Freezing chicken semen: Influence of base medium osmolality, cryoprotectants, cryoprotectant concentration, and cooling rate on post-thaw sperm survival.

A classical chicken semen diluent (Lake's 7.1 diluent) was modified to have lowered osmolalities (ranging from 290 to 410 mOsm/kg). The modified medium with physiological osmolality of 325 mOsm/kg allowed cold storage of fresh semen for several days with very little loss of membrane integrity and motility, while high osmolalities inhibited motility. This modified medium was then used as base for freezing medium to test effects of the type and concentration of cryoprotective agent (CPA), and the cooling rate (CR). A number of CPAs (methylformamide, methylacetamide, dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide (DMA), diethylformamide, and propylene glycol) were first compared by freezing semen with 0.6 mol/l of the respective CPA at a cooling rate of 250 °C/min. Post-thaw motility and membrane integrity were highest with DMA and DMF. Finally, in more detailed factorial experiments, semen from individual cocks or pooled semen was frozen using CRs of 4, 50, 250, and 440 °C/min and DMA concentrations ([DMA]) of 0.4, 0.6, 1.0, and 1.5 mol/l. Straws from each semen sample x treatment combination were divided for semen assessment at three different research groups for sperm motility, membrane integrity, kinked tails, and DNA fragmentation, using microscopy, computer assisted motility analysis, and flow cytometry. There were clear effects of both CR and [DMA] and their interaction. CRs 50 and 250 °C/min gave best post-thaw sperm performance. Higher DMA concentrations gave better post-thaw membrane integrity, but concentrations above 1.0 mol/l can decrease sperm velocity or even inhibit sperm motility. Therefore [DMA] may best be 0.6-1.0 mol/l at a CR of 50-250 °C/min.

Transit along the vas deferens results in a high percentage of filiform spermatozoa with compacted chromatin in the rooster (Gallus domesticus).

The present work aimed to evaluate the chromatin compaction of rooster spermatozoa along the male reproductive tract, and to study the vas deferens lining cells, potentially involved in sperm maturation. Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) was used to determine the chromatin compaction of spermatozoa from testis (T), proximal (including epididymis, V1), intermediate (V2) and distal (V3) vas deferens, and ejaculate (E). Six Birchen Leonesa roosters were used. E was obtained in vivo by dorso-ventral massage. V1, V2 and V3 sperm were obtained post mortem (six pairs of vasa deferentia), by flushing. T was obtained by washing the testes, cut in halves. The fixed cells were stained with CMA3 and propidium iodide for flow cytometry assessment. Results showed higher (P P P.

Birchen and Blue Leonesa sperm cryopreservation: a new technique for evaluating the integrity of cockerel sperm membranes.

1. Birchen and Blue Leonesa are two endangered chicken breeds mainly raised in Curueño Valley in North Spain. The establishment of a germplasm bank to guarantee the preservation of these breeds is needed. However, cockerels from different breeder flocks can show variance in semen cryoresistance.2. The following work focused on the sperm characterisation and cryopreservation of Birchen and Blue Leonesa cockerels from four different breeders. A total of 30 semen pools were analysed. Besides conventional sperm analysis, including motility by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA) and DNA fragmentation by TUNEL, the present study tested a double staining method (MitoTrackerTM Green FM/propidium iodide). This gave simultaneous assessment of plasma and acrosomal and mitochondrial membranes, which were previously validated by SYBR-14/PI, CASA, aniline blue and TUNEL.3. No significant differences were found among fresh semen variables between breeds and breeders. For post-thawed variables, significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between breeders in sperm viability (58.0 ± 1.90 breeder D vs. 35.2 ± 7.41 breeder A, 37.2 ± 4.09 breeder B and 22.3 ± 5.92 breeder C) and DNA fragmentation (62.4 ± 9.91 breeder C vs. 31.8 ± 7.08 breeder B and 24.5 ± 5.49 breeder D). The lowest DNA fragmentation values for semen from breeder D birds were coincident with higher integrity of the mitochondrial membrane.4. The results revealed higher sperm cryoresistance in the cockerels from one of the breeders, possibly due to differences in management system (e.g. diet, housing, control of stress elements and pathogens, reproduction practices or maintenance of genetic diversity). These differences may determine the sperm freezability, and thus the effectiveness of developing a germplasm bank.

