Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a Useful and Low-Cost Tool for Molecular Sexing Psittaciformes under Human Care: An Example of a Collaborative Approach in Mexico.

Sex determination in monomorphic birds is a precondition for captive breeding programs and management and conservation strategies for threatened species. Most species of the order Psittaciformes often present complications since these birds lack external sexual phenotypic traits, making it impossible to differentiate males and females. In the present study, we used molecular techniques to determine the sex of 31 individuals belonging to nine species of the order Psittaciformes kept under human care at the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary & Rescued Animals in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This is a useful and low-cost methodology based on the analysis of the conserved region of the CHD1 gene, which was amplified by PCR with two sets of primers: P8/P2 and 2550F/2718 R. All individuals were successfully sexed with the first set of primers, while only 28 out of 31 samples (90%) could be amplified with the second set. Out of the 31 individuals analyzed, fifteen are female, and seventeen are male. This information represents a handy tool for adequately managing birds under human care, resulting in their reproduction and eventual reintegration into their natural habitat.

Donors with repeated blood product discards for filtration problems, clots or hemolysis: Causes and follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Sanquin donor medicine department is informed when donations or their components are rejected. This can occur isolated or frequently. It is undesirable because the donations cannot be used and there may be an underlying medical cause. Based on regional approaches, a uniform procedure was developed. METHODS: Information about whole blood, plasma- plateletpheresis donations from which one or more components were rejected for filtration time (>2 h), hemolysis or clots were extracted from blood bank information system. After rejection of two successive components or donations or total ≥3 the donor is contacted. Depending on the medical history and investigation by the family doctor, the donor carrier is re-evaluated. We looked for the causes of the discarded products and performed a survey among blood services regarding polices with discarded products. RESULTS: One or more components from 1742 of about 2.2 million successful donations (0.08%) were rejected. The highest percentage of rejection was seen in plateletpheresis (1.5%), all for clots. No underlying medical causes were found. 24 whole blood donors were found to have sickle cell trait (SCT) and were permanently deferred. The policies for follow-up after discarded products or acceptance of SCT donors vary between the 16 blood banks. Six organizations do not follow-up donors and seven accept SCT for blood or plasma donation. CONCLUSION: Informing donors with repeated discarded products avoids the non-use of donations. Causes of repeated discarded products can be found by follow-up of donors. The results of the survey indicate a large discrepancy in policies applied worldwide.

Underlying and proximate drivers of biodiversity changes in Mesoamerican biosphere reserves.

Protected areas are of paramount relevance to conserving wildlife and ecosystem contributions to people. Yet, their conservation success is increasingly threatened by human activities including habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and species overexploitation. Thus, understanding the underlying and proximate drivers of anthropogenic threats is urgently needed to improve protected areas' effectiveness, especially in the biodiversity-rich tropics. We addressed this issue by analyzing expert-provided data on long-term biodiversity change (last three decades) over 14 biosphere reserves from the Mesoamerican Biodiversity Hotspot. Using multivariate analyses and structural equation modeling, we tested the influence of major socioeconomic drivers (demographic, economic, and political factors), spatial indicators of human activities (agriculture expansion and road extension), and forest landscape modifications (forest loss and isolation) as drivers of biodiversity change. We uncovered a significant proliferation of disturbance-tolerant guilds and the loss or decline of disturbance-sensitive guilds within reserves causing a "winner and loser" species replacement over time. Guild change was directly related to forest spatial changes promoted by the expansion of agriculture and roads within reserves. High human population density and low nonfarming occupation were identified as the main underlying drivers of biodiversity change. Our findings suggest that to mitigate anthropogenic threats to biodiversity within biosphere reserves, fostering human population well-being via sustainable, nonfarming livelihood opportunities around reserves is imperative.

Development of an Information Guideline for Kidney Transplant Recipients in a Clinical Trial: Protocol for a Modified Delphi Method.

