Systematic review of soil ecosystem services in tropical regions.

Soil ecosystem service (SES) approaches evidence the importance of soil for human well-being, contribute to improving dialogue between science and decision-making and encourage the translation of scientific results into public policies. Herein, through systematic review, we assess the state of the art of SES approaches in tropical regions. Through this review, 41 publications were identified; while most of these studies considered SES, a lack of a consistent framework to define SES was apparent. Most studies measured soil natural capital and processes, while only three studies undertook monetary valuation. Although the number of publications increased (from 1 to 41), between 2001 and 2019, the total number of publications for tropical regions is still small. Countries with the largest number of publications were Brazil (n = 8), Colombia (n = 6) and Mexico (n = 4). This observation emphasizes an important knowledge gap pertaining to SES approaches and their link to tropical regions. With global momentum behind SES approaches, there is an opportunity to integrate SES approaches into policy and practice in tropical regions. The use of SES evaluation tools in tropical regions could transform how land use decisions are informed, mitigating soil degradation and protecting the ecosystems that soil underpins.

Assessment of Physicochemical Groundwater Quality and Hydrogeochemical Processes in an Area near a Municipal Landfill Site: A Case Study of the Toluca Valley.

Sanitary landfills are considered one of the main sources of contamination of water resources due to the generation of leachate with a high content of dissolved organic matter (DOM), inorganic material, and toxic elements. This study aimed to determine the influence of leachate on the physicochemical quality and hydrogeochemical processes which determine the chemical composition of groundwater in an area near a municipal sanitary landfill site. In situ parameters (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, ORP), physicochemical parameters (HCO3-, PO43-, Cl-, NO3-, SO42-, NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), and dissolved organic matter were analyzed. The content of dissolved organic matter (DOM) was determined by 3D fluorescence microscopy. The presence of Cl-, NO3-, NH4+, PO43-, BOD, and COD indicated the presence of contamination. The significant correlation between NO3- and PO43- ions (r = 0.940) and DOM of anthropogenic origin in the 3D fluorescence spectra confirm that its presence in the water is associated with the municipal landfill site in question. The type of water in the area is Mg-HCO3, with a tendency to Na-HCO3 and Na-SO+-Cl. The water-rock interaction process predominates in the chemical composition of water; however, significant correlations between Na+ and Ca2+ (r = 0.876), and between K+ and Mg2+ (r = 0.980) showed that an ion exchange process had taken place. Likewise, there is enrichment by HCO3- and SO42- ions due to the mineralization of the organic matter from the leachate. The groundwater quality that supplies the study area is being affected by leachate infiltration from the sanitary landfill.

Actitudes y prácticas ante la búsqueda de atención odontológica en personas de la ciudad de México. Estudio cualitativo / Attitudes and practices toward dental health care searching among people of méxico city. qualitative study / Atitudes e práticas na busca por atendimento odontológico entre pessoas da Cidade do México. Estudo qualitativo

Antecedentes: La salud bucal es afectada por caries y enfermedad periodontal; ambas progresivas, irreversibles y cuyos efectos son acumulables con el tiempo. Sin embargo, son evitables cuando existen medidas preventivas y se busca la atención oportuna. Objetivo: Identificar las actitudes y prácticas que tienen las personas ante la búsqueda de atención odontológica. Métodos: Estudio cualitativo que identificó desde la subjetividad de los participantes, la experiencia y significado de la prevención y atención odontológicas; efectuado en 7 grupos focales con personas entre 18 y 60 años de edad. La muestra se definió por saturación teórica. Se diseñó y aplicó una guía semiestructurada para indagar sobre: Alternativas empleadas, búsqueda de atención, uso de los sistemas de salud y, experiencia de atención y salud bucal. Resultados: Se identificaron elementos que denotan ausencia de prevención. El dolor es referido como la principal manifestación de un problema y si éste es controlado, la búsqueda de atención se detiene. El sangrado de encía no es considerado relevante. Los procedimientos alternativos empleados antes de solicitar atención profesional son: automedicación, remedios caseros, consulta a empleados de farmacia y la internet. La búsqueda de atención se detuvo por: falta de tiempo y dinero, experiencias negativas previas (miedo, ansiedad), apatía, desidia y la pobre calidad de atención percibida en los servicios de salud. Conclusión: La falta de prevención está determinada por factores relacionados con el individuo y con el sistema de salud. La búsqueda de atención se hace con fines curativos o para reducir el daño resultante de consecuencias complejas y costosas en el tratamiento.

Background: Oral health is affected by caries and periodontal disease; both are progressive and irreversible, and the effects are cumulative with the passing of time. However, such effects are avoidable when preventive measures are taken along with timely care. Purpose: To identify the variables related to the absence of prevention and delay of dental care. Methods: Qualitative study conducted on seven focal groups of people between 18 and 60 years of age, to identify the experience and meaning of prevention and dental care. The sample was defined by theoretical saturation. A semi-structured guide was designed and applied to inquire about: options used, seeking care, use of health systems, and experience in the oral health care. Results: Absence of prevention was identified: feeling pain is the primary symptom of a problem; but if it is controlled, the search for care stops. Gingival bleeding is not considered as relevant. The alternative procedures used before requesting professional attention are self-medication, home remedies, consultation with pharmacy employees, or the internet. In such cases the search for dental care stopped by lack of time and money, negative experiences (fear or anxiety), apathy, indifference, and a poor-quality perception of health services. Conclusion: Lack of prevention is determined by factors related to the individual and the health system. A subsequent search for care with therapeutic purposes or damage limitation entails complex and costly consequences in treatments.

Antecedentes: A saúde bucal é afetada por cáries e doença periodontal; ambos são progressivos e irreversíveis, e os efeitos são cumulativos com o passar do tempo. No entanto, tais efeitos são evitáveis quando medidas preventivas são tomadas junto com o atendimento oportuno. Objetivo: Identificar as variáveis relacionadas à ausência de prevenção e demora no atendimento odontológico. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo, realizado em sete grupos focais de pessoas entre 18 e 60 anos, para identificar a experiência e o significado da prevenção e tratamento odontológico. A amostra foi definida por saturação teórica. Um roteiro semiestruturado foi elaborado e aplicado para indagar sobre: opções utilizadas, busca de assistência, uso de sistemas de saúde e experiência na atenção à saúde bucal. Resultados: Ausência de prevenção foi identificada: sentir dor é o principal sintoma de um problema; mas se for controlada, a busca por cuidados pára. O sangramento gengival não é considerado relevante. Os procedimentos alternativos utilizados antes de solicitar atenção profissional são: automedicação, remédios caseiros, consulta a funcionários de farmácia ou internet. Nesses casos, a busca por atendimento odontológico foi interrompida por falta de tempo e dinheiro, experiências negativas (medo ou ansiedade), apatia, indiferença e percepção de baixa qualidade dos serviços de saúde. Conclusão: A falta de prevenção é determinada por fatores relacionados ao indivíduo e ao sistema de saúde. Uma busca subsequente de cuidados com fins terapêuticos ou limitação de danos acarreta conseqüências complexas e onerosas nos tratamentos.