ABSTRACT Introduced alien carnivores are host to infectious diseases that may become an important threat for native carnivore species conservation. Canine distemper virus (CDV) is thought to be transmitted among individuals by direct contact and to present viral dynamics associated with a density-dependent multi-host carnivore community. In contrast, Canine Parvovirus (CPV) is mostly transmitted by indirect contact and does not depend only on the density, but also on the social behaviour of infected as well as susceptible hosts. The objective of this study was to assess how introduced American mink (Neovison vison) can act as a bridge-host between domestic dog (Canis familiaris) and Southern river otter (Lontra provocax) in different dog and mink population density scenarios. Our data show that otters are seropositive to both CDV and PV, as well as a molecular identity to Parvovirus in dogs and minks. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation between dog population density and observed seroprevalence of CDV in dogs, minks, and otters was recorded. For Parvovirus, the observed seroprevalence in mink and otters was not correlated to a higher dog population density, but instead a relationship between dog and mink population densities and social behaviour. Our results suggest that introduced American mink and domestic dogs are reservoirs of CDV and PV, both being diseases of major importance for the conservation of native endangered carnivores in Patagonia.

ABSTRACT: The Patagonian otter (Lontra provocax) is an endangered species endemic to southern Chile and Argentina. Most of its distribution range has recently been occupied by the American mink (Neovison vison). As part of a long-term study on the impact of mink in Patagonia, we assessed five reversible anaesthetic combination protocols in different doses on wild L. provocax and N. vison, and described the occurrence of any adverse effects. We assessed 16 anaesthetic procedures with a combination of ketamine-medetomidine (KET-MED; 6.0±2.8-0.05±0.01 mg/kg IM, respectively) or ketamine-dexmedetomidine (KET-DEX; 4.1±0.9-0.02±0.004 mg/kg IM) in L. provocax and 23 anaesthetic procedures with KET-MED (13.3±4-0.1±0.04 mg/kg IM), KET-DEX (4.8±0.3-0.024±0.001 mg/kg IM) in a low dose of ketamine (LDK) or KET-DEX (10.2±0.9-0.025±0.002 mg/kg IM) in a high dose of ketamine (HDK) in N. vison. Reversal was accomplished using atipamezole at 5 times the dose of MED or 10 times the dose of DEX. All anaesthetic combinations produced complete immobilisation and rapid anaesthetic induction, except for two otters anaesthetised with KET-MED which exhibited a longer time to initial effect. Hypothermia was commonly observed at the end of the anaesthetic procedures. Due to the hypoxemia presented in four otters at the beginning of anaesthesia, it is recommended to use additional oxygen when possible.

Background Bariatric Surgery is the most effective alternative for weight reduction. However, weight regain is a serious problem. Therefore, pre and post-operative psychological management becomes relevant for these patients. Aim To unify criteria about the psychological management patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Material and Methods A questionnaire about psychological practice in bariatric surgery was sent to 50 national expert psychologists, members of the Chilean Bariatric and Metabolic Society. When no agreement among them was achieved, the Delphi methodology was applied. Scores of 86% or greater were used to reach consensus. Results The specialized clinical assessment is crucial for a good preoperative evaluation and to obtain and adequate compliance after surgery. Psychological interventions evolved towards a preparation process to achieve behavioral changes aiming to maintain good long term weight reduction results. Conclusions The indications and recommendations emanating from this consensus generated a document that establishes minimum criteria and quality care standards, which should reduce mental health risks of bariatric surgery and enhance lifestyle changes.

Abstract: Social studies of finance can be split in two types: studies that have paid attention to “market devices” (such as scorings and credit cards) enacted by financial firms and studies that analyze new practices and modes of “ordinary calculation” developed by consumers of financial services around the world. This article is part of a broader project that aims at opening a different path that locates social studies of domestic finances at the intersection where both kinds of calculation - the big data of market devices and the small data of ordinary financial practices- can be simultaneously observed. More specifically, this article discusses some of the methodological challenges faced from this new position, particularly, how we used some of the traces left by big data and how we dealt with an surprising “commercial circuit” founded in our material.

Resumen: Los estudios sociales sobre las finanzas domésticas pueden clasificarse en dos tipos: investigaciones enfocadas al estudio de “dispositivos de mercado” (tales como scorings y tarjetas de crédito) utilizados por compañías financieras, e investigaciones que analizan las nuevas prácticas y modos de “cálculo cotidiano” desarrollados por los usuarios de los servicios financieros alrededor del mundo. Este artículo es parte de un proyecto mayor que busca abrir un camino diferente, que intenta situar a los estudios sociales de las finanzas domésticas en la intersección donde ambos tipos de cálculo -los big data de los dispositivos de mercado y el small data de los cálculos financieros cotidianos-, puedan ser observados de manera conjunta. Más específicamente, este artículo discute algunos de los desafíos metodológicos enfrentados en esta nueva posición, en particular como usamos las huellas dejadas por el big data y cómo hemos lidiado con un tipo de circuito comercial inesperado.

