US uncertainty shocks, credit, production, and prices: The case of fourteen Latin American countries

The extant literature has examined the impact of United States’ uncertainty shocks on developed and large emerging market economies. However, this research has not accounted for global cycles in production, credit, and prices, which can influence the estimates of the effects of US uncertainty on the rest of the world. The effects of uncertainty in highly indebted emerging open economies, which depend heavily on US financial and real conditions, have not been studied. We analyze the effects of uncertainty shocks on 14 Latin American countries (LACs) of various sizes and various levels of dependence on US financial and real flows. Latin America is a highly indebted and heterogeneous region that is sensitive to US economic and financial conditions, particularly uncertainty, in its various dimensions: real, financial, and policy related (including monetary policy). Our results show that the effects of real and financial uncertainty are more significant and long lasting than the effects of economic and monetary policy uncertainty, as measured by the use of uncertainty-related key words. All forms of uncertainty have a larger and more persistent impact on the gross domestic product of countries than the impact on credit and prices. In general, uncertainty in the US depresses economic activity in Latin America, although there is significant heterogeneity in the effects, which warrants detailed analysis of individual countries when considering policy implementation and portfolio diversificatio

Effects of the breed, sex and age on cellular content and growth factor release from equine pure-platelet rich plasma and pure-platelet rich gel

Background: There is no information on the effects of the breed, gender and age on the cellular content and growth factor (GF) release from equine pure-platelet rich plasma (P-PRP) and pure-platelet rich gel (P-PRG). The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the cellular composition of P-PRP with whole blood and platelet poor plasma (PPP); 2) to compare the concentration of transforming GF beta 1 (TGF-β1) and platelet derived GF isoform BB (PDGF-BB) between P-PRP treated with non-ionic detergent (P-PRP+NID), P-PRG (activated with calcium gluconate -CG-), PPP+NID, PPP gel (PPG), and plasma and; 3) to evaluate and to correlate the effect of the breed, gender and age on the cellular and GF concentration for each blood component. Forty adult horses, 20 Argentinean Creole Horses (ACH) and, 20 Colombian Creole Horses (CCH) were included. Data were analyzed by parametric (i.e.: t-test, one way ANOVA) and non parametric (Kruskal-Wallis test, Wilcoxon test) tests. Correlation analysis was also performed by using the Spearman and Pearson tests. A p ≤ 0.05 was set as significant for all tests. All the blood components were compared for platelet (PLT), leukocyte (WBC), TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB concentrations. The effect of the breed, gender and age on these variables was analyzed. A P ≤ 0.05 was accepted as significant for all the tests. Results: PLT counts were 1.8 and 0.6 times higher in P-PRP than in whole blood and PPP, respectively; WBC counts were 0.5 and 0.1 times lower in P-PRP, in comparison with whole blood and PPP, respectively. TGF-β1 and PDGF-BB concentrations were 2.3 and 262 times higher, respectively, in P-PRG than in plasma, and 0.59 and 0.48 times higher, respectively, in P-PRG than in PPG. P-PRG derived from CCH females or young horses presented significantly (P < 0.001) higher PDGF-BB concentrations than P-PRG derived from ACH males or older horses. Conclusions: Our results indicated that P-PRP obtained by a manual method was affected by intrinsic factors such as the breed, gender and age. Equine practitioners should be aware that cellular and GF release from P-PRP/P-PRG could change according with the intrinsic variables associated with a patient in particular

Terras Pretas de Índio of the Caquetá-Japurá River (Colombian Amazonia)

