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1.
J Hazard Mater ; 453: 131402, 2023 07 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37062096

ABSTRACT

Tire wear particle (TWP) contamination is of growing concern as recent studies show the ubiquity and toxicity of this contaminant in various environmental compartments. The multidimensional aspect of TWPs makes it difficult to assess toxicity and predict impacts on ecosystems, as it combines a complex mixture of chemicals and can release micro- and nanoparticles when suspended in water. Our work aimed to shed light on the toxicity of the different components of TWP leachate, namely, the dissolved chemicals and the nanoparticle fractions, on three freshwater model species of different trophic levels: Chlorella vulgaris, Lemna minor, and Daphnia magna. Acute toxicity was observed for all three fractions in D. magna, and an additive effect was observed between the nanoparticles and dissolved chemicals. L. minor experienced phytotoxicity from the dissolved chemicals only with a decrease up to 50% in photosynthesis efficiency parameters. C. vulgaris showed minor signs of toxicity on apical endpoints in response to each of the fractions. Our study highlights that nanoparticles from TWP leachate that were mostly overlooked in several previous studies are as toxic as dissolved chemicals for the filter-feeder species D. magna, and we also show the toxicity to photosynthesis in aquatic plants.


Subject(s)
Chlorella vulgaris , Nanoparticles , Water Pollutants, Chemical , Animals , Ecosystem , Fresh Water , Daphnia , Nanoparticles/toxicity , Water Pollutants, Chemical/toxicity
2.
Ann Anat ; 243: 151941, 2022 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35378255

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Atherosclerotic plaques in the brain-supplying arteries are slowly-developing alterations of vascular structures that can lead to neurological impairment due to stenosis and insufficient oxygenation of eloquent brain areas. The aim of this study is to provide detailed demographic information related to the incidence of atherosclerotic plaques in the cerebral arteries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight circles of Willis (21 men, 21 women, mean age: 70.26, six samples unknown) were macroscopically analyzed for length, diameter, and presence of atherosclerotic plaques. Statistical analysis was used to identify potential differences in the locations and frequencies of atherosclerotic plaques in relation to age and sex. RESULTS: The study sample revealed 261 atherosclerotic plaques. The key findings were significant correlations between plaque development and age and between plaque location and age; however, there was no significant sex difference. CONCLUSION: The upper and lower branches of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were novel locations predisposing to plaque development. A cut-off value at 60 years revealed a significant difference in plaque development and distribution. There were no significant sex differences in the occurrence of atherosclerotic plaques.


Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Aged , Brain , Circle of Willis , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Cerebral Artery
3.
J Environ Manage ; 308: 114662, 2022 Apr 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35144064

ABSTRACT

The study investigated the mechanisms and microbial communities underlying the long-term stability and removal performances shown by aerobic granular sludge (AGS) reactor involving polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) aerobic-storing bacteria. The characteristics of the sludge, removal performances and bacterial community structure were determined. The prevailing metabolic phenotype was similar in the parent conventional activated sludge (CAS) reactor and its upgraded AGS version, showing high COD and NH4 uptake, versus low P and N reduction. Polyphosphate and glycogen accumulating organisms, PAO and GAO, were not enriched in the reactors despite initial targeting of anaerobic-aerobic cycle. Instead, PHA-aerobic storing bacteria (Thauera and Paracoccus) were dominant, but revealing a stable AGS system for BOD and N removal. The PAO/GAO failed selection and Thauera overgrowth were analyzed for beneficial use in developing alternative AGS technology for BOD and N removal applications.


Subject(s)
Microbiota , Sewage , Bioreactors/microbiology , Nitrogen , Polyphosphates/metabolism , Sewage/microbiology , Waste Disposal, Fluid
4.
Acta Ortop Mex ; 36(5): 303-307, 2022.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37402497

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: determine the sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging in anterior cruciate ligament injuries and associated injuries through arthroscopic findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: this is a retrospective, longitudinal, cross-sectional study in 96 patients with ACL injuries were included and who underwent arthroscopic surgery; arthroscopic findings were compared with diagnostic magnetic resonance images as well as associated lesions. RESULTS: for ACL lesions the following data were found in relation to the agreement by MRI and arthroscopic findings; 93.68% sensitivity, 100% specificity. Negative predictor value of 14.28% and a positive predictor value of 100%. CONCLUSION: MRI is an accurate and non-invasive imaging modality for the evaluation of knee injuries, the diagnostic association is considerably high.


