Saproxylic Beetle Assemblage Selection as Determining Factor of Species Distributional Patterns: Implications for Conservation.

The knowledge of the distributional patterns of saproxylic beetles is essential for conservation biology due to the relevance of this fauna in the maintenance of ecological processes and the endangerment of species. The complex community of saproxylic beetles is shaped by different assemblages that are composed of species linked by the microhabitats they use. We evaluate how different the species distribution patterns that are obtained can be, depending on the analyzed assemblage and to what extent these can affect conservation decisions. Beetles were sampled using hollow emergence and window traps in three protected areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Species richness, composition, and diversity turnover were analyzed for each sampling method and showed high variation depending on the analyzed assemblage. Beta diversity was clearly higher among forests for the assemblage captured using window traps. This method collects flying insects from different tree microhabitats and its captures are influenced by the forest structuring. Within forests, the assemblages captured by hollow emergence traps, which collect the fauna linked to tree hollows, showed the largest turnover of species, as they are influenced by the characteristics of each cavity. Moreover, the selection of the forest showing the highest species richness strongly depended on the studied assemblage. This study demonstrates that differences in the studied assemblages (group of species co-occurring in the same habitat) can also lead to significant differences in the identified patterns of species distribution and diversity turnover. This fact will be necessary to take into consideration when making decisions about conservation and management.

[Animated biofeedback for the dysfunctional voiding syndrome]. / Biofeedback animado para el tratamiento de la micción disfuncional.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze clinical and electromyographic treatment outcome of dysfunctional voiding (DV) with animated Biofeedback (Bfb). Clinical or electromyographic variables associated with higher success rate were checked. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of patients with DV, that in 2010- 2015 followed animated Bfb program. Efficacy was measured with Uroflowmetry, Electromyography (EMG) and validated clinical questionnaire. Inclusion criteria: no myelodysplasia, no anatomical malformations and a minumin of 3 Bfb sessions. Clinical variables: age, number of sessions, daytime leaks, nocturnal enuresis, constipation, UTI, VUR. Flow measurement variables: morphology of curves, electromyogram, flows, and elevated post void residual (PVR). RESULTS: Of 37 patients who received Bfb, 27 girls who met inclusion criteria were selected. Mean age: 7.8 years (2.5). Twelve (44%) had detrusor overactivity on urodynamics concomitantly. Globally, all clinical and flowmetry parameters improved. Clinically 33.5% had complete resolution of symptoms, 37% improved (> 50% of symptoms according to criteria ICCS) and 29% had no improvement. In EMG, 74% achieved normal perineal relaxation. Constipation at baseline is associated with lower rates of success (cure: 13 vs. 58%, p = 0.019; cure + improvement: 60% vs. 83% p> 0.05). The absence of RPM at the end of the study was associated with clinical improvement (cure: 66.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.012; cure + improvement: 89% vs. 60%, p> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Bfb in DV provides cure or improvement and electromyographic resolution are 69 and 74% respectively. The absence of constipation is associated with higher success rates. The High RPM correlates with persistence of clinics.

OBJETTIVOS: Se pretende analizar resultado clínico y electromiográfico del tratamiento de la micción disfuncional (MD) con Biofeedback (Bfb) animado. Además, se estudia si existen variables clínicas o electromiográficas asociadas a mayor tasa de éxito. PACIENTES Y METODOS: Se realizó corte transversal de pacientes con MD, que en 2010- 2015 siguieron programa de Bfb animado. El control post-tratamiento se realizó con Uroflujometría más Electromiografía y cuestionario validado. Se excluyeron los pacientes con mielodisplasia, malformaciones anatómicas, y a los que recibieron menos de 3 sesiones. Las variables clínicas estudiadas fueron: edad, número de sesiones, fugas diurnas, enuresis nocturna, estreñimiento, ITU, RVU. Las flujométricas fueron: morfología de curvas, electromiograma, flujos, y residuo postmiccional (RPM) elevado. RESULTADOS: De 37 pacientes que recibieron Bfb, se seleccionaron 27 niñas que cumplieron criterios de inclusión. Edad media: 7,8 años (DE: 2,5). Doce (44%) presentaron hiperactividad del detrusor asociado a la MD. De manera global, todos los parámetros clínicos y flujométricos mejoraron. Clínicamente 33,5% presentó resolución completa de síntomas y el 37% mejoraron (desaparecieron más del 50% de los síntomas según criterios ICCS). El 29% no presentó mejoría. Electromiográficamente el 74% logró flujometrías normales. El estreñimiento al inicio del estudio se asocia a tasas menores de éxito (curación: 13 vs. 58%, p= 0,019; curación + mejoría: 60% vs. 83% p > 0,05). La ausencia de RPM al final del estudio se relacionó con la mejoría clínica (curación: 66,7% vs. 0%, p= 0,012; curación + mejoría: 89% vs. 60%, p > 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: El Bfb en la micción disfuncional proporciona tasas de curación/mejoría clínica y de resolución electromiográfica del 69 y 74%, respectivamente. La ausencia de estreñimiento se asocia a mayores tasas de éxito. La persistencia de clínica se relaciona con RPM elevado post-tratamiento.