BACKGROUND: Introduced species can have a major negative impact on biodiversity; an example is the American mink, which was introduced in the 1930s in Patagonia. While there is a consensus that reversing alien mustelids continental scale invasions remains unfeasible, there is little consensus, given a maximum cost or investment, on the feasibility and efficiency of region-wide control or eradication. Thus, our goal was to provide information about efficiency for mink control in Patagonia METHODS: Between January 2009 and February 2013 this study was conducted in ten study sites (4 km to 15 km long) between 39°S to 45°S latitude. Minks were trapped using cage traps operated by two trappers. We estimated the population density at each study site assuming they were close populations, exhibit intrasexual territoriality and the home range of females were smaller than those of males. We obtained a theoretical population and a modeled population from our trapping results. Sixty five minks were trapped over 2190 trap nights (0.03 mink/trap night). Mink captures were higher in the first six days and in the first trapping campaigns. A two person team was able to control a maximum distance of approximately 6 km of river shore by foot and 15 km of sea and lake shores by boat. There was an over linear increase of operational costs as time passed. Our modeled population was 91% of the theoretical population CONCLUSIONS: We believe that to trap and remove a minimum of 70% of the mink population in a region under ideal circumstances, traps should be deployed every 200 m and after the sixth day should be moved to another new transect. We suggest an annual repetition of this strategy as the more efficient for controlling mink populations in terms of trapping success and reduced costs. The number of traps will depend on the number of trappers participating and also on habitat characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is an important zoonosis with worldwide distribution caused by pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The North American mink (Neovison vison) has an important role in the environmental contamination with Leptospira, as minks live in aquatic environments and are the predators of rodents. FINDINGS: Blood and kidney samples were obtained from 57 minks in Southern Chile 39° S to 45° S. Pathogenic species of Leptospira were detected by PCR on 31/57 minks. To determine the species, we sequenced the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene on nine of the positive samples. We predicted two pathogenic species: Leptospira interrogans (five samples) and Leptospira borgpetersenii (four samples). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the American mink presents pathogenic species of Leptospira and confirm important environmental contamination of Patagonian rivers and lakes with pathogenic Leptospira.

Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNET) account for 1-2% of pancreatic neoplasms. Its incidence has increased in recent years probably due to improved imaging studies. Aim: To analyze the clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes and overall survival of patients with PNET who underwent resective surgery. Methods: Case series study. Data was collected from the central database and clinical records from patients with biopsy-proven PNET's who underwent surgical resection from June 2005 to June 2012. Results: Twenty patients were included (10.6% of all pancreatic resections), 12 female, with a median age of 44 [20-77] years. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom. Two patients had a type 1 multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN-1) syndrome. Pre-operative work up included CT, MR and/or PET/CT. Five patients had functional tumors. Five Whipple procedures, 14 distal pancreatectomies and 1 enucleation were performed. Among the postoperative complications, there were 5 type B and 1 type C pancreatic fistulas. There was no mortality. At 31 [5-90] month median follow-up, overall survival was 100%. Conclusion: PNETs represent an increasing reason for pancreatic resection in our center. Surgical resection of the tumor with negative microscopic margins is the treatment of choice.

Introducción: Los tumores neuroendocrinos del páncreas (TNEP) representan el 1-2% de las neoplasias pancreáticas. Su incidencia ha aumentado en los últimos años debido probablemente a la mayor capacidad diagnóstica de los estudios por imágenes. Objetivos: Analizar las características clínicas, resultados quirúrgicos y sobrevida alejada de los pacientes con TNEP operados en nuestro centro. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de una serie de casos. Análisis de base de datos y registros clínicos de los pacientes con diagnóstico histológico de TNEP sometidos a cirugía resectiva en nuestro centro entre junio de 2005 y junio de 2012. Resultados: Serie compuesta por 20 pacientes (10,6% de las resecciones pancreáticas), 12 de sexo femenino, con una mediana de edad de 44 (20-77) años. El dolor abdominal fue el síntoma de presentación más frecuente. Dos pacientes eran portadores del síndrome de neoplasia endocrina múltiple tipo 1 (NEM-1). La evaluación diagnóstica se realizó con CT, RM y/o PET/CT. Los tumores fueron funcionantes en 5 enfermos. Se realizaron 5 pancreatoduodenectomías (PD), 14 pancreatectomías corporocaudales (PC) y 1 enucleación. Entre las complicaciones postoperatorias, hubo 5 fístulas pancreáticas tipo B y una tipo C. No hubo mortalidad. En el seguimiento (mediana de 31 [5-90] meses), ningún paciente falleció por progresión de la enfermedad. Conclusión: Los TNEP representan una patología en aumento en nuestro centro. La cirugía resectiva con márgenes microscópicos negativos es la alternativa terapéutica de elección.