Oral pathology and oral medicine in Latin American countries: current stage.

BACKGROUND: Oral Pathology (OP) and Oral Medicine (OM) are specialties in dentistry whose main objective is the diagnosis and treatment of oral and maxillofacial diseases, and aspects related to the academic training of professionals and fields of practice are distinct and heterogeneous around the world. This study aimed to evaluate professional training and areas of activity in OP and OM in Latin American countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 11 countries, with a professional in each country responsible for answering it. The questionnaire had 21 questions related to the process of professional training, areas of practice, the existence of scientific events in each country, and also collected demographic and population information. RESULTS: OP and OM are practiced in all the countries studied, but the specialty is not recognized in all of them. Brazil was the first to recognize both as a specialty. Postgraduate programs designed to train specialists are available in various countries. Two countries offer residency programs, 6 countries provide specialization courses, 6 offer master's programs, and 3 have doctoral programs. Brazil boasts the highest number of undergraduate courses (n=412), while Uruguay has the lowest (n=2). Professional societies representing the specialty exist in ten countries. Brazil has the highest number of OP and OM specialists (n=422 and 1,072), while Paraguay has the smallest number (n=1 and 3). CONCLUSIONS: Although both specialties are widely practiced around the globe, professional training, the number of dentists trained and the fields of professional practice are very different between the countries studied.

Improving Tracking of Trajectories through Tracking Rate Regulation: Application to UAVs.

The tracking problem (that is, how to follow a previously memorized path) is one of the most important problems in mobile robots. Several methods can be formulated depending on the way the robot state is related to the path. "Trajectory tracking" is the most common method, with the controller aiming to move the robot toward a moving target point, like in a real-time servosystem. In the case of complex systems or systems under perturbations or unmodeled effects, such as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), other tracking methods can offer additional benefits. In this paper, methods that consider the dynamics of the path's descriptor parameter (which can be called "error adaptive tracking") are contrasted with trajectory tracking. A formal description of tracking methods is first presented, showing that two types of error adaptive tracking can be used with the same controller in any system. Then, it is shown that the selection of an appropriate tracking rate improves error convergence and robustness for a UAV system, which is illustrated by simulation experiments. It is concluded that error adaptive tracking methods outperform trajectory tracking ones, producing a faster and more robust convergence tracking, while preserving, if required, the same tracking rate when convergence is achieved.

Acaricidal activity of the hexanic and hydroethanolic extracts of three medicinal plants against southern cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).

The southern cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus is a major problem for the cattle industry in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Chemical products are commonly applied to control it; however, their indiscriminate use has resulted in the appearance of resistant lineages. In the last decades, plants have been used as an alternative to conventional acaricidal drugs, as several plant compounds repel activity, decrease the reproductive potential and reduce the survival rate of ticks. For this reason, the in vitro efficacy of hexanic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Randia aculeata, Moringa oleifera and Carica papaya were evaluated against the larvae and engorged females of R. microplus. Larval packet tests and adult immersion tests were performed with seven concentrations of each of the extracts. The extracts obtained with hydroethanolic solution (polar solvent) exhibited a higher acaricidal activity than extracts prepared with n-hexane (non-polar solvent). Hydroethanolic extracts of R. aculeata seed and shell showed the highest larvicidal activity against R. microplus (100 and 91% mortality, respectively) at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. Randia aculeata (seed and shell), M. oleifera and C. papaya treatments at the same concentration (100 mg/mL) also resulted in adult mortality of 85, 75, 66 and 55%, respectively. The adult immersion test showed that hydroethanolic extracts derived from R. aculeata seed significantly reduced the index of egg laying and increased the percentage inhibition of oviposition of female ticks at a concentration of 100 mg/mL. These results indicate that the tested extracts exhibit acaricidal activity and could be considered as potential agents for the development of alternative natural acaricides against R. microplus.

