Urine biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease: A new opportunity for wastewater-based epidemiology?

While Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, management, and care have become priorities for healthcare providers and researcher's worldwide due to rapid population aging, epidemiologic surveillance efforts are currently limited by costly, invasive diagnostic procedures, particularly in low to middle income countries (LMIC). In recent years, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a promising tool for public health assessment through detection and quantification of specific biomarkers in wastewater, but applications for non-infectious diseases such as AD remain limited. This early review seeks to summarize AD-related biomarkers and urine and other peripheral biofluids and discuss their potential integration to WBE platforms to guide the first prospective efforts in the field. Promising results have been reported in clinical settings, indicating the potential of amyloid ß, tau, neural thread protein, long non-coding RNAs, oxidative stress markers and other dysregulated metabolites for AD diagnosis, but questions regarding their concentration and stability in wastewater and the correlation between clinical levels and sewage circulation must be addressed in future studies before comprehensive WBE systems can be developed.

Omicron and Delta variant prevalence detection and identification during the fourth COVID-19 wave in Mexico using wastewater-based epidemiology.

Objectives: To identify the SARS-CoV-2 variants Delta and Omicron during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico using samples taken from 19 locations in 18 out of the 32 states. Methods: The genetic material concentration was done with PEG/NaCl precipitation, SARS-CoV-2 presence was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, the variant detection was carried out using a commercial mutation detection panel kit, and variant/mutation confirmation was done by amplicon sequencing of receptor-binding domain target region. The study used 41 samples. Results: The Delta variant was confirmed in two samples during August 2021 (Querétaro and CDMX) and in three samples during November 2021 (Aguascalientes, Ciudad Juárez campuses, and Nuevo Leon). In December 2021, another sample with the Delta variant was confirmed in Nuevo Leon. Between January to March 2022 only the presence of Omicron was confirmed, (variant BA.1). Additionally, in this period six samples were identified with the status "Variant Not Determined". Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is one of the first to identify Omicron and Delta variants with polymerase chain reaction in Mexico and Latin America and its distribution across the country with 56% Mexican states making it a viable alternative for variant detection without conducting a large quantity of sequencing of clinical tests.

Emerging Applications of Nanobiosensors in Pathogen Detection in Water and Food.

Food and waterborne illnesses are still a major concern in health and food safety areas. Every year, almost 0.42 million and 2.2 million deaths related to food and waterborne illness are reported worldwide, respectively. In foodborne pathogens, bacteria such as Salmonella, Shiga-toxin producer Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, and Listeria monocytogenes are considered to be high-concern pathogens. High-concern waterborne pathogens are Vibrio cholerae, leptospirosis, Schistosoma mansoni, and Schistosima japonicum, among others. Despite the major efforts of food and water quality control to monitor the presence of these pathogens of concern in these kinds of sources, foodborne and waterborne illness occurrence is still high globally. For these reasons, the development of novel and faster pathogen-detection methods applicable to real-time surveillance strategies are required. Methods based on biosensor devices have emerged as novel tools for faster detection of food and water pathogens, in contrast to traditional methods that are usually time-consuming and are unsuitable for large-scale monitoring. Biosensor devices can be summarized as devices that use biochemical reactions with a biorecognition section (isolated enzymes, antibodies, tissues, genetic materials, or aptamers) to detect pathogens. In most cases, biosensors are based on the correlation of electrical, thermal, or optical signals in the presence of pathogen biomarkers. The application of nano and molecular technologies allows the identification of pathogens in a faster and high-sensibility manner, at extremely low-pathogen concentrations. In fact, the integration of gold, silver, iron, and magnetic nanoparticles (NP) in biosensors has demonstrated an improvement in their detection functionality. The present review summarizes the principal application of nanomaterials and biosensor-based devices for the detection of pathogens in food and water samples. Additionally, it highlights the improvement of biosensor devices through nanomaterials. Nanomaterials offer unique advantages for pathogen detection. The nanoscale and high specific surface area allows for more effective interaction with pathogenic agents, enhancing the sensitivity and selectivity of the biosensors. Finally, biosensors' capability to functionalize with specific molecules such as antibodies or nucleic acids facilitates the specific detection of the target pathogens.

Passive Sampler Technology for Viral Detection in Wastewater-Based Surveillance: Current State and Nanomaterial Opportunities.

Although wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) is an efficient community-wide surveillance tool, its implementation for pathogen surveillance remains limited by ineffective sample treatment procedures, as the complex composition of wastewater often interferes with biomarker recovery. Moreover, current sampling protocols based on grab samples are susceptible to fluctuant biomarker concentrations and may increase operative costs, often rendering such systems inaccessible to communities in low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs). As a response, passive samplers have emerged as a way to make wastewater sampling more efficient and obtain more reliable, consistent data. Therefore, this study aims to review recent developments in passive sampling technologies to provide researchers with the tools to develop novel passive sampling strategies. Although promising advances in the development of nanostructured passive samplers have been reported, optimization remains a significant area of opportunity for researchers in the area, as methods for flexible, robust adsorption and recovery of viral genetic materials would greatly improve the efficacy of WBS systems while making them more accessible for communities worldwide.

Amblyomma mixtum free-living stages: Inferences on dry and wet seasons use, preference, and niche width in an agroecosystem (Yopal, Casanare, Colombia).

