Huntiella decorticans sp nov (Ceratocystidaceae) associated with dying Nothofagus in Patagonia

During a survey of ophiostomatoid fungi in native forests of southern Argentina, several isolates of Huntiella species were obtained from Nothofagus trees. Sequences of multiple gene regions were used to identify these fungi, and their pathogenicity was tested on N. pumilio and N. dombeyi. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a novel taxon described here as H. decorticans sp. nov. Inoculations on N. dombeyi and N. pumilio in the forest showed that H. decorticans is able to produce localized lesions on healthy Nothofagus trees.The National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET), through grant PIP 80101000 (to MR), the Argentinean-South African bilateral Science and Technology Research Cooperation program SA10/02 financially supported by Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologıa (MINCyT, Argentina), the National Research Foundation (NRF, project UID75947) and the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme (TPCP) at the University of Pretoria.http://www.mycologia.orgam201

CIBERER : Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative

Altres ajuts: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low-prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15-year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research

Tratamientos Psicológicos Empíricamente Apoyados Para Adultos: Una Revisión Selectiva [Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Adults: A Selective Review]

Antecedentes: los tratamientos psicológicos han mostrado su efi cacia, efectividad y efi ciencia para el abordaje de los trastornos mentales; no obstante, considerando el conocimiento científi co generado en los últimos años, no se dispone de trabajos de actualización en español sobre cuáles son los tratamientos psicológicos con respaldo empírico. El objetivo fue realizar una revisión selectiva de los principales tratamientos psicológicos empíricamente apoyados para el abordaje de trastornos mentales en personas adultas. Método: se recogen niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación en función de los criterios propuestos por el Sistema Nacional de Salud de España (en las Guías de Práctica Clínica) para diferentes trastornos psicológicos. Resultados: los resultados sugieren que los tratamientos psicológicos disponen de apoyo empírico para el abordaje de un amplio elenco de trastornos psicológicos. El grado de apoyo empírico oscila de bajo a alto en función del trastorno psicológico analizado. La revisión sugiere que ciertos campos de intervención necesitan una mayor investigación. Conclusiones: a partir de esta revisión selectiva, los profesionales de la psicología podrán disponer de información rigurosa y actualizada que les permita tomar decisiones informadas a la hora de implementar aquellos procedimientos psicoterapéuticos empíricamente fundamentados en función de las características de las personas que demandan ayuda. // Evidence-Based Psychological Treatments for Adults: A Selective Review. Background: Psychological treatments have shown their effi cacy, effectiveness, and effi ciency in dealing with mental disorders. However, considering the scientifi c knowledge generated in recent years, in the Spanish context, there are no updating studies about empirically supported psychological treatments. The main goal was to carry out a selective review of the main empirically supported psychological treatments for mental disorders in adults. Method: Levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation were collected based on the criteria proposed by the Spanish National Health System (Clinical Practice Guidelines) for different psychological disorders. Results: The results indicate that psychological treatments have empirical support for the approach to a wide range of psychological disorders. These levels of empirical evidence gathered range from low to high depending on the psychological disorder analysed. The review indicates the existence of certain fi elds of intervention that need further investigation. Conclusions: Based on this selective review, psychology professionals will be able to have rigorous, up-to-date information that allows them to make informed decisions when implementing empirically based psychotherapeutic procedures based on the characteristics of the people who require help

Tratamientos psicológicos empíricamente apoyados para adultos: Una revisión selectiva

