Hallazgos electromiográficos y electroneurográficos en el pie cavo esencial

La etiología del pie cavo cuando ésta es conocida, suele ser debida a un trastorno de tipo neurológico o miopático, aunque en determinados casos nos encontramos con pacientes que padecen esta deformidad en el pie, en los cuales no podemos descubrir ningún antecedente de este tipo, por lo que lo calificamos de pie cavo «esencial». A un grupo de estos pacientes con pie cavo «esencial», en los que no hemos encontrado ningún tipo de antecedente neurológico, lo hemos sometido a una exploración electroneurográfica, encontrando que la mitad de ellos padecían algún trastorno neuropático/miopático, que no había sido detectado en la exploración clínica inicial.Neurological or myopathic diseases are frequently involved in the etiology of flat foot. In some cases, no antecedents of disease can be found and therefore these flat foots are classified as «essential». We have undertaken an electrophysiologic study in a series of patients with «essential» flat food in order to explore unsuspected neurological disorders. In half of the patients, neuropathic and myopathic electroneurographic patterns of different severity were detected

Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 modulate intestinal IL-10 differently in ileum and colon

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases are consequence of an intestinal homeostasis breakdown in which innate immune dysregulation is implicated. Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 are immune recognition receptors expressed in the intestinal epithelium, the first physical-physiological barrier for microorganisms, to inform the host of the presence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. Interleukin (IL)-10 is an essential anti-inflammatory cytokine that contributes to maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. Aim: Our main aim was to investigate intestinal IL-10 synthesis and release, and whether TLR2 and TLR4 are determinants of IL-10 expression in the intestinal tract. Methods: We used Caco-2 cell line as an enterocyte-like cell model, and also ileum and colon from mice deficient in TLR2, TLR4 or TLR2/4 to test the involvement of TLR signaling. Results: Intestinal epithelial cells are able to synthesize and release IL-10 and their expression is increased after TLR2 or TLR4 activation. IL-10 regulation seems to be tissue specific, with IL-10 expression in the ileum regulated by a compensation between TLR2 and TLR4 expression, whereas in the colon, TLR2 and TLR4 affect IL-10 expression independently. Conclusions: Intestinal epithelial cells could release IL-10 in response to TLR activation, playing an intestinal tissue-dependent and critical intestinal immune role

Engineering and Applications of fungal laccases for organic synthesis

Laccases are multi-copper containing oxidases (EC 1.10.3.2), widely distributed in fungi, higher plants and bacteria. Laccase catalyses the oxidation of phenols, polyphenols and anilines by one-electron abstraction, with the concomitant reduction of oxygen to water in a four-electron transfer process. In the presence of small redox mediators, laccase offers a broader repertory of oxidations including non-phenolic substrates. Hence, fungal laccases are considered as ideal green catalysts of great biotechnological impact due to their few requirements (they only require air, and they produce water as the only by-product) and their broad substrate specificity, including direct bioelectrocatalysis

Nutritional Quality of Meat from Barren Merino Ewes in Comparison to Meat from Traditional Lambs

In Spain, lamb consumption has decreased over the last few years. To increase farmers’ income, we studied the nutritional quality of the barren ewes’ meat in comparison to traditional lambs’ meat with 10 barren ewes, 10 male lambs, and 10 female lambs from the Merino breed. We measured the subcutaneous fat, muscle color, and carcass tissue composition, as well as proximal composition, mineral, tocopherol, retinol, lutein, and cholesterol contents, and the TPA texture profile, fatty acid profile, and lipid oxidation of the meat. There was no effect of the animal type (males, females, and ewes) on the pH, and the differences in the subcutaneous fat color, lipid oxidation, and texture were irrelevant from a practical point of view. The tissue composition in the three groups of animals reflected a high percentage of saleable meat, with no penalty incurred for intensive fattening in any of the groups. The ewes’ meat presented a higher percentage of moisture, collagen, ash, calcium, iron, ?-tocopherol, and retinol than the lambs’ meat. In addition, it had higher content of DHA and CLA and lower values for the ratio n6/n3, which is beneficial for health, although it also contained more fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol than the lambs’ meat.Esta investigación fue financiada por la Asociación Nacional de Criadores de Ganado Merino.barren ewelambsex effectnutritional valuemeat qualityPublishe

