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Haeckeliania sperata Pinto is an egg-endoparasitoid of Diaprepes abbreviatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). We evaluated the relative susceptibility of H. sperata adults to commercially relevant pesticides used in citrus and ornamental production systems. Parasitoids were exposed to pesticide residues on leaf surfaces. Four concentrations of seven pesticides were tested; concentrations for each pesticide consisted of a dilution series using the label rate for field applications as the starting concentration. Lethal concentrations (LC50s and LC90s) were calculated 12 and 24 h after exposure to the pesticides. Lethal times (LT50s and LT90S) were estimated for each pesticide concentration. All tested pesticides had a negative effect on Haeckeliania's survivorship. However, some pesticides were significantly less harmful to this parasitoid. LC50s and LC90s of organophospate, carbamate, and pyrethroid pesticides were less than one eighth of the label rates. LT50s and LT90s of these insecticides were < 12 h even at the most diluted concentrations. Thus, applications of these pesticides might have a strong negative impact on the natural control of D. abbreviatus by H. sperata. Commercial formulations of imidacloprid, abamectin, petroleum oil, and a phosphonate fungicide allowed H. sperata to live longer compared with the previous pesticides, suggesting a certain degree of selectivity. Moreover, adults exposed to diluted concentrations of imidacloprid, abamectin, petroleum oil, and a phosphonate fungicide had a greater survival than those exposed to label concentrations. These findings suggest that the use of products that have less toxic effects on the introduced parasitoid will increase its chances to parasitize D. abbreviatus eggs.

Diaprepes abbreviatus L. is a highly polyphagous root weevil that causes damage to several fruit crops, ornamental plants, and other naturally occurring plants in Florida. Haeckeliania sperata Pinto is a gregarious endoparasitoid that attacks D. abbreviatus eggs. We hypothesized that the reproductive success of H. sperata is affected by the host plant of D. abbreviatus. Six host plants with varying degrees of pubescence were used to determine the effect of leaf trichomes on the searching behavior and success of parasitism by H. sperata. No-choice tests showed that H. sperata was able to parasitize Diaprepes eggs laid on the six host plants. However, the plants with a high trichome density on their leaves had a lower percent of parasitism than the plants with smoother leaves. Removing trichomes from a host plant showed that the presence of some leaf trichomes had a negative effect on the overall searching efficiency of H. sperata. The presence of trichomes decreased the total distance traveled and increased the total search time of H. sperata females, resulting in a lower searching speed. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between percent parasitism and leaf trichome density, leaf thickness, and the searching speed of H. sperata. Searching speed was the best predictor of percent parasitism; this parameter could be used to predict the suitability of host plants for the establishment of H. sperata. Our findings suggest that the reproductive success of H. sperata is affected by the host plant of D. abbreviatus.

En el municipio de Cota (Cundinamarca) se siembran en promedio 90 ha de espinaca al año. Actualmente no existe información sobre los artrópodos plaga que atacan este cultivo. Sin embargo, los productores aplican frecuentemente insecticidas para su control entre los cuales se destacan: organofosforados, piretroides, carbamatos, organosulfurados y extractos vegetales. En el presente trabajo se identificaron los principales artrópodos plaga y se describe su daño en el cultivo de la espinaca en Cota. Se determinó la distribución espacial de algunos artrópodos y se propone un tamaño de muestra basado en las observaciones realizadas. Los principales artrópodos encontrados en cultivos de espinaca son: Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Acari: Acaridae), Delia sp. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Clavipalpus ursinus (Blanchard) (Coleoptera: Melolonthidae), trips (Thysanoptera: Tripidae) y trozadores (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Dentro de este grupo los principales daños estuvieron relacionados con la presencia del ácaro T. putrescentiae y larvas de Delia sp. El principal daño observado fue la deformación de las hojas; se encontró una alta correlación (r = 0,80) entre el síntoma y la presencia de colonias de T. putrescentiae. Las larvas de Delia sp., barrenan las raíces de la espinaca durante el establecimiento de la planta y se alimentan de las hojas tiernas del cogollo durante el desarrollo de follaje. T. putrescentiae y Delia sp. se distribuyen de forma agregada.

The polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB), Euwallacea sp., was first detected in 2003 in Los Angeles County, California, USA. Recently, this invasive species has become a major pest of many hardwood trees in urban and wildland forests throughout southern California. PSHB is nearly identical in morphology and life history to the tea shot hole borer (TSHB), Euwallacea fornicatus, an invasive pest of hardwoods in Florida, USA and many other parts of the world. However, molecular studies have suggested that the taxa are different species. We conducted morphometric and chemical analyses of the phenotypes of Euwallacea sp. collected in southern California (Los Angeles County) and E. fornicatus collected in Florida (Miami-Dade County). Our analyses indicated that PSHB has 3 larval instars. The third larval instar was separated from the first 2 instars by head capsule width with 0 probability of misclassification. The body length, head width, and pronotal width of PSHB adult males were significantly less than those of females. Head width and pronotal width of female PSHB were significantly less than those of female TSHB. In contrast, body length, and ratio of body length to pronotal width of female PSHB were significantly greater than those of female TSHB. However, females of these 2 species could not be separated completely by these 4 measurements because of the overlapping ranges. Cuticular hydrocarbons detected in both species were exclusively alkanes (i.e., n-alkanes, monomethylalkanes, dimethylalkanes, and trimethylalkanes). Cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of PSHB males and females were similar, but they both differed from that of TSHB females. Cuticular hydrocarbons of PSHB were predominantly internally branched dimethylalkanes with backbones of 31 and 33 carbons, whereas cuticular hydrocarbons of TSHB females were dominated by internally branched monomethylalkanes and dimethylalkanes with backbones of 28 and 29 carbons. Multiple compounds within these classes appear to be diagnostic for PSHB and TSHB, respectively.

Xyleborus bispinatus Eichhoff is reported from Florida for the first time. It was previously unrecognized and not distinguished from Xyleborusferrugineus (F.). There is no reason to believe at this point that it represents an introduction. Rather it is one of a group of widely distributed Neotropical species that are also found in southern Florida. Characters are discussed to allow it to be distinguished from X. ferrugineus and X. impressus Eichhoff.

In the sixteenth century there were great advances in science, literature, and the arts. During this century, urology as a specialty was conceived, thanks to the contributions of Andreas Vesalius, anatomist and leading physician to the court of Charles V, and Dr. Francisco Diaz, a native of Alcala de Henares, surgeon and clinician. Dr. Diaz had a close relationship with Miguel de Cervantes, who at one point in his life suffered from renal colic. In his masterpiece "Re-Printed Treaty of all diseases of the kidneys, bladder and wattles of the Cock and Urina, divided into three books," of which the first book of urology is the History of Medicine, describes in detail the clinical and therapeutic aspects of urological diseases, known as the "bad stone" and urethral strictures known as "wattles", in addition to describing the different surgical techniques and the development of new instruments for urological procedures, which include the cisorio instrument and the Speculum pudendi. For the above, Dr. Francisco Diaz is considered the father of urology.

Throughout the history of surgery there have been exceptional cases of surgeons around the world. One of them is Elena/o of Cespedes. Born as a girl, this hermaphrodite dedicated all his life to acting as a man, doing jobs that were only for men such as a soldier, peasant, and surgeon. She was the first licensed surgeon in Spain and maybe in all Europe. She married a woman and then was tried for sodomy by the Spanish Inquisition commanded by inquisitor Lope de Mendoza. She was founded guilty and punished with 200 lashes and a 10-year service at a hospital, dressed as a woman.

Se estudió el efecto de plantas productoras de néctar (Brassica rapa (L.), Calendula officinalis (L.), Ruta graveolens (L.), y Borrago officinalis (L.)), comparadas con solución de miel de abejas sobre la longevidad y fecundidad de Diadegma aff. insulare bajo condiciones de casa de malla. La longevidad y fecundidad de hembras de D. aff. insulare alimentadas en B. rapa fueron iguales a las alimentadas con solución de miel y agua (15,4 ± 1,1 días, 67,0 ± 2,7 progenie/hembra). B. officinalis fue la mejor fuente de alimentación (38,4±4,6 días, 186,8±2,5 progenie/ hembra), seguida por R. graveolens (18,2±10,6 días, 91,4±2,7 progenie). Hembras alimentadas con C. officinalis (4,0±1,7 days, 12.2±2,97 progenie) tuvieron la longevidad y fecundidad más baja respecto al testigo. Longevidad y fecundidad variaron con características morfológicas de las flores. Un incremento en longevidad y fecundidad estuvo relacionado con mayor ancho y longitud de corola. En pruebas de selección libre y de no selección se registró un número significativamente mayor de visitas a las flores de R. graveolens (4,2 ±1,7 y 5,75±1,2 visitas/min) y B. rapa (3,8 ± 0,9 y 5,75 ± 0,9 visitas/min). Se sugiere manipular la presencia plantas nectaríferas, especialmente B. officinalis para aumentar el impacto de D. aff. insulare en el manejo integrado de P. xylostella.

