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The enactment of the National Education Law in 2006, made secondary education compulsory in Argentina. This prompted actions to expand coverage and guarantee access to this level of education to sectors and contexts that had not been reached until then. The legislation also provides for the creation of intercultural bilingual education and rural education modalities --cross-cutting to all educational levels-- in order to reach the diversity and distinctiveness of communities throughout the country. However, federalism allows each province or jurisdiction, in this case the province of Catamarca, to implement general educational policy guidelines in its own way. A few years on from the creation of rural secondary schools in indigenous territories, we analyze the relationship between the secondary school and the native communities. The fieldwork for this qualitative research with an interpretative approach was undertaken in two native communities located in rural contexts in the province of Catamarca, and involved interviews with representatives of the native communities and teachers of the schools. Our research revealed the demands and tensions surrounding the realization of the right to education and the policies for intercultural education, specifically at secondary level. We also identified asymmetries in decision-making; contradictions between the postulates of intercultural education and the classic mandates of the secondary school; and, fundamentally, tensions surrounding the notion of education held by state institutions and that held and demanded by the people who receive it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles, especially silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), have gained significant attention in recent years as potential alternatives to traditional antibiotics for treating infectious diseases due to their ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms effectively. Ag NPs can be synthesized using fungi extract, but the method is not practical for large-scale production due to time and biomass limitations. In this study, we explore the use of chitosan to encapsulate the mycelia of the white-rot fungus Stereum hirsutum and form chitosan fungal beads for use in multiple extractions and nanoparticle synthesis. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques, including UV-vis spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The analysis revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles were composed of chitosan-silver nanoparticles (CS-Ag NPs) with a size of 25 nm. The chitosan fungal beads were reused in three extractions and nanoparticle synthesis before they lost their ability to produce CS-Ag NPs. The CS-Ag NPs showed potent antimicrobial activity against phytopathogenic and human pathogenic microorganisms, including Pseudomonas syringae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 1.5, 1.6, 3.1, and 4 µg/mL, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of CS-Ag NPs was from 2- to 40-fold higher than Ag NPs synthesized using an aqueous extract of unencapsulated fungal biomass. The CS-Ag NPs were most effective at a pH of five regarding the antimicrobial activity. These results suggest that the chitosan fungal beads may be a promising alternative for the sustainable and cost-effective synthesis of CS-Ag NPs with improved antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antimicrobial activity of metal nanoparticles obtained by biogenic routes has been extensively reported. However, their combined use with other antimicrobial formulations, such as essential oils, remains scarcely explored. In this work, a manganese-ferrite/silver nanocomposite (MnFe2O4/Ag-NC) was synthesized in a two-step procedure: first, MnFe2O4 nanoparticles were produced by a coprecipitation method, followed by in situ biogenic reduction of silver ions using Galega officinalis. MnFe2O4/Ag-NC was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM-EDX), and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM-SQUID). The antibacterial activity if MnFe2O4/Ag-NC was evaluated against Pseudomonas syringae by determining its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the presence of two essential oils: eucalyptus oil (EO) and garlic oil (GO). The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) was also calculated to determine the interaction between MnFe2O4/Ag-NC and each oil. The MIC of MnFe2O4/Ag-NC was eightfold reduced with the two essential oils (from 20 to 2.5 µg mL−1). However, the interaction with EO was synergistic (FIC: 0.5), whereas the interaction with GO was additive (FIC: 0.75). Additionally, a time-kill curve analysis was performed, wherein the MIC of the combination of MnFe2O4/Ag-NC and EO provoked a rapid bactericidal effect, corroborating a strong synergism. These findings suggest that by combining MnFe2O4/Ag-NC with essential oils, the necessary ratio of the nanocomposite to control phytopathogens can be reduced, thus minimizing the environmental release of silver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leukemia is the most common cancer in childhood. The estimated incidence rate of childhood leukemia in Colombia is one of the highest in America and little is known about its spatial distribution.Purpose: To explore the presence of space-time clustering of childhood leukemia