First sequenced cases of Omicron BA.2 sublineage in Ecuador.

The largest wave of infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus in Ecuador was observed in mid-December 2021 and early January 2022, driven by B.1.1.529/BA (Omicron) variant. During the second half of March, an increase in the number of daily cases was observed and coincided with the emergence of the BA.2 variant, which we describe in the present study. The first sequenced five cases of SARS-CoV-2 21L/BA.2 in Ecuador were identified using variant specific genotyping by qPCR and confirmed by whole genome sequencing (WGS). The first sequenced Ecuadorian BA.2 isolate was obtained from a person with international travel history who became symptomatic 3 days after travelling, whereas in the other cases no travel history was recorded.

Oclusión de la arteria central de la retina como complicación oftalmológica luego de un accidente ofídico / Central retinal artery occlusion as an ophthalmic complication after snakebite

La mordedura de serpiente causa entre 421.000-1.200.000 envenenamientos anuales con múltiples trastornos sistémicos secundarios a hematotoxicidad, neurotoxicidad y vasculotoxicidad siendo raras las manifestaciones oftalmológicas secundarias a mordedura de serpiente. La familia de serpientes Viperidae, causa más frecuentemente manifestaciones oftalmológicas como el infarto macular, el glaucoma crónico de ángulo abierto y la hemorragia retiniana o vítrea. La oclusión de la arteria central de la retina es una complicación ocular extremadamente rara. Reportamos el caso de una paciente de 30 años de edad, que consultó por mala visión del ojo izquierdo semanas después de sufrir una mordedura de serpiente (Bothrops atrox) en el miembro inferior izquierdo. Se diagnosticó de una oclusión de la arteria central de la retina con hallazgos anormales en el examen físico oftalmológico y en pruebas complementarias retinianas y neurooftalmológicas (AU)

Snakebite causes 421,000 - 1,200,000 poisonings per year due to hematotoxicity, neurotoxicity and vasculotoxicity. Ophthalmological manifestations secondary to snake bites are rare. If the snake belongs to the Viperidae family, the most frequent ophthalmologic manifestations are macular infarction, chronic open-angle glaucoma, and retinal or vitreous hemorrhage. Central retinal artery occlusion is an extremely rare ocular complication. We report the case of a 30-year-old patient, who consulted due to poor vision in her left eye weeks after suffering a snake bite (Bothrops atrox) in her left lower limb. The diagnosis was a central retinal artery occlusion in the left eye with abnormal findings in the ophthalmological physical examination and in complementary retinal and neuro-ophthalmological tests (AU)

Central retinal artery occlusion as an ophthalmic complication after snakebite.

Snakebite causes 421.000-1.200.000 poisonings per year due to and hematotoxicity, neurotoxicity y vasculotoxicity. Ophthalmological manifestations secondary to snake bites are rare. If the snake belongs to the Viperidae family, the most frequent ophthalmologic manifestations are macular infarction, chronic open-angle glaucoma, and retinal or vitreous hemorrhage. Central retinal artery occlusion is an extremely rare ocular complication. We report the case of a 30-year-old patient, who consulted due to poor vision in her left eye weeks after suffering a snake bite (Bothrops atrox) in her left lower limb. The diagnosis was a central retinal artery occlusion in the left eye with abnormal findings in the ophthalmological physical examination and in complementary retinal and neuro-ophthalmological tests.

First case of within-host co-infection of different SARS-CoV-2 variants in Ecuador.

Background: COVID-19 infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can cause mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Co-infections of SARS-CoV-2 with other respiratory viruses have been described. However, two SARS-CoV-2 lineage co-infection have been rarely reported. Methodology: A genotyping analysis and two different types of whole genome sequencing were performed (Illumina MiniSeq and ONT MinION). When examining the phylogenetic analysis in NextClade and Pangolin webservers, and considering the genotyping findings, conflicting results were obtained. Results: The raw data of the sequencing was analyzed, and nucleotide variants were identified between different reads of the virus genome. B.1 and P.1 lineages were identified within the same sample. Conclusions: We concluded that this is a co-infection case with two SARS-CoV-2 lineages, the first one reported in Ecuador.

