A successful method to restore seagrass habitats in coastal areas affected by consecutive natural events.

Background: Seagrass meadows, known for providing essential ecosystem services like supporting fishing, coastline protection from erosion, and acting as carbon sinks to mitigate climate change effects, are facing severe degradation. The current deteriorating state can be attributed to the combination of anthropogenic activities, biological factors (i.e., invasive species), and natural forces (i.e., hurricanes). Indeed, the global seagrass cover is diminishing at an alarming mean rate of 7% annually, jeopardizing the health of these vital ecosystems. However, in the Island Municipality of Culebra, Puerto Rico, losses are occurring at a faster pace. For instance, hurricanes have caused over 10% of cover seagrass losses, and the natural recovery of seagrasses across Culebra's coast has been slow due to the low growth rates of native seagrasses (Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme) and the invasion of the invasive species Halophila stipulacea. Restoration programs are, thus, necessary to revitalize the native seagrass communities and associated fauna while limiting the spread of the invasive species. Methods: Here, we present the results of a seagrass meadow restoration project carried out in Punta Melones (PTM), Culebra, Puerto Rico, in response to the impact of Hurricanes Irma and María during 2017. The restoration technique used was planting propagation units (PUs), each with an area of 900 cm2 of native seagrasses Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme, planted at a depth between 3.5 and 4.5 m. A total of 688 PUs were planted between August 2021 and August 2023, and a sub-sample of 88 PUs was monitored between August 2021 and April 2023. Results: PUs showed over 95% of the seagrass survived, with Hurricane Fiona causing most of the mortalities potentially due to PUs burial by sediment movement and uplifting by wave energy. The surface area of the planting units increased by approximately 200% (i.e., 2,459 cm2), while seagrass shoot density increased by 168% (i.e., 126 shoots by PU). Additionally, flowering and fruiting were observed in multiple planting units, indicating 1) that the action taken did not adversely affect the PUs units and 2) that the project was successful in revitalizing seagrass populations. The seagrass restoration project achieved remarkable success, primarily attributed to the substantial volume of each PUs. Likely this high volume played a crucial role in facilitating the connection among roots, shoots, and microfauna while providing a higher number of undamaged and active rhizome meristems and short shoots. These factors collectively contributed to the enhanced growth and survivorship of the PUs, ultimately leading to the favorable outcome observed in the seagrass restoration project.

Uneven demographic consequences of the 2022 disease outbreak for the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in Puerto Rico.

Pervasive epizootic events have had a significant impact on marine invertebrates throughout the Caribbean, leading to severe population declines and consequential ecological implications. One such event was the regional collapse of herbivory, partly caused by the Diadema antillarum mortality event in 1983-84, resulting in a trophic cascade and altering the structure of reef communities. Consequently, there was a notable decrease in coral recruitment and an increase in the coverage of macroalgae. Nearly four decades later, in early 2022, the Caribbean basin experienced another widespread mass mortality event, further reducing the populations of D. antillarum. To assess the effects of this recent mortality event on the current demographics of D. antillarum, we surveyed eight populations along the eastern, northeastern, northern, and northwestern coast of Puerto Rico from May to July 2022, estimating their population density, size distribution, and disease prevalence. Additionally, the study compared these population parameters with data from four sites previously surveyed in 2012 and 2017 to understand the impact of the recent mortality event. The survey conducted in 2022 showed varying population densities at the surveyed reefs. Some populations exhibited mean densities of nearly one individual per square meter, while others had extremely low or no living individuals per square meter. The four populations with the highest density showed no evidence of disease, whereas the four populations with the lowest D. antillarum densities exhibited moderate to high disease prevalence. However, when considering all sites, the estimated disease prevalence remained below 5%. Nevertheless, the comparison with data from 2012 and 2017 indicated that the recent mortality event had a negative impact on D. antillarum demographics at multiple sites, as the densities in 2022 were reduced by 60.19% compared to those from the previous years. However, it is still too early to determine the severity of this new mortality event compared to the 1983-84 mortality event. Therefore, it is imperative to continue monitoring these populations.

Ultrasound Assessment of Skin Tumors Local Recurrence.

Skin cancer may recur at or around the surgical site despite wide excisions. Prompt clinical and sonographic detection of local recurrence is important since subjects with relapsing melanomas or nonmelanoma malignancies can be managed efficaciously, with a relevant impact on morbidity and survival. Ultrasound is being employed with increasing frequency in the assessment of skin tumors, but most of the published articles relate to initial pretherapeutic diagnosis and staging. This review aims to offer an illustrated guide to the sonographic evaluation of locally recurring skin cancer. We introduce the topic, then we provide some sonographic tips for patient follow-up, then we describe the ultrasound findings in case of local recurrence, illustrating the main mimickers, and finally, we mention the role of ultrasound in guiding diagnostic and therapeutic percutaneous procedures.

