Crossbow injuries: A case of suicide.

We are reporting the case of a 65 year-old man who suffered a severe depression and committed suicide using a crossbow. The death happened at his home. The suicide victim was on his knees, with of a crossbow leveled at his thorax and located facing him on the sofa. He shot it by pulling the trigger with the bended end of a ramrod. The arrow entered between the third and the fourth rib on the left side, with a downwards and slightly outwards direction. It went through the lung and the tip of the arrow came out the back. The arrow was removed when the body was lifted, and the wounds had a three-pointed star shape which corresponded to the head of the arrow crossbow. Police enquiry and forensic investigation confirmed a suicidal manner of death. This paper presents different issues of the case, such as the attestation of tears in clothing, the morphology of the wounds or the arrow track. The case is compared with other cases in the medical forensic literature involving the use of crossbows. Finally, it is highlighted how easy it is to purchase these weapons despite their obvious power and accuracy, factors that seriously recommend legislative regulation to be increased and its use more restricted.

Seascape Genetics of the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin (Stenella frontalis) Based on Mitochondrial DNA.

The Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) is endemic to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Throughout its distribution, both geographic distance and environmental variation may contribute to population structure of the species. In this study, we follow a seascape genetics approach to investigate population differentiation of Atlantic spotted dolphins based on a large worldwide dataset and the relationship with marine environmental variables. The results revealed that the Atlantic spotted dolphin exhibits population genetic structure across its distribution based on mitochondrial DNA control region (mtDNA-CR) data. Analyses based on the contemporary landscape suggested, at both the individual and population level, that the population genetic structure is consistent with the isolation-by-distance model. However, because geography and environmental matrices were correlated, and because in some, but not all analyses, we found a significant effect for the environment, we cannot rule out the addition contribution of environmental factors in structuring genetic variation. Future analyses based on nuclear data are needed to evaluate whether local processes, such as social structure and some level of philopatry within populations, may be contributing to the associations among genetic structure, geographic, and environmental distance.

Metal content in stranded pelagic vs deep-diving cetaceans in the Canary Islands.

The Canary Islands are home to many cetacean species, many of which are resident species. The present work aims to analyze, for the first time to the best of the authors' knowledge, the macronutrients, micronutrients and trace elements and toxic heavy metals in muscle and liver tissue of six species of stranded cetaceans in the Canary Islands. The study species were: Tursiops truncatus, Stenella frontalis, Delphinus delphis, Grampus griseus, Globicephala macrorynchus and Physeter macrocephalus. Statistical analysis studied the significant differences between the concentrations in muscle and liver tissues, with the differences in element content depending on the type of diving and length of the species. The results indicate that there are differences between muscle and liver for Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn. Deep-diving animals differ in their concentrations of Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Mo, and Zn with respect to shallow-diving animals in muscle and in liver in Al, B, Cr, K, Mn and Mo. As for the differences between sex, the males present differences in their concentrations of B, Cd, K and Mg in muscle tissue with respect to the females, while differences in the liver were only detected in the Fe content. The study of the correlations shows that as the size of the animal increases, the concentration of Cd increases while the concentrations of Al, Cu and Zn decrease. The specimens foraging in shallower waters had the highest concentration of the macronutrient.

Open Fetal Microneurosurgery for Intrauterine Spina Bifida Repair.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to describe the feasibility of open fetal microneurosurgery for intrauterine spina bifida (SB) repair and to compare perinatal outcomes with cases managed using the classic open fetal surgery technique. METHODS: In this study, we selected a cohort of consecutive fetuses with isolated open SB referred to our fetal surgery center in Queretaro, Mexico, during a 3.5-year period (2016-2020). SB repair was performed by either classic open surgery (6- to 8-cm hysterotomy with leakage of amniotic fluid, which was replaced before uterine closure) or open microneurosurgery, which is a novel technique characterized by a 15- to 20-mm hysterotomy diameter, reduced fetal manipulation by fixing the fetal back, and maintenance of normal amniotic fluid and uterine volume during the whole surgery. Perinatal outcomes of cases operated with the classic open fetal surgery technique and open microneurosurgery were compared. RESULTS: Intrauterine SB repair with a complete 3-layer correction was successfully performed in 60 cases either by classic open fetal surgery (n = 13) or open microneurosurgery (n = 47). No significant differences were observed in gestational age (GA) at fetal intervention (25.4 vs. 25.1 weeks, p = 0.38) or surgical times (107 vs. 120 min, p = 0.15) between both groups. The group with open microneurosurgery showed a significantly lower rate of oligohydramnios (0 vs. 15.4%, p = 0.01), preterm rupture of the membranes (19.0 vs. 53.8%, p = 0.01), higher GA at birth (35.1 vs. 32.7 weeks, p = 0.03), lower rate of preterm delivery <34 weeks (21.4 vs. 61.5%, p = 0.01), and lower rate of perinatal death (4.8 vs. 23.1%, p = 0.04) than the group with classic open surgery. During infant follow-up, the rate of hydrocephalus requiring ventriculoperitoneal shunting was similar between both groups (7.5 vs. 20%, p = 0.24). All patients showed an intact hysterotomy site at delivery. CONCLUSION: Intrauterine spina repair by open fetal microneurosurgery is feasible and was associated with better perinatal outcomes than classic open fetal surgery.

