Trimen's false tiger moth, Agoma trimenii (Lepidoptera: Agaristidae), has developed pest status in vineyards in the Northern Cape and Groblersdal areas of South Africa, and an integrated pest management system is required. The objective of this study was to test the susceptibility of A. trimenii larvae to three commercial products (Delegate®WG, Steward®150 EC and three doses of DiPel® DF). Bioassay tests using all three products, and semi-field trials to test the potential of DiPel® DF against A. trimenii larvae, applied at different water volumes (50 g/1 000 L/ha and 50 g/1 430 L/ha) were performed. The residual activity of DiPel® DF, when applied at different water volumes, was investigated daily. Delegate® WG, Steward®150 EC and the recommended dose of DiPel® DF showed 100% larval mortality within seven days. Delegate® WG and the recommended dose of DiPel® DF proved to be the fastest acting products. The product label recommended dose of DiPel® DF (0.25 g/500 mL distilled water) proved the most effective dose (in comparison to halved and doubled dosages) and showed 100% mortality five days after application. Increasing the water volume per ha of a spray application of DiPel® DF for the same application area, showed no significant increase in larval mortality. A reduction in insecticidal activity for DiPel® DF applied at both water volumes was seen between leaves picked four days after spraying and leaves picked five days after spraying, and no mortality was observed after day 6. To help improve efficacy, attention should be given to increasing spray coverage and residual activity of DiPel® DF, as well as using all tested products within an integrated pest management system.

ABSTRACT Purpose: We aimed to assess failure rates of salvage interventions and changes in split kidney function (SKF) following failed primary repair of ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of adult patients at an academic medical center who underwent salvage intervention following primary treatment for UPJO was performed. Symptomatic failure was defined as significant flank pain. Radiographic failure was defined as no improvement in drainage or a decrease in SKF by ≥7%. Overall failure, the primary outcome, was defined as symptomatic failure, radiographic failure, or both. Results: Between 2008-2017, 34 patients (median age 38 years, 50% men) met study criteria. UPJO management was primary pyeloplasty/secondary endopyelotomy for 21/34 (62%), primary pyeloplasty/secondary pyeloplasty for 6/34 (18%), and primary endopyelotomy/secondary pyeloplasty for 7/34 (21%). Median follow-up was 3.3 years following secondary intervention. Patients undergoing primary pyeloplasty/secondary endopyelotomy had significantly higher overall failure than those undergoing primary pyeloplasty/secondary pyeloplasty (16/21 [76%] vs. 1/6 [17%], p=0.015). Among patients undergoing secondary endopyelotomy, presence of a stricture on retrograde pyelogram, stricture length, and SKF were not associated with symptomatic, radiographic, or overall failure. Serial renography was performed for 28/34 (82%) patients and 2/28 (7%) had a significant decline in SKF. Conclusions: Following failed primary pyeloplasty, secondary endopyelotomy had a greater overall failure rate than secondary pyeloplasty. No radiographic features assessed were associated with secondary endopyelotomy failure. Secondary intervention overall failure rates were higher than reported in the literature. Unique to this study, serial renography demonstrated that significant functional loss was overall infrequent.

Trimen's false tiger moth, Agoma trimenii (Lepidoptera: Agaristidae), recently developed as a pest of grapevine in the Northern Cape and Limpopo (Groblersdal area) provinces of South Africa. Little is known about the biology of A. trimenii and control options are lacking. The aim of this study was to test the susceptibility of A. trimenii larvae and pupae to two locally isolated entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Steinernema yirgalemense and Heterorhabditis noenieputensis, and two commercially available entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, under laboratory conditions. Larvae and pupae were screened for pathogenicity of the two nematode species, using a concentration of 100 infective juveniles (IJs)/50 μ! of water. After 48 h, 100% mortality of the larval stage was found. However, no pupae were infected with EPNs. Larvae and pupae were screened for pathogenicity of the two EPF isolates by means of a dipping test, at a concentration of 0.2 ml/500 ml water and 0.5 g/500 ml water, respectively. Five days post-treatment, 100% larval mortality was recorded in comparison with no deaths in the controls. Overt mycosis was only observed in the case of M. anisopliae. However, in the case of pupae, no mortality was observed for both the nematode and the fungal applications. In future studies, the prepupal soil stage of A. trimenii should be screened for susceptibility to EPNs and EPF. The results of this study indicate the excellent potential of EPNs and EPF as biological control agents against the larvae of A. trimenii, especially for application to small areas with high infestation, without disrupting an integrated pest management programme.