Summary The 2 cryptic species of Euwallacea nr. fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) have more than 300 known hosts, of which avocado is the most important. Fusarium dieback, the fungal disease associated with these beetles, has killed some host plant species in Israel and the USA. Kuroshio shot hole borer, one of the 2 cryptic species, is reported for the first time in Baja California, Mexico, and represents a new threat to avocado and other potential hosts in urban and natural areas.

Prion diseases are a group of rare and rapidly progressive neurodegenerative conditions that may cause neuropsychiatric symptoms. This group of diseases has been described since the 18(th) century, but they were recognized decades later, when it became clear that the humans were affected by infected animals. There was controversy when the problem was attributed to a single protein with infective capacity. The common pathological process is characterized by the conversion of the normal cellular prion protein into an abnormal form. In humans, the illness has been classified as idiopathic, inherited and acquired through exposure to exogenous material containing abnormal prions. The most prominent neurological manifestation of prion diseases is the emergence of a rapidly progressive dementia, mioclonus associated with cerebellar ataxia and also extra pyramidal symptoms. Psychiatric symptoms occur in early stages of the illness and can contribute to timely diagnosis of this syndrome. Psychiatric symptoms have traditionally been grouped in three categories: affective symptoms, impaired motor function and psychotic symptoms. Such events usually occur during the prodromal period prior to the neurological manifestations and consists in the presence of social isolation, onset of delusions, irritability/aggression, visual hallucinations, anxiety and depression, and less frequent first-rank symptoms among others. Definite diagnosis requires post mortem examination. The possibility that a large number of cases may occur in the next years or that many cases have not been considered with this diagnosis is a fact. In our opinion, psychiatrists should be aware of symptoms of this disease. The main objective of this research consisted of assessing the correlation between this disturbance and neuro-psychiatric symptoms and particularly if this psychiatric manifestations integrate a clinical picture suggestive for the diagnosis of these diseases, but firstly reviewed taxonomic, pathogenic and pathological aspects. The authors of this project also added an element in relation to some diagnostic considerations based on scientific evidence. For the search controlled descriptors applied to the research for indexing scientific articles in databases were used. The electronic data bases used were PubMed, EMBASE and also PsycInfo. The descriptors were prion diseases, psychotic disorders, depression, mood disorders, pathology, classification, prion protein, history, neurological manifestations, and psychiatric manifestations. The selection criteria for the material were qualitative. To conclude, and based on the extensive literature review, the authors propose that the period where the evidence is more robust for mental impaired is named "psychiatric symptoms phase, which can be extended for a few months, being the psychiatric affective symptoms the most characteristic of this phase. In conclusion, we considered that the identification of these symptoms in a patient with risk factors for developing the disease will contribute to the early identification, and would regulate the guidelines in suspected diagnosis of this group of disorders. The intention is provide a better quality of life to the sick people.

