A Novel Insect Overwintering Strategy: The Case of Mealybugs.

Insects have limited ability to regulate their body temperature and have thus required a range of strategies to withstand thermally stressful environments. Under unfavorable winter conditions, insects often take refuge under the soil surface to survive. Here, the mealybug insect family was selected for the study. Field experiments were performed in fruit orchards in eastern Spain. We used specifically designed floor sampling methods combined with fruit tree canopy pheromone traps. We found that in temperate climates, the large majority of the mealybugs move from the tree canopy to the roots during the winter, where they turn into belowground root-feeding herbivores to survive and continue underground the reproductive process. Within the rhizosphere, mealybugs complete at least one generation before emerging on the soil surface. The preferred area to overwinter is within 1 m in diameter around the fruit tree trunk, where more than 12,000 mealybug flying males per square meter can emerge every spring. This overwintering pattern has not previously been reported for any other group of insects showing cold avoidance behavior. These findings have implications at the winter ecology level but also at the agronomical level since treatments to control mealybug pests are, until now, only based on the fruit trees' canopy.

Evaluation of macular thickness and volume tested by optical coherence tomography as biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in a memory clinic.

Building on previous studies that report thinning of the macula in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for AD. However, other studies contradict these results. A total of 930 participants (414 cognitively healthy people, 192 with probable amnestic MCI, and 324 probable AD patients) from a memory clinic were consecutively included in this study and underwent a spectral domain OCT scan (Maestro, Topcon) to assess total macular volume and thickness. Macular width measurements were also taken in several subregions (central, inner, and outer rings) and in layers such as the retinal nerve fiber (RNFL) and ganglion cell (CGL). The study employed a design of high ecological validity, with adjustment by age, education, sex, and OCT image quality. AD, MCI, and control groups did not significantly vary with regard to volume and retinal thickness in different layers. When these groups were compared, multivariate-adjusted analysis disclosed no significant differences in total (p = 0.564), CGL (p = 0.267), RNFL (p = 0.574), and macular thickness and volume (p = 0.380). The only macular regions showing significant differences were the superior (p = 0.040) and nasal (p = 0.040) sectors of the inner macular ring. However, adjustment for multiple comparisons nullified this significance. These results are not supporting existing claims for the usefulness of macular thickness as a biomarker of cognitive impairment in a memory unit. OCT biomarkers for AD should be subject to further longitudinal testing.

Author Correction: Usefulness of peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness assessed by optical coherence tomography as a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Visual impairment in aging and cognitive decline: experience in a Memory Clinic.

Visual impairment is common in people living with dementia and regular ophthalmological exams may improve their quality of life. We evaluated visual function in a cohort of elderly individuals and analyzed its association with their degree of cognitive impairment. Participants underwent neurological and neuropsychological exams, neuro-ophthalmological assessment (visual acuity, intraocular pressure, rates of past ophthalmological pathologies, use of ocular correction, treatments and surgeries) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan. We analyzed differences in ophthalmological characteristics among diagnostic groups. The final sample of 1746 study participants aged ≥ 50 comprised 229 individuals with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), 695 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 833 with Dementia (Alzheimer disease: n = 660; vascular dementia: n = 92, Lewy body dementia: n = 34; frontotemporal dementia: n = 19 and other: n = 28). Age, gender and education were used as covariates. Patients with Dementia, compared to those with SCD and MCI, presented worse visual acuity (p < 0.001), used less visual correction (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively) and fewer ophthalmological treatments (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively) and underwent fewer ocular surgeries (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively). OCT image quality worsened in parallel to cognitive decline (Dementia vs SCD: p = 0.008; Dementia vs MCI: p < 0.001). No group differences in past ophthalmological disorders or abnormal OCT findings were detected. Efforts should be made to ensure dementia patients undergo regular ophthalmological assessments to correct their visual function in order to improve their quality of life.

The Spanish version of Face-Name Associative Memory Exam (S-FNAME) performance is related to amyloid burden in Subjective Cognitive Decline.