The white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is responsible for 49% of shark-related injuries in South Africa, yet no information currently exists on the composition or antibiotic resistance of bacteria hosted by these apex predators in South African waters. This study aimed to address this gap by sampling the bacteria present in the oral cavities of 28 live C. carcharias along South Africa's southern coastline. The antibiotic resistance of the range of microbiota was also assessed using antibiotic disc diffusion tests. A total of 51 strains from at least 20 species of bacteria were isolated from the oral cavities of C. carcharias. Of these strains, the most common bacteria present were Serratia spp., Proteus vulgaris and Vibrio alginolyticus. The overall antibiotic resistance was relatively higher in this study than that reported for bacterial microbiota sampled from other shark species. Results indicate that the combination therapy of imipenem (carbapenem antibiotic) and vancomycin (glycopeptide antibiotic) might be the most parsimonious option to effectively treat infections resulting from white shark bites, particularly in South Africa. It is hoped that, in addition to assisting medical professionals to treat shark bite victims, these findings enhance the understanding of the microbial communities present in large coastal predators and their surrounding environments.SIGNIFICANCE: •Overall antibiotic resistance of bacteria in the oral cavities of C. carcharias was relatively high. •Combination therapy of imipenem (carbapenem antibiotic) and vancomycin (glycopeptide antibiotic) is recommended for the treatment of white shark bites, particularly in South Africa. •The findings add to understanding of the microbial communities present in large coastal predators and their surrounding environments

Abstract: Evolutionary radiations stemming from colonization of archipelagos provide valuable insights into mechanisms and modes of speciation. For this reason, the fauna inhabiting the Galápagos Islands has been the focus of numerous emblematic ecological and evolutionary studies. However, studies focused on rodents have been scarce. Rice rats radiated in situ into at least six endemic species: Aegialomys galapagoensis, Nesoryzomys narboroughi, N. swarthi, N. fernandinae, N. indefessus, and N. darwini. Only the first four species remain extant on the archipelago. These species are considered vulnerable, mainly due to human activities and invasive species. Despite their interesting evolutionary history, questions surrounding phylogenetic relationships, colonization events, genetic diversity and demography of populations remain unresolved. We used the D-loop region of mtDNA to infer phylogenetic relationships, colonization events, date divergences, and conduct population genetic analyses of the four extant endemic species inhabiting the Galápagos Islands. We found that all species were monophyletic. A. galapagoensis is sister to A. xanthaeolus from the continent, and both of them are the sister clade of the genus Nesoryzomys. Our results also showed that there were two colonization events to the islands. The first event was the arrival of the ancestor of Nesoryzomys during the Pliocene, when divergences between genera occurred. The second was Aegialomys during middle Pleistocene, when species diversification began. Populations on each island show high genetic diversity and most show signals of recent expansion. However, future studies are needed to accurately assess the conservation status of these populations. We suggest ongoing monitoring of these vulnerable endemic species, including ecological and population genetic studies. In addition, future studies using genome-wide molecular markers and additional species from the continent, as well as sampling extinct species from the islands, will improve our knowledge about the origin and relationships of the endemic rodents of the Galápagos Islands.

