Bacterial dysbiosis and epithelial status of the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) in the Gulf of California.

Despite the high incidence of urogenital carcinoma (UGC) in California sea lions stranded along California, no UGC has been reported in other areas of their distribution; however, cell morphologies typical of premalignant states have been found. Risk factors for UGC include high of organochlorines and infection with a gammaherpesvirus, OtHV-1, but the importance of the bacteriome for epithelial status remains unknown. We characterized the genital bacteriome of adult female California sea lions along their distribution in the Gulf of California and examined whether the diversity and abundance of the bacteriome varied spatially, whether there were detectable differences in the bacteriome between healthy and altered epithelia, and whether the bacteriome was different in California sea lions infected with OtHV-1 or papillomavirus. We detected 2270 ASVs in the genital samples, of which 35 met the criteria for inclusion in the core bacteriome. Fusobacteriia and Clostridia were present in all samples, at high abundances, and Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, and Campylobacteria were also well-represented. Alpha diversity and abundance of the California sea lion genital bacteriome varied geographically. The abundance of bacterial ASVs varied depending on the genital epithelial status and inflammation, with differences driven by classes Fusobacteriia, Clostridia, Campylobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. Alpha diversity and abundance were lowest in samples in which OtHV-1 was detected, and highest those with papillomavirus. Our study is the first investigation of how the bacteriome is related to epithelial status in a wild marine species prone to developing cancer.

Pathogen reduction with methylene blue does not have an impact on the clinical effectiveness of COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is a concern about a possible deleterious effect of pathogen reduction (PR) with methylene blue (MB) on the function of immunoglobulins of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). We have evaluated whether MB-treated CCP is associated with a poorer clinical response compared to other inactivation systems at the ConPlas-19 clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an ad hoc sub-study of the ConPlas-19 clinical trial comparing the proportion of patients transfused with MB-treated CCP who had a worsening of respiration versus those treated with amotosalen (AM) or riboflavin (RB). RESULTS: One-hundred and seventy-five inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were transfused with a single CCP unit. The inactivation system of the CCP units transfused was MB in 90 patients (51.4%), RB in 60 (34.3%) and AM in 25 (14.3%). Five out of 90 patients (5.6%) transfused with MB-treated CCP had worsening respiration compared to 9 out of 85 patients (10.6%) treated with alternative PR methods (p = 0.220). Of note, MB showed a trend towards a lower rate of respiratory progressions at 28 days (risk ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.18-1.50). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that MB-treated CCP does not provide a worse clinical outcome compared to the other PR methods for the treatment of COVID-19.

Role of Perivascular Adipose Tissue in Aorta Reactivity from Obese and Hyperglycemic CD-1 Mice: New Insights into Perivascular Adipose Tissue.

Background: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) plays an essential role in cardiovascular homeostasis. However, during obesity and diabetes, its role in vascular tone regulation is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the function of the PVAT on aorta reactivity in the lean and cafeteria (CAF) diet-induced obese-hyperglycemic mice model. Methods: Aorta reactivity to phenylephrine, KCl, and acetylcholine was analyzed in lean (n = 6) and obese mice (n = 6). Also, nitric oxide (NO-) and cyclooxygenase participation, in the presence (n = 6) and absence (n = 6) of PVAT, were examined in the aortas. Results: After a CAF diet for 19 weeks, obese mice showed increased body weight, glucose intolerance, and hypercholesterolemia concerning lean mice. Vascular reactivity to phenylephrine was reduced significantly in the aorta of obese mice. In contrast, the contraction produced by KCl (80 mM) was increased in the aorta of obese mice independent of PVAT. Acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation diminished in the aortas of obese mice in the presence of PVAT. Nonselective inhibition of cyclooxygenases likely shows that PVAT and endothelium release vasorelaxant prostanoids. Conclusions: The results suggest that PVAT modulates aorta reactivity by releasing NO-, decreasing the α1-adrenergic response to phenylephrine, and probably releasing vasorelaxant prostanoids. The data suggest that PVAT regulates the vascular smooth muscle and endothelial function in a CAF diet-induced obese-hyperglycemic mice model.

