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Diverting the Gila: The Pima Indians and the Florence Casa Grande Project, 1916-1928. Diverting the Gila: The Pima Indians and the Florence Casa Grande Project, 1916-1928 by David H. DeJong (review) There is no dispute that Pima communities were first to put the water of the Gila to beneficial use. [Extracted from the article]

Abstract: The geographic expression and phasing of events during the last termination are important for isolating mechanisms that caused Earth to emerge from the last ice age. Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1; 14,600–18,000 yr BP) is a key because of the central role that its far-field effects had on the last termination in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, we present new data from Cordillera Darwin that show rapid glacier recession in southern South America during HS1. This retreat was coeval with ice recession elsewhere in South America and New Zealand, with increased upwelling in the Southern Ocean, with warming of SSTs offshore of Chile, and with a rise in atmospheric CO2. Together, these data indicate a coherent and rapid response to the effects of HS1 in the middle and high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An essay is presented on the American composer and music theorist George Perle's application of unisons and interval cycles in his composition "Sonata a Quattro." It notes that the piece expresses relationships within the fabric of twelve-tone tonality. It discusses the final measures of the piece which dissent in various manners from the opening measures of the first movement. According to Perle, the primary distinction in twelve-tone tonality is the duality of odd and even dyads.

The toxicity of doxorubicin to the cardiovascular system often limits its benefits and widespread use as chemotherapy. The mechanisms involved in doxorubicin-induced cardiovascular damage and possible protective interventions are not well-explored. Using human aortic endothelial cells, we show vitamin D3 strongly attenuates doxorubicin-induced senescence and cell cycle arrest. We further show the protective effects of vitamin D3 are mediated by the upregulation of IL-10 and FOXO3a expression through fine modulation of pAMPKα/SIRT1/FOXO3a complex activity. These results have great significance in finding a target for mitigating doxorubicin-induced cardiovascular toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fluoropyrimidines (FP) are cornerstone drugs in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Cardiotoxicity secondary to an FP chemotherapy is a serious complication. There are no standardized guidelines on the treatment of FP induced cardiotoxicity which may result in interruption and even discontinuation of life saving treatment. We present our experience in FP rechallenge using a novel outpatient regimen based on our "up-front" triple agent antianginal protocol. Methods: We report the retrospective study of the patients with suspected FP induced cardiotoxicity. Patients meeting the criteria were selected by C3OD (curated cancer clinical outcomes database) at Kansas University Medical Center (KUMC). We identified all patients with gastrointestinal malignancies who had suspected FP induced cardiotoxicity from January 2015 to March 2022. We then included the patients who were rechallenged with planned fluoropyrimidine regimen utilizing the three drug KU-protocol. We utilized a novel regimen by repurposing the already FDA-approved anti-anginal drugs in a manner that minimizes the risk of hypotension and bradycardia. Results: In this retrospective study, 10 patients with suspected fluoropyrimidine induced cardiotoxicity were included from January-2015 to March-2022 at KUMC. Out of 10 patients who were rechallenged utilizing KU-protocol, eight patients (80%) were able to complete the previously planned fluoropyrimidine regimen. None of the patients required ER visits or hospital admission due to cardiac symptoms during the rechallenge utilizing the KU-protocol. Conclusions: Utilizing our novel outpatient regimen, we have successfully and safely allowed re-challenge of FP chemotherapy with good tolerability and completion of the intended course of chemotherapy without recurrent morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aerosol pyrolysis was utilized to synthesize spherical submicron Bi–Mo–V–O powders over a wide range of reactor temperatures (500–1000°C) and elemental compositions. Evaporative loss of Mo from particles was significant at temperatures of 800°C or higher; however, this could be compensated by adjustment of the solution composition. The crystalline phase content for powders produced at 800°C over a wide range of compositions was largely consistent with previously reported binary oxide and ternary solid solution phases. Powder colors ranged from bright yellow to reddish or greenish yellow, and were characterized by the Munsell color parameters. Particle morphology ranged from spherical to faceted and partially hollow particles, and could be largely explained by proximity to the composition-dependent solidus or liquidus temperature. Particle morphology and phase content can also be influenced by the addition of ethanol to the precursor solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Three mitochondrial regions and a fragment of a large nuclear ribosomal subunit was used to study the evolutionary patterns of An. neivai , a mosquito inhabiting mangroves and tropical forest in the lowland and coastal areas of the Yucatan Peninsula through the Pacific Ecuadorian coast. This species exhibits epidemiological importance regarding Malaria transmission in natural ecosystems, particularly in rural areas of the Pacific Colombian coast. The results based on phylogenetic networks and Bayesian inference showed no robust evidence supporting the existence of previously suggested cryptic species. Diversification patterns in geographically widespread species such as this one, are complex and therefore could impact malaria control strategies. Further studies focused on behavior, morphology, and phylogenomics will improve the understanding of the evolutionary patterns within An. neivai and its role as a disease vector. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • There were 35 sequenced specimens for COI, Cytb – tRNASer –IG1– ND1 and nuclear D2 (28S). • A phylogenetic network showed two groups: Colombia –Panama (I) and Guatemala (II). • Species tree based showed similar results to those in the phylogenetic network. • Tree from Bayesian inference showed strong support for the existence of one clade in Anopheles neivai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Mitochondrial DNA has proven its utility for the study of insect evolution. Genes such as cytochrome b (Cytb) and the transfer gene for serine (SertRNA) can be used to compare closely related organisms.. Objective: The phylogenetic utility of Cytb-SertRNA-IG1-ND1 was tested for polymorphisms, and secondary structure modeling in SertRNA was done to detect possible cryptic species in Anopheles neivai. Materials and methods: Specimens from Colombia, Guatemala, and the type locality in Panamá were collected and sequenced for specimen comparison based on DNA polymorphisms, and secondary structure modeling for the SertRNA gene. Results: Thirty-six sequences for A. neivai and A. pholidotus were obtained. Conclusions: Polymorphic variants were detected in A. neivai for Cytb-SertRNA-IG1-ND1. Despite this variation in A. neivai, cryptic species could not be detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake sediments and peat deposits from two basins on Nightingale Island (37°S), in the Tristan da Cunha archipelago, South Atlantic, have been analyzed. The studies were focused on the time period 16.2–10.0 cal ka BP, determined by 36 14 C dates from the two sequences. A wide variety of proxies were used, including pollen and diatom analyzes, biogenic silica content, C and N analyzes, stable isotopes ( 13 C and 15 N), elemental concentrations and magnetic susceptibility measurements, to detect environmental changes that can be related to shifts of the circulation belts of the Southern Ocean. In addition, climate model simulations were carried out. We find that the sediments are underlain by a >2 cal ka BP long hiatus, possibly representing a dried-out lake bed. The climate simulations corroborate that the area might have been exposed to arid conditions as a consequence of the Heinrich 1 event in the north and a southward displacement of the ITCZ. The development on the island after 16.2 cal ka BP is determined by the position of the Subtropical Front (STF) and the Southern Hemisphere Westerlies (SHW). The period 16.2–14.75 cal ka BP was characterized by varying influence from SHW and with STF situated south of Tristan da Cunha, ending with a humidity peak and cooler conditions. The stable conditions 14.7–14.1 cal ka BP with cool and fairly arid conditions imply that STF and SHW were both north of the islands during the first part of the Antarctic Cold Reversal. The most unstable period, 14.1–12.7 cal ka BP, indicates incessant latitudinal shifts of the zonal circulation, perhaps related to climate variability in the Northern Hemisphere and bipolar seesaw mechanisms as the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) varied. At 12.7 cal ka BP the Holocene warming began with a gradually drier and warmer climate as a result of a dampened AMOC during the Younger Dryas cooling in the north with ITCZ, STF and SHW being displaced southwards. Peak warming seems to have occurred in the earliest part of the Holocene, but this period was also characterized by humidity shifts, possibly an effect of retraction and expansion phases of SHW during AMOC variations in the north. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phlebotomine sand flies, vectors of leishmaniasis, have not been well studied in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and likewise, are not well known in other regions of the Department of Magdalena, Colombia. To date only thirteen species of Lutzomyia have been recorded as occurring in the Department. The present note adds three species and includes an additional subgenus. Collections were made in the lower foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta at elevations ranging from 117-130 m in the communities of Seywiaka, Las Tinajas and Calabazo. Eighty-four percent of the 885 phlebotomines sand flies collected were obtained from CDC light traps, 11 % from Shannon trap and 5 % from typical resting sites using an electric aspirator. The following nine species were identified from the collections: Lutzomyia gomezi, Lu. panamensis, Lu. trinidadensis, Lu. carpenteri, Lu. evansi, Lu. dysponeta, Lu. dubitans, Lu. shannoni, and Lu. micropyga. The most abundant species were Lu. gomezi and Lu. panamensis, which, respectively, accounted for 69 % and 14 % of the specimens. Of the nine species, Lu. carpenteri, Lu. dubitans and Lu. dysponeta represent new records for the Department of Magdalena. Also, a few female specimens were encountered of a species belonging to the Lu. osornoi series of the subgenus Helcocyrtomyia, which represents the first record of this subgenus in the Caribbean region of Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing