Temperature effects on hatching and viability of Juvenile Gill Lice, Salmincola californiensis.

Salmonids of the genus Oncorhynchus, distributed throughout the Pacific Rim, can be infected by the gill lice species Salmincola californiensis (Dana, 1852), which makes them one of the most broadly distributed gill lice species. Despite their broad distribution and valuable obligate salmonid hosts, relatively little is known about S. californiensis. We evaluated effects of temperature on timing of S. californiensis hatching and survival of copepodids, and provide information on brood size and variability. Our results suggest that temperature was a primary driver of timing of S. californiensis hatching and post-hatching survival. Prior to this study, the free-swimming stage of S. californiensis was reported to survive approximately 2 days without a suitable host. We observed active copepodids 13 days after hatch with some individuals from most (>90%) viable egg sacs at all temperature treatments surviving ≥5 days. Our findings indicate that warmer temperatures could increase development rates of gill lice at certain life stages, potentially increasing fecundity. This information coupled with predictions that warmer water temperatures could intensify crowding of coldwater fishes, stress, and parasite transmission suggests that climate change could exacerbate negative effects of S. californiensis on ecologically and economically important salmonids.

Monolignol ferulate transferase introduces chemically labile linkages into the lignin backbone.

Redesigning lignin, the aromatic polymer fortifying plant cell walls, to be more amenable to chemical depolymerization can lower the energy required for industrial processing. We have engineered poplar trees to introduce ester linkages into the lignin polymer backbone by augmenting the monomer pool with monolignol ferulate conjugates. Herein, we describe the isolation of a transferase gene capable of forming these conjugates and its xylem-specific introduction into poplar. Enzyme kinetics, in planta expression, lignin structural analysis, and improved cell wall digestibility after mild alkaline pretreatment demonstrate that these trees produce the monolignol ferulate conjugates, export them to the wall, and use them during lignification. Tailoring plants to use such conjugates during cell wall biosynthesis is a promising way to produce plants that are designed for deconstruction.

Evaluación de la revisión telefónica en la recurrencia de ictus y AIT / Evaluation of telephone assessment in stroke and TIA recurrence

Introducción: La recurrencia de ictus o AIT es un aspecto clave en la mayoría de los registros de ictus, pero la revisión presencial de todos los pacientes no siempre es viable. Con frecuencia, la revisión telefónica es utilizada para evaluar las recurrencias, la situación funcional y los tratamientos a largo plazo. El objetivo es evaluar la revisión telefónica en un registro de ictus. Material y métodos: Se registraron prospectivamente 380 pacientes con ictus o AIT valorando las características basales y tipo de evento. Posteriormente, fueron evaluados a los 6 meses tras el evento inicial. Doscientos cuarenta y ocho pacientes fueron revisados telefónicamente mediante una entrevista estructurada y 132 fueron revisados físicamente en consulta. Se compararon ambos grupos analizando las diferencias detectadas en las escalas funcionales, tratamientos y recurrencias (AIT o ictus). Resultados: No hubo diferencias en las características basales de ambos grupos, ni en el tipo de evento o gravedad al inicio. A los 6 meses, los tratamientos realizados fueron similares en ambos grupos, presentando un 10,5% (40 pacientes) recurrencia de ictus o AIT. No hubo diferencias significativas en la tasa de nuevos ictus isquémicos (6,1% revisión física vs 4,4% telefónica, p=0,49), pero se detectó un mayor número de AIT en la revisión física frente a la telefónica (9,1% vs 4,0%, p=0,04). Conclusiones: La revisión telefónica de los pacientes con ictus es viable y facilita la realización de registros de ictus, permitiendo una adecuada identificación de los tratamientos y recurrencias de ictus. Sin embargo, es probable que los nuevos eventos transitorios o AIT estén infraestimados (AU)

Introduction: Stroke recurrence is an important issue in stroke registries, but direct patient contact months after stroke is not always feasible. Telephone assessment is often used to evaluate long term stroke outcome, treatments and recurrences. Our aim is to evaluate telephone interview in a stroke registry. Material and methods: Three hundred and eighty patients with a stroke or TIA were prospectively registered, evaluating baseline characteristics and type of event. At 6 months, 248 patients were reviewed by structured telephone interview and 132 were reviewed by direct contact. We analysed stroke outcome and disability, treatments and stroke or TIA recurrences. Results: There were no differences in baseline characteristics and type or severity of the index event. At 6 months, treatments were similar between both groups and 10.5% (40 patients) had a recurrent event. There were no differences in recurrent ischaemic strokes (6.1% in direct contact vs 4.4% telephone, P=.49), but we detected a higher number of TIA in direct examination compared to phone interview (9.1% vs 4.0%, P=.04). Conclusions: Telephone assessment of stroke patients is reliable and facilitates stroke registries in detecting long-term treatments and stroke recurrences. However, it is probable that new transient events or TIA are under-estimated (AU)

