Enriched environments enhance cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of Sparus aurata.

Environmental enrichment is considered as a recommended tool to guarantee or improve the welfare of captive fish. This study demonstrates for the first time that structural environmental enrichment enhances cognition, exploratory behaviour and brain physiological functions of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Seabream was reared in groups (n = 15) during 60 days under two different treatments: enriched tanks with plant-fibre ropes (EE) or bare/non-enriched tanks (NE). Fish were then exposed to a purpose-built maze for 1 h every second day in four trials. Analysis of video recordings showed that seabream under EE conditions presented higher overall exploratory behaviour, spatial orientation and learning capability compared to seabream from NE conditions. Results from brain monoamines analyses may suggest increased recent dopaminergic activity in telencephalon, known to be involved in learning processes; and increased serotonergic activity in cerebellum, involved in the coordination of balance, movements and orientation. In addition, EE-reared fish showed increased antioxidant activity in whole brain, with no apparent oxidative damage. Structural EE seemed to induce an hormetic response on juvenile seabream, improving their welfare status during captivity. Application of this kind of physical structure might be feasible at fish farms as a passive and non-invasive tool to improve welfare of intensively cultured seabream.

Hypersaline water from desalinization plants causes oxidative damage in Posidonia oceanica meadows.

Posidonia oceanica is an endemic marine phanerogam of the Mediterranean Sea for that is very sensitive to the environmental changes, especially those related to human activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress status of P. oceanica meadows exposed to spillage of hypersaline water from a desalination station by using biomarkers. Leaf samples of P. oceanica were obtained from 4 different points exposed to different levels of salinity water. Samples from the area with the highest salinity conditions were 75% shorter than the samples from the control area. Exposure to high salinity induced an increase in the levels of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyls). Interestingly, in the area with the highest salinity the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione-s-transferase were significantly induced respect to the other studies areas, while catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were lower. In addition, salinity induced a progressive increase in non-enzymatic antioxidants (polyphenols and glutathione) and in total antioxidant capacity reaching the highest concentrations in samples directly affected by the saline discharge. In conclusion chronic exposure to high salinity induced an increase in total antioxidant capacity in P. oceanica. However, this increase was not enough to protect the plant against oxidative stress as it is evidenced by the raise in oxidative stress markers. The obtained data suggest that high salinity conditions deactivated CAT and SOD antioxidant enzymes and caused an increase in non-enzymatic antioxidants (polyphenols and glutathione) and in glutathione-related enzymes.

Microencapsulation as a tool to counteract the typical low bioavailability of polyphenols in the management of diabetes.

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites widely distributed in many plant foods, such a tea, coffee, chocolate and fruits. The consumption of these compounds is related to the improvement or amelioration of many diseases, including diabetes. Nevertheless, the great barrier to the therapeutic use of polyphenols is the low bioavailability of these compounds once ingested. For that reason, the encapsulation of polyphenols in different matrices may protect them from digestion and improve their release and subsequent absorption to obtain target-specific health effects. Some studies have reported the beneficial effect of encapsulation to increase both bioavailability and bioaccessibility. However, these works have mostly been carried out in vitro and few studies are specifically addressed at improving diabetes. In the current work, an overview of the knowledge related to nanoparticles and their use in the diabetic condition has been reviewed.

A comprehensive overview on the molecular biology of human glioma: what the clinician needs to know.

The molecular biology of human glioma is a complex and fast-growing field in which basic research needs to meet clinical expectations in terms of anti-tumor efficacy. Although much effort is being done in molecular biology research, significant contribution to the quality of life and overall survival still lacks. The vastness of molecular biology literature makes it virtually impossible for clinicians to keep up to date in the field. This paper reviews some practical concepts regarding glioma tumorigenesis from the clinician's perspective. Five main aspects are discussed: major intracellular signaling pathways involved in glioma formation; genomic, epigenetic and transcriptomic relevant features of glioma; the prognostic and predictive values of molecular markers according to the new WHO classification of glial tumors; the importance of molecular and cellular heterogeneity in glioblastoma, responsible for its therapy resistance; and the interaction between glioma and the immune system, in view of the novel and promising targeted therapies.

