Advanced Detection of Failed LEDs in a Short Circuit for Automotive Lighting Applications.

This paper addresses the issue of LED short-circuit fault detection in signaling and lighting systems in the automotive industry. The conventional diagnostic method commonly implemented in newer vehicles relies on measuring the voltage drop across different LED branches and comparing it with threshold values indicating faults caused by open circuits or LED short circuits. With this algorithm, detecting cases of a few LEDs short-circuited within a branch, particularly a single malfunctioning LED, is particularly challenging. In this work, two easily implementable algorithms are proposed to address this issue within the vehicle's control unit. One is based on a mathematical prediction model, while the other utilizes a neural network. The results obtained offer a 100% LED short-circuit fault detection rate in the majority of analyzed cases, representing a significant improvement over the conventional method, even in scenarios involving a single malfunctioning LED within a branch. Additionally, the neural network-based model can accurately predict the number of failed LEDs.

Impact of a PROgram of Cardiovascular nursE interventionS in a VALVular haEmodynamic Unit (PROCESS-VALVE) on Quality Indicators: A Quasi-Experimental Ambispective Study.

Background: The percutaneous treatment of heart valve diseases carried out in the hemodynamic service is constantly growing. After analyzing the mortality, readmissions, success of the procedure, and complications, several studies support this type of percutaneous procedure. The increase in these procedures has required the creation of multidisciplinary teams and new diagnostic and care circuits, such as presurgical consultations and postsurgical follow-ups. Even so, there is little evidence regarding the effect of these consultations on quality indicators. Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of a program of presurgical and postsurgical nurse interventions (PROCESS-VALVE) on quality indicators of the health of patients undergoing percutaneous valve procedures. Patients and Methods: The influence of presurgical and postsurgical consultations on quality indicators will be evaluated through an ambispective quasi-experimental study. Patients will be recruited at a tertiary-level hospital in Barcelona, Spain. For the control group, data will be collected retrospectively from patients who underwent percutaneous valve procedures but did not receive pre- or postsurgical consultations. The intervention group comprises those patients agreeing to participate in the study and the hemodynamic nurse valve consultation program (PROCESS-VALVE). In addition, we will assess whether a face-to-face postsurgical consultation equally improves quality indicators compared to postsurgical telephone consultation; for this, a sub-study will be carried out comparing face-to-face or telephone postsurgical follow-up by means of a randomized controlled clinical trial with simple blinding in the intervention group. Discussion: This study will generate scientific evidence regarding the impact on quality indicators of a nursing intervention via presurgical and postsurgical consultations. In addition, it will allow us to decide the most appropriate follow-up strategy for this type of patient. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05179278, registration date 01/05/2022.

MgO-mediated activation of active carbon as an affordable strategy to "in situ" degradation of lindane in contaminated soils.

The accumulation in soil landfills of toxic and persistent lindane, widely used as an insecticide, triggers the risk of leaching with the concomitant contamination of surrounding rivers. Thus, viable remediation to eliminate in situ high concentrations of lindane in soil and water becomes an urgent demand. In this line, a simple and cost-effective composite is proposed, including the use of industrial wastes. It includes reductive and non-reductive base-catalyzed strategies to remove lindane in the media. A mixture of magnesium oxide (MgO) and activated carbon (AC) was selected for that purpose. The use of MgO provides a basic pH. In addition, the specific selected MgO forms double-layered hydroxides in water which permits the total adsorption of the main heavy metals in contaminated soils. AC provides adsorption microsites to hold the lindane and a reductive atmosphere that was increased when combined with the MgO. These properties trigger highly efficient remediation of the composite. It permits a complete elimination of lindane in the solution. In soils doped with lindane and heavy metals, it produces a rapid, complete, and stable elimination of lindane and immobilization of the metals. Finally, the composite tested in lindane-highly contaminated soils permits the "in situ" degradation of nearly 70% of the initial lindane. The proposed strategy opens a promising way to face this environmental issue with a simple, cost-effective composite to degrade lindane and fix heavy metals in contaminated soils.