PROPÓSITO DEL ESTUDIO: determinar la sensibilidad y especificidad de la resonancia magnética en lesiones de ligamento cruzado anterior, así como las lesiones asociadas mediante los hallazgos artroscópicos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: se trata de un estudio retrospectivo, longitudinal, transversal en el cual se incluyeron 96 pacientes con lesiones de ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) que fueron sometidos a cirugía artroscópica; los hallazgos artroscópicos se compararon con las imágenes diagnósticas de resonancia magnética así como lesiones asociadas. RESULTADOS: en lesiones de LCA se encontraron los siguientes datos en relación a la concordancia por resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) y hallazgos artroscópicos; sensibilidad de 93.68%, especificidad de 100%. Valor predictor negativo de 14.28% y un valor predictor positivo de 100%. CONCLUSIÓN: la RMN es una modalidad de imagen precisa y no invasiva para la evaluación de lesiones de la rodilla, la asociación diagnóstica con el examen clínico es considerablemente alta.


Subject(s)
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries , Humans , Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/diagnostic imaging , Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery , Anterior Cruciate Ligament/pathology , Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Arthroscopy
6.
Eur Spine J ; 30(10): 2999-3008, 2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34052894

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Lumbar discogenic diffuse pain is still not understood. Authors describe the sinuvertebral nerve (SVN) as one possible cause. Body-donor studies are rare and controversial. Therefore, the aim was to revisit the origin, course and distribution in a body-donor study. METHODS: Six lumbar blocks (3 female, 3 male) aged between 59 and 94 years were dissected. After removal of the back muscles, lamina, dura mater and cauda equina, the anterior vertebral venous plexus, spinal artery and SVN were exposed and evaluated. RESULTS: 43 nerves out of 48 levels could be evaluated. The origin of the SVN was constituted by two roots: a somatic and a sympathetic branch arising from the rami communicantes. In 4/48 intervertebral canals studied (8.3%), we found two SVN at the same level. In 35/48 cases, one SVN was found. In 9/48 cases, no SVN was found. The SVN had a recurrent course below the inferior vertebral notch; in the vertebral canal it showed different patterns: ascending branch (31/43, 72.1%), common branch diverging into two branches (10/43, 23.3%), double ascending branch (1/43, 2.3%) finalizing two levels above and a descending branch (1/43, 2.3%). In 12/43 cases (27.9%) the SVN had ipsilateral connections with another SVN. The distribution ended in the middle of the vertebral body supplying adjacent structures. CONCLUSION: A thorough understanding of the anatomy of the SVN might lead to significant benefits in therapy of discogenic low back pain. We suggest blocking the SVN at the level of the inferior vertebral notch of two adjacent segments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding.


Subject(s)
Low Back Pain , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Low Back Pain/etiology , Lumbosacral Region , Male , Middle Aged , Spinal Canal , Spinal Nerves
7.
Dev Cogn Neurosci ; 44: 100797, 2020 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32716854

