RESUMO
Temporal niche shifts can shape predator-prey interactions by enabling predator avoidance, enhancing feeding success, and reducing competition among predators. Using a community-based conservation approach, we investigated temporal niche partitioning of mammalian predators and prey across 12 long-term camera trap surveys in the Pacific slope and Talamanca Cordillera of Costa Rica. Temporal overlap and segregation were investigated between predator-prey and predator-predator pairs using overlap analysis, circular statistics, and relative abundance after accounting for differences in habitat, season, and human impact among sites. We made the assumption that predators select abundant prey and adjust their activity to maximize their temporal overlap, thus we predicted that abundant prey with high overlap would be preferred prey species for that predator. We also predicted that similar-sized pairs of predator species with the greatest potential for competitive interactions would have the highest temporal segregation. Our results supported the existence of temporal niche separation among the eight species of predators-the smaller Leopardus felids (ocelot, margay, oncilla) were primarily nocturnal, the largest felids (jaguar and puma) and coyote were cathemeral, and the smaller jaguarundi and tayra were mostly diurnal. Most prey species (67%) were primarily nocturnal versus diurnal or cathemeral (33%). Hierarchical clustering identified relationships among species with the most similar activity patterns. We discuss the primary prey and competitor species predicted for each of the eight predators. Contrary to our prediction, the activity pattern of similar-sized intraguild competitors overlapped more than dissimilar-sized competitors, suggesting that similar-sized predators are hunting the same prey at the same time. From this we conclude that prey availability is more important than competition in determining circadian activity patterns of Neotropical predators. Our results indicate the presence of a delicate balance of tropical food webs that may be disrupted by overhunting, leading to a depauperate community consisting of ubiquitous generalists and endangered specialists. With Central America a hotspot for hunting-induced "empty forests," community-based conservation approaches may offer the best road to reduce illegal hunting and maintain the biodiversity and community structure of tropical forest systems.
Los cambios temporales de nicho pueden amoldar las interacciones predador-presa al permitir a la presa evadir los predadores, mejorar la eficacia de la alimentación y reducir la competición entre predadores. Mediante muestreos con cámaras trampa en 12 sitios de la pendiente del Pacífico y la Cordillera de Talamanca de Costa Rica, investigamos la división temporal de los nichos de mamíferos predadores y presas usando un enfoque de conservación basado en la comunidad. Investigamos la superposición y segregación temporal entre pares predador-presa y predador-predador utilizando análisis de superposición, estadísticas circulares y abundancia relativa, teniendo en cuenta diferencias de hábitat, estacionales y de impacto humano entre los sitios. Asumimos que los predadores seleccionan presas abundantes y ajustan su actividad para maximizar su superposición temporal con éstas; por lo tanto, predijimos que una presa abundante con alta superposición sería una especie de presa preferida para ese predador. También predijimos que pares de especies de predadores de tamaño similar con el mayor potencial para interacciones competitivas tendrían la mayor segregación temporal. Nuestros resultados respaldaron la existencia de una separación temporal de nicho entre las ocho especies de predadoresdeterminamos que los felinos más pequeños del género Leopardus (manigordo, caucel, tigrillo) son principalmente nocturnos, los felinos más grandes (jaguar y puma) y el coyote son catemerales, y los jaguarundi y tayra más pequeños son principalmente diurnos. La mayoría de las especies de presas (67%) son principalmente nocturnas versus diurnas o catemerales (33%). Mediante análisis de agrupación jerárquica, identificamos relaciones entre especies con los patrones de actividad más similares. Para cada uno de los predadores discutimos las presas primarias predichas y las especies competidoras. Contrario a nuestra predicción, el patrón de actividad de los predadores intragremios de tamaño similar se superpone más que el de los competidores de distinto tamaño, lo que indica que los predadores de tamaño similar están cazando la misma presa y están activos al mismo tiempo. De esto concluimos que la disponibilidad de presas es más importante que la competición en cuanto a determinar los patrones de actividad circadiana de los predadores neotropicales. Nuestros resultados revelan que el delicado equilibrio de las redes tróficas tropicales puede ser interferido por la caza excesiva, lo que lleva a una comunidad depauperada compuesta por generalistas ubicuos y especialistas en peligro de extinción. Con América Central como un centro de "bosques vacíos" inducidos por la caza, los enfoques de conservación basados en la comunidad pueden ofrecer el mejor camino para reducir la caza ilegal, y mantener la biodiversidad y estructura ecológica comunitaria de los sistemas forestales tropicales.
