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Resumen Descripción del caso: Paciente de 23 años con hemorragia abdominal de origen no claro, que posteriormente presenta inestabilidad hemodinámica, requiriendo manejo quirúrgico en tres ocasiones con evolución satisfactoria. Hallazgos clínicos: Presentó sangrado cuantificado de 5500 cc en cavidad abdominal (grado IV - clasificación ATLS) con lesiones hepáticas en los segmentos I, IV y VIII, sin hallazgos sugestivos de trauma al examen físico, ni otros hallazgos traumáticos internos. Tratamiento y resultados: Se llevó a cabo una intervención quirúrgica precoz mediante laparotomía exploratoria con hallazgos ya descritos, además de dos tiempos quirúrgicos adicionales que llevaron al control del sangrado, con evolución satisfactoria. Relevancia clínica: El sangrado abdominal y laceración de víscera sólida secundario a trauma cerrado de abdomen es una etiología común en pacientes jóvenes masculinos, siendo contrario a esta afirmación el sangrado de origen hepático sin trauma es una etiología poco común. El presente caso resulta ser una dificultad diagnóstica en cuanto a la etiología, ya que lo evidenciado en la exploración quirúrgica no concuerda con el examen físico externo, sin una historia clínica clara al ingreso se deja la interrogante de la causa.

Summary: Case description: 23-year-old patient with abdominal hemorrhage of unclear origin, who subsequently presented hemodynamic instability, requiring surgical management on three occasions with satisfactory evolution. Clinical findings: she presented quantified bleeding of 5500 cc in the abdominal cavity (grade IV-ATLS classification) with liver lesions in segments I, IV and VIII, without findings suggestive of trauma on physical examination, or other internal traumatic findings. Treatment and results: An early surgical intervention was carried out through exploratory laparotomy with findings already described, in addition to two additional surgical procedures that led to control of bleeding, with satisfactory evolution. Clinical relevance: Abdominal bleeding and solid viscus laceration secondary to blunt abdominal trauma is a common etiology in young male patients, contrary to this statement, bleeding of hepatic origin without trauma is a rare etiology. The present case turns out to be a diagnostic difficulty in terms of etiology, since what was evidenced in the surgical exploration does not agree with the external physical examination, without a clear clinical history at admission, the question of the cause is left.

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Acetaldehyde is a volatile organic compound that can cause damage at the cellular and genomic levels. The monitoring of acetaldehyde gas at low concentrations requires fast-response and low-cost sensors. Herein, we propose the design of an acetaldehyde gas sensor based on a low-cost Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) process. This sensor is formed by a single-clamped piezoelectric multilayer resonator (3000 × 1000 × 52.2 µm) with a simple operating principle and easy signal processing. This resonator uses a zinc oxide piezoelectric layer (1 µm thick) and a sensing film of titanium oxide (1 µm thick). In addition, the resonator uses a support layer of 304 stainless steel (50 µm thick) and two aluminum layers (100 nm thick). Analytical and Finite-Element Method (FEM) models are developed to predict the mechanical behavior of the gas sensor, considering the influence of the different layers of the resonator. The analytical results agree well with respect to the FEM model results. The gas sensor has a first bending frequency of 4722.4 Hz and a sensitivity of 8.22 kHz/g. A minimum detectable concentration of acetaldehyde of 102 ppm can be detected with the proposed sensor. This gas sensor has a linear behavior to detect different acetaldehyde concentrations using the frequency shifts of its multilayer resonator. The gas sensor design offers advantages such as small size, a light weight, and cost-efficient fabrication.

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Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) poses a significant challenge in maternal health, characterized by heart failure with reduced ejection fraction during late pregnancy or early postpartum. Despite advances in understanding PPCM, it remains life-threatening with substantial maternal morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the epidemiology, etiology, diagnostic challenges, management strategies, and outcomes associated with PPCM. A case report of a 29-year-old woman with PPCM is presented, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and tailored management. The patient's presentation was marked by atypical symptoms, including dysuria, lumbar pain, persistent fever, and oral intake intolerance. Despite aggressive medical intervention, the patient experienced a tragic outcome, succumbing to cardiopulmonary arrest within 48 h of admission. This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing PPCM, particularly when presenting with nonspecific symptoms and emphasizes the urgent need for improved diagnostic criteria and therapeutic interventions to mitigate adverse outcomes in affected individuals.

