Effect of Treating Periodontal Disease in Pregnant Women to Reduce the Risk of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: An Umbrella Review.

Background: The aim of this review was to evaluate the effects of periodontal disease (PD) treatment in pregnant women to reduce the risk of preterm birth (PB) and low birth weight (LBW) by conducting an umbrella review. Methods: A comprehensive search for the literature up to April 2024 was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, EMBASE, Scielo, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Proquest Dissertations and Theses, and OpenGrey. We specifically targeted systematic reviews (SRs) with or without meta-analyses, irrespective of language or time constraints, focusing on primary studies examining the effect of PD treatment in pregnant women to reduce the risk of PB and LBW. Various types of non-systematic reviews, intervention studies, observational studies, preclinical and basic research, summaries, comments, case reports, protocols, personal opinions, letters, and posters were excluded from consideration. The quality and overall confidence of the included studies were assessed using the AMSTAR-2 tool. Results: After the initial search, 232 articles were identified, of which only 24 met the selection criteria after exclusion. The majority of these studies indicated that periodontal treatment reduces the risk of PB and LBW. Conclusions: According to the findings and conclusions drawn from the SRs with a high overall confidence level, PD treatment in pregnant women reduces the risk of PB and LBW.

Survival rates in the world's southernmost forest bird community.

The Magellanic sub-Antarctic Forest is home to the world's southernmost avian community and is the only Southern Hemisphere analogue to Northern Hemisphere temperate forests at this latitude. This region is considered among the few remaining pristine areas of the world, and shifts in environmental conditions are predominantly driven by climate variability. Thus, understanding climate-driven demographic processes is critical for addressing conservation issues in this system under future climate change scenarios. Here, we describe annual survival patterns and their association with climate variables using a 20-year mark-recapture data set of five forest bird species in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. We develop a multispecies hierarchical survival model to jointly explore age-dependent survival probabilities at the community and species levels in a group of five forest passerines. At the community level, we assess the association of migratory behavior and body size with survival, and at the species level, we investigate the influence of local and regional climatic variables on temporal variations of survival. We found a positive effect of precipitation and a negative effect of El Niño Southern Oscillation on juvenile survival in the white-crested Elaenia and a consistent but uncertain negative effect of temperature on survival in juveniles and 80% of adults. We found only a weak association of climate variables with survival across species in the community and no temporal trends in survival for any of the species in either age class, highlighting apparent stability in these high austral latitude forests. Finally, our findings provide an important resource of survival probabilities, a necessary input for assessing potential impacts of global climate change in this unique region of the world.

Efficacy of serratiopeptidase in third molar surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis / Eficacia de la serratiopeptidasa en cirugía del tercer molar: una revisión sistemática y un metanálisis

Objective: To determine the efficacy of serratiopeptidase in third molar surgery. Materials and Methods: A bibliographic search was carried out until April 2022, in the biomedical databases: Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane Central Registry of Clinical Trials, Scopus, Scielo and Google Scholar. Studies reporting the ef-ficacy of serratiopeptidase in third molar surgery, which were randomized clinical trials, in English and without time limits, were included. The RoB 2.0 tool was used to assess the risk of the included studies and the GRADEPro GDT tool to assess Results: The preliminary search yielded a total of 116 articles, discarding those that did not meet the selection criteria, leaving only 10 articles. Six articles entered a meta-analysis and found that serratiopeptidase reduces trismus but not reduce inflammation and pain after third molar surgery. Conclusions: The literature reviewed suggests that ser-ratiopeptidase is effective in reducing trismus after third molar surgery.

