Effect of HUFA in Enriched Artemia on Growth Performance, Biochemical and Fatty Acid Content, and Hepatopancreatic Features of Penaeus vannamei Postlarvae from a Commercial Shrimp Hatchery in Santa Elena, Ecuador.

A 12-day experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Artemia enrichment with two experimental microalgal emulsions (formulated with selected fatty acid contents) on Penaeus vannamei postlarvae. For this purpose, 405,000 postlarvae (stage 1) were obtained from a commercial hatchery in Santa Elena, Ecuador, and distributed into nine fiberglass tanks. Postlarvae were fed for 12 days with three experimental diets (three tanks per treatment): treatment A (Artemia enriched with experimental microalgal emulsion A and dry diet), treatment B (Artemia enriched with experimental microalgal emulsion B and dry diet) and nonenriched Artemia (Artemia without enrichment and dry diet). At the end of the experiment, length (mm), coefficient of variation of population sizes, number of postlarvae in a gram of weight (PL-gram), biochemical composition, fatty acid profile, hepatopancreas perimeter, and histopathological hepatopancreas status of P. vannamei postlarvae (stage 12) were analyzed. To evaluate the status of the hepatopancreas, a categorization range (1-5) was created with different histological parameters such as number of B cells, vesicles around them, healthy tubules, and degradation tissues. Growth traits did not present differences between treatments; total length was 10.17 mm, 10.83 mm, and 10.27 mm for treatment A, treatment B, and nonenriched treatment, respectively, and PL-gram was 141.00, 162.00, and 142.33 for treatment A, treatment B, and nonenriched treatment, respectively. Biochemical composition of postlarvae (lipids, ash, and protein content) did not present differences between the three treatments. Significant differences were observed in the content of three essential fatty acids (DHA, DPA, and ARA) in Penaeus vannamei postlarvae fed with Artemia enriched with experimental emulsions. Thus, DHA content was significantly superior in animals fed with Artemia enriched with treatments A and B (9.80 ± 0.71% and 9.75 ± 0.44%, respectively) than in animals fed with unenriched Artemia (5.78 ± 0.68) (P < 0.05). Concerning arachidonic acid (ARA), treatments A and B showed 3.31 ± 0.20% and 3.19 ± 0.09%, respectively, higher than postlarvae fed with unenriched Artemia, 2.73 ± 0.04% (P < 0.05). Regarding DPA content, treatments A and B reported higher values of MA and MB (0.81 ± 0.06% and 0.86 ± 0.08%, respectively), than unenriched Artemia (0.43 ± 0.02%) (P < 0.05). Interestingly, the increase in DHA, DPA, and ARA contents in postlarvae coincided with the increase in hepatopancreas perimeter. In addition, a large number of B cells, a large number of healthy tubules, increased dilatation of the central tube, and a lower percentage of deteriorated tissue were observed in the hepatopancreas when postlarvae were fed with enriched Artemia.

Late middle Miocene caviomorph rodents from Tarapoto, Peruvian Amazonia.

Miocene deposits of South America have yielded several species-rich assemblages of caviomorph rodents. They are mostly situated at high and mid- latitudes of the continent, except for the exceptional Honda Group of La Venta, Colombia, the faunal composition of which allowed to describe the late middle Miocene Laventan South American Land Mammal Age (SALMA). In this paper, we describe a new caviomorph assemblage from TAR-31 locality, recently discovered near Tarapoto in Peruvian Amazonia (San Martín Department). Based on mammalian biostratigraphy, this single-phased locality is unambiguously considered to fall within the Laventan SALMA. TAR-31 yielded rodent species found in La Venta, such as the octodontoid Ricardomys longidens Walton, 1990 (nom. nud.), the chinchilloids Microscleromys paradoxalis Walton, 1990 (nom. nud.) and M. cribriphilus Walton, 1990 (nom. nud.), or closely-related taxa. Given these strong taxonomic affinities, we further seize the opportunity to review the rodent dental material from La Venta described in the Ph.D. volume of Walton in 1990 but referred to as nomina nuda. Here we validate the recognition of these former taxa and provide their formal description. TAR-31 documents nine distinct rodent species documenting the four extant superfamilies of Caviomorpha, including a new erethizontoid: Nuyuyomys chinqaska gen. et sp. nov. These fossils document the most diverse caviomorph fauna for the middle Miocene interval of Peruvian Amazonia to date. This rodent discovery from Peru extends the geographical ranges of Ricardomys longidens, Microscleromys paradoxalis, and M. cribriphilus, 1,100 km to the south. Only one postcranial element of rodent was unearthed in TAR-31 (astragalus). This tiny tarsal bone most likely documents one of the two species of Microscleromys and its morphology indicates terrestrial generalist adaptations for this minute chinchilloid.

