Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus in Mexico in 2020-2021: Risk Areas and Climatic Distribution.

Mexico is home to 14 species of lagomorphs, 6 of which are endemic. Studies on diseases affecting native lagomorphs are scarce, and in most cases, the impact on their populations remains largely unknown. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), especially the RHDV2 variant, causes a serious and extremely contagious disease, resulting in high mortality rates and major declines in wild lagomorph populations. The objectives of this study were to identify disease hotspots and critical biodiversity regions in Mexico through the combined use of disease information and lagomorph distribution maps and to determine the areas of greatest concern. In total, 19 states of Mexico recorded RHDV2 from April 2020 to August 2021, and 12 of them reported the wild species Sylvilagus audubonii, Lepus californicus, and unidentified Leporidae species. The distribution of RHDV2 in Mexico can be closely predicted from climatic variables. RHDV2 hotspots are located in the central-southern area of the Mexican Highlands and the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, where the virus affects multiple species. This knowledge is essential for proposing specific actions to manage and preserve lagomorph populations at risk and address these issues as soon as possible.

New records of ectoparasites for Mexico and their prevalence in the montane shrew Sorex monticolus (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) at Cerro del Mohinora, Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua, Mexico.

The Flora and Fauna Protection Area (Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna-ÁPFF) Cerro del Mohinora, is the highest mountain in northern Mexico, reaching an elevation of 3,300 meters. It constitutes one of the last high-elevation islands of alpine and subalpine vegetation known in the Sierra Madre Occidental, in the extreme southwestern part of Chihuahua. The ÁPFF Cerro del Mohinora is located near the state border and limits with Durango and Sinaloa. This type of ecosystem located at high altitudes is in danger of disappearing since only 1% or less of its original extension remains; it is considered a refuge for species with boreal affinities (McDonald et al. 2011).

Molecular analysis of stomach contents reveals important grass seeds in the winter diet of Baird's and Grasshopper sparrows, two declining grassland bird species.

We analyzed the diet of Baird's Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii) and Grasshopper Sparrow (A. savannarum) in three different sites and sampling periods across the Chihuahuan Desert in northern Mexico. DNA from seeds in regurgitated stomach contents was sequenced using NGS technology and identified with a barcoding approach using the P6 loop of the trnL intron as genetic marker. During each sampling period, we collected random soil samples to estimate seed availability in the soil seed bank. Due to the variability and size of the genetic marker, the resolution was limited to a family level resolution for taxonomic classification of seeds, but in several cases a genus level was achieved. Diets contained a high diversity of seeds but were dominated by a limited number of genera/families. Seeds from Panicoideae (from the genera Panicum, Setaria, Eriochloa, Botriochloa, and Hackelochloa) contributed for the largest part to the diets (53 ± 19%), followed by Bouteloua (10 ± 12%). Depending on the site and sampling period, other important seeds in the diets were Eragrostideae, Pleuraphis, Asteraceae, Verbena, and Amaranthus. The most abundant seeds were not always preferred. Aristida and Chloris were common in the soil seed bank but these seeds were avoided by both bird species. Baird's and Grasshopper sparrows did not differ in seed preferences. This work highlights the importance of range management practices that favor seed production of Panicoideae and Bouteloua grasses to enhance winter habitat use and survival of Baird's and Grasshopper sparrows in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Nematofauna of Rodents of the Families Heteromyidae and Cricetidae from the Mexican Plateau.

As a part of an ongoing project to inventory the helminth parasites of rodents in Mexico, 85 specimens of 2 families of rodents were collected from the Mexican Plateau: Cricetidae ( Neotoma sp., Neotoma leucodon , Onychomys arenicola , Peromyscus sp., Peromyscus eremicus , and Reithrodontomys sp.) and Heteromyidae ( Chaetodipus sp., Chaetodipus eremicus , Chaetodipus hispidus , Dipodomys merriami , Dipodomys ordii , Dipodomys ornatus, Dipodomys spectabilis , Liomys irroratus , Perognathus sp., and Perognathus flavus ). A total of 13 taxa of helminths were found: Heteromyoxyuris longejector, Heteromyoxyuris otomii, Heteromyoxyuris sp., Onchocercidae gen. sp. 1 and sp. 2, Physalopteridae gen. sp., Protospirura dipodomis, Pterygodermatites dipodomis, Subulura sp., Syphacia sp., Trichuris dipodomis, Vexillata liomyos, and Vexillata armande. The highest species richness was recorded in D. merriami (7 taxa). This study is the first report of nematodes from O. arenicola (Physalopteridae gen. sp.) and C. eremicus (H. longejector) and for V. liomyos from D. merriami . All reports of these species of nematodes represent new collection localities in Mexico.

[Transcranial Doppler ultrasound use in post-cardiac arrest coma]. / Doppler transcraneal en el coma tras parada cardíaca.

INTRODUCTION: Brain damage is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality after initial recovery of a cardiac arrest. AIM: To review the usefulness of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) in monitoring and prognosis of comatose patients after initial recovery from cardiac arrest. DEVELOPMENT: The TCD records the velocity and pulsatility of cerebral blood flow, allowing 'beat to beat' hemodynamic analysis, with the added value of not being interfered by the use of sedatives or therapeutic treatments such as moderate hypothermia. In patients who remain comatose two hours after being recovered from cardiac arrest, persistence in the cerebral arteries of a diffuse hypodynamic TCD pattern (low medium velocity and high pulsatility) also predicts poor neurologic recovery. Early or late presence of a diffuse hyperdynamic TCD pattern (high medium velocity and low pulsatility) is also associated with poor prognosis because progression to intracranial hypertension and brain death. Coincidence of hypodynamic arteries and other with normal or hyperdynamic TCD patterns, suggests foci of hypoperfusion that may be predictors of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Using serial TCD examinations in comatose patients after initial recovery from cardiac arrest, to detect and treat early changes in cerebral hemodynamics, will decrease the likelihood of secondary neurological damage. In the first 24 hours, TCD could identify patients who have progressed to irreversible neurological damage, thus avoiding therapeutic futility.

