Potenciales evocados auditivos de tronco en neonatos nacidos a gran altitud / Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in newborn infants born in a high-altitude area

Introducción. Una forma no invasiva y segura de evaluar los parámetros neurofisiológicos en recién nacidos es la evaluación de los potenciales evocados auditivos del tronco encefálico (PEAT). Objetivo. Evaluar las latencias e intervalos de ondas de los PEAT en neonatos sanos nacidos a gran altitud (Cusco, 3399 msnm). Población y métodos. Estudio transversal y prospectivo. Se incluyeron neonatos menores a 14 días de vida, dados de alta a menos de 7 días de nacidos, evaluados para determinar los valores de los PEAT a intensidades sonoras de 70 dB, 80 dB y 90 dB. Se incluyeron las variables edad gestacional, peso al nacer, tipo de parto. Se calcularon las diferencias de las medianas de las latencias e intervalos de las ondas según edad gestacional y peso al nacer. Resultados. Se evaluaron 96 neonatos (17 pretérminos). Las medianas de las latencias de las ondas I a V a 90 dB fueron las siguientes: onda I 1,56 ms; onda II 2,74 ms; onda III 4,37 ms; onda IV 5,62 ms, onda V 6,63 ms. La latencia de la onda I para 80 dB fue de 1,71 ms y para 70 dB de 1,88 ms. Los intervalos para las ondas (I-III), (III-V) y (I-V) fueron de 2,8 ms, 2,2 ms y 5,0 ms respectivamente, sin diferencias entre intensidades (p >0,05). La prematuridad y el bajo peso estuvieron asociados a latencias de la onda I más prolongadas (p <0,05). Conclusiones. Se presentan valores ajustados de latencias e intervalos de los PEAT en neonatos nacidos a gran altitud. Se identificó que, a distintas intensidades sonoras, se ven diferencias en las latencias de las ondas, pero no en los intervalos entre ondas.

Introduction. A non-invasive and safe way to assess neurophysiological parameters in newborn infants is the evaluation of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). Objective. To assess the latencies and wave intervals of BAEPs in healthy newborn infants born in a high-altitude area (Cusco, 3399 MASL). Population and methods. Cross-sectional and prospective study. Newborn infants younger than 14 days of age, discharged less than 7 days after birth, were assessed to determine BAEP values at intensities of 70 dB, 80 dB, and 90 dB. The study variables were gestational age, birth weight, and type of delivery. The median differences in wave latencies and intervals were estimated according to gestational age and birth weight. Results. A total of 96 newborn infants (17 preterm infants) were assessed. The median latencies of waves I­V at 90 dB were for wave I: 1.56 ms, wave II: 2,74 ms, wave III: 4.37 ms, wave IV: 5.62 ms, and wave V: 6.63 ms. The latency of wave I for 80 dB was 1.71 ms and for 70 dB, 1.88 ms. Wave intervals (I­III, III­V, I­V) were 2.8 ms, 2.2 ms, and 5.0 ms, respectively, without differences among intensities (p > 0.05). Prematurity and low birth weight were associated with a longer wave I latency (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Here we describe adjusted BAEP latency and interval values for newborn infants born at high altitude. At different sound intensities, we identified differences in wave latencies, but not in interwave intervals.

Radiodensidad de la arteria cerebral media y su correlación con el nivel de hemoglobina en pacientes con y sin infarto cerebral residentes a gran altitud

Introducción. El signo de la arteria cerebral media (ACM) hiperdensa evaluada por tomografía simple permite predecir la enfermedad vascular cerebral isquémica (EVCi) con oclusión de un gran vaso, sin embargo, es frecuente identificar este signo en pobladores con niveles altos de hemoglobina sin clínica de EVCi. Objetivos. Evaluar la correlación entre la radiodensidad de la ACM y el nivel de hemoglobina en pacientes con y sin EVCi, residentes en una ciudad a gran altitud. Métodos. Estudio observacional analítico, se incluyeron personas residentes de Cusco (ubicada a 3300 msnm) que acudían al servicio de emergencia y se les realizó una tomografía cerebral, presentando o no clínica de EVCi. Se realizó la medición de la radiodensidad de la ACM y se correlacionó con el nivel de hemoglobina. Resultados. Se incluyeron 279 pacientes, el promedio de hemoglobina fue de 15,1 mg/dL y desviación estándar (DE) de 2,5 mg/dL, en los controles se identificó una correlación significativa (r = 0,425, p<0,01) entre la radiodensidad de la ACM con el nivel de hemoglobina. En los casos con EVCi derechos, la radiodensidad de la ACM derecha fue de 46,9 (DE = 7,7 UH) y de la izquierda fue de 46,1 (DE = 6,6 UH), sin que existan diferencias estadísticas (p = 0,24). Tampoco se encontró diferencias en los casos con EVCi izquierdos. Conclusión. Sí existe una correlación entre la radiodensidad de la ACM con el nivel de hemoglobina en los pobladores que viven a gran altitud, sin embargo, no se logró demostrar diferencias significativas entre la radiodensidad entre las ACM afectada y la contralateral en los casos de un EVCi.

