Gender-based analysis of players’ perceptions of their coach / Análisis en funcion del genero de los jugadores sobre la percepcion que tienen de su entrenador

This study aimed to analyze gender differences in athletes' perception of their coaches' authentic leadership style, perceived justice, competence, and attention to basic psychological needs. A total of 217 soccer and handball players (147 men and 70 women) participated. In contrast to male athletes, female athletes showed higher levels in the selected variables. This study should be helpful for coaches to identify their athletes' different perceptions depending on gender. Consequently, coaches may use a different approach depending on their team’s gender (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar en función del género de los jugadores la percepción que tienen de sus entrenadores respecto a su estilo de liderazgo auténtico, justicia percibida, competencia y atención a las necesidades psicológicas básicas. Participaron en el estudio 217 jugadores de fútbol y balonmano (147 hombres y 70 mujeres). Las deportistas de género femenino a diferencias de los de género masculino, mostraron niveles más altos en las variables psicológicas seleccionadas. Este estudio debería ser útil a los entrenadores para reconocer cuales son las percepciones de sus deportistas, y de este modo, poder matizar su intervención en función del género del equipo al cual se entrene (AU)

Impact of acute psychosocial stress on attentional control in humans. A study of evoked potentials and pupillary response.

Psychosocial stress has increased considerably in our modern lifestyle, affecting global mental health. Deficits in attentional control are cardinal features of stress disorders and pathological anxiety. Studies suggest that changes in the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine system could underlie the effects of stress on top-down attentional control. However, the impact of psychosocial stress on attentional processes and its underlying neural mechanisms are poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of psychosocial stress on attentional processing and brain signatures. Evoked potentials and pupillary activity related to the oddball auditory paradigm were recorded before and after applying the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST). Electrocardiogram (ECG), salivary cortisol, and subjective anxiety/stress levels were measured at different experimental periods. The control group experienced the same physical and cognitive effort but without the psychosocial stress component. The results showed that stressed subjects exhibited decreased P3a and P3b amplitude, pupil phasic response, and correct responses. On the other hand, they displayed an increase in Mismatch Negativity (MMN). N1 amplitude after MIST only decreased in the control group. We found that differences in P3b amplitude between the first and second oddball were significantly correlated with pupillary dilation and salivary cortisol levels. Our results suggest that under social-evaluative threat, basal activity of the coeruleus-norepinephrine system increases, enhancing alertness and decreasing voluntary attentional resources for the cognitive task. These findings contribute to understanding the neurobiological basis of attentional changes in pathologies associated with chronic psychosocial stress.

Manejo quirúrgico de bad split bilateral en cirugía ortognática / Surgical management of bilateral bad split during orthognathic surgery

El bad split es un término clínico que refiere a una fractura no planificada que ocurre al momento de realizar una osteotomía sagital de rama mandibular (OSRM). Afecta aproximadamente al 2,3% de los pacientes y se han descrito factores de riesgo tales como la presencia de terceros molares mandibulares, edad avanzada al momento de la cirugía, técnica de osteotomía inadecuada, entre otros. Se recomienda efectuar manio-bras preventivas para evitar la aparición de patrones de fractura no deseados al realizar la OSRM. Sin embargo, al momento de pesquisar un bad split, éste debe ser tratado por un equipo capacitado y de manera oportuna para evitar retardo en la consolidación, infecciones y secuestros óseos que puedan comprometer los resultados de la cirugía. En este artículo se presenta el manejo de un caso clínico de bad split bilateral intraoperatorio por el Servicio de Cirugía Maxilofacial del Hospital San José, enfatizando su tratamiento quirúrgico.