in Colombia.Methods: We included children less than 15 years of age with confirmed diagnosis of acute leukemia reported to the national surveillance system for cancer between 2009 and 2017. Kulldorff's spatio-temporal scan statistics were used with municipality and year of diagnosis as units for spatial and temporal analysis.Results: There were 3846 cases of childhood leukemia between 2009 and 2017 with a specific mean incidence rate of 33 cases per million person-years in children aged 0-14 years. We identified five spatial clusters of childhood leukemia in different regions of the country and specific time clustering during the study period.Conclusion: Childhood leukemia seems to cluster in space and time in some regions of Colombia suggesting a common etiologic factor or conditions to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding the confguration of Collective Emotional Orientations (CEO) of a political nature, such as psychosocial barriers to the construction of peace and reconciliation in the people in the city of Bogotá, from a gender perspective, it was possible to identify different emotions: sadness and pain; rage, anger and hatred; fear, anxiety, mistrust and uncertainty; resentment and disgust; non-conformity, concern and disappointment; indifference, impotence, frustration and hopelessness; hope, happiness, optimism and empathy; patriotism, security, gratitude and admiration, facing armed conflict, its actors, the peace agreement, and the future of the country. From these, it is possible to conclude that some CEO are psychosocial barriers according to the way in which they are experienced by the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key points: Perinatal hypoxia causes pulmonary hypertension in neonates, including humans. However, in species adapted to hypoxia, such as the llama, there is protection against pulmonary hypertension.Nitric oxide (NO) is a vasodilatator with an established role in the cardiopulmonary system of many species, but its function in the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor response in the newborn llama is unknown. Therefore, we studied the role of NO in the cardiopulmonary responses to acute hypoxia in high‐ and lowland newborn llamas.We show that high‐ compared to lowland newborn llamas have a reduced pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to acute hypoxia. Protection against excessive pulmonary vasoconstriction in the highland llama is mediated via enhancement of NO pathways, including increased MYPT1 and reduced ROCK expression as well as Ca2+ desensitization.Blunting of pulmonary hypertensive responses to hypoxia through enhanced NO pathways may be an adaptive mechanism to withstand life at high altitude in the newborn llama. Llamas are born in the Alto Andino with protection against pulmonary hypertension. The physiology underlying protection against pulmonary vasoconstrictor responses to acute hypoxia in highland species is unknown. We determined the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the cardiopulmonary responses to acute hypoxia in high‐ and lowland newborn llamas. The cardiopulmonary function of newborn llamas born at low (580 m) or high altitude (3600 m) was studied under acute hypoxia, with and without NO blockade. In pulmonary arteries, we measured the reactivity to potassium and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and in lung we determined the content of cGMP and the expression of the NO‐related proteins: BKCa, PDE5, PSer92‐PDE5, PKG‐1, ROCK1 and 2, MYPT1, PSer695‐MYPT1, PThr696‐MYPT1, MLC20 and PSer19‐MLC20. Pulmonary vascular remodelling was evaluated by morphometry and based on α‐actin expression. High‐ compared to lowland newborn llamas showed lower in vivo pulmonary arterial pressor responses to acute hypoxia. This protection involved enhanced NO function, as NO blockade reverted the effect and the pulmonary arterial dilatator response to SNP was significantly enhanced in highland neonates. The pulmonary expression of ROCK2 and the phosphorylation of MLC20 were lower in high‐altitude llamas. Conversely, MYPT1 was up‐regulated whilst PSer695‐MYPT1 and PThr695‐MYPT1 did not change. Enhanced NO‐dependent mechanisms were insufficient to prevent pulmonary arterial remodelling. Combined, the data strongly support that in the highland newborn llama reduced ROCK, increased MYPT1 expression and Ca2+ desensitization in pulmonary tissue allow an enhanced NO biology to limit hypoxic pulmonary constrictor responses. Blunting of hypoxic pulmonary hypertensive responses may be an adaptive mechanism to life at high altitude. Key points: Perinatal hypoxia causes pulmonary hypertension in neonates, including humans. However, in species adapted to hypoxia, such as the llama, there is protection against pulmonary hypertension.Nitric oxide (NO) is a vasodilatator with an established role in the cardiopulmonary system of many species, but its function in the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstrictor response in the newborn llama is unknown. Therefore, we studied the role of NO in the cardiopulmonary responses to acute hypoxia in high‐ and lowland newborn llamas.We show that high‐ compared to lowland newborn llamas have a reduced pulmonary vasoconstrictor response to acute hypoxia. Protection against excessive pulmonary vasoconstriction in the highland llama is mediated via enhancement of NO