BACKGROUND: Renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for most cases of end-stage renal disease. Recipients need to lead a healthy lifestyle to minimize the potential side effects of immunosuppressive drugs and improve transplant outcomes. There is not much evidence about the best way to increase adherence to healthy lifestyles in kidney transplant recipients, so one of the objectives set by the nursing team is to train people to acquire the necessary skills and tools to be able to take care of themselves. In this sense, the consensual development of appropriate materials may be useful and of interest. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop an information guide for adults with kidney transplants to be assessed in a subsequent clinical trial as an intervention to increase adherence to healthy habits. METHODS: We used a 3-step, methodological, sequential approach: (1) training from a group of experts and item consensus; (2) review of the medical literature available; and (3) use of the Delphi technique with on-site meetings. A total of 5 nurses from the Community of Madrid Kidney Transplantation Unit in Spain were asked to participate. The patients' lifestyle factors that, according to the medical literature available and experts' opinions, have the greatest impact on the survival of the transplanted organ and the recipients themselves were all described. RESULTS: After using the modified Delphi method to reach a consensus on the items to be included and the information needed in each, an information guide for adult kidney transplant patients was developed. This guide facilitates the structuring of health care, information, and recommendations necessary for effective self-care for each person. The result is considered to be an easy-to-understand tool, useful for transplant doctors and nurses, in simple language, with information based on the latest scientific-medical evidence published to date, aspects of which will be evaluated in a clinical trial designed for this purpose. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, this guide is the main intervention variable of a clinical trial (registered on ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT05715580) aimed at improving compliance with healthy habits in kidney transplant recipients in the Community of Madrid, Spain. The method used in its development has been useful and agile, and the result is a guide that can be easily updated periodically following the same procedure. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/46961.

Mapeo de la percepción individual y del entorno organizacional para la práctica clínica basada en la evidencia entre enfermeras renales en España / Mapping of individual perception and the organizational environment for evidence-based clinical practice among renal nurses in Spain

Objetivo: Analizar la percepción de las enfermeras renales en España en relación con el entorno organizacional para la práctica clínica basada en la evidencia (PCBE); y determinar qué factores profesionales y del contexto influyen en esta percepción. Material y Método: Estudio observacional transversal multicéntrico, en 15 servicios de nefrología de distintos hospitales en España y 2 centros de diálisis. Se utilizaron los instrumentos Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) y Evidence Based Practice Questionnarie (EBPQ). Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo, bivariado (ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis), y regresión logística con la puntuación total del EBPQ como variable dependiente.Resultados: Se recibieron 397 encuestas (participación 84,28%), tras depuración encuestas, fueron válidas 382 (81,1% población): 82,7% mujeres, edad media 42 años, media de experiencia profesional como enfermera 18,2 años (12,2 años en nefrología), 94,8% clínicas, 81,9% de hemodiálisis. Puntuación media PES-NWI 62,35±15,10 (IC 95%: 60,78-48,06). Presentaron menores puntuaciones en algunos factores del PES-NWI las enfermeras de centros >500 enfermeras, que trabajan en hemodiálisis y >11 años de experien-cia profesional. Las enfermeras gestoras presentaron mayores puntuaciones en todos los factores del PES-NWI. Puntuación media EBPQ 81,05±21,92 (IC 95%: 78,70-83,4). Presentaron mayores puntuaciones en varios factores del EBPQ las enfermeras con menor experiencia profesional, mejor puntuación en PES-NWI y que poseían estudios de postgrado.Conclusiones: Los factores que más influyen en la percepción de las enfermeras renales en España son la experiencia profesional, el rol dentro de la organización, un contexto favorable y la formación de postgrado.(AU)

Objective: To analyze the perception of renal nurses in Spain regarding the organizational environment for evidence-based clinical practice (EBCP), and to determine what professional and context factors influence such perception.Material and Method: A crosssectional observational multicenter study was carried out in 15 nephrology services from different Spanish hospitals and 2 dialysis centers. The Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI) and Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ) tools were used. A descriptive, bivariate statistical analysis (ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis) and logistic regression were performed with the EBPQ total score as the dependent variable.Results: A total of 397 surveys were received (participation rate: 84.28%), and after processing the surveys 382 were valid (81.1% of the population): 82.7% were women, with a mean age of 42 years, a mean of 18.2 years of professional experience as a nurse (12.2 years in nephrology), 94.8% were clinical nurses, and 81.9% worked in hemodialysis. The average PES-NWI score was 62.35±15.10 (95% CI:60.78-48.06). Nurses in centers with more than 500 nurses, those who worked in hemodialysis, and those with more than 11 years of professional experience had lower scores on some PES-NWI factors. Nurse managers had higher scores in all PES-NWI factors. The average EBPQ score was 81.05±21.92 (95% CI:78.70-83.4). Nurses with less professional experience the better PES-NWI scores; also, postgraduate nurses had higher scores on several EBPQ factors. Conclusions: Factors that most influence the perception of Spanish renal nurses are professional experience, role within the organization, a favorable context, and postgraduate education.(AU)

Haemosporidian prevalence, parasitaemia and aggregation in relation to avian assemblage life history traits at different elevations.