Introduction. The sign of the hyperdense middle cerebral artery (MCA) evaluated by simple tomography allows predicting ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICD) with occlusion of a large vessel, however, it is common to identify this sign in residents with high hemoglobin levels without symptoms of ICD. Objectives. To evaluate the correlation between the radiodensity of the MCA and the hemoglobin level in patients with and without ICD, residing in a high-altitude city. Methods. Analytical observational study, including people residing in Cusco (located at 3300 masl) who attended the emergency service and underwent a brain tomography, presenting or not ICD symptoms. ACM radiodensity was measured and correlated with the hemoglobin level. Results. 279 patients were included, the average hemoglobin was 15.1 and standard deviation (DE) of 2.5 mg/dL, in the controls a significant correlation was identified (r = 0.425, p<0.01) between the radiodensity of the MCA with the hemoglobin level. In the cases with right ICD, the radiodensity of the right MCA was 46.9 (DE = 7.7 HU) and of the left it was 46.1 (DE = 6.6 HU), with no statistical differences (p=0 ,24). No differences were found in the cases with left ICD either. Conclusion. There is a correlation between the radiodensity of the MCA with the hemoglobin level in the inhabitants who live at high altitudes, however, it is not possible to demonstrate significant differences between the radiodensity between the affected MCA and the contralateral one in the cases of an ICD.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in newborn infants born in a high-altitude area. / Potenciales evocados auditivos de tronco en neonatos nacidos a gran altitud.

Introduction. A non-invasive and safe way to assess neurophysiological parameters in newborn infants is the evaluation of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). Objective. To assess the latencies and wave intervals of BAEPs in healthy newborn infants born in a high-altitude area (Cusco, 3399 MASL). Population and methods. Cross-sectional and prospective study. Newborn infants younger than 14 days of age, discharged less than 7 days after birth, were assessed to determine BAEP values at intensities of 70 dB, 80 dB, and 90 dB. The study variables were gestational age, birth weight, and type of delivery. The median differences in wave latencies and intervals were estimated according to gestational age and birth weight. Results. A total of 96 newborn infants (17 preterm infants) were assessed. The median latencies of waves I-V at 90 dB were for wave I: 1.56 ms, wave II: 2,74 ms, wave III: 4.37 ms, wave IV: 5.62 ms, and wave V: 6.63 ms. The latency of wave I for 80 dB was 1.71 ms and for 70 dB, 1.88 ms. Wave intervals (I-III, III-V, I-V) were 2.8 ms, 2.2 ms, and 5.0 ms, respectively, without differences among intensities (p > 0.05). Prematurity and low birth weight were associated with a longer wave I latency (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Here we describe adjusted BAEP latency and interval values for newborn infants born at high altitude. At different sound intensities, we identified differences in wave latencies, but not in interwave intervals.

