Colder is better: The differential effects of thermal acclimation on life history parameters in a parasitoid fly.

In this article, we assessed the effect of the rearing temperature on life history traits of the poorly known fly Phasmovora phasmophagae (Diptera: Tachinidae), a parasitoid of Agathemera crassa (Phasmatodea: Agathemeridae) in order to: i) test the effect of ambient temperature on life history traits and ii) assess the potential trade-off between reproduction and survival. Parasitoids were obtained from a population of hosts located in the Andes range of central Chile. Upon emergence from the host parasitoids were randomly allocated to three thermal treatments (15°C, 22.5°C and 30°C) and several life history traits were measured. We recorded higher survival at 15°C and 22.5°C and a lower survival at 30°C.We found differences for both body mass and head width among thermal treatments. In females, body mass was higher at 15°C than at 30°C. An effect of breeding temperature and sex was observed only for developmental time. In addition, males reared at different temperatures during the pupal stage and held as adults at 22.5°C, exhibited no differences in longevity between treatments. A significant effect of temperature on the mass of ovaries and lipid was recorded in females. These patterns suggest a trade-off between reproduction and survival. Overall, data seem to support the "colder is better" hypothesis, because Andean parasitoid P. phasmophagae inhabiting and experimentally reared in colder environments have a higher performance in all environments.

Quistes articulares espinales: evolución clínica y resultados según intervención quirúrgica. Revisión de 18 casos / Spinal sinovial cysts: Surgical treatment and clinical outcomes in a series of 18 cases

Objetivo: Se realiza un análisis retrospectivo a partir de una serie de 18 casos con quistes articulares sintomáticos, tratados quirúrgicamente mediante distintos abordajes para su extirpación desde mayo del 2009 hasta noviembre del 2013. Se muestran los resultados obtenidos con cada uno de los abordajes a medio y largo plazo. Material y métodos: Se incluye a 18 pacientes, 8 varones y 10 mujeres, de entre 50 y los 77 años. Se recogen de cada uno de ellos los síntomas, antecedentes, estudios por imagen, histopatología, intervención quirúrgica, seguimiento, complicaciones y resultados. Resultados: Diecisiete casos fueron diagnosticados de quiste articular sinovial y un tuvo como resultado ganglión. El síntoma más común es la lumbalgia con radiculopatía (94%). La pérdida de fuerza se registró en 4 casos (22%) y un caso (1%) se acompañó de alteración de esfínteres. El nivel más frecuente fue L4-L5 (67%). Recogimos un caso en locación atípica D12-L1. Se practicó una descompresión unilateral del canal en 14 casos mediante hemilaminectomía, colocándose en 9 de ellos dispositivo interespinoso; en 3 casos se realizó laminectomía y artrodesis, y en uno solo se realizó un abordaje unilateral con descompresión bilateral del canal. Todos ellos tuvieron un seguimiento mínimo de 6 meses y máximo de 2 años. Conclusiones: Los quistes articulares son una causa de radiculopatía/claudicación neurógena. La localización más frecuente es el nivel L4-L5 y la forma más frecuente de presentación la lumbalgia con radiculopatía. La resonancia magnética lumbar es la prueba de elección para su diagnóstico. Los quistes articulares refractarios a tratamiento conservador serían subsidiarios de cirugía. En nuestra serie, la extirpación quirúrgica del quiste muestra un buen resultado clínico a medio-largo plazo, si bien la heterogeneidad del grupo y el número de casos no permiten escoger un abordaje óptimo para su resolución. El mejor abordaje quirúrgico para el tratamiento de los quistes articulares sigue siendo controvertido

Object: A series of 18 patients with symptomatic synovial cysts was analysed from May 2009 to November 2013. Different approaches were performed for their removal. Material and methods: The study included 18 patients, 8 men and 10 women, aged between 50 and 77 years. An analysis was made of the variables including age, gender, symptoms, imaging studies, histopathology, surgery, follow-up, complications, and clinical outcome. Results: An articular synovial cyst was diagnosed in 17 cases, and a ganglion in one cases. The most common symptom was back pain with radiculopathy (94%). Motor deficits occurred in 4 cases (22%), and 1 case (5%) presented with urinary incontinence. The most common level was L4- L5 (67%), with one atypical case observed in the D12 -L1 location. Hemi-laminectomy was performed in 14 cases, with 9 of them having an interspinous spacer (ISP) device inserted. A laminectomy with a fusion procedure was performed in 3 patients and 1 patient had a bilateral decompression using a unilateral approach. The patients were followed-up for between 6 months to 2 years. Conclusions: Synovial cysts are a cause of radiculopathy/neurogenic claudication. Spinal cysts are commonly found at the L4-L5 level. MRI is the tool of choice for diagnosis. The most common symptom was back pain with radiculopathy. Synovial cysts resistant to conservative therapy should be treated surgically. In our series, surgical resection of symptomatic juxtafacet cysts showed a good clinical outcome, but the optimal approach for patients with juxtafacet cysts remains unclear

[Spinal sinovial cysts: Surgical treatment and clinical outcomes in a series of 18 cases]. / Quistes articulares espinales: evolución clínica y resultados según intervención quirúrgica. Revisión de 18 casos.

