Uricemia como factor pronóstico del ictus isquémico agudo / Hyperuricaemia as a prognostic factor for acute ischaemic stroke

Introducción: En el proceso de búsqueda de biomarcadores para el pronóstico del ictus agudo, en los últimos años los estudios realizados en torno al ácido úrico han mostrado resultados contradictorios.MétodosSe recogieron muestras analíticas de 600 pacientes ingresados de manera consecutiva en un hospital de tercer nivel y se analizó la relación entre los niveles de ácido úrico y el pronóstico funcional de los pacientes medido mediante la escala de Rankin modificada (mRS). Se excluyeron los pacientes que habían recibido terapias de reperfusión, ya que podría existir un efecto diferencial en los mismos respecto a los no tratados.ResultadosEl 73% de los pacientes tuvieron una mRS ≤ 2 y los niveles medios de ácido úrico fueron de 5,22 mg/dl. Se encontró una relación no lineal entre el pronóstico funcional al alta y los niveles de ácido úrico sérico en el momento del ingreso al excluir del análisis la medida de la National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).ConclusionesLos valores séricos de ácido úrico en pacientes afectos de un ictus isquémico agudo se asocian significativamente con el pronóstico funcional en el momento de su alta, pero esta relación es no lineal. Se asocia un peor pronóstico a las concentraciones extremas, muy bajas o muy elevadas, de ácido úrico. Esto podría revelar un doble papel del ácido úrico en su relación con el ictus, como factor de riesgo asociado y/o como posible neuroprotector dado su papel antioxidante. (AU)

Introduction: Recent studies on uric acid as a biomarker for the prognosis of acute stroke have found conflicting results.MethodsWe collected blood samples from 600 consecutively admitted patients at our tertiary hospital and analysed the relationship between uric acid levels and functional prognosis (measured using the modified Rankin Scale [mRS]). Patients who had received reperfusion therapy were excluded since this may have influenced uric acid levels.ResultsA total of 73% of patients had mRS scores ≤ 2; the mean uric acid level was 5.22 mg/dL. We found a nonlinear relationship between functional prognosis at discharge and serum uric acid levels at admission when the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was excluded from the analysis.ConclusionsSerum uric acid levels in patients with acute ischaemic stroke are significantly associated with functional prognosis at discharge, although this relationship is nonlinear. In fact, poorer prognosis is associated both with very low and with very high concentrations of uric acid. This suggests a dual role of uric acid in relation to stroke: on the one hand, as an associated risk factor, and on the other, as a possible neuroprotective factor due to its antioxidant effect. (AU)

Combined effects of land-use intensification and plant invasion on native communities.

Land-use intensification (LUI) and biological invasions are two of the most important global change pressures driving biodiversity loss. However, their combined impacts on biological communities have been seldom explored, which may result in misleading ecological assessments or mitigation actions. Based on an extensive field survey of 445 paired invaded and control plots of coastal vegetation in SW Spain, we explored the joint effects of LUI (agricultural and urban intensification) and invasion on the taxonomic and functional richness, mean plant height and leaf area of native plants. Our survey covered five invasive species with contrasting functional similarity and competitive ability in relation to the native community. We modeled the response of native communities for the overall and invader-specific datasets, and determined if invader-native functional differences could influence the combined impacts of LUI and invasion. Overall, we found that urban intensification reduced taxonomic richness more strongly at invaded plots (synergistic interactive effects). In contrast, functional richness loss caused by urban intensification was less pronounced at invaded plots (antagonistic interactive effects). Overall models showed also that urban intensification led to reduced mean leaf area, while agriculture was linked to higher mean plant height. When exploring invader-specific models, we observed that the combined effects of agricultural and urban intensification with invasion were heterogeneous. At invaded plots, invader-native functional differences accounted for part of this variability. Our findings demonstrate the importance of considering the interactive effects of global change pressures for a better assessment and management of ecosystems.

