Vulnerability of a top marine predator to coastal storms: a relationship between hydrodynamic drivers and stranding rates of newborn pinnipeds.

Coastal storms have increased in recent decades, affecting many species, including the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia). Reports of stranded sea lion pups are becoming common in Chile, presumably due to the increase in the frequency and intensity of coastal storms. To validate this assumption, a 10-year database was built by coupling wave generation and coastal propagation models to correlate pure wave parameters (significant wave height Hs, peak period Tp, normalized wave power Hs2 Tp) and wave parameters including the tidal level (maximum surface elevation η, modified wave power η2 Tp) with records of stranded pups in Cobquecura, the largest breeding colony in central Chile. The correlation between the number of pups stranded per day and wave parameters in the first half of January and the last half of February is poor, while they are stronger for the second half of January and the first half of February. The higher number of stranded pups coincide with coastal storms with normalized wave power values exceeding a threshold of 100 m2/s. Conversely, below this threshold there is wide dispersion between the number of strandings and wave parameters. Identifying wave parameter thresholds could be used to predict when newborn pups will be most affected by coastal storms, and thus help institutions to develop remediation techniques for animals at risk.

Aerobic and anaerobic enzymatic activity of orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) and alfonsino (Beryx splendens) from the Juan Fernandez seamounts area.

The aerobic and anaerobic enzymatic activity of two important commercial bathypelagic species living in the Juan Fernández seamounts was analyzed: alfonsino (Beryx splendens) and orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus). These seamounts are influenced by the presence of an oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) located between 160 and 250 m depth. Both species have vertical segregation; alfonsino is able to stay in the OMZ, while orange roughy remains at greater depths. In this study, we compare the aerobic and anaerobic capacity of these species, measuring the activity of key metabolic enzymes in different body tissues (muscle, heart, brain and liver). Alfonsino has higher anaerobic potential in its white muscle due to greater lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity (190.2 µmol NADH min(-1) g ww(-1)), which is related to its smaller body size, but it is also a feature shared with species that migrate through OMZs. This potential and the higher muscle citrate synthase and electron transport system activities indicate that alfonsino has greater swimming activity level than orange roughy. This species has also a high MDH/LDH ratio in its heart, brain and liver, revealing a potential capacity to conduct aerobic metabolism in these organs under prolonged periods of environmental low oxygen conditions, preventing lactic acid accumulation. With these metabolic characteristics, alfonsino may have increased swimming activity to migrate and also could stay for a period of time in the OMZ. The observed differences between alfonsino and orange roughy with respect to their aerobic and anaerobic enzymatic activity are consistent with their characteristic vertical distributions and feeding behaviors.

The influence of environmental factors on the abundance and recruitment of the sand crab Emerita analoga (Stimpson 1857): source-sink dynamics?

The sandcrab Emerita analoga is the dominant species inhabiting sandy beaches along the Pacific coast of the American continent. In our study, 10 sandy beaches were sampled seasonally from 2006 to 2011, including coastal planktonic sampling from 2006 to 2008. Two major population cores were detected, the first one in the northern part of the study area and the second in the area immediately to the south of the Itata River mouth. Zoeal stages were found along the entire coastal zone. Highest densities and recruitment were found during spring and summer of each year. PLS regression indicated that source-sink habitat proxies correlated positively with morphodynamic parameters; while beach slope and total organic matter were negatively correlated. These results agree with the source-sink hypothesis, finding higher densities of adults, recruits and cohort recurrence on open coast beaches with milder physical dynamics. Furthermore, a hypoxic event and a mega-earthquake/tsunami negatively affected recruitment at the inter-annual scale.

