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Neurons can change their classical neurotransmitters during ontogeny, sometimes going through stages of dual release. Here, we explored the development of the neurotransmitter identity of neurons of the avian nucleus isthmi parvocellularis (Ipc), whose axon terminals are retinotopically arranged in the optic tectum (TeO) and exert a focal gating effect upon the ascending transmission of retinal inputs. Although cholinergic and glutamatergic markers are both found in Ipc neurons and terminals of adult pigeons and chicks, the mRNA expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter, VAChT, is weak or absent. To explore how the Ipc neurotransmitter identity is established during ontogeny, we analyzed the expression of mRNAs coding for cholinergic (ChAT, VAChT, and CHT) and glutamatergic (VGluT2 and VGluT3) markers in chick embryos at different developmental stages. We found that between E12 and E18, Ipc neurons expressed all cholinergic mRNAs and also VGluT2 mRNA; however, from E16 through posthatch stages, VAChT mRNA expression was specifically diminished. Our ex vivo deposits of tracer crystals and intracellular filling experiments revealed that Ipc axons exhibit a mature paintbrush morphology late in development, experiencing marked morphological transformations during the period of presumptive dual vesicular transmitter release. Additionally, although ChAT protein immunoassays increasingly label the growing Ipc axon, this labeling was consistently restricted to sparse portions of the terminal branches. Combined, these results suggest that the synthesis of glutamate and acetylcholine, and their vesicular release, is complexly linked to the developmental processes of branching, growing and remodeling of these unique axons.

Background: Muscle ultrasonography of the quadriceps rectus femoris (QRF) is a technique on the rise in the assessment of muscle mass in application of nutritional assessment. The aim of the present study is to assess the usefulness of muscle ultrasonography in patients with cystic fibrosis, comparing the results with other body composition techniques such as anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and handgrip strength (HGS). At the same time, we intend to assess the possible association with the nutritional and respiratory status. Methods: This was a prospective observational study in adult patients with cystic fibrosis in a clinically stable situation. Muscle ultrasonography of the QRF was performed, and the results were compared with other measures of body composition: anthropometry, BIA, and DXA. HGS was used to assess muscle function. Respiratory parameters were collected, and nutritional status was assessed using Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Results: A total of 48 patients were included, with a mean age of 34.1 ± 8.8 years. In total, 24 patients were men, and 24 patients were women. Mean BMI was 22.5 ± 3.8 kg/m2. Mean muscular area rectus anterior (MARA) was 4.09 ± 1.5 cm2, and mean muscular circumference rectus was 8.86 ± 1.61 cm. A positive correlation was observed between the MARA and fat-free mass index (FFMI) determined by anthropometry (r = 0.747; p < 0.001), BIA (r = 0.780; p < 0.001), and DXA (r = 0.678; p < 0.001), as well as muscle function (HGS: r = 0.790; p < 0.001) and respiratory parameters (FEV1; r = 0.445, p = 0.005; FVC: r = 0.376, p = 0.02; FEV1/FVC: r = 0.344, p = 0.037). A total of 25 patients (52.1%) were diagnosed with malnutrition according to GLIM criteria. Differences were observed when comparing the MARA based on the diagnosis of malnutrition (4.75 ± 1.65 cm2 in normo-nourished vs. 3.37 ± 1.04 in malnourished; p = 0.014). Conclusions: In adults with cystic fibrosis, the measurements collected by muscle ultrasound of the QRF correlate adequately with body composition techniques such as anthropometry, BIA, DXA, and handgrip strength. Muscle ultrasound measurements, particularly the MARA, are related to the nutritional status and respiratory function of these patients.