The formulation of effective control strategies for any pest species generally involves the study of habitat use and preference and niche width in anthropogenically transformed natural landscapes. We evaluated whether the use, habitat preference, and niche range of the Amblyomma mixtum tick changed between stages, habitats, and seasonality (dry-wet seasons 2019) on a farm in Yopal (Casanare, Colombia). The presence and relative abundance of free-living larvae, nymphs, and adults was quantified in four different habitats according to the type of vegetation cover (Riparian Forest, Cocoa Crop, King Grass Crop, and Star Grass Paddock). Habitat availability was estimated, environmental variables were analyzed, and various indices of habitat use and preference, and niche width were calculated. A. mixtum's habitat use and preference, and niche width changed between stages, habitat types, and time of the year. The total abundance of A. mixtum was an order of magnitude greater in the dry season than the wet season. In the dry season, all stages used all habitats, while A. mixtum adults used all the habitats in both seasons. In the dry season, nymphs and larvae preferred three out of the four habitats, while adults preferred the King Grass Crop. In the wet season, nymphs and larvae preferred two habitats, whereas the adults preferred the King Grass Crop. The value of the niche width index was high for larvae, nymphs, and adults in the dry season, while it was high only for adults in the wet season. Thus, A. mixtum's vast environmental tolerance and niche breadth allows the species to use and colonize changing habitats (unstable or temporary) with fluctuating environmental conditions (e.g., King Grass Crop), potentially keeping a stable population over time and making it an extremely resistant species. However, the wet flooding season in Yopal may exceed A. mixtum's stages' tolerances.

Mental health outcomes in communities exposed to Armed Conflict Experiences.

BACKGROUND: Populations exposed to Armed Conflict Experiences (ACE) show different levels of impact in their mental health (i.e. clinical and positive components); however, there is limited evidence related to mental health of general population (civilians not classified as victims) exposed to ACE. Government guided mental health assessments exclude this population. The use of a newly validated Extreme Experiences Scale (EX2) seems appropriate to classify victims, ex-combatants, and civilians for their mental health assessment. METHODS: Here, we propose a novel approach to identify relationships between individuals classified with different levels of ACE exposure-independent of their legal role in the armed conflict, and mental health outcomes. According to the cut-off points derived from the scores of EX2, we classified the sample in low and high exposure to ACE. RESULTS: The high-level ACE group (scores > 2.5) included 119 subjects, and the low-level ACE was constituted by 66 subjects. Our results evidence that people with high exposure to ACE experiment higher odds to present anxiety disorders, risk of suicide, or post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as increased cognitive empathy (i.e., fantasy dimension). CONCLUSION: These findings allowed us to identify the influence of ACE on mental health outcomes beyond the conventional frame (victim or ex-combatant), and to discuss effective interventions and implementation of mental health strategies in these communities. We expect to help the health system to focus on key vulnerable subjects by including civilians not recognized as victims, which are neglected from most of the public health screening, assessment, and interventions.

Coral reef resilience to thermal stress in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Coral reefs worldwide are threatened by thermal stress caused by climate change. Especially devastating periods of coral loss frequently occur during El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events originating in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). El Niño-induced thermal stress is considered the primary threat to ETP coral reefs. An increase in the frequency and intensity of ENSO events predicted in the coming decades threatens a pan-tropical collapse of coral reefs. During the 1982-1983 El Niño, most reefs in the Galapagos Islands collapsed, and many more in the region were decimated by massive coral bleaching and mortality. However, after repeated thermal stress disturbances, such as those caused by the 1997-1998 El Niño, ETP corals reefs have demonstrated regional persistence and resiliency. Using a 44 year dataset (1970-2014) of live coral cover from the ETP, we assess whether ETP reefs exhibit the same decline as seen globally for other reefs. Also, we compare the ETP live coral cover rate of change with data from the maximum Degree Heating Weeks experienced by these reefs to assess the role of thermal stress on coral reef survival. We find that during the period 1970-2014, ETP coral cover exhibited temporary reductions following major ENSO events, but no overall decline. Further, we find that ETP reef recovery patterns allow coral to persist under these El Niño-stressed conditions, often recovering from these events in 10-15 years. Accumulative heat stress explains 31% of the overall annual rate of change of living coral cover in the ETP. This suggests that ETP coral reefs have adapted to thermal extremes to date, and may have the ability to adapt to near-term future climate-change thermal anomalies. These findings for ETP reef resilience may provide general insights for the future of coral reef survival and recovery elsewhere under intensifying El Niño scenarios.

The Eastern Tropical Pacific coral population connectivity and the role of the Eastern Pacific Barrier.

Long-distance dispersal is believed to strongly influence coral reef population dynamics across the Tropical Pacific. However, the spatial scale and strength at which populations are potentially connected by dispersal remains uncertain. To determine the patterns in connectivity between the Eastern (ETP) and Central Tropical Pacific (CTP) ecoregions, we used a biophysical model incorporating ocean currents and larval biology to quantify the seascape-wide dispersal potential among all population. We quantified the likelihood and determined the oceanographic conditions that enable the dispersal of coral larvae across the Eastern Pacific Barrier (EP-Barrier) and identified the main connectivity pathways and their conservation value for dominant reef-building corals. Overall, we found that coral assemblages within the CTP and ETP are weakly connected through dispersal. Although the EP-Barrier isolates the ETP from the CTP ecoregion, we found evidence that the EP-Barrier may be breached, in both directions, by rare dispersal events. These rare events could explain the evolutionary genetic similarity among populations of pocilloporids in the ecoregions. Moreover, the ETP may function as a stronger source rather than a destination, providing potential recruits to CTP populations. We also show evidence for a connectivity loop in the ETP, which may positively influence long-term population persistence in the region. Coral conservation and management communities should consider eight-key stepping stone ecoregions when developing strategies to preserve the long-distance connectivity potential across the ETP and CTP.

