A DNA barcode approach of the Laurencia complex (Ceramiales, Rodophyta) in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic ocean

10th International Phycological Congress, Orlando, Florida, USA, 4-10 de agosto 2013.The diversity of the Laurencia complex is being assessed in tropical and subtropical Atlantic by an international cooperation project involving Brazil, Mexico, Spain (Canary Islands), Portugal (Azores and Madeira) and USA (Florida) on the base of molecular data allied to a detailed morphological study of species. The diversity of the complex was analyzed for the first time for the Atlantic Ocean, including specimens from all five localities, using the plastid 23S rRNA gene (UPA) which has been investigated as potential DNA Barcode marker for photosynthetic eukaryotes. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene (COI-5P) was also used as DNA barcode for the same set of species, and the rbcL gene was used for phylogenetic inferences. The range of genetic variation was compared for the three markers. The UPA proved to be more conserved; however, the same genetic groups were resolved with each of the three markers confirming the six genera currently established for the complex: Chondrophycus, Laurencia, Laurenciella, Palisada, Osmundea and Yuzurua

Synergistic roles of climate warming and human occupation in Patagonian megafaunal extinctions during the Last Deglaciation.

The causes of Late Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions (60,000 to 11,650 years ago, hereafter 60 to 11.65 ka) remain contentious, with major phases coinciding with both human arrival and climate change around the world. The Americas provide a unique opportunity to disentangle these factors as human colonization took place over a narrow time frame (~15 to 14.6 ka) but during contrasting temperature trends across each continent. Unfortunately, limited data sets in South America have so far precluded detailed comparison. We analyze genetic and radiocarbon data from 89 and 71 Patagonian megafaunal bones, respectively, more than doubling the high-quality Pleistocene megafaunal radiocarbon data sets from the region. We identify a narrow megafaunal extinction phase 12,280 ± 110 years ago, some 1 to 3 thousand years after initial human presence in the area. Although humans arrived immediately prior to a cold phase, the Antarctic Cold Reversal stadial, megafaunal extinctions did not occur until the stadial finished and the subsequent warming phase commenced some 1 to 3 thousand years later. The increased resolution provided by the Patagonian material reveals that the sequence of climate and extinction events in North and South America were temporally inverted, but in both cases, megafaunal extinctions did not occur until human presence and climate warming coincided. Overall, metapopulation processes involving subpopulation connectivity on a continental scale appear to have been critical for megafaunal species survival of both climate change and human impacts

Sarcoma histiocítico: presentación de un caso probable

El sarcoma histiocítico es un desorden de células no Langerhans extremadamente raro con un curso clínico agresivo y limitadas opciones de tratamiento. Se presenta el caso de un paciente adulto joven de género masculino, con cuadro febril prolongado, compromiso hematológico persistente, hepatoesplenomegalia y linfadenopatias generalizadas con curso clínico fatal, en quien por las características clínicas, paraclínicas y de estudios histopatológicos como de inmunohistoquímica se llegó a dicha presunción diagnostica

Synergistic roles of climate warming and human occupation in Patagonian megafaunal extinctions during the Last Deglaciation

