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El Geoparque mundial de la UNESCO Orígens, situado en los Pirineos catalanes, alberga paisajes impresionantes y un rico patrimonio geológico, paleontológico y cultural. Sus paisajes cuentan con el reconocimiento internacional de la comunidad científica, que los consideran un laboratorio al aire libre único para el estudio y la comprensión de los procesos geológicos. En consecuencia, geólogos de todo el mundo, ya sean estudiantes, académicos o profesionales, lo visitan todos los años para aprender o investigar temas de diferentes ramas de la Geología.

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen (Ag) tests have been widely employed to identify patients for a rapid diagnosis and pandemic control. Rapid lateral-flow techniques are currently the most used, but automated technologies have emerged as another viable alternative to molecular methods. We aimed to evaluate the analytical performance of the DiaSorin Liaison SARS-CoV-2 Ag test in asymptomatic population and close contacts, for its use as a tool in pandemic control efforts. Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. A total of 861 samples were included, 291 (34%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 with cycle threshold (Ct) 10(6) extrapolated copies/ml were reached a sensitivity of 100% (95% IC 97.0-100.0%). For intermediate viral loads (>10(5) extrapolated copies/ml or

An open natural museum using virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) methods based on geological reconstructions of the UNESCO Global Geopark Orígens territory is envisaged. The aim is to provide an emotional experience to the public for the understanding of geological and paleoecological systems, as well as their impact on landscape and human activity. To achieve these objectives, scientific reconstructions will be combined with virtual reality production technologies to generate virtual geological, paleontological and historical scenarios of 11 selected sites. The first results on the reconstruction of the virtual reality model of the Boixols-Sant Corneli anticline, catalogued as Global Geosite, are presented here. These also include timelapse 3D models restitutions with their corresponding paleogeographic interpretations, among which those of the Upper Cretaceous inhabited by the last dinosaurs of Europe. Animation production uses technologies that allow the superimposition of virtual images over real images to display on smartphones or VR glasses. These models will help to understand the evolution of the geological landscape both at the university and divulgation level and contribute to positioning the geoheritage as a tool for the sustainable rural development.

Objective: To evaluate the results obtained by a surveillance network on arbovirosis composed by doctors and nurses located at hospitals and Primary Care trained in their identification, diagnostic confirmation and clinical management. Location: North Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (1,400,000 inhabitants; Catalonia; Spain) during a calendar year. Participants: Seven Primary Care and 10 hospital physicians plus 4 Primary Care nurses. Type of study: A prospective observational study. Main measurements: Demographic, epidemiological (autochthonous/imported, sus- pect/probable/confirmed case) and healthcare variables (symptoms, serological profile, viral period) were defined. Results: Of the 34 patients identified, 26 (76.5%) met study criteria. Among them, any arbovirosis was confirmed in 14 (53.8%): 13 dengue plus 1 chikungunya fever. There were no cases of Zika fever. There was a history of travel to endemic areas 23 (88.4%), but not in 3 cases (11.6%) in which the possibility of an indigenous transmission was considered; of them, a case of dengue was confirmed. The estimated incidence of arbovirosis was 0.4 (95% CI: 0.33-0.51) cases x 10,000 hab/year which, when compared to the estimated incidence in the same geographical area during the period 2009.2013 (0.19 cases x 10,000 hab/year; 95% CI: 0.07-0.31), a significant increase was found (P= .044). Patients within viremia period at the time of their first medical visit were 11 (42.3%). Conclusions: An intensified epidemiological surveillance program defined at Primary Care and hospital levels is able to detect significantly more cases of imported and autochthonous arbovirosis. Possibly we are witnessing an increase in the incidence of imported arbovirosis and, thus, measures aimed at their identification and confirmation should be reinforced. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.

Trabajo Fin de Máster., La dorada (Sparus aurata) es una especie de suma importancia para la acuicultura a nivel nacional, mediterránea y europea. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar la influencia de dos frecuencias de alimentación diaria, compuesta por 3 y 5 comidas diarias, en el crecimiento y procesos circadiano de diversos parámetros relacionados con la alimentación y/o el metabolismo intermediario de juveniles de esta especie (~23 g de masa corporal inicial). Para esto, se determinaron los índices biométricos, la tasa de crecimiento específico (SGR) y el índice de conversión del alimento (FCR) durante varios periodos de experimentación y al final del mismo (142 días). Además, se determinó durante un ciclo diario de 24 h el patrón de diferentes parámetros fisiológicos, incluyendo (i) la expresión de genes relacionados con el sistema circadiano (bmal1, clock, per3 y cry1), el apetito y la ingesta de alimentos (lep, ghsr1b y nr3c1), (ii) hormonales y bioquímicos en plasma (cortisol, glucosa, lactato y triglicéridos) e hígado (glucógeno y triglicéridos), y iii) la actividad de las enzimas proteolíticas alcalinas (tripsina y quimotripsina). Ambas frecuencias de alimentación produjeron un rendimiento de crecimiento apropiado, aunque no mostraron diferencias significativas entre ambos. Sin embargo, el FCR ligeramente más bajo observado durante el último período experimental en el grupo alimentado con 5 comidas diarias, sugiere la posibilidad de obtener mejores resultados de rendimiento y crecimiento en periodos de alimentación más prolongados. Si bien el protocolo de alimentación solo afectó el valor diario promedio de los triglicéridos plasmáticos, el tiempo de muestreo tuvo una influencia significativa en la mayoría de los parámetros estudiados, lo que demuestra la existencia de cambios circadianos. Un ritmo circadiano significativo en la mayoría de los genes reloj indicó el papel de las frecuencias de alimentación probadas en la sincronización del oscilador hepático.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) causes community-acquired pneumonia affecting mainly children, and tends to produce cyclic outbreaks. The widespread use of macrolides is increasing resistance rates to these antibiotics. Molecular tools can help in diagnosis, typing and resistance detection, leading to better patient management.

