Refining Bacteriuria as a Risk Factor for Complications After Urethroplasty: Identifying the Culprit.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which bacteria are associated with an increased risk of 90-day complications after urethroplasty. Preoperative bacteriuria is associated with an increased risk of complications after urethroplasty. However, it remains unclear which specific micro-organisms are the primary drivers of this morbidity. METHODS: A single-institution, 2-surgeon retrospective review was performed on patients undergoing urethroplasty from 08/2003 to 06/2021. Preoperative bacteriuria was considered significant when the patient had a mixed culture with ≥108 CFU/L or an identifiable micro-organism with ≥106 CFU/L. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results and chi-square was used to determine the association between 90-day complications (Clavien ≥2) and clinical characteristics/bacteria. RESULTS: Out of 1611 patients, 23.2% (373) had significant preoperative bacteriuria. The most common pathogens included coagulase-negative staphylococcus 18.5% (69), mixed growth 15.8% (59), Escherichia coli 10.7% (40), and Enterococcus 14.2% (53). 7.9% (128/1611) experienced a significant 90-day complication (Clavien-Dindo ≥2). Gram-negative bacilli including E coli, Pseudomonas sp, Klebsiella sp, Serratia sp, Citrobacter sp, Achromobacter sp, Stenotrophomonas sp, and Morganella sp were associated with higher rates of postoperative complications (14.2%; P = .01) as well as Enterococcus sp (15.1%; P = .03). However, gram-positive cocci (7.9%; P = .97), gram-positive bacilli (11.8%; P = .47), mixed growth (5.1%; P = .54) and Candida (16.7%; P = .27) were not. Neither escalating concentrations of bacteria (P = .44) or number of strains (P = .08) were associated with increased risk of complications. CONCLUSION: The main driver of bacteriuria-related complications after urethroplasty are gram-negative bacilli and Enterococcus sp. Patients with bacteriuria related to other micro-organisms can likely proceed with urethroplasty without increased risk of postoperative complications.

Routine Imaging After Bulbar Urethral Reconstruction Does Not Impact Surgical Outcomes and May Not Be Necessary.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether omitting routine post-operative imaging adversely impacts clinical outcomes after bulbar urethroplasty. Contrast imaging is commonly performed prior to catheter removal after urethroplasty but the clinical need for this is unclear. METHODS: This was a matched, case-control analysis comparing patients undergoing routine voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) prior to catheter removal after bulbar urethroplasty to patients without imaging. Patients were matched with respect to age, stricture etiology, length, and urethroplasty technique. Follow-up consisted of clinical assessment 3 weeks post-operatively for VCUG/catheter removal, cystoscopy at 3-4 months with clinical assessment annually. Outcome measures were 90-day complications (Clavien ≥2) and stricture recurrence (failure to pass a 16-Fr flexible cystoscope on follow-up). Chi-square and Kaplan-Meier analysis were conducted where appropriate. RESULTS: Hundred patients undergoing bulbar urethroplasty with VCUG prior to catheter removal were compared to 100 matched case controls without imaging. Groups did not differ with respect to failed endoscopic treatment (P = .82), prior urethroplasty (P = .09), comorbidities (P = .54), smoking (P = .42), or pre-operative bacteriuria (P = 1.00). The incidence of extravasation in the VCUG group was 2%. Overall 90-day complications were 9.5% and 15 patients developed recurrence with a median follow-up of 174 months. On chi-square analysis, 90-day complications did not differ between patients undergoing VCUG and those without (12% vs 7.0%; P = .34). On log-rank analysis, stricture recurrence did not differ between groups (P = .44). CONCLUSION: Routine imaging with VCUG after bulbar urethroplasty does not influence the risk of post-operative complications or stricture recurrence. Surgeons should consider avoiding this potentially unnecessary examination in routine clinical practice.

Affirming Long-Term Outcomes After Contemporary Urethroplasty: The Adverse Impact of Increasing Stricture Length, Lichen Sclerosus, Radiation, and Infectious Strictures.

