Enhancement of aerobic fitness improves social functioning in individuals with schizophrenia.

Individuals with schizophrenia display substantial deficits in social functioning (SF), characterized by chronic, lifelong presentations. Yet, at present there are few effective interventions to enhance SF in this population. Emerging evidence from studies of clinical populations that display similar SF deficits suggests that aerobic exercise (AE) may improve social skills. However, this putative impact has not been investigated in schizophrenia. Employing a single-blind, randomized clinical trial design, 33 individuals with schizophrenia were randomized to receive 12 weeks of Treatment-As-Usual (TAU; n = 17) or TAU + AE (n = 16) utilizing active-play video games (Xbox 360 Kinect) and traditional AE equipment. Participants completed an evaluation of aerobic fitness (VO2max) as well as self-, informant-, and clinician-reported SF measures at baseline and after 12 weeks. Twenty-six participants completed the study (79%; TAU = 13; AE = 13). At follow-up, the AE participants improved their VO2max by 18.0% versus - 0.5% in the controls (group x time interaction, F1,24 = 12.88; p = .002). Hierarchical stepwise regression analyses indicated improvements in VO2max significantly predicted enhancement in SF as indexed by self-, informant-, and clinician-reported measures, predicting 47%, 33%, and 25% of the variance, respectively (controlling for baseline demographics, medications, mood symptoms, and social networks). Compared to the TAU group, AE participants reported significant improvement in SF (23.0% vs. - 4.2%; group × time interaction, F1,24 = 7.48, p = .012). The results indicate that VO2max enhancement leads to improvements in SF in people with schizophrenia. Furthermore, low VO2max represents a modifiable risk factor of SF in people with schizophrenia, for which AE training offers a safe, non-stigmatizing, and nearly side-effect-free intervention.

High intermittent colonization by diverse clones of ß-lactam-resistant Gram-negative bacilli suggests an excessive antibiotic use and different sources of transmission in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: The spread of ß-lactam-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) is a topic of worldwide concern; however, knowledge about colonization by these bacteria in haemodialysis patients is limited. AIM: To analyse the dynamics and factors associated with colonization by ß-lactam-resistant GNB in a dialysis centre. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted. Stool samples were collected for each patient to evaluate extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacilli. Colonization screens were performed at three time-points and then classified as absent, intermittent, or persistent. Molecular typing included enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)-polymerase chain reaction, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Clinical information was obtained from medical records and personal interview. A generalized estimating equations model was performed to determinate factors associated with the colonization. FINDINGS: A total of 210 patients were included. ESBL-producing and carbapenem-resistant GNB colonization reached 41.2% and 11.5%, respectively. Most patients were intermittent carriers with frequencies of 73.9% and 92.95% for each bacteria group. The most frequent ESBL was CTX-M-G1, while the most common carbapenemase was KPC. ERIC-PCR and PFGE revealed high genetic diversity among strains and the Escherichia coli clone ST131 was the most important by MLST. Fluoroquinolone use (odds ratio: 3.13; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-9.44; P [cap] = 0.043) and chronic obstructive lung disease (odds ratio: 3.53; 1.42-8.74; P = 0.006) were associated with ESBL-producing GNB colonization. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate a high intermittent colonization by diverse clones of ß-lactam-resistant GNB in haemodialysis patients. It suggests excessive antibiotic pressure that favours the acquisition of bacteria with diverse genetic profiles and different transmission sources.

Passive acoustic sampling data of the Colección de Sonidos Ambientales Mauricio Álvarez-Rebolledo - Instituto Humboldt (IAvH-CSA) during 2018 and 2019 in Colombia.