Molecular identification of Fusarium species isolated from transgenic insect-resistant cotton plants in Mexicali valley, Baja California.

Cotton production in the Mexicali valley is adversely affected by wilt and root rot disease associated with Fusarium species. In the present study, we sought to isolate and identify the Fusarium species in the rhizosphere of transgenic insect-resistant cotton plants grown in the Mexicali valley. Our analyses isolated four native fungi from the rhizosphere of cotton plants, namely, T-ICA01, T-ICA03, T-ICA04, and T-ICA08. These fungal isolates were categorized as belonging to Fusarium solani using their phenotypic characteristics and ITS region sequence data. Examination of the infection index showed that T-ICA03 and T-ICA04 caused systemic colonization (90%) of seeds followed by the occurrence of radicle and coleoptile decay. In contrast, T-ICA08 strain was less pathogenic against seed tissues (40%) in comparison to the other strains isolated. Our study showed that in transgenic insect-resistant cotton the disease "Fusarium wilt" is caused by the fungus, F. solani. Future studies are necessary to characterize the F. solani populations to determine whether phenological stages might influence the genetic diversity of the fungal populations present.

Randomized clinical trial on the usefulness of 3D printing in intra-articular fractures of the distal radius. / Ensayo clínico aleatorizado sobre la utilidad de la impresión 3D en las fracturas intraarticulares de radio distal.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the utility of 3D printing technology for preoperative planning in the treatment of intra-articular fractures of the distal radius in relation to the improvement of surgical technique, radiological and clinical results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients with 2B and C fractures of the AO classification were operated on by a single surgeon with a volar plate, randomly divided into two groups, 15 of them with conventional planning (Rx and CT) and 15 adding a 3D model of the fracture and the previous simulation of the intervention. Simulation time, surgical time in minutes, radioscopy time in minutes, loss of material expressed in lost screws were recorded. Clinical evaluation based PRWE questionnaire and full radiographic analysis was done for all patients with a mean follow-up of 6 months by an independent, blinded observed. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed in the PRWE questionnaire (p=0.22), nor were we observed differences in the radiological values, except in relation to the articular step (p=0.028), which represents statistical significance, but in both groups the median was of 0.0 (0.0-0.0). We also did not see statistically significant differences in surgical times (p=0.745), radioscopy (p=0.819) or in the loss of synthesis material (p=0.779). CONCLUSIONS: 3D printing has not improved the parameters studied in relation to routinely operated patients.

Syndromal and subsyndromal illness status and five-year morbidity using criteria of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders compared to alternative criteria.

BACKGROUND: Subsyndromal symptoms have been recognized as relevant in the course and outcome of bipolar disorder (BD) patients. Nevertheless, their definition and cutoff points on current depression and mania scales are uncertain. The recently defined International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) operational criteria for the assessment of the course and outcome of bipolar illness have never been tested until now. METHODS: A naturalistic longitudinal follow-up study of up to 5 years included a cohort of 317 DSM-IV-TR BD outpatients. For the first time, we assessed the proportion of visits in different affective states using the ISBD criteria. Secondarily, we compared the results with those obtained applying other cutoff points. RESULTS: Patients were symptomatic in 39.1% (95% CI 35.3-42.9) of the visits. Subsyndromal symptoms, primarily subsyndromal depression, were present in 15.9% of patients (95% CI 13.4-18.4). No significant differences were found between bipolar I patients and bipolar II patients. There were differences in the total percentage of visits in euthymia depending on the cutoff points (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Applying ISBD criteria, bipolar patients have significant clinical morbidity and are often symptomatic, both with threshold symptoms and with subthreshold symptoms, especially with depression. The chosen cutoff points modify the apparent results. LIMITATIONS: The cutoff points used have not been validated. Psychopharmacologic treatments were naturalistic.

Treatment of fibrous dysplasia of the proximal femur by means of pedicled iliac crest bone graft: a case report.

