Thrombotic Event Prevention in Patients Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Arthrodesis: our experiencie. A retrospective case series study. / Prevención de eventos trombóticos en pacientes sometidos a cirugía de artrodesis lumbar por vía posterior: experiencia en nuestro centro. Estudio retrospectivo de casos.

INTRODUCTION: There is no generalized consensus regarding perioperative prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE), either on using or timing it in patients undergoing spine surgery. VTE is a current concern because, even though being an uncommon event, it can cause serious complications. The aim of the present study is to propose guidelines for the prevention of thrombotic events in posterior spinal surgery, either as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary thromboembolism. If the number of patients getting prophylaxis drugs is reduced a subsequent reduction of the incidence of epidural hematoma can be expected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A number of 235 patients who had undergone posterior spinal arthrodesis in the previous five years were studied. Mechanical thromboprophylaxis measures consisting of compression stockings were applied in all of them. Anticoagulant drugs were also applied whenever risk factors for thrombosis were observed. Early weight-bearing was resumed immediately after surgery. Demographic, clinical, and surgical variables were collected, as well as complications appearing during the follow-up period, that was scheduled at one, two, four, six and twelve months after the surgery. Thrombotic events, if present, were diagnosed by clinical and imaging tests such as ultrasound and CT angiography. RESULTS: From the total 235 patients of this series, one hundred and fifty-three cases met the study inclusion criteria. A total of four thrombotic events appeared, one in the form of deep vein thrombosis and other three in the form of pulmonary thromboembolism. These last patients suffering an embolism died because of it. None of the variables studied had statistical significance for the occurrence of a thrombotic event. All four patients who suffered thrombotic events were receiving anticoagulant drugs, in addition to mechanical compression stockings, because of the presence of risk factors for thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: By applying the fore mentioned protocol, adequate prevention of thromboembolic events was achieved in this study population of patients undergoing posterior spinal surgery.

Disentangling functional trait variation and covariation in epiphytic lichens along a continent-wide latitudinal gradient.

Characterizing functional trait variation and covariation, and its drivers, is critical to understand the response of species to changing environmental conditions. Evolutionary and environmental factors determine how traits vary among and within species at multiple scales. However, disentangling their relative contribution is challenging and a comprehensive trait-environment framework addressing such questions is missing in lichens. We investigated the variation in nine traits related to photosynthetic performance, water use and nutrient acquisition applying phylogenetic comparative analyses in lichen epiphytic communities on beech across Europe. These poikilohydric organisms offer a valuable model owing to their inherent limitations to buffer contrasting environmental conditions. Photobiont type and growth form captured differences in certain physiological traits whose variation was largely determined by evolutionary processes (i.e. phylogenetic history), although the intraspecific component was non-negligible. Seasonal temperature fluctuations also had an impact on trait variation, while nitrogen content depended on photobiont type rather than nitrogen deposition. The inconsistency of trait covariation among and within species prevented establishing major resource use strategies in lichens. However, we did identify a general pattern related to the water-use strategy. Thus, to robustly unveil lichen responses under different climatic scenarios, it is necessary to incorporate both among and within-species trait variation and covariation.

Tendencias en el tratamiento de los aneurismas cerebrales: análisis de una serie hospitalaria / Trends in the treatment of cerebral aneurysms: Analysis of a hospital series

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[Hubris syndrome in neurosurgery]. / Sindrome de «hubris¼ en neurocirugia.

TITLE: Sindrome de «hubris¼ en neurocirugia.

Changes in tree resistance, recovery and resilience across three successive extreme droughts in the northeast Iberian Peninsula.