Incidence and Prevalence of Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis in a Healthcare Management Organization in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate incidence and prevalence of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) in a university hospital-based health management organization (Hospital Italiano Medical Care Program) in Argentina. METHODS: Overall and sex-specific incidence rates (IRs) and prevalence were calculated (age ≥ 50 yrs). Incidence study followed members with continuous affiliation ≥ 1 year from January 2000 to December 2015. Diagnosis as per the 2012 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology/American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for PMR or the ACR 1990 criteria for GCA. Prevalence was calculated on January 1, 2015. RESULTS: There were 176,558 persons who contributed a total of 1,046,620 person-years (PY). Of these, 825 developed PMR, with an IR (per 100,000 PY) of 78.8 (95% CI 73.4-84.2) overall, 90.1 (95% CI 82.9-97.2) for women, and 58.9 (95% CI 51.1-66.6) for men. Ninety persons developed GCA; the IR was 8.6 (95% CI 6.8-10.4) overall, 11.1 (95% CI 8.5-10.6) for women, and 4.2 (2.2-6.3) for men. There were 205 prevalent PMR cases and 23 prevalent GCA cases identified from a population of 80,335. Prevalence of PMR was 255 per 100,000 (95% CI 220-290) overall, 280 (95% CI 234-325) for women, and 209 (95% CI 150-262) for men; and the prevalence of GCA was 28.6 per 100,000 (95% CI 16.9-40.3) overall, 36.4 (95% CI 20.1-52.8) for women, and 14.2 (95% CI 0.3-28.1) for men. CONCLUSION: This is the first study of incidence and prevalence of PMR and GCA in Argentina. There were similarities and differences with cohorts from other parts of the world, but population-based epidemiologic studies in Latin America are needed.

Post-COVID-19 Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibodies.

Background: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody disease most commonly presents with optic neuritis, though myelitis is also possible. It is rare in the post-infectious and particularly post-COVID-19 setting. Case Presentation. We present the case of a 57-year-old man who tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced respiratory symptoms that completely resolved within one week. About 3 weeks after testing positive, he began experiencing acute onset anuria, followed by lower extremity paresthesia and paraparesis, which progressed to bilateral lower extremity paraplegia, complete loss of sensation of pain, temperature, vibration, and proprioception, and a T4 sensory level. He was initially diagnosed with and treated for acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), after which he made minimal clinical improvement. The diagnosis was shifted to longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, and his CSF tested positive for MOG antibodies. He is being treated with a steroid regimen and extensive outpatient physical therapy. Conclusion: The neurologic manifestations of COVID-19 are still being uncovered. Neurologic symptoms should be included in patient education on symptom monitoring, even after recovery of respiratory illness, so that COVID-19-related CNS pathology can be urgently treated.

Análisis predictivo de la deserción estudiantil en la carrera de Medicina / Predictive analysis on student dropout in the Medicine degree

RESUMEN Fundamento: la deserción escolar debe ser analizada en un contexto multivariado para identificar sus causas y efectos, de ningún modo debe ser atribuida a una sola causa. Objetivo: determinar la capacidad predictiva de algunos factores sobre la deserción escolar de estudiantes de Medicina, a través de un modelo de regresión logística múltiple. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico, predictivo en 87 estudiantes de Medicina matriculados en el curso 2015-2016. Se aplicaron métodos teóricos y empíricos y se realizó en dos etapas: en la primera se identificaron las variables más asociadas a la deserción escolar a través de un análisis bivariado; y en la segunda, se analizó la capacidad de estas variables para predecir la deserción a través de la regresión logística (análisis multivariado). Resultados: en el análisis bivariado, nueve variables mostraron relación significativa con la deserción escolar; al someterlas al análisis multivariado (correlación y regresión logística), solo cuatro mantuvieron la significación estadística, por lo que finalmente fueron las escogidas como variables predictoras. Conclusiones: la deserción escolar en estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina puede predecirse por la combinación sinérgica de los cuatro predictores: dedicarle al estudio menos de 15 horas por semana, el sexo femenino, la repitencia escolar y el bajo rendimiento académico en Morfofisiología.

