Effects of season and population size on pollination and reproductive output in a Mediterranean shrub

Pollinator guilds may change throughout extended flowering periods, affecting plant reproductive output, especially in seasonal climates. We hypothesised a seasonal shift in pollinator guild and an autumn reduction in pollinator abundance, especially in small and sparse populations. We recorded pollinator identity, abundance and behaviour in relation to flower density from plant to population throughout the extended flowering of Ononis tridentata. We evaluated female reproductive output by recording pollination success and pre-dispersal seed predation in eight populations of contrasting size and density. Offspring quality was also characterised through seed weight and germination. A diverse guild of insects visited O. tridentata in spring, while only Apis mellifera was observed in autumn. Visitation frequency did not vary seasonally, but the number of flowers per foraging bout was lower, and seeds were heavier and had a higher germination rate in autumn. Plant and neighbourhood flowering display were not related to pollinator visitation frequency or behaviour. However, the rate of fertilised ovules, seed set and autumn flowering display size were positively related to population density. The maintenance of pollination in autumn enhances the reproductive performance of O. tridentata due to higher quality of autumn seed, and to a large reduction in seed predator pressure. We also suggest that observed changes in pollinator behaviour could be one of the processes behind seasonal variation in seed performance, since geitonogamous crosses were less likely to occur in autumn.

Approach in a mental health hospitalization unit

Introduction

The mental health hospitalization unit of Torrecárdenas Hospital consist of a team of professional psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses and occupational therapists who perform different approaches to look after the hospitalized patient. The therapeutic Objective of this unit is the containment and implementation of intensive interventions in a crisis situation in which it has not been possible to achieve an improvement or control of the patient's symptoms in external resources.

Material and methods

We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study with patients hospitalized at the mental health hospitalization unit between September 22 and October 28, taking into account the age, sex, admitted, diagnoses, previous treatments, psychological approach and free hospital stay.

Results

(Fig. 1–3).

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate the most prevalent patient profile has a diagnosis of severe mental disorder. The 66.7% of patients had previous hospital admissions. The 81.5% of hospital admissions are involuntary. The normative psychopharmacological prescription is an atypical antipsychotic as main treatment in our study. We highlight the use of Olanzapine with an 18.52% being consolidated as the first therapeutic option. As adjunctive treatment we have a mood stabilizer such as Valproic Acid with 11.1%; or another antipsychotic such as Paliperidone with the same percentage (11.1%). Regarding hypnotic treatment, it should be pointed out the use of medium-life benzodiazepines (Lormetazepam) with a prevalence of 55.56%.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

From alcohol to delusional jealousy

Purpose

With this clinical case we want to show an example of diagnosis and treatment of a frequent psychiatric comorbidity in alcohol dependence: delusional jealousy.

Methods

We analyzed a clinical case of a 52-year-old man who has a voluntary drug intake promoted by a delusional jealousy to his wife in a context of chronic alcohol consumption. A bibliographic search is made about the comorbidity of delusional jealousy in alcoholism.

Results

A 52 year-old man is brought to the hospital after to have a voluntary drug intake. He has not got medical history of mental health. As personal antecedents, the harmful alcohol consumption of the last 6 years in which he is unemployed is highlighted. After the clinical interview with the patient and with direct relatives (woman and daughter), we have the suspicion that it is a case of cellotipia induced by alcohol, in which the patient has made an autolytic attempt fomented by a delusion of jealousy. In this moment treatment is started. After a few weeks in which the patient starts treatment and leaves alcohol consumption, delusional clinic of jealousy refers progressively.