Bad Split is a clinical term referring to an unplanned fracture that occurs during the bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). It affects approximately 2,3% of the patients undergoing orthognathic surgery and several risk factors have been described such as the presence of mandibular third molars, advanced age at the moment of orthognathic surgery, inadequate osteotomy technique, etc. Preventive maneuvers are recommended in order to avoid the appearance of undesired fracture patterns during BSSO. However, if a bad split is detected it must be managed and treated by a qualified team to avoid further complications such as delayed bone consolidation, bone infection and necrosis. In this article we present the management of a case of bilateral bad split by the Maxillofacial Surgery Service of Hospital San José, emphasizing on its surgical treatment.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in neonates associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, a different entity?

BACKGROUND: Multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a novel disease that is associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). MIS-C usually affects children older than 5 years of age and adolescents, with a median of 8-years and an interquartile range of 3 to 11 years. A multisystemic inflammatory disease has been described in neonates and named MIS-N (multisystemic inflammatory syndrome in Neonates). We report three cases of Mexican newborns with MIS-N presenting with multiorgan compromise and a positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG who developed Kawasaki disease (KD)-like cardiac features and discuss the current dilemma regarding diagnosis and treatment in these patients.

¿Modula el efecto del feedback la percepción de competencia del entrenador? / Does the Effect of Feedback Modulate the Coach's Perception of Competition?

El objetivo fue analizar el efecto de diferentes tipos de feedback sobre variables psicológicas y de rendimiento en función de la percepción del deportista de la competencia del entrenador. Se realizó un estudio de caso con 33 futbolistas asignados aleatoriamente a tres condiciones experimentales (feedback positivo, negativo y ausencia de feedback). Se midieron velocidad y precisión de lanzamientos a portería, valoración de competencia, competencia percibida, motivación autónoma y vitalidad subjetiva. Se empleó un nivel α de 0,05 para los análisis. El grupo feedback positivo exhibió niveles más altos de valoración de competencia, competencia percibida, motivación autónoma y bienestar, que los de feedback negativo y ausencia de feedback, en sujetos con alta percepción de competencia del entrenador. Este efecto no se observó en aquellos con baja percepción de competencia del entrenador. La percepción del jugador sobre la competencia del entrenador podría ser un factor en la modulación de las diferencias generadas en cuanto al tipo de feedback. (AU)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect that different types of feedback had on psychological and performance variables as a function of an athlete´s perception of his/her coach´s competence. A case study was conducted with 33 soccer players randomly assigned to three experimental conditions (positive and negative feedback and no feedback). Shot speed and accuracy, competence valuation, perceived competence, autonomous motivation and subjective vitality were measured. An α-level of .05 was employed for all the analyses. Positive feedback group exhibited higher levels of competence valuation, perceived competence of the player, autonomous motivation, and well-being than the negative and neutral feedback groups only in those subjects who had a high perception of the coach's competence. This effect was not observed in those with a low perception of coach competence. In this respect, the players’ perception of coach’s competence could be a factor in modulating the differences generated with regard to the type of feedbackreceived. (AU)

Determinando el pronóstico del paciente gran quemado: correlación del Índice de Garcés con el Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI) / Defining the prognosis of the burned patient: correlation of the Garces Index with the Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI)

Resumen Introducción: Existen distintos scores pronósticos para determinar probabilidad de muerte en pacientes quemados. El Índice de Garcés (IG) utilizado en Chile, no es aceptado mundialmente. Objetivo: Decidimos evaluar la correlación entre IG y Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI), de uso generalizado. Materiales y Método Estudio descriptivo analítico transversal de pacientes quemados subidos a la plataforma online "Registro Nacional de Quemados" y luego ingresados a nuestro centro entre julio de 2017 y julio de 2018. Se calculó coeficiente de correlación de Pearson entre IG y ABSI. Se normalizan ambas variables para hacerlas comparables y se calculó concordancia entre estas con coeficiente de correlación de Lin. Con análisis de regresión logística se calculó probabilidad de fallecer asociada para ambas variables y se compararon áreas de las curvas ROC de ambos scores. Resultados: De 141 pacientes, 15 fallecieron durante hospitalización, con medias de IG de 104 ± 49 puntos y ABSI 7 ± 2. El coeficiente de correlación de Pearson entre IG y ABSI demostró ser muy alto con un valor de 0,928. El coeficiente de correlación de Lin entregó concordancia moderada con un valor de 0,93. Al comprobar cuál de las dos puntuaciones predice mejor la probabilidad de muerte mediante análisis de sensibilidad y especificidad, la curva ROC cubre más área en IG (0,82 vs. 0,83), sin ser estadísticamente significativo. Conclusiones: Ambos índices, IG y ABSI, son muy similares para predecir la probabilidad de muerte, por lo cual son equiparables a la hora de compartir resultados de estudios científicos.

