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1.
Sci Rep ; 11(1): 9259, 2021 04 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33927228

ABSTRACT

Explicitly accounting for phenotypic differentiation together with environmental heterogeneity is crucial to understand the evolutionary dynamics in hybrid zones. Species showing intra-specific variation in phenotypic traits that meet across environmentally heterogeneous regions constitute excellent natural settings to study the role of phenotypic differentiation and environmental factors in shaping the spatial extent and patterns of admixture in hybrid zones. We studied three environmentally distinct contact zones where morphologically and reproductively divergent subspecies of Salamandra salamandra co-occur: the pueriparous S. s. bernardezi that is mostly parapatric to its three larviparous subspecies neighbours. We used a landscape genetics framework to: (i) characterise the spatial location and extent of each contact zone; (ii) assess patterns of introgression and hybridization between subspecies pairs; and (iii) examine the role of environmental heterogeneity in the evolutionary dynamics of hybrid zones. We found high levels of introgression between parity modes, and between distinct phenotypes, thus demonstrating the evolution to pueriparity alone or morphological differentiation do not lead to reproductive isolation between these highly divergent S. salamandra morphotypes. However, we detected substantial variation in patterns of hybridization across contact zones, being lower in the contact zone located on a topographically complex area. We highlight the importance of accounting for spatial environmental heterogeneity when studying evolutionary dynamics of hybrid zones.


Subject(s)
Reproductive Isolation , Urodela/physiology , Animals , Evolution, Molecular , Gene Flow , Genetic Variation , Genetics, Population , Hybridization, Genetic , Phenotype , Phylogeography , Urodela/genetics
2.
Nat Commun ; 10(1): 4077, 2019 09 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31501432

ABSTRACT

Climatic conditions changing over time and space shape the evolution of organisms at multiple levels, including temperate lizards in the family Lacertidae. Here we reconstruct a dated phylogenetic tree of 262 lacertid species based on a supermatrix relying on novel phylogenomic datasets and fossil calibrations. Diversification of lacertids was accompanied by an increasing disparity among occupied bioclimatic niches, especially in the last 10 Ma, during a period of progressive global cooling. Temperate species also underwent a genome-wide slowdown in molecular substitution rates compared to tropical and desert-adapted lacertids. Evaporative water loss and preferred temperature are correlated with bioclimatic parameters, indicating physiological adaptations to climate. Tropical, but also some populations of cool-adapted species experience maximum temperatures close to their preferred temperatures. We hypothesize these species-specific physiological preferences may constitute a handicap to prevail under rapid global warming, and contribute to explaining local lizard extinctions in cool and humid climates.


Subject(s)
Environment , Genetic Variation , Genome , Lizards/genetics , Lizards/physiology , Temperature , Animals , Body Temperature Regulation/physiology , Climate , Evolution, Molecular , Phylogeny
3.
Sci Total Environ ; 635: 20-25, 2018 Sep 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29660722

ABSTRACT

The effects of Hg contamination are presumably widespread across the components of aquatic ecosystems, but investigations have been mainly focused on freshwater fish, because this biota represents a major source of Hg for human populations. Yet, the possible bioaccumulation of Hg on other freshwater meso- and apex-predators (e.g., amphibians, reptiles) has been largely overlooked, especially in Western Europe. In this study, the determinants of Hg concentrations were assessed for the viperine snake (Natrix maura) across 6 populations (>130 individuals sampled in 2016 and 2017) in France and Spain. Specifically, body size, sex, and diet were compared with Hg concentrations measured in ventral scales. Overall, N. maura accumulated Hg in their scales. Sex did not seem to influence Hg concentrations in this species. Significant differences in Hg concentrations were observed between study sites, and these differences were likely to be mediated by site-specific diet. Frog-eating individuals were characterized not only by lower mean values of Hg (0.194±0.018µg·g-1 versus 0.386±0.032µg·g-1 for piscivorous individuals), but also by weaker slopes of the body size-Hg relationship as compared to fish-eating snakes, suggesting strong differences in accumulation rates due to food resources. Importantly, the highest slope of the body size-Hg relationship and the highest values of Hg were found in individuals foraging on trout raised by a fish farm, suggesting that fish farming may contribute to Hg contamination in inland freshwater systems. Finally, our results are compared with data on Hg concentrations in other species of aquatic snakes, in order to provide a comparative point for future studies.