We present the dataset of passive acoustic sampling events deposited in the Colección de Sonidos Ambientales Mauricio Álvarez-Rebolledo at the Humboldt Institute (IAvH-CSA) during the years 2018-2019. The acoustic sampling events were generated from different projects, including Colombia Bio, Santander Bio, Boyacá Bio, Lisama, Riqueza Natural, and occasional events collected during this time. In total, 44,704 sampling events are deposited in the collection, corresponding to 1 minute of automatic recording sampled at a 44.1 kHz sampling rate and 16-bit resolution. The recording schedules correspond to 1 minute every 5, 10, or 30 min throughout the day, during 1 to 20 sampling days, across 79 localities in Colombia. The geographical coverage includes the departments of Bolívar, Boyacá, Caquetá, Cundinamarca, Meta, Santander, and Sucre. The present information was collected within the framework of the passive monitoring methodology established by the Humboldt Institute .

Characterization of kidney complications in patients with sickle cell anemia. / Caracterización de las complicaciones renales en pacientes con anemia de células falciformes.

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) is a poorly studied complication of pediatric patients. It appears in different forms, including glomerulopathy, and tubulopathies. OBJECTIVE: To describe acute and chronic renal complications in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Re trospective study. Pediatric patients with confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell disease were included who had a nephro-urology study. Hemoglobin electrophoresis pattern, presence and type of renal involvement, and presence of cardiac involvement were recorded. Bivariate analysis was perfor med to compare patients with and without SCN. RESULTS: 79 patients were included, 59.5% of them were men, and the most frequent electrophoresis pattern was Hb-SS (60.9%). The SCN oc curred in 70% of patients with an average age of 114 months (RIQ 65-157). The most frequently observed alterations were glomerular hyperfiltration, microalbuminuria, acute kidney injury, ar terial hypertension, and hyposthenuria. In the bivariate analysis, an abnormal echocardiogram result was presented more frequently in patients with SCN (84.8% vs. 54.3% p = 0.01), as well as more frequent use of nephrotoxic drugs (74.5% vs. 54.2% p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that sickle cell nephropathy may occur at an early age, where glomerular hyperfiltration is very common. Cardiopulmonary complications in patients with SCA may be related to the presence of SCN.

Dataset on audio records of animals from the northeast Andes of Colombia II: The vertebrate sounds of Santander department.

Colombia holds one of the most spectacular biodiversity of the world. Yet, vast aspects of this biodiversity are still poorly inventoried. One of the least known aspects of Colombia's biodiversity is the sound produced by its animals, even for the most conspicuous ones, the vertebrates. Here we reviewed and compiled the sound records available for the Department of Santander, a region in the North-East of Colombia, gathering the sound records of birds, anurans, mammals, and fishes. By conducting a detailed review in the environmental sound collection of the Humboldt Institute, the Macaulay Library of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Xeno-canto platform of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, we present the first dataset of vertebrate sounds information from the Santander department. We selected recordings with a taxonomic resolution up to species and complete metadata information. Using latitude and longitude information, we assigned each recording to one of the six biotic units reported for Santander. We found a total of 1499 recordings, which belong to six biotic units: Guane-Yariguíes (597), Middle Magdalena Valley and Mompox Depression (484), High Andes Eastern Cordillera (167), Nechí-San Lucas (150), Middle Magdalena Eastern Cordillera (95), Catatumbo (6). This dataset can have a wide scope of applications, from basic scientific questions, to analyses made by decision makers regarding conservation strategies, to support biodiversity-based economies such as ecotourism.

Caracterización de las complicaciones renales en pacientes con anemia de células falciformes / Characterization of kidney complications in patients with sickle cell anemia

