An observational analysis on the influence of parental allergic rhinitis, asthma and smoking on exhaled nitric oxide in offspring.

BACKGROUND: Parental allergic diseases and smoking influence respiratory disease in the offspring but it is not known whether they influence fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in the offspring. We investigated whether parental allergic diseases, parental smoking and FeNO levels in parents were associated with FeNO levels in their offspring. METHODS: We studied 609 offspring aged 16-47 years from the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe, Spain and Australia generation (RHINESSA) study with parental information from the Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) III study and the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) III. Linear regression models were used to assess the association between offspring FeNO and parental FeNO, allergic rhinitis, asthma and smoking, while adjusting for potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Parental allergic rhinitis was significantly associated with higher FeNO in the offspring, both on the paternal and maternal side (percent change: 20.3 % [95%CI 5.0-37.7], p = 0.008, and 13.8 % [0.4-28.9], p = 0.043, respectively). Parental allergic rhinitis with asthma in any parent was also significantly associated with higher offspring FeNO (16.2 % [0.9-33.9], p = 0.037). However, parental asthma alone and smoking were not associated with offspring FeNO. Parental FeNO was not associated with offspring FeNO after full adjustments for offspring and parental factors. CONCLUSIONS: Parental allergic rhinitis but not parental asthma was associated with higher levels of FeNO in offspring. These findings suggest that parental allergic rhinitis status should be considered when interpreting FeNO levels in offspring beyond childhood.

Molecular Oxygen Trimer: Multiplet Structures and Stability.

We present a detailed theoretical study of the molecular oxygen trimer where the potential energy surfaces of the seven multiplet states have been calculated by means of a pair approximation with very accurate dimer ab initio potentials. In order to obtain all the states a matrix representation of the potential using the uncoupled spin representation has been applied. The S = 0 ${S = 0}$ and S = 1 ${S = 1}$ states are nearly degenerate and low-lying isomers appear for most multiplicities. A crucial point in deciding the relative stabilities is the zero-point energy which represents a sizable fraction of the electronic well-depth. Therefore, we have performed accurate diffusion Monte Carlo studies of the lowest state in each multiplicity. Analysis of the wavefunction allows a deeper interpretation of the cluster structures, finding that they are significantly floppy in most cases.

How heat waves, ozone and sunlight hours affect endocrine and metabolic diseases emergency admissions? A case study in the region of Madrid (Spain).

BACKGROUND: Studies which analyse the joint effect of acoustic or chemical air pollution variables and different meteorological variables on neuroendocrine disease are practically nonexistent. This study therefore sought to analyse the impact of air pollutants and environmental meteorological variables on daily unscheduled admissions due to endocrine and metabolic diseases in the Madrid Region from January 01, 2013 to December 31, 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal, retrospective, ecological study of daily time series analysed by Poisson regression, with emergency neuroendocrine-disease admissions in the Madrid Region as the dependent variable. The independent variables were: mean daily concentrations of PM10, PM2.5, NO2 and O3; acoustic pollution; maximum and minimum daily temperatures; hours of sunlight; relative humidity; wind speed; and air pressure above sea level. Estimators of the statistically significant variables were used to calculate the relative risks (RRs). RESULTS: A statistically significant association was found between the increase in temperatures in heat waves, RR: 1.123 95% CI (1.001-1.018), and the number of emergency admissions, making it the main risk factor. An association between a decrease in sunlight and an increase in hospital admissions, RR: 1.005 95% CI (1.002 1.008), was likewise observed. Similarly, ozone, in the form of mean daily concentrations in excess of 44 µg/m3, had an impact on admissions due to neuroendocrine disease, RR: 1.010 95% CI (1.007-1.035). The breakdown by sex showed that in the case of women, NO2 was also a risk factor, RR: 1.021 95% CI (1.007-1.035). CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study serve to identify risk factors for this disease, such as extreme temperatures in heat waves, O3 or NO2. The robust association found between the decrease in sunlight and increase in hospital admissions due to neuroendocrine disease serves to spotlight an environmental factor which has received scant attention in public health until now.

