El Instituto Español de Entomología (CSIC) y la multitud molesta / The Spanish Institute of Entomology (CSIC) and the bothered crowd

En 1941 se creó el Instituto Español de Entomología (IEE), heredero directo de la antigua Sección de Entomología del Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales. Entre las labores encomendadas al nuevo establecimiento estaba la de aportar «a los Centros de aplicación los datos resultantes de los trabajos que en él se efectúen con los insectos, de interés económico y sanitario». Gonzalo Ceballos fue nombrado Director y sus propuestas, junto al trabajo de las instituciones encargadas de la gestión forestal, hicieron del IEE uno de los centros motores de muchas iniciativas en este campo. Su dirección supuso, además, una excelente oportunidad para cumplir los objetivos con los que fue concebido el Instituto. En este artículo se distinguen tres formas de participación respecto al estudio, gestión y control de plagas forestales. Por un lado, la implicación del IEE en la resolución de consultas de particulares, empresas e instituciones; en segundo lugar, el desarrollo de proyectos subvencionados por el Patronato Juan de la Cierva y, finalmente, las colaboraciones con diferentes cuerpos dependientes del Ministerio de Agricultura. Se constata que la falta de personal especializado en plagas adscrito al IEE supuso un grave inconveniente para que las iniciativas de Ceballos se desarrollaran más allá de su gestión (AU)

The Spanish Institute of Entomology (IEE) was founded in 1941, direct heir of the former Entomology Section of the National Museum of Natural Science. Among the tasks assigned to the new Institute was to provide "to the interested centers the data resulting from the work that he made with insects with economic and public health significance". Gonzalo Ceballos was appointed Director; his proposals, alongside the work of the institutions responsible for forest management, turned up the IEE into one of the driving forces of many initiatives in this field. His management also provided an excellent opportunity to meet the objectives for which the Institute was conceived. Three forms of participation were distinguished on the study, management and control of forest pests. On one hand, the involvement of the IEE in resolving queries from individuals, companies and institutions; second, the development of scientific projects supported by the Juan de la Cierva Board of Trustees and, finally, collaborations with different departments belonging of the Ministry of Agriculture. It is stated that, the lack of specialized personnel assigned to the IEE pests' management was a serious drawback to continue the initiatives of Ceballos be developed beyond management (AU)

Dictamen de Mariano de la Paz Graells sobre la obra herpetológica de Eduardo Boscá: análisis de una evaluación científica del siglo XIX / Mariano de la Paz Graells pronouncement on the herpetological works of Eduardo Boscá: analysis of a XIX century scientific evaluation

Se analiza y da a conocer una evaluación científica solicitada por el naturalista Eduardo Boscá a la Dirección General de Instrucción Pública en 1891 en la que pide le sean valoradas sus publicaciones sobre zoología de anfibios y reptiles, aparecidas entre 1877 y 1883. La evaluación la realiza Mariano de la Paz Graells en 1893 por encargo de la Real Academia de Ciencias mediante un extenso y crítico Dictamen inédito. A través de las críticas del informe podemos conocer los estándares reales de calidad entonces exigibles en taxonomía y faunística, no fácilmente deducibles de publicaciones ni de correspondencia epistolar. El Dictamen se encuadra en la historia biográfica de los científicos implicados, y en el desarrollo de la herpetología y la biodiversidad ibero-balear (AU)

A scientific evaluation, requested by the naturalist Eduardo Boscá to the Spanish Dirección General de Instrucción Pública in 1891, is made known and analyzed. In this request, Boscá asks for an evaluation of his zoological publications dealing with amphibians and reptiles, completed between 1877 and 1883. The evaluation is made by the Spanish Real Academia de Ciencias through an unpublished comprehensive and critical Dictum written by Mariano de la Paz Graells in 1893. Through this Dictum we can perceive the real quality standards then required for taxonomy and faunistics, information not easily inferable from publications or mail correspondence. The analysis of this Dictum is here framed in the biographical history of the scientists involved, and also in the development of herpetology and Ibero-Balearic biodiversity (AU)

Identificación de las características clínicas y alteraciones analíticas asociadas a la fractura vertebral en mujeres con osteoporosis posmenopáusica / Identification of clinical features and laboratory abnormalities associated with the development of vertebral fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis

Fundamento y objetivo: Las fracturas vertebrales (FV) son un factor de riesgo mayor para desarrollar nuevas fracturas. Es importante identificar las características clínicas y las alteraciones en las pruebas de laboratorio relacionadas con su desarrollo. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las características clínicas y alteraciones analíticas relacionadas con la presencia de FV radiológicas en mujeres posmenopáusicas con osteoporosis. Pacientes y método. En 204 mujeres (edad media [DE] de 64,9 [10] años) referidas a una consulta de Reumatología se determinaron pruebas bioquímicas y hormonales del metabolismo mineral, densidad mineral ósea (DMO) y radiografías de columna dorso lumbar. Resultados: Un 28% tenían FV. Al comparar las mujeres con y sin FV, aquellas con FV eran de mayor edad (media de 71,9 [10] frente a 61,8 [6,8] años, p<0,001), menor estatura (media de 152 [2,7] frente a 155 [2,6] cm, p=0,01), menor DMO en fémur total (media de puntuación en la escala T de -2,2 [0,91] frente a -1,9 [0,8], p=0,041), mayor prevalencia de fracturas no vertebrales (38 frente a 30%, p=0,04) y de valores bajos de 25-hidroxivitamina D (25-OH-D) (69 frente a 53%, p<0,05). En el análisis de regresión logística, la edad y la DMO en fémur total fueron factores predictores independientes para FV. Las pacientes mayores de 65 años presentaron una mayor frecuencia de FV (47 frente a 12%, p<0,0001). Además, una puntuación en la escala T menor de -2,5 en fémur total se asoció con un incremento de riesgo de FV (odds ratio 2,5; intervalo de confianza del 95% 1,2-4,9). Conclusiones: A partir de los 65 años casi la mitad de las mujeres posmenopáusicas con osteoporosis referidas a una consulta especializada tienen FV y la mayoría de ellas presentan un déficit de vitamina D. En este grupo de pacientes es aconsejable realizar una radiografía de columna y determinar los valores séricos de 25-OH-D, ya que van a determinar la actitud terapéutica (AU)

Background and objective: Vertebral fractures (VF) are a major risk factor for the development of furtherfractures. Therefore, it is important to identify clinical risk factors and laboratory abnormalities relatedto VF. We aimed to analyse clinical and biochemical alterations related to the presence of radiological VFin postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Patients and methods: Two-hundred and four postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (aged 64,9 [10]years) who were referred to an outpatient Rheumatology Unit were prospectively included. Bonemineral density (BMD), spine X-ray, and laboratory tests were performed in all participants beforet reatment. Results: Twenty-eight per cent of patients had VF. Comparing women with and without VF, those with fractures were older (71.9 [10] vs 61.8 [8,6], P < .001), had lower stature (152 [7.2] vs 155 [6.2], P = .01), lower total hip T-score values (-2.2 [0,9] vs -1.9 [0.8], P = .041), higher prevalence of non-VF (38 vs 30%,P = .04) and a higher prevalence of low serum 25(OH)D levels (69 vs 53%, P < .05). In logistic regression analysis, age and BMD at the total hip were independent predictors of VF. Patients over 65 presented ahigher frequency of VF (47 vs 12%, P < .0001). In addition, a T-score lower than -2,5 at the total hip was associated with an increased risk of VF (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.2-4.9).Conclusions: Over the age of 65 nearly half of the postmenopausal women with osteoporosis have VF and a higher prevalence of low 25(OH)D serum measurements. Spinal X-ray and 25(OH)D serum measurements are especially indicated in this group of women since it influences the therapeutic approach (AU)

[Identification of clinical features and laboratory abnormalities associated with the development of vertebral fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis]. / Identificación de las características clínicas y alteraciones analíticas asociadas a la fractura vertebral en mujeres con osteoporosis posmenopáusica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vertebral fractures (VF) are a major risk factor for the development of further fractures. Therefore, it is important to identify clinical risk factors and laboratory abnormalities related to VF. We aimed to analyse clinical and biochemical alterations related to the presence of radiological VF in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two-hundred and four postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (aged 64,9 [10] years) who were referred to an outpatient Rheumatology Unit were prospectively included. Bone mineral density (BMD), spine X-ray, and laboratory tests were performed in all participants before treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-eight per cent of patients had VF. Comparing women with and without VF, those with fractures were older (71.9 [10] vs 61.8 [8,6], P<.001), had lower stature (152 [7.2] vs 155 [6.2], P=.01), lower total hip T-score values (-2.2 [0,9] vs -1.9 [0.8], P=.041), higher prevalence of non-VF (38 vs 30%, P=.04) and a higher prevalence of low serum 25(OH)D levels (69 vs 53%, P<.05). In logistic regression analysis, age and BMD at the total hip were independent predictors of VF. Patients over 65 presented a higher frequency of VF (47 vs 12%, P<.0001). In addition, a T-score lower than -2,5 at the total hip was associated with an increased risk of VF (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.2-4.9). CONCLUSIONS: Over the age of 65 nearly half of the postmenopausal women with osteoporosis have VF and a higher prevalence of low 25(OH)D serum measurements. Spinal X-ray and 25(OH)D serum measurements are especially indicated in this group of women since it influences the therapeutic approach.