Objetivo: Determinar la eficacia de la serratiopeptidasa en la cirugía del tercer molar. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica hasta abril de 2022, en las bases de datos biomédicas: Pubmed/Medline, Registro Cochrane Central de Ensayos Clínicos, Scopus, Scielo y Google Scholar. Se incluyeron estudios que reportaron la eficacia de la serratiopeptidasa en cirugía de terceros molares, que fueron ensayos clínicos aleatorios, en inglés y sin límite de tiempo. Se utilizó la herramienta RoB 2.0 para evaluar el riesgo de los estudios incluidos y la herramienta GRADEPro GDT para evaluar la calidad de la evidencia y la fuerza de recomendación de los resultados. Resultados: La búsqueda preliminar arrojó un total de 116 artículos, descartando aquellos que no cumplieron con los criterios de selección, quedando solo 10 artículos. Seis artículos participaron en un metanálisis y encontraron que la serratiopeptidasa reduce el trismo, pero no reduce la inflamación y el dolor después de la cirugía del tercer molar. Conclusión: La literatura revisada sugiere que la serratiopeptidasa es efectiva para reducir el trismo después de la cirugía del tercer molar.

Association between the Risk of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight with Periodontal Disease in Pregnant Women: An Umbrella Review.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review is to determine the association between the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in newborns and periodontal disease in pregnant women. METHODS: A bibliographic search was carried out until November 2021 in the following biomedical databases: PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scielo, LILACS and Google Scholar. Studies reporting the association between the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in newborns with periodontal disease in pregnant women, which were systematic reviews, in English and without time limits were included. AMSTAR-2 was used to assess the risk of the included studies, and the GRADEPro GDT tool was used to assess the quality of the evidence and the strength of the recommendation of the results. RESULTS: The preliminary search yielded a total of 161 articles, discarding those that did not meet the selection criteria, leaving only 15 articles. Seven articles were entered into a meta-analysis, and it was found that there is an association between the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in newborns with periodontal disease in pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in newborns with periodontal disease in pregnant women.

The Subantarctic Rayadito (Aphrastura subantarctica), a new bird species on the southernmost islands of the Americas.

We describe a new taxon of terrestrial bird of the genus Aphrastura (rayaditos) inhabiting the Diego Ramírez Archipelago, the southernmost point of the American continent. This archipelago is geographically isolated and lacks terrestrial mammalian predators as well as woody plants, providing a contrasted habitat to the forests inhabited by the other two Aphrastura spp. Individuals of Diego Ramírez differ morphologically from Aphrastura spinicauda, the taxonomic group they were originally attributed to, by their larger beaks, longer tarsi, shorter tails, and larger body mass. These birds move at shorter distances from ground level, and instead of nesting in cavities in trees, they breed in cavities in the ground, reflecting different life-histories. Both taxa are genetically differentiated based on mitochondrial and autosomal markers, with no evidence of current gene flow. Although further research is required to define how far divergence has proceeded along the speciation continuum, we propose A. subantarctica as a new taxonomic unit, given its unique morphological, genetic, and behavioral attributes in a non-forested habitat. The discovery of this endemic passerine highlights the need to monitor and conserve this still-pristine archipelago devoid of exotic species, which is now protected by the recently created Diego Ramírez Islands-Drake Passage Marine Park.

Genome Sequencing Variations in the Octodon degus, an Unconventional Natural Model of Aging and Alzheimer's Disease.

The degu (Octodon degus) is a diurnal long-lived rodent that can spontaneously develop molecular and behavioral changes that mirror those seen in human aging. With age some degu, but not all individuals, develop cognitive decline and brain pathology like that observed in Alzheimer's disease including neuroinflammation, hyperphosphorylated tau and amyloid plaques, together with other co-morbidities associated with aging such as macular degeneration, cataracts, alterations in circadian rhythm, diabetes and atherosclerosis. Here we report the whole-genome sequencing and analysis of the degu genome, which revealed unique features and molecular adaptations consistent with aging and Alzheimer's disease. We identified single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes associated with Alzheimer's disease including a novel apolipoprotein E (Apoe) gene variant that correlated with an increase in amyloid plaques in brain and modified the in silico predicted degu APOE protein structure and functionality. The reported genome of an unconventional long-lived animal model of aging and Alzheimer's disease offers the opportunity for understanding molecular pathways involved in aging and should help advance biomedical research into treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

Austral birds offer insightful complementary models in ecology and evolution.

