SEARCH FOR SMALL-BOWEL CAPSULE DIAGNOSTIC YIELD OPTIMIZATION CONDUCTED THROUGH OBSERVATIONAL ANALYSIS. / BÚSQUEDA DE OPTIMIZACIÓN DE LA CÁPSULA ENDOSCÓPICA MEDIANTE ANÁLISIS OBSERVACIONAL.

OBJECTIVES: To search for parameters susceptible to optimization when performing capsule endoscopy (CE) in a third level hospital with high volume and experience in this test. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study, including 1325 CEs performed between 2017 and 2022. Overall diagnostic yield, effective diagnostic yield, by indication, place of request and waiting list, as well as complete examination rate and cleansing degree were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall diagnostic yield was 70.99%, while the effective diagnostic yield was 72.7%. Diagnostic yields varied between 60.2% and 77.9% depending on the indication and between 64.7% and 74.3% depending on the requesting center. The mean waiting list was 101.15 days, with a tendency to worse results when the waiting list was longer. A total of 77.8% of the examinations were complete. Completion rates were lower in patients >70 years of age (p=0.001), as well as in those with gastric transit >60 minutes (p=0.000). A total of 77.3% were clean, with debris that did not impede diagnosis being found in 16.9% and debris that did impede diagnosis in 5.8%. There was a relationship, although not significant, between cleansing degree and age. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic yields of CE in our center are in line with those previously reported. Differences were found according to the place of request. Waiting list could also influence diagnostic yield. Completion rates are lower in >70 years of age and when gastric transit is >60 minutes. Cleansing degree achieved is acceptable.

Clinical and immunological profile of children aged 5-9 years with persistent egg allergy before oral immunotherapy with egg. A multicenter, randomized controlled trial of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (SEICAP).

BACKGROUND: In children with egg protein allergy (EA), the probability of overcoming the allergy decreases with age, and the possibility of suffering severe adverse reactions as a consequence of dietetic transgressions results in worsened quality of life. One treatment option in such cases is oral immunotherapy (OIT) with foods. METHODS: We present a cohort of children with EA scheduled for OIT with pasteurized raw egg white, describing their clinical and allergic characteristics before the start of OIT. RESULTS: The median age was six years, and 93% of the patients also suffered other allergies (58% asthma and 38.6% allergy to more than two food groups). In the last year, 14.8% had suffered a severe reaction due to dietetic transgression with egg. The median IgE specific of egg white titer was 38.5kU/l. A double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge with cooked egg white was performed, and if the test proved positive, it was repeated with pasteurized raw egg white. The mean symptoms-provoking dose was 1.26g and 0.55g for cooked egg white and raw egg white, respectively. An IgE specific of ovomucoid titer of <2.045kU/l differentiated those patients that tolerated cooked egg white. CONCLUSIONS: OIT with egg is regarded as an option in patients with persistent egg allergy. In the previous challenge test, an IgE specific of ovomucoid titer of <2.045kU/l differentiates those patients that tolerate cooked egg white.

Anaphylaxis to hidden potato allergens in a peach and egg allergic boy.

More than 170 foods have been identified as being potentially allergenic. However, a minority of these foods cause the majority of reactions. Sweets are frequently implicated in allergic reactions in children with cow's milk, egg, nuts or fruits allergy, and they are the most relevant foods investigated as responsible allergens. We report an anaphylactic reaction to candies in an egg and peach allergic boy. We performed a study to identify responsible allergens for the reaction. We investigated hidden egg and peach allergens in the candies, but they were not found. Finally, the causative allergen resulted to be a vegetable protein from potato peel. We diagnosed a new allergy in our patient and Sol t 4 was identified as the responsible allergen of the anaphylactic reaction. We conclude that responsible allergens should always be studied and identified in whatever allergic reaction in order to prevent new reactions.

Food allergy in breastfeeding babies. Hidden allergens in human milk.

BACKGORUND: Food allergy is a rare disorder among breastfeeding babies. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to identify responsible allergens in human milk. METHODS: We studied babies developing allergic symptoms at the time they were breastfeeding. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed with breast milk and food allergens. Specific IgE was assessed and IgE Immunoblotting experiments with breast milk were carried out to identify food allergens. Clinical evolution was evaluated after a maternal free diet. RESULTS: Five babies had confirmed breast milk allergy. Peanut, white egg and/or cow's milk were demonstrated as the hidden responsible allergens. No baby returned to develop symptoms once mother started a free diet. Three of these babies showed tolerance to other food allergens identified in human milk. CONCLUSION: A maternal free diet should be recommended only if food allergy is confirmed in breastfed babies.

