[Lymphoepithelioma-like bladder tumor. A rare variant.] / Tumor vesical linfoepitelioma-like. Una variante infrecuente.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoepitheliomalikedifferentiation is a rare histological variant of urothelialbladder carcinoma, therefore its prognosis and treatmentare not clearly defined. A retrospective study of 5cases in the last 10 years in our center was performed. CASE REPORT: cystectomy was performed in 4 of5 because they were non-metastatic muscle-invasivetumors at diagnosis, in the 5th TURB + BCG because itwas non-muscle-invasive. 2 patients received chemotherapyand 1 adjuvant radiotherapy, and 1 immunotherapyafter relapse. 2 had a pure lymphoepithelioma-like pattern, 2 predominant and 1 focal. DISCUSSION: In predominant or pure forms, agood response to treatment with TURB and adjuvantchemotherapy has been described, even superior tocystectomy, as it is a variant with a very favorable responseto platinum. Immunotherapy is currently onlyindicated as second-line treatment. CONCLUSIONS: adjuvant treatment plays an importantrole as it is a highly chemosensitive variant, but more studies are needed to define the best therapeuticstrategy.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La diferenciaciónlinfoepitelioma-like es una variante histológica pocofrecuente del carcinoma urotelial vesical, por lo que supronóstico y tratamiento no está claramente definido.Se presenta un estudio retrospectivo de 5 casos en losúltimos 10 años en nuestro centro.DESCRIPCIÓN DE CASOS: en 4 de los casos se realizócistectomía por ser tumores músculo-invasivosno metastásicos al diagnóstico, en el 5º RTU + BCGpor ser no músculo-invasivo. 2 pacientes recibieronquimioterapia y 1 radioterapia en adyuvancia, y 1 inmunoterapiatras recidiva. 2 presentaban un patrónlinfoepitelioma-like puro, 2 predominante y 1 focal.DISCUSIÓN: en formas predominantes o puras seha descrito buena respuesta al tratamiento con RTU yquimioterapia adyuvante, incluso superiores a cistectomía,por ser una variante con respuesta muy favorableal platino. La inmunoterapia actualmente solo estáindicada como tratamiento en segunda línea. CONCLUSIONES: el tratamiento adyuvante tiene unpapel importante por ser una variante muy quimiosensible,pero son necesarios más estudios para definirla mejor estrategia terapéutica.

Haplotype network branch diversity, a new metric combining genetic and topological diversity to compare the complexity of haplotype networks.

A common way of illustrating phylogeographic results is through the use of haplotype networks. While these networks help to visualize relationships between individuals, populations, and species, evolutionary studies often only quantitatively analyze genetic diversity among haplotypes and ignore other network properties. Here, we present a new metric, haplotype network branch diversity (HBd), as an easy way to quantifiably compare haplotype network complexity. Our metric builds off the logic of combining genetic and topological diversity to estimate complexity previously used by the published metric haplotype network diversity (HNd). However, unlike HNd which uses a combination of network features to produce complexity values that cannot be defined in probabilistic terms, thereby obscuring the values' implication for a sampled population, HBd uses frequencies of haplotype classes to incorporate topological information of networks, keeping the focus on the population and providing easy-to-interpret probabilistic values for randomly sampled individuals. The goal of this study is to introduce this more intuitive metric and provide an R script that allows researchers to calculate diversity and complexity indices from haplotype networks. A group of datasets, generated manually (model dataset) and based on published data (empirical dataset), were used to illustrate the behavior of HBd and both of its terms, haplotype diversity, and a new index called branch diversity. Results followed a predicted trend in both model and empirical datasets, from low metric values in simple networks to high values in complex networks. In short, the new combined metric joins genetic and topological diversity of haplotype networks, into a single complexity value. Based on our analysis, we recommend the use of HBd, as it makes direct comparisons of network complexity straightforward and provides probabilistic values that can readily discriminate situations that are difficult to resolve with available metrics.

Distinct patterns of hybridization across a suture zone in a coral reef fish (Dascyllus trimaculatus).

Hybrid zones are natural laboratories for investigating the dynamics of gene flow, reproductive isolation, and speciation. A predominant marine hybrid (or suture) zone encompasses Christmas Island (CHR) and Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKE), where 15 different instances of interbreeding between closely related species from Indian and Pacific Oceans have been documented. Here, we report a case of hybridization between genetically differentiated Pacific and Indian Ocean lineages of the three-spot dascyllus, Dascyllus trimaculatus (Rüppell, 1829). Field observations indicate there are subtle color differences between Pacific and Indian Ocean lineages. Most importantly, population densities of color morphs and genetic analyses (mitochondrial DNA and SNPs obtained via RADSeq) suggest that the pattern of hybridization within the suture zone is not homogeneous. At CHR, both color morphs were present, mitochondrial haplotypes of both lineages were observed, and SNP analyses revealed both pure and hybrid genotypes. Meanwhile, in CKE, the Indian Ocean color morphs were prevalent, only Indian Ocean mitochondrial haplotypes were observed, and SNP analysis showed hybrid individuals with a large proportion (~80%) of their genotypes assigning to the Indian Ocean lineage. We conclude that CHR populations are currently receiving an influx of individuals from both ocean basins, with a greater influence from the Pacific Ocean. In contrast, geographically isolated CKE populations appear to be self-recruiting and with more influx of individuals from the Indian Ocean. Our research highlights how patterns of hybridization can be different at scales of hundreds of kilometers, due to geographic isolation and the history of interbreeding between lineages.

