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Melatonin (ML) and dexmedetomidine (DM) are used separately as anesthetic premedication or as an anesthetic in humans and laboratory animals. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anesthetic properties of both drugs combined. The anesthetic effects of several combinations of ML (50 and 100 mg/kg) and DM (50 and 100 µg/kg) were evaluated in rats by observing behavioral manifestations and recording the duration and depth of anesthesia. Five anesthetic intervals were established according to the loss and recovery of reflexes. While each individual drug did not induce an appropriate anesthetic effect at the tested doses, ML50 + DM100, ML100 + DM50 and ML100 + DM100 combinations resulted in surgical anesthesia intervals of 60 to 360 min. Together, our results point that the use of ML allows to decrease the dose of DM, reducing the unwanted anesthetic effects of this α2-agonist.

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Rabies virus (RABV; Lyssavirus rabies) is a neurotropic virus that can be transmitted to mammals by the hematophagous bat Desmodus rotundus. An accurate, accessible method for the detection of RABV in cattle is necessary in Paraguay; thus, we evaluated the detection of RABV using 4 techniques: fluorescent antibody test (FAT), immunochromatography rapid detection test (RDT; Anigen Rapid Rabies Ag test kit; Bionote), a reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay, and histologic lesions in different portions of the CNS of 49 Paraguayan cattle to determine the most sensitive and specific technique. By FAT and RDT, 15 of 49 (31%) samples were positive. By RT-PCR amplification of N and G genes, 13 of 49 (27%) and 12 of 49 (25%) were positive, respectively. RDT had high agreement with FAT (kappa = 1); sensitivity was 100% (95% CI: 97-100%) and specificity was 100% (95% CI: 99-100%). The amplification of the N and G genes resulted in substantial agreement (kappa of 0.9 and 0.8, respectively) compared with FAT, and the sensitivity and specificity of the N gene were 87% (95% CI: 66-100%) and 100% (95% CI: 98-100%), respectively, and those of the G gene were 80% (95% CI: 56-100%) and 100% (95% CI: 98-100%), respectively. Histologic lesions observed were lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis, gliosis, and neuronophagia. The agreement observed between the FAT and RDT tests suggests that RDT is an accurate tool for the detection of RABV. Histopathology can be used to confirm lesions caused by RABV and to rule out other conditions; the RT-PCR assay is useful for molecular epidemiology studies.

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Physical activity benefits both fitness and cognition. However, its effect on long-term memory is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effect of acute and chronic exercise on long-term spatial memory for a new virtual reality task. Participants were immersed in the virtual environment and navigated a wide arena that included target objects. We assessed spatial memory in two conditions (encoded targets separated by a short or long distance) and found that 25 min of cycling after encoding - but not before retrieval - was sufficient to improve the long-term memory retention for the short, but not for the long distance. Furthermore, we found that participants who engaged in regular physical activity showed memory for the short-distance condition whereas controls did not. Thus, physical activity could be a simple way to improve spatial memories.

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OBJECTIVES: To estimate the burden of disease through 4 complementary procedures to years lived with disability (YLDs) using the concept of attributable fraction and including analysis of subdomains of disability. METHODS: We explored the burden on disability for 7 common musculoskeletal disorders (CMD) using the 2009 to 2010 Chilean National Health Survey, which included the Community Oriented Programme for the Control of Rheumatic Disease Core Questionnaire to identify cases with CMD, and an 8-domain questionnaire for health state descriptions. We calculated the proportion of disability attributable to pain in the general population and people with CMD. We also estimated the burden of CMD expressed as YLD and as the proportion of the disability in the general population attributable to people with CMD, with a particular focus in the pain domain of disability. Second order of uncertainty around point estimations was also characterized. RESULTS: Pain domain of disability accounted for 23.4% of the total disability in the general population, and between 20% (fibromyalgia) to 27.1% (osteoarthritis of the hip) in people with some of the selected CMD. People with chronic musculoskeletal pain accounted for 21.2% of total disability from general population, which generated 1.2 million of YLD (6679 YLD/100 000 inhabitants). Chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis of the knee were in the top position of specific CMDs, explaining the highest national burden. CONCLUSION: Pain is an essential component of disability in people with CMD and also in the general population. The approach used can be easily applied to other health conditions and other domains of disability.

