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Worldwide urban expansion and deforestation have caused a rapid decline of non-human primates in recent decades. Yet, little is known to what extent these animals can tolerate anthropogenic noise arising from roadway traffic and human presence in their habitat. We studied six family groups of titis residing at increasing distances from a busy highway, in a park promoting ecotourism near Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. We mapped group movements, sampled the titis’ behavior, collected fecal samples from each study group and conducted experiments in which we used a mannequin simulating a human intrusion in their home range. We hypothesized that groups of titi monkeys exposed to higher levels of anthropogenic noise and human presence would react weakly to the mannequin and show higher concentrations of fecal cortisol compared with groups in least perturbed areas. Sound pressure measurements and systematic monitoring of soundscape inside the titis’ home ranges confirmed the presence of a noise gradient, best characterized by the root-mean-square (RMS) and median amplitude (M) acoustic indices; importantly, both anthropogenic noise and human presence co-varied. Study groups resided in small, overlapping home ranges and they spent most of their time resting and preferentially used the lower forest stratum for traveling and the higher levels for foraging. Focal sampling analysis revealed that the time spent moving by adult pairs was inversely correlated with noise, the behavioral change occurring within a gradient of minimum sound pressures ranging from 44 dB(A) to 52 dB(A). Validated enzyme-immunoassays of fecal samples however detected surprisingly low cortisol concentrations, unrelated to the changes observed in the RMS and M indices. Finally, titis’ response to the mannequin varied according to our expectation, with alarm calling being greater in distant groups relative to highway. Our study thus indicates reduced alarm calling through habituation to human presence and suggests a titis’ resilience to anthropogenic noise with little evidence of physiological stress.

Long-range vocal communication in socially monogamous titi monkeys is mediated by the production of loud, advertising calls in the form of solos, duets, and choruses. We conducted a power spectral analysis of duets and choruses (simply &ldquo, duets&rdquo, hereafter) followed by linear discriminant analysis using three acoustic parameters&mdash, dominant frequency of the combined signal, duet sequence duration, and pant call rate&mdash, comparing the coordinated vocalizations recorded from 36 family groups at 18 sites in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Our analysis identified four distinct duetting patterns: (1) a donacophilus pattern, sensu largo, characteristic of P. donacophilus, P. pallescens, P. olallae, and P. modestus, (2) a moloch pattern comprising P. discolor, P. toppini, P. aureipalatii, and P. urubambensis, (3) a torquatus pattern exemplified by the duet of Cheracebus lucifer, and (4) the distinctive duet of P. oenanthe, a putative member of the donacophilus group, which is characterized by a mix of broadband and narrowband syllables, many of which are unique to this species. We also document a sex-related difference in the bellow-pant phrase combination among the three taxa sampled from the moloch lineage. Our data reveal a presumptive taxonomic incoherence illustrated by the distinctive loud calls of both P. urubambensis and P. oenanthe within the donacophilus lineage, sensu largo. The results are discussed in light of recent reassessments of the callicebine phylogeny, based on a suite of genetic studies, and the potential contribution of environmental influences, including habitat acoustics and social learning. A better knowledge of callicebine loud calls may also impact the conservation of critically endangered populations, such as the vocally distinctive Peruvian endemic, the San Martin titi, P. oenanthe.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is an important cause of pneumonia mortality in young children. However, clinical data for fatal RSV infection are scarce. We aimed to identify clinical and socioeconomic characteristics of children aged younger than 5 years with RSV-related mortality using individual patient data. Methods: In this retrospective case series, we developed an online questionnaire to obtain individual patient data for clinical and socioeconomic characteristics of children aged younger than 5 years who died with community-acquired RSV infection between Jan 1, 1995, and Oct 31, 2015, through leading research groups for child pneumonia identified through a comprehensive literature search and existing research networks. For the literature search, we searched PubMed for articles published up to Feb 3, 2015, using the key terms “RSV”, “respiratory syncytial virus”, or “respiratory syncytial viral” combined with “mortality”, “fatality”, “death”, “died”, “deaths”, or “CFR” for articles published in English. We invited researchers and clinicians identified to participate between Nov 1, 2014, and Oct 31, 2015. We calculated descriptive statistics for all variables. Findings: We studied 358 children with RSV-related in-hospital death from 23 countries across the world, with data contributed from 31 research groups. 117 (33%) children were from low-income or lower middle-income countries, 77 (22%) were from upper middle-income countries, and 164 (46%) were from high-income countries. 190 (53%) were male. Data for comorbidities were missing for some children in low-income and middle-income countries. Available data showed that comorbidities were present in at least 33 (28%) children from low-income or lower middle-income countries, 36 (47%) from upper middle-income countries, and 114 (70%) from high-income countries. Median age for RSV-related deaths was 5·0 months (IQR 2·3–11·0) in low-income or lower middle-income countries, 4·0 years (2·0–10·0) in upper middle-income countries, and 7·0 years (3·6–16·8) in high-income countries. Interpretation: This study is the first large case series of children who died with community-acquired RSV infection. A substantial proportion of children with RSV-related death had comorbidities. Our results show that perinatal immunisation strategies for children aged younger than 6 months could have a substantial impact on RSV-related child mortality in low-income and middle-income countries. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

