A new Andean species of Philodryas (Dipsadidae, Xenodontinae) from Ecuador.

We describe a new species of Philodryas from the highlands of southern Ecuador. The new species is distinguished from all known species of Philodryas by a unique combination of coloration, scalation, and hemipenial characters. The new species resembles Philodryas simonsii in color pattern.

Effect of ischemic postconditioning on microvascular obstruction in reperfused myocardial infarction. Results of a randomized study in patients and of an experimental model in swine.

Background: Ischemic postconditioning (PCON) appears as a potentially beneficial tool in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We evaluated the effect of PCON on microvascular obstruction (MVO) in STEMI patients and in an experimental swine model.

Methods: A prospective randomized study in patients and an experimental study in swine were carried out in two university hospitals in Spain.

Multiscale complexity analysis of the cardiac control identifies asymptomatic and symptomatic patients in long QT syndrome type 1.

The study assesses complexity of the cardiac control directed to the sinus node and to ventricles in long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1) patients with KCNQ1-A341V mutation. Complexity was assessed via refined multiscale entropy (RMSE) computed over the beat-to-beat variability series of heart period (HP) and QT interval. HP and QT interval were approximated respectively as the temporal distance between two consecutive R-wave peaks and between the R-wave apex and T-wave end.

[Factors Associated With the Temporary Abandonment of Treatment for Disorders Due to Substance Abuse in an Institution in Medellin, Colombia].

Objective: To determine the frequency and factors associated withtreatment drop-out in patients from a Substance User Treatment Center in Medellín, Colombia.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted, with patients with an early treatment dropout as cases, and patients who completed the treatment as controls. Demographic data, substance use pattern, concomitant diseases, and the decision to initiate treatment were compared between cases and controls.

Autocrine activation of canonical BMP signaling regulates PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in human dendritic cells.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional growth factors regulating differentiation and proliferation in numerous systems including the immune system. Previously, we described that the BMP signaling pathway is functional in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs), which were found to express both the specific receptors and the Smad proteins required for signal transduction. In this study, we provide evidence that human MoDCs produce BMP-4 and that this production is increased over the maturation process as is BMP signal transduction.

One-year outcome of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing coronary artery stenting: an analysis of the AFCAS registry.

Background: Most evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of the antithrombotic regimens for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent (PCI-S) derives from small, single-center, retrospective datasets. To obtain further data on this issue, we carried out the prospective, multicenter, observational Management of patients with Atrial Fibrillation undergoing Coronary Artery Stenting (AFCAS) registry (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00596570).

[Validation of APACHE II and SOFA scores in 2 cohorts of patients with suspected infection and sepsis, not admitted to critical care units].

Objective: To validate the APACHE II and SOFA scores in patients with suspected infection in clinical settings other than intensive care units.

Materials And Methods: A secondary analysis was performed on 2,530 adult patients participating in 2 cohort studies, with suspected infection as admission diagnosis within the first 24 h of hospitalization. The performance of both scoring systems was studied in order to set calibration and discrimination, respectively, on the outcomes such as mortality, admission to Intensive Care Unit, development of septic shock, or multiple organ dysfunctions.

Activity of leucine aminopeptidase of Telchin licus licus: an important insect pest of sugarcane.

The enzymatic activity of leucine aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.

Refined multiscale entropy analysis of heart period and QT interval variabilities in long QT syndrome type-1 patients.

This study assesses complexity of cardiovascular control in patients affected by type-1 variant of long QT (LQT1) syndrome. Complexity was assessed by refined multiscale entropy of heart period (HP) and QT interval variabilities. HP was taken as the time distance between two consecutive R peaks (RR) and QT interval was approximated as the time distance between the R-peak and T-wave apex (RTa) and between R-peak and T-wave end (RTe).

Prediction of nociceptive responses during sedation by time-frequency representation.

The level of sedation in patients undergoing medical procedures evolves continuously, such as the effect of the anesthetic and analgesic agents is counteracted by pain stimuli. The monitors of depth of anesthesia, based on the analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG), have been progressively introduced into the daily practice to provide additional information about the state of the patient. However, the quantification of analgesia still remains an open problem.

Essential role of the molecular chaperone gp96 in regulating melanogenesis.

Through a process known as melanogenesis, melanocyte produces melanin in specialized organelles termed melanosomes, which regulates pigmentation of the skin, eyes, and hair. Gp96 is a constitutively expressed heat shock protein in the endoplasmic reticulum whose expression is further upregulated upon ultraviolet irradiation. However, the roles and mechanisms of this chaperone in pigmentation biology are unknown.

[Turbinella angulata and Busyconperversum (Mesogasteropoda: Turbinellidae and Melongenidae) population and reproductive dynamics in the Campeche Bank, Mexico].

Turbinella angulata and Busycon perversum are two marine gastropods that support the 90% of conch fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, nevertheless there is no information available to support a management strategy for both species. The aim of this work was to obtain preliminary fishery information to promote management actions for both species in the Campeche Bank. The population of conchs was sampled in 12 transects (150x1.

The management of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation: in-hospital-data from the Atrial Fibrillation undergoing Coronary Artery Stenting study.

Current recommendations on the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent (PCI-S) essentially derive from small, single-center, retrospective datasets. To obtain larger and better quality data, we carried out the prospective, multicenter Atrial Fibrillation undergoing Coronary Artery Stenting (AFCAS) study. Therefore, consecutive patients with history of or ongoing AF undergoing PCI-S were enrolled, and occurrence of adverse ischemic and bleeding events recorded during 12 months follow-up.