Introducción. Una forma no invasiva y segura de evaluar los parámetros neurofisiológicos en recién nacidos es la evaluación de los potenciales evocados auditivos del tronco encefálico (PEAT). Objetivo. Evaluar las latencias e intervalos de ondas de los PEAT en neonatos sanos nacidos a gran altitud (Cusco, 3399 msnm). Población y métodos. Estudio transversal y prospectivo. Se incluyeron neonatos menores a 14 días de vida, dados de alta a menos de 7 días de nacidos, evaluados para determinar los valores de los PEAT a intensidades sonoras de 70 dB, 80 dB y 90 dB. Se incluyeron las variables edad gestacional, peso al nacer, tipo de parto. Se calcularon las diferencias de las medianas de las latencias e intervalos de las ondas según edad gestacional y peso al nacer. Resultados. Se evaluaron 96 neonatos (17 pretérminos). Las medianas de las latencias de las ondas I a V a 90 dB fueron las siguientes: onda I 1,56 ms; onda II 2,74 ms; onda III 4,37 ms; onda IV 5,62 ms, onda V 6,63 ms. La latencia de la onda I para 80 dB fue de 1,71 ms y para 70 dB de 1,88 ms. Los intervalos para las ondas (I-III), (III-V) y (I-V) fueron de 2,8 ms, 2,2 ms y 5,0 ms respectivamente, sin diferencias entre intensidades (p >0,05). La prematuridad y el bajo peso estuvieron asociados a latencias de la onda I más prolongadas (p <0,05). Conclusiones. Se presentan valores ajustados de latencias e intervalos de los PEAT en neonatos nacidos a gran altitud. Se identificó que, a distintas intensidades sonoras, se ven diferencias en las latencias de las ondas, pero no en los intervalos entre ondas.

The Use of Camera Traps and Auxiliary Satellite Telemetry to Estimate Jaguar Population Density in Northwestern Costa Rica.

Regular evaluation of jaguar (Panthera onca) population status is an important part of conservation decision-making. Currently, camera trapping has become the standard method used to estimate jaguar abundance and demographic parameters, though evidence has shown the potential for sex ratio biases and density overestimates. In this study, we used camera trap data combined with satellite telemetry data from one female jaguar to estimate jaguar population density in the dry forest of Santa Rosa National Park in the Guanacaste Conservation Area of northwestern Costa Rica. We analyzed camera trap data collected from June 2016 to June 2017 using spatial capture-recapture methods to estimate jaguar density. In total, 19 individual jaguars were detected (11 males; 8 females) with a resulting estimated population density of 2.6 females (95% [CI] 1.7-4.0) and 5.0 male (95% [CI] 3.4-7.4) per 100 km2. Based on telemetry and camera trap data, camera placement might bias individual detections by sex and thus overall density estimates. We recommend population assessments be made at several consecutive 3-month intervals, that larger areas be covered so as not to restrict surveys to one or two individual home ranges, as in our case, and to carry out long-term camera monitoring programs instead of short-term studies to better understand the local population, using auxiliary telemetry data to adjust field designs and density estimations to improve support for jaguar conservation strategies.

Experimental Release of Orphaned Wild Felids into a Tropical Rainforest in Southwestern Costa Rica.

A 3- to 4-mo-old male ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and a 6- to 8-mo-old female margay (Leopardus weidii) were brought in from the wild, held in captivity, and rehabilitated for 906 and 709 days, respectively, at the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica. During captivity, both cats were kept as isolated as possible from humans and fed appropriate live wild prey. After maturing and demonstrating the ability to capture and feed on live prey, the cats were radio-collared, released at a national wildlife refuge previously assessed for predator and prey occurrence, and monitored. After 54 days, the ocelot was trapped while preying on chickens in a nearby community, and after 20 days, the margay was found dead, likely due to ocelot predation. Avoiding habituation to humans, assuring hunting abilities, and assessing release sites likely is not sufficient to assure successful release of these species, and more experimental releases with innovative and detailed protocols and monitoring are needed.

Environmental and anthropogenic factors synergistically affect space use of jaguars.

Large terrestrial carnivores have undergone some of the largest population declines and range reductions of any species, which is of concern as they can have large effects on ecosystem dynamics and function.1-4 The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the apex predator throughout the majority of the Neotropics; however, its distribution has been reduced by >50% and it survives in increasingly isolated populations.5 Consequently, the range-wide management of the jaguar depends upon maintaining core populations connected through multi-national, transboundary cooperation, which requires understanding the movement ecology and space use of jaguars throughout their range.6-8 Using GPS telemetry data for 111 jaguars from 13 ecoregions within the four biomes that constitute the majority of jaguar habitat, we examined the landscape-level environmental and anthropogenic factors related to jaguar home range size and movement parameters. Home range size decreased with increasing net productivity and forest cover and increased with increasing road density. Speed decreased with increasing forest cover with no sexual differences, while males had more directional movements, but tortuosity in movements was not related to any landscape factors. We demonstrated a synergistic relationship between landscape-scale environmental and anthropogenic factors and jaguars' spatial needs, which has applications to the conservation strategy for the species throughout the Neotropics. Using large-scale collaboration, we overcame limitations from small sample sizes typical in large carnivore research to provide a mechanism to evaluate habitat quality for jaguars and an inferential modeling framework adaptable to the conservation of other large terrestrial carnivores.

