Spatial aggregation patterns in four mistletoe species: ecological and environmental determinants.

Plant spatial distribution is an important topic in ecology as it determines species coexistence and biodiversity dynamics. Usually, plants show clustered distributions in nature. Mistletoes are a good example of aggregated distributions, as they form dense aggregations due to several factors (availability of competent hosts, seed dispersal vectors, microclimate conditions). We analysed four native mistletoe species with divergent life histories and host ranges: Desmaria mutabilis and Tristerix corymbosus from the temperate rainforests of southern Chile; and Tristerix aphyllus and Tristerix verticillatus from the northern semi-desert zone. While T. corymbosus and T. verticillatus have a wide host range, T. aphyllus and D. mutabilis are specialists that can parasitize only a few plant species. We hypothesized that specialized species would be more aggregated due to ecological and environmental restrictions. We used heterogeneous Poisson models to quantify spatial aggregation. Three of the four mistletoe species were spatially clustered at both environments, with aggregation being stronger in the temperate rainforest of southern Chile and particularly in the host-specialist species. Our results suggest that environmental constraints are more important than ecological constraints (host range) in shaping mistletoe spatial structure. Mistletoe aggregated spatial distribution depends primarily on the environment that they inhabit, which conditions host spatial availability, and arrangement.

Un año de seguimiento con variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca en trail runners / One-year follow-up with heart rate variability in trail runners

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar las medidas de variabilidad de la frecuencia cardíaca (VFC) para proporcionar valores de referencia en atletas de Ultra-Trail Running (UTR). Dieciséis UTR chilenos fueron monitoreados con registros basales al despertar de 5 minutos durante un año de seguimiento, tiempo en el cual, mantuvieron sus actividades habituales de entrenamiento, competición y descanso. Como variable para evaluar la actividad parasimpática la RMSSD (raíz cuadrada de la media de las diferencias de la suma de los cuadrados entre intervalos RR adyacentes) fue analizada. Además, se calculó el Stress Score (SS) como indicador de la actividad simpática. Los datos aportados proporcionan valores de referencia de VFC para UTR a través de una distribución de percentiles, que pueden ser particularmente útiles cuando la VFC se utiliza para el control de las cargas de entrenamiento en atletas de UTR. (AU)

This study aimed to analyze measures of heart rate variability (HRV) to provide reference values in Ultra-Trail Running (UTR) athletes. Sixteen Chilean UTR were monitored with 5-minute baseline wake-up records during a one-year follow-up during which they maintained their usual training, competition and rest activities. As a variable to evaluate parasympathetic activity the RMSSD (square root of the mean value of the sum of the squared differences of all successive RR intervals) was analyzed. In addition, the Stress Score (SS) was calculated as an indicator of sympathetic activity. The data provided are reference baseline HRV values for UTR through a percentile distribution, which can be particularly useful when HRV is used to control training loads in UTR athletes. (AU)

Comportamiento de las colinesterasas tras condiciones de fatiga en corredores de fondo / Behaviour of cholinesterases after fatigue conditions in endurance runners

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto de un entrenamiento intenso en atletas de resistencia sobre el comportamiento de las colinesterasas (ChE) tras condiciones de fatiga y su relación con otros marcadores de carga interna. Participaron 18 atletas de sexo masculino especialistas en pruebas de resistencia. Se evaluó las ChE y dos índices de variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca en tres momentos diferentes, previo al protocolo (BASAL), 15 minutos posterior al protocolo (FINAL) y 24 horas después del entrenamiento (24H). Un ANOVA de una vía con post-hoc de Tukey HSD se utilizó para comparar las medias. Se encontraron cambios significativos en las variables analizadas (p < .001) con tamaños de efecto muy grandes (d > 0.9) en los diferentes momentos y correlaciones moderadas entre variables (p < .001). El comportamiento de las ChE muestra un cambio significativo (p < .001) posterior al ejercicio y una relación con otros indicadores de carga interna. Nuestros resultados indican que las ChE tienen relación con la fatiga en el caso de los deportistas estudiados, pudiendo ser una medida para determinar la carga de entrenamiento. (AU)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of intense training in endurance athletes on the behaviour of cholinesterases (ChE) after fatigue conditions and its relationships with other internal load markers. 18 male athletes specializing in endurance events participated. ChEs and two index of heart rate variability were evaluated at three different moments, before the study protocol (BASAL), 15 minutes after (FINAL) and the day after finishing the training (24H). A one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey HSD was used to compare means. Significant differences were found in the variables analysed (p < .001), with very large effect sizes (d > 0.9) between BASAL, FINAL and 24H and moderate correlations between ChE and LnRMSSD and SS (p < .001). The behaviour of the ChEs showed a significant change (p < .001) after exercise and relationship with other internal training load indicators. Our results indicate that ChEs are related with fatigue in the studied athletes and may be a measure for training load determination. (AU)

