Estrés percibido y estrategias de afrontamiento durante el confinamiento por COVID-19 en cinco países

Several studies have shown how mental health could be affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led us to wonder about the psychological impact that the initial period of lockdown could have. We conducted a multicentric study that sought to describe, compare, and analyze the association between perceived stress, coping strategies and sociodemographic characteristics in a snowball-style convenience sample of 1169 participants from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, and Spain who responded to an online survey. There were differences in perceived stress and coping strategies between countries and depending on sociodemographic characteristics. The variables positively associated with perceived stress were the coping strategies alcohol-drug use, focus on emotions and venting, being a woman, and living in Brazil, Italy, and Spain. The variables negatively associated with perceived stress were planning and active coping, positive reinterpretation, being over 45 years old, and being a worker. These results contribute to understanding the stress responses to lockdown and help identify vulnerability factors in order to design prevention and intervention programs.  Varios estudios han demostrado cómo la salud mental pudo verse afectada durante la pandemia de COVID-19, lo que nos llevó a preguntarnos sobre el impacto psicológico que podría tener el período inicial de confinamiento. Llevamos a cabo un estudio multicéntrico que buscó describir, comparar y analizar la asociación entre el estrés percibido, las estrategias de afrontamiento y las características sociodemográficas en una muestra de conveniencia tipo bola de nieve de 1169 participantes de Colombia, Brasil, México, Italia y España que respondieron un cuestionario en línea. Se encontraron diferencias en el estrés percibido y las estrategias de afrontamiento entre países y según características sociodemográficas. Las variables asociadas positivamente con el estrés percibido fueron las estrategias de afrontamiento consumo de alcohol y drogas, centrarse en las emociones y desahogo, ser mujer y vivir en Brasil, Italia y España. Las variables asociadas negativamente con el estrés percibido fueron planificación y afrontamiento activo, reinterpretación positiva, ser mayor de 45 años y ser trabajador. Estos resultados contribuyen a comprender las respuestas de estrés al confinamiento y ayudan a identificar factores de vulnerabilidad para diseñar programas de prevención e intervención.

Niveles de actividad física en adolescentes de Colombia

Background: to determine physical activity levels of a group of school adolescents in Bogota, by correlating the results of PAQ-A questionnaire with anthropometric and physical condition variables. Methods: population data were derived from PAQ-A questionnaire results, the EUROFIT battery and anthropometric measurements applied to 199 students (age= of 15,91 ± 0,93 years), correlating findings between the PAQ-A questionnaire with anthropometric measurements variables and physical condition; T test for independent samples was used. Results: except for flexibility capacity, values of p<0.05 were found in all physical condition variables. However, the anthropometric measurements did not yield significant values. Conclusion: high levels of physical activity are associated with good physical condition in adolescents, while anthropometric variables showed no association with levels of physical activity in this particular group.Objetivo: determinar los niveles de actividad física de un grupo de adolescentes escolares de Bogotá, mediante la correlación de los resultados del cuestionario PAQ-A con variables antropométricas y de condición física. Método: los datos de estudio se obtuvieron del cuestionario PAQ-A, la batería EUROFIT y la toma de medidas antropométricas aplicada a 199 estudiantes (edad= 15,91 ± 0,93 años), a fin de encontrar la relación entre el PAQ-A con variables de medidas antropométricas y de condición física se utiliza una prueba T para muestras independientes. Resultados: exceptuando la capacidad de la flexibilidad, se encuentran valores de p<0.05 en todas las variables de condición física; por el contrario, las medidas antropométricas no arrojaron valores significativos. Conclusión: altos niveles de actividad física se asocian con una buena condición física en adolescentes, mientras que las variables antropométricas no tienen asociación con los niveles de actividad física en este grupo particular

Association of AS3MT polymorphisms and the risk of premalignant arsenic skin lesions