Resumen: Las radiaciones evolutivas que ocurren en los archipiélagos, posterior a su colonización, proporcionan información relevante sobre las formas y mecanismos de especiación. Por tal motivo, la fauna que habita en las Islas Galápagos ha sido objeto de numerosos y emblemáticos estudios. A pesar de lo anterior, los estudios enfocados a roedores han sido escasos. Las ratas arroceras han radiado in situ en al menos seis especies endémicas: Aegialomys galapagoensis, Nesoryzomys narboroughi, N. swarthi, N. fernandinae, N. indefessus y N. darwini. A la fecha, solo las primeras cuatro especies aún se distribuyen en el archipiélago. Dichas especies se encuentran clasificadas como vulnerables, debido principalmente a las actividades humanas y las especies invasoras. A pesar de la interesante historia evolutiva que presentan estas especies, las interrogantes sobre sus relaciones filogenéticas, los eventos de colonización de las islas y la diversidad genética e historia demográfica de sus poblaciones, siguen sin resolverse. Dado lo anterior, usamos la región D-loop del DNA mitocondrial para inferir las relaciones filogenéticas, los eventos de colonización, los tiempos de divergencia y analizar el estado genético poblacional de las cuatro especies endémicas existentes en las Islas Galápagos. Encontramos que todas las especies representan grupos monofiléticos, que A. galapagoensis es la especie hermana de A. xanthaeolus del continente, y que estas dos especies son el grupo hermano del género Nesoryzomys. Nuestros resultados indican dos eventos de colonización en las islas. El primer evento muestra la llegada del ancestro de Nesoryzomys durante el Plioceno, siendo contemporáneo a la divergencia entre los dos géneros. El segundo evento de colonización ocurrió a mediados del Pleistoceno, cuando Aegialomys invadió el archipiélago y los eventos de diversificación de las especies comenzaron. En general, las poblaciones en las islas muestran una diversidad genética alta y una señal de expansión reciente. A pesar de ello, se requiere de más estudios para evaluar con precisión el estado de conservación de las poblaciones. Sugerimos que las poblaciones de estos roedores endémicos y vulnerables sean monitoreadas, realizando estudios ecológicos y genéticos. Adicionalmente, estudios futuros que utilicen marcadores moleculares distribuidos a través del genoma completo y que incluyan a las especies extintas en las islas y a más especies del continente, mejorarían el conocimiento sobre el origen y las relaciones de los roedores endémicos de las Islas Galápagos.

