SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Background: Transgender and gender-diverse individuals experience health inequities that may increase cardiometabolic risk. Gender-affirming hormone therapy has been associated with changes in body composition, lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular risk markers. However, limited evidence is available regarding dietary habits and cardiovascular risk profiles in transgender populations in Latin America. Objective: To evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and cardioprotective food consumption among transgender adults receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy. Methods: A quantitative, observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted in transgender adults undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy in Mendoza, Argentina. Eighty-seven participants completed surveys regarding sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, nutritional counseling, and consumption of cardioprotective foods. We assessed anthropometric indicators and biochemical parameters related to cardiovascular risk. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 8. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation, the chi-square test, and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: A high prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors was identified, including overweight, sedentary behavior, smoking, and low intake of cardioprotective foods. More than half of the participants had never received nutritional counseling. No statistically significant differences were observed between transgender women and transgender men in the evaluated anthropometric and biochemical variables. Nevertheless, significant correlations were identified between body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and atherogenic lipid markers. Dietary quality showed limited associations with cardiovascular risk indicators, although higher dietary quality was positively associated with HDL cholesterol levels in transgender men. Conclusion: The study highlights the presence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors in transgender individuals receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy and emphasizes the importance of integrating nutritional assessment and cardiometabolic monitoring into comprehensive transgender healthcare. These findings support the need for inclusive nutritional interventions and longitudinal studies addressing cardiovascular health in transgender populations.

Background: Vector-borne diseases are increasingly important because they are emerging and re-emerging. Of the 867 tick species reported worldwide, 10% (86 species) have public health implications; 58 parasitize dogs, and 12 have been documented in Argentina. Tick-borne agents are increasingly relevant in the Cuyo region, with implications for both public health and domestic animal health. In Mendoza, the Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex and Amblyomma tigrinum have been documented. Aim: This study aimed to determine whether one tick genus predominated over the other, compared with previous studies in the region. Methods: We collected ticks from dogs attending municipal vaccination campaigns and veterinary clinics in several departments of the Greater Mendoza area (Ciudad/Capital, Luján de Cuyo, Godoy Cruz, and Guaymallén). Specimens were preserved in 70% (v/v) ethanol in sealed containers until analysis. Identification was performed using a stereomicroscope and the taxonomic keys of Nava. Results: The highest number of ticks was obtained from Ciudad/Capital, followed by Luján de Cuyo, Godoy Cruz, and Guaymallén. A total of 439 specimens were collected and classified by genus, species, and sex. Of these, 94.46% (415 ticks) corresponded to the Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex, including 193 females (43.96%) and 222 males (50.5%). The remaining 5.48% (24 ticks) were identified as Amblyomma tigrinum, including 17 females (3.89%) and 7 males (1.59%). Discussion: These findings confirm the marked predominance of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus complex among ticks collected from dogs in the Greater Mendoza area.

Background: Nutrition strategies may influence marathon performance and runners’ subjective experience. Aims: To evaluate the association between dietary habits, supplement use, performance, and subjective experience in runners of the 2025 Mendoza International Marathon. Methods: A survey of 240 runners from the 2025 Mendoza International Marathon examined dietary habits, supplement use, performance, and subjective experience. Results: Nutritional counseling was linked to more favorable perceptions. Conversely, pre-race alcohol and excessive carbohydrates with poor hydration increased gastrointestinal complaints. Supplements showed no measurable performance or well-being benefits. Discussions: These findings suggest that pre-race nutritional behaviors may have a greater influence on runners’ subjective experience than supplement use.Conclusions: Nutritional guidance may improve race experience, whereas poor pre-race practices increase gastrointestinal complaints.