Spatial prioritization for biodiversity conservation in a megadiverse country

Mexico is a biologically megadiverse country, but its biodiversity is endangered due to high deforestation rates. Impacts of land-use/cover-change and climate change are unevenly distributed, which hinders the execution of conservation practices. Consequently, an adequate spatial conservation prioritization is crucial to minimize the negative impacts on biodiversity. Global and national efforts to prioritize conservation show that >45 % of Mexico should be protected. This study develops an applicable spatial conservation prioritization to minimize impacts on biodiversity, under three scenarios. They integrate exposure to land-use/cover-change and climate change scenarios, adaptive capacity to deal with the exposure, and the distribution of endemic species on risk of extinction. Our results show that by 2050 between 11.6 %, 13.9 % and 16.1 % of Mexico would reach score ≥50 in vulnerability (VI), under the optimistic, BAU, and the worst-case scenarios, respectively. By 2070, these figures would rise to 11.9 %, 14.8 % and 18.4 %. Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrates with 62.2 % of endemic species being critically endangered or endangered, while 39.2 %, 11.8 %, and 8.5 % of endemic mammals, birds and reptiles are endangered or critically endangered. The distribution of these amphibians accounts for 3.3 % of the country’s area, while mammals, birds, and reptiles represent 9.9 %, 16.2 %, and 28.7 % of Mexico. Moreover, seven municipalities (0.39 % of the country) represent 30 % of the most vulnerable areas (VI = 70). This study offers relevant information at the levels of municipality and species to help decision-makers prioritize national efforts for the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity under land-use/cover and climate change. This study is replicable in other regions which aim to adapt decision-making and land management for biodiversity conservation

Right-Sided Endocarditis Secondary to Aeromonas hydrophila: A Case Report

Right-sided endocarditis represents a distinct clinical condition observed in individuals with a history of parenteral drug use or those with implanted pacemakers or other intracardiac devices. Aeromonas infections, although uncommon in humans, particularly endocarditis cases, are exceedingly rare. Here, we report the case of a 72-year-old female with a medical history of arterial hypertension and chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis via a tunneled permanent central venous catheter. She presented with chills and a fever of 38.3°C. Physical examination revealed a grade 3 protosystolic murmur at the tricuspid focus. Blood cultures from central and peripheral sites yielded growth of Aeromonas hydrophila. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated a fusiform, semi-mobile vegetation measuring 16 x 15 mm at the outlet of the superior vena cava, suggestive of endocarditis. Intravenous fluoroquinolones were initiated based on antibiogram results, leading to resolution of imaging findings after a 21-day treatment course

Protected Areas’ Latent Functions and Social Consequences: A Case from Mount Hamiguitan, Philippines

While protected areas (PAs) are established primarily for biological diversity conservation and provision of ecological services, social dimensions comes into play. This paper extends the discourse on PAs’ impact to local communities by focusing on the latent functions and social consequences utilizing Robert Merton’s Functional Analysis. Based on in-depth interviews among community leaders and elders, and forest custodians around Mount Hamiguitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is revealed that establishment of PAs entails varied consequences beyond what are being intended and manifested. While communities availed of some latent benefits from the declaration of the PA, they also have responses that limit the success of conservation initiatives. Hence, forest protection is a complex social and political process that demands more integrative response on community’s social, cultural, and political structures and dynamics

Cytogenetic Mapping of 35 New Markers in the Alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Escuela de Posgrado. Maestría en Producción AnimalAlpaca is a camelid species of broad economic, biological and biomedical interest, and an essential part of the cultural and historical heritage of Peru. Recently, efforts have been made to improve knowledge of the alpaca genome, and its genetics and cytogenetics, to develop molecular tools for selection and breeding. Here, we report cytogenetic mapping of 35 new markers to 19 alpaca autosomes and the X chromosome. Twenty-eight markers represent alpaca SNPs, of which 17 are located inside or near protein-coding genes, two are in ncRNA genes and nine are intergenic. The remaining seven markers correspond to candidate genes for fiber characteristics (BMP4, COL1A2, GLI1, SFRP4), coat color (TYR) and development (CHD7, PAX7). The results take the tally of cytogenetically mapped markers in alpaca to 281, covering all 36 autosomes and the sex chromosomes. The new map assignments overall agree with human–camelid conserved synteny data, except for mapping BMP4 to VPA3, suggesting a hitherto unknown homology with HSA14. The findings validate, refine and correct the current alpaca assembly VicPac3.1 by anchoring unassigned sequence scaffolds, and ordering and orienting assigned scaffolds. The study contributes to the improvement in the alpaca reference genome and advances camelid molecular cytogenetics. View Full-Tex

Evaluating Risk and Possible Adaptations to Climate Change Under a Socio-Ecological System Approach

Evidence suggests that climate change could drastically reduce Mexico's agricultural productivity with severe socio-ecological consequences. Population growth and the increasing demand of resources will exacerbate these impacts. Focusing on rainfed maize production, we evaluate the socio-ecological risk that municipalities currently face and how climate change could modify it. Municipalities were classified based on their biophysical and socioeconomic traits like temperature, precipitation, population, gross domestic product, marginalization, and agricultural subsidies. The study identifies municipalities that would face higher risk under climate change conditions, and it evaluates whether increases in agricultural subsidies could be effective for reducing the farmers' future risk. Our results show that during the 2010's, 36.8% of the municipalities and 15% of the population were at very high and high risk, respectively. By 2070, under a high-warming scenario these figures increase to 56.5 and 18.5%. We find that a generalized augment in agricultural subsidies is not enough to compensate for the effects of climate change on the socio-ecological risk of rainfed maize producers. We suggest that transformative adaptation is required for managing the agricultural risk that socio-ecological systems experience under climate change conditions. Such adaptation strategies should include poverty alleviation, promotion of resistant and native varieties of crops, capacity building to improve management and water use, sustainable technification, and soil restoration

