Caracterización sociodemográfica y alimentaria de personas vegetarianas chilenas en el año 2022

Actualmente, en Chile se ha evidenciado un aumento de la población vegetariana, sin embargo, existen escasos datos sociodemográficos, por lo cual, el objetivo del presente estudio es caracterizar, según antecedentes sociodemográficos y alimentarios a personas vegetarianas chilenas en el año 2022. Se utilizó el paradigma cuantitativo y el diseño metodológico fue no experimental, descriptivo, exploratorio de corte transversal. Se aplicó una encuesta de caracterización mediante Google Forms a 504 personas y para el análisis de la información se utilizó el programa SPSS v. 24. El 85,7% declaró ser de género femenino, la edad promedio fue 26,3 ± 5,7 años, 45,5% de los encuestados se declararon ovolactovegetarianos, seguido por vegetarianos estrictos (38,7%) y la principal motivación fue principios animalistas (68,7%). El 87,8% cursó educación superior y el 36,5% correspondió al área de salud. El principal motivo de asistencia al nutricionista fue el asesoramiento con un 80%. Se destacó que la población vegetariana consideró que es fundamental la asistencia a un profesional nutricionista para practicar este estilo de vida de forma óptima, por lo que es fundamental que los profesionales de salud se involucren en conocer a esta población, con el objetivo de otorgar una atención más cercana e integral. Finalmente, la presente investigación corresponde al primer estudio que permite caracterizar a la población vegetariana en Chile.

Currently, in Chile there has been an increase in the vegetarian population; however, there are few sociodemographic data, therefore, the objective of this study is to characterise, according to sociodemographic and dietary background, Chilean vegetarians in the year 2022. The quantitative paradigm was used and the methodological design was non-experimental, descriptive, exploratory cross-section. A characterisation survey was applied using Google Forms to 504 people and SPSS v. 24. 85.7% declared to be female, the average age was 26.3 ± 5.7 years, 45.5% of those surveyed declared themselves lacto-ovo vegetarians, followed by strict vegetarians (38.7%) and the main motivation was animalistic principles (68.7%). 87.8% attended higher education and 36.5% corresponded to the health area. The main reason for helping the nutritionist was the advice with 80%. It was highlighted that the vegetarian population considered that it is essential to assist a professional nutritionist in practising this lifestyle optimally, so it is essential that health professionals get involved in getting to know this population, with the aim of providing closer and more comprehensive care. Finally, this research corresponds to the first study that allows characterising the vegetarian population in Chile.

Diet, dietary selectivity and density of South American grey fox, Lycalopex griseus, in Central Chile.

The South American grey fox Lycalopex griseus is a canid widely distributed in southern South America; however, some aspects of its biology are still poorly known. We studied the diet and density of L. griseus in the Lago Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve, in Central Chile. The trophic niche breadth was B = 6.16 (Bsta = 0.47) and prey diversity was H' = 2.46 (Hmax ' = 3.17, J' = 0.78). The highest proportions of prey consumed in the diet were Oryctolagus cuniculus (52.21%) and other mammals (32.78%). We compared these results with a latitudinal gradient of diet results for this species in Chile. L. griseus eats mostly mammals (>90% of total prey), consuming the rodent Phyllotis darwini and reptiles in the northern zone; Oryctolagus cuniculus, Octodon degus and Abrocoma bennetti in the central zone; Abrothrix spp. and lagomorphs in the southern zone; and Lepus capensis and Ovis aries in the austral zone. The estimated density of L. griseus in Lago Peñuelas NR was 1.3 foxes/km2 .

Hemoconcentration During Maximum Exercise in Miners with Chronic Intermittent Exposure to Hypobaric Hypoxia (3800 m).

Moraga, Fernando A., Jorge Osorio, Rodrigo Calderón-Jofré, and Andrés Pedreros. Hemoconcentration during maximum exercise in miners with chronic intermittent exposure to hypobaric hypoxia (3800 m). High Alt Med Biol. 19:15-20, 2018. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of maximum exercise on hemoconcentration in miners with chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) at 3800 m. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen miners with CIHH at high altitude (3800 m) were subjected to maximum exercise levels on a cycle ergometer, increasing exercise load by 50 W every 3 minutes at sea level and high altitude (3800 m). During exercise, arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate were measured. Blood samples were taken at each step to measure hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit. Arterial blood oxygen content was also calculated. RESULTS: At sea level, a decrease in arterial oxygen saturation to 92.1% ± 2.5% was observed at 150 W and the hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and oxygen content were not altered. At high altitude, arterial oxygen saturation decreased, reaching 88.2% ± 4.9% at 50 W and remained constant during the entire exercise protocol. Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit increased reaching 16.4 ± 0.9 g/dL and 48.8% ± 1.6%, respectively, at 100 W and were maintained until recovery. Arterial oxygen content was constant during exercise and increased in the recovery period. CONCLUSION: An increase in hemoglobin concentration during exercise compensates for the decline in arterial oxygen saturation, meanwhile arterial oxygen content remains constant.