RESUMO
Metagenomic libraries from diverse environments have been extensive sources of many lipases and esterases; nevertheless, most of these enzymes remain biochemically uncharacterized. We previously built a metagenomic fosmid library from a microbial consortium specialized for diesel oil degradation and tested it for lipolytic activity. In the present study, we identified the PL14.H10 clone that was subcloned and sequenced, which enabled the identification of the EST3 protein. This enzyme exhibited 74 % amino acid identity with the uncharacterized alpha/beta hydrolase from Parvibaculum lavamentivorans [GenBank: WP012110575.1] and was classified into lipolytic enzyme family IV. Biochemical characterization revealed that EST3 presents high activity in a wide range of temperature with highest activity from 41 to 45 °C. Also, this thermostable esterase acts from mild acidic to alkaline conditions with an optimum pH of 6.0. The enzyme exhibited activity against p-nitrophenyl esters of different chain lengths and highest catalytic efficiency against p-nitrophenyl caprylate. The activity of the protein was increased in the presence of 0.5 mM of Mn(+2), Li(+), EDTA, and 1 % of CTAB and exhibited half of the activity in the presence of 10 % methanol and ethanol. Moreover, the homology model of EST3 was built and compared to other esterases, revealing a substrate channel that should fit a wide range of substrates. Taken together, the data presented in this work reveal the unique and interesting characteristics of EST3 that might be explored for further use in biotechnological applications.
Assuntos
Bactérias/enzimologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/química , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Esterases/química , Esterases/genética , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Bactérias/classificação , Bactérias/genética , Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Biotecnologia , Clonagem Molecular , Estabilidade Enzimática , Esterases/metabolismo , Biblioteca Gênica , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Metagenoma , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Filogenia , Alinhamento de Sequência , Especificidade por Substrato , TemperaturaRESUMO
HPV16 E7 oncoprotein expression in K14E7 transgenic mice induces cervical cancer after 6 months of treatment with the co-carcinogen 17ß-estradiol. In untreated mice, E7 also induces skin tumors late in life albeit at low penetrance. These findings indicate that E7 alters cellular functions in cervix and skin so as to predispose these organs to tumorigenesis. Using microarrays, we determined the global genes expression profile in cervical and skin tissue of young adult K14E7 transgenic mice without estrogen treatment. In these tissues, the E7 oncoprotein altered the transcriptional pattern of genes involved in several biological processes including signal transduction, transport, metabolic process, cell adhesion, apoptosis, cell differentiation, immune response and inflammatory response. Among the E7-dysregulated genes were ones not previously known to be involved in cervical neoplasia including DMBT1, GLI1 and 17ßHSD2 in cervix, as well as MMP2, 12, 14, 19 and 27 in skin.
