Vertebral pain in helicopter pilots

Pathological forms of spinal pain engendered by piloting helicopters were clinically studied. Lumbalgia and pathology of the dorsal and cervical spine are discussed along with their clinical and radiological signs and origins

Estimació de construccions compromeses per la presència de coves en el litoral del sud i llevant de Mallorca mitjançant l’ús de Sistemes d’Informació Geogràfica (SIGs)

[cat] S’exposen els resultats estimats de l’extensió de construccions (habitatges) i infraestructures construïdes sobre quatre cavitats càrstiques a la franja litoral del Sud i Llevant de Mallorca a partir de l’ús de Sistemes d’Informació Geogràfica (SIGs). L’estudi s’ha basat en l’anàlisi cartogràfic en el que s’ha contrastat la cartografia existent del recorregut de les coves, el mapa topogràfic digital a escala 1/5.000, diverses col·leccions de fotografies aèries i la cartografia digital del cadastre. La informació manejada es troba disponible al visor cartogràfic del Servei d’Informació Territorial de les Illes Balears S.A. i es pot visualitzar a qualsevol programa de SIG. La cartografia corresponent al recorregut de les cavitats es troba a les publicacions de la revista Endins, també disponibles a internet. Els resultat es una estimació dels metres quadrats construïts sobre les coves. D’aquesta manera s’ofereix una informació que podria esser una eina de consulta per a la presa de decisions i contribuir a la sostenibilitat de la zona costanera d’acord amb una concepció integrada de les àrees costeres i marines.[eng] This work exposes the estimated results of the built area (homes and infrastructures) above four karstic caves located at the coastal fringe in the South and East of the Mallorca Island using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The study has been based on the analysis of the cartography of the path/extension of the caves, 1/5.000 scale topographic maps, many collections of digital aerial photography and the cartography of the cadastre. The information managed is available in the map viewer of the Geographical Information Service of the Balearic Islands and can be displayed in any GIS program. Cartography of the paths of the caves are in the issues of Endins Journal, also available in internet. The result is an estimation of the square meters built above the caves. In this way, we offer a kind of information that could be a decision support tool to contribute to the sustainability of the coastal zone according with the concept of integrity of coastal and marine areas

Spatial encoding in spinal sensorimotor circuits differs in different wild type mice strains

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous studies in the rat have shown that the spatial organisation of the receptive fields of nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) system are functionally adapted through experience dependent mechanisms, termed somatosensory imprinting, during postnatal development. Here we wanted to clarify 1) if mice exhibit a similar spatial encoding of sensory input to NWR as previously found in the rat and 2) if mice strains with a poor learning capacity in various behavioural tests, associated with deficient long term potention, also exhibit poor adaptation of NWR.</p> <p>The organisation of the NWR system in two adult wild type mouse strains with normal long term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampus and two adult wild type mouse strains exhibiting deficiencies in corresponding LTP were used and compared to previous results in the rat. Receptive fields of reflexes in single hindlimb muscles were mapped with CO₂laser heat pulses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>While the spatial organisation of the nociceptive receptive fields in mice with normal LTP were very similar to those in rats, the LTP impaired strains exhibited receptive fields of NWRs with aberrant sensitivity distributions. However, no difference was found in NWR thresholds or onset C-fibre latencies suggesting that the mechanisms determining general reflex sensitivity and somatosensory imprinting are different.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results thus confirm that sensory encoding in mice and rat NWR is similar, provided that mice strains with a good learning capability are studied and raise the possibility that LTP like mechanisms are involved in somatosensory imprinting.</p

Synthesis of Dihydropyridine Spirocycles by Semi-Pinacol-Driven Dearomatization of Pyridines

The identification of the beneficial pharmacokinetic properties of aza-spirocycles has led to the routine incorporation of these highly rigid and three-dimensional structures in pharmaceuticals. Herein, we report an operationally simple synthesis of spirocyclic dihydropyridines via an electrophile-induced dearomative semi-pinacol rearrangement of 4-(1′-hydroxycyclobutyl)pyridines. The various points for diversification of the spirocyclization precursors, as well as the synthetic utility of the amine and ketone functionalities in the products, provide the potential to rapidly assemble medicinally relevant spirocycles

An early evaluation of translocation actions for endangered plant species on Mediterranean islands

In situ conservation is widely considered a primary conservation strategy. Plant translocation, specifically, represents an important tool for reducing the extinction risk of threatened species. However, thus far, few documented translocations have been carried out in the Mediterranean islands. The Care-Mediflora project, carried out on six Mediterranean islands, tackles both short- and long-term needs for the insular endangered plants through in situ and ex situ conservation actions. The project approach is based on using ex situ activities as a tool to improve in situ conservation of threatened plant species. Fifty island plants (representing 45 taxa)were selected for translocations using common criteria. During the translocations, several approaches were used, which differed in site selection method, origin of genetic material, type of propagative material, planting method, and more. Although only preliminary data are available, some general lessons can be learned from the experience of the Care-Mediflora project. Among the factors restricting the implementation of translocations, limited financial resources appear to be the most important. Specific preliminary management actions, sometimes to be reiterated after translocation, increase the overall cost, but often are necessary for translocation success. Translocation using juvenile/reproductive plants produces better results over the short term, although seeds may provide good results over the long run (to be assessed in the future). Regardless, plant translocation success can only be detected over long periods; therefore, proper evaluation of plant translocations requires a long-term monitoring protocol. Care-Mediflora project represents the first attempt to combine the existing approaches in a common plant conservation strategy specifically focusing on the Mediterranean islands

CDK12 globally stimulates RNA polymerase II transcription elongation and carboxyl-terminal domain phosphorylation

Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) phosphorylates the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (pol II) but its roles in transcription beyond the expression of DNA damage response genes remain unclear. Here, we have used TT-seq and mNET-seq to monitor the direct effects of rapid CDK12 inhibition on transcription activity and CTD phosphorylation in human cells. CDK12 inhibition causes a genome-wide defect in transcription elongation and a global reduction of CTD Ser2 and Ser5 phosphorylation. The elongation defect is explained by the loss of the elongation factors LEO1 and CDC73, part of PAF1 complex, and SPT6 from the newly-elongating pol II. Our results indicate that CDK12 is a general activator of pol II transcription elongation and indicate that it targets both Ser2 and Ser5 residues of the pol II CTD