Vertical Trapping of the Coffee Berry Borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Scolytinae), in Coffee.

The coffee industry loses millions of dollars annually worldwide due to the Coffee Berry Borer (CBB); these losses imply a decrease in quality and production. Traps are used to monitor their flight and for pest control. The main objective of this study was to determine the capture pattern and trap capture percentages of the CBB population over time using column traps (CTs) in two independent field experiments. CTs were composed of four traps installed at four different heights 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5 m above ground. Our results demonstrated a significant difference in CBB capture by traps placed at different heights above the ground. The CT capture maintained a pattern throughout this study's lag: the lower the height, the greater the percentage of CBBs captured. The study was conducted in two independent experiments (A and B). In Experiment A and B, the traps placed at 0.5 m caught 67% and 85% of the CBBs captured, respectively. Furthermore, the trap set at 1.5 m above the ground in the multi-level CT showed a higher capture percentage than the single placed trap (ST, also at 1.5 m about ground). The pattern of the capture and proportion of the CBB in the CTs was maintained throughout the study despite the season, changes in temperature, and relative air humidity. We suggest that CTs could be explored as a useful tool for capturing the CBB, considering its monitoring and management.

Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei), a Global Pest of Coffee: Perspectives from Historical and Recent Invasions, and Future Priorities.

Coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari), CBB) has invaded nearly every coffee-producing country in the world, and it is commonly recognized as the most damaging insect pest of coffee. While research has been conducted on this pest in individual coffee-growing regions, new insights may be gained by comparing and contrasting patterns of invasion and response across its global distribution. In this review, we explore the existing literature and focus on common themes in the invasion biology of CBB by examining (1) how it was introduced into each particular region and the response to its invasion, (2) flight activity and infestation patterns, (3) economic impacts, and (4) management strategies. We highlight research conducted over the last ten years in Hawaii as a case study for the development and implementation of an effective integrated pest management (IPM) program for CBB, and also discuss biosecurity issues contributing to incursion and establishment. Potential areas for future research in each of the five major components of CBB IPM (monitoring and sampling, cultural, biological, chemical, and physical controls) are also presented. Finally, we emphasize that outreach efforts are crucial to the successful implementation of CBB IPM programs. Future research programs should strive to include coffee growers as much as possible to ensure that management options are feasible and cost-effective.

Lipomatosis intestinal: reporte de dos casos / Intestinal lipomatosis: Report of two cases

Resumen La lipomatosis intestinal es un término utilizado para describir una proliferación de tejido graso, histológicamente normal, en el tracto gastrointestinal. Se caracteriza por la presencia de tumores benignos, asintomáticos, de crecimiento lento y de origen subepitelial. En raras ocasiones, estos tumores pueden ser sintomáticos y asociarse a complicaciones importantes como obstrucción y sangrado gastrointestinal. Así, la lipomatosis intestinal es una patología rara, con pocos casos reportados en la literatura y ninguno registrado en Colombia. A continuación, presentamos dos casos evaluados y seguidos en nuestro servicio de Unión de Cirujanos S.A.S de la Universidad de Caldas. El primero es el caso de un hombre de 70 años con historia de episodios de dolor abdominal tipo cólico, asociados a distensión y diarrea posprandial. La endoscopia digestiva alta inicial reportó múltiples lesiones amarillentas, submucosas, en el duodeno, con diagnóstico histológico de lipomas. En este caso, se realizó una videocápsula endoscópica para determinar la distribución y las características de las lesiones presentes en todo el tracto gastrointestinal, así como para valorar la presencia de complicaciones. El otro caso es el de un hombre de 81 años, quien ingresó a la institución por lipotimia y sangrado rectal. Por tanto, se realizó una endoscopia alta y una colonoscopia, cuyos resultados fueron normales. Luego de ello, se efectuó una videocápsula endoscópica que mostró lesiones lipomatosas; una de ellas, con sangrado y angiodisplasia al lado. Estas lesiones se manejaron mediante enteroscopia de doble balón y terapia con argón plasma.

