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Drought is a major factor affecting crops, thus efforts are needed to increase plant resilience to this abiotic stress. The overlapping signaling pathways between drought and cell wall integrity maintenance responses create a possibility of increasing drought resistance by modifying cell walls. Here, using herbaceous and woody plant model species, Arabidopsis and hybrid aspen, respectively, we investigated how the integrity of xylan in secondary walls affects the responses of plants to drought stress. Plants, in which secondary wall xylan integrity was reduced by expressing fungal GH10 and GH11 xylanases or by affecting genes involved in xylan backbone biosynthesis, were subjected to controlled drought while their physiological responses were continuously monitored by RGB, fluorescence, and/or hyperspectral cameras. For Arabidopsis, this was supplemented with survival test after complete water withdrawal and analyses of stomatal function and stem conductivity. All Arabidopsis xylan-impaired lines showed better survival upon complete watering withdrawal, increased stomatal density and delayed growth inhibition by moderate drought, indicating increased resilience to moderate drought associated with modified xylan integrity. Subtle differences were recorded between xylan biosynthesis mutants (irx9, irx10 and irx14) and xylanase-expressing lines. irx14 was the most drought resistant genotype, and the only genotype with increased lignin content and unaltered xylem conductivity despite its irx phenotype. Rosette growth was more affected by drought in GH11- than in GH10-expressing plants. In aspen, mild downregulation of GT43B and C genes did not affect drought responses and the transgenic plants grew better than the wild-type in drought and well-watered conditions. Both GH10 and GH11 xylanases strongly inhibited stem elongation and root growth in well-watered conditions but growth was less inhibited by drought in GH11-expressing plants than in wild-type. Overall, plants with xylan integrity impairment in secondary walls were less affected than wild-type by moderately reduced water availability but their responses also varied among genotypes and species. Thus, modifying the secondary cell wall integrity can be considered as a potential strategy for developing crops better suited to withstand water scarcity, but more research is needed to address the underlying molecular causes of this variability.

Summary Wind turbine (WT) reliability has come to the forefront of research due to the rapid growth of wind energy in recent years. Reliability information can help understand failure causes and focus maintenance and prevention efforts on the most critical components, reducing costs and increasing profits. This paper offers new insights into WT reliability after analysing the data provided by the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system collected from seven onshore WTs located in central Spain from January 2014 to September 2021. To this end, we propose a method to link SCADA data to failure and maintenance records based on checking whether each 10‐min average time sample was collected when any failure or maintenance action had been reported. These records have been manually mapped to the WT taxonomy based on the standard Reference Designation System for Power Plants (RDS‐PP®) with minor changes. We present three different results: (i) The capacity factor and time‐based availability of each WT; (ii) the subsystem failure rate and downtime to identify the most critical ones; and (iii) each WT power curve with the 10‐min time samples labelled as healthy, under maintenance, or failure states, along with a ranking of the subsystems causing the most failures in each part of the power curves. It is the first time that time samples are linked to failure and maintenance records to visualise their distribution on the power curves. These results can help research point in the right direction to improve reliability and increase electricity production worldwide.

The widespread use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in multiple applications has increased the importance of safety considerations. ZnO NPs were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for toxicity in Artemia salina and zebrafish (Danio rerio). NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The hydrodynamic size and stability of the ZnO NP surface were examined using a Zetasizer. Characterization techniques confirmed the ZnO wurtzite structure with a particle size of 32.2 ± 5.2 nm. Synthesized ZnO NPs were evaluated for acute toxicity in Artemia salina using the Probit and Reed and Muench methods to assess for lethal concentration at 50% (LC50). The LC50 was 86.95 ± 0.21 μg/mL in Artemia salina. Physical malformations were observed after 96 h at 50 μg/mL of exposure. The total protein and cytochrome P450 contents were determined. Further analysis was performed to assess the bioaccumulation capacity of zebrafish (Danio rerio) using ICP-OES. ZnO NP content in adult zebrafish was greater in the gastrointestinal tract than in the other tissues under study. The present analysis of ZnO NPs supports the use of Artemia salina and adult zebrafish as relevant models for assessing toxicity and bioaccumulation while considering absorption quantities.

