Species Richness and Abundance of Cerambycidae (Coleoptera) in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico; Relationships with Phenological Changes in the Tropical Dry Forest.

Cerambycidae have an important ecological role in initiating the degradation process of dead wood, but few studies have evaluated Cerambycidae community attributes in relation to ecosystem phenology. We surveyed the cerambicid fauna of the tropical dry forest in Huatulco, Oaxaca, Mexico, and explored the relationship of Cerambycidae species richness and abundance with phenological changes in vegetation. We applied three collecting methods of light traps, direct collection, and Malaise traps to survey Cerambycidae throughout 2005. To determine seasonal variations, we collected samples in the dry season month of February in the rainy season of May-July and August-September, and in the transition months of October and November through. We collected and identified 145 species, 88 genera, 37 tribes, and four subfamilies. The subfamily with the highest number of species was Cerambycinae (100 species), and the tribe with the highest number of genera and species was Elaphidiini with 13 genera and 33 species. The ICE non-parametric estimator determined an overall expected richness of 373 species, while the overall Shannon Diversity Index was 4.1. Both species richness and abundance varied seasonally, with the highest values recorded in the rainy season and the lowest in the dry season. Overall species abundance was not significantly correlated to monthly rainfall or EVI neither, only for "direct collecting" the EVI vs Richness and EVI vs Shannon Diversity Index were significantly correlated. We propose that the seemingly contradictory relationships between seasonal richness patterns of Cerambycidae and the greening/senescence of vegetation (EVI) may be explained by the seasonal availability of dead organic matter, flowers, or leafy vegetation that may be synchronized with the behavior of different cerambycid species.

Surface depression with double-angle geometry during the discharge of grains from a silo.

When rough grains in loose packing conditions are discharged from a silo, a conical depression with a single slope is formed at the surface. We observed that the increase of volume fraction generates a more complex depression, characterized by two angles of discharge: one at the bottom similar to the angle of repose and a considerably larger upper angle. The change in slope appears at the boundary between a dense stagnant region at the periphery and the central flowing channel formed over the aperture. Since the material in the latter zone is always fluidized, the flow rate is unaffected by the initial packing of the bed. On the other hand, the contrast between both angles is markedly smaller when smooth particles of the same size and density are used, which reveals that high packing fraction and friction must combine to produce the observed geometry. Our results show that the surface profile helps to identify by simple visual inspection the packing conditions of a granular bed, being useful to prevent undesirable collapses during silo discharge in industry.

Application of multiplex PCR approaches for shark molecular identification: feasibility and applications for fisheries management and conservation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific.

Here we describe the application of new and existing multiplex PCR methodologies for shark species molecular identification. Four multiplex systems (group ID, thresher sharks, hammerhead sharks and miscellaneous shark) were employed with primers previously described and some designed in this study, which allow for species identification after running PCR products through an agarose gel. This system was implemented for samples (bodies and fins) collected from unidentified sharks landed in the port of Buenaventura and from confiscated tissues obtained from illegal fishing around the Malpelo Island Marine Protected Area, Pacific Coast of Colombia. This method has allowed reliable identification, to date, of 407 samples to the genus and/or species levels, most of them (380) identified as the pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus). Another seven samples were identified as scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini). This is an easy-to-implement and reliable identification method that could even be used locally to monitor shark captures in the main fishing ports of developed and developing countries.

Captive-born intergeneric hybrid of a Guiana and bottlenose dolphin: Sotalia guianensis x Tursiops truncatus.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) live in sympatry along the Caribbean Coast of Central and South America and social interactions between these species have been described in the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, including sexual encounters. Here we examine and document the only known hybridization event between a male Guiana dolphin and a female bottlenose dolphin, in captivity at Oceanario Islas del Rosario (Colombian Caribbean), using photographic and genetic evidence from mitochondrial DNA markers and nuclear autosomal introns.

Electroencephalographic evaluation of gold wire implants inserted in acupuncture points in dogs with epileptic seizures.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate both, clinically and with electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, the effect of gold wire implants in acupuncture points in dogs with uncontrolled idiopathic epileptic seizures. Fifteen dogs with such diagnosis were enrolled in the study. A first EEG recording was performed in all dogs under anaesthesia with xylazine (1mg/kg) and propofol (6 mg/kg) before the treatment protocol, and a second EEG was performed 15 weeks later. Relative frequency power, intrahemispheric coherence available through EEG, number of seizures and seizure severity were compared before and after treatment using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. There were no significant statistical differences before and after treatment in relative power or in intrahemispheric coherence in the EEG recording. However, there was a significant mean difference in seizure frequency and seizure severity between control and treatment periods. After treatment, nine of the 15 dogs (60%) had at least a 50% reduction in seizures frequency during the 15 weeks established as follow-up of this treatment.

Modificabilidad cognitiva y aprendizaje escolar en niños mediados y no mediados de San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina / Cognitive Adaptability and School Learning in Assisted and Non-assisted Children from San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina

Existen múltiples teorías que dan cuenta de la relación entre las habilidades cognitivas y el aprendizaje escolar. Los niños con dificultades en el razonamiento verbal y no verbal presentan problemas para afrontar exitosamente los aprendizajes escolares. Este trabajo estudia las habilidades cognitivas y los aprendizajes escolares de niños de 4º año de EGB de la provincia de Tucumán, Argentina. Las pruebas administradas fueron los subtests Analogías y Construcción con Cubos de la Escala de Inteligencia de Wechsler para niños (WISC III). La administración se enmarcó en el modelo de Evaluación Dinámica: Test- Entrenamiento - Postest. Se consideraron como indicadores de los aprendizajes las calificaciones escolares de los niños en el primer y último trimestre del periodo escolar 2006; datos que se obtuvieron de los registros docentes. En la fase Test, el 46% de los niños obtuvo puntajes inferiores al promedio en las pruebas cognitivas; ellos conformaron el grupo clínico. Este grupo mejoró su desempeño cognitivo en la fase Postest. Se establecieron asociaciones entre los puntajes de las pruebas y las notas escolares en las fases de Test y Postest, encontrándose asociaciones estadísticas moderadas entre los desempeños en Analogías y Construcción con Cubos y las notas de Lengua y Matemática respectivamente.

