Biochemical and physiological time-of-day variations in early-development phase of Agave mapisaga and Agave salmiana.

This research assesses the aboveground matter accumulation and Fv/Fm ratios (maximum quantum efficiency of PSII) in young plants (5months old) of Agave mapisaga and Agave salmiana grown under greenhouse conditions. This study also evaluated changes in the relative abundance of several different metabolites (sugars, free amino acids, and soluble phenols) during the major daily phases (I, III, and IV) of Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). These two species were also investigated to determine if differences in these parameters were evident with respect to their geographical origins (i.e. Metepec, Tlajomulco, and Tlaxiaca, in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico). Differences in shoot mass (0.51-0.82g plant-1 ), water content (75-93%), fructose (4-27µmolg-1 ), glucose (57-73µmolg-1 ), sucrose (10-30µmolg-1 ), free amino acids (5-25µmolg-1 ), soluble phenolics (0.7-3.5µmolg-1 ), and Fv/Fm ratios (0.75-0.80) were evident between plants with different origins. Specifically, at the end of Phase I compared to Phase IV, the results showed significant reductions in dry matter (up to 3.3%) and also reductions in fructose/sucrose. Relative amino acid concentrations were lowest in Phase III (8.8µmolg-1 ) compared to Phase I (16µmolg-1 ). These are novel observations, since all these changes and the biochemical and physiological performance in the CAM phases have not been previously determined in Agave plants differing in their geographical origins.

Evidence of spatial clustering of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases in Greater Mexico City: report from the Mexican Inter-Institutional Group for the identification of the causes of childhood leukemia.

Background: A heterogeneous geographic distribution of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases has been described, possibly, related to the presence of different environmental factors. The aim of the present study was to explore the geographical distribution of childhood ALL cases in Greater Mexico City (GMC). Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted. Children <18 years old, newly diagnosed with ALL and residents of GMC were included. Controls were patients without leukemia recruited from second-level public hospitals, frequency-matched by sex, age, and health institution with the cases. The residence address where the patients lived during the last year before diagnosis (cases) or the interview (controls) was used for geolocation. Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic was used to detect spatial clusters (SCs). Relative risks (RR), associated p-value and number of cases included for each cluster were obtained. Results: A total of 1054 cases with ALL were analyzed. Of these, 408 (38.7%) were distributed across eight SCs detected. A relative risk of 1.61 (p<0.0001) was observed for the main cluster. Similar results were noted for the remaining seven ones. Additionally, a proximity between SCs, electrical installations and petrochemical facilities was observed. Conclusions: The identification of SCs in certain regions of GMC suggest the possible role of environmental factors in the etiology of childhood ALL.

Mechanical Performance of Commercially Available Premix UHPC-Based 3D Printable Concrete.

Several recent studies have attempted to formulate printable cementitious materials to meet the printing requirements, but these materials are designed to work with specific printing equipment and printing configurations. This paper aims to systematically develop and perform characterization of a commercially available ultra-high-performance concrete-class material (UHPC) modified to be printable. Four percentages of superplasticizer were used (100%, 94%, 88%, 82%) to adjust the UHPC mixture for 3D-printing requirements. A superplasticizer amount of 88% was considered adequate to meet the requirements. Several fresh and hardened properties of UHPC were measured experimentally: shape-retention ability and green strength were investigated in fresh state, and compressive and flexural strength were evaluated in three loading directions to evaluate the anisotropic effects. Furthermore, the strength of the interlayer bond was investigated. The UHPC developed in this study met the criteria for extrudability, buildability, and shape retention to ensure printability. In comparison with mold-cast UHPC, printed UHPC exhibited superior flexural performance (15-18%), but reduced compressive strength (32-56%). Finally, the results demonstrated that a commercially available UHPC-class material can be used for 3DCP, which possesses all necessary properties, both fresh and hardened.

Impact of the Semiconductor Defect Density on Solution-Processed Flexible Schottky Barrier Diodes.