PURPOSE: There is a paucity of reported long-term outcomes after contemporary urethroplasty. Our objective is to determine the long-term success of modern urethroplasty and identify factors associated with stricture recurrence in this context. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing urethroplasty from July 2003 to May 2013 with at least 100 months of follow-up were identified. Long-term outcomes including stricture recurrence and patient satisfaction were evaluated by review of regional/provincial electronic records and telephone interview. Urethroplasty failure was defined as a recurrent stricture (<16F) confirmed on cystoscopy. Cox regression was used to evaluate variables associated with long-term stricture recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 733 patients were identified with ≥ 100 months follow-up. Median patient age was 45 years, stricture length was 4.7 cm, and 85.8% failed prior endoscopic treatment. At a median follow-up of 12.3 years, 89 recurrences were observed. Cumulative incidence of stricture recurrence was 6%, 10%, and 12% after 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively. From a patient-reported perspective, 89% of patients reported being satisfied with the outcome of surgery. On multivariable analyses, increasing stricture length (HR 1.1, 95% CI 1.05-1.15; P < .001) and stricture etiology (P < .001), in particular lichen sclerosus (HR 4.46, 95% CI 2.25-9.53), radiation (HR 4.25, 95% CI 1.65-10.9), and infectious strictures (HR 5.27, 95% CI 2.03-13.7), were independently associated with stricture recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: This study affirms the widely held belief that modern urethroplasty provides high long-term patency and patient-reported satisfaction. Patients with longer strictures as well as those with lichen sclerosus, radiation, and infectious etiologies have a higher hazard of stricture recurrence in the long term.

Diabetes, Obesity, and Pathological Upstaging in Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results From a Large Multi-institutional Consortium.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine whether clinical risk factors and morphometric features on preoperative imaging can be utilized to identify those patients with cT1 tumors who are at higher risk of upstaging (pT3a). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective international case-control study of consecutive patients treated surgically with radical or partial nephrectomy for nonmetastatic renal cell carcinoma (cT1 N0) conducted between January 2010 and December 2018. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to study associations of preoperative risk factors on pT3a pathological upstaging among all patients, as well as subsets with those with preoperative tumors ≤4 cm, renal nephrometry scores, tumors ≤4 cm with nephrometry scores, and clear cell histology. We also examined association with pT3a subsets (renal vein, sinus fat, perinephric fat). RESULTS: Among the 4,092 partial nephrectomy and 2,056 radical nephrectomy patients, pathological upstaging occurred in 4.9% and 23.3%, respectively. Among each group independent factors associated with pT3a upstaging were increasing preoperative tumor size, increasing age, and the presence of diabetes. Specifically, among partial nephrectomy subjects diabetes (OR=1.65; 95% CI 1.17, 2.29), male sex (OR=1.62; 95% CI 1.14, 2.33), and increasing BMI (OR=1.03; 95% CI 1.00, 1.05 per 1 unit BMI) were statistically associated with upstaging. Subset analyses identified hilar tumors as more likely to be upstaged (partial nephrectomy OR=1.91; 95% CI 1.12, 3.16; radical nephrectomy OR=2.16; 95% CI 1.44, 3.25). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes and higher BMI were associated with pathological upstaging, as were preoperative tumor size, increased age, and male sex. Similarly, hilar tumors were frequently upstaged.