Introduction: There are different prognostic scores to determine the probability of death in burned patients. The Garces Index (GI) used in Chile is not accepted worldwide. Aim: We decided to evaluate the correlation between IG and Abbreviated Burn Severity Index (ABSI), which is widely used. Materials and Method: Cross-sectional analytical and descriptive study of burned patients uploaded to the online platform "National Burns Registry" and then admitted to our center between July 2017 and July 2018. Pearson's correlation coefficient between IG and ABSI was calculated. Both variables were normalized to be able to make them comparable and the agreement between them was calculated with Lin's correlation coefficient. With logistic regression analysis, the associated probability of death was calculated for both variables and areas of the ROC curves of both scores were compared. Results: Of 141 patients, 15 died during hospitalization, with a mean GI 104 ± 49 and ABSI 7 ± 2. Pearson's correlation coefficient between GI and ABSI showed a very high correlation with a value of 0.928. Lin's correlation coefficient gave moderate agreement with a value of 0.93. When checking which of the two scores best predicts the probability of death through sensitivity and specificity analysis, the ROC curve covers more area in IG (0.82 vs 0.83) without being statistically significant. Conclusions: Both scores, IG and ABSI, are very similar when it comes to predicting the probability of death, which is why they are comparable at the time of sharing the results in scientific studies.

Registro Nacional de Quemados Chile: presentación de una plataforma online y mirada al pronóstico de pacientes no trasladados a Centro de Quemados / Presentation of an online National Registration Platform for severely burned patients in the Chilean Public Health System and a look into the prognosis of patients not transferred to the National Reference Burn Center

Resumen Introducción: En el año 2017 se incorporó un registro de notificación en línea (Registro Nacional de Quemados) al flujo de derivación de pacientes quemados en Chile. Objetivo: A partir de la información obtenida de esta plataforma, se describe la epidemiología de las quemaduras y las variables que podrían explicar los traslados fallidos a nuestra unidad de quemados. Materiales y Método: Se analizaron los casos subidos a esta plataforma entre julio de 2017 y julio de 2018. Se caracterizó la población global y comparó variables relevantes entre el grupo de pacientes no trasladados a nuestra unidad y los que fueron trasladados con éxito. Resultados: Se analizaron 319 pacientes, 66% hombres, edad promedio 51 años, IMC de 27% y 47% con enfermedades previas. El fuego fue la principal causa de quemaduras. Se observó un 31% de injuria inhaladora. 107 pacientes no se trasladaron a nuestro centro de quemados. Los pacientes trasladados puntuaron más alto en comorbilidad, índice de gravedad, superficie corporal total quemada y aseo quirúrgico en el hospital base. El grupo de pacientes no trasladados puntuó más alto en injuria inhalatoria. La mortalidad global fue 20,4%. La mortalidad fue mayor en pacientes no trasladados (33,6% versus 13,7%; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: Además de facilitar el flujo de pacientes y ahorrar recursos, un uso noble de esta plataforma es ser fuente de información epidemiológica y de implementación de políticas públicas, lo cual puede ser tomado como ejemplo por otros países en vías de desarrollo. Además, se demuestra que ser trasladado constituye un factor protector de muerte por quemaduras.

