Fluctuations of a membrane nanotube covered with an actin sleeve.

Many biological functions rely on the reshaping of cell membranes, in particular into nanotubes, which are covered in vivo by dynamic actin networks. Nanotubes are subject to thermal fluctuations, but the effect of these on cell functions is unknown. Here, we form nanotubes from liposomes using an optically trapped bead adhering to the liposome membrane. From the power spectral density of this bead, we study the nanotube fluctuations in the range of membrane tensions measured in vivo. We show that an actin sleeve covering the nanotube damps its high-frequency fluctuations because of the network viscoelasticity. Our work paves the way for further studies of the effect of nanotube fluctuations on cellular functions.

Actin modulates shape and mechanics of tubular membranes.

The actin cytoskeleton shapes cells and also organizes internal membranous compartments. In particular, it interacts with membranes for intracellular transport of material in mammalian cells, yeast, or plant cells. Tubular membrane intermediates, pulled along microtubule tracks, are formed during this process and destabilize into vesicles. While the role of actin in tubule destabilization through scission is suggested, literature also provides examples of actin-mediated stabilization of membranous structures. To directly address this apparent contradiction, we mimic the geometry of tubular intermediates with preformed membrane tubes. The growth of an actin sleeve at the tube surface is monitored spatiotemporally. Depending on network cohesiveness, actin is able to entirely stabilize or locally maintain membrane tubes under pulling. On a single tube, thicker portions correlate with the presence of actin. These structures relax over several minutes and may provide enough time and curvature geometries for other proteins to act on tube stability.

Fluctuations of a membrane nanotube revealed by high-resolution force measurements.

Pulling membrane nanotubes from liposomes presents a powerful method to gain access to membrane mechanics. Here we extend classical optical tweezers studies to infer membrane nanotube dynamics with high spatial and temporal resolution. We first validate our force measurement setup by accurately measuring the bending modulus of EPC membrane in tube pulling experiments. Then we record the position signal of a trapped bead when it is connected, or not, to a tube. We derive the fluctuation spectrum of these signals and find that the presence of a membrane nanotube induces higher fluctuations, especially at low frequencies (10-1000 Hz). We analyse these spectra by taking into account the peristaltic modes of nanotube fluctuations. This analysis provides a new experimental framework for a quantitative study of the fluctuations of nanotubular membrane structures that are present in living cells, and now classically used for in vitro biomimetic approaches.

How cellular membrane properties are affected by the actin cytoskeleton.

Lipid membranes define the boundaries of living cells and intracellular compartments. The dynamic remodelling of these membranes by the cytoskeleton, a very dynamic structure made of active biopolymers, is crucial in many biological processes such as motility or division. In this review, we present some aspects of cellular membranes and how they are affected by the presence of the actin cytoskeleton. We show that, in parallel with the direct study of membranes and cytoskeleton in vivo, biomimetic in vitro systems allow reconstitution of biological processes in a controlled environment. In particular, we show that liposomes, or giant unilamellar vesicles, encapsulating a reconstituted actin network polymerizing at their membrane are suitable models of living cells and can be used to decipher the relative contributions of membrane and actin on the mechanical properties of the cellular interface.

Cell-sized liposome doublets reveal active tension build-up driven by acto-myosin dynamics.

Cells modulate their shape to fulfill specific functions, mediated by the cell cortex, a thin actin shell bound to the plasma membrane. Myosin motor activity, together with actin dynamics, contributes to cortical tension. Here, we examine the individual contributions of actin polymerization and myosin activity to tension increase with a non-invasive method. Cell-sized liposome doublets are covered with either a stabilized actin cortex of preformed actin filaments, or a dynamic branched actin network polymerizing at the membrane. The addition of myosin II minifilaments in both cases triggers a change in doublet shape that is unambiguously related to a tension increase. Preformed actin filaments allow us to evaluate the effect of myosin alone while, with dynamic actin cortices, we examine the synergy of actin polymerization and myosin motors in driving shape changes. Our assay paves the way for a quantification of tension changes triggered by various actin-associated proteins in a cell-sized system.

A narrow window of cortical tension guides asymmetric spindle positioning in the mouse oocyte.