Introduction: Poor physical performance has been shown to be a good predictor of complications in some pathologies. The objective of our study was to evaluate, in patients with colorectal neoplasia prior to surgery, physical performance and its relationship with postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality, at 1 month and at 6 months. Methods: We conducted a prospective study on patients with preoperative colorectal neoplasia, between October 2018 and July 2021. Physical performance was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test and hand grip strength (HGS). For a decrease in physical performance, SPPB < 10 points or HGS below the EWGSOP2 cut-off points was considered. Nutritional status was evaluated using subjective global assessment (SGA). The prevalence of postoperative complications and mortality during admission, at 1 month, and at 6 months was evaluated. Results: A total of 296 patients, mean age 60.4 ± 12.8 years, 59.3% male, were evaluated. The mean BMI was 27.6 ± 5.1 kg/m2. The mean total SPPB score was 10.57 ± 2.07 points. A total of 69 patients presented a low SPPB score (23.3%). Hand grip strength showed a mean value of 33.1 ± 8.5 kg/m2 for men and 20.7 ± 4.3 kg/m2 for women. A total of 58 patients presented low HGS (19.6%). SGA found 40.2% (119) of patients with normal nourishment, 32.4% (96) with moderate malnutrition, and 27.4% (81) with severe malnutrition. Postoperative complications were more frequent in patients with a low SPPB score (60.3% vs. 38.6%; p = 0.002) and low HGS (64.9% vs. 39.3%, p = 0.001). A low SPPB test score (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.37–4.79, p = 0.003) and low HGS (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.37–5.29, p = 0.004) were associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications after adjusting for tumor stage and age. Patients with a low SPPB score presented an increase in in-hospital mortality (8.7% vs. 0.9%; p = 0.021), at 1 month (8.7% vs. 1.3%; p = 0.002) and at 6 months (13.1% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001). Patients with low HGS presented an increase in mortality at 6 months (10.5% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.022). Conclusions: The decrease in physical performance, evaluated by the SPPB test or hand grip strength, was elevated in patients with colorectal cancer prior to surgery and was related to an increase in postoperative complications and mortality.

Aim: to present the results of the Spanish home enteral nutrition (HEN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE group for the years 2018 and 2019. Material and methods: from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 the home enteral nutrition registry was recorded, and afterwards a further descriptive and analytical analysis was done. Results: in 2018, 4756 active patients were registered and the prevalence was 101.79 patients per one million inhabitants; in 2019 there were 4633 patients with a prevalence of 98.51 patients per one million inhabitants. They originated in 46 hospitals: 51.3 % were male, and median age was 71.0 years in both periods. The most frequent diagnosis was a neurological disorder that presents with aphagia or severe dysphagia - 58.7 % and 58.2 %, respectively. The main cause of episode termination was death. A total of 116 pediatric patients were registered in 2018 and 115 in 2019. Females represented 57.8 % and 59.1 %, respectively, in each of the periods. Median age at the beginning of HEN was 5 and 7 months. The most commonly recordered diagnostic group (42.2 % and 42.6 %) was included within the other pathologies group, followed by neurological disorders that present with aphagia or severe dysphagia in 41.4 % and 41.7 % of children. The route of administration was gastrostomy in 46.6 % and 46.1 %, respectively, in each of the periods. Conclusions: the NED registry of the NADYA-SENPE group continues to operate uninterruptedly since its inception. The number of registered patients and the number of participating hospitals remained stable in the last biennium analyzed.

Recent reports have shown that the avian visual dorsal ventricular ridge (DVR) is organized as a trilayered complex, in which the forming layers-the thalamo-recipient entopallium (E), an overlaying nidopallial stripe called intermediate nidopallium (NI), and the dorsally adjacent mesopallium ventrale-appear to be extensively interconnected by topographically organized columns of reciprocal axonal processes running perpendicular to the layers, an arrangement highly reminiscent to that of the sensory cortices of mammals. In the present report, we implemented in vivo anterograde and retrograde tracing techniques aiming to elucidate the organization of the connections of this complex with other pallial areas. Previous studies have shown that the efferent projections of the visual DVR originate mainly from the NI and E, reaching several distinct associative and premotor nidopallial areas. We found that the efferents from the visual DVR originated solely from the NI, and confirmed that the targets of these projections were the pallial areas described by previous studies. We also found novel projections from the NI to the visual hyperpallium, and to the lateral striatum. Moreover, we found that these projections were reciprocal, topographically organized, and originated from different cell populations within the NI. We conclude that the NI constitutes a specialized layer of the visual DVR that form the core of a dense network of highly specific connections between this region and other higher order areas of the avian pallium. Finally, we discuss to what extent these hodological properties resemble those of the mammalian cortical layers II/III.

