Assessment protocol and reference values of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain in the horizontal plane recorded with video-Head Impulse Test (vHIT) in a pediatric population. / Protocolo de evaluación y valores de referencia de la ganancia del reflejo vestíbulo-ocular (RVO) en el plano horizontal registrado mediante el video-Head Impulse Test (v-HIT) en población pediátrica.

PURPOSE: To develop an assessment protocol and establish reference values of vestibulo-ocular reflex gain of the horizontal semicircular canal obtained with vHIT in a pediatric population without vestibular changes. METHODS: Quantitative, non-experimental, analytical study with a non-probabilistic convenience sample. A total of 39 subjects aged 5 to 17 years were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: The mean gain obtained of the horizontal right semicircular canal was 0.93 and of the left one, 1.08, with statistically significant differences between the ears. There were no statistically significant differences between the 5-to-10-year and 11-to-17-year subgroups. CONCLUSION: The vestibulo-ocular reflex gain in children neared the values found in the international scientific literature and the adult population. The protocol developed can guide beginning professionals in the otoneurological evaluation of children.

OBJETIVO: Elaborar un protocolo de evaluación y establecer valores de referencia de las ganancias del reflejo vestíbulo-ocular del canal semicircular horizontal obtenidas con el v-HIT en población pediátrica sin alteraciones vestibulares. MÉTODO: Estudio cuantitativo, analítico, no experimental con muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Se seleccionaron 39 sujetos entre 5 a 17 años, los cuales cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. RESULTADOS: El promedio de la ganancia obtenida para el conducto semicircular horizontal derecho fue de 0,93 y para el conducto semicircular izquierdo fue de 1,08. Existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre oídos. No existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los subgrupos de 5 a 10 años y 11 a 17 años. CONCLUSIÓN: La ganancia del reflejo vestíbulo-ocular en población pediátrica se acerca a los valores encontrados en la literatura científica internacional y de la población adulta. El protocolo confeccionado puede orientar a profesionales que están comenzando en la evaluación otoneurológica de esta población.

Upraising a silent pollution: Antibiotic resistance at coastal environments and transference to long-distance migratory shorebirds.

Large amounts of antibiotics from different sources have been released into coastal environments, especially in high human-populated areas, but comprehensive studies of antibiotic footprint in wildlife are scarce. Here we assess occurrence of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) both in sediments and gut microbiota of a long-distance migratory shorebird species in two coastal wetlands at a sparsely-populated area in Pacific Patagonian coasts with contrasting potential antibiotic sources, especially from aquaculture. We found 62% of sediment samples showing ARB, and ARGs similarly occurring in sediments at both bays. However multi-resistant ARB were found only at sediments in the bay surrounding aquaculture operations. An 87% of cloacal bird samples showed at least one ARB, with 63% being multi-resistant and some of them with a high potential pathogenicity. ARGs were present in 46% of the samples from birds, with similar multi-resistant frequencies among bays. Besides specific differences mainly associated to antibiotics used in salmon aquaculture that boosted ARB in sediments, ARB and ARGs occurrence was overall similar at two bays with contrasting main human activities, in spite of being a comparatively low human-populated area. Therefore, our results reinforce the idea that the antibiotic footprint may be widespread at a global scale and can extend beyond the geographical influence of antibiotic sources, especially at coastal environments where migratory shorebirds act both as reservoirs and potential spreaders of antibiotic resistance.

Protocolo de evaluación y valores de referencia de la ganancia del reflejo vestíbulo-ocular (RVO) en el plano horizontal registrado mediante el video-Head Impulse Test (v-HIT) en población pediátrica / Assessment protocol and reference values of vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain in the horizontal plane recorded with video-Head Impulse Test (vHIT) in a pediatric population

RESUMEN Objetivo Elaborar un protocolo de evaluación y establecer valores de referencia de las ganancias del reflejo vestíbulo-ocular del canal semicircular horizontal obtenidas con el v-HIT en población pediátrica sin alteraciones vestibulares. Método Estudio cuantitativo, analítico, no experimental con muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. Se seleccionaron 39 sujetos entre 5 a 17 años, los cuales cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Resultados El promedio de la ganancia obtenida para el conducto semicircular horizontal derecho fue de 0,93 y para el conducto semicircular izquierdo fue de 1,08. Existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre oídos. No existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los subgrupos de 5 a 10 años y 11 a 17 años. Conclusión La ganancia del reflejo vestíbulo-ocular en población pediátrica se acerca a los valores encontrados en la literatura científica internacional y de la población adulta. El protocolo confeccionado puede orientar a profesionales que están comenzando en la evaluación otoneurológica de esta población.

ABSTRACT Purpose To develop an assessment protocol and establish reference values of vestibulo-ocular reflex gain of the horizontal semicircular canal obtained with vHIT in a pediatric population without vestibular changes. Methods Quantitative, non-experimental, analytical study with a non-probabilistic convenience sample. A total of 39 subjects aged 5 to 17 years were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results The mean gain obtained of the horizontal right semicircular canal was 0.93 and of the left one, 1.08, with statistically significant differences between the ears. There were no statistically significant differences between the 5-to-10-year and 11-to-17-year subgroups. Conclusion The vestibulo-ocular reflex gain in children neared the values found in the international scientific literature and the adult population. The protocol developed can guide beginning professionals in the otoneurological evaluation of children.

Assessing the effects of human activities on the foraging opportunities of migratory shorebirds in Austral high-latitude bays.

Human presence at intertidal areas could impact coastal biodiversity, including migratory waterbird species and the ecosystem services they provide. Assessing this impact is therefore essential to develop management measures compatible with migratory processes and associated biodiversity. Here, we assess the effects of human presence on the foraging opportunities of Hudsonian godwits (Limosa haemastica, a trans-hemispheric migratory shorebird) during their non-breeding season on Chiloé Island, southern Chile. We compared bird density and time spent foraging in two similar bays with contrasting disturbance levels: human presence (mostly seaweed harvesters accompanied by dogs) was on average 0.9±0.4 people per 10 ha in the disturbed bay, whereas it was negligible (95% days absent) in the non-disturbed bay. Although overall abundances were similar between bays, godwit density was higher in the non-disturbed bay throughout the low tide period. Both days after the start of the non-breeding season and tidal height significantly affected godwit density, with different effects in either bay. Time spent foraging was significantly higher in the non-disturbed bay (86.5±1.1%) than in the disturbed one (81.3±1.4%). As expected, godwit density significantly decreased with the number of people and accompanying dogs in the disturbed bay. Our results indicate that even a low density of people and dogs can significantly reduce the foraging opportunities of shorebirds. These constraints, coupled with additional flushing costs, may negatively affect godwits' pre-migratory fattening. Hence, as a first step we suggest limiting human presence within bays on Chiloé to 1 person per 10 ha and banning the presence of accompanying dogs in sensitive conservation areas.