ABSTRACT Background: school dropout should be analyzed in a multivariate context to identify its causes and effects; in no way, it should be attributed to a single cause. Objective: to determine the predictive capacity of some factors on the school dropout of medical students, through a multiple logistic regression model. Methods: an analytical, predictive study was carried out in 87 medical students enrolled in the 2015-2016 academic year. Theoretical and empirical methods were applied and it was carried out in two stages: in the first, the variables most associated with school dropout were identified through a bivariate analysis; and in the second, the ability of these variables to predict dropout was analyzed through logistic regression (multivariate analysis). Results: in the bivariate analysis, nine variables showed a significant relationship with school dropout; when subjected to multivariate analysis (correlation and logistic regression), only four maintained statistical significance, that´s why they were finally chosen as predictor variables. Conclusions: school dropout in Medicine students can be predicted by the synergistic combination of the four predictors: dedicating less than 15 hours per week to study, female sex, school repetition and low academic performance in Morphology-physiology.

Rendimiento académico en estudiantes Vs factores que influyen en sus resultados: una relación a considerar / Academic performance in students Vs factors that influence their results: a relationship to consider

RESUMEN Fundamento: el análisis de los factores que inciden en el rendimiento académico resulta útil para diseñar estrategias que orienten el desarrollo eficaz del proceso enseñanza aprendizaje. Objetivo: determinar la relación de factores que influyeron en el rendimiento académico de estudiantes de Medicina, durante los primeros cinco años de la carrera. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico retrospectivo en la Filial de Ciencias Médicas de Puerto Padre, en las Tunas. Se aplicaron métodos teóricos y empíricos. Se analizaron las variables: sexo, edad, motivación, hábitos de estudio, coeficiente de inteligencia, nivel educacional de los padres, funcionamiento familiar, rendimiento del preuniversitario, vía de ingreso, repitencia y resultados universitarios. En el procesamiento estadístico se emplearon las pruebas t-student y Chi-cuadrado. Resultados: el promedio de las calificaciones de los estudiantes de bajo rendimiento fue 0,7 inferior; en este grupo la motivación alcanzó un resultado de 39,13 %, hecho notable a destacar; 69,57 % de ellos dedicaban menos de 15 hora al estudio semanal. Entre los de mayor rendimiento, el índice académico en preuniversitario, el promedio de las pruebas de ingreso a la universidad y los resultados en Morfofisiología fueron significativamente superiores. Conclusiones: se determinaron los factores que influyeron en el rendimiento académico de estudiantes durante los primeros cinco años de la carrera de Medicina en el contexto investigado.

ABSTRACT Background: the analysis of the factors that affect academic performance is useful to design strategies that guide the effective development of the teaching-learning process. Objective: to determine the relationship of factors that influenced the academic performance of medical students, during the first five years of the degree. Methods: a retrospective analytical study was carried out at Puerto Padre Medical Sciences Branch, in Las Tunas. Theoretical and empirical methods were applied. The analyzed variables were: sex, age, motivation, study habits, intelligence quotient, educational level of parents, family functioning, pre-university performance, manner of entry, repetition of academic years and university results. In the statistical processing, the t-student and Chi-square tests were used. Results: the average of the grades of the low-achieving students was 0.7 lower; In this group, motivation reached a result of 39.13%, a remarkable fact to highlight; 69.57% of them dedicated less than 15 hours to weekly study. Among those with the highest performance, the academic index in pre-university, the average of the entrance tests to the university and the results in Morphology-physiology were significantly higher. Conclusions: the factors that influenced the academic performance of students during the first five years of the Medicine degree were determined in the investigated context.