Resultado de la implantación de consultas telemáticas en cirugía ortopédica y traumatología durante la pandemia COVID-19 / Result of the implementation of telematic consultations in orthopaedic surgery and traumatology during COVID-19 laparoscopic surgery

La pandemia COVID ha hecho de las consultas telemáticas una herramienta básica en la práctica diaria. El objetivo principal del estudio es valorar los resultados de la aplicación de consultas telemáticas para limitar la movilidad de los pacientes. Son objetivos operativos: proponer un plan de consultas, conocer cómo limita la asistencia a las consultas, definir qué patologías se benefician más con este plan. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se propone un esquema con la creación de consultas previas a las agendadas para valorar idoneidad y posibilidad de realizarla en acto único no presencial. RESULTADOS: Se han realizado 5.619 consultas con una falta de respuesta telefónica del 19%. El 74% de los pacientes fueron resueltos de forma virtual. Existe diferencia entre unidades, siendo más probable la respuesta telefónica para las consultas de unidad, OR = 0,60 o de traumatología general, OR = 0,67 y menos para los derivados desde urgencias. El 20% de las consultas no se acompañaban de pruebas complementarias. Las consultas de traumatología general, OR = 0,34, control postoperatorio, OR = 0,49, y unidades, OR = 0,40, cumplieron mejor este requisito. De los pacientes restantes, las consultas de traumatología general, OR = 0,50, y las derivadas a unidades, OR = 0,54 fueron las que más se resolvieron sin acudir presencialmente. CONCLUSIONES: Se han resuelto de forma no presencial el 74% de los pacientes que atendieron a la llamada telefónica. El 20% de los pacientes acuden a la visita sin pruebas complementarias. Las consultas de seguimiento de osteosíntesis y postoperatorio de cirugía artroscópica son las que más precisan de ser realizadas de forma presencial

The COVID pandemic has made telematic consultations a basic tool in daily practice. AIMS: The main objective of the study is to assess the results of the application of telematic consultations to limit the mobility of patients. The operational objectives are; to propose a consultation plan, to know how attendance limits consultations and to define which pathologies benefit the most from this plan. METHODS: A scheme is proposed with the creation of pre-scheduled clinic to assess suitability and the possibility of carrying them out in a single non face-to-face act. RESULTS: Phone call to 5,619 patients were made with a lack of response of 19%. The cases of 74% of the patients that answered were resolved virtually. There is a difference between units, obtaining a higher answering rate from patients appointed to specific clinic units, OR = 0.60, or to general trauma ones, OR = 0.67. The lowest answering rate was obtained from those derived from the emergency department. Twenty per cent of the consultations were not accompanied by complementary tests that would have favored the resolution in a single act. The general trauma consultations, OR = 0.34, postoperative control, OR = 0.49, and specific unit ones, OR = 0.40, were the ones that better met this requirement. Out of the remaining patients, the general trauma consultations, OR = 0.50, and those referred to units, OR = 0.54, were the ones that had a higher resolution rate without in- person consultation. CONCLUSIONS: The cases of 74% of the patients who answered the phone call were resolved virtually. Cases of 20% of the patients cannot be solved in a single act because they are derived without complementary tests. Osteosynthesis and postoperative arthroscopic follow-up consultations are the ones that need to be carried out in person the most

Result of the implementation of telematic consultations in orthopaedic surgery and traumatology during COVID-19 laparoscopic surgery. / Resultado de la implantación de consultas telemáticas en cirugía ortopédica y traumatología durante la pandemia COVID-19.