Conclusions

The alcoholic etiology of cellotipia has not been specifically confirmed. However, clinical experience shows this association is extremely frequent. It's a chronic delusional disorder with content of jealousy, providing interpretations and suspicions unfounded. Is added hostility to his partner, with potential risk of heteroagresivity. The most important thing is to assess the emotional and behavioral resonance of delirium. The treatment consists of indicating abstinence from alcohol and administration of neuroleptics.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Effectiveness and safety of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir ± dasabuvir ± ribavirin: An early access programme for Spanish patients with genotype 1/4 chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Over the last 5 years, therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have improved significantly, achieving sustained virologic response (SVR) rates of up to 100% in clinical trials in patients with HCV genotype 1. We investigated the effectiveness and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir±dasabuvir in an early access programme. This was a retrospective, multicentre, national study that included 291 treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients with genotype 1 or 4 HCV infection. Most patients (65.3%) were male, and the mean age was 57.5 years. The mean baseline viral load was 6.1 log, 69.8% had HCV 1b genotype, 72.9% had cirrhosis and 34.7% were treatment-naïve. SVR at 12 weeks posttreatment was 96.2%. Four patients had virological failure (1.4%), one leading to discontinuation. There were no statistical differences in virological response according to genotype or liver fibrosis. Thirty patients experienced serious adverse events (SAEs) (10.3%), leading to discontinuation in six cases. Hepatic decompensation was observed in five patients. Four patients died during treatment or follow-up, three of them directly related to liver failure. Multivariate analyses showed a decreased probability of achieving SVR associated with baseline albumin, bilirubin and Child-Pugh score B, and a greater probability of developing SAEs related to age and albumin. This combined therapy was highly effective in clinical practice with an acceptable safety profile and low rates of treatment discontinuation.

Influence of the Presence of the Lees during Oak Ageing on Colour and Phenolic Compounds Composition of Red Wine

Oak ageing of red wine in the presence of lees is currently a procedure that is being introduced in most wineries. This work analysed the influence of this technique on colour and phenolic compounds of two red wines, one with a low ageing potential (low anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin concentration) and the other one with a high ageing potential (high anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin concentration). Wines, after six months of ageing in new American oak barrels, were analysed and tasted by expert panellists. In general terms, ageing in the presence of lees presented the disadvantage of producing wines with a slightly less intense colour and with lower proanthocyanidin concentration. However, the advantages were that wines presented a colour slightly less evolved towards yellowish nuances, a non-negligible diminution of their astringency and an increase in the mouthfeel perception.

Acute Rejection in Renal Transplant Patients of a Hospital in Bogota, Colombia

BACKGROUND

Renal transplantation is the best treatment for end stage renal disease. Acute graft rejection is one of the main complications and may influence graft survival.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence and features of acute cellular rejection (ACR) episodes confirmed by biopsy.

METHODS

We studied a cohort of 175 patients who underwent renal transplantation between 2004 and 2012 to determine the cumulative incidence of ACR confirmed by biopsy and to identify the associated risk factors using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The one-year patient survival was 96.6%; the graft survival was 93.7%. The incidence of ACR within one year was 14.3%, of which 46% were observed within 6 months following transplantation. The most frequently observed ACR type was 1B according to the Banff classification system (42%). A relationship between ACR and receipt of a kidney from expanded criteria donors was observed, both in univariate and adjusted multiple log-binomial regression analyses, but only 6.3% of patients received extended criteria donor kidneys. No other relationships between variables were found.

CONCLUSION

ACR frequency in this study was similar to that of other cohorts reported previously. We need a bigger sample of renal transplants from expanded criteria donors, PRA and DSA test to support the results.

An Unusual Case of Generalized Soft-Tissue Mineralization in a Suckling Foal

An atypical case of severe soft-tissue mineralization in a 3-week-old foal from a herd of Andalusian horses is described. The herd clinical history and the laboratory findings were compatible with a diagnosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism due to a mineral imbalance in the diet (low calcium and high phosphorus intake). Mares showed a marked increase in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) approximately 10 times normal levels. Serum PTH was marginally elevated in foals. Clinical signs (unthriftiness, painful joints, lameness in one or more limbs, and stiff gait) were more pronounced in foals than in mares. Two foals died and necropsy of one of them revealed extensive soft-tissue mineralization of arterial walls and pulmonary parenchyma. Clinical signs in mares and foals resolved by 4 weeks after diet adjustment.