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Abstract: Despite the ecological and economical importance of tropical forests they are currently affected by human activities, mainly through deforestation and selective extraction. With the aim of making an opportune diagnosis of the condition of forests, we developed an ecological index based on qualitative and semi-quantitative data, allowing a quick diagnosis in order to manage and conserve tropical forests. We evaluated 44 plots of tree vegetation, measuring canopy height, number of strata, tree cover, dominant trees, number of tree species, as well as the management of and damage to the forest. The data of each parameter was classified in categories of 3, 4 or 5, which were normalized between 0 and 1 for the worst and best characteristics, respectively. For the purpose of analysis, the average, a set of IF–THEN rules, and fuzzy logic were applied and as a result we obtained a model that measures the ecological condition of the tropical forests. The model has the advantages of having an ecological basis, allows data to be gathered quickly and is clear and easy to manage and interpret. When running the model, the value of each intermediate variable is displayed, thus allowing the detection of where necessary action is required to improve the ecological condition of the forest. We expect this index to contribute in evaluating the effectiveness of forest management and possibly offer advice for the short-term management and conservation of the remnants of tropical forests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is mainly caused by Mycobacterium bovis. In Mexico, dairy cattle play an important role in the persistence and spread of the bacillus. In order to describe M. bovis genetic diversity, we genotyped a total of 132 strains isolated from slaughtered cattle with bTB suggestive lesions between 2009 and 2010 in Hidalgo, Mexico, using a panel of 9-loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) and spoligotyping. We found 21 spoligotypes, and 124 isolates were grouped in 13 clusters. The most frequent spoligotypes were SB0121 (49, 37.1%) and SB0673 (27, 20.5%); three new spoligotypes were reported SB02703, SB02704 and SB02705. We observed 37 MIRU-VNTR patterns, 107 isolates were grouped in 12 clusters and 25 isolates were unique. Spoligotypes SB0121, SB0673, SB0140, SB0145 and SB0120 showed marked subdivision applying MIRU-VNTR method; meanwhile, spoligotypes SB0971 and SB0327 showed single MIRU-VNTR profiles. The Hunter-Gaston discriminatory index (HGDI) was 0.88, 0.78 and 0.90 for 9-loci MIRU-VNTR, spoligotyping and both methods, respectively. Additionally, allelic diversity (h) analysis showed high diversity for QUB3232, QUB26 and QUB11b with h = 0.79, 0.66 and 0.63, respectively. Overall, high genetic variability was observed among M. bovis isolates. Thus, the use of 9-loci MIRU-VNTR panel is enough to describe genetic diversity, evolution and distribution of M. bovis. This study supports the use of these tools for subsequent epidemiological studies in high incidence areas., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: prehypertension is the category established in JNC-7, which designates the individuals that present diastolic blood pressure of 80-89 mm Hg and systolic blood pressure of 120-139 mm Hg, and it is associated to high rates of cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the study was to identify prevalence rates and their correlation with sociodemographic factors and comorbidity in a sample of a population of Veracruz, Mexico., Methods: a cross-sectional and representative survey was chosen by means of probability sampling. Sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and anthropometric characteristics were assessed. Odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals were obtained., Results: the prehypertension prevalence found was 33.8 %, with an average age of 40.9 ± 14.2 years in prehypertensive subjects, and 50.6 ± 12.7 in hypertension subjects (p < 0.05). In relation with prehypertension, males presented a 1.48 (1.18-1.86) OR. Also, those who had more than 40 years had an OR of 1.9 (1.51-2.38); the ones with basic schooling, an OR of 1.73 (1.38-2.17); subjects with hyperglycemia, OR 3.0 (1.5-3.75); with overweight, OR 1.41 (1.01-1.68); and those with other comorbidities an OR of 1.61 (1.09-2.36)., Conclusions: a high prevalence of prehypertension was found in the sample, and it was associated to male gender subjects, aged above 40 years, with basic schooling and relevant comorbidities, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Aim: The aim of this study was to establish the impact of the redefinition and reclassification of odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) as a tumour on the prevalence of odontogenic tumours (OT)., Methods: We revised 15 435 files of a teaching head and neck histopathology service in the time period from January 1981 to December 2008 and 478 cases of OT were selected. The 342 cases from 1981 to 2004 were classified according 1992 to the World Health Organization (WHO)-classification (excluding keratocystic OT) while the 136 cases from 2005 onwards were classified according to the 2005 WHO-classification (including keratocystic OT). Age and gender were obtained from medical records. The frequency distribution and prevalence of OT from each periods of time were compared. A chi-square test was performed (P < 0.05 95% confidence interval)., Results: The prevalence of OT increases 92% in the 2005-2008 period; from 2.6% (1981-2004 period) to 5% (2005-2008 period) (P 0.000).The most frequent OT in the 1981-2004 period was odontoma (45% of all OT) while in the 2005-2008 period was Keratocystic Odontogenicv Tumour (38.9%)., Conclusions: The redefinition of OKC as a tumour produced an increase in the frequency and prevalence of OT.

Dengue is known as an endemic disease of tropical and subtropical regions. It was considered a disease very frequent on kids, but recently an increase was reported on adult people. Some of these cases were related to pregnant women, for that reason, we decided to check eight cases, including just the mothers who presented dengue virus infection through ELISA IgM. IgG and ELISA IgM studies. Five products were determined between 3 and 9-born-babies. Eight cases of dengue were analyzed during pregnancy, three cases of fever dengue and five cases of hemorrhagic dengue; main complications detected were threat of abortion, and premature labour, postsurgical bleeding with desiccant haematoma of uterine artery, oligohydramnios, as well as pleural effusion, two of the neonates were classified as septic for presenting fever. In no case, IgG or IgM for fever dengue was detected in neonates.

