Study on the Effects of Atractylodes macrocephala Ethanol Extract on Life Span of Caenorhabditis elegans and Its Mechanism / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of Atractylodes macrocephala ethanol extract （AM） on life span of Caenorhabditis elegans（called N 2 nematode for short ），and to investigate its mechanism based on transcription factor SKN- 1/ nuclear factor E 2 related factor 2（Nrf2）. METHODS ：N2 nematode were divided into blank control group ，positive control group （100 μ mol/L curcumin，similarly hereinafter ），AM low-dose ，medium-dose and high-dose groups （100，200，300 μ g/mL， similarly hereinafter ）. The effects of AM on the life span （by average survival time ）of N 2 nematode under normal condition and oxidant stress condition （40 mmol/L H 2O2）as well as its effects on reproductive capability （by the number of filial generation ）of N2 nematode under normal condition were investigated . 700 μmol/L H2O2 was used to establish neuroblastoma cells N 2a oxidant stress model. Effects of positive control ，low-dose，medium-dose and high-dose of AM on the survival rate of model cells were detected by MTT method. After human embryonic renalepithelial cells 293T were transfected with Nrf 2-ARE plasmid ， the effects of positive control and AM on luciferase activity of Nrf2-ARE were detected by luciferase reporter gene method at low，medium and high dose for 24 h and at medium dose for 12，18 and 24 h. RT-PCR was used to detect the effects ofpositive control ，low-dose，medium-dose and high-dose of AM on the mRNA expression of downstream genes NQO- 1 and HO- 1 of Nrf 2 in N 2a cells as well as mRN A expression of en@hactcm.edu.cn downstream genes GCS- 1，GST-7，GST-10，HSP-60，HSP- 16.2 and SOD- 3 of SKN- 1 in N 2 nematode. RESULTS ：Compared with blank control group ，average survival time of N 2 nematode under normal and oxidant stress condition was significantly prolonged in positive control group and AM groups ；the number of filial generation on the first day （except for AM high-dose group ），the number of filial generation on the second day （except for AM low-dose group ） and the total number of filial generation （except for AM low-dose group ） were increased significantly（P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The survival rate of N 2a cells in positive control group ，AM medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly higher than that of model group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with blank control group ，Nrf2-ARE luciferase relative activity of 293T cells in positive control group and AM groups as well as Nrf 2-ARE luciferase relative activity of 293T cells in AM medium-dose group after different time of treatment were increased significantly （P＜0.01），in dose-dependent and time-dependent trend. Compared with blank control group ，mRNA relative expression of HO- 1 and NQO- 1（except for positive control group ），GCS-1（except for AM low-dose group ），GST-7（except for positive control group and AM low-dose group ）， GST-10 and HSP- 60（except for AM low-dose group ），HSP-16.2（except for positive control group and AM low-dose group ）and SOD-3 （except for positive control group and AM low-dose group ） were increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS：AM can prolong the life span of N 2 nematode under normal and oxidant stress condition and improve the its reproductive capacity ，the mechanism of which may be associated with the activation of SKN- 1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Pest potencial of Sitophilus zeamais on Brazil nut under storage conditions: Sitophilus zeamais on Brazil nut / Potencial de Sitophilus zeamais como praga da castanha-do-Brasil em condições de armazenamento

The Brazil nut, fruit of Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K., a native plant of the Amazon region and may be considered one of the main extractivist products of countries like Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Peru and Brazil. In Brazil this plant can be found in the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and Tocantins. Species of the Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, have been classified as pest potentials of Brazil nut under storage conditions. Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is one of the main insect pests attacking grain stores worldwide. This specie may be observed attacking grains in the field and in storage facilities (cross-infestation), presenting a wide variety of hosts. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential of adults of this species feed on Brazil nuts, and also to identify the type of injury as well as the life span of this coleopteran exposed to the meat of the Brazil nut. No feeding injury was observed on the surface of Brazil nuts and the life span of the insects was similar in treatments both with and without this food source in all populations evaluated. Due to the fact that S. zeamais adults do not injure, or feed on the Brazil nut, this beetle is not able to colonize this product and therefore may be considered a non-pest insect for stored Bertholletia excelsa almonds stored.

A castanha-do-brasil, fruto da Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K., que é uma planta nativa da região Amazônica e esse fruto pode ser considerado um dos principais produtos extrativistas de países como Bolívia, Colômbia, Guiana, Venezuela, Peru e Brasil. No Brasil, essa planta pode ser encontrada nos estados do Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima e Tocantins. Espécies de Coleoptera e Lepidoptera foram classificadas como potenciais pragas da castanha-do-brasil em condições de armazenamento. Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) é uma das principais pragas de insetos que atacam os armazéns de grãos em todo o mundo. Esta espécie pode ser observada atacando grãos no campo e em unidades armazenadoras (infestação cruzada), apresentando uma grande variedade de hospedeiros. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial de adultos dessa espécie em se alimentarem de castanha-do-brasil, e também, identificar o tipo de lesão e o tempo de vida deste coleóptero exposto castanha-do-brasil. Não foi observada lesão na superfície da castanha-do-brasil e o tempo de vida dos insetos foram semelhantes nos tratamentos com e sem alimento em todas as populações avaliadas. Devido ao fato de que adultos de S. zeamaisnão lesionaram ou se alimentaram da castanha-do-brasil, este besouro não é capaz de colonizar este produto e, portanto, pode ser considerado um inseto não-praga para as amêndoas de Bertholletia excelsa armazenadas.

