Soil erosion is a serious ecological and environmental problem, and the main cause of land degradation in many ecosystems at global scale. Detachment of soil particles by raindrop splash is the first ...stage in the soil erosion process. A review of the scientific literature published in peer-reviewed international journals (ISI) over the last decades on splash erosion research sheds light on the current scientific knowledge on this topic. In addition, it highlights the research gaps and unanswered questions in our understanding of soil erosion processes due to splash. In this literature review, a bibliographic search in Web of Science by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) database was carried out on August the 9th, 2016, that returned 669 papers containing the words “splash erosion”. The research found was categorised according to a number of criteria: i) devices used to measure splash erosion, ii) advantages and disadvantages of these devices, iii) splash erosion studies by country, iv) date of publication of the first article, v) evolution of the number of articles published in each ten-year period, vi) concepts studied, vii) keywords, viii) authors, ix) number of citations, and x) most cited articles. After this review a synthesis of the information that the science has published about splash erosion was made in order to improve our understanding about splash erosion, by identifying the research questions that still remain unanswered today about the first detachment mechanism. From this review several issues were found important for the advancement of this research topic: a) further study of the known basic factors influencing splash erosion; b) description and quantification of sources of uncertainty about the measurement of different variables; c) to understand the influences that the chosen research approach by individual researchers will have in the final result; and, d) to study the impact of drivers or mitigation techniques that may affect splash erosion.
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Spain as multiple other countries has been experiencing an increasing and sustained trend in the use of psychotropic medications since the mid 90s. Recent studies show public health measures ...implemented to control SARS-Cov2, such as mobility restrictions and the shutdown of nonessential activities increased mental suffering, even contributing to a higher number of anxiety, depression and insomnia disorders that could lead to an increase in the consumption of psychotropics. The aims were: 1) Evaluate the temporal trend in psychotropic consumption by pharmacological subgroup, sex, and age group 2) Estimate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the use of psychotropic drugs.
We conducted a retrospective observational study, retrieving all prescriptions of anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives, and antidepressants dispensed in pharmacies of Asturias (Northern Spain) for Primary Care patients for the period 2018-2021. We presented the data expressed in Daily Defined Doses (DDDs) for 1000 persons/day (DHD). To estimate changes in DHDs by year and age group we conducted two multiple linear regressions (one for males and one for females) for every pharmacological subgroup studied. Changes were considered statistically significant when the regression coefficient was p < 0.05. We used the Software R 4.1.0.
For the studied period, the highest DHDs are for antidepressants, although all of the subgroups experienced an increase in consumption rates. Women consumed more psychotropic drugs than men. In 2021, 372 out of every 1000 women were taking daily 1 DDD of these drugs versus 184 out of every 1000 men. Consumption rates for all psychotropic drugs progressively increases with age. Conversely, the biggest increases in consumption were among the youngest age groups (0-14 and 15-29 years) for women, while for men there is more variability. The regression models suggest an upward trend in psychotropic consumption during all the period, especially remarkable from 2020, for both genders and all age groups.
- The consumption of psychotropic drugs has gradually increased over the last 4 years, with a significant boost starting in 2020 for both sexes, matching the start of the SARS-COV2 pandemic and the implementation of strict Public Health measures to contain it. - The increase observed on children and adolescents is a matter of concern.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Corynebacterium striatum is a nosocomial opportunistic pathogen increasingly associated with a wide range of human infections and is often resistant to several antibiotics. We investigated the ...susceptibility of 63 C. striatum isolated at the Farhat-Hached hospital, Sousse (Tunisia), during the period 2011-2014, to a panel of 16 compounds belonging to the main clinically relevant classes of antimicrobial agents. All strains were susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid, and daptomycin. Amikacin and gentamicin also showed good activity (MICs
= 1 and 2 mg/L, respectively). High rates of resistance to penicillin (82.5%), clindamycin (79.4%), cefotaxime (60.3%), erythromycin (47.6%), ciprofloxacin (36.5%), moxifloxacin (34.9%), and rifampicin (25.4%) were observed. Fifty-nine (93.7%) out of the 63 isolates showed resistance to at least one compound and 31 (49.2%) were multidrug-resistant. Twenty-nine resistance profiles were distinguished among the 59 resistant C. striatum. Most of the strains resistant to fluoroquinolones showed a double mutation leading to an amino acid change in positions 87 and 91 in the quinolone resistance-determining region of the gyrA gene. The 52 strains resistant to penicillin were positive for the gene bla, encoding a class A β-lactamase. Twenty-two PFGE patterns were identified among the 63 C. striatum, indicating that some clones have spread within the hospital.
