A rigorous detection of interstellar CH3NCO: An important missing species in astrochemical networks

The recent analysis of the composition of the frozen surface of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko has revealed a significant number of complex organic molecules. Methyl isocyanate (CH3NCO) is one of the more abundant species detected on the comet surface. In this work we report extensive characterization of its rotational spectrum resulting in a list of 1269 confidently assigned laboratory lines and its detection in space towards the Orion clouds where 399 lines of the molecule have been unambiguously identified. We find that the limited mm-wave laboratory data reported prior to our work require some revision. The abundance of CH3NCO in Orion is only a factor of ten below those of HNCO and CH3CN. Unlike the molecular abundances in the coma of comets, which correlate with those of warm molecular clouds, molecular abundances in the gas phase in Orion are only weakly correlated with those measured on the comet surface. We also compare our abundances with those derived recently for this molecule towards Sgr B2 (Halfen et al. 2015). A more accurate abundance of CH3NCO is provided for this cloud based on our extensive laboratory work.

Good response to rituximab in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis and pulmonary, renal manifestations and ophthalmoplegia

Cyclophosphamide (CYC) is a classical drug for the treatment of severe granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). However, a considerable number of patients are resistant to standard treatment and it can show substantial toxicity. Therefore, alternative agents should be considered in refractory cases. We report the successful use of rituximab (RTX) in a 70-year-old patient diagnosed of GPA who developed ophthalmoplegia, an uncommon complication of GPA. The patient also had upper and lower respiratory tract involvement and kidney manifestations with good prognosis. We review the causes of ophtalmoparesis and the treatment with RTX in GPA.

Positive Predictive Value of Abdominal Sonography in the Diagnosis of Ischemic Colitis

AIM

The aim was to prospectively evaluate the positive predictive value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of ischemic colitis, with colonoscopy as the reference standard.

METHODS

During a 2-year period we included consecutive patients over 50 years of age with sudden abdominal pain and/or rectal bleeding who underwent abdominal sonography in an emergency setting with a thickened segment of colon with a length of more than 10 cm. This clinical-sonographic triad was considered diagnostic for ischemic colitis. A thickened bowel location or color Doppler flow findings on ultrasound examination were evaluated but were not considered to make the diagnosis of ischemic colitis. Basic descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study patients. The positive predictive value was calculated as: number of patients with the definitive diagnosis of ischemic colitis (colonoscopic or follow-up)/number of patients with a sonographic diagnosis of ischemic colitis.

RESULTS

A total of 48 patients had the clinical-sonographic triad; mean age: 74.3 years (range 54-90 years). The most frequent clinical manifestation was rectal bleeding (83% of the cases) followed by abdominal pain (81%) and diarrhea (45%). A total of 42 cases of ischemic colitis were confirmed by endoscopy (n=35) and biopsy (n=34) or clinical evaluation (n=7). The positive predictive value of the clinical-sonographic diagnosis of ischemic colitis was 87.5%. Thickening of the colon wall was detected on the left side in 35 patients with ischemic colitis, on the right side in 3 and pancolitis was identified in 5 patients.

CONCLUSION

In an appropriate clinical setting, ultrasound has a high positive predictive value for the diagnosis of ischemic colitis.

First records of Hippocampus algiricus in the Canary Islands (north-east Atlantic Ocean) with an observation of hybridization with Hippocampus hippocampus

Morphometric and genetic analyses confirmed the first records of the West African seahorse Hippocampus algiricus at Gran Canaria Island (north-east Atlantic Ocean), and also the first evidence of interspecific hybridization in seahorses. These results provide additional data on the distribution of H. algiricus that may help to establish future conservation strategies, and uncover a new potential sympatric scenario between H. algiricus and Hippocampus hippocampus.