Amazonian dark earths, or terra preta, constitute archaeological evidence of ancient human settlements. They are distributed throughout the Amazon basin, especially concentrated along its major rivers. In the region of La Pedrera, on the Caquetá (Japurá) River in Colombian Amazonia, archaeological studies have demonstrated the presence of these fertile soils extending over areas of 3 to 5 hectares with an anthropic horizon that varies from 70 cm to 1.2 m in depth. Associated with the sites are faunal remains from fish, turtles, and small rodents, as well as a high density of ceramic fragments and botanical remains, including phytoliths, charcoal, and seeds, the latter two dated to between 6500 and 1300 yBP. Archaeobotanical data (seeds and phytoliths) suggest intensive use of palms by pre-Columbian peoples. High sample densities were observed for the following species: canangucha/burití (Mauritia flexuosa), asaí/açaí (Euterpe precatoria), seje/batauá (Oenocarpus bataua), milpesito/bacabinha (O. bacaba), chambira/tucuma (Astrocaryum chambira), palma real/inajai (Attalea maripa), puy/caraná (Lepidocaryum tenue), and species of the genus Bactris. Archaeological remains of manioc (Manihot esculenta), maize (Zea mays), and squash (Cucurbita sp.) were also identified, along with the following fruit species: Annona sp., ice cream bean/guama (Inga edulis), cocoa/cacau (Theobroma cacao), cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) and pineapple (Ananas comosus). Various herbaceous taxa, indicators of disturbed areas, were also identified, along with elements used in the elaboration of ceramics (Licania sp.). These preliminary results suggest that the Amazonian dark earths of La Pedrera were used for agricultural production and human habitation. We also note that their location, near rapids, is strategic for fishing and land management

Disrupción auriculoventricular posterior a reoperación de reemplazo valvular mitral: reparación y evaluación ecocardiográfica

ResumenLa disrupción auriculoventricular después del reemplazo valvular mitral es una rara pero letal complicación. Este caso es el de una mujer de 72 años de edad, con antecedentes de: reemplazo valvular aórtico, mitral, plastia tricúspide y Maze. Se llevó al reemplazo valvular mitral con prótesis Hancock 29 mitral. Se trasladó a la UCI y el curso postoperatorio fue normal hasta las 24 horas después de la cirugía, cuando presentó disnea y requirió soporte inotrópico. Se le realizó un angiotac y un ecocardiograma transtorácico que evidenció pseudoaneurisma ventricular. Fue llevada a cirugía, se inició circulación extracorpórea. Se evidenció disrupción auriculoventricular en el anillo posterior de la válvula mitral (tipo I perforación). La ruptura fue cerrada con un parche mixto de pericardio bovino y dacron con sutura continua. Actualmente, la paciente está en buenas condiciones sin recurrencia. Investigamos: el caso, la etiología, el reparo quirúrgico y la prevención de esta rara complicación y se discute.AbstractAtrioventricular disruption after a mitral valve replacement is a rare but fatal complication. A case of 72 year-old woman is presented. She had a medical history of aortic and mitral valve replacement and Maze and tricuspid valve surgery. Mitral valve replacement was performed with Hancock 29 mitral prosthesis. She was taken to ICU and postoperative progress was normal until 24hours after the surgery, when she developed dyspnea and required inotropic support. A CT angiography and transthoracic echocardiogram were performed, which evidence a ventricular pseudoaneurysm. She was taken to the operating room to start extracorporeal circulation. Atrioventricular disruption was evidenced in the posterior mitral annulus (type I perforation). Rupture was closed with a using a mixed Dacron and bovine pericardial patch with continuous suture. Patient is currently in good condition with no recurrence. Case, etiology, surgical repair and prevention of this rare complication were investigated and discussed

Diurnal butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) associated to a citric plantation of the Cauca river canyon, Caldas - Colombia

El entorno natural es y ha sido modificado acorde a las necesidades humanas, ya sea para la urbanización o la expansión de las áreas de cultivo. El cambio en la cobertura de las áreas trae consigo un cambio en la diversidad asociada. Los insectos son uno de los grupos mejor estudiados en ecosistemas agrícolas, sin embargo dicho conocimiento se limita generalmente a las especies plaga y sus reguladores biológicos. Las mariposas han sido usadas como un grupo indicador ya que permiten evaluar el impacto de las prácticas de manejo y modificación del hábitat. Esto, motivó el estudió de la diversidad de mariposas diurnas asociadas a un agroecosistema citrícola en el cañón del río Cauca, Colombia. El muestreo arrojó un registro de 76 especies representadas mayoritariamente por la familia Nymphalidae. Este trabajo contribuye así al conocimiento de la lepidopterofauna colombiana y a incrementar los datos de distribución de mariposas diurnas en América.The natural environment is and has been modified according to human needs either by urbanization or for expansion of cultivation areas. Changes in areas coverage involve a transformation in their associated diversity. Insects are one the best studied groups in agricultural ecosystems but such knowledge is generally limited to pest species and their biological regulators. Butterflies have been used as an indicator group to assess the impact of management practices and habitat modification. This prompted the study of diurnal butterflies diversity associated with a citric agroecosystem in the canyon of the Cauca River, Colombia. The sampling yielded a record of 76 species represented mainly by the family Nymphalidae. This work contributes to the knowledge of the Colombian Lepidoptera and increases data distribution of diurnal butterflies in America

