Diel patterns of microphytobenthic primary production in intertidal sediments: the role of photoperiod on the vertical migration circadian rhythm.

Diel primary production patterns of intertidal microphytobenthos (MPB) have been attributed to short-term physiological changes in the photosynthetic apparatus or to diel changes in the photoautotrophic biomass in the sediment photic layer due to vertical migration. Diel changes in primary production and vertical migration are entrained by external factors like photoperiod and tides. However, the role of photoperiod and tides has not been experimentally separated to date. Here, we performed laboratory experiments with sediment cores kept in immersion, in the absence of tides, with photoperiod or under continuous light. Measurements of net production, made with O2 microsensors, and of spectral reflectance at the sediment surface showed that, in intertidal sediments, the photoperiod signal was the major driver of the diel patterns of net primary production and sediment oxygen availability through the vertical migration of the MPB photoautotrophic biomass. Vertical migration was controlled by an endogenous circadian rhythm entrained by photoperiod in the absence of tides. The pattern progressively disappeared after 3 days in continuous light but was immediately reset by photoperiod. Even though a potential contribution of a subjective in situ tidal signal cannot be completely discarded, Fourier and cross spectral analysis of temporal patterns indicated that the photosynthetic circadian rhythm was mainly characterized by light/dark migratory cycles.

Radiative Energy Budgets in a Microbial Mat Under Different Irradiance and Tidal Conditions.

Irradiance and temperature variations during tidal cycles modulate microphytobenthic primary production potentially by changing the radiative energy balance of photosynthetic mats between immersion and emersion and thus sediment daily net metabolism. To test the effect of tidal stages on the radiative energy budget, we used microsensor measurements of oxygen, temperature, and scalar irradiance to estimate the radiative energy budget in a coastal photosynthetic microbial mat during immersion (constant water column of 2 cm) and emersion under increasing irradiance. Total absorbed light energy was higher in immersion than emersion, due to a lower reflectance of the microbial mat, while most (> 97%) of the absorbed light energy was dissipated as heat irrespective of tidal conditions. During immersion, the upward heat flux was higher than the downward one, whereas the opposite occurred during emersion. At highest photon irradiance (800 µmol photon m-2 s-1), the sediment temperature increased ~ 2.5 °C after changing the conditions from immersion to emersion. The radiative energy balance showed that less than 1% of the incident light energy (PAR, 400-700 nm) was conserved by photosynthesis under both tidal conditions. At low to moderate incident irradiances, the light use efficiency was similar during the tidal stages. In contrast, we found an ~ 30% reduction in the light use efficiency during emersion as compared to immersion under the highest irradiance likely due to the rapid warming of the sediment during emersion and increased non-photochemical quenching. These changes in the photosynthetic efficiency and radiative energy budget could affect both primary producers and temperature-dependent bacterial activity and consequently daily net metabolism rates having important ecological consequences.

First report of the novel atypical porcine pestivirus in Spain and a retrospective study.

This study aimed to provide information regarding viral pathogenesis and molecular epidemiology linked with recently reported atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) strains and to determine the circulation of APPV in Spain from 1997 to 2016. Two-day-old piglets with moderate-severe congenital tremor (CT) from a Spanish farm were received for diagnostic purposes. Sera, nasal and rectal swabs and tissue samples were collected. qRT-PCR was performed in these samples, and a retrospective study to detect APPV RNA was carried out using a serum collection from 1997 to 2016. APPV genome was identified with high and moderate RNA loads in different tissues of the CT affected pigs. High APPV RNA load was detected in lymphoid organs, suggesting that these constitute a target for APPV replication. In 89 of the 642 retrospectively analysed samples (13.9%), APPV genome was detected. CT cases were related to the presence of APPV in viraemic piglets below 1 week of age, in which the viral RNA load was the highest. A considerable number of animals between 4 and 14 weeks of age and some 1-week-old piglets were viraemic in the absence of CT, which can act as carriers of the virus. The relative risk of APPV and CT was 8.5 (CI 95% 5.8-12.5). Thus, our data show that APPV infection is epidemiologically related to CT. Phylogenetic analysis from 1615 NS2-3 nucleotides showed only one defined APPV clade, grouping the most phylogenetically related strains from Europe and China. Of this clade, there are other strains from Europe, USA and China. This data confirm the high APPV genetic diversity, not being able to cluster this virus according to the geographic area. Our result showed that APPV has been circulating in Spain at least since 1997, being the earliest date of detection of this virus worldwide and suggesting that APPV may be widespread.

Post-Natal Persistent Infection With Classical Swine Fever Virus in Wild Boar: A Strategy for Viral Maintenance?

