A new distinctively striped species of bushynose catfish (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Ancistrus) from the Pachitea River drainage, Pasco, Peru.

With 76 currently valid species, the bushynose catfish genus Ancistrus is the fourth most species-rich catfish genus, yet Ancistrus diversity remains underestimated, with many species still undescribed. This is especially true of the Peruvian Andean headwaters of the Amazon, which are rich in unnamed Ancistrus species but have received little recent taxonomic attention. We describe a distinctively striped new Ancistrus species from tributaries of the Palcazú River, in the Pachitea-Ucayali-Amazonas drainage basin. The new species differs from all congeners by having black, vermiculated lines covering the head and two to four distinct black, parallel, lateral body stripes from head to caudal fin (vs. body uniformly colored or with dark or light spots or blotches over head and body, or black vermiculate lines on flanks). The new species is the fifth valid species of Ancistrus described from the rich Ucayali River ichthyofauna. It has previously been recognized in the aquarium fish trade as L267.

Screening History and Survival Among Women With Cervical Cancer in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVES: Cervical cancer incidence is rising in Puerto Rico (PR). Screening for cervical cancer could prevent the occurrence of the disease or lead to its early detection, translating to survival benefits. In this study, we evaluated the association of cervical cancer screening status with tumor diagnosis and survival among Hispanic women living in PR. METHODS: We analyzed data for 506 incident cases of primary cervical cancer diagnosed from the period 2011-2014, identified through the PR Central Cancer Registry. We ascertained screening status 3 years before cervical cancer diagnosis using data from the period 2008-2014 from the PR Central Cancer Registry-Health Insurance Linkage Database. Patients were followed until 2019. Our outcomes of interest were stage at diagnosis and survival. RESULTS: Most women (78.86%) were covered by public insurance (Medicare and/or Medicaid), and 69.57% underwent screening 3 years before their diagnosis. The proportion of cases diagnosed with localized stage was significantly greater among the screened group compared with those unscreened (43.5% vs 33.1%, p < .0001). Multivariate analysis showed that women insured through Medicaid were less likely to have been screened when compared with women with private insurance (odds ratio = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.16-0.52). Five-year survival was significantly greater among screened (72%) than unscreened (54%) women (p log-rank < 0.05). The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that women who received screening had a 39% (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.43-0.87) lower risk of death compared with unscreened women. CONCLUSION: Our findings exemplify survival benefits among women who underwent cervical cancer screening in PR. Interventions to improve screening uptake and adherence are a public health priority.

Low-Cost Human-Machine Interface for Computer Control with Facial Landmark Detection and Voice Commands.

Nowadays, daily life involves the extensive use of computers, since human beings are immersed in a technological society. Therefore, it is mandatory to interact with computers, which represents a true disadvantage for people with upper limb disabilities. In this context, this work aims to develop an interface for emulating mouse and keyboard functions (EMKEY) by applying concepts of artificial vision and voice recognition to replace the use of hands. Pointer control is achieved by head movement, whereas voice recognition is used to perform interface functionalities, including speech-to-text transcription. To evaluate the interface's usability and usefulness, two studies were carried out. The first study was performed with 30 participants without physical disabilities. Throughout this study, there were significant correlations found between the emulator's usability and aspects such as adaptability, execution time, and the participant's age. In the second study, the use of the emulator was analyzed by four participants with motor disabilities. It was found that the interface was best used by the participant with cerebral palsy, followed by the participants with upper limb paralysis, spina bifida, and muscular dystrophy. In general, the results show that the proposed interface is easy to use, practical, fairly accurate, and works on a wide range of computers.

