Fire has been an integral part of ecosystem functioning in many biomes for a long time, but the increased intensity and frequency of wildfires often affect plant diversity and carbon storage. ...Prescribed burning is one of the alternatives to forest fuel management where the fire is controlled and carried out under a determined set of weather conditions and objectives. The effect of prescribed burning on plant diversity and carbon (C) storage has not been studied widely. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of prescribed burning on plant diversity indices, biomass stocks, and soil C storage in the tropical highland forests of Southern Mexico. We assessed plant diversity and carbon stocks at 21 sampling sites: seven with prescribed burning, seven non-burning, and seven with wildfires. We calculated tree biodiversity indices, stand structural properties, and species composition among burning treatments. We quantified C stocks in vegetation biomass by using an allometric equation and forest litter by direct sampling. We analyzed 252 soil samples for soil organic C content and other properties. The results showed that the biodiversity index was higher in sites with prescribed burning (Shannon index, H = 1.26) and non-burning (H = 1.14) than in wildfire sites (H = 0.36). There was a greater similarity in plant species composition between non-burning and prescribed burning sites compared to wildfire sites. Prescribed burning showed a positive effect on soil carbon storage (183.9 Mg C ha−1) when compared to wildfire (144.3 Mg C ha−1), but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) in biomass stocks. Prescribed burning in this study conserved plant diversity as well as soil carbon stocks compared to non-burning, the opposite of what we found in wildfires.
ABSTRACTMutations are the result of effects produced by mutagenic agents, which may be responsible for the generation of chronic-degenerative diseases such as cancer. The aim of this work was to ...detect and characterize compounds with antimutagenic activity in white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cephalothorax. A serial extraction was carried out where different organic solvents, and its biological activity was evaluated. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assay, where the methanol and water-soluble extracts had the highest antioxidant capacity. Antimutagenicity was evaluated by the Ames test, where the methanol-soluble extract showed the highest antimutagenic activity. The methanolic extract was fractionated by open column chromatography, the fractions obtained were determined antioxidant and antimutagenic activity and the ability to protect DNA from oxidative damage. Fraction H27 provided DNA the highest protection against the damage caused by H2O2. Partial chemical-characterization of fraction H27 suggests the presence of aromatic, hydroxylated, unsaturated compounds.
To determine whether severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19 disease) exposure in pregnancy, compared to non-exposure, is associated with infection-related ...obstetric morbidity.
We conducted a multicentre prospective study in pregnancy based on a universal antenatal screening program for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Throughout Spain 45 hospitals tested all women at admission on delivery ward using polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) for COVID-19 since late March 2020. The cohort of positive mothers and the concurrent sample of negative mothers was followed up until 6-weeks post-partum. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusting for known confounding variables, determined the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and obstetric outcomes.
Preterm delivery (primary), premature rupture of membranes and neonatal intensive care unit admissions.
Among 1009 screened pregnancies, 246 were SARS-CoV-2 positive. Compared to negative mothers (763 cases), SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the odds of preterm birth (34 vs 51, 13.8% vs 6.7%, aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.32-3.36, p = 0.002); iatrogenic preterm delivery was more frequent in infected women (4.9% vs 1.3%, p = 0.001), while the occurrence of spontaneous preterm deliveries was statistically similar (6.1% vs 4.7%). An increased risk of premature rupture of membranes at term (39 vs 75, 15.8% vs 9.8%, aOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.11-2.57, p = 0.013) and neonatal intensive care unit admissions (23 vs 18, 9.3% vs 2.4%, aOR 4.62, 95% CI 2.43-8.94, p < 0.001) was also observed in positive mothers.
This prospective multicentre study demonstrated that pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 have more infection-related obstetric morbidity. This hypothesis merits evaluation of a causal association in further research.
Los combustibles forestales son uno de los principales reservorios de carbono, pero también se consideran un factor involucrado en la ocurrencia e intensidad de incendios forestales. El objetivo de ...este estudio fue analizar la dinámica temporal de almacenamiento y efecto del incendio sobre los combustibles forestales en bosque de pino (Pinus oocarpaSchiede). La medición hojarasca, mantillo y materiales leñosos se realizó de 2010 a 2021 en cuatro sitios de un bosque de pino del Cerro Nambiyugua, Villaflores, Chiapascon el método del Inventario Nacional Forestal y de Suelos. En cada sitio, se utilizaron ocho cuadrantes de 30 x 30 cm2 para colectar las muestras de hojarasca y mantillo. Para el secado de las muestras, se utilizaron bolsas de papel estraza y se colocaron en estufa a 70°C durante 72 horas. El material leñoso caído se determinó con la metodología de interseccion planar. La carga de hojarasca y mantillo aumentó gradualmente con el tiempo Las mayores cargas de hojarasca se obtuvieron en el año 2018 con 12.67 t ha-1. Después del incendio forestal del año 2019, la carga de hojarasca disminuyo a 5.67 t ha-1, y para el 2021 aumento a 8.65 t ha-1. La tendencia de acumulación de material leñoso caído varió según la categoría de horas de ignición. Los resultados de este estudio tienen implicaciones fundamentales en las estrategias y periodicidad del manejo de carga de combustibles forestales y almacenamiento de carbono ya que con el cambio climático se espera mayor frecuencia de incendios forestales.
