Stepping into the Void: Lessons Learned from Civil Society Organizations during COVID-19 in Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil experienced some of the highest rates of COVID-19 globally. This was complicated by the fact that 35 million of its citizens have limited access to water, a primary resource necessary to stem the spread of infectious diseases. In many cases, civil society organizations (CSOs) stepped into this void left by responsible authorities. This paper explores how CSOs in Rio de Janeiro helped populations struggling with access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) during the pandemic, and what coping strategies are transferable to similar contexts. In-depth interviews (n = 15) were conducted with CSO representatives in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed that COVID-19 exacerbated pre-existing social inequities among vulnerable populations, undermining their ability to protect their health. CSOs provided emergency relief aid but faced the counterproductive actions of public authorities who promoted a narrative that diminished the risks of COVID-19 and the importance of non-pharmacological interventions. CSOs fought this narrative by promoting sensitization among vulnerable populations and partnering with other stakeholders in networks of solidarity, playing a vital role in the distribution of health-promoting services. These strategies are transferrable to other contexts where state narratives oppose public health understandings, particularly for extremely vulnerable populations.

Resolving drug selection and migration in an inbred South American Plasmodium falciparum population with identity-by-descent analysis.

The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is globally widespread, but its prevalence varies significantly between and even within countries. Most population genetic studies in P. falciparum focus on regions of high transmission where parasite populations are large and genetically diverse, such as sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding population dynamics in low transmission settings, however, is of particular importance as these are often where drug resistance first evolves. Here, we use the Pacific Coast of Colombia and Ecuador as a model for understanding the population structure and evolution of Plasmodium parasites in small populations harboring less genetic diversity. The combination of low transmission and a high proportion of monoclonal infections means there are few outcrossing events and clonal lineages persist for long periods of time. Yet despite this, the population is evolutionarily labile and has successfully adapted to changes in drug regime. Using newly sequenced whole genomes, we measure relatedness between 166 parasites, calculated as identity by descent (IBD), and find 17 distinct but highly related clonal lineages, six of which have persisted in the region for at least a decade. This inbred population structure is captured in more detail with IBD than with other common population structure analyses like PCA, ADMIXTURE, and distance-based trees. We additionally use patterns of intra-chromosomal IBD and an analysis of haplotypic variation to explore past selection events in the region. Two genes associated with chloroquine resistance, crt and aat1, show evidence of hard selective sweeps, while selection appears soft and/or incomplete at three other key resistance loci (dhps, mdr1, and dhfr). Overall, this work highlights the strength of IBD analyses for studying parasite population structure and resistance evolution in regions of low transmission, and emphasizes that drug resistance can evolve and spread in small populations, as will occur in any region nearing malaria elimination.

Validez del hallazgo de nódulos en la colonoscopia para el diagnóstico de hiperplasia nodular linfoide en niños / Validity of nodules detected at colonoscopy for the diagnosis of nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in children

Resumen Introducción: la hiperplasia nodular linfoide del colon se define como > 10 nódulos linfoides visibles en colonoscopia. No existen estudios de su validez al compararlo con la histopatología. Objetivos: determinar la validez del hallazgo de nódulos en colonoscopia para el diagnóstico de hiperplasia nodular linfoide. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo de prueba diagnóstica. Se incluyeron colonoscopias realizadas consecutivamente de 2014 al 2018 con equipos Olympus PCFQ150AI y GIFXP150N con obtención de biopsias. El criterio endoscópico fue la presencia de > 10 nódulos de 2 a 10 mm y el criterio histológico fue hiperplasia de folículos linfoides y mantos de linfocitos en lámina propia o submucosa. Los datos se analizaron en Epidat3.1. Se obtuvo la sensibilidad (S), especificidad (E), valor predictivo positivo (VPP) y negativo (VPN), y coeficientes de probabilidad positivo (LR+) y negativo (LR-) con sus intervalos de confianza. Resultados: se incluyeron 327 colonoscopias, la mediana de edad fue de 84 meses. La principal indicación para la colonoscopia fue sangrado digestivo bajo (38,8%). El hallazgo de nódulos se encontró en el 21% y el sitio de mayor frecuencia fue el colon total (46%), mientras que por histopatología se encontró hiperplasia nodular linfoide en el 38%. El hallazgo de nódulos obtuvo una S de 32% (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%: 24-140), E de 84% (IC 95%: 79-89), VPP de 56% (IC 95%: 44-68), VPN de 67% (IC 95%: 61-72), LR+ de 2,04 (IC 95%: 1,4-3) y LR- de 0,8 (IC 95%: 0,8-0,9). Conclusiones: la validez diagnóstica del hallazgo de nódulos en colonoscopia para hiperplasia nodular linfoide es pobre, por lo que la toma de biopsia debe recomendarse siempre.

