Social tension after grooming in wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui) is sex specific and sensitive to social relationships.

Changes in the rate of self-directed behavior-a proxy for social tension-offer valuable insights into individuals' experiences of social interactions. Many studies have tested the tension-reduction hypothesis, whereby grooming is expected to reduce social tension in the grooming partners. However, it is still unclear whether responses to grooming are affected by social factors such as an individual's role or social relationship with their partner, and whether responses are similar for females and males. Focussing on same-sex grooming in Yakushima Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata yakui), we analyzed the effects of two social factors on the change in the rate of self-scratching after receiving grooming: sitting in contact with their partner outside of grooming contexts (as a measure of relationship strength) and rank distance. We collected 10-min postgrooming and matched-control focal samples on recipients of grooming. After controlling for postinhibitory rebound effects, grooming reduced scratching in females (suggesting that grooming was relaxing for the receiver), but not in males. In females, this reduction was associated with increased sitting in contact and increased rank distance: being groomed was more tension-reducing if the grooming partners spent time together outside of grooming contexts, or if their difference in rank was greater and therefore more conspicuous. The reduction effect was mediated by sitting in contact only when females had a higher-ranking-that is, more dominant and potentially aggressive-groomer. Our findings suggest that not all grooming interactions are perceived as equal, which has implications for its use as an index of relationship quality. To our knowledge, this represents the first study of postgrooming social tension in male Japanese macaques and our results highlight the need for caution when generalizing findings from only one sex to the species level.

Multiclass Determination of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals in Meconium: First Evidence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in This Biological Compartment.

Major concerns have been raised about human exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy. Effective methodologies for the assessment of this exposure are needed to support the implementation of preventive measures and the prediction of negative health effects. Meconium has proven a valuable non-invasive matrix for evaluating cumulative exposure to xenobiotics during the last two trimesters of pregnancy. The study objective was to develop a novel method to determine the presence in meconium of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones, EDCs that are widely used in the manufacture of numerous consumer goods and personal care products, including cosmetics. Ten PFASs, two bisphenols, four parabens, and four benzophenones were measured in meconium samples prepared by using a combination of Captiva Enhanced Matrix Removal (EMR) lipid cartridges with salt-assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) before the application of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Experimental parameters were optimized by applying different chemometric techniques. Limits of detection ranged from 0.05 to 0.1 ng g-1, and between-day variabilities (relative standard deviations) ranged from 6.5% to 14.5%. The method was validated by matrix-matched standard calibration followed by a recovery assay with spiked samples, obtaining percentage recoveries of 89.9% to 114.8%. The method was then employed to measure compounds not previously studied in this matrix in 20 meconium samples. The proposed analytical procedure yields information on cumulative in utero exposure to selected EDCs.

Post-mortem findings in Spanish patients with COVID-19; a special focus on superinfections.

Introduction: Whole-body autopsies may be crucial to understand coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology. We aimed to analyze pathological findings in a large series of full-body autopsies, with a special focus on superinfections. Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study that included 70 COVID-19 autopsies performed between April 2020 and February 2021. Epidemiological, clinical and pathological information was collected using a standardized case report form. Results: Median (IQR) age was 70 (range 63.75-74.25) years and 76% of cases were males. Most patients (90%,) had at least one comorbidity prior to COVID-19 diagnosis, with vascular risk factors being the most frequent. Infectious complications were developed by 65.71% of the patients during their follow-up. Mechanical ventilation was required in most patients (75.71%) and was mainly invasive. In multivariate analyses, length of hospital stay and invasive mechanical ventilation were significantly associated with infections (p = 0.036 and p = 0.013, respectively). Necropsy findings revealed diffuse alveolar damage in the lungs, left ventricular hypertrophy in the heart, liver steatosis and pre-infection arteriosclerosis in the heart and kidneys. Conclusion: Our study confirms the main necropsy histopathological findings attributed to COVID-19 in a large patient series, while underlining the importance of both comorbid conditions and superinfections in the pathology.