[Evaluation of telephone assessment in stroke and TIA recurrence]. / Evaluación de la revisión telefónica en la recurrencia de ictus y AIT.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke recurrence is an important issue in stroke registries, but direct patient contact months after stroke is not always feasible. Telephone assessment is often used to evaluate long term stroke outcome, treatments and recurrences. Our aim is to evaluate telephone interview in a stroke registry. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three hundred and eighty patients with a stroke or TIA were prospectively registered, evaluating baseline characteristics and type of event. At 6 months, 248 patients were reviewed by structured telephone interview and 132 were reviewed by direct contact. We analysed stroke outcome and disability, treatments and stroke or TIA recurrences. RESULTS: There were no differences in baseline characteristics and type or severity of the index event. At 6 months, treatments were similar between both groups and 10.5% (40 patients) had a recurrent event. There were no differences in recurrent ischaemic strokes (6.1% in direct contact vs 4.4% telephone, P=.49), but we detected a higher number of TIA in direct examination compared to phone interview (9.1% vs 4.0%, P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: Telephone assessment of stroke patients is reliable and facilitates stroke registries in detecting long-term treatments and stroke recurrences. However, it is probable that new transient events or TIA are under-estimated.

Lung cancer mortality in Spain: estimating the future burden to the year 2028.

OBJECTIVE: To use lung cancer mortality rates from 1979 to 2008 in Andalusia, southern Spain (population >8,000,000), to provide an estimate of the future number of deaths for the period 2009-2028. DESIGN: The numbers of lung cancer deaths from 1979 to 2008 were obtained from the Andalusian Institute for Statistics (AIS). Data were arranged in 5-year age groups using an age-period-cohort model. Age-standardised rates (ASR) per 100, 000 were calculated for males and females. Population projections for Andalusia 2009-2028 were downloaded from the AIS database. RESULTS: In males, the ASR varied from 46.1 in 2004-2008 to 34.6 in 2024-2028, with a projected 33% decrease. In females, the ASR varied from 4.9 in 2004-2008 to 8.9 per 100,000 in 2024-2028, with a projected 45% increase. This reflects an annual change of -1.3% for males and of +2.7% for females for the period 2009-2028. The sex ratio is projected to drop from a male:female ratio of 11 (1979-1983) to 3.8 (2024-2028). CONCLUSIONS: Our projections emphasise the significance of a continuously increasing trend in female lung cancer mortality, with a drop in the projected sex ratio.

Estimulación de la incidencia de cáncer de pulmón en las mujeres de Andalucía (2001-2004) / Estimation of lung cancer incidence among women from Andalusia (2001-2004)

Objetivo. Estimar la incidencia de cáncer de pulmón en mujeres residentes en Andalucía en el periodo 2001-2004 mediante el análisis de los ingresos que producen. Pacientes y Método. La fuente de información para el análisis de los ingresos fue el Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos de Andalucía correspondiente a los años 2000-2004, sobre el que se creo un algoritmo para detectar los casos entre los episodios registrados. Mediante las poblaciones por grupos de edad de cada provincia y el número de casos se calcularon las tasas brutas, las tasas específicas por grupo de edad y las tasas estandarizadas globales y truncadas (35-64 años), usando como estándares la población europea y la mundial. Los resultados se expresaron como casos por 100.000personas-año. Resultados. El número de casos incidentes estimados por los ingresos fueron similares al de fallecimientos para el mismo periodo. En Andalucía, en el periodo 2001-2004 las tasas estandarizadas (población europea) pasaron de 6,2 casos por 100.000 mujeres a 7,6 lo que supone un incremento medio anual del 5,2%. En las tasas truncadas este incremento es del 9,4% pasando las tasas de 8,5 casos por 100.000 mujeres en el año 2001 a 12,3 en el año2004.Conclusiones. Los resultados del presente estudio indican que la incidencia de cáncer de pulmón en mujeres de Andalucía estimado por los ingresos presentó un aumento durante el periodo de estudio

