Do artificial structures cause shifts in epifaunal communities and trophic guilds across different spatial scales?

In the current frame of proliferation of artificial structures in the sea, the ecological effects of artificial substrates on marine environments and their associate biota become a topic of great scientific and conservationist interest. This study was focused on the amphipod communities from western Mediterranean Sea and tested, using the same secondary substrate, Ellisolandia elongata, if the community and trophic structure differ between artificial (two concrete-based: cubes and tetrapods, and one natural rock-based: rip-raps) and natural substrates. Results usually showed lower taxa number and diversity in artificial substrates, as well as differences in composition and trophic structure of the amphipod community. However, patterns were not consistent for all localities, evidencing the importance of local scale. Other potential factors, besides the substrate type, should be considered to understand particularities of each locality in management and conservation strategies.

Physiological strategies contributing to the coexistence of two predatory species of stoneflies: Dinocras cephalotes and Perla bipunctata.

Our study focuses on the oxidative state of two aquatic insects of the order Plecoptera belonging to the family Perlidae, namely Dinocras cephalotes (Curtis, 1827) and Perla bipunctata Pictet, 1833. These species are widely distributed throughout the Western Palearctic region and coexist in the stream where individuals for this study come from. We highlight the physiological strategies of these two different predator species of stoneflies, showing a higher accumulation of lipid reserves in P. bipunctata, higher glucose levels in the body tissues of D. cephalotes and a higher capacity of the antioxidant enzymes in P. bipunctata, what provides it a protection against oxidation of lipids, which are greater in this species. This leads to a similar oxidative state in both species. Based on these results is discussed how two close related species developing a very similar ecological role in the same habitat can achieve a similar fitness with differences in their physiological strategies.

Relationship between brain and liver oxidative state and maximum lifespan potential of different fish species.

The aim of the present study is to determine whether a relationship exists between the maximum lifespan potential (MLSP) of different fish species (Squalius pyrenaicus, Cyprinus carpio, Carassius auratus, Luciobarbus sclateri and Oncorhynchus mykiss) and the oxidative state of brain and liver. For this purpose, the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and DT-diaphorase (NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase1) were measured together with the lipid peroxidation degree (malondialdehyde, MDA) in liver and brain tissues of the collected species. Only the brain tissue manifested a higher activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase in addition to a negative correlation between the values of MDA and MLSP among the different fish species. Hypotheses are proposed from the analysis of the obtained results that open new areas of research and converge on the importance of the theory of free radicals in the processes that condition the maximum life expectancy of an animal species.

Digestive enzyme activity and trophic behavior in two predator aquatic insects (Plecoptera, Perlidae): a comparative study.

Plecoptera (Perlidae) are among the major macroinvertebrate predators in stream ecosystems and one of the insect families with lower tolerance to environmental alterations, being usually employed as bioindicators of high water ecological quality. The differences in the trophic roles of the coexisting species have been exclusively studied from their gut contents, while no data are available on the comparative digestive capacity. In the present paper, we make a comparative study of the activity of several digestive enzymes, namely proteases (at different pH), amylase, lipase, trypsin and chymotrypsin, in two species of stoneflies, Perla bipunctata and Dinocras cephalotes, which cohabit in the same stream. The study of digestive enzyme activity together with the analysis of gut contents can contribute to a better understanding of the ecology of these aquatic insects and their role in freshwater food webs. Thus, our results show that the two studied predator species inhabiting in the same stream present specializations on their feeding behaviors, facilitating their coexistence, and also differences in their capacity of use the resources. One of the main findings of this study is that D. cephalotes is able to assimilate a wider trophic resource spectrum and this could be one of the reasons why this species has a wider global distribution in all its geographical range.

Digestive enzyme activity of two stonefly species (Insecta, Plecoptera) and their feeding habits.

