Rareza y Diversidad de Hormigas en Fragmentos de Bosque Seco Colombianos y sus Matrices1

Dry forests in middle Cauca River valley (southwest Colombia) almost have been eliminated from the region and the last remnants are seriously threatened. This study shows the biological value of seven forest fragments, comparing their ant diversity with that of their surrounding matrices. Two intensive ant surveys were made in each forest fragment and its matrix between August 1994 and February 1995. Sampling effort was the same in each of the seven sites. We found that: (1) forest fragments are richer and more diverse than their respective matrices; (2) forests preserve a larger number of rare ant species than the matrices; and (3) the richer the forest, the larger the number of exclusive ant species it preserves. Therefore, these forests must be preserved to maintain regional biodiversity.     

Mucormicosis: perspectiva de manejo actual y de futuro

Infections caused by mucorales, with an increasing incidence after candidiasis and aspergillosis, are characterized by the fast angioinvasion of blood vessels and invasion of neighboring organs or structures. Mucorales most commonly cause rhinocerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous, digestive or disseminated infections, and their spread is favored by certain underlying diseases (diabetes, kidney failure) and risk factors (neutropenia, immunosuppression, iron overload). These infections have a high mortality rate, over 40% in many series, and the key to their cure depends on both an early diagnosis and an antifungal treatment, associated in most cases with extensive surgical debridement and other adjunctive therapies. Currently, there are international guidelines, not only local ones, for the management of mucormycosis, in which it is considered by consensus and with a strong recommendation that first-line treatment with high-dose liposomal amphotericin B is the best choice. The combined antifungal treatment of polyene agents with triazoles or candins remains in open debate.     

Ofiuroideos de los archipielagos de Chiloe y los Chonos

In marine faunistical prospections made in the Chiloé and Chonos inlets between 1970 and 1973, five ophiuroid species were collected: Gorgonocephalus chilensis (Philippi, 1858),Astrotoma agassizii Lyman, 1875; Ophiomyxa vivipara Studer, 1876; Ophiophragmus chilensis (Müller and Troschel, 1843) and Ophiactis asperula (Philippi, 1858). Morphometric data about the specimens as well as the geographical distribution of the species are given. With the purpose of contributing to the zoogeographical knowledge of this area of the Chilean littoral, an analysis of the geographical distribution of all species mentioned for this region is done.     

Incidencia de levaduras aisladas de boca y cepillo de dientes en Venezuela

117 yeast strains from the mouth, and 69 from toothbrushes of 229 patients from the Hospital Universitario of Caracas (Venezuela) were studied. Candida albicans was found to be the most frequent yeast in both materials with 56.4%, and 52.1% in the mouth and toothbrushes, respectively. C. tropicalis with 16.2%, and C. parapsilosis with 7.6% followed C. albicans in the mouth. In the toothbrushes C. parapsilosis with 11.5%, and C. tropicalis with 6.0% followed C. albicans. The incidence of other yeasts was not significative. Torulopsis glabrata was not found in the material studied.     

Enfermedad de Alzheimer y calidad de vida del cuidador informal

Background

Along with an ageing population, a higher incidence of chronic diseases leads to increasingly complex health profiles. The relationship between survival, dependence, and social and demographic trends affecting caregiving, has led to an increase in the negative consequences associated with care provision. In this context, an assessment needs to be made on the impact that caregiving has on the well-being of the caregivers. The main aim of this article is to study the factors that determine the Quality of Life (QoL) of those who provide informal care to people suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Investigacion de levaduras en vulva y vagina