Introduction: In 2017, an online notification register, the National Burn Registry, was incorporated into the referral flow of burned patients in Chile. Aim: Through the information obtained from this platform, we describe the epidemiology of burns in Chile, and identify variables that could explain failed transfers to our burn unit. Materials and Method: Cases uploaded to this platform between July 2017 - July 2018 were analyzed. We characterize the global population and relevant variables were compared between the group of patients that failed to be transferred to the burn unit and the ones who were successfully transferred. Results: 319 patients were analyzed, 66% men, average age 51 years, BMI of 27 and 47% with previous illnesses. Fire was the main cause of burn injury. Smoke inhalation injury was observed for 31%. 107 patients failed to reach to our burn center. Transferred patients rated higher in comorbidity, severity index, total burned body surface and surgical debridement at base hospital. The group of not transferred patients rated higher in inhalation injury. Overall mortality was 20.4%. Mortality was higher in non-transferred patients (33.6% versus 13.7%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Aside from facilitating the flow of burned patients and resources saving, a noble use of this platform has been to serve as a source of epidemiological information and implementation of public policies, which can be taken as an example by other developing countries. Also, being transferred is a protective factor for death from burn injuries.

Temperature and photoperiod effects on dormancy status and life cycle parameters in Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti from subtropical Argentina.

Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) distribution is bounded to a subtropical area in Argentina, while Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) covers both temperate and subtropical regions. We assessed thermal and photoperiod conditions on dormancy status, development time and mortality for these species from subtropical Argentina. Short days (8 light : 16 dark) significantly increased larval development time for both species, an effect previously linked to diapause incidence. Aedes albopictus showed higher mortality than Ae. aegypti at 16 °C under long day treatments (16 light : 8 dark), which could indicate a lower tolerance to a sudden temperature decrease during the summer season. Aedes albopictus showed a slightly higher percentage of dormant eggs from females exposed to a short day, relative to previous research in Brazilian populations. Since we employed more hours of darkness, this could suggest a relationship between day-length and dormancy intensity. Interestingly, local Ae. aegypti presented dormancy similar to Ae. albopictus, in accordance with temperate populations. The minimum dormancy in Ae. albopictus would not be sufficient to extend its bounded distribution. We believe that these findings represent a novel contribution to current knowledge about the ecophysiology of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, two species with great epidemiological relevance in this subtropical region.

Insights into the role of phytohormones regulating pAtNIP5;1 activity and boron transport in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Aiming to counteract B deficiency impacts, plants have developed different strategies in order to reach an optimal growth in soils with limited B availability. These include B transport mechanisms that involves a facilitated transport, via channel proteins, and a high-affinity active transport driven by borate transporters. The AtNIP5;1 channel protein is a member of Major Intrinsic Protein family which facilitates B influx into the roots under low B supply. In order to explore the phytohormone-dependent regulation of AtNIP5;1, the effects of abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, auxins and cytokinins on the activity of AtNIP5;1 promoter were evaluated using the reporter line pNIP5;1-GUS. The results show that ABA treatment increased pAtNIP5;1 activity. Besides, a larger B uptake was found following ABA treatment under B deficiency suggesting a role of ABA inducing B uptake. The ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) caused an induction of AtNIP5;1 expression although did not correlate with higher B concentrations nor with an improvement in root growth. On the contrary, auxins and cytokinins caused slight changes in pAtNIP5;1 induction. Altogether, these results show a regulatory role of phytohormones in AtNIP5;1 promoter what may affect B transport. The herein provided information may contribute to better understand the regulation of B transport in plants towards minimizing B deficiency impacts on agriculture.

Estimation of valvular resistance of segmented aortic valves using computational fluid dynamics.

