Root and shoot variation in relation to potential intermittent drought adaptation of Mesoamerican wild common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

BACKGROUND: Wild crop relatives have been potentially subjected to stresses on an evolutionary time scale prior to domestication. Among these stresses, drought is one of the main factors limiting crop productivity and its impact is likely to increase under current scenarios of global climate change. We sought to determine to what extent wild common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) exhibited adaptation to drought stress, whether this potential adaptation is dependent on the climatic conditions of the location of origin of individual populations, and to what extent domesticated common bean reflects potential drought adaptation. METHODS: An extensive and diverse set of wild beans from across Mesoamerica, along with a set of reference Mesoamerican domesticated cultivars, were evaluated for root and shoot traits related to drought adaptation. A water deficit experiment was conducted by growing each genotype in a long transparent tube in greenhouse conditions so that root growth, in addition to shoot growth, could be monitored. RESULTS: Phenotypic and landscape genomic analyses, based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms, suggested that beans originating from central and north-west Mexico and Oaxaca, in the driest parts of their distribution, produced more biomass and were deeper-rooted. Nevertheless, deeper rooting was correlated with less root biomass production relative to total biomass. Compared with wild types, domesticated types showed a stronger reduction and delay in growth and development in response to drought stress. Specific genomic regions were associated with root depth, biomass productivity and drought response, some of which showed signals of selection and were previously related to productivity and drought tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: The drought tolerance of wild beans consists in its stronger ability, compared with domesticated types, to continue growth in spite of water-limited conditions. This study is the first to relate bean response to drought to environment of origin for a diverse selection of wild beans. It provides information that needs to be corroborated in crosses between wild and domesticated beans to make it applicable to breeding programmes.

Comportamientos autolesivos en adolescentes: Estudio cualitativo sobre características, significados y contextos / Self-injurious behaviors among adolescents: A qualitative study of characteristics, meanings, and contexts

Introducción. Las conductas autoagresivas, como los cortes autoprovocados, se propagan y contagian rápidamente entre adolescentes, aunque no está claro de qué manera. El obj etivo de nuestra investigación fue describir y analizar las interacciones sociales en torno a estas conductas. Población y métodos. Diseño descriptivo, cualitativo y transversal. Población: adolescentes con autoagresiones detectados en un Servicio de Adolescencia, entre junio de 2015 y mayo de 2016. Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio intencionado hasta lograr la redundancia de la información. Esta se recogió a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas con registro de audio. Se construyeron categorías descriptivas del conjunto de relaciones personales en torno a las autoagresiones. Resultados. Se incluyeron 36 adolescentes (33 mujeres). Edad: 15,2 ± 1,9 años. Las autoagresiones se producían en contextos de conflictos con el mundo adulto, debido a tensiones en el núcleo familiar y falta de atención a las problemáticas adolescentes. Los cortes en la piel, realizados en soledad, se ocultaban a la familia y se compartían con pares. Entre adolescentes, los cortes funcionaban como marcas simbólicas del sufrimiento; generaban fuertes lazos de identificación, pertenencia y empatía. Las heridas se transformaban en un valor reconocido y compartido, alrededor del cual aglutinaban su discurso, afectos y otras representaciones del momento vital que estaban atravesando. Conclusiones. Las autoagresiones brindan alivio emocional transitorio; se organizan, mayormente, en oposición al mundo adulto y, a su alrededor, se crean fuertes lazos de pertenencia e identidad entre pares. Esta configuración favorece el ocultamiento de estas conductas a la familia y su circulación entre adolescentes.