The transmission of vector-borne protozoa such as parasites of the Order Haemosporida is dependent on both biotic and abiotic factors such as host life history traits and environmental conditions. This study aimed to identify the variables that determine haemosporidian prevalence, parasitaemia and aggregation within the context of elevation and avian life history traits in Central Veracruz, Mexico. We sampled 607 birds from 88 species; we used microscopy and the mtDNA cytochrome b gene to detect parasites. We found an overall prevalence of 32.3%. Haemosporidian prevalence was 21.6% in tropical sub-deciduous forest (at sea level), 38% in tropical deciduous forest (265 m above sea level (asl)), 19.4% in montane cloud forest (1630 m asl), and 51.7% in pine-oak forest (2790 m asl). The prevalence of each parasite genus was strongly influenced by elevation (a proxy of habitat type). Plasmodium showed the highest prevalence at low elevation. Haemoproteus increased in prevalence with elevation. Leucocytozoon displayed the highest prevalence at the highest elevation (pine-oak forest). Haemoproteus spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. prevalences were higher in open cup than in closed nests. Haemoproteus prevalence and haemosporidian parasitaemia were lower in solitary birds than birds with pairing and gregarious behavior. Haemosporidian aggregation decreased with elevation, yielding the significantly lowest values at the pine-oak forest. Elevation distribution patterns of prevalence for each genus were similar to those previously reported in other geographical areas (e.g., South America, Europe).

Evaluación de un modelo formativo para profesionales sanitarios en la atención del paciente crítico: Estudio AIPCAP / Evaluation of a training model for health professionals in the care of critical patients: AIPCAP Study

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la validez, aceptabilidad e impacto en el nivel de conocimientos y de habilidades de profesionales sanitarios de Atención Primaria de un modelo formativo para mejorar la atención del paciente crítico. DISEÑO: Estudio multicéntrico de intervención cuasiexperimental. Emplazamiento: En 8 equipos de Barcelona. PARTICIPANTES: En total 272 profesionales. INTERVENCIONES: Programa formativo con 48 simulacros de infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) y de ictus. Mediciones principales: Con una checklist se evaluaron las habilidades en el abordaje del paciente crítico, el efecto de la formación en los conocimientos de los participantes y la satisfacción. La formación se realizó tras 2 series de simulacros (infarto agudo de miocardio+ictus). En la segunda serie se efectuaron 3evaluaciones: in situ, una semana después y a las 3 semanas. Se analizó la concordancia y la fiabilidad. Las diferencias de medias se analizaron mediante la t de Student para datos emparejados. RESULTADOS: Se respondieron 449 tests de conocimientos; la mayor puntuación se obtuvo al finalizar cada simulacro (3,89 [DE 1,01] vs. 3,21 [DE 1,09]). Obtuvieron mejores puntuaciones los médicos que las enfermeras (3,81 [DE 0,87] vs. 3,32 [DE 1,15]), y los profesionales con la especialidad finalizada que los MIR (3,6 [DE 1,08] vs. [DE 1,18]). La puntuación media de la checklist en la primera evaluación fue de 7,7 puntos (DE 1,56), que mejoró hasta llegar a 9,1 puntos (DE 0,78). El índice kappa fue mayor de 0,40 en todos los casos. CONCLUSIONES: Una metodología formativa para manejar urgencias en Atención Primaria con simulacros es válida, fiable y bien aceptada. Mejora el nivel de conocimientos y habilidades de los profesionales participantes

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity, acceptability, and impact on the level of knowledge and skills of Primary Care health professionals of a training model aimed at improving the care of critical patients. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental interventional, multicentre study. LOCATION: Eight health care teams in Barcelona. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 272 professionals. INTERVENTIONS: A training program consisting of 48 simulations of acute myocardial infarction and stroke. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: A checklist was used to evaluate critical patient skills, effect of training on the knowledge of the participants, and a satisfaction survey. The training was carried out after 2 series of simulations (AMI+Stroke). In the second series, 3 evaluations were made: in situ, one week after, and at 3 weeks. Concordance and reliability were measured. The differences in means were analysed using the Student t test for paired data. RESULTS: A total of 449 knowledge tests were answered, with a higher score being obtained at the end of each simulation (3.89 -SD 1.01 vs. 3.21 -SD 1.09). Doctors obtained better medical scores than nurses (3.81 - SD 0.87 vs. 3.32 - SD 1.15), and professionals with a specialty completed scored more than those in training (MIR) (3.6 - SD 1.08 vs. 3.4 - SD 1.18). The mean score was 7.7 points (SD 1.56) in the first evaluation, and improved to 9.1 points (SD 0.78). The kappa index was greater than 0.40 in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: A training methodology in the management of emergencies in Primary Care based on simulations is valid, reliable and well accepted, achieving an improvement in the level of knowledge and skills of the participating professionals