Modulation of rat liver cytochrome P450 by protein restriction assessed by biochemical and bacterial mutagenicity methods [corrected].

Protein restriction (PR) significantly inhibits spontaneous and chemical carcinogenesis. Several factors seem to be involved in this effect, including a decrease in body weight, cellular proliferation and DNA damage and an increase in antioxidant defenses. The current study was designed to determine modifications in some hepatic cytochromes P450 (CYPs) due to a hypoproteic diet and to investigate its implications on chemical mutagenesis. Western blot analysis showed decreases of 73, 40 and 74% in CYP1A, CYP2B and CYP2E1 protein concentrations in hepatic microsomes from animals fed a protein-restricted (6% protein) diet for 6 weeks in comparison with microsomes from rats fed a 24% protein diet during the same period. In the same way, low protein fed animals showed a 3.5-fold decrease in hepatic CYP1A1-associated ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity, a 6-fold decrease in CYP1A2-associated methoxyresorufin O-demethylase activity, a 1.7-fold decrease in CYP2B1-associated penthoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity, a 9-fold decrease in CYP2B2-associated benzyloxyresorufin O-dealkylase and, finally, a 3.4-fold decrease in CYP2E1-associated 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity. As a result of decreased CYP hepatic protein concentrations and enzymatic activities, liver S9 from rats fed a hypoproteic diet was less efficient in activating promutagens than S9 prepared from rats fed a 24% protein diet in the Ames test. Mutagenic potency obtained with protein-restricted S9 was reduced 25-fold for 2-aminoanthracene, 1.5-fold for N-nitrosodipropylamine, 12.5-fold for N-nitrosodibutylamine, 2-fold for cyclophosphamide and N-nitrosopyrrolidine and 71-fold for N-nitrosodimethylamine. However, the mutagenic potency of benzo[a]pyrene was the same (4 revertants/ microg) with S9 derived from rats fed either a 6 or 24% protein diet.

Minerals content of Paraguayan yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis, S.H.).

Minerals content (Fe, Ca, Mn, Mg, Na, K, Zn and Cu) of the leaves of Paraguayan yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis, S.H.) as well as of commercial products has been determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Considerable amounts of iron and calcium and remarkably high content of magnesium and potassium have been found both in the leaves and in the commercial products. Highly significant difference between the Fe content of the leaves and that of the commercial products has been found. Also, highly significant difference has been found between the Fe and Ca content of the higher quality-greater sale reputed commercial products and that of the lower quality-smaller sale reputed ones. Seasonal and soil linked variations are also presented. The nutritional and quality control significance of these findings for the MERCOSUR (Southern South America Economical Community) are discussed.

Abdomen agudo quirúrgico en pacientes con cólera / Surgical acute abdomen in patients with rage

Presentamos 4 casos de abdomen agudo quirúrgico intercurrente (colecistitis aguda gangrenosa, apendicitis supurada, vólvulo de sigmoides y obstrucción intestinal por bridas) que se desarrollaron en el curso de cólera. El dolor abdominal no es un síntoma importante del cólera por lo que una evolución torpida relacionado a la duración del dolor, al incremento de su intensidad, a la presencia de signos peritoneales, fiebre, así como íleo sin relación directa con alteraciones hidroelectrolíticas, debe llevarnos a la presunción diagnóstica de abdomen agudo quirúrgico. Concluimos que es muy importante una minuciosa evaluación el dolor abdominal, considerando las manifestaciones antes señaladas, para descubrir un abdomen agudo quirúrgico intercurrente en una paciente con cólera, especialmente si hay antecedentes de litiasis vesicular, magacolon, cirugía previa, enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales o pélvicas, etc.

Telangiectasias esenciales adquiridas en placas anillo vascular de Sahli. / Acquired essential telangiectasia in plaques anillo vascular of Sahli

Presentamos una mujer de 52 anos, con antecedentes de tuberculosis pulmonar derecha, que desarrolla desde hace tres anos T.E.P.A. en piernas. Desde hace un ano se hacen progresivas y se observan en cara y miembros. Se destaca la aparicion en torax, del lado derecho, coincidiendo con el lado de su afeccion pulmonar, de dilataciones vasculares con las caracteristicas del anillo vascular que describiera Sahli

Telangiectasias esenciales adquiridas en placas anillo vascular de Sahli. / Acquired essential telangiectasia in plaques anillo vascular of Sahli

Presentamos una mujer de 52 anos, con antecedentes de tuberculosis pulmonar derecha, que desarrolla desde hace tres anos T.E.P.A. en piernas. Desde hace un ano se hacen progresivas y se observan en cara y miembros. Se destaca la aparicion en torax, del lado derecho, coincidiendo con el lado de su afeccion pulmonar, de dilataciones vasculares con las caracteristicas del anillo vascular que describiera Sahli