Extra Nestlings That Are Condemned to Die Increase Reproductive Success in Hoopoes.

AbstractThe adaptive value of routinely laying more eggs than can be successfully fledged has intrigued evolutionary biologists for decades. Extra eggs could, for instance, be adaptive as insurance against hatching failures. Moreover, because recent literature demonstrates that sibling cannibalism is frequent in the Eurasian hoopoe (Upupa epops), producing extra offspring that may be cannibalized by older siblings might also be adaptive in birds. Here, directed to explore this possibility in hoopoes, we performed a food supplementation experiment during the laying period and a clutch size manipulation during the hatching stage. We found that females with the food supplement laid on average one more egg than control females and that the addition of a close-to-hatch egg at the end of the hatching period increased the intensity of sibling cannibalism and enhanced fledging success in hoopoe nests. Because none of the extra nestlings from the experimental extra eggs survived until fledging, these results strongly suggest that hoopoes obtain fitness advantages by using temporarily abundant resources to produce additional nestlings that will be cannibalized. These results therefore suppose the first experimental demonstration of the nutritive adaptive function of laying extra eggs in vertebrates with parental care.

Microbial infection risk predicts antimicrobial potential of avian symbionts.

Symbiotic bacteria on animal hosts can prevent pathogenic bacterial infections by several mechanisms. Among them, symbiotic bacteria can indirectly enhance host's immune responses or, directly, produce antimicrobial substances against pathogens. Due to differences in life-style, different host species are under different risks of microbial infections. Consequently, if symbiotic bacteria are somewhat selected by genetically determined host characteristics, we would expect the antimicrobial properties of bacterial symbionts to vary among host species and to be distributed according to risk of infection. Here we have tested this hypothesis by measuring the antimicrobial ability of the bacterial strains isolated from the uropygial-gland skin of 19 bird species differing in nesting habits, and, therefore, in risk of microbial infection. In accordance with our predictions, intensity and range of antimicrobial effects against the indicator strains assayed varied among bird species, with hole-and open-nesters showing the highest and the lowest values, respectively. Since it is broadly accepted that hole-nesters have higher risks of microbial infection than open nesters, our results suggest that the risk of infection is a strong driver of natural selection to enhance immunocompetence of animals through selecting for antibiotic-producing symbionts. Future research should focus on characterizing symbiotic bacterial communities and detecting coevolutionary processes with particular antibiotic-producing bacteria within-host species.

Mental health and well-being of children in the Philippine setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has subjected the mental health and well-being of Filipino children under drastic conditions. While children are more vulnerable to these detriments, there remains the absence of unified and comprehensive strategies in mitigating the deterioration of the mental health of Filipino children. Existing interventions focus on more general solutions that fail to acknowledge the circumstances that a Filipino child is subjected under. Moreover, these strategies also fail to address the multilayered issues faced by a lower-middle-income country, such as the Philippines. As the mental well-being of Filipino children continues to be neglected, a subsequent and enduring mental health epidemic can only be expected for years to come.

Riding the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea.

During the first months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020, South Korea stood as one of the most successful in preventing a nationwide outbreak. The country was unique in that it did so without enforcing massive border restrictions and tight social distancing measures, instead focusing on maximal testing, contact tracing, and treatment. But as the year 2020 went on, the country has suffered second and third waves, each one being larger and harder to combat than the last. The Korean government, however, has been unwilling to impose stringent measures due to potential economic consequences and has still relied on its initial strategies in an attempt to prevent further disease transmission. It is therefore crucial to revisit their position beyond their early successes to re-evaluate the effectiveness of their strategy, and to finally decide if it is time to move on to more drastic measures.

Barriers to Online Learning in the Time of COVID-19: A National Survey of Medical Students in the Philippines.