[Evaluation of a training model for health professionals in the care of critical patients: AIPCAP Study]. / Evaluación de un modelo formativo para profesionales sanitarios en la atención del paciente crítico: Estudio AIPCAP.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity, acceptability, and impact on the level of knowledge and skills of Primary Care health professionals of a training model aimed at improving the care of critical patients. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental interventional, multicentre study. LOCATION: Eight health care teams in Barcelona. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 272 professionals. INTERVENTIONS: A training program consisting of 48 simulations of acute myocardial infarction and stroke. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: A checklist was used to evaluate critical patient skills, effect of training on the knowledge of the participants, and a satisfaction survey. The training was carried out after 2 series of simulations (AMI+Stroke). In the second series, 3evaluations were made: in situ, one week after, and at 3weeks. Concordance and reliability were measured. The differences in means were analysed using the Student t test for paired data. RESULTS: A total of 449 knowledge tests were answered, with a higher score being obtained at the end of each simulation (3.89 -SD 1.01 vs. 3.21 -SD 1.09). Doctors obtained better medical scores than nurses (3.81 - SD 0.87 vs. 3.32 - SD 1.15), and professionals with a specialty completed scored more than those in training (MIR) (3.6 - SD 1.08 vs. 3.4 - SD 1.18). The mean score was 7.7 points (SD 1.56) in the first evaluation, and improved to 9.1 points (SD 0.78). The kappa index was greater than 0.40 in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: A training methodology in the management of emergencies in Primary Care based on simulations is valid, reliable and well accepted, achieving an improvement in the level of knowledge and skills of the participating professionals.

CracidMex1: a comprehensive database of global occurrences of cracids (Aves, Galliformes) with distribution in Mexico.

Cracids are among the most vulnerable groups of Neotropical birds. Almost half of the species of this family are included in a conservation risk category. Twelve taxa occur in Mexico, six of which are considered at risk at national level and two are globally endangered. Therefore, it is imperative that high quality, comprehensive, and high-resolution spatial data on the occurrence of these taxa are made available as a valuable tool in the process of defining appropriate management strategies for conservation at a local and global level. We constructed the CracidMex1 database by collating global records of all cracid taxa that occur in Mexico from available electronic databases, museum specimens, publications, "grey literature", and unpublished records. We generated a database with 23,896 clean, validated, and standardized geographic records. Database quality control was an iterative process that commenced with the consolidation and elimination of duplicate records, followed by the geo-referencing of records when necessary, and their taxonomic and geographic validation using GIS tools and expert knowledge. We followed the geo-referencing protocol proposed by the Mexican National Commission for the Use and Conservation of Biodiversity. We could not estimate the geographic coordinates of 981 records due to inconsistencies or lack of sufficient information in the description of the locality. Given that current records for most of the taxa have some degree of distributional bias, with redundancies at different spatial scales, the CracidMex1 database has allowed us to detect areas where more sampling effort is required to have a better representation of the global spatial occurrence of these cracids. We also found that particular attention needs to be given to taxa identification in those areas where congeners or conspecifics co-occur in order to avoid taxonomic uncertainty. The construction of the CracidMex1 database represents the first comprehensive research effort to compile current, available global geographic records for a group of cracids. The database can now be improved by continuous revision and addition of new records. The CracidMex1 database will provide high quality input data that could be used to generate species distribution models, to assess temporal changes in species distributions, to identify priority areas for research and conservation, and in the definition of management strategies for this bird group. This compilation exercise could be replicated for other cracid groups or regions to attain a better knowledge of the global occurrences of the species in this vulnerable bird family.

