Consequences of Out-Migration for Land Use in Rural Ecuador.

In rural Ecuador and elsewhere in Latin America, the departure of migrants and the receipt of migrant remittances have led to declining rural populations and increasing cash incomes. It is commonly assumed that these processes will lead to agricultural abandonment and the regrowth of native vegetation, thus undermining traditional livelihoods and providing a boon for biodiversity conservation. However, an increasing number of household-level studies have found mixed and complex effects of out-migration and remittances on agriculture. We advance this literature by using household survey data and satellite imagery from three study areas in rural Ecuador to investigate the effects of migration and remittances on agricultural land use. Multivariate methods are used to disaggregate the effects of migration and remittances, to account for other influences on land use and to correct for the potential endogeneity of migration and remittances. Contrary to common assumptions but consistent with previous studies, we find that migrant departure has a positive effect on agricultural activities that is offset by migrant remittances. These results suggest that rural out-migration alone is not likely to lead to a forest transition in the study areas.

A new Cantharocybe from Belize with notes on the type of Cantharocybe gruberi.

A new species of Cantharocybe, C. brunneovelutina, is described and illustrated from the Orange Walk District of Belize. The species is characterized by the subvelutinous brown pileus, brownish gray stipe and microscopically by cheilocystidia that have prong-like appendages. Analysis of nLSU rDNA sequences relates this species to Cantharocybe gruberi, the sole member of a previously monotypic genus of uncertain placement. We also provide a microscopic description and illustrations of the type collection of Cantharocybe gruberi and compare the two species. Morphological comparisons among Cantharocybe and its sister genus, Cuphophyllus (= Camarophyllus), and allied genera are discussed.

Colony stimulating factors for chemotherapy induced febrile neutropenia.

BACKGROUND: Febrile neutropenia is a frequent event for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and it is potentially a life threatening situation. The current treatment is supportive care plus antibiotics. Colony stimulating factors (CSF) are cytokines that stimulate and accelerate the production of one or more cellular lines in bone marrow. Some clinical trials addressed the question of whether the addition of CSF to antibiotics (ATB) could improve the outcomes of patients with febrile neutropenia. The results of these trials are conflicting and no definitive conclusion could be reached. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of adding colony stimulating factors to ATB when treating febrile neutropenia caused by cancer chemotherapy. SEARCH STRATEGY: The search covered the major electronic databases: CANCERLIT, EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, SCI and The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. Experts were consulted and references from the relevant articles scanned. SELECTION CRITERIA: We looked for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare CSF plus antibiotics versus antibiotics alone for the treatment of established febrile neutropenia in adults and children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two of the reviewers independently selected, critically appraised and extracted data from the studies. A meta-analysis of the select studies was performed, using Review Manager. MAIN RESULTS: More than 8000 references were screened. Thirteen studies were included. The overall mortality was not influenced by the use of CSF [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.68; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.43 to 1.08; p=0.1]. A marginally significant result was obtained for the use of CSF in reducing infection related mortality [OR= 0.51; 95% CI = 0.26 to 1.00; p=0.05], but this result was highly influenced by one study. When this study is excluded from our analysis, this possible benefit disappears [OR= 0.85; 95% CI = 0.33 to 2.20; p= 0.7]. The group of patients treated with CSF had a shorter length of hospitalization [Hazard Ratio (HR) = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.49 to 0.82; p=0.0006] and a shorter time to neutrophil recovery [HR= 0.32; 95% CI = 0.23 to 0.46; p < 0.00001]. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The use of CSF in patients with febrile neutropenia due to cancer chemotherapy does not affect overall mortality, but reduces the amount of time spent in hospital and the neutrophil recovery period. It was not clear whether CSF has an effect on infection-related mortality.

New and interesting Russula species from Panama.

Detailed illustrated descriptions are given for Russula panamae sp.nov, Russula aucarum, R. puiggarii and R. venezueliana, all of which are reported for the first time from Panamá. For Russula venezueliana and R. aucarum, it is also the first record since their original description. Taxonomy, systematic position, and related species are discussed for each species. Russula ochrostraminea is probably a synonym of R. venezueliana and section Delicoarchaeae is considered a possible synonym of subsection Lactarioideae or of section Metachromaticae.

