Implementación de un programa de optimización de la farmacoterapia en pacientes institucionalizados (ÓPTIMA) / Implementation of a pharmacotherapy optimisation programme for institutionalised patients (ÓPTIMA)

Objetivo: Las personas institucionalizadas en centros sociosanitarios (CSS) tienen una mayor probabilidad de presentar más problemas relacionados con los medicamentos (PRM) que el resto de la población. El objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido describir la implementación de un proceso de mejora continua (ciclo PDCA) de la prescripción farmacológica de pacientes institucionalizados en CSS concertados/ privados orientado a reducir los PRM.Metodología: Tras una búsqueda bibliográfica, se seleccionaron varias recomendaciones sobre los PRM detectados con mayor frecuencia en los pacientes institucionalizados de nuestra área, que abarca aproximadamente 5.000 residentes en 55 CSS, y se identificaron aquellos que presentaban alguno de los PRM seleccionados. Posteriormente, se constituyó un panel de expertos multidisciplinar para definir los objetivos del proyecto, realizar un análisis de causas y determinar posibles acciones de mejora.Resultados: Tras presentarse el proyecto a los centros de salud (CS), se crearon comisiones ejecutivas entre los farmacéuticos de atención primaria, los profesionales de los CSS y de sus CS de referencia para adaptar las diferentes acciones de mejora. En el análisis intermedio se puede ver una reducción del 4,5% de los pacientes con algún PRM y del 5,2% de las prescripciones por paciente asociadas a los mismos. Debido al elevado número de pacientes institucionalizados, la revisión transversal de PRM permite disminuir la iatrogenia medicamentosa con los recursos disponibles. El ciclo de mejora continua PDCA, tras analizar la prevalencia de los PRM, nos permitirá implementar nuevas acciones o valorar iniciar el ciclo con otros PRM.  (AU)

Objective: People institutionalised in social and healthcare centres (SHCs) are more likely to present more drug related problems (DRPs) than the rest of the population. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of a process of continuous improvement (PDCA cycle) of the pharma- cological prescription of institutionalised patients in private/contracted SHCs to reduce DRPs.Method: Following a literature search, recommendations were selected on the most frequently detected DRPs in institutionalised patients in our area (approximately 5,000 residents in 55 SHCs). Those presenting any of the selected DRPs were identified. Subsequently, a multidisciplinary panel of experts was formed to define the objectives of the project, carry out an analysis of causes and determine possible actions for improvement.Results: The project was presented to health centres (HCs) and executive committees were set up between primary care pharmacists, professionals from SHCs and their reference HCs to adapt the different improvement actions. The interim analysis shows a 4.5% reduction in the number of patients with DRPs and a 5.2% reduction in the number of prescriptions per patient associated with DRPs. Due to the high number of institutionalised patients, the cross-sectional review of DRPs allows us to reduce drug iatrogenesis. The PDCA cycle will allow us to implement new actions or consider starting the cycle with other DRPs.  (AU)

Effect of carbon source and metal toxicity for potential acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment with an anaerobic sludge using sulfate-reduction.

This study compares sulfate-reduction performance in an anaerobic sludge with different carbon sources (ethanol, acetate, and glucose). Also, the toxic effect of copper was evaluated to assess its feasibility for possible acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment. Serological bottles with 1.5 g VSS/L and 150 mL of basal medium (0.67 g COD/g SO42- at a 7-8 pH) were used to determine the percentage of electron equivalents, maximum specific methanogenic (SMA), and sulfide generation activities (SGA). The copper effect was evaluated in a previously activated sludge in batch bioassays containing different concentrations of copper (0-50 mg/L), 3 gVSS/L, and 150 mL of basal medium (0.67 g COD/g SO42-). Carbon source bioassays with glucose obtained the best results in terms of the SGA (1.73 ± 0.34 mg S2-/g VSS•d) and SMA (10.41 mg COD-CH4/g VSS•d). The electron flow in the presence of glucose also indicated that 21.29 ± 5.2% of the metabolic activity of the sludge was directed towards sulfidogenesis. Copper toxicity bioassays indicated that a considerable decline in metabolic activity occurs above 10 mg/L. The 20%IC, 50%IC, and 80%IC were 4.5, 14.94, and 35.31 mg Cu/L. Compared to the other carbon sources tested, glucose proved to be a suitable electron donor since it favors sulfidogenesis. Finally, copper concentrations above 15 mg/L inhibited metabolic activity in the toxicity bioassays.

