Occurrence and fate of CECs (OMPs, ARGs and pathogens) during decentralised treatment of black water and grey water.

Decentralised wastewater treatment is becoming a suitable strategy to reduce cost and environmental impact. In this research, the performance of two technologies treating black water (BW) and grey water (GW) fractions of urban sewage is carried out in a decentralised treatment of the wastewater produced in three office buildings. An Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) treating BW and a Hybrid preanoxic Membrane Bioreactor (H-MBR) containing small plastic carrier elements, treating GW were operated at pilot scale. Their potential on reducing the release of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) such as Organic Micropollutants (OMPs), Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) and pathogens was studied. After 226 d of operation, a stable operation was achieved in both systems: the AnMBR removed 92.4 ± 2.5 % of influent COD, and H-MBR removed 89.7 ± 3.5 %. Regarding OMPs, the profile of compounds differed between BW and GW, being BW the matrix with more compounds detected at higher concentrations (up to µg L-1). For example, in the case of ibuprofen the concentrations in BW were 23.63 ± 3.97 µg L-1, 3 orders of magnitude higher than those detected in GW. The most abundant ARGs were sulfonamide resistant genes (sul1) and integron class 1 (intl1) in both BW and GW. Pathogenic bacteria counts were reduced between 1 and 3 log units in the AnMBR. Bacterial loads in GW were much lower than in BW, being no bacterial re-growth observed for the GW effluents after treatment in the H-MBR. None of the selected enteric viruses was detected in GW treatment line.

SUNCT/SUNA: ¿frecuentemente mal diagnosticada como neuralgia del trigémino? / SUNCT/SUNA: frequently misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia?

Objetivo: Identificar el número de casos con posible diagnóstico de cefalea neuralgiforme unilateral de corta duración con inyección conjuntival y lagrimeo (SUNCT) o cefalea neuralgiforme unilateral de corta duración con síntomas autonómicos craneales (SUNA) en pacientes con un previo diagnóstico de neuralgia del trigémino (NT) en el servicio de neurología del Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, comprobando así que estas cefaleas trigeminoautonómicas deben ser descartadas y consideradas como diagnósticos diferenciales de la NT. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio transversal y retrospectivo. Se evaluaron los expedientes clínicos electrónicos completos de 100 pacientes con diagnóstico de NT durante el período de abril de 2010 a mayo de 2020. Intencionalmente se buscaron síntomas autonómicos en éstos y se compararon con los criterios diagnósticos de SUNCT y SUNA de la Clasificación Internacional de las Cefaleas, tercera edición. Se realizaron pruebas de chi cuadrado y posteriormente de regresión bivariada para determinar la asociación entre las variables. Resultados: Se incluyó a 100 pacientes con diagnóstico de NT. Tras la revisión de las manifestaciones clínicas, se encontró a 12 pacientes con síntomas autonómicos y se compararon con los criterios diagnósticos de SUNCT y SUNA. Estos no cumplieron los criterios absolutos para ser diagnosticados con las enfermedades previamente mencionadas; sin embargo, cumplieron las características del espectro de cefaleas trigeminoautonómicas. Conclusión: La NT es una entidad dolorosa y frecuente que puede presentar síntomas autonómicos, y es importante pensar en diagnósticos diferenciales, como la SUNCT y la SUNA, para la identificación y el tratamiento correctos.(AU)

Objective: Identify the number of cases with a possible diagnosis of short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) or short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) in patients with a previous diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) at the Neurology Service of the National Medical Center 20 de Noviembre. This will confirm that these trigeminal-autonomic cephalalgias should be ruled out and considered as differential diagnoses of trigeminal neuralgia. Patients and methods: Cross-sectional and retrospective study. The complete electronic medical records of 100 patients with a diagnosis of TN were evaluated during the period from April 2010 to May 2020. Autonomic symptoms were intentionally searched for in these patients and compared with the diagnostic criteria of SUNCT and SUNA of the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Chi-square tests and subsequent bivariate regression were performed to determine the association between variables. Results: One hundred patients with a diagnosis of TN were included. After reviewing the clinical manifestations, 12 patients with autonomic symptoms were found and compared with the diagnostic criteria of SUNCT and SUNA. However, they did not meet the absolute criteria to be diagnosed with the previously mentioned diseases, nor to be ruled out. Conclusions: TN is a painful and frequent entity that can present with autonomic symptoms, therefore making it important to identify SUNCT and SUNA as differential diagnoses, to recognize them and treat them appropriately.(AU)

