Differences in hippocampal plasticity and memory outcomes in anterior versus posterior cerebellar stroke.

Neurological symptoms following cerebellar stroke can range from motor to cognitive-affective impairments. Topographic imaging studies from patients with lesions confined to the cerebellum have shown evidence linking anterior cerebellar lobules with motor function and posterior lobules with cognitive function. Damage to the cerebellum can disrupt functional connectivity in cerebellar stroke patients, as it is highly interconnected with forebrain motor and cognitive areas. The hippocampus plays a key role in memory acquisition, a cognitive domain that is negatively impacted by posterior cerebellar stroke, and there is increasing evidence that the cerebellum can affect hippocampal function in health and disease. To study these topographical dissociations, we developed a mouse photo-thrombosis model to produce unilateral strokes in anterior (lobules III-V) or posterior (lobules VI-VIII) cerebellar cortex to examine hippocampal plasticity and behavior. Histological and MRI data demonstrate reproducible injury that is confined to the targeted lobules. We then measured hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) ex-vivo with extracellular field recording experiments in acute brain slices obtained from mice 7 days post-cerebellar stroke. Interestingly, we found that a unilateral posterior stroke resulted in a contralateral hippocampal impairment, matching the cerebellothalamic pathway trajectory, while LTP was intact in both hippocampi of mice with anterior strokes. We also assessed motor coordination and memory function at 7 days post-stroke using a balance beam, contextual and delay fear conditioning (CFC and DFC), and novel object recognition (NOR) tasks. Mice with anterior strokes showed lack of coordination evaluated as an increased number of missteps, while mice with posterior strokes did not. Mice with anterior or posterior cerebellar strokes demonstrated similar freezing behavior to shams in CFC and DFC, while only posterior stroke mice displayed a reduced discrimination index in the NOR task. These data suggest that a unilateral LTP impairment observed in mice with posterior strokes produces a mild memory impairment. Our results demonstrate that our model recapitulates aspects of clinical lesion-symptom mapping, with anterior cerebellar strokes producing impaired motor coordination and posterior cerebellar strokes producing an object-recognition memory impairment. Further studies are warranted to interrogate other motor and cognitive-affective behaviors and brain region specific alterations following focal cerebellar stroke. The novel model presented herein will allow for future preclinical translational studies to improve neurological deficits after cerebellar stroke.

Functional Restoration following Global Cerebral Ischemia in Juvenile Mice following Inhibition of Transient Receptor Potential M2 (TRPM2) Ion Channels.

Hippocampal cell death and cognitive dysfunction are common following global cerebral ischemia across all ages, including children. Most research has focused on preventing neuronal death. Restoration of neuronal function after cell death is an alternative approach (neurorestoration). We previously identified transient receptor potential M2 (TRPM2) ion channels as a potential target for acute neuroprotection and delayed neurorestoration in an adult CA/CPR mouse model. Cardiac arrest/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CA/CPR) in juvenile (p20-25) mice was used to investigate the role of ion TRPM2 channels in neuroprotection and ischemia-induced synaptic dysfunction in the developing brain. Our novel TRPM2 inhibitor, tatM2NX, did not confer protection against CA1 pyramidal cell death but attenuated synaptic plasticity (long-term plasticity (LTP)) deficits in both sexes. Further, in vivo administration of tatM2NX two weeks after CA/CPR reduced LTP impairments and restored memory function. These data provide evidence that pharmacological synaptic restoration of the surviving hippocampal network can occur independent of neuroprotection via inhibition of TRPM2 channels, providing a novel strategy to improve cognitive recovery in children following cerebral ischemia. Importantly, these data underscore the importance of age-appropriate models in disease research.

Reflections around ethics, human intelligence and artificial intelligence.

On the internet, artificial intelligence has grown to become a program with codes and algorithms that learn and reprogram themselves to carry out pre-established tasks with greater efficiency; although this translates into improvements, the scope of the results and reprogramming are unknown to the programmer. Given the risk of deviation from pre-established objectives and ethical regulations, filters must be installed at the beginning, during and at the end of the process, as alarms for detecting deviations with bioethical implications. The interaction of human intelligence with artificial intelligence has had negative and positive disagreements. Initially, adapting regulations, labor laws and human rights was enough; now it is necessary for ethical standards to be established, such as those formulated in the Barcelona Declaration for the Proper Development and Usage of Artificial Intelligence in Europe.

