Influence of visual elicitation over emotion regulation: An investigation employing the heart rate variability.

Several works studied the elicitation of emotions through the exposure of individuals to relevant stimuli, using spectral analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) when people are subject to emotional elicitation. If correlation exists between HRV and emotional responses, spectral analysis can be used to study emotion regulation under external stimuli. In this work, we studied the relationship between visual elicitation and emotion regulation, employing HRV. Images (with pleasant, unpleasant and neutral emotional content) were selected from the IAPS (International Affective Picture System) dataset. Ninety-eight participants were enrolled, and subject to view all images, displayed in random order for each participant. Heart rate was recorded during the experiment, and HRV analysis was performed. Spectral values were studied for the different images. The presentation order of images was relevant, mainly when unpleasant images were viewed in first place; this significantly affects HRV values. Spectral values were higher for men, being this difference stronger when pleasant pictures were displayed. Age and gender dependences of spectral indexes were found. The influence of visual elicitation, with different emotional contents, over HRV, was assessed. Results indicate that HRV parameters are affected when individuals are subject to external, emotional-based stimuli.

Combined effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus and ß-cyclodextrin on serum cholesterol in pigs.

A total of twenty-four Yorkshire gilt pigs of 6-7 weeks of age were used in a 2×2 factorial experiment to determine the individual and combined effects of the inclusion of two dietary factors (cholesterol rich, 3% ß-cyclodextrin (BCD) and Lactobacillus acidophilus cultures) on total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in blood serum. Pigs were assigned randomly to treatment groups (n 6). Total serum cholesterol concentrations decreased after 3 weeks in all the experimental treatment groups, including diets with BCD, L. acidophilus or both. Similar trends were observed for serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations among the experimental treatments. No statistically significant differences from the control group were observed in either total serum cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol concentrations (P<0·05) for each of the individual treatment groups: BCD or L. acidophilus. However, significant differences in total serum cholesterol concentrations were observed when comparing the combined treatment group (BCD and L. acidophilus) with the control group, which consisted of a basal diet and sterile milk. The combined treatment group exhibited 17·9% lower total serum cholesterol concentration after 3 weeks. Similar significant differences were observed when comparing the combined effect experimental group with the control group after 3 weeks. The combined treatment group exhibited 27·9% lower serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations.

Prognostic value of histological grading in noninflammatory canine mammary carcinomas in a prospective study with two-year follow-up: relationship with clinical and histological characteristics.

In this prospective study, a canine-adapted histological grading method was compared with histopathological and clinical characteristics and was evaluated as a prognostic indicator in canine mammary carcinomas (CMCs). Recruited dogs with at least 1 malignant mammary tumor (n = 65) were clinically evaluated, surgically treated, and followed up (minimum follow-up 28 months, maximum 38 months). Histopathological diagnoses were performed according to Goldschmidt et al (2011). Tumors were graded as grade I (29/65), grade II (19/65), and grade III (17/65). The tumor size, clinical stage, histological diagnosis, presence/absence of myoepithelial proliferation, and regional lymph node metastases at diagnosis were significantly associated with histological grade. The histological grade, age, clinical stage, tumor subtype group, and lymph node metastases at time of diagnosis were significantly associated with the development of recurrences and/or metastases, cancer-associated death, and survival times (disease-free survival and overall survival) in univariate analyses. A subdivision of clinical stage I (T1N0M0) into stages IA and IB was proposed in terms of prognosis. The clinical stage, histological grade, and spay status were selected as independent prognostic variables (multivariate analyses) with disease-free survival as the dependent variable. When overall survival was evaluated as a dependent variable, clinical stage and histological grade were selected as the independent covariates. This grading system is a useful prognostic tool, facilitates histological interpretation, and offers uniform criteria for veterinary pathologists. Comparative studies on CMCs performed in different countries should take into account possible changes in the prognoses due to different proportions of spayed females among the selected dog population.

Diploma on Basic Echocardiography training and competencies for Intensive Care and Emergency medicine: Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SEDAR) and the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES).

Cardiac ultrasound has become an essential tool for diagnosis and hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill patients. Scientific societies need to work toward developing a training program that will allow clinicians to acquire competence in performing cardiac ultrasound and understanding its indications. The Clinical Ultrasound for Intensive Care task force of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Critical Care (SEDAR) and the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) have drawn up this position statement defining the learning objectives and training required to acquire the competencies recommended for basic ultrasound management in the intensive care and emergency setting in order to obtain a diploma in Basic Ultrasound in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine. This document defines the training program and the competencies needed for basic skills in ultrasound in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine-part of the Diploma in Ultrasound for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine awarded by SEDAR/SEMES. The Spanish Society of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) have drawn up a position statement determining the competencies and training program for a diploma in ultrasound (lung, abdominal and vascular) in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine. To obtain the SEDAR/SEMES Diploma in Ultrasound in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, clinicians must have completed the SEDAR, SEMI and SEMES Diploma in basic ultrasound and the Diploma in lung, abdominal, and vascular ultrasound.

