Rollers smell the fear of nestlings.

Many animals react to danger by producing chemical cues that can be smelled by others, which is called the smell of fear. Some bird species produce chemical compounds when threatened, such as nestlings of the Eurasian roller Coracias garrulus that vomit an odorous orange liquid when scared in their nests. Here, we experimentally explore the possibility that parents were informed about recent predation attempts at their nests through the olfaction of this vomit. Parents of nests treated with nestling vomit delayed their entrance to nests and decreased their provisioning rate in comparison with parents of nests treated with an odorous control. These results demonstrate that adult rollers are able to smell the fear of offspring and show for the first time in birds that a scent produced during an interspecific challenge has a role in an intraspecific communication scenario.

Prevalence and intensity of haemogregarine blood parasites and their mite vectors in the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis.

We describe the general field population biology of haemogregarines and mites in the wall lizard, Podarcis muralis, examining the factors that determine the prevalence and intensity of infection. The intensity of infection by haemogregarines in females was slightly lower in summer than in spring, whereas males maintained similar levels of intensity among all the seasons, probably due to immunosuppressive effects of testosterone. This is also supported because the prevalence and the infection intensity by mites were higher in males than in females. Parasite load was higher in lizards with better body condition, which could be reflecting the mortality of infected lizards with poor condition.

Prevalence and intensity of blood and intestinal parasites in a field population of a Mediterranean lizard, Lacerta lepida.

We describe the blood and intestinal parasites in the Ocellated lizard, Lacerta lepida, examining the factors that determine the prevalence and intensity of infection of haemogregarines, and the prevalence of coccidia and nematodes. In relation to haemogregarines, no juveniles were detected as being infected, whereas 71.7 % of adults were infected. The prevalence of infection was positively related to the size of the adults. There were no differences between seasons or sexes in the prevalence or intensity of infection in adults. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of infection by nematodes between ages or sexes, nor in relation to the size of adult lizards, but adult lizards excreting coccidian oocysts tend to be smaller. During the mating period, reproductive activities lead to a decrease in the body condition. However, neither the intensity of haemogregarine's infection nor the prevalence of intestinal parasites was related to the lizards' body condition.

Prevalence and intensity of haemogregarinid blood parasites in a population of the Iberian rock lizard, Lacerta monticola.

The study of the effect of parasites on their host populations is essential for understanding their role in host population dynamics and ecology. We describe the general field population biology of haemogregarines in the Iberian rock lizard, Lacerta monticola, examining the factors that determine the prevalence and intensity of infection. Prevalence and infection intensity were higher in adults than in juvenile lizards. The prevalence rate was higher in larger lizards, probably because they were also older and had been more often in contact with parasites during their lifetime. During the mating season, the intensity of parasite infection was greater in males than in females, probably due to immunosuppressive effects of testosterone. The parasite load had a negative effect on the body condition during the reproductive season. The results suggest that the interactions between parasites and hosts are not stable in this lizard population.

[A comparison of the clinical and angiographic evolution of diabetic and nondiabetic patients treated by conventional angioplasty versus stent implantation in native coronary arteries]. / Comparación de la evolución clínica y angiográfica de pacientes diabéticos y no diabéticos tratados con angioplastia convencional frente a implantación de stent en arterias coronarias nativas.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Diabetic patients have a high restenosis risk after balloon coronary angioplasty. Stent implantation in these patients appears to be a potential beneficial therapeutic option. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and angiographic outcome of diabetic patients vs non-diabetic patients, treated with conventional angioplasty vs stent implantation in lesions located in native coronary arteries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 302 patients (58 diabetics and 244 non-diabetics) underwent a coronary angioplasty of one vessel in native coronary arteries with initial success and after at least six months clinical and angiographic follow-up were included in the study. Of the total number of patients, 100 were treated with conventional balloon angioplasty and 202 with stent implantation. Major adverse clinical events and angiographic restenosis rate were evaluated at follow-up. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 65 years and 74% were male. Angiographic restenosis rate was similar in diabetic vs non-diabetic patients with stent implantation (24% vs 23% respectively). Nevertheless, diabetic patients treated with balloon angioplasty compared to diabetic patients treated with stenting, evolved with a higher restenosis rate (64% vs 24%; p < 0.05), and at the end of follow-up diabetics had need a higher rate of target vessel revascularization (40% vs 24%; p < 0.05), a lower major event free survival (56% vs 70%; p < 0.05) and worse symptomatic status (72% vs 36%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients treated with conventional one vessel coronary balloon angioplasty evolved with a high restenosis rate and a bad mid-term clinical outcome. Stent implantation was able reduce to the restenosis rate and improve the mid-term clinical outcome, in a comparable population of diabetic patients.

[The predictive factors of intra-stent restenosis]. / Factores predictores de reestenosis intra-stent.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Stenting has contributed to improve the early angiographic result, the restenosis rate and the problem of acute and subacute coronary occlusion. In spite of this, the restenosis phenomenon still remains a problem to be completely solved. The aim of the study was to identify clinical, angiographical and procedural factors that are predictive of in-stent restenosis after successful implantation of coronary stent. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 202 lesions, in 176 consecutive patients who underwent stent implantation with success in our hospital between January 1995 and August 1998. All patients had a clinical follow-up and an angiography after six months of stent implantation. RESULTS: From 202 lesions evaluated, 47 evolved with restenosis (23%). The only independent predictive variables were: to be receiving hypolipemiant treatment before stenting (OR: 0.3; IC: 0.1-0.8), the use of high pressure for stent implantation (OR: 0.4; IC: 0.2-0.9), to implant stent in < 3.1 mm (OR: 2.2; IC: 1.1-4.5) and to have a residual stenosis > 30% after stenting (OR: 13; IC: 1.5-120). CONCLUSIONS: The only statistical variables associated with in-stent restenosis phenomenon were: be under hypolipemiant treatment before the procedure and the use of high pressures for stent implantation; while risk factors arose: to implant stent in vessels < 3.1 mm and suboptimal angiography result after stenting.

Diseases associated with asbestos in Spain.

In Spain, imported asbestos of all types is processed into fibre-cement and textile and friction materials, involving about 9000 workers. The author describes his studies in a small textile firm in Bilbao manufacturing textile and cardboard asbestos products from chrysotile and, until 1970, crocidolite. No mesotheliomas were found, but asbestosis, bronchial cancer and pleural changes were seen. Other studies carried out in Spain are described also.