Descripción y comparación de la línea lateral de tres especies de rayas eléctricas del género Narcine (Torpediniformes: Narcinidae) / Description and comparison of the lateral line of three species of electric rays of the genus Narcine (Torpediniformes: Narcinidae)

Resumen Se presenta la descripción de la composición y arreglo estructural del sistema de la línea lateral de tres especies de rayas eléctricas (Narcine bancroftii, N. entemedor y N. vermiculatus). Las tres especies muestran los canales supraorbital (SO), infraorbital (IO), hiomandibular (HYO) y de la línea lateral posterior (LLP), menos ramificados que en otros batoideos. Narcine entemedor difiere de sus congéneres por la gran ramificación de los canales SO e IO, los cuales convergen en la región inter-orbital; en N. vermiculatus estos canales presentan una condición similar, pero con una menor ramificación. En contraste N. bancroftii presenta los canales divergentes (dirigidos hacia afuera de la región inter-orbital). Los canales HYO están localizados en la periferia de los órganos eléctricos en estas especies; en N. bancroftii las ramificaciones se extienden hacia la región posterior, mientras que en las demás especies están reducidas (N. entemedor) o casi ausentes (N. vermiculatus). La LLP es de forma curva y está dirigida hacia el urostilo, asimismo muestra un gran número de ramificaciones, excepto en N. vermiculatus. La información sobre el arreglo y el número de poros sobre el sistema de canales de la LL en Narcine, puede ser de utilidad para la distinción taxonómica de sus especies, tal como ha sido corroborado para otros Torpediniformes.

Abstract This study describes the composition and structural arrangement of the lateral line system of three electric ray species (Narcine bancroftii, N. entemedor and N. vermiculatus). All three species showed the supraorbital (SO), infraorbital (IO), hyomandibular (HYO) and posterior lateral line (PLL) canals, less branched compared to other batoids. Narcine entemedor differs from its congeners by the extensive branching of the SO and IO canals, which converge in the inter-orbital region; in N. vermiculatus these canals present a similar condition, but are less branched. In contrast, N. bancroftii has divergent canals (directed outwards from the inter-orbital region). HYO canals are located on the periphery of the electric organs in these species; in N. bancroftii the branches extend towards the posterior region, whereas in the other species are reduced (N. entemedor) or almost absent (N. vermiculatus). The PLL is curved and projected towards the urostyle, it also shows a large number of ramifications, except in N. vermiculatus. Information about the LL canal system arrangement and pore number in Narcine can be useful for the taxonomic distinction of its species, as it has been corroborated in other Torpediniformes. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 586-592. Epub 2018 June 01.

Ecología y reproducción de Opsanus beta (Actinopterygii: Batrachoididae) en la Laguna de Alvarado, Veracruz, México / Ecology and reproduction of Opsanus beta (Actinopterygii: Batrachoididae) in the Alvarado Lagoon, Veracruz, Mexico

Resumen Opsanus beta es un habitante permanente del Sistema Lagunar de Alvarado, a pesar de participar en la transferencia energética entre los distintos componentes, no hay información sobre los aspectos ecológicos y reproductivos de esta especie. El presente trabajo se desarrolló, con la finalidad de evaluar aspectos de la biología como estacionalidad, alimentación, proporción de sexos, índice gonadosomático, hepatosomático y factor de condición para ambos sexos, así como la fecundidad y la relación peso-longitud, durante el período de abril 2008 a diciembre 2012. Se registraron los parámetros de temperatura ambiental y del agua, profundidad, salinidad, oxígeno disuelto y pH en cada uno de los seis sitios de recolecta que se ubicaron en el sistema. El análisis de los parámetros ambientales no mostró diferencias significativas entre los años del período de estudio, la salinidad registrada a lo largo del estudio correspondió a un ambiente oligohalino, el resto de los parámetros fisicoquímicos presentó variaciones que pueden explicarse por el patrón climático en el área. Se capturó un total de 519 organismos, 311 (59.9 %) machos y 208 (41.1 %) hembras, el comportamiento de la longitud patrón en los distintos meses muestra que en los machos, la longitud promedio es mayor que en las hembras. El espectro trófico se compone de 13 tipos alimenticios, destacan los crustáceos, moluscos y peces, adicionalmente se observó la práctica de canibalismo en los meses de marzo y abril. Los estadios de maduración gonádica más avanzados se registraron en los meses de noviembre a marzo para los machos, y de noviembre a febrero para las hembras. El IGS registró los valores más altos en los meses de noviembre a abril, el IHS y el FC presentaron un comportamiento inverso al IGS. La fecundidad de esta especie varía de 96 a 428 ovocitos por hembra. La relación peso-longitud por sexo y temporada presentó una mayor tasa de crecimiento (b) para los machos que para las hembras, y un crecimiento de tipo alométrico negativo. La información biológica y ecológica de O. beta en el SLA permite reconocer que esta especie es importante por el papel ecológico que juega en la estructura y dinámica de sus comunidades acuáticas y puede ser utilizada en la propuesta de manejo y aprovechamiento sustentable de este ecosistema.