Schottky barrier diodes, developed by low-cost techniques and low temperature processes (LTP-SBD), have gained attention for different kinds of novel applications, including flexible electronic fabrication. This work analyzes the behavior of the I-V characteristic of solution processed, ZnO Schottky barrier diodes, fabricated at a low temperature. It is shown that the use of standard extraction methods to determine diode parameters in these devices produce significant dispersion of the ideality factor with values from 2.2 to 4.1, as well as a dependence on the diode area without physical meaning. The analysis of simulated I-V characteristic of LTP-SBD, and its comparison with experimental measurements, confirmed that it is necessary to consider the presence of a density of states (DOS) in the semiconductor gap, to understand specific changes observed in their performance, with respect to standard SBDs. These changes include increased values of Rs, as well as its dependence on bias, an important reduction of the diode current and small rectification values (RR). Additionally, it is shown that the standard extraction methodologies cannot be used to obtain diode parameters of LTP-SBD, as it is necessary to develop adequate parameter extraction methodologies for them.

Maternal and paternal ages at conception of index child and risk of childhood acute leukaemia: A multicentre case-control study in Greater Mexico City.

BACKGROUND: The parental age at conception has been reported to be a risk factor for childhood acute leukaemia (AL); however, the relationship is controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between parental age at conception and the risk of AL in Mexican children, a population with a high incidence of the disease and a high prevalence of pregnancies in adolescents and young adults. METHODS: A multicentre case-control study was conducted. Incident AL cases younger than 17 years of age diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 were included. Controls were matched with cases according to age, sex, and health institution. Using logistic regression analysis, adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CI) were calculated for each maternal stratum after adjusting for paternal age at conception of index child. The maternal age between 25 and 29.99 years was selected as the reference category. RESULTS: In most strata where maternal and paternal ages were assessed, no association was found with the risk of developing acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) in their offspring. An increased risk for AML was observed when the mother was between 20 and 24.99 years of age and the father aged 25-29.99 years (aOR, 1.94; 95 % CI, 1.03-3.67). In addition, there was a positive association for ALL when the mother´s age was between 20 and 24.99 years and the father was <20 years of age, however, a very wide confidence interval was noted (aOR, 12.26; 95 % CI, 1.41-106.83). CONCLUSION: In the present study, maternal and paternal ages assessed in different strata showed little association with risk of developing ALL and AML in children. Positive associations between risk of both types of childhood AL were observed with younger paternal and maternal ages.

A greater birthweight increases the risk of acute leukemias in Mexican children-experience from the Mexican Interinstitutional Group for the Identification of the Causes of Childhood Leukemia (MIGICCL).

In Mexico, due to the high rates of diabetes, overweight, and obesity, there has also been noted an increased newborn weight, which may be contributing to the elevated incidence rate of childhood acute leukemia (AL). We conducted a case-control study in public hospitals of Mexico City aimed to know whether a greater weight at birth is associated with a higher risk of developing leukemia. We included incident cases with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) diagnosed between 2010 and 2015. Controls were frequency-matched to the cases by age, sex, and health institution. Logistic regression analysis was performed adjusting risks by child's sex, overcrowding index, birth order, and mother's age at the time of pregnancy. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. A total of 1455 cases and 1455 controls were included. An evident association between ALL and child's birthweight ≥2500 g was found (aOR 2.06; 95% CI: 1.59, 2.66) and also, in those with birthweight ≥3500 g (aOR 1.19; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.41). In AML patients with birthweight ≥2500 g and ≥3500 g, an aOR of 1.77 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.94) and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.03-1.95) was observed, respectively. No association was noticed with either type of AL and a birthweight ≥4000 g. To sum up, we found a moderate association between not having a low birthweight and an increased risk of acute leukemias. Birthweight ≥3500 g was also a risk factor for both types of leukemia. This suggests that a greater birthweight may increase the risk of acute leukemias in Mexican children.

Iloprost inhalado, un vasodilatador pulmonar selectivo. Evidencia clínica de su uso en la hipertensión pulmonar del perioperatorio de cirugía cardiovascular / Inhaled iloprost, a selective pulmonary vasodilator. Clinical evidence from its use in perioperative pulmonary hypertension cardiovascular surgery

El iloprost inhalado es uno de los fármacos más recientes del grupo de prostanoides en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial pulmonar. No se ha definido su importancia en la hipertensión pulmonar en el perioperatorio de cirugía cardiovascular. En esta revisión se analizan los grupos con hipertensión pulmonar susceptibles de cirugía cardiaca, la importancia de la hipertensión pulmonar en cirugía cardiaca y, además, la evidencia clínica actual del uso del fármaco en este contexto.

