It is currently believed that the incidence rate of optic neuritis (ON) ranges between 0.56 and 5.1 cases per 100,000 person-years. However, since these figures were generated, they have not been updated and there are suggestions that the incidence of ON is on the rise. When designing new therapies and clinical trials for ON, and to improve the management this disease, it is important to have accurate epidemiological data. Thus, we set out to obtain the prevalence and incidence rates of ON in Barcelona (Spain) from 2008 to 2012, by a retrospective evaluation of electronic hospital records at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (population of 300,000 in the catchment area) matching the following ICD-9-CM codes as search terms: 377.3-optic neuritis; 377.30-optic neuritis, unspecific; 377.31-optic papillitis; 377.32-retrobulbar neuritis, acute; 377.39-other optic neuritis and "optic neuropathy". Demographic and clinical data were collected from records with a confirmed diagnosis of ON, including cases of idiopathic ON, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica and CRION. The prevalence of acute ON on 31 December 2012 was 2.75 cases per 100,000 people. The mean annual prevalence of acute ON during the 2008-2012 period was 7.87 cases per 100,000 person-year and the mean annual incidence rate was 5.36 cases per 100,000 person-years. The incidence of ON in Barcelona during 2008-2012 was higher than previously reported. This increase may reflect the evolution of diagnostic criteria, the use of a referral-center approach instead of a population-based approach, increased awareness of demyelinating diseases, latitude-related factors and possibly a true increase in its incidence.

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Objectives: To identify anatomic differences in the insertion sites of the palmar radiocarpal ligaments in different species of hominoid primates that may be related to their different types of locomotion. Materials and methods:We have used three-dimensional geometric morphometrics (3D GM) to analyze the distal radius ligament insertion sites in 31 Homo sapiens, 25 Pan troglodytes, 31 Gorilla gorilla, and 15 Pongo pygmaeus. We have also dissected the radioscaphocapitate (RSC), long radiolunate (LRL) and short radiolunate (SRL) ligaments in six H. sapiens and five P. troglodytes to obtain quantitative values that were then compared with the results of the 3D GM analysis.Results: H. sapiens had a relatively larger insertion site of the RSC + LRL ligament than the other hominoid primates. P. pygmaeus and P. troglodytes had a relatively large SRL ligament insertion site with a palmar orientation. In G. gorilla, the two ligament insertion sites were relatively smaller and the SRL insertion site had an ulnopalmar orientation.Discussion: The morphological differences observed can be related to the types of locomotion used by the different species and to quantitative data obtained from the dissection of ligaments in H. sapiens and P. troglodytes. 3D GM analysis of ligament insertion sites can help in interpreting the types of locomotion used by extinct hominoid primates through the analysis of preserved fossilized fragments of the distal radius. K E Y W O R D Sdistal radius, hominoid primates, radiocarpal ligaments

Adequacy and adherence to LTOT was poor and many patients were frail and complex. The outcomes of the network analysis may contribute to enhance assessment of frailty in LTOT patients. These observations suggest that an integrated care strategy has the potential to improve the health outcomes of these patients.

The Uruguayan continental margin (UCM), located in the Southwestern Atlantic margin’s subtropical region, is positioned in a critical transitional region regarding the global ocean circulation (Río de la Plata (RdlP) outflow and Brazil-Malvinas Confluence), as also reflected in seafloor features (northernmost distribution of a large depositional contourite system and RdlP paleovalley). This complex oceanographic scenario occurring in a relatively small area highlights the advantage of considering the UCM as a natural laboratory for oceanographic research. The present work provides the first conceptual “control” model of the physical drivers (i.e., climate, geomorphology) and main oceanographic processes (i.e., hydrodynamics, sediment, and carbon dynamics) occurring along the UCM, reviewing and synthesizing available relevant information based on a functional integrated approach. Despite the conspicuous knowledge gaps on critical processes, a general picture of the system’s functioning is emerging for this complex biophysical setting. This includes conceptualizations of the actual controls, main processes, feedbacks, and interactions responsible for system dynamics. The structure adopted for developing our conceptual models allows permanent improvement by empirical testing of the working hypothesis and incorporating new information as scientific knowledge advances. These models can be used as a baseline for developing quantitative models and, as representations of relatively “pristine” conditions, for stressors models by identifying sources of stress and ecological responses of key system attributes under a transboundary approach.

The marine areas of Uruguay consist of the Río de la Plata estuary and the adjacent shelf and slope, part of the Subtropical Convergence Ecosystem. In this paper, the main advances in the knowledge of marine life in these areas (the known) are reviewed in order to discuss future lines of research (the unknown). Information has been separately analysed for the plankton, nekton, and benthos in each of 3 areas-the littoral, the shelfs and the "open ocean". Current knowledge of marine life is uneven among the groups and areas. In the case of the plankton, research has concentrated on the near-shore waters and focused on taxonomy and distribution. Little is known about the responses of organisms to environmental variability and about biological processes. The nekton of coastal and estuarine areas is better known, but, with shelf and slope assemblages, research has focused on exploited species. The main unknowns for the nekton are how trophodynamics, reproduction, and recruitment processes are linked to environmental variability and the effect of fisheries on community structure. Littoral benthos, in particular the macroinfauna of sandy beaches, is much better studied and spatial patterns of community distribution have been identified at different scales and in relation to environmental variables. Also, at the population level, there is information about distribution, responses to disturbances, dynamics, and the roles of biotic and abiotic factors in modulating population variability. Information is mainly lacking for the sub-tidal fringe and regarding the macro-ecology of population dynamics, the dispersive abilities of larval phases, and the effects of toxic blooms on suspension feeders. Knowledge of the benthos of estuaries and more so of the shelf and slope environments is rather scarce. For the latter two, faunal inventories are far from complete. Topics identified for future research include taxonomy, macro-scale community structure and its temporal variability in relation to environmental gradients, diverse aspects of population dynamics trophodynamics and the effects of human intervention on ecosystems. The incorporation of both experimental and modelling approaches is considered important for future investigations.KEYWORDS: Marine life; Biodiversity; Río de la Plata; Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay. RESUMENLas aguas uruguayas comprenden el estuario del Río de la Plata y la plataforma y talud contiguos, parte del Ecosistema de Convergencia Subtropical. Esta contribución revisa los principales avances en el conocimiento de la vida marina en esta zona (lo conocido), para discutir futuras líneas de investigación (lo desconocido). Se analiza separadamente la información del plancton, necton y bentos de tres áreas: litoral, plataforma y ''océano profundo''. El conocimiento resulta disparejo entre grupos y entre áreas. En el plancton, la investigación se concentró en el litoral y enfocada hacia Gayana 67 (2) (2), 2003 aspectos taxonómicos y de distribución, existiendo fuertes deficiencias en el conocimiento de las r...

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