Item does not contain fulltext BNAIC'20: 32nd Benelux Conference on AI (Leiden, the Netherlands, 19-20 November 2020)

A large number of cannabinoids have been discovered that could play a role in mitigating cardiac affections. However, none of them has been as widely studied as cannabidiol (CBD), most likely because, individually, the others offer only partial effects or can activate potential harmful pathways. In this regard, CBD has proven to be of great value as a cardioprotective agent since it is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecule. Thus, we conducted a review to condensate the currently available knowledge on CBD as a therapy for different experimental models of cardiomyopathies and heart failure to detect the molecular pathways involved in cardiac protection. CBD therapy can greatly limit the production of oxygen/nitrogen reactive species, thereby limiting cellular damage, protecting mitochondria, avoiding caspase activation, and regulating ionic homeostasis. Hence, it can affect myocardial contraction by restricting the activation of inflammatory pathways and cytokine secretion, lowering tissular infiltration by immune cells, and reducing the area of infarct and fibrosis formation. These effects are mediated by the activation or inhibition of different receptors and target molecules of the endocannabinoid system. In the final part of this review, we explore the current state of CBD in clinical trials as a treatment for cardiovascular diseases and provide evidence of its potential benefits in humans.

In most bacteria, the early step of septum formation implies the association of soluble FtsZ polymers with the cytoplasmic membrane. ZipA, together with FtsA, provides membrane tethering to FtsZ in Escherichia coli, forming a dynamic proto-ring that serves as an assembly scaffold for the remaining elements of the divisome. Despite their importance for bacterial cell division, multivalent interactions between proto-ring elements at membrane surfaces remain poorly characterized in quantitative terms. We measured the binding of FtsZ to ZipA incorporated in supported lipid bilayers at controlled densities by using a combination of biophysical surface-sensitive techniques (quartz crystal microbalance and spectroscopic ellipsometry) and analyzed how ZipA density and FtsZ concentration control the state of assembly of FtsZ. We found that ZipA attachment enables FtsZ-GMPCPP (where GMPCPP is a GTP analogue with a reduced level of hydrolysis) to assemble in several distinct ways: (i) two-dimensional polymerization at the membrane and (ii) three-dimensional polymerization from the membrane into the solution phase where this may be associated with the formation of higher-order complexes. In these processes, ZipA is required to enrich FtsZ at the surface but the FtsZ bulk concentration defines which morphology is being formed. Moreover, we report a strong effect of the nucleotide (GDP vs GMPCPP/GTP) on the kinetics of ZipA association/dissociation of FtsZ. These results provide insights into the mode of interaction of proto-ring elements in minimal membrane systems and contribute to the completion of our understanding of the initial events of bacterial division.

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to human health expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminologyconcerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. Thechemiosmotic theoryestablishes the mechanism of energy transformationandcoupling in oxidative phosphorylation. Theunifying concept of the protonmotive force providestheframeworkfordeveloping a consistent theoretical foundation ofmitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics.We followguidelines of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry(IUPAC)onterminology inphysical chemistry, extended by considerationsofopen systems and thermodynamicsof irreversible processes.Theconcept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and alignsconcepts and symbols withthe nomenclature of classicalbioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view ofmitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes.Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimatelycontribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thussupport the development of databases of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells.Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery.

Background: Chagas disease is endemic in Latin America and affects 8 million people worldwide. In 2010, Catalonia introduced systematic public health surveillance to detect and treat congenital Chagas disease. Aim: The objective was to evaluate the health outcomes of the congenital Chagas disease screening programme during the first 6 years (2010-2015) after its introduction in Catalonia. Methods: In a surveillance system, we screened pregnant women and newborns and other children of positive mothers, and treated Chagas-positive newborns and children. Diagnosis was confirmed for pregnant women and children with two positive serological tests and for newborns with microhaematocrit and/or PCR at birth or serology at age 9 months. Results: From 2010 to 2015, the estimated screening coverage rate increased from 68.4% to 88.6%. In this period, 33,469 pregnant women were tested for Trypanosoma cruzi and 937 positive cases were diagnosed. The overall prevalence was 2.8 cases per loo pregnancies per year (15.8 in Bolivian women). We followed 82.8% of newborns until serological testing at age 9-12 months and 28 were diagnosed with Chagas disease (congenital transmission rate: 4.17%). Of 518 siblings, 178 (34.3%) were tested and 14 (7.8%) were positive for T. cruzi. Having other children with Chagas disease and the heart clinical form of Chagas disease were maternal risk factors associated with congenital T. cruzi infection (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The increased screening coverage rate indicates consolidation of the programme in Catalonia. The rate of Chagas disease congenital transmission in Catalonia is in accordance with the range in non-endemic countries.