Understanding which variables affect forest resilience to extreme drought is key to predict future dynamics under ongoing climate change. In this study, we analyzed how tree resistance, recovery and resilience to drought have changed along three consecutive droughts and how they were affected by species, tree size, plot basal area (as a proxy for competition) and climate. We focused on the three most abundant pine species in the northeast Iberian Peninsula: Pinus halepensis, P. nigra and P. sylvestris during the three most extreme droughts recorded in the period 1951-2010 (occurred in 1986, 1994, and 2005-2006). We cored trees from permanent sample plots and used dendrochronological techniques to estimate resistance (ability to maintain growth level during drought), recovery (growth increase after drought) and resilience (capacity to recover pre-drought growth levels) in terms of tree stem basal area increment. Mixed-effects models were used to determine which tree- and plot-level variables were the main determinants of resistance, recovery and resilience, and to test for differences among the studied droughts. Larger trees were significantly less resistant and resilient. Plot basal area effects were only observed for resilience, with a negative impact only during the last drought. Resistance, recovery and resilience differed across the studied drought events, so that the studied populations became less resistant, less resilient and recovered worse during the last two droughts. This pattern suggests an increased vulnerability to drought after successive drought episodes.

Variation in xylem vulnerability to embolism in European beech from geographically marginal populations.

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of droughts and heatwaves in Europe, leading to effects on forest growth and major forest dieback events due to hydraulic failure caused by xylem embolism. Inter-specific variability in embolism resistance has been studied in detail, but little is known about intra-specific variability, particularly in marginal populations. We evaluated 15 European beech populations, mostly from geographically marginal sites of the species distribution range, focusing particularly on populations from the dry southern margin. We found small, but significant differences in resistance to embolism between populations, with xylem pressures causing 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity ranging from -2.84 to -3.55 MPa. Significant phenotypic clines of increasing embolism resistance with increasing temperature and aridity were observed: the southernmost beech populations growing in a warmer drier climate and with lower habitat suitability have higher resistance to embolism than those from Northern Europe growing more favourable conditions. Previous studies have shown that there is little or no difference in embolism resistance between core populations, but our findings show that marginal populations have developed ways of protecting their xylem based on either evolution or plasticity.

[Intracerebral pial arteriovenous fistula with giant venous varix]. / Fistula arteriovenosa intracraneal pial con variz gigante.

TITLE: Fistula arteriovenosa intracraneal pial con variz gigante.

[Causes of hospital mortality due to brain haemorrhage in patients with arteriovenous malformation]. / Causas de la mortalidad hospitalaria por hemorragia cerebral en pacientes con malformacion arteriovenosa.

AIM: To determine the causes of mortality in cases of brain haemorrhage among patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) treated in a tertiary hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients with AVM who died over the period 1990-2014 were selected from a prospective register of vascular malformations. Demographic aspects, localisation of the AVM, associated aneurysms and previous treatments were reviewed. Three main causes of death were established: initial bleeding/rebleeding, those related with the treatment of the AVM and other causes not related with AVM. RESULTS: A total of 400 patients were treated for AVM, 216 (54%) with a ruptured AVM, of whom 26 (12.1%) died as a result of a brain haemorrhage. The mean age of the group of patients who died was 48.8 years (range: 8-78 years). Twenty (76.9%) were admitted in coma (Glasgow Coma Scale < 9). In five cases (19.2%), bleeding was due to an associated aneurysm. A very high percentage (38.5%) had the AVM in the posterior fossa. Three patients had previously received non-curative treatments for the AVM in other medical centres. Of the total number, six (23.1%) received endovascular/surgical treatment in our hospital, and we have assumed that, due to the indication or owing to the time in which it was carried out, the cause of death was treatment-related, although two young patients underwent surgery with bilateral mydriasis. One patient died due to an associated glioblastoma, and the others, 19 (76%), due to rebleeding or to the initial brain damage. CONCLUSION: Knowing the causes of mortality can help improve the clinical outcome, above all in cases in which an early treatment could be indicated.

