Parenting in the context of driving: Spanish adaptation of the Family Climate for Road Safety (FCRSS) for parents and children.

The Family Climate for Road Safety Scale (FCRSS; Taubman - Ben-Ari & Katz - Ben-Ami, 2013) is a comprehensive measure originally developed in Israel to assess parent-children relations in the specific context of driving. The scale consists of seven dimensions: Modelling, Feedback, Communication, Monitoring, Messages, Limits, and Non-commitment to Safety. While the original FCRSS examines the young drivers' perception across the seven domains, a version applicable to parents has also been developed by the same authors. The current study investigates the validity and reliability of the FCRSS-Spain for both parents and young drivers. A total of 377 parents (199 fathers and 178 mothers) and 243 of their children (143 daughters and 100 sons) responded to the FCRSS-Spain versions and provided sociodemographic data. In addition, the young drivers completed the Spanish version of the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory (MDSI-Spain). Results from exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) indicate that six out of the seven FCRSS domains were replicable among Spanish drivers. The Messages dimension did not emerge as a consistent factor in the FCRSS for either parents or young drivers. All six factors demonstrated good internal consistency reliability (ordinal alpha coefficients exceeding 0.70), except for Non-commitment to safety. Significant differences were found between mothers and fathers in various FCRSS dimensions in the predicted direction, whereas no significant differences in FCRSS scores were found between young men and young women. As expected, associations were found between parents' scores in various FCRSS dimensions and the reckless, angry, dissociative, anxious, and careful driving styles reported by the young drivers, as well as between young drivers' FCRSS scores and their self-reported reckless, angry, dissociative, anxious, and careful driving styles.

Inequality Persistence of 21 OECD Countries from 1870 to 2020: Linear and Non-Linear Fractional Integration Approaches.

This paper investigates inequality persistence in a group of 21 OECD countries using linear and non-linear fractionally integrated methods. Using linear models, the results show that the series are strongly persistent which implies lack of average reversal and permanency of shocks. Mean reversion is only found in the case of Finland and partial evidence of mean reversion is detected for Belgium, Greece, Austria and the Netherlands. The results are similar using non-linear methods. Mean reversion is only found in the case of Finland, Belgium, Greece and Spain. Although, most countries show no evidence of non-linear structures except for four countries, namely, Finland, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The implications of the empirical findings are reported at the end of the manuscript.

Early detection of anaemia in primary care with haemoglobinometry: ANHEMOG clinical trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Detecting, treating and monitoring anaemia has a functional, social and economic impact on patients' quality of life and the health system, since inadequate monitoring can lead to more accident & emergency visits and hospitalizations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact in the patient clinical outcomes of using haemoglobinometry to early detect anaemia in patients with chronic anaemia in primary care. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial Capillary haemoglobin will be measured using a haemoglobinometer on a monthly basis in the intervention group. In the control group, the protocol currently in force at the primary care centre will be followed and venous haemoglobin will be measured. Any cases of anaemia detected in either group will be referred to the transfusion circuit of the reference hospital. DISCUSION: The results will shed light on the impact of the intervention on the volume of hospitalizations and accident & emergency (A&E) visits due to anaemia, as well as patients' quality of life. Chronic and repeated bouts of anaemia are detected late, thus leading to decompensation in chronic diseases and, in turn, more A&E visits and hospitalizations. The intervention should improve these outcomes since treatment could be performed without delay. Improving response times would decrease decompensation in chronic diseases, as well as A&E visits and hospitalizations, and improve quality of life. The primary care nurse case manager will perform the intervention, which should improve existing fragmentation between different care levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04757909. Registered 17 February 2021. Retrospectively registered.

