Geographical separation and physiology drive differentiation of microbial communities of two discrete populations of the bat Leptonycteris yerbabuenae.

In this paper, we explore how two discrete and geographically separated populations of the lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae)-one in central and the other in the Pacific region of Mexico-differ in their fecal microbiota composition. Considering the microbiota-host as a unity, in which extrinsic (as food availability and geography) or intrinsic factors (as physiology) play an important role in the microbiota composition, we would expect differentiation in the microbiota of two geographically separated populations. The Amplicon Sequences Variants (ASVs) of the V4 region of the 16s rRNA gene from 68 individuals were analyzed using alpha and beta diversity metrics. We obtained a total of 11 566 (ASVs). The bacterial communities in the Central and Pacific populations had a diversity of 6,939 and 4,088 ASVs, respectively, sharing a core microbiota of 539 ASVs accounting for 75% of the relative abundance, suggesting stability over evolutionary time. The Weighted UniFrac metrics tested by a PERMANOVA showed that lactating and pregnant females had significant beta diversity differences in the two populations compared with other reproductive stages. This could be a consequence of the increased energy requirements of these physiological stages, more than the variation due to geographical separation. In contrast, a positive correlation of the observed ASVs of fecal microbiota with the observed ASVs of plastids related to the diet was observed in the juveniles and adults, suggesting that in these physiological stages an extrinsic factor as the diet shapes the microbiota composition. The results provide a baseline for future studies of the microbiome in these two wild populations of the lesser long-nosed bat, the main pollinator of the Agaves from which the beverages tequila and mezcal are made.

Does ownership matter? An overview of systematic reviews of the performance of private for-profit, private not-for-profit and public healthcare providers.

INTRODUCTION: Ownership of healthcare providers has been considered as one factor that might influence their health and healthcare related performance. The aim of this article was to provide an overview of what is known about the effects on economic, administrative and health related outcomes of different types of ownership of healthcare providers--namely public, private non-for-profit (PNFP) and private for-profit (PFP)--based on the findings of systematic reviews (SR). METHODS AND FINDINGS: An overview of systematic reviews was performed. Different databases were searched in order to select SRs according to an explicit comprehensive criterion. Included SRs were assessed to determine their methodological quality. Of the 5918 references reviewed, fifteen SR were included, but six of them were rated as having major limitations, so they weren't incorporated in the analyses. According to the nine analyzed SR, ownership does seem to have an effect on health and healthcare related outcomes. In the comparison of PFP and PNFP providers, significant differences in terms of mortality of patients and payments to facilities have been found, both being higher in PFP facilities. In terms of quality and economic indicators such as efficiency, there are no concluding results. When comparing PNFP and public providers, as well as for PFP and public providers, no clear differences were found. CONCLUSION: PFP providers seem to have worst results than their PNFP counterparts, but there are still important evidence gaps in the literature that needs to be covered, including the comparison between public and both PFP and PNFP providers. More research is needed in low and middle income countries to understand the impact on and development of healthcare delivery systems.

[Blood lipids in Chilean children 10-14 years of age]. / Niveles de lípidos sanguíneos en escolares chilenos de 10 a 14 años de edad.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Plasma lipid levels in children and adolescents are evaluated with international references. The objective was to describe them in Chilean students, to compare them with the most used reference (Lipids Research Clinics Program) and the cut-off points recommended in 2011. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in 3325 children, 10 to 14 years of age. Anthropometry and auto-report of pubertal development were performed. A 12 hours fast blood sample was taken to measure total (TC), highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and triglycerides (TG). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was calculated with Friedewald formula. Variables were described, Hochberg test for multiple comparisons and stepwise lineal regression were applied. The degree of agreement between local percentiles and the two international references was studied. RESULTS: We studied 3,063 children, 11.4 ± 0.9 years old, 53% girls, 20.9% pre-pubertal, 22.6% had overweight, and 15.8% obesity. Averages: TC: 159.2 ± 28.3, HDLC: 51.9 ± 12.1, LDLC: 89.0 ± 31.5 and TG: 93.2 ± 60 mg/dL. Boys had higher HDLC: 53.3 ± 12.2 vs. 50.6 ± 11.8 mg/dL and lower TG: 86.2 ± 58.2 vs. 99.5 ± 61.7 mg/dL than girls (p < 0,001). Influences of nutritional status, sex and age were significant. We founded high agreement with the reference for TC and LDLC, but HDLC levels were lower and TG were higher, for their cut-off points: percentiles 10th and 95th, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Blood lipids were influenced by nutritional status, sex and age. Percentile values were comparable to the international reference except for HDLC and TG, showing a more atherogenic pattern.