El tratamiento inadecuado y sus posibles efectos sociales es una de las preocupaciones ambientales. El propósito del estudio fue evaluar las fluctuaciones de parámetros físicoquímicos, costo ambiental y predicción ecotoxicológica mediante programa computacional Gecotoxic® en la laguna de oxidación de Yaurilla, Ica-Perú. Mediante un muestreo probabilístico aleatorio se midió el pH, sólidos totales, conductividad eléctrica y la temperatura del efluente en mayo, junio, julio y diciembre de 2019. Con los parámetros se estimó el costo ambiental sostenible relativo (COASOR) mediante un cociente entre el costo de evaluación (COA) y el costo de prevención normativo (CONP). Los valores hallados se introdujeron al descriptor análisis residual del programa computacional Gecotoxic® para su predicción ecotoxicológica. El rango de variación para los parámetros fue: pH = 6,01–8,01; sólidos totales = 451–818,9 mg.L-1; conductividad eléctrica = 921–1737,5 uS/cm y la temperatura = 25,75– 25,65°C. La estimación promedio del COASOR fue de recurso sostenible relativo y Gecotoxic® indicó, predicción ecotoxicológica de tipo bajo (30%). Se concluyó que, a pesar de las fluctuaciones entre los valores de los parámetros físico-químicos, el efluente mostró valor de uso como recurso, además, no representó ningún tipo riesgo. No obstante, se recomienda analizarse otros parámetros incluyendo los microbiológicos para la correcta toma de decisiones.

Abstract Background In low- and middle-income countries emergency surgery represents a higher proportion of the total number of surgeries and is associated with greater morbidity/mortality. Study aims were to determine if emergency department length of stay (ED-LOS) was associated with adverse perioperative outcomes and if such association varied across patient’s risk categories. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted of adult patients who underwent orthopedic or abdominal emergency surgery at two Colombian University hospitals. The population comprised a mix of a representative sample of eligible cases, with unselected patients (2/3), enriched with a high-risk subset (1/3). ED-LOS was defined as the interval between emergency department arrival and surgery start time. Our primary outcome was an adverse perioperative outcome during hospitalization, which was a composite of in-hospital mortality or severe complications such as major cardiovascular adverse events, infection, renal failure and bleeding. Results Among 1487 patients analyzed, there were 519 adverse perioperative outcomes including 150 deaths. In the unselected sample (n = 998) 17.9% of patients presented an adverse perioperative outcome with a mortality of 4.9%. The median ED-LOS was 24.6 (IQR 12.5–53.2) hours. ED-LOS was associated with age, comorbidities and known risk factors for 30-day mortality. Patients developing an adverse perioperative outcome started surgery 27.1 h later than their counterparts. Prolonged ED-LOS increased the risk of an adverse perioperative outcome in patients without risk factors (covariate-adjusted OR = 2.52), while having 1–2 or 3+ risk factors was negatively associated (OR = 0.87 and 0.72, respectively, p

Malectin domain (MD) is a ligand-binding protein motif of pro- and eukaryotes. It is particularly abundant in Viridiplantae, where it occurs as either a single (MD, PF11721) or tandemly duplicated domain (PF12819) called malectin-like domain (MLD). In herbaceous plants, MD- or MLD-containing proteins (MD proteins) are known to regulate development, reproduction, and resistance to various stresses. However, their functions in woody plants have not yet been studied. To unravel their potential role in wood development, we carried out genome-wide identification of MD proteins in the model tree species black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), and analyzed their expression and co-expression networks. P. trichocarpa had 146 MD genes assigned to 14 different clades, two of which were specific to the genus Populus. 87% of these genes were located on chromosomes, the rest being associated with scaffolds. Based on their protein domain organization, and in agreement with the exon-intron structures, the MD genes identified here could be classified into five superclades having the following domains: leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-MD-protein kinase (PK), MLD-LRR-PK, MLD-PK (CrRLK1L), MLD-LRR, and MD-Kinesin. Whereas the majority of MD genes were highly expressed in leaves, particularly under stress conditions, eighteen showed a peak of expression during secondary wall formation in the xylem and their co-expression networks suggested signaling functions in cell wall integrity, pathogen-associated molecular patterns, calcium, ROS, and hormone pathways. Thus, P. trichocarpa MD genes having different domain organizations comprise many genes with putative foliar defense functions, some of which could be specific to Populus and related species, as well as genes with potential involvement in signaling pathways in other tissues including developing wood.