Anura assemblages in three areas with human intervention in the national natural park Los Katíos (Colombia)

Se evaluó la estructura y composición de los ensamblajes de anuros en tres zonas con diferente grado de intervención humana en el PNN Los Katíos, las cuales fueron el bosque El Tendal (bosque sucesión tardía), un bosque de Teca (bosque transformado) y el Poblado Sautatá (bosque urbanizado). Se evaluó la representatividad del muestreo utilizando el estimador no paramétrico Jackknife 1, y se describió el patrón de diversidad utilizando los índices de riqueza de especie, dominancia de Simpson (Ds), equitabilidad de Pielou (J) e incertidumbre de Shannon-Wiener (H). Se utilizó la técnica de re-muestreo (bootstrapping) para comparar los atributos de diversidad establecidos, y se evaluó la similitud entre los ensamblajes mediante un análisis de agrupamiento pareado no ponderado (UPMGA) utilizando el índice de similitud de Bray-Curtis. Se registraron 507 individuos pertenecientes a 20 especies, incluidas en nueve familias y 14 géneros. Con el esfuerzo de muestreo realizado se registró el 68% de especies esperadas en el Poblado Sautatá, el 72% en el bosque de Teca y el 87% en el bosque El Tendal. La mayor riqueza, menor dominancia, mayor equitabilidad y mayor diversidad de anfibios se registró en el bosque El Tendal (13 especies; Ds = 0,22; J = 0,75; H'=1,91 bits ind-1), seguida por el bosque de Teca (10 especies; Ds = 0,22; J =0,76; H'=1,75 bits ind-1), siendo mayor la dominancia y significativamente menor la diversidad en el Poblado Sautatá (10 especies; Ds = 0,44; J = 0,55; H'=1,26 bits ind-1).&amp;nbsp;Rhaebo haematiticus, Rhaebo hypomelas,&amp;nbsp;Espadarana callistomma,&amp;nbsp;Hypsiboas rosenbergiy, Lithobates vaillanti&amp;nbsp;solo fueron capturadas en el bosque El Tendal, mientras que&amp;nbsp;Smilis casordida&amp;nbsp;solo fue capturada en el bosque de Teca, y&amp;nbsp;Rhinella marina,&amp;nbsp;Scinax boulengeri&amp;nbsp;y&amp;nbsp;Leptodactylus insularum&amp;nbsp;en el Poblado Sautatá. La mayor diversidad y el mayor número de especies exclusivas que fueron registradas en el bosque El Tendal probablemente estén relacionados con una mayor heterogeneidad de hábitat, lo que proporciona una mayor oferta de recursos y protección contra la desecación.The structure and composition of anuran assemblages were evaluated in three zones with differing degree of human intervention at Los KatíosNational Natural Park. The zones were the forest of El Tendal (late successional forest), a forest of teak (intervened forest) and the village of Sautatá (urbanized forest). Sample representativeness was evaluated using the non-parametric estimator Jackknife 1. The diversity pattern was described using species richness indices, Simpson's dominance (Ds), Pielou's equitability (J) and Shannon-Wiener (H) uncertainty index. The assemblage attributes were compared using&amp;nbsp;bootstrapping&amp;nbsp;techniques and similitude among assemblages was evaluated withan UPMGA hierarchical clustering method using the Bray-Curtis index. A total of 507 individuals belonging to 20 species were recorded, including nine families and 14 genera. The sampling effort yielded 68% of expected species in the village of Sautatá, 72% of expected species in the teak plantation and 87% of expected species in El Tendal forest. The highest richness, lowest dominance, highest equitability and highest amphibian diversity were recorded at El Tendal forest (13 species; Ds = 0.22; J = 0.75; H'=1.91 bits ind-1), followed by the teak forest (10 species; Ds = 0.22; J =0.76; H'=1.75 bits ind-1). Dominance was higher and diversity was significantly lower at the village of Sautatá (10 species; Ds = 0.44; J = 0.55; H'=1.26 bits ind-1). Rhaebo haematiticus, Rhaebo hypomelas,&amp;nbsp;Espadarana callistomma,&amp;nbsp;Hypsiboas rosenbergi&amp;nbsp;and&amp;nbsp;Lithobates vaillanti&amp;nbsp;were captured only at the Tendal forest,&amp;nbsp;Smilis casordida&amp;nbsp;was only captured at the teak forest, and&amp;nbsp;Rhinella marina,Scinax boulengeri and&amp;nbsp;Leptodactylus insularum&amp;nbsp;were only captured at the village of Sautatá. The highest diversity and highest number of exclusive species were recorded at the El Tendal forest. This result is probably related to a higher habitat heterogeneity, which would provide a higher number of refuges and protection against desiccation for anurans

