Assessing Ecogeographic Rules in Two Sigmodontine Rodents along an Elevational Gradient in Central Chile.

Bergmann's and Allen's rules are two classic ecogeographic rules concerning the physiological mechanisms employed by endotherm vertebrates for heat conservation in cold environments, which correlate with adaptive morphological changes. Thus, larger body sizes (Bergmann's rule) and shorter appendages and limbs (Allen's rule) are expected in mammals inhabiting cold environments (higher latitudes). Both rules may also apply to elevational gradients, due to the decrease in external temperature as elevation increases. In this study, we evaluated whether these patterns were true in two coexisting sigmodontine rodents across an elevational gradient in central Chile. We analyzed whether the size of the skull, body, and appendages of Abrothrix olivacea (n = 70) and Phyllotis darwini (n = 58) correlated with elevation, as predicted by these rules in a range between 154 and 2560 m. Our data revealed weak support for the Bergmann and Allen predictions. Moreover, we observed opposite patterns when expectations of Bergmann's rules were evaluated, whereas Allen's rule just fitted for ear size in both rodent species. Our results suggest that morphological changes (cranial, body, and appendage sizes) may play a minor role in the thermoregulation of these two species at high elevations, although behavioral strategies could be more critical. Other ecological and environmental variables could explain the morphological trends observed in our study. These hypotheses should be assessed in future studies to consider the relative contribution of morphology, behavior, and physiological mechanisms to the thermal adaptation of these two rodent species at high elevations.

Resultados clínicos en la reparación artroscópica de manguito rotador con la técnica de Mason-Allen modificada / Clinical results in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with the modified Mason-Allen technique

Resumen: Introducción: la lesión del manguito de los rotadores es una de las lesiones más comunes del hombro. El tratamiento por elección es la reparación artroscópica con uso de anclas. La técnica Mason-Allen modificada, que integra los beneficios de las suturas puente y colchonero, ha demostrado resultados satisfactorios. El propósito de este estudio es reportar y analizar los resultados clínicos del uso de dicha sutura en rupturas del manguito de los rotadores. Resultados: flexión activa media 126o inicial, 169o a tres meses, 175o a 12 meses (p < 0.0001), abducción activa 98o, tres meses 159o y 167o a 12 meses (p < 0.0001), rotación interna valor prequirúrgico 4.4 ± 3, a los tres meses 7.1 ± 1.7 (p < 0.05) y 12 meses 7.6 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001). Constant Score 45.76 ± 16.35 con un valor de p < 0.0001, a tres meses 87.27 ± 10.94 y 12 meses 91.30 ± 6.00. SSV 41.30 ± 20.89, tres meses 81.43 ± 18.31 y 12 meses 94.37 ± 6.90 (p = 0.0001). EVA media inicial 6.6 ± 1.6 y 12 meses 0.63 ± 1.02 (p < 0.0001). Conclusión: en rupturas del manguito de los rotadores, el uso de hilera simple con técnica Mason-Allen modificada es una opción recomendada y replicable con resultados satisfactorios y mejoría clínica estadísticamente significativa a los tres y 12 meses postquirúrgicos.

Abstract: Introduction: rotator cuff tears are one of the most common shoulder injuries. The treatment of choice is arthroscopic repair with the use of anchors. The modified Mason-Allen technique, which combines the benefits of suture bridge and mattress sutures, has shown satisfactory results. This study aims to report and analyze the clinical results using these suture techniques in rotator cuff tears. Results: preoperative mean active flexion 126o, 169o at three months, 175o at 12 months (p < 0.0001), active abduction 98o, 159o at three months and 167o at 12 months (p < 0.0001), internal rotation preoperative value 4.4 ± 3, at three months 7.1 ± 1.7 (p < 0.05) and 12 months 7.6 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001). Constant score 45.76 ± 16.35 (p < 0.0001) at three months 87.27 ± 10.94 and 12 months 91.30 ± 6.00. SSV 41.30 ± 20.89, three months 81.43 ± 18.31 and 12 months 94.37 ± 6.90 (p = 0.0001). Initial mean VAS 6.6 ± 1.6 and 12 months 0.63 ± 1.02 (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: in rotator cuff tears, using a single row with the modified Mason-Allen technique is a recommended and replicable option with satisfactory results and statistically significant clinical improvement at three and 12 months post-surgery.