Antecedentes: los tratamientos psicológicos han mostrado su eficacia, efectividad y eficiencia para el abordaje de los trastornos mentales; no obstante, considerando el conocimiento científico generado en los últimos años, no se dispone de trabajos de actualización en español sobre cuáles son los tratamientos psicológicos con respaldo empírico. El objetivo fue realizar una revisión selectiva de los principales tratamientos psicológicos empíricamente apoyados para el abordaje de trastornos mentales en personas adultas. Método: se recogen niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación en función de los criterios propuestos por el Sistema Nacional de Salud de España (en las Guías de Práctica Clínica) para diferentes trastornos psicológicos. Resultados: los resultados sugieren que los tratamientos psicológicos disponen de apoyo empírico para el abordaje de un amplio elenco de trastornos psicológicos. El grado de apoyo empírico oscila de bajo a alto en función del trastorno psicológico analizado. La revisión sugiere que ciertos campos de intervención necesitan una mayor investigación. Conclusiones: a partir de esta revisión selectiva, los profesionales de la psicología podrán disponer de información rigurosa y actualizada que les permita tomar decisiones informadas a la hora de implementar aquellos procedimientos psicoterapéuticos empíricamente fundamentados en función de las características de las personas que demandan ayuda. Background: Psychological treatments have shown their efficacy, effectiveness, and efficiency in dealing with mental disorders. However, considering the scientific knowledge generated in recent years, in the Spanish context, there are no updating studies about empirically supported psychological treatments. The main goal was to carry out a selective review of the main empirically supported psychological treatments for mental disorders in adults. Method: Levels of evidence and degrees of recommendation were collected based on the criteria proposed by the Spanish National Health System (Clinical Practice Guidelines) for different psychological disorders. Results: The results indicate that psychological treatments have empirical support for the approach to a wide range of psychological disorders. These levels of empirical evidence gathered range from low to high depending on the psychological disorder analysed. The review indicates the existence of certain fields of intervention that need further investigation. Conclusions: Based on this selective review, psychology professionals will be able to have rigorous, up-to-date information that allows them to make informed decisions when implementing empirically based psychotherapeutic procedures based on the characteristics of the people who require help

Huntiella decorticans sp. nov. (Ceratocystidaceae) associated with dying Nothofagus in Patagonia

During a survey of ophiostomatoid fungi in native forests of southern Argentina, several isolates of Huntiella species were obtained from Nothofagus trees. Sequences of multiple gene regions were used to identify these fungi, and their pathogenicity was tested on N. pumilio and N. dombeyi. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a novel taxon described here as H. decorticans sp. nov. Inoculations on N. dombeyi and N. pumilio in the forest showed that H. decorticans is able to produce localized lesions on healthy Nothofagus trees.Fil: de Errasti, Andres. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: de Beer, Z. Wilhelm. University of Pretoria; SudáfricaFil: Rajchenberg, Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Coetzee M. P. A.. University of Pretoria; SudáfricaFil: Wingfield, Michael J.. University of Pretoria; SudáfricaFil: Roux, Jolanda. University of Pretoria; Sudáfric

Three new species of Ophiostomatales from Nothofagus in Patagonia

The Ophiostomatales (Ascomycota) include mainly insect and mite-associated fungi, the majority of which are found on trees. Very little is known regarding the occurrence or diversity of these fungi in South America. The aim of thisstudy was to consider their occurrence on native Nothofagus trees in the Patagonian Andes of Argentina. Isolates were collected in national parks and provincial reserves in Patagonia between 2009 and 2011. These were grouped basedon morphology, and 22 representative isolates were included in phylogenetic analyses based on sequence data of multiple loci (LSU, ITS, beta-tubulin and translation elongation factor-1 alpha genes). The isolates could be assigned to ten different taxa, and included eight species of Ophiostoma s. l., one speciesof Leptographium, and one species in the Sporothrix lignivora complex. Three of the species are described as new, including Ophiostoma patagonicum, Leptographium gestamen, and Sporothrix cabralii. Ophiostoma quercus andO. noveae-zelandiae are reported for the first time from Argentina, and we show that the latter species is distinct from O. pluriannulatum, in contrast to a previous suggestion that they represent the same taxon.Fil: de Errasti, Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: de Beer, Z. Wilhelm. University of Pretoria; SudáfricaFil: Coetzee M. P. A.. University of Pretoria; SudáfricaFil: Roux, J.. University of Pretoria; SudáfricaFil: Rajchenberg, Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Wingfield, Michael J.. University of Pretoria; Sudáfric

