First Report of Root Rot of Watermelon Caused by Ceratobasidium sp. in Sonora, Mexico.

Watermelon is one of the major crops grown in Mexico and represents 4% of the total cultivated area with fruits in this country. In 2013, Sonora State was ranked second in the production of watermelon at a national level. Fungal and oomycete diseases are among the main biotic factors affecting watermelon production, particularly those caused by species of the genera Fusarium, Phytophthora, Pythium, and Rhizoctonia. During the spring of 2013, wilting or death symptoms were confirmed in approximately 50% of ungrafted watermelon plants grown in four sampled fields along the coast of Hermosillo and Guaymas Valley in Sonora, Mexico. On both roots and stems of infected plants, localized lesions were found that were 0.2 to 2.0 cm long, reddish brown, and slightly sunken on the stem base. In some cases, the discolorations encompassed nearly 90% of the root system. One-centimeter pieces from the edge of lesions on stems and roots were superficially disinfected with 1% sodium hypochlorite, then rinsed with sterile distilled water, placed onto petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA), and incubated at 25°C for 3 days. Fungal colonies were white initially, then turned brown, and septate hyphae were 3.7 to 4.3 µm in diameter and branched at right angles with a constriction at the origin of the branch point. These characteristics are typical of the genus Rhizoctonia. Binucleate cells from five isolates were observed using a lactophenol aniline blue solution stain, according to Ceratobasidium morphological descriptions. Mycelia from five isolates grown on PDA was used for DNA extraction. The rDNA-ITS region was amplified using PCR with the universal fungal primers ITS1 and ITS4 (3). The purified products were separately sequenced in both directions using the same primer pair. The sequences obtained were 99% similar to those of Ceratobasidium sp. AG-F and AG-Fa isolates (accessions KC193238.1 on Tagetes erecta, HQ168370.1 on Musa spp., and JX913821.1 on soy-rice-weeds, respectively) from GenBank (2,4). The pathogenicity of the fungus was tested under growth chamber conditions. Sets of seven healthy watermelon seedlings of the Sugar red variety were inoculated with five isolates of Ceratobasidium. Three disks (8 mm in diameter) of mycelia grown on PDA were placed around the roots of each plantlet. The pots were maintained at 27 ± 0.1°C for 14 days with a photoperiod of 12 h. Seven uninoculated seedlings were used as a control. Initial symptoms showing water-soaked lesions developed on all inoculated seedlings within 6 to 7 days, while typical disease symptoms appeared after 10 to 14 days after inoculation. Seedlings without inoculum were free from infection. The fungus was re-isolated from the inoculated seedlings on PDA, and identified as Ceratobasidium sp., confirmed using morphological characteristics. A similar disease has been reported recently in Italy and Arizona (1); however, this report is the first description of a Ceratobasidium sp. causing root rot of watermelon in Sonora, Mexico. Agricultural areas where the study was carried represent 90% of the total area cultivated with watermelon in this state, so it is necessary to evaluate the impact of this pathogen in the crop. References: (1) C. Nischwitz et al. APS joint meeting, 2013. (2) A. Saroj et al. Plant Dis. 97:1251, 2013. (3) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990. (4) J. Yin et al. Plant Dis. 95:490, 2011.

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para las pruebas Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (copia y memoria) y Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test / Spanish normative studies in young adults ( NEURONORMA young adults project): norms for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (copy and memory) and Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test

Introducción: El test Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) y el Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) son pruebas ampliamente utilizadas en la práctica clínica. El ROCF es de gran utilidad para la exploración de la percepción visual, la praxis constructiva y la memoria visuoespacial. El FCSRT evalúa aprendizaje y memoria verbal. Objetivo: En el presente estudio, que forma parte del proyecto de obtención de datos normativos españoles en adultos jóvenes (proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes), se aportan datos normativos ajustados por edad y escolaridad para ambos test mediante la aplicación de regresiones lineales. Material y métodos: Se incluyó a 179 participantes sanos de entre 18 y 49 años de edad. Se aportan tablas para convertir las puntuaciones brutas en escalares, así como tablas de ajuste por los factores sociodemográficos. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos muestran influencia de la escolaridad en diversas variables de memoria y en la copia de la figura. La edad únicamente afecta el rendimiento en memoria visuoespacial y el efecto del género es despreciable. Conclusiones: Las referencias obtenidas son de gran utilidad clínica para la evaluación neuropsicológica de población adulta joven española (AU)

