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Background: Peru is facing a double burden of malnutrition (DBM), characterized by the co-existence of undernutrition and overnutrition. Double-duty actions that concurrently target common drivers of undernutrition and overnutrition, while ensuring no unintended side effects, are recommended to effectively address the DBM. To understand these complex common mechanisms and design context-specific double-duty actions, there is a need for participatory systems approaches. This paper provides a case study of applying a community-based system dynamics approach to capture stakeholder perspectives of food system drivers of the DBM in two regions in Peru. Methods: We implemented a multi-stage community-based system dynamics approach, which included processes for research capacity building for systems approaches, and the designing, piloting, and implementation of stakeholder workshops. A total of 36 stakeholders, representing diverse perspectives, participated in five group model building workshops. Stakeholder views are presented in a causal loop diagram that showcases the feedback mechanisms between key food system drivers of overweight and stunting in Peru. Results: The causal loop diagram highlights that prioritization of undernutrition over overnutrition in the policymaking process, due to Peru's historically high levels of undernutrition, may undermine action against the DBM. It also describes potential mechanisms of unintended impacts of undernutrition policies on the DBM in Peru, including impacts related to within-family distribution and quality of food provided through food assistance programs, and unintended impacts due to regional dynamics. Conclusions: This paper highlights the importance of a participatory approach to understand local needs and priorities when recommending double-duty actions in Peru and shares practical methodological guidance on applying participatory systems approaches in public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid coagulation of fish blood makes the use of anticoagulants in hematological analysis necessary and means that choosing the most appropriate product is important. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two different anticoagulants (heparin sodium and K2EDTA), storage time, and temperature on the hematological values of Arapaima gigas juveniles. Twelve juveniles (905.79 ± 111.2 g and 49 ± 1.74 cm) kept in captivity were used for the tests. Blood was collected from the caudal vein and divided for the analysis of the effects of K2EDTA 10% and heparin sodium 5000 IU, storage time (0, 5, 10, and 24 h), and temperature (4 and 28 °C). The hematocrit, erythrocyte count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and differential leukocyte count were evaluated. The results revealed significant differences in the hematocrit, lymphocytes, and neutrophils when the anticoagulants were compared at 0 h of storage. In the hematocrit, heparin sodium produced variations, while K2EDTA maintained the values constant at 5 h, the erythrocyte count constant for up to 24 h, with the exception of at 4 °C, while hemoglobin produced variations in all the groups at 5 h. The blood indices MCV, MCHC, and MCH were best preserved, without variations, using K2EDTA at 28 °C for up to 5 h. In conclusion, K2EDTA 10% at 28 °C maintained constant hematological values of Arapaima gigas for 5 h, with the exception of hemoglobin, which should be analyzed as soon as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The National Reserve of Junin, considered a RAMSAR site is suffering different kinds of problems that are causing worry among local inhabitants. Taking this into consideration and responding to needs of information to help stakeholders in managing this important natural area, a kit of 24 indicators were determined in order to be used in the follow up conservation processes developed in the area. Indicators were built taking into consideration aims and objectives determined by local inhabitants as well as the main characteristics of the Reserve. This was done in order to value state, stress, impact and response of human activities on the most important natural resources and environmental services of this protected natural area. This research pretended to generate a methodology that can link society and environmental parameters using the adaptative ecosystem management framework, which highlights both social values and scientific aspects of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new species of Liolaemus from the alticolor group that was previously confused with L. alticolor. Populations of this new taxon are distributed in the area of Cuzco and Sicuani, in southeastern Perú (Peruvian province of Cuzco). This new species is disjunct with respect to other members of the alticolor group. We analyzed 82 characters of external morphology, including external squamation, neck folds, precloacal pores, and dorsal and ventral patterns. These characters were compared between the new taxon and 17 morphologically similar species belonging to the more-inclusive chiliensis group. The new species is characterized by a unique combination of throat color pattern, smooth dorsal head scales, and well developed neck folds. This evidence, together with its geographic isolation, supports this taxon as a new species of Liolaemus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we analysed the linear relationship between Space Relative Abundance Index (SRAI) and Real Density (RD) by means of Fourier series in three bird populations of economic importance: Forpus coelestis, Columbina cruziana and Mimus longicaudatus from the Region Grau, Peru. In the analysis of the relationships, Lineal Regression was used, with the relative abundance as the dependent variable and RD as the independent variable. The significance of the correlation was assessed by the coeficient of correlation. Results suggest that, under prevalent conditions, Relative Abundance is a good estimator of the RD. However, some non linear models describe in a better way the relationship between SRAI and RD. Only certain points (SRAI or RD) should be taken into account when excluding non linear relationships, both at the extensive and intensive level, because the linear model could under estimate or over estimate the density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This article aims to assess the contribution of genomic ancestry and socioeconomic status to obesity in a sample of admixed Latin Americans. Methods: The study comprised 6776 adult volunteers from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Each volunteer completed a questionnaire about socioeconomic variables. Anthropometric variables such as weight, height, waist, and hip circumference were measured to calculate body indices: body mass index, waist‐to‐hip ratio and waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR). Genetic data were extracted from blood samples, and ancestry was estimated using chip genotypes. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between the indices and ancestry, educational level, and economic well‐being. The body indices were dichotomized to obesity indices by using appropriate thresholds. Odds ratios were calculated for each obesity index. Results: The sample showed high percentages of obesity by all measurements. However, indices did not overlap consistently when classifying obesity. WHtR resulted in the highest prevalence of obesity. Overall, women with low education level and men with high economic wellness were more likely to be obese. American ancestry was statistically associated with obesity indices, although to a lesser extent than socioeconomic variables. Conclusions: The proportion of obesity was heavily dependent on the index and the population. Genomic ancestry has a significant influence on the anthropometric measurements, especially on central adiposity. As a whole, we detected a large interpopulation variation that suggests that better approaches to overweight and obesity phenotypes are needed in order to obtain more precise reference values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]