Objective. To estimate the incidence of lung cancer in women from Andalusia for the period 2001-2004 using the information obtained from the admissions they generate. Patients and methods. Data for the analysis of the admissions were obtained from the database “Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos de Andalucía” corresponding to the years 2000-2004, creating an algorithm to identify cases among the registered episodes. With the number of cases and the populations of each province brute ratio, age-especific ratios, and global and truncated (35-64yr.) standardised ratios using the direct method (reference population: European and World populations) were estimated. The results were expressed as cases per 100,000 persons-year. Results. The number of incident cases estimated by the admissions was similar to number of deaths for the same period. In Andalusia, standardised ratios changed from 6.2 cases per 100,000 women to 7.6 for the period 2001-2004, which represents an increase of 5.2%. Truncated ratios increased 9.4%, changing from 8.5 cases per 100,000 women to 12.3 for the year 2004.Conclusions. The results of the present study indicate that the incidence of lung cancer in Andalusian women estimated by the admissions experienced an increase during the study period

Estimación de la incidencia de cáncer de pulmón en las mujeres de Andalucía (2001-2004) / Estimation of lung cancer indidence among women form Andalusia (2001-2004)

Objetivo. Estimar la incidencia de cáncer de pulmón en mujeres residentes en Andalucía en el periodo 2001-2004 mediante el análisis de los ingresos que producen. Pacientes y Método. La fuente de información para el análisis de los ingresos fue el Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos de Andalucía correspondiente a los años 2000-2004, sobre el que se creo un algoritmo para detectar los casos entre los episodios registrados. Mediante las poblaciones por grupos de edad de cada provincia y el número de casos se calcularon las tasas brutas, las tasas específicas por grupo de edad y las tasas estandarizadas globales y truncadas(35-64 años), usando como estándares la población europea y la mundial. Los resultados se expresaron como casos por 100.000personas-año.Resultados. El número de casos incidentes estimados por los ingresos fueron similares al de fallecimientos para el mismo periodo. En Andalucía, en el periodo 2001-2004 las tasas estandarizadas(población europea) pasaron de 6,2 casos por 100.000 mujeres a 7,6 lo que supone un incremento medio anual del 5,2%. En las tasas truncadas este incremento es del 9,4% pasando las tasas de 8,5 casos por 100.000 mujeres en el año 2001 a 12,3 en el año2004.Conclusiones. Los resultados del presente estudio indican que la incidencia de cáncer de pulmón en mujeres de Andalucía estimado por los ingresos presentó un aumento durante el periodo de estudio (AU)

Objective. To estimate the incidence of lung cancer in women from Andalusia for the period 2001-2004 using the information obtained from the admissions they generate. Patients and methods. Data for the analysis of the admissions were obtained from the database “Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos de Andalucía” corresponding to the years 2000-2004, creating an algorithm to identify cases among the registered episodes. With the number of cases and the populations of each province brute ratio, age-especific ratios, and global and truncated (35-64yr.) standardised ratios using the direct method (reference population: European and World populations) were estimated. The results were expressed as cases per 100,000 persons-year. Results. The number of incident cases estimated by the admissions was similar to number of deaths for the same period. In Andalusia, standardised ratios changed from 6.2 cases per 100,000women to 7.6 for the period 2001-2004, which represents an increase of 5.2%. Truncated ratios increased 9.4%, changing from8.5 cases per 100,000 women to 12.3 for the year 2004.Conclusions. The results of the present study indicate that the incidence of lung cancer in Andalusian women estimated by the admissions experienced an increase during the study period (AU)

[Recent changes in prostate cancer mortality in Spain. Trends analysis from 1991 to 2005]. / Cambios recientes en la mortalidad por cáncer de próstata en España: estudio de tendencias en el período 1991-2005.

OBJECTIVE: [corrected] To describe the evolution of prostate cancer mortality in Spain during the period 1991-2005. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A trend analysis for age standardized mortality rates (European standard population) was performed, using joinpoint regression analysis, which allows estimation of the annual percent change of rates and to find significant changes in such trend. RESULTS: Age standardized mortality rates in Spain reached their peak value in 1996. The joinpoint analysis identified two different periods in the trend of the age standardized rates: a first one of increase in rates between 1991 and 1996 (2.1% annual increase) and a second period starting in 1996, in which rates decline at an annual rate of 2.7%. CONCLUSION: The tendency of prostate cancer seen in Spain resembles that of industrialized areas, with an increase in its age standardized death rates that suffers a downturn by the end of the past decade. Mortality declines for prostate cancer are now evident in 14 out of the 17 Autonomous Communities. Increases in PSA screening and better treatment of early-stage disease, possibly acting in combination, remain plausible hypotheses.