En internet ha crecido la inteligencia artificial hasta convertirse en un programa con códigos y algoritmos que aprenden y se reprograman para efectuar tareas preestablecidas con mayor eficiencia; si bien lo anterior se traduce en mejoría, el programador desconoce los alcances de los resultados y de la reprogramación. Ante el riesgo de desviación de los objetivos preestablecidos y de los reglamentos éticos, se tienen que implementar filtros al inicio, durante y al final del proceso, como alarmas cuando existan desviaciones con implicación bioética. La interacción de la inteligencia humana con la inteligencia artificial ha tenido desencuentros negativos y positivos. Al principio, bastó con adecuar normas, leyes laborales y derechos humanos; ahora se requiere establecer normas éticas, como las formuladas en la Declaración de Barcelona para el Adecuado Desarrollo y Uso de la Inteligencia Artificial en Europa.

Reflexiones en torno a la ética, la inteligencia humana y la inteligencia artificial / Reflections around ethics, human intelligence and artificial intelligence

Resumen En internet ha crecido la inteligencia artificial hasta convertirse en un programa con códigos y algoritmos que aprenden y se reprograman para efectuar tareas preestablecidas con mayor eficiencia; si bien lo anterior se traduce en mejoría, el programador desconoce los alcances de los resultados y de la reprogramación. Ante el riesgo de desviación de los objetivos preestablecidos y de los reglamentos éticos, se tienen que implementar filtros al inicio, durante y al final del proceso, como alarmas cuando existan desviaciones con implicación bioética. La interacción de la inteligencia humana con la inteligencia artificial ha tenido desencuentros negativos y positivos. Al principio, bastó con adecuar normas, leyes laborales y derechos humanos; ahora se requiere establecer normas éticas, como las formuladas en la Declaración de Barcelona para el Adecuado Desarrollo y Uso de la Inteligencia Artificial en Europa.

Abstract On the internet, artificial intelligence has grown to become a program with codes and algorithms that learn and reprogram themselves to carry out pre-established tasks with greater efficiency; although this translates into improvements, the scope of the results and reprogramming are unknown to the programmer. Given the risk of deviation from pre-established objectives and ethical regulations, filters must be installed at the beginning, during and at the end of the process, as alarms for detecting deviations with bioethical implications. The interaction of human intelligence with artificial intelligence has had negative and positive disagreements. Initially, adapting regulations, labor laws and human rights was enough; now it is necessary for ethical standards to be established, such as those formulated in the Barcelona Declaration for the Proper Development and Usage of Artificial Intelligence in Europe.

Guía de manejo clínico del paciente con infección por SARS-CoV-2 / Guidelines for clinical management of SARS-Cov-2 infection

Resumen En infección por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), las manifestaciones más comunes son las de vías aéreas superiores; en casos complicados se presenta neumonía intersticial bilateral, insuficiencia respiratoria aguda grave y falla orgánica múltiple que ameritan tratamiento hospitalario y soporte ventilatorio por puntas nasales o mascarilla, así como oxígeno con flujo a presión alta o intubación orotraqueal y ventilación mecánica. No hay antivirales específicos por lo que el manejo es sintomático, así como con antiplaquetarios (ácido acetilsalicílico, dipiridamol), heparina de bajo peso molecular ante hipercoagulabilidad (dímero D aumentado), dexametasona ante indicadores altos de inflamación. Previo consentimiento informado, experimentalmente se emplean antibióticos según los resultados microbiológicos, interferón beta 1b, favipiravir, tocilizumab, ivermectina e inmunoglobulina G. Cuando se presenta gastroenteritis se puede indicar nitazoxanida.

Abstract In SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), the most common manifestations involve the upper airways; in complicated cases, bilateral interstitial pneumonia, severe acute respiratory failure and multiple organ failure occur, which require hospital treatment and ventilatory support with nasal cannula or mask and high flow oxygen, or orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. There are no specific antivirals, and thus management is symptomatic, as well as with antiplatelet drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, dipyridamole), low molecular weight heparin when there is hypercoagulability (increased D-dimer), dexamethasone when inflammation indicators are elevated; experimentally, under informed consent, antibiotics are used according to microbiological results, as well as interferon beta 1b, favipiravir, tocilizumab, ivermectin and immunoglobulin G. When gastroenteritis occurs, nitazoxanide can be indicated.