Thyroid hormone concentrations associated with age, sex, reproductive status and apparent reproductive failure in the Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis).

This study was conducted to characterize immunoreactive thyroid hormone concentrations in wild Amazon river dolphins, also called boto (Inia geoffrensis) by age group, sex, pregnancy and lactation status, and to determine if thyroid hormone concentration differences could be detected between pregnant females with and without successful parturition outcomes. Radioimmunoassays were used to analyse total T 3 and total T 4 in 182 serum samples collected from 172 botos living in the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve, in the Brazilian Amazon from 2003 through 2015. Age significantly affected tT 3 and tT 4 concentrations in males, with values in immature males and females being significantly lower than those in adult males, whereas no age effects were noted between immature females and adult non-pregnant, non-lactating females. Significant sex differences were noted in tT 3 concentrations between immature males and females and in tT 4 concentrations between adult males and females. These resulted in significant differences in the tT 3:tT 4 ratio between males and females within the immature and adult groups. Lactating and non-pregnant adult females had significantly higher tT 3 concentrations than pregnant females, and this difference was primarily driven by a 12% drop in tT 3 concentrations during the last two-thirds of pregnancy. No differences in thyroid hormone concentrations were detected between females diagnosed as pregnant and later found to have or not have a live calf. These results are the first to define thyroid hormone reference intervals and normal physiological variations in a wild population of river dolphins.

High flow nasal cannula: Influence of gas type and flow rate on airway pressure and CO2 clearance in adult nasal airway replicas.

BACKGROUND: High flow nasal cannula therapy is a form of respiratory support which delivers high flow rates of heated, humidified gas to the nares via specialized cannula. Two primary mechanisms of action attributed to the therapy are the provision of positive airway pressure as well as clearance of CO2-rich exhaled gas from the upper airways. METHODS: Physiologically accurate nose-throat airway replicas were connected at the trachea to a lung simulator, where CO2 was supplied to mimic the CO2 content in exhaled gas. Cannula delivered either air, oxygen or heliox (80/20%volume helium/oxygen) to the replicas at flow rates ranging from 0 to 60 l/min. Five replicas and three cannulas were compared. Tracheal pressure and CO2 concentration were continuously measured. The lung simulator provided breaths with tidal volume of 500 ml and frequency of 18 breaths/min. Additional clearance measurements were conducted for tidal volume and breathing frequency of 750 ml and 27 breaths/min, respectively. FINDINGS: Cannula flow rate was the dominant factor governing CO2 concentration. Average CO2 concentration decreased with increasing cannula flow rate, but above 30 L/min this effect was less pronounced. Tracheal positive end-expiratory pressure increased with flow rate and was lower for heliox than for air or oxygen. A predictive correlation was developed and used to predict positive end-expiratory pressure for a given cannula size as a function of supplied flow rate and occlusion of the nares. INTERPRETATION: Compared with administration of air or oxygen, administration of heliox is expected to result in similar CO2 clearance from the upper airway, but markedly lower airway pressure.

Potential use of clinical polygenic risk scores in psychiatry - ethical implications and communicating high polygenic risk.

Psychiatric disorders present distinct clinical challenges which are partly attributable to their multifactorial aetiology and the absence of laboratory tests that can be used to confirm diagnosis or predict risk. Psychiatric disorders are highly heritable, but also polygenic, with genetic risk conferred by interactions between thousands of variants of small effect that can be summarized in a polygenic risk score. We discuss four areas in which the use of polygenic risk scores in psychiatric research and clinical contexts could have ethical implications. First, there is concern that clinical use of polygenic risk scores may exacerbate existing health inequities. Second, research findings regarding polygenic risk could be misinterpreted in stigmatising or discriminatory ways. Third, there are concerns associated with testing minors as well as eugenics concerns elicited by prenatal polygenic risk testing. Fourth, potential challenges that could arise with the feedback and interpretation of high polygenic risk for a psychiatric disorder would require consideration. While there would be extensive overlap with the challenges of feeding back genetic findings in general, the potential clinical use of polygenic risk scoring warrants discussion in its own right, given the recency of this possibility. To this end, we discuss how lay interpretations of risk and genetic information could intersect. Consideration of these factors would be necessary for ensuring effective and constructive communication and interpretation of polygenic risk information which, in turn, could have implications for the uptake of any therapeutic recommendations. Recent advances in polygenic risk scoring have major implications for its clinical potential, however, care should be taken to ensure that communication of polygenic risk does not feed into problematic assumptions regarding mental disorders or support reductive interpretations.