Abstract Introduction: Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the colon is characterized by the presence of >10 lymphoid nodules visible in colonoscopy. There are no studies that confirm their validity when compared with histopathology. Objective: To determine the validity of nodules detected at colonoscopy for the diagnosis of nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in children. Materials and methods: Prospective study of diagnostic test accuracy. Colonoscopies performed consecutively from 2014 to 2018 using Olympus PCFQ150AI and GIFXP150N biopsy machines were included. The endoscopic criterion was the presence of >10 nodules from 2 to 10mm of diameter, while the histological criterion was presence of follicular lymphoid hyperplasia and lymphocyte mantles in lamina propia or submucosa. Data were analyzed in Epidat3.1. Sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) were obtained with their corresponding confidence intervals. Results: 327 colonoscopies were included; the median age was 84 months. The main indication for colonoscopy was lower gastrointestinal bleeding (38.8%). Nodules were found in 21% of the patients, predominantly throughout the whole colon (46%), whereas histopathology found nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in 38%. SE for the finding of nodules was 32% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 24-140), SP was 84% (95% CI: 79-89), PPV was 56% (95% CI: 44-68), NPV was 67% (95% CI: 61-72), LR+ was 2.04 (95% CI: 1.4-3) and LR- was 0.8 (95% CI: 0.8-0.9). Conclusions: The validity of the presence of nodules on colonoscopy for the diagnosis of nodular lymphoid hyperplasia is poor, so biopsy should always be performed.

Estudio Descriptivo: Perfil Epidemiológico en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso, 2015 - 2016 / Descriptive Research: Epidemiological Profile of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital, 2015 - 2016

INTRODUCCIÓN: La medicina intensiva pediátrica es una rama relativamente nueva dentro de la pediatría. En los últimos años gracias al desarrollo tecnológico y los avances en tratamientos médi-cos, se ha logrado disminuir la morbilidad y mortalidad en estas áreas críticas; sin embargo, existen complicaciones asociadas a la estancia prolongada. La mortalidad se ha correlacionado de forma inversa con la disponibilidad de cuidados intensivos, número de intensivistas pediátricos, número de camas y número de centros pediátricos de especialidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue determi-nar el perfil epidemiológico clínico de los pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso, durante el periodo 2015-2016. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, el universo se constituyó de 386 pacientes ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos en los años 2015 y 2016, la información fue recolectada de las respectivas historias clínicas. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, mes y año de ingreso, diagnóstico, procedimientos utilizados, mortalidad y ocupación de camas. RESULTADOS:Se incluyeron 386 pacientes, 55.2% fueron varones. El promedio de edad fue 5.3 años. Las principales causas de ingreso fueron neumonía, trauma cráneo-encefálico, estatus epi-léptico y sepsis. El 50% recibió ventilación mecánica. La tasa de mortalidad fue de 17% y se asoció con falta de procedimiento quirúrgico (p= 0.026); nutrición parenteral (p= 0.023); inotrópicos y ven-tilación mecánica (p= <0.001). La estancia hospitalaria promedio fue de 6.2 días. El porcentaje de ocupación de camas fue del 92.6%. CONCLUSIONES: Con el fin de satisfacer las necesidades del creciente número de niños susceptibles de recibir cuidados críticos, cada país debería obtener datos epidemiológicos sobre de la prevalen-cia de las enfermedades que requieren cuidados intensivos pediátricos para implementar su infraes-tructura y ejecutar programas preventivos(AU)

