Robotic surgery as a driver of surgical digitalization.

Classical surgery, also called analog surgery, is transmitted to us by our mentors, whose knowledge has been delegated from generation to generation throughout the history of surgery. Its main limitations are limited surgical precision and dependence on the surgeon's skill to achieve surgical goals. So-called digital surgery incorporates the most advanced technology, with the aim of improving the results of all phases of the surgical process. Robotic platforms are currently considered to be one of the main drivers of the digital transformation of surgery. They bring considerable advances to the digitalization of surgery, including: higher quality visualization, more controlled and stable movements with elimination of tremor, minimized risk of errors, data integration throughout the patient's surgical process, use of various systems for better surgical planning, application of virtual and augmented reality, telementoring, and artificial intelligence.

Unusual presentation of biliopancreatic cancer as primary retroperitoneal tumor.

Primary retroperitoneal tumors are little-known neoplasias and consequently, difficult to diagnose. We report an extremely unusual case of a biliopancreatic adenocarcinoma with retroperitoneal localization simulating a primary retroperitoneal tumor. As far as we know, there are no similar cases published up to date.

Full endoscopic minimally invasive extraperitoneal modified Sugarbaker approach for para-colostomy hernia repair: Technical aspects and 2-year follow-up results of a prospective cohort.

AIM: This study aimed to assess technical aspects and clinical results of a new minimally invasive technique in parastomal hernia (PSH) repair, full endoscopic retromuscular access, after 2 years of follow-up. METHODS: Data from consecutive patients requiring minimally invasive ventral PSH repair were collected from 2019 to 2022. The inclusion criteria were patients aged between 18 and 80 years old with symptomatic PSH. Demographics and perioperative and postoperative data were collected. Postoperative pain and functional recovery were compared with preoperative data. RESULTS: Twelve patients with symptomatic PSH were included. The mean PSH defect area was 16.2 cm2 and the mean midline defect was 8.7 cm2 . No intra-operative complications or conversion to open surgery were detected. One patient (8%) required postoperative readmission due to partial bowel obstruction symptoms that required catheterization of the stoma. Pain significantly worsened after the first postoperative day compared to preoperative data but improved after the first postoperative month compared to the first postoperative week and after the 90th postoperative day compared to the first postoperative month, with significant differences. Significant restriction improvement was identified when 30 days after surgery data were compared to preoperative data and when the 180th postoperative day results were compared to 30 days after surgery. The average follow-up was 29 months. During the follow-up no clinical or radiological recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: This paper shows low rate of intra- and postoperative complications with significant improvement in terms of pain activities restriction compared to preoperatory. After 29 months follow-up, no recurrence was identified, confirming that this approach offers good mid-term results.

Hybrid Genetic Algorithm for Clustering IC Topographies of EEGs.

Clustering of independent component (IC) topographies of Electroencephalograms (EEG) is an effective way to find brain-generated IC processes associated with a population of interest, particularly for those cases where event-related potential features are not available. This paper proposes a novel algorithm for the clustering of these IC topographies and compares its results with the most currently used clustering algorithms. In this study, 32-electrode EEG signals were recorded at a sampling rate of 500 Hz for 48 participants. EEG signals were pre-processed and IC topographies computed using the AMICA algorithm. The algorithm implements a hybrid approach where genetic algorithms are used to compute more accurate versions of the centroids and the final clusters after a pre-clustering phase based on spectral clustering. The algorithm automatically selects the optimum number of clusters by using a fitness function that involves local-density along with compactness and separation criteria. Specific internal validation metrics adapted to the use of the absolute correlation coefficient as the similarity measure are defined for the benchmarking process. Assessed results across different ICA decompositions and groups of subjects show that the proposed clustering algorithm significantly outperforms the (baseline) clustering algorithms provided by the software EEGLAB, including CORRMAP.

Assessing Functional Brain Network Dynamics in Dyslexia from fNIRS Data.

Developmental dyslexia is characterized by a deficit of phonological awareness whose origin is related to atypical neural processing of speech streams. This can lead to differences in the neural networks that encode audio information for dyslexics. In this work, we investigate whether such differences exist using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and complex network analysis. We have explored functional brain networks derived from low-level auditory processing of nonspeech stimuli related to speech units such as stress, syllables or phonemes of skilled and dyslexic seven-year-old readers. A complex network analysis was performed to examine the properties of functional brain networks and their temporal evolution. We characterized aspects of brain connectivity such as functional segregation, functional integration or small-worldness. These properties are used as features to extract differential patterns in controls and dyslexic subjects. The results corroborate the presence of discrepancies in the topological organizations of functional brain networks and their dynamics that differentiate between control and dyslexic subjects, reaching an Area Under ROC Curve (AUC) up to 0.89 in classification experiments.

