Hydrologic variability governs GHG emissions in rice-based cropping systems of Eastern India.

Reducing methane (CH4) emissions is increasingly recognized as an urgent greenhouse gas mitigation priority for avoiding ecosystem 'tipping points' that will accelerate global warming. Agricultural systems, namely ruminant livestock and rice cultivation are dominant sources of CH4 emissions. Efforts to reduce methane from rice typically focus on water management strategies that implicitly assume that irrigated rice systems are consistently flooded and that farmers exert a high level of control over the field water balance. In India most rice is cultivated during the monsoon season and hydrologic variability is common, particularly in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) where high but variable rainfall, shallow groundwater, and subtle differences in topography interact to create complex mosaics of field water conditions. Here, we characterize the hydrologic variability of monsoon season rice fields (n = 207) in the Indian EGP ('Eastern India') across two contrasting climate years (2021, 2022) and use the Denitrification Decomposition (DNDC) model to estimate GHG emissions for the observed hydrologic conditions. Five distinct clusters of field hydrology patterns were evident in each year, but cluster characteristics were not stable across years. In 2021, average GHG emissions (8.14 mt CO2-eq ha-1) were twice as high as in 2022 (3.81 mt CO2-eq ha-1). Importantly, intra-annual variability between fields was also high, underlining the need to characterize representative emission distributions across the landscape and across seasons to appropriately target GHG mitigation strategies and generate accurate baseline values. Simulation results were also analyzed to identify main drivers of emissions, with readily identified factors such as flooding period and hydrologic interactions with crop residues and nitrogen management practices emerging as important. These insights provide a foundation for understanding landscape variability in GHG emissions from rice in Eastern India and suggest priorities for mitigation that honor the hydrologic complexity of the region.

Natación artística en niñas: antropometría, genotipo y rendimiento deportivo / Artistic Swimming in Girls: Anthropometrics, Genotype and Athletic Performance

En cada deporte es importante optimizar peso y composición corporal y la genética y los datos antropométricos pueden influir en rendimiento deportivo y salud, sobre todo en deportistas menores. Este estudio analiza 60 nadadoras artísticas entre 9 y 17 años, divididas en tres grupos de edad: ≤12, 13-15 y 16-17 años. Se realizó un análisis de medidas antropométricas, edad de menarquia, genotipo relacionado con rendimiento (gen ACTN3) y resultados deportivos, con objetivo de relacionar estos parámetros entre sí en los grupos de edad. Las nadadoras de mayor edad mostraron tendencia a portar el genotipo heterocigoto RX de ACTN3. En este estudio, la práctica de este deporte podría tener impacto en índice de masa corporal, pliegue tricipital, peso y edad de menarquia. La mayor prevalencia del genotipo heterocigoto ACTN3 R577X podría ofrecer una ventaja, pero el rendimiento en competición de las nadadoras artísticas tuvo poca relación con sus medidas antropométricas. (AU)

In sport, optimizing weight and body composition is important for performance although an excessive drive for thinness can lead to diminished performance and health problems. This is especially important in the youngest athletes. This study examines 60 national competition-level Spanish artistic swimmers aged 9-17 years. Participants were divided into 3 categories: 12 years and under, 13-15 and 16-17 years. The data analysed were anthropometric measures, menarche age, genotype related to performance (gene ACTN3) and athletic performance. Relationships between athletic performance and anthropometric or genetic data were compared among the three age groups. Swimmers showed a tendency to carry the heterozygous genotype RX of the ACTN3 gene in the older age group. In this study, this sport could have an impact on body mass index, triceps skinfold, weight, menarche age, and selection of one genotype, but the performance in competition of the artistic swimmers had little linking to anthropometric measures. (AU)

QSAR and molecular docking modelling of anti-leishmanial activities of organic selenium and tellurium compounds.

Leishmaniasis affects mainly rural areas and the poorest people in the world. A computational study of the antileishmanial activity of organic selenium and tellurium compounds was performed. The 3D structures of the compounds were optimized at the wb97xd/lanl2dz level and used in the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis. The antileishmanial activity was measured by L. donovani ß carbonic anhydrase inhibition (Ki) and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) against L. infantum amastigotes. The dataset was divided into training (75%) and test sets (25%) by using a k-means clustering algorithm. For pKi prediction, model M3 with seven 3D topographic descriptors was characterized by the following statistical parameters: r 2 = 0.879, Q 2 LOO = 0.822, and Q 2 ext = 0.840. For pIC50 prediction, model M12 with six attributes was characterized by the following statistical parameters: r 2 = 0.907, Q 2 LOO = 0.824, and Q 2 ext = 0.795. Both models met all the requirements of Tropsha´s test, which implies predictions of pIC50 and pKi activities with high accuracy. Concomitantly, favourable interactions of the sulphonamide group with the Zn atom in the protein were revealed by the docking analysis.

