Context-dependent crypsis: a prey's perspective of a color polymorphic predator.

Many animals use body coloration as a strategy to communicate with conspecifics, prey, and predators. Color is a trade-off for some species, since they should be visible to conspecifics but cryptic to predators and prey. Some flower-dwelling predators, such as crab spiders, are capable of choosing the color of flowers where they ambush flower visitors and pollinators. In order to avoid being captured, visitors evaluate flowers visually before landing. The crab spider Mecaphesa dubia is a polymorphic species (white/purple color morphs), which inhabits the flower heads of a dune plant, Palafoxia lindenii. Using full-spectrum photography of spiders and flowers, we evaluated how honeybees perceived the spiders at different distances. Using visual modeling, we obtained the chromatic and achromatic contrasts of the spiders on flower heads as perceived by honeybees. Purple morphs were found mainly on the receptacle area and white morphs were equally likely to be found in the flowers and receptacle. According to theoretical modeling, white morphs were visible to honeybees from a distance of 10 cm in receptacle area but appeared to be cryptic in the flower area. Purple morphs were cryptic on the receptacle and less so when they were on the flowers. Spiders on flower heads are predicted to be more easily detected by honeybees using chromatic contrast. Our study shows that the conspicuousness of flower dwelling spiders to honeybees depends on the color morph, the distance of observation, and the position of spider on the flower head.

Aproximación de la tomografía computarizada de alta resolución a la histología de la enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa / Approximation of high resolution computerized tomography to the histology of diffuse interstitial lung disease

Introducción: el diagnóstico de muchos casos de enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa (EPID), se realiza por biopsia de pulmón. Elobjetivo del estudio es analizar el valor predictivo de la tomografía computarizada de alta resolución (TCAR) de pulmón en relación con los hallazgos histológicos en el diagnóstico de esta entidad clínica. Material y método: se han recogido las historias clínicas de los pacientes ingresados en nuestro hospital, desde el año 2000 hasta el2006, con el diagnóstico de EPID demostrado por biopsia pulmonar realizada por videotoracoscopia, al no llegar al diagnóstico por otras técnicas menos cruentas. Posteriormente se ha correlacionado el diagnóstico por TCAR, realizado previamente, con el diagnóstico histológico de la biopsia pulmonar. Resultados: de los 51 pacientes estudiados, en 19 la biopsia pulmonar demostró signos de neumonía intersticial usual, diagnosticándose los pacientes de fibrosis pulmonar idiopática (FPI), en 8casos se encontró neumonía organizativa criptogenética (NOC),en 3 casos sarcoidosis, en 5 casos neumonía intersticial no específica y en 4 neumonitis por hipersensibilidad. En los casos restantes, la biopsia pulmonar demostró una miscelánea de otras patologías del intersticio del pulmón. En el conjunto de los 51 pacientes el diagnóstico fue sugerido por el TCAR en 22 casos, que se corresponde con el 43 %de los casos. En el grupo de las FPI, el TCAR sugirió correctamente el diagnóstico en el 37% de los pacientes,mientras que en el grupo de las NOC, el TCAR sugirió este diagnóstico en el 87% de los casos, y en el grupo de sarcoidosis en el100% de los 3 pacientes con esta enfermedad. Conclusiones: El resultado de este estudio, se asemeja a lo que se (..) (AU)

Introduction: the diagnosis of many cases of diffuse interstitial lung disease (DILD) is performed by means of a lung biopsy. The aim of the study is to analyze the predictive value of a high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) of the lung in relation to the histological findings in the diagnosis of this clinical pathology. Materials and methods: the clinical history of those patients admitted to our hospital between 2000 and 2006, diagnosed with DILD using a lung biopsy performed by video assisted thoracoscopy–as the diagnosis was not obtained by less invasive techniques–were compiled. Subsequently, the diagnosis was correlated by HRCT, carried out previously, with the histological diagnosis of the lung biopsy. Results: of the 51 patients studied, the lung biopsy demonstrated signs of the usual interstitial pneumonia in 19 of these patients; the patients being diagnosed with idiopathic lung fibrosis (ILF), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) was found in eight cases, sarcoidosis in three, non-specific interstitial pneumonia in five and pneumonitis due to hypersensitivity in four cases. In the remaining cases, the lung biopsy demonstrated miscellaneous pathologies of the lung interstice. In the group of 51 patients, the diagnosis was suggested by the HRCT in 22 cases, which corresponds to 43% of the cases. In the ILF group, the HRCT correctly suggested the diagnosis in 37% of the patients, while in the COP group the HRCT suggested this diagnosis in 87% of the cases, and in the sarcoidosis group in 100% of the 3 patients with this disease. Conclusions: the results of this study resemble those mentioned in (..) (AU)

First Report of Orange Rust of Sugarcane Caused by Puccinia kuehnii in Mexico, El Salvador, and Panama.

