An analysis of contact tracing protocol in an over-dispersed SEIQR Covid-like disease.

The aim of this work is to study an over-dispersed SEIQR infectious disease and obtain optimal methods of contact tracing. A prototypical example of such a disease is that of the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In consequence, this study is immediately applicable to the current health crisis. In this paper, we introduce both a discrete and continuous model for various modes of contact tracing. From the continuous model, we derive a basic reproductive number and study the stability of the equilibrium points. We also implement the continuous and discrete models numerically and further analyze the effectiveness of different types of contact tracing and their cost on society. Additionally, through these simulations, we also study the effect that various parameters of the disease have on its evolution.

Prognosis and Outcomes in Early Stage Glottic Carcinoma Involving the Anterior Commissure Treated with Laser CO2 Surgery: A Retrospective Observational Analysis.

The anterior commissure (AC) is the area where the vocal cords attach to the thyroid cartilage through Broyles' ligament. Many authors argue that involvement of the anterior commissure in early stage glottic carcinoma (I, II) constitutes a risk factor for local recurrence. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether anterior commissure involvement in early stage glottis cancer is an independent risk factor for recurrence and mortality. The study included all those patients diagnosed with glottis carcinoma in stages I and II of the AJCC treated by transoral laser surgery at the Hospital San Pedro (Logroño, Spain) between 2005 and 2015. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence (AC1) or absence (AC0) of involvement of the commissure. Of 29 patients treated, 44.8% were AC1. Patients with anterior commissure involvement had more local recurrence (p = 0.2701); higher mortality rate (p = 0.2256); lower disease-free survival (p = 0.0881) and a lower overall survival (p = 0.0331). The 5-year survival rate was 24.5% lower in patients with invasion of the anterior commissure. The involvement of the anterior commissure is an independent risk factor that should be considered in the prognosis of laryngeal cancer.

The neuro-endocrine-immune relationship in pulmonary and pleural tuberculosis: a better local profile in pleural fluid.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem worldwide. In TB, the immune and central nervous systems modulate each other. The two main components of this network are the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and autonomic nervous system (ANS). OBJECTIVE: To elucidate neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) interactions in pulmonary (PTB) or pleural (PLTB) TB, we analysed the relationship among compounds from these systems. METHODS: We quantified levels of catecholamines, hormones and cytokines in plasma from patients with PTB (n = 46) or PLTB (n = 12) and controls (n = 32), and in the pleural fluid from PLTB patients. Transcript expression for genes involved in glucocorticoid-related function (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) was also analysed in mononuclear cells (MCs) from peripheral blood (PBMC) or pleural effusion (PEMC) compartments. RESULTS: Both patient groups had increased plasma levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, cortisol, growth hormone (GH) and dopamine, whereas insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and dehydroepiandrosterone levels were decreased. The pleural fluid contained increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, GH and IGF-1 and reduced levels of steroid hormones compared with their plasma counterparts. PBMCs from PTB patients had increased expression of transcripts for 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11ßHSD1) and a decreased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ratio (GRα/GRß). In PLTB cases, expression of 11ßHSD1 and GRα transcripts was higher in PEMCs. CONCLUSION: PTB patients seem to display adverse NEI dysregulation. Changes in pleural fluid are compatible with a more effective NEI reaction.

[Simulation of an outbreak of Acinetobacter baumannii in hospitals]. / Simulación de la propagación de un brote por Acinetobacter baumannii en entornos hospitalarios.

OBJECTIVE: Acinetobacter baumannii infections have increased over time becoming a significant issue. Consequently, those applications that allow to predict the evolution of an outbreak and the relevance of the different control methods, are very important. The design of mathematical models plays a central role in this topic. METHODS: Development of a deterministic mathematical model based on ordinary differential equations whose variables and parameters are defined upon the basis of knowledge of the epidemiology and characteristics of A. baumannii. This model is analyzed from a qualitative point of view and, also, its computational implementation is derived. RESULTS: Several simulations were obtained developed from different initial conditions. The qualitative analysis of these simulations provides formal evidence of most effective control measures. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the computational model is an extremely useful tool in terms of managing A. baumannii outbreaks. There is mathematical proof of the fact that the observance of efficient hygiene and screening rules reduces the number of infected patients.