Cell mechanics control the outcome of cell division. In mitosis, external forces applied on a stiff cortex direct spindle orientation and morphogenesis. During oocyte meiosis on the contrary, spindle positioning depends on cortex softening. How changes in cortical organization induce cortex softening has not yet been addressed. Furthermore, the range of tension that allows spindle migration remains unknown. Here, using artificial manipulation of mouse oocyte cortex as well as theoretical modelling, we show that cortical tension has to be tightly regulated to allow off-center spindle positioning: a too low or too high cortical tension both lead to unsuccessful spindle migration. We demonstrate that the decrease in cortical tension required for spindle positioning is fine-tuned by a branched F-actin network that triggers the delocalization of myosin-II from the cortex, which sheds new light on the interplay between actin network architecture and cortex tension.

Telemedicina aplicada al ictus en las Islas Baleares: el proyecto Teleictus balear / The application of telemedicine for stroke in the Balearic Islands: the Balearic Telestroke projec

Introducción. Hay pruebas científicas inequívocas del beneficio clínico de las unidades de ictus y de la trombólisis en el ictus isquémico. Sin embargo, aún existen desigualdades en la cobertura y el tipo de tratamiento que reciben estos pacientes en función de su lugar de residencia y de la dotación tecnológica y organización de los hospitales de un determinado sistema de salud. La telemedicina aplicada al ictus se plantea como herramienta efectiva para reducir esta desigualdad en el acceso y en los resultados de la atención médica. Desarrollo. En este trabajo se revisan los requerimientos asociados con la implantación de un sistema de teleictus, su desarrollo en el Servei de Salut de les Illes Balears y las principales experiencias publicadas hasta la fecha. Además, se avanza parte de la información obtenida en una evaluación formal a punto de finalizar de su efectividad y seguridad respecto a las de la trombólisis convencional en las Illes Balears. Conclusiones. La implantación de un sistema de telemedicina aplicado al ictus es factible y permite ampliar la cobertura del tratamiento especializado. En el Servei de Salut de les Illes Balears se ha logrado mejorar notablemente el acceso a la trombólisis del ictus mediante el proyecto Teleictus balear. Su efectividad y seguridad parecen ser muy similares a las del tratamiento convencional (AU)

Introduction. Currently, clinical benefits of stroke units and thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke are evidence-based. However, inequities in coverage and in treatment provided to these patients still persist due to geographical differences in residence, technological capacity and organization among health care systems. Telestroke is considered to be an effective tool for reducing inequities in coverage and health outcomes of stroke patients. Development. This paper reviews the requirements of implementation of telestroke units, their deployment in the Health Service of the Balearic Islands, and the main experiences reported so far. Further, preliminary results of an ongoing formal assessment of effectiveness and safety of telestroke relative to conventional stroke treatment are advanced. Conclusions. Implementation of a telestroke system is feasible and allows increasing specialized treatment coverage. The Health Service of the Balearic Islands is fulfilling its goal of improving thrombolysis coverage by means of telestroke. Its effectiveness and safety appear to be similar to those of conventional treatment (AU)

Influence of nomenclature in the interpretation of lumbar disk contour on MR imaging: a comparison of the agreement using the combined task force and the nordic nomenclatures.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The CTF nomenclature had not been tested in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability and diagnostic confidence in the interpretation of disk contours on lumbar 1.5T MR imaging when using the CTF and the Nordic nomenclatures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five general radiologists from 3 hospitals blindly and independently assessed intravertebral herniations (Schmorl node) and disk contours on the lumbar MR imaging of 53 patients with low back pain, on 4 occasions. Measures were taken to minimize the risk of recall bias. The Nordic nomenclature was used for the first 2 assessments, and the CTF nomenclature, in the remaining 2. Radiologists had not previously used either of the 2 nomenclatures. κ statistics were calculated separately for reports deriving from each nomenclature and were categorized as almost perfect (0.81-1.00), substantial (0.61-0.80), moderate (0.41-0.60), fair (0.21-0.40), slight (0.00-0.20), and poor (<0.00). RESULTS: Categorization of intra- and interobserver agreement was the same across nomenclatures. Intraobserver reliability was substantial for intravertebral herniations and disk contour abnormalities. Interobserver reliability was moderate for intravertebral herniations and fair to moderate for disk contour. CONCLUSIONS: In conditions close to clinical practice, regardless of the specific nomenclature used, a standardized nomenclature supports only moderate interobserver agreement. The Nordic nomenclature increases self-confidence in an individual observer's report but is less clear regarding the classification of disks as normal versus bulged.

Respiratory tract infections after cardiac surgery: impact on hospital morbidity and mortality.