Polyurethane Microparticles for Stimuli Response and Reduced Oxidative Degradation in Highly Porous Shape Memory Polymers.

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) have been found to be promising biomaterials for a variety of medical applications; however, the clinical translation of such technology is dependent on tailorable properties such as gravimetric changes in degradation environments. For SMPs synthesized from amino-alcohols, oxidation resulting in rapid mass loss may be problematic in terms of loss of material functionality as well as toxicity and cytocompatibility concerns. Control of gravimetric changes was achieved through the incorporation of small molecule antioxidants, either directly into the polymer matrix or included in microparticles to form a SMP composite material. With direct incorporation of small molecule phenolic antioxidant 2,2'-methylenebis(6- tert-butyl)-methylphenol (Methyl), SMPs displayed reduce strain recovery by more than 50% (Methyl) and increase elastic modulus from approximately 1.4 to 2.3 MPa, at the expense of the strain to failure being reduced from 45% to 32%. Importantly, such changes could not ensure retention of the antioxidants and therefore did not increase oxidative stability beyond 15 days in accelerated oxidative conditions (equivalent to approximately 800 days in porcine aneurysms) in all cases except for the inclusion of a hindered amine that capped network growth, which also resulted in shape memory reduction (only 80% recoverable strain achieved). However, the inclusion of antioxidants in microparticles was found to produce materials with similar thermomechanical ( Tg migration below 1.0 °C) and shape recovery of 100%, while increasing oxidative resistance compared to controls (oxidation onset was delayed by 3 days and material lifespan increased to approximately 20-22 days in accelerated oxidative solution or beyond 1000 days in the porcine aneurysm). The microparticle composite SMPs also act as a platform for environmental sensing, such as pH-dependent fluorescence shifts and payload release, as demonstrated by fluorescent dye studies using phloxine B and nile blue chloride and the release of antioxidants over a 3 week period. The use of polyurethane-urea microparticles in porous SMPs is demonstrated to increase biostability of the materials, by approximately 25%, and ultimately extend their lifespan for use in aneurysm occlusion as determined through calculated in vivo degradation rates corresponding to a porcine aneurysm environment.

Animal tuberculosis maintenance at low abundance of suitable wildlife reservoir hosts: A case study in northern Spain.

Animal tuberculosis (TB), which is caused by infection with members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), is a typical multi-host infection that flourishes at the livestock-wildlife interface. TB epidemiology is well characterized in the Mediterranean woodland habitats and Atlantic regions of southwestern Europe. However, much less is known about huge regions that do not form part of the two abovementioned settings, which have a low abundance of wild reservoirs. We hypothesized that MTC would be maintained in multi- rather than single-host communities in which wildlife would make a relatively low contribution to the maintenance of TB. Between 2011 and 2015, 7729 Eurasian wild boar (Sus scrofa) and 1729 wild ruminants were sampled for culture during hunting events on unfenced sites. In addition, 1058 wild ungulates were sampled on 23 fenced hunting estates. Infection prevalence data were modeled along with official data on cattle and goat TB, on livestock distribution and management, and on wild boar abundance. The mean individual MTC infection prevalence was 4.28% in wild boar, while the cattle skin test reactor percent was 0.17%. The prevalence of MTC infection in wild ungulates (mostly wild boar) from the fenced hunting estates was 11.6%. Modeling revealed that the main driver of TB in cattle was their management (beef; communal pastures). However, wild boar abundance, the prevalence of MTC infection in wild boar and the presence of fenced hunting estates also contributed to explaining cattle TB. The model used for goat TB identified communal pastures as a risk factor. The model for the prevalence of MTC infection in wild boar included wild boar abundance and communal pastures. We conclude that the MTC maintenance host community is most likely of a multi-host nature. While cattle and communal pastures pose the main risk regarding TB, it is also necessary to consider increasing wild boar densities and specific risks owing to fenced wildlife. We infer several management implications regarding wildlife management, the wildlife sampling strategy and laboratory testing, the peculiarities of fenced hunting estates, and the wildlife-livestock interface.

