Dry leaf or twig mantis? A new genus and species of Acanthopidae with sexually dimorphic cryptic strategies (Insecta: Mantodea).

Praying mantises (Mantodea) are distinct for their rich diversity of cryptic adaptations. Among the many strategies, dry-leaf mimicry have evolved multiple times in unrelated lineages from different zoogeographic regions, among them the Neotropical Acanthopidae. Here we describe Metacanthops fuscum n. gen. et n. sp. based on male and female specimens from the Brazilian Amazon. The recognition of this new acanthopid lineage revealed that Acanthops amazonica Beier, 1930 (currently assigned to Metilia Stål) is a member of Metacanthops and thus we transfer this species, now referable to as Metacanthops amazonica (Beier, 1930) n. comb., redescribe the holotype, and provide new data on its distribution in Brazil and French Guiana. Metacanthops is closely related to Metilia, from which its number of forefemoral posteroventral spines, head and compound eye shape, pronotal configuration, wings features, and the entirely brown habitus of males, can distinguish it. We highlight some aspects of sexual dimorphism in Metacanthops fuscum in relation to their dimorphic cryptic strategies, where males resemble a dry leaf and females a lichenous twig. We additionally establish five recently published names under genus Metilia as nomina nuda.

Prevalencia de istmocele en el Hospital de San José de Bogotá, Colombia / Prevalence of isthmocele at the San José Hospital in Bogotá, Colombia

Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de istmocele como hallazgo incidental en pacientes con antecedente de cesárea y síntomas clínicos asociados. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, mediante muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia, en pacientes con antecedente de cesárea, programadas para histeroscopia entre noviembre de 2014 y marzo de 2015, en el servicio de cirugía endoscópica ginecológica del Hospital San José de Bogotá, Colombia. Resultados: 42 pacientes fueron elegibles para el estudio por su antecedente de cesárea y todas fueron incluidas. La frecuencia de istmocele fue 83,3% en la histeroscopia, con similar localización en istmo y cérvix. La principal característica clínica presentada por las pacientes fue hemorragia uterina anormal (85,7%), mientras que la menos frecuente fue infertilidad (7,1%). En las pacientes con presencia de istmocele se observó una mayor prevalencia de dismenorrea (65,7% vs. 42,9%), antecedente de 2 o más cesáreas (60% vs. 42,9%) y cesárea de urgencia (54,3% vs. 28,6%) comparadas con el grupo de pacientes sin istmocele, en este último grupo se advirtió que el 100% de las pacientes no tenían antecedente de trabajo de parto previo. En mujeres con antecedente de cesárea y presencia de síntomas como sangrado uterino anormal, dismenorrea, dolor pélvico, infertilidad y dispareunia, la frecuencia de istmocele diagnosticado por histeroscopia fue mayor del 80%. Conclusión: El istmocele se debe a la cicatrización anómala uterina posterior a una cesárea, se requieren otros estudios para determinar no solo la prevalencia sino los factores protectores que reduzcan su incidencia para tener un impacto positivo en este tipo de pacientes.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of isthmocele as an incidental finding in patients with a history of cesarean section and associated clinical symptoms. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study using nonprobabilistic sampling for convenience in patients with a history of cesarean section, scheduled for hysteroscopy between November 2014 and March 2015, in the gynecological endoscopic surgery service of the Hospital San José de Bogotá, Colombia. Results: 42 patients were eligible for the study because of their previous cesarean section and all were included. The frequency of isthmocele was 83.3% in hysteroscopy, with similar localization in the isthmus and cervix. The main clinical characteristic presented by the patients was abnormal uterine bleeding (85.7%), while the less common was infertility (7.1%). A higher prevalence of dysmenorrhea (65.7% vs. 42.9%) was observed in patients with isthmocele, a history of 2 or more cesareans (60% vs. 42.9%) and an emergency cesarean section (54, 3% vs. 28.6%) compared to the group of patients without isthmocele, in the latter group it was noted that 100% of the patients had no previous history of labor. In women with a history of cesarean section and presence of symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding, dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, infertility and dyspareunia, the frequency of isthmocele diagnosed by hysteroscopy was greater than 80%. Conclusion: Isthmocele is due to abnormal uterine cicatrization after cesarean section, other studies are required to determine not only the prevalence but also the protective factors that reduce its incidence to have a positive impact on this kind of patients.