TITLE: Causas de la mortalidad hospitalaria por hemorragia cerebral en pacientes con malformacion arteriovenosa.Objetivo. Conocer las causas de la mortalidad en la hemorragia cerebral de los pacientes con malformaciones arteriovenosas (MAV) tratadas en un hospital terciario. Pacientes y metodos. De un registro prospectivo de malformaciones vasculares se han seleccionado los pacientes que fallecieron con MAV en el periodo 1990-2014. Se han revisado aspectos demograficos, localizacion de la MAV, aneurismas asociados y tratamientos previos. Se han establecido tres causas principales de muerte: sangrado inicial/resangrado, relacionadas con el tratamiento de la MAV y otras causas no relacionadas con la MAV. Resultados. Se trato a 400 pacientes de MAV, 216 (54%) con MAV rotas, de los que fallecieron 26 (12,1%) por hemorragia cerebral. La media de edad del grupo de pacientes fallecidos fue de 48,8 años (rango: 8-78 años). Veinte (76,9%) ingresaron en coma (escala de coma de Glasgow < 9). En cinco casos (19,2%), el sangrado se debio a un aneurisma asociado. Un porcentaje muy elevado (38,5%) tenia la MAV en la fosa posterior. Tres pacientes habian recibido previamente en otros centros tratamientos no curativos de la MAV. Del total, seis (23,1%) recibieron tratamiento endovascular/quirurgico en nuestro hospital, y hemos asumido que, por la indicacion o por el momento en que se realizo, la causa de la muerte se relacionaba con el tratamiento, aunque dos pacientes jovenes se operaron con midriasis bilateral. Un paciente fallecio por un glioblastoma asociado, y el resto, 19 (76%), por el resangrado o el daño cerebral inicial. Conclusion. El conocimiento de las causas de mortalidad puede contribuir a mejorar el resultado clinico, sobre todo en los casos en que podria estar indicado un tratamiento precoz.

What is the frequency of anatomical variations and pathological findings in maxillary sinuses among patients subjected to maxillofacial cone beam computed tomography? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: When considering dental implant rehabilitation in atrophic posterior sectors, the maxillary sinuses must be evaluated in detail. Knowledge of the anatomical variations and of the potential lesions found in these structures conditions the outcome of sinus lift procedures and therefore of the dental implants. A systematic review is made to determine the frequency of anatomical variations and pathological findings in maxillary sinuses among patients subjected to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A PubMed (MEDLINE) literature search was made of articles published up until 20 December 2015. The systematic review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). The quality of the studies included in the review was assessed using the Methodological Index for Nonrandomized Studies (MINORS). RESULTS: The combinations of search terms resulted in a list of 3482 titles. Twenty-three studies finally met the inclusion criteria and were entered in the systematic review, comprising a total of 11,971 patients. The most common anatomical variations were pneumatization and sinus septa. The prevalence of maxillary sinus disease ranged from 7.5% to 66%. The most common pathological findings of the maxillary sinus were mucosal thickening, sinusitis and sinus opacification. CONCLUSIONS: Although the main indication of CBCT of the maxillary sinus in dentistry is sinus floor elevation/treatment planning and evaluation prior to dental implant placement, this imaging modality is increasingly also used for endodontic and periodontal purposes. There is no consensus regarding the cutoff point beyond which mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinus should be regarded as pathological, and the definition of maxillary sinusitis moreover varies greatly in the scientific literature. In this regard, international consensus is required in relation to these concepts, with a clear distinction between healthy and diseased maxillary sinuses.

Isohydric species are not necessarily more carbon limited than anisohydric species during drought.

Isohydry (i.e., strong regulation of leaf water potential, Ψl) is commonly associated with strict stomatal regulation of transpiration under drought, which in turn is believed to minimize hydraulic risk at the expense of reduced carbon assimilation. Hence, the iso/anisohydric classification has been widely used to assess drought resistance and mortality mechanisms across species, with isohydric species being hypothetically more prone to carbon starvation and anisohydric species more vulnerable to hydraulic failure. These hypotheses and their underlying assumptions, however, have rarely been tested under controlled, experimental conditions. Our objective is to assess the physiological mechanisms underlying drought resistance differences between two co-occurring Mediterranean forest species with contrasting drought responses: Phillyrea latifolia L. (anisohydric and more resistant to drought) and Quercus ilex L. (isohydric and less drought resistant). A total of 100 large saplings (50 per species) were subjected to repeated drought treatments for a period of 3 years, after which Q. ilex showed 18% mortality whereas no mortality was detected in P. latifolia. Relatively isohydric behavior was confirmed for Q. ilex, but higher vulnerability to cavitation in this species implied that estimated embolism levels were similar across species (12-52% in Q. ilex vs ~30% in P. latifolia). We also found similar seasonal patterns of stomatal conductance and assimilation between species. If anything, the anisohydric P. latifolia tended to show lower assimilation rates than Q. ilex under extreme drought. Similar growth rates and carbon reserves dynamics in both species also suggests that P. latifolia was as carbon-constrained as Q. ilex. Increasing carbon reserves under extreme drought stress in both species, concurrent with Q. ilex mortality, suggests that mortality in our study was not triggered by carbon starvation. Our results warn against making direct connections between Ψl regulation, stomatal behavior and the mechanisms of drought-induced mortality in plants.