Niveles elevados de aldosterona sérica en pacientes en diálisis: ¿estamos infrautilizando los bloqueantes del sistema renina angiotensina aldosterona en diálisis? / Elevated serum aldosterone levels in dialysis patients: Are we underusing renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers?

La aldosterona sérica (AS) es un marcador de riesgo cardiovascular (CV) en población general. Objetivo: Analizar los niveles de AS en pacientes en diálisis y su relación con las características de la diálisis, antecedentes CV, tensión arterial y uso de bloqueantes del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona (BSRAA). Métodos: Determinamos la AS en 102 pacientes: 81 en hemodiálisis (HD) y 21 en diálisis peritoneal; con una edad media de 71,4 ± 12 años; el 54,9% eran varones; el 29,4%, diabéticos; con un tiempo en diálisis de 59,3 ± 67 meses. En 44 pacientes en HD se midió la actividad de renina plasmática (ARP). Resultados: La media de AS fue 72,6 ± 114,9 ng/dl (rango normal: 1,17-23,.6ng/dl). El 57,8% de los pacientes tenía niveles por encima de la normalidad que no se relacionaron con características de diálisis ni antecedentes CV. Solo el 21% de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca y el 19,2% con cardiopatía isquémica utilizaban BSRAA. Los 25 pacientes en tratamiento con BSRAA tenían niveles de AS significativamente menores. Existe una correlación inversa entre la AS y la tensión arterial sistólica (TAS), y directa con ARP. En el análisis de regresión logística para ver factores asociados a niveles de AS superiores a la mediana, la TAS fue la única variable de riesgo independiente en la población global (OR 0,97; p = 0,022); en los 44 pacientes en HD en los que se determinó ARP este fue el único factor de riesgo independiente (OR 2,24; p = 0,012). Conclusiones: Un alto porcentaje de pacientes en diálisis tiene niveles elevados de AS que no se relacionan con características de la diálisis y sí con disminución de TAS y activación del SRAA. En pacientes con antecedentes de cardiopatía infrautilizamos los BSRAA

Serum aldosteronelevels (SA) are a marker of cardiovascular (CV) risk in the general population. Objective: To analyze SA levels in dialysis patients and its relationship with characteristics of dialysis; comorbidity; blood pressure and the use of blocking renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system agents (BSRAA). Methods: We determined SA in 102 patients: 81 on hemodialysis (HD) and 21 on peritoneal dialysis. Mean age 71.4 ± 12 years; 54.9% male; 29.4% diabetics. Mean time on dialysis 59.3 ± 67 months. In 44 HD patients plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured. Results: Mean SA was 72.6 ± 114.9ng/dl (normal range 1.17-23.6ng/dl). A total of 57.8% of patients had above normal levels which were not related to dialysis characteristics or comorbidity. Only 21% of patients with heart failure and 19.2% with ischemic heart disease used BSRAA. A number of 25 patients treated with BSRAA had significantly lower levels of SA. There was an inverse correlation between AS and systolic blood pressure (SBP), and direct with PRA. The logistic regression analysis conducted to find SA levels above the median associated factors showed that SBP was the only independent risk variable in the overall population (OR 0.97; P = .022); in the 44 patients in whom PRA was determined this was the only independent risk factor (OR 2.24; P = .012). Conclusions: A high percentage of dialysis patients have elevated levels of SA that are associated to diminished SBP and activated PRA and not to dialysis characteristics. In patients with a history of heart disease we underuse BSRAA

[Elevated serum aldosterone levels in dialysis patients: Are we underusing renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers?] / Niveles elevados de aldosterona sérica en pacientes en diálisis: ¿estamos infrautilizando los bloqueantes del sistema renina angiotensina aldosterona en diálisis?

