Leaf Vein Morphological Variation in Four Endangered Neotropical Magnolia Species along an Elevation Gradient in the Mexican Tropical Montane Cloud Forests.

Climatic variations influence the adaptive capacity of trees within tropical montane cloud forests species. Phenology studies have dominated current studies on tree species. Leaf vein morphology has been related to specific climatic oscillations and varies within species along altitudinal gradients. We tested that certain Neotropical broad leaf Magnolia species might be more vulnerable to leaf vein adaptation to moisture than others, as they would be more resilient to the hydric deficit. We assessed that leaf vein trait variations (vein density, primary vein size, vein length, and leaf base angle) among four Magnolia species (Magnolia nuevoleonensis, M. alejandrae, M. rzedowskiana, and Magnolia vovidesii) through the Mexican Tropical montane cloud forest with different elevation gradient and specific climatic factors. The temperature, precipitation, and potential evaporation differed significantly among Magnolia species. We detected that M. rzedowskiana and M. vovidesii with longer leaves at higher altitude sites are adapted to higher humidity conditions, and that M. nuevoleonensis and M. alejandrae inhabiting lower altitude sites are better adjusted to the hydric deficit. Our results advance efforts to identify the Magnolia species most vulnerable to climate change effects, which must focus priorities for conservation of this ecosystem, particularly in the Mexican tropical montane cloud forests.

Determination of chloroplast genome sequence of Magnolia ofeliae A. Vázquez & Cuevas (Magnoliaceae), an endangered Mexican Magnolia.

Magnolia ofeliae A. Vázquez & Cuevas, a plant species endemic to south Jalisco, Mexico, is a critically endangered (CR) species based on the IUCN Red List. In this study, we assembled its complete chloroplast (cp) genome. The total genome size of M. ofeliae was 159,839 bp including four subregions: a large single-copy (LSC) region of 88,027 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,752 bp separated by a pair of identical inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 26,530 bp each. The GC content of the cp genome of M. ofeliae is 39.3%. The cp genome encoded a set of 113 genes, containing 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis results that M. ofeliae is a sister to all other magnolias in the subfamily Magnolioideae.

Recommendations for the prevention and diagnosis of asthma in children: Evidence from international guidelines adapted for Mexico.

BACKGROUND: With the availability of high-quality asthma guidelines worldwide, one possible approach of developing a valid guideline, without re-working the evidence, already analysed by major guidelines, is the ADAPTE approach, as was used for the development of National Guidelines on asthma. METHODS: The guidelines development group (GDG) covered a broad range of experts from medical specialities, primary care physicians and methodologists. The core group of the GDG searched the literature for asthma guidelines 2005 onward, and analysed the 11 best guidelines with AGREE-II to select three mother guidelines. Key clinical questions were formulated covering each step of the asthma management. RESULTS: The selected mother guidelines are British Thoracic Society (BTS), GINA and GEMA 2015. Responses to the questions were formulated according to the evidence in the mother guidelines. Recommendations or suggestions were made for asthma treatment in Mexico by the core group, and adjusted during several rounds of a Delphi process, taking into account: 1. Evidence; 2. Safety; 3. Cost; 4. Patient preference - all these set against the background of the local reality. Here the detailed analysis of the evidence present in BTS/GINA/GEMA sections on prevention and diagnosis in paediatric asthma are presented for three age-groups: children with asthma ≤5 years, 6-11 years and ≥12 years. CONCLUSIONS: For the prevention and diagnosis sections, applying the AGREE-II method is useful to develop a scientifically-sustained document, adjusted to the local reality per country, as is the Mexican Guideline on Asthma.

Combination of cardiorespiratory reflex parameters and heart rate variability power spectrum analysis for early diagnosis of diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy.