Clinical, functional, and computed tomography findings in a cohort of patients with neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI) is one of the most common interstitial lung diseases in children. Both the etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease are still unknown. Prognosis is usually favorable; however, there are significant morbidities during the early years of life. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical course, infant pulmonary function tests and computed tomography (CT) findings in a cohort of patients with NEHI in Argentina. METHODS: This is a observational multicenter cohort study of children diagnosed with NEHI between 2011 and 2020. RESULTS: Twenty patients participated in this study. The median age of onset of symptoms was 3 months and the median age at diagnosis was 6 months. The most common clinical presentation was tachypnea, retractions and hypoxemia. The chest CT findings showed central ground glass opacities and air trapping. Infant pulmonary function tests revealed an obstructive pattern in 75% of the cases (10/12). Most patients (75%) required home oxygen therapy for 17 months (interquartile range 12-25). In 85% of them, tachypnea and hypoxemia spontaneously resolved between the second and third years of life. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, the first symptoms appeared during the early months of life. The typical clinical, CT, and functional findings allowed the diagnosis without the need of a lung biopsy. Although most patients required home oxygen therapy, they showed a favorable evolution.

Overexpression of MMPs, cytokines, and RANKL/OPG in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and their association with joint pain, mouth opening, and bone degeneration: A preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the expression of distinct matrix metalloproteinases, cytokines, and bone resorptive factors in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) patients and their association with joint pain, mouth opening, and subchondral bone degeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients affected with TMJ-OA (n = 5), disk displacement without reduction (DDWoR) (n = 3), or disk displacement with reduction (DDWR) (n = 4) were selected. Joint pain was quantified by using visual analog scale, mouth opening was quantified at the maximum pain-free aperture, and bone degeneration was quantified using joint imaging. Synovial fluid samples were collected and immediately processed for cell and synovial fluid recovering. From cells, the MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-13, IL-6, IL-23, and TNF-α expression was quantified by qPCR. From synovial fluid, the RANKL and OPG levels were quantified by ELISA. RESULTS: Higher levels of MMP-1, MMP-8, MMP-13, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, and RANKL/OPG ratio were detected in TMJ-OA compared with DDWoR and DDWR patients (p < .05). Joint pain significantly correlated with TNF-α levels (r = .975, p = .029). Besides, imaging signs of bone degeneration significantly correlated with RANKL/OPG ratio (r = .949, p = .042). Conversely, mouth opening did not correlate with any of the analyzed mediators. CONCLUSION: During TMJ-OA, a pathological response characterized by the overexpression of TNF-α and RANKL/OPG could be involved in joint pain and subchondral bone degeneration.

Erratum: Toro, C. et al. On the Detection of Spectral Emissions of Iron Oxides in Combustion Experiments of Pyrite Concentrates. Sensors 2020, 20, 1284.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...].

New record of Neosaimiri (Cebidae, Platyrrhini) from the late Middle Miocene of Peruvian Amazonia.

The Honda Group of La Venta, Colombia, has yielded a wide array of crown platyrrhine primates, documenting the late Middle Miocene epoch (ca. 13.1-12.6 Ma, Laventan South American Land Mammal Age). Although exceptional, this record represents only a snapshot of the evolutionary history of New World monkeys because virtually none of the primate taxa recorded at La Venta had so far been found elsewhere. We describe here few dental remains of a cebine platyrrhine discovered from Laventan deposits in the San Martín Department of Peru (Peruvian Amazonia). The primate dental specimens from that new fossil-bearing locality (TAR-31) are strongly reminiscent morphologically of the teeth of Neosaimiri fieldsi from La Venta. However, given that several aspects of the dental variability from TAR-31 are unknown, we prefer to provide an assignment with open nomenclature (i.e., N. cf. fieldsi), instead of formally referring these remains to N. fieldsi, pending the discovery of additional specimens. The occurrence of Neosaimiri in Peru, in coeval deposits of La Venta, thus represents a second and southernmost record of that low-latitude genus in the Neotropics, thereby demonstrating its wide distribution along the northwestern edge of the Pebas Mega-Wetland System, in tropical western South America.

On the Detection of Spectral Emissions of Iron Oxides in Combustion Experiments of Pyrite Concentrates.

