Middle ear lipoma as a mimicker of other diseases: a review of an unusual presentation / Lipoma en el oído medio como un imitador de otras enfermedades: una revisión de una presentación inusual

The finding of a lipoma in the middle ear is much rarer than its occurrence in the external auditory canal or even the inner ear, with fewer than seven cases described in the literature and none of them in Spain or South America. Despite its benign nature, the location of the lipoma may compromise structures that play a significant role in auditory preservation or balance control, necessitating surgical removal as a curative treatment. The main objective of this article is to describe the presentation of lipomas in the middle ear as a possible, although rare, etiology to consider in patients presenting with hearing loss, instability, or both symptoms concurrently, seeking otorhinolaryngological evaluation.

El hallazgo de un lipoma en el oído medio es mucho más raro que su ocurrencia en el canal auditivo externo o incluso en el oído interno, con menos de siete casos descritos en la literatura y ninguno de ellos en España o Sudamérica. A pesar de su naturaleza benigna, la ubicación del lipoma puede comprometer estructuras que desempeñan un papel significativo en la preservación auditiva o en el control del equilibrio, lo que hace necesaria la extirpación quirúrgica como tratamiento curativo. El objetivo principal de este artículo es describir la presentación de los lipomas en el oído medio como una posible, aunque rara, etiología a considerar en pacientes que presentan pérdida de audición, inestabilidad o ambos síntomas simultáneamente, buscando evaluación otorrinolaringológica.

Exogenous growth hormone promotes an epithelial-mesenchymal hybrid phenotype in cancerous HeLa cells but not in non-cancerous HEK293 cells.

In cancer, the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is the process in which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal features that allow metastasis, and chemotherapy resistance. Growth hormone (GH) has been associated with melanoma, breast, and endometrial cancer progression through an autocrine regulation of EMT. Since exogenous and autocrine expression of GH is known to have different molecular effects, we investigated whether exogenous GH is capable of regulating the EMT of cancer cells. Furthermore, we investigated whether exogenous GH could promote EMT in non-cancerous cells. To study the effect of GH (100 ng/ml) on cancer and non-cancer cells, we used HeLa and HEK293 cell lines, respectively. We evaluated the loss of cell-cell contacts, by cell scattering assay and migration by wound-healing assay. Additionally, we evaluated the morphological changes by phalloidin-staining. Finally, we evaluated the molecular markers E-cadherin and vimentin by flow cytometry. GH enhances cell scattering and the migratory rate and promotes morphological changes such as cell area increase and actin cytoskeleton filaments formation on HeLa cell line. Moreover, we found that GH favors the expression of the mesenchymal protein vimentin, followed by an increase in E-cadherin's epithelial protein expression, characteristics of an epithelial-mesenchymal hybrid phenotype that is associated with metastasis. On HEK293cells, GH promotes morphological changes, including cell area increment and filopodia formation, but not affects scattering, migration, nor EMT markers expression. Our results suggest that exogenous GH might participate in cervical cancer progression favoring a hybrid EMT phenotype but not on non-cancerous HEK293 cells.

Herida crónica digital: ¿quiste epidermoide, osteomielitis o ambos? Presentación de dos casos clínicos y revisión de la literatura / Chronic digital wound: epidermoid cyst, osteomyelitis or both? Presentation of two clinical cases and review of the literature

Resumen: Introducción: ante una herida crónica a nivel digital se plantea el diagnóstico diferencial entre osteomielitis o tumor primario. No es infrecuente la coexistencia entre osteomielitis y quiste óseo epidermoide. Material y métodos: en este artículo describimos dos casos de quistes epidermoides en falange distal de la mano asociados a osteomielitis y se presenta una revisión de la literatura. Resultados: tanto la osteomielitis como el quiste óseo epidermoide se han relacionado con la presencia de un traumatismo previo en el sitio de la lesión, alteraciones ungueales y signos flogóticos crónicos, por lo que es importante llegar a un diagnóstico certero mediante un estudio anatomopatológico y realizar un buen desbridamiento quirúrgico que asegure la curación de ambas entidades. Conclusiones: el desbridamiento quirúrgico asociado a curetaje y relleno del defecto óseo con sustituto óseo por medio de antibiótico es una buena opción terapéutica en el tratamiento de estas lesiones.

