HD-DRUM, a Tablet-Based Drumming Training App Intervention for People With Huntington Disease: App Development Study.

BACKGROUND: Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative condition that leads to progressive loss of cognitive-executive and motor functions, largely due to basal ganglia (BG) atrophy. Currently, there are no therapeutic interventions tailored to address executive and motor dysfunction in people with HD. Music-based interventions may aid executive abilities by compensating for impaired BG-reliant timing and rhythm generation using external rhythmic beats. Here, we applied an integrated knowledge translation (IKT) framework to co-design a tablet-based rhythmic drumming training app (HD-DRUM) to stimulate executive and motor abilities in people with HD. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to develop the HD-DRUM app for at-home use that addressed the accessibility needs of people with HD and allowed for the quantification of performance improvements and adherence for controlled clinical evaluation. METHODS: The IKT framework was applied to iteratively refine the design of HD-DRUM. This process involved 3 phases of knowledge user engagement and co-design: a web-based survey of people with HD (n=29) to inform about their accessibility needs, usability testing of tablet-based touch screens as hardware solutions, and usability testing of the design and build of HD-DRUM to meet the identified accessibility needs of people affected by HD and their clinicians (n=12). RESULTS: The survey identified accessibility problems due to cognitive and motor control impairments such as difficulties in finding and navigating through information and using PC keyboards and mouses to interact with apps. Tablet-based touch screens were identified as feasible and accessible solutions for app delivery. Key elements to ensure that the app design and build met the needs of people with HD were identified and implemented. These included the facilitation of intuitive navigation through the app using large and visually distinctive buttons; the use of audio and visual cues as training guides; and gamification, positive feedback, and drumming to background music as a means to increase motivation and engagement. The co-design development process resulted in the proof-of-concept HD-DRUM app that is described here according to the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist. HD-DRUM can be used at home, allowing the quantification of performance improvements and adherence for clinical evaluation, matching of training difficulty to users' performance levels using gamification, and future scale-up to reach a wide range of interested users. CONCLUSIONS: Applying an IKT-based co-design framework involving knowledge user engagement allowed for the iterative refinement of the design and build of the tablet-based HD-DRUM app intervention, with the aim of stimulating BG-reliant cognitive and motor functions. Mapping the intervention against the Template for Intervention Description and Replication framework to describe complex interventions allowed for the detailed description of the HD-DRUM intervention and identification of areas that required refinement before finalizing the intervention protocol.

Conserving the Amazon River Basin: The case study of the Yahuarcaca Lakes System in Colombia.

Colombia is the fourth contributor to the Amazon River Basin (ARB) by surface, and the third by mean annual runoff. The Yahuarcaca Lakes System (YLS), consisting of four large interconnected water bodies situated on the floodplain of Amazon River, was identified as one of the key areas for the conservation of freshwater biodiversity in the Colombian ARB. This review aimed to provide a general overview of YLS, present its environmental and biological features, identify main ecological and health threats, and propose mitigation strategies and future research prospects. A systematic search was performed using various databases. In summary, YLS harbors significant biodiversity and provides a number of ecological services for local communities, encompassing fish and drinking water supply and utilization of the floodplain for agriculture. Ensuring its sustainability requires attention from local and international authorities, collaboration with indigenous communities and future interdisciplinary research.

Inhabiting the technosphere: The encroachment of anthropogenic marine litter in Neotropical mangrove forests and its use as habitat by macrobenthic biota.

Coastal urbanization is leading to the accumulation of anthropogenic litter. Understanding the distribution and habitat use of litter by marine biota is important to predict how organisms will respond to anthropogenic changes. We assessed the density, distribution and composition of surface macro-litter (SML) in mangrove forests in Buenaventura (Colombia) and analysed how these microhabitats are used by marine biota. SML density ranged from 2 to 314 g m-2 (0.22 to 35.5 items m-2), implying that mangrove forests surrounding Buenaventura city are among the most polluted coastal areas in the World. Biological assemblages colonizing SML differed according to position on the forest and litter type. The encroachment of SML in mangrove forest enables a seemingly transient colonization of resident and immigrant biota from intertidal rocky shores and subtidal hard bottoms. The successful colonization of SML poses questions regarding the potential for plastics or their leaching chemicals to transfer through food webs.

