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When the cocoa pod husk (CPH) is used and processed, two types of flour were obtained and can be differentiated by particle size, fine flour (FFCH), and coarse flour (CFCH) and can be used as a possible reinforcement for the development of bio-based composite materials. Each flour was obtained from chopping, drying by forced convection, milling by blades, and sieving using the 100 mesh/bottom according to the Tyler series. Their physicochemical, thermal, and structural characterization made it possible to identify the lower presence of lignin and higher proportions of cellulose and pectin in FFCH. Based on the properties identified in FFCH, it was included in the processing of thermoplastic starch (TPS) from the plantain pulp (Musa paradisiaca) and its respective bio-based composite material using plantain peel short fiber (PPSF) as a reinforcing agent using the following sequence of processing techniques: extrusion, internal mixing, and compression molding. The influence of FFCH contributed to the increase in ultimate tensile strength (7.59 MPa) and higher matrix-reinforcement interaction when obtaining the freshly processed composite material (day 0) when compared to the bio-based composite material with higher FCP content (30%) in the absence of FFCH. As for the disadvantages of FFCH, reduced thermal stability (323.57 to 300.47 °C) and losses in ultimate tensile strength (0.73 MPa) and modulus of elasticity (142.53 to 26.17 MPa) during storage progress were identified. In the case of TPS, the strengthening action of FFCH was not evident. Finally, the use of CFCH was not considered for the elaboration of the bio-based composite material because it reached a higher lignin content than FFCH, which was expected to decrease its affinity with the TPS matrix, resulting in lower mechanical properties in the material.

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Sex determination in monomorphic birds is a precondition for captive breeding programs and management and conservation strategies for threatened species. Most species of the order Psittaciformes often present complications since these birds lack external sexual phenotypic traits, making it impossible to differentiate males and females. In the present study, we used molecular techniques to determine the sex of 31 individuals belonging to nine species of the order Psittaciformes kept under human care at the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary & Rescued Animals in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This is a useful and low-cost methodology based on the analysis of the conserved region of the CHD1 gene, which was amplified by PCR with two sets of primers: P8/P2 and 2550F/2718 R. All individuals were successfully sexed with the first set of primers, while only 28 out of 31 samples (90%) could be amplified with the second set. Out of the 31 individuals analyzed, fifteen are female, and seventeen are male. This information represents a handy tool for adequately managing birds under human care, resulting in their reproduction and eventual reintegration into their natural habitat.

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Phenolics, like tannins, are plant-specialized metabolites that play a protective role against herbivory. Tannins can reduce palatability and bind with proteins to reduce digestibility, acting as deterrents to feeding and impacting nutrient extraction by herbivores. Some assays measure tannin and total phenolics content in plants but lack determination of their biological effects, hindering the interpretation of tannin function in herbivory and its impacts on animal behavior and ecology. In this study, we successfully applied the radial diffusion assay to assess tannin protein precipitation (PP) capacity and evaluate the anti-nutritional effects of tannins in food plants (n = 24) consumed by free-ranging black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in Tabasco, Mexico. We found PP rings in five plant species consumed by the monkeys. The mature fruit of Inga edulis was the most consumed food plant, despite having a high tannin PP capacity (56.66 mg tannic acid equivalent/g dry matter). These findings highlight the presence of tannins in the black howler diet and provide insight into the primates' resilience and potential strategies for coping with anti-nutritional aspects of the diet.

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Efficiently detecting early environmental threats to wildlife is vital for conservation. Beyond obvious dangers like habitat loss or deforestation, our study focuses on one of the most hazardous toxic metals for wildlife: lead (Pb). Pb is a widespread, cumulative, and insidious environmental pollutant that can trigger a wide range of physiological, biochemical, and behavioral disorders. In fact, Pb can cause permanent dysfunction of the major stress system, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. We analyzed Pb and cortisol concentrations in fecal samples from Alouatta pigra in southern Mexico. Fecal samples were collected across six sites categorized as free-ranging (n = 65; conserved and disturbed) and from captive animals (n = 58). Additionally, we collected soil samples (n = 35). We found that Pb was present in 28% of fecal samples and 83% of soil samples. There was a positive relation between fecal and soil Pb levels, and fecal Pb concentration was negatively associated with cortisol levels. However, the claim of Pb being a direct interference with HPA axis requires further investigation. Given our findings, assessing wildlife exposure can be a valuable tool for understanding potential Pb exposure levels in the environment and its possible implications for human health. It can also serve as an early warning system of these consequences.