Cirugía laparoscópica e histeroscópica para embarazo ectópico sobreinfectado en cicatriz de cesárea previa: presentación de un caso / Laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery for superinfected ectopic pregnancy in a previous cesarean section scar: a case report

El embarazo ectópico con implantación en la cicatriz de una cesárea previa es un evento muy raro a pesar de la alta tasa de cesárea a nivel mundial, el mecanismo fisiopatológico aún no se establece con claridad. Presentamos un caso de una paciente con diagnóstico de embarazo ectópico sobreinfectado en cicatriz de cesárea previa, tratada con resección quirúrgica de la lesión por histeroscopia y laparoscopia.

Ectopic pregnancy implantation in a previous cesarean scar is a very rare condition despite the high caesarean rate worldwide. The pathophysiological mechanism is not yet clearly established. We present a case of a patient with an overinfected ectopic pregnancy, implanted in a previous cesarean scar treated with resection of the lesion by hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.

Queratoacantoma de vulva: presentación de un caso / Vulvar keratoacanthoma: presentation of a case

El queratoacantoma de vulva es una entidad rara que podría presentar confusión en su diagnóstico con el carcinoma bien diferenciado de células escamosas. Presentamos un caso de una paciente con diagnóstico de queratoacantoma de vulva tratada con resección quirúrgica de la lesión y su seguimiento posterior.

Vulvar keratoacanthoma is a rare disease that may present confusion in diagnosis with well differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. We report one patient with vulvar keratoacanthoma, treated by resection surgery of the lesion and her outcome.

A new genus and species of Mantoididae (Mantodea) from the Brazilian and Venezuelan Amazon, with remarks on Mantoida Newman, 1838 .

Paramantoida amazonica n. gen. & n. sp. is described from North Amazon. The new genus is characterized by having anterior femora without postero-ventral spines or with 1-2 spinules (small spines) at most. Additional remarks on the genus Mantoida, following the examination of several primary types, are also presented. As a result, the identity of Manti-llica beieri Kaltenbach, 1957 as a member of Mantoida is herein confirmed, whereas other synonyms previously established for other species of Mantillica in relation to Mantoida are discarded.

Preservation solutions for liver transplantation in adults: celsior versus custodiol: a systematic review and meta-analysis with an indirect comparison of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: The University of Wisconsin (UW) solution has been recognized as the gold standard for liver preservation; however, it possesses some limitations, and other solutions exist for organ preservation. The aim of this study was to compare the liver functions of transplanted grafts that had been stored in Celsior and Custodiol solutions. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SCIELO databases. We included randomized and quasi-randomized, controlled trials that compared the efficacy and safety of Celsior and Custodiol with UW solution for liver preservation in adults. The factors that were considered for analysis were their impacts on primary dysfunction (primary nonfunction and initial poor function), ischemic-type biliary lesions, and patient and graft survival rates. Because of the lack of direct evidence, an indirect comparison of Celsior and Custodiol was calculated. RESULTS: We identified 3 randomized controlled trials and 1 quasi-randomized, controlled trial to pool in a meta-analysis of Celsior versus UW solutions. The number of episodes of primary dysfunction was lower in the Celsior group (7.4%) than in the UW group (9.8%), but the difference was not significant (relative risk [RR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-1.97). Two randomized controlled trials compared Custodiol and Wisconsin solutions were identified. The number of episodes of primary dysfunction was also lower in the Custodiol group (3.0%) compared with the Wisconsin group (8.4%), but the difference was not significant (RR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.08-1.70). An indirect comparison using data from the main analysis revealed no difference between the Celsior and Custodiol solutions (RR, 1.88; 95% CI, 0.57-6.16). CONCLUSION: The Celsior and Custodiol solutions performed similarly to UW solution as preservation solutions in liver transplantation clinical settings.

