Résumé: La chronologie du Temple des Hiboux -une construction aux caractéristiques inhabituelles située dans le Groupe de la Série Initiale de Chichén Itzá- a constitué un défi pour les archéologues depuis longtemps. L´importance de cet édifice réside dans son iconographie unique et, en particulier, la présence d'un texte hiéroglyphique avec une date calendaire peinte sur la couverture d’une voûte. La datation de cette inscription a été fondamentale pour expliquer la combinaison de traits architectoniques, iconographiques et céramiques associés. Dans ce travail, nous proposons une nouvelle interprétation qui contredit la datation, généralement acceptée, de la couverture de voûte au cours du 9° siècle, en général acceptée, pour fixer la date au 12° siècle.

Abstract: The chronology of the Temple of the Owls, a construction of unusual characteristics located in the group of the Initial Series at Chichen Itza, has proved a challenge for archaeologists during long time. The importance of the building resides in its unique iconography, and especially in the presence of a hieroglyphic text with a calendar date in a painted capstone. The dating of this inscription has been crucial to explain the combination of architectural, iconographic, and ceramic traits and styles associated with it. In this contribution we will propose a new interpretation of the calendric date, which contradicts the dating of the capstone in the ninth century accepted by most scholars, placing the inscription instead in the twelfth century.

Resumen: La cronología del Templo de los Búhos, una construcción de características inusuales localizada en el Grupo de la Serie Inicial de Chichén Itzá, ha probado ser un desafío para los arqueólogos durante largo tiempo. La importancia del edificio reside en su iconografía única y, especialmente, en la presencia de un texto jeroglífico con una fecha calendárica pintada en una tapa de bóveda. El fechamiento de esta inscripción ha sido fundamental para explicar la combinación de rasgos arquitectónicos, iconográficos y cerámicos asociados con ella. En este trabajo proponemos una nueva interpretación que contradice la datación de la tapa de bóveda en el siglo IX, generalmente aceptada, para emplazar la fecha en el siglo XII.

Background: In Spain all pregnant women aged 35 years and older are offered genetic examination through invasive testing in order to detect fetal trisomy 21 cases (maternal age indication (MAI)). In the last decade five distinct software programs utilizing the "first trimester screening (FTS)" were developed. The objective of this study is to compare the test performance of the different screening methods in order to detect the best current approach. Methods: 7.736 complete first trimester screenings, including the fetal outcome, were realized between 31.08.1999 and 24.05.2007 in three prenatal health centres in Hannover, Peine, and Wolfenbüttel in Germany. Out of these 6.508 cases were analyzed retrospectively in this study. Maternal age was determined and risk calculation with the software programs PIA, PRC, JOY, AFS and AFS-3D was executed. Results: The MAI reached a sensitivity of 57.50%, detecting only 23 out of 40 trisomy 21 cases, and a false positive rate of 21.60%. In comparison, all risk calculation programs obtained superior results, attaining a sensitivity between 90.00% (AFS) and 92.50% (PIA, PRC, JOY, AFS-3D) and a false positive rate between 2.64% (AFS-3D) and 7.87% (PIA). The difference was highly significant (p<0.0001) Conclusions: The MAI is obsolete and inadequate in comparison with the risk calculation software, out of which all obtained test performances within the range of comparable international publications. Among these programs, JOY, AFS, and AFS-3D obtained the best results.

