Convergence in the temperature response of leaf respiration across biomes and plant functional types.

Plant respiration constitutes a massive carbon flux to the atmosphere, and a major control on the evolution of the global carbon cycle. It therefore has the potential to modulate levels of climate change due to the human burning of fossil fuels. Neither current physiological nor terrestrial biosphere models adequately describe its short-term temperature response, and even minor differences in the shape of the response curve can significantly impact estimates of ecosystem carbon release and/or storage. Given this, it is critical to establish whether there are predictable patterns in the shape of the respiration-temperature response curve, and thus in the intrinsic temperature sensitivity of respiration across the globe. Analyzing measurements in a comprehensive database for 231 species spanning 7 biomes, we demonstrate that temperature-dependent increases in leaf respiration do not follow a commonly used exponential function. Instead, we find a decelerating function as leaves warm, reflecting a declining sensitivity to higher temperatures that is remarkably uniform across all biomes and plant functional types. Such convergence in the temperature sensitivity of leaf respiration suggests that there are universally applicable controls on the temperature response of plant energy metabolism, such that a single new function can predict the temperature dependence of leaf respiration for global vegetation. This simple function enables straightforward description of plant respiration in the land-surface components of coupled earth system models. Our cross-biome analyses shows significant implications for such fluxes in cold climates, generally projecting lower values compared with previous estimates.

Body mass index and waist circumference are not good surrogate indicators of adiposity in psychogeriatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the utility of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) as surrogate indicators of adiposity with respect to the total body fat estimated with bioimpedance analysis in psychogeriatric patients. METHODS: Anthropometric and hand-to-foot bioimpedance measurements were performed according to standard procedures in a sample of 128 psychogeriatric patients (87 males, 41 females). WC cutoffs proposed by the International Diabetes Federation were used to define abdominal obesity. Z-scores of fat and fat-free mass indices (Z-FMI and Z-FFMI) were calculated. RESULTS: Males with WC values below the cutoff were normal weight, and showed normal levels of FM and low FFM (Z-FFMI below 1.5 SD). Males with WC values above the cutoff were overweight, showed high levels of FM (Z-FMI: 1.34 SD) and a slight depletion of FFM (Z-FFMI: -0.59 SD). In females with WC values below the cutoff, BMI was close to 20 kg/m(2) and both FM and FFM were depleted (Z-FMI: -0.7 SD; Z-FFMI: -1.76 SD). In females with WC above the cutoff, the average BMI was 25.6 kg/m(2) , Z-FMI was 0.48 SD, and Z-FFMI was -0.56 SD. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that it is necessary to establish age and sex-specific BMI and WC cutoffs, and also highlight the importance of focusing on body composition analysis to ensure an accurate nutritional diagnosis in older-adults and in psychogeriatric patients.

Supercontinuum in integrated photonics: generation, applications, challenges, and perspectives.

Frequency conversion in nonlinear materials is an extremely useful solution to the generation of new optical frequencies. Often, it is the only viable solution to realize light sources highly relevant for applications in science and industry. In particular, supercontinuum generation in waveguides, defined as the extreme spectral broadening of an input pulsed laser light, is a powerful technique to bridge distant spectral regions based on single-pass geometry, without requiring additional seed lasers or temporal synchronization. Owing to the influence of dispersion on the nonlinear broadening physics, supercontinuum generation had its breakthrough with the advent of photonic crystal fibers, which permitted an advanced control of light confinement, thereby greatly improving our understanding of the underlying phenomena responsible for supercontinuum generation. More recently, maturing in fabrication of photonic integrated waveguides has resulted in access to supercontinuum generation platforms benefiting from precise lithographic control of dispersion, high yield, compact footprint, and improved power consumption. This Review aims to present a comprehensive overview of supercontinuum generation in chip-based platforms, from underlying physics mechanisms up to the most recent and significant demonstrations. The diversity of integrated material platforms, as well as specific features of waveguides, is opening new opportunities, as will be discussed here.