Hallazgos oftalmológicos en pacientes con leucemia en una población colombiana / Ophthalmological findings in patients with leukaemia in a Colombian population

Objetivo Publicar las manifestaciones oculares en paciente con leucemia. Métodos Estudio observacional analítico de corte transversal, en pacientes con manifestaciones oculares por leucemia. Resultados Se evaluaron 14 ojos de 8 pacientes (5 mujeres y 3 varones) con leucemia. La edad promedio al diagnóstico de leucemia fue de 43 años (31-76 años). Seis ojos correspondían a pacientes con leucemia mieloide aguda (LMA), 4 ojos a pacientes con leucemia linfoide aguda (LLA), 2 ojos a pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica (LMC) y 2 ojos a pacientes con leucemia de células peludas (LCP). Los hallazgos oculares primarios fueron: invasión coroidea en 12 ojos (85,7%), infiltración retiniana en 4 ojos (28,6%) y desórdenes neuroftalmológicos en 4 ojos (28,6%). La agudeza visual promedio mejoró de 0,689 a 0,449 logMAR (p 0,012) luego del tratamiento con quimioterapia sistémica e intratecal. De los 8 pacientes, 4 murieron debido a complicaciones de su enfermedad. Conclusiones Este es el primer artículo de múltiples manifestaciones oculares secundaria a leucemia en una población colombiana. Es importante tener en cuenta que este tipo de manifestaciones hacen parte de los síndromes de enmascaramiento por lo tanto es primordial hacer un diagnóstico y manejo precoz ya que en ocasiones está en riesgo la vida del paciente (AU)

Objective To report the ocular manifestations in patients with leukaemia. Methods This is a retrospective, descriptive and observational study in patients with ocular manifestations of leukaemia. Results A total of 14 eyes were evaluated corresponding to 8 patients (5 women and 3 men) with ocular manifestations of leukaemia. The mean age at diagnosis was 43 years (31-76 years). Six eyes corresponded to patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), four eyes to acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL), two eyes to chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), and the remaining two belonged to patients with hairy cell leukaemia (HCL). The primary ocular findings were choroidal invasion in 12 eyes (85.7%), retinal infiltration in 4 eyes (28.6%), and neuro-ophthalmic disorders in 4 eyes (28.6%). The mean visual acuity improved from 0.689 to 0.449 (logMAR) (P=.012) after the systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy. Of the eight patients, four died from systemic complications of the underlying disease. Conclusions This is the first report of multiple ocular manifestations secondary to leukaemia in a Colombian population. It is important to keep in mind that this disease is included within the masquerade syndromes and that the ophthalmological findings that, while subtle, can also be devastating and be signs of a life-threatening disease (AU)

Ophthalmological findings in patients with leukaemia in a Colombian population. / Hallazgos oftalmológicos en pacientes con leucemia en una población colombiana.

OBJECTIVE: To report the ocular manifestations in patients with leukaemia. METHODS: This is a retrospective, descriptive and observational study in patients with ocular manifestations of leukaemia. RESULTS: A total of 14 eyes were evaluated corresponding to 8 patients (5 women and 3 men) with ocular manifestations of leukaemia. The mean age at diagnosis was 43 years (31-76 years). Six eyes corresponded to patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), four eyes to acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL), two eyes to chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), and the remaining two belonged to patients with hairy cell leukaemia (HCL). The primary ocular findings were choroidal invasion in 12 eyes (85.7%), retinal infiltration in 4 eyes (28.6%), and neuro-ophthalmic disorders in 4 eyes (28.6%). The mean visual acuity improved from 0.689 to 0.449 (logMAR) (P=.012) after the systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy. Of the eight patients, four died from systemic complications of the underlying disease. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of multiple ocular manifestations secondary to leukaemia in a Colombian population. It is important to keep in mind that this disease is included within the masquerade syndromes and that the ophthalmological findings that, while subtle, can also be devastating and be signs of a life-threatening disease.

