Genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations in Spain and their genetic relationships with cultivated grapevines

The wild grapevine, Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) Hegi, considered as the ancestor of the cultivated grapevine, is native from Eurasia. In Spain, natural populations of V. vinifera ssp. sylvestris can still be found along river banks. In this work, we have performed a wide search of wild grapevine populations in Spain and characterized the amount and distribution of their genetic diversity using 25 nuclear SSR loci. We have also analysed the possible coexistence in the natural habitat of wild grapevines with naturalized grapevine cultivars and rootstocks. In this way, phenotypic and genetic analyses identified 19% of the collected samples as derived from cultivated genotypes, being either naturalized cultivars or hybrid genotypes derived from spontaneous crosses between wild and cultivated grapevines. The genetic diversity of wild grapevine populations was similar than that observed in the cultivated group. The molecular analysis showed that cultivated germplasm and wild germplasm are genetically divergent with low level of introgression. Using a model-based approach implemented in the software structure, we identified four genetic groups, with two of them fundamentally represented among cultivated genotypes and two among wild accessions. The analyses of genetic relationships between wild and cultivated grapevines could suggest a genetic contribution of wild accessions from Spain to current Western cultivars.

Artiflex toric phakic intraocular lens implantation in congenital nystagmus

CASE

A 44-year-old woman with congenital nystagmus and myopic astigmatism in both eyes who was submitted to phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation.

METHODS

Full ophthalmologic examination including refractive status, corrected (CDVA) and uncorrected (UCVA) monocular and binocular visual acuities, ocular motility, slit-lamp evaluation, tonometry and fundoscopy before and after implantation of toric pIOLs (Artiflex; Ophtec BV, The Netherlands) in both eyes.

RESULTS

Preoperative logMAR CDVA were 0.699 and 0.420 in the right and left eye, respectively. Three months after surgery, logMAR UCVA were 0.398 and 0.182, reaching binocular logMAR UCVA of 0.132. There were no changes in nystagmus characteristics after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

pIOL implantation may be a safe and suitable treatment to correct high refractive errors in patients with congenital nystagmus. Significant improvement in CDVA and UCVA can be achieved.

Donation and transplantation among personnel in the hospital emergency department: a multicenter study conducted in Spain and Mexico

INTRODUCTION

The promotion of different means of procuring both deceased and living organs (kidney and liver) is a necessity given the current organ shortage. Emergency department personnel are involved in the donation and transplantation process. Our objective was to analyze the attitude to the different kinds of organ donation of emergency services personnel in hospital centers in Spain and Mexico.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A randomized sample was obtained from the "International Collaborative Donor Project" and was stratified according to emergency services and job category in nine hospitals, in Spain and in Mexico (n = 22). Attitude was evaluated using a validated survey.

RESULTS

Of the respondents, 76% were in favor of deceased organ donation and 24% were not in favor. This attitude toward deceased donation was associated with the respondent's country of origin, age, and job category; Mexicans (P = .036), younger respondents (P = .023), and physicians were most in favor (P < .001). With regard to attitude toward living kidney donation, 89% were in favor of related donation. Regarding living liver donation, 85% were in favor of related donation. In attitude toward living kidney and liver donation, relevant factors were related to donation and transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Professionals in emergency departments in hospital centers in Spain and Mexico had a favorable attitude toward the different kinds of donation, although it was less favorable than the attitude reported in other professional hospital groups.

Refractive outcomes and quality of vision related to an outbreak of diffuse lamellar keratitis

PURPOSE

To report the impact on visual function and corneal aberrations during an epidemic of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK).

METHODS

A retrospective, comparative, and consecutive case-control study was performed, involving 418 eyes operated between March and October 2007 in the refractive surgery unit of one center. Eyes were separated into groups: group 1 (DLK group) included 209 eyes that presented with DLK after LASIK and group 2 (control group) included 209 unaffected, consecutive eyes operated from the beginning of the outbreak. Refractive variables and corneal aberrations were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Visual outcomes were significantly different when comparing control eyes and eyes with DLK grades 3 and 4, but not for eyes with DLK grades 1 and 2. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) significantly improved from the third month after DLK was diagnosed (Kruskal-Wallis, P=.02). Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) did not decrease significantly with DLK grades 1 and 2 (preoperative CDVA vs 1, 3, and 6 months after diagnosis; Mann-Whitney, P>.05, respectively). At the end of follow-up, UDVA and CDVA were not significantly different between the two groups. Eyes suffering from DLK had significantly increased corneal aberrations, except for spherical and astigmatism aberrations, 3 months after being diagnosed (Kruskal-Wallis, P<.05); however, corneal aberrations were not significantly different between the DLK and control groups (Mann-Whitney, P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The outbreak of DLK did not induce a significant decrease in global visual outcomes, except in severe cases, and postoperative corneal aberrations were not affected.

