74 Ge( n , γ ) cross section below 70 keV measured at n_TOF CERN.

Neutron capture reaction cross sections on 74 Ge are of importance to determine 74 Ge production during the astrophysical slow neutron capture process. We present new resonance data on 74 Ge( n , γ ) reactions below 70 keV neutron energy. We calculate Maxwellian averaged cross sections, combining our data below 70 keV with evaluated cross sections at higher neutron energies. Our stellar cross sections are in agreement with a previous activation measurement performed at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe by Marganiec et al., once their data has been re-normalised to account for an update in the reference cross section used in that experiment.

Recurrencia y mortalidad a largo plazo de los pacientes con síncope no cardiogénico / Long-term recurrences and mortality in patients with noncardiac syncope

Introducción y objetivos: La evolución a largo plazo de los pacientes que padecen síncope, una vez descartada su etiología cardiaca, no se ha descrito en profundidad. Se describe la evolución a largo plazo de esta población. Métodos: Durante 147 meses, se estudió a todos los pacientes remitidos a nuestra unidad de síncope tras haberse descartado una causa cardiaca. Resultados: Se incluyó a 589 pacientes consecutivos, 313 de ellos mujeres (53,1%), con una mediana de 52 [34-66] años. A 405 (68,8%) se les diagnosticó síncope vasovagal (SVV); a 65 (11%), síncope por hipotensión ortostática (SHO), y a 119 (20,2%), síncope de etiología desconocida (SED). Durante una mediana de 52 [28-89] meses de seguimiento, 220 (37,4%) tuvieron recurrencias (el 21,7%, 2 o más recurrencias) y se produjeron 39 muertes (6,6%). La recurrencia del síncope se produjo en el 41% de los pacientes con SVV, el 35,4% del grupo con SHO y el 25,2% del de SED (p=0,006). La recurrencia se correlacionó en el análisis multivariado con la edad (p=0,002), el sexo femenino (p<0,0001) y el número de episodios previos (< 5 frente a ≥ 5; p <0,0001). Fallecieron 15 pacientes (3,5%) con SVV, 11 (16,9%) con SHO y 13 (10,9%) con SED (p=0,001), El análisis multivariado asoció edad (p=0,0001), diabetes (p=0,007) y diagnóstico de SHO (p=0,026) y SED (p=0,020) con la muerte. Conclusiones: En los pacientes con síncope de origen no cardiaco, a los 52 meses de seguimiento, la tasa de recurrencias es del 37,4% y la de mortalidad, del 6,6%. Hay más recurrencias en los pacientes con perfil neuromediado y más mortalidad en los pacientes con perfil no neuromediado (AU)

Introduction and objectives: There are no in-depth studies of the long-term outcome of patients with syncope after exclusion of cardiac etiology. We therefore analyzed the long-term outcome of this population. Methods: For 147 months, we included all patients with syncope referred to our syncope unit after exclusion of a cardiac cause. Results: We included 589 consecutive patients. There were 313 (53.1%) women, and the median age was 52 [34-66] years. Of these, 405 (68.8%) were diagnosed with vasovagal syncope (VVS), 65 (11%) with orthostatic hypotension syncope (OHS), and 119 (20.2%) with syncope of unknown etiology (SUE). During a median follow-up of 52 [28-89] months, 220 (37.4%) had recurrences (21.7% ≥ 2 recurrences), and 39 died (6.6%). Syncope recurred in 41% of patients with VVS, 35.4% with OHS, and 25.2% with SUE (P=.006). In the Cox multivariate analysis, recurrence was correlated with age (P=.002), female sex (P <.0001), and the number of previous episodes (< 5 vs ≥ 5; P <.0001). Death occurred in 15 (3.5%) patients with VVS, 11 (16.9%) with OHS, and 13 (10.9%) with SUE (P=.001). In the multivariate analysis, death was associated with age (P=.0001), diabetes (P=.007), and diagnosis of OHS (P=.026) and SUE (P=.020). Conclusions: In patients with noncardiac syncope, the recurrence rate after 52 months of follow-up was 37.4% and mortality was 6.6% per year. Recurrence was higher in patients with a neuromedial profile and mortality was higher in patients with a nonneuromedial profile (AU)