Cost-effectiveness analysis of antipsychotics in reducing schizophrenia relapses

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is a severe form of mental illness which is associated with significant and long-lasting health, social and financial burdens. The aim of this project is to assess the efficiency of the antipsychotics used in Spain in reducing schizophrenia relapses under the Spanish Health System perspective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A decision-analytic model was developed to explore the relative cost-effectiveness of five antipsychotic medications, amisulpride, aripiprazole, olanzapine, paliperidone Extended-Release (ER) and risperidone, compared to haloperidol, over a 1-year treatment period among people living in Spain with schizophrenia. The transition probabilities for assessed therapies were obtained from the systemic review and meta-analysis performed by National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). RESULTS: Paliperidone ER was the option that yielded more quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained per patient (0.7573). In addition, paliperidone ER was the least costly strategy (€3,062), followed by risperidone (€3,194), haloperidol (€3,322), olanzapine (€3,893), amisulpride (€4,247) and aripiprazole (€4,712). In the incremental cost-effectiveness (ICE) analysis of the assessed antipsychotics compared to haloperidol, paliperidone ER and risperidone were dominant options. ICE ratios for other medications were €23,621/QALY gained, €91,584/QALY gained and €94,558/QALY gained for olanzapine, amisulpride and aripiprazole, respectively. Deterministic sensitivity analysis showed that risperidone is always dominant when compared to haloperidol. Paliperidone ER is also dominant apart from the exception of the scenario with a 20% decrease in the probability of relapses. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may be of interest to clinicians and others interested in outcomes and cost of mental health services among patients with schizophrenia. Paliperidone ER and risperidone were shown to be dominant therapies compared to haloperidol in Spain. It is worthwhile to highlight that schizophrenia is a highly incapacitating disease and choosing the most appropriate drug and formulation for a particular patient is crucial. The availability of more accurate local epidemiological data on schizophrenia would allow a better adaptation of the model avoiding some of the assumptions taken in our work. Future research could be focused on this

Resolución de enigmas geológicos e históricos utilizando técnicas gemológicas avanzadas: Caso del ópalo noble de Franco Dávila (1772)

The large precious opal weighting 33 grams fitted in a silver jewel and exposed to visitors at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN) is well documented in: (i) its own mounting (1772), (ii) at the 775 document of the Archive of the MNCN and (iii) the 395 specimen described in the of Pedro Franco Dávila catalogue. The X-ray diffractogram (XRD) performed onto the opal block is very similar to other opals of volcanic origin containing varied amounts of cristobalite, tridymite and amorphous silica. The Raman spectrum shows a band peaked at 242, 343 and 416 cm-1 associated with O-Si-O stretching groups; other spectral band peaked at 780 and 819 cm-1 corresponding to vibration of symmetrical O-Si-O rings of 3 and 4 link members, plus other minor bands. The Raman spectrum is also very similar to those observed in Mexican opals of volcanic origin containing an spectral band of stretching nodes v1 (OH) at 3233, 3393, 3511, 3628 cm-1 related to OH groups with hydrogen bonds of isolated silanol groups. The interferometric confocal dual microscope 3D (MCI3D), which is a nondestructive facility of high resolution and LED technology reveals the geometry of graver tools on the silver jewel and the computed tomography X-ray highlights the opal cutting as a squared princess type and silver chloride infillings of a crack probably caused by a shock on a corner. Under the scanning electron microscope we observed barite, sealed veins of silica rich in Mn and opal with high contents of Al and K which, along with the historical data, the piece can be attributed to the historical site of opals hosted in Slovakia andesite rocks, this data explains the optical light behavior in the cabochon. The silver jewel has large amounts of Hg and AgCl indicating amalgam method. In addition the natural AgS2 phases probably come from Nueva España (year 1772) in full production of silver in such time. The association of new analytical non-destructive techniques combines the preservation of samples together with significant analytical data allowing us to deduce genetic mineral processes, provenances and manufacturing techniques of materials. These facilities allow the characterization, interpretation, conservation and enhancement of cultural and archaeological heritage.Un gran ópalo noble de 33 gramos engastado en montura de plata dorada está expuesto al público en el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN). Esta pieza histórica está documentada en su propia montura (año 1772), en el legajo 775 del Archivo del Museo y en la muestra 395 del Catálogo de muestras de Pedro Franco Dávila. Su patrón de difracción de rayos X (DRX) es muy parecido al de otros ópalos de origen volcánico y contiene cantidades variables de cristobalita, tridimita y sílice amorfa. El espectro Raman muestra una banda con picos a 242, 343 y 416 cm-1 asociados a deformaciones O-Si-O; otra con picos a 780 y 819 cm-1 de vibraciones de tensión simétricas O-Si-O de anillos de 3 y 4 eslabones y otras menores. El espectro Raman es similar a los de ópalos mexicanos de origen volcánico y muestra una banda con nodos de tensión v1 (OH) a 3233, 3393, 3511, 3628 cm-1 relacionados con grupos OH con enlaces de hidrógeno con grupos silanoles aislados. Mediante microscopía dual confocal interferométrica 3D (MCI3D), que es una técnica no destructiva de alta resolución y tecnología LED, se desvela la geometría de grabado del buril sobre la montura mientras que la tomografía computerizada de rayos X destaca la talla cuadrada de tipo carre-princesa y los rellenos de AgCl de una fisura. Bajo microscopia electrónica de barrido ambiental (MEBA) se han observado baritinas, filoncillos de sílice enriquecida en Mn y elevados contenidos de Al y K. Estos datos, junto con la información histórica sugieren que la pieza procede de los yacimientos históricos de ópalos encajados en andesitas de Eslovaquia y explican la compleja óptica del cabujón. El marco de Ag tiene Hg y AgCl que indican su extracción por amalgama; además tiene Ag2S que podría provenir de Nueva España, entonces (año 1772) en plena producción de plata. La asociación de varias técnicas analíticas no-destructivas preserva la integridad de esta pieza histórica aportando datos analíticos significativos que permiten deducir procesos genéticos de minerales, procedencias y técnicas de manufactura de materiales. Todo ello facilita la caracterización, interpretación, conservación y valorización del patrimonio cultural y arqueológico