Abstract: Introduction: when faced with a chronic digital injury, the differential diagnosis between osteomyelitis or primary tumor is raised. Coexistence between osteomyelitis and epidermoid bone cyst is not uncommon. Material and methods: in this article, we describe two cases of epidermoid cysts in distal phalanx of the hand associated with osteomyelitis and a review of the literature is presented. Results: both osteomyelitis and epidermoid bone cyst have been related to the presence of previous trauma at the site of the lesion, nail alterations and chronic phlogotic signs, so it is important to reach a diagnosis of certainty through an anatomopathological study and to perform a good surgical debridement to ensure the healing of both entities. Conclusions: surgical debridement associated with curettage and filling of the bone defect with bone substitute with antibiotic is a good therapeutic option in the treatment of these lesions.

SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THYMIC PEPTIDES IN THE TREATMENT OF HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 PATIENTS IN HONDURAS.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) active cases continue to demand the development of safe and effective treatments. This is the first clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral thymic peptides. ; We conducted a nonrandomized phase 2 trial with a historic control group to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a daily 250-mg oral dose of thymic peptides in the treatment of hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Comparisons based on standard care from registry data were performed after propensity score matching. The primary outcomes were survival, time to recovery, and number of participants with treatment-related adverse events or side effects by day 20. ; A total of 44 patients were analyzed in this study: 22 in the thymic peptide group and 22 in the standard care group. There were no deaths in the intervention group compared to 24% mortality in standard care by day 20 (log-rank P=0.02). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly shorter time to recovery by day 20 in the thymic peptide group than in the standard care group (median, 6 days vs. 12 days; hazard ratio for recovery, 2.75 [95% confidence interval, 1.34 to 5.62]; log-rank P=0.002). No side effects or adverse events were reported. ; In patients hospitalized with Covid-19, the use of thymic peptides resulted in no side effects, adverse events, or deaths by day 20. Compared with the registry data, a significantly shorter time to recovery and mortality reduction were measured.

[Chronic digital wound: epidermoid cyst, osteomyelitis or both? Presentation of two clinical cases and review of the literature]. / Herida crónica digital: ¿quiste epidermoide, osteomielitis o ambos? Presentación de dos casos clínicos y revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: when faced with a chronic digital injury, the differential diagnosis between osteomyelitis or primary tumor is raised. Coexistence between osteomyelitis and epidermoid bone cyst is not uncommon. MATERIAL AND METHODS: in this article, we describe two cases of epidermoid cysts in distal phalanx of the hand associated with osteomyelitis and a review of the literature is presented. RESULTS: both osteomyelitis and epidermoid bone cyst have been related to the presence of previous trauma at the site of the lesion, nail alterations and chronic phlogotic signs, so it is important to reach a diagnosis of certainty through an anatomopathological study and to perform a good surgical debridement to ensure the healing of both entities. CONCLUSIONS: surgical debridement associated with curettage and filling of the bone defect with bone substitute with antibiotic is a good therapeutic option in the treatment of these lesions.

INTRODUCCIÓN: ante una herida crónica a nivel digital se plantea el diagnóstico diferencial entre osteomielitis o tumor primario. No es infrecuente la coexistencia entre osteomielitis y quiste óseo epidermoide. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: en este artículo describimos dos casos de quistes epidermoides en falange distal de la mano asociados a osteomielitis y se presenta una revisión de la literatura. RESULTADOS: tanto la osteomielitis como el quiste óseo epidermoide se han relacionado con la presencia de un traumatismo previo en el sitio de la lesión, alteraciones ungueales y signos flogóticos crónicos, por lo que es importante llegar a un diagnóstico certero mediante un estudio anatomopatológico y realizar un buen desbridamiento quirúrgico que asegure la curación de ambas entidades. CONCLUSIONES: el desbridamiento quirúrgico asociado a curetaje y relleno del defecto óseo con sustituto óseo por medio de antibiótico es una buena opción terapéutica en el tratamiento de estas lesiones.

Mexico City during and after the September 19, 2017 earthquake: Assessment of seismic resilience and ongoing recovery process.