Genomic, ecological, and morphological approaches to investigating species limits: A case study in modern taxonomy from Tropical Eastern Pacific surgeonfishes.

A wide variety of species are distinguished by slight color variations. However, molecular analyses have repeatedly demonstrated that coloration does not always correspond to distinct evolutionary histories between closely related groups, suggesting that this trait is labile and can be misleading for species identification. In the present study, we analyze the evolutionary history of sister species of Prionurus surgeonfishes in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), which are distinguished by the presence or absence of dark spots on their body. We examined the species limits in this system using comparative specimen-based approaches, a mitochondrial gene (COI), more than 800 nuclear loci (Ultraconserved Elements), and abiotic niche comparisons. The results indicate there is a complete overlap of meristic counts and morphometric measurements between the two species. Further, we detected multiple individuals with intermediate spotting patterns suggesting that coloration is not diagnostic. Mitochondrial data recovered a single main haplotype shared between the species and all locations resulting in a complete lack of structure (ΦST = 0). Genomic analyses also suggest low levels of genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.013), and no alternatively fixed SNPs were detected between the two phenotypes. Furthermore, niche comparisons could not reject niche equivalency or similarity between the species. These results suggest that these two phenotypes are conspecific and widely distributed in the TEP. Here, we recognize Prionurus punctatus Gill 1862 as a junior subjective synonym of P. laticlavius (Valenciennes 1846). The underlying causes of phenotypic variation in this species are unknown. However, this system gives insight into general evolutionary dynamics within the TEP.

Determinación de la mutación S315T del gen katG en aislados resistentes a Isoniacida de Mycobacterium tuberculosis mediante PCR-RFLP / Determination of S315T mutation within the katG gene in isoniazid-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolate by PCR-RFLP

Objetivo: determinar la mutación S315T del gen katG en aislados de Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistentes a isoniacida mediante la técnica PCR-RFLP. Materiales y métodos: A partir de 68 aislados de Mycobacterium tuberculosis se realizó el análisis de polimorfismo en productos de amplificación de 1054 y 630 pb que contenían la mutación S315T del gen katG mediante PCR-RFLP empleando las enzimas de restricción MspI y SatI. Mediante SPSS se determinó sensibilidad, especificidad, valores predictivo positivo y negativo, coeficientes de probabilidad positivo y negativo. Resultados: El 74,46% de aislados fenotípicamente resistentes y 4,76% fenotípicamente sensibles presentaron la mutación del gen katG S315T. La PCR-RFLP para S315T del gen katG presentó 85,4% de sensibilidad y 95,2% de especificidad con MspI y 85,4% de sensibilidad y 94,4% de especificidad con SatI. Discusión: La PCR-RFLP tiene una alta capacidad resolutiva que depende de la enzima que se emplee como se observó en estudios previos. La presencia de la mutación S315T en pacientes vírgenes al tratamiento sugiere la circulación de aislados resistentes a Isoniacida. Conclusión: La PCR-RFLP resultó una alternativa válida y rápida para el diagnóstico de la resistencia a isoniacida, mediante la detección de la mutación S315T del gen katG en comparación con el método convencional de las proporciones.

Objetive: To determine the S315T mutation of the katG gene in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isoniazid-resistant isolates by PCR-RFLP. Materials and Methods: Polymorphism analysis of 1054 and 630 bp products containing the S315T mutation of the katG gene was performed by PCR-RFLP using the MspI and SatI restriction enzymes from 68 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratio were determined using SPSS. Results: 74.46% of isoniazid-resistant and 4.76% of isoniazid-sensitive isolates showed the S315T mutation in katG gene. The PCR-RFLP for S315T of the katG gene had 85.4% sensitivity and 95.2% specificity with MspI and 85.4% sensitivity and 94.4% specificity with SatI. Discussion: The PCR-RFLP has a high resolutive capacity that depends on the enzyme that is used as it was observed in previous studies. The presence of the S315T mutation in treatment-naive patients suggests the circulation of isolates resistant to isoniazid. Conclusion: PCR-RFLP is a valid and rapid alternative for the diagnosis of isoniazid resistance, by detection of S315T mutation in the katG gene compared to the conventional method of proportions.

Análisis genético de la resistencia a isoniacida en cepas de Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Genetic analysis of isoniazid resistance in strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Objetivo: Analizar genéticamente la resistencia a Isoniacida en cepas de Mycobacterium tuberculosis mediante PCR-RFLP de la región S315T del gen katG. Materiales y métodos: El estudio se realizó a partir de cultivos positivos de Mycobacterium tuberculosis receptados en el Centro de Referencia Nacional de Micobacterias, durante el período 2013 ­ 2014. El ADN extraído fue cuantificado y evaluada su pureza, por espectrofotometría. Para determinar el polimorfismo en la región 315 del gen katG a partir de un producto de amplificación de 630 pb se realizó digestiones con las enzimas de restricción MspI y SatI. Resultados: Del total de 498 cepas analizadas, 215 cepas presentaron características fenotípicas de resistencia a isoniacida (32,6 % monorresistencia, 19,5 % MDR y 47,9 % polirresistencia), 283 cepas eran sensibles. 251 cepas correspondieron a pacientes vírgenes al tratamiento (VT); 174 fueron pacientes antes tratados (AT) y 73 fueron pacientes se encontraban con tratamiento (CT). La mayoría de los casos provenía de la provincia del Guayas (77,2 %). La PCR-RFLP-SatI presentó alto porcentaje de sensibilidad (98,6 %) y especificidad (98,2 %), mientras que con la enzima MspI el porcentaje de sensibilidad fue 88,8 % y 7,4 % de especificidad. Conclusión: La PCR-RFLP-SatI demostró ser específica y económica para la detección de resistencia a isoniacida, proporcionando resultados de forma rápida, la aplicación de esta técnica como apoyo para el diagnóstico permitiría al paciente acceder a un tratamiento más oportuno.

