State Of Yucatan Research Articles

Análisis FODA de la apicultura en la península de Yucatán

The objective of this work is to identify and analyze through a participatory diagnosis the main strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats of beekeeping in the Yucatan Peninsula. Three participatory workshops were held with beekeepers in the states of Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo. The study was based on the SWOT analysis procedure as a diagnostic tool. The analysis indicated that the main strengths of beekeeping in the Yucatan Peninsula are the experience, organization of the producers and the biodiversity that the beekeeping flora provides to the Apis mellifera bees to produce honey. The weaknesses were the lack of good practice, lack of knowledge in administration and location of their apiaries. In the area of opportunities, government support, cooperatives and access to new markets stood out. Finally, the threats were climate change (droughts, hurricanes), the use of pesticides, beehive pests and fluctuating honey prices. This diagnosis is of great importance to propose improvement proposals for the strengthening of beekeeping activity in the Yucatan Peninsula. Keywords: beekeeping, SWOT, producers, Yucatán Peninsula.

Cats: The New Challenge for Rabies Control in the State of Yucatan, Mexico.

The growing population in Yucatan has led to the expansion of construction in the Mayan jungle for tourist spaces, residential areas, and agriculture. Recently, rabies cases in cats (Felis catus) have increased in the state. This study aimed to perform antigenic and genetic characterization of the rabies viruses in felines and to present the spatial distribution and environmental features of the areas where these cases were reported. The ArcGIS software and R were employed to generate maps depicting the geographic locations of rabies cases in cats. A total of nine feline rabies cases occurred during the period 2003-2022. Three antigenic variants were detected: dog-related RVV1 (n = 1); vampire bat variant RVV3 (n = 1); and the canine-originated atypical variant (n = 7). Cases reported in Merida (n = 4) and Muna (n = 4) were localized to urban areas, while Cuncunul (n = 1) was rural. This study highlights the concerning resurgence of rabies infections in cats, emphasizing the looming threat of its reintroduction in dogs should vaccination rates diminish. The genetic affinity between the atypical variant and the canine virus underscores the urgent need for vigilance in maintaining high vaccination coverage across all susceptible species.

Diseño de un Sistema Integral para la Formación de Capital Humano en la pequeña y mediana empresa de Yucatán

The purpose of this study is to design an Integral System for the Formation of Human Capital (SIFCH), which allows the strengthening and specialization of this resource and, in this way, helps in the economic growth and consolidation of the market to which the products and services of small and medium-sized companies are directed. The method integrates the qualitative research approach with phenomenological processes, descriptive and analytical scope; for this purpose, interviews were conducted with 35 people, 17 businessmen of the State of Yucatan and 18 experts in the training area (consultants, private training companies, government agencies, business chambers, and business incubators). As a result, the Integral System of Human Capital Formation (SIFCH) was established, which consists of two parts. The internal part (the system's core) contemplates the organization's specific needs in terms of its size, business line, and resources; the entrepreneurial culture and innovation as an added value. The external part was designed according to a compendium of the elements that training experts consider at the time of training; these are: Diagnosis of the learning needs and the Evaluation of the Human Capital Training Process, that is, the results obtained in the productivity and personal growth of the worker in a period of time determined by the organization to measure the impact and effectiveness of this. The conclusions establish the processes to be followed in the implementation of SIFCH.

Prevalence of Flavivirus and Alphavirus in bats captured in the state of Yucatan, southeastern Mexico

