Correction to: Coral Symbiodinium Community Composition Across the Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is Influenced by Host Species and Thermal Variability.
Abstract
The authors regret that acknowledgment for Dr. Adrian Marchetti was omitted from the manuscript. The correct acknowledgment is written below.
PMID: 29150733 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Microbial Ecology)
Source: Microbial Ecology - November 17, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Baumann JH, Davies SW, Aichelman HE, Castillo KD Tags: Microb Ecol Source Type: research
Coral Symbiodinium Community Composition Across the Belize Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is Influenced by Host Species and Thermal Variability.
Abstract
Reef-building corals maintain a symbiotic relationship with dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium, and this symbiosis is vital for the survival of the coral holobiont. Symbiodinium community composition within the coral host has been shown to influence a coral's ability to resist and recover from stress. A multitude of stressors including ocean warming, ocean acidification, and eutrophication have been linked to global scale decline in coral health and cover in recent decades. Three distinct thermal regimes (highTP, modTP, and lowTP) following an inshore-offshore gradient of declining ave...
Source: Microbial Ecology - November 2, 2017 Category: Microbiology Authors: Baumann JH, Davies SW, Aichelman HE, Castillo KD Tags: Microb Ecol Source Type: research
Through the eyes of children: Drawings as an evaluation tool for children's understanding about endangered Mexican primates
This study seeks to understand children's perceptions and knowledge of endangered Mexican primates. The black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) is a charismatic species endemic to Southern Mexico, Northern Belize, and Guatemala and is a symbol of the region that fosters a sense of local pride. Therefore, it can be considered a flagship species for the forests of Southern Mexico. We evaluated the perception and knowledge that 297 Mexican elementary school children (8–10 years old) have about black howler monkeys. Specifically, we analyzed and categorized drawings made by these children based on gender, geographic context (ru...
Source: American Journal of Primatology - November 2, 2017 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Montserrat Franquesa ‐Soler, Juan Carlos Serio‐Silva Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research
Mercury bioaccumulation in bats reflects dietary connectivity to aquatic food webs.
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a persistent and widespread heavy metal with neurotoxic effects in wildlife. While bioaccumulation of Hg has historically been studied in aquatic food webs, terrestrial consumers can become contaminated with Hg when they feed on aquatic organisms (e.g., emergent aquatic insects, fish, and amphibians). However, the extent to which dietary connectivity to aquatic ecosystems can explain patterns of Hg bioaccumulation in terrestrial consumers has not been well studied. Bats (Order: Chiroptera) can serve as a model system for illuminating the trophic transfer of Hg given their high diet...
Source: Environmental Pollution - October 14, 2017 Category: Environmental Health Authors: Becker DJ, Chumchal MM, Broders HG, Korstian JM, Clare EL, Rainwater TR, Platt SG, Simmons NB, Fenton MB Tags: Environ Pollut Source Type: research
Folate status in women of reproductive age as basis of neural tube defect risk assessment
Abstract
Reliable folate status data for women of reproductive age (WRA) to assess global risk for neural tube defects (NTDs) are needed. We focus on a recent recommendation by the World Health Organization that a specific “optimal” red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration be used as the sole indicator of NTD risk within a population and discuss how to best apply this guidance to reach the goal of assessing NTD risk globally. We also emphasize the importance of using the microbiologic assay (MBA) as the most reliable assay for obtaining comparable results for RBC folate concentration across time and countries, the nee...
Source: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences - October 1, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Lynn B. Bailey, Dorothy B. Hausman Tags: CONCISE ORIGINAL REPORT Source Type: research
Paternal and maternal engagement across six Caribbean countries and childhood outcomes
Publication date: November–December 2017 Source:Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, Volume 53 Author(s): Elif Dede Yildirim, Jaipaul L. Roopnarine Fathers' and mothers' cognitive and social engagement and their associations with preschoolers' literacy and social skills were assessed in Barbados, Belize, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, and Suriname using the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 4 and 5. The sample consisted of 11,473 preschool-aged children and their parents. Mothers were far more likely to engage in cognitive and social activities with children than were fathers across all countries...
Source: Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology - September 24, 2017 Category: Child Development Source Type: research
Hot bats go cold: heterothermy in neotropical bats
Canadian Journal of Zoology, e-First Articles. Torpor is common in bats, but has historically been viewed as an energy-saving technique reserved for temperate and subarctic climates; however, torpor use is common across several tropical bat families. Central America hosts a great diversity of bats with approximately 150 species, yet data from this area are lacking compared with tropical Africa and Australia. We investigated thermoregulatory responses of bats from neotropical Belize and captured adult bats in the tropical forests of Lamanai Archeological Reserve, Belize. After a 12 h acclimation period, we recorded rectal t...
Source: Canadian Journal of Zoology - July 29, 2017 Category: Zoology Authors: Zenon J. Czenze Miranda B. Dunbar Source Type: research
Correlates and family aggregation of vitamin D concentrations in school-aged children and their parents in nine Mesoamerican countries.
CONCLUSIONS: VDD prevalence was low in this study. Sociodemographic characteristics, diet and outdoor activity predict serum 25(OH)D. Family aggregation of serum 25(OH)D is high between mothers and children.