Ameliorative effect of Argyreia boseana Sant. & Pat. on stress in C. elegans

Background: Pathyashadangam kwath, a classical ayurvedic polyherbal formulation is used for thetreatment of cluster head ache, migraine, upper respiratory diseases, ear ache and night blindness. Review of literature suggested that characterization parameters of Pathyashadangam kwath are notreported.Objective: To report characteristic parameters of Pathyashadangam kwath to confirm quality and purity.Materials and methods: The fruit pericarps of Haritaki, Bibhitaki and Amalaki, aerial parts of Bhunimba,rhizome of Haridra, stem bark of Nimba and stem of Guduchi were the ingredients of Pathyashadangamkwath. Three batches of the kwath were prepared as per standard procedures. The kwath was evaluatedfor organoleptic, physical, phytochemical and chromatographic parameters as per standard methods.Results: HPTLC analysis revealed that Toluene: Ethyl Acetate: Formic acid (2.5: 2.0: 0.5) was a suitablemobile phase for characterization of the kwath. HPLC analysis revealed that andrographolide was asuitable marker for standardization of the kwath.Conclusion: The characterization parameters presented in this paper may serve as standard reference forquality control analysis of Pathyashadangam kwath.

Correct understanding of the influence of hemoglobin variants on the glycated hemoglobin value / 中华检验医学杂志

Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is the golden biomarker for clinical evaluation of long-term glycemic control, and also an important basis to guide adjustments to therapy. In recent years, the World Health Organization (WHO) and many national diabetes societies have recommended HbA1c as the preferred indicator for the diagnosis of diabetes. Hemoglobin variants are one of the factors affecting HbA1c values. On the one hand, they affect the results of HbA1c by interfering with some HbA1c detection methods, on the other hand, they affect the correct interpretation of HbA1c results by changing the life span of red blood cells and (or)the hemoglobin glycation rate.

Desarrollo y cambios con la edad en el tubo digestivo, hígado y páncreas / Digestive tract, liver and pancreas: development and changes with age

An adequate functioning of the digestive tract, liver and pancreas is fundamental to providing the organism with the necessary conditions for its development and maintaining its digestive and systemic homeostasis. Life expectancy has increased, it is estimated that adults over 65 years old by 2050, will represent 25% of the local population. The morphological and functional changes associated with aging in the digestive system, liver and pancreas are modest except for those that occur in the microbiota. Recently it has been possible to establish the contribution of the microbiota to life expectancy and establish a link between gastrointestinal microbiota, inflammation associated with aging (inflammaging) and survival. This represents a shift in the paradigm of our understanding physiology, chronic diseases, neoplasms and for the development of new therapies.

Un adecuado funcionamiento del tubo digestivo, hígado y páncreas es fundamental para poder brindar al organismo las condiciones necesarias para su desarrollo y mantener su homeostasis digestiva y sistémica. La expectativa de vida se ha incrementado, estimándose a nivel nacional que para el año 2050 los adultos mayores de 65 años representarán el 25% de la población. Los cambios morfológicos y funcionales asociados al envejecimiento en el aparato digestivo, hígado y páncreas son modestos a excepción, de los que se producen en la microbiota. Recientemente se ha podido establecer la contribución de la microbiota a la esperanza de vida y establecer un nexo entre microbiota gastrointestinal, inflamación asociada al envejecimiento y sobrevida. Esto representa un cambio en el paradigma sobre cómo comprendemos la fisiología, las patologías crónicas, neoplásicas y en el desarrollo de nuevas terapias.

The life span of red blood cell in patients with severe/very severe aplastic anemia / 中华血液学杂志

Objective@#To explore the life span of red blood cells (RBC) in patients with severe/very severe aplastic anemia (SAA/VSAA).@*Methods@#Clinical data of 128 SAA/VSAA patients from November 2016 to April 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and 13 healthy volunteers in the same period was used as normal control. The endogenous Breath Carbon Monoxide (CO) test was used to detect the life span of RBC in SAA/VSAA patients, and the effect of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) on the life span of RBC in these patients was explored.@*Results@#The mean life span of RBC in 51 untreated SAA/VSAA patients was (50.69±21.43) d, which was significantly shorter than that in normal controls[(111.85±31.55) d](t=-6.611, P<0.001). The mean life span of RBC in 77 patients treated with IST was (87.14±39.28) d. The mean life span of RBC in complete responses (CR), hematologic response (HR) and non-response (NR) patients were (106.15±32.12) d, (92.00±38.60) d and (50.44±21.56) d, respectively. The life span of RBC in patients with HR was significantly longer than that in newly diagnosed and NR patients (t=7.430, P<0.001; t=4.846, P=0.002), which was similar to that in the normal controls (t=-1.743,P=0.085). There was no statistical significance between CR patients and the normal controls in the mean life span of RBC (t=-0.558, P=0.579). No factor affecting the RBC life span was found in univariate logistical regression analyses in the newly diagnosed SAA/VSAA patients. The serum levels of IL-2R and IL-6 were much lower in HR patients than NR patients[IL-2R: 4.3×105 U/L vs 6.5×105 U/L, z=-2.733, P=0.006; IL-6: 2.6 (2.0-17.7) ng/L vs 6.1 (2.0-14.4) ng/L, z=-2.968, P=0.003]. Of the 51 newly diagnosed patients, 38 received IST and their 3-month curative effect was evaluated. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive effect of RBC life span of untreated patients on the efficacy of IST before treatment. The cut-off point was 60 days with sensitivity of 37.5% and specificity of 86.4%. In 9 cases with life span of RBC>60 d before IST, 6 cases acquired HR, while in 29 cases with life span of RBC ≤ 60 d before IST, 10 cases acquired HR, the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.128).@*Conclusion@#The life span of RBC in SAA/VSAA patients was shortened, which can be improved even recovered to the normal after IST. Elevated cytokines might play a role in the pathophysiology of the shortened RBC life span in SAA/VSAA.