Flavivirus (family Flaviviridae) and Alphavirus (family Togaviridae) are mosquito-borne viruses that poses a significant risk to public health worldwide. Examples of these viruses include Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) in the Flavivirus genus, and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in the Alphavirus genus. The potential contribution of bats in the mosquito-to-human transmission cycle of these viral genera in the tropics has not been studied. Here, a total of 144 bats belonging to three families (Emballonuridae, Phyllostomidae, and Molossidae) and six species were captured for one year using mist nets in sites with different landscapes (forest and grassland) in the state of Yucatan, southeastern Mexico. Blood samples and rectal and oral swabs were collected to detect Flavivirus and Alphavirus RNA genomes through RT-PCR. Flavivirus RNA was detected in 53 individuals (36.8%; 95% CI: 29.4%-44.9%), and Alphavirus RNA was detected in 59 individuals (40.1%; 95% CI: 33.2%-49.2%). The sequences obtained were consistent with ZIKV and DENV, into the Flavivirus, and CHIKV into the Alphavirus positive samples. The prevalence of both Flavivirus and Alphavirus was higher during the dry season compared with the rainy season. This high positivity rate, highlighted in both Flavivirus and Alphavirus, suggests a potential contribution of bats in the circulation of these viral genera in sylvatic environments. Seasonal variation in viral genera prevalence, with higher prevalence during dry seasons than rainy seasons, may suggest specific viral activity patterns in response to climatic conditions.

Fusarium solani associated with Cedrela odorata and Swietenia macrophylla and their sensitivity to conventional fungicides

Background / Objective. In the state of Yucatan, Mexico, 10 million forest plants were produced in the last five years for various conservation and restoration actions. The main limitations in the production of these plants in nursery are disease induced by the genus Fusarium spp., that cause stem and root rots and plant production losses of up to 50%. The objective of the work was to identify the causal agent associated with stem and root rot and necrosis of cedar (Cedrela odorata) and mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and their in vitro sensitivity to conventional fungicides. Materials and Methods. C. odorata and S. macrophylla plants were collected at three and six weeks of germination, respectively, with symptoms of necrosis and rot indicated; from where five fungal isolates were obtained and morphologically and molecularly identified. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of spores and the Minimum Lethal Concentration (MLC) of six conventional fungicides of recurrent application in the region (Prochloraz, Carbendazim, Benomyl, Fosetyl Al, Captan and Mancozeb) were determined in vitro by the microdilution method and validate their effectiveness and viability in the management of this problematic. Results. The morphology and molecular sequences of the isolates were similar to the reported for Fusarium solani. The MIC of F. solani spores for Prochloraz, Carbendazim, Benomyl, Captan and Mancozeb were 2.44. 11.38, 14.06, 7.81 and 7.81 ppm, respectively; Fosetyl Al, did not inhibit spore germination normal mycelial growth of the fungus was observed at the concentration evaluated. Conclusion. Prochloraz and Mancozeb had the lowest MLC with 2.44 and 7.81 ppm, respectively.

Descriptive study of the oral health status of disadvantaged mexican populations in relation to their adherence to the mediterranean diet.

Obesity in Mexico is an alarming problem that has been increasing in recent decades. Dietary factors make this pathology more common at younger ages and closely related to oral health. This study attempts to investigate the association between the oral health status of a Mexican population in the state of Yucatan and their dietary habits. This study explores the relationship between oral health-related quality of life and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a disadvantaged population in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. The research was conducted in July 2023 in Merida, Yucatan (Mexico). The sample consisted of 109 individuals aged between 4 and 72 years old. Data analysis focused on factors such as body mass index (BMI), oral health-related quality of life, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A notable presence of caries is observed in individuals with low adherence to the Mediterranean diet (Correlation coefficient 0.040, p=0.682). This underscores the potential interaction between oral health, obesity, and dietary habits. The mean Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHIP-14Sp) score was 13.19 ±13.57, median 8.00. This research adds to the increasing evidence that highlights the significance of a balanced diet in enhancing the oral quality of life for people. More research is necessary to explore preventive measures and treatment to raise awareness about oral health within the community.

Bats and Mayan temples: Bat diversity and the potential for conservation of archeological zones in Yucatan, Mexico