Risk for Anaphylactic Reaction from Cardiac Catheterization in Patients Receiving ß-Adrenergic Blockers or Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: ß-Adrenergic blockers (BBs) have been associated with increased risk for severe anaphylactic reaction (AR) from contrast media; however, this was shown with intravenous contrast media, before widespread use of low osmolar contrast media, angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitors (ACE-Is), and cardioselective BBs. OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk for AR during cardiac catheterization (CC) associated with BB or ACE-I exposure. METHODS: Patients who experienced adverse reactions during CC from January 2004 to December 2013 were identified; 1 to 2 matched controls were assigned for each case. We analyzed AR rates in association with demographic variables, medication exposures (BBs, ACE-Is, angiotensin-receptor blockers, aspirin), and comorbidities: cardiovascular disorders, asthma, and atopy. RESULTS: We analyzed 71,782 CCs. Of these, severe 70 reactors were identified-46 (0.06%) fulfilled AR criteria. There were 35 cases of mild to moderate AR and 11 cases of severe AR (0.015%). There were no significant differences in age (61.3% vs 61.5%), sex (63% vs 64% males), cardiovascular disorder rate (78% vs 93%), and exposure to BBs (46% vs 51%; cardioselective: 77% vs 80%) and ACE-Is (37.0% vs 37.2%) in cases versus controls. Via multivariate logistic regression, BB exposure was not associated with greater AR frequency (P = .35) or severity (P = .40). Neither cardioselective BBs (P = 0.2) nor noncardioselective BBs (P = .5) influenced AR severity. ACE-Is had no effect on AR frequency (P = .35) or severity (P = .14). Lower AR frequency was associated with cardiovascular disorder (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: In this case-control study, severe AR was rarely observed. Exposure to BBs or ACE-Is did not significantly influence AR frequency or severity; however, most BBs were cardioselective. Our findings imply that cardioselective BB or ACE-I suspension is not warranted in association with CC.

Effects of high CO2 levels on fermentation, peroxidation, and cellular water stress in Fragaria vesca stored at low temperature in conditions of unlimited O2.

To better understand the tolerance of strawberries (Fragaria vesca L.) to high CO2 in storage atmospheres, fermentation and cellular damage were investigated. Fruits were stored for 3 and 6 days at 0 °C in the presence of different CO2 levels (0, 20, or 40%) with 20% O2. Changes in pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene expression and in fermentative metabolites, as well as in bound water and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, were analyzed. In strawberries stored without added CO2, up-regulation of PDC and ADH was not associated with an increase in fermentative metabolites. By contrast, moderate ethanol fermentation in fruits exposed to 20% CO2 seems to be essential to maintain fruit metabolism, reducing both lipid peroxidation and cellular water stress. However, if the CO2 concentration increases (40%), the excess acetaldehyde and ethanol produced were closely correlated with a decrease in bound water and production of MDA.

Characterisation and functionality of fructo-oligosaccharides affecting water status of strawberry fruit (Fragraria vesca cv. Mara de Bois) during postharvest storage.

Water status and analyses of free sugars, sugar-alcohols and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) were carried out in Fragaria x vesca treated with different high CO(2) concentrations applied to minimise damage caused by storage at 0°C. The thermodynamic parameters such as the amount of unfrozen water (U(w)), T(g), T(g)('), and peak position of the O-H stretching vibration were determined in various saccharides including FOS (1-kestose, nystose and kestopentaose) by infrared spectroscopy studies and differential scanning calorimetry. Beneficial high CO(2) treatment (20%) avoided the reduction of unfreezable water fraction and increased endogenous FOS levels, in contrast to that observed in air-stored and in those exposed to higher CO(2) levels (40%). The direct FOS-water interaction, possibly within the hydrogen-bond network of cellular structures, could explain the maintenance of water status, cell integrity and the low water leakage levels in 20% CO(2)-treated fruit at values similar to those found in freshly harvested fruit.

Increasing catechin and procyanindin accumulation in high-CO2-treated Fragaria vesca strawberries.

This paper deals with the impact of low temperature and high CO2 levels on flavonols, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins, synthesized via branched pathways from common precursors, in strawberries (Fragaria vesca L.). Flavonoids were identified with Q-TOF equipment and quantified by HPLC-quadrupole. Proanthocyanins B1 and B3 accumulated in CO2-treated strawberries, whereas in untreated (air) fruit, flavonoid production was redirected toward anthocyanin accumulation with a sharp decrease in catechin and procyanidin B3 levels. Moreover, in CO2-treated fruit, mainly in those with 20% CO2, anthocyanin accumulation did not decline. Due to its antifungal activity, catechin induction in CO2-treated strawberries could explain the capacity of high CO2 treatments to reduce fungal decay. Ascorbic acid content increased in 40% CO2-treated fruits, whereas in those treated with 20% CO2 an increase in flavonol content was observed. Despite these differences, similar antioxidant capacities were found in untreated and CO2-treated Mara de Bois strawberries.

Sugarcane glycoproteins may act as signals for the production of xanthan in the plant-associated bacterium Xanthomonas albilineans.

