Search

Introduction: Menarche is an indicator of sexual maturation that occurs between 10-15 years of age. Genetic and environmental factors affect the age of onset of menarche. To determine the age of menarche Objectives:and its association with nutritional status and maternal menarche in 6th grade adolescents from selected educational institutions in urban and peri-urban areas of Encarnación. This was an Materials and methods:observational, descriptive study with an analytical component in adolescents without underlying endocrine pathology; written consent was obtained. The presence of menarche, age at onset, nutritional status, abdominal circumference (AC), and maternal menarche were evaluated. 112 adolescents (51 urban, 61 peri-Results: urban) were included, the average age 12 years. 77.7% (n=87) reported menarche, more frequently in urban areas (90.2%, vs 67%, p=0.003). Mean age at menarche was 11.1 ± 0.7 years (urban 11.4 ± 0.5 vs 10.7 ± 0.8, p = 0.0001) and was lower than the maternal age with 12.8 ± 1, 4 years (p=0.0001). 16.1% were obese (23% in peri-urban areas versus 7.8% in urban areas, p=0.002), 0.9% were undernourished and 30.4% were overweight. Adolescents with obesity had menarche at 10.6±0.9 years vs. 11.1±0.7 years in the rest (Student's T, p=0.03). 13.4% (n=15) had increased AC, and in these, the age of menarche was lower (10.6±0.7 years, p=0.03). Two thirds of the adolescents reported menarche, those from the peri-urban area, with obesity or increased abdominal circumference, showed a lower average age of onset., Introducción: La menarquia es un indicador de maduración sexual que se produce entre los 10-15 años. Factores genéticos y ambientales intervienen en la edad de aparición de la menarquia. Objetivos: Determinar la edad de menarquia y su asociación con el estado nutricional y la menarquia materna en adolescentes del 6° grado de instituciones educativas seleccionadas de zona urbana y periurbana de Encarnación. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo con componente analítico en adolescentes sin patología endócrina de base, con consentimiento escrito. Se evaluó presencia de menarquia, edad de inicio, estado nutricional, circunferencia abdominal (CA), menarca materna. Resultados: Fueron incluidas 112 adolescentes (urbana 51, periurbana 61), edad promedio 12 años. El 77,7%(n=87) refirió menarca, más frecuente en zona urbana (90,2%, vs 67%c2 p=0,003). Edad promedio de menarquia fue 11,1±0,7 años (urbana 11,4±0,5 vs 10,7±0,8, p=0,0001) y fue menor que la materna con 12,8±1,4 años (p=0,0001). El 16,1% tenía obesidad (23% en zona periurbana versus 7,8% en urbana c2 p=0,002), el 0,9% tuvo desnutrición y un 30,4% sobrepeso. Las adolescentes con obesidad tuvieron menarca a los 10,6±0,9 años vs 11,1±0,7 años en el resto (T Student p=0,03). El 13,4%(n=15) tuvo CA aumentada, y en ellas la edad de menarca fue menor (10,6±0,7 años, p=0,03). Conclusión: Dos tercios de las adolescentes refirió menarquia, aquellas de zona periurbana, con obesidad o circunferencia abdominal aumentada mostraron menor promedio de edad de inicio.

