Marine Biodiversity in the Caribbean: Regional Estimates and Distribution Patterns

This paper provides an analysis of the distribution patterns of marine biodiversity and summarizes the major activities of the Census of Marine Life program in the Caribbean region. The coastal Caribbean region is a large marine ecosystem (LME) characterized by coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses, but including other environments, such as sandy beaches and rocky shores. These tropical ecosystems incorporate a high diversity of associated flora and fauna, and the nations that border the Caribbean collectively encompass a major global marine biodiversity hot spot. We analyze the state of knowledge of marine biodiversity based on the geographic distribution of georeferenced species records and regional taxonomic lists. A total of 12,046 marine species are reported in this paper for the Caribbean region. These include representatives from 31 animal phyla, two plant phyla, one group of Chromista, and three groups of Protoctista. Sampling effort has been greatest in shallow, nearshore waters, where there is relatively good coverage of species records; offshore and deep environments have been less studied. Additionally, we found that the currently accepted classification of marine ecoregions of the Caribbean did not apply for the benthic distributions of five relatively well known taxonomic groups. Coastal species richness tends to concentrate along the Antillean arc (Cuba to the southernmost Antilles) and the northern coast of South America (Venezuela – Colombia), while no pattern can be observed in the deep sea with the available data. Several factors make it impossible to determine the extent to which these distribution patterns accurately reflect the true situation for marine biodiversity in general: (1) highly localized concentrations of collecting effort and a lack of collecting in many areas and ecosystems, (2) high variability among collecting methods, (3) limited taxonomic expertise for many groups, and (4) differing levels of activity in the study of different taxa

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Corrosion behavior of steel embedded in ternary concrete mixtures

The main reason for the premature failure of reinforced concrete structures is corrosion of the reinforcements. The use of new mortars based on ternary mixtures, an alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC), requires extensive research in order to check its passivating properties for reinforcements and the instability or permanence of the passive state achieved. Pozzolans and slag extend the market for concrete by improving specific properties of concrete products, allowing them to be constructed with other materials or placed in environments that would have precluded the use of Portland cement alone. In properly formulated concrete mixtures, pozzolans and slag have been shown to enhance long-term strength, decrease permeability, increase durability, and reduce thermal cracking of bulk concrete. Steel reinforcements have been exposed for 13 months in mortars immersed in a 3.5% NaCl solution. The effect of mortar composition using ternary mixtures of fly-ash (FA), micro-silica (MS), and granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) was tested. OPC was also tested as a reference. Electrochemical characterization was performed, measuring corrosion potential, linear polarization resistance, and electrochemical noise resistance. The best passivating properties were shown by the mixture of 10% FA and 10% GBFS. © 2011 by ESG.Peer Reviewe

Rendimiento de la escala Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia (SCAP) para la predicción de desenlaces clínicos en neumonía

8 páginasObjective: to assess the performance of the SCAP score for the prediction of in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality, requirement of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and of vasopressor support, in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: retrospective cohort study with diagnostic test analysis of the SCAP and CURB-65 scores in patients with CAP according to the ATS/IDSA criteria. An additional SCAP score in which PaO2/FiO2<250 was replaced for SpO2/FiO2<400 was estimated. The crude and adjusted OR per each variable of score and outcomes of interest were calculated, as well as the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs). AUROCs were compared with the DeLong test and a p<0,05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 1795 patients were included in the final analysis, 13,6% of them died in-hospital, 15% within 30 days of hospital admission, 10,8% required IMV and 11,4% required vasopressor support. The SCAP score’s sensitivity for the prediction of the four outcomes previously mentioned was higher than that of the CURB-65 score. The performance did not modify when SpO2/FiO2<400 is used as criteria.Objetivo: evaluar el desempeño de la escala Severe Community Acquired Pneumonia (SCAP) en pacientes con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) para la predicción de muerte intrahospitalaria, a 30 días, requerimiento de ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMi) y de soporte vasopresor. Metodología: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo con análisis de prueba diagnóstica de la escala SCAP en pacientes con NAC conforme a los criterios de la American Thoracic Society (ATS) y la Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Se estimó una escala SCAP adicional reemplazando la PaO2/FiO2<250 por la SpO2/ FiO2<400. Se calcularon los OR crudos y ajustados por cada variable de los puntajes con los desenlaces de interés, así como las áreas bajo la curva de la característica operativa del receptor (ACOR). Se compararon las ACOR con la prueba De-Long, considerando una p<0,05 estadísticamente significativa. Resultados: se incluyeron 1795 pacientes en el análisis definitivo, 13,6% fallecieron en el hospital y 15% en el seguimiento a 30 días, 10,8% requirieron VMi y 11,4% soporte vasopresor. La sensibilidad de la escala SCAP para la predicción de los cuatro desenlaces previamente mencionados fue mayor que la del puntaje CURB-65. El rendimiento de la escala no se modifica al emplear como criterio la SpO2/FiO2<400. Conclusiones: la escala SCAP presenta un buen desempeño para la predicción de los desenlaces clínicos en neumonía, manteniendo su rendimiento cuando se utiliza la SpO2/FiO2<400