A potential lignocellulosic biomass based on banana waste for critical rare earths recovery from aqueous solutions.

Rare earth elements (REE) present multiple applications in technological devices but also drawbacks (scarcity and water contaminant). The current study aims to valorise the banana wastes - banana rachis (BR), banana pseudo-stem (BPS) and banana peel (BP) as sustainable adsorbent materials for the recovery of REE (Nd3+, Eu3+, Y3+, Dy3+ and Tb3+). The adsorbent materials were characterized using analytical techniques such as: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, zeta potential and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray probe. The adsorption performance and mechanisms were studied by pH dependence, equilibrium isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamics, ion-exchange and desorption evaluation. The results show good adsorption capacities for the three materials, highlighting BR that presents ∼100 mg/g for most of the REE. The adsorption process (100 mg REE/L) reaches the 60% uptake in 8 min and the equilibrium within 50 min. On the other hand, the thermodynamic study indicates that the adsorption is spontaneous and exothermic (ΔH° < 40 kJ/mol). The adsorption mechanism is based on the presence of carboxylic groups that induce electrostatic interactions and facilitate the surface nucleation of REE microcrystals coupled to an ion exchange process as well as the presence of other oxygen containing groups that establish weak intermolecular forces. The recovery of REE from the adsorbent (∼97%) is achieved using EDTA as desorbing solution. This research indicates that banana waste and particularly BR is a new and promising renewable bioresource to recover REE with high adsorption capacity and moderated processing cost.

Síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda severo en el embarazo. Revisión de la literatura y reporte de dos casos / Severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in pregnancy. Review of the literature and two cases report / Síndrome do disconforto respiratório agudo grave na gestação. Revisão de literatura e relato de dois casos

Resumen: La mujer durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio presenta cambios anatómicos, fisiológicos y en la dinámica ventilatoria, por lo que una de las complicaciones que puede presentar es el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda, el cual representa un reto para el clínico, pudiendo aparecer complicaciones en el embarazo como corioamnionitis, aborto, embolismo de líquido amniótico. El abordaje y tratamiento del síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda es primordial, se han presentado avances en la estrategia ventilatoria como: disminución del volumen tidal y posición prono durante la ventilación mecánica, que han mejorado el pronóstico de manera favorable en esta población.

Abstract: The woman during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium presents anatomical changes, physiological and ventilatory dynamics, so one of the complications that may present is the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) representing a challenge for the clinician, and complications may appear in pregnancy as chorioamnionitis, abortion, amniotic fluid embolism. The approach and treatment of ARDS in the patient is paramount. Advances have been made in the ventilatory strategy, such as: decreased tidal volume, prone position during mechanical ventilation, which have improved the prognosis favorably in this population.

Resumo: A mulher durante a gestação, parto e puerpério apresenta alterações anatômicas, fisiológicas e ventilatórias, por isso uma das complicações que ela pode apresentar é a Síndrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA), representando um desafio para o clínico, podendo aparecer complicações na gestação, como corioamnionitis, aborto, embolia do líquido amniótico. A abordagem e tratamento da SDRA no paciente é essencial, houve avanços na estratégia ventilatória como: diminuição do volume corrente, posição prona durante a ventilação mecânica, que melhoraram o prognóstico favoravelmente nessa população.

Advanced puberty triggered by bi-weekly changes in reproductive factors during the photolabile period in a male teleost fish, Dicentrarchus labrax L.