Recent insights on chronic heart failure, cachexia and nutrition.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide recent observations on the interrelation between chronic heart failure (CHF), cachexia and human nutrition and updating epidemiological issues in CHF. RECENT FINDINGS: Present evidence suggests that impairment in cardiac muscle energetics plays an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. New concepts such as microRNA expression are emerging as potential agents in heart failure. Recent research suggests mechanisms by which inflammatory catabolic states may persist in the presence of adequate growth factors and nutrition. A consensus panel has recently designed a definition for general cachexia and its stratification. Together with classicals, new nutrients and substrates are showing efficacies in the malnutrition associated with CHF. Although still promising, ghrelin, growth factors and other biological compounds maintain emergent therapeutical positions for heart failure or associated catabolic states or both. SUMMARY: Altered intestinal function as an agent for CHF is rising in evidence. New techniques to well diagnose and stratify malnutrition and cardiac cachexia in CHF are needed. Treatment of cachexia in CHF appears to be a combination of different approaches, in which metabolic, nutritional, immunological and hormonal strategies may play an important role. Although the current experimental research is of great help, well designed randomized controlled trials are needed to test these hypothesis and generate clinical evidence.

Is adductor pollicis skinfold an accurate tool when checking local muscle improvement in malnourished patients with anorexia nervosa?

OBJECTIVES: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex disease that involves malnutrition and a profound depletion in muscle mass. The thickness of the adductor pollicis muscle (APM) has been proposed as a new anthropometric technique to estimate muscle mass, check early changes, and assess its evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and validity of the APM thickness in a cohort of malnourished patients with AN when checking local mass gain. The Doppler ultrasound maybe an affordable and useful method to discriminate all tissues around the APM area. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted of 31 malnourished patients with AN who were admitted to the Regional Eating Disorders Unit for treatment, including re-alimentation. Anthropometric measurements were taken, including arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, arm muscle circumference, body mass index, and APM thickness of both hands. Simultaneously, a Doppler ultrasound was performed in the same area, measuring and discriminating fat, skin, and muscle tissues around the APM. RESULTS: Nutritional improvement is accompanied by fat, but not muscle gain in the hand in the adductor pollicis area of patients with AN. A Doppler ultrasound can accurately discriminate between tissues around the APM. CONCLUSIONS: APM thickness reflects the addition of two different muscles plus fat and skin; therefore, this tool is not reliable to assess APM mass.

Increase in white cell and neutrophil counts during the first eighteen weeks of treatment with clozapine in patients admitted to a long-term psychiatric care inpatient unit. / Aumento en los recuentos de leucocitos y neutrófilos durante las primeras 18semanas de tratamiento con clozapina en pacientes ingresadas en una unidad de cuidados psiquiátricos prolongados.

INTRODUCTION: Clozapine is an antipsychotic drug that has shown to be more effective than other antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia, but its use is limited due to its side effects, particularly by the risk of causing agranulocytosis. A study was made on the variations in white cell and neutrophil counts in patients treated with clozapine in a Long-term Psychiatric Unit. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted with a sample of women of our long-term psychiatric care unit who had been treated with clozapine. A study was made on the variations in white cell and neutrophil counts during the first 18 weeks of treatment, as well as the onset of leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, and the influence of concomitant drugs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The study included 55 patients on treatment with clozapine. The incidence rate of neutropenia was 1.82% (95% CI; 0.05-10.13). The incidence rate of leukopenia and agranulocytosis was 0%. An increase in white cell and neutrophil counts from baseline to week 3-4 was observed. Only small variations were observed after this time, but the counts remained higher than the initial values. These changes were statistically significant in the white cell count: One-way repeated ANOVA with Greenhouse-Geisser correction F (11.47, 37) = 2.114 (P= .011); and in neutrophils: One-way repeated ANOVA with Greenhouse-Geisser correction F (10.3, 37)=3.312 (P=.0002), and MANOVA F (18, 37)=2.693 (P=.005), ŋ2P=0.567. The influence of concomitant drugs (lithium, valproic and biperiden) was not significant on the overall increase found in white cells or neutrophils (MANOVA).

[Consensus document about the nutritional evaluation and management of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and others]. / Resumen ejecutivo "Consenso sobre la evaluación y el tratamiento nutricional de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria: anorexia nerviosa, bulimia nerviosa, trastorno por atracón y otros".

Eating disorders (ED) are characterized by persistent changes in eating habits that negatively affect a person's health and psychosocial abilities. They are considered psychiatric disorders, highly variable in their presentation and severity, with a huge impact on nutrition, which conditions various therapeutic approaches within a key multidisciplinary context. A group of experts in nutrition, we decided to set up a task force adscribed to the "Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral" (SENPE), which has stated as one of its goals the development of a consensus document to generate a protocol based on the best scientific evidence and professional experience available in order to improve health care in this field.