Quantitative trait loci for fatness at growing and reproductive stages in Iberian × Meishan F(2) sows

A considerable number of fatness QTL have been identified in growing pigs, but there is a lack of knowledge about the genetic architecture of this trait in gilts and sows. We have performed a genome scan, in 255 Iberian × Meishan F(2) sows, for backfat thickness (BF) at 150 (BF(150) ) and 210 (BF(210)) days of age, 30 days after conception (BF(30)) and 7-10 days before farrowing (BF(bf)). We have found one BF150 QTL in SSC6 (120 cM) that was highly significant (P < 0.001) at the chromosome-wide level and suggestive at the genome-wide level (P < 0.1). Ten additional chromosome-wide significant QTL were found for sow BF(150) (SSC1, SSC13), BF(210) (SSC6, SSC8, SSC15), BF(30) (SSC5, SSC6) and BF(bf) (SSC1, SSC6, SSC13). The location of several of the BF QTL varied depending on the growing and reproductive status of the sow, suggesting that part of these genetic effects may have a temporal pattern of phenotypic expression.

Long-term comparison of corneal aberration changes after laser in situ keratomileusis: mechanical microkeratome versus femtosecond laser flap creation

PURPOSE

To compute and compare visual acuity, refractive outcomes, and anterior corneal aberration changes after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with flap creation by a mechanical microkeratome and by a femtosecond laser.

SETTING

Private practice refractive surgery center, Valencia, Spain.

DESIGN

Comparative case series.

METHODS

Patients were assigned to have LASIK flap creation with a mechanical microkeratome (Carriazo-Barraquer) or a femtosecond laser (IntraLase). The Visx S2 excimer laser was used for myopic ablation in all cases. Main outcome measures included uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuities and the defocus equivalent. Higher-order aberrations (HOAs) were computed from the anterior corneal surface measured with topography for 4.0 mm and 6.0 mm pupil diameters before and 48 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The study evaluated 50 patients (98 eyes). The root mean square of HOAs increased postoperatively by a factor of approximately 1.9 in both groups and with both pupil diameters. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in the increase in anterior corneal aberrations, mean postoperative visual acuity, or residual refraction. All visual and optical performance metrics remained stable throughout the 4-year follow-up. There were no complications with flap creation and no postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in anterior corneal aberrations after myopic LASIK was similar after mechanical microkeratome and femtosecond laser flap creation. Visual acuity, refraction, and the optical quality of the cornea after LASIK remained stable through 4 years postoperatively in both groups.

Attitudes toward living kidney donation in transplant hospitals: a Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban multicenter study

INTRODUCTION

Living donor kidney (LKD) transplantation provides better results than deceased donor donation, involving minimum risk for the donor. However, LKD donation rates are low in most countries. We analyzed attitudes toward LKD in transplant hospitals in Spain, Mexico, and Cuba.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were obtained from five transplant hospitals through the International Collaborative Program "Proyecto Donante Vivo, Murcia" in three countries: Spain (n = 1168), Mexico (n = 903), and Cuba (n = 202). The random sample (2273 employees) was stratified according to job category. The instrument used to evaluate attitude was a validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis included Student t test, the chi(2) test, and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Eighty eight percent (n = 2002) of Spanish, Mexican, and Cuban transplant hospital personnel were in favor of related LKD and 24% nonrelated LKD (n = 555). Attitudes were more favorable among centers in Cuba 97% (n = 195), followed by Mexico 88% (n = 793) and by Spain 87% (n = 1014; P < .001). According to job category, 91% (n = 617) of physicians were in favor, 88% (n = 543) of nurses, 85% (n = 198) of health care assistants, and 85% (n = 198) of auxiliary personnel. Attitudes were related to variables of: attitude toward deceased donation (P < .001), discussion about organ donation and transplantation (P < .001), concern about body mutilation after donation (P = .001), a possible need for a transplant in the future (P < .001), and attitude toward living liver donation (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Attitudes toward LKD in Hispanic/Latin Transplant Hospitals were favorable and could encourage an increase in LKD in the coming years assuming suitable sociopolitical and economic condition, as well as support from nephrologists.

Induction of tolerance in renal transplantation using splenic transplantation: experimental study in a canine model

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate in a canine model the induction of tolerance to renal transplantation after splenectomy and splenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, experimental, comparative, longitudinal study included 4 experimental groups, each comprising 4 dogs. Group 1 (control group) underwent renal transplantation only; group 2 underwent renal transplantation and splenectomy; group 3 underwent renal transplantation and splenosis; and group 4 underwent renal transplantation, splenectomy, and splenosis. Survival and degree of rejection were compared between the 4 groups.

