Tail autotomy effects on the escape behavior of the lizard Gonatodes albogularis (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae), from Córdoba, Colombia

Background: Caudal autotomy appears to be an adaptation strategy to reduce the risk of being preyed upon. In an encounter with a predator, the prey must reduce the risk of being preyed upon, and one of the strategies that has exerted a strong pressure on selection has been tail loss. In lizards, it has been demonstrated that tail loss reduces the probability of survival in the event of a second attack; therefore, they must resort to new escape strategies to reduce the risk of falling prey. In order to evaluate the effect of tail loss on the escape behavior of Gonatodes albogularis in natural conditions, we took samples from a forest interior population. We expected that individuals that had not lost their tails would allow the predator to get closer than those that had lost it. For each sample, we recorded the following: (1) escape behavior, measured through three distances (e.g., approach distance, escape distance, and final distance); (2) distance to shelter; and (3) length of tail. We included only males in the study since we did not record any females without a tail and far fewer with a regenerated tail. Results: We found that tail loss does have an effect on the escape behavior of G. albogularis. Males that have their tails intact allow the predator to come closer, and we found a negative correlation between the approach distance and the length of the tail. Conclusion: Our results support the escape behavior theory, in which G. albogularis males drop their tails when the risk of predation is much higher than the cost of fleeing.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Tail autotomy effects on the escape behavior of the lizard Gonatodes albogularis (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae), from Córdoba, Colombia

Background: Caudal autotomy appears to be an adaptation strategy to reduce the risk of being preyed upon. In an encounter with a predator, the prey must reduce the risk of being preyed upon, and one of the strategies that has exerted a strong pressure on selection has been tail loss. In lizards, it has been demonstrated that tail loss reduces the probability of survival in the event of a second attack; therefore, they must resort to new escape strategies to reduce the risk of falling prey. In order to evaluate the effect of tail loss on the escape behavior of Gonatodes albogularis in natural conditions, we took samples from a forest interior population. We expected that individuals that had not lost their tails would allow the predator to get closer than those that had lost it. For each sample, we recorded the following: (1) escape behavior, measured through three distances (e.g., approach distance, escape distance, and final distance); (2) distance to shelter; and (3) length of tail. We included only males in the study since we did not record any females without a tail and far fewer with a regenerated tail. Results: We found that tail loss does have an effect on the escape behavior of G. albogularis. Males that have their tails intact allow the predator to come closer, and we found a negative correlation between the approach distance and the length of the tail. Conclusion: Our results support the escape behavior theory, in which G. albogularis males drop their tails when the risk of predation is much higher than the cost of fleeing.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

The polygenic basis of relapse after a first episode of schizophrenia

Little is known about genetic predisposition to relapse. Previous studies have linked cognitive and psychopathological (mainly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) polygenic risk scores (PRS) with clinical manifestations of the disease. This study aims to explore the potential role of PRS from major mental disorders and cognition on schizophrenia relapse. 114 patients recruited in the 2EPs Project were included (56 patients who had not experienced relapse after 3 years of enrollment and 58 patients who relapsed during the 3-year follow-up). PRS for schizophrenia (PRS-SZ), bipolar disorder (PRS-BD), education attainment (PRS-EA) and cognitive performance (PRS-CP) were used to assess the genetic risk of schizophrenia relapse.Patients with higher PRS-EA, showed both a lower risk (OR=0.29, 95% CI [0.11–0.73]) and a later onset of relapse (30.96± 1.74 vs. 23.12± 1.14 months, p=0.007. Our study provides evidence that the genetic burden of neurocognitive function is a potentially predictors of relapse that could be incorporated into future risk prediction models. Moreover, appropriate treatments for cognitive symptoms appear to be important for improving the long-term clinical outcome of relapse

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Influence of clinical and neurocognitive factors in psychosocial functioning after a first episode non-affective psychosis: differences between males and females