AbstractThe role of archeological zones in biological conservation has been highlighted because of their restrictions over land‐use change, size, and maintenance of upstanding vegetation. The Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico has over 2000 archeological zones amidst biological, ecological, and culturally diverse landscapes. However, due to population centers and tourism growth, the peninsula is experiencing high deforestation and habitat fragmentation rates. To explore the role of archeological zones in biological conservation, we focused on bat species because of their high mobility, use of human structures as refugia, and the ecosystem services they provide. Using mist nets and roost surveys, we compared the bat diversity in four highly visited archeological zones during the dry and wet seasons. In a total effort of 34,560 m2 mist net hours, we found 23 species from six families and seven guilds, representing 53% of all bat species known from the Yucatan state, including two endangered species for Mexico: Mimon cozumelae and Micronycteris schmidtorum. We found between 12 and 19 species in each archeological zone, and the communities were similar between the four sites and between seasons. The Phyllostomidae family was dominant across all sites, accounting for 92% of all the captures. We also recorded 12 species across 52 diurnal and nocturnal roosts, suggesting that Mayan archeological structures could offer several advantages to bats despite the high visitation of tourists. Our results emphasize the need to conduct research beyond natural protected areas to complement conservation policies and incentivize the inclusion of archeological zones in Yucatan's bat conservation plans.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

Marketing strategies for Melipona bee honey and its byproducts in the State of Yucatan

Estrategias de comercialización de la miel de abeja melipona y sus derivados en el Estado de Yucatán Resumen La meliponicultura es una actividad de importancia y se práctica desde tiempos prehispánicos, actualmente ésta genera ingresos a las familias rurales a través de la comercialización de la miel y otros productos elaborados. El objetivo de la investigación es identificar y analizar la innovación en los procesos de mercadeo de la miel obtenida en los meliponarios de la región noroeste y poniente de Yucatán, así como caracterizar las estrategias de integración de los productores a los canales de comercialización actuales. La información se obtuvo por medio de una cédula de entrevista semiestructurada, la técnica de muestreo fue la de referidos y el análisis de la información se realizó con base en la estadística descriptiva y correlacional. Se encontró que el principal destino de venta de la miel y sus derivados es la Ciudad de Mérida; la miel se distribuye generalmente en envases de medio litro, carentes de imagen comercial y su precio es muy superior al convencional. La innovación en los procesos de comercialización es la mejor estrategia para el meliponicultor, ya que el posicionamiento de sus productos en los mercados depende del uso de medios digitales y nuevas plataformas de comunicación, indispensables para la creación de redes de distribución.

Space-temporal analysis of groundwater quality in three areas of the state of Yucatán, México, and its relationship with existing anthropogenic activity.

Groundwater in the Yucatan State is the only source of water. The karst aquifer in Yucatan is vulnerable to pollution. Anthropic activities in Yucatan, such as pig farming, are usually related to high wastewater discharges and water pollution. Administrative and logistical issues in developing on-site sampling to evaluate water quality are common in Mexico. The RENAMECA database provides official data related to groundwater quality. However, no analysis based on this database has been reported. A groundwater quality evaluation based on five reference pig farms and the effect of spatial and temporal anthropic activities in the study area was developed. Eighteen wells based on their location concerning the selected pig farms were studied. On-site sampling and laboratory analysis of the supply water and wastewater in the study case farm were done. Fecal coliforms (FC) values (maximum 2850 MPN [100mL] -1) in most cases for supply water wells exceeded the allowed limit by NOM-127-SAA1-2021. The year of monitoring was significant (P < 0.05) on FC concentrations. Population density and the proximity of wells to population centers affect negatively the presence of total dissolved solids (TDS) and total nitrogen (TN). TDS (maximum value 2620mg L -1) and phosphorus presence could be related to agricultural activities, human settlements, and local aquifer conditions. A local wastewater treatment issue is evident. Groundwater is not quality for consumption without treatment. Regarding the issues in on-site water monitoring, database analysis provides an approximation of the real situation of groundwater quality.

Growth and yield of tropical maize landraces and commercial genotypes in Yucatan, Mexico

The state of Yucatan, known for its shallow Leptosol soils poses challenges to agriculture. Therefore, this study focused on examining ecophysiological attributes influencing the growth and yield determinants of six maize genotypes. The study assessed vegetative characteristics, growth rates, dry matter allocation, grain yield, and harvest index. All maize genotypes exhibited early maturity, a favorable trait under the climate conditions of Yucatan. Most genotypes exhibited superior growth rate and dry matter content when compared to the landrace Elotillo. Stem and grain were identified as the primary organs for dry matter accumulation, with 36% and 22% respectively. The highest grain yield was noted in hybrids Impacto and DK-390. This study provided valuable information for farmers in selecting suitable maize genotypes in Yucatan, although additional evaluations of different genotypes and management conditions are recommended.