The COVID pandemic has made telematic consultations a basic tool in daily practice. AIMS: The main objective of the study is to assess the results of the application of telematic consultations to limit the mobility of patients. The operational objectives are; to propose a consultation plan, to know how attendance limits consultations and to define which pathologies benefit the most from this plan. METHODS: A scheme is proposed with the creation of pre-scheduled clinic to assess suitability and the possibility of carrying them out in a single non face-to-face act. RESULTS: Phone call to 5,619 patients were made with a lack of response of 19%. The cases of 74% of the patients that answered were resolved virtually. There is a difference between units, obtaining a higher answering rate from patients appointed to specific clinic units, OR = 0.60, or to general trauma ones, OR = 0.67. The lowest answering rate was obtained from those derived from the emergency department. Twenty per cent of the consultations were not accompanied by complementary tests that would have favored the resolution in a single act. The general trauma consultations, OR = 0.34, postoperative control, OR = 0.49, and specific unit ones, OR = 0.40, were the ones that better met this requirement. Out of the remaining patients, the general trauma consultations, OR = 0.50, and those referred to units, OR = 0.54, were the ones that had a higher resolution rate without in- person consultation. CONCLUSIONS: The cases of 74% of the patients who answered the phone call were resolved virtually. Cases of 20% of the patients cannot be solved in a single act because they are derived without complementary tests. Osteosynthesis and postoperative arthroscopic follow-up consultations are the ones that need to be carried out in person the most.

Non-linear heart rate dynamics during and after three controlled exercise intensities in healthy men.

We aimed to analyse the complexity and fractal nature of heartbeat during constant exercise, at three different intensities, and recovery.Fourteen healthy men underwent 4 separate sessions. The first session was an incremental treadmill test to determine ventilatory thresholds (VT1 and VT2) and maximal aerobic speed (MAS). Each subject ran at VT1 and VT2 speeds and MAS (second, third and fourth day). The duration of VT1 and VT2 loads were selected in such a way that the product intensity-duration (training load) was the same. Sample Entropy (SampEn) and slope of Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA α1) were measured during the whole session.DFA α1 declines with exercise, being less in the VT1 trial than in the other two.SampEn shows no significant change during exercise. The three tests induce the same decline in SampEn, but at the highest intensity (MAS) tends to decline during the exercise itself, whereas at lower intensities (VT1, VT2) the decline is delayed (10 min of recovery). Subsequently, SampEn at VT1 gradually recovers, whereas at VT2 and MAS it remains stable during recovery.In conclusion, exercise produces a loss of heartbeat complexity, but not fractal nature, during recovery and it depends on intensity.

Carga de entrenamiento y VFC en una atleta femenina: estudio de caso / Training Load and HRV in a Female Athlete: A Case Study

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir una metodología de seguimiento en una atleta que combina el Ultra Trail Running (UTR) y el Ironman durante 16 semanas, mediante variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca (VFC). La carga de entrenamiento (CE) diaria se programó y se cuantificó el sumatorio semanal. Se registraron los intervalos RR (ms) en reposo cada mañana durante 5 minutos y a partir de ellos se midió la RMSSD (raíz cuadrada de la media de las diferencias de la suma de los cuadrados entre intervalos RR adyacentes) como medida de la actividad parasimpática y el índice de estrés (SS) como actividad simpática. Los registros diarios de VFC matutinos parecen ser una forma útil para monitorizar el estado de equilibrio simpático-parasimpático en deportistas antes de abordar las sesiones de entrenamiento. Esta monitorización serviría para detectar precozmente estados de fatiga y para poder monitorizar la planificación de las cargas

