First record of Urotheca dumerilli (Bibron, 1840) (Squamata: Dipsadidae) in Cauca state, Colombia and notes on natural history

Urotheca dumerilli has been rediscovered after 44 years through a single specimen collected at sector El Cóndor, Parque Nacional Natural Munchique, municipality of El Tambo, Cauca State, Colombia. Herein we present the coloration in life and description of fully everted hemipenis of the species for first time, with notes on geographical distribution and natural history

Mortality of snakes on the road El valle de Toledo-Toledo, Antioquia, Colombia

Mortality of snakes caused by vehicular traffic in a segment of 17 km of the road between El Valle de Toledo and the municipality of Toledo, department of Antioquia, Colombia was determined through four months of continuous sampling between 1 October 2018 and 31 January 2019. Eighteen individuals corresponding to 14 species and three families were registered, Colubridae being the most representative (12 spp.), and Mastigodryas pleei and Leptophis ahaetulla the most run over species. Roadkill rate was 0.0043 individuals/km, which is relatively low when compared to those obtained in other related studies. 50% of the records occurred in the month of January, the time of least rainfall in the study area. Finally, these results show a small part of the vehicular affectation on this group of fauna, which could have a greater impact in the future according to the development of road infrastructure in this region, for which some strategies to mitigate the negative effects on wildlife are proposed.A través de 4 meses de muestreo continúo comprendidos entre el 1 octubre de 2018 y 31 de enero de 2019, se determinó la mortalidad de serpientes causada por el tránsito vehicular en un segmento de 17 km de la vía entre El Valle de Toledo y el municipio de Toledo, departamento de Antioquia, Colombia. Se registraron 18 individuos correspondientes a 14 especies y tres familias, siendo Colubridae la más representativa (12 spp.), y Mastigodryas pleei y Leptophis ahaetulla las especies más atropelladas. Se obtuvo una tasa de atropellamiento (TA) de 0.0043 individuos/km, la cual es relativamente baja al compararla con las obtenidas en otros estudios relacionados. El 50% de los registros ocurrieron en el mes de enero, época de menor precipitación en la zona de estudio. Finalmente, estos resultados muestran una pequeña parte de la afectación vehicular sobre este grupo de fauna, que podría tener mayor impacto hacia el futuro de acuerdo con el desarrollo de la infraestructura vial de la región, para lo cual se proponen algunas estrategias que permitan mitigar los efectos negativos sobre la fauna.Mortality of snakes caused by vehicular traffic in a segment of 17 km of the road between El Valle de Toledo and the municipality of Toledo, department of Antioquia, Colombia was determined through four months of continuous sampling between 1 October 2018 and 31 January 2019. Eighteen individuals corresponding to 14 species and three families were registered, Colubridae being the most representative (12 spp.), and Mastigodryas pleei and Leptophis ahaetulla the most run over species. Roadkill rate was 0.0043 individuals/km, which is relatively low when compared to those obtained in other related studies. 50% of the records occurred in the month of January, the time of least rainfall in the study area. Finally, these results show a small part of the vehicular affectation on this group of fauna, which could have a greater impact in the future according to the development of road infrastructure in this region, for which some strategies to mitigate the negative effects on wildlife are proposed

First record of Tantilla alticola (Boulenger, 1903) (Serpentes: Colubridae) in Cauca state, Colombia, filling distribution gap and notes on natural history

Three specimens of Tantilla alticola were collected from sector El Cóndor, Parque Nacional Natural Munchique, municipality of El Tambo, Cauca state, Colombia representing the first record in this state and filling the species’ geographical distribution through the western slope of the western cordillera of the Colombian Andes

Nuevos registros de longitud y dieta de Micrurus mipartitus (Duméril, Bibron y Duméril, 1854) (Serpentes: Elapidae).