Assuntos
Papillomavirus Humano 16/genética , Papillomavirus Humano 16/patogenicidade , Proteínas E7 de Papillomavirus/genética , Proteínas E7 de Papillomavirus/fisiologia , Animais , Sequência de Bases , Colo do Útero/metabolismo , Colo do Útero/virologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Genes Virais , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno/genética , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno/fisiologia , Papillomavirus Humano 16/fisiologia , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Camundongos , Camundongos Transgênicos , Análise de Sequência com Séries de Oligonucleotídeos , Infecções por Papillomavirus/etiologia , Infecções por Papillomavirus/genética , Infecções por Papillomavirus/virologia , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , RNA Viral/genética , RNA Viral/metabolismo , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real , Pele/metabolismo , Pele/virologia , Transcriptoma , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/etiologia , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/genética , Neoplasias do Colo do Útero/virologiaRESUMO
Los pólipos de la vesícula biliar se definen como cualquier proyección de la mucosa hacia la luz. Pueden ser clasificados en pseudopólipos (pólipos de colesterol y pólipos inflamatorios) o pólipos verdaderos (benignos o malignos). A diferencia de los pólipos verdaderos, los pseudopólipos no están asociados con cáncer. Un alto porcentaje (más de 70 por ciento) de los pólipos detectados en la población general corresponden a pólipos de colesterol, que son frecuentemente pequeños (<10 mm de diámetro), pediculados, múltiples y con una ecogenicidad mayor a la del parénquima hepático.Por su parte, los pólipos neoplásicos usualmente son lesiones de más de 1 cm, solitarios, con una ecogenicidad similar a la del parénquima hepático y cuya forma, aunque variable, tiende a ser sésil con relativa frecuencia.El manejo de los pólipos de la vesícula biliar continúa siendo motivo de controversia. Los resultados de diversos estudios sugieren que la colecistectomía debería practicarse en los pacientes con lesiones polipoides sintomáticas (independientemente de su tamaño), por la mejoría exhibida, o en los pacientes con pólipos mayores de 10 mm de diámetro, debido a su asociación con cáncer.Por el contrario, la evolución de los pólipos pequeños de la vesícula biliar, en ausencia de manifestaciones clínicas y factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de adenocarcinoma de vesícula, ha demostrado ser benigna; por lo tanto, en estos casos, la colecistectomía no sería una indicación, al menos inicialmente, y la propuesta establecida es esperar y vigilar mediante seguimiento ecográfico y clínico.
Gallbladder polyp refers to any protruding lesion of the mucosal surface of the gallbladder wall. The term polyp encompasses a heterogeneous group of abnormalities, including true polyps (polypoid tumours) and pseudopolyps, which may be either inflammatory polyps or cholesterol polyps. Unlike true polyps, pseudopolyps have no malignant potential. The most common (>70 percent) type of polyp is the cholesterol polyp; usually it is a small polyp (<10mm), pedunculated, multiple, with a higher echogenicity than the liver parenchyma. Neoplastic polyp frequently has an enlarged size (>1cm), is solitary, sessile and isoechogenic with the liver parenchyma. The management of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder is still controversial. Different studies have shown that polypoid lesions larger than 1cm should be treated with cholecystectomy, because of their high potential of malignancy. Cholecystectomy has also been shown to bring about symptomatic relief. On the contrary, natural history of small gallbladder polyps, symptomatic and complicating absent factors, has proven to be benign, thus suggesting that cholecystectomy is not indicated and a watch and wait strategy based on repeated ultrasound and medical examinations should be implemented.
Assuntos
Humanos , Colecistectomia , Colesterol , Vesícula Biliar , Neoplasias da Vesícula Biliar , PóliposRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To conduct formative research on the landscape of tobacco use to guide survey and subsequent intervention development in the Dominican Republic (DR). DESIGN: Rapid Assessment Procedures, systematic qualitative methods (participant-observations, in-depth interviewing, focus groups) using bilingual mixed age and gendered teams from the United States and DR. SUBJECTS: Over 160 adults (men and women), ages 18 to 90 years, current, former and never smokers, community members and leaders from six underserved, economically disadvantaged DR communities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Key domains: tobacco use patterns and attitudes; factors affecting smoking initiation, continuation, quitting; perceived risks/benefits/effects of smoking; and awareness/effects of advertising/regulations. RESULTS: Perceptions of prevalence varied widely. While "everybody" smokes, smokers or ex-smokers were sometimes difficult to find. Knowledge of health risks was limited to the newly mandated statement "Fumar es prejudicial para la salud" [Smoking is harmful to your health]. Smokers started due to parents, peers, learned lifestyle, fashion or as something to do. Smoking served as an escape, relaxation or diversion. Quit attempts relied on personal will, primarily for religious or medical reasons. Social smoking (custom or habit) (< 10 cigarettes per day) was viewed as a lifestyle choice rather than a vice or addiction. Out of respect, smokers selected where they smoked and around whom. Health care providers typically were reactive relative to tobacco cessation, focusing on individuals with smoking related conditions. Tobacco advertising was virtually ubiquitous. Anti-tobacco messages were effectively absent. Cultures of smoking and not smoking coexisted absent a culture of quitting. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic qualitative methods provided pertinent information about tobacco attitudes and use to guide subsequent project steps. Integrating qualitative then quantitative research can be replicated in similar countries that lack empirical data on the cultural dimensions of tobacco use.