Mexico City was severely affected by the September 19, 2017 Puebla-Morelos earthquake (M w = 7.1). City authorities confirmed that more than 12,000 structures for all uses were damaged as a consequence of this earthquake. In this paper, the focus of attention is devoted to trying to quantify in a simple manner how resilient the built environment in Mexico City was during the September 19, 2017 earthquake. Global statistics compiled for the severity of damage observed during this seismic event from detailed information gathered from well-documented and detailed damage surveys were used for this purpose. Also, an update is provided on how the seismic reconstruction and recovery processes of the built environment in Mexico City have been after this earthquake. This adaptive resilience has been assessed from reliable information and statistics of the ongoing reconstruction process of the affected built environment in Mexico City. The implementation of structural health monitoring programs for typical, representative buildings within the city would be germane to detect and correct potential structural deficiencies on time before the next strong earthquake may strike, then helping to improve the seismic resilience of the built environment.

Preclinical and clinical research on the toxic and neurological effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) consumption.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a tropical plant that is used as fresh food, processed food, or raw material for the preparation of flours with high nutritional value. However, cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides, such as linamarin and lotaustralin, that can trigger severe toxic effects and some neurological disorders, including motor impairment, cognitive deterioration, and symptoms that characterize tropical ataxic neuropathy and spastic epidemic paraparesis (Konzo). These alterations that are associated with the consumption of cassava or its derivatives have been reported in both humans and experimental animals. The present review discusses and integrates preclinical and clinical evidence that indicates the toxic and neurological effects of cassava and its derivatives by affecting metabolic processes and the central nervous system. An exhaustive review of the literature was performed using specialized databases that focused on the toxic and neurological effects of the consumption of cassava and its derivatives. We sought to provide structured information that will contribute to understanding the undesirable effects of some foods and preventing health problems in vulnerable populations who consume these vegetables. Cassava contains cyanogenic glycosides that contribute to the development of neurological disorders when they are ingested inappropriately or for prolonged periods of time. Such high consumption can affect neurochemical and neurophysiological processes in particular brain structures and affect peripheral metabolic processes that impact wellness. Although some vegetables have high nutritional value and ameliorate food deficits in vulnerable populations, they can also predispose individuals to the development of neurological diseases.

Extracellular vesicles from oviductal isthmus and ampulla stimulate the induced acrosome reaction and signaling events associated with capacitation in bovine spermatozoa.

Cells can communicate with other neighboring or distant cells through the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EV), composed of a lipid bilayer and bearing surface molecules that allow them to recognize target cells. In this way, EV induce signaling via different mechanisms, modulating the physiological state of the recipient cell. EV have been identified in both male and female reproductive fluids, however, the possible role of EV isolated from female reproductive fluids has become an emerging field only recently. It is known that ejaculated mammalian spermatozoa need to undergo physiological preparation in the female reproductive tract to fertilize the egg. EV secreted by different regions of the female tract constitute signals that may have a key role in regulating sperm functions. The aims of the present study were isolating EV from different regions of the bovine oviduct and analyzing their interaction and physiological effects on spermatozoa. Here, we report the characterization of bovine oviductal fluid EV from the isthmus and ampulla region and their effect on the induced acrosome reaction and signaling events associated with sperm capacitation. EV induced an increase in sperm protein tyrosine phosphorylation, while cell survival of cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa was maintained. We also show that EV uptake regulates the sperm calcium levels by inducing an immediate increase in the intracellular calcium concentration and sperm priming, after a pre-incubation period, of the progesterone-induced intracellular calcium rise. Our data contribute to understand the role of EV in the communication between the female reproductive tract and the sperm physiology, information that may be used to improve the efficiency of reproductive assisted technologies.

Preclinical and clinical development of palbociclib and future perspectives.

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) play a key role in cell cycle regulation, which makes them a clear therapeutic target to interfere with cell division and proliferation in cancer patients. Palbociclib, a specific inhibitor of CDK4/6 with outstanding clinical efficacy data and limited toxicity, has been recently approved for the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, either in combination with an aromatase inhibitor or in combination with fulvestrant in women who have received prior endocrine therapy. This review describes the mechanism of action, preclinical experiences and clinical data of palbociclib, with a special focus on integrating this data with the positioning of palbociclib in the current clinical guidelines for advanced HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. Aspects of the ongoing major studies are also presented, as well as future prospects in the development of palbociclib.