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Demencia frontotemporal (DFT) es una condición neurodegenerativa escasamente reconocida en personas menores a 65 años de edad. El diagnóstico de DFT variante conductual (DFTvc) se basa en una entrevista clínica comprehensiva, complementada por una evaluación multidimensional (neurológica, cognitiva, neuropsiquiátrica, de biomarcadores e imágenes cerebrales) adaptada y validada a la población a estudiar; sin embargo, a pesar del incremento de su prevalencia en Latinoamérica y el Caribe, existe necesidad de herramientas estandarizadas y un consenso para el diagnóstico de DFTvc. El artículo intenta realizar una aproximación del enfoque de diagnóstico de DFTvc en escenario de paises con bajos y medianos ingresos, como el Perú.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a widely recognized neurodegenerative condition in people under 65 years old. The diagnosis of behavioral variant FTD (bvFTD) is based on a comprehensive clinical assessment, complemented by a multidimensional assessment (neurological, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, biomarker and brain imaging) adapted and validated to the population to be studied; however, despite its increasing prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean, there is a need for standardized tools and consensus for the bvFTD diagnosis. The manuscript attempts to approximate the approach for the diagnosis of bvFTD in the setting of low and middle-income countries, including Peru.

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The Colombian program to end trachoma implements the component F of the SAFE strategy in the Vaupés department of the Amazon rainforest. Cultural, linguistic, and geographical barriers and the coexistence of an ancestral medical system demand the technical and sociocultural adaptation of this component. A cross-sectional survey combined with focus-group discussions to understand the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the indigenous population related to trachoma was conducted in 2015. Of the 357 heads of households that participated, 45.1% associated trachoma with a lack of hygiene, and 94.7% associated the concept of hygiene with taking one or more body baths per day, using commercial or handcrafted soap. In total, 93% reported cleaning their children's faces and eyes more often when they have conjunctivitis, but 66.1% also did this with clothes or towels in use, and 52.7% of people shared towels; in total, 32.8% indicated that they would use ancestral medicine to prevent and treat trachoma. The SAFE strategy in Vaupés requires an intercultural approach to facilitate stakeholder support and participation to promote general and facial hygiene, washing clothes with soap, and not sharing towels and clothes to dry and clean children's faces for effective and sustainable elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. This qualitative assessment facilitated an intercultural approach locally and in other Amazonian locations.

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The primates of Mexico, Ateles geoffroyi, Alouatta palliata, and Alouatta pigra, are seriously threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, and illegal hunting and trade. Very little is known about the extent of illegal trade and its impacts on declining primate populations. Our study proposes a potential method based on estimating the number of individuals that die in the trade before being detected and those that probably cannot be detected. This facilitates estimating the number of animals extracted and allows an assessment of how trafficking impacts their populations. We derive estimates from seizure data of primates in Mexico between 2010 and 2019. To do this, we created wildlife detection rates and mortality rates from the existing literature (scientific articles, journalistic articles, and notes) to estimate the number of primates that die during capture, transport, and sale and the number of trafficked primates that were not detected by Mexican authorities. We estimate that 946 primates were removed from the wild for the pet trade each year (spider monkey Ateles geoffroyi = 854; black howler monkeys Alouatta pigra = 38, mantled howler monkey Alouatta palliata = 54). The annual reduction in population size caused by trafficking was greatest for Ateles geoffroyi (2.2%), followed by Alouatta pigra (1.3%), and Alouatta palliata (0.4%). Our estimates show the percentage of impacts that trafficking has on Mexican primate populations. Nevertheless, trade has the potential to impact declining populations and still must be addressed.