This study evaluated the impact of continuous light (LL) within the photolabile period on advanced puberty in juvenile male European sea bass. The exposure to an LL regime for 1 month, from August 15 to September 15 (LLa/s), was compared to a constant simulated natural photoperiod (NP) and constant continuous light conditions year-round (LLy). Somatic growth, hormone plasma levels, rates of testicular maturation and spermiation, as well as the mRNA levels of some reproductive genes were analyzed. Our results demonstrated that both LLa/s and LLy treatments, which include LL exposure during the photolabile period, were highly effective in inhibiting the gametogenesis process that affects testicular development, and clearly reduced the early sexual maturation of males. Exposure to an LL photoperiod affected body weight and length of juvenile fish during early gametogenesis and throughout the first year of life. Interestingly, LL induced bi-weekly changes in some reproductive factors affecting Gnrh1 and Gnrh2 content in the brain, and also reduced pituitary fshß expression and plasmatic levels of 11-KT, E2, Fsh throughout early gametogenesis. We suggest that low levels of E2 in early September in the LL groups, which would be concomitant with the reduced number of spermatogonial mitoses in these groups, might indicate a putative role for estrogens in spermatogonial proliferation during the early gonadal development of this species. Furthermore, a significant decrease in amh expression was observed, coinciding with low plasma levels of 11-KT under LL regimes, which is consistent with the idea that this growth factor may be crucial for the progress of spermatogenesis in male sea bass.

Suicide by gunshot at the back of the head with a muzzle-loading shooting revolver and homemade ammunition.

The present case concerns a 29 years-old male with a history of mental disorder, who committed suicide by gunshot at the posterior midline of the head. This location is very rare in suicide cases. The weapon used is the replica of a muzzle-loading Remington Revolver with homemade ammunition prepared with easily available materials such as lead fishing weights, percussion primers, and black powder from firecrackers.

[Nuevos conceptos de la reanimación hídrica intravenosa]. / New concepts in intravenous fluid therapy.

ANTECEDENTES: La reanimación hídrica intravenosa es esencial en el manejo de los pacientes hospitalizados, en especial en aquellos con enfermedad aguda o crítica. En la actualidad se proponen cuatro premisas con cuatro indicaciones, cuatro preguntas y cuatro fases para la reanimación hídrica intravenosa. OBJETIVO: El objetivo de esta revisión es dar a conocer esta propuesta de manejo en la reanimación hídrica intravenosa. CONCLUSIONES: Estas premisas de reanimación hídrica intravenosa coexisten de manera continua y con una variabilidad observada en el balance hídrico que se da a entender como un proceso dinámico, sin un patrón fijo temporal ni una escala de tiempo, el cual debe ser individualizado según el contexto clínico del paciente. BACKGROUND: Intravenous fluid therapy is essential in the management of hospitalized patients, especially in those with acute or critical illness. It has been proposed four premises, four indications, four questions, and four phases for guidance of this fluid therapy. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this manuscript is to review these new concepts of intravenous fluid therapy. CONCLUSION: These phases of intravenous fluid resuscitation coexist continuously and with a variability observed on fluid balance, is meant as a dynamic process, not as a temporary fixed pattern or a time scale and which must be individualized to the clinical context of patient.

Insuficiencia cardiaca aguda secundaria a estenosis mitral reumática durante el puerperio / Puerperal acute heart failure secondary to mitral stenosis. Case report / Insuficiência cardíaca aguda secundária à estenose mitral reumática durante puerpério

Resumen: Las cardiopatías complican 4% de los embarazos y 60% son por valvulopatías reumáticas; la más común es la estenosis mitral. Por esta razón, reportamos el caso de una puérpera en apariencia sana con embarazo normoevolutivo que debutó con falla cardiaca derecha. Se integró el diagnóstico de estenosis mitral grave por enfermedad reumática, la cual se estabilizó de manera precoz para realizar de forma externa corrección quirúrgica. Aunque en la actualidad la prevalencia de enfermedades reumáticas ha disminuido, la estenosis mitral sigue siendo la valvulopatía más común en las embarazadas y es una entidad potencialmente mortal si no se lleva el control adecuado.

Abstract: Heart disease complicates 4% of pregnancies, and rheumatic valve diseases make up 60% of these cases. The most common one is mitral stenosis. We present the case of a healthy puerperal woman with a non-complicated pregnancy who begin with pulmonary edema and acute heart failure. She was diagnosed with severe mitral stenosis with rheumatoid etiology, which was stabilized for external surgical correction. Although the prevalence of rheumatoid diseases has decreased, mitral stenosis remains the most common valve disease in pregnant women and is life-threatening without proper control.