Visual symptoms of leaf scald necrosis in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) leaves develop in parallel to the accumulation of a fibrous material invading exocellular spaces and both xylem and phloem. These fibers are produced and secreted by the plant-associated bacterium Xanthomonas albilineans. Electron microscopy and specific staining methods for polysaccharides reveal the polysaccharidic nature of this material. These polysaccharides are not present in healthy leaves or in those from diseased plants without visual symptoms of leaf scald. Bacteria in several leaf tissues have been detected by immunogold labelling. The bacterial polysaccharide is not produced in axenic culture but it is actively synthesized when the microbes invade the host plant. This finding may be due to the production of plant glycoproteins after bacteria infection, which inhibit microbial proteases. In summary, our data are consistent with the existence of a positive feedback loop in which plant-produced glycoproteins act as a cell-to-bacteria signal that promotes xanthan production, by protecting some enzymes of xanthan biosynthesis against from bacterial proteolytic degradation. 

Fructo-oligosaccharides in table grapes and response to storage.

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) have been recognized as health food ingredients with a protective effect against environmental stresses in plants. We have analyzed the profiles of individual FOS in Cardinal table grape pulp, until now undetected, and quantified their changes in response to low temperature and high CO2 levels. FOS separation and quantification was carried out using anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD), and the glucose, fructose and sucrose content of the grapes was also determined. Five FOS were identified and quantified: 1-kestose, neokestose, nystose, nystose b and kestopentaose. While in non-treated table grapes the endogenous FOS remained at steady state levels during storage at 0°C, exposure to 20% CO2 for 3days significant increases the levels of 1-kestose and kestopentaose, members of the inulin series. Considering the competitive advantage afforded by CO2-treated grapes, this transitory FOS accumulation could provide protection against damage caused by low temperature storage.

Xanthan production by Xanthomonas albilineans infecting sugarcane stalks.

Xanthomonas albilineans is the causal organism of leaf scald, a bacterial vascular disease of sugarcane. Xanthomonas may invade the parenchyma between the bundles and cause reddened pockets of gum, identified as a xanthan-like polysaccharide. Since xanthan contains glucuronic acid, the ability of Xanthomonas to produce an active UDP glucose dehydrogenase is often seen as a virulence factor. X. albilineans axenically cultured did not secrete xanthans to Willbrink liquid media, but the use of inoculated sugarcane tissues for producing and characterizing xanthans has been required. A hypothesis about the role of sugarcane polysaccharides to assure the production of bacterial xanthan is discussed.

Purification and properties of an unusual UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, NADPH-dependent, from Xanthomonas albilineans.

Xanthomonas albilineans produces a UDP-glucose dehydrogenase growing on sucrose. The enzyme oxidizes UDP-glucose to UDP-glucuronic acid by using molecular oxygen and NADPH. Kinetics of enzymatic oxydation of NADPH is linearly dependent on the amount of oxygen supplied. The enzyme has been purified at homogeneity. The value of pI of the purified enzyme is 8.98 and its molecular mass has been estimated as about 14 kDa. The enzyme shows a michaelian kinetics for UDP-glucose concentrations. The value of K(m) for UDP-glucose is 0.87 mM and 0.26 mM for NADPH, although the enzyme has three different sites to interact with NADPH. The enzyme is inhibited by UDP-glucose concentrations higher than 1.3 mM. N-Terminal sequence has been determined as IQPYNH.

Desarrollo de Embriones Caprinos In Vitro: Efecto del Co-Cultivo con Células Epiteliales de Oviducto / In Vitro Development of Goat Embryos: Effect of Co-culture with Oviductal Epithelial Cells

El desarrollo de sistemas de cultivo in vitro que permitan obtener altos porcentajes de embriones viables es de gran importancia para la implementación de biotecnologías como el clonado y la transferencia de genes. Estudios tendientes a mejorar la eficiencia de los sistemas de cultivo embrionario son especialmente importantes en ganado caprino por el escaso desarrollo de estos métodos en dicha especie. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el desarrollo de embriones caprinos fecundados in vivo cultivados: a) con células epiteliales de oviducto caprino (CEO), b) en fluido sintético de oviducto (SOF; del Inglés: synthetic oviduct fluid) o c) en medio condicionado por células epiteliales de oviducto caprino (MC). Embriones de 1-8 células colectados del oviducto de cabras superovuladas se cultivaron in vitro durante 4-5 días en los diferentes tratamientos. Al término del cultivo se estableció el estadio de desarrollo embrionario alcanzado y el número de células por embrión a partir de embriones teñidos con lacmoid. Un mayor porcentaje de embriones se desarrollaron hasta el estado de mórula/blastocisto en cocultivo comparado con los cultivados en SOF (75% vs. 41% respectivamente; P < 0,05) o MC (5,5%); mientras que el SOF resultó superior al MC para sustentar el desarrollo de los embriones caprinos hasta mórula/blastocisto. Los embriones producidos en cocultivo con CEO tenían más células que los cultivados en SOF (15,3 vs. 8,1 células/embrión; P < 0,05) y estos últimos más que los cultivados en MC. La viabilidad de los embriones generados en SOF se confirmó mediante transferencia a una cabra receptora, seguido por el nacimiento de 2 cabritos. En conclusión el cocultivo con CEO brinda mejores condiciones para sustentar el desarrollo in vitro de embriones caprinos en relación con los otros dos sistemas estudiados.