Mazzaella laminarioides and Sarcothalia crispata as possible bioindicators of heavy metal contamination in the marine coastal zone of Chile.

The suitability of Mazzaella laminarioides and Sarcothalia crispata as heavy metal biomonitors of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn was assessed by comparing bioaccumulation of these elements in different life stages and frond sizes in samples from three locations, San Vicente Bay (industrial area), Coliumo, and Quidico (the latter as a reference station), where different degrees of heavy metal pollution are recorded. Bioaccumulation and bioconcentration factors of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn were evaluated. The two macroalgae species showed similar patterns, with higher values of Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn in polluted areas. M. laminarioides bioaccumulated higher concentrations of all metals assessed than S. crispata, independent of life stage and frond size. The results also showed significantly higher Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations (p < 0.05) in water samples from San Vicente Bay than those measured in Coliumo and Quidico. Concentrations of Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn in San Vicente Bay and Cd, Hg, and Pb in Coliumo and Quidico exceed the mean values considered to represent natural concentrations (Cu = 3.00 µg L-1; Zn = 5.00 µg L-1; Pb = 0.03 µg L-1; Cd = 0.05 µg L-1; Hg = 0.05 µg L-1); however, the concentrations recorded do not cause negative effects on the growth and survival of macroalgae. The assessment of heavy metals bioaccumulated in M. laminarioides and S. crispata, particularly Hg, Pb, and Zn, offers a reliable approach for pollution assessment in rocky intertidal environments. Cu and Cd concentrations in seawater samples from San Vicente and Coliumo Bays were significantly higher than in those from Quidico (p value < 0.05); no significant differences in Cd concentrations were observed between San Vicente and Coliumo Bays (p < 0.05). Exceptionally, Cd is bioaccumulated at high levels independent of its availability in the water, thus reaching high concentrations in control areas. High concentrations of metals like Cu and Zn may limit or inhibit Cd uptake in macroalgae, since the transport channels are saturated by some metals, reducing the accumulation of others. These macroalgae species offer good potential for the development of suitable heavy metal pollution survey tools in rocky intertidal environments.

[Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: current situation among rodent reservoirs and human population in the 10th region, Chile]. / Síndrome pulmonar por Hantavirus: situación de los roedores reservorios y la población humana en la Décima región, Chile.

BACKGROUND: In Chile, three Hantavirus seropositive rodent species (O longicaudatus, A olivaceus and A longipilis) are distributed from the Pacific coast to the Andes mountains and represent nearly 90% of the rodents captured in the Xth Region. AIM: To study the seroprevalence of Hantavirus among captured rodent species and its relationship with the appearance of human cases of pulmonary syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From May 1998 to September 2001, 675 rodents were captured in the region. Serum samples were tested by ELISA for the presence of IgG antibodies against Andes and Sin Nombre virus. Sera from human cases with a suspected Hantavirus infection were analyzed for IgM antibodies against Black Lagoon virus and for IgG antibodies against Andes and Sin Nombre virus. RESULTS: Twenty two of the 675 rodents were seropositive for the virus, 18 O longicaudatus and 4 A longipilis. Regional seroprevalence changed from 2.2% in 1998, 0.0% in 1999, 1.0% in 2000 and up to 7.1% in 2001. A total of 77 positive human cases were studied from 1998 to March 2002. Although there were positive cases in all seasons, data showed a spring-summer seasonal preponderance. A relationship between the flowering of "colihue" bushes and the increased values of rodent abundance, seroprevalence and positive animals was established. CONCLUSIONS: A dispersal movement of O longicaudatus to open habitats close to human outdoor activities during the dry season was confirmed.

Síndrome pulmonar por hantavirus: situación de los roedores reservorios y la población humana en la décima región, Chile / Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: current situation among rodent reservoirs and human population in the X region, Chile

In Chile, three Hantavirus seropositive rodent species (O longicaudatus, A olivaceus and A longipilis) are distributed from the Pacific coast to the Andes mountains and represent nearly 90 percent of the rodents captured in the Xth Region. Aim: To study the seroprevalence of Hantavirus among captured rodent species and its relationship with the appearance of human cases of pulmonary syndrome. Material and methods: From May 1998 to September 2001, 675 rodents were captured in the region. Serum samples were tested by ELISA for the presence of IgG antibodies against Andes and Sin Nombre virus. Sera from human cases with a suspected Hantavirus infection were analyzed for IgM antibodies against Black Lagoon virus and for IgG antibodies against Andes and Sin Nombre virus. Results: Twenty two of the 675 rodents were seropositive for the virus, 18 O longicaudatus and 4 A longipilis. Regional seroprevalence changed from 2.2 percent in 1998, 0.0 percent in 1999, 1.0 percent in 2000 and up to 7.1 percent in 2001. A total of 77 positive human cases were studied from 1998 to March 2002. Although there were positive cases in all seasons, data showed a spring-summer seasonal preponderance. A relationship between the flowering of "colihue" bushes and the increased values of rodent abundance, seroprevalence and positive animals was established. Conclusions: A dispersal movement of O longicaudatus to open habitats close to human outdoor activities during the dry season was confirmed