Differential effects of doxorubicin on atrial natriuretic peptide expression in vivo and in vitro.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a potent anti-cancer agent with cardiotoxic side-effects but the mechanism of its cardiotoxicity and its effect on expression of the vasoactive atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), an important marker for cardiac hypertrophy, are little understood. The present study examined Dox-induced changes in vivo in hearts of 6 mongrel dogs and 5 Sprague-Dawley rats and in vitro in cardiac cultures of neonatal rats. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis using gamma 32-p labeled primers for beta-actin, phospholamban (PLB) and ANP showed a selective 5-fold increase of ANP mRNA in Dox-treated dog hearts in comparison to controls. Similarly, northern analysis of GAPD, beta-actin, cardiac alpha-actin and ANP gave a selective 4.5-fold increase in ANP transcripts in Dox-treated rat hearts. On the other hand, there was a selective decrease (approximately 39%) of ANP transcripts in Dox-treated cardiac cultures relative to controls. Immunohistochemistry localized the ANP changes both in tissue sections and in cultures to the cardiomyocytes. The data clearly showed that Dox selectively increases ANP expression in dog and rat hearts in absence of cardiocyte hypertrophy but selectively decreases it in cardiac cultures. This differential effect of Dox on cardiocytes in vivo and in vitro should be a useful parameter for studies of transcriptional control of ANP expression.

La Familia: methodological issues in the assessment of perinatal social support for Mexicanas living in the United States.

Do Mexicanas receive social support from a close network of family and friends during the perinatal period? To answer this question, a longitudinal ethnographic study followed 28 urban Mexican-origin women living in the US from their last trimester of pregnancy through their first month post-partum. A total of 93 interviews with Mexicanas focused on health and social support. All of the women lived in a large western city in the US but varied in their acculturation and income levels. Analyses identified four social support themes from women's experience (the emic analysis) and four social support typologies from the researcher (etic) analyses. The kinds of support women described as emanating from their support networks were inductively identified as Helping with Daily Hassles, Showing Love and Understanding, Being There for Me, and My Family Failing Me. Approximately half of the women reported densely supportive networks. The other women were disconnected from their support networks, or dealt with antagonism or instability in their networks. Women's perceptions of social support differed from the judgements made by the researcher about received support. Specifically, women perceived more network members in the supportive category than did the researcher by a factor of 1.4, and fewer network members in the disconnected category by a factor of 0.7. From an emic perspective, women listed only half as many antagonistic network members compared to the etic analysis (a factor of 0.50). These emic/etic discrepancies complicate clinical assessment of social support, but suggest that data on social support should be collected as part of the clinical processes of perinatal risking. To enhance assessment of social support, a clinically relevant guide is proposed for use by practitioners caring for Mexicanas in the perinatal period.

SLE in a United States-Mexico border community.

This report describes the results of a clinic-based study conducted to verify a community-reported excess prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a possible connection between ethnicity and environmental factors in the reporting of SLE in the United States-Mexico border town of Nogales, Arizona. A community group in Nogales reported 37 cases of SLE in its community, suggesting a prevalence rate of 200 per 100,000. This report describes 19 definite and 7 probable cases of SLE using the 1982 American College of Rheumatology criteria. All definite and probable cases were self-identified, Mexican-American females. This yields a prevalence rate of 94 per 100,000, among the highest reported to date. The majority of cases resided within 3 miles of the United States-Mexico border and within 1 mile of the polluted Nogales Wash or ground wells with documented toxins. It remains to be determined whether this confirms that SLE is more common in Mexican-Americans or whether environmental factors, especially pollutants, are predominantly responsible. In addition to the need to be aware about the apparent increased risk of SLE in many Latin-Americans, clinicians should ask about possible environmental factors.

Reconceptualizing adolescent sexual behavior: beyond did they or didn't they?

