Testing the Novel Weapons Hypothesis of the Argentine Ant Venom on Amphibians.

The globally invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) possesses a venom lethal to some amphibian species in the invaded range. To test the novel weapons hypothesis (NWH), the effects of the toxin on the cohabiting amphibian species in the ant's native range need to be investigated. The invader should benefit from the novel chemical in the invaded range, because the species are not adapted, but the venom should not be effective in the native range. We explore the venom effects on juveniles of three amphibian species with different degrees of myrmecophagy inhabiting the ant's native range: Rhinella arenarum, Odontophrynus americanus, and Boana pulchella. We exposed the amphibians to the ant venom, determined the toxic dose, and evaluated the short- (10 min to 24 h) and medium-term (14 days) effects. All amphibian species were affected by the venom independently of myrmecophagy. In addition to amphibian sensitivity, we discuss how the differential Argentine ant abundance and density in the two ranges could be the key to the susceptibility of amphibians to the venom, resulting in the possibility of NWH. Our results confirm the potential magnitude of the impact of the Argentine ant in successfully invaded areas for the conservation of already threatened amphibians.

DUbbing Language-therapy CINEma-based in Aphasia post-Stroke (DULCINEA): study protocol for a randomized crossover pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Communication is one of the most important predictors of social reintegration after stroke. Approximately 15-42% of stroke survivors experience post-stroke aphasia. Helping people recover from aphasia is one of the research priorities after a stroke. Our aim is to develop and validate a new therapy integrating dubbing techniques to improve functional communication. METHODS: The research project is structured as three work packages (WP). WP1: development of the dubbed language cinema-based therapy: Two research assistants (a speech therapist and a dubbing actor) will select the clips, mute specific words/sentences in progressive speech difficulty, and guide patients to dub them across sessions. Words to be dubbed will be those considered to be functionally meaningful by a representative sample of aphasic patients and relatives through an online survey. WP2: a randomized, crossover, interventional pilot study with the inclusion of 54 patients with post-stroke non-fluent aphasia. Patients will be treated individually in 40-min sessions twice per week for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes will be significant pre/post differences in scores in the Communicative Activity Log (CAL) questionnaire and Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (BDAE) administered by a psychologist blinded to the patients' clinical characteristics. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12, Stroke Aphasia Quality of Life Scale (SAQOL-39), Western Aphasia Battery Revised (WAB-R), and the Stroke Aphasic Depression Questionnaire (SADQ10). WP3: educational activities and dissemination of results. WP3 includes educational activities to improve public knowledge of aphasia and dissemination of the results, with the participation of the Spanish patients' association Afasia Activa. DISCUSSION: This pilot clinical trial will explore the efficacy of a new therapeutic tool based on dubbing techniques and computer technology to improve functional communication of patients suffering from post-stroke aphasia with the use of standardized test assessment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04289493 . Registered on 28 February 2020.

Effects of the Argentine ant venom on terrestrial amphibians.

Invasive species have major impacts on biodiversity and are one of the primary causes of amphibian decline and extinction. Unlike other top ant invaders that negatively affect larger fauna via chemical defensive compounds, the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) does not have a functional sting. Nonetheless, it deploys defensive compounds against competitors and adversaries. We estimated levels of ant aggression toward 3 native terrestrial amphibians by challenging juveniles in field ant trails and in lab ant foraging arenas. We measured the composition and quantities of toxin in L. humile by analyzing pygidial glands and whole-body contents. We examined the mechanisms of toxicity in juvenile amphibians by quantifying the toxin in amphibian tissues, searching for histological damages, and calculating toxic doses for each amphibian species. To determine the potential scope of the threat to amphibians, we used global databases to estimate the number, ranges, and conservation status of terrestrial amphibian species with ranges that overlap those of L. humile. Juvenile amphibians co-occurring spatially and temporally with L. humile die when they encounter L. humile on an ant trail. In the lab, when a juvenile amphibian came in contact with L. humile the ants reacted quickly to spray pygidial-gland venom onto the juveniles. Iridomyrmecin was the toxic compound in the spray. Following absorption, it accumulated in brain, kidney, and liver tissue. Toxic dose for amphibian was species dependent. Worldwide, an estimated 817 terrestrial amphibian species overlap in range with L. humile, and 6.2% of them are classified as threatened. Our findings highlight the high potential of L. humile venom to negatively affect amphibian juveniles and provide a basis for exploring the largely overlooked impacts this ant has in its wide invasive range.