Abstract Intestinal lipomatosis is a proliferation of histologically normal fatty tissue in the gastrointestinal tract. It is characterized benign, asymptomatic, slow growing tumors with sub-epithelial origins. On rare occasions, they become symptomatic and can be associated with major complications such as gastrointestinal obstructions and bleeding. This rare pathology has been reported several times in the literature but not in Colombia prior to this study. We present two cases that were evaluated and followed up at the Unión de Cirujanos SAS and the University of Caldas in Manizales, Colombia. The first is a 70-year-old man who had a history of colic associated with bloating and postprandial diarrhea. The initial upper digestive endoscopy reported multiple yellowish, submucosal lesions in the duodenum. His histological diagnosis was lipomas. In this case, an endoscopic video capsule determined the distribution and characteristics of the lesions throughout the gastrointestinal tract and assessed complications. The second is an 81-year-old man who entered the institution due to lipothymia and rectal bleeding. Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were normal, but a videocapsule endoscopy showed lipomatous lesions one of which was bleeding and had adjacent angiodysplasia. He was treated with double balloon enteroscopy and Argon plasma therapy.

Uso de la ecografía de alta resolución de tejidos blandos para la caracterización de material exógeno y sus complicaciones / High Resolution Ultrasound of Soft Tissues for Characterization of Fillers and its Complications

Introducción: El ultrasonido de alta resolución ha demostrado ser un método diagnóstico útil para la detección de material exógeno, su caracterización y evaluación de sus complicaciones. Este trabajo es una serie de casos de 60 pacientes, recolectados en un periodo de tres años. Es un estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo. Objetivos: Describir las localizaciones más frecuentes del material exógeno en las zonas del cuerpo afectadas. Describir el tipo de material exógeno más utilizado y su aspecto ecográfico. Establecer las complicaciones más frecuentes. Métodos: Se realizó ecografía de alta resolución por parte de una radióloga con ocho años de entrenamiento en ecografía dermatológica. Los estudios se realizaron en un equipo Toshiba Xario 200 con transductor lineal de 18 MHz. Para el análisis estadístico se emplearon medidas de tendencia central, descripción de frecuencias y cruce de variables. Resultados: La edad promedio de los pacientes fue 55 años y el 90,5 % fueron mujeres. La zona más afectada fueron los surcos nasogenianos, donde se encontró material exógeno en el 85,7 % de los pacientes. La sustancia encontrada más comúnmente fueron los biopolímeros (39 %), la silicona líquida y el aceite tuvieron, respectivamente, el 32,5 % y 15,6 %. En el 67,2 % de los casos se encontró deformidad física en los pacientes, manifestada como masa palpable o visible. Conclusión: La ecografía permitió identificar los diferentes tipos de sustancias exógenas, su ubicación en la zona anatómica específica y las complicaciones relacionadas con su uso, lo cual suministró información útil al médico tratante e impactó en el manejo de los pacientes.

Introduction: High resolution ultrasound has proven to be a useful diagnostic method for the detection of exogenous material, its characterization and evaluation of its complications. This study is a series of cases of 60 patients collected in a period of 3 years. It is a retrospective, descriptive study. Objectives: To describe the most frequent locations of the exogenous material in the affected areas of the body. To describe the type of exogenous material most used and its ultrasound appearance. To establish the most frequent complications. Methods: High resolution ultrasound was performed by a radiologist with eight years of training in dermatological ultrasound. The studies were carried out in a Toshiba Xario 200 device with an 18 MHz lineal transductor. For the statistical analysis, measures of central tendency, description of frequencies and crossing of variables were used. Results: the average age of the patients was 55 years, 90.5% of the patients were women. The most affected area were the nasolabial folds where exogenous material was found in 85.7% of the patients. The substance most commonly found was biopolymers in 39%; liquid silicone and oil had respectively 32.5% and 15.6%. In 67.2% of the cases the patients presented physical deformity manifested as a palpable or visible mass. Conclusion: The ultrasound allowed us to identify the different types of exogenous substances, their location in the specific anatomical area and the complications related to their use, providing useful information to the attending physician and impacting the management of the patients.

Neoplasias quísticas mucinosas del páncreas: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Clinical case of pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms and literature review

Resumen Las neoplasias quísticas mucinosas del páncreas son lesiones relativamente frecuentes, afectan principalmente a mujeres perimenopáusicas; la mayoría son únicos, localizados en el cuerpo y la cola del páncreas, y no tienen comunicación con el sistema ductal pancreático. Menos del 20% de los casos se asocian con malignidad. La evaluación debe incluir la presentación clínica, las imágenes, la utilización de la ultrasonografía endoscópica y toma de biopsias por punción, la citología y el análisis químico del líquido para la medición de niveles de antígeno carcinoembrionario (ACE). La resección quirúrgica completa es el único tratamiento que mejora la supervivencia a largo plazo en pacientes con lesiones quísticas mucinosas malignas. Se realiza una revisión de la literatura a propósito de un caso diagnosticado por el grupo de gastroenterología clínico-quirúrgica de la Clínica la Presentación, Manizales, Colombia.