AIM: Nosocomial pneumonia (NP) and tracheobronchitis after cardiac surgery are associated with worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with NP and tracheobronchitis after cardiac surgery and to determine the impact of these infections on hospital morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We evaluated 1600 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery under standard cardiopulmonary bypass. Data were collected prospectively. All NP and tracheobronchitis episodes were confirmed by a semiquantitative culture of endotracheal aspirate. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify risk factors for respiratory tract infection and mortality. RESULTS: The rate of NP was 1.2% (15.6 episodes per 1000 days of mechanical ventilation) and that of tracheobronchitis was 1.6% (21 episodes per 1000 days of mechanical ventilation). Significant independent risk factors for respiratory tract infection (pneumonia or tracheobronchitis) were: left ventricular ejection fraction < 30% (P = 0.001), chronic renal failure (P < 0.0001) and urgent surgery (P < 0.0001). Patients with NP had significantly higher mortality (42% versus 0.9%, P < 0.0001) than patients without respiratory tract infection. The median hospital length of stay was significantly longer in patients with pneumonia (42 days) and tracheobronchitis (28 days) than in patients without any respiratory tract infection (11 days, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: NP after cardiac surgery is associated with severe outcomes. Independent risk markers for respiratory tract infection were left ventricular ejection fraction < 30%, chronic renal failure and urgent surgery.

Adrenalectomía y cirugía mayor ambulatoria. ¿Es posible? / No disponible

Objetivo: El propósito de nuestro estudio fue determinar la factibilidad y seguridad de un programa de adrenalectomía laparoscópica (AL) en régimen ambulatorio (CMA) en el Hospital General de Ciudad Real (HGCR).Material y método: Realizamos una revisión retrospectiva de las adrenalectomías realizadas en el HGCR desde enero de 2006a junio de 2008. La morbilidad y las características de las mas asadrenales extirpadas fueron evaluadas, al igual que la estancia hospitalaria y las complicaciones postoperatorias para ver si podrían haber sido incluidos en un programa de CMA según estrictoscriterios de selección. Resultados: Se realizaron 16 adrenalectomías durante esteperiodo; 12 por vía laparoscópica. Aplicando los criterios de Gill para cirugía ambulatoria, el grupo de candidatos consistiría en 6 pacientes que presentaban las siguientes características: la edad media fue de 51,67 años (44-65), 3 eran funcionantes y 3 incidentalomas. El ratio izquierdas/derechas fue 2:1. El tamaño tumoral medio fue de 3,75 cm (1-5 cm). En todos los casos se practicó AL transperitoneal lateral con tiempo operatorio medio de 83 minutos(30-150 minutos). No se registraron complicaciones postoperatorias. La estancia media fue de 2,83 días (2-3 días), con requerimientos de analgesia oral habitual durante 1-3 días. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados muestran que aplicando estrictos criterios de selección, es seguro y factible iniciar un programa ambulatorio de adrenalectomías por cirujanos expertos en técnicas laparoscópicas avanzadas, con alta satisfacción y nula morbilidad. Aún se necesitan estudios controlados que propicien criterios adecuados para unos resultados óptimos (AU)

Objective: The purpose of our study was to determine the feasibility and safety of a program for laparoscopic adrenalectomy(LA), on an ambulatory basis, at the General Hospital of Ciudad Real (HGCR).Material and method: A retrospective study was undertaken from January 2006 to June 2008. Co-morbidity and characteristics of the adrenal masses to be excised were assessed, as well as hospital length of stay and postoperative complications, to see whether they could have been included in an outpatient program according to strict selection criteria. Results: During the study period 16 adrenalectomies were performed at our institution; 12 of them by laparoscopy. Applying Gill’s criteria for outpatient surgery, the group of candidates consisted of 6 patients who met the following characteristics: mean age was 51.67 years (44-65), 3 tumours were functioning and the other 3 incidental findings. The ratio left/right was 2:1.The mean tumour size was 3.75 cm (1-5 cm). All cases underwent a lateral transperitoneal LA approach, the mean operative time was 83 minutes (30-150). No postoperative complications occurred.The average length of stay was 2.83 days (2-3), with regularoral analgesia requirements for 1-3 days.Conclusion: Our results show that, by applying strict selectioncriteria, it would be safe and feasible to under go an ambulatory program of adrenalectomy by experienced surgeons in advanced laparoscopic techniques, achieving high patients’ satisfaction and no morbidity. Controlled studies are still required to provide appropriate criteria for optimal results (AU)