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RESUMEN La reflexión propuesta en las páginas siguientes tiene como objetivo retornar a las prácticas operacionales de reconocimiento en el campo de situaciones de comunicación complejas centradas en la reciprocidad. La perspectiva epistemológica propuesta es la de la psicología social socioconstructivista. El marco teórico-metodológico es el de las representaciones sociales. A partir del rol de los actores involucrados en el proceso, en el ensayo se describen las tres distintas clases de variables que, en opinión de los autores, influyen en el reconocimiento mutuo: las variables psicológicas, las variables cognitivas y las variables sociales. Las dimensiones subyacentes de cada una de las variables consideradas se analizan en detalle, subrayando los posibles efectos sobre las prácticas sociales relacionadas con los mismos. Estos muestran claramente que las influencias múltiples que entran en juego en la "situación comunicativa" de reconocimiento producen una realidad claramente compleja y ampliamente predeterminada por sistemas recíprocos de representación del otro, de la tarea y de la situación.

ABSTRACT The aim of the reflection proposed in the following pages is to return operational recognition practices in the fold of complex communication situations centred on reciprocity. The proposed epistemological perspective is that of socioconstructivist social psychology. The theoretical-methodological framework is that of the Social Representations. Starting from the role of the actors involved in the process, the paper describes the three different kinds of variables that, in the opinion of the authors, influence mutual recognition: the psychological variables, the cognitive variables and the social variables. The dimensions underlying each of the variables considered are analysed in detail, underlining the possible effects on the social practices related to them. These clearly show that the multiple influences that come into play in the "communicative situation" of recognition, produce a clearly complex and largely predetermined reality by reciprocal systems of representation of the other, of the task and of the situation.

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INTRODUCTION: Assessment of risk both for pregnancy morbidity and thrombosis in the presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) is still a challenge in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients. The Global Antiphospholipid Syndrome Score (GAPSS) takes into account the aPL profile (criteria and non-criteria aPL), the conventional cardiovascular risk factors and the autoimmune antibody profile. An adjusted model of the score (aGAPSS) excluding anti-phosphatidylserine/Prothrombin (aPS/PT), suggests that the score is able to stratify patients for their rate of events making it widely applicable in daily clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To validate the aGAPSS in a multicentric cohort of SLE patients in Argentina. PATIENTS AND METHODS: consecutive SLE patients with and with andwithout thrombotic events from seven Rheumatologist centers were included. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, aPL antibodies and medications received (aspirin, hydroxychloroquine and anticoagulation) were collected. The score aGAPSS was calculated for each patient at the last visit by adding together the points corresponding to the risk factors: 1 for hypertension, 3 for dyslipidemia, 4 for LA and B2GPI (IgM or IgG) antibodies and 5 for aCL (IgM or IgG) antibodies. The discriminative ability of the aGAPSS was calculated by measuring the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the impact of multiple cardiovascular risk factors and laboratory parameters on the occurrence of thrombosis. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-six SLE patients were included. One-hundred and twenty-one patients (40.9%) presented thrombotic and/or pregnancy complications. Median aGAPSS was significantly higher in patients who experienced an event (thrombosis and/or pregnancy morbidity) compared with those without [4 (IQR 1-9) versus 1 (IQR 0-5); p < 0.001]. The best cut off point for the diagnosis of thrombosis and/or pregnancy complications was aGAPSS ≥4. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that aCL antibodies [OR 2.1 (95% CI 1.16-3.90); p = 0.015] were an independent risk factors for thrombotic events. CONCLUSIONS: This score is a simple tool, easy to apply to SLE patients in daily practice. The use of the aGAPSS could change the non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment in higher risk patients to improve their survival.

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Animal pollination mediates both reproduction and gene flow for the majority of plant species across the globe. However, past functional studies have focused largely on seed production; although useful, this focus on seed set does not provide information regarding species-specific contributions to pollen-mediated gene flow. Here we quantify pollen dispersal for individual pollinator species across more than 690 ha of tropical forest. Specifically, we examine visitation, seed production, and pollen-dispersal ability for the entire pollinator community of a common tropical tree using a series of individual-based pollinator-exclusion experiments followed by molecular-based fractional paternity analyses. We investigate the effects of pollinator body size, plant size (as a proxy of floral display), local plant density, and local plant kinship on seed production and pollen-dispersal distance. Our results show that while large-bodied pollinators set more seeds per visit, small-bodied bees visited flowers more frequently and were responsible for more than 49% of all long-distance (beyond 1 km) pollen-dispersal events. Thus, despite their size, small-bodied bees play a critical role in facilitating long-distance pollen-mediated gene flow. We also found that both plant size and local plant kinship negatively impact pollen dispersal and seed production. By incorporating genetic and trait-based data into the quantification of pollination services, we highlight the diversity in ecological function mediated by pollinators, the influential role that plant and population attributes play in driving service provision, and the unexpected importance of small-bodied pollinators in the recruitment of plant genetic diversity.

