Population collapse of habitat-forming species in the Mediterranean: a long-term study of gorgonian populations affected by recurrent marine heatwaves.

Understanding the resilience of temperate reefs to climate change requires exploring the recovery capacity of their habitat-forming species from recurrent marine heatwaves (MHWs). Here, we show that, in a Mediterranean highly enforced marine protected area established more than 40 years ago, habitat-forming octocoral populations that were first affected by a severe MHW in 2003 have not recovered after 15 years. Contrarily, they have followed collapse trajectories that have brought them to the brink of local ecological extinction. Since 2003, impacted populations of the red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata (Risso, 1826) and the red coral Corallium rubrum (Linnaeus, 1758) have followed different trends in terms of size structure, but a similar progressive reduction in density and biomass. Concurrently, recurrent MHWs were observed in the area during the 2003-2018 study period, which may have hindered populations recovery. The studied octocorals play a unique habitat-forming role in the coralligenous assemblages (i.e. reefs endemic to the Mediterranean Sea home to approximately 10% of its species). Therefore, our results underpin the great risk that recurrent MHWs pose for the long-term integrity and functioning of these emblematic temperate reefs.

Testing the properties of the triarchic model of psychopathy in a community sample: Self-reported trait aggression and drug consumption associations.

The triarchic model of psychopathy encompasses different conceptions of psychopathic personality characterized by three phenotypic components: boldness, disinhibition, and meanness. Psychopathy is a complex construct at both emotional and behavioral level. The aim of this study was to determine the core elements of psychopathic personality in a community sample and analyze the relation between these elements and other personality traits such as aggression, and certain specific behavioral manifestations such as substance use. The study sample comprised 1,159 participants aged between 17 and 74 years, who were administered the Triarchic Psychopathy Questionnaire, the Impulsive-Premeditated Aggression Scale, and the Aggression Questionnaire. The results show that the constructs of meanness and disinhibition are more highly associated with different forms of both impulsive and premeditated aggression. Furthermore, men scored higher on all three components of the triarchic model compared to women. Finally, higher substance use (tobacco and drugs) was associated with higher scores in meanness, boldness, and disinhibition. These findings demonstrate the importance of assessing psychopathy in a community sample, and the detection of possible risk factors for the disorder.

Knowledge is power: Issues of measuring training and performance in cycling.

Mobile power meters provide a valid means of measuring cyclists' power output in the field. These field measurements can be performed with very good accuracy and reliability making the power meter a useful tool for monitoring and evaluating training and race demands. This review presents power meter data from a Grand Tour cyclist's training and racing and explores the inherent complications created by its stochastic nature. Simple summary methods cannot reflect a session's variable distribution of power output or indicate its likely metabolic stress. Binning power output data, into training zones for example, provides information on the detail but not the length of efforts within a session. An alternative approach is to track changes in cyclists' modelled training and racing performances. Both critical power and record power profiles have been used for monitoring training-induced changes in this manner. Due to the inadequacy of current methods, the review highlights the need for new methods to be established which quantify the effects of training loads and models their implications for performance.

Nutritional intake and anthropometric changes of professional road cyclists during a 4-day competition.

Appropriate nutrition through adequate dietary intake of total calories, macronutrients, and micronutrients is an essential component of optimizing the performance of all elite athletes. The aim of this study was to describe the food intake, body composition, and biochemical profile of professional cyclists during the Tour of Andalusia, a four-stage race covering a total distance of 647.6 km. Nutritional data were collected by trained investigators who weighed all of the food and fluid ingested by the cyclists. The nutritional intake of the cyclists was as follows: CHO, 12.8 ± 1.7 g/kg of body weight (BW; 62.3%); fat, 2.1 ± 0.2 g/kg BW (23.2%); proteins, 3.0 ± 0.3 g/kg BW (14.5%); total kcal was 5644.3 ± 593.1. Intake of all micronutrients, except for folate and potassium [which were 93.7% and 91.3% of Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)] exceeded the RDA/I. Percentage of body fat and fat weight significantly decreased (P < 0.05) while weight of muscle mass remained unchanged after the Tour. Concentrations of urea, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, myoglobin, and high-density lipoproteins significantly increased (P < 0.05) after the Tour. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe both nutritional intake and the body and biochemical composition of a sample of professional road cyclists during a top-class cycling race.