Introduction: The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) and the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) are widely used in clinical practice. The ROCF assesses visual perception, constructional praxis, and visuo-spatial memory. The FCSRT assesses verbal learning and memory. Objective: In this study, as part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we present age- and education-adjusted normative data for both tests obtained by using linear regression techniques. Material and methods: The sample consisted of 179 healthy participants ranging in age from 18 to 49 years. We provide tables for converting raw scores to scaled scores in addition to tables with scores adjusted by socio-demographic factors. Results: The results showed that education affects scores for some of the memory tests and the figure-copying task. Age was only found to have an effect on the performance of visuo-spatial memory tests, and the effect of sex was negligible. Conclusions: The normative data obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical neuropsychological evaluation of young Spanish adults (AU)

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para las pruebas Visual Object and Space Perception Battery y Judgment of Line Orientation / Spanish normative studies in young adults ( NEURONORMA young adults project): norms for the Visual Object and Space Perception Battery and Judgment of Line Orientation tests

Introducción: La Visual Object and Space Perception Battery (VOSP) y el Judgment of LineOrientation (JLO) son pruebas utilizadas para explorar habilidades visuoperceptivas y visuoespaciales. Objetivo: En el presente estudio, como parte de los estudios normativos españoles del proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes, se presentan datos normativos para una versión abreviada de la VOSP y el JLO. Material y métodos: La muestra está formada por 179 participantes, cognitivamente normales, de entre 18 y 49 años de edad. Se aportan tablas para convertir las puntuaciones brutas en escalares y tablas con los ajustes pertinentes por escolaridad y género a partir de regresiones lineales. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos muestran la influencia de la escolaridad y el género únicamente en el JLO, y nulo efecto de la edad. Conclusiones: Las normas obtenidas aportan datos de gran utilidad clínica para la evaluación de población adulta joven española. (AU)

Introduction: The Visual Object and Space Perception Battery (VOSP) and Judgment of Line Orientation tests (JLO) are used in clinical practice to assess visuoperceptual and visuospatial abilities. Objective: In this study, as part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we present normative data for a short version of the VOSP test and for the JLO test. Material and methods: The sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Education- and sex-adjusted scores were obtained by applying linear regression techniques. Results: Our results show that education and sex only affect scores on the JLO test, and that age has no effect. Conclusions: The normative data obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults (AU)

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para las pruebas Stroop Color-Word Interference Test y Tower of London-Drexel University / Spanish normative studies in young adults ( NEURONORMA young adults project): norms for Stroop Color-Word Interference and Tower of London-Drexel University tests

Introducción: El Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (Stroop) se utiliza para explorar la flexibilidad mental, la atención selectiva, la inhibición cognitiva y la velocidad de procesamiento de la información. El test Tower of London-Drexel University version (TOLDX) es útil para explorar la habilidad para resolver problemas y la planificación. Objetivo: En el presente estudio, como parte de los estudios normativos españoles del proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes, se presentan datos normativos para el Stroop y la TOLDX. Material y métodos: La muestra está formada por 179 participantes, cognitivamente normales, de entre 18 y 49 años de edad. Se aportan tablas para convertir las puntuaciones brutas en escalares. Se aplican regresiones lineales para calcular los ajustes por factores sociodemográficos. Resultados: Se observó un efecto nulo de la edad y el género en ambas pruebas. La escolaridad influyó en la mayoría de variables del Stroop y en algunas medidas de la TOLDX (movimientos totales y tiempo de latencia). Conclusiones: Los datos normativos obtenidos son de gran utilidad clínica para la evaluación de población adulta joven española (AU)

Introduction: The Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (Stroop) measures cognitive flexibility, elective attention, cognitive inhibition and information processing speed. The Tower of London-Drexel University version test (TOLDX) assesses higher-order problem solving and executive planning abilities. Objective: In this study, as part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we present normative data for the Stroop and young adults TOLDX tests. Material and methods: The sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores.Scores adjusted for sociodemographic factors were obtained by applying linear regression techniques. Results: No effects were found for age and sex in either test. Educational level impacted most of the Stroop test variables and some of the TOLDX scores (Total Moves score and Total Initiation Time score). Conclusions: The norms obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults (AU)

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para los test de fluencia verbal / Spanish normative studies in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project): norms for verbal fluency tests