The causes of Late Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions (60,000 to 11,650 years ago, hereafter 60 to 11.65 ka) remain contentious, with major phases coinciding with both human arrival and climate change around the world. The Americas provide a unique opportunity to disentangle these factors as human colonization took place over a narrow time frame (~15 to 14.6 ka) but during contrasting temperature trends across each continent. Unfortunately, limited data sets in South America have so far precluded detailed comparison. We analyze genetic and radiocarbon data from 89 and 71 Patagonian megafaunal bones, respectively, more than doubling the high-quality Pleistocene megafaunal radiocarbon data sets from the region.We identify a narrowmegafaunal extinction phase 12,280 ± 110 years ago, some 1 to 3 thousand years after initial human presence in the area. Although humans arrived immediately prior to a cold phase, the Antarctic Cold Reversal stadial, megafaunal extinctions did not occur until the stadial finished and the subsequent warming phase commenced some 1 to 3 thousand years later. The increased resolution provided by the Patagonian material reveals that the sequence of climate and extinction events in North and South America were temporally inverted, but in both cases, megafaunal extinctions did not occur until human presence and climate warming coincided. Overall, metapopulation processes involving subpopulation connectivity on a continental scale appear to have been critical for megafaunal species survival of both climate change and human impacts.Fil: Metcalf, Jessica L.. University of Adelaide; Australia. State University of Colorado Boulder; Estados UnidosFil: Turney, Chris. University of New South Wales; AustraliaFil: Barnett, Ross. University of Oxford; Reino Unido. Universidad de Copenhagen; DinamarcaFil: Martin, Fabiana. Universidad de Magallanes. Instituto de la Patagonia. Centro de Estudios del Hombre Austral; ChileFil: Bray, Sarah C.. University of Adelaide; Australia. University of South Australia; AustraliaFil: Vilstrup, Julia T.. Universidad de Copenhagen; DinamarcaFil: Orlando, Ludovic. Universidad de Copenhagen; DinamarcaFil: Salas-Gismondi, Rodolfo. Université de Montpellier. Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution; Francia. Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; PerúFil: Loponte, Daniel Marcelo. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Matias Eduardo. Centro de Estudios Históricos ; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: de Nigris, Mariana Eleonor. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Civalero, Maria Teresa. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Pablo Marcelo. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gasco, Alejandra Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Paleoecología Humana; ArgentinaFil: Duran, Victor Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Paleoecología Humana; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Seymour, Kevin L.. Royal Ontario Museum. Department of Natural History; CanadáFil: Otaola, Clara. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Historia y Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Gil, Adolfo Fabian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla | Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Museo de Historia Natural de San Rafael - Ianigla; ArgentinaFil: Paunero, Rafael. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Prevosti, Francisco Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; ArgentinaFil: Bradshaw, Corey J. A.. University of Adelaide; AustraliaFil: Wheeler, Jane C.. Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo de Camélidos Sudamericanos; PerúFil: Borrero, Luis Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Historia y Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Austin, Jeremy J.. University of Adelaide; AustraliaFil: Cooper, Alan. University of Adelaide; Australia. University of Oxford; Reino Unid

Short- and Long-Term Prognosis of Patients With Takotsubo Syndrome Based on Different Triggers: Importance of the Physical Nature

Background Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute reversible heart condition initially believed to represent a benign pathology attributable to its self-limiting clinical course; however, little is known about its prognosis based on different triggers. This study compared short- and long-term outcomes between TTS based on different triggers, focusing on various physical triggering events. Methods and Results We analyzed patients with a definitive TTS diagnosis recruited for the Spanish National Registry on TTS (RETAKO [Registry on Takotsubo Syndrome]). Short- and long-term outcomes were compared between different groups according to triggering factors. A total of 939 patients were included. An emotional trigger was detected in 340 patients (36.2%), a physical trigger in 293 patients (31.2%), and none could be identified in 306 patients (32.6%). The main physical triggers observed were infections (30.7%), followed by surgical procedures (22.5%), physical activities (18.4%), episodes of severe hypoxia (18.4%), and neurological events (9.9%). TTS triggered by physical factors showed higher mortality in the short and long term, and within this group, patients whose physical trigger was hypoxia were those who had a worse prognosis, in addition to being triggered by physical factors, including age >70 years, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular eyection fraction <30% and shock on admission, and increased long-term mortality risk. Conclusions TTS triggered by physical factors could present a worse prognosis in terms of mortality. Under the TTS label, there could be as yet undiscovered very different clinical profiles, whose differentiation could lead to individual better management, and therefore the perception of TTS as having a benign prognosis should be generally ruled out

Impact of the Mitochondrial Genetic Background in Complex III Deficiency

BACKGROUND: In recent years clinical evidence has emphasized the importance of the mtDNA genetic background that hosts a primary pathogenic mutation in the clinical expression of mitochondrial disorders, but little experimental confirmation has been provided. We have analyzed the pathogenic role of a novel homoplasmic mutation (m.15533 A>G) in the cytochrome b (MT-CYB) gene in a patient presenting with lactic acidosis, seizures, mild mental delay, and behaviour abnormalities. METHODOLOGY: Spectrophotometric analyses of the respiratory chain enzyme activities were performed in different tissues, the whole muscle mitochondrial DNA of the patient was sequenced, and the novel mutation was confirmed by PCR-RFLP. Transmitochondrial cybrids were constructed to confirm the pathogenicity of the mutation, and assembly/stability studies were carried out in fibroblasts and cybrids by means of mitochondrial translation inhibition in combination with blue native gel electrophoresis. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Biochemical analyses revealed a decrease in respiratory chain complex III activity in patient's skeletal muscle, and a combined enzyme defect of complexes III and IV in fibroblasts. Mutant transmitochondrial cybrids restored normal enzyme activities and steady-state protein levels, the mutation was mildly conserved along evolution, and the proband's mother and maternal aunt, both clinically unaffected, also harboured the homoplasmic mutation. These data suggested a nuclear genetic origin of the disease. However, by forcing the de novo functioning of the OXPHOS system, a severe delay in the biogenesis of the respiratory chain complexes was observed in the mutants, which demonstrated a direct functional effect of the mitochondrial genetic background. CONCLUSIONS: Our results point to possible pitfalls in the detection of pathogenic mitochondrial mutations, and highlight the role of the genetic mtDNA background in the development of mitochondrial disorders