pathways, including increased MYPT1 and reduced ROCK expression as well as Ca2+ desensitization.Blunting of pulmonary hypertensive responses to hypoxia through enhanced NO pathways may be an adaptive mechanism to withstand life at high altitude in the newborn llama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Cardiac valve calcification (VC) is a frequent complication in chronic kidney disease and is considered a risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. However, little is known about the pathophysiology mechanisms that originate it and the factors associated with its development. We undertook this study to analyze the frequency and factors related to de novo development of mitral valve calcification (MVC) and aortic valve calcifications (AVC) in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: A prospective cohort of 124 incident PD patients was studied. Demographic and clinical data were recorded and blood assayed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up for calcium, phosphorus, glucose, urea, creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides by spectrophotometry assay; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) by immunoturbidimetric ultrasensitive assay, intact parathormone (iPTH) and osteocalcin by electrochemiluminescence, fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin by EDI-ELISA. Valve calcification was evaluated by M-mode bidimensional echocardiogram. Results: Sixty eight percent of patients were male, ages 43 ± 13 years; 51% were diabetic with 1.4 ± 1 months on PD. After 12.3 ± 1 months, 57 patients (46%) developed VC: AVC in 33 (57.8%), MVC in 15 (26.3%) and 9 (15.8%) patients in both valves. There was no correlation between AVC and MCV. In univariate logistic regression analysis, age, diabetes and elevated concentrations of OPG, iPTH and CRP were risk factors for development MVC. In multivariate analysis, only iPTH remained an independent risk factor as was also the case in AVC. Conclusions: Age, diabetes, osteoprotegerin, parathormone and C-reactive protein are risk factors related to de novo development of MVC and iPTH for AVC in incident dialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aeronautic Cartography elaborated by the Aerophotogrametic Service of the Chilean Airforce is used as a support for the planning and aereal navigation. Actually the bases that adjust these aeronautical products, are kept under the structure of a Corporate Geodatabase. The advantges of this, mainly point to maintain a unique productive line of software, the centralized storage of the information, the diversification of formats, rules of behaviour and the accses of different categories of users, with the objective to improve the times and quality of the productive proceedings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uremic toxicity changes the gut structure and permeability, allowing bacterial toxins to translocate from the lumen to the blood during chronic kidney failure (CKD). Clinical fluid overload and tissue edema without uremia have similar effects but have not been adequately demonstrated and analyzed in CKD. To investigate the effect of sodium intake on the plasma concentration of gut-derived uremic toxins, indoxyl sulfate (IS), and p-cresyl sulfate (pCS) and the expression of genes and proteins of epithelial gut tight junctions in a rat model of CKD. Sham-operated (control group, CG) and five-sixths nephrectomized (5/6Nx) Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to low (LNa), normal (NNa), or high sodium (HNa) diets., Animals were then sacrificed at 8 and 12 weeks and analyzed for IS and pCS plasma concentrations, as well as for gene and protein expression of thigh junction proteins, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in colon fragments. The HNa 5/6Nx groups had higher concentrations of IS and pCS than CG, NNa, and LNa at eight and twelve weeks. Furthermore, HNa 5/6Nx groups had reduced expression of the claudin-4 gene and protein than CG, NNa, and LNa. HNa had reduced occludin gene expression compared to CG. Occludin protein expression was more reduced in HNa than in CG, NNa, and LNa. The gut epithelial tight junctions appear dilated in HNa compared to NNa and LNa in TEM. Dietary sodium intake and fluid overload have a significant role in gut epithelial permeability in the CKD model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated whether an extinction cue can reduce (or prevent) the recovery of previously extinguished fear conditioning using an ABC renewal design in humans. Two experiments were carried out. In Experiment 1, two groups were presented with geometric shapes as conditioned stimulus (CS), followed by a small electric shock as unconditioned stimulus (US) during the acquisition phase. Conditioned fear was measured as ratings of US expectancy and changes in skin conductance response (SCR). During the extinction phase, both groups received presentations of the CS without the US, while an extinction cue (EC) was presented. Both groups were tested in both the extinction context (extinction test) and a new context (renewal test) immediately and 48 hours after the end of the extinction phase (spontaneous recovery). Half of the subjects were tested in the presence of the EC (Group Extinction cue) while the other half were tested in the presence of a neutral cue (Group Neutral cue). The results suggested that