Teachers’ Opinions about the Teaching of Reading in Spain / Las opiniones de los maestros y las maestras acerca de la enseñanza de la lectura en España

Previous research has evidenced which skills are required for reading acquisition and which methods are effective for teaching reading. However, recent research indicated that teachers lack sufficient knowledge about the constructs involved in reading instruction. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine Spanish teachers’ practice and opinions on reading instruction. Two samples of Spanish teachers, 840 Preschool teachers and 876 Primary teachers, were surveyed about their opinion on reading skills, their reading instruction practices, and methods of detecting and assessing reading difficulties. The questionnaire for primary teachers also included questions on preparedness and knowledge. Most teachers favored whole-word methods, included maturity and motivation, as relevant aids for phonological awareness and showed poor grasp of factors underpinning reading acquisition. Teachers showed inconsistent and limited knowledge of the evidence-based approach for effective reading instruction. Specific programs are needed to provide preservice teachers with evidence-based instruction and continuous training for in service teachers.(AU)

Investigaciones anteriores han señalado qué habilidades son necesarias para la adquisición de la lectura y qué métodos son eficaces para su enseñanza. Sin embargo, investigaciones recientes indican que los profesores carecen de conocimiento suficiente sobre los constructos implicados en la enseñanza de la lectura. Este estudio pretende examinar la práctica y las opiniones de los profesores españoles sobre la enseñanza de la lectura. Se encuestó a dos muestras de profesores españoles, 840 de preescolar y 876 de primaria, sobre sus opiniones acerca de las habilidades lectoras, sus prácticas de enseñanza de la lectura y los métodos de detección y evaluación de las dificultades lectoras. El cuestionario para los profesores de primaria también incluía cuestiones para valorar su preparación y conocimiento. La mayoría de los profesores se inclinaron por los métodos globales y consideraron que la madurez y la motivación son ayudas relevantes para adquirir la conciencia fonológica. Además, mostraron escasa comprensión de los factores que sustentan la adquisición de la lectura. Los profesores manifestaron un conocimiento inconsistente y limitado del enfoque basado en la evidencia para la enseñanza eficaz de la lectura. Se necesitan programas específicos para proporcionar a los profesores en formación una instrucción basada en la evidencia y una formación continua para los profesores en activo.(AU)

Radiofrequency-assisted transection of the pancreas versus stapler in distal pancreatectomy: study protocol for a multicentric randomised clinical trial (TRANSPAIRE).

INTRODUCTION: To date, no pancreatic stump closure technique has been shown to be superior to any other in distal pancreatectomy. Although several studies have shown a trend towards better results in transection using a radiofrequency device (radiofrequency-assisted transection (RFT)), no randomised trial for this purpose has been performed to date. Therefore, we designed a randomised clinical trial, with the hypothesis that this technique used in distal pancreatectomies is superior in reducing clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) than mechanical closures. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: TRANSPAIRE is a multicentre randomised controlled trial conducted in seven Spanish pancreatic centres that includes 112 patients undergoing elective distal pancreatectomy for any indication who will be randomly assigned to RFT or classic stapler transections (control group) in a ratio of 1:1. The primary outcome is the CR-POPF percentage. Sample size is calculated with the following assumptions: 5% one-sided significance level (α), 80% power (1-ß), expected POPF in control group of 32%, expected POPF in RFT group of 10% and a clinically relevant difference of 22%. Secondary outcomes include postoperative results, complications, radiological evaluation of the pancreatic stump, metabolomic profile of postoperative peritoneal fluid, survival and quality of life. Follow-ups will be carried out in the external consultation at 1, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: TRANSPAIRE has been approved by the CEIM-PSMAR Ethics Committee. This project is being carried out in accordance with national and international guidelines, the basic principles of protection of human rights and dignity established in the Declaration of Helsinki (64th General Assembly, Fortaleza, Brazil, October 2013), and in accordance with regulations in studies with biological samples, Law 14/2007 on Biomedical Research will be followed. We have defined a dissemination strategy, whose main objective is the participation of stakeholders and the transfer of knowledge to support the exploitation of activities. REGISTRATION DETAILS: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04402346).