Road Cycling and Mountain Biking Produces Adaptations on the Spine and Hamstring Extensibility.

The purposes of this study were as follows: 1) to analyse the influence of training in road cycling or cross-country mountain biking on sagittal spinal curvatures, pelvic tilt and trunk inclination in cyclists of both cycling modalities; 2) to evaluate the specific spinal posture and pelvic tilt adopted on the road bicycle and cross-country mountain bike; and 3) to compare the spinal sagittal capacity of flexion and pelvic tilt mobility as well as hamstring muscle extensibility among road cyclists, cross-country mountain bikers and non-cyclists. Thirty matched road cyclists, 30 mountain bikers and 30 non-cyclists participated in this study. The road cyclists showed significantly greater thoracic kyphosis and trunk inclination than did the mountain bikers and non-cyclists in a standing posture. On the bicycle, the road bicycling posture was characterised by greater lumbar flexion and more significant anterior pelvic tilt and trunk inclination compared with the mountain biking posture. The thoracic spine was more flexed in mountain biking than in road cycling. Road cyclists had significantly greater hamstring muscle extensibility in the active knee extension test, and showed greater anterior pelvic tilt and trunk inclination capacity in the sit-and-reach test, compared with mountain bikers and non-cyclists.

Upwelling as a stressor event during embryonic development: Consequences for encapsulated and early juvenile stages of the marine gastropod Acanthina monodon.

Upwelling phenomena alter the physical and chemical parameters of the sea's subsurface waters, producing low levels of temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen, which can seriously impact the early developmental stages of marine organisms. To understand how upwelling can affect the encapsulated development of the gastropod Acanthina monodon, capsules containing embryos at different stages of development (initial, intermediate and advanced) were exposed to upwelling conditions (pH = 7.6; O2 = 3 mg L-1; T° = 9 °C) for a period of 7 days. Effects of treatment were determined by estimating parameters such as time to hatching, number of hatchlings per capsule, percentage of individuals with incomplete development, and shell parameters such as shell shape and size, shell strength, and the percentage of the organic/inorganic content. We found no significant impacts on hatching time, number of hatchlings per capsule, or percentage of incomplete development in either the presence or absence of upwelling, regardless of developmental stage. On the other hand, latent effects on encapsulated stages of A. monodon were detected in embryos that had been exposed to upwelling stress in the initial embryonic stage. The juveniles from this treatment hatched at smaller sizes and with higher organic content in their shells, resulting in a higher resistance to cracking 30 days after hatching, due to greater elasticity. Geometric morphometric analysis showed that exposure to upwelling condition induced a change in the morphology of shell growth in all post-hatching juveniles (0-30 days), regardless of embryonic developmental stage at the time of exposure. Thus, more elongated shells (siphonal canal and posterior region) and more globular shells were observed in newly hatched juveniles that had been exposed to the upwelling condition. The neutral or even positive upwelling exposure results suggests that exposure to upwelling events during the encapsulated embryonic phase of A. monodon development might not have major impacts on the future juvenile stages. However, this should be taken with caution in consideration of the increased frequency and intensity of upwelling events predicted for the coming decades.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease related to wood smoke and impact of the combined exposure to tobacco.

BACKGROUND: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2023 highlights the need to explore aetiotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) beyond the tobacco-smoking COPD. Exposure to wood smoke (WS) is a risk factor for COPD in women, but the effect of the combined exposure to tobacco smoke (TS) in the general population and among COPD patients, and the characteristics of WS-COPD are unclear. METHOD: This was an analysis of data from PREPOCOL (Prevalence of COPD in Five Colombian Cities Situated at Low, Medium, and High Altitude), a random cross-sectional population-based study (n = 5,539) focusing on the effect of combined WS and TS exposure and WS-COPD characterisation. RESULTS: Prevalence of COPD was significantly higher in those exposed to both WS and TS (16.0%) than in those exposed to WS (6.7%) or TS (7.8%) only (P < 0.001). Exposure to WS was associated with COPD in men (OR 1.53, P = 0.017). WS-COPD individuals were more frequently female, older, shorter and had higher forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) (all P < 0.05). Those exposed to both WS and TS had more symptoms and worse airflow limitation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This was the first random population-based study showing that WS is an associated risk factor for COPD also in men, and that people exposed to both WS and TS have a significantly higher prevalence of COPD. Similarly, COPD subjects exposed to both types of smoke have more symptoms and greater airflow obstruction. This suggests an additive effect of WS and TS.