The protective effect of two commercial formats of Ginkgo biloba on motor alterations induced by cassava juice (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Wistar rats. / Efecto protector de 2 presentaciones comerciales de Ginkgo biloba sobre las alteraciones motoras inducidas por el jugo de yuca (Manihot esculenta Crantz) en la rata Wistar.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the protective effects of 2 commercial formats of Ginkgo biloba on motor alterations induced by cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) juice consumption in male Wistar rats. METHODS: The effects were evaluated with the open field and swim tests at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of treatment, one hour after administering the product. RESULTS: Compared to controls, open field crossings increased after day 21 of cassava juice consumption, and lateral swimming in the swim test was reported after day 7. CONCLUSION: Ginkgo biloba extracts prevented motor alterations associated with cassava juice consumption, probably due to the flavonoid content in both formats of Ginkgo biloba.

Life cycle assessment of carbon capture and utilization from ammonia process in Mexico.

Post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC) of flue gas from an ammonia plant (AP) and the environmental performance of the carbon capture utilization (CCU) technology for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) system in Mexico was performed as case study. The process simulations (PS) and life cycle assessment (LCA) were used as supporting tools to quantify the CO2 capture and their environmental impacts, respectively. Two scenarios were considered: 1) the AP with its shift and CO2 removal unit and 2) Scenario 1 plus PCC of the flue gas from the AP primary reformer (AP-2CO2) and the global warming (GW) impact. Also, the GW of the whole of a CO2-EOR project, from these two streams of captured CO2, was evaluated. Results show that 372,426 tCO2/year can be PCC from the flue gas of the primary reformer and 480,000 tons/y of capacity from the AP. The energy requirement for solvent regeneration is estimated to be 2.8 MJ/kgCO2 or a GW impact of 0.22 kgCO2e/kgCO2 captured. GW performances are 297.6 kgCO2e emitted/barrel (bbl) for scenario one, and 106.5 kgCO2e emitted/bbl for the second. The net emissions, in scenario one, were 0.52 tCO2e/bbl and 0.33 tCO2e/bbl in scenario two. Based on PS, this study could be used to evaluate the potential of CO2 capture of 4080 t/d of 4 ammonia plants. The integration of PS-LCA to a PCC study allows the applicability as methodological framework for the development of a cluster of projects in which of CO2 could be recycled back to fuel, chemical, petrochemical products or for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). With AP-2CO2, "CO2 emission free" ammonia production could be achieved.

Human and ecotoxicological impacts assessment from the Mexican oil industry in the Coatzacoalcos region, as revealed by the USEtox model.

Human and ecotoxicological impacts were analyzed in the lower basin of the Coatzacoalcos River (Veracruz, State in Mexico). High pollution levels of contaminants from the oil industry have been reported in natural streams and the Coatzacoalcos River and in their sediments. USEtox model was employed to evaluate environmental fate, exposure, and effect of nine organic compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and one of which was in the group of polychlorinated biphenyls), a heavy metal (lead), and the effect of the industrial wastewater emitted into the river, on the Coatzacoalcos region. Most of these compounds are highly toxic; they bioaccumulate in human and animal tissue, mainly in the fatty tissues and can damage different organs and systemic targets such as the liver, kidney, hormonal system, nervous system, etc., of both humans and wildlife. The model estimates that 96% (3,247 kg/day) of organic compounds is transferred from the water into air, whereas only 4% (151 kg/day) remains in the water. In addition, it predicts that humans are mainly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners (28 and 153) by eating contaminated fish, due to PCBs accumulating in the fish fat tissue. The number of cases of cancer and noncancer (1 in 862 habitants per additional kilogram) is expected to have an increment due to the higher PCBs exposure of human population. Genetic damages in fishes, earthworms, and toads have been observed and related to higher exposure to organic compounds. The relationship between the field reported data and those one predicted by the USEtox model have been confirmed empirically by using the nonparametric correlation analysis (Spearman's rho). Based on the USEtox model, the environmental stress in the Coatzacoalcos industrial zone is between 2 and 6 orders of magnitude over geometric mean of acute aquatic EC50s. We think that USEtox model can be used to expand the number of substances that have the current water quality guidelines to improve the water management in Mexico.

