Deceptive Seduction by Femme Fatale Fireflies and Its Avoidance by Males of a Synchronous Firefly Species (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).

Photuris female fireflies attract males of different firefly species by responding to their flashing signals; then, they try to capture and feed on them. This aggressive mimicry is considered a major selective pressure on the communication systems of the fireflies of the American continent. The intensity of this selective pressure is a function of its efficiency in prey capture. In this study, the rates of attraction and capture of males of the synchronous firefly Photinus palaciosi by the predatory females of Photuris lugubris are reported. Although the females attract numerous males, their hunting success is low. This result is consistent with the few previous measurements published. In agreement with the predicted coevolutionary race between predator and prey, behaviors consistent with predation avoidance in P. palaciosi and increasing prey encounters and prey deception by P. lugubris were observed.

Possible technical aspects involved in the development of GERD after sleeve gastrectomy: Surgical technique considerations.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most common bariatric surgery worldwide and has shown to cause de novo or worsen symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Esophageal motility and physiology studies are mandatory in bariatric and foregut centers. The predisposing factors in post-SG patients are disruption of His angle, resection of gastric fold and gastric fundus, increased gastric pressure, resection of the gastric antrum, cutting of the sling fibers and pyloric spasm. There are symptomatic complications due to sleeve morphology as torsion, incisura angularis stenosis, kinking and dilated fundus. In this article, we present recommendations, surgical technique and patient selection flow diagram for SG and avoid de novo or worsening GERD.

Encuesta en población abierta respecto a términos relacionados con decisiones al final de la vida.

INTRODUCTION: Concepts related to end-of-life decisions, such as euthanasia, palliative care, advance directives and therapeutic obstinacy, are poorly understood by the general population, which, when facing a terminal situation, is not prepared to choose the best option. OBJECTIVE: Pilot study (n = 544) to find out what the open population understands about terms used in end-of-life situations in four cities of the Mexican Republic. METHOD: Survey via Internet with 18 questions about different terms. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Statistical analysis was carried out. RESULTS: People older than 18 years who were not engaged in health-related professional activities were selected. CONCLUSIONS: Most terms related to end-of-life decisions were found not to be interesting to or understood by a part of the population. The least recognized term was therapeutic obstinacy (62.8%), and the most widely known, palliative care (91%); there was confusion between the terms euthanasia and assisted suicide (47.8%). Age and education level had more influence in the results, than other demographic variables.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Conceptos relacionados con las decisiones que se toman al final de la vida, como eutanasia, cuidados paliativos, voluntad anticipada y obstinación terapéutica son poco comprendidos por la población en general, que en el momento de enfrentar una situación terminal no está preparada para elegir la mejor opción. OBJETIVO: Estudio piloto (n = 544) para conocer lo que la población abierta entiende acerca de términos utilizados al final de la vida en cuatro ciudades de la república mexicana. MÉTODO: Encuesta vía internet de 18 preguntas sobre los distintos términos. Se trató de un estudio descriptivo, transversal, con análisis estadístico. RESULTADOS: Se eligieron personas mayores de 18 años que no trabajaran en profesiones relacionadas con la salud. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los términos del final de la vida no interesaron ni fueron entendidos por parte de la población. El término menos reconocido fue la obstinación terapéutica (62.8 %) y el más conocido, cuidados paliativos (91 %); se confunden los términos eutanasia y suicidio asistido (47.8 %). La edad y escolaridad resultaron de mayor influencia en los resultados, que las otras variables demográficas.

Encuesta en población abierta respecto a términos relacionados con decisiones al final de la vida / Open population survey regarding terms related to decisions at the end of life

Resumen Introducción: Conceptos relacionados con las decisiones que se toman al final de la vida, como eutanasia, cuidados paliativos, voluntad anticipada y obstinación terapéutica son poco comprendidos por la población en general, que en el momento de enfrentar una situación terminal no está preparada para elegir la mejor opción. Objetivo: Estudio piloto (n = 544) para conocer lo que la población abierta entiende acerca de términos utilizados al final de la vida en cuatro ciudades de la república mexicana. Método: Encuesta vía internet de 18 preguntas sobre los distintos términos. Se trató de un estudio descriptivo, transversal, con análisis estadístico. Resultados: Se eligieron personas mayores de 18 años que no trabajaran en profesiones relacionadas con la salud. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los términos del final de la vida no interesaron ni fueron entendidos por parte de la población. El término menos reconocido fue la obstinación terapéutica (62.8 %) y el más conocido, cuidados paliativos (91 %); se confunden los términos eutanasia y suicidio asistido (47.8 %). La edad y escolaridad resultaron de mayor influencia en los resultados, que las otras variables demográficas.