Spatial scale of cyanobacterial blooms in Old Providence Island, Colombian Caribbean / Escala espacial de afloramientos de cianobacterias en la Isla de Old Providence, Caribe colombiano / Escala espacial de afloramentos de cianobacterias na ilha Oíd Providence, Caribe colombiano

Cyanobacterial blooms have increased in coastal waters worldwide, facilitated by excessive nutrient input and apparently global warming. They exert negative consequences in marine ecosystems, communities and habitats. Although reports of these events are frequent, their spatial extent and affected habitats are not completely recognized, hence restricting regional management actions. We examined the presence, spatial scale and cover of cyanobacterial blooms in different habitats of the reef systems off Old Providence Island, and identified the main bloom forming taxa. Cyanobacteria were registered in four different ecosystems, six geomorphological zones and nine habitats. Benthic cyanobacteria reached 18 to 72 % of the total cover in five habitats, particularly at the northwest, east and southeast portions of the island. These blooms consisted of complex consortia belonging to the genera Okeania, Lyngbya, Symploca, Phormidium, Oscillatoria or Spirulina. A bloom of planktonic cyanobacteria was dominated by Trichodesmium and developed on the fore reef of the island (NW), following heavy rains. These results suggest a potential new stressor for the island's reef complex. Future research should focus on the environmental factors that enable cyanobacterial blooms and their local impact on ecosystems and services.

Los afloramientos de cianobacterias han incrementado en las zonas costeras de todo el mundo, favorecidos por el exceso de nutrientes y el aparente calentamiento global. Éstos tienen consecuencias negativas sobre los ecosistemas, comunidades y hábitats marinos. Aunque los reportes de estos eventos son frecuentes, la extensión y los hábitats afectados aún no han sido completamente caracterizados, lo cual limita las acciones de manejo. En este estudio examinamos la presencia, escala espacial y cobertura de afloramientos de cianobacterias en diferentes hábitats del complejo arrecifal de la isla de Old Providence, e identificamos los principales taxa que generan afloramientos. Las cianobacterias fueron registradas en cuatro ecosistemas, seis zonas geomorfológicas y nueve hábitats. Las cianobacterias bentónicas cubrieron entre el 18 y el 72 % del sustrato en cinco hábitats, particularmente en el noroeste, este y parte sur de la isla. Tales afloramientos estuvieron conformados por consorcios complejos pertenecientes a los géneros Okeania, Lyngbya, Symploca, Phormidium, Oscillatoria o Spirulina. El afloramiento de cianobacterias planctónicas estuvo dominado por Trichodesmium y se desarrolló en la terraza prearrecifal (NO), tras un periodo de fuertes lluvias. Los resultados sugieren un nuevo estresor potencial para el complejo arrecifal de la isla. La investigación futura debería concentrarse en los factores ambientales que facilitan los afloramientos de cianobacterias y en el impacto local sobre los ecosistemas y sus servicios.

Os afloramentos de cianobactérias tém aumentado em aguas costeiras de todo o mundo, devido á entrada de nutrientes excessivos e também aparentemente ao aquecimento global. Estes afloramentos exercem efeitos negativos nos ecossistemas, comunidades e habitats marinhos. Embora os relatónos destes eventos sejam frequentes na literatura, a extensao e os hábitats atingidos nao sao completamente conhecidos, o que implica a restricao das acoes de gestao. Neste estudo analisamos a presenta, escala espacial e cobertura dos afloramentos de cianobactérias em diferentes habitats marinhos do complexo recifal da ilha Old Providence, e identificamos as principais taxas que geram afloramentos. As cianobactérias foram registradas em quatro ecossistemas, seis zonas geomorfológicas e nove hábitats. Durante os afloramentos bentónicos, as cianobactérias atingiram entre 18 a 72 % da cobertura total em cinco habitats, particularmente no noroeste, este e sudeste da ilha. Tais afloramentos sao consorcios complexos pertencentes aos géneros Okeania, Lyngbya, Symploca, Phormidium, Oscillatoria e Spirulina. O afloramiento de cianobactérias planctónicas foi dominado por Trichodesmium e se desenvolveu no terrado prearrecifal da porc.ao noroeste da ilha, depois de chuva intensa. Os resultados sugerem um novo "estressor" potencial para o complexo recifal da ilha. As investigacoes futuras devem se concentrar nos fatores ambientais que facilitam o afloramiento e no seu impacto local nos ecossistemas e servicos.

HaviStat© v2.2: Application to estimate preference for habitat and resources / HaviStat© v2.2: Aplicación para estimar la preferencia por hábitat y recursos / HaviStat© v2.2: Aplicativo para estimar a preferência em habitats e recursos

HaviStat© v2.2 is available in Spanish and English. In this version reported errors and recommendations from v1.0 were fixed and implemented. HaviStat© allows users to perform the necessary mathematical, statistical and graphical procedures required to preliminarily infer use, selection, and preference for habitat/resources, and to estimate the niche breadth of species. In this new version radial diagrams, 22 indexes and 3 confidence intervals for animal preference evaluation, and 8 indexes for niche breadth estimation are available.

HaviStat© v2.2 está disponible en español e Inglés. En esta versión los errores y recomendaciones reportados para la versión v1.0 fueron corregidos e implementados. HaviStat© permite a los usuarios realizar los procedimientos matemáticos, estadísticos y gráficos para inferir de forma preliminar uso, selección and preferencia por hábitat/recursos, y estimar la amplitud de nicho de las especies. En esta nueva versión se incluyen diagramas radiales, 22 índices and 3 intervalos de confianza para evaluar preferencia animal, y 8 índices para estimar amplitud de nicho también están disponibles.

HaviStat© v2.2 está disponível em espanhol e inglês. Nesta versão os erros e as recomendações referenciados na versão v1.0 foram corrigidos e implementados. HaviStat© permite aos usuários realizar os procedimentos matemáticos, estatísticos e gráficos para inferir de forma preliminar o uso, seleção e preferência por hábitat/recursos e estimar a amplitude do nicho das espécies. Nesta nova versão, estão disponíveis, diagramas radiais, 22 índices e 3 intervalos de confiança para avaliar a preferencia animal, e 8 índices para estimar a amplitude do nicho.

