We conclude that the most parsimonious scenario for

establishment of pythons in Florida involves the release of a relatively small number of founders prior to 1985. Our results demonstrate that for pythons and other species with low inherent detection probabilities, early action during incipient phases of an invasion is critical and understanding likely introduction scenarios is important for preventing similar situations from occurring elsewhere or with other species.”
“Two new Antillean endemic species, Piper abajoense from Puerto Rico, and Piper claseanum from the Dominican Republic, are described and illustrated. The former species resembles the widely distributed Piper hispidum, including the somewhat scabrous leaf surfaces, typically asymmetric Elafibranor clinical trial leaf bases, PLX4032 molecular weight and the bracts, flowers, and fruits forming distinct bands around the spike, but is distinguished by the combination of glabrous and stylose fruits (vs. densely puberulent and estylose), laterally (vs. apically) dehiscent anthers, and shorter spikes. The latter species resembles Piper samanense, another endemic species from the Dominican

Republic, in vegetative morphology, including the leathery leaves with pellucid dots visible below when dry, but differs in its long-pedicellate flowers and fruits (vs. sessile or pseudo-pedicellate), puberulent rachis and pedicels (vs. densely white-pubescent), and puberulent vs. pubescent fruits. A phylogeny based on the nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) and chloroplast intron psbJ-petA indicates proper placement of these two new species within clades Radula and Enckea, respectively. Two keys are provided, one to all species of Piper from Puerto Rico, the other to the palmate-veined species from the Dominican Republic.”
“BACKGROUND: Flat inferior vena cava (IVC) has been associated with shock and mortality in young trauma patients (age smaller than 55 years). Because of the greater possibility of nonhypovolemic shock in the elderly, we hypothesized that there would be no correlation between IVC ratio and the presence of shock. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective

cohort study of all severely injured (Injury Severity Score [ISS] bigger than = Nutlin-3 inhibitor 15), blunt trauma patients 55 years or older from April 2006 to April 2011. Only patients undergoing axial imaging of the IVC within 1 hour of arrival were considered. Anteroposterior and transverse diameter of the IVC were measured 2.5 mm above the renal veins. Transverse-to-anteroposterior IVC ratios of 2, 3, and 4 were analyzed. Hemodynamic (heart rate, blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, shock index, and adjusted shock index [ASI]) and laboratory (hemoglobin, HCO3, base excess) markers of shock were reviewed. Correlation among shock markers, IVC ratio, and death was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression. Relationship between shock and IVC ratio was analyzed using logistic regression and chi(2) where appropriate.