Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis).

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species.

La copa menstrual, una alternativa de higiene femenina: revisión de la literatura / The menstrual cup, a female hygiene alternative: literature review

INTRODUCCIÓN: La copa menstrual (CM) es un dispositivo diseñado para apoyar a la mujer durante el manejo de su higiene menstrual. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar la literatura existente en torno al uso de la CM, como una alternativa de higiene femenina. METODOLOGÍA: Revisión de la literatura de estudios publicados en los metabuscadores Proquest, Google Scholar, Pubmed y a través del rastreo manual de los artículos divulgados en revistas no indexadas a las bases de datos mencionadas. Los términos MESH fueron combinados con operadores booleanos permitiendo la elaboración de ecuaciones de búsqueda. Posterior a la selección de los estudios catalogados como elegibles, los investigadores procedieron a implementar las listas de verificación propuestas por la Critical Appraisal Skills Programme español (CASPe) y la Iniciativa MINCIR. RESULTADOS: Fueron incluidos 21 estudios que superaron el 75% de los criterios evaluados en las listas de verificación. El proceso de sistematización de los datos expresados en los estudios permitió la constitución de tres ejes temáticos sobre los cuales gira la literatura en esta área, que corresponden a: I. La CM en el desarrollo de la higiene femenina, II. Beneficios y desventajas del uso de la CM, III. Factores socioculturales asociados a la higiene menstrual. CONCLUSIONES: La CM es un dispositivo que puede aportar grandes beneficios a la higiene menstrual como un elemento moderno, discreto, económico y amigable con el medio ambiente.

INTRODUCTION: The menstrual cup is a device designed to support the woman during the management of her menstrual hygiene. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the existing literature about the menstrual cup use, as an alternative of feminine hygiene. METHODOLOGY: Literature review of studies published in the search engines Proquest, Google Scholar, Pubmed and by means of manual tracking of the articles spread in not indexed journals to the databases mentioned above. The MESH terms were mixed with booleanos operators allowing the elaboration of searching equations. Subsequent to the section of studies denominated as eligible, the researchers proceeded to implement the check list proposed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme español (CASPe) and MINCIR list. RESULTS: It was included 21 studies that overcame the 75% of the criteria evaluated in the check lists. The systematic data process in the studies allowed the conformation of three thematic axes, which revolve around the literature in this area, that correspond to: I. The CM in the development of feminine hygiene, II. Benefits and disadvantages of the use of CM, III. Sociocultural factors associated with menstrual hygiene. CONCLUSIONS: CM is a device that can bring great benefits to menstrual hygiene as a modern, discreet, economical and environmentally friendly element.

[CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH INTAKE OF TURMERIC, CATECHINS, PROANTHOCYANIDINS AND OMEGA-3]. / ENFERMEDAD RENAL CRÓNICA Y SU RELACIÓN CON LA INGESTA DE CÚRCUMA, CATEQUINAS, PROANTOCIANIDINAS Y OMEGA-3.

Chronic renal disease is characterized by decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min/ 1.73m2 and/or the presence of kidney damage independent of the cause for a period of 3 months or more. The treatment of more advanced stages of chronic kidney disease is dialysis, and most common form of hemodialysis. This treatment is costly in our country reaching USD 900 per person. The main cause of admission to dialysis, diabetic nephropathy remains with 34% of all revenue. This alone makes any improvement in the treatment of CKD is highly desirable. There is evidence available about the fundamental role of turmeric, proanthocyanidins, catechins and omega-3 on how these compounds are related to the response to treatment of chronic kidney disease for various reasons.

La enfermedad renal crónica se caracteriza por disminución de la velocidad de filtración glomerular (VFG) < 60 ml/min/1,73m2 y/o la presencia de daño renal independiente de la causa durante un periodo superior a tres meses. El tratamiento de las etapas más avanzadas de la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) es la diálisis, y su forma más frecuente la hemodiálisis. Este tratamiento tiene un coste elevado en nuestro país, correspondiendo a USD 900 mensuales por persona. La causa principal de ingreso a diálisis corresponde a la nefropatía diabética, con un 34% de todos los ingresos. Solo estos indicadores justifican los esfuerzos en investigación por mejorar el tratamiento de la ERC. Existe evidencia disponible acerca del rol fundamental de cúrcuma, prontocianidinas, catequinas y omega-3 sobre cómo estos compuestos se relacionan con una mejor respuesta al tratamiento de la enfermedad renal crónica por distintas causas1.

