Lymphedema in Mexico: A Clinical and Epidemiological Overview

Background: There is insufficient clear epidemiological and clinical knowledge about lymphedema patient’s population in Mexico, this limits its investigation. The objective of this study is to present basic lymphedema epidemiological data and its clinical characteristics based on the analysis of lymphedema patients’ data collected from a specialized rehabilitation clinic in Mexico. Methods: This is a cohort study developed between 2015 and 2021. The study was carried ou in a private clinic specialized in oncological and peripheral vascular patients’ rehabilitation. Clinical assessments and interviews were performed to collect each case’s clinical history, considering its medical characteristics, physical activity and functionality and socio-demographic information, classified in a matrix, and later statistically evaluated. Results: Among 446 lymphedema patients, gender distribution was represented by 81% female and 19% male with a mean age of 50.5 years (±44.5). The population was categorized into the following three different study groups according to diagnosis: Cancer-Related Lymphedema (CRL), Non-Cancer-Related Secondary Lymphedema (NCRSL) and Primary Lymphedema. 60.08% of the patients had CRL; 25.11% had NCRSL and 14.79% had Primary Lymphedema. Among the patients with CRL, 81% of them corresponded to breast cancer diagnosis, the rest were associated to 19 different cancer diagnoses. The most prevalent diagnosis was breast CRL 48.6%; phlebolymphedema 19.4%; congenital and praecox lymphedema 14.1%; lipo-lymphedema 4.8%. The BMI of 64% of the patients ranged in overweight and obesity. 37.6% of patients reported that had experienced pain in limbs affected by lymphedema and 45% of all patients reported some disability to perform one or more activities associated to their limb volume or limb discomfort. 82% of patients had no physical activity or performed less physical activity than what is suggested to their population group’s recommendation. Conclusion: This study stablishes a precedent on reporting the broadest available epidemiological and clinical data of lymphedema in Mexico. Further studies are needed to report with a higher precision the epidemiological, clinical, and demographical data about each etiological group for a better understanding of lymphedema in Mexico and Latin America.

Relevancia de la detección de cardiopatías congénitas complejas mediante cribado con oximetría de pulso en recién nacidos aparentemente sanos en los establecimientos de salud / Relevance of the detection of complex congenital heart disease by screening with pulse oximetry in apparently healthy newborns in health establishments

Resumen Se trata de un estudio de revisión de datos publicados en literatura médica relacionada con el cribado usado para la detección temprana de cardiopatías congénitas complejas en recién nacidos aparentemente sanos en diversas ciudades del mundo, incluyendo los reportados en México, desde aquellos en los que se realiza el cribado por el conocimiento de la fisiopatologìa de datos indirectos de hipoxia, observación de cianosis diferencial y la consecuente diferencia en los valores de la pulsioximetría pre y posductal derivada de la dependencia ductal y/o de comunicación interauricular de diversas cardiopatías congénitas graves, hasta aquellos estudios de investigación realizados de forma masiva y reportados como multicéntricos, justificando la utilidad de la práctica para su implementación cotidiana y obligada de forma extensa a nivel internacional. Asimismo se citan tópicos legislativos en nuestro país como parte de los esfuerzos para establecer la obligatoriedad del cribado en toda la República Mexicana.

Abstract A review is presented of data published in medical literature related to the screening used for the early detection of complex congenital heart disease in apparently healthy newborns in several cities of the world, including those reported in Mexico. The screening wasperformed due to the knowledge of the pathophysiology of indirect hypoxia data, observation of differential cyanosis and the consequent difference in the values of pre- and post-ductal pulse oximetry derived from the ductal and/or atrial septal defect dependence of several severe congenital heart diseases. Multicentre research studies have also been carried out on a massive scale, thus justifying the usefulness of the practice for its daily implementation and at international level. Additionally, legislative topics are cited in our country as part of the efforts to establish the mandatory nature of the screening throughout the Mexican Republic.

Efecto del origen geográfico en la calidad morfológica de plantas de Prosopis alba (Fabaceae) / Effect of geographic origin on morphological qualities of the plant Prosopis alba (Fabaceae)

Resumen El origen geográfico de la semilla ejerce un control genético sobre los caracteres de comportamiento de las plantas por lo cual su selección es una herramienta útil para lograr la máxima adaptación de la especie al medio. En este sentido, la caracterización de materiales de diferentes procedencias brinda información para la elección de las fuentes de semilla utilizables en programas de mejora, así como en proyectos de forestación y/o repoblación. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo establecer el efecto de la procedencia sobre las variables morfológicas que constituyen parámetros de calidad en plantines de Prosopis alba provenientes de tres áreas geográficas. Se midieron variables morfológicas de las plantas hasta los 150 días posteriores a la siembra. El efecto de la procedencia resultó significativo para la mayoría de las variables medidas: altura de las plantas y diámetro a la altura del cuello (al menos durante los primeros 3 meses de viverización), volumen de raíz, peso foliar específico y área foliar específica. Así mismo algunos de los índices y cocientes morfológicos considerados como variables para determinar la calidad de plantas resultan afectados por el origen geográfico del material: relación longitud parte aérea/parte radical, coeficiente de esbeltez e índice de esbeltez. Los resultados permiten afirmar que en P. alba la procedencia influye sobre la morfología de las plantas y determina la existencia de dos grupos diferentes: por un lado, las procedencias santiagueña y chaqueña y, por otro, la procedencia Salta Norte.

