Abstract Background: maternal obesity is associated with an increase of both maternal and fetal complications as macrosomia. Aim: to assess the quality of diet in a cohort of pregnant women in terms of Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and to examine the association between diet quality, obesity, weight gain and fetal growth and perinatal complications. Methods: Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) was applied to assess diet quality in 542 pregnant women. Fetal biometric measurements at third-trimester ultrasound were collected and perinatal outcomes were recorded. Results: only 35 % of pregnant women presented a good quality of diet, in terms of adherence to MD. Diet quality significantly increased with lower values of body mass index (BMI) and higher maternal age. Higher BMI was significantly associated with a higher abdominal circumference and estimated fetal weight at the third trimester, a higher risk of hypertension disorder, induction of labor and a higher birthweight. A statistically significant association between diet quality and ultranosographic measures or perinatal outcome was not found. However, a higher weight gain across gestation was significantly associated with a higher risk of gestational diabetes, a higher gestational age at delivery and a higher birthweight. Conclusion: most of our pregnant women did not showed a great diet quality, but there was no evidence that diet quality affected pregnancy complications. On the contrary, pre-pregnancy BMI was related to fetal and neonatal growth and obstetric outcomes, similarly to weight gain across gestation.

Resumen Introducción: la obesidad materna se asocia con un aumento de complicaciones maternas y fetales, como la macrosomía. Objetivo: evaluar la calidad de la dieta en una cohorte de mujeres embarazadas en términos de adherencia a la dieta mediterránea (DM) y examinar la asociación entre la calidad de la dieta, la obesidad, el aumento de peso y el crecimiento fetal y las complicaciones perinatales. Métodos: se aplicó el Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) para evaluar la calidad de la dieta en 542 mujeres embarazadas. Se recogieron las medidas biométricas fetales en la ecografía del tercer trimestre y se registraron los resultados perinatales. Resultados: solo el 35 % de las gestantes presentó una buena calidad de alimentación en términos de adherencia a la DM. La calidad de la dieta aumentó significativamente con valores más bajos de índice de masa corporal (IMC) y mayor edad materna. Un IMC más alto se asoció significativamente con una mayor circunferencia abdominal y peso fetal estimado en el tercer trimestre, un mayor riesgo de trastorno hipertensivo, inducción del parto y mayor peso al nacer. No se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la calidad de la dieta y las medidas ecográficas o el resultado perinatal. Sin embargo, un mayor aumento de peso durante la gestación se asoció significativamente con un mayor riesgo de diabetes gestacional, mayor edad gestacional al momento del parto y mayor peso al nacer. Conclusiones: la mayoría de nuestras gestantes no mostró una buena calidad de la dieta, pero no hubo evidencia de que la calidad de la dieta afectara las complicaciones del embarazo. Por el contrario, el IMC pregestacional se relacionó con el crecimiento fetal y neonatal y los resultados obstétricos, de manera similar al aumento de peso durante la gestación.

RESUMEN Se estima la prevalencia por Trypanosoma cruzi de 436.000 habitantes en Colombia, con casos anuales de 5.250, en población expuesta de 4.792.000 habitantes. La variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca (VFC) es la variabilidad en el tiempo, de un latido cardiaco, medido en un análisis de periodo temporal determinado. Su análisis permite determinar el equilibrio simpático-vagal de manera indirecta. Este estudio analizó las variables temporales y No lineales, en 19 pacientes Chagásicos y 19 controles, utilizándose un polígrafo de alta resolución y el software Kubios. La variable Desviación Estandar del Intervalo RR (SDRR) en la población control arrojó un promedio de 56,23(29,6ms vs 40,62(30,1ms, en los seropositivos; La Raíz Cuadrada del Promedio de la Suma de las Diferencias al Cuadrado de todos los intervalos Adyacentes (RMSSD) fue de 34,31(21,01ms y 31,94(37,33ms, para controles y Chagas, respectivamente. El número de los intervalos RR consecutivos, que difieren en más de 50ms entre sí (NN50), en controles 76,47(78,3 latidos vs 13,47(36,8 para seropositivos, que correspondió con el porcentaje de NN50 (pNN50) 12,3(13,3% y 2,64(6,0%, respectivamente, para el mismo orden de los grupos. Valores de Entropía Aproximada (ApEn) fueron 1,249(0,134, para controles y 0,959(0,325, para seropositivos y para la Entropía Muestral (SampEn) fue de 1,358(0,264 y 1,102(0,385, para controles y chagásicos, respectivamente. Se encontró mayor irregularidad de HRV en controles, que es reflejo de un mejor estado de salud.