The “red-tailed coral snake” Micrurus mipartitus is distributed in Central and South America, and it is referenced as a thin snake that usually measures between 60–80 cm but registers a maximum length of 120 cm. Regarding its diet, some species of snakes, lizards, amphisbaenians, anurans and caecilians have been documented as its preys on the wild, while captive animals generally refuse to eat voluntarily making it difficult to maintain. Based on two individuals captured in the department of Huila, Colombia, and the process of maintenance in captivity at the Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas of the Universidad del Cauca (CIBUC), we present two new records that increase the known values of the maximum length of M. mipartitus, as well as new components of its diet.La “coral rabo de ají” Micrurus mipartitus se distribuye en Centroamérica y Sudamérica, y es referenciada como una serpiente delgada que usualmente mide entre 60–80 cm pero que registra una longitud máxima de 120 cm. Con respecto a la dieta, se ha documentado que en su hábitat natural se alimenta de algunas especies de serpientes, lagartos, anfisbénidos, anuros y cecilias, mientras que animales en cautiverio generalmente se rehúsan a alimentarse de manera voluntaria haciendo difícil el mantenimiento. Con base en dos individuos capturados en el departamento del Huila, Colombia y del proceso de mantenimiento en cautiverio en el Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas de la Universidad del Cauca (CIBUC), se presentan dos nuevos registros que aumentan los valores conocidos de la longitud máxima de M. mipartitus, así como nuevos componentes de su dieta

Rhinobothryum bovallii (Andersson, 1916) (Serpentes: Colubridae): nuevas localidades para Colombia, descripción hemipeneal y comentarios sobre su historia natural.

We present new locality records of the false coral snake Rhinobothryum bovallii in Colombia, highlighting the first record for the department of Huila, as well as its occurrence in the tropical dry forest ecosystem. Additionally, we provide a complementary description of its hemipeneal structure and present data about biological and ecological aspects.Se presentan nuevas localidades de la serpiente falsa coral Rhinobothryum bovallii en Colombia, dentro de las cuales se destaca el primer registro para el departamento del Huila y su ocurrencia dentro del ecosistema de bosque seco tropical. Adicionalmente, se proporciona una descripción complementaria de su estructura hemipeneal y datos sobre aspectos biológicos y ecológicos

Efecto de una intervención educativa para mejorar la adherencia de los pacientes al tratamiento antibiótico durante la dispensación en una farmacia comunitaria

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention on antibiotic adherence and patient-reported resolution of symptoms. Design: A controlled experimental study with systematic assignment to groups. Setting: A pharmacy in Murcia. Participants were patients who came to the pharmacy with a prescription for antibiotics. Intervention provided information on treatment characteristics (duration, dose and method of use) and correct compliance. A control group received routine care. Main variables “treatment adherence” and “perceived health” were evaluated one week after dispensation by telephone interview. Results: A total of 126 patients completed the study, 62 in the Control Group (CG) and 64 in the Intervention Group (IG). There were no differences between the groups in baseline characteristics, including the level of knowledge before the intervention. At the end of the study, treatment adherence in the CG was 48.4% (CI: 36.4–60.6), compared with 67.2% (CI: 55.0–77.4) in the IG. The difference of 18.8% was statistically significant (p = 0.033; 95% CI = 15.8–34.6). Non-compliance through missing more than one dose was 81.2% in the CG versus 38.1% in the IG, which is a statistically significant difference of 43.1% (p = 0.001; 95% CI = 16.4–63.1%). No significant differences were found in patient-perceived health. Logistic regression showed as predictor of adherence, the medication knowledge and the coincidence between duration of treatment indicated by physician and duration of treatment written in the prescription. Conclusions: An educational intervention during antibiotic dispensation improves treatment adherence versus routine care.Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la intervención educativa en la adherencia al tratamiento con antibióticos y en la evolución de los síntomas referidos por el paciente. Diseño: Estudio experimental controlado con asignación sistemática. Emplazamiento: farmacia comunitaria en Murcia. Participantes: pacientes que acudieron a la farmacia con una receta de antibiótico. Intervención: Aportar información sobre las características del tratamiento (duración, pauta y forma de utilización) y la correcta adherencia. En el grupo Control se procedió a una venta habitual. Mediciones principales: se evaluaron la «adherencia al tratamiento» y la «percepción de salud» a la semana de la dispensación mediante entrevista telefónica. Resultados: Finalizaron el estudio 126 pacientes: 62 en el Grupo Control (GC) y 64 en el Grupo Intervención (GI). No hubo diferencias entre grupos en las características basales, incluido el nivel de conocimientos previo a la intervención. Tras la intervención, la adherencia al tratamiento en el GC fue del 48,4% (IC 95%: 36,4-60,6) frente al 67,2% (IC 95%: 55,0-77,4) del GI, siendo esta diferencia del 18,8% (p = 0,033; IC 95%: 15,8-34,6;). La falta de adherencia fue de más de una toma en el 81,2% GC vs el 38,1% GI, diferencia del 43,1% (p = 0,001; IC 95%: 16,4-63,1%). En la percepción de salud del paciente no se encontraron diferencias. La regresión logística mostró como predictor de adherencia el conocimiento de la medicación y la coincidencia entre la duración del tratamiento indicado por el médico y la duración del envase prescrito en la receta. Conclusiones: Una intervención educativa durante la dispensación del antibiótico mejora la adherencia al tratamiento frente a una atención habitual

