COVID-19 and neurologic manifestations: a synthesis from the child neurologist's corner.

Background: Since December 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been a global health issue. The main clinical presentation of this virus is a flu-like disease; however, patients with diverse neurologic manifestations have also been reported. In this review, we attempt to summarize, discuss and update the knowledge of the neurologic manifestations in the pediatric population affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection and the pandemic's effects in children with neurologic diseases.

Neurologic Features Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children: A Case Series Report.

Introduction: Although multiple neurologic manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been described in adults, there is little information about those presented in children. Here, we described neurologic manifestations associated with COVID-19 in the pediatric population.

Methods: Retrospective case series report.

Functional morphology and identity of the thenar pad in the subterranean genus Ctenomys (Rodentia, Caviomorpha).

As in many other fossorial tetrapods, the most obvious adaptations to scratch-digging in the subterranean tuco-tuco (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae, Ctenomys) are found in the hands, which among other adaptations, present the mesaxonic condition; i.e. the central digits are more developed, and also their claws, which are curved and elongated.

Mandible strength and geometry in relation to bite force: a study in three caviomorph rodents.

The monophyletic group Caviomorpha constitutes the most diverse rodent clade in terms of locomotion, ecology and diet. Caviomorph species show considerable variation in cranio-mandibular morphology that has been linked to the differences in toughness of dietary items and other behaviors, such as chisel-tooth digging. This work assesses the structural strength of the mandible of three caviomorph species that show remarkable differences in ecology, behavior and bite force: Chinchilla lanigera (a surface-dwelling species), Octodon degus (a semi-fossorial species) and Ctenomys talarum (a subterranean species).

Bite it forward … bite it better? Incisor procumbency and mechanical advantage in the chisel-tooth and scratch-digger genus Ctenomys (Caviomorpha, Rodentia).

The subterranean genus Ctenomys (∼60 species, ∼100-1000g) constructs its burrows by using both forefeet and teeth throughout a wide range of habitats in South America. They show a high variation in the incisors' angle of attack (procumbency) and a mostly conserved skull morphology, not only amongst their congeners, but within the caviomorph rodents. Traditionally, procumbency has been largely related to tooth-digging.

Postnatal ontogeny of limb proportions and functional indices in the subterranean rodent Ctenomys talarum (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae).

Burrow construction in the subterranean Ctenomys talarum (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae) primarily occurs by scratch-digging. In this study, we compared the limbs of an ontogenetic series of C. talarum to identify variation in bony elements related to fossorial habits using a morphometrical and biomechanical approach.

Another one bites the dust: bite force and ecology in three caviomorph rodents (Rodentia, Hystricognathi).

Mammals have developed sophisticated strategies adapting to particular locomotor modes, feeding habits, and social interactions. Many rodent species have acquired a fossorial, semi-fossorial, or even subterranean life-style, converging on morphological, anatomical, and ecological features but diverging in the final arrangement. These ecological variations partially depend on the functional morphology of their digging tools.

Evaluation of neophobia and its potential impact upon predator control techniques: a study on two sympatric foxes in southern Patagonia.

An alternative approach to increase the efficiency of predator control and selectivity is to consider the natural behavioural repertoire of the target species and how such behaviours may increase their vulnerability. Neophobia, or the hesitancy to approach a novel food item, object, or place, is an important factor influencing the investigative behaviour of animals, and its incorporation to predator control techniques may help to reduce losses of livestock to predators. In this study, we simultaneously evaluated the existence and intensity of neophobic responses in two sympatric fox species, the Culpeo (Pseudalopex culpaeus) and the Grey (P.

Sexual selection in a polygynous rodent (Ctenomys talarum): an analysis of fighting capacity.

The South American subterranean rodent genus Ctenomys (Caviomorpha: Octodontoidea), which uses both claws and teeth to dig, shows striking morphological adaptations to its specialized mode of life. Among other traits, the genus has evolved a powerful jaw musculature and procumbent incisors that are used for dento-excavation. Behavioral observations indicate that these traits are also used during male aggressive encounters, which characterize the polygynous mating system of one of the species of the genus, Ctenomys talarum.

Scaling and adaptations of incisors and cheek teeth in caviomorph rodents (Rodentia, Hystricognathi).

The South American hystricognath rodents are one of the most diverse mammalian clades considering their occupied habitats, locomotor modes and body sizes. This might have been partly evolved by diversification of their masticatory apparatus' structure and its ecological commitment, for example, chisel-tooth digging. In this phylogeny-based comparative study, we test the relationship between ecological behavior and mechanical features of their incisors and molariforms.

Evolution of brain size in a highly diversifying lineage of subterranean rodent genus Ctenomys (Caviomorpha: Ctenomyidae).

We evaluated brain size evolution in a specialized subterranean mammal, the ctenomyid rodent genus Ctenomys (tuco-tuco) and compared it, within a phylogenetic framework, to other caviomorph rodents differing in body size and modes of life. Although brain size in Ctenomys falls below the regression line obtained for caviomorph rodents, some fossorial species within the sister family Octodontidae, which make use of both above and below ground habitats, have a relatively larger brain size. Ctenomys has experienced a relatively recent and 'explosive' cladogenesis which yielded approximately 60 living species differing almost one order of magnitude in body size.