Lista de especies de peces de la cuenca del río Ucayali, Perú

En este trabajo se presenta una lista actualizada de los registros de especies de peces de la cuenca del río Ucayali, Perú, provenientes de datos publicados y no publicados. Los resultados muestran que la cuenca del Ucayali presenta una ictiofauna rica y diversificada con el registro de 734 especies distribuidas en 15 órdenes, 49 familias y 292 géneros. La Ictiofauna está compuesta por peces miniatura (4%), peces pequeños (39%), medianos (41%), grandes (13%) y gigantes (3%). Los grupos dominantes son los Characiformes (312 especies, 43.0 %), Siluriformes (270 especies, 36.8%), Gymnotiformes (51 especies, 6.9%), y Cichliformes (50 especies, 6.8%). Parte de la ictiofauna es compartida con cuencas adyacentes como Marañón, y Amazonas peruano, principalmente en la región de confluencia, lo que contribuye a la notable diversidad de peces en la cuenca. Se observó una alta riqueza de especies con distribución restricta de los géneros Orestias, Astroblepus, Trichomycterus, Hemibrycon, entre otras especies, que ocurren en la región de cabeceras. Estimativos de riqueza de especies considerando su distribución por cada 100 m de altitud, indican que la cuenca del Ucayali esta subestimada, esperándose encontrar hasta 1125 especies. Los resultados aquí presentados son antecedentes que coadyuvaran a la toma de decisiones con fines de conservación y desarrollo sustentable en la región amazónica.

This study presents an updated checklists of the fish species recorded in the Ucayali River basin, Peru, from published and unpublished data. Ucayali River basin shows a rich and diversified ichthyofauna, with 734 species distributed in 15 orders, 49 families and 292 genera. It is composed by miniature fishes (4 %, < 2.6 cm of standard length), small fishes (39 %), medium fishes (41 %), large fishes (13 %) and giants (3 %). The dominant groups are Characiformes (312 species, 43.0 %), Siluriformes (270 species, 36.8 %), Gymnotiformes (51 species, 6.9 %) and Cichliformes (50 species, 6.8 %). Part of the ichthyofauna is shared with the adjacent basins as Marañón and Amazon, mainly in the confluence area, which contribute to the highest diversity of fishes in the Ucayali basin. High diversity of fishes with restricted distribution was observed, among them Orestias, Astroblepus, Trichomycterus, Hemibrycon genera that occur in the headwaters. Estimates of species richness considering their distribution per 100 m of altitude, show that the Ucayali basin is underestimated, expecting to find up to 1125 species. The results presented here are background information that will contribute to decision-making for conservation and sustainable development purposes in the Amazon region.

Peces de la cuenca del río Chira, Piura, Perú / Peces de la cuenca del río Chira, Piura, Perú

Abstract Chira River is located on the north coast of Peru. The scant information of the ichthyofauna from coastal drainages from Peru is noteworthy. The aim of this study is to characterize the ichthyofauna along the Chira River basin in terms of diversity and altitudinal range distribution. The material examined belongs to the Ichthyological collection of the Natural History Museum (MUSM). The diversity of fishes is composed of 27 species belonging to 19 families and ten orders. Siluriformes and Characiformes were the most diverse, consisting of 22% (six species) for each one. Five species are new records for the Chira River (three natives and two non-natives). Six marine species and seven exotic species were recorded as well. The altitudinal distribution patterns for all species were registered. This study increases the known diversity of freshwater fishes from Pacific Drainage Rivers in Peru, and it could be used for management and conservation plans.

Resumen El río Chira está ubicado en la costa norte del Perú. La escasa información de la ictiofauna de las cuencas costeras del Perú es notable. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar la ictiofauna en la cuenca del río Chira en términos de diversidad y rango de distribución altitudinal. El material examinado pertenece a la colección ictiológica del Museo de Historia Natural (MUSM). La diversidad de peces está compuesta por 27 especies pertenecientes a 19 familias y 10 órdenes. Cinco especies son nuevos registros para el río Chira (tres nativas y dos no nativas). Fueron registradas seis especies marinas y siete especies exóticas. Este estudio incrementa el conocimiento de la diversidad de peces de las cuencas costeras en Perú, y puede ser usado para planes de manejo y conservación.