Serum aldosteronelevels (SA) are a marker of cardiovascular (CV) risk in the general population. OBJECTIVE: To analyze SA levels in dialysis patients and its relationship with characteristics of dialysis; comorbidity; blood pressure and the use of blocking renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system agents (BSRAA). METHODS: We determined SA in 102 patients: 81 on hemodialysis (HD) and 21 on peritoneal dialysis. Mean age 71.4±12 years; 54.9% male; 29.4% diabetics. Mean time on dialysis 59.3±67 months. In 44 HD patients plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured. RESULTS: Mean SA was 72.6±114.9ng/dl (normal range 1.17-23.6ng/dl). A total of 57.8% of patients had above normal levels which were not related to dialysis characteristics or comorbidity. Only 21% of patients with heart failure and 19.2% with ischemic heart disease used BSRAA. A number of 25 patients treated with BSRAA had significantly lower levels of SA. There was an inverse correlation between AS and systolic blood pressure (SBP), and direct with PRA. The logistic regression analysis conducted to find SA levels above the median associated factors showed that SBP was the only independent risk variable in the overall population (OR 0.97; P=.022); in the 44 patients in whom PRA was determined this was the only independent risk factor (OR 2.24; P=.012). CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of dialysis patients have elevated levels of SA that are associated to diminished SBP and activated PRA and not to dialysis characteristics. In patients with a history of heart disease we underuse BSRAA.

Estándares de calidad asistencial y catálogo de procedimientos de las unidades de dolor crónico / Quality care standards and procedures catalogue in chronic pain units

Objetivos: Desarrollar unos estándares de calidad asistencial y un catálogo de procedimientos para las unidades de dolor crónico. Material y métodos: Un comité científico, formado por 6 expertos en el tratamiento del dolor crónico, seleccionó después de una revisión sistemática de la bibliografía un conjunto de 130 criterios de calidad asistencial y 80 procedimientos. Posteriormente, siguiendo la metodología Delphi, un panel formado por el propio comité científico y otros 12 expertos introdujo 4 criterios y 5 procedimientos adicionales, y valoró su grado de acuerdo sobre cada uno de los 134 criterios, y el grado de prioridad de los 85 procedimientos seleccionados. Resultados: Se ha obtenido un grado elevado de consenso sobre la mayoría de los estándares de calidad propuestos. En particular, se han consensuado 31 estándares generales sobre instalaciones y equipamiento, 15 sobre recursos humanos y 13 sobre procesos. Se han desarrollado 40 estándares sobre consultas externas, que incluyen parámetros estructurales, organizativos y de tiempo, como el número de consultas necesario por cada 100.000 habitantes asignados (1,5 consultas), el número máximo de horas de consulta diarias que debe tener un facultativo (5 horas), el número máximo de días de consulta semanales por facultativo (3 días), el tiempo necesario para completar una primera consulta (50 min) y una sucesiva (20 min), y el tiempo máximo que debe permanecer un paciente en lista de espera en función de la enfermedad subyacente, entre otros. También se han desarrollado 18 estándares de hospitalización y hospital de día, que incluyen estándares como el número de camas y sillones de readaptación al medio necesarios en el hospital de día por cada 100.000 habitantes (1 cama y 1 sillón), el número máximo de pacientes hospitalizados que puede tener a su cargo un especialista en el tratamiento del dolor (4 si es la unidad del dolor la responsable del ingreso, 7 si son otros servicios los responsables, 8 si son pacientes del hospital de día de la unidad), el tiempo necesario para realizar la primera consulta de un paciente hospitalizado (60 min si está ingresado a cargo de la unidad del dolor y 45 min si son otros servicios los responsables del ingreso). El estudio también incluye 8 estándares sobre actividad científica y docente. Finalmente, se ha evaluado la prioridad de 85 procedimientos (18 del hospital de día, 24 de las salas de bloqueo y 43 del quirófano) para que formen parte de la cartera de servicios de las unidades del dolor, y se han establecido unos estándares de tiempo para 76 de ellos. Conclusiones: Con el debido rigor científico y técnico, se han desarrollado unos estándares de calidad y un catálogo actualizado de procedimientos propios de las unidades del dolor crónico, que deben resultar útiles tanto para la actualización de la estructura y la organización de las unidades ya existentes, como para la planificación y el desarrollo de futuras unidades. Esperamos contribuir con este trabajo a la mejora de la calidad asistencial de los pacientes con dolor crónico (AU)