Arteritis de células gigantes. Estudio clínico y evolutivo de 70 pacientes

Se realiza el estudio clínico descriptivo de 70 pacientes diagnosticados de arteritis de células gigantes en un Servicio de Medicina Interna, a los que se les ha exigido un período de dos años libres de manifestaciones clínicas y analíticas de ACG una vez finalizado el tratamiento esteroideo. La ACG afecta significativamente la actividad físiCa de los pacientes hospitalizados afectados con recuperación de la misma una vez terminado el tratamiento esteroideo (p < 0.001). Los pacientes con cuadro polimiálgico exclusivo presentaron menor número de positividades a la biopsia de arteria temporal; respecto a los pacientes con manifestaciones cefálicas (p < 0.001). El 31 % de los pacientes presentan recidiva y esta puede manifestarse de forma clínica· diferente a la inicial. Una vez concluido el tratamiento esteroideo la probabilidad de recidiva desciende significativamente (p < 0.001). Se ha observado un 37% de pacientes afectos de complicaciones secundarias al tratamiento esteroideo y un 4% de pacientes con complicaciones secundarias a la enfermedad, una vez comenzado el tratamiento. Estos datos sugieren la necesidad de valorar nuevas pautas de tratamiento esteroideo o con dosis inferiores a las utilizadas.A descriptive clinical study of 70 patients diagnosed as having temporal arteritis (TA), with a free disease period of two years after the end of the steroids treatment. TA significantly affects the physical performance during the period of hospitalization, with recovery takiug place at the end of the steroids therapy (p < 0,001). Patients with polymyalgia only had a more negative biopsy of temporal artery than those with head symptoms (p < 0,001). 31% of the patients relapsed with, possibly, different symptoms. The probability of relapse at the end of treatment decreased significantly (P < 0,001). At the beginning of the therapy, 37% of the patients experienced secondary effects from the steroids treatment and 40Jo suffered a complication of the disease. It suggests that furthe studies have to be carried out to prove the effectivity of lower steroid dosage

Arteritis de células gigantes. Estudio clínico y evolutivo de 70 pacientes

Se realiza el estudio clínico descriptivo de 70 pacientes diagnosticados de arteritis de células gigantes en un Servicio de Medicina Interna, a los que se les ha exigido un período de dos años libres de manifestaciones clínicas y analíticas de ACG una vez finalizado el tratamiento esteroideo. La ACG afecta significativamente la actividad físiCa de los pacientes hospitalizados afectados con recuperación de la misma una vez terminado el tratamiento esteroideo (p < 0.001). Los pacientes con cuadro polimiálgico exclusivo presentaron menor número de positividades a la biopsia de arteria temporal; respecto a los pacientes con manifestaciones cefálicas (p < 0.001). El 31 % de los pacientes presentan recidiva y esta puede manifestarse de forma clínica· diferente a la inicial. Una vez concluido el tratamiento esteroideo la probabilidad de recidiva desciende significativamente (p < 0.001). Se ha observado un 37% de pacientes afectos de complicaciones secundarias al tratamiento esteroideo y un 4% de pacientes con complicaciones secundarias a la enfermedad, una vez comenzado el tratamiento. Estos datos sugieren la necesidad de valorar nuevas pautas de tratamiento esteroideo o con dosis inferiores a las utilizadas.A descriptive clinical study of 70 patients diagnosed as having temporal arteritis (TA), with a free disease period of two years after the end of the steroids treatment. TA significantly affects the physical performance during the period of hospitalization, with recovery takiug place at the end of the steroids therapy (p < 0,001). Patients with polymyalgia only had a more negative biopsy of temporal artery than those with head symptoms (p < 0,001). 31% of the patients relapsed with, possibly, different symptoms. The probability of relapse at the end of treatment decreased significantly (P < 0,001). At the beginning of the therapy, 37% of the patients experienced secondary effects from the steroids treatment and 40Jo suffered a complication of the disease. It suggests that furthe studies have to be carried out to prove the effectivity of lower steroid dosage

Women's attitudes towards mechanisms of action of birth control methods: a cross-sectional study of five European countries

Aims and Objectives: To assess women’s attitudes towards the mechanisms of action of birth control methods. Background: When addressing women’s knowledge of and attitudes towards birth control methods, researchers frequently focus on side effects, effectiveness or correct use. Women’s opinions about mechanisms of action have been much less investigated and research is usually concentrated on the EC pill. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Women, aged 18-49, from Germany, France, the UK, Sweden and Romania were randomly selected (N=1137). They were asked if they would use a method that may work after fertilization or after implantation and if they would continue using it after learning it may have such effects. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the influence of certain characteristics on women’s attitudes. Results: Almost half of women in Romania and Germany would not use methods with postfertilization effects, while the lowest percentages were found in Sweden and in France. Regarding methods with postimplantation effects, higher percentages were found in all the countries. Highly educated women and those using a highly effective method were more likely to use methods with postfertilization effects. On the contrary, married women, those who stated that human life begins at fertilization and women with middle/high religiosity were less likely to consider using methods that may act after fertilization. Conclusions: One third of European women reported that they would not consider using a method that may have postfertilization effects. Relevance to clinical practice: Given that postfertilization effects may not be acceptable to some women, informing them of which methods may have these effects is essential to obtaining complete informed consent and to promoting women’s autonomy