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Older Colombians face significant adversities: poverty, violence and displacement. However, there is evidence that Latinos are often resilient. We examine resilience in older Colombians living in poverty using an ecological framework that identifies three levels: individual; community; and societal. In this paper we examine data from 16 semi-structured interviews with older Colombians that explore resilience within the context of poverty. We analyze our data using three stages: (1) modified grounded theory; (2) assignment of resilience status; (3) identification of components of the ecological framework which contribute to resilience in these participants. The most striking feature is that some participants are able to adapt to their situation, demonstrating resilience, whilst others are not. Individual characteristics such as psychological and material resources contribute to resilience. At the community level, family, social support, participation and cohesion promote resilience. Finally, at the societal level, social and welfare services, finance, religion and social policy, are important factors. These different levels of resilience are co-dependent, and we illustrate how this is so. We suggest that older Colombians living in poverty often demonstrate resilience, but that more can be done to enhance their lives. This includes interventions at the individual and community levels alongside changes in social policy.

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Introducción: La enfermedad de Kawasaki, una vasculitis aguda de origen desconocido, es actualmente la principal causa de cardiopatía adquirida durante la infancia y sus principales secuelas están relacionadas con las arterias coronarias, por lo que el reconocimiento temprano de la probabilidad de daño coronario posibilita el tratamiento oportuno para disminuir su ocurrencia. Objetivos: Determinar la probabilidad de sufrir daño coronario en pacientes con enfermedad de Kawasaki, reconocer los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de lesión coronaria y la evolución a largo plazo de estos pacientes. Material y métodos: Se diagnosticó enfermedad de Kawasaki en 245 niños (octubre 1988 - diciembre 2013) con edad media de 3,48 años. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, criterios clínicos y de laboratorio de enfermedad de Kawasaki, hallazgos ecocardiográficos y evolución a largo plazo. Se calculó el odds ratio para evaluar las diferentes variables analizadas como probables factores de riesgo de enfermedad coronaria. Resultados: Presentaron daño coronario 39 pacientes: 25 varones y 14 mujeres; edad media: 2,05 años. Se identificaron como factores de riesgo la edad < 3 años, la fiebre prolongada = 6 días, la eritrosedimentación > 50 mm/h, la proteína C reactiva > 100 mg/L y el hematocrito < 30%. Trece pacientes mostraron dilatación transitoria de las arterias coronarias, 12 pacientes aneurismas solitarios de tamaño pequeño o mediano, 7 pacientes aneurismas coronarios múltiples, 6 pacientes aneurismas coronarios gigantes y uno infarto agudo de miocardio por lesión obstructiva grave. La mortalidad hospitalaria fue del 4‰. Conclusiones: La probabilidad de presentar daño coronario en pacientes con enfermedad de Kawasaki fue del 15,91%. Los factores de riesgo para lesión coronaria detectados fueron: edad menor de 3 años, 6 o más días de fiebre, eritrosedimentación > 50 mm/h, proteína C reactiva > 100 mg/L y hematocrito < 30%. En los pacientes con daño coronario residual persistente tratados en forma convencional no hubo eventos adversos durante el seguimiento a mediano y a largo plazos.

Background: Kawasaki disease, a vasculitis of unknown origin, is currently the main cause of acquired heart disease during childhood and its main sequelae are associated with coronary arteries. Therefore, early identification of possible coronary lesions enables adequate treatment to decrease their occurrence. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the probability of coronary injury in patients with Kawasaki disease, to identify the risk factors for developing coronary lesions and the long-term outcome of these patients. Methods: A total of 245 children with mean age of 3.48 years were diagnosed with Kawasaki disease between October 1988 and December 2013. Age, sex, clinical and laboratory criteria of Kawasaki disease, echocardiographic findings and long-term outcome were analyzed, and the odds ratio was used to assess their participation as probable risk factors for coronary lesions. Results: Thirty-nine patients presented coronary lesions: 25 male and 14 female patients with mean age of 2.05 years. Risk factors were: age < 3 years; prolonged fever = 6 days, erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 50 mm/hr; C-reactive protein > 100 mg/l and hematocrit < 30%. Thirteen patients showed transient coronary artery dilation, 12 solitary small or medium-sized aneurysms, 7 multiple coronary aneurysms, 6 giant coronary aneurysms and one myocardial infarction by severe obstructive lesion. In-hospital mortality was 4‰. Conclusions: Risk of coronary artery lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease was 15.91%. Risk factors were age under 3 years, fever lasting more than 6 days, erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 50 mm/hr; C-reactive protein > 100 mg/L and hematocrit < 30%. In patients with persistent residual coronary lesions treated conventionally there were no adverse events in the mid- and long-term follow-up.