Subject(s)
Colubridae/metabolism , Environmental Exposure , Mercury/blood , Water Pollutants, Chemical/blood , Animals , Body Size , Diet , Environmental Monitoring , Female , France , Male , Sex Factors , Spain
4.
Conserv Biol ; 32(3): 725-730, 2018 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29218741

ABSTRACT

Most examples that support the substitution-habitat hypothesis (human-made habitats act as substitutes of original habitat) deal with birds and mammals. We tested this hypothesis in 14 amphibians by using percentage occupancy as a proxy of habitat quality (i.e., higher occupancy percentages indicate higher quality). We classified water body types as original habitat (no or little human influence) depending on anatomical, behavioral, or physiological adaptations of each amphibian species. Ten species had relatively high probabilities (0.16-0.28) of occurrence in original habitat, moderate probability of occurrence in substitution habitats (0.11-0.14), and low probability of occurrence in refuge habitats (0.05-0.08). Thus, the substitution-habitat hypothesis only partially applies to amphibians because the low occupancy of refuges could be due to the negligible human persecution of this group (indicating good conservation status). However, low occupancy of refuges could also be due to low tolerance of refuge conditions, which could have led to selective extinction or colonization problems due to poor dispersal capabilities. That original habitats had the highest probabilities of occupancy suggests amphibians have a good conservation status in the region. They also appeared highly adaptable to anthropogenic substitution habitats.


Subject(s)
Conservation of Natural Resources , Ecosystem , Amphibians , Animals , Birds , Humans , Mammals
5.
Rev. bras. parasitol. vet ; 26(3): 395-399, July-Sept. 2017. tab
Article in English | LILACS | ID: biblio-1042450

ABSTRACT

Abstract Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic parasite that infects the gut of a wide range of vertebrates, including numerous wildlife species. However, little is known about this protozoan parasite in reptiles. Fecal samples from 31 wild lizards were collected in Galicia (northwest Spain) and screened for the presence of Giardia by PCR amplification and sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region in the ribosomal unit. This allowed detection of the parasite in 5 samples (16.1%), and enabled identification of G. duodenalis assemblage A2 in two samples of Iberian rock lizard (Iberolacerta monticola), G. duodenalis assemblage B in other two samples of I. monticola, and G. duodenalis assemblage E in one sample of Bocage's wall lizard (Podarcis bocagei). The results obtained after PCR amplification and sequencing of the SSU-rDNA gene confirmed the presence of G. duodenalis assemblage A in two samples of I. monticola. This is the first report of G. duodenalis in free-living lizards, although further studies are needed to distinguish between actual infection and mechanical dissemination of cysts. The detection of zoonotic and livestock-specific assemblages of G. duodenalis demonstrates the wide environmental contamination by this parasite, possibly due to human activities.


Resumo Giardia duodenalis é um parasito zoonótico que infecta o intestino delgado de uma ampla gama de vertebrados, sendo detectado em numerosas espécies selvagens. No entanto, pouco se conhece sobre a presença deste parasito protozoário em répteis. Para estudar a presença de Giardia, foram obtidas amostras fecais provenientes de 31 lagartos e coletadas em diferentes localizações de Galicia (Noroeste da Espanha). Mediante a aplicação da técnica de PCR e posterior sequenciamento da região ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 da unidade ribossômica, detectou-se Giardia em 5 amostras (16,1%), identificando-se o genótipo A2 de G. duodenalis em 2 amostras de lagartos da montanha (Iberolacerta monticola), G. duodenalis genótipo B em outras 2 amostras de I. monticola e G. duodenalis genótipo E em outra amostra de lagarto de Bocage (Podarcis bocagei). Os resultados obtidos, após amplificação e sequenciamento de um fragmento do gene SSU-rDNA, confirmam a presença de G. duodenalis genótipo A em 2 amostras de I. monticola. Esta é a primeira vez que se descreve G. duodenalis em lagartos selvagens, embora sejam necessários outros estudos complementares para confirmar se estes animais sofrem uma infecção real ou se apenas atuam como disseminadores mecânicos da contaminação ambiental. Além disso, a detecção de genótipos zoonóticos e específicos de ruminantes domésticos demonstra a contaminação do ambiente selvagem por G. duodenalis, possivelmente devido à atividade humana.