CONTEXT: Adolescent sexual behavior is typically studied as a dichotomy: Adolescents have had sex or they have not. Broadening this view would lead to a greater understanding of teenagers' sexual behavior. METHODS: Interview data from 907 high school students in Alabama, New York and Puerto Rico were used to examine the relationships between sexual experience and a variety of social, psychological and behavioral variables. Four groups of teenagers are compared: those who did not anticipate initiating sex in the next year (delayers), those who anticipated initiating sex in the next year (anticipators), those who had had one sexual partner (singles) and those who had had two or more partners (multiples). RESULTS: Compared with delayers, anticipators reported more alcohol use and marijuana use; poorer psychological health; riskier peer behaviors; and looser ties to family school and church. Similarly, multiples reported more alcohol and marijuana use, riskier peer behaviors and looser ties to family and school than singles. Risk behaviors, peer behaviors, family variables, and school and church involvement showed a linear trend across the four categories of sexual behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The traditional sex-no sex dichotomy obscures differences among sexually inexperienced teenagers and among adolescents who have had sex. Prevention efforts must be tailored to the specific needs of teenagers with differing sexual experiences and expectations, and must address the social and psychological context in which sexual experiences occur.

Ultrastructural observation of the airways of recovered and susceptible pigs after inoculation with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

To determine the morphological differences in the epithelium of the airways of recovered and susceptible pigs after Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae challenge, twenty-four 4-week-old M. hyopneumoniae-free pigs were intratracheally inoculated with 107ccu/ml of a pure low-passaged culture of the P5722-3 strain of M. hyopneumoniae challenge material. Eight pigs (group I) were challenged at the beginning of the experiment and rechallenged 3 months later. Group II pigs were also challenged at the beginning of the experiment and necropsied 3 months later. Group III pigs were challenged at the same time as the rechallenge of group I pigs. Eight nonchallenged pigs served as controls (group IV). Three days after the second challenge of group I and the first challenge of group III, and every 3 and 4 days thereafter, two pigs from each group were euthanatized by electrocution and necropsied. Samples of bronchi and lung tissue were examined using light and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Macroscopic lesions were observed in the lungs of all group III pigs (average = 4.74%) and were characterized by purple-red areas of discoloration and increased firmness affecting the cranioventral aspect of the lungs. Macroscopic lesions of pneumonia in groups I and II were minimal (less than 1%). There were no gross lesions of pneumonia in control (group IV) pigs. Microscopic lesions were characterized by hyperplasia of the peribronchial lymphoid tissue and mild neutrophilic infiltrates in alveoli. Electron microscopy showed patchy areas with loss of cilia and presence of leukocytes and mycoplasmas in bronchi of susceptible pigs (group III). The bronchial epithelium of rechallenged (group I), recovered (group II), and control (group IV) pigs was ultrastructurally similar indicating recovery of the former two groups. Although mycoplasmas were seen among cilia, a second challenge on pigs of group I did not produce another episode of the disease nor did it enhance morphological changes, suggesting that those pigs could become carriers of M. hyopneumoniae

Ultrastructural observation of the airways of recovered and susceptible pigs after inoculation with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

To determine the morphological differences in the epithelium of the airways of recovered and susceptible pigs after Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae challenge, twenty-four 4-week-old M. hyopneumoniae-free pigs were intratracheally inoculated with 107ccu/ml of a pure low-passaged culture of the P5722-3 strain of M. hyopneumoniae challenge material. Eight pigs (group I) were challenged at the beginning of the experiment and rechallenged 3 months later. Group II pigs were also challenged at the beginning of the experiment and necropsied 3 months later. Group III pigs were challenged at the same time as the rechallenge of group I pigs. Eight nonchallenged pigs served as controls (group IV). Three days after the second challenge of group I and the first challenge of group III, and every 3 and 4 days thereafter, two pigs from each group were euthanatized by electrocution and necropsied. Samples of bronchi and lung tissue were examined using light and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Macroscopic lesions were observed in the lungs of all group III pigs (average = 4.74%) and were characterized by purple-red areas of discoloration and increased firmness affecting the cranioventral aspect of the lungs. Macroscopic lesions of pneumonia in groups I and II were minimal (less than 1%). There were no gross lesions of pneumonia in control (group IV) pigs. Microscopic lesions were characterized by hyperplasia of the peribronchial lymphoid tissue and mild neutrophilic infiltrates in alveoli. Electron microscopy showed patchy areas with loss of cilia and presence of leukocytes and mycoplasmas in bronchi of susceptible pigs (group III). The bronchial epithelium of rechallenged (group I), recovered (group II), and control (group IV) pigs was ultrastructurally similar indicating recovery of the former two groups. Although mycoplasmas were seen among cilia, a second challenge on pigs of group I did not produce another episode of the disease nor did it enhance morphological changes, suggesting that those pigs could become carriers of M. hyopneumoniae.