Estudio de intervención formativa con miniensayos para mejorar la atención de las urgencias médicas en un centro de salud / Training intervention studies with mini-tests to improve emergency medical care in a health center

Objetivo: Probar la eficacia y aceptabilidad de intervenciones cortas tipo ensayo-formación en el manejo de urgencias o emergencias sanitarias (EMS). Diseño: Combinado: serie de casos y estudio controlado de antes y después de una intervención formativa. Emplazamiento: Centro de salud (CS). Participantes: Equipo de guardia, 2 monitores-dinamizadores, un maniquí. Mediciones principales: Variables: tiempos de respuesta, actuación del personal, uso de recursos y opinión. Estructuración: escenarios y mensajes clave. Elaboración de instrumentos: 1) encuesta inicial/final; 2) tiempos y sucesos esenciales/no esenciales; y 3) encuesta-opinión post-ensayo. Realización de 6 ensayos consecutivos quincenales de 15’ (incluyendo correcciones) y encuesta tras cada ensayo. Al mes, repetición en orden aleatorizado y similares condiciones. Análisis: medidas repetidas. Resultados: Cumplimentaron la encuesta inicial 93 (2/3) trabajadores; 74 la final. Cuarenta y seis intervinientes (25 médicos, 7 enfermeras, 21 no sanitarios) completaron 95 intervenciones directas. Coincidencia de participantes > 80% entre series. Se evidenció una reducción del intervalo detección colapso-primera desfibrilación (de 10 a 4min); mejoraron por 2-3 los tiempos de sucesos EMS y la «sensación de seguridad durante una EMS real» (de 23 a 71% entre los participantes). La gran mayoría de participantes declararon «útiles las correcciones realizadas por el dinamizador». Se incrementó moderadamente la proporción de quienes «verían bien la implementación de ensayos» y de quienes «necesitaban reciclarse en EMS» (67,4 vs. 85% en sanitarios). No se modificó: «se atrevían a hacer SVB». Conclusiones: A pesar de ser reducido en número y duración, este modelo de intervención ha mostrado tendencias positivas en términos de aprovechamiento y aceptabilidad para su implementación en el CS(AU)

Objective: Test effectiveness and acceptability of interventions short essay-type training in health emergency management (EM). Design: Combined case series and controlled study before and after training sessions. Location: Health Center (HC). Participants: Team on duty, two monitors-facilitators, and a mannequin. Main measures: Variables: response times, staff performance, resource usage and opinion. Structure: scenarios and key messages. Instrument development: 1. Initial/final questionnaire and events. 2. Essential/non-essential times; 3. Post-test opinion questionnaire. Performance of six consecutive 15 min tests fortnightly (including corrections) and poll after each test. A month later, repeat in random order and under similar conditions. Analysis: repeated measures. Results: A total of 93 (2/3) workers completed the initial survey, and 74 the final, with 46 participants (25 doctors, 7 nurses, 21 non-health completed 95 direct interventions. Matching participants > 80% between series. A reduction was seen in the "detection of collapse to first defibrillation" interval (10 to 4min). EM events improved 2-3 fold and "sense of security during a real EM" increased from 23% to 71% among participants. The vast majority of participants said "useful corrections made by the facilitator". The proportions of those who "would like to see tests introduced" and those who said "re-training was needed in EM" were moderately increased (67.4% vs 85% in health care workers). The "would like to attempt basic life support" was unchanged. Conclusion: Despite being reduced in number and duration, this model of intervention has shown positive trends in terms of use and acceptability for implementation in the HC(AU)

[Training intervention studies with mini-tests to improve emergency medical care in a health center]. / Estudio de intervención formativa con miniensayos para mejorar la atención de las urgencias médicas en un centro de salud.

OBJECTIVE: Test effectiveness and acceptability of interventions short essay-type training in health emergency management (EM). DESIGN: Combined case series and controlled study before and after training sessions. LOCATION: Health Center (HC). PARTICIPANTS: Team on duty, two monitors-facilitators, and a mannequin. VARIABLES: response times, staff performance, resource usage and opinion. Structure: scenarios and key messages. Instrument development: 1. Initial/final questionnaire and events. 2. Essential/non-essential times; 3. Post-test opinion questionnaire. Performance of six consecutive 15 min tests fortnightly (including corrections) and poll after each test. A month later, repeat in random order and under similar conditions. ANALYSIS: repeated measures. RESULTS: A total of 93 (2/3) workers completed the initial survey, and 74 the final, with 46 participants (25 doctors, 7 nurses, 21 non-health completed 95 direct interventions. Matching participants > 80% between series. A reduction was seen in the "detection of collapse to first defibrillation" interval (10 to 4 min). EM events improved 2-3 fold and "sense of security during a real EM" increased from 23% to 71% among participants. The vast majority of participants said "useful corrections made by the facilitator." The proportions of those who "would like to see tests introduced" and those who said "re-training was needed in EM" were moderately increased (67.4% vs 85% in health care workers). The "would like to attempt basic life support" was unchanged. CONCLUSION: Despite being reduced in number and duration, this model of intervention has shown positive trends in terms of use and acceptability for implementation in the HC.