Tratamiento de la fractura conminuta de patela: ¿existen diferencias entre realizar o no una eversión? / Treatment of comminuted patellar fracture: are there differences between performing or not performing an eversion?

OBJETIVO Comparar los resultados clínicos, funcionales e imagenológicos de dos técnicas quirúrgicas para el manejo de fracturas conminutas de patela: con y sin eversión patelar. MÉTODOS En una serie de casos retrospectivos de fracturas conminutas de patela tratadas en el mismo centro entre 2014 y 2017, con un seguimiento ≥ 3 meses, se hizo una comparación entre el grupo con eversión y el grupo sin eversión. Los criterios de exclusión fueron patelectomía parcial o total, reinserción tendínea, o rehabilitación incompleta. Las variables analizadas fueron edad, sexo, tabaquismo, diabetes mellitus, energía del accidente, tipo de fractura, variables quirúrgicas (banda de tensión, tornillos, alambres, nudos, cerclaje circular), rango de movimiento (RDM) articular postoperatorio, presencia de osteosíntesis sintomática, puntaje de escalas funcionales (de Tegner-Lysholm y de Kujala) al alta definitiva, complicaciones (rigidez articular, infección, trombosis venosa profunda), y variables imagenológicos con tomografías computarizadas pre- y postoperatorias (brecha, desnivel articular > 2 mm, elementos de fijación intraarticular). RESULTADOS En total, 20 de 22 pacientes, 13 con eversión y 7 sin eversión, cumplieron con los criterios de selección. El seguimiento fue de 3 a 12 meses, y no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas respecto a las variables demográficas entre ambos grupos, lo cual los hace comparables. Destacaron el tiempo desde el ingreso al alta, con 7 meses para los pacientes con eversión y 5 meses para los sin eversión (p = 0.032), la proporción de pacientes con desnivel articular > 2 mm, con 7.7% para los con eversión y 14.3% para los sin eversión (p = 0.016), y una tendencia a resultados superiores en escalas funcionales para el grupo con eversión. CONCLUSIÓN El tratamiento de fracturas conminutas de patela con eversión parece ser una alternativa viable dados sus resultados imagenológicos y funcionales superiores a los de la técnica habitual.

PURPOSE To compare the clinical, functional and imaging outcomes of two surgical techniques for the treatment of comminuted patellar fractures: with and without eversion. METHODS In a retrospective series of cases of comminuted patellar fractures treated at a single center between 2014 and 2017, with a follow-up 3 months , we performed a comparison between the eversion group and the non-eversion group. The exclusion criteria were partial or total patellectomy, tendon reinsertion, or incomplete rehabilitation. The variables analyzed were age, gender, smoking, diabetes mellitus, the energy of the accident, the fracture type, surgical variables (tension band, screws, wires, knots, circular cerclage), postoperative joint range of motion (ROM), presence of symptomatic osteosynthesis, the scores on the functional scales (of Tegner-Lysholm and of Kujala) at the final discharge, complications (joint stiffness, infection, deep vein thrombosis), and pre- and postoperative computed tomography imaging variables (gap, step-off > 2mm, intra-articular fixation elements). RESULTS In total, 20 out of 22 patients, 13 undegoing eversion and 7 not undergoing eversion, met the selection criteria.. The follow-up ranged from 3 to 12 months, and there were no statistically significant differences regarding the demographic variables between both groups, which makes them comparable. The most remarkable results were the time from admission to final discharge, of 7 months for the patients in the eversion group, and of 5 months for those in the non-eversion group (p » 0.032), the proportion of patients with a step-off > 2 mm, with 7.7% for the eversion group and 14.3% for the non-eversion group (p » 0.016), and a tendency towards higher scores in the functional scales for the eversion group. CONCLUSION The treatment of comminuted patellar fractures with eversion seems to be a viable alternative, given its superior imaging and functional results compared to those of the usual technique.