Synergistic roles of climate warming and human occupation in Patagonian megafaunal extinctions during the Last Deglaciation

The causes of Late Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions (60,000 to 11,650 years ago, hereafter 60 to 11.65 ka) remain contentious, with major phases coinciding with both human arrival and climate change around the world. The Americas provide a unique opportunity to disentangle these factors as human colonization took place over a narrow time frame (~15 to 14.6 ka) but during contrasting temperature trends across each continent. Unfortunately, limited data sets in South America have so far precluded detailed comparison. We analyze genetic and radiocarbon data from 89 and 71 Patagonian megafaunal bones, respectively, more than doubling the high-quality Pleistocene megafaunal radiocarbon data sets from the region. We identify a narrow megafaunal extinction phase 12,280 ± 110 years ago, some 1 to 3 thousand years after initial human presence in the area. Although humans arrived immediately prior to a cold phase, the Antarctic Cold Reversal stadial, megafaunal extinctions did not occur until the stadial finished and the subsequent warming phase commenced some 1 to 3 thousand years later. The increased resolution provided by the Patagonian material reveals that the sequence of climate and extinction events in North and South America were temporally inverted, but in both cases, megafaunal extinctions did not occur until human presence and climate warming coincided. Overall, metapopulation processes involving subpopulation connectivity on a continental scale appear to have been critical for megafaunal species survival of both climate change and human impacts.Jessica L. Metcalf, Chris Turney, Ross Barnett, Fabiana Martin, Sarah C. Bray, Julia T. Vilstrup, Ludovic Orlando, Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi, Daniel Loponte, Matías Medina, Mariana De Nigris, Teresa Civalero, Pablo Marcelo Fernández, Alejandra Gasco, Victor Duran, Kevin L. Seymour, Clara Otaola, Adolfo Gil, Rafael Paunero, Francisco J. Prevosti, Corey J. A. Bradshaw, Jane C. Wheeler, Luis Borrero, Jeremy J. Austin, Alan Coope

Bases per al desenvolupament del model organitzatiu d’atenció integral a la població adulta amb necessitats pal·liatives i en situació de final de la vida

Atenció integral; Població adulta; Cures pal·liatives; Malalties limitantsComprehensive care; Adult population; Palliative care; Limiting illnessesAtención integral; Población adulta; Cuidados paliativos; Enfermedades limitantesAquest document, emmarcat en el Pla de salut 2016-2020, pretén considerar i alinear les directrius en l’atenció al final de la vida i cures pal·liatives derivades del Pla director sociosanitari, així com les impulsades pel Programa de prevenció i atenció a la cronicitat en matèria de cronicitat avançada. Recull les bases per al desenvolupament del model d’atenció al final de la vida a Catalunya, entenent l’etapa de final de vida amb una mirada àmplia, que va des de la fase avançada de la malaltia fins a la mort, i fins i tot més enllà, amb el procés de dol dels familiars i persones de l’entorn

Ibero-American Consensus on Low- and No-Calorie Sweeteners: Safety, Nutritional Aspects and Benefits in Food and Beverages