Effect of ginseng polysaccharides on polyQ accumulation toxicity and lifes pan of Caenorhabditis elegans / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To study the ginseng polysaccharides for prolonging the life span of the C.elegans and inhibit the toxic effects of polyQ accumulation.Methods Caenorhabditis elegans of HA759 and AM141 were divided into control group and Ginseng group, seprately.Control group didn’ t do any special treatment, Ginseng group were given 10 mg/mL polysaccharide and OP50-1 in the proportion of 1:4 mixed volume to 50 mL.C.elegans of glutamine ( polyQ) polymer HA759 neurotoxicity model test of glutamine protein polymer toxicity experiment were done.The ASH neuron survival condition were tested.After sampling statistics gathered nematodes in the whole fluorescent points every day, study ginseng polysaccharide on polymers glutamine aggregation inhibition.Finally the solid life of two C.elegans were studied.Results The survival rate of ASH neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans HA759 of control group after 3 days culture was 53%.which of Ginseng group was 64% (P<0.05).The fluorescence of 48~96h aggregation points in Caenorhabditis elegans AM141 of control group were(6 ±1), (27 ±2), (56 ±4), which of Ginseng group were (4 ±1) in 48 h, (20 ±3) in 72 h and (45 ±2) in 96 h, the differences between two groups were all significant(P <0.05).The average survival time of Caenorhabditis elegans AM141 of control group was (23 ±2)days, which of Ginseng group was (27 ±2)days;average survival time of Caenorhabditis elegans HA759 of control group was (24 ±2)days, which of Ginseng group was (27 ±2)days,the difterences were all signiyicant(P<0.05).Conclusion Ginseng polysaccharides can not only prolong the lifespan of the C.elegans, but also can restrain polyQ gathered and ease the polyQ neurotoxicity associated with aging.

Intra-specific variability in life-history traits of Anadara tuberculosa (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the mangrove ecosystem of the Southern coast of Ecuador / Variaciones en la historia de vida de Anadara tuberculosa (Mollusca: Bivalvia) en el ecosistema de manglar de la costa Sur de Ecuador

Anadara tuberculosa is one of the most important bivalves along the Western Pacific coast because of its commercial value. Nevertheless, the variability in growth, longlife span, natural mortality and reproductive parameters of this mangrove cockle has not yet been described. The aim of this study was to analyze these lifehistory traits in three areas of the Southern coast of Ecuador. Empirical and length-based methods were used to estimate these biological parameters. Body size data were collected from the commercial fishery between 2004 and 2011 in landing ports near to the Archipelago of Jambeli [Puerto Bolivar (PB), Puerto Jeli (PJ) and Puerto Hualtaco (PH)]. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters for combined sex were estimated between 70.87 to 93.45mm for L∞ and 0.22 to 0.80/year for k. The growth indices (Φ’) ranged from 3.17 to 3.85, while the overall growth performance (OGP) ranged from 5.03 to 5.82. The mean of long-life span (t max), size and age at maturity (L50% and t50%) were estimated in 7.71±2.53years, 39.13±2.24mm and 1.46±0.56years for PB; 9.51±2.85years, 37.78±1.95mm and 1.37±0.41years for PJ and 5.81±2.11years, 39.73±3.31mm and 0.94±0.41years for PH. Natural mortality (M) ranged from 0.46 to 1.28/year. We concluded that significant intra-specific variation was observed in a temporal scale in Φ’ and OGP indices as well as L50% and M. Therefore, temporal changes in these life-history traits should be taken into account when assessing the status of the mangrove cockle fishery.

La pesquería de la concha prieta (Anadara tuberculosa) es una de las más importantes a lo largo de la costa del Pacifico. Las variaciones intra-especificas en el crecimiento, longevidad, mortalidad natural y parámetros reproductivos de la concha prieta, aún no han sido descritas. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar esos parámetros biológicos en tres áreas al Sur de Ecuador. Métodos empíricos y basados en tallas fueron empleados para estimar los parámetros de historia de vida. Los datos de tallas analizados correspondieron al periodo 2004-2011 y son provenientes del muestreo de los desembarques de los puertos adyacentes al Archipiélago de Jambeli [Puerto Bolivar (PB), Puerto Jeli (PJ) y Puerto Hualtaco (PH)], al Sur de Ecuador. Los parámetros de crecimiento oscilaron entre 70.87 y 93.45mm de L∞ y 0.22 a 0.80/año de k. Mientras que los índices de crecimiento entre 3.17 a 3.85 de Φ’ y 5.03 a 5.82 de OGP. Los valores promedio de longevidad (t max), talla y edad de madurez (L50% y t50%) fueron de 7.71±2.53años, 39.13±2.24mm y 1.46±0.56años en PB; 9.51±2.85años, 37.78±1.95mm y 1.37±0.41años en PJ y de 5.81±2.11años, 39.73±3.31mm y 0.94±0.41años en PH. Las estimaciones de mortalidad natural (M) oscilaron entre 0.46 y 1.28/año. Importantes cambios intra -especificos se observaron a escala temporal tanto en los índices Φ’ y OGP, así como en L50% y M. Por lo tanto, se sugiere considerar las variaciones temporales en los parámetros biológicos de A. tuberculosa, al momento de caracterizar el estatus de su pesquería y más aun si es sometida a altos niveles de extracción.

"Study on Congenital Constitution Terms Consist of ""Bing"" Before Qing Dynasty" / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to investigate the congenital constitution terms consist of Bing and connotation in medical books before Qing dynasty. By searching the character Bing as a keyword in the Encyclopedia of Tradi-tional Chinese Medicine (TCM), 6480 articles were retrieved. Through reading each of the articles, 9 congenital con-stitution terms were concluded. The results showed that Sui dynasty recorded the earliest congenital constitution term. And till the end of Ming dynasty, altogether 9 terms, which were Bing Qi, Bing Zhi, Bing Shou, Bing Fu, Suo Bing, Fu Bing, Qi Bing, Bing Ti and Su Bing, appeared in sequence. The terms appeared with high frequency were Bing Shou ( 33 . 27%) and Bing Fu ( 32 . 99%) . There were 5 congenital constitution relat-ed factors altogether , which were physique , parental heredity , life span , qi and blood as well as region , ap-peared in sequence . And the term appeared with high frequency was physique ( 32.11%) . It was concluded that before Qing dynasty, all congenital constitution terms occurred with the character of Bing (endowment). The usage of different terms to state congenital constitution was intended to describe different associated factors . It reflected the understanding of congenital constitution process. The first known congenital constitution factor was not parental heredity but physique . Qi and blood was the second most appeared factor . This indicated that con-genital constitution does not only involve the structure of the body ( physique ) , but also the function of the body (qi and blood). The investigation about congenital constitution of ancient TCM brings a positive practical signifi-cance for the modern health cognition and health maintenance .