Authorship of scientific articles within an ethical-legal framework:quantitative model / Autoría en artículos científicos dentro de un marco ético legal: modelo cuantitativo

En la ciencia moderna,interdisciplinaria e interinstitucional, definir quién es autor y el ordende autoría en artículos científicos se ha convertido en problema anivel ético y legal. No aclarar la autoría antes o durante la realizaciónde la investigación genera problemas entre los que se consideranautores. Este artículo propone un formato cuantitativo y cualitativopara determinar autorías dentro del marco científico, ético y legal.Los principios utilizados para la construcción de este formato sefundamentaron en 2 criterios: a) fases de investigación y métodocientífico; involucrando: 1. planificación y elaboración del proyectode investigación, 2. diseño y obtención de datos, 3. presentaciónde resultados, 4. interpretación de resultados, 5. preparación delmanuscrito para la difusión del nuevo conocimiento, y 6. administracióny gestión; y b) coeficientes de ponderación en cada fase, para tomardecisiones de autoría y titularidad de obra. De la misma manera elformato considera y diferencia que fase y actividad, realizada dentro dela creación de la obra y difusión del conocimiento, es aporte práctico ointelectual; lo cual contrasta y complementa lo que la ley de derechosde autor protege. El formato es aplicable apriori y a posteriori a larealización de un proyecto o manuscrito y adaptable a cualquier tipode investigación y publicación, resolviendo cuantitativamente: 1.Orden de autores (primer autor y orden de coautores), 2. Inclusión yexclusión de colaboradores considerando principios éticos y legales y3. Porcentajes de derecho patrimonial para cada autor...

Determining authorship and the order of authorship inscientific papers, in modern interdisciplinary and interinstitutionalscience, has become complex at a legal and ethical level. Failureto define authorship before or during the research, createssubsequent problems for those considered authors of a publicationor lead authors of a work, particularly so, once the project ormanuscript is completed. This article proposes a quantitativeand qualitative model to determine authorship within a scientific,ethical and legal frame. The principles used for the constructionof this design are based on 2 criteria: a) stages of research andscientific method involving: 1. Planning and development of theresearch project, 2. Design and data collection, 3. Presentationof results, 4. Interpretation of results, 5. Manuscript preparationto disseminate new knowledge to the scientific community, 6.Administration and management, and b) weighting coefficients ineach phase, to decide on authorship and ownership of the work.The model also considers and distinguishes whether the leveland activity performed during the creation of the work and thediffusion of knowledge is an intellectual or practical contribution;this distinction both contrasts and complements the elementsprotected by copyright laws. The format can be applied a prioriand a posteriori to the completion of a project or manuscript andcan conform to any research and publication type. The use ofthis format will quantitatively resolve: 1. The order of authorship(first author and co-author order), 2. Determine the inclusion andexclusion of contributors, taking into account ethical and legalprinciples, and 3. Percentages of economic rights for each authors...

Na ciência moderna, interdisciplinar e inter-institucional,a definição do que é um autor e da ordem de autoría em trabalhoscientíficos tornou-se um problema de ética e legal. A carência de definirautoría, antes ou durante a realização de pesquisas, gera problemasentre os autores considerados. Este artigo propõe um formatoquantitativo e qualitativo para determinar a autoría dentro de umaestrutura científica, ética e legal. Os princípios utilizados na construçãodeste formato basearam-se em dois critérios: a) as fases do método depesquisa científica, envolvendo: 1. planejamento e escrito da pesquisa,2. delineamento e coleta de dados, 3. apresentação dos resultados,4. interpretação dos resultados, 5. preparação do manuscrito para adivulgação de novos conhecimentos, e 6. administração e gestão, e, b)as fases ponderadas, para tomar decisões de autoría e de propriedadeda obra. O formato considera e inclui a diferença entre fase e atividade,realizadas dentro da criação da obra e disseminação do conhecimento,a contribuição intelectual ou prática, que contrasta e complementa oque a lei protege em direitos de autor. O formato se aplica apriori ea posteriori à conclusão de um projeto ou manuscrito e é adaptável aqualquer tipo de pesquisa e publicação, resolvendo quantitativamente:1. a ordem de autores (primeiro autor e co-autores), 2. inclusão eexclusão de contribuintes, considerando os princípios éticos e legais, e3. os percentuais de direitos econômicos para cada autor...

The relationship between physical and biological habitat conditions and hermatypic coral recruits abundance within insular reefs (Colombian Caribbean).

Little evidence exists on the dependence between the presence and abundance of juvenile hermatypic corals and the conditions of their habitats, despite that juveniles contribute with the understanding of the community structure and its reproductive success. To assess this, the abundance of nine species of juvenile corals was correlated with eight macro-habitat (location of the reef on shelf, depth) and micro-habitat (type and inclination of the substrate, exposure to light, texture and amount of sediment accumulated on bottom, potential growth area for juveniles) conditions. Sampling was conducted in four insular coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean: two oceanic and two continental reefs (influenced by large rivers), covering a total of 600m2 and the distribution of corals on a vertical gradient. Contingency tables and coefficients (magnitude) and multiple correspondence analyses were used to evaluate the dependency ratios for each species. The results showed that Agaricia tenuifolia displayed the most robust pattern of dependence (two high and two moderate), significant for juveniles present at a high frequency in continental reefs, devoid of potential area for juvenile growth (surrounded by macroalgae), and covering horizontal substrates exposed to light. The juveniles were associated with a habitat of moderate to high bottom accumulation of extremely fine sediment. Porites astreoides presented four moderate dependencies; ocean reefs between 2-16m depths, a high frequency of juveniles on horizontal substrates, exposed to light, non-sedimented and occupied by competitors. Siderastrea siderea displayed three moderate dependences for juveniles in cryptic zones, inclined substrate and devoid of competitors. A. lamarcki, Leptoseris cucullata and A. agaricites presented two moderate dependences; these species share high abundance of juveniles in habitats with no sediment, exposed to light and occupied by competitors (except A. agaricites). The P. porites, Favia fragum and Montastraea cavernosa species had a moderate dependence with high incidence of juveniles in ocean reefs and microhabitats exposed to light. For the nine species, results indicate that the presence (colonization), abundance and survival of juveniles, depend on certain species-specific particularities of the habitat. However, the juveniles show high tolerance and plasticity to a range of habitat variables, given their independence and low dependence observed in over 50% of the variables assessed.