Main Determinants Affecting the Antiproliferative Activity of Stilbenes and Their Gut Microbiota Metabolites in Colon Cancer Cells: A Structure-Activity Relationship Study.

trans-Resveratrol can be catabolized by the gut microbiota to dihydroresveratrol, 3,4'-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene, lunularin, and 4-hydroxydibenzyl. These metabolites can reach relevant concentrations in the colon. However, not all individuals metabolize RSV equally, as it depends on their RSV gut microbiota metabotype (i.e., lunularin producers vs. non-producers). However, how this microbial metabolism affects the cancer chemopreventive activity of stilbenes and their microbial metabolites is poorly known. We investigated the structure-antiproliferative activity relationship of dietary stilbenes, their gut microbial metabolites, and various analogs in human cancer (Caco-2 and HT-29) and non-tumorigenic (CCD18-Co) colon cells. The antiproliferative IC50 values of pterostilbene, oxy-resveratrol, piceatannol, resveratrol, dihydroresveratrol, lunularin, 3,4'-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene, pinosylvin, dihydropinosylvin, 4-hydroxy-trans-stilbene, 4-hydroxydibenzyl, 3-hydroxydibenzyl, and 4-trans-stilbenemethanol were calculated. IC50 values were correlated with 34 molecular characteristics by bi- and multivariate analysis. Little or no activity on CCD18-Co was observed, while Caco-2 was more sensitive than HT-29, which was explained by their different capacities to metabolize the compounds. Caco-2 IC50 values ranged from 11.4 ± 10.1 µM (4-hydroxy-trans-stilbene) to 73.9 ± 13.8 µM (dihydropinosylvin). In HT-29, the values ranged from 24.4 ± 11.3 µM (4-hydroxy-trans-stilbene) to 96.7 ± 6.7 µM (4-hydroxydibenzyl). At their IC50, most compounds induced apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle at the S phase, pterostilbene at G2/M, while 4-hydroxy-trans-stilbene and 3,4'-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene arrested at both phases. Higher Connolly values (larger size) hindered the antiproliferative activity, while a lower pKa1 enhanced the activity in Caco-2, and higher LogP values (more hydrophobicity) increased the activity in HT-29. Reducing the styrene double bond in stilbenes was the most critical feature in decreasing the antiproliferative activity. These results (i) suggest that gut microbiota metabolism determines the antiproliferative effects of dietary stilbenes. Therefore, RSV consumption might exert different effects in individuals depending on their gut microbiota metabotypes associated with RSV metabolism, and (ii) could help design customized drugs with a stilbenoid and (or) dibenzyl core against colorectal cancer.

Vasovagal syncope after blood donation in active duty military personnel of the Spanish Army.

BACKGROUND: All studies of vasovagal syncope (VVS) after blood donation have been performed with civilian donors. We hypothesized that military donors have a lower incidence of VVS and a particular set of predisposing factors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Retrospective case-control study matching every case of VVS seen from 2011 to 2019 with two controls without VVS from the same blood drive. We used the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), estimated by multivariate logistic regression, to identify independent predictors of VVS. RESULTS: There were 105 episodes of VVS among 65.481 whole blood donations (0.15%). VVS was more frequent among donors from military academies than from other military units (0.37% vs. 0.10%, p < .001) and in collections conducted in mobile inside setups than in mobile buses (0.23% vs. 0.06%, p < .001). In the multivariate analysis, the only independent predictors of VVS were the status of first-time donor (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.4; p < .001) and pre-donation systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 120 mm Hg (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3; p = .01). Donors with both risk factors had a 5.5-fold increased risk of VVS than donors without any risk factor. Age and female sex were not predictive of VVS. DISCUSSION: Active duty military blood donors have a lower incidence of VVS than that reported in civilian donors. First-time donors and donors with SBP < 120 mm Hg should be temporarily deferred when immediate reincorporation to hazardous or strenuous duty tasks after donation is inescapable.

Genomic Diversity Evaluation of Populus trichocarpa Germplasm for Rare Variant Genetic Association Studies.