CONTEXTE: L'Initiative mondiale pour les maladies pulmonaires obstructives chroniques (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, GOLD) 2023 met en évidence l'importance d'explorer les différents étiotypes de la maladie pulmonaire obstructive chronique (COPD, pour l'anglais « chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ¼) en dehors de la COPD liée au tabagisme. L'exposition à la fumée de bois (WS, pour l'anglais « wood smoke ¼) représente un facteur de risque de la COPD chez les femmes, cependant, l'impact de l'exposition simultanée à la fumée de tabac (TS, pour l'anglais « tobacco smoke ¼) chez la population générale et chez les patients atteints de COPD, ainsi que les caractéristiques spécifiques de la WS-COPD, demeurent peu clairs. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale aléatoire basée sur la population (n = 5 539) qui analyse les données de PREPOCOL (Prevalence of COPD in Five Colombian Cities Situated at Low, Medium, and High Altitude). L'étude se concentre sur l'effet de l'exposition combinée à la WS et à la TS ainsi que sur la caractérisation de la WS-COPD. RÉSULTATS: La prévalence de la COPD était significativement plus élevée chez les personnes exposées à la fois à la WS et à la TS (16,0%) que chez celles exposées uniquement à la WS (6,7%) ou à la TS (7,8%) (P < 0,001). L'exposition à la WS était associée à la COPD chez les hommes (OR 1,53 ; P = 0,017). Les personnes atteintes de WS-COPD étaient plus fréquemment des femmes, d'un âge plus avancé, de plus petite taille et présentaient un volume expiratoire maximal en 1 seconde (FEV1) plus élevé (tous P < 0,05). Les personnes exposées à la fois à la WS et à la TS ont montré plus de symptômes et une plus grande limitation du débit d'air (P < 0,001). CONCLUSION: Il s'agit de la première étude aléatoire basée sur la population qui démontre que la WS est un facteur de risque lié à la COPD, même chez les hommes, et que les individus exposés à la fois à la WS et à la TS présentent une prévalence significativement plus élevée de la COPD. De plus, les personnes souffrant de COPD qui sont exposés aux deux types de fumée manifestent davantage de symptômes et une obstruction pulmonaire plus sévère. Cela laisse supposer qu'il y a un effet cumulatif de la WS et de la TS.

Validity of a novel device for indoor analysis of cyclists' drag area.

PURPOSE: Cyclists need to measure aerodynamic resistance accurately and reliably, as well as economically. Devices such as Notio Aerostick, an equipment device that includes one pitot tube, have appeared for this purpose. The aim of this study is, therefore, to test the reliability and degree of agreement in the evaluation of the CdA (coefficient of aerodynamic drag), assessed by means of the Notio Aerostick compared to the Virtual Elevation (VE) and Martin mathematical models. METHOD: Seventeen professional cyclists rode in a 250-metre-long velodrome covered with a concrete surface with their own time trial bikes. Each cyclist completed three rides of 15 laps at constant speed for the evaluation of the CdA, each of them in a different position [Baseline (B), Change 1 (C1) and Change 2 (C2)]. RESULTS: The differences in CdA between methods were found for Martin in comparison with VE in all positions (p <.001) and with Notio Aerostick in B and C2 (p> .05). About differences of CdA for each method, considering between position changes, the results were the same for VE and Martin, but different for Notio Aerostick. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that, notwithstanding Notio Aerostick is valid if we compare CdA values with respect to VE, since the direction of their between-positions CdA changes differs, the results of their aerodynamic evaluation could lead us to recommend different final setups. We need studies that evaluate different units of the Notio Aerostick device as well as the reliability and precision of each sensor that includes Notio Aerostick.HighlightsThe CdA calculated by the Notio Aerostick and VE, a mathematical model previously validated, can be interchangeable, however the final position recommended by each method may be different, since the changes in the following position are given by the changes of the CdA in the previous position.None of the three methods allowed elite cyclists to measure statistically significant differences between the proposed setups.Although the CdA differences between positions were not significant, they can be decisive in the final result of a time trial competition.