Minocycline, but not ascorbic acid, increases motor activity and extends the life span of Drosophila melanogaster / La minociclina, pero no el ácido ascórbico, incrementa la actividad motora y extiende el período de vida de Drosophila melanogaster

In the present study we compared the effects of minocycline and ascorbic acid in the life span, motor activity and lipid peroxidation of Drosophila melanogaster, in an effort to find a substance capable of providing protection against oxidative stress in aging. In the flies treated with minocycline a very significant increase in the life span (101 ± 1.33 days) was observed when compared to those treated with ascorbic acid and controls (42.3% and 38.4%, respectively). The motor activity of minocycline treated flies also increased significantly with respect to control and ascorbic acid fed flies, from the 3rd to the 9th week of treatment. With regard to lipid peroxidation, it was found that the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in flies treated with minocycline showed no statistical differences to the control on the first day of treatment, but a significantly lower content on the day of 50% survival. In contrast, in flies treated with ascorbic acid significantly elevated levels of MDA compared to control and minocycline treated flies were detected throughout. These results suggest a protective effect of minocycline against oxidative stress and aging in D. melanogaster. An inhibitory effect on reactive oxygen species production may be an important contributing factor.

En el presente estudio se compararon los efectos del ácido ascórbico y la minociclina en la duración del periodo de vida, la actividad motora y la peroxidación lipídica de Drosophila melanogaster en un esfuerzo por encontrar una sustancia capaz de proporcionar protección contra el estrés oxidativo en el envejecimiento. En las moscas tratadas con minociclina se observó un aumento significativo en la duración de la vida (101 ± 1,33 días) en comparación con los tratados con ácido ascórbico y los controles (42,3% y 38,4%, respectivamente). La actividad motora de las moscas tratadas con minociclina aumentó significativamente cuando se comparó con las tratadas con ácido ascórbico y el control, desde la 3ra hasta la 9na semana de tratamiento. Con respecto a la peroxidación lipídica, se encontró que los niveles de malondialdehído (MDA) en moscas tratadas con minociclina no mostraron diferencias estadísticas con relación al control en el primer día de tratamiento; sin embargo, se detecto una disminución significativa de la concentración de MDA cuando se alcanzó el 50% de sobrevida. En contraste, en moscas tratadas con ácido ascórbico observamos que los niveles de MDA estaban significativamente elevados, cuando se compararon con las moscas tratadas con minociclina y el control a lo largo de todo el tratamiento. Estos resultados sugieren un efecto protector de la minociclina frente al estrés oxidativo y el envejecimiento en D. melanogaster, aunque un efecto inhibidor sobre la producción de especies reactivas del oxígeno puede ser un factor contribuyente importante.

Pressupostos teóricos de super: datados ou aplicáveis à psicologia vocacional contemporânea? / Super's theoretical assumptions: outdated or applicable in today's vocational psychology? / Presupuestos teóricos de Super: ¿Antiguos o aplicables a la psicología vocacional contemporánea?

A Psicologia Vocacional desenvolveu-se com a contribuição de muitos pesquisadores, sendo Donald Super uma de suas maiores referências. Há consenso sobre a relevância de suas contribuições, porém, há também questionamentos sobre a aplicabilidade da sua teoria na atualidade. Este estudo objetiva descrever os principais pressupostos da teoria de Super, por meio dos modelos do Arco-Íris da Vida e Carreira e do Arco Normando, a fim de refletir sobre a aplicabilidade de seus conceitos para a Psicologia Vocacional contemporânea. Observa-se que os seus pressupostos continuam relevantes para a atuação do orientador profissional, como também servem de base para a consolidação de novos paradigmas da Psicologia Vocacional. Mais pesquisas precisam, no entanto, ser conduzidas buscando ampliar as evidências da sua aplicabilidade.

Vocational Psychology was developed with contributions from many researchers, among which Donald Super is a reference. Researchers agree on the relevance of his contributions, but there are also queries about current applicability of his theory. This study aims to describe the main assumptions of Super's theory through the Life Career Rainbow model and the Archway model, in order to reflect on the applicability of his concepts in today's Vocational Psychology. It is observed that his assumptions remain relevant for the performance of career counselors and also serve as a basis for the consolidation of new paradigms in Vocational Psychology. However, further research should be conducted in order to strengthen evidence for its applicability in current times.

La Psicología Vocacional se desarrolló con la contribución de muchos investigadores, siendo Donald Super una de sus mayores referencias. Hay consenso sobre la relevancia de sus contribuciones, pero también cuestionamientos sobre la aplicabilidad de su teoría en la actualidad. Este estudio tiene el objeto de describir los principales presupuestos de la teoría de Super por medio de los modelos Arco-Iris de la Vida y Carrera, y Arco Normando, a fin de reflexionar sobre la aplicabilidad de sus conceptos a la Psicología Vocacional contemporánea. Se observa que sus presupuestos continúan relevantes para la actuación del orientador profesional, como también sirven de base para la consolidación de nuevos paradigmas de la Psicología Vocacional. Sin embargo, es necesario realizar más investigaciones buscando ampliar las evidencias de su aplicabilidad.

Mudanças na percepção sobre o processo de envelhecimento: reflexões preliminares / Changes in Perception of the Aging Process: Preliminary Thoughts

No presente artigo pretendemos realizar uma reflexão teórica sobre a mudança na percepção do processo de envelhecimento. Ela parte de uma concepção que vincula velhice a declínio, e a contrapõe a desenvolvimento, prosseguindo para uma posição que trabalha a perspectiva do desenvolvimento possível no envelhecimento. Pretendemos também, assim, localizar o ponto de partida do crescimento das pesquisas sobre o envelhecimento humano. A cultura contemporânea expressa um horror à velhice, na medida em que celebra o corpo jovem. Por outro lado, os preconceitos científicos em relação ao envelhecimento começam a ceder e abrir espaços para o avanço das pesquisas.

