Northwestern Region Of Mexico Research Articles

Red cell membrane protein deficiencies in Mexican patients with hereditary spherocytosis

Twenty-seven families and four individual patients with hereditary spherocytosis (HS) from the northwestern region of Mexico were studied. An autosomal dominant inheritance pattern was identified in 59% of 22 families. Densitometric analysis of erythrocyte membrane proteins revealed individual protein deficiencies in 39% of the patients studied, in whom the principal altered proteins were the α spectrins (13%), band 3 protein (10%), ankyrin (6%), 4.2 protein (6%), and the β spectrins (3%). A predominant deficiency of spectrins has also been observed in other Latin American and Mediterranean countries. However, it is well known that deficiencies in these proteins are heterogeneous across different ethnic groups. A combined protein deficiency was observed in 52% of patients, most frequently involving the spectrins, band 3 protein, 4.2 protein, and 4.1 protein. In three subjects, no abnormalities were detected (10%). We conclude that, despite the observed heterogeneity, the principal affected proteins are essentially similar to those observed in other ethnic groups.

Cambios económicos, competitividad y bienestar de la población en la región noroeste de México en la globalización

La apertura sin precedentes de la economía mexicana al mercado externo, ha traído un conjunto de transformaciones y ha generado mayores expectativas económicas; sin embargo, a 15 años de iniciada, es importante evaluar no solamente los beneficios en términos del aumento en el comercio, sino también los cambios en el bienestar de la población. Para ello, seleccionamos una región: el Noroeste de México (NOR), definida como el espacio geográfico que comprende los estados Baja California, Baja California Sur, Nayarit, Sinaloa y Sonora, que representa 21% del territorio nacional, 8.7% de la población, y 9.09% del producto interno bruto (PIB). En este trabajo encontramos cambios desde 1988, primero en la estructura económica: PIB, empleo y sector externo. Segundo, encontramos que en la última década hubo un empeoramiento en el bienestar de los hogares. De esta forma, la política de apertura comercial de México hacia el mundo no ha producido, hasta ahora, los beneficios esperados para los hogares del Noroeste de México, región inserta en forma activa en el mundo globalizado, no solamente con Norteamérica, sino también en la cuenca del Pacífico.

Distribution and conservation status of prairie dogs Cynomys mexicanus and Cynomys ludovicianus in Mexico

The two living species of black-tailed prairie dogs Cynomys mexicanus and C. ludovicianus are found in Mexico. Cynomys mexicanus, a Mexican endemic, is restricted to a 600-km 2 region in northwestern Mexico. It is found in six large arid grassland valleys associated with gypsum soils and surrounded by arid scrub. Due to the small geographic range and destruction of its habitat this species is considered endangered. Cynomys ludovicianus is found in northwestern Mexico. Its present distribution comprises a very large complex covering approximately 55 000 ha, eight major dogtowns, and more than one million prairie dogs. Indeed, this population represents the largest continuous prairie dog complex left in North America. However, its present conservation status is considered as threatened, mainly because of the rapid deterioration of its habitat.

Responses of Populations of the Tobacco Budworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Northwest Mexico to Pyrethroids

Dose-mortality bioassays were begun in 1984 to determine the susceptibility of the tobacco budworm, Heliothts virescens (F.), to commonly used pyrethroids. Responses of different populations from the northwestern region of Mexico were compared with responses of two susceptible strains. The LD50’s indicated that the populations have been and are being selected for resistance to varying degrees. A population from Valle de Mexicali had the highest LD50 and resistance ratio for deltamethrin. The highest LD50’s for permethrin were obtained from 1987 populations from Valle del Yaqui and Valle de Mexicali (resistance ratios of 55.4 and 48.7, respectively). Resistance ratios from Valle del Yaqui for cypermethrin indicated that the 1987 tobacco budworm population was 32 times more resistant than the susceptible colony. Although control failures have not been reported from these areas, the dose-mortality data suggest that control failures may occur. Permethrin resistance appears to be increasing in Valle del Yaqui, Costa de Hermosillo, and Valle de Mexicali. Resistance to cypermethrin and cyfluthrin seems to be increasing in Valle del Yaqui and Valle de Mexicali. On the basis of LD50’s, deltamethrin resistance remains low except for Valle de Mexicali but should be carefully monitored.

Problems of Land Tenure and Food Production in Northwestern Mexico

Much recent attention has been focused on the effects of the shift from subsistence to market production, with some research pointing to declines in food consumption and nutritional status, and other data suggesting the contrary. A region in north-western Mexico tried to dedicate itself to production for the market. The outcome of this project illustrates why people in this area do not either grow more food for their own consumption or produce more to sell so they can purchase more food. The data discussed point to the importance of unresolved problems over land tenure and resulting agricultural strategies as constraints on food production.

A Collection of Bats from Sinaloa, with Remarks on the Limits of the Neotropical Region in Northwestern Mexico

A Collection of Bats from Sinaloa, with Remarks on the Limits of the Neotropical Region in Northwestern Mexico