[SUNCT/SUNA: frequently misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia?] / SUNCT/SUNA: ¿frecuentemente mal diagnosticada como neuralgia del trigémino?

OBJECTIVE: Identify the number of cases with a possible diagnosis of short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) or short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA) in patients with a previous diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) at the Neurology Service of the National Medical Center 20 de Noviembre. This will confirm that these trigeminal-autonomic cephalalgias should be ruled out and considered as differential diagnoses of trigeminal neuralgia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and retrospective study. The complete electronic medical records of 100 patients with a diagnosis of TN were evaluated during the period from April 2010 to May 2020. Autonomic symptoms were intentionally searched for in these patients and compared with the diagnostic criteria of SUNCT and SUNA of the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Chi-square tests and subsequent bivariate regression were performed to determine the association between variables. RESULTS: One hundred patients with a diagnosis of TN were included. After reviewing the clinical manifestations, 12 patients with autonomic symptoms were found and compared with the diagnostic criteria of SUNCT and SUNA. However, they did not meet the absolute criteria to be diagnosed with the previously mentioned diseases, nor to be ruled out. CONCLUSIONS: TN is a painful and frequent entity that can present with autonomic symptoms, therefore making it important to identify SUNCT and SUNA as differential diagnoses, to recognize them and treat them appropriately.

TITLE: SUNCT/SUNA: ¿frecuentemente mal diagnosticada como neuralgia del trigémino?Objetivo. Identificar el número de casos con posible diagnóstico de cefalea neuralgiforme unilateral de corta duración con inyección conjuntival y lagrimeo (SUNCT) o cefalea neuralgiforme unilateral de corta duración con síntomas autonómicos craneales (SUNA) en pacientes con un previo diagnóstico de neuralgia del trigémino (NT) en el servicio de neurología del Centro Médico Nacional 20 de Noviembre, comprobando así que estas cefaleas trigeminoautonómicas deben ser descartadas y consideradas como diagnósticos diferenciales de la NT. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio transversal y retrospectivo. Se evaluaron los expedientes clínicos electrónicos completos de 100 pacientes con diagnóstico de NT durante el período de abril de 2010 a mayo de 2020. Intencionalmente se buscaron síntomas autonómicos en éstos y se compararon con los criterios diagnósticos de SUNCT y SUNA de la Clasificación Internacional de las Cefaleas, tercera edición. Se realizaron pruebas de chi cuadrado y posteriormente de regresión bivariada para determinar la asociación entre las variables. Resultados. Se incluyó a 100 pacientes con diagnóstico de NT. Tras la revisión de las manifestaciones clínicas, se encontró a 12 pacientes con síntomas autonómicos y se compararon con los criterios diagnósticos de SUNCT y SUNA. Estos no cumplieron los criterios absolutos para ser diagnosticados con las enfermedades previamente mencionadas; sin embargo, cumplieron las características del espectro de cefaleas trigeminoautonómicas. Conclusión. La NT es una entidad dolorosa y frecuente que puede presentar síntomas autonómicos, y es importante pensar en diagnósticos diferenciales, como la SUNCT y la SUNA, para la identificación y el tratamiento correctos.

Discovery of endogenous nitroxyl as a new redox player in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Nitroxyl (HNO) is the one-electron reduced and protonated congener of nitric oxide (•NO), owning a distinct chemical profile. Based on real-time detection, we demonstrate that HNO is endogenously formed in Arabidopsis. Senescence and hypoxia induce shifts in the redox balance, triggering HNO decay or formation mediated by non-enzymatic •NO/HNO interconversion with cellular reductants. The stimuli-dependent HNO generation supports or competes with •NO signalling, depending on the local redox environment.