The Southern Hemisphere differs from the Northern Hemisphere in many aspects. However, most ecological and evolutionary research is conducted in the Northern Hemisphere and its conclusions are extrapolated to the entire globe. Therefore, unique organismal and evolutionary characteristics of the south are overlooked. We use ornithology to show the importance of including a southern perspective. We present examples of plumage pigmentation, brood-parasitic nestling ejection, flightlessness, female song, and female aggression modulated by progesterone as complementary models for investigating fundamental biological questions. More research in the Southern Hemisphere, together with increased cooperation among researchers across the hemispheres and within the Southern Hemisphere, will provide a greater global outlook into ecology and evolution.

The extreme rainfall gradient of the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve and its impact on forest bird richness.

A natural laboratory is a place supporting the conditions for hypothesis testing under non-anthropogenic settings. Located at the southern end of the Magellanic sub-Antarctic ecoregion in southwestern South America, the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (CHBR) has one of the most extreme rainfall gradients in the world. Subject to oceanic climate conditions, it is also characterized by moderate thermal fluctuations throughout the year. This makes it a unique natural laboratory for studying the effects of extreme rainfall variations on forest bird communities. Here, we monitor the bird species richness in the different forest types present in the CHBR. We found that species richness decreased with increasing precipitation, in which an increase of 100 mm in average annual precipitation showed about 1% decrease in species richness. Similar patterns were found among different forest types within the CHBR. These results provide a baseline to investigate the interactions between physical and biotic factors in a subpolar region that climatically contrasts with boreal forests, which is subject to continental climatic conditions. This research highlights the importance of ecological and ornithological long-term studies in the CHBR, which can contribute both to a higher resolution of the heterogeneity of climate changes in different regions of the world, and to orient conservation policies in the Magellanic sub-Antarctic ecoregion in the face of growing development pressures.

Maternally transferred thyroid hormones and life-history variation in birds.

In vertebrates, thyroid hormones (THs) play an important role in the regulation of growth, development, metabolism, photoperiodic responses and migration. Maternally transferred THs are important for normal early phase embryonic development when embryos are not able to produce endogenous THs. Previous studies have shown that variation in maternal THs within the physiological range can influence offspring phenotype. Given the essential functions of maternal THs in development and metabolism, THs may be a mediator of life-history variation across species. We tested the hypothesis that differences in life histories are associated with differences in maternal TH transfer across species. Using birds as a model, we specifically tested whether maternally transferred yolk THs covary with migratory status, developmental mode and traits related to pace-of-life (e.g. basal metabolic rate, maximum life span). We collected un-incubated eggs (n = 1-21 eggs per species, median = 7) from 34 wild and captive bird species across 17 families and six orders to measure yolk THs [both triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)], compiled life-history trait data from the literature and used Bayesian phylogenetic mixed models to test our hypotheses. Our models indicated that both concentrations and total amounts of the two main forms of THs (T3 and T4) were higher in the eggs of migratory species compared to resident species, and total amounts were higher in the eggs of precocial species, which have longer prenatal developmental periods, than in those of altricial species. However, maternal yolk THs did not show clear associations with pace-of-life-related traits, such as fecundity, basal metabolic rate or maximum life span. We quantified interspecific variation in maternal yolk THs in birds, and our findings suggest higher maternal TH transfer is associated with the precocial mode of development and migratory status. Whether maternal THs represent a part of the mechanism underlying the evolution of precocial development and migration or a consequence of such life histories is currently unclear. We therefore encourage further studies to explore the physiological mechanisms and evolutionary processes underlying these patterns.

Evidence of low within-pair genetic relatedness in a relict population of Thorn-tailed Rayadito despite long-term isolation.

Investigating whether mating patterns are biased in relation to kinship in isolated populations can provide a better understanding of the occurrence of inbreeding avoidance mechanisms in wild populations. Here, we report on the genetic relatedness (r) among breeding pairs in a relict population of Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) in north-central Chile that has experienced a long-term history of isolation. We used simulations based on 8 years of data to assess whether mating is random with respect to relatedness. We found that mean and median population values of pair relatedness tended to be lower than randomly generated values, suggesting that mating is not random with respect to kinship. We hypothesize that female-biased dispersal is the main mechanism reducing the likelihood of mating among kin, and that the proportion of related pairs (i.e., r > 0.125) in the study population (25%) would presumably be higher in the absence of sex-biased dispersal. The occurrence of other mechanisms such as extra-pair copulations, delayed breeding, and active inbreeding avoidance through kin discrimination cannot be dismissed and require further study.