Development of reliable in vitro culture systems to produce high percentages of viable embryos is instrumental in the application of biotechnologies such as cloning and transgenesis. This is especially true for caprine species in which in vitro technology for embryo culture has been poorly developed. The objective of this study was to compare in vitro development of in vivo fertilized caprine embryos in: a) coculture with caprine oviductal epithelial cells (OEC), b) synthetic oviduct fluid (SOF), or c) medium conditioned by oviductal epithelial cells (CM). In vivo fertilized 1-8 cell caprine embryos collected by oviductal flushing were allocated to treatments and cultured for 4-5 days in vitro. At the end of the culture period, embryonic development was recorded and the number of cells per embryo was determined in lacmoid-stained embryos. A significantly higher percentage of embryos reached the morula/blastocyst stage in coculture compared with those cultured in SOF (75% vs. 41% respectively; P < 0.05) or CM (5.5%); SOF was superior to CM to supporting goat embryo development. Likewise, embryos grown in coculture with OEC had more cells than those cultured in SOF (15.3 vs. 8.1 cells/embryo; P < 0.05). Cell counts were higher in embryos cultured in SOF than those originated from CM. In conclusion, coculture of goat embryos with OEC provided superior conditions to support in vitro development of early-stage goat embryos compared with the other treatments studied.

Antagonism of Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (a sugarcane endosymbiont) against Xanthomonas albilineans (pathogen) studied in alginate-immobilized sugarcane stalk tissues.

Xanthomonas albilineans, a pathogenic bacterium that produces leaf scald disease of sugarcane, secretes a xanthan-like gum that invades both xylem and phloem of the host. Xanthan production has been verified after experimental infection of stalk segments of healthy plants. Moreover, Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus is a nitrogen-fixing endosymbiont of sugarcane plants that antagonizes with X. albilineans by impeding the production of the bacterial gum. The physiological basis of this antagonism has been studied using tissues of sugarcane stalks previously inoculated with the endosymbiont, then immobilized in calcium alginate and maintained in a culture medium for Gluconacetobacter. Under these conditions, bacteria infecting immobilized tissues are able to secrete to the medium a lysozyme-like bacteriocin that inhibits the growth of X. albilineans.

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus, a sugar cane endosymbiont, produces a bacteriocin against Xanthomonas albilineans, a sugar cane pathogen.

Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus in liquid culture secretes proteins into the medium. Both medium containing Gluconacetobacter protein and a solution of this protein after acetone precipitation appeared to inhibit the growth of Xanthomonas albilineans in solid culture. This apparent inhibition of bacterial growth has, in fact, been revealed to be lysis of bacterial cells, as demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. Fractionation of the Gluconacetobacter protein mixture in size-exclusion chromatography reveals a main fraction with lysozyme-like activity which produces lysis of both living bacteria and isolated cell walls.

Production of phenolics by immobilized cells of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea: the role of epiphytic bacteria

Immobilized lichen cells from the thalli of the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea, supplied with acetate as the only source of carbon, continuously produced phenolic substances, atranorin and physodic acid, over 23 days. Epiphytic bacteria associated with the lichen thallus grew actively, probably using both acetate and reduced compounds supplied by lichen cells, since their active growth was avoided by including 10 microM 3,3'-dichlorophenyl-1,1'dimethylurea in the bath solution. Penicillin largely impeded the growth of epiphytic bacteria and decreased phenolic production, which was recovered only at the end of the experimental period, just when the bacteria started a slow, but active growth. We suggest the cooperation of epiphytic bacteria in the biosynthesis of both atranotrin and physodic acid (AU)

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