Abstract Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas occur relatively frequently and mainly affect women in the transition to menopause. Most of these neoplasms are unique but are located in the body and tail of the pancreas and have no communication with the pancreatic ductal system. Less than 20% are malignant. Evaluation should include clinical presentation, imaging, endoscopic ultrasonography, puncture biopsies, cytology and chemical analysis of the liquid to measure angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels. Complete surgical resection is the only treatment that can improve long-term survival in patients with malignant mucinous cystic lesions. This article includes a review of the literature related to presentation of a case diagnosed by the surgical clinical gastroenterology group at Clínica la Presentación in Manizales, Colombia.

Ecografía del cuello de pie / Ultrasound of the Ankle

El ultrasonido es una herramienta eficiente y de bajo costo para la evaluación de la patología del cuello de pie. Mediante ecografía se pueden evaluar los tendones, las vainas tendinosas, los espacios articulares, las bursas, los ligamentos, la fascia plantar y los planos musculares, así como realizar un diagnóstico confiable de múltiples patologías relacionadas. El dominio de la técnica, de la anatomía normal y de las condiciones patológicas son fundamentales para el adecuado desempeño diagnóstico del examen. El propósito de esta revisión es describir los hallazgos ultrasonográficos de múltiples patologías que afectan el cuello de pie y resaltar la utilidad diagnóstica de la ecografía en los casos en que está indicada

In specific indications, ultrasound is an efficient and low cost tool for the evaluation of pathology of the ankle. Ultrasound can evaluate the tendons, tendon sheaths, joint spaces, bursae, ligaments, plantar fascia, muscle planes and perform reliable diagnosis of multiple related pathologies. The mastery of technique, normal anatomy and pathologic conditions are essential for the proper diagnosis performance test. The purpose of this review is to describe the ultrasound findings of multiple pathologies affecting the ankle and highlight the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in cases where it is indicated.

Caracterización de lesiones dermatológicas por ecografía / Characterization of Dermatological Lesions by Ultrasound

Introducción: En la actualidad, el uso de transductores de alta resolución ha permitido avances muy importantes en la caracterización de lesiones dermatológicas, brindando información anatómica como tamaño, profundidad, patrón de vascularización, depósitos de calcio, contenido sólido o quístico e, incluso, elementos como cabello. Objetivo: Revisar las características ecográficas de lesiones cutáneas de diferentes etiologías, como infecciosas, tumorales y traumáticas. Metodología: Se utilizaron las imágenes ecográficas correspondientes a pacientes de consulta externa vistos en nuestra institución. Conclusión: Se concluye que la ecografía es una herramienta muy útil que aporta información adicional al clínico para el manejo de múltiples lesiones dermatológicas.

Introduction: At the present day the use of high resolution transducers have allowed significant progress in characterizing skin lesions, providing anatomical information such as size, depth, vascularization, calcium deposits, cyst or solid contents and even hair. Objective: the objective of this article is to review the ultrasound characteristics of skin lesions, like: infections, tumors, and traumas. Methodology: for its methodology, we use ultrasound images of outpatients seen at our institution. Conclusion: we conclude that ultrasound is a useful tool that provides additional clinical information for the management of multiple skin lesions.

Immune response to a pathogen in corals.

The sea fan coral (Gorgonia ventalina), one of the most abundant gorgonians in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic waters, have suffered several diseases that have diminished its abundance throughout their range. In this study, we present a model that analyzes the capacity of G. ventalina to eradicate a micro-pathogen under three immune responses: strong, moderate, and very weak. The model assumes that: (1) polyps are the main unit of the coral; (2) the population of polyps is homogeneously distributed; and (3) the immune system is activated by a signal. When an endosymbiont exceeds a density threshold, it becomes pathogenic, increasing polyp mortality. As a consequence, the colony emits a signal to its stem cells to differentiate into phagocytic and humoral cells, both of which combat the pathogen. Given a strong immune response, the pathogen is rapidly eradicated by the immune cells, and the coral polyp population returns to an equilibrium state. With a moderate immune response, polyps and pathogen coexist, but the maximum capacity of polyp density is never reached. An immunologically compromised colony offering a weak immune response is unable to stop pathogen growth, and the colony dies. This analysis suggests an alternative explanation for the spatial and temporal variability in disease incidence and mortality, which is based on the strength of the immune system of hosts rather than the virulence of the pathogen.