Anthropometric characteristics according to the role performed by World Tour road cyclists for their team.

Certain anthropometric characteristics are required for athletes to successfully perform in elite endurance sports. The present study aims to analyse the anthropometric characteristics of professional cyclists according to their specialty. Anthropometric measurements were conducted of the body composition of 76 male professional road cyclists in line with International Society for Advancement of Kinanthropometry protocol. Fat mass did not differ (p > 0.05) between climbers, all-rounders and flat specialists, although the following anthropometric variables did differ according to the role played within the team (p < 0.05): Body mass (climbers: 63.8 ± 3.6, all-rounders: 68.8 ± 5.3, flat specialists: 74.5 ± 5.6 kg) skeletal body mass (climbers: 29.7 ± 1.6, all-rounders: 31.4 ± 1.9, flat specialists: 33.5 ± 2.4 kg); body surface area (climbers: 1.78 ± 0.07, all-rounders: 1.89 ± 0.10, flat specialists: 1.96 ± 0.1 m2); frontal area (climbers: 0.33 ± 0.01, all-rounders: 0.35 ± 0.02, flat specialists: 0.36 ± 0.02 m2). Anthropometric characteristics differ between world-class cyclists depending on their specialty. These differences could influence performance in relation to different types of road cycling competitions. The present study identified characteristics that could be used by coaches to evaluate their athletes in the context of elite or professional road cycling.HighlightsNormative reference values of a large sample of professional cyclists of the highest category are presented.Anthropometric characteristics differ between world-class cyclists depending on their specialty.Body mass, BMI, height and skeletal muscle mass are determining factors to determine the role of the cyclist.

Validity and reliability of different smartphones applications to measure HRV during short and ultra-short measurements in elite athletes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Heart rate variability (HRV) has been proposed as a useful marker that can show the performance adaptation and optimize the training process in elite athletes. The development of wearable technology permits the measurement of this marker through smartphone applications. The purpose of this study is to assess the validity and reliability of short and ultra-short HRV measurements in elite cyclists using different smartphone applications. METHOD: Twenty-six professional cyclists were measured at rest in supine and in seated positions through the simultaneous use of an electrocardiogram and two different smartphone applications that implement different technologies to measure HRV: Elite HRV (with a chest strap) and Welltory (photoplethysmography). Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Compared to an electrocardiogram, Elite HRV and Welltory showed no differences neither in supine nor in seated positions (p > 0.05) and they showed very strong to almost perfect correlation levels (r = 0.77 to 0.94). Furthermore, no differences were found between short (5 min) and ultra-short (1 min) length measurements. Intraclass correlation coefficient showed good to excellent reliability and the standard error of measurement remained lower than 6%. CONCLUSION: Both smartphone applications can be implemented to monitor HRV using short- and ultra-short length measurements in elite endurance athletes.

Unravelling groundwater and surface water sources in the Esteros del Iberá Wetland Area: An isotopic approach.

In the Esteros del Iberá Wetland Area (EIWA, NE Argentina), the southern sector of the transboundary Guarani Aquifer System (SAG) is overlain by the Ramsar listed Iberá Wetlands and several rivers, that combined extend across 37,930 km2 and represent one of the largest freshwater systems on the South American continent. Previous hydrogeological studies encompassing the entire SAG proposed preferential discharge of groundwater of various origins and ages to the EIWA. In this study, a multi-tracer study using major ionic species, δ18O, δ2H and 222Rn was conducted in lagoons, rivers, wells, and boreholes in the EIWA to confirm if discharge from the transboundary SAG is contributing to the surface water system. End-member Mixing Analysis (EMMA) determined the existence of four main end-members: groundwater from the SAG, more saline groundwater from the deeper Pre-SAG, and two poorly mineralised end-members from shallow, Post-SAG. EMMA calculations clearly illustrated complex binary and ternary mixing patterns involving the four end-members and highlighted the role of geological structures, specifically regional steep faults, in controlling the mixing patterns. 222Rn activities allowed in-situ identification of preferential deep groundwater discharge into both surface waters and shallow groundwaters. These findings provide strong evidence for the widespread existence of upward flows along major faults in this sector of the SAG, inducing complex mixing flow patterns and explaining the presence of old groundwater in shallow aquifers. Mapping the sources of water and the hydrological interactions are relevant for improving water balance estimates and develop management policies towards the preservation of these wetlands.