evidence highlights the benefits to youth of involvement in community-based participatory research. Less attention has been paid, however, to the contributions youth can make to helping change health-promoting policy through such work. We describe a multi-method case study of a policy-focused community-based participatory research project in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles, California, where a small group of homeless youth worked with adult mentors to develop and conduct a survey of 96 homeless youth and used the findings to help secure health-promoting policy change. We review the partnership’s work at each stage of the policy-making process; its successes in changing policy regarding recreation, juvenile justice, and education; and the challenges encountered, especially with policy enforcement. We share lessons learned, including the importance of strong adult mentors and of policy environments conducive to sustainable, health-promoting change for marginalized youth. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sand flies include a group of insects that are of medical importance and that vary in geographic distribution, ecology, and pathogen transmission. Approximately 163 species of sand flies have been reported in Colombia. Surveillance of the presence of sand fly species and the actualization of species distribution are important for predicting risks for and monitoring the expansion of diseases which sand flies can transmit. Currently, the identification of phlebotomine sand flies is based on morphological characters. However, morphological identification requires considerable skills and taxonomic expertise. In addition, significant morphological similarity between some species, especially among females, may cause difficulties during the identification process. DNA-based approaches have become increasingly useful and promising tools for estimating sand fly diversity and for ensuring the rapid and accurate identification of species. A partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene subunit I (COI) is currently being used to differentiate species in different animal taxa, including insects, and it is referred as a barcoding sequence. The present study explored the utility of the DNA barcode approach for the identification of phlebotomine sand flies in Colombia. We sequenced 700 bp of the COI gene from 36 species collected from different geographic localities. The COI barcode sequence divergence within a single species was <2% in most cases, whereas this divergence ranged from 9% to 26.6% among different species. These results indicated that the barcoding gene correctly discriminated among the previously morphologically identified species with an efficacy of nearly 100%. Analyses of the generated sequences indicated that the observed species groupings were consistent with the morphological identifications. In conclusion, the barcoding gene was useful for species discrimination in sand flies from Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tristan da Cunha is a volcanic island group situated in the central South Atlantic. The oldest of these islands, Nightingale Island, has an age of about 18 Ma. In the interior of the island, there are several wetlands situated in topographic depressions. The ages of these basins have been unknown, and their genesis has been debated. Aiming towards the reconstruction of the geomorphological history of these basins, we conducted geoelectrical resistivity measurements to map the subsurface topography, extracted peat and sediment cores and dated the onset of sedimentation applying the radiocarbon method. The irregular shapes of the basins and the lack of clear erosional features indicate that they are not eruption craters and were not formed by erosion. Instead, we regard them as morphological depressions formed between ridges of trachytic lava flows and domes at a late stage of the formation of the volcanic edifice. The onset of sedimentation within these basins appears to have occurred between 24 and 37 ka with the highest situated wetland yielding the highest ages. These ages are very young compared to the timing of the main phase of the formation of the island, implying volcanic activity on the island during the Late Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Peat deposits from the littoral part of the wetland 2nd Pond on Nightingale Island in the central South Atlantic have been analysed to investigate the Holocene climate development on the island and to test a hypothesis about regionally persistent humidity variations. A variety of proxies were analysed – total carbon and nitrogen, biogenic silica, diatoms, amount of organic matter, macrofossils and magnetic susceptibility – and together with the lithology they are interpreted as a record reflecting changes in humidity/precipitation. Early Holocene (10,000–8500 cal. BP) was possibly significantly drier than today, probably caused by a southerly displacement of the Southern Hemisphere Westerlies (SHW) during the Antarctic climate optimum. From 8500 cal. BP and onwards, the climate became generally more humid and surface run-off increased due to higher precipitation, possibly as an effect of increased influence from the SHW as it moved north. During this generally humid period, our data disclose a distinct pattern of recurrent centennial- to millennial-long events of increased precipitation and the results corroborate the only other study in the region with a similar humidity record. The events might represent large-scale climate oscillations in the Southern Hemisphere, such as latitudinal shifts of the SHW, but may also be related to changes in sea