Whistle characterization of long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis bairdii) in La Paz Bay, Gulf of California.

Long-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis bairdii) distribution is limited to the Eastern North Pacific Ocean. Its whistle repertoire is poorly investigated, with no studies in the Gulf of California. The aim of the present study is to characterize the whistles of this species and compare their parameters with different populations. Acoustic monitoring was conducted in La Paz Bay, Gulf of California. Recordings were inspected in spectrogram view in Raven Pro, selecting good quality whistles (n = 270). In the software Luscinia, contours were manually traced to obtain whistle frequencies and duration. Number of steps, inflection points and contour type were visually determined. We calculated the descriptive statistics of the selected whistle parameters and we compared the results with a dolphins population from the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) was performed to test the intraspecific variation of the whistle parameters among groups. In the present study the mean values (±SD) of the whistle parameters were: maximum frequency = 14.13 ± 3.71 kHz, minimum frequency = 8.44 ± 2.58 kHz and duration = 0.44 ± 0.31 s. Whistles with the upsweep contour were the most common ones (34.44%). The coefficient of variation (CV) values for modulation parameters were high (>100%), in accordance with other studies on dolphins. Whistle parameters showed significant differences among groups. Finally, ending and maximum frequencies, duration and inflection points of the whistles recorded in the present study were lower compared with the parameters of the long-beaked common dolphins from the Eastern Pacific Ocean. This study provides the first whistle characterization of long-beaked common dolphin from the Gulf of California and it will help future passive acoustic monitoring applications in the study area.

Differences in the whistles of two ecotypes of bottlenose dolphins from the Gulf of California.

Intraspecific whistle variation in dolphins has been explained in the context of geographical isolation, soundscape, and social structure. Whistles of two ecotypes of bottlenose dolphins from La Paz Bay, Gulf of California, were analyzed. Both ecotypes showed similar whistle contours. However, they could be identified by contour maximum frequency which was predominantly above 15 kHz for oceanic dolphins and below 15 kHz for coastal dolphins. The different whistle frequencies of the two ecotypes could result from differences in group size and acoustic characteristics of their respective habitats, suggesting potential future passive acoustic monitoring applications.

Influence of Life-History Parameters on Persistent Organic Pollutant Concentrations in Blubber of Eastern North Pacific Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus).

Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can significantly impact marine mammal health, reproduction, and fitness. This study addresses a significant 20-year gap in gray whale contaminant monitoring through analysis of POPs in 120 blubber biopsies. The scope of this substantial sample set is noteworthy in its range and diversity with collection between 2003 and 2017 along North America's west coast and across diverse sex, age, and reproductive parameters, including paired mothers and calves. Mean blubber concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (∑PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (∑DDTs), and chlordanes (∑CHLs) generally decreased since previous reports (1968-1999). This is the first report of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and select hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in this species. Statistical modeling of the 19 most frequently detected compounds in this dataset revealed sex-, age-, and reproductive status-related patterns, predominantly attributed to maternal offloading. Mean POP concentrations differed significantly by sex in adults (17 compounds, up to 3-fold higher in males) but not in immatures (all 19 compounds). Mean POP concentrations were significantly greater in adults versus immatures in both males (17 compounds, up to 12-fold) and females (13 compounds, up to 3-fold). POP concentrations were detected with compound-specific patterns in nursing calves, confirming maternal offloading for the first time in this species.

Changes in whistle parameters of two common bottlenose dolphin ecotypes as a result of the physical presence of the research vessel.

