Role of plankton communities in sea-air variations in pCO2 in the SW Atlantic Ocean

The influence of the plankton community structure on carbon dynamics was studied in the surface waters of the Argentinean continental shelf (SW Atlantic Ocean) in summer and fall 2002, 2003 and 2004, The horizontal changes in plankton community respiration (R), net community production (NCP) and gross primary production (GPP) were (1) compared with the difference in the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) between the sea surface and the atmosphere (ΔpCO2), (2) compared with oxygen saturation and (3) related to the microscopic phytoplankton assemblages, This area, which has recently been shown to be a CO2 sink, had an average surface oxygen saturation of 108.1%, indicating that net photosynthesis could have played a dominant role in the CO2 dynamics. At most stations, the production:respiration (GPP:R) ratio was greater than 1, indicating that planktonic communities were autotrophic; the average GPP:R ratio for the whole study was 2.99, Phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) and NCP showed an inverse relationship with ΔpCO2 and a direct relationship with %O 2 saturation when phytoplankton assemblages were dominated by diatoms (30% of the stations), This was not the case when small (≤5 μm) flagellates were the most abundant organisms, Although NCP was mostly positive for both groups of stations (i.e. diatom-dominated or small flagellate- dominated), other physical and biological processes are thought to modify the CO2 dynamics when small flagellates are the prevailing phytoplankton group.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

715-2 A Prospective, Randomized Trial Evaluating the Prophylactic Use of Balloon Pumping in High Risk Myocardial Infarction Patients: PAMI-2

Myocardial infarction (MI) patients with advanced age, multivessel disease or ventricular dysfunction continue to have a poor prognosis despite reperfusion therapy. Furthermore, the majority of deaths from MI occur within the first 48 hours, thus risk stratification and therapeutic interventions ideally should occur acutely. The PAMI-2 study has prospectively evaluated the hypotheses that 1) emergency catheterization with primary PTCA may allow acute risk stratification and 2) clinical outcome, ventricular function and infarct vessel patency will be improved by balloon pumping in patients identified to be high risk. MI patients who presented 0–12 hrs underwent emergency catheterization and PTCA and were stratified as high risk if one of the following was present: age>70 yrs, vein graft occlusion, 3 vessel disease, ejection fraction <45%, suboptimal PTCA result or if malignant arrhythmias persisted post PTCA. High risk patients were randomized to receive or not receive an intra aortic balloon pump (IABP) for 48 hrs. Catheterization was repeated at day 7 to determine infarct vessel patency and improvement in ventricular function. At 6 weeks a rest and exercise radionuclide ventriculogram was performed. To date, 320 patients have been enrolled, 175 of which have complete data available for analysis. The reasons for high risk status include: advanced age 38%, poor LV function 55%, 3 vessel disease 37%, vein graft occlusion 6%, suboptimal PTCA 9%, and arrhythmias 5%. Despite the high risk status, in-hospital outcomes have been favorable: death 2.9%, recurrent MI 5.8%, stroke 1.2%, angiographic reocclusion 5.8%, heart failure 19.1% and combined events 26.6%. Thus “high risk” patients treated with primary PTCA±balloon pumping appear to have a good prognosis. Whether the improved outcome is due to balloon pump support or simply due to aggressive mechanical revascularization will be determined in the entire cohort by March 1995

Role of plankton communities in sea-air variations in pCO2 in the SW Atlantic Ocean

The influence of the plankton community structure on carbon dynamics was studied in the surface waters of the Argentinean continental shelf (SW Atlantic Ocean) in summer and fall 2002, 2003 and 2004, The horizontal changes in plankton community respiration (R), net community production (NCP) and gross primary production (GPP) were (1) compared with the difference in the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) between the sea surface and the atmosphere (ΔpCO2), (2) compared with oxygen saturation and (3) related to the microscopic phytoplankton assemblages, This area, which has recently been shown to be a CO2 sink, had an average surface oxygen saturation of 108.1%, indicating that net photosynthesis could have played a dominant role in the CO2 dynamics. At most stations, the production:respiration (GPP:R) ratio was greater than 1, indicating that planktonic communities were autotrophic; the average GPP:R ratio for the whole study was 2.99, Phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll a) and NCP showed an inverse relationship with ΔpCO2 and a direct relationship with %O 2 saturation when phytoplankton assemblages were dominated by diatoms (30% of the stations), This was not the case when small (≤5 μm) flagellates were the most abundant organisms, Although NCP was mostly positive for both groups of stations (i.e. diatom-dominated or small flagellate- dominated), other physical and biological processes are thought to modify the CO2 dynamics when small flagellates are the prevailing phytoplankton group.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