Introducción: Las concentraciones de lípidos sanguíneos en niños y adolescentes se evalúan utilizando referencias internacionales. Objetivos: Describir las concentraciones de lípidos sanguíneos en una población de escolares chilenos y compararlas con la referencia más utilizada (Lipid Research Clinics Program) además de los puntos de corte recomendados en 2011. Métodos: Estudio transversal en 3.325 escolares de 10 a 14 años de edad. Se realizó antropometría, auto-reporte de desarrollo puberal y medición en ayunas de colesterol total (CT), colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad (CHDL) y triglicéridos (TG). El colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (CLDL) se calculó con fórmula de Friedewald. Se realizó descripción, regresión múltiple y estudio de concordancia. Resultados: Se incluyeron 3.063 niños de 11,4 ± 0,9 años de edad, 53% mujeres, 20,9% pre-púberes; 22,6% con sobrepeso y 15,8% con obesidad. Los promedios fueron: CT: 159,2 ± 28,3, CHDL: 51,9 ± 12,1, LDL: 89,0 ± 31,5 y TG: 93,2 ± 60 mg/dL. Los hombres tuvieron mayor CHDL: 53,3 ± 12,2 vs 50,6 ± 11,8 mg/dL y menor TG: 86,2 ± 58,2 vs 99,5 ± 61,7 mg/dL que las mujeres (p < 0,001). Con regresión múltiple se encontró influencia del estado nutricional y edad en todos los lípidos y del sexo en la mayoría. Comparados con la referencia hubo concordancia en CT y CLDL, pero los niños chilenos presentaron mayores niveles de TG sobre el percentil 50 y menores niveles de CHDL bajo percentil 50. Conclusiones: Las concentraciones de lípidos sanguíneos estuvieron influidas por el estado nutricional, edad y sexo. En comparación a la referencia, se encontró un patrón de mayor riesgo cardiovascular en los niños chilenos.

Niveles de lípidos sanguíneos en escolares chilenos de 10 a 14 años de edad / Blood lipids in chilean children 10-14 years of age

Introducción: Las concentraciones de lípidos sanguíneos en niños y adolescentes se evalúan utilizando referencias internacionales. Objetivos: Describir las concentraciones de lípidos sanguíneos en una población de escolares chilenos y compararlas con la referencia más utilizada (Lipid Research Clinics Program) además de los puntos de corte recomendados en 2011. Métodos: Estudio transversal en 3.325 escolares de 10 a 14 años de edad. Se realizó antropometría, auto-reporte de desarrollo puberal y medición en ayunas de colesterol total (CT), colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad (CHDL) y triglicéridos (TG). El colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (CLDL) se calculó con fórmula de Friedewald. Se realizó descripción, regresión múltiple y estudio de concordancia. Resultados: Se incluyeron 3.063 niños de 11,4 ± 0,9 años de edad, 53% mujeres, 20,9% pre-púberes; 22,6% con sobrepeso y 15,8% con obesidad. Los promedios fueron: CT: 159,2 ± 28,3, CHDL: 51,9 ± 12,1, LDL: 89,0 ± 31,5 y TG: 93,2 ± 60 mg/dL. Los hombres tuvieron mayor CHDL: 53,3 ± 12,2 vs 50,6 ± 11,8 mg/dL y menor TG: 86,2 ± 58,2 vs 99,5 ± 61,7 mg/dL que las mujeres (p < 0,001). Con regresión múltiple se encontró influencia del estado nutricional y edad en todos los lípidos y del sexo en la mayoría. Comparados con la referencia hubo concordancia en CT y CLDL, pero los niños chilenos presentaron mayores niveles de TG sobre el percentil 50 y menores niveles de CHDL bajo percentil 50. Conclusiones: Las concentraciones de lípidos sanguíneos estuvieron influidas por el estado nutricional, edad y sexo. En comparación a la referencia, se encontró un patrón de mayor riesgo cardiovascular en los niños chilenos (AU)

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Plasma lipid levels in children and adolescents are evaluated with international references. The objective was to describe them in Chilean students, to compare them with the most used reference (Lipids Research Clinics Program) and the cut-off points recommended in 2011.METHODS:Cross-sectional study in 3325 children, 10 to 14 years of age. Anthropometry and auto-report of pubertal development were performed. A 12 hours fast blood sample was taken to measure total (TC), highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) and triglycerides (TG). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was calculated with Friedewald formula. Variables were described, Hochberg test for multiple comparisons and stepwise lineal regression were applied. The degree of agreement between local percentiles and the two international references was studied. RESULTS: We studied 3,063 children, 11.4 ± 0.9 years old, 53% girls, 20.9% pre-pubertal, 22.6% had overweight, and 15.8% obesity. Averages: TC: 159.2 ± 28.3, HDLC: 51.9 ± 12.1, LDLC: 89.0 ± 31.5 and TG: 93.2 ± 60 mg/dL. Boys had higher HDLC: 53.3 ± 12.2 vs. 50.6 ± 11.8 mg/dL and lower TG: 86.2 ± 58.2 vs. 99.5 ± 61.7 mg/dL than girls (p < 0,001). Influences of nutritional status, sex and age were significant. We founded high agreement with the reference for TC and LDLC, but HDLC levels were lower and TG were higher, for their cut-off points: percentiles 10th and 95th, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Blood lipids were influenced by nutritional status, sex and age. Percentile values were comparable to the international reference except for HDLC and TG, showing a more atherogenic pattern (AU)