Eficacia a largo plazo del tratamiento con treprostinil subcutáneo en pacientes con hipertensión arterial pulmonar

La hipertensión arterial pulmonar (HAP) se define como un grupo de enfermedades caracterizadas por el aumento de las resistencias vasculares pulmonares, que conduce a la insuficiencia respiratoria progresiva, al fracaso del ventrículo derecho y finalmente a la muerte prematura. Es una enfermedad rara, con una prevalencia baja (16 casos por millón de habitantes), de origen desconocido, posiblemente multifactorial y muy devastadora con una supervivencia del 68% a los 5 años. La definición de HP es fundamentalmente hemodinámica, y viene determinada por la presencia de una presión arterial pulmonar media en reposo por encima de 25 mmHg; el promedio normal de la PAP media es 14 ± 3 mmHg, con un límite superior de 20 mmHg; los valores entre 21-24 mmHg tienen aún significado incierto, los pacientes que presentan una presión arterial pulmonar en este rango deben ser seguidos porque pueden desarrollar hipertensión arterial pulmonar , como ocurre en los pacientes con enfermedad del tejido conectivo o familiares de los pacientes con HAP heredable. Estos pacientes sufren un gran deterioro en su calidad de vida y aunque en los últimos tiempos se están produciendo grandes avances en la investigación, con numerosos logros tanto en la etiopatogenia como en el tratamiento y han proporcionado pequeñas mejorías es necesario seguir, hasta conseguir que el diagnóstico sea precoz, antes de que se produzcan cambios iniciales y las presiones pulmonares comiencen a elevarse. El diagnóstico de la enfermedad se realiza todavía en el 70% de los casos es en fase avanzada, con afectación importante del ventrículo derecho y una clase funcional III a IV de la OMS..

Evaluation of a modified atmosphere packaging system in pallets to extend the shelf-life of the stored tomato at cooling temperature

A modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) system in pallets was developed and its effect on physico-chemical and sensory characteristics and shelf-life of tomato was evaluated. Tomatoes were stored at 6 °C in cardboard boxes arranged on pallets wrapped in micro-perforated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags. Effects of the storage time and packaging were evaluated after 0, 7, 14, and 21 days of storage. The MAP system with pallets assessed, using a packaging atmosphere composition of 10% O2 - 10% CO2 and silica gel as an adsorbent, extended the shelf-life of the tomato stored at refrigeration temperature. MAP delayed color evolution and reduced the firmness loss, biosynthesis of lycopene, and decay rate of tomato. At the end of storage, 100% of the unpackaged samples showed spots while only 42.9% of MAP samples had them. In addition, the percentage of tomatoes with cracks and stretch marks was reduced from 42.9% (unpackaged tomatoes) to 14.3% (MAP tomatoes)This research was supported by the Autonomous Government of Galicia (Spain) project PGIDIT09TAL003ES

Evaluation of a Packaging System in Pallets Under Modified Atmosphere to Extend the Shelf-life of ‘Padrón’ Peppers Stored at Refrigeration Temperature

A modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) system in pallets was developed for ‘Padrón’ peppers as a way to extend their shelf-life while maintaining good fruit quality. Peppers were stored at 6 °C in cardboard boxes arranged on pallets wrapped in micro-perforated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags. Physico-chemical (moisture, firmness, color, chlorophylls, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and total phenolic content) and sensory analysis were carried out after 0, 7, 14, and 21 days of storage. An initial mixture of 11.8% O2–8.5% CO2 prevented anaerobic conditions and kept suitable CO2 levels throughout the entire storage period. Silica gel was tested as a moisture absorbent and considerably reduced water vapor condensation inside packaging bags. The MAP system developed maintained the shelf-life of peppers until the end of the 21-day storage period. The fruit always showed a good appearance and color. No rotting or other types of undesirable alterations were observed. MAP markedly reduced the fraction of peppers with water loss as evidenced by a minimum percentage of fruit with wrinkles (12.5%) as compared to unpackaged samples (75%). Good pigment stability was also observedOpen Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature. This research was supported by the Autonomous Government of Galicia (Spain) project PGIDIT09TAL003ES

Defining minimum runoff length allows for discriminating biocrusts and rainfall events