Introducción: Un estilo de vida saludable es determinante para la salud cardiovascular. Existe controversia en los efectos vasculares benéficos del ejercicio físico. Objetivo: Evaluar el comportamiento de los parámetros de rigidez vascular en una población sana que practica ejercicio aeróbico rutinario en comparación con una población sana sedentaria. Métodos: Estudio de 32 sujetos sanos, pareados por edad y sexo: 12 hombres y 20 mujeres (46,3 ± 9,7 años), en el cual se evaluaron y compararon los parámetros de rigidez arterial (presión sistólica y diastólica braquial, índices de aumentación braquial y central, velocidad de onda de pulso, presión sistólica y diastólica central, y presión de pulso braquial y central). Las mediciones se hicieron con el método no invasivo-oscilométrico, Arteriograph® (TensioMed Budapest Hungría, Ltd.). Resultados: Se compararon los parámetros de rigidez arterial entre los dos grupos (16 sujetos activos vs. 16 sedentarios), y se encontraron diferencias significativas en los siguientes: frecuencia cardiaca de 53,25 ± 8,0 lpm vs. 59,75 ± 8,6 lpm (p = 0,034), presión arterial diastólica braquial de 70,0 (4,5) mm Hg vs. 77,5 (8,3) mm Hg (p = 0,043), presión arterial diastólica central de 70,0 (4,5) mm Hg vs. 77,5 (8,1) mm Hg (p = 0,043) y velocidad de onda de pulso de 6,70 (1,1) m/s vs. 7,75 (1,1) m/s (p = 0,001). Conclusiones: La actividad física aeróbica rutinaria tiene un efecto benéfico sobre la rigidez vascular en una población sana, a expensas de una disminución significativa de la velocidad de onda de pulso, la frecuencia cardiaca y la presión arterial diastólica (braquial y central). Estos hallazgos ayudan a explicar los beneficios del ejercicio aeróbico sobre el sistema cardiovascular.

The cultivar of sugarcane is the one with high productivity when grown under different environmental conditions. The most critical periods in terms of manufacturing performance, occurs in the first stage of harvest (November-January), which has been a concern of producers and a challenge for breeders. Therefore, the objective of the work is to evaluate the cultivars cane early maturing sugar high sugar and stable performance in various environments, for the start of the sugar harvest in Sialitizados non-calcium soils, using cold plantations. The experimental phase of this work was done in the experimental block Spartacus, belonging to the Territorial Research Station Sugar Cane Villa Clara, strain cane plant and first sucker. By high sugar yields and low levels of reducing sugars was obtained as a result, be used for the month of December, C86-156, C90-469, C89-148, C90-501, C92-203 and C89-161, varieties for January C87-252, C89-148, C89-161, C89-250, C90-501 and C92-203, for February cultivars C87-252, C90-469 and C92-203. The cultivars C87-252, C89-148, C89-161, C90-501 and C92-203, are noted for their stability in the variables studied at the beginning of the sugar war. Economically, it is not recommended to use C89-246 to present pol 3.27 % less than the average of the leading cultivar and reducing sugar values are above 0.38 can cause big damages in the manufacturing process.

Fundamento: El estudio de los factores de riesgo y patogénicos de la fractura de cadera, puede favorecer el diseño de estrategias de prevención y la optimización del manejo antes y después de la cirugía.Objetivo: describir los resultados de la atención continuada en la fractura de de cadera.Métodos: estudio de serie de casos, realizado en el Hospital Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima, de Cienfuegos, con pacientes ingresados por fractura de cadera, durante el segundo semestre del año 2012. Fueron analizados 144 pacientes y se trabajó con las variables: edad, sexo, variables relacionadas con la situación previa a la fractura, tipo de fractura, tratamiento y variables relacionadas con el seguimiento. La información se tomó de las historias clínicas individuales.Resultados: la edad media se presentó entre los 75 y 84 años, con predominio del sexo femenino (68 %). El 93 % de los pacientes no requirió apoyo para la marcha antes de la fractura, el 89 % de estos padecía una o más enfermedades asociadas. Se observaron fracturas extracapsulares en el 67 % de los casos. Se aplicó tratamiento quirúrgico al 62 % de los pacientes en las primeras 24 horas de la lesión. Las complicaciones ortopédicas representaron el 7 %.Conclusión: la atención continuada a los pacientes con fractura de cadera en la provincia Cienfuegos, ha garantizado el logro de resultados satisfactorios. Las variables analizadas se han mostrado como factores que aseguran la calidad del servicio y un mejor pronóstico para dichos pacientes.