Two Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex Strains Isolated from Almond in Spain Differ in Plasmid Content and Virulence Traits.

The plant-pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is a major threat to agriculture and the environment worldwide. Recent devastating outbreaks in Europe highlight the potential of this pathogen to cause emergent diseases. X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex ESVL and IVIA5901 strains that belong to sequence type 6 were isolated from almond orchards within the outbreak area in Alicante province (Spain). Both strains share more than 99% of the chromosomal sequences (average nucleotide identity), but the ESVL strain harbors two plasmids (pXF64-Hb_ESVL and pUCLA-ESVL). Here, virulence phenotypes and genome content were compared between both strains, using three strains from the United States as a reference for the phenotypic analyses. Experiments in microfluidic chambers, used as a simulation of xylem vessels, showed that twitching motility was absent in the IVIA5901 strain, whereas the ESVL strain had reduced twitching motility. In general, both Spanish strains had less biofilm formation, less cell aggregation, and lower virulence in tobacco compared with U.S. reference strains. Genome analysis of the two plasmids from ESVL revealed 51 unique coding sequences that were absent in the chromosome of IVIA5901. Comparison of the chromosomes of both strains showed some unique coding sequences and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in each strain, with potential deleterious mutations. Genomic differences found in genes previously associated with adhesion and motility might explain the differences in the phenotypic traits studied. Although additional studies are necessary to infer the potential role of X. fastidiosa plasmids, our results indicate that the presence of plasmids should be considered in the study of the mechanisms of pathogenicity and adaptation in X. fastidiosa to new environments. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Phylogenetic analyses based on molecular and morphological data reveal a new species of Strigea Abildgaard, 1790 (Digenea: Strigeidae) and taxonomic changes in strigeids infecting Neotropical birds of prey.

Members of the genus Strigea Abildgaard, 1790 are endoparasites of birds distributed worldwide. Adults of an undescribed species of the genus Strigea were collected from the intestines of two hawk species (Rupornis magnirostris and Accipiter coperii). Other species identified as Parastrigea macrobursa that were described in Argentina were also recovered from two hawk species (Buteogallus urubitinga and Buteogallus anthracinus) in three localities along the coasts of Mexico. Specimens of the two species were sequenced for three molecular markers, the internal transcribed spacers locus (ITS1-5.8S rDNA- ITS2) and the domains D1-D3 from the large subunit from nuclear ribosomal DNA and the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 from mitochondrial DNA. The newly sequenced specimens were aligned with other strigeids sequences downloaded from GenBank. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses inferred with each molecular marker revealed that our specimens of Strigea sp. formed an independent lineage, which is recognized herein as a new species, Strigea magnirostris n. sp., representing the first species in Mexico and the 16th in the Neotropical region. Morphologically, the new species is distinguished from other congeneric species from the Americas by having an oral sucker with several papillae around it, well-developed pseudosuckers (118-248 µm), a tegument covered with tiny spines, a larger cone genital (193-361 × 296-637) and a larger copulatory bursa (247-531 × 468-784). Our phylogenetic analyses revealed that P. macrobursa is not closely related to other members of the genus Parastrigea and is nested within Strigea, suggesting that P. macrobursa should be transferred to Strigea to form Strigea macrobursa n. comb., expanding its distribution range from Mexico to Argentina. Finally, the analyses also revealed that the taxonomy and systematics of Strigea should be re-evaluated, combining morphological and molecular characteristics.

Scaphanocephalus spp. (Trematoda: Opisthorchiidae) in intermediate and definitive hosts of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, with a re-description of Scaphanocephalus expansus.

