RESUMO
Mate Marote is an open-access cognitive training software aimed at children between 4 and 8 years old. It consists of a set of computerized games specifically tailored to train and evaluate Executive Functions (EF), a class of processes critical for purposeful, goal-directed behavior, including working memory, planning, flexibility, and inhibitory control. Since 2008, several studies were performed with this software at children's own schools in interventions supervised in-person by cognitive scientists. After 2015, we incorporated naturalistic, yet controlled, interventions with children's own teachers' help. The platform includes a battery of standardized tests, disguised as games, to assess children's EF. The main question that emerges is whether the results, obtained with these traditional tasks but conducted without the presence of researchers, are comparable to those widely reported in the literature, that were obtained in more supervised settings. In this study, we were able to replicate the expected difficulty and age effects in at least one of the analyzed dependent variables of each employed test. We also report important discrepancies between the expected and the observed response time patterns, specifically for time-constrained tasks. We hereby discuss the benefits and setbacks of a new possible strategy for this type of assessment in naturalistic settings. We conclude that this battery of established EF tasks adapted for its remote usage is appropriate to measure the expected mental processes in naturalistic settings, enriching opportunities to upscale cognitive training interventions at schools. These types of tools can constitute a concerted strategy to bring together educational neuroscience research and real-life practice.
RESUMO
This study examined how socioeconomic status (SES) influences on decision-making processing. The roles of anticipatory/outcome-related cardiac activity and awareness of task contingencies were also assessed. One hundred twelve children (Mage = 5.83, SDage = 0.32; 52.7% female, 51.8% low-SES; data collected October-December 2018 and April-December 2019) performed the Children's Gambling Task, while heart rate activity was recorded. Awareness of gain/loss contingencies was assessed after completing the task. Distinct decision-making strategies emerged among low and middle/high-SES children. Despite similar awareness levels between SES groups, future-oriented decision-making was linked solely to the middle/high-SES group. Somatic markers did not manifest unequivocally. However, contrasting cardiac patterns were evident concerning feedback processing and the association between anticipatory activity and awareness (low: acceleration vs. middle/high: deceleration). Results are interpreted from an evolutionary-developmental perspective.
RESUMO
Executive functions (EF), either conceptualized as skills involved in regulation of cognition and emotion in service of goal-oriented behavior, or reductively as working memory, flexibility and inhibitory control, are commonly invoked constructs in developmental science. Two main traditions on EFs measurement prevail, one consisting of ratings obtained through questionnaires that inquire on behavior in common situations, the other based on performance in laboratory tasks. Whether both types of assessment actually refer to the same constructs is not consensual. Further, the role of school context in the degree of correspondence between both types of measures remains largely unexplored. Here, we show in a sample of over 220 children (age M = 5.6, SD = 0.4 years), by means of multilevel models, that whether EF tasks can predict BRIEF-P ratings and vice-versa, depends on the process considered and on the school SES. Inhibitory control, planning, and global executive functioning are associated with BRIEF-P ratings in all schools. In contrast, we found no association among measures of flexibility independently of school SES. For working memory, we found that questionnaire rating predicts span only in high SES schools, but span predicts behaviors across schools. Our findings contribute to a growing body of literature that proposes constructs assessed by questionnaires and tasks only partially overlap and suggests that school SES may be a relevant factor to consider when questionnaires are answered by teachers.
Assuntos
Cognição , Função Executiva , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Cognição/fisiologia , Função Executiva/fisiologia , Humanos , Memória de Curto Prazo , Instituições Acadêmicas , Classe SocialRESUMO
Introducción: La 1,25-dihidroxivitamina D3 es la forma activa de la vitamina D, una vitamina lipídica que ahora ya se ha determinado presenta funciones de hormona, tanto calcémicas como no calcémicas. Su producción puede ser endógena gracias a la exposición solar, representando hasta el 90% de valores plasmáticos, o exógena por ingesta en la dieta en forma de vitamina D2 (ergocalciferol).(1) Objetivos: Determinar los niveles de 25-hidroxivitamina D3 en donadores de sangre entre 20-54 años del HGSJDD, así como, evaluar asociación de niveles insuficientes o deficientes con: sexo del donador, lugar de origen, lugar de residencia, edad (años), exposición solar (horas/día), IMC (kg/m2), foto tipo (Fitzpatrick), uso de bloqueador solar (sí/no/ocasional), enfermedades concomitantes y medicamentos de uso habitual. Metodología: Medir los niveles de vitamina D en la sangre de donadores voluntarios. Resultados: La prevalencia de niveles suficientes de vitamina D fue de 33 % de los donadores. Conclusión: Únicamente existe asociación entre el foto tipo Fitzpatrick II con deficiencia o insuficiencia de vitamina D. Palabras Clave: Calcitriol, Deficiencia, Insuficiencia, Suficiencia, foto tipo Fitzpatrick