Checklist of freshwater fishes from Loreto, Peru / Lista de especies de peces de agua dulce de Loreto, Perú

Abstract This study presents an extensive review of published and unpublished occurrence records of fish species in the Loreto department. Located in the northeast of the country, Loreto is the most geographically extensive region in the Peruvian territory. Despite the increase in fish collections in Loreto in recent years, the ichthyofauna of this department needs to be more documented. Based on a database of scientific collections and bibliographic information, an updated checklist of the freshwater fishes from Loreto is presented. The results reveal a rich and diversified ichthyofauna, with 873 species distributed in 331 genera, 50 families and 15 orders. The main groups are Characiformes (42.6%), Siluriformes (34.8%), Gymnotiformes (8.6%) and Cichliformes (7.4%). Part of the ichthyofauna has restricted distribution for Loreto (4.7%). In addition, 9.0% of species from Loreto are used in fisheries. Meanwhile, 219 species (25%) were categorized according to the IUCN criteria where only six species (0.7%) are currently considered threatened species (CR, EN or VU). The results presented in this work indicate that this department needs more studies to know the biodiversity of fish, likewise, the information presented constitutes a contribution to the knowledge of fish diversity that would support environmental management actions and decision-making aimed at conserving one of the most diverse departments of Peru.

Resumen Este trabajo presenta una revisión de los registros de especies de peces, publicados y no publicados, del departamento de Loreto. Localizado al noreste del país, Loreto es el departamento más extenso del territorio peruano. A pesar del incremento en el número de las colectas de peces en Loreto en años recientes, la ictiofauna de este departamento necesita ser más documentada. Sustentado en los registros en bases de datos de colecciones científicas e información bibliográfica, se presenta una actualización de la lista de peces de agua dulce de Loreto. Los resultados revelaron una ictiofauna rica y diversificada, con 873 especies, distribuidas en 331 géneros, 50 familias y 15 órdenes. Los principales taxones fueron Characiformes (42.6%), Siluriformes (34.8%), Gymnotiformes (8.6%) y Cichliformes (7.4%). Parte de la ictiofauna tiene distribución restricta para Loreto (4.7%). Además, 9.0% de las especies son usadas en pesquerías de Loreto. Mientras tanto, 219 (25%) especies fueron categorizadas de acuerdo con los criterios de la IUCN, donde sólo seis especies (0.7%) son consideradas actualmente especies amenazadas (CR, EN o VU). Los resultados presentados en este trabajo señalan que este departamento necesita más estudios para conocer la biodiversidad de peces, así mismo, la información presentada constituye un aporte al conocimiento de la biodiversidad íctica que respaldarían las acciones de gestión ambiental y toma de decisiones destinados a conservar uno de los departamentos más diversos del Perú.

Multi-locus phylogeny with dense Guiana Shield sampling supports new suprageneric classification of the neotropical three-barbeled catfishes (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae).

The catfish family Heptapteridae is ubiquitous across a range of freshwater habitats from southern Mexico to northern Argentina and contains 23 genera and 228 valid species. After a century of mostly morphology-based systematic analyses of these fishes, we provide the first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis spanning most valid Heptapteridae genera (16 of 23). We examined eight of 14 valid genera in the Nemuroglanis-subclade (Heptapterini), all valid genera in the Brachyglanis-subclade (Brachyglaniini) and most valid Brachyglaniini species (11 of 15). Maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses of a 4156-base alignment of five gene regions (three mitochondrial: COI, Cyt b, and ND2; two nuclear: RAG2, Glyt) yielded thoroughly resolved and statistically robust phylogenies that were largely congruent with each other and with previous morphology-based hypotheses. We propose a revised phylogenetic classification consisting of two subfamilies (Rhamdiinae, Heptapterinae) each with two tribes. Dense taxonomic sampling of Brachyglaniini, including type species of Brachyglanis, Gladioglanis, Leptorhamdia, and Myoglanis, revealed widespread paraphyly. Newly recovered clades within Brachyglaniini are closely associated with either the upper Orinoco or the Essequibo suggesting repeated dispersals and/or range expansions/contractions across the western Guiana Shield highlands and from there to the upper Amazon and Brazilian Shield. These biogeographical processes appear to have been an important driver of allopatric diversification in the clade.