Scaphanocephalus is a small trematode genus belonging to the family Opistorchiidae. The genus currently contains only three species associated with marine fish as intermediate hosts and fish-eating birds as definitive hosts. Here, specimens of Scaphanocephalus were collected from the Osprey, Pandion haliaetus, and the White mullet, Mugil curema in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico. We report for the first-time DNA sequences of adult specimens of Scaphanocephalus, particularly S. expansus, as well as a sequence of a different species sampled as metacercaria. Morphological comparisons of Scaphanocephalus expansus confirmed the identity of the adult specimens, with minor morphological variations; Scanning electron photomicrographs were included, and the species was re-described. Phylogenetic analysis based on 28S rDNA sequences showed that Scaphanocephalus is monophyletic within Opisthorchiidae and consists of three independent lineages. Sequences of adults are identical to those of S. expansus. Instead, the sequence of the metacercaria sampled from the mesentery of Mugil curema nested with specimens reported as Scaphanocephalus sp. from a labrid fish in the Mediterranean Sea, herein named it as Scaphanocephalus sp. 2.

Predicted COVID-19 molecular effects on endometrium reveal key dysregulated genes and functions.

COVID-19 exerts systemic effects that can compromise various organs and systems. Although retrospective and in silico studies and prospective preliminary analysis have assessed the possibility of direct infection of the endometrium, there is a lack of in-depth and prospective studies on the impact of systemic disease on key endometrial genes and functions across the menstrual cycle and window of implantation. Gene expression data have been obtained from (i) healthy secretory endometrium collected from 42 women without endometrial pathologies and (ii) nasopharyngeal swabs from 231 women with COVID-19 and 30 negative controls. To predict how COVID-19-related gene expression changes impact key endometrial genes and functions, an in silico model was developed by integrating the endometrial and COVID-19 datasets in an affected mid-secretory endometrium gene co-expression network. An endometrial validation set comprising 16 women (8 confirmed to have COVID-19 and 8 negative test controls) was prospectively collected to validate the expression of key genes. We predicted that five genes important for embryo implantation were affected by COVID-19 (downregulation of COBL, GPX3 and SOCS3, and upregulation of DOCK2 and SLC2A3). We experimentally validated these genes in COVID-19 patients using endometrial biopsies during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. The results generally support the in silico model predictions, suggesting that the transcriptomic landscape changes mediated by COVID-19 affect endometrial receptivity genes and key processes necessary for fertility, such as immune system function, protection against oxidative damage and development vital for embryo implantation and early development.

Thyroid as a target of adjuvant autoimmunity/inflammatory syndrome due to mRNA-based SARS-CoV2 vaccination: from Graves' disease to silent thyroiditis.

BACKGROUND: As COVID-19 became a pandemic, the urgent need to find an effective treatment vaccine has been a major objective. Vaccines contain adjuvants which are not exempt from adverse effects and can trigger the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). There is very little information about autoimmune endocrine disease and the ASIA after the use of mRNA-based SARS-CoV2 vaccination. CASE SERIES: We report three cases and also review the literature showing that the thyroid gland can be involved in the ASIA induced by the mRNA-based SARS-CoV2 vaccination. We present the first case to date of silent thyroiditis described in the context of SARS-CoV2 vaccination with Pfizer/BioNTech. Also, we discuss the first subacute thyroiditis in the context of SARS-CoV2 vaccination with the Moderna's vaccine. Finally, we provide another case to be added to existing evidence on Graves' disease occurring post-vaccination with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. DISCUSSION: Adjuvants play an important role in vaccines. Their ability to increase the immunogenicity of the active ingredient is necessary to achieve the desired immune response. Both the Moderna and the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines use mRNA coding for the SARS-CoV2 S protein enhanced by adjuvants. In addition, the cross-reactivity between SARS-CoV2 and thyroid antigens has been reported. This would explain, at least, some of the autoimmune/inflammatory reactions produced during and after SARS-CoV2 infection and vaccination. CONCLUSION: The autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants involving the thyroid could be an adverse effect of SARS-CoV2 vaccination and could be underdiagnosed.

Application of Atlas of Cancer Signalling Network in preclinical studies.