Background: Anxiety and depression are common in patients with cancer. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients awaiting elective surgery and whether there is an association with their preoperative nutritional status and postoperative mortality. Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 215 patients with CRC proposed for surgery. Data about nutritional status were collected using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, while anxiety and depression symptoms data were collected using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Results: HADS detected possible anxiety in 41.9% of patients, probable anxiety in 25.6%, possible depression in 21.9%, and probable depression in 7.9%. GLIM criteria found 116 (53.9%) patients with malnutrition. The HADS score for depression subscale was significantly higher in malnourished patients than in well-nourished (5.61 ± 3.65 vs. 3.95 ± 2.68; p = 0.001). After controlling for potential confounders, malnourished patients were 10.19 times more likely to present probable depression (95% CI 1.13–92.24; p = 0.039). Mortality was 1.9%, 4,2%, and 5.6% during admission and after 6 and 12 months, respectively. Compared to patients without depressive symptomatology, in patients with probable depression, mortality risk was 14.67 times greater (95% CI 1.54–140.21; p = 0.02) during admission and 6.62 times greater (95% CI 1.34–32.61; p = 0.02) after 6 months. Conclusions: The presence of anxiety and depression symptoms in CRC patients awaiting elective surgery is high. There is an association between depression symptoms, preoperative nutritional status, and postoperative mortality.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comunicar los datos de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) obtenidos del registro del grupo NADYA-SENPE (www.nadyasenpe.com) del año 2019. Material y métodos: análisis descriptivo de los datos recogidos de pacientes adultos y pediátricos con NPD en el registro NADYA-SENPE desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2019. Resultados: se registraron 283 pacientes (51,9 %, mujeres), 31 niños y 252 adultos procedentes de 47 hospitales españoles, lo que representa una tasa de prevalencia de 6,01 pacientes/millón de habitantes/año 2019. El diagnóstico más frecuente en los adultos fue “oncológico paliativo” y “otros” (21,0 %). En los niños fue la enfermedad de Hirschsprung junto a la enterocolitis necrotizante, las alteraciones de la motilidad intestinal y la pseudoobstrucción intestinal crónica, con 4 casos cada uno (12,9 %). El primer motivo de indicación fue el síndrome del intestino corto tanto en los niños (51,6 %) como en los adultos (37,3 %). El tipo de catéter más utilizado fue el tunelizado tanto en los niños (75,9 %) como en los adultos (40,8 %). Finalizaron 68 episodios, todos en adultos: la causa más frecuente fue el fallecimiento (54,4 %). Pasaron a la vía oral el 38,2 %. Conclusiones: el número de centros y profesionales colaboradores con el registro NADYA va incrementándose. Se mantienen estables las principales indicaciones y los motivos de finalización de la NPD.

Aim: to present the results of the Spanish home enteral nutrition (HEN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE group for the years 2018 and 2019. Material and methods: from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019 the home enteral nutrition registry was recorded, and afterwards a further descriptive and analytical analysis was done. Results: in 2018, 4756 active patients were registered and the prevalence was 101.79 patients per one million inhabitants; in 2019 there were 4633 patients with a prevalence of 98.51 patients per one million inhabitants. They originated in 46 hospitals: 51.3 % were male, and median age was 71.0 years in both periods. The most frequent diagnosis was a neurological disorder that presents with aphagia or severe dysphagia - 58.7 % and 58.2 %, respectively. The main cause of episode termination was death. A total of 116 pediatric patients were registered in 2018 and 115 in 2019. Females represented 57.8 % and 59.1 %, respectively, in each of the periods. Median age at the beginning of HEN was 5 and 7 months. The most commonly recordered diagnostic group (42.2 % and 42.6 %) was included within the other pathologies group, followed by neurological disorders that present with aphagia or severe dysphagia in 41.4 % and 41.7 % of children. The route of administration was gastrostomy in 46.6 % and 46.1 %, respectively, in each of the periods. Conclusions: the NED registry of the NADYA-SENPE group continues to operate uninterruptedly since its inception. The number of registered patients and the number of participating hospitals remained stable in the last biennium analyzed.Objetivo: exponer los resultados del registro de nutrición enteral domiciliaria (NED) de los años 2018 y 2019 del Grupo NADYA-SENPE. Material y métodos: se recopilaron los pacientes introducidos en el registro desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2018 y en las mismas fechas para 2019, procediendo al análisis descriptivo y analítico de los datos. Resultados: en el año 2018 se registraron 4756 pacientes activos con una tasa de prevalencia de 101,79 pacientes/millón de habitantes; en 2019 fueron 4633 con una tasa de prevalencia de 98,51 pacientes/millón de habitantes. Procedían de 46 hospitales. Fueron el 51,3 % los varones registrados y la edad mediana fue de 71,0 años en ambos periodos. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue el de enfermedad neurológica que cursa con afagia o disfagia severa (58,7 % y 58,2 %), respectivamente. La causa principal de finalización de los episodios fue el fallecimiento. Los pacientes pediátricos registrados fueron 116 en 2018 y 115 en 2019. Las niñas representaron el 57,8 % y 59,1 %, respectivamente, en cada uno de los periodos. La edad mediana de inicio de la NED fue de 5 y 7 meses. El grupo diagnóstico más registrado (42,2 % y 42,6 %) se englobó dentro del grupo de otras patologías, seguido de la enfermedad neurológica que cursa con afagia o disfagia severa de los niños (41,4 % y 41,7 %). Se alimentaban a través de gastrostomía el 46,6 % y 46,1 %, respectivamente, en cada uno de los periodos. Conclusiones: el registro de NED del grupo NADYA-SENPE sigue operativo de forma ininterrumpida desde sus inicios. El número de pacientes registrados y el de hospitales participantes permanece estable en el último bienio analizado.