Using DNA barcoding to link cystacanths and adults of the acanthocephalan Polymorphus brevis in central Mexico.

In parasitic organisms, particularly helminths, the usage of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene as the standard DNA barcoding region for species identification and discovery has been very limited. Here, we present an integrated study, based on both DNA barcoding and morphological analyses, for acanthocephalans belonging to the genus Polymorphus, whose larvae (cystacanths) are commonly found in the mesentery of freshwater fishes, while adults are found in the intestine of fish-eating birds. The alpha taxonomy of parasitic helminths is based on adult morphological traits, and because of that larval forms cannot be identified to species level based on morphology alone. DNA barcoding offers an alternative tool for linking larval stages of parasitic organisms to known adults. We sequenced cystacanths collected from freshwater fishes in localities across central Mexico and adults obtained from fish-eating birds, to determine whether they were conspecific. To corroborate the molecular results, we conducted a morphometric analysis with 'Proboscis profiler', which is a software tool developed to detect heterogeneity in morphologically similar acanthocephalans based on the multivariate statistical analysis of proboscis hook dimensions. Both sources of information indicate that cystacanths infecting freshwater fishes in central Mexico belong to a single species, Polymorphus brevis.

[Origin of surgical metastatic bone disease]. / Origen de la enfermedad ósea metastática quirúrgica.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic bone disease should be considered as a public health problem. The alterations it may cause include pain that is refractory to medical treatment, metabolic instability, pathologic fractures and spinal disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The primary tumor site that led to the need for surgery was investigated in a series of patients with a diagnosis of metastatic bone disease. The bone involved and the histology of the lesions were also studied. RESULTS: Kidney cancer was the one that most frequently required a surgical procedure; it was followed by breast and prostate cancer. The primary tumor was not found in 6.36% of cases. The bones affected by the lesions studied were as follows in order of occurrence: femur, spine, humerus and pelvis. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological diagnosis. DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of metastatic bone disease should always be considered in patients over forty years of age with skeletal lesions, preferably lytic. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, kidney cancer, the proximal limbs and adenocarcinomas were the variables that most frequently produced metastatic bone lesions that warranted a surgical procedure.

Estudio de los factores pronosticadores de la sobrevida del cáncer diferenciado del tiroides / Prognostic factors study of differentiated thyroid cancer

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the prognostic factors in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated and followed for a long period of time. Patients and Method: The following prognostic variables: gender, age at diagnosis, goiter characteristics, histology, differentiation grades, tumor anatomical extension, lymph node and distant initial metastasis and post treatment evolution were studied in a historical cohort of thyroid carcinoma. Surgical treatment was subtotal and total thyroidectomy plus lymphatic cervical selective neck dissection. Radioiodine was employed en 59.2 percent and thyroid hormone replacement was used indefinitely. Kaplan Meyer analisis was employed to plot survival curves, log Rank test was used to establish the significance of each variable and square chi to determine differences among groups. Cox model was used to identify prognostic variables. Results: A group of 477 patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma treated at the Hospital San Juan de Dios, from 1948 to 1992, were studied. Median survival rate was 87 percent at the end of observation period. Univariate analysis showed significant differences for age, tumor anatomical extension and histological grade on survival, for the entire serie. According to Cox model method, initial distant metastasis, age > 40 years, anatomical extension, tumor size > 10 mm, were determinant for unfavorable prognosis for the papillary cancer; distant metastasis, anatomical extension and age at the time of diagnosis were determinant for unfavorable prognosis for the follicular cancer. Conclusion: Overall survival was 87 percent. Distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis: age older than 40 years, anatomical extension and the size of the tumor were determinant of survival prognosis.