Abstract Seed provenance has a genetic control over the behavioral characteristics of plants, whereby selection is an useful tool to achieve the maximum adaptation of the species to the environment. In this sense, different provenance materials characterization provides information for choosing seed sources used in breeding programs, as well as afforestation and/or reforestation projects. The aim of this work was established provenance´s effect on morphological variables that constitute quality parameters in Prosopis alba seedlings from three geographic areas. Morphological plants´ variables were measured up to 150 days after planting. Provenance effect was significant for most of measured variables: plant´s height, neck diameter (at least during the first 3 months of nursery), root volume, specific leaf weight and specific leaf area. Likewise, some of the morphological indices and quotients considered variables to determine plants´ quality are affected by material´s geographical origin: shoot length/ root length proportion, slenderness coefficient and index. Results allow affirming P. alba´s provenance influences plants´ morphology determining the existence of two different groups: on one hand Santiago del Estero and Chaco provenances, and on the other, Salta Norte origin. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(2): 593-604. Epub 2018 June 01.

Condiciones ambientales como factores de riesgo para la salud y su relación con enfermedades diarreicas e infecciones respiratorias agudas, en niños/as menores de 5 años que acuden al hospital de Quillacollo entre septiembre a noviembre del 2010 / Environmental conditions as risk factors for health and their relationship with diarrheal diseases and acute respiratory infections in children / as under 5 attending the hospital Quillacollo from September to November 2010

Las condiciones de vivienda y saneamiento básico son fundamentales para llevar una vida sana y de calidad; sin embargo, al no contar con los mismos o si éstos son utilizados de manera ineficiente, llega a ser dañino para la salud. El presente estudio relacionó estos factores de vivienda y saneamiento básico con la incidencia de dos enfermedades con más altas tasas de de morbi mortalidad en niños/as menores de 5 años, en el hospital de segundo nivel de Quillacollo, con un total de 98 menores de 5 años que asistieron a consulta externa por una de estas dos enfermedades.Un 73.6% de niños/as que tuvo diarrea y un 74.4% que tuvo tos, cuenta con servicios básicos adecuados como agua por cañería, recojo de basura a través de un carro basurero y alcantarillado, y un 26.4% que tuvo diarrea y un 25.6% que tuvo tos, cuentan con servicios alternativos como agua de pozo, disposición de basura a través de un contenedor y letrina sanitaria. Estos resultados llevaron a la elaboración de propuestas de educación para el mejoramiento de las condiciones de vivienda y saneamiento básico, tanto para el personal de salud y las autoridades del municipio, con el objetivo de sensibilizar a los mismos y lograr una mayor atención a la población, velando de esta manera por la salud, sobre todo la infantil

Plant regeneration of Ilex paraguariensis (Aquifoliaceae) by in vitro culture of nodal segments

In vitro regeneration of complete plants from nodal single bud segments of "yerba mate" (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) was studied under defined nutritional and environmental conditions. Nodal segments harvested from actively growing shoots of conventionally raised plants were cultured on nutrient medium with the mineral salts and vitamins of Murashige and Skoog medium at 1/4 strength, supplemented with various concentrations of sucrose and 6-benzyladenine (BAP). Shoot regeneration from explants of both young (2 years old) and adult (20 years old) mother plants were readily achieved in the medium supplemented with 0.04-0.09 M sucrose with or without BAP. As many as 60-65 of the nodal segments cultured formed shoots. Rooting of regenerated shoots was observed in 50 of the explants harvested from young plants, whereas 25 of the explants rooted when the nodal explants were harvested from adult plants. The best rooting induction was achieved on 1/4 strength MS medium with vermiculite as the substrate and supplemented with 1-1.5 IBA (indolebutyric acid) and 1-2 PPZ (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2 pyrazolin-5-one). Plantlets were successfully transferred to soil.

Prevalencia de las patologias de la columna vertebral. Sus medidas preventivas / The prevalence of spinal column pathologies. Preventive measures

It has been observed that a high percentage of students present problems with the spinal column; this is due to the lack of prevention in the activities of daily life and in hospitals' practice. Added to this, is the presence of a large percentage of alterations of the feet. This coincides with our hypothesis of work, and brings us to suggest the correct positions in the principal postures.