Efectividad clínica y radiográfica de las estatinas en el tratamiento de la periodontitis / Clinical and radiographic effectiveness of statins in the treatment of periodontitis

Introducción: La enfermedad periodontal es un padecimiento inflamatorio, infeccioso y multifactorial crónico, caracterizado por la inflamación de los tejidos blandos periodontales. En estadios avanzados (periodontitis), produce la destrucción progresiva de los tejidos duros periodontales, lo que conduce a la posterior pérdida de dientes, si esta no es tratada. Objetivo: Determinar la efectividad clínica y radiográfica de las estatinas en el tratamiento de la periodontitis. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura hasta abril del 2019, en las bases de datos biomé dicas: PubMed, Embase, SciELO, Science Direct, Scopus, Sistema de información sobre literatura gris en Europa, Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud, Google Académico y el Registro Central de Ensayos Clínicos Cochrane. Se definieron como criterios de selección de los estudios que fueran ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, con una antigüedad máxima de cinco años y que reportaran los efectos clínicos y radiográficos (profundidad al sondaje, nivel de inserción clínica, índice de placa, índice de sangrado, índice gingival, defecto intraóseo y profundidad del defecto) de las estatinas en el tratamiento de la periodontitis. Se analizó el riesgo de sesgo de los estudios por el Manual Cochrane de revisiones sistemáticas de intervenciones. Resultados: La estrategia de búsqueda arrojó 19 artículos, de los cuales el 100 por ciento reportó que había diferencia en la profundidad al sondaje, nivel de inserción clínica, índice de placa, índice de sangrado, índice gingival, defecto intraóseo y profundidad del defecto de las estatinas en el tratamiento de la periodontitis. Conclusiones: La literatura revisada sugiere que el uso de estatinas es efectivo, clínica y radiográficamente, en el tratamiento de la periodontitis(AU)

Introduction: Periodontal disease is a chronic multifactorial infectious inflammatory condition characterized by inflammation of soft periodontal tissue. In advanced stages (periodontitis) it causes progressive destruction of hard periodontal tissue, leading to eventual tooth loss if not treated. Objective: Determine the clinical and radiographic effectiveness of statins in the treatment of periodontitis. Methods: A search was carried out in the literature published until April 2019 in the biomedical databases PubMed, Embase, SciELO, Science Direct, Scopus, System for Information on Gray Literature in Europe, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials. The following selection criteria were defined for the studies: randomized clinical trials published in the last five years and reporting on clinical and radiographic effects (probing depth, clinical insertion level, plaque index, bleeding index, gingival index, intraosseous defect and defect depth) of statins in the treatment of periodontitis. Bias risk analysis was based on the Cochrane manual of systematic reviews of interventions. Results: A total 19 papers were retrieved, of which 100 percent reported differences in the probing depth, clinical insertion level, plaque index, bleeding index, gingival index, intraosseous defect and defect depth of statins in the treatment of periodontitis. Conclusions: The literature review conducted suggests that the use of statins is clinically and radiographically effective in the treatment of periodontitis(AU)

Clinical effectiveness of Lactobacillus reuteri in the treatment of peri-implant diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

In the last decades, the presence of peri-implant diseases (PD) has increased. One of the therapies currently used is probiotics with Lactobacillus reuteri (LR). The aim of this article is to determinate, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the clinical effectiveness of LR in the treatment of PD. We searched the literature until January 2021, in the biomedical databases: Pubmed, Embase, Scielo, Science Direct, Scopus, SIGLE, LILACS, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Registry of Clinical Trials. The selection criteria of the studies were: randomized controlled clinical trials, without language and time restriction, reporting the clinical effects (depth to probing, plaque index and bleeding index) of the LR in the PD treatment. The risk of study bias was analyzed through the Cochrane tool for randomized studies using Review Manager software. The search strategy resulted in 6 articles of which four investigated peri-implantitis and three peri-implant mucositis. All studies reported that there was a difference in the depth of the probing in the treatment of PD, in favor of the group using LR, though not always achieving significance. The use of LR can be clinically effective in terms of pocket depth reduction in the treatment of PD.