The mutualism between xyleborine beetles in the genus Euwallacea (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and members of the Ambrosia Fusarium Clade (AFC) represents one of 11 known evolutionary origins of fungiculture by ambrosia beetles. Female Euwallacea beetles transport fusarial symbionts in paired mandibular mycangia from their natal gallery to woody hosts where they are cultivated in galleries as a source of food. Native to Asia, several exotic Euwallacea species were introduced into the United States and Israel within the past two decades and they now threaten urban landscapes, forests and avocado production. To assess species limits and to date the evolutionary diversification of the mutualists, we reconstructed the evolutionary histories of key representatives of the Fusarium and Euwallacea clades using maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods. Twelve species-level lineages, termed AF 1-12, were identified within the monophyletic AFC and seven among the Fusarium-farming Euwallacea. Bayesian diversification-time estimates placed the origin of the Euwallacea-Fusarium mutualism near the Oligocene-Miocene boundary ∼19-24 Mya. Most Euwallacea spp. appear to be associated with one species of Fusarium, but two species farmed two closely related fusaria. Euwallacea sp. #2 in Miami-Dade County, Florida cultivated Fusarium spp. AF-6 and AF-8 on avocado, and Euwallacea sp. #4 farmed Fusarium ambrosium AF-1 and Fusarium sp. AF-11 on Chinese tea in Sri Lanka. Cophylogenetic analyses indicated that the Euwallacea and Fusarium phylogenies were largely incongruent, apparently due to the beetles switching fusarial symbionts (i.e., host shifts) at least five times during the evolution of this mutualism. Three cospeciation events between Euwallacea and their AFC symbionts were detected, but randomization tests failed to reject the null hypothesis that the putative parallel cladogenesis is a stochastic pattern. Lastly, two collections of Euwallacea sp. #2 from Miami-Dade County, Florida shared an identical cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) allele with Euwallacea validus, suggesting introgressive hybridization between these species and/or pseudogenous nature of this marker. Results of the present study highlight the importance of understanding the potential for and frequency of host-switching between Euwallacea and members of the AFC, and that these shifts may bring together more aggressive and virulent combinations of these invasive mutualists.

The main complication associated with acute brain injury is the elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In these patients, multimodal neurological monitoring has emerged as a fundamental tool in the intensive care unit, with the minimally invasive trend seen in recent years. We report the case of a patient in which ICP monitoring was based on the measurement of the diameter of the optic nerve sheath (DONS), a procedure that has shown a good correlation with the ICP, as well as a high specificity, sensitivity, and low cost.

El objetivo de este articulo es demostrar como se articula el mito del progreso en dos novelas indigenistas. El analisis de El mundo es ancho y ajeno (1941), de Ciro Alegria, y Todas las sangres (1964), de Jose Maria Arguedas, permite explorar la representacion de dos hechos vinculados al progreso en la zona andina: la escuela y la migracion. De esta forma, es posible afirmar que estos autores conciben de manera distinta la modernizacion andina.

portal hypertension and variceal hemorrhage are common complications of hepatic cirrhosis, both associated with a high morbimortality. Portal system decompression by the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stented shunt, can reduce portal venus pressure and is effective controling complications of portal hypertension, like variceal hemorrhage and ascitis. The aim of this document is to describe a case of hemolytic anemia secondary to the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stented shunt.patient with portal hypertension secondary to liver cirrosis was given a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stented shunt for recurrent variceal hemorrhage. After the procedure, hemoglobin decreased 2 g/dL, associated with reticulocitosis, hipohaptoglobinemia, elevated lactic dehydrogenase and indirect hyperbilirrubinemia with negative Coombs test. The peripheral blood smear showed abnormal erythrocytes, with the prevalence of schistocytes. The final diagnosis was hemolytic anemia secondary to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stented shunt.the hemolytic anemia secondary to Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Stented Shunt is a rare complication. Usually, it has a benign prognosis, and it is self-limited once the stent is endothelialized.

Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess syndrome (KLAS) is an emerging infection characterized by primary monomicrobial liver abscess, bacteremia and metastatic complications. KLAS is endemic in Taiwan but additional cases has also been described in other world regions. It’s caused by strains of K. pneumonia serotype K1, rmpA, magA positive, displaying hypermucoviscosity. We present the case of a previously healthy 69 years old patient who developed fever, liver abscess,septic shock, bacteremia, and pneumonia. In cultures grew hypermucoviscous phenotype of K. pneumonia characterized by positive “string test”. The patient responded favourably to antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, meropenem, amykacin and percutaneous drainage of the abscess. Increased awareness about this globally emerging infection by physicians could allow earlier detection and optimal treatment.

Kluyvera, a new genus of Enterobacteriaceae, is an emergent pathogen. Kluyvera species have been isolated from sputum, urine, stools, and blood. Kluyvera strains are infrequent but potentially dangerous pathogens in the immunocompetent or immunocompromised host due to their potential to provoke a wide range of infections and their ability to transfer extended spectrum beta lactamase genes. We herein report the case of a teenage male with severe sepsis and septic shock due to K. ascorbata.