Introduction: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, digital platforms were used for teaching and learning; during the post-pandemic period, continued use of social networks (SN) possibly occurred, affecting academic performance. Objectives: to evaluate the association of academic performance with factors such as SN use, sociodemographic aspects, non-academic activities, eating practices, personal motivation and fatigue in students from 10th to 12th grade (high school) at the Defensores del Chaco School (Luque-Central). this was a cross-sectional, Materials and Methods:correlational and descriptive study carried out during the first semester of 2023 with a probabilistic sample of 175 healthy students of both sexes. For the use of SN and other data, a self-applied digital survey was used with prior informed consent. For academic performance, the grade in Language and Literature was used. Average age Results: was 16±0.9 years. 47.4% (n=83) were women; 98.9% (n=173) used SN. 72% used Instagram®, 71.4% used WhatsApp®, 56.6% TikTok, 13.1% Facebook and 8.6% Twitter. 100% used a mobile phone for SN. The grade point average was 3.6±1.3; 34.9% (n=61) obtained a grade of 5 (highest), 22.9%(n=40) 4, 12%(n=21) 3; 24%(n=42) 2 and 6.3%(n=11) obtained a 1 (lowest). 40.6%(n=71) used SN 1-3 hours/day, 26.3%(n=46) 4- 6 hours/day, 20.6%(n=36) ≥7 hours/day, 12.6%(n=22) <1 hour/day; with no differences in grades observed according to SN time usage (Kruskall-Wallis; p=0.64). 3.2±1.3SD was the average grade for boys and 3.9±1.3 SD for girls (Student' T, p=0.002). No differences in grades between those who do not work and those who do (3.6±1.3SD vs 3.1±1.4SD; Student p=0.05) were observed. As for other recreational activities, 43.4% (n=76) performed householdchores,20%(n=70)physicalactivity (gym/sports),1studentreading,withnodifferencein grades according to physical activity (Student p=0, 42). 64% (n=112) did not meet recommendations for amount/day of meals, 36% (n=63) did, with no differences in, Introducción: En pandemia SARS-CoV-2 se utilizaron plataformas digitales para enseñanza-aprendizaje, en pos-pandemia posiblemente continuó la adherencia a redes sociales (RS) afectando el rendimiento académico. Objetivos: evaluar asociación del rendimiento académico con factores como uso de RS, aspectos sociodemográficos, actividades no académicas, prácticas alimentarias, motivación personal y fatiga en estudiantes del 1°al 3° curso (nivel medio) del Colegio Defensores del Chaco (Luque-Central). Materiales y Métodos: diseño transversal, correlacional y descriptivo realizado durante primer semestre del 2023 con muestra probabilística de 175 estudiantes, ambos sexos, sanos. Para uso de RS y otros datos se utilizó una encuesta digital auto aplicada previo consentimiento informado. Para rendimiento académico se usó calificación en Lengua y Literatura. Resultados: Edad promedio fue 16±0,9 años. Fueron mujeres 47,4%(n=83); 98,9%(n=173) utilizaba RS. 72% usaba Instagram®, WhatsApp® 71,4%, TikTok 56,6%, Facebook 13,1% y Twitter 8,6%. 100% utilizaba teléfono móvil para RS. El promedio de calificaciones fue 3,6±1,3; 34,9%(n=61) obtuvo calificación 5, 22,9%(n=40) 4, 12%(n=21) 3; 24%(n=42) 2 y 6,3%(n=11) calificación 1. 40,6%(n=71) usaba RS 1-3 horas/día, 26,3%(n=46) 4-6 horas/día, 20,6%(n=36) ≥7horas/día, 12,6%(n=22) <1hora/día; sin diferencias de calificaciones según tiempo en RS (Kruskall-Wallis; p=0,64). 3,2±1,3DE fue el promedio de calificaciones para varones y 3,9±1,3 DE para mujeres (Student p=0,002). Sin diferencias en calificaciones entre quienes no trabajan y aquellos que si (3,6±1,3DE vs 3,1±1,4DE; Student p=0,05). Como otras actividades recreativas, 43,4%(n=76) realizaba tareas hogareñas, 20%(n=70) actividad física (gimnasio/deportes), 1 estudiante lectura, sin diferencia en calificaciones según actividad física (Student p=0,42). El 64%(n=112) no cumplía recomendaciones de cantidad/día de comidas, 36%(n=63) si lo hacía; sin diferencias en calificaciones (p=0,05) tam

Gender bias and underrepresentation in society are likewise pervasive in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields and are difficult to balance out. In Aquatic Sciences, large efforts have been made to increase awareness on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice and yet, gender- and diversity-gaps remain. Reducing these gaps requires work in different dimensions: individual, community, education, and society. As scientists, we can act at all those levels in various ways and one effective approach is through education. When teaching and supervising students we can be role models, actively, consciously, and explicitly including diverse and historically underrepresented scientists in our teaching material or creating an inclusive class environment. But, where to start?

Our unsustainable use of nature is bringing the Earth system and its capacity to recover from global changes beyond the environmental boundaries that supported us as a society. Here, we discuss some urgent challenges that should be addressed for the human species to live with undesirable products resulting from its development : sustainable use of nitrogen, watersheds management for preserving water resources and their quality, environmental impact of plastics, increase of the resilience of marine ecosystems, restoration of the deteriorated marine coastal ecosystems, or the early detection of emergence of diseases. We advocate for the use of Nature based solutions to mitigate environmental problems, and also consider subjective wellbeing issues in the governance of societies for a future healthy planet.

