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Dengue virus (DENV) is the most important human virus transmitted by mosquitos. Dengue pathogenesis is characterized by a large induction of proinflammatory cytokines. This cytokine induction varies among the four DENV serotypes (DENV1 to 4) and poses a challenge for live DENV vaccine design. Here, we identify a viral mechanism to limit NF-κB activation and cytokine secretion by the DENV protein NS5. Using proteomics, we found that NS5 binds and degrades the host protein ERC1 to antagonize NF-κB activation, limit proinflammatory cytokine secretion, and reduce cell migration. We found that ERC1 degradation involves unique properties of the methyltransferase domain of NS5 that are not conserved among the four DENV serotypes. By obtaining chimeric DENV2 and DENV4 viruses, we map the residues in NS5 for ERC1 degradation, and generate recombinant DENVs exchanging serotype properties by single amino acid substitutions. This work uncovers a function of the viral protein NS5 to limit cytokine production, critical to dengue pathogenesis. Importantly, the information provided about the serotype-specific mechanism for counteracting the antiviral response can be applied to improve live attenuated vaccines.

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The population that has not received a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is at high risk for infection whereas vaccination prevents COVID-19 severe disease, hospitalization, and death. In Argentina, to date, more than 50 million doses of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been administered. The three main vaccines applied are Sputnik V, Oxford-AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm. In this study, we have compared the antibody response of voluntary individuals at day 0 (first dose vaccination day) and at 21-25 days post first and second dose. Our results indicate that at 21-25 days after the administration of the first doses of Sputnik V the large majority of the people vaccinated 80% (n = 15) presented high humoral responses as determined by the measurement of IgG against the Spike protein and the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD). In the case of those vaccinated with AstraZeneca, the percentage was 80% (n = 15) whereas this value was reduced to only 25% (n = 16) in persons that received Sinopharm. However, after the second doses, most of the recipients had significant levels of antibodies. The virus neutralizing capacity of the antibodies generated was evaluated using a pseudotyped VSV-SARS-CoV2 Spike expressing eGFP and the data was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The results indicate that a good correlation exists between the levels of IgG and the neutralizing capacity of the antibodies against the recombinant virus. Our results stand out the importance of applying the second dose of Sinopharm. Thus, the present report provides data that will contribute to decisions making about the vaccine implementation plans of action for, not only our region but our country to support the fight against the COVID-19 global pandemic.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly affected older adults residing in nursing homes, resulting in high rates of hospitalisation and death. Here, we evaluated the longitudinal humoral response and neutralising capacity in plasma samples of volunteers vaccinated with different platforms (Sputnik V, BBIBP-CorV, and AZD1222). A cohort of 851 participants, mean age 83 (60-103 years), from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina were included. Sequential plasma samples were taken at different time points after vaccination. After completing the vaccination schedule, infection-naïve volunteers who received either Sputnik V or AZD1222 exhibited significantly higher specific anti-Spike IgG titers than those who received BBIBP-CorV. Strong correlation between anti-Spike IgG titers and neutralising activity levels was evidenced at all times studied (rho=0.7 a 0.9). Previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and age <80 years were both associated with higher specific antibody levels. No differences in neutralising capacity were observed for the infection-naïve participants in either gender or age group. Similar to anti-Spike IgG titers, neutralising capacity decreased 3 to 9-fold at 6 months after initial vaccination for all platforms. Neutralising capacity against Omicron was between 10-58 fold lower compared to ancestral B.1 for all vaccine platforms at 21 days post dose 2 and 180 days post dose 1. This work provides evidence about the humoral response and neutralising capacity elicited by vaccination of a vulnerable elderly population. This data could be useful for pandemic management in defining public health policies, highlighting the need to apply reinforcements after a complete vaccination schedule.

