Natural resistance of opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) to the mapanare (Bothrops lanceolatus) snake venom.

The inactivation of local and general effects of the Mapanare (Bothrops lanceolatus) venom by Opossum's (Didelphis marsupialis) serum fractions was tested using an in vivo assay and an in vitro preincubation experiment. A serum fraction of the Opossum serum has been obtained by immunochemical purification. It is only present in opossum's protective opossum serum fraction (F-0.1).

[Endoscopic sclerotherapy of esophageal varices with 80% alcohol. Experience with 46 cases]. / Escleroterapia endoscópica de las várices esofágicas con alcohol al 80%. Experiencia en 46 casos.

We are presenting the results obtained by endoscopic sclerotherapy with 80% alcohol in fifty-five patients with upper GI bleeding caused by esophageal varices, with or without active bleeding at the moment of the endoscopic study. We obtained control of bleeding in 83.64% with a recurrence of bleeding of 16.36% during the first 15 days. At the same period of time we obtained a 16.36% mortality rate. In the forty six patients that concluded sclerotherapy, decrease in size of the varices occurred in 89.79% and eradication was obtained in 6.11% of the patients. We observed three types of complications: esophageal ulcers in 100% of the cases which healed in a period of three weeks. Retrosternal pain of short duration, in 45.65%, this pain appears when the sclerosant substance is injected. Esophageal stenosis in 5.45% which were treated with dilatations. Our conclusion is that 80% alcohol is an effective and safe sclerosant substance in the management of acute bleeding of esophageal varices and in the prevention of the immediate recurrence, but has the disadvantage of a great number of local complications.

[Role of the gastroenterologist in the fate of the functional gastrointestinal patient. Comparative evaluation in 2 series of patients in the outpatient clinic of the Social Security Gastroenterology department of Barquisimeto]. / El papel del gastroenterólogo en el destino del enfermo functional digestivo. Evaluación comparativa en dos series de pacientes de una consulta externa de Gastroenterología del Seguro Social de Barquisimeto.

A comparative evaluation is made of patients with functional digestive diseases in an out-patient clinic of the Social Security of Barquisimeto. In the first group of patients a routine approach was followed while in the second group a brief biographic history is added adapting it to the circumstances of work that exist within this type of clinic. From the information obtained of the destiny of the patients of each group, it is evident that the total approach to the patient is of importance as the only mean possible for an adequate approximation to the patient and the proper management of the case. The problem is presented of the gastroenterologist, overwhelmed by the great technical progress, confronted by the destiny of the functional digestive patient in socialized medicine.