Association between ribs shape and pulmonary function in patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that ribs shape changes in patients with OI are more relevant for respiratory function than thoracic spine shape. We used 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify rib cage morphology in OI patients and controls, and to investigate its relationship with forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), expressed as absolute value and as percentage of predicted value (% pred). Regression analyses on the full sample showed a significant relation between rib shape and FEV1, FVC and FVC % pred whereas thoracic spine shape was not related to any parameter. Subsequent regression analyses on OI patients confirmed significant relations between dynamic lung volumes and rib shape changes. Lower FVC and FEV1 values are identified in OI patients that present more horizontally aligned ribs, a greater antero-posterior depth due to extreme transverse curve at rib angles and a strong spine invagination, greater asymmetry, and a vertically short, thoracolumbar spine, which is relatively straight in at levels 1–8 and shows a marked kyphosis in the thoraco-lumbar transition. Our research seems to support that ribs shape is more relevant for ventilator mechanics in OI patients than the spine shapeThis project was funded by grants of the Fundacion Eresa (grant number: BF14_005), the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (grant number: CGL2015-63648-P), the Care4Brittlebones Foundation (grant number: OTR2016-15543INVES), and the University of Valencia (grant number: UV-INV_AE18-773873)

Corneal thickness differences between type 2 diabetes and non-diabetes subjects during preoperative laser surgery examination

Aims To evaluate the differences in corneal thickness between type 2 diabetes subjects with HbA1c under 7.0% and non-diabetes subjects during their preoperative laser surgery examinations. Methods The mean of five consecutive corneal thickness measurements at the central and mid-peripheral cornea was obtained by means of noncontact scanning-slit corneal topography (Orbscan Topography System II; Orbscan, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA) in 35 myopic non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes subjects (17 males and 18 females) and 48 healthy myopic controls (23 males and 25 females). Results The corneal thickness values at the central and mid-peripheral cornea were significantly higher in the diabetic group (p < .001). The diabetic subjects presented the highest thickness value in the superior cornea (n = 22; 62.9%) followed by the nasal (n = 9; 25.7%) and the temporal (n = 4; 11.4%) cornea, but never in the inferior cornea. The control subjects presented the highest thickness value in the superior cornea (n = 19; 39.6%) followed by the nasal (n = 18; 37.5%), the inferior (n = 6; 12.5%), and the temporal (n = 3; 6.3%) cornea. The central corneal thickness (CCT) of the diabetes patients was not statistically correlated with their HbA1c (r = .078; p = .104), body mass index (r = .007; p = .633), and time from diagnosis of diabetes (r = .025; p = .363), but it was correlated with their corneal endothelial cell density values (r = .543; p < .001). Conclusions Diabetes subjects with HbA1c under 7.0% who are candidates for laser refractive surgery present thicker corneas than their age-matched control subjects. In these patients, there is a correlation between their CCT values and their corneal endothelial cell density values, so when higher CCT values were found, lower corneal endothelial cell density values were observed.Peer Reviewe

Pasados y presente. Estudios para el profesor Ricardo García Cárcel

Ricardo García Cárcel (Requena, 1948) estudió Historia en Valencia bajo el magisterio de Joan Reglà, con quien formó parte del primer profesorado de historia moderna en la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. En esta universidad, desde hace prácticamente cincuenta años, ha desarrollado una extraordinaria labor docente y de investigación marcada por un sagaz instinto histórico, que le ha convertido en pionero de casi todo lo que ha estudiado: las Germanías, la historia de la Cataluña moderna, la Inquisición, las culturas del Siglo de Oro, la Leyenda Negra, Felipe II, Felipe V, Austrias y Borbones, la guerra de la Independencia, la historia cultural, los mitos de la historia de España... Muy pocos tienen su capacidad para reflexionar, ordenar, analizar, conceptualizar y proponer una visión amplia y llena de matices sobre el pasado y las interpretaciones historiográficas. A su laboriosidad inimitable se añade una dedicación sin límites en el asesoramiento de alumnos e investigadores e impulsando revistas, dosieres, seminarios o publicaciones colectivas. Una mínima correspondencia a su generosidad lo constituye este volumen a manera de ineludible agradecimiento

Prevalence of sacral spina bifida occulta with lumbosacral transitional vertebra in a skeletal collection of a South African population

In this study, complete Sacral Spina Bifida Occulta (SSBO) and Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae (LSTV) with their various subtypes based on the Castellvi classification were appraised in a South African population sample. Adult human skeletons representing the three largest South African population groups, namely South African African, South African of Mixed Ancestry; South African of European descent; both biological sexes; and age range between 21 and 90 years at death were evaluated for both spinal anomalies.The number of preselected skeletons (n = 1798) from the largest collection in Africa of modern human skeletons (N = 2630) provided a strong representative South African sample. The observational study looked at lumbar and sacral vertebrae in each skeleton and any anomalous features were captured in an Excel spreadsheet.Complete SSBO with no LSTV was observed in eight subjects (8/1798; 0.44 %), while incomplete SSBO was observed in one subject (1/1798; 0.06 %), and one individual (1/1798; 0.06 %) exhibiting complete SSBO with LSTV (Type IIIB, Castellvi classification). No significant differences were observed when comparing the prevalence of the LSTV with SSBO in the male and female groups of the different population affinity groups. The number of individuals with SSBO was found in more South African Africans than in the other population groups with no significant difference between groups.This research revealed the simultaneous presence of two morphological anomalies (SSBO and LSTV) at the same vertebral segment that could result in low back pain. Variant morphology awareness is crucial for clinicians across all modalities to prevent misdiagnosis, leading to better treatment plans, and avoiding injury