In Vivo Wound-Healing and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Honey Produced by Melipona beecheii Bees

Background: Honey produced by the Melipona beecheii bees has been highly prized in Mexico since pre-Hispanic times for its therapeutic properties, particularly in wound healing. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effects of M. beecheii honey using an animal model. Methods: Honey samples were collected from the state of Yucatan, Mexico. Male albino mice were utilized to test the wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties of the honey, with pirfenidone (KitosCell®) and indomethacin (1 and 30 mg/mL) serving as positive controls, respectively. Results: From day one, enhancements in wound healing, granulation tissue formation, and continuous contraction of the wound edges were observed. In terms of anti-inflammatory activity, the honey dose was capable of reducing edema comparably to the control group receiving 1 mg/mL of indomethacin. However, differences were noted when compared to the 30 mg/mL indomethacin control group in three of the groups. Conclusions: It can be concluded that M. beecheii honey exhibits wound-healing and anti-inflammatory effects comparable to those of the positive controls used in this study. Therefore, it offers a viable alternative for the topical treatment of wounds.

Low quality of maternal and child nutritional care at the primary care in Mexico: an urgent call to action for policymakers and stakeholders

BackgroundMaternal and child malnutrition represents a public health problem in Mexico Primary care (PC) is responsible for introducing women and children under five to the health system, detecting diseases on time, and providing medical services, including pharmacological treatment if necessary. Providing these services with quality is essential to improve maternal and child health. This study evaluated the quality of nutritional care during preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, infancy, and preschool age at the PC health units across six Mexican states between 2020 and 2021.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study with a mixed approach in units of the Secretary of Health to assess the quality of nutritional care during preconception, pregnancy, postpartum, childhood, and preschool age. The level of quality was calculated by the percentage of compliance with 16 indicators that integrated a Quality Index of Maternal and Child Nutritional Care (ICANMI, by its Spanish acronym). Compliance by indicator, by life stage, and overall was categorized using the following cut-off points: poor quality (≤ 70%), insufficient quality (71-89%), and good quality (≥ 90%). The perceptions of the barriers and facilitators that affect maternal and child nutrition were evaluated through semi-structured interviews with health professionals (HP) and users. All qualitative instruments were developed with a gender and intercultural perspective.ResultsConsidering the whole sample studied, maternal and child nutritional care quality during the five life stages evaluated was bad (compliance: ≤12%), reflected in the ICANMI, which had a compliance of 8.3%. Principal barriers identified to providing high-quality nutritional care were the lack of knowledge and training of health professionals, shortages of equipment, medicine, personnel, and materials, the disappearance of the social cash transfer program Prospera, the absence of local indigenous language translators to support communication between doctor and patient, and the persistence of machismo and other practices of control over women.ConclusionsThese findings underscore the need for initiatives to improve the quality of nutritional care in PC facilities across Chihuahua, State of Mexico, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Yucatan. It is necessary for government and health authorities, along with various stakeholders, to collaboratively devise, implement, and assess intercultural and gender-oriented policies and programs geared towards ensuring the health infrastructure and enhancing the training of health professionals to diagnose and treat the prevalence and occurrence of diverse forms of malnutrition in both maternal and child populations.

Barriers to promoting breastfeeding in primary health care in Mexico: a qualitative perspective.

