Bat diversity boosts ecosystem services: Evidence from pine processionary moth predation.

Coniferous forests contribute to the European economy; however, they have experienced a decline since the late 1990s due to an invasive pest known as the pine processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa. The impacts of this pest are increasingly exacerbated by climate change. Traditional control strategies involving pesticides have had negative effects on public health and the environment. Instead, forest managers seek a more ecological and sustainable approach to management that promotes the natural actions of pest control agents. This study aims to evaluate the role of bats in suppressing pine processionary moths in pine forests and examine how the bat community composition and abundance influence pest consumption. Bats were sampled in the mountainous environment of the Serra da Estrela in central Portugal to collect faecal samples for DNA meta-barcoding analysis. We assessed the relationship between a) bat richness, b) bat relative abundance, c) bat diet richness, and the frequency of pine processionary moth consumption. Our findings indicate that sites with the highest bat species richness and abundance exhibit the highest levels of pine processionary moth consumption. The intensity of pine processionary moth consumption is independent of insect diversity within the site. The highest occurrence of pine processionary moth presence in bat diets is primarily observed in species that forage in cluttered habitats. A typical predator of pine processionary moths among bats is likely to be a forest-dwelling species that specialises in consuming Lepidoptera. These species primarily use short-range echolocation calls, which are relatively inaudible to tympanate moths, suitable for locating prey in cluttered environments, employing a gleaning hunting strategy. Examples include species from the genera Plecotus, Myotis, and Rhinolophus. This study enhances our understanding of the potential pest consumption services provided by bats in pine forests. The insights gained from this research can inform integrated pest management practices in forestry.

A model of traumatic brain injury in rats is influenced by neuroprotection of diurnal variation which improves motor behavior and histopathology in white matter myelin.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a significant public health concern and has been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. TBI generates two types of brain damage: primary and secondary. Secondary damage originates a series of pathophysiological processes, which include metabolic crisis, excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation, which have deleterious consequences for neuronal function. However, neuroprotective mechanisms are also activated. The balance among these tissue responses, and its variations throughout the day determines the fate of the damage tissue. We have demonstrated less behavioral and morphological damage when a rat model of TBI was induced during the light hours of the day. Moreover, here we show that rats subjected to TBI in the dark lost less body weight than those subjected to TBI in the light, despite no change in food intake. Besides, the rats subjected to TBI in the dark had better performance in the beam walking test and presented less histological damage in the corpus callosum and the cingulum bundle, as shown by the Klüver-Barrera staining. Our results suggest that the time of day when the injury occurs is important. Thus, this data should be used to evaluate the pathophysiological processes of TBI events and develop better therapies.

Cycloaddition between nitrogen-doped graphene (6π-component) and benzene (4π-component): a theoretical approach using density functional theory with vdW-DF correction.

The interaction between nitrogen-doped graphene defects (N3V1 and N4V2 pyridinic, and N3V1 and N3V3 pyrrolic) and benzene have been investigated by applying density functional theory (DFT), together with the vdW-DF correction. We discovered that only the N3V3 pyrrolic defect is a reactive site (6π-component), forming a cycloadduct with benzene (4π-component) that has energy barriers below 154.38 kJ mol-1 (1.60 eV). The conduction and valence bands (HOMO and LUMO) for N3V3 form a degenerate pair of orbitals at the gamma point, with the same ionization potential (IP) and electron affinity (EA). Likewise, inspection of the orbital symmetries for both systems confirms that these must undergo concerted reactions based on the Woodward and Hoffmann principles of orbital symmetry, with the appropriate orbital occupancies. This is the first time that substitutionally doped graphene has been demonstrated to participate as a 6π-component for cycloaddition reactions with benzene.

Effect of ultrasonic irradiation power on sonochemical synthesis of gold nanoparticles.

In this work, optimized size distribution and optical properties in the colloidal synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were obtained using a proposed ultrasonic irradiation assisted Turkevich-Frens method. The effect of three nominal ultrasound (20 kHz) irradiation powers: 60, 150, and 210 W have been analyzed as size and shape control parameters. The GNPs colloidal solutions were obtained from chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) and trisodium citrate (C6H5Na3O7·2H2O) under continuous irradiation for 1 h without any additional heat or stirring. The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) was monitored in the UV-Vis spectra every 10 min to found the optimal time for localized SPR wavelength (λLSPR), and the 210 sample procedure has reduced the λLSPR localization at 20 min, while 150 and 60 samples have showed λLSPR at 60 min. The nucleation and growth of GNPs showed changes in shape and size distribution associated with physical (cavitation, temperature) and chemical (radical generation, pH) conditions in the aqueous solution. The results showed quasi-spherical GNPs as pentakis dodecahedron (λLSPR = 560 nm), triakis icosahedron (λLSPR = 535 nm), and tetrakis hexahedron (λLSPR = 525 nm) in a size range from 12 to 16 nm. Chemical effects of ultrasound irradiation were suggested in the disproportionation process, electrons of AuCl2- are rapidly exchanged through the gold surface. After AuCl4- and Cl- were desorbed, a tetrachloroaurate complex was recycled for the two-electron reduction by citrate, aurophilic interaction between complexes AuCl2-, electrons exchange, and gold seeds, the deposition of new gold atoms on the surface promoting the growth of GNPs. These mechanisms are enhanced by the effects of ultrasound, such as cavitation and transmitted energy into the solution. These results show that the plasmonic response from the reported GNPs can be tuned using a simple methodology with minimum infrastructure requirements. Moreover, the production method could be easily scalable to meet industrial manufacturing needs.