Attentional network task in schizophrenic patients and theirs unaffected first degree relatives: a potential endofenotype.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, reports of attentional deficits in schizophrenic patients and in their biological relatives have rapidly increased, including an important effort to search for the endophenotypes in order to link specific genes to this illness. Posner et al. developed a test, the Attention Network Test (ANT), to study the neural networks. This test provides a separate measure for each one of the three anatomically-defined attention networks (alerting, orienting and executive control). METHODOLOGY: In this paper, we investigate the attentional performance in 32 schizophrenic patients, 29 unaffected first degree relatives and 29 healthy controls using the ANT through a study of family association. We have studied the efficiency of the segregated executive control, alerting and orienting networks by measuring how response latencies (reaction time) were modified by the cue position and the flanking stimuli. We also studied the familial association of these attentional alterations. RESULTS: The ANOVA revealed main effects of flanker and cue condition and a significant interaction effect between flanker and groups studied. The schizophrenic patients and their relatives had a longer median reaction time than the control group. The probands and their relatives significantly differed from the healthy controls in terms of their conflict resolution; however, the alerting network appeared to be conserved. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the thesis of a specific attentional deficit in schizophrenia and show the segregation of the three attentional networks. The family association of these reported alterations supports the idea of a potential endophenotype in schizophrenia.

A major fish stranding caused by a natural hypoxic event in a shallow bay of the eastern South Pacific Ocean.

A massive beaching and mortality of fishes occurred in Coliumo Bay, a shallow bay located along the coast of the eastern South Pacific Ocean on 3 January 2008. This stranding was a consequence of an abrupt decrease in the dissolved oxygen concentration throughout the whole water column, due to the effect of intense upwelling along the coast off central-southern Chile. The main objectives of this study were: (1) to characterize taxonomically and biologically the fish species assemblage present in this beaching; (2) to evaluate several physiological indicators for the condition of the beached species at the time of their death; and (3) to assess the possible cause-effect mechanisms involved in the fishes death and the changes that took place in the fish community throughout the time. In this beaching, 26 fish species were identified: 23 teleosts, one myxiniform and two elasmobranchs. Most beached specimens were juveniles. Haematological and histological evidence indicate that severe hypoxia that lasted for at least 48 h was the most plausible cause of death. The main conclusion of this study is that the presence of oxygen-poor equatorial sub-surface water in the shallow coastal zone due to intense regional-scale upwelling caused the fish stranding. Although the effect of the hypoxic event was severe for the fish assemblage of Coliumo Bay, the rapid recuperation observed suggests that hypoxic events at the local spatial scale can be buffered by migration processes from the fish community inhabiting close by areas non-affected by low oxygen conditions. The effect that severe hypoxic events may have on larger spatial scales remains unknown.

Spanish version of the Family Interview for Genetic Studies (FIGS).

INTRODUCTION: The use of the Family Interview for Genetic Studies (FIGS), has made it possible to advance in the performance of family studies for research in genetic psychiatry. This study aimed to adapt this interview into Spanish and develop a validation process of the FIGS in a sample of Cuban families with a family background of schizophrenia. METHODS: The English version of the FIGS was translated into Spanish and was used in this study. The content was validated through the consensus score of several referees. The questionnaire was administered to at least two informants of 146 families of patients diagnosed of schizophrenia. Internal consistency of the items was analyzed, calculating Pearson's correlation coefficients and Cronbach's alpha of the FIGS and reliability. RESULTS: In general the Spanish version of the FIGS interview was found to be useful. Internal consistency of the FIGS as measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient has been found to be 0.92 for depression, 0.99 for mania; 0.94 for psychosis, 0.94 for alcohol and drugs and 0.97 for personality disorders, which indicates values having satisfactory reliability. In addition, Pearson's correlation coefficient varied from the 0.41 to 0.99 for the different lists of symptoms mentioned above and all were statistically significant (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This questionnaire is reliable and valid for gathering diagnostic information about relatives of probands and thus suitable for use in genetic studies of Cuban families with a history of schizophrenia.