Effect of supplementation of valine to chicken extender on sperm cryoresistance and post-thaw fertilization capacity.

Recent reports showed a positive correlation between frozen-thawed rooster sperm DNA integrity and the concentrations of valine in seminal plasma. The present study evaluated the effect of supplementing valine to semen extender for freezing sperm of 2 endangered local Spanish chicken breeds with different sperm cryoresistance: Red Villafranquina (VF) showing low sperm DNA integrity after cryopreservation and Quail Castellana that shows higher DNA integrity. One pool of semen per breed was obtained twice a week for 10 wk (n = 40, 20 per breed). Each pool was divided into 2 fractions. One of these fractions was frozen in presence of valine as additive in the extender (concentration 10 mmol), whereas the other was used as control. The evaluation of the samples before and after freezing-thawing included motility (CASA-Mot system), viability (propidium iodide and SYBR-14), DNA integrity (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling), and fertility rate (percentage of eggs with blastoderm development after artificial insemination). Supplementation of valine increased several motility variables of fresh semen. In VF breed, valine increased percentage of progressive motile sperm (P = 0.025), curvilinear velocity (P = 0.033), straight-line velocity (P = 0.040), and average path velocity (P = 0.033), whereas progressive motile sperm (P = 0.019), curvilinear velocity (P = 0.006), straight-line velocity (P = 0.003) and average path velocity (P = 0.004) were improved in the Quail Castellana breed. Valine addition increased the DNA integrity of cryopreserved semen (decreased post-thaw DNA fragmentation) in both breeds, with a significant effect (P = 0.002) in VF (36.3% VF-control vs 31%VF-valine). As expected, Quail Castellana cryopreserved sperm control showed higher fertility rate (34.4% ± 12.1) than VF cryopreserved sperm control (16.1% + 6.2). Supplementing valine to the freezing extender doubled (P = 0.026) the fertility rate of VF (32.6% ± 12.2) compared with the control (16.1% + 6.2). In conclusion, supplementation of valine to chicken freezing extenders shows a positive effect on DNA fragmentation and fertilizing ability of frozen-thawed sperm, with a better response in a breed considered as the lowest freezer in our conservatory.

Luxación expuesta de rodilla: ¿Qué hemos aprendido en los últimos 20 años? / Open knee dislocations: what have we learn about it in the last 20 years?

INTRODUCCIÓN: La luxación expuesta de rodilla es compleja, de incidencia baja con grandes secuelas funcionales. Existen escasos reportes de series en la literatura relativos a su manejo y resultados. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir los resultados obtenidos de todos los pacientes con luxación expuesta de rodilla tratados durante las últimas dos décadas en nuestro hospital bajo un mismo estándar de tratamiento. MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en una serie quirúrgica de 11 pacientes con luxación expuesta de rodilla, tratados entre 1994 y 2015. Todos fueron estudiados y manejados según esquema estandarizado: Angiografía/ angioTC, aseo quirúrgico, fijador externo y reparación neurovascular en casos necesarios. Revisión de registros clínicos e imagenológicos consignando datos demográficos, lesiones concomitantes, número y tipo de cirugías, y complicaciones asociadas. Seguimiento promedio fue de 10,7 años con evaluación mediante encuesta funcionales SF-12/IKDC durante el mes de marzo de 2015. RESULTADOS: Diez pacientes eran hombres, 1 mujeres. Edad promedio al accidente 38,6 años. Mecanismo lesional de alta energía; como referencia la clasificación de Schenck, 1 lesión III-M, 4 tipo IV y los 6 restantes una tipo V. 4 lesiones vasculares (36.4%) y 7 lesiones neurológicas (63.6%). Tratamiento definitivo consistió en 4 reconstrucciones ligamentarias, 2 prótesis, 3 artrodesis y 2 amputaciones supracondíleas. Evaluaciones funcionales dieron como resultados un puntaje promedio de 37 y 48,5 para SF-12 físico y mental respectivamente, y de 44,1 para IKDC. CONCLUSIÓN: La luxación expuesta de rodilla es una lesión infrecuente, muy compleja, asociada a accidentes de alta energía, con complicaciones severas, lo que determina resultados funcionales relativamente malos. La estandarización permite sistematizar las distintas etapas de atención, racionalizar los recursos disponibles evitando la improvisación en momentos críticos, lo que podría incidir en la obtención de resultados.