the EC reduced the recovery of fear produced by a context change, but that this reduction was not maintained over time. Experiment 2 increased the salience of the EC and the contexts, however, results showed that the EC was unable to reduce the renewal of fear conditioning. These results are discussed as a function of the experimental manipulations performed, and their theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research on processes of psychotherapy has focused on the study of patient-therapist regulation. Evidence concerning verbal and nonverbal coordination as predictors of therapeutic alliance and outcome in psychotherapy has been cumulating. These, along with others results in the field of social neuroscience, suggest that behavioural coordination may have neurophysiological correlates, which play a role in the regulatory process in psychotherapy. Here we introduce an observational paradigm and analytic method to assess the joint neurodynamic activity of patient and therapist. Additionally we report results from ongoing psychotherapy sessions. Our work highlights the involvement of brain activity in the psychotherapeutic process and provides novel insights on how psychotherapy works, in order to further the understanding of the embodied characteristic of the therapeutic interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: It has been demonstrated that parathyroidectomy prevents left ventricular hypertrophy in uremic animals. Although this effect may be mediated by direct actions of parathormone (PTH), it may also be exerted through regulation of profibrotic factors such as aldosterone. In adrenal cortex cell cultures, PTH increases aldosterone release. The objective of this work is to assess the effect of parathyroidectomy on aldosterone levels and on cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis in uremic rats. Methods: Four groups of rats were studied: C, control; 5/6Nx, 5/6 nephrectomy; PTx, parathyroidectomy, and 5/6NxPTx, 5/6 nephrectomy plus parathyroidectomy. Thirty days after the last surgical procedure the animals were sacrificed. Serum creatinine, ionized calcium, aldosterone, PTH, cardiac weight, fibrosis and apoptosis were measured. Results: Serum creatinine levels were significantly higher in 5/6Nx and 5/6NxPTx groups (1.62 ± 0.21 and 1.38 ± 0.15 mg/dl) than in C and PTx groups (0.66 ± 0.02 and 0.47 ± 0.01 mg/dl, p < 0.001). Potassium levels were significantly higher in the 5/6Nx and 5/6NxPTx groups (5.2 ± 0.3 and 5.4 ± 0.3 mg/dl) than in the C group (4.3 ± 0.06 mg/dl, p < 0.05). Values in 5/6Nx and 5/6NxPTx groups were not significantly different from each other. PTH levels were significantly higher in the 5/6Nx group (470.5 ± 156.3 μg/ml) than in the controls (102.3 ± 14.3 μg/ml). PTH levels in the PTx group (1.78 ± 0.52 μg/ml) and in the 5/6NxPTx group (81.64 ± 32.15 μg/ml) were similar to control values. Ionized calcium was lower in PTx and 5/6NxPTx groups (0.80 ± 0.07 and 0.89 ± 0.07 mmol/l) as compared with C and 5/6Nx groups (1.14 ± 0.01 and 0.96 ± 0.01 mmol/ l, p < 0.01). The heart weight as percentage of the body weight increased significantly in 5/6Nx animals (4.20 ± 0.15%) compared to the C group (3.41 ± 0.27%, p < 0.05); parathyroidectomy reversed the heart weight increment in the 5/6NxPTx animals (3.58 ± 0.16%). Myocardial fibrosis was significantly higher in the 5/6Nx group (12.5 ± 1.1%) than in the C group (7.3 ± 1.5%, p < 0.001); in the 5/6NxPTx animals fibrosis returned towards control values (8.9 ± 0.2%). Myocardial apoptosis rose significantly in 5/6Nx animals (24.3 ± 1.2%) compared to the C group (6.7 ± 0.83%, p < 0.001); parathyroidectomy reversed the apoptosis in the 5/6NxPTx animals (10.4 ± 0.49%). Aldosterone levels increased significantly in the 5/6Nx group (2,461 ± 257 pg/ml) compared to the C group (703 ± 81 pg/ml, p < 0.001); in the 5/6NxPTx animals aldosterone levels were below control values (509 ± 99 pg/ml). Conclusions: Uremia was associated to myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis and apoptosis. Surgically induced hypoparathyroidism prevented the development of these disorders. Our results suggest that in the remnant kidney rat model myocardial hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis are mediated by high circulating aldosterone levels. Aldosterone, in turn, may be regulated by PTH. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Residual renal function (RRF) contributes to the quality of life of patients on dialysis. The preservation of RRF is associated with higher patient survival in peritoneal dialysis (PD), and is now accepted that RRF and peritoneal clearance are not of equal value in patient survival. The aim of this study is to know the factors related to RRF loss in prevalent patients in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Methods: This is an analysis of secondary outcomes. Forty-three adult patients with type 2 diabetes were included. They had RRF preserved. Clinical and laboratory assessments were done in each visit during a year. Results: The male gender (p = 0.042), systolic (p = 0.009) and diastolic (p = 0.006) blood pressure (BP), hemoglobin (p = 0.008), peritoneal creatinine clearance (p = 0.014), peritoneal ultrafiltration (p = 0.017) and levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in plasma (p = 0.022) and dialysate (p = 0.008) were related with RRF loss. Conclusions: It is