Guía de laboratorio para el diagnóstico de pacientes con síndrome crioglobulinémico / Laboratory guidelines for the diagnosis of patients with cryoglobulinaemic syndrome

Los síndromes crioglobulinémicos comprenden un conjunto de manifestaciones que se encuentran en diversas enfermedades y que comparten un mismo mecanismo fisiopatológico: el depósito de crioglobulinas en lechos vasculares. La presencia de crioglobulinas es criterio diagnóstico de estos síndromes por lo que es imprescindible su correcta detección y caracterización. El Grupo de Inmunoquímica de la Sociedad Española de Inmunología ha realizado una revisión exhaustiva clínica y metodológica, debido a la heterogeneidad técnica interlaboratorios, con el objetivo de proporcionar una herramienta útil y efectiva para el diagnóstico de síndromes crioglobulinémicos

Cryoglobulinaemic syndromes include a collection of manifestations that are found in various diseases and that share a pathophysiological mechanism: cryoglobulin deposit in vascular beds. For these syndromes, the presence of cryoglobulins is a diagnostic criterion, and their correct detection and characterisation are therefore essential. The Immunochemistry Group of the Spanish Society of Immunology conducted a comprehensive clinical and methodological review, due to the interlaboratory heterogeneity in techniques, with the objective of providing a useful and effective tool for diagnosing cryoglobulinaemic syndromes

Differential regulation of Pleurotus ostreatus dye peroxidases gene expression in response to dyes and potential application of recombinant Pleos-DyP1 in decolorization.

Dye-decolorizing peroxidase (DyP) from the white rot basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus is a heme peroxidase able to oxidize diverse substrates, including recalcitrant phenols and dyes. This study analyzed the effect of chemical dyes on P. ostreatus growth, DyP activity and the expression of four Pleos-dyp genes during the time-course of Pleurotus ostreatus cultures containing either Acetyl Yellow G (AYG), Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) or Acid Blue 129 (AB129) dyes. Additionally, Pleos DyP1 was heterologously expressed in the filamentous fungus Trichoderma atroviride in order to explore the potential of a secreted recombinant enzyme for decolorizing different dyes in cultures and plate assays. The addition of dyes had an induction effect on the enzymatic activity, with the fermentations undertaken using RBBR and AYG dyes presenting the highest total DyP activity. DyP gene expression profiles displayed up/down regulation during the culture of three Pleos-dyp genes (Pleos-dyp1, Pleos-dyp2 and Pleos-dyp4), while Pleos-dyp3 transcript was not detected under any of the culture conditions studied. A 14-fold relative induction level (log2) increase for Pleos-dyp2 and Pleos-dyp4 in AB129 and AYG, respectively, was also found. The presence of AB129 resulted in the highest Pleos-dyp1 gene induction and repression level, corresponding to 11.83 and -14.6-fold relative expression and repression levels, respectively. The lowest expression level of all genes was observed in RBBR, a response which is associated with the growth phase. The filamentous fungus Trichoderma atroviride was successfully transformed for the heterologous expression of Pleos-dyp1. The modified strains (TaDyP) were able to decolorize mono-azo, di-azo, anthraquinone and anthracenedione dyes with extracellular DyP1 activity found in the culture supernatant. After 96 h of culture, the recombinant TaDyP strains were able to degrade (decolorize) 77 and 34% of 0.05mM AB129 and 0.25mM AYG, respectively.

Laboratory guidelines for the diagnosis of patients with cryoglobulinaemic syndrome. / Guía de laboratorio para el diagnóstico de pacientes con síndrome crioglobulinémico.

Cryoglobulinaemic syndromes include a collection of manifestations that are found in various diseases and that share a pathophysiological mechanism: cryoglobulin deposit in vascular beds. For these syndromes, the presence of cryoglobulins is a diagnostic criterion, and their correct detection and characterisation are therefore essential. The Immunochemistry Group of the Spanish Society of Immunology conducted a comprehensive clinical and methodological review, due to the interlaboratory heterogeneity in techniques, with the objective of providing a useful and effective tool for diagnosing cryoglobulinaemic syndromes.

Investigating the mechanisms underlying phytoprotection by plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Spartina densiflora under metal stress.