INTRODUCTION: Open knee dislocation is a complex lesion of low incidence and large functional sequelae. There are few series reports in the literature regarding its management and outcomes. OBJECTIVE: Describe the results obtained from all patients with open knee dislocation treated during the last two decades in our hospital under the same treatment standard. METHOD: Retrospective descriptive study in a surgical series of 11 patients with open knee dislocation, treated between 1994 and 2015. All were studied and managed according to a standardized protocol: Angiography/angioCT, surgical debridement, external fixation and neurovascular repair in necessary cases. Review of clinical and imaging records, recording demographic data, concomitant injuries, number and type of surgeries and associated complications. Average follow-up was 10.7 years, with an evaluation through functional surveys SF-12/IKDC during March 2015. RESULTS: 10 patients were men, 1 woman. Average age at accident 38.6 years. High-energy trauma mechanism of injury; Schenk classification as reference, 1 lesion type III-M, 4 type IV and the remaining 6 type V. 4 vascular lesions (41.7%) and 7 neurological lesions (63.6%). Definitive treatment consisted in 4 ligamentous reconstructions, 2 prostheses, 3 arthrodesis and 3 supracondylar amputations. Functional evaluations showed an average score of 37 and 48.5 for SF-12 physical and mental respectively, and 44.1 for IKDC. CONCLUSION: Open knee dislocation is a rare, very complex, associated to high-energy trauma, with severe complications, which determines relatively poor functional outcomes. Standardization allows to systematize the different stages of attention and rationalize available resources avoiding improvisation at critical moments, which could affect the results.

Cambios en resonancia magnética funcional en estudiantes de medicina con y sin restricción moderada de sueño / Changes in functional magnetic resonance imaging in medical students with and without moderate sleep deprivation

OBJETIVO: Describir los efectos de la restricción moderada del sueño en las regiones cerebrales involucradas en los procesos de inhibición cognitiva, función motora y fluidez fonológica, utilizando imágenes por resonancia magnética funcional (RMf). Materiales y métodos: Se estableció una condición de sueño habitual y otra de restricción moderada en 12 estudiantes diestros de pre y posgrado de Medicina, de entre 20 y 40 años. En ambos estados se utilizó la prueba psicológica de atención d2 e imágenes de RMf con paradigmas de función motora, fluencia fonológica y atención del tipo inhibición de la función ejecutiva Stroop. La restricción moderada de sueño fue de al menos el 63% con respecto al sueño habitual. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la activación cerebral con RMf para la función motora (p<0,05) entre el ciclo de sueño regular y el de restricción moderada. La actividad cerebral en RMf con los paradigmas de atención Stroop y fluidez fonológica no mostró diferencias significativas, así como tampoco la prueba psicológica de atención d2. Discusión: Se encontró interferencia en las activaciones cerebrales de representación motora con la restricción moderada de sueño, pero no se hallaron diferencias significativas en las activaciones de atención tipo Stroop, ni en la tarea de fluencia fonológica o las pruebas de atención d2. Esto podría deberse a una insuficiente restricción del sueño o a eficientes mecanismos de compensación en los sujetos de este estudio. Conclusión: Existen diferencias en las activaciones cerebrales de representación motora en la restricción moderada del sueño medidas con RMf