Fundamento: En España se ofrece a todas las mujeres gestantes a partir de los 35 años un examen genético a través de un diagnóstico invasivo (indicación por edad materna (IPEM)) para detectar casos fetales de trisomía 21. En la última década se elaboraron cinco distintos programas de cálculo de riesgo utilizando el “cribado del primer trimestre”. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar los resultados de los diferentes métodos de screening para detectar el mejor procedimiento en la actualidad. Métodos: Desde el 31.08.1999 hasta el 24.05.2007 se realizaron 7.736 screenings del primer trimestre completos, incluyendo el estado de salud del feto, en tres centros de medicina prenatal en las ciudades de Hannover, Peine y Wolfenbüttel en Alemania, de los cuales se analizaron en este estudio retrospectivamente 6.508 casos de datos. Se determinó la edad materna y se efectuaron cálculos de riesgo con los programas PIA, PRC, JOY, AFS y AFS-3D. Resultados: La IPEM alcanzó una sensibilidad de 57,50%, detectando 23 de 40 casos de trisomía, y una tasa de falsos positivos de 21,60%. En comparación, todos los programas obtuvieron mejores resultados alcanzando una sensibilidad entre 90,00% (AFS) y 92,50% (PIA, PRC, JOY, AFS-3D) y una tasa de falsos positivos entre 2,64% (AFS-3D) y 7,87% (PIA). La diferencia fue de alta significancia (p<0,0001). Conclusiones: La IPEM es obsoleta e inadecuada en comparación a los programas de cálculo de riesgo, de los cuales todos demostraron rendimientos que se encuentran dentro del rango de publicaciones internacionales comparables. Entre estos programas JOY, AFS y AFS-3D obtuvieron los mejores resultados.

Background: In Spain all pregnant women aged 35 years and older are offered genetic examination through invasive testing in order to detect fetal trisomy 21 cases (maternal age indication (MAI)). In the last decade five distinct software programs utilizing the "first trimester screening (FTS)" were developed. The objective of this study is to compare the test performance of the different screening methods in order to detect the best current approach. Methods: 7.736 complete first trimester screenings, including the fetal outcome, were realized between 31.08.1999 and 24.05.2007 in three prenatal health centres in Hannover, Peine, and Wolfenbüttel in Germany. Out of these 6.508 cases were analyzed retrospectively in this study. Maternal age was determined and risk calculation with the software programs PIA, PRC, JOY, AFS and AFS-3D was executed. Results: The MAI reached a sensitivity of 57.50%, detecting only 23 out of 40 trisomy 21 cases, and a false positive rate of 21.60%. In comparison, all risk calculation programs obtained superior results, attaining a sensitivity between 90.00% (AFS) and 92.50% (PIA, PRC, JOY, AFS-3D) and a false positive rate between 2.64% (AFS-3D) and 7.87% (PIA). The difference was highly significant (p<0.0001) Conclusions: The MAI is obsolete and inadequate in comparison with the risk calculation software, out of which all obtained test performances within the range of comparable international publications. Among these programs, JOY, AFS, and AFS-3D obtained the best results.

Fundamento: En España se ofrece a todas las mujeres gestantes a partir de los 35 años un examen genético a través de un diagnóstico invasivo (indicación por edad materna (IPEM)) para detectar casos fetales de trisomía 21. En la última década se elaboraron cinco distintos programas de cálculo de riesgo utilizando el “cribado del primer trimestre”. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar los resultados de los diferentes métodos de screening para detectar el mejor procedimiento en la actualidad. Métodos: Desde el 31.08.1999 hasta el 24.05.2007 se realizaron 7.736 screenings del primer trimestre completos, incluyendo el estado de salud del feto, en tres centros de medicina prenatal en las ciudades de Hannover, Peine y Wolfenbüttel en Alemania, de los cuales se analizaron en este estudio retrospectivamente 6.508 casos de datos. Se determinó la edad materna y se efectuaron cálculos de riesgo con los programas PIA, PRC, JOY, AFS y AFS-3D. Resultados: La IPEM alcanzó una sensibilidad de 57,50%, detectando 23 de 40 casos de trisomía, y una tasa de falsos positivos de 21,60%. En comparación, todos los programas obtuvieron mejores resultados alcanzando una sensibilidad entre 90,00% (AFS) y 92,50% (PIA, PRC, JOY, AFS-3D) y una tasa de falsos positivos entre 2,64% (AFS-3D) y 7,87% (PIA). La diferencia fue de alta significancia (p<0,0001). Conclusiones: La IPEM es obsoleta e inadecuada en comparación a los programas de cálculo de riesgo, de los cuales todos demostraron rendimientos que se encuentran dentro del rango de publicaciones internacionales comparables. Entre estos programas JOY, AFS y AFS-3D obtuvieron los mejores resultados.