In this study, fifteen wild boar piglets were intranasally inoculated <10 h after birth with the moderately virulent classical swine fever virus (CSFV) strain Catalonia 01. At 5 days post-inoculation, seven other animals within 48 h of birth were put in contact with them. Viral replication and innate and specific immune responses were evaluated. Of the inoculated animals, 46.67% remained post-natally persistently infected and were apparently healthy with neither humoral nor cellular immunological responses specific to CSFV and with high viral loads in their blood, organs and body secretions. Moreover, the present data extend the time period to 48 h after birth when a moderately virulent CSFV strain could lead to post-natal persistent infection given the generation of persistently infected wild boars in the contact group (33.33%). The innate immune response to the virus, as measured by type I IFN-α in serum, was mostly not impaired in the persistently infected wild boars. Interestingly, a decrease and lack of IFN-γ-producing cells against CSFV and PHA was observed. In endemic countries where wild swine species are increasing and low and moderate virulence CSFV strains are prevalent, the possible generation of this form of disease cannot be ruled out.

Radiografía periapical como herramienta en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de quisteperiapical / Periapical radiography such as a tool in the diagnosis and treatment of periapical cyst

Introducción: El quiste periapical es una lesión inflamatoria común de los maxilares, que al alcanzar un tamaño significativo, causa deformidad del hueso afectado, retención o incluso el desplazamiento de dientes adyacentes. Se presentó caso de paciente que acudió a consulta odontológica, por presencia de sintomatología dolorosa durante el consumo de alimentos. Al examen clínico se observó encía adherida con presencia de inflamación y enrojecimiento a nivel de órgano dentario 14; radiográficamente se evidenció imagen radiolúcida unilocular, bien definida, abarcando dicho órgano dentario. La lesión fue eliminada quirúrgicamente con la posterior aplicación de material sellador. En el control postoperatorio se observó adecuado proceso de cicatrización y ausencia de sintomatología. Discusión: Se reporta caso de quiste periapical, que ocupaba el periápice de órgano dentario posterosuperior derecho. Radiográficamente se evidenció variabilidad mínima en el tamaño de la imagen. Se describe su resección quirúrgica y se informan los hallazgos de histopatología. En la revisión bibliográfica realizada se determinó la importancia de la elección de las radiografías periapicales en el área de endodoncia, y su papel en el diagnóstico, planificación de tratamiento y seguimiento de las piezas dentarias y tejidos circundantes comprometidos, pese a los inconvenientes de la técnica radiográfica (AU)

Introduction: The periapical cyst is a common inflammatory lesion of the jaws. When the cyst reaches a significant size, it cause a deformity of the affected bone, retention or displacement of adjacent teeth. The case of a patient was presented who went to dental appointment because the presence of painful symptomatology during food consumption. A clinical examination revealed that gingiva was red and swollen at tooth 14; radiographically evidenced a unilocular radiolucency which covered the dental organ. The lesion was excised surgically with the subsequent application of sealant material. After surgery, was evidenced healing and the patient was no longer in pain. Discussion: We report a case of periapical cyst, which occupied the dental organ periapex upper right posterior. Radiographically evidenced minimal variability in the size of the image. Its resection is described and we inform the histopathological findings. In the literature review we found the importance of the choice of periapical x-rays in the endodontic area, and its role in the diagnosis, treatment planning and monitoring of the teeth and surrounding tissues involved, despite the drawbacks of traditional radiographic technique (AU)

Aplicación de la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico en el diagnóstico de síndrome de Eagle / Application of the cone beam computed tomography in the diagnosis of Eagle syndrome

En la práctica odontológica, cada vez son más comunes las alteraciones con sintomatología dolorosa en la región maxilofacial que no son apropiadamente diagnosticadas, a causa del desconocimiento de síndromes craneofaciales y cervicofaríngeos, como el síndrome de Eagle. Este último se describe como el dolor orofacial relacionado con la elongación de la apófisis estiloide y/o calcificación del ligamento estilohioideo. La aparición de una patología asociada a tal estructura, está acompañada de otros síntomas como: disfonía, disfagia, dolor faríngeo, glositis, otalgia, tonsilitis, dolor facial, cefalea, odinofagia, dolor en la articulación temporomandibular e imposibilidad de realizar movimientos laterales del cuello. El presente artículo es una revisión bibliográfica cuyo objetivo consistió en describir los aspectos generales del Síndrome de Eagle y la aplicabilidad de ayudas imagenológicas actuales en su identificación y diagnóstico. Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura en bases de datos como: MEDLINE (Ovid), Pubmed, Science Direct, y scirus empleando descriptores como: Eagle syndrome, cone beam, styloid process, Eagle syndrome in dentistry. A partir de la búsqueda se seleccionaron 37 artículos. Finalmente se pudo concluir que entre los diversos métodos diagnósticos, el que permite un análisis detallado de los patrones radiográficos de síndrome de Eagle, es la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (Cone Beam Coputed Tomography) (AU)

