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OBJECTIVES: When the production of antipredator behaviors is costly, prey is expected to stop displaying such behaviors and lose the ability to recognize extirpated predators. However, the loss or maintenance of predator recognition abilities is conditional on the eco-evolutionary context of prey. Here, we examined the behavioral responses of naïve and experienced mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) to simulated acoustic cues from natural predators. METHODS: We studied experienced individuals in the Uxpanapa Valley and naïve individuals in Los Tuxtlas (Veracruz, México). Jaguars (Panthera onca) and harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja), the main predators of howler monkeys, are extant in the Uxpanapa Valley but have been extirpated in Los Tuxtlas for approximately 70 and 45 years, respectively. We exposed six naïve and six experienced groups to playbacks of acoustic stimuli from the two predators and a non-predator control species (plain chachalacas, Ortalis vetula), and recorded the latency, frequency, and duration of antipredation behaviors (n = 127 trials). RESULTS: In contrast with experienced mantled howler monkeys, naïve subjects did not respond to trials from harpy eagles. However, response patterns were generally similar between naïve and experienced individuals when exposed to jaguar stimuli. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that naïve mantled howler monkeys do not recognize harpy eagle calls, but they respond to jaguar calls in a manner consistent with experienced individuals. These results illustrate how different mechanisms for the recognition of extirpated predators operate within a single species according to evolutionary and ecological experience.
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Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a severe and extraordinarily lethal infectious disease, has emerged as a widespread public health crisis among predominantly vulnerable populations in several countries of Latin America, particularly evident in northern Mexico. Historically, RMSF has gained less attention than many other tropical infectious diseases, resulting in insufficient allocations of resources and development of capabilities for its prevention and control in endemic regions. We argue that RMSF fulfills accepted criteria for a neglected tropical disease (NTD). The relative neglect of RMSF in most Latin American countries contributes to disparities in morbidity and mortality witnessed in this region. By recognizing RMSF as an NTD, an increased public policy interest, equitable and more appropriate allocation of resources, scientific interest, and social participation can ameliorate the impact of this potentially treatable disease, particularly in vulnerable populations.
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Doenças Negligenciadas , Febre Maculosa das Montanhas Rochosas , Humanos , América Latina/epidemiologia , Doenças Negligenciadas/epidemiologia , Doenças Negligenciadas/prevenção & controle , Febre Maculosa das Montanhas Rochosas/epidemiologia , Medicina TropicalRESUMO
We describe 5 children who had Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and manifested clinical symptoms similar to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in Sonora, Mexico, where RMSF is hyperendemic. Physicians should consider RMSF in differential diagnoses of hospitalized patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome to prevent illness and death caused by rickettsial disease.
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Febre Maculosa das Montanhas Rochosas , Síndrome de Resposta Inflamatória Sistêmica , Humanos , México , Síndrome de Resposta Inflamatória Sistêmica/diagnóstico , Criança , Masculino , Febre Maculosa das Montanhas Rochosas/diagnóstico , Feminino , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Pré-Escolar , Adolescente , HospitalizaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) is the most common adult-onset focal facial dystonia and its treatment of choice is periodic application of botulinum toxin (BtA). It has a higher incidence in middle and late adulthood, especially in women between 40 and 60 years of age. OBJECTIVE: To carry out the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the CDQ24 questionnaire in its Spanish version in patients diagnosed with BEB who have been treated with BtA in an ophthalmologic center in Bogotá - Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pilot test of validation study and adaptation of a scale assembled in a prospective cohort of the CDQ24 instrument to Spanish in adult patients with primary blepharospasm treated with botulinum toxin in Bogota, Colombia. RESULTS: We obtained a sample of 26 patients to whom the instrument was applied after translation and retranslation of the original document, composed of 19 (73%) women with a median age of 64.5 years; the average time to answer the survey was 4.93â¯min. The internal consistency of the scale evaluated by Cronbach's Alpha had a total score of 0.78. Criterion validity between the CDQ24 scale and the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life scale was determined by determining correlation between the Emotional Well-Being and Phsychological domains of both scales. CONCLUSIONS: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the CDQ-24 scale into Spanish allowed the applicability of the instrument to the Spanish-speaking population during the pilot test, which allows us to continue the relevant studies in the study population.