Guía de actuación clínica en la hemorragia subaracnoidea. Sistemática diagnóstica y tratamiento / Clinical practice guidelines for subarachnoid haemorrhage. Diagnosis and treatment

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[Urgent stroke care in hospitals with a stroke unit. Quick Project]. / Atencion urgente al ictus en hospitales con unidad de ictus. Proyecto Quick.

Atencion urgente al ictus en hospitales con unidad de ictus. Proyecto Quick.

The role of defoliation and root rot pathogen infection in driving the mode of drought-related physiological decline in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.).

Drought-related tree die-off episodes have been observed in all vegetated continents. Despite much research effort, however, the multiple interactions between carbon starvation, hydraulic failure and biotic agents in driving tree mortality under field conditions are still not well understood. We analysed the seasonal variability of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) in four organs (leaves, branches, trunk and roots), the vulnerability to embolism in roots and branches, native embolism (percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity (PLC)) in branches and the presence of root rot pathogens in defoliated and non-defoliated individuals in a declining Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) population in the NE Iberian Peninsula in 2012, which included a particularly dry and warm summer. No differences were observed between defoliated and non-defoliated pines in hydraulic parameters, except for a higher vulnerability to embolism at pressures below -2 MPa in roots of defoliated pines. No differences were found between defoliation classes in branch PLC. Total NSC (TNSC, soluble sugars plus starch) values decreased during drought, particularly in leaves. Defoliation reduced TNSC levels across tree organs, especially just before (June) and during (August) drought. Root rot infection by the fungal pathogen Onnia P. Karst spp. was detected but it did not appear to be associated to tree defoliation. However, Onnia infection was associated with reduced leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity and sapwood depth, and thus contributed to hydraulic impairment, especially in defoliated pines. Infection was also associated with virtually depleted root starch reserves during and after drought in defoliated pines. Moreover, defoliated and infected trees tended to show lower basal area increment. Overall, our results show the intertwined nature of physiological mechanisms leading to drought-induced mortality and the inherent difficulty of isolating their contribution under field conditions.

[Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: group of study of cerebrovascular pathology of the Spanish society of neurosurgery management guideline]. / Hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática: guía de tratamiento del grupo de patología vascular de la sociedad Española de neurocirugía.

An actualized revision of the most important aspects of aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage is presented from the guidelines previously published by the group of study of cerebrovascular pathology of the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery. The proposed recommendations should be considered as a general guide for the management of this pathological condition. However, they can be modified, even in a significant manner according to the circumstances relating each clinical case and the variations in the therapeutic and diagnostic procedures available in the center attending each patient.

Hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismática: guía de tratamiento del Grupo de Patología Vascularde la Sociedad Española de Neurocirugía / Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: group of study of Cerebrovascular Pathology of the Spanish Society of Neurosurgery management guideline

Se realiza una actualización sobre los aspectos másimportantes de la hemorragia subaracnoidea aneurismáticarespecto a las guías previamente publicadaspor el grupo de trabajo de la SENEC. Las recomendacionespropuestas deben considerarse como una guíageneral de manejo de esta patología. Sin embargo,pueden ser modificadas, incluso de manera significativapor las circunstancias propias de cada casoclínico, o las variaciones en los recursos diagnósticosy terapéuticos del centro hospitalario que reciba alpaciente (AU)

An actualized revision of the most important aspectsof aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage is presentedfrom the guidelines previously published by the groupof study of cerebrovascular pathology of the SpanishSociety of Neurosurgery. The proposed recommendationsshould be considered as a general guide for themanagement of this pathological condition. However,they can be modified, even in a significant manneraccording to the circumstances relating each clinicalcase and the variations in the therapeutic and diagnosticprocedures available in the center attending eachpatient (AU)