Subject(s)
Animals , Giardiasis/veterinary , Giardia lamblia/classification , Lizards/parasitology , Zoonoses/parasitology , Giardiasis/parasitology , Feces/parasitology
6.
Rev Bras Parasitol Vet ; 26(3): 395-399, 2017.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28699999

ABSTRACT

Giardia duodenalis is a zoonotic parasite that infects the gut of a wide range of vertebrates, including numerous wildlife species. However, little is known about this protozoan parasite in reptiles. Fecal samples from 31 wild lizards were collected in Galicia (northwest Spain) and screened for the presence of Giardia by PCR amplification and sequencing of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region in the ribosomal unit. This allowed detection of the parasite in 5 samples (16.1%), and enabled identification of G. duodenalis assemblage A2 in two samples of Iberian rock lizard (Iberolacerta monticola), G. duodenalis assemblage B in other two samples of I. monticola, and G. duodenalis assemblage E in one sample of Bocage's wall lizard (Podarcis bocagei). The results obtained after PCR amplification and sequencing of the SSU-rDNA gene confirmed the presence of G. duodenalis assemblage A in two samples of I. monticola. This is the first report of G. duodenalis in free-living lizards, although further studies are needed to distinguish between actual infection and mechanical dissemination of cysts. The detection of zoonotic and livestock-specific assemblages of G. duodenalis demonstrates the wide environmental contamination by this parasite, possibly due to human activities.


Subject(s)
Giardia lamblia , Giardiasis/veterinary , Lizards/parasitology , Animals , Feces/parasitology , Giardia lamblia/classification , Giardiasis/parasitology , Zoonoses/parasitology
7.
Environ Microbiol ; 19(8): 3025-3038, 2017 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28419728

ABSTRACT

Animal-associated bacterial communities play essential roles for their host's ecology, physiology and health. Temporal dynamics of these communities are poorly understood, but might be of high relevance for amphibians with a well-expressed biphasic biology of adults where the structure of their skin changes drastically between the aquatic and terrestrial phases. Here, we investigated the temporal dynamics of cutaneous bacterial communities of Lissotriton boscai and Triturus marmoratus by monthly sampling populations from a pond and surrounding terrestrial habitats near A Coruña, Spain. These communities were characterized by 16S rRNA gene amplicons from DNA isolated from skin swabs. Newt bacterial communities displayed variation at three levels: between larvae and aquatic adults, between adult life phases (terrestrial versus aquatic), and temporally within life phases. The skin bacterial communities tended to differ to a lesser extent temporally and between larvae and adults, and more strongly between life phases. Larvae had a higher proportion of reads associated with antifungal taxa compared with adults, while no differences were found among adult life phases. Terrestrial specimens exhibited the highest community diversity. The regular transitions of adult newts between aquatic and terrestrial environments might contribute to the diversity of their skin microbiota and could increase disease resistance.


Subject(s)
Bacteria/classification , Larva/microbiology , Salamandridae/microbiology , Skin/microbiology , Urodela/microbiology , Animals , Bacteria/genetics , Bacteria/isolation & purification , Microbiota , Ponds , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Spain
8.
Chromosome Res ; 23(3): 441-61, 2015 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26384818

ABSTRACT

Satellite DNAs compose a large portion of all higher eukaryotic genomes. The turnover of these highly repetitive sequences is an important element in genome organization and evolution. However, information about the structure and dynamics of reptilian satellite DNA is still scarce. Two satellite DNA families, HindIII and TaqI, have been previously characterized in four species of the genus Iberolacerta. These families showed different chromosomal locations, abundances, and evolutionary rates. Here, we extend the study of both satellite DNAs (satDNAs) to the remaining Iberolacerta species, with the aim to investigate the patterns of variability and factors influencing the evolution of these repetitive sequences. Our results revealed disparate patterns but also common traits in the evolutionary histories of these satellite families: (i) each satellite DNA is made up of a library of monomer variants or subfamilies shared by related species; (ii) species-specific profiles of satellite repeats are shaped by expansions and/or contractions of different variants from the library; (iii) different turnover rates, even among closely related species, result in great differences in overall sequence homogeneity and in concerted or non-concerted evolution patterns, which may not reflect the phylogenetic relationships among taxa. Contrasting turnover rates are possibly related to genomic constraints such as karyotype architecture and the interspersed organization of diverging repeat variants in satellite arrays. Moreover, rapid changes in copy number, especially in the centromeric HindIII satDNA, may have been associated with chromosomal rearrangements and even contributed to speciation within Iberolacerta.