Correlation and validity of imputed PaO2/FiO2 and SpO2/FiO2 in patients with invasive mechanical ventilation at 2600m above sea level

7 páginasObjective To establish the correlation and validity between PaO2/FiO2 obtained on arterial gases versus noninvasive methods (linear, nonlinear, logarithmic imputation of PaO2/FiO2 and SpO2/FiO2) in patients under mechanical ventilation living at high altitude. Design Ambispective descriptive multicenter cohort study. Setting Two intensive care units (ICU) from Colombia at 2600 m a.s.l. Patients or participants Consecutive critically ill patients older than 18 years with at least 24 h of mechanical ventilation were included from June 2016 to June 2019. Interventions None. Variables Variables analyzed were demographic, physiological messures, laboratory findings, oxygenation index and clinical condition. Nonlinear, linear and logarithmic imputation formulas were used to calculate PaO2 from SpO2, and at the same time the SpO2/FiO2 by severe hypoxemia diagnosis. The intraclass correlation coefficient, area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive and negative likelihood ratio were calculated. Results The correlation between PaO2/FiO2 obtained from arterial gases, PaO2/FiO2 derived from one of the proposed methods (linear, non-linear, and logarithmic formula), and SpO2/FiO2 measured by the intraclass correlation coefficient was high (greater than 0.77, p < 0.001). The different imputation methods and SpO2/FiO2 have a similar diagnostic performance in patients with severe hypoxemia (PaO2/FiO2 <150). PaO2/FiO2 linear imputation AUC ROC 0,84 (IC 0.81–0.87, p < 0.001), PaO2/FiO2 logarithmic imputation AUC ROC 0.84 (IC 0.80–0.87, p < 0.001), PaO2/FiO2 non-linear imputation AUC ROC 0.82 (IC 0.79–0.85, p < 0.001), SpO2/FiO2 oximetry AUC ROC 0.84 (IC 0.81–0.87, p < 0.001). Conclusions At high altitude, the SaO2/FiO2 ratio and the imputed PaO2/FiO2 ratio have similar diagnostic performance in patients with severe hypoxemia ventilated by various pathological conditions.Objetivo Establecer la correlación y validez entre PaO2/FiO2 obtenida en gases arteriales versus métodos no invasivos (imputación lineal, no lineal, logarítmica de PaO2/FiO2 y SpO2/FiO2) en pacientes bajo ventilación mecánica que viven en altitudes elevadas. Diseño Estudio de cohorte multicéntrico descriptivo ambispectivo Ámbito Dos unidades de cuidados intensivos de Colombia a 2.600 m s.n.m. Pacientes o participantes Se incluyeron pacientes consecutivos en estado crítico mayores de 18 años con al menos 24 h de ventilación mecánica desde junio de 2016 a junio de 2019. Intervenciones Ninguna. Variables Las variables analizadas fueron demográficas, fisiológicas, hallazgos de laboratorio, índice de oxigenación y estado clínico. Se utilizaron fórmulas de imputación no lineales, lineales y logarítmicas para calcular la PaO2 a partir de la SpO2, y al mismo tiempo la SpO2/FiO2 mediante el diagnóstico de hipoxemia severa. Se calculó el coeficiente de correlación intraclase, el área bajo la curva ROC, la sensibilidad, la especificidad, el valor predictivo positivo, el valor predictivo negativo, la razón de verosimilitud positiva y negativa. Resultados La correlación entre PaO2/FiO2 obtenida a partir de gases arteriales, PaO2/FiO2 derivada de uno de los métodos propuestos (fórmula lineal, no lineal y logarítmica) y SpO2/FiO2 medida por el coeficiente de correlación intraclase fue alta (mayor a 0,77, p < 0,001). Los diferentes métodos de imputación y SpO2/FiO2 tienen un rendimiento diagnóstico similar en pacientes con hipoxemia severa (PaO2/FiO2 < 150). PaO2/FiO2 imputación lineal AUC ROC 0,84 (IC 0,81-0,87; p < 0,001), PaO2/FiO2 imputación logarítmica AUC ROC 0,84 (IC 0,80-0,87; p < 0,001), PaO2/Imputación no lineal de FiO2 AUC ROC 0,82 (IC 0,79-0,85; p < 0,001), oximetría de SpO2/FiO2 AUC ROC 0,84 (IC 0,81-0,87; p < 0,001). Conclusiones A gran altitud, el cociente SaO2/FiO2 y el cociente PaO2/FiO2 imputado tienen un rendimiento diagnóstico similar en pacientes con hipoxemia severa bajo ventilación mecánica invasiva por diversas patologías

