Mesozooplankton assemblage in the gulf of cádiz estuaries: Taxonomic and trait-based approaches.

In this study, two different approaches based on taxonomic assemblages and on copepod functional groups were used to investigate the mesozooplankton assemblage structure and its relationship with environmental variables in the main estuaries of the Gulf of Cádiz (Guadalquivir, Guadiana and Tinto-Odiel) during the dry-warm season. In general, the mesozooplankton assemblages were dominated by copepods, especially the calanoid Acartia tonsa, which reached its highest abundance in the inner zones while the adjacent coastal zones were characterized by a mixture of copepods and cladocerans, especially Penilia avirostris. Regarding the trait-based approach, three copepod functional groups were identified, principally sorted by their feeding strategy. Group 1 (composed of omnivorous copepods displaying a mixed feeding strategy and broadcast-spawners) was found mainly in the inner areas, while Groups 2 (omnivorous cyclopoids, sac-spawners that feed via active ambush) and 3 (herbivores-omnivores employing a filter feeding strategy and mostly broadcast-spawners) were predominant in the adjacent coastal zones. The relative abundance of copepod functional groups suggested that Group 1 could be considered the most important contributor to secondary production in the estuarine systems of the Gulf of Cádiz. In relation to environmental factors, salinity was the most influential variable on mesozooplankton assemblages in both approaches. Our results suggest that the studied estuaries, although taxonomically different, have mesozooplankton assemblages that perform similar ecological functions. Both methods provide valuable and complementary information about mesozooplankton assemblage dynamics in the main estuaries of the Gulf of Cádiz.

Epidemiología y clínica de las metástasis vertebrales / Epidemiology and clinic of vertebral metastasis

El cáncer es en España la segunda causa de muerte en mujeres (22%) y la primera en varones (31%). En este capítulo describimos los tipos más frecuentes de metástasis raquídeas, sus localizaciones más habituales dentro de la columna vertebral, así como su comportamiento clínico. Analizamos también los cuadros neurológicos más comúnmente asociados a las metástasis de columna: compresión radicular, compresión medular, cauda equina y afectación medular.(AU)

Cancer is in Spain the second cause of death in women (22%) and the first in men (31%). In this chapter we describe the most frequent types of spinal metastases, their most frequent locations within the spine, as well as their clinical behavior. We also analyze the neurological conditions most frequently associated with spinal metastases: root compression, spinal cord compression, cauda equina, and spinal cord involvement.(AU)

[Translated article] Epidemiology and clinic of vertebral metastasis / Epidemiología y clínica de las metástasis vertebrales

El cáncer es en España la segunda causa de muerte en mujeres (22%) y la primera en varones (31%). En este capítulo describimos los tipos más frecuentes de metástasis raquídeas, sus localizaciones más habituales dentro de la columna vertebral, así como su comportamiento clínico. Analizamos también los cuadros neurológicos más comúnmente asociados a las metástasis de columna: compresión radicular, compresión medular, cauda equina y afectación medular.(AU)

Cancer is in Spain the second cause of death in women (22%) and the first in men (31%). In this chapter we describe the most frequent types of spinal metastases, their most frequent locations within the spine, as well as their clinical behavior. We also analyze the neurological conditions most frequently associated with spinal metastases: root compression, spinal cord compression, cauda equina, and spinal cord involvement.(AU)

[Translated article] Epidemiology and clinic of vertebral metastasis.

Cancer is in Spain the second cause of death in women (22%) and the first in men (31%). In this chapter, we describe the most frequent types of spinal metastases, their most frequent locations within the spine, as well as their clinical behaviour. We also analyse the neurological conditions most frequently associated with spinal metastases: root compression, spinal cord compression, cauda equina, and spinal cord involvement.

Epidemiology and clinic of vertebral metastasis. / Epidemiología y clínica de las metástasis vertebrales.

Cancer is in Spain the second cause of death in women (22%) and the first in men (31%). In this chapter we describe the most frequent types of spinal metastases, their most frequent locations within the spine, as well as their clinical behavior. We also analyze the neurological conditions most frequently associated with spinal metastases: root compression, spinal cord compression, cauda equina, and spinal cord involvement.