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The genus Urotrygon comprises small- to medium-sized endemic round rays on the American continent and has undergone several synonymization processes. Here, we used an integrative taxonomic approach, including meristic, morphometric, and mtDNA analyses, to resolve the particularly intricate relationship among Urotrygon munda Gill, 1863, Urotrygon chilensis (Günther, 1872), and Urotrygon asterias (Jordan & Gilbert, 1883). The latter species is currently a synonym of U. munda but is also considered the U. chilensis "northern morphotype." These taxonomic entities have historically been confounded, mainly due to their phenotypical resemblance along their geographic distribution in the eastern Pacific. We assessed 78 specimens (43 "northern" and 30 "southern morphotypes" of U. chilensis, as well as 5 U. munda) using 19 external variables for taxonomic and morphometric analysis. Distinct meristic patterns, including pectoral and pelvic ceratotrichia, vertebrae number, and thorn distribution along the dorsal midline, were observed in the series-type specimens of the three taxonomic entities. Our multivariate morphometric analyses consistently differentiated the three groups as distinct taxonomic entities, with an overall classification accuracy of 66.7%. The meristic results also provided reliable information distinguishing the three entities. Based on the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH2) and cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) genes, our phylogenetic analysis were consistent with the morphometric and meristic data, supporting these three entities as distinct species having their own evolutionary lineages. Our comprehensive approach confidently demonstrated that the northern U. chilensis morphotype matched and corresponded to the description of the Starry round ray, U. asterias, confirming its taxonomic resurrection as a valid species distinct from U. chilensis and U. munda. The geographic distribution of U. asterias spans from the tropical west coast of Mexico (including the Gulf of California) to Costa Rica, revealing that microevolutionary processes have well-defined population clades within this range. Furthermore, U. chilensis is unequivocally established as the sole Urotrygon species occurring south of the Guayaquil marine ecoregion. In addition, the public COI and NADH2 sequences available for Urotrygon hosted in the ad hoc online databases were found to be misidentified, emphasizing the need for rigorous taxonomic scrutiny in this group. Finally, our research underscores the significance of an integrative approach that combines morphometric, meristic, and molecular techniques with historical data to disentangle the complexities of closely related taxa.

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The electric stimulation (ES) of the cornea is a novel therapeutic approach to the treatment of degenerative visual diseases. Currently, ES is delivered by placing a mono-element electrode on the surface of the cornea that uniformly stimulates the eye along the electrode site. It has been reported that a certain degree of correlation exists between the location of the stimulated retinal area and the position of the electrode. Therefore, in this study, we present the development of a sectioned surface electrode for selective electric stimulation of the human cornea. The proposed device consists of 16 independent microelectrodes, a reference electrode, and 18 contact pads. The microelectrodes have a size of 200 µm × 200 µm, are arranged in a 4 × 4 matrix, and cover a total stimulation area of 16 mm2. The proposed fabrication process, based on surface micromachining technology and flexible electronics, uses only three materials: polyimide, aluminum, and titanium, which allow us to obtain a simplified, ergonomic, and reproducible fabrication process. The fabricated prototype was validated to laboratory level by electrical and electrochemical tests, showing a relatively high electrical conductivity and average impedance from 712 kΩ to 1.4 MΩ at the clinically relevant frequency range (from 11 Hz to 30 Hz). Additionally, the biocompatibility of the electrode prototype was demonstrated by performing in vivo tests and by analyzing the polyimide films using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The resulting electrode prototype is robust, mechanically flexible, and biocompatible, with a high potential to be used for selective ES of the cornea.

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Hyponeoidae is a copepod family that is rare around the world, with only three species described until now. Recently, a hyponeoid copepod was found in the narrowmouthed catshark, Schroederichthys bivius, from Chile, which has not been formally described. The objective of this study is to describe morphologically a new species of Hyponeoidae, from samples of the Strait of Magellan, Southern Chile. Also, a genetic analysis, based on the COI gene, was used to determine the relatedness of the new hyponeoid species to other copepods from Siphonostomatoida, which were available in the GenBank platform. The new species belongs to the genus Tautochondria and is here described as T. magellanica n. sp. This species differs from T. dolichoura mainly in the presence of long process at each side of the buccal cone, the absence of lobes on the head and short processes on the genital complex. According to the genetic sequences, T. magellanica n. sp. was not closely related to any other species. Therefore, this result confirms that Hyponeoidae is a separate family. However, the relatedness to other genera in Siphonostomatoida is still unknown.

