Above- and below-ground trait coordination in tree seedlings depend on the most limiting resource: a test comparing a wet and a dry tropical forest in Mexico.

The study of above- and below-ground organ plant coordination is crucial for understanding the biophysical constraints and trade-offs involved in species' performance under different environmental conditions. Environmental stress is expected to increase constraints on species trait combinations, resulting in stronger coordination among the organs involved in the acquisition and processing of the most limiting resource. To test this hypothesis, we compared the coordination of trait combinations in 94 tree seedling species from two tropical forest systems in Mexico: dry and moist. In general, we expected that the water limitation experienced by dry forest species would result in stronger leaf-stem-root coordination than light limitation experienced by moist forest species. Using multiple correlations analyses and tools derived from network theory, we found similar functional trait coordination between forests. However, the most important traits differed between the forest types. While in the dry forest the most central traits were all related to water storage (leaf and stem water content and root thickness), in the moist forest they were related to the capacity to store water in leaves (leaf water content), root efficiency to capture resources (specific root length), and stem toughness (wood density). Our findings indicate that there is a shift in the relative importance of mechanisms to face the most limiting resource in contrasting tropical forests.

Evaluation of the effect of conventional and natural antifungals on motility and kinetics of cooled stallion semen.

Microbial growth in semen may cause a decline of sperm quality and fertility; however, the addition of antifungals to semen extender has been shown to impair the overall fertility of the sperm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of conventional and natural compounds, and their effect on the motility and kinetics of cooled stallion semen. A total of 15 ejaculates from five stallions were collected using the artificial vagina. Each ejaculate was supplemented with: fluconazole at 12.5 (F1), 25 (F2) and 50 (F3) mg/ml; amphotericin-B at 6.5 (A1), 12.5 (A2) and 25 (A3) mg/ml (A3); clotrimazole at 12.5 (C1), 25 (C2) and 50 (C3) mg/ml; isoespintanol at 50 (I1), 100 (I2) and 150 (I3) µM; thymol at 50 (T1), 100 (T2) and 150 (T3) µM; and a control without supplementation. Motility and kinetics of semen at 0, 24 and 48 hr of cooling at 15°C were assessed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). At hour 48 of cooling, the antifungal effect of the treatments was evaluated. At hour 0 of cooling, amphotericin-B and I3 showed a reduction in most of the motility and kinetic parameters evaluated (p < .05). These treatments, and also C2 and C3, showed similar results at 24 and 48 hr of cooling. Thymol maintained motility and kinetics of the spermatozoa at all evaluated refrigeration times. Besides, I2 showed a decrease (p < .05) in the colony-forming unit compared to that in the control. It is concluded that thymol and isospintanol could be added as natural antifungals in extenders for stallion semen refrigeration.

La familia es la voz del paciente en la interacción con la enfermera / A família como a voz do paciente na interação enfermeira-paciente / Family as the Patient's Voice in Nurse-Patient Interaction

Introducción: La familia experimenta un reto importante cuando uno de sus miembros está hospitalizado, pues los obliga a modificar sus dinámicas en términos de funciones y roles. Esta investigación cualitativa se realizó con familiares que acompañaron a uno de sus integrantes durante una experiencia de hospitalización; se consideró familia a quienes compartieran una historia en común con el paciente. Objetivo: Comprender el significado que le da la familia al papel que desempeña con el paciente en la interacción con las enfermeras durante el tiempo de hospitalización. Materiales y Métodos: Se utilizó el enfoque etnográfico. Se aplicaron 10 entrevistas a personas adultas. Se obtuvo información hasta lograr la saturación. Se tuvo en cuenta los criterios de rigor y los principios éticos. Resultados: La familia considera que tienen el derecho de ser la voz del paciente para interactuar con la enfermera, y la asume como una de sus funciones en su rol cuidador, para lograrlo es indispensable que ésta acuda al llamado, atienda, acompañe y brinde al paciente unos cuidados mínimos requeridos, relacionados primordialmente con la esfera física, de tal forma que en esa interacción demuestre su calidad humana, reconozca las necesidades del paciente y base su comunicación en la verdad y la cercanía. La familia espera una enfermera que los reconozca y los eduque, así mismo que les diga la verdad y se muestre cercana. Conclusiones: La familia se constituye en la voz del paciente como derecho connatural filial y en ese sentido, asume el cuidado del paciente con apoyo de las enfermeras, quienes tienen el deber de generar confianza y buen trato.

