Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

In community ecology, the knowledge of abiotic factors, that determine intraspecific variability in ecophysiological and functional traits, is important for addressing major questions, such as plant community assembly and ecosystem functioning. Mangroves have several mechanisms of resistance to salinity and most species exhibit some xeromorphic features in order to conserve water. Leaf area and stomatal density play an important role in maintaining water balance, and gas exchange is regulated by their aperture and density, two traits that vary intraspecifically in response to environmental conditions, such as water stress and salinity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of salinity on stomatal density, leaf area and plant size in R. mangle and we tested for associations among the three variables, across three sites along a natural salinity gradient in the Xel-Há Park, Quintana Roo, Mexico. We hypothesized that high salinity sites would produce smaller plants, with smaller leaves, and fewer stomata. Three sampling sites with different environmental conditions were chosen and salinities were monitored monthly. A total of 542 plants were tagged and tree heights and diameters were measured for each individual within each of the three sampling sites. Three leaves from 20 trees from each site were measured to determine leaf area. Stomatal densities were determined in each leaf using nail polish casts, examining ten 1 mm squares per leaf under an optical microscope. A principal component analysis was used to assess association between tree height, leaf area, and stomatal density for each plot. The salinity gradient was reflected in plant size, producing smaller plants at the higher salinity site. The largest leaves were found at the low salinity site (51.2 ± 24.99 cm2). Leaf length was not correlated to plant size (LL vs. tree height: r= 0.02, P= 0.8205; LL vs. trunk diameter: r= 0.03, P= 0.7336), so we concluded that leaf length is an environmentally plastic trait of red mangroves that may vary as a function of environmental conditions, such as hydric stress caused by elevated salinity. The larger leaves from the low salinity site had lower densities of stomata (65.0 stomata.mm2 SD= 12.3), and increasing salinities did not decrease stomatal density (intermediate salinity site: 73.4 stomata.mm2 SD= 13.5; high salinity site: 74.8 stomata.mm2 SD= 17.3). Our results confirm that stomatal density is inversely related to leaf area (r= -0.29, P < 0.001), especially leaf width (r= -0.31, P < 0.001), and that salinity may increase stomatal density by causing reduction of leaf size.

Isolated rocky outcrops can act as patch habitats that host great biodiversity through the diversity of microhabitats, presence of restricted taxa and the high turnover of species in the patch matrix. The isolated rocky outcrops of Paraje Tres Cerros (ARPTC), Corrientes, Argentina, are a unique landscape in the region and biologically little explored. We conducted a study to describe for the first time the bird community of the forest and grassland of the ARPTC, using 136 lists following the ten species Mackinnon method from the breeding and non-breeding seasons. We evaluated the diversity, trophic guilds and phenology of the species, and compared attributes of grassland and forest communities. The total species richness was 107, with the forest being 1.3 times more diverse than the grassland. Completeness of inventories ranged from 83-90 % in the grassland and 88 to 99 % in the forest. The habitat complementarity was 62 %, indicating the presence of several species exclusive of forest and grassland habitats. The trophic structure of communities showed a good representation of insectivorous birds in both habitats. Frugivorous birds were more frequent in the forest and granivorous birds were more frequent in the grasslands. Due to the arrival of migrant species, both habitats had significantly higher richness in the breeding season than in the non-breeding season. Our results showed similar general aspects and patterns for bird communities and with specific studies for bird communities of rocky outcrops. The present study highlights the importance of the isolated rocky outcrops of Paraje Tres Cerros for the protection of local and regional bird biodiversity and represents a benchmark for the management and the protection of these ecosystems. p> 

Introduction:Infections constitute a frequent chief complaint in hospital services and, because of their seriousness, they sometimes lead to patients´ admissions.  In other cases, they are hospital-acquired infections which considerably increase nosocomial morbidity and mortality.  Generally, the most frequently isolated microorganisms in hospitals are: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp, the non-fermenting bacilli, and enterobacteria.  Objective: To determine the most frequent microorganisms and isolation areas in samples used for a microbiological study, taken from patients admitted to "Salvador Allende" Hospital of Havana, during the February-June period 2015.  Material and Methods: A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted to determine the most frequent microorganisms and isolation areas in the in samples used for a microbiological study, taken from admitted patients during the period mentioned. The information about the identification of microorganisms and the type of sample were both obtained from the records of the Microbiology Laboratory of the hospital; the absolute and relative frequencies were calculated; and the results were tabulated. Results: During the period studied, the most isolated microorganisms were: E. coli, non- fermenting bacilli, S. aureus, and Enterobacter spp. Regarding the isolation areas, the most frequent ones were the skin, the urine, the respiratory system, and the blood.  Conclusions: The predominance of gram-negative microorganisms was evident, being the E. coli, the most frequent of them.Keywords:Cuba, E. coli, S. aureus, non-fermenting bacilli, microorganisms, isolation areas

Introduction: Since its foundation, the Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas has published many papers about Bioethics. Objective: To characterize the way in which the bioethical issue has been based on the published papers in the journal in the course of its 15 years of existence. Material and Method: It’s realized a descriptive transversal research supported in a platform of quantitative and qualitative techniques. Were studied all the published papers in the 15 volumes and 69 numbers issues by the HJMS, between 2002 and 2016. Were specified the variables that could reflect the bioethical content, a guide of analysis of bibliographic sources was applied and the information was processed with descriptive statistics. Results: As results, it’s identified 326 papers requiring an special ethical treatment, 154 (47,2%) did not receive it. Among the 172 papers with some ethical considerations the bioethical approach prevailed; 107, in 84 clinical cases were a lack of ethical reflection in its presentation. 31,4% of the papers with ethical treatment were short communications. A large proportion (89%) of the papers with bioethical approach considered the discipline as an applied ethics. It was shown a balance between the consequentialist models (28%), the self reference approach (27%) and the environmental-biopolitics model (21%). Conclusions: It´s concluded that the HJMS has kept the publication of papers with bioethical issues. However, the journal must improve the educative work addressed to the authors and to preserve the obtained balance between the different methodological and theoretical models of bioethical analysis. Keywords: bioethics; medical ethics; health ethics; scientific research ethics; applied ethics.