The relationship between physical and biological habitat conditions and hermatypic coral recruits abundance within insular reefs (Colombian Caribbean)

Little evidence exists on the dependence between the presence and abundance of juvenile hermatypic corals and the conditions of their habitats, despite that juveniles contribute with the understanding of the community structure and its reproductive success. To assess this, the abundance of nine species of juvenile corals was correlated with eight macro-habitat (location of the reef on shelf, depth) and micro-habitat (type and inclination of the substrate, exposure to light, texture and amount of sediment accumulated on bottom, potential growth area for juveniles) conditions. Sampling was conducted in four insular coral reefs in the Colombian Caribbean: two oceanic and two continental reefs (influenced by large rivers), covering a total of 600m2 and the distribution of corals on a vertical gradient. Contingency tables and coefficients (magnitude) and multiple correspondence analyses were used to evaluate the dependency ratios for each species. The results showed that Agaricia tenuifolia displayed the most robust pattern of dependence (two high and two moderate), significant for juveniles present at a high frequency in continental reefs, devoid of potential area for juvenile growth (surrounded by macroalgae), and covering horizontal substrates exposed to light. The juveniles were associated with a habitat of moderate to high bottom accumulation of extremely fine sediment. Porites astreoides presented four moderate dependencies; ocean reefs between 2-16m depths, a high frequency of juveniles on horizontal substrates, exposed to light, non-sedimented and occupied by competitors. Siderastrea siderea displayed three moderate dependences for juveniles in cryptic zones, inclined substrate and devoid of competitors. A. lamarcki, Leptoseris cucullata and A. agaricites presented two moderate dependences; these species share high abundance of juveniles in habitats with no sediment, exposed to light and occupied by competitors (except A. agaricites). The P. porites, Favia fragum and Montastraea cavernosa species had a moderate dependence with high incidence of juveniles in ocean reefs and microhabitats exposed to light. For the nine species, results indicate that the presence (colonization), abundance and survival of juveniles, depend on certain species-specific particularities of the habitat. However, the juveniles show high tolerance and plasticity to a range of habitat variables, given their independence and low dependence observed in over 50% of the variables assessed.

Existe poca evidencia sobre la dependencia entre la abundancia de juveniles de corales hermatípicos y las condiciones del hábitat. La abundancia de corales juveniles se relacionó con condiciones del hábitat a macro (ubicación del arrecife, profundidad) y microescala (tipo e inclinación del sustrato, exposición a luz, textura y cantidad de sedimento, área de crecimiento potenial de juveniles). El muestreo se realizó en cuatro arrecifes insulares del Caribe colombiano. La dependencia se evaluó usando tablas y coeficientes de contingencia y análisis de correspondencias múltiples. Agaricia tenuifolia mostró las dependencias más robustas, siendo significativas para juveniles presentes frecuentemente en arrecifes continentales, sustrato horizontal expuesto a luz, con competidores. Los juveniles se asociaron con moderado a alto sedimento muy fino acumulado en el fondo. Porites astreoides presentó cuatro dependencias; alta frecuencia en sustrato expuesto a luz, horizontal, sin sedimento, con competidores y en arrecifes oceánicos entre 2-16m. Siderastrea siderea exhibió tres dependencias, para juveniles en lugares crípticos, sustrato inclinado y sin competidores. A. lamarcki, Leptoseris cucullata, A. agaricites, P. porites, Favia fragum y Montastraea cavernosa mostraron el menor número de dependencias, compartiendo alta frecuencia en hábitats sin sedimento, expuestos a luz, con competidores y en arrecifes oceánicos. Los resultados sugieren que la abundancia y sobrevivencia de juveniles dependen de ciertas particularidades especie-específicas del hábitat; sin embargo, los juveniles presentan tolerancia a una amplia gama de variables del hábitat.

Review on hard coral recruitment (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) in Colombia / Revisión sobre el reclutamiento de corales duros (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) en Colombia / Revisão sobre o recrutamento de corais pétreos (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) na Colômbia

Revisión sobre el reclutamiento de corales duros (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) en Colombia. El reclutamiento, definido y medido como la incorporación de nuevos individuos (ej. juveniles de coral) a la población, es considerado en arrecifes coralinos como un proceso fundamental por parte de ecólogos, evolucionistas y conservacionistas debido a que determina de forma directa la estructura y función de las poblaciones. Además, debido a que la mayor parte de las poblaciones coralinas se auto-abastecen (self-seeding), fallas en el reclutamiento conducirían a extinción local. Indirectamente, el reclutamiento afecta la renovación y el mantenimiento de las comunidades coralinas presentes y futuras, la biodiversidad (efecto bottom-up) y por lo tanto, la capacidad de resiliencia del ecosistema arrecifal. Este proceso ha sido empleado como una medida del éxito reproductivo de individuos (fitness) y representa la etapa final del proceso de dispersión que conlleva a la conectividad poblacional. Es por lo anterior, que esta variable ha sido propuesta como un indicador del estado de salud de los arrecifes en áreas marinas protegidas y es un elemento fundamental para la toma de decisiones de manejo y conservación. Generar planes de manejo que propendan a minimizar impactos, rehabilitar y conservar los arrecifes del país es una necesidad que requiere en primera instancia de una revisión e integración de la literatura existente sobre reclutamiento de corales escleractínios en Colombia, al igual que estudios de campo a mayor escala. Lo anterior nos motivó a analizar y sintetizar la literatura existente con el ánimo de determinar el estado del conocimiento, extraer patrones, identificar vacíos y sugerir líneas de investigación...