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Background: Recent studies have shown the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in the milk of breastfeeding mothers vaccinated with mRNA and convalescent. However, limited information is available in lactating women receiving other vaccine platforms used in developing countries, such as the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) and the non-replicating adenovirus vaccines Sputnik V (Gamaleya Institute) and ChAdOx1-S (Oxford AstraZeneca). Methods: Here, we evaluated anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA levels in both serum and milk samples using a longitudinal and a cross-sectional cohort of 208 breastfeeding vaccinated women from Argentina with or without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: The analysis showed that IgA levels remain constant in serum and milk of breastfeeding mothers between the first and second doses of vector-based vaccines (Sputnik V and ChAdOx1-S). After the second dose, anti-spike IgA was found positive in 100% of the serum samples and in 66% of breastmilk samples. In addition, no significant differences in milk IgA levels were observed in participants receiving BBIBP-CorV, Sputnik V or ChAdOx1-S. IgG levels in milk increased after the second dose of vector-based vaccines. Paired longitudinal samples taken at 45 and 120 days after the second dose showed a decrease in milk IgG levels over time. Study of IgA levels in serum and milk of vaccinated naïve of infection and vaccinated-convalescent breastfeeding participants showed significantly higher levels in vaccinated-convalescent than in participants without previous infection. Conclusion: This study is relevant to understand the protection against SARS-CoV-2 by passive immunity in newborns and children who are not yet eligible to receive vaccination.

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Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) neuroinvasion occurs early after infection through the trafficking of virus-infected immune cells into the central nervous system (CNS) and viral dissemination into the brain. There, it can infect resident brain cells including astrocytes, the most abundant cell type that is crucial to brain homeostasis. In this report, we examined the HIV-related mechanism able to induce bystander cell death in astrocytes mediated by cell-to-cell contact with productively infected (PI) ones. We first demonstrate that HIV-induced bystander cell death involves mitochondrial dysfunction that promotes exacerbated reactive oxygen species production. Such a phenomenon is a contagious cell death that requires contact with HIV-PI astrocytes that trigger caspase-dependent (apoptosis and pyroptosis) and caspase-independent cell death pathways. The HIV accessory proteins Nef, Vpu, and Vpr counteract astrocyte death among PI cells but, in contrast, participate to promote contagious bystander cell death by inducing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. Our findings indicate that astrocytes PI by HIV became capable to counteract infection-derived death signals, surviving, and spreading the bystander cell death into neighboring uninfected cells by a cell-to-cell contact-dependent mechanism. Considering that astrocytes have been proposed as a long-term HIV reservoir in the CNS, ascertaining the mechanism of survival and contagious bystander death will afford clear targets in the current goal to achieve a functional cure.

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Heterologous vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) provides a rational strategy to rapidly increase vaccination coverage in many regions of the world. Although data regarding messenger RNA (mRNA) and ChAdOx1 vaccine combinations are available, there is limited information about the combination of these platforms with other vaccines widely used in developing countries, such as BBIBP-CorV and Sputnik V. Here, we assess the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of 15 vaccine combinations in 1,314 participants. We evaluate immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti-spike response and virus neutralizing titers and observe that a number of heterologous vaccine combinations are equivalent or superior to homologous schemes. For all cohorts in this study, the highest antibody response is induced by mRNA-1273 as the second dose. No serious adverse events are detected in any of the schedules analyzed. Our observations provide rational support for the use of different vaccine combinations to achieve wide vaccine coverage in the shortest possible time.

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(1) Background: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) encompasses a clinical and radiological diagnosis characterized by recurrent thunderclap headache, with or without focal deficits due to multifocal arterial vasoconstriction and dilation. RCVS can be correlated to pregnancy and exposure to certain drugs. Currently, the data on prevalence of RCVS in the postpartum period is lacking. We aim to investigate the prevalence of RCVS in the postpartum period and the rate of hemorrhagic complications of RCVS among the same group of patients; (2) Methods: We conducted the metanalysis by using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), and Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) protocol. To analyze the Bias, we used the Ottawa Newcastle scale tool. We included only full-text observational studies conducted on humans and written in English. We excluded Literature Reviews, Systematic Reviews, and Metanalysis. Additionally, we excluded articles that did not document the prevalence of RCVS in the postpartum period (3). Results: According to our analysis, the Prevalence of RCVS in the postpartum period was 129/1083 (11.9%). Of these, 51/100 (52.7%) patients had hemorrhagic RCVS vs. 49/101 (49.5%) with non-hemorrhagic RCVS. The rates of Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH) were (51.6% and 10.7%, respectively. ICH seems to be more common than.; (4) Conclusions: Among patients with RCVS, the prevalence in PP patients is relativity high. Pregnant women with RCVS have a higher recurrence of hemorrhagic vs. non-hemorrhagic RCVS. Regarding the type of Hemorrhagic RCVS, ICH is more common than SAH among patients in the postpartum period. Female Sex, history of migraine, and older age group (above 45) seem to be risk factors for H-RCVS. Furthermore, recurrence of RCVS is associated with a higher age group (above 45). Recurrence of RCVS is more commonly idiopathic than being triggered by vasoactive drugs in the postpartum period.