Clinical effectiveness of pre-treatment with chlorhexidine in adhesive dental restorations: systematic review and meta-analysis / Eficacia clínica del pretratamiento con clorhexidina en restauraciones dentales adhesivas: revisión sistemática y metanálisis

Objective: To determine, by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis, the clinical effectiveness of pre-treatment with chlorhexidine (CHX) in adhesive dental restorations. Material and Methods: A literature search was conducted until February 2020, in the biomedical databases: Pubmed, Embase, Scielo, Science Direct, Scopus, SIGLE, LILACS, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Central Registry of Clinical Trials. The selection criteria of the studies were defined, which were: randomized and controlled clinical trials, without language and time restrictions, and reporting the clinical effects (retention, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, postoperative sensitivity and secondary caries) of pre-CHX treatment in adhesive dental restorations. Study risk of bias was analyzed using the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Results:The search strategy resulted in six articles of which five entered a meta-analysis. The studies reported that there was no difference in retention, marginal discoloration, marginal adaptation, postoperative sensitivity, and secondary caries from pre-treatment with CHX in adhesive dental restorations. Conclusion: The reviewed literature suggests that pretreatment with CHX does not influence the clinical effectiveness in adhesive dental restorations.

Resumen: Antecedentes: la pandemia de COVID-19 ha desatado un ataque sin precedentes contra la humanidad en todo el mundo. El escenario en Bangladesh empeora día a día, y todos los aspectos de la sociedad están observando su impacto. Los profesionales de la salud corren un mayor riesgo de contraer la enfermedad mientras atienden a los pacientes. Objetivo: El objetivo de la investigación es explorar el conocimiento, la conciencia y las prácticas de los dentistas registrados con respecto a la epidemiología y transmisión de COVID-19 durante el rápido brote de este virus altamente contagioso en Bangladesh. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta transversal basada en la web entre los dentistas inscritos con su número de registro único válido del Consejo Médico y Dental de Bangladesh (BMDC). Se distribuyó un cuestionario estructurado entre los dentistas a través de diferentes plataformas de redes sociales. Un total de 184 dentistas participaron en la encuesta entre marzo y abril de 2020. Se realizó tanto análisis descriptivo como análisis de regresión logística multivariable. Resultados: La edad media de los odontólogos fue de 31,75 años, con una desviación estándar de 6,5 años. Aproximadamente el 29,3% de los dentistas habían completado su título de posgrado y el 76% de ellos se dedicaba a la práctica privada en el momento de la recopilación de datos. En comparación con los dentistas con educación universitaria, los dentistas con educación de posgrado tienen tres veces (OR = 3,1, IC del 95%: 1,2 - 7,9 y más de 5 veces (OR = 5,3, IC del 95%: 1,2 - 23,3) más probabilidades de tener) mejores conocimientos y prácticas hacia COVID-19 respectivamente. Los dentistas de 26 a 30 años tienen menos probabilidades de tener buenas prácticas que los dentistas más jóvenes (OR: .1; IC del 95%: .01 - .5). Sin embargo, los dentistas con menos de cinco años de experiencia tienen 10,3 (1,6 - 68,9) veces más probabilidades de tener buenas prácticas en comparación con los dentistas con más experiencia. Conclusión: La mayoría de los dentistas de Bangladesh han demostrado un buen conocimiento, conciencia y práctica con respecto a COVID-19. Recomendamos que las autoridades sanitarias, las organizaciones profesionales y los hospitales coordinen y lleven a cabo una formación avanzada obligatoria sobre enfermedades infecciosas para todos los dentistas en ejercicio del país.