Evaluación de la maloclusión, alteraciones funcionales y hábitos orales en una población escolar: Tarragona y Barcelona / Evaluation of malocclusion, functional and oral habits alteration in a school student population: Tarragona and Barcelona

Fundamento: La etiología de la maloclusión puede ser multifactorial y difícil de clasificar durante el desarrollo del individuo. Los objetivos del estudio son conocer las características de la maloclusión y su posible relación con las alteraciones funcionales y los hábitos orales. Métodos: Se estudió a 1.270 individuos representativos de la población escolar de Cataluña; 596 niños y 674 niñas de entre 6 y 14 años. Se obtuvo información mediante registros clínicos y cuestionarios. Se trata de un estudio observacional descriptivo mixto transversal, llevado a cabo entre 2006 y 2007 a través de un muestreo no probabilística de conveniencia. Se ha realizado el calibrado de los examinadores. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 1051 escolares con una edad media de 9,32 años. El 72,8% presenta según Angle Clase I, 19,0% y 5,2% Clase II/1 y II/2 respectivamente y 2,9% Clase III. El hábito onicofagia fue el más frecuente con un 46,4%. El mayor nivel de limitación funcional fue la hipertrofia amigdalar con un 21,2%.Existe relación estadísticamente significativa entre maloclusión sagital y tipo de respiración y movilidad lingual y entre maloclusión horizontal y tiempo de succión digital y movilidad lingual (p<0,05). Conclusiones: El diagnóstico de alteraciones funcionales y de hábitos orales puede advertir de la presencia de maloclusión (AU)

Background: Etiology of malocclusion may be multifactor and difficult to classify during the development of the individual. The aim of this study is to identify the malocclusion characteristics in a school student population and find the possible relation with functional and oral habit alteration. Material and method: 1270 individuals representative of the school population of Catalonia were studied: 596boys and 674 girls between 6 and 14 years. Information was obtained through medical records and questionnaires. A mixed observational-descriptive transversal study has been done in the period between 2006 and 2007 that was selected by a non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Interexamination calibration was performed. Results: 1051 school children were included in the study with a mean age of 9.32 years. 72.8% presented as Angle Class I, 19.0% and 5.2% Class II / 1 and II / 2, respectively and 2.9% Class III. Nail biting habit was the most frequent habit with 46.4%. The highest level of functional limitation was tonsils hypertrophy with 21.2%.There is a statically significant relationship between sagittal malocclusion and respiration type and tongue mobility, and between horizontal malocclusion and digital suction and tongue mobility (p<0.05). Conclusions: The diagnosis of functional disorders and oral habits can be a warning of the presence of malocclusion (AU)

Diagnosis of CADASIL disease in normotensive and non-diabetics with lacunar infarct.

BACKGROUND: CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy) is characterized by recurrent cerebral ischemic episodes of the lacunar subtype usually without traditional vascular risk factors. We investigated the frequency of CADASIL among selected patients with cerebral ischemia of the lacunar subtype. METHODS: we studied patients under 65 years old who presented cerebral ischemia of the lacunar subtype without hypertension, diabetes mellitus or other causes that explained the cerebral ischemia. On the skin biopsies, we performed immunostaining analysis on 5µm frozen sections with monoclonal antibody anti-Notch 3 (1E4). We also performed a genetic analysis of the Notch 3 gene (exons 3,4,5,6,11 and 19). RESULTS: of 1.519 patients analyzed, only 57 (3.7%) fulfilled the selection criteria, and 30 of them accepted to participated in the study. We studied 30 patients, mean age was 53 years (range 34 to 65), 50% were men and all patients suffered a lacunar stroke. Immunostaining analysis was positive in two patients (6.6%) and the genetic analysis confirmed a mutation characteristic of CADASIL in exon 4 nt 622C/T (Arg 182 Cys) and 694 T/C (Cys206Arg) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CADASIL disease was present in 6.6% of patients younger than 65 years with a lacunar stroke and without hypertension or diabetes mellitus. Screening for CADASIL should be considered in these patients.