Inhaled iloprost is one of the most recent drugs from prostanoids group's in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. His place in pulmonary hypertension seen in the perioperative cardiovascular surgery has not been defined. In this review we analyze pulmonary hypertension group's susceptibles of cardiac surgery and its importance, besides the current clinical evidence from drug use in this context.

El cirujano cardiovascular y la puntuación Syntax / The cardiovascular surgeon and the Syntax score

Se estableció la puntuación Syntax como herramienta para determinar la complejidad de la enfermedad coronaria y como guía para tomar decisiones entre la cirugía de revascularización coronaria y el intervencionismo coronario percutáneo. El propósito de esta revisión es examinar de manera sistemática qué es la puntuación Syntax, cómo el cirujano debe integrar la información en la selección y tratamiento del paciente. Revisamos los resultados del estudio SYNTAX, las guías de práctica clínica, así como los beneficios y las limitaciones de la puntuación. Finalmente, el rumbo hacia el futuro que tomará la puntuación Syntax.

The Syntax score has been established as a tool to determine the complexity of coronary artery disease and as a guide for decision-making among coronary artery bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention. The purpose of this review is to systematically examine what the Syntax score is, and how the surgeon should integrate the information in the selection and treatment of patients. We reviewed the results of the SYNTAX Trial, the clinical practice guidelines, as well as the benefits and limitations of the score. Finally we discuss the future directions of the Syntax score.

[The cardiovascular surgeon and the Syntax score]. / El cirujano cardiovascular y la puntuación Syntax.

The Syntax score has been established as a tool to determine the complexity of coronary artery disease and as a guide for decision-making among coronary artery bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention. The purpose of this review is to systematically examine what the Syntax score is, and how the surgeon should integrate the information in the selection and treatment of patients. We reviewed the results of the SYNTAX Trial, the clinical practice guidelines, as well as the benefits and limitations of the score. Finally we discuss the future directions of the Syntax score.

[Inhaled iloprost, a selective pulmonary vasodilator. Clinical evidence from its use in perioperative pulmonary hypertension cardiovascular surgery]. / Iloprost inhalado, un vasodilatador pulmonar selectivo. Evidencia clínica de su uso en la hipertensión pulmonar del perioperatorio de cirugía cardiovascular.

Inhaled iloprost is one of the most recent drugs from prostanoids group's in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. His place in pulmonary hypertension seen in the perioperative cardiovascular surgery has not been defined. In this review we analyze pulmonary hypertension group's susceptibles of cardiac surgery and its importance, besides the current clinical evidence from drug use in this context.

Analysis of oxidative stress enzymes and structural and functional proteins on human aortic tissue from different aortopathies.

The role of oxidative stress in different aortopathies is evaluated. Thirty-two tissue samples from 18 men and 14 women were divided into: 4 control (C) subjects, 11 patients with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), 4 with variants of Marfan's syndrome (MV), 9 with Marfan's syndrome (M), 2 with Turner's syndrome, and 2 with Takayasu's arteritis (TA). Aorta fragments were homogenized. Lipoperoxidation (LPO), copper-zinc and manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn and Cu-Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nitrates and nitrites (NO3(-)/NO2(-)), and type IV collagen, and laminin were evaluated. There was an increase in Mn- and Cu-Zn-SOD activity in SAH, MV, M, and Turner's syndrome. There was also an increase in CAT activity in M and Turner' syndrome. GPx and GST activity decreased and LPO increased in all groups. eNOS was decreased in SAH, MV, and M and NO3 (-)/NO2 (-) were increased in SAH and TA. Type IV collagen was decreased in Turner's syndrome and TA. Laminin γ-1 was decreased in MV and increased in M. In conclusion, similarities and differences in oxidative stress in the different aortopathies studied including pathologies with aneurysms were found with alterations in SOD, CAT, GPx, GST, and eNOS activity that modify subendothelial basement membrane proteins.