Resumen: Introducción: La nefropatía falciforme (NF) es una complicación poco estudiada en la edad pediátrica, que se manifiesta en diferentes formas, incluyendo la glomerulopatía y la tubulopatía. Objetivo: Descri bir las complicaciones renales agudas y crónicas de niños con anemia de células falciformes (ACF). Pacientes y Método: Estudio de cohorte restrospectiva. Se incluyeron pacientes pediátricos con diagnóstico confirmado de enfermedad de células falciformes que tuvieran estudio nefro-urológico. Se consignó patrón electroforético de hemoglobina, presencia y tipo de afectación renal, y presencia de compromiso cardiológico. Se realizó análisis bivariado para comparar pacientes con y sin NF. Resultados: Se incluyeron 79 pacientes, 59.5% hombres, siendo el patrón electroforético más fre cuente Hb-SS (60.9%). La NF se presentó en el 70% de ellos, con una edad de 114 meses (RIQ 65-157). Las alteraciones más frecuentemente encontradas fueron hiperfiltración glomerular, mi croalbuminuria, lesión renal aguda, hipertensión arterial e hipostenuria. En el análisis bivariado, un ecocardiograma anormal fue más frecuente en los pacientes con NF (84,8% vs 54,3% p = 0,01), así como tuvieron una tendencia a mayor uso de medicamentos nefrotóxicos (74,5% vs 54,2% p = 0,07). Conclusiones: Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que la nefropatía falciforme puede presentarse a tempra na edad, siendo muy frecuente la hiperfiltración glomerular. Las complicaciones cardiopulmonares en ACF se podrían asociar con la presencia NF.

Abstract: Introduction: Sickle cell nephropathy (SCN) is a poorly studied complication of pediatric patients. It appears in different forms, including glomerulopathy, and tubulopathies. Objective: To describe acute and chronic renal complications in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Patients and Method: Re trospective study. Pediatric patients with confirmed diagnosis of sickle cell disease were included who had a nephro-urology study. Hemoglobin electrophoresis pattern, presence and type of renal involvement, and presence of cardiac involvement were recorded. Bivariate analysis was perfor med to compare patients with and without SCN. Results: 79 patients were included, 59.5% of them were men, and the most frequent electrophoresis pattern was Hb-SS (60.9%). The SCN oc curred in 70% of patients with an average age of 114 months (RIQ 65-157). The most frequently observed alterations were glomerular hyperfiltration, microalbuminuria, acute kidney injury, ar terial hypertension, and hyposthenuria. In the bivariate analysis, an abnormal echocardiogram result was presented more frequently in patients with SCN (84.8% vs. 54.3% p = 0.01), as well as more frequent use of nephrotoxic drugs (74.5% vs. 54.2% p = 0.07). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that sickle cell nephropathy may occur at an early age, where glomerular hyperfiltration is very common. Cardiopulmonary complications in patients with SCA may be related to the presence of SCN.

The advertisement call of Allobates niputidea (Anura: Aromobatidae).

In anurans, acoustic signal traits are useful for understanding patterns of evolutionary processes, behavioral interactions, and providing diagnostic characters for inferring phylogenetic relationships and delimiting species (Cocroft Ryan 1995). The advertisement call, which is the vocalization emitted to attract females or segregate conspecific males, is the most conspicuous and studied acoustic signal (Toledo et. al. 2014). However, it remains unknown for many anuran species (Köhler et al. 2017; Guerra et al. 2018).

Birds vs bricks: Patterns of species diversity in response to urbanization in a Neotropical Andean city.

Urbanization is currently one the most important causes of biodiversity loss. The Colombian Andes is a well-known hotspot for biodiversity, however, it also exhibit high levels of urbanization, making it a useful site to document how species assemblages respond to habitat transformation. To do this, we compared the structure and composition of bird assemblages between rural and urban habitats in Armenia, a medium sized city located in the Central Andes of Colombia. In addition, we examined the influence of urban characteristics on bird species diversity within the city of Armenia. From September 2016 to February 2017 we performed avian surveys in 76 cells (250 x 250 m each) embedded within Armenia city limits; and in 23 cells (250 x 250 m each) in rural areas around Armenia. We found that bird diversity was significantly lower in urban habitats than in rural habitats, and differed in species composition by 29%. In urban cells, with higher abiotic noise intensity and higher impervious surface area, we found lower bird diversity than that in urban cells with higher guadual (Guadua angustifolia patches), and forested surface areas. We did not find segregation of urban cells according to the species composition, although additional bird surveys inside urban forests remnant are needed to be more conclusive about this aspect. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of green areas embedded within cities to conserve bird diversity through reducing the ecological impact of urbanization on avian biodiversity.