Para determinar as diferenças morfológicas no epitélio das vias aéreas de suínos suscetíveis e recuperados da infecção por Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, 24 leitões com 4 semanas de idade, livres de infecção por M. hyopneumoniae, foram inoculados intratraquealmente com material contendo 107ccu/ml de cultura pura da cepa P5722-3 de M. hyopneumoniae. Oito leitões (grupo I) foram inoculados no início do experimento e reinoculados 3 meses mais tarde, após apresentarem a doença e terem se recuperado. Os oito leitões do grupo II foram também inoculados no início do experimento e necropsiados 3 meses depois. Os leitões do grupo III foram inoculados ao mesmo tempo da reinoculação dos leitões do grupo I. Oito leitões não inoculados serviram como controles (grupo IV). Três dias após a reinoculação dos leitões do grupo I e a inoculação do grupo III e, a partir disso, a cada 2 dias, dois leitões de cada grupo foram sacrificados e necropsiados. Segmentos de brônquios e pulmão foram examinados em microscopia ótica e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e de varredura. Lesões macroscópicas foram observadas nos pulmões de todos os leitões do grupo III (média: 4.74% da superfície) e eram caracterizadas por áreas firmes e avermelhadas nas porções cranioventrais. Lesões macroscópicas semelhantes foram mínimas em pulmões de leitões dos grupos I e II (menos de 1%) e ausentes no grupo IV. As lesões microscópicas consistiam de hiperplasia do tecido linfóide peribronquial e infiltrado neutrofílico leve nos alvéolos. Na microscopia eletrônica havia lesões focais no epitélio ciliado, caracterizadas por perda de cilios e descamação de células, e presença de leucócitos e micoplasmas nos brônquios de leitões suscetíveis (grupo III). O epitélio bronquial de leitões reinoculados (grupo I), recuperados (grupo II) e controles (grupo IV) era ultraestruturalmente similar, indicando recuperação nos primeiros dois grupos. Embora micoplasmas tenham sido observados entre cilios, uma segunda inoculação em leitões do grupo I não causou outro episódio da doença nem aumentou as alterações morfológicas nos brônquios, sugerindo que esses leitões podem se tornar portadores de micoplasmas.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis with orbital involvement.

PURPOSE: To review three cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis with orbital involvement that represent a significantly excessive incidence of this rare disease in one community. Current diagnostic criteria and therapeutic modalities related to Langerhans cell histiocytosis are reviewed. METHODS: Case reports. We present clinical, radiologic, histopathologic, and epidemiologic information on three patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis. RESULTS: All three children, born within 18 months of one another, manifested rapidly progressive unilateral proptosis at age 2 years. By computed tomography, all had moderately enhancing lesions with involvement of the sphenoid bone and lateral orbit as well as the temporal lobe of the brain. All patients were treated with a combination of vincristine and prednisone, with variable resolution of their lesions. The occurrence of three cases in children born in Nogales, Arizona/ Mexico, suggests an incidence rate of 40 per million, which is approximately 26 times the expected rate (P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The extraordinarily high incidence and the concentration of cases in both time and space of this cluster implies that Langerhans cell histiocytosis may be a sentinel disease for unusual environmental exposures.

Sexual initiation with older male partners and subsequent HIV risk behavior among female adolescents.