Comparison of low-density lipoprotein obtained from the Friedewald formula and new formulae in a heterogeneous population / Comparación de lipoproteínas de baja densidad obtenidas por fórmula de Friedewald y nuevas fórmulas en una población heterogénea

Introduction: Although the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) should ideally be determined by beta quantification or enzymatic methods, there are limitations in developing countries. The goal of this study is to compare LDL-C obtained through three formulae (LDL-Cnf) with LDL-C obtained through the Friedewald formula (LDL-Cf) using LDL-C through enzymatic methods as the most-accepted reference method in clinical practice (LDL-Cr). Methods: A concordance study was carried out in a reference laboratory in Cali, Colombia. The three formulae were (mg/dl): Men with triglycerides under 400 mg/dl: LDL-C = Total Cholesterol (TC) - triglycerides (TG) /6.5) - 45; men with triglycerides equal to or greater than 400 mg/dl: LDL-C = (TC - (TG / 7)) -50 and women: LDL-C = (TC-(TG /6.5)) - 70. Results: Three-hundred fifteen values were obtained of which 53% were for women. The mean age and LDL-Cr were 54 years (±15.8) and 112.1 mg/dl (±32.5), respectively. The median (interquartile range, mg/dl) of TC, high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and TG were 204 mg/dl (171-229), 51 mg/dl (41-61), and 156 mg/dl (99-237), respectively. There were no differences between mean values of LDL-Cr and LDL-Cnf (113.48 vs. 112.67 mg/dl; p=0.45). The intraclass correlation coefficient among LDL-Cr and LDL-Cf and LDL-Cnf were high (R=0.93 and 0.92, respectively). The correlation between LDL-Cf and LDL-Cnf was 0.95. There is no difference between the areas under the  receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with the level of LDL-Cr at 160 mg/dl for LDL-Cnf and LDL-Cf. (0.94 vs. 0.93; p=0.27). Conclusion: There is high concordance between LDL-Cf and LDL-Cnf. These formulae could be an alternative when there are limitations to determine LDL-C because of the lack of enzymatic methods or through Friedewald formula due to the absence of HDL-C.

Introducción: Aunque los niveles de colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL-C) deben ser determinados idealmente por betacuantificación o métodos enzimáticos, hay limitaciones en países en vía de desarrollo. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar LDL-C obtenido a través de tres fórmulas (LDL-Cnf) con LDL-C obtenido a través de la fórmula de Friedewald (LDL-Cf) usando LDL-C (LDL-Cr) enzimático considerado como referente más aceptado clínicamente. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de pruebas diagnósticas en un laboratorio de referencia en Cali, Colombia. Las tres fórmulas fueron (mg/dl): Hombres con triglicéridos menores de 400 mg/dl: LDL-C= Colesterol total (CT) - triglicéridos (TG)/6.5)- 45; hombres con triglicéridos iguales a o mayores de 400 mg/dl: LDL-C= (CT- (TG/7))- 50 y mujeres: LDL-C= (CT- (TG/6.5))- 70. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 315 valores de los cuales 53% eran mujeres. El promedio de edad y LDL-Cr fueron 54 años (±15.8) y 112.1 mg/dl (±32.5), respectivamente. La mediana (rango intercuartil) de CT, lipoproteínas de alta densidad (HDL-C) y TG fueron de 204 mg/dl (171-229), 51 mg/dl (41-61) y 156 mg/dl (99-237), respectivamente. No hubo diferencia en los valores promedio de LDL-Cr y LDL-Cnf (113.48 vs. 112.67 mg/dl; p=0.45). Los coeficientes de correlación intraclase entre LDL-Cr y LDL-Cf y LDL-Cnf fueron altos (r=0.93 y 0.92, respectivamente). La correlación entre LDL-Cf y LDL-Cnf fue de 0.95. No hubo diferencias en las áreas bajo la curvas de características operativas del receptor (COR) con niveles de LDL-Cr de 160 mg/dl (0.94 vs. 093; p=0.27). Conclusión: Existe una alta correlación entre LDL-Cf y LDL-Cnf. Estas formulas podrían ser una alternativa cuando existen limitaciones para determinar el LDL-C.