Cultural adaptation of birthing services in rural Ayacucho, Peru.

PROBLEM: Maternal mortality is particularly high among poor, indigenous women in rural Peru, and the use of facility care is low, partly due to cultural insensitivities of the health care system. APPROACH: A culturally appropriate delivery care model was developed in poor and isolated rural communities, and implemented between 1999 and 2001 in cooperation with the Quechua indigenous communities and health professionals. Data on birth location and attendance in one health centre have been collected up to 2007. LOCAL SETTING: The international nongovernmental organization, Health Unlimited, and its Peruvian partner organization, Salud Sín Límites Perú, conducted the project in Santillana district in Ayacucho. RELEVANT CHANGES: The model involves features such as a rope and bench for vertical delivery position, inclusion of family and traditional birth attendants in the delivery process and use of the Quechua language. The proportion of births delivered in the health facility increased from 6% in 1999 to 83% in 2007 with high satisfaction levels. LESSONS LEARNED: Implementing a model of skilled delivery attendance that integrates modern medical and traditional Andean elements is feasible and sustainable. Indigenous women with little formal education do use delivery services if their needs are met. This contradicts common victim-blaming attitudes that ascribe high levels of home births to 'cultural preferences' or 'ignorance'

Characterizing larval swordfish habitat in the western tropical North Atlantic

Author Posting. © The Author(s), 2017. This is the author's version of the work. It is posted here under a nonexclusive, irrevocable, paid-up, worldwide license granted to WHOI. It is made available for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Fisheries Oceanography, 27 (2018): 246-258, doi:10.1111/fog.12249.Swordfish Xiphias gladius (Linnaeus, 1758) are a circumglobal pelagic fish targeted by multiple lucrative fisheries. Determining the distribution of swordfish larvae is important for indicating reproductive activity and understanding the early life history of swordfish. We identify and characterize larval swordfish distributions during peak swordfish spawning throughout the Gulf of Mexico and western Caribbean Sea with generalized additive models (GAMs) using catches of swordfish larvae during ichthyoplankton surveys in April and May of 2010, 2011, and 2012. The best fit GAM, as determined by stepwise, backward Akaike Information Criterion selection, included both physiochemical (temperature at 5 m, sea surface height anomaly (SSHA), eddy kinetic energy (EKE)), temporal (lunar illumination, hour of sampling) and spatial (location) variables, while near-surface chlorophyll a concentration residuals remained as a random effect. The highest probability of larval swordfish catch occurred at sub-surface temperatures, SSHA, and EKE values indicative of boundary currents. Standard lengths of larvae were larger further downstream in the boundary currents, despite high variability in length with location due to multiple spawning locations of swordfish near these currents. Probability of larval swordfish catch also peaked during the crescent and gibbous moons, indicating a lunar periodicity to swordfish spawning. These results suggest that swordfish may spawn during select moon phases near boundary currents that transport their larvae to larval and juvenile habitat including the northern Gulf of Mexico and coastal waters of the southeast United States.NASA Grant Numbers: NNX11AP76G, NNX08AL06

Stable isotope analysis indicates resource partitioning and trophic niche overlap in larvae of four tuna species in the Gulf of Mexico

In this study we assessed the trophic ecology of bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus larvae from the Gulf of Mexico, together with the co-occurring larvae of blackfin tuna T. atlanticus, bullet tuna Auxis rochei, and skipjack Katsuwonus pelamis, using both bulk-tissue stable isotope analysis (SIAbulk) and compound-specific analysis of amino acids (CSIAAA). Bulk nitrogen (δ15Nbulk) and carbon (δ13Cbulk) values differed significantly among species, suggesting partitioning of resources due to an adaptive process allowing these tunas to share the ecosystem’s trophic resources during this early life period. K. pelamis had the largest isotopic niche width, likely due to piscivorous feeding at an earlier age compared to the other species, with an isotopic niche overlap of 17.5% with T. thynnus, 15.8% with T. atlanticus, and 31.2% with A. rochei. This trophic overlap suggests a mix of competition and trophic differentiation among these 4 species of tuna larvae. Higher nitrogen isotopic signatures in preflexion versus postflexion larvae of T. thynnus measured using both SIAbulk and CSIAAA indicate maternal isotopic transmission, as well as ‘capital breeder’-like characteristics. In contrast, the nitrogen isotopic ratios of the other 3 species were similar between ontogenetic stages. These observations suggest different breeding strategies within the study area for T. atlanticus, K. pelamis, and A. rochei compared to T. thynnus. No significant differences were observed among the 4 species’ trophic positions (TPs) estimated by CSIAAA, whereas a higher TP was observed for T. thynnus by SIAbulk. These differences in TP estimation may be attributed to discrepancies in baseline estimates.Postprint2,48