OBJECT: A series of 18 patients with symptomatic synovial cysts was analysed from May 2009 to November 2013. Different approaches were performed for their removal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 18 patients, 8 men and 10 women, aged between 50 and 77 years. An analysis was made of the variables including age, gender, symptoms, imaging studies, histopathology, surgery, follow-up, complications, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: An articular synovial cyst was diagnosed in 17 cases, and a ganglion in one cases. The most common symptom was back pain with radiculopathy (94%). Motor deficits occurred in 4 cases (22%), and 1 case (5%) presented with urinary incontinence. The most common level was L4- L5 (67%), with one atypical case observed in the D12 -L1 location. Hemi-laminectomy was performed in 14 cases, with 9 of them having an interspinous spacer (ISP) device inserted. A laminectomy with a fusion procedure was performed in 3 patients and 1 patient had a bilateral decompression using a unilateral approach. The patients were followed-up for between 6 months to 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Synovial cysts are a cause of radiculopathy/neurogenic claudication. Spinal cysts are commonly found at the L4-L5 level. MRI is the tool of choice for diagnosis. The most common symptom was back pain with radiculopathy. Synovial cysts resistant to conservative therapy should be treated surgically. In our series, surgical resection of symptomatic juxtafacet cysts showed a good clinical outcome, but the optimal approach for patients with juxtafacet cysts remains unclear.

Adolescentes chilenos consultantes en un centro de salud sexual y reproductiva (2008-2009): conocimientos sobre anticoncepción de emergencia y sexualidad / Chilean adolescents consulting a center for sexual and reproductive health

OBJETIVO: Describir y analizar los principales conocimientos sobre anticoncepción de emergencia y conductas sexuales de adolescentes. METODOLOGÍA: Diseño de corte transversal a través de encuesta autoadministrada y anónima, aplicada a adolescentes consultantes de un centro especializado en salud sexual y reproductiva. RESULTADOS: Se respondieron 143 encuestas. La media de edad fue de16 años. El 37,6% consideró que la anticoncepción de emergencia (AE)impide la ovulación y un 36,9% la consideró abortiva. La principal razón para utilizar AE sería en caso de violación (91,3%). Estar asistiendo a controles ginecológicos, estar informada sobre AE, haberla utilizado previamente y asegurar la confidencialidad se asoció al correcto conocimiento sobre su mecanismo de acción. El 61,5% de las mujeres y el 50% delos hombres inician su vida sexual a los 15 años o a edades menores. Respecto al uso del condón, declaran utilizarlo siempre un 12,6% de las mujeres y un 19,2% de los hombres. Las principales fuentes de información sobre sexualidad fueron los amigos, el colegio y los padres. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los adolescentes no conocen el mecanismo de acción de la AE. Es importante la educación sanitaria, con fundamentos científicos

OBJECTIVE: Was to describe and analyze the main knowledge about emergency contraception and sexual behaviors of adolescents. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional design. This study utilized a self administered, anonymous survey that contained questions regarding emergency contraception (EC).RESULTS: 143 adolescents completed the survey. The median age was16 years old. 37.6% believe that EC prevents ovulation, 36.9% consider it abortive. The main reason for using EC would be in cases of rape (91.3%). Be attending the controls, have knowledge about EC, and have used it agree to confidentiality regarding their use, was associated with correct knowledge about the mechanism of action.61.5% of women and 50% of men become sexually active at age 15or younger ages. The condom is always used by 12.6% of women and19.2% men. The main sources of information sexuality were friends, school and parents. CONCLUSIONS: The information collected is necessary to know for healthcare providers and for adolescent consultants, as there may be limitations to the indication and use of EC based on erroneous beliefs. It is important counseling and education, based on science

Family planning and adolescent pregnancy.

High adolescent fecundity principally affects developing countries. In spite of a decrease in the incidence of pregnancies in the developing countries over the past 13 years, the differences that exist with respect to developed countries turn adolescent fecundity into an indicator of the level of development of countries. The impact of adolescent pregnancy is evident in maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Nonetheless, in addition to the age involved in precocious pregnancy, it also reflects previous conditions such as malnutrition, infectious diseases and deficiencies in the health care given to pregnant adolescents. The most important impact lies in the psychosocial area: it contributes to a loss of self-esteem, a destruction of life projects and the maintenance of the circle of poverty. This affects both adolescent mothers and fathers; the latter have been studied very little. Intervention with comprehensive health services and the maintenance of the education of adolescent mothers and fathers prevents repeat pregnancies. Evidence shows success in the prevention of the first pregnancy when the intervention includes comprehensive sexual education, the existence of preferential sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents, the handout of modern contraceptives gauged to the adolescence stage of the subjects and the existence of an information network. There is little research in contraception for adolescents, and for this reason, the indications given are projections of data obtained from adults.