The digestive enzymes of two stoneflies species, Hemimelaena flaviventris and Isoperla morenica, were studied for the first time. These species are temporary water inhabitants and exhibit great feeding plasticity. Although they are traditionally referred to as predators, a previous study revealed that H. flaviventris incorporates some diatoms into its diet in addition to feeding usually on several prey, and I. morenica (in that study under the name of I. curtata) only feeds on animals occasionally. The enzymatic activities of digestive amylase, lipase, protease, trypsin and chymotrypsin were determined for each species at the same developmental stage. The results show that H. flaviventris has a greater digestive enzymatic pool and higher relative and absolute protease, lipase and trypsin activities than I. morenica. The latter has a relative higher amylase activity. As higher amylase activity is typical of phytophagous species and higher protease activity typical of carnivorous species; these results reveal that H. flaviventris is a more efficient zoophagous species than I. morenica. The ecological implications of these findings, including the higher secondary production of H. flaviventris in its habitat, are discussed.

Serum electrolyte changes in pediatric patients stung by scorpions

Scorpion sting is a health problem in some places of Mexico. The clinical manifestations of scorpion envenomation are variable and include metabolic alterations. Hyperkalemia is the most frequently reported metabolic alteration. We conducted a prospective, observational, descriptive and transversal study in an emergency room at Hospital del Niño Morelense, Mexico. Eighty-two patients were included and classified as mild (17 percent) moderate (33 percent) and severe (46 percent). The mean serum level of sodium was 146.4meq/l, standard deviation (SD) 5.58; potassium 3.86meq/l, SD 0.53, and calcium 9.55mg/dl, SD 0.76. We found 30.4 percent hypernatremia, 12 percent hypokalemia, 10.9 percent abdominal distension, and 14.6 percent visual alterations.

The drumming of Isoperla pallida Aubert and Guadalgenus franzi (Aubert) (Plecoptera, Perlodidae), and review and evolutionary considerations of Southern Iberian Peninsula Perlodidae.

The drumming calls of two perlodid species from Southern Spain (Sierra Morena, Jaén) are analyzed and described. Nineteen calls from one male of Guadalgenus franzi were recorded, showing a simple call pattern composed of two beats with an average duration between them of 184.32 msec (range: 165-227). This is the simplest call pattern yet discovered in the Plecoptera. The female of this species also presented a simple call consisting of only one beat. The male of Isoperla pallida showed an ancestral call pattern, more simple than the other Iberian Isoperla species (I. grammatica, I. nevada or I. curtata, all of them with multiphasic drumming calls or I. bipartita with a notably different model consisting of rubbing). Calls from six different males (the female did not drum) consisted of an average of 65.94 beats (range: 25-83) with a duration average of 1462.69 msec (range: 548-1835), regularly repeated with intervals with a duration average of 22.27 msec (range: 17-30). With this study, the vibrational calls of all the Perlodid species from the Southern Iberian Peninsula, except Perlodes microcephalus and Besdolus bicolor, are known. Moreover, it presents the first record and description of the call of the monospecific genus Guadalgenus. An evolutionary approach to the vibrational communication diversification in the perlodids of the Southern Iberian Peninsula is presented, showing a complexity graduation from the more simple drumming calls (shown by Hemimelaena flaviventris and G. franzi) to the rubbing call of I. bipartita and intermediate drumming calls of other Isoperla species, consistent with the drumming evolution paradigm of Stewart (2001).

Comparative spermatology in Plecoptera (Insecta). II. An ultrastructural investigation on four species of Systellognatha.

Sperm structure of four Systellognatha species, Dinocras cephalotes (Curtis, 1827) and Perla grandis (Rambur, 1841), family Perlidae, Siphonoperla torrentium (Pictet, 1841), family Chloroperlidae, and Isoperla grammatica (Poda, 1761), family Perlodidae, was investigated by light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence microscopy. The spermatozoa of all the species are filiform and flagellate; they have an elongated compact nucleus, topped by either a bi-layered or three-layered acrosomal complex, and a '9+9+2' axoneme flanked by two mitochondrial derivatives. However, some variations have been observed, particularly regarding the morphology of the acrosomal complex, the shape of the nucleus, two more or less evident accessory bodies flanking the axoneme and the degree of crystallisation of the mitochondrial derivatives. Our results support the suggestion that Systellognatha is a monophyletic group, showing a single sperm pattern. Chloroperlidae and Perlodidae retain the plesiomorphic condition of some sperm characters while Perlidae show some autoapomorphies. A phylogenetic affinity between Plecoptera and the other orders of Polyneoptera has been confirmed.

