Satellite Images Combined with Field Data Reveal Negative Changes in the Distribution of Babassu Palms after Clearing off Amazonian Forests.

When the Amazonian rain forest is cut to create pasture, some of the original vegetal species survive clearing, even expressing their ability to invade agro-systems. It is true of the babassu palm, which can be considered, paradoxically, a natural resource by the "Interstate Movement of Babassu Fruit Breaker Women" or as native weed by land owners-farmers. To manage potential conflict of land uses, we study here the current density of this palm tree in different habitats, based on a combination of field data and remote sensing data. Firstly, we checked that the field survey methodology (i.e., counting free-trunk palm trees over 20 cm in circumference) provides density values compatible with those stemming from satellite images interpretation. We can see then that, a PA-Benfica Brazilian territory revealed an average density of the babassu lower in pastures (2.86 ind/ha) than in the dense forest (4.72 ind/ha) from which they originate and than in fallow land (4.31 ind/ha). We analyze in detail density data repartition in three habitats and we discuss results from the literature on the density of this palm tree versus its resilience at different developmental stages after forest clearing, depending on anthropogenic-or not-factors, including solar radiation, fire, weeding, clear cutting, burying fruit, and competition with forage grass. All these results can be exploited for the design of future management plans for the babassu palm and we think that the linked methodology and interdisciplinary approach can be extended to others palms and trees species in similar problematic issues.

The association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with indicators of bone quality in men of Caucasian and African ancestry.

UNLABELLED: We examined the association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] with indices of bone quality in older men. Positive associations for 25(OH)D and bone mineral density, content, cortical thickness, and axial and polar strength strain indices were observed among Caucasians; however, among men of African descent findings were either null or negative. INTRODUCTION: There are limited data on serum 25(OH)D and bone measures in men of African ancestry. To better understand racial differences in vitamin D status and bone health, a cross-sectional study among 446 Caucasian men in the US and 496 men of African ancestry in Tobago (age ≥ 65 years) was conducted. METHODS: Serum 25(OH)D (liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry) was measured, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans were administered. Bone measures estimated included trabecular and cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), bone mineral content (BMC), bone geometry (cross-sectional area and cortical thickness), and polar and axial strength strain indices (SSIp and SSIx). RESULTS: Men of African ancestry had higher 25(OH)D than Caucasians (34.7 vs. 27.6 ng/ml, p < 0.01). Among Caucasians, 25(OH)D was positively (p trend < 0.05) associated with cortical vBMD, total BMC, cortical thickness, SSIp, and SSIx at the distal radius after adjustment for potential confounders. Similar patterns were observed at the distal tibia. In contrast, in men of African ancestry, there was an inverse association (p trend < 0.05) between 25(OH)D and the cross-sectional area, and SSIx. Race modified (p for interaction < 0.05) the association between 25(OH)D and total BMC, cross-sectional area, SSIp, SSIx, and trabecular vBMD of the radius. In men of African ancestry, there was evidence of a threshold effect (at approximately 18 ng/ml) for 25(OH)D on tibial total BMC and cortical thickness. CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed to better comprehend these race differences for 25(OH)D and bone density, geometry, and indices of bone strength.

Evaluación de la efectividad del renikan: extracto del pelargonium sidoides estandarizado EPs7630 en el tratmiento de las infecciones de las vías respiratorias superiores de etiología viral / Evaluation of the effectiveness of renikan: standardized extract of Pelargonium sidoides tratmiento EPs7630 in infections of the upper respiratory tract viral etiology

Las infecciones respiratorias, uno de los síndromes más frecuentes a nivel comunitario pueden ser de dos tipos: infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior o inferior. En su gran mayoría son inicadas por una infección viral transformando el terreno vulnerable a la sobre infección bacteriana. Hasta 2/3 de los pacientes son tratados desde el inicio de los síntomas con antibióticos, aunque este tratamiento no influye positivamente sobre el curso de la enfermedad. Renikan, fitofármaco extraído de la raíz del Pelargonium Sidoides, posee un triple mecanismo de acción: antiviral, antibacteriano y mucolítico, antiviral, porque activa los mecanismos de defensa antivirales orgánicos, antibacetriano, por su actividad bacteriostática directa e indirecta, y mucolítico, por sus propiedades secretomotoras y expectorantes. El objetivo fue comprobar la efectividad y tolerabilidad de Renikan en el tratamiento de las infecciones respiratorias. Diseño abierto y multicéntrico. Se seleccionaron niños de 6 a12 años y adultos de cualquier sexo o raza, con infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior. A los cuales se le suministró Renikan durante 7 días continuos, se evaluó: evolución de los síntomas, necesidad de uso de antibióticos y la escala de resultados integraticos IMOs. Ingreason un total 305 pacientes, 156 adultos y 149 niños distribuidos en tres grupos de estudio: Rinosinusitis, 97 pacientes, los cuales presentaron mejoría de sus síntomas en un 86% en los adultos y no utilizaron antibióticos en un 86%; los niños mejoraron en un 80%, y no usaron antibióticos en 91%. En el caso de las Amigdalitis hubo 108 pacientes con una mejoría sintomatológica en adultos del 92% y en los niños el 89%, no antibióticoterapia en el 86% de los adultos y 93% de los niños. El uso de Renikan en pacientes con infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior, demuestra ser seguro y efecivo tanto en adultos como en niños mayores de 6 años