Symptoms of sugarcane orange rust were observed on July 17, 2008 on sugarcane cvs. Mex 57-1285, Mex 61-230, and Co 301 (a clone received in Mexico in 1953) at the Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de la Caña de Azúcar en Tuxtla Chico, Chiapas, Mexico. In El Salvador, from August 2008 through January 2009, rust symptoms were observed on cv. CP 72-2086 (previously resistant to brown rust caused by Puccinia melanocephala Syd. & P. Syd.) in 117 dispersed sugarcane-production fields in various localities of El Salvador. Likewise, rust symptoms were first observed on sugarcane cv. SP 74-8355 (more than 25% severity and considered resistant to brown rust) at Natá, Coclé Province in Panama from January to February 2008. Dried herbarium leaf samples of sugarcane rust-infected leaves collected in El Salvador and Mexico were sent to the ARS, USDA Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory in Beltsville MD for identification. Panamanian samples were collected similarly and analyzed at the CALESA Biotechnology Laboratory. Morphological features of uredinial lesions and urediniospores were distinct from those of P. melanocephala and consistent with P. kuehnii E. J. Butler observed previously on specimens from Florida, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua (1-3). Analysis of the ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 and 28S large subunit rDNA sequences of the rust on infected cvs. Mex 57-1285, Mex 61-230, and Co 301 (BPI 878930, 879139, and 879140; GenBank Accession Nos. GO283006, GO283004, and GO283005, respectively) from Mexico and cv. CP 72-2086 from three locations in El Salvador (BPI 879135, 879136, and 879137; GenBank Accession Nos. GO283009, GO283007, and GO283008, respectively) all confirmed the identification of P. kuehnii. Similar analysis of the ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2 rDNA sequence for the rust infecting cv. SP 74-8355 (GenBank Accession No. GO281584) confirmed the identification of P. kuehnii in Panama. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. kuehnii causing orange rust disease of sugarcane in El Salvador, Mexico, and Panama. These findings also confirm the wider distribution of orange rust in the Western Hemisphere. References: (1) E. Chavarria et al. Plant Dis. 93:425, 2009. (2) J. C. Comstock et al. Plant Dis. 92:175, 2008. (3) W. Ovalle et al. Plant Dis. 92:973, 2008.

Resultados perinatales en la amenaza de parto prematuro. Experiencia del Hospital San Pablo, Asunción / Perinatal outcome in preterm labor, experience of Hospital San Pablo, Asunción

La APP (Amenaza de Parto Pretérmino) es una patología frecuente en nuestro país a pesar de los avances tecnológicos. El advenimiento de nuevos protocolos de manejo hace recomendable una revisión de los resultados perinatales consecuentes. La amenaza de parto prematuro se vio en los extremos paritarios y se asocia a infecciones urinarias...

[Delay between diagnosis and surgical treatment of lung cancer in Virgen Macarena Hospital area]. / Demora desde el diagnóstico hasta el tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer de pulmón en el área hospitalaria Virgen Macarena de Sevilla.

OBJECTIVE: Lung cancer is the most common cause of death due to cancer in the world. Prognosis depends very much on a precocious diagnosis and treatment, being surgery the one that brings the best life expectancy. We studied the time between the diagnosis and the surgical treatment of lung cancer in the hospital area of Virgen Macarena, Sevilla. Making this way a determination of the surgical delay in the treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively the patients who went under surgical treatment in our area between January 2003 and September 2004. And estimating the time in days, between the dates we obtained the first diagnostic specimen of lung cancer in this patients and the date the surgical treatment was performed. RESULTS: We obtained a median of 31 days with a (recorrido intercuartílico) of 60, and a media of 46.16 with a standard deviation of 34.51. CONCLUSIONS: When we compared the results obtained with that we found published, they were similar to those found in the literature.