Intranasal delivery of dexamethasone efficiently controls LPS-induced murine neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation is the hallmark of several infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. Synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) are the first-line immunosuppressive drugs used for controlling neuroinflammation. A delayed diffusion of GCs molecules and the high systemic doses required for brain-specific targeting lead to severe undesirable effects, particularly when lifelong treatment is required. Therefore, there is an urgent need for improving this current therapeutic approach. The intranasal (i.n.) route is being employed increasingly for drug delivery to the brain via the olfactory system. In this study, the i.n. route is compared to the intravenous (i.v.) administration of GCs with respect to their effectiveness in controlling neuroinflammation induced experimentally by systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. A statistically significant reduction in interleukin (IL)-6 levels in the central nervous system (CNS) in the percentage of CD45+ /CD11b+ /lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G6D [Ly6G+ and in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining was observed in mice from the i.n.-dexamethasone (DX] group compared to control and i.v.-DX-treated animals. DX treatment did not modify the percentage of microglia and perivascular macrophages as determined by ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) immunostaining of the cortex and hippocampus. The increased accumulation of DX in brain microvasculature in DX-i.n.-treated mice compared with controls and DX-IV-treated animals may underlie the higher effectiveness in controlling neuroinflammation. Altogether, these results indicate that IN-DX administration may offer a more efficient alternative than systemic administration to control neuroinflammation in different neuropathologies.

Immunological effects of behavioral activation with exercise in major depression: an exploratory randomized controlled trial.

Major depression (MD) is associated with peripheral inflammation and increased cardiovascular risk. Regular physical exercise can have anti-inflammatory effects. The present study examined whether behavioral activation with exercise affects inflammatory processes in MD. Ninety-eight patients with MD were randomly assigned to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) emphasizing exercise during behavioral activation (CBT-E), CBT with pleasurable low-energy activities as an active control condition (CBT-C) or a passive waiting list control group (WL). Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated IL-6 production, and blood immune cell counts were analyzed at baseline and weeks 8 (post-behavioral activation) and 16 (post-treatment). Thirty non-depressed age- and sex-matched controls were included to examine potential immunological alterations in MD at baseline. Patients with MD exhibited higher levels of CRP, higher neutrophil and monocyte counts, lower IL-10 levels and reduced LPS-stimulated IL-6 production compared to controls (P<0.001-0.045). Multilevel modeling indicated that CBT-E was associated with increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 at weeks 8 and 16 compared to CBT-C and WL (P=0.004-0.018). CBT-E did not significantly affect other immunological makers in the total sample. A subgroup analysis including patients with potentially higher cardiovascular risk (CRP ⩾1 µg ml-1) indicated that CRP was reduced in CBT-E compared to CBT-C (P<0.007) and marginally reduced compared to WL (P<0.085) after week 16. The present findings provide new insights into immunological effects of behavioral treatments against depression. Behavioral activation in conjunction with exercise may have the potential to reverse, in part, immunological alterations in MD.

An adverse immune-endocrine profile in patients with tuberculosis and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a risk factor for the development of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and both diseases present endocrine alterations likely to play a role in certain immuno-endocrine-metabolic associated disorders. Patients with TB, or with TB and type 2 diabetes (TB + T2DM) and healthy controls (HCo) were assessed for plasma levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estradiol, testosterone, growth hormone (GH), prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ) and the specific lymphoproliferative capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. All patients had higher levels of cortisol with a reduction in DHEA, thus resulting in an increased cortisol/DHEA ratio (Cort/DHEA). Increased prolactin and particularly GH levels were found in both groups of TB patients. This was not paralleled by increased concentrations of IGF, which remained within the levels of HCo. Estradiol levels were significantly augmented in patients TB, and significantly more in TB + T2DM, whereas testosterone levels were decreased in both groups of patients. IFN- γ and IL-6 concentrations were significantly increased in all TB, even further in TB + T2DM; while IL-10 was equally increased in both groups of TB patients. The in vitro specific proliferative capacity was decreased in both groups of patients as compared to that of HCo. The adverse immune-endocrine profile of TB seems to be slightly more pronounced in patients who also have T2DM.