Identification of GntR as regulator of the glucose metabolism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

In contrast to Escherichia coli, glucose metabolism in pseudomonads occurs exclusively through the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway. This pathway, as well as the three routes to generate the initial ED pathway substrate, 6-phosphogluconate, is regulated by the PtxS, HexR and GtrS/GltR systems. With GntR (PA2320) we report here the identification of an additional regulator in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. GntR repressed its own expression as well as that of the GntP gluconate permease. In contrast to PtxS and GtrS/GltR, GntR did not modulate expression of the toxA gene encoding the exotoxin A virulence factor. GntR was found to bind to promoters PgntR and PgntP and the consensus sequence of its operator was defined as 5'-AC-N-AAG-N-TAGCGCT-3'. Both operator sites overlapped with the RNA polymerase binding site and we show that GntR employs an effector mediated de-repression mechanism. The release of promoter bound GntR is induced by gluconate and 6-phosphogluconate that bind with similar apparent affinities to the GntR/DNA complex. GntR and PtxS are paralogous and may have evolved from a common ancestor. The concerted action of four regulatory systems in the regulation of glucose metabolism in Pseudomonas can be considered as a model to understand complex regulatory circuits in bacteria.

A NodD-like protein activates transcription of genes involved with naringenin degradation in a flavonoid-dependent manner in Herbaspirillum seropedicae.

Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an associative, endophytic non-nodulating diazotrophic bacterium that colonises several grasses. An ORF encoding a LysR-type transcriptional regulator, very similar to NodD proteins of rhizobia, was identified in its genome. This nodD-like gene, named fdeR, is divergently transcribed from an operon encoding enzymes involved in flavonoid degradation (fde operon). Apigenin, chrysin, luteolin and naringenin strongly induce transcription of the fde operon, but not that of the fdeR, in an FdeR-dependent manner. The intergenic region between fdeR and fdeA contains several generic LysR consensus sequences (T-N11 -A) and we propose a binding site for FdeR, which is conserved in other bacteria. DNase I foot-printing revealed that the interaction with the FdeR binding site is modified by the four flavonoids that stimulate transcription of the fde operon. Moreover, FdeR binds naringenin and chrysin as shown by isothermal titration calorimetry. Interestingly, FdeR also binds in vitro to the nod-box from the nodABC operon of Rhizobium sp. NGR234 and is able to activate its transcription in vivo. These results show that FdeR exhibits two features of rhizobial NodD proteins: nod-box recognition and flavonoid-dependent transcription activation, but its role in H. seropedicae and related organisms seems to have evolved to control flavonoid metabolism.

Clinical markers of asthma and IgE assessed in parents before conception predict asthma and hayfever in the offspring.

BACKGROUND: Mice models suggest epigenetic inheritance induced by parental allergic disease activity. However, we know little of how parental disease activity before conception influences offspring's asthma and allergy in humans. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess the associations of parental asthma severity, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and total and specific IgEs, measured before conception vs. after birth, with offspring asthma and hayfever. METHODS: The study included 4293 participants (mean age 34, 47% men) from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) with information on asthma symptom severity, BHR, total and specific IgEs from 1991 to 1993, and data on 9100 offspring born 1972-2012. Adjusted relative risk ratios (aRRR) for associations of parental clinical outcome with offspring allergic disease were estimated with multinomial logistic regressions. RESULTS: Offspring asthma with hayfever was more strongly associated with parental BHR and specific IgE measured before conception than after birth [BHR: aRRR = 2.96 (95% CI: 1.92, 4.57) and 1.40 (1.03, 1.91), respectively; specific IgEs: 3.08 (2.13, 4.45) and 1.83 (1.45, 2.31), respectively]. This was confirmed in a sensitivity analysis of a subgroup of offspring aged 11-22 years with information on parental disease activity both before and after birth. CONCLUSION & CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Parental BHR and specific IgE were associated with offspring asthma and hayfever, with the strongest associations observed with clinical assessment before conception as compared to after birth of the child. If the hypothesis is confirmed in other studies, parental disease activity assessed before conception may prove useful for identifying children at risk for developing asthma with hayfever.

[Training in laparoscopy and appendicitis]. / Entrenamiento en laparoscopia y apendicitis.