This article aimed to identify the main barriers related to promoting and counseling breastfeeding (BF) at the Primary Health Care (PHC) in Mexico. A qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was carried out in 88 health centers of the Ministry of Health in the states of Chihuahua, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz, Mexico, and Yucatan. From September to November 2021, we interviewed 88 key health professionals (HPs) (physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and others) from the PHC of the Ministry of Health in Mexico and 80 parents of children under 5 years old. In addition, nine focus groups were conducted with parents and caregivers. The data obtained were triangulated with information from focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Of the total interviews, 43.2% (n = 38) were nurses, 29.5% (n = 26) were physicians, 19.3% (n = 17) were nutritionists, and the rest were other health professionals. In the group of users, 97.6% (n = 121) were women. We identified contextual barriers, such as the lack of well-trained health professionals and the scarcest nutrition professionals, as material resources in the health units, without mentioning the low user attendance at their control consultations. Furthermore, we identified barriers related to the orientation and promotion of breastfeeding in health units, including a lack of specific strategies, ineffective communication, and the recommendations of commercial milk formulas. The results presented reflect the reality of Mexico in relation to BF, making it urgent to take immediate action to improve the quality of nutritional care related to the promotion and orientation of BF at the PHC.

Entomo-virological surveillance of Flavivirus in mosquitoes in Yucatan State, Mexico.

The genus Flavivirus (Family: Flaviviridae) comprises arboviruses with the capacity to infect humans and animals. It also integrates insect-specific viruses. This study aimed to identify Flavivirus in mosquitoes captured in 17 municipalities in Yucatan State, Mexico. The mosquitoes were caught in households from November 2021 to May 2022. A total of 4,321 adult mosquitoes from five species were caught. The most abundant were Culex quinquefasciatus (n = 3,563) and Aedes aegypti (n = 734). For molecular investigations, 600 female mosquitoes were split into groups of 10, mostly for species and site location. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplified a region of the NS5 gene to find the Flavivirus ribonucleic acids (RNA). A total of 24 pools that were positive for Flavivirus were detected in Ae. aegypti specimens and subsequently subjected to sequencing using the Sanger method. A total of 12 sequences matched the established quality criteria and were subsequently employed for sequence homology analysis. We found that one sequence corresponded to the Zika virus (ZIKV), and 11 sequences had sequence similarity with Phlebotomus-associated flavivirus (PAFV), an insect-specific virus (ISF). In conclusion, we found ZIKV in the Merida municipality, Yucatan State, which suggests that the virus is silently circulating. Phlebotomus-associated flavivirus is distributed in five municipalities in Yucatan State, Mexico. Future studies could focus on isolating this virus and studying its biological role within Ae. aegypti.

СЕЛЬСКИЕ ШКОЛЫ И ИНДЕЙСКОЕ ОБРАЗОВАНИЕ В ШТАТЕ ЮКАТАН (МЕКСИКА) В 1930-Е ГГ.

In the early 1930s, the cultural policy of Mexico in relation to the rural population was finally adopted and the main instruments for the consolidation of the post-revolutionary state were determined. The first priority in post-revolutionary Mexico was to carry out a large-scale education reform among the rural Indigenous population. The article considers the key points of the rural schools project in Mexico in the 1930s and the characteristics of its practical implementation in the state of Yucatan. The study of the issue was made possible due to the wide involvement of the archival materials that constitute the fund of the “Department of Rural Schools” of the Historical Archives in the Ministry of Public Education of Mexico, in particular, the methodological works written for missionary teachers, the reports of school inspectors and rural schools directors. The analysis of the office documents from the Mexican Ministry of Public Education demonstrated a discrepancy between the expectations of the education reform as part of the strategy for the integration of the indigenous population, and its practical results. The study of the educational policies of the post-revolutionary Mexican government in the state of Yucatan made it possible to conclude on the passive resistance of the rural population to the new socio-cultural elements in the country, as well as to understand the specifics of the interaction between the different levels of government in the region in the field of education policy.