INTRODUCTION: In March 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic forced medical schools in the Philippines to stop face-to-face learning activities and abruptly shift to an online curriculum. This study aimed to identify barriers to online learning from the perspective of medical students in a developing country. METHODS: The authors sent out an electronic survey to medical students in the Philippines from 11 to 24 May 2020. Using a combination of multiple-choice, Likert scale, and open-ended questions, the following data were obtained: demographics, medical school information, access to technological resources, study habits, living conditions, self-assessment of capacity for and perceived barriers to online learning, and proposed interventions. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Responses were compared between student subgroups using nonparametric tests. RESULTS: Among 3670 medical students, 93% owned a smartphone and 83% had a laptop or desktop computer. To access online resources, 79% had a postpaid internet subscription while 19% used prepaid mobile data. Under prevailing conditions, only 1505 students (41%) considered themselves physically and mentally capable of engaging in online learning. Barriers were classified under five categories: technological, individual, domestic, institutional, and community barriers. DISCUSSION: Medical students in the Philippines confronted several interrelated barriers as they tried to adapt to online learning. Most frequently encountered were difficulty adjusting learning styles, having to perform responsibilities at home, and poor communication between educators and learners. By implementing student-centered interventions, medical schools and educators play a significant role in addressing these challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-021-01231-z.

Burnout Syndrome in Police Officers and Its Relationship with Physical and Leisure Activities.

No previous studies in Mexico have been found that jointly analyze physical and leisure activities as variables related to mental health in police officers. This paper presents research on burnout in Mexican Police officers. The question it answers is: is there any association of burnout with physical and leisure activities and personal profile? A total of 276 police officers (87% men and 13% women) participated. To obtain information, the Spanish Burnout Inventory and the Operational Police Stress questionnaires were used. A cross sectional study design was utilized with tests of validity and reliability, goodness of fit, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and analysis of k-means clusters. Results showed that a high number of policemen had high prevalence of burnout and a high level of mental exhaustion, and that exercise was positively and significantly related to lower burnout risk. Men showed higher risk than women. Results should be considered to improve interventions and occupational health practices in the police force. This paper improves understanding of burnout among policemen and the importance of exercise and leisure activities to alleviate burnout.

Reporte del primer caso de cistoadenoma papilar de epidídimo en Colombia, Hospital Universitario de Santander / Report of the first case of papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis in Colombia

Resumen La presencia de una masa en la región escrotal comprende un amplio espectro de patologías, unas con mayor urgencia para el manejo que otras, dado el riesgo asociado de pérdida testicular o desarrollo de cáncer. Dentro de las posibilidades diagnósticas se encuentran las neoplasias, destacando las originadas en el epidídimo, con un 75% de casos de etiología benigna, correspondiendo un 9% al cistoadenoma papilar de epidídimo que sobresale por su baja frecuencia dado que en la literatura mundial existen aproximadamente 70 reportes publicados con escasos provenientes de literatura médica en castellano, en los que se incluye el presente caso expuesto en el que se confirma histopatológicamente un cistoadenoma papilar de epidídimo y se presenta una revisión del tema acerca del enfoque de un paciente con masa escrotal. Asimismo se resalta el hecho de que esta lesión puede asociarse con la enfermedad de Von Hippel Lindau, sobre todo en presentaciones bilaterales. MÉD.UIS. 2020;33(2):95-100.

Abstract The presence of a mass in the scrotal region comprises a wide spectrum of pathologies, some with greater urgency for management than others, given the associated risk of testicular loss or cancer development. Among the diagnostic possibilities are the neoplasms, highlighting those originating in the epididymis, with 75% of cases of benign etiology, 9% corresponding to the papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis that stands out for its low frequency given that in the world literature there are approximately 70 published reports with few from medical literature in Spanish, which include the present case presented in which a papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis is confirmed histopathologically and a review of the topic about the approach of a patient with scrotal mass is presented. Also the fact that this lesion can be associated with von Hippel Lindau disease, especially in bilateral presentations is highlighted. MÉD.UIS. 2020;33(2):95-100.