The purpose of this study was to describe a follow-up methodology in a female athlete who combines Ultra Trail Running (UTR) and Ironman during 16 weeks, using Heart Rate Variability (HRV). The daily training load (TL) was previously programmed and the weekly summation was recorded. The RR (ms) intervals at rest were recorded every morning for 5 minutes. The RMSSD (root mean square of the successive differences between adjacent RR intervals) was measured as an index of the parasympathetic activity and the stress score (SS) as a measure of sympathetic activity. Daily HRV morning records appear to be a useful way to monitor sympathetic-parasympathetic balance in athletes before tackling training sessions. This monitoring would serve to detect early fatigue states and to be able to monitor the planning of the loads

Identification of Peptides Potentially Responsible for In Vivo Hypolipidemic Activity of a Hydrolysate from Olive Seeds.

Previous studies demonstrated that peptides produced by the hydrolysis of olive seed proteins using Alcalase enzyme showed in vitro multifunctional lipid-lowering capability. This work presents a deeper insight into the hypolipidemic effect of olive seed peptides. The capability of olive seed peptides to inhibit endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis through the inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase enzyme was evaluated observing a 38 ± 7% of inhibition. Two in vivo assays using different peptides concentrations (200 and 400 mg/kg/day) were designed to evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of olive seed peptides in male and female mice. A low concentration of hydrolysate reduced total cholesterol in male mice in a 20% after 11 weeks compared to the mice feeding with hypercholesterolemic diet. A higher hydrolysate concentration showed a greater reduction in total cholesterol (25%). The analysis of the olive seed hydrolysate by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC-MS) enabled the identification of peptides that could be responsible for this hypolipidemic effect.

Temporally Segmented Directionality in the Motor Cortex.

Developing models of the dynamic and complex patterns of information processing that take place during behavior is a major thrust of systems neuroscience. An underlying assumption of many models is that the same set of rules applies across different conditions. This has been the case for directional tuning during volitional movement; a single cosine function has been remarkably robust for describing the encoding of movement direction in different types of neurons, in many locations of the nervous system, and even across species. However, detailed examination of the tuning time course in motor cortex suggests that direction coding may be labile. Here, we show that there are discrete time epochs within single reaches, between which individual neurons change their tuning. Our findings suggest that motor cortical activity patterns may reflect consistent changes in the state of the control system during center-out reaching. These transitions are likely linked to different behavioral components, suggesting that the task defines changes in the operational structure of the control system.

Anthropogenic 236U and 129I in the Mediterranean Sea: First comprehensive distribution and constrain of their sources.

The first basin-wide distribution of 236U/238U atom ratios and 129I concentrations is presented for the Mediterranean Sea. During the GEOTRACES GA04S-MedSeA expedition in 2013 seawater was collected from 10 vertical profiles covering the principal sub-basins of the Mediterranean Sea. The main objective was to understand the distributions of 236U and 129I in relation to the water masses, and to constrain their sources in this region. The 236U/238U atom ratios and the 129I concentrations ranged from (710±40)×10-12 to (2220±60)×10-12 and from (4.0±0.1)×107 to (13.8±0.3)×107at·kg-1, respectively. The results show that radionuclide-poor Atlantic Water is entering at the surface through the Strait of Gibraltar whereas comparably radionuclide-enriched Levantine Intermediate Water is sinking in the Eastern Basin and flowing westward at intermediate depths. Low radionuclide levels were found in the oldest water masses at about 1000-2000m depth in the Eastern Basin. At greater depths, waters were relatively enriched in 236U and 129I due to dense water formation occurring in both, the Eastern and Western Basins. The inventories of 236U and 129I cannot be explained only by global fallout from atmospheric nuclear bomb testings carried out in the 1950s and 1960s. We estimate that the liquid input of 236U from the nuclear reprocessing facility of Marcoule (France), via the Rhône river, was of the same order of magnitude than the contribution from global fallout, whereas liquid and gaseous releases of 129I from Marcoule were up to two orders of magnitude higher than global fallout. For both radionuclides, the contribution from the Chernobyl accident is found to be minor.

Dose assessment to workers in a dicalcium phosphate production plant.