Hypoxia Enhances Oxidative Stress in Neutrophils from ZZ Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Patients.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a neutrophilic inflammatory disorder that may result in local hypoxia, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production, and increased damage in adjacent tissues. This study aims to determine the impact of hypoxia on neutrophil oxidative stress profile in AATD patients. Neutrophils were isolated from AATD patients and control volunteers and exposed to hypoxia (1% O2 for 4 h), ROS/RNS, mitochondrial parameters, and non-enzymatic antioxidant defenses measured by flow cytometry. The expression of enzymatic antioxidant defenses was determined by qRT-PCR. Our results indicate that ZZ-AATD neutrophils produce higher amounts of hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, and nitric oxide and decreased levels of the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase. Likewise, our results show a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating that this organelle could be involved in the production of the reactive species observed. No decrease in glutathione and thiol levels were observed. The accumulation of substances with high oxidative capacity would explain the greater oxidative damage observed in proteins and lipids. In conclusion, our results indicate that, compared to MM control individuals, ZZ-AATD neutrophils show increased ROS/RNS production under hypoxic conditions opening a new rationale for using antioxidant therapies to treat the disease.

References Values of Soluble α-Klotho Serum Levels Using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay in Healthy Adults Aged 18-85 Years.

α-Klotho protein is a powerful predictor of the aging process and lifespan. Although lowered circulating soluble α-Klotho levels have been observed in aged non-healthy individuals, no specific reference values across a wide range of ages and sex using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are available for larger cohorts of healthy individuals. The present analytical cross-sectional study was aimed to establish the reference values of soluble α-Klotho serum levels in healthy adults by age and sex groups. A total of 346 (59% women) healthy individuals aged from 18 to 85 years were recruited. Subjects were divided by sex and age as: (i) young (18−34.9 years), (ii) middle-aged (35−54.9 years), and (iii) senior (55−85 years) individuals. The soluble α-Klotho levels were measured in serum using ELISA. Senior adults were the age-group that presented the lowest soluble α-Klotho serum levels (p < 0.01), with age showing a negative association with soluble α-Klotho serum levels (p < 0.001). No differences between sexes were observed. Therefore, soluble α-Klotho levels were especially decreased­regardless of sex­in our cohort of healthy individuals because of the physiological decline derived from the aging process. We recommend routine assessments of soluble α-Klotho levels using ELISA as a simple and cheap detectable marker of aging that improves quality of life in the elderly.

The Habituation Process in Two Groups of Wild Moor Macaques (Macaca maura).

When studying animal behavior in the wild, some behaviors may require observation from a relatively short distance. In these cases, habituation is commonly used to ensure that animals do not perceive researchers as a direct threat and do not alter their behavior in their presence. However, habituation can have significant effects on the welfare and conservation of the animals. Studying how nonhuman primates react to the process of habituation can help to identify the factors that affect habituation and implement habituation protocols that allow other researchers to speed up the process while maintaining high standards of health and safety for both animals and researchers. In this study, we systematically described the habituation of two groups of wild moor macaques (Macaca maura), an Endangered endemic species of Sulawesi Island (Indonesia), to assess the factors that facilitate habituation and reduce impact on animal behavior during this process. During 7 months, we conducted behavioral observations for more than 7,872 encounters and an average of 120 days to monitor how macaque behavior toward researchers changed through time in the two groups under different conditions. We found that both study groups (N = 56, N = 41) became more tolerant to the presence of researchers during the course of the habituation, with occurrence of neutral group responses increasing, and minimum distance to researchers and occurrence of fearful group responses decreasing through time. These changes in behavior were predominant when macaques were in trees, with better visibility conditions, when researchers maintained a longer minimum distance to macaques and, unexpectedly, by the presence of more than one researcher. By identifying these factors, we contribute to designing habituation protocols that decrease the likelihood of fearful responses and might reduce the stress experienced during this process.