AIM: The study objective was to compare cardiorespiratory reflex (CR-R) parameters and heart rate variability power spectrum (HRV-PS) analysis in the diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in diabetic patients. METHODS: Four CR-R tests (Valsalva manoeuvre, deep breathing, and two successive 5-minute periods with the subject supine and standing, respectively) were performed in 399 diabetic patients (58.6% male, median age: 51 years) and 105 healthy controls (40% male, median age: 34 years). Patients with two or more abnormal CR-R parameters were classified as CAN+, while those with only one abnormal CR-R parameter were considered CAN 'borderline'. HRV-PS was performed in all study participants. RESULTS: The low-frequency (LF) area with the patient standing was reduced in CAN+ diabetics (median 35.6 normalized units [nu], n=31), in CAN 'borderline' diabetics (median 64.3nu, n=70) and even in diabetics without CAN (median 89.4nu, n=298) versus control subjects (median 93.7nu; P<0.001, P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). Adding the abnormal (<2.5 nu) LF area to the diagnostic criteria in CAN 'borderline' patients caused 11 (15.7%) patients to be considered CAN+. CONCLUSION: Combining abnormal CR-R parameters (I - E and I/E the most specific) with HRV-PS (particularly the LF area with the subject standing) allowed diagnosis of diabetic CAN at an earlier stage.

Can a normal peak expiratory flow exclude severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is underdiagnosed. One barrier to diagnosis is the limited availability of spirometry testing, but in adults at risk for COPD, a normal pre-bronchodilator (pre-BD) peak expiratory flow (PEF) may rule out clinically significant COPD. OBJECTIVE: To identify post-BD airway obstruction using data from 13 708 individuals aged >or=40 years from the PLATINO and BOLD studies. METHODS: We evaluated different cut-off points of pre-BD. The PEF was obtained from a diagnostic-quality spirometer (not a mechanical PEF meter). At least one of the following COPD risk factors was present in 77% of the subjects: chronic respiratory symptoms; exposure to tobacco smoke, biomass smoke or dust in the workplace; or a previous diagnosis of asthma, COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis. RESULTS: Although the positive predictive value was low as expected, a pre-BD PEF of >or=70% predicted effectively ruled out Stages III and IV COPD of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Among those with at least one risk factor, only 12% would require confirmatory spirometry using this criterion. CONCLUSIONS: Adding PEF measurement to a screening questionnaire may rule out severe to very severe COPD without the need for pre- and post-BD spirometry testing. Confirmation is needed from a study using inexpensive PEF meters or pocket spirometers with a staged screening protocol.

Preoperative continuous positive airway pressure compliance in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: assessed by a simplified approach.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency of diagnoses of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in children is increasing and more and more adenotonsillectomies (A&T) are being performed on severely ill children who have a higher perioperatory risk. The objective of the present study was to describe preoperative compliance in the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in children with OSAS, when this treatment was prescribed as a means of preventing complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe data from children with severe OSAS caused by hypertrophy of the adenoids and tonsils, but with no craniofacial abnormalities. CPAP pressure was adjusted either during diurnal polysomnography with sleep deprivation or by self-adjusting devices. Follow-up was conducted through weekly interviews and the downloading of data recorded by the equipment. RESULTS: 48 children were included; 73% of them used a CPAP machine > or =3h per night, and 31% used it for > or =6h per night. The variables associated with good equipment compliance included higher BMI, higher pressure levels in the devices, and a higher number of episodes of apneas and hypopneas. Children who weighed > or =30kg used CPAP for > or =3h per night more often (OR 16, 95% CI 1.9-137). Compliance levels with fixed and self-adjusting CPAP were similar, and side effects in both cases were slight and limited to those caused by the pressure of the masks on patients' skin. One case of excessive bleeding was the only complication reported during A&T. CONCLUSIONS: The mean preoperative use of CPAP equipment by children with severe OSAS was 4.5+/-2.6h. Seventy-three percent of subjects used the equipment for >/=3h.