Sport fishing and vessel pressure on the endangered cetacean Delphinus delphis. Towards an international agreement of micro-sanctuary for its conservation.

Delphinus delphis Linnaeus 1758 is considered an endangered species in the Mediterranean. The species is resident in the Bay of Algeciras - Gibraltar (southern Spain; waters partially shared with Gibraltar, UK). This area is subject to strong anthropogenic pressure, but with an input of renewed waters in its central area. During three consecutive years (March 2017-March 2020), sightings were observed concentrated along the submarine canyon that runs north to south across the bay, forming a "specular S″ with a maximum depth of 460 m. The pods of Dd showed a continuous or semi-continuous spatial distribution along the vertical axis of the submarine canyon, where they feed, mate, breed and rear calves in a well-defined area that constitutes a critical habitat. This area has been cartographically delimited, choosing the area of maximum dolphin frequency as highly vulnerable due to the possibility of collisions with small vessels (<15 m) and interactions with sport fishing activities (popping, ballooning, trolling) which constitute the main threat counting the derived impacts from noise pollution. Spatio-temporal mapping has been developed to visualize the overlapping between the dolphin groups and small vessels. Mapping analysis has shown that an international Spanish-British micro-sanctuary urgently needs to be established in order to create a protected area specifically for the common dolphins, and for other species which inhabit/use the waters between Spain and Gibraltar. Coordinates and a delimited surface area have been proposed in this paper.

Effects of maintenance dredging on the macrofauna of the water column in a turbid estuary.

Many human activities in or near aquatic habitats generate alterations in their environmental conditions, which could affect the organisms that inhabit them. Maintenance dredging of navigation channels in order to allow large ships access to inland ports is one such source of disturbance. In this study, by taking multiple approaches (immediate-, short- and medium term), we analysed the effects of a maintenance dredging operation on physiochemical variables and the early life stages of fish and other macrofauna groups present in two zones of the Guadalquivir estuary with different salinity ranges (poly- and mesohaline). Most physiochemical variables were homogenized in the water column immediately after the water mass passed by the dredger, including sediment resuspension. However, this process seemed to be transient as no significant increments in the depth-averaged levels of turbidity were observed in the short- and medium-terms. Instead, metal concentrations of Cr, Fe and Zn increased in the polyhaline station. Even so, these perturbations did not appear to be severe enough to influence the macrofauna. Still, organisms can suffer direct mechanical impacts of the trailer suction. Hyperbenthic species, like Pomatoshcistus spp. or decapods, tended to decrease slightly, while pelagic species such as Engraulis encrasicolus or mysids did not, indicating that benthic organisms are usually more susceptible to high entrainment. Nonetheless, the possible effects of this disturbance were of the same order or less than those of natural ones; therefore, organisms of the macrofauna could be well adapted to cope with them.

Bloqueo del plano del erector espinal bilateral para cirugía de pectus excavatum en paciente pediátrico / Bilateral spinal erector plane block for pectus excavatum surgery in pediatric patient

El bloqueo del plano del erector espinal es una técnica de anestesia regional con resultados favorables en el manejo del dolor postoperatorio en pacientes pediátricos. Los reportes son escasos en Latinoamérica. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 5 años con diagnóstico de pectus excavatum sometido a técnica quirúrgica convencional (técnica de Ravitch). Se realiza el bloqueo del plano del erector espinal bilateral con guía ecográfica a nivel de la apófisis transversa de T5 obteniéndose una adecuada estabilidad hemodinámica intraoperatoria y analgesia postoperatoria.(AU)

The spinal erector plane block is a regional anesthesia technique with favorable results in the management of postoperative pain in pediatric patients. Reports are few in Latin America. We present the case of a 5-year-old patient with a diagnosis of Pectus Excavatum undergoing a conventional surgical technique (Ravitch technique). Bilateral erector spinae plane block is performed with ultrasound guidance at the level of the transverse process of T5, obtaining adequate intraoperative hemodynamic stability and postoperative analgesia.(AU)

An overall view of temperature oscillations in the solar chromosphere with ALMA.