The Face-Name Associative Memory Exam (FNAME) is a paired associative memory test created to detect memory deficits in individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). Worse performance on FNAME in cognitively healthy individuals were found related to higher amyloid beta (Aß) burden measured with Positron-Emission-Tomography using 11C-PiB (PiB-PET). We previously reported normative data of a Spanish version of FNAME (S-FNAME) in cognitively healthy Spanish-speaking subjects. The aim of the present study was to determine whether performance on S-FNAME was associated with Aß burden in subjective cognitive decline (SCD) individuals. 200 SCD subjects received neurological and neuropsychological assessments, including the S-FNAME and the Word List task from the Wechsler-Memory-Scale-III (WMS-III). Moreover, they received an MRI and (18)F-Florbetaben Positron-Emission-Tomography (FBB-PET) to measure Aß burden. Three cognitive factor composites were derived for the episodic memory measures (face-name [SFN-N], face-occupation [SFN-O] and WMS-III) to determine whether episodic memory performance was related to Aß deposition. Higher global Aß deposition was significantly related to worse performance on SFN-N but not with SFN-O or WMS-III Composite. Moreover, worse SFN-N performance was significantly related to higher Aß deposition in bilateral  Posterior Cingulate Cortex. The S-FNAME may be a promising neuropsychological tool for detecting SCD individuals with preclinical AD.

Usefulness of peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness assessed by optical coherence tomography as a biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.

The use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been suggested as a potential biomarker for Alzheimer's Disease based on previously reported thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in Alzheimer's disease's (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). However, other studies have not shown such results. 930 individuals (414 cognitively healthy individuals, 192 probable amnestic MCI and 324 probable AD) attending a memory clinic were consecutively included and underwent spectral domain OCT (Maestro, Topcon) examinations to assess differences in peripapillary RNFL thickness, using a design of high ecological validity. Adjustment by age, education, sex and OCT image quality was performed. We found a non-significant decrease in mean RNFL thickness as follows: control group: 100,20 ± 14,60 µm, MCI group: 98,54 ± 14,43 µm and AD group: 96,61 ± 15,27 µm. The multivariate adjusted analysis revealed no significant differences in mean overall (p = 0.352), temporal (p = 0,119), nasal (p = 0,151), superior (p = 0,435) or inferior (p = 0,825) quadrants between AD, MCI and control groups. These results do not support the usefulness of peripapillary RNFL analysis as a marker of cognitive impairment or in discriminating between cognitive groups. The analysis of other OCT measurements in other retinal areas and layers as biomarkers for AD should be tested further.

Zeolitic tuffs for acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment in Ecuador: breakthrough curves for Mn2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Zn2+, and Al3.

Zeolitic tuff constitutes a technical and economical feasible alternative to manage acidic waters in initial phases of generation. A study of cation exchange with two zeolitic tuffs from Ecuador and one from Cuba has been conducted using breakthrough curve methodology. Cations Mn2+, Cd2+, Cr3+, Zn2+, and Al3+ have been chosen owing to their presence in underground water in exploration activities (decline development) in Fruta del Norte (Ecuador). Zeolites characterized by X-ray diffraction and thermal stability after heating overnight as heulandites show a similar exchange behavior for the five cations studied. The clinoptilolite sample Tasajeras shows a relevant cation exchange performance expressed in the important increment of spatial time to reach the breakthrough point in comparison with heulandite samples. The maximum length of unused beds was found for Cr3+ and Zn2+ cations showing, therefore, a lower adsorption performance in relation with Mn2+ and Cd2+. A final disposal method of metal-loaded zeolites with cement is proposed.

Impact of Recruitment Methods in Subjective Cognitive Decline.

BACKGROUND: Recruitment methods can determine sample characteristics in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease dementia, but little is known about its influence in subjective cognitive decline (SCD). OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of two types of recruitment methods in the characteristics of individuals with SCD. METHODS: We select and compare clinical and neuropsychological features, and frequency of APOE ɛ4 allele of 326 subjects with SCD from two cohorts: Open House Initiative (OHI) versus Memory Unit (MU). A logistic regression analysis (LRA), using gender and years of education as covariates, was used to examine the neuropsychological variables. RESULTS: The OHI sample were mostly women (75.9% versus 64.5%, p < 0.05), with higher educational level (12.15 [3.71] versus 10.70 [3.80] years, p = 0.001), and more family history of dementia (138 [62.7%] versus 44 [41.5%], p < 0.001) than the MU sample. Also, the OHI sample showed better overall neuropsychological performance than the MU sample, and after a LRA, this trend continued in automatic response inhibition capacity, abstract reasoning, and recognition memory. We did not find differences in age, depression history, and/or APOE ɛ4 allele frequency. CONCLUSION: SCD subjects showed different demographic and neuropsychological characteristics depending on the recruitment method, which should be taken into account in the design of research studies with this target population.