El subsistema natural litoral ha sido objeto de innumerables trabajos debido a la presión que la población puede generar en él, sin embargo la determinación cuantitativa de la calidad ambiental,en playas con uso turístico, es de algún modo, reciente. El objetivo del estudio es ensayar un sistema de indicadores, agrupados según un modelo de estado, presión y respuesta, para la determinación de la calidad ambiental en playas con uso turístico. Las mediciones se realizaron en diez playas, en los meses de verano, desde el 2009 al 2013. La calidad ambiental que afecta la función amenidad se determinó por una adaptación del modelo Presión, Estado y Respuesta (PER) complementada con análisis univariados y bivariados. Las relaciones significativas entre las variables consideradas muestran que el uso de la playa responde a cuestiones como la calidad de las arenas o la presencia de plataformas de erosión. Las playas con mayores presiones son las de Santa Teresita y Mar del Plata mientras que las de Villa Gesell y Miramar son las que presentan mejor Estado relativo por ser amplias, sin plataformas de erosión, con buena calidad microbiológica, y en general con baja turbidez de sus aguas,con ausencia de olores desagradables,entre otras características. Por otro lado las que presentan peor estado son las playas de Quequén y Santa Teresita por carecer de los atributos antes mencionados. Las mejores respuestas relativas se registraron en Villa Gesell y Miramar donde se verifica una gestión privada. Natural littoral subsystems have been the subject of countless research projects because of the pressure that people can generate onthem. However the quantitative determination of environmental quality, in beaches with tourist use, is of recent implementation. The aim of this study is to apply a system of indicators grouped according to a model state, pressure and response to the determination of environmental quality in beaches used for tourist purposes. Measurements were performed on ten beaches during summer months, from 2009 to 2013. The environmental quality that affects the amenity function was determined by an adaptation of Pressure, State and Response (PER) model, supplemented with univariate and bivariate analysis. Significant relationships between variables show that the use of the beach responds to the quality of the sand or the presence of erosion platforms. The beaches Santa Teresita and Mar del Plata show the highest pressures while Villa Gesell and Miramar are those with bestrelative state due to their amplitude, without erosion platforms, with good microbiological quality, and in general, with low turbidity in their waters, or absence of unpleasant odors, among other features. On the other hand those with worststate are Santa Teresitaand Quequén beaches because they lack of the above mentioned attributes. The best responses were recorded on Villa Gesell and Miramar where a private management is verified.