Raoiella indica Hirst (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), the red palm mite, is a phytophagous mite that recently invaded the Western Hemisphere. This mite was first detected in Martinique (Flechtmann & Etienne 2004) and it rapidly spread to multiple islands of the Caribbean [St. Lucia and Dominica (Kane et al. 2005), Guadeloupe and Saint Martin (Etienne & Flechtmann 2006), Puerto Rico and Culebra Island (Rodrigues et al. 2007), and Cuba (de la Torre et al. 2010) among other islands]. In 2007, the mite was found in West Palm Beach, Florida (FDACS 2007), and in the state of Sucre, Venezuela (Vasquez et al. 2008), and more recently, reported in the northern state of Roraima in Brazil (Marsaro Jr. et al. 2009), and Isla Mujeres and Cancun, Mexico (NAPPO 2009). In January 2010, high populations of R. indica were found attacking coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), banana (Musa acuminata Colla) and heliconia (Heliconia sp.) plants in the Tayrona National Park located in the Colombian Caribbean littoral, near the city of Santa Marta, Magdalena. The presence of multigenerational colonies and exuvia was confirmed in 18 coconut palms, 4 heliconias and multiple banana plants located near the coast in the northern part of the park (11°18’44”N 73°56’04”W). In further surveys R. indica infestations were detected in commercial coconut and banana groves in June 2010 at Los Naranjos, Magdalena (11°17’49”N -73°53’49”W), approximately 6 km East of the Tayrona Park along the coast. In this locality the predatory mite Amblyseius largoensis Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) was found showing a conspicuous red coloration of the alimentary tract indicating recent feeding on R. indica. Previous studies indicated that populations of A. largoensis increased in numbers after the arrival of R. indica to Florida and some areas in the Neotropics (Pena et al. 2009; Carrillo et al. 2010). Raoiella indica and A. largoensis specimens were collected (70% ethanol) and subsequently slide mounted, identified, and deposited in the collections of the Laboratory of Plant Quarantine reference collection, Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasilia, Brazil, and the Laboratory of Acarology from the Instituto Agroforestal Mediterraneo, Universidad Politecnica of Valencia, Spain. The experienced negative effects of R. indica on coconut production in the Caribbean, where yield reduction has been estimated in over 50% at some locations (CARDI 2010), indicate the importance of adopting regulatory and other control measures in areas of recent invasion. The establishment of chemical practices needed to allow movement of host plant material, and continuous surveying (pre and post-invasion) using sentinel sites, have been adopted to prevent R. indica’s rapid dissemination in Florida (Roda et al. 2008). An integrated approach combining all available control tactics should be adopted and natural enemies identified for managing this species (Pena et al. 2009; Carrillo et al. 2010). In addition, studies are needed to determine the potential host plant range of R. indica in Colombia and the rest of the Neotropical region. Strict sanitary measures and other management tactics should be implemented to minimize the damage caused by R. indica in Colombia and other countries in South and Central America.

A review of all the available information about the natural enemies reported in association with the red palm mite, Raoiella indica is presented. Twenty-eight species of predatory arthropods, including mites and insects, have been reported in association with R. indica in Asia, Africa and the Neotropics. In addition, pathogenic fungi associated with R. indica in the Caribbean have been reported. The available literature indicates that each site has a different natural enemy complex with only one predator species, Amblyseius largoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae), present in all the geographical areas. The phytoseiids, Amblyseius caudatus Berlese, Amblyseius channabasavanni Gupta and A. largoensis, were regarded as important natural enemies of R. indica, and their predatory efficiency was studied in some detail. Among the predatory insects the coccinellids Stethorus keralicus Kapur and Telsimia ephippiger Chapin were reported as major predators of R. indica. The known distribution, abundance and relative importance of each species reported in association with R. indica are discussed.

The majority of studies have demonstrated a correlation between diagonal earlobe creases sign with coronary artery disease and atheroscleosis. Diagonal earlobe creases run from the lower pole of the external meatus, diagonally backwards to the edge of the lobe at approximately 45. The objective of this paper is review the evidence related to this interesting clinical sign.

In 1924, Libman and Sacks described valvular lesions in patients with lupus erythematosus. Libman-Sacks valvular lesions are sterile fibrinous vegetations that preferentially develop at the left-sided heart valves. Reports of their prevalence range from 53 to 74%. Libman-Sacks endocarditis is associated with disease activity and antiphospholipid antibodies titer. Echocardiography is a useful tool for documenting valvular involvement and dysfunction as well as disease progression. Transesophageal echocardiography is superior to transthoracic echocardiography in detecting Libman-Sacks endocarditis. This report describes the echocardiographic image of Libman-Sacks endocarditis in a patient with active lupus erithematosus.