ANHIDRASA CARBÓNICA DE Plasmodium falciparum: UN BLANCO ÚTIL PARA EL DISEÑO DE MEDICAMENTOS ANTIMALÁRICOS Y COMPUESTOS BLOQUEADORES DE LA TRANSMISIÓN DE MALARIA / CARBONIC ANHYDRASE IN Plasmodium falciparum: A USEFUL TARGET FOR ANTIMALARIAL DRUG DESIGNING AND MALARIA BLOCKING TRANSMISSION COMPOUNDS

La anhidrasa carbónica es una metaloenzima que cataliza la conversión reversible del CO2 a bicarbonato, un componente metabólico indispensable para la síntesis de pirimidinas de novo por Plasmodium spp y los procesos de exflagelación llevados a cabo por el parásito al interior del mosquito vector. La enzima participa además en el transporte del bicarbonato dentro y fuera de las células para evitar un desequilibrio en el sistema CO2/HCO3- y la alteración del pH al interior de las células y en el espacio intercelular. Por lo tanto, al inhibir la enzima, ya sea en el parásito o en el insecto vector, se podría conducir a una disminución de la replicación y al detrimento y/o muerte del parásito. De esta forma, los inhibidores de anhidrasa carbónica constituyen una alternativa, tanto terapéutica como de bloqueo de la transmisión, para el control de la malaria. La actividad anti-Plasmodium in vitro de algunos compuestos inhibidores de anhidrasa carbónica ya se ha determinado. Sin embargo, la eficacia in vivo y el mecanismo por el cual los inhibidores son capaces de afectar el desarrollo del parásito en los mosquitos vectores permanecen aún por evaluarse. En el marco del proyecto de investigación "Evaluación de inhibidores de anhidrasa carbónica como medidas terapéuticas y de bloqueo de la transmisión de malaria" este artículo presenta una revisión del estado del arte sobre el papel de la anhidrasa carbónica de Plasmodium spp y el uso de inhibidores específicos de esta enzima como una estrategia para el tratamiento de la malaria y el bloqueo de la transmisión de la enfermedad. Se incluyeron artículos publicados en los últimos 59 años, identificados a partir de la bases de datos bibliográficos PubMed y ScienceDirect, cruzando las palabras claves, al igual que artículos recopilados por los autores y se analizan e integran los resultados de investigaciones publicadas alrededor del tema.

Carbonic anhydrase is a metalloenzyme that catalyzes the reversible conversion of CO2 to bicarbonate, an essential metabolic component used by the malaria parasites for de novo synthesis of pyrimidines and the exflagelation of gametocytes inside the mosquito vector. Carbonic anhydrase is involved in the transport of bicarbonate. This enzyme participates in transport of bicarbonate inside and outside the cells to avoid an imbalance in the system CO2/HCO3- and alteration of pH in the interior of the cell as well as in the intercellular space. Therefore, inhibition of this enzyme either in the parasite or the insect vector, could lead to a decrease in replication and to the detriment and/or death of the parasite. Given the importance of carbonic anhydrase in the metabolism, development and survival of Plasmodium, it could be postulated that carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are both a therapeutic and a blocking transmission alternative. Previous studies have demonstrated the in vitro anti-Plasmodium activity of some inhibitors. However, it is necessary to determine their effectiveness to confirm its usefulness in the treatment or blocking malaria transmission and the mechanism by which these inhibitors are able to affect the development of the parasite in the mosquito vector. In this paper we present a review about the role of carbonic anhydrase in Plasmodium spp and using some specific inhibitors as a strategy for malaria treatment and transmission blocking strategy. Articles published in the past 59 years identified from bibliographic database (PubMed and ScienceDirect) and papers collected by the authors were included.

Alterations in kidney enzyme pattern in acute hypervitaminosis A.

