Avoided emissions and conservation of scrub mangroves: potential for a Blue Carbon project in the Gulf of California, Mexico.

Mangroves are considered ideal ecosystems for Blue Carbon projects. However, because of their short stature, some mangroves ('scrub' mangroves, less than 2 m) do not fulfil the current definition of 'forests', which makes them ineligible for emission reduction programmes such as REDD+. Short stature mangroves can be the dominant form of mangroves in arid and nutrient-poor landscapes, and emissions from their deforestation and degradation could be substantial. Here, we describe a Blue Carbon project in the Gulf of California, Mexico, to illustrate that projects that avoid emissions from deforestation and degradation could provide financial resources to protect mangroves that cannot be included in other emission reduction programmes. The goal of the project is to protect 16 058 ha of mangroves through conservation concessions from the Mexican Federal Government. The cumulative avoided emissions of the project are 2.84 million Mg CO2 over 100 years, valued at $US 426 000 per year (US$15 per Mg CO2 in the California market). The funds could be used for community-based projects that will improve mangrove management, such as surveillance, eradication of invasive species, rehabilitation after tropical storms and environmental education. The strong institutional support, secure financial status, community engagement and clear project boundaries provide favourable conditions to implement this Blue Carbon project. Financial resources from Blue Carbon projects, even in mangroves of short stature, can provide substantial resources to enhance community resilience and mangrove protection.

[Surgical management in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx to the cavernous sinus. Case report]. / Metástasis de carcinoma escamoso de laringe en seno cavernoso. Presentación de un caso.

The spread to the cavernous sinus in laryngeal cancer means the presence of a disseminated disease and short survival. The aim of this paper is to report a case of laryngeal squamous carcinoma of the larynx. A search was conducted in the databases of Medline and SciELO DOYMA using the words "cavernous sinus metastasis". We found 10 published cases of laryngeal squamous carcinoma with metastasis to the cavernous sinus. The average survival of the 10 cases reported in the literature was 4.1 months; in our case it was 9 months. Patients who received radiotherapy improved symptomatically. In some cases the diagnosis was confirmed only after necropsy. In this type of lesions, surgery is used for diagnosis rather than as a therapeutic tool.

[Familial presentation of multiple scalp tumors]. / Tumoraciones múltiples en cuero cabelludo de presentación familiar.

A 74-year-old woman was referred for evaluation and treatment of a tumor measuring 3 x 2 cm in the left preauricular region that has been progressively growing in the past years. Physical examination revealed an hemispheric and firm tumor with reddish coloration and telangiectases. The patient has been using a wig during the past 15 years to cover the scalp lesions. The patient underwent complete surgical excision of the scalp and the defect was reconstructed with partial-thickness grafts. Given the long-standing evolution and extension of the tumors involving the scalp and face we suspected a familial cylindromatosis syndrome therefore, we revised her six children observing scalp tumors in two daughters. The tumors were excised and the histological findings confirmed the diagnosis of cylindromas.

Localization of KCNQ5 in the normal and epileptic human temporal neocortex and hippocampal formation.

The KCNQ family of voltage-dependent non-inactivating K+ channels is composed of five members, four of which (KCNQ2-5) are expressed in the CNS and are responsible for the M-current. Mutations in either KCNQ2 or KCNQ3 lead to a hereditary form of dominant generalized epilepsy. Using specific antisera to the KCNQ2, KCNQ3 and KCNQ5 subunits, we found that KCNQ3 co-immunoprecipitated with KCNQ2 and KCNQ5 subunits, but no association was detected between KCNQ2 and KCNQ5. Intense KCNQ5 immunoreactivity was found to be widely distributed throughout the temporal neocortex and the hippocampal formation. In these structures, both pyramidal and non-pyramidal neurons and a population of glial cells in the white matter expressed the KCNQ5 subunit. In the sclerotic areas of the CA fields of epileptic patients, a marked loss of KCNQ5 immunoreactive pyramidal neurons was found in relation with the loss of neurons in these regions. However, in the regions adjacent to the sclerotic areas, the distribution and intensity of KCNQ5 immunostaining was apparently normal. The widespread distribution of KCNQ5 subunits, its persistence in pharmacoresistant epilepsy, along with the significant role of the M-current in the control of neuronal excitability, makes this protein a possible target for the development of anticonvulsant drugs.

Incisión transuretral de la próstata: una alternativa de tratamiento de la hiperplasia prostática obstructiva / Trans-urethral incisión of the prostate: an alternative for treatment of obstructive prostatic hyperplasia