Social Representation of Dementia: An Analysis of 5,792 Consecutive Cases Evaluated in a Memory Clinic.

BACKGROUND: Different interpretations of cognitive impairment and dementia due to differences in health structures, such as cultural differences could affect the diagnosis and treatment of the condition. it is reasonable to expect that the social and family impact of the disease and coping strategies will differ among societies. OBJECTIVE: The general aim of this study is to understand the social representations of dementia, its associated practices, and the effects they imply. METHODS: People diagnosed with clinical dementia and their families were assessed from 2005 to 2015 in the memory clinic of the Fundació ACE, Institut Català de Neurociències Aplicades in Barcelona, Spain. RESULTS: 9,898 people were examined and 5,792 were diagnosed with dementia. For those with a caregiver (71%), the decision-making fell on the person with dementia in 16.2% of the cases; and for those without a caregiver, in 26.4% of the cases the family did not perceive the deficits as a disease, which led to multiple risk situations (74.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The recognition of dementia as part of aging is common among families. Consequently, risk situations may arise and diagnosis and access to treatment may be delayed. The incorporation of a social appraisal to the diagnostic process is a necessity to evaluate these situations.

Comparisons of the interactions between two analytes and two structurally similar chiral stationary phases using high-performance liquid chromatography, suspended-state high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

A study of the retention behaviour of the enantiomers (R)- and (S)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-diol as well as (+) and t-)-O,O'-dibenzoyl-tartaric acid was performed using the two chiral stationary phases (CSPs) Kromasil-DMB and Kromasil-TBB. Detailed information about the interactions between the analytes and the two CSPs was obtained from suspended-state HR/MAS transferred NOESY NMR experiments as well as suspended-state HR/MAS 1H NMR titration experiments. Good correlation between the suspended-state HR/MAS NMR experiments and the corresponding HPLC experiments was obtained. This shows that suspended-state HR/MAS NMR as well as solid-state CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy can be used to investigate interactions between stationary phases and analytes under conditions that are similar to those used in HPLC.

Prevalence of norovirus among visitors from the United States to Mexico and Guatemala who experience traveler's diarrhea.

Traveler's diarrhea (TD) is the most common infectious illness acquired by visitors to developing nations. The purpose of this study was to utilize molecular diagnostic techniques to determine the prevalence of norovirus (NoV) in TD occurring among visitors from the United States to Guatemala and Mexico. Stool samples (n = 54) were collected from 34 TD cases and analyzed for NoV by reverse transcription-PCR and oligoprobe confirmation. The overall prevalence of NoV was 65%. Interestingly, all NoV-positive stool samples were identified as genogroup I NoVs, and time spent at travel destinations was found to be an important factor in determining the frequency of infection (P = 0.003). Eleven NoV-positive stool samples also tested positive for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, indicating that dual infections with this leading bacterial cause of TD were very common. Results of this study suggest that NoV infection is a frequent occurrence among travelers to Mexico and Guatemala who experience episodes of TD. In addition, the simple molecular detection method utilized here will serve to facilitate more in-depth epidemiological studies of this emergent viral pathogen in travelers and other at-risk populations.