In this report, we present a case of treatment of fibrous dysplasia (FD) of the proximal femur with the pedicled iliac crest bone graft. An 18-year-old patient presented with hip pain and polyostotic dysplasia with involvement of the proximal femur and a history of pathological fracture. The patient was operated on using vascularized bone graft from the iliac crest and osteosynthesis with Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS®). With vascularized bone graft, we found an improvement on X-ray with no reabsorption, and with osteosynthesis, we controlled the pain and prevented pathological fracture and progression of the deformity. Several other studies where the pedicled iliac crest bone graft has been successfully used for the management of defects in the proximal femur (osteonecrosis of the femoral head and pseudarthrosis of the femoral head) can be found in the medical literature. However, the pedicled iliac crest bone graft in a patient with FD of the proximal femur is unique.

Excess use of coercive measures in psychiatry among migrants compared with native Danes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in risk of compulsory admission and other coercive measures in psychiatric emergencies among refugees and immigrants compared with that among native Danes. METHOD: A register-based retrospective cohort design. All refugees (n = 29 174) and immigrants (n = 33 287) who received residence permission in Denmark from 1.1.1993 to 31.12.1999 were included and matched 1 : 4 on age and sex with native Danes. Civil registration numbers were cross-linked to the Danish Psychiatric Central Register and the Registry of Coercive Measures in Psychiatric Treatment. RESULTS: Refugees (RR = 1.82; 95%CI: 1.45; 2.29) and immigrants (RR = 1.14; 95%CI: 0.83; 1.56) experienced higher rates of compulsory admissions than did native Danes. This was most striking for refugee men (RR = 2.00; 95%CI: 1.53; 2.61) and immigrant women (RR = 1.73; 95%CI: 1.45; 2.60). Moreover, refugees and immigrants experienced higher frequencies of other coercive measures during hospitalisation compared with native Danes. CONCLUSION: Coercive measures in psychiatry are more likely to be experienced by migrants than by native Danes.

Risk of mental disorders in refugees and native Danes: a register-based retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Refugees are vulnerable to mental health disorders because of migration trauma. However, register-based prevalence studies are missing. AIMS: To investigate the risk of mental disorders among refugees compared with that among native Danes. METHOD: Refugees (n = 29,139), who received residence permission in Denmark from 1.1.1993 to 31.12.1999 were matched 1:4 on age and sex with native Danes (n = 116,556). Civil registration numbers were linked to the Danish Psychiatric Central Register to obtain data on ICD-10 diagnosis upon discharge for all first-time psychiatric hospital contacts for refugees (n = 2,120) and native Danes (n = 5,044) between 1.1.1994 and 31.12.2003. Treated prevalence was then calculated using a Poisson regression model. RESULTS: Refugee men (RR = 2.02; 95%CI = 1.75-2.34) and refugee women (RR = 1.49; 95%CI = 1.29-1.72) had higher overall risks of having a first-time psychiatric contact for mental disorders than did native Danes; specific risks of psychotic, affective and neurotic disorders were even higher. The results were most striking for refugee men, and for refugees from the former Yugoslavia, Iraq and the Middle East. CONCLUSIONS: Refugees have high rates of various mental disorders. Healthcare services should target refugees' mental health from arrival in the receiving country.

Formation of complexes between alkyl polyglycosides and potato starch.

The formation of complexes between soluble potato starch and three commercial alkyl polyglycosides has been studied by means of surface tension measurements at 37 degrees C. All surfactants assayed form complexes with starch, the quantity of bound surfactant being proportional to the amount of starch present in the solution. For all alkyl polyglycoside-starch systems tested, there is a direct proportional relationship between the bound and total surfactant concentrations, so that the formation of the surfactant-starch complex continues until the minimum surface tension is reached without detectable starch saturation prior to the occurrence of surfactant micelles. Binding isotherms and Scatchard plots support the idea that alkyl polyglycosides are bound to amylose by positive cooperative binding and to amylopectin by non-cooperative Langmuir-type binding.

Influence of Traditional Management and Environmental Variables on Mediterranean Saproxylic Beetle Assemblages.

