Living in a cold tropical mountain: do the microhabitat use and activity pattern change with elevation in the high-Andean lizard Stenocercus trachycephalus (Squamata: Tropiduridae)?

The high mountain environment is a tough habitat that imposes many challenges to reptiles. As temperature decreases with altitude and has a dramatic variation throughout the day in the tropical mountains, ectotherms must cope with these harsh conditions. We studied the use of microhabitat and activity patterns of Stenocercus trachycephalus in the eastern Andes mountain range of Colombia. Three localities were sampled across the wide altitudinal distribution of this lizard species, in a range from 2,670 to 3,950 m a.s.l. The initial hypothesis was that these natural history traits would change with altitude but instead, we found that they remained roughly consistent, showing the great plasticity of this species. The results support that this lizard is a microhabitat-generalist using principally herb across the gradient, rarely shifting to specific plants or microhabitats such as rocks depending on availability. Regarding the activity pattern, this species was active throughout the day from 8:00 to 16:00 with a similar pattern along the gradient. Nevertheless, some differences were detected across localities. The activity pattern shifted from bimodal in the lower locality to unimodal in the higher ones. As expected, a correlation between temperature and activity patterns was found in one of the study sites. However, this was not the case for the lower and mid-elevation localities, where there was no correlation between these variables. The mid-elevation study site was the most interesting locality as the use of microhabitat relied virtually just on the herb stratum and the activity was constrained to the morning hours. These findings may be the result of the synergic effects of other ecological variables (weather variability, human impact, predation, population structure, or reproductive season). Our study gives the basis for a better understanding of how behavior (microhabitat choice and hours of activity) of ectotherms can help to counter thermal constraints in the neotropics when facing an altitudinal gradient. Further studies should focus on the thermal biology of this species, considering the influence of anthropic impact on these lizards’ populations

Herpetofauna de dos municipios del suroeste de Colombia

We present a preliminary list of the herpetofauna of Tumaco and Francisco Pizarro municipalities, department of Nariño, Colombia, located in the south of the Chocó biogeographic region, based on field data and on museum collection databases and literature. We recorded 25 species of amphibians and 55 reptiles. The most species-rich families were Hylidae and Craugastoridae for amphibians, and Colubridae and Dactyloidae for reptiles, a pattern similar to that observed on a global scale. Two new species records for Colombia are presented -Pristimantis walkeri and Scinax tsachila, as well as range extensions for Allobates talamancae, Anolis auratus, Dendropsophus ebraccatus, Gonatodes albogularis and Scinax sugillatus. Species accumulation curves and sampling coverage reveal that more field studies are needed for complementing this list, especially studies using methodologies focused on aquatic and fossorial species, and that there could be an effect of deforestation on the diversity of the herpetofauna, which concurs with the lack of canopy amphibians and the exclusive presence of species associated with leaf litter or forest interior in the locations with best plant coverage.Se presenta un listado preliminar de la herpetofauna de los municipios de Tumaco y Francisco Pizarro, departamento de Nariño, Colombia, ubicados al sur del Chocó biogeográfico, basado en datos de campo y búsquedas en base de datos y literatura. Registramos 25 especies de anfibios y 55 de reptiles, siendo las familias Hylidae y Craugastoridae (anfibios) y las familias Colubridae y Dactyloidae (reptiles) las de mayor riqueza, patrón similar al observado a escala global. Se reportan dos nuevos registros de especies para Colombia (Pristimantis walkeri y Scinax tsachila), así como extensiones de distribución geográfica (Allobates talamancae, Anolis auratus, Dendropsophus ebraccatus, Gonatodes albogularis y Scinax sugillatus). Las curvas de acumulación de especies y la cobertura de muestreo revelan que se necesitan más estudios de campo para complementar esta lista, especialmente los estudios que utilizan metodologías enfocadas en especies acuáticas y fosoriales, y que podría haber un efecto de la deforestación en la diversidad de la herpetofauna, lo cual concuerda con la falta de anfibios de dosel y la presencia exclusiva de especies asociadas a la hojarasca o al interior del bosque en las localidades con mejor cobertura vegetal