Around two percent of asymptomatic women in labor test positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Spain. Families and care providers face childbirth with ...uncertainty. We determined if SARS-CoV-2 infection at delivery among asymptomatic mothers had different obstetric outcomes compared to negative patients. This was a multicenter prospective study based on universal antenatal screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 42 hospitals tested women admitted for delivery using polymerase chain reaction, from March to May 2020. We included positive mothers and a sample of negative mothers asymptomatic throughout the antenatal period, with 6-week postpartum follow-up. Association between SARS-CoV-2 and obstetric outcomes was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. In total, 174 asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnancies were compared with 430 asymptomatic negative pregnancies. No differences were observed between both groups in key maternal and neonatal outcomes at delivery and follow-up, with the exception of prelabor rupture of membranes at term (adjusted odds ratio 1.88, 95% confidence interval 1.13-3.11;
= 0.015). Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers have higher odds of prelabor rupture of membranes at term, without an increase in perinatal complications, compared to negative mothers. Pregnant women testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 at admission for delivery should be reassured by their healthcare workers in the absence of symptoms.
The aim of this study was to compare tumour burden in patients who underwent surgery for melanoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma during nationwide lockdown in Spain due to COVID-19 (for the ...period 14 March to 13 June 2020) and during the same dates in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, associations between median tumour burden (Breslow thickness for melanoma and maximum clinical diameter for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma) and demographic, clinical, and medical factors were analysed, building a multivariate linear regression model. During the 3 months of lockdown, there was a significant decrease in skin tumours operated on (41% decrease for melanoma (
n
= 352 vs
n
= 207) and 44% decrease for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (
n
= 770 vs
n
= 429)) compared with the previous year. The proportion of large skin tumours operated on increased. Fear of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with respect to family member/close contact, and detection of the lesion by the patient or doctor, were related to thicker melanomas; and fear of being diagnosed with cancer, and detection of the lesion by the patient or relatives, were related to larger size cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. In conclusion, lockdown due to COVID-19 has resulted in a reduction in treatment of skin cancer.
Background: The health crisis caused by COVID-19
required the prompt launch of research in order to generate
scientific evidence pertaining to the new disease
oriented to control its devastating ...effects and continuous
spread. Therefore, it was essential to adapt the work flow
of Research Ethics Committees, to prioritize and to accelerate
the evaluation of projects related to this disease.
Methods: This work analyses the evaluation conducted
by our Regional Ethics Committees during the initial
period of the health emergency (between 13th March and
28th May 2020).
Results: 81 research projects were evaluated, 73 of
them of regional scope (62 single-centre), 4 national and
4 international. 57 projects obtained a favourable opinion,
4 were withdrawn by the sponsors, 6 did not require ethics
approval and 14 did not respond to the clarifications requested
up to the date of the study’s closure.
Conclusions: The most important research procedures
to be analysed in this context are those related to
the methodology and informed consent process. It is also
essential to address aspects related to the privacy of personal
data, and to take into account the workload of the
researchers. As an improvement proposal, we think that
greater collaboration between the different research teams
should be encourage to obtain more robust results.
Fundamentos: La crisis sanitaria motivada por la
COVID-19 hace necesaria la puesta en marcha, con celeridad,
de investigaciones encaminadas a generar evidencias
científicas que incidan en el control de sus devastadores
efectos. Por ello, fue necesario realizar ajustes
en la dinámica de trabajo de los Comités de Ética de la
Investigación, así como priorizar y agilizar la evaluación
de los proyectos relacionados con dicha enfermedad.
Este trabajo pretendió analizar la actividad la actividad
evaluadora del Comité de Ética de la Investigación con
Medicamentos de Galicia (CEIm-G) durante dicho período
de emergencia sanitaria.
Métodos: Se evaluaron 81 proyectos de investigación,
73 de ellos de ámbito autonómico (62 unicéntricos),
4 nacionales y 4 internacionales.
Resultados: En 57 proyectos el dictamen fue favorable,
4 fueron retirados por los promotores, en 6 no procedía
dictamen y 14 no respondieron a las aclaraciones
solicitadas hasta la fecha del cierre del estudio.