Cancer initiation and progression are associated with multiple molecular mechanisms. The knowledge of these mechanisms is expanding and should be converted into guidelines for tackling the disease. Here, we discuss the formalization of biological knowledge into a comprehensive resource: the Atlas of Cancer Signalling Network (ACSN) and the Google Maps-based tool NaviCell, which supports map navigation. The application of ACSN for omics data visualization, in the context of signalling maps, is possible via the NaviCell Web Service module and through the NaviCom tool. It allows generation of network-based molecular portraits of cancer using multilevel omics data. We review how these resources and tools are applied for cancer preclinical studies. Structural analysis of the maps together with omics data helps to rationalize the synergistic effects of drugs and allows design of complex disease stage-specific druggable interventions. The use of ACSN modules and maps as signatures of biological functions can help in cancer data analysis and interpretation. In addition, they empowered finding of associations between perturbations in particular molecular mechanisms and the risk to develop a specific type of cancer. These approaches are helpful, among others, to study the interplay between molecular mechanisms of cancer. It opens an opportunity to decipher how gene interactions govern the hallmarks of cancer in specific contexts. We discuss a perspective to develop a flexible methodology and a pipeline to enable systematic omics data analysis in the context of signalling network maps, for stratifying patients and suggesting interventions points and drug repositioning in cancer and other diseases.

Unexpected morphological and molecular diversity of trematode (Haploporidae: Forticulcitinae) parasites of mullets from the ocean Pacific coasts in Middle America.

Two new genera and four new species from subfamily Forticulcitinae are described from the intestines of white mullet (Mugil curema) and flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) collected in 27 localities across a wide geographical range on Pacific Ocean slopes comprising three countries in Middle America: Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica. The new genera Ekuarhuni n. gen. and Overstreetoides n. gen. had to be erected to accommodate two new species, Ekuarhuni papillatum n. sp. and Overstreetoides pacificus n. sp., with unique morphological traits that differentiate them from the two genera described previously. In addition, two new species, Forticulcita minuta n. sp. and Forticulcita isabelae n. sp., were described, which were characterized as exhibiting a small body size (< 1100 µm long). These new species were classified as the diminutive morphotype, together with three other congeneric species of Forticulcita. Forticulcita minuta n. sp. is distinguished by being the smallest species within the genus (< 305 µm). Meanwhile, Forticulcita isabelae n. sp. is distinguished by its body size and testis length. In specimens of the four new species, sequencing was performed with two molecular markers, the large subunit (LSU) and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) of nuclear rDNA, and the results were compared with other sequences available in GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses performed with the combined dataset of the two nuclear molecular markers (LSU + ITS2) placed all the analysed species within the clade of Forticulcitinae with strong bootstrap support (100%) and a high Bayesian posterior probability (1.0). The four new species showed differences in abundance in their definitive hosts and were widely distributed along the Pacific Ocean coasts of Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica, in Middle America.

HLA genetic polymorphisms and prognosis of patients with COVID-19.

