Methyl acetate, a highly volatile floral semiochemical mediating specialized plant-beetle interactions.

Olfactory signaling is key to the reproductive biology of entomophilous palms. Both pollinating and specialized herbivorous insects are attracted to fragrance-emitting palm inflorescences that function as reliable food sources, as well as mating and oviposition sites. In the present study, we characterized the floral scent chemistry of the acuri palm (Attalea phalerata), assessing its role in the attraction of flower-visiting insects associated with this species over its natural distribution range. We sampled insects from staminate inflorescences of A. phalerata (n = 6) at four different sites in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest and Cerrado, and Colombian Amazon basin. Dynamic headspace scent samples of both pistillate and staminate inflorescences of A. phalerata (n = 3♀, 3♂) were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Methyl acetate, a rare floral scent compound, was identified as the almost exclusive constituent (> 99.8% relative percentage) in all the samples. Flight-interception traps baited with methyl acetate, installed in one of the sites in the Brazilian Cerrado, were attractive to beetles associated with inflorescences of A. phalerata across all four sampling sites (9 spp. in total), including the putative main pollinators (Mystrops spp., Nitidulidae; Andranthobius spp., Curculionidae) and various palm borers (Paratenthras martinsi, Cerambycidae; Parisoschoenus sp.1 and Belopoeus sp.1; Curculionidae). Methyl acetate is highly volatile and we hypothesize its efficacy relies on profuse emission by the inflorescences of A. phalerata, as specialized pollinating insects respond to high concentrations of the attractant, perhaps before odor plumes rapidly disperse. Such a strategy could prove particularly effective in dense populations of A. phalerata.

[Concordance between thick blood smear, immunochromatography and polymerase chain reaction for malaria diagnosis]. / Concordancia entre gota gruesa, inmunocromatografía y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para el diagnóstico de malaria.

INTRODUCTION: The rapid and effective diagnosis of malaria is the determining condition for an appropriate treatment and control of the disease. OBJECTIVE: The sensitivity, specificity and the positive and negative predictive values were evaluated in cases of suspected malaria in Colombia in a comparison of a rapid diagnostic test. the PCR test and the thick blood smear-the traditional gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 100 patients with symptoms compatible with malaria, were included in the study. They were selected from the following Colombian regions: Urabá, Córdoba, lower Cauca, and relatively fewer from other malaria endemic areas of Colombia including the provinces of Valle, Chocó in the central west of Colombia and Vichada to the east. To each patient the following three tests were performed: the rapid OptiMAL test, the PCR identification and the thick blood smear. The PCR amplified specific DNA sequences with primers designed to identify the genus Plasmodium, and the two species present in Colombia, P. falciparum and P. vivax. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the rapid test versus the thick smear, for the diagnosis of both species of Plasmodium was 93.9% (95% CI: 87-100%) and the specificity was 94.3% (95% CI:.253 85-100%). The PCR compared with the thick smear showed a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 99-100%) and a specificity of 97.1% (95% CI: 90-100%). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity and specificity of the three tests did not present statistically significant differences. However, the thick blood smear was recommended as the standard test, mainly due to its low cost.