Robust network security systems are essential to prevent and mitigate the harming effects of the ever-growing occurrence of network attacks. In recent years, machine learning-based systems have gain popularity for network security applications, usually considering the application of shallow models, which rely on the careful engineering of expert, handcrafted input features. The main limitation of this approach is that handcrafted features can fail to perform well under different scenarios and types of attacks. Deep Learning (DL) models can solve this limitation using their ability to learn feature representations from raw, non-processed data. In this paper we explore the power of DL models on the specific problem of detection and classification of malware network traffic. As a major advantage with respect to the state of the art, we consider raw measurements coming directly from the stream of monitored bytes as input to the proposed models, and evaluate different raw-traffic feature representations, including packet and flow-level ones. We introduce DeepMAL, a DL model which is able to capture the underlying statistics of malicious traffic, without any sort of expert handcrafted features. Using publicly available traffic traces containing different families of malware traffic, we show that DeepMAL can detect and classify malware flows with high accuracy, outperforming traditional, shallow-like models.

Aim: to communicate the home parenteral nutrition (HPN) data obtained from the HPN registry of the NADYA-SENPE group (www.nadya-senpe.com) for the year 2019. Material and methods: a descriptive analysis of the data collected from adult and pediatric patients with HPN in the NADYA-SENPE group registry from January 1 to December 31, 2019. Results: a total of 283 patients (51.9 % women), 31 children, and 252 adults from 47 Spanish hospitals were registered, which represents a prevalence rate of 6.01 patients per million inhabitants for year 2019. The most frequent diagnosis in adults was "palliative oncological" and "others" (21.0 %). In children, it was Hirschsprung's disease together with necrotizing enterocolitis, alterations in intestinal motility, and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, with 4 cases each (12.9 %). The first reason for the indication was short-bowel syndrome in both children (51.6 %) and adults (37.3 %). The most used type of catheter was tunnelled both in children (75.9 %) and in adults (40.8 %). Sixty-eight episodes ended, all in adults, and the most frequent cause was death (54.4 %); 38.2 % were switched to oral. Conclusions: the number of collaborating centers and professionals in the NADYA registry is increasing. The main indications and reasons for HPN termination remain stable.

