The aims of this study were: to compare energy expenditure (EE) estimated from the existing GT3X accelerometer equations and EE measured with indirect calorimetry; to define new equations for EE ...estimation with the GT3X in youth, adults and older people; and to define GT3X vector magnitude (VM) cut points allowing to classify PA intensity in the aforementioned age-groups. The study comprised 31 youth, 31 adults and 35 older people. Participants wore the GT3X (setup: 1-s epoch) over their right hip during 6 conditions of 10-min duration each: resting, treadmill walking/running at 3, 5, 7, and 9 km · h⁻¹, and repeated sit-stands (30 times · min⁻¹). The GT3X proved to be a good tool to predict EE in youth and adults (able to discriminate between the aforementioned conditions), but not in the elderly. We defined the following equations: for all age-groups combined, EE (METs)=2.7406+0.00056 · VM activity counts (counts · min⁻¹)-0.008542 · age (years)-0.01380 · body mass (kg); for youth, METs=1.546618+0.000658 · VM activity counts (counts · min⁻¹); for adults, METs=2.8323+0.00054 · VM activity counts (counts · min⁻¹)-0.059123 · body mass (kg)+1.4410 · gender (women=1, men=2); and for the elderly, METs=2.5878+0.00047 · VM activity counts (counts · min⁻¹)-0.6453 · gender (women=1, men=2). Activity counts derived from the VM yielded a more accurate EE estimation than those derived from the Y-axis. The GT3X represents a step forward in triaxial technology estimating EE. However, age-specific equations must be used to ensure the correct use of this device.
Many studies have reported that hydraulic properties vary considerably between tree species, but little is known about their intraspecific variation and, therefore, their capacity to adapt to a ...warmer and drier climate. Here, we quantify phenotypic divergence and clinal variation for embolism resistance, hydraulic conductivity and branch growth, in four tree species, two angiosperms (Betula pendula, Populus tremula) and two conifers (Picea abies, Pinus sylvestris), across their latitudinal distribution in Europe. Growth and hydraulic efficiency varied widely within species and between populations. The variability of embolism resistance was in general weaker than that of growth and hydraulic efficiency, and very low for all species but Populus tremula. In addition, no and weak support for a safety vs. efficiency trade-off was observed for the angiosperm and conifer species, respectively. The limited variability of embolism resistance observed here for all species except Populus tremula, suggests that forest populations will unlikely be able to adapt hydraulically to drier conditions through the evolution of embolism resistance.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of droughts and heatwaves in Europe, leading to effects on forest growth and major forest dieback events due to hydraulic ...failure caused by xylem embolism. Inter-specific variability in embolism resistance has been studied in detail, but little is known about intra-specific variability, particularly in marginal populations. We evaluated 15 European beech populations, mostly from geographically marginal sites of the species distribution range, focusing particularly on populations from the dry southern margin. We found small, but significant differences in resistance to embolism between populations, with xylem pressures causing 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity ranging from −2.84 to −3.55 MPa. Significant phenotypic clines of increasing embolism resistance with increasing temperature and aridity were observed: the southernmost beech populations growing in a warmer drier climate and with lower habitat suitability have higher resistance to embolism than those from Northern Europe growing more favourable conditions. Previous studies have shown that there is little or no difference in embolism resistance between core populations, but our findings show that marginal populations have developed ways of protecting their xylem based on either evolution or plasticity.
AIMS: To evaluate the impact of the amount and distribution of soil water on xylem anatomy and xylem hydraulics of current-year shoots, plant water status and stomatal conductance of mature ...‘Manzanilla’ olive trees. METHODS: Measurements of water potential, stomatal conductance, hydraulic conductivity, vulnerability to embolism, vessel diameter distribution and vessel density were made in trees under full irrigation with non-limiting soil water conditions, localized irrigation, and rain-fed conditions. RESULTS: All trees showed lower stomatal conductance values in the afternoon than in the morning. The irrigated trees showed water potential values around −1.4 and −1.6 MPa whereas the rain-fed trees reached lower values. All trees showed similar specific hydraulic conductivity (K ₛ) and loss of conductivity values during the morning. In the afternoon, K ₛ of rain-fed trees tended to be lower than of irrigated trees. No differences in vulnerability to embolism, vessel-diameter distribution and vessel density were observed between treatments. CONCLUSIONS: A tight control of stomatal conductance was observed in olive which allowed irrigated trees to avoid critical water potential values and keep them in a safe range to avoid embolism. The applied water treatments did not influence the xylem anatomy and vulnerability to embolism of current-year shoots of mature olive trees.