Aortic valve stenosis is associated with an elevated left ventricular pressure and transaortic pressure drop. Clinicians routinely use Doppler ultrasound to quantify aortic valve stenosis severity by estimating this pressure drop from blood velocity. However, this method approximates the peak pressure drop, and is unable to quantify the partial pressure recovery distal to the valve. As pressure drops are flow dependent, it remains difficult to assess the true significance of a stenosis for low-flow low-gradient patients. Recent advances in segmentation techniques enable patient-specific Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of flow through the aortic valve. In this work a simulation framework is presented and used to analyze data of 18 patients. The ventricle and valve are reconstructed from 4D Computed Tomography imaging data. Ventricular motion is extracted from the medical images and used to model ventricular contraction and corresponding blood flow through the valve. Simplifications of the framework are assessed by introducing two simplified CFD models: a truncated time-dependent and a steady-state model. Model simplifications are justified for cases where the simulated pressure drop is above 10 mmHg. Furthermore, we propose a valve resistance index to quantify stenosis severity from simulation results. This index is compared to established metrics for clinical decision making, i.e. blood velocity and valve area. It is found that velocity measurements alone do not adequately reflect stenosis severity. This work demonstrates that combining 4D imaging data and CFD has the potential to provide a physiologically relevant diagnostic metric to quantify aortic valve stenosis severity.

Epidemiology of burn injuries: 2 years' experience in a specialized hospital in Mexico City.

Burn lesions are one of the most devastating forms of trauma. Taking care of this type of lesion generates high costs and may lead to irreversible consequences that limit the daily activities of these patients. This is a two-year descriptive epidemiological study of burned patients treated in a specialized hospital in Mexico City. Data from 38 patients admitted to this hospital were analyzed. Population mean age was 41 years: a higher frequency of men aged 27 to 55 years were affected. The most common mechanism was direct flame, and upper and lower extremities were most frequently affected. Mean affected body surface area was 32.5%. A total of 63% required cutaneous grafting: it was observed that those grafted early (10.5 versus 41.8 days) spent fewer days in the ICU and a lower percentage of them contracted sepsis (62% versus 78%). Patients with Pseudomona aeruginosa had a longer hospital stay and underwent a greater number of surgeries for skin grafting. No difference was observed between graft integration percentages. Early grafting (<7 days) resulted in a shorter stay in the ICU and fewer overall total days in the hospital, as well as a lower rate of sepsis and admission to the ICU. The Pseudomona infection group had a longer hospital stay, greater number of surgical procedures for skin grafting and there was no difference in graft integration percentages.

Les brûlures font partie des traumatismes les plus dévastateurs, aux conséquences irréversibles pouvant laisser des handicaps définitifs. Le coût de leur prise en charge est élevé. Nous présentons une étude épidémiologique basée sur 38 patients hospitalisés en 2 ans dans un CTB de Mexico. La population la plus touchée est l'homme jeune (27 à 55 ans, moyenne 41). La brûlure est due à une flamme, touche 32,5% de la SCT, atteint préférentiellement les extrémités supérieure et inférieure. Une greffe est nécessaire dans 63% des cas. Les patients greffés précocement, aux alentours de J10 (J41,8 ailleurs), restent moins longtemps en réanimation comme dans le CTB et ont moins d'accidents septiques (62% VS 78%). La survenue d'une infection à Pseudomonas æruginosa entraîne un allongement de la durée de séjour et la nécessité de plus de séances de greffes, sans différence quant à leur intégration.

Oral vaccine based on a surface immunogenic protein mixed with alum promotes a decrease in Streptococcus agalactiae vaginal colonization in a mouse model.

The Surface Immunogenic Protein (SIP) of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) had been described as a good target for vaccine development. To date, SIP has been reported as a highly conserved protein, and in a mouse model it induces protection against lethal GBS challenge. Also, similar effects have been described by intranasal immunization with a SIP-based vaccine. In this study, we show the immune response induced by an oral SIP-based vaccine formulated on alum in a mouse model. Our vaccine can reduce vaginal GBS colonization and induce specific SIP-antibodies with opsonophagocytosis activities against GBS. Moreover, we observed the activation of T-cells producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-2, and increased expression of the transcription factor T-bet, suggesting a Th1-type humoral response. The oral SIP-based vaccine is a novel alternative in the development of a vaccine against GBS.