Objectives: To develop quality care standards and a procedures catalogue for Chronic Pain Units. Material and methods: A scientific committee consisting of 6 experts in the treatment of chronic pain selected, after a literature review, a group of 130 quality care criteria and 80 procedures. Later, following Delphi methodology, a panel made up of the scientific committee itself and 12 other experts introduced 4 additional criteria and 5 more procedures, and evaluated their level of agreement on each of the 134 criteria and the priority level of the 85 procedures selected. Results: A high level of consensus agreement was obtained on the majority of the care standards proposed. In particular, there was consensus on 31 general standards for installations and equipment, 15 on human resources and 13 on procedures. A total of 40 standards have been developed for outpatient clinics, which include structural, organisational and time parameters, such as the number of clinics required for every 100,000 inhabitants (1.5 clinics), the maximum number of daily clinic hours that a physician has to attend (5 h), the maximum number of clinic days per week per physician (3 days), the time required to complete a first visit (50 min) and successive ones (20 min), and the maximum time that a patient must remain on a waiting list depending on their underlying illness, among others. Another 18 standards have been developed for hospitalisation and day hospital, which include standards such as the number of rehabilitation beds and chairs (1 bed and 1 chair), the maximum number of hospitalised patients that a specialist in pain treatment could be responsible for (4 if the Pain Unit is responsible for the admission, and 7 if other departments are responsible, 8 if they are hospital day unit patients), the time required for the first visit to a hospitalised patient (60 minutes if admitted by the Pain Unit and 45 if other departments are responsible for the admission). The study also included 8 standards on scientific activity and teaching. Finally, the priority of the 85 procedures was evaluated (18 for the day hospital, 24 for wards and 43 for operating room) so that they formed part of a services menu for the Pain Units, as well as establishing 76 time standards for these. Conclusions: Quality standards and an updated procedures catalogue have been developed appropriate for chronic pain units, which should be useful for updating the structure and organisation of already existing units, as well as for the planning and development of future units. We hope that this work will contribute to the improvement in the quality of health care for patients with chronic pain (AU)

Peritonitis fúngica en diálisis peritoneal continua ambulatoria: descripción de 10 casos / No disponible

Antecedentes: La peritonitis fúngica es una complicación infrecuente pero grave en pacientes en diálisis peritoneal continua ambulatoria (DPCA). Métodos: Durante un período de 10 años (1999-2008), de un total de 175 pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica en tratamiento con DPCA, estudiamos retrospectivamente 10 casos de peritonitis fúngica, analizando los factores predisponentes, aspectos clínicos, agentes etiológicos y tratamiento. El diagnóstico se estableció por la presencia de efluente peritoneal turbio con recuento superior a 100 leucocitos/µl y aislamiento de hongos en el cultivo microbiológico. Resultados: La peritonitis fúngica representó un 3,6% del total de peritonitis. Nueve pacientes tenían historia de peritonitis bacteriana previa y todos habían recibido antibioterapia. Otros hallazgos destacables fueron: edad superior a70 años (50%) y diabetes mellitus (40%). El examen microscópico del líquido peritoneal fue de utilidad para sospechar la infección en 6 pacientes (60%). Los agentes responsables de peritonitis fueron: Candida parapsilosis (4), C. albicans(2), C. tropicalis(1), C. glabrata (1), C. famata (1) y Fusarium oxysporum(1). Los antifúngicos utilizados en el tratamiento fueron: fluconazol intraperitoneal y oral, vorizonazol intravenoso y oral y anfotericina B intravenosa. A consecuencia de la infección fúngica, 8 pacientes fueron transferidos a hemodiálisis. Un paciente murió antes de ser diagnosticado y otros tres durante el episodio de peritonitis. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con episodios de peritonitis bacteriana previos y tratamiento antibiótico presentaron un mayor riesgo de desarrollar peritonitis fúngica. C. parapsilosis fue el patógeno más frecuente. El tratamiento antifúngico junto con la retirada del catéter peritoneal fue eficaz en el 60% de los pacientes (AU)

Background: Fungal peritonitis is a rare but serious complication in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD). Methods: During a ten-year period (1999-2008), from a total of 175 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing CAPD, we retrospectively studied 10 cases of fungal peritonitis analyzing the predisposing factors, clinical aspects, etiological agents and treatment. Diagnosis was based on elevated CAPD effluent count(>100/µl) and isolation of fungi on culture. Results: Fungalperitonitis represented 3.6% of all peritonitis episodes. Nine patients had a history of previous bacterial peritonitis and all of them were under antibiotic therapy. Other common findings were: age higher than 70 years old (50%) and diabetes mellitus(40%). Direct microscopic examination of the peritoneal fluid was useful for the suspicion of fungal infection in six patients(60%). The responsible agents for peritonitis were: Candidaparapsilosis (4), C. albicans (2), C. tropicalis (1), C. glabrata (1), C.famata (1) and Fusarium oxysporum (1). Intraperitoneal and oralfluconazole, intravenous and oral voriconazole and intravenousamphotericin B were the antifungal agents used in the treatment. As a result of fungal infection, eight patients were transferred to hemodialysis. One patient died before the diagnosis and three other during the episode of peritonitis. Conclusions: Patients with previous bacterial peritonitis and antibiotic treatment were at greater risk of developing fungal peritonitis. C. parapsilosis was the most common pathogen. For the successful management of fungal peritonitis besides the antifungal therapy, peritoneal catheter removal was necessary in60% of patients (AU)