Práctica pedagógica en la formación para el cuidado de enfermería / Pedagogical practice in nursing care formation / Prática pedagógica na formação para o cuidado de enfermagem

Objetivo: Explorar la práctica pedagógica docente en la formación para el cuidado de enfermería en la Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas. Material y método: Estudio cualitativo, exploratorio, descriptivo: la muestra la conformaron 21 informantes. La recolección de información fue por medio de entrevista semi estructurada. El análisis siguió un proceso de codificación abierta, axial y selectiva hasta obtener categorías emergentes. Resultados: Se identificaron las siguientes categorías: I) Convivencia y relaciones de cuidado/descuido en la formación de enfermería; II) (Des)articulación teórico- práctica en la enseñanza/aprendizaje del cuidado de enfermería: hacia la integración docente-asistente; III) Complementariedad docente/estudiante para la construcción de conocimiento y estrategias didácticas. Conclusiones: La pedagogía para el cuidado de enfermería se evidencia en un espacio de cuidado/descuido, demandan integración docencia-asistencia y se motivan para el fortalecimiento de competencias pedagógico didácticas, a través del aprendizaje basado en problemas, casos hipotéticos, laboratorios vivenciales y sociodramas e incluir como ejes trasversales el cuidado y la investigación.

Objective: To explore the pedagogical practice in nursing care formation among teachers of the Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas. Method and materials: This is a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, with a sample of 21 informants. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews. The analysis followed an open, axial, and selective coding process, until emerging categories were identified. Results: The following categories emerged: I) Co-living and care/negligence relationships in nursing formation; II) (Lack of) theory-practice articulation in teaching/learning nursing care: towards the teacher-assistant integration; III) Teacher/student complementarity in the construction of knowledge and didactical strategies. Conclusions: Pedagogy in nursing care is evidenced within a care/negligence space, and thus, it is necessary to strengthen the integration among teaching and assistance improving the pedagogical competencies through methodologies such as learning based on problem solving, presentation of hypothetical cases, use of laboratories, including those for high-fidelity simulation, among others.

Objetivo: Explorar a prática pedagógica docente na formação para o cuidado de enfermagem na Universidad Nacional Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza de Amazonas. Material e método: Estudo qualitativo, exploratório, descritivo: a amostra a conformaram 21 informantes. A recolecção de informação foi por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. A análise seguiu um processo de codificação aberta, axial e seletiva até obter categorias emergentes. Resultados: Identificaram-se as seguintes categorias: I) Convivência e relações de cuidado/descuido na formação de enfermagem; II) (Des)articulação teórico -prática no ensino/aprendizagem do cuidado de enfermagem: para a integração docente- assistente; III) Complementaridade docente/estudante para a construção de conhecimento e estratégias didáticas. Conclusões: A pedagogia para o cuidado de enfermagem evidencia-se em um espaço de cuidado/descuido, demandam integração, docência-assistência e motivam-se para o fortalecimento de competências pedagógico didáticas, através da aprendizagem, baseada em problemas, casos hipotéticos, laboratórios vivenciais e sociodramas e incluir como eixos transversais o cuidado e a pesquisa.

Influence of dentine debris and organic tissue on the properties of sodium hypochlorite solutions.

AIM: To determine the free available chlorine of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) alone and combined with 9% etidronic acid (HEDP) in the presence of inhibitors, organic tissue and organic tissue plus dentine debris; to evaluate the influence of dentine debris on the tissue-dissolving capacity of both NaOCl solutions; and to determine the antimicrobial action of these solutions when in contact with organic tissue and organic tissue plus dentine debris. METHODOLOGY: The available chlorine of the solutions over time in the absence and presence of the inhibitors was measured using a titration method. The organic tissue dissolution by the solutions alone and in the presence of dentine powder was evaluated by weighing bovine tissue specimens before and after exposure to the solutions for 3 and 10 min. For the antimicrobial activity, biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis were exposed to the solutions for 3 min in the absence and presence of organic tissue and organic tissue + dentine debris. The biovolume and percentage of damaged membrane cells of the biofilm were measured by means of confocal microscopy and the live/dead technique. Nonparametric tests were used to determine statistical differences (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Both inhibitors consumed the free available chlorine of the solutions over time. The presence of dentine debris significantly reduced the tissue dissolution capacity of the NaOCl solutions (P < 0.05). The percentages of biovolume reduction were not affected by the presence of the inhibitors in the two NaOCl solutions, whereas the percentage of damaged membrane cells was significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Overall, a similar behaviour was observed in the NaOCl and NaOCl/HEDP groups. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of organic tissue and organic tissue + dentine debris favoured rapid consumption of the free chlorine of NaOCl and NaOCl/HEDP. This resulted in a decreased ability to dissolve organic tissue without affecting the short-term antimicrobial activity.

[Selective dorsal rhizotomy: a review of the literature on this technique for the treatment of spasticity in infantile cerebral palsy]. / Rizotomia dorsal selectiva: revision bibliografica de esta tecnica para el tratamiento de la espasticidad en la paralisis cerebral infantil.