In vivo antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles produced via a green chemistry synthesis using Acacia rigidula as a reducing and capping agent.

INTRODUCTION: One of the main issues in the medical field and clinical practice is the development of novel and effective treatments against infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One avenue that has been approached to develop effective antimicrobials is the use of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), since they have been found to exhibit an efficient and wide spectrum of antimicrobial properties. Among the main drawbacks of using Ag-NPs are their potential cytotoxicity against eukaryotic cells and the latent environmental toxicity of their synthesis methods. Therefore, diverse green synthesis methods, which involve the use of environmentally friendly plant extracts as reductive and capping agents, have become attractive to synthesize Ag-NPs that exhibit antimicrobial effects against resistant bacteria at concentrations below toxicity thresholds for eukaryotic cells. PURPOSE: In this study, we report a green one-pot synthesis method that uses Acacia rigidula extract as a reducing and capping agent, to produce Ag-NPs with applications as therapeutic agents to treat infections in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Ag-NPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, selected area electron diffraction, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible, and Fourier transform infrared. RESULTS: We show that Ag-NPs are spherical with a narrow size distribution. The Ag-NPs show antimicrobial activities in vitro against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a clinical multidrug-resistant strain of P. aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) bacteria. Moreover, antimicrobial effects of the Ag-NPs, against a resistant P. aeruginosa clinical strain, were tested in a murine skin infection model. The results demonstrate that the Ag-NPs reported in this work are capable of eradicating pathogenic resistant bacteria in an infection in vivo. In addition, skin, liver, and kidney damage profiles were monitored in the murine infection model, and the results demonstrate that Ag-NPs can be used safely as therapeutic agents in animal models. CONCLUSION: Together, these results suggest the potential use of Ag-NPs, synthesized by green chemistry methods, as therapeutic agents against infections caused by resistant and nonresistant strains.

Spatial perseveration error by alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in an A-not-B detour task.

Spatial perseveration has been documented for domestic animals such as mules, donkeys, horses and dogs. However, evidence for this spatial cognition behavior among other domestic species is scarce. Alpacas have been domesticated for at least 7000 years yet their cognitive ability has not been officially reported. The present article used an A-not-B detour task to study the spatial problem-solving abilities of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and to identify the perseveration errors, which refers to a tendency to maintain a learned route, despite having another available path. The study tested 51 alpacas, which had to pass through a gap at one end of a barrier in order to reach a reward. After one, two, three or four repeats (A trials), the gap was moved to the opposite end of the barrier (B trials). In contrast to what has been found in other domestic animals tested with the same task, the present study did not find clear evidence of spatial perseveration. Individuals' performance in the subsequent B trials, following the change of gap location, suggests no error persistence in alpacas. Results suggest that alpacas are more flexible than other domestic animals tested with this same task, which has important implications in planning proper training for experimental designs or productive purposes. These results could contribute toward enhancing alpacas' welfare and our understanding of their cognitive abilities.

Aquatic food-web dynamics following incorporation of nutrients derived from Atlantic anadromous fishes.

