Evolutionary history of Lost World frogs

textThe Lost World of South America is a unique landscape of flattop mountains that are home to hundreds of endemic species. These flattop mountains, or tepuis, were formed after millions of years of erosion of the high-altitude Guiana Shield plateau. The tepui summits, isolated by their surrounding cliffs that can be up to 1000 m tall, are thought of as “islands in the sky,” harboring relict flora and fauna that underwent vicariant speciation due to plateau fragmentation. High endemicity atop tepui summits supports the idea of an ancient “Lost World” biota. However, recent work suggests dispersal between lowlands and summits occurred long after tepui formation, but neither view (i.e., ancient vicariance vs. recent dispersal) has strong empirical support owing to a lack of studies. I tested diversification hypotheses of the Guiana Shield highlands by estimating divergence times of Tepuihyla, a Guiana Shield endemic genus. Diversification among the different species did not support the Lost World Hypothesis of summit diversification, but rather recent dispersal approximately 50 million years after tepuis formed. This study was the first to explicitly test these hypotheses with a tepui endemic vertebrate, and as such a significant contribution to our understanding of the evolutionary history of this region. After increasing sampling, I focused on three of the most recently diverged lineages of Tepuihyla, in order to examine population genetics, phylogeography, and species delimitation atop these summits. I found high levels of lineage sorting in spite of low divergences in both nuclear and mitochondrial genes. I also found an unexpected pattern of nuclear versus mitochondrial diversity, suggesting the possibility of a recent mitochondrial selective sweep. Species delimitation analyses support the existence of a cryptic, undescribed summit species. Finally, I obtained a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism matrix with next-generation sequencing in order to observe more fine-scale population structure atop the Chimantá massif, a formation composed of ten tepui summits and intermediate altitudes separating them. I found high levels of population structure and assignment atop different tepui summits on the massif, indicating that even at extremely low levels of divergence the landscape complexity may be fomenting population isolation even at the smaller scale of within-massif divergences.Ecology, Evolution and Behavio

Amphibia, Hylidae, Osteocephalus exophthalmus Smith and Noonan, 2001: new country record and geographic distribution map, Venezuela

Osteocephalus exophthalmus Smith and Noonan is reported from Sierra de Lema in Venezuela, 190 km NW of the type locality in Guyana. This is the first record of the species in Venezuela

A COORDENAÇÃO DE PROJETOS SUBCONTRATADOS NA CONSTRUÇÃO CIVIL

Este trabalho de caráter qualitativo tem como finalidade destacar, por meio de um estudo de caso, as vantagens estratégicas e a importância da atividade de Coordenação de Projetos de Edifícios (CPE) em uma empresa incorporadora e construtora de edifícios dentro de um contexto de desenvolvimento de projetos subcontratados. Frente a este objetivo e procurando demonstrar a prática da atividade de CPE, realizou-se uma pesquisa de campo, na qual informações foram coletadas com a análise de documentos utilizados pela coordenação de projetos e com a realização de entrevistas em uma empresa especializada em empreendimentos residenciais. Verificou-se, neste estudo de caso, que a CPE possui grande relevância, uma vez que interfere na organização do trabalho, estimulando uma maior integração, colaboração e redução de prazos no desenvolvimento de projetos, propiciando um maior alinhamento das atividades de projeto e dos projetistas subcontratados com os interesses e necessidades da empresa contratante. Entretanto, ao final da pesquisa, concluiu-se que o desempenho de projetos terceirizados e as vantagens estratégicas potencialmente propiciadas pela CPE podem ser comprometidos pela maneira como as contratações de projetistas são formuladas e conduzidas

Amphibia, Hylidae, Osteocephalus exophthalmus Smith and Noonan, 2001: new country record and geographic distribution map, Venezuela

Osteocephalus exophthalmus Smith and Noonan is reported from Sierra de Lema in Venezuela, 190 km NW of the type locality in Guyana. This is the first record of the species in Venezuela

Teaching Feedback to First-year Medical Students: Long-term Skill Retention and Accuracy of Student Self-assessment