INTRODUCTION: Infantile cerebral palsy is a well-known condition, the prevalence of which has varied only slightly over the years. The most common subtype is spastic diplegia, and spasticity is the most disabling symptom. Its treatment involves a multidisciplinary intervention that includes rehabilitation, the use of drugs, and orthopaedic and nervous system surgery, where selective dorsal rhizotomy is a prominent procedure. AIM: To present a thorough review of the use, indication and long-term consequences of selective dorsal rhizotomy. DEVELOPMENT: It is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at reducing spasticity in the lower extremities in order to improve the ability to walk, lessen pain, facilitate care in everyday life and diminish the need for orthopaedic surgery. The literature contains a wide range of criteria for its use, and the main indication is spastic diplegia with the absence of dystonia. It is routinely performed in several countries, while we have no evidence of its application in ours. CONCLUSIONS: Following the literature review, we believe there is enough experience to state that selective dorsal rhizotomy is a safe and simple technique from which many patients with spasticity of the lower limbs secondary to infantile cerebral palsy can benefit in both the short and the long term.

TITLE: Rizotomia dorsal selectiva: revision bibliografica de esta tecnica para el tratamiento de la espasticidad en la paralisis cerebral infantil.Introduccion. La paralisis cerebral infantil conforma una entidad bien conocida cuya prevalencia ha variado poco a lo largo de los años. El subtipo mas comun es la diplejia espastica, y la espasticidad es el sintoma mas incapacitante. Para su tratamiento es preciso una intervencion multidisciplinar que auna rehabilitacion, uso de farmacos y cirugia ortopedica y del sistema nervioso, donde destaca la rizotomia dorsal selectiva. Objetivo. Mostrar una amplia revision del uso, indicaciones y consecuencias a largo plazo de la rizotomia dorsal selectiva. Desarrollo. Se trata de una intervencion minimamente invasiva dirigida a disminuir la espasticidad en las extremidades inferiores con el fin de mejorar la deambulacion, aminorar el dolor, facilitar los cuidados de la vida diaria y reducir la necesidad de cirugias ortopedicas. En la bibliografia hay una amplia variabilidad de criterios para su uso, y la principal indicacion es la diplejia espastica con ausencia de distonia. Diversos paises lo practican de forma rutinaria, mientras que en el nuestro no tenemos aun constancia de ello. Conclusiones. Tras la revision de la bibliografia consideramos que existe suficiente experiencia como para afirmar que la rizotomia dorsal selectiva es una tecnica segura y sencilla de la que muchos pacientes con espasticidad de las extremidades inferiores secundaria a paralisis cerebral infantil se pueden beneficiar a corto y largo plazo.

Resonancia magnética intraoperatoria de 3 teslas: Nuestra experiencia en patología tumoral / Intraoperative 3 tesla magnetic resonance imaging: our experience in tumors

Objetivo. Describir nuestra experiencia con la resonancia magnética intraoperatoria (RMio) de 3 teslas en procedimientos neuroquirúrgicos en patología tumoral y evaluar los criterios que condicionaron la ampliación quirúrgica. Material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo en el que se incluyeron todas las RMio consecutivas realizadas por patología neurooncológica en los primeros 13 meses tras su instalación. Se registraron las posibles complicaciones inmediatas, la presencia de restos tumorales y la modificación de la actitud quirúrgica por los resultados de la RMio. Se midió el tiempo quirúrgico en todos los casos. Resultados. El mayor porcentaje de lesiones resecadas correspondió a glioblastomas recidivados, seguido de glioblastomas primarios y metástasis. Se evidenció una resección completa en un 28% y restos tumorales en un 72%. La RMio permitió a los neurocirujanos mejorar la extensión de la resección en un 85%. La media del tiempo quirúrgico fue de 390±122 minutos. Conclusión. La RMio con equipos de alto campo (3 teslas) es una técnica novedosa y válida, que permite estudiar la resección tumoral de forma precisa y evaluar si se puede continuar la resección sin dañar zonas elocuentes. Aunque su empleo conlleva una prolongación del tiempo quirúrgico, este mejora con la curva de aprendizaje del personal

Objective. To report our experience in the use of 3 tesla intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in neurosurgical procedures for tumors, and to evaluate the criteria for increasing the extension of resection. Material and methods. This retrospective study included all consecutive intraoperative MRI studies done for neuro-oncologic disease in the first 13 months after the implementation of the technique. We registered possible immediate complications, the presence of tumor remnants, and whether the results of the intraoperative MRI study changed the surgical management. We recorded the duration of surgery in all cases. Results. The most common tumor was recurrent glioblastoma, followed by primary glioblastoma and metastases. Complete resection was achieved in 28%, and tumor remnants remained in 72%. Intraoperative MRI enabled neurosurgeons to improve the extent of the resection in 85% of cases. The mean duration of surgery was 390±122minutes. Conclusion. Intraoperative MRI using a strong magnetic field (3 teslas) is a valid new technique that enables precise study of the tumor resection to determine whether the resection can be extended without damaging eloquent zones. Although the use of MRI increases the duration of surgery, the time required decreases as the team becomes more familiar with the technique