Suplementación parenteral de cobre en vacas gestantes: efecto sobre postparto y terneros / Parenteral supplementation of copper in gestation cows: effect on postpartum and calves

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto del cobre en vacas gestantes sobre el comportamiento reproductivo posparto y la salud del ternero. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 80 vacas divididas en dos grupos de 40 animales cada uno. El grupo A fue tratado con 2 ml de CuSO4 (2.5%) subcutáneamente. El tratamiento se inició a los 8 meses de gestación, y se repitió a los 30 y 90 días post parto. El grupo B, se uso como control. A las vacas se les analizó el perfil hematoquímico, intervalo parto primer servicio (IPPS), intervalo parto concepción (IPC), intervalo parto-parto (IPP), índice de natalidad (IN), índice de inseminación (II) y la eficiencia en la detección de la hembra en estro (EDHE) y a los terneros los parámetros hematoquímicos. Los datos se procesaron mediante Statgraphics Plus 5.0, para las diferencias entre medias de los datos hemoquímicos y reproductivos se aplicó (ANOVA) y comparaciones de proporciones IN y EDHE. Se empleó la correlación y regresión simple para demostrar la relación del cobre con las demás parámetros estudiados. Resultados. La administración subcutánea de cobre incrementó los niveles de dicho elemento en sangre, hierro y hemoglobina (p< 0.001); así como la disminución del IPPS, IPC, IPP, IN, EDHE, e II (p< 0.05). En los terneros se aumentó la cupremia (p< 0.001), la hemoglobina (p< 0.01) y las proteínas totales (p< 0.05). Conclusiones. El tratamiento aplicado incrementó los indicadores hematoquímicos y reproductivos en los animales tratados.

Scale for assessing perceptual anomalies: validation of a Spanish version of the SIAPA scale in a sample of Cuban schizophrenic patients

INTRODUCTION: Perceptual-attentional disorders other than hallucinations in schizophrenic patients have been studied little. In this work, the results of the Spanish version of the SIAPA scale to detect perceptual-attentional anomalies to real stimuli other than hallucinations in a sample of schizophrenic patients in a community study in Cuba are presented. METHODS: 329 subjects were studied: 129 schizophrenic patients and 200 controls. Patients were diagnosed by psychiatrists according to DSM-IV criteria. The SIAPA and PANSS scales were used for the study. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was determined to analyze internal consistency. Reliability, validity of current criterion and structural validity were measured. Comparisons between groups were made using the ANOVA. RESULTS: Schizophrenic patients had more perceptual anomalies than healthy controls. Auditory and visual perceptual anomalies were more frequent. The scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.84). Using a PANSS scale cut-off score of 60, validity had a sensitivity of 56 percent and specificity of 79 percent All modalities of SIAPA scales showed good kappa coefficients (0.72-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: This scale showed similar internal validity and test-retest reliability to those reported in the English version. The results showed that this scale can differentiate the presence of perceptual anomalies in schizophrenic patients from healthy controls. Therefore, we suggest that the SIAPA scale may be useful for assessing perceptual anomalies in clinical researching for cognitive impairment evaluations(AU)

Introducción. Las alteraciones perceptuales-atencionalesdiferentes de las alucinaciones en los pacientes esquizofrénicos han sido poco estudiadas. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la versión al español de la escala SIAPA para detectar anomalías perceptuales-atencionalesa estímulos reales diferentes de las alucinaciones en una muestra de pacientes esquizofrénicos en unestudio comunitario en Cuba. Métodos. Se estudiaron 329 sujetos: 129 esquizofrénicos y 200 controles. Para el diagnóstico se usaron los criterios diagnósticos del DSM IV. Para el estudio se aplicó la escala SIAPA y la escala PANSS. Se determinó el coeficiente alpha de Cronbach para analizar la consistencia interna. Se determinó la fiabilidad, la validez de criterio concurrente y la validez estructural. La comparación entre los grupos se realizó con el test de análisis de varianza ANOVA. Resultados. Los pacientes presentaron más alteracionesperceptuales-atencionales diferentes de las alucinaciones que los sujetos normales, principalmente en las modalidades auditivas y visuales. La consistencia interna fue de 0,84. Se obtuvo una sensibilidad del 56 por ciento y una especificidad del 79 por ciento. Se obtuvo índices de fiabilidad(Kappa) adecuados (0,72-0,85) en las diferentes subescalas del SIAPA Conclusiones. En este estudio se obtuvieron valores de confiabilidad y validez de la escala similares a los obtenidos con la versión inglesa. Esta escala permite diferenciar la presencia de alteraciones perceptuales atencionales diferentes de las alucinaciones en pacientes esquizofrénicos en comparación con la población general. Esta escala puede ser utilizada en investigaciones clínicasy epidemiológicas para la evaluación de alteraciones perceptuales-atencionales(AU)