Estructura poblacional y relaciones ambientales del árbol tropical Nectandra rudis (Lauraceae), una especie rara en el occidente de México / Population structure and environmental relationships of the tropical tree Nectandra rudis (Lauraceae), a rare species in western Mexico

Population structure and environmental relationships of the tropical tree Nectandra rudis (Lauraceae), a rare species in western Mexico. The tree N. rudis is a rare species from western Mexico of which community and population features are unknown. We studied a population in an altitudinal gradient, from 550-1,850 m above sea level in the Sierra de Manantlan, Jalisco, Mexico. We established four 60x48 m sample sites at vertical distances of 100 m along this altitudinal gradient. Within each plot, ten 100 m2 circular sub-sampling units were randomly located. At each unit, we recorded diameter at breast height (dbh) and tree height for all woody vegetation > or =2.5 cm dbh. Basal area, tree density, frequency, species richness and importance values per species and plot. We estimated the vertical structure (total tree height) and diameter( as M=5log(10)N) for all N. rudis individuals. A direct ordination through Canonical Correspondence Analysis was done, involving amongst other species, edaphic and environmental data matrices. The record of 44 N. rudis individuals, in seven out the 56 plots sampled, represents the most septentrional record for the species and the first in Western Mexico. Its density and basal area represented 4.5 % and 8.7 % respectively of the total estimated for the community. The greatest importance values were observed at 1 650 m above sea level. The population structure of N. rudis is structured into five diameter categories in an inverse "J" shaped distribution. This is a typical behavior observed to occur in the Lauraceae, which produces big seeds of short viability that germinate when there is high soil moisture content. The species tend to form dense seedling banks although only a reduced number of them are able to survive. Species richness varies from 27 to 39 at plot level; the greatest importance values for the plots on which N. rudis was found, corresponds to Urera verrucosa (Liebm.) V.W. Steinm., N. rudis, Ficus sp...

Nectandra rudis es una especie rara en el occidente de México. Analizamos la población y la comunidad donde se desarrolla, en la Sierra de Manantlan, Jalisco, México. Establecimos cuatro parcelas de 60x48 m con diferencias altitudinales de 100 m entre sí. En cada una seleccionamos aleatoriamente diez círculos de 100 m2 cada uno, en los cuales medimos los diámetros normales y las alturas de las especies leñosas con diámetro ≥2.5 cm. Para cada especie y por parcela determinamos el área basal, la densidad, la frecuencia, la riqueza de especies y los valores de importancia. Establecimos la estructura vertical y diamétrica de N. rudis. Hicimos una ordenación directa con la matriz de especies y las variables edáficas y ambientales. El registro de N. rudis en la Sierra de Manantlán representa el primer registro para el occidente de México y el más septentrional del taxon. La población se estructura en cinco categorías diamétricas y genera una curva en forma de “J” invertida. La riqueza de especies en las parcelas donde se encuentra N. rudis, varía de 27 a 39, y los mayores valores de importancia son para Urera verrucosa, N. rudis y Ficus sp. La ordenación directa permite postular a la presencia de árboles caídos, la cobertura, la profundidad del horizonte superficial y el magnesio soluble, como los factores ambientales de mayor influencia en la distribución y abundancia de N. rudis.

[Descriptors of breathlessness in Mexican Spanish]. / El lenguaje de la disnea. Una visión desde el español de México.

OBJECTIVE: Breathlessness is the most common symptom of cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. The term encompasses a wide range of descriptors used by patients, however. Identifying those descriptors can be useful for analyzing symptoms and understanding how they arise. The aim of this study was to characterize the descriptors of breathlessness used in Mexican Spanish and to consider their association with various states of respiratory distress and cardiovascular or pulmonary disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was based on 21 descriptors of breathlessness, some of which had no equivalents in English. The subjects included 15 healthy individuals during a cardiopulmonary stress test, 13 healthy subjects after a carbon dioxide rebreathing procedure, and 10 healthy women during pregnancy. We also included 16 patients with confirmed heart disease in stable condition, 15 patients during exacerbation of asthma, 20 with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 15 with diffuse interstitial lung disease also in stable condition. Descriptors of breathlessness were then grouped based on the results of cluster analysis. RESULTS: Seven clusters of phrasal descriptors were identified as possibly representative of types of dyspnea. These clusters of descriptors were categorized as follows: agitation, suffocation, smothering, inhalation, exhalation, panting, and rapidity. Associations between types of dyspnea and the groups of participants were identified based on how frequently they used the terms. CONCLUSIONS: At least 7 clusters or groups of descriptors of breathlessness were identified as equivalent to 7 types of dyspnea; some items have no equivalent in English. Healthy subjects with respiratory distress or certain groups of patients with cardiovascular or pulmonary disease are associated with certain types of dyspnea.