In dental practice, alterations with painful symptomatology located in the maxillofacial region, which are not being diagnosed correctly, are every time more common, due to lack of knowledge of craniofacial and cervicofaringeal syndromes, such as the Eagle Syndrome. The latter, makes part of the head and neck disorders, and is described as an orofacial pain associated with the elongation of the styloid process and/or stylohyoid ligament calcification. The appearance of a pathology associated with such a structure, is accompanied by other symptoms such as: dysphonia, dysphagia, sore throat, glossitis, otalgia, tonsillitis, facial pain, headache, odynophagia, pain in the temporomandibular joint and inability to perform lateral movements of the neck. This article is a literature review aimed to describe the general aspects of Eagle syndrome and applicability of current imaging aids in their identification and diagnostics. Literature research was performed using databases such as MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, Science Direct, Scirus and using descriptors such as: Eagle syndrome, cone beam, styloid process, Eagle syndrome in dentistry. From that search, 36 articles were selected. Finally it was concluded that among the various diagnostic methods, the one which allows a detailed analysis of radiographic patterns of the Eagle syndrome is the cone beam computed tomography (AU)

Deconvolution of high rate flicker electroretinograms.

Flicker electroretinograms are steady-state electroretinograms (ERGs) generated by high rate flash stimuli that produce overlapping periodic responses. When a flash stimulus is delivered at low rates, a transient response named flash ERG (FERG) representing the activation of neural structures within the outer retina is obtained. Although FERGs and flicker ERGs are used in the diagnosis of many retinal diseases, their waveform relationships have not been investigated in detail. This study examines this relationship by extracting transient FERGs from specially generated quasi steady-state flicker and ERGs at stimulation rates above 10 Hz and similarly generated conventional flicker ERGs. The ability to extract the transient FERG responses by deconvolving flicker responses to temporally jittered stimuli at high rates is investigated at varying rates. FERGs were obtained from seven normal subjects stimulated with LED-based displays, delivering steady-state and low jittered quasi steady-state responses at five rates (10, 15, 32, 50, 68 Hz). The deconvolution method enabled a successful extraction of "per stimulus" unit transient ERG responses for all high stimulation rates. The deconvolved FERGs were used successfully to synthesize flicker ERGs obtained at the same high stimulation rates.

Effects of green macroalgal blooms on the meiofauna community structure in the Bay of Cádiz.

The effect of macroalgal blooms on the abundance and community structure of intertidal sediment meiofauna was studied using an in situ enclosure experiments (Bay of Cádiz, Spain). Meiofaunal abundance (3500-41,000 ind 10 cm⁻²) was three to sevenfold higher in the presence of macroalgae. Nematoda were the dominant taxon both in Control (52-82%) and Macroalgae plots (92-96%), followed by Harpacticoida Copepoda and Ostracoda. Non-metric Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) analysis clearly separated the meiofaunal community from Control and Macroalgae plots. Organic matter, organic carbon, total nitrogen, chlorophyll a and freeze-lysable inorganic nutrients were higher in Macroalgae plots, and were highly correlated with the horizontal MDS axis separating Control and Macroalgae meiofaunal communities. Meiofaunal abundance and taxonomic composition in the Bay of Cádiz seem to be bottom-up controlled either through a grazer system based on microphytobenthos in bare sediments or through a decomposer system in macroalgae affected sediments.

Innovative pattern reversal displays for visual electrophysiological studies.

Pattern Reversal (PR) stimulation is a frequently used tool in the evaluation of the visual pathway. The PR stimulus consists of a field of black and white segments (usually checks or bars) of constant luminance, which change phase (black to white and white to black) at a given reversal rate. The Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) is a biological potential that is evoked from the retina upon viewing PR display. Likewise, the Pattern Visual Evoked Potential (PVEP) is a biological potential recorded from the occipital cortex when viewing a PR display. Typically, PR stimuli are presented on a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) or Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitor. This paper presents three modalities to generate pattern reversal stimuli. The three methods are as follows: a display consisting of array of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), a display comprised of two miniature projectors, and a display utilizing a modified LCD display in conjunction with a variable polarizer. The proposed stimulators allow for the recording of PERG and PVEP waveforms at much higher rates than are capable with conventional stimulators. Additionally, all three of the alternative PR displays will be able to take advantage of advanced analysis techniques, such as the recently developed Continuous Loop Averaging Deconvolution (CLAD) algorithm.