Position document: IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy.

The present document offers an update on the recommendations for managing patients with cow's milk allergy - a disorder that manifests in the first year of life, with an estimated prevalence of 1.6-3% in this paediatric age group. The main causal allergens are the caseins and proteins in lactoserum (beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactoalbumin), and the clinical manifestations are highly variable in terms of their presentation and severity. Most allergic reactions affect the skin, followed by the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, and severe anaphylaxis may occur. The diagnosis of cow's milk allergy is based on the existence of a suggestive clinical history, a positive allergy study and the subsequent application of controlled exposure testing, which constitutes the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis. The most efficient treatment for cow's milk allergy is an elimination diet and the use of adequate substitution formulas. The elimination diet must include milk from other mammals (e.g., sheep, goat, etc.) due to the risk of cross-reactivity with the proteins of cow's milk. Most infants with IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy become tolerant in the first few years of life. In those cases where cow's milk allergy persists, novel treatment options may include oral immunotherapy, although most authors do not currently recommend this technique in routine clinical practice. Enough evidence is not there to confirm the efficacy of elimination diets in the mother and infant for preventing the appearance of cow's milk allergy. Likewise, no benefits have been observed with prebiotic and probiotic dietetic supplements in infants for preventing food allergy.

Collateral circulation on perfusion-computed tomography-source images predicts the response to stroke intravenous thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Perfusion-computed tomography-source images (PCT-SI) may allow a dynamic assessment of leptomeningeal collateral arteries (LMC) filling and emptying in middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischaemic stroke. We described a regional LMC scale on PCT-SI and hypothesized that a higher collateral score would predict a better response to intravenous (iv) thrombolysis. METHODS: We studied consecutive ischaemic stroke patients with an acute MCA occlusion documented by transcranial Doppler/transcranial color-coded duplex, treated with iv thrombolysis who underwent PCT prior to treatment. Readers evaluated PCT-SI in a blinded fashion to assess LMC within the hypoperfused MCA territory. LMC scored as follows: 0, absence of vessels; 1, collateral supply filling ≤ 50%; 2, between> 50% and < 100%; 3, equal or more prominent when compared with the unaffected hemisphere. The scale was divided into good (scores 2-3) vs. poor (scores 0-1) collaterals. The predetermined primary end-point was a good 3-month functional outcome, while early neurological recovery, transcranial duplex-assessed 24-h MCA recanalization, 24-h hypodensity volume and hemorrhagic transformation were considered secondary end-points. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included (55.5% women, median NIHSS 10), and 4-13-23-14 patients had LMC score (LMCs) of 0-1-2-3, respectively. The probability of a good long-term outcome augmented gradually with increasing LMCs: (0) 0%; (1) 15.4%; (2) 65.2%; (3) 64.3%, P = 0.004. Good-LMCs was independently associated with a good outcome [OR 21.02 (95% CI 2.23-197.75), P = 0.008]. Patients with good LMCs had better early neurological recovery (P = 0.001), smaller hypodensity volumes (P < 0.001) and a clear trend towards a higher recanalization rate. CONCLUSIONS: A higher degree of LMC assessed by PCT-SI predicts good response to iv thrombolysis in MCA ischaemic stroke patients.

Long-term outcome of the Cloward procedure for single-level cervical degenerative spondylosis. Clinical and radiological assessment after a 22-year mean follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of the classical Cloward procedure in single-level cervical spondylosis. METHODS: A retrospective study of 28 patients who were affected by cervical degenerative spondylosis at C4-C7 segments and treated by the Cloward technique at a single level from 1985-1995 was conducted. The average follow-up period was 22 years (range, 17-27 years). Preoperative clinical complaints were recorded and compared to the current clinical status. Preoperative, 3-6 months postoperative and a current radiographic study were analysed by evaluating the segmental and global sagittal alignment of the cervical spine as well as the occurrence of adjacent disc degeneration. RESULTS: The most frequently operated segment was C5-C6 (57.1 %), followed by C6-C7 (32.1 %) and C4-C5 (7.1 %). Pain relief and symptom recovery experienced 3-6 months following the surgery was maintained at the most recent follow-up in 85 % of patients. Adjacent disc degeneration was detected in a total of 17 cases (60.7 %). Overall, a group of 14 cases (50 %) had increased lordosis at C2-C7 at the most recent follow-up, with a mean gain of 1.5º Cobb. According to Odom's criteria, 17 patients (60.8 %) presented with excellent clinical outcome, 6 (21.4 %) presented with good outcome, 5 had a (17.8 %) fair outcome, and none had a poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The Cloward technique provided excellent long-term clinical outcome in the treatment of single-level cervical degenerative spondylosis. There were no major alterations of the cervical sagittal balance, and the development of adjacent segment disease (ASD) was not specifically associated with the previous surgery.