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Defining demographically independent units and understanding patterns of gene flow between them is essential for managing and conserving exploited populations. The critically endangered scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini, is a coastal semi-oceanic species found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters. Pregnant females give birth in shallow coastal estuarine habitats that serve as nursery grounds for neonates and small juveniles, whereas adults move offshore and become highly migratory. We evaluated the population structure and connectivity of S. lewini in coastal areas and one oceanic island (Cocos Island) across the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) using both sequences of the mitochondrial DNA control region (mtCR) and 9 nuclear-encoded microsatellite loci. The mtCR defined two genetically discrete groups: one in the Mexican Pacific and another one in the central-southern Eastern Tropical Pacific (Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia). Overall, the mtCR data showed low levels of haplotype diversity ranging from 0.000 to 0.608, while nucleotide diversity ranged from 0.000 to 0.0015. More fine-grade population structure was detected using microsatellite loci where Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama differed significantly. Relatedness analysis revealed that individuals within nursery areas were more closely related than expected by chance, suggesting that S. lewini may exhibit reproductive philopatric behaviour within the ETP. Findings of at least two different management units, and evidence of philopatric behaviour call for intensive conservation actions for this highly threatened species in the ETP.

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This study describes the genetic diversity and level of genetic differentiation of the scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini from eight putative nursery areas in the Mexican Pacific Ocean, using the mtDNA control region. Genetic analyses revealed a particular spatial divergence between La Reforma and all the remaining sites, with five exclusive haplotypes and the highest genetic diversity. This pattern may be interpreted as the signature of regional female philopatry, relatively to a particular female-mediated gene flow for La Reforma, which shows a strong subdivision in the Gulf of California.

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The genus Sprattus comprises five species of marine pelagic fishes distributed worldwide in antitropical, temperate waters. Their distribution suggests an ancient origin during a cold period of the earth's history. In this study, we evaluated this hypothesis and corroborated the non-monophyly of the genus Sprattus, using a phylogenetic approach based on DNA sequences of five mitochondrial genome regions. Sprattus sprattus is more closely related to members of the genus Clupea than to other Sprattus species. We also investigated the historical biogeography of the genus, with the phylogenetic tree showing two well-supported clades corresponding to the species distribution in each hemisphere. Time-calibrated phylogenetic analyses showed that an ancient divergence between Northern and Southern Hemispheres occurred at 55.8 MYBP, followed by a diversification in the Oligocene epoch in the Northern Hemisphere clade (33.8 MYBP) and a more recent diversification in the Southern Hemisphere clade (34.2 MYBP). Historical biogeography analyses indicated that the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) likely inhabited the Atlantic Ocean in the Southern Hemisphere. These results suggest that the ancestral population of the MRCA diverged in two populations, one was dispersed to the Northern Hemisphere and the other across the Southern Hemisphere. Given that the Eocene was the warmest epoch since the Paleogene, the ancestral populations would have crossed the tropics through deeper cooler waters, as proposed by the isothermal submergence hypothesis. The non-monophyly confirmed for the genus Sprattus indicates that its systematics should be re-evaluated.

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This research seeks to understand how COVID-19 has affected access to healthcare among migrants in Latin American cities. Using ethnographic research methods, we engaged with Venezuelans living in conditions of informality in four Colombian cities-Barranquilla, Cucuta, Riohacha, and Soacha-and three Peruvian cities-Lima, Trujillo, and Tumbes. We conducted 130 interviews of both Venezuelan migrants and state and non-governmental actors within the healthcare ecosystems of these cities. We found that forced migrants from Venezuela in both Colombia and Peru face common obstacles along their access trajectories to healthcare, which we summarize as legal, financial, and relating to discrimination and information asymmetry. By limiting effective access to care during the pandemic, these obstacles have also affected migrants' ability to cover the costs of basic needs, particularly food and housing. Our study also found a prevalent reliance on alternative forms of care, such as telemedicine, easy-to-access pharmacies, and extralegal care networks. We conclude that COVID-19 has exacerbated preexisting conditions of informality and health inequities affecting Venezuelan migrants in Colombia and Peru.

