Non-compacted cardiomyopathy: clinical-echocardiographic study

The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical and echocardiographic findings of ventricular noncompaction in adult patients. Fifty-three patients underwent complete clinical history, electrocardiogram, Holter and transthoracic echocardiogram. Forty patients (75%) were in class I/II of the New York Heart Association, and 13 (25%) in class III/IV. Ventricular and supraventricular escape beats were found in 40% and 26.4%, respectively. Holter showed premature ventricular contractions in 32% and sustained ventricular tachycardia in 7.5%. Ventricular noncompaction was an isolated finding in 74% of cases and was associated with other congenital heart disease in 26%. Noncompacted ventricular myocardium involved only left ventricle in 62% of the patients and both ventricles in 38%. The mean ratio of noncompacted to compacted myocardial layers at the site of maximal wall thickness was 3.4 ± 0.87 mm (range 2.2–7.5). The presence of ventricular noncompaction in more than three segments was associated with a functional class greater than II and ventricular arrhythmia with demonstrable statistical significance by χ(2)(p < 0.003). CONCLUSION: a) Noncompacted cardiomyopathy is a congenital pathological entity that can occur in isolated form or associated with other heart disease and often involves both ventricles. b) A ratio of noncompacted to compacted myocardium greater than 3 and involvement of three or more segments are indicators of poor prognosis. c) Since the clinical manifestations are not sufficient to establish diagnosis, echocardiography is the diagnostic tool that makes it possible to document ventricular noncompaction and establish prognostic factors

Evaluación de fallas en un transportador de cangilones. Caso de estudio

A failure in the bottom sheet of a bucket conveyor (KZBQ.AUMUND) during service was investigated. Sheets are coupled to the chain throught a screw connection; they operate in variable load scenarios causing fatigue. A chemical and microstructural analysis was made showing that sheet was built in steel with 0.15 % of Carbone without alloying elements that contribute to the refined grain and resistance increase. Strength calculation, used to determinate safety factor, consider load system and type material. Results concluded that geometry and thickness value do not provide an adequate fatigue resistance coefficient.Es investigada la falla en las láminas del fondo de un transportador de cangilones KZB-Q.AUMUND durante su servicio. Las láminas están acopladas a una cadena a través de uniones atornilladas y operan bajo un régimen de cargas variables causándoles fatiga. Se realiza un análisis químico y microestructural el cual evidencia que las láminas fueron elaboradas de un acero con 0,15 % de carbono sin elementos de aleación que contribuyan al afinamiento del grano y al incremento de la resistencia. Se calculan las tensiones para determinar el coeficiente de seguridad a la fatiga considerando el sistema de cargas y el material de las láminas. Los resultados concluyen que la geometría y los valores de espesor no le proporcionan a las láminas un adecuado coeficiente de resistencia a la fatiga

Efecto antiinflamatorio de la izalpinina derivada de Chromolaena leivensis: edema de la pata inducido por λ-carragenina y modelo in silico

El flavonoide izalpinina se aisló de las partes aéreas de Chromolaena leivensis. Su determinación estructural se llevó a cabo mediante técnicas espectroscópicas de EM y RMN (1H, 13C). Se evaluó el efecto antiinflamatorio de este compuesto en un modelo de edema plantar inducido por carragenina en ratas. La inflamación de la pata se midió a intervalos de una hora durante siete horas tras la administración de -carragenano. Se evaluaron los niveles séricos de creatina quinasa (CK), obteniéndose resultados estadísticamente significativos con los tratamientos a dosis de 10 mg/kg (* p < 0,01) y 20 mg/kg (** p < 0,005). El efecto antiinflamatorio del compuesto se evaluó mediante pletismografía, y los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas en las tres concentraciones (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg) en la primera y tercera hora tras el tratamiento. * p < 0,05; ** p < 0,001; **** p < 0,0001 frente al grupo de control negativo tratado con vehículo (DMSO). Por último, los análisis de acoplamiento molecular revelan que la izalpinina tiene una fuerte afinidad de unión con cinco proteínas diana implicadas en el proceso inflamatorio. El análisis mediante dinámica molecular permitió demostrar que los complejos ligando-proteína presentan una estabilidad aceptable, con valores de RMSD dentro del rango permitido.The flavonoid izalpinin was isolated from the aerial parts of Chromolaena leivensis. Its structural determination was carried out using MS and NMR spectroscopic techniques (1H, 13C). This compound was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effect in a rat model on -carrageenan-induced plantar edema. Paw inflammation was measured at one-hour intervals for seven hours following the administration of -carrageenan. Serum creatine kinase (CK) levels were evaluated, obtaining statistically significant results with the treatments at doses of 10 mg/kg (* p < 0.01) and 20 mg/kg (** p < 0.005). The anti-inflammatory effect of the compound was evaluated by using plethysmography, and the results showed significant differences at the three concentrations (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg) in the first and third hours after treatment. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001 vs. the negative control group treated with vehicle (DMSO). Lastly, molecular docking analyses reveal that izalpinin has a strong binding affinity with five target proteins involved in the inflammatory process. The analysis using molecular dynamics allowed demonstrating that the ligand–protein complexes present acceptable stability, with RMSD values within the allowed range