Exposure to naturally occurring inorganic arsenic (iAs), primarily from contaminated drinking water, is considered one of the top environmental health threats worldwide. Arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT) is the key enzyme in the biotransformation pathway of iAs. AS3MT catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-L-methionine to trivalent arsenicals, resulting in the production of methylated (MAs) and dimethylated arsenicals (DMAs). MAs is a susceptibility factor for iAs-induced toxicity. In this study, we evaluated the association of the polymorphism in AS3MT gene with iAs metabolism and with the presence of arsenic (As) premalignant skin lesions. This is a case-control study of 71 cases with skin lesions and 51 controls without skin lesions recruited from a iAs endemic area in Mexico. We measured urinary As metabolites, differentiating the trivalent and pentavalent arsenical species, using the hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. In addition, the study subjects were genotyped to analyze three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), A-477G, T14458C (nonsynonymus SNP; Met287Thr), and T35587C, in the AS3MT gene. We compared the frequencies of the AS3MT alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes in individuals with and without skin lesions. Marginal differences in the frequencies of the Met287Thr genotype were identified between individuals with and without premalignant skin lesions (p=0.055): individuals carrying the C (TC+CC) allele (Thr) were at risk [odds ratio=4.28; 95% confidence interval (1.0–18.5)]. Also, individuals with C allele of Met287Thr displayed greater percentage of MAs in urine and decrease in the percentage of DMAs. These findings indicate that Met287Thr influences the susceptibility to premalignant As skin lesions and might be at increased risk for other adverse health effects of iAs exposure

Design and evaluation of a mobile-based intervention for Maya adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a direct impact on mental health. International organisations have emphasised the vulnerability of indigenous people. Digital Mental Health approaches deliver online therapy as an evidence-based, effective, and accessible treatment option for common mental health problems. However, the evidence regarding these approaches is limited in indigenous populations. The objective of this study is to describe the design, development, and evaluation of the efficacy of a self-applied online intervention regarding the psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fear of COVID-19 in a sample of the Maya population. Method: A prospective longitudinal quantitative study was designed, where a single group was measured before and after receiving the online intervention. This study took place from April to September 2021 and consisted of six sessions delivered via WhatsApp in Spanish and Mayan. Results: The initial assessment was implemented with 82 participants who were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire, Scale for Generalised Anxiety Disorder and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale; 18 participants remained in the intervention for the post-as-sessment. Statistical differences were observed in PRE and POST measures of depression and anxiety, but not in fear of COVID-19. Conclusions: This study produced positive results for the first online mental health intervention implemented in the Latin American indigenous population. Future studies might consider developing similar interventions for other indigenous communities in Latin America.</p

Medición de la influencia del sexismo en la transmisión de valores a través de la publicidad

Esta investigación, explora la relación del sexismo en el contenido de los spots publicitarios con la carga de valores humanos que transmiten a sus receptores. El estudio se apoya en la recopilación de 27.000 mediciones obtenidas en un test de percepción realizado con 270 receptores. Cada sujeto evaluó 25 valores, tras exponerse a una muestra de 4 spots publicitarios con distinto grado de contenido sexista, que fueron seleccionados mediante pretest. La metodología desarrolla un trabajo experimental exploratorio que compara las percepciones de los sujetos dividiéndolos en dos grupos, de modo que una mitad respondió a la prueba sin ninguna orientación específica, y para la otra, se introdujo en el test un efecto "priming" destinado a incrementar la atención sobre los contenidos de género. Las mediciones de las respuestas se apoyan en un nuevo instrumento de medición científica: ProtocoloEva. Las conclusiones revelan que primar la atención de los receptores hacia los contenidos de género aumenta la transmisión de valores humanos; y que a medida que baja el contenido sexista y crece el contenido igualitario de los spots, aumentan: a) el número de valores humanos comunicados a los receptores y b) la intensidad con la que es percibido cada valor.This research explores the relationship between sexism in the content of advertising spots and the human values that they transmit to their receivers. The study is based on the collection of 27,000 measurements obtained in a perception test with 270 receivers. Each participant assessed 25 values after watching a sample of 4 advertising spots with varying degrees of sexist content, which were selected by a pre-test. The methodology involves exploratory-experimental work comparing the perceptions of the subjects by dividing them into two groups, so one half took the test without any specific orientation, and with the other half the 'priming-effect' was introduced to the test to increase their attention to the gender content. The measurements of the responses were supported by a new scientific measurement tool: ProtocoloEva. The results reveal that focusing on receivers' attention on gender content increase the transmission of human values. If the sexist content decrease and the egalitarian content in the spots increase, it will increases a) the number of human values communicated to the receivers, and b) the intensity of the perception for each valu

Exposure to arsenic in drinking water is associated with increased prevalence of diabetes: a cross-sectional study in the Zimapán and Lagunera regions in Mexico