Introduction: In health strategy implementation, such as breastfeeding, human resources are essential in order to achieve success. To evaluate the personal Objective:practices and knowledge about breastfeeding (BF) of healthcare professionals from three reference Health Services in the Capital city and San Lorenzo, Paraguay. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study carried out with 147 healthcare professionals from three reference hospitals for mothers and children. Sociodemographic data, practices and knowledge about breastfeeding (BF) were collected through a self-administered survey. It was approved by the Ethics Committee. 65.3% (n=96) of the Results:participants had children, of whom 95.8% (n=91) were breastfed and 81.3% (n=78) exclusively breastfed with a median duration of 6 months. 36.1% (n=53) received training on BF. 61.9% (n=91) know the concept of exclusive BF, 41.5% (n=61) identified benefits of BF and 47.6% (n=70) idenridiws risks due to non-consumption of breast milk. 81.6% (n=120) know about early attachment. 72.1% (n=106) know the contraindications for BF. 87.1% (n=128) know the possible complications, 67.3% (n=99) have knowledge to prevent complications. Two thirds of Conclusion:healthcare personnel have adequate concepts about BF, only 4 out of 10 professionals know the benefits of BF and the risks of artificial feeding. Most know about the omplications of BF, but not how to prevent them., Introducción: En la implementación de estrategias en salud, como la de lactancia materna, los recursos humanos son indispensables para lograr el éxito de estas. Objetivo: Evaluar las prácticas personales y los conocimientos sobre lactancia materna (LM) en el país, de profesionales de la salud de tres Servicios de Salud de referencia de la capital y de San Lorenzo-Paraguay. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, realizado con 147 profesionales de la salud de tres hospitales materno-infantiles de referencia. Fueron recolectados datos sociodemográficos, de prácticas y conocimientos sobre la lactancia materna (LM) a través de encuesta auto administrada. Se contó con aprobación de Comité de Ética. Resultados: el 65,3% (n=96) de los participantes tenían hijos, de los cuales 95,8% (n=91) fue alimentado con LM y el 81,3% (n=78) hizo LM exclusiva con mediana de duración de 6 meses. El 36,1% (n=53) recibió capacitación sobre LM. El 61,9% (n=91) conoce concepto de LM exclusiva, 41,5% (n=61) identificó beneficios de la LM y 47,6% (n=70) riesgos ante su no consumo. El 81,6% (n=120) conoce sobre apego precoz. El 72,1% (n=106) conoce las contraindicaciones de LM. El 87,1% (n=128) conoce las posibles complicaciones, el 67,3% (n=99) tiene conocimientos para prevenir las complicaciones. Conclusión: Dos tercios del personal de salud maneja conceptos sobre LM, solo 4 de cada 10 profesionales conoce los beneficios de la LM y los riesgos de la lactancia artificial. La mayoría sabe de las complicaciones de la LM, pero no como prevenirlas.

Introducción: La lactancia materna (LM), entre otros beneficios, previene la desnutrición. Por ello es importante conocer las razones de no amamantamiento en niños ingresados a un programa alimentario. Objetivos: determinar si la práctica de la lactancia materna disminuye en lactantes una vez ingresados a un programa de apoyo nutricional, en seis hospitales de referencia del Gran Asunción. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional y descriptivo de corte trasversal realizado con niños de 6 a 24 meses, ingresados a un programa alimentario entre mayo del 2016 y abril del 2017, en seis hospitales de referencia seleccionados. Los datos se recolectaron en junio y julio del 2017.Se aplicó un cuestionario semi estructurado mediante entrevista directa. Se indagó acerca de datos sociodemográficos y prácticas de LM. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva en el análisis de datos. El protocolo fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética institucional. Resultados: Se analizaron los datos de 39 participantes (21 del sexo femenino), con 18±4 meses de edad al ingreso al programa, 8 (20,5%) de ellos con diagnóstico de desnutrición. Al ingresar al programa 24 (61,5%) niños practicaban LM de los cuales 18(46,2%) abandonaron, siendo las causas principales que el niño no subía de peso, la recomendación del personal de salud, la percepción de poca producción de leche materna y el trabajo materno. Conclusión: Se evidencia disminución de la práctica de la lactancia materna en niños ingresados a un programa de apoyo nutricional a pesar de la indicación del personal de salud. Es necesario fortalecer la consejería a las madres que amamantan.

Research in limnology is nurtured by the work of many fascinating and passionate women, who have contributed enormously to our understanding of inland waters. Female limnologists have promoted and established the bases of our knowledge about inland waters and fostered the need of protecting the values of those ecosystems. However, on numerous occasions, their contribution to the advancement of limnology has not been duly recognized. Here, we review the presence of women in limnology through the history of the discipline: from the pioneers who contributed to the origins to present day' developments. We aim at visibilizing those scientists and establish them as role models. We also analyze in a simple and illustrative way the current situation of women in limnology, the scientific barriers they must deal with, and their future prospects. Multiple aspects fostering the visibility of a scientist, such as their presence in conferences, awards, or representation in societal or editorial boards show a significant gap, with none of those aspects showing a similar visibility of women and men in limnology. This article raises awareness of the obstacles that women in limnology faced and still face, and encourages to embrace models of leadership, scientific management, and assessment of research performance far from those commonly established.

