Primeiro relato de Lernaea cyprinacea (Copepoda: Lernaeidae) em girinos e rãs recém-metamorfoseadas em populações selvagens de Lithobates catesbeianus (Anura: Ranidae) na Argentina

Lernaea cyprinacea é um copépode ectoparasita que pode causar a morte do hospedeiro devido às hemorragias, ulcerações e infecções secundárias que provoca. Lernaea cyprinacea está amplamente distribuída na Argentina. Os relatos anteriores estão restritos quase que exclusivamente a casos de parasitismo em peixes; o parasitismo de larvas de anuros por copépodes tem sido raramente documentado. Este é o primeiro registro e descrição da infestação parasitária de L. cyprinacaea em girinos da espécie exótica e invasora Lithobates catesbeianus na Argentina. Um total de 15 girinos e 21 indivíduos recém-metamorfoseados de L. catesbeianus foi coletado na região serrana do Rio de los Sauces, e 12 girinos, no córrego Toledo. Foi encontrado um máximo de dois parasitas por hospedeiro, principalmente na cloaca. Foram observados sintomas clínicos de hemorragia, inflamação e úlceras na pele, com formação de muco na área de fixação dos parasitas.Lernaea cyprinacea is an ectoparasitic copepod that can result in the mortality of the host by causing hemorrhages, ulcerations, and secondary infections. Lernaea cyprinacea is widely distributed in Argentina. Previous reports are restricted almost exclusively to cases of parasitism in fishes; copepod parasitism of anuran larvae is rarely documented. This is the first record and description of the parasitic infestation of L. cyprinacaea on tadpoles of the exotic and invasive species Lithobates catesbeianus in Argentina. A total of 15 tadpoles and 21 newly-metamorphosed individuals of L. catesbeianus were collected from the mountain town of Río de los Sauces, and 12 tadpoles from the Toledo Stream. A maximum of two parasites per host was found, principally in the cloaca. Clinical symptoms of inflammation hemorrhage and ulcers in the skin with mucus formation in the attachment area of parasites were observed

Intraspecific variation in erythrocyte sizes among populations of Hypsiboas cordobas (Anura: Hylidae)

We studied the morphology and size of erythrocytes of H. cordobae, and analysed the geographic variation of this character along the distribution of the species, in relation to the latitudinal and altitudinal distances. Erythrocyte shape of the H. cordobae is ellipsoidal and the nuclei are also ellipsoidal and centrally oriented. Erythrocyte and nuclear size showed significant differences among populations, with the highest mean size corresponding to the population of Achiras (low altitude site) and the lowest mean size to Los Linderos (high altitude site). There was no significant relationship between the latitude of each population and the both erythrocyte and nuclear size. The altitudinal variation in erythrocyte cell size may be attributable to the surface available for gas exchange; a small erythrocyte offers a possibility of greater rate of exchange than a larger one. Our results are consistent with studies of other amphibians, where intraspecific comparisons of populations at different altitudes show that individuals at higher altitudes are characterized by smaller erythrocytes

Meiotic behavior of two polyploid species of genus Pleurodema (Anura: Leiuperidae) from central Argentina

Polyploidy is an important evolutionary force but rare in vertebrates. However, in anurans, the genus Pleurodema has polyploid species, two of them tetraploid and one octoploid. The manner in which the chromosomes join in diakinesis can vary among species and, crucially, if they differ in their ploidy levels. In this work, we describe the meiotic configurations in two cryptic species from central Argentina, with different ploidy levels, Pleurodema kriegi (tetraploid) and P. cordobae (octoploid). A total of 306 diakineses from 19 individuals were analyzed. In meiosis, P. kriegi form 22 bivalents, whereas P. cordobae exhibits variation in meiotic figures. We discuss the possible allo- and autopolyploid origin of these species, and we consider that the autopolyploid origin of P. cordobae from P. kriegi might be the most feasible

Diet of tadpoles of Physalaemus biligonigerus (Leiuperidae) from agricultural ponds in the central region of Argentina

The intensification of agriculture has led an important loss of natural habitats, with significant consequences for biodiversity. In this sense, the studies on anuran amphibian tadpoles inhabiting these environments are relevant, because the larval stage is a phase of population regulation. The aim of this study was to analyze the diet in Physalaemus biligonigerus tadpoles, an anuran species widely distributed in South America and that inhabit agroecosystems. Three sites were sampled; two agroecosystems with different alteration degrees (AG1 and AG2) and an uncultured (SM) third place. The captured tadpoles were anesthetized, fixed and preserved in formaldehyde (10%). Subsequently, the complete intestine was removed and analyzed for food items under a binocular microscope. The diet in P. biligonigerus tadpoles has a dominance of algae Bacillariophyceae, mainly in agroecosystems, due to the presence of the genera Navicula, Nitzschia and Gomphonema. There was a considerable abundance of the Gomphonema genus in the AG2 site. In addition, in the AG1 site several non-diatom algae were particularly abundant in the diet, such as the genera Euglena, Oedogonium and Chaetophora. In the SM site, the non-diatom genus Oscillatoria was well represented in the diet. Tadpoles inhabiting the site with abundant crop and livestock (AG1) ingested a significantly smaller amount of food. The presence of certain algae associated with eutrophic environments could indicate some pollution in agroecosystems (AG1 and AG2). Larval diet is suggested as a potential bioindicator of environmental health for these areas