[Consensus document about the nutritional evaluation and management of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa]. / Consenso sobre la evaluación y el tratamiento nutricional de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria: anorexia nerviosa.

Anorexia nervosa is the most common psychiatric disease among young women and it is assumed to be of multifactorial origin. Diagnostic criteria have recently been modified; therefore amenorrhea has ceased to be a part of them. This disease shows a large variability in its presentation and severity which conditions different therapeutic approaches and the need to individualize the treatment, thus it is indispensable a multidisciplinary approach. The goals are to restore nutritional status (through an individualized diet plan based on a healthy consumption pattern), treat complications and comorbidities, nutritional education (based on healthy eating and nutritional patterns), correction of compensatory behaviors and relapse prevention. The treatment will vary according to the patient's clinical situation, and it may be performed in outpatient clinics (when there is clinical stability), in a day hospital or ambulatory clinic (intermediate mode between traditional outpatient treatment and hospitalization) or hospitalization (when there is outpatient management failure or presence of serious medical or psychiatric complications). Artificial nutrition using oral nutritional supplements, enteral nutrition and exceptionally parenteral nutrition may be necessary in certain clinical settings. In severely malnourished patients the refeeding syndrome should be avoided. Anorexia nervosa is associated with numerous medical complications which determines health status, life quality, and is closely related to mortality. There is little clinical evidence to assess the results of different treatments in anorexia nervosa, when most of the recommendations are being based on expert consensus.

[Consensus document about the nutritional evaluation and management of eating disorders: bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and others]. / Consenso sobre la evaluación y el tratamiento nutricional de los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria: bulimia nerviosa, trastorno por atracón y otros.

Bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder are unique nosological entities. Both show a large variability related to its presentation and severity which involves different therapeutic approaches and the need to individualize the treatment, thus it is indispensable a multidisciplinary approach. Patients with bulimia nervosa may suffer from malnutrition and deficiency states or even excess weight, while in binge eating disorders, it is common overweight or obesity, which determine other comorbidities. Many of the symptoms and complications are associated with compensatory behaviors. There are many therapeutic tools available for the treatment of these patients. The nutritional approach contemplates the individualized dietary advice which guarantees an adequate nutritional state and nutritional education. Its objective is to facilitate the voluntary adoption of eating behaviors that promote health and allow the long-term modification of eating habits and the cessation of purgatory and bingeing behaviors. Psychological support is a first-line treatment and it must address the frequent disorder of eating behavior and psychiatric comorbidities. Psychotropic drugs are effective and widely used although these drugs are not essential. The management is carried out mainly at an outpatient level, being the day hospital useful in selected patients. Hospitalization should be reserved to correct serious somatic or psychiatric complications or as a measure to contain non-treatable conflict situations. Most of the guidelines' recommendations are based on expert consensus, with little evidence which evaluates clinical results and cost-effectiveness.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis due to a relapsing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosed by positron emission tomography.

Glomerulonephritis rarely appears associated with Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We present a patient with a relapse of a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which first presented as nephrotic syndrome due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). This case report discusses the unusual association of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, as well as the crucial role of positron emission tomography in detecting the relapsing lymphoma.

Implications of improved representations of plant respiration in a changing climate.

Land-atmosphere exchanges influence atmospheric CO2. Emphasis has been on describing photosynthetic CO2 uptake, but less on respiration losses. New global datasets describe upper canopy dark respiration (R d) and temperature dependencies. This allows characterisation of baseline R d, instantaneous temperature responses and longer-term thermal acclimation effects. Here we show the global implications of these parameterisations with a global gridded land model. This model aggregates R d to whole-plant respiration R p, driven with meteorological forcings spanning uncertainty across climate change models. For pre-industrial estimates, new baseline R d increases R p and especially in the tropics. Compared to new baseline, revised instantaneous response decreases R p for mid-latitudes, while acclimation lowers this for the tropics with increases elsewhere. Under global warming, new R d estimates amplify modelled respiration increases, although partially lowered by acclimation. Future measurements will refine how R d aggregates to whole-plant respiration. Our analysis suggests R p could be around 30% higher than existing estimates.

[Not Available]. / El músculo, elemento clave para la supervivencia en el enfermo neoplásico.