Pollution of coasts by toxic metals and metalloids is a worldwide problem for which phytoremediation using halophytes and associated microbiomes is becoming relevant. Metal(loid) excess is a constraint for plant establishment and development, and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) mitigate plant stress under these conditions. However, mechanisms underlying this effect remain elusive. The effect of toxic metal(loid)s on activity and gene expression of ROS-scavenging enzymes in roots of the halophyte Spartina densiflora grown on real polluted sediments in a greenhouse experiment was investigated. Sediments of the metal-polluted joint estuary of Tinto and Odiel rivers and control, unpollutred samples from the Piedras estuary were collected and submitted to ICP-OES. Seeds of S. densiflora were collected from the polluted Odiel marshes and grown in polluted and unpolluted sediments. Rhizophere biofilm-forming bacteria were selected based on metal tolerance and inoculated to S. densiflora and grown for 4 months. Fresh or frozen harvested plants were used for enzyme assays and gene expression studies, respectively. Metal excess induced SOD (five-fold increase), whereas CAT and ascorbate peroxidase displayed minor induction (twofold). A twofold increase of TBARs indicated membrane damage. Our results showed that metal-resistant PGPR (P. agglomerans RSO6 and RSO7 and B. aryabhattai RSO25) contributed to alleviate metal stress, as deduced from lower levels of all antioxidant enzymes to levels below those of non-exposed plants. The oxidative stress index (OSI) decreased between 50 and 75% upon inoculation. The results also evidenced the important role of PAL, involved in secondary metabolism and/or lignin synthesis, as a pathway for metal stress management in this halophyte upon inoculation with appropriate PGPR, since the different inoculation treatments enhanced PAL expression between 3.75- and five-fold. Our data confirm, at the molecular level, the role of PGPR in alleviating metal stress in S. densiflora and evidence the difficulty of working with halophytes for which little genetic information is available.

Threat effects on human oculo-motor function.

Neuro-anatomical evidence supports the potential for threat-related factors, such as fear, anxiety and vigilance, to influence brainstem motor nuclei controlling eye movements, as well as the vestibular nuclei. However, little is known about how threat influences human ocular responses, such as eye saccades (ES), smooth pursuit eye tracking (SP), and optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), and whether these responses can be facilitated above normal baseline levels with a natural source of threat. This study was designed to examine the effects of height-induced postural threat on the gain of ES, SP and OKN responses in humans. Twenty participants stood at two different surface heights while performing ES (ranging from 8° to 45° from center), SP (15, 20, 30°/s) and OKN (15, 30, 60°/s) responses in the horizontal plane. Height did not significantly increase the slope of the relationship between ES peak velocity and initial amplitude, or the gain of ES amplitude. In contrast height significantly increased SP and OKN gain. Significant correlations were found between changes in physiological arousal and OKN gain. Observations of changes with height in OKN and SP support neuro-anatomical evidence of threat-related mechanisms influencing both oculo-motor nuclei and vestibular reflex pathways. Although further study is warranted, the findings suggest that potential influences of fear, anxiety and arousal/alertness should be accounted for, or controlled, during clinical vestibular and oculo-motor testing.

Assessing the role of endophytic bacteria in the halophyte Arthrocnemum macrostachyum salt tolerance.

There is an increasing interest to use halophytes for revegetation of salt affected ecosystems, as well as in understanding their mechanisms of salt tolerance. We hypothesized that bacteria from the phyllosphere of these plants might play a key role in its high tolerance to excessive salinity. Eight endophytic bacteria belonging to Bacillus and closely related genera were isolated from phyllosphere of the halophyte Arthrocnemum macrostachyum growing in salty agricultural soils. The presence of plant-growth promoting (PGP) properties, enzymatic activities and tolerance towards NaCl was determined. Effects of inoculation on seeds germination and adult plant growth under experimental NaCl treatments (0, 510 and 1030 mM NaCl) were studied. Inoculation with a consortium including the best performing bacteria improved considerably the kinetics of germination and the final germination percentage of A. macrostachyum seeds. At high NaCl concentrations (1030 mM), inoculation of plants mitigated the effects of high salinity on plant growth and physiological performance and, in addition, this consortium appears to have increased the potential of A. macrostachyum to accumulate Na+ in its shoots, thus improving sodium phytoextraction capacity. Bacteria isolated from A. macrostachyum phyllosphere seem to play an important role in plant salt tolerance under stressing salt concentrations. The combined use of A. macrostachyum and its microbiome can be an adequate tool to enhance plant adaptation and sodium phytoextraction during restoration of salt degraded soils.