[Evaluation of the risk of the clinical-surgical and pathology study findings in newborns with necrotizing enterocolitis who have received surgical treatment]. / Valoración de riesgo de los hallazgos clínico-quirúrgicos y de anatomía patológica en neonatos con enterocolitis necrotizante que han recibido tratamiento quirúrgico.

INTRODUCTION: Despite advances in neonatal care between 20% and 63% of children with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) require surgery. The aim was correlation the risk factors of infants with NEC "IIB / IIIA / IIIB" Bell and the clinical, surgical and pathological findings. METHOD: In the children with diagnosis of NEC surgically treated, were analyzed of variables: clinical, surgical and pathological findings. We studied two groups: control (n=5) and NEC group (n=12). Comparisons were made between groups using the Mann-Whitney U- and the Spearman coefficient (r). To assess the risk of morbidity / mortality associated with the extent of intestinal resection we applied the Cox regression. RESULT: We found differences (p < 0.05) between control group and the NEC group regarding Bell, the mean height of villi, Chiu and the number of goblet cells. In the NEC group we find correlations (p < 0.05) from Bell, regarding Chiu (r = 0.761), resection of the colon (r = 0.687), pneumatosis / perforation (r = 1) and the mean height of villi (r = -0.878). The gut reseccion was at 26 cm (3-107). We observed a risk of 1.04 in the neonatal period (p > 0.05) of mortality or consequence post-enterocolitis associated with the extent of bowel resection. CONCLUSION: The decrease in the average height of villi, the highest level of microscopic intestinal injury and reduced goblet cell population contributes to a greater extent of intestinal resection, which favors the risk of death or developing consequence post-enterocolitis.

Diploma on Ultrasound training and competency for Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Anesthesia (SEDAR), Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES). / Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Anestesiología y Reanimación (SEDAR), Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI) y Sociedad Española de Medicina de Urgencias y Emergencias (SEMES) para la definición de competencias mínimas de ecografía en Cuidados Intensivos y Urgencias y la obtención del Diploma acreditativo.

The use of ultrasound as a clinical diagnostic tool and guide of bedside procedures has become an indispensable examination in the acute critically ill patient. The training of professionals in minimum skills of knowledge, management and indications of use of ultrasound required to be defined by the Scientific Societies. The Intensive Care Ultrasound Working Group of the Spanish Society of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation (SEDAR), of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) and the Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) has developed this consensus document in which the recommended training program and the minimum competencies to be achieved with regard to the use of Ultrasound in Intensive Care, Anesthesia and Emergency medicine are defined. This document defines the training program and the skills to acquire in order to achieve the diploma in lung, abdominal and vascular ultrasound. This document can serve as a guide to define the skills to be acquired in the training programs of residents (MIRs) of specialists working in intensive care, anesthesia, and emergency medicine.

Use of beta-cyclodextrin to decrease the level of cholesterol in milk fat.

This study was carried out to determine optimum conditions (beta-cyclodextrin concentration, mixing time, and holding time) for cholesterol removal from pasteurized nonhomogenized milk at 4 degrees C on a commercial scale by adding beta-cyclodextrin in a specially designed bulk mixer tank. The beta-cyclodextrin (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0%) removed from 65.42 to 95.31% of cholesterol at 4 degrees C in 20 min. Treatment of milk with 0.8 and 1.0% (wt/vol) beta-cyclodextrin was no better than treatment with 0.6% beta-cyclodextrin. Maximum cholesterol removal was seen with 6 h of treatment. The beta-cyclodextrin cholesterol complex was precipitated from milk during 20 min without stirring at 4 degrees C and removed by centrifugation. After separating the milk, approximately 0.35% of residual beta-cyclodextrin remained in the skim fraction and 0.1% in the cream from milk treated with 0.6% beta-cyclodextrin. The rest of the beta-cyclodextrin was complexed with the cholesterol and eliminated via the discharger of the separator. Individual fatty acid and triglyceride compositions did not differ between control milk and milk treated with 0.6% beta-cyclodextrin.