Prospective Evaluation of a Practical Guideline for Managing Positive Sterility Test Results in Cell Therapy Products.

Product safety assurance is crucial for the clinical use of manufactured cellular therapies. A rational approach for delivering products that fail release criteria (because of potentially false-positive sterility results) is important to avoid unwarranted wastage of highly personalized and costly therapies in critically ill patients where benefits may outweigh risk. Accurate and timely interpretation of microbial sterility assays represents a major challenge in cell therapies. We developed a systematic protocol for the assessment of positive microbial sterility test results using retrospective data from 2007 to 2016. This protocol was validated and applied prospectively between October 2016 and September 2017 to 13 products from which positive sterility results had been reported. Viable and nonviable environmental monitoring (EM) data were collected concurrently as part of a facility control assessment. Three of 13 (23%) positive sterility results were attributable to bone marrow collections that had been contaminated with skin flora during harvest; all were infused without pertinent infectious sequelae. Of the remaining 10, 1 was deemed a true positive and was discarded before infusion, whereas 9 were classified as false positives attributed to laboratory sampling and/or culturing processes. Three products deemed false positive were infused and 6 were withheld because of patient issues unrelated to microbial sterility results. No postinfusion-associated infectious complications were documented. Almost half of the positive EM findings were skin flora. Paired detection of an organism in both product and associated EM was identified in 1 case. Application of our validated protocol to positive product sterility test results allowed for systematic data compilation for regulatory evaluation and provided comprehensive information to clinical investigators to ensure timely and strategic management for product recipients.

Coparentalidade no contexto de depressão pós-parto: um estudo qualitativo / Coparenting in the context of postpartum depression: a qualitative study / Coparentalidad en el contexto de depresión postparto: un estudio cualitativo

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a coparentalidade no contexto de depressão pós-parto. Participaram 11 famílias com bebês no primeiro ano de vida, em que a mãe apresentava depressão pós-parto. A mãe e o pai responderam entrevista sobre sua experiência de maternidade e paternidade, respectivamente. Essas entrevistas foram examinadas por meio de análise de conteúdo qualitativa, com base em quatro categorias da coparentalidade: divisão de trabalho parental, apoio versus depreciação coparental, gerenciamento das interações familiares e acordo nos cuidados. Os achados evidenciaram que sintomas de depressão pós-parto, como irritabilidade e cansaço, apareceram associados principalmente a relatos de pouco apoio e de depreciação coparental, por parte de ambos os genitores. Os resultados também revelaram certa dificuldade materna para estabelecer interações triádicas, bem como estratégias negativas de resolução de conflitos coparentais. Discutem-se implicações da depressão pós-parto na coparentalidade. (AU)

The aim of this study was to investigate coparenting in the context of postpartum depression. The participants were 11 families, with babies in their first year of life, in which the mother showed postpartum depression. The mother and father were interviewed about their experience of maternity and paternity, respectively. These interviews were examined through qualitative content analysis, based on four categories of coparenting: parental division of labor, coparental support versus undermining, joint family management, and childrearing agreement. The results revealed that postpartum depression symptoms, such as irritability and tiredness, appeared mainly associated with reports of low support and coparental undermining by both parents. The results also revealed a certain maternal difficulty to establish triadic interactions, as well as negative strategies for coparental conflict resolution. Implications of postpartum depression in coparenting are discussed. (AU)

El objeto de este estudio fue investigar la coparentalidad en el contexto de depresión posparto. Participaron 11 familias con bebes en el primer año de vida, en que la madre presentaba depresión posparto. La madre y el padre respondieron a una entrevista sobre su experiencia de maternidad y paternidad, respectivamente. Estas entrevistas fueron examinadas por medio de análisis de contenido cualitativo, con base en cuatro categorías de la coparentalidad: división de trabajo parental, apoyo versus depreciación coparental, gerenciamiento de las interacciones familiares, y acuerdo en los cuidados. Los hallazgos evidenciaron que los síntomas de depresión posparto, como irritabilidad y cansancio, aparecieron asociados principalmente a relatos de poco apoyo y de depreciación coparental, por parte de ambos padres. Los resultados también revelaron cierta dificultad materna para establecer interacciones triádicas, así como estrategias negativas de resolución de conflictos coparentales. Se discuten implicaciones de la depresión posparto en la coparentalidad. (AU)