Aneurisma de la arteria pulmonar en Enfermedad de Behçet

Behçet disease is a systemic disease with diverse clinical symptoms which vary according to the organs and systems involved. Typically, patients have oral and genital ulcers and episodic ocular involvement with periods of clinical improvement. We report an 18-year-old mole presenting with chest pain and hemoptysis and a history of ulcers in the oral cavity and scrotum. A chest CAT scan showed a mass located adjacent to the heart that a pulmonary arteriography defined as a left pulmonary artery aneurism. The patient was operated, excising left inferior pulmonary lobe. Due to skin and ocular involvement, the patient complied with criteria for Behçet disease. Immunosuppressive treatment with prednisone and azathioprine was started and the patient was discharged from the hospital

Prior influenza vaccine is not a risk factor for bacterial coinfection in patients admitted to the ICU due to severe influenza

10 páginasObjective To determine whether the prior usage of the flu vaccine is a risk factor for bacterial co-infection in patients with severe influenza. Design This was a retrospective observational cohort study of subjects admitted to the ICU. A propensity score matching, and logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders were carried out to evaluate the association between prior influenza vaccination and bacterial co-infection. Settings 184 ICUs in Spain due to severe influenza. Patients Patients included in the Spanish prospective flu registry. Interventions Flu vaccine prior to the hospital admission. Results A total of 4175 subjects were included in the study. 489 (11.7%) received the flu vaccine prior to develop influenza infection. Prior vaccinated patients were older 71 [61–78], and predominantly male 65.4%, with at least one comorbid condition 88.5%. Prior vaccination was not associated with bacterial co-infection in the logistic regression model (OR: 1.017; 95%CI 0.803–1.288; p = 0.885). After matching, the average treatment effect of prior influenza vaccine on bacterial co-infection was not statistically significant when assessed by propensity score matching ( p = 0.87), nearest neighbor matching ( p = 0.59) and inverse probability weighting ( p = 0.99). Conclusions No association was identified between prior influenza vaccine and bacterial coinfection in patients admitted to the ICU due to severe influenza. Post influenza vaccination studies are necessary to continue evaluating the possible benefits.Objetivo Determinar si el uso previo de la vacuna antigripal es un factor de riesgo para coinfección bacteriana en pacientes con influenza grave. Diseño Este fue un estudio de cohorte observacional retrospectivo de sujetos ingresados en la UCI. Se realizó un emparejamiento por puntuación de propensión y una regresión logística ajustada para posibles factores de confusión para evaluar la asociación entre el antecedente de vacunación contra la gripe y la coinfección bacteriana. Ámbito Ciento ochenta y cuatro ingresos en UCI españolas por gripe grave. Pacientes Pacientes incluidos en el registro prospectivo español de gripe. Intervenciones Vacuna antigripal previa al ingreso hospitalario. Resultados Se incluyó en el estudio un total de 4.175 sujetos. Recibieron la vacuna contra la influenza antes de desarrollar la infección por influenza 489 (11,7%). Los pacientes previamente vacunados eran mayores de 71 años (RIC 61-78), predominantemente varones (65,4%) y con al menos una condición comórbida (88,5%). La vacunación previa no se asoció con la coinfección bacteriana en el modelo de regresión logística (OR: 1,017; IC95% 0,803-1,288; p = 0,885). Después del emparejamiento, el efecto promedio del tratamiento del antecedente de vacuna contra la influenza sobre la coinfección bacteriana no fue estadísticamente significativo cuando se evaluó mediante el emparejamiento por puntuación de propensión (p = 0,87), por emparejamiento del vecino más cercano (p = 0,59) y mediante la ponderación de probabilidad inversa (p = 0,99). Conclusiones No se identificó asociación entre el antecedente de vacuna antigripal y coinfección bacteriana en pacientes ingresados en UCI por influenza severa. Más estudios para evaluar los efectos de la vacunación contra la gripe son necesarios para continuar evaluando los posibles beneficios