In this article a theoretical reflection is carried out on changes in perception of the process of human aging. The starting point is a concept which links old age to decline, and opposes it to development. It then proceeds into a position which considers development to be possible in old age. Thus, we also intend to locate the point when such research began to grow. The contemporaneous culture abominates old age, as it celebrates the young body. On the other hand, scientific preconceptions regarding the aging process begin to fade and give way to advances in research.

Nesting behavior of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) agamemnom Richards (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae) / Comportameno de nidificação de Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) agamemnom Richards (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae)

Nesting behaviour is extremely diversified among solitary nesting sphecids. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the nesting behaviour of Trypoxylon agamemnon and discuss the advantages of guarding behaviour of males. It was conducted in the Parque Municipal das Araucárias, Guarapuava (PR), Brazil from October/2003 to July/2007. To describe the behaviour of T. agamemnon and construct its ethogram, daily observations were made, totalling 410:19 hours observation. Although the males of T. agamemnon stand guard close to the entrance of the nests, we concluded that this behaviour is not ensuring the protection of nests against parasitoids and that, probably, this behaviour ensures them the paternity, but further studies with microsatellite markers will be necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

O comportamento de nidificação é bastante diversificado entre os esfecídeos solitários. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o comportamento de nidificação de Trypoxylon agamemnon, bem como discutir as vantagens do comportamento de guarda dos machos. O estudo foi realizado no Parque Municipal das Araucárias, Guarapuava-PR, Brasil, de outubro de 2003 a julho de 2007. Para descrever o comportamento de T. agamemnon e construir o etograma, foram feitas observações diárias, totalizando 410:19 horas. Embora os machos de T. agamemnon permaneçam constantemente de guarda na entrada do ninho, foi possível concluir que tal comportamento não está promovendo a proteção dos ninhos contra parasitoides e que, provavelmente, sirva para os machos se assegurarem da paternidade; entretanto, estudos com marcadores microssatélites serão necessários para confirmar essa hipótese.

Concepciones populares sobre soledad de los adultos mayores de España y Bucaramanga, Colombia / Popular conceptions on loneliness of the elderly people of Spain and Bucaramanga, Colombia

El propósito del presente artículo es comparar las concepciones populares de soledad de los adultos mayores de España y los adultos mayores de Bucaramanga, Colombia; para ello se utilizó un diseño cualitativo comparativo de los resultados arrojados por la "Encuesta Concepción de Soledad" con el ítem número 16 del cuestionario "La soledad en las personas mayores". La muestra fue conformada por 1956 adultos mayores de España y 6607 adultos mayores de Bucaramanga, Colombia. Los criterios de inclusión tomados en cuenta en las 2 poblaciones fueron ser mayor de 65 años. Entre los resultados se encuentra predominancia de las concepciones negativas sobre la soledad, alta incidencia en concepciones relacionadas con la familia, categorías que hacen referencia a la soledad objetiva y subjetiva, concepciones positivas presentes en la población colombiana.

The goal of the following article is to compare the concepts of loneliness in the elderly people of Spain and the elderly people of Bucaramanga, Colombia; this involved the use of a comparative qualitative design of the results of the "Conception of Loneliness Survey" against item 16 of the questionnaire "The loneliness of the elderly". The sample consisted of 1956 Spanish elders and 6607 of Bucaramanga, Colombia. A minimum age of 65 was held as a constant between both samples. The results showed a predominant negative conception of loneliness, high incidence of family related conceptions, categories referencing isolation (objective solitude) and loneliness (subjective solitude), and positive concepts in the Colombian sample.

Estudio del crecimiento de Prioria copaifera (Caesalpinaceae) mediante técnicas dendrocronológicas

A growth study of Prioria copaifera (Caesalpinaceae) using dendrochronological techniques. The Cativo (Prioria copaifera) forms very homogeneous forests called cativales in the flooded plains of some rivers from Costa Rica to Colombia. For over 70 years Cativo has been the main base of the timber industry in the Colombian Darien area. Because of high productivity and high-dominance of Cativo trees, they represent one of the most prone tropical forests for sustainable forest management. The objective of this research is to model diameter and timber volume growth and growth rates (absolute, mean and relative) of Cativo as a function of age, using tree ring data derived from dendrochronologycal techniques. We evaluated the annual nature of the tree rings by radiocarbon analysis and crossdating techniques. Besides, the diameter and volume growth was modeled using von Bertalanffy’s model. As of our results, we estimated the life span of Cativo in 614 years as the time required to reach 99% of the asymptotic diameter. By the mean value we have found that the mean rate of diameter growth is 0.31cm/y. The species requires 90 years to reach 40cm in diameter, the regulated cut diameter in Colombia. We find that Cativo reaches maximum current annual increment (ICA) in diameter at 40 years and in volume at 90 years with rates of 0.5cm/y and 0.032m3/y per tree, respectively. The maximum diameter mean annual increments (MAI) are achieved at 80 years and for the volume at 140 year, with growth rates of 0.45cm/y and 0.018m3/y per tree, respectively. The generated information is useful for the sustainable management of Cativo forests. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (4): 1813-1831. Epub 2011 December 01.

El cativo (Prioria copaifera G.) forma bosques dominados por la especie llamados cativales. Durante más de 70 años el cativo ha sido la base principal de la industria maderera en el Darién colombiano, siendo, por su alta productividad y dominancia uno de los bosques tropicales más fáciles de ordenar sosteniblemente. El propósito de esta investigación es modelar el crecimiento del diámetro y el volumen del cativo en función de la edad así como las tasas instantáneas, medias y relativas, empleando anillos de crecimiento. La anualidad de los anillos se demostró usando el efecto de las bombas nucleares y mediante cofechado. Con base en los anillos de crecimiento radiales se modelo el crecimiento del diámetro y del volumen. Esta especie alcanza 40cm de diámetro en 90 años y presenta crecimiento medio de 0.31cm/año. El lapso vital de la especie es de aproximadamente 614 años. El incremento corriente anual máximo del volumen a los 90 años es 0.033m3/año, e iguala al incremento medio a los 145 años con 0.018m3/año. La tasa media de crecimiento absoluta es 0.021m3/año. Los resultados aquí obtenidos sirven como base técnica para el manejo sostenible de los cativales.