Inteligencia computacional y TIC: estrategias para facilitar el aprendizaje en la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Este proyecto abarca dos grandes líneas aplicadas en asignaturas masivas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. La primera implementa procesos de Inteligencia Computacional con el objetivo de mejorar el conocimiento que se tiene del estudiante, protagonista principal del escenario de la Educación Superior. Tanto la detección de patrones de comportamientos cognitivos como el descubrimiento de relaciones entre las características socioeconómicas y el desempeño académico, resultan de suma utilidad para facilitar la apropiación del conocimiento. En esta propuesta se desarrollan procesos de Descubrimiento de Conocimiento basado en Datos (KDD) en dos Unidades Académicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC). La segunda se aboca a incorporar Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) en los procesos de aprendizaje y evaluación de estudiantes de carreras de Ingeniería, que a continuación se enumeran: 1° Para asignaturas de Programación, desarrollo y mejora de los procesos de evaluación mediante la realimentación semántica en plataforma Moodle y puesta en funcionamientos de Test Adaptativos Informatizados (TAI) que aplican la Teoría de Respuesta al Item en el Sistema Tutor Inteligente (SIETTE). 2° Para la enseñanza de la Matemática, desarrollo de un modelo educativo, centrado en competencias bajo la plataforma Moodle. 3°Formación de Docentes, Investigadores y Estudiantes.Eje: Tecnología Informática Aplicada en EducaciónRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informátic

Inteligencia computacional y TIC: estrategias para facilitar el aprendizaje en la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba

Este proyecto abarca dos grandes líneas aplicadas en asignaturas masivas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. La primera implementa procesos de Inteligencia Computacional con el objetivo de mejorar el conocimiento que se tiene del estudiante, protagonista principal del escenario de la Educación Superior. Tanto la detección de patrones de comportamientos cognitivos como el descubrimiento de relaciones entre las características socioeconómicas y el desempeño académico, resultan de suma utilidad para facilitar la apropiación del conocimiento. En esta propuesta se desarrollan procesos de Descubrimiento de Conocimiento basado en Datos (KDD) en dos Unidades Académicas de la Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC). La segunda se aboca a incorporar Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) en los procesos de aprendizaje y evaluación de estudiantes de carreras de Ingeniería, que a continuación se enumeran: 1° Para asignaturas de Programación, desarrollo y mejora de los procesos de evaluación mediante la realimentación semántica en plataforma Moodle y puesta en funcionamientos de Test Adaptativos Informatizados (TAI) que aplican la Teoría de Respuesta al Item en el Sistema Tutor Inteligente (SIETTE). 2° Para la enseñanza de la Matemática, desarrollo de un modelo educativo, centrado en competencias bajo la plataforma Moodle. 3° Formación de Docentes, Investigadores y Estudiantes.Fil: Díaz, Laura Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Bartó, Carlos A. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Las Heras, José María. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas; Argentina.Fil: Algorry, Aldo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Marangunic, Rodolfo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Azpilicueta, Jorge. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Galoppo, José. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Sandin, Daniel L. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Vignoli, Adolfo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Martino, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas; Argentina.Fil: Laluf, Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Saavedra, Leandro. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina.Fil: Morales, Pablo. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales; Argentina

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Global variations in diabetes mellitus based on fasting glucose and haemogloblin A1c

Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) are both used to diagnose diabetes, but may identify different people as having diabetes. We used data from 117 population-based studies and quantified, in different world regions, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes, and whether those who were previously undiagnosed and detected as having diabetes in survey screening had elevated FPG, HbA1c, or both. We developed prediction equations for estimating the probability that a person without previously diagnosed diabetes, and at a specific level of FPG, had elevated HbA1c, and vice versa. The age-standardised proportion of diabetes that was previously undiagnosed, and detected in survey screening, ranged from 30% in the high-income western region to 66% in south Asia. Among those with screen-detected diabetes with either test, the agestandardised proportion who had elevated levels of both FPG and HbA1c was 29-39% across regions; the remainder had discordant elevation of FPG or HbA1c. In most low- and middle-income regions, isolated elevated HbA1c more common than isolated elevated FPG. In these regions, the use of FPG alone may delay diabetes diagnosis and underestimate diabetes prevalence. Our prediction equations help allocate finite resources for measuring HbA1c to reduce the global gap in diabetes diagnosis and surveillance.peer-reviewe