BACKGROUND: In order to improve laparoscopic skills, appendectomy is the most common procedure because of its high frequency and low difficulty. In spite of that, during the learning curve (each surgeon´s first 35 interventions) the incidence of complications may increase, so improvement in training means a bigger risk for some patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed major complications (intra-abdominal abscess, intestinal occlusion, hemorrhage) of 1,710 appendectomies performed at our service between 1997 and 2013. We divided them in three groups: open appendectomy (OA, n= 1,258), laparoscopic appendectomy during the learning curve (LDC, n= 154) and laparoscopic appendectomy after the learning curve (LAC, n= 298). In addition, we distinguish between simple appendicitis (n= 1,233) and peritonitis (n= 477). RESULTS: In the OA group we detected110/1,258 major complications (8.7%), 28/154 major complications (18.2%) in the LDC group and 19/298 (6.4%) in the LAC group (p<0.05 LDC vs OA and LAC). In the simple appendicitis group, we found 13/889 major complications (1.5%) in OA, 3/115 (2.6%) in LDC group and 2/229 (0.9%) in LAC group (p= ns LDC vs OA and LAC). In the peritonitis group, 97/369 (26.3%) major complications were found in OA group, 25/39 (64%) in LDC group and 17/69 (24.6%) in LAC group (p<0.05 LDC vs OA and LAC). CONCLUSIONS: Educational purpose laparoscopic appendectomy must be used in simple appendicitis cases.

INTRODUCCION: Para la formación en laparoscopia, la apendicectomía es la intervención más utilizada, por su alta frecuencia y, habitualmente, escasa dificultad. Sin embargo, durante la curva de aprendizaje (las primeras 35 intervenciones), el número de complicaciones puede aumentar, con lo que el beneficio de la formación se puede convertir en perjuicio para algunos pacientes. Por ello hemos revisado las complicaciones graves de las apendicectomías laparoscópicas realizadas en nuestro Servicio antes y después de la curva de aprendizaje y las hemos comparado entre sí y con las de las apendicectomías abiertas. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Se han revisado las complicaciones graves (abscesos intraabdominales, oclusiones, hemorragias, etc..) de las 1.710 apendicectomías realizadas en nuestro centro desde 1997 hasta 2013, divididas en tres grupos: abiertas (AA, n= 1.258), laparoscópicas durante la curva de aprendizaje (LDC, n= 154) y laparoscópicas tras la curva de aprendizaje (LTC, n= 298). Se han dividido en apendicitis simples (n= 1.233) y peritonitis (n= 477). RESULTADOS: En el grupo AA se detectaron 110/1.258 complicaciones graves (8,7%), en el grupo LDC 28/154 (18,2%) y en el grupo LTC, 19/298 (6,4%) (p<0,05 LDC vs AA y LTC). En las apendicitis simples las complicaciones fueron 13/889 (1,5%), en las AA 3/115 (2,6%) en el grupo LDC, y 2/229 en el grupo LTC (0,9%) (p= ns LDC vs AA y LTC). En las peritonitis las complicaciones fueron 97/369 (26,3%) en las AA, 25/39 (64%) en el grupo LDC y 17/69 (24,6%) en el grupo LTC (p>;0,05 LDC vs AA y LTC). CONCLUSIONES: La apendicectomía laparoscópica con fines formativos debería reservarse a los casos de apendicitis simples.

Analyzing ECG signals in professional football players using machine learning techniques.

Background: Football player's health is important, and preventing sudden cardiac arrest may be a critical issue. Professional football players have different ECG signals than the average population, yet there are considerable gaps in study whereas the general population has been extensively studied. Objectives: (a) Generate a reference and innovative resting 12-lead ECG database from 54 UEFA PRO level male football players from La Liga. This is a novel approach to cope the ECG and possible arrythmias in athletes. (b) Manage each XML athlete ECG data and develop a free-use program to visualize, denoise and filter the signal with the capacity to automate the labelling of the waves and save the reports. (c) Study the ECG wave shape and generate models through ML to analyse its utility to automate basic diagnosis. Methods: The dataset collection is based on a prospective observational cohort and includes 10 s, 12-lead ECGs and rhythm and condition labels for each athlete. Physiological sport arrhythmias, T-Wave shape and other findings were studied and labelled. ECG Visualizer was developed and used for 3 machine learning (ML) methods to automate sinus bradycardia arrhythmia diagnosis. Results: A dataset with 163 ECGs in XML format was collected comprising the Pro Football 12-lead Resting Electrocardiogram Database (PF12RED). "ECG Visualizer" software was developed, and ML was shown to be useful in detecting sinus bradycardia. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that AI and machine learning can detect simple arrhythmias with accuracy, also it provides a valuable dataset and a free software application.