[Serum activity of CK and CK-MB in patients with dengue virus infection]. / Actividad en suero de CK y CK-MB en pacientes con infección por el virus dengue.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the serum activity of CK and CK-MB in patients with dengue infection. METHODS: A cross section study was conducted in the State of Antioquia, Colombia. The study population consisted in 54 patients with diagnosis of dengue infection and 10 healthy controls. A blood sample was taken from all participants to confirm dengue infection and to measure the activity of CK and CK-MB. RESULTS: The median age of dengue cases was 18 years and the median age of healthy controls was 28.5 years. Half of dengue patients (50.9 %) had elevated levels of CK-MB, in contrast with the healthy controls in which none presented increase of this enzyme. No patient presented myocarditis; however, elevated CK-MB was observed in 33.3 %, 44.4 % and 40 % of cases with bradycardia, tachycardia and hypotension respectively. In 29.6 % of the dengue patients, high level of CK was detected, in contrast to 10 % in the control group. Activity of CK elevated was observed in dengue patients with symptoms such as vomiting, hematemesis and abdominal pain, 87.5 %, 60 % and 50 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, no patient with dengue infection had heart disease or myositis; however, the finding of a higher frequency of elevated level CK and CK-MB in the dengue patients compared to the control group suggests the involvement of the striated muscle and of the cardiac muscle in this group. For this reason, the monitoring of these enzymes should be considered as part of the monitoring of patients with dengue.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la actividad en suero de CK y CK-MB en pacientes con dengue. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de corte en el Departamento de Antioquia. La población de estudio estuvo constituida por 54 pacientes con diagnóstico de dengue y por 10 controles sanos. A todos los participantes se les tomó muestra de suero para confirmar la infección por dengue y para hacer la medición de la actividad de CK y CK-MB. RESULTADOS: La mediana de la edad de los casos de dengue fue 18 años y la de los controles fue 28,5 años. La mitad de los pacientes con dengue (50,9 %) y ninguno del grupo control presentaron CK-MB elevada. Ningún paciente presentó miocarditis, sin embargo, se observó CK-MB elevada en 33,3 %, 44,4 % y 40 % de los casos con bradicardia, taquicardia e hipotensión respectivamente. En 29,6 % de los pacientes con dengue se detectó CK elevada, en contraste con 10 % en el grupo control. Se observó actividad de CK en pacientes con dengue con presencia de síntomas como vómito, hematemesis y dolor abdominal, 87,5 %, 60 % y 50 % respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: En este estudio ningún paciente con dengue presentó cardiopatía o miositis, sin embargo, el hecho de encontrar mayor frecuencia de CK y CK-MB elevadas en los pacientes con dengue con respecto al grupo control, sugiere compromiso del músculo estriado y cardíaco en este grupo. Por esta razón sería pertinente el monitoreo de estas enzimas en pacientes con dengue como parte de la evolución de la enfermedad.

Contribution to the taxonomy of the family Membracidae Rafinesque (Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha) in Colombia.

The Membracidae are a relatively diverse group with nearly 400 genera and 3200 species. For Colombia 93 genera and 394 species were previously known. Study of the literature and 3744 specimens deposited in ten colections in Colombia, as well as non-systematic collections and field observations done in Colombia between 2011 and 2014, led us to record 116 genera and 474 species grouped in 9 subfamilies and 23 tribes, distributed in 24 departments. Thirteen genera were new country records. In addition, 1449 records of host plants and 262 records of associated Hymenoptera were obtained from literature, the examined collections and new, non-systematic field trips. For each genus a differential diagnosis is presented, as well as notes on biology, distribution and some taxonomic comments. Illustrated keys for the genera of Colombian Membracidae and known distributional maps are given. After examination of several Anobilia species, we propose the new combinations Stilbophora flava (Tode, 1966) n. comb., Stilbophora luteimaculata (Funkhouser, 1914) n. comb., Stilbophora sagitatta (Tode, 1966) n. comb., Stilbophora silvana (Tode, 1966) n. comb., Stilbophora tripartita (Fairmaire, 1846) n. comb., and Stilbophora variabilis (Tode, 1966) n. comb. The male of Sakakibarella sinuosa Creão-Duarte is described.

Actividad en suero de CK y CK-MB en pacientes con infección por el virus dengue / Serum activity of CK and CK-MB in patients with dengue virus infection