Profilaxis del tromboembolismo venoso en cirugía general en España. Análisis de una encuesta nacional / Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in general surgery in Spain. Analysis of a national survey

INTRODUCCIÓN: El tromboembolismo venoso (TEV) representa una complicación postoperatoria grave, pero evitable con una profilaxis adecuada. Las encuestas aportan información útil acerca de las actitudes y preferencias respecto a la prevención del TEV. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal descriptivo, basado en una encuesta, remitida a los cirujanos generales miembros de la Asociación Española de Cirujanos (AEC), y que incluye 31 preguntas acerca del TEV postoperatorio y su prevención, así como 3 casos clínicos. RESULTADOS: La encuesta fue contestada por 530 cirujanos, lo que representa el 21,8% de los 2.429 miembros invitados a participar por correo electrónico. La mayoría de los cirujanos participantes trabajan en hospitales docentes grandes, siendo el 28,5% médicos residentes. Para el 28% el TEV representa un problema importante. Aunque el 81% considera que tiene un conocimiento adecuado sobre la prevención del TEV postoperatorio, un porcentaje similar reconoce necesitar más formación. La mayoría (98,7%) utiliza las heparinas de bajo peso molecular, consideradas la modalidad más eficaz y segura, seguida de los métodos mecánicos. El método de estratificación de riesgo más utilizado es el de Caprini (81%). La mayoría comienza la profilaxis farmacológica preoperatoriamente, pero existe bastante variación en las dosis utilizadas, así como en las pautas de inicio y duración, sobre todo en cirugía no oncológica. CONCLUSIONES: Existe interés y, en general, un adecuado conocimiento acerca de la prevención del TEV entre los cirujanos españoles. Sin embargo, creemos necesaria mayor formación sobre aspectos prácticos de la profilaxis, adaptando las recomendaciones de las guías recientes a protocolos locales

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a serious postoperative complication that can be prevented by adequate thromboprophylaxis. Surveys provide relevant information about clinician's attitudes and preferences regarding VTE prophylaxis. METHODS: Transversal, descriptive study based on a survey sent to general surgeons members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC), that included 31 questions regarding postoperative VTE and its prevention, as well as three clinical scenarios. RESULTS: 530 surgeons, 21.8% of the 2,429 invited by electronic mail to participate, completed the survey. Most of the answering clinicians work on in big teaching hospitals, and 28.5% are residents. VTE represents a serious problem for 28% of participants. Although 81% consider that their knowledge on the prevention of postoperative VTE is adequate, a similar percentage recognizes the need for further education. The vast majority (98.7%) use low molecular weight heparins, which are considered the most effective and safe modality, followed by mechanical methods. The Caprini risk assessment score is used by 81% of surgeons, who usually start pharmacological prophylaxis preoperatively. However, there are remarkable differences in the dosing of heparins, timing of initiation, and duration, especially in non-oncologic surgical patients. CONCLUSIONS: Most Spanish surgeons are interested in the prevention of postoperative VTE. Overall, the level of knowledge on thromboprophylaxis is adequate. However, our results indicate that there is a need for better education on relevant practical aspects of prophylaxis that could be achieved by incorporating recommendations from recent guidelines to local hospital-based protocols

Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in general surgery in Spain. Analysis of a national survey. / Profilaxis del tromboembolismo venoso en cirugía general en España. Análisis de una encuesta nacional.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a serious postoperative complication that can be prevented by adequate thromboprophylaxis. Surveys provide relevant information about clinician's attitudes and preferences regarding VTE prophylaxis. METHODS: Transversal, descriptive study based on a survey sent to general surgeons members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC), that included 31 questions regarding postoperative VTE and its prevention, as well as three clinical scenarios. RESULTS: 530 surgeons, 21.8% of the 2,429 invited by electronic mail to participate, completed the survey. Most of the answering clinicians work on in big teaching hospitals, and 28.5% are residents. VTE represents a serious problem for 28% of participants. Although 81% consider that their knowledge on the prevention of postoperative VTE is adequate, a similar percentage recognizes the need for further education. The vast majority (98.7%) use low molecular weight heparins, which are considered the most effective and safe modality, followed by mechanical methods. The Caprini risk assessment score is used by 81% of surgeons, who usually start pharmacological prophylaxis preoperatively. However, there are remarkable differences in the dosing of heparins, timing of initiation, and duration, especially in non-oncologic surgical patients. CONCLUSIONS: Most Spanish surgeons are interested in the prevention of postoperative VTE. Overall, the level of knowledge on thromboprophylaxis is adequate. However, our results indicate that there is a need for better education on relevant practical aspects of prophylaxis that could be achieved by incorporating recommendations from recent guidelines to local hospital-based protocols.