Efectos del Veneno de la Hormiga Argentina sobre los Anfibios Terrestres Resumen Las especies invasoras tienen un impacto importante sobre la biodiversidad y son una de las causas principales del declive y extinción de los anfibios. A diferencia de otras hormigas super-invasoras que afectan negativamente a animales más grandes por medio de compuestos químicos de defensa, la hormiga argentina (Linepithema humile) no tiene unaguijón funcional. Sin embargo, esta hormiga despliega compuestos defensivos contra sus competidores y adversarios. Estimamos los niveles de agresión de las hormigas hacia tres anfibios terrestres nativos exponiendo a los anfibios juveniles en pistas de hormigas en el campo y en las arenas de forrajeo de las hormigas en el laboratorio. Medimos la composición y las cantidades de toxina que presenta L. humile por medio del análisis de las glándulas pigidiales y el contenido en el cuerpo completo. Examinamos los mecanismos de la toxicidad en los anfibios juveniles cuantificando la toxina en el tejido del anfibio, buscando daños histológicos y calculando las dosis tóxicas para cada especie de anfibio. Para determinar el alcance potencial de la amenaza para los anfibios usamos bases de datos mundiales para estimar el número, distribución y estado de conservación de las especies terrestres de anfibios con distribuciones que se solapan con la de L. humile. Los anfibios juveniles que co-ocurren temporal y espacialmente con L. humile mueren al encontrarse con esta especie de hormiga en sus pistas. En el laboratorio, cuando un anfibio juvenil entró en contacto con L. humile, las hormigas reaccionaron rápidamente rociando a estos juveniles con veneno proveniente de las glándulas pigidiales. La iridomyrmecina fue el compuesto tóxico que encontramos en las glándulas pigidiales. Después de ser absorbida por la piel del anfibio, se acumuló en el cerebro, los riñones y el hígado. La dosis tóxica para los anfibios depende de la especie. A nivel mundial, se estima que 817 especies de anfibios terrestres tienen una distribución que se solapa con la de L. humile, y el 6.2% de estas especies se encuentran clasificadas como amenazadas. Nuestros hallazgos resaltan el potencial alto del veneno de L. humile para tener efectos negativos sobre los anfibios juveniles y también proporcionan una base para la exploración de los impactos de esta hormiga en su amplio rango invasivo, los cuales generalmente son ignorados.

Native predators living in invaded areas: responses of terrestrial amphibian species to an Argentine ant invasion.

Predator-prey interactions play a key role in the success and impacts of invasive species. However, the effects of invasive preys on native predators have been poorly studied. Here, we first reviewed hypotheses describing potential relationships between native predators and invasive preys. Second, we examined how an invasive prey, the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), affected a native terrestrial amphibian community. In the field, we looked at the structure of the amphibian community in invaded versus uninvaded areas and characterized amphibian trophic ecology. The amphibian community sampled seemed to show a species-dependent response in abundance to invasion: adults of the natterjack toad (Bufo calamita), the species demonstrating the highest degree of ant specialization, were less abundant in invaded areas. Although available ant biomass was significantly greater in invaded than in uninvaded areas (only Argentine ants occurred in the former), amphibians consumed relatively fewer ants in invaded areas. In the lab, we quantified amphibian consumption of Argentine ants versus native ants and assessed whether consumption patterns could have been influenced by prior exposure to the invader. The lab experiments corroborated the field results: amphibians preferred native ants over Argentine ants, and prior exposure did not influence consumption. Differences in preference explained why amphibians consumed fewer Argentine ants in spite of their greater relative availability; they might also explain why the most ant-specialized amphibians seemed to avoid invaded areas. Our results suggest the importance to account for predator feeding capacities and dietary ranges to understand the effects of invasive species at higher trophic levels.