Intraoperative 3 tesla magnetic resonance imaging: our experience in tumors. / Resonancia magnética intraoperatoria de 3 teslas: Nuestra experiencia en patología tumoral.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the use of 3 tesla intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in neurosurgical procedures for tumors, and to evaluate the criteria for increasing the extension of resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study included all consecutive intraoperative MRI studies done for neuro-oncologic disease in the first 13 months after the implementation of the technique. We registered possible immediate complications, the presence of tumor remnants, and whether the results of the intraoperative MRI study changed the surgical management. We recorded the duration of surgery in all cases. RESULTS: The most common tumor was recurrent glioblastoma, followed by primary glioblastoma and metastases. Complete resection was achieved in 28%, and tumor remnants remained in 72%. Intraoperative MRI enabled neurosurgeons to improve the extent of the resection in 85% of cases. The mean duration of surgery was 390±122minutes. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative MRI using a strong magnetic field (3 teslas) is a valid new technique that enables precise study of the tumor resection to determine whether the resection can be extended without damaging eloquent zones. Although the use of MRI increases the duration of surgery, the time required decreases as the team becomes more familiar with the technique.

Microplastic ingestion by Mullus surmuletus Linnaeus, 1758 fish and its potential for causing oxidative stress.

A total of 417 striped red mullet, Mullus surmuletus, were analyzed to study microplastic ingestion and livers of fish were assessed to study effects of microplastics. Nearly one third (27.30%) of the individuals were quantified to ingest microplastics although there was no evidence of oxidative stress or cellular damage in the liver of fish which had ingested microplastics. A small increase in the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST) of M. surmuletus was detected which could be suggesting an induction of the detoxification systems but these findings should be tested in laboratory conditions under a controlled diet and known concentration of microplastics. Fish from trammel fisheries, operating closer to land and targeting larger individuals, showed higher mean ingestion values than fish from trawling fisheries, and were related to body size, as microplastics ingested increased with total fish length. Consequently, ingestion values of microplastics were not related to sampling distance from land giving further evidence of the ubiquity of microplastics in the marine environment. Finally, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the vast majority of microplastics were filament type and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the main identified component.

Ausencia de vena yugular interna derecha, hallazgo ecográfico / Absence of a right internal yugular vein, an ultrasound finding

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Quantitative volumetric analysis of gliomas with sequential MRI and ¹¹C-methionine PET assessment: patterns of integration in therapy planning.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the volumetric integration patterns of standard MRI and (11)C-methionine positron emission tomography (PET) images in the surgery planning of gliomas and their relationship to the histological grade. METHODS: We studied 23 patients with suspected or previously treated glioma who underwent preoperative (11)C-methionine PET because MRI was imprecise in defining the surgical target contour. Images were transferred to the treatment planning system, coregistered and fused (BrainLAB). Tumour delineation was performed by (11)C-methionine PET thresholding (vPET) and manual segmentation over MRI (vMRI). A 3-D volumetric study was conducted to evaluate the contribution of each modality to tumour target volume. All cases were surgically treated and histological classification was performed according to WHO grades. Additionally, several biopsy samples were taken according to the results derived either from PET or from MRI and analysed separately. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had high-grade tumours [ten glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and five anaplastic), whereas eight patients had low-grade tumours. Biopsies from areas with high (11)C-methionine uptake without correspondence in MRI showed tumour proliferation, including infiltrative zones, distinguishing them from dysplasia and radionecrosis. Two main PET/MRI integration patterns emerged after analysis of volumetric data: pattern vMRI-in-vPET (11/23) and pattern vPET-in-vMRI (9/23). Besides, a possible third pattern with differences in both directions (vMRI-diff-vPET) could also be observed (3/23). There was a statistically significant association between the tumour classification and integration patterns described above (p < 0.001, κ = 0.72). GBM was associated with pattern vMRI-in-vPET (9/10), low-grade with pattern vPET-in-vMRI (7/8) and anaplastic with pattern vMRI-diff-vPET (3/5). CONCLUSION: The metabolically active tumour volume observed in (11)C-methionine PET differs from the volume of MRI by showing areas of infiltrative tumour and distinguishing from non-tumour lesions. Differences in (11)C-methionine PET/MRI integration patterns can be assigned to tumour grades according to the WHO classification. This finding may improve tumour delineation and therapy planning for gliomas.