Objective: Different genetic polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) have been associated with the risk and prognosis of autoimmune and infectious diseases. The objectives of this study were to determine whether there is an association between HLA genetic polymorphisms and the susceptibility to and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Design: Observational and prospective study. Setting: Eight Intensive Care Units (ICU) from 6 hospitals of Canary Islands (Spain). Patients: COVID-19 patients admitted in ICU and healthy subjects. Interventions: Determination of HLA genetic polymorphisms. Main variable of interest: Mortality at 30 days. Results: A total of 3886 healthy controls and 72 COVID-19 patients (10 non-survivors and 62 survivor patients at 30 days) were included. We found a trend to a higher rate of the alleles HLA-A*32 (p = 0.004) in healthy controls than in COVID-19 patients, and of the alleles HLA-B*39 (p = 0.02) and HLA-C*16 (p = 0.02) in COVID-19 patients than in healthy controls; however, all these p-values were not significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of certain alleles was associated with higher mortality, such as the allele HLA-A*11 after controlling for SOFA (OR = 7.693; 95% CI = 1.063-55.650; p = 0.04) or APACHE-II (OR = 11.858; 95% CI = 1.524-92.273; p = 0.02), the allele HLA-C*01 after controlling for SOFA (OR = 11.182; 95% CI = 1.053-118.700; p = 0.04) or APACHE-II (OR = 17.604; 95% CI = 1.629-190.211; p = 0.02), and the allele HLA-DQB1*04 after controlling for SOFA (OR = 9.963; 95% CI = 1.235-80.358; p = 0.03). Conclusions: The new finding from our preliminary study of small sample size was that HLA genetic polymorphisms could be associated with COVID-19 mortality; however, studies with a larger sample size before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Objetivo: Diferentes polimorfismos genéticos de los antígenos leucocitarios humanos (HLA) están asociados con el riesgo y el pronóstico de enfermedades autoinmunes e infecciosas. Los objetivos de estudio fueron determinar si existe una asociación entre polimorfismos genéticos de HLA y la susceptibilidad y mortalidad de pacientes con la enfermedad del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Diseño: Estudio observacional y prospectivo. Ámbito: Ocho unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) de 6 hospitales de las Islas Canarias (España). Pacientes: Pacientes COVID-19 ingresados en la UCI y sujetos sanos. Intervenciones: Se determinaron los polimorfismos genéticos de los HLA. Variable de interés principal: Mortalidad a los 30 días. Resultados: Se incluyeron 3.886 sujetos sanos y 72 pacientes COVID-19 (10 fallecidos y 62 supervivientes a 30 días). Encontramos una tendencia a una mayor frecuencia de los alelos HLA-A*32 (p = 0,004) en sujetos sanos que en pacientes COVID-19, y de los alelos HLA-B*39 (p = 0,02) y HLA-C*16 (p = 0,02) en pacientes COVID-19 que en sujetos sanos; sin embargo, no fueron significativos al corregir por comparaciones múltiples. En la regresión logística encontramos que la presencia de ciertos alelos estuvo asociada con mayor mortalidad, como el alelo HLA-A*11 controlando por SOFA (OR= 7.693; IC del 95%= 1.063-55.650; p = 0,04) o APACHE-II (OR= 11.858; IC del 95%= 1.524-92.273; p = 0,02), el alelo HLA-C*01 controlando por SOFA (OR= 11.182; IC del 95%= 1.053-118.700; p = 0,04) o APACHE-II (OR= 17.604; IC del 95%= 1.629-190.211; p = 0,02) y el alelo HLA-DQB1*04 controlando por SOFA (OR= 9.963; IC del 95%= 1.235-80.358; p = 0,03). Conclusiones: Los nuevos hallazgos de nuestro preliminar estudio de pequeño tamaño muestral fueron que determinados polimorfismos genéticos de los HLA podrían estar asociados con la mortalidad de pacientes COVID-19; sin embargo, son necesarios estudios de mayor tamaño muestral para concluirlo definitivamente.

Stem cell paracrine actions in tissue regeneration and potential therapeutic effect in human endometrium: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Determining genetic and paracrine mechanisms behind endometrial regeneration in Asherman's syndrome and endometrial atrophy (AS/EA) patients after autologous CD133+ bone marrow-derived stem cell (CD133+ BMDSC) transplantation. DESIGN: Retrospective study using human endometrial biopsies and mouse models. SETTING: Fundación-IVI, IIS-La Fe, Valencia, Spain. SAMPLES: Endometrial biopsies collected before and after CD133+ BMDSC therapy, from eight women with AS/EA (NCT02144987) from the uterus of five mice with only left horns receiving CD133+ BMDSC therapy. METHODS: In human samples, haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, RNA arrays, PCR validation, and neutrophil elastase (NE) immunohistochemistry (IHQ). In mouse samples, PCR validation and protein immunoarrays. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: H&E microscopic evaluation, RNA expression levels, PCR, and growth/angiogenic factors quantification, NE IHQ signal. RESULTS: Treatment improved endometrial morphology and thickness for all patients. In human samples, Jun, Serpine1, and Il4 were up-regulated whereas Ccnd1 and Cxcl8 were down-regulated after treatment. The significant decrease of NE signal corroborated Cxcl8 expression. Animal model analysis confirmed human results and revealed a higher expression of pro-angiogenic cytokines (IL18, HGF, MCP-1, MIP2) in treated uterine horns. CONCLUSIONS: CD133+ BMDSC seems to activate several factors through a paracrine mechanism to help tissue regeneration, modifying endometrial behaviour through an immunomodulatory milieu that precedes proliferation and angiogenic processes. Insight into these processes could bring us one step closer to a non-invasive treatment for AS/EA patients. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: CD133+ BMDSC therapy regenerates endometrium, modifying the immunological milieu that precedes proliferation and angiogenesis.