In this work acrylic dispersions were mixed with alkyd emulsions to obtain coatings that lower the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in surface coatings. The advantage of this approach is that the fast drying of the acrylic is combined with the good film properties of the alkyd. Films produced with an alkyd and a soft acrylic (AA1) did not exhibit good film properties. Whereas, films produced with a hard acrylic (SA1 and AA 2 ) and a soft alkyd gave films with good appearance, appropriate drying times, superior pendulum hardness and promising values of gloss. VOC was calculated below 25 g/L. The novel mixtures may be applied as high gloss enamels for architectural coatings.

Bajo condiciones de campo, invernadero y laboratorio, el estudio evaluó la asociación ácaros-hongosamarillamiento de la cebolla junca Allium fistulosum en cultivos recién establecidos y en cultivos de edad avanzada, en las localidades de San Francisco y Alianza (Pasto, Colombia), ubicadas a 2.650 msnm, con una temperatura de 12°C y precipitación media de 1.100 mm anuales. En los cultivos recién establecidos se encontraron una incidencia de amarillamiento del 11,0% y 14,2% respectivamente, sin presentar diferencias significativas para las dos localidades. De igual manera no hubo diferencias significativas entre localidades para los cultivos de edad avanzada, con una incidencia de 38,4% y 43,4%, respectivamente. En las muestras de cada localidad se encontraron dos tipos de ácaros como causantes de amarillamiento de la cebolla, Rhizoglyphus echinophus y Rhizoglyphus vincatus (Acari: Acaridae), siendo R. echinopus el que presentó el mayor porcentaje de plantas afectadas (56,7%). Los hongos causantes del daño al cultivo de cebolla fueron: Phoma sp., Botrytis sp., Gliocladium sp. y Fusarium oxysporum. En invernadero el mayor porcentaje de plantas afectadas se presentó con F. oxysporum (43,3%) y con el complejo F. oxysporum y Phoma sp. (40,0%). La asociación del ácaro R. echinopus y el hongo F. oxysporum, produjo el mayor porcentaje de plantas afectadas (80,0%). Además, se encontró que R. echinopus presentó mayor descendencia en presencia de F. oxysporum (78 individuos a las 72 horas).

Ninety-seven lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from slaughterhouse porcine blood in order to select autochthonous LAB strains for use as biopreservatives of this by-product. They were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing; and their inhibition capacity was determined against four bacterial species frequently found in contaminated blood, i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus spp. The taxonomic study showed an unexpected low diversity of LAB in blood, i.e. only 8 different species were found, from which just 4, i.e. Enterococcus raffinosus, Lactobacillus murinus, Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactococcus garvieae, amounted to more than 90% of all isolates. Inhibition tests in solid culture media proved that S. aureus and Bacillus spp. were inhibited by most LAB strains obtained from porcine blood. E. coli was the indicator less affected by the isolated LAB species. Several isolates efficiently inhibited the growth of all tested indicators.