Pulmonary ultrasonography (PUSG) is a new diagnostic tool for pleuropulmonary disease in the critically ill patient. Images obtained in this study result from the interaction between the ultrasound shaft with the pleura, the pulmonary parenchyma and the air/liquid interface. These images are classified as horizontal and vertical. Their correct identification and interpretation requires a learning curve. Currently, PUSG is an excellent alternative to evaluate pulmonary condition of hospitalized patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Sensitivity and specificity are high for pneumothorax, alveolar-interstitial syndrome and pleural effusion diagnosis. PUSG practiced in the ICU is one of the most promising diagnostic procedures in intensive care medicine, and the practice and indications of this tool will surely extend in the coming years. The objective of this study is to make known the general principles of PUSG and their use in the critically ill patient, based on cases of hospitalized patients in the ICU of the Medica Sur Clinical Foundation that were studied with PUSG.

Consistent data about sepsis in Mexico are lacking. The objective of this epidemiological study is to better define the incidence, characteristics and outcome of sepsis in Mexican intensive care units (ICUs).This is a multicenter, transverse study performed in both private and public ICUs. Demographic data, comorbid diseases and clinical and laboratory data were collected prospectively.A total of 135 ICUs from 24 states of Mexico were studied. From 40,957 annual hospitalizations 11,183 were due to sepsis, which represented 27.3% of admissions to ICU. From 11,183 patients with sepsis, 3402 died, representing a mortality rate of 30.4%. The most frequent sepsis trigger was abdominal infection (47%) followed by pulmonary infection (33%), soft tissue infection (8%) and kidney infection (7%); 5% were from other sources (neurological, osteoarticular). From the isolated bacteria, 52% were gram negative, 38% gram positive and 10% fungal infection; 60% of the private hospital ICUs and 40% of public hospital ICUs applied the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (p0.05). In 50% of each of the ICUs, they adhere to the campaign recommendations. Costs in septic patients are high.This study documents the high incidence of sepsis in Mexican ICUs, with high mortality rate and low adherence to Surviving Sepsis Campaign. Our data suggest that sepsis is a public health problem in Mexico.

The red palm mite, Raoiella indica (Acari: Tenuipalpidae), is an important pest of palms (Arecaceae) and other species within the Zingiberaceae, Musaceae and Strelitziaceae families. Raoiella indica was discovered in the USA (Palm Beach and Broward counties, Florida) late in 2007, and it subsequently spread to other Florida counties. The predatory mite Amblyseius largoensis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) has been found associated with R. indica in Florida. In order to verify whether A. largoensis can develop and reproduce when feeding exclusively on R. indica, the biology of this predator was evaluated on various food sources, including R. indica. Five diets [R. indica, Tetranychus gloveri Aonidiella orientalis, Nipaecocus nipae, oak (Quercus virginiana) pollen] and a no-food control were tested to determine the predators' development, survivorship, oviposition rate, sex ratio and longevity at 26.5 +/- 1 degrees C, 70 +/- 5% RH and a 12:12 L:D photophase. Amblyseius largoensis was able to complete its life cycle and reproduce when fed exclusively on R. indica. The development of immature stages of A. largoensis was faster and fecundity and survivorship were higher when fed on R. indica or T. gloveri compared to the other food sources. The intrinsic rate of natural increase of A. largoensis was significantly higher when fed on R. indica than on other diets. These results suggest that, despite earlier assessments, A. largoensis can play a role in controlling R. indica.

