A new approach on treatment of esophageal atresia: uniportal vats for surgical repair – a report of two cases

Esophageal atresia is a rare congenital malformation affecting one in every 3500 live births. Treatment consists in surgical ligation of the fistula and esophageal anastomosis of the two pouches by conventional thoracotomy or by thoracoscopic approach. In recent years, uniportal videoassisted thoracic surgery has been a revolution in thoracic surgery but it had never been used for treatment of congenital pathologies like esophageal atresia. We have used this technique for the treatment of two newborns with this condition. We made a reparation with fistula ligation and end-to-end anastomosis, video-assisted using one only incision. We have excellent results with this technique. A larger list of patients and an increased surgical experience is needed but this can be a new and appropriated alternative in the reparation of esophageal atresia-tracheoesophageal fistula.Keywords: children, esophageal atresia, neonates, uniportal video-assisted thoracic surger

uDDS: A Middleware for Real-time Wireless Embedded Systems

[EN] A Real-Time Wireless Distributed Embedded System (RTWDES) is formed by a large quantity of small devices with certain computing power, wireless communication and sensing/actuators capabilities. These types of networks have become popular as they have been developed for applications which can carry out a vast quantity of tasks, including home and building monitoring, object tracking, precision agriculture, military applications, disaster recovery, industry applications, among others. For this type of applications a middleware is used in software systems to bridge the gap between the application and the underlying operating system and networks. As a result, a middleware system can facilitate the development of applications and is designed to provide common services to the applications. The development of a middleware for sensor networks presents several challenges due to the limited computational resources and energy of the different nodes. This work is related with the design, implementation and test of a micro middleware for RTWDES; the proposal incorporates characteristics of a message oriented middleware thus allowing the applications to communicate by employing the publish/subscribe model. Experimental evaluation shows that the proposed middleware provides a stable and timely service to support different Quality of Service (QoS) levels. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.This work was developed as a part of the D2ARS Project supported by CYTED. UNESCO code 120325;330417;120314;120305.González, A.; Mata, W.; Villaseñor, L.; Aquino, R.; Simó Ten, JE.; Chávez, M.; Crespo Lorente, A. (2011). uDDS: A Middleware for Real-time Wireless Embedded Systems. Journal of Intelligent and Robotic Systems. 64(3-4):489-503. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-011-9550-zS489503643-4Akyildiz, I.F., Su, W., Sankarasubramaniam, Y., Cayirci, E.: A survey on sensor networks. IEEE Commun. Mag. 40, 102–114 (2002)Aquino, R., González, A., Rangel, V., García, M. Villaseñor, L.A., Edwards-Block, A.: Wireless communication protocol based on EDF for wireless body sensor networks, k. Journal of Applied Sciences and Technology 6(2), 104–114 (2008)Bonnet, P., Gehrke, J.E., Seshadri, P.: Querying the physical world. IEEE Pers. Commun. 7(5), 10–15 (2000)Boonma, P., Suzuki, J.: TinyDDS: an interoperable and configurable publish/subscribe middleware for wireless sensor networks. In: Hinze, A., Buchmann, A. (eds.) Handbook of Research on Advanced Distributed Event-based Systems. Publish/Subscribe and Message Filtering Technologies, IGI Global (2009)Cerpa, A., Elson, J., Hamilton, M., Zhao, J.: Habitat monitoring: application driver for wireless communications technology. ACM SIGCOMM Workshop on Data Communications in Latin America and the Caribbean, Costa Rica (2002)Corsaro, A., Schmidt, D.C.: The design and performace of real-time java middleware. IEEE Trans. Parallel Distrib. Syst. 14(11), issn 1045–9219, 1155–1167 (2003)Culler, D.E., Hong, W.: Wireless sensor networks introduction. Commun. ACM 47(6), 30–33 (2004)Estrin, D., Govindan, R., Heidemann, J.S., Kumar, S.: Next century challenges: scalable coordination in sensor networks. In: Mobile Computing and Networking, pp. 263–270 (1999)Heinzelman, W.B., Murphy, A.L., Carvalho, H.S.: Middleware to support sensor network applications. IEEE Netw. 18, 6–14 (2004)Hill, J., Szewczyk, R., Woo, A., Hollar, S., Culler, D., Pister, K.: System architecture directions for networked sensors. ACM SIGOPS Oper. Syst. Rev. 34(5), 93–104 (2000)Levis, P., Culler, D.: Mate: a tiny virtual machine for sensor networks. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Achitectural Support for Programming Languages and Operating Systems. San Jose, CA (2002)Liu, T., Martonosi, M.: Impala: a middleware system for managing autonomic, parallel sensor systems. In: Proceedings of the Ninth ACM SIGPLAN Symposium on Principles and Practice of Parallel Programming. San Diego, CA (2003)Mata, W., González, A., Aquino, R., Crespo, A., Ripoll, I., Capel, M.: A wireless networked embedded sistem with a new real-time Kernel PaRTiKle. Electronics, Robotics and Automotive Mechanics Conference, CERMA 2007. ISBN 0-7695-2974-7. Cuernavaca, México (2007)Mata, W., González, A., Crespo, A.: A proposal for real-time middleware for wireless sensor networks. Workshop on Sensor Networks and Applications (WseNA’08). Gramado, Brasil (2008)Mata, W., González, A., Fuentes, G., Fuentes, R., Crespo, A., Carr, D.: Porting jRate(RT-Java) to a POSIX real-time Linux Kernel. Tenth Real-Time Linux Workshop. Colotlán, Jalisco México (2008)MiLAN Project: Available: http://www.futurehealth.rochester.edu/milan (2008)OMG, Data Distribution Service for Real-Time Systems Version 1.2. OMG Technical Document (2007)OMG, Model Driven Architecture (MDA), Document Number ormsc/2001-07-01. Technical report, OMG (2001)OMG, Overview and guide to OMGs architecture, OMG Technical Document formal/03-06-01 (2003)Pardo-Castellote, G., Farabaugh, B., Warren, R.: An Introduction to DDS and Data-centric Communications. Available: http://www.omg.org/news/whitepapers/Intro_To_DDS.pdf (2005)Peiro, S., Masmano, M., Ripoll, I., Crespo, A.: PaRTiKle OS, a replacement of the core of RTLinux. In: 9th Real-Time Linux Workshop (2007)Peiro, S., Masmano, M., Ripoll, I., Crespo, A.: PaRTiKle LPC, port to the LPC2000. Tehth Real-Time Linux Workshop. Colotlán, Jalisco M’exico (2008)Pottie, G.J., Kaiser, W.J.: Wireless integrated networks sensors. Commun. ACM 43(5), 52–58 (2000)Souto, E., Guimaraes, G., Vasconcelos, G., Vieira, M., Rosa, N., Ferraz, C., Kelner, J.: Mires: a publish/subscribe middleware for sensor networks. Pers Ubiquit Comput 10(1), 37–44 (2006)St Ville, L., Dickman, P.: Garnet: a middleware architecture for distributing data streams originating in wireless sensor networks. In: Proceedings. 23rd International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems Workshops (2003

Heterodimers as the Structural Unit of the T=1 Capsid of the Fungal Double-Stranded RNA Rosellinia Necatrix Quadrivirus 1

Most double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) viruses are transcribed and replicated in a specialized icosahedral capsid with a T=1 lattice consisting of 60 asymmetric capsid protein (CP) dimers. These capsids help to organize the viral genome and replicative complex(es). They also act as molecular sieves that isolate the virus genome from host defense mechanisms and allow the passage of nucleotides and viral transcripts. Rosellinia necatrix quadrivirus 1 (RnQV1), the type species of the family Quadriviridae, is a dsRNA fungal virus with a multipartite genome consisting of four monocistronic segments (segments 1 to 4). dsRNA-2 and dsRNA-4 encode two CPs (P2 and P4, respectively), which coassemble into ∼450-Å-diameter capsids. We used three-dimensional cryo-electron microscopy combined with complementary biophysical techniques to determine the structures of RnQV1 virion strains W1075 and W1118. RnQV1 has a quadripartite genome, and the capsid is based on a single-shelled T=1 lattice built of P2-P4 dimers. Whereas the RnQV1-W1118 capsid is built of full-length CP, P2 and P4 of RnQV1-W1075 are cleaved into several polypeptides, maintaining the capsid structural organization. RnQV1 heterodimers have a quaternary organization similar to that of homodimers of reoviruses and other dsRNA mycoviruses. The RnQV1 capsid is the first T=1 capsid with a heterodimer as an asymmetric unit reported to date and follows the architectural principle for dsRNA viruses that a 120-subunit capsid is a conserved assembly that supports dsRNA replication and organization