Guidelines for clinical management of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), the most common manifestations involve the upper airways; in complicated cases, bilateral interstitial pneumonia, severe acute respiratory failure and multiple organ failure occur, which require hospital treatment and ventilatory support with nasal cannula or mask and high flow oxygen, or orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. There are no specific antivirals, and thus management is symptomatic, as well as with antiplatelet drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, dipyridamole), low molecular weight heparin when there is hypercoagulability (increased D-dimer), dexamethasone when inflammation indicators are elevated; experimentally, under informed consent, antibiotics are used according to microbiological results, as well as interferon beta 1b, favipiravir, tocilizumab, ivermectin and immunoglobulin G. When gastroenteritis occurs, nitazoxanide can be indicated.En infección por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), las manifestaciones más comunes son las de vías aéreas superiores; en casos complicados se presenta neumonía intersticial bilateral, insuficiencia respiratoria aguda grave y falla orgánica múltiple que ameritan tratamiento hospitalario y soporte ventilatorio por puntas nasales o mascarilla, así como oxígeno con flujo a presión alta o intubación orotraqueal y ventilación mecánica. No hay antivirales específicos por lo que el manejo es sintomático, así como con antiplaquetarios (ácido acetilsalicílico, dipiridamol), heparina de bajo peso molecular ante hipercoagulabilidad (dímero D aumentado), dexametasona ante indicadores altos de inflamación. Previo consentimiento informado, experimentalmente se emplean antibióticos según los resultados microbiológicos, interferón beta 1b, favipiravir, tocilizumab, ivermectina e inmunoglobulina G. Cuando se presenta gastroenteritis se puede indicar nitazoxanida.

Contrasting Roles of Cannabidiol as an Insecticide and Rescuing Agent for Ethanol-induced Death in the Tobacco Hornworm Manduca sexta.

Cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana or hemp, produces a non-psychoactive compound cannabidiol (CBD). To investigate the defensive role of CBD, a feeding preference assay was performed with tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta. The larvae clearly show feeding preference towards the Cannabis tissue containing low CBD over high CBD. While the larva avoided the high CBD diet, we investigated detrimental effects of CBD in the insects' diet. Contrasted to the performance on low CBD-infused artificial diet (AD), larvae reared on the high CBD diet suffer significantly reduced growth and increased mortality. Through testing different carriers, we found that the increase of EtOH in the diet is negatively correlated with insect development and behaviors. Notably, CBD treatment significantly improved ethanol-intoxicated larval survival rate by 40% and also improved diet searching activity, resulting in increased diet consumption. Electrophysiology results revealed that the CBD-treated ganglia had delayed but much larger response with electric stimuli in comparison to the larvae reared on AD only and EtOH-added diet. Our results show CBDs' defensive role against pest insects, which suggests its possible use as an insecticide. We also provide evidence that CBD alleviates alcohol-induced stress; consequently, improving the performance and viability of M. sexta larvae.

[The perception of ethics from the point of view of medical students]. / Percepción de lo ético desde el punto de vista de los estudiantes de medicina.

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to characterize the ethical environment in which medical students and internal are trained. The aim of this article is to identify the perception of ethics in medical students. METHODS: The instrument was constructed by pairs: the socially desirable and socially undesirable exploring 10 principles and 24 ethical values. Through rounds of experts the instrument was validated with 35 pairs with 70 statements. The internal consistency of the instrument with the coefficient of determination "r2" reached a "p" value of < 0.025. RESULTS: In the overall analysis to compare means, students gave higher scores than interns with "p" value of < 0.002. A comparison of the principal differences was found in seven of the ten principles explored and in three (freedom, honesty and solidarity) no differences were noted in the rate of perception of the ethics (RPE). The were statistically significant differences between groups with a "p" value of < 0.04 in which students perceive higher scores with interns. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that learning environments are not prone to ethical reflection and changes depending on the degree in training in medical school, with a worse perception in greater degrees.