Contribuciones actuales de la psicología del desarrollo y del envejecimiento en la investigación de la sabiduría / Current contributions of psychology of development and aging in the investigation of wisdom

En las últimas décadas la investigación empírica del constructo sabiduría ha progresado fundamentalmente bajo el paradigma cognitivo, la Psicología Positiva y la Gerontología. En este ensayo, primero, se revisa la aproximación psico-gerontológica al estudio científico de la sabiduría, describiendo los factores que permitieron su emergencia. Segundo, se analiza la delimitación conceptual y operacional de La sabiduría en la Psicología del desarrollo y del envejecimiento. En una revisión de las principales perspectivas teórico-empíricas acerca de la sabiduría, se presenta una propuesta de clasificación. Se abordanlas teorías implícitas y las explícitas, distinguiendo las teorías de la personalidad madura y las teorías cognitivas. En éstas últimas proponemos diferenciar tres paradigmas: 1. el enfoque Dialéctico-Neoconstructivista, 2. el enfoque del Ciclo Vital, y 3. el enfoque del Conocimiento Tácito y Práctico. Tercero, se examina la cuestión aun controversial de la relación ente sabiduría y edad, y el mito del “viejo sabio”, discutiendo brevemente la evidencia empírica. Se reflexiona sobre las implicaciones prácticas y aplicadas de la investigación gerontológica en sabiduría. Por último, a modo de integración teórica, se presenta una síntesis conceptual, y se delinean las perspectivas futuras y desafios en el avance de la elucidación y evaluación de este constructo multidimensional en el campo de la Psicogerontología.

El proceso de envejecimiento, especialmente en las personas mayores, dinamizado por valores asociados al encuentro intergeneracional / The aging process, especially in the eldery, driven by values associated with intergenerational meeting

A ideia moderna, entendida como um coletivo de indivíduos que fazem a história, tornou-se obsoleta. Essa concepção, que entendia a geração como um grupo de mesma "faixa etária", como uma entidade constituída por um conjunto de indivíduos que viveram ao mesmo tempo, uma experiência histórica crucial e única, obtendo dessa experiência sua orientação moral e um sentimento de partilha de um destino comum, já não é capaz de explicar a dinâmica social e a complexidade das relações entre pessoas, grupos e culturas (Katz, 1996; Bedmar e Montero, 2003). Durante a fase de envelhecimento, o desenvolvimento de atividades de lazer é particularmente importante, gerando bem-estar físico e psíquico, e está estreitamente ligada com os índices de satisfação com a vida (Giro, 2009). O padrão tempo, e muito menos a variável biológica não é suficiente para caracterizar o que é e o que faz uma geração: em primeiro lugar, as gerações implicam ou envolvem relações sociais s estabelecidas entre grupos,indivíduos, culturas. Em segundo lugar, as relações sociais só podem ser compreendidos pelo tempo que perduram:as relações têm o seu próprio tempo e registros. Em terceiro lugar, as gerações são cada vez mais definidas a partir da esfera pública, são definidas pelo seu comportamento, suas ações, suas ideias, sentimentos e percepções, tanto dentro como fora da família. Em quarto lugar, se o recurso à biologia para identificar um critério que caracterize as gerações já é insuficiente, é necessário combiná-lo com a idade social...

The modern idea of generation understood as a collective of individuals who make history, has become obsolete. Thist conception, that understand the generation as "age group" an entity constituted by a set of individuals who have lived in the same time a crucial and unique historical experience, getting their own moral values and sense of sharing a common destiny, is no longer able to explain the social dynamics and complexity of the relationships between people, groups and cultures (Katz, 1996; Bedmar and Montero, 2003). During the process of aging, the development of leisure activities is particularly important, generating physical and mental wellbeing, and is closely related to satisfaction with life index (Giro, 2009). The time pattern, let alone the biological variable is not sufficient to characterize what is and what makes one generation: firstly, a generation involves or implies social relationships established among individuals, groups, cultures. Secondly, social relations can only be understood through thepassage of time: relationships have their own time and memories. Thirdly, generations are increasingly defined within and from the public sphere, defined bt their conduct, their actions, their thoughts, feelings and perceptions, both inside and outside the family. Fourthly, if the appeal to biology to characterize a generation is already insufficient, it must be combined with social age...

La idea moderna de generación entendida como aquel colectivo de individuos que hace la historia, ha quedado obsoleta. Aquella concepción, que entendía la generación como "grupo de edad", como una entidad constituída por un conjunto de individuos que han vivido en el mismo momento una experiencia histórica determinate e irrepetible, obteniendo de ella la propia orientaciónmoral y el sentido de compartir un destino común, ya no es capaz de explicar la dinâmica social y la compleijidad de las realciones entre las personas, colectivos y culturas (Katz, 1996; Bedmar & Montero, 2003)> A lo largo de la etapa de la vejez, el desarrollo de actividades de ocio adquiere especial relevancia, generando bienestar físico y psíquico, y se encuenta muy relacionado con los índices de satisfacción en la vida (Giróa, 2009). El patrón tiempo. y muco menos la variable biológica, no es suficiente para caracterizar lo que es y hace una generación: en primer lugar, las generaciones implican o son relaciones sociales que se estabelecenentre grupos, personas, culturas. En segundo lugar, las relaciones sociales sólo pueden ser comprendidas a trvés del tiempo duran: las relaciones tienen su propio tiempo y registros. En tecer lugar, las generaciones son cada vez más definidas desde y enla esfera pública, se definen por su conducta, sus acciones, sus ideas, sentimientos y percepciones, tanto dentro com fuera de la familia. En cuarto lugar, si la apelación a lo biológico para identificar un criterio que caracterice lo generacional es ya insuficiente, es preciso hacerlo conjugar con la edade social...