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human exposures to inorganic arsenic (iAs) have been linked to an increased risk of diabetes mellitus. Recent laboratory studies showed that methylated trivalent metabolites of iAs may play key roles in the diabetogenic effects of iAs. Our study examined associations between chronic exposure to iAs in drinking water, metabolism of iAs, and prevalence of diabetes in arsenicosis-endemic areas of Mexico.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) to characterize diabetic individuals. Arsenic levels in drinking water and urine were determined to estimate exposure to iAs. Urinary concentrations of iAs and its trivalent and pentavalent methylated metabolites were measured to assess iAs metabolism. Associations between diabetes and iAs exposure or urinary metabolites of iAs were estimated by logistic regression with adjustment for age, sex, hypertension and obesity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of diabetes was positively associated with iAs in drinking water (OR 1.13 per 10 ppb, p < 0.01) and with the concentration of dimethylarsinite (DMAs^III) in urine (OR 1.24 per inter-quartile range, p = 0.05). Notably, FPI and HOMA-IR were negatively associated with iAs exposure (β -2.08 and -1.64, respectively, p < 0.01), suggesting that the mechanisms of iAs-induced diabetes differ from those underlying type-2 diabetes, which is typically characterized by insulin resistance.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study confirms a previously reported, but frequently questioned, association between exposure to iAs and diabetes, and is the first to link the risk of diabetes to the production of one of the most toxic metabolites of iAs, DMAs^III.</p

Manual del modelo de gestión de la cultura y capacidad de innovación empresarial – CCIE: Una oportunidad para innovar y mejorar el valor diferenciador en las microempresas.

Encontraras el libro completo.La relación empresa-universidad ha cobrado vital importancia en los últimos años. Cada vez más, economías robustas principalmente europeas, se han beneficiado de la aplicación óptima de este tipo de colaboración. Desde el contexto universitario, se busca analizar tendencias y hacer más ágiles las respuestas académicas a las necesidades del entorno. Desde el contexto empresarial, existe la presión de la mejora continua de sus conocimientos y tecnologías, que aseguren su existencia en el largo plazo. Es así como las universidades se convierten en una fuente de investigación alternativa para lo que antes se desarrollaba internamente en las organizaciones y que hoy, por diversos motivos, entre esos el avance tecnológico a pasos agigantados, hace que estas miren a la academia, ya no solo como un formador de profesionales sino como un socio estratégico

Manual del modelo de gestión de la cultura y capacidad de innovación empresarial – CCIE: Una oportunidad para innovar y mejorar el valor diferenciador en las microempresas.

Encontraras el libro completo.La relación empresa-universidad ha cobrado vital importancia en los últimos años. Cada vez más, economías robustas principalmente europeas, se han beneficiado de la aplicación óptima de este tipo de colaboración. Desde el contexto universitario, se busca analizar tendencias y hacer más ágiles las respuestas académicas a las necesidades del entorno. Desde el contexto empresarial, existe la presión de la mejora continua de sus conocimientos y tecnologías, que aseguren su existencia en el largo plazo. Es así como las universidades se convierten en una fuente de investigación alternativa para lo que antes se desarrollaba internamente en las organizaciones y que hoy, por diversos motivos, entre esos el avance tecnológico a pasos agigantados, hace que estas miren a la academia, ya no solo como un formador de profesionales sino como un socio estratégico

Internet-based self-administered intervention to reduce anxiety and depression symptomatology and improve well-being in 7 countries: protocol of a randomized control trial

BackgroundOnline psychological interventions have emerged as a treatment alternative because they are accessible, flexible, personalized, and available to large populations. The number of Internet interventions in Latin America is limited, as are Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) of their effectiveness and a few studies comparing their effectiveness in multiple countries at the same time. We have developed an online intervention, Well-being Online, which will be available to the public free of charge in 7 countries: Mexico, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Brazil, Spain, and the Netherlands. We expect a reduction in depression and anxiety symptoms and an increase in well-being of the participants.MethodsA multi-country, randomized controlled trial will be conducted. The intervention is multicomponent (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Activation Therapy, Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Positive Psychology), with 10 sessions. In each country, eligible participants will be randomized to one of three groups: Enriched Intervention (interactive web design with videos, infographics, text, audio, and forum), Text Intervention (text on the website), and Wait List (control group). Repeated measures will be obtained at 5-time points. Our primary outcomes will be anxiety symptomatology, depressive symptomatology, and mental well-being. MANOVA analysis will be used for our main analysis.DiscussionThis protocol describes the design of a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of a web-based intervention to reduce anxiety and depression symptomatology and increase subjective well-being. The intervention will be made available in four languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and English). Its results will contribute to the evidence of effectiveness in terms of randomized trials and Internet interventions, mainly in Latin America and Europe