BACKGROUND: Pediatric intensive medicine is a relatively new branch within pediatrics. In recent years, with the technological development and improvement in medical treatments, morbidity and mortality have been reduced; however, there are complications associated with prolonged hospitalization. Mortality has been inversely correlated with the availability of intensive care, number of pediatric intensivists, number of beds and number of specialty pediatric centers. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical epidemiological profile of patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso, during the period 2015 - 2016. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was performed; the universe included 386 patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit in 2015 and 2016; the information was collected from the respective medical records. The variables studied were: age, sex, month and year of admission, diagnosis, and procedures, mor-tality and bed occupancy. RESULTS: 386 patients were included, 55.2% were male. The average age was 5.3 years. The main causes of admission were pneumonia, cranioencephalic trauma, status epilepticus and sepsis. 50% received mecha-nical ventilation. The mortality rate was 17% and was associated with lack of surgical procedure (p= 0.026); parenteral nutrition (p= 0.023); inotropes and mechanical ventilation (p= <0.001). The average hospital stay was 6.2 days; the percentage of bed occupancy was 92.6%. CONCLUSIONS: In order to meet the needs of the growing number of children susceptible to critical care, each country should obtain epidemiological data on the prevalence of diseases requiring intensive pediatric care to implement its infrastructure and execute preventive programs.(AU)

Host Resistance, Genomics and Population Dynamics in a Salmonella Enteritidis and Phage System.

Bacteriophages represent an alternative solution to control bacterial infections. When interacting, bacteria and phage can evolve, and this relationship is described as antagonistic coevolution, a pattern that does not fit all models. In this work, the model consisted of a microcosm of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and φSan23 phage. Samples were taken for 12 days every 48 h. Bacteria and phage samples were collected; and isolated bacteria from each time point were challenged against phages from previous, contemporary, and subsequent time points. The phage plaque tests, with the genomics analyses, showed a mutational asymmetry dynamic in favor of the bacteria instead of antagonistic coevolution. This is important for future phage-therapy applications, so we decided to explore the population dynamics of Salmonella under different conditions: pressure of one phage, a combination of phages, and phages plus an antibiotic. The data from cultures with single and multiple phages, and antibiotics, were used to create a mathematical model exploring population and resistance dynamics of Salmonella under these treatments, suggesting a nonlethal, growth-inhibiting antibiotic may decrease resistance to phage-therapy cocktails. These data provide a deep insight into bacterial dynamics under different conditions and serve as additional criteria to select phages and antibiotics for phage-therapy.

Eficacia de racecadotrilo en el tratamien-to de la enfermedad diarreica aguda, en niños de 3 a 36 meses, en el servicio de emer-gencia del Hospital Vicente Corral Mos-coso. Ensayo clínico controlado ciego. 2014 / Racecadotril effectiveness in the treatment of acute diarrhea in chil-dren from 3 to 36 months. Emergency department, Hospital Vicente Corral Mosocoso. Blind clinical controlled trial. 2014

Objetivo:Determinar la eficacia del tratamiento combinado de sales de rehidratación oral (SRO) y racecadotrilo frente al uso de SRO y placebo en los niños de 3 a 36 meses con enfermedad diarreica aguda (EDA), en el Servicio de Emergencia del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso (HVCM). Método:Ensayo clínico controlado ciego, en niños de 3 a 36 meses del servicio de emergencia del HVCM, con cuadro de enfermedad diarreica aguda, sin deshidratación o con deshidratación leve o moderada, que no necesiten hos-pitalización, sin tratamiento antidiarreico o antibiótico previo, cuyos padres o representantes legales firmen el consentimiento informado. Se reclutaron 79 pacientes, 45 en el grupo SRO más racecadotrilo y 34 grupo SRO más placebo. Resultados:Los grupos fueron comparables clínicamente, los pacientes del grupo SRO más racecadotrilo mostraron una diferencia significativa en el número de diarreas por día a partir de las 48 horas [2.7 (DS: ±1.5), grupo SRO más pla-cebo 4.1 (DS: ±2,6)] con una p: 0.012; a las 72 horas, el grupo racecadotrilo [2.2 (DS: ±1.7), y grupo placebo 3.3 (DS: ±2,5)] con p: 0.027. No se encontró diferencia significativa en las primeras 24 horas (p: 0.27). Conclusiones:Racecadotrilo es un medicamento eficaz en disminuir el número de diar-reas a partir de las 48 horas, en el tratamiento inicial de niños con EDA, acompañando a la terapia con SRO en un grupo de pacientes atendidos en el Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso.