Educación inclusiva en el alumnado con TEA: una revisión sistemática de la investigación / Inclusive Education of Students with ASD: a Systematic Review of the Research

El objetivo de esta revisión se centra en poner de manifiesto aquellas barreras y facilitadores que actualmente, según distintos estudios llevados a cabo, están marcando el proceso de inclusión educativa en el alumnado con TEA. Para ello, 24 artículos han sido analizados, atendiendo a las voces de los principales implicados en esta temática: las familias, los diferentes profesionales educativos y el propio alumnado. Los resultados encontrados se analizarán no solo según promuevan o dificulten el proceso hacia una educación inclusiva, sino también según la perspectiva de las distintas voces; mostrando, a su vez, los puntos de encuentro entre estos, así como las posibles discrepancias. Para finalizar, se expondrán una serie de conclusiones derivadas de los resultados, las cuales evidenciarán lo lejos que todavía nos encontramos de ver este derecho satisfecho. A su vez, a través de la identificación de ciertas barreras clave, también aflorarán una serie de pautas de actuación útiles con el fin de promover una reflexión que pudiera derivar en un acortamiento entre lo que se dice que debería hacerse y lo que finalmente se lleva a cabo. (AU)

This systematic review focuses on highlighting those barriers and facili-tators that currently, according to different studies that had been carried out, are in the process of educational inclusion in students with ASD. For this, 24 articles have been analysed, taking into account the voices of those mainly involved in this issue: families, different educational professionals and the students themselves. In this way, the found results will be exposed not only according to how they promote or hinder the process of inclusive education, but also according to the perspective of the different voices; show-ing the meeting points between these, as well as the possible discrepancies. Finally, a serie of conclusions derived from the results will be presented, which will show how far we still are from seeing this right satisfied. At the same time, and through the identifica-tion of certain key barriers, a series of action guidelines will also be thrown in order to promote a reflexion that could lead to decrease the gap between what is said to be done and what is finally carried out. (AU)

Non-random associations in group housed rats (Rattus norvegicus).

Ecological factors, such as predation, have traditionally been used to explain sociability. However, it is increasingly recognised that individuals within a group do not associate randomly, and that these non-random associations can generate fitness advantages. The majority of the empirical evidence on differentiated associations in group-living mammals, however, comes from a limited number of taxa and we still know very little about their occurrence and characteristics in some highly social species, such as rats (Rattus spp.). Here, using network analysis, we quantified association patterns in four groups of male fancy rats. We found that the associations between rats were not randomly distributed and that most individuals had significantly more preferred/avoided associates than expected by random. We also found that these preferences can be stable over time, and that they were not influenced by individuals' rank position in the dominance hierarchy. Our findings are consistent with work in other mammals, but contrast with the limited evidence available for other rat strains. While further studies in groups with different demographic composition are warranted to confirm our findings, the occurrence of differentiated associations in all male groups of rats have important implications for the management and welfare of captive rat populations.

Social buffering in horses is influenced by context but not by the familiarity and habituation of a companion.

Social buffering occurs when the presence of one animal attenuates another's stress response during a stressful event and/or helps the subject to recover more quickly after a stressful event. Inconsistent previous results might reflect previously unrecognised contextual influences, such as the nature of the stimulus presented or social factors. We addressed these issues in a two-part study of horses paired with familiar (16 subjects) or unfamiliar (16 subjects) companions. Each subject performed 4 tests in a counterbalanced order: novel object test (static ball)-alone or with companion; and umbrella opening test-alone or with companion. Social buffering was significantly influenced by the nature of the stimulus presented, but not by companion's habituation status or familiarity. Importantly, the stimulus used produced differential effects on behavioural and physiological measures of buffering. A companion significantly reduced behavioural response (reactivity) in the novel object test but not in the umbrella test. However, heart rate recovered more quickly for subjects with a companion in the umbrella test but not in the novel object test. We propose that circumstances which permit greater contextual processing may facilitate demonstration of behavioural effects of social buffering, whereas buffering in response to startling events may be manifest only during post-event physiological recovery.

Oxytocin modulates responses to inequity in dogs.

Although several animals respond negatively to inequity, the underlying neurochemistry of the process remains poorly understood. In this study, we tested whether the neuropeptide oxytocin mediates responses to inequitable outcomes in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris). Subjects exchanged tokens to receive a food reward in conditions in which the distribution of reward varied. Dogs did respond negatively to inequity, refusing to participate in the test when their partner was rewarded and they were not. Their responses could not be explained merely by frustration, since the presence of a partner being rewarded had a significant effect on their behavior, compared to when the partner was present but not rewarded. Furthermore, after oxytocin intake dogs were less sensitive to the inequitable distribution of reward, performing more successful trials than when administered with placebo. Further, oxytocin treatment also increased dogs' attention towards their partners, and slowed their decision times, but did not affect their affiliation level towards their partners or the experimenter. Together, our findings suggest that oxytocin modulates responses to inequity in dogs by potentially affecting decision-making processes, but not by increasing affiliation.