The main breeding programs in the world have heeded sugarcane classification of test environments, so that the evaluation of genotypes across different environments is one of the most common practices for the recommendation of new cultivars to producers and as its stability. This study aimed to evaluate agroproductivamente varieties of sugar cane plantation plots cold, resistant to adverse conditions of water deficit and its stability in various environments. Under these new assumptions developed in this study Territorial Research Station of Sugarcane Villa Clara in the cold cycle, in a randomized complete block, the variables were percentage of pol in cane, tons of cane per hectare pol tons per hectare. The result was that the genotype C86-156 high agricultural yields and stable in all environments and high sugar content, so their harvest should be in the initial stage of harvest (December-January), and C89-147 which is the highest performance, but not stable environments. Identifies five test environments with specific genotypes, where November is characterized by C90-530 and C89-147, December by C86-56 January for C89-148, C86-156 by February and March by C85-102.

Harvesting of sugarcane at a proper time, by adopting right techniques, is necessary to make better use of the available genetic material. By determining the harvesting time period for each sugarcane variety to show its highest potential, both yield and sugar quality, higher levels of profitability are achieved. The aim of this study is to identify the harvest time of sugarcane cultivars, as well as the stability of the cultivars studied in five localities. The study was conducted at the Sugarcane Research Stations in Villa Clara, Sancti Spiritus, Camagüey, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba. Five experiments were planted (one for each locality), in a randomized complete block design with three replications under rainfed agriculture. Two harvest times were established, time 1 (M1), according to the harvest data from November to January (beginning of harvest), and time 2 (M2) taking into account the data collected from February to April (average stage- end of harvest). The discriminant analysis results allowed establishing two harvest times (November to January and February to April) in these five localities, where the effectiveness of each cultivar-Iocality-harvest time combination was higher than 74%. In general, it is advisable the use of cultivars C86-12 and C92-514 during M1 in these five localities, as well as the use of C90-530 in specific zones; and the use of cultivars C92-514 and C89-165 during M2. .

Introduction: Previous studies show contradictory results related to the vascular effects of coffee; they suggest that caffeine increases arterial stiffness and negatively impacts vascular health, the aim of this study is to evaluate the acute coffee effects on the vascular stiffness. Methods and materials: We carried out a controlled, blind, cohort study in healthy subjects. The acute effect of coffee (caffeinated vs. decaffeinated) was evaluated on arterial stiffness parameters, using a oscillometric method known as Arteriograph® (TensioMed-Budapest-Hungary, Ltd.). Each subject received 14 gr. of caffeinated excelso-coffee (caffeine-151.2 mg) and decaffeinated excelso-coffee (caffeine-3.92 mg), two weeks apart in a random order. The parameters were obtained under stable baseline conditions before drinking the coffee, 30 and 60 min later. Results: Thirty-two subjects were included, with an age of 46.2 ± 10.4 years, sixteen men. Consumption of caffeinated-coffee at 30 and 60 min increased statistically significant (p < 0.05) brachial-systolic-blood-pressure in 3.9 mmHg and 3.8 mmHg, brachial-diastolic-blood-pressure in 4.1 mmHg and 3.2 mmHg, mean-arterial-pressure in 4.0 mmHg and 3.3 mmHg, central-systolic-blood-pressure in 5.8 mmHg and 7.6 mmHg, brachial-AIX 9.9% and 12.3%, aortic-AIX 5.1% and 6.3%, decreased heart-rate by 4 beats/min and 5 beats/min respectively, and it not demonstrated that had an impact on the pulse wave velocity (p = 0.861). Decaffeinated-coffee increased the braquial-AIX (7.1–10.5%) and aortic-AIX (3.55–5.3%) and decreased the heart-rate (3–4 beats/min). Conclusions: This study suggests for the first time that drinking caffeinated coffee slightly increases peripheral arterial stiffness at the expense of increased vascular tone in distal arteries without changes in central stiffness. Further studies are needed to clarify whether these effects induced by coffee have an impact on the population health.