The -514C>T polymorphism in the LIPC gene modifies type 2 diabetes risk through modulation of HDL-cholesterol levels in Mexicans.

PURPOSE: Both type 2 diabetes (T2D) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are very prevalent conditions among Mexicans. Genetic variants in the LIPC gene have been associated with both conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the association of the -514C < T (rs1800588) LIPC gene polymorphism with different metabolic traits, particularly the effects of this polymorphism on HDL-C plasma levels and T2D risk. METHODS: Mediation analysis was used to assess the direct and indirect effects of the -514C>T LIPC gene variant on HDL-C levels, T2D risk, and body mass index (BMI), in 2105 Mexican mestizo participants. We also assessed the functional effect of the -514C>T LIPC variant on the promoter activity of a reporter gene in the HepG2 cell line. RESULTS: Direct effects show that the -514C>T LIPC polymorphism is significantly associated with increased HDL-C plasma levels (ß = 0.03; p < 0.001). The -514C>T variant resulted in an indirect protective effect on T2D risk through increasing HDL-C levels (ß = - 0.03; p < 0.001). Marginal direct association between -514C>T and T2D was found (ß = 0.08; p = 0.06). Variables directly influencing T2D status were European ethnicity (ß = - 7.20; p < 0.001), age (ß = 0.04; p < 0.001), gender (ß = - 0.15; p = 0.017) and HDL-C (ß = - 1.07; p < 0.001). In addition, we found that the -514C>T variant decreases the activity of LIPC promoter by 90% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The -514C>T polymorphism was not directly associated with T2D risk. HDL-C acts as a mediator between -514C>T LIPC gene variant and T2D risk in the Mexican population.

Neuro-ophthalmological manifestations of POEMS syndrome. / Manifestaciones neurooftalmológicas del síndrome de POEMS.

The cases is presented of a 38 year-old male with a constitutional syndrome, fever, multiple swollen lymph nodes, and hepatosplenomegaly of 2 months onset. There was also mention of headache, bilateral blurred vision, and myiodesopsias. Best correct visual acuity was 20/50 and 20/200. The anterior segment was unremarkable. The fundus of both eyes showed raised and erased discs, accompanied by serous detachment, greater in the left eye. Complementary studies of both eyes showed a visual field with increased blind spot; fluorescein angiography indicated late disc hyperfluorescence. The electroretinogram showed compromise of cones and rods, and the visual evoked potential detected alteration in the perception and conduction of stimuli. The imaging studies were essentially normal. During his hospital admission he presented with paraparesis, renal failure, endocrinopathy, skin alterations, and osteoblastic lesions with negative biopsies. Monoclonal gammopathy was documented, and the diagnosis of POEMS (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal gammopathy, and Skin changes) syndrome was made. The chemotherapy started with dexamethasone/melphalan, with a good response at 3 months.

Conocimiento tradicional de las vendedoras de plantas medicinales de la ciudad de Sucre-Bolivia / Traditional knowledge of the medicines of medicinal plants of the city of Sucre-Bolivia