El síndrome de caquexia cancerosa es responsable de la muerte de un número significativo de pacientes con cáncer. Se caracteriza por la presencia de una ingesta reducida, con inflamación sistémica y un metabolismo alterado. Los enfermos presentan característicamente una progresiva pérdida de peso y de masa muscular, junto a deterioro funcional. La pérdida muscular se debe a la combinación de reducción de la síntesis proteica con aumento de su degradación. Ello conduce tanto a un acortamiento como a una reducción en el área de la fibra muscular. Asimismo, existen datos que apoyan que selectivamente algunos de los tipos de fibra muscular se ven más afectados. Es necesario definir bien los valores de corte de sarcopenia para diagnosticar la pérdida muscular y existen diferentes métodos. El sistema de la ubiquitina-proteasoma parece desempeñar un papel predominante en la degradación de la proteína miofibrilar. La tendencia a perder masa muscular en los pacientes con caquexia cancerosa parece estar asociada a la activación de señales catabólicas por citoquinas proinflamatorias, así como por productos tumorales del tipo factor inductor de proteólisis. En referencia a los factores pronósticos, el riesgo de muerte está bien documentado en pacientes con sarcopenia y, especialmente, en aquellos con obesidad asociada a la sarcopenia. Asimismo, se ha establecido una relación directa entre la pérdida intensa de masa muscular y la supervivencia en pacientes con diferentes tipos de tumores del tipo de cáncer de páncreas, pulmón, tracto biliar o cáncer colorrectal. Respecto de la terapia en el síndrome de caquexia cancerosa, es factible que requiera tratamiento con varios grupos combinados que incluyan, junto al soporte nutricional, fármacos orexígenos, con efecto anabólico y antinflamatorio, asociados a intervenciones que estimulen el ejercicio físico.

[Not Available]. / Nutritional assessment of hospitalized patients in Latin America: association with prognostic variables. The ENHOLA study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The prevalence of hospital malnutrition (HM) is variable, explained by the variability of patients, the nutritional evaluation method used among others. The aim is to determine the frequency of malnutrition in hospitals in Latin America, and estimate its association with mortality and length of hospital stay. METHODS: This is an analytical, observational cohort study that included 7,973 patients of both genders, 18 and older, who provided their consent. The survey was administered during the first three days of admission. The nutritional status was estimated using Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and the Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS), body mass index (BMI), percentage of change of weight (PCW) and co-morbidities. Serum albumin was obtained from the clinical chart. Length of stay (LOS) and the survival status at discharge (dead or alive) were also recorded. RESULTS: By SGA: 10.9% had severe malnutrition and 34% moderate malnutrition. By NRS: 36.9% had nutritional risk. Univariate analysis showed that NRS score and serum albumin were prognostic factors for mortality: NRS 3-4 (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.9-2.8), NRS 5-7 (OR: 5.8, 95% CI: 4.9-6.9), serum albumin < 2.5 g/dl, (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 2.2-3.8). These results were consistent and similar to a multivariate analysis. Both NRS and serum albumin were also independently and clinically associated to LOS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hospital malnutrition in Latin America is high. Our results show that screening with NRS and serum albumin can identify hospital malnutrition as well as providing clinically relevant prognostic value.

Carrier-Density Control of the SrTiO3 (001) Surface 2D Electron Gas studied by ARPES.

The origin of the 2D electron gas (2DEG)stabilized at the bare surface of SrTiO3 (001) is investigated. Using high-resolution angle-resolved photoemission and core-level spectroscopy, it is shown conclusively that this 2DEG arises from light-induced oxygen vacancies. The dominant mechanism driving vacancy formation is identified, allowing unprecedented control over the 2DEG carrier density.

[AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIRECT CALORIMETRY AND PREDICTIVE EQUATIONS IN A SAMPLE OF SPANISH HEALTHY ADULTS]. / CONCORDANCIA ENTRE CALORIMETRÍA INDIRECTA Y MODELOS PREDICTIVOS EN UNA POBLACIÓN SANA ESPAÑOLA.