Isolation of plant-growth-promoting and metal-resistant cultivable bacteria from Arthrocnemum macrostachyum in the Odiel marshes with potential use in phytoremediation.

Arthrocnemum macrostachyum is a halophyte naturally growing in southwest coasts of Spain that can tolerate and accumulate heavy metals. A total of 48 bacteria (30 endophytes and 18 from the rhizosphere) were isolated from A. macrostachyum growing in the Odiel River marshes, an ecosystem with high levels of contamination. All the isolates exhibited plant-growth-promoting (PGP) properties and most of them were multiresistant to heavy metals. Although the presence of heavy metals reduced the capability of the isolates to exhibit PGP properties, several strains were able to maintain their properties or even enhance them in the presence of concrete metals. Two bacterial consortia with the best-performing endophytic or rhizospheric strains were selected for further experiments. Bacterial inoculation accelerated germination of A. macrostachyum seeds in both the absence and presence of heavy metals. These results suggest that inoculation of A. macrostachyum with the selected bacteria could ameliorate plant establishment and growth in contaminated marshes.

Vestibulo-spinal and vestibulo-ocular reflexes are modulated when standing with increased postural threat.

We investigated how vestibulo-spinal reflexes (VSRs) and vestibulo-ocular reflexes (VORs) measured through vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) and video head impulse test (vHIT) outcomes, respectively, are modulated during standing under conditions of increased postural threat. Twenty-five healthy young adults stood quietly at low (0.8 m from the ground) and high (3.2 m) surface height conditions in two experiments. For the first experiment (n = 25) VEMPs were recorded with surface EMG from inferior oblique (IO), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), trapezius (TRP), and soleus (SOL) muscles in response to 256 air-conducted short tone bursts (125 dB SPL, 500 Hz, 4 ms) delivered via headphones. A subset of subjects (n = 19) also received horizontal and vertical head thrusts (∼150°/s) at each height in a separate session, comparing eye and head velocities by using a vHIT system for calculating the functional VOR gains. VEMP amplitudes (IO, TRP, SOL) and horizontal and vertical vHIT gains all increased with high surface height conditions (P < 0.05). Changes in IO and SCM VEMP amplitudes as well as horizontal vHIT gains were correlated with changes in electrodermal activity (ρ = 0.44-0.59, P < 0.05). VEMP amplitude for the IO also positively correlated with fear (ρ = 0.43, P = 0.03). Threat-induced anxiety, fear, and arousal have significant effects on VSR and VOR gains that can be observed in both physiological and functional outcome measures. These findings provide support for a potential central modulation of the vestibular nucleus complex through excitatory inputs from neural centers involved in processing fear, anxiety, arousal, and vigilance.

Bloqueo aurículo ventricular congénito completo. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Full congenital atrioventricular blockage: case report and literature review

Introducción: el bloqueo aurículo ventricular (AV) completo congénito (BCC) es una entidad poco común, siendo una lesión del tejido de conducción cardíaco que surge antes del nacimiento, en la que se produce una alteración de la transmisión de los impulsos auriculares a los ventrículos y puede aparecer de forma aislada o familiar; se debe hacer el diagnóstico diferencial con la coexistencia de una cardiopatía estructural o su asociación a enfermedades autoinmunes clínicas o subclínicas; su diagnóstico se realiza mediante ecografía y ecocardiografía fetal, técnicas que permiten el seguimiento y manejo perinatal óptimo, aconsejándose la finalización de la gestación en casos de sufrimiento fetal o signos de insuficiencia cardíaca; presenta alta morbilidad y mortalidad y requiere alto índice de sospecha para su diagnóstico. La implantación de un marcapasos es el tratamiento definitivo que contribuye a la sobrevida y pronóstico de estos pacientes.