Changes in IL-10 and specific antibodies associated to successful Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus immunotherapy in children during the first year of treatment.

BACKGROUND: Allergen-specific immunotherapy (SIT) is a long-term treatment of respiratory allergy. OBJECTIVE: To look for early predictors of the effectiveness of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus SIT. METHODS: A prospective multi-centre study was carried out in Spain. Children with D. pteronyssinus rhinitis or asthma were invited to participate. The study was divided into times: T0 (recruitment); T1 (inclusion); T2 a-f (immunotherapy times) and T3 (the end of study). Efficacy of SIT was assessed by clinical scores, visual analogue scales (VAS) and lung function tests. We performed D. pteronyssinus skin tests at T1 and T3, and determined specific serum IgE, IgG4 and IL-10 at T1, T2f and T3. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, compared using Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests, and correlated to Spearman test. All tests had a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: Thirty-eight children completed the study. At T1 all had rhinitis and 34 also had asthma. At T3, 30 patients had improved, six experienced no changes and two worsened. Improvement was associated to FEV1/FVC and VAS improvement; to a reduction in D. pteronyssinus skin prick test; to a progressive increase in serum levels of D. pteronyssinus IgE, and D. pteronyssinus, Der p1 and Der p2 IgG4. IL-10 levels showed an early increase at T2f (the end of initial build-up immunotherapy phase), and then a reduction at T3 (the end of a year of immunotherapy). Improvement associated to an early increase in IL-10 and was correlated with VAS and specific IgG4 evolution.

Effectiveness of the third wave cognitive behavior therapy for peripartum depression treatment-A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: To investigate the effectiveness of third-wave cognitive behavior therapies in the treatment of peripartum depression. METHOD: A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychological interventions in treating peripartum depression focus on the Third Wave has been conducted. The electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Clinical Trials were searched, using a combination of different search terms. Data were independently extracted by two authors and a synthesis of the results was offered. Methodological quality was assessed by three authors, using ROBE-2 and MINORS. Search date was conducted in February 2022 and the search was re-run in November 2022 for new entries. FINDINGS: Six papers were included and reported, focused on, the effectiveness of Third Wave approach interventions in reducing depressive symptoms. Papers included the following intervention approaches: Behavioral intervention (n = 2), Mindfulness (n = 2), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (n = 1) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (n = 1). All six papers were consistent in that interventions lead to a decrease in depression symptoms. However, risk of bias evaluation showed that all were critical low, but one paper was high quality. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: Systematic review showed that third-wave approaches are promising in effectiveness to reduce depression symptoms in peripartum women. However, more high-quality studies with follow-up are needed.

Bee pollen: a dangerous food for allergic children. Identification of responsible allergens.

BACKGROUND: Bee pollen has been proposed as a food supplement, but it can be a dangerous food for people with allergy. We study an allergic reaction after ingestion of bee pollen in a 4-year-old boy who had developed rhinitis in the last spring and autumn. METHODS: We performed a prick-by-prick test with bee pollen and skin prick tests with the most important local pollens, house dust mites, common fungi, and animal danders. The levels of serum tryptase, serum total IgE and specific IgE against bee venom and local pollen extracts were determined. The composition of the bee pollen was analysed and SDS-PAGE immunoblotting and blotting-inhibition were carried out. RESULTS: Prick tests were positive to bee pollen and all local pollens extracts and negative to any other allergen sources. The bee pollen sample contained pollens from Quercus genus, and Asteraceae (Compositae) and Rosaceae families. Total IgE was 435 kU/l. Serum specific IgE to bee pollen was 6 kU/l and greater than 0.35 kU/L against pollens from Artemisia vulgaris, Taraxacum officinalis, Cupressus arizonica, Olea europaea, Platanus acerifolia and Lolium perenne as well as to n Art v 1 and other pollen marker allergens. Tryptase level was 3.5 mcg/mL. SDS-PAGE immunoblotting-inhibition points to Asteraceae pollen as the possible cause of the allergic reaction. CONCLUSION: Foods derived from bees can be dangerous to people with allergy to pollen.

