Prevalence of internal iliac artery anatomical variants in a Mexican population.

The internal iliac artery arises as a terminal extension of the common iliac artery and supplies blood to the pelvic region. This study aims to identify the anatomic variations of the internal iliac artery (IIA) in a Mexican population sample. This is a retrospective cross-sectional observational study.

Functional trait trade-offs define plant population stability across different biomes.

Ecological theory posits that temporal stability patterns in plant populations are associated with differences in species' ecological strategies. However, empirical evidence is lacking about which traits, or trade-offs, underlie species stability, especially across different biomes. We compiled a worldwide collection of long-term permanent vegetation records (greater than 7000 plots from 78 datasets) from a large range of habitats which we combined with existing trait databases.

Synchrony matters more than species richness in plant community stability at a global scale.

The stability of ecological communities is critical for the stable provisioning of ecosystem services, such as food and forage production, carbon sequestration, and soil fertility. Greater biodiversity is expected to enhance stability across years by decreasing synchrony among species, but the drivers of stability in nature remain poorly resolved. Our analysis of time series from 79 datasets across the world showed that stability was associated more strongly with the degree of synchrony among dominant species than with species richness.

Meta-analysis of multidecadal biodiversity trends in Europe.

Local biodiversity trends over time are likely to be decoupled from global trends, as local processes may compensate or counteract global change. We analyze 161 long-term biological time series (15-91 years) collected across Europe, using a comprehensive dataset comprising ~6,200 marine, freshwater and terrestrial taxa. We test whether (i) local long-term biodiversity trends are consistent among biogeoregions, realms and taxonomic groups, and (ii) changes in biodiversity correlate with regional climate and local conditions.

Methodological Considerations for Using Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations as an Indicator of Physiological Stress in the Brown Bear ().

Reliable methods to measure stress-related glucocorticoid responses in free-ranging animals are important for wildlife management and conservation. Such methods are also paramount for our ability to improve our knowledge of the ecological consequences of physiological processes. The brown bear () is a large carnivore of ecological and cultural importance and is important for management.

Identifying potential areas of expansion for the endangered brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain).

Many large carnivore populations are expanding into human-modified landscapes and the subsequent increase in coexistence between humans and large carnivores may intensify various types of conflicts. A proactive management approach is critical to successful mitigation of such conflicts. The Cantabrian Mountains in Northern Spain are home to the last remaining native brown bear (Ursus arctos) population of the Iberian Peninsula, which is also amongst the most severely threatened European populations, with an important core group residing in the province of Asturias.

[Pathological assessment of prostate cancer. New problems].

Introduction: Currently, the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer requires the pathologist to adopt a fresh approach to the interpretation of biopsies in order to provide the data required for the new forms of therapy.

Discussion: The new evaluation criteria of the Gleason system are explained, with the redefinition of histological patterns and degree of malignancy, the incorporation of the so-called prognostic groups and the assessment of the tumour mass.

Conclusions: Updating of histopathological information helps to improve patient management, especially in cases of tumour confined to the prostate, given the possibility of local therapy.

[Update of the Gleason system and other prognostic pathological data in prostate cancer: Tumor load.].

Desde que D. F. Gleason creara su sistema en 1966 (1 ) y que él mismo modificó en 1974 (2), su método ha sido universalmente aceptado y recomendado por la OMS (3)como factor pronóstico del carcinoma prostático (CaP).

Factors Affecting Diet Variation in the Pyrenean Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta pyrenaica): Conservation Implications.

The Pyrenean rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta pyrenaica) lives at one of the southernmost limits of the ptarmigan range. Their small population sizes and the impacts of global changes are limiting factors in the conservation of this threatened subspecies. An effective conservation policy requires precise basic knowledge of a species' food and habitat requirements, information that is practically non-existent for this Pyrenean population.

Influence of Snowmelt Timing on the Diet Quality of Pyrenean Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta pyrenaica): Implications for Reproductive Success.

The Pyrenean rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta pyrenaica) is the southernmost subspecies of the species in Europe and is considered threatened as a consequence of changes in landscape, human pressure, climate change, and low genetic diversity. Previous studies have shown a relationship between the date of snowmelt and reproductive success in the Pyrenean ptarmigan. It is well established that birds laying early in the breeding season have higher reproductive success, but the specific mechanism for this relationship is debated.

Optical coherence tomography: from physical principles to clinical applications.