By direct measurements of the gas temperature, the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) has yielded a new diagnostic tool to study the solar chromosphere. Here, we present an overview of the brightness-temperature fluctuations from several high-quality and high-temporal-resolution (i.e. 1 and 2 s cadence) time series of images obtained during the first 2 years of solar observations with ALMA, in Band 3 and Band 6, centred at around 3 mm (100 GHz) and 1.25 mm (239 GHz), respectively. The various datasets represent solar regions with different levels of magnetic flux. We perform fast Fourier and Lomb-Scargle transforms to measure both the spatial structuring of dominant frequencies and the average global frequency distributions of the oscillations (i.e. averaged over the entire field of view). We find that the observed frequencies significantly vary from one dataset to another, which is discussed in terms of the solar regions captured by the observations (i.e. linked to their underlying magnetic topology). While the presence of enhanced power within the frequency range 3-5 mHz is found for the most magnetically quiescent datasets, lower frequencies dominate when there is significant influence from strong underlying magnetic field concentrations (present inside and/or in the immediate vicinity of the observed field of view). We discuss here a number of reasons which could possibly contribute to the power suppression at around 5.5 mHz in the ALMA observations. However, it remains unclear how other chromospheric diagnostics (with an exception of Hα line-core intensity) are unaffected by similar effects, i.e. they show very pronounced 3-min oscillations dominating the dynamics of the chromosphere, whereas only a very small fraction of all the pixels in the 10 ALMA datasets analysed here show peak power near 5.5 mHz. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'High-resolution wave dynamics in the lower solar atmosphere'.

High-frequency oscillations in small chromospheric bright features observed with Atacama Large Millimetre/Submillimetre Array.

We report detection of oscillations in brightness temperature, size and horizontal velocity of three small bright features in the chromosphere of a plage/enhanced-network region. The observations, which were taken with high temporal resolution (i.e. 2 s cadence) with the Atacama large millimetre/ submillimetre array (ALMA) in Band 3 (centred at 3 mm; 100 GHz), exhibit three small-scale features with oscillatory behaviour with different, but overlapping, distributions of period on the order of, on average, 90 ± 22 s, 110 ± 12 s and 66 ± 23 s, respectively. We find anti-correlations between perturbations in brightness, temperature and size of the three features, which suggest the presence of fast sausage-mode waves in these small structures. In addition, the detection of transverse oscillations (although with a larger uncertainty) may also suggest the presence of Alfvénic oscillations which are likely representative of kink waves. This work demonstrates the diagnostic potential of high-cadence observations with ALMA for detecting high-frequency magnetohydrodynamic waves in the solar chromosphere. Such waves can potentially channel a vast amount of energy into the outer atmosphere of the Sun. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'High-resolution wave dynamics in the lower solar atmosphere'.

Environmental consequences of dredged-material disposal in a recurrent marine dumping area near to Guadalquivir estuary, Spain.

In this study we assessed the effects of the recurrent disposal of dredged material from the Guadalquivir estuary (south-western Spain) in a marine disposal area. We analysed shifts in sediment characteristics as well as bioaccumulation and biomagnification of heavy metals through the benthic food web. Results showed that the significant increase in concentration of some heavy metals observed in the marine disposal area after the latest disposal event could be attributed to the deposition of river-dredged sediments. This increase could also explain the decreased amphipod survival in the ecotoxicology analysis. Heavy metal concentrations in organisms indicated some bioaccumulation in deposit feeders and predators but with no clear patterns nor biomagnification through the food web. Hence, combining studies that monitor shifts in sediment characteristics and their possible consequences for the food web seems to be an interesting approach that should be assessed further in this type of studies.

Environmental factors affecting the nursery function for fish in the main estuaries of the Gulf of Cadiz (south-west Iberian Peninsula).