Estudio del desgaste del flanco de carburos recubiertos y cermet durante el torneado de alta velocidad en seco del acero AISI 1045

RESUMEN El objetivo de este trabajo es el estudio experimental de la evolución del desgaste del flanco respecto al tiempo de dos insertos de carburo recubiertos y un cermet durante el torneado de acabado en seco del acero AISI 1045 con velocidades de corte de 400, 500 y 600 m/min. Los resultados fueron comparados utilizando el análisis de varianza y el análisis de regresión lineal para describir la relación entre el desgaste del flanco y el tiempo de maquinado, obteniéndose la ecuación del modelo ajustado. La investigación demostró un efecto significativo de la velocidad de corte y del tiempo de maquinado en el desgaste del flanco en el maquinado de alta velocidad. El mejor desempeño se obtuvo para el carburo recubierto con tres capas, mientras que el carburo con dos capas sufrió el mayor desgaste a elevadas velocidades de corte. ABSTRAC This work deals with the experimental study of the flank wear evolution of two coating carbide inserts and a cermet insert during the dry finishing turning of AISI 1045 steel with 400, 500 and 600 m/min cutting speeds. The results were analyzed using the variance analysis and lineal regression analysis in order to describe the relationship between the flank wear and machining time, obtaining the adjusted model equation. The investigation demonstrated a significant effect of cutting speed and machining time on the flank wear at high speed machining. The three coating layers insert showed the best performance while the two layers insert had the worst behaviour of the cutting tool wear at high cutting speeds

Long-term effect of 2 intensive statin regimens on treatment and incidence of cardiovascular events in familial hypercholesterolemia : The SAFEHEART study

Funding: This study was supported by Fundación Hipercolesterolemia Familiar; Grant G03/181 Grant 08-2008 Centro Nacional de Investigaci?n Cardiovascular (CNIC).Background: Maximal doses of potent statins are the basement of treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Little is known about the use of different statin regimens in FH. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to describe the treatment changes and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement with atorvastatin (ATV) and rosuvastatin (RV) in the SAFEHEART cohort, as well as to analyze the incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events (ACVEs) and changes in the cardiovascular risk. Methods: SAFEHEART is a prospective follow-up nationwide cohort study in a molecularly defined FH population. The patients were contacted on a yearly basis to obtain relevant changes in life habits, medication, and ACVEs. Results: A total of 1939 patients were analyzed. Median follow-up was 6.6 years (5-10). The estimated 10-year risk according the SAFEHEART risk equation was 1.61 (0.67-3.39) and 1.22 (0.54-2.93) at enrollment for ATV and RV, respectively (P <.001). There were no significant differences at the follow-up: 1.29 (0.54-2.82) and 1.22 (0.54-2.76) in the ATV and RV groups, respectively (P =.51). Sixteen percent of patients in primary prevention with ATV and 18% with RV achieved an LDL-C <100 mg/dL and 4% in secondary prevention with ATV and 5% with RV achieved an LDL-C <70 mg/dL. The use of ezetimibe was marginally greater in the RV group. One hundred sixty ACVEs occurred during follow-up, being its incidence rate 1.1 events/100 patient-years in the ATV group and 1.2 in the RV group (P =.58). Conclusion: ATV and RV are 2 high-potency statins widely used in FH. Although the reduction in LDL-C levels was greater with RV than with ATV, the superiority of RV for reducing ACVEs was not demonstrated