Abstract Opsanus beta is a permanent species in the Alvarado Lagoon System (ALS), Veracruz, and eventhough it is not of economic importance, it might be actively involved in the energy transfer of the system. Currently, there is no information about the reproductive and ecological characteristics of this common fish, so this work aimed to evaluate those aspects, and to contribute with some ecological features. For this, a total of six sampling sites were selected and studied from April 2008 to December 2012. Per site, we determined fish seasonality, feeding, sex ratio, gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic and condition factors for both sexes, as well as the fecundity and length-weight relationships. We also considered some environmental parameters such as temperature, water temperature, depth, salinity and pH. Our results on the environmental parameters analysis did not show significant differences for the study period; besides, salinity data confirmed an oligohaline environment, and the rest of the physico-chemical parameters, varied in accordance with the climatic pattern in the area. We captured a total of 519 fishes, 311 (59.9 %) males and 208 (41.1 %) females; the proportion of males resulted favorable against females throughout the study. The standard length found along the study period showed that the average was higher in males than in females. The trophic spectrum was composed of 13 food items, principally crustaceans, molluscs and fishes; in addition, cannibalism was observed over young individuals during March and April. The most advanced stages of gonadal maturation were recorded from November to March for males, and from November to February in females; generally, the Gonadosomatic index (IGS) recorded the highest values from November to April. The Hepatosomatic Index (IHS) and the Condition Factor (FC) presented an inverse relationship with the Gonadosomatic index (IGS). The fecundity of this species ranged from 96 to 428 oocytes per female. The weight-length relationship by sexes and seasons, showed a higher growth rate for males than for females, and an allometric growth type. The biological and ecological information of O. beta in ALS evidenced the importance of this species and its ecological role in the structure and dynamics of these aquatic communities. This species may be used as a model for future proposals dealing with the management and sustainable use of this ecosystem.

[Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a Rural Area of Guadalajara, Spain]. / Prevalencia de la enfermedad pulmonar obstuctiva crónica en una zona rural de Guadalajara.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] in a rural health area and its stratification according different risk factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional, observational study was performed in Yunquera de Henares (Guadalajara, Spain) in the year 2014. A questionnaire on sociodemographic factors, tobacco consumption, age, education level and occupation was used in a randomized, stratified sample in different stages. The sample was proportional in age, sex and population centers. A total of 749 persons were included. Data were analyzed using descriptive, analytical, and multivariant statistical procedures and logistical regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of COPD was 15.8% (CI95%: 13.2-18.4) and was statistically significantly higher in elderly (64.6±11 years vs 58.9±11,7 years); males (83.2%;CI95%:85.9-80.5),smokers (40.3%;CI95%:43.8-36.8) and people with primary education (66.4%;CI95%:69.7-63). People with COPD had higher BMI (28.2%;IC95%:29.5-26.9). People working in the field was 28.6% (IC95%:20,5-36,7%). CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease was found. Occupational exposure may be an important factor in rural areas.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la prevalencia de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en una zona básica de salud de ámbito rural y el análisis según diferentes factores de riesgo. METODOS: Estudio transversal realizado en Yunquera de Henares (Guadalajara) durante 2014. Para la recogida de información se utilizó un cuestionario que recogió datos sociodemograficos, consumo de tabaco, edad, nivel de estudios y ocupación en una muestra de sujetos seleccionada de manera aleatoria y estratificada según edad, sexo y núcleos de población. El tamaño muestral fue de 749 personas. Se realizó análisis estadístico descriptivo con medias y porcentajes, analítico: chi2, t de Student, ANOVA y multivariante por regresión logística. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica fue del 15,8% (IC95%: 13,2-18,4).Las personas con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica tenían una edad media de 64,6±11 años vs 58,9±11,7 de quienes no la padecían. Eran hombres el 83,2% (IC95%: 85,9-80,5), fue más frecuente en personas con estudios primarios: 66,4% (IC95%: 69,7-63) y entre quienes consumían tabaco: 40,3% (IC 95%: 43,8-36,8). De manera no estadísticamente significativa, también presentaban mayor índice de masa corporal:28,2% (IC95%: 29,5-26,9).Trabajababan en el campo el 28,6% (IC95%: 20,5-36,7). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica encontrada fue alta. La exposición laboral puede ser un factor importante en el medio rural.