UV-R mitigation strategies in encapsulated embryos of the intertidal gastropod Acanthina monodon: A way to compensate for lack of parental care.

Intracapsular embryonic development in the intertidal zone exposes embryos to various stress sources characteristic of this environment, including UV-R. They require defensive mechanisms to mitigate its adverse effects. The presence of total carotenoids (TC), and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) was studied in adults, in encapsulated embryos, and in the egg capsule walls of the intertidal gastropod Acanthina monodon. Oxygen consumption rates (OCR) were determined in encapsulated and excapsulated embryos exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and PAR + UV-A + UV-B to understand if the capsule wall is a protective structure for encapsulated embryos. The results showed the presence of TC in adult pedal and gonad tissues, and in all encapsulated stages. MAAs were not detected. The physical structure of the capsule wall retained most wavelengths, being particularly efficient in the UV-B range. Excapsulated embryos exposed to PAR + UV-A + UV-B radiation increased its OCR compared to encapsulated embryos, indicating the protective character of the capsule wall.

Physical profile of elite young motorcyclists.

The aim of the study was to describe anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite young road-race motorcyclists (MC). 27 riders (15.6±1.1 years, 54.6±6.9 kg, 166.9±6.7 cm) competing at international elite level participated in this study. Anthropometric variables, hand grip and lumbar isometric strength, and lower-body muscular strength were measured. Comparisons of the MC and a reference group of Spanish physically active adolescents (16.0±0.6 years) showed that the riders were significantly lighter (-12.5 kg), and smaller (-4.7 cm). Riders also had significantly lower values for almost all skinfolds, and for all the measured girths (except forearm) than the reference group. Motorcyclists showed significantly less percent body fat (%BF) and higher muscle mass, and differences were observed for somatotype components compared to the reference group, except for the ectomorphy. Somatotype could be defined as mesomorphic-ectomorph (2.5-4.4-3.7). Mean (±SD) values of all riders were 34.8±5.0 cm for vertical jump height, 402.1±74.5 N for the right hand and 370.7±77.5 N for the left hand strengths, and 120.6±19.3 kg for lumbar isometric strength, respectively. Results demonstrate that MC are small and light, with lower body mass index, skinfolds, girth and breadth dimensions, and %BF than a reference group and other athletes, with high values of hand grip and lumbar isometric strength.

Key hydrological processes in the Del Azul Creek basin, sub-humid Pampean Plain.

Groundwater plays an important role in the economic development of the Chaco-Pampean Plain (Argentina), where industry, agriculture and cattle farming are the main economic activities. The 66% of the country's population lives in this area. The low slopes of this region condition the water movement and the occurrence of physical and chemical processes. The aim of this work is to update the hydrological conceptual model of the Del Azul Creek basin (Buenos Aires Province), a sub-humid and continental plain, using environmental tracers. In total, the study was based on the analysis of 201 samples (stable isotopes) and 184 samples (chemical data) including rainwater, surface water and groundwater. The temporal and spatial variation in the isotopic composition of rainfall and the hydrological physical-processes, evaporation, surface water-groundwater interaction and recharge were studied. Isotopic compositions of rainfall revealed a seasonal variation across the basin. Low δ18O rainfalls occur during the coldest seasons, while high δ18O rainfalls occur during the warmest seasons. The isotopic compositions of rainfall varied only during the cold period in the upper basin. At this time, the lowest δ18O rainfall fell in the upper basin, while in the other areas and during the warmer seasons, no differences were observed. Evaporation was a relevant process in the flatter area of the basin, mainly during the warmest seasons. Samples taken from the wetlands and from the lower section of the Del Azul Creek were strongly evaporated. In the first 30 m depth of the aquifer, groundwater reflected the isotopic composition of rainfall from the warmest seasons, thus revealing seasonal preferential recharge and a good hydraulic connection. This study provides direct evidence showing that both evaporation and the surface water-groundwater interaction are processes that play a key role in the control of the isotopic and chemical composition of water.

Interleukin-12 inhibits liver-specific drug-inducible systems in vivo.