Objective:To determine the efficacy of the combined treatment of oral rehydration salts (ORS) and racecadotril against the use of ORS and placebo in children aged between 3 and 36 months with acute diarrhea disease (ADD), in the Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital (VCMH) emergency service. Method:It is a blind controlled clinical trial in children from 3 to 36 months of the VCMH emergency service, with acute diarrheic disease, without dehydration or mild or moderate dehydration; they do not need hospitalization, without previous antidiarrheal treatment or antibiotic, if their parents or legal representatives sign the informed consent. A total of 79 patients were recruited, 45 in the ORS plus racecadotril group and 34 ORS plus placebo group. Results:The groups were clinically comparable, the patients in the ORS plus racecadotril group showed a significant difference in the number of diarrheas per day from 48 hours [2.7 (DS: ± 1.5), the ORS plus placebo group 4.1 (DS: ± 2.6)] with a p: 0.012; at 72 hours, the racecadotril group [2.2 (DS: ± 1.7), and placebo group [3.3 (DS: ± 2.5)] with p: 0.027. No significant difference was found in the first 24 hours (p: 0.27). Conclusions:Racecadotril is an effective medication to reduce the number of diarrhea after 48 hours, in the initial treatment of children with ADD accompanying ORS therapy in a group of patients treated at the Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital.

Displasia Torácica Asfixiante o Síndrome de Jeune / Asphyxiating Thoracic Dysplasia or Jeune Syndrome

El Síndrome de Jeune es una distrofia esquelética rara, caracterizada por costillas cortas y alteraciones en extremidades y pelvis. La dificultad respiratoria viene determinada por el grado de estrechez torácica, más tar-díamente pueden aparecer insuficiencia pancreática o renal. Se presenta el caso de un lactante de 7 meses que acudió al Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso por neumonía sin respuesta al tratamiento en hospital cantonal;a su ingreso presenta insuficiencia respiratoria y llama la atención un tóraxcilíndrico, marcadamente estrecho y alargado además de micromelia y polidactilia. Se administró soporte ventilatorio y antibióticos teniendo una evolución favorable durante hospitalización.

Jeune Syndrome is a rare skeletal dystrophy, characterized by short ribsand alterations in limbs and pelvis. The respiratory distress is determinedby the degree of thoracic stricture, and later, pancreatic or renal insufficiencymay occur. A case of a 7-months-old infant who came to the Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital for pneumonia without treatment response in the cantonal hospital was presented. When the patient arrives he presentsa respiratory insufficiency and it calls the attention a cylindrical thorax,markedly narrow and elongated in addition of micromelia and polydactyly.A respiratory support and antibiotics were given during hospitalization having a favorable evolution.

Características del Primer Hemograma, al Momento del Diagnóstico de Leucemia Linfoblástica Aguda, en los Niños del Instituto del Cáncer Solca-Cuenca / Characteristics of the First Hemogram, at the Time of Diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, in Children of the Solca-Cuenca Cancer Institute