Performance and healthcare analysis in elite sports teams using artificial intelligence: a scoping review.

Introduction: In competitive sports, teams are increasingly relying on advanced systems for improved performance and results. This study reviews the literature on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in managing these complexities and encouraging a system thinking shift. It found various AI applications, including performance enhancement, healthcare, technical and tactical support, talent identification, game prediction, business growth, and AI testing innovations. The main goal of the study was to assess research supporting performance and healthcare. Methods: Systematic searches were conducted on databases such as Pubmed, Web of Sciences, and Scopus to find articles using AI to understand or improve sports team performance. Thirty-two studies were selected for review. Results: The analysis shows that, of the thirty-two articles reviewed, fifteen focused on performance and seventeen on healthcare. Football (Soccer) was the most researched sport, making up 67% of studies. The revised studies comprised 2,823 professional athletes, with a gender split of 65.36% male and 34.64% female. Identified AI and non-AI methods mainly included Tree-based techniques (36%), Ada/XGBoost (19%), Neural Networks (9%), K-Nearest Neighbours (9%), Classical Regression Techniques (9%), and Support Vector Machines (6%). Conclusions: This study highlights the increasing use of AI in managing sports-related healthcare and performance complexities. These findings aim to assist researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in developing practical applications and exploring future complex systems dynamics.

Tactic responses to pollutants and their potential to increase biodegradation efficiency.

A significant number of bacterial strains are able to use toxic aromatic hydrocarbons as carbon and energy sources. In a number of cases, the evolution of the corresponding degradation pathway was accompanied by the evolution of tactic behaviours either towards or away from these toxic carbon sources. Reports are reviewed which show that a chemoattraction to heterogeneously distributed aromatic pollutants increases the bioavailability of these compounds and their biodegradation efficiency. An extreme form of chemoattraction towards aromatic pollutants, termed 'hyperchemotaxis', was described for Pseudomonas putida DOT-T1E, which is based on the action of the plasmid-encoded McpT chemoreceptor. Cells with this phenotype were found of being able to approach and of establishing contact with undiluted crude oil samples. Although close McpT homologues are found on other degradation plasmids, the sequence of their ligand-binding domains does not share significant similarity with that of NahY, the other characterized chemoreceptor for aromatic hydrocarbons. This may suggest the existence of at least two families of chemoreceptors for aromatic pollutants. The use of receptor chimers comprising the ligand-binding region of McpT for biosensing purposes is discussed.

Efficient association between PGF2α and methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate sex pheromone prior to electroejaculation in dogs.

Electroejaculation is a technique that can be used to collect semen from canines, but its use with this group of animals is restricted by low success rate and low semen quality. Here, we evaluated whether pharmacological and sexual sensory stimuli, which may affect ejaculation, can increase electroejaculation efficiency and improve ejaculate quality. We worked with 20 dogs of mixed breed weighing between 5.3 and 22.2 kg, divided into two groups. Both groups were exposed to a spayed female for 10 min, but in the second group, the same spayed female had her vagina impregnated with methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate synthetic pheromone for 10 min and after receiving dinoprost tromethamine IM, 0.1 mg/kg. After stimulation, all dogs were chemically restrained with ketamine, 8 mg/kg, IM; and xylazine, 1 mg/kg, IM, and subjected to electroejaculation protocol. We obtained 100% of antegrade ejaculate in treatments when the spayed female had her vagina impregnated with pheromone and 80% when she did not. Sperm motility was significantly different (p < 0.05) between controls and the test group (10.1 ± 4.5 and 43.0 ± 8.3, respectively). We concluded that the adopted electroejaculation protocol was efficient and that the PGF2α associated with sexual sensory stimulation can improve semen quality in dogs undergoing the procedure.