[Preoperative anemia in coronary surgery: a risk factor?]. / Anemia preoperatoria en la cirugía coronaria: ¿un factor de riesgo?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Preoperative anemia as a risk factor of adverse outcomes after coronary surgery has not been well-established. This study has aimed to analyze the association between preoperative anemia and postoperative adverse events and in-hospital mortality in the patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery in the Son Dureta hospital. METHODS: All the patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery with extracorporeal circulation from November 2002 to June 2007 were included. Preoperative anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb)<13g/dL in men and Hb<12g/dL in women. The association between postoperative cardiac and noncardiac adverse events and the presence or absence of preoperative anemia and concomitant surgical risk, assessed by logistic EuroScore, were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 623 patients were included. The rate of preoperative anemia was 34.5%. Patients with Euroscore > or =4 had higher incidence of preoperative anemia than patients with Euroscore<4 (41% vs. 27%; p=0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in the rate of postoperative adverse events related to the presence or absence of preoperative anemia. Median ICU and hospital length of stay were longer in patients with preoperative anemia than in patients without preoperative anemia (ICU: 3.2+/-2.5 days vs. 3.7+/-2.8, p=0.004; in-hospital: 17.5+/-11.3 days vs. 14.7+/-10.2, p=0.001). Hospital mortality rate was 0.8% (95% CI 0.3-1.9). There were no differences in the mortality rate of the patients with and without preoperative anemia (0.9% vs 0.7%, p=0.8). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, preoperative anemia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery was not associated with increased hospital morbidity-mortality. However, ICU and hospital length of stay were longer in patients with preoperative anemia. The limitation of the sample size prevents us from confirming whether preoperative anemia is a risk factor after coronary surgery or not.

Anemia preoperatoria en la cirugia coronaria: un factor de riesgo? / Preoperative anemia in coronary surgery: A risk factor?

Objetivo: El papel de la anemia preoperatoria como factor de riesgo en la cirugía coronaria no está bien establecido. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la asociación de la anemia preoperatoria con las complicaciones postoperatorias y la mortalidad hospitalaria en los enfermos operados de cirugía coronaria aislada en el Hospital de Son Dureta. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron en este estudio todos los pacientes operados de cirugía coronaria aislada con circulación extracorpórea desde noviembre de 2002 hasta junio de 2007. La anemia preoperatoria se definió según los criterios de la OMS como una hemoglobina inferior a 13g/dl en los hombres e inferior a 12g/dl en las mujeres. Los efectos adversos postoperatorios cardíacos y no cardíacos se analizaron en función de la presencia o ausencia de la anemia preoperatoria y de la estratificación del riesgo quirúrgico, sobre la base del valor del EuroSCORE logístico. Resultados: Se incluyeron 623 pacientes. La incidencia de anemia preoperatoria fue del 34,5%. Esta incidencia fue mayor en pacientes con EuroSCORE de 4 o más que con EuroSCORE inferior a 4 (el 41 y el 27%; p=0,0001). No hubo diferencias significativas entre la incidencia de complicaciones postoperatorias de los pacientes con anemia y sin anemia. La estancia media en la UCI y hospitalaria fue más larga en los pacientes con anemia preoperatoria que en los pacientes sin ella (UCI: 3,2±2,5 días y 3,7±2,8; p=0,004; hospitalaria: 17,5±11,3 días y 14,7±10,2; p=0,001). La mortalidad hospitalaria fue del 0,8% (intervalo de confianza del 95%: 0,3-1,9). No hubo diferencias en la mortalidad de los pacientes con anemia preoperatoria y sin anemia preoperatoria (el 0,9 y el 0,7%; p=0,8). Conclusiones: En este estudio, la anemia preoperatoria en los pacientes operados de cirugía coronaria aislada no se asoció con una mayor morbimortalidad hospitalaria, aunque la estancia hospitalaria fue más larga. La limitación del tamaño de la muestra impide confirmar que la anemia preoperatoria sea o no un factor de riesgo en la cirugía coronaria (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Preoperative anemia as a risk factor of adverse outcomes after coronary surgery has not been well-established. This study has aimed to analyze the association between preoperative anemia and postoperative adverse events and inhospital mortality in the patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery in the Son Dureta hospital. Methods: All the patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery with extracorporeal circulation from November 2002 to June 2007 were included. Preoperative anemia was defined as hemoglobin (Hb)<13g/dL in men and Hb<12g/dL in women. The association between postoperative cardiac and noncardiac adverse events and the presence or absence of preoperative anemia and concomitant surgical risk, assessed by logistic EuroScore, were analyzed. Results: A total of 623 patients were included. The rate of preoperative anemia was 34.5%. Patients with Euroscore >4 had higher incidence of preoperative anemia than patients with Euroscore<4 (41% vs. 27%; p=0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in the rate of postoperative adverse events related to the presence or absence of preoperative anemia. Median ICU and hospital length of stay were longer in patients with preoperative anemia than in patients without preoperative anemia (ICU: 3.2±2.5 days vs. 3.7±2.8, p=0.004; inhospital: 17.5±11.3 days vs. 14.7±10.2, p=0.001). Hospital mortality rate was 0.8% (95% CI 0.3-1.9). There were no differences in the mortality rate of the patients with and without preoperative anemia (0.9% vs 0.7%, p=0.8). Conclusions: In this study, preoperative anemia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery was not associated with increased hospital morbidity-mortality. However, ICU and hospital length of stay were longer in patients with preoperative anemia. The limitation of the sample size prevents us from confirming whether preoperative anemia is a risk factor after coronary surgery or not (AU)