Recruitment, defined and measured as the incorporation of new individuals (i.e. coral juveniles) into a population, is a fundamental process for ecologists, evolutionists and conservationists due to its direct effect on population structure and function. Because most coral populations are self-feeding, a breakdown in recruitment would lead to local extinction. Recruitment indirectly affects both renewal and maintenance of existing and future coral communities, coral reef biodiversity (bottom-up effect) and therefore coral reef resilience. This process has been used as an indirect measure of individual reproductive success (fitness) and is the final stage of larval dispersal leading to population connectivity. As a result, recruitment has been proposed as an indicator of coral-reef health in marine protected areas, as well as a central aspect of the decision-making process concerning management and conservation. The creation of management plans to promote impact mitigation, rehabilitation and conservation of the Colombian coral reefs is a necessity that requires firstly, a review and integration of existing literature on scleractinian coral recruitment in Colombia and secondly, larger scale field studies. This motivated us to summarize and analyze all existing information on coral recruitment to determine the state of knowledge, isolate patterns, identify gaps, and suggest future lines of research...

Revisão sobre o recrutamento de corais pétreos (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) na Colômbia. O recrutamento, definido e medido como a entrada de novos indivíduos para a população (exemplo juvenis do coral), tem sido considerado como um processo fundamental pelos ecólogos, os evolucionistas e conservacionistas que trabalham em recifes de coral, ja que determina diretamente a estrutura e a função das populações. Além disso, dado que a maioria das populações de coral produz seus próprios juvenis (self-seeding), falhas no recrutamento levam à extinção local. Indiretamente, o recrutamento afeta a renovação-manutenção das comunidades de corais presentes e futuras, a biodiversidade (efeito bottom-up) e, portanto, da resiliência do ecossistema recifal. Este processo tem sido utilizado como uma medida de sucesso reprodutivo dos indivíduos (fitness) e representa o estágio final do processo de dispersão que leva a conectividade populacional. Pelo exposto, esta variável tem sido proposta como um indicador da saúde dos recifes nas áreas marinhas protegidas e é um elemento chave na tomada de decisões de gestão e conservação. Gerar planos de ação que tendem a minimizar impactos, recuperar e preservar os recifes do país é uma necessidade que requer, em primeira instância, uma revisão e integração da literatura existente sobre o recrutamento dos corais escleractíneos na Colômbia; assim mesmo, estudos de campo a escala maior. Isso levou a analisar e sintetizar a literatura existente com o objetivo de determinar o estado do conhecimento, abstrair padrões, identificar vazios e sugerir linhas de pesquisa...

Habitat preference of Zoantharia genera depends on host sponge morphology / La preferencia de hábitat de géneros de Zoantharia depende de la morfología de la esponja / A preferência de habitat de gêneros do Zoantharia depende da morfologia da esponja

Objective. Studies about sponge-zoanthid symbioses have been focused on understanding the specificity of the association, rather than testing what are the characteristics that make the host suitable to be colonized. For the first time it is investigated whether the Zoantharia Parazoanthus and Epizoanthus preference is related to the host sponge morphology (shape and mechanical resistance). Materials and methods. Sponges were categorized according to their shape and mechanical resistance. The presence/absence of zoanthids was recorded in 1,068 sponges at San Andres Island, and their habitat preference was evaluated using indices and confidence intervals. Results. 85 Parazoanthus colonies (78% of the total associations) and 24 Epizoanthus colonies (22%) were associated to sponges (10.2% in total). Parazoanthus uses branched and compressible sponges although prefers encrusting and fragile sponges, while Epizoanthus showes the opposite pattern, it can inhabit encrusting and fragile sponges but prefers branched and compressible sponges. Conclusion. These results indicated that sponge morphology is an important trait in zoanthid habitat selection. On the other hand, the similarity in the habitat used by zoanthids suggests the possibility of inter-generic competition if common resources are limited in time and space, while the differential habitat preference allows the competitive coexistence of both genera.

Objetivo. Los estudios sobre la simbiosis entre zoantídeos y esponjas se han centrado en la comprensión de la especificidad de la asociación, en lugar de explorar cuáles son las características que hacen que un huésped sea adecuado para ser colonizado. Por primera vez se investiga si en los Zoantharia Parazoanthus y Epizoanthus la preferencia está relacionada con la morfología de la esponja hospedera (forma y resistencia mecánica). Materiales y métodos. Las esponjas fueron categorizadas según su forma y resistencia mecánica. La presencia/ausencia de zoantídeos se registró en 1.068 esponjas en la Isla de San Andrés y la preferencia de hábitat se evaluó utilizando diferentes índices e intervalos de confianza. Resultados. 85 colonias de Parazoanthus (78% del total de asociaciones) y 24 colonias de Epizoanthus (22%) se encontraron asociadas a esponjas (10,2% en total). Parazoanthus usó esponjas ramificadas y compresibles, pero prefirió las incrustantes y frágiles; mientras que Epizoanthus demostró el patrón contrario, habitando en las esponjas incrustantes y frágiles, pero prefiriendo las esponjas ramificadas y compresibles. Conclusión. Estos resultados indican que la morfología de las esponjas es un aspecto importante para la selección de hábitat por parte del zoantídeo. Por otra parte, la similitud en el hábitat usado por los zoantídea sugiere la posibilidad de competencia entre géneros si los recursos que comparten llegan a ser limitantes en tiempo y espacio; mientras que, la diferencia en la preferencia de hábitat permitiría la coexistencia competitiva de ambos géneros.