Abstract Objective: To assess the feasibility of clinical pharmacist-led CYP2C19 genotype-guided P2Y12 inhibitor antiplatelet drug therapy recommendations to cardiologists in an outpatient cardiology practice. Methods: This was a prospective, open-labeled, single-arm study conducted in an integrated healthcare delivery system between March 1, 2013 and January 23, 2014. Patients requiring non-emergent cardiac catheterization were included. A clinical pharmacist provided interpretation and recommendations from genotyping results. The feasibility of implementing CYP2C19 genotype-guided antiplatelet therapy was assessed by the: 1) percentage of patients approached who consented to CYP2C19 genotyping, 2) percentage of patients with CYP2C19 genotyping results available prior to cardiac catheterization, and 3) percentage of clinical pharmacist CYP2C19 genotype-based antiplatelet recommendations accepted by cardiologists. Results: Of the 43 patients identified for potential recruitment, 22 of these were eligible for study enrollment and 6 (27%) patients consented and received CYP2C19 genotyping. All patients had genotyping results available prior to catheterization and all clinical pharmacists’ antiplatelet therapy recommendations were accepted by the patients’ cardiologists. Three patients had the CYP2C19 wild-type (*1/*1) genotype and the clinical pharmacist recommended clopidogrel therapy. CYP2C19 variant genotypes (i.e., *1/*2, *1/*17, and *2/*17) were found in the other three patients; alternative antiplatelet therapy was recommended for the patient with the *1/*2 genotype, while clopidogrel was recommended for those with *1/*17 and *2/*17 genotypes. Conclusion: A relatively small proportion of patients undergoing non-emergent cardiac catheterization consented to pharmacogenetic testing; however, their cardiologists were receptive to clinical pharmacists conducting such testing and providing corresponding pharmacotherapy recommendations. Future studies should identify patient barriers to pharmacogenetic testing.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most frequent cause of death in people with early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), for whom the absolute risk of cardiovascular events is similar to people who have existing coronary artery disease. This is an update of a review published in 2009, and includes evidence from 27 new studies (25,068 participants) in addition to the 26 studies (20,324 participants) assessed previously; and excludes three previously included studies (107 participants). This updated review includes 50 studies (45,285 participants); of these 38 (37,274 participants) were meta-analysed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the benefits (such as reductions in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, major cardiovascular events, MI and stroke; and slow progression of CKD to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD)) and harms (muscle and liver dysfunction, withdrawal, and cancer) of statins compared with placebo, no treatment, standard care or another statin in adults with CKD who were not on dialysis. METHODS: Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Renal Group's Specialised Register to 5 June 2012 through contact with the Trials' Search Co-ordinator using search terms relevant to this review. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compared the effects of statins with placebo, no treatment, standard care, or other statins, on mortality, cardiovascular events, kidney function, toxicity, and lipid levels in adults with CKD not on dialysis were the focus of our literature searches. Data collection and analysis: Two or more authors independently extracted data and assessed study risk of bias. Treatment effects were expressed as mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes (lipids, creatinine clearance and proteinuria) and risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes (major cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), fatal or non-fatal stroke, ESKD, elevated liver enzymes, rhabdomyolysis, cancer and withdrawal rates) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS: We included 50 studies (45,285 participants): 47 studies (39,820 participants) compared statins with placebo or no treatment and three studies (5547 participants) compared two different statin regimens in adults with CKD who were not yet on dialysis. We were able to meta-analyse 38 studies (37,274 participants). The risk of bias in the included studies was high. Seven studies comparing statins with placebo or no treatment had lower risk of bias overall; and were conducted according to published protocols, outcomes were adjudicated by a committee, specified outcomes were reported, and analyses were conducted using intention-to-treat methods. In placebo or no treatment controlled studies, adverse events were reported in 32 studies (68%) and systematically evaluated in 16 studies (34%). Compared with placebo, statin therapy consistently prevented major cardiovascular events (13 studies, 36,033 participants; RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.79), all-cause mortality (10 studies, 28,276 participants; RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.91), cardiovascular death (7 studies, 19,059 participants; RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.87) and MI (8 studies, 9018 participants; RR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.72). Statins had uncertain effects on stroke (5 studies, 8658 participants; RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.12). Potential harms from statin therapy were limited by lack of systematic reporting and were uncertain in analyses that had few events: elevated creatine kinase (7 studies, 4514 participants; RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.20 to 3.48), liver function abnormalities (7 studies, RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.50), withdrawal due to adverse events (13 studies, 4219 participants; RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.60), and cancer (2 studies, 5581 participants; RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.82 to 130). Statins had uncertain effects on progression of CKD. Data for relative effects of intensive cholesterol lowering in people with early stages of kidney disease were sparse. Statins clearly reduced risks of death, major cardiovascular events, and MI in people with CKD who did not have CVD at baseline (primary prevention). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Statins consistently lower death and major cardiovascular events by 20% in people with CKD not requiring dialysis. Statin-related effects on stroke and kidney function were found to be uncertain and adverse effects of treatment are incompletely understood. Statins have an important role in primary prevention of cardiovascular events and mortality in people who have CKD.

<sec><title>INTRODUCTION:</title><p> Recent studies at sites in northern Australia have reported severe and rapid decline of several native mammal species, notwithstanding an environmental context (small human population size, limited habitat loss, substantial reservation extent) that should provide relative conservation security. All of the more speciose taxonomic groups of mammals in northern Australia have some species for which their conservation status has been assessed as threatened, with 53 % of dasyurid, 47 % of macropod and potoroid, 33 % of bandicoot and bilby, 33 % of possum, 30 % of rodent, and 24 % of bat species being assessed as extinct, threatened or near threatened. However, the geographical extent and timing of declines, and their causes, remain poorly resolved, limiting the application of remedial management actions.</p></sec><sec><title>MATERIAL AND METHODS:</title><p> Focusing on the tropical savannas of northern Australia, this paper reviews disparate recent and ongoing studies that provide information on population trends across a broader geographic scope than the previously reported sites, and examines the conservation status and trends for mammal groups (bats, macropods) not well sampled in previous monitoring studies. It describes some diverse approaches of studies seeking to document conservation status and trends, and of the factors that may be contributing to observed patterns of decline.</p></sec><sec><title>RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:</title><p><italic>Current trends and potential causal factors for declines</italic>. The studies reported demonstrate that the extent and timing of impacts and threats have been variable across the region, although there is a general gradational pattern of earlier and more severe decline from inland lower rainfall areas to higher rainfall coastal regions. Some small isolated areas appear to have retained their mammal species, as have many islands which remain critical refuges. There is now some compelling evidence that predation by feral cats is implicated in the observed decline, with those impacts likely to be exacerbated by prevailing fire regimes (frequent, extensive and intense fire), by reduction in ground vegetation cover due to livestock and, in some areas, by 'control' of dingoes. However the impacts of dingoes may be complex, and are not yet well resolved in this area. The relative impacts of these individual factors vary spatially (with most severe impacts in higher rainfall and more rugged areas) and between different mammal species, with some species responding idiosyncratically: the most notable example is the rapid decline of the northern quoll (<italic>Dasyurus hallucatus</italic>) due to poisoning by the introduced cane toad (<italic>Rhinella marina</italic>), which continues to spread extensively across northern Australia. The impact of disease, if any, remains unresolved.</p></sec><sec><title>CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT RESPONSES:</title><p> Recovery of the native mammal fauna may be impossible in some areas. However, there are now examples of rapid recovery following threat management. Priority conservation actions include: enhanced biosecurity for important islands, establishment of a network of feral predator exclosures, intensive fire management (aimed at increasing the extent of longer-unburnt habitat and in delivering fine scale patch burning), reduction in feral stock in conservation reserves, and acquisition for conservation purposes of some pastoral lands in areas that are significant for mammal conservation.</p></sec>