Relationship Between Visual Field Sensitivity and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measured by Scanning Laser Polarimetry and Optical Coherence Tomography in Normal, Ocular Hypertensive and Glaucomatous Eyes

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between automated achromatic perimetry (AAP) and the output of two retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) analysers: scanning laser polarimetry (GDx-VCC) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: Quantitative RNFL measurements with GDx-VCC and Stratus-OCT were obtained in one eye from 52 healthy subjects, 38 ocular hypertensive (OHT) patients and 94 glaucomatous patients. All patients underwent a complete examination, including AAP using the Swedish interactive threshold algorithm (SITA). The relationship between RNFL measurements and SITA visual field global indices were assessed by means of the following methods: analysis of variance, bivariate Pearson's correlation coefficient, multivariate linear regression techniques and nonlinear regression models, and the coefficient of determination (r2) was calculated. Results: RNFL thickness values were significantly lower in glaucomatous eyes than in healthy and ocular hypertensive eyes for both nerve fiber analysers (P≤0.001), except for the inferior 120° average thickness in GDx-VCC. Linear regression models constructed for GDx-VCC measurements and OCT-derived RNFL thickness with SITA visual field global indices demonstrated that, for the mean deviation, the only predictor in the model was the nerve fiber indicator for GDx-VCC (r2=0.255), and for the pattern standard deviation, the predictors in the model were the nerve fiber indicator for GDx-VCC (r2=0.246) and the maximum thickness in the superior quadrant for Stratus-OCT (r2=0.196). The best curvilinear fit was obtained with the cubic model. Conclusions: Quantitative measurements of RNFL thickness using either GDx-VCC or OCT correlate moderately with visual field global indices in moderate glaucoma patients. We did not find a correlation between visual field global indices and RNFL thickness in early glaucoma patients. Further study is needed to develop new analytical methods that will increase RNFL analyser's sensitivity in early glaucoma patients

Estudio arqueológico y antropológico de los restos humanos de la Cueva Honda de Cirat (Castellón)

Se ha realizado el estudio antropológico de los restos humanos encontrados en la Cueva Honda del municipio de Cirat, en Castellón. El número total de individuos estudiados es de uno. El reducido número de muestras y la forma en que se realizó el hallazgo impiden sacar conclusiones generales, destacando en cualquier caso la cronología. Una prueba de C-14 realizada en los huesos aportó una datación que se sitúa entre el 739 y el 799 d.C.The current paper presents an anthropological study of the human skeletal remains found while conducting an archaeological research project in Cueva Honda, at the municipality of Cirat, in Castellón. The way in which these remains were discovered prevents general conclusions being drawn, except for chronological dating. The results obtained in a C- 14 dating test indicate that the sample examined belongs to an individual who probably lived between 739 and 799 AD

Acute headache attributed to whiplash in arcuate foramen and non-arcuate foramen subjects

Purpose: To test the association between arcuate foramen (AF) in the first cervical vertebra with acute headache attributed to whiplash. Methods: Retrospective study of 128 patients that suffered a whiplash. The presence or absence of AF was recorded after a radiographic study, as well as the presence or absence of acute headache after the whiplash. Results: The frequency of AF was 17.2%. Patients with bilateral AF presented a significant (p = 0.000, Fisher’s test) increase in the frequency of acute headache (90.9%) in comparison with the non-AF group (5.7%). The ratio between the presence and absence of acute headache was 166.6 times higher (IC 95% 18.2–1526.22) in subjects with bilateral AF in comparison with non-AF subjects. Conclusions: The presence of bilateral AF is associated to an increased frequency of acute headache after suffering a whiplash, information of interest for the attention to these patients.Peer Reviewe

Estudio arqueológico y antropológico de los restos humanos de la Cueva Honda de Cirat (Castellón)

The current paper presents an anthropological study of the human skeletal remains found while conducting an archaeological research project in Cueva Honda, at the municipality of Cirat, in Castellón. The way in which these remains were discovered prevents general conclusions being drawn, except for chronological dating. The results obtained in a C- 14 dating test indicate that the sample examined belongs to an individual who probably lived between 739 and 799 AD.Se ha realizado el estudio antropológico de los restos humanos encontrados en la Cueva Honda del municipio de Cirat, en Castellón. El número total de individuos estudiados es de uno. El reducido número de muestras y la forma en que se realizó el hallazgo impiden sacar conclusiones generales, destacando en cualquier caso la cronología. Una prueba de C-14 realizada en los huesos aportó una datación que se sitúa entre el 739 y el 799 d.C