Volumetric electromagnetic phase-shift spectroscopy of brain edema and hematoma.

Motivated by the need of poor and rural Mexico, where the population has limited access to advanced medical technology and services, we have developed a new paradigm for medical diagnostic based on the technology of "Volumetric Electromagnetic Phase Shift Spectroscopy" (VEPS), as an inexpensive partial substitute to medical imaging. VEPS, can detect changes in tissue properties inside the body through non-contact, multi-frequency electromagnetic measurements from the exterior of the body, and thereby provide rapid and inexpensive diagnostics in a way that is amenable for use in economically disadvantaged parts of the world. We describe the technology and report results from a limited pilot study with 46 healthy volunteers and eight patients with CT radiology confirmed brain edema and brain hematoma.

Randomized phase II trial of non-platinum induction or consolidation chemotherapy plus concomitant chemoradiation in stage III NSCLC patients: mature results of the Spanish Lung Cancer Group 0008 study.

The optimal schedule and regimen of chemotherapy (CT) in association with chemoradiation has not been established in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We have compared three schedules of non-platinum-based CT plus either radiotherapy or chemoradiation. From May 2001 to June 2006, 158 patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC were enrolled in a randomized phase II trial with overall response rate (ORR) as the primary endpoint.

Modeling the influence of the A118G polymorphism in the OPRM1 gene and of noxious stimulation on the synergistic relation between propofol and remifentanil: sedation and analgesia in endoscopic procedures.

Background: The presence of the A118G single nucleotide polymorphism in the OPRM1 gene as well as noxious stimulation might affect the requirements of remifentanil for patients undergoing ultrasonographic endoscopy under sedation-analgesia with propofol and remifentanil. Bispectral index (BIS) was used as a surrogate measure of effect.

Method: A total of 207 patients were screened for A118G and randomly received different combinations of propofol and remifentanil, changed depending on the nausea response to endoscopy tube introduction.

Ischemic risk stratification by means of multivariate analysis of the heart rate variability.

In this work, a univariate and multivariate statistical analysis of indexes derived from heart rate variability (HRV) was conducted to stratify patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) in cardiac risk groups. Indexes conditional entropy, refined multiscale entropy (RMSE), detrended fluctuation analysis, time and frequency analysis, were applied to the RR interval series (beat-to-beat series), for single and multiscale complexity analysis of the HRV in IDC patients. Also, clinical parameters were considered.

Chemosensory age discrimination in the snake Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae).

Many snakes are able to use their chemosensory system to detect scent of conspecifics, which is important in many social contexts. Age discrimination based on chemical cues may be especially important to ensure access to sexually mature potential partners. In this study, we used 24 individual Boa constrictor snakes (12 adults mature and 12 non-mature individuals) that had been captured in different areas of Ecuador, and were maintained in captivity at the Vivarium of Quito.

A new giant Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from Ecuador, with notes on some other large Amazonian congeners.

We describe a new species of Atractus from Cordillera de los Guacamayos in the Andes of Ecuador. This new species is the largest known species of Atractus, reaching almost 120 cm in total length with a robust habitus. We also use multivariate statistical analyses of morphometric data to look into the taxonomic confusion involving other large, banded/blotched, species of Atractus in Western Amazonia.

[An adapted model of cost-effectiveness analysis for the drug entecavir vs pegylated interferon in Venezuela].

Objective: In order to compare the cost and to find the cost-effectiveness ratio of 0.5 mg/day entecavir versus pegylated interferon in the suppression of the viral replication and the quality of life of chronic hepatitis B patients based on a previously developed economic evaluation by Spackman y Veenstra, we performed, previous data transferability analysis, an adaptation of the model to the Venezuelan reality.

Methods: To adapt the economic evaluation, we assumed the probabilities of transition between states, in accordance with the effectiveness reported in the original evaluation.

[Integral Care Guide for Early Detection and Diagnosis of Depressive Episodes and Recurrent Depressive Disorder in Adults. Integral Attention of Adults with a Diagnosis of Depressive Episodes and Recurrent Depressive Disorder: Part III: Treatment of Resistant Depression and Psychotic Depression, Occupational Therapy and Day Hospital Treatment].

Introduction: This article presents recommendations based on the evidence gathered to answer a series of clinical questions concerning the depressive episode and the recurrent depressive disorder. Emphasis was given to general treatment issues of resistant depression and psychotic depression, occupational therapy and day hospital treatment so as to grant diagnosed adult patients the health care parameters based on the best and more updated evidence available and achieve minimum quality standards.

Methodology: A practical clinical guide was elaborated according to standards of the Methodological Guide of the Ministry of Social Protection.

[Integral Care Guide for Early Detection and Diagnosis of Depressive Episodes and Recurrent Depressive Disorder in Adults. Integral Attention of Adults with a Diagnosis of Depressive Episodes and Recurrent Depressive Disorder: Part II: General Aspects of Treatment, Management of the Acute Phase, Continuation and Maintenance of Patients with a Depression Diagnosis].

Introduction: This article presents recommendations based on evidence gathered to answer a series of clinical questions concerning the depressive episode and the recurrent depressive disorder, with emphasis on general treatment aspects, treatment in the acute phase and management of the continuation/maintenance, all intended to grant health care parameters based on the best and more updated available evidence for achieving minimum quality standards with adult patients thus diagnosed.

Methodology: A practical clinical guide was elaborated according to standards of the Methodological Guide of the Ministry of Social Protection. Recommendation from NICE90 and CANMAT guides were adopted and updated so as to answer the questions posed while de novo questions were developed.