Browsing by Author "Yanez, Carolina"

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    Prevalence estimation of Autism Spectrum disorders in chilean urban population
    (2021) Yanez, Carolina; Maira, Paulina; Elguetab, Constanza; Crockett, Marcelo A.; Troncoso, Ledia; Lopez, Claudia; Troncoso, Monica; Brito, Macarena
    The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder has increased, varying between 0.5 and 1% around the world. The prevalence of ASD in Chile is unknown. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of ASD in two urban communes of Santiago, Chile. Subjects and Method: Cross-sectional epidemiological study. 272 children aged between 18-30 months who attended well-child visits at two Family Health Centers in two urban communes of Santiago participated. Consecutive sampling was used and children who were already being monitored by neurology were excluded. Screening was performed using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). Those children with altered M-CHAT were evaluated by a pediatric neurologist at the San Borja Arriaran Clinical Hospital and diagnosed with ASD according to clinical criteria. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Version (ADOS-2) was used as a diagnostic complement. The prevalence of ASD was estimated with a 95% confidence interval. Results: 44 children had altered M-CHAT; 5 of them were clinically diagnosed with ASD. A 1.95% prevalence of ASD (95% CI 0.81-4.63) was obtained, with a sex distribution of 4 boys per 1 girl. Conclusions: This study is the first estimate of ASD prevalence in two communes of Santiago, Chile. A high prevalence of this condition was observed, which highlights the need for obtaining resources for an early multidisciplinary approach for these patients.
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    The downside of copper pesticides: An earthworm's perspective
    (2024) Schoffer, Jorge Tomas; Solari, Fiama; Petit-dit-Grezeriat, Lucas; Pelosi, Celine; Ginocchio, Rosanna; Yanez, Carolina; Mazuela, Pilar; Neaman, Alexander
    The widespread use of copper-based pesticides, while effective in controlling plant diseases, has been identified as a major source of copper contamination in soils. This raises concerns about potential adverse effects on earthworms, key players in soil health and ecosystem function. To inform sustainable pesticide practices, this study aimed to establish copper toxicity thresholds for earthworm avoidance in agricultural soils impacted by copper-based pesticides. We collected 40 topsoil samples (0-5 cm) from orchards and vineyards in the O'Higgins Region of central Chile, and 10 additional soils under native vegetation as background references. A standardized avoidance bioassay using Eisenia fetida assessed the impact of copper-based pesticides on the soils. Total copper concentrations ranged between 23 and 566 mg kg-1, with observed toxic effects on earthworms in certain soils. The effective concentration at 50% (EC50) for total soil copper, determined by Eisenia fetida's avoidance response, was 240 mg kg-1, with a 95% confidence interval of 193-341 mg kg-1. We further compared our EC50 values with existing data from agricultural soils impacted by mining activities. Interestingly, the results revealed a remarkable similarity between the thresholds for earthworm avoidance, regardless of the source of copper contamination. This observation underscores the universality of copper toxicity in agricultural ecosystems and its potential impact on soil biota. This study provides novel insights into copper toxicity thresholds for earthworms in real-world, pesticide-contaminated soils.