Introducción: Los test de fluencia verbal se utilizan con frecuencia en la práctica clínica con el fin de explorar el lenguaje y las funciones ejecutivas. Objetivo: En el presente estudio, como parte de los estudios normativos españoles del proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes, se aportan datos normativos ajustados por edad y escolaridad para 3 tareas de fluencia semántica (animales, frutas y verduras, y utensilios de cocina), 3 tareas de fluencia formal (palabras que empiezan por P, M, y R), 3 tareas de fluencia de letra excluida (palabras que no contienen A, E, y S) y una tarea de fluencia de verbos. Material y métodos: La muestra está formada por 179 participantes, cognitivamente normales, de entre 18 y 49 años de edad. Se aportan tablas para convertir las puntuaciones brutas en escalares y tablas para realizar los ajustes pertinentes por edad y escolaridad a partir de regresiones lineales. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos muestran la influencia de la escolaridad para la mayoría de los test de fluencia verbal, escaso efecto de la edad y mínimo efecto del género. Conclusiones: Las normas obtenidas aportan datos de gran utilidad clínica para la evaluación de población adulta joven española(AU)

Introduction: Lexical fluency tests are frequently used in clinical practice to assess language and executive function. Objective: As part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project), we provide age- and education-adjusted normative data for 3 semantic fluency tasks (animals, fruits and vegetables, and kitchen tools), three formal lexical fluency tasks (words beginning with P, M and R), three excluded-letter fluency tasks (words excluding A, E and S) and a verb fluency task. Material and methods: The sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Age- and education-adjusted scores are provided by applying linear regression techniques. Results: The results show that education impacted most of the verbal fluency test scores, with no effects related to age and only minimal effects related to sex. Conclusions: The norms obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults(AU)

Spanish normative studies in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project): norms for Stroop Color-Word Interference and Tower of London-Drexel University tests.

INTRODUCTION: The Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (Stroop) measures cognitive flexibility, selective attention, cognitive inhibition and information processing speed. The Tower of London-Drexel University version test (TOL) assesses higher-order problem solving and executive planning abilities. OBJECTIVE: In this study, as part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we present normative data for the Stroop and young adults TOL tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Scores adjusted for sociodemographic factors were obtained by applying linear regression techniques. RESULTS: No effects were found for age and sex in either test. Educational level impacted most of the Stroop test variables and some of the TOL scores (Total Moves score and Total Initiation Time score). CONCLUSIONS: The norms obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Spanish normative studies in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project): norms for the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (copy and memory) and Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test.

INTRODUCTION: The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) and the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) are widely used in clinical practice. The ROCF assesses visual perception, constructional praxis, and visuo-spatial memory. The FCSRT assesses verbal learning and memory. OBJECTIVE: In this study, as part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we present age- and education-adjusted normative data for both tests obtained by using linear regression techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 179 healthy participants ranging in age from 18 to 49 years. We provide tables for converting raw scores to scaled scores in addition to tables with scores adjusted by socio-demographic factors. RESULTS: The results showed that education affects scores for some of the memory tests and the figure-copying task. Age was only found to have an effect on the performance of visuo-spatial memory tests, and the effect of sex was negligible. CONCLUSIONS: The normative data obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical neuropsychological evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Spanish normative studies in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project): norms for the Visual Object and Space Perception Battery and Judgment of Line Orientation tests.

INTRODUCTION: The Visual Object and Space Perception Battery (VOSP) and Judgment of Line Orientation tests (JLO) are used in clinical practice to assess visuoperceptual and visuospatial abilities. OBJECTIVE: In this study, as part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we present normative data for a short version of the VOSP test and for the JLO test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Education- and sex-adjusted scores were obtained by applying linear regression techniques. RESULTS: Our results show that education and sex only affect scores on the JLO test, and that age has no effect. CONCLUSIONS: The normative data obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Spanish normative studies in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project): norms for verbal fluency tests.

INTRODUCTION: Lexical fluency tests are frequently used in clinical practice to assess language and executive function. OBJECTIVE: As part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project), we provide age- and education-adjusted normative data for 3 semantic fluency tasks (animals, fruits and vegetables, and kitchen tools), three formal lexical fluency tasks (words beginning with P, M and R), three excluded-letter fluency tasks (words excluding A, E and S) and a verb fluency task. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Age- and education-adjusted scores are provided by applying linear regression techniques. RESULTS: The results show that education impacted most of the verbal fluency test scores, with no effects related to age and only minimal effects related to sex. CONCLUSIONS: The norms obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (Proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para el Boston Naming Test y el Token Test / Spanish normative studies in a young adult population (NEURONORMA young adults Project): Norms for the Boston Naming Test and the Token Test