Hydrological, geomorphological, physicochemical and biological factors influence the nursery function of estuaries. Our study compared the environmental conditions and the assemblages of early life stages of fish in the main four estuaries of the Gulf of Cadiz (Cadiz Bay, Guadalquivir, Odiel-Tinto and Guadiana). Samples were taken within each estuary and on their adjacent coast, during the dry-warm seasons of 2016, 2017 and 2018. Results showed that rivers with smaller basins had a very low freshwater input and their estuaries, Odiel-Tinto and Cadiz Bay, were essentially sea extensions into the land, containing similar physicochemical conditions to nearshore zones, as well as similar assemblages and densities of early life stages of fish. Open water masses of these estuaries do not have important nursery functions. In contrast, inner zones of estuaries with bigger basins and higher freshwater discharges, Guadalquivir and Guadiana, have different environmental characteristics and a long transition zone with a well-defined salinity gradient. Their assemblages and densities of early life stages of fish were different between them and with other estuaries. The Guadalquivir estuary held the highest abundance of larval and early juvenile fish, as well as macrozooplankton biomass. The most abundant fish species in all zones of every estuary was the anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus; the Guadalquivir inner zone had the highest density. High concentration of suspended organic matter, provided by freshwater input and correlated with total suspended solid, suspended inorganic matter and turbidity, was the physicochemical characteristic more typical of the Guadalquivir. This characteristic, in addition to the salinity gradient, could explain the highest densities of macrozooplankton found in this estuary, and consequently, of early fish stages. Recurrent jellyfish blooms were observed in Cadiz Bay and the inner zone of Guadiana, affecting their nursery functions. Odiel-Tinto showed altered physicochemical and biological characteristics, which may need further specific research.

Human pressures on two estuaries of the Iberian Peninsula are reflected in food web structure.

As a result of the increased urban and agricultural development in coastal environments, estuaries are among the most modified and threatened aquatic ecosystems. This study used stable isotopes to examine the effects of human impacts by contrasting the food web structures of two Iberian estuaries exposed to different degrees of human pressure. More complex feeding pathways were found in the more altered estuary (Guadalquivir). Greater spread among species along the carbon axis suggests that the primary consumers exploit organic matter with various origins, whereas different nitrogen signals of the secondary consumers suggest that they feed on different suites of prey. In contrast, the similar isotopic signals of secondary consumers in the relatively little influenced estuary (Guadiana) suggests similarity in diet composition and feeding on the same organic matter sources. Understanding trophic interactions in estuaries is vital for defining proper management and conservation, and the preliminary data provided here are one step in this direction.

Maintenance dredging impacts on a highly stressed estuary (Guadalquivir estuary): A BACI approach through oligohaline and polyhaline habitats.

Understanding the effects of dredging in estuaries is a hard task due to the difficulty of implementing an adequate environmental diagnosis, as a consequence of the salinity gradient and anthropogenic disturbances. To assess the effects of maintenance dredging work on the Guadalquivir estuary (southwestern Spain), we used a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) approach to determine both direct and indirect effects in two salinity ranges. No effects were found on water and sediment physicochemical characteristics. The small impacts on dredged areas were followed by a rapid recovery of opportunistic species. The poor status of the benthos does not permit the detection of significant effects on macrofaunal community structure. The use of stable isotopes analysis to determine impacts on food web structure showed that changes over time seem to be explained by natural temporal variation rather than the dredging works. This paper emphasises the need to define proper management and conservation plans to improve the status of the benthic communities of the Guadalquivir estuary.

Impact of dredged-material disposal on soft-bottom communities in a recurrent marine dumping area near to Guadalquivir estuary, Spain.

This study assesses the effects of dredged material disposal in a recurrent marine dump near the Guadalquivir Estuary (south-western Spain). We compared the changes observed with two reference areas combining a classical ecological approach with new stable isotope techniques to analyse trophic structure. We detected permanent changes in the macrofaunal community structure as well as in the diversity and biotic indices applied, which showed higher values in the disposal area. The community in the marine dump had lost the natural temporal variations observed in the reference areas. These effects could be due to the last disposal event carried out in the summer of 2015 or to the recurrent disposals since 2010. Despite the structural changes shown by the benthic community, these impacts were not reflected in the food web structure of the marine dump. Our results confirm the high variability of disposal disturbances. Hence, we recommend performing studies in every disposal event, merging different functional and structural approaches.