[Biodegradable catheters for fistula prevention in hypospadias. Experimental preliminary study]. / Sondas biodegradables para la prevención de las fístulas de hipospadias. Estudio preliminar experimental.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous technical innovations are not enough to resolve the high incidence of fistula after hypospadias repair. A urethral catheter-tutor made of reabsorbable polymeric biomaterial (RPB) which could be left in situ long enough could reduce the complications. TARGET: To investigate in an animal model differents RPB to be used in urology. METHODOLOGY: CRL Wistar rats, males, divided into 5 equal groups according to the used polymers: polylactide; lactic-coprolactone copolymer; lactic-glycolic copolymer; simulated; control silicones. Three individuals were sacrificed per group at 4th, 10th and 16th week. In all animals (exceptuating the simulated group), biomaterial was fixed to the bladder wall bylaparotomy. Animals remained in individual housing and kept under daily control of hematuria during the first 15 days and weekly weight and urine control for pH and lactate. After being slaughtered, remaining polymer was collected for chemical analysis and bladder tissue for hystologic study. RESULTS: There was no mortality, hematuria nor other clinical signs. The bladder wall showed a mild foreign body reaction. The values of lactate and pH in urine did not reach toxic levels. Lactic-glycolic was totally reabsorbed by the 10th week and had the lowest degree of calcification. Polylactide and lactic-coprolactone remained intact. CONCLUSION: The model of urinary bladder has proven useful for studying the degradation of bioresorbable polymers. The analyzed polymers have spent long time to be reabsorbed, so we will have to study new others.

In situ X-ray data collection from highly sensitive crystals of Pseudomonas putida PtxS in complex with DNA.

Pseudomonas putida PtxS is a member of the LacI protein family of transcriptional regulators involved in glucose metabolism. All genes involved in this pathway are clustered into two operons, kgu and gad. PtxS controls the expression of the kgu and gad operons as well as its own transcription. The PtxS operator is a perfect palindrome, 5'-TGAAACCGGTTTCA-3', which is present in all three promoters. Crystallization of native PtxS failed, and PtxS-DNA crystals were finally produced by the counter-diffusion technique. A portion of the capillary used for crystal growth was attached to the end of a SPINE standard cap and directly flash-cooled in liquid nitrogen for diffraction tests. A full data set was collected with a beam size of 10×10 µm. The crystal belonged to the trigonal space group P3, with unit-cell parameters a=b=213.71, c=71.57 Å. Only unhandled crystals grown in capillaries of 0.1 mm inner diameter diffracted X-rays to 1.92 Šresolution.

Crystallization and crystallographic analysis of the ligand-binding domain of the Pseudomonas putida chemoreceptor McpS in complex with malate and succinate.

Methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) are transmembrane proteins that sense changes in environmental signals, generating a chemotactic response and regulating other cellular processes. MCPs are composed of two main domains: a ligand-binding domain (LBD) and a cytosolic signalling domain (CSD). Here, the crystallization of the LBD of the chemoreceptor McpS (McpS-LBD) is reported. McpS-LBD is responsible for sensing most of the TCA-cycle intermediates in the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440. McpS-LBD was expressed, purified and crystallized in complex with two of its natural ligands (malate and succinate). Crystals were obtained by both the counter-diffusion and the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion techniques after pre-incubation of McpS-LBD with the ligands. The crystals were isomorphous and belonged to space group C2, with two molecules per asymmetric unit. Diffraction data were collected at the ESRF synchrotron X-ray source to resolutions of 1.8 and 1.9 Å for the malate and succinate complexes, respectively.

Premenstrual asthma and leukotriene variations in the menstrual cycle.

BACKGROUND: Several authors have reported an increase in leukotriene C4 in the premenstrual phase in women with severe premenstrual asthma, indicating that antileukotrienes could be used in treatment. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the role of leukotrienes in premenstrual asthma. METHODS: A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and peak flow during one complete menstrual cycle was given to women of fertile age to define them as asthmatics who suffered from premenstrual asthma or not. Premenstrual asthma (PMA) was defined as a clinical or functional deterioration (≥20%) in the premenstrual phase compared with the preovulatory phase. Blood samples to measure leukotriene C4 were taken during the preovulatory and premenstrual phases. RESULTS: Blood samples were taken in 62 asthmatic women, 34 of whom (54.3%) presented PMA criteria, all with a premenstrual deterioration of between 20 and 40%. There was no difference in leukotriene C4 levels between the preovulatory and premenstrual phases in the women who suffered from PMA (1.50ng/mL vs. 1.31ng/mL; p=0.32) and those who did not (1.40ng/mL vs. 1.29ng/mL; p=0.62). Neither were there any differences in leukotriene levels between women with or without PMA. The results were similar for each category of asthma severity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that leukotriene C4 does not appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of premenstrual asthma, or support the use of anti-leukotrienes in the specific treatment of premenstrual asthma, at least in women with a moderate premenstrual deterioration. No differences appeared in any of the categories of asthma severity.