Back and forth between cancer treatment and cancer control programs: Insights from the Cuban experience.

Cancer control is a wider concept than oncology, and includes comprehensive actions for prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, services organization, and education, aiming to modify hard indicators such as incidence, mortality rates, and survival at a population scale. Based on these concepts, organized national cancer programs appeared in several countries in the second half of the 20th century. But at the same time, scientific efforts began to modify the landscape of cancer control. Evidence of mortality reductions began to appear, cancer-driving mutations became measurable, many novel drugs were registered, the methodology of clinical trials spread through health systems, targeted drugs and immunotherapy entered into the mainstream of therapeutics, and treatment goals started to shift from cure to chronic control. The implementation and impact of organized interventions for cancer control show variations according to the context of diverse countries, and scientists and health decision makers can learn from studying these diverse experiences. Among the salient features of cancer control in Cuba are the simultaneous development of a primary care network with abundant human resources and a national biotechnology industry with capacity to provide both generic and innovating drugs and diagnostic systems. The program intentionally assumes the goal of accelerating the transformation of advanced cancer into a chronic disease susceptible of long-term control. The implications of this strategy for population interventions and for scientific research are discussed.

Angiosarcoma Developing in an Arteriovenous Fistula after Kidney Transplantation.

After transplantation, the main concerns involve immunosuppression, the prevention and treatment of infections and graft rejection, and tumor prevention. Sometimes the complications that may appear in the arteriovenous fistula are neglected following kidney transplantation. This is the reason why we are presenting the case of an angiosarcoma developing in an arteriovenous fistula after kidney transplantation. It is a very rare case and our goal is to create an alarm so that after kidney transplantation clinicians do not lose sight of the patients' previous history.

Long-term consistency in chimpanzee consolation behaviour reflects empathetic personalities.

In contrast to a wealth of human studies, little is known about the ontogeny and consistency of empathy-related capacities in other species. Consolation-post-conflict affiliation from uninvolved bystanders to distressed others-is a suggested marker of empathetic concern in non-human animals. Using longitudinal data comprising nearly a decade of observations on over 3000 conflict interactions in 44 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), we provide evidence for relatively stable individual differences in consolation behaviour. Across development, individuals consistently differ from one another in this trait, with higher consolatory tendencies predicting better social integration, a sign of social competence. Further, similar to recent results in other ape species, but in contrast to many human self-reported findings, older chimpanzees are less likely to console than are younger individuals. Overall, given the link between consolation and empathy, these findings help elucidate the development of individual socio-cognitive and -emotional abilities in one of our closest relatives.Non-human animals are known to exhibit behaviours suggestive of empathy, but the development and maintenance of these traits is unexplored. Here, Webb and colleagues quantify individual consolation tendencies over 10 years across two chimpanzee groups and show evidence of consistent 'empathetic personalities'.

Neumonía subaguda como manifestación de una neumonía organizada fibrosante aguda / Subacute pneumonia as a manifestation of acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia

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Cardiac tamponade and severe pericardial effusion in systemic sclerosis: report of nine patients and review of the literature.

AIM: To describe the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) developing severe pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade. METHODS: SSc patients with severe pericardial effusion or cardiac tamponade from three Spanish hospitals were collected. In addition, a computer-assisted (PubMed, MEDLINE) search of the literature to identify all cases of cardiac tamponade or severe pericardial effusion associated with SSc reported in English, French and Spanish from 1987 through September 2015 was performed. RESULTS: We included 40 patients (nine cases from the Spanish hospitals and 31 cases from the literature review). Most patients (87%) were female with a mean age at pericardial involvement of 49.3 ± 15.2 years (range: 18-80 years), and 22 (55%) patients had the diffuse cutaneous subtype. Twenty-five (63%) patients presented with cardiac tamponade and the remaining 15 (37%) as severe or massive pericardial effusion. Pericardial involvement was previous or simultaneous to SSc diagnosis in 13 (32.5%) cases. In most cases (88.9%) pericardial fluid analysis disclosed an exudate. Half the patients received steroids and 35% needed surgical treatment. Five (12.5%) patients died due to cardiac tamponade, three of them during the acute phase and the remaining two, 2 and 9 months later, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although cardiac tamponade or severe pericardial effusion is an infrequent complication in SSc patients, it can be the first manifestation of disease associated with the diffuse cutaneous subset. No specific treatment for this complication is known.