Scale for assessing perceptual anomalies. Validation of a Spanish version of the SIAPA scale in a sample of Cuban schizophrenic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Perceptual-attentional disorders other than hallucinations in schizophrenic patients have been studied little. In this work, the results of the Spanish version of the SIAPA scale to detect perceptual-attentional anomalies to real stimuli other than hallucinations in a sample of schizophrenic patients in a community study in Cuba are presented. METHODS: 329 subjects were studied: 129 schizophrenic patients and 200 controls. Patients were diagnosed by psychiatrists according to DSM-IV criteria. The SIAPA and PANSS scales were used for the study. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was determined to analyze internal consistency. Reliability, validity of current criterion and structural validity were measured. Comparisons between groups were made using the ANOVA. RESULTS: Schizophrenic patients had more perceptual anomalies than healthy controls. Auditory and visual perceptual anomalies were more frequent. The scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.84). Using a PANSS scale cut-off score of 60, validity had a sensitivity of 56 % and specificity of 79 %. All modalities of SIAPA scales showed good kappa coefficients (0.72-0.85). CONCLUSIONS: This scale showed similar internal validity and test-retest reliability to those reported in the English version. The results showed that this scale can differentiate the presence of perceptual anomalies in schizophrenic patients from healthy controls. Therefore, we suggest that the SIAPA scale may be useful for assessing perceptual anomalies in clinical researching for cognitive impairment evaluations.

[Integral treatment of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome by means of autotransfusion of ascitic fluid and intravenous infusion of albumin]. / "Tratamiento integral del síndrome de hiperestimulación ovárica severo mediante autotransfusión de ascitis e infusión intravenosa de albúmina".

Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potential life-threatening condition relationated with ovulation induction. It affects multiple systems. Little is known about it's pathophysiology. The treatment available consists in the correction of fluid, electrolyte and hematologic imbalances. In other hand, is mandatory the prevention of embolic phenomena. Ascitic fluid aspiration result in dramatic improvement of symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of autotransfusion of ascitic fluid obtained by paracentesis and the intravenous infusion of albumin for the treatment of severe from of the OHSS.

[A physiopathological overview of climacteric and menopause]. / Un punto de vista fisiopatológico del climaterio y la menopausia.

Today, million of woman in the world lived enough to experience the menopause ant it's seculae. In the last few years the research of the events associated with this age has gained enormous attention. Hormonal replacement therapy has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and other complications in postmenopausal woman. In this paper we review the endocrinology of the menopause, benefits and risks of hormonal replacement therapy, Prescription choices, compliance and health care professional attitudes are too analysed.

[Pharmacologic suppression of the ovarian function and its clinical usefulness]. / Supresión farmacológica de la función ovárica y su utilidad clínica.

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is essential in human reproduction. By modification of the molecular structure of the original hormone, analogues were synthesized with agonistic or antagonistic effects. GnRH agonists have high binding affinity for receptors, and their prolonged or continuous use resulted in inhibition of LH and FSH release. On the other hand, GnRH antagonists have an entirely different mechanism of action but still suppress gonadotrophin release. Currently, the use of analogues of GnRH is an established therapy for hormone-dependent diseases and other clinical conditions.

Computer assisted CT-guided stereotactic transplantation of foetal ventral mesencephalon to the caudate nucleus and putamen in Parkinson's disease.

We report our preliminary results related to CT-guided stereotactic transplantation of foetal ventral mesencephalic cell suspension into the striatum of five patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The mean age was 51 years, the evolution time of the disease ranged from 7 to 14 years, and all of them had motor complications associated with chronic L-dopa therapy. The patients were evaluated according to the Core Assessment Program for Intracerebral Transplantations (CAPIT) for one year before and three months after surgery. The postoperative clinical assessment demonstrated significant improvement of neurological symptoms and reduction of daily L-dopa dosage.