OBJECTIVE: To describe the effects of moderate sleep deprivation in brain regions involved in cognitive inhibition processes, motor function, and phonological fluency using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Materials and methods: A sample of 12 under-graduate and post-graduate medical students, between 20 and 40 years, were subjected to a follow-up of the number of hours of regular sleep in order compare to a moderate sleep deprivation after a nightshift. The d2 attention test and fMRI studies were used in both groups in order to evaluate motor function, verbal fluency and cognitive inhibition, or Stroop paradigms. The moderate sleep deprivation was at least 63% with respect to the regular sleep pattern during the previous week. Results: Significant differences in brain activity were found in fMRI to measure motor function (P<0.05) comparing regular sleep cycle and moderate sleep deprivation. The brain activity with fMRI Stroop paradigms and phonological fluency showed no significant differences between the two conditions, likewise with the psychological attention test d2. Discussion: The fMRI showed interference on motor representation activations in moderate sleep deprivation. No significant differences in fMRI were found in the processes of cognitive inhibition or Stroop paradigms, in phonological fluency, or in the psychological attention test d2. These could be attributed to inadequate sleep deprivation or efficient compensation mechanisms in the subjects of this study. Conclusión: There is a difference showed in fMRI on motor representation activations in moderate sleep deprivation

[Maternal nutrition during pregnancy conditions the fetal pancreas development, hormonal status and diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome biomarkers at birth]. / La alimentación de la madre durante el embarazo condiciona el desarrollo pancreático, el estatus hormonal del feto y la concentración de biomarcadores al nacimiento de diabetes mellitus y síndrome metabólico.

Pregnancy is a vital period where several hyperplasic, hypertrophic processes together with metabolic adaptation and preparation for extra-uterine life take place. Present review accounts for central aspects of nutrition throughout gestation on the embryonic and fetal periods. It is centered in the major changes occurring in fetal pancreas, with special mention to the susceptibility of this main glucose homeostasis organ to support nutritional changes during maturation and development. Studies performed in animal models as human are commented considering the role of maternal nutrition on ß-cell mass size, insulin and other pancreatic hormones production, and insulin sensitivity. Details of both the thrifty genotype and phenotype hypothesis are given, indicating that hypo/subnutrition causes metabolic adaptations that permit the future body to grow and develop itself in limited environmental and energetic conditions. The Barker hypothesis is considered suggesting that this metabolic hypothesis is a double-edged sword in the actual abundance World. Lastly the review, taking into account our own research and other papers, analyses less known aspects that relate maternal diet with insulin resistance/sensitivity markers at delivery. Particularly the role of the saturated fatty acid/carbohydrate and omega-6/omega-3 ratios in the frame of maternal diet is reviewed considering the quality of those diets under the Healthy Eating Index and the Adherence to Mediterranean Diet scores and the relationship with insulin resistance profile at birth. Present review ends indicating that nutritional habits should be strongly stated before gestation in order to assure a proper nutrition since the first moment of pregnancy. This will support an adequate fetal and pancreatic growth and development, and in turn, adequate glucose homeostasis during pregnancy and later in life, slowing down or preventing from degenerative diseases related with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

El embarazo es una etapa de vital importancia, donde tienen lugar múltiples procesos hiperplásicos, hipertróficos, de adaptación metabólica y de preparación para la vida extrauterina. En esta revisión se analizan aspectos centrales de la nutrición durante el embarazo, tanto en la etapa embrionaria como fetal. Se exponen los cambios más importantes que tienen lugar en el páncreas fetal, con especial mención de la susceptibilidad de este órgano central en la homeostasis de la glucosa a enfrentarse a cambios nutricionales durante su desarrollo y maduración. Se comentan algunos estudios realizados en modelos animales y en la especie humana con especial mención del papel de la nutrición materna sobre la masa de células-ß, la producción de insulina y otras hormonas y la sensibilidad a la insulina. Se detallan aspectos sobre las hipótesis del genotipo y fenotipo ahorrador, señalando que la hiponutrición causa adaptaciones metabólicas que permiten al futuro ser medrar en un ambiente de nutrientes y energía reducido. Se revisan algunos aspectos de la hipótesis de Barker y se indica que la adaptación metabólica que preconiza es un arma de doble filo en el mundo actual de abundancia que nos encontramos. Por último se revisan trabajos de nuestro grupo y de otros autores, en aspectos menos estudiados que relacionan la calidad de la dieta materna con alteraciones de marcadores de resistencia/sensibilidad a la insulina en el momento del parto. En especial se estudia el papel de la relación ácidos grasos saturados/hidratos de carbono y la de ácidos grasos omega-6/omega-3 en el marco de dietas inadecuadas bajo el punto de vista del índice de alimentación saludable o de la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea que condicionan en el neonato un perfil de resistencia a la insulina. La revisión incide además en que los hábitos nutricionales deben estar fuertemente instaurados ya en la etapa pregestacional para asegurar una buena alimentación desde las primeras semanas del embarazo, y asegurar un desarrollo fetal y en particular pancreático que posibilite una homeostasis adecuada de la glucosa durante el embarazo y en etapas posteriores de la vida evitando, o al menos frenando, el desarrollo y la instauración de enfermedades degenerativas asociadas con el síndrome metabólico y la diabetes tipo 2.