Changes in bee functional traits at community and intraspecific levels along an elevational gradient in a Mexical-type scrubland.

Understanding the causes of morphological variation of organisms along climatic gradients has been a central challenge in ecological research. We studied the variation of community weighted mean (CWM) and two functional diversity metrics (Rao-Q and functional richness) computed for five morphological traits of wild bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) related to thermal performance (namely body size, relative appendage length and hairiness), at community and interspecific levels, along an elevation gradient in a Mexical-type scrubland. At the community level we found a decreasing CWM of body size pattern with increasing elevation which is consistent with the species-energy theory (and contrary to Bergmann's rule). We also found an increase in the CWM of relative tibia length, which is contrary to Allen's rule. Additionally, we found an increase in the CWM of relative hair length towards high levels of elevation, which would be consistent with the hypothesis that hairiness plays an important role as thermal insulation. We found that functional diversity was larger at low elevations with respect to high elevation for body size and hair length, which could imply that highland communities were more sensitive towards environmental changes than lowland communities. Overall, at intraspecific level, most of species showed no pattern for any of the traits along the elevation gradient. Future research should provide further evidence on the possible behavioral or physiological mechanisms behind it.

[Clinical results in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with the modified Mason-Allen technique]. / Resultados clínicos en la reparación artroscópica de manguito rotador con la técnica de Mason-Allen modificada.

INTRODUCTION: rotator cuff tears are one of the most common shoulder injuries. The treatment of choice is arthroscopic repair with the use of anchors. The modified Mason-Allen technique, which combines the benefits of suture bridge and mattress sutures, has shown satisfactory results. This study aims to report and analyze the clinical results using these suture techniques in rotator cuff tears. RESULTS: preoperative mean active flexion 126o, 169o at three months, 175o at 12 months (p < 0.0001), active abduction 98o, 159o at three months and 167o at 12 months (p < 0.0001), internal rotation preoperative value 4.4 ± 3, at three months 7.1 ± 1.7 (p < 0.05) and 12 months 7.6 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001). Constant score 45.76 ± 16.35 (p < 0.0001) at three months 87.27 ± 10.94 and 12 months 91.30 ± 6.00. SSV 41.30 ± 20.89, three months 81.43 ± 18.31 and 12 months 94.37 ± 6.90 (p = 0.0001). Initial mean VAS 6.6 ± 1.6 and 12 months 0.63 ± 1.02 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: in rotator cuff tears, using a single row with the modified Mason-Allen technique is a recommended and replicable option with satisfactory results and statistically significant clinical improvement at three and 12 months post-surgery.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la lesión del manguito de los rotadores es una de las lesiones más comunes del hombro. El tratamiento por elección es la reparación artroscópica con uso de anclas. La técnica Mason-Allen modificada, que integra los beneficios de las suturas puente y colchonero, ha demostrado resultados satisfactorios. El propósito de este estudio es reportar y analizar los resultados clínicos del uso de dicha sutura en rupturas del manguito de los rotadores. RESULTADOS: flexión activa media 126o inicial, 169o a tres meses, 175o a 12 meses (p < 0.0001), abducción activa 98o, tres meses 159o y 167o a 12 meses (p < 0.0001), rotación interna valor prequirúrgico 4.4 ± 3, a los tres meses 7.1 ± 1.7 (p < 0.05) y 12 meses 7.6 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001). Constant Score 45.76 ± 16.35 con un valor de p < 0.0001, a tres meses 87.27 ± 10.94 y 12 meses 91.30 ± 6.00. SSV 41.30 ± 20.89, tres meses 81.43 ± 18.31 y 12 meses 94.37 ± 6.90 (p = 0.0001). EVA media inicial 6.6 ± 1.6 y 12 meses 0.63 ± 1.02 (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIÓN: en rupturas del manguito de los rotadores, el uso de hilera simple con técnica Mason-Allen modificada es una opción recomendada y replicable con resultados satisfactorios y mejoría clínica estadísticamente significativa a los tres y 12 meses postquirúrgicos.

