-care card will be recorded before and after the training. The study variables are as follows: (i) independent variable-compliance with the e-learning course; (ii) dependent variables-lifestyles changes prior to the educative intervention (including healthy eating, physical activity, and addiction prevention) and parameters related to health status established in self-care (including weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and hip circumference). Data will be analyzed using Student's t test and logistic regression analysis odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. The analysis of the open answers will be carried out with ATLAS. ti 5.5 software. DISCUSSION: Health promotion among university students should incorporate options that are feasible for and attractive to students. Thus, as proposed in the present protocol, e-learning courses offer excellent possibilities because they allow students to program their learning in their available time without affecting their academic studies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://ISRCTN77787889.

Testing of mutations on thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology: A prospective study of 112 patients in Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The study of genetic mutations in thyroid nodules makes it possible to improve the preoperative diagnosis of and reduce unnecessary surgeries on benign nodules. In this study, we analysed the impact of implementing a 7-gene mutation panel that enables mutations to be detected in BRAF and RAS (H/N/K) and the gene fusions PAX8/PPARG, RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC2, in a population in northern Argentina. METHODS: We performed a prospective analysis of 112 fine needle aspirations diagnosed as having indeterminate cytology according to the Bethesda classification system. These include the Bethesda III or atypia of unknown significance/follicular lesion of unknown significance and Bethesda IV or follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm categories. The mutations of the 7-gene panel were analysed and this information was linked to the available histology and ultrasound monitoring. RESULTS: The BRAF V600E and RET/PTC1 mutations were associated with carcinoma in 100% of cases (n = 8), whereas only 37.5% (n = 3) of the nodules with RAS and 17% (n = 1) with PAX8/PPARG mutations were associated with carcinoma. From the histological diagnosis and ultrasound monitoring of patients, we can estimate that this panel has a sensitivity of 86% in detecting malignant carcinoma, a specificity of 77%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 54% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94%. In this study, it was possible to reduce the number of surgeries by 48% in the patients analysed. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the mutation panel allowed the appropriate surgical strategy to be selected for each patient, the number of two-step surgeries to be reduced, and active follow-up to be established in low-risk patients.

Testing of mutations on thyroid nodules with indeterminate cytology: A prospective study of 112 patients in Argentina. / Testeo de mutaciones en nódulos tiroideos con citología indeterminada: estudio prospectivo de 112 pacientes en Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The study of genetic mutations in thyroid nodules makes it possible to improve the preoperative diagnosis of and reduce unnecessary surgeries on benign nodules. In this study, we analysed the impact of implementing a 7-gene mutation panel that enables mutations to be detected in BRAF and RAS (H/N/K) and the gene fusions PAX8/PPARG, RET/PTC1 and RET/PTC2, in a population in northern Argentina. METHOD: We performed a prospective analysis of 112 fine needle aspirations diagnosed as having indeterminate cytology according to the Bethesda classification system. These include the Bethesda III or atypia of unknown significance/follicular lesion of unknown significance and Bethesda IV or follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm categories. The mutations of the 7-gene panel were analysed and this information was linked to the available histology and ultrasound monitoring. RESULTS: The BRAF V600E and RET/PTC1 mutations were associated with carcinoma in 100% of cases (n=8), whereas only 37.5% (n=3) of the nodules with RAS and 17% (n=1) with PAX8/PPARG mutations were associated with carcinoma. From the histological diagnosis and ultrasound monitoring of patients, we can estimate that this panel has a sensitivity of 86% in detecting malignant carcinoma, a specificity of 77%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 54% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94%. In this study, it was possible to reduce the number of surgeries by 48% in the patients analysed. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the mutation panel allowed the appropriate surgical strategy to be selected for each patient, the number of two-step surgeries to be reduced, and active follow-up to be established in low-risk patients.

The Newcastle satisfaction with nursing scales in a Mexican Oncology Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: The principal aim of this study was to identify whether the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scales (NSNS) could be used on cancer patients. METHODS: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out on cancer patients (n = 298). RESULTS: We found that a majority of cancer patients were around 50 years old (hospitalized patients [HP]: 49.5 ± 14.9; chemotherapy outpatients [COP]: 49.4 ± 12.7), were female (HP: 74%; COP: 63.5%), and had received education at least up to elementary level (HP: 70%; COP: 80%). Breast cancer was the principal type of cancer (>34%) in both groups (HP and COP). The groups were comparable in age, sex distribution, place of origin, educational qualification, and type of cancer. Among HP, the experience and satisfaction scales of the NSNS showed good internal consistency (n = 235, α >0.9, r > 0.7), while among COP, only the satisfaction scale showed good internal consistency (n = 62, α = 1.00). Most patients' perceptions (level of satisfaction) of hospitalization and chemotherapy services were positive (98% and 97%, respectively). CONCLUSION: An NSNS instrument specifically designed for ambulatory care cancer patients is necessary for it to be useful in assessing cancer patients' perception of nursing care. This will help improve the quality of care in Mexico.The presence of cancer by itself could modify the patients' satisfaction level. Further large-scale studies are required to investigate the patients' perceptions of nursing care using the NSNS on different cancer patient groups.