Caída de la esperanza de vida en distritos de Madrid en 2020: relación con determinantes sociales / Decline in life expectancy in Madrid's districts in 2020: its correlation with social determinants

Objetivo: Estimar el descenso de la esperanza de vida (EV) de la población de Madrid y sus distritos, y su relación con variables socioeconómicas, en el primer año de pandemia de COVID-19. Método: Las defunciones proceden del Padrón de Habitantes (Servicio de Estadística Municipal). Por el método Chiang II se calcularon las esperanzas de vida al nacer y a los 65 años (EVN y EV65) con sus intervalos de confianza del 95% para hombres y mujeres, y sus caídas brutas, netas y mínimas en cada distrito en 2020 respecto a 2019, así como su correlación (r) con la distribución de algunas variables socioeconómicas y la existencia de modelos de regresión lineal explicativos. Resultados: En 2020, las defunciones en Madrid crecieron un 46,1% respecto al año previo, y la EVN fue de 79,31 años para los hombres y de 85,25 años para las mujeres, lo que supone un decremento de 3,67 y 2,56 años, respectivamente (4,42% y 2,91%). Todos los distritos registraron caídas de la EV, siendo la mayor la de los hombres de Tetuán (4,72 años) y la de las mujeres de Chamartín (3,91 años). Los más afectados fueron los distritos del sur, especialmente para los hombres. Las tasas de inmigrantes y de mayores de 80 años explicaron un 24% de la caída de la EV de los hombres según el modelo de regresión lineal múltiple. Conclusiones: La caída de la EV registrada en Madrid y sus distritos en 2020 es mayor que la de España (1,6 años) y retrotrae a cifras de 2002 (EV65) y de 2008 (EVN); es más acusada en el sur y se distribuye de forma desigual territorialmente y según variables socioeconómicas, asociándose a algunas de ellas. (AU)

Objective: Estimating the decrease in life expectancy (LE) of the population of Madrid and its districts and its relationship with socioeconomic variables in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Death records were obtained from the Municipal Register of inhabitants (Municipal Statistics Service). Based on Chiang II method, life expectancy at birth and at 65 years of age (LEB and LE65) were calculated, as well as their 95% confidence intervals both for men and women and their gross, net and minimum falls for each district in 2020 over 2019, their correlation with some socioeconomic variables distribution and the existence of multiple linear regression explicative models. Results: In 2020, deaths in Madrid increased by 46.1% compared with the previous year, the LEB was 79.31 years in men and 85.25 years in women, meaning a decrease of 3.67 and 2.56 years respectively (4.42% and 2.91%). All districts registered decreases in LE, with the largest decrease in men in Tetuan (4.72 years) and in women in Chamartín (3.91 years). The most affected were the southern districts, especially in men. Immigrant and people over 80 years old rates explained 24% of the drop in LE in men, using linear regression model. Conclusions: The decrease in LE recorded in Madrid and its districts in 2020 is bigger than in Spain (1.6 years), takes us back to values of 2002 (LE65) and 2008 (LEB), has a sharper fall in the south and is territorially unequally distributed, according to socioeconomic variables and being associated with some of them. (AU)

[SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study in patients undergoing addiction treatment in Madrid.] / Estudio de sero-prevalencia al SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes en tratamiento por adicciones en Madrid.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with addiction are a vulnerable group in which there is little data on the infection and severity of COVID-19. The objective of this study was to analyze the seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in users in treatment for addictions in Madrid and to describe the factors related to the infection in this group. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study (June-October 2020), in a non-probabilistic sample of 473 patients with Substance Use Disorder, from the 8 Addiction Care Centers (CAD) of the Madrid City Council. Their demographic, habits and health characteristics, IgM and IgG for SARS-CoV-2, previous PCR, presence of symptoms, contact with COVID-19 cases were described, and multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: 5.1% of the users had positive serology for SARS-CoV-2 (5.8% in men and 2.7% in women). The patients with the highest percentage of seropositivity were between 50-59 years old (8.3%), being the most prevalent main substance consumed alcohol (7.4%). Having a previous positive CRP showed a significant odds ratio (OR) regarding being seropositive in the frequentist analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The highest seroprevalence rate occurred among men, epidemiologically known factors being the ones that showed the greatest strength of association. The CAD seropositive user profile was a man at the age of 50, an alcohol user and without comorbidities. No characteristic related to substance use was found to justify the difference in risk of infection with the general population.