Diaprepes abbreviatus L. is a highly polyphagous root weevil that causes damage to several fruit crops, ornamental plants, and other naturally occurring plants in Florida. Haeckeliania sperata Pinto is a gregarious endoparasitoid that attacks D. abbreviatus eggs. We hypothesized that the reproductive success of H. sperata is affected by the host plant of D. abbreviatus. Six host plants with varying degrees of pubescence were used to determine the effect of leaf trichomes on the searching behavior and success of parasitism by H. sperata. No-choice tests showed that H. sperata was able to parasitize Diaprepes eggs laid on the six host plants. However, the plants with a high trichome density on their leaves had a lower percent of parasitism than the plants with smoother leaves. Removing trichomes from a host plant showed that the presence of some leaf trichomes had a negative effect on the overall searching efficiency of H. sperata. The presence of trichomes decreased the total distance traveled and increased the total search time of H. sperata females, resulting in a lower searching speed. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between percent parasitism and leaf trichome density, leaf thickness, and the searching speed of H. sperata. Searching speed was the best predictor of percent parasitism; this parameter could be used to predict the suitability of host plants for the establishment of H. sperata. Our findings suggest that the reproductive success of H. sperata is affected by the host plant of D. abbreviatus.

"Introducción: En la actualidad no existen datos del comportamiento de la sepsis en México. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la incidencia, características y evolución de la sepsis en unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI) mexicanas. Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, transversal en UTI públicas y privadas.Resultados: Se incluyeron 135 UTI de 24 estados de la República mexicana. De 40 957 internamientos anuales, se presentaron 11 183 sepsis (27.3 %); la mortalidad por esta causa fue de 30.4 %. El 87 % (2953 pacientes) correspondió a UTI públicas y 13 % (449 enfermos) a privadas, con diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p < 0.01). Las etiologías más frecuentes de sepsis fueron infección de punto de partida abdominal en 47 %, pulmonar en 33 %, tejidos blandos en 8 %, renal en 7 % y miscelánea en 5 %. De las bacterias aisladas, 52 % correspondió a gramnegativas, 38 % a grampositivas y 10 % a hongos. En 60 % de las UTI privadas y en 40 % de las públicas se tenía conocimiento de la Campaña para Incrementar la Sobrevida en Sepsis (p < 0.05). Los costos de atención de los enfermos con sepsis son elevados.Conclusiones: Los resultados de este estudio ponen de manifiesto la elevada incidencia, costos y mortalidad de sepsis en las UTI de México, así como la baja adherencia a la Campaña para Incrementar la Sobrevida en Sepsis. Lo anterior coloca a la sepsis como un problema emergente de salud pública en México."

"El ultrasonido pulmonar es una nueva herramienta para el diagnóstico de enfermedades pleuropulmonares en el enfermo grave. Las imágenes que se obtienen resultan de la interacción del haz ultrasónico con la pleura, el parénquima pulmonar y la interfase aire-líquido; se clasifican en horizontales y verticales. Para su correcta identificación e interpretación se requiere una curva de aprendizaje. El ultrasonido pulmonar se ha posicionado como una excelente alternativa para evaluar el estado pulmonar de los enfermos internados en la unidad de terapia intensiva. Tiene una elevada sensibilidad y especificidad para el diagnóstico de pneumotórax, síndrome alvéolo-intersticial y derrame pleural. Es uno de los procedimientos diagnósticos más promisorios en la medicina intensiva, por lo que seguramente se extenderá su práctica e indicaciones en los años venideros. El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer a la comunidad médica los principios generales de este procedimiento y sus aplicaciones en el enfermo grave, conforme la experiencia en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva de la Fundación Clínica Médica Sur."

Sepsis continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Evidence is emerging from observational studies and basic science research that statins might be associated with reduced mortality in sepsis. Statins have diverse immunomodulatory and antiinflammatory properties independent of their lipid-lowering ability. The protective association between statins and sepsis persisted in high-risk subgroups including patients with diabetes mellitus, those with malignancy, and those receiving steroids. This review discusses the basis of these observations and the current place of statin therapy in patients with sepsis. This is a rapidly growing field of fascinating experimental biology. It suggests an urgent need to investigate the pharmacology of these drugs and reappraise their therapeutic indications in critically ill patients. If this finding is supported by prospective controlled trials, statins may play an important role in sepsis related mortality. By the other hand statins are significantly cheaper than other therapies that have been shown to improve outcome in sepsis, and the demonstration of mortality benefit would have enormous cost-benefit implication.

Xyleborus bispinatus Eichhoff is reported from Florida for the first time. It was previously unrecognized and not distinguished from Xyleborus ferrugineus (F.). There is no reason to believe at this point that it represents an introduction. Rather it is one of a group of widely distributed Neotropical species that are also found in southern Florida. Characters are discussed to allow it to be distinguished from X. ferrugineus and X. impressus Eichhoff.