Cambio del modelo asistencial en una unidad de uroginecología de un hospital de tercer nivel: impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la presencialidad / Update of the care model in a urogynaecology unit of a tertiary hospital: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on face-to-face care

La pandemia por la COVID-19 generó un cambio de forma brusca en la práctica asistencial habitual de nuestra unidad de uroginecología, y a raíz de esta situación se ideó un nuevo modelo asistencial para adaptarnos a la nueva etapa epidemiológica. Se acordó, como eje central del nuevo modelo, la disminución de la presencialidad hospitalaria, ofreciendo la misma calidad asistencial mediante la introducción de la telemedicina.Para conseguir tal fin, se elaboró un modelo con tres tipos de visitas nuevas: primera visita médica telemática, visitas de seguimiento de tratamientos conservadores y farmacológicos telemáticas, y creación de visita pack (pack STUI, el pack posparto y el pack postalta) que incluye visitas y pruebas diagnósticas uroginecológicas que se realizan todas el mismo día.El pack STUI va dirigido a todas las pacientes con síntomas del tracto urinario inferior, asociados o no a prolapso de órganos pélvicos. Consta de dos visitas (enfermería y médica), y dos pruebas diagnósticas avanzadas (urodinamia y ecografía de suelo pélvico).El pack posparto va dirigido a mujeres con síntomas de incontinencia urinaria, incontinencia anal, prolapso y/o alteraciones de la sexualidad tras el parto. También incluye mujeres asintomáticas con antecedente de trauma perineal obstétrico. Consta de una visita médica, una ecografía de suelo pélvico y una visita por la fisioterapeuta.El pack postalta se realiza al mes de la cirugía e incluye dos pruebas (ecografía de suelo pélvico y flujometría) y una visita médica.Los tratamientos de fisioterapia y otras visitas que por motivos médicos lo requirieran, han mantenido su presencialidad.(AU)

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden change in the usual care practice of our urogynaecology unit. Therefore, we designed a new healthcare model to adapt our practice to the epidemiological situation. The central axis of the new model was reduced hospital attendance, offering the same healthcare quality through the introduction of telemedicine.To achieve this aim, we made the following changes: a first telematic medical visit was the first step, telematic monitoring visits for conservative and pharmacological treatments and pack visit. We created the following packs: LUTS, postpartum and post-discharge pack. All packs included visits and diagnostic tests performed on the same day.The LUTS pack is indicated in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms, associated or not with pelvic organ prolapse. It includes two visits (nursing and medical) and two tests (urodynamics and pelvic floor ultrasound).The postpartum pack is indicated in women with symptoms of urinary incontinence, anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and sexual disfunctions after delivery, as well as asymptomatic patients with a history of obstetric perineal trauma. It includes a medical visit, a pelvic floor ultrasound and a visit with the physiotherapist.The post-discharge pack is scheduled a month after the surgery and includes two tests (pelvic floor ultrasound and uroflowmetry) and a medical visit.Some face-to-face visits were maintained, as were physiotherapy treatments and other visits following medical criteria.(AU)

Contexto epidemiológico de la periodontitis apical en asistentes a Odontosánitas Bogotá, 2011-2016 / Epidemiological context of apical periodontitis in attendees to Odontosánitas Bogotá, 2011-2016

Introducción:La periodontitis apical (PA) como enfermedad prevalente conecta la salud oral al estado general del individuo. Se pretendió caracterizar bajo un contexto epidemiológico integral la presencia de PA en una población de una clínica de Odontosánitas en Bogotá.Materiales y métodos:Este estudio transversal incluyó registro retrospectivo documental de 3981 pacientes asistentes al servicio de endodoncia. La condición periapical; ausencia o presencia de PA, fue registrada clínica y radiográficamente. Como variables sociodemográficas e individuales: sexo, edad, procedencia, tipo de aseguramiento, tipo y localización del diente. La condición médica incluyó presencia o ausencia de enfermedades sistémicas, el consumo de medicamentos y hábito de fumar. Se estimó un cálculo de 345 pacientes, con un índice de prevalencia de 43,6%. Análisis uni/bivariados, registraron la prevalencia. Un modelo multivariado de correspondencias múltiples (ACM), identificó espacialmente, la asociación y la frecuencia de los factores analizados.Resultados:Un total de 378 asistentes con una prevalencia de PA del 51,6% [IC 95% (46,5 %, 56,6%)] y 48.98 años de edad promedio. A partir de la PA, se observó mayor prevalencia en mujeres (51,8%), molares (40%) y maxilar superior (63,3%).Discusión:El ACM, identificó que la PA se distribuyó equitativamente entre las variables, sin establecer asociación entre la PA y la condición sistémica. (AU)