Largest GWAS of PTSD (N=20 070) yields genetic overlap with schizophrenia and sex differences in heritability.

The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder group (PGC-PTSD) combined genome-wide case-control molecular genetic data across 11 multiethnic studies to quantify PTSD heritability, to examine potential shared genetic risk with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder and to identify risk loci for PTSD. Examining 20 730 individuals, we report a molecular genetics-based heritability estimate (h2SNP) for European-American females of 29% that is similar to h2SNP for schizophrenia and is substantially higher than h2SNP in European-American males (estimate not distinguishable from zero). We found strong evidence of overlapping genetic risk between PTSD and schizophrenia along with more modest evidence of overlap with bipolar and major depressive disorder. No single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) exceeded genome-wide significance in the transethnic (overall) meta-analysis and we do not replicate previously reported associations. Still, SNP-level summary statistics made available here afford the best-available molecular genetic index of PTSD-for both European- and African-American individuals-and can be used in polygenic risk prediction and genetic correlation studies of diverse phenotypes. Publication of summary statistics for ∼10 000 African Americans contributes to the broader goal of increased ancestral diversity in genomic data resources. In sum, the results demonstrate genetic influences on the development of PTSD, identify shared genetic risk between PTSD and other psychiatric disorders and highlight the importance of multiethnic/racial samples. As has been the case with schizophrenia and other complex genetic disorders, larger sample sizes are needed to identify specific risk loci.

A Novel MRI Biomarker of Spinal Cord White Matter Injury: T2*-Weighted White Matter to Gray Matter Signal Intensity Ratio.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: T2*-weighted imaging provides sharp contrast between spinal cord GM and WM, allowing their segmentation and cross-sectional area measurement. Injured WM demonstrates T2*WI hyperintensity but requires normalization for quantitative use. We introduce T2*WI WM/GM signal-intensity ratio and compare it against cross-sectional area, the DTI metric fractional anisotropy, and magnetization transfer ratio in degenerative cervical myelopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy and 40 healthy subjects underwent 3T MR imaging, covering C1-C7. Metrics were automatically extracted at maximally compressed and uncompressed rostral/caudal levels. Normalized metrics were compared with t tests, area under the curve, and logistic regression. Relationships with clinical measures were analyzed by using Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The maximally compressed level cross-sectional area demonstrated superior differences (P = 1 × 10-13), diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve = 0.890), and univariate correlation with the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score (0.66). T2*WI WM/GM showed strong differences (rostral: P = 8 × 10-7; maximally compressed level: P = 1 × 10-11; caudal: P = 1 × 10-4), correlations (modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score; rostral: -0.52; maximally compressed level: -0.59; caudal: -0.36), and diagnostic accuracy (rostral: 0.775; maximally compressed level: 0.860; caudal: 0.721), outperforming fractional anisotropy and magnetization transfer ratio in most comparisons and cross-sectional area at rostral/caudal levels. Rostral T2*WI WM/GM showed the strongest correlations with focal motor (-0.45) and sensory (-0.49) deficits and was the strongest independent predictor of the modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score (P = .01) and diagnosis (P = .02) in multivariate models (R2 = 0.59, P = 8 × 10-13; area under the curve = 0.954, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: T2*WI WM/GM shows promise as a novel biomarker of WM injury. It detects damage in compressed and uncompressed regions and contributes substantially to multivariate models for diagnosis and correlation with impairment. Our multiparametric approach overcomes limitations of individual measures, having the potential to improve diagnostics, monitor progression, and predict outcomes.