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Metamaterials are broadly defined as artificial, electromagnetically homogeneous structures that exhibit unusual physical properties that are not present in nature. They possess extraordinary capabilities to bend electromagnetic waves. Their size, shape and composition can be engineered to modify their characteristics, such as iridescence, color shift, absorbance at different wavelengths, etc., and harness them as biosensors. Metamaterial construction from biological sources such as carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids represents a low-cost alternative, rendering high quantities and yields. In addition, the malleability of these biomaterials makes it possible to fabricate an endless number of structured materials such as composited nanoparticles, biofilms, nanofibers, quantum dots, and many others, with very specific, invaluable and tremendously useful optical characteristics. The intrinsic characteristics observed in biomaterials make them suitable for biomedical applications. This review addresses the optical characteristics of metamaterials obtained from the major macromolecules found in nature: carbohydrates, proteins and DNA, highlighting their biosensor field use, and pointing out their physical properties and production paths.

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[ABSTRACT]. Objectives. To identify barriers and enablers to accessing school-based eye health programs in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods. We undertook a qualitative case study that explored how structural factors, and social and cultural norms influence access to school-based eye health programs. We conducted focus groups discussions and interviews with a purposive sample of 37 participants: government stakeholders (n = 4), representatives from nongovernmental organizations (n = 3), and an eye-care practitioner, as well as teachers (n = 7), a school nurse, parents (n = 7), and children (n = 14) from private and public schools. Data were analyzed using a priori themes from the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality framework. Results. Routine vision screening in schools is not currently provided nor is there a budget to support it. Lack of collaboration between the health and education ministries and the absence of national planning affected the delivery of eye care in schools. Factors related to acceptability of school-based eye health programs included: poor acceptance of training teachers as vision screeners; stigma related to wearing spectacles; and distrust of health services. The cost of spectacles and poor access to eye health information were identified as barriers to positive child eye health outcomes by socioeconomically disadvantaged parents and children. Conclusion. Our findings suggest the need for a national school eye health plan and improved cooperation between health and education ministries. Interventions to improve trust in health services, tackle the lack of human resources while respecting professional qualifications, and raise awareness of the importance of eye health are recommended.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Determinar los obstáculos y los elementos facilitadores para acceder a los programas de salud ocular en las escuelas en Bogotá (Colombia). Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio cualitativo de casos que exploró cómo influyen los factores estructurales y las normas sociales y culturales en el acceso a la atención oftalmológica. Se realizaron entrevistas y grupos de opinión con una muestra intencionada de 37 participantes: interesados directos gubernamentales (n = 4), representantes de organizaciones no gubernamentales (n = 3) y un profesional de atención oftalmológica, así como docentes (n = 7), una enfermera escolar, padres (n = 7) y niños (n = 14) de escuelas privadas y públicas. Se analizaron los datos empleando temas determinados a priori sobre la disponibilidad, la accesibilidad, la aceptabilidad y el marco de calidad. Resultados. Actualmente, no se proporciona un tamizaje sistemático de la visión en las escuelas, ni se dispone de presupuesto para respaldarlo. La falta de colaboración entre los ministerios de salud y de educación, y la falta de planificación a nivel nacional tuvo repercusiones sobre la prestación de atención oftalmológica en las escuelas. Entre los factores relacionados con la aceptabilidad de los programas de salud ocular en las escuelas se encuentran una escasa aceptación de la posibilidad de capacitar a los docentes para que examinen la visión; el estigma relacionado con el uso de anteojos y la desconfianza de los servicios de salud. Los padres y los niños en una situación socioeconómica desfavorable indicaron que el costo de las gafas y el acceso limitado a la información sobre la salud ocular eran obstáculos para obtener resultados positivos de salud ocular en los niños. Conclusiones. Los resultados indican la necesidad de un plan nacional de salud ocular en las escuelas y una mejor cooperación entre los ministerios de salud y de educación. Se recomiendan intervenciones para mejorar la confianza en los servicios de salud, abordar la falta de recursos humanos al tiempo que se respetan las cualificaciones profesionales y concientizar sobre la importancia de la salud ocular.