Drug-inducible systems allow modulation of the duration and intensity of cytokine expression in liver immuno-based gene therapy protocols. However, the biological activity of the transgene may influence their function. We have analyzed the kinetics of interleukin-12 (IL-12) expression controlled by the doxycycline (Dox)- and the mifepristone (Mif)-dependent systems using two long-term expressing vectors directed to liver: a plasmid administered by hydrodynamic injection and a high-capacity adenoviral vector. Daily administration of Dox or Mif was associated with a progressive loss of inducibility and a decrease of murine IL-12 production. This inhibition occurred at the transcriptional level and was probably caused by an interferon (IFN)-gamma-mediated downmodulation of liver-specific promoters that control the expression of transactivators in these systems. Genome-wide expression microarrays studies revealed a parallel downregulation of liver-specific genes in mice overexpressing murine IL-12. However, a promoter naturally induced by IL-12 was also inhibited by this cytokine when placed in a plasmid vector. Interestingly, treatment with sodium butyrate, a class I/II histone deacetylase inhibitor, was able to rescue liver-specific promoter activity solely in the vector. We conclude that biologically active IL-12 can transiently inhibit the function of drug-inducible systems in non-integrative DNA vectors by reducing promoter activity, probably through IFN-gamma and protein deacetylation-dependent mechanisms.

The assessment of the family of people with eating disorders.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for eating disorders recommend that carers should be provided with information and support and that their needs should be considered if relevant. The aim of this paper is to describe how to structure an assessment of carers needs so that the family factors that can contribute to the maintenance of eating disorder symptoms are examined. We describe in detail the pattern of interpersonal reactions that can result when a family member has an eating disorder. Shared traits such as anxiety, compulsivity and abnormal eating behaviours contribute to some of the misperceptions, misunderstandings and confusion about the meaning of the eating disorder for family members. Unhelpful attributions can fuel a variety of emotional reactions (criticism, hostility, overprotection, guilt and shame). Gradually these forces cause family members to accommodate to the illness or be drawn in to enable some of the core symptoms.

Groundwater chemical baseline values to assess the Recovery Plan in the Matanza-Riachuelo River basin, Argentina.

The two most exploited aquifers in the Matanza-Riachuelo River basin are being monitored in the framework of the Integrated Environmental Sanitation Plan that implements the Basin Authority, Autoridad de Cuenca Matanza Riachuelo. In this context, this work identifies the groundwater chemical types and the natural processes behind them; determines spatial and temporal changes; establishes ranges of variation for chemical components, and proposes concentration values for the upper limit of the natural chemical background. A total of 1007 samples from three aquifer-layers (Upper Aquifer, top and bottom of Puelche Aquifer) have been studied. As concrete guidelines for practical determination of baseline values are not available in the region, the methodology used follows the proposals of European projects which assessed European water directives. The groundwater composition is very stable in terms of both chemical facies and mineralization degree, and the changes observed in the dry and wet periods analysed are subtle in general. Most of the groundwater is Na-HCO3 type, except a few samples that are Ca-HCO3, Na-ClSO4 and Na-Cl types. The Ca-HCO3 waters are the result of calcium carbonate dissolution, Na-HCO3 waters result from cation exchange and carbonate dissolution, while in the Na-ClSO4 and Na-Cl waters, mixing with connate and with encroached old marine water from the underlying and overlying sediments are the most relevant processes. The proposed values for the upper limit of the natural background consider the influence of geology and Holocene marine ingressions in the baseline of coastal groundwater. This study allowed to know the initial chemical conditions of the groundwater system of the Matanza-Riachuelo River basin and to establish the reference from which Basin Authority can start to evaluate trends and monitor the recovery plan. At the same time, it sets a precedent for future studies in the region.