Giving and receiving feedback are critical skills and should be taught early in the process of medical education, yet few studies discuss the effect of feedback curricula for first-year medical students. To study short-term and long-term skills and attitudes of first-year medical students after a multidisciplinary feedback curriculum. Prospective pre- vs. post-course evaluation using mixed-methods data analysis. First-year students at a public university medical school. We collected anonymous student feedback to faculty before, immediately after, and 8 months after the curriculum and classified comments by recommendation (reinforcing/corrective) and specificity (global/specific). Students also self-rated their comfort with and quality of feedback. We assessed changes in comments (skills) and self-rated abilities (attitudes) across the three time points. Across the three time points, students’ evaluation contained more corrective specific comments per evaluation [pre-curriculum mean (SD) 0.48 (0.99); post-curriculum 1.20 (1.7); year-end 0.95 (1.5); p = 0.006]. Students reported increased skill and comfort in giving and receiving feedback and at providing constructive feedback (p < 0.001). However, the number of specific comments on year-end evaluations declined [pre 3.35 (2.0); post 3.49 (2.3); year-end 2.8 (2.1)]; p = 0.008], as did students’ self-rated ability to give specific comments. Teaching feedback to early medical students resulted in improved skills of delivering corrective specific feedback and enhanced comfort with feedback. However, students’ overall ability to deliver specific feedback decreased over time

Zeranol y metabolitos urinarios de zearalenona en bovinos para carne

El noreste argentino es, por sus características geográficas y ambientales, una región con fuerte potencial para la actividad ganadera. Los rodeos vacunos de esta zona tienen como base alimenticia pastizales y pasturas mejoradas, las que suelen suplementarse con granos, fuentes proteicas y reservas en forma de rollos o silaje. Estos alimentos son sustratos ricos para que especies de hongos produzcan micotoxinas como zearalenona (ZEA). El consumo de ZEA por los animales hace que se excreten diferentes metabolitos en orina entre los que se encuentra el zeranol. Por su parte, la presencia de zeranol en orina es utilizada como indicador del uso indebido de promotores de crecimiento que se hallan prohibidos en el país. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los metabolitos relacionados con la ZEA excretados en la orina de novillos según los siguientes tratamientos: alimentación con un concentrado de ZEA, exposición a la aplicación de zeranol inyectable y acción simultánea de alimentación con un concentrado de ZEA más exposición a la aplicación de zeranol inyectable. Se presentan los perfiles de metabolitos excretados en orina y su evolución en el tiempo.The northern east Argentinean region is, on the basis of its geographic and environmental features, an area with a strong growing cattle potential. Supplementation of natural feeding with protein sources and silage constitutes a usual practice. The feeding supplements supports fungal growth and subsequent micotoxins evolvement as well. Production of zearalenone (ZEA) is particularly relevant because, among its related metabolites excreted in urine there is the zeranol. The zeranol presence in urine is strongly regulated by Argentinean law because it is considered an indicator of forbidden growing promoters using. The objective of the present work was to analyze the ZEA related metabolites excreted in urine of cows exposed to ZEA and/or zeranol in three ways: ZEA concentrated feeding, zeranol injection, and a combined exposure to ZEA concentrate feeding plus zeranol injection. The urine ZEA metabolites profiles and their time evolvement are given.Inst. de PatobiologíaFil: Salvat, Adriana Elisabeth. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Comerio, Ricardo Mario. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Balbuena, Osvaldo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Colonia Benitez; ArgentinaFil: Rosello Brajovich, José Emilio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Colonia Benitez; ArgentinaFil: Ricca, Alejandra Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Rojas, Dante Emanuel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Cristos, Diego Sebastian. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Ronco, S. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA); ArgentinaFil: Salerno, Juan Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Genética; Argentin