Clinical significance of high levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor-α receptor-2 produced by alternative splicing in rheumatoid arthritis: a longitudinal prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether serum levels of an alternatively spliced soluble (s)TNF receptor-2 (DS-TNFR2) affected the clinical response to anti-TNF-α therapy, classical DMARDs or radiological evidence of disease progression in patients with RA. METHODS: We included 116 patients with RA. Cohort 1: 52 DMARD-naïve early RA patients [mean (s.d.) disease duration 8.5 (6.2) months] who started gold salts and MTX therapies. Cohort 2: 64 MTX-resistant established RA patients [144 (107) months] who started infliximab therapy. We evaluated the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response to therapy and the serum levels of DS-TNFR2, sTNFR2 and ACPAs at baseline and at 12 months. In Cohort 1, radiological progression and levels of MMP-1 were also determined. RESULTS: In Cohort 1, 40% of patients had high baseline levels (HL > 50 ng/ml) of DS-TNFR2 with significantly higher RF and ACPA levels than patients with normal levels (NL ≤ 50 ng/ml) of DS-TNFR2. The EULAR response to DMARDs was similar in HL and NL patients. Radiographic progression was observed in 23.5% of all patients after 12 months. In Cohort 2, 26.6% of patients had HL of DS-TNFR2 with significantly higher RF and ACPA levels than patients with NLs. The EULAR response from 6 to 30 weeks was prolonged in the HL group compared with the NL group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with HL of DS-TNFR2 maintained a prolonged therapeutic response to anti-TNF-α therapy and had proportionally less radiographic progression compared with patients with NLs.

Search for hidden secondary causes in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of secondary processes in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP) is not well known. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of conditions contributing to bone loss in postmenopausal women with OP and to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the impact of these disorders on the severity of the disease. METHODS: A total of 204 postmenopausal women (mean +/- SD age, 64.9 +/- 10 y) with OP were prospectively included. None had an evident secondary cause of OP. Bone mineral density assessment, spine x-ray, and laboratory tests including parathormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), thyroid hormones, urinary N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), and 24-hour urinary calcium and cortisol were performed in all participants before treatment. RESULTS: As a group, 82% had low 25OHD levels (<30 ng/mL), 35% had increased PTH levels (>65 pg/mL), and 20% had hypercalciuria (>250 mg/24 h). In addition, 41% had increased NTx urinary levels (>65 nmol/mmol). PTH levels were related to age and were higher in women with femoral Z score less than -2.0 (80.3 pg/mL vs 57.7 pg/mL; P = 0.03). Participants with increased urinary NTx showed lower lumbar T and Z scores, whereas women with low 25OHD levels had lower femoral neck bone mineral density and T score values. In addition, participants with vertebral fractures had higher prevalence of 25OHD levels less than 20 ng/mL (69.2% vs 53.4%; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Secondary processes that contribute to low bone mass in postmenopausal women with OP are frequent, especially vitamin D insufficiency, increased PTH values, and hypercalciuria. In addition, increased bone resorption is frequently observed in this group of women. Most of these processes contributed to the severity of the disease.

[Etanercept in rheumatoid arthritis patients with a poor therapeutic response to infliximab]. / Etanercept en pacientes con artritis reumatoide y escasa respuesta terapéutica a infliximab.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Knowing the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists infliximab or etanercept in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), when one of these agents has failed, has important clinical implications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept in patients with RA, who had previously failed to infliximab. PATIENTS AND METHOD: All patients with RA of our center, who were previously treated with infliximab and then switched to etanercept for at least 6 months were included. Several clinical and biological parameters of inflammatory activity along with the disease activity index DAS-28 were assessed at baseline, after 6 weeks, at the last infusion of infliximab and after 0, 3 and 6 months on etanercept. EULAR criteria of response to therapy were used. RESULTS: Fourteen RA patients (13 females) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected. These patients had been treated with infliximab for a mean (SD) of 14.6 (8.3) months when this drug was stopped. Drug withdrawal owed to inefficacy in 12 patients and to adverse events in 2 patients. Most patients achieved a satisfactory clinical response within the first months of infliximab, with a subsequent loss of the therapeutic effects in spite of an increase in the infliximab dose or a reduction of the interval between infusions. In the group of 12 patients switched to etanercept because of infliximab inefficacy, a therapeutic response was achieved in 10 (83%) of them after 6 months of etanercept therapy. The DAS-28 score (SD) improved from 5.6 (1) to 4.3 (0.8) (p = 0.019). An even better therapeutic response to etanercept was observed in those patients with an initial poor response to infliximab. No serious adverse effects were recorded during etanercept treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Etanercept is an efficient and safe therapy in RA patients when infliximab treatment has failed.