Prospective assessment of the incidence and associations of postvoid dribbling after urethroplasty Impact of surgical technique.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence and associations of postvoid dribbling (PVD) after urethroplasty remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of urethroplasty on PVD and factors associated with de novo PVD. METHODS: From 2011-2018, patients were offered enrollment in a prospective study assessing PVD after urethroplasty. PVD was assessed preoperatively and six months post-surgery with the question, "After urinating, do you have post-urination dribbling or leakage of urine?" Choices included, "Never" (1), "Occasionally" (2), "Sometimes" (3), "Most of the time" (4), or "All of the time" (5). A response of 3-5 was considered clinically significant. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare pre- and postoperative PVD, while logistic regression was used to determine the association between new-onset PVD and clinical variables. RESULTS: A total of 384 patients completed the study, with 46.9% (180) reporting PVD preoperatively compared to 39.8% (153) postoperatively (p=0.01); 18.0% (67) of patients experienced de novo PVD, 57.0% (219) no change, and 25.0% (96) reported improvement. On multivariable logistic regression, patients undergoing anastomotic urethroplasty were less likely to report de novo PVD (odds ratio [OR] 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13-0.83, p=0.02). No other factor was associated with de novo PVD, including age (p=0.59), stricture length (p=0.71), location (p=0.50), etiology (p=0.59), failed endoscopic treatment (p=0.18), previous urethroplasty (p=0.55), or recurrence (p=0.78). De novo PVD was not associated with patient dissatisfaction (10.1% vs. 7.6%, p=0.49). CONCLUSIONS: PVD is common in patients with urethral stricture. While there is an overall improvement after urethroplasty, 18.0% of patients will experience de novo PVD, with a reduced incidence in those undergoing anastomotic urethroplasty.

Defining bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor underactivity in females with overactive bladder: Are we forgetting about the free uroflowmetry?

INTRODUCTION: Both detrusor underactivity (DU) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) can coexist in patients with overactive bladder. Definitions of both DU and BOO are based on pressure-flow study (PFS) data. However, invasive urodynamics study can differ from a natural micturition, in fact, discrepancies between free uroflowmetry (UFM) and PFS have been largely described. Our goal is to assess the correlation of free-flowmetry and PFS among patients with OAB and to evaluate how different definitions of DU/BOO are able to discriminate patients with different free UFMs. METHODS: A retrospective review of urodynamics performed at a single institution was conducted. Females with OAB who voided more than 150 mL in both UFM and PFS were included. Parameters from both voiding episodes were compared with nonparametric test. Two definitions of DU were applied; PIP1: Pdet@Qmax+Qmax < 30 and Gammie: Pdet@Qmax < 20 cmH2 O, Qmax < 15 mL/s, and BVE < 90% (Bladder voiding efficiency). Also, two definitions of obstruction were chosen; Defretias: Pdet@Qmax ≥25 cmH2 O and Qmax ≤ 12 mL/s and Solomon-Greenwell female BOO index ≥ 18. Patients who matched with each definition were compared to those who did not, to assess if any definitions were able to discriminate different noninvasive uroflowmetries. RESULTS: A total of 195 patients were included. Overall, mean age was 55 ± 12 years, 90.8% had mixed urinary incontinence, and 39% complained of at least one voiding symptom. Globally, Qmax and BVE correlated poorly between UFM and PFS, showing that most of the variation corresponded to a systematic error. Twenty-two individuals were found to have DU, they had a difference of 13 mL/s on both maximum flows. Fifty-four patients showed BOO, with a difference between their Qmax of 19 mL/s. Among the four definitions analyzed, only PIP1 and Defreitas were able to discriminate patients with actually a lower Qmax on the free UFM. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with overactive bladder seem to have a systematic discordance between the urine flow of the free and invasive studies. Current definitions of DU and BOO, which are based on the PFS parameters, are not consistently able to discriminate patients who actually void deficiently on the free UFM.

De las prácticas de educación indígena en el Ecuador a la noción de interculturalidad / From the Practices of Indigenous Education in Ecuador to the Notion of Interculturality

Resumen Son los Pueblos Indígenas y sus luchas quienes han venido dando carácter a la noción de interculturalidad. Y es el campo de la educación un escenario en el que la interculturalidad ha emergido y se ha labrado. Hay experiencias de educación de los Pueblos Indígenas que se han planteado como alternativas de superación de la colonialidad. La lucha del movimiento indígena, al lado de estas experiencias, ha venido configurando una plataforma de confrontación que permite presentarle a los Estados, en el caso concreto de Ecuador a los gobiernos y a la población, desafíos en torno a la comprensión de la nación y del carácter de la misma y de la educación y del carácter de la misma igualmente.