Resumo: As cardiopatias complicam 4% das gestações e 60% são decorrentes de valvopatias reumáticas, sendo a mais comum a estenose mitral. Por esse motivo, relatamos o caso de uma puérpera aparentemente saudável com gestação normoevolutiva, que debutou com insuficiência cardíaca direita, integrando o diagnóstico de estenose mitral grave por doença reumática, que se estabilizou precocemente para realizar correção cirúrgica externa. Embora atualmente a prevalência de doenças reumáticas tenha diminuído, a estenose mitral ainda é a doença valvular mais comum em mulheres grávidas e é uma entidade potencialmente fatal se não for adequadamente controlada.

Contamination status by persistent organic pollutants of the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) at the metapopulation level.

The Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) is an endemic species of the tropical-temperate Atlantic Ocean with widespread distribution. Although this species has been the subject of a large number of studies throughout its range, it remains in the "data deficient" category of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Chemical pollution by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has been listed as one of the major threats to this species, however, there is no information on a wide scale. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the contamination status of spotted dolphins on the metapopulation level as well as determine spatial and temporal variations in POP concentrations and bio-accumulation. A total of 115 blubber samples collected from a large part of the Atlantic basin were analysed for PCBs, DDTs, PBDEs, chlordanes, HCB and mirex. Although PCBs and DDTs were the predominant compounds in all areas, inter-location differences in POP concentrations were observed. Dolphins found at São Paulo, southeastern coast of Brazil, had the highest PCB concentrations (median: 10.5 µg/g lw) and Canary Islands dolphins had the highest DDT concentrations (median: 5.13 µg/g lw). Differences in PCB patterns among locations were also observed. Dolphins from the Azores and São Paulo demonstrated a similar pattern, with relatively highly contributions of tetra- (6.8 and 5.2%, respectively) and penta-CBs (25.6 and 23.8%, respectively) and lower contributions of hepta-CBs (20.8 and 23.5%, respectively) in comparison to other areas. Moreover, the sex of the animals and the year in which sampling or capture occurred exerted an important influence on the majority of the POPs analysed. Comparisons with toxicity thresholds available in the literature reveal that the São Paulo and Canary Island dolphins are the most vulnerable populations and should be considered in future conservation and management programs for the Atlantic spotted dolphin.

True's beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus) in Macaronesia.

The True's beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus, True 1913) is a poorly known member of the Ziphiidae family. Its distribution in the northern hemisphere is thought to be restricted to the temperate or warm temperate waters of the North Atlantic, while a few stranding records from the southern hemisphere suggest a wider and antitropical distribution, extending to waters from the Atlantic coast of Brazil to South Africa, Mozambique, Australia and the Tasman Sea coast of New Zealand. This paper (i) reports the first molecular confirmation of the occurrence of the True's beaked whale at the southern limit of its distribution recorded in the northeast Atlantic: the Azores and Canary Islands (macaronesian ecoregion); (ii) describes a new colouration for this species using evidence from a whale with molecular species confirmation; and (iii) contributes to the sparse worldwide database of live sightings, including the first underwater video recording of this species and close images of a calf. Species identification was confirmed in two cases using mitochondrial DNA control region and cytochrome b gene markers: a subadult male True's beaked whale that stranded in El Hierro, Canary Islands, in November 2012, and a subadult male found floating dead near Faial, the Azores, in July 2004. The whale that stranded in the Canary Islands had a clearly delimited white area on its head, extending posteriorly from the tip of the beak to cover the blowhole dorsally and the gular grooves ventrally. This colouration contrasts with previous descriptions for the species and it may be rare, but it exemplifies the variability of the colouration of True's beaked whales in the North Atlantic, further confirmed here by live sightings data. The recording of several observations of this species in deep but relatively coastal waters off the Azores and the Canary Islands suggests that these archipelagos may be unique locations to study the behaviour of the enigmatic True's beaked whale.