Hepatitis E Virus Does Not Contribute to Hepatic Decompensation Among Patients With Advanced Chronic Hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatitis E (HEV) can cause acute-on-chronic liver failure in persons with pre-existing liver disease. We investigated whether HEV infection contributes to hepatic decompensation in patients with previously stable, advanced chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: We performed a case-control study using stored serum samples from subjects enrolled in the randomized phase of the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis Trial (n = 1050; mean age, 51 y; 70% male; 40% with cirrhosis at baseline). Cases were subjects who developed hepatic decompensation within a 24-week period. Controls (3 per case) were subjects without hepatic decompensation matched for fibrosis stage and followed up for a similar period. A serum sample obtained within 6 months after the decompensation event in cases and the same follow-up period in controls were tested for anti-HEV IgG. Subjects with a positive result had a baseline sample similarly tested for anti-HEV IgG. We measured levels of anti-HEV IgM and HEV RNA in blood samples from incident cases. RESULTS: Of the 1050 subjects analyzed, 314 (30%) experienced a clinical event. Of the 314 subjects who experienced decompensation as defined, 89 (28%) were tested for anti-HEV, along with 267 controls (without decompensation). Similar proportions of cases and controls tested positive for anti-HEV (22.5% and 20.6%, respectively; P = .70). Ten incident HEV infections were identified-4 in cases (4.5%) and 6 in controls (2.2%) (P = .28). HEV RNA was not detected in blood samples from the 10 incident infections. Only 2 of the 4 incident infections among cases were related temporally to the decompensation event. CONCLUSIONS: HEV does not appear to be a significant cause of hepatic decompensation among persons with previously stable, advanced chronic hepatitis C in the United States.

Edentulismo y necesidad de tratamiento protésico en adultos de ámbito urbano marginal / Edentulism and need of prosthetic treatment for adults in marginal urban human settlement area

Determinar la frecuencia de edentulismo y la necesidad de tratamiento protésico en pobladores adultos de 18 a 64 años de edad del ámbito urbano marginal del Asentamiento Humano El Golfo de Ventanilla, distrito de Ventanilla, Callao û Lima, 2014. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal, descriptivo, observacional. La población estuvo formada por 1350 personas y la muestra calculada fue de 168 adultos, quienes fueron evaluados mediante una fi cha de recolección de datos, estructurada a partir de un cuestionario de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) para personas edéntulas. Resultados: Se determinó que existió una frecuencia de edentulismo en la población de 121 (72%) y la necesidad de tratamiento protésico de forma parcial y total presente para el maxilar superior fue de 100 (59,6%) y en el maxilar inferior de 113 (67,3%). Conclusiones: La mayoría de la población tenía edentulismo y necesidad de tratamiento protésico...

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of edentulism and the need for prosthetic treatment in adults aged from 18 to 64 years in marginal urban human settlement areas from ôEl golfo de Ventanilla, distrito de Ventanilla, Callao û Lima, 2014." Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study. The population consisted of 1350 people and the sample was calculated at 168 adults which evaluated by collecting data sheet, structured by a questionnaire from the World Health Organization (WHO) for edentulous people. Results: We found that there is a frequent edentulism in the population of 121 (72%) and the need for prosthetic treatment of partial and total present for the upper maxilla with 100 (59.6%) and in the lower maxilla with 113 (67.3%). Conclusions: We found the vast majority of the population had edentulism and an urgent need for a prosthetic treatment...