Clinically Feasible Microstructural MRI to Quantify Cervical Spinal Cord Tissue Injury Using DTI, MT, and T2*-Weighted Imaging: Assessment of Normative Data and Reliability.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: DTI, magnetization transfer, T2*-weighted imaging, and cross-sectional area can quantify aspects of spinal cord microstructure. However, clinical adoption remains elusive due to complex acquisitions, cumbersome analysis, limited reliability, and wide ranges of normal values. We propose a simple multiparametric protocol with automated analysis and report normative data, analysis of confounding variables, and reliability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty healthy subjects underwent T2WI, DTI, magnetization transfer, and T2*WI at 3T in <35 minutes using standard hardware and pulse sequences. Cross-sectional area, fractional anisotropy, magnetization transfer ratio, and T2*WI WM/GM signal intensity ratio were calculated. Relationships between MR imaging metrics and age, sex, height, weight, cervical cord length, and rostrocaudal level were analyzed. Test-retest coefficient of variation measured reliability in 24 DTI, 17 magnetization transfer, and 16 T2*WI datasets. DTI with and without cardiac triggering was compared in 10 subjects. RESULTS: T2*WI WM/GM showed lower intersubject coefficient of variation (3.5%) compared with magnetization transfer ratio (5.8%), fractional anisotropy (6.0%), and cross-sectional area (12.2%). Linear correction of cross-sectional area with cervical cord length, fractional anisotropy with age, and magnetization transfer ratio with age and height led to decreased coefficients of variation (4.8%, 5.4%, and 10.2%, respectively). Acceptable reliability was achieved for all metrics/levels (test-retest coefficient of variation < 5%), with T2*WI WM/GM comparing favorably with fractional anisotropy and magnetization transfer ratio. DTI with and without cardiac triggering showed no significant differences for fractional anisotropy and test-retest coefficient of variation. CONCLUSIONS: Reliable multiparametric assessment of spinal cord microstructure is possible by using clinically suitable methods. These results establish normalization procedures and pave the way for clinical studies, with the potential for improving diagnostics, objectively monitoring disease progression, and predicting outcomes in spinal pathologies.

Small pipes: preliminary experience with 3-mm or smaller pipeline flow-diverting stents for aneurysm repair prior to regulatory approval.

Flow diversion has become an established treatment option for challenging intracranial aneurysms. The use of small devices of ≤3-mm diameter remains unapproved by major regulatory bodies. A retrospective review of patients treated with Pipeline Embolization Devices of ≤3-mm diameter at 3 Canadian institutions was conducted. Clinical and radiologic follow-up data were collected and reported. Twelve cases were treated with ≥1 Pipeline Embolization Device of ≤3-mm diameter, including 2 with adjunctive coiling, with a median follow-up of 18 months (range, 4-42 months). One patient experienced a posttreatment minor complication (8%) due to an embolic infarct. No posttreatment hemorrhage or delayed complications such as in-stent stenosis/thrombosis were observed. Radiologic occlusion was seen in 9/12 cases (75%) and near-occlusion in 2/12 cases (17%). Intracranial aneurysm treatment with small-diameter flow-diverting stents provided safe and effective aneurysm closure in this small selected sample. These devices should be further studied and considered for regulatory approval.

Síndrome de Cockett o de May-Thurner o síndrome de compresión de la vena ilíaca / Cockett's syndrome, May-Thurner syndrome, or iliac vein compression syndrome

El síndrome de compresión de la vena ilíaca, de May-Thurner o de Cockett es una entidad clínica rara, en la cual la vena ilíaca común izquierda se encuentra comprimida a su paso entre la arteria ilíaca común derecha y la columna. Como consecuencia de la compresión mantenida y del traumatismo causado por la fuerza pulsátil de la arteria sobre la vena, se produce una lesión de la íntima que provoca la formación de membranas o bandas en la luz vascular que dificultan u obstruyen el flujo venoso, lo que favorecería la formación de un trombo. La estrategia terapéutica actual de elección es el tratamiento endovascular con parche venoso y la colocación de endoprótesis, con el objetivo de mejorar el calibre de la luz y permitir un drenaje venoso normal. Presentamos 2 casos clínicos de Síndrome de May-Thurner y revisamos los hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos en la TC computarizada (AU)