RESULTS

Splenosis improved renal function after transplantation, as indicated by increased serum creatinine concentration (group 3, 6.2 mg/dL vs group 1, 12.9 mg/dL). Comparison of weighted survival curves (corrected for degree of rejection) demonstrated a significant difference between group 2 (66.0 days) and group 4 (66.2 days) vs group 1 (52.7 days) and group 3 (41.2 days) (P = .05, Wilcoxon rank sum test).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that in this experimental model of renal transplantation, splenosis and splenectomy induce clinical tolerance, as indicated by improved renal function and prolonged recipient survival.

Increased risk for flap dislocation with perioperative brimonidine use in femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE

To determine whether brimonidine 0.2% minimizes the occurrence of subconjunctival hemorrhages without inducing postoperative flap complications in femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

SETTING

Centro Oftalmológico Marqués de Sotelo and Hospital NISA Virgen del Consuelo, Valencia, Spain.

METHODS

This prospective contralateral-eye interventional study evaluated consecutive patients who had bilateral simultaneous femtosecond LASIK for myopia (spherical equivalent [SE] range -1.00 to -8.00 diopters) performed with an IntraLase femtosecond laser and a Visx Star 2 excimer laser. One eye of each patient received a single drop of brimonidine tartrate 0.2% (brimonidine group) and the other eye, a single drop of a balanced salt solution (control group).

RESULTS

The study evaluated 136 eyes (68 patients). The difference in the incidence of subconjunctival hemorrhages was statistically significantly lower in the brimonidine group (mean score 2.24 +/- 1.96 [SD]) than in the control group (mean score 7.61 +/- 2.72) (P<.001). However, no eye in the control group and 7 eyes (10.4%) in the brimonidine group had a dislocated flap with folds on the first postoperative day (P = .016). All eyes with dislocated flaps required surgical intervention. At 6 months, there was no significant difference between groups in the percentage of eyes achieving 20/20 or better uncorrected distance visual acuity, in the mean SE, or in the enhancement rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Brimonidine prevented the formation of subconjunctival hemorrhages after femtosecond LASIK but increased the risk for flap dislocation. Thus, surgeons are cautioned against the use of perioperative brimonidine to decrease hemorrhagic complications in femtosecond LASIK.

Morphological and functional evaluation of visual disturbances in a bilateral hand allograft recipient

Allograft recipients are exposed to risks owing to immunosuppression, and there is always the possibility that psychological issues interfere with the procedure's outcomes. An episode of blindness was suspected in a bilateral hand allograft recipient. The patient underwent a multidisciplinary evaluation, and clinical, electrophysiological, laboratory and a combination of functional and morphological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests ruled out any visual process and revealed a secondary benefit, which turned out to be the use of privileges of the transplant support centre for several months. Composite tissue allograft recipients require a thorough psychological assessment before and after transplant procedures to prevent malingering.

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix: report of two cases

Small cell neuroendocrine tumor of the cervix is a rare malignancy with aggressive behavior. Metastases and recurrent disease are frequent and multimodal therapy is commonly used. Neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy should be combined with radiation therapy and surgery, even in early stages. Nevertheless, due to the low prevalence of these tumors, the best treatment has not yet been determined. Two cases of small cell neuroendocrine tumor of the uterine cervix are reported. We describe the clinical course, diagnostic methods and examine treatments applied and survival.

QTL detection on porcine chromosome 12 for fatty-acid composition and association analyses of the fatty acid synthase, gastric inhibitory polypeptide and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase alpha genes

Refinement of previous QTL on porcine chromosome 12 for fatty-acid composition and a candidate gene association analysis were conducted using an Iberian x Landrace cross. The concentrations of ten fatty acids were assayed in backfat tissue from which four metabolic ratios were calculated for 403 F2 animals. Linkage analysis identified two significant QTL. The first QTL was associated with the average chain length ratio and the percentages of myristic, palmitic and gadoleic acids. The second QTL was associated with percentages of palmitoleic, stearic and vaccenic acids. Based upon its position on SSC12, fatty acid synthase was tested as a candidate gene for the first QTL and no significant effects were found. Similarly, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase alpha (ACACA) were tested as candidate genes for the second QTL using three SNPs in GIP and 15 synonymous SNPs in ACACA cDNA sequences. Two missense SNPs in GIP showed significant effects with palmitoleic and stearic fatty-acid concentration. Highly significant associations were found for two SNPs in ACACA with stearic, palmitoleic and vaccenic fatty-acid concentrations. These associations could be due to linkage disequilibrium with the causal mutations.