Trabajo presentado en Aquaculture Europe 19 (Our future, growing from water), celebrado en Berlín del 7 al 10 de octubre de 2019., Feeding efficiencyrequires an adequate nutrient composition and an efficientdigestive process. Feed formulation has been the target of many studies; however, the actual digestive capacity of farmed fish, with pre- and post-prandial responses, is largely unknown. Besides, few studies have focused on designing optimized feeding schedules. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of two daily feeding frequencies on growth and daily fluctuations of parameters related to the circadian and digestive physiology in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles., Grants AGL2014-52888-R from MINECO (Spain) with FEDER/ERDF contribution, and WISEFEED funded by the European Union’s H2020 programme (Marie Skłodocwska-Curie grant No 691150). NG supported by BES-2015-071662 from MINECO. This work is a part of GBR’s Master Thesis.

In Colombia, Rural Development Institutional programs have made of local agents imperceptible since their trajectories have not been considered in the search for solutions to the problems in their territories. The present work introduces an innovative system to the production of the leaves of the plantain variety 'Cachaco' (Musa ABB S). This improvement, which was developed independently by indigenous communities of southern Tolima (Colombia), has been studied in detail throughout the technical, economic and social aspects of the productive and commercial processes of some plantain leaves producing farms. Based on their relation with their natural and socio-cultural environments, these communities have prompted their own process of re-peasantization. This productive innovation improves the life quality of the families involved, ensures their permanence in the territory and favors its cultural appropriation. RESUMEN Los programas institucionales de Desarrollo Rural en Colombia invisibilizaron a los actores locales, pues no han sido consideradas sus trayectorias para la búsqueda de soluciones a los problemas en sus territorios. Se analiza la innovación productiva de la hoja de plátano 'Cachaco' (Musa ABB S) desarrollada autónomamente por comunidades indígenas del sur del Tolima. Fincas productoras de hoja fueron estudiadas profundizando aspectos técnicos, económicos y sociales del proceso productivo y comercial. Las comunidades generaron una experiencia propia de re-campesinización a partir de la relación con su entorno natural y social. La innovación productiva mejora la calidad de vida de las familias, asegura la permanencia y favorece la apropiación cultural del territorio.

Background: Malaria remains a major source of morbi-mortality among travellers. In 2007, a consensual multicenter Primary Care-Hospital shared guideline on travel-prior chemoprophylaxis, diagnosis and clinical management of imported malaria was set up in the Barcelona North Metropolitan area. The aim of the study is to assess the evolution of malaria cases in the area as well as its clinical management over the 10 years of its implementation. Results: A total of 190 malaria cases, all them imported, have been recorded. The overall estimated malaria crude incidence was of 0.47 cases per 10,000 population/year (95% CI 0.34-0.59) with a slight significant positive slope especially at the expense of an increase in Indian sub-continent Plasmodium vivax cases. The number of patients who attended the pre-travel consultation was low (13.7%) as well as those with prescribed chemoprophylaxis (10%). Severe malaria was diagnosed in 34 (17.9%) patients and ICU admittance was required in 2.6% of them. Organ sequelae (two renal failures and one post-acute distress respiratory syndrome) were recorded in 3 patients at hospital discharge, although all three were recovered at 30 days. None of the patients died. Patients complying with severity criteria were significantly males (p = 0.04), came from Africa (p = 0.02), were mainly non-immigrant travellers (p = 0.01) and were attended in a hospital setting (p < 0.001). The most frequently identified species was Plasmodium falciparum (64.2%), P. vivax (23.2%), Plasmodium malariae (1.6%) and Plasmodium ovale (1.1%). Those patients diagnosed with P. falciparum malaria came more often from sub-Saharan Africa (p < 0.001) and those with P. vivax came largely from the Indian sub-continent (p = 0.003). Among the 126 patients in whom an immunochromatographic antigenic test was performed, the result was interpreted as falsely negative in 12.1% of them. False negative results can be related to cases with < 1% parasitaemia. Conclusions: After 10 years of surveillance, a moderate increase in malaria incidence was observed, mostly P. vivax cases imported from the Indian sub-continent. Although severe malaria cases have been frequently reported, none of the patients died and organ sequelae were rare. Conceivably, the participation of the Primary Care and the District and Third Level Hospital professionals defining surveillance, diagnostic tests, referral criteria and clinical management can be considered a useful tool to minimize malaria morbi-mortality.

251 has been selected patients colposcopic examinations of the External Advisory Services Obstetrics Gynecology Hospital for Children, being more prevalent in patients 21 to 40 years, equal incidence in pregnant and nonpregnant on equal presentation of processes colposcopic. The most frequent were: colpitis ectropion 77.7% and 78.1%. A case of microinvasive carcinoma was found in a patient with grade cytology 2. The percentage of benign images was 77.6% and 7.1% suspicious images. Se ha hecho 251 exámenes colposcópicos a pacientes seleccionados de los Consultorio Externos de los Servicios de Gíneco-Obstetricia del Hospital del Niño, encontrándose mayor incidencia en pacientes de 21 a 40 años, igual incidencia en gestantes y no gestantes, relativa igualdad de presentación de procesos colposcópicos. Los procesos más frecuentes fueron: colpitis 77.7% y ectropion 78.1%. Se encontró un caso de carcinoma microinvasivo en una paciente con citología grado 2. El porcentaje de imágenes benignas fue de 77.6% y de imágenes sospechosas de 7.1%.