Introduction: congenital complete auricular ventricular Blockage is a rare entity, being a cardiac conduction tissue lesion that develops before birth, which produces an alteration of the transmission of the auricular impulses towards the ventricules, and it could appear isolated or familiar form; the differential diagnosis must be performed with the coexistence of a structural cardiopathy, or its association with clinical or subclinical autoimmune diseases; its diagnosis is done by means of a fetal echography or echocardiography, techniques which allow an optimal perinatal follow up and management, advising the termination of the gestation period in cases of fetal suffering or signs of cardiac insuffciency; there is high morbidity and mortality rates which require high suspicion indication for its diagnosis. The implantation of a pacemaker is the definite treatment of choice which contributes to patient´s life expectancy and prognosis.

Increased gain of vestibulospinal potentials evoked in neck and leg muscles when standing under height-induced postural threat.

OBJECTIVE: To measure changes in amplitudes of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) elicited from neck, upper and lower limb muscles during a quiet standing task with increased postural threat achieved by manipulating surface height. METHODS: Twenty eight subjects were tested while standing on a platform raised to 0.8 m and 3.2 m from the ground. Surface electromyography was recorded from the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid (SCM), biceps brachii (BB), flexor carpi radialis (FCR), soleus (SOL) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles. Stimulation was with air-conducted short tone bursts (4 ms). After controlling for background muscle activity, VEMP amplitudes were compared between heights and correlated with changes in state anxiety, fear and arousal. RESULTS: VEMP amplitude significantly increased in SCM (9%) and SOL (12.7%) with increased surface height (p<0.05). These modest increases in SCM VEMP amplitude were significantly correlated with anxiety (Rho=0.57, p=0.004) and confidence (Rho=-0.38, p=0.047) and those for SOL were significantly correlated with anxiety (Rho=0.33, p=0.049) and fear (Rho=0.36, p=0.037). CONCLUSION: Postural threat significantly increased vestibulospinal reflex (VSR) gains. Results demonstrate that VEMPs can be used to test different VSR pathways simultaneously during stance. Since fear and anxiety are prevalent with vestibular disorders, they should be considered as potential contributing factors for clinical vestibular outcome measures.

Scouting contaminated estuaries: heavy metal resistant and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in the native metal rhizoaccumulator Spartina maritima.

Spartina maritima is a native endangered heavy metal rhizoaccumulator cordgrass naturally growing in southwest coasts of Spain, where is used as a biotool to rehabilitate degraded salt marshes. Fifteen bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of S. maritima growing in the estuary of the Tinto River, one of the most polluted areas in the world. A high proportion of bacteria were resistant towards several heavy metals. They also exhibited multiple plant growth promoting (PGP) properties, in the absence and the presence of Cu. Bacillus methylotrophicus SMT38, Bacillusaryabhattai SMT48, B. aryabhattai SMT50 and Bacilluslicheniformis SMT51 were selected as the best performing strains. In a gnobiotic assay, inoculation of Medicago sativa seeds with the selected isolates induced higher root elongation. The inoculation of S. maritima with these indigenous metal-resistant PGP rhizobacteria could be an efficient method to increase plant adaptation and growth in contaminated estuaries during restoration programs.

El método Kinesio taping mejora inmediatamente el equilibrio monopodal en deportistas mayores sanos / Kinesio taping method immediately improves unipedal standing balance in healthy senior sportsmen