Objective: Genetically analyze the Isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures by PCR-RFLP of the S315T region of the atG. Materials and methods: The study was carried out in positive cultures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, received at the National Reference Center of Mycobacteria, during the period 2013-2014. The DNA extracted was quantified and its purity was evaluated by spectrophotometry. To determine the polymorphism in the 315 region of the at G gene, digestions were made with the restriction enzymes MspI and SatI from a 630 bp amplification product. Results: Of 498 culture strains analyzed, 215 strains showed phenotypic characteristics of resistance to Isoniazid (32,6 % monoresistance, 19,5 % MDR and 47,9 % polyresistance) and 283 strains were sensitive. 251 strains corresponded to virgin patients to treatment (VT); 174 were patients before treated (AT) and 73 were patients treated (CT). The majority of cases came from the province of Guayas (77,2 %). The PCR-RFLP- SatI presented a high percentage of sensitivity (98,6 %) and specificity (98,2 %), while with the MspI enzyme the sensitivity percentage was 88,8 % and 7,4 % specificity. Conclusion: The PCR-RFLP SatI proved to be specific and economical for the detection of resistance to isoniazid, providing results quickly, the application of this technique as a support for the diagnosis would allow the patient to access a more timely treatment.

Utilidad de la Proteína Epididimal Humana 4 (HE4) en la detección de Cáncer de ovario / Usefulness of the Human Epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in the detection of ovarian cancer

Introducción: El cáncer de ovario epitelial aunque tiene baja prevalencia está considerado entre las malignidades ginecológicas más letales por su alta mortalidad. El interés en la detección temprana del cáncer de ovario como mecanismo para lograr la reducción de la mortalidad ha crecido con el descubrimiento de biomarcadores tumorales séricos asociados a tumores malignos. El presente estudio plantea determinar la eficacia del uso del biomarcador HE4 para la detección precoz de cáncer epitelial de ovario en estadios tempranos. Métodos: Se evaluaron pacientes con masas pélvicas entre abril de 2015 y marzo de 2016. Valores de sensibilidad, especificidad, predictivo positivo y negativo, razón de probabilidad positiva y negativa, y pruebas estadísticas fueron calculados para determinar la relación entre los estados menopáusicos, y los grupos de acuerdo con el resultado histológico (benigno, maligno y control) de HE4, CA125 y ROMA. Resultados: Ingresaron al estudio 53 pacientes. La proteína epididimal humana 4 - HE4 presentó un valor medio diferenciable que permite distinguir masas pélvicas malignas (HE4:7,19 (maligno) vs. 5,71 (benigno)), igualmente la combinación HE4 + ROMA presentan mayor sensibilidad y especificidad (S: 100 %; E: 94.29 %) que las combinaciones CA125 + HE4 y CA125 + ROMA (S: 80 % y 88.89 %; E: 75.76 % y 77.14 %). Conclusión: Los resultados sugieren que HE4 serviría como un biomarcador eficiente para la diferenciación de masas pélvicas en estadios tempranos y si se adiciona el estatus menopaúsico, e índice ROMA afianzaría los resultados, permitiendo la diferenciación del cáncer de ovario epitelial en estadios tempranos en el país.

Introduction: Although epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has a low prevalence, it is considered among the most lethal gynecological malignancies due to its high mortality. The interest in the early detection of ovarian cancer as a mechanism to achieve the reduction of mortality has grown with the discovery of serum tumor biomarkers associated with malignant tumors. The present study proposes to determine the efficacy of the use of the HE4 biomarker for the early detection of ovarian epithelial cancer in early stages. Methods: We evaluated 53 patients with pelvic masses between April 2015 and March 2016. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratio, and statistical tests were calculated to determine the relationship between menopausal states, and groups according to the histological result (benign, malignant and control) of HE4, CA125 and ROMA. Results: The human epididymal protein 4 - HE4 presented a differentiable mean value that allows to distinguish malignant pelvic masses (HE4: 7.19 (malignant) vs. 5.71 (benign)), likewise the combination HE4 + ROMA present greater sensitivity and specificity (S: 100%; E: 94.29 %) than combinations CA125 + HE4 and CA125 + ROMA (S: 80% and 88.89 %; E: 75.76 % and 77.14 %). Conclusion: The results suggest that HE4 would serve as an efficient biomarker for the differentiation of pelvic masses in early stages and if menopausal status is added, and ROMA index would strengthen the results, allowing the differentiation of epithelial ovarian cancer in early stages in the country.

Widespread hybridization and bidirectional introgression in sympatric species of coral reef fish.