Demora desde el diagnóstico hasta el tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer de pulmón en el área hospitalaria Virgen Macarena de Sevilla / Delay between diagnosis and surgical treatment of lung cancer in Virgen Macarena hospital area

Objetivo: El cáncer de pulmón es la causa más frecuente de muerte por cáncer en el mundo, dependiendo su pronóstico de la precocidad del diagnóstico y del tratamiento, siendo la cirugía la que mejores probabilidades de supervivencia aporta. Hemos estudiado cual sería el tiempo transcurrido entre el diagnóstico y el tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer del pulmón en el área hospitalaria Virgen Macarena de Sevilla, para así determinar la demora quirúrgica en el tratamiento. Material y métodos: Hemos analizado retrospectivamente los pacientes operados en nuestra área entre enero del 2003 y septiembre del 2004 y calculando el tiempo transcurrido en días entre la fecha del primer espécimen diagnóstico de cáncer de pulmón en estos pacientes y la fecha de la intervención quirúrgica. Resultados: Obtuvimos una mediana de 31 días con un recorrido intercuartílico de 60 y una media de 46,16 con una desviación estándar de 34.51. Conclusiones: Tras comparar nuestros resultados con los ya publicados, la demora entre el diagnóstico y el tratamiento quirúrgico del cáncer de pulmón en nuestro hospital viene siendo similar a los resultados de la literatura

Objective: Lung cancer is the most common cause of death due to cancer in the world. Prognosis depends very much on a precocious diagnosis and treatment, being surgery the one that brings the best life expectancy. We studied the time between the diagnosis and the surgical treatment of lung cancer in the hospital area of Virgen Macarena, Sevilla. Making this way a determination of the surgical delay in the treatment. Material and methods: We analyzed retrospectively the patients who went under surgical treatment in our area between January 2003 and September 2004. And estimating the time in days, between the dates we obtained the first diagnostic specimen of lung cancer in this patients and the date the surgical treatment was performed. Results: We obtained a median of 31 days with a (recorrido intercuartílico) of 60, and a media of 46.16 with a standard deviation of 34.51. Conclusions: When we compared the results obtained with that we found published, they were similar to those found in the literature

Sistematización de la experiencia Nicaragüense en la utilización del análisis operacional para mejorar la integración del programa de control de tuberculosis en los servicios de salud 1996-2002 / Systematization of the Nicaraguan experience in the use of operational analysis to improve the integration of TB control program in health services 1996-2002

El presente documento sistematiza todo el proceso investigativo del análisis operacional como herramienta de evaluación de procesos de atención que debe transitar todo paciente con tuberculosis pulmonar desde los primero sintomas hasta su curación, así como los problemas relacionados con el funcionario de los servicios de salud. La herramienta de evaluación se utilizó en los municipios del Viejo, La Dalia, Waslala, Masatepe y Monimbó de los Silais de Chinandega, Matagalpa y Masaya respectivamente. Estas investigaciones permitieron analizar la problemàtica de estos municipios, proponer soluciones y desarrollar iniciativas de intervención en el àmbito local. Contiene valiosos resultados específicos de los estudios relacionados con el funcionamiento del Programa de Tuberculosis (PCT) y de los servicios de salud así como las posibles intervenciones

Immunogenicity and safety of a virosomal hepatitis A vaccine (Epaxal) in healthy toddlers and children in Chile.

UNLABELLED: In this open study, 20 toddlers and 80 schoolchildren received an intramuscular dose of Epaxal and a booster dose 12 mo later to assess the efficacy and safety of this aluminium-free, virosomal hepatitis A vaccine. Four weeks after primary vaccination, 94% of toddlers and 99% of schoolchildren had seroconverted, and all toddlers and 94% of schoolchildren remained seroprotected for 12 mo. CONCLUSION: After vaccination with Epaxal and booster, all subjects were seroprotected. Epaxal was very well tolerated by both age groups.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine in healthy Chilean subjects.

OBJECTIVES: A combination vaccine against hepatitis A and B provides the opportunity for simultaneous protection against both diseases with a single vaccine. This clinical study investigated the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of a combined hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium) in healthy Chilean adults between 18 and 40 years of age. METHODS: In total, 345 healthy, seronegative health care workers were enrolled and randomized to three groups who received one of three lots of Twinrix on a 0-, 1- and 6-month schedules. Blood samples were screened 1 month after each dose for anti-HAV and anti-HBs antibodies. Reactogenicity after each dose was assessed using diary cards. RESULTS: The nature and incidence of symptoms were similar to those reported for other Twinrix studies. Very few symptoms were scored as severe. Upon completion of the vaccination, all subjects had anti-HAV antibodies with titers $6000 mIU/mL, and all but one were protected against hepatitis B, with titers $4000 mIU/mL. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated the high immunogenicity and tolerance of the combined hepatitis A and B vaccine. Combined vaccination has the advantage of offering dual protection with a reduction in the number of injections needed, lower associated costs, and a positive impact on compliance.