Agreement in the interpretation of magnetic resonance images of the lumbar spine.

BACKGROUND: Correlation between clinical features and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings is essential in low-back-pain patients. Most previous studies have analyzed concordance in the interpretation of lumbar MRI among a few radiologists who worked together. This may have overestimated concordance. PURPOSE: To evaluate intra- and interobserver agreement in the interpretation of lumbar MRI performed in an open 0.2 T system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven radiologists from two different geographic settings in Spain interpreted the lumbar MRIs of 50 subjects representative of the general Danish population aged 40 years. The radiologists interpreted the images in routine clinical practice, having no knowledge of the clinical and demographic characteristics of the subjects and blinded to their colleagues' assessments. Six of the radiologists evaluated the same MRIs 14 days later, having no knowledge of the previous results. Data on the existence of disc degeneration, high-intensity zones, disc contour, Schmorl nodes, Modic changes, osteophytes, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis were collected in the Nordic Modic Consensus Group Classification form. Intra- and interobserver agreement was analyzed for variables with a prevalence >or=10% and

Breakfast, plasma glucose and Beta-hydroxybutyrate, body mass index and academic performance in children from Extremadura, Spain / Desayuno, glucosa y b-hidroxibutirato plasmaticos, índice de masa corporal y rendimiento académico en niños de Extremadura, España

Objectives: Nutritional aspects of breakfast, plasma levels of glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate, body mass index and academic performance have been studied in urban and rural children (Extremadura, Spain). Methods: Representative samples of schoolchildren (3 to 12 years old, random cluster-sampling in schools). Results: Children’s mean caloric intake with breakfast was 331 kcal. Rural population ingested more carbohydrates (46,9 ± 12,3% versus 43,3 ± 13,2% of the total caloric intake) and fewer lipids (40,5 ± 11,8% versus 43,9 ± 12,8% of the total caloric intake) than the urban population. Academic performance was significantly better in the children inhabiting the rural zone than in those of the urban zone. The glycaemia was higher in the urban than in the rural children, and that the contrary was the case for the β-hydroxybutyrate values. Neither glucose nor β-hydroxybutyrate levels were correlated with academic performance values. BMI was significantly increased in the urban versus rural children. Conclusion: The present results emphasize the importance of breakfast and life style in the weight and the academic performance of children

Objetivos: En poblaciones rurales y urbanas de niños de Extremadura, España, se han estudiado aspectos nutricionales del desayuno, los niveles plasmáticos de glucosa y de β-hydroxibutirato, el índice de masa corporal y el rendimiento académico. Métodos: Se tomaron muestras representativas de los niños (3 a 12 años de edad) aleatoriamente en las diferentes clases de los colegios seleccionados. Resultados: La ingesta media de calorías en el desayuno fue de 331 kcal. La población rural ingería más carbohidratos (46.9 ± 12.3% versus 43.3 ± 13.2% del total de energía ingerida) y menos lípidos (40.5 ± 11.8% versus 43.9 ± 12.8% del total de energía ingerida) que la población urbana. El rendimiento académico fue significativamente mejor en los niños rurales que en los urbanos. La glucemia era mayor en los niños urbanos que en los rurales, y lo contrario sucedía con los valores de cetonemia. El IMC estaba aumentado significativamente en niños urbanos con respecto a los valores en niños rurales. En conclusión los resultados presentados enfatizan la importancia del desayuno y del estilo de vida en el peso y en el rendimiento académico de los niños