Correlación entre la clasificación Child-Pugh lactato y la mortalidad en pacientes cirróticos internados en la unidad de terapia intensiva / Relationship between the Child-Pugh+lactate score and mortality in cirrhotic patients in the intensive care unit / Correlação entre a classificação child-pugh lactato e a mortalidade em pacientes cirróticos internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva

Resumen: Objetivo: Comprobar la capacidad pronóstica como predictor de mortalidad de la clasificación de Child-Pugh lactato en la población de pacientes cirróticos que ingresan en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos de la Fundación Clínica Médica Sur. Material y métodos: Estudio de investigación clínica, cohorte no concurrente, donde se obtuvieron datos en el periodo comprendido del 1 de enero de 2012 al 31 de diciembre de 2014. Resultados: Ingresaron 28 casos a la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva de la Fundación Clínica Médica Sur con diagnóstico de cirrosis hepática; de ellos, fallecieron un total de 16 (57.1%) sujetos dentro de los primeros 40 días posteriores a su ingreso y sobrevivieron 12 (42.9%). Se calculó si existía correlación entre la defunción y el puntaje de la clasificación Child-Pugh lactato mayor de 14, y se encontró una r = 0.708. El puntaje mayor a 14 puntos se asoció a mortalidad en 87.5%, así como el puntaje menor a 14 se vinculó a supervivencia a 40 días en 83.33%. Conclusiones: La clasificación de Child-Pugh más lactato mayor de 14 puntos tiene una fuerte correlación con la mortalidad.

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to establish if the Child-Pugh+lactate score is a reliable prognostic scoring tool as mortality predictor in cirrhotic patients admitted to the Médica Sur Clinic Foundation Intensive Care Unit. Material and methods: This was a 3-year, single-centered retrospective cohort study performed in a general ICU. Results: Twenty-eight cases were collected in the period from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014, of which a total of 16 patients (57.1%) died within the first 40 days after admission and 12 survived (42.9%). It was assessed if there was a correlation between death and a Child-Pugh lactate score greater than 14, finding an r = 0.708. Conclusions: A Child-Pugh+lactate score with a numerical value above 14 points has a direct relation with mortality in cirrhotic patients admitted to the ICU.

Resumo: Objetivo: Comprovar a capacidade prognóstica como preditor de mortalidade da Child Pugh lactato na população de pacientes cirróticos admitidos na terapia intensiva da Fundação Clínica Médica Sur. Material e métodos: Estudo de investigação clínica, coorte não concorrente, onde os dados foram coletados no período de 1 de Janeiro de 2012 a 31 Dezembro de 2014. Resultados: 28 casos admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva da Fundação Clínica Médica Sur, diagnosticados com cirrose hepática, dos quais faleceram um total de 16 pacientes (57.1%) nos primeiros 40 dias após a admissão e sobreviveram 12 (42.9%). Calculou-se a existência de uma correlação entre a defunção e a Classificação Child Pugh lactato maior de 14 pontos, encontrando um r = 0.708. A pontuação CPL maior a 14 pontos está associado à mortalidade em 87.5% e inferior a 14 foi associado a sobrevida à 40 dias em um 83.33%. Conclusões: A Clasificação Child Pugh lactato maior a 14 pontos tem uma forte correlação com a mortalidade.

Is the kisspeptin system involved in responses to food restriction in order to preserve reproduction in pubertal male sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)?

Previous works on European sea bass have determined that long-term exposure to restrictive feeding diets alters the rhythms of some reproductive/metabolic hormones, delaying maturation and increasing apoptosis during gametogenesis. However, exactly how these diets affect key genes and hormones on the brain-pituitary-gonad (BPG) axis to trigger puberty is still largely unknown. We may hypothesize that all these signals could be integrated, at least in part, by the kisspeptin system. In order to capture a glimpse of these regulatory mechanisms, kiss1 and kiss2 mRNA expression levels and those of their kiss receptors (kiss1r, kiss2r) were analyzed in different areas of the brain and in the pituitary of pubertal male sea bass during gametogenesis. Furthermore, other reproductive hormones and factors as well as the percentage of males showing full spermiation were also analyzed. Treated fish fed maintenance diets provided evidence of overexpression of the kisspeptin system in the main hypophysiotropic regions of the brain throughout the entire sexual cycle. Conversely, Gnrh1 and gonadotropin pituitary content and plasma sexual steroid levels were downregulated, except for Fsh levels, which were shown to increase during spermiation. Treated fish exhibited lower rates of spermiation as compared to control group and a delay in its accomplishment. These results demonstrate how the kisspeptin system and plasma Fsh levels are differentially affected by maintenance diets, causing a retardation, but not a full blockage of the reproductive process in the teleost fish European sea bass. This suggests that a hormonal adaptive strategy may be operating in order to preserve reproductive function in this species.