In the presence of vessels, dolphins have been found to change their habitat, behavior, group composition and whistle repertoire. The modification of the whistle parameters is generally considered to be a response to the engine noise. Little is known about the impact of the physical presence of vessels on dolphin acoustics. Whistle parameters of the coastal and oceanic ecotypes of common bottlenose dolphins in La Paz Bay, Mexico, were measured after the approach of the research vessel and its engine shutdown. Recordings of 10 min were made immediately after turning off the engine. For analysis, these recordings were divided from minute 0 to minute 5, and from minute 5:01 to minute 10. The whistles of the oceanic ecotype showed higher maximum, minimum and peak frequency in the second time interval compared to the first one. The whistle rate decreased in the second time interval. The whistles of the coastal ecotype showed no difference between the two time intervals. The physical presence of the research vessel could have induced a change in the whistle parameters of the oceanic dolphins until habituation to the vessel disturbance. The oceanic ecotype could increase the whistle rate and decrease the whistle frequencies to maintain acoustic contact more frequently and for longer distances. The coastal ecotype, showing no significant changes in the whistle parameters, could be more habituated to the presence of vessels and display a higher tolerance.

Energy Consumption Model of SCHC Packet Fragmentation over Sigfox LPWAN.

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has standardized a new framework, called Static Context Header Compression and fragmentation (SCHC), which offers adaptation layer functionality designed to support IPv6 over Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs). The IETF is currently profiling SCHC, and in particular its packet fragmentation and reassembly functionality, for its optimal use over certain LPWAN technologies. Considering the energy constraints of LPWAN devices, it is crucial to determine the energy performance of SCHC packet transfer. In this paper, we present a current and energy consumption model of SCHC packet transfer over Sigfox, a flagship LPWAN technology. The model, which is based on real hardware measurements, allows to determine the impact of several parameters and fragment transmission strategies on the energy performance of SCHC packet transfer over Sigfox. Among other results, we have found that the lifetime of a device powered by a 2000 mAh battery, transmitting packets every 5 days, is 168 days for 2250-byte packets, while it increases to 1464 days for 77-byte packets.

Peritoneal Dialysis Is an Option for Acute Kidney Injury Management in Patients with COVID-19.

In December 2019, cases of acute respiratory illness of unknown origin were reported in Wuhan, China. The disease is caused by "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2". After identifying severe lung damage, injury to other organs, such as the kidney, has been identified. Peritoneal dialysis is a renal replacement therapy (RRT) and is at least as effective as other extracorporeal therapy options, with significant cost-effective advantages. However, this strategy is rarely used for the management of acute kidney injury in severe lung disease. In this review, we explore PD as an RRT strategy that may be a key instrument in countries and hospitals with limited access to all RRTs.

Mobile App-Based Intervention for Adolescents With First-Episode Psychosis: Study Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Previous studies have shown an improvement in the access to treatment for patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP), specifically young patients, through mobile app-based interventions. The aim of this study is to test the effectiveness of a mobile app-based intervention to improve community functioning in adolescents with FEP. Mobile app-based interventions could increase quality of life and disease awareness, which improve adherence to treatment and reduce the frequency of relapses and rehospitalizations in adolescents with FEP. Methods: This article describes a mobile app treatment and the pilot trial protocol for patients with FEP. We will perform a single-blind randomized clinical trial (RCT) including patients with FEP aged 14-19 years recruited from Gregorio Marañón Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Patients will be randomly assigned to an intervention group, which will receive treatment as usual plus five modules of a psychological intervention through the mobile app (psychoeducation, recognition of symptoms and prevention of relapses, problem solving, mindfulness, and contact wall), or to a control group (standard care). The effectiveness of the intervention will be assessed by means of an extensive battery of clinical tests at baseline and at 3 months of follow-up. The primary outcome is reduction in psychotic and depressive symptoms; secondary outcomes comprise adherence, awareness, use of drugs, and quality of life. Data will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis. Mixed model repeated-measures analysis will be used to explore the following effect: group × time interaction between the control group and the intervention group for clinical and functional variables during the follow-up period. Discussion: This is an innovative study for the assessment of a psychological intervention through a mobile app for patients with FEP during the critical period. This pilot RCT is intended to be a precursor to larger studies, which in turn could facilitate dissemination of mobile app therapy for patients with FEP. Ethics and Dissemination: The local ethics committee approved the study protocol. All participants must sign the informed consent, to participate. After finalizing the study, the results will be published. Trial registration: NCT03161249. NCT clinicaltrials.gov. Date of registration in primary registry 02 May 2017. clinicaltrials.gov.