Alexithymia predicts poorer social and everyday functioning in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Alexithymia, or the inability to identify and describe one's emotions, is significantly higher in bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ), compared to healthy controls (HC). Alexithymia has also been observed to predict psychosocial functioning in SZ. We investigated whether alexithymia predicted social and everyday functioning in BD, as well as transdiagnostically in HC, BD, and SZ patients. 56 BD, 45 SZ, and 50 HC were administered and compared on tests measuring neurocognition, social cognition, functioning and alexithymia. We conducted linear regressions assessing whether alexithymia predicted functional outcomes in BD. Next, we conducted hierarchical stepwise linear regressions investigating the predictive ability of neurocognition, social cognition and alexithymia on everyday and social functioning in our overall sample. BD and SZ patients were comparable on most demographics and demonstrated higher alexithymia compared to HCs. In BD, alexithymia predicted social functioning only. In the overall sample, difficulty identifying and describing feelings predicted everyday functioning; difficulty describing feelings predicted social functioning. Results suggest that aspects of alexithymia significantly predict functioning among these psychiatric groups, above and beyond the contributions of previously identified factors such as neurocognition and social cognition. Results may aid in developing proper interventions aimed at improving patients' ability to articulate their feelings.

Context-dependent crypsis: a prey's perspective of a color polymorphic predator.

Many animals use body coloration as a strategy to communicate with conspecifics, prey, and predators. Color is a trade-off for some species, since they should be visible to conspecifics but cryptic to predators and prey. Some flower-dwelling predators, such as crab spiders, are capable of choosing the color of flowers where they ambush flower visitors and pollinators. In order to avoid being captured, visitors evaluate flowers visually before landing. The crab spider Mecaphesa dubia is a polymorphic species (white/purple color morphs), which inhabits the flower heads of a dune plant, Palafoxia lindenii. Using full-spectrum photography of spiders and flowers, we evaluated how honeybees perceived the spiders at different distances. Using visual modeling, we obtained the chromatic and achromatic contrasts of the spiders on flower heads as perceived by honeybees. Purple morphs were found mainly on the receptacle area and white morphs were equally likely to be found in the flowers and receptacle. According to theoretical modeling, white morphs were visible to honeybees from a distance of 10 cm in receptacle area but appeared to be cryptic in the flower area. Purple morphs were cryptic on the receptacle and less so when they were on the flowers. Spiders on flower heads are predicted to be more easily detected by honeybees using chromatic contrast. Our study shows that the conspicuousness of flower dwelling spiders to honeybees depends on the color morph, the distance of observation, and the position of spider on the flower head.

Social cognition moderates the relationship between neurocognition and community functioning in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia (SZ) studies suggest that neurocognition predicts functional outcome and that social cognition mediates this relationship. Bipolar disorder (BD) patients also have cognitive, social, and functional impairments but the relationship among these factors in BD is not well established. We assessed whether social cognition modulates the influence of neurocognition on community functioning in BD, as found in SZ. METHODS: 200 BD patients and 49 healthy controls (HC) were administered and compared on a battery of tests assessing neurocognition, social cognition, and community functioning. We conducted a series of regression analyses to investigate potential mediation or moderation of social cognition on the relationship between neurocognition and community functioning. RESULTS: BD patients performed worse on neurocognitive domains of processing speed, attention, verbal learning, and global neurocognition. Also, BD patients performed worse on theory of mind, the social cognition composite score, and community functioning. Neurocognition did not significantly predict functional outcome in our BD sample. However, we found a moderating effect of social cognition: among patients with poor social cognition, better neurocognition was associated with better community functioning, a relationship not seen in BD patients with good social cognition. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by a relatively small HC group and assessing one subtype of functioning status. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between neurocognition and community functioning in BD may be dependent on social cognition status, implying the presence of social cognitive heterogeneity. Results may be relevant to choosing proper treatment interventions depending on the patient's social cognitive level.

