First steps to study the demography of vascular epiphytes in cities.

Urban ecosystems could jeopardize the existence of vascular epiphytes (VE) given that their occurrence is linked to phorophyte availability and particular climatic conditions. Despite reports of VE in cities, nothing is known about their demography. A first step in this direction is to describe their population structures (PS). We established the PS of VE present in urban parks in Oaxaca City (Mexico), addressing the following questions: 1) what is their demographic status? and 2) are there differences in the structure of populations growing in native versus exotic phorophytes? During 2021, we censused all the trees in six urban parks, recording their origin (native or exotic), the epiphytic species found on them and the development stages present in each VE population. Overall, five VE species were documented: Tillandsia ionantha, T. makoyana, T. sp., T. schiedeana and T. recurvata (Bromeliaceae); the first three with only one individual and the latter two with 95 and 5,694, respectively. A MANOVA test indicated significant differences in PS between T. recurvata (type I structure, suggesting a growing population) and T. schiedeana (type III structure, suggesting a senile population) (Wilkes' λ= 0.821, F-Radio= 11.96 P<0.001). PS showed no differences related to tree origin. Our results indicate that it is necessary to conduct demographic studies to have a more accurate idea of the current condition of vascular epiphytes in cities. For instance, even though we found five VS species, only one of them seems to have viable populations in Oaxaca city.

Vertebrate florivory of vascular epiphytes: the case of a bromeliad / Florivores vertebrados de epífitas vasculares: o caso de uma bromélia

Abstract The avoidance of vertebrate herbivory is thought to be one of the possible drivers for the evolution of epiphytism. Scarce literature suggests that epiphyte herbivory is mainly related to insect attack on reproductive structures. In a pine-oak forest we observed almost all inflorescences of an epiphytic bromeliad (Tillandsia carlos-hankii) with signs of florivory; the degree of damage suggested that vertebrate herbivores could be involved. To assess the intensity of vertebrate florivory damage we recorded the percentage of damaged individuals in a 500 m2 plots during two flowering seasons. To identify possible vertebrate herbivores, we installed 20 mixed capture stations, 10 photo-traps focused on bromeliads and analyzed stomach contents of captured vertebrates. Florivory was observed on 62% of individuals during the first flowering season and 77% on the second; and average one individual lost 41% of reproductive structures. Vertebrates associated with florivory were a bird, Icterus bullockii (Aves, Passeriformes, Icteridae), a squirrel Sciurus aureogaster (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sciuridae), and mice, Peromyscus gratus, P. levipes and P. aztecus (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae). Our results suggest that vascular epiphytes are used as opportunistic resources for small vertebrates during seasons when preferred resources are scarce.

Resumo Acredita-se que a prevenção da herbivoria dos vertebrados é um dos possíveis impulsores da evolução da epífita. A literatura escassa sugere que a herbivora em epífitas está relacionada principalmente ao ataque de insetos as estruturas reprodutivas. Em uma floresta de pinheiros observamos que quase da todas as inflorescências de uma bromélia epífita (Tillandsia carlos-hankii) apresentavam sinais de florivoria; o grau de danos sugeria que herbívoros majores (vertebrados) pudessem estar envolvidos. Para avaliar a intensidade do dano de florivoria de vertebrados, registramos a porcentagem de indivíduos danificados em quadrantes de 500 m2 durante duas estações de florescimento. Para identificar possíveis herbívoros vertebrados, instalamos 20 estações de captura mista e analisamos o conteúdo estomacal de vertebrados capturados. Além disso, foram instaladas 10 foto-armadilhas focadas em bromélias. A florivoria foi observada em 62% dos indivíduos durante a primeira estação de floração e 77% na segunda. Os vertebrados associados à florivoria foram pássaro, Icterus bullockii (Aves, Passeriformes, Icteridae), um esquilo Sciurus aureogaster (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sciuridae) e ratos, Peromyscus gratus, P. levipes e P. aztecus (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae). Assim, nossos resultados sugerem que epífitas vasculares são usadas como recurso facultativo para estes animais durante as estações, quando os recursos preferidos estão escassos.