The relation of excessive doses of vitamin A with various kidney pathologies is well known however, information concerning the relation of kidney enzyme activity with acute hypervitaminosis A is rather scarce. In this study we describe the kidney enzymatic alterations observed in rats that received daily intramuscular injections of 10,000, 30,000, 50,000 and 100,000 IU of vitamin A palmitate (VA) during seven days (TREATED GROUPS). A comparison is made with the enzyme activity in healthy rats pair-fed and treated with sodium palmitate by intramuscular injection (CONTROL GROUP). The treated rats showed a proportional increase (p < 0.05) in activity of acid maltase, transminases or aminotransferases (GOT and GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid protease with all doses of VA administered. Amylase, lipase and arginase tend to decrease (p < 0.05) in activity only with doses of 50,000 and 100,000 I.U. of VA. Several factors are responsible for these findings, such as kidney necrosis due to release of lysosomal acid hydrolases produced by hypervitaminosis A.

[Effect of cooking on protein digestibility of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench)]. / Efecto de la cocción sobre la digestibilidad proteica del sorgo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).

The changes in protein digestibility that occur during cooking have interested many scientists. In this study the effect of cooking sorghum in water on the in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) was evaluated using sorghum grains not containing tannin (SST), and grains containing detoxified tannin (SPD). The results were compared with rice and maize. The effect of sulfites present in the water used for cooking was also determined. The IVPD of sorghum excent of tannins before cooking was 71.1% smaller (p < 0.05) than that obtained for com (80.8%), polished rice (90.6%) or sorgum with detoxified tannins (80.4%). After cooking in water the IVPD decreased to 23.1%, 66.3%, 3.1% and 3.2% for SST, SPD, polished rice and corn endosperms, respectively. The IVPD of SST and SPD treated with 0.1M sodium bisulfite was 65.2 and 50.1%, which corresponds to a decrease in IVPD of 8.0 and 37.7%, respectively. Similar results were obtained when 0.1M sodium metabisulfite is added to the cooking media. These findings demonstrate that sulfites inhibit the sudden decrease of the IVPD of cooked sorghum grains, and suggest that these compounds may block the formation of disulfide bridges (-S-S-) among the gamma-kafirins molecules located on the surface of the sorghum protein bodies or possibly other factors involved which will be later studied.

Alterations in kidney enzyme pattern in acute hypervitaminosis A

The relation of excessive doses of vitamin A with various kidney pathologies is well known however, information concerning the relation of kidney enzyme activity with acute hypervitaminosis A is rather scarce. In this study we describe the kidney enzymatic alterations observed in rats that received daily intramuscular injectiosn of 10.000, 30.000, 50.000 and 100.000IU of vitamin A palmitate (VA) during seven days (TREATED GROUPS). A comparison is made with the enzyme activity in healthy rats pairfed and treated with sodium palmitte by intramuscular injection (CONTROL GROUP). The treated rats showed a proportional increase (<0.05) in activity of acid maltase, transaminases or aminotransferase (GOT and GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid protease with all doses of VA administered, Amylase, lipase and arginase tend to decrease (p<0.05) in activity only with doses of 50.000 and 100.000 I.U. of VA. Several factors are responsible for these findings, such as kidney necrosis due to release of lysosomal acid hydrolases produced by hypervitaminosis A.

Efecto de la cocción sobre la digestibilidad proteica del sorgo (Sorghum bicolor L.) Moench) / Effect of cooking on the protein digestibility of sorghum