The frequency of the appearence of atypical dry and rainy seaso ns periods in the last years, has put up with the establishment of a new conception for the evalu ation and management of sugarcane varieties, with a view to framing correctly the harvesting stage and its p ossible lengthening in certain places. Under those new premises 48 experiments in blocks totally at random were de signed and established in four contrasting regions of the country. The behavior of three representative va rieties of sugarcane of three different maturity periods (early, middle and late), harvested during the whole ye ar, with ages between 9 and 24 months, in the variable t cane/ha,% pol in cane and t pol/ha was studied. The results corroborated the approach of maturity of the studied genotypes, the counties of Camagüey and Matanzas re ached the highest values in the pol percentage in cane at the beginnig of the harvesting period, while Holguín achieves them in the period from April - July. The results of the Factorial Analysis, showed that the best results in the cultivars were reached in Camagüey, followed by Holguín with ages among 13 - 16, 17 - 20 and 21 - 2 4 months fundamentally in the periods (February - March, April - May, June - August and September - O ctober), the environmental effect was the one that bigger contributed to the total phenotypic variation

Were evaluated 46 varieties at two locations in the central region of the country in two types of soil, plant cane between 13 and 19 months during the months of November 2010 to May 2011 in the variables t cane / ha,% pol t cane / ha. Three stages were established harvest; cultivars were grouped into families according to their sugar behavior, defining moments of harvest and groups of families of varieties in each harvest period. One Discriminant Factorial Analysis was performed, the qualitative variable used in the first case being the so-called time and the second group of the cultivars. Obtained results allowed the discriminant group the harvest time and the families of varieties for each harvest period with higher percentages of good classification to 75%. The Complete Model confirmed the existence of genotype - environment interaction and quantified a high contribution of the environment, mostly attributed to the towns and the experimental error for cane and pol t / ha, while for the sugar content was the time of harvest. The Reduced Model offered that for t cane / ha Moment in one and three, the variance of genotype - environment interaction was higher than ambient

Introduction:Hyperglycemia on admission in patient with acute coronary syndrome is common, considered bad marker of clinical evolution and death.Objective:To value the use of admission glycemia like prognosis factor of adverse events in patient with heart attack.Method:Descriptive study and longitudinal prospective. 246 patients were included with heart attack admitted in Cienfuegoshospital and their evolution was continued during 30 days. It was determined as point of a very best cut for the mortality at admission glycemia ≥ 7,1mmol/l by means of the curve ROC and one carries out analysis logistics regression toidentify independent predictors of death.Results:The patients with glycemia ≥ 7,1mmol/l prevailed the diabetes, tachycardia,killip≥II, inferior localization, small ejectionfraction and bigger incidence of adverse events (60% versus 2%, p=0,000) as heart failure(30% versus 15%; p =0,001), malign ventricular arrhythmias (23% versus 4%; p = 0,000) and death(15% versus 3%; p = 0,001), with smaller survival regarding the patients with glycemia

FitoMas-E increases and accelerates the germination of the seeds, stimulates the development of roots, stems, leaves and improves the nutrition of plants.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of FitoMas-E on the in vitro rooting of sugarcane cultivars ‘CP52-43’, ‘C87-51’ and ‘C1051-73’. A completely randomized experimental design was used with four treatments, three concentrations of FitoMas-E (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ml l-1) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) 1.3 mg l-1 as control in the liquid culture medium, with five repetition. At 15 days of culture the number of rooted shoots, height, leaves number and length of roots were evaluated. In the ex vitro acclimatization stage, its were quantified the number of plants with root, leaves and roots number per plant and it was measured the height after 45 days of transplanted. The results showed that the Fitomas-E in the cultivars 'CP52-43' and 'C87-51' achieved a number of shoots with a root similar to the control and in 'C1051-73' it exceeded it with the concentration of 0.5 ml l-1 of this biostimulant. Leaf height, leaves number and root length reached values significantly higher than control, with 1.0 ml l-1 phytostimulant, except for 'CP52-43' where similar root length was achieved among treatments. In the ex vitro acclimatization stage the in vitro plants rooted with the FitoMas-E achieved the required quality parameters, exceeding the controls for the variables height, number of roots and length of the longest root. Among genotypes there were significant differences for all cultivars. Keywords: in vitro culture, micropropagation, Saccharum spp.