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Introducción: La enfermedad de Kawasaki, una vasculitis aguda de origen desconocido, es actualmente la principal causa de cardiopatía adquirida durante la infancia y sus principales secuelas están relacionadas con las arterias coronarias, por lo que el reconocimiento temprano de la probabilidad de daño coronario posibilita el tratamiento oportuno para disminuir su ocurrencia. Objetivos: Determinar la probabilidad de sufrir daño coronario en pacientes con enfermedad de Kawasaki, reconocer los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de lesión coronaria y la evolución a largo plazo de estos pacientes. Material y métodos: Se diagnosticó enfermedad de Kawasaki en 245 niños (octubre 1988 - diciembre 2013) con edad media de 3,48 años. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, criterios clínicos y de laboratorio de enfermedad de Kawasaki, hallazgos ecocardiográficos y evolución a largo plazo. Se calculó el odds ratio para evaluar las diferentes variables analizadas como probables factores de riesgo de enfermedad coronaria. Resultados: Presentaron daño coronario 39 pacientes: 25 varones y 14 mujeres; edad media: 2,05 años. Se identificaron como factores de riesgo la edad < 3 años, la fiebre prolongada = 6 días, la eritrosedimentación > 50 mm/h, la proteína C reactiva > 100 mg/L y el hematocrito < 30%. Trece pacientes mostraron dilatación transitoria de las arterias coronarias, 12 pacientes aneurismas solitarios de tamaño pequeño o mediano, 7 pacientes aneurismas coronarios múltiples, 6 pacientes aneurismas coronarios gigantes y uno infarto agudo de miocardio por lesión obstructiva grave. La mortalidad hospitalaria fue del 4ë. Conclusiones: La probabilidad de presentar daño coronario en pacientes con enfermedad de Kawasaki fue del 15,91%. Los factores de riesgo para lesión coronaria detectados fueron: edad menor de 3 años, 6 o más días de fiebre, eritrosedimentación > 50 mm/h, proteína C reactiva > 100 mg/L y hematocrito < 30%. En los pacientes con daño coronario residual persistente tratados en forma convencional no hubo eventos adversos durante el seguimiento a mediano y a largo plazos.(AU)

Background: Kawasaki disease, a vasculitis of unknown origin, is currently the main cause of acquired heart disease during childhood and its main sequelae are associated with coronary arteries. Therefore, early identification of possible coronary lesions enables adequate treatment to decrease their occurrence. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the probability of coronary injury in patients with Kawasaki disease, to identify the risk factors for developing coronary lesions and the long-term outcome of these patients. Methods: A total of 245 children with mean age of 3.48 years were diagnosed with Kawasaki disease between October 1988 and December 2013. Age, sex, clinical and laboratory criteria of Kawasaki disease, echocardiographic findings and long-term outcome were analyzed, and the odds ratio was used to assess their participation as probable risk factors for coronary lesions. Results: Thirty-nine patients presented coronary lesions: 25 male and 14 female patients with mean age of 2.05 years. Risk factors were: age < 3 years; prolonged fever = 6 days, erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 50 mm/hr; C-reactive protein > 100 mg/l and hematocrit < 30%. Thirteen patients showed transient coronary artery dilation, 12 solitary small or medium-sized aneurysms, 7 multiple coronary aneurysms, 6 giant coronary aneurysms and one myocardial infarction by severe obstructive lesion. In-hospital mortality was 4ë. Conclusions: Risk of coronary artery lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease was 15.91%. Risk factors were age under 3 years, fever lasting more than 6 days, erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 50 mm/hr; C-reactive protein > 100 mg/L and hematocrit < 30%. In patients with persistent residual coronary lesions treated conventionally there were no adverse events in the mid- and long-term follow-up.(AU)