Idiopathic subarachnoid hemorrhage: a multicentre series of 220 patients.

BACKGROUND. The Spanish neurosurgical society created a multicentre data base on spontaneous SAH to analyze the real problematic of this disease in our country. This paper focuses on the group of patients with idiopathic SAH (ISAH). METHODS. 16 participant hospitals collect their spontaneous SAH cases in a common data base shared in the internet through a secured web page, considering clinical, radiological, evolution and outcome variables. The 220 ISAH cases collected from November 2004 to November 2007 were statistically analyzed as a whole and divided into 3 subgroups depending on the CT blood pattern (aneurysmal, perimesencephalic, or normal). RESULTS. The 220 ISAH patients constitute 19% of all 1149 spontaneous SAH collected in the study period. In 46,8% of ISAH the blood CT pattern was aneurysmal, which was related to older age, worse clinical condition, higher Fisher grade, more hydrocephalus and worse outcome, compared to perimesencephalic (42.7%) or normal CT (10.4%) pattern. Once surpassed the acute phase, outcome of ISAH patients is similarly good in all 3 ISAH subgroups, significantly better as a whole compared to aneurysmal SAH patients. The only variable related to outcome in ISAH after a logistic regression analysis was the admission clinical grade. CONCLUSIONS. ISAH percentage of spontaneous SAH is diminishing in Spain. Classification of ISAH cases depending on the blood CT pattern is important to differentiate higher risk groups although complications are not negligible in any of the ISAH subgroups. Neurological status on admission is the single most valuable prognostic factor for outcome in ISAH patients.

[Ocular retention in patients with uveal melanoma managed by a multimodality approach]. / Estudio de la conservación del globo ocular con un abordaje multiterapéutico en el melanoma uveal.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze ocular survival in eyes with uveal melanoma treated with conservative therapies, in a centre that applies all treatment modalities. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma and treated between September 1990 and April 2007 were included in an historical cohorts study. RESULTS: 273 patients were included. 193 were treated with conservative treatments (70.69%) and 80 were enucleated as primary treatment. 14 patients were enucleated after conservative treatment (7.2%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed an 88% survival probability of the eye in the first 5 years after conservative treatment and 83% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatments for uveal melanoma, especially brachitherapy, are safe and effective in relation to tumor control and rate of secondary effects.

A retrospective review of conjunctival melanoma: Presentation, treatment and evolution. / Revisión retrospectiva del melanoma conjuntival: presentación, tratamiento y evolución.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients diagnosed and treated for conjunctival melanoma in the Ocular Oncology Unit of the University Hospital Clinic of Valladolid. METHODS: A retrospective observational case series study was conducted on patients diagnosed with conjunctival melanoma in the Ocular Oncology Unit of University Hospital Clinic of Valladolid, from January 1992 to December 2017. Demographic information and tumour features were recorded in a Microsoft Access database. RESULTS: Among a total of 462 consecutive patients, the tumour was classified as melanocytic in 252 cases (54.5%), with 27 patients having the pathological diagnosis of conjunctival melanoma. The mean age at diagnosis was 59.2years (16-88), and there were 41% males and 59% females, with a mean follow-up of 6.1±6.8years. As regards the origin of conjunctival melanoma, 16 cases (59%) arose from primary acquired melanosis, 26% from nevus, and 15% developed de novo. The treatment performed was incisional or excisional biopsy in all patients, local adjuvant chemotherapy in 15 cases (56%) and brachytherapy in 5 patients (18%). The median survival was 18years and the probability of survival at 5 and 10years was 89% and 69%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctival melanoma is a rare disease, usually undervalued by the patient as well as being underdiagnosed, leading to insufficient and delayed treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent recurrences and systemic extension, as well as to preserve vision and life.

[Limbal transplantation: multicenter retrospective case series analysis]. / Estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo sobre trasplante de limbo.