Intramolecular Thiol- and Selenol-Assisted Delivery of Hydrogen Sulfide.

Arylthioamides have been frequently employed to assess the chemical biology and pharmacology of hydrogen sulfide (H2 S). From this class of donors, however, extremely low H2 S releasing efficiencies have been reported and proper mechanistic studies have been omitted. Consequently, millimolar concentrations of arylthioamides are required to liberate just trace amounts of H2 S, and via an unidentified mechanistic pathway, which obfuscates the interpretation of any biological activity that stems from their use. Herein, we report that H2 S release from this valuable class of donors can be markedly enhanced through intramolecular nucleophilic assistance. Specifically, we demonstrate that both disulfide- and diselenide-linked thioamides are responsive to biologically relevant concentrations of glutathione and release two molar equivalents of H2 S via an intramolecular cyclization that significantly augments their rate and efficiency of sulfide delivery in both buffer and live human cells.

Acute pulmonary embolism: Appropriateness of emergency department management according to clinical guidelines.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To evaluate the frequency of acute pulmonary embolism, the use of clinical probability scores, and the appropriateness of the management of patients for whom computed tomography angiography (CTA) was requested from the emergency department for suspected acute pulmonary embolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of CTA studies requested from the emergency department to rule out acute pulmonary embolism. We analyzed clinical variables and the explicit use of clinical probability scores. We determined the appropriateness of management according to the Wells Score and Geneva Score and the simplified versions of these two scores, calculated retrospectively. RESULTS: We included 534 patients (52.8% women; mean age, 73 years). The frequency of acute pulmonary embolism was 23.0% and the Wells Score was explicitly used in 15.2%. The appropriateness of the management varied depending on the clinical probability score used to assess it (54.5%-75.8%) and on whether the standard d-dimer or age-adjusted d-dimer was used. CONCLUSIONS: The failure to use the Wells Scores in all cases does not necessarily imply inappropriate management, and the performance of global clinical judgment can be similar to that of clinical probability scores; however, specific studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

Tromboembolismo pulmonar agudo: adecuación del manejo de pacientes según las guías de práctica clínica en el servicio de urgencias / Acute pulmonary embolism: appropriateness of emergency department management according to clinical guidelines

Antecedentes y objetivo: Evaluar la frecuencia de tromboembolismo pulmonar agudo (TEPA), el uso de escalas de probabilidad clínica (EPC) y la adecuación del manejo de los pacientes a los que se solicitó angiografía pulmonar por tomografía computarizada (angio-TC) por sospecha de TEPA desde el servicio de urgencias. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de las angio-TC solicitadas desde el servicio de urgencias para descartar TEPA. Se analizaron variables clínicas y el uso explícito de EPC. Se determinó la adecuación del manejo en función de las escalas de Wells (EW) y Ginebra (EG) y sus versiones simplificadas (EWs y EGs), calculadas retrospectivamente. Resultados: Se incluyeron 534 pacientes (52,8% mujeres, mediana de edad: 73 años). La frecuencia de TEPA fue del 23,0% y el uso explícito de la EW, del 15,2%. La adecuación del manejo fue variable dependiendo de la EPC (54,5-75,8%) y del dímero D estándar o ajustado por edad. Conclusiones: La baja utilización explícita de la EW no conlleva un manejo inadecuado, y el juicio clínico global puede ofrecer un rendimiento similar a las EPC, pero es necesario realizar estudios específicos para comprobar esta hipótesis.(AU)