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Infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant is usually asymptomatic or mild and appears to be poorly immunogenic at least in unvaccinated individuals. Here, we found that health care workers vaccinated with 2 doses of Sputnik V and a booster dose of ChAdOx1 mount a vigorous neutralizing-antibody response after Omicron breakthrough infection.

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Recent studies have shown a temporal increase in the neutralizing antibody potency and breadth to SARS-CoV-2 variants in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent individuals. Here, we examined longitudinal antibody responses and viral neutralizing capacity to the B.1 lineage virus (Wuhan related), to variants of concern (VOC; Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta), and to a local variant of interest (VOI; Lambda) in volunteers receiving the Sputnik V vaccine in Argentina. Longitudinal serum samples (N = 536) collected from 118 volunteers obtained between January and October 2021 were used. The analysis indicates that while anti-spike IgG levels significantly wane over time, the neutralizing capacity for the Wuhan-related lineages of SARS-CoV-2 and VOC is maintained within 6 months of vaccination. In addition, an improved antibody cross-neutralizing ability for circulating variants of concern (Beta and Gamma) was observed over time postvaccination. The viral variants that displayed higher escape to neutralizing antibodies with respect to the original virus (Beta and Gamma variants) were the ones showing the largest increase in susceptibility to neutralization over time after vaccination. Our observations indicate that serum neutralizing antibodies are maintained for at least 6 months and show a reduction of VOC escape to neutralizing antibodies over time after vaccination. IMPORTANCE Vaccines have been produced in record time for SARS-CoV-2, offering the possibility of halting the global pandemic. However, inequalities in vaccine accessibility in different regions of the world create a need to increase international cooperation. Sputnik V is a recombinant adenovirus-based vaccine that has been widely used in Argentina and other developing countries, but limited information is available about its elicited immune responses. Here, we examined longitudinal antibody levels and viral neutralizing capacity elicited by Sputnik V vaccination. Using a cohort of 118 volunteers, we found that while anti-spike antibodies wane over time, the neutralizing capacity to viral variants of concern and local variants of interest is maintained within 4 months of vaccination. In addition, we observed an increased cross-neutralization activity over time for the Beta and Gamma variants. This study provides valuable information about the immune response generated by a vaccine platform used in many parts of the world.

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Seasonally dry forests (SDFs) are one of the most challenging ecosystems for amphibians, fueling the diversity of this group of vertebrates. An updated inventory of native amphibians present in the Equatorial SDF is provided, which extends along the Pacific coast of Ecuador and northwestern Peru. The study is based on an extensive field sampling (two thirds of the total records) carried out throughout the Equatorial SDF, along with a compilation of the available information on distribution of amphibians in the region from published scientific papers, museum collections and on-line databases. The final dataset included 2,032 occurrence records for 30 amphibian species, belonging to eight anuran families. Additionally, data regarding conservation status, habitat use, spawn deposition site, reproductive mode, and body size, along with an identification key for all encountered species are provided. The results indicate a strong sampling bias with a deficit in the Peruvian part of the study area, and a need for urgent inventories targeted at under-sampled areas, using modern taxonomic methods. The study emphasizes the conservation priorities in the Equatorial SDF, based on the distribution, conservation status and life-history data. This information should be useful for the local authorities and institutions involved in the management and conservation of biodiversity in SDF.

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We describe a new species of rain frog of the genus Pristimantis from the city of Loja, Southern Ecuador, based on an integrative taxonomy approach, combining molecular, morphological and bioacoustics data. Pristimantis lojanus sp. nov. is a medium sized species of the phylogenetically strongly supported P. phoxocephalus group, and its sister species is P. torresi. The new species can be easily distinguished from its closest congeners and morphologically similar species (that also have acuminate snout with a fleshy keel) by its characteristic advertisement call and morphological features (dorsum finely tuberculate with scattered larger tubercles, flanks without longitudinal lateral folds, no markings in axilla, groin or on concealed limb surfaces, and bronze iris). Additionally, we describe the advertisement call of its sister species, P. torresi. Finally, we detail the current situation of the amphibian species present in the city of Loja and its surroundings.