A multi-decade record of high quality fCO2 data in version 3 of the Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT)

The Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT) is a synthesis of quality-controlled fCO2 (fugacity of carbon dioxide) values for the global surface oceans and coastal seas with regular updates. Version 3 of SOCAT has 14.7 million fCO2 values from 3646 data sets covering the years 1957 to 2014. This latest version has an additional 4.6 million fCO2 values relative to version 2 and extends the record from 2011 to 2014. Version 3 also significantly increases the data availability for 2005 to 2013. SOCAT has an average of approximately 1.2 million surface water fCO2 values per year for the years 2006 to 2012. Quality and documentation of the data has improved. A new feature is the data set quality control (QC) flag of E for data from alternative sensors and platforms. The accuracy of surface water fCO2 has been defined for all data set QC flags. Automated range checking has been carried out for all data sets during their upload into SOCAT. The upgrade of the interactive Data Set Viewer (previously known as the Cruise Data Viewer) allows better interrogation of the SOCAT data collection and rapid creation of high-quality figures for scientific presentations. Automated data upload has been launched for version 4 and will enable more frequent SOCAT releases in the future. High-profile scientific applications of SOCAT include quantification of the ocean sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide and its long-term variation, detection of ocean acidification, as well as evaluation of coupled-climate and ocean-only biogeochemical models. Users of SOCAT data products are urged to acknowledge the contribution of data providers, as stated in the SOCAT Fair Data Use Statement. This ESSD (Earth System Science Data) “living data” publication documents the methods and data sets used for the assembly of this new version of the SOCAT data collection and compares these with those used for earlier versions of the data collection (Pfeil et al., 2013; Sabine et al., 2013; Bakker et al., 2014). Individual data set files, included in the synthesis product, can be downloaded here: doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.849770. The gridded products are available here: doi:10.3334/CDIAC/OTG.SOCAT_V3_GRID

Characterization of individuals at high risk of developing melanoma in Latin America: bases for genetic counseling in melanoma

PURPOSE: CDKN2A is the main high-risk melanoma-susceptibility gene, but it has been poorly assessed in Latin America. We sought to analyze CDKN2A and MC1R in patients from Latin America with familial and sporadic multiple primary melanoma (SMP) and compare the data with those for patients from Spain to establish bases for melanoma genetic counseling in Latin America. METHODS: CDKN2A and MC1R were sequenced in 186 Latin American patients from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay, and in 904 Spanish patients. Clinical and phenotypic data were obtained. RESULTS: Overall, 24 and 14% of melanoma-prone families in Latin America and Spain, respectively, had mutations in CDKN2A. Latin American families had CDKN2A mutations more frequently (P = 0.014) than Spanish ones. Of patients with SMP, 10% of those from Latin America and 8.5% of those from Spain had mutations in CDKN2A (P = 0.623). The most recurrent CDKN2A mutations were c.-34G>T and p.G101W. Latin American patients had fairer hair (P = 0.016) and skin (P < 0.001) and a higher prevalence of MC1R variants (P = 0.003) compared with Spanish patients. CONCLUSION: The inclusion criteria for genetic counseling of melanoma in Latin America may be the same criteria used in Spain, as suggested in areas with low to medium incidence, SMP with at least two melanomas, or families with at least two cases among first- or second-degree relatives.Genet Med 18 7, 727-736

Birth cohort-specific trends of sun-related behaviors among individuals from an international consortium of melanoma-prone families.