Is there concordance between overactive bladder and detrusor overactivity in men with predominant storage urinary symptoms referred to Functional Urology and Urodynamics Units?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic concordance of overactive bladder (OAB) and detrusor overactivity (DO) in male patients with predominant storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and evaluate their clinical and urodynamic profile according to DO presence and degree of obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Epidemiological, cross-sectional multicenter study. A 3-day bladder diary (3dBD), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Bladder Control Self-Assessment Questionnaire (B-SAQ) questionnaires were analyzed. Prostate volume was determined by ultrasound. Urodynamic study (UDS) tests were performed. The prevalence of OAB and DO and the degree of clinical concordance (kappa index) were investigated. Descriptive analysis of clinical variables and UDS results was performed, followed by comparisons based on the presence of DO and degree of obstruction. RESULTS: A total of 445 patients were included. The mean age was (SD) 54.8 (9.9) years. According to 3dBD, 89.9% presented increased urinary frequency, 87.9% nocturia, 72.1% urgency, and 31.9% urge urinary incontinence (UUI). Obstruction was present in 36.8%. Concomitant OAB and DO were present in 54.5%. The degree of diagnostic concordance between OAB and DO was low (κ = 0.1772). There were more patients with DO presenting urgency (3dBD and B-SAQ; p < 0.001), UUI (3dBD; p = 0.008) and nocturia (B-SAQ; p < 0.001). Differences were found in terms of prostate volume, IPSS-voiding, maximum flow (Qmax) and post-void residual (p < 0.05) according to the obstruction degree. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 50% of male patients aged 18-65 years old with predominant storage LUTS, referred to specialized units, have both OAB and DO. Obstruction is present on 1/3. Diagnostic concordance between OAB and DO is poor.

Levels and chemical composition of PM in a city near a large Cu-smelter in Spain.

A long-term series (2001-2008) of chemical analysis of atmospheric particulate matter (PM(10) and PM(2.5)) collected in the city of Huelva (SW Spain) is considered in this study. The impact of emission plumes from one of the largest Cu-smelters in the world on air quality in the city of Huelva is evidenced by the high daily and hourly levels of As, other potentially toxic elements (e.g. Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Bi, and Pb) in particulate matter, as well as the high levels of some gaseous pollutants (NO(2) and SO(2)). Mean arsenic levels in the PM10 fraction were higher than the target value set by European Directive 2004/107/EC (6 ngAs m(-3)) for 1(st) January 2013. Hourly peak concentrations of As and other metals and elements (Zn, Cu, P and Se) analyzed by PIXE can reach maximum hourly levels as high as 326 ngAs m(-3), 506 ngZn m(-3), 345 ngCu m(-3), 778 ngP m(-3) and 12 ngSe m(-3). The contribution of Cu-smelter emissions to ambient PM is quantified on an annual basis in 2.0-6.7 µg m(-3) and 1.8-4.2 µg m(-3) for PM(10) and PM(2.5), respectively. High resolution outputs of the HYSPLIT dispersion model show the geographical distribution of the As ambient levels into the emission plume, suggesting that the working regime of the Cu-smelter factory and the sea breeze circulation are the main factors controlling the impact of the Cu-smelter on the air quality of the city. The results of this work improve our understanding of the behaviour of industrial emission plumes and their impact on air quality of a city, where the population might be exposed to very high ambient concentrations of toxic metals during a few hours.