Background and Purpose: Despite the importance of mitochondrial Ca2+ to metabolic regulation and cell physiology, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate Ca2+ entry into the mitochondria. Accordingly, we established a system to determine the role of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter in an isolated heart model, at baseline and during increased workload following β-adrenoceptor stimulation. Experimental Approach: Cardiac contractility, oxygen consumption and intracellular Ca2+ transients were measured in ex vivo perfused murine hearts. Ru360 and spermine were used to modify mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter activity. Changes in mitochondrial Ca2+ content and energetic phosphate metabolite levels were determined. Key Results: The addition of Ru360, a selective inhibitor of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter, induced progressively and sustained negative inotropic effects that were dose-dependent with an EC50 of 7 μM. Treatment with spermine, a uniporter agonist, showed a positive inotropic effect that was blocked by Ru360. Inotropic stimulation with isoprenaline elevated oxygen consumption (2.7-fold), Ca2+-dependent activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase (5-fold) and mitochondrial Ca2+ content (2.5-fold). However, in Ru360-treated hearts, this parameter was attenuated. In addition, β-adrenoceptor stimulation in the presence of Ru360 did not affect intracellular Ca2+ handling, PKA or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent PK signalling. Conclusions and Implications: Inhibition of the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter decreases β-adrenoceptor response, uncoupling between workload and production of energetic metabolites. Our results support the hypothesis that the coupling of workload and energy supply is partly dependent on mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter activity., Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares

The productivist and reductionist vision of industrial agriculture in the twentieth century prevented the analysis of the other multiple functions of traditional agriculture, such as those corresponding to the ecological and cultural dimensions. In the current rural crisis, which entails food insecurity, environmental uncertainties, deterioration of the social fabric, a context lacking rural educational (extension) proposals and impaired quality of life, to name a few, it is necessary to reassess traditional agriculture in order to generate strategies that are capable of providing strategic answers to the problems in question. The current multifunctional agriculture (MFA) paradigm allows agricultural research in different world regions, addressing comprehensive economic aspects, protection of commons, actor-centered focus and public policy formulation. This article presents the current modern research contributions that, in the framework of the project: Rural Societies, Economy and Natural Resources integrating rural development skills, (Sociedades Rurales Economía y Recursos Naturales integrando competencias para el desarrollo rural - SERIDAR, which is part of the Alpha III program of the European Commission) and reveals and reappraises other functions of traditional agriculture that warrant investigation. In this way, the Universidad Nacional de Colombia contributes to the development of appropriate research skills by integrating post-graduate students in transdisciplinary research with local knowledge networks. We hypothesized that farmer adaptations contain practical and technical strategic guidance for the protection of common goods (soil, biodiversity, water, etc.) and the strengthening of the social fabric (knowledge and culture). With the reappraisal of the multiple functions of traditional agriculture and their upgrading in the context of post-industrial cultures, it is possible to build strategies that are capable of responding to the uncertainties produced by the global markets of food, land and technology, the reductionist knowledge systems and the environment. La visión productivista y reduccionista de la agricultura industrial en el siglo XX impidió analizar otras múltiples funciones de la agricultura tradicional (eco-sistémica, cultural). Frente a la actual crisis que atraviesa la ruralidad: Inseguridad alimentaria, incertidumbres ambientales, deterioro del tejido social, descontextualización de propuestas educativas rurales -extensión-, deterioro de la calidad de vida, etc. Se requiere revalorizar la agricultura tradicional campesina para generar estrategias que den respuestas a los problemas en mención. El actual paradigma multifuncional de la agricultura -MFA-, permite realizar investigaciones agrícolas en diferentes regiones del planeta que aborden aspectos económicos incluyentes, protección de bienes comunes, centralidad en el actor y formulación de política pública. El presente artículo presenta aportes de investigadores en la modernidad tardía y que en el marco del Proyecto Sociedades Rurales Economía y Recursos Naturales integrando competencias para el desarrollo rural, SERIDAR, (Del programa Alfa III de la Comisión Europa) evidencia y revaloriza otras funciones de la agricultura tradicional para investigar. De esta manera La Universidad Nacional de Colombia contribuye en competencias investigativas integrando estudiantes de postgrado en investigaciones transdiciplinarias con redes de conocimiento local. La investigación formula la hipótesis que en las adaptaciones realizadas por los agricultores en prácticas y técnicas se encuentran orientaciones para construir estrategias de protección de los bienes comunes (suelo-biodiversidad-agua-etc.) y fortalecimiento del tejido social (conocimientos-cultura). Con la revalorización de las múltiples funciones de la agricultura del campesinado y con su actualización en los contextos de las culturas postindustriales se pueden construir estrategias para responder a las incertidumbres propiciadas por el ambiente, los mercados globales de alimentos, tierras, tecnologías y sistemas reduccionistas de conocimiento.

