The Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET): prospects for biodiversity research and conservation in the Neotropics

Biodiversity research and conservation efforts in the tropics are hindered by the lack of knowledge of the assemblages found there, with many species undescribed or poorly known. Our initiative, the Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET), aims to address this problem by assembling georeferenced data from a wide range of sources, making these data easily accessible and easily queried, and promoting data sharing. The database (GIVD ID NA-00-002) currently comprises ca. 50,000 tree records of ca. 5,000 species (230 in the IUCN Red List) from \u3e2,000 forest plots in 11 countries. The focus is on trees because of their pivotal role in tropical forest ecosystems (which contain most of the world\u27s biodiversity) in terms of ecosystem function, carbon storage and effects on other species. BIOTREE-NET currently focuses on southern Mexico and Central America, but we aim to expand coverage to other parts of tropical America. The database is relational, comprising 12 linked data tables. We summarise its structure and contents. Key tables contain data on forest plots (including size, location and date(s) sampled), individual trees (including diameter, when available, and both recorded and standardised species name), species (including biological traits of each species) and the researchers who collected the data. Many types of queries are facilitated and species distribution modelling is enabled. Examining the data in BIOTREE-NET to date, we found an uneven distribution of data in space and across biomes, reflecting the general state of knowledge of the tropics. More than 90% of the data were collected since 1990 and plot size varies widely, but with most less than one hectare in size. A wide range of minimum sizes is used to define a \u27tree\u27. The database helps to identify gaps that need filling by further data collection and collation. The data can be publicly accessed through a web application at http://portal.biotreenet.com. Researchers are invited and encouraged to contribute data to BIOTREE-NET

La Red Internacional de Inventarios Forestales (BIOTREE-NET) en Mesoamérica: avances, retos y perspectivas futuras

Conservation efforts in Neotropical regions are often hindered by lack of data, since for many species there is a vacuum of information, and many species have not even been described yet. The International Network of Forest Inventory Plots (BIOTREE-NET) gathers and facilitates access to tree data from forest inventory plots in Mesoamerica, while encouraging data exchange between researchers, managers and conservationists. The information is organised and standardised into a single database that includes spatially explicit data. This article describes the scope and objectives of the network, its progress, and the challenges and future perspectives. The database includes above 50000 tree records of over 5000 species from more than 2000 plots distributed from southern Mexico through to Panama. Information is heterogeneous, both in nature and shape, as well as in the geographical coverage of inventory plots. The database has a relational structure, with 12 inter-connected tables that include information about plots, species names, dbh, and functional attributes of trees. A new system that corrects typographical errors and achieves taxonomic and nomenclatural standardization was developed using The Plant List (http://theplantlist.org/) as reference. Species distribution models have been computed for around 1700 species using different methods, and they will be publicly accessible through the web site in the future (http://portal.biotreenet.com). Although BIOTREE-NET has contributed to the development of improved species distribution models, its main potential lies, in our opinion, in studies at the community level. Finally, we emphasise the need to expand the network and encourage researchers willing to share data and to join the network and contribute to the generation of further knowledge about forest biodiversity in Neotropical regions

Modelo de predicción temprana de infección sobreagregada en pacientes COVID-19 al ingreso a hospital

Objetivo: Identificar el modelo de predicción temprana de infección sobreagregada en pacientes con COVID-19 al ingreso a hospital. Método: Diseño de casos y controles en pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19 atendidos en hospital. Grupo caso (infección sobreagregada) y grupo control (no infección sobreagregada), el diagnóstico se estableció a partir del resultado de cultivo positivo tomada al ingreso del paciente al hospital y el resultado se obtuvo tres días posteriores a la toma. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con la información requerida para el análisis propuesto. Las variables se identificaron al ingreso del paciente a hospital, incluyeron comorbilidades, escala NEWS (escala discreta) y marcadores bioquímicos. El análisis estadístico incluyó regresión logística múltiple y cálculo de la probabilidad de ocurrencia del evento 1/(1+e-y). Resultados: En el grupo con infección sobreagregada el 31.0% presentó comorbilidad y en el grupo sin infección sobreagregada la prevalencia fue el 4.2% (p = 0.000); en el primer grupo la prevalencia de puntaje NEWS 5 o más fue del 90.5% y en el segundo grupo del 68.8% (p = 0.006); el promedio de neutrófilos en los grupos fue diferente (p = 0.005). La recta del modelo de regresión logística múltiple fue y = –7.267 + 0.103 (NEWS 2) + 0.068 (neutrófilos) + 2.161(comorbilidades). Conclusiones: El modelo que permite predecir tempranamente la probabilidad de infección sobreagregada en pacientes COVID-19 al ingreso a hospital incluye escala NEWS, neutrófilos y presencia de comorbilidades