OBJETIVO: Adaptação transcultural e validação da escala modificada de impacto de fadiga (MFIS-BR). MÉTODO: A MFIS foi traduzida para língua portuguesa e retrovertida para o inglês. Dois estudos piloto foram realizados até ser obtida a MFIS-BR, que foi aplicada em 57 pacientes com esclerose múltipla e 45 controles. O reteste foi 30 dias depois. RESULTADOS: Na análise estatística a reprodutibilidade da consistência interna foi semelhante à escala original (0,74-0,86). A MFIS-BR mostrou-se capaz de identificar os diferentes grupos. Com respeito à reprodutibilidade o coeficiente de correlação interclasses mostrou excelente concordância (0,264-1,0). CONCLUSÃO: A MFIS-BR preenche os critérios de aplicabilidade e sensibilidade de forma semelhante à escala original.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the modified fatigue impact scale for Portuguese (MFIS- BR). METHOD: The MFIS was translated to Portuguese and retranslated to English. Two studies pilot had been carried through to be gotten the MFIS-BR, that was applied to 57 consecutive stable MS patients and 45 healthy controls. The retest was applied 30 days later. RESULTS: In the dwarfed statistics the internal consistency reability was similar to the original scale (0.74-0.86). The MFIS-BR showed be able to identify the different groups. Concerning the reliability the interclass correlation coefficient showed an excellent agreement (0.264-1.0). CONCLUSION: The MFIS-BR fills the criteria of applicability, sensibility witch are similar of the original version.

A esclerose múltipla (EM) é doença desmielinizante, inflamatória, que acomete a substância branca do sistema nervoso central, e sensações vestibulares anormais (vertigem, desequilíbrio) são freqüentes. A reabilitação vestibular (RV) é determinada por mecanismos de adaptações, substituições e compensações neurais. Este estudo avaliou a melhora da vertigem central ou periférica em pacientes com EM remitente-recorrente submetidos à RV (exercícios de Cawthorne-Cooksey), através da escala de Berg e Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Nesta amostra de 4 casos a RV, realizada em um período de 2 meses, demonstrou a melhora em 3 pacientes avaliados pela escala de Berg e em 2 pacientes quando avaliados pela DHI.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating, inflammatory illness, that attack the white matter of the central nervous system, and abnormal vestibular sensations (vertigo, disequilibrium) are frequent. The vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is determined by mechanisms of adaptations, neural substitutions and compensations. This study evaluated the improvement of the central or peripheral vertigo in patients with relapsing-remitting MS submitted to the VR (exercises of Cawthorne-Cooksey), through the scale of Berg and Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). In this sample of 4 cases the VR, carried through in a period of 2 months, demonstrated the improvement in 3 patients according to the Berg scale and in 2 patients considering that of the DHI.

A fadiga é um dos mais freqüentes sintomas e incapacitantes na esclerose múltipla (EM). O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a fatigabilidade em pacientes com EM pela aplicação de exercícios isotônicos e isométricos com dinamômetro manual. Como resultados, a fatigabilidade, a força e o tempo máximo de isometria são semelhantes estatisticamente entre o grupo controle e o grupo de EM. Conclui-se que embora a queixa subjetiva de fadiga seja freqüente na EM, a fatigabilidade e a recuperação após o exercício demonstraram ser normais.

Fatigue is one of the most commom disabling symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the fatigability on patients with MS by the aplication of hand grip isotonic and isometric exercises with dynamometer. As results the fatigability, the isometric strenght and time were statistically similar in the control group and in MS. We conclude that although fatigue is a frequent subjective complaint on MS, the fatigability and the recover after exercises seems to be normal.