Effect of environmental and spatial factors on the phylogenetic and functional diversity of the Mediterranean tree communities of Europe.

The tree flora of the Mediterranean Basin contains an outstanding taxonomic richness and a high proportion of endemic taxa. Contrary to other regions of the Mediterranean biome, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of the relationship between phylogenetic diversity, trait diversity and environmental factors in a spatial ecological context is lacking. We inferred the first calibrated phylogeny of 203 native tree species occurring in the European Mediterranean Basin based on 12 DNA regions. Using a set of four functional traits, we computed phylogenetic diversity for all 10,042 grid cells of 10 × 10 km spatial resolution to completely cover Mediterranean Europe. Then, we tested the spatial influence of environmental factors on tree diversity. Our results suggest that the nature of the relationship between traits and phylogeny varies among the different studied traits and according to the evolutionary distance considered. Phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity of European Mediterranean trees correlated strongly with species richness. High values of these diversity indices were located in the north of the study area, at high altitude, and minimum temperature of the coldest month. In contrast, the two phylogenetic indices that were not correlated with species richness (Mean Phylogenetic Distance, Phylogenetic Species Variability) were located in the south of the study area and were positively correlated with high altitude, soil organic carbon stock and sand soil texture. Our study provides support for the use of phylogenies in conservation biology to assess ecosystem functioning, and provides insights for the implementation of sustainable forest ecosystem management.

Elevación de la presión intraocular secundaria a desprendimiento de retina / Increased intraocular pressure secondary to retinal detachment

Se describen 4 casos clínicos de pacientes con desprendimiento de retina regmatógeno (DRR) asociado a elevación de presión intraocular (PIO) en el momento del diagnóstico del DRR. Todos los pacientes eran hombres que acudieron a urgencias por miodesopsias, presentaban inflamación leve a moderada en cámara anterior y elevación de la presión intraocular mayor de 30mmHg. En todos ellos se detectó la presencia de DRR. Esto demuestra que los desprendimientos de retina no siempre presentan la PIO baja, y es compatible con valores de PIO alta. En esos casos de enfermedad retiniana y PIO elevada, se debe examinar minuciosamente la cámara anterior y el fondo de ojo para que no pase desapercibido un desprendimiento de retina que requiere tratamiento inmediato. Esta asociación de una PIO elevada y un DRR se denomina síndrome de Schwartz-Matsuo (AU)

Four clinical cases of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) are described. All the patients were men who came to the emergency service with floaters, all presented mild to moderate inflammation in the anterior chamber and increased intraocular pressure greater than 30mmHg. All were diagnosed of RRD. This demonstrates that a RRD does not always present low IOP. In these cases of clinical retinal pathology and high IOP, we must carefully examine the anterior chamber and the fundus of the eye so that an associated retinal detachment does not remain unnoticed, and can be treated immediately. This association of elevated IOP and RRD is called as Schwartz-Matsuo Syndrome (AU)

Increased intraocular pressure secondary to retinal detachment.

Four clinical cases of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) are described. All the patients were men who came to the emergency service with floaters, all presented mild to moderate inflammation in the anterior chamber and increased intraocular pressure greater than 30 mmHg. All were diagnosed of RRD. This demonstrates that a RRD does not always present low IOP. In these cases of clinical retinal pathology and high IOP, we must carefully examine the anterior chamber and the fundus of the eye so that an associated retinal detachment does not remain unnoticed, and can be treated immediately. This association of elevated IOP and RRD is called as Schwartz-Matsuo Syndrome.1.

Assessment of the management of carcinomatous meningitis from breast cancer globally: a study by the Breast International Group Brain Metastasis Task Force.

BACKGROUND: Carcinomatous meningitis (CM) is a severe complication of breast cancer. The Breast International Group (BIG) carried out a survey to describe the approach to CM internationally. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire on the management of CM was developed by the Brain Metastases Task Force of BIG and distributed to its groups, requesting one answer per group site. RESULTS: A total of 241 sites responded, 119 from Europe, 9 from North America, 39 from Central/South America, 58 from Asia, and 16 in Australia/New Zealand, with 24.5% being general hospitals with oncology units, 44.4% university hospitals, 22.4% oncology centers, and 8.7% private hospitals. About 56.0% of sites reported seeing <5 cases annually with 60.6% reporting no increase in the number of cases of CM recently. Nearly 63.1% of sites investigate for CM when a patient has symptoms or radiological evidence, while 33.2% investigate only for symptoms. For diagnosis, 71.8% of sites required a positive cerebrospinal fluid cytology, while magnetic resonance imaging findings were sufficient in 23.7% of sites. Roughly 97.1% of sites treat CM and 51.9% also refer patients to palliative care. Intrathecal therapy is used in 41.9% of sites, mainly with methotrexate (74.3%). As many as 20 centers have a national registry for patients with breast cancer with central nervous system metastases and of those 5 have one for CM. Most (90.9%) centers would be interested in participating in a registry as well as in studies for CM, the latter preferably (62.1%) breast cancer subtype specific. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to map out the approach to CM from breast cancer globally. Although guidelines with level 1 evidence are lacking, there is a high degree of homogeneity in the approach to CM globally and great interest for conducting studies in this area.