[Cardiac perforation as a late complication in a man with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator]. / Perforación cardiaca como complicación tardía en paciente portador de un Desfibrilador Automático Implantable.

A 55-year-old man with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placed after diagnosis of Brugada syndrome 4 years earlier was admitted to hospital with dyspnea and a large left pleural effusion. After several episodes of cardiorespiratory arrest and application of advanced cardiac life support measures, an emergency sternotomy was performed. Cardiac and pleural perforation by the ICD lead was observed and the device was removed. Since the ICD was introduced in 1980, it has been effective in the treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and in reducing the incidence of sudden death. Increased use, however, has meant a rise in the number of complications, some of which are potentially fatal. The rare complication we describe should therefore be considered whenever a patient with an ICD develops sudden respiratory failure or massive hemoptysis that cannot be explained by other causes.

Inbreeding in Southeastern Spain : The Impact of Geography and Demography on Marital Mobility and Marital Distance Patterns (1900-1969).

In this paper, the structure of a southeastern Spanish population was studied for the first time with respect to its inbreeding patterns and its relationship with demographic and geographic factors. Data on consanguineous marriages (up to second cousins) from 1900 to 1969 were taken from ecclesiastic dispensations. Our results confirm that the patterns and trends of inbreeding in the study area are consistent with those previously observed in most non-Cantabrian Spanish populations. The rate of consanguineous marriages was apparently stable between 1900 and 1935 and then sharply decreased since 1940, which coincides with industrialization in Spain. A marked departure from Hardy-Weinberg expectations (0.25) in the ratio of first cousin (M22) to second cousin (M33) marriages in the study population (0.88) was observed. The high levels of endogamy (>80%) and its significant steadiness throughout the twentieth century is noteworthy. Accordingly, our results show that exogamous marriages were not only poorly represented but also that this reduced mobility (<6 km) suggests that the choice of a mate was preferentially local. We found higher mobility in M22 with respect to M33 cousin mating. The relationships between population size and consanguinity rates and inbreeding fit power-law distributions. A significant positive correlation was observed between inbreeding and elevation. Many Spanish populations have experienced a prolonged and considerable isolation across generations, which has led to high proportions of historical and local endogamy that is associated, in general, with high [Formula: see text] values. Thus, assessing genomic inbreeding using runs of homozygosity (ROH) in current Spanish populations could be an additional pertinent strategy for obtaining a more refined perspective regarding the population history inferred from the extent and frequency of ROH regions.

[Conservative management of the airway following iatrogenic tracheal rupture]. / Tratamiento conservador en el manejo de la vía aérea tras rotura traqueal iatrogénica.

The trachea of a 39-year-old man ruptured following intubation for fiberoptic bronchoscopy; the complication became evident during surgery as extensive subcutaneous emphysema developed. The emphysema resolved with conservative treatment. Tracheobronchial lesions are generally caused by direct trauma to the chest. Tracheal rupture due to intubation maneuvers is one of the complications anesthetists fear most. Although infrequent, such lesions are potentially fatal. Signs and symptoms can vary widely, from self-limiting asymptomatic subcutaneous emphysema immediately following surgery to severe complications such as tension pneumothorax, acute respiratory failure, pneumomediastinum, or even pneumopericardium. The absence of complications in patients treated conservatively has increased interest in using this approach to management when conditions are favorable, always with fiberoptic assessment to evaluate whether the lesion has resolved completely and without sequelae.

gVARVI: A graphical software tool for the acquisition of the heart rate in response to external stimuli.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: At present, tools capable of acquiring heart rate data can be found both in commercial and research fields. However, these tools do not allow users to manage experiments comprising sequences of activities or to store the information needed to perform heart rate variability analysis across different activities. One exception is VARVI, a simple software tool developed previously in our research group that does not have a graphical user interface and it works only with visual stimuli. In this paper, we present gVARVI, a software tool aimed at obtaining heart rate data signals while the user is either receiving a sequence of external stimuli or performing a sequence of actions (an activity). METHODS: gVARVI is an open source application developed in Python programming language. It can acquire heart rate data by means of a wireless chest strap using either Bluetooth or ANT+ protocols. Users can define activities of different types (video, sounds, pictures or keyboard controlled actions) which will associate contextual information to the heart rate data. gVARVI allows users to preview this data or to store it to be used for heart rate variability studies. Our tool was validated by 15 researchers, who worked with the application and filled in a usability questionnaire. RESULTS: The outcome of the usability test was satisfactory, giving a mean score of 4.75 in a 1-5 scale (1 - strongly disagree, 5 - strongly agree). Participants also contributed with valuable comments, which we used to include new features in the last version of our tool. CONCLUSIONS: gVARVI is an open source tool that offers new possibilities to both physicians and clinicians to perform heart rate variability studies. It allows users to acquire heart rate data including information on the activity performed by subjects while recording. In this paper, we describe all the functionalities included in gVARVI, and a complete example of use is provided.