La hiperplasia prostática benigna (HPB) es un problema común en el varón senil. La HPB es el crecimiento prostático estromal-glandular en varones con un efecto testicular hormonal asociado con la edad y que produce obstrución urinaria conocida como prostatismo. 50 por ciento de varones con evidencia histológica de HPB evolucionarán a una obstrucción clínica y 25 por ciento tendrá que recibir algún tipo de tratamiento para sus síntomas. Este estudio valoró hombres con prostatismo asociado a HPB con un bajo volumen de zona transicional (ZT), y la utilidad de la incisión transuretral de próstata (ITUP), al compararse con varones en vigilancia y otros que recibieron tratamiento con bloqueadores alfa. Material y métodos. Doce hombres fueron sometidos a ITUP después de evaluación con la puntuación de la AUA, índice de calidad de vida y tasa de flujo máximo y se compararon los resultados con 10 pacientes que recibieron bloqueadores alfa y otro grupo de 10 pacientes que se vigilaron en un tiempo de 24 semanas, cada grupo con una ZT prostática de 15 cc o menor. Resultados. Los pacientes sometidos a ITUP obtuvieron los beneficios de esta modalidad incrementando la tasa de flujo máximo 4.93 ml/s, los pacientes con bloqueadores alfa incrementaron 4.36 ml/s, y los pacientes vigilados sólo incrementaron 1.8 ml/s, la puntuación de la AUA disminuyó 10.4 puntos en los pacientes sometidos a ITUP, en los pacientes con bloqueadores alfa disminuyó 3.8 puntos y en los pacientes vigilados se incrementó 1.5, el índice de calidad de vida disminuyó 2.5 puntos en los pacientes sometidos a ITUP, 1.6 en los que recibieron bloqueadores alfa y 0.2 en los pacientes vigilados. Conclusiones. La ITUP es una excelente alternativa de tratamiento de la BPB con bajo volumen de ZT (< de 15 cc), con buenos resultados a mediano plazo valorando lo anterior con la puntuación de síntomas de la AUA, índice de calidad de vida y tasa de flujo máximo

[The debridement of submandibular abscesses under locoregional block]. / Desbridación de abscesos submandibulares bajo bloqueo locoregional.

The efficiency of analgesic block of the inferior alveolar, auriculotemporal, lingual, buccal and superficial cervical plexus in patients requires debridement of unilateral submandibular abscess has been investigated. The technique was significantly more useful (p < 0.001) when compared with other analgesic block techniques utilized in these cases. This treatment can be performed in any medical office with minimal resources and be of use as an alternative for general anesthesia.

Epidemiological appraisal of the active role of women in the decline of infant mortality in Spain during the twentieth century.

This paper is concerned with the question of the role which the psycho-cultural development experienced by women in developed countries throughout this century may have played in the decline of infant mortality, taking in Spain between 1900 and 1979 as a basis for observation. We think that, by studying the psycho-cultural development of women, included under the general concept of standard of living, we can take a step forward in explaining such a frequently investigated but nonetheless incompletely understood subject as is that of the marked decline of infant mortality which has taken place in this century in developed countries in general, and in Spain in particular. To this effect, we have attempted to demonstrate the need to consider socio-cultural factors, in addition to the already repeatedly studied economic and biomedical ones; the more so when we take into account the marked decline in infant mortality which occurred in Spain in the 1940s, in which period there was a pronounced stagnation in the economy. To this purpose, we have studied fertility, not only as a gauge of the biological risks which generate a certain reproductive pattern for infant mortality, but also as an indicator of the socio-cultural development of women. Similarly, and through a review of historical documents, we have analysed the role of women in birth control, their incorporation into more qualified jobs, their level of education, their growing awareness of their own situation in society, as well as pertinent legislative changes. All these processes affect the health of children through factors which, although they are very difficult to evaluate and quantify, have previously been described and examined in other studies. Our study has shown the probable relationship between the decline of fertility and the decrease of infant mortality, in view of the fact that there has been a pronounced decrease of parity and fertility in women belonging to the oldest fertile age groups. Similarly, the indications pointed out with respect to the processes mentioned above lead us to infer that in Spain the woman has played a significant role in the decline of infant mortality produced in this century, and especially in the first half of the century. We have embarked on a scantily developed line of investigation, and suggest the need for new studies on the subject.

[Mortality in Spain. I. Infant mortality in Spain 1900-1976. Regional evaluation]. / La mortalidad en España, I. La mortalidad infantil en España 1900-1976. Valoración regional.

PIP: The overall incidence and evolution of infant mortality in Spain in the present century is assessed as a reflection of health and economic progress in the various regions and as a guide for future provision of health and social services for infants. Mortality on the 1st day of life is only included starting in 1932. In 1900 there were 128,395 deaths in the 1st year, of which 70,264 occurred in males and 58,131 in females. In 1976 there were a total of 11,590 deaths, of which 6735 were to males and 4855 to females. Rates declined from 213.29/1000 live births for males and 194.69/1000 live births for females in 1900 to 19.29 for males and 14.79 for females in 1976, a decline of 91% for males and 92% for females. Quinquennial rates declined continuously except in 1918, when an influenza outbreak occurred, and in 1937-41, during the Spanish civil war and immediate postwar period. The regions with the highest percentage decline in male infant mortality from 1900-76 were Aragon, Extremadura, Madrid, and Castilla-La Mancha, while Galicia had the smallest decline. Madrid, Castilla-La Mancha, and Navarra had the greatest decline for females, while Baleares and Galicia had the smallest declines. 3 factors in the greater than average declines in Aragon, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha were probably their very high rates of infant mortality at the outset, their urbanization experience, and the considerable emigration from each. Galicia had a lower infant mortality rate at the outset and is still predominantly rural. The decline in fertility has not been as pronounced over the century as the decline in infant mortality.^ieng