Opportunistic Sensor Data Collection with Bluetooth Low Energy.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has gained very high momentum, as witnessed by its widespread presence in smartphones, wearables and other consumer electronics devices. This fact can be leveraged to carry out opportunistic sensor data collection (OSDC) in scenarios where a sensor node cannot communicate with infrastructure nodes. In such cases, a mobile entity (e.g., a pedestrian or a vehicle) equipped with a BLE-enabled device can collect the data obtained by the sensor node when both are within direct communication range. In this paper, we characterize, both analytically and experimentally, the performance and trade-offs of BLE as a technology for OSDC, for the two main identified approaches, and considering the impact of its most crucial configuration parameters. Results show that a BLE sensor node running on a coin cell battery can achieve a lifetime beyond one year while transferring around 10 Mbit/day, in realistic OSDC scenarios.

[Clinical practice guideline on closed tibial plateau fractures in adulthood]. / Guía de práctica clínica. Fractura cerrada de la meseta tibial en el adulto.

Closed tibiae plateau fractures are common injuries in the emergency room. The optimal treatment is not well defined or established. For this reason, there are several surgical management options: open reduction and internal fixation, closed reduction and percutaneous synthesis, external fixation, and even conservative treatment for this kind of fracture. The mechanism of production of this fracture is through large varus or valgus deformation to which is added a factor of axial load. The trauma may be direct or indirect. The degree of displacement, fragmentation and involvement of soft tissues like ligaments, menisci, vascular and nerve structures are determined by the magnitude of the force exerted. Any intra-articular fracture treatment can lead to an erroneous instability, deformity and limitation of motion with subsequent arthritic changes, leading to joint incongruity, limiting activity and significantly altering the quality of life. Open reduction and internal fixation with anatomic restitution is the method used in this type of fracture. However, the results of numerous publications can be questioned due to the inclusion in the same study of fractures treated with very different methods.

Las fracturas de la meseta tibial cerradas son lesiones frecuentes en los servicios de urgencias, cuyo tratamiento óptimo no se encuentra bien definido, ya que existen para un mismo tipo de fractura diversas opciones de manejo quirúrgico, como reducción abierta y fijación interna, reducción cerrada con síntesis percutánea, fijación externa e incluso tratamiento conservador. El mecanismo de producción de estas fracturas es a través de grandes deformaciones en varo o valgo a las que se añade un componente de carga axial. El traumatismo puede ser directo o indirecto. El grado de desplazamiento, la fragmentación y la afectación de partes blandas (ligamentos, meniscos, estructuras vasculares y nerviosas) se encuentran determinados por la magnitud de la fuerza ejercida. Como en cualquier fractura intraarticular, un tratamiento erróneo puede dar lugar a inestabilidad, deformidad y limitación de la movilidad, con los consiguientes cambios artrósicos, lo cual provocará incongruencia articular, limitará la actividad y alternará de forma significativa la calidad de vida. La reducción abierta y la fijación interna con la que se busca la restitución anatómica es un método utilizado en este tipo de fracturas. Sin embargo, los resultados de numerosas publicaciones pueden ser cuestionados debido a la inclusión en un mismo estudio de fracturas tratadas con métodos muy diferentes.

Expression of antigen tf and galectin-3 in fibroadenoma.