RESUMEN. En el Departamento de Ciencias Patológicas de la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción, se llevó a cabo un estudio de tipificación citológica de neoplasias cutáneas en caninos y felinos que acudieron a consulta a la División Hospital Veterinario y a clínicas veterinarias privadas de Asunción y área metropolitana. Se evaluaron 102 pacientes, 98 caninos y 4 felinos, con formaciones tumorales cutáneas, siendo tipificados 99 casos como procesos tumorales y 3 como no tumorales. En caninos fueron tipificados 95 casos tumorales, los cuales correspondieron a: adenoma sebáceo 7 (7,37%), adenocarcinoma sebáceo 6 (6,31%), adenocarcinoma de células ceruminosas 1 (1,05%), adenocarcinoma perianal 5 (5,26%), adenoma de glándulas sudoríparas 1 (1,05%), basolioma o carcinoma de células basales 6 (6,31%), carcinoma de células escamosas 1(1,05%), fibroliposarcoma 2 (2,10%), fibrolipoma 5 (5,26%), hemangiopericitoma 1 (1,05%), hemangiosarcoma 1 (1,05%), histiocitoma 4 (4,21%), histiosarcoma 1 (1,05%), linfoma cutáneo 9 (9,47%), lipoma 2 (2,10%), liposarcoma 1 (1,05%), melanoma cutáneo 7 (7,37%), mastocitoma 27 (28,42%), plasmocitoma 1 (1,05%), indiferenciado de origen epitelial 1 (1,05%), sarcoma 2 (2,10%) y tumor venéreo transmisible 4 (4,21%). En felinos fueron tipificados 4 casos tumorales, los cuales correspondieron a 1 caso (25%) de carcinoma de células escamosas y 3 casos (75%) de células mesenquimáticas. Los procesos no tumorales encontrados, fueron catalogados como granuloma cutáneo, quiste sebáceo e hiperplasia de la glándula prepucial. ABSTRACT. At the Patological Science Department from FCV - UNA, was carried out a study of cytologic typing of skin tumors in dogs and cats who consulted the Division Veterinary Hospital and private veterinary clinics from Asunción metropolitan area. A total of 102 patients, 98 dogs and 4 cats were evaluated with skin tumor formation, has been established as tumor 99 cases and 3 processes as non-tumor. In canines were typified 95 tumor cases, which corresponded to: sebaceous adenoma 7 (7.37 %), sebaceous adenocarcinoma 6 (6.31 %) , ceruminous adenocarcinoma cells 1 (1.05 %) , perianal adenocarcinoma of 5 ( 5.26 % ) , sweat gland adenoma 1 (1.05 % ), basolioma or basal cell carcinoma 6 (6.31 % ) , squamous cell carcinoma 1 (1.05 % ) , fibroliposarcoma 2 ( 2.10% ), fibrolipoma of 5 ( 5.26%) , hemangiopericytoma 1 (1.05 %) , hemangiosarcoma 1 (1.05 %) , histiocytoma 4 (4.21 %) , histiocytoma 1 (1.05 %) , cutaneous lymphoma 9 (9 , 47% ) , lipoma 2 ( 2.10% ) , liposarcoma 1 (1.05 %), melanoma cutáneo7 (7.37 % ) , mast cell 27 ( 28.42% ) , plasmacytoma 1 (1.05 % ) , undifferentiated epithelial origin 1 (1.05 %) , sarcoma 2 (2.10 %) and transmissible venereal tumor 4 (4.21 %). In cats were typified 4 tumoral cases, which corresponded to 1 (25 %) of squamous cell carcinoma and 3 cases (75%) of mesenchymal cells. The non-tumor processes found were classified as cutaneous granuloma, sebaceous cyst and hyperplasia of the preputial gland.

Objective: Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent seasonal influenza and its severe outcomes. The objective of our study was to synthesize information on seasonal influenza vaccination policies, recommendations and practices in place in 2011 for all countries and areas in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization (WHO). Methods: Data were collected via a questionnaire on seasonal influenza vaccination policies, recommendations and practices in place in 2011. Results: Thirty-six of the 37 countries and areas (97%) responded to the survey. Eighteen (50%) reported having established seasonal influenza vaccination policies, an additional seven (19%) reported having recommendations for risk groups for seasonal influenza vaccination only and 11 (30%) reported having no policies or recommendations in place. Of the 25 countries and areas with policies or recommendations, health-care workers and the elderly were most frequently recommended for vaccination; 24 (96%) countries and areas recommended vaccinating these groups, followed by pregnant women (19 [76%]), people with chronic illness (18 [72%]) and children (15 [60%]). Twenty-six (72%) countries and areas reported having seasonal influenza vaccines available through public funding, private market purchase or both. Most of these countries and areas purchased only enough vaccine to cover 25% or less of their populations. Discussion: In light of the new WHO position paper on influenza vaccines published in 2012 and the increasing availability of country-specific data, countries and areas should consider reviewing or developing their seasonal influenza vaccination policies to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with annual epidemics and as part of ongoing efforts for pandemic preparedness.