Enfermedad renal crónica y su relación con la ingesta de cúrcuma, catequinas, proantocianidinas y omega-3 / Chronic kidney disease and its relationship with intake of turmeric, catechins, proanthocyanidins and omega-3

La enfermedad renal crónica se caracteriza por disminución de la velocidad de filtración glomerular (VFG) < 60 ml/min/1,73m2 y/o la presencia de daño renal independiente de la causa durante un periodo superior a tres meses. El tratamiento de las etapas más avanzadas de la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) es la diálisis, y su forma más frecuente la hemodiálisis. Este tratamiento tiene un coste elevado en nuestro país, correspondiendo a USD 900 mensuales por persona. La causa principal de ingreso a diálisis corresponde a la nefropatía diabética, con un 34% de todos los ingresos. Solo estos indicadores justifican los esfuerzos en investigación por mejorar el tratamiento de la ERC. Existe evidencia disponible acerca del rol fundamental de cúrcuma, prontocianidinas, catequinas y omega-3 sobre cómo estos compuestos se relacionan con una mejor respuesta al tratamiento de la enfermedad renal crónica por distintas causas (AU)

Chronic renal disease is characterized by decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min/ 1.73m2 and/or the presence of kidney damage independent of the cause for a period of 3 months or more. The treatment of more advanced stages of chronic kidney disease is dialysis, and most common form of hemodialysis. This treatment is costly in our country reaching USD 900 per person. The main cause of admission to dialysis, diabetic nephropathy remains with 34% of all revenue. This alone makes any improvement in the treatment of CKD is highly desirable. There is evidence available about the fundamental role of turmeric, proanthocyanidins, catechins and omega-3 on how these compounds are related to the response to treatment of chronic kidney disease for various reasons (AU)

Desarrollo tardío de múltiples dientes supernumerarios en una paciente con miastenia gravis juvenil tratada con azatioprina / Delayed development of multiple supernumerary teeth in a patient with juvenile myasthenia gravis treated with azathioprine

No disponible

A preliminary model to avoid the overestimation of sample size in bioequivalence studies.

Often the only available data in literature for sample size estimations in bioequivalence studies is intersubject variability, which tends to result in overestimation of sample size. In this paper, we proposed a preliminary model of intrasubject variability based on intersubject variability for Cmax and AUC data from randomized, crossovers, bioequivalence (BE) studies. From 93 Cmax and 121 AUC data from test-reference comparisons that fulfilled BE criteria, we calculated intersubject variability for the reference formulation and intrasubject variability from ANOVA. Lineal and exponential models (y=a(1-e-bx)) were fitted weighted by the inverse of the variance, to predict the intrasubject variability based on intersubject variability. To validate the model we calculated the coefficient of cross-validation of data from 30 new BE studies. The models fit very well (R2=0.997 and 0.990 for Cmax and AUC respectively) and the cross-validation correlation were 0.847 for Cmax and 0.572 for AUC. A preliminary model analyses allow us to estimate the intrasubject variability based on intersubject variability for sample size calculation purposes in BE studies. This approximation provides an opportunity for sample size reduction avoiding unnecessary exposure of healthy volunteers. Further modelling studies are desirable to confirm these results especially suggestions of the higher intersubject variability range.