Objetivo. O estudo sobre a simbiose entre zoantídeos e esponjas têm-se centrado na compreensão da especificidade da associação, em vez de explorar quais são as características que tornam ao hospedeiro adequado a ser colonizado. Pela primeira vez se pesquisa nos Zoantharia, Parazoanthus e Epizoanthus, se a preferência está relacionada com a morfologia da esponja hospedeira (forma e resistência mecânica). Materiais e métodos. As esponjas foram classificadas de acordo com a sua forma e resistência mecânica. A presença/ausência de zoantídeos foi registrada em 1.068 esponjas na ilha de San Andres e a preferência de habitat foi avaliada através de diferentes índices e intervalos de confiança. Resultados. 85 Parazoanthus (78% do total das associações) e 24 Epizoanthus (22%) foram encontradas associadas com esponjas (10,2% do total). Parazoanthus utilizou esponjas ramificadas e compressíveis, mas preferiu as incrustantes e frágeis; enquanto Epizoanthus demonstrou o padrão oposto, habitando nas esponjas incrustantes e frágeis, mas preferindo as esponjas ramificadas e compressíveis. Conclusão. Estes resultados indicam que a morfologia das esponjas é um aspecto importante na seleção do habitat pelos zoantídeos. Além disso, a semelhança do habitat utilizado pelos zoantídeos sugere a possibilidade de competição inter- gêneros se os recursos compartilhados são limitantes no tempo e no espaço; enquanto que, a diferença na preferência de habitat permitiria a coexistência competitiva de ambos os gêneros.

Lesiones naturales y regeneración de tejido en ramets del coral Montastraea annularis (Scleractinia: Faviidae) en un arrecife degradado del Caribe Colombiano

Natural lesions and regeneration of ramets of Montastraea annularis (Scleractinia: Faviidae) in a degraded reef of the Colombian Caribbean. Currently, Montastraea annularis populations are suffering from high partial mortality rates; yet few studies have determined type, frequency and intensity of natural lesions in situ. During a year we followed natural lesions that appeared on healthy ramets of a population on a degraded reef within a Marine Protected Area in Colombia, to infer the effect on population size structure. From September 2003 to September 2004, 94% of the ramets presented lesions caused by bleaching, predation; or algae, sponge and borrower interactions. Predation caused 47% of the lesions and algae 36%; most lesions (85%) were small (<5cm²), although some were bigger than 60cm2 (0.3%). Lesion recovery was high (83%), but 11.2% did not recover or grow. On 2.5% algae invasion was seen. Bleaching lesions affected more ramet area (>60% of its live tissue) and were evident from September to November, yet total recovery was found in three months. In contrast, lesions by algae (36%), showed less recovery (6.7%), and a tendency to grow in time. In general, percentage of affected tissue area of a ramet in any month was lower than 10%. Nevertheless from May to September, the area affected was larger (10-50%) due to an increase in frequency and abundance of predation, bleaching and algal damage, and a decrease in recovery. At the end of the year, lesions that did not recover caused partial mortality in 25% of the ramets. Ramets with lesions shrunk throughout the year and by the end of year, 21% passed to a smaller class size. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (4): 939-954. Epub 2009 December 01.

Las poblaciones de Montastraea annularis muestran síntomas de declinamiento y sin embargo, pocos estudios se han realizado sobre tipos, frecuencias e intensidad de lesiones naturales in situ. Durante un año, septiembre 2003 a septiembre 2004, se hizo el seguimiento anual de lesiones naturales que aparecieron en ramets sanos de una población en un arrecife degradado dentro de un Área Marina Protegida, para inferir su efecto en la estructura de talla de la población. El 94% de los ramets presentaron lesiones causadas por blanqueamiento, depredación e interacciones con algas, esponjas y bioerodadores. La depredación causó el 47% y la interacción con algas el 36%. El 85% de las lesiones eran de tallas pequeñas (<5cm²) aunque algunas fueron mayores a 60 cm² (0.3%). La recuperación de las lesiones fue alta (83%), sin embargo 11.1% no se recuperaron y por el contrario aumentaron. En el 2.5% de las lesiones hubo invasión de algas. Las lesiones causadas por blanqueamiento afectaron mayor área de los ramets (>60% de su tejido vivo) en los meses de septiembre a noviembre, pero la recuperación fue del 100% a los tres meses. Por el contrario, las lesiones con algas (36%), mostraron menor recuperación (6.7%) y una tendencia a aumentar el área de lesión con el tiempo. En general, el porcentaje de área de tejido afectada por lesiones en un ramet durante cualquier mes fue menor a 10%. Sin embargo, de mayo a septiembre el porcentaje de tejido afectado fue mayor (10-50%) debido al incremento en la frecuencia y abundancia de depredación, blanqueamiento e interacción con algas, y a la menor tasa de recuperación. Al final de un año, las lesiones que no se recuperaron causaron mortalidad parcial en el 25% de los ramets. El efecto de las lesiones y la recuperación sobre el tamaño de los ramets evidenció disminución de talla a lo largo del año, y al final de este, significó que el 21% pasara a una clase de talla menor.