[Fungal peritonitis in ambulatory continuous peritoneal dialysis: description of 10 cases]. / Peritonitis fúngica en diálisis peritoneal continua ambulatoria: descripción de 10 casos.

BACKGROUND: Fungal peritonitis is a rare but serious complication in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). METHODS: During a ten-year period (1999-2008), from a total of 175 patients with chronic renal failure undergoing CAPD, we retrospectively studied 10 cases of fungal peritonitis analyzing the predisposing factors, clinical aspects, etiological agents and treatment. Diagnosis was based on elevated CAPD effluent count (>100/microl) and isolation of fungi on culture. RESULTS: Fungal peritonitis represented 3.6% of all peritonitis episodes. Nine patients had a history of previous bacterial peritonitis and all of them were under antibiotic therapy. Other common findings were: age higher than 70 years old (50%) and diabetes mellitus (40%). Direct microscopic examination of the peritoneal fluid was useful for the suspicion of fungal infection in six patients (60%). The responsible agents for peritonitis were: Candida parapsilosis (4), Candida albicans (2), Candida tropicales (1), Candida glabrata (1), Candida famata (1) and Fusarium oxysporum (1). Intraperitoneal and oral fluconazole, intravenous and oral voriconazole and intravenous amphotericin B were the antifungal agents used in the treatment. As a result of fungal infection, eight patients were transferred to hemodialysis. One patient died before the diagnosis and three other during the episode of peritonitis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with previous bacterial peritonitis and antibiotic treatment were at greater risk of developing fungal peritonitis. Candida parapsilosis was the most common pathogen. For the successful management of fungal peritonitis besides the antifungal therapy, peritoneal catheter removal was necessary in 60% of patients.

Neumonitis porsirolimus: resolución tras conversión aeverolimus / No disponible

No disponible

Morphometric discrimination of females of five species of Anopheles of the subgenus Nyssorhynchus from Southern and Northwest Colombia

The most important vectors of human Plasmodium in the neotropics belong to the subgenus Nyssorhynchus. These species are generally sympatric in terms of their geographical distributions. Some are difficult to identify based solely on examination of adult females using the available morphological keys, in these cases examination of immature stages and male genitalia is required to make correct determinations. However, in epidemiological studies it is necessary to identify the species of adult females which are found near humans, i.e. in studies of malaria transmission or evaluation of control measures. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the discrimination of adult females of different species of Nyssorhynchus isolated mainly from Southern Colombia (department of Putumayo), using morphometric analysis. Adult females were obtained after rearing larvae collected in natural breeding places and from the progeny of females collected on humans. The morphological characteristics of the immature stages allowed the identification of four species of the subgroup Oswaldoi from Southern Colombia: Anopheles rangeli Gabaldon, Cova Garcia & Lopez, An. oswaldoi (Peryassu), An. benarrochi Gabaldon, Cova Garcia & Lopez and An. triannulatus (Neiva & Pinto). The species An. nuneztovari (Gabaldon) from the Northwest of Colombia was included for comparison. Morphometric analysis allowed differentiation of the females of all species to a confidence level approaching 90 percent using principal components analysis of 10 wing and leg variables, followed by canonical variate analysis of the first four principal components. We conclude that morphometrics may represent a useful taxonomic tool for this group and that its use should be further studied

Derrame pericárdiaco maligno: reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Malignant pericardial effusion: a case report and literature review

El taponamiento cardíaco no traumático tiene una etiología benigna en el 35 % de los casos y maligna en el 65%. El derrame pericárdico maligno puede aparecer por compromiso neoplásico del pericardio, por obstrucción linfática, secundario a radioterapia o a medicamentos, o por infecciones concomitantes como la tuberculosis. En el presente artículo se presenta el caso de un hombre de 52 años con diagnóstico de CA broncogénico epidermoide estadío III b quien recibía esquema de radioterapia y presentaba un derrame pericárdico severo. Además se hace una revisión de la fisiopatología, enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico del derrame pericárdico maligno. El paciente con derrame pericárdico maligno constituye un reto en la práctica quirúrgica; su abordaje depende de la severidad del derrame y su estado general. Además se debe enfocar el tratamiento a corto, mediano o largo plazo, de acuerdo con su pronóstico global.

