Functional phenotypic plasticity mediated by water stress and [CO2] explains differences in drought tolerance of two phylogenetically close conifers.

Forests are threatened globally by increased recurrence and intensity of hot droughts. Functionally close coexisting species may exhibit differences in drought vulnerability large enough to cause niche differentiation and affect forest dynamics. The effect of rising atmospheric [CO2], which could partly alleviate the negative effects of drought, may also differ between species. We analysed functional plasticity in seedlings of two taxonomically close pine species (Pinus pinaster Ait., Pinus pinea L.) under different [CO2] and water stress levels. The multidimensional functional trait variability was more influenced by water stress (preferentially xylem traits) and [CO2] (mostly leaf traits) than by differences between species. However, we observed differences between species in the strategies followed to coordinate their hydraulic and structural traits under stress. Leaf 13C discrimination decreased with water stress and increased under elevated [CO2]. Under water stress both species increased their sapwood area to leaf area ratios, tracheid density and xylem cavitation, whereas they reduced tracheid lumen area and xylem conductivity. Pinus pinea was more anisohydric than P. pinaster. Pinus pinaster produced larger conduits under well-watered conditions than P. pinea. Pinus pinea was more tolerant to water stress and more resistant to xylem cavitation under low water potentials. The higher xylem plasticity in P. pinea, particularly in tracheid lumen area, expressed a higher capacity of acclimation to water stress than P. pinaster. In contrast, P. pinaster coped with water stress comparatively more by increasing plasticity of leaf hydraulic traits. Despite the small differences observed in the functional response to water stress and drought tolerance between species, these interspecific differences agreed with ongoing substitution of P. pinaster by P. pinea in forests where both species co-occur. Increased [CO2] had little effect on the species-specific relative performance. Thus, a competitive advantage under moderate water stress of P. pinea compared with P. pinaster is expected to continue in the future.

Estado actual y utilidad de la autopsia clínica en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos / Current situation and usefulness of autopsy in a paediatric intensive care unit

Introducción: La autopsia clínica (AC) es una herramienta de confrontación diagnóstica que se encuentra en descenso en las últimas décadas. Nuestro objetivo es describir la tasa de autopsias, la correlación de los diagnósticos clínicos y hallazgos postmortem para valorar su utilidad global en nuestro medio. Pacientes y método: Revisión de las AC en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos de un hospital terciario en un periodo de 6 años (2004-2009). Resultados: De los 154 fallecidos, se realizaron 23 AC (tasa 14,9%). Hemos asistido a un descenso en el número de autopsias practicadas, del 26 al 11%, desde el 2004 hasta el 2009. El examen postmortem mostró concordancia completa (clase V) en 7/23 casos (30,4%). En 4 casos se realizó un diagnóstico que pudo eventualmente haber afectado al pronóstico a medio-largo plazo (clase IV). En 5 casos se identificaron patologías que pudieron haberse relacionado con la enfermedad principal y pudieron contribuir a la causa de muerte (clase III). Hubo 4 casos de discrepancia de clase II. En 3 pacientes (13%) el diagnóstico postmortem, de haber sido detectado en vida, pudiera haber aumentado la supervivencia (clase IA). En 3 casos (13%) la AC permitió el consejo genético. Conclusiones: La tasa de AC en nuestro medio es baja en comparación con otros países desarrollados. El hecho de que en el 69,6% de los casos la AC arrojara nueva información acerca de la enfermedad que condujo, contribuyera o se relacionara con la muerte indica que las razones que justifican la realización de la autopsia continúan estando vigentes(AU)

Backgrounds: The autopsy is a diagnostic tool in decline over the last few decades. Our purpose is to describe the autopsy rates, the relationship between clinical and post-mortem diagnosis to evaluate the current overall usefulness of the autopsy. Patients and methods: Retrospective review of all cases in which clinical autopsy was performed between January 2004 and December 2009 in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care hospital. Results: Of 154 deaths in the PICU during the study period, 23 autopsies were performed (rate 14.9%). Autopsy rates decreased over the study period; from 26% in 2004 to 11% in 2009. There was a complete correlation (class V) in seven patients (29.1%). Some missed minor diagnosis (class IV) were found in four patients. Five patients had class III discrepancies, and four had class II discrepancies. Major diagnoses were missed in three (17.4%) patients, with a potencial adverse impact on survival and that could have changed management in life (Class IA). In three cases (13%) the autopsy results led to parents having genetic counselling. Conclusions: The autopsy rate in our country is low when compared to other developed countries. The fact that in 69.6% of cases the autopsy revealed new findings related with the illness that caused or contributed to death shows that the reasons for performing the autopsy are still valid(AU)

[Current situation and usefulness of autopsy in a paediatric intensive care unit]. / Estado actual y utilidad de la autopsia clínica en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos.

BACKGROUNDS: The autopsy is a diagnostic tool in decline over the last few decades. Our purpose is to describe the autopsy rates, the relationship between clinical and post-mortem diagnosis to evaluate the current overall usefulness of the autopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all cases in which clinical autopsy was performed between January 2004 and December 2009 in a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a tertiary care hospital. RESULTS: Of 154 deaths in the PICU during the study period, 23 autopsies were performed (rate 14.9%). Autopsy rates decreased over the study period; from 26% in 2004 to 11% in 2009. There was a complete correlation (class V) in seven patients (29.1%). Some missed minor diagnosis (class IV) were found in four patients. Five patients had class III discrepancies, and four had class II discrepancies. Major diagnoses were missed in three (17.4%) patients, with a potential adverse impact on survival and that could have changed management in life (Class IA). In three cases (13%) the autopsy results led to parents having genetic counselling. CONCLUSIONS: The autopsy rate in our country is low when compared to other developed countries. The fact that in 69.6% of cases the autopsy revealed new findings related with the illness that caused or contributed to death shows that the reasons for performing the autopsy are still valid.

Management of obstructive renal failure caused by bilateral renal aspergilloma in an immunocompetent newborn.

Fungal infection of the kidneys is a rare condition that has been reported in premature babies and in diabetic or immunocompromised adult patients. Candida spp. is the most frequent micro-organism involved. This paper reports a case of an immunocompetent newborn with a bladder exstrophy who suffered from an acute renal failure caused by bilateral renal aspergilloma (Aspergillus flavus). The newborn was treated with amphotericin B urinary tract irrigation through bilateral nephrostomy catheters, combined with liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole therapy, which improved his renal function. However, due to persistent fungal colonization, a long antifungal treatment and permanent ureterostomies were necessary to deal with new episodes of ureterorenal obstruction. As of November 2009, despite the renal injuries, renal function had been conserved. The management of the mechanical obstruction and the choice of antifungal drugs are discussed in this unusual case.

[Use of activated factor VII in severe acute hemorrhage]. / Utilización del factor VII activado en hemorragias agudas graves.

Acute hemorrhage is a sometimes serious complication that may arise in patients admitted to the intensive care unit with coagulopathy. The usual therapy is transfusion of blood components: fresh frozen plasma, platelets, fibrinogen, red cell concentrate and vitamin K. Tolerance or response can sometimes be poor. We present three patients aged 18 months, 4.5 and 10 years who suffered an acute episode of severe, life-threatening hemorrhage in the course of meningococcal sepsis (gastric hemorrhage), myelomonocytic leukemia (during splenectomy) and in the postoperative period after cardiovascular surgery. Traditional therapy was ineffective and activated factor VII was administered at doses of 50-70 microg/kg, with rapid control of bleeding.