Crítica de Libros.

Psiquiatras: de brujos a burócratas. José Guimón Ugartechea. Salvat Editores, S.A. 1990. Mª Luisa Sánchez Álvarez-CastelIanos Alcohol y enfermedad. Rodes J, Urbano-Márquez A y Bach i Bach L. Prous Editores. Barcelona, 1990. María Soledad Olmeda García Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescent. B.O. Garfinkel; G.A. Carlson; E.B. Wellber. Ed. W.B. Saunders Company Philadelphia-London-Toronto-Montreal-Sydney-Tokyo. 1990 Rústica. J.L. Pedreira Massa Psychiatric aspects of general hospital pediatrics. M.S. Jellinek; O.B. Herzog. Ed. Year Book Medical Publishers, Inc. Chicago-Londo-Boca Ratón-Littleton, Mass., 1990 Rústica. De bolsillo. J. L. Pedreira Massa Enseignement de la psychiatrie. M.C. Hardy-Byle. Ed. Doin. París, 1990. Rústica. J. L. Pedreira Massa Psicología médica, psicopatología y psiquiatría. F. Fuentenebro; c. Vázquez (Coords). Ed. Interamericana-McGraw-Hill. Madrid y 20 ciudades más. 1990, Tela. J. L. Pedreira Mass

Foliar C, N, and P stoichiometry characterize successful plant ecological strategies in the Sonoran Desert

Ecological processes are centered to water availability in drylands; however, less known nutrient stoichiometry can help explain much of their structure and ecological interactions. Here we look to the foliar stoichiometry of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) of 38 dominant plant species from the Sonoran Desert, grouped in four different functional types to describe ecological characteristics and processes. We found that foliar N, C:N, C:P, and N:P stoichiometric ratios, but not P, were higher than those known to most other ecosystems and indicate P but not N limitations in leaves. Biological N fixers (BNF) had even higher leaf N concentrations, but bio-elemental concentrations and stoichiometry ratios were not different to other non-N-fixing legume species which underscores the need to understand the physiological mechanisms for high N, and to how costly BNF can succeed in P-limiting drylands environments. Stoichiometry ratios, and to lesser extent elemental concentrations, were able to characterize BNF and colonizing strategies in the Sonoran Desert, as well as explain leaf attribute differences, ecological processes, and biogeochemical niches in this dryland ecosystem, even when no direct reference is made to other water-limitation strategies

Crítica de Libros.