Lipomas intraescrotales en niños, un hallazgo casual excepcional / Intrascrotal lipomas in children-an exceptional unexpected finding

Los tumores paratesticulares en niños son poco frecuentes, y son diagnosticados de forma incidental al realizar una ecografía en el contexto de un escroto agudo o un traumatismo. Su exéresis debe realizarse vía inguinal, ante la posibilidad de su malignidad. Se presentan dos casos de tumor paratesticular hallados incidentalmente, cuyo diagnóstico histopatológico confirmó que se trataba de lipomas intraescrotales.

Paratesticular tumors are rare in children and are diagnosed by chance on echography of an acute scrotum or a trauma. It should be excised by the inguinal route to prevent any possibility of malignancy. Here are two cases of paratesticular tumors which were randomly found. The final histopathological diagnosis confirmed that they were intrascrotal lipomas.

Caracterización de adultos mayores con cáncer de cabeza y cuello / Head and Neck Cancer Characterization in Elderly Patients

Introducción: los carcinomas de cabeza y cuello constituyen el 7% de todas las neoplasias y la cuarta causa de muerte por cáncer en el varón; son heterogéneos, varían histológicamente y tienen una etiología y una epidemiología distintas; aparecen en diferentes formas clínicas y con progresión variable, son diversos también los enfoques terapéuticos y pronósticos. Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento clínico-epidemiológico y terapéutico de los carcinomas de cabeza y cuello en adultos mayores en la provincia Holguín. Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva, longitudinal retrospectiva en 407 adultos mayores con diagnóstico de cáncer de cabeza y cuello en Holguín entre enero 2005- diciembre 2010. Se confeccionó una base de datos, se organizó y procesó la información por medio de estadísticos descriptivos. Resultados: predominó la enfermedad en la sexta década de la vida (42,76%) y el sexo masculino (72,00%). Los municipios más afectados fueron Holguín (28,00%) y Mayarí (11,80%). Predominaron los hábitos tóxicos, principalmente, el tabaquismo (64,62%). El mayor porcentaje se diagnosticó en los estadios IV (41,52%) y III (25,06%). El carcinoma epidermoide bien diferenciado prevaleció (39,56%). La cavidad bucal (33,91%) y la laringe (29,00%) fueron los sitios más afectados con metástasis en el 69,77% de los pacientes. Las modalidades terapéuticas más empleadas fueron las oncoespecíficas combinadas (50,85%). Conclusiones: predominó un diagnóstico tardío de los tumores de cabeza y cuello en las edades geriátricas; la pobre calidad de vida y escasas posibilidades terapéuticas y de supervivencia.

Introduction: head and neck carcinomas (HNC) constitute 7% of all neoplasias and fourth fatal cause for cancer in males. They are diverse considering its epidemiologic and etiological aspects, heterogeneous and histologically varied. It appears with different clinical presentations and progress, and several therapeutic management and prognosis. Objective: to describe the head and neck cancer clinical-epidemiological behavior as well as therapeutic behavior in elderly people of Holguin. Methods: a descriptive observational study in 407 with head and neck Cancer elderly people, registered in Holguin Health Administration Oncology Report from January 2005 to December 2010 was carried out. Microsoft Excel program and statistical methods to study some variables and to obtain absolute number and percentage were used. Results: there was a highest incidence of this disease in 42.76% of six-year-old patients and those of male sex (72.00%). Holguin (28.00%) and Mayari (11.80%) represented the most affected cities. The majority of patients had toxic habits: smoking (64.62%). The highest percentage of patients was in IV (41.52%) and III (25.06%) stages. The epidermoid carcinoma prevailed. The oral cavity (33.91%) and larynx (29.00%) were the most affected anatomic localization, with metastasis in 69.77% of patients. Combined therapies were the most applied ones in 50.85% of these patients. Conclusions: diagnosis of head and neck tumors in geriatric ages was late; bad quality of life and lowest therapeutic and survival possibilities was observed.

A large accumulation of avian eggs from the late cretaceous of patagonia (Argentina) reveals a novel nesting strategy in mesozoic birds.