OBJETIVO: Los pacientes con adicción son un colectivo vulnerable en el que apenas hay datos sobre la infección y gravedad de la COVID-19. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la seroprevalencia frente a SARS-CoV-2 en usuarios en tratamiento por adicciones en Madrid y describir los factores relacionados con la infección en este colectivo. METODOS: Estudio descriptivo transversal (junio-octubre 2020), en una muestra no probabilística de 473 pacientes con Trastorno por Uso de Sustancias, de los 8 Centros de Atención a las Adicciones (CAD) del Ayuntamiento de Madrid. Se describieron sus características demográficas, de hábitos y de salud, IgM e IgG para SARS-CoV-2, PCR previa, presencia de síntomas, contacto con casos de COVID-19 y se realizó análisis multivariante mediante regresión logística binaria. RESULTADOS: El 5,1% de los usuarios tuvo serología positiva para SARS-CoV-2 (5,8% en hombres y 2,7% en mujeres). Los pacientes con mayor porcentaje de seropositividad tenían entre 50-59 años (8,3%), siendo la sustancia principal consumida más prevalente el alcohol (7,4%). Tener PCR positiva previa mostró una odds ratio (OR) significativa respecto a ser seropositivo en el análisis frecuentista. CONCLUSIONES: La mayor tasa de seroprevalencia se dio entre los hombres, siendo los factores epidemiológicamente conocidos los que más fuerza de asociación mostraron. El perfil de usuario seropositivo de los CAD fue un hombre en la década de los 50, consumidor de alcohol y sin comorbilidades. No se encontró característica alguna relacionada con el consumo de sustancias que justificase la diferencia de riesgo de infección con la población general.

Estudio de seroprevalencia al SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes en tratamiento por adicciones en Madrid / SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study in patients undergoing addiction treatment in Madrid

Fundamentos: Los pacientes con adicción son un colectivo vulnerable en el que apenas hay datos sobre la infección y gravedad de la COVID-19. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la seroprevalencia frente a SARS-CoV-2 en usuarios en tratamiento por adicciones en Madrid y describir los factores relacionados con la infección en este colectivo. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal (junio-octubre 2020), en una muestra no probabilística de 473 pacientes con Trastorno por Uso de Sustancias, de los 8 Centros de Atención a las Adicciones (CAD) del Ayuntamiento de Madrid. Se describieron sus características demográficas, de hábitos y de salud, IgM e IgG para SARS-CoV-2, PCR previa, presencia de síntomas, contacto con casos de COVID-19 y se realizó análisis multivariante mediante regresión logística binaria. Resultados: El 5,1% de los usuarios tuvo serología positiva para SARS-CoV-2 (5,8% en hombres y 2,7% en mujeres). Los pacientes con mayor porcentaje de seropositividad tenían entre 50-59 años (8,3%), siendo la sustancia principal consumida más prevalente el alcohol (7,4%). Tener PCR positiva previa mostró una odds ratio (OR) significativa respecto a ser seropositivo en el análisis frecuentista. Conclusiones: La mayor tasa de seroprevalencia se dio entre los hombres, siendo los factores epidemiológicamente conocidos los que más fuerza de asociación mostraron. El perfil de usuario seropositivo de los CAD fue un hombre en la década de los 50, consumidor de alcohol y sin comorbilidades. No se encontró característica alguna relacionada con el consumo de sustancias que justificase la diferencia de riesgo de infección con la población general.(AU)

Background: Patients with addiction are a vulnerable group in which there is little data on the infection and severity of COVID-19. The objective of this study was to analyze the seroprevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in users in treatment for addictions in Madrid and to describe the factors related to the infection in this group.Methods: Crosssectional descriptive study (June-October 2020), in a non-probabilistic sample of 473patients with Substance Use Disorder, from the 8 Addiction Care Centers (CAD) of the Madrid City Council. Their demographic, habits and health characteristics, IgM and IgG for SARS-CoV-2, previous PCR, presence of symptoms, contact with COVID-19 cases were described, and multivariate analysis was performed using binary logistic regression. Results: 5.1% of the users had positive serology for SARS-CoV-2 (5.8% in men and 2.7% in women). The patients with the highest percentage of seropositivity were between 50-59 years old (8.3%), being the most prevalent main substance consumed alcohol (7.4%). Having a previous positive CRP showed a significant odds ratio (OR) regarding being seropositive in the frequentist analysis. Conclusions: The highest seroprevalence rate occurred among men, epidemiologically known factors being the ones that showed the greatest strength of association. The CAD seropositive user profile was a man at the age of 50, an alcohol user and without comorbidities. No characteristic related to substance use was found to justify the difference in risk of infection with the general population.(AU)

CIBERER: Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative.

CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low-prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15-year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research.

[Decline in life expectancy in Madrid's districts in 2020: its correlation with social determinants]. / Caída de la esperanza de vida en distritos de Madrid en 2020: relación con determinantes sociales.

OBJECTIVE: Estimating the decrease in life expectancy (LE) of the population of Madrid and its districts and its relationship with socioeconomic variables in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Death records were obtained from the Municipal Register of inhabitants (Municipal Statistics Service). Based on Chiang II method, life expectancy at birth and at 65 years of age (LEB and LE65) were calculated, as well as their 95% confidence intervals both for men and women and their gross, net and minimum falls for each district in 2020 over 2019, their correlation with some socioeconomic variables distribution and the existence of multiple linear regression explicative models. RESULTS: In 2020, deaths in Madrid increased by 46.1% compared with the previous year, the LEB was 79.31 years in men and 85.25 years in women, meaning a decrease of 3.67 and 2.56 years respectively (4.42% and 2.91%). All districts registered decreases in LE, with the largest decrease in men in Tetuan (4.72 years) and in women in Chamartín (3.91 years). The most affected were the southern districts, especially in men. Immigrant and people over 80 years old rates explained 24% of the drop in LE in men, using linear regression model. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in LE recorded in Madrid and its districts in 2020 is bigger than in Spain (1.6 years), takes us back to values of 2002 (LE65) and 2008 (LEB), has a sharper fall in the south and is territorially unequally distributed, according to socioeconomic variables and being associated with some of them.

What do beta-lactams add to vancomycin or daptomycin in the treatment of patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia? A review.

Several studies have documented the synergy between vancomycin/daptomycin and various beta-lactams, and clinical studies have studied this combination therapy in humans. We review the published literature on this topic to know the utility of the combined treatment with beta-lactams in treating bacteraemia methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Fifteen observational studies, three randomised clinical trials and three systematics reviews are analysed in this article. Observational studies used ceftaroline, cefazolin, piperacillin/tazobactam or cefepime among the beta-lactams. Clinical trials used cloxacillin or flucloxacillin as the most used beta-lactam in two trials and ceftaroline in one. Three systematic reviews are published. One of them only includes studies with vancomycin and included six studies. The other two systematic reviews include patients with daptomycin or vancomycin and included 15 and 9 studies, respectively. Adding a beta-lactam to vancomycin or daptomycin may help shorten bacteraemia and avoid recurrences in patients with MRSA bacteraemia. There is no evidence that combined therapy improves mortality. Nephrotoxicity in clinical trials precludes the use of combination therapy mainly with cloxacillin or flucloxacillin, but systematic reviews have not found a significant difference in this point in observational studies with other beta-lactams. The role of other beta-lactams such as ceftaroline should be thoroughly studied in these patients.

Parental experiences of homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic: differences between seven European countries and between children with and without mental health conditions.

The aim of the present study was to examine parental experiences of homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic in families with or without a child with a mental health condition across Europe. The study included 6720 parents recruited through schools, patient organizations and social media platforms (2002 parents with a child with a mental health condition and 4718 without) from seven European countries: the UK (n = 508), Sweden (n = 1436), Spain (n = 1491), Belgium (n = 508), the Netherlands (n = 324), Germany (n = 1662) and Italy (n = 794). Many parents reported negative effects of homeschooling for themselves and their child, and many found homeschooling to be of poor quality, with insufficient support from schools. In most countries, contact with teachers was limited, leaving parents with primary responsibility for managing homeschooling. Parents also reported increased levels of stress, worry, social isolation, and domestic conflict. A small number of parents reported increased parental alcohol/drug use. Some differences were found between countries and some negative experiences were more common in families with a child with a mental health condition. However, differences between countries and between families with and without a mental health condition were generally small, indicating that many parents across countries reported negative experiences. Some parents also reported positive experiences of homeschooling. The adverse effects of homeschooling will likely have a long-term impact and contribute to increased inequalities. Given that school closures may be less effective than other interventions, policymakers need to carefully consider the negative consequences of homeschooling during additional waves of the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics.

Detecting Phase-Synchrony Connectivity Anomalies in EEG Signals. Application to Dyslexia Diagnosis.