Aim: to communicate the home parenteral nutrition (HPN) data obtained from the HPN registry of the NADYA-SENPE group (www.nadya-senpe.com) for the year 2019. Material and methods: a descriptive analysis of the data collected from adult and pediatric patients with HPN in the NADYA-SENPE group registry from January 1 to December 31, 2019. Results: a total of 283 patients (51.9 % women), 31 children, and 252 adults from 47 Spanish hospitals were registered, which represents a prevalence rate of 6.01 patients per million inhabitants for year 2019. The most frequent diagnosis in adults was "palliative oncological" and "others" (21.0 %). In children, it was Hirschsprung's disease together with necrotizing enterocolitis, alterations in intestinal motility, and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, with 4 cases each (12.9 %). The first reason for the indication was short-bowel syndrome in both children (51.6 %) and adults (37.3 %). The most used type of catheter was tunnelled both in children (75.9 %) and in adults (40.8 %). Sixty-eight episodes ended, all in adults, and the most frequent cause was death (54.4 %); 38.2 % were switched to oral. Conclusions: the number of collaborating centers and professionals in the NADYA registry is increasing. The main indications and reasons for HPN termination remain stable.Objetivo: comunicar los datos de nutrición parenteral domiciliaria (NPD) obtenidos del registro del grupo NADYA-SENPE (www.nadya-senpe.com) del año 2019. Material y métodos: análisis descriptivo de los datos recogidos de pacientes adultos y pediátricos con NPD en el registro NADYA-SENPE desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2019. Resultados: se registraron 283 pacientes (51,9 %, mujeres), 31 niños y 252 adultos procedentes de 47 hospitales españoles, lo que representa una tasa de prevalencia de 6,01 pacientes/millón de habitantes/año 2019. El diagnóstico más frecuente en los adultos fue “oncológico paliativo” y “otros” (21,0 %). En los niños fue la enfermedad de Hirschsprung junto a la enterocolitis necrotizante, las alteraciones de la motilidad intestinal y la pseudoobstrucción intestinal crónica, con 4 casos cada uno (12,9 %). El primer motivo de indicación fue el síndrome del intestino corto tanto en los niños (51,6 %) como en los adultos (37,3 %). El tipo de catéter más utilizado fue el tunelizado tanto en los niños (75,9 %) como en los adultos (40,8 %). Finalizaron 68 episodios, todos en adultos: la causa más frecuente fue el fallecimiento (54,4 %). Pasaron a la vía oral el 38,2 %. Conclusiones: el número de centros y profesionales colaboradores con el registro NADYA va incrementándose. Se mantienen estables las principales indicaciones y los motivos de finalización de la NPD.

espanolEn los Estandares basicos de competencias del curriculo colombiano se propone abordar la ensenanza de las ciencias desde el enfoque ciencia, tecnologia y sociedad (cts), pero es sugerido de forma reduccionista, donde solo se tiene en cuenta el componente tecnico y cientifico, omitiendo incluso un componente ambiental, por lo que en algunas ocasiones los profesores no utilizan este adecuadamente o no lo tienen en cuenta, tal como ha sucedido en el colegio ideha. Asi, en este articulo cientifico se presento una propuesta para articular algunos conceptos de termodinamica con el enfoque ciencia, tecnologia, sociedad y ambiente (ctsa), con el proposito de identificar algunas concepciones ingenuas, plausibles y adecuadas en los estudiantes. Estas categorias, de naturaleza empirica, ya han sido reconocidas en cuestionarios estandarizados de opinion ctsa. La metodologia que se siguio fue un estudio de caso, con enfoque cualitativo, donde se describieron opiniones, respuestas y concepciones de estudiantes de noveno grado sobre el impacto que puede traer la ciencia y la tecnologia a la sociedad y el ambiente; sumado a ello, se describieron algunas dificultades de aprendizaje relacionadas con los conceptos cientificos trabajados. Como resultado, se encontraron concepciones reduccionistas de la tecnologia, la politica y el ambiente, con actitudes desfavorables hacia la tecnologia y favorables en aspectos ambientalistas; sumado a ello, se identificaron dificultades de aprendizaje similares a las ideas que tuvieron los cientificos en la historia de la ciencia. Por lo anterior, se considera importante la formacion de estudiantes alfabetizados tecnocientificamente para que puedan cuestionar los beneficios y perjuicios, entrar y mantener debates, o proponer soluciones a diferentes problematicas que los afectan, directa o indirectamente, en temas ctsa, a partir de propuestas que el profesor logre desarrollar. EnglishAbstract The Basic Standards of Competence [Estandares basicos de competencias] from Colombian curriculum propose to address the teaching of science from the science, technology and society (sts) approach. However, the proposal is rather reductionist, as it only considers the technical and scientific component, even ignoring an environmental component. Consequently, teachers sometimes do not follow the approach properly, or just do not take it into account, as it the case in the ideha school. Therefore, this scientific paper presented a proposal to articulate some concepts from thermodynamics with the stse approach, to identify some of students’ naive, plausible and adequate conceptions. These categories, empirical in nature, have already been used in standardized stse opinion tests. The researchers followed a case study methodology with a qualitative approach. They described the opinions, answers and conceptions of ninth-graders about the potential impact of science and technology on society and environment. They also described some learning difficulties related to the scientific concepts studied. The results showed reductionist conceptions about technology, politics and environment, with unfavorable attitudes towards technology, and favorable attitudes towards environmental aspects. It can be concluded that it is important to get technically and scientifically instructed students, so that they can question pros and cons, debate, or propose solutions to different problems that affect them, directly or indirectly, on stse issues, through proposals developed by the teacher. portuguesNos estândares basicos de competencia do curriculo colombiano propoe-se ensinar ciencias desde o enfoque da ciencia, tecnologia e sociedade (cts), mas e sugerido de forma reducionista, no qual so se tem em conta o componente tecnico e cientifico, ate mesmo imitem o componente ambiental, dai que em algumas ocasioes os professores nao usam o enfoque corretamente ou nao o se dao conta, tal como tem sucedido no escola ideha. E assim como se apresentou, neste articulo cientifico, uma proposta para articular alguns conceitos de termodinâmica com o enfoque ciencia, tecnologia, sociedade e ambiente (ctsa), com o proposito de identificar algumas concepcoes ingenuas, plausiveis e adequadas dos estudantes. Estas categorias, de natureza empirica, ja foram reconhecidas em questionarios estandardizados de opiniao ctsa. A metodologia que se desenvolveu foi um estudo de caso, com enfoque qualitativo, onde foi descrito opinioes, respostas e concepcoes de estudantes de nono grau sobre o impacto que pode gerar a ciencia e a tecnologia para a sociedade e o ambiente; somado a isto, foi descrito algumas dificuldades de aprendizagem relacionadas com os conceitos cientificos trabalhados. Como resultados obteve-se concepcoes reducionistas da tecnologia, a politica e o ambiente, com atitudes desfavoraveis em aspetos ambientalistas; tambem foi identificado dificuldades de aprendizagem similares as ideias que os cientistas tem tido na historia da ciencia. Como conclusao, se considera importante a formacao de estudantes alfabetizados tecno-cientificamente para que possam questionar os beneficios e prejuizos, entrar e manter debates ou propor solucoes em diferentes problematicas que os afetam, diretamente ou indiretamente, em temas ctsa, a partir de propostas que o professor pode desenvolver.