<sec><title>INTRODUCCIÓN:</title><p> En estudios recientes en sitios al norte de Australia se ha informado una rápida y severa disminución de algunas especies de mamíferos nativos, a pesar de un contexto ambiental favorable (de baja población humana, pérdida de hábitat limitado, de un grado sustancial reservas) que debe proporcionar una seguridad relativa de conservación. Todos los grupos taxonómicos con mayor riqueza de especies de mamíferos en el norte de Australia tienen algunas especies cuyo estado de conservaciÓn se ha evaluado como amenazadas, con un 53 % de dasyuridae, el 47 % de macropodae y potoroidae, el 33% de bandicoot y bilby, el 33 % zarigÍ1/4eyas, el 30 % de los roedores, y el 24 % de las especies de murciélagos están evaluados como extintas, amenazadas o casi amenazadas. Sin embargo, el alcance geográfico y cronológico de las disminuciones, y sus causas, siguen estando mal resueltos, lo que limita la aplicación de medidas de gestión de recuperación.</p></sec><sec><title>MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS:</title><p> Centrándose en las sabanas tropicales del norte de Australia, en este trabajo se revisan los estudios recientes y se proporciona información sobre las tendencias de población a través de un Ámbito geográfico más amplio y se proporciona información sobre el estado de conservación y las tendencias de mamífero grupos (murciélagos, macropodos) no así la muestra en los estudios de seguimiento anteriores. Se describen algunos enfoques diversos de los estudios que documentan sobre el estado de conservación, las tendencias, y de los factores que pueden estar contribuyendo a los patrones observados de declive.</p></sec><sec><title>RESULTADOS Y DISCUSIÓN:</title><p> Las tendencias actuales y los posibles factores causales de caídas. Los estudios publicados demuestran que la magnitud y oportunidad de los impactos y amenazas han sido variables en toda la región, a pesar de que existe un patrón gradual general de descenso que antes, y más grave de zonas de precipitaciones inferiores a las regiones costeras de mayor precipitación. Algunas pequeñas zonas aisladas parecen haber conservado sus especies de mamíferos, al igual que muchas islas en las que permanecen refugios críticos. En la actualidad existe cierta evidencia convincente de que la depredación por gatos salvajes está implicada en la disminución observada, con estos impactos podrían verse agravados por los regímenes de fuego (fuego frecuente, extensa e intensa), que prevalece por la reducción de la cobertura vegetal del suelo debido a la ganadería y, en algunas Áreas, por "control" de los dingos. Sin embargo, los impactos de los dingos pueden ser complejos, y sin embargo, no están bien resueltas en esta Área. Los impactos relativos de estos factores individuales varían espacialmente (con la mayoría de los impactos severos en Áreas de mayor precipitación y Áreas escarpadas) y entre las diferentes especies de mamíferos, no obstante con algunas especies de responder idiosincrásicamente: el ejemplo más notable es la rápida disminución del quoll del norte (<italic>Dasyurus hallucatus</italic>) debido a la intoxicación por el sapo de caña introducido (<italic>Rhinella marina</italic>), que continúa propagándose ampliamente en todo el norte de Australia. El impacto de la enfermedad, en su caso, sigue sin resolverse.</p></sec><sec><title>RESPUESTAS DE LA ADMINISTRACIÓN DE CONSERVACIÓN.</title><p> La recuperación de la fauna de mamíferos nativos puede ser imposible en algunas Áreas. Sin embargo, ahora hay ejemplos de una rápida recuperación siguiente a la gestión de amenazas. Acciones prioritarias de conservación incluyen: una mayor bioseguridad para las islas importantes, establecimiento de una red de exclusiones de depredadores salvajes, manejo de incendios intensivos (dirigido a aumentar la extensión del hábitat más extenso sin quemar y en el suministro de una escala fina del parche de quema), reducción de acciones salvajes en las reservas de conservación y adquisición con de algunas tierras de pastoreo en Áreas que son importantes para la conservación de los mamíferos.</p></sec>

BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most frequent cause of death in people with early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), for whom the absolute risk of cardiovascular events is similar to people who have existing coronary artery disease. This is an update of a review published in 2009, and includes evidence from 27 new studies (25,068 participants) in addition to the 26 studies (20,324 participants) assessed previously; and excludes three previously included studies (107 participants). This updated review includes 50 studies (45,285 participants); of these 38 (37,274 participants) were meta-analysed.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the benefits (such as reductions in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, major cardiovascular events, MI and stroke; and slow progression of CKD to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD)) and harms (muscle and liver dysfunction, withdrawal, and cancer) of statins compared with placebo, no treatment, standard care or another statin in adults with CKD who were not on dialysis. METHODS:Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Renal Group's Specialised Register to 5 June 2012 through contact with the Trials' Search Co-ordinator using search terms relevant to this review. Selection criteria: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compared the effects of statins with placebo, no treatment, standard care, or other statins, on mortality, cardiovascular events, kidney function, toxicity, and lipid levels in adults with CKD not on dialysis were the focus of our literature searches. Data collection and analysis: Two or more authors independently extracted data and assessed study risk of bias. Treatment effects were expressed as mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes (lipids, creatinine clearance and proteinuria) and risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes (major cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), fatal or non-fatal stroke, ESKD, elevated liver enzymes, rhabdomyolysis, cancer and withdrawal rates) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).MAIN RESULTS:We included 50 studies (45,285 participants): 47 studies (39,820 participants) compared statins with placebo or no treatment and three studies (5547 participants) compared two different statin regimens in adults with CKD who were not yet on dialysis. We were able to meta-analyse 38 studies (37,274 participants).

OBJECTIVE: The region on the United States (US) side of the US-Mexico border consists of 44 counties in four states; populations on both sides of the border have similar health problems. Healthy Border 2010: An Agenda for Improving Health on the US-Mexico Border (HB 2010) is a binational agenda of health promotion and disease prevention for individuals in the region. This study reports on the health status of the four southern Arizona border counties. METHODS: Data on health indicators for Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Yuma Counties were collected from the Arizona Department of Health Services Vital Records and Statistics. Progress was calculated as a percentage made toward or away from the 2010 target. Comparisons were made between the border counties and Arizona. RESULTS: Progress toward the HB 2010 targets varied among the border counties. All border counties made progress toward the targets with the cervical cancer, hepatitis A, and teenage birthrate objectives. Most border counties moved toward the goals for breast cancer, diabetes mortality, tuberculosis, motor vehicle crashes, infant mortality from congenital abnormalities, and prenatal care. Border counties moved away from the target with the human immunodeficiency virus and infant mortality objectives. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of the HB 2010 objectives provided a comprehensive description of the health status of the population. Although the southern Arizona border counties have shown improvement in some areas, monitoring is still needed to identify the disparities that remain.