Subject(s)
DNA, Satellite , Evolution, Molecular , Lizards/genetics , Animals , Chromosome Mapping , Chromosomes , Cluster Analysis , Consensus Sequence , Female , Genes, Mitochondrial , Genetic Association Studies , Genetic Variation , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Lizards/classification , Male , Phylogeny , Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length , Quantitative Trait, Heritable , Sequence Analysis, DNA
9.
Zootaxa ; (3796): 201-36, 2014 May 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24870674

ABSTRACT

Iberolacerta populations from the Northern Montes de Leon (NML) were studied by means of external morphology (scalation and biometry), osteology and genetics (mtDNA and microsatellites), searching for their homogeneity ("intrazonalanalysis") and, once verified, comparing them with Iberolacerta monticola s. str. (from Central Cantabrian Mountains)and/. gal ani (from Southern Montes de Leon) ("extrazonal analysis") from neighboring areas.Our "intrazonal analysis" revealed discordances between the different approaches, especially the patterns of variation of nuclear microsatellites (congruent with external morphology) and mtDNA, namely a very low nuclear differentiation between relatively highly differentiated mtDNA lineages. The morphological approach was unable to discriminate any of the populations as significantly different from the others in the NML. Mitochondrial DNA revealed a haplotype lineage closely related to I. galani (MNL-II in our text) in some specimens of Sierra de Villabandfn and Suspiron, but these populations are morphologically indistinguishable from the main part of the other populations that belong to lineage NML-1,phylogenetically closer to/. monticola. After a separation from I. manti cola ca. 1.8 Mya, the populations in this geographic region must have suffered at least two different waves of gene flow from I. gal ani, the second one not much later than 0.5 Mya. Microsatellite results indicate that all the NML populations are genetically similar in terms of their nuclear genomes,independently of their mitochondrial differentiation (NML-I vs. NML-II haplotype groups). Since all the morphological and microsatellite evidences point towards the fact that, independently of the mitochondrial haplotypes that they bear (NML-1 or NML-II), there is only one taxon in the area, we describe it as: Iberolacerta monticola astur ssp. nov.Concerning the relationships of I. m. astur ssp. nov. with I. monticola s. str. and I. gal ani ("extra zonal analysis"), in the female analyses the new taxon centroid is closer to I. monticola s. str. than to I. gal ani (more similarity with I manticolas.str.), whereas in the male analyses the relationship is just the contrary (closer to I. gal ani, paralleling the direction of the hypothesized past hybridization). Moreover, in both sexes' ANOVA, I. m. astur ssp. nov. results more similar (lessP<0.05 differences) to I. galani than to I. monticola s. str. Osteologically, I. m. astur ssp. nov. is slightly more similar toI. monticola s. str. than to I. galani, especially in the squamosal bone, which is regularly arched (primitive shape). Genetically,as indicated above, the NML populations can be subdivided in two groups according to their mitochondrial DNA,namely NML-I (bearing clearly differentiated haplotypes, phylogenetically closer to I. monticola) and NML-II (whose haplotypes could have been mistaken for those of an I. gal ani population). This mitochondrial subdivision has at most a subtle nuclear correlate, however. According to the nuclear microsatellite markers, all the NML populations belong to a single group(/. m. astur ssp. nov.), which would be more similar to I. gal ani than to I monticola, with NML-II populations lying closer to I. galani than those from the NML-I group and, correspondingly, more distant from I. monticola. The discordant phylogenetic signal of mitochondrial and nuclear markers is discussed in terms of past introgression events and sex-biases in phylopatry and dispersion in these species. Iberolacerta manti cola astur ssp. nov., inhabits the Northern Montes de Leon (Sierra de Gistreo sensu latissimo ): Gistredo,Catoute, Tambaron, Nevadfn, Villabandfn (or Macizo del Alto de Ia Canada), Arcos del Agua (or Fernan Perez),Tiendas and Suspiron, mainly in quartzite and slate rock substrates. Its current distribution, cornered in the NW of theNorthern part of the Montes de Leon, suggests a possible competitive exclusion between this taxon and/. galani, as the galani haplotypes (NML-II) appear cornered in the most harsh and continental areas, speaking also about a, even in the past, very limited presence of this species in the area that probably was soon absorbed by I. m. astur ssp. nov. (with NMLI haplotypes). Variation in watershed limits (especially with l montico/a s. str. in the North) and Pleistocene climatic oscillations(with I. gal ani in the South) probably played a crucial role in isolation of the different Iberolacerta colonizationwaves in this zone. These changes in the boundaries among watersheds limited the contact between the NML and the main Cantabrian Mountains, restricting to narrow points (different along time) the contact between the two ranges, and thus,the areas for possible contact between I. m. astur ssp. nov. and I. monticola s. str. (see Fig. lB). The origin of this tax on dates back to the end of Pliocene or Lower Pleistocene (around 1.8 Mya), according to mtDNA divergence. On the other side, climatic oscillations allowed expansion and contact with the more continental harsh climate-dwelling I. gal ani.