En Bolivia se práctica la medicina tradicional por su alta diversidad cultural y biológica. Las plantas medicinales son comercializadas en Sucre-Bolivia mediante puestos urbanos atendidos por mujeres de origen quechua y castellano el objetivo es saber los conocimientos y usos de las plantas medicinales. La recolección de información fue por medio de entrevistas, con cinco preguntas básicas en los meses de julio-agosto. Se identificó que las señoras que tienen puesto fijo tienen de 90 a 110 especies de plantas medicinales y las señoras ambulantes que en su mayoría se encuentran en el mercado campesino tienen poca variedad de plantas medicinales de 5 a 10 especies, estas ambulantes en su totalidad son de orígenes indígenas es porque ellas siembran y cosechan sus propias plantas que en este caso son plantas con características medicinales en cambio las que tienen puesto fijo, también son las que tienen más años de experiencia traen plantas de La Paz (yungas), Cochabamba ya que estas ciudades producen mayor cantidad de plantas medicinales, también son traídas de los alrededores de sucre como Yotala, Icla, Jatun Mayu, Ravelo y del valle que son exportadas para su venta. Es así que estos recursos genéticos representan oportunidades para impulsar el desarrollo económico, enmarcado dentro la sostenibilidad y equidad social.

In Bolivia, traditional medicine is practiced because of its high cultural and biological diversity. The medicinal plants are commercialized in Sucre-Bolivia through urban posts served by women of Quechua and Spanish origin. The objective is to know the knowledge and uses of the medicinal plants. The information was collected through interviews, with five basic questions in the months of July-August. It was identified that the ladies who have a fixed position have 90 to 110 species of medicinal plants and the traveling ladies who are mostly in the peasant market have little variety of medicinal plants of 5 to 10 species, these ambulants in their entirety are of indigenous origins it is because they sow and harvest their own plants that in this case are plants with medicinal characteristics instead those that have a fixed position, they are also those that have more years of experience bring plants from La Paz (yungas), Cochabamba since These cities produce more medicinal plants, they are also brought from the surroundings of Sucre such as Yotala, Icla, Jatun Mayu, Ravelo and the valley that are exported for sale. Thus, these genetic resources represent opportunities to boost economic development, framed within sustainability and social equity.

Infección severa por Strongyloides stercoralis en líquido ascítico / Severe infection by Strongyloides stercoralis in ascitic liquid

La estrongiloidiosis es una infección cuyos agentes responsables son Strongyloides stercoralis y S. fuelleborni. Estos nematodos son de localización intestinal, el factor de riesgo principal es el andar descalzo en lugares contaminados con las larvas filariformes. El estudio presenta a un paciente varón de 23 años de edad, residente de San Juan de Lurigancho, presentó 14 meses de enfermedad con signos de meteorismo, náuseas, vómitos y permaneció afebril, se indica también que 28 días antes presentó dolor del epigastrio irradiado a la espalda de duración constante. Al examen físico se encontró un abdomen distendido, blando timpánico doloroso a la palpación, el informe de ecografía abdominal evidenció dilatación de las asas intestinales, meteorismo, con presencia abundante de líquido libre en la cavidad abdominal (ascitis) y en los exámenes parasitológicos del líquido se observó larvas rabditoides L1, L2 y filariformes L3 de Strongyloides stercoralis; por lo que recibió tratamiento con Ivermectina, obteniéndose la recuperación del paciente.

The strongyloidiasis is an infection whose responsible agents are Strongyloides stercoralis and S. fuelleborni. These nematodes have an intestinal location; the main risk factor is to be barefoot in places contaminated with filariform larvae. The study presents a male 23-year-old resident of San Juan de Lurigancho, with 14 months of illness with signs of bloating, nausea, vomiting and wasafebrile,also indicates that 28 days before he had epigastric pain irradiated to the back. On physical examination a distended abdomen was found, soft painful tympanic tenderness, the abdominal ultrasonography showed dilated bowel loops, bloat, with abundant presence of free fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites) and parasitological examinations observed, rabditoides larvae L1 and L2 and filariform L3 of Strongyloides stercoralis. He received Ivermectin, obtaining the patient's recovery.

[Severe infection by Strongyloides stercoralis in ascitic liquid]. / Infección severa por Strongyloides stercoralis en líquido ascítico.