Electric stimulation of the vagus nerve reduced mouse neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation (NI) is a key feature in the pathogenesis and progression of infectious and non-infectious neuropathologies, and its amelioration usually improves the patient outcome. Peripheral inflammation may promote NI through microglia and astrocytes activation, an increased expression of inflammatory mediators and vascular permeability that may lead to neurodegeneration. Several anti-inflammatory strategies have been proposed to control peripheral inflammation. Among them, electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (VNS) recently emerged as an alternative to effectively attenuate peripheral inflammation in a variety of pathological conditions with few side effects. Considering that NI underlies several neurologic pathologies we explored herein the possibility that electrically VNS can also exert anti-inflammatory effects in the brain. METHODS: NI was experimentally induced by intraperitoneal injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C57BL/6 male mice; VNS with constant voltage (5 Hz, 0.75 mA, 2 ms) was applied for 30 s, 48 or 72 h after lipopolysaccharide injection. Twenty four hours later, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNFα) levels were measured by ELISA in brain and spleen extracts and total brain cells were isolated and microglia and macrophage proliferation and activation was assessed by flow cytometry. The level of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule (Iba-1) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were estimated in whole brain extracts and in histologic slides by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: VNS significantly reduced the central levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the percentage of microglia (CD11b/CD45low) and macrophages (CD11b/CD45high), 24 h after the electrical stimulus in LPS stimulated mice. A significantly reduced level of Iba-1 expression was also observed in whole brain extracts and in the hippocampus, suggesting a reduction in activated microglia. CONCLUSIONS: VNS is a feasible therapeutic tool to attenuate the NI reaction. Considering that NI accompanies different neuropathologies VNS is a relevant alternative to modulate NI, of particular interest for chronic neurological diseases.

Usefulness of rhinomanometry in the identification and treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: an algorithm for predicting the relationship between nasal resistance and continuous positive airway pressure. a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: We tried to assess the relationship between nasal resistance measured by rhinomanometry and the pressure used in CPAP. DESIGN: Retrospective medical case series review, January 2004 to December 2014. SETTING: Tertiary care academic medical centre. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight patients (m = 56.55 years; male = 90.5%) with CPAP settings ≤8 and 39 patients (m = 57.49 years; male = 74.9%) with pressure settings ≥12. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Study variables were BMI, neck circumference, Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, nasopharyngeal examination and computerised anterior active rhinomanometry, sitting and supine, in basal conditions and after intranasal administration of oxymetazoline (0.05%). Nocturnal polysomnography was performed to calculate the apnoea-hypopnoea index without and with CPAP to analyse the effectiveness of the treatment. RESULTS: BMI and resistance in supine position after vasoconstriction at 150 Pa were useful variables to predict the pressure setting that should be used. We obtained an equation to calculate the probability that a patient requires a pressure >12 cm H2 O as a function of their BMI and total nasal airflow at 150 pascal in supine position after vasoconstriction. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinomanometry is useful to predict the impact of structural nasal modifications on the positive pressure to support decision-making in relation to surgery.

Brain-borne IL-1 adjusts glucoregulation and provides fuel support to astrocytes and neurons in an autocrine/paracrine manner.