We report the first evidence for a nesting colony of mesozoic birds on Gondwana: a fossil accumulation in Late Cretaceous rocks mapped and collected from within the campus of the National University of Comahue, Neuquén City, Patagonia (Argentina). Here, Cretaceous ornithothoracine birds, almost certainly Enanthiornithes, nested in an arid, shallow basinal environment among sand dunes close to an ephemeral water-course. We mapped and collected 65 complete, near-complete, and broken eggs across an area of more than 55 m(2). These eggs were laid either singly, or occasionally in pairs, onto a sandy substrate. All eggs were found apparently in, or close to, their original nest site; they all occur within the same bedding plane and may represent the product of a single nesting season or a short series of nesting attempts. Although there is no evidence for nesting structures, all but one of the Comahue eggs were half-buried upright in the sand with their pointed end downwards, a position that would have exposed the pole containing the air cell and precluded egg turning. This egg position is not seen in living birds, with the exception of the basal galliform megapodes who place their eggs within mounds of vegetation or burrows. This accumulation reveals a novel nesting behaviour in Mesozoic Aves that was perhaps shared with the non-avian and phylogenetically more basal troodontid theropods.

Caracterización de adultos mayores con cáncer de cabeza y cuello / Head and Neck Cancer Characterization in Elderly Patients

Introducción : Los carcinomas de cabeza y cuello constituyen el 7 por ciento de todas las neoplasias y la cuarta causa de muerte por cáncer en el varón ; son heterogéneos, varían histológicamente y tienen una etiología y una epidemiología distintas, aparece en diferentes formas clínicas y con progresión variable, son diversos también los enfoques terapéuticos y pronósticos .Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento clínico - epidemiológico y terapéutico de los carcinomas de cabeza y cuello en adultos mayores en la provincia Holguín. Métodos : se realizó una investigación descriptiva, longitudinal retrospectiva en 407 adultos mayores con diagnóstico de cáncer de cabeza y cuello en Holguín entre enero 2005 -diciembre 2010. Se confeccionó una base de datos, se organizó y procesó la información por medio de estadísticos descriptivos. Resultados: predominó la enfermedad en la sexta década de la vida 42,76 por ciento y el sexo masculino 72 por ciento. Los municipios más afectados fueron Holguín 28 por ciento y Mayarí 11,80 por ciento. Predominaron los hábitos tóxicos, principalmente, el tabaquismo 64,62 por ciento. El mayor porcentaje se diagnosticó en los estadios IV 41,5 2 por ciento y III 25,06 por ciento. El carcinoma epidermoide bien diferenciado prevaleció 39,56 por ciento. La cavidad bucal 33,91 por ciento y la laringe 29,00 por ciento fueron los sitios más afectados con metástasis en el 69,77 por ciento de los pacientes. Las modalidades terapéuticas más empleadas fueron las oncoespecíficas combinadas 50,85 por ciento. Conclusiones: predominó un diagnóstico tardío de los tumores de cabeza y cuello en las edades geriátricas; la pobre calidad de vida y escasas posibilidades terapéuticas y de supervivencia(AU)...

Introduction : Head and neck carcinomas HNC constitute, 7 percent, of all neoplasias and fourth fatal cause for cancer in males. They are diverse considering its epidemiologic and etiological aspects, heterogeneous and histologically varied. It appears with different clinical presentations and progress and several therapeutic management and prognosis. Objective: to describe the head and neck cancer clinical-epidemiological behav ior as well astherapeutic behavior in elderly people of Holguin. Methods: a descriptive observational study in 40, with head and neck Cancer elderly people, registered in Holguin Health Administration Oncology Report from January 2005, to December ,2010, was carried out. Microsoft Excel program and statistical methods to study some variables and to obtain absolu te number and percentage were used. Results: there was a highest incidence of this disease in 42.76 percent of six-year old patientsand those of male sex ,72. 00 percent, Holguin, 28 00 percent, and Mayari 11. 80 percent, represented the most affected cities. The majority of patients had toxic habits: smoking ,64. 62 percent:. The highest percentage of patients was in IV 41. 52 percent and III 25.06 percent, stages. The epidermoidcarcinoma prevailed. The oral cavity 33.91 percent and larynx 29.00 percent, were the most affected anatomic localization, with metastasis in 69.77 percent, of patients. Combined therapies were the most applied ones in 50.85 percent of these patients. Conclusions: diagnosis of head and neck tumors in geriatric ages was late; bad quality of life and lowest therapeutic and survival possibilities was observed(AU)...