Los cambios en la digestibilidad de las proteínas que ocurren durante la cocción han interesado a muchos científicos. Por esta razón en el presente estudio se evaluó el efecto de la cocción en agua sobre la digestibilidad proteca in vitro (DPIV) de granos de sorgo sin taninos (SST) o con taninos previamente detoxificados (SPD) y se comparó con la del arroz y la del maíz. También se estudió la influencia de los sulfitos presentes en el agua de cocción sobre la digestibilidad proteica del sorgo. La DPIV se SST antes de la cocción fue de 71.1 por ciento, menor (p<0.05) que la del SPD, la del maíz y la del arroz pulido, que presentaron respectivamente 80.4 por ciento, 80.8 por ciento y 90.6 por ciento. Todos los granos disminuyeron su digestibilidad después de ser cocidos en agua, la DPIV se redujo en 23.1 por ciento, 66,3 por ciento, 3.1 por ciento y 3.2 por ciento para el SST, el SPD, el arroz pulido y los endospermos de maíz, respectivamente. Los valores de la digestibilidad proteica para el SST y el SPD tratados con bisulfito de sodio (0.1M) fueron de 65.2 y 50.1 por ciento lo cual representa una disminución de la DPIV de 8.0 y 37.7 por ciento, respectivamente. Resultados similares se obtienen con el empleo de metabisulfito de sodio (0.1M) en el medio de cocción. Estos hallazgos demuestran que los sulfitos impiden la disminución brusca de la DPIV de los granos de sorgo sometidos a cocción y sugieren que estos compuestos pueden evitar la formación de los puentes disulfuro entre las moléculas de la gamma-kafirinas (prolaminas) localizadas en la superficie de los cuerpos proteicos del sorgo. Sin embargo, no se descarta la existencia de otros factores que deberán ser estudiados en investigaciones ulteriores. En conclusión, puesto que los sulfitos previenen la formación de puentes disulfuros durante la cocción y hacen al sorgo más digerible por la pepsina, probablemente la formación de los puentes -S-S- es la responsable de la disminución de la digestibilidad proteica del sorgo cocido.

Efecto de la vitamina K3 (menadiona) sobre el contenido sérico y hepático de Ca, Mg, Pi y Cl / Effect of the vitamin K3 (menadiona) on the contents silken and hepatic of Ca, Mg, Pi and Cl

En el presente estudio se describe el efecto de dosis elevadas de vitamina K3 (VK: 10 a 50 mg/kg/día) inyectadas intramuscularmente, durante un lapso de 7 días, sobre el contenido sérico y hepático de Ca,Mg,Pi y Cl en ratas blancas macho y se comparan los resultados con lo que sucede en ratas tratadas con dosis iguales de bisulfito de sodio. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran que la vitamina K a dosis elevadas produce una marcada alteración en el contenido sérico y hepático de Ca,Mg y de Pi sin modificar el contenido de Cl. En consecuencia, la hipervitamina K, al igual que lo que sucede con las vitaminas A y D, puede alterar significativamente el metabolismo mineral con graves consecuencias para las diversas actividades enzimáticas corporales

Tannin elimination and improvement of the digestibility of protein sorghum grains.

Three hybrids of sorghum grains [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] containing 3.8, 3.0 and 0.2% of tannins were treated. Abrasive dehulling and storage of moist grains were tested separately and in combination to reduce the tannin content and to improve the nutritional quality of grains. The moisture content of the grains was increased from 12 to 30% by humidifying them with water, acetic acid, sodium bicarbonate or sodium hypochlorite solutions. Abrasive dehulling of the grains to a yield between 75 and 80%, humidifying the grains with acetic acid (1% v/v) and storing them during 7 days at 20 degrees C proved to be the most effective procedure. In this way tannin can be totally reduced and the in vitro digestibility of protein can be increased to 87.5%.

Tannin elimination and improvement of the digestibility of protein sorghum grains / Eliminación de taninos y aumento de la digestibilidad proteica del sorgo

Three hybrids of sorghum grains [Sorghumbicor (L) Moench] containing 3.8,3.0 and 0.2 por ciento of tannins were treated. Abrasive dehulling and storage of moist of moist grains were tested separately and in combination to reduce the tannin content and to improve the nutritional quality of grains. The moisture content of the grains was increased from 12 to 30 por ciento by humidifying them with water, acetic acid, sodium bicarbonate or sodium hypochlorite solutions. Abrasive dehulling of the grains to a yield between 75 and 80 por ciento, humidifying the grains with acetic acid (1 por ciento v/v) and storing them during 7 days at 20ºC proved be the most effective procedure. In this way tannin can be totally reduced and the un vitro digestibility of protein can be increased to 87.5 por ciento