surface temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: We sought to determine the utility of combined heart failure (HF) device diagnostic information to predict clinical deterioration of HF in patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction. Background: Some implantable devices continuously monitor HF device diagnostic information, but data are limited on the ability of combined HF device diagnostics to predict HF events. Methods: The PARTNERS HF (Program to Access and Review Trending Information and Evaluate Correlation to Symptoms in Patients With Heart Failure) was a prospective, multicenter observational study in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. HF events were independently adjudicated. A combined HF device diagnostic algorithm was developed on an independent dataset. The algorithm was considered positive if a patient had 2 of the following abnormal criteria during a 1-month period: long atrial fibrillation duration, rapid ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation, high (≥60) fluid index, low patient activity, abnormal autonomics (high night heart rate or low heart rate variability), or notable device therapy (low CRT pacing or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks), or if they only had a very high (≥100) fluid index. We used univariate and multivariable analyses to determine predictors of subsequent HF events within a month. Results: We analyzed data from 694 CRT defibrillator patients who were followed for 11.7 ± 2 months. Ninety patients had 141 adjudicated HF hospitalizations with pulmonary congestion at least 60 days after implantation. Patients with a positive combined HF device diagnostics had a 5.5-fold increased risk of HF hospitalization with pulmonary signs or symptoms within the next month (hazard ratio: 5.5, 95% confidence interval: 3.4 to 8.8, p < 0.0001), and the risk remained high after adjusting for clinical variables (hazard ratio: 4.8, 95% confidence interval: 2.9 to 8.1, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Monthly review of HF device diagnostic data identifies patients at a higher risk of HF hospitalizations within the subsequent month. (PARTNERS HF: Program to Access and Review Trending Information and Evaluate Correlation to Symptoms in Patients With Heart Failure; NCT00279955). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lutzomyia evansi (Núñez-Tovar) is the vector of the parasite Leishmania infanfum in rural zones of Northern Colombia. An attempt was made to determine the origin of a recently detected urban population of Lutzomyia evansi by genetically characterizing specimens from seven geographically distinct localities in the Colombian Caribbean. Insect specimens were collected in rural and urban environments of areas endemic for visceral leishmaniasis or free of the disease. Nine polymorphic sites, nine nucleotide haplotypes and a single aminoacid haplotype were found within the 315 bp fragment sequenced, corresponding to the 3' end of the cytochrome b mitochondrial gene. Paired genetic distances between the haplotypes, estimated with the Kimura two-parameters model, varied from 0,0032-0,0194. Analysis revealed low genetic variability between specimens from urban and rural localities. Several of the sand flies collected in the city of Sincelejo (department of Sucre), where autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis cases have appeared in recent years, were genetically similar to those of a rural focus of the disease (El Contento, on the neighboring department of Córdoba). The epidemiological implications of this finding for Leishmania infanfum transmission in the Colombian Caribbean are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were conducted in the anesthetized rabbit to investigate mechanisms for arrhythmias that occur after left atrial injection of the thromboxane A2 (TxA2) mimetic U-46619. Arrhythmias were primarily of ventricular origin, dose dependent in frequency, and TxA2 receptor mediated. The response was receptor specific since arrhythmias were absent after pretreatment with a specific TxA2 receptor antagonist (SQ-29548) and did not occur in response to another prostaglandin, PGF2α. Alterations in coronary blood flow were unlikely the cause of these arrhythmias because coronary blood flow (as measured with florescent microspheres) was unchanged after U-46619, and there were no observable changes in the ECG-ST segment. In addition, arrhythmias did not occur after administration of another vasoconstrictor (phenylephrine). The potential involvement of autonomic cardiac efferent nerves in these arrhythmias was also investigated because TxA2 has been shown to stimulate peripheral nerves. Pretreatment of animals with the β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol did not reduce the frequency of these arrhythmias. Pretreatment with atropine or bilateral vagotomy resulted in an increased frequency of arrhythmias, suggesting that parasympathetic nerves may actually inhibit the arrhythmogenic activity of TxA2. These experiments demonstrate that left atrial injection of U-46619 elicits arrhythmias via a mechanism independent of a significant reduction in coronary blood flow or activation of the autonomic nervous system. It is possible that TxA2 may have a direct effect on the electrical activity of the heart in vivo, which provides significant implications for cardiac events where TxA2 is increased, e.g., after myocardial ischemia or administration of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SummaryBackground: We aimed to assess in patients with congestive heart failure whether dual inhibition of neutral endopeptidase