Iliac vein compression syndrome (also known as May-Thurner syndrome or Cockett's syndrome) is a rare clinical entity in which the left common iliac vein is compressed when it passes between the right common iliac artery and the spine. The sustained compression and trauma caused by the pulsatile force of the artery on the vein damage the intima and lead to the formation of membranes or bands in the vascular lumen that hinder or obstruct the flow of blood in the vein, favoring thrombus formation. The current treatment strategy of choice is endovascular vein patch angioplasty and stenting with the aim of improving the caliber of the lumen and enabling normal venous drainage. We present two cases of May-Thurner syndrome and review the clinical and CT findings (AU)

[Cockett's syndrome, May-Thurner syndrome, or iliac vein compression syndrome]. / Síndrome de Cockett o de May-Thurner o síndrome de compresión de la vena ilíaca.

Iliac vein compression syndrome (also known as May-Thurner syndrome or Cockett's syndrome) is a rare clinical entity in which the left common iliac vein is compressed when it passes between the right common iliac artery and the spine. The sustained compression and trauma caused by the pulsatile force of the artery on the vein damage the intima and lead to the formation of membranes or bands in the vascular lumen that hinder or obstruct the flow of blood in the vein, favoring thrombus formation. The current treatment strategy of choice is endovascular vein patch angioplasty and stenting with the aim of improving the caliber of the lumen and enabling normal venous drainage. We present two cases of May-Thurner syndrome and review the clinical and CT findings.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in free-living Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) from central Amazon, Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii is an important pathogen in aquatic mammals and its presence in these animals may indicate the water contamination of aquatic environment by oocysts. Serum samples from 95 free-living Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) from the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (RDSM), Tefé, Amazonas, Central Amazon, Brazil were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies (MAT ≥ 25) to T. gondii were found in 82 (86.3%) dolphins with titers of 1:25 in 24, 1:50 in 56, and 1:500 in 2. Results suggest a high level contamination of the aquatic environment of the home range of these animals.

Noble gas (argon and xenon)-saturated cold storage solutions reduce ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model of renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Following kidney transplantation, ischemia-reperfusion injury contributes to adverse outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a cold-storage solution saturated with noble gas (xenon or argon) could limit ischemia-reperfusion injury following cold ischemia. METHODS: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups. Kidneys were harvested and then stored for 6 h before transplantation in cold-storage solution (Celsior®) saturated with either air, nitrogen, xenon or argon. A syngenic orthotopic transplantation was performed. Renal function was determined on days 7 and 14 after transplantation. Transplanted kidneys were removed on day 14 for histological and immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS: Creatinine clearance was significantly higher and urinary albumin significantly lower in the argon and xenon groups than in the other groups at days 7 and 14. These effects were considerably more pronounced for argon than for xenon. In addition, kidneys stored with argon, and to a lesser extent those stored with xenon, displayed preserved renal architecture as well as higher CD-10 and little active caspase-3 expression compared to other groups. CONCLUSION: Argon- or xenon-satured cold-storage solution preserved renal architecture and function following transplantation by reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Investigating the influences of season and coastal proximity on the elemental composition of harvested rainwater.

Chemical qualities of harvested rainwater were assessed at two residential study sites on the east coast of Australia in relation to coastal proximity and surrounding land uses over the course of a winter and summer month. Daily rainwater samples were collected from the base outlet and surface levels of stored water for chemical analyses. High resolution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to analyse 26 elements in all samples. The summer sampling regime for the industrial coastal Site 1 was dominated by wind gusts originating from the east with a total average elemental load of 25,900+/-17,000 microg/L compared to the significantly lower 10,600+/-3,370 microg/L measured during the winter month, where 84% of wind gust events originated from the west. Data for the inland Site 2, with no proximity to industry, revealed no significant changes in total average loads between the winter (4,870+/-578 microg/L) and summer (4,760+/-2,280 microg/L) months. The most abundant elements found at both sites included Na, K, Mg, and Zn. The rainwater storages at Site 2 fed from a relatively new concrete tiled roof catchment had significantly lower pH and conductivity measurements compared with those at Site 1 with an old galvanised iron roof catchment. It was concluded that seasonal differences in harvested water quality were likely influenced by prevailing wind direction and external influences such as surrounding land uses and proximity to the coast.