Overosaurus paradasorum gen. et sp. nov., a new sauropod dinosaur (Titanosauria: Lithostrotia) from the late Cretaceous of Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina.

A new lithostrotian sauropod, the small-sized Overosaurus paradasorum n. gen et sp. from the Anacleto Formation (Campanian, Late Cretaceous, Neuquén Group, Patagonia, Argentina) is here described. The specimen (MAU-Pv-CO-439) consists of a fully articulated vertebral series from the 10th cervical to the 20th caudal vertebra, the last cervical ribs, several dorsal ribs in articulation with their respective vertebrae, the complete right ilium and fragments of the left ilium. Overosaurus paradasorum is diagnosed by a unique combination of characters that includes (1) posterior cervical vertebrae with long pre- and postzygapophyses that project beyond the anterior and posterior borders of the centrum, respectively, (2) postspinal lamina absent in all dorsal neural spines, (3) wide and massive 9th and 10th caudal centra that are slightly excavated laterally and have relatively flat ventral surfaces, (4) laminar projection on the posterior border of the second and third dorsal rib, (5) ilium proportionally shorter anteroposteriorly and taller dorsoventrally than in other lithostrotians, and (6) the preacetabular process of the ilium strongly deflected laterally and with a ventrolaterally tapering end. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships of Overosaurus places it within the Aeolosaurini, as the sister taxon of a monophyletic group formed by Aeolosaurus rionegrinus, A. maximus, Gondwanatitan faustoi and Pitekunsaurus macayai. Overosaurus is a new representative of a highly diversified assemblage of Campanian lithostrotians from Patagonia that includes both Aeolosaurini and saltasaurids (e.g. Saltasaurus, Neuquensaurus)--this small new taxon falls within the low end of the size spectrum represented by these Late Cretaceous sauropods.

Homocysteine is related to aortic mineralization in patients with ischemic heart disease.

UNLABELLED: Homocysteine is implicated as an early atherosclerotic promoter, which enhances the smooth muscle cell proliferation and produces free radicals that induce cellular damage. These factors must have a role in the progression of atherosclerosis that subsequently leads to vascular mineralization. AIM: Identify a correlation between the plasma concentration of total homocysteine and the amount of minerals that accumulate in the aorta of patients with atherosclerosis. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in 13 patients with three-vessel coronary artery disease, undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Aortic and mammary artery specimens were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. The homocysteine was determined using an immunonephelometry method. RESULTS: The amount of minerals in the aorta was greater (300 ± 181.6 particles per 500 µm2 than that in the mammary artery (64 ± 45 particles per 500 µm2 (p < 0.01). The average tHcy was 9.5 ± 2.3 µmol/L. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was positive between tHcy, and aortic iron (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the aorta is dramatically affected by mineralization compared to the mammary artery. In addition, a direct correlation was identified between the levels of tHcy and the iron particles in the aortic wall.

Trastornos vestibulares más frecuentes en la infancia / Vestibulars disorders most common in childhood

El sistema vestibular constituye uno de los sistemas de aferencia sensorial que participa en la estructuración de los mecanismos de coordinación voluntaria de las extremidades y del tronco corporal, así como de los controles de la oculomotilidad, mediante la interacción visual, vestibular y propioceptiva que tiene lugar en el tronco cerebral y es modulada por el cerebelo. Para que el SNC regule o se ajuste a los diferentes cambios de posición, necesita ser informado de la posición del cuerpo en el espacio. Esta información proviene del sistema vestibular (oído interno), sistema visual, de la sensibilidad superficial y profunda propioceptiva, tendones, músculos y articulaciones. El síndrome vertiginoso tanto fisiológico como patológico está dado por una serie de fenómenos: perceptual (vértigo), secundario a una coordinación de la dirección específica del reflejo vestíbulo ocular, cuya actividad radica en el circuito neuronal del cerebro; oculomotor (nistagmus): su causa está dada por un disturbio de la dirección específica del reflejo vestíbulo ocular, cuya actividad radica en el circuito neuronal del cerebro; postural (ataxia) cuya causa es una inapropiada activación de las neuronas mono y polisinápticas de las sendas vestibulares espinales y vegetativo (palidez, sudoración, náuseas y vómitos...(AU)