OBJETIVO: La región estadounidense de la frontera entre México y los Estados Unidos consta de 48 condados distribuidos en cuatro estados, y las poblaciones que viven a uno y otro lado de la frontera tienen problemas de salud similares. El programa binacional "Frontera saludable 2010" está destinado a las poblaciones de la región y se propone mejorar la situación sanitaria en la frontera entre México y los Estados Unidos mediante actividades de promoción de la salud y prevención de enfermedades. Este estudio es un informe sobre la situación sanitaria de los cuatro condados de la frontera sur de Arizona. MÉTODOS. Los datos acerca de los indicadores de salud de los condados de Cochise, Pima, Santa Cruz y Yuma se obtuvieron del registro civil y estadísticas del Departamento de Servicios de Salud de Arizona. Se calculó el progreso mediante un porcentaje que refleja la cercanía o la lejanía del objetivo propuesto para el año 2010. Se compararon los datos correspondientes a los condados fronterizos con los del estado de Arizona. RESULTADOS: El progreso hacia los objetivos del programa "Frontera saludable 2010" no fue uniforme en los distintos condados fronterizos. Los cuatro condados lograron avances hacia los objetivos propuestos en materia de cáncer cervicouterino, hepatitis A y tasa de natalidad entre las adolescentes. La mayoría de los condados fronterizos están más próximos a cumplir con los objetivos en materia de cáncer de mama, mortalidad por diabetes, tuberculosis, colisiones de vehículos automotores, mortalidad infantil por anomalías congénitas y atención prenatal. Sin embargo, ninguno de los cuatro condados se está acercando al objetivo propuesto en cuanto al virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y la mortalidad infantil. CONCLUSIONES: La evaluación de los objetivos del programa "Frontera saludable 2010" brindó una descripción integral de la situación de salud de la población. Aunque los condados de la frontera sur de Arizona han logrado avances en algunos aspectos, sigue siendo necesario mantener la vigilancia con el fin de detectar las disparidades aún presentes.

Na busca de estratégias para a conservação dos recursos biológicos globais, vem sendo reconhecido, com intensidade crescente, que os métodos científicos convencionais e os arranjos institucionais nem sempre são eficientes para se lidar com a complexidade embutida nas dimensões biofísicas e sociopolíticas desta problemática. No enfrentamento desses desafios, torna-se necessária uma abordagem integrada, capaz de combinar métodos científicos com valores societários. As pesquisas participativas promovem mudanças sociais ao capacitarem as comunidades a encontrar opções adequadas - do ponto de vista coletivo e cultural - para a concretização do desenvolvimento sustentável nos seus próprios termos. A gestão ecossistêmica reconhece a interconectividade dos sistemas sociais e ecológicos e tenta articular a pesquisa científica, a formulação de políticas públicas e o estabelecimento de objetivos societários por meio de pesquisas interdisciplinares e processos de tomada de decisões envolvendo múltiplos atores sociais. Em 1998, o Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN), sediado em Ottawa, em parceria com agências governamentais, instituições educacionais e grupos comunitários iniciaram um estudo multidisciplinar de três anos sobre a saúde do ecossistema do Rio Rideau, na região oriental de Ontário. Este artigo apresenta o Projeto de Conservação da Biodiversidade do Rio Rideau - PBRR (Rideau River Biodiversity Project - RRBP) como um estudo de caso baseado na aplicação de uma abordagem integrada para avaliar a biodiversidade de um ecossistema de água doce. Na parte final, apresentamos uma estrutura conceitual para a construção de uma abordagem integrada da conservação e do uso sustentável da biodiversidade, capaz de combinar os pontos fortes da pesquisa participativa no nível comunitário e da gestão ecossistêmica, mediante um processo de aprendizagem social e investigação transdisciplinar.

In the quest to conserve global biological resources there has been a growing recognition that conventional scientific methods and institutional arrangements are not always effective in dealing with the biophysical complexities and sociopolitical dimensions of biodiversity issues. Meeting these challenges requires an integrated approach that combines scientific methods with societal values. Community-based research promotes social change, by building the capacity of communities to find collective and culturally appropriate ways to achieve sustainable development on their own terms. Ecosystem management recognizes the interconnectedness of social and ecological systems and attempts to link science, policy and societal goals through interdisciplinary research and multistakeholder decision-making. In 1998, the Canadian Museum of Nature in Ottawa, Canada, in partnership with government agencies, educational institutions and community groups began a three-year multidisciplinary study of the ecosystem health of the Rideau River in eastern Ontario, Canada. This paper presents the Rideau River Biodiversity Project as a case study in the application of an integrated approach to assess the biodiversity of an aquatic ecosystem. Ultimately, we present a framework for an integrated approach to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity that combines the strengths of community-based research and ecosystem management through a process of social learning and transdisciplinary inquiry.