Study of a Two-Step Centrifugation Protocol for Concentrating Cells and Growth Factors in Bovine Platelet-Rich Plasma

There is a lack of information about the methods used for bovine platelet-rich plasma (PRP)/platelet-rich gel (PRG) procurement, including information on platelet (PLT), white blood cell (WBC) in PRP, and growth factor release from PRG supernatants. The aims of this study were to compare and to correlate the PLT, WBC, transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) concentrations in bovine whole blood, plasma, and four PRP layers and their respective PRG supernatants: A and B (obtained by a single centrifugation tube method at 720g/5 min) and C and D (obtained by a double centrifugation tube method, by using two centrifugation episodes at 720g/5 min). PLT and WBC counts were significantly higher in PRP-C, followed by whole blood, PRP-A, PRP-B, and PRP-D. TGF-β1 concentrations were significantly higher in PRG-B supernatants and its correspondent PRP-B lysate when compared to the other PRG supernatants and plasma. Supernatants from PRG-A, PRG-B, and PRG-D had equivalent TGF-β1 concentrations. PDGF-BB concentrations were not statistically different between the hemoderivatives. Significant Pearson correlations were noted between PLT counts and WBC counts (0.8) and between PLT counts and PLT distribution width (0.6). Further studies should be performed to assess the potential clinical applications of these PRPs

An early warning for better planning of agricultural expansion and biodiversity conservation in the Orinoco high plains of Colombia

The eastern high plains of the Orinoco region in Colombia are known as ‘Altillanura’. They are considered the future agricultural frontier of Colombia. Unfortunately, an agricultural expansion without taking in consideration areas of high biodiversity and conservation of fragile ecosystems that are ecologically irreplaceable will likely fail in providing a sustainable grow. An orderly management planning of the territory based on scientific evidence is currently lacking for this region. Specifically, studies that combine biodiversity data and agricultural information are a major research gap. This study analyses the spatial patterns of species richness and endemism of flora and fauna at the site and subregional levels. We compared the spatial changes of biodiversity patterns with aspects related to the expansion of the agricultural frontier and its possible impacts. We found a west-to-east pattern; sites closer to the Andes were more exposed to ecological degradation than those in the east. Santa Rosalía and Puerto Lopez are the municipalities with the most remarkable species diversity. Conversely, La Primavera municipality has the most significant number of endemic species. Our spatial changes results raise the alarm showing that hotspots of diversity closer to the municipalities of Puerto Lopez and Puerto Gaitan are under more pressure than underdeveloped municipalities (La Primavera and Puerto Carreño). Our results could serve as a baseline to identify spatial changes of agrobiodiversity and a guideline for land-use planning, regional policies and local decision-makers to improve regional development in Colombia’s eastern plains region