ABSTRACT

Amygdala resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) is altered in adolescents with internalizing disorders, though the relationship between rsFC and subclinical symptomatology in neurotypical youth remains unclear. Here we examined whether amygdala rsFC varied across a continuum of internalizing symptoms in 110 typically-developing (TD) youths 8 to 17 years old using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We assessed overall internalizing symptoms, as well as anxious-depressed, withdrawn-depressed, and somatic complaints. Given known sex differences in the prevalence of internalizing disorders, we compared connectivity between males and females. As compared to males, females with greater internalizing, anxious-depressed, and somatic symptoms displayed greater connectivity with the cingulate gyrus, insula, and somatosensory cortices. In contrast, males with greater anxious-depressed symptoms demonstrated weaker connectivity with the subcallosal prefrontal cortex. Sex differences in rsFC in relation to symptom severity were evident for the whole amygdala and for two of its subnuclei (centromedial and superficial amygdala). Overall, results suggest that, for females, higher internalizing symptoms are associated with greater rsFC between the amygdala and regions implicated in emotional and somatosensory processing, salience detection, and action selection. Future longitudinal investigations are needed to determine whether this hyperconnectivity may confer resilience to, or pose risk for, the development of internalizing disorders.


Subject(s)
Amygdala/physiopathology , Brain/physiopathology , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Sex Characteristics
8.
Eur Radiol ; 30(11): 5794-5804, 2020 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32506262

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of thoracic aortic dimensions with non-ECG-triggered contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) is accompanied with motion artefacts and requires gadolinium. To avoid both motion artefacts and gadolinium administration, we evaluated the similarity and reproducibility of dimensions measured on ECG-triggered, balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) MRA as alternative to CE-MRA. METHODS: All patients, with varying medical conditions, referred for thoracic aortic examination between September 2016 and March 2018, who underwent non-ECG-triggered CE-MRA and SSFP-MRA (1.5 T) were retrospectively included (n = 30). Aortic dimensions were measured after double-oblique multiplanar reconstruction by two observers at nine landmarks predefined by literature guidelines. Image quality was scored at the sinus of Valsalva, mid-ascending aorta and mid-descending aorta by semi-automatically assessing the vessel sharpness. RESULTS: Aortic dimensions showed high agreement between non-ECG-triggered CE-MRA and SSFP-MRA (r = 0.99, p < 0.05) without overestimation or underestimation of aortic dimensions in SSFP-MRA (mean difference, 0.1 mm; limits of agreement, - 1.9 mm and 1.9 mm). Intra- and inter-observer variabilities were significantly smaller with SSFP-MRA for the sinus of Valsalva and sinotubular junction. Image quality of the sinus of Valsalva was significantly better with SSFP-MRA, as fewer images were of impaired quality (3/30) than in CE-MRA (21/30). Reproducibility of dimensions was significantly better in images scored as good quality compared to impaired quality in both sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic aortic dimensions measured on SSFP-MRA and non-ECG-triggered CE-MRA were similar. As expected, SSFP-MRA showed better reproducibility close to the aortic root because of lesser motion artefacts, making it a feasible non-contrast imaging alternative. KEY POINTS: • SSFP-MRA provides similar dimensions as non-ECG-triggered CE-MRA. • Intra- and inter-observer reproducibilities improve for the sinus of Valsalva and sinotubular junction with SSFP-MRA. • ECG-triggered SSFP-MRA shows better image quality for landmarks close to the aortic root in the absence of cardiac motion.


Subject(s)
Aorta, Thoracic/diagnostic imaging , Artifacts , Electrocardiography/methods , Imaging, Three-Dimensional/methods , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Reproducibility of Results , Retrospective Studies
10.
J Cardiovasc Magn Reson ; 22(1): 34, 2020 05 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32393281