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Massive vaccination offers great promise for halting the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, the limited supply and uneven vaccine distribution create an urgent need to optimize vaccination strategies. We evaluate SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody responses after Sputnik V vaccination of healthcare workers in Argentina, measuring IgG anti-spike titers and neutralizing capacity after one and two doses in a cohort of naive or previously infected volunteers. By 21 days after receiving the first dose of the vaccine, 94% of naive participants develop spike-specific IgG antibodies. A single Sputnik V dose elicits higher antibody levels and virus-neutralizing capacity in previously infected individuals than in naive ones receiving the full two-dose schedule. The high seroconversion rate after a single dose in naive participants suggests a benefit of delaying administration of the second dose to increase the number of people vaccinated. The data presented provide information for guiding public health decisions in light of the current global health emergency.

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Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, but faces severe pressures and threats to its natural ecosystems. Numerous species have declined and require to be objectively evaluated and quantified, as a step towards the development of conservation strategies. Herein, we present an updated National Red List Assessment for amphibian species of Ecuador, with one of the most detailed and complete coverages for any Ecuadorian taxonomic group to date. Based on standardized methodologies that integrate taxonomic work, spatial analyses, and ecological niche modeling, we assessed the extinction risk and identified the main threats for all Ecuadorian native amphibians (635 species), using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Our evaluation reveals that 57% (363 species) are categorized as Threatened, 12% (78 species) as Near Threatened, 4% (26 species) as Data Deficient, and 27% (168 species) as Least Concern. Our assessment almost doubles the number of threatened species in comparison with previous evaluations. In addition to habitat loss, the expansion of the agricultural/cattle raising frontier and other anthropogenic threats (roads, human settlements, and mining/oil activities) amplify the incidence of other pressures as relevant predictors of ecological integrity. Potential synergic effects with climate change and emergent diseases (apparently responsible for the sudden declines), had particular importance amongst the threats sustained by Ecuadorian amphibians. Most threatened species are distributed in montane forests and paramo habitats of the Andes, with nearly 10% of them occurring outside the National System of Protected Areas of the Ecuadorian government. Based on our results, we recommend the following actions: (i) An increase of the National System of Protected Areas to include threatened species. (ii) Supporting the ex/in-situ conservation programs to protect species considered like Critically Endangered and Endangered. (iii) Focalizing research efforts towards the description of new species, as well as species currently categorized as Data Deficient (DD) that may turn out to be threatened. The implementation of the described actions is challenging, but urgent, given the current conservation crisis faced by amphibians.

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Mitophagy and zymophagy are selective autophagy pathways early induced in acute pancreatitis that may explain the mild, auto limited, and more frequent clinical presentation of this disease. Adequate mitochondrial bioenergetics is necessary for cellular restoration mechanisms that are triggered during the mild disease. However, mitochondria and zymogen contents are direct targets of damage in acute pancreatitis. Cellular survival depends on the recovering possibility of mitochondrial function and efficient clearance of damaged mitochondria. This work aimed to analyze mitochondrial dynamics and function during selective autophagy in pancreatic acinar cells during mild experimental pancreatitis in rats. Also, using a cell model under the hyperstimulation of the G-coupled receptor for CCK (CCK-R), we aimed to investigate the mechanisms involved in these processes in the context of zymophagy. We found that during acute pancreatitis, mitochondrial O2 consumption and ATP production significantly decreased early after induction of acute pancreatitis, with a consequent decrease in the ATP/O ratio. Mitochondrial dysfunction was accompanied by changes in mitochondrial dynamics evidenced by optic atrophy 1 (OPA-1) and dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP-1) differential expression and ultrastructural features of mitochondrial fission, mitochondrial elongation, and mitophagy during the acute phase of experimental mild pancreatitis in rats. Mitophagy was also evaluated by confocal assay after transfection with the pMITO-RFP-GFP plasmid that specifically labels autophagic degradation of mitochondria and the expression and redistribution of the ubiquitin ligase Parkin1. Moreover, we report for the first time that vacuole membrane protein-1 (VMP1) is involved and required in the mitophagy process during acute pancreatitis, observable not only by repositioning around specific mitochondrial populations, but also by detection of mitochondria in autophagosomes specifically isolated with anti-VMP1 antibodies as well. Also, VMP1 downregulation avoided mitochondrial degradation confirming that VMP1 expression is required for mitophagy during acute pancreatitis. In conclusion, we identified a novel DRP1-Parkin1-VMP1 selective autophagy pathway, which mediates the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria by mitophagy in acute pancreatitis. The understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved to restore mitochondrial function, such as mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy, could be relevant in the development of novel therapeutic strategies in acute pancreatitis.