ANTECEDENTES: La Leucemia Linfoblástica Aguda (LLA) es el tipo de cáncer más común en los niños, que afec-ta la sangre y la médula ósea como consecuencia de la proliferación clonal anormal de un grupo celular y que, a diferencia de lo que se cree, no siempre debuta con leucocitosis (Glóbulos Blancos> 10.000).MÉTODOS: Estudio de tipo descriptivo en el cual fueron evaluados los hemogramas de un total de 110 pacien-tes con LLA, de 1 a 18 años de edad, tratados en la So-ciedad de Lucha Contra el Cáncer (SOLCA) Cuenca, entre enero de 2009 y abril de 2014. Se analizó sus ca-racterísticas demográficas (edad, sexo, procedencia) así como su número de glóbulos blancos (GB), hemog-lobina (Hb), plaquetas, niveles de deshidrogenasa lác-tica (DHL), grupo de riesgo, presencia de cromosoma Philadelphia e inmunofenotipo (T o B).RESULTADOS: El 53% de los pacientes fueron niños. La edad promedio fue de 7.9 años. La mayor parte de ni-ños atendidos pertenecieron a la provincia del Azuay. El 50% de los pacientes presentaron leucocitosis al momento del diagnóstico, el 42% Hb menor de 8g/dL y el 80% plaquetas menores a 150 000/L. La totalidad de los niños (100%) tuvieron una DHL por encima del valor nor-mal (234 U/L). El rango de GB estuvo entre 600 y 556 000 GB/L siendo el promedio de 48 000 GB/L. El 95% presen-tó un inmunofenotipo B y el 5% de los pacientes fueron positivos para cromosoma Philadelphia. CONCLUSIONES: Tras el análisis se concluyó que la mi-tad de los pacientes no presentaron leucocitosis. La mayor parte presentó trombocitopenia y anemia. Esta información debe ser considerada al momento de re-visar un hemograma de un niño, ya que como se ha demostrado y a diferencia de lo que se pensaba, la leucocitosis no siempre está presente en la leucemia.

BACKGROUND: The acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of childhood cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow as a result of ab-normal clonal proliferation of a cell group, and contrary to what is popularly believed, it not always debuts with leukocytosis (white blood cells> 10,000).METHODS: it is a descriptive study in which they were evaluated the blood counts from a total of 110 pa-tients with ALL, from 1 to 18 years, treated at the Society for Fight against Cancer (SOLCA) Cuenca, between January 2009 and April 2014. Their demographic cha-racteristics (age, sex, origin) and its number of white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), platelet, levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), risk group, presence of Philadelphia chromosome and immunophenotype (T or B) were analyzed.RESULTS: The 53% of the patients were children. The ave-rage age was 7.9 years. Most served children belonged to the Azuay province. The 50% of patients had leuko-cytosis at the moment of diagnosis, the 42% Hb less than 8g / dL and 80% lower than 150 000 platelets / L. All children (100%) had a LDH above the normal value (234 U / L). The range was between 600 and 556000 GB/ L with an average of 48 000 GB / L. The 95% presented an im-munophenotype B and 5% of patients were positive for Philadelphia chromosome.CONCLUSIONS: After the analysis it was concluded that half of the patients had leukocytosis. Most presented thrombocytopenia and anemia. This information should be considered when reviewing a child's blood count, because as has been shown and unlike what was thou-ght, leukocytosis is not always present in leukemia.

Validación de la Escala de Predicción de Lesiones Intracraneales Eplic para Trauma Cráneo-Encefálico en Niños de 0 A 5 Años del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso Enero-Diciembre 2014. Estudio de Test Diagnóstico / Validation of the Eplic Intracranial Injury Prediction Scale for Cranio-Encephalic Trauma in Children 0-5 Years of Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital January-December 2014. Diagnostic Test Study