Background and aims: To evaluate the frequency of acute pulmonary embolism, the use of clinical probability scores, and the appropriateness of the management of patients for whom computed tomography angiography (CTA) was requested from the emergency department for suspected acute pulmonary embolism. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective observational study of CTA studies requested from the emergency department to rule out acute pulmonary embolism. We analyzed clinical variables and the explicit use of clinical probability scores. We determined the appropriateness of management according to the Wells Score and Geneva Score and the simplified versions of these two scores, calculated retrospectively. Results: We included 534 patients (52.8% women; mean age, 73 years). The frequency of acute pulmonary embolism was 23.0% and the Wells Score was explicitly used in 15.2%. The appropriateness of the management varied depending on the clinical probability score used to assess it (54.5%-75.8%) and on whether the standard D-dimer or age-adjusted D-dimer was used. Conclusions: The failure to use the Wells Scores in all cases does not necessarily imply inappropriate management, and the performance of global clinical judgment can be similar to that of clinical probability scores; however, specific studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.(AU)

Actitudes y creencias de deportistas cubanos de alto rendimiento sobre el dopaje / Atitudes e crenças de atletas cubanos de alto desempenhosobre doping / Attitudes and beliefs of high-performance cuban athletes about doping

La presente investigación no experimental y descriptiva tiene como intención determinar las principales creencias y actitudes en deportistas cubanos de alto rendimiento respecto al dopaje. Se tomó una muestra de 300 deportistas pertenecientes a equipos nacionales de 37 deportes, a los que se le aplicó el instrumento Escala de actitudes y creencias sobre dopaje (Suárez y Ordoqui, 2019). Se realizó el análisis de los datos obtenidos mediante la distribución empírica de frecuencias, las medias y la desviación estándar. Se emplearon además la prueba KMO y Barlett para validar el uso del análisis factorial y la prueba Chi cuadrado de Pearson. Se pudo comprobar en más del 50% de la muestra, la presencia de creencias y actitudes de rechazo hacia el consumo de sustancias dopantes y quedaron expuestos los factores que los deportistas reconocen como los de mayor incidencia en la aparición de conductas de propensión hacia el dopaje. (AU)

The present non-experimental and descriptive research intends to determine the main beliefs and attitudes in high-performance Cuban athletes regarding doping. A sample of 300 athletes belonging to national teams of 37 sports was taken, to which the Doping Attitudes and Beliefs Scale instrument was applied (Suárez and Ordoqui, 2019). The analysis of the data obtained was carried out through the empirical distribution of frequencies, the means and the standard deviation. The KMO and Barlett test were also used to validate the use of factor analysis and Pearson's Chi-square test. It was possible to verify in more than 50% of the sample, the presence of beliefs and attitudes of rejection towards the consumption of doping substances and the factors that athletes recognize as those with the highest incidence in the appearance of propensity behaviors towards doping were exposed. (AU)

A presente pesquisa não experimental e descritiva pretende determinar as principais crenças e atitudes em atletas cubanos de alto rendimento em relação ao doping. Foi retirada uma amostra de 300 atletas pertencentes a seleções nacionais de 37 modalidades desportivas, às quais foi aplicado o instrumento Doping Attitudes andBeliefs Scale (Suárez e Ordoqui, 2019). A análise dos dados obtidos foi realizada por meio da distribuição empírica de frequências, médias e desvio padrão. O KMO e o teste de Barlett também foram utilizados para validar o uso da análise fatorial e o testeQui-quadrado de Pearson. Foi possível verificar em mais de 50% da amostra, a presença de crenças e atitudes de rejeição ao consumo de substâncias dopantes e os fatores que os atletas reconhecem como os de maior incidência no aparecimento de comportamentosde propensão ao doping foram expostos. (AU)

