Learning to Think by Learning to Move: Effects of Self-Produced Locomotion on Executive Functioning During Infancy.

While executive functioning has been shown to be important for academic success, how it develops is unknown. Executive functioning involves regulatory processes associated with cognitive flexibility, the planning, and initiation of voluntary actions, and inhibitory control (Diamond, 2000). One theory posits that its development is dependent on self-produced locomotion. This claim was investigated at Ithaca College through a multi-year interdisciplinary project. Following random assignment to a locomotor or non-locomotor condition, five-month-old non-locomoting infants participated in 12 play sessions. In the locomotor condition, infants could locomote towards a toy using a robotic-controlled device; sessions were identical for the non-locomotor condition except that infants did not locomote. At seven months of age, all infants were assessed on a variety of executive functioning tasks, including the two reported here – a means-end and a rule switching task. The data were produced using an eye-tracking system from Applied Science Laboratories and Gazetracker software from Eye Response Technology, which recorded the eye gaze and pupil diameter during the tasks. We hypothesized that the infants who had locomoted during the 12 play sessions would show more evidence of executive functioning at seven months of age than the non-locomoting infants. In the means-end task infants viewed a video where a block tower was positioned on a platform; as a screen was placed in front of the tower, they could see the platform move. When the screen was removed, the tower was either shifted to a new location (following the movement of the platform) or it remained in the same location (despite the platform moving). We hypothesized that the locomotor group would show more surprise, as measured by pupil dilation, when the tower did not move with the platform, due to an anticipated change in location. Results are reported for 9 infants in the locomotor condition and 11 infants in the non-locomotor condition. Using non-parametric analyses, our hypothesis was supported. We did not find a change in pupil diameter for the non-locomotor group (M= 30.18 vs. M= 30.29) but did for the locomotor group (M= 26.62 vs. M= 29.63), p = .022. For the switch task, we measured the ability of the participants to switch from using one established rule to a new rule. The task started with a puppet that emerged on the right side of the screen for nine consecutive trials before switching to the left side of the screen. Before each trial, a visual cue was presented to guide the infants in the direction they were expected to look at. With the use of the eye tracker, we measured anticipation of the side the puppet was to appear. We hypothesized that the infants in the locomotor condition would be more likely than the infants in the non-locomotor condition to inhibit the response learned during the first nine trials. Scores for the trials following the switch were determined as follows: +2 for a correct look, 0 for no looks, -1 for looks in both directions, and -2 for an incorrect look. Results are reported for 22 participants in the locomotor condition and 23 in the non-locomotor condition. An ANOVA revealed that infants in the locomotor condition performed better on the task, compared to those in the non-locomotor condition (M= -.14 vs. M= -1.86), F (1,40) = 4.45, p=.041. The results of this study suggest that self-produced locomotion can contribute to the development of executive functioning in infancy. This conclusion has implications for physical and occupational therapists working with children with motor limitations. Early intervention with a robotic device such as the one used here may help to develop the executive functioning of these children

La poesía: recurso integrador e impulsor de la creatividad en el proceso de enseñanza durante la Educación Primaria

La presente investigación pretende hacer una reflexión acerca de la importancia de incorporar la poesía en los procesos de enseñanza desde la Educación Primaria, con el firme propósito de valorar el sentimiento, la emoción y la sensibilidad que caracteriza el lenguaje poético, sobre todo, porque es un potencial imaginativo que, en muchas ocasiones, se ve frenado cuando se inicia la escolarización. Se plantea como objetivo general, comprender la importancia de considerar a la poesía como un recurso integrador e impulsor de la creatividad en el proceso de enseñanza durante la Educación Primaria. Los objetivos específicos son: analizar los aportes de la poesía en la Educación Primaria, como un recurso integrador en el proceso de enseñanza; y describir la importancia de la poesía en el desarrollo de la creatividad en la Educación Primaria. La metodología utilizada es de tipo documental, ya que nos acercaremos a una realidad a través de fuentes secundarias. Para lograrlo, se ha buscado información en revistas académicas y libros con temáticas pedagógicas y literarias. La principal conclusión es que la poesía puede llegar a ser un recurso integrador si es que es incluida en las actividades con los estudiantes, ya que tiene un alto valor educativo debido a su relación con los contenidos curriculares, lo que promueve el desarrollo de la creatividad y la imaginación, ya que permite que los estudiantes conozcan sus emociones y sentimientos, descifren su propia experiencia y construyan conocimientos y alcancen las competencias esperadas en las áreas.This paper aims to reflect on the importance of incorporating poetry in the teaching processes from Primary Education, with the firm intention of valuing the feeling, emotion and sensitivity that characterize poetic language, above all, because it is an imaginative potential that, on many occasions, is slowed down when schooling begins. The general objective is to understand the importance of considering poetry as an integrating resource and promoter of creativity in the teaching process during Primary Education. The specific objectives are to analyze the contributions of poetry in Primary Education, as an integrating resource in the teaching process; and describe the importance of poetry in the development of creativity in Primary Education. The methodology used is of a documentary type since we will approach reality through secondary sources. To achieve this, information has been sought in academic journals and books with pedagogical and literary themes. The main conclusion is that poetry can become an integrating resource if it is included in the activities with the students, since it has a high educational value due to its relationship with the curricular contents, which promotes the development of creativity and imagination, since it allows students to know their emotions and feelings, decipher their own experience and build knowledge and reach the expected competencies in the areas

