The new regionalism" and the Free Trade Area of the Americas: a less benevolent view"

Includes bibliography

Economic performance clubs in the Americas: 1955-2003

Includes bibliography

Cold Code: The global initiative to DNA barcode amphibians and nonavian reptiles

DNA barcoding facilitates the identification of species and the estimation of biodiversity by using nucleotide sequences, usually from the mitochondrial genome. Most studies accomplish this task by using the gene encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI; Entrez COX1). Within this barcoding framework, many taxonomic initiatives exist, such as those specializing in fishes, birds, mammals, and fungi. Other efforts center on regions, such as the Arctic, or on other topics, such as health. DNA barcoding initiatives exist for all groups of vertebrates except for amphibians and nonavian reptiles. We announce the formation of Cold Code, the international initiative to DNA barcode all species of these 'cold-blooded' vertebrates. The project has a Steering Committee, Coordinators, and a home page. To facilitate Cold Code, the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences will sequence COI for the first 10 specimens of a species at no cost to the steward of the tissues. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Influenza among the elderly in the Americas: A consensus statement

Influenza exacts a heavy burden on the elderly, a segment of the population that is estimated to experience rapid growth in the near future. In the past decade most developed and several developing countries have recommended influenza vaccination for those > 65 years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) set a goal of 75% influenza vaccination coverage among the elderly by 2010, but it was not achieved. In 2011, the Technical Advisory Group at the Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of WHO for the Americas, reiterated the influenza vaccine recommendation for older adults. Relatively little information has been compiled on the immunological aspect of aging or on reducing its impact, information particularly relevant for clinicians and gerontologist with firsthand experience confronting its effects. To fill this data gap, in 2012 the Americas Health Foundation (Washington, D.C., United States) and the nonprofit, Fighting Infectious Diseases in Emerging Countries (Miami, Florida, United States), convened a panel of Latin American clinicians and gerontologists with expertise in influenza to discuss key issues and develop a consensus statement. The major recommendations were to improve influenza surveillance throughout Latin America so that its impact can be quantified; and to conduct laboratory confirmation of influenza for all patients who have flu-like symptoms and are frail, immunosuppressed, have comorbidities, are respiratory compromised, or have been admitted to a hospital. The panel also noted that: since evidence for antivirals in the elderly is unclear, their use should be handled on a case-by-case basis; despite decreased immunological response, influenza vaccination in older adults is still crucial; indirect immunization strategies should be encouraged; and traditional infection control measures are essential in long-term care facilities.

Resolution 617(XXXI): Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Resolution 649(XXXIII) Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Resolution 638(XXXII) Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Resolution 668(XXXIV) Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Spanish version available

Documentos presentados a la Primera Reunión de la Conferencia Estadística de las Américas de la Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe = Documents presented at the First Meeting of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Publicación bilingüe

Report on the activities of the working groups created at the Third Meeting of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

Includes bibliography

Draft biennial programme of regional and international cooperation activities of the Statistical Conference of the Americas of ECLAC, 2007-2009

Includes bibliography