PURPOSE: To report the results of limbal transplantation (LT) in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) in the context of ocular surface diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter (5 centers) retrospective case series analysis of patients who underwent LT between 1996 and 2004 was performed. Data were collected by the same researcher using a customized database. Success was defined by the absence of a persistent corneal epithelial defect, on-going inflammation or recurrence of a pterygium. RESULTS: Data from 72 LT performed in 61 patients (65 eyes) with a mean follow-up of 20.8 months (SD 23.5; range, 3-115) were analyzed. There were 33 males and 28 females with a mean age of 55.8 years (SD: 15.6; range, 20-89). Fifty-eight (80.6%) LT were autografts (40 pterygia, 12 alkali burns, 3 iatrogenic cases, 2 viral infections, 1 neoplasia case) and 14 (19.4%) were allografts from cadaveric donors (7 immune-based disorders, 6 alkali burns, 1 iatrogenic case); all patients receiving allografts also received systemic immunosuppression. Of the total number of LT, 48 (66.7%) were successful. This proportion increased to 81.0% (47/58) when autografts were used. However, only 7.1% (1/14) of all allografts were successful. The success rate was higher (80.0%) when performed for a pterygium and lower when done for immune-based inflammation (14.3%). CONCLUSION: Autograft tissue for LT is always preferable to allografts to surgically treat LSCD, as clinical success is significantly higher, and systemic immunosuppression is avoided. As expected, immune-based disorders are the most difficult cases to treat. LT has been shown to be an excellent option for recurrent pterygium, although prospective studies need to be performed to further corroborate these results.

[Levobupivacaine versus racemic bupivacaine for thoracic and upper lumbar epidural anesthesia-analgesia in children]. / Levobupivacaína versus bupivacaína racémica para anestesia/analgesia epidural toráicica y lumbar alta en niños.

OBJECTIVES: We compared levobupivacaine to bupivacaine for epidural analgesia for thoracic or upper abdominal surgery in children. Our working hypothesis was that at equivalent doses levobupivacaine and bupivacaine behave in the same way. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ASA 1-4 patients between the ages of 5 and 16 years were randomized to a levobupivacaine or a bupivacaine group. After general anesthesia was induced, we inserted a thoracic or upper lumbar epidural catheter and administered a dose of 0.25% bupivacaine or levobupivacaine (1 mgxkg(-1)) while maintaining general anesthesia. Analgesia was provided with an epidural infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine or levobupivacaine with fentanyl. Fentanyl was used as a perioperative rescue analgesic and metamizole magnesium as a postoperative rescue analgesic. The epidural infusion was reduced by 25% each day beginning on the second day. We analyzed hemodynamic and respiratory variables, rescue analgesia, time until extubation and discharge from the recovery unit, complications associated with the technique, adverse effects, and degree of comfort achieved. RESULTS: We studied 64 patients; 33 received levobupivacaine and 31 bupivacaine. Mean (SD) duration of recovery unit stay was significantly longer in the bupivacaine group (4.2 [0.99] days) than in the levobupivacaine group (35 [0.6] days; P<.05). Significantly more patients needed perioperative rescue analgesia in the levobupivacaine group (n=6 [18.18%]) than in the bupivacaine group (n=3 [9.67%]; P<.01). After 48 hours, the need for postoperative rescue analgesia was significantly lower with levobupivacaine (P<.01). Motor block was significantly greater with bupivacaine (P<05). Adverse effects and complications included 2 cases of persistent bradycardia and 1 case of dural puncture with no subsequent clinical manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: This experience with epidural anesthesia for thoracic and upper abdominal surgery showed levobupivacaine and racemic bupivacaine to have similar profiles. Levobupivacaine, which is less toxic, could be used to replace bupivacaine in children.

[Serum creatinine and creatinine clearance to estimate renal function in essential hypertension]. / Creatinina sérica y aclaramiento de creatinina para la valoración de la función renal en hipertensos esenciales.

The shortcoming of serum creatinine (SCr) as an index of renal function is well known, patients can have significantly decreased glomerular filtration rates (GFR) with normal range SCr values, making the recognition of renal dysfunction more difficult. This study was designed to estimate renal function and the prevalence of renal dysfunction in essential hypertensive patients, comparing SCr and 4 formulas used to measure the creatinine clearance (CrCl) (the urinary CrCl formula, Cockcroft-Gault, MDRD and body surface formula) The study included 721 essential hypertensive patients, 319 men (44.2%), 402 women (55.8%), mean age 56.3 +/- 13.9 (53.7 +/- 14.4 vs 58.3 +/- 13.3). In all subjects SCr was measured and 24-h urine sample was collected to evaluate CrCl. Creatinine clereance was calculated by 4 formulas. Patients were grouped according to age (< 40, 41-65, 65-75 and > 76) and renal function was classified as normal when SCr < 1.4 in women and 1.5 mg/dl in men and CrCl (> 60 ml/m, respectively) within the above written formulas. SCr increases with age (1.01 +/- 0.36 vs 1.3 +/- 1.15) and CrCl decreases according to the 4 formulas (107.6; 92.8; 74.7 and 57.3 for the urinary SCr formula); (117.7; 87.7; 65.9 and 49.5 for the CC formula); (87.4, 74.9, 66.5 and 61 for the MDRD formula) and (97, 85.3, 71.9 and 57.3 for the body suface formula). The 4 formulas are comparable markers of renal function in the overall population. With any formula the percentage of patients with impaired renal function was much higher than indicated by the plasma creatinine alone (4% for SCr) vs 18.3-25.3% (CrCl < 60 ml/m) according to the 4 formulas. This study documents the substantial prevalence of abnormal renal function in essential hypertension. Estimation of GFR may help to facilitate the early identification of patients with renal impairment.