Resumen Se estudiaron 200 mujeres de primera consulta, sin tratamiento, que asistieron a la consulta externa de Ginecología del Hospital Universitario de Caracas, con el objeto de investigar la presencia de levaduras en vulva y vagina.Se tomaron 4 muestras de cada paciente: 2 de vulva y 2 del fondo de saco vaginal. Una muestra de vulva y una de vagina se destinaron al exámen directo (en fresco y con NaoH + tinta Parker Super Quink) y las otras muestras de vulva y vagina se utilizaron para cultivo en bilis-agar y lactritmel.Se encontraron 71 casos positivos especificados así:Trichomonas vaginalis, 38 (19 %);Candida albicans, 21 (10.5 %);Candida parapsilosis, 6 (3 %);Candida tropicalis, 5 (2.5 %);Torulopsis (holmii 2,candida 1) = 3 (1.5 %);Saccharomyces delbrueckii, 2 (1 %);Debaryomyces hansenii, 1 (0.5 %);Candida tenuis, 1 (0.5 %).Para el diagnóstico de la candidiasis y/o tricomoniasis vulvovaginal las manifestaciones clínicas no tienen ningún valor. El exámen directo, cuando es positivo, con presencia de filamentos y blastosporos, confirma el diagnóstico de candidiasis; pero su negatividad no excluye la presencia deCandida albicans como habitante de la vulvovagina en mujeres aparentemente normales.Los autores recomiendan la toma de la muestra des de la vulva para la investigación deCandida albicans, lo que facilita el exámen por no hacerse necesario el uso delspeculum; en cambio, paraTrichomonas vaginalis recomiendan la toma de la muestra desde el fondo de saco vaginal.El medio bilis-agar es el más apropiado para la rápida identificación deCandida albicans en el cultivo naciente, ya que en él se forman las clamidosporas en 24–48 horas.

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The cases of 200 women, without treatment, who attended the first gynecological external consultation at the Hospital Universitario, Caracas, Venezuela, were studied for the purpose of investigating the presence of yeast — like fungi in the vulva and in the vagina.Four samples were taken from each patient: two from the vulva and two from the posterior fornix. One sample each from the vulva and from the vagina were used, in direct examination, under microscope with NaOH + Parker/Super Quink ink; the remaining vulva and vagina samples were utilized in bilis-agar and lactritmel cultivation.71 positives cases were found, specified as follows:Trichomonas vaginalis, 38 (19 %);Candida albicans, 21 (10.5 %);Candida parapsilosis, 6 (3 %);Candida tropicalis, 5 (2.5 %);Torulopsis (holmii 2,candida 1) = 3 (1.5 %);Saccharomyces delbrueckii, 2 (1 %);Debaryomyces hansenii, 1 (0.5 %);Candida tenuis, 1 (0.5 %).In the diagnosis of vulvo-vaginal candidiasis and/or trichomoniasis the clinical signs have no significance. The direct examination, when positive, with presence of mycelium and blastospores confirms the diagnosis of candidiasis. However, if negative, it does not exclude the presence ofCandida albicans as habitant of the vulvo-vagina among apparently normal women.The authors recommended the taking of samples from the vulva for the purpose of investigation ofCandida albicans, which would facilitate the examination, inasmuch as it would be unnecessary to use the speculum. On the other hand, in the examination ofTrichomonas vaginalis the taking of samples from the posterior fornix is recommended.The bilis-agar medium is the most appropriate for the rapid identification ofCandida albicans from original cultures, as clamydospores are becoming present in 24 to 48 hours.

     

Frecuencia de envejecimiento exitoso y fragilidad. Factores de riesgo asociados

Objective

To determine the frequency of successful aging (SA) and its relationship with frailty in an elderly population.

Valores de referencia y estudio de la variabilidad de hormonas tiroideas en gestantes de El Bierzo

Background and objectivesEl Bierzo area is characterized by low urinary iodine levels in the pregnant population. Guidelines recommend that local reference values are established for the diagnosis of thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy. Our objectives were to establish reference values for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) in women in the first trimester of pregnancy and to explore the factors influencing variability in these hormones.Patients and methodsA retrospective study of 412 women in the first trimester of pregnancy who were measured serum levels of TSH, FT4, and FT3; 163 women with conditions with a potential influence on thyroid function were excluded. Thirty smoking pregnant women were also excluded from the study of reference values. Factors examined in the variability study included age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking. A multifactorial analysis of covariance was performed.ResultsReference values in first-trimester pregnant women were: TSH: 0.497-3.595 mIU/L; FT4: 0.90–1.42 ng/dL; FT3: 2.49–3.56 pg/mL. TSH levels depended on mother age and on interaction between age and smoking. FT3 levels depended on the mother's BMI and smoking, and there was also an interaction between both factors.ConclusionThe reference values found may be used to assess thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women from El Bierzo. TSH and FT3 levels are influenced by age and BMI of the mother and by smoking, in addition to the interaction of these factors.