Respiratory tract infections are the most common syndromes at community, there are two types: upper and lower respiratory tract infections. The vast majoritary are stared by a viral infection transforming the land vulnerable into a bacterial infection. The 2/3 o patients is treated from the onset of symptoms with antibiotics, although it is known that this treatment not positively influences the course of the disease. Renikan, herbal extrated fron the root of pelargonium sidoides has a threefold mechanism of action: antibiotic and mucolytic, antiviral, because it activates the natural antiviral mechanism of defense; antibacterial, due to its direct and indirect bacterostatic action and mucolytic, owing to its secretomotory and expectorant properties. To test the effectiveness and tolerability of renikan in the treatment of respiratory infections. Open desing, multicenter study. We selected children 6-12 years'age and adults of any sex orrance with upper respiratory tract infecctions. Theyreceived renikan for 7 consecutive days, changes in symptoms; necessity of antibiotic use and the integrative medicine outcome scale (IMOS) were evaluated. Of total of 305 patients, 156 adults and 149 children were divided into three groups: 97 rhinosinusitis patients, who showed symptoms improvement in 86% of adults and 91% of children, in 108 tonsillitis patients, an improvement of symptoms was found in 92% of adults and 89% of children, no antibiotic use were in 86% of adults and 93% of children, and, in a third group consistng of 100 patients with bronchitis, improvement was report in 98% od adults and in 73% of children, no antibiotics were used in 88% of adults and 96% of children. The use of concomitant therapy decreasedin 50% of cases and only 0.02% of patients had adverse events. The use of renikan use in patients with upper respiratory tract infections was shown to be safe and effective in both adults and children over 6 years of age

Augmented trochanteric bone mineral density after modified physical education classes: a randomized school-based exercise intervention study in prepubescent and early pubescent children.

BACKGROUND: Of the few exercise intervention studies focusing on pediatric populations, none have confined the intervention to the scheduled physical education curriculum. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of an 8-month school-based jumping program on the change in areal bone mineral density (aBMD), in grams per square centimeter, of healthy third- and fourth-grade children. STUDY DESIGN: Ten elementary schools were randomized to exercise (n = 63) and control groups (n = 81). Exercise groups did 10 tuck jumps 3 times weekly and incorporated jumping, hopping, and skipping into twice weekly physical education classes. Control groups did regular physical education classes. At baseline and after 8 months of intervention, we measured aBMD and lean and fat mass by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR-4500). Calcium intake, physical activity, and maturity were estimated by questionnaire. RESULTS: The exercise group showed significantly greater change in femoral trochanteric aBMD (4.4% vs 3.2%; P <.05). There were no group differences at other sites. Results were similar after controlling for covariates (baseline aBMD change in height, change in lean, calcium, physical activity, sex, and ethnicity) in hierarchical regression. CONCLUSIONS: An easily implemented school-based jumping intervention augments aBMD at the trochanteric region in the prepubertal and early pubertal skeleton.

Carcinomas de la región areolar / Carcinomas of the areolar region

Se presenta una serie de 634 pacientes con cáncer de mama, en las cuales se analiza la ubicación de los tumores en general y en la zona retroareolar en particular. En este último grupo se analizan distintas variables de comportamientos en relación a la serie general y se exponen y comentan los resultados

Carcinomas de la región areolar / Carcinomas of the areolar region

Se presenta una serie de 634 pacientes con cáncer de mama, en las cuales se analiza la ubicación de los tumores en general y en la zona retroareolar en particular. En este último grupo se analizan distintas variables de comportamientos en relación a la serie general y se exponen y comentan los resultados