Transient species driving ecosystem multifunctionality: Insights from competitive interactions between rocky intertidal mussels.

Anthropogenic biodiversity loss poses a significant threat to ecosystem functioning worldwide. Numerically dominant and locally rare (i.e., transient) species are key components of biodiversity, but their contribution to multiple ecosystem functions (i.e., multifunctionality) has been seldomly assessed in marine ecosystems. To fill this gap, here we analyze the effects of a dominant and a transient species on ecosystem multifunctionality. In an observational study conducted along ca. 200 km of the southeastern Pacific coast, the purple mussel Perumytilus purpuratus numerically dominated the mid-intertidal and the dwarf mussel Semimytilus patagonicus exhibited low abundances but higher recruitment rates. In laboratory experiments, the relative abundances of both species were manipulated to simulate the replacement of P. purpuratus by S. patagonicus and five proxies for ecosystem functions-rates of clearance, oxygen consumption, total biodeposit, organic biodeposit, and excretion-were analyzed. This replacement had a positive, linear, and significant effect on the combined ecosystem functions, particularly oxygen consumption and excretion rates. Accordingly, S. patagonicus could well drive ecosystem functioning given favorable environmental conditions for its recovery from rarity. Our study highlights therefore the key role of transient species for ecosystem performance. Improving our understanding of these dynamics is crucial for effective ecosystem conservation, especially in the current scenario of biological extinctions and invasions.

Challenging replacement of a maxillary canine with an implant-supported restoration: A surgical and prosthetic approach.

This clinical report describes the replacement of a traumatized maxillary canine that was extracted after unsuccessful orthodontic extrusion with an implant-supported restoration. Guided bone regeneration surgery was performed, followed by a second surgery with implant placement plus simultaneous bone and tissue regeneration. Esthetics and function were achieved with the placement of a veneered zirconia implant-supported restoration.

Consumo de tabaco en una población con diagnóstico de tuberculosis pulmonar, Uruguay - 2018

Resumen: Introducción: La tuberculosis pulmonar es un problema de salud pública a nivel mundial. En Uruguay, la incidencia de esta enfermedad está en aumento. El tabaquismo es factor de riesgo para desarrollar tuberculosis y se asocia a negativización más tardía de las baciloscopías. Localmente, no hay estudios previos sobre la relación entre tuberculosis y tabaquismo. Los objetivos del trabajo son caracterizar a la población con diagnóstico de tuberculosis pulmonar en relación a su estatus tabáquico y establecer el efecto del tabaquismo en la negativización de las baciloscopías. Metodología: Estudio analítico, observacional, retrospectivo de cohortes, utilizando los datos del 2018 recabados por la Comisión Honoraria para la Lucha Antituberculosa y Enfermedades Prevalentes. Resultados: se analizaron 918 individuos. La frecuencia de fumadores fue de 5,7%, el 94,3% restante no registraban su estatus tabáquico específicamente sino en conjunto con otras drogas. Entre los varones 29,8% consumían drogas o tabaco, mientras que en las mujeres el porcentaje alcanzó 16,2%. Las personas alcoholistas fumaban con mayor frecuencia. Los individuos vulnerables socioeconómicamente tuvieron mayor frecuencia de consumo de drogas y tabaco. Los no fumadores tuvieron más baciloscopías negativas a los 6 meses, Odds Ratio (OR): 2,030; IC 95% (1,028 - 4,007). Conclusiones: La menor frecuencia de tabaquismo entre los pacientes con tuberculosis se debió probablemente a subregistro. Fumar es un factor de riesgo para persistencia de baciloscopías positivas por mayor tiempo. La vulnerabilidad socioeconómica asocia mayor frecuencia de consumo de drogas y tabaco entre las personas con tuberculosis.