Characterizing cognitive heterogeneity on the schizophrenia-bipolar disorder spectrum.

BACKGROUND: Current group-average analysis suggests quantitative but not qualitative cognitive differences between schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). There is increasing recognition that cognitive within-group heterogeneity exists in both disorders, but it remains unclear as to whether between-group comparisons of performance in cognitive subgroups emerging from within each of these nosological categories uphold group-average findings. We addressed this by identifying cognitive subgroups in large samples of SZ and BD patients independently, and comparing their cognitive profiles. The utility of a cross-diagnostic clustering approach to understanding cognitive heterogeneity in these patients was also explored. METHOD: Hierarchical clustering analyses were conducted using cognitive data from 1541 participants (SZ n = 564, BD n = 402, healthy control n = 575). RESULTS: Three qualitatively and quantitatively similar clusters emerged within each clinical group: a severely impaired cluster, a mild-moderately impaired cluster and a relatively intact cognitive cluster. A cross-diagnostic clustering solution also resulted in three subgroups and was superior in reducing cognitive heterogeneity compared with disorder clustering independently. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative SZ-BD cognitive differences commonly seen using group averages did not hold when cognitive heterogeneity was factored into our sample. Members of each corresponding subgroup, irrespective of diagnosis, might be manifesting the outcome of differences in shared cognitive risk factors.

Multiple high-risk HPV genotypes are grouped by type and are associated with viral load and risk factors.

Investigating whether high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) types tend to become grouped in a particular way and whether factors are associated with such grouping is important for measuring the real impact of vaccination. In total, 219 women proving positive for HPV as detected by real-time PCR were included in the study. Each sample was analysed for detecting and quantifying six viral types and the hydroxymethylbilane synthase gene. Multiple correspondence analysis led to determining grouping patterns for six HR-HPV types and simultaneous association with multiple variables and whether viral load was related to the coexistence of other viral types. Two grouping profiles were identified: the first included HPV-16 and HPV-45 and the second profile was represented by HPV-31, HPV-33 and HPV-58. Variables such as origin, contraceptive method, births and pregnancies, educational level, healthcare affiliation regime, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and viral load were associated with these grouping profiles. Different socio-demographic characteristics were found when coinfection occurred by phylogenetically related HPV types and when coinfection was due to non-related types. Biological characteristics, the number of viral copies, temporality regarding acquiring infection and competition between viral types could influence the configuration of grouping patterns. Characteristics related to women and HPV, influence such interactions between coexisting HPV types reflecting the importance of their evaluation.

Hemiparesia y parálisis facial transitorias causadas por metotrexato / Hemiparesis and facial palsy caused by methotrexate

El metotrexato es usado en el tratamiento de la leucemia linfoide aguda; puede causar neurotoxicidad, incluyendo una presentación muy infrecuente con hemiparesia. Se describen los casos de 2 adolescentes quienes durante la aplicación de la fase M del protocolo presentaron hemiparesia, paresia facial y disartria que revirtieron de forma rápida, descartándose compromiso leucémico del sistema nervioso central e ictus. Se revisa brevemente la fisiopatología de la neurotoxicidad del metotrexato, las características de la presentación con paresia focal y los hallazgos en la resonancia magnética nuclear (AU)

Methotrexate used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia, can cause neurotoxicity, including a rare presentation with hemiparesis. We describe two teenagers, who during the implementation of the M phase of the protocol, suffered hemiparesis, facial paresis and dysarthria which quickly reversed. Leukemia involvement of the central nervous system and stroke, were ruled out. We briefly review the pathophysiology of methotrexate neurotoxicity, the characteristics of the focal paresis presentation and magnetic resonance image findings (AU)

[Hemiparesis and facial palsy caused by methotrexate]. / Hemiparesia y parálisis facial transitorias causadas por metotrexato.