Plant-topsoil relationships underlying subalpine grassland patchiness.

Approximately half of the area in the Spanish Central Pyrenees is dedicated to pastures. A decrease in stocking rate coupled with changes in livestock management in recent decades have favoured the expansion of Nardus grasslands, which are considered undesirable for grazing use and for diversity conservation. The objective of this study was to analyse how topsoil properties are related to grassland plant composition occurring in erosion-disturbed (chalk grasslands) and undisturbed (Nardus mat-grasslands) soils in a subalpine area of the Spanish Central Pyrenees. We selected six paired sampling points for a side-by-side comparison of both communities. At each point, we 1) estimated the plant cover of each species through inventories and 2) analysed a set of physical-chemical topsoil properties (0-5 and 5-10 cm depth). Data were analysed through multivariate analysis. We found typical species of Nardus mat-grasslands in the undisturbed sites growing on non-eroded and well-structured soils that were low in calcium and acidic, with high contents of organic matter. In turn, we found earlier-successional grassland communities growing on slopes recently affected by soil erosion processes. The species composition was mainly species from stony slope grasslands and, to a lesser extent, from the long-term snow-covered environments of the high mountains. These soils were shallower and stonier and had a less-stable structure, higher pH, and lower organic matter and calcium content than undisturbed soils. Our results suggest that the differences between both communities emerge and are maintained by soil-plant feedback mechanisms mediated in Nardus mat-grasslands through soil stabilization and acidification and in chalk grasslands through soil erosion and basification. These findings suggest that the subalpine grassland mosaic results from a model of non-equilibrium plant coexistence due to soil disturbance and inexorable succession. Management should be focused on maintaining a disturbance regime, through grazing, sufficient to prevent the spreading of Nardus mat-grasslands.

Effects of prescribed fire for pasture management on soil organic matter and biological properties: A 1-year study case in the Central Pyrenees.

Prescribed burning has been readopted in the last decade in the Central Pyrenees to stop the regression of subalpine grasslands in favour of shrublands, dominated among others by Echinospartum horridum (Vahl) Rothm. Nevertheless, the effect of this practice on soil properties is uncertain. The aim of this work was to analyse the effects of these burnings on topsoil organic matter and biological properties. Soil sampling was carried out in an autumnal prescribed fire in Buisán (NE-Spain, November 2015). Topsoil was sampled at 0-1cm, 1-2cm and 2-3cm depth in triplicate just before (U), ~1h (B0), 6months (B6) and 12months (B12) after burning. We analysed soil total organic C (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), microbial biomass C (Cmic), soil respiration (SR) and ß-D-glucosidase activity. A maximum temperature of 438°C was recorded at soil surface while at 1cm depth only 31°C were reached. Burning significantly decreased TOC (-52%), TN (-44%), Cmic (-57%), SR (-72%) and ß-D-glucosidase (-66%) at 0-1cm depth while SR was also reduced (-45%) at 1-2cm depth. In B6 and B12, no significant changes in these properties were observed as compared to B0. It can be concluded that the impact of prescribed burning has been significant and sustained over time, although limited to the first two topsoil centimetres.

Effects of prescribed burning for pasture reclamation on soil chemical properties in subalpine shrublands of the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain).

The abandonment of the traditional pastoral activities in the subalpine grasslands of the Central Pyrenees (NE-Spain) has resulted in shrub encroachment processes that are dominated by species such as the Echinospartum horridum. Therefore, prescribed burning has been recently readopted in this region as a management tool to stop the spread of shrubs and recover grasslands. We aimed to assess the effect that this practice may have on soil chemical properties such as SOC, N, pH, EC, water-extractable and exchangeable cations (Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+), cation exchange capacity, inorganic N forms (N-NH4+ and N-NO3-) and available P. We studied two prescribed burnings conducted at the subalpine level of the Central Pyrenees in the municipalities of Tella-Sin (April 2015) and Buisán (November 2015). At each site, the topsoil was sampled in triplicate at soil depths of 0-1, 1-2 and 2-3 cm immediately before (U), immediately after (B0) and one year after (B12) burning, and litter and/or ashes were removed prior to sampling. The results indicate that in the B0 samples, burning significantly reduced the SOC and N contents as well as the exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ at 0-1 cm, whereas the rest of the studied properties remained virtually unchanged. However, in the B12 samples we detected a decrease of nutrient content that was probably related to leaching and/or erosion processes.