Time partitioning among jaguar Panthera onca, puma Puma concolor and ocelot Leopardus pardalis (Carnivora: Felidae) in Costa Rica's dry and rainforests / Separación temporal del jaguar Panthera onca, puma Puma concolor y ocelote Leopardus pardalis (Carnivora: Felidae) en los bosques tropicales húmedos y secos de Costa Rica

Abstract Segregation of daily activity patterns is considered an important mechanism facilitating the coexistance of competing species. Here, we evaluated if temporal separation existed among jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor) and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and if their activity patterns were related to that of a particular prey. We used camera trap records to estimate the activity schedules of these predators and their prey. We used the coefficient of overlapping (Δ; ranging from 0 to 1) to quantify the temporal interactions between predators and prey, and calculated confidence intervals from bootstrap samples. Strong temporal overlap occurred among the three felids (Δ = 0.63 - 0.82) in both dry and rainforests. However, a greater temporal separation was observed between the closest competitors (jaguar and puma, puma and ocelot). Jaguar and puma had a strong temporal overlap with medium and large-sized prey, while ocelots' activity matched that of smallsized prey. High overlapping coefficients among the felids suggest that temporal segregation is not the main mechanism facilitating their coexistence in these areas. However, fine-scale or spatiotemporal differences in their activity patterns might contribute to their coexistence in tropical environments.(AU)

Resumen La segregación de los patrones de actividad diaria es considerado un importante mecanismo para la coexistencia de especies competidoras. En este estudio, evaluamos si existía separación temporal entre el jaguar (Panthera onca), puma (Puma concolor) y ocelote (Leopardus pardalis), y si sus patrones de actividad se relacionaban con los de sus presas potenciales. Utilizamos registros de cámaras trampa para estimar los patrones de actividad de los felinos y sus presas. Usamos el coeficiente de traslape (Δ; de 0 a 1) para cuantificar las interacciones temporales entre depredadores y presas y calculamos los intervalos de confianza mediante bootstrapping. Observamos un fuerte traslape temporal (Δ= 0.63-0.82) entre los felinos tanto en el bosque seco como en el lluvioso. La mayor segregación temporal ocurrió entre los competidores más cercanos (jaguar y puma, puma y ocelote). El jaguar y el puma tuvieron un fuerte traslape con las presas medianas y grandes, mientras que el ocelote se traslapó con presas más pequeñas. Los altos coeficientes de traslape entre los felinos sugieren que la segregación temporal no es el mecanismo principal de coexistencia en estos sitios. Sin embargo, pequeñas diferencias en los patrones de actividad (e.g. picos de actividad desfasados) podrían contribuir a su coexistencia en ambientes tropicales.(AU)

Jaguar movement database: a GPS-based movement dataset of an apex predator in the Neotropics.

The field of movement ecology has rapidly grown during the last decade, with important advancements in tracking devices and analytical tools that have provided unprecedented insights into where, when, and why species move across a landscape. Although there has been an increasing emphasis on making animal movement data publicly available, there has also been a conspicuous dearth in the availability of such data on large carnivores. Globally, large predators are of conservation concern. However, due to their secretive behavior and low densities, obtaining movement data on apex predators is expensive and logistically challenging. Consequently, the relatively small sample sizes typical of large carnivore movement studies may limit insights into the ecology and behavior of these elusive predators. The aim of this initiative is to make available to the conservation-scientific community a dataset of 134,690 locations of jaguars (Panthera onca) collected from 117 individuals (54 males and 63 females) tracked by GPS technology. Individual jaguars were monitored in five different range countries representing a large portion of the species' distribution. This dataset may be used to answer a variety of ecological questions including but not limited to: improved models of connectivity from local to continental scales; the use of natural or human-modified landscapes by jaguars; movement behavior of jaguars in regions not represented in this dataset; intraspecific interactions; and predator-prey interactions. In making our dataset publicly available, we hope to motivate other research groups to do the same in the near future. Specifically, we aim to help inform a better understanding of jaguar movement ecology with applications towards effective decision making and maximizing long-term conservation efforts for this ecologically important species. There are no costs, copyright, or proprietary restrictions associated with this data set. When using this data set, please cite this article to recognize the effort involved in gathering and collating the data and the willingness of the authors to make it publicly available.