El objetivo principal del proyecto "Refinería del Pacífico", es contar un Complejo Refinador con una capacidad de procesamiento de 300 mil barriles diarios de petróleo, y obtener la producción de los siguientes derivados: Gasolina: 87.700 barriles por día, Diesel: 171.400 barriles por día, Gas licuado de petróleo: 7.400 barriles por día, Combustible para aviones (Jet fuel): 6.000 barriles por día, Benceno: 2.500 barriles por día, Xileno: 4.600 barriles por día, Polipropileno: 100 toneladas métricas por año. Instituto Oceanográfico de la Armada Published

OBJETIVO: evaluar la presencia de metabolitos organofosforados en la orina de escolares rurales y estimar la asociación con el desempeño cognitivo. METODOLOGIA: estudio exploratorio de diseño transversal. Se midió en 25 niños el funcionamiento cognitivo con el test de inteligencia WISC-III y concentraciones de metabolitos organofosforados en orina. RESULTADOS: 56% de los niños presentaron concentraciones sobre el límite de detección para el dimetilfosfato (DMP) y el dimetiltiofosfato (dmtp), y 92% presentó el metabolito dietilfosfato (dep) sobre este límite. En el WISC-III,el coeficiente intelectual (ci) bajo el promedio (CI > 90) corresponde a: CI total = 60%; CIejecución = 64%; CIverbal = 52%; CI organización perceptual = 60%; CIvelocidad de procesamiento = 95%; y CI ausencia de distractibilidad = 64%. Se encontró una asociación inversa entre el factor velocidad de procesamiento y el dmtp (rs = -0,44, p = 0,014). CONCLUSIONES: los resultados indican exposición a plaguicidas organofosforados en escolares rurales medidos con biomarcadores de metabolitos organofosforados en orina. Se observó relación entre la presencia de un metabolito organofosforado y un factor de desempeño cognitivo de la prueba WISC-III. Se considera pertinente evaluar los efectos de la presencia de metabolitos organofosforados en el funcionamiento cognitivo en una muestra mayor, considerando otras variables de exposición. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the presence of organophosphate metabolites (OP) in the urine of rural schoolchildren and estimate its association with their cognitive performance. METHODOLOGY: a cross-sectional exploratory study in which a total of 25 children were assessed. Cognitive functioning was measured using the WISC-III intelligence test. Additionally, the concentration of OP metabolites in their urine was tested. RESULTS: 56% of the children had concentration levels above the detection limit for dimethylphosphate (DMP) and dimethyltiophosphate (DMTP). Moreover, 92% of them had the metabolite diethylphosphate (DEP) values on this limit. Regarding the WISC-III, the intelligence quotient (IQ) values below the average (IQ > 90) correspond to: Total IQ = 60% performance IQ = 64%, verbal IQ = 52%, perceptual organization IQ = 60%, processing speed IQ = 95%, and freedom from distractibility IQ = 64%. An inverse association was found between the processing speed factor and DMTP (r s = -0.44, p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: results indicate that the rural schoolchildren whose urine was measured with OP metabolite biomarkers had been exposed to OP pesticides. A relationship was observed between the presence of OP metabolites and the cognitive performance factor of the WISC-III test. We believe it is appropriate to evaluate the effects of the presence of OP metabolites on cognitive functioning in a larger sample, while considering other exposure variables.