Coral reefs are highly diverse ecosystems, where numerous closely related species often coexist. How new species arise and are maintained in these high geneflow environments have been long-standing conundrums. Hybridization and patterns of introgression between sympatric species provide a unique insight into the mechanisms of speciation and the maintenance of species boundaries. In this study, we investigate the extent of hybridization between two closely related species of coral reef fish: the common coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus) and the bar-cheek coral trout (Plectropomus maculatus). Using a complementary set of 25 microsatellite loci, we distinguish pure genotype classes from first- and later-generation hybrids, identifying 124 interspecific hybrids from a collection of 2,991 coral trout sampled in inshore and mid-shelf reefs of the southern Great Barrier Reef. Hybrids were ubiquitous among reefs, fertile and spanned multiple generations suggesting both ecological and evolutionary processes are acting to maintain species barriers. We elaborate on these finding to investigate the extent of genomic introgression and admixture from 2,271 SNP loci recovered from a ddRAD library of pure and hybrid individuals. An analysis of genomic clines on recovered loci indicates that 261 SNP loci deviate from a model of neutral introgression, of which 132 indicate a pattern of introgression consistent with selection favouring both hybrid and parental genotypes. Our findings indicate genome-wide, bidirectional introgression between two sympatric species of coral reef fishes and provide further support to a growing body of evidence for the role of hybridization in the evolution of coral reef fishes.

Productivity and sea surface temperature are correlated with the pelagic larval duration of damselfishes in the Red Sea.

We examined the variation of pelagic larval durations (PLDs) among three damselfishes, Dascyllus aruanus, D. marginatus, and D. trimaculatus, which live under the influence of an environmental gradient in the Red Sea. PLDs were significantly correlated with latitude, sea surface temperature (SST), and primary production (CHLA; chlorophyll a concentrations). We find a consistent decrease in PLDs with increasing SST and primary production (CHLA) towards the southern Red Sea among all species. This trend is likely related to higher food availability and increased metabolic rates in that region. We suggest that food availability is a potentially stronger driver of variation in PLD than temperature, especially in highly oligotrophic regions. Additionally, variations in PLDs were particularly high among specimens of D. marginatus, suggesting a stronger response to local environmental differences for endemic species. We also report the first average PLD for this species over a broad geographic range (19.82 ± 2.92 days).

Peces marinos de la Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño: Estructura de las comunidades de peces de arrecife y lista taxonómica actualizada de los peces costeros / Marine Fishes of Caño Island Biological Reserve: Reef fish community structure and updated list for the coastal fish

Resumen El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivos 1) Describir la estructura de la comunidad de peces de arrecife de la Isla del Caño y 2) Completar una lista de las especies de peces costeros registrados hasta el día de hoy. Para el primer objetivo, se realizaron 50 censos de cilindro en 10 lugares alrededor de la Isla del Caño, en los cuales se contabilizaron 79 especies pertenecientes a 32 familias. La familia más abundante fue Pomacentridae, y la especie más abundante fue Chromis atrilobata. Los peces planctívoros y carnívoros fueron los más abundantes. En los análisis realizados, destacó la existencia de una relación entre la cobertura coralina y la presencia de peces herbívoros ramoneadores. Adicionalmente, al comparar la composición de especies por sitio, se encontró que El Barco cuenta con una presencia abundante de pargos. Para el segundo objetivo, se recopilaron los registros publicados de especies para la Isla y se adicionaron 35 nuevos registros, para un total de 212 especies; lo cual representa aproximadamente 17% de la diversidad de peces costeros en el Pacífico Tropical Oriental. Este trabajo presenta una línea de base para el monitoreo de peces en esta área marina protegida.

Abstract Biogeographically, the Caño Island Biological Reserve (CIBR) is of strategic importance, since it is located in the center of the Panamic Province (Costa Rica and Panama), characterized by a peak in fish species richness within the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP). Despite its importance, fish community structure around the island has not been deeply studied, and coastal fish diversity records need to be updated. The aims of the study were: 1) to describe the community structure of the reef fish community of CIBR and 2) to update the list of the coastal fish species recorded until today. For the first objective, 50 stationary fish counts were conducted at 10 locations around Caño Island, in which 79 species, belonging to 32 families, were registered. The most abundant family was Pomacentridae, and the most abundant species was Chromis atrilobata. Planktivorous and carnivorous fish were the most abundant. The existence of a relationship between coral cover and the presence of herbivorous grazers was highlighted within the analysis. Additionally, species composition was compared by site and this revealed that "El Barco" has an abundant presence of snappers. For the second objective, published fish species records were collected for the CIBR and 35 new records were added, for a total of 212 coastal fish species, which represents approximately 17% of coastal fish diversity in the TEP. This work presents a baseline for fish monitoring and mangement measures in this marine protected area. Rev. Biol. Trop. 63 (Suppl. 1): 97-116. Epub 2015 April 01.

Costa Rica's Marine Protected Areas: status and perspectives.

With 51 100km2 of terrestrial area and 589 000km2 of national waters, Costa Rica is considered one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity. It has approximately 3.5% of the world marine species. In the last four decades, Costa Rica has done a considerable effort to create a representative system of Protected Areas (PA), mainly terrestrial. We present an assessment of the current situation of the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in Costa Rica, through an historical analysis, and an evaluation of their distribution, coverage and management categories. Costa Rica has 166 protected areas covering 50% of the coastline; of these 20 are MPAs, classified as National Parks (90.6%), National Wildlife Refuges (6.6%), Wetlands (1.5%), Biological Reserves (1%), and one Absolute Natural Reserve (0.3%). According to IUCN criteria, 93.7% correspond to category II, 5% to IV and 1.3% to I. The marine protected surface is 5 296.5km2, corresponding to 17.5% of the territorial waters and 0.9% of the Exclusive Economic Zone. The median distance between MPAs is 22.4km in the Pacific and 32.9km along the Caribbean. The median size is close to 54km2. The main threats to MPAs are the lack of coordination between governmental agencies, limited economic resources, restricted patrolling and control, poor watershed management, and rampant coastal alteration.