An study on the influence of collagen fiber directions in TAVs performance using FEM.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) or Replacement (TAVR) is a promising treatment for aortic valve stenosis, consisting of a procedure to replace a damaged native aortic valve by a bioprosthetic one. This replacement valve control the flow of blood using leaflets that are similar to the ones of a native aortic valve. Commonly manufactured using bovine or porcine pericardium, it is a tissue histologically composed of collagen fibers embedded into a nearly-isotropic matrix, where their distribution makes the pericardium behave as an anisotropic hyperelastic material. Because of such complicated behavior, bioprosthetic pericardium valves are, as expected, sensitive to the distribution and orientation of these fibers in such device. Therefore, the objective of this work is a thorough systematic study on the influence of these fibers' distribution. First, a Finite Element model of a bioprosthetic valve is generated; then, a material routine to accurately describe the behavior of pericardium is implemented in a commercial software package; in addition, a dedicated algorithm to specify the direction of fibers is developed. Finally, a systematic study on the influence that fiber orientations have on the overall behavior of the TAV is performed. As a result of this study, two extreme behaviors are highlighted depending on the preferential orientation of collagen fibers; namely, one with fibers in circumferential direction and the opposite with fibers in an axial orientation. Then, it is concluded that the behavior of fibers in circumferential direction is very sensitive to small variations of the orientation angle, whereas such orientation is not as determining when the aim is to achieve a behavior near to the one corresponding with axial orientation.

Sebaceoma: Un tumor infrecuente en el conducto auditivo externo / Sebaceoma: an unusual tumor in the external auditory canal

El sebaceoma es un tumor cutáneo poco frecuente que presenta diferenciación sebácea, y se localiza en piel de cabeza y cuello. Puede asociarse con la presencia de tumores malignos, asociación conocida como síndrome de Muir-Torre, por lo que ante su diagnóstico se deben descartar. Su localización en la piel del conducto auditivo externo es muy infrecuente. Presentamos nuestra experiencia en el manejo de esta patología en un varón de 78 años de edad que presentaba una lesión nodular sólida en el conducto auditivo externo izquierdo con pérdida de audición y otorrea como síntomas asociados. Se recomienda la exéresis completa de la lesión, como tratamiento de elección con fines tanto diagnósticos como terapéuticos.

Sebaceoma is a rare benign cutaneous tumor with sebaceous differentiation and it is typically located on the skin of the head and neck. This pathology made appear in association with malignant tumors (known as Muir-Torre syndrome) and must be ruled out. The location in the external auditory canal is very unusual. We present our experience in managing this pathology in a 78-year-old man who complains of hearing loss and otorrhea and presents a solid nodule in the left external auditory canal. Complete surgical removal was performed, as the choice treatment for diagnosis and therapeutic care.

Cortical expression of IL1-ß, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and 9, SEMA-3a, NT-3 and P-glycoprotein as biological markers of intrinsic severity in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy.

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is the most common epilepsy induced by previous cerebral injury, and one out of three mTLE patients develops drug resistance (DR). AIM: To assess the expression of Bcl-2, Caspase-3, Caspase-9, IL1-ß, SEMA-3a, NT-3 and P-glycoprotein in the temporal cortex and their relationship with the progression of mTLE-DR clinical features in patients with mTLE-DR. METHOD: Tissue samples from 17 patients were evaluated for protein expression by Western blot and the relationships of the evaluated proteins with the clinical features of the mTLE were assessed through hierarchical cluster analysis. RESULTS: The mTLE-DR group showed significantly higher P-glycoprotein, Bcl-2 and Caspase-9 levels ***p < 0.0001, ****p < 0.0001 and ***p < 0.0002, respectively, than the autopsy control group. Four patient clusters were identified: Clusters 1 and 3 showed relationships among the age of mTLE onset, duration of mTLE-DR, average number of epileptic seizures per week, number of previous antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and increased expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, Neurotrophin-3 and Semaphorin-3a. Clusters 2 and 4 showed relationships among the mTLE onset age, current age, average number of epileptic seizures per week, number of previous AEDs and increased expression of IL1-ß, Bcl-2, P-glycoprotein, Caspase-3 and NT-3. CONCLUSION: The relationships among the clinical data the age of mTLE onset, DR duration, number of previous AEDs, and average number of seizures per week and the expression of proteins involved in neuronal death, neuroinflammation and aberrant connection formation, as which are biological markers in the cerebral temporal cortex, are important factors in the progression and severity of mTLE-DR and support the intrinsic severity hypothesis.

