Parallel reduction in flowering time from de novo mutations enable evolutionary rescue in colonizing lineages.

Understanding how populations adapt to abrupt environmental change is necessary to predict responses to future challenges, but identifying specific adaptive variants, quantifying their responses to selection and reconstructing their detailed histories is challenging in natural populations. Here, we use Arabidopsis from the Cape Verde Islands as a model to investigate the mechanisms of adaptation after a sudden shift to a more arid climate. We find genome-wide evidence of adaptation after a multivariate change in selection pressures. In particular, time to flowering is reduced in parallel across islands, substantially increasing fitness. This change is mediated by convergent de novo loss of function of two core flowering time genes: FRI on one island and FLC on the other. Evolutionary reconstructions reveal a case where expansion of the new populations coincided with the emergence and proliferation of these variants, consistent with models of rapid adaptation and evolutionary rescue.

Validation of a Sensor-Fitted Simulator for Upper Airway Examination.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a simulator for upper airway examination, fitted with sensors, for use as an academic tool for learning how to conduct examination of the upper airway and for evaluation of that learning. STUDY DESIGN: Validation study. SETTING: Undergraduate medical education. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A group of 18 fifth-year medical students and another of 6 otorhinolaryngology specialists conducted 6 examinations each with the simulator. To investigate concurrent validity, we calculated the correlation between damage scores provided by the simulator and damage assessment by a specialist. To evaluate construct validity, we compared both groups with regard to damage scores, technical procedure, and time spent. To examine content and face validity, we used questionnaires based on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: For concurrent validity, the correlation between the simulator's damage scores and the specialist's damage assessment was high: Spearman's ρ was 0.828 (P < .001). For construct validity, the group of students differed from the group of specialists in damage scores (P = .027) and in technical procedures (P < .001) but not in time spent. For content validity, all questionnaire statements were scored highly, and both groups had similar average scores. For face validity, the group of specialists considered the simulator to be realistic, and all statements on the questionnaire were rated with at least 4/5. CONCLUSION: Concurrent, construct, content, and face validity have been demonstrated for a sensor-fitted simulator for upper airway examination, which is therefore accurate enough to be used as an academic tool for learning and evaluation of learning.

Male Ejaculatory Endophenotypes: Revealing Internal Inconsistencies of the Concept in Heterosexual Copulating Rats.

Distinct manifestations of sexual behavior are conceived as separate phenotypes. Each sexual phenotype is assumed to be associated with a characteristic brain. These notions have justified the phenotyping of heterosexual copulator males based upon their ejaculation's latencies (EL) or frequencies (i.e., cumulative ejaculation number; EN). For instance, men and male rats showing premature, normal or retarded ejaculation are assumed to be distinctive endophenotypes. This concept, nonetheless, contradicts past and recent evidence that supports that sexual behavior is highly variable within each sex, and that the brain sexual functional morphology represents an intricate sexual phenotypic mosaic. Hence, for ejaculatory male endophenotypes to be considered as a valid biological concept, it must show internal consistency at various levels of organization (including genetic architectures), after being challenged by intrinsic and/or extrinsic factors. We then judged the internal consistency of the presumed ejaculatory endophenotypes by assessing whether copulatory behavior and the expression of copulation relevant genes and brain limbic structures are specific to each of the presumed EL- or EN-ejaculatory endophenotypes. To do this, copulating male rats were first phenotyped in groups consistently displaying short, average or long ejaculation latencies or very high, high, average, low or very low EN, based in their copulatory performance. Then, the internal consistency of the presumed EL- or EN-endophenotypes was tested by introducing as covariates of phenotyping other copulatory parameters (e.g., number of intromissions) in addition to EL or EN, or by analyzing the expression levels of genes encoding for estrogen receptor alpha, progesterone receptor, androgen receptor, aromatase, DNA methyl-transferase 3a and DNA methyl-transferase 1 in the amygdala, medial preoptic area, ventromedial hypothalamus and olfactory bulb. We found that even though there were group-level differences in all the variables that were studied, these differences did not add-up to create the presumed EL- or EN-ejaculatory endophenotypes. In fact, the extensive overlapping of copulatory parameters and expression levels of copulation relevant genes in limbic structures across EL- or EN-phenotyped copulating male rats, is not consistent with the hypothesis that distinct ejaculatory endophenotypes exist and that they are associated with specific brain characteristics.