OBJECTIVE: the aim of this study was to analyze the agreement between the resting energy expenditure (REE) obtained by indirect calorimetry (IC) and that obtained by prediction equations in a sample of healthy adults from Spain. Méthods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 95 healthy, normal-weight adults. REE was determined by IC and 45 population-specific prediction equations which were based on weight, height, sex and/or body composition (BC). The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Alman plots were used to analyze the agreement between the REE obtained by IC and that obtained by prediction equations. The level of signification was reached at p < 0,05. RESULTS: mean age was 42 years (range: 23.0-63.2). Mean REE determined by CI was 1589 (312) kcal/d [1822.3 (224.3) kcal/d in men and 1379.3 (216.1) kcal/d in women; p < 0.05]. The De-Lorenzo, Harris-Benedict, Schofield, and especially the Korth equations showed the greatest level of agreement with respect to IC. CONCLUSIONS: there is high variability in the estimates of REE depending on the prediction equation used. The De Lorenzo, Harris-Benedict, and the Schofield equations showed a good level of agreement in our sample; however, the Korth equation was the most appropriate. Equations based on weight and/or height were more accurate than those which included body composition variables.

Objetivo: estudiar la concordancia entre el gasto energético en reposo (GER) obtenido mediante calorimetría indirecta (CI), y las ecuaciones de estimación más utilizadas en población adulta sana española. Métodos: estudio transversal en el que se determinó el GER en 95 sujetos sanos con normopeso mediante calorimetría indirecta y modelos predictivos (se seleccionaron 45 fórmulas desarrolladas en adultos de características similares a la muestra estudiada que incluían peso, talla, sexo y/o composición corporal). La concordancia entre ambos métodos se analizó mediante el Coeficiente de Correlación Intraclase (CCI) y la prueba de Bland-Altman. La significación se alcanzó con p < 0,05. Resultados: la edad media fue de 42 años (rango: 23,0­ 63,2). El GER medio estimado por CI en la muestra fue de 1589 (312) kcal/día [1822,3 (224,3) kcal/día en varones y 1379,3 (216,1) kcal/día en mujeres; p < 0,05]. Las fórmulas que mejor se ajustaron a la muestra fueron las de De-Lorenzo, Harris-Benedict, Schofield y, especialmente, Korth. Conclusiones: existen grandes variaciones en la estimación del gasto energético en reposo en función de la ecuación predictiva utilizada. Las fórmulas de De-Lorenzo, Harris-Benedic y Schofield se comportan adecuadamente en la muestra evaluada; sin embargo, la de Korth demostró ser la más apta. Los modelos que incluyen peso y/o talla obtuvieron mejores resultados que los que contienen variables de composición corporal.

[PROPOSAL FOR A NEW FORMULA FOR ESTIMATING RESTING ENERGY EXPENDITURE FOR HEALTHY SPANISH POPULATION]. / PROPUESTA DE UNA NUEVA FÓRMULA DE ESTIMACIÓN DEL GASTO ENERGÉTICO EN REPOSO PARA POBLACIÓN SANA ESPAÑOLA.

INTRODUCTION: although there are precise and accurate techniques for estimating resting energy expenditure, like the indirect calorimetry (IC), daily practice needs faster, easier and cheaper methods as the predictive equations. OBJECTIVE: the aim of the study was to develop a new predictive equation for estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) for healthy Spanish population. Méthods: the REE of 95 healthy normal weighted volunteers was determined by indirect calorimetry (IC). The new equation was obtained by multiple lineal regression by using the analytical criteria of the Cp of Mallows and the adjusted R2. Then, the behavior of the new formula was studied in a group of overweight volunteers through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Almand plots. The level of signification was reached at p < 0,05. RESULTS: the average age was 42 years (range: 2.0-63.2). Mean REE determined by IC was 1 589.1 kcal/d (312.0). The selected equation was: [y = 1 376.4 - 308 Sex (M = 0; W = 1) + 11.1 Weigh (kg) - 8 Age (years)] (R2: 0.68; EE: 175.95). The ICC between the new equation and the IC in normal weighted subjects was 0.901 (95%CI: 0.851 - 0.934). The new formula showed a good level of agreement in the overweight group (ICC: 0.880; 95%IC: 0.772 - 0.937). CONCLUSIONS: we propose a new predictive equation for estimating the REE for healthy Spanish population which has an easy application and includes sex, age and weigh. The selected equation shows an adequate behavior in overweight subjects too.