Introducción: El Boston Naming Test (BNT) y el Token Test (TT) son pruebas ampliamente utilizadas en la práctica clínica para explorar la denominación y la comprensión.Objetivo: En este artículo se presentan los datos normativos del BNT y el TT obtenidos en el proyecto normativo español NEURONORMA jóvenes. Material y métodos: La muestra está formada por 179 sujetos sanos de entre 18 y 49 años de edad. Se aportan tablas para convertir las puntuaciones brutas en escalares y tablas con los ajustes pertinentes por edad y escolaridad obtenidas a partir de regresiones lineales. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos muestran influencia de la escolaridad en ambos tests, pero un mínimo efecto de la edad y del género. Conclusiones: Las normas obtenidas aportan datos de gran utilidad clínica para la evaluación de población adulta joven esañola (AU)

Introduction: The Boston Naming Test (BNT) and the Token Test (TT) are frequently used in clinical practice to assess naming and comprehension. Objective: The aim of this paper is to present normative data for the BNT and for the TT as part of the NEURONORMA young adults Project. Material and methods: A total of 179 Spanish healthy subjects from 18 to 49 years old were evaluated. Tables to convert raw scores to scaled scores are provided. Age- and education- adjusted scores are obtained by applying linear regressions. Results:The results show an effect of education in both tests, and a minimal effect of age and sex.Conclusions: The normative data obtained will be useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults (AU)

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (Proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para las pruebas span verbal, span visuoespacial, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test y Symbol Digit Modalities Test / Spanish normative studies in a young adult population (NEURONORMA young adults Project): norms for the verbal span, visuospatial span, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test

Introducción: El período verbales y El visuoespacial, la prueba de El letras y números de secuenciación , El Trail Making Test y El Símbolo Modalidades dígitos Prueba hijo Pruebas ampliamente utilizadas en la Práctica Clínica párrafo explorar la Atención, Funciones Ejecutivas y las la Memoria. Objetivo: En El Presente Estudio, Como instancia de parte de los Estudios normativos Españoles Inglés de Proyecto NEURONORMA Jóvenes, SE aportan Datos normativos ajustados Por EDAD y escolaridad Para Los DIGITOS, Los Cubos de Corsi, La Carta Número de Secuencia , El Trail Making Test Y El Symbol Digit Modalidades Prueba . Material y Métodos:La Muestra està formada Por 179 Participantes y cognitivamente Normales, de Entre 18 y 49 Años de Edad. Se aportan tablas párrafo convertir las puntuaciones brutas en escalares y tablas Con los ajustes pertinentes y escolaridad Por EDAD à partir de UNA regresión lineal. Resultados: Se observación Influencia de la escolaridad en la Mayoría de los pruebas de Atención Social, asi Como Efecto de la EDAD En El lapso de visuoespacial y en la VELOCIDAD de visuomotora tracking. El Efecto del Género es Mínimo. Conclusiones: Las Normas obtenidas aportan Datos de Gran Utilidad Clínica Para La evaluation de Población Adulta Joven española (AU)

Introduction: Verbal and visuospatial span, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test are frequently used in clinical practice to assess attention, executive functions and memory. Objective:In the present study, as part of the Spanish normative studies of NEURONORMA young adults Project, normative data adjusted by age and education are provided for digits, Corsi Block-Tapping Task, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test.Material and methods: The sample consisted of 179 participants from 18 to 49 years old, who were cognitively normal. Tables to convert raw scores to scaled scores are provided. Age and education adjusted scores are provided by applying linear regressions.Results: Education affected scores in most of the attention tests; age was found to be related to the visuospatial span and to speed of visuomotor tracking, and there was no relationship as regards sex. Conclusions: The data obtained will be useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (Proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): métodos y características de la muestra / Spanish normative studies in a young adult population (NEURONORMA young adults Project): methods and characteristics of the sample