[Acute hepatitis caused by virus A, E and non A-E in Chilean adults]. / Hepatitis aguda por virus A, E y no A-E en adultos chilenos a fines de los años 90.

BACKGROUND: Sanitary and socioeconomic changes and the identification of new causative virus, have changed the epidemiology of hepatitis in Chile. AIM: To study the natural history of acute hepatitis caused by virus A, E and non A-E in Chilean adults. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A special study protocol was followed for patients with a clinical picture of acute hepatitis. Anti HAV IgM, anti HBc IgM, anti HEV IgG and IgM and Anti HCV antibodies were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Fifty nine patients (30 male), aged 15 to 58 years old were studied. Eighty nine percent had jaundice and 50 to 70% had malaise and abdominal pain. Virus A was positive in 80%, virus E in 7%. In 14% of patients, all viral markers were negative. The evolution was typical in 78%, biphasic in 14% and cholestatic in 5%. One patient had a prolonged and one a fulminant course. Mean ALT was 1148 U/l and mean total bilirubin was 5.5 mg/dl. Seventy three percent of cases occurred during early winter and spring and 27% during summer and early autumn. CONCLUSIONS: The main etiology of acute viral hepatitis in Chile is virus A and most cases occur during the rainy season. Clinical features of hepatitis non A-E are similar to enteral transmission forms.

[Hepatitis C virus in a group of hematological and oncohematological patients]. / Virus de la hepatitis C en un grupo de pacientes hematológicos y oncohematológicos.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available in Chile about hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hematological and oncohematological patients. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus markers in a group of hematological and oncohematological pediatric patients seen at Valdivia Regional Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Antibodies against virus C, determined by ELISA and viral RNA, determined using RT-polymerase chain reaction, were measured in 54 blood samples from children with hematological diseases (34 with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, 4 with Hodgkin Diseases, 4 with Haemolytic Anemia, 5 with Sarcomas, 2 with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, 2 with Thrombocytopenic Purpura, 1 with an Ependimoma, one with a Wilms Tumor and 1 with a Von Willebrand Disease). RESULTS: All samples were negative for antibodies against hepatitis C virus. Viral RNA was found in four children, all with a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and who received chemotherapy and multiple transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of Viral RNA for hepatitis C virus in oncohematological patients in our study is high and associated with the use of chemotherapy and multiple transfusions.

Use of linear and multiple antigenic peptides in the immunodiagnosis of acute hepatitis A virus infection.

The reactivities of two panels of anti-HAV human sera from geographically distinct areas (Chile and Spain) to synthetic peptides from the VP1, VP2 and VP3 hepatitis A virus capsid proteins were examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure. Two and four branched multiple antigenic peptides (MAPs) and palmitoylated peptides were compared with free synthetic sequences for the detection of IgM anti-HAV antibodies in the two panels of human sera. Our results showed that acute hepatitis A patient sera recognized preferentially homogeneous two branched MAPs and palmitic acid conjugated peptides. The palmitoyl-derived VP3(110-121) peptide and the corresponding dimeric MAP were the most sensitive and appropriate for serological studies of HAV-infected patients by ELISA, sensitivity and specificity being higher than 90% and 95%, respectively. These peptide-based tests open up new avenues in the development of peptide-based immunosorbent assays for the detection of acute HAV disease.

[Current status of immunity to hepatitis A virus in various adult groups]. / Estado actual de inmunidad para hepatitis por virus A en diversos grupos de adultos.

BACKGROUND: As sanitary and economic conditions improve, the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A is now significantly lower. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies in healthy Chilean adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Antibodies to hepatitis A virus were measured, using a commercial ELISA assay, in 215 voluntary blood donors (163 male, aged 19 to 30 years old) and 295 medical students and health personnel (156 male, aged 19 to 39 years old), residing in Valdivia, Chile. RESULTS: Antibodies against hepatitis A virus were found in 68.2% of the total sample (351/510). Ninety percent of flood donors and 54% of health personnel and students were positive (p < 0.01). Age specific prevalence in blood donors 19 to 22, 23 to 29 and 27 to 30 years old was 81.0%, 95.2% and 95.6% respectively. Among the same age groups in medical students, the prevalence was 47.9%, 53.2% and 61.9% respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates a reduction in the prevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies among adults in Valdivia (Chile). Differences detected between individuals are probably related to different socioeconomic levels. Medical students have an increased risk for hepatitis A infections than the general population.

[Prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A in school children]. / Prevalencia de anticuerpos anti-hepatitis A en escolares en la década actual.

BACKGROUND: As sanitary conditions of a population improve, hepatitis A virus infection occurs at higher ages, thus decreasing the prevalence of antibodies against the virus. In the eighties, the prevalence of antibodies among children was 97% and depended on the socioeconomic level. AIM: To assess the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A virus in school age children living in Valdivia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two thousand three hundred thirty three school age children were studied. Total antibodies against hepatitis A virus were detected using an ELISA kit from Abbott. Children were stratified in age groups and school were classified as private, subsidized, municipal or foster homes. RESULTS: Antibodies were positive in 65% of children (59% in children aged 6 to 8 years old, 66% in children aged 9 to 11 years and 69% in children aged 12 to 15 years. In private schools, the prevalence was 26%, in subsidized schools the figure was 54%, in municipal schools 73% and in foster homes 91%. CONCLUSIONS: The general prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A virus is higher in low socioeconomic level children. There is a global decrease in the prevalence of these antibodies in the last years.

Reproductive behaviour of couples at risk for sickle cell disease in Cuba: a follow-up study.

Three hundred and forty-three Cuban women at risk of having children with sickle cell anaemia or sickle cell-haemoglobin C disease were interviewed 2-8 years after the index pregnancy (that in which their risk was detected). The aim was to collect information on their attitude towards prenatal diagnosis in subsequent pregnancies. Twenty-two per cent (75/343) had dissolved their marriage and 9 per cent of these (7/75) considered that their at-risk status had influenced the separation. Sixty-three per cent of stable couples at risk (168/268) had decided to have no further children; 27 per cent of these (45/168) were afraid of having an affected child and 4 per cent (7/168) were afraid of the obstetric procedure. Nineteen per cent of the stable couples at risk (52/268) had had at least one further child or pregnancy. Of these, 44 per cent (23/52) requested prenatal diagnosis early and spontaneously, and a further 44 per cent (23/52) requested prenatal diagnosis but after re-identification by screening and recounselling. Only 12 per cent (6/52) did not request prenatal diagnosis. Attitude towards prenatal diagnosis was most positive among more educated women. The general perception of the prevention programme was good.

[Prevalence of hepatitis E virus antibodies in blood donors and other population groups in southern Chile]. / Prevalencia de anticuerpos del virus hepatitis E en donantes de bancos de sangre y otros grupos de población en la X región, Chile.

Little is known about hepatitis E virus (HEV) prevalence in South American countries. Anti-HEV was studied in 1,773 subjects from 1,360 blood donors of 3 cities in Chile, 72 in health care workers, 241 inmates in state jails, and in 100 Araucanian indians. Anti-HEV was detected in 109 out of 1,360 (8.0%) total donors (6.3%, 6.1%, and 18.8% from the cities of Valdivia, Osorno and Puerto Montt respectively); 9 out of 72 (12.5%) health care workers; 18 out of 241 (7.5%) inmates, and 17 out of 100 (17%) Araucanian indians. Prevalence of anti-HEV was not related to age and sex. Hepatitis E is an endemic infection in some population groups of Southern Chile, associated to environmental pollution, crowding and low socioeconomic level.

[Hepatitis C virus: results of detection in several high risk groups in the X region of Chile]. / Virus hepatitis C: resultados de detección en algunos grupos de riesgo en la X región de Chile.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in high risk patients coming from Valdivia, Osorno and Puerto Montt. Fifty-six patients in hemodialysis, 51 renal graft recipients, 42 cirrhotics and 14 patients with acute non A non B hepatitis were studied. Antibodies were detected with a second generation ELISA technique and positive cases were confirmed with RIBA. All hemodialysis patients and renal graft recipients were negative for hepatitis C virus antibodies. In one non alcoholic patient with cirrhosis, a positive ELISA was confirmed with RIBA. Six patients with acute hepatitis had positive ELISA tests but none was confirmed with RIBA. It is concluded that the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in this region of Chile is very low.