Subject(s)
Lizards/anatomy & histology , Animals , Biometry , Discriminant Analysis , Ecosystem , Female , Geography , Lizards/genetics , Male , Principal Component Analysis , Spain , Species Specificity
10.
PLoS One ; 8(6): e66034, 2013.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23762459

ABSTRACT

AIM: The study of the factors that influence population connectivity and spatial distribution of genetic variation is crucial for understanding speciation and for predicting the effects of landscape modification and habitat fragmentation, which are considered severe threats to global biodiversity. This dual perspective is obtained from analyses of subalpine mountain species, whose present distribution may have been shaped both by cyclical climate changes over ice ages and anthropogenic perturbations of their habitats. Here, we examine the phylogeography, population structure and genetic diversity of the lacertid lizard Iberolacerta monticola, an endemism considered to be facing a high risk of extinction in several populations. LOCATION: Northwestern quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula. METHODS: We analyzed the mtDNA variation at the control region (454 bp) and the cytochrome b (598 bp) loci, as well as at 10 nuclear microsatellite loci from 17 populations throughout the distribution range of the species. RESULTS: According to nuclear markers, most sampling sites are defined as distinct, genetically differentiated populations, and many of them show traces of recent bottlenecks. Mitochondrial data identify a relatively old, geographically restricted lineage, and four to six younger geographically vicariant sister clades, whose origin may be traced back to the mid-Pleistocene revolution, with several subclades possibly associated to the mid-Bruhnes transition. Geographic range fragmentation of one of these clades, which includes lowland sites, is very recent, and most likely due to the accelerated loss of Atlantic forests by human intervention. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the data fit a "refugia within refugia" model, some lack of pattern uniformity notwithstanding, and suggest that these mountains might be the cradles of new species of Iberolacerta. However, the changes operated during the Holocene severely compromise the long-term survival of those genetic lineages more exposed to the anthropogenic perturbations of their habitats.


Subject(s)
Biological Evolution , Ecosystem , Lizards/growth & development , Lizards/genetics , Animals , Base Sequence , DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Genetic Loci , Genetic Variation , Geography , Haplotypes/genetics , Humans , Microsatellite Repeats , Mitochondria , Molecular Sequence Data , Phylogeny , Population Density , Population Dynamics , Spain
11.
Mol Phylogenet Evol ; 68(3): 657-70, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23632031

ABSTRACT

We reconstruct range-wide phylogeographies of two widespread and largely co-occurring Western Palearctic frogs, Rana temporaria and R. dalmatina. Based on tissue or saliva samples of over 1000 individuals, we compare a variety of genetic marker systems, including mitochondrial DNA, single-copy protein-coding nuclear genes, microsatellite loci, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of transcriptomes of both species. The two focal species differ radically in their phylogeographic structure, with R. temporaria being strongly variable among and within populations, and R. dalmatina homogeneous across Europe with a single strongly differentiated population in southern Italy. These differences were observed across the various markers studied, including microsatellites and SNP density, but especially in protein-coding nuclear genes where R. dalmatina had extremely low heterozygosity values across its range, including potential refugial areas. On the contrary, R. temporaria had comparably high range-wide values, including many areas of probable postglacial colonization. A phylogeny of R. temporaria based on various concatenated mtDNA genes revealed that two haplotype clades endemic to Iberia form a paraphyletic group at the base of the cladogram, and all other haplotypes form a monophyletic group, in agreement with an Iberian origin of the species. Demographic analysis suggests that R. temporaria and R. dalmatina have genealogies of roughly the same time to coalescence (TMRCA ~3.5 mya for both species), but R. temporaria might have been characterized by larger ancestral and current effective population sizes than R. dalmatina. The high genetic variation in R. temporaria can therefore be explained by its early range expansion out of Iberia, with subsequent cycles of differentiation in cryptic glacial refugial areas followed by admixture, while the range expansion of R. dalmatina into central Europe is a probably more recent event.