A Transcriptome Community-and-Module Approach of the Human Mesoconnectome.

Graph analysis allows exploring transcriptome compartments such as communities and modules for brain mesostructures. In this work, we proposed a bottom-up model of a gene regulatory network to brain-wise connectome workflow. We estimated the gene communities across all brain regions from the Allen Brain Atlas transcriptome database. We selected the communities method to yield the highest number of functional mesostructures in the network hierarchy organization, which allowed us to identify specific brain cell functions (e.g., neuroplasticity, axonogenesis and dendritogenesis communities). With these communities, we built brain-wise region modules that represent the connectome. Our findings match with previously described anatomical and functional brain circuits, such the default mode network and the default visual network, supporting the notion that the brain dynamics that carry out low- and higher-order functions originate from the modular composition of a GRN complex network.

Marine subsidies likely cause gigantism of iguanas in the Bahamas.

We utilized natural experiment opportunities presented by differential conditions (presence/absence of seabirds and invasive species) on cays in the Bahamas to study whether interisland variations in food resources contributed to gigantism in Allen Cays Rock Iguanas (Cyclura cychlura inornata). We analyzed the stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope values from iguana tissues and resources from each island food web to test the predictions that (1) food webs on islands with seabirds exhibit the influence of marine subsidies from seabird guano, whereas those from non-seabird islands do not, and (2) size differences in iguanas among cays were due to either (a) supplemental food availability from mice and/or seabird carcasses killed by barn owls (Tyto alba) and/or (b) access to more nutrient-rich vegetation fertilized by seabird guano. Food web components from the seabird island (Allen Cay) had 5-9‰ higher δ15N values than those on the other cays and Allen Cay plants contained nearly two times more nitrogen. Bayesian stable isotope mixing models indicated that C3 plants dominated iguana diets on all islands and showed no evidence for consumption of mice or shearwaters. The iguanas on Allen Cay were ~ 2 times longer (48.3 ± 11.6 cm) and ~ 6 times heavier (5499 ± 2847 g) than iguanas on other cays and this was likely from marine-derived subsidies from seabird guano which caused an increase in nitrogen concentration in the plants and a resultant increase in the δ15N values across the entire food web relative to non-seabird islands.

Eco-geographic adaptations in the human ribcage throughout a 3D geometric morphometric approach.

OBJECTIVES: According to eco-geographic rules, humans from high latitude areas present larger and wider trunks than their low-latitude areas counterparts. This issue has been traditionally addressed on the pelvis but information on the thorax is largely lacking. We test whether ribcages are larger in individuals inhabiting high latitudes than in those from low latitudes and explored the correlation of rib size with latitude. We also test whether a common morphological pattern is exhibited in the thorax of different cold-adapted populations, contributing to their hypothetical widening of the trunk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify rib morphology of three hypothetically cold-adapted populations, viz. Greenland (11 individuals), Alaskan Inuit (8 individuals) and people from Tierra del Fuego (8 individuals), in a comparative framework with European (Spain, Portugal and Austria; 24 individuals) and African populations (South African and sub-Saharan African; 20 individuals). RESULTS: Populations inhabiting high latitudes present longer ribs than individuals inhabiting areas closer to the equator, but a correlation (p < 0.05) between costal size and latitude is only found in ribs 7-11. Regarding shape, the only cold adapted population that was different from the non-cold-adapted populations were the Greenland Inuit, who presented ribs with less curvature and torsion. CONCLUSIONS: Size results from the lower ribcage are consistent with the hypothesis of larger trunks in cold-adapted populations. The fact that only Greenland Inuit present a differential morphological pattern, linked to a widening of their ribcage, could be caused by differences in latitude. However, other factors such as genetic drift or specific cultural adaptations cannot be excluded and should be tested in future studies.