The strongyloidiasis is an infection whose responsible agents are Strongyloides stercoralis and S. fuelleborni. These nematodes have an intestinal location; the main risk factor is to be barefoot in places contaminated with filariform larvae. The study presents a male 23-year-old resident of San Juan de Lurigancho, with 14 months of illness with signs of bloating, nausea, vomiting and wasafebrile,also indicates that 28 days before he had epigastric pain irradiated to the back. On physical examination a distended abdomen was found, soft painful tympanic tenderness, the abdominal ultrasonography showed dilated bowel loops, bloat, with abundant presence of free fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites) and parasitological examinations observed, rabditoides larvae L1 and L2 and filariform L3 of Strongyloides stercoralis. He received Ivermectin, obtaining the patient's recovery.

Temporal and Spatial Characterization of Gait Pattern in Rodents as an Animal Model of Cerebrovascular Lesion / Caraterização Temporo - Espacial do Padrão de Marcha em Roedores como Modelo Animal de Lesão Cerebrovascular / Caracterización temporo-espacial del patrón de marcha en roedores como modelo animal de lesión cerebrovascular

RESUMEN En la investigación sobre movimiento, la experimentación animal ha proporcionado fundamentación científica para la investigación clínica, mejorando procedimientos diagnósticos y de rehabilitación. Lesiones cerebrales en roedores pueden ser usadas para modelar síntomas locomotores, sensoriales y/o cognitivos. Con el propósito de determinar la funcionalidad locomotriz y sensorial en roedores, se han propuesto varios métodos de evaluación y pronóstico clínico para identificar y evaluar adaptaciones estructurales y mecanismos de neuro-recuperación. Esto ha permitido que métodos de intervención terapéutica, como el ejercicio físico, sean utilizados para restaurar funciones sensitivo-motoras y cognitivas en roedores y humanos. La extrapolación (translación) de los resultados de investigaciones en ciencias básicas a áreas clínicas, supone la continua cooperación y retroalimentación entre investigadores y profesionales de la salud, favoreciendo la formulación de intervenciones terapéuticas más eficaces basadas en resultados obtenidos de la experimentación animal. El objetivo de esta revisión es exponer las principales deficiencias motoras y los métodos empleados para determinar la dificultad motriz en la marcha en roedores con lesión cerebrovascular, para lo cual se realizó una revisión de literatura, sobre términos definidos (MeSH), en las bases de datos PsychINFO, Medline y Web of Science, entre enero de 2000 y enero de 2017. Se excluyeron artículos de carácter cualitativo o narrativo, sin revisión por pares, disertaciones, tesis o trabajos de grado y resúmenes de conferencias. Se revisan algunas manifestaciones clínicas, su efecto en la locomotricidad en roedores, algunas metodologías usadas para generar lesiones y para estudiar la función motriz, los principales métodos de medición y algunos aspectos translacionales.

ABSTRACT Animal experimentation is crucial for the advance in the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms and their application on both clinical diagnosis and neuro-rehabilitation. Particularly, rodent brain lesion is commonly used in the modeling of locomotor, somatosensory and cognitive symptoms. The automated rodent gait analysis has been proposed as a tool for studying locomotor and sensory abilities and its use includes the identification of functional alterations, structural adaptations as well as neuro-rehabilitation mechanisms. From that standpoint, the effectiveness of many therapeutic interventions (i.e. physical exercises) has been documented in rodents and humans. The translation from experimental data to clinical conditions requires the continuous collaboration and feedback between researchers and health clinicians looking for the selection of the best rehabilitation protocols obtained from animal research. Here we will show some locomotor alterations, the traditional methods used to assess motor dysfunction and gait abnormalities in rodent models with stroke. The aim of this review is to show some motor deficiencies and some methods used to establish gait disturbances in rodents with cerebrovascular lesion. The review included the search of defined terms (MeSH) in PychINFO, Medline and Web of Science, between January 2000 and January 2017. Qualitative and narrative reports, dissertations, end course works and conference resumes were discarded. The review focuses on some clinical signs, their effects on rodent locomotor activity, some methodologies used to create lesion and to study motor function, some assessment methods and some translational aspects.