Efecto de la pulverización con un aerosol de solución salina hipertónica sobre la depuración mucociliar / Effect of the pulverization with a spray of hypertonic saline solution on the mucociliary clearance

Introducción. La rinosinusitis afecta la calidad de vida de los niños y frecuentemente motiva la consulta pediátrica u otorrinolaringológica.Recientemente se ha descripto que la depuración mucociliar,enlentecida en esta patología,puede ser acelerada mediante lavajes con solución salina hipertónica.En un modelo animal in vitro se observó el efecto acelerador de la depuración mucociliar de un aerosol de solución salina hipertónica,por lo que se evaluó el efecto agudo del mismo en niños con rinosinusitis crónica.Material y métodos.Mediante la prueba de la sacarinia se midió la depuración nasal en 27 niños de 6 a 15 años de edad con rinosinusitis crónica.A continuación se les colocó una pulverización de 100 ul de un aerosol de solución salina hipertónica amortiguada y estéril,evaluándose el efecto mediante una nueva medición a los 15 minutos.Resultados.Se observó una significativa aceleración de la depuración mucociliar luego de la aplicación del aerosol de solución salina hipertónica(p>0,001)Conclusión.La pulverización nasal con un aerosol de solución salina hipertónica en niños con rinosinusitis crónica produce rápidamente una neta aceleración de la depuración mucociliar

Efecto de la pulverización con un aerosol de solución salina hipertónica sobre la depuración mucociliar / Effect of the pulverization with a spray of hypertonic saline solution on the mucociliary clearance

Introducción. La rinosinusitis afecta la calidad de vida de los niños y frecuentemente motiva la consulta pediátrica u otorrinolaringológica.Recientemente se ha descripto que la depuración mucociliar,enlentecida en esta patología,puede ser acelerada mediante lavajes con solución salina hipertónica.En un modelo animal in vitro se observó el efecto acelerador de la depuración mucociliar de un aerosol de solución salina hipertónica,por lo que se evaluó el efecto agudo del mismo en niños con rinosinusitis crónica.Material y métodos.Mediante la prueba de la sacarinia se midió la depuración nasal en 27 niños de 6 a 15 años de edad con rinosinusitis crónica.A continuación se les colocó una pulverización de 100 ul de un aerosol de solución salina hipertónica amortiguada y estéril,evaluándose el efecto mediante una nueva medición a los 15 minutos.Resultados.Se observó una significativa aceleración de la depuración mucociliar luego de la aplicación del aerosol de solución salina hipertónica(p>0,001)Conclusión.La pulverización nasal con un aerosol de solución salina hipertónica en niños con rinosinusitis crónica produce rápidamente una neta aceleración de la depuración mucociliar

Complicaciones de la cirugía de las hernias / Complications in hernia surgery

La reparación de una hernia inguinal es el procedimiento quirúrgico más frecuente realizado por los cirujanos generales y, quizás, el que mayor número de opciones técnicas presenta. Aunque en los últimos años se ha conseguido reducir la incidencia de complicaciones y en especial de la recidiva herniaria, no existe en la actualidad una técnica que haya logrado imponerse como tratamiento ideal. Por ello, es fundamental para prevenir las complicaciones un conocimiento claro de la fisiología y anatomía de la región inguinal, de los factores de riesgo del paciente y especialmente un dominio de la técnica quirúrgica que se va a realizar. Dentro de las complicaciones locales los seromas tienen una incidencia del 5 por ciento. En nuestra serie la tasa fue del 6 por ciento en las hernias primarias y del 8,7 por ciento en las terciarias .La infección de la herida operatoria fue del 1,3 por ciento, si bien parece que la infección en la vía laparoscópica es menor que en la vía convencional. La incidencia de hematomas, que se sitúa en las publicaciones en torno al 5 por ciento, fue del 2,7 por ciento en nuestra serie, sin que hayamos podido encontrar otras complicaciones de las que se describen en los textos. Las neuralgias, como las describe Chevrel, han estado presentes en el 2,1 por ciento de los casos con una duración superior a las 6 semanas, desapareciendo posteriormente con tratamiento. Las lesiones viscerales son infrecuentes, y en nuestra serie únicamente la lesión vesical estuvo presente en 2 casos (0,2 por ciento).Las orquitis isquémica y de atrofia testicular son descritas como complicaciones testiculares. La orquitis se encontró en el 4,6 por ciento de los pacientes y sólo hubo un caso de atrofia testicular. La complicación más frecuente a largo plazo es la recidiva, que dependiendo de la técnica quirúrgica realizada, se sitúa entre el 3 y el 23 por ciento en las técnicas sin prótesis y entre el 0 y el 10 por ciento cuando se utiliza malla. En nuestra serie estos últimos tienen una tasa del 0,1 por ciento. La incidencia de la recidiva en las correcciones laparoscópicas se sitúa en torno al 2 por ciento, dependiendo de la experiencia del equipo quirúrgico reintervenir a la paciente (AU)