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Given widespread habitat degradation and loss, reliable indicators are needed that provide a comprehensive assessment of community response to anthropogenic disturbance. The family Phyllostomidae (Order Chiroptera) has frequently been the focus of research evaluating bats' response to habitat disturbance in seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs). However, few studies compare this family to the larger bat assemblage to assess its efficacy as a bioindicator. We compared community and species-specific attributes of understory phyllostomid and all understory bat species: (1) along a gradient of habitat disturbance within a human-modified SDTF landscape; and (2) between forest and riparian habitats within each disturbance level. We captured 290 individuals belonging to 13 species and 4 families. Phyllostomid species exhibited greater sensitivity to disturbance than the understory bat community as a whole based on richness and beta diversity. Both groups were more sensitive to disturbance in forest than riparian habitat, but phyllostomid species were more likely to be lost from highly disturbed forest habitat. The two dominant species declined in abundance with disturbance but variation in body condition was species-specific. These results suggest that Phyllostomidae are more effective indicators of human disturbance in SDTF than the understory bat community as a whole and evaluation of bats' response to disturbance is best accomplished with a multifaceted approach.

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We report the emergency development and application of a robust serologic test to evaluate acute and convalescent antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in Argentina. The assays, COVIDAR IgG and IgM, which were produced and provided for free to health authorities, private and public health institutions and nursing homes, use a combination of a trimer stabilized spike protein and the receptor binding domain (RBD) in a single enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plate. Over half million tests have already been distributed to detect and quantify antibodies for multiple purposes, including assessment of immune responses in hospitalized patients and large seroprevalence studies in neighborhoods, slums and health care workers, which resulted in a powerful tool for asymptomatic detection and policy making in the country. Analysis of antibody levels and longitudinal studies of symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections in over one thousand patient samples provided insightful information about IgM and IgG seroconversion time and kinetics, and IgM waning profiles. At least 35% of patients showed seroconversion within 7 days, and 95% within 45 days of symptoms onset, with simultaneous or close sequential IgM and IgG detection. Longitudinal studies of asymptomatic cases showed a wide range of antibody responses with median levels below those observed in symptomatic patients. Regarding convalescent plasma applications, a protocol was standardized for the assessment of end point IgG antibody titers with COVIDAR with more than 500 plasma donors. The protocol showed a positive correlation with neutralizing antibody titers, and was used for clinical trials and therapies across the country. Using this protocol, about 80% of convalescent donor plasmas were potentially suitable for therapies. Here, we demonstrate the importance of providing a robust and specific serologic assay for generating new information about antibody kinetics in infected individuals and mitigation policies to cope with pandemic needs.