Introduction: Families experience a major challenge when a next of kin is admitted to hospital as family dynamics are forced to change in terms of duties and roles. Qualitative research has been conducted with family members who supported one of their next of kin during their hospitalization. Family members were defined as those who had shared a common history with patients. Objective: To understand the meaning given by families to the patient's voice role in the interaction with nurses during hospitalization. Materials and Methods: An ethnographic approach was used. Complete information was collected from 10 interviews with adults. Strict criteria and ethical principles were also applied. Results: Families consider that their right is to be the patient's voice to interact with nurses, assuming it as one of their caregiving functions. To this end, nurses must respond to the call, assist, accompany and provide patients with minimal care required, primarily related to physical care, so they can demonstrate their human qualities, recognize patients' needs and communicate on the basis of truth and closeness when interacting with patients. Families expect that nurses would recognize and instruct them, as well as tell the truth and be close to them. Conclusions: Families are the patient's voice as a matter of connatural right, assuming patients' care supported by nurses, who are in charge of building trust and providing good care.

Introdução: As famílias experimentam um grande desafio quando um parente próximo é hospitalizado, pois as dinâmicas familiares são forçadas a mudar em termos de deveres e papéis. Esta pesquisa qualitativa foi realizada com membros da família que acompanharam um de seus parentes durante a hospitalização. Os membros da família foram definidos como aqueles que tinham compartilhado uma história comum com os pacientes. Objetivo: Entender o significado dado pelas famílias ao papel da voz do paciente na interação com enfermeiros durante a hospitalização. Materiais e métodos: Uma abordagem etnográfica foi utilizada. Informações completas foram coletadas a partir de 10 entrevistas com adultos. Critérios rígidos e princípios éticos também foram aplicados. Resultados: As famílias consideram que tem o direito de ser a voz do paciente para interagir com enfermeiros, assumindo-a como uma de suas funções de cuidado. Para isso, os enfermeiros devem responder ao chamado, prestar assistência, acompanhar e prover aos pacientes os cuidados mínimos necessários, principalmente relacionados ao cuidado físico, para que possam demonstrar suas qualidades humanas, reconhecer as necessidades dos pacientes e se comunicar com base na verdade e na proximidade ao interagir com os pacientes. As famílias esperam que os enfermeiros os reconheçam e os instruam, assim como que digam a verdade e estejam próximos deles. Conclusões: As famílias são a voz do paciente como uma questão de direito conatural, assumindo os cuidados dos pacientes apoiados por enfermeiros, que são responsáveis por construir confiança e prestar bons cuidados.

Asociación entre prácticas en salud, somatización y algunos factores psicosociales en usuarios de clínicas de ASSBASALUD ESE: Manizales (Colombia), 2007 / Association between health practices, somatization and some psychosocial factors in clinics of ASSBASALUD ESE: Manizales (Colombia), 2007

Introducción: La evidencia investigativa sugiere que la población con una patología médica crónica presenta mayor riesgo de desarrollar un cuadro de somatización, definida como una serie de síntomas corporales sin causa orgánica demostrable, y asociada al estrés y cuadros depresivos, ansiosos, que generalmente pasan desapercibidos en la consulta. Este tipo de pacientes terminan convirtiéndose en consultantes crónicos o en abusadores de servicios de salud, lo que genera congestión en la prestación del servicio e incremento en los costos de salud. Metodología: Estudio de corte transversal, con 188 pacientes que asistieron a consultaexterna en los diferentes centros urbanos de Atención en Seguridad Social, Bienestar y Salud, Empresa Social del Estado (ASSBASALUD, ESE) del área urbana de Manizales (Colombia). Resultados: La edad promedio fue 51,3 años, 62,5 por ciento presentaban somatización, 61,9 por ciento ansiedad subclínica, 51,6 por ciento no presentaban depresión, estrés bajo 73,6 por ciento y buena función familiar 42,9 por ciento . Se encontró dependencia significativa entre somatización y ansiedad (p=0,000), depresión (p=0,005) estrés (p=0,000) funcionalidad familiar (p=0,007), entre otras. También se encontró dependencia significativa entre las variables prácticas en salud y somatización (p=0.002), Ansiedad (p=0,014), depresión (p=0.008) a nivel p<0,1 con funcionalidad familiar (p=0,093). Conclusiones: se encontró una alta comorbilidad de somatización en los pacientes con algún grado de depresión, ansiedad y estrés, al igual que deficientes prácticas de salud en este tipo de pacientes.