Multiple neutrophilic dermatoses in myelodysplastic syndrome.

A 72-year-old woman developed three consecutive processes that showed characteristics of different neutrophilic dermatoses. First, she developed a picture resembling granuloma faciale, followed by a Sweet's syndrome-like eruption, and then by a superficial pyoderma gangrenosum. She was later diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. This case demonstrates that neutrophilic dermatoses form a spectrum of entities that do not necessarily occur in isolation.

[Reproducibility of spirometry in Mexican workers and international reference values]. / Reproducibilidad de espirometrías en trabajadores mexicanos y valores de referencia internacionales.

OBJECTIVE: To describe spirometric function and adjustment to foreign prediction equations in Mexican workers claiming work related disability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 5771 spirometries done at the Mexican National Institute of Respiratory Diseases performed with equipment and methods proposed by the American Thoracic Society. With the spirometries we generated multiple regression equations separated for men and women based on age and height, compared to other in common use reported by Knudson and Hankinson in North America and by Quanjer in europeans. RESULTS: 80% of the tests were reproducible for FVC and FEV1 according to ATS, whereas 10% were reproducible for neither. Mean FVC in men was 12% above values reported by Quanjer, 22% above Knudson, 3% above Hankinson and 6% above Rodriguez-Reynaga, whereas similar values for women were 18%, 10%, 0% and 1%. Excluding obese and those who had less than 2 acceptable maneuvers, the numbers increase by 1-2%. FEV1 was also above predicted. CONCLUSIONS: Most workers requesting disability are able to generate a reproducible spirometry. However for the same gender, age and height, workers had a FEV1 and a FVC above normal values reported by Knudson and Quanjer and are more similar to those reported by Hankinson in Mexican-Americans. While a set of appropriate reference values are obtained, regression equations obtained from the studied group will generate less error in the evaluation of disability in mexican workers. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.

[Estimation of gasometric values at different altitudes above sea level in Mexico]. / Estimación de los valores gasométricos en diferentes alturas sobre el nivel del mar en México.

We calculated reference values for arterial blood gases at different altitudes in Mexico assuming that sea level PaCO2 is 40 Torr, and in Mexico City (2.24 km. above the sea level) is 31.13 Torr, average of reported reference values. With the previous two points, it is possible to calculate a linear regression: PaCO2 = 40-3.96(altitude in km.). The equation is very similar to that calculated from reports in alveolar gas in North-Americans (Fitzgerald < 5 km): PACO2 = 39.3-3.11(altitude in km), and from subjects acclimatized to acute altitude exposure (< 5 km): PACO2 = 38.3-2.5 (altitude in km). It is also similar to a alinear equation that can be calculated assuming that hyperventilation in permanent habitants of moderate altitudes is inversely proportional to inspired molar concentration of O2: PaCO2 = PIO2/3.74. On the other hand, the equation is very different than that obtained from Andean natives (Hurtado): PaCO2 = 40.4-1.35(altitude in km). The proposed linear equation for Mexico gives very similar results (< 2 Torr difference) than a complex curvilinear equation by Morris et al. appropriate only up to 2.3 km. Evidence from acute exposure to altitude (acclimatized) and in North-Americans (alveolar gas) supports a reasonably accurate linear relationship up to 4 km. and also that the increase in ventilation in response to moderate altitudes in adult permanent residents is inversely proportional to molar concentration of O2. PAO2 was calculated with alveolar gas equation and resting the P(A-a)O2 we obtained PaO2. In conclusion, according to reference values in Mexico City, PaCO2 decreases about 4 Torr per km of altitude above the sea level. The decrease is similar to that reported in North-Americans and in acute exposure to altitude (acclimatized), but much less than that reported in native Peruvians. Ventilation is inversely proportional to the molar concentration of O2 at least up to an altitude where SaO2 is at or above 90%.

[Recurrence and prognostic factors after treatment with antithyroid agents in Graves-Basedow disease. Multicenter study in Northern Spain]. / Recidiva y factores pronósticos tras tratamiento con antitiroideos en la enfermedad de Graves-Basedow. Estudio multicéntrico en el norte de España.