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto inmediato de la técnica de Kinesio taping (KT) sobre el equilibrio en un grupo de jugadores de tenis mayores y sanos. Métodos: Dieciséis sujetos participaron en este estudio cruzado. La muestra se dividió aleatoriamente en 2 grupos, determinando la secuencia de aplicación de 2 técnicas de vendaje: KT y placebo. Se midieron variables del centro de presiones (COP) realizando pruebas de equilibrio en apoyo monopodal sobre una plataforma de fuerzas con los ojos abiertos y con los ojos cerrados. Se tomaron mediciones antes de la colocación del vendaje, inmediatamente después y a las 24 h. Resultados: El método KT mejoró significativamente la longitud del COP en la prueba con ojos abiertos inmediatamente después de la aplicación y se mantuvo a las 24 h. En la prueba con ojos cerrados, dicha variable mejoró con el KT inmediatamente después de la aplicación y a las 24 h, superando a la técnica placebo. Se produjo una mejoría significativa de la desviación anteroposterior del COP con los ojos cerrados inmediatamente después de la aplicación del KT, y dicha técnica superó al placebo en la variable desviación mediolateral del COP con ojos cerrados a las 24 h. Conclusión: El método KT mejoró de manera inmediata el equilibrio de los sujetos, reflejado en la longitud del COP y en el desplazamiento anteroposterior del COP con ojos cerrados, mejoría que tiende a mantenerse a las 24 h con la técnica aún aplicada

Objective: To evaluate the immediate effects of the Kinesio taping (KT) method on standing balance in a group of healthy senior tennis players. Methods; A total of 16 subjects participated in this cross-over study. The sample was randomly divided into two groups and the sequence of the taping technique, either KT or a placebo technique, to be used was determined. Center-of-pressure (COP) variables were measured, performing balance tests with unipedal stance on a force platform, with eyes opened and with eyes closed. Measures were taken before the taping, immediately after its application and 24 hours after taping. Results: The KT method significantly improved the COP total length path in the eyes opened test immediately after the KT application. In the eyes closed test, that outcome significantly improved with KT immediately after the intervention and 24 hours later, exceeding the placebo technique. There was a significant improvement of the anteroposterior COP deviation in the eyes closed test, immediately after the application of the KT. This technique outperformed the placebo in the mediolateral deviation of the COP with the eyes closed over the placebo at 24 hours. Conclusion: The KT method immediately improved the standing balance of the subjects, this being reflected in the length of the COP in the anteroposterior deviation with eyes closed, an improvement that tends to be maintained at 24 hours with the technique still applied

Deformidad raquídea en los pacientes afectos de la enfermedad de Charcot-Marie-Tooth / Spinal deformities in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Introducción: La prevalencia de escoliosis en la enfermedad de Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) se estima entre el 10 y el 38%. El objetivo del estudio es analizar la prevalencia de deformidades raquídeas asociadas al CMT en nuestra población, y los datos epidemiológicos y clínicos de los pacientes. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de 30 pacientes afectos de CMT, valorados entre enero de 2001 y diciembre de 2010. Se analizó el sexo, la edad de diagnóstico y el subtipo de CMT, la edad de aparición de la escoliosis, las características de la curva, la evolución y el tratamiento. Resultados: El 46,7% de los niños presentó escoliosis. La edad media de aparición de la escoliosis fue 10,21 a˜nos y la magnitud media de la curva en el momento del diagnóstico fue de 13,85◦. Un 42,85% eran toracolumbares, y el 50% asociaban cifosis. Se valoró la evolución en los pacientes con un seguimiento superior a 3 años y Risser ≥ 3, de los que el 50% presentó progresión. Se indicó tratamiento ortésico a 5 pacientes y ninguno precisó tratamiento quirúrgico. Se observó mayor incidencia de escoliosis en los varones, un 78,5%, y en los pacientes que habían sido intervenidos de deformidad de los pies, un 62,5%, sin que exista relación estadísticamente significativa en ninguno de los 2 casos. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de escoliosis en CMT es muy superior a la de la población general. Son curvas de amplio radio y con frecuencia asocian cifosis. No encontramos rápida progresión y los pacientes responden al tratamiento ortésico. Deben identificarse precozmente mediante exploración sistemática del raquis (AU)