Abstract Introduction: Concepts related to end-of-life decisions, such as euthanasia, palliative care, advance directives and therapeutic obstinacy, are poorly understood by the general population, which, when facing a terminal situation, is not prepared to choose the best option. Objective: Pilot study (n = 544) to find out what the open population understands about terms used in end-of-life situations in four cities of the Mexican Republic. Method: Survey via Internet with 18 questions about different terms. It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Statistical analysis was carried out. Results: People older than 18 years who were not engaged in health-related professional activities were selected. Conclusions: Most terms related to end-of-life decisions were found not to be interesting to or understood by a part of the population. The least recognized term was therapeutic obstinacy (62.8%), and the most widely known, palliative care (91%); there was confusion between the terms euthanasia and assisted suicide (47.8%). Age and education level had more influence in the results, than other demographic variables.

Tuberculides tuberculosas en población adulta de la Región Metropolitana, Chile: serie de casos 2006-2010 / Tuberculids in the adult population of the Region Metropolitan, Chile: case series 2006-2010

Introducción: Las tuberculides tuberculosas (TLTB) se subdividen en verdaderas de etiología atribuible al Mycobacterium tuberculosis y facultativas causadas por múltiples condiciones, entre ellas la tuberculosis. En Chile representan el 75% de las tuberculosis cutáneas en la región metropolitana (RM). Objetivo: caracterizar las TLTB de la RM de acuerdo a epidemiología, clínica, estudio y manejo terapéutico. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo del total de TLTB diagnosticadas por biopsia en los servicios de anatomía patológica de 4 hospitales públicos de la RM y un hospital privado de la RM en el quinquenio 2006-2010. Resultados: 83 casos de TLTB, 59% aportados por el sistema público, 84% de los pacientes fueron mujeres, 18% fueron tuberculides verdaderas y 82% tuberculides facultativas. A pesar de ser el tratamiento antituberculoso la elección en las tuberculides verdaderas, sólo se indicó en el 65% de los casos y de estos, 45% realmente lo realizó. Sólo el 4,5% de las tuberculides facultativas de esta serie tuvieron indicación de tratamiento antituberculoso, realizándose en el 100% de los casos. Conclusión: Existe seguimiento insuficiente a través del tiempo en estos pacientes, dificultando dimensionar el éxito real de los tratamientos indicados. Se evidencia una falla en la coordinación al momento de derivar los pacientes al programa de control de la tuberculosis.

Introduction: Tuberculids are subdivided in true tuberculids, which are associated to mycobacterium tuberculosis, and facultative tuberculids which can be caused by several conditions, including tuberculosis. In Chile tuberculids represent 75% of cutaneous tuberculosis in the metropolitan region (MR). Objective: to characterize tuberculids according to epidemiology, clinical, study and therapeutic management. Methods: Descriptive study of the total tuberculids diagnosed by biopsy in the pathology services of 4 public hospitals of the MRI and a private hospital of the MRI in the five-year period 2006- 2010. Results: 83 cases of tuberculids, 59% where provided by the public system, 84% of the patients were women, 18% were true tuberculids and 82% facultative tuberculids. Despite being antitubercular therapy the first line treatment for true tuberculids, this treatment was prescribed in 65% of cases and only 45% of these were actually treated. Only 4.5% of the facultative tuberculids in this series had indication of antitubercular therapy, performed in 100% of cases. Conclusions: There is insufficient follow up in these patients, making it difficult to assess the real success of the treatment. Is evident the lack of coordination when referring patients to the tuberculosis control program.