Lung cancer mortality trends by geographical area in Spanish women, 1980-2005.

OBJECTIVE: To provide up-to-date information and analyse recent changes in lung cancer mortality trends among women. DESIGN: The present study analysed subjects by geographical area in Spain during the period 1980-2005 using joinpoint regression models. Age-standardised mortality rates (ASR) for lung cancer were computed from death certificate data obtained from the official authorities in Spain. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify the years when significant changes in the linear slope of the temporal trend occurred. RESULTS: The overall ASR changed during the period studied from 5.7 per 100,000 women in 1980 to 8.2/100,000 in 2005, with an average annual increase of 1.7%. Joinpoint regression analysis detected different trends in most Spanish communities. These changes occurred in the late 1980s or early 1990s. ASR among those women aged 35-64 years doubled during the period of study, from 5.6 in 1980 to 11.3 in 2005. CONCLUSIONS: Time trends in lung cancer mortality among women are increasing sharply, especially in the age group 35-64 years, indicating the start of an epidemic phenomenon of lung cancer in women.

Age-period-cohort analysis of lung cancer mortality rates in Andalusia, 1975-2004.

Our objective is to describe lung cancer mortality trends in Andalusia, Spain, during the period 1975-2004 using age-period-cohort analysis (APC). For each gender, age-standardised (European Standard Population) mortality rates from lung cancer were computed based on the causes of death on the death certificates from the official registry of vital statistics in Andalusia. In men, after climbing considerably from 1975 to 1994, adjusted lung cancer mortality rates, have been declining by 0.8% per year since 1994. For women, the mortality from lung cancer was almost constant but tended to increase after 1994 (average annual increase of 2.1%). Among males, the cohort effect was steadily and appreciably upwards to the cohort born around 1905, then levelled off, and declined in the youngest generations. An increasing period effect was also observed until 1995. For females, cohort values decreased until the cohort born around 1930, then levelled off, and increased for women born since 1940. Period effect trend was downward until 1990, and upward thereafter. In conclusion, the cohort effect observed for women born since 1940 suggests the start of a lung cancer epidemic associated with a higher prevalence of smokers in women. The decrease in prevalence of smokers among males and the decrease in mortality in younger age groups suggest that the trend initiated in 1994 will continue as long as smoking prevalence continues to decrease.

Histerectomías en Andalucía en el año 2000 / Hysterectomies in Andalusia (Spain) in 2000

Objetivo: Conocer la tasa de histerectomías, las características demográficas y los diagnósticos y procedimientos asociados con las histerectomías, según los registros del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos Andaluz (CMBDA).Material y métodos: Comparar los diagnósticos y procedimientos de las histerectomías con anexectomía bilateral y sin anexectomía bilateral realizadas en los 33 hospitales públicos de la comunidad andaluza en el año 2000.Resultados: Del total de 5.628 histerectomías, 2.728 se hicieron sin anexectomía bilateral y 2.846 con anexectomía bilateral. Las primeras fueron más frecuentes entre las mujeres de 40-50 años y las segundas entre las de 35-39 y las de 60-70 años. La tasa general estimada fue de 152 histerectomías por 100.000 mujeres, o 200 histerectomías por 100.000 mujeres mayores de 20 años. La tasa más alta correspondió a las mujeres entre 45-50 años (600 histerectomías por 100.000 mujeres). Hay diferencia de tasas entre provincias y entre hospitales. El 17 por ciento de las histerectomías se hicieron por patología maligna y el resto por patología benigna, de ellas, el 56 por ciento por leiomioma y el 24 por ciento por prolapso genital. El 65 por ciento de las histerectomías fueron abdominales totales y el 1,6 por ciento fueron vaginales asistidas por laparoscopia (LAVH).Conclusiones: Más de la mitad de las histerectomías realizadas por patología benigna se hicieron por diagnóstico de leiomioma en mujeres perimenopáusicas, acompañadas de anexectomía bilateral, con variación entre diferentes hospitales. La revisión periódica de la tasa de histerectomías nos permitirá, en un futuro, evaluar el impacto de las nuevas técnicas, como la histerescopia o el tratamiento hormonal local, en la reducción de este tipo de cirugía (AU)

Epidemiology of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in southern Spain.