La moderne idée de génération comprise comme un groupe d'individus qui font l'histoire, est devenue obsolète. Ce point de vue, ce qui signifiait que la génération ®groupe d'âge¼ comme une entité constituée par un ensemble d'individus qui ont vécu dans le même temps une expérience cruciale et historique unique, l'obtention de son propre boussole morale et le sens du partage d'un destin commun n'est plus en mesure d'expliquer les dynamiques sociales et la complexité des relations entre les personnes, groupes et cultures (Katz, 1996; Bedmar et Montero, 2003). Pendant la phase de vieillissement, le développement des activités de loisirs est particulièrement pertinent, générant bien-être physique et mental, et est étroitement liée aux niveaux de satisfaction dans la vie (Giro, 2009). Le modèle de temps, beaucoup moins la variable biologique ne suffit pas à caractériser ce qu'elle est et pour toute une génération: le résultat de la première génération ou les relations sociales qui existent entre les groupes, les individus, les cultures. Deuxièmement, les relations sociales ne peuvent être compris à travers cette dernière fois, les relations ont leur propre temps et des dossiers...

Transfer of ERR for radiation-related leukemia from Japanese population to Chinese population / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To establish a transfer model for excess relative risk (ERR) for radiation-related leukemia from Japanese population to Chinese population.Methods Combined ERR of several subtypes of leukemia published in 1994, with the corresponding leukemia baseline incidence rates obtained from Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Vol.Ⅸ (CI5-Ⅸ) for Japanese population and Chinese population, a weighted risk transfer model was employed between an additive model and a multiplicative model, to execute ERR transfer.Results A range of weighing factors was proposed for risk transfer models:weighing factor was 0.4 for male and 0.3 for female, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia.The uncertainty for ERR transfer was characterized by lognormal distribution.Conclusions Based on the difference of baseline incidence rate for subtypes of leukemia between Japanese population and Chinese population, the transfer model and these weighing factors discussed in the present study could be applicable to transfer ERR for radiation-related leukemia from Japanese population to Chinese population.

Resiliência, segundo o paradigma do desenvolvimento ao longo da vida (life-span) / Resilience, according to the paradigm of the development along the life (life-span)

Resiliência, dentro da abordagem do desenvolvimento ao longo da vida, refere-se à capacidade de recuperação e manutenção do comportamento adaptativo quando a pessoa se sente ameaçada por algum evento estressante (Staudinger, Marsiske e Baltes, 1995). Apesar de as perdas tornarem-se mais prováveis do que os ganhos evolutivos, os idosos podem apresentar considerável estabilidade, autoestima, competência, autoeficácia, qualidade de vida subjetiva. A resiliência apoia-se em recursos protetores atuantes ao longo da vida: mecanismos de autorregulação do self, autoeficácia, regulação emocional, mecanismos de enfrentamento do estresse, estratégias de seleção, otimização e compensação dos domínios do funcionamento humano. Ao final do artigo, sugerem-se intervenções para aumentar a resiliência dos idosos.

Resilience, in the approach of the development along the life, refers to the capacity of recovering and maintenance of the adaptive behavior when the person feels threatened by any distressing event (Staudinger, Marsiske and Baltes, 1995). Although the losses become more likely than the developed gains, the aged people can present considerable stability, self-esteem, competence, self-efficacy, subjective quality of life. The resilience is based on active protecting resources along the life: mechanisms of self-regulation, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, mechanisms of stress coping, selection strategies, optimization and compensation of the domains of human functioning. At the end of the article, interventions to increase the resilience of the aged are suggested.

Body dissatisfaction and perceived sociocultural pressures: gender and age differences / Insatisfacción corporal y presión sociocultural percibida: diferencias asociadas al sexo y a la edad

One important area of research that has emerged in recent years is the assessment of factors that contribute to the development of body image problems and, more concretely, to the development of body dissatisfaction. The female sociocultural beauty ideal, a constant object of research for over three decades now, is so ultra-thin that it is both unattainable and unhealthy. Likewise, the male beauty ideal of a lean yet muscular body is becoming an important issue for men, with poor body image sometimes leading to the adoption of numerous health-threatening behaviors, such as the use of steroids, ephedrine and deleterious dieting strategies. Body image has been related with self-esteem, depressed mood, social anxiety and disordered eating. In recent years, physical self-perceptions are also studied from the parallel perspective of physical self-concept. In general, women report much higher body dissatisfaction than men at all moments of life, from pre-adolescence to third age, although gender differences in adulthood and in the old age are less important than in adolescence. In the other hand, although women's dissatisfaction with their bodies remains fairly stable across the whole life span, the importance attached to physical appearance, specifically body size and weight, decreases with age. The sociocultural framework has become the most empirically validated of all body image theories and this theory conceptualizes perceived sociocultural pressures as the principal cause of body dissatisfaction. Mass media, peer groups, and family are the three factors which have evolved as the most frequently assessed sociocultural perceived pressures of body dissatisfaction. Previous research has paid considerable attention to gender and age differences in body dissatisfaction, but certain gaps still remain: a) more precise knowledge is required regarding men's body dissatisfaction; b) a comparative perspective of gender differences, in both body dissatisfaction and perceived pressure throughout the different stages of the lifecycle, is lacking; c) more information is required on the interpersonal variations involved in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and perceived sociocultural pressure; and d) a better understanding of the nature of sociocultural influences needs to be gained. This research examines gender and age differences on body image -responses to the Garner's Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2)- and perceived sociocultural pressures regarding body ideals -responses to the Questionnaire of Sociocultural Influences on the Aesthetic Body Shape Model (CIMEC-26), by Toro, Salamero, and Martínez-Mallén. The sample group comprised 1259 participants: 627 adolescents, 271 young adults, 248 midlife adults, and 112 over 55's. Results indicate that: a) body dissatisfaction is closely related to perceived sociocultural pressure; b) female participants show higher body dissatisfaction and perceive themselves more affected by sociocultural factors than their male counterparts; c) gender differences (in body dissatisfaction as in perceived sociocultural pressures) are greater for younger age groups than older; d) gender is a better predictor of body dissatisfaction and sociocultural perceived influences than age. The results obtained provide a more comprehensive view of the relationship between body dissatisfaction and perceived sociocultural pressure during the different stages of the lifecycle, highlighting a number of close parallels between both variables. The new data also enables us to identify the young female population as the most susceptible to body dissatisfaction problems and the most vulnerable to sociocultural pressure, with the group of older women emerging as the one best able to cope with these problems. The study also identifies a number of themes which deserve further, more in-depth attention in the future. Tw o especially are worth noting: 1) this study analyses age differences (which may represent generational differences affected by cohort effects), rather than changes associated with age, since the inter-group differences observed correspond to people of different ages, but each separate group also represents a specific age at a specific moment in history; 2) it is important to continue exploring the different pressures exerted by different sociocultural factors (both perceived pressure and objective data on the influence of these factors), as well as the psychological mechanisms that enable some people to cope with these pressures better than others.