Introduction: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is the active form of vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin that has hormone actions, related to calcium homeostasis and other mechanisms. Vitamin D´s synthesis can be endogenous due to solar exposure, making up to 90%. Vitamin D or ingested from diet as the form of vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). (1) Objectives: To measure levels of Vitamin D in blood from voluntary donors, ages 20-54 y. o, in a general hospital. Results: Prevalence of sufficient levels was 33%. Conclusions: Prevalence of sufficient levels of vitamin D was 33.33%. There is also a relationship between phototype Fitzpatrick II and deficiency or insufficient levels of vitamin D. Key words: Calcitriol, Deficiency, Insufficiency, Sufficiency, Fitzpatrick II photo type
RESUMO
Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre el IMC materno obtenido durante el embarazo y el peso y longitud del recién nacido. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo de cohorte, prospectivo retrospectivo, en donde se revisaron 106 expedientes clínicos de pacientes que tuvieron control prenatal y parto en el Centro de Salud Bárbara en San Juan Sacatepéquez entre enero de 2012 y diciembre 2014. Se procesaron y tabularon los datos en Microsoft Excel. Se utilizó la prueba estadística Chi cuadrado para relacionar las variables. Resultados: Se demostró la dependencia entre el IMC materno con el peso y talla del recién nacido, en donde p resultó: < 0.00001, y < 0.000036 respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Las embarazadas con IMC normal al momento del parto, tuvieron una mayor proporción de recién nacidos con pesos y tallas adecuadas para la edad gestacional. La mayor proporción de recién nacidos pequeños y grandes para edad gestacional fueron de las pacientes subnutridas y sobre nutridas respectivamente
Objective: The main purposes of the study were to determine the relationship between maternal BMI obtained during pregnancy and the weight and length of the newborn. Methods: Prospective retrospective, descriptive cohort study, where 106 medical records of patients who had prenatal care and childbirth at Barbara Health Center between January 2012 and December2014. Data was processed and tabulated in Microsoft Excel. The Chi square statistical test was used to relate variables. Results: There was a direct relationship between maternal BMI with the weight and length of the newborns, where p value was <0.00001, and<0.000036 respectively. Conclusions: Pregnant women with normal BMI at birth had a higher proportion of infants with weight and size appropriate for gestational age. The largest proportion of small and large newborns for gestational age was observed in undernourished patients and obese ones respectively
RESUMO
La siguiente compilación ilustra aspectos importantes de la historia del Instituto de Nutrición de Centro América y Panamá, INCAP, en el importante campo de la formación y desarrollo de los Recursos Humanos en Alimentación y Nutrición
Assuntos
Desenvolvimento de Pessoal , Recursos Humanos , Ciências da Nutrição , HistóriaRESUMO
La siguiente compilación ilustra aspectos importantes de la historia del Instituto de Nutrición de Centro América y Panamá, INCAP, en el importante campo de la formación y desarrollo de los Recursos Humanos en Alimentación y Nutrición. En este aniversario del INCAP, excelentes profesionales que han trabajado en este campo en el Instituto, dan testimonio de los inicios, desarrollo, logros, evolución y trascendencia del quehacer del INCAP y su contribución para que los países de Centroamérica, Panamá, República Dominicana, América Latina y otros países del mundo, cuenten con recursos humanos formados para enfrentar científica y técnicamente el quehacer en la construcción de la Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional de las poblaciones. Ahora, más que nunca, los países miembros del INCAP enfrentan enormes retos para el cumplimiento del Derecho Humano a la alimentación. En esta empresa, sus aliados naturales son aquellos científicos y técnicos que, egresados de Programas desarrollados o generados con apoyo del Instituto, aportan a los y las pobladoras de los países su compromiso, calidad, humanidad y espíritu de excelencia. Sirvan estos apuntes para reconocer la labor de los Directores y todos los profesionales, técnicos y operarios, que con su talento y esfuerzo, han hecho y hacen del INCAP un espacio para la Ciencia y para la búsqueda de la verdad, esencia del espíritu de investigación; y para el arte de enseñar y educar en función de la vida de los seres humanos; así como para construir y recrear esta noble y valiosa Institución. (AU)
Assuntos
Humanos , Desenvolvimento de Pessoal , Capacitação de Recursos Humanos em Saúde , Mão de Obra em Saúde/organização & administração , Educação Alimentar e Nutricional , América LatinaRESUMO
To describe the regional master plan of nutrition to address maternal and child malnutrition in a 5- year period developed by the Nutrition Technical Group. The Nutrition Technical Group developed a situation analysis describing the main nutrition problems, policies and programs in Mesoamerica. The situation analysis and a literature review about effective interventions to address malnutrition were conducted to develop a nutrition master plan. The Nutrition Technical Group held various meetings to develop, discuss and validate the master plan. Theory of change identified problems and barriers, the actions to be developed, the changes and impacts expected. A package of interventions is proposed to reduce undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies useful under different epidemiological contexts. The nutrition master plan provides a guideline of best practices that can be used for evidence-informed decision making and the development of national policies and programs to reduce malnutrition.