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Resumen La neumonía en el paciente inmunocomprometido es un reto diagnóstico al cual el clínico se enfrenta cada vez con más frecuencia , al momento de hablar de infiltrados en vidrio esmerilado es menester tener siempre en cuenta la posibilidad de neumonía por Pneumocystis Jirovecii, que por mucho tiempo se pensó como una enfermedad propia del huésped inmunosuprimido con VIH, a través del tiempo se ha manifestado en pacientes con trasplantes de órgano sólido y de precursores hematopoyéticos, asociado a autoinmunidad, al uso crónico de corticoesteroides y más recientemente al uso de terapia biológicas. La descripción de esta enfermedad y sus métodos diagnósticos en huéspedes inmunosuprimidos no VIH no es del todo claro, sabemos que el tratamiento de elección en estos casos es el trimetropin-sulfametoxazol (TMP-SMX) el cual no cuenta con evidencia de alta calidad al momento de plantear una dosis ni un tiempo de duración establecidos. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con diagnóstico de glomerulonefritis por enfermedad de cambios mínimos corticodependiente y quien desarrolló neumonía por Pneumocystis Jirovecii confirmada por histopatología quien recibió tratamiento y tuvo un desenlace positivo.

Abstract The pneumonia in the immunocompromised patient is a diagnostic challenge that the clinician faces more and more frequently, every time we talk about ground glass infiltrates it is necessary to always take into account the possibility of pneumonia due to Neumocystis Jirovecii, which for a long time was thought as a disease of the immunosuppressed host with HIV, but that across the time it has manifested itself in patients with solid organ transplants and hematopoietic precursors, associated with autoimmunity, the chronic use of corticosteroids and more recently the use of biological therapy. The description of this disease and the diagnostic methods in non-HIV immunosuppressed hosts is not entirely clear, we know that the treatment of choice in these cases is trimethropin-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), which does not have high-quality evidence at the time of a dose or a time of established duration. We present the case of a patient diagnosed with glomerulonephritis due to corticodependent minimal change disease and who suffers from pneumocystis Jirovecii pneumonia confirmed by histopathology, which received treatment and had a positive outcome

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Introduction: Identifying critical habitats for vulnerable elasmobranch species is crucial for effective conservation measures. The Munk's devil ray (Mobula munkiana) is endemic to the Eastern Pacific, but yet little is known about its biology, ecology, and habitat use. As filter feeders, it is assumed that this species concentrates at high-productive upwelling regions, such as the Costa Rican Dome. Like many elasmobranchs, its populations are highly depleted and require urgent information to inform better conservation measures. Objective: The study was conducted to gain information on a unique behavior observed in juvenile M. munkiana, so further information can be provided on early life stages of this vulnerable species. Methods: From June to September 2017 and in August 2018, the feeding behavior of juvenile Mobula munkiana was observed in two shallow bays located at Punta Descartes, North Pacific Costa Rica. Individuals were captured using a non-lethal method to obtain data on size, weight, and sex distribution. Plankton samples (n = 100) were taken at both bays throughout the months to infer diet composition. Results: Munk's devil rays showed a repetitive swimming movement parallel to the beach, feeding exclusively in the shallow breaking zone of the low tide waves at depth <50cm. A total of 12 M. munkiana (11 live and one found dead) indicated a juvenile feeding aggregation ranging from 490 - 610mm in disk width and 1400 - 2300gr in weight. The sex ratio (males to females) was 3:1. Zooplankton of the order Mysidacae was found in the highest abundance in the breaking zone. Conclusions: The specific behavior and seasonal occurrence of juvenile Munk's devil rays in this area seem to be driven by prey abundance. More research is needed to conclude the presence of reproductive adults at deeper depths and the year-round habitat use of Punta Descartes. The area is threatened by unsustainable development and requires realistic management strategies to guarantee the survival of vulnerable species and their critical habitats.