ABSTRACT The prevalence by Trypanosoma cruzi of 436,000 inhabitants in Colombia is estimated, with annual cases of 5,250, in an exposed population of 4,792,000 inhabitants. Heart rate variability (HRV) is the time interval of a beat in a given time analysis. Its analysis allows to determine the sympathetic-vagal balance indirectly. This study analyzed the temporal and non-linear variables in 19 Chagasic patients and 19 controls, using a high-resolution polygraph and the Kubios software. The variable Standard Deviation of the RR Interval (SDRR) in the control population showed an average of 56.23±29.6ms vs 40.62±30.1ms in the seropositive; The Square Root of the Sum of the Square Differences of all Adjacent intervals (RMSSD) was 34.31±21.01ms and 31.94±37.33ms for controls and Chagas respectively. The number of consecutive RR intervals that differ by more than 50ms from each other (NN50) in controls 76.47±78.3 beats vs 13.47±36.8 for seropositives corresponding to the percentage of NN50 (pNN50) 12.3±13.3% and 2.64±6.0%, respectively for the same order of the groups. Approximate Entropy (ApEn) values were 1,249±0,134 for controls and 0,959±0,325 for seropositive, and for Sample Entropy (SampEn) it was 1,358±0,264 and 1,102±0,385 for controls and chagasics respectively. Greater irregularity of HRV was found in controls, which reflects a better state of health.

ABSTRACT Presented is the first information on the ecological and reproductive aspects of the treefrog, Aparasphenodon brunoi Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920, living in ombrophilous forest areas of the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil. We recorded the species’ daily activity and over the course of a year, population density during the year, microhabitat usage, diet, and some reproductive features (quantity, diameter and mean mass of oocytes, mean reproductive effort of female). Field sampling was conducted monthly from June 2015 to July 2016. Searches for treefrogs were systematic, using visual encounter surveys along 14 plots RAPELD long term research modules established in the forest. For each captured individual, we recorded the hour, microhabitat used, and perch height. The diet of the population was ascertained based on 15 individuals collected outside the study plot areas. Treefrogs used seven different types of microhabitats in the forest but the preferred microhabitats were tree-trunks and lianas. The amount of accumulated rainfall and air temperature interacted to explain the number of A. brunoi individuals active throughout the year. The reproductive strategy for females of this comparatively large arboreal frog in the ombrophilous forest is to produce clutches with a large number (900.8 ± 358.1) of relatively small-sized eggs. We conclude that in the ombrophious forest of the Vale Natural Reserve, A. brunoi is a nocturnal arboreal treefrog active throughout the year but activity increases during the wet season as a result of increased precipitation. In the forest, treefrogs tend to perch mainly on tree-trunks and lianas about 1 m above ground, where it feeds preferably on relatively large bodied arthropod prey. When living in the ombrophilous forest of the Atlantic rainforest, A. brunoi may change some features of its ecology (e.g. marked difference in the use of bromeliads) compared to when living in restinga habitats.