Assuntos
Cultura , Países em Desenvolvimento , Fumar , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Coleta de Dados , República Dominicana , Medicina Baseada em Evidências , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , PobrezaRESUMO
We present a case of the rare occurrence of a mucus-secreting adenocarcinoma originating in an anal gland. A 37-year-old diabetic man had an anal fistulotomy 16 years before. He had four ischiorectal abscesses in a 6-month period. A seton was inserted in a complex fistula tract in the left anterior lateral aspect. Due to delayed healing, a new surgical exploration was carried out; pathological analysis of the curetted mucinous tissue revealed a mucoid adenocarcinoma. Surgical resection is the first choice of curative treatment, and additional treatments include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma Mucinoso/patologia , Fístula Retal/patologia , Neoplasias Retais/patologia , Adenocarcinoma Mucinoso/terapia , Adulto , Terapia Combinada , Humanos , Masculino , Fístula Retal/terapia , Neoplasias Retais/terapiaRESUMO
Surface activity and fluorescence of humic substances (HS) and HS/pyrene solutions were monitored under various pH conditions. For HS alone the surface tension of the solutions decreased with increasing acidity, with a minimum at around pH 4. This effect, which is a consequence of an increase in the amphiphilic character of structures, is much more pronounced in humic (HA) than in fulvic acids (FA). The addition of pyrene (0.1 micromolL(-1)) results, for HA, in a marked reduction in the migration of amphiphilic species to the solution surface. FA profiles are not modified in presence of pyrene at that concentration. A decrease in the pyrene I1/I3 ratio in HS solutions shows that below pH 9 pyrene molecules react progressively to the change to a more hydrophobic environment, the greatest effect being observed at around pH 6 to 7. These signals are followed by a significant increase in the pyrene excimer fluorescence (lambda(exc)/lambda(em)=334 nm/450 nm), which is a consequence of the proximity of pyrene molecules. For FA, the I1/I3 decrease is less significant and no excimers develop. This set of effects is explained in view of conformational adjustments of HS, mainly HA, which become arranged in micelle-like domains in aqueous solution, the aromatic moieties being assembled around the pyrene molecules.
Assuntos
Benzopiranos/análise , Substâncias Húmicas/análise , Monitoramento Ambiental , Fluorescência , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Micelas , Eliminação de Resíduos LíquidosRESUMO
Excitation/emission matrix (EEM), single-scan excitation and synchronous fluorescence spectra of a series of FA and HA from distinct environments are presented. The EEM plots show at least four spectral features whose corresponding Ex/Em pairs relate to the alpha', alpha, beta and gamma (or delta) fluorophores previously found in natural waters spectra. The alpha' and alpha peaks, which identify typical humic-like components, are present in all samples, independently of the organic matter (OM) source. In FA, their Ex/Em pairs are approximately 260 nm/460 nm and approximately 310 nm/440 nm, respectively. In HA their excitation and emission maxima are red-shifted, the corresponding Ex/Em pairs being located at approximately 265 nm/525 nm and approximately 360 nm/520 nm, respectively. The appearance of beta and gamma (or delta) peaks is dependent both on the OM origin and on HS aging. The former (Ex/Em approximately 320 nm/430 nm), that has been associated with the incidence of marine humic-like material, is present only in a few marine and estuarine HA. It emerges as a shoulder on the alpha peak and its detection is dependent on a balance between its magnitude and the magnitude and emission maxima location of the alpha peak. The gamma (or delta) peak (Ex/Em approximately 275 nm/315 nm in FA, and approximately 275 nm/330 nm in HA), on the other hand, is better visualized in FA than in HA diagrams. It has typical protein-, mainly tryptophan-like, fluorescence properties and appears with varied significance in a few marine and estuarine samples being hardly detected in samples from exclusively terrestrial environments. It is also shown in this study that with selected lambda(ex), lambda(em) and (delta)(lambda) values, regular emission, excitation and synchronous spectra can, together, provide a good picture of the OM sources and aging for extracted HS.