The productivist and reductionist vision of industrial agriculture in the twentieth century prevented the analysis of the other multiple functions of traditional agriculture, such as those corresponding to the ecological and cultural dimensions. In the current rural crisis, which entails food insecurity, environmental uncertainties, deterioration of the social fabric, a context lacking rural educational (extension) proposals and impaired quality of life, to name a few, it is necessary to reassess traditional agriculture in order to generate strategies that are capable of providing strategic answers to the problems in question. The current multifunctional agriculture (MFA) paradigm allows agricultural research in different world regions, addressing comprehensive economic aspects, protection of commons, actor-centered focus and public policy formulation. This article presents the current modern research contributions that, in the framework of the project: Rural Societies, Economy and Natural Resources integrating rural development skills, (Sociedades Rurales Economia y Recursos Naturales integrando competencias para el desarrollo rural - SERI DAR , which is part of the Alpha III program of the European Commission) and reveals and reappraises other functions of traditional agriculture that warrant investigation. In this way, the Universidad Nacional de Colombia contributes to the development of appropriate research skills by integrating post-graduate students in transdisciplinary research with local knowledge networks. We hypothesized that farmer adaptations contain practical and technical strategic guidance for the protection of common goods (soil, biodiversity, water, etc.) and the strengthening of the social fabric (knowledge and culture). With the reappraisal of the multiple functions of traditional agriculture and their upgrading in the context of post-industrial cultures, it is possible to build strategies that are capable of responding to the uncertainties produced by the global markets of food, land and technology, the reductionist knowledge systems and the environment.

Objetivos: Revisar y actualizar los aspectos epidemiológicos, factores de riesgo, diagnósticos y terapéuticos del cáncer de lengua. Material y métodos: Se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura en la base de datos PUBMED, utilizando la palabra clave principal "cáncer de lengua" y los subtítulos (subheadings): "diagnóstico", "epidemiología", "etiología", "genética", "mortalidad" y "tratamiento", sin restricciones en cuanto al tipo de estudio, seleccionando aquellos artículos considerados de interés para una revisión. La información se ha completado con otras fuentes bibliográficas como registros de cáncer y tratados de Oncología. Se ha restringido la búsqueda a artículos en inglés o castellano. Asimismo, se han utilizado los datos del Programa de Vigilancia, Epidemiología y Resultados Finales del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (SEER) para obtener datos de incidencia y mortalidad de cáncer en los Estados Unidos, y de GLOBOCAN para los datos referentes a otros 184 países del mundo. Resultados: Se han revisado un total de 1200 artículos, con un periodo de búsqueda objeto de la revisión comprendido entre el 1 de enero de 1990 y el 31 de marzo de 2013, incluyéndose revisiones sobre la epidemiología del tumor, sobre los factores de riesgo genético, y sobre los distintos aspectos del diagnóstico y tratamiento, un estudio prospectivo y uno randomizado. Aim: To review and update the epidemiological aspects, risk factors, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of tongue cancer. Material and Methods: a review of the literature has been achieved in the PUBMED database, using the main keyword "tongue cancer", and the subheadings: "diagnosis", "epidemiology", "aetiology", "genetics", "mortality" and "treatment", without restrictions in terms of type of study, choosing only those papers considered of interest for a review. The information has been completed with other bibliographic sources such as cancer registries and Oncology essays. The research has been restricted to papers in English or Spanish. Additionally, data of the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute have been used to obtain incidence and mortality data of cancer in the United States, and of GLOBOCAN for data concerning other 184 countries in the world. Results: A total of 1200 papers have been reviewed, with a research period comprising between 1st January 1990 and 31st Mars 2013, including reviews about the epidemiology of the tumour, the genetic risk factors and the different aspects of the diagnosis and treatment, a prospective and a randomized study.

La prevalencia de infecciones fúngicas invasivas ha aumentado en las últimas tres décadas debido al aumento de huéspedes inmunocomprometidos. Durante muchos años la anfotericina B y la flucitosina fueron los únicos antifúngicos disponibles para el tratamiento de estas micosis. Afortunadamente, en la última década el arsenal de antifúngicos se ha ampliado, lo que provee nuevas alternativas terapéuticas para los pacientes afectados. El objetivo de este artículo es resumir las características farmacológicas de los antifúngicos sistémicos tradicionales (anfotericina, flucitosina, itraconazol y fluconazol) y de los agentes antimicóticos de uso reciente: los nuevos triazoles (voriconazol, posaconazol) y las equinocandinas (caspofungina, micafungina y anidulofungina). The prevalence of invasive fungal infections has increased over the past three decades owing to the increasing numbers of immunocompromised hosts. For many years, amphotericin B and flucytosine were the only available antifungal agents for invasive fungal infections. Fortunately, the antifungal drugs has increased, providing new therapeutic options for these patients. The purpose of this article is to summarize the pharmacologic profile of traditional antifungal drugs (amphotericin, flucytosine, itraconazole, fluconazole) as well as the ones recently licensed: the new triazoles (voriconazole, posaconazole) and the echinocandins (caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin).