Clinical diagnosis of arachnoiditis is characterized by a burning, ardent pain with dysesthesia and vesical, rectal and sexual dysfunction that appear after an adverse event during a spinal surgical procedure; it can be confirmed through magnetic resonance or myelogram followed by lumbar spine tomography. In this study, a retrospective review was conducted of image studies from 436 patients referred to a pain clinic with diagnosis of arachnoiditis in order to identify specific patterns on the radiological images that could help to determine the potential etiology of this disease. The apparent cause was correlated to the appearance of neurological changes after spine injections, interventions or surgical procedures. Neurological deficits were observed in 160 patients after myelograms, rachidian or peridural anesthesia, epidural blood patches or injection of steroids or neurolytic drugs for the management of chronic pain. Eleven (6.8%) of these patients had inflammation of roots, 135 (84.3%) had roots in bunches and 12 cases (7,5%) had roots adhered to the dural sac. Two cases of syringomyelia were observed in patients with thoracal or high lumbar peridural anesthesia. Of 276 other patients in which the clinical diagnosis of arachnoiditis was established after spine surgical procedures, 259 patients (93.8%) had roots in bunches, 152 (55%) had a deformed dural sac and peridural fibrosis was observed in 241 patients (87.3%). Pseudomeningocele and intrathecal calcifications were observed in 21 (7.6%) and 4 (0.15%) of the surgical cases, respectively. It is concluded that radiological images in cases of arachnoiditis caused by injections and invasive procedures are only characterized by roots in bunches. However, surgical patients have, in addition to roots in bunches, deformation of the dural sac and healing and fibrotic tissue at the epidural space undergoing surgery.

El diagnóstico clínico de aracnoiditis se caracteriza por dolor ardiente, quemante con disestesia, disfunción vesical, rectal y sexual que se presentan después de un evento adverso durante una intervención en la columna vertebral; puede ser confirmado por una resonancia magnética o por un mielograma seguido de una tomografía de la columna lumbar. En este estudio se revisaron a posteriori los estudios de imaginología de 436 pacientes referidos a una clínica de dolor con el diagnóstico de aracnoiditis con el objeto de identificar patrones específicos de imágenes radiológicas que permitieran la identificación de la posible etiología de esta enfermedad. La causa aparente fue correlacionada con la aparición de cambios neurológicos presentándose después de inyecciones, intervenciones u operaciones de la columna vertebral. Fueron notados déficits neurológicos en 160 pacientes después de mielogramas, anestesia raquídea o peridural, parches epidurales de sangre, inyecciones de esteroides o neurolíticos para tratar dolor crónico. De estos enfermos, 11 (6,8%) tenían raíces inflamadas, 135 (84,3%) tenían raíces en racimo y en 12 casos (7,5%) las raíces se adherían al saco dural. Dos casos de siringomielia fueron notados en pacientes que tuvieron anestesia peridural torácica o lumbar alta. De 276 pacientes, otros en los que el diagnóstico clínico de aracnoiditis se presentó después de intervenciones quirúrgicas de la columna vertebral, 259 pacientes (93,8%) tenían raíces en racimo, 152 (55%) tenían un saco dural deformado, y fibrosis peridural se notó en 241 enfermos (87,3%). Pseudomeningoceles y calcificaciones intratecales se notaron en 21 (7,6%) y en 4 (0,15%) de los casos operados, respectivamente. Se deduce que las imágenes radiológicas en casos de aracnoiditis causados por inyecciones e intervencionismo, se caracterizan únicamente por raíces en racimo. Mientras que en los pacientes operados tienen, además de raíces en racimo, deformidades del saco dural y tejido cicatricial y fibrótico en el espacio epidural intervenido quirúrgicamente.