Genetic connectivity between Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) Larvae Spawned in the GOM and MED

Highly migratory Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) is managed as two stocks, Western and Eastern. Western ABFT spawn mainly in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and Eastern ABFT in the Mediterranean Sea (MED) (1). Understanding connectivity between ABFT populations is important for conservation and management of this valuable fishery resource that has been exploited for centuries. ABFT are highly mixed, with multiple disciplines supporting weak structuring between Western and Eastern stocks (1). Concerning genetics, subtle structuring of ABFT populations across the Atlantic Ocean has been the conclusion of studies describing genetic tools for traceability (2,3). Larval fish provide the genetic signal of successful breeders and have occasionally been genetically characterized with juveniles (young-of-the-year, YOY) collected in nursery areas. For the first time, cooperative field collection of tuna larvae during 2014 in the main spawning area for each stock enabled us to assess the structuring of ABFT genetic diversity in a precise temporal and spatial frame exclusively through larvae (5). Partitioning of genetic diversity at nuclear microsatellite loci and in the mitochondrial control region resulted in low significant fixation indices. Individual-based clustering analysis of larval ABFT genetic diversity indicate apparent connectivity between the GOM and MED spawning grounds that could support the hypothesis of mixing of breeders belonging to different stocks.This collaborative study was supported by "ECOLATUN" PROJECT CTM2015-68473-R (MINECO/FEDER) funded by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness; "TUNAGEN" project funded by IEO; and "BLUEFIN" project financed by IEO and Balearic Island Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB). This research was funded by NASA (NNX11AP76G S07), the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Science Service through the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, as well as by Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies under Cooperative Agreement NA15OAR43200064 at the University of Miami. There was no additional external funding received for this study. The scientific results and conclusions, as well as any views or opinions expressed herein, are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of NOAA or the Department of Commerce

LARVAL BLUEFIN TUNA (THUNNUS THYNNUS) TROPHODYNAMICS FROM BALEARIC SEA (WM) AND GULF OF MEXICO SPAWNING ECOSYSTEMS BY STABLE ISOTOPE

The present study uses stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon (δ15N and δ13C) as trophic indicators for Atlantic bluefin tuna larvae (BFT) (6-10 mm SL) in the highly contrasting environmental conditions of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and the Balearic Sea (MED). The study analyzes ontogenetic changes in the food sources and trophic levels (TL) of BFT larvae from each spawning habitat. The results discuss differences in the ontogenic dietary shifts observed in the BFT larvae from the GOM and MED as well as trophodynamic differences in relation to the microzooplanktonic baselines used for estimating trophic enrichment. Significant trophic differences between the GOM and MED larvae were observed in relation to δ15N signatures in favour of the MED larvae, which may have important implications in their early life growth strategy.Versión de edito

Do western Atlantic bluefin tuna spawn outside of the Gulf of Mexico? Results from a larval survey in the Atlantic Ocean in 2013

In 2013, a larval survey was conducted north and east of the Bahamas aboard the NOAA Ship NANCY FOSTER. Sampling areas were selected based on larval habitat model predictions, and daily satellite analysis of surface temperature and ocean color. Samples were collected at 97 stations, and 18 larval BFT (Thunnus thynnus) were found at 9 stations. Six of these stations came from oceanographically complex regions characterized by cyclonic and anticyclonic gyres. Larvae ranged in size from 3.22mm to 7.58 mm, corresponding to approximately 5-12 days in age. Analysis of satellite derived surface currents and CTD data suggest that these larvae were spawned and retained in this area. Larval habitat models show areas of high predicted abundance extending east to 650 W, but the actual extent of spawning in this area remains unknown.En prens