Healthcare workers hospitalized due to COVID-19 have no higher risk of death than general population. Data from the Spanish SEMI-COVID-19 Registry

Aim To determine whether healthcare workers (HCW) hospitalized in Spain due to COVID-19 have a worse prognosis than non-healthcare workers (NHCW). Methods Observational cohort study based on the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, a nationwide registry that collects sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data on patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in Spain. Patients aged 20-65 years were selected. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed to identify factors associated with mortality. Results As of 22 May 2020, 4393 patients were included, of whom 419 (9.5%) were HCW. Median (interquartile range) age of HCW was 52 (15) years and 62.4% were women. Prevalence of comorbidities and severe radiological findings upon admission were less frequent in HCW. There were no difference in need of respiratory support and admission to intensive care unit, but occurrence of sepsis and in-hospital mortality was lower in HCW (1.7% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.024 and 0.7% vs. 4.8%; p<0.001 respectively). Age, male sex and comorbidity, were independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality and healthcare working with lower mortality (OR 0.211, 95%CI 0.067-0.667, p = 0.008). 30-days survival was higher in HCW (0.968 vs. 0.851 p<0.001). Conclusions Hospitalized COVID-19 HCW had fewer comorbidities and a better prognosis than NHCW. Our results suggest that professional exposure to COVID-19 in HCW does not carry more clinical severity nor mortality

Comparative phylogeography of four squamate reptile species from Cundiboyacense high plateau, eastern cordillera of Colombia

ilustraciones, fotografías, graficasEn el estudio de la distribución geográfica de la estructura genética intraespecífica y de los procesos y mecanismos subyacentes, el enfoque comparativo permite encontrar congruencias entre especies codistribuidas, y de este modo probar diferentes hipótesis con mayor soporte o evidencia, encontrando factores comunes. Recientemente, se han empezado a realizar este tipo de estudios en la región tropical. Sin embargo, los estudios en altiplanos son escasos. En el presente trabajo, se caracterizaron los patrones filogeográficos de cuatro especies codistribuidas de reptiles escamados del altiplano cundiboyacense, en la cordillera oriental de Colombia, desde un enfoque comparativo, tanto a nivel espacial como temporal. Se realizaron reconstrucciones filogenéticas, redes de haplotipos y se definieron grupos genéticos con base tanto en algoritmos de delimitación de especies o linajes, como en métodos coalescentes y AMOVA. También se calcularon distancias, índices de diversidad genética y se aplicaron métodos de reloj molecular filogenéticos y coalescentes. Anadia bogotensis y Stenocercus trachycephalus comparten una misma estructura filogeográfica asociada a las unidades geográficas del altiplano cundiboyacense, mientras que Riama striata y Atractus crassicaudatus comparten un patrón diferente. A. bogotensis y R. striata presentan linajes del Mioceno-Plioceno, mientras que las otras especies presentan unidades demográficas del Pleistoceno. Se discute como las similitudes ecológicas y orografías complejas y conservadas propician patrones filogeográficos concordantes, incluso en tiempos geológicos diferentes, pero con procesos o eventos análogos. Esto por medio de un mecanismo atemporal común de diversificación de linajes o estructuración de poblaciones bajo ciertas hipótesis o sistemas de diversificación-dispersión en la herpetofauna del altiplano cundiboyacense. (Texto tomado de la fuente)For the study of geographical distribution of intraspecific genetic structure, and its subjacent processes and mechanisms, a comparative approach leads to find congruences between co-distributed species, and thus tests different hypothesis with best support or evidence, finding common factors. Recently, this kind of studies have started to be developed in the tropical region. However, studies focused on plateaus are scarce. In the present study, phylogeographic patterns were identified on four co-distributed species of squamate reptiles in the Cundiboyacense plateau, Eastern cordillera of Colombia, using a comparative approach; both spatially and temporally. Phylogenetic reconstructions and haplotype networks were performed and genetic groups were defined based on species or lineages delimitation algorithms, as well as coalescent methods and AMOVA. Also, genetic distances and genetic diversity indices were calculated and both phylogenetic and coalescent molecular clock methods were performed. Anadia bogotensis and Stenocercus trachycephalus share the same phylogeographical structure associated with geographic units of Cundiboyacense plateau, while Riama striata and Atractus crassicaudatus share a different pattern. Anadia bogotensis and R. striata showed lineages from Miocene-Pliocene, while for the other species Pleistocene demographic units were revealed. It is discussed how ecological similarities and conserve and complex orographies boost concordant phylogeographic patterns, even in different geological periods, but with analogous processes or events. This being possible through common atemporal mechanisms of lineage diversification or populational structuring under certain diversification-dispersion hypothesis or systems in the herpetofauna of the Cundiboyacense plateauMaestríaMagíster en Ciencias - BiologíaFilogeografía, sistemática molecular, genética de poblacione