In this paper, we report on the spectral detection of wustite, Fe(II) oxide (FeO), and magnetite, Fe(II, III) oxide (Fe3O4), molecular emissions during the combustion of pyrite (FeS2), in a laboratory-scale furnace operating at high temperatures. These species are typically generated by reactions occurring during the combustion (oxidation) of this iron sulfide mineral. Two detection schemes are addressed: the first consisting of measurements with a built-in developed spectrometer with a high sensitivity and a high spectral resolution. The second one consisting of spectra measured with a low spectral resolution and a low sensitivity commercial spectrometer, but enhanced and analyzed with post signal processing and multivariate data analysis such as principal component analysis (PCA) and a multivariate curve resolution - the alternating least squares method (MCR-ALS). A non-linear model is also proposed to reconstruct spectral signals measured during pyrite combustion. Different combustion conditions were studied to evaluate the capacity of the detection schemes to follow the spectral emissions of iron oxides. The results show a direct correlation between FeO and Fe3O4 spectral features intensity, and non-linear relations with key combustion variables such as flame temperature, and the combusted sulfide mineral particle size.

Concordancia entre los criterios diagnósticos RDC/TMD y su actualización DC/TMD, aplicados a la patología inflamatoria de la articulación temporomandibular / Agreement between Diagnostic Criteria RDC/TMD and its update DC/TMD, applied to the inflammatory pathology of the Temporomandibular Joint

RESUMEN: Objetivo: Evaluar el grado de concordancia entre las prevalencias de trastornos articulares inflamatorios (TAI) de las Articulaciones Temporomandibulares (ATM), obtenidas con los Criterios Diagnósticos de Investigación para Trastornos Temporomandibulares (RDC/TMD) y los Criterios Diagnósticos para Trastornos Temporomandibulares (DC/TMD). Materiales y métodos: 59 pacientes adultos chilenos fueron examinados según el Eje I de los RDC/TMD y el Eje I de los DC/TMD para determinar la prevalencia de TAI. Luego se compararon los resultados obtenidos de cada protocolo con el test Kappa de Cohen para evaluar la concordancia entre ambos. Resultados: La prevalencia de TAI para ambos criterios fue de 22%, con una concordancia casi perfecta (kappa=0,91). Al comparar las prevalencias de TAI por articulación, se obtuvo un grado de acuerdo sustancial (kappa=0,77) para la ATM derecha y un grado de acuerdo casi perfecto (kappa=0,94) para la ATM izquierda. Al comparar las prevalencias de TAI según género y edad se obtuvo una concordancia estadísticamente significativa en la mayoría de los casos. Conclusión: Hay concordancia estadísticamente significativa entre los datos obtenidos con los RDC/TMD y los DC/TMD, en el diagnóstico de trastornos articulares inflamatorios.

ABSTRACT: Aim: To assess the agreement between the prevalence of inflammatory joint disorders (IJD) obtained with Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) and Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Materials and methods: 59 Chilean adult patients were examined according to Axis I of the RDC/TMD and Axis I of the DC/TMD to determine prevalence of IJD. Then, the results obtained from each protocol were compared with Cohen's Kappa test to assess the agreement between them. Results: The prevalence of IJD for both criteria was 22%, with almost perfect agreement (kappa = 0.91). When comparing the prevalences of IJD per joint, a substantial agreement (kappa = 0.77) was obtained for the right TMJ and an almost perfect agreement (kappa = 0.94) for the left TMJ. When comparing the prevalences of IJD according to gender and age, a statistically significant agreement was obtained in the majority of cases. Conclusion: There is statistically significant agreement between the data obtained with the RDC/TMD and the DC/TMD, in the diagnosis of inflammatory joint disorders.

Prevalencia de Trastornos Temporomandibulares según los CDI/TTM, en un Grupo de Adultos Mayores de Santiago, Chile / Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders According to RDC/TMD in Older People of Santiago, Chile

En la población chilena, los adultos mayores representan un 13% de la población total del país (2,2 millones), proyectándose para el 2020 un aumento del grupo de 60 años o más en un 45%. Todos los seres humanos sufren un proceso de envejecimiento y, los tejidos orales y periorales no escapan de este proceso. Las repercusiones sobre el sistema estomatognático, podrían manifestarse a través de sintomatología en alguno de sus componentes, compatible con un trastorno temporomandibular (TTM). El objetivo de este trabajo, fue determinar la prevalencia de TTM según los Criterios de Investigación Diagnóstica ó CDI/TTM (Eje I), en adultos mayores examinados en la Clínica Odontológica de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Chile (FOUCh), durante el año 2012 y establecer la relación entre ambos sexos. Este estudio determinó, que existe una alta prevalencia de TTM en la muestra de adultos mayores chilenos estudiados (47%), principalmente diagnósticos de tipo articular y sin una relación significativa entre ambos sexos.