The runoff coefficient (RC) is widely used despite requiring to know the effective contributing area, which cannot be known a priori. In a previous work, we defined runoff length (RL), which is difficult to measure. This work aimed to define the minimum RL (mRL), a quantitative and easy proxy of RL, for use in a pilot study on biocrusts in the Tabernas Desert, Spain. We show that RC decreases according to a hyperbola when the contributing area increases, the independent variable being the length of the effective contributing area and its coefficient involving the effects of rainfall and surface features and antecedent conditions. We defined the mRL as the length of the effective contributing area making RC = 1, which is calculated regardless of the area. We studied mRL from three biocrust types and 1411 events clustered in seven categories. The mRL increased with rain volume and intensity, catchment area and slope, whereas plant cover and biocrust succession (with one exception) had a negative effect. Depending on the plot, mRL reached up 3.3-4.0 m on cyanobacterial biocrust, 2.2-7.5 m on the most widespread lichens, and 1.0-1.5 m on late-successional lichens. We discuss the relationships of mRL with other runoff-related parameters

Far and near contrast sensitivity and quality of vision with six presbyopia correcting intraocular lenses

The objective of this prospective, randomized, double-masked study was to compare the contrast sensitivity and quality of vision of patients bilaterally implanted with the following six different presbyopia correcting intraocular lenses (IOLs): SV25T0 (n = 19), ATLISA 809M (n = 18), ATLISA TRI 839MP (n = 19), ZKB00 (n = 20), ZLB00 (n = 20) and Symfony ZXR00 (n = 20). For comparison purposes, 36 patients were implanted with a monofocal lens (ZA9003). Contrast sensitivity was assessed binocularly at distance under photopic, mesopic and mesopic plus glare conditions, and at near under photopic conditions. Quality of vision was explored in terms of photic phenomena and spectacle independence. Overall, the monofocal lens offered better contrast sensitivity, under all illumination conditions, and less occurrence and intensity of photic phenomena. Amongst the multifocal IOL (MIOL) designs, the extended depth of focus Symfony ZXR00 provided better contrast sensitivity than the other MIOLs, particularly at intermediate and high spatial frequencies. Up to 40% and 50% of patients implanted with MIOLs reported glare and halos, respectively. The SV25T0 resulted in less occurrence and intensity of halos. The evaluation of photic phenomena and contrast sensitivity under different illumination conditions may reflect real-life, visually challenging situations, and thus provide insightful information to assist ophthalmic surgeons when selecting the best intraocular lens for their patients.This research was funded by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of the Spanish government (PID2020-114582RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). None of the authors had any commercial interest in any of the products included in the study. None of the authors received any funding from companies related to the products included in the study.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Visual acuity and defocus curves with six multifocal intraocular lenses

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double masked, study was to compare the visual performance of patients after bilateral implantation of six different IOLs. Methods: The following IOLs were used in the study: SV25T0 (n=19), ATLISA 809M (n=18), ATLISA Tri 839MP (n=19), ZKB00 (n=20), ZLB00 (n=20) and Symfony ZXR00 (n=20). Visual performance was assessed by the monocular distance corrected visual acuity at 4m (CDVA), distance corrected intermediate visual acuity (DCIVA) at 60cm and distance corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) at 40cm. Binocular defocus curves were obtained for a range of defocus from +1.50D to -4.50D, in 0.50D steps. Quality of life was assessed with the VF-14 questionnaire. Results: DCVA was better with the Symfony ZXR00 than with the SV25T0 (p=0.032), ATLISA Tri 839MP (p=0.032) and ATLISA 809M (p=0.018). The Symfony ZXR00 offered the best DCIVA, followed by the ZKB00. The best and worst DCNVA results corresponded to the ZLB00, and the SV25T0 and Symfony ZXR00, respectively. Defocus curves at distance were good in all groups, although the Symfony had a wider range of clear vision (-1.50D to +0.50D), with no decay. For intermediate vision, only the Symfony obtained sharp visual acuity. The ATLISA 809M, ATLISA Tri 839MP and ZLB00 were superior at near. Conclusions: The extended depth of focus of the Symfony ZXR00 offers a superior range of clear vision at far and intermediate distances than other multifocal designs, with worse results at near. Visual outcomes reflect the particular optical, geometrical and power distribution characteristics of each IOL.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Brote de toxiinfeccion alimentaria de probable etiologia virica por virus Norwalk