Costa Rica’s Marine Protected Areas: status and perspectives

With 51 100km2 of terrestrial area and 589 000km² of national waters, Costa Rica is considered one of the countries with the greatest biodiversity. It has approximately 3.5% of the world marine species. In the last four decades, Costa Rica has done a considerable effort to create a representative system of Protected Areas (PA), mainly terrestrial. We present an assessment of the current situation of the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in Costa Rica, through an historical analysis, and an evaluation of their distribution, coverage and management categories. Costa Rica has 166 protected areas covering 50% of the coastline; of these 20 are MPAs, classified as National Parks (90.6%), National Wildlife Refuges (6.6%), Wetlands (1.5%), Biological Reserves (1%), and one Absolute Natural Reserve (0.3%). According to IUCN criteria, 93.7% correspond to category II, 5% to IV and 1.3% to I. The marine protected surface is 5 296.5km², corresponding to 17.5% of the territorial waters and 0.9% of the Exclusive Economic Zone. The median distance between MPAs is 22.4km in the Pacific and 32.9km along the Caribbean. The median size is close to 54km². The main threats to MPAs are the lack of coordination between governmental agencies, limited economic resources, restricted patrolling and control, poor watershed management, and rampant coastal alteration.

Con 51 100km2 de área terrestre y 589 000km² de aguas jurisdiccionales, Costa Rica es considerado uno de los países con mayor biodiversidad. Posee aproximadamente 3.5% de las especies marinas del mundo. En las últimas cuatro décadas, Costa Rica ha dedicado un esfuerzo significativo para la creación de Áreas Protegidas (AP), principalmente terrestres. Aquí presentamos un diagnóstico de la situación actual de las Áreas Marinas Protegidas (AMP) en Costa Rica, a través de un análisis histórico, su distribución, cobertura y categorías de manejo. Costa Rica posee 166 áreas protegidas que cubren 50% de la línea de costa, de las cuales 20 son AMP clasificadas como Parque Nacionales (90.6%), Refugios de Vida Silvestre (6.6%), humedales (1.5%), Reservas Biológicas (1%) y una Reserva Natural Absoluta (0.3%). De acuerdo a los criterios de la UICN, 93.7% corresponden a la categoría II, 5% a la IV y 1.3% a la I. El área marina protegida es de 5 296.5km², correspondiendo al 17.5% de las aguas territoriales y al 0.9% de la Zona Económica Exclusiva. La distancia promedio entre AMP es de 22.4km en el Pacífico y 32.9km en el Caribe. El tamaño medio está cercano a los 54km². Las amenazas principales son la falta de coordinación entre agencias gubernamentales, recursos económicos limitados, control y patrullaje restringido, pobre manejo de cuencas y una acelerada alteración costera.

Monitoring coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves in Costa Rica (CARICOMP)

The coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves from the Costa Rican Caribbean coast have been monitored since 1999 using the CARICOMP protocol. Live coral cover at Meager Shoal reef bank (7 to 10m depth) at the Parque Nacional Cahuita (National Park), increased from 13.3% in 1999, to 28.2% in 2003, but decreased during the next 5 years to around 17.5%. Algal cover increased significantly since 2003 from 36.6% to 61.3% in 2008. The density of Diadema antillarum oscillated between 2 and 7ind/m2, while Echinometra viridis decreased significantly from 20 to 0.6ind/m2. Compared to other CARICOMP sites, live coral cover, fish diversity and density, and sea urchin density were low, and algal cover was intermediate. The seagrass site, also in the Parque Nacional Cahuita, is dominated by Thalassia testudinum and showed an intermediate productivity (2.7±1.15 g/m2/d) and biomass (822.8±391.84 g/m2) compared to other CARICOMP sites. Coral reefs and seagrasses at the Parque Nacional Cahuita continue to be impacted by high sediment loads from terrestrial origin. The mangrove forest at Gandoca, within the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo (National Wildlife Refuge), surrounds a lagoon and it is dominated by the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle. Productivity and flower production peak was in July. Biomass (14kg/m2) and density (9.0±0.58 trees/100m2) in Gandoca were relatively low compared to other CARICOMP sites, while productivity in July in Costa Rica (4g/m2/d) was intermediate, similar to most CARICOMP sites. This mangrove is expanding and has low human impact thus far. Management actions should be taken to protect and preserve these important coastal ecosystems. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (Suppl. 3): 1-22. Epub 2010 October 01.