Time and dose dependent effects of oxidative stress induced by cumene hydroperoxide in neuronal excitability of rat motor cortex neurons.

It has been claimed that oxidative stress and the production of reactive oxygen radicals can contribute to neuron degeneration and might be one factor in the development of different neurological diseases. In our study, we have attempted to clarify how oxidative damage induces dose dependent changes in functional membrane properties of neurons by means of whole cell patch clamp techniques in brain slices from young adult rats. Our research demonstrates physiological changes in membrane properties of pyramidal motor cortex neurons exposed to 3 concentrations of cumene hydroperoxide (CH; 1, 10 and 100µM) during 30min. Results show that oxidative stress induced by CH evokes important changes, in a concentration and time dependent manner, in the neuronal excitability of motor cortex neurons of the rat: (i) Low concentration of the drug (1µM) already blocks inward rectifications (sag) and decreases action potential amplitude and gain, a drug concentration which has no effects on other neuronal populations, (ii) 10µM of CH depresses the excitability of pyramidal motor cortex neurons by decreasing input resistance, amplitude of the action potential, and gain and maximum frequency of the repetitive firing discharge, and (iii) 100µM completely blocks the capability to produce repetitive discharge of action potentials in all cells. Both larger drug concentrations and/or longer times of exposure to CH narrow the current working range. This happens because of the increase in the rheobase, and the reduction of the cancelation current. The effects caused by oxidative stress, including those produced by the level of lipid peroxidation, are practically irreversible and, this, therefore, indicates that neuroprotective agents should be administered at the first symptoms of alterations to membrane properties. In fact, the pre-treatment with melatonin, acting as an antioxidant, prevented the lipid peroxidation and the physiological changes induced by CH. Larger cells (as estimated by their cell capacitance) were also more susceptible to oxidative stress. Our results provide previously unavailable observations that large size and high sensitivity to oxidative stress (even at low concentrations) make pyramidal neurons of the motor cortex, in particular corticofugal neurons, more susceptible to cell death when compared with other neuronal populations. These results could also shed some light on explaining the causes behind diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Genetic principal components for reproductive and productive traits in dual-purpose buffaloes in Colombia.

A multitrait model (MC) and 5 reduced-rank models with principal component structure (components PC, PC, PC, PC, and PC) were compared. The objectives were to determine the most appropriate model for estimating genetic parameters and to evaluate the genetic progress of dual-purpose buffaloes in Colombia using that model. The traits evaluated were weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (W12), weight at 18 mo of age (W18), weight at 2 yr of age (W24), age at first calving (AFC), and milk yield at 270 d of first lactation (MY270). Genealogy and productive information from 34,326 buffaloes born in Colombia between 1997 and 2014 were used. Colombian Association of Buffalo Breeders (ACB) provided the data. Direct additive genetic and residual random effects were included for all the traits. In addition, the maternal additive genetic effect and permanent environmental random effect were included for WW, while a maternal additive genetic effect was included for W12. The fixed effects were contemporary group (farm, year, and calving season: January to April, May to August, or September to December; for all traits) and sex (for WW, W12, W18, and W24). Additionally, parity was included as a fixed effect for WW and W12. Age at weighing was used as a covariate for WW, W12, W18, and W24. Genetic progress of all traits was analyzed using a generalized smooth model (GAM). According to the Akaike information criteria (AIC), the best model was the one with reduced rank and first 3 principal components (PC). This model maintained 100% of the original variance. Genetic parameters estimated with this model were similar to those estimated by MC, but with smaller standard errors. Heritability for weight-related traits ranged between 0.23 and 0.44. Heritabilities for AFC and MY270 were 0.14 and 0.24, respectively. The genetic correlations obtained between all weights (WW, W12, W18, and W24) were positive and high. Correlations between all weights with AFC were negative and moderate. Correlations between all weights with MY270 were positive and moderate, and between MY270 with AFC were negative and low.