Despierta gran interés teórico y social en nuestros días la identificación y medida de los factores que contribuyen al desarrollo de alteraciones de la imagen corporal y más concretamente al desarrollo de la insatisfacción corporal. El prototipo femenino de belleza dominante desde hace tres décadas en nuestra cultura propone una delgadez tan extrema que resulta no sólo inalcanzable, sino además muy poco saludable. El ideal masculino de belleza, por otro lado, demanda un cuerpo delgado, pero musculado, y éste ha adquirido gran importancia, por lo que con frecuencia se adoptan, a fin de mejorar la propia imagen, numerosas conductas peligrosas para la salud, como el consumo de esteroides, efedrina y dietas alimentarias dañinas. La imagen corporal, conformada por las autopercepciones físicas de cada persona, ha sido objeto de numerosas investigaciones durante las últimas décadas en relación con rasgos psicológicos tan importantes como la autoestima, la depresión, la ansiedad o los trastornos alimentarios y, muy en especial, con la insatisfacción corporal. Está comprobado que, en general, las mujeres manifiestan mayor insatisfacción corporal que los hombres en todas las épocas de su vida, desde la preadolescencia hasta la tercera edad, si bien las diferencias de sexo en la edad adulta y en la tercera edad son menores que en la adolescencia. Por otro lado, aun cuando la insatisfacción de las mujeres con su cuerpo tiende a mantenerse estable a lo largo de todo el ciclo vital, es digno de señalar que la importancia conferida a la apariencia física y, más en concreto, al tamaño y peso corporal, decrece con la edad. La presión sociocultural percibida aparece como principal causa de la insatisfacción corporal. Desde el enfoque sociocultural se señala, en concreto, a los medios masivos de comunicación, al entorno social próximo y a la familia como los tres elementos clave de dicha presión: cuanto más altos son los niveles de presión percibida con respecto a una imagen corporal idealizada, más se incrementa la preocupación por la imagen y por las estrategias de cambio corporal. La investigación previa ha prestado considerable atención a las diferencias de sexo y de edad en cuanto a la insatisfacción corporal, pero se echan en falta: a) conocimientos más precisos sobre la insatisfacción corporal de los hombres; b) una perspectiva comparativa de las diferencias de sexo tanto en insatisfacción corporal como en presión percibida a lo largo de las distintas etapas del ciclo vital; c) mayor información sobre las variaciones interpersonales en la relación entre la insatisfacción corporal y la presión sociocultural percibida, y d) una mejor comprensión de la naturaleza de las influencias socioculturales. Esta investigación trata de contribuir a la superación de estas carencias planteándose las siguientes hipótesis: 1) La insatisfacción corporal guarda estrecha relación con la presión sociocultural percibida; 2) las mujeres participantes, en todos los grupos de edad, muestran más insatisfacción corporal e indican sentirse más influidas por factores socioculturales que los hombres; 3) las diferencias de sexo (tanto en insatisfacción corporal como en presión sociocultural percibida) son mayores en los grupos de menor edad que en los de más edad; 4) el sexo resulta ser un mejor predictor de la insatisfacción corporal y de los influjos socioculturales percibidos que la edad. Participaron en el estudio 1259 personas: 627 adolescentes, 271 adultos jóvenes, 248 adultos y 112 sujetos mayores de 55 años, quienes respondieron el Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2), de Garner, que permite identificar la insatisfacción corporal, así como el Cuestionario de Influencias sobre el Modelo Estético Corporal (CIMEC), de Toro, Salamero y Martínez-Mallén. Los resultados obtenidos proporcionan una visión más completa que la hasta ahora disponible acerca de las relaciones entre la insatisfacción corporal y la presión sociocultural percibida en las distintas etapas del ciclo vital: ambas variables guardan estrechos paralelismos; permiten, asimismo, identificar la población femenina joven como la más sensible a los problemas de insatisfacción corporal y de vulnerabilidad a la presión sociocultural, en tanto que el grupo de mujeres de más edad aparece como el que mejor sabe reaccionar ante los mismos. Por otro lado, han permitido identificar temáticas, especialmente dos, que merecen seguir investigándose: 1) aquí se han analizado diferencias de edad (que bien pueden representar diferencias generacionales afectadas por efectos de cohorte) y no cambios asociados con la edad, ya que las diferencias intergrupales observadas corresponden a personas de diferentes edades, pero cada uno de dichos grupos tiene además la misma edad en un mismo momento histórico; 2) es preciso seguir indagando sobre la presión diferencial que ejercen unos y otros factores socioculturales (tanto la presión percibida como datos objetivos de influencia a unos u otros factores), así como sobre los mecanismos psicológicos que permiten a unas personas afrontar mejor que otras estas presiones.