Validation and genotyping of multiple human polymorphic inversions mediated by inverted repeats reveals a high degree of recurrence.

In recent years different types of structural variants (SVs) have been discovered in the human genome and their functional impact has become increasingly clear. Inversions, however, are poorly characterized and more difficult to study, especially those mediated by inverted repeats or segmental duplications. Here, we describe the results of a simple and fast inverse PCR (iPCR) protocol for high-throughput genotyping of a wide variety of inversions using a small amount of DNA. In particular, we analyzed 22 inversions predicted in humans ranging from 5.1 kb to 226 kb and mediated by inverted repeat sequences of 1.6-24 kb. First, we validated 17 of the 22 inversions in a panel of nine HapMap individuals from different populations, and we genotyped them in 68 additional individuals of European origin, with correct genetic transmission in ∼ 12 mother-father-child trios. Global inversion minor allele frequency varied between 1% and 49% and inversion genotypes were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. By analyzing the nucleotide variation and the haplotypes in these regions, we found that only four inversions have linked tag-SNPs and that in many cases there are multiple shared SNPs between standard and inverted chromosomes, suggesting an unexpected high degree of inversion recurrence during human evolution. iPCR was also used to check 16 of these inversions in four chimpanzees and two gorillas, and 10 showed both orientations either within or between species, providing additional support for their multiple origin. Finally, we have identified several inversions that include genes in the inverted or breakpoint regions, and at least one disrupts a potential coding gene. Thus, these results represent a significant advance in our understanding of inversion polymorphism in human populations and challenge the common view of a single origin of inversions, with important implications for inversion analysis in SNP-based studies.

Distribuiçäo espacial da mortalidade infantil no município de Huancayo - Peru, no período de 1993-1995 / Geographic distribution of the infant mortality in Huancayo municipality, Peru, over the period of 1993 to 1995

Trabalho realizado através de um estudo descritivo da distribuiçäo espacial da mortalidade das crianças menores de um ano, residentes no Município de Huancayo - Peru, cujos óbitos ocorreram no período de 1993 a 1995. Para tanto, a mortalidade infantil foi medida através do coeficiente de mortalidade infantil (CMI). A evoluçäo desse indicador no período de estudo, foi descrita em relaçäo à idade, sexo, loal de residência, causa básica de morte e distribuiçäo dos serviços públicos de saúde. Dos 338 óbitos ocorridos, o predomínio foi no período pós-neonatal com um coeficiente de 29,2 por 1000 NV. Em todas as faixas etárias houve predominância do sexo masculino (55 por cento). As doenças do aparelho respiratório foram a principal causa de óbito (36,2 por cento), seguidas das afecçöes perinatais (29,2 por cento). O coeficiente de mortalidade infantil no Município no período de estudo foi de 55,1 por 1000 NV, sendo mais elevada na área rural (77,1 por 1000 NV) e menor na área residencial (37,5 por 1000 NV).

Correlación de la macroscopía placentaria con datos somatométricos y bioquímicos de la madre y el recién nacido en altura / Placentary macroscopy correlation with somatometric and biochemical data of mother and neonatal in heighness

El propósito del presente estudio es determinar el patron de desarrollo placentario y sus repercusiones en el crecimiento fetal, teniendo como entorno las condiciones de la madre, asi como la evolución del embarazo y del producto. Se seleccionó a 100 madres con recien nacidos a termino, clínicamente sanos; en el periodo entre Julio y Agosto de 1992 en el Hospital III IPSS de Huancayo. En la madre y el recién nacido se determino peso, talla, Hto. y se evaluo el peso, espesor y area placentaria. Los valores promedios encontrados: Madre, peso igual a 67.97 mas o menos 2 kilogramos, talla 155 mas o menos 26, hematocrito 40 mas o menos 2. Recién nacido: peso igual 3060 mas o menos 9 gramos, talla igual a 50 cm mas o menos 1.1. Placenta: peso de 520 mas o menos 91, area 280 mas o menos 60 espesor 12.5 mas o menos 5. Se encontro una buena correlacion entre talla de recién nacido y el peso materno (r igual que 0.48). El peso del recién nacido se encontró que es menor que a nivel del mar y casi similar al de otras latitudes de gran altura. Con referencia al peso de la placenta se observó un mayor peso que en pacientes que habitan en zonas a nivel del mar y similar al de otras latitudes de gran altura y mediana