important to understand the factors associated with RRF loss in our patients to prevent the gradual loss and its implications on the mortality and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: An increasing number of studies have been published concerning meeting targets of clinical guidelines for different aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease. Most of these studies have shown that guideline recommendations are not always satisfied, and results outside target limits have been associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. The objective of this study was to analyze the frequency of reaching mineral and bone metabolism-related guideline targets and its impact on clinical outcomes in Mexican chronic dialysis patients. Methods: A cohort of prevalent peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients were analyzed at baseline and followed for at least 16 months. Patients were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), and HD and contracted HD modalities where patients received HD sessions outside institution facilities. Results: We studied 753 patients. The percentage of patients within target limits for phosphorus was 35%, for calcium 32%, and for PTH 12%. The most frequent pattern was hyperphosphatamia, hypercalcemia, and low PTH. This was even more frequent in CAPD patients, probably due to the high percentage of diabetic patients. Hypercalcemia was found as an independent risk factor for mortality. Conclusions: The most important results suggest that guideline recommendations are not usually satisfied and that hypercalcemia, in addition to other traditional risk factors, is associated with high mortality rates. The study also detected some opportunities to improve the quality of treatment by reducing the calcium content of dialysis solutions and reducing the use of calcium carbonate as a phosphate binder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a marker of both fluid volume overload and myocardial damage, and it has been useful as a predictor of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It has been suggested that continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and haemodialysis (HD) may have different effects on fluid volume and blood pressure control; however, whether the independent predictive value of NT-proBNP for mortality is preserved when analysed in conjunction with fluid overload and dialysis modality is not clear. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Wet-mixing processes can be tuned to reduce energy consumption, although impacts on quality and stability should be addressed. This work evaluated the effect of wet-mix processing (total solids, TS: 50 or 60%; heat treatment: 75 or 100 °C × 18 s) and storage conditions (open package: 25 °C, 58% RH, 4 weeks; closed package: 25 °C, multilayer bag, 12 weeks) on the physicochemical stability and digestibility of infant formulas. Processing significantly influenced the physicochemical characteristics of the powders, with TS exerting a stronger impact than heat treatment. Powders produced from 60% TS wet mixes presented the fastest water sorption, which accelerated lactose crystallisation and fat liberation. Formulas in closed packages were stable for 12 weeks. While lactose crystallised before week 2 in open-package storage, inducing major physical changes, only limited effects were observed on digestibility. These findings provide valuable insights to ensure consistent quality during shelf-life of infant formula. • Total solids of wet mixes impacted the water sorption rate of the powders. • Lactose was fully crystallised by week 2 at 58% RH which induced fat liberation. • Storage at 58% RH had a strong physical impact on infant formulas. • Storage at 58% RH only mildly impacted the formulas' in vitro digestibility. • Infant formulas in closed packages were stable for 12 weeks at 25 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A software tool, Tiko'n , was developed for agroecological food web modelling. • The tool allows for rapid construction, calibration and simulation of models. • An example use case is given from coconut fields in Sri Lanka. Agroecological food web modelling, which models trophic relationships between the species present in agricultural fields, has significant potential uses in the fields of theoretical and practical agroecology, specifically regarding the planning and evaluation of integrated pest management and biocontrol strategies. However, the practical use of such models with field data has been hindered by their complexity and difficulty in calibration, as well as the lack of software tools to streamline and standardise their development and evaluation. In this research we present a new modular software tool, Tiko'n , which allows users to rapidly (within a few lines of Python code) develop, calibrate and validate agroecological food web population dynamics models based on observed field population data. We then demonstrate its use in developing a food web model of a coconut pest in Sri Lanka and apply the model to assessing the potential impact of alternative biocontrol strategies. The software allowed for very rapid model development and adjustment and showed that smaller parasitoid releases may be more efficient than a single, larger application. It is the authors' hope that this tool will contribute to a more widespread use of agroecological