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar la actividad en suero de CK y CK-MB en pacientes con dengue. Métodos Se realizó un estudio de corte en el Departamento de Antioquia. La población de estudio estuvo constituida por 54 pacientes con diagnóstico de dengue y por 10 controles sanos. A todos los participantes se les tomó muestra de suero para confirmar la infección por dengue y para hacer la medición de la actividad de CK y CK-MB. Resultados La mediana de la edad de los casos de dengue fue 18 años y la de los controles fue 28,5 años. La mitad de los pacientes con dengue (50,9 %) y ninguno del grupo control presentaron CK-MB elevada. Ningún paciente presentó miocarditis, sin embargo, se observó CK-MB elevada en 33,3 %, 44,4 % y 40 % de los casos con bradicardia, taquicardia e hipotensión respectivamente. En 29,6 % de los pacientes con dengue se detectó CK elevada, en contraste con 10 % en el grupo control. Se observó actividad de CK en pacientes con dengue con presencia de síntomas como vómito, hematemesis y dolor abdominal, 87,5 %, 60 % y 50 % respectivamente. Conclusiones En este estudio ningún paciente con dengue presentó cardiopatía o miositis, sin embargo, el hecho de encontrar mayor frecuencia de CK y CK-MB elevadas en los pacientes con dengue con respecto al grupo control, sugiere compromiso del músculo estriado y cardíaco en este grupo. Por esta razón sería pertinente el monitoreo de estas enzimas en pacientes con dengue como parte de la evolución de la enfermedad.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To determine the serum activity of CK and CK-MB in patients with dengue infection. Methods A cross section study was conducted in the State of Antioquia, Colombia. The study population consisted in 54 patients with diagnosis of dengue infection and 10 healthy controls. A blood sample was taken from all participants to confirm dengue infection and to measure the activity of CK and CK-MB. Results The median age of dengue cases was 18 years and the median age of healthy controls was 28.5 years. Half of dengue patients (50.9 %) had elevated levels of CK-MB, in contrast with the healthy controls in which none presented increase of this enzyme. No patient presented myocarditis; however, elevated CK-MB was observed in 33.3 %, 44.4 % and 40 % of cases with bradycardia, tachycardia and hypotension respectively. In 29.6 % of the dengue patients, high level of CK was detected, in contrast to 10 % in the control group. Activity of CK elevated was observed in dengue patients with symptoms such as vomiting, hematemesis and abdominal pain, 87.5 %, 60 % and 50 %, respectively. Conclusions In this study, no patient with dengue infection had heart disease or myositis; however, the finding of a higher frequency of elevated level CK and CK-MB in the dengue patients compared to the control group suggests the involvement of the striated muscle and of the cardiac muscle in this group. For this reason, the monitoring of these enzymes should be considered as part of the monitoring of patients with dengue.(AU)

Concordancia entre gota gruesa, inmunocromatografía y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa para el diagnóstico de malaria / Concordance between thick blood smear, immunochromatography and polymerase chain reaction for malaria diagnosis

Introducción. El diagnóstico oportuno y efectivo de la malaria son condiciones determinantes para hacer un tratamiento adecuado de la enfermedad y uncontrol de la misma. Objetivo. Se evaluó la concordancia de la sensibilidad, especificad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo de una prueba rápida y de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR), con la prueba estándar, la gota gruesa, para el diagnóstico de la malaria. Materiales y métodos. Se analizó una población de 100 pacientes con signos y síntomas compatibles con malaria, procedentes de las zonas de Urabá, Córdoba, Bajo Cauca, y de otras regiones de Colombia como el Valle, Chocó y Vichada, todas áreas endémicas de alaria. A cada paciente se le practicó una gota gruesa, la prueba rápida OptiMAL® y la amplificación a través de una PCR de secuencias de ADN especificas para género Plasmodium, P. falciparum y P. vivax. Resultados. La sensibilidad de la prueba rápida frente a la gota gruesa, para el diagnóstico de ambas especies de Plasmodium fue de 93,85por ciento (IC 95 por ciento: 87,23- 100) y la especificidad de 94,29 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento:85,17-100). La PCR comparada con la gota gruesa mostró una sensibilidad de 100 por ciento (IC 95por ciento: 99,23-100) y una especificidad de 97,14 por ciento(IC 95 por ciento: 90,19-100). Conclusiones. Estos hallazgos muestran que la sensibilidad y especificidad de la prueba rápida y la PCR para el diagnóstico de la malaria son comparables con el examen al microscopio de la gota gruesa recomendada por su eficacia y bajo costo.