Efectividad de los concentrados plaquetarios en el tratamiento de los desórdenes temporomandibulares / Effectiveness of platelet concentrates in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders

Introducción: Los desórdenes temporomandibulares son un grupo de trastornos que afectan la articulación temporomandibular y/o los tejidos musculoesqueléticos asociados. Objetivo: Determinar la efectividad de los concentrados de plaquetas en el tratamiento de los desórdenes temporomandibulares. Métodos: La búsqueda de la literatura fue realizada desde enero del 2014 hasta abril del 2019, en las bases de datos biomédicas: PubMed, Embase, SciELO, Scopus, Science Direct, Sistema de información sobre literatura gris en Europa, Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud, Google Académico y el Registro Central de Ensayos Clínicos Cochrane. Se definieron como criterios de selección de los estudios que fueran ensayos clínicos aleatorizados, con una antigüedad máxima de cinco años, que reportarann la efectividad (reducción del dolor y aumento de apertura máxima) de los concentrados plaquetarios en el tratamiento de los desórdenes temporomandibulares. El riesgo de sesgo de los estudios fue analizado por medio del Manual Cochrane de revisiones sistemáticas de intervenciones. Resultados: La estrategia de búsqueda resultó en nueve artículos, de los cuales el 100 por ciento reportó que no había diferencia en la reducción del dolor y el aumento de apertura máxima de los concentrados plaquetarios en el tratamiento de los desórdenes temporomandibulares. Conclusiones: La literatura revisada sugiere que existe una ligera evidencia de los beneficios potenciales de las inyecciones intraarticulares de los concentrados plaquetarios en pacientes con desórdenes temporomandibulares. Sin embargo, es necesario establecer un protocolo estandarizado para la preparación y aplicación de estos concentrados(AU)

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorders are a group of dysfunctions which affect the temporomandibular joint and/or associated musculoskeletal tissues. Objective: Determine the effectiveness of platelet concentrates in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted from January 2014 to April 2019 in the biomedical databases PubMed, Embase, SciELO, Scopus, Science Direct, System for Information on Gray Literature in Europe, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials. The following selection criteria were defined for the studies: randomized clinical trials published in the last five years and reporting on the effectiveness (pain reduction and maximum opening increase) of platelet concentrates in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Bias risk analysis was based on the Cochrane manual of systematic reviews of interventions. Results: Nine papers were retrieved, of which 100 percent reported no differences in pain reduction or maximum opening increase resulting from the use of platelet concentrates in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Conclusions: The literature review conducted suggests that there is slight evidence of the potential benefits of intra-articular injections of platelet concentrates in patients with temporomandibular disorders. However, a standardized protocol should be established for the preparation and application of these concentrates(AU)

In vivo micro computed tomography detection and decrease in amyloid load by using multifunctionalized gold nanorods: a neurotheranostic platform for Alzheimer's disease.

The development and use of nanosystems is an emerging strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of a broad number of diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we developed a neurotheranostic nanosystem based on gold nanorods (GNRs) that works as a therapeutic peptide delivery system and can be detected in vivo for microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), being a diagnostic tool. GNRs functionalized with the peptides Ang2 (a shuttle to the Central Nervous System) and D1 (that binds to the Aß peptide, also inhibiting its aggregation) allowed detecting differences in vivo between wild type and AD mice (APPswe/PSEN1dE9) 15 minutes after a single dose by micro-CT. Moreover, after a recurrent treatment for one month with GNRs-D1/Ang2, we observed a diminution of amyloid load and inflammatory markers in the brain. Thus, this new designed nanosystem exhibits promising properties for neurotheranostics of AD.

Female extra-pair behavior is not associated with reduced paternal care in Thorn-tailed Rayadito.