Abstract It is the Indigenous Peoples and their struggles who have been giving character to the notion of interculturality. And the field of education is a scenario in which interculturality has emerged and has been carved. There are experiences of education of Indigenous Peoples that have been proposed as alternatives for overcoming coloniality. The struggle of the indigenous movement, alongside these experiences, has been configuring a platform of confrontation, which allows presenting the States, in the specific case of Ecuador, the governments and the population, with challenges regarding the understanding of the nation and its character, and of education and its character, as well.

Dropped abdominal pressure at void in women.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: "Dropped pabd at void" occurs when pabd decreases below the previous resting pressure during voiding time. We sought clinical factors associated with this phenomenon and evaluated whether its correction modifies the urodynamic diagnosis. METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study of non-neurological consecutive symptomatic women. The following definitions were used: "dropped pabd at void": decrease in pabd at Qmax ≥ 5 cmH2O; bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) (pdetQmax ≥ 25 cmH2O + Qmax ≤ 12 ml/s and female BOO index (pdetQmax - 2.2*Qmax) > 18; "low detrusor contraction strength": PIP1 (pdetQmax + Qmax) < 30. In patients with "dropped pabd at void", pdetQmax was corrected. RESULTS: A total of 360 women were analyzed. Ninety-five percent of the women had a variation in pabd at Qmax between -13 and 53 cmH2O. "Dropped pabd at void" was found in 100 women (27.8%). History of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery was significantly higher (p = 0.016) and symptoms of mixed urinary incontinence were significantly lower (p = 0.030) in patients with "dropped pabd at void". On multivariate analysis only the history of SUI surgery maintained its significance (OR = 1.787 [95% CI: 1.058, 3.017], p = 0.030). When correcting pdetQmax in women with "dropped pabd at void", 2 or 5 patients lost BOO diagnosis (depending on how it was diagnosed) and 7 patients gained a "low detrusor contraction strength" diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-quarter of women had "dropped pabd at void", which was associated with a history of SUI surgery. Correction of pdetQmax would lead to a 2.5% to 3.33% diagnostic modification.

Urodynamic and clinical features in women with overactive bladder: When to suspect concomitant voiding dysfunction?

AIM: The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence and type of female voiding dysfunction (FVD) in patients with overactive bladder (OAB) who were studied by urodynamics and its relationship with voiding symptoms. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of female adult patients with OAB syndrome who underwent UDS in a University Hospital in Chile between January 2015 and April 2020. FVD was defined either as bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) or detrusor underactivity (DU). BOO was established if the Solomon-Greenwell BOO index was higher than 18. DU was diagnosed when the invasive maximum flow rate (Qmax) was ≤15 ml/sec, detrusor pressure at Qmax (Pdet@Qmax) was ≤20 cmH2 O and postvoid residual (PVR) was greater than 10%. Urodynamic data and clinical features were compared between groups. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-nine UDS were selected and analyzed. Bladder outlet obstruction was diagnosed in 59 patients (19.7%), whereas DU was found in 10 patients (3.3%). In the multivariate analysis, the logistic regression to predict BOO demonstrated that night-time frequency, the presence of detrusor overactivity and a higher PVR were independent predictors of BOO. Instead, for DU, the only independent predictor was a smaller voided volume in the pressure-flow study. CONCLUSION: Female voiding dysfunction was found in 23% of patients with overactive bladder. BOO is more frequent than DU, and should be suspected in patients with higher night-time frequency, presence of detrusor overactivity and a high PVR. Instead, DU should be suspected in patients with a smaller voided volume.

Laparoendoscopic single-site simultaneous bilateral nephrectomy: first reported case series.