Harmonization Process and Reliability Assessment of Anthropometric Measurements in the Elderly EXERNET Multi-Centre Study

Background: The elderly EXERNET multi-centre study aims to collect normative anthropometric data for old functionally independent adults living in Spain.Purpose: To describe the standardization process and reliability of the anthropometric measurements carried out in the pilot study and during the final workshop, examining both intra- and inter-rater errors for measurements.Materials and Methods: A total of 98 elderly from five different regions participated in the intra-rater error assessment, and 10 different seniors living in the city of Toledo (Spain) participated in the inter-rater assessment. We examined both intra- and inter-rater errors for heights and circumferences.Results: For height, intra-rater technical errors of measurement (TEMs) were smaller than 0.25 cm. For circumferences and knee height, TEMs were smaller than 1 cm, except for waist circumference in the city of Ca´ceres. Reliability for heights and circumferences was greater than 98% in all cases. Inter-rater TEMs were 0.61 cm for height, 0.75 cm for knee-height and ranged between 2.70 and 3.09 cm for the circumferences measured. Inter-rater reliabilities for anthropometric measurements were always higher than 90%.Conclusion: The harmonization process, including the workshop and pilot study, guarantee the quality of the anthropometric measurements in the elderly EXERNET multi-centre study. High reliability and low TEM may be expected when assessing anthropometry in elderly population.SIThe elderly EXERNET multi-centre study has been supported by the Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales (104/07), Universidad de Zaragoza (UZ 2008-BIO-01) and Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad (147/2011). A. Go´ mez-Cabello has received a PhD grant from the Gobierno de Aragon (B059/ 09). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Antimicrobial residue assessment in 5, 357 commercialized meat samples from the Spain-France cross-border area: A new approach for effective monitoring

Although antimicrobials are valuable allies in animal production, their extended use has led to unexpected threats associated with the emergence and propagation of antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, when withdrawal periods in food-producing animals are not observed, antimicrobial residues can access the food chain, causing direct toxicity, allergies, and/or intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in consumers. Given that Spain and France are the largest meat producers in the EU and also count among the top consumers of meat, our study''s aim was to investigate the presence of antimicrobials in commercialized meat purchased in the Spain-France cross-border area (POCTEFA region). 5, 357 meat samples were collected from different animal species and a variety of different retailer types in Spain (Zaragoza, Bilbao, and Logroño) as well as in France (Toulouse and Perpignan). Meat samples were analysed by a screening method (Explorer®+QuinoScan®), yielding 194 positive samples, which were further evaluated by UPLC-QTOF (Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time of Flight) for confirmation. Chromatographic analyses found antimicrobial residues in 30 samples, although only 5 of them (0.093% of initial samples) were non-compliant according to the current legislation. Further studies suggested that this mismatch between screening and confirmatory analyses might be due to the presence of biologically active metabolites derived from degradation of antimicrobials that were not identified by the targeted UPLC-QTOF method, but which might play a decisive role in the inhibition of the biological Explorer® test. Although chromatographic techniques detect the marker compounds determined by European and national regulations, and although they are the methods selected for official control of antimicrobials in food, certain unknown metabolites might escape their monitoring. This thus suggests that biological tests are the most adequate ones in terms of ideal consumer health protection

Galician consensus on management of cardiotoxicity in breast cancer: risk factors, prevention, and early intervention

This Galician consensus statement is a joint oncologists/cardiologists initiative indented to establish basic recommendations on how to prevent and to manage the cardiotoxicity in breast cancer with the aim of ensuring an optimal cardiovascular care of these patients. A clinical screening of the patients before treatment is recommended to stratify them into a determined risk group based on their intrinsic cardiovascular risk factors and those extrinsic arose from breast cancer therapy, thereby providing individualized preventive and monitoring measures. Suitable initial and ongoing assessments for patients with low and moderate/high risk and planned treatment with anthracyclines and trastuzumab are given; also, measures aimed at preventing and correcting any modifiable risk factor are pointed out .TEVA Farma Españ