Extra-pair behavior is present in 76% of socially monogamous bird species with biparental care. This behavior may produce costs to females related to a reduction in paternal care. We estimated the percentage of extra-pair offspring and quantified paternal care in 44 nests of Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) to assess whether males reduce their parental care when females obtain extra-pair fertilizations. We used data from a sub-Antarctic population of Rayadito located on Navarino Island (55°4'S, 67°40'W), southern Chile. We found no statistical support for a relationship between variation in paternal care and the percentage of extra-pair offspring. We discuss how the inability of breeding males to assess their genetic paternity and potential restrictions on behavioral flexibility may explain this result. Additionally, if paternal care is subjected to sexual selection, this could limit a facultative response to female extra-pair behavior by males. Finally, it is possible that a reduction in paternal care might not have evolved in this particular locality given the low frequency of extra-pair paternity in our study population.

Competencias genéricas de/la profesional psicopedagogo/a*: Análisis transmetodológico para la actualización del perfil profesional por medio de una experiencia de investigación acción participativa / Generic competences of the professional psychopedagogue: Transmethodological analysis to update the professional profile through an experience of Participatory Action Research

El presente artículo da cuenta de los principales hallazgos generados a partir del proyecto de investigación denominado "Perfil del profesional psicopedagogo/a: Aportes desde una revisión epistemológica a la praxis en Chile. Concepto, ámbitos de acción y roles actuales" realizado por la Agrupación de profesionales Psicopedagogos/as de Chile en el período 2019-2020. En esta primera etapa, por medio de una transmetodología de la investigación con enfoque de Investigación Acción Participativa (IAP), se establece un constructo teórico fundamentado en la empiria, que categoriza las competencias genéricas de los/as profesionales psicopedagogos/as en cuatro áreas principales: investigación, evaluación, acompañamiento y orientación y/o asesoramiento psicopedagógico. Las categorías elaboradas se fundamentan en la triangulación hermenéutica entre datos, teoría y experiencias de diversos actores/as de la Psicopedagogía chilena (académicos/as, trabajadores/as y estudiantes) e invitan a la reflexión en torno a la ruptura paradigmática emergente, la identidad disciplinar, la transmetodología de la investigación y las aportaciones desde la complejidad en la práctica profesional.

This reports the main findings generated from the research project called "Profile of the Psychopedagogue Professional: Contributions from an epistemological review of praxis in Chile. Concept, fields of action and current roles" carried out by the Psychopedagogue Professional Association in Chile in the period 2019-2020. In this first stage, through a transmethodology of research with a Participatory Action Research (IAP) focus, an empirical-based theoretical construct is established, which categorizes the generic competences of professional psychopedagogue in four main areas: research, evaluation, accompaniment and counseling and / or psycho-pedagogical advice. The elaborated categories are based on the hermeneutic triangulation between data, theory and experiences of various actors of the Chilean Psychopedagogy (academics, workers and students) and invite reflection on the emerging paradigmatic rupture, identity discipline, the transmethodology of research and contributions from complexity in professional practice.

On the relationship between baseline corticosterone levels and annual survival of the thorn-tailed rayadito.

Baseline concentrations of glucocorticoids (i.e., cortisol and/or corticosterone) can moderately increase with the degree of energy demands that an individual faces. This could be a mechanism based on which glucocorticods (GCs) can mediate life history trade-offs, and therefore fitness. The 'cort-fitness hypothesis' predicts a negative relationship between GCs and fitness, meanwhile the 'cort-adaptation hypothesis' predicts the opposite pattern. Field studies on the relation between baseline GCs and survival rate have shown mixed results, supporting both positive and negative effect. These ambiguous results could be partially consequence of the short time frame in that most of the studies are carried on. In this study, we tested the predictions of the 'cort-fitness hypothesis' and 'cort-adaptation hypothesis' by using long-term data (eight-year of capture-mark-recapture) of Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) in two populations at different latitudes. We assessed whether survival varied as a function of Cort levels and whether it varied in a linear (positive: 'cort-adaptation hypothesis' or negative: 'cort-fitness hypothesis') or curvilinear way. The two populations in our study had different baseline Cort levels, then we evaluated whether the association between baseline Cort and survival probability varied between them. In the high latitude population (i.e., lower baseline Cort levels), we observed a marginally quadratic relationship that is consistent with the cort-fitness hypothesis. In contrast, in the low altitude population we did not find this relation. Our findings suggests that the association between baseline Cort and survival probability is context-dependent, and highlights the importance of comparing different populations and the use of long-term data.