Periapical periodontitis (PP), as a prevalent disease, connects oral health to the individual health condition. It was intended to characterize the presence of PP in a population of an Odontosánitas clinic center-Bogotá under a comprehensive epidemiological context. A Cross-sectional study that included the retrospective documentary registry of 3981 patients attending the endodontic service. The periapical condition, absence or presence of PP, was recorded clinically and radiographically asexplanatory variable. As sociodemographic and individual variables: sex, age, local area, type of insurance, and tooth. Medical condition included the presence or absence of systemic diseases, association with the type of medicine, and smoking. Calculation of 345 patients was estimated, with a prevalence rate of 43,6%. Uni / bivariate analysis recorded the prevalence. A multivariate multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) spatially identified the association and frequency of the factors analyzed.A total of 378 attendees were included, with a prevalence of PP of 51,6% [95% CI (46,5%, 56.6%)] and a mean age of 48,98 years. From the PP, it was observed higher prevalence in women (51,8%), molars (40%), and maxilla (63,3%). The MCA identified that the PP was equally distributed among the variables, without establishing an association between the PP and the systemic condition. (AU)

[Update of the care model in a urogynaecology unit of a tertiary hospital: impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on face-to-face care]. / Cambio del modelo asistencial en una unidad de uroginecología de un hospital de tercer nivel: impacto de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la presencialidad.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden change in the usual care practice of our urogynaecology unit. Therefore, we designed a new healthcare model to adapt our practice to the epidemiological situation. The central axis of the new model was reduced hospital attendance, offering the same healthcare quality through the introduction of telemedicine.To achieve this aim, we made the following changes: a first telematic medical visit was the first step, telematic monitoring visits for conservative and pharmacological treatments and pack visit. We created the following packs: LUTS, postpartum and post-discharge pack. All packs included visits and diagnostic tests performed on the same day.The LUTS pack is indicated in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms, associated or not with pelvic organ prolapse. It includes two visits (nursing and medical) and two tests (urodynamics and pelvic floor ultrasound).The postpartum pack is indicated in women with symptoms of urinary incontinence, anal incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and sexual disfunctions after delivery, as well as asymptomatic patients with a history of obstetric perineal trauma. It includes a medical visit, a pelvic floor ultrasound and a visit with the physiotherapist.The post-discharge pack is scheduled a month after the surgery and includes two tests (pelvic floor ultrasound and uroflowmetry) and a medical visit.Some face-to-face visits were maintained, as were physiotherapy treatments and other visits following medical criteria.

An approach to evaluating and benchmarking the mechanical behavior of a surgical mesh prototype designed for the repair of abdominal wall defects.

Ventral hernia repair is a common surgical procedure in abdominal surgery in which surgical mesh has become an essential tool to improve outcomes. To avoid recurrences the mesh needs to mimic the mechanical behavior of the abdominal wall. In this scenario the mechanical properties at the interface between the mesh and its surrounding tissue is critical for the performance of the device and, therefore, the success after surgery. We aimed to characterize and compare the mechanical behavior of the patented prototype mesh Spider and four commercial meshes at the mesh-tissue interface. The prototype mesh was designed based on the hypothesis that the best performance for a large-sized defect in a ventral hernia is obtained when the mesh presents an isotropic behavior. In contrast, commercial meshes presented significant anisotropic behavior. Mechanical properties of the meshes were characterized through uniaxial tensile tests. Longitudinal and transverse axes were defined for each mesh, and samples were cut in each axis orientation. Samples underwent uniaxial tensile testing, from which the elastic modulus in each axis was determined. The degree of anisotropy was calculated as the ratio between the elastic modulus in each axis. An in silico model of the ventral hernia defect was designed to simulate the mesh-tissue interface behavior via finite element method. Meshes were modeled by an hyperelastic orthotropic constitutive model, which allowed isotropic symmetry as particular case for the prototype mesh. Abdominal wall was modeled using a Neo-Hookean model. Once the simulations were launched, mesh-tissue interface behavior was evaluated through the difference between Von Mises stress values on either size of the interface, both on the external and the internal face of the mesh and abdominal wall. Mechanical response was anisotropic for all commercial meshes and isotropic for the Spider prototype. Among commercial, Ultrapro® was highly anisotropic. Tests revealed Gore-Tex® to be the stiffest, followed by Repol Angimesh®, Spider and Ultrapro®; Duramesh™  was found to be the most compliant. Concerning mesh-tissue behavior, simulation results revealed the Spider prototype and Duramesh™  to be the best; Spider due to its uniformity and lower stress difference thanks to its nearly isotropic behavior, and Duramesh™  due to its compliant behavior. Our results suggest that the compromise between stiffness and anisotropy must be considered in order to improve the mechanical performance of the meshes, bearing in mind that for large-sized ventral defects, nearly isotropic mesh ensures better performance.