Combinación del injerto libre de tejido conectivo y la técnica de Allen en el tratamiento de la recesión gingival / Combination of connective tissue-free wound and a technique in the treatment of gingival recession

Objetivos: Comparar la recesión clase II de Miller en el post test entre el tratamiento combinado de injerto libre de tejido conectivo y la técnica de Allen con el injerto libre de tejido conectivo. Material y métodos: Para lo cual se conformaron dos grupos de estudio, uno experimental y otro control, en los cuales se midieron y evaluaron las recesiones, el tamaño de los grupos se determinaron mediante formula y la asignación de las unidades de estudio a los grupos fue intencional. Para el procesamiento y análisis de los datos se empleó la estadística descriptiva mediante frecuencias absolutas y relativas y la estadística inferencial a través del chi2, igualmente se utilizó ANOVA para medidas repetidas y para la comparación final de los postest se utilizó T de muestras independientes. Resultados: Se encontró diferencia estadística significativa en las medidas de la recesión vertical entre los últimos pos test de ambos grupos experimental y control. Conclusiones: Se rechaza la hipótesis nula y se acepta la hipótesis alterna donde se refiere a que exista diferencia en la recesión gingival clase II de Miller entre el grupo experimental y control en pacientes de consulta privada, con una significancia de 0,05. (AU)

Objectives: to compare the recession class II of miller in the post test and the combined treatment of free connective tissue graft technique of Allen with free connective tissue graft. Material and Methods: For which formed two groups of study, one pilot and another control, which were measured and assessed the recessions, the size of the groups were determined by formula and the allocation of units of study groups was intentional. For the processing and analysis of the data was used by absolute and relative frequencies descriptive statistics and inferential statistics through the chi2, also used ANOVA for repeated measurements and T independent samples was used for the final comparison of the posttest. Results: There is significant statistical difference in measures of vertical recession among the last pos experimental test between the two groups and control, therefore the null hypothesis is rejected and accepted the alternate hypothesis. Conclusions: There is difference in gingival recession class Miller II between the experimental group and control in patients of private consultation with a 0.05 significance. (AU)

The possible effects of altitude and climate on the development of the frontal sinus in adults / Los posibles efectos de la altitud y el clima sobre el desarrollo del seno frontal en adultos

Climatic and altitude features of living region may affect human body. Many changes in several tissues and organs and several health problems due to climatic and altitude effects were defined in the literature. However, there were limited number of studies which evaluated correlation between development of frontal sinus and climatic/altitude effect. In this study, widths, heights, AP lengths and volumes of frontal sinus were compared by Paranasal CT scans in populations living in Van which has colder climate and higher altitude and Manisa which has milder climate and lower altitude. It was found that widths, antero-posterior lengths and volumes of frontal sinus were higher in populations living in colder climate and higher altitude according to populations living in milder climate and lower altitude. Heights of frontal sinuses were on the contrary of this. These results were found appropriate to increasing of cephalic index in cold climate according to Allen's Rule. We suggest that larger population study should be made with peoples having the same or similar race and genetic structure in different climate and altitude regions and the proportional comparison of frontal sinus measurements with cephalic index should be considered in future studies.

Las características climáticas y de altitud de una región pueden afectar al cuerpo humano. En la literatura se han identificado muchos cambios en varios tejidos y órganos, como así también numerosos problemas de salud debido a los efectos climáticos y de altitud. Sin embargo, existe un número limitado de estudios que han evaluado la correlación entre el desarrollo del seno frontal y el efecto climático / altitud. En este estudio, los anchos, alturas, longitudes antero-posteriores y volúmenes de seno frontal se compararon mediante tomografía computarizada paranasal en poblaciones que viven en Van, que tiene un clima más frío y mayor altitud, y Manisa, que tiene un clima más suave y menor altitud. Se encontró que los anchos, las longitudes antero-posteriores y los volúmenes de los senos frontales eran mayores en poblaciones que vivían en un clima más frío y de mayor altitud respecto a poblaciones que vivían en clima más suave y con menor altitud. En relación a la altura de los senos frontales, se dio la situación contraria a lo anterior. Estos resultados se encontraron adecuados con el aumento del índice cefálico en la región de clima frío, de acuerdo con la Regla de Allen. Sugerimos que se realice un estudio poblacional más amplio con poblaciones de raza y estructura genética iguales o similares en diferentes regiones climáticas y de altitud. La comparación proporcional de las mediciones de los senos frontales con índice cefálico debería considerarse en futuros estudios.