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The clinical application of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) T2 and T2* mapping is currently limited as ranges for healthy and cardiac diseases are poorly defined. In this meta-analysis we aimed to determine the weighted mean of T2 and T2* mapping values in patients with myocardial infarction (MI), heart transplantation, non-ischemic cardiomyopathies (NICM) and hypertension, and the standardized mean difference (SMD) of each population with healthy controls. Additionally, the variation of mapping outcomes between studies was investigated. METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines were followed after literature searches on PubMed and Embase. Studies reporting CMR T2 or T2* values measured in patients were included. The SMD was calculated using a random effects model and a meta-regression analysis was performed for populations with sufficient published data. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-four studies, including 13,804 patient and 4392 control measurements, were included. T2 values were higher in patients with MI, heart transplantation, sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and myocarditis (SMD of 2.17, 1.05, 0.87, 1.39, 1.62, 1.95, 1.90 and 1.33, respectively, P <  0.01) compared with controls. T2 values in iron overload patients (SMD = - 0.54, P = 0.30) and Anderson-Fabry disease patients (SMD = 0.52, P = 0.17) did both not differ from controls. T2* values were lower in patients with MI and iron overload (SMD of - 1.99 and - 2.39, respectively, P <  0.01) compared with controls. T2* values in HCM patients (SMD = - 0.61, P = 0.22), DCM patients (SMD = - 0.54, P = 0.06) and hypertension patients (SMD = - 1.46, P = 0.10) did not differ from controls. Multiple CMR acquisition and patient demographic factors were assessed as significant covariates, thereby influencing the mapping outcomes and causing variation between studies. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical utility of T2 and T2* mapping to distinguish affected myocardium in patients with cardiomyopathies or heart transplantation from healthy myocardium seemed to be confirmed based on this meta-analysis. Nevertheless, variation of mapping values between studies complicates comparison with external values and therefore require local healthy reference values to clinically interpret quantitative values. Furthermore, disease differentiation seems limited, since changes in T2 and T2* values of most cardiomyopathies are similar.


Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathies/diagnostic imaging , Heart Failure/diagnostic imaging , Heart Transplantation , Hypertension/diagnostic imaging , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Myocardial Infarction/diagnostic imaging , Cardiomyopathies/epidemiology , Cardiomyopathies/physiopathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Heart Failure/epidemiology , Heart Failure/physiopathology , Heart Failure/surgery , Humans , Hypertension/epidemiology , Hypertension/physiopathology , Myocardial Infarction/epidemiology , Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology , Predictive Value of Tests , Risk Factors , Treatment Outcome
11.
Bull Entomol Res ; 108(6): 739-749, 2018 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29345218

ABSTRACT

Prodiplosis longifila is reported as a pest of a wide range of species cultivated in America, including citrus, solanaceous species and asparagus. This species has different behavioural traits that are primarily centred on the oviposition habit and the feeding of larvae, which can change depending on the host. However, scarce information is available on population studies and the natural history of this insect, and uncertainty exists about the taxonomic identity and the geographic distribution of this species. The main objective was to perform a phylogenetic and genetic study of P. longifila populations and to define whether the North American and South American populations belong to the same species or whether a differentiation process had occurred due to geographic distance. A second objective was to determine whether this species showed genetic differentiation by host specialization in South America. The phylogenetic and population analyses based on DNA barcodes (cytochrome oxidase I gene) and a region of the ribosomal DNA (ITS2) revealed divergent clades attributable to geographic distance and host specificity. The North American and South American P. longifila insects were confirmed to be genetically distinct, and the genetic distances exceeded the values expected for intraspecific variation. In South America, the population analysis of P. longifila from tomato, sweet pepper (Solanaceae), Tahiti lime and key lime (Rutaceae) hosts evidenced high genetic differentiation between populations associated with different hosts and an absence of gene flow between these groups, suggesting the corresponding formation of cryptic species.


Subject(s)
Diptera/genetics , Evolution, Molecular , Genetic Speciation , Herbivory , Animal Distribution , Animals , Colombia , DNA, Mitochondrial/analysis , DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/analysis , Ecuador , Electron Transport Complex IV/analysis , Florida , Phylogeny , Phylogeography
12.
Radiologia ; 59(6): 511-515, 2017.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28943165

