Columnar and surface aerosol load over the Iberian Peninsula establishing annual cycles, trends, and relationships in five geographical sectors.

The study of atmospheric aerosol load over the Iberian Peninsula (IP) under a climatological perspective is accomplished by means of PM10 and AOD440 nm measurements from EMEP and AERONET networks, respectively, in the period 2000-2013. The PM10 annual cycles in five Iberian sectors show a main maximum in summer and a secondary maximum in spring, which is only observed in the southern area for the AOD climatology. The characteristics of PM10-AOD annual cycles of each geographical sector are explained by the different climatology of the air mass origins and their apportioning. The two magnitudes are correlated with a factor ranging between 20 and 90 depending on the sector. The temporal evolution of the aerosol load has shown a notable decrease in the IP since the 1980s. Statistically significant trends are obtained in the Northeastern sector with a reduction of 26% (period 1985-2000) for the total suspended particles, which continues for the PM10 data with a value of 35% per decade (2001-2013), and also in the whole column, 61% per decade in the AOD440 nm (2004-2013).

[Intra-articular myxofibrosarcoma of the hip in a 10-year-old child]. / Myxofibrosarcome intra-articulaire de la hanche chez un enfant de 10 ans.

We report a case of intra-articular myxofibrosarcoma with acetabular involvement observed in a 10-Year-old boy. Myxofibrosarcoma is a frequent soft tIssue sarcoma usually observed in elderly subjects. It is extremely rare in children and has not been reported previously before the age of 22 Years. Myxofibrosarcoma is a specific type of soft tIssue tumor. Discussion continues concerning its relation with the myxoid variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The myxoid matrix harbors fibroblastic cells with a curvilinear vessel configuration. Prognosis is good after complete resection and careful surveillance. Local recurrence may occur generally with progression of the tumor stage and risk of later metastasis. This is the first report of an intra-articular localization. We discuss the therapeutic options.

[Subacute osteomyelitis of the acetabulum]. / Ostéomyélite subaiguë de l'acétabulum.

A 15-months-old girl presented an excentration of the hip associated with a defect image of the acetabulum. Arthrography revealed a communication between the hip joint and the acetabular defect. Bacteriological specimens of the articular fluid were negative. The radiographic images were compatible with subacute osteomyelitis. Relative immobilization using an Atlanta abduction devise was undertaken. No medical treatment was prescribed for this adolescent who had received antibiotics for polymicrobial urinary tract infections and for pharyngitis prior to detection of the orthopedic disorder. Outcome was satisfactory with progressive filling of the acetabular defect but also with development of a subluxating coxa valga which required varus osteotomy of the femur. This case appears to illustrate a particular form of subacute osteomyelitis which is not described in earlier classifications.

The posterior sacral foramina: an anatomical study.

The vascular and nervous structures and their relations with the spinal nerve roots were examined in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th posterior sacral foramina in relation to percutaneous needle insertion for neuromodulation. A foraminal branch provided by the lateral sacral artery to each foramen entered the inferior lateral quadrant of each foramen, adjacent to the nerve root medially. Facing the posterior sacral aperture and around the sacral nerves, there was no venous plexus. A venous plexus was sometimes present near the median line, and always around the proximal part of the spinal ganglion. The sacral nerve roots, especially the 3rd, had a long extradural course in the foramen, presenting a potential risk of nerve lesions during procedures involving needle insertion.

[Intramuscular myxoma. A case of myxoma of the spinal erector muscle]. / Myxome musculaire. Une observation de myxome des muscles érecteurs du rachis.

A case of intramuscular myxoma, extended in the lumbar erector spinae muscles, is reported. This soft tissue tumor is rare, about one hundred observations are indexed in the literature. The clinical findings are nonspecific, magnetic resonance imaging reveals few characteristics, and finally a histological examination is required, after surgical removal, to pinpoint the diagnosis. Recurrence is uncommon, but a systematic follow-up is necessary.

[Oculomotor paralysis and head trauma]. / Paralysies oculomotrices et traumatismes crâniens.

Few studies have dealt with post-trauma ocular motor palsy. We analyzed 31 personal cases and reviewed the literature, focusing on pathogenesis. We emphasize the importance of a complete radiological examination including magnetic resonance imaging when the CT-scan does not provide a satisfactory correlation between anatomic findings and clinical presentation. Systematic detection, early management and regular follow-up is mandatory.

Morphologic and histologic study of the ligamentum flavum in the thoraco-lumbar region.

The ligamentum flavum, of which there are only a few studies in the literature, has several features discussed in this work. On the macroscopic level, it has a metameric arrangement: it has two layers, superficial and deep, whose fibers are opposite, and it has close relations with the tendons of attachment of some spinal erector muscles. On the microscopic level, its structure is unique for a ligament, because of a predominance of elastic fibers, because of its intrinsic innervation at each level of the spine, and because this innervation grows poorer with increasing degeneration. The ligamentum flavum constitutes an active ligament, with an essential biomechanical role. Its injury is probably not without consequences, and therefore there are many technical problems about the surgical interlaminar approach.

[Prevalence of susceptibility to quinolones and other antibiotics in microorganisms isolated from community bacteriuria in Madrid in 1995. Study Group of Infections in Primary Care]. / Prevalencia de susceptibilidad a quinolonas y otros antibióticos en microorganismos aislados de bacteriurias extrahospitalarias de Madrid en 1995. Grupo de Estudio de Infección en Atención Primaria.

BACKGROUND: For the empiric therapy of urinary tract infections (UTI) in the extra-hospital setting the susceptibility patterns of potential pathogens, among some other factors, should be considered. Thus, the evolution in susceptibility, mainly influenced by the previous consume of antibiotic, can be observed when comparing with susceptibility patterns in the previous years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All isolates obtained from patients with bacteriuria from 4 Health Areas in Madrid for a 3-week period were collected. The susceptibility to 4 quinolones and other 9 antibiotics was determined by the agar dilution method. The chi square test was used to compare the results obtained with Escherrichia coli isolates with those obtained with the same method in 1992. RESULTS: A total of 945 isolates were recovered. E. coli accounted for 71.4% of isolates; other gram-negative bacilli for 20.2% and gram-positive cocci for 8.4%. The percentages of E. coli isolates susceptible to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin, phosphomycin, cefuroxime, and cefuroxime-axetil were 40.5, 74.7, 91.6, 97.8, 98.1 and 75.9, respectively. Isolates with cefotaxime MIC higher than 0.5 mg/l were not detected. Significant differences were observed (p < 0.01) for susceptibilities recorded in 1992 and 1995 for amoxycillin/clavulanic acid, cefazolin, and the four quinolones. The antibiotics with the best in vitro activity against the remaining gram-negative bacilli were norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin (98% of susceptible isolates), gentamicin (97%) and cefotaxime (95%). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in susceptibility results for E. coli between 1992 and 1995 have been observed. By 1995, there are commercially available antibiotics with good in vitro activity against pathogens with the potential of causing extra-hospital UTI in our setting.