Temporal evolution of organic carbon and nitrogen forms in volcanic soils under broom scrub affected by a wildfire.

The evolution of total N, total oxidizable C, water-soluble NH(4)(+)-N, exchangeable NH(4)(+)-N and soluble NO(3)(-)-N was studied in Canarian volcanic soils under mountainous legume scrub affected by a wildfire by June 2003. Three systematic soil samplings in the burned area and in neighbouring non-burned sampling points were carried out 3, 7 and 12 months after the fire event. The results showed an important mobilization of N (as total N and soluble and exchangeable NH(4)(+)-N) in the soil within the burned area at short term, with a simultaneous depletion of nitrates. Later on, the water-soluble NH(4)(+)-N levels remained nearly constant along the study period in the burned area, whereas the exchangeable NH(4)(+) decreased progressively. Nitrates were found to increase inside and outside the burned area, but the increase rate was much higher for the burned samples. Total N fluctuated along the year, although its levels were generally higher in the burned area. However, such a response pattern of N to fire in this environment was insufficient to prompt the recovery of the plant cover.

Long-term growth hormone therapy in adulthood results in significant linear growth in siblings with a PROP-1 gene mutation.

PROP-1 gene mutations result in impaired production of GH, gonadotropins, TSH, and prolactin. We describe three adult siblings, aged 18-25 yr, with short stature, hypothyroidism, and lack of pubertal maturation, who were homozygous for 301-302delAG PROP-1 mutation. We had the unique opportunity to treat them in adulthood with GH for 4-5 yr and thyroid replacement before sex steroid replacement. Sibling 1, a female, had a chronological age (CA) of 25 yr 8 months, a bone age (BA) of 12.5 yr, and height of 128.7 cm [-5.29 sd score (SDS)]; sibling 2, a younger sister had a CA of 22 yr 5 months, a BA of 13 yr, and height of 137.5 cm (-3.94 SDS); and sibling 3, a male, had a CA of 18 yr 4 months, a BA of 11.5 yr, and height of 127.5 cm (-6.38 SDS). Despite delay in treatment and fairly advanced BA, all responded to GH and thyroid hormone therapy with a dramatic increase in linear growth: 22.3 cm for sibling 1, 22 cm for sibling 2, and 34.5 cm for sibling 3. After sex hormone replacement, siblings 1, 2, and 3 grew another 2.6, 3, and 9.5 cm to final heights of 153.6, 162.5, and 171.5 cm, respectively. In conclusion, the substantial linear growth in adult siblings with a PROP-1 mutation illustrates that despite an advanced BA, linear growth potential remains in adulthood in the setting of sex steroid deficiency.

Interannual variations of soil organic carbon fractions in unmanaged volcanic soils (Canary Islands, Spain).

The stability over time of the organic C stocked in soils under undisturbed ecosystems is poorly studied, despite being suitable for detecting changes related to climate fluctuations and global warming. Volcanic soils often show high organic C contents due to the stabilization of organic matter by short-range ordered minerals or Al-humus complexes. We investigated the dynamics of different organic C fractions in volcanic soils of protected natural ecosystems of the Canary Islands (Spain) to evaluate the stability of their C pools. The study was carried out in 10 plots, including both undisturbed and formerly disturbed ecosystems, over two annual periods. C inputs to (litterfall) and outputs from (respiration) the soil, root C stocks (0-30 cm), soil organic C (SOC) fractions belonging to C pools with different degrees of biogeochemical stability -total oxidisable C (TOC), microbial biomass C (MBC), water soluble C (WSC), hot-water extractable C (HWC), humic C (HSC), - and total soil N (TN) (at 0-15 and 15-30 cm) were measured seasonally.A statistically significant interannual increase in CO(2) emissions and a decrease in the SOC, mainly at the expense of the most labile organic forms, were observed, while the root C stocks and litterfall inputs remained relatively constant over the study period. The observed changes may reflect an initial increase in SOC resulting from low soil respiration rates due to drought during the first year of study. The soils of nearly mature ecosystems were more apparently affected by C losses, while those undergoing the process of active natural regeneration exhibited disguised C loss because of the C sequestration trend that is characteristic of progressive ecological succession.