BackgroundDeficits in psychosocial functioning are present in the early stages of psychosis. Several factors, such as premorbid adjustment, neurocognitive performance, and cognitive reserve (CR), potentially influence functionality. Sex differences are observed in individuals with psychosis in multiple domains. Nonetheless, few studies have explored the predictive factors of poor functioning according to sex in first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study aimed to explore sex differences, examine changes, and identify predictors of functioning according to sex after onset.Materials and methodsThe initial sample comprised 588 individuals. However, only adults with non-affective FEP (n = 247, 161 males and 86 females) and healthy controls (n = 224, 142 males and 82 females) were included. A comprehensive assessment including functional, neuropsychological, and clinical scales was performed at baseline and at 2-year follow-up. A linear regression model was used to determine the predictors of functioning at 2-year follow-up.ResultsFEP improved their functionality at follow-up (67.4% of both males and females). In males, longer duration of untreated psychosis (β = 0.328, p = 0.003) and worse premorbid adjustment (β = 0.256, p = 0.023) were associated with impaired functioning at 2-year follow-up, while in females processing speed (β = 0.403, p = 0.003), executive function (β = 0.299, p = 0.020) and CR (β = −0.307, p = 0.012) were significantly associated with functioning.ConclusionOur data indicate that predictors of functioning at 2-year follow-up in the FEP group differ according to sex. Therefore, treatment and preventative efforts may be adjusted taking sex into account. Males may benefit from functional remediation at early stages. Conversely, in females, early interventions centered on CR enhancement and cognitive rehabilitation may be recommended

Anfibios de Córdoba

Perhaps there is not a more captivating scenario for a biologist and in particular a herpetologist that the opportunity to venture into the mountains, valleys and rivers in search of Amphibians and Reptiles. One of the most sublime moments in the field experiences is having the pleasant opportunity to observe those evolutionary attributes that have made these organisms unique and incredible. Especially the amphibians, which with their extraordinary diversity of shapes, colors, sizes and behavior makes them a fascinatinggroup for their contemplation, admiration and study, and even in those most recognized and abundant species, they never cease to reveal their surprising propierties and fill our capacity for amazement.Quizá no exista un escenario más cautivante para un biólogo y en particular para un herpetólogo que la oportunidad de incursionarse en las montañas, valles y ríos en búsqueda de Anfibios y Reptiles. Uno de los momentos más sublimes en las experiencias en campo es tener la grata oportunidad de observar los atributos evolutivos que han hecho de estos organismos únicos e increibles. En especial los anfibios, que con su extraordinaria diversidad de formas, colores, tamaños y comportamientos los convierte en un grupo fascinante para su contemplación, admiración y estudio, e incluso aquellas especies mas reconocidas y abundantes, nunca dejan de revelarnos sus sorprendentes propiedades y colmar nuestra capacidad de asombro.Prólogo-----------------5Presentación----------------7Instrucciones para el uso de esta publicación--------------------9Abreviaturas---------------------12Acrónimos de museos y colecciones biológicas-----------------13Introducción------------------15Capítulo 1 ---------------------17Generalidades ecogeográficas del departamento de Córdoba, Colombia------------------17Generalidades de los anfibios------------------------25Síntesis sobre los métodos de estudio de los anfibios----------------28Preparación y preservación de "especímenes vouchers" de anfibios---------------------------38Capítulo 2 --------------------------41Antecedentes sobre el estudio de los anfibios en el departamento de Córdoba--------------------------41La diversidad de anfibios en el departamento de Córdoba---------------------44Amenazas y estado de conservación de los anfibios de Córdoba, Colombia--------------------------54Capítulo 3 ---------------------------------------------57Algunos patrones de coloración en las especies de las familias Craugastoridae y Eleutherodactylidae ------------------------59Clave taxonómica de identificación de los anfibios de Córdoba, Colombia ----------------------63Especies de anuros con distribución potencial en Córdoba, Colombia-------------236Taxonomía, ecología y distribución de los anfibios registrados en el departamento de Córdoba ---------------------239Catálogo de los anfibios registrados en el departamento de Córdoba -------------------246Glosario ----------------------------------281Índice de nombres científicos de las especies relacionadas --------------------------------285Referencias bibliográficas ------------------------------------287Apéndices ---------------------------------------------312Apéndice 2. Localidades del departamento de Córdoba con registros GPS de anfibios ----------------32