Functional and structural brain connectivity of young binge drinkers: a follow-up study.

Adolescence is a period of ongoing brain maturation characterized by hierarchical changes in the functional and structural networks. For this reason, the young brain is particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of alcohol. Nowadays, binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol consumption increasingly prevalent among adolescents. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the evolution of the functional and anatomical connectivity of the Default Mode Network (DMN) in young binge drinkers along two years. Magnetoencephalography signal during eyes closed resting state as well as Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) were acquired twice within a 2-year interval from 39 undergraduate students (22 controls, 17 binge drinkers) with neither personal nor family history of alcoholism. The group comparison showed that, after maintaining a binge drinking pattern along at least two years, binge drinkers displayed an increased brain connectivity of the DMN in comparison with the control group. On the other hand, the structural connectivity did not show significant differences neither between groups nor over the time. These findings point out that a continued pattern of binge drinking leads to functional alterations in the normal brain maturation process, even before anatomical changes can be detected.

Exploratory Analysis of Power Spectrum and Functional Connectivity During Resting State in Young Binge Drinkers: A MEG Study.

Binge Drinking (BD) is a pattern of intermittent intensive alcohol intake which has spread among young adults over the last decades. Adolescence constitutes a critical neuromaturation period in which the brain is particularly sensitive to the effects of alcohol. However, little is known about how BD affects the brain activity. This study aimed to characterize the brain's functional organization in BD and non-BD young population by means of analyzing functional connectivity (FC) and relative power spectra (PS) profiles measured with magnetoencephalography (MEG) during eyes-closed resting state. Our sample composed 73 first-year university students (35 BDs and 38 controls). Results showed that the BD subjects displayed a decreased alpha FC in frontal-parietal regions, and conversely, an enhanced FC in the delta, theta and beta bands in fronto-temporal networks. Besides the FC differences, the BD group showed a decreased PS within alpha range and an increased PS within theta range in the brain's occipital region. These differences in FC and PS measurements provide new evidence of the neurophysiological alterations related to the alcohol neurotoxicity and could represent an initial sign of an anomalous neural activity caused by a BD pattern of alcohol consumption during youth.

Impact of changes in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an experience of 30 years.

Two hundred and twenty-eight patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated in a single institution in a 31-year period. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and complete response (CR) rates were analyzed. In addition, survival and control rates from 1960 to 1975 and from 1976 to 1991 were evaluated. In the latter group, a comparative study was performed between patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) before radiotherapy (RT) (45) and patients treated with radiotherapy alone (45). OS at 5 and 10 years were 42 and 34%, and DFS rates were 35 and 30%, respectively. CR was achieved in 184 patients (81%). Tumor progression and survival were strongly associated with T-category. Use of fashioned blocks, age and T-category were the most important factors influencing survival in a multivariate analysis. In the patients treated with NCT, rates of CR and OS were not significantly different when compared with the concurrent RT alone group. Ninety-nine patients had recurrence (54%) and 58 received rescue treatment. Modern radiotherapy techniques have greatly assisted in the improvement of tumor control rates. Chemotherapy must be further evaluated and new treatments for relapsed patients are needed.

Schizophrenic syndromes and clozapine response in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Relationships between symptom profile and clozapine response were studied. Symptom scores on the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) in a group of 66 treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients, 49 of whom were treated with clozapine. Factor scores were compared among responders, non-responders and partial responders. The PCA yielded a four-factor solution, with positive symptoms, negative symptoms, cognitive disorganization and behavioral disorganization components. Cognitive and behavioral disorganization syndrome scores showed significant differences across groups. Cognitive disorganization was higher in non-responders, while behavioral disorganization was higher in partial responders. The results support the possibility of using clinical profiles to predict therapeutic response to clozapine.

Immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 and PCNA in canine mammary tumors: relationship to clinical and pathologic variables.