Fundamento: la detección de calcio en las arterias coronarias confirma la presencia de aterosclerosis y ha demostrado ser una herramienta útil para estratificar el riesgo cardiovascular. Objetivo: determinar la relación entre la presencia y severidad de calcio coronario con la aparición de eventos coronarios agudos. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo, tipo serie de casos, en el Hospital Universitario Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima de Cienfuegos, entre enero y diciembre de 2008. La serie estuvo conformada por 137 pacientes, en los que se estudió: sexo, antecedentes patológicos personales, cifras de glucemia en ayunas, creatinina, colesterol total y triglicéridos. Los pacientes fueron seguidos durante dos años para evaluar la aparición de eventos coronarios agudos. Resultados: La edad media fue de 53,2±7,4 años, con predominio del sexo masculino (52,5 %). El mayor porciento de pacientes clasificados como de alto riesgo, según la cuantificación del calcio coronario (16,8 %) perteneció al sexo masculino, predominando en los mayores de 70 años. La diabetes se relacionó de forma significativa con la severidad del puntaje de calcio. El infarto agudo del miocardio fue más frecuente en pacientes con puntaje de calcio mayor de 400 unidades Agatston. Conclusiones: la aparición de eventos coronarios agudos fue más frecuente en los pacientes de alto riesgo según cuantificación del calcio coronario.

Introducción. El efecto vasodilatador de la cafeína en las arterias de modelos animales ya ha sido demostrado. Se desconocen estudios con la misma metodología in vitro utilizando arterias humanas. Objetivos. Evaluar los efectos vasoactivos in vitro de la cafeína en la arteria mamaria interna de humanos. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 80 anillos de arteria mamaria interna (n=20 pacientes). La funcionalidad del endotelio se evaluó con acetilcolina a una concentración de 3,16x10-6M, de nitroglicerina con dosis acumulativas de 10 -11 M a 10 -4 M y de cafeína con concentraciones acumulativas de 10 -8 M a 10-4 M. Resultados. La nitroglicerina indujo un porcentaje máximo de relajación de 87,4±12,3%, la cafeína, de 86,9±21,0% en arterias con endotelio funcional y de 71,6±28,6% en arterias con disfunción endotelial. No se encontraron diferencias entre los tres grupos ( p=0,289). Tampoco se encontraron diferencias en la EC 50 en arterias con endotelio funcional (1,66x10 -5 ±1,57x10 -5 M) y arterias disfuncionales (7,75x10 -5 ±14,64x10 -5 M). La nitroglicerina resultó más potente que la cafeína (EC 50 = 4,30x10 -9 ±4,35x10 -9 M) ( p=0,013). Conclusiones. Aunque la nitroglicerina fue un vasodilatador más potente, la cafeína tuvo un fuerte efecto vasodilatador arterial in vitro independientemente de la funcionalidad del endotelio en arterias humanas.

Los resultados benéficos de las estatinas en el manejo de la hipercolesterolemia en los múltiples estudios clínicos, han demostrado, además, efectos no relacionados con la acción hipolipemiante. Estudios experimentales in-vitro y ex-vivo han documentado una gran evidencia de efectos tales como incremento en la expresión de óxido nítrico y efectos anti-inflamatorios, inmunomodulatorios, anti-trombóticos, anti-proliferativos y anti-oxidantes los cuales reciben el nombre de pleiotrópicos. Los potentes efectos hipolipemiantes y pleiotrópicos podrían explicar los beneficios en aterosclerosis, hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus, estenosis aórtica, psoriasis, esclerosis múltiple y rechazo post-transplante entre otras patologías. Sin embargo, la cantidad de información experimental a favor de estos efectos, debería estimular a la iniciación de mejores estudios para clarificar de una manera mayor el significado clínico.Among the beneficial results of statins in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, other effects not related to the hypolipemic action have been demonstrated in multiple studies. Experimental in vitro and ex-vivo studies have documented a great evidence of different effects such as an increment in the nitric oxide (NO) expression, as well as anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-oxidant effects. These are the pleiotropic effects. The potent hypolipemic and pleiotropic effects could explain the benefit in atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, aortic stenosis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and post-transplant rejection, among other pathologies. Nevertheless, the amount of experimental information in favour of these effects should stimulate the initiation of better studies in order to clarify in an accurate way its clinical significance.