First observations of the bigfin squid Magnapinna sp. in the Colombian Southern Caribbean.

Herein, first observations are reported of Magnapinna squids in the Colombian Southern Caribbean. Two specimens were observed by Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) during exploratory drilling surveys for hydrocarbons at 1,883 and 2,294 m depth. These are the first observations of specimens of Magnapinna in the Southern Caribbean. Resumen La primera observación del calamar Magnapinna sp. en el caribe sur colombiano. Dos especímenes de calamares de aleta grande fueron observados con submarino de operación remota (ROV) durante un proyecto de perforación exploratoria de hidrocaburos a profundidades de 1,883 y de 2,294 m, respectivamente. Estas son las primeras observaciones de especímenes de Magnapinna en el Caribe Sur.

Improved Executive Function and Callosal White Matter Microstructure after Rhythm Exercise in Huntington's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosominal dominant neurodegenerative condition that leads to progressive loss of motor and cognitive functions. Early symptoms in HD include subtle executive dysfunction related to white and grey matter loss in cortico-striatal-thalamic loops. There is no cure for HD and hence a significant need for early intervention with the potential to delay the clinical onset of the disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present pilot study was to devise a novel behavioural intervention involving drumming and rhythm exercises that targets early dysexecutive problems, such as difficulties in sequence and reversal learning, response speed, timing, and dual tasking. METHOD: One preclinical person and nine people with early to advanced stages of HD were recruited of whom five completed the two months intervention. The effects of rhythm exercise on executive function, basal ganglia volume, and white matter microstructure in the anterior corpus callosum, the anterior thalamic radiation, and the cortico-spinal tract were assessed post- relative to pre-training. RESULTS: After two months training, improvements in executive function and changes in white matter microstructure, notably in the genu of the corpus callosum that connects prefrontal cortices of both hemispheres, were observed. No changes in basal ganglia volume were present. CONCLUSION: This pilot study provides novel preliminary evidence that carefully targeted behavioural stimulation in HD can result in cognitive enhancement and improvements in callosal white matter microstructure.

Distribution of macroinvertebrates on intertidal rocky shores in Gorgona Island, Colombia (Tropical Eastern Pacific) / Distribución de macroinvertebrados en costas rocosas intermareales en Isla Gorgona, Colombia (Pacífico Oriental Tropical)

Organisms found on rocky shores must endure harsh environmental conditions during tidal changes but scientific studies on tropical rocky shores are scarce, particularly in Colombian shores. Here we describe the spatial distribution of macroinvertebrates associated to the intertidal rocky ecosystems of Gorgona Island, Colombia (Tropical Eastern Pacific). Sampling was carried out in four localities around the Island: La Ventana and La Camaronera (sampled during October 2010) and La Mancora and El Muelle (sampled during March 2011). Two methodologies were used: rapid ecological assessments for qualitative data and quadrats for quantitative data. The richness, abundance, diversity (Shannon-Wiener H’), and evenness (Pielou J’) of macroinvertebrates were determined for and compared between, using one way ANOVA, each locality and the three intertidal zones of La Ventana (see methods). One hundred twenty-one species of macroinvertebrates were found during the sampling period. In all localities, Mollusca was the richest and most abundant taxon (46% of the species and 59% of the individuals), followed by Crustacea (32% of the species and 33% of the individuals). The other groups accounted for the remaining 22% of the richness and 8% of the abundance. Several studies have demonstrated that mollusks and crustaceans are the richest and most abundant taxa in marine benthic communities. Most of the abundant species found were herbivores. The species composition varied among zones. The results of dominant species for each zone are consistent with the ones observed in other tropical rocky intertidal shores. All response variables showed a decreasing pattern from the low to the high intertidal (in La Ventana). Post-hoc results indicated that the high intertidal, the zone with the harshest environmental conditions, had significantly lower values than the other two zones for all response variables. Comparisons between the low intertidal zones of the different localities in Gorgona Island showed higher values in all response variables for localities with intertidal pools. The most topographically homogeneous localities showed the lowest richness, abundance, and diversity. Both, tide pools and substrate heterogeneity and/or micro-topography are known to offer refuge against extreme physical conditions to the intertidal dwelling organisms. Results suggest that environmental stress, heterogeneity, and stability are important factors affecting the spatial distribution of macroinvertebrate species on intertidal rocky shores of Gorgona Island. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 1): 189-198. Epub 2014 February 01.

