Restes de vertebres et de mollusques continentauxdans le Villafranchien de la Sardaigne

Remains of vertebrates of Villafranchian age have been found in the Nuraghe Su Casteddu (Nuoro, Sardinia) formation. The fossiliferous layer contain a rich fauna of continental molluscs. The composition of the vertebrate fauna is as follows: Rana sp., ? Coluber sp., Aves indet., Episoriculus aff. gibberodon PETENYI, Talpa sp., Chiroptera indet. and Rodentia indet. It is the first discovery of Villafranchian vetebrates in Sardinia.     

Prevalencia de especies de Malassezia asociadas a lesiones de dermatitis seborreica en pacientes de Argentina

BackgroundSeborrheic dermatitis (SD) is considered the second most frequently dermatosis associated with the genus Malassezia but little is the knowledge about the epidemiology of this association.AimsTo determinate the prevalence of Malassezia species associated with SD and to analyse their distribution according to the location of the lesion on the body.MethodsThis study was performed in Resistencia city, located in a subtropical area in northeast Argentina. In this study, 226 skin samples from patients with lesions compatible with SD were studied. Age, gender and body sites lesion were recorded. Strains were identified by PCR-RFLP.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-one positive cultures were obtained. Association of 2 species was detected in 10 cases; therefore, 141 strains were isolated. Malasezzia globosa (43.3%) was the most frequent species isolated, followed by Malasezzia furfur (20.6%), Malasezzia sympodialis (17%) and Malasezzia restricta (16.3%). Three isolates of Malasezzia slooffiae (2.1%) and one of Malasezzia pachydermatis (0.7%) were obtained. Statistical significance (P < 0.05) was found between M. globosa and scalp. Malasezzia restricta was isolated only in head areas.ConclusionsThis study suggests M. globosa is the most related species to SD. The prevalence of other species is different from that reported by other authors. Only M. globosa and M. restricta presented a pattern of relationship with the body sites of the lesions. It is noteworthy is the isolation of the zoophylic species M. pachydermatis. The Malassezia genus ecology and the pathogenic role of its species are still under study. This work is a contribution to this knowledge.     

Synthèse de trithioorthocarbonates de pyranosides par thermolyse de bis(dithiocarbonates)

The thermal decomposition of methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-di-O-[(methylthio)-thiocarbonyl]-α-d-glucopyranoside afforded methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-2-thio-α-d-mannopyranoside 3-O,2-S-(S,S-dimethyl trithioorthocarbonate) and methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-3-thio-α-d-allopyranoside 2-O,3-S-(S,S-dimethyl trithioorthocarbonate) in good yield. This decomposition can be generalized to 1,3-diols derived from sugars. Thus methyl 2,3-di-O-methyl-4,6-di-O-[(methylthio)thiocarbonyl]-α-d-glucopyranoside afforded in the same way the corresponding trithioorthocarbonates, following a regioselective process. The structures of these trithioorthocarbonates are confirmed by spectral and chemical proofs.     

Efecto inhibitorio in vitro de ajoeno sobre aislamientos de Candida recuperados de secreciones vaginales

AimsThe main purpose of this work was to evaluate the in vitro activity of ajoene of the Candida, obtained from vaginal discharges.MethodsFor this, 136 samples were analyzed. The yeasts were recovered and identified by conventional mycological methods. The susceptibility to ajoene (at 20, 15, 12.5, 10, 6.25 and 3.125 μg/ml) was performed according to the CLSI M27-A2 document with the EUCAST modifications. The ATCC reference strains 90028 (Candida albicans), 22019 (Candida parapsilosis), and 6258 (Candida krusei) were included in this study. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was considered as the minimal concentration of ajoena able to inhibit 80% of the fungal growth.ResultsFifty five yeasts were recovered, 36 (65.4%) of them were causing candidosis and 19 (34.5%) were colonizing. C. albicans was the most frequent (81.8%) of the six isolated species, prevailing on the patients with candidosis (54.5%). The non-albicans species were less frequently isolated (18.2%), and Candida glabrata was the prevailing agent (7.3%) followed by Candida tropicalis (3.6%), C. krusei, C. parapsilosis, Candida guilliermondii and Candida sp. (1.8% each of them). The susceptibility tests to ajoeno showed inhibition of fungal growth in 98.2% of the isolates, showing MIC values ?15 μg/ml, and in (one isolate of C. glabrata) (1.8%) this value was >20 μg/ml. The reference strains showed MIC values of 3.125 and 10 μg/ml.ConclusionsThe results here presented, obtained from a significant number of isolates, mainly C. albicans, demonstrate, once more, the potential of ajoeno as an antifungal agent.     