BACKGROUND: Fibroadenomas are benign human breast tumors, characterized by proliferation of epithelial and stromal components of the terminal ductal unit. They may grow, regress or remain unchanged, as the hormonal environment of the patient changes. Expression of antigen TF in mucin or mucin-type glycoproteins and of galectin-3 seems to contribute to proliferation and transformations events; their expression has been reported in ductal breast cancer and in aggressive tumors. FINDINGS: Lectin histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to examine the expression and distribution of antigen TF and galectin-3. We used lectins from Arachis hypogaea, Artocarpus integrifolia, and Amaranthus lecuocarpus to evaluate TF expression and a monoclonal antibody to evaluate galectin-3 expression. We used paraffin-embedded blocks from 10 breast tissues diagnosed with fibroadenoma and as control 10 healthy tissue samples. Histochemical and immunofluorescence analysis showed positive expression of galectin-3 in fibroadenoma tissue, mainly in stroma, weak interaction in ducts was observed; whereas, in healthy tissue samples the staining was also weak in ducts. Lectins from A. leucocarpus and A. integrifolia specificaly recognized ducts in healthy breast samples, whereas the lectin from A. hypogaea recognized ducts and stroma. In fibroadenoma tissue, the lectins from A. integrifolia, A. Hypogaea, and A. leucocarpus recognized mainly ducts. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that expression of antigen TF and galectin-3 seems to participate in fibroadenoma development.

High doses of 4-aminopyridine improve functionality in chronic complete spinal cord injury patients with MRI evidence of cord continuity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many patients with complete spinal cord injury (SCI) exhibit demyelinated and poorly myelinated nerve fibers traversing the lesion site. Conventional doses of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, 30 mg/day) have shown to provide no or minor functional improvement in these patients. We undertook this study to test the functional effect of high doses of 4-AP on patients with chronic complete SCI with cord continuity at the site of injury demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: Fourteen patients were included in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial followed by an open label long-term follow-up. Initially, patients received 4-AP or placebo orally, with 4-AP being increased gradually (5 mg/week) to reach 30 mg/day. For long-term treatment, 4-AP was increased 10 mg periodically according to negative electroencephalogram and blood test abnormalities and minor adverse reactions. Pre-treatment, 12 and 24 weeks of the controlled trial, and 6 and 12 months of open trial evaluations, or with the highest doses reached were obtained. RESULTS: Three of 12 patients were able to walk with the assistance of orthopedic devices, 1/12 became incomplete (AIS B), 7/12 improved their somatosensory evoked potentials, 5/12 had sensation and control of bladder and anal sphincters, and 4/9 male patients had psychogenic erection. CONCLUSIONS: Positive changes were seen mainly in patients with cyst (4/5) or atrophy (3/5) of the injury site. Two patients withdrew from the study: one had seizures and one had intolerant adverse reactions. We conclude that high doses of 4-AP in the studied population produced several functional benefits not observed using lower doses.

IgM plasma cell myeloma with amyloidosis presenting as mammary microcalcifications.

We report the case of an otherwise healthy 67-year-old woman who presented with bilateral breast masses and calcifications. Bilateral mammary biopsies showed infiltration by monoclonal neoplastic plasma cells and diffuse osseous metaplasia. Congo red stains and immunohistochemistry showed amyloid deposits. This case illustrates why multiple myeloma should be kept in mind in the diagnosis of mammary calcifications.

Expression of cathepsin D and galectin 3 in tubular carcinomas of the breast.

Tubular carcinoma (TC) is a distinctive type of grade I (G1) ductal carcinoma with particularly favourable outcome and low rate of axillary metastases. To the best of our knowledge, few data are available in the literature concerning the expression of molecules mediating intercellular and cell-matrix interactions in TC. We examined with immunohistochemical methods the expression of galectin 3 and cathepsin D in 17 TC and in 33, 31 and 28 ductal carcinomas of G1, grade II (G2) and grade III (G3), respectively. Results were compared using Chi-square test. Galectin 3 expression was higher in TC than in G1 carcinomas (p<0.05). The pattern of immunostaining was also different with a focal cytoplasmic apical reinforcement in TC. However, cathepsin D stromal and epithelial expression was similar in TC and G1 cases (p>0.05), and lower than in G2 and G3 patients at a stromal level. The higher expression of galectin 3 in TC and its focal staining (apical) pattern suggests that within the group of G1 carcinomas, galectin 3 expression varies according to histological type, and may correlate with prognosis and metastatic potential. We also suggest that cathepsin D could not be involved in neoplastic progression and metastasis in low-grade (G1) ductal breast carcinomas.

