CARMENES input catalogue of M dwarfs IV. New rotation periods from photometric time series

Aims. The main goal of this work is to measure rotation periods of the M-type dwarf stars being observed by the CARMENES exoplanet survey to help distinguish radial-velocity signals produced by magnetic activity from those produced by exoplanets. Rotation periods are also fundamental for a detailed study of the relation between activity and rotation in late-type stars. Methods. We look for significant periodic signals in 622 photometric time series of 337 bright, nearby M dwarfs obtained by long-time baseline, automated surveys (MEarth, ASAS, SuperWASP, NSVS, Catalina, ASAS-SN, K2, and HATNet) and for 20 stars which we obtained with four 0.2-0.8 m telescopes at high geographical latitudes. Results. We present 142 rotation periods (73 new) from 0.12 d to 133 d and ten long-term activity cycles (six new) from 3.0 a to 11.5 a. We compare our determinations with those in the existing literature; we investigate the distribution of P rot in the CARMENES input catalogue,the amplitude of photometric variability, and their relation to vsin i and pEW(Halfa); and we identify three very active stars with new rotation periods between 0.34 d and 23.6 d.Comment: 34 pages, 43 figures, 2 appendix table

Comparison Between Two Warm Ischemic Models in Experimental Liver Transplantation in Pigs

Experimental models of warm ischemia in liver transplantation have been employed to study the mechanisms and treatment of ischemia reperfusion injury. METHODS: We compared a control group without (group A, n = 10) versus two models of warm ischemia of liver transplants in pigs: namely, occlusion of the hepatic artery and portal vein for 30 minutes (group B, n = 23) and extraction of the liver 60 minutes after cardiac arrest (group C, n = 5). Liver function tests, coagulation studies, and liver biopsies were performed during the first 24 hours post-liver transplant. RESULTS: Clamping of the hepatic vasculature in group B produced a significant liver injury compared with the control group: elevation of the ALT and an abnormal 1-hour post-revascularization biopsy similar to that observed in the cardiac arrest group C. The transaminase levels were lower among group A animals (P <.05). But the hepatic synthetic functions as reflected in the protrombin time (PT) were not affected in group B versus group A. The alteration in PT with respect to the initial value was similar among group A and group B animals, which were significantly less than that in group C (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: Occlusion of the hepatic artery and portal vein, a simple surgical maneuver, causes moderate damage to a liver graft but less alteration of hepatic synthetic function. Clamping of the hepatic vasculture obtains more long-term survivors after OLT than cardiac arrest

Involvement of leptin in the association between percentage of body fat and cardiovascular risk factors

OBJECTIVES: Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that obesity is associated with elevated blood concentrations of prothrombotic-proinflammatory factors and markers of endothelial dysfunction such as fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and homocysteine. We have assessed whether these markers are associated with percentage of body fat (BF), insulin sensitivity as well as with leptin concentrations. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-five men aged 49.6 +/- 12.7 yr (mean +/- SD) underwent whole-body air displacement plethysmography (Bod-Pod(R)) for estimating BF. Blood analyses for leptin and several other metabolic and cardiovascular markers were carried out. RESULTS: Obese subjects had higher levels as compared to controls of BF (37.5 +/- 5.1 vs. 26.0 +/- 6.6, p < 0.01), fibrinogen (3.30 +/- 0.43 vs. 2.67 +/- 0.11, p < 0.01), vWF (136.4 +/- 50.4% vs. 81.6 +/- 12.6%, p < 0.05), and leptin (17.6 +/- 8.7 vs. 6.2 +/- 3.3, p < 0.01), lower concentrations of HDL-cholesterol (1.09 +/- 0.20 vs. 1.51 +/- 0.10, p < 0.001) and lower QUICKI (1/[log(Ins(0)) + log(Glu(0))]) (0.31 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.34 +/- 0.02, p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in CRP (5.7 +/- 3.4 vs. 3.8 +/- 1.6, p = 0.327) and homocysteine (9.4 +/- 4.2 vs. 8.3 +/- 0.9, p = 0.749). A positive correlation was observed between BF and fibrinogen (r = 0.67, p = 0.0003). Plasma leptin concentrations were correlated with fibrinogen (r = 0.71, p = 0.0001) and CRP (r = 0.43, p = 0.044). After adjustment for BF leptin emerged as a significant predictor of fibrinogen (beta = 0.47, p = 0.023; R(2) = 0.59, p < 0.001). QUICKI was positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r = 0.59, p = 0.010) and negatively with fibrinogen (r = -0.53, p = 0.025), CRP (r = -0.52, p = 0.028) and vWF (r = -0.56, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Increased BF and impaired insulin sensitivity are associated with increased concentrations of cardiovascular risk factors. Leptin seems to be involved in this elevation and emerges as a predictor of circulating fibrinogen concentrations