Benchmarking interinstitucional para el mejoramiento de la calidad académica y la permanencia estudiantil

El libro corresponde a un esfuerzo de trabajo en la Red Universitaria por la Permanencia Estudiantil y la Graduación Oportuna (RUPPEGO) como alianza para la transferencia del conocimiento en temas de deserción estudiantil en la educación superior y como recurso para el benchmarking orientado al aprendizaje mutuo

Morichales, cananguchales y otros palmares inundables de Suramérica. Parte II: Colombia, Venezuela, Brasil, Perú, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay y Argentina

El libro está dividido en cuatro partes. En la primera sección se incluye un análisis muy completo sobre el estado del conocimiento, uso y conservación de Mauritia flexuosa en Suramérica. En la segunda parte se consideran varios casos de estudio (11) sobre comunidades de plantas asociadas, demografía, polinizadores, aves y mamíferos relacionados, así como temas de manejo y ecoturismo en palmares de Mauritia flexuosa. La tercera sección incluye aportes de varios países sobre otros palmares, principalmente de Astrocaryum jauari, Butia odorata, B. paraguayensis, Copernicia alba, C. tectorum, Euterpe oleracea, Manicaria saccifera, Mauritiella aculeata y Roystonea oleracea. También se aporta información de 25 especies adicionales de palmas, incluyendo los usos, dinámica de poblaciones, biología reproductiva, florística de humedales asociados y conservación, entre otros aspectos. Por último, en la cuarta parte se dan las conclusiones y recomendaciones para la conservación de los palmares inundables en Suramérica.Bogotá, D. C

Switching TNF antagonists in patients with chronic arthritis: An observational study of 488 patients over a four-year period

The objective of this work is to analyze the survival of infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab in patients who have switched among tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists for the treatment of chronic arthritis. BIOBADASER is a national registry of patients with different forms of chronic arthritis who are treated with biologics. Using this registry, we have analyzed patient switching of TNF antagonists. The cumulative discontinuation rate was calculated using the actuarial method. The log-rank test was used to compare survival curves, and Cox regression models were used to assess independent factors associated with discontinuing medication. Between February 2000 and September 2004, 4,706 patients were registered in BIOBADASER, of whom 68% had rheumatoid arthritis, 11% ankylosing spondylitis, 10% psoriatic arthritis, and 11% other forms of chronic arthritis. One- and two-year drug survival rates of the TNF antagonist were 0.83 and 0.75, respectively. There were 488 patients treated with more than one TNF antagonist. In this situation, survival of the second TNF antagonist decreased to 0.68 and 0.60 at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Survival was better in patients replacing the first TNF antagonist because of adverse events (hazard ratio (HR) for discontinuation 0.55 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34-0.84)), and worse in patients older than 60 years (HR 1.10 (95% CI 0.97-2.49)) or who were treated with infliximab (HR 3.22 (95% CI 2.13-4.87)). In summary, in patients who require continuous therapy and have failed to respond to a TNF antagonist, replacement with a different TNF antagonist may be of use under certain situations. This issue will deserve continuous reassessment with the arrival of new medications. © 2006 Gomez-Reino and Loreto Carmona; licensee BioMed Central Ltd