Differential CD4(+) T-cell memory responses induced by two subsets of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

Dendritic cells (DC) are powerful inducers of primary T-cell responses, but their role in secondary responses has not been extensively analysed. Here, we address the role of two DC subsets derived from human CD16(+) (16(+) mDC) or CD16(-) (16(-) mDC) monocytes on the reactivation of memory responses. CD4(+) CD45RA(-) memory T cells were obtained from adult blood donors, and central (T(CM)) and effector (T(EM)) memory T cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting with anti-CCR7 antibodies. The 16(+) mDC and 16(-) mDC were cocultured with autologous lymphocytes, either unpulsed or loaded with purified protein derivatives of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (PPD) or tetanus toxoid (TT), and were analysed for up to 8 days. Over a range of doses, 16(+) mDC drove stronger T-cell proliferative responses against both antigens. Overall, antigen-specific memory cells tended to acquire a phenotype of T(EM) at later time-points in the culture, whereas cells that had completed fewer cycles of division were similar to T(CM). The 16(+) mDC induced higher rates of proliferation on both T(CM) and T(EM) lymphocytes than 16(-) mDC. This phenomenon was not related to the ability of both DC to induce CD25 expression on T cells, to lower secretion of interleukin-2, or to raise production of interleukin-10 during T-cell/16(-) mDC cocultures. The induction of T(CM) effector capacity in terms of interferon-gamma production was faster and more pronounced with 16(+) mDC, whereas both DC had similar abilities with T(EM). In conclusion, these data might reveal new potentials in vaccination protocols with 16(+) mDC aimed at inducing strong responses on central memory T cells.

[Malignant phyllodes tumor of the breast with osteoclast-like giant cells: a case report]. / Tumeur phyllode maligne du sein avec cellules géantes de type ostéoclastique: à propos d'un cas.

Breast tumors, particularly of stromal origin, containing multinucleated osteoclast-like giant cells (OLGC) are rarely reported in the literature. We report here the first case of a malignant phyllodes tumor associated with OLGC occurring in a 43 year-old African woman who presented with a painful palpable mass of the outer upper quadrant of the right breast. After surgical excision, histological examination showed a malignant phyllodes tumor in which the stromal component displayed evident sarcomatous changes and was densely populated with benign multinucleated OLGC. These cells expressed the CD68 histiocytic marker. No evidence of osseous or cartilaginous differentiation was seen throughout the lesion. This lesion ressembles giant cell tumor of bone. However, the nature of the OLGC is not well precised yet.

Proliferating activity in columnar cell lesions of the breast.

With the introduction of mammographic screening, columnar cell lesions (CCLs) are observed more and more frequently because they are often associated with microcalcifications. Until now, the proliferative activity of these lesions has not been previously evaluated. Ki67 index was performed by immunohistochemistry in CCLs without atypia [columnar cell change (CCC) n = 20 and columnar cell hyperplasia without atypia (CCH without atypia) n = 20], flat epithelial atypia (FEA DIN1A n = 20), low-grade intraductal carcinoma (DIN1C n = 20), high-grade intraductal carcinoma (DIN 2-3 n = 20). Adjacent terminal duct-lobular unit (TDLU) of normal breast tissue served as control. Ki-67 index is extremely low and close in CCLs without atypia (CCC mean 0.1% and CCH mean 0.76%) and paradoxically is lower than in normal TDLU (mean 2.4%) (p < 0.001). In the FEA, in comparison with normal TDLU and CCLs without atypia, the Ki67 is higher (mean 8.2%) (p < 0.001) but extremely close to those of DIN1C (mean 8.9%) (p = 0.6 NS). Lastly, the Ki67 index is higher in DIN 2-3 (mean 25.4%) than in CCLs without atypia and FEA (p < 0.001). CCLs are disparate lesions having in common cells with columnar configuration but different proliferative characteristics. These data represent findings of biological interest which could help us to better understand these controversial lesions.