Biomass fuel smoke exposure was associated with adverse cardiac remodeling and left ventricular dysfunction in Peru.

While household air pollution from biomass fuel combustion has been linked to cardiovascular disease, the effects on cardiac structure and function have not been well described. We sought to determine the association between biomass fuel smoke exposure and cardiac structure and function by transthoracic echocardiography. We identified a random sample of urban and rural residents living in the high-altitude region of Puno, Peru. Daily biomass fuel use was self-reported. Participants underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the relationship of biomass fuel use with echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure and function, adjusting for age, sex, height, body mass index, diabetes, physical activity, and tobacco use. One hundred and eighty-seven participants (80 biomass fuel users and 107 non-users) were included in this analysis (mean age 59 years, 58% women). After adjustment, daily exposure to biomass fuel smoke was associated with increased left ventricular internal diastolic diameter (P=.004), left atrial diameter (P=.03), left atrial area (four-chamber) (P=.004) and (two-chamber) (P=.03), septal E' (P=.006), and lateral E' (P=.04). Exposure to biomass fuel smoke was also associated with worse global longitudinal strain in the two-chamber view (P=.01). Daily biomass fuel use was associated with increased left ventricular size and decreased left ventricular systolic function by global longitudinal strain.

Diversity and Genetic Variation among Brevipalpus Populations from Brazil and Mexico.

Brevipalpus phoenicis s.l. is an economically important vector of the Citrus leprosis virus-C (CiLV-C), one of the most severe diseases attacking citrus orchards worldwide. Effective control strategies for this mite should be designed based on basic information including its population structure, and particularly the factors that influence its dynamics. We sampled sweet orange orchards extensively in eight locations in Brazil and 12 in Mexico. Population genetic structure and genetic variation between both countries, among locations and among sampling sites within locations were evaluated by analysing nucleotide sequence data from fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). In both countries, B. yothersi was the most common species and was found in almost all locations. Individuals from B. papayensis were found in two locations in Brazil. Brevipalpus yothersi populations collected in Brazil were more genetically diverse (14 haplotypes) than Mexican populations (four haplotypes). Although geographical origin had a low but significant effect (ca. 25%) on the population structure, the greatest effect was from the within location comparison (37.02 %). Potential factors driving our results were discussed.

[Brainstem lesions: clinicoradiological electrophysiological correlation when chronic]. / Lesiones del tronco cerebral en estadio crónico: correlación clínica, radiológica y electrofisiológica.

INTRODUCTION: The brainstem is a vital structure. Imaging and electrophysiological studies are important aids to clinical diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To define the clinical, imaging and electrophysiological correlation in 28 patients with chronic brainstem lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the results of physical examination, imaging studies (CAT and MR) and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BEAP) in each patient. RESULTS: There was a predominance of males in the group studied. The commonest age groups were between 25 34 and 35 44 years old. Involvement of the cranial nerves was the commonest neurological finding, and the XII cranial nerve was the one most commonly involved. The condition had persisted for 1 to 4 years in 60.8% of the patients. There was a predominance of lesions of the pons in 28.6%. In five patients classical syndromes were seen. The commonest aetiology was ischaemic cerebrovascular disease in 53.6% of the patients. The lesions were detected on MR in 86.6% of the cases and on CAT scans in only 27.3%. The BEAP was abnormal in 75% of the patients. There was close correlation between the clinical topography and results of MR (p<0.05) but little correlation with the CAT scans or PEATC. CONCLUSION: We consider that MR is the investigation of choice in these patients.