Is there concordance between overactive bladder and detrusor overactivity in men with predominant storage urinary symptoms referred to Functional Urology and Urodynamics Units? / ¿Existe concordancia entre vejiga hiperactiva e hiperactividad del detrusor en varones con síntomas predominantemente de llenado derivados a Unidades de Urología Funcional y Urodinámica?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic concordance of overactive bladder (OAB) and detrusor overactivity (DO) in male patients with predominant storage lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and evaluate their clinical and urodynamic profile according to DO presence and degree of obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Epidemiological, cross-sectional multicenter study. A 3-day bladder diary (3dBD), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Bladder Control Self-Assessment Questionnaire (B-SAQ) questionnaires were analyzed. Prostate volume was determined by ultrasound. Urodynamic study (UDS) tests were performed. The prevalence of OAB and DO and the degree of clinical concordance (kappa index) were investigated. Descriptive analysis of clinical variables and UDS results was performed, followed by comparisons based on the presence of DO and degree of obstruction. RESULTS: A total of 445 patients were included. The mean age was (SD) 54.8 (9.9) years. According to 3dBD, 89.9% presented increased urinary frequency, 87.9% nocturia, 72.1% urgency, and 31.9% urge urinary incontinence (UUI). Obstruction was present in 36.8%. Concomitant OAB and DO were present in 54.5%. The degree of diagnostic concordance between OAB and DO was low (κ=0.1772). There were more patients with DO presenting urgency (3dBD and B-SAQ; p<0.001), UUI (3dBD; p=0.008) and nocturia (B-SAQ; p<0.001). Differences were found in terms of prostate volume, IPSS-voiding, maximum flow (Qmax) and post-void residual (p<0.05) according to the obstruction degree. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 50% of male patients aged 18-65 years old with predominant storage LUTS, referred to specialized units, have both OAB and DO. Obstruction is present on 1/3. Diagnostic concordance between OAB and DO is poor.

Variability in the prevalence of premenstrual asthma.

Our aim is to analyse the differences in the prevalence of premenstrual asthma (PMA) according to a set of criteria, the relationship between them and the influence of asthma severity. The answer "Yes" to "Does your asthma get worse before menstruation?" was considered subjective PMA. A daily respiratory symptoms register of fertile asthmatic females was taken during two consecutive menstrual cycles. For the semi-objective diagnosis, an exacerbation of > or =20% was required in the symptoms register. Objective diagnosis was a premenstrual worsening of > or =20% of peak flow. We selected 103 patients. Subjective premenstrual deterioration was perceived in 43.7%. The semi-objective deterioration of symptoms in the first cycle occurred in 44.7%, and in 22.3% in both cycles. A total of 54.3% of females with semi-objective criteria in the first cycle perceived a subjective deterioration of symptoms, versus 35.1% of those without semi-objective criteria (p = 0.05). PMA was present at all levels of asthma severity, with no clear link to the degree of severity. The detection of PMA prevalence, the subjective perception of this deterioration and its presence at all levels of asthma severity lead us to urge research into possible premenstrual deterioration in all fertile asthmatic females.

Consensus statement of the Spanish Association Of Urology on the use of meshes in pelvic organ prolapse. / Consenso de la Asociación Española de Urología sobre el uso de mallas en la cirugía del prolapso de órganos pélvicos.

INTRODUCTION: Recently the Food and Drug Administration has banned the use of transvaginal meshes for the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in the United States. This has caused a worldwide impact on the management of pelvic floor pathology by different specialists. OBJECTIVE: To achieve a consensus on the use of meshes in the surgical treatment of POPs. ACQUISITION OF DATA/EVIDENCE: A Committee of experts of the Spanish Association of Urology (AEU) was organized to review the literature and analyze the safety and efficacy of the use of polypropylene meshes in POP surgery. RESULTS/EVIDENCE FROM THE LITERATURE: The evidence reflects that the use of meshes, compared to the use of native tissues, offers better efficacy at the expense of new complications and a higher rate of surgical reviews, these being minor in the hands of expert surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: POP surgery must be performed by experienced surgeons, properly trained and in referral centers. The patient should receive correct information about the different treatment options. Transvaginal meshes should only be indicated in complex cases and in recurrences after POP surgery. AEU PROPOSAL: Creation of a clinical guideline and a national registry for long-term evaluation. Preparation of an Informed Consent available to all professionals and patients, as well as a specific training plan to achieve better training in complex pelvic floor surgery.