Subject(s)
Anura/classification , Anura/genetics , Genetic Variation , Phylogeny , Phylogeography , Animals , DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Environment , Genetics, Population , Microsatellite Repeats/genetics , Molecular Sequence Data , Multilocus Sequence Typing , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Transcriptome
12.
J Hered ; 103(2): 240-9, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22319097

ABSTRACT

Amphibians often show complex histories of intraspecific and interspecific genetic introgression, which might differ in mitochondrial and nuclear genes. In our study of the genetic differentiation of the European common frog, Rana temporaria (159 specimens from 23 populations were analyzed for 24 presumptive allozyme loci; 82 specimens were sequenced for a 540-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene), multilocus correspondence analysis (CA) and Bayesian assignment tests of the nuclear data were concordant in identifying 2 population groups corresponding to 1) the Pyrenees in the east and 2) the Galicia and Asturias regions in the west, the latter corresponding to the subspecies R. temporaria parvipalmata. Geographically intermediate populations were genetically intermediate in the allozyme CA and, less clearly in the Bayesian assignment, with mitochondrial haplotypes exclusively belonging to the parvipalmata group. This indicates different degrees of introgression in the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Although Pyrenean high-altitude populations are morphologically distinct from low-altitude populations, these 2 groups were not separate clusters in any analysis. This suggests that the morphological differences may be due to fast adaptation to elevational gradients, likely under maintenance of gene flow, and that the underlying genetic changes are not detectable by the analyzed markers. We argue that a parsimonious explanation for the observed pattern along the east-west axis in northern Spain may be competition between invading and resident populations, with no need to invoke selection. However, in order to conclusively rule out selective processes, additional and finer scale data are required to test for asymmetric mating preference/behaviour, sex-biased gene flow, or sex-biased survival of potential hybrids.


Subject(s)
Adaptation, Biological/physiology , Demography , Gene Flow/genetics , Genetics, Population , Rana temporaria/genetics , Adaptation, Biological/genetics , Animals , Base Sequence , Bayes Theorem , DNA Primers/genetics , Gene Frequency , Germany , Haplotypes/genetics , Isoenzymes/genetics , Likelihood Functions , Molecular Sequence Data , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Rana temporaria/anatomy & histology , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Spain
13.
Phys Med ; 26(3): 132-9, 2010.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20034828

ABSTRACT

Monte Carlo calculations are highly spread and settled practice to calculate brachytherapy sources dosimetric parameters. In this study, recommendations of the AAPM TG-43U1 report have been followed to characterize the Varisource VS2000 (192)Ir high dose rate source, provided by Varian Oncology Systems. In order to obtain dosimetric parameters for this source, Monte Carlo calculations with PENELOPE code have been carried out. TG-43 formalism parameters have been presented, i.e., air kerma strength, dose rate constant, radial dose function and anisotropy function. Besides, a 2D Cartesian coordinates dose rate in water table has been calculated. These quantities are compared to this source reference data, finding results in good agreement with them. The data in the present study complement published data in the next aspects: (i) TG-43U1 recommendations are followed regarding to phantom ambient conditions and to uncertainty analysis, including statistical (type A) and systematic (type B) contributions; (ii) PENELOPE code is benchmarked for this source; (iii) Monte Carlo calculation methodology differs from that usually published in the way to estimate absorbed dose, leaving out the track-length estimator; (iv) the results of the present work comply with the most recent AAPM and ESTRO physics committee recommendations about Monte Carlo techniques, in regards to dose rate uncertainty values and established differences between our results and reference data. The results stated in this paper provide a complete parameter collection, which can be used for dosimetric calculations as well as a means of comparison with other datasets from this source.