Se realizó un estudio de cohorte no concurrente pareado (1 x 1) sobre la repercusión de la malnutrición materna por defecto en el Embarazo, Parto y Recién Nacido en el Policlínico Comunitario Docente "Tula Aguilera" del municipio Camagüey desde el 1ro. de octubre de 1993 hasta el 30 de abril de 1995. El universo de trabajo estuvo constituido por 100 gestantes malnutridas por defecto, las cuales se compararon con un grupo control. La tarjeta de control prenatal, la historia clínica hospitalaria y los libros de partos del policlínico y del Hospital Ginecoobstétrico Provincial constituyeron la fuente primaria de datos. Se creó una encuesta según criterio de expertos que una vez llenada por el autor del trabajo se convirtió en el Registro primario definitivo de datos. Las principales conclusiones de la investigación fueron la edad materna con un riesgo relativo (RR) de 2,392, el percápita familiar con un RR de 2,993, así como la enfermedad asociada o dependiente del embarazo, como son el asma bronquial con RR de 8,609, la sepsis urinaria con RR de 5,950, la anemia con RR de 3,47 y el parir un recién nacido con bajo peso con un RR de 3,13.A non-concurrent matched cohort study (1x1) on the repercussion of maternal malnutrition due to faulty feeding on pregnancy, delivery and the newborn was conducted at the "Tula Aguilera" Teaching Community Polyclinic, in the municipality of Camagüey from October 1, 1993 to April 30, 1995. The working universe consisted of 100 malnourished pregnant women due to faulty feeding that were compared with a control group. The prenatal control card, the medical history and delivery registries of the polyclinic and of the Provincial Gynecoobstetrics Hospital were the primary source of data. According to the criteria of experts, it was created a survey that became the definitive primary registry of data. The main conclusions of the research were as follows: maternal age with a relative risk (RR) of 2.392, the family percapita with a RR of 2.993, the diseases associated with or depending on pregnancy, such as bronchial asthma with a RR of 8.609; urinary sepsis with a RR of 5. 950, anemia with a RR of 3.47, and low birth weigth with a RR of 3.13.

Caffeine is the most widely consumed stimulating substance in the world. It is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and many medications. Caffeine is a xanthine with various effects and mechanisms of action in vascular tissue. In endothelial cells, it increases intracellular calcium stimulating the production of nitric oxide through the expression of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme. Nitric oxide is diffused to the vascular smooth muscle cell to produce vasodilation. In vascular smooth muscle cells its effect is predominantly a competitive inhibition of phosphodiesterase, producing an accumulation of cAMP and vasodilation. In addition, it blocks the adenosine receptors present in the vascular tissue to produce vasoconstriction. In this paper the main mechanisms of action of caffeine on the vascular tissue are described, in which it is shown that caffeine has some cardiovascular properties and effects which could be considered beneficial.

Potenciais evocados sensorials (PES) são analisados pelos autores, apoiados em experiência de mais de 6 anos. É conceituado o método, orientando a obtenção à beira do leito, em UTI, em pacientes em coma. Analisa-se a execução do PE visual por flash (PEV-F), PE auditivo de tronco cerebral (PEA-TC) e PE sômato-sensitivo de nervo mediano (PESS-M), propondo-se classificação dos achados principais. É discutido o valor diagnóstico dos PES em pacientes em coma, principalmente na avaliação neurofisiológica do nível de comprometimento do sistema nervoso, cruzando-se informações obtidas por via horizontal (PEV-F), vertical (PESS-M) e do tronco cerebral (PEA-TC). Os PES podem colaborar no diagnóstico de morte encefálica e na detecção de alterações específicas a cada via. É ressaltado o valor prognóstico dos PES, em especial do PESS-M. PEA-TC anormal implica em mau prognóstico e, se normal, depende-se dos outros PE; PESS-M normal ou apenas levemente alterado indica bom prognóstico; PESS-M com ausência bilateral de componentes tálamo-corticais denuncia mau prognóstico. O PEV-F mostra comportamento similar ao do PESS-M.