Headwater streams are control points for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere, with relative contributions to CO2 emission fluxes from lateral groundwater inputs widely assumed to overwhelm those from in-stream metabolic processes. We analyzed continuous measurements of stream dissolved CO2 and oxygen (O2) concentrations during spring and early summer in two Mediterranean headwater streams from which we evaluated the contribution of in-stream net ecosystem production (NEP) to CO2 emission. The two streams exhibited contrasting hydrological regimes: one was non-perennial with relatively small groundwater inflows, while the other was perennial and received significant lateral groundwater inputs. The non-perennial stream exhibited strong inverse coupling between instantaneous and daily CO2 and O2 concentrations, and a strong correlation between aerobic ecosystem respiration (ER) and gross primary production (GPP) despite persistent negative NEP. At the perennial stream, the CO2–O2 relationship varied largely over time, ER and GPP were uncorrelated, and NEP, which was consistently negative, increased with increasing temperature. Mean NEP contribution to CO2 emission was 51% and 57% at the non-perennial and perennial stream, respectively. Although these proportions varied with assumptions about metabolic stoichiometry and groundwater CO2 concentration, in-stream CO2 production consistently and substantially contributed to total atmospheric CO2 flux in both streams. We conclude that in-stream metabolism can be more important for driving C cycling in some headwater streams than previously assumed.

In forest headwater streams, metabolic processes are predominately heterotrophic and depend on both the availability of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and a favourable C : N stoichiometry. In this context, hydrological conditions and the presence of riparian forests adjacent to streams can play an important, yet understudied role in determining dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate (NO− 3 ) concentrations and DOC : NO− 3 molar ratios. Here, we aimed to investigate how the interplay between hydrological conditions and riparian forest coverage drives DOC and NO− 3 supply and DOC : NO− 3 stoichiometry in an oligotrophic headwater Mediterranean stream. We analysed DOC and NO− 3 concentrations and DOC : NO− 3 molar ratios during both base flow and storm flow conditions at three stream locations along a longitudinal gradient of increased riparian forest coverage. Further, we performed an event analysis to examine the hydroclimatic conditions that favour the transfer of DOC and NO− 3 from riparian soils to the stream during storms. Stream DOC and NO− 3 concentrations were generally low (overall averages ± SD were 1.0 ± 0.6 mg C L−1 and 0.20 ± 0.09 mg N L−1 ), although significantly higher during storm flow compared to base flow conditions in all three stream sites. Optimal DOC : NO− 3 stoichiometry for stream heterotrophic microorganisms (corresponding to DOC : NO− 3 molar ratios between 4.8 and 11.7) was prevalent at the midstream and downstream sites under both flow conditions, whereas C-limited conditions were prevalent at the upstream site, which had no surrounding riparian forest. The hydroclimatic analysis of storms suggested that large and medium storm events display a distinct mechanism of DOC and NO− 3 mobilization. In comparison to large storms, medium storm events showed limited hydrological responses that led to significantly lower increases in stream DOC and NO− 3 concentrations. During large storm events, different patterns of DOC and NO− 3 mobilization ari

The relevance of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents in fluvial networks is increasing as urbanization grows in catchments. Urban-sourced fine particles from WWTP effluents deposit and accumulate in the streambed sediment of receiving streams over time and can fuel respiration rates, which can thus potentially increase rates of biogeochemical reactions and CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. We aimed to provide a quantitative assessment of the influence of WWTP-sourced fine particles deposited in the streambed sediment on stream metabolic activity for 1 year in an intermittent Mediterranean stream. More nutrientrich and metabolically active fine particle standing stocks were observed downstream of the WWTP, propagating to the end of the 820 m study reach, especially during the dry period (i.e., when the dilution capacity of the stream to WWTP inputs is <40%). Based on the longitudinal patterns of fine particle standing stocks and their metabolic activity, we estimated that the in-stream bioreactive capacity associated with these fine particles could potentially lead to substantial carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere (3.1 g C/m2/d). We show the importance of incorporating fine particle standing stocks downstream of point source inputs, particularly WWTPs in intermittent streams, into carbon budgets.