Introduction: Prevalence of scoliosis in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease has been reported to range from 10 and 38%. Our study has aimed to analyze prevalence of spinal deformities associated with CMT in our population and the epidemiological and clinical data of the patients. Materials and methods: A retrospective epidemiological study of 30 patients with CMT was performed. Patients were evaluated between January 2001 and December 2010. Sex, age at diagnosis and subtype of CMT, age at onset of scoliosis, curve characteristics, evolution and treatment were analyzed. Results: A total of 46.7% of the children of the study had scoliosis. Average age at diagnosis of scoliosis was 10.21 years and average curve magnitude at the time of diagnosis was 13.85◦. Of the curves, 42.85% were thoracolumbar and 50% were associated with increased thoracic kyphosis. Curve progression was analyzed only when the patients had been followed-up for more than three years and the final Risser sign was ≥3. Progression was documented in 50% of the patients. Orthosis was prescribed in five patients and none required surgical treatment. A higher incidence of scoliosis was observed in males, 78.5%, and in patients who had undergone foot surgery, 62.5%. No statistically significant relationship was found in either case. Conclusions: Prevalence of scoliosis in CMT is higher than in the general population. Patient have long radius curves, often with associated kyphosis. We did not find rapid progression and there was good response to the brace treatment. Spinal deformity should be detected early by systematic examination of the spine (AU)

Effects of sub-lethal glyphosate concentrations on growth and photosynthetic performance of non-target species Bolboschoenus maritimus.

Glyphosate use has increased over the last decades for the control of invasive plant species in wetland ecosystems. Although glyphosate has been considered 'environmentally' safe, its repeated use could increase the toxicological risk derived from diffuse pollution of surface and groundwater on non-target vegetation. A glasshouse study was designed to determine the effect produced by the addition of different sub-lethal doses of glyphosate herbicides (5-30 mg L(-1)) to the nutrient solution on the growth and photosynthetic apparatus of Bolboschoenus maritimus. Although B. maritimus plants were able to grow and survive after 20 d of exposure to glyphosate, the presence of this herbicide affected their growth, through a direct interaction with the root system. Particularly, at 30 mg L(-1) glyphosate, B. maritimus showed ca. 30% of biomass decrease. The reduction in B. maritimus growth was due to a decrease in net photosynthetic rate (A), which ranged between values ca. 11.5 and 5.5 µmol m(-2)s(-1) CO2 for the control and the highest glyphosate treatment, respectively. The response of A to glyphosate could be largely accounted for by non-stomatal limitations, since stomatal conductance was similar in all glyphosate treatments. Thus, A decrease was prompted by the negative impact of herbicide on photochemical (PSII) apparatus, the reduction in the absorption of essential nutrients, the reduction of photosynthetic pigments and possibly the reduction in Rubisco carboxilation capacity. Moreover, glyphosate excess caused photoinhibitory damage. In conclusion, in this study we have shown that herbicide water pollution could be a source of indirect phytotoxicity for B. maritimus.

Growth and survival of Halimione portulacoides stem cuttings in heavy metal contaminated soils.

The halophytic shrub Halimione portulacoides demonstrates a high tolerance to heavy metal contamination and a capacity for accumulating metals within its tissues. On the Iberian Peninsula, this species has colonized habitats with high levels of metal pollution. The aim of this study is to analyze the response of H. portulacoides stem cuttings to this pollution. Growth, photosynthesis and metal uptake were examined in H. portulacoides through an experiment in which stem cuttings were replanted in metal-contaminated soil. This condition decreased growth and lowered both photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance. Reduced photosynthetic performance was largely due to the reduced concentration of photosynthetic pigments. Despite these responses, there was some important evidence suggesting the phytoremediatory potential of Halimione stem cuttings. The results of our study indicate that this salt-marsh shrub may represent a biotool of value in the restoration of polluted areas.

Assessing the effect of copper on growth, copper accumulation and physiological responses of grazing species Atriplex halimus: ecotoxicological implications.