The production of dicalcium phosphate (DCP) uses phosphate rock (PR) as a raw material. Sedimentary phosphate rocks are enriched with relevant concentrations of natural radionuclides from the 238U decay chain (around 103 Bq·kg-1), leading to the need of controlling potential exposures to radiation of workers and members of the public in accordance with IAEA safety standards. Indeed, phosphate industries are classified as Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) industries. Thus, the aim of this work is to assess the radiological risk of the workers in a DCP production plant located in the Iberian Peninsula (South-West Europe), which digests PR with hydrochloric acid. In the present study 238U, 230Th, 222Rn, 210Pb and 210Po concentrations in aerosols (indoor and outdoor areas) are reported. Aerosols showed concentrations between 0.42-92 mBq·m-3 for 238U, 0.24-33 mBq·m-3 for 230Th, 0.67-147 mBq·m-3 for 210Pb and 0.09-34 mBq·m-3 for 210Po. Long-term exposure (four months) of passive 222Rn detectors provided concentrations that ranged from detection limit (< DL) to 121 Bq·m-3 in outdoor areas and from < DL to 211 Bq·m-3 in indoor areas, similar to concentrations obtained from short-term measurements with active detectors from < DL to 117 Bq·m-3 in outdoor areas and from < DL to 318 Bq·m-3 in indoor places. 226Ra accumulation in ebonite and pipe scales were the most important contributions to the ambient dose equivalent H*(10), resulting in 0.07 (background)-27 µSv·h-1 with a median value of 1.1 µSv·h-1. Average 222Rn air concentrations were lower than the 300 Bq·m-3 limit and therefore, according to European Directive 2013/59/EURATOM, 222Rn concentration is excluded from the worker operational annual effective dose. Thus, considering the inhalation of aerosols and the external dose sources, the total effective dose determined for plant operators was 0.37 mSv·y-1.

Influence of submarine groundwater discharge on (210)Po and (210)Pb bioaccumulation in fish tissues.

This study presents the results of the accumulation of (210)Po and (210)Pb in fish tissues and organs in a brackish-water marshland that is characterized by high concentrations of (222)Rn and (226)Ra supplied by submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). Tissues and organs from Cyprinus carpio, Chelon labrosus and Carassius auratus in the wetland were significantly enriched by both (210)Pb and (210)Po (up to 55 and 66 times, respectively) compared to blanks. The major input route of (210)Pb and (210)Po into the fish body seems to be through ingestion, due to the high levels of (210)Pb and (210)Po found in the gut content as well as in organs involved in digestion and metabolism (i.e. gut, kidney and hepatopancreas). Results showed that (210)Po was more accumulated in all fish tissues and organs except for the spine, which showed a higher affinity for (210)Pb, due to its capacity to replace Ca from apatite in bones. Over all the variables analyzed, fish tissues/organs and, secondarily, fish species were the most important factors explaining the concentration of radionuclides, whereas fish length and the sampling location played a minor role. The relationship of the two radionuclides varied markedly among tissues and their concentration levels were only correlated in gills, gut and, marginally, in spines. In general, the highest values of (210)Pb and (210)Po concentrations in tissues were found on C. labrosus tissues rather C. auratus and C. carpio. This study demonstrates that inputs of natural radionuclides supplied by SGD to coastal semi-enclosed areas (such as marshlands, lagoons or ponds) may significantly increase the contents of (210)Pb and (210)Po in fish tissues/organs. Thus, this study represents one of the first evidences of direct ecological effects derived from SGD.

Jump percentile: a proposal for evaluation of high level sportsmen.