Genome-wide association studies are powerful tools to elucidate the genome-to-phenome relationship. In order to explain most of the observed heritability of a phenotypic trait, a sufficient number of individuals and a large set of genetic variants must be examined. The development of high-throughput technologies and cost-efficient resequencing of complete genomes have enabled the genome-wide identification of genetic variation at large scale. As such, almost all existing genetic variation becomes available, and it is now possible to identify rare genetic variants in a population sample. Rare genetic variants that were usually filtered out in most genetic association studies are the most numerous genetic variations across genomes and hold great potential to explain a significant part of the missing heritability observed in association studies. Rare genetic variants must be identified with high confidence, as they can easily be confounded with sequencing errors. In this study, we used a pre-filtered data set of 1,014 pure Populus trichocarpa entire genomes to identify rare and common small genetic variants across individual genomes. We compared variant calls between Platypus and HaplotypeCaller pipelines, and we further applied strict quality filters for improved genetic variant identification. Finally, we only retained genetic variants that were identified by both variant callers increasing calling confidence. Based on these shared variants and after stringent quality filtering, we found high genomic diversity in P. trichocarpa germplasm, with 7.4 million small genetic variants. Importantly, 377k non-synonymous variants (5% of the total) were uncovered. We highlight the importance of genomic diversity and the potential of rare defective genetic variants in explaining a significant portion of P. trichocarpa's phenotypic variability in association genetics. The ultimate goal is to associate both rare and common alleles with poplar's wood quality traits to support selective breeding for an improved bioenergy feedstock.

Actualización en las inserciones anatómicas del ligamento anterolateral: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Update in the Anatomical Insertions of the Anterolateral Ligament: Systematic Review of Literature

Introducción Aunque las indicaciones para su reconstrucción aún son motivo de debate, desde su descripción, la anatomía del ligamento anterolateral ha sido estudiada extensivamente. Sus puntos de inserción se han modificado en los estudios más recientes y esto es importante en el momento de hacer una reconstrucción anatómica. Este estudio busca hacer una revisión sistemática de la literatura para establecer sus puntos de inserción en fémur y tibia. Materiales y métodos Revisión sistemática desde enero de 2012 hasta junio de 2017. Se buscaron publicaciones en Pubmed, Embase, Google Scholar y Cochrane. Se incluyeron estudios cadavéricos que evaluaran la anatomía del ligamento anterolateral y describieran sus puntos de inserción. Resultados Se encontraron 334 estudios con los términos de interés, que tras su evaluación llevó a incluir 13 artículos. El ligamento no estaba presente en el 100% de los especímenes evaluados en los diferentes artículos. Su inserción tibial se ha mantenido sin cambios desde la descripción inicial, en un punto intermedio entre la cabeza del peroné y el tubérculo de Gerdy, mientras que la femoral ha cambiado. Esta se ha modificado a un punto posterior y proximal al epicóndilo lateral del fémur y al origen del colateral externo, contrario a la ubicación inicial anterior y distal a estos. Discusión Actualmente se considera que la inserción del ligamento anterolateral es posterior y proximal al origen del ligamento colateral externo. Esto tiene importancia para su reconstrucción quirúrgica: el ligamento debería ser fijado cuando tiene su máxima longitud, entre 20-30° de flexión de la rodilla.

Introduction Although its anatomy has been extensively studied, there is still controversy in the medical literature as regards when the anterolateral ligament should be reconstructed. Its insertion points have been modified in the most recent studies and this might play an important role in its anatomical reconstruction. This study aims to conduct a systematic review of literature in order to establish insertion points of the anterolateral ligament in the femur and tibia. Materials and methods A systematic review of literature was conducted between January 2012 and June 2017. It included post-mortem studies of dissection of the anterolateral ligament in adult knees that reported its anatomical insertions. The following databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar and Cochrane. Results A total of 334 studies were found in the systematic review using the key words. After evaluating them, 13 papers fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. The anterolateral ligament was not found in the 100% of the post-mortem knees. Its tibial insertion continued to be similar to the original description: between the fibula head and Gerdy's tubercle. The femoral insertion has changed, now being posterior and proximal to the lateral epicondyle and the insertion of the lateral collateral ligament, as opposed to its initial location of anterior and distal to these structures. Discussion The femoral insertion of the anterolateral ligament is currently considered to be proximal and posterior to the origin of the lateral collateral ligament. This is important for an anatomical surgical reconstruction, when the ligament should be fixed in its maximal length, between 20-30° of knee flexion.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la enfermedad poliquística hepática autosómica dominante, serie de casos / Surgical treatment of autosomic polycistic liver disease, case series

Nowadays liver and biliary tract surgery are the most commonly performed procedures worldwide; refinement in surgical techniques, anesthetic care and liver transplantation have revolutionized the treatment of liver diseases that were previously incurable. The autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease is a rare condition that may be associated with polycystic kidney disease or can present alone; the symptoms of this condition occur in the advanced stages of the disease. Despite the multiple modalities of treatment available, surgery with hepatectomy and fenestration has shown better results in patients with early satiety and massive hepatomegaly. A literature review was carried out and a number of cases dealt with this disease at the Metropolitan Hospital in Quito, Ecuador, are presented.