Metabolically active human brown adipose tissue derived stem cells.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays a key role in the evolutionarily conserved mechanisms underlying energy homeostasis in mammals. It is characterized by fat vacuoles 5-10 µm in diameter and expression of uncoupling protein one, central to the regulation of thermogenesis. In the human newborn, BAT depots are typically grouped around the vasculature and solid organs. These depots maintain body temperature during cold exposure by warming the blood before its distribution to the periphery. They also ensure an optimal temperature for biochemical reactions within solid organs. BAT had been thought to involute throughout childhood and adolescence. Recent studies, however, have confirmed the presence of active BAT in adult humans with depots residing in cervical, supraclavicular, mediastinal, paravertebral, and suprarenal regions. While human pluripotent stem cells have been differentiated into functional brown adipocytes in vitro and brown adipocyte progenitor cells have been identified in murine skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue, multipotent metabolically active BAT-derived stem cells from a single depot have not been identified in adult humans to date. Here, we demonstrate a clonogenic population of metabolically active BAT stem cells residing in adult humans that can: (a) be expanded in vitro; (b) exhibit multilineage differentiation potential; and (c) functionally differentiate into metabolically active brown adipocytes. Our study defines a new target stem cell population that can be activated to restore energy homeostasis in vivo for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Putative population of adipose-derived stem cells isolated from mediastinal tissue during cardiac surgery.

Mesenchymal stem cells have been isolated from various adult human tissues and are valuable for not only therapeutic applications but for the study of tissue homeostasis and disease progression. Subcutaneous adipose depots have been shown to contain large amounts of stem cells. There is little information that has been reported to date describing the isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells from visceral adipose tissue. In this study, we describe a mesenchymal stem cell population isolated from mediastinal adipose depots. The cells express CD44, CD105, CD166, and CD90 and are negative for hematopoietic markers CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR. In addition, the cells have a multilineage potential, with the ability to differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic cell types. The biological function of visceral adipose tissue remains largely unknown and uncharacterized. However, the proximity of adipose tissue to the heart suggests a potential role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in obesity. In addition, with the ability of fat to regulate metabolic activity in humans, this novel stem cell source may be useful to further study the mechanisms involved in metabolic disorders.

Mesenchymal stem cell population isolated from the subepithelial layer of umbilical cord tissue.

The therapeutic use of stem cells to treat diseases and injuries is a promising tool in regenerative medicine. The umbilical cord provides a rich source of stem cells; we have previously reported a population of stem cells isolated from Wharton's jelly. In this report, we aimed to isolate a novel cell population that was different than those found in Wharton's jelly. We isolated stem cells from the subepithelial layer of the umbilical cord; the cells could be expanded for greater than 90 population doubling and had mesenchymal stem cell characteristics, expressing CD9, SSEA4, CD44, CD90, CD166, CD73, and CD146 but were negative for STRO-1. The cells can be directionally differentiated and undergo osteo-, chondro-, adipo-, and cardiogenesis. In addition, we have identified for the first time that mesenchymal stem cells isolated from umbilical cord can produce microvesicles, termed exosomes. This is the first report describing a stem cell population isolated from the subepithelial layer of the umbilical cord. Given the growth capacity, multilineage potential, and most importantly the low levels of HLA-ABC, we propose that this novel cell isolated from the subepithelial layer of umbilical cord is an ideal candidate for allogeneic cell-based therapy.

Estrés y desempeño ocupacional en estudiantes de terapia ocupacional / Stress and occupational performance in occupational therapy students

Se trata de una investigación en la cual se estudió el estrés académico y el desempeño ocupacional en los estudiantes de la carrera de Terapia Ocupacional, de Universidad Central de Venezuela. El objetivo fue determinar la relación existente entre el estrés académico y el desempeño ocupacional en los estudiantes de Terapia Ocupacional. Se combinaron técnicas de la metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa; para evaluar el estrés académico se utilizó la “Escala de Situaciones de Estrés Académico” (De Pablo, 2002 y adaptado por Feldman y col. 2008) y se diseñó una entrevista a profundidad basada en la medida canadiense de “Rendimiento Ocupacional”. Participaron 101 estudiantes (73 mujeres y 28 hombres). Los estudiantes reportaron niveles moderados de estrés académico (X= 77,63) siendo la dimensión con mayor reporte el estrés en los exámenes (X= 30,91), seguido por el estrés general (X= 20,97). Aquellos estudiantes que reflejaron niveles altos de estrés, en la entrevista reportaron que su ejecución en algunas áreas del desempeño ocupacional como el autocuidado, accesibilidad, escolaridad y socialización, resultaron ser insatisfactoria debido a la inadecuada alimentación, arreglo personal, actividades recreativas restringidas, todo ello por falta de tiempo, difícil acceso a la sede de la universidad y medios de transporte deficientes. Estos resultados permiten señalar que podría existir una relación entre estrés académico y el desempeño ocupacional del estudiante, ya que afectan de manera no satisfactoria la ejecución de las áreas de desempeño, roles y su participación activa en los diferentes contextos, rompiendo así el equilibrio vital.