Introduction. Self-injurious behaviors, such as cutting, are quickly spread and transmitted among adolescents, although it is not clear how. Our objective was to describe and analyze the social interactions occurring in relation to these behaviors. Population and methods. Descriptive, qualitative, and cross-sectional design. Population: adolescents with self-injuries detected at the Department of Adolescence between June 2015 and May 2016. Sampling was purposive and randomized until reaching information redundancy. Data were collected from audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews. Descriptive categories were developed based on personal relationships regarding self-injuries. Results. Thirty-six adolescents were included (33 girls). Age: 15.2 ± 1.9 years. Self-injuries occurred in contexts of conflict with the adult world due to tensions in the household and a neglect of the problems affecting adolescents. Skin cutting was done alone, hidden from the family but shared with peers. Among adolescents, cuts functioned as symbols for their suffering and generated strong ties of identification, belonging, and empathy. Wounds became a recognized and shared asset, around which they grouped their discourse, affection, and other representations of the moment they were living. Conclusions. Self-injuries provide a transient emotional relief; they are usually in opposition to the adult world, and strong ties of belonging and identification are developed among peers in relation to such injuries. This configuration favors concealment of such behavior from the family and its circulation among adolescents.

Self-injurious behaviors among adolescents: A qualitative study of characteristics, meanings, and contexts. / Comportamientos autolesivos en adolescentes: Estudio cualitativo sobre características, significados y contextos.

INTRODUCTION: Self-injurious behaviors, such as cutting, are quickly spread and transmitted among adolescents, although it is not clear how. Our objective was to describe and analyze the social interactions occurring in relation to these behaviors. POPULATION AND METHODS: Descriptive, qualitative, and cross-sectional design. Population: adolescents with self-injuries detected at the Department of Adolescence between June 2015 and May 2016. Sampling was purposive and randomized until reaching information redundancy. Data were collected from audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews. Descriptive categories were developed based on personal relationships regarding self-injuries. RESULTS: Thirty-six adolescents were included (33 girls). Age: 15.2 ± 1.9 years. Self-injuries occurred in contexts of conflict with the adult world due to tensions in the household and a neglect of the problems affecting adolescents. Skin cutting was done alone, hidden from the family but shared with peers. Among adolescents, cuts functioned as symbols for their suffering and generated strong ties of identification, belonging, and empathy. Wounds became a recognized and shared asset, around which they grouped their discourse, affection, and other representations of the moment they were living. CONCLUSIONS: Self-injuries provide a transient emotional relief; they are usually in opposition to the adult world, and strong ties of belonging and identification are developed among peers in relation to such injuries. This configuration favors concealment of such behavior from the family and its circulation among adolescents.

Introducción. Las conductas autoagresivas, como los cortes autoprovocados, se propagan y contagian rápidamente entre adolescentes, aunque no está claro de qué manera. El obj etivo de nuestra investigación fue describir y analizar las interacciones sociales en torno a estas conductas. Población y métodos. Diseño descriptivo, cualitativo y transversal. Población: adolescentes con autoagresiones detectados en un Servicio de Adolescencia, entre junio de 2015 y mayo de 2016. Se realizó un muestreo aleatorio intencionado hasta lograr la redundancia de la información. Esta se recogió a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas con registro de audio. Se construyeron categorías descriptivas del conjunto de relaciones personales en torno a las autoagresiones. Resultados. Se incluyeron 36 adolescentes (33 mujeres). Edad: 15,2 ± 1,9 años. Las autoagresiones se producían en contextos de conflictos con el mundo adulto, debido a tensiones en el núcleo familiar y falta de atención a las problemáticas adolescentes. Los cortes en la piel, realizados en soledad, se ocultaban a la familia y se compartían con pares. Entre adolescentes, los cortes funcionaban como marcas simbólicas del sufrimiento; generaban fuertes lazos de identificación, pertenencia y empatía. Las heridas se transformaban en un valor reconocido y compartido, alrededor del cual aglutinaban su discurso, afectos y otras representaciones del momento vital que estaban atravesando. Conclusiones. Las autoagresiones brindan alivio emocional transitorio; se organizan, mayormente, en oposición al mundo adulto y, a su alrededor, se crean fuertes lazos de pertenencia e identidad entre pares. Esta configuración favorece el ocultamiento de estas conductas a la familia y su circulación entre adolescentes.