Estudio epidemiológico sobre la demanda de rehabilitación en pacientes hospitalizados / Epidemiological study on the demand for rehabilitation in hospitalized patients

Introducción. Los especialistas en Medicina Física y Rehabilitación (MFyR) damos asistencia a pacientes que han perdido su autonomía. Hay un porcentaje considerable de pacientes hospitalizados que adquieren una discapacidad y precisan ser asistidos por terapeutas de Rehabilitación. Hemos desarrollado el presente estudio descriptivo para analizar la demanda de rehabilitación en pacientes ingresados en nuestro hospital. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional prospectivo, que incluyó a todos los pacientes ingresados y que fueron valorados por nuestro servicio durante los meses de febrero, marzo y abril de 2008. Resultados. El número de interconsultas realizadas por el Servicio de MFyR durante los meses de febrero-abril de 2008 (60 días laborales) ha sido de 464 para atender a 345 pacientes. La media de interconsultas diaria a nuestro servicio ha sido de 7,73 y el número medio de interconsultas por paciente ha sido de 1,36 (desviación estándar [DE] 0,70; rango 1-7). De los 354 pacientes valorados durante el estudio, 55 no fueron incluidos en terapia por no cumplir los criterios, lo que significa que un 84 % de los pacientes hospitalizados ha precisado tratamiento rehabilitador. Conclusión. El presente estudio nos ha permitido conocer que un porcentaje considerable de pacientes hospitalizados necesita valoración y tratamiento por parte de los servicios de MFyR. Los servicios de Traumatología y Medicina Interna son los que demandan más nuestra asistencia. Solo un grupo minoritario de pacientes precisa continuar tratamiento de forma ambulatoria (AU)

Introduction. Specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (FM&R) attend to patients who have lost their autonomy. A large number of hospitalized patients who had acquired a disability need to be attended by rehabilitation therapists. We have developed this descriptive study to analyze demand for rehabilitation in patients admitted to our hospital. Materials and methods. A prospective observational study was performed for all the patients admitted during the months of February, March and April 2008 who were evaluated by our department. Results. In our FM&R Department from February to April 2008 (60 days), there were 464 consultations made by 345 patients. Average daily consultations to our department was 7.73 and average number of consultations per patient was 1.36 (SD 0.70, range 1-7). Of the 354 patients evaluated during the study, 55 were not included in therapy as they did not meet the criteria. Thus 84 % of the hospitalized patients has required rehabilitation. Conclusion. This study has revealed that a considerable number of inpatients need assessment and treatment from FM&R Department. Traumatology and Internal Medicine Departments are those who demand our care the most. Only a minority of patients required outpatient physical therapy treatment (AU)

Biodegradación del malatión utilizando microorganismosnativos de suelos agrícolas / Degradação do malation utilizando microorganismos nativos de solos agrícolas / Malathion biodegradation in agricultural soils using native microorganisms

La degradación del plaguicida malatión con microorganismos nativos de un suelo agrícola fueestudiada tanto en condiciones de laboratorio como en campo. En campo se realizó en un suelo de unazona destinada a la ganadería de leche y al cultivo de hortalizas, localizada en el municipio de Caldas, alsur del valle de Aburrá, Antioquia, Colombia. Se cuantificó la desaparición del malatión y la formación delprincipal metabolito, el malaoxón, para lo cual se validó un método analítico, que incluyó la extracción delsuelo y la cuantificación del plaguicida y metabolito por cromatografía de gases. La extracción se realizópor agitación mecánica rotativa usando acetato de etilo, y la cuantificación se hizo en un cromatógrafo HP6890 plus, acoplado a un detector de microcaptura de electrones con inyector automático, obteniéndoserecuperaciones en promedio de 89.4% para el malatión y de 93.8% para el malaoxón. En el período deexperimentación de 35 días, la degradación del malatión en el laboratorio fue en promedio de 81.6% parala mayor concentración utilizada (2.50 μg/g de suelo), con respecto a la dosis inicial aplicada. De estevalor, el 51.3% corresponde a la degradación microbiana y el restante a procesos abióticos. En condicionesde campo durante 21 días, se obtuvo una degradación en promedio de 74.8% con la dosis utilizada (1.50μg/g de suelo). También se realizó el recuento de microorganismos del suelo determinándose en promedio6.8 x 105 UFC/g suelo.