The non-traumatic cardiac obstruction has a benign etiology in the 35% of the cases and a malign etiology in the 65% of them. The malign pericardic effusion can appear due to the neoplasic invasion of the pericardium. But it also can be caused by lymphatic obstruction, radiation therapy, medications or concomitantly with infections such astuberculosis. This article reports the case ofa 52 year-old male with a diagnosis of a stage IIIb bronchoalveolar epidermoid carcinoma, who received radiation therapy and presents a severe pericardial effusion. This article also reviews the state-of-the-art related topathophysiology and a diagnostic and therapeutic approach of the malignant pericardial effusion. The patient with malignant pericardial effusion sets up a challenge in the surgical practice. The approach depends on the severity of the effusion an the patient's general condition. The treatment should be focused on a short, medium or long term according to the global prognosis.

Morphometric discrimination of females of five species of Anopheles of the subgenus Nyssorhynchus from Southern and Northwest Colombia.

The most important vectors of human Plasmodium in the neotropics belong to the subgenus Nyssorhynchus. These species are generally sympatric in terms of their geographical distributions. Some are difficult to identify based solely on examination of adult females using the available morphological keys, in these cases examination of immature stages and male genitalia is required to make correct determinations. However, in epidemiological studies it is necessary to identify the species of adult females which are found near humans, i.e. in studies of malaria transmission or evaluation of control measures. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the discrimination of adult females of different species of Nyssorhynchus isolated mainly from Southern Colombia (department of Putumayo), using morphometric analysis. Adult females were obtained after rearing larvae collected in natural breeding places and from the progeny of females collected on humans. The morphological characteristics of the immature stages allowed the identification of four species of the subgroup Oswaldoi from Southern Colombia: Anopheles rangeli Gabaldon, Cova Garcia & Lopez, An. oswaldoi (Peryassu), An. benarrochi Gabaldon, Cova Garcia & Lopez and An. triannulatus (Neiva & Pinto). The species An. nuneztovari (Gabaldon) from the Northwest of Colombia was included for comparison. Morphometric analysis allowed differentiation of the females of all species to a confidence level approaching 90% using principal components analysis of 10 wing and leg variables, followed by canonical variate analysis of the first four principal components. We conclude that morphometrics may represent a useful taxonomic tool for this group and that its use should be further studied.

Chemical and enzymatic oxidation of alkylated benzo[a]pyrenes.

The chemical and enzymatic oxidations of 6-, 7- and 10-methylbenzo[a]-pyrenes, 6,10- and 7,10-dimethylbenzo[a]pyrenes and benzo[a]pyrene (BP) itself have been investigated to study the effects of alkyl substitution on the pathways of oxidation. The chemical oxidizing systems employed were Fenton's reagent (FeSO4/H2O2); trifluoroacetic acid-hydrogen peroxide (TFA/H2O2); thallium tristrifluoracetate in trifluoroacetic acid (TTFA/TFA) and H2SO4. The enzymatic systems were horseradish peroxidase (HRP/H2O2) and rat liver microsomes. The oxidations were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to detect radical intermediates and by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate the products. All the compounds studied produced radicals, identified as cationic species, in both H2SO4 and TTFA/TFA. In addition the 7-methyl-, 10-methyl- and 7,10-dimethyl-BP's produced 6-oxy radicals in some or all of the remaining oxidizing systems. Both chemically and enzymatically these same three compounds were observed to produce quinones as stable products. Microsomal oxidations gave the broadest range of products exhibiting HPLC peaks in the diol, quinone and phenol regions of the chromatograms, however, there were considerable differences between products from the individual derivatives and those from the parent molecule. 6-Methyl and 6,10-dimethyl-BP's showed no evidence of oxy radical intermediates or quinones under any set of conditions, the 6-substituent effectively blocking this oxidation pathway. The observations are consistent with the expected effects of alkyl substituents at particular positions and indicate that studies such as this one are potentially useful in better understanding oxidation and possible activation pathways of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.