Drought Adaptation Mechanisms Should Guide Experimental Design.

The mechanism, or hypothesis, of how a plant might be adapted to drought should strongly influence experimental design. For instance, an experiment testing for water conservation should be distinct from a damage-tolerance evaluation. We define here four new, general mechanisms for plant adaptation to drought such that experiments can be more easily designed based upon the definitions. A series of experimental methods are suggested together with appropriate physiological measurements related to the drought adaptation mechanisms. The suggestion is made that the experimental manipulation should match the rate, length, and severity of soil water deficit (SWD) necessary to test the hypothesized type of drought adaptation mechanism.

Physiological trade-offs of stomatal closure under high evaporative gradients in field grown soybean.

Limited rainfall is the main constraint to agriculture, making agricultural research to understand plant behaviour that leads to avoidance of soil water deficit a matter of priority. One focus has screened for crop varieties that decrease stomatal conductance under high vapour pressure deficit (VPD), a proxy for the leaf evaporative gradient. However, the link between stomatal closure and physiological consequences in field environments is not yet clear. A field experiment on soybeans demonstrated that considerable variation in leaf temperature relative to air temperature occurred, leading to evaporative gradients differing substantially from VPD. Thus, transpiration is decreased by stomatal closure at high VPD, but to compensate, transpiration is somewhat increased due to higher leaf temperatures. Soil water deficit led to lower stomatal conductance, particularly under low evaporative conditions, not just under hot conditions. Non-stomatal photosynthetic limitations were observed due to combined occurrence of stomatal closure and high temperature under high VPD. Although leaves reached temperatures higher than the threshold for a decrease in maximum photochemical efficiency, and displayed non-stomatal photosynthetic limitations, no photoinhibition or damage was observed by night-time. The results demonstrate that more understanding of physiological strategies for achieving altered water use is needed to avoid trade-offs and heat stress.

[Ischemic colitis: an uncommon manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus]. / Colitis isquémica: una manifestación poco frecuente en el lupus eritematoso sistémico.

We present the case of an adolescent with ischemic colitis, an infrequent pathology in this age group, worsened in the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient, aged 20, was diagnosed SLE at 6. She consulted for fever, abdominal pain in the side and right iliac fossa and diarrhea lasting 48 hours. It was assumed as acute gastroenteritis but given the persistent pain, incoercible vomiting and abdominal distension she was hospitalized. The abdominal X-ray showed distended loops, abundant feces, without air-fluid levels. The ultrasound showed erosions and ulcerations, edema and bleeding in the descending colon submucosal layer. The CT scan evidenced an ischemic lesion in the right colon. Ischemic colitis is a severe condition, infrequent in young individuals. Signs, symptoms, abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy are the elements of choice for the diagnosis.

Colitis isquémica: una manifestación poco frecuente en el lupus eritematoso sistémico / Ischemic colitis: an uncommon manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus

Se presenta el caso de una adolescente con colitis isquémica, patología poco frecuente en este grupo etario, que se agrava ante la presencia del lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES). Una paciente de 20 años, con diagnóstico de LES desde los 6 años, consultó por fiebre, dolor abdominal en el flanco y la fosa ilíaca derecha, y diarrea de 48 hs de evolución. Se asumió como gastroenteritis aguda pero, ante la persistencia del dolor, la aparición de vómitos incoercibles y la distensión abdominal, se decidió su internación. La radiografía de abdomen mostró asas distendidas, abundante materia fecal, sin niveles hidroaéreos. La ecografía mostró erosiones y ulceraciones, edema y hemorragia en la submucosa del colon descendente. La tomografía computarizada (TC) evidenció una lesión isquémica en el colon derecho. La colitis isquémica es una patología grave, infrecuente en los jóvenes. Los signos y síntomas, la TC de abdomen y la colonoscopia son los elementos de elección para el diagnóstico.