PMID: 28735597 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Public Health Nutrition)
Source: Public Health Nutrition - July 24, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Robinson SL, Ramirez-Zea M, Roman AV, Villamor E, Nine Mesoamerican Countries Metabolic Syndrome Study (NiMeCoMeS) Group Tags: Public Health Nutr Source Type: research
Identification of major routes of HIV transmission throughout Mesoamerica.
CONCLUSION: International clusters were infrequent, suggesting moderate migration between HIV epidemics of the different Mesoamerican countries. Nevertheless, we observed important sources of transnational HIV spread in the region, including Southern and Central Mexico and Belize.
PMID: 28645708 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution)
Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution - June 20, 2017 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Chaillon A, Avila-Ríos S, Wertheim JO, Dennis A, García-Morales C, Tapia-Trejo D, Mejía-Villatoro C, Pascale JM, Porras-Cortés G, Quant-Durán CJ, Lorenzana I, Meza RI, Palou EY, Manzanero M, Cedillos RA, Reyes-Terán G, Mehta SR, Mesoamerican Project Tags: Infect Genet Evol Source Type: research
Folate Deficiency Is Prevalent in Women of Childbearing Age in Belize and Is Negatively Affected by Coexisting Vitamin B-12 Deficiency: Belize National Micronutrient Survey 2011 [Community and International Nutrition]
Conclusions: In Belize, the prevalence of folate and vitamin B-12 deficiencies continues to be a public health concern among WCBA. Furthermore, low folate status co-occurred with low vitamin B-12 status, underlining the importance of providing adequate vitamin B-12 and folic acid intake through approaches such as mandatory food fortification. (Source: Journal of Nutrition)
Source: Journal of Nutrition - June 1, 2017 Category: Nutrition Authors: Rosenthal, J., Largaespada, N., Bailey, L. B., Cannon, M., Alverson, C., Ortiz, D., Kauwell, G. P., Sniezek, J., Figueroa, R., Daly, R., Allen, P. Tags: Research Need: Impact of Nutrition on Healthy Growth, Development, and Reproduction Community and International Nutrition Source Type: research
HIV Risk Behavior and Prevention Considerations Among Military Personnel in Three Caribbean Region Countries: Belize, Barbados, and the Dominican Republic.
Abstract
We review research findings and the limitations of recent qualitative and quantitative studies of HIV prevalence and risk behaviors in military populations in three Caribbean countries (Dominican Republic, Belize, and Barbados). This research shows how mental health issues, disordered substance use, and structuring aspects of the occupational field produce and reproduce patterns of risk behaviors. We discuss the use of formative research, the Positive Health, Dignity, and Prevention framework, and the use of implementation science (including research methods that employ alternative methodological ...
Source: Current HIV Research - May 17, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Asefnia N, Cowan L, Werth R Tags: Curr HIV Res Source Type: research
Linking public health nursing competencies and service ‐learning in a global setting
ConclusionCommonalities exist between entry‐level public health nursing competencies and service‐learning principles. Using service‐learning principles in the development of public health experiences increases the likelihood of success in achieving these competencies. While students demonstrated intraprofessional collaboration in a global setting, these same collaborative opportunities can occur in local communities. (Source: Public Health Nursing)
Source: Public Health Nursing - May 1, 2017 Category: Nursing Authors: Cynthia L. Brown Tags: SPECIAL FEATURES: EDUCATION Source Type: research
004 bp: water, infrastructure, and health: multi-sectoral collaborations for qualitative research on human-environmental health
One of the greatest obstacles to improving critical water infrastructures (e.g., drinking water, storm water, waste water) for public health protection in low Human Development Index (HDI) countries is developing engineered solutions that are socially, culturally, and geographically relevant. Such "context-sensitive" interventions demand multisectoral collaborations among environmental engineers, social scientists, health professionals, and stakeholder groups. In doing so, solutions can be viewed holistically and can integrate local knowledge systems into decision-making processes, thereby making outcomes more resilient an...
Source: BMJ Open - March 3, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Whiteford, L., Wells, E., Verbyla, M., Schweitzer, R. Tags: Open access Water, Infrastructure, and Health: Multi-sectoral collaborations for qualitative research on human-environmental health Source Type: research
A mixed-methods needs assessment of adult diabetes mellitus (type II) and hypertension care in Toledo, Belize
Non-communicable diseases, including diabetes mellitus and hypertension, continue to disproportionately burden low- and middle-income countries. However, little research has been done to establish current prac... (Source: BMC Health Services Research)
Source: BMC Health Services Research - February 28, 2017 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Annette M. Dekker, Ashley E. Amick, Cecilia Scholcoff and Ashti Doobay-Persaud Source Type: research
Medicinal plants used to treat snakebite in Central America: Review and assessment of scientific evidence
Conclusion At least 208 plant species are traditionally used to treat snakebite in Central America but there is a lack of clinical research to evaluate their efficacy and safety. Available pharmacological data suggest different plant species may target different symptoms of snakebites, such as pain or anxiety, although more studies are needed to further evaluate the scientific basis for their use. Graphical abstract (Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology - February 15, 2017 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