Drought-related tree mortality is a global phenomenon that currently affects a wide range of forests. Key functional variables on plant hydraulics, carbon economy, growth and allocation have been ...identified and play a role in tree drought responses. However, tree mortality thresholds based on such variables are difficult to identify, especially under field conditions. We studied several Aleppo pine populations differently affected by an extreme drought event in 2014, with mortality rates ranging from no mortality to 90% in the most severely affected population. We hypothesized that mortality is linked with high levels of xylem embolism, i.e., hydraulic dysfunction, which would also lead to lower tree resistance to drought in subsequent years. Despite not finding any among-populations differences in the vulnerability curves to xylem embolism, there were large differences in the hydraulic safety margin and the hydraulic dysfunction level. High mortality rates were associated with a negative hydraulic safety margin when xylem embolism reached values over 60%. We also found forest weakening and post-drought mortality related to a low hydraulic water transport capacity, reduced plant growth, low carbohydrate contents and high pest infestation rates. Our results highlight the importance of drought severity and the hydraulic dysfunction level on pine mortality, as well as post-drought conditions during recovery processes.
Intermonitor variability of GT3X accelerometer Santos-Lozano, A; Torres-Luque, G; Marín, P J ...
International journal of sports medicine,
12/2012, Letnik:
33, Številka:
12
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The main purpose of this study was to assess the inter-monitor reliability of the tri-axial GT3X Actigraph accelerometer over a range of physical activities (PA). This device collects motion data on ...each of the vertical (Y), horizontal right-left (X), and horizontal front-back (Z) axes and also calculates the vector summed value √X(2)+Y(2)+Z(2) known as 'vector magnitude' (VM). 8 GT3X accelerometers were worn at the same time by the same participant. Accelerometers were placed back-to-front, all facing forward and in sets of 4 securely taped together, attached to a belt and allocating each block above either left or right hip at waist level. Inter-monitor reliability was assessed during 6 conditions: rest, walking (4 and 6 km·h(-1)), running (8 and 10 km·h(-1)) and repeated sit-to-stand (40 times·min(-1)). The intra-class correlation coefficients were high for X, Y and Z axes (i.e., all ≥ 0.925) and for VM (≥ 0.946). In conclusion, we found good inter-instrument reliability of the GT3X accelerometer across all planes, yet our results also suggest that the X and Z axes do not provide further benefits over the 'traditional' Y-axis to assess the movement in typical PA.
•A review on acaricide activity against ticks of plant products and secondary compounds was done.•Mortalities (5–100%) against the Rhipicephalus, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Hyalomma and Argas genera ...were reported.•The families Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Piperaceae, Verbenaceae, and Poaceae are evaluated mainly.•Thymol, carvacrol, 1,8-cineol, n-hexanal, nicotine and sulfides are responsible for the acaricidal activity.•Plant metabolites could be used as an alternative control against susceptible or resistant ticks to commercial acaricides.
The present review documents the results of studies evaluating the acaricidal activity of different plant products and secondary metabolites against ticks that are resistant and susceptible to conventional acaricides. Studies published from 1998 to 2016 were included. The acaricidal activity of plant extracts, essential oils and secondary compounds from plants have been evaluated using bioassays with ticks in the larval and adult stages. There is variable effectiveness according to the species of plant and the concentrations used, with observed mortalities ranging from 5 to 100% against the Rhipicephalus (Boophilus), Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Hyalomma, and Argas genera. A number of plants have been reported to cause high mortalities and/or affect the reproductive capacity of ticks in the adult phase. In the majority of these trials, the main species of plants evaluated correspond to the families Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Piperaceae, Verbenaceae, and Poaceae. Different secondary metabolites such as thymol, carvacrol, 1,8-cineol and n-hexanal, have been found to be primarily responsible for the acaricidal activity of different essential oils against different species of ticks, while nicotine, dibenzyldisulfide and dibenzyltrisulfide have been evaluated for plant extracts. Only thymol, carvacrol and 1,8-cineol have been evaluated for acaricidal activity under in vivo conditions. The information in the present review allows the conclusion that the secondary metabolites contained in plant products could be used as an alternative for the control of ticks that are susceptible or resistant to commercial acaricides.
With the goal of achieving immune system reset, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantations have been performed in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Two hundred and eighty-six ...consecutive patients with MS were autografted in a single center using non-frozen peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs), on an outpatient basis and conditioning with cyclophosphamide and rituximab. The protocol was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02674217.