Absceso hepático piogénico como complicación de la enfermedad de Crohn / Pyogenic liver abcess as a complication of Chron´s disease

El absceso hepático piogénico es una complicación infrecuente de la enfermedad de Crohn que presenta una alta mortalidad si el diagnóstico y tratamiento no se realizan de forma temprana. Los abscesos abdominales, fístulas o tratamiento con esteroides son factores predisponentes en la patogenia de esta entidad. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con enfermedad de Crohn y abscesos hepáticos múltiples en el lóbulo hepático derecho sin factores predisponentes claros. El diagnóstico de absceso hepático fue establecido por TAC y el paciente fue tratado con drenaje percutáneo. Es importante considerar esta rara complicación debido a que el diagnóstico es difícil de hacer y se requiere un alto grado de sospecha. Una vez sospechado, hay que realizar un estudio exhaustivo e instituir el tratamiento adecuado. La mayoría de los pacientes con absceso hepático pueden ser manejados con éxito por drenaje percutáneo combinado con tratamiento antibiótico si el diagnóstico se ha realizado antes de que se haya producido necrosis extensa (AU)

Upper extremity replantation: three-year experience.

Microsurgery in Mexico was initiated in 1967, when the first report of the subspecialty was published. At our hospital, we have had a well-organized microsurgery department since 1995. This has improved our management of patients with amputations of the upper extremity. This article presents our experience with upper extremity replantation, including hand and fingers. During the first 3 years, we managed 55 patients, 42 male and 13 female, aged 2-52 years, who had suffered amputations of some part of their upper extremity or even of the complete limb. These patients underwent surgical exploration for replantation. We analyzed 103 amputations in the 55 patients operated. The amputated parts are summarized as follows: 11 thumbs, 25 index, 24 middle, 22 ring, and 12 little fingers; 5 hands, 5 forearms, and 2 arms. The average hospital stay was 10 days. The follow-up was 6-24 months. Replantation success was 82%, with 18% failure for survival of the replanted part. Functional recovery was satisfactory in the 50% of cases, and sensitive recovery was satisfactory in 75% of cases. We conclude that although our experience on upper extremity replantation is not so large, our results are similar to those from other series. We discussed our results.

[Pyogenic liver abscess as a complication of Crohn's disease]. / Absceso hepático piogénico como complicación de la enfermedad de Crohn.

Pyogenic liver abscess in patients with Crohn's disease is not common, but the mortality has been reported to be high if diagnosis and treatment is delayed. Intra-abdominal abscesses, fistulous disease, and steroid therapy have all been reported to be important predisposing factors in the pathogenesis of this entity. We present a patient with Crohn's disease in whom multiple abscesses were encountered in the right lobe of the liver. The diagnosis of liver abscess was established by abdominal computed tomography and the patient was treated by percutaneous catheter drainage. Awareness of this rare complication is important because diagnosis is difficult to make and a high index of suspicion is required. Once suspected, aggressive diagnostic workup and treatment is indicated. Most patients with liver abscess can be successfully managed by percutaneous catheter drainage combined with antibiotic therapy if it is diagnosed before extensive necrosis has occurred.

Innervation of nasal turbinate blood vessels in rhinitic and nonrhinitic children.