Searching for trans ethyl methyl ether in Orion KL. ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS 2015;582:L1. [PMID: 26869726 PMCID: PMC4747151 DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201526255]

We report on the tentative detection of trans ethyl methyl ether (tEME), t-CH₃CH₂OCH₃, through the identification of a large number of rotational lines from each one of the spin states of the molecule towards Orion KL. We also search for gauche-trans-n-propanol, Gt-n-CH₃CH₂CH₂OH, an isomer of tEME in the same source. We have identified lines of both species in the IRAM 30 m line survey and in the ALMA Science Verification data. We have obtained ALMA maps to establish the spatial distribution of these species. Whereas tEME mainly arises from the compact ridge component of Orion, Gt-n-propanol appears at the emission peak of ethanol (south hot core). The derived column densities of these species at the location of their emission peaks are ≤(4.0 ± 0.8) × 10¹⁵ cm^-2 and ≤(1.0 ± 0.2)× 10¹⁵ cm^-2 for tEME and Gt-n-propanol, respectively. The rotational temperature is ~100 K for both molecules. We also provide maps of CH₃OCOH, CH₃CH₂OCOH, CH₃OCH₃, CH₃OH, and CH₃CH₂OH to compare the distribution of these organic saturated O-bearing species containing methyl and ethyl groups in this region. Abundance ratios of related species and upper limits to the abundances of non-detected ethers are provided. We derive an abundance ratio N(CH₃OCH₃)/N(tEME) ≥ 150 in the compact ridge of Orion.

Actividad reproductiva después del anestro inducido con altrenogest en hembras de <i>Tursiops truncatus</i> en cautiverio en ambiente marino

<p>La necesidad de reproducir delfín nariz de botella (<em>Tursiops truncatus</em>) en cautiverio se ha incrementado debido a las restricciones internacionales para su comercialización y por el riesgo y dificultad logística para el traslado de ejemplares. Por lo anterior, se hace importante conocer su biología reproductiva en cautiverio. El objetivo de este trabajo, fue conocer los indicadores post tratamiento con altrenogest (Regumate^®), de citología vaginal, niveles de estradiol y reinicio de la actividad reproductiva en cautiverio de hembras de <em>T truncatus</em> en ambiente marino. Por un año, 12 hembras recibieron diariamente una dosis de 0,07mg kg^-1 de altrenogest. Se realizaron un total 420 citologías vaginales, una diaria de cada hembra, para determinar el porcentaje de células cornificadas.  También se obtuvieron de la red vascular, 60 muestras  sanguíneas, en las que se determinó los niveles de estradiol. En cuanto a la citología vaginal, al cuarto día de retirar la administración de altrenogest, el porcentaje total de células cornificadas incrementó del 60% a 70% hasta el día nueve y continuó ascendiendo al 80% entre los días 12 al 19. Los niveles de estradiol, presentaron un rango de 16 a 114pg ml^-1. Se encontró una correlación (r = 0,7062 P&lt;0.05) positiva entre estos indicadores. Se concluye que es posible la manipulación con altrenogest y el monitoreo del ciclo estral de las hembras mediante técnicas simples como la citología vaginal para el diseño de protocolos de reproducción asistida específicos para grupos en cautiverio de <em>T truncatus.</em></p>

Polimorfismo A192G de INHA y su asociación con características lecheras en ganado Holstein de Antioquia

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el efecto del polimorfismo A192G en algunos parámetros productivos y reproductivos en vacas Holstein de Antioquia. Para esto, se utilizó la técnica PCR-RFLP para amplificar un segmento de 249 pb del gen de inhibina alfa bovina (INHA) el cual fue digerido con la enzima de restricción MspI. El efecto de los genotipos de INHA en las características productivas y reproductivas se determinó con un Modelo Linear Mixto y la prueba de Tukey se usó para establecer diferencias significativas entre las medias de los tres genotipos. El efecto de sustitución alélica se estudió a través de un modelo de regresión lineal donde los genotipos AA, AG y GG fueron transformados a una escala cuantitativa de 0, 1 y 2, respectivamente de acuerdo al número de alelos G poseídos. En el ganado Holstein de Antioquia el genotipo más común fue el AG (0,529) seguido por el AA (0,269) y el genotipo GG (0,201). Las frecuencias alélicas fueron 0,534 para A y 0.466 para G. Los genotipos de INHA no ejercieron un efecto significativo en los principales parámetros reproductivos, excepto para porcentaje de grasa donde los animales GG presentaron el mayor valor para esta característica. A pesar de que no hubo un efecto significativo de este polimorfismo en los parámetros reproductivos, la prueba de Tukey mostró que el alelo G tiende a tener un efecto negativo en la fertilidad de las hembras, aumentando el intervalo entre partos y el número de servicios por concepción, disminuyendo la eficiencia reproductiva de los hatos. Se requieren más estudios para determinar si estos SNP pueden ser utilizados como marcadores moleculares.

