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The native species of amphibians and reptiles of Uruguay were categorized according to the IUCN Red List criteria. Out of 47 amphibian species, seven are listed as Critically Endangered (CR), five as Endangered (EN), one as Vulnerable (VU), three as Near Threatened (NT), and two as Data Deficient (DD); the remaining species are considered to be Least Concern (LC). Among the 64 species of reptiles evaluated, one is listed as Critically Endangered (CR), seven as Endangered (EN), two as Vulnerable (VU), one as Near Threatened (NT) and seven as Data Deficient (DD); the rest are considered to be Least Concern (LC). The use of these results as an additional criterion in the definition of protected areas in Uruguay will contribute towards the conservation of the aforementioned threatened species and their associated ecosystems. Las especies nativas de anfibios y reptiles de Uruguay fueron categorizadas de acuerdo a los criterios de la Lista Roja de UICN. De las 47 especies de anfibios, siete se encuentran En Peligro Crítico (CR), cinco En Peligro (EN), una Vulnerable (VU), tres Casi Amenazadas (NT), y dos con Datos Deficientes (DD); las especies restantes son consideradas como Preocupación Menor (LC). Entre las 64 especies de reptiles evaluados, una se encuentra en Peligro Crítico (CR), siete En Peligro (EN), dos como Vulnerables (VU), una Casi Amenazadas (NT) y siete con Datos Deficientes (DD); las especies restantes son consideradas como Preocupación Menor (LC). El uso de estos resultados como un criterio adicional en la definición de áreas protegidas en Uruguay contribuirá hacia la conservación de dichas especies amenazadas y sus ecosistemas asociados.

Geomorphological and glaciological features are represented on a georeferenced satellite image mosaic of the Mount Murchison quadrangle, northern Victoria Land, Antarctica (73-74° S, 162-166°30′ E), at a scale of 1:250 000. Landforms and deposits of glacial and periglacial environments, forms related to mass wasting, wind action, weathering and geological structures are identified and mapped. The chronological sequence of landforms and deposits, morphography and lithology is also indicated. Glacier velocities (up to 180 m a -1) and ice-front fluctuations (1964-99) were determined by analysis of aerial photography and satellite imagery. Airborne radar surveys reveal that the greatest ice thickness (about 1500 m) is located in the grounding zone of Aviator Glacier. Up to 1000 m of ice bury the subglacial relief of Deception Plateau, Hercules Névé and the Deep Freeze Range. Snow accumulation rates (average = 170 kg m -2 a -1) exhibit an overall negative correlation with altitude and distance from the coast. The relationships among relict erosional landforms and volcanic activity provide chronological constraints for the palaeogeographic evolution of this sector of the Transantarctic Mountains.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the airway volume of growing patients combining a morphological approach using cone beam computed tomography associated with functional data obtained by polysomnography examination after rapid maxillary expansion treatment.22 Caucasian patients (mean age 8.3±0.9 years) undergoing rapid maxillary expansion with Haas type expander banded on second deciduous upper molars were enrolled for this prospective study. Cone beam computed tomography scans and polysomnography exams were collected before placing the appliance (T0) and after 12 months (T1).Image processing with airway volume computing and analyses of oxygen saturation and apnoea/hypopnoea index were performed.Airway volume, oxygen saturation and apnea/hypopnea index underwent significant increase over time. However, no significant correlation was seen between their increases.The rapid maxillary expansion treatment induced significant increases in the total airway volume and respiratory performance. Functional respiratory parameters should be included in studies evaluating the RME treatment effects on the respiratory performance.

Results from analysis of kinematic global positioning system (GPS) surveying in Antarctica are examined to evaluate the feasibility of this technique for monitoring small glaciers. The experiment focuses on GPS field methods and a comparison of profiles surveyed in different years. Kinematic GPS has proved to be a useful method of monitoring glacier surfaces.

We studied the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (GH) treatment in 6 prepubertal children with achondroplasia. The patients' age ranged from 2 11/12 to 8 5/12 years and the GH dose was of 0.1 IU/kg/day subcutaneously. Auxological assessments and bone age determinations were performed 6 months before, at the beginning, and after 6 and 12 months of therapy. The growth velocity increase during the whole year of treatment ranged from 1.1 to 2.6 cm/year in 3 patients while in the others no variation was detected. No side effects were observed during the trial apart from a slight advancement of bone age in two patients. MRI at the cervicomedullary junction and CT scan of the base of the skull did not show any variation of the dimensions of the foramen magnum at the end of the trial compared to baseline. Our study shows that r-hGH can safely increase short-term growth velocity in some but not all prepubertal children with achondroplasia. Our data confirm the individual variability in the response to the GH treatment.