El síndrome de apneas obstructivas del sueño en la obesidad: un conspirador en la sombra

The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is caused by upper airway collapse during sleep. These episodes are associated with recurrent oxyhaemoglobin desaturations and arousals which lead to disruption of the sleep pattern and cognitive deterioration. Factors such as age, male sex, menopause, tobacco and alcohol consumption and anatomic abnormalities are demonstrated risk factors for OSAS development. Obesity, specially of abdominal type, is also a very strong predictor of OSAS, increasing the risk of apnoea by ten times. OSAS prevalence may reach 80% and 50% en males and females with morbid obesity respectively. OSAS induces sympathoexcitation, insulin resistance, renin-angiotensin system activation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability and reduction of fibrinolysis leading to hypertension and increased cardiovascular risk. The best diagnostic procedure is polysomnography. Obesity treatment is followed by a dramatic improvement in OSAS. Weight loss of 10% results in reductions of apnoea index by 26%. Application of a positive pressure system is a very effective treatment for OSAS which reduces the apnoea index and improves cardiovascular risk and cognitive impairment

Papel de la linfadenectomía ampliada tipo R2 en el tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer gástrico resecable

The extended lymphadenectomy has been proposed as routine procedure in the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, although some controversies have been published. We present a retrospective analysis on the impact of extended lymph node dissection after total gastrectomy, in terms of post-operative course and histopathologic findings, in a group of 30 patients with R2 lymphadenectomy and in 16 patients with R1 lymphadenectomy. There were no significant differences in duration of operation, amount of blood trasfusion and length of hospital stay between the 2 groups. The only significant difference was found in the greater amount of drainage output after R2 lymphadenectomy as compared with R1. There were no mortalities in either group and morbidity rate was similar for both [43% in R1 and 40% in R2) mostly in the form of abdominal infections (18% in R1 and 16% in R2]). A significantly greater number of lymph nodes was identified after R2 gastrectomy. Fifty-three per cent of patients has positive lymph nodes, 12% of them being from the N2 echelon of nodes (including one case of early gastric cancer). Careful lymph node dissection in gastric cancer surgery allows a more precise staging of the tumor with no increase in postoperative morbidit

Plasma?-III tubulin, neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein are associated with neurodegeneration and progression in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a progressive disorder characterized by multiple psychotic relapses. After every relapse, patients may not fully recover, and this may lead to a progressive loss of functionality. Pharmacological treatment represents a key factor to minimize the biological, psychological and psychosocial impact of the disorder. The number of relapses and the duration of psychotic episodes induce a potential neuronal damage and subsequently, neurodegenerative processes. Thus, a comparative study was performed, including forty healthy controls and forty-two SZ patients divided into first-episode psychosis (FEP) and chronic SZ (CSZ) subgroups, where the CSZ sub group was subdivided by antipsychotic treatment. In order to measure the potential neuronal damage, plasma levels of beta-III tubulin, neurofilament light chain (Nf-L), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were performed. The results revealed that the levels of these proteins were increased in the SZ group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, multiple comparison analysis showed highly significant levels of beta-III tubulin (P = 0.0002), Nf-L (P = 0.0403) and GFAP (P < 0.015) in the subgroup of CSZ clozapine-treated. In conclusion, beta-III tubulin, Nf-L and GFAP proteins may be potential biomarkers of neurodegeneration and progression in SZ

¿Es razonable el abordaje laparoscópico en patología maligna colo-rectal?

Desde que se efectuó la primera resección de colon por vía laparoscópica en 1990, han sido publicados numerosos artículos, manifestándose diferentes opiniones, algunas de ellas francamente contrapuestas, en cuanto a validez o no de esta vía de abordaje quirúrgico, para el tratamiento del cáncer colo-rectal. El presente estudio de revisión pretende poner en claro cuál es la situación actual de la resección de colon por vía laparoscópica. Se analizan las ventajas e inconvenientes de dicho tratamiento, haciendo especial hincapié en situar la realidad actual de la incidencia de metástasis en el orificio de entrada de los trócares, así como, analizar las posibles causas. Se estudia la importancia de la experiencia del equipo quirúrgico y de la curva de aprendizaje para obtener los mejores resultados. Así como la necesidad de mantener las normas establecidas para una correcta resección de intestino grueso desde el punto de vista oncológico y la importancia de efectuar este tipo de cirugía dentro de ensayos clínicos controlados