Mediterranean oak forests of the Iberian Peninsula host a great diversity of saproxylic beetles. For centuries, humans have carried out traditional management practices in this area, at both habitat and tree level, causing changes in forest structure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropic effect of these traditional practices on saproxylic beetle diversity by measuring a set of environmental variables related to forest structure at both plot and tree level. Fauna was collected using window traps over a period of 12 mo. Multiple regression procedures showed which variables significantly affected the diversity of the studied assemblage. Our results demonstrated that the different metrics used to assess the diversity of assemblages responded variably depending on the management strategies applied and the level at which they were carried out. Certain management practices that disrupted the landscape from its natural state, such as the introduction of livestock or the local removal of particular trees, maximized species richness but, nevertheless, had a negative effect on the rest of diversity metrics analyzed. However, other practices such as pollarding, which involves the suppression of the main branch of the tree, had a positive effect on all diversity metrics evaluated as it promoted the formation of potential microhabitats for saproxylic fauna. We concluded that not all types and degrees of traditional forest management favor saproxylic beetle diversity and that different diversity metrics should be taken into consideration in future strategies for the protection and conservation of this fauna.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of soluble starch with an alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis.

The enzymatic hydrolysis of soluble starch with an alpha-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis (commercial enzyme Termamyl 300 L Type DX) have been experimentally studied at pH 7.5, within the temperature range of 37-75 degrees C, at initial substrate concentrations of between 0.25 and 2.00 g/L, and enzyme concentrations of between 0.575 x 10(-4) and 13.8 x 10(-4) g/L. To follow the reaction a procedure based on the iodometric method for measuring alpha-amylase activity was used. The kinetics of the enzymatic hydrolysis was fitted to the Michaelis-Menten equation using the integral method, taking into account that the thermal deactivation of the enzyme follows a second-order kinetic. These parameters were fitted to the Arrhenius equation obtaining activation energies of 24.4 and 41.7 kJ/mol and preexponential factors of 734.9 g/L and 1.74 x 10(8) min(-1) for K(M) and k, respectively.

Male reproductive system in Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis (Kaup): anatomy, histology and histochemistry.

Despite the fact that the Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis is a target species for the aquaculture industry in Spain and Portugal, very little is known about its gametogenesis and especially about testicular development. Therefore, the male reproductive system in adult S. senegalensis was described using a histological and histochemical approach. Mean gonadosomatic index was very low (0.094+/-0.004%) and suffered slight changes throughout the experimental period. In transverse sections, the testis presents a reniform structure with two main regions, a cortical one with seminiferous lobules where germ cells proliferate in spermatocysts (germ/Sertoli cells units), and a medullar one with spermatic ducts that collect and store the produced sperm. The germinal compartment is organized into branching lobules of the unrestricted spermatogonial type, although the majority of type A spermatogonia are located at the distal part of the lobules. Spermatogenesis seems to be semi-cystic, since spermatids are released into the lobule lumen, where they are transformed into spermatozoa. Proteins in general, especially those rich in arginine, and carboxylated mucosubstances/glyco-proteins increased from spermatogonia to spermatozoa. 3beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymatic activity was exclusively observed in Leydig cells. The present study provides the first precise description of male reproductive apparatus in S. senegalensis.

A modified device to facilitate flow measurements during voiding cystometry studies in infants.

INTRODUCTION: Urodynamic studies (UDS) in infants are traditionally hampered by technique and flow collection; both are difficult and have not yet been standardized. METHODS: A very simple device has been developed to collect urine during the voiding phase in UDS. It is based on a urine-collection adhesive bag, which is connected to a tube that conducts the urine to a flowmeter. RESULTS: Eleven infants (4-23 months) were selected and a complete UDS was performed on all of them. A diagnosis was obtained for all of the infants. DISCUSSION: This device is easily available in every pediatric clinic; it is also disposable and inexpensive. It enables UDS in infants to be complete and achievable.

Comparison of tenoxicam and bromazepan in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Fibromyalgia is a painful syndrome of non-articular origin, predominantly involving muscles, and the commonest cause of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain. The diversity of therapeutic programs for patients with fibromyalgia reflects both the lack of a known pathophysiology for this disorder and the low efficacy of the current therapies. We studied the efficacy of tenoxicam and bromazepan in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia. One hundred and sixty-four patients from our Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia, with widespread pain at study entry. Each of the 164 patients was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment groups: double placebo (P), tenoxicam (20 mg) + placebo (T), bromazepan (3 mg) + placebo (B)m or tenoxicam (20 mg) + bromazepan 3 mg (TB). Patient global assessment of disease, pain, sleep quality, morning stiffness, and number of tender points were evaluated at baseline and 8 weeks afterwards. At the end of the trial, 17%, 10%, 12%, and 29% of the P, T, B, and TB patients, respectively, had clinical improvement. A statistically significant difference was found only between the T and TB groups. Our data indicate that treatment with tenoxicam + bromazepan can be effective for some patients with fibromyalgia, but the differences with the placebo group were neither clinically nor statistically significant.