This in an investigation in which was studied the academic stress and the occupational performance in students of the career Occupational Therapy, Central University of Venezuela. The objective was to determine the existing relation between academic stress and the occupational performance in the students of Occupational Therapy. Techniques of the quantitative and qualitative methodology were combined; in order to evaluate academic stress it was used the “scale of Situations of Stress Academic” (Of Pablo, 2002 and adapted by Feldman and col. 2008) and an interview to depth based on the Canadian measurement of occupational yield was designed”. 101 students participated (73 women and 28 men). The students reported moderate levels of academic stress (X= 77.63) being the dimension with greater report stress in the examinations (X= 30.91), followed by general stress (X= 20.97). Those students who reflected high levels of stress, in the interview reported that their execution in some areas of the occupational performance like the self care, accessibility, schooling and socialization, turned out to be unsatisfactory; due to the inadequate feeding, personal adjustment, restricted recreational activities, all it by lack of time, difficult access to the university location and poor transportation. These results allow to indicate that a relation between academic stress could exist and the occupational performance of the student, since they affect of non satisfactory way the execution of the performance areas, rolls and their active participation in the different contexts, breaking therefore the vital balance.

Neuropsychological performance as endophenotypes in extended schizophrenia families from the Central Valley of Costa Rica.

OBJECTIVE: The understanding of complex heritable psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia could be clarified by examining endophenotypes within genetically isolated populations, such as the one found in the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The reduction of familial variability within a sample could allow the relationship between the cognitive and symptomatic manifestations of the illness and the genetic underpinnings to become more observable. This study investigates the neuropsychological test performances of 41 family members from four extended multiplex families within the Spanish origin population of the Central Valley of Costa Rica as potential endophenotypes for genetic studies. METHODS: Individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were compared with unaffected relatives and 15 unrelated controls with no family history of schizophrenia. RESULTS: Although the sample size is small, the results confirm previous reports in the literature of deficits in working memory, executive function, processing speed, and verbal fluency in individuals with schizophrenia compared with controls and intermediate performance in nonpsychotic family members compared with controls. We also found several suggestive quantitative cognitive trait loci with log of the odds greater than 1.75. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are consistent aspects of the illness, although their usefulness as endophenotypes for genetic studies remains unclear.

Bacterial endosymbionts of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum.

The study presents evidence in support of the bacterial theory associated with the toxicity of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum. Bacterial endosymbionts from Philippine P. bahamense var. compressum strain Pbc MZRVA 042595 were isolated and identified via 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Taxonomic diversity of the identified culturable intracellular microbiota associated with Philippine P. bahamense var. compressum was established to be limited to the Phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. Major endosymbionts identified included Moraxella spp., Erythrobacter spp., and Bacillus spp., whereas Pseudomonas putida, Micrococcus spp., and Dietzia maris were identified as minor isolates. All identified strains except D. maris, P. putida, and Micrococcus spp. were shown to contain either saxitoxin or neo saxitoxin or both at levels < or =73 ng/10(7) bacterial cells based on high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Paralytic shellfish poisoning-like physiologic reactions in test animals used in the mouse assay were recorded for the endosymbionts except for P. putida. The study is the first to elucidate the possible contribution of bacterial endosymbionts in the toxicity of P. bahamense var. compressum isolated in the Philippines.