Central American Origin Research Articles

Lymphoma and lymphoid leukemia incidence in Florida children: ethnic and racial distribution.

Incidence reports for pediatric lymphoma and lymphoid leukemia in Hispanic subpopulations in the United States are rare. The authors hypothesized that Florida's Hispanic children would have higher risks of lymphoma and lymphoid leukemia compared with non-Hispanic white children. All cases of lymphoid leukemia, Hodgkin, non-Hodgkin, and Burkitt lymphoma (SEER International Classification of Diseases for Oncology codes) in children (< 15 years) in the Florida Cancer Data System (FCDS) from 1985 to 1997 were studied. Cases were classified as: 1) white, 2) Hispanic, or 3) black, and stratified by age. Age-adjusted rates for the three race-ethnic groups were calculated. Rates for Hispanics and blacks were compared with whites as standardized rate ratios (SRR) with 95% confidence intervals. Seven hundred thirty-one incident cases of pediatric lymphoma and 1231 cases of lymphoid leukemia were identified during the study period. For children with lymphoma, the SRR for Hispanics was 1.32 (95% CI, 1.20-1.44), and for blacks, the SRR was 0.68 (95% CI, 0.63-0.72. For lymphoid leukemia, the SRR for Hispanics was 1.29 (95% CI, 1.28-1.30), and for blacks, the SRR was 0.55 (95% CI, 0.54-0.56). Similar rates were found for the Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin subgroups. Incidences of Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were significantly higher in Florida's Hispanic children, with 30% increased relative risks, compared with whites. Black children had significantly decreased incidences and risk. Results for lymphoid leukemia were similar. Incidence of lymphoma in Florida's Hispanic children (primarily Cuban and Central American origin) differed from similar reports from Texas and California, where Hispanics are primarily of Mexican origin.

Genetic variation and taxonomic analysis of the subgenus Profundulus

The current taxonomy within the subgenus Profundulus was reviewed and at least five different species were recognized on the basis of unique genetic characters. Two of them are considered to be new species not yet described: one is known only from a single spring in the Tehuantepec basin (Mexico); the second extends mainly through springs in the Mixteca region of Mexico. The maximum Nei distances were found between P. oaxacae and the rest of the species belonging to this subgenus. Compared with the other Profundulus species, the new species from Mixteca also had high Nei values, which suggest separation of these species probably during the Miocene period. Therefore, the previously postulated old Central American origin of Profundulus is supported by our data. The mountain uplift that gave rise to the current division of Pacific and Atlantic rivers may be the reason for the current distribution pattern of the subgenus Profundulus. The sporadic presence of this subgenus in the headwaters of some Atlantic rivers has been interpreted as the result of fluvial captures during the Pleistocene period.

International variation in reported livebirth prevalence rates of Down syndrome, adjusted for maternal age

Reported livebirth prevalence of Down syndrome (DS) may be affected by the maternal age distribution of the population, completeness of ascertainment, accuracy of diagnosis, extent of selective prenatal termination of...

COCONUT GENETIC RESOURCES

It is presurned that the generic name, Cocos as well as the popular name coconut are derived from the spanish word ‘coco’ meaning ‘monkey face’ probably a reference to the three sears on the base of the shell resembling a monkey's face (Rosengarten, 1984). The origin of coconut was placed by Martius (1850) on the West Coast of Central America near the Isthmus of Panama. On the basis of evidences for the cultivation of coconut in Sri Lanka by about 300 BC. as well as the discovery of a fossil (Pliocene) Cocos in Newzealand (Hill, 1929) and in the deserts of Rajasthan (Kaul, 1951) the theory of Central American origin has been contested. Early spanish explorers discovered the cultivation of coconut on the Pacific.Coast of Panama in pre‑Columbian times. The first report of appearance of coconut in Western Mexico came around 1540 AD and it is believed to have spread to Mexico in the last decade of the 16th century (Bruman, 1945). It is presurned that coconut might have been carried to Mexico by ocean currents from Polynesia before the discovery of the New World (Purseglove, 1972). The available evidences point to the domestication of coconut in the Indo‑Pacific area (de Candolle, 1886; Beccari, 1917; Vavilov, 1951; Corner, 1966; Child, 1974). According to the most widely accepted theory, the origin of coconut is in the Old World, somewhere in Southeast Asia or the Pacific Islands from where it might have been transported to other regions either by man or by sea currents. Evidences are available in literature regarding the germination capacity of coconut even after floating in the sea for a period of 110 days and within this period it is capable of travelling up to 4,900 kilometers (Edmondson, 1941). It indicates the possibility of natural dissernination between the islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans (Harries, 1978).

Some Fungal Symbionts of Ectotrophic Mycorrhizae of Pines in South Africa

SYNOPSIS Earlier research of mycorrhiza of pines in South Africa is reviewed. Twenty-one species of Basidiomycetes which are considered to be obligate symbionts of mycorrhizae of pines, were found in four major pine-growing areas of South Africa. These include 10 Agaricales, seven Boletaceae, three Gasteromycetes and Thelephora terrestris. The largest number of symbionts were found in the south-western Cape Province and the largest number of Amanita spp. were seen in the eastern Transvaal where no Russula spp. occurred. Two species, Amanita excelsa and Russula caerulea, are recorded from South Africa for the first time. Five more species, known to be mycorrhizal symbionts and previously recorded in South Africa, were not found during this survey. An important mycorrhizal symbiont, Pisolithus tinctorius, was never found under pines. The species recorded are well-known in the mycoflora of south-western Europe. The implications of their association with the pines of North and Central American origin which ar...

A neglected mayan galactagogue — Ixbut ( Euphorbia lancifolia)

A herbal tea, made of leaves of ixbut (Euphorbia lancifolia Schlecht.), has been used for several centuries by postpartum Mayan women in Guatemala to stimulate and increase the flow of mother's milk. Ixbut, when mixed with cattle fodder, is reputed to have increased milk yields in cows. To date, the active principle of ixbut has never been isolated. However, this medicinal herb, a natural galactagogue of Central American origin, would appear to be worthy of further chemical and pharmacological study. The following illustrated article describes the history and use of ixbut, and includes chromatographic analyses of dried ixbut leaves from Guatemala.

A Neglected Mayan Galactagogue. Ixbut (Euphorbia lancifolia)

Abstract A herbal tea, made of leaves of ixbut (Euphorbia lancifolia Schlecht.), has been used for several centuries by postpartum Mayan women in Guatemala to stimulate and increase the flow of mother's milk. Ixbut , when mixed with cattle fodder, is reputed to have increased milk yields in cows. To date, the active principle of ixbut has never been isolated. However, this medicinal herb, a natural galactagogue of Central American origin, would appear to be worthy of further chemical and pharmacological study. The following illustrated article describes the history and use of ixbut , and includes chromatographic analyses of dried ixbut leaves from Guatemala.