La alimentación de la madre durante el embarazo condiciona el desarrollo pancreático, el estatus hormonal del feto y la concentración de biomarcadores al nacimiento de diabetes mellitus y síndrome metabólico / Maternal nutrition during pregnancy conditions the fetal pancreas development, hormonal status and diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome biomarkers at birth

El embarazo es una etapa de vital importancia, donde tienen lugar múltiples procesos hiperplásicos, hipertróficos, de adaptación metabólica y de preparación para la vida extrauterina. En esta revisión se analizan aspectos centrales de la nutrición durante el embarazo, tanto en la etapa embrionaria como fetal. Se exponen los cambios más importantes que tienen lugar en el páncreas fetal, con especial mención de la susceptibilidad de este órgano central en la homeostasis de la glucosa a enfrentarse a cambios nutricionales durante su desarrollo y maduración. Se comentan algunos estudios realizados en modelos animales y en la especie humana con especial mención del papel de la nutrición materna sobre la masa de células-β, la producción de insulina y otras hormonas y la sensibilidad a la insulina. Se detallan aspectos sobre las hipótesis del genotipo y fenotipo ahorrador, señalando que la hiponutrición causa adaptaciones metabólicas que permiten al futuro ser medrar en un ambiente de nutrientes y energía reducido. Se revisan algunos aspectos de la hipótesis de Barker y se indica que la adaptación metabólica que preconiza es un arma de doble filo en el mundo actual de abundancia que nos encontramos. Por último se revisan trabajos de nuestro grupo y de otros autores, en aspectos menos estudiados que relacionan la calidad de la dieta materna con alteraciones de marcadores de resistencia/sensibilidad a la insulina en el momento del parto. En especial se estudia el papel de la relación ácidos grasos saturados/hidratos de carbono y la de ácidos grasos omega-6/omega-3 en el marco de dietas inadecuadas bajo el punto de vista del índice de alimentación saludable o de la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea que condicionan en el neonato un perfil de resistencia a la insulina. La revisión incide además en que los hábitos nutricionales deben estar fuertemente instaurados ya en la etapa pregestacional para asegurar una buena alimentación desde las primeras semanas del embarazo, y asegurar un desarrollo fetal y en particular pancreático que posibilite una homeostasis adecuada de la glucosa durante el embarazo y en etapas posteriores de la vida evitando, o al menos frenando, el desarrollo y la instauración de enfermedades degenerativas asociadas con el síndrome metabólico y la diabetes tipo 2 (AU)