We present the case of an adolescent with ischemic colitis, an infrequent pathology in this age group, worsened in the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient, aged 20, was diagnosed SLE at 6. She consulted for fever, abdominal pain in the side and right iliac fossa and diarrhea lasting 48 hours. It was assumed as acute gastroenteritis but given the persistent pain, incoercible vomiting and abdominal distension she was hospitalized. The abdominal X-ray showed distended loops, abundant feces, without airfluid levels. The ultrasound showed erosions and ulcerations, edema and bleeding in the descending colon submucosal layer. The CT scan evidenced an ischemic lesion in the right colon. Ischemic colitis is a severe condition, infrequent in young individuals. Signs, symptoms, abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy are the elements of choice for the diagnosis.

Colitis isquémica: una manifestación poco frecuente en el lupus eritematoso sistémico / Ischemic colitis: an uncommon manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus

Se presenta el caso de una adolescente con colitis isquémica, patología poco frecuente en este grupo etario, que se agrava ante la presencia del lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES). Una paciente de 20 años, con diagnóstico de LES desde los 6 años, consultó por fiebre, dolor abdominal en el flanco y la fosa ilíaca derecha, y diarrea de 48 hs de evolución. Se asumió como gastroenteritis aguda pero, ante la persistencia del dolor, la aparición de vómitos incoercibles y la distensión abdominal, se decidió su internación. La radiografía de abdomen mostró asas distendidas, abundante materia fecal, sin niveles hidroaéreos. La ecografía mostró erosiones y ulceraciones, edema y hemorragia en la submucosa del colon descendente. La tomografía computarizada (TC) evidenció una lesión isquémica en el colon derecho. La colitis isquémica es una patología grave, infrecuente en los jóvenes. Los signos y síntomas, la TC de abdomen y la colonoscopia son los elementos de elección para el diagnóstico.(AU)

We present the case of an adolescent with ischemic colitis, an infrequent pathology in this age group, worsened in the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient, aged 20, was diagnosed SLE at 6. She consulted for fever, abdominal pain in the side and right iliac fossa and diarrhea lasting 48 hours. It was assumed as acute gastroenteritis but given the persistent pain, incoercible vomiting and abdominal distension she was hospitalized. The abdominal X-ray showed distended loops, abundant feces, without airfluid levels. The ultrasound showed erosions and ulcerations, edema and bleeding in the descending colon submucosal layer. The CT scan evidenced an ischemic lesion in the right colon. Ischemic colitis is a severe condition, infrequent in young individuals. Signs, symptoms, abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy are the elements of choice for the diagnosis.(AU)

Colitis isquémica: una manifestación poco frecuente en el lupus eritematoso sistémico. / [Ischemic colitis: an uncommon manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus].

We present the case of an adolescent with ischemic colitis, an infrequent pathology in this age group, worsened in the presence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patient, aged 20, was diagnosed SLE at 6. She consulted for fever, abdominal pain in the side and right iliac fossa and diarrhea lasting 48 hours. It was assumed as acute gastroenteritis but given the persistent pain, incoercible vomiting and abdominal distension she was hospitalized. The abdominal X-ray showed distended loops, abundant feces, without air-fluid levels. The ultrasound showed erosions and ulcerations, edema and bleeding in the descending colon submucosal layer. The CT scan evidenced an ischemic lesion in the right colon. Ischemic colitis is a severe condition, infrequent in young individuals. Signs, symptoms, abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy are the elements of choice for the diagnosis.

[A non invasive method for assessing sexual development at adolescence]. / Método no invasivo para la evaluación del desarrollo sexual en la adolescencia.