El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar la supervivencia y los factores del pronóstico del cáncer diferenciado del tiroides tratado y seguido por un período de observación prolongado. Pacientes y Método: En una cohorte histórica prospectiva de cáncer de tiroides diagnosticada por biopsia quirúrgica, se analizó las variables: género, edad en el momento del diagnóstico, semiología del bocio, histología, grado de diferenciación, extensión anatómica del tumor, la presencia de metástasis linfáticas y a distancia iniciales y la evolución post tratamiento como factores pronosticadores de la sobrevida de los pacientes. La cirugía practicada consistió en tiroidectomía sub total y total más disección linfática cervical selectiva. El método de Kaplan y Meier se usó para diseñar curvas de supervivencia, log Rank test para la significación de cada variable y chi cuadrado para definir la diferencias entre los grupos. El método de Cox se utilizó para identificar las variables del pronóstico. Resultados: 477 pacientes con cáncer diferenciado del tiroides tratados en el Hospital San Juan de Dios desde 1948 hasta 1992. El 59,2 por ciento recibió yodo 131, todos con tratamiento hormonal de frenación indefinidamente. La supervivencia media fue de 87 por ciento al final del período de observación. El análisis univariable demostró diferencias significativas para la edad, extensión anatómica y grado histológico. Determinan un pronóstico desfavorable para el cáncer papilar: las metástasis a distancia iniciales (p < 0,0001), la edad > de 40 años (p < 0,0018) y la extensión anatómica; en el cáncer folicular fueron las metástasis a distancia, extensión anatómica y la edad en el momento del diagnóstico. Conclusión: La supervivencia fue de 87 por ciento. Las variables metástasis a distancia en el momento del diagnóstico, edad mayor de 40 años, extensión anatómica y el tamaño del tumor fueron determinantes del pronóstico en la supervivencia de los pacientes.

Metástasis cerebral de carcinoma diferenciado del tiroides / Brain metastases of a differentiated thyroid cancer: report of one case

Brain metastases are observed in approximately 1 percent of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. We report a 56 years old woman subjected to a thyroidectomy due to a follicular thyroid cancer with lymph node involvement. The patient also received 79 mCi of radioiodine and levothyroxine was started. One year later a local relapse and lung dissemination was found. The patient was subjected to a surgical neck exploration and radioiodine in a dose of 250 mCi was given again. One year after this episode, a new local relapse was diagnosed and lung metastases increased in size and number. The patient presented a left hemiparesis and a brain CAT scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple metastatic lesions. The patient was considered intractable and died eight months later.

[Trophic interactions of the six most abundant fish species in the artisanal fishery in two bays, central Mexican Pacific]. / Interacciones tróficas de las seis especies de peces más abundantes en la pesquería artesanal en dos bahías del Pacífico Central Mexicano.

We surveyed the trophic components in six species of Bahía de Navidad and Bahía de Chamela: Microlepidotus brevipinnis, Caranx caballus, Haemulon flaviguttatum, Lutjanus guttatus, L. argentiventris and Mulloidichthys dentatus. Two main seasonal periods were considered: 1) North Equatorial Counter Current NECC period influence (T1) and 2) California Current CC period influence (T2). In Bahía de Navidad 78 prey taxa were identified in the stomachs. From July to December (T1), 64 prey taxa were found, and from January to June (T2), 45 prey items. In Bahía de Chamela 93 prey items were identified; 74 during T1 and 60 during T2. The highest prey number was found in the stomachs of M. dentatus during T1 in Bahía de Navidad and the lowest prey number (7) was recorded in H. flaviguttatum in Bahía de Navidad in the same period. Crustaceans were the most frequently recorded prey items, followed by fishes, mollusks, polychaetes, and echinoderms in both seasonal periods and sites. The six fish species studied are considered as specialist feeders due the low values of the niche breadth index. There was little similarity among the diets.

New rabies virus variant found during an epizootic in white-nosed coatis from the Yucatan Peninsula.

In February 2008, three white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica) were found dead in a recreational park in Cancun, Mexico. The diagnosis of rabies virus (RABV) infection was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence test. The phylogenetic analysis performed with the complete RABV nucleoprotein gene positioned this isolate close to a sequence of a human rabies case reported during 2008 from Oaxaca, Mexico, sharing 93% similarity. In turn, these two variants are related to another variant found in rabid Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana bats across North America. Anti-RABV neutralizing activity (1.3 IU/ml) was found in the serum of one white-nosed coati captured with another five that cohabited with the dead animals. Enhanced rabies surveillance and pathogenesis studies should be conducted in coatis and insectivorous bats of the region to clarify the role of these species as potential emergent or long-term unidentified RABV reservoirs.