Optical coherence tomography is a new endocoronary imaging modality employing near infrared light, with very high axial resolution. We will review the physical principles, including the old time domain and newer Fourier domain generations, clinical applications, controversies and perspectives of optical coherence tomography.

Embolic myocardial infarction diagnosed with Fourier domain optical coherence tomography.

We report the case of a young female with embolic myocardial infarction. The embolic etiology was confirmed by Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography as well as histo-pathology.

[Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy: contribution of an ultrasound diagnostic unit after ten years of experience].

Objectives: Although transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) prostatic biopsy is the procedure of choice for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC), neither the ideal number of cores nor the number of repeated biopsies, nor the required diagnostic yield have been established. After our experience of ten years with TRUS biopsy we perform a review of the technique and its indications.

Methods: PSA, ultrasound features, and pathologic data of 6000 patients undergoing modified sextant TRUS biopsy between 1994 to December 2002 were collected.

[Diagnostic yield of the extended prostatic biopsy with 10 cores. Prospective study on 222 patients].

Objectives: The number of biopsy samples for a proper prostate cancer diagnosis has not yet been established. We report our experience with the 10-sample extended biopsy.

Methods: We collected the results of a group of 222 patients undergoing extended ultrasound guided prostate biopsy with 10 samples.

[Cryotherapy III, bibliographic review. Our experience(II)].

Objectives: To perform a bibliographic review of the main features of cryotherapy as a therapeutic option in the monagemente of prostate cancer and to report our initial experience.

Methods: We employed the Endocare Fast-Trac system (Medipro) with 2.4 mm needles implanted in a single maneouvre without rack or transrectal U.

[Tolerability and complications of the ultrasound guided transrectal biopsy of the prostate extended to 10 cores. The role of neurovascular bundle blockage with lidocaine].

Objectives: The growing interest on increasing the number of biopsy samples during ultrasound guided prostatic biopsies moved us to evaluate the tolerability and complications of the extensive biopsy with/without blockage of neurovascular bundles.

Methods: A group of 222 patients underwent prostatic biopsy with the aim to obtain 10 cores on each. After evaluation of the first 50 cases performed without anesthesia, decision was taken to proceed with neurovascular blockage with 2% lidocaine, comparatively evaluating both groups for results on tolerability, complications and global adverse events.

[The role of prostate volume in ultrasound guided transrectal prostate biopsy: is it as important as a marker as PSA?].

Objectives: The limitations of PSA to identify patients with prostate cancer prompted the definition of different parameters trying to increase specificity without reducing sensitivity. This paper studies the relationship of volume and presence of prostate cancer in sextant biopsies.

Methods: We collected the results of prostate biopsies performed to 6000 patients between 1994 and 2002.

[Cryotherapy III, Bibliographic review. Our experience (I)].

Objectives: To perform a bibliographic review of the main features of cryotherapy as a therapeutic option in the managemente of prostate cancer and to report our initial experience.

Methods: We employed the Endocare Fast-Trac system (Medipro) with 2,4 mm needles implanted in a single maneouvre without rack or transrectal US transducer support. Two cycles of freezing--hawing were employed, with apex backward movement when necessary.

[Results of a series of transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate in 6000 patients. Part II: PSA derived parameters].

Objectives: We review the results of 6000 patients with the clinical suspect of prostate cancer who underwent one or more prostate, biopsies, analyzing the role of PSA derived parameters in the probability of having prostate cancer in the TRUS biopsy.

Methods: We selected 6000 patients who under- went TRUS biopsy between 1994 and 2002. 861 of them underwent more than one is biopsy, adding up to a total of 7127 biopsies.

[Cryobiology and pathologic lesions induced by freezing-thawing processes in prostatic tissue. Second part].

Cryosurgery is an emerging technology consisting on controlled freezing of tissues. Good results, maintained in the long-term, have been referred in the treatment of prostate adenocarcinoma. A role as possible substitute of partial nephrectomy in the treatment of renal adenocarcinomas smaller than 4-5 cm is under research.

[Penile metastasis of a prostatic adenocarcinoma].

Objectives: To report one case of prostate carcinoma with metastasis to the corpora cavernosum.

Methods: We report the case of a 79-year-old patient with the diagnosis of Gleason 9 prostatic adenocarcinoma who presented a hard lesion on the glans penis one year after starting androgen blockade. The patient underwent palliative TURP and biopsy of the lesion.