Se estudió la distribución especial de los macroinvertebrados asociados al intermareal rocoso de la Isla Gorgona, Colombia (Pacífico Oriental Tropical). Los muestreos se hicieron en cuatro localidades alrededor de la Isla: La Ventana y La Camaronera (muestreadas durante Octubre de 2010) y La Mancora y El Muelle (muestreadas durante Marzo de 2011). Se usaron dos métodos: evaluaciones ecológicas rápidas para datos cualitativos y cuadrantes para datos cuantitativos. Se calcularon la riqueza, la abundancia, la diversidad de Shannon-Wiener (H’), y la equidad de Pielou (J’) de las muestras y se compararon, usando ANOVA de una vía, entre las diferentes localidades y las tres zonas intermareales de La Ventana (ver métodos). Se encontraron 121 especies de macroinvertebrados durante el estudio. En todas las localidades, Mollusca fue el taxón más rico y abundante (46% de las especies y 59% de los individuos), seguido por Crustacea (32% de las especies y 33% de los individuos). Los otros grupos equivalieron al 22% de la riqueza y menos 8% de la abundancia. Muchos estudios han mostrado que los moluscos y los crustáceos son los taxa más ricos y abundantes en las comunidades bentónicas marinas. La mayoría de las especies más abundantes fueron herbívoros. La composición específica varió entre zonas. Los resultados de las especies dominantes para cada zona son consistentes con los observados en otras costas rocosas intermareales tropicales. Todas las variables de respuesta mostraron un patrón decreciente desde la zona intermareal baja a la alta (en La Ventana). Los resultados post-hoc indicaron que la zona superior, la zona con las condiciones ambientales más rigurosas, tuvo valores significativamente más bajos que las otras dos zonas para todas las variables de respuesta. Las comparaciones entre las zonas intermareales bajas de las diferentes localidades en la Isla Gorgona mostraron valores más altos en todas las variables de respuesta para las localidades con charcos intermareales. Las localidades más homogéneas topográficamente mostraron la riqueza, abundancia y diversidad más bajas. Se conoce que tanto los charcos intermareales como la heterogeneidad y/o microtopografía del sustrato ofrecen refugio a los organismos habitantes del intermareal contra condiciones físicas extremas. Los resultados sugieren que el estrés ambiental, la heterogeneidad y la estabilidad son factores importantes que afectan la distribución espacial de las especies de macroinvertebrados de las costas rocosas intermareales de la Isla Gorgona.

[The fisheries and growth of Ark Clams (Arcoida: Arcidae) Anadara tuberculosa in Málaga Bay, Colombian Pacific, 2005-2007]. / Pesquería y crecimiento de la piangua (Arcoida: Arcidae) Anadara tuberculosa en la Bahía de Málaga del Pacífico Colombiano, 2005-2007.