ResumenEn mayo de 1989 se produjo un brote de toxiinfección alimentaria (TIA) en el colegio público de Adzaneta, Castellón. Se realizó un estudio para describirlo, averiguar sus causas y adoptar las medidas de control adecuadas. Afectó a 16 niños y 2 profesores (tasa de ataque: 28,57 %). Se cumplieron los criterios clínicos y epidemiológicos para considerar al virus Norwalk como agente responsable. Probablemente su origen estuvo en un manipulador enfermo. En heces de éste y de un caso se visualizaron (ME) estructuras redondas de tamaño similar al virus Norwalk. En España el número de brotes de TIA sin agente causal conocido ha aumentado en los últimos años. Quizá este microorganismo sea responsable de una parte de estos brotes en los que, por diversos motivos, no se llega a identificar su agente causal.SummaryIn May 1989, a foodborne outbreak of acute gastroenteritis was Identified in a state school in Adzaneta, Castellón. A dtudy was undertaken to describe it, investigate its causes, and recommend adequate control measures. Sixteen children and 2 teachers were affected (attack rate: 28.57 %). Kaplan and cols clinical and epidemiological criteria for Norwalk-like virus as the responsable agent were present. The probable origin of the outbreak was a foodhandler who was already ill beforehand. The examination of stools of the foodhandler and a patient showed small round structures similar to the Norwalk virus. In Spain, the number of foodborne outbreaks without known causal agent has steadily increased in recent years. It may be that this microorganism is responsible for some of these outbreaks in which, for several reasons, the causal agent cannot be Identified

La experiencia de la autoevaluación en virtualidad

En el marco excepcional generado por la pandemia COVID-19, nos vimos en la situación de reformular las prácticas de enseñanza para adaptarlas a la nueva situación de virtualidad. Es en este contexto en el cual desde el taller vertical de Procesos Constructivos de la Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata (FAU UNLP) generamos metodologías mediadas por la tecnología. Para ello fueron importantes las capacitaciones docentes brindadas por la UNLP. En esta oportunidad compartimos el diseño y realización de una actividad concreta de autoevaluación, en la cual promovemos que los estudiantes sean los protagonistas durante el proceso de evaluación, asuman responsabilidades sobre su aprendizaje, procesos y resultados, identificando logros y dificultades. Permitiendo que el estudiante conozca con transparencia los criterios de evaluación y sepan “qué se espera de ellos” de modo público y participativo, de manera tal que la evaluación se comprenda como una parte del proceso de aprendizaje y no como un apéndice final.Especialización en Docencia UniversitariaFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

The metabolic signature of C9ORF72-related ALS: FDG PET comparison with nonmutated patients

Purpose Recently, a GGGGCC hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene, located on chromosome 9p21 has been demonstrated to be the commonest cause of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to account for 5 to 10 % of apparently sporadic ALS. Relatively little is known about the brain metabolism profile of patients carrying the expansion. Our aim was to identify the [18F]FDG PET profile in ALS patients with the C9ORF72 expansion (C9ORF72-ALS). Methods Fifteen C9ORF72-ALS patients were compared with 12 patients with ALS and comorbid frontotemporal dementia (FTD) without the C9ORF72 expansion (ALSFTD) and 30 cognitively normal patients with ALS without mutations of ALS-related genes (sALS). The three groups were then cross-matched to 40 neurologically normal controls. All patients underwent FDG PET within 4 months of diagnosis. Results The C9ORF72-ALS patients compared with the sALS patients showed significant hypometabolism in the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex, insula, caudate and thalamus, the left frontal and superior temporal cortex, and hypermetabolism in the midbrain, bilateral occipital cortex, globus pallidus and left inferior temporal cortex. The ALS FTD patients compared with the sALS patients showed more limited hypometabolic areas, including the orbitofrontal, prefrontal, anterior cingulate and insular cortex, and hypermetabolic areas, including the bilateral occipital cortex, the left precentral and postcentral cortex and superior temporal gyrus. The C9ORF72-ALS patients compared with the ALS-FTD patients showed hypometabolism in the left temporal cortex. Conclusion ALS patients with the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion had a more widespread central nervous system involvement than ALS patients without genetic mutations, with or without comorbid FTD, consistent with their more severe clinical picture