One hundred and ninety-four females and 92 males were included; the median age was 47. All procedures were started on an outpatient basis and only 8 persons needed to be admitted to the hospital during the procedure. In order to obtain at least 1 × 106/kg viable CD34 cells, 1-4 aphereses were performed (median 1). The total number of viable CD34+ cells infused ranged between 1 and 19.2 × 106/kg (median 4.6). Patients recovered above 0.5 × 109/L absolute granulocytes on median day 8 (range 0-12). Two individuals needed red blood cells but none needed platelet transfusions. There were no transplant-related deaths and the 128-month overall survival of the patients is 100%. In 82 persons followed up for 3 or more months, the Expanded Disability Status Scale diminished from a mean of 5.2-4.9, the best results being obtained in relapsing-remitting and primary progressive MS.
It is possible to conduct autotransplants for patients with MS employing non-frozen PBSCs and outpatient conduction. Additional information is needed to assess the efficacy of these procedures in the treatment of patients with MS.
To cite this article: Torres MJ, Ariza A, Fernández J, Moreno E, Laguna JJ, Montañez MI, Ruiz-Sanchez AJ, Blanca M. Role of minor determinants of amoxicillin in the diagnosis of immediate allergic ...reactions to amoxicillin. Allergy 2010; 65: 590-596. Skin testing of subjects with immediate hypersensitivity to amoxicillin is performed using major and minor determinants of benzylpenicillin plus amoxicillin. However, sensitivity is not optimal, and other determinants need to be considered. We assessed the sensitivity of stable, well-characterized minor determinants of amoxicillin in subjects with immediate allergic reactions to amoxicillin to improve skin test sensitivity. Amoxicillin, amoxicilloic acid, and diketopiperazine were prepared and characterized by reverse-phase HPLC, tested in vivo by skin testing and in vitro by basophil activation test and RAST inhibition assay. Patients with immediate hypersensitivity to amoxicillin were selected: Group A (n = 32), skin test positive just to amoxicillin; Group B (n = 19), skin test positive to benzylpenicillin determinants; Group C (n = 10), skin test negative and amoxicillin drug provocation test positive. In Group A, 27 subjects (81.8%) were skin test positive to amoxicillin, ten (30.3%) to amoxicilloic acid, two (6.1%) to diketopiperacine, and six (18.2%) negative. In Group B, nine (50%) were positive to amoxicillin, eight (42.1%) to amoxicilloic acid, none to diketopiperacine, and nine (50%) negative. In Group C, skin tests were negative. BAT was positive to amoxicillin in 26 patients (50.9%), to amoxicilloic acid in 15 (29.1%), and diketopiperazine in four (7.8%). RAST inhibition studies showed > 50% inhibition in all sera, with the highest concentration of amoxicillin and amoxicilloic acid. The combination of minor determinants of amoxicillin, amoxicilloic acid, and diketopiperazine seems to be of no greater value than the use of amoxicillin alone. Further efforts are needed to find new structures to improve sensitivity in the diagnosis of immediate hypersensitivity to betalactams.
Objectives
Determine the association of higher FI-LAB scores, derived from common laboratory values and vital signs, with hospital and post-hospital outcomes in Veterans hospitalized with COVID-19 ...infection.
Design, Setting, and Participants
A retrospective, multicenter, cohort study of 7 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical centers in Florida and Puerto Rico. Patients aged 18 years and older hospitalized with COVID-19 and followed for up to 1 year post discharge or until death.
Clinical Frailty Measure: FI-LAB. Main Outcomes and Measures
Hospital and post-hospital outcomes.
Results
Of the 671 eligible patients, 615 (91.5%) patients were included (mean SD age, 66.1 14.8 years; 577 men 93.8%; median stay, 8 days IQR:3-15. There were sixty-one in-hospital deaths. Veterans in the moderate and high FI-LAB groups had a higher proportion of inpatient mortality (13.3% and 20.6%, respectively) than the low group (4.1%), p <0.001. Moderate and high FI-LAB scores were associated with greater inpatient mortality when compared to the low group, OR:3.22 (95%CI:1.59-6.54), p=.001 and 6.05 (95%CI:2.48-14.74), p<0.001, respectively. Compared with low FI-LAB scores, moderate and high scores were also associated with prolonged length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and transfer.
Conclusions and Relevance
In this study of patients admitted to 7 VHA Hospitals during the first surge of the pandemic, higher FI-LAB scores were associated with higher in-hospital mortality and other in-hospital outcomes; FI-LAB can serve as a validated, rapid, feasible, and objective frailty tool in hospitalized adults with COVID-19 that can aid clinical care.
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