Gestación en paciente con leucemia linfoide crónica B / No disponible

La coincidencia de embarazo junto con neoplasiamaligna de células linfoides es muy infrecuente, y todavía más encontrar una leucemia linfoide crónica Ben adulta joven embarazada. El control de estas pacientes debe ser muy cuidadoso por parte del obstetra y el hematólogo, informando con claridad y con un completo soporte bibliográfico basado en la evidencia científica acerca del conocimiento actual del tema, e intentando responder a todas las dudas que nos planteen. Se presenta el caso de una gestante de 31 años de edad que es diagnosticada de leucemia linfoide crónica B tras el primer control hematológico de rutina (AU)

The concurrence of pregnancy with malignant lymphoid neoplasia is highly infrequent, and a finding of B-cell chronic lymphoid leukemia in a young pregnant adult is exceptional. Careful management of these patients by the obstetrician and hematologist is required, with clear communication and complete literature support on the current knowledge of the topic, aiming to answer all the doubts posed. We present the case of a 31-year-old pregnant woman who was diagnosed with B-cell chronic lymphoid lymphoma in the first routine hematological visit (AU)

Object carrying as socio-sexual display in an aquatic mammal.

Amazon river dolphins or botos (Inia geoffrensis Blainville) were observed carrying objects in 221 social groups over a 3-year study period. Sticks, branches and clumps of grass were taken from the water surface and often repeatedly thrashed or thrown. Lumps of hard clay were collected from the river bed and held in the mouth while the carrier rose slowly above the surface and submerged again. Carriers were predominantly adult males and less often subadult males. Adult females and young dolphins rarely carried objects. Groups of dolphins in which object carrying occurred were differentially large and comprised a greater proportion of adult males and adult females. Aggression, mostly between adult males, was significantly associated with object carrying. The behaviour occurred year-round, with peaks in March and July. A plausible explanation of the results is that object carrying by adult males is aimed at females and is stimulated by the number of females in the group, while aggression is targeted at adult males and is stimulated by object carrying in the group. We infer that object carrying in this sexually dimorphic species is socio-sexual display. It is either of ancient origin or has evolved independently in several geographically isolated populations.

Modeling of aerosol deposition with interface devices.

Various approaches can be used to mathematically model the performance of different masks, mouthpieces, and aerosol delivery devices. The sophistication of such models can vary widely, from the use of simple algebraic empirical correlations to advanced computational fluid dynamics simulations. Bench-top testing is also often used to model aspects of devices, since it is difficult to capture certain aspects of device behavior with mathematical models. These various approaches to modeling differ in their limitations. Empirical correlations exist for predicting the effects of varying mouthpiece diameter and mouth-throat dimensions on extrathoracic losses, but are restricted to stable, nonballistic aerosols in certain flow rate ranges. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations that solve the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations typically require near-wall turbulence corrections in order to adequately model mouth-throat deposition, while Large Eddy Simulation (LES) removes this deficiency. Bench-top models that use replicas of the extrathoracic airways vary in their accuracy and generality in replicating the filtering properties of these airways. Choosing and using these various modeling approaches for evaluating patient-device interfaces requires knowledge of their merits and pitfalls, a brief discussion of which is given here.

Spatial and temporal operation of the Scotia Sea ecosystem: a review of large-scale links in a krill centred food web.

The Scotia Sea ecosystem is a major component of the circumpolar Southern Ocean system, where productivity and predator demand for prey are high. The eastward-flowing Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and waters from the Weddell-Scotia Confluence dominate the physics of the Scotia Sea, leading to a strong advective flow, intense eddy activity and mixing. There is also strong seasonality, manifest by the changing irradiance and sea ice cover, which leads to shorter summers in the south. Summer phytoplankton blooms, which at times can cover an area of more than 0.5 million km2, probably result from the mixing of micronutrients into surface waters through the flow of the ACC over the Scotia Arc. This production is consumed by a range of species including Antarctic krill, which are the major prey item of large seabird and marine mammal populations. The flow of the ACC is steered north by the Scotia Arc, pushing polar water to lower latitudes, carrying with it krill during spring and summer, which subsidize food webs around South Georgia and the northern Scotia Arc. There is also marked interannual variability in winter sea ice distribution and sea surface temperatures that is linked to southern hemisphere-scale climate processes such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. This variation affects regional primary and secondary production and influences biogeochemical cycles. It also affects krill population dynamics and dispersal, which in turn impacts higher trophic level predator foraging, breeding performance and population dynamics. The ecosystem has also been highly perturbed as a result of harvesting over the last two centuries and significant ecological changes have also occurred in response to rapid regional warming during the second half of the twentieth century. This combination of historical perturbation and rapid regional change highlights that the Scotia Sea ecosystem is likely to show significant change over the next two to three decades, which may result in major ecological shifts.