food web modelling in research and agronomic practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A population dynamics model was used to evaluate pest management strategies. • Chemical control provides short-term benefits at the risk of later resurgence. • Biological control provides slower benefits with little risk of resurgence. • These modelling results support observational and theoretical evidence. • Ecological action thresholds based on modelling can optimise biocontrol. The question of whether organic or conventional agriculture is most suitable for meeting world food requirements and improving resilience to climate change is the topic of much current research. Most comparisons, however, focus either on output efficiency such as yields or on impacts of different nutrient management strategies on the sustainability of the agrosystems, and the impacts of each on the agricultural food webs and beneficial insects responsible for pest control – or outbreaks – has been often overlooked. While standard cropping models can explain if, why and how organic nutrient and crop management work and how they should be adapted to climate change, the lack of mechanistic models of agroecology prevents us from explaining why and how passive and active biocontrol and integrated pest management function, when they do not function, and what optimal management strategies could be employed. In this research, we show that agroecological food web models calibrated with field population dynamics data can be used to demonstrate the mechanisms behind food web dynamics that have been previously observed in the field. Results of scenario simulations show that chemical control provides immediate relief from pest pressures, but at high risk of later pest resurgence if control is not repeated; on the contrary, biological control requires more time to reduce pest populations to acceptable levels but with minimal risk of causing resurgence. In all cases, success of pest control measures is highly dependent on the date of action. In addition, the use of modelling tools to optimise biological control application dates led to much better control than either fixed date or pest population threshold-based applications. These analyses and resulting integrated pest management intervention recommendations are only possible with agroecological food web population dynamics models. We encourage future studies to examine more complex food webs from a variety of agroecosystems to test whether functional responses differ significantly, and hope that this approach will succeed in bringing agroecological food web predictive modelling to the level where it can routinely be used as a decision-making support tool, as hydrological and crop models are employed today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: According to the projections of the World Health Organization, 15% of all disabilities will be associated with mental illnesses by 2020. One of the mental disorders with the largest social impacts due to high personal and family costs is psychosis. Among the most effective psychological approaches to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders at the world level is cognitive behavioral therapy. Recently, cognitive behavioral therapy has introduced several tools and strategies that promote psychological processes based on acceptance and mindfulness. A large number of studies support the effectiveness of mindfulness in dealing with various mental health problems, including psychosis. This study is aimed at determining the efficiency of a mindfulness-based program in increasing cognitive function and psychological well-being in patients with a first episode of schizophrenia and a high risk mental state (those at risk of developing an episode of psychosis).Methods and Design: This is an experimentally designed, multi-center randomized controlled trial, with a 3-month follow-up period. The study participants will be 48 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia (first episode) and 48 with a high-risk mental state, from Santiago, Chile, aged between 15 and 35 years. Participants will be submitted to a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI), which will involve taking part in eight mindfulness workshops adapted for people with psychosis. Workshops will last approximately 1.5 hours and take place once a week, over 8 weeks. The primary outcome will be the cognitive function through Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) and the secondary outcome will be psychological well-being measured by self-reporting questionnaires.Discussion: The outcomes of this trial will add empirical evidence to the benefits and feasibility of MBIs for the psychotherapeutic treatment of patients with schizophrenia and high-risk mental states in reducing cognitive impairment in attention, working memory, and social cognition, as well as increasing the psychological well-being by empowering the patients' personal resources in the management of their own symptoms and psychotic experiences.Trial Registration: ISRCTN registration number ISRCTN24327446 . Registered on 12 September 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship between the dependent and self-criticism dimensions of personality with emotional, cognitive and social deficits associated with depressive symptoms. The sample included 91 college students, aged 18 to 24, from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Universidad de Chile. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) tests were used in order to explore the emotional state of the participants. A Stroop task and a Serial Reaction Time (SSRT) test were used in order to assess cognitive performance. In turn, the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task (RMET) face recognition task, by Baron-Cohen, was used to assess the mentalising capacity. Significant correlations were found between dependency and self-criticism dimensions, depressive symptoms and cognitive performance of the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic hypoxia during gestation and delivery results in oxidative stress and cerebrovascular dysfunction in the neonate. We assessed whether melatonin, a potent antioxidant and potential vasodilator, improves the cerebral vascular function in chronically hypoxic neonatal lambs gestated and born in the highlands (3600 m). Six lambs received melatonin (1 mg/kg per day oral) and six received vehicle, once a day for 8 days. During treatment, biometry and hemodynamic variables were recorded. After treatment, lambs were submitted to a graded FiO2 protocol to assess cardiovascular responses to oxygenation changes. At 12 days old, middle cerebral arteries ( MCA) were collected for vascular reactivity, morphostructural, and immunostaining evaluation. Melatonin increased fractional growth at the beginning and improved carotid blood flow at all arterial PO2 levels by the end of the treatment ( P < 0.05). Further, melatonin treatment improved vascular responses to potassium, serotonin, methacholine, and melatonin itself ( P < 0.05). In addition, melatonin enhanced the endothelial response via nitric oxide-independent mechanisms in isolated arteries (162 ± 26 versus 266 ± 34 AUC, P < 0.05). Finally, nitrotyrosine staining as an oxidative stress marker decreased in the MCA media layer of melatonin-treated animals (0.01357 ± 0.00089 versus 0.00837 ± 0.00164 pixels/ μm2, P < 0.05). All the melatonin-induced changes were associated with no systemic cardiovascular alterations in vivo. In conclusion, oral treatment with melatonin modulates cerebral vascular function, resulting in a better cerebral perfusion and reduced oxidative stress in the neonatal period in chronically hypoxic lambs. Melatonin is a potential therapeutic agent for treating cerebrovascular dysfunction associated with oxidative stress and developmental hypoxia in neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Residual renal function (RRF) has been identified as the most important component in dialysis adequacy and has a strong effect on clinical outcomes. This justifies any effort in understanding the mechanism behind the preservation or decline in RRF. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible association of components of cardio-renal syndrome with the rate of decline in RRF. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed in a group of prevalent adult patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Patients were analyzed at baseline and after a 30-month follow-up. Evaluations included measurements of residual renal function, dialysis adequacy parameters, cardiovascular comorbidity, and measurements of biochemical markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and inflammation, as well as resting electrocardiography. Results We included 129 patients in the study who were divided into groups according to loss of RRF, considering the cut-off point as 100 mL/day of 24 h urine volume. At baseline, there were no differences between groups: patients who lost RRF showed low values of 24 h urine volume, higher levels of systolic blood pressure, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, and low values of serum albumin. In the multivariate analysis, age, albumin, CRP, and NT-proBNP were significant risk factors for the loss of RRF. Conclusions Data indicate a close relationship between heart and kidney function where chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects and is an effect of, heart function, indicative of a bi-directional influence that leads to a vicious cycle, promoting deleterious effects on both systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is one of the most serious pathologies that can affect the 140 million people living at altitudes over 2500m. The primary emphasis of this review is pulmonary artery hypertension in mammals (sheep and llamas) at high altitude, with specific focus on the heme oxygenase and carbon monoxide (HO–CO) system. We highlight the fact that the neonatal llama has neither pulmonary artery hypertension nor pulmonary vascular remodeling in the Andean altiplano. These neonates have an enhanced HO–CO system function, increasing the HO-1 protein expression and CO production by the pulmonary vessels, when compared to llamas raised at low altitude, or neonatal sheep raised at high altitude. The neonatal sheep has high altitude pulmonary artery hypertension in spite of enhancement of the NO system, with high eNOS protein expression and NO production by the lung. The gasotransmitters NO and CO are important in the regulation of the pulmonary vascular function at high altitudes in both high altitude acclimatized species, such as the sheep, and high altitude adapted species, such as the llama. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]