BENFES, a new biotic index for assessing ecological status of soft-bottom communities. Towards a lower taxonomic complexity, greater reliability and less effort.

The new biotic index BENFES (Benthic Families Ecological Status Index) for assessing the ecological status of soft-bottom communities based on presence/absence at the taxonomic family level, is described. BENFES was primarily developed for the communities from the Guadalquivir estuary (South-western Spain), but the aim of the present work was to evaluate the reliability and validity of this index for its application in the Water Framework Directive (WFD), especially as a preliminary and rapid assessment method for monitoring the ecological status of transitional and coastal waters. BENFES was compared with five widely used indices (BOPA, BO2A, BENTIX; AMBI and M-AMBI) in several studies from Southwestern Spain. In addition, we have also established comparisons between these indices and the most commonly used Shannon-Wiener diversity. M-AMBI and BENFES showed the best agreement in ecological status assignation and were the most useful and discriminant between the studied areas. BENTIX was a good discriminant in coastal areas but was severe with the environmental condition from estuaries; BOPA/BO2A did not show clear trends in most of the zones; and AMBI tended to provide overestimations of the ecological status. In conclusion, BENFES shows several advantages such as lower taxonomic resolution, greater reliability and only requiring presence/absence. All this implies a huge possibility to perform a simplified monitoring routine for the control of the ecological quality of water bodies.

Factors associated with the incidence of serious adverse events in patients admitted with COPD acute exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is a common cause of hospitalization. Patient outcome and prognosis following AECOPD are variable. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with the incidence of serious adverse events (SAE), defined as need for ICU admission, noninvasive ventilation, death during hospitalization or early readmission, in those patients admitted with AECOPD. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of all patients admitted with AECOPD in the University Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela in 2007 and 2008. To identify variables independently associated with SAE incidence, we conducted a logistic regression including those variables which proved to be significant in the univariate analysis. RESULTS: 757 patients were assessed (mean age 74.8 years, SD 11.26), 77.2 % male, and 186 (24.6 %) of the patients assessed experienced an SAE. Factors associated with SAE in multivariate analysis were anticholinergic therapy (OR 3.19; CI 95 %: 1.16; 8.82), oxygen therapy at home (OR 3.72; CI 95 %: 1.62; 8.57), oxygen saturation at admission (OR 0.93; CI 95 %: 0.88; 0.99) and serum albumin (OR 0.26; CI 95 %: 0.1; 0.66). CONCLUSION: Oxygen therapy at home, anticholinergic therapy as baseline treatment, lower oxygen saturation at admission and lower serum albumin level seem to be associated with higher incidence of SAE in patients with AECOPD.

Vagus nerve stimulation therapy for treatment-resistant epilepsy: a 15-year experience at a single institution.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE) occurs in 20-30% of patients. The goal of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in this group of patients, including adult and pediatric populations and several off-label indications. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 59 consecutive patients in whom 60 VNS devices were implanted at a single institution during a 15-year period. Patients were evaluated in the Multidisciplinary Epilepsy Committee and complete presurgical workup was performed. The series included indications not approved by the FDA, such as children under 12 years of age, pregnancy and right-sided VNS. Performing the procedure on an out-patient basis was recently adopted, minimizing hospital length of stay. RESULTS: There were 42 adults and 17 children (14 under 12 years of age) and the mean age at implantation was 26 years. Duration of VNS therapy ranged from 6 months to 9 years. For the entire cohort, the mean percentage seizure reduction was 31.37%. Twenty patients (34.48%) were considered responders (seizure reduction ≥50%); 7 patients (12.06%) had seizure reduction of ≥75% and 2 patients had seizure control of ≥90% (3.4%). The patient in whom right-sided VNS was implanted achieved the same reduction in seizure burden and the patient who became pregnant could reduce antiepileptic drugs dosage, without complications. Side-effects were mild and there were no permanent nerve injuries. One patient died in the follow-up due to psychiatric disorders previously known. CONCLUSIONS: VNS is a safe and effective palliative treatment for TRE patients. There are an increasing number of indications and further randomized trials would potentially expand the number of patients who may benefit from it. A multidisciplinary team is crucial for a complete preoperative evaluation and selection of the optimal candidates for the treatment.