Screening anthelmintic resistance to triclabendazole in Fasciola hepatica isolated from sheep by means of an egg hatch assay.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, the detection of anthelmintic resistance to triclabendazole (TCBZ) in sheep infected by Fasciola hepatica was studied using an egg hatch assay (EHA). F. hepatica eggs were recovered from bile and faeces of infected animals by isolates with different grade of anthelmintic resistance to TCBZ: i) a resistant isolate (RT); ii) a susceptible isolate (ST); iii) naturally infected sheep by a susceptible field strain (FST). In the EHA the percentage of hatched eggs were calculated according to the following concentrations of TCBZ diluted in dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO): 0.05, 0.2, 1, 5, and 25 µg/ml. RESULTS: In relation to the EHAs carried out with the eggs from bile of sheep infected by ST, differences were found in the percentage of hatched eggs between the control well, only with DMSO, and the two highest concentrations of TCBZ (5 and 25 µg/m) (p < 0.05). However, when we tested the drug with the eggs from the bile of sheep infected by RT, the percentage of hatched eggs was similar among all concentrations. Since the range of hatching varied between isolates, we calculated the ratio of the results of each concentration to its control value confirming the higher hatching in RT than in ST. We developed an EHA with eggs recovered from faeces in order to avoid the slaughter of sheep. The results of the EHAs with the isolate ST showed differences in the percentage of hatching between the highest concentration (25 µg/ml) and the control well (p < 0.05); however, these differences were not confirmed under field conditions with the strain FST. CONCLUSIONS: The ovicidal effect of TCBZ in F. hepatica eggs from bile was shown using a commercial formulation diluted in DMSO with a minimum concentration of 5 µg/ml. However, in eggs recovered from faeces the results are not conclusive. The cleaning of eggs recovered from faeces is an important issue that should be reviewed and standardized before comparing results between susceptible and resistant isolates in this kind of EHA.

Conformational features of secondary N-cyclopropyl amides.

NMR studies in conjunction with ab initio calculations revealed unexpected conformational behavior of N-cyclopropylacetamide (1). This secondary amide displays 16-19% E-rotamer (cis) around the carbonyl-nitrogen bond in apolar solvents, in contrast to other aliphatic secondary acetamides in which significant E-rotamer populations are rare due to steric contacts between the substituents on the amide bond. In addition, 1 adopts an ortho conformation around the N-cPr bond instead of the anti conformation generally preferred by secondary acetamides. This distinct conformational behavior was also observed for other secondary N-cyclopropyl amides.

Hipertensión arterial y auriculoterapia / Arterial hypertension and auricular therapy

La hipertensión arterial es uno de los principales factores de riesgo cardiovascular; la tendencia mundial al incremento de la expectativa de vida ha propiciado un tránsito mayor al envejecimiento y simultáneamente un incremento de su prevalencia. Las evidencias científicas para apoyar la efectividad de la auriculoterapia en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad resultan aparentemente insuficientes, por lo que muchos profesionales de la salud la desestiman, lo que dio motivo a realizar un trabajo de revisión de la literatura científica, con el objetivo de abordar aspectos relacionados con la aplicación de la auriculoterapia en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial, así como esclarecer los mecanismos a través de los cuales reduce la presión sanguínea. Se encontró que en la génesis de la hipertensión arterial intervienen lesiones por plenitud calurosa, o exceso de Yang de hígado, y por calor por vacío, o deficiencia del Yin de riñón. El efecto corrector de la auriculoterapia sobre la hipertensión arterial se explica a través de mecanismos neurológicos, humorales y bioeléctricos que producen sedación, vasodilatación, diuresis e hipotensión; entre los puntos de la auriculopuntura más utilizados en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial se incluyen: shenmen auricular, hipertensión arterial 1 y 2, corazón e hígado. Se hacen algunas consideraciones sobre el tema.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes and Fasciola hepatica in sheep in the northwest of Spain: relation to climatic conditions and/or man-made environmental modifications.