Lesión de Dieulafoy en estómago como causa de sangrado gastrointestinal alto: presentación de un caso / Dieulafoy's lesion in stomach as cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: case report

Resumen La lesión de Dieulafoy representa aproximadamente el 2% de todos los casos de hemorragia gastrointestinal superior. En la mayoría de casos esta anomalía se ubica en el estómago, principalmente en la curvatura menor. Se presenta el caso de un adulto joven con hematemesis y signos de hipovolemia. Durante la esofagogastroduodenoscopia se evidenció un coágulo adherido en el cuerpo gástrico a nivel de la curvatura mayor, sugestivo de lesión de Dieulafoy. Inicialmente se realizó manejo médico sin mejoría significativa, por lo que se realizó laparotomía exploratoria con resección de la malformación vascular, finalmente con el informe histopatológico se confirmó el diagnóstico. A pesar de ser una causa infrecuente de hemorragia gastrointestinal superior, la lesión de Dieulafoy debe considerarse entre los diagnósticos diferenciales, especialmente si la hemorragia persiste aún con manejo médico. MÉD.UIS.2019;32(i):27-31.

Abstract Dieulafoy's lesion represents approximately 2% of all causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In most cases, this malformation is located in the stomach, mainly in the lesser curvature. We present the case of a young adult with hematemesis and signs of hypovolaemia. During the esophagogastroduodenoscopy, a clot adhering to the gastric body was seen at the level of the greater curvature, suggestive of Dieulafoy's lesion. Initially, medical management was performed without significant improvement, so an exploratory laparotomy was performed with resection of the vascular malformation, the histopathological report confirmed the diagnosis. Despite being an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the Dieulafoy lesion must be considered among the differential diagnoses, especially if the hemorrhage persists even with medical management. MÉD.UIS.2019;32(1):27-31.

Snakin-1 affects reactive oxygen species and ascorbic acid levels and hormone balance in potato.

Snakin-1 is a member of the Solanum tuberosum Snakin/GASA family. We previously demonstrated that Snakin-1 is involved in plant defense to pathogens as well as in plant growth and development, but its mechanism of action has not been completely elucidated yet. Here, we showed that leaves of Snakin-1 silenced potato transgenic plants exhibited increased levels of reactive oxygen species and significantly reduced content of ascorbic acid. Furthermore, Snakin-1 silencing enhanced salicylic acid content in accordance with an increased expression of SA-inducible PRs genes. Interestingly, gibberellic acid levels were also enhanced and transcriptome analysis revealed that a large number of genes related to sterol biosynthesis were downregulated in these silenced lines. Moreover, we demonstrated that Snakin-1 directly interacts with StDIM/DWF1, an enzyme involved in plant sterols biosynthesis. Additionally, the analysis of the expression pattern of PStSN1::GUS in potato showed that Snakin-1 is present mainly in young tissues associated with active growth and cell division zones. Our comprehensive analysis of Snakin-1 silenced lines demonstrated for the first time in potato that Snakin-1 plays a role in redox balance and participates in a complex crosstalk among different hormones.

Eficacia de una estrategia para mejorar los indicadores de calidad del Proceso Asistencial Integrado Diabetes Mellitus 2 en el Centro Avanzado de Diabetes Macarena / Efficacy of the strategy to improve the quality indicators of Diabetes Mellitus 2 Care Process in Advanced Diabetes Centre Macarena