Bilateral renal tumors in patients on dialysis are usually managed with bilateral nephrectomy. With traditional laparoscopy, this procedure requires the insertion of multiple trocars. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) uses a single umbilical incision to insert multiple instruments and is also employed for extraction of specimens. This technique appears especially useful for bilateral nephrectomy, since many access ports can be spared. We describe 5 cases of simultaneous bilateral radical nephrectomies performed at a single academic institution. We had no intraoperative complications and a mean operating time of 155 minutes. Four patients could be resected using this approach; one case was converted to a traditional laparoscopy. One case had a postoperative complication. We believe this technique is feasible, and can be accomplished with acceptable morbidity and ade-quate operative time.

Abordaje y manejo del infarto agudo miocardio con elevación del ST en Costa Rica durante la pandemia por COVID-19 Documento de consenso de la Asociación Costarricense de Cardiología / Approach and management of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction in Costa Rica during the COVID-19 pandemic Consensus document of the Costa Rican Association of Cardiology

Resumen El virus SARS-CoV-2 se ha extendido a nivel mundial, rápidamente ha sobrecargado los sistemas de salud. Esta emergencia ha implicado cambios en la atención usual del infarto agudo miocardio con elevación del ST (IAMCEST) puesto que la actividad habitual de las salas de hemodinamia y las vías de traslado de los pacientes se ha visto afectada. La afectación del personal de salud también es una preocupación relevante por lo que presentamos un documento de Consenso de la Asociación Costarricense de Cardiología que pretende generar una guía de trabajo al personal que atiende esta patología y garantizar la atención adecuada del IAMCEST durante la pandemia en Costa Rica.

Abstract The current COVID-19 has spread worldwide, the outbreak is altering the usual activity of the catheterization laboratorios and the usual treatment pathways of patients with chronic diseases or emergencies, such as Acute Coronary Syndrome could be disrupted. The involvement of health personnel is a relevant concern, so we created a consensus document of the Costa Rican Association of Cardiology that aims to generate a decision-making workflow to treat this pathology and guarantee adequate and continuous care for ST elevation myocardial infarction during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Reestructuración del abordaje de la patología estructural cardiaca en tiempos de pandemia por COVID-19 / Restructuring of the approach to structural pathology Cardiac in times of pandemic by COVID-19

Resumen La red sanitaria en el entorno de la pandemia por COVID-19 ha sufrido un gran impacto. La reorganización de la misma ha sido fundamental para poder atender la emergencia sanitaria, y en algunos países, ha sido incluso de forma abrupta. La atención oportuna de las enfermedades cardiovasculares continúa siendo una prioridad por la elevada mortalidad que ella implica especialmente en estadios muy avanzados de la enfermedad, y la modificación en la atención médica en el contexto actual no puede afectar la asistencia de patologías cardíacas. Los programas de cardiología estructural y cirugía cardíaca en nuestro país se han consolidado y crecido en los últimos años, ofreciendo múltiples procedimientos percutáneos o mínimamente invasivos para cardiopatías de alta morbimortalidad. La continuación de los mismos, a pesar de las dificultades por la pandemia, es necesaria en ciertos casos. Este documento reúne las principales recomendaciones basados en textos internacionales al respecto, para mantener el cuidado cardiovascular en Costa Rica pese al COVID-19 en el ámbito de la cardiopatía estructural.

Abstract The health system in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic has suffered a great impact. Thus, organization has been essential in maintaining the ability to respond to the health emergency, and in some countries, it has even been abrupt. The treatment of cardiovascular diseases continues to be a priority, and the modification of medical care in the current context cannot affect the timely procedures of cardiac pathologies. The structural cardiology and cardiac surgery programs in our country have been consolidated and grown in recent years, offering multiple percutaneous or minimally invasive procedures for heart disease with high morbidity and mortality. Their continuation, despite the difficulties caused by the outbreak, is necessary in certain cases. This document brings together the main recommendations based on international guidelines and experts opinions in this regard, to maintain cardiovascular care in Costa Rica despite COVID-19.