[RESUMO]. Objetivos. Identificar barreiras e facilitadores para o acesso a programas escolares de saúde ocular em Bogotá, Colômbia. Métodos. Estudo de caso qualitativo que explorou como fatores estruturais e normas socioculturais influenciam o acesso aos cuidados com a visão. Realizamos discussões em grupos focais e entrevistas com uma amostra intencional de 37 participantes: partes interessadas do governo (n = 4), representantes de organizações não governamentais (n = 3) e um oftalmologista, bem como professores (n = 7), uma enfermeira escolar, pais de alunos (n = 7) e alunos (n = 14) de escolas públicas e particulares. Os dados foram analisados de acordo com temas escolhidos a priori, a partir do marco de disponibilidade, acessibilidade, aceitabilidade e qualidade. Resultados. O exame de visão de rotina não é realizado atualmente nas escolas, nem há espaço orçamentário para fazê-lo. A falta de colaboração entre os Ministérios da Saúde e da Educação e a ausência de planejamento em escala nacional afetaram a prestação de cuidados oftalmológicos nas escolas. Fatores relacionados à aceitabilidade dos programas escolares de saúde ocular incluíram baixa aceitação do treinamento de professores para realizar triagem de problemas visuais, estigma relacionado ao uso de óculos e desconfiança nos serviços de saúde. O custo dos óculos e o acesso limitado a informações sobre saúde ocular foram identificados como barreiras para desfechos positivos de saúde ocular infantil em pais e crianças em situação de desvantagem socioeconômica. Conclusão. Os resultados sugerem a necessidade de um plano nacional de saúde ocular nas escolas e de uma melhor cooperação entre os Ministérios da Saúde e da Educação. Recomendam-se intervenções para aumentar a confiança nos serviços de saúde, combater a falta de recursos humanos (respeitando as qualificações profissionais) e aumentar a conscientização sobre a importância da saúde ocular.

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BACKGROUND: The study of the cultural significance (CS) of biodiversity provides key information to develop conservation strategies consistent with traditions and perceptions of human communities. In Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve (TBR) in Mexico, the mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata mexicana) and the black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus) have historically coexisted with Popoluca Indigenous Peoples. This study sought to determine how the presence of a natural protected area (TBR location) and a range of sociodemographic factors (gender, age, origin, language proficiency, education level, religion) relate to the CS held by the Popoluca Indigenous People in relation to these two endangered primate species. METHODS: The first Primate Cultural Significance Index (PCSI) was designed as a composed index of 11 cultural variables (sub-indices) and was applied randomly to a representative size sample of people over 15 years old in two Popolucas communities, one within the TBR (Piedra Labrada = 81 people) and another outside (Los Mangos = 91). U Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the PCSI between communities and Generalized Linear Models (GLM) to evaluate the sociodemographic factors of participants that influenced the sub-indices in the PCSI. RESULTS: The cultural significance of spider monkeys held by the Popolucas was higher for the community within the TBR than for the community outside, while for howler monkeys it was higher outside. For both primate species across the two communities, the most relevant sub-indices were (1) interest in conservation and (2) touristic significance of primates. Sociodemographic factors of participants influenced nine sub-indices of cultural significance out of the possible 10 sub-indices applied for each primate species. The demographic factors that most influenced each sub-index for both species were location and gender. CONCLUSIONS: The main differences found between communities may be linked to the conservation and sustainable development programs promoted by the reserve, as well as the greater persistence of Popolucan ancestral traditions within the boundaries of the reserve. We recommend that conservation efforts should focus on people less interested about primate conservation (women, non-natives and residents outside the reserve), and turn to the leadership of people more interested (native men who reside inside the reserve).

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