Influencia del cambio de uso del suelo sobre las reservas de carbono orgánico en el Parque Natural Regional Cortadera, Boyacá (Colombia)

Los páramos almacenan grandes reservas de carbono orgánico en el suelo (COS), influenciados por las condiciones climáticas y biogeoquímicas, propias del ecosistema; sin embargo, su progresiva conversión hacia cultivos, ganadería o minería incide directamente en las reservas de COS. Con el fin de determinar el efecto que ejerce el cambio de uso de suelo sobre la variabilidad de las reservas de COS, se realizó un monitoreo de COS entre 2013, 2018 y 2020, en el Parque Natural Regional Cortadera. Se estudiaron parcelas permanentes de muestreo (PPM), ubicadas bajo tres diferentes usos del suelo: conservado, en recuperación e intervenido. Se analizaron muestras de carbono orgánico y densidad aparente, a dos profundidades (0-15 cm y 15-30 cm). Se encontró que la PPM en escenario conservado presentó los contenidos más altos de COS, con valores de 290,37; 199,22 y 257,5 tC ha-1, para cada uno de los años en estudio; seguido por la PPM en recuperación, que evidenció valores de COS 215,3 tC ha-1, en el 2020, en contraste con la PPM intervenida, que presentó contenidos mínimos de 15,50; 34,01 y 88,06 tC ha-1. Se observó que los mayores contenidos de COS se encuentran a la profundidad de 15 a 30 cm. Dichos aspectos, resaltan la importancia de avanzar en acciones enfocadas a la protección de ecosistemas estratégicos, considerando las constantes amenazas relacionadas con la transformación del paisaje y, con ello, la posibilidad de proveer funciones y servicios asociados a la captura de carbono y la regulación climática.

The paramos accumulate high stocks of soil organic carbon (SOC), influenced by the climatic and biogeochemical conditions of the ecosystem. However, their progressive conversion to crops, livestock, or mining has a direct impact on the SOC stocks. To determine the effect of land use change on the variability of SOC stocks, monitoring of SOC content was conducted between the years 2013, 2018, and 2020 in the Parque Natural Regional Cortadera. Permanent sampling plots (PPS) located under three different land uses were studied: conserved, recovering, and intervened. To do so, samples of soil organic carbon and bulk density at two depths were analyzed (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm). The conserved PPS showed the highest SOC contents, with maximum values of 290.37; 199.22, and 257.5 tC ha-1 for each of the years under study; follow by the recovery PPM that presented COS values of 215.3 tC ha-1 in 2020, in contrast to the intervened PSP that showed minimum contents of 15.50; 34.01 and 88.06 tC ha-1. Furthermore, the highest SOC contents were found at 15-30 cm depth. These factors emphasize the importance of carrying out actions focused on protecting strategic ecosystems such as paramos, taking into account the continuous threats related to the transformation of the landscape and, consequently, the possibility of providing ecosystem functions and services related to carbon capture and climate regulation.

A importância do empoderamento do usuário de CAPS para a (re)construção do seu projeto de vida / The importance of CAPS user empowerment for (re)construction of your life project / La importancia del empoderamiento de un usuario de CAPS para la (re)construción de su proyecto de vida

O objetivo deste estudo é demonstrar a importância de protagonizar o papel ativo do usuário no tratamento em saúde mental, reconhecendo os sujeitos em toda a sua complexidade, incluindo suas potencialidades e possibilidades de (re)construção. Utilizou-se como método o estudo de caso de uma usuária do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS II), de um município da região metropolitana de Curitiba, para ilustrar a importância de "ouvir" e reconhecer os seus anseios e as suas expectativas, incluindo a análise e revisão do diagnóstico, assim como sua visão singular sobre saúde mental. Durante o trabalho de investimento na singularidade da usuária, após suportar agressividade inicial apresentada por ela, percebeu-se uma melhora na comunicação da paciente com o tratamento em saúde mental e melhoria no vínculo com o serviço, além de mais aceitação em relação à farmacoterapia. A partir do momento em que a usuária compreendeu o seu sofrimento e a capacidade de auxílio do tratamento no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS), a sua adesão e aceitação melhoraram e interferiram positivamente na evolução terapêutica, promovendo novas perspectivas de futuro e empoderamento, com valorização de sua singularidade.

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the importance of further the active role of the user in mental health treatment, recognizing the subject in all his complexity, including his potential and possibilities of (re)construction. It was used as a method of study the case of a Psychosocial Attention Center (CAPS II) user from a city on the metropolitan region of Curitiba to illustrate the importance of "listening" and recognizing her desires and expectations, including the analysis and revision of the diagnosis, as well as her singular view on mental health. During the investment work in the singularity of the user, after to overcoming her initial aggression, better communication with the mental health treatment was noticed as well as an improvement on the bond with the service and more acceptance in relation to pharmacotherapy. From the moment that the user understood her suffering and how the treatment on CAPS could help her, her adherence and acceptance improved and interfered positively on her therapeutic development, promoting new opportunities of future and her empowerment, with an appreciation of her singularity.