AIM: The goal of this study was to determine reference values of explosive strength for Spanish professional athletes using a force platform. Reference values are displayed as a sports-independent percentile distribution. METHODS: A total of 323 elite male athletes (age: 20.38 ± 4.65 years, body mass: 75.04 ± 14.30 kg, height: 178.62 ± 14.18 cm) from different disciplines performed the following test: squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), Abalakov test (AB), drop jump (DJ) and repeated jumps (RJ). We calculated: relative peak power, relative peak force, maximal height, symmetry index, explosive index of strength, relative effective impulse, duration of jump, elastic capacity, eccentric time, action of arm, jump number, average height, intensity and fatigue index of force. RESULTS: Significant differences were found among sports disciplines (P<0.05) in relative peak power, maximal height and relative effective impulse during the SJ, CMJ and AB tests. No significant differences were found among disciplines in DJ variables. In RJ, the main variable characterizing the disciplines analyzed was average height, which showed a significant negative association with athletics, soccer, volleyball and gymnastics. CONCLUSION: The results obtained suggest that a percentile table may be useful in assessing explosive strength in athletes, regardless of there being any reference values available for their sports discipline.

Hemichannels: new pathways for gliotransmitter release.

Growing evidence suggests that glial cells express virtually all known types of neurotransmitter receptors, enabling them to sense neuronal activity and microenvironment changes by responding locally via the Ca(2+)-dependent release of bioactive molecules, known as "gliotransmitters". Several mechanisms of gliotransmitter release have been documented. One of these mechanisms involves the opening of plasma membrane channels, known as hemichannels. These channels are composed of six protein subunits consisting of connexins or pannexins, two highly conserved protein families encoded by 21 or 3 genes, respectively, in humans. Most data indicate that under physiological conditions, glial cell hemichannels have low activity, but this activity is sufficient to ensure the release of relevant quantities of gliotransmitters to the extracellular milieu, including ATP, glutamate, adenosine and glutathione. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that dysregulations of hemichannel properties could be critical in the beginning and during the maintenance of homeostatic imbalances observed in several brain diseases. In this study, we review the current knowledge on the hemichannel-dependent release of gliotransmitters in the physiology and pathophysiology of the CNS.

IgE sérica e IgA salival, total y específica para Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus y subpoblaciones leucocitarias en niños atópicos y no atópicos con asma y/o rinitis / Total and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus specific IgE and salivary IgA and leukocyte populations in atopic and nonatopic children with asthma and/or rhinitis

Objetivo. Investigar inmunológicamente niños con problemas respiratorios de asma y/o rinitis (atópicos o no atópicos) en la búsqueda de evidencias que permitan una mejor comprensión del desbalance que padecen estos niños en su sistema inmune. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 47 niños de ambos sexos, con edades comprendidas entre los 6 y 15 años, que concurrieron a la consulta por afecciones respiratorias compatibles con asma y/o rinitis a la División de Alergia e Inmunología del Hospital de Niños de la Santísima Trinidad de la Ciudad de Córdoba. Según la información obtenida en la anamnesis, examen físico y prick tests, fueron divididos en dos grupos: atópicos (n=25) y no atópicos (n=22). Luego que los padres firmaron el consentimiento informado y los niños mayores a 7 años dieron su asentimiento para participar del trabajo de investigación, se tomaron muestras de sangre y saliva, para determinar concentración y actividad específica en inmunoglobulinas (Igs) así como estudiar poblaciones leucocitarias y subpoblaciones linfocitarias. Resultados. Como era previsible, los niveles de IgE sérica total y los porcentajes relativos de eosinófilos sanguíneos se mostraron significativamente elevados en el grupo de los niños atópicos (A) con respecto a los no atópicos (NA). El estudio de IgE sérica específica para Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus solo arrojó resultados positivos en los pacientes A y se observó una correlación significativa entre los niveles de IgE total y específica para dicho alérgeno, y entre los niveles de prick y RAST. Los niveles séricos de IgG e IgA no demostraron diferencias de significación entre ambos grupos. El estudio de la IgA salival (IgAs) total permitió observar en el grupo de los niños NA concentraciones significativamente mayores que las correspondientes al grupo de pacientes A. Sin embargo, al estudiar la IgAs específica para el D. pteronyssinus, se observó lo inverso: los pacientes A tienen casi el doble de IgAs específica para el alérgeno respecto del grupo NA. En el estudio de subpoblaciones de células T (CD3, CD4 y CD8), no se observaron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos. Las subpoblaciones de linfocitos B CD27-y linfocitos B CD27+ tuvieron valores similares en ambos grupos (aproximadamente 80% y 20%, respectivamente). En ambos grupos, alrededor de un 50% de los linfocitos B CD27+ expresaron IgD y el 50% restante fueron IgD­. Sin embargo, el grupo de niños A tuvo dos veces menos de linfocitos B que expresan alta densidad de la molécula CD27 (CD27+++) con respecto a los niños NA (p=0,044). Conclusión. Entre los parámetros inmunológicos investigados encontramos diferencias significativas entre niños A y NA en las concentraciones totales y específicas para el D. pteronyssinus en los isotipos de IgE e IgAs, y en una subpoblación de linfocitos B CD27+++. Dichos hallazgos son analizados en la discusión del manuscrito. (AU)