Vestibular system is one of the sensorial aference systems, which participate in the structuration of voluntary coordination mechanisms of the extremitiesand the human body trunk, and in oculomotility control, with visual, vestibular and propioceptive interaction. It is located on brain trunk and modulated by cerebellum.Central Nervous System needs to be informed about the body position in space for regulating different position changes. This information comes from vestibular (internal ear) and visual systems and from superficial sensibility, propioceptive deep sensibility, muscles, articulations and tendons too. Dizziness syndrom, pathological or not, is produced by several fenomenus: perceptual (dizziness), which is secundary to a coordination of specific direction of ocular-vestibular reflex; oculomotor (nystagmus), caused by a disorder in specific direction of ocular-vestibular reflex, that acts in neuronal circuit of brain; postural (ataxia), caused by a wrong activation of mono and polysynaptic brain cells from spinal vestibular vias; and vegetative, that includes nauseas, paleness, sweating and vomiting...(AU)

Metodología diagnóstica de la hipoacusia y el vértigo / Diagnostic Methodolgy of Hypoacusia and Diziness

El lenguaje permite a los seres humanos la comunicación; es la principal vía por la que los niños aprenden, esto se logra con una audición dentro de límites normales, y desempeña un papel central en el pensamiento y el conocimiento. Consideramos las deficiencias auditivas como aquellas alteraciones cuantitativas en una correcta percepción de la audición. El diagnóstico precoz y la rehabilitación adecuada previenen la consecuencia más importante de la hipoacusia, crecer sin un lenguaje oral. Una pérdida auditiva de severa a profunda durante las primeras etapas del desarrollo infantil constituye un factor importante tanto para la adquisición del lenguaje oral y escrito, como más tarde para la posterior inserción laboral y profesional. Por sus consecuencias y por su elevada incidencia, como contribución científica a un mejor conocimiento y divulgación de la problemática que se desprende de la sordera, realizamos una revisión bibliográfica de esta temática para mejorar los sistemas de prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento...(AU)

Language is the one that allow the comunication among human beings. It is the main way of children´s learning with normal audition, and it has an important paper in thoughts and knowledge. Auditive difficulties are those representive disorders in the perception of audition without difficulties. Early diagnosis and adequate rehabilitation prevent the most important consequence of hypoacusia: to grew up without oral language. A severe hearing loss during the first stages of children´s development is an important risk factor for oral and written language, and for the later incorporation to work. A bibliographic review was carried out in order to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment systems of this disease...(AU)

[Short-stay programme in cardiac surgery. Analysis of short-term outcomes of 533 cases in five years]. / Programa de estancia corta en cirugía cardiaca. Análisis de morbimortalidad en 533 casos en cinco años.

BACKGROUND: In 1999 so as to decrease the list of cardiac surgery the "fast track" program was started for patients with very mortality low risk. In 2004, this program was extended to moderate risk patients. OBJECTIVES: A prospective, descriptive study to evaluate the clinical and demographic characteristics of "fast track" program patients for elective cardiac surgery. We also analyzed the hospital stay, mortality, complications and readmissions. METHODS: From March 2004 to February we included adult patients with indications for cardiac surgery, low to intermediate risk of mortality and complete preoperative requirements. RESULTS: From a total of 598 patients, 533 were analyzed, aged 47±14 years, 62.5% female. They were classified in four groups: valvular (68%), congenital (25%), coronary artery disease (5%), and mixed (2%). The average hospital stay was: preoperative 1.9, intensive care unit three, postoperative in hospitalization 6.9 and total 11.9 days. We found that 17.8% had a hospital stay longer than 14 days due to: reoperations, pulmonary complications, arrhythmias or infections. The mortality was 4.1 and 2.8% had readmissions three months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This program shows a low rate of mortality, hospital stay and readmissions."