The degradation of the malathion pesticide by native microorganisms in an agricultural soil wasstudied in both laboratory and field conditions. The field study was conducted in a specific area in Caldas(municipality located in the south of the valle de Aburrá, department of Antioquia, Colombia) designatedfor dairy cattle and vegetable crop. Malathion disappearance and the formation of its main metabolite(malaoxon) were quantified utilizing an analytical method that included a soil sample extraction andpesticide and metabolite quantification by gas chromatography. The extraction was conducted bymechanical shaking with ethyl acetate, and the quantification was performed using a chromatographerconnected to a micro-electron capture detector with an automatic injection system. Recoveries were89.4% for malathion and 93.8% for malaoxon. In the laboratory (35 days, 2.50 μg/g of soil), malathiondegradation was 81.6%. 51.3% of this value corresponded to microbial degradation, and the rest was due tolosses associated with physicochemical processes. Under field conditions (21 days, 1.50 μg/g), an averagedegradation of 74.8% was obtained. Counting of soil microorganisms was 6.8 x 105 CFU/g soil.

A degradação do praguicida Malation com microorganismos nativos dum solo agrícola foi estudada, emcondições do laboratório e campo. Em campo foi realizado em uma região produtora de leite e de cultivaresde hortaliças, localizada no município de Caldas, ao sul do Vale de Aburrá, Antioquia, Colômbia. Foiquantificada a desaparição do Malatión e a formação do principal metabolito, o Malaoxon, para o qual sevalidou um método analítico, que incluiu a extração do solo e a quantificação do praguicida e metabolitopelo método de cromatografia de gases. A extração foi realizada por agitação mecânica rotativa usandoacetato de etilo, e a quantificação foi realizada num cromatógrafo HP 6890 plus, obtendo-se em media:89.4% para o Malation e 93.8% para o Malaoxon. No período de experimentação de 35 dias, a degradaçãodo Malation no laboratório foi em media de 81.6% para a maior concentração utilizada (2.50 μg/g desolo), com respeito à dose inicial aplicada. Deste valor, o 51.3% corresponde à degradação microbiana eo restante a processos abióticos. Em condições de campo durante 21 dias, foi obtida uma degradação de74.8% com a dose utilizada (1.50 μg/g de solo). Também foi realizado um reconto de microorganismos desolo determinando-se 6.8 x 105 UFC/g solo em media.

40K/137Cs discrimination ratios to the aboveground organs of tropical plants.

In the present work, the accumulation of caesium and potassium in aboveground plant parts was studied in order to improve the understanding on the behaviour of monovalent cations in several compartments of tropical plants. We present the results for activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (40)K, measured by gamma spectrometry, from five tropical plant species: guava (Psidium guajava), mango (Mangifera indica), papaya (Carica papaya), banana (Musa paradisíaca), and manioc (Manihot esculenta). Caesium and potassium have shown a high level of mobility within the plants, exhibiting the highest values of concentration in the growing parts (fruits, leaves, twigs, and barks) of the woody fruit and large herbaceous shrub (such as manioc) species. In contrast, the banana and papaya plants exhibited the lowest levels of (137)Cs and (40)K in their growing parts. However, a significant correlation between activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (40)K was observed in these tropical plants. The (40)K/(137)Cs discrimination ratios were approximately equal to unity in different compartments of each individual plant, suggesting the possibility of using caesium to predict the behaviour of potassium in several tropical species.

Long-term follow-up study of intraurethral stents in spinal cord injured patients with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To assess in the long-term clinical and urodynamic results of intraurethral stents in a group of patients with spinal cord injury. SETTING: Spinal Cord Injury Unit, Juan Canalejo Hospital, A Coruña, Spain. METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive male patients were studied from 1993 to 2002. All of them suffered from hyperreflexia with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) owing to spinal cord injury, and were treated by means of the placement of an intraurethral stent at the external sphincter. RESULTS: After surgery, significant decreases in all the parameters studied were observed. The number of patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection decreased by 25% (P<0.031). Post-void residual urine volume experienced an average decrease of 224.3 cm(3) (P=0.001). Episodes of dysreflexia decreased from 35.1 to 16.2% (P=0.039). The urodynamic study showed an average reduction of 44.36 cm H(2)O in the maximum detrusor pressure (P<0.0001). Complications in the upper urinary tract descended from 46.8 to 23.4% after placing the stent (P=0.013). The most frequent stent complication was displacement, followed by stenosis, lithiasis and intraprosthetic calcification. In all, 8.5% required the stent removal. CONCLUSIONS: Intraurethral stent is a good choice for the long-term management of DSD in spinal cord-injured patients, even in those who had been previously submitted to prior sphincterotomy. It has the advantage of being a potentially reversible procedure, so patients prefer it to more invasive therapies such as sphincterotomy.