Estudio comparativo del tratamiento de la hipercolesterolemia con atorvastatina y con pravastatina / A comparative study of hypercholesterolemia treatment with atorastatin and pravastatin

Antecedentes: la hipercolesterolemia es un factor de riesgo para padecer aterosclerosis y condiciona la aparición de cardiopatía isquémica, lo que representa una alta tasa de mortalidad y morbilidad en la población mundial. Su tratamiento con inhibidores de la 3-hidroxi-3-metilglutaril-coenzima A (HMG-CoA) reduce las concentraciones de colesterol. Sin embargo, se sugiere que existen diferencias entre los derivados de los hongos y los sintéticos en cuanto a mayor efectividad del tratamiento. Objetivo: dar a conocer la respuesta con inhibidores de la HMG-CoA en una población mexicana con hipercolesterolemia. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio controlado doble ciego de 134 pacientes con hipercolesterolemia superior a 250 mg sin enfermedad agregada. Se dividieron en dos grupos de 67 pacientes cada uno, distribuidos al azar. El grupo A recibió pravastatina y el grupo B fue manejado con atorvastatina; se solicitó concentraciones de colesterol y triglicéridos al inicio y al final de los 30 días de tratamiento. La indicación dada en forma individual a los pacientes fue disminuir la cantidad de grasas en la alimentación cotidiana. El análisis estadístico se realizó con z para comparación de medias, además de la estadística descriptiva. Resultados: en el grupo A el colesterol inicial tuvo una media de 293.87 mg y el colesterol final de 255.61 mg (p < .05); los triglicéridos una media inicial de 205.88 mg y una final de 187.03 mg (no hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa). En tanto que el grupo B tuvo una media de colesterol inicial de 302.19 mg, con una final de 205.03 mg (p < .05); la media inicial de los triglicéridos fue de 207.85 mg, con una final de 172.98 mg (p < .05). Al compararse los grupos A y B no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas. En cuanto al resultado final, el grupo B tuvo mejor respuesta, con una p < .05. Conclusión: el tratamiento con atorvastatina dio mejores resultados que la pravastatina.

Frecuencia de la disfunción eréctil y causas referidas por varones vs las indicadas por mujeres con vida sexual activa de su pareja / Erectile dysfunction frequency and causes referred by men vs those indicated by women with sexual active life

Antecedentes: la disfunción eréctil participa directamente en el desarrollo biológico, psicológico y social del individuo, afectando a su pareja en forma indirecta. No se ha logrado establecer con precisión la frecuencia de este padecimiento; no obstante se ha realizado un buen número de investigaciones con respecto al tema: En nuestra población es particularmente importante su estudio debido a las ideas que existen sobre la función eréctil. Objetivo: dar a conocer la frecuencia de la disfunción eréctil en una población mexicana comparada con la respuesta de mujeres en sus parejas sexuales y las causas a que lo atribuyen. Material y métodos: se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 3,470 pacientes, a quienes se aplicó un cuestionario para determinar si tenían disfunción eréctil, ya sea por medio de una visita de la trabajadora social a su domicilio o porque acudieron a CLIDDA (Clínica de Diagnóstico Automatizado). El grupo estaba conformado por hombres y mujeres con vida sexual activa que se reclutaron del 1 de diciembre de 1998 al 20 de febrero de 1999. Resultados: se estudiaron un total de 3,470 pacientes: 2,470 mujeres (con edad promedio de 39.1 años) y 1,000 hombres (edad promedio 41.4 años). La edad promedio de las parejas sexuales de las mujeres fue de 39.1 años. El promedio de relaciones sexuales en varones fue de 3.30 por semana, mientras que en mujeres de 2.03 por semana. Ninguno de los varones sanos refirió disfunción eréctil; los pacientes enfermos fueron 27 por ciento del total, pero sólo 25 por ciento reportaron disfunción eréctil. El 57.4 por ciento de los hombres que indicaron tener esta disfunción refirieron relaciones sexuales satisfactorias, en tanto que 42.85 por ciento (todos diabéticos) tuvieron relaciones sexuales no satisfactorias. Las mujeres, por su parte, mencionaron 33.06 por ciento de varones con disfunción eréctil, 20.48 por ciento con padecimiento crónico y 17.05 por ciento enfermos con disfunción eréctil. El total de varones sin enfermedad crónica con disfunción eréctil fue de 38.545 por ciento. Conclusiones: la frecuencia referida por los varones de disfunción eréctil fue menor a la indicada por las mujeres, con una gran discordancia en varones aparentemente sanos. La causa principal es psicológica, con mayor frecuencia en la población de menor edad, y orgánica, en enfermedades crónicas y personas de mayor edad