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Blefarospasmo , Comparação Transcultural , Traduções , Humanos , Blefarospasmo/tratamento farmacológico , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Projetos Piloto , Masculino , Idoso , Adulto , Estudos Prospectivos , Colômbia , Qualidade de Vida , Inquéritos e Questionários , Toxinas Botulínicas/uso terapêutico , Fármacos Neuromusculares/uso terapêutico , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Toxinas Botulínicas Tipo A/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sensitization to Blomia tropicalis is associated with asthma in various tropical and subtropical countries; however, information about the specific molecular components associated with this disease is scarce. Using molecular diagnosis, we sought to identify B tropicalis allergens associated with asthma in Colombia. METHODS: Specific IgE (sIgE) to 8 B tropicalis recombinant allergens (Blo t 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 21) was determined using an in-house ELISA system in asthma patients (n=272) and controls (n=298) recruited in a national prevalence study performed in several Colombian cities (Barranquilla, Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and San Andrés). The study sample included children and adults (mean [SD] age, 28 [17] years). Cross-reactivity between Blo t 5 and Blo t 21 was evaluated using ELISA-inhibition. RESULTS: Specific IgE (sIgE) to 8 B tropicalis recombinant allergens (Blo t 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 21) was determined using an in-house ELISA system in asthma patients (n=272) and controls (n=298) recruited in a national prevalence study performed in several Colombian cities (Barranquilla, Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, and San Andrés). The study sample included children and adults (mean [SD] age, 28 [17] years). Cross-reactivity between Blo t 5 and Blo t 21 was evaluated using ELISA-inhibition. CONCLUSION: Although Blo t 5 and Blo t 21 are considered common sensitizers, this is the first report of their association with asthma. Both components should be included in molecular panels for diagnosis of allergy in the tropics.
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Alérgenos , Asma , Imunoglobulina E , Humanos , Asma/imunologia , Asma/diagnóstico , Asma/epidemiologia , Imunoglobulina E/imunologia , Imunoglobulina E/sangue , Adulto , Masculino , Feminino , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Criança , Adolescente , Colômbia/epidemiologia , Alérgenos/imunologia , Adulto Jovem , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Antígenos de Plantas/imunologia , Reações Cruzadas , Clima Tropical , Prevalência , Pré-EscolarRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: it is estimated that 302 million people worldwide are affected by osteoarthritis, corresponding to 60% osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, which responsible 80% of disability in older adults, hence the importance of the association of the sign with the early inflammatory process in OA. OBJECTIVE: to determine the association of digital pressure sign in patients with and without osteoarthritis of the knee. MATERIAL AND METHODS: this was an observational, comparative cross-sectional study, carried out in patients with and without a diagnosis of knee OA, to whom the digital pressure sign was determined. The sample was calculated with the formula for two proportions, obtaining a total of 40 participants per group, obtained by non-probabilistic sampling for convenience. The statistical analysis included frequencies, percentages, 2 and OR. The bioethics regulations in force were respected. RESULTS: the study included 80 participants, with a median age of 48.9 years (RQI 46-53.7), 73.1% were predominantly female sex (38), and a statistically significant association was found between patients with OA and the presence of digital pressure sign, 2 4.62 and p value = 0.41, OR of 2.65. CONCLUSIONS: the presence of digital pressure sign increases the probability of having OA 2.65 times more.
INTRODUCCIÓN: se estima que 302 millones de personas en el mundo son afectadas por osteoartritis, correspondiendo 60% a osteoartritis (OA) de rodilla, causante de 80% de discapacidad en adultos mayores, de ahí la importancia de la asociación del signo de digito-presión con el proceso inflamatorio temprano en OA. OBJETIVO: determinar la asociación del signo de digito-presión en pacientes con y sin osteoartritis de rodilla. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio observacional, transversal comparativo, realizado en pacientes con y sin diagnóstico de OA de rodilla, a quienes se les determinó el signo de digito-presión; la muestra se calculó con la fórmula para dos proporciones que determinó un total de 40 participantes por grupo, obtenidos por muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia; el análisis estadístico incluyó frecuencias, porcentajes, 2 y OR. Se respetó la reglamentación de bioética vigente. RESULTADOS: el estudio incluyó a 80 participantes, con una mediana de edad de 48.9 años (RIQ 46-53.7), predominó el sexo femenino en 73.1% (38). Se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre pacientes con OA y la presencia del signo de digito-presión, 2 4.62 y p = 0.41, OR de 2.65. CONCLUSIONES: la presencia del signo de digito-presión aumenta 2.65 veces más la probabilidad de tener OA.