A. tuberculosa, is the most important bivalve species under exploitation in Colombia. Here, this species is found from Cabo Corrientes (Chocó) to the Ecuador border, in muddy substrates of mangrove forests. In order to determine the growth and the state of fisheries of A. tuberculosa, between December 2005 and April 2007, both, biological (in situ) and commercial studies were performed at Bahia Malaga (Colombian Pacific). The growth was estimated using the general equation of von Bertalanffy, with prior application of the methods of Bhattacharya and Powell-Wetherall. Mortality and exploitation rate were determined using the inverse model of von Bertalanffy. For the biological samplings, a total of 446 individuals of A. tuberculosa (0.64 +/- 0.13 individuals/m2) and 53 individuals (0.05 +/- 0.049 individuals/m2) of Anadara similis were collected. 79% of the catch was below 51mm. In the commercial samplings, 836 individuals of A. tuberculosa (size range: 31.1-92.2mm) were measured, but no A. similis samples were available for this. Recruitment of A. tuberculosa was higher during March, May, July and November. According to the data, A. tuberculosa might be reproducing during December, February, April and August. The data gathered with the biological samples were more reliable on explaining the growth of A. tuberculosa (K=0.332 per year, L(infinity)=88.256mm, t0=0.0556 years) than the one taken from market samples (K=0.256 per year, L(infinity)=89.77mm, t0=0733 years). The high exploitation rate (77%), the low density and the high mortality suggest that A. tuberculosa is in overexploitation state in Bahia Malaga and management strategies are urgently required.

Pesquería y crecimiento de la piangua (Arcoida: Arcidae) Anadara tuberculosa en la Bahía de Málaga del Pacífico colombiano, 2005-2007 / The fisheries and growth of Ark Clams (Arcoida: Arcidae) Anadara tuberculosa in Málaga Bay, Colombian Pacific, 2005-2007

The fisheries and growth of Ark Clams (Arcoida: Arcidae) Anadara tuberculosa in Málaga Bay, Colombian Pacific, 2005-2007. A. tuberculosa, is the most important bivalve species under exploitation in Colombia. Here, this species is found from Cabo Corrientes (Chocó) to the Ecuador border, in muddy substrates of mangrove forests. In order to determine the growth and the state of fisheries of A. tuberculosa, between December 2005 and April 2007, both, biological (in situ) and commercial studies were performed at Bahia Malaga (Colombian Pacific). The growth was estimated using the general equation of von Bertalanffy, with prior application of the methods of Bhattacharya and Powell-Wetherall. Mortality and exploitation rate were determined using the inverse model of von Bertalanffy. For the biological samplings, a total of 446 individuals of A. tuberculosa (0.64±0.13 individuals/m²) and 53 individuals (0.05±0.049 individuals/m²) of Anadara similis were collected. 79% of the catch was below 51mm. In the commercial samplings, 836 individuals of A. tuberculosa (size range: 31.1-92.2mm) were measured, but no A. similis samples were available for this. Recruitment of A. tuberculosa was higher during March, May, July and November. According to the data, A. tuberculosa might be reproducing during December, February, April and August. The data gathered with the biological samples were more reliable on explaining the growth of A. tuberculosa (K=0.332per year, L∞=88.256mm, t0=0.0556years) than the one taken from market samples (K =0.256per year, L∞=89.77mm, t0=0733years). The high exploitation rate (77%), the low density and the high mortality suggest that A. tuberculosa is in overexploitation state in Bahia Malaga and management strategies are urgently required.