Improvements to the X-ray Spectrometer at the Aerosol Laboratory, Instituto de Física, UNAM

Due to the demands of better (accurate and precise) analytical results using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) at the Aerosol Laboratory, Instituto de Física, UNAM, it was necessary to carry out improvements in instrumentation and analytical procedures in the x-ray spectrometer located in this facility. A new turbomolecular vacuum system was installed, which allows reaching the working pressure in a shorter time. Characteristic x-rays are registered with a Silicon Drift Detector, or SDD, (8 mm thick Be window, 140 eV at 5.9 keV resolution), working directly in a high-vacuum, permitting the detection of x-rays with energies as low as 1 keV (Na Ka) and higher counting rates than in the past. Due to the interference produced by the Rh L x-rays emitted by the tube normally used for atmospheric and food analysis with Cl K x-rays, another tube with a W anode was mounted in the spectrometer to avoid this interference, with the possibility to select operation with any of these tubes. Examples of applications in atmospheric aerosols and other samples are presented, to demonstrate the enhanced function of the spectrometer. Other future modifications are also explained

Identifying hotspots of land use cover change under socioeconomic and climate change scenarios in Mexico

This study identifies the hotspots of land use cover change (LUCC) under two socioeconomic and climate change scenarios [business as usual (BAU) and a pessimistic scenario] at the national level for Mexico for three-time periods. Modelling suggests that by 2050 grassland and tropical evergreen forest will be the most endangered ecosystems, having lost 20–33% (BAU) or 43–46% (pessimistic scenario) of their extent in comparison to 1993. Agricultural expansion would be the major driver of LUCC, increasing from 24.4% of the country in 1993 to 30% (BAU) or 34% (pessimistic) in 2050. The most influential variables were distance from roads and human settlements, slope, aridity, and evapotranspiration. The hotspots of LUCC were influenced by environmental constraints and socioeconomic activities more than by climate change. These findings could be used to build proposals to reduce deforestation, including multiple feedbacks among urbanization, industrialization and food consumption

Failed limb salvage by microsurgery, resolved by super-microsurgery

Advances in perforating artery flaps have improved reconstruction in various body parts, particularly the lower extremities, offering benefits in patient quality of life and reduced public health service costs. The use of flaps and microsurgery extends beyond trauma to address conditions like osteomyelitis, tumor resection, osteoarthritis, and post-radiation necrosis. Notably, the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap (SCIP) is highlighted for its thin profile and utility in limb coverage, minimizing donor site morbidity. Microsurgical techniques contribute to limb salvage, reducing amputation risks in severe fractures and post-osteosynthesis complications. A 29-year-old male with cerebral palsy suffered bimalleolar fracture from a high-energy motor vehicle accident. Initial ALT flap reconstruction failed, leading to flap removal and osteosynthesis exposure. After 48 hours, removal of the flap was necessary due to venous thrombosis. Salvage with SCIP flap involved anastomosis to perforators of both posterior tibial artery and vein. This case details a patient with a bimalleolar fracture post-motorcycle accident, initially treated with conventional microsurgery using an ALT flap. Complications arose from venous thrombosis, necessitating flap removal. Salvage was achieved through a SCIP flap with supermicrosurgery techniques, employing 0.5 mm anastomosis for improved functionality and reduced complications in flap recovery and donor site comorbidities. Successful outcomes in microsurgery and supermicrosurgery necessitate comprehensive training. Specialized limb salvage centers must possess specific equipment and instruments for these techniques. The literature reviewed doesn't indicate contraindications related to the patient's mental state for the execution of microsurgery and supermicrosurgery

Impacts and economic costs of climate change on Mexican agriculture

This study quantifies the impacts of climate change on yields and the corresponding economic losses in six relevant crops that account for 65% of the harvested area in Mexico and are highly relevant in terms of consumption and economic value. The results show that crop yields could decrease considerably during this century, especially in the rainfed management system. Under a high-emission scenario, large reductions in yields are expected by the end of this century for both rainfed and irrigated management systems of maize (42%, 31.4%), rice (51.4%, 41.3%), sorghum (41.1%, 36.6%), soybean (59.1%, 44.9%), wheat (23.3%, 20.0%), and rainfed sugarcane (11.7%). At the national level, the present value of losses in the selected crops amounts to $37,934 million dollars, which represents about twice the current total national agricultural production of Mexico. Rainfed agriculture represents about 69% of these losses and reductions in maize yields account for almost 70% of the total losses. States such as Veracruz, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Jalisco represent half of the total economic losses. However, about 16% of the aggregated losses occur in states with high levels of poverty and subsistence farming like Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Guerrero. Climate change will significantly increase the risks that already vulnerable subsistence farmers’ face in the present. Although ambitious mitigation efforts can reduce the estimated impacts in most of the crops, residual damages are considerable, and the prompt implementation adaptation strategies is required