Trade-Offs Between Risks of Predation and Starvation In Larvae Make the Shelf Break an Optimal Spawning Location For Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT) (Thunnus thynnus) travel long distances to spawn in oligotrophic regions of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) which suggests these regions offer some unique benefit to offspring survival. To better understand how larval survival varies within the GoM a spatially explicit, Lagrangian, individual-based model was developed that simulates dispersal and mortality of ABT early life stages within realistic predator and prey fields during the spawning periods from 1993 to 2012. The model estimates that starvation is the largest cumulative source of mortality associated with an early critical period. However, elevated predation on older larvae is identified as the main factor limiting survival to late postflexion. As a result, first-feeding larvae have higher survival on the shelf where food is abundant, whereas older larvae have higher survival in the open ocean with fewer predators, making the shelf break an optimal spawning area. The modeling framework developed in this study explicitly simulates both physical and biological factors that impact larval survival and hence could be used to support ecosystem based management efforts for ABT under current and future climate conditions

Diagnostic Accuracy of Anthropometric Markers of Obesity for Prediabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Prediabetes is a significant public health concern due to its high risk of progressing to diabetes. Anthropometric measures of obesity, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) have been demonstrated as key risk factors in the development of prediabetes. However, there is a lack of clarity on the diagnostic accuracy and cut-off points of these measures. Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of these anthropometric measures for their most effective use in identifying prediabetes. Methodology: A systematic review (SR) with metanalysis of observational studies was carried out. The search was conducted in four databases: Pubmed/Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and EMBASE. For the meta-analysis, sensitivity and specificity, together with their 95% confidence intervals (CI 95%) were calculated. Results: Among all the manuscripts chosen for review, we had four cross-sectional studies, and three were classified as cohort studies. The forest plots showed the combined sensitivity and specificity for both cross-sectional and cohort studies. For cross-sectional studies, the values were as follows: BMI had a sensitivity of 0.63 and specificity of 0.56, WC had a sensitivity of 0.59 and specificity of 0.58, and WHtR had a sensitivity of 0.63 and specificity of 0.73. In the cohort studies, the combined sensitivity and specificity were: BMI at 0.70 and 0.45, WC at 0.68 and 0.56, and WHtR at 0.68 and 0.56, respectively. All values are provided with 95% confidence intervals. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of BMI, WC, and WHtR in identifying prediabetes. The results showed variations in sensitivity and specificity, with WHtR having the highest specificity in cross-sectional studies and BMI having improved sensitivity in cohort studies

Metabolically Obese Normal-Weight Phenotype as a Risk Factor for High Blood Pressure: A Five-Year Cohort

"Background: The metabolically obese normal-weight (MONW) phenotype has been considered a risk factor for different chronic diseases, but its role in high blood pressure (HBP) is still unclear. The aim of the study is to determine if the MONW phenotype constitutes a risk factor for hypertension in Peruvian adults belonging to a 5-year cohort. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. A secondary analysis from the database of the PERU MIGRANT study was carried out from the MONW and non-MONW cohorts; after a 5-year follow-up, the appearance of HBP was evaluated in the subjects of both cohorts. To assess the strength and magnitude of the association, a Poisson regression model (crude and adjusted) with robust variance was used. The measure of association was the relative risk (RR). Results: The incidence of HBP was 11.30%. In the multivariable analysis, subjects with the MONW phenotype had a 2.879-fold risk of presenting HBP in 5 years compared with those who were not MONW at the beginning of the study; this was adjusted for categorized age, sex, group, and state of smoker and alcohol drinker (RR: 2.055; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.118 - 3.777; P = 0.020). Conclusions: The presence of the MONW phenotype doubled the incidence of HBP, even after adjusting for other covariates. However, studies in this field should continue. If these findings are confirmed, it should be considered that presenting an adequate weight for height should not be interpreted as a condition free of metabolic alterations, so screening for hypertension should be carried out regardless of w

COVID-19 y biomasa en Perú: Entre necesidad y riesgo

Letter to the Editor (without abstract)Carta al Editor (sin resumen