Síndrome de Allen Master: causa excepcional de abdomen agudo en el embarazo / Allen Master syndrome: exceptional cause of acute abdomen in pregnancy

Se presenta un caso de abdomen agudo en una gestante de 20 semanas, por una torsión anexial. Ante la ausencia de signos ecográficos compatibles con patología en los primeros momentos y el empeoramiento clínico, se solicitó una RMN que permitió la aproximación diagnóstica y facilitó la indicación urgente de cirugía abdominal. En el curso de la laparotomía se diagnosticó una hernia interna del anexo, con marcado componente vascular a través de un defecto del ligamento ancho, que obligó a la anexectomía. Tras el diagnóstico y el tratamiento realizado, la gestación continúa con buenos resultados materno-fetal. Estos orificios han sido presentados excepcionalmente como causa de hernias internas digestivas, urológicas y anexiales, siendo controvertido su origen, congénito, inflamatorio o traumático. Se repasan las pruebas complementarias indicadas en el manejo diagnóstico del dolor abdominal en el embarazo, incluyendo las últimas recomendaciones de la European Society of Urogenital Radiology-ESUR.

A case of acute abdomen in a pregnant 20 weeks is presented with an adnexal torsion. In the absence of pathologic ultrasound signs with in the early stages and clinical worsening, was requested an MRI that allowed the diagnostic approach and the indication for urgent abdominal surgery. During laparotomy was observed an internal adnexal hernia through a defect in the broad ligament, with marked vascular component which forced the adnexectomy. After the diagnosis and treatment performed, the pregnancy continues with good maternal and fetal outcomes. These defects were presented exceptionally as a cause of digestive, urological and adnexal internal hernias. The origin remains controversial, congenital, inflammatory or traumatic. Complementary tests in the diagnostic management of abdominal pain in pregnancy are reviewed, including the latest recommendations of the European Society of Urogenital Radiology-ESUR.

Enfermedad de Lyme: historia, microbiología, epizootiología y epidemiología / Lyme disease: history, microbiology, epizootiology and epidemiology

Objetivo: teniendo en cuenta el riesgo potencial que para Cuba constituye la presencia del agente trasmisor, los autores consideran importante la revisión del tema con vistas a una actualización de los especialistas y demás entidades del sistema de salud que puedan intervenir en la vigilancia y control epidemiológico de esta enfermedad. Desarrollo: se comenta la historia de la enfermedad, la microbiología, la epizootiología y la epidemiología, así como las manifestaciones clínicas en los principales animales domésticos. Conclusiones: la borreliosis de Lyme es una nueva enfermedad infecciosa; comparte como otras borrelias y espiroquetas su afinidad por el sistema nervioso central y el sistema nervioso periférico, y se convierte en un diagnóstico de exclusión optimista en Neurología. Conocer sus vectores, su distribución geográfica y algunas de las características biológicas específicas de esta nueva especie de borrelia es de suma importancia para el médico práctico de este nuevo siglo, donde la inmunología y la biología molecular iluminan el oscuro camino de viejas y nuevas interrogantes

Objective: bearing in mind the risk posed by the presence of the vector of Lyme disease in Cuba, the authors have considered it necessary to carry out a review of the disease with the purpose of contributing updated information to specialists and health institutions involved in its surveillance and epidemiological control. Content: a discussion is presented of the history, microbiology, epizootiology and epidemiology of Lyme disease, as well as its clinical manifestations in the main domestic animal hosts. Conclusions: Lyme borreliosis is a new infectious disease. Like other borrelias and spirochetes, it has an affinity for the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, thus becoming a diagnosis of optimistic exclusion in neurology. Knowledge about the vectors, geographic distribution and some specific biological characteristics of this new borrelia species is crucial for practitioners of the 21st century, a time when immunology and molecular biology shed new light on old and new questions alike

O humor na letra / The humor in the words

A escrita do humor é diferente do chistee do cômico por ser intencional. Neste

trabalho, o autor chama a atenção parao processo de criação do personagem

do humor. Como exemplo, cita trechos da escrita de Woody Allen(AU)