We present a theory of linear optical constants based on a single-particle density matrix and implemented in an extension of the real-space multiple scattering code FEFF. This approach avoids the need to compute wave-functions explicitly, and yields efficient calculations for frequencies ranging from the IR to hard x-rays, and applicable to arbitrary aperiodic systems. Our approach is illustrated with calculations of optical properties and applications for several materials.

Reseña de: María del Pilar MARTÍNEZ LÓPEZ CANO - Francisco Javier CERVANTES BELLO (coords.), Los concilios provinciales en Nueva España. Reflexiones e influencias, Instituto de Investigaciones Históricas, UNAM, México 2005, 430 pp.

Spectrin, a major component of the membrane skeleton, is mainly composed of tandemly repeated segments of approx. 106 amino acids. We have undertaken the determination of the three-dimensional structure of a chicken brain α-spectrin repeat by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR. Sedimentation equilibrium demonstrates that this repeat is monomeric at the concentration used for NMR (1 mM). Its secondary structure was identified using a collection of sequential and medium range NOEs, chemical shifts, HN-Hα coupling constants, and relaxation measurements. These data unequivocally demonstrate the presence of three long helices connected by two loops. A set of interhelical NOEs indicates that the helices assemble into a triple helical structure. Our results provide experimental evidence supporting the triple-helical bundle proposed by modelling.

In this paper we report some preliminary results from an experiment to evaluate oxygen and nutrient benthic fluxes performed in April 1999 in the Primo Seno of the Mar Piccolo of Taranto. The basin is liable to periodic anoxic crisis induced by high nutrient inputs. The sediment was characterised by grain-size, mineralogical and biogeochemical analyses (organic and inorganic C, total N, organic and inorganic P) carried out in a sediment core collected in the basin. In the same site dissolved benthic fluxes (PO4, NH4, NO2, NO3, Si(OH)4, TCO2, O2, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg) were carried out by benthic chamber. The sediment is mainly silty-clay (73%) with organic carbonate fragments and high organic matter (organic C= 4%) still very reactive (C/N=9.9). Benthic fluxes were positive for NH4, NO2, TCO2, PO4, Si(OH)4 and Mn and negative for O2 and NO3. Furthermore benthic chamber data showed a difference between daytime and night fluxes for O2, NO3, NO2, e TCO2. Besides benthic fluxes indicated reactive organic matter degradation processes, due to dissolved oxygen and nitrate consumption, and dissolution of diatom skeletons, due to positive fluxes of Si(OH)4. The Mn positive flux indicates reducing environment little down to the sediment-water interface.

El consumo de agua potable envasada contaminada con microorganismos patógenos puede ocasionar enfermedades de origen entérico. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar y comparar, mediante dos métodos de análisis, la presencia de microorganismos indicadores de calidad sanitaria, tales como coliformes totales, coliformes fecales y aerobios mesófilos, en dos marcas comerciales de agua potable, distribuidas en San Diego, estado Carabobo, Venezuela. Para ello se recolectaron 30 muestras de agua potable en presentación de bidones de 20 litros de capacidad, divididas en 15 muestras marca A y 15 marca B. Para la identificación microbiológica se emplearon el método rápido Petrifilm y el método tradicional de siembra en profundidad según las especificaciones del Método Estándar para el Análisis de Aguas Potables y las normas nacionales COVENIN. Los resultados obtenidos no mostraron diferencias significativas para el recuento microbiológico de coliformes totales y de aerobios mesófilos, por el método tradicional de siembra en profundidad y el método rápido de siembra en placas Petrifilm (r = 0,9), para las marcas de agua A y B (p = 0,5). Tres muestras (13%) presentaron recuentos menores de 10 µfc/ml para coliformes totales para la marca de agua A, y siete (47%) para la marca B. Ninguna muestra presentó coliformes fecales. En conclusión, ambos métodos siguen siendo de elección para el análisis de agua potable envasada, y aunque el método de Petrifilm presente ciertas ventajas con respecto al método tradicional de siembra en profundidad, este último sigue siendo el más utilizado en la mayoría de los laboratorios de análisis microbiológicos. Ambas marcas de agua potable presentaron recuentos microbiológicos fuera de especificaciones, según las recomendaciones de las normas respectivas, por lo que su consumo puede representar un riesgo para la salud del consumidor. The consumption of polluted drinking water bottles with pathogen microorganisms, can cause enteric origin illnesses. The aim of this work was to determine and to compare, by two analysis methods, the presence of sanitary quality index microorganisms, such as total coliforms, fecal coliforms and aerobic mesophiles, in two registered trade-marks of drinking water, distributed in San Diego, Carabobo State, Venezuela. Thirty samples of drinking water were gathered in 20 liters capacity drums presentation, divided in 15 samples brand A and 15 samples brand B respectively. For the microbiological identification, we used the Petrifilm quick test and the traditional method of depth seeding, according to the Standard Methods for the Analysis of Waters specifications and the COVENIN national norms. For the microbiological recount of total coliforms and aerobic mesophiles, the results did not show significant differences for the traditional method of depth seeding and the Petrifilm plates quick test seeding (r = 0,9), for the water brands A and B (p= 0,5). Three samples (13%) presented smaller recounts than 10 UFC/ml for total coliforms for water brand A, and seven (47%) for brand B. No sample presented fecal coliforms. In conclusion, both methods keep on being election for the analysis of bottle drinking water bottle, and although Petrifilm test presents certain advantages regarding the traditional method of depth seeding, this last one continues being the more used method of analysis in most of microbiological laboratories. Both registered trade-marks of drinking water presented microorganisms recounts outside of specifications, according to the recommendations of the respective norms, therefore, their consumption can represent a risk for the consumer’s health.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la incidencia, características obstétricas y complicaciones maternas de la placenta previa. Método: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 150 casos atendidos entre 1988 y 1992 en 19 854 nacimientos vivos. Ambiente: Maternidad del Hospital "Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara", Puerto Cabello, Estado Carabobo. Resultados: La incidencia fue de 0,76% (1 caso por cada 132 nacimientos), el grupo de edad predominó entre los 27 a 32 años (40,67%). El 79,33% (119 casos) fueron multíparas, 70% (105 casos) fueron embarazos de término. Complicaciones maternas más frecuentes: hemorragias 31,03%; rotura prematura de membranas 31,03% y trabajo de parto pretérmino 24,13%. El 78,67% terminó por cesárea. El 78% (114 neonatos) tuvieron peso > a 2 500 g. El 65,47% presentaron Apgar ≥ 7 puntos, hubo 1 muerte materna. Conclusión: El manejo expectante de la placente previa, el ultrasonido diagnóstico y el uso de cesárea, han contribuido a disminuir la morbi-mortalidad materno-feta Summary Objective: To analyze the incidence, obstetrical characteristics and maternal complications of placenta previa. Method: Descriptive and retrospective study of 150 cases occurred between 1988-1992 in 19 854 births. Setting: Maternity of the "Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara" Hospital, Puerto Cabello, Carabobo State, Venezuela. Results: The incidence was 0.76% (1 case in 132 birth) there was 1 pp in 132 births. The highest percentage (40.67%) happen in the age group between 27-32 years old. The 79.33% (119 cases) were multiparous, 70% (105 cases) happened in gestation more then 37 week. Maternal complications: Hemorrhage: 31.03%; membrane premature rupture 31.03% and preterm delivery 24.13%. Cesarean section 78.67%. The 78% the of newborn was weight > at 2 500 g. The 65.47% was Apgar ≥ 7. There was 1 maternal death. Conclusion: Expectant management of placenta previa, the use of cesarean section and the ultrasound diagnosis, reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Equally the safety and efficacy of expectant treatment to improve fetal survival