INTRODUCTION: Observational assessments of puberty that invades the adolescent's privacy are not acceptable for research in population groups. Results based on self assessment have been variable, and in many cases poor. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the validity of a questionnaire with simple questions addressed to assess early, intermediate and advanced puberty periods rather than specific stages. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an outpatient clinic at the Service of Adolescence of a public hospital, 188 and 142 healthy girls and boys aged 8-18 years, and 36 girls and boys aged 8-9 years attending a public school were studied. Adolescents attended the Service for the first time. Those with chronic diseases were excluded from the study. Children answered the questionnaire before entering the doctor's office, where a trained professional clinically assessed their puberal development (Tanner's stage). The questionnaire was previously tested in 30 adolescents. RESULTS: The highest concordance were found in the questions: "Have you started puberty?", with Tanner's stages III, IV or V (Kappa value= 0.60); "Have you already had your first menstrual period?" with stages IV-V (K= 0.69); and "Do you shave?" with stages IV-V (K= 0.66). In most cases, these questions showed high (> or = 0.80) sensitivity and specificity for detecting the mentioned puberty periods. CONCLUSIONS: The method showed to be reliable, and its further evaluation in a non medical setting (schools, households, etc.) is recommended.

Método no invasivo para la evaluación del desarrollo sexual en la adolescencia / A non invasive method for assessing sexual development at adolescence

Introducción. La información sobre el grado de desarrollo puberal es esencial en toda investigación en adolescentes. Los métodos usados a estos fines son invasivos, exigen el examen físico del niño y pueden usarse en clínica, pero no son aceptables para encuestas hechas en hogares, escuelas, etc. La autoevaluación dirigida a identificar estadios de Tanner ha dado resultados variables y, en muchos casos, magros. Objetivos. Evaluar la capacidad de un cuestionario simple para identificar períodos tempranos, intermedios y tardíos de la pubertad. Material y métodos. Un cuestionario con preguntas simples fue administrado en la sala de espera del Servicio de Adolescencia, a 188 niñas y 142 niños sanos de 8 a 18 años (que consultaron por primera vez), y a 36 niñas y niños de 8-9 años de una escuela pública, y se cotejó con los estadios de Tanner, evaluados clínicamente en el consultorio, por dos pediatras capacitados. Resultados. La mayor concordancia encontrada fue en las preguntas: “¿Ya comenzaste la pubertad? con los estadios III, IV o V de Tanner (valor Kappa= 0,60); “¿Ya tuviste tu primera menstruación? con los estadios IV o V (Kappa= 0,69); y “¿Te afeitás? con los estadios IV o V (Kappa= 0,66). En la mayoría de los casos, las preguntas mostraron tener alta sensibilidad (0,80) y especificidad para detectar los períodos puberales mencionados.Conclusiones. El método demostró ser confiable. Recomendamos su uso en encuestas y su evaluación en un ambiente no médico (escuelas, etc.).

Introduction. Observational assessments of puberty that invades the adolescents privacy are not acceptable for research in population groups. Results based on self assessment have been variable, and in many cases poor. Objectives. To evaluate the validity of a questionnaire with simple questions addressed to assess early, intermediate and advanced puberty periods rather than specific stages. Material and methods. In an outpatient clinic at the Service of Adolescence of a public hospital, 188 and 142 healthy girls and boys aged 8-18 years, and 36 girls and boys aged 8-9 years attending a public school were studied. Adolescents attended the Service for the first time. Those with chronic diseases were excluded from the study. Children answered the questionnaire before entering the doctor's office, where a trained professional clinically assessed their puberal development (Tanner's stage). The questionnaire was previously tested in 30 adolescents. Results. The highest concordance were found in the questions: Have you started puberty?, with Tanner's stages III, IV or V (Kappa value= 0.60); Have you already had your first menstrual period? with stages IV-V (K= 0.69); and Do you shave? with stages IV-V (K= 0.66). In most cases, these questions showed high (≥ 0.80) sensitivity and specificity for detecting the mentioned puberty periods. Conclusions. The method showed to be reliable, and its further evaluation in a non medical setting (schools, households, etc.) is recommended.