Effect of a 2-year diet intervention with walnuts on cognitive decline. The Walnuts And Healthy Aging (WAHA) study: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Walnut consumption counteracts oxidative stress and inflammation, 2 drivers of cognitive decline. Clinical data concerning effects on cognition are lacking. OBJECTIVES: The Walnuts And Healthy Aging study is a 2-center (Barcelona, Spain; Loma Linda, CA) randomized controlled trial examining the cognitive effects of a 2-y walnut intervention in cognitively healthy elders. METHODS: We randomly allocated 708 free-living elders (63-79 y, 68% women) to a diet enriched with walnuts at ∼15% energy (30-60 g/d) or a control diet (abstention from walnuts). We administered a comprehensive neurocognitive test battery at baseline and 2 y. Change in the global cognition composite was the primary outcome. We performed repeated structural and functional brain MRI in 108 Barcelona participants. RESULTS: A total of 636 participants completed the intervention. Besides differences in nutrient intake, participants from Barcelona smoked more, were less educated, and had lower baseline neuropsychological test scores than those from Loma Linda. Walnuts were well tolerated and compliance was good. Modified intention-to-treat analyses (n = 657) uncovered no between-group differences in the global cognitive composite, with mean changes of -0.072 (95% CI: -0.100, -0.043) in the walnut diet group and -0.086 (95% CI: -0.115, -0.057) in the control diet group (P = 0.491). Post hoc analyses revealed significant differences in the Barcelona cohort, with unadjusted changes of -0.037 (95% CI: -0.077, 0.002) in the walnut group and -0.097 (95% CI: -0.137, -0.057) in controls (P = 0.040). Results of brain fMRI in a subset of Barcelona participants indicated greater functional network recruitment in a working memory task in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Walnut supplementation for 2 y had no effect on cognition in healthy elders. However, brain fMRI and post hoc analyses by site suggest that walnuts might delay cognitive decline in subgroups at higher risk. These encouraging but inconclusive results warrant further investigation, particularly targeting disadvantaged populations, in whom greatest benefit could be expected.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01634841.

Effect of a Walnut Diet on Office and 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Elderly Individuals.

Nut consumption lowers blood cholesterol and is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease, but effects on blood pressure (BP) are inconsistent. We assessed the 2-year effects of a walnut diet versus a control diet on office BP and 24-hours ambulatory BP in free-living elders participating in the Walnuts and Healthy Aging study, a randomized trial testing the effects of walnuts at ≈15% energy on age-related disorders. In a prespecified analysis, we enrolled 305 participants, of whom 236 (75%) completed the study (65% women; age, 69 years; 60% with mild hypertension). Walnuts were well tolerated, and compliance was >98%. Mean baseline office BP was 128/79 mm Hg. Adjusted changes from baseline in mean office systolic BP were -4.61 mm Hg (95% CI, -7.43 to -1.79 mm Hg) in the walnut group and -0.59 mm Hg (-3.38 to 2.21 mm Hg) in controls ( P=0.051). Respective changes in mean systolic 24-hour ambulatory BP were -3.86 mm Hg (CI, -5.45 to -2.26 mm Hg) and -2.00 mm Hg (CI, -3.58 to -0.42 mm Hg; P=0.111). No changes in diastolic BP were observed. In participants in the upper tertile of baseline 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP (>125 mm Hg), mean 2-year systolic 24-hour BP was -8.5 mm Hg (CI, -12 to -5.0 mm Hg) in the walnut group and -2.5 mm Hg (CI, -6.3 to 1.3 mm Hg) in controls ( P=0.034). During the trial, participants in the walnut group required less uptitration of antihypertensive medication and had better overall BP regulation than controls. Walnut consumption reduces systolic BP in elderly subjects, particularly in those with mild hypertension. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01634841 .

High-Dimensional Brain: A Tool for Encoding and Rapid Learning of Memories by Single Neurons.