Vertebrate florivory of vascular epiphytes: the case of a bromeliad.

The avoidance of vertebrate herbivory is thought to be one of the possible drivers for the evolution of epiphytism. Scarce literature suggests that epiphyte herbivory is mainly related to insect attack on reproductive structures. In a pine-oak forest we observed almost all inflorescences of an epiphytic bromeliad (Tillandsia carlos-hankii) with signs of florivory; the degree of damage suggested that vertebrate herbivores could be involved. To assess the intensity of vertebrate florivory damage we recorded the percentage of damaged individuals in a 500 m2 plots during two flowering seasons. To identify possible vertebrate herbivores, we installed 20 mixed capture stations, 10 photo-traps focused on bromeliads and analyzed stomach contents of captured vertebrates. Florivory was observed on 62% of individuals during the first flowering season and 77% on the second; and average one individual lost 41% of reproductive structures. Vertebrates associated with florivory were a bird, Icterus bullockii (Aves, Passeriformes, Icteridae), a squirrel Sciurus aureogaster (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sciuridae), and mice, Peromyscus gratus, P. levipes and P. aztecus (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae). Our results suggest that vascular epiphytes are used as opportunistic resources for small vertebrates during seasons when preferred resources are scarce.

Vertebrate florivory of vascular epiphytes: the case of a bromeliad

Abstract The avoidance of vertebrate herbivory is thought to be one of the possible drivers for the evolution of epiphytism. Scarce literature suggests that epiphyte herbivory is mainly related to insect attack on reproductive structures. In a pine-oak forest we observed almost all inflorescences of an epiphytic bromeliad (Tillandsia carlos-hankii) with signs of florivory; the degree of damage suggested that vertebrate herbivores could be involved. To assess the intensity of vertebrate florivory damage we recorded the percentage of damaged individuals in a 500 m2 plots during two flowering seasons. To identify possible vertebrate herbivores, we installed 20 mixed capture stations, 10 photo-traps focused on bromeliads and analyzed stomach contents of captured vertebrates. Florivory was observed on 62% of individuals during the first flowering season and 77% on the second; and average one individual lost 41% of reproductive structures. Vertebrates associated with florivory were a bird, Icterus bullockii (Aves, Passeriformes, Icteridae), a squirrel Sciurus aureogaster (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sciuridae), and mice, Peromyscus gratus, P. levipes and P. aztecus (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae). Our results suggest that vascular epiphytes are used as opportunistic resources for small vertebrates during seasons when preferred resources are scarce.

Resumo Acredita-se que a prevenção da herbivoria dos vertebrados é um dos possíveis impulsores da evolução da epífita. A literatura escassa sugere que a herbivora em epífitas está relacionada principalmente ao ataque de insetos as estruturas reprodutivas. Em uma floresta de pinheiros observamos que quase da todas as inflorescências de uma bromélia epífita (Tillandsia carlos-hankii) apresentavam sinais de florivoria; o grau de danos sugeria que herbívoros majores (vertebrados) pudessem estar envolvidos. Para avaliar a intensidade do dano de florivoria de vertebrados, registramos a porcentagem de indivíduos danificados em quadrantes de 500 m2 durante duas estações de florescimento. Para identificar possíveis herbívoros vertebrados, instalamos 20 estações de captura mista e analisamos o conteúdo estomacal de vertebrados capturados. Além disso, foram instaladas 10 foto-armadilhas focadas em bromélias. A florivoria foi observada em 62% dos indivíduos durante a primeira estação de floração e 77% na segunda. Os vertebrados associados à florivoria foram pássaro, Icterus bullockii (Aves, Passeriformes, Icteridae), um esquilo Sciurus aureogaster (Mammalia, Rodentia, Sciuridae) e ratos, Peromyscus gratus, P. levipes e P. aztecus (Mammalia, Rodentia, Cricetidae). Assim, nossos resultados sugerem que epífitas vasculares são usadas como recurso facultativo para estes animais durante as estações, quando os recursos preferidos estão escassos.