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Osteoartrite do Joelho , Pressão , Humanos , Feminino , Estudos Transversais , Masculino , Osteoartrite do Joelho/patologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dedos , IdosoRESUMO
One of the initial steps in the preprocessing of digital fundoscopy images is the identification of pixels containing relevant information. This can be achieved through different approaches, one of them is implementing background extraction, reducing the set of pixels to be analyzed later in the process. In this work, we present a background extraction method for digital fundoscopy images based on computational topology. By interpreting binarized images as cubical complexes and extracting their homological groups in 1 and 2 dimensions we identify a subset of luminescence values that can be used to binarize the original grayscale image, obtaining a mask to achieve background extraction. This method is robust to noise and suboptimal image quality, facilitating the analytical pipeline in the context of computer aided diagnosis approaches. This method facilitates the segmentation of the background of a digital fundoscopy image, which allows further methods to focus on pixels with relevant information (eye fundus). This tool is best suited to be implemented in the preprocessing stages of the analytical pipeline by computational ophthalmology specialists.â¢It is robust to noise and low-quality images.â¢Output provides an ideal scenario for down-the-line analysis by facilitating only relevant pixels in a digital fundoscopy.
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BACKGROUND: Exposure to toxins during pregnancy is the main modifiable behavior that affects the placenta and, consequently, the fetus. In particular, smoking is a recognized risk factor for negative outcomes. Our study pretended to examine gross and microscopic placental features in women who reported exposure to tobacco, alcohol, or other psychoactive substances. METHODS: In this observational case-control study, we collected 706 placentas to assess precise substance exposure histological-interaction features of in the placenta. We examined gross and microscopic placental features, and then recorded maternal and newborn clinical conditions. RESULTS: We found that 4.8% of mothers admitted to consumption of some type of (harmful) substance. The most common pre-existing maternal condition was obesity (20.3%); predominant complications included amniotic infection (32.3%), urinary tract infection (14.5%) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (14.5%). In newborns, we discovered positive associations as respiratory distress syndrome. Macroscopically, exposed mothers had heavier placentas, more true knots, and single umbilical artery; microscopically, they were more likely to exhibit fetal vascular malperfusion (FVM). CONCLUSIONS: Until our present study, no research linked umbilical cord defects to toxic substance exposure; our study results do confirm association with adverse outcomes in neonates and alterations in the neuro-cardio-placental circuit through FVM. IMPLICATIONS: The results are confirming the importance of this modifiable risk factor and how its presence may potentially affect the course of pregnancy, as well as the health of both mother and child.
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Placenta , Complicações na Gravidez , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias , Humanos , Feminino , Gravidez , Placenta/patologia , Recém-Nascido , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Adulto , Complicações na Gravidez/epidemiologia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/complicações , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/efeitos adversos , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/epidemiologia , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Fumar/epidemiologia , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
The increase in prices of fertilizers, energy and other materials necessary for the industry triggered a global economic crisis. Reason that was investigated on the biological and chemical characteristics in relation to the yield of radish nourished with humus from plant residue. The objective was to determine the appropriate dose of humus to obtain greater yield and its relationship with the chemical and biological characteristics of the radish. It is based on applied methodology with an experimental approach; Therefore, the Completely Random Block Design model was used, which consisted of 3 blocks and 5 treatments that were T1 with 0, T2 with 4, T3 with 6, T4 with 8 and T5 with 10 t/ha of humus and They applied 15 days after sowing. The physical characteristics of the radish were evaluated and processed using analysis of variance and Duncan. Concentration of elements in leaves and stomatal density were also analyzed. It was determined that T5 stood out in total plant length with 28.95 cm, plant weight with 76.87 g, equatorial diameter with 4,404 cm and commercial yield with 20,296 t/ha. Nitrogen consumption in relation to yield with 247.44 kg/ha. Stomatal density 459 stomata/mm2 and profitability with 150% and nutrient concentration in leaves highlighted T4 with N, K, Ca, Mg, Mo and Zn. It concludes that T5 stood out with 20,296 t/ha, which differed by 26.04% in relation to the control (T1) with 15,011 t/ha. Therefore, this dose added nutrients to the soil that improved the availability for plant absorption and this influenced the concentration of nutrients in leaves such as N, P and Fe and stomatal density with 459 stomata/mm2, which had a response in good development, strengthening against environmental stress and therefore greater performance.