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the radio-pathologic features of symptomatic breast cancers not detected at digital mammography (DM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 169 lesions from symptomatic patients with breast cancer that were studied with DM, DBT, ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR). We identified occult lesions (true false negatives) in DM and DBT. Clinical data, density, US and MR findings were analyzed as well as histopathological results. RESULTS: We identified seven occult lesions in DM and DBT. 57% (4/7) of the lesions were identified in high-density breasts (type c and d), and the rest of them in breasts of density type b. Six carcinomas were identified at US and MR (BI-RADS 4 masses); the remaining lesion was only identified at MR. The tumor size was larger than 3cm at MRI in 57% of the lesions. All tumors were ductal infiltrating carcinomas, six of them with high stromal proportion. According to molecular classification, we found only one triple-negative breast cancer, the other lesions were luminal-type. We analyzed the tumor margins of two resected carcinomas that were not treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, both lesions presented margins that displaced the adjacent parenchyma without infiltrating it. CONCLUSION: Occult breast carcinomas in DM and DBT accounted for 4% of lesions detected in patients with symptoms. They were mostly masses, all of them presented the diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma (with predominance of the luminal immunophenotype) and were detected in breasts of density type b, c and d.


Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Mammography , Adult , False Negative Reactions , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies
13.
Mol Psychiatry ; 22(8): 1134-1139, 2017 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27843152

ABSTRACT

Several common alleles in the oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) are associated with altered brain function in reward circuitry in neurotypical adults and may increase risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Yet, it is currently unknown how variation in the OXTR relates to brain functioning in individuals with ASD, and, critically, whether neural endophenotypes vary as a function of aggregate genetic risk. Here, for we believe the first time, we use a multi-locus approach to examine how genetic variation across several OXTR single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affect functional connectivity of the brain's reward network. Using data from 41 children with ASD and 41 neurotypical children, we examined functional connectivity of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) - a hub of the reward network - focusing on how connectivity varies with OXTR risk-allele dosage. Youth with ASD showed reduced NAcc connectivity with other areas in the reward circuit as a function of increased OXTR risk-allele dosage, as well as a positive association between risk-allele dosage and symptom severity, whereas neurotypical youth showed increased NAcc connectivity with frontal brain regions involved in mentalizing. In addition, we found that increased NAcc-frontal cortex connectivity in typically developing youth was related to better scores on a standardized measure of social functioning. Our results indicate that cumulative genetic variation on the OXTR impacts reward system connectivity in both youth with ASD and neurotypical controls. By showing differential genetic effects on neuroendophenotypes, these pathways elucidate mechanisms of vulnerability versus resilience in carriers of disease-associated risk alleles.


Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder/genetics , Receptors, Oxytocin/genetics , Adolescent , Alleles , Autistic Disorder/genetics , Brain , Case-Control Studies , Child , Female , Frontal Lobe , Gene Dosage/genetics , Gene Frequency/genetics , Genetic Variation , Humans , Male , Neuroimaging/methods , Nucleus Accumbens/physiopathology , Oxytocin/metabolism , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Receptors, Oxytocin/metabolism , Reward , Social Behavior
14.
Neurologia ; 31(7): 431-44, 2016 Sep.
Article in English, Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24630444

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: External lumbar drainage is a promising measure for the prevention of delayed aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage-related ischemic complications. METHODS: Controlled studies evaluating the effects of external lumbar drainage in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were included. Primary outcomes were: new cerebral infarctions and severe disability. Secondary outcomes were: clinical deterioration due to delayed cerebral ischemia, mortality, and the need of definitive ventricular shunting. Results were presented as pooled relative risks, with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: A total of 6 controlled studies were included. Pooled relative risks were: new cerebral infarctions, 0.48 (95% CI: 0.32-0.72); severe disability, 0.5 (95% CI: 0.29-0.85); delayed cerebral ischemia-related clinical deterioration, 0.46 (95% CI: 0.34-0.63); mortality, 0.71 (95% CI: 0.24-2.06), and need of definitive ventricular shunting, 0.80 (95% CI: 0.51-1.24). Assessment of heterogeneity only revealed statistically significant indexes for the analysis of severe disability (I(2)=70% and P=.01). CONCLUSION: External lumbar drainage was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the risk of delayed cerebral ischemia-related complications (cerebral infarctions and clinical deterioration), as well as the risk of severe disability; however, it was not translated in a lower mortality. Nevertheless, it is not prudent to provide definitive recommendations at this time because of the qualitative and quantitative heterogeneity among included studies. More randomized controlled trials with more homogeneous outcomes and definitions are needed to clarify its impact in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.