Se estudiaron un total de 61 pacientes, con edades comprendidas entre 0 a 19 años, correspondiendo 27 (44,7%) al género femenino y 34 (55,7%) al masculino. El grupo etario donde hubo mayor número de pacientes con Tinea capitis fue el de 5 a 9 años, predominando en el género masculino. El tipo de dermatofito más frecuentemente aislado fue M. canis, 37/53 (69,8%), seguido de T. tonsurans, 12/53 (22,6%). No se logró demostrar ningún agente de Tinea capitis en 8/61 (13,1%). Al comparar el resultado del cultivo con el EMD, no hay discordancias entre los dos procedimientos utilizados. We studied a total of 61 patients aged between 0 to 19 years, 27 females (44.7%) and 34 males (55.7%). The age group with the greater number of patients was from 5 to 9 years, being more frequent in males. The fungus more frequently isolated was M. canis 37/53 (69.8%), followed by T. tonsurans 12/53 (22.6%). We had negative cultures in 8/61 (13.1%). When we compare results of culture with the direct mycological examination, we find no differences between methods.

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo diseñar una metodologia que permita a la Cátedra de Dentaduras Parciales Removibles, obtener registros permanentes para el estudio y evaluación de posibles discontinuidades y/o defectos (forma, ubicación, tamaño, orientación y tipo) que puedan estar presentes en las estructuras metálicas de las Prótesis Parciales Removibles (PPR). Se realizó una Inspección Visual y Radiográfica, para identificar la presencia de discontinuidades en las estructuras de PPR. Se evaluaron 108 estructuras metálicas, que fueron seleccionadas aleatoriamente de la población de casos realizados por los estudiantes de pregrado de la Facultad de Odontologia de la Universidad Central de Venezuela, en el periodo Octubre 1998-Abril 1999. La Inspección Radiográfica permitió detectar una cantidad significativa de fallas en las estructuras evaluadas que no lograban determinarse con la Inspección Visual. Con relación a los elementos que constituyen una PPR., la mayor frecuencia de fallas se encontraron ubicadas en el conector mayor. Es de hacer notar que solo el 25,93% de las estructuras evaluadas no presentaron fallas. Entre las discontinuidades que se detectaron tenemos: porosidades, inclusiones y fisuras, en un porcentaje bastante importante (74,07%). Cuando contrastamos con la Inspección Visual, se demuestra la potencialidad de la inspección propuesta, pues visualmente, solo pudo detectarse en 7,41% de discontinuidades. The aim of this study was to design a method in order to allow the Removable Partial Dentures Departament to get permanent registration for the study and evaluation of possible discontinuities and/or defects ( shape,position,size,orientation and kind) that may be present at the metal frameworks for RPD. Visual and radiographic evaluation cure performed to identify the presence of discontinuities of metal frameworks of RPD,s One hundred and eight metal frameworks were selected ramdomly from cases previously done by undergrad students of the dental school of the Universidad Central de Venezuela during october 1998 - April 1999. Radiographic evaluation showed significant number of failures on the frameworks evaluated that could not be determined visually. Regarding the parts of an RPD,most failures were found on the mayor connector. It is important to mention that only 25,93% of the frameworks evaluated did not show any failure. Failures found in this study were: porosities, inclusions and cracks (74,07%). It is very important to emphasize the radiographic study of the frameworks, since visually it could only be found 7,41% of discontinuities while radiographically 74,07% were found.