Should scintigraphy be completely excluded from the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection?

AIM: To analyse the diagnostic performance of bone and leukocyte scintigraphy for periprosthetic joint infection before excluding the test from routine practice, and to analyse the possible benefit of bone marrow scintigraphy in inconclusive cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2012 to 2018, all patients with a total hip or knee arthroplasty who had a bone and leukocyte scintigraphy performed and underwent revision surgery were included. Bone marrow scintigraphy was indicated only in cases in which bone and leukocyte scintigraphy were inconclusive. Diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection was confirmed by positive intraoperative cultures after revision surgery. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients were included. Eighteen patients had total hip arthroplasties (18.1%) and 86 had total knee arthroplasties (81.9%). Mean age was 74 years. Nineteen cases were diagnosed with a periprosthetic joint infection. Bone and leukocyte scintigraphy had 64% sensitivity and 97% specificity. Bone marrow scintigraphy increased sensitivity and specificity to 88% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Bone and leukocyte scintigraphy possesses high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of chronic periprosthetic joint infection. The additional use of bone marrow scintigraphy significantly increases diagnostic performance. For these reasons, bone scintigraphy is reserved for inconclusive cases of chronic periprosthetic joint infection.

Advances in the assessment of self-determination: internal structure of a scale for people with intellectual disabilities aged 11 to 40.

BACKGROUND: Advances in theoretical frameworks of self-determination require the development of new assessment instruments. This study examines the dimensional structure of a self-determination scale and analyses the factorial invariance of its measurement across age and gender. METHOD: The AUTODDIS Scale was used to assess the self-determination of 541 people with intellectual disabilities aged from 11 to 40. RESULTS: Different models (correlational and hierarchical structures) of the scale were tested. The correlational model obtained from the exploratory structural equation model approach provided the best fit for the data. The results also supported measurement invariance across youths (aged 11 to 21 years) and adults (aged 21 to 40 years) and across genders. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to international research on self-determination and the development of assessment tools in this field, offering a better understanding of this multifaceted and complex construct. The results provide construct validity evidence regarding a new measurement tool tested across people aged 11 to 40, using information from third parties. However, further research is needed to explore the best ways to understand and assess the different factors related to self-determination.

Morphological and molecular evidence reveals a new species of Lyperosomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) from Melanerpes aurifrons (Wagler, 1829) from northern Mexico.

A new species of the genus Lyperosomum Looss, 1899, from the intestine of the golden-fronted woodpecker (Melanerpes aurifrons) from northern Mexico is described. Lyperosomum cuauhxinqui sp. n. is morphologically distinguished from other congeneric species from the Americas by a higher oral/ventral sucker ratio and its body length and width. The sequences of domains D1-D3 of the large subunit (LSU) of nuclear ribosomal DNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox 1) from the mitochondrial DNA of the new species were obtained and compared with available sequences from GenBank. The genetic divergence estimated between the new species and other congeneric species ranged from 2 to 6% and 13.4 to 17.3% for LSU and cox 1, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses based on the two (LSU and cox 1) molecular markers consistently showed that L. cuauhxinqui sp. n. was nested within the genus Lyperosomum, with strong bootstrap support (100%) and Bayesian posterior probabilities (1.0). In particular, the LSU tree indicated that the sequence of the new species is closely related to sequences from Zonorchis alveyi, Zonorchis delectans and Zonorchis sp. from Central America, suggesting that these sequences should be transferred to the genus Lyperosomum. The new species represents the first record from Mexico and the fifth species identified in the Americas. Our study also revealed that the taxonomy of the genus Lyperosomum should be re-examined by combining molecular, morphological and ecological characteristics.