Efluvio telógeno y Covid-19 / Telogen effluvium and Covid-19

The first case of infection by the virus SARS-CoV-2 was reported in China in the late 2019. The disease caused by this virus was called COVID-19 and was declared as a global pandemic by World Health Organization in March 2020. Among the consequences caused by the virus, some dermatological pathologies have been reported, such as Telogen effluvium (TE). In this review we will address the relation between Telogen effluvium and COVID-19. Material and methods: All literature related to Telogen effluvium and COVID-19 was searched in PubMed. Results: Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of patients diagnosed with TE has increased. This is explained on one hand by the infection itself of the virus, generating a proinflammatory and procoagulant answer that lead to TE. On the other hand, it can be explained due to the stress caused by the lockdowns and the psychological consequences of a global pandemic. Also, the therapies used to treat the infection may increase the severity of the TE. The relation between TE and Covid-19 is not totally clear yet, but it is important due to the great impact that generates in the lives of the patients. (AU)

Técnica quirúrgica para la corrección simultánea del prolapso de órganos pélvicos y la incontinencia urinaria recidivada mediante laparoscopia / Combined laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and recurrent urinary incontinence

INTRODUCCIÓN: La colposacropexia laparoscópica (CL) es el tratamiento gold standard del prolapso de órganos pélvicos (POP) apical. El esfínter urinario artificial (EUA) presenta elevada eficacia en el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo recidivada (IUEr). OBJETIVO: Describir por primera vez la técnica de CL e implante laparoscópico de EUA mediante un abordaje vesicovaginal a la cara posterior del cuello vesical. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: La cirugía se realiza por un abordaje transperitoneal. Se crea el espacio rectovaginal y se fija la malla posterior. Se realiza la disección del espacio vesicovaginal con ayuda de una valva vaginal, se crean los espacios laterovesicales y se comunican ambos con el espacio vesicovaginal. Se fija la malla anterior. Se diseca la cara anterior del cuello y se coloca el manguito. Se fijan ambas mallas al promontorio. Se introduce el reservorio, se coloca el botón de activación en el labio mayor y se realizan las conexiones de forma habitual. Finalmente, se cierra el peritoneo. RESULTADOS: El tiempo quirúrgico fue de 180 minutos, la sonda vesical se retiró al quinto día y la estancia fue de cinco días. El EUA se activó a la sexta semana. No hubo complicaciones perioperatorias. Tras 12 meses, la paciente presenta continencia completa y curación objetiva y subjetiva del POP. CONCLUSIONES: La disección vesicovaginal es un paso común en esta técnica de CL y colocación de EUA. La visión directa del cuello vesical permitiría disminuir el riesgo de erosión. Recomendamos esta técnica en casos seleccionados de POP e IUEr

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) is the gold standard treatment for apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has a high success rate in treating recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI). OBJECTIVE: To describe the first simultaneous LSC and AUS implantation through a vesicovaginal approach to the bladder neck. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Operation is performed through a transperitoneal approach. The rectovaginal space is created and the posterior mesh is fixed. The vesicovaginal and both laterovesical spaces are dissected. The vesicovaginal space is connected to both lateral spaces. This is main step of the procedure because it let us place the cuff around the bladder neck in a non-blind fashion. The anterior mesh is fixed to the vagina. The anterior side of the bladder neck is dissected and the cuff implanted. Both meshes are fixed to the promontory. Pressure-regulating balloon is inserted, the pump is placed in the labia majora and the components are connected. Peritoneum is closed. RESULTS: Surgical time was 180 minutes, bladder catheter was removed at 5th postoperative day, hospital stay was 5 days. The AUS was activated 6 weeks after surgery. No perioperative complications occurred. After 12 months the patient is pad-free and prolapse was objectively and subjectively cured. CONCLUSIONS: Vesicovaginal dissection is a shared step in this technique of LSC and AUS implantation. This approach could minimize the risk of bladder neck injury. We propose this technique in selected cases of prolapse and recurrent SUI

Extending the window for thrombolysis for treatment of acute ischaemic stroke during pregnancy: a review.