In vitro: Régénération de plants de fraisier à partir de fragments de pétioles et de bourgeons floraux

Strawberry plants have been regenerated from petioles and flower buds Petiole segments derived from strawberry plants(Fragaria vesca L. andFragaria xananassa Duch. cvs. Gorella and Redgauntlet) maintainedin vitro have been cultured on the Gambobg’s. agar medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2 mg 1?¹) either alone or with kinetin or BAP (0.1 mg I?¹ or 1 mg I?¹). The calli thus obtained have been transferred to media differing from the first ones only by the nature and the concentration of the growth regulators used. One or two months later, shoots appeared on these calli. The influence of the media hormonal content on plant regeneration has been observed. Moreover, genotypic variations have also been investigated: the wild strawberry exhibited the greatest organogenic capacity. Shoots have also been obtained from flower buds(Fragaria xananassa Duch. cvs. Fern, Hummi Gento, Gorella and Redgauntlet). In this case, shoots appeared directly on small calli derived from the peduncular base of the flower buds. These regenerations have been observed, without changes of media, on the Lee and de Fossabd’s agar medium.     

Dos especies nuevas de Borreria (Rubiaceae) y sinopsis de las especies de Bolivia

Two new species are described, Borreria cerradoana and B. velascoana, from Bolivia and Brazil, and a new combination is made, B. spinosa var. minima. Through an identification key, all 28 species of Borreria for Bolivia are recorded, and comments on geographical distribution and habitat are provided. Borreria brachystemonoides, B. poaya, and B. tenera are confirmed as new records for the country.     

Heminautilus sanctaecrucis,nouvelle espece de nautiloïde cretace

A new interpretation of the J.F. Pictet et G. Campiche's Nautilus lallierianus is here proposed. Their specimen canbe separated from Heminautilus lallierianus (d'ORB.) and Heminautilus saxbii (MORRIS). The new designation attributed is Heminautilus sanctaecrucis.     

Hémisynthèse de nouveaux glycosides analogues de la daunorubicine

Seven daunorubicin analogs containing α-l-, α-d-, and β-d-glycosidic linkages, in which the natural occurring sugar (l-daunosamine) was replaced by diastereo-isomeric 3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxyhexoses (3-epi-l-daunosamine, d-acosamine, d-daunosamine, d-ristosamine, and 3-epi-d-daunosamine), were prepared. In all cases, glycosidation with daunomycinone was performed in the presence of p-toluene-sulfonic acid starting from 1-O-acetyl-2,3,6-trideoxy-4-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-3-trifluoroacetamidohexopyranoses (prepared from the corresponding methyl 3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxyhexopyranosides) or from 1,5-anhydro-2,3,6-trideoxy-4-O-p-nitrobenzoyl-3-trifluoroacetamidohex-1-enitols (prepared from glycals or pseudoglycals, the 3-amino group being introduced by substitution with sodium azide and subsequent reduction). Glycosidation was followed by removal of the protecting groups.     

Implantación de una Unidad de Ortogeriatría de Agudos en un hospital de segundo nivel

Background

Patients with hip fracture (HF), due to their characteristics, require a specific support. The Acute Orthogeriatric Unit (OGU) has been shown to be one of the most beneficial.

Objective

To evaluate the main variables of HF patients treated at an OGU and compare them with the previous referral model (RC).

Material and methods

A prospective observational study with retrospective control was conducted on 169 patients, split into two groups. In the RC group, patients were admitted to conventional trauma ward. In the OGU group, an early geriatric assessment was performed, and patients were simultaneously attended daily by the orthopaedic surgeon, nurse and geriatrician, and the surgery times, work load, discharge and destination, were planned in a weekly meeting with the rest of professionals.