Efecto hepato protector del selenio y de la vitamina E en ratas sometidas a ingesta alcohólica crónica / Effect hepato protective of the selenium and the vitamine E in rats submision a chronic alcoholic ingestion

En la presente investigación se estudió el efecto protector del selenio (Se) y de la VE (VE) administrados por vía oral sobre la aparición de alteraciones histopatológicas hepáticas en ratas Wistar machos jóvenes sometidas a la ingesta crónica de alcohol. Los animales con ingesta crónica de alcohol sin tratamiento antioxidante mostraron al estudio histológico: marcada esteatosis hepática conjuntamente con congestión, zonas de hemorragia y de necrosis lítica, edema, infiltrados inflamatorios agudos y crónicos, presencia de cuerpos de Mallory en los hepatocitos centrolobulillares y mitocondrias grandes y esféricas. En otros se observó fibrosis periportal y centrolobulillar. El hallazgo más significativo correspondió a las lesiones malignas (carcinoma hepatocelular) encontradas en tres ejemplares de este grupo. En los animales con ingesta crónica de alcohol y tratados simultáneamente con Se + VE, estas alteraciones no se pudieron detectar. En los animales tratados sólo con VE o con Se, los hallazgos histopatológicos fueron más evidentes al comparar con los animales que recibieron los dos nutrientes. Los resultados obtenidos demuestran el efecto crónica del alcohol. Se discute la participación de los radicales libres en la producción de estas alteraciones y se destaca el efecto antioxidante de la VE y sus interacciones bioquímicas con el Se y con la selenoenzima: glutatión peroxidasa (Gpx), un antioxidante preventivo

Correlación entre la velocimetría Doppler en arteria umbilical y arteria cerebral media con parámetros de bienestar fetal. Unidad médica CES. 1989–1991 / Correlation between Doppler velocimetry in umbilical and middle cerebral arteries with fetal health parameters. CES Medical Unit. 1989 – 1991

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo para evaluar la utilidad de la velocimetría Doppler en nuestro medio, en la detección y seguimiento de anormalidades materno-fetales en el último trimestre del embarazo. Se estudiaron 100 pacientes en el tercer trimestre de embarazo, remitidos a la unidad medica del C.E.S. entre enero de 1989 – enero 1991. Se midieron las relaciones sístole/diástole (R sístole/diástole) en las arterias umbilical y cerebral media y se compararon con parámetros de bienestar fetal obtenidos de la historia clínica neonatal (peso, edad gestacional, Apgar 1 y 5 minutos, muerte neonatal y factor de riesgo materno). Del total de mediciones realizadas en arteria umbilical, 24 por ciento fueron anormales, cuando el Doppler fue anormal; 58.33 por ciento de los neonatos tuvieron apgar al minuto < 7; 41.67 por ciento tuvieron Apgar normal (>8). A los cinco minutos, el 33.33 por ciento de Doppler anormales continuaba con Apgar < 7 (P< 0.05); comparando el Doppler con la edad gestacional al nacimiento, de los 24 Doppler anormales, 62.5 por ciento de los neonatos fueron pretérmino, mientras que cuando el Doppler fue normal, 32.9 por ciento fueron pretérmino (P < 0.05)...

[The effect of smoking on the resistance index of the umbilical artery and the middle cerebral artery]. / Einfluss des Rauchens auf den Resistance-Index in der Arteria umbilicalis und der Arteria cerebri media.

23 healthy smokers with uneventful singleton pregnancies underwent Doppler-flow measurements of the foetal umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery before and ten minutes after smoking one cigarette. In both arteries the resistance indices (RI) did not change significantly. Maternal mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate increased significantly after the smoking of the cigarette. Neither the group with an RI increase of greater than or equal to 5% in the foetal umbilical artery (n = 7) nor the group with an increase of the RI in the foetal umbilical artery and, at the same time, a decrease of the RI in the arteria cerebri media (n = 5), showed a significant difference concerning maternal haemodynamic parameters and the number of cigarettes smoked before and during pregnancy. The results suggest, that the smoking of one cigarette in uneventful pregnancy does not produce acute haemodynamic effects in the foetus.