El objetivo de este estudio es demostrar la importancia del protagonismo en el papel activo del usuario en el tratamiento de la salud mental, reconociendo los sujetos en toda su complejidad, incluyendo su potencial y las posibilidades de (re)-construcción. Fue utilizado como método el estudio de caso de una usuaria de un Centro de Atención Psicosocial (CAPS II) de un municipio de la región metropolitana de Curitiba para ilustrar la importancia de "escuchar" y reconocer sus deseos y expectativas, incluyendo el análisis y la revisión del diagnóstico, así como su visión singular sobre la salud mental. Durante el trabajo de la inversión en la singularidad de la usuaria al mismo tiempo para soportar su agresión inicial presentada, se notó una mejor comunicación del paciente con el tratamiento de salud mental, y una mejora adicional en el vínculo con el servicio. además de más aceptación en relación con la farmacoterapia. Desde el momento en que la usuaria entendió su sufrimiento y la capacidad de ayuda del tratamiento en el CAPS, su adhesión y aceptación mejorados e interfirieron positivamente en el desarrollo terapéutico, con la promoción de nuevas oportunidades para el futuro y empoderamiento, con valorización de su singularidad.

Arteritis de células gigantes con compromiso de aorta y grandes vasos / Aortitis and large vessel involvement in giant cell arteritis

La arteritis de células gigantes (ACG) es una vasculitis sistémica de grandes vasos que no solo puede afectar a vasos craneales, si no que cada vez más frecuentemente se ha asociado a compromiso de vasos extracraneales. Este compromiso puede ser asintomático por lo que puede pasar inadvertido al estudio clínico básico y llevar a importantes complicaciones. Se presentan dos casos clínicos de ACG, ambos con aortitis y uno, además, con compromiso de grandes vasos del cayado aórtico y del cuello. Se discuten aspectos fisiopatológicos, clínicos y terapéuticos, con el objetivo de vislumbrar estrategias de abordaje de futuros pacientes con presentaciones similares.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a age related, large vessels systemic vasculitis that not only affect cranial vessels, but is increasingly associated with extracranial vessel involvement. This extracranial involvement can be asymptomatic, so it can go unnoticed after basic clinical and laboratory study and lead to serious complications. We report two cases of GCA, both presenting aortitis and one of them presenting also involvement of aortic arch and of neck large vessels. We discuss physiopathologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects, with the aims of developing management strategies for the future patients with similar manifestations.

Toxicidad severa asociada a metotrexato: caso clínico / Severe toxicity associated with methotrexate: clinical case

El metotrexato (MTX) es un agente anti folato con actividad antineoplásica e inmunosupresora que ha alcanzado gran aceptación y uso debido a su eficacia en distintos desórdenes reumatológicos. Sin embargo, tiene el potencial para causar complicaciones serias y, a veces, mortales, principalmente hematológicas, hepáticas o pulmonares. Los factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de pancitopenia incluyen edad avanzada, alteración de la función renal, niveles bajos de ácido fólico y uso concomitante de otros fármacos que modifiquen el metabolismo del folato. Presentamos un caso de pancitopenia severa y estomatitis, secundaria a una dosis estándar de MTX, en una paciente de 53 años de edad, con Artritis Reumatoídea (AR) de 10 años de evolución y enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis trisemanal. Es muy importante prestar atención a los factores de riesgo asociados a la aparición de efectos adversos antes de iniciar terapia con MTX en pacientes reumatológicos. Además, los pacientes con MTX deben ser monitorizados durante su tratamiento para identificar efectos adversos hematológicos severos, como la pancitopenia.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an agent for anti-folate with antineoplastic activity and immunosuppressive that has achieved wide acceptance and use due to its efficacy in various rheumatologic disorders. However, it has the potential to cause complications serious and sometimes deadly, primarily hematologic, hepatic or pulmonary. The factors of risk for the development of pancytopenia include advanced age, renal function, low levels of folic acid and concomitant use of other drugs that alter the metabolism of folate. We present a case of severe pancytopenia and stomatitis, secondary to a standard dose of MTX in patient of 53 years, with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of 10 years of evolution and chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis immediately. It is very important to pay attention to the risk factors associated with the occurrence of adverse effects, before initiating therapy with MTX in rheumatologic patients. In addition MTX patients should be monitored during treatment to identify severe haematological adverse effects such as pancytopenia.