Therapy with anti-thyroid drugs is the initial option mostly used in our country for the treatment of hyperthyroidism due to Graves-Basedow disease. To evaluate the long term results of this kind of therapy, a total of 773 patients were studied who were diagnosed from 1975 to 1994 in three hospitals in Northern Spain (Hospital Central de Asturias, Hospital de Cruces and Hospital de Navarra) after a mean follow-up time after anti-thyroid drug withdrawal of 46 +/- 33.1 months. The results showed a likelihood of hyperthyroidism relapse of 42.9%, 59.8%, 67.9% and 78.9% at one, three, five and ten years, respectively. Goitre size was correlated very significantly with the likelihood of relapse (p < 0.0001). In contrast, only TBII positivity at the end of therapy among the remaining parameters (age, sex, goitre size, length of therapy, positivity of anti-thyroid antibodies and TBII) influenced significantly on the relapse likelihood (p < 0.05). In conclusion, after a long term follow-up after anti-thyroid therapy, a high relapse rate of hyperthyroidism in Graves-Basedow disease, which amounts up to 79% at ten years, was observed. Goitre size was the main predictive factor for this relapse.

[The surgical risk in sleep apnea: the implications for tonsillectomies]. / Riesgo quirúrgico en la apnea del sueño: implicaciones para las amigdalectomías.

Hypertrophy of tonsils or adenoids is the commonest cause of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. Adenotonsillectomy (AT) is frequently curative in children with OSA but riskier than the same procedure without OSA. It is crucial to identify OSA among the patients programmed for AT because they require a detailed evaluation, frequently including total or limited polysomnogram. Patients with OSA need a continuous surveillance before, during, and after surgery, ideally in a referral hospital.

[Normal ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia at an altitude of 2240 meters]. / Respuesta ventilatoria normal a hipoxia e hipercapnia a una altitud de 2240 metros.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia in healthy residents of Mexico City at 2240 m above sea level. METHODS: 15 healthy subjects, 10 women and 5 men, were studied (mean age 38; range 26-76). All completed one or two tests of ventilatory response to hypoxia and hypercapnia as described by Rebuck-Campbell and Read, respectively. The results were analyzed by linear regression using the minute ventilation as the dependent variable and SaO2 (hypoxia) or PCO2 (hypercapnia) as the independent variables. RESULTS: Seven subjects had very low or no response to hypoxia. The mean hypoxia slope was 0.7 +/- 0.6 L/min/% (+/- SD) and the hypercapnia slope was 3.0 +/- 1.4 L/min/mmHg. The intercepts were 176 +/- 278 for SaO2 and 3.0 +/- 7 for PCO2. CONCLUSIONS: A low respiratory response to hypoxia was found in Mexico City Healthy residents. The response to hypercapnia was similar in slope to other studies but had an intercept shifted to lower values. The Mexico City residents showed a behavior typical of patients with chronic hypoxemia or of dwellers at high altitudes.

[Laugier-Hunziker syndrome. A clinical and anatomopathologic study. Presentation of 13 cases]. / Syndrome de Laugier-Hunziker. Etude clinique et anatomopathologique. Présentation de treize cas.

We report the clinico-pathologic characteristics of 13 cases of Laugier-Hunziker disease, consisting of the presence of oral melanotic macules associated or not to longitudinal nail pigmentation. The presence of regular acanthosis, basal pigmentation without increase in the number of melanocytes and the presence of melanophages in subepidermal connective tissue have been the most constant histopathological characteristics. The term "essential cutaneo-mucous hyperpigmentation" as synonym of Laugier-Hunziker disease is proposed.

Dark oral lesions: differential diagnosis with oral melanoma.

Oral melanoma is a neoplasm with a poor prognosis; its premature diagnosis is of foremost importance. We review here pathologic situations to be considered in the clinical differential diagnosis: tattoos, melanotic macules, Laugier's disease, melanocytic nevus, drug intake, some vascular lesions, and oral pigmented lesions associated with endocrine disorders or with different syndromes.