Subject(s)
Brachytherapy/methods , Iridium Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Monte Carlo Method , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods , Software , Absorption , Air , Algorithms , Anisotropy , Brachytherapy/instrumentation , Databases, Factual , Phantoms, Imaging , Photons , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Radiotherapy Dosage , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation , Reference Values , Uncertainty , Water
14.
Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord ; 25(5): 451-60, 2008.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18401174

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To describe the natural history of the prodromal stages of ischemic vascular dementia (pVaD). METHODS: A sample of 314 inpatients with pVaD or a clini- cal diagnosis of vascular dementia (VaD; lacunar state, Binswanger's disease, pure cortical VaD, corticosubcortical and strategic infarctions) admitted to a teaching tertiary center during a 13-year period was assessed (retrospectively n = 88, prospectively n = 226). Prospective neuropsychological assessment consisted of Mini Mental State Examination, Revised Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Exit-25, Trail Making tests, Blessed Dementia Scale and Camdex H, Global Depression Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale tests. Univariate analysis and logistic regressions are displayed. RESULTS: An unrecognized pVaD was related with a clinical onset with cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) versus symptomatic cerebrovascular events (p < 0.0001), and with being under therapy with anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents (p < 0.01). Age <85 years at diagnosis of VaD (p < 0.01) correlated with a delayed pVaD diagnosis. CIND onset was associated with a longer prodromal stage (p < 0.01), no clinical strokes during pVaD (p < 0.001), silent ischemia (p < 0.01) and Binswanger's disease (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular cognitive impairment remains an underdiagnosed, yet treatable entity. A brief neuropsychological examination and informant interviews should become standard practice in elderly populations with vascular risk factors. Small-vessel disease is a prevalent condition with a distinct natural history.


Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/pathology , Cognition Disorders/physiopathology , Dementia, Vascular/pathology , Dementia, Vascular/physiopathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Brain Infarction/pathology , Brain Infarction/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Ischemic Attack, Transient/pathology , Ischemic Attack, Transient/physiopathology , Male , Neuropsychological Tests , Prospective Studies , Retrospective Studies , Stroke/pathology , Stroke/physiopathology
15.
Med Phys ; 30(9): 2482-92, 2003 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-14528970

ABSTRACT

The dosimetry for radiocolloid therapy of cystic craniopharyngiomas is investigated. Analytical calculations based on the Loevinger and the Berger formulas for electrons and photons, respectively, are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. The role of the material of which the colloid introduced inside the craniopharyngioma is made of as well as that forming the cyst wall is analyzed. It is found that the analytical approaches provide a very good description of the simulated data in the conditions where they can be applied (i.e., in the case of a uniform and infinite homogeneous medium). However, the consideration of the different materials and interfaces produces a strong reduction of the dose delivered to the cyst wall in relation to that predicted by the Loevinger and the Berger formulas.


Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Cysts/radiotherapy , Craniopharyngioma/radiotherapy , Models, Biological , Pituitary Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Radiometry/methods , Radiopharmaceuticals/analysis , Radiopharmaceuticals/therapeutic use , Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods , Beta Particles/therapeutic use , Brain Neoplasms/physiopathology , Brain Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Cell Wall , Central Nervous System Cysts/physiopathology , Colloids/analysis , Colloids/therapeutic use , Computer Simulation , Craniopharyngioma/physiopathology , Humans , Models, Statistical , Monte Carlo Method , Phosphorus Radioisotopes/analysis , Phosphorus Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Pituitary Neoplasms/physiopathology , Radioisotopes/analysis , Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Radiotherapy Dosage , Relative Biological Effectiveness , Reproducibility of Results , Rhenium/analysis , Rhenium/therapeutic use , Sensitivity and Specificity
16.
Arch. Inst. Cardiol. Méx ; 58(5): 415-8, sept.-oct. 1988. tab, ilus
Article in Spanish | LILACS | ID: lil-65776

ABSTRACT

El aumento del tiempo de conducción senoauricular (TCSA) es uno de los signos electrofisiológicos del síndrome del seno enfermo. Para medirlo en forma indirecta Strauss y cols desarrolaron una técnica basada en la introducción prematura de estímulos auriculares artificales. Se revisan los fundamentos teoricos del método de dicho autor y se propone el uso de extrasístoles auriculares en vez de extraestímulos artificiales para la medida del TCSA


Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Cardiac Complexes, Premature/physiopathology , Sinoatrial Node/physiopathology , Electrocardiography
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