Introducción: el presente estudio se realizó con el propósito de caracterizar el ambiente ético en el que se forman los estudiantes de medicina y médicos internos. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la percepción de lo ético en estudiantes de medicina. Métodos: se construyó un instrumento con duplas: lo socialmente deseable y lo socialmente no deseable, que exploran 10 principios y 24 valores éticos. A través de rondas de expertos se validó el instrumento que comprendió 35 duplas con 70 enunciados. La consistencia interna del instrumento con el coeficiente de determinación "r2" alcanzó una p < 0.025. Resultados: en el análisis global, al comparar las medias, los estudiantes dieron mayor puntuación que los médicos internos con una p < 0.002. En la comparación por principios, se encontraron diferencias en 7 de los diez principios explorados y en tres (libertad, honradez y solidaridad) no se encontraron diferencias en el índice de percepción de lo ético (IPE). Hubo diferencias estadísticas significativas entre ambos grupos con una p < 0.04 en donde los estudiantes la perciben con mejores puntuaciones que los internos. Conclusiones: se concluye que los ambientes de aprendizaje son poco propicios para la reflexión ética y que cambian dependiendo del grado académico de formación en la carrera de medicina, en donde a mayor grado peor percepción.

Hemangioma de esófago cervical / Cervical esophageal hemangioma

No disponible

[Potential conflicts of interest in biomedical publications]. / Potenciales conflictos de intereses en las publicaciones biomédicas.

In human communication and personal relations, there is the possibility of dissent and have a conflict related to the perception or acceptance of the content of a message. To reach an agreement, it is important that the communication between people is horizontal and bidirectional while the issue is being discussed, in order to bring together the interlocutors' expectations and interests. In the administration of services and goods, friendship and nepotism have been the most frequent forms of potential conflicts of interest. These behaviors arise when a person, like a civil servant or employee, feels influenced by personal considerations when he is doing his work and when he is making decisions. The conflict of perceived interested can be so harmful to the reputation and confidence of an organization, as the real existence of a conflict of interest. In some countries, the law obliges organisms to have codes of ethics that cover these aspects. Thus, it is desirable the incorporation of ethical principles and "moral competences" in the curricula of health professionals. Actually, in medicine and biomedical investigation, conflicts of interest are a condition related to clinicians and researchers, who distort their results and work to obtain personal or financial benefits. In the generation and transmission of knowledge, the circumstances determine if a conflict of interest exists, not the methodology, either the results of the investigation, not even the technology used on their diffusion.

En toda comunicación humana y relaciones personales es potencial el disenso y el conflicto en la percepción o aceptación del contenido de un mensaje. Para llegar a un acuerdo, es vital que la comunicación sea horizontal y bidireccional en la discusión de los argumentos y la puesta en común de expectativas e intereses por parte de los interlocutores. En la administración de servicios y de bienes, el amiguismo y el nepotismo son las formas más frecuentes de potenciales conflictos de intereses. Estas conductas surgen cuando un funcionario o empleado se siente influido por consideraciones personales al realizar su trabajo y tomar decisiones. Los conflictos de intereses percibidos pueden ser tan dañinos para la reputación y confianza de una organización, como la existencia real de un conflicto de intereses. En algunos países, la ley obliga a los organismos públicos a tener códigos de ética que prevean estos aspectos. Por ello es deseable la incorporación de principios éticos y de "competencias morales" en los planes de estudio de las profesiones de la salud. En la práctica de la medicina y en la investigación biomédica, los conflictos de intereses son condición que atañen a los clínicos y a los investigadores, quienes pueden distorsionar su trabajo para obtener un beneficio personal o financiero. En la generación y transmisión de conocimientos, las circunstancias determinan si existe o no un conflicto de interés, no la metodología ni los resultados de la investigación, ni mucho menos la tecnología utilizada para la difusión del conocimiento.