Funder: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002322Funder: Radiumhemmets Forskningsfonder; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100007232Funder: Swedish Cancer SocietyFunder: Lunds Universitet Paulsson TrustFunder: CIBER de Enfermedades Raras of the Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIFunder: European Regional Development Fund; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100008530Funder: DiagnopticsFunder: CERCA Programme Generalitat de CatalunyaFunder: Esther Koplowitz Center, Barcelona, SpainFunder: Comision Honoraria de Lucha Contra el Cancer, CSIC, Fundacion Manuel Perez, Montevideo, UruguayBACKGROUND: Individuals from melanoma-prone families have similar or reduced sun-protective behaviors compared to the general population. Studies on trends in sun-related behaviors have been temporally and geographically limited. METHODS: Individuals from an international consortium of melanoma-prone families (GenoMEL) were retrospectively asked about sunscreen use, sun exposure (time spent outside), sunburns, and sunbed use at several timepoints over their lifetime. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the association between these outcomes and birth cohort defined by decade spans, after adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: A total of 2407 participants from 547 families across 17 centers were analyzed. Sunscreen use increased across subsequent birth cohorts, and although the likelihood of sunburns increased until the 1950s birth cohort, it decreased thereafter. Average sun exposure did not change across the birth cohorts, and the likelihood of sunbed use increased in more recent birth cohorts. We generally did not find any differences in sun-related behavior when comparing melanoma cases to non-cases. Melanoma cases had increased sunscreen use, decreased sun exposure, and decreased odds of sunburn and sunbed use after melanoma diagnosis compared to before diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Although sunscreen use has increased and the likelihood of sunburns has decreased in more recent birth cohorts, individuals in melanoma-prone families have not reduced their overall sun exposure and had an increased likelihood of sunbed use in more recent birth cohorts. These observations demonstrate partial improvements in melanoma prevention and suggest that additional intervention strategies may be needed to achieve optimal sun-protective behavior in melanoma-prone families

GWAS meta-analysis of over 29,000 people with epilepsy identifies 26 risk loci and subtype-specific genetic architecture

Epilepsy is a highly heritable disorder affecting over 50 million people worldwide, of which about one-third are resistant to current treatments. Here we report a multi-ancestry genome-wide association study including 29,944 cases, stratified into three broad categories and seven subtypes of epilepsy, and 52,538 controls. We identify 26 genome-wide significant loci, 19 of which are specific to genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE). We implicate 29 likely causal genes underlying these 26 loci. SNP-based heritability analyses show that common variants explain between 39.6% and 90% of genetic risk for GGE and its subtypes. Subtype analysis revealed markedly different genetic architectures between focal and generalized epilepsies. Gene-set analyses of GGE signals implicate synaptic processes in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the brain. Prioritized candidate genes overlap with monogenic epilepsy genes and with targets of current antiseizure medications. Finally, we leverage our results to identify alternate drugs with predicted efficacy if repurposed for epilepsy treatment

Primary production in the Argentine Sea during spring estimated by field and satellite models

In satellite images of the world ocean the Argentine Sea is one of the areas of highest chlorophyll-a (Chl a) concentration. Here we analyze the spatial variability in primary production in relationship to phytoplankton biomass, and some relevant optical and physical characteristics observed during spring 2005. High Chl a concentrations were found in frontal areas, mainly at the shelf-break (19.0 mg m−3) and Grande Bay (28.6 mg m−3), with the lowest values offshore (0.4 mg m−3). Integrated production also varied widely from ∼275 to 5480 mg C m−2 d−1. Variations in the Chl a/in vivo-fluorescence, and photosynthetic parameters were related to the absorption characteristics of phytoplankton, indicating the influence of variations in the phytoplankton community composition. Surface Chl a explained only 51% of the variance in integrated primary production. Neither integrated production, nor the photosynthetic parameters were significantly related to seawater temperature. The simple satellite model used here resulted in significant underestimation of field primary production values (Absolute Percentage Difference > 50%). Our results indicate that a more adequate satellite model of production, making use of local photosynthetic parameters and vertical distribution of biomass, should be developed for this region.Fil: Lutz, Vivian A.. Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones y Desarrollo Pesquero; ArgentinaFil: Segura, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Subsede Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero; ArgentinaFil: Dogliotti, Ana Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Gagliardini, Domingo Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; ArgentinaFil: Bianchi, Alejandro Ariel. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval. Departamento Oceanografía; ArgentinaFil: Balestrini, Carlos. Ministerio de Defensa. Armada Argentina. Servicio de Hidrografía Naval. Departamento Oceanografía; Argentin

Corazón univentricular funcional: resultados inmediatos y alejados, en las distintas etapas de corrección secuencial