OBJETIVO: Determinar la validez de una escala de pre-dicción de lesiones intracraneales para trauma encéfa-lo-craneal (TEC) en niños de 0 a 5 años en emergencia pediátrica del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso, 2014. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó un estudio de validación de test diagnóstico, la muestra se calculó con las restric-ciones muestrales: sensibilidad: 80%, especificidad: 80%, alfa: 5%, prevalencia esperada: 10%, 7% de pérdidas quedando 409. Se incluyeron todos los niños de 0 a 5 años con trauma craneal con un representante que aceptó participar mediante consentimiento informa-do, se excluyeron abandonos del servicio e imposibili-dad de realizar tomografía de cráneo (TAC). La escala a validarse EPLIC fue diseñada por el autor y sometida a validación de constructo teórico. En todos los casos se llenó la escala y se realizó TAC como "gold standard" para identificar lesiones intracraneales analizada de forma ciega. La información se procesó en SPSS y se obtuvo: sensibilidad, especificidad, VP+, VP-, LR+ y LR-. RESULTADOS: 41 pacientes presentaron lesión intracraneal (10%), la lesión más frecuente fue edema cerebral (56%). El parámetro con mayor sensibilidad fue: caída de altura (95.1%), la mayor especificidad: presencia de >2 convulsiones (100%). Un puntaje total de 4 o más ob-tuvo la mejor sensibilidad combinada con mejor espe-cificidad (97.6% y 78.26%). El AUC para dicho puntaje fue de 0.908. CONCLUSIONES: La escala EPLIC resulta válida para predicción de lesiones intracraneales y por tanto puede ser una herramienta útil para manejo TEC en meno-res de 5 años.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of a scale predic-tion of intracranial lesions to brain-cranial trauma in chil-dren aged from 0 to 5 years in pediatric emergency in The Vicente Corral Moscoso Hospital, 2014. METHODOLOGY: A validation study with a diagnostic test was performed, the sample was calculated with the sample restrictions: sensitivity 80%, specificity 80%, alpha: 5% expected prevalence: 10%, and 7% losses being 409. All children aged from 0 to 5 years with cranial trauma with a representative who agreed to participate by in-formed consent were included, the abandonment of service and inability to perform CAT skull were excluded. The validated scale ICPS was designed by the author and subjected to validation of theoretical construct. In all cases the scale was filled and CAT was performed as "gold standard" for identifying intracranial lesions analyzed blindly. The information was processed in SPSS and was obtained: sensitivity, specificity, PV +, PV, RL + and RL. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients had intracranial lesions (10%), the most frequent lesion was cerebral edema (56%). The most sensitive parameter was: drop height (95.1%), the highest specificity: the presence of> 2 seizu-res (100%). A total score of 4 or more obtained the best sensitivity combined with better specificity (97.6% and 78.26%). The UCA for that score was 0.908. CONCLUSIONS: The EPLIC scale is valid for predicting in-tracranial lesions and therefore it can be a useful tool for handling CBT under 5 years.

Una nueva especie de Musaraña del género Cryptotis Pomel 1848 (Mammalia: Soricomorpha: Soricidae) de Ecuador y estatus taxonomico de Cryptotis equatoris Thomas (1912)

In this study four species of shrews of the genus Cryptotis are reported for Ecuador, and a species described here as Cryptotis niausa sp. nov., new for the science, distributed to the highlands of northern Ecuador and distinct from Cryptotis montivagus, which inhabits the grassland and shrublands of southern Ecuador. The new species is characterized by its large size for the genus, long and brown-gray haired, with a yellowish hue contrasting, mainly in the throat. The analysis of this study demonstrate that Cryptotis equatoris osgoodi is distinct from Cryptotis equatoris equatoris, therefore consider these clades as distinct species. Cryptotis equatoris is medium size specie, medium blackish size specie, which is distributed in temperate and cold forested areas of the western foothills of the Andes; and Cryptotis osgoodi, is distributed mainly in the cloud forests of the eastern slopes of the Andes.

Una nueva especie de Musaraña del género Cryptotis Pomel 1848 (Mammalia: Soricomorpha: Soricidae) de Ecuador y estatus taxonomico de Cryptotis equatoris Thomas (1912)

In this study four species of shrews of the genus Cryptotis are reported for Ecuador, and a species described here as Cryptotis niausa sp. nov., new for the science, distributed to the highlands of northern Ecuador and distinct from Cryptotis montivagus, which inhabits the grassland and shrublands of southern Ecuador. The new species is characterized by its large size for the genus, long and brown-gray haired, with a yellowish hue contrasting, mainly in the throat. The analysis of this study demonstrate that Cryptotis equatoris osgoodi is distinct from Cryptotis equatoris equatoris, therefore consider these clades as distinct species. Cryptotis equatoris is medium size specie, medium blackish size specie, which is distributed in temperate and cold forested areas of the western foothills of the Andes; and Cryptotis osgoodi, is distributed mainly in the cloud forests of the eastern slopes of the Andes.(AU)

Retention of triplicated phytoene synthase (PSY) genes in Brassica napus L. and its diploid progenitors during the evolution of the Brassiceae.