Breakfast, plasma glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate, body mass index and academic performance in children from Extremadura, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Nutritional aspects of breakfast, plasma levels of glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate, body mass index and academic performance have been studied in urban and rural children (Extremadura, Spain). METHODS: Representative samples of schoolchildren (3 to 12 years old, random cluster-sampling in schools). RESULTS: Children's mean caloric intake with breakfast was 331 kcal. Rural population ingested more carbohydrates (46,9 +/- 12,3% versus 43,3 +/- 13,2% of the total caloric intake) and fewer lipids (40,5 +/- 11,8% versus 43,9 +/- 12,8% of the total caloric intake) than the urban population. Academic performance was significantly better in the children inhabiting the rural zone than in those of the urban zone. The glycaemia was higher in the urban than in the rural children, and that the contrary was the case for the beta-hydroxybutyrate values. Neither glucose nor beta-hydroxybutyrate levels were correlated with academic performance values. BMI was significantly increased in the urban versus rural children. CONCLUSION: The present results emphasize the importance of breakfast and life style in the weight and the academic performance of children.

Primidone is associated with interictal depression in patients with epilepsy.

Depressive symptoms are common in epilepsy. To determine associations between depression and demographic, clinical, and pharmacological factors among epileptic patients, we conducted a cross-sectional survey. We evaluated 241 epileptic outpatients at a neurological center in a 6-month period. Depressive syndrome was diagnosed when both the Montgomery-Asberg Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory were rated above the standard cutoff points. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the differences between depressed and nondepressed patients with respect to demographic, clinical, and pharmacological features. Depressive syndrome was diagnosed in 42.7% of patients (n=103). Factors associated in the bivariate analysis were: cryptogenic etiology, posttraumatic epilepsy, use of primidone, and inadequate seizure control. After logistic regression, inadequate seizure control (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.40-6.77, P=0.005) and use of primidone (OR 4.08, 95% CI 2.09-7.98; P<0.001) remained significantly associated. Depression was common and associated with inadequate seizure control and use of primidone.

Lack of association of apolipoprotein E polymorphism in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) could be considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, from several lines of evidence. One of the most widely studied genes in these disorders is the apolipoprotein E gene, particularly allele 4. We analyzed for association among patients with OCD versus normal controls and cognitively impaired patients. There were no significant differences between OCD probands compared with population controls. However, the cognitively impaired group showed a higher frequency of allele apolipoprotein E gene compared with normal controls and patients with OCD.

[Calcium intake among school children in Badajoz]. / Ingesta de calcio en escolares de Badajoz.

BACKGROUND: The intake of calcium has been studied in the diet of adolescents from a school in Badajoz (Spain) determining their BMI and their living habits (sport, consumption of tobacco and alcohol). METHODOLOGY: By means of an aleatory sampling, a sample n was selected = 207 (49.76% males and 50.24 females) with an average age of 14.14 +/- 2.08 years. They were weighed and measured to calculate their BMI. A questionnaire was carried out on consumption of products rich in calcium: milk and dairy produce, vegetables, fruit, chied fruits. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of Student t and ANOVA. RESULTS: The results was BMI < 25 (thin or standard) in 86.47%; BMI 25-30 (overweight) in 10.63% and BMI > 30 (overweight) 2.9%. The consumption of daily calcium was of 1304 +/- 702 g/ppd, higher (p < 0.001) in boys (10.45 +/- 5.51) than in girls (7.82 +/- 3.84). There is not correlation between BMI and calcium consumption. The boys observe the NIH recommendations. But girls usually don't. Milk products provide 87% of the consumed calcium. The boys who practice some sports consume 9.88 +/- 5.23 g/pps, the other ones 7.09 +/- 2.95 g/pps. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The weekly intake of calcium by surveyed students is 9.13 g/pps, smaller in girls than in boys. 2. Milk products provide 87% of the consumed calcium. 3. A 10.63% of them is overweight and a 2.9% is very overweight. 4. A 10.63% usually smokes and a 20.29% consumes alcohol. 5. A 26.27% doesn't practice any sports and consumes less calcium (p < 0.001) than the recommended quantity.