Introducción: En neuropsicología clínica es necesario disponer de datos normativos con el fin de relacionar el comportamiento de un sujeto con un grupo de referencia. Estos datos normativos deben extraerse de una población pertinente, teniendo en cuenta las características propias de cada cultura y el efecto de las variables sociodemográficas.Objetivo: Describir los métodos y las características de la muestra de una serie de estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (Proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes). Se incluyen tests neuropsicológicos de uso extendido para valorar atención, lenguaje, habilidades visuoperceptivas, habilidades visuoconstructivas, memoria, y funciones ejecutivas. Material y métodos: Se estudió una muestra de 179 sujetos cognitivamente normales, con un rango de edad de 18 a 49 años. Se recogieron datos demográficos, socioculturales y médicos. Se describe el procedimiento estadístico utilizado en el estudio normativo. Resultados:Se presentan los datos sociodemográficos, los antecedentes familiares, los hábitos de salud, los antecedentes médicos y el uso de fármacos. Conclusiones: El uso de estas normas será de gran utilidad para el diagnóstico neuropsicológico en sujetos españoles jóvenes, así como para la comparación con otros estudios normativos (AU)

Introduction: In clinical neuropsychology, normative data are necessary to relate the performance of a subject to a reference group. These normative data should be collected from a pertinent population taking into account sociodemographic and cultural factors. Objective: This paper describes the methods and sample characteristics of a series of Spanish normative studies on young adults (NEURONORMA young adults Project). The normative information was based on a series of selected, commonly used, neuropsychological tests covering attention, language, visual-perceptual abilities, constructional tasks, memory, and executive functions. Material and methods: A sample of 179 cognitively normal subjects from 18 to 49 years was studied. Demographics, socio-cultural, and medical data were collected. The statistical procedure used in the normative studies is described.Results: Sociodemographic, family background, health habits, medical history and use of drugs are presented. Conclusions: The use of these norms should improve neuropsychological diagnostic accuracy in young Spanish subjects. These data may also be of considerable use for comparisons with other normative studies (AU)

[Spanish normative studies in a young adult population (NEURONORMA young adults Project): methods and characteristics of the sample]. / Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (Proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): métodos y características de la muestra.

INTRODUCTION: In clinical neuropsychology, normative data are necessary to relate the performance of a subject to a reference group. These normative data should be collected from a pertinent population taking into account sociodemographic and cultural factors. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes the methods and sample characteristics of a series of Spanish normative studies on young adults (NEURONORMA young adults Project). The normative information was based on a series of selected, commonly used, neuropsychological tests covering attention, language, visual-perceptual abilities, constructional tasks, memory, and executive functions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A sample of 179 cognitively normal subjects from 18 to 49 years was studied. Demographics, socio-cultural, and medical data were collected. The statistical procedure used in the normative studies is described. RESULTS: Sociodemographic, family background, health habits, medical history and use of drugs are presented. CONCLUSIONS: The use of these norms should improve neuropsychological diagnostic accuracy in young Spanish subjects. These data may also be of considerable use for comparisons with other normative studies.

Spanish normative studies in a young adult population (NEURONORMA young adults Project): norms for the Boston Naming Test and the Token Test.

INTRODUCTION: The Boston Naming Test (BNT) and the Token Test (TT) are frequently used in clinical practice to assess naming and comprehension. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to present normative data for the BNT and for the TT as part of the NEURONORMA young adults Project. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 179 Spanish healthy subjects from 18 to 49 years old were evaluated. Tables to convert raw scores to scaled scores are provided. Age- and education- adjusted scores are obtained by applying linear regressions. RESULTS: The results show an effect of education in both tests, and a minimal effect of age and sex. CONCLUSIONS: The normative data obtained will be useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

[Spanish normative studies in a young adult population (NEURONORMA young adults Project): norms for the verbal span, visuospatial span, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test]. / Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (Proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para las pruebas span verbal, span visuoespacial, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test y Symbol Digit Modalities Test.

INTRODUCTION: Verbal and visuospatial span, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test are frequently used in clinical practice to assess attention, executive functions and memory. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, as part of the Spanish normative studies of NEURONORMA young adults Project, normative data adjusted by age and education are provided for digits, Corsi Block-Tapping Task, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 179 participants from 18 to 49 years old, who were cognitively normal. Tables to convert raw scores to scaled scores are provided. Age and education adjusted scores are provided by applying linear regressions. RESULTS: Education affected scores in most of the attention tests; age was found to be related to the visuospatial span and to speed of visuomotor tracking, and there was no relationship as regards sex. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained will be useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Molecularly imprinted polymers for solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction: recent developments and future trends.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic polymers having a predetermined selectivity for a given analyte, or group of structurally related compounds, that make them ideal materials to be used in separation processes. In this sense, during past years a huge amount of papers have been published dealing with the use of MIPs as sorbents in solid-phase extraction, namely molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE). Although the majority of these papers were restricted to describe the use of different templates for different applications, several attempts proposing new alternatives to minimize the inherent drawbacks of the preparation and use of MIPs (i.e. template bleeding, tedious synthesis procedure, etc.) have been reported. Thus, this paper does not pretend to be a collection of MISPE-related papers but to give an overview on the significant attempts carried out during recent years to improve the performance of MIPs in solid-phase extraction. In addition, the use of MIPs packed in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns for the direct injection of crude sample extracts and the preparation of imprinted fibres for solid-phase microextraction will be also discussed.