Changes in the isotopic composition (δ13 C and δ15 N) in biofilm, macro-invertebrates and resident salmonids were used to characterize temporal dynamics of marine derived nutrients (MDNs) incorporation between stream reaches with and without MDN inputs. Five Atlantic rivers were chosen to represent contrasting MDN subsidies: four rivers with considerable numbers of anadromous fishes; one river with little MDN input. Rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax, alewife Alosa pseudoharengus, sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus and Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, were the primary anadromous species for the sampled rivers. Regardless of the spatial resolution or the pathway of incorporation, annual nutrient pulses from spawning anadromous fishes had a positive effect on isotopic enrichment at all trophic levels (biofilm, 1·2-5·4‰; macro-invertebrates, 0·0-6·8‰; fish, 1·2-2·6‰). Community-wide niche space shifted toward the marine-nutrient source, but the total ecological niche space did not always increase with MDN inputs. The time-integrated marine-nutrient resource contribution to the diet of S. salar parr and brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis ranged between 16·3 and 36·0% during anadromous fish-spawning periods. The high degree of spatio-temporal heterogeneity in marine-nutrient subsidies from anadromous fishes lead to both direct and indirect pathways of MDN incorporation into stream food webs. This suggests that organisms at many trophic levels derive a substantial proportion of their energy from marine resources when present. The current trend of declining anadromous fish populations means fewer nutrient-rich marine subsidies being delivered to rivers, diminishing the ability to sustain elevated riverine productivity.

Identification of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) Sperm From Females in Traps: The Importance of the Ventral Receptacle.

The monitoring of a pest population often relies on the identification of individuals from traps. For area-wide programs utilizing the sterile insect technique, the further identification of the mated status of females found in traps is of utmost importance. For the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae), this is usually verified through the assessment of sperm in the spermathecae. However, this can be misleading for species where there are other sperm storage organs such as the ventral receptacle. Here, we studied the relative importance of sperm storage in the ventral receptacle compared to the spermathecae for females from 5 to 18 d of age. Furthermore, we studied how sperm can be identified in the ventral receptacle or spermathecae after females were recovered from traps. We found no effect of female age on likelihood of sperm storage. Sperm could be identified in both sperm storage organs at 7 or 14 d after females had been placed in traps. We found that the ventral receptacle is a more reliable indicator of female mated status. Thus, we propose that if no sperm are found in the spermathecae, program managers should revise the ventral receptacle before assuming that females are not mated. This test may also be relevant to other pest tephritids that store even more sperm in the ventral receptacle than C. capitata.

Determinants of spring migration departure decision in a bat.

Migratory decisions in birds are closely tied to environmental cues and fat stores, but it remains unknown if the same variables trigger bat migration. To learn more about the rare phenomenon of bat migration, we studied departure decisions of female common noctules (Nyctalus noctula) in southern Germany. We did not find the fattening period that modulates departure decisions in birds. Female noctules departed after a regular evening foraging session, uniformly heading northeast. As the day of year increased, migratory decisions were based on the interactions among wind speed, wind direction and air pressure. As the migration season progressed, bats were likely to migrate on nights with higher air pressure and faster tail winds in the direction of travel, and also show high probability of migration on low-pressure nights with slow head winds. Common noctules thus monitor complex environmental conditions to find the optimal migration night.

Plankton crustaceans in bays with different trophic status in Llanquihue lake (41° S Chile) / Crustáceos planctónicos crustáceo em baías com estado trófico diferente no lago Llanquihue (41° S Chile)

Abstract The Llanquihue lake is included in the called Araucanian or Nord Patagonian lakes located between 38-41° S. These lakes are characterized by their oligo-mesotrophic status due to human intervention which takes to the increase in nutrients inputs from industries and towns. Effects on zooplankton assemblages are observed with marked increase of daphnids abundance. The aim of the present study is to analyze the trophic status and zooplankton relative abundance in different bays of Llanquihue lake. It was found direct associations between chlorophyll a with daphnids percentage, total dissolved nitrogen with reactive soluble phosphorus nitrogen/phosphorus molar radio with cyclopoids percentage, and an inverse relation between daphnids and calanoids percentages. The occurrence of three kinds of microcrustacean assemblages and environmental conditions was evidenced: the first one with high calanoids percentage, low species number and low chlorophyll and nutrients concentration, a second with moderate chlorophyll and nutrients concentration and moderate daphnids percentage; high species number and a third site with high chlorophyll and nutrients concentration, high daphnids percentage and high species number. Daphnids increase under mesotrophic status, agree with similar results observed for southern Argentinean and New Zealand lakes.

