Phylogeography of endemic Xantus' hummingbird (Hylocharis xantusii) shows a different history of vicariance in the Baja California Peninsula.

Studies of phylogeographic patterns provide insight into the processes driving lineage divergence in a particular region. To identify the processes that caused phylogeographic breaks, it is necessary to use historical information and a set of appropriate molecular data to explain current patterns. To understand the influence of geological or ecological processes on the phylogeography of the only species of hummingbird endemic to the Baja California Peninsula, Hylocharis xantusii, mitochondrial DNA sequences of three concatenated genes (Cyt-b, COI and ND2; 2297bp in total) in 100 individuals were analyzed.

[Classification of dengue hemorrhagic fever using decision trees in the early phase of the disease].

Introduction: dengue is a viral disease with endemic behavior. At the beginning of the illness it is not possible to know which patients will have an unfavorable evolution and develop a severe form of dengue. However, some warning symptoms and signs may be present.

Molecular characterization of Complement Factor I deficiency in two Spanish families.

Complement Factor I (CFI) is a regulator of the classical and alternative pathways. CFI has enzymatic activity and is able to cleave C3b and C4b. Homozygous Factor I deficiency is associated with infectious and/or autoimmune diseases.

Functional analysis in serum from atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome patients reveals impaired protection of host cells associated with mutations in factor H.

A subgroup of patients with the most severe form of the Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) presents mutations in the complement regulatory protein factor H. The functional analyses of the factor H mutant proteins purified from some of these patients have shown a specific defect in the capacity to control complement activation on cellular surfaces. Here, we show that these factor H-related complement regulatory defects can be detected in the patients' serum with a simple hemolytic assay.