Anadara tuberculosa es el bivalvo de mayor explotación en la costa pacífica de Colombia, se distribuye en Colombia desde Cabo Corrientes (Chocó) hasta los límites con el Ecuador, está asociada al bosque de manglar. Con el objetivo de determinar el estado de la pesca y su crecimiento, entre diciembre 2005 y abril 2007, se realizaron muestreos comerciales no sistemáticos y un muestreo biológico intensivo en Bahía Málaga. El crecimiento, se estimó utilizando la forma general de von Bertalanffy, con previa aplicación de los métodos de Bhattacharya & Powell-Wetherall. La mortalidad y tasa de explotación fueron determinadas usando el modelo inverso de von Bertalanffy. Se encontró una densidad de 0.64±0.13 individuos/m². En el muestreo comercial se midieron 836 individuos de Anadara tuberculosa con tallas entre 31.1mm y 92.2mm. Los datos biológicos fueron más confiables para explicar el crecimiento de Anadara tuberculosa (K=0.332 por año, L∞=88.256mm, t0=-0.0556 años) que los datos comerciales (K=0.256 por año, L∞ =89.77mm, t0=0.733 años). La tasa de explotación alta (77%), baja densidad y alta mortalidad, sugieren que Anadara tuberculosa se encuentra en un estado de sobre-explotación y requiere urgentes estrategias de manejo.

[Taxonomic composition and distribution of the echinoderms associations in the littoral ecosystems from the Colombian Pacific]. / Composición taxonómica y distribución de las asociaciones de equinodermos en los ecosistemas litorales del Pacifico Colombiano.

This paper examines published information and gray literature about taxonomy and ecology of echinoderm species of the Colombian Pacific Coast. Unpublished collection data of specimens kept in the Marine Sciences Museum of the University of Valle are also considered. Sixty-six species are found in coastal ecosystems and shallow bottoms of ten geographical, coastal and insular localities of the Pacific coast of Colombia. Main habitats having echinoderms are: rocky cliffs and shores, coral reefs, sand beaches, mud substrates, mangroves, and shallow bottoms of mud, sand, gravel and rocks. Regular Echinoidea and Asteroidea are the most diverse and abundant groups, mainly in subtidal rocky shallow bottoms and coral reefs. Ophiuroidea are abundant below rocky boulders. Irregular Echinoidea are abundant on sand beaches. The relatively high number of species shows that this geographical area presents a high diversity of echinoderms compared with other tropical shallow and littoral zones of the world. Rocky substrates and coral reefs are the ecosystems with the highest numbers of echinoderm species and individuals. A conservation status assessment is difficult because the lack of periodical sampling and few data about deep zones. In general, the species reported in the last 25 years, have not experimented important changes in their populations, although in some specific places, populations may decrease because human activities in coastal areas increase sedimentation rates change some rocky substrates to mud or sand.

[Distribution patterns and bioerosion of the sea urchin Centrostephanus coronatus (Diadematoida: Diadematidae), at the reef of Playa Blanca, Colombian Pacific]. / Patrones de distribución y tasas de bioerosión del erizo Centrostephanus coronatus (Diadematoida: Diadematidae), en el arrecife de Playa Blanca, Pacífico colombiano.

Regular sea-urchins are one of the main bioeroding organisms affecting coral reefs around the world. The abundance, distribution and bioerosion rate of the sea-urchin Centrostephanus coronatus, were determined in different reef zones of Playa Blanca fringing reef (Gorgona Island, Colombian pacific coast) during 1997 and 1998. The erosion rates were determined calcinating the gut content of the sea-urchins to eliminate all organic components and preserve the inorganic portion of calcium carbonate. C. coronatus showed the highest densities towards the central zones of the reef (plain-crest and front) (12.4 ind/m2; range 0-48 ind/m2). The highest mean bioerosion rate was 0.103 kgCaCO3/m2/yr in the reef plain-crest (0-0.69 kgCaCO3/m2/yr). In the other zones, (back reef and reef front) the mean bioerosion rates were 0.071 (range 0-0.39) and 0.052 (range 0-0.31) kgCaCO3/m2/yr respectively. According to the present data, it can be seen that the destruction of coralline skeletons, produced in this reef by sea-urchins is rather low, compared with the abrasion caused by these organisms in other places of the world. However, the combined action of C. coronatus and other bioeroding organisms (borers and grazers). along with some adverse environmental factors to corals, can be causing a negative balance between normal processes of reef accretion-destruction in Gorgona Island reefs.