Detection of Anaplasma platys and Babesia canis vogeli and their impact on platelet numbers in free-roaming dogs associated with remote Aboriginal communities in Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To detect Anaplasma platys and Babesia canis vogeli infection, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays, in free-roaming dogs associated with eight Aboriginal communities in remote areas of Australia and to determine the impact of infection through the assessment of platelet numbers. PROCEDURES: Blood samples from 215 dogs were screened by PCR for A platys and B canis vogeli using established genus-specific DNA primers for the 16S and 18S rRNA genes respectively. Both A platys DNA and B canis vogeli DNA were confirmed from the screening PCR either by sequencing or by the use of species-specific primers. Peripheral blood films from 92 of the 215 dogs were used to estimate platelet numbers through an indirect method. RESULTS: Of 215 dogs, 69 (32%) were positive for A platys, 22 (10%) for B canis vogeli and 24 (11%) for both. The two organisms were detected singularly and as coinfection in all communities. For the 92 dogs in which peripheral blood films were examined, the mean estimated platelet counts for the non-infected dogs was 318 x 10(9)/L, those infected with A platys alone was 256 x 10(9)/L, those with B canis vogeli alone was 276 x 10(9)/L and those infected with both parasites was 169 x 10(9)/L. In young dogs, infection produced significantly decreased mean platelet counts when compared to uninfected dogs. Thrombocytopenia (< 200 x 10(9)/L) was detected in 18 (51%) dogs infected with A platys alone, 3 (33%) dogs infected with B canis vogeli alone, 13 (72%) dogs coinfected, and 8 (27%) uninfected dogs. CONCLUSIONS: A platys and B canis vogeli infection, either singularly or together, was widespread in free roaming dogs associated with remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and north-western New South Wales. Moreover, both A platys and B canis vogeli infections were associated with a reduction in mean platelet numbers in dog populations, particularly in young dogs. The fact that 51% of dogs infected with A platys alone and 72% dogs coinfected were thrombocytopenic compared to 27% of uninfected dogs suggests that the organism alone or in combination with B canis vogeli has the potential to cause thrombocytopenia and perhaps contribute to a clinical bleeding disorder in infected dogs.

[Anisakiasis gastrointestinal manifestations: description of 42 cases]. / Manifestaciones digestivas de la anisakiasis: descripción de 42 casos.

BASIS: Anisakiasis is an emerging parasitosis in our environment, although still scarcely known, mainly its gastrointestinal manifestations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this paper 42 cases of anisakiasis with gastrointestinal symptoms (with or without cutaneous allergic manifestations) are described; all cases were studied in our hospital between 1995 and May 2004. RESULTS: Thirty seven cases showed a gastric or gastroallergic form (6 confirmed with gastroscopy) and 5 suffered intestinal symptoms. In those in which endoscopy was not carried out, the diagnosis was done after clinical and biological findings. All patients were sensitized in the presence of Anisakis simplex. The 69% (29 cases) described raw anchovies ingestion or anchovies seasoned in vinegar ingestion some hours before the beginning of the clinical picture. The 59% showed allergic symptoms (gastroallergic anisakiasis); no patient with intestinal affectation showed allergic symptoms. Nausea (67%), vomiting (51%), and epigastralgia (50%) were the dominant symptoms in the group with gastric or gastroallergic anisakiasis without endoscopic confirmation; on the other hand, pain in right ileac fossa was the dominant symptom in the intestinal form. Fever was seen in two of the later patients (40%), but in no patient with gastric or gastroallergic anisakiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal symptomatology after ingestion of fish suspiciously prepared should suggest anisakiasis, regardless if clinical picture includes allergic manifestations. In our study, pain in right ileac fossa, fever, and absence of allergic manifestations were typical of intestinal form.