AVONET: morphological, ecological and geographical data for all birds

Functional traits offer a rich quantitative framework for developing and testing theories in evolutionary biology, ecology and ecosystem science. However, the potential of functional traits to drive theoretical advances and refine models of global change can only be fully realised when species‐level information is complete. Here we present the AVONET dataset containing comprehensive functional trait data for all birds, including six ecological variables, 11 continuous morphological traits, and information on range size and location. Raw morphological measurements are presented from 90,020 individuals of 11,009 extant bird species sampled from 181 countries. These data are also summarised as species averages in three taxonomic formats, allowing integration with a global phylogeny, geographical range maps, IUCN Red List data and the eBird citizen science database. The AVONET dataset provides the most detailed picture of continuous trait variation for any major radiation of organisms, offering a global template for testing hypotheses and exploring the evolutionary origins, structure and functioning of biodiversity

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Rotura de aneurisma del seno de valsalva coronario derecho en paciente femenino: reporte de caso

Aneurysms of the sinus of Valsalva are infrequent anomalies caused by discontinuity between middle tunic of aorta and the valvular ring. Generally, they are asymptomatic while they are intact, most of them are diagnosed after to a rupture. They affect with more frequency males and its rupture mostly occur in young adults; this defect can be a cause of heart failure. In some cases, can occur as sudden death. Its diagnosis requires imaging studies and its treatment is usually surgical. It is presented the case of an 18 years old female patient, who consulted for symptoms of heart failure. Upon physical examination, It was found hipotension with a displaced tip shock, murmur auscultated in all auscultatory sites and it was irradiated to left armpit, presence of jugular ingurgitation and ascites. Chest radiography revealed cardiomegaly and the transthoracic echocardiogram showed rupture of the right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. Suspect the rupture of the sinus of Valsalva aneurysm at the presence of heart failure symptoms and murmur, allows the successful correction of the defect.Los aneurismas del seno de Valsalva son anomalías infrecuentes, ocasionadas por la falta de continuidad entre la túnica media de la aorta y el anillo valvular. Suelen ser asintomáticos mientras estén íntegros, la mayoría se diagnostica sucesivamente a una rotura. Son más frecuentes en el sexo masculino y su rotura afecta más a jóvenes adultos. Pueden ser causa de insuficiencia cardiaca y en algunos casos llegan a presentarse como muerte súbita. Su diagnóstico requiere estudios de imagen y su tratamiento generalmente es quirúrgico. Se presenta el caso de un paciente femenino de 18 años que consultó por síntomas de insuficiencia cardiaca. Al examen físico se encontró hipotensa, con choque de punta desplazado hacia la izquierda, soplo auscultado en todos los focos e irradiado hacia la izquierda, ingurgitación yugular y ascitis. La radiografía de tórax reveló cardiomegalia y el ecocardiograma transtorácico evidenció rotura de aneurisma del seno de Valsalva coronario derecho. La sospecha de rotura de aneurisma del seno de Valsalva ante síntomas de insuficiencia cardiaca y soplo, permite la corrección exitosa del defecto

Description of Culicoides lisicarruni (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a new species from Cundinamarca, Colombia

A new species of Culicoides of the subgenus Diphaomyia Vargas from high altitudes of the Andes in Colombia is described and photographied. The species is compared with its similar congener Culicoides marinkellei Wirth & Lee. Data on the collecting site and notes on the species daily activity are also provided

Ciencia y tecnología (No. 9 dic 2011)

Publicación Bianual de la Dirección de Investigación Científica de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras.Contenidos: Ruta de la gestión para la reducción del riesgo de desastres en Honduras / Oscar Elvir, Nabil Kawas 3. Gestión para la reducción del riesgo de desastres en Honduras 19. Estudio gravimétrico del cuadrángulo de Tegucigalpa, Valle del Zamorano, Valle de San Juan de Flores y Morocelí / Carlos A. Tenorio Moncada, Elizabeth Espinoza Canales 27. Comparación de gota gruesa y PCR para la detección de infecciones maláricas en Honduras / Ana Cecilia López, Jorge Coello Quan, Rosa Elena Mejía, Engels Banegas, Gustavo Fontecha 68. Deficiencia de hierro, folatos y vitamina B12 en relación a la anemia en niños de escuelas públicas de Tegucigalpa y algunos factores epidemiológicos asociados / María Félix Rivera, Rebeca Rivera, Ivette C. Rivera 82. El ingreso familiar y el acceso de jóvenes a la educación media en Honduras / Héctor Díaz Romero 95. Comportamiento de los sedimentos fluviales en Honduras / Roberto Fredy Ávalos Lingá 110. Química nuclear: Aplicaciones de salud en Honduras / César Mauricio Urbizo Vivas 126

Comparison of digitally assessed quality of posterior crown preparations with and without previous practice on patient-specific 3D printed teeth models

INTRODUCTION: 3D-printing technology can provide customizable simulations, but its effects on patient care quality have not been well studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of practicing with patient-specific 3D-printed teeth models on the quality of 'patients' dental preparations performed by students transitioning to clinical training. Accordingly, the quality of posterior crown preparations was evaluated by objectively analyzing digital scans and grades in two groups: the study group, which practiced beforehand with patient-specific 3D-printed teeth models, and the control group, which did not practice with these models. METHODS: All seventy-eight fourth-year dental students who had just finished their fixed prosthodontics course at the simulation laboratory with training on phantom heads and without previous clinical experience in crown preparations were invited to participate in the study. sixty-eight agreed to take part and were randomly divided into a study group that practiced crown preparations on 3D-printed models of their own 'patient's teeth and a control group that did not practice with 3D-printed models and started their clinical work straightforward after simulation training. Students completed validated perception questionnaires on self-confidence and clinical skills before and after the protocol, which were compared using a chi-squared test. Crown preparations performed on 3D-printed models and then on patients were digitally scanned and objectively graded by prepCheck® software for critical parameters, such as undercuts, taper, and occlusion reduction. Non-parametric tests were used to compare preparations on 3D-printed models and on patients performed by the study group and those on patients made by the control group. RESULTS: Initially, both groups reported similar perceptions of self-confidence and clinical skills levels. The study group significantly improved both aspects after the protocol. Analysis of the scanned preparations demonstrated that the study group removed less tooth structure from actual patients than from the initial 3D-printed models. In contrast, the control group showed excess occlusal clearance in their patients compared to the study group. CONCLUSIONS: Practicing patient-specific 3D-printed teeth before performing procedures clinically appears to enhance preparation quality and minimize unnecessary tooth reduction in early clinical experiences