The extent of genome redundancy exhibited by Brassica species provides a model to study the evolutionary fate of multi-copy genes and the effects of polyploidy in economically important crops. Phytoene synthase (PSY) catalyzes the first committed reaction of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, which has been shown to be rate-limiting in Brassica napus seeds. In Arabidopsis thaliana, a single PSY gene (AtPSY) regulates phytoene synthesis in all tissues. Considering that diploid Brassica genomes contain three Arabidopsis-like subgenomes, the objectives of the present work were to determine whether PSY gene families exist in B. napus (AACC) and its diploid progenitor species, Brassica rapa (AA) and Brassica oleracea (CC); to establish the level of retention of Brassica PSY genes; to map PSY gene family members in the A and C genomes and to compare Brassica PSY gene expression patterns. A total of 12 PSY homologues were identified, 6 in B. napus (BnaX.PSY.a-f) and 3 in B. rapa (BraA.PSY.a-c) and B. oleracea (BolC.PSY.a-c). Indeed, with six members, B. napus has the largest PSY gene family described to date. Sequence comparison between AtPSY and Brassica PSY genes revealed a highly conserved gene structure and identity percentages above 85% at the coding sequence (CDS) level. Altogether, our data indicate that PSY gene family expansion preceded the speciation of B. rapa and B. oleracea, dating back to the paralogous subgenome triplication event. In these three Brassica species, all PSY homologues are expressed, exhibiting overlapping redundancy and signs of subfunctionalization among photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic tissues. This evidence supports the hypothesis that functional divergence of PSY gene expression facilitates the accumulation of high levels of carotenoids in chromoplast-rich tissues. Thus, functional retention of triplicated Brassica PSY genes could be at least partially explained by the selective advantage provided by increased levels of gene product in floral organs. A better understanding of carotenogenesis in Brassica will aid in the future development of transgenic and conventional cultivars with carotenoid-enriched oil.

Representaciones sociales de la inclusión escolar de estudiantes con limitación visual: creencias y prácticas / Social representation of school inclusion students with vision impairment: Beliefs and practices

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo comprender las Representaciones Sociales que tienen los diferentes actores de la comunidad educativa de 10 colegios públicos de Bogotá, frente a las experiencias de Inclusión Escolar de estudiantes con limitación visual. Las representaciones sociales son definidas como maneras espe-cíficas de entender y comunicar la realidad. Se realizo un estudio de enfoque cualitativo, hermenéutico- inter-pretativo; la estrategia de Investigación fue el estudio de caso y la técnica de recolección de información fue la entrevista de grupo focal. Se realizó un Análisis de Dominio (Spradley, 1979) que permitió comprender las representaciones sociales presentes en el discurso de los participantes. La información obtenida fue analizada a partir de las siguientes categorías: Necesidades y Expectativas, Prácticas y Significado de la discapacidad. Los resultados de esta investigación permiten concluir que si bien, existen contenidos compartidos en algunas de las representaciones sociales que han construido los diferentes actores de la comunidad educativa en relación con los procesos de inclusión escolar de estudiantes con limitación visual, también evidencian diferencias entre ellos a partir de su rol, experiencia y relación con esta condición. Se generó conocimiento en relación con las creencias y prácticas educativas que tienen los diferentes actores involucrados en las experiencias de inclusión escolar de personas con limitación visual.

The aim of this research study was to understand the social representations of different stakeholders at 10 Bogota's public schools, related with students' experiences all of them with visual impairment. Nowadays, Social representations are defined as specific ways to understand and communicate the reality. We realized a qualitative study approach which research strategy was the case study and data collection technique was the focus group interview. We used adomainanalysis(Spradley, 1979)by understand the social representation-sin participant's discourse. The information obtained wasanalyzed fromthe following categories: Needs and Expectations, Practices andMeaningof Disability. By our results we concluded that in spitethere aresomesha-red contentin social representations there are somedifferences between different stakeholders associated with theirrole, experience and relationship with this condition. New knowledge was generated about educational practices and beliefs related with differents takeholders involved in the experiences of educational inclusion of students with visual impairment