[Uropathogen pattern and antimicrobial susceptibility in positive urinary cultures isolates from paediatric patients]. / Patrón de aislamiento bacteriano y sensibilidad antimicrobiana en urocultivos positivos obtenidos de una población pediátrica.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge of urophatogens and antibiotic susceptibility should be used to assist with empirical urinary tract infection treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed local bacterial pattern and antimicrobial susceptibility in positive urinary isolates from paediatric patients collected in the period 2009-2013. Results were compared with a previous study carried out in the same sanitary area between 1995 and 1999. RESULTS: We identified 2,762 urinary isolates. Escherichia coli was the most common uropathogen (58.9%), followed by Enterococcus sp. (11.6%) and Proteus mirabilis (10.9%). More than 95% of non extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli were susceptible to nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, cefotaxime and aminoglycosides. However, 56%, 49%, and 22% of the E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin, oral first-generation cephalosporins, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, respectively. Ampicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate were the most effective antibiotics to treat Enterococcus sp. and P. mirabilis, respectively. Not significant modifications were found compared to results published at the same area in the 90´s. CONCLUSIONS: E. coli was the mostly isolated uropathogen, with a high percentage of resistance to ampicillin, oral first-generation cephalosporins, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. These urinary isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were similar to those reported in other paediatric studies and did not show significant changes compared to local previously published results. Thus, it can be considered that the current recommendations about empiric antibiotic therapy in paediatric urinary tract infections remain applicable nowadays.

The origin of groundwater composition in the Pampeano Aquifer underlying the Del Azul Creek basin, Argentina.

The Pampean plain is the most productive region in Argentina. The Pampeano Aquifer beneath the Pampean plain is used mostly for drinking water. The study area is the sector of the Pampeano Aquifer underlying the Del Azul Creek basin, in Buenos Aires province. The main objective is to characterize the chemical and isotopic compositions of groundwater and their origin on a regional scale. The methodology used involved the identification and characterization of potential sources of solutes, the study of rain water and groundwater chemical and isotopic characteristics to deduce processes, the development of a hydrogeochemical conceptual model, and its validation by hydrogeochemical modelling with PHREEQC. Groundwater samples come mostly from a two-depth monitoring network of the "Dr. Eduardo J. Usunoff" Large Plains Hydrology Institute (IHLLA). Groundwater salinity increases from SW to NE, where groundwater is saline. In the upper basin groundwater is of the HCO3-Ca type, in the middle basin it is HCO3-Na, and in the lower basin it is ClSO4-NaCa and Cl-Na. The main processes incorporating solutes to groundwater during recharge in the upper basin are rain water evaporation, dissolution of CO2, calcite, dolomite, silica, and anorthite; cationic exchange with Na release and Ca and Mg uptake, and clay precipitation. The main processes modifying groundwater chemistry along horizontal flow at 30 m depth from the upper to the lower basin are cationic exchange, dissolution of silica and anorthite, and clay precipitation. The origin of salinity in the middle and lower basin is secular evaporation in a naturally endorheic area. In the upper and middle basins there is agricultural pollution. In the lower basin the main pollution source is human liquid and solid wastes. Vertical infiltration through the boreholes annular space during the yearly flooding stages is probably the pollution mechanism of the samples at 30 m depth.

Regulation of expression of the messenger ribonucleic acid encoding the cytosolic form of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in liver and small intestine of lactating rats.

The content of P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase enzyme mRNA (mRNA(PEPCK)) in the liver and small intestine changes in a coordinate way at various stages of pregnancy, lactation, and weaning periods of rats. On the ninth day of lactation, the accumulation of mRNA(PEPCK) in the liver and small intestine was 82% and 152%, respectively, compared with that in starved control rats. After 18 h of induced weaning, both tissues presented residual levels of mRNA(PEPCK). However, after 60 h of induced weaning, the accumulation of mRNA(PEPCK) increased to 60% in the liver and 76% in the small intestine compared with that in starved control rats. Adrenalectomy and bromocriptine-induced hypoprolactinemia decreased the content of this mRNA in the liver of lactating rats, while diabetes increased it. PEPCK gene transcription, determined in isolated nuclei, was 2.4-fold higher in the liver of lactating rats than in hypoprolactinemic animals, but 3.7-fold lower than that in starved animals. These results suggest that the mRNA(PEPCK) accumulation observed in the liver of lactating rats must be due to an increase in both transcription rate and messenger stabilization. PRL added to primary culture of hepatocytes obtained from lactating rats caused a dose-dependent increase in the level of mRNA(PEPCK) and mRNAc-myc. Therefore, the high PEPCK activity reported during lactation is due to increased amounts of mRNA(PEPCK), which, in turn, is due to a coordinated response at transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, where PRL seems to play an important role.