Connexin 30.2 is expressed in exocrine vascular endothelial and ductal epithelial cells throughout pancreatic postnatal development.

Previously we have demonstrated that the GJ protein connexin 30.2 (Cx30.2) is expressed in pancreatic beta cells and endothelial cells (ECs) of the islet. In the present study, we address whether Cx30.2 is expressed in the exocrine pancreas, including its vascular system. For this, adult mouse pancreatic sections were double labeled with specific antibodies against Cx30.2 and CD31, an endothelial cell marker, or with anti-α-actin smooth muscle, a smooth muscle cell (SMC) marker or anti-mucin-1, a marker of epithelial ductal cells, using immunofluorescence (IF) studies. Cx30.2-IF hot spots were found at junctional membranes of exocrine ECs and SMCs of blood vessels. Furthermore, Cx30.2 was localized in mucin-1 positive cells or epithelial ductal cells. Using immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies, it was found that in vessels and ducts of different diameters, Cx30.2 was also expressed in these cell types. In addition, it was found that Cx30.2 is already expressed in these cell types in pancreatic sections of 3, 14 and 21 days postpartum. Moreover, this cell specific pattern of expression was also found in the adult rat, hamster and guinea pig pancreas. Expression of Cx30.2 mRNA and protein in the pancreas of all these species was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot studies. Overall, our results suggest that intercellular coupling mediated by Cx30.2 intercellular channels may synchronize the functional activity of ECs and SMCs of vascular cells, as well as of epithelial ductal cells after birth.

Etiology of chronic urticaria: the Ecuadorian experience.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify chronic urticaria (CU) etiologies and treatment modalities in Ecuador. We propose that the sample distribution fits the expected one, and that there is an association between the etiology and its treatment. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study involving 112 patients diagnosed with CU using a Checklist for a complete chronic urticaria medical history. Demographic and clinical variables were collected. The etiology of CU was classified using the EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guideline. Descriptive analyses were performed for demographical and clinical variables. Chi square tests were applied to analyze the fit of distribution and the independence of variables. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Among all the patients, 76.8% were diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), of which 22.3% had a known etiology or possible exacerbating condition. Food allergy was identified as the most common accompanying condition in patients with CSU (10.7%) (p < 0.01).. On the other hand, 23.2% inducible urticarias (CIndU) were indentified; dermographism was the most common (10.7%) (p < 0.01).Regarding treatment regimens, sg-H1-antihistamines alone represented the highest proportion (44.6%). The combination of any H1-antihistamine plus other drug was a close second (42.0%) (p < 0.01). Almost 48% of CSUs of unknown etiology were treated with any antihistamine plus another drug. In patients with known etiology, sg-antihistamines alone (44.0%) was the most common management. In addition, 53.8% of CIndUs were treated with sg-antihistamines alone. Though, these associations were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: CSU is the most frequent subtype of CU. Modern non-sedating antihistamines in licensed doses are the drug of choice. Nevertheless, a great proportion of patients require the addition of another type of medication.

What kind of information and communication technologies do patients with COPD prefer to use? A cross-sectional study in Latin America.

The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of uses and preferences of information and communication technologies (ICTs) among Latin American chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey study on Latin American COPD patients. The adapted version of the Michigan questionnaire was employed in eligible outpatients in different cities of Latin America. We categorized age and educational levels into three groups. The time passed since COPD diagnosis was categorized as ≤5 years and >5 years. χ2 and crude and adjusted logistic regressions were performed. A total of 256 patients were enrolled with a mean age of 68.7 years old. The most recurrently used ICTs were short message service (SMS; 47.1%) and WhatsApp (30.7%) for receiving COPD information. Moreover, SMS (85.8%) and Facebook (36.1%) were rated as useful for asking physicians information about COPD. Regression analysis showed that the best predictor for patients using ICTs, for any purpose, was higher education (undergraduate or graduate school). Understanding the preferences of ICTs among COPD patients could help improve patient's outcomes through developing applications in response to specific requirements of each patient.

Effect of marker cluster design on the accuracy of human movement analysis using stereophotogrammetry.

This paper presents a new, simple model to evaluate the instrumental random errors in kinematic analysis of human movements using stereophotogrammetry. By means of equations analogous to that relate linear or angular momentum with linear or angular velocities, a direct measurement of instantaneous motion can be made without previous finite displacement analysis. Single explicit expressions can be obtained to evaluate the influence of instrumental random errors in the accuracy of the kinematic variables. From these expressions, some conclusions about the effect of marker cluster design on the experimental errors are obtained. An experiment has been carried out in order to validate the proposed technique and to assess the experimental errors in linear and angular velocity measurement and its influence in instantaneous helical axis determination.