Introducción: La evaluación del Proceso Asistencial Integrado de Diabetes Mellitus 2 (PAI-DM2) mediante el instrumento para la evaluación de modelos de atención ante la cronicidad (IEMAC-Diabetes) permite el diseño de intervenciones para la mejora de la atención. Objetivo: Analizar la calidad de la atención sanitaria prestada a los pacientes con DM2. Diseño: Estudio cuasiexperimental de tipo antes-después con grupo control no aleatorizado. Emplazamiento: Distritos sanitarios de atención primaria de Sevilla. Participantes: Un total de 12 cupos médicos, 5 centros de atención primaria, seleccionados de manera discrecional. Intervención: Los profesionales de medicina y enfermería de los 12 cupos experimentales participaron en un programa formativo, incluida una estancia externa en el Hospital de Día de Diabetes. Mediciones principales: Número de pacientes incluidos, hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1c), exploración de pies (EP) y fondo de ojo (FO). Resultados: Se analizaron 1.475 pacientes con DM2. La proporción de pacientes incluidos por cupo fue del 8,3%, siendo mujeres el 45,4%. Al inicio del estudio, la proporción de pacientes con HbA1c < 7% fue del 38,9% en 2013 frente al 47,7% en 2014, disminuyendo al 40,2% en 2016. El 33,3% de los pacientes tenía en 2013 realizado un FO frente al 41,77% en 2014. El 51,6% en 2013 tenía una EP frente al 54,7% en el 2014. Tras la intervención se alcanzaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el número de HbA1c (p = 0,01) y de retinografías (p = 0,01) solicitadas. Conclusiones: La herramienta IEMAC-Diabetes permite detectar áreas de mejora en el PAI-DM2. La ausencia de diferencias significativas puede deberse a un fenómeno de contaminación y/o al efecto Hawthorne

Introduction: The assessment of the Diabetes Mellitus 2 Care Process (PAI-DM2) through the assessment tool for the chronic illness’ care models (IEMAC-Diabetes) allows the design of health interventions for the improvement of medical care. Objective: Analysing the quality of healthcare provided to DM2 patients. Design: Quasiexperimental study before and after intervention with a not randomised control group. Location: Health care district of primary care Sevilla. Participants: 12 groups of ascribed patients, 5 Primary Care Healthcenter, chosen in a discretionary way. Intervention: Physicians and nurses from the 12 intervention groups took part in a training program, including an external rotation in the Diabetes Daycare Hospital. Main measurements: Number of included patients, glycated hemoglobin, feet exploration (FE), and ocular fundus (OF). Results: 1,475 DM-2 patients were analysed. The proportion of included patients per group was 8.5%, 45.5% were women. At the beginning of the study, the rate of patients with HbA1c < 7% were 38.9% in 2013 against 47.7% in 2014 and 40.2% in 2016; 33% of the patients had an OF in 2013 against 41.77% in 2014; 51.6% of patients had an EF against 54.7% in 2014. After the intervention, statistically significant differences were reached in HbA1c (p = 0.01) and retinography requested (p = 0.01). Conclusions: IEMAC-Diabetes allows spotting improvement areas in the PAI-DM2. The absence of statistically significant differences may be the result of contamination in the sample and/or Hawthorne effect

[Efficacy of the strategy to improve the quality indicators of Diabetes Mellitus 2 Care Process in Advanced Diabetes Centre Macarena]. / Eficacia de una estrategia para mejorar los indicadores de calidad del Proceso Asistencial Integrado Diabetes Mellitus 2 en el Centro Avanzado de Diabetes Macarena.

INTRODUCTION: The assessment of the Diabetes Mellitus 2 Care Process (PAI-DM2) through the assessment tool for the chronic illness' care models (IEMAC-Diabetes) allows the design of health interventions for the improvement of medical care. OBJECTIVE: Analysing the quality of healthcare provided to DM2 patients. DESIGN: Quasiexperimental study before and after intervention with a not randomised control group. LOCATION: Health care district of primary care Sevilla. PARTICIPANTS: 12 groups of ascribed patients, 5 Primary Care Healthcenter, chosen in a discretionary way. INTERVENTION: Physicians and nurses from the 12 intervention groups took part in a training program, including an external rotation in the Diabetes Daycare Hospital. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Number of included patients, glycated hemoglobin, feet exploration (FE), and ocular fundus (OF). RESULTS: 1,475 DM-2 patients were analysed. The proportion of included patients per group was 8.5%, 45.5% were women. At the beginning of the study, the rate of patients with HbA1c<7% were 38.9% in 2013 against 47.7% in 2014 and 40.2% in 2016; 33% of the patients had an OF in 2013 against 41.77% in 2014; 51.6% of patients had an EF against 54.7% in 2014. After the intervention, statistically significant differences were reached in HbA1c (p=0.01) and retinography requested (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: IEMAC-Diabetes allows spotting improvement areas in the PAI-DM2. The absence of statistically significant differences may be the result of contamination in the sample and/or Hawthorne effect.