Computer assisted CT-guided stereotactic transplantation of foetal ventral mesencephalon to the caudate nucleus and putamen in Parkinson's disease

We report our preliminary results related to CT-guided stereotactic transplantation of foetal ventral mesencephalic cell suspension into the stiatum of five patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The mean age was 51 years, the evolution time of the disease ranged from 7 to 14 years, and all of them had motor complications associated with chronic l-dopa therapy. The patients were evaluated according to the Core Assessment Program from Intracerebral Transplantation (CAPIT) for one year before and three months after surgery. The postoperative clinical assessment demostrated significant improvement of neurological symtoms and reduction of daily l-dopa dosage (AU)

Computer assisted CT-guided stereotactic transplantation of foetal ventral mesencephalon to the caudate nucleus and putamen in Parkinson's disease

We report our preliminary results related to CT-guided stereotactic transplantation of foetal ventral mesencephalic cell suspension into the stiatum of five patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. The mean age was 51 years, the evolution time of the disease ranged from 7 to 14 years, and all of them had motor complications associated with chronic l-dopa therapy. The patients were evaluated according to the Core Assessment Program from Intracerebral Transplantation (CAPIT) for one year before and three months after surgery. The postoperative clinical assessment demostrated significant improvement of neurological symtoms and reduction of daily l-dopa dosage

Transposición de Omentum majus en lesiones traumáticas de la médula espinal / Omentum majus transposition in traumatic lesions of the spinal cord

El presente trabajo resume la experiencia del Centro Iberolatinoamericano de Trasplante y Regeneración del Sistema Nervioso de Cuba en el tratamiento de lesiones traumáticas de la médula espinal, aplicando la técnica de transposición de Omentum Majus reportada inicialmente por el Dr. Harry Goldsmith. Estudiamos 40 pacientes con lesiones traumáticas de la médula espinal, de predominio dorso-lumbar, en fase aguda, subaguda y crónica, en un período evolutivo posquirúrgico no menor de 3 meses. Los enfermos que habían recibido tratamiento fisiátrico previo sin mejorías ulteriores, fueron evaluados por las escalas internacionales de Frankel, Karnovsky y el Index de Bartell, 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses después de la operación. En todos los pacientes fue definida la intensidad de la lesión mediante estudios clínicos, imagenólogicos y electrofisiológicos. Comprobamos mejoría evolutiva de diferentes grados en los casos estudiados, con mayor recuperación de los pacientes intervenidos en estadíos tempranos postlesionales. Concluimos que esta técnica constituye una opción terapéutica para algunos pacientes con lesiones traumáticas de la médula espinal (AU)

Transposición de Omentum majus en lesiones traumáticas de la médula espinal / Omentum majus transposition in traumatic lesions of the spinal cord

El presente trabajo resume la experiencia del Centro Iberolatinoamericano de Trasplante y Regeneración del Sistema Nervioso de Cuba en el tratamiento de lesiones traumáticas de la médula espinal, aplicando la técnica de transposición de Omentum Majus reportada inicialmente por el Dr. Harry Goldsmith. Estudiamos 40 pacientes con lesiones traumáticas de la médula espinal, de predominio dorso-lumbar, en fase aguda, subaguda y crónica, en un período evolutivo posquirúrgico no menor de 3 meses. Los enfermos que habían recibido tratamiento fisiátrico previo sin mejorías ulteriores, fueron evaluados por las escalas internacionales de Frankel, Karnovsky y el Index de Bartell, 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses después de la operación. En todos los pacientes fue definida la intensidad de la lesión mediante estudios clínicos, imagenólogicos y electrofisiológicos. Comprobamos mejoría evolutiva de diferentes grados en los casos estudiados, con mayor recuperación de los pacientes intervenidos en estadíos tempranos postlesionales. Concluimos que esta técnica constituye una opción terapéutica para algunos pacientes con lesiones traumáticas de la médula espinal