Data from a 1993-1994 survey of 150 black and Hispanic teenagers were used to examine differences in HIV risk-related behavior between young women who have a first sexual partner three or more years older than themselves and those whose first partner is their age. Compared with teenagers whose first partner had been roughly their age, the 35% of adolescents with an older partner had been younger at first intercourse (13.8 years vs. 14.6) and less likely to use a condom at first intercourse (63% vs. 82%). They also were less likely to report having used a condom at last intercourse (29% vs. 44%) or having used condoms consistently over their lifetime (37% vs. 56%) or in the previous six months (44% vs. 66%). Some 38% of teenagers with an older first partner had ever been pregnant, compared with 12% of those with a peer-age first partner. The mean number of partners and history of sexually transmitted diseases did not differ between the two groups.

Adolescent heterosexual experience: a new typology.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to define a typology that encompasses the full range of adolescent heterosexual behavior; to compare the usefulness of the new typology with that of the traditional dichotomy of "sexually active"/"sexually inactive" for understanding sexual behavior among adolescents; and to determine the implications of the new typology for the design and implementation of HIV prevention programs targeting adolescents. METHODS: Detailed face-to-face interviews were conducted with a cross-sectional sample of 907 mothers and their adolescents, ages 14-17 years, recruited from public high schools in Alabama, New York, and Puerto Rico. Information from the adolescent survey on precoital sexual behaviors and STD/HIV sexual risk and risk reduction behaviors was examined. A typology of adolescent heterosexual experiences was constructed using four behavioral dimensions. RESULTS: Ninety-nine percent (n = 894) of the sample was classified into one of the five patterns of sexual experience: Delayers, Anticipators, One-timers, Steadies, and Multiples. Among the participants who were not sexually active, precoital behaviors differed significantly between the 22% who anticipated initiating sexual intercourse in the next year (Anticipators) and those who did not (Delayers). Among those traditionally classified as "sexually active", One-timers and Steadies were significantly older when they first had penile-vaginal intercourse than those who had multiple partners. One-timers were more likely to use condoms than Steadies or Multiples, and only Multiples reported previous STDs. CONCLUSION: A typology that defines a range of adolescent heterosexual experiences was developed, and it was possible to classify 99% of our sample. The traditional dichotomy between "sexually active" vs. "not active" hides important behavioral intentions and sexual practices. These differences must be taken into account in the development and implementation of HIV prevention programs that target adolescents.

Maternal responsibility for health in the household.

Maternal responsibility for household health is a fusion of love and labor; affective concern for health coexists with health-related activities. I examined household health production experiences from the perspective of poor women living in the southwestern United States. The responsibilities described by poor Mexican American and Anglo American women for health in their households differed along cultural lines. The Mexican American women emphasized they were responsible for cures and for caregiving beyond the nuclear household. In comparison, Anglo American women stated they were responsible for prevention and minimized their health responsibilities outside their household. Negotiation of maternal health responsibility among household members generated conflict and divisiveness. Poor and minority women's experiences expand the traditional concept of self-care.

Non-oral etiologies of oral malodor and altered chemosensation.

A number of non-oral causes for oral malodor have been discussed. Several well documented etiologies for non-oral malodor include renal failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and diabetes mellitus. Each of these conditions has been examined using analytical instrumentation. In addition there appear to be several other metabolic conditions involving enzymatic and transport anomalies (such as trimethylaminuria) which lead to the systemic production of volatile malodors that manifest themselves as halitosis and/or altered chemoreception. Our studies include patients who have been referred to us after being examined by numerous clinical specialists with no identification or relief from their problem. This is due in part to the intermittent nature of many of these problems as well as an apparent lack of knowledge concerning many of these metabolic problems and their relation to oral symptoms.

Shared T-cell receptor gene usage in experimental allergic neuritis and encephalomyelitis.

Experimental allergic neuritis, an autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system, is a model for human Guillain-Barré syndrome. Experimental allergic neuritis is mediated by CD4+ T cells reactive with myelin P2 protein. We demonstrate that these T cells use the same members of T-cell receptor V gene families for both their alpha (V alpha 2) and beta (V beta 8) chains as T cells that cause experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Furthermore, these T cells appear to be idiotypically related. Therefore, completely different T-cell lines with different antigen specificities, producing entirely different diseases, share common T-cell receptors.