A new species of Anomiopsyllus Baker, 1904 (Insecta: Siphonaptera), and noteworthy records of fleas from Nelson's woodrat, Neotoma nelsoni (Rodentia: Cricetidae), in the Oriental Basin, Mexico.

We report the first record of ectoparasites from Nelson's woodrat, Neotoma nelsoni, a rare, endemic mammal of east-central Mexico. We also describe a new flea species of Anomiopsyllus (A. perontesis n. sp.), which presents a complete row of bristles on sternum IX and 3 blunt spines on movable process; provide a new country record for the flea Stenistomera alpina (Baker, 1985); and report a new host record for the flea Echidnophaga gallinacea (Westwood, 1875). A taxonomic key for the new species is included.

Efficacy and safety of biphasic insulin aspart 30/70 in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of biphasic insulin aspart 30/70 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed an observational, multicenter, prospective study in 3,054 DM2 patients from primary care and specialized settings, treated with biphasic insulin aspart 30/70 (started within 15 days prior to inclusion). In all patients,the following information was available before starting insulin treatment: HbA(1c) levels, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 4-point glucose profile (before and 90 minutes after breakfast and dinner) and number of hypoglycemic episodes/week. A total of 2,887 patients completed the study (26 ± 1 week). The variables evaluated were rate of adverse events (AE), number of hypoglycemic episodes/week, HbA(1c), FPG and 4-point glucose profile. RESULTS: At least one AE occurred in 10.7% of the patients (2.3% related to the study drug and 1.4% severe). There was a significant decrease (end of study vs baseline; p < 0.0001 for all the comparisons) in HbA(1c) (7.3% and 8.9%, respectively), the mean number of minor (0.3/0.5) and major (0.02/0.07) hypoglycemic episodes/week, FPG (145/207 mg/dl) and postprandial glycemia (162/225 mg/dl). The improvement in metabolic control was achieved both in patients previously treated with oral antidiabetic drugs and in those treated with insulin. The number of hypoglycemic episodes decreased in patients previously treated with insulin. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with biphasic insulin aspart 30/70 in patients with DM2 improves glycemic control, irrespective of previous treatment, with a low rate of AE and fewer hypoglycemic episodes in patients previously treated with insulin.

Asistencia sanitaria inicial en catástrofes / Medical care in disasters

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[Experimental studies with Phytosoya]. / Estudios experimentales con Phytosoya.

In order to nvestigate the vascular and osseus effects of an isoflavone rich commercially available product (Phytosoya), Arkochim, two types of experiments have been carried out. A. Fifty rats of the Wistar strain and 250 gr/weight were ovariectomized and fed a low calcium diet over 8 weeks. From these animal, two groups of 10 rats each received Phytosoya at 62,5 and 321,5 mg/Kg/day. Another group (n = 10) was treated with 150 microg estradiol valerianate weekly, 10 more animals did not received any treatment and a final group of 10 was fed a standard rat chow. At the end of 8 weeks of treatment animals were decapitated, the right tibia were submitted to densiometry and the uterus was dissected and weighted, Hypocalcic diet induced a marked reduction in bone mineral density as compared to controls. Estrogen treatment totally prevented bone mineral loss whereas Phytosoya was able to partially prevent this reduction. However, estrogen treatment reduced tibia lenght significantly whereas no effect was exerted by Phytosoya on this parameter. B. Thirty-eight New Zealand rabbits were ovariectomized and fed a standard rabbit chow (n = 6) or another diet rich in cholesterol and saturated fats (n = 32) (CHO). The CHO fed animals were divided into 5 different groups: a) Treated with estradiol valerianate (200 microg/week/,n = 7); b) Treated with Phytosoya 31,5 (n = 6), 62,5 (n = 7) and 315,5 mg/kg (n = 6) or c) not treated (n = 6). After 10 weeks animals were sacrificed to study their aortas. All CHO fed rabbits showed very high cholesterol levels (2100 +/- 93 mg/100 ml) as compared with standard chow fed (64 +/- 19 mg/100 ml), and treatments were not able to significantly modify these values. Maximal vasodilatation to acetilcholine of the rabbits fed the standard chow, was 86% of phenilephrine precontraction whereas hupercholesterolemic animals showed only a 28% vasodilatation. Estrogen treatment restaured dilatation to 82%, together with a uterine increase also vasodilatation to 61% in the two highest dosages and to 50% at the lowest dose without affecting uterine weight. Pertreatment with L-NAME induced a vasoconstrictory response to acetilcholine that was maximal in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits (20 +/- 4,5%) as compared to standard chow (,6%). Estrogen treatment reduced constriction to 13 +/- 2% and phytosoya to 15 +/- 6%. Thirty tree percent of animals fed a standard diet showed ateroesclerotic plaque whereas it was a present in 100% of the cholesterol rich diet. Estrogens reduced the number to 16% and Phytosoya to 71% of the animals.