Limitaciones de la PAAF en el diagnóstico del pilomatrixoma / FNA limitations in the diagnosis of pilomatrixoma

El pilomatrixoma es un tumor benigno de la piel que procede de la matriz celular del folículo piloso. Se localiza preferentemente en la cara y cuello. Clínicamente se presenta como un nódulo subcutáneo solitario y firme, no doloroso y de lento crecimiento. El tratamiento de elección es la resección quirúrgica.La PAAF (Punción Aspiración con Aguja Fina), como prueba diagnóstica prequirúrgica, puede hacer confundir el pilomatrixoma con un tumor maligno por la alta concentración de células, junto a la presencia de célulasaisladas con una tasa aumentada de la relación núcleo/citoplasma. Presentamos un caso clínico de pilomatrixoma cuyo diagnóstico inicial, trasla PAAF, fue tumor epitelial maligno de bajo grado. Asimismo, realizamos una revisión de la literatura

Pilomatrixoma is a benign skin neoplasm that arises fromhair follicle matrix cells. The most common anatomical location is the head and neck region. Clinically, it manifests as a firm, solitary, slow-growing, painless nodule of the dermis. Complete surgical excisionis the treatment of choice.With FNAB (Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy) as a presurgical diagnostic test, the highly cellular smear with isolated cells showing a high nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio can be mistaken for a malignant tumor. We report a case of pilomatrixoma with an initial diagnosis,after the FNAB, of low-grade malignant epithelial tumor. Also, a review of the literature is made (AU)

Interactive neuromonitoring methods of cochlea and auditory nerve during induced hypoxia and nerve manipulation.

Methods and instrumentation were developed to monitor cochlea and auditory function during surgery. The system allows real time assessment of the cochlear function during auditory nerve manipulation. A specially designed optic probe, placed on the round window (RW) niche, enables simultaneous acquisition of cochlear blood flow (CBF) and electrocochleogram (ECochG). We developed the acquisition paradigms, signal processing methods and implement them in a computational platform. The neuromonitoring system performs an automatic extraction and analysis of cochlear microphonics (CM), compound action potentials (CAP) and sura mating potential (SP). The system uses envelope detection filters to detect the amplitude of the CM. The CAP signal is processed with zero phase shift spectral filters, tuned to enhance the action potential onset, which is sometimes embedded within the sura mating potential. An automatic peak detection and tracking algorithm is then applied to extract latency and amplitude of CAPs. Long-term assessment of the monitoring system was performed during experimental animal surgeries. The system allowed detailed study of the dynamics of CM, CAP and CBF during nerve manipulation and compression.

[Vesical cavernous hemangioma]. / Hemangioma cavernoso vesical.

The vesical cavernous hemangioma is a rare tumor with a begin biological behaviour. This sort of tumor has particular diagnostic and therapeutical features, and a variety of treatments has been used on it. The case of cavernous hemangioma in the bladder that we present was only diagnosed after RTU due to preoperative diagnosis of urotelial vesical tumor. We review clinical, diagnostic and therapeutical features of this kind of tumor.

Hemangioma cavernoso vesical / Vesical cavernous hemangioma

El hemangioma cavernoso vesical es una entidad infrecuente con un comportamiento biológico benigno. Este tipo de tumores tienen aspectos diagnósticos y terapéuticos peculiares, habiéndose empleado diversas modalidades de tratamiento. Presentamos un caso de hemangioma cavernoso vesical que fue sometido a RTU con la sospecha diagnóstica preoperatoria de neoformación vesical urotelial. Realizamos una revisión de los aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos y terapéuticos de este tipo de tumores (AU)

Time-frequency digital filtering based on an invertible wavelet transform: an application to evoked potentials.

This paper presents a method to analyze and filter digital signals of finite duration by means of a time-frequency representation. This is done by defining a purely invertible discrete transform, representing a signal either in the time or in the time-frequency domain, as simply as possible with the conventional discrete Fourier transform between the time and the frequency domains. The wavelet concept has been used to build this transform. To get a correct invertibility of this procedure, we have proposed orthogonal and periodic basic discrete wavelets. The properties of such a transform are described, and examples on brain-evoked potential signals are given to illustrate the time-frequency filtering possibilities.

Irradiation of carcinoma of the esophagus containing a tracheoesophageal fistula.