The presence of Abronia oaxacae (Squamata: Anguidae) in tank bromeliads in temperate forests of Oaxaca, Mexico.

The presence of lizards in bromeliads has been widely documented. Nevertheless, the possibility of some type of preference or specificity among lizards for particular bromeliad species has not yet been investigated. Therefore, this study aims to document the presence of Abronia oaxacae in six species of tank bromeliads found in pine forests, pine-live oak forests, and live oak groves during both the rainy season and the dry season. Three adult individuals of Abronia oaxacae were collected; one in a Tillandsia violácea (pine-live oak forest), one in a T. calothyrsus (live oak grove), and one in a T. prodigiosa (live oak grove). All three specimens were collected in sampling efforts carried out during the dry season. The results of the present study suggest that A. oaxacae shows no preference for a single, specific bromeliad species, although it does have a certain preference for a few select species. The presence of A. oaxacae in bromeliads during the dry season could be related to the cooler, moister microhabitat that these plants represent.

The presence of Abronia oaxacae (Squamata: Anguidae) in tank bromeliads in temperate forests of Oaxaca, Mexico / A presença de Abronia oaxacae (Squamata: Anguidae) em bromélias tanque em florestas temperadas de Oaxaca, México

The presence of lizards in bromeliads has been widely documented. Nevertheless, the possibility of some type of preference or specificity among lizards for particular bromeliad species has not yet been investigated. Therefore, this study aims to document the presence of Abronia oaxacae in six species of tank bromeliads found in pine forests, pine-live oak forests, and live oak groves during both the rainy season and the dry season. Three adult individuals of Abronia oaxacae were collected; one in a Tillandsia violácea (pine-live oak forest), one in a T. calothyrsus (live oak grove), and one in a T. prodigiosa (live oak grove). All three specimens were collected in sampling efforts carried out during the dry season. The results of the present study suggest that A. oaxacae shows no preference for a single, specific bromeliad species, although it does have a certain preference for a few select species. The presence of A. oaxacae in bromeliads during the dry season could be related to the cooler, moister microhabitat that these plants represent.

A presença de lagartos em bromélias tem sido amplamente documentada, no entanto, a possibilidade de algum tipo de preferência ou especificidade entre os lagartos para determinadas espécies de bromélias ainda não foi investigada. Portanto, este estudo tem como objetivo documentar a presença de Abronia oaxacaeem seis espécies de bromélias tanque encontrado em pinhais, matas de pinheiro e carvalho vivo, e os bosques de carvalho vivo, durante a estação chuvosa ea estação seca. Três indivíduos adultos de Abronia oaxacaeforam coletados, um em Tillandsia violácea (floresta de pinheiro e carvalho ao vivo), um em T. calothyrsus(bosque de carvalhos vivos), e um em T. prodigiosa (bosque de carvalhos vivos). Todas as três amostras foram coletadas em amostragem esforços realizados durante a estação seca. Os resultados do estudo sugerem que A. oaxacaenão apresenta preferência por um único, específico espécies de bromélias, apesar de não apresentar certa preferência por algumas espécies selecionadas. A presença de A. oaxacae em bromélias durante a estação seca pode estar relacionada com o condições úmidas e frias oferecidas por estas plantas.

Two major ethical issues in health education and promotion: assessing stage of change and cancer screening.

In community health education for behavioral change, valid assessment of stage of change is critical; in health promotion screening for cancer, health insurance coverage is also critical because some communities do not have the freedom to choose to change or to get their cancer treated. Proceeding without valid assessment of stage of change or insurance coverage can cause us harm. Harm comes to the patients when providers label them negatively or cause them anxiety if they cannot afford diagnosis and treatment beyond the screening. Not doing harm, (nonmaleficence) is our most compelling ethics principle. The authors analyze these two issues through the principles of autonomy, justice, and nonmaleficence in both their practice and that of their student with US-Mexico border communities and give recommendations.

Hepatocyte ultrastructural alterations in cocaine users.