Nowadays liver and biliary tract surgery are the most commonly performed procedures worldwide; refinement in surgical techniques, anesthetic care and liver transplantation have revolutionized the treatment of liver diseases that were previously incurable. The autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease is a rare condition that may be associated with polycystic kidney disease or can present alone; the symptoms of this condition occur in the advanced stages of the disease. Despite the multiple modalities of treatment available, surgery with hepatectomy and fenestration has shown better results in patients with early satiety and massive hepatomegaly.

Tabaquismo en poblaciones específicas: personal militar / No disponible

No disponible

Úlceras por presión en el postoperatorio de intervenciones quirúrgicasde cadera o de rodilla / Pressure ulcers after hip or knee surgery

Introducción: Los pacientes sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos presentanun riesgo mayor de desarrollar úlceras por presión (UPP). Algunos estudiosevidencian una elevada incidencia de úlceras por presión en pacientestras intervenciones quirúrgicas ortopédicas. Se han propuesto diversos factoresque aumentan el riesgo, aunque sobre este punto aún hay controversias.Objetivos: Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron: a) obtener datos epidemiológicossobre la frecuencia de UPP en pacientes sometidos a intervencionesquirúrgicas de reemplazo de cadera o de rodilla; b) determinar si algunosfactores propios del proceso quirúrgico se asocian con la aparición deUPP; y c) valorar el grado de adecuación para estos pacientes del protocolode prevención de UPP del hospital. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo longitudinalrealizado en la unidad de reanimación postanéstesica y en dos unidadesde traumatología de un hospital universitario traumatológico. El estudiose llevó a cabo entre enero y junio de 2008. Se incluyeron pacientes adultosintervenidos de prótesis de cadera, prótesis de rodilla o reparación de fracturade cadera. Se excluyeron a pacientes que tenían UPP antes de la intervención.Se realizó un muestreo no probabilístico con un tamaño de muestra estimadoen 89 pacientes. La observación de los pacientes se inició tras el procesoquirúrgico, en la unidad de reanimación posquirúrgica y se continuó enlas unidades de hospitalización. El tiempo de seguimiento fue hasta el altahospitalaria o hasta una estancia de 10 días, con una reevaluación cada 48 (..) (AU)

Introduction: Patients treated by surgical procedures have high risk for developingpressure ulcers. Some studies found a high incidence of pressure ulcers (PU) inpatients after surgical orthopaedic interventions. Several factors increasing riskhave been proposed, although this is a controversial point. Aims: The aims of thisresearch were: a) To obtain epidemiological data about pressure ulcers frequencyin patients treated by hip or knee replacement surgery; b) To establish if some surgery-related factors are associated with pressure ulcers development; c) To assesshow appropriate is the pressure ulcers prevention protocol for these patients.Methods: Prospective and longitudinal research carried out in the Unit of PostanaestheticReanimation and two Traumatologia wards in a University Hospital,between January and June in 2008. Inclusion: Adults patients treated by hip replacement,knee replacement or hip fracture surgical repair. Exclusion: Patientswith PU previous to surgery. A convenience sample of patients was selected with asample size estimated in 89 patients. The observation of the patients began in theUnit of Post-anaesthetic Reanimation, immediately after surgery and continuedin the wards. The follow-up period was until discharge or 10 days, with re-assessmentevery 48 hours. The main outcome was pressure ulcer development and asindependent variables were recorded several surgery-related factors. Pressure ulcerrisk was measured by EMINA scale. Results: 91 patients were finally included inthe research; a 76.9% of whom were female. Patients’ average age was 72.2 years (..) (AU)

Neurofibromatosis y embarazo con resultado de muerte fetal: caso clínico / Neurofibromatosis and pregnancy with fetal death: a case report

Presentamos el caso de una gestante de 24 semanas afecta de neurofibromatosis (NF),seguida en nuestro centro con resultado de muerte fetal en semana 27 de gestación. Revisamos en la bibliografía médica la repercusión recíproca entre NF y embarazo, y los potenciales riesgos de salud para la madre y el feto, así como cuál debe ser el asesoramiento preconcepcional en tanto que enfermedad genéticamente heredada y su seguimiento en caso de embarazo

We present the case of a 24 week pregnant woman with neurofibromatosis (NF)-1 treated at our medical center with a result of fetal death in the 27th week of pregnancy. We review the literature on the reciprocal repercussions of NF and pregnancy and the potential health risks both for the mother and for the fetus. We also discuss preconceptional counseling, since this disease is genetically inherited, as well as its monitoring during pregnancy

[Successful esophageal pH monitoring with Bravo capsule in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease]. / Medición exitosa del pH esofágico con la cápsula Bravo en pacientes con enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico.