Purpose. To perform an immunologically investigation in children with respiratory problems of asthma and/or rhinitis (atopic or non atopic) in order to get a better understanding of the immune system imbalance in these patients. Materials and methods. 47 children of both sexes, aged between 6 and 15 years, who were attended for respiratory diseases at the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Children's Hospital de la Santísima Trinidad from Córdoba city were studied. According to information obtained on clinical history, physical examination and prick tests they were divided into two groups: Atopics (n=25) and non-atopic (n=22). After parents signed informed consent and children over 7 years assent to participate in the research work, samples of blood and saliva were taken to determine immune globulins concentrations and specific activities as well as to study leukocyte populations and lymphocytes subpopulations. Results. As expected, levels of total serum IgE and the relative percentages of blood eosinophils were significantly higher in the group of atopic (A) children with regard to non¬atopic (NA) children. The study of specific serum IgE for Dermatophagoides pteronissynus only showed positive results in the A group, and positive correlations between the levels of total and specific IgE, as well as prick and RAST values. Serum IgG and IgA levels showed no significant differences between both groups. Total salivary IgA concentrations were significantly higher in the group of NA children than in the group of A patients. Surprisingly, when specific salivary IgA for D. pteronyssinus was studied, the opposite was observed: Atopic patients have nearly twice specific salivary IgA for this allergen than the NA children. In the study of T cells subpopulations (CD3, CD4 and CD8), no significant differences between groups were observed. The subpopulations of CD27-B cells and CD27+ B cells were similar in both groups (roughly 80% and 20%, respectively). In both groups, approximately 50% of CD27+ B cells expressed IgD and the remaining 50% were IgD­. However, atopic children had less than half B cells expressing high density of CD27 molecule (CD27+++) with respect to the NA children (p=0.044). Conclusion: Among the immunological parameters investigated, we found significant differences between A and NA children in the concentrations of total and specific IgE and salivary IgA to the allergen, and in a subpopulation of CD27+++ B cells. These findings are debated in the discussion of the manuscript(AU)

Bypass gástrico laparoscópico como tratamiento simultáneo de hernia de hiato gigante y obesidad mórbida / Laparoscopic gastric bypass a treatment simultaneous of giant hiatus hernia and morbid obesity

La obesidad mórbida es un factor de riesgo independiente para desarrollar hernia hiato y enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico. En los pacientes con obesidad mórbida, las técnicas convencionales para el tratamiento del el reflujo gastroesofágico y la hernia de hiato, tienen una alta tasa de fracaso. La evidencia a puesto de manifiesto que el bypass gástrico en Y de Roux, es un procedimiento eficaz para controlar los síntomas y las complicaciones del reflujo gastroesofágico en estos pacientes. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 64 años de edad, diagnosticada de obesidad mórbida (IMC de 52 Kg/m2) y de hernia de hiato gigante. Se realizó reparación de la hernia de hiato y bypass gástrico por vía laparoscópica. A los 24 meses de la intervención quirúrgica, la paciente ha perdido el 32% del exceso de peso corporal (IMC 36Kg/m2), y no hay evidencia de recidiva de la hernia esofágica

Morbid obesity is an inpendent risk factor for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease. In morbidly obese patients, the usual techniques to improve gastroesophageal reflux after hiatal hernia repair could have poorer outcomes than in the general population. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has been demonstrated to be an effective procedure in controlling symptoms and complications of gastroesophageal reflux. The authors report a case of a 64-year-old woman with a body mass index of 52 kg/m2 who was diagnosed of giant hiatal hernia. A laparoscopic approach for both hiatal hernia repair and Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was performed. At 24 months follow-up, the patient has lost 32% of excess body weight (BMI 36), and there is no evidence of recurrence of the esophageal hernia

Dorsalgia persistente en varón de 62 años: ¿dolor mecánico? / Persistent backache in a 62 year-old male: Mechanical pain?