Unleashing the full power of LHCb to probe stealth new physics.

In this paper, we describe the potential of the LHCb experiment to detect stealth physics. This refers to dynamics beyond the standard model that would elude searches that focus on energetic objects or precision measurements of known processes. Stealth signatures include long-lived particles and light resonances that are produced very rarely or together with overwhelming backgrounds. We will discuss why LHCb is equipped to discover this kind of physics at the Large Hadron Collider and provide examples of well-motivated theoretical models that can be probed with great detail at the experiment.

Understanding the local and remote source contributions to ambient O3 during a pollution episode using a combination of experimental approaches in the Guadalquivir valley, southern Spain.

The Guadalquivir Valley is one of three major O3 hotspots in Spain. An airborne and surface measurement campaign was carried out from July 9th to 11th, 2019 to quantify the local/regional O3 contributions using experimental approaches. Air quality and meteorology data from surface measurements, a microlight aircraft, a helium balloon, and remote sensing data (TROPOMI-NO2-ESA) were used to obtain the 3D distribution of O3 and various tracer pollutants. O3 accumulation over 2.5 days started with inputs from oceanic air masses transported inland by sea breezes, which drew O3 and its precursors from a local/regional origin to the northeastern end of the basin. The orographic-meteorological setting of the valley caused vertical recirculation of the air masses inside the valley that caused the accumulation by increasing regional background O3 concentration by 25-30 ppb. Furthermore, possible Mediterranean O3 contributions and additional vertical recirculation through the entrainment zone of the convective boundary layer also contributed. Using particulate matter finer than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), ultrafine particles (UFP), and black carbon (BC) as tracers of local sources, we calculated that local contributions increased regional O3 levels by 20 ppb inside specific pollution plumes transported by the breeze into the valley, and by 10 ppb during midday when flying over an area with abundant agricultural burning during the morning. Air masses that crossed the southern boundaries of the Betic system at mid-altitude (400-1850 m a.s.l.) on July 10th and 11th may have provided additional O3. Meanwhile, a decreasing trend at high altitudes (3000-5000 m a.s.l.) was observed, signifying that the impact of stratospheric O3 intrusion decreased during the campaign.

The development of type-1 autoimmune hepatitis after chronic hepatitis C (HCV) clearance by direct-acting antivirals (DAA)

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The development of type-1 autoimmune hepatitis after chronic hepatitis C (HCV) clearance by direct-acting antivirals (DAA).

We present the case of a 72-year-old female in follow-up for chronic hepatitis due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b, with a liver stiffness measurement estimated by transient elastography in 2015 of 17 Kp and type 2 diabetes mellitus. She was treated daily with ledipasvir 90 mg and sofosbuvir 400 mg for 12 weeks. In March 2016, she achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) after 12 weeks and 24 weeks. She had a positive determination of antinuclear antibodies 7.9 in 2014.

Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide on CoCr biomedical alloy: Characterization, macrophage biocompatibility and hemocompatibility in rats with graphene and graphene oxide.

Electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ErGO) films on a biomedical grade CoCr alloy have been generated and characterized in order to study their possible application for use on joint prostheses. The electrodeposition process was performed by cyclic voltammetry. The characterization of the ErGO films on CoCr alloys by XPS revealed sp2 bonding and the presence of CO and CO residual groups in the graphene network. Biocompatibility studies were performed with mouse macrophages J774A.1 cell cultures measured by the ratio between lactate dehydrogenase and mitochondrial activities. An enhancement in the biocompatibility of the CoCr with the ErGO films was obtained, a result that became more evident as exposure time increased. Macrophages on the CoCr with the ErGO were well-distributed and conserved the characteristic cell shape. In addition, vimentin expression was unaltered in comparison with the control, results that indicated an improvement in the CoCr biocompatibility with the ErGO on the material surface. The in vivo response of graphene and graphene oxide was assessed by intraperitoneal injection in wistar rats. Red blood cells are one of the primary interaction sites so hemocompatibility tests were carried out. Rats inoculated with graphene and graphene oxide showed red blood cells of smaller size with a high content in hemoglobin.

Heavy metal transport and evolution of atmospheric aerosols in the Antarctic region.

Suspended particulate matter (SPM) measurements and backward air mass trajectory analysis using the HYSPLIT model were performed to better understand the main sources and transport pathways of heavy metals in atmospheric aerosols reaching the Antarctic region. Field campaigns were carried out during the austral summer 2016-2017 at the "Gabriel de Castilla" Spanish Antarctic Research Station, located on Deception Island. Aerosols were deposited in an air filter through a low-volume sampler and chemically analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The study of air masses and high enrichment factor values of several elements (Hf, Zr, As, Cu, Sn, Zn, Pb) together with their correlations (Hf/Zr, V/As, Ti/Mn and Cu/Sn) suggests a potentially significant role of three main sources in this area: remote maritime traffic, local petrol combustion (generators and/or tourist cruises), and remote/local crust. Additionally, the investigation of atmospheric flow patterns through backward trajectory analysis revealed that Hf/Zr correlation was related to a remote crustal origin, V/As to anthropogenic local pollution, Ti/Mn to terrestrial inputs on the island and Cu/Sn to remote anthropogenic sources. Overall, the present study demonstrates the existence of anthropogenic pollution at this remote site from distant as well as local sources following the Antarctic circumpolar wind pattern.