Conclusiones: Las causas más frecuentes de solicitud
de aclaraciones están relacionadas con la metodología
y, a continuación, con la hoja de información
al paciente y el consentimiento informado. También es
imprescindible abordar los aspectos relacionados con la
intimidad de los datos personales y las muestras, e igualmente
tener en cuenta la carga de trabajo de los investigadores.
Como propuesta de mejora, consideramos que
se debe incidir en una mayor coordinación entre los diferentes
equipos de investigación para tratar de obtener
resultados más robustos.
The pharmacologic management of rheumatoid arthritis has progressed substantially over the past years. It is therefore desirable that existing information be periodically updated. There are several ...published international guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that hardly adapt to the Mexican health system because of its limited healthcare resources. Hence, it is imperative to unify the existing recommendations and to incorporate them to a set of clinical, updated recommendations; the Mexican College of Rheumatology developed these recommendations in order to offer an integral management approach of rheumatoid arthritis according to the resources of the Mexican health system.
To review, update and improve the available evidence within clinical practice guidelines on the pharmacological management of rheumatoid arthritis and produce a set of recommendations adapted to the Mexican health system, according to evidence available through December 2012.
The working group was composed of 30 trained and experienced rheumatologists with a high quality of clinical knowledge and judgment. Recommendations were based on the highest quality evidence from the previously established treatment guidelines, meta-analysis and controlled clinical trials for the adult population with rheumatoid arthritis.
During the conformation of this document, each working group settled the existing evidence from the different topics according to their experience. Finally, all the evidence and decisions were unified into a single document, treatment algorithm and drug standardization tables.
This update of the Mexican Guidelines for the Pharmacologic Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis provides the highest quality information available at the time the working group undertook this review and contextualizes its use for the complex Mexican health system.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) health care provision may be a good indicator of the recovery of the health care system involved in OHCA care following the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a lack of ...data regarding outcomes capable of verifying this recovery.
To determine whether return to spontaneous circulation, overall survival, and survival with good neurological outcome increased in patients with OHCA since the COVID-19 pandemic was brought under control in 2022 compared with prepandemic and pandemic levels.
This observational cohort study was conducted to examine health care response and survival with good neurological outcome at hospital discharge in patients treated following OHCA. A 3-month period, including the first wave of the pandemic (February 1 to April 30, 2020), was compared with 2 periods before (April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018) and after (January 1 to December 31, 2022) the pandemic. Data analysis was performed in July 2023. Emergency medical services (EMS) serving a population of more than 28 million inhabitants across 10 Spanish regions participated. Patients with OHCA were included if participating EMS initiated resuscitation or continued resuscitation initiated by a first responder.
The pandemic was considered to be under control following the official declaration that infection with SARS-CoV-2 was to be considered another acute respiratory infection.
The main outcomes were return of spontaneous circulation, overall survival, and survival at hospital discharge with good neurological outcome, expressed as unimpaired or minimally impaired cerebral performance.
A total of 14 732 patients (mean SD age, 64.2 17.2 years; 10 451 71.2% male) were included, with 6372 OHCAs occurring during the prepandemic period, 1409 OHCAs during the pandemic period, and 6951 OHCAs during the postpandemic period. There was a higher incidence of OHCAs with a resuscitation attempt in the postpandemic period compared with the pandemic period (rate ratio, 4.93; 95% CI, 4.66-5.22; P < .001), with lower incidence of futile resuscitation for OHCAs (2.1 per 100 000 person-years vs 1.3 per 100 000 person-years; rate ratio, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71-0.92; P < .001). Recovery of spontaneous circulation at hospital admission increased from 20.5% in the pandemic period to 30.5% in the postpandemic period (relative risk RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10; P < .001). In the same way, overall survival at discharge increased from 7.6% to 11.2% (RR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.21-1.75; P < .001), with 6.6% of patients being discharged with good neurological status (Cerebral Performance Category Scale categories 1-2) in the pandemic period compared with 9.6% of patients in the postpandemic period (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.10; P < .001).
In this cohort study, survival with good neurological outcome at hospital discharge following OHCA increased significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is a serious public health problem worldwide. The annual incidence is estimated at around 400 000 cases in Europe and the United States, and survival rates scarcely ...reach 10%. However, there is considerable variation between countries and even between regions that share a similar health care system within a single country. Information recorded by the Out-of-Hospital Spanish Cardiac Arrest Registry (OHSCAR) provides information on care provided by emergency ambulance services, final health outcomes after cardiac arrest cases (including variations), the possibility of organ donation, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper presents the OHSCAR report for Spanish emergency services for the year 2022.
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