A detailed mechanistic study of the electrochemical CO2 reduction catalyzed by the fac-MnI(CO)3(bis-MeNHC)MeCN+ complex (1-MeCN+ ) is reported herein by combining in situ FTIR ...spectroelectrochemistry (SEC), synthesis and characterization of catalytic intermediates, and DFT calculations. Under low proton concentrations, 1-MeCN+ efficiently catalyzes CO2 electroreduction with long catalyst durability and selectivity toward CO (ca. 100%). The Mn‑I(CO)3(bis-MeNHC)− anion (1– ) and the tetracarbonyl MnI(CO)4(bis-MeNHC)+ complex (1-CO+ ) are key intermediates of the catalytic CO2-to-CO mechanism due to their impact on the selectivity and the reaction rate, respectively. Increasing the proton concentration increases formate production (up to 15% FE), although CO remains the major product. The origin of formate is ascribed to the competitive protonation of 1– to form a Mn(I) hydride (1-H), detected by SEC in the absence of CO2. 1-H was also synthesized and thoroughly characterized, including by X-ray diffraction analysis. Stoichiometric reactivity studies of 1-H with CO2 and labeled 13CO2 indicate a fast formation of the corresponding neutral Mn(I) formate species (1-OCOH) at room temperature. DFT modeling confirms the intrinsic capability of 1-H to undergo hydride transfer to CO2 due to the strong σ-donor properties of the bis-MeNHC moiety. However, the large potential required for the HCOO– release from 1-OCOH limits the overall catalytic CO2-to-HCOO– cycle. Moreover, the experimentally observed preferential selectivity for CO over formate is dictated by the shallow kinetic barrier for CO2 binding to 1– compared to the Mn–H bond formation. The detailed mechanistic study highlights the reduction potential, pK a, and hydricity of the metal hydride intermediate as crucial factors affecting the CO2RR selectivity in molecular systems.
Since the success of combined antiretroviral therapy, HIV‐1‐infected individuals are now living much longer. This increased life expectancy is accompanied by a higher prevalence of HIV‐1 associated ...neurocognitive disorders. Rising too is the incidence in these patients of pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease such as increased deposition of amyloid beta protein (Aβ). Although neurons are major sources of Aβ in the brain, astrocytes are the most numerous glial cells, therefore, even a small level of astrocytic Aβ metabolism could make a significant contribution to brain pathology. Neprilysin (NEP) is a decisive/crucial regulator of Aβ levels. We evaluated the effects of HIV‐1 on Aβ deposition and the expression and activity of NEP in primary human astrocytes. Specifically, no differences in intracellular amyloid deposits were found between infected and control cells. However, primary cultures of infected astrocytes showed more extracellular Aβ levels compared to controls. This was accompanied by reduced expression of NEP and to a significant decrease in its activity. These results indicate that the presence of HIV‐1 in the brain could contribute to the increase in the total burden of cerebral Aβ.
The increased life expectancy of HIV‐1 infected people is accompanied by a higher prevalence of HIV‐1 associated neurocognitive disorders. HIV‐1 infection increases extracellular deposits of amyloid beta protein in primary cutures of human astrocytes. The presence of HIV‐1 in the brain could contribute to the increase of the total burden of cerebral Aβ.