Weeds Associated with an Orange Sweet Crop (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) in the State of Yucatan, Mexico

Weeds Associated with an Orange Sweet Crop (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) in the State of Yucatan, Mexico

State of Oral Health Dependent on Body Mass Index (BMI) in a Mexican Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Obesity in Mexico is an alarming problem that has been increasing in recent decades. Dietary factors make this pathology more incidents at younger ages and it is closely related to oral health. This study aims to know the association between the need and presence of prosthesis with the type of obesity in a Mexican population in the state of Yucatan. Objectives: This study explores the relationship between obesity and oral health in the adult population of the Yucatan state in Mexico. Methods: The research was carried out in July 2021 in Merida, Yucatán (Mexico). The sample was made up of 114 people, whose ages were between 15 and 81 years old. The data analysis focused on factors such as obesity type, gender distribution, and oral health status. Results: A notable absence of dental prostheses is perceived in over 80% of participants, suggesting a potential impact on mastication and dietary choices. A direct correlation between obesity type and the need for dental prostheses is identified, with a higher prevalence in individuals with higher body mass indices. This underscores the potential interplay between oral health, obesity, and dietary habits. Conclusions: This research contributes to a growing body of evidence emphasizing the importance of optimal oral health in facilitating efficient mastication and digestion. Further studies are needed on the need for preventive measures alongside treatment in promoting oral health awareness within the community

Future expectations in secondary and high school students from a rural community in the state of Yucatan

Objective: to analyze future expectations, which, from the students' perspective, are important; as well as to determine if the expectations are different for secondary level students compared to those of high school and to explore the behavior of future expectations in men and women. Methodology: a study with a non-experimental, cross-sectional design was carried out with students from two schools: a secondary school and a high school in the rural area. This work contributes to understanding the adolescent population of the rural area with which we work, since each approach contained in the questionnaire induces them to reflect and assess their current situation; In the medium and long term, it is expected that the results obtained provide elements that can be translated into Public Policies so that the Ministry of Public Education incorporates them into its educational programs and in this way the adolescent population at all educational levels can be trained as individuals capable of visualize and build their expectations for the future incorporating elements of modern life, but at the same time, valuing their origin and the cultural diversity of their present time, as well as the impact of modernity on their lives

Decolonizing the political economy of energy transitions: new energy spaces and pluriversal politics in Mexico

This paper draws on Critical Political Economy (CPE) to explore energy transitions in Mexico. It analyzes struggles over competing energy visions from a decolonial, spatial and post-development perspective. The article frames energy transformations as more than a move away from fossil fuels: They encompass a radical overhaul of universalized Eurocentric capitalist modernity that call the state’s role as both facilitator and driver of the energy transition into question. I examine two low-carbon infrastructure projects in the state of Yucatan, Mexico to build on Bridge and Gailing’s notion of new energy spaces as the sites, scales and spatialities through which broader questions of political economy and contemporary struggles are being worked out. CPE of the energy transition must ensure that low-carbon infrastructures are not deployed as new forms of extraction, but rather as the material basis of pluriversal transitions informed by affected communities and their territorial struggles. Both studies on the political economy of energy transitions and territorial struggles can benefit from an open dialogue about how socioecological transformations are imagined, designed and implemented.

Study on the relation of the characteristics of the capture sites with the Leptospira spp. occurrence in bats and rodents from Yucatan, Mexico

This study aims to describe the natural Leptospira occurrence in small mammals from Yucatan, Mexico, and to explore the relation between the characteristics of the capture sites and the Leptospira occurrence. Bats and rodents were captured in five sites of Yucatan state, and from them, a kidney fragment was collected that was used in the genomic DNA extraction. Leptospira DNA was identified by PCR targeting the 16S-rRNA and LipL32 genes. Additionally, a bioinformatic analysis was carried out to know the Leptospira species and was corroborated with a phylogenetic tree. The assemblage of small mammals was compound of 82 (51.2 %) bats and 78 (48.8 %) rodents. A global frequency (bats plus rodents) of Leptospira occurrence of 21.2 % (34/160) was observed; in bats, it was 21.9 % (18/82), and in rodents, 20.5 % (16/78). The phylogenetic trees based on LipL32 gene showed that the recovered sequences most closely resemble the species L. borgpetersenii and L. noguchii. The ordination of the capture sites with tropical deciduous forests as original vegetation is more related to the abundance of Leptospira-infected rodents. The ordination of the capture sites with tropical sub-deciduous forests as original vegetation is more related to the diversity of Leptospira-infected bat species. The canonical ordering of the capture sites is by the original vegetation type and the diversity and abundance of Leptospira-infected bat and rodent species.