The parabigeminal nucleus (PBG) is the mammalian homologue to the isthmic complex of other vertebrates. Optogenetic stimulation of the PBG induces freezing and escape in mice, a result thought to be caused by a PBG projection to the central nucleus of the amygdala. However, the isthmic complex, including the PBG, has been classically considered satellite nuclei of the Superior Colliculus (SC), which upon stimulation of its medial part also triggers fear and avoidance reactions. As the PBG-SC connectivity is not well characterized, we investigated whether the topology of the PBG projection to the SC could be related to the behavioral consequences of PBG stimulation. To that end, we performed immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization and neural tracer injections in the SC and PBG in a diurnal rodent, the Octodon degus. We found that all PBG neurons expressed both glutamatergic and cholinergic markers and were distributed in clearly defined anterior (aPBG) and posterior (pPBG) subdivisions. The pPBG is connected reciprocally and topographically to the ipsilateral SC, whereas the aPBG receives afferent axons from the ipsilateral SC and projected exclusively to the contralateral SC. This contralateral projection forms a dense field of terminals that is restricted to the medial SC, in correspondence with the SC representation of the aerial binocular field which, we also found, in O. degus prompted escape reactions upon looming stimulation. Therefore, this specialized topography allows binocular interactions in the SC region controlling responses to aerial predators, suggesting a link between the mechanisms by which the SC and PBG produce defensive behaviors.

O Instituto Federal de Goiás, câmpus de Anápolis, procura contribuir na superação das problemáticas socioambientais que atingem comunidades vulneráveis da região mediante a agricultura sustentável em uma horta comunitária. Para isso, propôs, como possível caminho, desenvolver a educação ambiental crítica voltada para essa superação discutindo essencialmente aspectos teóricos e práticos do enfoque crítico e sua relação com a práxis. Os estudos do Materialismo Histórico-Dialético (MHD) são empregados como norteadores dos aspectos teórico-metodológicos e os da Investigação-Ação (IA) para elaboração do desenho de pesquisa, no que diz respeito aos aspectos práticos voltados para a garantia do desenvolvimento da práxis. O MHD explica a relação entre homem-natureza e entre as relações sociais e de produção que se tornam contraditórias e são a causa da crise socioambiental. A IA, por sua vez, garante o diálogo entre a reflexão e a ação em busca da emancipação. Nesse sentido, a intervenção dos intelectuais nesse processo é importante tanto para possibilitar o diálogo quanto para aprender a lidar com o saber erudito e com a autonomia da comunidade.