Diseño, ejecución y puesta en marcha de una intranet y extranet en el Centro de Documentación e Información Pediátrica Gustavo H. Machado del Hospital de Niños "J.M. de los Ríos" / Desing, execution and setting in march of an intraned and extranet in the Center of Documentation and Pediatric Information Gustavo H. Machado

El desarrollo del proyecto de transformación de la Biblioteca "Gustavo H. Machado" en un Centro de Documentación e Información Pediátrica (CDIP) orientado al uso de las nuevas tecnologías en el manejo de información, se originó por la necesidad de mejorar la calidad en la prestación de los servicios a los usuarios que solicitan información en la especialidad de Pediatría y en el área de Biomedicina. Gracias al financiamiento obtenido a través del Fondo Nacional para la Ciencia, la Investigación y la Tecnología (FONACIT), adscrito al Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, se logró instalar una plataforma tecnológica moderna y sistematizar el fondo documental. La automatización de los procesos técnicos del Centro ha permitido optimizar el tiempo de respuesta de la información que solicitan los usuarios. La búsqueda de la información se hace a través del software Documanager®, el cual administra todo el fondo documental, haciendo que el mismo se pueda ver vía Intranet y Internet, éste último, a través de su motor de búsqueda. A través del Portal Web del C.D.I.P., se han incrementado las relaciones con otras instituciones en el área Pediátrica o Biomédica, a nivel nacional e internacional, incentivando el intercambio, el canje y revisión de material documental. Sin duda alguna, el proyecto tecnológico implementado constituye una iniciativa muy importante que permitió crear nuevos servicios, incrementar la eficiencia y eficacia en cuanto a la satisfacción de las solicitudes de información y fortalecer la imagen institucional del Hospital de Niños J.M. de los Ríos

Separation of ternary mixtures by pseudo-simulated moving bed chromatography.

Modeling and simulation are presented of the separation of a ternary mixture by pseudo-simulated moving bed chromatography, according to the JO process of Japan Organo Co. The process cycle is divided into two steps. In step 1, feed and eluent streams are introduced into the system, equivalent to a series of preparative chromatographic columns, and the intermediate component is produced. In step 2, similar to a simulated moving bed (SMB), there is no feed and the less adsorbed species is collected in the raffinate while the more retained species is collected in the extract; this step is described by an equivalent TMB model. A parametric study is presented in order to analyze the sensitivity of the model to variations on the duration of step 1 and step 2 and on the intraparticle mass transfer coefficient.

Liver lipid composition and intravenous, intraperitoneal, and enteral administration of intralipid.

We studied the variations arising in plasma and liver lipids after intravenous (i.v.), intraperitoneal (IP), and intragastric (IG) administration of a fat overdose on the order of 4 g.kg-1 body wt.day-1 in the form of Intralipid (ITL) 20% to 33 New Zealand rabbits for 15 days. The control group was submitted for surgery but did not receive an ITL supplement. The results show weight gain in all animals and normal liver enzyme values. There was an increase in plasma lipids in groups supplemented by the parenteral route (i.v. and IP), and fatty acids showed a similar distribution, in terms of percentages, to that for ITL. In liver tissue, there was an increase in the fractions related to ethanolamine and a decrease in phospholipids of choline and serine. In the i.v. group, neutral lipids predominated compared with other groups. The livers of all supplemented animals (i.v., IP, and IG) showed a higher content of stearic and linoleic acid and a reduction in oleic acid. Study with optical microscopy showed a microvacuolization affecting the three areas of the hepatic acini in the i.v. group, seen with electron microscopy as vacuoles lacking membranes and surrounded by mitochondria. In conclusion, there is an increase in hepatic steatosis in parenteral groups and a greater deposit of neutral lipids in the i.v. group, related to the administration route, without biochemical signs of liver dysfunction.

Immunological parameters of visceral leishmaniasis of Leishmania major-infected golden hamsters.

We can consider the Leishmania major-infected hamster as an interesting model of visceral leishmaniasis. Every hamster infected with L. major strain 70 by peritoneal route developed visceral dissemination of the parasite. When immunological parameters were considered, we saw data quite similar to those presented by visceral leishmaniasis patients: negative leishmanin skin test and presence of anti-leishmania antibody. Histopathological analysis showed dissemination of the parasite mainly to liver and spleen. The former organ showed hypertrophy and hyperplasia of Kupffer cells with focal areas of inflammatory infiltration in nodular pattern. The spleen disclosed intense proliferation and enlargement of mononuclear phagocytic cells, sometimes revealing nodular configuration. Anti-leishmania antibodies were easily detected by indirect immunofluorescent technique in this model. Immunomodulation by Cyclophosphamide decreased the anti-leishmania antibody and delayed-type hypersensitivity test results suggested that hamster was able to develop reaction to leishmania antigen, although leishmanin skin test was negative in the L. major-infected animals. We consider the L. major-infected hamster a useful model for visceral leishmaniasis study because of the similarity of immunological reactions to parasite antigen in human disease.