Selective high performance liquid chromatography imprinted-stationary phases for the screening of phenylurea herbicides in vegetable samples.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the determination of phenylurea herbicides have been synthesized by polymerisation of the appropriated reagents mixture within the pores of preformed spherical silica particles leading to a silica-MIP composite material. Subsequently, the silica matrix was etched away resulting in MIP beads which can be considered the "mirror image" of the original silica mold. The MIP particles were packed in stainless steal HPLC columns (125mmx4.6mm I.D.) and the materials were evaluated as imprinted-stationary phases for phenylurea herbicides. The imprinting effect of the originated specific binding sites for the selective recognition of phenylurea herbicides was clearly demonstrated. An efficient separation of a mixture of phenylurea herbicides in two groups, with or without a methoxy group in the chemical structure, was achieved and well shaped and defined peaks were obtained. Finally, the optimum imprinted column (prepared using linuron as template, 2-(trifluoromethyl)-acrylic acid as monomer, 72h of polymerisation time and the subsequent dissolution of silica matrix) was used for the LC-UV screening of phenylurea herbicides directly from vegetable sample extracts without any previous clean-up step at low concentration level in less than 10min.

Evaluation of new selective molecularly imprinted polymers prepared by precipitation polymerisation for the extraction of phenylurea herbicides.

Three different molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been prepared by precipitation polymerisation using linuron (LIN) or isoproturon (IPN) (phenylurea herbicides) as templates and methacrylic acid (MAA) or trifluormethacrylic acid (TFMAA) as functional monomers. The ability of the different polymers to selectively rebind not only the template but also other phenylurea herbicides has been evaluated. In parallel, the influence of the different templates and functional monomers used during polymers synthesis on the performance of the obtained MIPs was also studied through different rebinding experiments. The experimental binding isotherms were fitted to the Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm allowing to describe the kind of binding sites present in the imprinted polymers under study. It was concluded that TFMAA-based polymer using IPN as template presents the best properties to be used as a selective sorbent for the extraction of phenylurea herbicides.

Clean up of phenylurea herbicides in plant sample extracts using molecularly imprinted polymers.

Two different molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared by precipitation polymerization using linuron or isoproturon (phenylurea herbicides) as templates and trifluormethacrylic acid as functional monomer. These materials were used as selective sorbents in the development of molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) procedures for the determination of several phenylurea herbicides (fenuron, metoxuron, chlortoluron, isoproturon, metobromuron, and linuron) in plant samples extracts. The MISPE procedures were fully optimized and applied to the clean up of selected phenylurea herbicides in carrot, potato, corn, and pea sample extracts and finally determined by HPLC-UV at 244 nm. Although a high degree of clean up was obtained, a decrease of the MIP recognition capabilities was observed in subsequent runs. Thus, a previous clean up protocol based on the use of a non-imprinted polymer was used to prevent the loss of MIP performance and to ease the removal of interferences. Following this procedure, namely two-step MISPE, matrix compounds were almost completely removed by the non-imprinted polymer retaining the ability of MIPs to selectively rebind target analytes unaltered. The developed MISPE procedures allowed the screening of phenylurea herbicides in plant samples at concentration levels required by established European maximum residue limits.

Embarazo abdominal / Abdominal pregnancy

El embarazo abdominal es una forma de localización infrecuente de gestación ectópica, siendo una de las pocas presentaciones que puede llegar a término, con una alta morbi-mortalidad materno fetal. La atención oportuna y un manejo quirúrgico apropiado e individualizado de éste tipo de pacientes, puede ayudar a obtener un feto vivo y viable, pero aún así en más de la mitad de los casos se extraerá un feto destinado a morir por deformaciones o malformaciones, dado su desarrollo en un saco ovular con deficiente nutrición y pobre en líquido amniótico. Se comunica un caso de embarazo ectópico abdominal, se representa la sintomatología, la terapia aplicada, el estudio anatomopatológico, su evolución y una revisión bibliográfica del tema y algunos comentarios pertinentes.