Pregnancy is a vital period where several hyperplasic, hypertrophic processes together with metabolic adaptation and preparation for extra-uterine life take place. Present review accounts for central aspects of nutrition throughout gestation on the embryonic and fetal periods. It is centered in the major changes occurring in fetal pancreas, with special mention to the susceptibility of this main glucose homeostasis organ to support nutritional changes during maturation and development. Studies performed in animal models as human are commented considering the role of maternal nutrition on β-cell mass size, insulin and other pancreatic hormones production, and insulin sensitivity. Details of both the thrifty genotype and phenotype hypothesis are given, indicating that hypo/subnutrition causes metabolic adaptations that permit the future body to grow and develop itself in limited environmental and energetic conditions. The Barker hypothesis is considered suggesting that this metabolic hypothesis is a double-edged sword in the actual abundance World. Lastly the review, taking into account our own research and other papers, analyses less known aspects that relate maternal diet with insulin resistance/sensitivity markers at delivery. Particularly the role of the saturated fatty acid/carbohydrate and omega-6/omega-3 ratios in the frame of maternal diet is reviewed considering the quality of those diets under the Healthy Eating Index and the Adherence to Mediterranean Diet scores and the relationship with insulin resistance profile at birth. Present review ends indicating that nutritional habits should be strongly stated before gestation in order to assure a proper nutrition since the first moment of pregnancy. This will support an adequate fetal and pancreatic growth and development, and in turn, adequate glucose homeostasis during pregnancy and later in life, slowing down or preventing from degenerative diseases related with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (AU)

Maternal diets with low healthy eating index or Mediterranean diet adherence scores are associated with high cord-blood insulin levels and insulin resistance markers at birth.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Few studies have used healthy eating index (HEI) and mediterranean diet adherence (MDA) scores to evaluate the diet quality during pregnancy. To determine the relationship between first trimester diet quality and insulin sensitivity/resistance biomarkers at birth. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Cord-blood insulin sensitivity/resistance biomarkers of the offspring of 35 women whose diets were 'adequate' or 'inadequate' according to their HEI score (>70 or ≤ 70, respectively) and their 13-point MDA score (≥ 7 or <7, respectively). RESULTS: Low HEI-score diets contained less (g/1000 kcal) carbohydrates (CHO; P=0.027) and fibre (P=0.011), and more fats (P<0.001) and cholesterol (P<0.001), and contributed (percentage contribution to total energy (%En)) fewer CHO (P=0.005), more fats (P=<0.001) and saturated fatty acid (SFA; P=0.002) than their high HEI-score counterparts. Low MDA-score diets contained less (g/1000 kcal) fibre (P<0.001) and more cholesterol (P=0.05), had lower polyunsaturated fatty acids+monounsaturated fatty acid/SFA (PUFA+MUFA/SFA; P=0.05) and higher SFA/CHO (P=0.021) and ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratios (P=0.044) than their respective counterparts. Women consuming the low HEI- or low MDA-score diets had low-fasting glycaemia (P=0.016 or P=0.025, respectively) but delivered infants with high insulinaemia (P=0.048 or P=0.017, respectively), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; P=0.031 or P=0.049, respectively) and glycaemia (P=0.018 or P=0.048, respectively). The relative risk (RR) of high-neonatal glycaemia and insulinaemia were 7.6 (P=0.008) and 6.7 (P=0.017) for low vs high HEI-score groups. High HOMA-IR and high glucose RR were, respectively, 3.4 (P=0.043) and 3.9 (P=0.016) in neonates from the <7 MDA- vs ≥ 7 MDA-score group. These RRs were not affected by potential confounders. CONCLUSION: Maternal diets with low HEI- or MDA-scores during the first trimester of pregnancy negatively affect insulin resistance markers at birth.

A systematic literature review of magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the characterization of brain tumors.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Proton MR spectroscopy ((1)H-MR spectroscopy) is a potentially useful adjunct to anatomic MR imaging in the characterization of brain tumors. We performed an updated systematic review of the evidence. METHODS: We employed a standardized search strategy to find studies published during 2002-2004. We reviewed studies measuring diagnostic accuracy and diagnostic, therapeutic, or health impact of (1)H-MR spectroscopy. We abstracted information on study design, (1)H-MR spectroscopy technique, and methodologic quality. We categorized studies into 5 subgroups: (1) metastasis versus high-grade tumor; (2) high-versus low-grade tumor; (3) recurrent tumor versus radiation necrosis; (4) tumor extent; and (5) tumor versus non-neoplastic lesion. RESULTS: We identified 26 studies evaluating diagnostic performance, diagnostic impact, or therapeutic impact. No articles evaluated patient health or cost-effectiveness. Methodologic quality was mixed; most used histopathology as the reference standard but did not specify blinded interpretation of histopathology. One large study demonstrated a statistically significant increase in diagnostic accuracy for indeterminate brain lesions from 55%, based on MR imaging, to 71% after analysis of (1)H-MR spectroscopy. Several studies have found that (1)H-MR spectroscopy is highly accurate for distinguishing high- and low-grade gliomas, though the incremental benefit of (1)H-MR spectroscopy in this setting is less clear. Interpretation for the other clinical subgroups is limited by the small number of studies. CONCLUSION: The current evidence on the accuracy of (1)H-MR spectroscopy in the characterization of brain tumors is promising. However, additional high-quality studies are needed to convince policy makers. We present guidelines to help focus future research in this area.