RESUMO No estudo do movimento, a experimentação animal tem proporcionado sólida fundamentação científica para a pesquisa clínica, permitindo melhorar procedimentos diagnósticos e de reabilitação. Lesões cerebrais em roedores são utilizadas para modelar sintomas locomotores, sensoriais e cognitivos. Para determinar a funcionalidade locomotora e sensorial em roedores, têm sido desenvolvidas várias metodologias para avaliar o prognóstico clínico e identificar adaptações estruturais e mecanismos da recuperação. Todos esses achados têm favorecido que alguns métodos de intervenção terapêutica sejam utilizados para restaurar funções sensitivo-motoras e cognitivas em roedores e pacientes. A extrapolação (translação) de resultados de pesquisas em ciências básicas para as áreas clínicas, supõe a contínua cooperação e retroalimentação entre pesquisadores e profissionais da saúde, desenhando intervenções terapêuticas mais eficazes, baseadas em resultados obtidos na experimentação animal. Nesta revisão se expõem metodologias utilizadas para criar e avaliar alterações motoras, em modelos animais com acidente cerebral vascular. O objetivo é apresentar deficiências motoras e métodos utilizados para determinar a dificuldade na marcha em roedores com lesão cerebrovascular. Para isso foi feita uma revisão da literatura, usando termos definidos (MeSH), nas bases de dados PsychINFO, Medline e Web of Science, entre janeiro de 2000 e janeiro de 2017. Foram excluídos artigos qualitativos, narrativas, sem revisão por pares, dissertações, teses ou trabalhos de grado e resumos de palestras. Se revisam manifestações clínicas, seus efeitos na locomoção de roedores, algumas metodologias usadas para gerar lesões e para estudar a função motora, os principais métodos de medição e alguns aspectos translacionais.

The bitter side of the nightshades: Genomics drives discovery in Solanaceae steroidal alkaloid metabolism.

Steroidal alkaloids (SAs) and their glycosylated forms (SGAs) are toxic compounds largely produced by members of the Solanaceae and Liliaceae plant families. This class of specialized metabolites serves as a chemical barrier against a broad range of pest and pathogens. In humans and animals, SAs are considered anti-nutritional factors because they affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food and might even cause poisoning. In spite of the first report on SAs nearly 200 years ago, much of the molecular basis of their biosynthesis and regulation remains unknown. Aspects concerning chemical structures and biological activities of SAs have been reviewed extensively elsewhere; therefore, in this review the latest insights to the elucidation of the SAs biosynthetic pathway are highlighted. Recently, co-expression analysis combined with metabolic profiling revealed metabolic gene clusters in tomato and potato that contain core genes required for production of the prominent SGAs in these two species. Elaborating the knowledge regarding the SAs biosynthetic pathway, the subcellular transport of these molecules, as well as the identification of regulatory and signaling factors associated with SA metabolism will likely advance understanding of chemical defense mechanisms in Solanaceae and Liliaceae plants. It will also provide the means to develop, through classical breeding or genetic engineering, crops with modified levels of anti-nutritional SAs.

Finding memory: Interview with Daniel L. Schacter / Encontrando la memoria: Entrevista con Daniel L. Schacter

The present interview offers an annotated dialogue with Dr. Daniel L. Schacter, in which we had the chance to learn about his findings, his current studies, in their implications for memory and cognition. Dr. Schacter is currently William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Psychology at Harvard University. With more than 40 years of professional experience in research on cognition, Dr. Schacter has published over 400 articles, many in top scientific journals, and some have been cited thousands of times. For his multiple theoretical and empirical contributions to the field of psychology, Dr. Schacter recently received the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions.