An immunohistochemical study of the nasal mucosa was done in pediatric patients attending an otorhinolaringology (ORL) clinic. The goal was a comparison between vascular innervation in patients with or without symptoms of chronic rhinitis. All patients had an indication for tonsillectomy prior to their inclusion in this study. Samples were obtained under general anesthesia at the time of programmed surgery and fixed in a paraformaldehyde-picric acid mixture. Cryostat sections were immunostained for the following neuronal markers: protein-gene product 9.5 (PGP), calcitonin gene- related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), and C-terminal peptide of neuropeptide Y (CPON). The following classes of vessels were identified: arteries, sinusoids, veins, and arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs). As shown by immunostaining with the general neuronal marker PGP, each vessel type had a characteristic innervation pattern, differing in the amount of fibers and their distribution within the adventitial and muscle layers. Evaluation of PGP, CPON, and CGRP immunoreactivity patterns indicated that rhinitic arteries and AVAs displayed a richer innervation than did nonrhinitic blood vessels. Quantification of vascular PGP immunostaining confirmed the difference of vascular innervation between nonrhinitic and rhinitic patients. Fibers immunostained by CPON partially accounted for the rhinitic arterial hyperinnervation.

NPY- and CGRP-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in the testis and mesorchium of the toad (Bufo arenarum).

The presence and distribution of peptidergic nerve fibers were studied in the testis and mesorchium of the toad by means of immunohistochemistry. Cryostat sections of the testis and whole-mount preparations of mesorchia were immunostained with antisera to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY). After leaving the mesorchium CGRP-immunoreactive (IR) fibers were seen predominantly running in between the seminiferous tubules. In addition, a small population of CGRP-IR nerve fibers formed thin plexuses around blood vessels. Conversely, NPY-like immunoreactivity predominated in nerve fibers that formed dense plexuses around vessels both in the mesorchium and testis. Additionally, some single NPY-IR nerve fibers could be seen in both structures studied. The functional significance of these peptidergic systems in the testis of the toad remains to be analyzed.

[Carcinoma of the esophagus: risk factors of morbimortality following esophagectomy]. / Carcinoma de esófago: factores de riesgo en la morbimortalidad tras esofaguectomía.

OBJECTIVE: To identify which perioperative risk factors are associated to postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus. DESIGN: We analyzed 8 perioperative risk factors: age, preoperative hospital stay, intraoperative blood transfusions, tumor stage, histology, grade of tumor differentiation, prior respiratory disease, surgical treatment. PATIENTS: Forty-six patients with esophageal carcinoma who underwent surgical resection. RESULTS: 1) Morbidity: There was statistical significance between the increase in postoperative morbidity and age > 75 years (p < 0.001), advanced stage of disease (p < 0.001), preoperative hospital stay higher than 20 days (p < 0.05) and severe respiratory disease (p < 0.05). 2) Mortality: There was a statistically significant increase in postoperative mortality in patients with preoperative hospital stay higher than 20 days and in patients > 75 years. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postoperative morbidity and mortality in esophageal cancer varies according to age, prior respiratory disease, tumor stage and preoperative hospital stay.

Sleep state organization in premature infants of less than 35 weeks' gestational age.

To assess sleep organization in premature infants of < 35 wk gestational age (w GA), we performed polygraphic recordings in 24 neurologically normal neonates (eight per group): artificially ventilated 27-30 and 31-34 w GA infants and nonventilated 31-34 w GA infants. Sleep states were defined by concordance of EEG and rapid eye movement criteria. Uninterrupted active sleep periods of > 13 min and quiet sleep periods of > 5 min were observed in all babies, except in one 33 w GA ventilated infant. Intervals from the beginning of recording to the 1st quiet sleep period varied from 0 to 63 min and intervals to the beginning of the longest sleep cycle varied from 5 to 84 min. Nonventilated 31-34 w GA infants had longer sleep cycles (p < 0.02), principally because of longer active sleep periods. However, percentages of different states in the cycles were similar in all groups. When body movements were required for state definition, amounts of active and quiet sleep diminished and the percentage of indeterminate sleep was augmented significantly. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that 1) sleep state differentiation is present as soon as 27 w GA; and 2) artificial ventilation, performed in a highly specialized neonatal intensive care unit, does not modify sleep organization of neurologically normal premature infants. We hypothesize that this "earlier" sleep state differentiation, compared with previous data, may be related to improvements in neonatal intensive care over recent years.