Methotrexate used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia, can cause neurotoxicity, including a rare presentation with hemiparesis. We describe two teenagers, who during the implementation of the M phase of the protocol, suffered hemiparesis, facial paresis and dysarthria which quickly reversed. Leukemia involvement of the central nervous system and stroke, were ruled out. We briefly review the pathophysiology of methotrexate neurotoxicity, the characteristics of the focal paresis presentation and magnetic resonance image findings.

Anticoagulante lúpico en Pediatría. Experiencia en nuestro centro / Lupus anticoagulant in Pediatrics. Experience in our center

Objetivo. Estudio descriptivo de las formas de presentación, características biológicas y evolución de los pacientes pediátricos diagnosticados de anticoagulante lúpico en nuestro Hospital. Pacientes y métodos. Revisión retrospectiva de todos los pacientes que cumplieron los criterios establecidos por la Sociedad Internacional de Trombosis y Hemostasia para diagnóstico de anticoagulante lúpico. Resultados. Cumplieron los criterios establecidos 16 niños, 9 varones (53,6%) y 7 mujeres, con una mediana de edad decimal al diagnóstico de 6,25 años (rango: 1,1-13). Los motivos del estudio de coagulación fueron: preoperatorio (n: 6, 37,5%), estudio por trombosis (n: 4, 25%), infección (n:3, 18,8%), hemorragia (n: 2, 12,5%) e ingesta de raticida (n:1, 6,3%). Diez casos (62,5%) permanecieron asintomáticos y correspondieron a los casos de preoperatorio, infecciones e ingesta de raticida. Cuatro de los pacientes presentaron trombosis (25%), en dos de ellos se encontraron además trombofilia primaria y patología inmunitaria o tumoral y en otro caso se cumplieron criterios de síndrome antifosfolípido primario, único de los casos en que el anticoagulante lúpico fue persistente. Dos casos (12,5%) presentaron hemorragias asociadas a disminución de algún factor de coagulación (déficits transitorios de FII y FVIII).Conclusiones. El anticoagulante lúpico es un hallazgo poco frecuente en Pediatría. Se encuentra con más frecuencia en preoperatorio de procesos ORL y/o infecciones. La gran mayoría son transitorios y sin relevancia clínica. Cuando se asocia trombosis frecuentemente se asocia a trombofilia primaria y patología inmunitaria o tumoral y cuando lo hace a hemorragias, a déficit de factores procoagulantes (AU)

Objective. A descriptive study of the presentation forms, biological and evolution characteristics of the pediatric patients diagnosed of lupus anticoagulant in our hospital. Patients and methods. Retrospective review of all the patient who met the criteria established by the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis for diagnosis of lupus anticoagulant. Results. The established criteria were met by 16 children, 9 males (53.6%) and 7 women, with a mean decimal age on diagnosis of 6.25 years (range: 1.1-13). The reasons for the coagulation study were: preoperative (n: 6, 37.5%), thrombosis study (n: 4, 25%), infection (n: 3, 8.8%), hemorrhaging (n: 2, 12.5%) and taking of rodenticide (n: 1, 6.3%). Ten cases (62.5%) remained asymptomatic and corresponded to pre-operative cases, infections and intake of rodenticide. Four of the patients had thrombosis (25%). In two of the latter, primary thrombophilia and immune or tumor pathology were also found and another case fulfilled the criteria of primary antiphospholipid syndrome, this being the only case in which the lupus anticoagulant was persistent. Two cases (12.5%) presented hemorrhages associated to decrease of a coagulation factor (transient deficits of FII and FVIII).Conclusions. Lupus anticoagulant is an uncommon finding in Pediatrics. It is more frequently found in the preoperative of ENT and/or infectious processes. The vast majority are transient and do not show clinical significance. When thrombosis is associated, it is frequently associated to primary thrombophilia and immune or tumor disorder and when it is associated to hemorrhages, it is associated to a deficit of procoagulant factors (AU)