Prospective cohort study on the management and complications of peripheral venous catheters in patients hospitalised in Internal Medicine. / Estudio de cohortes prospectivo sobre el manejo y las complicaciones del catéter venoso periférico en pacientes ingresados en Medicina Interna.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse compliance with the recommendations on the insertion-maintenance of peripheral venous catheters (PVC) and the incidence of complications according to the healthcare department that inserted the PVCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort follow-up study of PVCs, from their insertion in the emergency or internal medicine (IM) department until their withdrawal. RESULTS: We monitored 590 PVCs, 274 from the emergency department and 316 from IM. In terms of compliance with the process indicators, there was a cannulation rate in the antecubital fossa of 3.5 and 1.6 per 100 catheters-day (P<.001) in the emergency and IM departments, respectively. The sterile placement rates were 1.6 and 12.4 (P<.001), and the rate for transparent dressing was 2.1 and 11.5 (P<.001) per 100 catheters-day in the emergency and IM departments, respectively. The complications rates showed no differences between the departments. The most common complication was phlebitis (95 cases, 16.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with the insertion-maintenance recommendations for PVC showed differences between the departments; however, the incidence of complications was similar.

A morphological and molecular study of adults and metacercariae of Hysteromorpha triloba (Rudolpi, 1819), Lutz 1931 (Diplostomidae) from the Neotropical region.

Adults of Hysteromorpha triloba (Rudolpi, 1819), Lutz, 1931 inhabit primarily the intestine of cormorants across the globe, whereas metacercariae have been found in the body cavity of freshwater fishes of the families Cyprinidae, Ictaluridae, Ariidae, Pimelodidae and Catostomidae. In this study, adults and metacercariae identified as H. triloba were collected from the Neotropical cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianus) and from the Mexican tetra fish (Astyanax mexicanus) from the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean slopes in the Neotropical region. Partial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox 1) and the internal transcribed spacers (ITS1, 5.8S and ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA were generated for both developmental stages, and were compared with available sequences of H. triloba from the Nearctic region. The genetic divergence between metacercariae and adults of H. triloba from the Neotropical and Nearctic region (Canada) associated with the double-crested cormorant (Nannopterum auritus), ranged from 0 to 5.5% for cox 1 and from 0 to 0.2% for ITS. Phylogenetic analyses inferred with both molecular markers using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference placed the adults and metacercariae in a single clade, confirming that both stages are conspecific. Our data confirmed that H. triloba is a widely distributed species across the Americas, parasitizing both the Neotropical and Nearctic cormorants in Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, USA and Canada.

Randomised crossover trial showed that using breast milk or sucrose provided the same analgesic effect in preterm infants of at least 28 weeks.

AIM: Repeated, ongoing exposure to pain influences the growth, cognitive and motor functions, behaviour, personality and neurodevelopment of preterm infants. We compared the analgesic effects of expressed breast milk (EBM) and 24% oral sucrose on preterm neonates during venipuncture. METHODS: This multicentre randomised, noninferiority, crossover trial focused on five neonatal university units in Madrid, Spain, from October 2013 to October 2014. It comprised 66 preterm infants born at less than 37 weeks and randomly split into two groups. They received either EBM or sucrose two minutes before venepuncture, together with nonnutritive sucking and swaddling, then the opposite procedure at a later point. Pain was measured with the premature infant pain profile (PIPP) and crying was also measured. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups. The PIPP scores were seven (4-9) with breast milk and six (4-8.25) with sucrose (p = 0.28). The 11 infants born at under 28 weeks of age showed higher median scores of nine (9-14) for breast milk and four (4-7) for sucrose (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: EBM and 24% sucrose had the same analgesic effect during venipuncture in most of the preterm neonates, but sucrose worked better in extremely preterm infants.