Introducción: El corazón univentricular funcional abarca un heterogéneo grupo de entidades anatómicas que tienen en común la característica de que uno de los ventrículos es incapaz de mantener independientemente la circulación sistémica o pulmonar. Objetivo: Evaluar, desde el periodo neonatal, los resultados quirúrgicos inmediatos y a largo plazo del enfoque terapéutico secuencial del corazón univentricular funcional. Método: Desde mayo de 1998 a mayo de 2009, se incluyeron 84 pacientes seguidos en forma prospectiva retrospectiva (bidireccional) desde el periodo neonatal. El total de procedimientos quirúrgicos fue de 181. Se realizó un enfoque terapéutico secuencial en tres estadios: neonatal, Glenn bidireccional, y Cavo-pulmonar total. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, procedimientos realizados, estratificación de riesgo según RACHS, mortalidad por estadio e interestadío y complicaciones en el seguimiento. Las variables cuantitativas se presentan como mediana (rango); las variables categóricas como porcentajes, con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza (IC) 95%. Se realizó curva de supervivencia de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: Del total de 181 procedimientos se operaron: Estadio 1: 68 pacientes, edad mediana: 5.5 días (r = dos a 60), mortalidad: 14.7% (IC 95: 6.3% a 23%). Estadio 2: 70 pacientes, edad mediana: cuatro meses (r = tres a 12), mortalidad: 1.4% (IC 95: 0% a 4.1%). Estadio 3: 43 pacientes, edad mediana: tres años (r = 2-6), mortalidad: 9.3% (IC 95: 0.7%-18%). Mortalidad interestadios: 11.9% (IC95: 5.1% a 18.9%). Mortalidad total: 29.76% (IC 95: 19.3% a 38.7%). La mortalidad según RACHS fue: RACHS 2: 1.6°% (IC 95°%: 0°% a 4.7°%) RACHS 3: 5.5°% (IC 95 0.3°% a 10,7°%), RACHS 4: 0% y RACHS 6: 23.8% (IC 95%: 10.9% a 35,1%). Índice de sobrevida a 10 años: 69%. Conclusiones: El enfoque quirúrgico secuencial, desde el período neonatal, ha cambiado la historia natural de esta entidad, con índices de sobrevida aceptables y mortalidad acorde a la estratificación de riesgo (RACHS). El seguimiento a mediano plazo es alentador y mejorable en el futuro

Early results after synchronous carotid stent placement and coronary artery bypass graft in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis

Background: The optimal management of patients with combined carotid and coronary artery disease requiring cardiac surgery is still unknown. Staged carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting (CAS), each followed by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), are options frequently employed. However, for patients with severe carotid artery disease in urgent need of open cardiac revascularization, staged operations may not be the most appropriate alternative. The aim of this study was to describe our experience using a synchronous CAS-CABG method with minimal interprocedural time. We used this synchronous combination of procedures in patients with combined carotid and coronary artery disease admitted for urgent CABG. Methods: Patients with concomitant severe carotid and coronary artery disease scheduled for synchronous CAS and urgent CABG between December 2006 and January 2010 were included in the study. All procedures were performed at a single center: the Cardiovascular Foundation of Colombia, in Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia. The study cohort was characterized according to demographic and clinical characteristics, which included degree of carotid stenosis, presence/absence of preoperative neurological symptoms, and cardiac operative risk profile. All patients underwent CAS under embolic protection devices and then CABG within the next 2 hours. Patients received aspirin pre- and postprocedure but were started on clopidogrel only after CABG. The primary end point of the study was the composite incidence rate of myocardial infarction, stroke, and death 30 days after CAS-CABG. Results: Fifteen patients with concomitant severe carotid and coronary artery disease underwent synchronous CAS-CABG. Most patients (60%) were men, and mean (+/- standard deviation) age was 65.2 (+/- 8.4) years. Most patients (93%) were neurologically asymptomatic. The median (interquartile range) ejection fraction and logistic European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) for the cohort were 55% (36%-62%) and 9.7% (4.6%-14.8%), respectively. There were no deaths, major strokes, minor strokes, or myocardial infarctions during the procedure or within 30 days of CAS-CABG. One patient experienced neurological symptoms likely as a result of transient ischemic attack ipsilateral to the CAS procedure. None of the patients required cardiac or carotid reinterventdons, and there were no cases of postoperative bleeding requiring reoperation. Conclusions: Synchronous CAS-CABG, when CABG is performed within the 2 hours of the CAS procedure, may be a viable alternative to the more generally accepted staged combination, particularly among patients for whom CABG cannot be postponed. We hope that this strategy will be further evaluated in larger prospective studies and adequately powered randomized clinical trials. (J Vasc Surg 2013;57:58S-63S.