In Vivo Evaluation of Neuronal Transport in Murine Models of Neurodegeneration Using Manganese-Enhanced MRI.

Manganese-enhanced MRI (MRI) is a technique that allows for a noninvasive in vivo estimation of neuronal transport. It relies on the physicochemical properties of manganese, which is both a calcium analogue being transported along neurons by active transport, and a paramagnetic compound that can be detected on conventional T1-weighted images. Here, we report a multi-session MEMRI protocol that helps establish time-dependent curves relating to neuronal transport along the olfactory tract over several days. The characterization of these curves via unbiased fitting enables us to infer objectively a set of three parameters (the rate of manganese transport from the maximum slope, the peak intensity, and the time to peak intensity). These parameters, measured previously in wild type mice during normal aging, have served as a baseline to demonstrate their significant sensitivity to pathogenic processes associated with Tau pathology. Importantly, the evaluation of these three parameters and their use as indicators can be extended to monitor any normal and pathogenic processes where neuronal transport is altered. This approach can be applied to characterize and quantify the effect of any neurological disease conditions on neuronal transport in animal models, together with the efficacy of potential therapies.

Moral emotions associated with prosocial and antisocial behavior in school-aged children / Emociones morales asociadas a la conducta prosocial y antisocial en escolares

Background: The present study aims to explore the main effects and interactive effects of empathy, guilt, shame, pride (authentic and hubristic), and moral pride, on prosocial and antisocial behavior in children. Method: The sample group comprised 351 children aged between 10 and 14 selected from four schools in the Basque Country (Spain). Hierarchical multiple regression models were used in the statistical analyses. Results: Prosocial behavior was found to be predicted by the additive interaction between empathy and moral pride, by guilt and, to a lesser extent and negatively, by shame. In relation to antisocial behavior, children with a strong disposition to guilt scored lower for antisocial behavior, regardless of their empathy levels. Nevertheless, the combination of low empathy and low guilt levels was associated with highest antisocial behavior scores. As regards shame, this emotion was moderately associated with antisocial behavior. Conclusions: By exploring interactions the present study provided a more nuanced view of the emotional factors associated with children's prosocial and antisocial behavior (AU)

Antecedentes: el presente estudio pretendió investigar los efectos principales e interactivos de la empatía, la culpa, la vergüenza, el orgullo y específicamente el orgullo moral en la conducta prosocial y antisocial de los niños. Método: la muestra estuvo compuesta por 351 chicos y chicas de 10 a 14 años escolarizados/as en cuatro centros educativos del País Vasco (Spain). Para los análisis estadísticos se utilizaron los modelos de regresión jerárquica múltiple. Resultados: la conducta prosocial fue predicha por la interacción aditiva de la empatía y el orgullo moral, por la culpa y, en menor medida, por la vergüenza. Respecto a la conducta antisocial, los niños con elevada disposición a sentir culpa mostraron bajos niveles de conducta antisocial, independientemente de sus niveles de empatía. Sin embargo, la combinación de baja empatía y baja culpa se asoció con los mayores niveles de conducta antisocial. En cuanto a la vergüenza, se asoció moderadamente con la conducta antisocial. Conclusiones: la exploración de las interacciones ha proporcionado una perspectiva más matizada y compleja sobre las variables emocionales asociadas a la conducta prosocial y antisocial de los niños (AU)