Resumo O lago Llanquihue está incluído nos chamados lagos araucana ou Nord Patagônia localizado entre 38-41° S. Estes lagos são caracterizados pela condicao oligo-mesotrofica debido a intervencao humana, com aumento da carga de nutrientes provenientes de industrias y areas urbanas com efeitos sobre as assembleias zooplantonicas sao observadas, com aumento acentuado de dafnideos. O objetivo do presente estudo é analisar o estado trófico a abundancia relative do zooplancton em diferentes compartimentos do lago Llanquihue. Foram encontradas associações diretas entre clorofila a com percentual de dafinídeos, nitrogênio total dissolvido com fósforo solúvel reativo molares razao molar nitrogênio / fósforo com percentual de ciclopóides, e uma relação inversa entre percentuais de dafinídeos e calanóides porcentagens. A ocorrência de três tipos de assembleias de microcrustáceos e as condições ambientais fora: a primeira com alta porcentais de calanóides, baixo número de espécies e baixa clorofila e a nutrientes, uma segunda com concentracoes moderadas de clorofila e nutrientes percentual moderado de daphnideos e alto número de espécies; e uma terceiro local com alta concentração de clorofila e nutrientes, alta abundância dafinídeos e número elevado de espécies. Resultados similares com aumento de dafnideos em condicoes mesotroficas também foram observados para lagos da Argentina e Nova Zelândia do sul.

Plankton crustaceans in bays with different trophic status in Llanquihue lake (41° S Chile).

The Llanquihue lake is included in the called Araucanian or Nord Patagonian lakes located between 38-41° S. These lakes are characterized by their oligo-mesotrophic status due to human intervention which takes to the increase in nutrients inputs from industries and towns. Effects on zooplankton assemblages are observed with marked increase of daphnids abundance. The aim of the present study is to analyze the trophic status and zooplankton relative abundance in different bays of Llanquihue lake. It was found direct associations between chlorophyll a with daphnids percentage, total dissolved nitrogen with reactive soluble phosphorus nitrogen/phosphorus molar radio with cyclopoids percentage, and an inverse relation between daphnids and calanoids percentages. The occurrence of three kinds of microcrustacean assemblages and environmental conditions was evidenced: the first one with high calanoids percentage, low species number and low chlorophyll and nutrients concentration, a second with moderate chlorophyll and nutrients concentration and moderate daphnids percentage; high species number and a third site with high chlorophyll and nutrients concentration, high daphnids percentage and high species number. Daphnids increase under mesotrophic status, agree with similar results observed for southern Argentinean and New Zealand lakes.

Transcriptomic analysis of basidiocarp development in Ustilago maydis (DC) Cda.

Previously, we demonstrated that when Ustilago maydis (DC) Cda., a phytopathogenic basidiomycete and the causal agent of corn smut, is grown in the vicinity of maize embryogenic calli in a medium supplemented with the herbicide Dicamba, it developed gastroid-like basidiocarps. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in the basidiocarp development by the fungus, we proceeded to analyze the transcriptome of the process, identifying a total of 2002 and 1064 differentially expressed genes at two developmental stages, young and mature basidiocarps, respectively. Function of these genes was analyzed with the use of different databases. MIPS analysis revealed that in the stage of young basidiocarp, among the ca. two thousand differentially expressed genes, there were some previously described for basidiocarp development in other fungal species. Additional elements that operated at this stage included, among others, genes encoding the transcription factors FOXO3, MIG3, PRO1, TEC1, copper and MFS transporters, and cytochromes P450. During mature basidiocarp development, important up-regulated genes included those encoding hydrophobins, laccases, and ferric reductase (FRE/NOX). The demonstration that a mapkk mutant was unable to form basidiocarps, indicated the importance of the MAPK signaling pathway in this developmental process.