Objective Dyslexia diagnosis is a challenging task, since traditional diagnosis methods are not based on biological markers but on behavioural tests. Although dyslexia diagnosis has been addressed by these tests in clinical practice, it is difficult to extract information about the brain processes involved in the different tasks and, then, to go deeper into its biological basis. Thus, the use of biomarkers can contribute not only to the diagnosis but also to a better understanding of specific learning disorders such as dyslexia. In this work, we use Electroencephalography (EEG) signals to discover differences among controls and dyslexic subjects using signal processing and artificial intelligence techniques. Specifically, we measure phase synchronization among channels, to reveal the functional brain network activated during auditory processing. On the other hand, to explore synchronicity patterns risen by low-level auditory processing, we used specific stimuli consisting in band-limited white noise, modulated in amplitude at different frequencies. The differential information contained in the functional (i.e., synchronization) network has been processed by an anomaly detection system that addresses the problem of subjects variability by an outlier-detection method based on vector quantization. The results, obtained for 7 years-old children, show that the proposed method constitutes an useful tool for clinical use, with the area under ROC curve (AUC) values up to 0.95 in differential diagnosis tasks.

Species diversification in the lowlands of mid-latitude South America: Turnera sidoides subsp. carnea as a case study.

The lowlands of mid-latitude South America comprise complex temperate ecoregions characterized by a unique biodiversity. However, the processes responsible for shaping its species diversity are still largely unknown. Turnera sidoides subsp. carnea is a variable subspecies occurring in the lowlands of northeastern Argentina and Uruguay, extending to southern Paraguay and Brazil. It constitutes a good model to perform evolutionary studies. Here we used an integrative approach to understand the process of diversification within this subspecies and to increase the knowledge concerning patterns and processes responsible for shaping the species diversity in the temperate lowlands of South America. The results provided strong evidences that this subspecies is an autopolyploid complex per se, being in an active process of intrasubspecific diversification. Morphological and genetic data show that the diversity of T. sidoides subsp. carnea is in congruence with the great past and present abiotic and biotic variability of the mid-latitude South American lowlands. The evolutionary history of this subspecies is consistent with past fragmentation and allopatric differentiation at diploid level. Geographic isolation and local adaptation would have promoted strong morphological, ecological, and genetic differentiation, resulting in two morphotypes and different genetic groups indicative of incipient speciation.

Current Evidence on the Antimicrobial Treatment and Chemoprophylaxis of Human Leptospirosis: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonotic infection, and its management needs to be refined. This study aims to discern which antibiotic would be the best option to treat leptospirosis disease and analyze the efficacy of chemoprophylaxis regimens to prevent this illness. METHODS: systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of antibiotic treatment and chemoprophylaxis of leptospirosis in humans. RESULTS: Ten clinical trials compared an antibiotic treatment with placebo or other antibiotic treatments in leptospirosis (the most recent one was published in 2007). The meta-analysis shows no effect of penicillin treatment on mortality compared to placebo (OR 1.65; 95% CI 0.76-3.57; p = 0.21). There are no differences between penicillin and cephalosporins or doxycycline. Penicillin does not reduce the time of defervescence (MD-0.16; 95% CI (-1.4) -1.08; p = 0.80) nor hospital stay (MD 0.15; 95% CI (-0.75)-1.06; p = 0.74). Besides, the data did not demonstrate any effectiveness of the use of penicillin in terms of the incidence of oliguria/anuria, the need for dialysis treatment, time to creatinine normalization, incidence of jaundice, or the liver function normalization time. Eight trials have assessed prophylactic treatment against leptospirosis with different strategies. A weekly dose of 200 mg of doxycycline does not show benefit versus placebo regarding the number of new cases of symptomatic leptospirosis (OR 0.20; 95% CI 0.02-1.87; p = 0.16). A single dose of doxycycline at exposure to flood water could have a beneficial effect (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.07-0.77; p = 0.02). None of the other chemoprophylaxis regimens tested have shown a statistically significant effect on the number of new symptomatic cases. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence that antibiotics are a better treatment than placebo regarding mortality, shortening of fever, liver and kidney function, or reduction in the hospital stay. On the other hand, neither doxycycline nor penicillin, nor azithromycin have shown statistically significant differences in preventing symptomatic infection. Well-designed clinical trials, including other antibiotics such as quinolones or aminoglycosides, are urgently needed to improve our understanding of the treatment for this infection, which continues to be a neglected disease.