Historically, safety of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rt-PA) for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is limited to use within 4.5 hours from symptom onset. Recent studies suggest the treatment window may be extended when patients have salvageable brain tissue on advanced neuroimaging. This paper describes a novel use of IV rt-PA for treatment of AIS in a pregnant patient within an extended-time window (>4.5 hours, and <9 hours) based on advanced neuroimaging with a favourable outcome. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Novel use of IV rt-PA for treatment of AIS in pregnancy within an extended-time window based on advanced imaging with a favourable outcome.

Combined laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and recurrent urinary incontinence. / Técnica quirúrgica para la corrección simultánea del prolapso de órganos pélvicos y la incontinencia urinaria recidivada mediante laparoscopia.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sacral colpopexy (LSC) is the gold standard treatment for apical pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) has a high success rate in treating recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI). OBJECTIVE: To describe the first simultaneous LSC and AUS implantation through a vesicovaginal approach to the bladder neck. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Operation is performed through a transperitoneal approach. The rectovaginal space is created and the posterior mesh is fixed. The vesicovaginal and both laterovesical spaces are dissected. The vesicovaginal space is connected to both lateral spaces. This is main step of the procedure because it let us place the cuff around the bladder neck in a non-blind fashion. The anterior mesh is fixed to the vagina. The anterior side of the bladder neck is dissected and the cuff implanted. Both meshes are fixed to the promontory. Pressure-regulating balloon is inserted, the pump is placed in the labia majora and the components are connected. Peritoneum is closed. RESULTS: Surgical time was 180 minutes, bladder catheter was removed at 5th postoperative day, hospital stay was 5 days. The AUS was activated 6 weeks after surgery. No perioperative complications occurred. After 12 months the patient is pad-free and prolapse was objectively and subjectively cured. CONCLUSIONS: Vesicovaginal dissection is a shared step in this technique of LSC and AUS implantation. This approach could minimize the risk of bladder neck injury. We propose this technique in selected cases of prolapse and recurrent SUI.

Formation and partitioning behaviour of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in waste activated sludge during anaerobic digestion.

The formation and fate of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in sludge during anaerobic digestion (AD) is of global importance since the sludge is a significant source of PFAAs to the environment. The formation of PFAAs from polyfluorinated compounds, namely PFAA precursors, is poorly understood in AD. This study aims to investigate the formation of PFAAs from precursors and their partitioning behaviour in waste activated sludge (WAS) during AD process. To achieve this, three isotope-labelled PFAAs were spiked and monitored along with indigenous PFAAs and precursors over eight weeks in a laboratory-scale anaerobic digester, fed with sludge from a local wastewater treatment plant and operated with a hydraulic retention time of 12 days under 35 ℃. In addition to isotope-labelled PFAAs, twelve native PFAAs and eight polyfluorinated compounds were detected in the feed and digested sludges. A mass-balance model, validated by the spiking experiment, was applied to predict the concentrations of PFAAs and precursors assuming no formation/degradation in AD. The measured concentrations of short-chain PFAAs (perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs): C < 8; perfluoroalkane sulfonates (PFSAs): C < 6) in the AD sludge were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the model-predicted concentrations, indicating the formation of these PFAAs from precursors in AD. In contrast, the formation of long-chain PFAAs (PFCAs: C ≥ 8; PFSAs: C ≥ 6) was not observed. Moreover, the degradation of two polyfluoroalkyl phosphates (PAPs) (6:2 PAP and 6:2/8:2 diPAP) occurred, evidenced by their measured concentrations that were statistically lower than the mass-balance predictions. Further, the AD process reduced the amount of PFAAs absorbed/adsorbed to sludge, particularly for the long-chain ones, due to the breakdown of solids.