Análisis de los fracasos de un modelo de cotilo constreñido cementado en pacientes de alto riesgo de luxación / Analysis of the failures of a cemented constrained liner model in patients with a high dislocation risk

Objetivo. Evaluar los resultados a corto plazo de un cotilo retentivo de polietileno, en pacientes con alto riesgo de luxación, ya sea en cirugía primaria o de revisión. Material y método. Revisión retrospectiva de 38 casos, con el objetivo de determinar la tasa de supervivencia y el análisis de los fallos de un cotilo constreñido cementado, con un seguimiento promedio de 27 meses. Se estudiaron los datos demográficos, las complicaciones, en especial las reluxaciones de las prótesis y así mismo se analizan las probables causas de fracaso. Resultados. En un 21,05% se implantó en cirugía primaria (8 casos) y en un 78,95% en cirugía de revisión (30 casos). El estudio de supervivencia global del implante mediante el método de Kaplan-Meier ha sido del 70,7 meses. Durante el seguimiento, ocurrieron 3 casos de defunción no relacionado con la cirugía y 2 casos de infección. En 12 de las caderas se habían realizado previamente, como mínimo, 2 cirugías. No hubo ningún caso de aflojamiento del implante al hueso. Cuatro pacientes presentaron luxación, todos con cabeza de 22 mm (p = 0,008). Nuestro análisis estadístico no encontró relación entre el ángulo de inclinación acetabular y el fracaso del implante (p = 0,22). Conclusiones. El cotilo retentivo de polietileno de ultra alto peso molecular cementado evaluado en la presente serie ha proporcionado resultados satisfactorios a corto plazo, en pacientes con artroplastia de cadera con alto riesgo de luxación (AU)

Objective. To evaluate the short-term results of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene retentive cup in patients at high risk of dislocation, either primary or revision surgery. Material and method. Retrospective review of 38 cases in order to determine the rate of survival and failure analysis of a constrained cemented cup, with a mean follow-up of 27 months. We studied demographic data, complications, especially re-dislocations of the prosthesis and, also the likely causes of system failure analyzed. Results. In 21.05% (8 cases) were primary surgery and 78.95% were revision surgery (30 cases). The overall survival rate by Kaplan-Meier method was 70.7 months. During follow-up 3 patients died due to causes unrelated to surgery and 2 infections occurred. 12 hips had at least two previous surgeries done. It wasn’t any case of aseptic loosening. Four patients presented dislocation, all with a 22 mm head (P=.008). Our statistical analysis didn’t found relationship between the abduction cup angle and implant failure (P=.22). Conclusions. The ultra high molecular weight polyethylene retentive cup evaluated in this series has provided satisfactory short-term results in hip arthroplasty patients at high risk of dislocation (AU)

[Analysis of the failures of a cemented constrained liner model in patients with a high dislocation risk]. / Análisis de los fracasos de un modelo de cotilo constreñido cementado en pacientes de alto riesgo de luxación.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term results of an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene retentive cup in patients at high risk of dislocation, either primary or revision surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective review of 38 cases in order to determine the rate of survival and failure analysis of a constrained cemented cup, with a mean follow-up of 27 months. We studied demographic data, complications, especially re-dislocations of the prosthesis and, also the likely causes of system failure analyzed. RESULTS: In 21.05% (8 cases) were primary surgery and 78.95% were revision surgery (30 cases). The overall survival rate by Kaplan-Meier method was 70.7 months. During follow-up 3 patients died due to causes unrelated to surgery and 2 infections occurred. 12 hips had at least two previous surgeries done. It wasn't any case of aseptic loosening. Four patients presented dislocation, all with a 22 mm head (P=.008). Our statistical analysis didn't found relationship between the abduction cup angle and implant failure (P=.22). CONCLUSIONS: The ultra high molecular weight polyethylene retentive cup evaluated in this series has provided satisfactory short-term results in hip arthroplasty patients at high risk of dislocation.