Foliar nitrogen uptake in broadleaf evergreen Mediterranean forests: Fertilisation experiment with labelled nitrogen.

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition in Mediterranean sclerophyllous forests of Holm oak (Quercus rotundifolia, Q. ilex) in Spain often exceeds empirical critical loads established for ecosystem conservation. There are still uncertainties on the capacity of canopy retention and uptake of the atmospheric N deposited of these forests. Studying and analysing all the forest nitrogen-cycle processes is essential to understand the potential effect of N deposition in these ecosystems. This study conducted a year-long short-term fertilisation experiment with labelled ammonium (15N-NH4) and nitrate (15N-NO3) to estimate foliar N absorption rates and assess the influence of leaf phenology and meteorological seasonal variations. Fertilising solutions were prepared to simulate low and high wet N deposition concentration, based on data reported from previous studies. Additionally, ecophysiological and meteorological measurements were collected to explore potential relationships between absorption rates, plant activity, and weather conditions. The results showed that Holm oak leaves were able to absorb both oxidised and reduced N compounds, with higher rates of NH4+ absorption. N recovery of both NH4+ and NO3- was higher in the low concentration treatments, suggesting reduced effectiveness of absorption as concentration increases. Foliar absorption rates were leaf-age dependent, with the highest values observed in young developing leaves. Foliar uptake showed seasonal changes with a clear reduction during the summer, linked to drought and dry weather conditions, and showing also smaller leaf net assimilation and stomatal conductance. During the rest of the year, foliar N absorption was not clearly associated to plant physiological activity but with environmental conditions. Our findings suggest that Holm oak canopies could absorb an important part of the incoming N deposition, but this process is compound, season and leaf phenology dependent. Further research is therefore needed to better understand and model this part of the N cycle.

Differentiation of soluble aqueous humor metabolites in primary open angle glaucoma and controls.

We report an analysis of the aqueous humor (AH) metabolome of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in comparison to normal controls. The AH samples were obtained from human donors [control (n = 35), POAG (n = 23)]. The AH samples were subjected to one-dimensional 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses on a Bruker Avance 600 MHz instrument with a 1.7 mM NMR probe. The same samples were then subjected to isotopic ratio outlier analysis (IROA) using a Q Exactive orbitrap mass spectrometer after chromatography on an Accela 600 HPLC. Clusterfinder Build 3.1.10 was used for identification and quantification based on long-term metabolite matrix standards. In total, 278 metabolites were identified in control samples and 273 in POAG AH. The metabolites identified were fed into previously reported proteome and genome information and the OmicsNet interaction network generator to construct a protein-metabolite interactions network with an embedded protein-protein network. Significant differences in metabolite composition in POAG compared to controls were identified indicating potential protein/gene pathways associated with these metabolites. These results will expand our previous understanding of the impeded AH metabolite composition, provide new insight into the regulation of AH outflow, and likely aid in future AH and trabecular meshwork multi-omics network analyses.

Clinical impact of a 6-week preoperative very low calorie diet on body weight and liver size in morbidly obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) may be a technically challenging surgical technique when features such as thick abdominal wall and increased liver volume are present. Very low calorie diets in the form of liquid meal replacements given 6 weeks prior to surgery have proven to decrease liver volume. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of a 6-week preoperative low calorie/regular diet on liver volume and body weight in morbidly obese patients. METHODS: A pilot study was carried out in 20 morbidly obese patients with an 800-kcal diet for 6 weeks. They were followed weekly to ensure proper compliance. CT scan was used for determining liver volume every 2 weeks in order to assess the impact of the diet. Baseline values were taken as controls for every patient as tied measures. Statistical analysis was suitable to variable scaling and performed using SPSS v. 20.0. Parametric and non-parametric test for tied measures were done. Any p value lesser than 0.05 or 5% was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Twenty patients adhered to the diet intervention for 6 weeks prior to LRYGB. Median ± SD age was 34.5 ± 11.5 years and 17 were female (85%). Heart rate and blood pressure did not vary across the study. Initial median ± SD BMI was 46.02 ± 5.29 kg/m2 (range 38.7-54.8). Repeated and tied measurements across the 6 weeks of treatment within individuals resulted statistically significant for reducing BMI (p < 0.0001). CT scan assessed liver volume initially as a control and in weeks 2, 4 and 6. Parametric and non-parametric assessment for multiple measurements also showed statistical significance among these values (p < 0.0001). Diet tolerability was additionally evaluated with a questionnaire showing more than 80% of acceptability with discrete rates of nausea (15%) and diarrhoea (15%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, we demonstrated that a very low calorie diet with home ingredients is capable for effectively reducing body weight and liver size in morbidly obese patients. This relatively short intervention (4 to 6 weeks) was accomplished in all our patients with a high frequency of compliance and a low rate of secondary effects.

Primeras presencias e influencias en los inicios de la profesionalización del psicoanálisis en Argentina (1930-1942) / First presences and influences in the begginings of the professionalization of psychoanalysis in Argentina (1930-1942)

Este trabajo se refiere a las primeras prácticas profesionales de psicoanálisis en Argentina, en el período histórico que va desde 1930 hasta 1942. Entre la publicación del primer caso psicoanalítico, por Fernando Gorriti (1930), y la fundación de la Asociación Psicoanalítica Argentina (1942), transcurren más de diez años en los que varios médicos destacados, psiquiátras y neurólogos, sostienen de distintas formas y desde diferentes posiciones, una incipiente actividad psicoanalítica. Estos precursores del psicoanálisis argentino empiezan a dar cuenta de su actividad profesional a través de la publicación de sus resultados.El lugar que viene a ocupar el psicoanálisis según el contexto de la época, los enfoques y características de los primeros tratamientos, conceptos e influencias teóricas, son los principales ejes de lectura del siguiente trabajo.

Primeras presencias e influencias en los inicios de la profesionalización del psicoanálisis en Argentina (1930-1942) / First presences and influences in the begginings of the professionalization of psychoanalysis in Argentina (1930-1942)

Este trabajo se refiere a las primeras prácticas profesionales de psicoanálisis en Argentina, en el período histórico que va desde 1930 hasta 1942. Entre la publicación del primer caso psicoanalítico, por Fernando Gorriti (1930), y la fundación de la Asociación Psicoanalítica Argentina (1942), transcurren más de diez años en los que varios médicos destacados, psiquiátras y neurólogos, sostienen de distintas formas y desde diferentes posiciones, una incipiente actividad psicoanalítica. Estos precursores del psicoanálisis argentino empiezan a dar cuenta de su actividad profesional a través de la publicación de sus resultados.El lugar que viene a ocupar el psicoanálisis según el contexto de la época, los enfoques y características de los primeros tratamientos, conceptos e influencias teóricas, son los principales ejes de lectura del siguiente trabajo.(AU)