Breeding biology in a population of Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) at different elevations in the Tropical Andes / Biología reproductiva en una población de Gorrión Copetón (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) a diferente elevación en los Andes tropicales

Abstract: Breeding biology in a population of Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) at different elevations in the Tropical Andes. Elevation strongly influences the evolution of life history traits associated with bird physiology and reproduction. Since life history traits in birds are modulated by environmental factors that vary with elevation, we expected to find changes in breeding biology traits of Z. capensis at different elevations. In this study, we compared the breeding biology (clutch size, egg volume, and reproductive activity) of a non-migratory population of Z. capensis in two localities at different elevations (low and high elevations, 1 800 m a.s.l., and 3 800 m a.s.l., respectively) and same latitude in the Colombian Tropical Andes for a one-year period. We found no differences in clutch size between the localities; however, egg volume was higher at high elevation. Furthermore, the reproductive activity differed significantly between localities. We propose that clutch size is likely conserved throughout the altitudinal distribution of Z. capensis since the species evolved in Tropical lowlands. On the other hand, the larger egg volume at high elevation could obey local environmental factors that may favor the reproductive success of the population.

Resumen: Biología reproductiva en una población de Gorrión Copetón (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) a diferente elevación en los Andes tropicales. La elevación influye fuertemente en la evolución de los rasgos de historia de vida asociados con la fisiología y reproducción de las aves. Dado que los rasgos de historia de vida en las aves están modulados por factores ambientales que varían con la elevación, esperábamos encontrar cambios en los rasgos de la biología reproductiva de Z. capensis a diferentes elevaciones. En este estudio, comparamos la biología reproductiva (tamaño de puesta, volumen del huevo y actividad reproductiva) de una población no migratoria de Z. capensis en dos localidades a diferente elevación (elevación baja 1 800 m snm, y elevación alta 3 800 m snm,) y a la misma latitud en los Andes tropicales colombianos por un período de un año. No encontramos diferencias en el tamaño de puesta entre las localidades; sin embargo, el volumen del huevo fue mayor en elevación alta. Además, la actividad reproductiva difirió entre las localidades. Proponemos que el tamaño de puesta probablemente se conserve en toda la distribución altitudinal de Z. capensis, ya que la especie evolucionó en las tierras bajas tropicales. Por otro lado, el mayor volumen del huevo a elevación alta podría obedecer a factores ambientales locales que pueden favorecer el éxito reproductivo de la población.

Heterozygosity-Fitness Correlations in a Continental Island Population of Thorn-Tailed Rayadito.

Heterozygosity-fitness correlations (HFCs) have been used to monitor the effects of inbreeding in threatened populations. HFCs can also be useful to investigate the potential effects of inbreeding in isolated relict populations of long-term persistence and to better understand the role of inbreeding and outbreeding as drivers of changes in genetic diversity. We studied a continental island population of thorn-tailed rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda) inhabiting the relict forest of Fray Jorge National Park, north-central Chile. This population has experienced a long-term, gradual process of isolation since the end of the Tertiary. Using 10 years of field data in combination with molecular techniques, we tested for HFCs to assess the importance of inbreeding depression. If inbreeding depression is important, we predict a positive relationship between individual heterozygosity and fitness-related traits. We genotyped 183 individuals at 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci and used 7 measures of reproductive success and estimates of apparent survival to calculate HFCs. We found weak to moderate statistical support (P-values between 0.05 and 0.01) for a linear effect of female multi-locus heterozygosity (MLH) on clutch size and nonlinear effects on laying date and fledging success. While more heterozygous females laid smaller clutches, nonlinear effects indicated that females with intermediate values of MLH started laying earlier and had higher fledging success. We found no evidence for effects of MLH on annual fecundity or on apparent survival. Our results along with the long-term demographic stability of the study population contradict the hypothesis that inbreeding depression occurs in this population.