Radiocesium contamination behavior and its effect on potassium absorption in tropical or subtropical plants.

The accumulation and long-term decline of radiocesium contamination in tropical plant species was studied through measurements of gamma-ray spectra from pomegranate (Punica granatum) and chili pepper (Capsicum fructescens) trees. The plants were originally grown at a (137)Cs contaminated site (where a radiological accident occurred in the city of Goiânia, Brazil, in 1987), and transplanted to uncontaminated soil, so that the main source of contamination of the new leaves and fruits would be the fraction of the available radiocesium in the body of the plants. Measurements of (137)Cs and (40)K concentrations along the roots, main trunk, twigs, leaves and fruits before and after the transplant process of both plant species indicated a direct competition between Cs and K ions, suggesting that these elements could have a common accumulation mechanism. Cesium transfer factors from soil to pomegranate, green and red chili pepper fruits were evaluated as 0.4 +/- 0.1, 0.06 +/- 0.01 and 0.05 +/- 0.01, respectively. Biological half-life values due to (137)Cs translocation from the tree reservoir (BHL(T)) were calculated as 0.30 years for pomegranate, 0.12 years and 0.07 years for red and green peppers, respectively.

[The AIDS myth in Venezuela]. / El mito del SIDA en Venezuela.

AIDS: The lack of knowledge and awareness about HIV in Venezuela is causing anxiety. Most Venezuelans still believe that AIDS is a disease that only homosexuals get and others believe that it is a punishment from God. To take control of the situation, adolescents need to be given prevention education, and the government needs to stop the false rumors. The Latin American AIDS Koalition (LAAK) and Venezuelans in the United States are working on providing education to the public and medications to people living with HIV/AIDS in Venezuela. Telephone numbers are provided for more information.^ieng

Photometric measurement of lipoprotein-cholesterol after agarose electrophoresis: comparison with single-spin ultracentrifugal analysis.

A method is presented for the evaluation of lipoprotein-cholesterol after fractionation of 20 microliter of serum in agarose electrophoresis in a discontinuous buffer system. The prestained lipoprotein bands are separated in less tha 1 h, cut out and extracted with butanol. The cholesterol in the extract is measured by a simple colorimetric method. The recoveries of lipoprotein cholesterol were 95.3% +/- 13.0 (S.D.), and the average coefficient of variation was 8% for alphalipoprotein, 6.4% for betalipoprotein and 8.0% for pre-betalipoproteins. Lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, determined by the proposed method correlated well with those analyzed following ultracentrifugation. The method can handle up to 4 serum samples run in duplicate per day and only requires equipment available in conventional clinical laboratories, and stable reagents.

Factors modulating the interaction of LDL with an arterial lipoprotein complexing proteoglycan: the effect of HDL.

The presence of a lipoprotein complexing proteoglycan (LCP) in extracts of human arterial intima/media that forms specific complexes with low density lipoproteins (LDL) has suggested that it may play a role in the interaction of LDL with the arterial wall and the atherogenic process. The formation of insoluble LDL-LCP complexes by incubation of serum with arterial extracts appears directly related to the concentration of LDL and inversely to the content of high density lipoproteins (HDL), indicating that HDL may inhibit the interaction between LDL and LCP. This inhibition is clearly visible by addition of HDL to LCP containing extracts before their incubation with LDL. This effect is also shown by apoHDL but not by lipoprotein-free plasma. It is suggested that the HDL/LDL ratio of the plasma crossing the endothelial barrier may be an important modulator of the net accumulation of LDL in the intima/media and of its contribution to atherogenesis.