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Objetivo: Analizar las tendencias de la mortalidad por cáncer gástrico en el Perú de 1995 al 2013 y sus diferencias por sexo, grupos etarios, regiones naturales y regiones políticas. Materiales y métodos: Estudio ecológico de series de tiempo realizado sobre la base de 49 690 registros de defunción del Ministerio de Salud, de 1995 al 2013; se calcularon tasas de mortalidad brutas, específicas y estandarizadas por año; según sexo; grupo de edad; regiones política y geográfica, para analizar las tendencias estimando joinpoints y cambios de porcentaje anual (CPA); mediante modelos de regresión segmentada, ajustados utilizando el software Joinpoint Regression Desktop versión 4.5.0.0, Resultados: La tendencia de la tasa de mortalidad estandarizada (TME) por cáncer gástrico en el Perú fue decreciente, bajando de 16,1 x 100 000 hab. en 1995 a 11.4 x 100 000 hab. en el 2013 (CPA: -2,3), observándose tendencias decrecientes por grupos etarios, sexo y en 17 de 25 regiones políticas. Se encontraron diferencias al comparar por subgrupos: un decremento más acelerado en mujeres (CPA -2,5) versus hombres (-2,0) y en grupos etarios (CPA para 75 - 79 años: -2,57 versus CPA para 40 ­ 44: -1,39); se identificaron tres zonas geográficas con elevada mortalidad: Andes centrales (Huancavelica, Huánuco, Ayacucho, Pasco y Junín), zona norte (Lambayeque, La Libertad y Cajamarca) y costa central (Ica, Callao, Ancash y Lima), además se observaron tendencias crecientes en Huancavelica, Ayacucho y Pasco. En la Costa la mortalidad decrece desde el año 1998; sin embargo, en la Sierra y Selva decrece significativamente a partir del 2009. Conclusiones: La tendencia de la TME por cáncer de estómago en el Perú es decreciente y estadísticamente significativa para el período de 1995 ­ 2013 (-2,3% anual). Los departamentos con tendencia creciente de la mortalidad son Huancavelica, Ayacucho y Pasco. Se observa mayor reducción de la TME en mujeres en comparación con los hombres.

Objective: To analyze the trends in gastric cancer mortality in Peru from 1995 to 2013 and their differences by sex, age groups, natural regions and political regions. Materials and methods: Ecological time-series study based on 49,690 death records from the Ministry of Health, from 1995 to 2013; Crude, specific and standardized mortality rates (SMR) were calculated by year; according to sex; age group; political and geographic regions, to analyze trends by estimating joinpoints and annual percentage changes (CPA); using segmented regression models, adjusted using Joinpoint Regression Desktop software version 4.5.0.0, Results: The SMR trend due to gastric cancer in Peru was decreasing, falling from 16.1 x 100 000 inhabitants. in 1995 to 11.4 x 100 000 inhabitants. in 2013 (CPA: -2.3), observing decreasing trends by age groups, sex and in 17 of 25 political regions. Differences were found when comparing by subgroups: a more accelerated decrease in women (CPA -2.5) versus men (-2.0) and in age groups (CPA for 75 - 79 years: -2.57 versus CPA for 40 - 44: -1.39); Three geographical areas with high mortality were identified: central Andes (Huancavelica, Huánuco, Ayacucho, Pasco and Junín), northern area (Lambayeque, La Libertad and Cajamarca) and central coast (Ica, Callao, Ancash and Lima), in addition trends were observed growing in Huancavelica, Ayacucho and Pasco. On the coast, mortality has decreased since 1998; however, in the Sierra and Selva it decreases significantly as of 2009. Conclusions: The trend of SMR due to gastric cancer in Peru is decreasing and statistically significant for the period 1995 - 2013 (-2.3% per year). The departments with an increasing trend in mortality are Huancavelica, Ayacucho and Pasco. Greater reduction in SMR is observed in women compared to men.

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Abra de Zamora is an important biodiversity hotspot in southern Ecuador. Between 1938 and 2010, eleven species of frogs were described from here: Lynchius flavomaculatus, Gastrotheca psychrophila, Pristimantis balionotus, P. colodactylus, P. cryptomelas, P. percultus, P. versicolor, P. vidua, Telmatobius cirrhacelis, P. andinognomus, and Atelopus podocarpus. Unfortunately, many of these species were not re-encountered after their original description, and for the majority DNA samples were not available, making their phylogenetic position unknown. In this study, we assess the current state of the amphibians from Abra de Zamora, by: i. redescribing the species which were first reported from the area, by contributing genetic delimitation (for L. flavomaculatus, P. balionotus, P. colodactylus, P. percultus, and P. vidua), release call (L. flavomaculatus) and advertisement call descriptions (for P. balionotus, P. vidua and P. versicolor); ii. presenting an updated amphibian species list of Abra de Zamora, with the description of two additional Pristimantis species; iii. updating the distribution of these species, including data collected in similar montane habitats from surrounding areas; and iv. amending recommendations regarding their conservation status.

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