In order to investigate the impact of Pneumocystis carinii infection in southern Spain following the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), all cases of pneumocystosis between 1998 and 1999 were identified from data compiled by the national surveillance system. In total, 498 cases of pneumocystosis were recorded, of which 87% involved HIV-positive patients. The mean age, length of hospital stay and mortality were higher for HIV-negative patients. There was a higher number of cases in winter. Despite HAART implementation, pneumocystosis remains a significant health problem for both HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.

Electron transport in purified glyoxysomal membranes from castor-bean endosperm.

Glyoxysomes isolated from castor-bean (Ricinus communis L.) endosperm were treated with water, 0.2 M KCl, 1 M KCl, or 0.1 M Na2CO3. Glyoxysomal sacs, i.e. membranes which retained some visible matrix, resulted from the treatments with water and KCl. Glyoxysomal ghosts, i.e. intact membranes free of matrix, were only obtained following treatment with carbonate. The ghosts were free of activities of matrix enzymes, particularly palmitoyl-CoA oxidation, isocitrate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.42) and isocitrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.1), and contained only negligible amounts of malate synthase (EC 4.1.3.2), malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37), ß-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.98) and catalase (EC 1.11.1.6). Distribution and appearance of membrane-associated particles in the protoplasmic and ectoplasmic faces of freeze-fracture replicas of the glyoxysomal membrane were the same in intact tissue, isolated glyoxysomes, and ghosts. Membranes purified by treatment with 0.2 M KCl or 0.1 M carbonate catalyzed the reduction of cytochrome-c when NADH or NADPH was provided as the electron donor. ß-Oxidation, localized in the matrix, could be linked to reduction of cytochrome-c or ferricyanide when purified membranes were combined with the matrix supernatant. Cytochrome-c could also be reduced by coupling enzyme activities in the matrix, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase or malate dehydrogenase, with those of the membrane. These results indicate that electrons from ß-oxidation, malate oxidation or isocitrate oxidation can be transferred directly to the redox components of the glyoxysomal membrane. We, therefore, conclude that any NADH and NADPH formed by enzymes in the matrix can be recycled continuously within the organelle.

Development and enzyme activity of protein bodies in proteinoplasts of tobacco root cells.

The development of protein bodies in proteinoplasts of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Wis. 38) roots was investigated with TEM, HVEM, and enzyme cytochemistry. These plastids contain a three-dimensional network of fenestrated tubules which originate from invaginations of the inner membrane of the plastid envelope. Elaboration of the network occurs in parallel with cell differentiation: slender tubules common to plastids in meristematic cells undergo dilation as protein accumulates during cell differentiation; proteinoplasts of vacuolate and root cap cells usually contain a large protein body. The contents of the peripheral tubules, originating from the inner membrane, are less electron dense than the tubules making up the central network. Localized dilations within the tubular network result in the formation of dense spheroidal structures, protein bodies, apparently as a result of continued protein accumulation via tubules connecting to the central network. Protein might be imported from segments of rough ER attached to or apposed to the outer membrane of the proteinoplast envelope. The presence of catalase (E.C. 1.11.1.6), peroxidase (E.C. 1.11.1.7), and cytochrome oxidase (E.C. 1.9.3.1) was demonstrated by cytochemistry with diaminobenzidine (DAB) as substrate. Oxidized DAB was found in protein bodies after incubation in each of the specific reaction media. While aminotriazole and sodium azide inhibited oxidation of DAB by catalase and peroxidase, respectively, only potassium cyanide completely inhibited oxidation of DAB in protein bodies. We conclude that protein bodies of proteinoplasts in tobacco roots are not sites for storage of protein, rather protein bodies contain heme protein(s) with strong oxidase activity that may convey a specific function to proteinoplasts.

[Aicardi syndrome]. / Síndrome de Aicardi. A propósito de dos observaciones.

The association in young girls of flexion spasms of early beginning, partial or total agenesis of the corpus callosum, severe chororetinopathy and frequent skeletal anomalies is known as the Aicardi syndrome. On occasion of two observations a review of the literature is made.