Subject(s)
Cerebrospinal Fluid , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/cerebrospinal fluid , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/therapy , Suction/methods , Brain Ischemia/etiology , Brain Ischemia/prevention & control , Humans , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/complications
15.
Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol ; 58(3): 182-91, 2014.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24703108

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of applying vancomycin powder within the surgical wound on the risk of surgical infections, pseudo-arthrosis and adverse events, in patients undergoing spinal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A meta-analysis was carried out, including controlled studies that evaluated the risk of postoperative infections and/or pseudo-arthrosis in patients undergoing spinal surgery in which vancomycin powder was applied within the surgical wound. RESULTS: were presented as pooled relative risks, with its 95% confidence intervals. Additionally, the frequency of complications attributable to vancomycin was also assessed. RESULTS: A total of six controlled studies (3,379 subjects) were included. Pooled relative risks were: surgical site infection, 0.11 (95%CI: 0.05-0.25; P<.00001), and pseudo-arthrosis, 0.87 (95%CI; 0.34-2.21; P=.77). No statistically significant heterogeneity was found in both analyses. In 1,437 patients treated with vancomycin, there were no recorded vancomycin-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Application of vancomycin powder into the wound was associated with a significantly reduced risk of surgical site infections, without increasing pseudo-arthrosis or adverse events. However, randomized controlled trials are needed, in order to confirm the present results and make recommendations with more certainty.


Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Intraoperative Care/methods , Spine/surgery , Surgical Wound Infection/prevention & control , Vancomycin/administration & dosage , Humans , Orthopedic Procedures , Powders
16.
Physiol Res ; 63(2): 179-87, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24397803

ABSTRACT

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) membrane depolarization through KCl opens L-type voltage dependent Ca2+ channels (Ca(v)1.2); its opening was considered the cause of KCl contraction. This substance is used to bypass intracellular second messenger pathways. It is now clear that KCl also activates RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway. ROCK isoforms are characterized as ROCK1 and ROCK2. Because ROCK1 seems the most abundant isotype in lung, we studied its participation in KCl stimulated bovine ASM. With methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD) we disrupted caveolae, a membrane compartment considered as the RhoA/ROCK assembly site, and found that KCl contraction was reduced to the same extent (~26%) as Y-27632 (ROCK inhibitor) treated tissues. We confirmed that KCl induces ROCK activation and this effect was annulled by Y-27632 or MbetaCD. In isolated plasmalemma, ROCK1 was localized in non-caveolar membrane fractions in Western blots from control tissues, but it transferred to caveolae in samples from tissues stimulated with KCl. Ca(v)1.2 was found at the non-caveolar membrane fractions in control and MbetaCD treated tissues. In MbetaCD treated tissues stimulated with KCl, contraction was abolished by nifedipine; only the response to Ca(v)1.2 opening remained as the ROCK component disappeared. Our results show that, in ASM, the KCl contraction involves the translocation of ROCK1 from non-caveolar to caveolar regions and that the proper physiological response depends on this translocation.


Subject(s)
Caveolae/metabolism , Muscle Contraction/physiology , Muscle, Smooth/metabolism , Potassium Chloride/pharmacology , Trachea/metabolism , rho-Associated Kinases/metabolism , Animals , Cattle , Caveolae/drug effects , Muscle Contraction/drug effects , Muscle Relaxants, Central/pharmacology , Muscle, Smooth/drug effects , Organ Culture Techniques , Protein Transport/drug effects , Protein Transport/physiology , Trachea/drug effects
17.
Neuroimage Clin ; 2: 79-94, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24179761