Isoperistaltic gastric tube: a surgical alternative in a pharyngoesophageal burn - a clinical case. / Tubo gástrico isoperistáltico, alternativa quirúrgica en quemadura faringoesofágica. Caso clínico.

INTRODUCTION: Caustic burns still cause complex esophageal lesions in the pediatric population. However, therapeutic possibilities in severe cases are limited. A surgical approach allowing for a longer neoesophagus, an isoperistaltic esophagus, and a better vascularization, with a lower risk of complications such as necrosis, stenosis, or perforation, is proposed. CLINICAL CASE: 16-month-old patient who accidentally ingested caustic soda. This caused a IIIb degree burn compromising the pharynx down to the stomach. Esophageal replacement with an isoperistaltic gastric tube was carried out, which allowed for a neoesophagus of appropriate length, an optimal vascularization for the graft, and physiological peristalsis. COMMENTS: The surgical approach proposed allows the esophagus to be irrigated from the right gastro-omental artery, thus preserving irrigation of the greater curvature. It also allows for a longer esophagus, and thanks to anatomical positioning, for physiological peristalsis.

INTRODUCCION: Las quemaduras por ingesta de cáusticos en la población pediátrica continúan siendo causa de lesiones esofágicas complejas. Sin embargo, las posibilidades terapéuticas en casos severos son limitadas. Se propone un abordaje quirúrgico en el cual se obtiene mayor longitud del neoesófago, esófago isoperistáltico y mejor vascularización con el subsecuente menor riesgo de complicaciones (necrosis, estenosis, perforación). CASO CLINICO: Paciente de 16 meses de edad, quien presenta ingesta accidental de sosa cáustica que ocasiona quemadura grado IIIb que compromete desde la faringe hasta el estómago. Se realizó reemplazo esofágico con tubo gástrico isoperistáltico, con lo cual se obtuvo un neoesófago de longitud apropiada, vascularización óptima para el injerto y peristaltismo fisiológico. COMENTARIOS: El abordaje quirúrgico propuesto permite obtener un esófago con irrigación proveniente de la arteria gastroepiploica derecha, preservando irrigación de la curvatura mayor, una longitud mayor y por el posicionamiento anatómico del esófago con un peristaltismo fisiológico.

Tubo gástrico isoperistáltico, alternativa quirúrgica en quemadura faringoesofágica. Caso clínico / Isoperistaltic gastric tube: a surgical alternative in a pharyngoesophageal burn - a clinical case

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las quemaduras por ingesta de cáusticos en la población pediátrica continúan siendo causa de lesiones esofágicas complejas. Sin embargo, las posibilidades terapéuticas en casos severos son limitadas. Se propone un abordaje quirúrgico en el cual se obtiene mayor longitud del neoesófago, esófago isoperistáltico y mejor vascularización con el subsecuente menor riesgo de complicaciones (necrosis, estenosis, perforación). CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 16 meses de edad, quien presenta ingesta accidental de sosa cáustica que ocasiona quemadura grado IIIb que compromete desde la faringe hasta el estómago. Se realizó reemplazo esofágico con tubo gástrico isoperistáltico, con lo cual se obtuvo un neoesófago de longitud apropiada, vascularización óptima para el injerto y peristaltismo fisiológico. COMENTARIOS: El abordaje quirúrgico propuesto permite obtener un esófago con irrigación proveniente de la arteria gastroepiploica derecha, preservando irrigación de la curvatura mayor, una longitud mayor y por el posicionamiento anatómico del esófago con un peristaltismo fisiológico

INTRODUCTION: Caustic burns still cause complex esophageal lesions in the pediatric population. However, therapeutic possibilities in severe cases are limited. A surgical approach allowing for a longer neoesophagus, an isoperistaltic esophagus, and a better vascularization, with a lower risk of complications such as necrosis, stenosis, or perforation, is proposed. CLINICAL CASE: 16-month-old patient who accidentally ingested caustic soda. This caused a IIIb degree burn compromising the pharynx down to the stomach. Esophageal replacement with an isoperistaltic gastric tube was carried out, which allowed for a neoesophagus of appropriate length, an optimal vascularization for the graft, and physiological peristalsis. COMMENTS: The surgical approach proposed allows the esophagus to be irrigated from the right gastro-omental artery, thus preserving irrigation of the greater curvature. It also allows for a longer esophagus, and thanks to anatomical positioning, for physiological peristalsis

Measures of Neural Similarity.