Introducción: La identificación de hábitats críticos para especies vulnerables de elasmobranquios es crucial para tomar medidas de conservación efectivas. La manta diablo o raya de Munk (Mobula munkiana) es endémica del Pacífico Oriental y se sabe poco sobre su biología, ecología y uso de hábitat. Como filtradores, se asume que se concentran en regiones de afloramiento con alta productividad; sus poblaciones se consideran en disminución y requieren información urgente para fundamentar medidas de conservación. Objetivo: El estudio se realizó para obtener información sobre un comportamiento de alimentación observado en juveniles de M. munkiana, con el fin de proporcionar más información sobre las primeras etapas de vida de esta especie considerada vulnerable a la extinción. Métodos: De junio a setiembre de 2017 y en agosto de 2018, se observó el comportamiento de alimentación de los juveniles de M. munkiana en dos bahías poco profundas de Punta Descartes, en el Pacífico norte de Costa Rica. Los individuos fueron capturados utilizando un método no letal para obtener datos sobre el tamaño, peso y sexo. Se tomaron 100 muestras de plancton en las bahías para inferir la composición de la dieta. Resultados: Las rayas mostraron un comportamiento de natación repetitivo paralelo a la playa, alimentándose exclusivamente en la zona de rompimiento de las olas en marea baja, a menos de 50 cm de profundidad. Un total de 12 rayas M. munkiana (11 vivas y una encontrada muerta) indicaron una agregación de juveniles para alimentarse. Los anchos de disco variaron de 490 a 610 mm y el peso entre 1400 a 2300 g. La proporción sexual (machos: hembras) fue de 3:1. En la zona donde rompían las olas se encontró principalmente el orden Mysidaceae. Conclusiones: El comportamiento específico y la ocurrencia estacional de M. munkiana en la zona de estudio parecen estar impulsados por la abundancia de presas. Se necesita más investigación para concluir la presencia de adultos reproductivos a mayor profundidad y sobre el uso de hábitat en los alrededores de Punta Descartes durante todo el año. Esta área se encuentra amenazada por un desarrollo insostenible y requiere estrategias de manejo realistas para garantizar la supervivencia de especies vulnerables y sus hábitats críticos.

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Introduction: The Pacific white-spotted eagle ray Aetobatus laticeps, has recently separated from the Atlantic A. narinari based on both morphological and genetic evidence. This species is characterized by a dark body with numerous white spots all over its dorsal side. Considering the type, shape, number, and distribution of these natural markings as potential identifiers at the individual level, we studied the variation in the spot patterns. Objective: Describe and compare the white spot pattern (type and distribution) of individuals and evaluate their potential use as identifiers at the individual level. Methods: We analyzed 54 videos (105 subsequent extracted photos) and 19 photographic records that were taken at different sites along the Pacific coast of northern Costa Rica. Results: Seventeen distinctive types of white spots were identified across the entire dorsal side of the rays. Significant differences between each major body section (pectoral fins, back, head, and pelvic fins) were found in the type and frequency of white spots. The type 'single spot' was commonly distributed across the entire dorsal side, and the spot pattern on the pelvic fins was informative to identify 72 individuals. Conclusions: The analysis of the type, shape, and distribution of white spots in A. laticeps determined several combinations of white spot patterns that be used for further taxonomic description and provide potential identification of the individual for future population studies along with its distribution.

Introducción: La raya águila de manchas blancas del Pacífico, Aetobatus laticeps, se ha separado recientemente de A. narinari del Atlántico basándose en pruebas tanto morfológicas como genéticas. Esta especie se caracteriza por un cuerpo oscuro con numerosas manchas blancas en toda su parte dorsal. Considerando el tipo, la forma, el número y la distribución de estas marcas naturales como identificadores potenciales a nivel individual, estudiamos la variación en los patrones de manchas. Objetivo: Describir y comparar el patrón de manchas blancas (tipo y distribución) de individuos y evaluar su uso potencial como identificadores a nivel individual en especímenes recapturados. Métodos: Analizamos 54 videos (con 105 fotografías extraídas posteriormente) y 19 registros fotográficos que fueron tomados en diferentes sitios a lo largo de la costa pacífica del norte de Costa Rica. Resultados: Se identificaron diecisiete tipos distintivos de manchas blancas en todo el lado dorsal de los radios. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre cada sección principal del cuerpo (aletas pectorales, espalda, cabeza y aletas pélvicas) en el tipo y frecuencia de manchas blancas. El tipo 'punto único' se distribuyó comúnmente en todo el lado dorsal, y el patrón de puntos en las aletas pélvicas fue informativo para identificar 72 individuos. Conclusiones: El análisis del tipo, la forma y la distribución de las manchas blancas en A. laticeps determinó varias combinaciones de patrones de manchas blancas que se utilizarán para una descripción taxonómica adicional y brindan una identificación potencial del individuo para futuros estudios de población a lo largo de su distribución.