It is still controversial which mediators regulate energy provision to activated neural cells, as insulin does in peripheral tissues. Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) may mediate this effect as it can affect glucoregulation, it is overexpressed in the 'healthy' brain during increased neuronal activity, and it supports high-energy demanding processes such as long-term potentiation, memory and learning. Furthermore, the absence of sustained neuroendocrine and behavioral counterregulation suggests that brain glucose-sensing neurons do not perceive IL-1ß-induced hypoglycemia. Here, we show that IL-1ß adjusts glucoregulation by inducing its own production in the brain, and that IL-1ß-induced hypoglycemia is myeloid differentiation primary response 88 protein (MyD88)-dependent and only partially counteracted by Kir6.2-mediated sensing signaling. Furthermore, we found that, opposite to insulin, IL-1ß stimulates brain metabolism. This effect is absent in MyD88-deficient mice, which have neurobehavioral alterations associated to disorders in glucose homeostasis, as during several psychiatric diseases. IL-1ß effects on brain metabolism are most likely maintained by IL-1ß auto-induction and may reflect a compensatory increase in fuel supply to neural cells. We explore this possibility by directly blocking IL-1 receptors in neural cells. The results showed that, in an activity-dependent and paracrine/autocrine manner, endogenous IL-1 produced by neurons and astrocytes facilitates glucose uptake by these cells. This effect is exacerbated following glutamatergic stimulation and can be passively transferred between cell types. We conclude that the capacity of IL-1ß to provide fuel to neural cells underlies its physiological effects on glucoregulation, synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. However, deregulation of IL-1ß production could contribute to the alterations in brain glucose metabolism that are detected in several neurologic and psychiatric diseases.

Resorbable synthetic mesh supported with omentum flap in the treatment of giant hiatal hernia.

Covering a large hiatal hernia with a mesh has become a basic procedure in the last few years. However, mesh implants are associated with high complication rates (esophageal erosion, perforation, fistula, etc.). We propose using a synthetic resorbable mesh supported with an omental flap as a possible solution to this problem. A 54-year-old female patient with a large hiatal defect (9 cm) was laparoscopically implanted with a synthetic resorbable mesh supported with an omental flap. The surgical procedure was successful and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 2. On a follow-up examination 6 months after surgery, she remained free of relapse or complication signs. Supporting an implanted resorbable mesh with an omental flap may be a solution to the problems posed by large esophageal hiatus defects. However, more studies based on larger patient samples and longer follow-up periods are necessary.

[Matematical modeling of antibiotic resistance: perspectives from a meta-analysys]. / Modelos matemáticos en el estudio de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos. Perspectivas a partir de un metaanálisis.

The antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest challenges of the international health community. The study of antibiotic resistance must be a multidisciplinary task and, in this sense, the main goal of this work is to analyze the role that Mathematical Modeling can play in this scenario. A qualitative and cuantitative analysis of the works published in the scientific literature is done by means of a search in the most important databases: MEDLINE, SCOPUS and ISI Web of Science. Consequently, there are few papers related to our topic but the existing works have been published in high-quality and impact international journals. Moreover, we can state that mathematical models are a very important and useful tool to analyze and study both the treatments protocols for resistance prevention and the assesment of control strategies in hospital environtment, or the prediction of the evolution of diseases due to resistant strains.

[Functional recovery in hemifacial transplants in rats]. / Recuperación funcional del trasplante hemifacial en ratas.

INTRODUCTION: There are a number of different options open to the surgeon for the reconstruction of the face and scalp, but when tissue loss is very extensive, good aesthetic and functional recovery is not possible. Not only must the damaged tissues be replaced, but motor and sensorial functioning also has to be restored. AIM: To evaluate the functional recovery of hemifacial allografts in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one hemifacial flaps were transplanted from Long-Evans rats to Wistar-Lewis rats, under immunosuppression monotherapy with tacrolimus. Prior to the operation, anatomical and allograft viability studies were conducted. Two groups of transplanted rats were formed: with or without nerve repair. In the nerve repair group, end-to-end suture was employed to repair the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve and the buccolabial, upper mandibular marginal and zygomatico-orbital branches of the facial nerve. Sensory recovery was evaluated by filming traction of the whiskers, whereas motor recovery was assessed by blind tests using electromyography studies of the mystacial muscles and electroneurography of the facial nerve. At eight weeks, the animals were sacrificed and biopsy samples were taken from the mystacial region. RESULTS: The facial flap was successfully lifted in 10 cases. In the nerve repair group both clinical and electrophysiological recovery were observed at six weeks, whereas biopsy samples taken in the eighth week showed recovery of the nerve fascicles. CONCLUSIONS: The hemifacial flap can be transplanted. By repairing the nerves of the allograft, it is possible to achieve its functional recovery, as can be confirmed clinically, electrophysiologically and histopathologically. To date, this is the first evidence of functional recovery following a hemifacial transplant in rats.