One fundamental question is what makes two brain states similar. For example, what makes the activity in visual cortex elicited from viewing a robin similar to a sparrow? One common assumption in fMRI analysis is that neural similarity is described by Pearson correlation. However, there are a host of other possibilities, including Minkowski and Mahalanobis measures, with each differing in its mathematical, theoretical, and neural computational assumptions. Moreover, the operable measures may vary across brain regions and tasks. Here, we evaluated which of several competing similarity measures best captured neural similarity. Our technique uses a decoding approach to assess the information present in a brain region, and the similarity measures that best correspond to the classifier's confusion matrix are preferred. Across two published fMRI datasets, we found the preferred neural similarity measures were common across brain regions but differed across tasks. Moreover, Pearson correlation was consistently surpassed by alternatives.

Acute pulmonary embolism: appropriateness of emergency department management according to clinical guidelines. / Tromboembolismo pulmonar agudo: adecuación del manejo de pacientes según las guías de práctica clínica en el servicio de urgencias.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To evaluate the frequency of acute pulmonary embolism, the use of clinical probability scores, and the appropriateness of the management of patients for whom computed tomography angiography (CTA) was requested from the emergency department for suspected acute pulmonary embolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of CTA studies requested from the emergency department to rule out acute pulmonary embolism. We analyzed clinical variables and the explicit use of clinical probability scores. We determined the appropriateness of management according to the Wells Score and Geneva Score and the simplified versions of these two scores, calculated retrospectively. RESULTS: We included 534 patients (52.8% women; mean age, 73 years). The frequency of acute pulmonary embolism was 23.0% and the Wells Score was explicitly used in 15.2%. The appropriateness of the management varied depending on the clinical probability score used to assess it (54.5%-75.8%) and on whether the standard D-dimer or age-adjusted D-dimer was used. CONCLUSIONS: The failure to use the Wells Scores in all cases does not necessarily imply inappropriate management, and the performance of global clinical judgment can be similar to that of clinical probability scores; however, specific studies are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.

An Innovative Hydrogen Peroxide-Sensing Scaffold and Insight Towards its Potential as an ROS-Activated Persulfide Donor.

Reactive sulfur species, such as hydrogen sulfide, persulfides, and polysulfides, have recently emerged as key signaling molecules and important physiological mediators within mammalian systems. To better assess the therapeutic potential of their exogenous administration, we report on the development of a unique hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )-sensing motif and its capacity for providing cellular protection against oxidative stress while serving as a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-activated persulfide donor. With the strategic implementation of a gem-dimethyl group to promote both stability and cyclization, we found the initial rate of payload release from this newly derived scaffold to be directly proportional to the concentration of H2 O2 and to proceed via an unprecedented pathway that avoids the production of electrophilic byproducts, a severe limitation that has plagued the physiological application of previous designs.

Fatty acid profiles and lipid quality indices in canned European eels: Effects of processing steps, filling medium and storage.

This study evaluated the effects of the canning process, the filling medium (sunflower or olive oil), the spices included as ingredients and storage on the fatty acid profiles and related lipid quality indices in the European eel. The fatty acids did not undergo any changes during thawing-salting, because of the short salting periods. However, frying, sterilization and room storage greatly altered the fatty acid profiles. In general, the nutritional value and the lipid quality increased, owing to absorption of the oil used in the canning process. The fatty acid profiles of canned eels tended to be similar to those of the filling medium. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between eels canned in sunflower oil, olive oil and spiced olive oil were observed in relation to some fatty acids. The lipid profiles of the canned eels indicated the high nutritional quality of the product.