BACKGROUND: For patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma, tracheal involvement is common, and the formation of a tracheoesophageal fistula is a frequent complication of the disease, with or without treatment. However, the presence of a tracheoesophageal fistula has historically been considered a relative contraindication to radiation therapy. Therefore, we are presenting a case report whereby irradiation was continued despite the presence of such a fistula. METHODS: A 60-year-old white man diagnosed with Stage III, T4N0M0, moderately well-differentiated invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus was initially treated with four courses of chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) and had an excellent tumor response. He was then referred for consolidative radiation therapy (XRT). At 600 cGy, he had symptoms consistent with a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), which was documented by barium swallow at 3000 cGy. Radiation treatments were continued, but at a reduced fraction size that was gradually increased over several days. RESULTS: Upon completion of the radiation therapy, the TEF persisted but had completely disappeared 2 months post-XRT. However, at 4 months post-XRT, the fistula recurred due to tumor recurrence. At 6 months post-XRT, he died with metastatic disease, 16 months after initial diagnosis and 8.5 months after the first TEF occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a TEF may not be an absolute contraindication to radiation therapy. Radiation therapy may be initiated or continued in the presence of a TEF, and eventual resolution of the fistula may occur. Recurrence of a healed TEF may indicate recurrence of a tumor.

Treatment of severe secondary hyperparathyroidism with administration of calcium carbonate, intermittent high oral doses of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and dialysate with 3 mEq/1 calcium concentration.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of long-term administration of daily calcium carbonate (2-4 g/day) and intermittent high oral doses of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3, 3-4 micrograms, given twice a week] in conjunction with a 3-mEq/1 calcium concentration in the dialysate for the treatment of severe secondary hyperparathyroidism in 6 hemodialysis patients. All patients had reduced serum levels of 1,25-(OH)2D3, which increased significantly (p < 0.005) reaching the maximum level in the 4th month. Serum total and ionized calcium levels significantly increased also, in relation to those before treatment. No patients developed hypercalcemia. Serum phosphorus did not significantly change during the study. Initial serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1,241 +/- 233 pg/ml, mean +/- SEM) markedly decreased after starting treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3, being 542 +/- 174 pg/ml in the 5th month and 477 +/- 174 pg/ml in the 8th month. These changes are statistically significant (p < 0.05 and < 0.007, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase behavior was similar to that of intact PTH. A constant direct correlation between intact PTH and alkaline phosphatase and an inverse significant correlation between intact PTH and 1,25-(OH)2D3 was evidenced by us. We conclude that oral 1,25-(OH)2D3 pulse therapy is very effective in suppressing PTH secretion. The administration of calcium carbonate and the use of dialysate with a reduced calcium concentration would allow to prevent hyperphosphatemia and the administration of high oral doses of 1,25-(OH)2D3 without concomitant hypercalcemia.

[The use of the double-J catheter as urinary obstruction prophylaxis in lithiasis]. / Uso del catéter doble J como profilaxis de la obstrucción urinaria en patología litiásica.

Our experience in the use of the double-J catheter in the prevention and treatment of urinary obstruction in stone disease is presented. This retrospective study spans the period January, 1985 to June 1989. Fifty-five double-J catheters were placed in 51 patients (catheter replacement was required in 4). Catheter placement was done antegradely in 17, retrogradely in 34 and intraoperatively in 4 cases. The indications were for treatment post-ESWL in 45 patients, stone remnants following percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 1, post-ureteroscopy in 2, and after open surgery in 2 patients. Complications were observed in 24% of the cases, hematuria being the most common complication. The foregoing agrees with the 20-40% complication rate reported in the literature. Thus, we can conclude that the double-J catheter is well-tolerated and is a simple yet useful endourologic tool in the prevention and treatment of urinary obstruction in stone disease.

[Diagnostic evaluation of closed renal trauma]. / Evaluación diagnóstica de los traumatismos renales cerrados.

Renal traumatism is a relevant entity, its early and precise diagnosis having great weight in the initiation of appropriate treatment and its success. All 189 contained renal traumatisms seen in our service between 1981 and 1989, are studied. The purpose of the present work is to determine the diagnostic reliability of the different tests available, chiefly comparing echography versus urography, as well as CT. The method used is measurement of Sensitivity, Specificity and Predictive values, arranged by grades and compared using the squared-chi method (Fisher's exact test). Regarding the primary results we must emphasise the rejection of a void hypothesis in grades II and III with an error level lower than 0.01 for positive predictive values in echography vs. urography; as well as the high values of sensitivity and specificity of CT in high degree traumatisms. To conclude, those traumas where a complementary study is necessary urography may provide more information than echography; although in traumatisms where high degree lesions are suspected, CT will provided the most valuable information.