Survival impact of primary tumor resection in de novo metastatic breast cancer patients (GEICAM/El Alamo Registry).

The debate about surgical resection of primary tumor (PT) in de novo metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients persists. We explored this approach's outcomes in patients included in a retrospective registry, named El Álamo, of breast cancer patients diagnosed in Spain (1990-2001). In this analysis we only included de novo MBC patients, 1415 of whom met the study's criteria. Descriptive, Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were carried out. Median age was 63.1 years, 49.2% of patients had single-organ metastasis (skin/soft tissue [16.3%], bone [33.8%], or viscera [48.3%]). PT surgery (S) was performed in 44.5% of the cases. S-group patients were younger, had smaller tumors, higher prevalence of bone and oligometastatic disease, and lower prevalence of visceral involvement. With a median follow-up of 23.3 months, overall survival (OS) was 39.6 versus 22.4 months (HR = 0.59, p < 0.0001) in the S- and non-S groups, respectively. The S-group OS benefit remained statistically and clinically significant regardless of metastatic location, histological type, histological grade, hormone receptor status and tumor size. PT surgery (versus no surgery) was associated with an OS benefit suggesting that loco-regional PT control may be considered in selected MBC patients. Data from randomized controlled trials are of utmost importance to confirm these results.

Evolution of older patients diagnosed with early breast cancer in Spain between 1998 and 2001 included in El Alamo III project.

INTRODUCTION: An increase in the number of cancer cases is expected in the near future. Breast cancer (BC) mortality rates increase with age even when adjusted for other variables. Here we analyzed BC disease-free survival (BCDFS) and BC specific survival (BCSS) in the El Alamo III BC registry of GEICAM Spanish Breast Cancer Group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: El Alamo III is a retrospective registry of BC patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2001. Patients with stage I-III invasive BC of age groups 55-64 years (y), 70-74 years and ≥ 75 years were included. Patients and tumors characteristics, treatments and recurrences and deaths were analyzed. RESULTS: 4343 patients were included within the following age intervals: 2288 (55-64 years), 960 (70-74 years), and 1095 (≥ 75 years). Older patients (≥ 70 years) were diagnosed with more advanced tumors (stage III) than younger patients (21.5% versus 13.4%, p < 0.0001). Mastectomies were performed more on older patients and they received less chemotherapy than younger patients (66.6% versus 43.1%, p < 0.00001 and 30.8% versus 71.6%, p < 0.0001, respectively). With a median follow-up of 5.9 years, 17.7% patients had BCDFS events in the younger group and 19.8% in the older group (p < 0.0001). A decrease in BCSS was also observed in older patients, either when analyzing patients ≥ 70y (p < 0.0001) and when differentiating by the two older groups (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that older BC patients have worse outcomes what can be a consequence of receiving inadequate adjuvant treatments. Specific trials for these patients are warranted to allow us to treat them with the same scientific rigor than younger patients.

Toxicidad pulmonar por amiodarona: no todo es insuficiencia cardiaca / Amiodarone pulmonary toxicity: Not everything is heart failure

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Neuroimaging Findings in Moebius Sequence.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Moebius sequence comprises a spectrum of brain congenital malformations predominantly affecting the function of multiple cranial nerves. Reported neuroimaging findings are heterogeneous and based on case reports or small case series. Our goal was to describe the neuroimaging findings of Moebius sequence in a large population of patients scanned with MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was performed to assess brain MR imaging findings in 38 patients with Moebius syndrome studied between 2013 and 2016. RESULTS: Retrospective analysis of MR imaging studies showed flattening of the floor of the fourth ventricle floor secondary to a bilateral absent facial colliculus in 38 patients (100%) and unilateral absence in 1. A hypoplastic pons was found in 23 patients (60.5%). Mesencephalic malformations consisted of tectal beaking in 15 patients (39.5%) and increased anteroposterior midbrain diameter with a shallow interpeduncular cistern in 12 (31.6%). Infratentorial arachnoid cysts were found in 5 patients (13.2%), and cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, in 2 (5.3%). Supratentorial findings included the following: thalamic fusion (26.3%), periventricular nodular heterotopias (26.3%), ventriculomegaly (26.3%), callosal abnormalities (23.7%), and hippocampal malrotations (23.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings seen in this large patient cohort agreed with previously published reports. Flattening of the fourth ventricle floor secondary to a bilaterally absent facial colliculus was the most frequent MR imaging finding. The presence of other brain stem and cerebellar malformations as well as supratentorial abnormalities may help explain clinical symptoms and achieve a correct diagnosis.