Moral emotions associated with prosocial and antisocial behavior in school-aged children.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to explore the main effects and interactive effects of empathy, guilt, shame, pride (authentic and hubristic), and moral pride, on prosocial and antisocial behavior in children. METHOD: The sample group comprised 351 children aged between 10 and 14 selected from four schools in the Basque Country (Spain). Hierarchical multiple regression models were used in the statistical analyses. RESULTS: Prosocial behavior was found to be predicted by the additive interaction between empathy and moral pride, by guilt and, to a lesser extent and negatively, by shame. In relation to antisocial behavior, children with a strong disposition to guilt scored lower for antisocial behavior, regardless of their empathy levels. Nevertheless, the combination of low empathy and low guilt levels was associated with highest antisocial behavior scores. As regards shame, this emotion was moderately associated with antisocial behavior. CONCLUSIONS: By exploring interactions the present study provided a more nuanced view of the emotional factors associated with children´s prosocial and antisocial behavior.

Carcinogénesis de los tumores serosos del ovario: implicaciones quirúrgicas, avances recientes y futuros retos para su diagnóstico y tratamiento / Carcinogenesis of ovarian serous tumors: Surgical implications, recent advances and future challenges for its diagnosis and treatment

Resumen ANTECEDENTES El cáncer de ovario es una importante causa de muerte de mujeres, responsable de 150,000 fallecimientos anuales en el mundo, con una supervivencia a 5 años inferior a 45%. OBJETIVO Exponer los avances en diagnóstico y tratamiento de la carcinogénesis de los tumores serosos ováricos y las repercusiones de los nuevos conceptos en el tratamiento clínico y quirúrgico. METODOLOGÍA Estudio retrospectivo basado en la búsqueda sistemática de artículos con las palabras clave (MeSH): neoplasmas serosos de ovario, carcinogénesis, carcinoma seroso de bajo grado y carcinoma seroso de alto grado. La selección de los artículos estuvo a cargo, de forma independiente, de dos investigadores. De la misma forma dos patólogos evaluaron los artículos preseleccionados. RESULTADOS Se seleccionaron y analizaron 66 artículos. CONCLUSIONES Para la creación y adopción de estrategias en prevención primaria, diagnóstico y tratamiento de esta patología se requiere mayor comprensión de la fisiopatología y de los hallazgos encontrados en la última década, sobre todo los relacionados con las mutaciones en el gen BRCA, antecedentes familiares de tumores serosos del ovario, cáncer de mama o peritoneal de tipo epitelial, entre otras. La atención multidisciplinaria y actualizada repercutirá, significativamente, en la supervivencia de las pacientes.

Abstract BACKGROUND Globally, ovarian cancer is the seventh neoplasm and the eight oncologic cause of death in women, responsible of 150,000 deaths per year, with a 5 year survival under the 45%, mainly represented by high-grade serous carcinomas. Findings such as serous intraepithelial carcinomas and genetic predisposition have become a constant for the vast majority of cases. OBJECTIVE To summarize and review the most recent advances about the carcinogenesis of the ovarian serous tumors, its implications on the pathological diagnosis and the consequences of these new concepts for the clinical and surgical therapies. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a systematic search to select all kinds of languages articles, using the keywords "serous ovarian neoplasms" AND "carcinogenesis" AND "low-grade serous carcinoma" OR "high-grade serous carcinoma". Two investigators independently extracted characteristics and results to select the articles. Two pathologists independently did the assessment of the preselected articles selecting the most appropriate ones, based on their utility for this review. RESULTS 66 articles were selected and included in the bibliography for this review. CONCLUSIONS A better understanding of the physiopathology and many other new findings that have been done during the last decade are essential for the treatment of this patients, for the creation and application of strategies for primary prevention and screening for the risk, and the medical and surgical interventions, mainly directed to patients with mutations on BRCA, family history of breast, ovarian or peritoneal cancer, among other conditions. A multidisciplinary and updated approach will affect significantly the long-term survival.