[Giant bizarre scrotal leiomyoma]. / Leiomioma escrotal bizarro gigante: a propósito de un caso.

OBJECTIVES: To review the diagnosis and therapeutic management of scrotal wall smooth muscle tumors by reporting an illustrative case. To emphasize that despite their histological characteristics on presentation, compatible with malignancy, these tumors have a benign behaviour, even when their size is much bigger than the ones found in the review bibliography. METHODS: 75-year-old male who presented a big, very slowly growing, painless, mobile, hard, not adhered to deep layers, non transilluminating scrotal tumor. RESULTS: Pathology reported a giant bizarre scrotal leiomyoma. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the atypical characteristics of this case, which despite its compliance with almost all classical criteria establishing the malignant character of tumor lesions has a benign behaviour. It complies with the criterion that, accordingly to reviewed bibliography, seems to be the most important to determine it: the absence of mitosis. We also insist on the importance of an adequate diagnostic approach which guarantees a proper surgical approach, for which we think ultrasound is essential.

Estudio del oligodendroglioma y sus variantes por medio del cultivo de tejidos / Oligodendroglioma and its variants study by tissue culture

Junto a las formas clasicas, el oligodendroglioma incluye formas inusuales con aumento de la actividad proliferativa, alteraciones vasculares, tumores mixtos (oligodendroastrocitoma) y tumores con celulas eosinófilas. El estudio con cultivo de tejidos nos ha permitido: a) confirmar el patron de crecimiento in vitro, b) la expresión de GFAP en todos los casos cultivados, c) el carácter primario de la transformación eosinófila citoplásmica. A la luz de este estudio, puede concluirse que: a) el patrón in vitro del oligodendroglioma es característico y permite identificar este tipo tumoral sea cual sea el subtipo, b) la expresión de GFAP es constante en todas las formas de oligodendroglioma, c) la tendencia a la maduración astrocítica parace ser una capacidad propia del oligodendrocito tumoral (AU)

Brain activation in sedated children: auditory and visual functional MR imaging.

PURPOSE: To map developing areas of activation with functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in sedated children by using passive auditory and visual tasks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty children between 2 months and 9 years old were examined and grouped according to age. Children were selected from patients referred to undergo brain MR imaging. Patients received pentobarbital (3.0-7.0 mg per kilogram of body weight) or chloral hydrate (50-75 mg/kg). The functional MR imaging study was performed at the end of the examination. Paradigms consisted of flashing lights at 8 Hz displayed on special goggles and a prerecorded mother's voice presented through headphones. Activation maps were obtained from a paired t test with a P value of.0005 (uncorrected). RESULTS: The visual stimulus produced statistically significant negative values in the rostral aspect of the primary visual area (28 [90%] of 31 patients). The auditory paradigm activated either temporal or frontal areas in 26 (68%) of 31 patients. There was more frontal activation in the older children. CONCLUSION: Visual and auditory cortices can be activated in children who have been sedated. Visual responses show negative values in the rostral visual cortex, independent of age. Auditory activation is seen in temporal and frontal lobes.

Consideraciones para la selección de audífonos en pacientes institucionales / Consideration on the selection of earphones for institutional patients

Además de presentar ciertos aspectos de la selección de audifonos el principal objetivo de este articulo consiste en proporcionar información sobre algunos criterios aplicables a la salud institucional, a fin de que los mismos recursos, con optima calidad, sean asequibles a una mayor población