Effects of the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine on vigilance states and locomotor activity in ring doves.

Cholinergic systems play a significant role in regulating a variety of behavioral functions in mammals and birds. The aim of this work is to study the effects of the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine on behavioral states by visual inspection and electroencephalographic recording; also, locomotor activity was continuously recorded by infrared interruption system in ring doves. The current results in birds demonstrated that the muscarinic agonist pilocarpine (1 and 3mg/kg, i.p.) primarily induced theta activity in addition to promote passive waking, while diminished active waking, the EEG slow wave rhythm and REM sleep in ring doves. The locomotor activity recorded continuously in ring doves diminished after pilocarpine treatment, which was in good agreement with the observed reduction of active waking derived of the EEG study. Altogether, the current results are similar to the effects of pilocarpine previously reported in mammals. In conclusion, hippocampal theta rhythm in birds suggests that this rhythm is an ancestral property of hippocampal function and similar cholinergic mechanisms regulate vigilance states and theta generation in mammals and birds.

Effects of serotonergic drugs on locomotor activity and vigilance states in ring doves.

Serotonergic system is implicated on sleep-waking states in mammals. Since studies on serotonin regulation of sleep in birds are scarce, ring dove was chosen as experimental subject in the present work. The role of the neurotransmitter serotonin on vigilance states was studied in ring doves intraperitoneally treated with the 5-HT(1A) agonist 8-OH-DPAT, the 5-HT(1A) antagonist WAY100635 and the inhibitor of serotonin synthesis para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) by means of behavioural, electrophysiological and infrared actimetry criteria. 8-OH-DPAT (1 mg/kg) treatment increased locomotor activity, active waking and grooming states and reduced SWS and REM sleep. Pre-treatment with WAY100635 (0.5 mg/kg) prevented the effects induced by 8-OH-DPAT. Serotonin depletion induced by PCPA treatment (two consecutive injections of 300 mg/kg over two consecutive days) reduced locomotor activity, waking and grooming activity while increased both SWS and REM sleep. Moreover, 8-OH-DPAT (0.5 mg/kg) in PCPA treated ring doves produced a notable rise in the locomotor activity, active waking and grooming states, while it decreased sleep. Altogether, the results support the idea that serotonin plays an active role in wakefulness, probably through the activation of 5-HT(1A) receptors that increases wake activities and reduces sleep in ring doves.

Electroencephalogram functional connectivity between rat hippocampus and cortex after pilocarpine treatment.

The muscarinic agonist pilocarpine has been shown to increase the duration and total number of episodes presenting theta rhythm-simultaneously in hippocampus and cortex-in rats during the waking states. Theta waves are suggested to be involved in the flow of information between hippocampus and cortex during memory processes. This work investigates this functional interdependence using the spectral and phase synchronization analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG) theta band recorded in these brain structures of rats after pilocarpine treatment. Pilocarpine was used at doses devoid of epilepticus-like seizures effects in conscious freely moving rats. The results showed that pilocarpine administration significantly increased the relative theta power during the waking states in the cortex, but not in the hippocampus of rats. Additionally, the EEG coherence between the hippocampal EEG theta band and that arising at the frontal cortex increased after pilocarpine treatment but only during the waking states. This result reveals an increase of the linear correlation between the theta waves of these two brain structures after pilocarpine treatment during the waking states. Moreover, phase synchronization results showed an effective phase locking with non-zero phase difference between hippocampus and frontal cortex theta waves that remained after pilocarpine treatment. Therefore, pilocarpine seems to reinforce the neural transmission waves from the hippocampus toward the cortex during waking. In conclusion, the present EEG study could suggest an effect of the muscarinic cholinergic agonist pilocarpine on the hippocampal-cortical functional connectivity.

Stable isotopes and metal contamination in caged marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis.

Metal concentrations and isotopic composition were measured in different tissues of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis in waters of the Balearic Islands (Western Mediterranean) in order to assess pollution levels. The isotopic composition was correlated with lead, cadmium, selenium and nickel obtained from the digestive gland and foot of the mussels. Significant negative correlations were found between cadmium, selenium and zinc and the mussel foot, mainly for (13)C. Significant correlations were also found between lead and cadmium and the digestive gland. Pearson correlations indicated that the (13)C isotopic signal in foot is a good proxy for the concentration of metals such as lead, cadmium, selenium and zinc. Similarly, (15)N isotopic signatures in the digestive gland reflected the lead and cadmium concentration.