Neutron Capture on the s-Process Branching Point

The neutron capture cross sections of several unstable nuclides acting as branching points in the s process are crucial for stellar nucleosynthesis studies. The unstable ^{171}Tm (t_{1/2}=1.92 yr) is part of the branching around mass A∼170 but its neutron capture cross section as a function of the neutron energy is not known to date. In this work, following the production for the first time of more than 5 mg of ^{171}Tm at the high-flux reactor Institut Laue-Langevin in France, a sample was produced at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. Two complementary experiments were carried out at the neutron time-of-flight facility (n_TOF) at CERN in Switzerland and at the SARAF liquid lithium target facility at Soreq Nuclear Research Center in Israel by time of flight and activation, respectively. The result of the time-of-flight experiment consists of the first ever set of resonance parameters and the corresponding average resonance parameters, allowing us to make an estimation of the Maxwellian-averaged cross sections (MACS) by extrapolation. The activation measurement provides a direct and more precise measurement of the MACS at 30 keV: 384(40) mb, with which the estimation from the n_TOF data agree at the limit of 1 standard deviation. This value is 2.6 times lower than the JEFF-3.3 and ENDF/B-VIII evaluations, 25% lower than that of the Bao et al. compilation, and 1.6 times larger than the value recommended in the KADoNiS (v1) database, based on the only previous experiment. Our result affects the nucleosynthesis at the A∼170 branching, namely, the ^{171}Yb abundance increases in the material lost by asymptotic giant branch stars, providing a better match to the available pre-solar SiC grain measurements compared to the calculations based on the current JEFF-3.3 model-based evaluation.

Implication of heat shock proteins in rotavirus entry into Reh cells.

The mechanisms of rotavirus entry into the target cell are described as a multi-step event in which the virions are bound to sialic acid (SA), followed by interaction with heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70), some integrins and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). However, the cell surface receptor molecules facilitating the entry of tumor cell-adapted rotavirus are not completely characterized. Using infection blocking assays with antibodies to some heat shock proteins (HSPs) and also some inhibitors of these cellular proteins, we were able to identify the cell surface Hsp90, Hsp70, Hsc70, Hsp60, Hsp40, PDI and integrin ß3 as receptors of tumor cell-adapted rotavirus in Reh cells. Furthermore, the results also indicated that these rotavirus receptors are associated with lipid microdomains (rafts). Our findings provide evidence that rotavirus tropism for these human acute lymphocytic leukemia cells is explained by the relatively high expression of some HSPs in rafts. The results shown here encourage further research aim at evaluating the potential use of rotaviruses as an oncolytic agent for the treatment of some cancers. Keywords: heat shock proteins; rotavirus; cell receptor; cancer; oncolytic virus.

Asymmetry of medullary veins on multiphase CT-angiography in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: It was previously demonstrated that decreased cortical venous drainage is a predictive factor of poor clinical outcome in patients with an acute ischemic stroke. The aim of this investigation is to test the hypothesis that the decline in blood flow in medullary veins (MV) on CT angiogram (CTA) of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) can also be predictive of clinical outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a database of patients with AIS who were evaluated by multiphase CTA and enrolled individuals with AIS and evidence of occlusion of the intracranial internal carotid artery, the M1 or M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery, or combination of two occlusions. To characterize asymmetry of MV we used similar principle that was previously established for MV on SWI MR-images; asymmetry was defined was presence of 5 or more contrast opacified MV in one hemisphere as compared to the contralateral side. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by mRS in 90 days. The Fisher Exact test was used to examine the significance of the MV asymmetry. Odds ratio and interrater variability were calculated. RESULTS: 66 patients with AIS were included. The presence of asymmetry in MV was associated with the higher frequency of poor clinical outcomes (84.6% vs 50.9%); the OR was 5.3. Interrater agreement in assessment on MV was moderate in our study (κ=0.55). CONCLUSION: This study shows that (a) medullary veins can be reliably assessed on multiphase CTA, (b) in patients with AIS, asymmetric appearance of MV is associated with poor clinical outcome.

Characterization and validation of olive FAD and SAD gene families: expression analysis in different tissues and during fruit development.