BACKGROUND: In the present study we studied and updated the prevalence of the infections caused by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and Fasciola hepatica in grazing sheep in the northwest (NW) of Spain for the last six years (2006-2011), and its relationship with the current climatic conditions. METHODS: We analyzed faecal samples from 110 flocks located in four different provinces of the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León: 76.4% of them were situated in León, 12.7% in Zamora, 9.1% in Palencia and 1.8% in Valladolid. RESULTS: The prevalence of GIN was 100% and the mean of eggs per gram (epg) in faeces was 237.2 (± 375.9) per flock. Regarding climatic conditions, we found a direct relationship between the GIN infection level and the maximum humidity (p<0.05) but inverse with the degree of solar radiation (p<0.05). The prevalence of fasciolosis was 59.3%, with a mean epg of 17.5 (± 33.9) per flock; these values were correlated with the minimum humidity and precipitations (p<0.05). Comparing our results in León with previous studies during the early 1990s, the mean epg of GIN was increased slightly (134.3 epg); regarding fasciolosis, the prevalence rose significantly, from 26.7% to 60.5%. Since the 1990s we observed that the maximum temperature is nowadays 0.45°C higher (17.0°C) and the minimum 0.5°C lower (5.2°C); the rainfall values were very similar in both decades but at the present time the humidity is higher (75.9%). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the prevalence of GIN and F. hepatica infections was directly influenced by the humidity and also by precipitations in the case of F. hepatica. Comparing the current prevalence with studies carried out in the same area for the early 1990s, we observed that nowadays the mean epg of GIN is higher with a possible cause being the differences in climatic conditions depending on the sampling year. Regarding F. hepatica infection, its prevalence rose significantly probably favoured by an increase in irrigated areas in the area of study.

GluK1 antagonists from 6-(carboxy)phenyl decahydroisoquinoline derivatives. SAR and evaluation of a prodrug strategy for oral efficacy in pain models.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationship of decahydroisoquinoline derivatives with various benzoic acid substitutions as GluK1 antagonists are described. Potent and selective antagonists were selected for a tailored prodrug approach in order to facilitate the evaluation of the new compounds in pain models after oral administration. Several diester prodrugs allowed for acceptable amino acid exposure and moderate efficacy in vivo.

GluK1 antagonists from 6-(tetrazolyl)phenyl decahydroisoquinoline derivatives: in vitro profile and in vivo analgesic efficacy.

We have explored the decahydroisoquinoline scaffold, bearing a phenyl tetrazole, as GluK1 antagonists with potential as oral analgesics. We have established the optimal linker atom between decahydroisoquinoline and phenyl rings and demonstrated an improvement of both the affinity for the GluK1 receptor and the selectivity against the related GluA2 receptor with proper phenyl substitution. In this Letter, we also disclose in vivo data that led to the discovery of LY545694·HCl, a compound with oral efficacy in two persistent pain models.

Morphology and morphometric relationships of the sagitta of Diapterus auratus (Perciformes: Gerreidae) from Veracruz, Mexico.

