Fine-scale foraging ecology and habitat use of sympatric green and hawksbill turtles in the Western Indian ocean.

Using stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen of turtle tissues and putative prey items, we investigated the diet of immature green turtles and hawksbill turtles foraging in the lagoon of Aldabra Atoll, a relatively undisturbed atoll in the southern Seychelles. Aldabra offers a unique environment for understanding sea turtle ecology. Green turtles mostly consumed seagrass and brown algae while hawksbill turtles mainly consumed mangroves and invertebrates. Green turtles showed a dietary shift with size (a proxy for age). There was minimal niche overlap between species and evidence of small-scale foraging site fidelity with turtle tissue reflecting site-specific prey. This highlights the ecological importance of seagrass and mangrove habitats and suggests that turtles play a role in controlling algal biomass at Aldabra. This study is the first to closely examine the foraging ecology of these sympatric turtle species in the Western Indian Ocean, a globally important region for both species.

Epidemiology of dermatophytic infections between 2008 and 2017 in Barcelona, Spain / Epidemiología de las dermatofitosis entre 2008 y 2017 en Barcelona, España

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of dermatophytoses from 2008 to 2017 in the area of "Barcelonès Nord", located in north-eastern Spain. METHODS: From 2008 to 2017, 13,419 specimens obtained from patients with suspected superficial mycosis were subjected to direct microscopy and culture. Clinical and sociodemographic data were recorded. Proportions were compared using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated fungus (76.1%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes/Trichophyton interdigitale (11.9%) and Microsporum canis (2.9%). Among the population over 15 years of age, tinea unguium pedum (40.4%) and tinea corporis (29.1%) were the predominant dermatophyte infections. Tinea capitis was mostly prevalent (53.6%) among patients up to 15 years of age, followed by tinea corporis (21.4%). We observed an increase in non-endemic anthropophilic dermatophytes (Trichophyton soudanense, Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton violaceum) in the last few years. These species were associated with the population up to 15 years of age (p < 0.001), having tinea capitis (p = 0.0017) and being of African/Hindustani origin (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the spread of T. rubrum as the predominant dermatophyte in our area and reported an increase in non-endemic anthropophilic dermatophytes in the last few years, especially in the African and Hindustani population up to 15 years of age

OBJETIVO: La finalidad del presente estudio fue evaluar el perfil epidemiológico de las dermatofitosis entre los años 2008 y 2017 en el área de «Barcelonès Nord» ubicada en el noreste de España. MÉTODOS: Entre los años 2008 y 2017, 13.419 muestras obtenidas de pacientes con sospecha de micosis superficial fueron remitidas para microscopía directa y cultivo. Se registraron datos clínicos y sociodemográficos. Las proporciones se compararon mediante las pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y Fisher. Para el análisis de variables múltiples, se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: Trichophyton rubrum fue el hongo más frecuentemente aislado (76,1%), seguido de Trichophyton mentagrophytes/Trichophyton interdigitale (11,9%) y Microsporum canis (2,9%). Entre la población mayor de 15 años, la tinea unguium pedum (40,4%) y la tinea corporis (29,1%) fueron las dermatofitosis predominantes. La tinea capitis prevaleció principalmente (53,6%) entre los pacientes menores de 15 años, seguida de la tinea corporis (21,4%). Se percibió un aumento de los dermatofitos antropófilos no endémicos (Trichophyton soudanense, Microsporum audouinii y Trichophyton violaceum) en los últimos años. Estas especies se asociaron con la población menor de 15 años (p < 0,001), la presencia de tinea capitis (p = 0,0017) y el origen africano/indostánico (p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: Confirmamos el predominio de Trichophyton rubrum como el dermatofito más prevalente en nuestra área, y describimos un aumento en los dermatofitos antropófilos no endémicos en los últimos años, especialmente en población africana e indostana menor de 15 años

Epidemiology of dermatophytic infections between 2008 and 2017 in Barcelona, Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of dermatophytoses from 2008 to 2017 in the area of "Barcelonès Nord", located in north-eastern Spain. METHODS: From 2008 to 2017, 13,419 specimens obtained from patients with suspected superficial mycosis were subjected to direct microscopy and culture. Clinical and sociodemographic data were recorded. Proportions were compared using Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. A logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated fungus (76.1%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes/Trichophyton interdigitale (11.9%) and Microsporum canis (2.9%). Among the population over 15 years of age, tinea unguium pedum (40.4%) and tinea corporis (29.1%) were the predominant dermatophyte infections. Tinea capitis was mostly prevalent (53.6%) among patients up to 15 years of age, followed by tinea corporis (21.4%). We observed an increase in non-endemic anthropophilic dermatophytes (Trichophyton soudanense, Microsporum audouinii and Trichophyton violaceum) in the last few years. These species were associated with the population up to 15 years of age (p<0.001), having tinea capitis (p=0.0017) and being of African/Hindustani origin (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the spread of T. rubrum as the predominant dermatophyte in our area and reported an increase in non-endemic anthropophilic dermatophytes in the last few years, especially in the African and Hindustani population up to 15 years of age.

[Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of constipation in Mexico. C) Medical and surgical treatment]. / Guías de diagnóstico y tratamiento del estreñimiento en México. C) Tratamiento médico y quirúrgico.

BACKGROUND: There are multiple therapeutic options for the management of constipation, from lifestyle modifications to the use of laxatives and in extreme cases surgery. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: To establish the clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation in Mexico we conducted a review of the literature regarding medical and surgical treatments for chronic constipation and have made recommendations based on evidence. RESULTS: Low water consumption, physical inactivity and low intake of fiber are conditions associated with chronic constipation, but the evidence to prove these associations is scarce. Bolus forming agents are useful in the management of constipation with normal colonic transit and defecation without dissynergia. Evidence supports the use of lactulose (IB) and polyethylene glycol (IA) as the most safe and effective agents in the long term in adults. The use of stimulant laxatives (docusate, picosulfate, senna) is recommended only for short periods. Tegaserod is an agonist of 5-HT4 receptors and there are many clinical trials supporting its effectiveness in the management of functional constipation (IA). However "their cardiovascular safety has been questioned recently. Biofeedback therapy is the gold standard in the management of constipation associated with pelvic floor dyssynergia. Surgical treatment is reserved for extreme cases of colonic inertia. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of constipation should be based on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and the selection of drugs must be made according to the scientific evidence.