Recuperación funcional del trasplante hemifacial en ratas / Functional recovery in hemifacial transplants in rats

Existen distintas opciones reconstructivas de cara y cuero cabelludo, pero cuando la pérdida de tejidoses muy extensa, no es posible una buena recuperación estética y funcional. Es preciso no sólo reemplazar los tejidos dañados, sino que se pueda restaurar la función motora y sensitiva. Objetivo. Evaluar la capacidad de recuperación funcional del aloinjerto hemifacial en ratas. Materiales y métodos. Se trasplantaron 21 colgajos hemifaciales desde ratas Long-Evans aratas Wistar-Lewis, bajo monoterapia de inmunosupresión con tacrolimus. Previamente se realizó un estudio anatómico y de la viabilidad del aloinjerto. Formamos dos grupos de ratas trasplantadas: sin y con reparación nerviosa. En el grupo de reparación nerviosa se procedió a la sutura terminoterminal de la rama infraorbitaria del nervio trigémino y de las ramas bucolabial,marginal mandibular superior y cigomaticoorbitaria del nervio facial. La recuperación sensitiva se valoró mediante la filmación de la tracción de los bigotes, mientras que la recuperación motora se hizo de forma ciega mediante electromiografía de la musculatura mistacial y electroneurografía del nervio facial. Trascurridas ocho semanas, los animales fueron sacrificados y se tomaron biopsias de la región mistacial. Resultados. El colgajo facial se elevó con éxito en 10 casos. En el grupode reparación nerviosa se observó recuperación, tanto clínica como electrofisiológica, llegada la sexta semana, mientras que las biopsias obtenidas en la octava semana mostraron recuperación de los fascículos nerviosos. Conclusión. El colgajo hemifacial puede trasplantarse. Se puede obtener, mediante reparación nerviosa del mismo, una recuperación funcional delaloinjerto, valorable de forma clínica, electrofisiológica e histopatológica. Hasta el momento, ésta es la primera evidencia de recuperación funcional después de un trasplante hemifacial en ratas

There are a number of different options open to the surgeon for the reconstruction of the face andscalp, but when tissue loss is very extensive, good aesthetic and functional recovery is not possible. Not only must the damaged tissues be replaced, but motor and sensorial functioning also has to be restored. Aim. To evaluate the functional recovery ofhemifacial allografts in rats. Materials and methods. Twenty-one hemifacial flaps were transplanted from Long-Evans rats to Wistar-Lewis rats, under immunosuppression monotherapy with tacrolimus. Prior to the operation, anatomical and allograft viability studies were conducted. Two groups of transplanted rats were formed: with or without nerve repair. In the nerverepair group, end-to-end suture was employed to repair the infraorbital branch of the trigeminal nerve and the buccolabial, upper mandibular marginal and zygomatico-orbital branches of the facial nerve. Sensory recovery was evaluated by filming traction of the whiskers, whereas motor recovery was assessed by blind tests using electromyography studies of the mystacialmuscles and electroneurography of the facial nerve. At eight weeks, the animals were sacrificed and biopsy samples were taken from the mystacial region. Results. The facial flap was successfully lifted in 10 cases. In the nerve repair group both clinical and electrophysiological recovery were observed at six weeks, whereas biopsy samples taken in the eighth weekshowed recovery of the nerve fascicles. Conclusions. The hemifacial flap can be transplanted. By repairing the nerves of the allograft, it is possible to achieve its functional recovery, as can be confirmed clinically, electrophysiologically and histopathologically.To date, this is the first evidence of functional recovery following a hemifacial transplant in rats