In Chilean population, elders represent a 13% of the overall population (2.2 million), projected for 2020 an increase of 45%, from the group of 60 and over. All humans undergo a process of aging. Oral and perioral tissues do not escape from this process, whose impact on the condyle and articular disc could be observed, in the presence of symptoms consistent with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of TMD according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria or RDC/TMD (Axis I), in older adults examined at the Dental Clinic of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile during 2012, and establish the relationship between the sexes. In conclusion, this study found that there is a high prevalence of TMD in Chilean elderly sample studied (47%), mainly articular diagnoses without a statistically significant relationship between the sexes.

Comparative efficiency research (COMER): meta-analysis of cost-effectiveness studies.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to create a new meta-analysis method for cost-effectiveness studies using comparative efficiency research (COMER). METHODS: We built a new score named total incremental net benefit (TINB), with inverse variance weighting of incremental net benefits (INB). This permits determination of whether an alternative is cost-effective, given a specific threshold (TINB > 0 test). Before validation of the model, the structure of dependence between costs and quality-adjusted life years (QoL) was analysed using copula distributions. The goodness-of-fit of a Spanish prospective observational study (n = 498) was analysed using the Independent, Gaussian, T, Gumbel, Clayton, Frank and Placket copulas. Validation was carried out by simulating a copula distribution with log-normal distribution for costs and gamma distribution for disutilities. Hypothetical cohorts were created by varying the sample size (n: 15-500) and assuming three scenarios (1-cost-effective; 2-non-cost-effective; 3-dominant). The COMER result was compared to the theoretical result according to the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and the INB, assuming a margin of error of 2,000 and 500 monetary units, respectively. RESULTS: The Frank copula with positive dependence (-0.4279) showed a goodness-of-fit sufficient to represent costs and QoL (p-values 0.524 and 0.808). The theoretical INB was within the 95% confidence interval of the TINB, based on 15 individuals with a probability > 80% for scenarios 1 and 2, and > 90% for scenario 3. The TINB > 0 test with 15 individuals showed p-values of 0.0105 (SD: 0.0411) for scenario 1, 0.613 (SD: 0.265) for scenario 2 and < 0.0001 for scenario 3. CONCLUSIONS: COMER is a valid tool for combining cost-effectiveness studies and may be of use to health decision makers.

Business closure and relocation: a comparative analysis of the Loma Prieta earthquake and Hurricane Andrew.

The occurrence of a number of large-scale disasters or catastrophes in recent years, including the Indian Ocean tsunami (2004), the Kashmir earthquake (2005), Hurricane Katrina (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008), have raised our awareness regarding the devastating effects of disasters on human populations and the importance of developing mitigation and preparedness strategies to limit the consequences of such events. However, there is still a dearth of social science research focusing on the socio-economic impact of disasters on businesses in the United States. This paper contributes to this research literature by focusing on the impact of disasters on business closure and relocation through the use of multivariate logistic regression models, specifically focusing on the Loma Prieta earthquake (1989) and Hurricane Andrew (1992). Using a multivariate model, we examine how physical damage to the infrastructure, lifeline disruption and business characteristics, among others, impact business closure and relocation following major disasters.

Primer Registro para el Perú de Brachycaudus schwartzi (Bórner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) / First Report of Brachycaudus schwartzi (Bórner) from Peru (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Se registra por primera vez para el Perú la especie Brachycaudus schwartzi (Bórner) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), "pulgón pardo del duraznero". La especie ha sido colectada en el departamento de Tacna. Material de referencia se encuentra depositado en la Colección Referencial de Insectos de la Unidad del Centro de Diagnóstico de Sanidad Vegetal del SENASA, Lima, Perú.

The species Brachycaudus schwartzi (Bórner), "brown peach aphid", is reported for the first time from Peru. This species has been collected in Tacna Department. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Colección Referencial de Insectos of the Centro de Diagnóstico de Sanidad Vegetal, SENASA, Lima, Peru.

Una nueva especie de Oregmopyga (Coccoidea, Eriococcidae) de Perú, descripción de estadios inmaduros / New species of Oregmopyga (Coccoidea, Eriococcidae) of Peru, description of immature stages

Se describe e ilustra la hembra adulta, el primer estadio ninfal (sexo indefinido) y el segundo estadio ninfal de la hembra y del macho, de Oregmopyga peruviana sp. nov., que fue encontrada sobre Vitis vinifera en Perú; se incluye una clave para las especies. El género es nuevo para Sudamérica.

The adult female, the first nymfal stage (indetermined sex), the second stage of the female and male of Oregmopyga peruviana sp. nov. found on Vitis vinifera in Perú are described; a key for the species is included. The genus is new for South America.