Sagittae otoliths are the most studied because of their morphological variability and size; the sagittae may also have valuable taxonomic use and for D. auratus has not yet been described. In the present study we present a morphological description of the sagitta otolith and an analysis of its correlation with various morphometric parameters. The biological material was captured with a beach seine in the coasts of Alvarado and Port of Veracruz, from November 2009 to June 2010. Sagittae were extracted, cleaned, photographed (SEM and optical), and measured. The analysis included the correlations between sagitta's length and width, versus the fish standard length, height and weight, for a total of 449 fishes. The comparison between left and right sagitta showed no significant difference in both otolith length and width (t-tests, p<0.05) for each sex. The right otolith was used for the correlations for both males and females and the Fisher test (d.f. 161 and 143, p<0.001) showed no significant differences in the slopes and intersections between them. The otolith length vs. fish weight correlation showed a positive allometric growth in males (b=3.9754, p<0.05) and females (b=4.3168, p<0.05).

Morphology and morphometric relationships of the sagitta of Diapterus auratus (Perciformes: Gerreidae) from Veracruz, Mexico

Sagittae otoliths are the most studied because of their morphological variability and size; the sagittae may also have valuable taxonomic use and for D. auratus has not yet been described. In the present study we present a morphological description of the sagitta otolith and an analysis of its correlation with various morphometric parameters. The biological material was captured with a beach seine in the coasts of Alvarado and Port of Veracruz, from November 2009 to June 2010. Sagittae were extracted, cleaned, photographed (SEM and optical), and measured. The analysis included the correlations between sagitta’s length and width, versus the fish standard length, height and weight, for a total of 449 fishes. The comparison between left and right sagitta showed no significant difference in both otolith length and width (t-tests, p<0.05) for each sex. The right otolith was used for the correlations for both males and females and the Fisher test (d.f. 161 and 143, p<0.001) showed no significant differences in the slopes and intersections between them. The otolith length vs. fish weight correlation showed a positive allometric growth in males (b=3.9754, p<0.05) and females (b=4.3168, p<0.05).

Los otolitos sagitta son los más estudiados debido a su variabilidad morfológica y a su tamaño, sin embargo, los otolitos de D. auratus no han sido estudiados hasta el momento. En el presente estudio, se muestra una descripción completa de la morfología y un análisis morfométrico de diversas medidas. El análisis incluye las relaciones entre el ancho y largo de la sagitta contra la longitud cefálica, longitud estándar, altura y peso de 449 peces. El material biológico fue capturado con un chinchorro playero en las costas de Alvarado y el Puerto de Veracruz de noviembre 2009 a junio 2010. Las sagittae fueron extraídas, limpiadas, fotografiadas (SEM y ópticas) y medidas. La comparación entre el otolito derecho e izquierdo no mostró diferencias significativas entre el ancho y largo (prueba de t, p<0.05) para cada sexo. El otolito derecho fue utilizado para las relaciones de las distintas medidas del otolito del pez y del otolito de hembras y machos; la prueba de Fisher (d.f. 161 and 143, p<0.001) no mostró diferencias significativas de las pendientes e intersecciones entre ellos. La relación longitud del otolito-peso del pez mostró un crecimiento de tipo alométrico positivo en machos (b=3.9754, p<0.05) y hembras (b=4.3168, p<0.05).

[Political change, disease and healthcare reform: the response to the Toxic Oil Syndrome (Spain, 1981-1998)]. / Cambio político, enfermedad y reforma sanitaria: la respuesta asistencial al Síndrome del Aceite Tóxico (España, 1981-1998).

In 1981, Spain was threatened by the sudden appearance of an epidemic-like disease, one which was unknown to that date. The Toxic Oil Syndrome, as it was later named after the oil that caused it, thus demanded a response that became conditioned by the fact that the biological nature of the disease was unknown, but also, significantly by the complex situation in the country at that time. Spain was immersed in process of great political change, as well as a difficult economic situation, the authorities were obliged to react in not ideal conditions and in accordance with the very values that the new model of social relations that was being developed. This paper aims to look at the way in which the Toxic Oil Syndrome acted as a catalyst and accelerated the healthcare reform that, already prior to the outbreak of the epidemic, had been deemed necessary. This work focuses mainly on the response of the health system regarding those affected by the epidemic, as it was forced to treat a group of people with severe physical side effects which would lead to disability within a new framework of social relations. It thus aims to illustrate how many of the measures adopted were in accordance with the main ideas behind the reform, and also how these measures were precursors of those which were later applied to the population as a whole.