En esta entrevista se presenta un diálogo con comentarios con el Dr. Daniel L. Schacter, en el cual tratamos de tener la oportunidad de aprender sobre sus hallazgos, sus estudios actuales y sus implicaciones para la memoria y la cognición. El Dr. Schacter es actualmente profesor William R. Kenan Jr. de psicología en la Universidad de Harvard. Con más de 40 años de experiencia profesional en investigación sobre cognición, el Dr. Schacter ha publicado cerca de 400 artículos, muchos en revistas de alto impacto y algunos han llegado a recibir más de mil citas. Por sus múltiples contribuciones teóricas y empíricas en el campo de la psicología, recibió recientemente el premio por contribuciones científicas distinguidas de la American Psychological Association.

Phylogeny and systematics of demospongiae in light of new small-subunit ribosomal DNA (18S) sequences.

The most diverse and species-rich class of the phylum Porifera is Demospongiae. In recent years, the systematics of this clade, which contains more than 7000 species, has developed rapidly in light of new studies combining molecular and morphological observations. We add more than 500 new, nearly complete 18S sequences (an increase of more than 200%) in an attempt to further enhance understanding of the phylogeny of Demospongiae. Our study specifically targets representation of type species and genera that have never been sampled for any molecular data in an effort to accelerate progress in classifying this diverse lineage. Our analyses recover four highly supported subclasses of Demospongiae: Keratosa, Myxospongiae, Haploscleromorpha, and Heteroscleromorpha. Within Keratosa, neither Dendroceratida, nor its two families, Darwinellidae and Dictyodendrillidae, are monophyletic and Dictyoceratida is divided into two lineages, one predominantly composed of Dysideidae and the second containing the remaining families (Irciniidae, Spongiidae, Thorectidae, and Verticillitidae). Within Myxospongiae, we find Chondrosida to be paraphyletic with respect to the Verongida. We amend the latter to include species of the genus Chondrosia and erect a new order Chondrillida to contain remaining taxa from Chondrosida, which we now discard. Even with increased taxon sampling of Haploscleromorpha, our analyses are consistent with previous studies; however, Haliclona species are interspersed in even more clades. Haploscleromorpha contains five highly supported clades, each more diverse than previously recognized, and current families are mostly polyphyletic. In addition, we reassign Janulum spinispiculum to Haploscleromorpha and resurrect Reniera filholi as Janulum filholi comb. nov. Within the large clade Heteroscleromorpha, we confirmed 12 recently identified clades based on alternative data, as well as a sister-group relationship between the freshwater Spongillida and the family Vetulinidae. We transfer Stylissa flabelliformis to the genus Scopalina within the family Scopalinidae, which is of uncertain position. Our analyses uncover a large, strongly supported clade containing all heteroscleromorphs other than Spongillida, Vetulinidae, and Scopalinidae. Within this clade, there is a major division separating Axinellidae, Biemnida, Tetractinellida, Bubaridae, Stelligeridae, Raspailiidae, and some species of Petromica, Topsentia, and Axinyssa from Agelasida, Polymastiidae, Placospongiidae, Clionaidae, Spirastrellidae, Tethyidae, Poecilosclerida, Halichondriidae, Suberitidae, and Trachycladus. Among numerous results: (1) Spirophorina and its family Tetillidae are paraphyletic with respect to a strongly supported Astrophorina within Tetractinellida; (2) Agelasida is the earliest diverging lineage within the second clade listed above; and (3) Merlia and Desmacella appear to be the earliest diverging lineages of Poecilosclerida.

Biosynthesis of antinutritional alkaloids in solanaceous crops is mediated by clustered genes.