Assuntos
Benzopiranos/análise , Substâncias Húmicas/análise , Espectrometria de Fluorescência/métodos , Benzopiranos/isolamento & purificação , Água Doce/química , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Processamento de Imagem Assistida por Computador , Modelos Químicos , Oceanos e MaresRESUMO
This investigation assesses attitudes towards breastfeeding working mothers, employees' knowledge of their legal rights and employees' views of the new amendment of Law 427 in Puerto Rico. The sample consists of 36 men and 64 women (N = 101) employed in different institutions of the San Juan metropolitan area. Participants completed the Attitude Scale toward working breastfeeding mothers. The scale's consistency is substantiated by an item-total reliability coefficient yielding r (92) = .70, p < .05. Results show that employed Puerto Ricans may support breastfeeding working mothers. However, many individuals are not aware of the laws that protect a breastfeeding working mother and how extracting milk may help productivity instead of impairing it.
Assuntos
Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Recém-Nascido , Lactente , Aleitamento Materno/psicologia , Mulheres Trabalhadoras/legislação & jurisprudência , Atitude , Aleitamento Materno/estatística & dados numéricos , Cuidado do Lactente/história , História do Século XIX , História do Século XX , Porto Rico , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fatores SocioeconômicosRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: More than 10 years ago, the goal of our work had been to obtain a tissue sample of infiltrating lesions of the brainstem that had been diagnosed using computerized axial tomography (CAT). At that time, biopsies were believed to be indispensable when starting treatment of tumors. With time our objectives changed. Biopsies remained necessary, since until 1 year before the writing of this article we had not had the benefits of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at our Hospital. We also decided that carrying out sound statistics, confirmed by biopsies, was in itself a good procedure, especially in a country in which, to date, no serial studies of brainstem tumors had been undertaken. METHODS: We analyzed all of the patients diagnosed with posterior fossa tumors between March 1989 and March 2002 at the Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez (HIM). A preoperative TAC of the cranium was performed on every patient. Stereotactically-guided biopsies during tomography allowed precise control of penetration. Material obtained was sent to the Department of Pathology for analysis. RESULTS: Fifty patients were diagnosed with infiltrating tumors of the brainstem: 30 cases of low-grade astrocytomas, 13 cases of high-grade astrocytomas, 2 cases of primitive neuroectodermic tumors, 2 cases of rhabdoid tumors, 1 case of ependymoma, and 2 patients had non-specified tumors. The most frequent symptoms and signs were ataxia and disturbances of the cranial nerves. There was no mortality caused by penetration, and follow-up studies of more than 5 years were carried out. DISCUSSION: The results from our series were similar to those in the literature. In our case, follow-up studies were undertaken for longer periods. In the first section of our work, we suggest the need for stereotactic biopsies in order to arrive at a precise diagnosis in environments in which MRI may be unavailable. CONCLUSION: At present, presumptive diagnosis of infiltrating brainstem lesions may be adequately undertaken with imaging methods, such as MRI. However, we believe that a stereotactically-guided biopsy provides an accurate method for diagnosing lesions of the brainstem. In our case, this procedure has been carried out entirely in the tomography room, without any complications of disease or mortality.
Assuntos
Astrocitoma/patologia , Astrocitoma/cirurgia , Neoplasias do Tronco Encefálico/patologia , Neoplasias do Tronco Encefálico/cirurgia , Meduloblastoma/patologia , Meduloblastoma/cirurgia , Radiocirurgia/instrumentação , Tumor Rabdoide/patologia , Tumor Rabdoide/cirurgia , Adolescente , Astrocitoma/diagnóstico por imagem , Biópsia , Neoplasias do Tronco Encefálico/diagnóstico por imagem , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Lactente , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Meduloblastoma/diagnóstico por imagem , Ponte/diagnóstico por imagem , Ponte/patologia , Ponte/cirurgia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Tumor Rabdoide/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios XRESUMO
El objetivo del trabajo es dar a conocer los principales datos biográficos y el desempeño del Dr. Cecilio Romaña en la Argentina y España. En la confección del mismo se ha empleado el método histórico. Su actuación científica se puede dividir en tres períodos de acuerdo a los lugares donde le tocó actuar: 1) Norte argentino 1931-1960 (Florencia, Resistencia, San Miguel de Tucumán); 2) 1960-1966 (Buenos Aires) y 3) 1966-1988 (Barcelona, España). Se describen sus principales logros científicos ocupando un lugar especial el signo que lleva su nombre.