Restoration of Forest Ecosystems in Fragmented Landscapes of Temperate and Montane Tropical Latin America

Temperate and tropical montane forests in Latin America represent a major natural resource at both regional and national levels for a number of reasons - biological, climatic, economic, cultural. Native tree species in these forests share conservation problems because of deforestation, habitat degradation, overall biodiversity loss and integrity of landscape structure. However, literature on forest restoration research and practices in these ecosystems is scanty and dispersed. We integrate forest restoration experiences aimed at a variety of purposes that allow us to gain insight over several years under contrasting ecological, social and economic conditions in six study regions: the Argentinian Andes, the IX and X Regions in Chile (including northern Chiloe Island), and central Veracruz and the central and northern Highlands of Chiapas (Mexico). By comparing analogous conditions and highlighting differences among the study sites, current pitfalls can be identified and used to define a minimum set of elements to be considered in a protocol for restoration practices. The restoration studies reviewed here include a wide variety of ecological and socio-economic circumstances that allow the identification of broad guidelines, criteria and indicators for planning, implementing and monitoring ecological restoration programmes. We conclude with statements that suggest approaches, strategies and concrete actions that might be considered as lessons learned and inputs for best practice in forest restoration research and programmes conducted in other developing regions

La Red Internacional de Inventarios Forestales (BIOTREE-NET) en Mesoamérica: avances, retos y perspectivas futuras

Los esfuerzos de conservación en la región neotropical están limitados por la falta de información disponible sobre las especies, ya que muchas no han sido descritas o se tiene poca información sobre ellas. La Red Internacional de Inventarios Forestales (BIOTREE-NET) concentra y facilita el acceso a la información y el intercambio entre investigadores, gestores y conservacionistas, organizando y estandarizando los datos de especies de árboles procedentes de inventarios forestales en la región mesoamericana en una única base de datos que incluya información espacial. Este artículo explica el ámbito y objetivos de la red, describe la estructura de la base de datos e identifica los principales avances realizados, así como los retos y perspectivas futuras. La base de datos contiene más de 50 000 registros de árboles de unas 5000 especies, distribuidas en más de 2000 parcelas muestreadas desde el suroeste de México hasta Panamá. La información es heterogénea, tanto en su naturaleza y forma como en la cobertura geográfica de los inventarios. La base de datos tiene una estructura relacional, con 12 tablas interconectadas, incluyendo información sobre las parcelas, los nombres de las especies, el diámetro a la altura del pecho de los árboles medidos y sus atributos funcionales. Se ha desarrollado un sistema para la corrección de errores tipográficos y la estandarización taxonómica y nomenclatural utilizando como referencia The Plant List (http://theplantlist.org/). También se han generado modelos de distribución potencial para cerca de 1700 especies utilizando distintos métodos y en el futuro se prevé habilitar también el acceso público a los modelos de distribución de especies a través del portal web (http://portal.biotreenet.com). Aunque BIOTREE-NET ha contribuido al desarrollo de mejores modelos de distribución, su mayor potencial radica, en nuestra opinión, en el estudio a nivel de comunidades. Finalmente, se reconoce la necesidad de expandir la red a través de la participación de más investigadores interesados en colaborar con datos para ampliar el conocimiento sobre la biodiversidad forestal en la región neotropica

A snapshot of antimicrobial resistance in Mexico. Results from 47 centers from 20 states during a six-month period.

AIM:We aimed to assess the resistance rates of antimicrobial-resistant, in bacterial pathogens of epidemiological importance in 47 Mexican centers. MATERIAL AND METHODS:In this retrospective study, we included a stratified sample of 47 centers, covering 20 Mexican states. Selected isolates considered as potential causatives of disease collected over a 6-month period were included. Laboratories employed their usual methods to perform microbiological studies. The results were deposited into a database and analyzed with the WHONET 5.6 software. RESULTS:In this 6-month study, a total of 22,943 strains were included. Regarding Gram-negatives, carbapenem resistance was detected in ≤ 3% in Escherichia coli, 12.5% in Klebsiella sp. and Enterobacter sp., and up to 40% in Pseudomonas aeruginosa; in the latter, the resistance rate for piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) was as high as 19.1%. In Acinetobacter sp., resistance rates for cefepime, ciprofloxacin, meropenem, and TZP were higher than 50%. Regarding Gram-positives, methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was as high as 21.4%, and vancomycin (VAN) resistance reached up to 21% in Enterococcus faecium. Acinetobacter sp. presented the highest multidrug resistance (53%) followed by Klebsiella sp. (22.6%) and E. coli (19.4%). CONCLUSION:The multidrug resistance of Acinetobacter sp., Klebsiella sp. and E. coli and the carbapenem resistance in specific groups of enterobacteria deserve special attention in Mexico. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and MRSA are common in our hospitals. Our results present valuable information for the implementation of measures to control drug resistance