Los arrecifes coralinos, pastos marinos y manglares de la costa Caribe de Costa Rica han sido monitoreados desde 1999 siguiendo el protocolo de CARICOMP. La cobertura de coral vivo en el arrecife de Meager Shoal (7 a 10m de profundidad) en el Parque Nacional Cahuita, aumentó de 13.3% en 1999, a 28.2% en 2003, pero después bajó, por los siguientes 5 años, a aproximadamente 17.5%; la cobertura de algas aumentó significativamente de 36.6% en 2003 a 61.3% en 2008. La densidad de Diadema antillarum osciló entre 2 y 7 ind/m2 mientras que Echinometra viridis decreció significativamente de 20 a 0.6 ind/m2. Comparado con otros sitios CARICOMP, la cobertura de coral vivo, diversidad y densidad de peces, y densidades de erizos de mar fueron bajas y la cobertura algal intermedia. El sitio de pastos marinos, también en el Parque Nacional Cahuita, está dominado por Thalassia testudinum y tiene una productividad (2.7±1.15g/m2/d) y biomasa (822.8±391.84g/m2) intermedia comparado a otros sitios CARICOMP. Los arrecifes coralinos y pastos marinos en el Parque Nacional Cahuita continúan siendo impactados por sedimentos terrígenos. El bosque de manglar en Laguna Gandoca, dentro del Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo, está bordeado por una laguna y predomina el mangle rojo, Rhizophora mangle. El pico de productividad y producción de flores fue en julio. La biomasa (14 kg/m2) y densidad (9.0±0.58 árboles/100 m2) en Gandoca fueron relativamente bajas comparadas con otros sitios CARICOMP, mientras que la productividad en julio en Costa Rica (4g/m2/d) fue intermedia, similar a la mayoría de los sitios CARICOMP. Este manglar se está expandiendo y tiene muy poco impacto humano hasta ahora. Se deben tomar acciones de manejo para proteger y preservar estos importantes ecosistemas costeros.

Monitoring coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves in Costa Rica (CARICOMP).

The coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves from the Costa Rican Caribbean coast have been monitored since 1999 using the CARICOMP protocol. Live coral cover at Meager Shoal reef bank (7 to 10 m depth) at the Parque Nacional Cahuita (National Park), increased from 13.3% in 1999, to 28.2% in 2003, but decreased during the next 5 years to around 17.5%. Algal cover increased significantly since 2003 from 36.6% to 61.3% in 2008. The density of Diadema antillarum oscillated between 2 and 7ind/m2, while Echinometra viridis decreased significantly from 20 to 0.6ind/m2. Compared to other CARICOMP sites, live coral cover, fish diversity and density, and sea urchin density were low, and algal cover was intermediate. The seagrass site, also in the Parque Nacional Cahuita, is dominated by Thalassia testudinum and showed an intermediate productivity (2.7 +/- 1.15 g/m2/d) and biomass (822.8 +/- 391.84 g/m2) compared to other CARICOMP sites. Coral reefs and seagrasses at the Parque Nacional Cahuita continue to be impacted by high sediment loads from terrestrial origin. The mangrove forest at Gandoca, within the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo (National Wildlife Refuge), surrounds a lagoon and it is dominated by the red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle. Productivity and flower production peak was in July. Biomass (14 kg/m2) and density (9.0 +/- 0.58 trees/100 m2) in Gandoca were relatively low compared to other CARICOMP sites, while productivity in July in Costa Rica (4 g/m2/d) was intermediate, similar to most CARICOMP sites. This mangrove is expanding and has low human impact thus far. Management actions should be taken to protect and preserve these important coastal ecosystems.

Relación de capacidades de autocuidado en enfermeras con sobrepeso y obesidad / Relationship of self-care skills in nurses with overweight and obesity / Relação de habilidades de autocuidado em enfermeiros com sobrepeso e obesidade

El autocuidado requiere de capacidades o habilidades especializadas en los individuos para poder identificar y satisfacer su propio funcionamiento y desarrollo, el profesional de enfermería es un grupo que promueve el autocuidado, por lo que tendrá que vivir con bienestar en salud para estar en condiciones de promocionar la salud a los demás. Consecuentemente, su formación profesional deberá estar encaminada al autocuidado, con la finalidad de desarrollar sus propias capacidades de autocuidado con un sentido de responsabilidad social, de tal forma que la educación sea pertinente entre lo que la sociedad espera del profesional y lo que esté hace, contribuyendo con sus conocimientos, actitudes y comportamientos en un ejemplo a seguir por la población en materia de salud. Objetivo. Analizar los principales factores relacionados con las capacidades de autocuidado en enfermeras con sobrepeso y obesidad. Material y Métodos. Se realizó un estudio de tipo observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Con una muestra de 121 enfermeras de 25 a 60 años, de un hospital de tercer nivel de atención. La información se recabó de manera personalizada, a través de instrumentos. Los datos fueron analizados a través de promedios, los datos fueron analizados a través de promedios, desviación estándar, pruebas de asociación como utilizó chi cuadrada y de comparación como t de Student. Resultados. Los resultados obtenidos en el presente estudio sugieren que a mayor número de años de estudio, las capacidades de autocuidado se desarrollan más, por lo tanto se observa que los años de estudio tiene una relación estrecha con el autocuidado. Conclusiones. El no encontrar significancia estadística entre las capacidades de autocuidado y el personal de enfermería que presenta sobrepeso y obesidad, sugiere que algunos padecimiento están más fuertemente arraigados a hábitos y costumbres personales, evitando que los aprendizajes obtenidos en el proceso de formación profesional tengan trascendencia en las capacidades de autocuidado.