and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) with the vasopeptidase inhibitor omapatrilat is better than ACE inhibition alone with lisinopril on functional capacity and clinical outcome.Methods: We did a prospective, randomised, double-blind, parallel trial of 573 patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV congestive heart failure, left-ventricular ejection fraction of 40% or less, and receiving an ACE inhibitor. Patients were randomly assigned omapatrilat at a daily target dose of 40 mg (n=289) or lisinopril at a daily target dose of 20 mg (n=284) for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was improvement in maximum exercise treadmill test (ETT) at week 12. Secondary endpoints included death and comorbid events indicative of worsening heart failure.Findings: Week 12 ETT increased similarly in the omapatrilat and lisinopril groups (24 vs 31 s, p=0.45). The two drugs were fairly well tolerated, but there were fewer cardiovascular-system serious adverse events in the omapatrilat group than in the lisinopril group (20 [7%] vs 34 [12%], p=0.04). There was a suggestive trend in favour of omapatrilat on the combined endpoint of death or admission for worsening heart failure (p=0.052; hazard ratio 0.53 [95% CI 0.27-1.02]) and a significant benefit of omapatrilat in the composite of death, admission, or discontinuation of study treatment for worsening heart failure (p=0.035; 0.52 [0.28-0.96]). Omapatrilat improved NYHA class more than lisinopril in patients who had NYHA class III and IV (p=0.035), but not if patients with NYHA class II were included.Interpretation: Our findings suggest that omapatrilat could have some advantages over lisinopril in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure. Thus use of vasopeptidase inhibitors could constitute a potentially important treatment for further improving the prognosis and well being ... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Beagle Channel crosses the southernmost tip of South America (Tierra del Fuego), connecting the South Atlantic with the Southeastern Pacific. Raised beaches occur up to 10 m above mean sea level (m a.m.s.l.), especially along the northern (Argentinian) shore, and have been dated using marine shells. The southern (Chilean) shore is well-known for its abundance of shell middens at different levels above the present shore, particularly along the island of Isla Navarino, but the relative sea level history in this glacially impacted landscape has not previously been investigated. In this study we present postglacial relative sea level changes on Isla Navarino, based on sediment cores from six lagoons, bogs or lakes, and stratigraphic investigations of three open sections, of which one is of MIS 5e age. In addition, one core from a lagoon in the south-western Beagle Channel has been analysed and a system of terraces was mapped in the north-western Beagle Channel. The analyses of the core sites have resulted in two tentative relative sea level curves, displaying a rapid sea level rise at 8500−6500 cal yr BP, amounting to ∼10 and 14 m in eastern and western Isla Navarino, respectively, and reaching levels of ∼8 and > 10 m, respectively, followed by a slow relative sea level fall. Our sea level observations have been compared with a range of modelling results of glacial-isostatic adjustments (GIA) for estimating timing of deglaciation and ice sheet thicknesses. Based mainly on the GIA modelling of the altitude of the MIS 5e beach sediments, situated at 13 m, we can conclude that no other uplift than GIA is needed to explain their altitude. Regarding the modelling of postglacial sea levels we can conclude that no model has been found that satisfies all of the observational evidence, but that deglaciation most likely preceded Northern Hemisphere main deglaciation by at least 3 kyr, which agrees with the deglaciation age of Isla Navarino (>16 000 cal yr BP). In addition, our model runs imply that the Patagonian and Tierra del Fuego ice sheet thicknesses were in the order of ∼1500 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The departments of Chocó and Antioquia in Colombia show climatic and vegetation conditions favoring the establishment of vector species of the genus Lutzomyia and the transmission of Leishmania spp. to human populations entering conserved forest environments.. Objective: To report the species of Phlebotomine sandflies present in three natural reserves in the Darien and Pacific regions of Colombia. Materials and methods: Sand flies were collected specifically in the natural reserves El Aguacate (Acandí, Chocó), Nabugá (Bahía Solano, Chocó) and Tulenapa (Carepa, Antioquia). Sand flies were collected with CDC light traps, active search in resting places and Shannon traps. The taxonomic determination of species was based on taxonomic keys. For some species of taxonomic interest, we evaluated the partial sequences of the 5' region of COI gene. Results: A total of 611 adult sand flies were collected: 531 in Acandí, 45 in Carepa and 35 in Bahía Solano. Seventeen species of the genus Lutzomyia, three of the genus Brumptomyia and one of the genus Warileya were identified. The genetic distances (K2P) and grouping supported (>99%) in the neighbor joining dendrogram were consistent for most established molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTU) of the Aragaoi group and clearly confirmed the identity of Lu. coutinhoi. Conclusion: Species that have importance in the transmission of leishmaniasis in Acandí, Bahía Solano and Carepa were identified. The presence of Lu. coutinhoi was confirmed and consolidated in Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]