Ethnobotany of Mexican and northern Central American cycads (Zamiaceae)
This study documents cycad-human relationships in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras over the last 6000 years. The impetus was acute need for a better understanding of previously undocumented... (Source: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine)
Source: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine - January 18, 2019 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Mark Bonta, Mar ía Teresa Pulido-Silva, Teresa Diego-Vargas, Aurelia Vite-Reyes, Andrew P. Vovides and Angélica Cibrián-Jaramillo Tags: Research Source Type: research
Osteophageous insect damage on human bone from Je'reftheel, a Maya mortuary cave site in west ‐central Belize
This study represents the first detailed exploration of the effects of osteophageous insects on bones from the Maya area and thus expands on recent e fforts by other researchers working in the region to document taphonomic processes and distinguish them from intentional mortuary treatments. (Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology)
Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology - December 6, 2018 Category: Science Authors: Gabriel D. Wrobel,
Jack Biggs Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research
Reconstructing the Deep Population History of Central and South America
We report genome-wide ancient DNA from 49 individuals forming four parallel time transects in Belize, Brazil, the Central Andes, and the Southern Cone, each dating to at least ∼9,000 years ago. The common ancestral population radiated rapidly from just one of the two early branches that contributed to Native Americans today. We document two previously unappreciated streams of gene flow between North and South America. One affected the Central Andes by ∼4,200 years ago, while the other explains an affinity between the oldest North American genome associated with the Clovis culture and the oldest Central and South Americ...
Source: Cell - November 9, 2018 Category: Cytology Source Type: research
Salt and marine products in the Classic Maya economy from use-wear study of stone tools [Anthropology]
Microscopic study of the edges of Late to Terminal Classic Maya (AD 600–900) chert stone tools from the Paynes Creek Salt Works, Belize, indicates most tools were used for cutting fish or meat or working hide, which was unexpected, given the virtual absence of fish or other animal remains at... (Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - October 23, 2018 Category: Science Authors: Heather McKillop, Kazuo Aoyama Tags: Social Sciences Source Type: research
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a Boy from Belize
A 9-year-old boy from Belize presented with a 3-month history of enlarging plaques on his arm. Originating as papules, the lesions had progressed despite treatment with topical mupirocin, oral amoxicillin, and cephalexin. At presentation, physical examination revealed 2 well-circumscribed, round plaques with rolled borders and central erosion on the right forearm (Figure 1). A previous biopsy demonstrated amastigotes within histiocytes, consistent with a diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Repeat biopsy sent for polymerase chain reaction, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirmed inf...
Source: The Journal of Pediatrics - September 27, 2018 Category: Pediatrics Authors: Karlyn Pollack, Richard Flowers, Barrett Zlotoff Tags: Rediscovering the Physical Exam Source Type: research
Genetic diversity, infection prevalence, and possible transmission routes of < i > Bartonella < /i > spp. in vampire bats
by Daniel J. Becker, Laura M. Bergner, Alexandra B. Bentz, Richard J. Orton, Sonia Altizer, Daniel G. StreickerBartonella spp. are globally distributed bacteria that cause endocarditis in humans and domestic animals. Recent work has suggested bats as zoonotic reservoirs of some humanBartonella infections; however, the ecological and spatiotemporal patterns of infection in bats remain largely unknown. Here we studied the genetic diversity, prevalence of infection across seasons and years, individual risk factors, and possible transmission routes ofBartonella in populations of common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) in Peru ...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - September 27, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Daniel J. Becker Source Type: research
No detection of Zika virus infection in asymptomatic Dutch military personnel after deployment in high endemic areas (Belize, Curacao, Saint Martin) from December 2016 to December 2017
Dear Editor, at the start of the Zika outbreak we reported on imported infections in Dutch travellers [1]. Since late 2015, a large outbreak of Zika virus disease has spread across South and Central America. Concurrently, strong evidence has emerged that the virus, which usually only causes mild disease in adults, is the cause of various degrees of fetal developmental disorders, which was dramatically illustrated by an unusual number of microcephaly cases among newborns in Brazil. An important and unanswered question to date is the actual risk of sexual transmission from (symptomatic or asymptomatic) males returning from Z...