Autocuidado requer habilidades ou competências especializadas em indivíduos para identificar e satisfazer o seu próprio desempenho e desenvolvimento, profissional de enfermagem é um grupo que promove a auto-cuidado, então você tem que viver com sendo de saúde para ser capaz de promover saúde para os outros. Consequentemente, sua formação profissional deve ser voltada para o autocuidado, a fim de desenvolver suas próprias habilidades de autocuidado com um senso de responsabilidade social, para que a educação seja relevante entre o que a sociedade espera do profissional e o que é feito, contribuindo com seus conhecimentos, atitudes e comportamentos em um exemplo a ser seguido pela população em questões de saúde. Objetivo Analisar os principais fatores relacionados às habilidades de autocuidado em enfermeiros com sobrepeso e obesidade. Material e Métodos Um estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal foi realizado. Com uma amostra de 121 enfermeiros de 25 a 60 anos de idade, de um hospital de atendimento de terceiro nível. As informações foram coletadas de forma personalizada, por meio de instrumentos. Os dados foram analisados ​​por médias, os dados foram analisados ​​através de médias, desvio padrão, testes de associação como qui-quadrado utilizado e comparação como teste t de Student. Resultados Os resultados obtidos neste estudo sugerem que um maior número de anos de estudo, capacidades de auto-cuidado desenvolver mais, portanto, mostra que os anos de estudo tem uma relação estreita com o auto-cuidado. Conclusões Não encontrando significância estatística entre as capacidades de auto-cuidado e pessoal de enfermagem que estão com sobrepeso e obesos, sugere que algum sofrimento é mais profundamente os hábitos e os hábitos pessoais enraizada, impedindo o aprendizado obtido no processo de formação têm importância na capacidades de autocuidado.

Self-care requires specialized skills or abilities in individuals to identify and meet their own functioning and development, the nurse is a group that promotes self-care, so they have to live with wellness in health, be able to promote health to others. Consequently, their training should be directed to self-care, in order to develop their own self-management skills with a sense of social responsibility, so that education is relevant between what society expects of the professional and what is done, contributing their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in an example for the population´s health. Objective. Analyzing the main factors related to nurses´self-management skills in overweight and obesity. Material an Methods. A study was conducted an observational, descriptive, transversal. With a sample of 121 nurses from 25 to 60 years of a tertiary hospital care. The information was collected in a personal way, through instruments. The data were analyzed through mean, standard deviation and association tests an chi-square and Student t comparison. Results. Tdhe results of this study suggest that the greater number of years of study, self-management skills are developed further, so we see that the years of stdy has a close relationship with the self. Conclusions. He did not find statistical significance between the capabilities of self-care and nursing staff that overweight and obesity, suggests that some diseases are deeply attached to personal habits an customs, preventing learning from the training process have little significance in self-management skills.

Recent region-wide declines in Caribbean reef fish abundance.

Profound ecological changes are occurring on coral reefs throughout the tropics, with marked coral cover losses and concomitant algal increases, particularly in the Caribbean region. Historical declines in the abundance of large Caribbean reef fishes likely reflect centuries of overexploitation. However, effects of drastic recent degradation of reef habitats on reef fish assemblages have yet to be established. By using meta-analysis, we analyzed time series of reef fish density obtained from 48 studies that include 318 reefs across the Caribbean and span the time period 1955-2007. Our analyses show that overall reef fish density has been declining significantly for more than a decade, at rates that are consistent across all subregions of the Caribbean basin (2.7% to 6.0% loss per year) and in three of six trophic groups. Changes in fish density over the past half-century are modest relative to concurrent changes in benthic cover on Caribbean reefs. However, the recent significant decline in overall fish abundance and its consistency across several trophic groups and among both fished and nonfished species indicate that Caribbean fishes have begun to respond negatively to habitat degradation.

Monitoreo del arrecife coralino Meager Shoal, Parque Nacional Cahuita, Costa Rica (sitio CARICOMP) / Monitoring of the Meager Shoal coral reef, Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica (CARICOMP site)

The coral reefs at Cahuita National Park, Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, specifically at the CARICOMP site Meager Shoal, have been monitored since 1999. Complete data sets from 2000 and 2004 have shown that live coral cover has increased less than 3 % (from 15 to 17 %), but non-coralline algae cover has increased much (63 to 74 %) and coralline algae cover has decreased (17 to 5 %) significantly. The proportion of affected colonies by diseases, injuries and bleaching decreased from 24 % in 2000 to 10 % in 2004, but the difference was not statistically significant. Densities of the urchin Diadema antillarum increased, and are probably help to maintain the macroalgae biomass low, while those of Echinometra viridis decreased significantly. The coral reef at Cahuita National Park continues to be impacted by chronic terrigenous sediments and does not show a significant recovery since the late 1970's.

Los arrecifes coralinos del Parque Nacional Cahuita, en la costa Caribe de Costa Rica, específicamente en el sitio CARICOMP llamado Meager Shoal, han sido monitoreados desde 1999. Bases de datos completas de los años 2000 y 2004, muestran que la cobertura de coral viva se mantuvo baja con un aumento menor al 3 % (15-17 %), pero la cobertura de algas no coralinas aumentó mucho (63-74 %) y la cobertura de algas coralinas disminuyó significativamente (17-5 %) (p<.05). La proporción de colonias coralinas afectadas por enfermedades, blanqueamiento y otros daños disminuyó de 24 % en el 2000 a 10 % en el 2004, pero la diferencia no resultó significativa. Las densidades de Diadema antillarum aumentaron mientras que las de Echinometra viridis disminuyeron significativamente. El arrecife coralino del Parque Nacional Cahuita continúa siendo afectado por sedimentos terrígenos y no presenta una recuperación significativa desde finales de los años 70.

[Monitoring of the Meager Shoal coral reef, Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica (CARICOMP site)]. / Monitoreo del arrecife coralino Meager Shoal, Parque Nacional Cahuita, Costa Rica (sitio CARICOMP).