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la incidencia y aspectos de interés obstétricos de la hiperemesis gravídica. Método: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de 36 casos de hiperemesis gravídica atendidas entre 1991, y 1998 en 34 664 nacimientos. Para el análisis de las variables se incluyeron 34 historias clínicas. Ambiente: Hospital "Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara", Puerto Cabello, Estado Carabobo, Venezuela. Resultados: La incidencia fue de 0,11%, un caso por cada 963 partos. Predominó el grupo de edad de 20-24 años en el 50% de los casos. Ninguna paciente tuvo control prenatal. Su aparición más frecuente fue en el primer embarazo con 47%. La edad de gestación predominante fue entre 8-12 semanas. El 52,94% de las pacientes presentó desequilibrio hidroelectrolítico. El 78% de los embarazos llegó a término. La mayoría de las pacientes recibió tratamiento con hidratación parenteral, metoclopramida, prometazina y complejo B. Hubo un caso de muerte materna. Conclusión: La hiperemesis gravídica es una patología poco frecuente que se caracteriza por náuseas y vómitos incoercibles, que ameritan hospitalización, y puede llegar a comprometer la vida de la paciente. SUMMARY Objective: To analyze the incidence and interesting aspects of the hyperemesis gravidarum. Method: Retrospective and descriptive study of 36 cases of hyperemesis gravidarum attended from 1991 until 1998 in 34 664 births. For the analysis of the variables 34 clinical records were included. Setting: Hospital "Dr. Adolfo Prince Lara", Puerto Cabello. Carabobo State, Venezuela. Results: The incidence was 0.11%, one case for each 835 births. In 50% of cases prevailed the age group of 20-24 year. There was no prenatal care. The most frequent appearance was in the first pregnancy with 47%. The predominant gestational age was between 8-12 weeks. The 52.94% of patients presented a hydroelectrolitical unbalance. Reached term 78% of pregnancies. Most of the patients received parenteral hydration, metoclopramide, prometazine and B complex. There was one case of maternal death. Conclusion: The hyperemesis gravidarum is a low frequent pathology characterized by nauseas and incoercible vomits that require hospitalization and could compromise he life of the patient.

Le milieu, les engins et les prises de cette île de 400 habitants sont brièvement décrits. (Résumé d'auteur)

Membrane glycoproteins IIb and IIIa play a major role in human blood platelet aggregation. The absence or the severe reduction of these two membrane glycoproteins, as observed in platelets of Glanzmann's thrombasthenic patients, is related to a lack of platelet aggregation. Separation of Glanzmann's thrombasthenic platelet samples by two-dimensional polyacrylamide O'Farrell gels show the absence of a high and several low molecular mass glycoproteins, in addition to the loss of glycoproteins IIb and IIIa (McGregor J. L. et al. Eur. J. Biochem. 1981; 116: 379-388). The aim of this study was to identify the nature of the high molecular mass component, absent in thrombasthenic platelets. A high molecular mass glycoprotein (200 kDa), present in two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide O-Farrell gel separations, was recognized by a monoclonal antibody (MP37) directed against glycoprotein IIIa. Moreover, the tryptic peptide map of this high molecular mass glycoprotein was nearly identical to that of glycoprotein IIIa. These results indicate that this high molecular mass glycoprotein present in SDS-polyacrylamide gels is a dimer of glycoprotein IIIa. This work raises the possibility that the high molecular mass glycoprotein, absent in two-dimensional O'Farrell gel separations of thrombasthenic platelets, is a dimer of glycoprotein IIIa.

We conducted linkage analysis of 80 candidate genes in 201 brother pairs affected with prostatic adenocarcinoma. Markers representing two adjacent candidate genes on chromosome 3p, CDC25A and FHIT, showed suggestive evidence for linkage with single-point identity-by-descent allele-sharing statistics. Fine-structure multipoint linkage analysis yielded a maximum LOD score of 3.17 (P = 0.00007) at D3S1234 within FHIT intron 5. For a subgroup of 38 families in which three or more affected brothers were reported, the LOD score was 3.83 (P = 0.00001). Further analysis reported herein suggested a recessive mode of inheritance. Association testing of 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) spanning a 381-kb interval surrounding D3S1234 in 202 cases of European descent with 143 matched, unrelated controls revealed significant evidence for association between case status and the A allele of single nucleotide polymorphism rs760317, located within intron 5 of FHIT (Pearson's χ2 = 8.54, df = 1, P = 0.0035). Our results strongly suggest involvement of germline variations of FHIT in prostate cancer risk.