The immuno-endocrine component in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) may be regarded as a disease in which the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, its etiologic agent, is engaged both in protection and pathology. Different T-lymphocyte subsets are involved in the immune response against M. tuberculosis, but production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) by T cells seems to be fundamental for disease control. Th1-type cytokine responses predominate in patients with mild or moderate forms of pulmonary TB, whereas the production of Th2-type cytokines prevails in the severe disease. Since the immune response fails to definitely eradicate the pathogen, a chronic infection is established, and it is likely that a broad range of regulatory mechanisms operate in this situation. Cytokines released during the course of an immune response activate the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis leading to the production of glucocorticoids and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), with known immunomodulatory effects. TB patients exhibit increased concentrations of interleukin-6 and cortisol in plasma, reduced DHEA and testosterone levels, together with remarkably increased growth hormone concentrations that were not accompanied by an expected raise in insulin-like growth factor-1. Significant increases in estradiol, prolactin, and thyroid hormone concentrations were also detected in patients. Cortisol inhibits the mycobacterial antigen-driven proliferation and IFN-gamma production, whereas DHEA suppresses transforming growth factor beta production by lymphoid cells from TB patients with advanced disease. Furthermore, supernatants from cultures of M. tuberculosis-stimulated mononuclear cells of TB patients inhibit DHEA secretion by a human adrenal cell line. This type of immuno-endocrine interactions may affect the control of tissue damage and the development of protective immune responses, partly accounting for disease aggravation.

Altered cortisol/DHEA ratio in tuberculosis patients and its relationship with abnormalities in the mycobacterial-driven cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

We have investigated the relationship between cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels and the immune response to mycobacterial antigens in peripheral venous blood, from a male population of active tuberculosis patients and age-matched healthy controls of the same sex (HCo). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 36 or 96 h with whole sonicated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (WSA) for measurement of proliferation, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in culture supernatants. Comparisons on the in vitro mycobacterial-driven immune responses demonstrated that TB patients had a higher IL-10 production, a decreased lymphoproliferation and a trend to reduced IFN-gamma synthesis, in relation to HCo. Active disease was also characterized by increases in the plasma levels of glucocorticoids (GC) and reduced concentrations of DHEA which resulted in a higher cortisol/DHEA ratio respect the HCo group. Plasma DHEA levels were positively correlated with IFN-gamma values. An inverse correlation was found between the cortisol/DHEA ratio and IFN-gamma levels. Novel evidence is provided showing that the balance between cortisol and DHEA is partly responsible for the immune perturbations seen in TB patients.

[The vestibulocollic reflex: assessment and characteristics of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials analysed by age groups]. / Reflejo vestibulocervical. Valoracion y caracteristicas de los potenciales vestibulares miogenicos evocados analizados por tramos de edad.

INTRODUCTION: Obtaining vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) by means of the vestibulocollic reflex is a readily available technique that provides an image of vestibular functioning and is useful for evaluating the pathologies that involve compromise of the anatomical pathway of the reflex. Although normal patterns do exist, responses vary at different ages. AIM: To obtain reference values of the vestibulocollic reflex according to different age groups. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 40 volunteers with no symptoms of auditory or vestibular compromise. Each ear was stimulated separately by a series of clicks (sounds lasting 0.1 s; 3 pps; intensities of 100 dB nHL and 85 dB nHL) and recordings were made in the sternocleidomastoid muscles by means of surface electrodes as patients who were lying on their backs contracted these muscles as they lifted their heads. We studied the latency of the initial p13-n23 positive-negative potential and the peak-to-peak amplitude. The existence of later n34-p44 potentials was evaluated. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between genders or between the two ears. We did not find any differences between the latencies of the waves according to the intensity of the stimulus, but there is a relationship between the amplitude of the p13-n23 potential and the intensity of the stimulus. The latencies of the responses in children under 10 years of age differ from those of the other groups, but no differences were found among those over the age of 11. CONCLUSIONS: The VEMP display steady and easily identifiable latencies. We obtained different reference values for latency in children under the age of 10 and those over 11 years old. The amplitude decreases with the intensity of the stimulus.