The ultrastructural examination of liver biopsies from five male cocaine users showed hepatocytes presenting diverse alterations in rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, nuclei and microvilli. Lipid deposition and an increase of autophagic vacuoles were also observed. This study demonstrates that the hepatocyte is an important target cell for cocaine toxic effects in some patients.

Ethical responsibilities in a managed care system.

Managed care is becoming increasingly important in health care. A number of ethical questions arise in this system. This paper examines the ethical responsibilities of four players in a managed care system: i) the insurance company; ii) the patient; iii) the primary care provider; and iv) the specialist.

Clinical assessment of gang violence risk through history and physical exam.

Primary-care clinicians can assess gang involvement and gang violence risk during the routine history and physical exam. This paper forwards a model for history and risk assessment. The objective of creating the model was to develop a practical prototype for clinicians to use in this assessment. The history and physical exam variables were determined by a study of the etiology and correlates of gang membership and gang violence. The history and physical risk assessment tool is based on standard patient care algorithms. It works best in a managed care setting with a high incentive for violence prevention and cost reduction, and where access to a broad range of traditional and nontraditional referral sources exists. Representative referrals are discussed.

No more "Let them eat admonitions": the Clinton Administration's emerging approach to minority health.

The startling health disparities between whites and racial and ethnic minorities in the United States are partly the result of six major assumptions about health promotion that permeated the Reagan and Bush Administrations. These assumptions, which placed the responsibility for maintaining health on individual Americans, are consistent with policymakers' reliance on market forces to address social issues. While this model may serve persons with a continuum of options and resources to elicit change, it does not benefit the underserved. In contrast, the Clinton Administration's approach, rooted in broad-based participation and multisector planning, is consistent with international models and promises long-overdue recognition that health problems in underserved communities stem from poverty--not the poor.

Language of interview: relevance for research of southwest Hispanics.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports the results of a survey investigating health status, access, satisfaction with care, and barriers to care in Arizona. The major focus is on the association between language of interview and the dependent measures; interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. METHODS: The differences between groups were tested using chi-square statistics for each independent categorical variable; the significance of all the independent variables on each of the dependent variables was tested simultaneously using maximum likelihood logistical regression models. RESULTS: Language of interview for Hispanic children was a significant variable, more important than ethnicity itself, in determining health status, access, satisfaction with care, and barriers to care; language of interview for Hispanic adults was not a significant measure, but neither was ethnicity. Instead, income affected access to care for adults. CONCLUSIONS: This pattern of results suggests that in the southwestern United States, studies on health status and access to care that use only ethnicity and do not include language of interview may fail to identify populations of Hispanic children who are remarkably more vulnerable. Public health research of Hispanic populations can be more instrumental toward policy improvement if it increases its specificity with this heterogeneous group. Analysis of language of interview has a low cost and a high benefit toward this specification.

Hostility to people with AIDS: risk perception and demographic factors.

The objectives of this investigation were to determine the associations between perception of AIDS risk, demographic and socio-economic variables and hostility to PWA's. Factor analysis and multiple regression models were used to examine telephone survey data. The principal results show a strong positive association between hostility to PWA's and perception of high AIDS risk from low-risk activities, and between hostility and: non-Hispanic respondents, low-income respondents, respondents with less than a high school education, male respondents and respondents living in rural areas. Conclusions speak for a need for understanding of the multiple outcomes of educational campaigns, pretesting of educational campaigns across multiple populations, and continued study of risk perception, hostility and the effects of stigmatization.

Cost estimate of health care coverage for the medically indigent in Hawaii.

The objective of the study was to estimate the cost of health insurance coverage of the medically indigent in Hawaii. The number of uninsured was estimated deductively from the coverages of those insurance companies doing business in the state, with an additional factor for persons with more than one policy coverage. Age and sex breakdowns of the uninsured were entered into actuarial tables and fee-for-service and HMO plan costs were obtained for the most prevalent health plan in the state. Annual coverage is estimated at US$46.090866 million and US$58.040700 million for fee-for-service and HMO plans, respectively. Seven potential sources of financing and five recommendations for further research are given.