Results

A total of 71 patients were included in the RC group and 96 in the OGU group. The preoperative characteristics were similar, except for a slightly higher comorbidity in the OGU group. The OGU patients were operated on earlier (3.82±2.08 vs 4.61±2.5 days; P<.32), and overall hospital stay was reduced by 28% (11.84±4.04 vs 16.46±8.4 days; P<.001). The functional efficiency (Barthel Index at discharge-Barthel Index at admission/overall stay - stay before surgery) was higher in the OGU group (1.56±0.7 vs 2.61±1.1; P<.05). There were no differences in functional status, mortality or discharge location.

Conclusions

The OGU is a level of care that provides effective medical care in HF patients in general hospitals.     

Actividad de la proteinasa en cepas de Candida albicans aisladas de la cavidad oral de pacientes inmunodeprimidos,con candidiasis oral y sujetos sanos

BackgroundCandida albicans has a variety of virulence factors, including secreted aspartyl proteases, which are determinant factors in the pathogenesis of this yeast in immunocompromised patients.AimsProteinase activity was identified in C. albicans strains isolated from the oral cavity of immunocompromised patients with cancer, diabetes and HIV+, with oral candidiasis and in healthy subjects.MethodsTwo hundred and fifty C. albicans strains were analyzed, distributed in 5 different groups: patients with cancer, diabetes, HIV+, with oral candidiasis and healthy subjects.ResultsProteolytic activity was identified in 46% of the strains from cancer patients, 54% from HIV+ patients, 60% from diabetics, 70% from oral candidiasis patients, and 42% from healthy subjects. Activity was higher in strains from immunocompromised and oral candidiasis patients than in healthy subjects. Differences were observed between the candidiasis-healthy, candidiasis-HIV+, and diabetic-healthy groups. No differences were observed between the oral candidiasis, diabetes and cancer patients, between the diabetes and HIV+ patients, or between the cancer patients, HIV+ patients and healthy subjects.ConclusionsThe present results suggest that although secreted aspartyl proteases are important in the pathogenesis of C. albicans, their activity depends on host conditions.     

Etude comparative de la densite de groupes de poissons cavernicoles et epiges (characidae,cyprinidae, clariidae)

The group density of four species of cave fishes (Caecobarbus geertsi, Barbopsis devecchii, Astyanax gen. and Uegitglanis zammaranoi) and of two taxonomically related epigean species (Barbus conchonius and Hyphessobricon scholzei) was measured tridimensionally in an experimental aquarium, using a video recorder and a mirror inclined at 45° placed on top of the aquarium. The experiments were conducted in dim red light. The illumination was continuous in the case of cave fishes. For the epigean forms a 12/12 LD cycle was superimposed using dim achromatic sources. The relative positions of individuals within their own specific group were registered hourly during a week (168 h). Results show that in cave forms, the mean density of groups falls within the theoretical limits of random distribution values in all cases, whereas epigean species display a non-random aggregation tendency.     

Estudio paleoecológico de Foraminíferos de testigos del Holoceno de Golfo Nuevo (Patagonia, Argentina)

A micropaleontological study (Order Foraminiferida) was conducted on two Holocene cores from Golfo Nuevo (Patagonia, Argentina). The most abundant species are Buccellaperuviana f. campsi (Boltovskoy) and Bulimina patagonica (d’Orbigny), suggesting an inner-shelf environment. Qualitative and quantitative analyses indicate the paleoecological and paleoenvironmental variations along cores. A transition from normal marine conditions of the inner shelf during the Middle Holocene (ca. 8160-7700 years B.P.) to marginal marine conditions in the Late Holocene (ca. 1890 years B.P.) is inferred. This transition was accompanied by lower oxygen levels than the current values in Golfo Nuevo. These variations may have been due to an increase in precipitation near the study zone and a rise in sea level caused by an improvement in the climatic conditions related to the Climate Optimum (ca. 7000 years B.P.). These new conditions of higher temperature and lower salinity of the surface waters may have hindered deep-water renewal, producing a change in the circulation dynamics of the gulf and causing a reducing environment.     

