VISIR-VLT high resolution study of the extended emission of four obscured post-AGB candidates

The onset of the asymmetry of planetary nebulae (PNe) is expected to occur during the late Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) and early post-AGB phases of low- and intermediate-mass stars. Among all post-AGB objects, the most heavily obscured ones might have escaped the selection criteria of previous studies detecting extreme axysimmetric structures in young PNe. Since the most heavily obscured post-AGB sources can be expected to descend from the most massive PN progenitors, these should exhibit clear asymmetric morphologies. We have obtained VISIR-VLT mid-IR images of four heavily obscured post-AGB objects barely resolved in previous Spitzer IRAC observations to analyze their morphology and physical conditions across the mid-IR. The VISIR-VLT images have been deconvolved, flux calibrated, and used to construct RGB composite pictures as well as color and optical depth maps that allow us to study the morphology and physical properties of the extended emission of these sources. We have detected extended emission from the four objects in our sample and resolved it into several structural components that are greatly enhanced in the temperature and optical depth maps. They reveal the presence of asymmetry in three young PNe (IRAS 15534-5422, IRAS 17009-4154, and IRAS 18454+0001), where the asymmetries can be associated with dusty torii and slightly bipolar outflows. The fourth source (IRAS 18229-1127), a possible post-AGB star, is better described as a rhomboidal detached shell. The heavily obscured sources in our sample do not show extreme axisymmetric morphologies. This is at odds with the expectation of highly asymmetrical morphologies in post-AGB sources descending from massive PN progenitors. The sources presented in this paper may be sampling critical early phases in the evolution of massive PN progenitors, before extreme asymmetries develop.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Resultados a largo plazo del tratamiento de las fracturas de rótula mediante hemipatelectomia

Han sido revisadas retrospectivamente 48 fracturas de rótula tratadas mediante hemipatelectomía, con un seguimiento medio de 14,6 años. Para la valoración se han seguido criterios clínicos, radiológicos, subjetivos y de potencia del aparato extensor. El rango de movilidad de la extremidad intervenida es del 89%, la potencia del aparato extensor de 83% y la medición de la circunferencia del muslo del 97%, tomando como referencia la extremidad no intervenida. Encontramos un 45% de resultados excelentes, 39,58% de buenos resultados, 10,41% de resultados regulares y 4,16% de malos resultados. Existe una relación estadísticamente significativa entre el tipo de fractura, la edad de los pacientes, la existencia de patología previa en la rodilla, las lesiones asociadas a la fractura rotuliana por el traumatismo y el resultado final obtenido. A la vista de estos resultados podemos concluir que la hemipatelectomía es una técnica eficaz y segura para el tratamiento de algunos tipos de fracturas de rótula.A retrospective stydy was made of 48 patellar fractures who were threated with a hemipatellectomy. The mean time of follow-up was 14,6 years. The results were assessed with use of clinical, radiological, subjective and isokinetic quadriceps strength-testing criteria. The mean active range of motion was 89%, the strength of quadriceps was 83% and the circumference of the thigh was 97% of these measurements in the contralateral extremity. The over-all results was rated as excellent in 45,83%, dood in 39,58%, fair in 10,41% and poor in 4,16%. There was a significant statistical correlation between the type of fracture, the previous patology in the knee, the associated lesions caused by trauma and the outcome. The results of this study indicate that hemipatellectomy can be an effective and secure treatment for selected patellar fractures

Estudio prospectivo de profilaxis ambulatoria con sulodexida después de una artroplastia total de cadera o rodilla

La falta de continuidad en el tratamiento profiláctico ambulatorio se muestra como una de las causas determinantes en la aparición de complicaciones tromboembólicas en el primer mes tras el alta hospitalaria. La dificultad de administración por parte del paciente de las heparinas de bajo peso molecular y la diferencia de preocupación entre los médicos de Atención Primaria y los Servicios especializados por el problema tromboembólico son algunas de las causas de esta discontinuidad. Se realiza un estudio prospectivo sobre 221 pacientes intervenidos de prótesis total de cadera y rodilla con la finalidad de estudiar los resultados obtenidos con el tratamiento profiláctico mediante Sulodexida, un fármaco que une a sus propiedades antitrombóticas la comodidad de la administración vía oral. Se encontró una respuesta satisfactoria sin aparición de complicaciones tromboembólicas en el 98,8% del grupo que completó el tratamiento (n=164), frente al 21% de complicaciones que presentó el grupo que no completó el estudio.The discontinous thromboprophylaxis is a determinant cause in the presence of thromboembolic complications in the first month after hospital discharge. The difficult administration of the low -molecular- weight heparin by the patient and the different preoccupation for this problem between the Primary Care and the orthopedics specialists are the causes that incite to discontinous thromboprophylaxis. A prospective study was made of 221 patients who undergoing a total hip arthroplasty or a total knee arthroplasty and the objective was to investigate the incidence of venous thrombosis in the patients who were treated with oral sulodexide in the first month after hospital discharge. We analized the efficacy and the secondary effects of sulodexide. There were satisfactory results in 98,8% of patients who were treated with sulodexide (1,2% of venous complications), and 21% of venous complications in the group of patients who did not continue the thromboprophylactic treatment