Introduction: Critical reading holds an important role in methodical criticism of clinical aptitude, which contributes to its perfection, which would be indispensable in the study and consideration in the continuing formation of the medical resident., Objective: To investigate the degree of development of critical reading of information of clinical investigation, in medical residents of five specialties in the country., Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study took place, in 3060 medical residents of five residencies (internal medicine n=474, pediatric n=358, family medicine n=1651, ER/doctor surgical n=269 and anaesthesiology n=308). In order to measure the degree of development of critical reading, an instrument with eight clinical research article summaries was elaborated, selected according to the proposed classification of types of studies by McMaster University, with subjects that could be of interest for the studied residents; constituted by 150 items that explore three indicators (to interpret, to judge and to propose); validated by five experts with educational experience, clinical-epidemiologist and in publication of works; a pilot study was made and the internal trustworthiness with the test of Kuder-Richardson was considered (KR-20), obtaining a 0.90 coefficient. The capture of data and the qualification of the instrument were made with the blinded technique. The analysis was made with parametric statistic., Results: The residencies that received greater points were internal medicine and pediatrics (X 50.23 +/- 15.02 and X 48.84 +/- 15.76, respectively, of a theoretical qualification maxima of 150). Also, it was not observed in the points reached in the critical reading by the resident doctors, an ascending tendency per year of residency (of R1 to R4)., Conclusions: In critical reading, residents of internal medicine as well as pediatrics obtained the highest scores in contrast with family medicine, ER, surgical and anesthesiology which obtained lower scores. Also, it seems to be that until this moment, the development of this aptitude does not keep correspondence as it is passed per year of residency.

Objective: To explore ability to read clinical research papers by pediatric residents at different stages of their training., Setting: Four hospitals of the Mexican Social Security System located in Mexico City., Material and Methods: An instrument to evaluate the ability to read critically pediatric research papers was developed and validated by four experts. It contained four abstracts generated from research articles and was integrated by 30 interpretation items, 30 judgment items and 30 alternative proposals items, to be answered by the true-false- don't know system., Results: Sixty seven residents participated (21 first year, 20 second year and 26 third year level). There were no significant differences in interpretation, judgment and overall scores between groups. There was a significant degree of agreement in the ordinality of the residents for the scores in interpretation, judgment and proposals (Kendall W = 0.55, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: We conclude that the residents were not influenced by the training received during their residence in regard to their ability for critical reading of clinical research papers.

Neurologic complications associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection vary geographically. To understand the pattern of HIV-associated neurologic complications in Mexico, 120 AIDS patients from Mexico City, Mexico, and 500 AIDS patients from Houston, Texas, were studied cross-sectionally and retrospectively. Neurologic, laboratory, imaging, and pathologic examinations identified 40 Mexican patients and 130 U.S. patients with neurologic complications. Whereas AIDS dementia complex was the most common neurologic manifestation in both groups, intracranial tuberculoma was present only in the Mexican population (10%). Primary brain lymphoma was more prevalent in the U.S. population (8.4%). The different findings in the Mexican population likely reflect afflictions common to developing countries--a high prevalence of tuberculosis and a high mortality rate. These conditions preclude complications such as lymphoma, which develop later in the natural course of HIV infection.

A descriptive study of caries prevalence in peripheral urban and rural underprivileged groups was undertaken in self-selected populations demanding basic dental therapy in seven states of Mexico. Dental therapy services were delivered as part of a mobile oral health care program in the Mexican countryside implemented by the Dental School of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, during 1990 and 1991. Partial examination of clinical histories of 2,596 patients (mean age 21.8 years) revealed a mean DMFT (the sum of decayed, missing and filled teeth) of 9.21. Only 6.3 per cent of patients had DMFT = 0 and 10.7 per cent were caries-free. The largest component of DMFT were decayed teeth and the smallest one filled teeth. In general, results suggested that caries prevalence was high within the study populations, highlighting the little restorative treatment previously undertaken. The convenience of implementing oral health care schemes to deal with caries morbidity is discussed from the perspective of both the traditional dental treatment approach and preventive public health policies, taking into account the background of complex treatment needs present in these population groups.

The functioning of the Intensive Care Units has permitted a better study and treatment of the arrhythmias which complicate the acute phase of myocardial infarction. 1,100 charts of patients admitted to the Coronary Unit of the National Institute of Cardiology of Mexico were reviewed. Acute myocardial infarction was demonstrated in 819 of them by the usual methods. The frequency and characteristics of the following bradiarrhythmias were studied: sinus bradicardia, sinus stoppage, seno-atrial block, migration of the atrial pacing, union rhythm and slow ventricular tachycardia. Sinus bradicardia was presented in 23.7% of the infarctions, sinus stoppage in 2.4%, migration of the atrial pacing in 9.4%, nodal rhythm in 7.2% and slow ventricular tachycardia in 7.8%. Bradiarrhythmias, generally considered as "lesser" arrhythmias, favor the appearance of lethal arrhythmias, regardless of the degree of mechanical failure, and thus should be treated actively.