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs) such as α-solanine found in solanaceous food plants--as, for example, potato--are antinutritional factors for humans. Comparative coexpression analysis between tomato and potato coupled with chemical profiling revealed an array of 10 genes that partake in SGA biosynthesis. We discovered that six of them exist as a cluster on chromosome 7, whereas an additional two are adjacent in a duplicated genomic region on chromosome 12. Following systematic functional analysis, we suggest a revised SGA biosynthetic pathway starting from cholesterol up to the tetrasaccharide moiety linked to the tomato SGA aglycone. Silencing GLYCOALKALOID METABOLISM 4 prevented accumulation of SGAs in potato tubers and tomato fruit. This may provide a means for removal of unsafe, antinutritional substances present in these widely used food crops.

Sponge systematics facing new challenges.

Systematics is nowadays facing new challenges with the introduction of new concepts and new techniques. Compared to most other phyla, phylogenetic relationships among sponges are still largely unresolved. In the past 10 years, the classical taxonomy has been completely overturned and a review of the state of the art appears necessary. The field of taxonomy remains a prominent discipline of sponge research and studies related to sponge systematics were in greater number in the Eighth World Sponge Conference (Girona, Spain, September 2010) than in any previous world sponge conferences. To understand the state of this rapidly growing field, this chapter proposes to review studies, mainly from the past decade, in sponge taxonomy, nomenclature and phylogeny. In a first part, we analyse the reasons of the current success of this field. In a second part, we establish the current sponge systematics theoretical framework, with the use of (1) cladistics, (2) different codes of nomenclature (PhyloCode vs. Linnaean system) and (3) integrative taxonomy. Sponges are infamous for their lack of characters. However, by listing and discussing in a third part all characters available to taxonomists, we show how diverse characters are and that new ones are being used and tested, while old ones should be revisited. We then review the systematics of the four main classes of sponges (Hexactinellida, Calcispongiae, Homoscleromorpha and Demospongiae), each time focusing on current issues and case studies. We present a review of the taxonomic changes since the publication of the Systema Porifera (2002), and point to problems a sponge taxonomist is still faced with nowadays. To conclude, we make a series of proposals for the future of sponge systematics. In the light of recent studies, we establish a series of taxonomic changes that the sponge community may be ready to accept. We also propose a series of sponge new names and definitions following the PhyloCode. The issue of phantom species (potential new species revealed by molecular studies) is raised, and we show how they could be dealt with. Finally, we present a general strategy to help us succeed in building a Porifera tree along with the corresponding revised Porifera classification.

Parásitos de fasciola hepática intracoledociano / Common bile duct fasciolasis: report of one case

La fasciolasis es una enfermedad parasitaria producida por el tremátodo digeneo Fasciola hepática. Durante la fase crónica de la enfermedad los parásitos pueden entran en los conductos biliares, y ser causa de ictericia obstructiva, colangitis, pancreatitis y otras complicaciones. Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente intervenida por sospecha de colelitiasis y colédocolitiasis, a la cual durante la exploración coledociana intraoperatoria le fueron extraídos múltiples parásitos adultos de Fasciola hepática. Este hallazgo sólo fue aclarado posteriormente en la biopsia diferida. Se realiza una revisión breve del tema, métodos de diagnóstico, tratamiento médico y alternativas quirúrgicas de tratamiento.

Fasciolasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the digenean trematode Fasciola hepatica. During the chronic phase of the disease the parasites invade the main biliary ducts, causing obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, pancreatitis and other complications. We report a 75 years old female, operated due to the suspicion of a choledocholithiasis. During the exploration of the choledochus, adult F. hepatica parasites were extracted. The pathology report of the parasites confirmed the diagnosis.

Jóvenes y política en El Alto: la subjetividad de los otros / Es

El primer capítulo trata de revisar suscintamente los trabajos relacionados sobre juventud y política; el segundo capítulo expone un análisis cuantitativo de las principales percepiones sobre la política de las y los jóvenes en la ciudad de El Alto; el tercer capítulo muestra los nucleamientos sociales que hacen a la subjetividad política y por último, el cuarto capítulo muestra, a partir del trabajo cualitativo, las especificidades de la subjetividad política a partir del estudio de algunos grupos juveniles de la ciudad de El Alto