Método no invasivo para la evaluación del desarrollo sexual en la adolescencia / A non invasive method for assessing sexual development at adolescence

Introducción. La información sobre el grado de desarrollo puberal es esencial en toda investigación en adolescentes. Los métodos usados a estos fines son invasivos, exigen el examen físico del niño y pueden usarse en clínica, pero no son aceptables para encuestas hechas en hogares, escuelas, etc. La autoevaluación dirigida a identificar estadios de Tanner ha dado resultados variables y, en muchos casos, magros. Objetivos. Evaluar la capacidad de un cuestionario simple para identificar períodos tempranos, intermedios y tardíos de la pubertad. Material y métodos. Un cuestionario con preguntas simples fue administrado en la sala de espera del Servicio de Adolescencia, a 188 niñas y 142 niños sanos de 8 a 18 años (que consultaron por primera vez), y a 36 niñas y niños de 8-9 años de una escuela pública, y se cotejó con los estadios de Tanner, evaluados clínicamente en el consultorio, por dos pediatras capacitados. Resultados. La mayor concordancia encontrada fue en las preguntas: ¶¿Ya comenzaste la pubertad? con los estadios III, IV o V de Tanner (valor Kappa= 0,60); ¶¿Ya tuviste tu primera menstruación? con los estadios IV o V (Kappa= 0,69); y ¶¿Te afeitás? con los estadios IV o V (Kappa= 0,66). En la mayoría de los casos, las preguntas mostraron tener alta sensibilidad (0,80) y especificidad para detectar los períodos puberales mencionados.Conclusiones. El método demostró ser confiable. Recomendamos su uso en encuestas y su evaluación en un ambiente no médico (escuelas, etc.).(AU)

Introduction. Observational assessments of puberty that invades the adolescents privacy are not acceptable for research in population groups. Results based on self assessment have been variable, and in many cases poor. Objectives. To evaluate the validity of a questionnaire with simple questions addressed to assess early, intermediate and advanced puberty periods rather than specific stages. Material and methods. In an outpatient clinic at the Service of Adolescence of a public hospital, 188 and 142 healthy girls and boys aged 8-18 years, and 36 girls and boys aged 8-9 years attending a public school were studied. Adolescents attended the Service for the first time. Those with chronic diseases were excluded from the study. Children answered the questionnaire before entering the doctors office, where a trained professional clinically assessed their puberal development (Tanners stage). The questionnaire was previously tested in 30 adolescents. Results. The highest concordance were found in the questions: Have you started puberty?, with Tanners stages III, IV or V (Kappa value= 0.60); Have you already had your first menstrual period? with stages IV-V (K= 0.69); and Do you shave? with stages IV-V (K= 0.66). In most cases, these questions showed high (≥ 0.80) sensitivity and specificity for detecting the mentioned puberty periods. Conclusions. The method showed to be reliable, and its further evaluation in a non medical setting (schools, households, etc.) is recommended.(AU)

Prevalencia de hipertension arterial en los empleados de Suramericana de Seguros, Medellín: 1996 / Prevalence of high blood pressure in the employees of the insurace company Suramericana. Camino Real -Branch- Medellín, 1996

La hipertensión arterial -HTA- así como las enfermedades cardiovasculares, renales y cerebrovasculares relacionadas con ésta se encuentran entre las diez primeras causas de morbimortalidad en la ciudad de Medellín.La investigación busca identificar a los individuos hipertensos en la empresa Suramericana de Seguros, - con sede en Medellín, Colombia-, con el fin de prevenir las complicaciones y brindar educación para modificar los factores de riesgo. Para ello se utilizó una encuesta que se aplicó a 193 trabajadores, la cual incluyó los factores de riesgo modificables y no modificables más relacionados con la génesis de la hipertensión arterial.En este estudio se encontró una prevalencia de HTA del 13,02 por ciento. No existe relación significativa entre el hábito de fumar y la ingesta de licor con la presencia de HTA. El 56 por ciento de los individuos hipertensos tienen antecedentes familiares relacionados con la enfermedad y el 44 por ciento de las personas detectadas como hipertensas no practican ningún tipo de deporte. Finalmente, se presentan algunas recomendaciones con el fin de disminuir el incremento de la prevalencia de la HTA en la Compañía.