Codifying memories is one of the fundamental problems of modern Neuroscience. The functional mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain largely unknown. Experimental evidence suggests that some of the memory functions are performed by stratified brain structures such as the hippocampus. In this particular case, single neurons in the CA1 region receive a highly multidimensional input from the CA3 area, which is a hub for information processing. We thus assess the implication of the abundance of neuronal signalling routes converging onto single cells on the information processing. We show that single neurons can selectively detect and learn arbitrary information items, given that they operate in high dimensions. The argument is based on stochastic separation theorems and the concentration of measure phenomena. We demonstrate that a simple enough functional neuronal model is capable of explaining: (i) the extreme selectivity of single neurons to the information content, (ii) simultaneous separation of several uncorrelated stimuli or informational items from a large set, and (iii) dynamic learning of new items by associating them with already "known" ones. These results constitute a basis for organization of complex memories in ensembles of single neurons. Moreover, they show that no a priori assumptions on the structural organization of neuronal ensembles are necessary for explaining basic concepts of static and dynamic memories.

The red blood cell proportion of arachidonic acid relates to shorter leukocyte telomeres in Mediterranean elders: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Shortening of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is a biomarker of aging. Epidemiologic studies of LTL in relation to dietary fatty acids have reported conflicting results. The red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid status is a valid objective biomarker of long-term dietary intake of C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3 and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (C20:5n-3 and C22:6n-3). In healthy older individuals, we investigated whether LTL relates to the RBC proportions of the main dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and to the RBC proportion of arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6), a fatty acid that can generate pro-inflammatory lipid mediators once released from cell membranes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study in 344 subjects (mean age 68.8 y, 68.6% women) who participated in a randomized controlled trial testing whether a diet enriched in walnuts can delay the onset of age-related diseases (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01634841). At baseline, we assessed LTL by high-throughput quantitative fluorescence and determined fatty acids in RBCs by gas chromatography. RESULTS: In multivariate models adjusted for age and gender, the RBC proportions of dietary PUFA were unrelated to LTL. In contrast, the RBC proportion of arachidonic acid inversely related to LTL (regression coefficient [95% confidence interval], -0.10 (-0.19 to -0.01), P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: An increasing proportion of C20:4n-6 in RBCs is associated with shorter telomeres. Further research is needed to investigate the role of this fatty acid and its derived lipid mediators in the aging process.

Exercises in Motor Development Positions. What Happens With the Activity of Antagonist Muscle Pairs? Pilot Study.

CONTEXT: Exercises in motor development positions are employed to activate correct muscular patterns, but the effects on the activity of antagonist muscle pairs remain unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of using exercises in motor development positions on the activity of antagonist muscle pairs. Another aim was to analyze if introducing some facilitators modifies the muscle activity in the different studied positions. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study using a single-group repeated measures design. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 21 right handed, healthy adults aged 41 years and older (10 males and 11 females). SETTING: Workers of different departments at Maz Hospital. INTERVENTION: Surface electromyography activity of muscle antagonist pairs upper trapezius/lower trapezius, serratus anterior/pectoralis major, and external abdominal oblique/lumbar paraspinal was measured in 3 positions: rest (supine decubitus), reflex turning 1, and modified Vöjta's first position. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were mean normalized root mean square (averaged over 2 repetitions) of electromyography signals of antagonist muscle pairs in the 3 analyzed positions. Intraclass correlation coefficients (>.70) (model 3.2), type consistency, and 95% confidence interval were used to estimate the reliability and as exclusion criteria of measurements. RESULTS: Analyzed positions had a significant effect on the activity of the muscles P < .001. There was a significant increase in the activity of the phasic musculature versus its tonic antagonists, except in the case of the external oblique/lumbar paraspinal in modified Vöjta's first position. Adding possible facilitators such as gaze, breathing, or the combination of both did not show significant changes in the level of activation of the studied muscle groups. CONCLUSION: Ontogenetic developmental positions can be used to facilitate and improve the activation of phasic muscles.