Neurocisticercosis parenquimatosa diseminada: imágenes de "La noche estrellada": presentación de un caso / Disseminated Parenchimal neurocysticercosis: image of \"Starry Night\": case presentation

La neurocisticercosis es una enfermedad parasitaria que ocurre por la infección del estado larvario de la Taenia solium en el sistema nervioso central (SNC). En los países en vías de desarrollo la neurocisticercosis es la más frecuente causa de convulsiones. La enfermedad se clasifica en distintos síndromes, de acuerdo con su localización y presentación clínica: neurocisticercosis parenquimatosa, ventricular, espinal u ocular. La sintomatología también es variada: inicia con convulsiones, seguidas de cefaleas, déficit neurológico focal, demencia y psicosis. Debido al polimorfismo clínico de la enfermedad, no es posible que un único esquema de tratamiento sea eficaz en todos los casos; por lo tanto, en lo que respecta a la viabilidad y localización de los parásitos, es fundamental para planificar el tratamiento adecuado. La neurocisticercosis parenquimatosa diseminada es una forma avanzada de la enfermedad. La imagen de tomografía computarizada (TC) de estas lesiones se asemeja a La noche estrellada, del pintor holandés Vincent van Gogh. En este artículo se presentará un caso clínico y una revisión sobre la neurocisticercosis parenquimatosa diseminada, una biografía de Van Gogh y los retratos de Noche estrellada.

Neurocisticercosis / Neurocysticercosis

La neurocisticercosis es una enfermedad parasitaria que ocurre por la infección del estado larvario de la Taenia solium en el sistema nervioso central (SNC). Es una de las patologías más encontradas en los servicios neuroquirúrgicos de los países latinoamericanos. La neurocisticercosis es la causa de convulsión más frecuente en esta región del mundo. Esta enfermedad se clasifica en distintos síndromes dependiendo de su localización y clínica: en neurocisticercosis parenquimatosa, ventricular, espinal y ocular. La sintomatología también es variada siendo las convulsiones su manifestación más frecuente seguida de cefaleas, déficit neurológico focal, demencia y psicosis. Debido al polimorfismo clínico de la enfermedad, no es posible que un único esquema de tratamiento sea eficaz en todos los casos, por lo tanto, su caracterización, en lo que respecta a la viabilidad y localización de los parásitos, es fundamental para planificar el tratamiento adecuado. Este es un articulo de revisión sobre la neurocisticercosis con enfoque desde el punto de vista neurológico y neuroquirúrgico, en el diagnostico y el manejo de esta enfermedad.

Neurocysticercosis is a parasitic disease that occurs because of an infection of the central nervous system by the larvarian state of the Tenia solium. It is one of the most common diseases which the neurosurgical services are confronted to in Latin-American countries. It is the most common cause of epilepsy in this region of the world. This disease is classified into different syndromes according to the location (parenchymal, ventricular, subarachnoid, spinal and ocular) and symptoms being the crisis the first manifestation along wit headache, focal neurologic deficit, dementia and psychosis. Because of the variability of presentation of neurocysticercosis, a unified treatment for all the different clinical manifestation is not possible. It is fundamental to plan the adequate treatment depending on the localization and the viability of the parasite. This is a revision article focusing on the diagnosis and management of neurocysticercosis from a neurological and a neurosurgical view.

[Natural lesions and regeneration of ramets of Montastraea annularis (Scleractinia: Faviidae) in a degraded reef of the Colombian Caribbean]. / Lesiones naturales y regeneración de tejido en ramets del coral Montastraea annularis (Scleractinia: Faviidae) en un arrecife degradado del Caribe Colombiano.

Currently, Montastraea annularis populations are suffering from high partial mortality rates; yet few studies have determined type, frequency and intensity of natural lesions in situ. During a year we followed natural lesions that appeared on healthy ramets of a population on a degraded reef within a Marine Protected Area in Colombia, to infer the effect on population size structure. From September 2003 to September 2004, 94% of the ramets presented lesions caused by bleaching, predation; or algae, sponge and borrower interactions. Predation caused 47% of the lesions and algae 36%; most lesions (85%) were small (<5cm2), although some were bigger than 60cm2 (0.3%). Lesion recovery was high (83%), but 11.2% did not recover or grow. On 2.5% algae invasion was seen. Bleaching lesions affected more ramet area (>60% of its live tissue) and were evident from September to November, yet total recovery was found in three months. In contrast, lesions by algae (36%), showed less recovery (6.7%), and a tendency to grow in time. In general, percentage of affected tissue area of a ramet in any month was lower than 10%. Nevertheless from May to September, the area affected was larger (10-50%) due to an increase in frequency and abundance of predation, bleaching and algal damage, and a decrease in recovery. At the end of the year, lesions that did not recover caused partial mortality in 25% of the ramets. Ramets with lesions shrunk throughout the year and by the end of year, 21% passed to a smaller class size.

[Osteoporosis prevalence in open population at Mexico City]. / Prevalencia de osteoporosis en población abierta de la Ciudad de México.

BACKGROUND: In Mexico there isn't accurate epidemiologic information of osteoporosis prevalence, however it is estimated that 24.5 million people are at risk or suffer it yet. OBJECTIVE: To show prevalence of osteoporosis in open population of several areas of Mexico City. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective, transversal and open study at an osseous densitometric data base information from 5,924 patients. RESULTS: Densitometry evidence that 17.9% suffer osteoporosis (79.8 female and 20.1% male), 34.5% osteopeny (76.1 female and 23.8 female), and 47.4% had normal bones (75.8% female and 24.1% female). CONCLUSIONS: Since osseous mineral density changes exponentially increases with age, osteopenic and osteoporosis index is very high after 40 years old; due to that there must be considered preventative programs for young groups, and to practice densitometries to 30 year old men and women.