Intragastric injection of botulinum toxin A (BT-A) has been shown to be effective for weight loss up to six months after administration, according to previous studies. Our objective was to determine, in patients on bariatric surgery waiting lists, the effect of BT-A on weight loss in the pre- and postoperative period and to analyse if there are different responses based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: We performed a follow-up analysis of the IntraTox study, which included 46 patients on bariatric surgery waiting lists in a single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The treatment group received intragastric BT-A, whereas the control group received physiological saline solution. The one-time procedure was performed at the time of diagnostic endoscopy 7–8 months before surgery. Weight loss was evaluated at admission and after 4 and 12 weeks from the bariatric surgery. Our analysis was stratified by BMI at randomisation. Results: weight loss percentage on the day of surgery, with respect to the initial visit, was −4.5 ± 3.9% for the control group vs. −7.6 ± 4.2%, for the treatment group (p = 0.013). Weight loss percentage tended to remain greater in the treatment group one month after the intervention (−12.7 ± 4.7% vs. −15.2 ± 4.6%, p = 0.07) and become similar three months after (−21.6 ± 4.7% vs. −21.6 ± 4.6%). After stratifying by BMI, only patients with BMI over 50 kg/m2 allocated to the treatment group obtained a greater weight loss at the end of the trial, the day of surgery, and one month after, compared with the placebo group (−4.9 ± 4.9%, −10.8 ± 5.3% and −17.1 ± 3.8% vs. −0.1 ± 2.6%, −4.3 ± 3.2% and −12.8 ± 4.1%, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: intragastric injection of BT-A is effective to achieve significant weight loss, especially in extreme obesity. Its use before bariatric surgery enhances perioperative weight loss. Merz Pharma (Frankfurt am Main, Germany) collaborated with a non-restricted grant. The study was co-funded by the Sociedad Andaluza de Endocrinología, Diabetes y Nutrición (SAEDYN) and the Sociedad Andaluza de Nutrición, Clínica y Dietética (SANCYD). This research was supported by the Plataforma Española de Investigación Clínica y Ensayos Clínicos, SCReN (Spanish Clinical Research Network), funded by ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación, through the projects PT13/0002/0020 and PT17/0020, integrated in the Plan Estatal de I+D+I 2013-2016 and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga

A defining feature of the amniote tecto-fugal visual pathway is a massive bilateral projection to the thalamus originating from a distinct neuronal population, tectal ganglion cells (TGCs), of the optic tectum/superior colliculus (TeO/SC). In sauropsids, the thalamic target of the tecto-fugal pathway is the nucleus rotundus thalami (Rt). TGCs axons collateralize en route to Rt to target the nucleus pretectalis principalis (PT), which in turn gives rise to bilateral projection to the TeO. In rodents, the thalamic target of these TGCs afferents is the caudal division of the pulvinar complex (PulC). No pretectal structures in receipt of TGC collaterals have been described in this group. However, Baldwin et al. (Journal of Comparative Neurology, 2011;519(6):1071-1094) reported in the squirrel a feedback projection from the PulC to the SC. Pulvino-tectal (Pul-T) cells lie at the caudal pole of the PulC, intermingled with the axonal terminals of TGCs. Here, by performing a combination of neuronal tracing, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and in situ hybridization, we characterized the pattern of projections, neurochemical profile, and genoarchitecture of Pul-T cells in the diurnal Chilean rodent Octodon degus. We found that Pul-T neurons exhibit pretectal, but not thalamic, genoarchitectonical markers, as well as hodological and neurochemical properties that match specifically those of the avian nucleus PT. Thus, we propose that Pul-T cells constitute a pretectal cell population hidden within the dorsal thalamus of mammals. Our results solve the oddity entailed by the apparent existence of a noncanonic descending sensory thalamic projection and further stress the conservative character of the tectofugal pathway.