Successful production of the potato antimicrobial peptide Snakin-1 in baculovirus-infected insect cells and development of specific antibodies.

BACKGROUND: Snakin-1 (StSN1) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial cysteine-rich peptide isolated from Solanum tuberosum. Its biotechnological potential has been already recognized since it exhibits in vivo antifungal and antibacterial activity. Most attempts to produce StSN1, or homologous peptides, in a soluble native state using bacterial, yeast or synthetic expression systems have presented production bottlenecks such as insolubility, misfolding or low yields. RESULTS: In this work, we successfully expressed a recombinant StSN1 (rSN1) in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cells by optimizing several of the parameters for its expression in the baculovirus expression system. The recombinant peptide lacking its putative signal peptide was soluble and was present in the nuclear fraction of infected Sf9 cells. An optimized purification procedure allowed the production of rSN1 that was used for immunization of mice, which gave rise to polyclonal antibodies that detect the native protein in tissue extracts of both agroinfiltrated plants and stable transgenic lines. Our results demonstrated that this system circumvents all the difficulties associated with recombinant antimicrobial peptides expression in other heterologous systems. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first report of a successful protocol to produce a soluble Snakin/GASA peptide in baculovirus-infected insect cells. Our work demonstrates that the nuclear localization of rSN1 in insect cells can be exploited for its large-scale production and subsequent generation of specific anti-rSN1 antibodies. We suggest the use of the baculovirus system for high-level expression of Snakin/GASA peptides, for biological assays, structural and functional analysis and antibody production, as an important step to both elucidate their accurate physiological role and to deepen the study of their biotechnological uses.

First Complete Genome Sequence of Potato leafroll virus from Argentina.

In this study, we determined for the first time the complete genomic sequence of an Argentinian isolate of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), the type species of the genus Polerovirus The isolate sequenced came from a Solanum tuberosum plant that had been naturally infected with the virus. Isolate PLRV-AR had a nucleotide sequence identity between 94.4 and 97.3% with several known PLRV isolates worldwide.

Emotional and Psychosocial Factors Associated With Drunkenness and the Use of Tobacco and Cannabis in Adolescence: Independent or Interactive Effects?

BACKGROUND: Although previous research has examined emotional and psychosocial factors associated with substance use, there is a paucity of studies examining both at the same time, and insufficient attention has been paid to how these factors may interact. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to simultaneously examine the contributions from emotional (emotional control and depression) and psychosocial (peers' conventional behavior, peers' substance use and parent-child relationships) factors to drunkenness and the use of tobacco and cannabis in adolescence. METHODS: Sample consisted of 1,752 adolescents aged 15 to 16 years who had participated in the 2014 edition of the WHO Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey in Spain. Data were collected by means of anonymous online questionnaires, and hierarchical multiple regression models (with sex and age as controls and including interactions among the examined predictors) were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Emotional and psychosocial factors showed significant interactive effects on substance use. Emotional control, which tended to buffer the effects of potential risk factors, and peers' substance use were consistent predictors of substance use. In contrast, the role of other factors depended on the substance under study, with depression and peers' conventional behavior being part of interactive terms for tobacco use and cannabis use only, and the quality of parent-child relationships being absent from the final model on cannabis use. Conclusions/Importance: Exploring interactions and potential substance-specific effects is fundamental to reach a better understanding of how emotional and psychosocial factors work in concert relative to substance use in adolescence.