Psiquiatras: de brujos a burócratas. José Guimón Ugartechea. Salvat Editores, S.A. 1990. Mª Luisa Sánchez Álvarez-CastelIanos Alcohol y enfermedad. Rodes J, Urbano-Márquez A y Bach i Bach L. Prous Editores. Barcelona, 1990. María Soledad Olmeda García Psychiatric disorders in children and adolescent. B.O. Garfinkel; G.A. Carlson; E.B. Wellber. Ed. W.B. Saunders Company Philadelphia-London-Toronto-Montreal-Sydney-Tokyo. 1990 Rústica. J.L. Pedreira Massa Psychiatric aspects of general hospital pediatrics. M.S. Jellinek; O.B. Herzog. Ed. Year Book Medical Publishers, Inc. Chicago-Londo-Boca Ratón-Littleton, Mass., 1990 Rústica. De bolsillo. J. L. Pedreira Massa Enseignement de la psychiatrie. M.C. Hardy-Byle. Ed. Doin. París, 1990. Rústica. J. L. Pedreira Massa Psicología médica, psicopatología y psiquiatría. F. Fuentenebro; c. Vázquez (Coords). Ed. Interamericana-McGraw-Hill. Madrid y 20 ciudades más. 1990, Tela. J. L. Pedreira Mass

Characteristics of stroke units and stroke teams in Spain in 2018. Pre2Ictus project

Introduction: The aim of this work is to describe the characteristics of stroke units and stroketeams in Spain.Method: We performed a cross-sectional study based on an ad hoc questionnaire designed by5 experts and addressed to neurologists leading stroke units/teams that had been operationalfor ≥ 1 year. Results: The survey was completed by 43 stroke units (61% of units in Spain) and 14 stroketeams. The mean (SD) number of neurologists assigned to each unit/team is 4±3. 98% of strokeunits (and 38% of stroke teams) have a neurologist on-call available 24hours, 365 days. 98% ofstroke units (79% of stroke teams) have specialised nurse, 95% of units (71% of stroke teams) auxiliary personnel, 86% of units (71% of stroke teams) social worker, 81% of stroke units (71%of stroke teams) have a rehabilitation physician and 81% of stroke units (86% of stroke teams) aphysiotherapist. Most stroke units (80%) have 4-6 beds with continuous non-invasive monitoring.The mean number of unmonitored beds is 14 (8) for stroke units and 12 (7) for stroke teams.The mean duration of non-invasive monitoring is 3 (1) days. All stroke units and 86% of stroke teams have intravenous thrombolysis available, and 81% of stroke units and 21% of stroke teamsare able to perform mechanical thrombectomy, whereas the remaining centres have referral pathways in place. Telestroke systems are available at 44% of stroke units, providing supportto a mean of 4 (3) centres. Activity is recorded in clinical registries by 77% of stroke units and 50% of stroke teams, but less than 75% of data is completed in 25% of cases. Conclusions: Most stroke units/teams comply with the current recommendations. The syste-matic use of clinical registries should be improved to further improve patient care.Introducción: El objetivo del trabajo es describir las características de las unidades y equipos de ictus en España. Método: Estudio transversal basado en un cuestionario ad hoc, diseñado por 5 expertos y dirigido a los neurólogos responsables de las unidades de ictus (UI) y los equipos de ictus (EI) conal menos un año de funcionamiento. Resultados: Participaron 43 UI (61% del total) y 14 EI. La media (±DE) de neurólogos adscritos a las UI/EI fue de 4 ± 3. El 98% de las UI frente al 38% de los EI cuentan con neurólogo de guardia 24 h los 365 días. Disponen de enfermería especializada un 98% de las UI frente al 79% de los EI,de médico rehabilitador un 81% frente al 71% y de trabajador social un 86% frente al 71%. Lamayoría de las UI (80%) tienen 4-6 camas con monitorización continua no invasiva. El número medio de camas no monitorizadas de las UI es de 14 ± 8 y de 12 ± 7 en los EI. La estancia mediade los pacientes en las camas monitorizadas de las UI es de 3 ± 1 días. Todas las UI y el 86% de los EI pueden realizar trombólisis intravenosa; el 81% de las UI y el 21% de los EI pueden realizar trombectomía mecánica y el resto de los centros tiene posibilidad de derivación. El 44% de las UI dispone de un sistema de teleictus, que da servicio a 4 ± 3 centros. La actividad se recoge sistemáticamente en el 77% de las UI y en el 50% de los EI, pero su cumplimentación es < 75% en un 25% de los casos. Conclusiones: La mayoría de las UI y de los EI cumple las recomendaciones actuales. Para seguir mejorando la atención del paciente, resulta necesario optimizar el registro sistemático de su actividad