Assuntos
Transtornos da Nutrição Infantil/prevenção & controle , Proteção da Criança , Promoção da Saúde/organização & administração , Transtornos da Nutrição do Lactente/prevenção & controle , Desnutrição/prevenção & controle , Bem-Estar Materno , Complicações na Gravidez/prevenção & controle , Saúde Pública , América Central/epidemiologia , Transtornos da Nutrição Infantil/epidemiologia , Pré-Escolar , Países em Desenvolvimento , Suplementos Nutricionais , Feminino , Alimentos Fortificados , Política de Saúde , Humanos , Lactente , Transtornos da Nutrição do Lactente/epidemiologia , Recém-Nascido , Cooperação Internacional , Desnutrição/epidemiologia , México/epidemiologia , Micronutrientes , Necessidades Nutricionais , Apoio Nutricional , Formulação de Políticas , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto/normas , Gravidez , Complicações na Gravidez/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Describir un plan maestro para el desarrollo de planes nacionales para prevenir la desnutrición materno-infantil en Mesoamérica en un plazo de cinco años. Para ello se elaboró un análisis sobre los principales problemas, políticas y programas de nutrición en Mesoamérica. A partir del análisis y de la revisión de la literatura sobre las mejores prácticas en el combate a la desnutrición, el Grupo Técnico de Nutrición desarrolló, discutió y validó el plan durante varias reuniones presenciales. Se desarrolló la teoría de cambio que identifica los problemas y barreras, las acciones propuestas, los cambios e impactos esperados. Se propone la implementación de paquetes de intervenciones para reducir la desnutrición y deficiencia de micronutrientes de utilidad para diversos contextos epidemiológicos. El plan maestro de nutrición constituye un insumo que puede facilitar la elaboración de propuestas de programas y políticas dirigidos a reducir la desnutrición y promover la toma de decisiones basadas en evidencia.
To describe the regional master plan of nutrition to address maternal and child malnutrition in a 5- year period developed by the Nutrition Technical Group. The Nutrition Technical Group developed a situation analysis describing the main nutrition problems, policies and programs in Mesoamerica. The situation analysis and a literature review about effective interventions to address malnutrition were conducted to develop a nutrition master plan. The Nutrition Technical Group held various meetings to develop, discuss and validate the master plan. Theory of change identified problems and barriers, the actions to be developed, the changes and impacts expected. A package of interventions is proposed to reduce undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies useful under different epidemiological contexts. The nutrition master plan provides a guideline of best practices that can be used for evidence-informed decision making and the development of national policies and programs to reduce malnutrition.
Assuntos
Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Recém-Nascido , Gravidez , Transtornos da Nutrição Infantil/prevenção & controle , Proteção da Criança , Promoção da Saúde/organização & administração , Transtornos da Nutrição do Lactente/prevenção & controle , Desnutrição/prevenção & controle , Bem-Estar Materno , Complicações na Gravidez/prevenção & controle , Saúde Pública , América Central/epidemiologia , Transtornos da Nutrição Infantil/epidemiologia , Países em Desenvolvimento , Suplementos Nutricionais , Alimentos Fortificados , Política de Saúde , Transtornos da Nutrição do Lactente/epidemiologia , Cooperação Internacional , Desnutrição/epidemiologia , México/epidemiologia , Micronutrientes , Necessidades Nutricionais , Apoio Nutricional , Formulação de Políticas , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto/normas , Complicações na Gravidez/epidemiologiaRESUMO
In this study, we aimed to establish whether domestic use of wood fuel is associated with reduced birth weight, independent of key maternal, social, and economic confounding factors. We studied 1,717 women and newborn children in rural and urban communities in rural Guatemala. We identified subjects through home births reported by traditional birth attendants in six rural districts (n = 572) and all public hospital births in Quetzaltenango city during the study period (n = 1,145). All were seen within 72 hr of delivery, and data were collected on the type of household fuel used, fire type, and socioeconomic and other confounding factors. Smoking among women in the study community was negligible. Children born to mothers habitually cooking on open fires (n = 861) had the lowest mean birth weight of 2,819 g [95% confidence interval (CI), 2,790-2,848]; those using a chimney stove (n = 490) had an intermediate mean of 2,863 g (95% CI, 2,824-2,902); and those using the cleanest fuels (electricity or gas, n = 365) had the highest mean of 2,948 g (95% CI, 2,898-2,998) (p< 0.0001). The percentage of low birth weights (< 500 g) in these three groups was 19.9% (open fire), 16.8% (chimney stove), and 16.0% (electricity/gas), (trend (p = 0.08). Confounding factors were strongly associated with fuel type, but after adjustment wood users still had a birth weight 63 g lower (p = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.4-126). This is the first report of an association between biofuel use and reduced birth weight in a human population. Although there is potential for residual confounding despite adjustment, the better-documented evidence on passive smoking and a feasible mechanism through carbon monoxide exposure suggest this association may be real. Because two-thirds of households in developing countries still rely on biofuels and women of childbearing age perform most cooking tasks, the attributable risk arising from this association, if confirmed, could be substantial.