Standardization of Sonographic Diaphragm Thickness Evaluations in Healthy Volunteers.

BACKGROUND: B-mode ultrasound can be used to measure diaphragm thickness at the zone of apposition. We believe it is necessary to develop normal values for diaphragm thickness at rest in a large group of healthy subjects and compare them with international results. METHODS: Ultrasound measurements of diaphragm thickness at expiratory rest were taken in 109 healthy individuals, with results stratified by sex, body mass index, and thorax circumference. The following methods were used for analysis and interpretation. Multivariable databases with descriptive statistical analyses were made. The Pearson chi-square test was used to evaluate the distribution between variables. Additionally, mean and SD values were calculated. For standardization, the data were separated by sex within a 95% CI, and we calculated a Z test. A 95% CI was also constructed for proportion analyses. RESULTS: One hundred nine healthy volunteers were included in the study, and the correlation between the body mass index and thorax circumference values with a Pearson chi-square test resulted in an r = 0.69. Additionally, the average value of diaphragmatic thickness was 0.19 ± 0.04 cm (95% CI 0.17-0.20 cm) for men and 0.14 ± 0.03 cm (95% CI 0.13-0.15 cm) for women (P = .001). There was no relation between body mass index thorax circumference, and diaphragmatic thickness. CONCLUSION: Real-time ultrasound of the diaphragm is a simple, inexpensive, and portable imaging technique that can provide qualitative anatomical information. The findings in this study show that sonographic diaphragm evaluations can be applied to the general population.

Leptin receptor gene in the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): Cloning, phylogeny, tissue distribution and neuroanatomical organization.

In this study, we report the cloning of three transcripts for leptin receptor in the European sea bass, a marine teleost of economic interest. The two shortest variants, generated by different splice sites, encode all functional extracellular and intracellular domains but missed the transmembrane domain. The resulting proteins are therefore potential soluble binding proteins for leptin. The longest transcript (3605bp), termed sblepr, includes all the essential domains for binding and transduction of the signal. Thus, it is proposed as the ortholog for the human LEPR gene, the main responsible for leptin signaling. Phylogenetic analysis shows the sblepr clustered within the teleost leptin receptor group in 100% of the bootstrap replicates. The neuroanatomical localization of sblepr expressing cells has been assessed by in situ hybridization in brains of sea bass of both sexes during their first sexual maturation. At histological level, the distribution pattern of sblepr expressing cells in the brain shows no clear differences regarding sex or reproductive season. Transcripts of the sblepr have a widespread distribution throughout the forebrain and midbrain until the caudal portion of the hypothalamus. A high hybridization signal is detected in the telencephalon, preoptic area, medial basal and caudal hypothalamus and in the pituitary gland. In a more caudal region, sblepr expressing cells are identified in the longitudinal torus. The expression pattern observed for sblepr suggests that in sea bass, leptin is very likely to be involved in the control of food intake, energy reserves and reproduction.

Photoperiodic Modulation of Circadian Clock and Reproductive Axis Gene Expression in the Pre-Pubertal European Sea Bass Brain.

The acquisition of reproductive competence requires the activation of the brain-pituitary-gonad (BPG) axis, which in most vertebrates, including fishes, is initiated by changes in photoperiod. In the European sea bass long-term exposure to continuous light (LL) alters the rhythm of reproductive hormones, delays spermatogenesis and reduces the incidence of precocious males. In contrast, an early shift from long to short photoperiod (AP) accelerates spermatogenesis. However, how photoperiod affects key genes in the brain to trigger the onset of puberty is still largely unknown. Here, we investigated if the integration of the light stimulus by clock proteins is sufficient to activate key genes that trigger the BPG axis in the European sea bass. We found that the clock genes clock, npas2, bmal1 and the BPG genes gnrh, kiss and kissr share conserved transcription factor frameworks in their promoters, suggesting co-regulation. Other gene promoters of the BGP axis were also predicted to be co-regulated by the same frameworks. Co-regulation was confirmed through gene expression analysis of brains from males exposed to LL or AP photoperiod compared to natural conditions: LL fish had suppressed gnrh1, kiss2, galr1b and esr1, while AP fish had stimulated npas2, gnrh1, gnrh2, kiss2, kiss1rb and galr1b compared to NP. It is concluded that fish exposed to different photoperiods present significant expression differences in some clock and reproductive axis related genes well before the first detectable endocrine and morphological responses of the BPG axis.

