The digestive system of xenacoelomorphs.

Interest in the study of Xenacoelomorpha has recently been revived due to realization of its key phylogenetic position as the putative sister group of the remaining Bilateria. Phylogenomic studies have attracted the attention of researchers interested in the evolution of animals and the origin of novelties. However, it is clear that a proper understanding of novelties can only be gained in the context of thorough descriptions of the anatomy of the different members of this phylum. A considerable literature, based mainly on conventional histological techniques, describes different aspects of xenacoelomorphs' tissue architecture. However, the focus has been somewhat uneven; some tissues, such as the neuro-muscular system, are relatively well described in most groups, whereas others, including the digestive system, are only poorly understood. Our lack of knowledge of the xenacoelomorph digestive system is exacerbated by the assumption that, at least in Acoela, which possess a syncytial gut, the digestive system is a derived and specialized tissue with little bearing on what is observed in other bilaterian animals. Here, we try to remedy this lack of attention by revisiting the different studies of the xenacoelomorph digestive system, and we discuss the diversity present in the light of new evolutionary knowledge.

[Differences between the neuropsychological profiles of Asperger's syndrome and non-verbal learning disorder]. / Diferencias entre los perfiles neuropsicológicos del síndrome de Asperger y del sindrome de dificultades de aprendizaje no verbal.

INTRODUCTION: The validity of the Asperger syndrome (AS) diagnose continues to be debated due to the lack of consensus on its definition, specially regarding higher-functioning autism. Previous research has suggested that the neuropsychological profile of the non verbal learning syndrome (NVLS) might be utilized to sustain a differential diagnose of the AS with other diseases associated with development. AIM: To analyze the neuropsychological profile of children diagnosed with AS and compare with those obtained from children with NVLS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All cognitive domains from 15 children have been evaluated with an extensive variety of tests; 5 were diagnosed with AS and 5 with NVLS, all of them submitted to the Nino Jesus Children's University Hospital. As a control group, another 5 children with no pathology were evaluated. RESULTS: Obtained data shows significant differences between the two groups under study. Profile from individuals under AS shows deficit in linguistic as well as non verbal skills and, when compared to the control group, executive functions seem to be generally more altered. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigation is suggested to determine that the NVLS could be an explanation model for AS. On the other hand, we stress the need to deepen the study of the executive functions and their relationship with the mind's theory, as an hypothesis to explain the AS.

Diferencias entre los perfiles neuropsicológicos del síndrome de Asperger y del síndrome de dificultades de aprendizaje no verbal / Differences between the neuropsychological profiles of asperger’s syndrome and non-verbal learning disorder

La validez del diagnóstico del síndrome de Asperger (SA) sigue siendo un tema a debate, debido, sobretodo, a la falta de consenso en su definición frente al autismo de alto nivel. La investigación previa ha sugerido que el perfil neuropsicológico del síndrome de dificultades de aprendizaje no verbal (SDANV) puede servir para apoyar un diagnóstico diferencial del SA con otros trastornos generalizados del desarrollo. Objetivo. Analizar los perfiles neuropsicológicos de niñoscon diagnóstico de SA y compararlos con los obtenidos de niños con SDANV. Sujetos y métodos. Se han evaluado, conuna extensa batería de pruebas, todos los dominios cognitivos de 15 niños, de los cuales cinco tenían diagnóstico de SA y cinco de SDANV, todos ellos remitidos al Hospital Universitario Niño Jesús. Como grupo control se evaluó a otros cinco niñossin patología. Resultados. Los datos obtenidos muestran diferencias significativas entre los grupos estudiados. El perfil de los niños con SA muestra déficit tanto en habilidades lingüísticas como no verbales y, en comparación con el grupo control, se registrauna alteración más generalizada de funciones ejecutivas. Conclusiones. Sugerimos más investigación en la línea de justificar que el SDANV pueda ser un modelo explicativo del SA. Por otro lado, destacamos el interés de profundizar en el estudio de las funciones ejecutivas y su relación con la teoría de la mente, como hipótesis para explicar el SA

The validity of the Asperger syndrome (AS) diagnose continues to be debated due to the lack ofconsensus on its definition, specially regarding higher-functioning autism. Previous research has suggested that the neuropsychological profile of the non verbal learning syndrome (NVLS) might be utilized to sustain a differential diagnose of the AS with other diseases associated with development. Aim. To analyze the neuropsychological profile of children diagnosed withAS and compare with those obtained from children with NVLS. Subjects and methods. All cognitive domains from 15 children have been evaluated with an extensive variety of tests; 5 were diagnosed with AS and 5 with NVLS, all of them submitted to the Niño Jesus Children’s University Hospital. As a control group, another 5 children with no pathology were evaluated. Results.Obtained data shows significant differences between the two groups under study. Profile from individuals under AS shows deficit in linguistic as well as non verbal skills and, when compared to the control group, executive functions seem to be generally more altered. Conclusions. Further investigation is suggested to determine that the NVLS could be an explanationmodel for AS. On the other hand, we stress the need to deepen the study of the executive functions and their relationship with the mind’s theory, as an hypothesis to explain the AS