Fault interpretation in seismic reflection data: an experiment analysing the impact of conceptual model anchoring and vertical exaggeration

The use of conceptual models is essential in the in- terpretation of reflection seismic data. It allows interpreters to make geological sense of seismic data, which carries inherent uncertainty. However, conceptual models can create powerful anchors that prevent interpreters from reassessing and adapting their interpretations as part of the interpretation process, which can subsequently lead to flawed or erroneous outcomes. It is therefore critical to understand how conceptual models are generated and applied to reduce unwanted effects in interpretation results. Here we have tested how interpretation of vertically exaggerated seismic data influenced the creation and adoption of the conceptual models of 161 participants in a paper-based interpretation experiment. Participants were asked to interpret a series of faults and a horizon, offset by those faults, in a seismic section. The seismic section was randomly presented to the participants with different horizontal-vertical exaggeration (1 : 4 or 1 : 2). Statistical analysis of the results indicates that early anchoring to specific conceptual models had the most impact on interpretation outcome, with the degree of vertical exaggeration having a subdued influence. Three different conceptual models were adopted by participants, constrained by initial observations of the seismic data. Interpreted fault dip angles show no evidence of other constraints (e.g. from the application of accepted fault dip models). Our results provide evidence of biases in interpretation of uncertain geological and geophysical data, including the use of heuristics to form initial conceptual models and anchoring to these models, confirming the need for increased understanding and mitigation of these biases to improve interpretation outcomes

Short-course versus long-course therapy of the same antibiotic for community-acquired pneumonia in adolescent and adult outpatients.

Background Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a lung infection that can be acquired during day-to-day activities in the community (not while receiving care in a hospital). Community-acquired pneumonia poses a significant public health burden in terms of mortality, morbidity, and costs. Shorter antibiotic courses for CAP may limit treatment costs and adverse effects, but the optimal duration of antibiotic treatment is uncertain. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-course versus longer-course treatment with the same antibiotic at the same daily dosage for CAP in non-hospitalised adolescents and adults (outpatients). We planned to investigate non-inferiority of short-course versus longerterm course treatment for efficacy outcomes, and superiority of short-course treatment for safety outcomes. Search methods We searched CENTRAL, which contains the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group Specialised Register,MEDLINE, Embase, five other databases, and three trials registers on 28 September 2017 together with conference proceedings, reference checking, and contact with experts and pharmaceutical companies.SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing short- and long-courses of the same antibiotic for CAP in adolescent and adult outpatients. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We planned to use standard Cochrane methods. MAIN RESULTS: Our searches identified 5260 records. We did not identify any RCTs that compared short- and longer-courses of the same antibiotic for the treatment of adolescents and adult outpatients with CAP.We excluded two RCTs that compared short courses (five compared to seven days) of the same antibiotic at the same daily dose because they evaluated antibiotics (gemifloxacin and telithromycin) not commonly used in practice for the treatment of CAP. In particular, gemifloxacin is no longer approved for the treatment of mild-to-moderate CAP due to its questionable risk-benefit balance, and reported adverse effects. Moreover, the safety profile of telithromycin is also cause for concern.We found one ongoing study that we will assess for inclusion in future updates of the review. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found no eligible RCTs that studied a short-course of antibiotic compared to a longer-course (with the same antibiotic at the same daily dosage) for CAP in adolescent and adult outpatients. The effects of antibiotic therapy duration for CAP in adolescent and adult outpatients remains unclear.pre-print547 K