Updating control of puberty in male European sea bass: A holistic approach.

Puberty is the process by which an immature animal acquires the ability to reproduce for the first time; its onset occurs soon after sexual differentiation and is characterized by the beginning of gametogenesis in both sexes. Here we present new insights on when and how the onset of puberty occurs in male European sea bass, its dependence on reaching a critical size, and how it can be controlled by photoperiod, revealing the existence of a photolabile period with important applications in aquaculture. Regarding size, apparently only European sea bass above a certain size threshold attain the ability to carry out gametogenesis during their first year of life, while their smaller counterparts fail to do so. This could imply that fish need to achieve an optimal threshold of hormone production, particularly from the kisspeptin/Gnrh/Gth systems, in order to initiate and conclude puberty. However, a long-term restricted feeding regime during the second year of life did not prevent the onset of puberty, thus suggesting that the fish are able to maintain the reproductive function, even at the expense of other functions. Finally, the study of daily hormonal rhythms under different photoperiod regimes revealed the equivalence between their core values and those of seasonal rhythms, in such a way that the daily rhythms could be considered as the functional units of the seasonal rhythms.

Trends in Transmission of Drug Resistance and Prevalence of Non-B Subtypes in Patients with Acute or Recent HIV-1 Infection in Barcelona in the Last 16 Years (1997-2012).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) and non-B subtypes in patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection in Barcelona during the period 1997-2012. METHODS: Patients from the "Hospital Clínic Primary HIV-1 Infection Cohort" with a genotyping test performed within 180 days of infection were included. The 2009 WHO List of Mutations for Surveillance of Transmitted HIV-1 Drug Resistance was used for estimating the prevalence of TDR and phylogenetic analysis for subtype determination. RESULTS: 189 patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection were analyzed in 4 time periods (1997-2000, n=28; 2001-4, n=42; 2005-8, n=55 and 2009-12, n=64). The proportion of patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection with respect to the total of newly HIV-diagnosed patients in our center increased over the time and was 2.18%, 3.82%, 4.15% and 4.55% for the 4 periods, respectively (p=0.005). The global prevalence of TDR was 9%, or 17.9%, 9.5%, 3.6% and 9.4% by study period (p=0.2). The increase in the last period was driven by protease-inhibitor and nucleoside-reverse-transcriptase-inhibitor resistance mutations while non-nucleoside-reverse-transcriptase inhibitor TDR and TDR of more than one family decreased. The overall prevalence of non-B subtypes was 11.1%, or 0%, 4.8%, 9.1% and 20.3 by study period (p=0.01). B/F recombinants, B/G recombinants and subtype F emerged in the last period. We also noticed an increase in the number of immigrant patients (p=0.052). The proportion of men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) among patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection increased over the time (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of TDR in patients with acute/recent HIV-1 infection in Barcelona was 9%, and it has stayed relatively stable in recent years. Non-B subtypes and immigrants proportions progressively increased.

Gonadotropins in European sea bass: Endocrine roles and biotechnological applications.

Follicle stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinizing hormone (Lh) are central endocrine regulators of the gonadal function in vertebrates. They act through specific receptors located in certain cell types found in the gonads. In fish, the differential roles of these hormones are being progressively elucidated due to the development of suitable tools for their study. In European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), isolation of the genes coding for the gonadotropin subunits and receptors allowed in first instance to conduct expression studies. Later, to overcome the limitation of using native hormones, recombinant dimeric gonadotropins, which show different functional characteristics depending on the cell system and DNA construct, were generated. In addition, single gonadotropin beta-subunits have been produced and used as antigens for antibody production. This approach has allowed the development of detection methods for native gonadotropins, with European sea bass being one of the few species where both gonadotropins can be detected in their native form. By administering recombinant gonadotropins to gonad tissues in vitro, we were able to study their effects on steroidogenesis and intracellular pathways. Their administration in vivo has also been tested for use in basic studies and as a biotechnological approach for hormone therapy and assisted reproduction strategies. In addition to the production of recombinant hormones, gene-based therapies using somatic gene transfer have been offered as an alternative. This approach has been tested in sea bass for gonadotropin delivery in vivo. The hormones produced by the genes injected were functional and have allowed studies on the action of gonadotropins in spermatogenesis.