MSC therapy ameliorates experimental gouty arthritis hinting an early COX-2 induction

ObjectiveThe specific effect of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Ad-MSC) on acute joint inflammation, where the response mostly depends on innate immunity activation, remains elusive. The pathogenesis of gouty arthritis, characterized by the deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joints, associated to acute flares, has been associated to NLRP3 inflammasome activation and subsequent amplification of the inflammatory response. Our aim was to study the effect of human Ad-MSC administration in the clinical inflammatory response of rabbits after MSU injection, and the molecular mechanisms involved.MethodsAd-MSC were administered by intraarterial route shortly after intraarticular MSU crystal injections. Joint and systemic inflammation was sequentially studied, and the mechanisms involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and the synthesis of inflammatory mediators were assessed in the synovial membranes 72h after insult. Ad-MSC and THP-1-derived macrophages stimulated with MSU were co-cultured in transwell system.ResultsA single systemic dose of Ad-MSC accelerated the resolution of local and systemic inflammatory response. In the synovial membrane, Ad-MSC promoted alternatively M2 macrophage presence, inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and inducing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10 or TGF-β, and decreasing nuclear factor-κB activity. Ad-MSC induced a net anti-inflammatory balance in MSU-stimulated THP-1 cells, with a higher increase in IL-10 and IDO expression than that observed for IL-1β and TNF.ConclusionOur in vivo and in vitro results showed that a single systemic dose of Ad-MSC decrease the intensity and duration of the inflammatory response by an early local COX-2 upregulation and PGE2 release. Ad-MSCs suppressed NF-kB activity, NLRP3 inflammasome, and promoted the presence of M2 alternative macrophages in the synovium. Therefore, this therapeutic approach could be considered as a pharmacological alternative in patients with comorbidities that preclude conventional treatment

Adverse drug reactions to the three doses of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) mRNA-1273 vaccine in a cohort of cancer patients under active treatment of a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines efficacy and safety have been tested in phase 3 studies in which cancer patients were not included or were underrepresented. Methods: The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of the mRNA-1273 vaccine across cancer patients and its relationship to patients’ demographics. We selected from our records all 18-years or older solid cancer patients under active treatment vaccinated with the complete three-dose schedule mRNA-1273 vaccine whose adverse drug reactions (ADRs)  after each dose were recorded. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to collect data between April 19, 2021, and December 31, 2021. Patients with documented previous infection by SARS-Cov-2 were excluded. Results: A total of 93 patients met the inclusion criteria. Local ADRs were reported more frequently after the first and second dose than after the third (41.9%, 43% and 31.1% of the patients respectively), while systemic ADRs followed the opposite pattern (16.1%, 34.4% and 52.6% of the patients respectively). We found a statistically significant association between sex and systemic adverse reactions after the third dose, p < 0.001 and between systemic adverse reactions after the second dose and systemic adverse reactions after the third dose, p = 0.001 A significant linear trend, p = 0.012, with a higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score associated with a lower proportion of patients suffering from systemic side effects was found. Women had 5.79 times higher odds to exhibit systemic ADRs after the third dose (p=0.01) compared to males. Increasing age was associated with a decreased likelihood of exhibiting ADRs (p=0.016). Conclusion: The mRNA-1273 vaccine shows a tolerable safety profile. The likelihood of ADRs appears to be associated with gender and age. Its association with ECOG scores is less evident. Further studies are needed to elucidate this data in cancer patients

La vía JAK/STAT y su inhibición en la patogenia de la artritis reumatoide

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina. Fecha de lectura: 14-12-201