Dog Breed Differences in Visual Communication with Humans.

Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) have developed a close relationship with humans through the process of domestication. In human-dog interactions, eye contact is a key element of relationship initiation and maintenance. Previous studies have suggested that canine ability to produce human-directed communicative signals is influenced by domestication history, from wolves to dogs, as well as by recent breed selection for particular working purposes. To test the genetic basis for such abilities in purebred dogs, we examined gazing behavior towards humans using two types of behavioral experiments: the 'visual contact task' and the 'unsolvable task'. A total of 125 dogs participated in the study. Based on the genetic relatedness among breeds subjects were classified into five breed groups: Ancient, Herding, Hunting, Retriever-Mastiff and Working). We found that it took longer time for Ancient breeds to make an eye-contact with humans, and that they gazed at humans for shorter periods of time than any other breed group in the unsolvable situation. Our findings suggest that spontaneous gaze behavior towards humans is associated with genetic similarity to wolves rather than with recent selective pressure to create particular working breeds.

Resultados de la Ablación-Resección Endometrial con Energía Monopolar. Análisis de Factores Pronósticos / Outcomes of Endometrial Ablation-Resection with Monopolar Electrosurgery. Prognostic Factors Analysis

INTRODUCCIÓN: La hemorragia uterina anormal (HUA) se considera una patología con importantes repercusiones sanitarias y sociales, ya que afecta a un porcentaje elevado de pacientes en edad reproductiva, deteriorando su calidad de vida y suponiendo la principal causa de anemia e histerectomía en mujeres de países desarrollados. El tratamiento dependerá de múltiples factores, siendo la ablación-resección endometrial (ARE) una alternativa apropiada para pacientes que no desean conservar la fertilidad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional retrospectivo que analiza los resultados de ARE histeroscópica en el Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves de Granada y los factores asociados al éxito o fracaso de la misma. RESULTADOS: Se seleccionaron 260 pacientes premenopáusicas sometidas a ARE histeroscópica acompañada de miomectomía y/o polipectomía en el 60,4 % de los casos, con un tiempo de seguimiento entre 1 y 79 meses. De estas, solo 40 continuaron con menorragia, considerándose por tanto que la técnica resultó exitosa desde el punto de vista clínico en el 84,6 % de los casos, con tasas de amenorrea del 38,5 %, siendo necesario rentervenir al 12,3 % de las pacientes. Al analizar el éxito con el tiempo, a los 5 años de seguimiento, nuestra tasa de éxito clínico ha sido del 70,8 % y nuestra tasa de reintervención del 19,9 %

INTRODUCTION: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) is considered a disease with important health and social impact, as it affects a large percentage in patients of reproductive age, impairing their quality of life and assuming the leading cause of anemia and hysterectomy in women in developed countries. The treatment will depend on multiple factors, being the endometrial ablation-resection (EAR) an alternative for patients who do not wish to preserve fertility. METHODS: This observational retrospective study analyze the results of hysteroscopic EAR in the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, and factors associated with the success or failure of the procedure. RESULTS: We selected 260 premenopausal women who were performed hysteroscopic EAR , preceded by myomectomy and/or polypectomy in 60,4% of patients . Follow up ranged from 1 to 79 months. Only 40 of the 260 selected patientscontinued with menorrhagia, therefore the technique was clinically successful in 84,6% of them, with amenorrhea rates of 38,5%. Moreover, 12,3% of patients needed another additional operative procedure. After 5 years of follow-up our clinic succes rate was 70,8% and 19,9% of reintervention rate. Adenomyosis was a risk factor for clinical failure and reoperation in both bivariant and multivariate analysis. When we consider the follow-up time, adenomyosis triples risk of clinical failure and causes 5,3 fold increase in surgical failure risk. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic EAR offers favourable outcomes in patients with abnormal uterine bleeding, but when adenomyosis is suspected we must contraindicate it, or at least the patient must be informed about poor results