Se trata de un varón de 62 años, con antecedentes de tuberculosis pulmonar, que consulta en varias ocasiones a su médico de atención primaria por dorsalgia resistente al tratamiento analgésico/antiinflamatorio, y que generalmente coincide con la actividad física. Inicialmente se diagnosticó de dolor de características mecánicas pero ante la falta de respuesta al reposo y tratamiento, se solicitó resonancia magnética de columna que informó de metástasis óseas. Posteriormente se deriva al paciente para estudio hospitalario al servicio de medicina interna. La anatomía patológica descartó la presencia de células neoplásicas, y en las pruebas de imagen se evidenciaron alteraciones radiológicas en cuerpos vertebrales (osteomielitis-discitis), asociadas a absceso epidural, compatibles con mal de Pott tuberculoso (AU)

The case is presented of a 62 year old man with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, repeatedly consulting his primary care physician for treatment of analgesic / anti-inflammatory resistant back pain, and usually coincided with physical activity. It was initially diagnosed as mechanical pain, but in the absence of response to rest and treatment a magnetic resonance of the spine was requested, which reported bone metastases. The patient was then referred to Internal Medicine for further tests in hospital. The histopathology ruled out the presence of neoplastic cells, and imaging tests showed radiographic abnormalities in vertebral bodies (osteomyelitis-discitis) associated with epidural abscess, compatible with Pott’s disease, a kind of tuberculous arthritis of the intervertebral joints (AU)

[Persistent backache in a 62 year-old male: mechanical pain?]. / Dorsalgia persistente en varón de 62 años: ¿dolor mecánico?

The case is presented of a 62 year old man with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, repeatedly consulting his primary care physician for treatment of analgesic / anti-inflammatory resistant back pain, and usually coincided with physical activity. It was initially diagnosed as mechanical pain, but in the absence of response to rest and treatment a magnetic resonance of the spine was requested, which reported bone metastases. The patient was then referred to Internal Medicine for further tests in hospital. The histopathology ruled out the presence of neoplastic cells, and imaging tests showed radiographic abnormalities in vertebral bodies (osteomyelitis-discitis) associated with epidural abscess, compatible with Pott's disease, a kind of tuberculous arthritis of the intervertebral joints.

Role of connexins and pannexins in ischemic stroke.

Synaptic plasticity requires careful synchronization and coordination of neurons and glial cells via various mechanisms of intercellular communication. Among them, are those mediated by i) connexin gap junction channels (GJCs), ii) connexin hemichannels and iii) pannexin channels. Whereas GJCs directly communicate the cytoplasm of contacting cells and coordinate electric and metabolic activities, connexin hemichannels and pannexin channels serve as diffusional pathways for ions and small molecules between the intra- and extracellular compartments. A growing body of evidence has revealed that intercellular communication could be critical in the spread of protective and/or deleterious signals during stroke. Here, we review current findings on the regulation of connexin- and pannexin-based channels in ischemic stroke and how they contribute to cell damage observed in pathology. Depending on intensity of the ischemic event, brain region and connexin subtype expressed, GJCs may provide proper diffusion of energy metabolites and dissipation of toxic substances, whereas, in other circumstances, they could increase damage by spreading toxic molecules. Alternatively, connexin hemichannel and pannexin channel opening may favor the release of neurotoxic substances (e.g., glutamate), but in other cases, they may confer neuroprotection against an ischemic episode by the phenomenon of ischemic preconditioning. Development of new drug modulators using in silico devices for connexin and pannexin-based channels will be crucial for future therapies against stroke.