Assuntos
História do Século XX , Doença de Chagas/diagnóstico , Doença de Chagas/história , Conjuntivite/complicações , Toxoplasmose Ocular/história , Medicina Tropical , Trypanosoma cruzi/patogenicidade , Argentina , Listeriose/diagnóstico , Médicos/história , Sinais em HomeopatiaRESUMO
El objetivo del trabajo es dar a conocer los principales datos biográficos y el desempeño del Dr. Cecilio Romaña en la Argentina y España. En la confección del mismo se ha empleado el método histórico. Su actuación científica se puede dividir en tres períodos de acuerdo a los lugares donde le tocó actuar: 1) Norte argentino 1931-1960 (Florencia, Resistencia, San Miguel de Tucumán); 2) 1960-1966 (Buenos Aires) y 3) 1966-1988 (Barcelona, España). Se describen sus principales logros científicos ocupando un lugar especial el signo que lleva su nombre. (AU)
Assuntos
HISTORIA DE LA MEDICINA DEL SIGLO 20RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) as an early marker of bacterial or fungal infection in neonates. STUDY DESIGN: We measured G-CSF levels in infants of varying gestational and postnatal ages. We separated the infants into three groups: group 1, positive bacterial or fungal blood culture result; group 2, negative blood culture result but evidence of clinical sepsis; and group 3, negative blood culture result and no or weak evidence of sepsis. Comparison of mean G-CSF levels by group was accomplished by an analysis of variance. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-six evaluations for sepsis were done for 156 infants with gestational ages ranging from 24 to 43 weeks; 50% of these infants were less than 35 weeks of gestational age. The mean G-CSF levels of groups 1 and 2 were significantly higher than those of group 3. The mean G-CSF level of each group was 2278 pg/ml (group 1), 1873 pg/ml (group 2), and 280 pg/ml (group 3) (p < 0.001). On the basis of a cutoff level of 200 pg/ml, the sensitivity of the test was 95%, specificity 73%, positive predictive value 40%, and negative predictive value 99%. CONCLUSION: G-CSF levels represent a sensitive marker of infection in neonates of all gestational ages.
Assuntos
Infecções Bacterianas/diagnóstico , Fator Estimulador de Colônias de Granulócitos/sangue , Doenças do Prematuro/diagnóstico , Bacteriemia/diagnóstico , Bacteriemia/imunologia , Infecções Bacterianas/imunologia , Fungemia/diagnóstico , Fungemia/imunologia , Idade Gestacional , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Doenças do Prematuro/imunologia , Micoses/diagnóstico , Micoses/imunologia , Valor Preditivo dos Testes , Valores de ReferênciaRESUMO
Motivated by the extensive clinical and experimental evidence that links the cerebellum to cognitive processes, we analyzed the auditory and visual memory of nine children with cerebellar tumors. Five patients had midline lesions and four had cerebellar hemispheric tumors. The patients were tested before and after surgery. One of the patients was also tested at 4 and 24 months after surgery. A third group constituted by four children, siblings of some of the patients, served as control. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in the test of auditory memory, in which children with cerebellar tumors made a higher number of errors than their normal counterparts. Surgery performed according standard techniques did not increase significantly the number of errors in any of the tested categories. Location of the tumor (hemispheric vs midline) was not a determinant of the performance of the children. The patient tested up to 2 years after surgery demonstrated a progressive improvement in the performance of visual and auditory memory tasks. Our results provide further evidence that the cerebellum plays a role in the integration of auditory stimuli.