[Radical prostatectomy as monotherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer (T3a): 12 years follow-up]. / Prostatectomía radical como monoterapia en el cancer de próstata localmente avanzado T3a: 12 años de seguimiento.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the oncological and functional results of radical prostatectomy as monotherapy for stage T3a prostate cancer. METHODS: We include our initial and consecutive series of 83 patients with prostate cancer (studied by digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound) who had not received neoadjuvant treatment undergoing radical prostatectomy from July 1988 to December 2003. No patient received adjuvant treatment, and deferred intermittent androgen blockade was used when patients with biochemical progression exceeded a PSA of 4ng/ml. Up RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 68.7 (1-139) months: overall and specific survival 97.6% and 100% respectively; biochemical progression 36.1% (22 pT2 (0%), 41 p T3a (36.6%), 13 pT3b (61.5%) and 7pT4a (100%)). Positive margins 61.4% (41.2% unifocal with a progression rate of 23.8%). 96.4% achieved continence and 39.6% recovered potency. Among 30 patients with biochemical progression, 19 required treatment with deferred intermittent androgen blockade (one cycle in 10 patients, two cycles in six, and three cycles in the remaining three). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the indication of radical prostatectomy as single therapy without neoadjuvant treatment as a curative indication for locally advanced prostate cancer (T3a) whenever complete excision is expected: Gleason 7 T3 tumors without diffuse extension on ultrasound. 26.5% of these T3a patients were overstaged and resulted to be organ-confined (pT2). Ten-year probability of biochemical progression-free survival was 100% for pT2 and 81.9% for the lower risk pT3a (well or moderately-differentiated with negative surgical margins or unifocal). Functional results for T3a were similar to the ones of the clinically-localized (T2) series for both retropubic and perineal approaches. 30 patients had developed biochemical progression at the time of study closure and were free of hormonal treatment during 81.6% of the total follow-up time with our deferred intermittent androgen blockade treatment line, so that we consider we can offer it as the first treatment option for progression providing a maximal quality of life and allowing ulterior second line therapies. Patients who mainly benefited were those on progression who have recovered sexual function: 41.7% of potent patients after radical prostatectomy recovered potency again over the second phase (no treatment) of the deferred intermittent androgen blockade.

Prostatectomía radical como monoterapia en el cáncer de próstata localmente avanzado T3a: 12 años de seguimiento / Radical prostatectomy as monotherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer (T3a): 12 years follow-up

OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados oncológicos y funcionales de la prostatectomía radical como monoterapia en el cáncer de próstata en estadio T3a MÉTODO: Se incluye nuestra serie inicial y consecutiva de 83 pacientes con cáncer de próstata que no habían recibido terapia neoadyuvante en estadio clínico T3a establecido mediante tacto rectal y ecografía transrectal, operados de Prostatectomía Radical desde Julio 1988 hasta Diciembre 2003. Ningún paciente recibió tratamiento adyuvante y se aplicó Bloqueo Hormonal Intermitente Diferido (BHID) cuando los pacientes en progresión bioquímica superaron 4 ng/ml de PSA. RESULTADOS: Con un seguimiento medio de 68,7 (1139) meses: supervivencia global 97,6 por ciento y especifica 100 por ciento; progresión bioquímica 36,1 por ciento (22 pT2 (0 por ciento), 41 pT3a (36,6 por ciento), 13 pT3b (61,5 por ciento) y 7pT4a (100 por ciento)). Tasa de márgenes positivos 61,4 por ciento (de los cuales 41,2 por ciento unifocales con una tasa de progresión del 23,8 por ciento). La continencia fue del 96,4 por ciento y la recuperación de potencia del 39,6 por ciento. De los 30 pacientes en progresión bioquímica, se precisó en 19 la aplicación de BHID (1 ciclo en 10 pacientes, 2 en 6 y 3 en los 3 restantes). CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros resultados avalan la indicación de la prostatectomía radical como tratamiento único sin neoadyuvancia y con indicación curativa en el cáncer de próstata localmente avanzado (T3a) siempre que esperemos la exéresis completa del tejido tumoral: los T3a sin extensión difusa en la ecografía con Gleason 7. El 26,5 por ciento de estos pacientes T3a fueron sobreestadiados y resultaron confinados al órgano (pT2). La probabilidad de supervivencia libre de progresión bioquímica (PSLPB) a los 10 años fue del 100 por ciento para los que resultaron pT2 y del 81,9 por ciento para los pT3a de menor riesgo (bien o moderadamente diferenciados con márgenes quirúrgicos negativos o unifocales). Los resultados funcionales en los T3a fueron similares a los conseguidos en nuestra serie de clínicamente localizados ( T2) tanto para el abordaje retropúbico como perineal. La progresión bioquímica se produjo en 30 pacientes hasta el cierre del estudio y se mantuvieron libres de tratamiento hormonal durante el 81,6 por ciento del tiempo total de seguimiento con nuestra pauta de BHID, por lo que consideramos podemos ofrecerla como pri mera opción terapéutica ante la progresión aportando una máxima calidad de vida y permite ulteriores terapias de 2ª línea. Se beneficiaron sobre todo los pacientes en progresión que habían recuperado la función sexual: el 41,7 por ciento de los potentes tras prostatectomía radical recuperaron de nuevo la potencia durante la segunda fase -sin tratamiento- del BHID (AU)

[Perineal radical prostatectomy as monotherapy: ten-year experience]. / Prostatectomía radical perineal como monoterapia: 10 años de experiencia.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical and oncological results of perineal radical prostatectomy (PRP) as monotherapy. METHODS: We include our initial series of 115 consecutive patients with prostate cancer without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy undergoing perineal radical prostatectomy as monotherapy from November 92, when we decide to abandon laparoscopic lymphadenectomy in patients deemed at low risk of N+ (PSA = 10 and Gleason score = 7 and organ confined or suspicion of minimal extra capsular extension on ultrasound). Functional results are compared with the first 115 consecutive patients in our own series of retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP). No patient received adjuvant therapy and deferred intermittent androgen blockade was only applied when patients with biochemical progression reached a PSA of 4 ng/ml. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 57.7 months (3-130) we obtained: global survival 98.3%, disease specific 100%; biochemical progression 13.9% (161, pT 2 (5.2%), 32pT3a (21.8%), 7pT3b-pT4a (71.4%)). Incidence of positive margins 41.7% (52.1% unifocal with a progression rate of only 12%). 87% of the patients did not need transfusion during or after surgery. Urinary continence was 96.5% and the probability of potency preservation was 34.7%. Among 16 patients with biochemical progression, only 4 required deferred intermittent androgen blockade (1 cycle in 3 patients and two in the remainder). CONCLUSIONS: PRP without lymphadenectomy as monotherapy offers excellent oncological and functional results equivalent to RRP, which favour the perineal approach: short-term operative times, lower transfusion rate, possibility of regional anesthesia, better tolerance with minimal analgesia requirements, and shorter hospital stay. Watchful waiting in the follow-up of patients in biochemical progression with a deferred intermittent androgen blockade regimen offers an excellent quality of life, with survivals similar to any other therapeutic option after this follow-up time.

Pilomatricoma pigmentado / Pigmented pilomatricoma

Una mujer de 49 años mostraba en la frente un nódulo con aspecto de quiste epidermoide. El estudio histopatológico mostró un pilomatricoma con abundante pigmento melánico en el parénquima y el estroma. Esto es un hallazgo infrecuente en los pilomatricomas que puede ser motivo de confusión y desafío diagnóstico en caso de realizar biopsia parcial de los mismos (AU)