Stearoyl-ACP desaturases (SADs) and fatty acid desaturases (FADs) play a critical role in plant lipid metabolism and also affect oil fatty acid composition introducing double bonds into the hydrocarbon chains to produce unsaturated fatty acids. In the present study, the genomic sequences of three SAD and three FAD candidate genes were characterized in olive and their expression was evaluated in different plant tissues. OeSAD genes corresponded to olive SAD1 and SAD2 and to a newly identified OeSAD4, sharing the conserved protein structure with other plant species. On the other hand, the full-length genomic sequences of two microsomal OeFAD genes (FAD2-1 and FAD2-2) and the plastidial FAD6, were released. When the level of expression was tested on different tissues of cv. Leccino, OeSAD1 and OeSAD2 were mainly expressed in the fruits, while OeFAD genes showed the lowest expression in this tissue. The mRNA profiling of all genes was directly studied in fruits of Leccino and Coratina cultivars during fruit development. In both genotypes, the expression level of OeSAD1 and OeSAD2 had the highest value during and after the pit-hardening period, when oil accumulation in fruit mesocarp is intensively increasing. Furthermore, the expression level of both OeFAD2 genes, which were the main candidates for oleic acid desaturation, were almost negligible during fruit ripening. These results have made possible to define candidate genes of the machinery regulation of fatty acid composition in olive oil, providing information on their sequence, gene structure and chromosomal location.

Thiol/disulfide exchange occurs in rotavirus structural proteins during contact with intestinal villus cell surface.

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is an enzyme that catalyzes disulfide bond reduction or formation and rearrangements of disulfide bridges, and also functions as a chaperone. During entry of some of the viruses PDI participates in thiol-disulfide exchange. Previous reports show that rotavirus entry is interfered by impermeant thiol/disulfide exchange inhibitors and antibodies against PDI. Our objective was to assess the interaction between PDI and triple-layered particles (TLPs) from rotavirus strains ECwt and RRV and from a human rotavirus isolate (HI) during the early steps of virus entry in a system of isolated small intestinal villi. Purified soluble PDI was incubated with either isolated intestinal villi or cell membrane-enriched fractions in the presence or absence of thiol/disulfide inhibitors such as bacitracin, DTNB or N- ethylmaleimide followed by the assessment of the PDI interactions with TLPs and rotavirus structural proteins in terms of their redox state changes. Soluble and membrane-bound PDI was found to interact with TLPs from all the rotaviruses assayed and also with the isolated structural proteins represented by the recombinant rVP5* (a tryptic cleavage product of VP4), rVP6 and the native VP7. PDI interaction with TLPs and rotavirus structural proteins was decreased by the presence of thiol/disulfide exchange inhibitors. Interactions of cell membrane-enriched fractions with TLPs produced rearrangements in the disulfide bridges of rotavirus structural proteins. We conclude that PDI interacts with rotavirus virions through redox reactions that could facilitate the rotavirus entry into the host cell. Keywords: cell surface PDI; thiol-disulfide exchange; rotavirus TLPs; virus entry; bacitracin; DTNB.

SPEXOR passive spinal exoskeleton decreases metabolic cost during symmetric repetitive lifting.

PURPOSE: Besides mechanical loading of the back, physiological strain is an important risk factor for low-back pain. Recently a passive exoskeleton (SPEXOR) has been developed to reduce loading on the low back. We aimed to assess the effect of this device on metabolic cost of repetitive lifting. To explain potential effects, we assessed kinematics, mechanical joint work, and back muscle activity. METHODS: We recruited ten male employees, working in the luggage handling department of an airline company and having ample experience with lifting tasks at work. Metabolic cost, kinematics, mechanical joint work and muscle activity were measured during a 5-min repetitive lifting task. Participants had to lift and lower a box of 10 kg from ankle height with and without the exoskeleton. RESULTS: Metabolic cost was significantly reduced by 18% when wearing the exoskeleton. Kinematics did not change significantly, while muscle activity decreased by up to 16%. The exoskeleton took over 18-25% of joint work at the hip and L5S1 joints. However, due to large variation in individual responses, we did not find a significant reduction of joint work around the individual joints. CONCLUSION: Wearing the SPEXOR exoskeleton decreased metabolic cost and might, therefore, reduce fatigue development and contribute to prevention of low-back pain during repetitive lifting tasks. Reduced metabolic cost can be explained by the exoskeleton substituting part of muscle work at the hip and L5S1 joints and consequently decreasing required back muscle activity.