Immunomodulation From Moderate Exercise Promotes Control of Experimental Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Physical exercise has been described as an important tool in the prevention and treatment of numerous diseases as it promotes a range of responses and adaptations in several biological systems, including the immune system. Studies on the effect of exercise on the immune system could play a critical role in improving public health. Current literature suggests that moderate intensity exercise can modulate the Th1/Th2 dichotomy directing the immune system to a Th1 cellular immune response, which favors the resolution of infections caused by intracellular microorganisms. Leishmaniasis is a group of diseases presenting a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations that range from self-limiting lesions to visceral injuries whose severity can lead to death. The etiological agents responsible for this group of diseases are protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Infections by the parasite Leishmania major in mice (Balb/c) provide a prototype model for the polarization of CD4+ T cell responses of both Th1 (resistance) or Th2 (susceptibility), which determines the progression of infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on the development of L. major experimental infections by scanning the pattern of immune response caused by exercise. Groups of Balb/c mice infected with L. major were divided into groups that preformed a physical exercise of swimming three times a week or were sedentary along with treatment or not with the reference drug, meglumine antimoniate. Animals in groups submitted to physical exercise did not appear to develop lesions and presented a significantly lower parasite load independent of drug treatment. They also showed a positive delayed hypersensitivity response to a specific Leishmania antigen compared to control animals. The IFN-γ/IL-4 and IFN-γ/IL10 ratios in trained animals were clearly tilted to a Th1 response in lymph node cells. These data suggest that moderate intensity exercise is able to modulate the Th1 response that provides a protective effect against the development of leishmanial lesions

Presencia de zearalenona en pasturas del este de Chaco

Se estudió la presencia de zearalenona en pasturas y alimentos que son utilizados para la producción de bovinos de carne de la zona este de la provincia del Chaco. Asimismo, se realizó el aislamiento e identificación de diversas especies de Fusarium y se determinó su capacidad de producir zearalenona en condiciones de laboratorio. La determinación química de la toxina se realizó mediante las metodologías HPLC y ensayo inmunoenzimático (ELISA). Se analizaron 29 muestras y en 17 de ellas se confirmó la ocurrencia natural de zearalenona en cantidades variables. Se identificaron 63 aislamientos que correspondieron a Fusarium cf. acuminatum, F. chlamydosporum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum y F. semitectum, confirmándose además la producción in vitro de zearalenona en 34 de éstos aislamientosNatural occurrence of zearalenone in grassland, improved pastures and feeds for cattle in eastern Chaco province (Argentina) was surveyed. Besides, isolation, identification and toxicogenic capacity of several Fusarium species were carried out. HPLC and ELISA techniques were used for detection of the toxin. In 17 of 29 samples zearalenone presence was confirmed. Sixty- three Fusarium isolates corresponding to Fusarium cf. acuminatum F. chlamydosporum, F. equiseti, F. oxysporum and F. semitectum were identified. On the other hand, in vitro production of zearalenone was verified in 34 of these isolates.Inst. de PatobiologíaFil: Salvat, Adriana Elisabeth. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; ArgentinaFil: Balbuena, Osvaldo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Colonia Benitez; ArgentinaFil: Ricca, Alejandra Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Comerio, Ricardo Mario. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Rosello Brajovich, José Emilio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Colonia Benitez; ArgentinaFil: Rojas, Dante Emanuel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Berretta, Marcelo Facundo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Microbiología y Zoología Agrícola; ArgentinaFil: Delssin, Eduardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Colonia Benitez; ArgentinaFil: Bedascarrasbure, Enrique Luciano. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Salerno, Juan Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Genética; Argentin

Reducing Adverse Self-Medication Behaviors in Older Adults with Hypertension: Results of an e-health Clinical Efficacy Trial

A randomized controlled efficacy trial targeting older adults with hypertension (age 60 and over) provided an e-health, tailored intervention with the “next generation” of the Personal Education Program (PEP-NG). Eleven primary care practices with advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) providers participated. Participants (N = 160) were randomly assigned by the PEP-NG (accessed via a wireless touchscreen tablet computer) to either control (entailing data collection and four routine APRN visits) or tailored intervention (involving PEP-NG intervention and four focused APRN visits) group. Compared to patients in the control group, patients receiving the PEP-NG e-health intervention achieved significant increases in both self-medication knowledge and self-efficacy measures, with large effect sizes. Among patients not at BP targets upon entry to the study, therapy intensification in controls (increased antihypertensive dose and/or an additional antihypertensive) was significant (p = .001) with an odds ratio of 21.27 in the control compared to the intervention group. Among patients not at BP targets on visit 1, there was a significant declining linear trend in proportion of the intervention group taking NSAIDs 21–31 days/month (p = 0.008). Satisfaction with the PEP-NG and the APRN provider relationship was high in both groups. These results suggest that the PEP-NG e-health intervention in primary care practices is effective in increasing knowledge and self-efficacy, as well as improving behavior regarding adverse self-medication practices among older adults with hypertension