Tolerance of plants to elevated concentrations of heavy metals in growth media and in its tissues leads to high degrees of metal bioaccumulation, which may pose a risk for humans and animals alike. Therefore, bio-accumulating plants need thorough evaluation from an environmental health point of view. A glasshouse experiment concerning the xerohalophyte Atriplex halimus was carried out to determine its tolerance and capacity to accumulate copper. We investigated the effect of Cu from 0 to 30 mmol l(-1) on the growth, photosynthetic apparatus and nutrient uptake of A. halimus by measuring gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and photoinhibition. We also determined total Cu, sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, and nitrogen content in the plant. Our results indicated that A. halimus presented a high resistance to Cu-induced stress, since the plants were able to survive at concentrations higher than 15 mmol l(-1) Cu. However, this capacity was not reflected in its ability to accumulate and tolerate greater amounts of Cu in its tissues, since clear phytotoxicity symptoms were detected at tissue concentrations greater than 38 mg kg(-1) Cu. Thus, Cu increment caused a reduction in A. halimus growth, which was related to a decrease in net photosynthetic rate. This reduction was associated with the adverse effect of Cu on the photochemical apparatus and the reduction in the absorption of essential nutrients. The high resistance of A. halimus was largely related with the capacity of this species to avoid the absorption of great amounts of Cu. For all the above reasons, A. halimus could have the characteristics of a Cu-exclusion plant.

Comparison of germination, growth, photosynthetic responses and metal uptake between three populations of Spartina densiflora under different soil pollution conditions.

Spartina densiflora has demonstrated a high tolerance to heavy metal contamination and a high capacity for accumulating metal in its tissues. In the Gulf of Cadiz this species has colonized habitats with different degrees of metal pollution. The aim of this study is to analyse the responses of populations of Spartina densiflora to this pollution. Germination, growth, photosynthesis and metal uptake of two populations of Spartina densiflora collected from contaminated sites (Odiel and Tinto marshes) and of one population from a clean site (Piedras marshes) were examined through two reciprocal experiments, in which seeds and adult plants were exposed to metal-contaminated and uncontaminated soil under greenhouse conditions. The seeds of Spartina densiflora were able to germinate in all sediments with little differences between populations, even in more contaminated soils. However, these conditions decreased the growth and survival of the seedlings to a similar degree for all populations. Likewise, no differences were recorded in relation to physiological and metal uptake. Contrarily, in the adult experiment, we found that the Odiel population differed from the other populations in growth and metal uptake, with overall greater values. These differences in growth were strongly supported by lower photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance in the Piedras and Tinto populations. The reduction in photosynthetic performance was largely due to the reduction in photosynthetic pigment concentration in both populations. Despite these differences, there was insufficient evidence to support that Spartina has evolved to heavy-tolerant ecotypes, since all Spartina densiflora populations proved to have a great capacity for accumulating heavy metals in its roots. Nonetheless, this finding suggests that the Odiel population could have a greater phytoremediation potential.

Growth and photosynthetic responses of the cordgrass Spartina maritima to CO2 enrichment and salinity.

Future climatic scenarios combine increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO(2) and rising sea levels. Spartina maritima is a C(4) halophyte that is an important pioneer and ecosystem engineer in salt marshes of the Atlantic coast of southern Europe. A glasshouse experiment investigated the combined effects on its growth and photosynthetic apparatus of approximately doubling CO(2) concentration (from 380 to 700 µmol mol(-1)) at a range of salinity (0, 171 and 510 mM NaCl). We measured relative growth rates, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic pigment concentrations, and total ash, Na(+), K(2+), Ca(2+) and N concentrations. Elevated CO(2) stimulated growth of S. maritima by c. 65% at all external salinities; this growth enhancement was associated with greater net photosynthetic rate (A) and improved leaf water relations. A increased despite a drop in stomatal conductance in response to 700 µmol mol(-1) CO(2). CO(2) and salinity had a marked overall effect on the photochemical (PSII) apparatus and the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. Φ(PSII) values at midday decreased significantly with external salinity in plants grown at 380 µmol mol(-1) CO(2); and F(v)/F(m) and Φ(PSII) values were higher at 700 µmol mol(-1) CO(2) in presence of NaCl. Plant nutrient concentrations declined under elevated CO(2), which can be ascribed to the dilution effect caused by an increase in biomass. The results suggest that the productivity S. maritima and the ecosystem services it provides will increase in likely future climatic scenarios.