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During a recreational fishing trip on May 2017 to Isla Montuosa, Pacific coast of Panama (7.467472, -82.266556; 30 m depth), a specimen belonging to the genus Caranx was captured. The specimen showed an unusual combination of external characters, intermediate among the species known to occur in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), which caught the attention of the fishermen. A detailed analysis involving traditional morphology and molecular techniques revealed that the specimen corresponds to a hybrid of the species C. melampygus and C. sexfasciatus. This represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first confirmed record of hybridization within the genus and family in the TEP and the second record for the entire Pacific Ocean.

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Resumen: El embarazo ectópico se define como la Implantación del saco gestaclonal fuera del útero y representa el 3 % de todos los embarazos. La ubicación anatómica más frecuente es en la trompa uterina, en donde se presenta en un 95 %, dejando así un 5 % a otras localizaciones como el ovario, la cavidad abdominal, cervlcouterina y cicatriz uterina previa. El caso es relevante por su baja prevalencia y por los hallazgos ecográficos, las posibles opciones terapéuticas para la paciente y los hallazgos intraoperatorios. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura, utilizando bases de datos como PubMed, Medline y Science Direct, con el fin de evaluar y analizar el estado del arte de esta condición patológica. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con un embarazo de 7 semanas localizado a nivel ístmico cervical por ecografía, inicialmente tratada de manera conservadora con Metotrexato (MTX) sistémico, sin respuesta al tratamiento, por lo cual requirió intervención quirúrgica y preservación de la fertilidad. Se realiza una revisión actualizada del tema con los diferentes enfoques terapéuticos.

Abstract: Ectopic pregnancy is defined as the implantation of the gestational sac outside the uterus and it represents 3% of all pregnancies. The most frequent anatomical location is in the uterine tube, where it occurs in 95% of the cases, thus leaving 5% to other locations such as the ovary, the abdominal cavity, the cervix and a previous uterine scar. The case is relevant because of its low prevalence and because of the ultrasound findings, the possible therapeutic options for the patient, and the intraoperative findings. A literature review was carried out, using databases such as PubMed, Medline and Science Direct, in order to evaluate and analyze the state of the art of this pathological condition. Here, we present the case of a patient with a 7-week pregnancy located at the cervical isthmus level by ultrasound, initially treated conservatively with systemic Methotrexate (MTX), with no response to the treatment, and therefore she required surgical intervention and preservation of fertility. An updated review of the subject is carried out with the different therapeutic approaches.

Resumo: A gravidez ectópica é definida como a Implantação do saco gestaclonal fora do útero e representa 3 % de todas as gestações. A localização anatómica mais frequente é na trompa uterina, onde é apresentada em 95 %, deixando assim 5 % a outras localizações, como ovário, cavidade abdominal, cervicouterina e cicatriz uterina prévia. O caso é relevante por sua baixa prevalência e pelos achados ecográficos, as possíveis opções terapêuticas para a paciente e os achados intraope-ratórios. Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura com a utilização de bases de dados como PubMed, Medline e Science Direct, a fim de avaliar e analisar o estado da arte dessa condição patológica. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente com uma gravidez de sete semanas localizada no nível Istmo cervical por ecografia, inicialmente tratada de maneira conservadora com metotrexato (MTX) sistémico, sem resposta ao tratamento, razão pela qual requiriu intervenção cirúrgica e preservação da fertilidade. Foi realizada uma revisão atualizada do tema com diferentes abordagens terapêuticas.