The objectives of this study were to measure the proliferation indices in canine mammary tumors using immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), to determine the relationship of these antigens to clinical and pathologic variables, and to investigate the usefulness of these antigens as prognostic indicators. Ninety-six female dogs with 115 primary nonmetastasized spontaneous mammary tumors and dysplasias were included in the study. Immunostaining was performed using MIB-1 and PC10 monoclonal antibodies against Ki-67 and PCNA, respectively. Ki-67 and PCNA proliferation indices were determined. Dogs were followed for 18 months, with clinical examinations every 3-4 months. There was a significant correlation between Ki-67 and PCNA indices in the dogs with dysplasias and benign tumors but not in the dogs with malignant tumors. The clinical stage at first presentation was related to the proliferative index measured with Ki-67 but not to that measured with PCNA. Proliferation indices were significantly lower in the nonmalignant tumors and dysplasias than in the malignant tumors. In malignant tumors, the PCNA index had a positive correlation with the histologic malignant grade and the nuclear grade. High index values of Ki-67 were positively correlated with metastasis, death from neoplasia, low disease-free survival rates, and low overall survival rates. PCNA displayed no significant association with these variables. Multivariate analyses concerning metastasis, disease-free survival, and overall survival revealed that the Ki-67 index had prognostic value.

Relation between habitual diet and canine mammary tumors in a case-control study.

In the present case-control study several dietary and nutritional factors were investigated to determine if a relationship exists between diet and development of mammary tumors in female dogs. Control female dogs (n = 86) were compared with a case group of dogs (n = 102) with dysplasias or tumors of the mammary gland. A questionnaire providing information on the dog's body conformation and dietary and reproductive histories was answered by the owners. Serum selenium and retinol concentrations and the fatty acid profile in subcutaneous adipose tissue were analyzed as indicators of nutritional status. Obesity at 1 year of age and 1 year before the diagnosis of mammary nodules was found to be significantly related to a higher prevalence of mammary tumors and dysplasias. The intake of homemade meals (compared to that of commercial foods) was also significantly related to a higher incidence of tumors and dysplasias. Other significant risk factors were a high intake of red meat, especially beef and pork, and a low intake of chicken. The subcutaneous fatty acid profile and the serum selenium concentration were not significantly different in the cases and the controls, with the exception of C18:1 fatty acid (oleic acid) content, which was significantly higher in the cases than in healthy controls. Serum retinol concentration was significantly lower in the cases than in the controls. In the multivariate analysis, older age, obesity at 1 year of age, and a high red meat intake were independently and significantly associated with the risk of developing mammary tumor and dysplasias.

gHRV: Heart rate variability analysis made easy.

In this paper, the gHRV software tool is presented. It is a simple, free and portable tool developed in python for analysing heart rate variability. It includes a graphical user interface and it can import files in multiple formats, analyse time intervals in the signal, test statistical significance and export the results. This paper also contains, as an example of use, a clinical analysis performed with the gHRV tool, namely to determine whether the heart rate variability indexes change across different stages of sleep. Results from tests completed by researchers who have tried gHRV are also explained: in general the application was positively valued and results reflect a high level of satisfaction. gHRV is in continuous development and new versions will include suggestions made by testers.

Maternal aging affects life performance of progeny in a Holstein dairy cow model.

The development and life performance of 404 high-producing Holstein dairy cows was studied from birth onwards and during two lactations. The management, environment and parental genetics of the cows were known in detail. Cluster analysis identified four performance 'types': high-yielding (HY) cows and persistently high-yielding (PHY) cows, which accounted for 33% of the animals; medium-yielding (MY) cows, 41%; and low-yielding (LY) cows, 26%. Prenatal determinants of the life performance of the progeny were analyzed. Developmental and environmental factors were excluded as determinants of performance (including birth weight, level of passive immunity transfer, growth rate, age at first parturition and reproductive efficiency). Life performance did show minor seasonal effects, with more HY cows but less PHY being born during the cold season (90.1% in HY; 58.3% in PHY v. 81.5%). Instead, the single most important factor influencing life performance of daughters was maternal age. HY cows were born from the youngest mothers (1.89±1.14 parturitions, 3.12±1.42-year old), whereas LY cows were born from the oldest (2.72±1.80 parturitions, 3.97±2.01-year old; P<0.001). Life performance of the dams did not differ among clusters. In addition, metabolic parameters (fat and protein yield) were found to correlate significantly with yields between the first and second lactations (milk yield: r=0.357; fat yield: r=0.211; protein yield: r=0.277; P<0.0001), suggesting the influence of the individual. These results suggest that under optimal health, nutritional and environmental conditions, maternal aging is an important determinant of the life performance of progeny and argue for the need to identify conditions that contribute to health and disease in progeny according to the Developmental Origin of Health and Disease or DOHaD concept. Our findings may help the development of novel management guidelines for dairy farms.