Genetic biomarkers in osteoarthritis: a quick overview

[Abstract] Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic musculoskeletal disease with a polygenic and heterogeneous nature. In addition, when clinical manifestations appear, the evolution of the disease is usually already irreversible. Therefore, the efforts on OA research are focused mainly on the discovery of therapeutic targets and reliable biomarkers that permit the early identification of different OA-related parameters such as diagnosis, prognosis, or phenotype identification. To date, potential candidate protein biomarkers have been associated with different aspects of the disease; however, there is currently no gold standard. In this sense, genomic data could act as complementary biomarkers of diagnosis and prognosis or even help to identify therapeutic targets of the disease. In this review, we will describe the most recent advances in genetic biomarkers in OA over the past three years.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI17/00210Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI16/02124Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI20/00614Instituto de salud Carlos III; RETIC-RIER-RD16/0012/0002Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PRB3-ISCIII-PT17/0019/0014Xunta de Galicia; IN607A2017/1

Mitochondrial genetics and epigenetics in osteoarthritis

Review[Abstract] During recent years, the significant influence of mitochondria on osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disease, has been consistently demonstrated. Not only mitochondrial dysfunction but also mitochondrial genetic polymorphisms, specifically the mitochondrial DNA haplogroups, have been shown to have an important influence on different OA-related features, including the prevalence, severity, incidence, and progression of the disease. This influence could probably be mediated by the role of mitochondria in the regulation of different processes involved in the pathogenesis of OA, such as energy production, the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, apoptosis, and inflammation. The regulation of these processes is at least partially controlled by the bi-directional communication between the nucleus and mitochondria, which permits the regulation of adaptation to a wide range of stressors and the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. This bi-directional communication consists of an “anterograde regulation” by which the nucleus regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and activity and a “retrograde regulation” by which both mitochondria and mitochondrial genetic variation exert a regulatory signaling control over the nuclear epigenome, which leads to the modulation of nuclear genes. Throughout this mini review, we will describe the evidence that demonstrates the profound influence of the mitochondrial genetic background in the pathogenesis of OA, as well as its influence on the nuclear DNA methylome of the only cell type present in the articular cartilage, the chondrocyte. This evidence leads to serious consideration of the mitochondrion as an important therapeutic target in OA.Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CIBERCB06/01/0040Instituto de Salud Carlos III; RETIC-RIER-RD16/0012/0002Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PRB2-ISCIII-PT17/0019/0014Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI14/01254Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI16/02124Instituto de Salud Carlos III; PI17/00210Instituto de Salud Carlos III; (CPII17/00026

Effect of daily thermo- and photo-cycles of different light spectrum on the development of Senegal sole (Solea senegalensis) larvae

36 p., il., y bibliografíaThis paper investigates the impact of different thermo- and photo-cycles of distinct wavelengths on Solea senegalensis larvae from day 1 to 30 post-hatching. In experiment 1, larvae were exposed to 12h light:12h dark (12L:12D) cycle and (A) constant temperature (20.7°C), (B) thermocycle of 12h thermophase: 12h cryophase, 22.1°C day: 19.0°C night (referred to as TC) or (C) 12h cryophase: 12h thermophase, 19.2°C day: 22.0°C night (referred to as CT). In experiment 2, larvae were kept under constant temperature (20.8°C) and exposed to (A) continuous light (LL), (B) continuous darkness (DD), and LD 12L:12D cycles of (C) white light (LDW), (D) blue light (LDB) or (E) red light (LDR). The sole larvae achieved the best performance, and showed fastest development and lowest degree of deformity under natural thermocycle conditions (TC) with a deformity percentage of 31.1% and LDB cycles with 27.7% of malformation, conditions which were nearest their natural aquatic environment. Larvae reared under TC started eye migration at 9day post-hatching (DPH), while larvae exposed to CT started eye migration at 11 DPH. In larvae under the LDB treatment the migration of the eye started earlier than in the other treatments (9 DPH), while larvae reared under LL and DD photoperiods died before metamorphosis. These findings highlight the importance of light and temperature cycles during the early development of S. senegalensis larvae, which should be taken into consideration in experimental or rearing protocols.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) by projects “Circasole” AGL2007-66507-C02-02 and AQUAGENOMICS 28502 (Consolider-Ingenio Program), and SENECA by project 05690/PI/07 to Francisco Javier Sánchez Vázquez.Peer reviewe

Possibilities of using silicate rock powder: An overview

This study evaluates the on use of crushed rocks (remineralizers) to increase soil fertility levels and which contributed to increase agricultural productivity, recovery of degraded areas, decontamination of water, and carbon sequestration. The use of these geological materials is part of the assumptions of rock technology and, indirectly, facilitates the achievement of sustainable development goals related to soil management, climate change, and the preservation of water resources. Research over the past 50 years on silicate rocks focused on soil fertility management and agricultural productivity. More recently, the combined use with microorganisms and organic correctives have shown positive results to mitigate soil degradation; to expand carbon sequestration and storage; and to contribute to the adsorption of contaminants from water and soil. In this article we show results obtained in several countries and we show that this technology can contribute to the sustainability of agriculture, as well as to reverse global warming. Although mineral nutrients are released more slowly from these types of inputs, they remain in the soil for a longer time, stimulating the soil biota. In addition, they are a technology to soluble synthetic fertilizers replace, since the few nutrients derived from such inputs not consumed by plants are lost by leaching, contaminating groundwater and water resources. In addition, conventional methods rely heavily on chemical pesticides which cause damage to soil's microfauna (responsible for the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling) and the loss of organic carbon (in the form of dioxide), which is quickly dispersed in the atmosphere. Silicate rock powders are applied in natura, have long-lasting residual effects and reduce greenhouse gas emissions