Psychosocial factors and episode number in depression.

We studied the relationship between 2 types of psychosocial factors, life events and chronic stress, and the numerical order of the depressive episodes. The population studied consisted of 97 subjects suffering from major depressive disorder and 65 controls. Life events occurred with the first 2 depressive episodes with significantly higher frequency than with later episodes or with the control group. Patients in the third or later episode had no more life events than controls. No significant differences were apparent in the incidence of chronic stress in the different depressive episodes of the patient group or in the comparison of this group with controls. No second order interaction between life events and chronic stress was found.

Comparison of aceclofenac with piroxicam in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

A multicentre, double-blind, randomised, parallel group study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy and safety of aceclofenac (123 patients, 100 mg twice daily) in comparison to piroxicam (117 patients, 20 mg once daily and placebo once daily) in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. The treatment period of two months was preceded by a washout period of one week duration. On completion of the study, patients in both aceclofenac and piroxicam-treated groups exhibited significant improvement in pain intensity and functional capacity of the affected knee, as represented by the Osteoarthritis Severity Index (OSI) (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001 respectively). This was further substantiated following the patient's assessment of pain intensity using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), in which significant improvements were demonstrated at all time points for each treatment group (p < 0.001). Although both treatment groups showed a significant improvement in all investigator's clinical assessments (functional exploration of the knee, knee flexion and extension (EXT)), there were no significant differences between the groups. There was, however, a more rapid improvement in knee flexion in the aceclofenac group after 15 days of treatment. Both aceclofenac and piroxicam were well tolerated by patients, the most commonly reported adverse events being gastrointestinal, although their incidence was low. Only 24 patients on aceclofenac, as opposed to 33 on piroxicam complained of dyspepsia, epigastralgia and pyrosis. While 7 patients in each group were withdrawn because of adverse events, only one patient with piroxicam was withdrawn because of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Twice as many reports of fecal blood loss were made in the piroxicam group in comparison to the aceclofenac group. In summary, this study confirms the therapeutic efficacy of aceclofenac and suggests that it is a well-tolerated alternative NSAID to piroxicam in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

The use of Mitek pins in the mandibular lingual releasing approach to oral and/or oropharyngeal carcinomas: a technical note.

Resection of carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx requires adequate exposure. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the approach employed (mandibular lingual releasing approach) for resection of some oral cavity or oropharyngeal carcinomas and to point out the indications, advantages, complications, and refinements of this technique. The technique was carried out on 23 patients with oral cavity or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. A lingual floor-of-mouth flap was created allowing delivery of the tongue and floor of mouth without lip splitting, mandibulotomy, or mandibulectomy. After resection of the tumour and repair of the defect, the musculature of the floor of the mouth was reattached to the lingual cortex of the mandible using Mitek minianchors. There was adequate exposure in all the patients. Wound margin dehiscence occurred in four patients resulting in an orocervical fistula in three patients. Mandibular osteotomy and subsequent osteosynthesis were avoided. Thus instability and infection of the osteotomy site were avoided. However, additional mandibular osteotomy is feasible.

A modified technique of four-bone fusion for advanced carpal collapse (SLAC/SNAC wrist).

This study reports the outcome of 16 patients treated with a modified four-bone fusion for symptomatic stage II and III advanced carpal collapse. The technique is based on fusion of the capitate, lunate, hamate and triquetrum using an autogenous corticocancellous bone-graft fixed with screws. The void left behind after scaphoid excision was filled with an extensor carpi radialis longus anchovy. After an average follow up of 3 years; there were 13 excellent and three good outcomes. In every patient pain relief was achieved with preservation of joint motion and grip strength. All the patients were able to return to their previous activities and jobs. Radiographic evaluation showed bone fusion in all 16 patients with a slight decrease in carpal height but a well preserved radiolunate joint space. In conclusion, this technique provides immediate stable fixation and early mobilization and assures bone fusion.

Actinomycotic ulcer of the oral mucosa: an unusual presentation of oral actinomycosis.

Although the oral mucosa is often the site of entry of actinomyces into the deeper tissues, actinomycosis in the oral mucosa is extremely rare. Actinomycotic lesions are usually described as either single or multiple abscesses or indurated masses with hard fibrous walls and soft central loculations. Actinomyces israelii is the principal cause of human actinomycosis. We present a rare case of actinomycosis caused by Actinomyces odontolyticus; it presented primarily as a long-standing ulcer of the oral mucosa mimicking a squamous cell carcinoma.