The coral reefs at Cahuita National Park, Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, specifically at the CARICOMP site Meager Shoal, have been monitored since 1999. Complete data sets from 2000 and 2004 have shown that live coral cover has increased less than 3 % (from 15 to 17 %), but non-coralline algae cover has increased much (63 to 74 %) and coralline algae cover has decreased (17 to 5 %) significantly. The proportion of affected colonies by diseases, injuries and bleaching decreased from 24 % in 2000 to 10 % in 2004, but the difference was not statistically significant. Densities of the urchin Diadema antillarum increased, and are probably help to maintain the macroalgae biomass low, while those of Echinometra viridis decreased significantly. The coral reef at Cahuita National Park continues to be impacted by chronic terrigenous sediments and does not show a significant recovery since the late 1970's.

Estructura de las comunidades de peces de arrecife en las Islas Catalinas y Playa Ocotal, Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica / Structure of reef fish communities in Catalinas Islands and Ocotal beach, North Pacific of Costa Rica

The reefs are heterogeneous systems that maintain a high diversity of organisms. Fish community structure varies within and among reefs, so it would be expected that reef structure and heterogeneity should affect fish communities inhabiting reefs. Four reef patches at Catalinas Islands (Sur, La Pared, Roca Sucia and Sombrero) and one in Ocotal beach (10°28’45" N; 85°52’35" W) were studied with visual censuses (July-December 2003). The structure and composition of fishes between Catalinas Islands and Ocotal beach were different, and habitat structure and composition explain most of the variance founded. The presence of the fleshy algae Caulerpa sertularioides in Ocotal, and the corals Tubastrea coccinea and Pocillopora spp. at Catalinas Island explained the variability among sites and how it affected fish community structure and composition. The butterfly fish Johnrandallia nigrirostris, damselfish Microspathodon dorsalis, and surgeon fish Prionurus punctatus were directly correlated with the ahermatipic coral Tubastrea coccinea in Roca Sucia reef, while the angel fish Holacanthus passer was associated to reefs with a major percentage of rocky substrate. Other species such as the damselfish Abudefduf troschelli and Halichoeres dispilus were more abundant at Ocotal, where the algae C. sertularioides dominated. The number and abundance of reef fishes was directly correlated with the rugosity index at the reefs of Roca Sucia and Ocotal, but not at reefs of La Pared and Sombrero

Los arrecifes son sistemas muy complejos, cuya heterogeneidad mantiene una gran diversidad de organismos. La estructura de las comunidades de peces que forman parte del arrecife varía dentro y entre arrecifes, y se esperaría que la heterogeneidad y estructura del arrecife vaya a influir en la estructura de las comunidades de peces que habitan. Se estudiaron cuatro arrecifes en las Islas Catalinas (Sur, La Pared, Roca Sucia y Sombrero) y uno en la Playa de Ocotal, Pacífico Norte de Costa Rica. Se encontraron diferencias claras en la estructura y composición de las comunidades de peces de arrecife en las Islas Catalinas y Playa Ocotal, y la estructura y composición del hábitat explicaron la mayor parte de la varianza. Ciertos atributos del arrecife como la presencia del alga Caulerpa sertularoides en Ocotal, así como los corales Tubastrea coccinea y Pocillopora spp., en las Islas Catalinas explicaron la variabilidad que existía entre los sitios y como afectaba a la estructura de la comunidad de peces de arrecife. La mariposa Johnrandalia nigrirostris, la damisela Microspathodon dorsalis y el cirujano Prionurus punctatus se correlacionaron directamente con el coral ahermatípico Tubastrea coccinea, en el arrecife de Roca Sucia, mientras que Holocanthus passer se asocio a arrecifes con un mayor porcentaje de sustrato rocoso. Otras especies como Abudefduf troschelli y Halichoeres dispilus se encontraban en mayor cantidad en el arrecife de Ocotal, en donde dominaba el alga Caulerpa sertularioides. Por último, el número y abundancia de peces de arrecife se correlacionó directamente con el índice de rugosidad del sustrato en los arrecifes de Roca Sucia y Ocotal, pero no así los de la Pared y Sombrero

[Structure of reef fish communities in Catalinas Islands and Ocotal beach, North Pacific of Costa Rica]. / Estructura de las comunidades de peces de arrecife en las Islas Catalinas y Playa Ocotal, Pacifico Norte de Costa Rica.

The reefs are heterogeneous systems that maintain a high diversity of organisms. Fish community structure varies within and among reefs, so it would be expected that reef structure and heterogeneity should affect fish communities inhabiting reefs. Four reef patches at Catalinas Islands (Sur, La Pared, Roca Sucia and Sombrero) and one in Ocotal beach (10 degrees 28'45" N; 85 degrees 52'35" W) were studied with visual censuses (July-December 2003). The structure and composition of fishes between Catalinas islands and Ocotal beach were different, and habitat structure and composition explain most of the variance founded. The presence of the fleshy algae Caulerpa sertularioides in Ocotal, and the corals Tubastrea coccinea and Pocillopora spp. at Catalinas Island explained the variability among sites and how it affected fish community structure and composition. The butterfly fish Johnrandallia nigrirostris, damselfish Microspathodon dorsalis, and surgeon fish Prionurus punctatus were directly correlated with the ahermatipic coral Tubastrea coccinea in Roca Sucia reef, while the angel fish Holacanthus passer was associated to reefs with a major percentage of rocky substrate. Other species such as the damselfish Abudefduf troschelli and Halichoeres dispilus were more abundant at Ocotal, where the algae C sertularioides dominated. The number and abundance of reef fishes was directly correlated with the rugosity index at the reefs of Roca Sucia and Ocotal, but not at reefs of La Pared and Sombrero.