Reflejo vestibulocervical. Valoración y características de los potenciales vestibulares miogénicos evocados analizados por tramos de edad / The vestibulocollic reflex. assessment and characteristics of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials analysed by age groups

Introducción. La obtención de potenciales vestibulares miogénicos evocados (PVME) mediante la realización del reflejo vestibulocervical es una técnica de fácil obtención que da una imagen de la función vestibular y es útil para valorar las patologías que impliquen afectación de la vía anatómica del reflejo. Aunque existen patrones normales, a distintas edades podemos encontrar variaciones en las respuestas. Objetivo. Obtener valores de referencia por tramos de edad del reflejo vestibulocervical. Sujetos y métodos. Estudiamos a 40 voluntarios sin síntomas de afectación auditiva o vestibular. Se estimula mediante clics (sonidos de 0,1 s de duración; 3 pps; intensidades de 100 dB nHL y 85 dB nHL), cada oído por separado, y se registra en los músculos esternocleidomastoideos mediante electrodos de superficie mientras el paciente los contrae al alzar la cabeza desde el decúbito supino. Hemos estudiado la latencia del potencial positivo-negativo inicial p13-n23 y la amplitud pico-pico. Se valora la existencia de potenciales más tardíos n34-p44. Resultados. No encontramos diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre géneros ni entre ambos oídos. No observamos diferencias entre latencias de las ondas en función de la intensidad del estímulo, y existe una relación entre la amplitud del potencial p13-n23 y la intensidad del estímulo. Las latencias de las respuestas en menores de 10 años difieren del resto de grupos, pero no existen diferencias en los mayores de 11 años. Conclusiones. Los PVME muestran unas latencias estables y fácilmente identificables. Obtenemos los valores de referencia de latencia diferentes para menores de 10 años y para los mayores de 11. La amplitud decrece en función de la intensidad del estímulo

Introduction. Obtaining vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) by means of the vestibulocollic reflex is a readily available technique that provides an image of vestibular functioning and is useful for evaluating the pathologies that involve compromise of the anatomical pathway of the reflex. Although normal patterns do exist, responses vary at different ages. Aim. To obtain reference values of the vestibulocollic reflex according to different age groups. Subjects and methods. We studied 40 volunteers with no symptoms of auditory or vestibular compromise. Each ear was stimulated separately by a series of clicks (sounds lasting 0.1 s; 3 pps; intensities of 100 dB nHL and 85 dB nHL) and recordings were made in the sternocleidomastoid muscles by means of surface electrodes as patients who were lying on their backs contracted these muscles as they lifted their heads. We studied the latency of the initial p13-n23 positive-negative potential and the peak-to-peak amplitude. The existence of later n34-p44 potentials was evaluated. Results. No statistically significant differences were found between genders or between the two ears. We did not find any differences between the latencies of the waves according to the intensity of the stimulus, but there is a relationship between the amplitude of the p13-n23 potential and the intensity of the stimulus. The latencies of the responses in children under 10 years of age differ from those of the other groups, but no differences were found among those over the age of 11. Conclusions. The VEMP display steady and easily identifiable latencies. We obtained different reference values for latency in children under the age of 10 and those over 11 years old. The amplitude decreases with the intensity of the stimulus

Modeling epidemics using cellular automata.

The main goal of this work is to introduce a theoretical model, based on cellular automata, to simulate epidemic spreading. Specifically, it divides the population into three classes: susceptible, infected and recovered, and the state of each cell stands for the portion of these classes of individuals in the cell at every step of time. The effect of population vaccination is also considered. The proposed model can serve as a basis for the development of other algorithms to simulate real epidemics based on real data.