Introducción: aunque se dispone de técnicas precisas y exactas para la estimación del GER, como la calorimetría indirecta (CI), en la práctica diaria se precisan métodos rápidos, fáciles de aplicar y económicos, como los modelos predictivos. Objetivo: desarrollar una nueva ecuación predictiva del gasto energético en reposo (GER) para población española adulta sana. Métodos: se determinó el GER en 95 sujetos sanos con normopeso mediante CI. Se utilizó la regresión lineal múltiple para la obtención del modelo, empleando como criterios analíticos la Cp de Mallows y el R2 ajustado. Se estudió el comportamiento del modelo generado en una muestra de 39 sujetos con IMC ≥ 25 kg/m2 mediante el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (ICC) y la prueba de Bland-Altman. La significación se alcanzó con p < 0,05. Resultados: la edad media fue de 42 años (rango: 23,0­ 63,2). El valor medio del GER estimado fue de 1.589,1 kcal/d (312,0). La ecuación seleccionada fue: [GER (kcal/d) = 1.376,4 ­ 308 Sexo (V = 0; M = 1) + 11,1 Peso (kg) ­ 8 Edad (años)] (R2: 0,68; EE: 175,95). El CCI entre el nuevo modelo predictivo y la CI fue de 0,901 (IC del 95%: 0,851 ­ 0,934) en la muestra con normopeso. La aplicación del modelo en la muestra de sujetos con IMC ≥ 25 kg/m2 alcanzó una buena concordancia (CCI de 0,880; IC del 95%: 0,772 ­ 0,937). Conclusiones: se presenta un nuevo modelo de estimación del GER para población sana española fácilmente aplicable en la práctica diaria, que incluye las variables sexo, edad y peso. La ecuación propuesta presenta un comportamiento adecuado en sujetos con IMC ≥ 25 kg/m2.

Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with mild hypertension in primary care: impact of echocardiography on cardiovascular risk stratification.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an important predictor of cardiovascular risk, and its detection contributes to risk stratification. The aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of echocardiographic LVH and to evaluate the influence of echocardiography (ECHO) on cardiovascular risk stratification in hypertensive patients presenting in primary care. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 250 patients recently diagnosed with mild hypertension underwent clinical evaluation including electrocardiography (ECG), microalbuminuria measurement, 24-h blood pressure monitoring and ECHO. Level of cardiovascular risk was stratified, initially using routine procedures including ECG to assess target organ damage and then again after detection of LVH by ECHO. RESULTS: The frequency of echocardiographic LVH was 32%, substantially higher than that detected by ECG (9%). Initial cardiovascular risk stratification yielded the following results: 30% low risk, 49% medium risk, 16% high risk, and 5% very high risk subjects. The detection of LVH by ECHO provoked a significant change in the risk strata distribution, particularly in those patients initially classified as being at medium risk. In this group, 40% of subjects were reclassified as high risk subjects according to ECHO information. The new classification was as follows: 23% low risk, 30% medium risk, 42% high risk, and 5% very high risk subjects. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of mildly hypertensive patients presenting in primary care have LVH determined by ECHO. Our results suggest that this procedure could significantly improve cardiovascular risk stratification in those patients with multiple risk factors, but no evidence of target organ damage by routine investigations.

Long daily hemodialysis sessions correct systemic complications of oxalosis prior to combined liver-kidney transplantation: case report.

An 18-year-old woman diagnosed with piridoxine-resistent primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH-1) and progressive renal insufficiency complicated with acute renal failure of obstructive origin who developed systemic oxalosis affecting the heart (cardiomyopathy), the skin (cutaneous ulcers) and vascular system (lower limb ischemia, as well as pulmonary and cerebral microcirculatory blockage resulting in pulmonary hemorrhage and tonic-clonic general seizures. As conventional hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD) are unable to eliminate enough oxalate to avoid a continuous positive balance, long daily sessions (6-7 h) of high-flux hemodialysis (highly permeable polyamide membrane of 2.1 m2) for 67 consecutive days normalized blood oxalate levels and reversed the systemic complications secondary to the calcium oxalate crystals deposit. The patient underwent a combined liver-kidney transplantation and has progressed well to the present time. The most important factors in PH-1 treatment are analyzed. Even though combined liver-kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice and should be performed before the glomerular filtrate rate (GFR) falls below 25 mL/min/1.73 m2, intensive HD becomes necessary to prevent oxalosis in the face of acute renal failure. Also, as our case shows, intensive HD can achieve a negative oxalate balance and reverse both the systemic lesions and the oxalate deposits.