Introduction: The work of Fidel Ilizástigui Dupuy has been studied in its relation with medical education, its contributions to didactics and the conceptualization of education at work as a form of organization of the teaching-learning process; However, the historical-social conditions that shaped his pedagogical thinking have not been thoroughly investigated. Objective: To determine the influence of these historical-social conditions on the pedagogical thinking of Fidel Ilizástigui Dupuy. Material and Methods: This is a qualitative biographical research. Unpublished documents such as minutes of meetings, epistolary and sketches of articles and speeches could be accessed. Published and printed articles and books were reviewed. For the active and passive digitized bibliography published in national magazines, it was used as a Google Scholar search engine. Development: This article outlines the following conditions: family environment, communist militancy, training under the mentorship of Dr. Pedro Iglesias Betancourt, the Cuban Revolution, the Scientific-Technical Revolution and the interrelation with his contemporaries. Conclusions: Historical and social conditions influenced Fidel Ilizástigui Dupuy and his interest in assuming the culture of his time, his values and character, in his eagerness to change the reality of medical education he knew, supported by a process of thought and action , Contributed to the modeling of their pedagogical thinking.Keywords: Social and historical conditions, medical education, Didactic, education at work.

Introduction: The highest work organization, which is indispensable for development, is only achieved with the introduction of automated techniques that allow the necessary efficiency in the management of high volumes of information. Objective: To make a proposal of an automated system for the control and follow-up of the pregnant woman of the Maternal-Infantile Care Program. Material and Methods:  A technological innovation research, which consisted on the design of an automated system for the control and follow-up of the pregnant woman was conducted.  Also, an analysis of the computing tools available for the implementation of the system was carried out, as well as a study of the appropriate ones in accordance with the system objective, and the characteristics of the staff in charge of its implementation and use. Information and tabulation tools and formulas that the Microsoft Excel 2013 offers, were used.  A very simple interphase, quite user-friendly and easy handling, was used for the design. Results: The present system is proposed; whose main characteristic is the simplicity of its use.  It contributes to organize and facilitate the information processing for the control and follow-up of the pregnant woman in the health care area. Conclusions: The proposal of the automated system that facilitates the control and follow-up of the pregnant woman in the health care area is analyzed.Keywords:automated system, Maternal-Infantile Care Program, control and follow-up of the pregnant woman, data analysis.

Introduction: The highest organization of work, essential for development, it is only possible to achieve in a statistics department with the introduction of automated sorting techniques that allow the necessary efficiency in handling large volumes of information. Objective: To design an automated system that allows simple and fast processing of statistical information Program of Mother and Child in the Wilaya of Bechar. Material and Methods: An investigation of technological innovation, consisting of the design of an automated system for processing statistical information was performed. An analysis of the computational tools available for implementing the system was also carried out and determine what or what were the most appropriate according to the objective of the system and the characteristics of the staff responsible for their implementation and use. Tools for tabulating information and formulas offered by the Excel program package Microsoft Office 2013. To design a very simple interface, easy to use by the prospective user, who needs no explanations for optional use was used were used. Results: The present system is proposed whose main characteristic is the simplicity of use. It contributes to organize and facilitate the processing of statistical information at the level of the wilaya; it saves time and resources. Conclusions: It contributes effectively to facilitate the work of our professionals in the consolidation of statistical information at the level of the Wilaya way.Keywords: Information Systems, Data Analysis, Statistics, Models Statistical. 

An investigation was carried out during the January-December 2016 period, which provided an overview of the development of the prosthetic rehabilitation process in the stomatological sciences, which responds to the demands for quality in the formation of the resident on prothesis at the University Of Medical Sciences Of Guantánamo. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used as well as different research techniques. Three fundamental causes were identified which interfered in the process of resident´s formation with a methodological strategy was proposed that, due to its integrality, responded to the issues. Conclusions and recommendations are given taking into account the problem under investigation.

An educational intervention was carried out at the University of Medical Sciences of Guantánamo to raise the level of knowledge about vaginal trichomonosis and its prevention. The study population consisted of 45 students of the second year of the Medicine career, the sample in this case coincides with the population. Theoretical, empirical and mathematical methods were used: logical history, analysis, functional structural systemic, document analysis, and others. Among the analyzed variables: age, sex, level of knowledge about vaginal Trichomonosis and its mode of prevention. There was a significant increase in the level of knowledge about vaginal Trichomonosis, the need to have risk perception and to carry out work to promote and prevent STIs, generalizing this study in other areas of the municipality.

A descriptive, prospective and longitudinal research was carried out with the objective of elaborating a proposal of educational actions that allow to improve the quality of life in elderly people of the circle of grandfathers of the Popular Council “Pastorita”. The universe coincided with the sample and is made up of 15 older adults of the circle of grandparents. The data were obtained through interviews with members of the grandfather and community circle. The results were obtained and showed women age -group from 60 to 70, the level of schooling was the means and they have some knowledge about quality of life, but it does not correspond to the behavior of the adults studied, reason why which prepared a proposal for educational actions that will improve this aspect.