Bajo condiciones de campo, invernadero y laboratorio, el estudio evaluó la asociación ácaros-hongosamarillamiento de la cebolla junca Allium fistulosum en cultivos recién establecidos y en cultivos de edad avanzada, en las localidades de San Francisco y Alianza (Pasto, Colombia), ubicadas a 2.650 msnm, con una temperatura de 12°C y precipitación media de 1.100 mm anuales. En los cultivos recién establecidos se encontraron una incidencia de amarillamiento del 11,0% y 14,2% respectivamente, sin presentar diferencias significativas para las dos localidades. De igual manera no hubo diferencias significativas entre localidades para los cultivos de edad avanzada, con una incidencia de 38,4% y 43,4%, respectivamente. En las muestras de cada localidad se encontraron dos tipos de ácaros como causantes de amarillamiento de la cebolla, Rhizoglyphus echinophus y Rhizoglyphus vincatus (Acari: Acaridae), siendo R. echinopus el que presentó el mayor porcentaje de plantas afectadas (56,7%). Los hongos causantes del daño al cultivo de cebolla fueron: Phoma sp., Botrytis sp., Gliocladium sp. y Fusarium oxysporum. En invernadero el mayor porcentaje de plantas afectadas se presentó con F. oxysporum (43,3%) y con el complejo F. oxysporum y Phoma sp. (40,0%). La asociación del ácaro R. echinopus y el hongo F. oxysporum, produjo el mayor porcentaje de plantas afectadas (80,0%). Además, se encontró que R. echinopus presentó mayor descendencia en presencia de F. oxysporum (78 individuos a las 72 horas). Under field, greenhouse and laboratory conditions, the study evaluated the mite-fungus-yellowing association in the Welsh onion Allium fistulosum, in recently established and mature crops, in the localities of San Francisco and Alianza (Pasto, Colombia), located at 2650 m elevation, with a temperature of 12°C and an average annual rainfall of 1100 mm annual. In recently established crops, the incidence of yellowing was 11.0% and 14.2%, respectively, with no difference between localities. Similarly, there were no significant difference between localities for the mature crop, with an incidence of 38.4% and 43.40%, respectively. In the sampling at each locality two kinds of mites were found which are responsible for the yellowing of onion, Rhizoglyphus echinophus and Rhizoglyphus vincatus (Acari: Acaridae), being R. echinopus with the greatest percentage of affected plants (56.7%). The fungi responsible for the damage to the onion crops were: Phoma sp., Botrytis sp., Gliocladium and Fusarium oxysporum. In the greenhouse the greatest percentage of affected plants had F. oxysporum (43.3%) and the complex F. oxysporum and Phoma sp. (40.0%). The association of the mite R. echinopus and the fungus F. oxysporum, produced the greatest percentage of affected plants (80.0%). Moreover, R. echinopus was found to present the most descendents when in the presence of F. oxysporum (78 individuals in 72 hours).

BACKGROUND: Although radiological pneumonia is used as an outcome measure in epidemiological studies, there is considerable variability in the interpretation of chest radiographs. A standardized method for identifying radiological pneumonia would facilitate comparison of the results of vaccine trials and epidemiological studies of pneumonia. METHODS: A WHO working group developed definitions for radiological pneumonia. Inter-observer variability in categorizing a set of 222 chest radiographic images was measured by comparing the readings made by 20 radiologists and clinicians with a reference reading. Intra-observer variability was measured by comparing the initial readings of a randomly chosen subset of 100 radiographs with repeat readings made 8-30 days later. FINDINGS: Of the 222 images, 208 were considered interpretable. The reference reading categorized 43% of these images as showing alveolar consolidation or pleural effusion (primary end-point pneumonia); the proportion thus categorized by each of the 20 readers ranged from 8% to 61%. Using the reference reading as the gold standard, 14 of the 20 readers had sensitivity and specificity of > 0.70 in identifying primary end-point pneumonia; 13 out of 20 readers had a kappa index of > 0.6 compared with the reference reading. For the 92 radiographs deemed to be interpretable among the 100 images used for intra-observer variability, 19 out of 20 readers had a kappa index of > 0.6. CONCLUSION: Using standardized definitions and training, it is possible to achieve agreement in identifying radiological pneumonia, thus facilitating the comparison of results of epidemiological studies that use radiological pneumonia as an outcome.