Corynebacterium striatum is an opportunistic pathogen, often multidrug-resistant, which has been associated with serious infections in humans. Aminoglycosides are second-line or complementary ...antibiotics used for the treatment of Corynebacterium infections. We investigated the susceptibility to six aminoglycosides and the molecular mechanisms involved in aminoglycoside resistance in a collection of 64 Corynebacterium striatum isolated in our laboratory during the period 2005-2009. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using E-test. The mechanisms of aminoglycoside resistance were investigated by PCR and sequencing. The 64 C. striatum were assessed for the possibility of clonal spreading by Pulsed-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). Netilmicin and amikacin were active against the 64 C. striatum isolates (MICs90 = 0.38 and 0.5 mg/L, respectively). Twenty-seven of the 64 C. striatum strains showed a MIC90 for kanamycin > 256 mg/L, and 26 out the 27 were positive for the aph(3')-Ic gene. Thirty-six out of our 64 C. striatum were streptomycin resistant, and 23 out of the 36 carried both the aph(3")-Ib and aph(6)-Id genes. The gene aac(3)-XI encoding a new aminoglycoside 3-N acetyl transferase from C. striatum was present in 44 out of the 64 isolates, all of them showing MICs of gentamicin and tobramycin > 1 mg/L. CS4933, a C. striatum showing very low susceptibility to kanamycin and streptomycin, contains an aminoglycoside resistance region that includes the aph(3')-Ic gene, and the tandem of genes aph(3")-Ib and aph(6)-Id. Forty-six major PFGE types were identified among the 64 C. striatum isolates, indicating that they were mainly not clonal. Our results showed that the 64 clinical C. striatum were highly resistant to aminoglycosides and mostly unrelated.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Early detection of infectious diseases can substantially reduce the health and economic impacts on livestock production. Here we describe a system for monitoring animal activity based on video and ...data processing techniques, in order to detect slowdown and weakening due to infection with African swine fever (ASF), one of the most significant threats to the pig industry. The system classifies and quantifies motion-based animal behaviour and daily activity in video sequences, allowing automated and non-intrusive surveillance in real-time. The aim of this system is to evaluate significant changes in animals' motion after being experimentally infected with ASF virus. Indeed, pig mobility declined progressively and fell significantly below pre-infection levels starting at four days after infection at a confidence level of 95%. Furthermore, daily motion decreased in infected animals by approximately 10% before the detection of the disease by clinical signs. These results show the promise of video processing techniques for real-time early detection of livestock infectious diseases.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Micro- and nanoscale coordination polymer particles can be used for encapsulating and delivering drugs. In vitro cancer cell cytotoxicity assays showed that these capsules readily release ...doxorubicin, which shows anticancer efficacy. The results from this work open up new avenues for metal-organic capsules to be used as potential drug delivery systems.
The growing need to increase environmental and energy sustainability in buildings (housing, offices, warehouses, etc.) requires the use of solar radiation as a renewable source of energy that can ...help to lower carbon footprint, making buildings more efficient and thereby contributing to a more sustainable planet, while enhancing the health and wellbeing of its occupants. One of the technologies deployed in the use of solar energy in buildings is heliostats. In this context, this paper presents an analysis of the performance of a heliostat illuminator to improve illumination in a classroom at the Campus of Rabanales of the University of Cordoba (Spain). A design of a system in charge of monitoring and measuring daylighting variables using Arduino hardware technology and free software is shown. This equipment develops the communications, programming and collection of lighting data. In parallel, installation of an artificial lighting system complementary to the natural lighting system is implemented. Finally, an analysis of the impact of the proposed solution on the improvement of energy efficiency is presented. Specifically, it is estimated that up to 64% of savings in artificial lighting can be achieved in spaces with heliostatic illuminators compared to those without them.
•This is the first description of maternal cerebral hemodynamics in all main intracranial arteries in healthy pregnant patients and patients with preeclampsia.•We present the evolution of vascular ...findings from diagnosis to normalization of MAP and MV in intracranial arteries.•The Lindegaard index is used to support the vasoconstriction vs. hyperdynamic hypothesis.•The prevalence of reversible vasoconstriction defined by transcranial Doppler values in patients with preeclampsia is reported, as there were no previous data.
To evaluate maternal cerebral hemodynamics in patients with preeclampsia (PE) from diagnosis to clinical resolution using transcranial Doppler (TCD) and compare these findings with those of healthy pregnant women. Furthermore, we sought to describe the prevalence of vasoconstriction (VC) and related clinical parameters in PE.
Case-control study including consecutive patients with PE at diagnosis and healthy pregnant women at week 36 of pregnancy. We prospectively collected clinical and neuroimaging data. TCD was repeated at inclusion and on days 1, 7, and 30 postpartum.
Evolution of intracranial arteries hemodynamics (mean velocities (MV), resistance index). VC diagnosis and related features are described.
A total of 165 patients (80 with PE) underwent 467 TCD procedures. Patients with PE presented higher MAP. Intracranial arteries MV were significantly higher in patients with PE (at diagnosis and days 1 and 7 postpartum) but were normalized by day 30, without correlation with MAP evolution or treatment. VC was present in 32.5% of patients with PE (p < 0.001) and was mainly mild according to the Lindegaard index. Severe PE was associated with VC (50.0% vs. 22.6%; odds ratio 3.484; 95% confidence interval 1.425–8.520; p = 0.014). No other independent risk factors for reversible VC were identified.
Patients with PE presented significantly higher MV in the anterior circulation compared to healthy controls, which worsened by day 7 and reverted by day 30 after delivery. VC was present in one-third of PE but was mainly mild and asymptomatic. Severe PE was associated with VC development.
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