Abstract: Introduction: Tuberculosis is a global public health problem. In Uruguay its incidence is increasing currently. Smoking is a risk factor to develop tuberculosis. It is also associated with lower negativization rates of bacilloscopies. This study evaluated the relationship between tuberculosis and smoking status in Uruguay. The objetives was to characterize the study population with diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis according to smoking status and to establish the association between smoking and the negativization of the bacilloscopies. Methodology: An analytical, observational, retrospective cohort study was performed, using the data from 2018 of the Comisión Honoraria para la Lucha Antituberculosa y Enfermedades Prevalentes. Results: 918 subject data were analyzed. The frequency of smoking was 5,7% and 94,3% had no smoking status specifically reported. Among men, 29,8% of subjects were drugs and tobacco users, while it reached 16,2% among women. Non-smokers had double chance of having negative bacilloscopies at 6 months of treatment compared to smokers, OR: 2,030; IC 95% (1,028-4,007). Alcohol users were found to smoke more. Deprived individuals had higher frequency of drugs and tobacco use. Conclusions: the lower frequency of smoking found in patients with tuberculosis was due to underreporting. Smoking could be a risk factor for longer periods until biological cures. Socioeconomic vulnerabilty is associated to greater frequency of drugs and tobacco use among people with tuberculosis.

Resumo: Introdução: A tuberculose pulmonar é um problema de saúde pública em todo o mundo. No Uruguai, a incidência desta doença está aumentando. O tabagismo é um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de tuberculose e está associado à negativização posterior das baciloscopias. Localmente, não há registros anteriores da relação entre TBP e tabagismo. Este estudo busca demonstrar essa associação. Los objetivos caracterizar a população com diagnóstico de tuberculose pulmonar em relação ao tabagismo; descrever características demográficas e comorbidades; e estabelecer o efeito do tabagismo na negativização da baciloscopia. Método: Foi realizado um estudo analítico, observacional e retrospectivo de coorte, utilizando os dados de 2018 coletados pela Comissão Honorária de Combate à Tuberculose e Doenças Prevalentes. Resultados: Foram selecionados 918 indivíduos. A frequência de fumantes foi de 5,7%, os restantes 94,3% não registraram o tabagismo. 29,8% dos homes eram usuarios de drogas e tabaco. Os não fumantes tiveram duas vezes mais chances de ter baciloscopias negativas em 6 meses de tratamento. Os alcoólatras fumavam mais. Indivíduos socioeconomicamente vulneráveis apresentaram maior frequência de uso de drogas e tabaco. Os não fumantes tiveram mais baciloscopia negativa em 6 meses, Odds Ratio (OR): 2.030; IC de 95% (1,028 - 4,007). Conclusões: A menor frequência de tabagismo entre os pacientes com tuberculose deve-se à subnotificação. Fumar seria um fator de risco para persistência de baciloscopías positivas por mais tempo. A vulnerabilidade socioeconômica está associada a uma maior frequência de tuberculose, uso de drogas e tabaco.

A REDCap application that links researchers, animal facility staff and members of the IACUC in animal health monitoring.

Research studies involving animal experimentation are regulated by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). To this end, the IACUC must integrate the information provided by the investigators of each preclinical study and the veterinarians from the animal facility in order to monitor and approve the process. Using a paper-based system to collect animal health and welfare data is a common, albeit time-consuming practice, prone to transcription and reading errors, not to mention inconvenient for veterinarians and investigators wishing to make timely and collaborative decisions when animal welfare is at risk. We created a web-based monitoring system focused on animal health with the potential to improve animal welfare. The data management system is based on REDCap software, which enables data integration in order to offer a solution for animal welfare assessment. The proposed scheme includes key indicators of general health status, such as environment, physical/nutritional information, and behavioral parameters during animal breeding and experimentation, as important components of animal welfare. In addition, the system facilitates communication of this information among researchers, animal facility staff, and the IACUC. REDCap is available to non-profit organizations, and may be adapted and replicated by institutions interested in and responsible for animal care, and used in research. REDCap is an excellent tool for promoting good practices that benefit experimental animal health.