We studied the management of the fiber-producing chambira palm Astrocaryum chambira by indigenous people in the Colombian Amazon. Between 2009 and 2012, we visited four communities and two marketing centers, where we interviewed 12 people. In addition, we specifically observed A. chambira harvesting, processing, and commercialization; studied palm populations at five localities; measured leaf production rate; and integrated secondary data. At least 21 aboriginal groups in the Colombian Amazon use chambira fiber. The palm grows in association with human communities, and it has been widely used and managed in past agroforestry systems. The fiber is obtained from the unexpanded leaves of juvenile or adult palms, and harvesting is often unsustainable because of overharvesting acaulescent palms or of cutting down adult palms. This is leading to a depletion of palm population. Annual leaf production rate was 1.59-2.89 leaves/palm year−1, which is lower than that reported in other studies. Based in our results, we recommended a harvest of 1 leaf/palm year−1 in acaulescent palms, and 1-2 leaves/palm year−1 in stemmed palms. Chambira-derived products are mostly handicrafts for marketing, and their trade represents 40%-100% of artisan household cash income. Improving the management of chambira palms requires the introduction of non-destructive harvest techniques and a wider use of the palm in agroforestry systems. An analysis of traditional management practices and of the role of chambira among Amerindian people indicates that A. chambira was an incipient domesticate at the time of the European conquest.

Con el fin de obtener un diagnóstico del estado actual de conocimiento sobre usos de las palmas en la Amazonia colombiana, se revisaron las principales fuentes de información. Treinta y seis de las 41 etnias indígenas consideradas tuvieron registros de uso. Se registraron 82 especies de palmas usadas (78% de las potenciales) y 165 usos distribuidos en ocho categorías; todos los usos se presentan de manera detallada en un catálogo. Las categorías de uso más importantes fueron: utensilios y herramientas, construcción, y alimentación humana. Las diez especies más importantes fueron Bactris gasipaes, Euterpe precatoria, Mauritia flexuosa, Oenocarpus bataua, Attalea maripa, Oenocarpus minor, Astrocaryum chambira, Iriartea deltoidea, Oenocarpus bacaba y Socratea exorrhiza; la mayoría de ellas también han sido registradas como las más importantes en otras partes del Neotrópico. No se encontró ninguna información sobre usos de palmas para varios grupos indígenas, especialmente para las etnias cocama, letuama, piaroa, pisamira y yurí, para las cuales se requieren investigaciones detalladas. Se concluye que a pesar de los vacíos de información, los resultados muestran que las palmas son un recurso muy importante con un gran potencial, y una pieza fundamental para la seguridad alimentaria y el desarrollo sustentable de la Amazonia colombiana. Sugerimos la inclusión de las especies más importantes en programas de manejo y agroforestales, al igual que la implementación y popularización de técnicas de cosecha no destructivas. Recomendamos además que las investigaciones futuras estén enfocadas en desarrollar estrategias de manejo que garanticen el uso sostenible de todas estas especies útiles.

We provide a synopsis of the current state of knowledge on the use of palms by indigenous peoples in the Colombian Amazon. Thirty-six of the 41 indigenous groups inhabiting the Colombian Amazon use palms. We record a total of 82 useful palm species (78% of the total palm species occurring in the region) which are employed in 165 uses in eight use categories. A catalogue with detail information of each use in presented. The most relevant use categories were utensils and tools, construction, and human food. The ten most important species, which are also recorded as important in other areas of the Neotropical region, were: Bactris gasipaes, Euterpe precatoria, Mauritia flexuosa, Oenocarpus bataua, Attalea maripa, Oenocarpus minor, Astrocaryum chambira, Iriartea deltoidea, Oenocarpus bacaba, and Socratea exorrhiza. We did not find records on the palm use for several indigenous groups, namely the Cocama, Letuama, Piaroa, Pisamira and Yurí. Despite the limited information on palm use by indigenous peoples of the Colombian Amazon, it is clear that palms are very important for these communities. Palms are keystone for food security and sustainable development of indigenous populations of the Colombian Amazon. We suggest the inclusion of the most important species of palms in agroforestry and management programs, as well as the implementation of non-destructive harvesting techniques. We also recommend that further research will be focused on developing management strategies that guarantee the sustainable use of all species.