Sub-micrometric reflectometry for localized label-free biosensing

In this work we present an optical technique for characterizing sub-micrometric areas based on reflectivity of the light as a function of angle of incidence for the two pure polarizations s and p, covering a range of angles of incidence from -71.80° to 71.80° with a resolution of 0.1°. Circular areas with a diameter in the order of 600 nm can be characterized, and the spectra for the two polarizations can be obtained with a single measurement. For biosensing purposes, we have fabricated several Bio Photonic Sensing Cells (BICELLs) consisting of interferometers of 1240 nm of SU-8 polymer over silicon. An indirect immunoassay is performed over these BICELLs and compared experimentally with FT-VIS-NIR spectrometry and theoretical calculations. The Limit of Detection (LoD) achieved is comparable with standard high resolution spectrometry, but with the capability of analyzing sub-micrometric domains for immunoassays reactions onto a sensing surface.

(111)In-octreotide SPECT-CT in head and neck paragangliomas

Head and neck paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors expressing somatostatin receptors on their cell surface, particularly subtype 2. Due to this distinctive feature, images can be obtained in Nuclear Medicine using synthetic analogues of somatostatin, mainly octreotide, which allow selective display by planar scintigraphy, SPECT-CT or PET-CT imaging after radiolabeling with (111)In or (68)Ga. Three cases have been selected and presented from a series of patients that illustrate the utility of SPECT-CT studies with (111)In-octreotide in the diagnosis and monitoring of this type of tumor. These are characterization at initial diagnosis, staging, and detection of local recurrence or metastasis, with added value with respect to anatomical images (nuclear magnetic resonance, computed axial tomography, angiography), for example in the differentiation between functional tissue or scar in patients who had previously undergone surgery.

POF misalignment model based on the calculation of the radiation pattern using the Hankel transform

Here, we propose a method to estimate misalignment losses that is based on the calculation of the radiated angular power distribution as light propagates through space using the fiber far field pattern (FFP) and simplifying and speeding calculations with the Hankel transform. This method gives good estimates for combined transversal and longitudinal losses at short, intermediate and long offset distances. In addition, the same methodology can be adapted to describe not only scalar loss but also its angular dependence caused by misalignments. We show that this approach can be applied to upgrade a connector matrix included in a propagation model that is integrated into simulation software. This way, we assess the effects of misalignments at different points in the link and are able to predict the performance of different layouts at system level.

Preoperative tests recommendations in adult patients for ambulatory surgery

Anesthetic assessment traditionally included a series of laboratory tests intended to detect undiagnosed diseases, and to ensure that the patient undergoes surgery following safety criteria. These tests, without a specific clinical indication, are expensive, of questionable diagnostic value and often useless. In the context of outpatient surgery, recent evidence suggests that patients of any age without significant comorbidity, ASA physical status gradei and grade ii, do not need additional preoperative tests routinely. The aim of the present recommendations is to determine the general indications in which these tests should be performed in ASA gradei and grade ii patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.

Association between a polymorphism in intron 3 of the bovine growth hormone gene and growth traits in Holstein heifers in Antioquia

The aim of this study was to determine the association between a polymorphism in intron 3 of the bovine growth hormone (BGH) gene and growth traits related to the start of the reproductive life of Holstein heifers. This research was conducted using 480 Holstein heifers belonging to eight herds in three municipalities in the Department of Antioquia (Colombia). The phenotypic information used corresponded to information that had been historically recorded for each of the herds and was supplemented with information obtained through bimonthly visits to the herds over a period of 24 months. Genotyping was performed using the PCR-RFLP technique with DNA extracted from peripheral blood using the salting out technique. To determine association, statistical analyses were performed using parametric methods. Allele frequencies for the alleles (+) and (-) were 0.91 and 0.09, respectively. The genotype frequencies were 0.77, 0.2 and 0.03 for the genotypes (+/+), (+/-) and (-/-), respectively. There was an association between genotype and weight at first estrus and first calving (P < 0.01). The regression coefficients for both characteristics were significant, indicating that for each (+) allele, weight at first estrus and first calving decreased by 9.24 and 16.07 kg, respectively. The results indicated the existence of an association between a polymorphism in intron 3 of the BGH gene and both weight at first estrus and first calving, which can be used to facilitate the selection of animals with these genotypes for use in breeding programs.