Programa de evaluación y control del tabaquismo en funcionarios del hospital doctor Gustavo Fricke, Viña del Mar, Chile / Program of evaluation and control of smoking in hospital staff at Hospital Doctor Gustavo Fricke, Viña del Mar, Chile

El tabaquismo, mantiene alta prevalencia a nivel de la población general, lo que se manifiesta también en los funcionarios de la salud en nuestro país. Objetivos: Se planificó un programa antitabaco para los funcionarios del Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke, Viña del Mar con el objetivo de realizar un diagnóstico de la situación, evaluar a los funcionarios comprometidos y realizar acciones programáticas orientadas al cese. Material y método: Se encuestaron entre marzo y junio del 2013, 551 funcionarios en forma directa, de los cuales, los que fumaban y manifestaron su deseo a dejarlo, se les aplico 4 test (Fagestrom, Richmond, Goldberg y De los porqué) y se les ofreció integrarse a un programa de cesación con terapia farmacológica y no farmacológica. Resultados: Se pesquisaron 249 fumadores (45 por ciento), de los cuales 158 (63,4 por ciento) desean dejar de fumar. Las tasas más altas fueron de los profesionales no de la salud (70 por ciento) y las más bajas de los médicos (18 por ciento). Se pesquiso un 20 por ciento de fumadores severos (>15 al día) y una gran motivación al cese. Hasta Agosto 2014, 60 funcionarios (38 por ciento de los que deseaban dejar de fumar) , estaban en programa, los cuales se evaluaron con ficha clínica “ad hoc”, test de Fagestrom, Richmond, De los por qué y Goldberg (depresión). Las modalidades de terapia fueron consejería individual y farmacológica con vareniclina y/o chicles de nicotina, de acuerdo a flujograma que consideraba grados de adicción y motivación. Hasta agosto /2014, 10 funcionarios habían recibido terapia farmacológica, de los cuales 6 completaban 6 meses de cesación, 2 abandonos y 2 recaídas. Conclusiones: Fue posible realizar un programa de cesación tabáquica en funcionarios hospitalarios de acuerdo a lo programado...

Smoking, maintaining a level high prevalence in the general population, which is also evident in the subjects working health in our country. Objectives: A smoking cessation program was planned for subjects working Dr. Gustavo Fricke Hospital, Vina del Mar in order to make a diagnosis of the situation, evaluate and make subjects working committed actions aimed at cessation program. Material and method: They were surveyed between March and June 2013, 551 subjects working directly, of which, those who smoked and expressed his desire to leave, they applied four tests (Fagestrom, Richmond, Goldberg and “Of the why”) and offered integrated a cessation program with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy. Results: 249 smokers (45 percent), of which 158 (63.4 percent) want to stop smoking. The highest rates were among non-health professionals (70 percent) and the lowest of physicians 18 percent. 20 percent of heavy smokers (> 15 per day) and a great motivation to terminate. Until August 2014, 60 staff (38 percent of those who wanted to stop smoking), were in the program, which were evaluated with clinical record "ad hoc" test Fagestrom, Richmond, “Of the why” and Goldberg (depression). Modalities therapy, were individually counseling and pharmacological therapy with varenicline and / or nicotine gum, according to flowchart considered degrees of addiction and motivation. Until August / 2014, 10 staff had received drug therapy, of which 6 completed 6 months of cessation, 2dropouts and 2 relapses. Conclusions: It was possible to make a smoking cessation program in hospital officials as scheduled...

Mutations in CYP11B1 gene: phenotype-genotype correlations.

11beta-hydroxylase deficiency, an autosomal recessive disorder, is the second most common cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. We studied four subjects with classic 11beta-hydroxylase deficiency and severe hypertension: a 46,XX affected subject from a Turkish family with severe ambiguity of the external genitalia and hypertension, and three affected 46,XY subjects from a Dominican kindred with isosexual precocious puberty and severe hypertension. The affected subjects had significantly elevated plasma 11-desoxycortisol, 11-desoxycorticosterone, Delta4-androstenedione, and testosterone. To determine the molecular genetic defects, genomic DNA was isolated from the leukocytes of affected subjects and their family members. The encoding region of the 11beta-hydroxylase gene (CYP11B1) was amplified by PCR with specific primers. Using single-stranded DNA conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and DNA sequencing, a nonsense mutation in exon 6 of CYP11B1 in the affected 46,XX subject from the Turkish family was identified, where a cytosine was substituted by a thymidine, resulting in the replacement of glutamine (CAG) by a stop codon (TAG) at amino acid position 338 (Q338X). In the three 46,XY Dominican boys, the mutation was also a nonsense mutation in exon 6 of CYP11B1, where a cytosine was substituted by a thymidine, resulting in the replacement of glutamine (CAG) by a stop codon (TAG) at amino acid position 356 (Q356X). Both mutations result in the biosynthesis of a truncated 11beta-hydroxylase protein with loss of enzymatic activity. Heterozygosity was determined in family members of both probands including parents and siblings. These results indicate that mutations of CYP11B1 in these subjects are responsible for their clinical syndromes.