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal 24-h pH monitoring (24-pH) is the most useful test to diagnose and treat patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The traditional system for 24-pH requires transnasal introduction of a catheter with pH sensors. This technique produces discomfort, inconvenience and interference with daily activity. Recently, the Bravo pH system has been proposed as an alternative and promising method for 24-pH. In this study, the initial experience in Mexico with this system is reported. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate safety, tolerability and performance of the pH Bravo capsule in patients with GERD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with GERD symptoms at least twice a week during the last three months, with indication for 24-pH were evaluated. pH Bravo capsule was placed 6 cm above squamocolumnar junction (SCJ). Symptoms, quality and duration of pH tracings, capsule detachment and patient global satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: Eleven patients (nine female, two male) mean age 42 years (range 26-62 years), two with erosive and nine with non-erosive GERD were studied. pH capsule was correctly positioned at 6 cm above SCJ in all patients. Nine patients noted a mild foreign body sensation (especially while eating) and four had mild chest pain; two patients had no discomfort. Capsule detachment occurred spontaneously in all patients on day 10. pH record for > 43 h was obtained in the 11 patients. There were no differences in pH parameters between days 1 and 2. Two patients with normal acid exposure on day 1 had abnormal pH parameters on day 2. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal pH monitoring with Bravo capsule is a safe, reliable and tolerable method in patients with GERD. Extended pH recordings increases abnormal esophageal acid exposure detection in patients with this disease.

Origen y organización neural de la vivencia intencional: una propuesta teórica / On the origin and neural organization of intentionality: a theoretical proposal

Se presenta un modelo que da cuenta de la estructuración de la conciencia humana en términos de la intencionalidad. El modelo postula que los contenidos intencionales son necesarios para la vivencia consciente. Los contenidos internacionales confieren a la vivencia consciente un sentido indicativo, simbólico y propositivo, por estar dirigidos siempre a algo más allá de ellos mismos. La condición biológica necesaria para una vivencia intencional es el desarrollo de un conjunto de relaciones sensorio-motoras contingentes a las interaciones del organismo con su medio. La condición suficiente es que estas relaciones sensoriomotoras que subyacen a las conductas simbólicas, especialmente verbales. Estas relaciones, al ser co-variantes con el ambiente, son expresadas coherentemente, en y con éste, como interacciones objetivas de tipo simbólico-cultural. Condicionalmente, por ser de la misma clase funcional que las relaciones sensorio-motoras de áreas linguísticas, pueden integrarse con ellas para ser expresadas a través del lenguaje explícito. El análisis de las evidencias neurobiológicas sobre la génesis de la actividad neural, así como de evidencias clínicas y neuropsicológicas, es compatible con el modelo

Hacia un modelo neurobiológico del fenómeno de la autoconciencia / Towards a neurobiological model of self-conciousness

En este trabajo se analiza el fenómeno de la conciencia humana desde el punto de vista monista y en base a algunos conocimientos actuales de la neurobiología. Se plantean tres preguntas: 1. Es la conciencia humana localizable en ciertas regiones del sistema nervioso central?. 2. Existen áreas cuyo funcionamiento explique el fenómeno de la autoconciencia?. 3. Es la conciencia un fenómeno unitario o es un fenómeno compuesto?. En un intento por responder estas pregunta, se analiza la conciencia desde un punto de vista neurológico clásico y posteriormente se describe el fenómeno de la autoconciencia desde el punto de vista del asociacionismo cerebral. Los atributos más destacados de la autoconciencia, que son la percepción, la memoria, la planificación, la afectividad, la atención y el lenguaje, son discutidos y analizados de acuerdo a la información relevante actual. Se concluye que en el fenómeno de la autoconciencia son muy importantes las estructuras límbicas y las áreas corticales con las cuales éstas se conectan, especialmente áreas del hemisferio no dominante, lo que da origen al sistema de autoconciencia primario, común al hombre y a algunas especies animales. El sistema de autoconciencia secundario se basa en el funcionamiento de las áreas linguísticas del hemisferio dominante y explica en sus propios términos la contribución del sistema primario, con ciertas limitaciones, lo que ha llevado a producir el fenómeno de la cultura actual.