International scientific experts in food, nutrition, dietetics, endocrinology, physical activity, paediatrics, nursing, toxicology and public health met in Lisbon on 2-4 July 2017 to develop a Consensus on the use of low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) as substitutes for sugars and other caloric sweeteners. LNCS are food additives that are broadly used as sugar substitutes to sweeten foods and beverages with the addition of fewer or no calories. They are also used in medicines, health-care products, such as toothpaste, and food supplements. The goal of this Consensus was to provide a useful, evidence-based, point of reference to assist in efforts to reduce free sugars consumption in line with current international public health recommendations. Participating experts in the Lisbon Consensus analysed and evaluated the evidence in relation to the role of LNCS in food safety, their regulation and the nutritional and dietary aspects of their use in foods and beverages. The conclusions of this Consensus were: (1) LNCS are some of the most extensively evaluated dietary constituents, and their safety has been reviewed and confirmed by regulatory bodies globally including the World Health Organisation, the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority; (2) Consumer education, which is based on the most robust scientific evidence and regulatory processes, on the use of products containing LNCS should be strengthened in a comprehensive and objective way; (3) The use of LNCS in weight reduction programmes that involve replacing caloric sweeteners with LNCS in the context of structured diet plans may favour sustainable weight reduction. Furthermore, their use in diabetes management programmes may contribute to a better glycaemic control in patients, albeit with modest results. LNCS also provide dental health benefits when used in place of free sugars; (4) It is proposed that foods and beverages with LNCS could be included in dietary guidelines as alternative options to products sweetened with free sugars; (5) Continued education of health professionals is required, since they are a key source of information on issues related to food and health for both the general population and patients. With this in mind, the publication of position statements and consensus documents in the academic literature are extremely desirable

Bases per al desenvolupament del model organitzatiu d’atenció integral a la població infantil i juvenil amb necessitats pal·liatives i en situació de final de la vida

Atenció integral; Població infantil i juvenil; Cures pal·liatives; Malalties limitantsAtención integral; Población infantil y juvenil; Cuidados paliativos; Enfermedades limitantesComprehensive care; Children and youth population; Palliative care; Limiting illnessesLes cures pal·liatives pediàtriques proporcionen una atenció integral, interdisciplinària i transversal als nens i joves que tenen malalties limitants per a la vida, necessitats pal·liatives i/o que es troben en situació de final de la vida. Aquest document, emmarcat en el Pla de Salut de Catalunya 2016-2020, recull les bases per al desenvolupament del model pediàtric d’atenció al final de la vida a Catalunya. Inicialment, prenent com a referència documents d’organitzacions internacionals i estatals, es defineix què són les cures pal·liatives pediàtriques, a qui van dirigides i quines són les singularitats i especificitats respecte a les cures pal·liatives de la població adulta. També inclou una anàlisi de situació en què es descriuen quines són les necessitats pal·liatives de la població pediàtrica, de quins recursos es disposa per atendre aquestes necessitats i on s’atenen els nens i joves en els darrers dies de vida. S’estima que a Catalunya hi ha entre 1.500 i 1.800 nens i joves que tenen una malaltia limitant per a la seva vida. D’aquests, entre 750 i 900 tenen necessitat de ser atesos per equips de cures pal·liatives pediàtriques. Tenint en compte les dades de mortalitat dels darrers anys, aproximadament 400 nens i joves (menors de 20 anys) moren anualment en el nostre territori. D’aquests, el 63% moren per causes previsibles i es consideren subsidiaris de rebre cures pal·liatives pediàtriques. Encara que són diferents els àmbits, nivells i recursos assistencials que intervenen o poden intervenir en l’atenció que requereix el nen o el jove i la seva família, la majoria de les morts de la població pediàtrica es produeixen a l’hospital d’aguts. Posteriorment es presenta quina és la visió dels professionals, pacients i cuidadors respecte a les cures pal·liatives pediàtriques a Catalunya. Aquesta percepció es va recollir a través de grups de treball presencials i telemàtics i va permetre identificar aspectes clau que el model pediàtric d’atenció pal·liativa havia de considerar i cobrir. Es van identificar nou grups de garanties que el model pediàtric d’atenció pal·liativa i al final de la vida havia de preveure: àrea clínica; atenció centrada en la persona; competència professional; cuidar el cuidador; equitat, accessibilitat, continuïtat i proximitat; atenció domiciliària; coordinació assistencial; avaluació, millora, innovació i recerca, i adequació estructural i tecnològica. Finalment, mantenint els grups de garanties establerts a partir de la visió dels professionals, pacients i cuidadors, el document recull un conjunt de recomanacions per assolir aquelles garanties que han estat identificades i prioritzades com a imprescindibles per oferir a la població pediàtrica una atenció pal·liativa de qualitat. Concretament, es plantegen 42 recomanacions generals, 10 recomanacions específiques per a determinats grups de població susceptibles de rebre cures pal·liatives pediàtriques (perinatals i malalties minoritàries)i 8 recomanacions específiques per a diferents àmbits assistencials