Cycle de vie de Gammarus laticoxalis ssp. dans l'exsurgence Shtaura (Liban). Note sur Gammarus syriacus de Shamsine

The biology of a population of Gammarus laticoxalis living in perennial, constant temperature spring in Lebanon was studied. Life cycle, sex-ratio, fecundity and body length were followed over three years. It seems that the biological rhythm of this Gammarus depends on rainfall, which is highest in winter in Lebanon, and on photoperiod. Some comparative data about G. syriacus is also given.     

Position systematique de Castellanibelus nov. gen. et de trois especes de belemnites du cretace inferieur Français

Berriasibelus extinctorius (Raspail) and Castellanibelus orbignyanus (Duval-Jouve) haveoften been confounded with Duvalia conica (Blainville) founded in the same stratigraphic levels. We herewith illustrate the siphon of B. extinctorius and C. orbignyanus which has never been observed before. The siphon being situated at the opposite side of the groove, these two species can be attributed to the Duvaliidae family.     

Nouvelles espèces subfossiles de rongeurs du Nord-Ouest de Madagascar

Since the mid-19th century, the Malagasy subfossil macrofauna has been the object of numerous studies and publications, contrary to the microfauna. New fieldwork, initiated in 2001, in the North West of Madagascar (Province of Mahajanga) led to the discovery of sites rich in fossiliferous breccias, containing micromammals. In this article, we describe two new subfossil species of rodent: Brachytarsomys mahajambaensis, the smallest within the genus and Nesomys narindaensis, the largest within the genus. Most of the extant species of these two genera live in the tropical rainforests of the eastern and north-eastern areas of Madagascar, far away from the north-western part of the island where a dry deciduous forest occurs. The presence of the two taxa in the subfossil record in the Northwest of the country suggests the occurrence of wetter conditions in the past in this region.     

Structures de la cabuamine et de la vincorine

Cabuamine is identified as O-methyl-hydrogeno akuammine.     

La unidad de ortogeriatría de agudos. Evaluación de su efecto en el curso clínico de los pacientes con fractura de cadera y estimación de su impacto económico

Objective

To study the effects of the management of hip fracture patients in an acute orthogeriatric unit shared between the departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Geriatrics compared with the usual hospital care, and to analyse financial differences in both systems of care.

Method

Prospective quasy-experimental randomized intervention study in 506 patients admited to a terciary hospital with an osteoporotic hip fracture. The usual model of care was the admission to the orthopedic ward with a request to Geriatrics (RC) and the study model consisted of the admission to an orthogeriatric unit (OGU) for the shared co-management between orthopaedic surgeons and geriatricians. This model included the appointment of one spokesperson from each department, the specialist geriatric nurse management, early geriatric assessment, shared daily clinical care, weekly joint ward round and coordinated planning of the surgery schedule, the start of the ambulation and the time and setting of patient discharge.

Results

Two hundred fifty five consecutive patients admitted to the OGU and 251 patients managed simultaneusly by the RC model were included. Except for a mean age slightly lower in the OGU group, there were no differences neither in the baseline patients characteristics nor in the surgical rates between the two groups. Among the OGU patients group it was more frequent to receive rehabilitation in the acute setting, to be able to walk at discharge and to be referred to a geriatric rehabilitation unit (all with P<.05). The OGU patients received geriatric assessment and were operated on earlier than the RC patients (P<.001). The length of stay in the acute ward was 34% shorter in the OGU patients (mean 12.48±5 vs 18.9±8.6 days, P<.001) (median 12 [9-14] vs 17 [13-23] days, P<.001). The whole hospital length of stay, including the days spent in the geriatric rehabilitation units, was 11% shorter in the OGU patients (mean 21.16 ±14.7 vs 23.9 ±13.8 days, P<0.05) (median 14 [10-31] vs 20 [14-30] days, P<.001). The OGU saved 1,207 € to 1,633 € per patient when estimated by the costs for process model, and 3,741 € when estimated by the costs for stay model.

Conclusions

The OGU is a hospital setting that provides an improvement in the patients functional outcome and a reduction in the hospital length of stay. Therefore it saves health care resources. These findings show the OGU as an advisable setting for the acute care of hip fracture patients.