Global hotspots for soil nature conservation.

Soils are the foundation of all terrestrial ecosystems1. However, unlike for plants and animals, a global assessment of hotspots for soil nature conservation is still lacking2. This hampers our ability to establish nature conservation priorities for the multiple dimensions that support the soil system: from soil biodiversity to ecosystem services. Here, to identify global hotspots for soil nature conservation, we performed a global field survey that includes observations of biodiversity (archaea, bacteria, fungi, protists and invertebrates) and functions (critical for six ecosystem services) in 615 composite samples of topsoil from a standardized survey in all continents. We found that each of the different ecological dimensions of soils-that is, species richness (alpha diversity, measured as amplicon sequence variants), community dissimilarity and ecosystem services-peaked in contrasting regions of the planet, and were associated with different environmental factors. Temperate ecosystems showed the highest species richness, whereas community dissimilarity peaked in the tropics, and colder high-latitudinal ecosystems were identified as hotspots of ecosystem services. These findings highlight the complexities that are involved in simultaneously protecting multiple ecological dimensions of soil. We further show that most of these hotspots are not adequately covered by protected areas (more than 70%), and are vulnerable in the context of several scenarios of global change. Our global estimation of priorities for soil nature conservation highlights the importance of accounting for the multidimensionality of soil biodiversity and ecosystem services to conserve soils for future generations.

Lesiones metastásicas a columna vertebral en pacientes con cáncer en Cartagena / Spine metastastic injuries in patients with cancer in Cartagena

Introducción las metástasis a columna vertebral son una entidad frecuente en el paciente con cáncer. Con el aumento de la esperanza de vida en la población general y además el aumento en la sobrevida del paciente con cáncer se hace más probable la aparición de metástasis espinales. El conocimiento regional de las características de las metástasis a columna vertebral brinda información importante que orienta el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de los pacientes afectados. El objetivo del estudio es determinar las características de las metástasis a columna vertebral en pacientes con cáncer en la ciudad de Cartagena, Colombia. Materiales & Métodos se realizó un estudio descriptivo revisando las historias clínicas de pacientes adultos con metástasis a columna, en cuatro instituciones de salud de la ciudad entre 2015 y 2017 con disponibilidad de imágenes y biopsia diagnóstica. Se indagaron características sociodemográficas, segmento de la columna afectado, región anatómica de la vértebra afectada, pronóstico por escalas de Tomita y Tokuhashi, la frecuencia de conducta apropiada según el pronóstico. El análisis fue mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas, además se realizó caracterización de las metástasis vertebrales estratificando por órgano afectado por el tumor primario. Resultados se analizaron 27 historias clínicas que mostraron una mediana de edad en los pacientes de 56 años. El tumor primario con mayor frecuencia fue el de pulmón con 33.3%. El segmento de la columna más afectado fue el toracolumbar con un 63%. El sitio anatómico vertebral más afectado fue el cuerpo con 92,6%. El compromiso neurológico se presentó en un 77,8%. Discusión las lesiones metastásicas a columna en nuestra población están siendo diagnosticadas de manera tardía. Nivel de evidencia: IV

Background spinal metastases are a frequent entity in cancer patients. With the increase of the life expectancy in the general population and also the increase in the survival of the patient with cancer, the appearance of spinal metastasis is more probable. Regional knowledge of the characteristics of spinal metastasis provides important information that guides the diagnosis and treatment of affected patients. The aim of the story is to determine the characteristics of spinal metastasis in patients with cancer in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. Methods a descriptive study was conducted reviewing the clinical histories of adult patients with spinal metastasis, in four health institutions of the city between 2015 and 2017 with availability of images and diagnostic biopsy. Sociodemographic characteristics, segment of the affected column, anatomical region of the affected vertebra, prognosis by scales of Tomita and Tokuhashi, the frequency of appropriate behavior according to the prognosis were investigated. The analysis was carried out using absolute and relative frequencies; furthermore, characterization of the vertebral metastasis was carried out stratifying by organ affected by the primary tumor. Results We analyzed 27 medical records that showed a median age in the patients of 56 years. The primary tumor most frequently was the lung with 33.3%. The segment of the most affected column was the thoracolumbar with 63%. The most affected vertebral anatomical site was the body with 92.6%. The neurological compromise was presented in 77.8%. Discussion Metastatic spinal lesions in our population are being diagnosed late. Evidence Level: IV