Source: Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease - September 20, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Cornelis A. De Pijper, Martin P. Grobusch, Abraham Goorhuis, Cornelis Stijnis, Gerrit Koen, Janke Schinkel Source Type: research
Osteophageous insect damage on human bone from Je'reftheel, a Maya mortuary cave site in west ‐central Belize
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. (Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology)
Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology - September 14, 2018 Category: Science Authors: Gabriel D.Wrobel
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JackBiggs Source Type: research
Hispidorhynchus styracurae n. sp. (trypanorhyncha: eutetrarhynchidae) from the chupare stingray, styracura schmardae (werner), from the caribbean sea, including new records of oncomegas wageneri (linton, 1890).
HISPIDORHYNCHUS STYRACURAE N. SP. (TRYPANORHYNCHA: EUTETRARHYNCHIDAE) FROM THE CHUPARE STINGRAY, STYRACURA SCHMARDAE (WERNER), FROM THE CARIBBEAN SEA, INCLUDING NEW RECORDS OF ONCOMEGAS WAGENERI (LINTON, 1890).
J Parasitol. 2018 Sep 12;:
Authors: Schaeffner BC
Abstract
Species of the eutetrarhynchid genus Hispidorhynchus Schaeffner and Beveridge, 2012 possess an uncinate macrohook on the bothrial surface of the basal swelling of each tentacle. This unique feature of the oncotaxy is only shared with the closely-related genus Oncomegas Dollfus, 1929. A new species of Hispidorhynchus...
Source: The Journal of Parasitology - September 12, 2018 Category: Parasitology Authors: Schaeffner BC Tags: J Parasitol Source Type: research
Adipose tissue polyunsaturated fatty acids and metabolic syndrome among adult parents and their children
ConclusionsAmong Mesoamerican adults, MetS prevalence is inversely associated with adipose tissue ALA and GLA, and positively associated with EPA, DGLA, and the D6D index. Among children, metabolic risk score is positively associated with DPA, DGLA, and the D6D index. (Source: Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases)
Source: Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases - September 6, 2018 Category: Nutrition Source Type: research
Food Insecurity and Delinquency Among Adults in Belize City, Belize
After the presentation, the participant will be able to discuss the relationship of food security to delinquent behaviors of adults participating in the Conscious Youth Development Program in Belize. (Source: Journal of the American Dietetic Association)
Source: Journal of the American Dietetic Association - August 23, 2018 Category: Nutrition Authors: D. Holben, M. Dees, L. Keena, M. Bass Tags: Tuesday, October 23 Source Type: research
Osteophageous Insect Damage on Human Bone from Je ’reftheel, a Maya Mortuary Cave Site in West‐Central Belize
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology,Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-. (Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology)
Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology - August 17, 2018 Category: Science Authors: Gabriel D.Wrobel
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JackBiggs Source Type: research
Identifying Areas at Greatest Risk for Recent Zika Virus Importation — New York City, 2016
In this study, we used logistic regression15 to predict weekly nowcasts16 throughout the summer of 2016 of census tracts at greatest risk of recent ZIKV importation. Nowcast results were used to inform geographically targeted activities, including performing public education, enrolling additional healthcare facilities in a sentinel surveillance system for detecting local ZIKV transmission, interpreting syndromic surveillance signals suggesting possible ZIKV-like illness, and, when reviewed in conjunction with mosquito surveillance data, informing control of Aedes spp. mosquitoes and placement of traps for continued surveil...
Source: PLOS Currents Outbreaks - July 25, 2018 Category: Epidemiology Authors: skgreene Source Type: research
Traditional medicines used by Q’eqchi’ Maya to treat diabetic symptoms and their antiglycation potential
ConclusionThe results reveal a rich botanical tradition of antidiabetic symptom treatments among the Q’eqchi’. Study of highly ranked plants revealed their activity in AGE inhibition correlated with SIV. T. guatemalensis was identified as a promising species for further evaluation and local use.Graphical abstract (Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology - July 10, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