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In this paper, an alternative strategy for the design of a bidirectional inductive power transfer (IPT) module, intended for the continuous monitoring of cardiac pressure, is presented. This new integrated implantable medical device (IMD) was designed including a precise ventricular pressure sensor, where the available implanting room is restricted to a 1.8 × 1.8 cm2 area. This work considers a robust magnetic coupling between an external reading coil and the implantable module: a three-dimensional inductor and a touch mode capacitive pressure sensor (TMCPS) set. In this approach, the coupling modules were modelled as RCL circuits tuned at a 13.56 MHz frequency. The analytical design was validated by means of Comsol Multiphysics, CoventorWare, and ANSYS HFSS software tools. A power transmission efficiency (PTE) of 94% was achieved through a 3.5 cm-thick biological tissue, based on high magnitudes for the inductance (L) and quality factor (Q) components. A specific absorption rate (SAR) of less than 1.6 W/Kg was attained, which suggests that this IPT system can be implemented in a safe way, according to IEEE C95.1 safety guidelines. The set of inductor and capacitor integrated arrays were designed over a very thin polyimide film, where the 3D coil was 18 mm in diameter and approximately 50% reduced in size, considering any conventional counterpart. Finally, this new approach for the IMD was under development using low-cost thin film manufacturing technologies for flexible electronics. Meanwhile, as an alternative test, this novel system was fabricated using a discrete printed circuit board (PCB) approach, where preliminary electromagnetic characterization demonstrates the viability of this bidirectional IPT design.

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Twelve egg capsules laid in captivity by three females of Dipturus chilensis were incubated in the laboratory. After 252 ± 9.4 days, 10 skates successfully hatched, with a mean total length, disc length, and disc width of 17.2, 7.4, and 11.4 cm, respectively. This is the first report of captive hatching of D. chilensis and its corresponding incubation period.

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This paper reports the novel design of a touch mode capacitive pressure sensor (TMCPS) system with a wireless approach for a full-range continuous monitoring of ventricular pressure. The system consists of two modules: an implantable set and an external reading device. The implantable set, restricted to a 2 × 2 cm² area, consists of a TMCPS array connected with a dual-layer coil, for making a reliable resonant circuit for communication with the external device. The capacitive array is modelled considering the small deflection regime for achieving a dynamic and full 5⁻300 mmHg pressure range. In this design, the two inductive-coupled modules are calculated considering proper electromagnetic alignment, based on two planar coils and considering the following: 13.56 MHz frequency to avoid tissue damage and three types of biological tissue as core (skin, fat and muscle). The system was validated with the Comsol Multiphysics and CoventorWare softwares; showing a 90% power transmission efficiency at a 3.5 cm distance between coils. The implantable module includes aluminum- and polyimide-based devices, which allows ergonomic, robust, reproducible, and technologically feasible integrated sensors. In addition, the module shows a simplified and low cost design approach based on PolyMEMS INAOE® technology, featured by low-temperature processing.

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The aim of this single-blind randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of plyometric jump training (PJT), with (RG) and without (NRG) between-session drill randomization, on performance measures (i.e., jumping and sprinting abilities, change of direction speed, and technical performance) in youth male basketball players (age, 10.2 ± 1.7 years), assigned to either the NRG (n = 7), RG (n = 6), or control group (n = 6). Before and after the intervention, countermovement jump, 20-cm drop jump, 30-m sprint (with or without ball dribbling), and change-of-direction speed tests were completed. The PJT was applied twice per week for seven weeks. The only difference between PJT groups was the order of drill execution. An ANOVA was used to detect differences between study groups. The analyses revealed significant main effects of time (all p<.01; d = 0.64-0.89) and group x time interaction (all p<.05; d=0.31-51) for all examined variables. Post hoc analyses revealed moderate-large significant improvements for the RG (countermovement jump: 18.8%, d = 0.6; 20-cm drop jump: 23.9%, d = 0.80; 30-m sprint: 11.6%, d = 1.13; 30-m sprint with ball dribbling: 9.3%, d = 0.54; change of direction speed test: 14.6%, d = 1.82). In contrast, post hoc analyses revealed only small improvements for the NRG (20-cm drop jump: 14.1%, d = 0.36; 30-m sprint: 6.8%, d = 0.45; 30-m sprint with ball dribbling: 8.8%, d = 0.35; change of direction speed test: 10.5%, d = 0.49). Application of PJT without randomization is effective for improving physical and technical qualities. However, PJT could be more beneficial when executed with between-session randomization of drills.

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