Deficiencia subclínica de hierro en niños menores de cuatro años de edad, ciudad de Valencia, Venezuela / Subclinical iron deficiency in children under four years of age, Valencia city, Venezuela / Deficiencia subclinica de ferro em changas menores de quatro anos de idade, cidade de Valencia, Venezuela

La deficiencia de hierro (DH) se considera un problema de salud pública y afecta principalmente a los niños en las etapas de crecimiento rápido y desarrollo psicomotor. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar la deficiencia subclínica de hierro en niños menores de 4 años, mediante el uso de ferritina sérica (FS), receptor soluble de transferrina (RsTf) e índice RsTf-FS como herramientas diagnósticas. El estudio fue descriptivo, transversal, y se realizó en Valencia, Venezuela, en 2006. Se determinaron en 541 niños las concentraciones de hemoglobina (método automatizado), FS (IRMA), RsTf (ELISA), Proteína C Reactiva y alfa glicoproteína (nefelometría). Se realizaron estadísticos descriptivos, prueba de Mann-Whitney y Fisher, con nivel de significancia de p<0,05. El 72,1% de los niños tenían depósitos de hierro agotados, 25,5% eritropoyesis deficiente de hierro y 27,0% anemia. El índice RsTf-FS identificó mayor porcentaje de niños con DH subclínica; mostrando mayor valor diagnóstico frente a la FS y el RsTf por separado. El índice RsTf-FS podría convertirse en una prueba invaluable para distinguir entre agotamiento de los depósitos corporales de hierro y eritropoyesis deficiente de hierro, fases subclínicas de la DH. Se propone una intervención nutricional con base en la suplementación y la educación como estrategia fundamental para disminuir la prevalencia de DH y anemia.

Iron deficiency is considered a public health problem, especially affecting children at ages of fast growth and psychomotor development. The study was aimed to identify subclinical iron deficiency in children below four years of age, through the use of serum ferritin (FS), soluble transferrin receptor (RsTf) and index RsTf-FS as diagnostic tools. It was a descriptive, transversal study performed at Valencia, Venezuela, 2006. Hemoglobin (Hb) by automated method, FS by IRMA, RsTf by ELISA, C Reactive Protein and alpha glycoprotein by nephelometry were assessed in 541 subjects. Descriptives values and Mann-Whitney and Fisher test results are presented. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. 72.1% of children had iron stores depletion, 25.5% had iron deficient erithropoyesis and prevalence of anemia was 27.0%. The index RsTf-FS allowed to identify a higher percentage of children with subclinical iron deficiency, which indicates that the index is better diagnostic indicator than FS or RsTf by separate. Index RsTf-FS could become a invaluable test in order to distinguish between iron body stores depletion and iron-deficient erythropoiesis, subclinical phases of iron deficiency. Nutritional intervention based on supplementation and education as fundamental tool to diminish anemia and iron deficiency prevalence should be initiated.

A deficiencia de ferro (DF) é considerada um problema de saúde pública e afeta principalmente changas em fases de crescimento rápido e desenvolvimento psicomotor. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar a deficiencia de ferro subclinica em criangas menores de 4 anos, através do uso de ferritina sérica (FS), receptor solúvel de transferrina (sTfR) e índice sTfR-FS como ferramentas de diagnóstico. O estudo foi descritivo, transversal, e foi feito em Valencia, Venezuela, em 2006. Foram determinadas em 541 criangas as con-centragoes de hemoglobina (método automatizado), FS (IRMA), sTfR (ELISA), Proteína C reativa e alfa-gli-coproteína (nefelometria). Foram realizados estatísticos descritivos, testes de Mann-Whitney e Fisher, com um nivel de significancia de p<0,05. 72,1% das criangas tinham os depósitos de ferro esgotados, 25,5% eritropoiese deficiente de ferro e 27,0% anemia. O índice sTfR-FS identificou maior percentagem de crian-gas com DF subclínica mostrando assim maior valor diagnóstico em relagáo a FS e sTfR separadamente. O índice sTfR-FS poderia tornar-se um teste de valor inestimável para a distingáo entre deplegáo de reservas corporais de ferro e eritropoiese deficiente de ferro, estágios subclínicos da deficiencia de ferro. Propoe-se uma intervengáo nutricional com base na suplementagáo e educagáo como estratégia fundamental para diminuir a prevalencia de deficiencia de ferro e anemia.