ABSTRACT

Structural and functional underconnectivity have been reported for multiple brain regions, functional systems, and white matter tracts in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Although recent developments in complex network analysis have established that the brain is a modular network exhibiting small-world properties, network level organization has not been carefully examined in ASD. Here we used resting-state functional MRI (n = 42 ASD, n = 37 typically developing; TD) to show that children and adolescents with ASD display reduced short and long-range connectivity within functional systems (i.e., reduced functional integration) and stronger connectivity between functional systems (i.e., reduced functional segregation), particularly in default and higher-order visual regions. Using graph theoretical methods, we show that pairwise group differences in functional connectivity are reflected in network level reductions in modularity and clustering (local efficiency), but shorter characteristic path lengths (higher global efficiency). Structural networks, generated from diffusion tensor MRI derived fiber tracts (n = 51 ASD, n = 43 TD), displayed lower levels of white matter integrity yet higher numbers of fibers. TD and ASD individuals exhibited similar levels of correlation between raw measures of structural and functional connectivity (n = 35 ASD, n = 35 TD). However, a principal component analysis combining structural and functional network properties revealed that the balance of local and global efficiency between structural and functional networks was reduced in ASD, positively correlated with age, and inversely correlated with ASD symptom severity. Overall, our findings suggest that modeling the brain as a complex network will be highly informative in unraveling the biological basis of ASD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.

18.
Neurocirugia (Astur) ; 22(6): 583-7, 2011 Dec.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22167290

ABSTRACT

Chiari malformation type I and Poland's syndrome are two rare diseases and their simultaneous presentation had not been previously described in the literature. We report the case of a 27 year old male with history of Poland's syndrome, who referred headache and motor impairment of the intrinsic muscles of the left hand. In a cervical spine MR a Chiari I malformation with syringomyelia from C1 to T2 was found, which was treated by foramen magnum decompression, dural plasty and removal of the posterior arch of the atlas. A discussion of the embryological mechanisms that might be involved in the coexistence of these two entities is presented, emphasizing the role of para-axial mesoderm.


Subject(s)
Arnold-Chiari Malformation/epidemiology , Poland Syndrome/epidemiology , Adult , Arnold-Chiari Malformation/etiology , Arnold-Chiari Malformation/surgery , Comorbidity , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Poland Syndrome/etiology , Poland Syndrome/surgery
19.
Neurocirugia (Astur) ; 22(1): 50-5, 2011 Feb.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21384085

ABSTRACT

Clear cell meningioma is a rare variety of meningiomas, occurring frequently at the cerebellopontine angle and spinal canal. A case of a female patient 28 years of age with a complete cauda equina syndrome was described. Magnetic resonance imaging of lumbo-sacral spine revealed a mass lesion occupying the spinal canal from L3 to S1. Subtotal resection was performed and pathological pathological examination revealed a clear cell meningioma. Radiotherapy was indicated, however, it was delayed because we discovered that the patient was pregnant. The recurrence was clinically evident at seven months and a new surgical resection previous complementary radiotherapy was necessary. A systematic review of literature was performed, exposing the behavior of clear cell meningioma in the spinal canal.


Subject(s)
Meningeal Neoplasms/pathology , Meningioma/pathology , Adult , Female , Humans , Lumbosacral Region/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Meningeal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Meningeal Neoplasms/surgery , Meningioma/diagnosis , Meningioma/surgery , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/radiotherapy , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery , Polyradiculopathy , Pregnancy
20.
An Sist Sanit Navar ; 34(3): 513-7, 2011.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22233858

ABSTRACT

Metastases of prostate cancer to intracranial meninges are rare and often confused with meningiomas or chronic subdural hematomas. These usually occur in patients with a known cancer diagnosis in advanced stages of the disease, and only in some rare cases do its manifestations precede the detection of the primary tumour. The clinical presentation is unspecific. However, due to the affinity of this tumour for the base of the skull, it must be included in the differential diagnosis of men over 70 years of age with cranial nerve palsy. The treatment of these lesions has not been standardized. Within the therapeutic options we find surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of these measures, and yet survival is poor. We present the case of a 77 year old male patient whose initial symptoms of prostate cancer were caused by a metastatic lesion to the dura, confirmed by histopathology. We also review the epidemiological, clinical and imaging highlights of this condition.


Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Dura Mater , Meningeal Neoplasms/secondary , Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Humans , Male
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