Acciones de autocuidado en usuarias con mamografía positiva. Manizales, Colombia

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in women in both affected and developing countries. Ignorance of self-care practices for prevention and timely diagnosis leads to a large percentage of women go to the doctor when the lesions are in advanced stages of cancer, making healing opportunities difficult. Objective: to determine self-care actions for the prevention of breast cancer in patients with positive mammography findings from a health services provider institution in Manizales, Caldas, between 2014 and 2016. Methods: a descriptive observational, quantitative, cross-sectional study was performed. 103 women participated answering a survey-type instrument. Results: the study population had a mean age of 63 years, 38.8 % were married, and the level of incomplete primary schooling was 24.3 %. 85.4 % of women are able to perform work and normal activities of daily living; 48.5 % never perform breast self-examination before knowing the results of mammography; 37 % women have a frequency of self-exploration once a month. 40 % dedicate time for self-care and 75 % of women consult doubts regarding the detection of alterations expressing interest in their health care in 96 %. Conclusions: the knowledge and self-care ability against breast cancer prevention in the participants was regular, and they had inadequate practice on breast self-examination techniques. The attitude of women toward breast self-examination facilitates communication channels for information and education on self-care practices in the prevention of breast cancer.Introducción: el cáncer de mama es el tumor maligno más frecuente en mujeres tanto en países desarrollados como en desarrollo. El desconocimiento de prácticas de autocuidado en pro de la prevención y diagnóstico oportuno conlleva a que un gran porcentaje de mujeres acuda a consulta cuando las lesiones se encuentran en etapas avanzadas del cáncer, dificultando las oportunidades de curación. Objetivo: determinar las acciones de autocuidado para la prevención del cáncer de mama, en usuarias con mamografía positiva de una institución Prestadora de Servicios de Salud en la ciudad de Manizales, Caldas durante el tiempo comprendido entre 2014 y 2016. Métodos: se realizó un estudio cuantitativo observacional descriptivo de corte transversal. 103 mujeres participaron respondiendo un instrumento tipo encuesta. Resultados: la población en estudio tuvo una edad media de 63 años, el 38,8 % casadas, y nivel de escolaridad básica primaria incompleta en un 24,3 %. El 85,4 % de las mujeres son capaces de realizar un trabajo y actividades normales de la vida diaria; un 48,5 % nunca realizan el autoexamen de seno antes de conocer resultado de la mamografía; 37 % de las mujeres tienen una frecuencia de realización de la autoexploración una vez al mes. Un 40 % dedican tiempo para el cuidado de sí misma y un 75 % consultan las dudas frente a la detección de alteraciones manifestando interés por el cuidado de su salud en un 96 %. Conclusión: el conocimiento y la capacidad de autocuidado frente a la prevención del cáncer de mama en la población objeto de estudio es regular, tienen una práctica inadecuada sobre la técnica para la exploración mamaria y la actitud de las mujeres frente el autoexamen de seno facilita los canales de comunicación para la información y educación sobre prácticas de autocuidado frente a la prevención del cáncer de mama

Efecto de Triticum aestivum (trigo) sobre la arquitectura de los hepatocitos de Rattus rattus var. albinus irradiados con Rayos X

El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el efecto de  la dieta con Triticum aestivum (trigo) en las modificaciones estructurales en hepatocitos de Rattus rattus var. albinus irradiados con rayos X. Se utilizaron 24 ratas albinas, machos adultos, con peso entre 200 a 250 g, los cuales fueron distribuidos al azar en 2 grupos: control y experimental, con 12 animales cada uno. El grupo control fue subdividido al azar en 2 subgrupos, el D: que no recibió trigo y no fue irradiado, y el B: que no recibió trigo pero fue irradiado. El grupo Experimental fue subdividido al azar en 2 subgrupos, el C: que recibió trigo y no fue irradiado y el A: que recibió trigo y si fue irradiado. La administración oral de trigo se realizó durante 16 días previos al estudio, los  animales fueron alojados en jaulas, anestesiados con pentobarbital al 0,6% en dosis de 0,5 ml/kg p.c, v.i.p y luego irradiados con Rayos X, 18 mSv, en el Centro de ESSALUD- El Porvenir-La Libertad. A los 15 días de la irradiación, se sacrificaron los animales para el estudio histopatológico. Los resultados evidencian que los animales irradiados del grupo control (B) presentaron vasos sanguíneos congestionados, zonas de hemorragia y marcada necrosis de hepatocitos, por el contrario los animales del grupo experimental (A) mostraron ausencia de la congestión y hemorragia vascular, escasa necrosis de hepatocitos. Se concluye que la dieta con Triticum aestivum (trigo) protege y mantiene la estructura del hepatocito en hígado de Rattus rattus var. Albinus. Palabras clave: Triticum aestivum, Rayos X, hepatocito, Rattus rattus var. Albinus

Respuesta celular esofágica a la administración de una dieta con Triticum aestivum (trigo) en Rattus rattus var. albinus irradiados con rayos X

La finalidad de esta investigación fue determinar la respuesta celular, a la administración de Triticum aestivum (trigo) como dieta, a nivel de esofágo de Rattus rattus var. albinus irradiados con rayos X. Se utilizaron 24 ratas albinas, machos adultos, con peso entre 200 a 250 g, los cuales fueron distribuidos al azar en 2 grupos: control y experimental, con 12 animales cada uno. El grupo control fue subdividido al azar  en 2 subgrupos, el D: que no recibió trigo y no fue irradiado, y el  B: que no recibió trigo pero fue irradiado. El grupo Experimental fue subdividido al azar en 2 subgrupos, el C: que recibió trigo y no fue irradiado y el A: que recibió trigo y si fue irradiado. La administración oral de trigo se realizó durante 16 días previos a la irradiación realizada con Rayos X, 18 mSv, los animales fueron alojados en jaulas, anestesiados con pentobarbital al 0,6% en dosis de 0,5 ml/kg p.c,  v.i.p y  luego llevados a la Sala de Rayos X en el Centro de ESSALUD- El Porvenir-La Libertad. A los 15 días de la irradiación, se sacrificaron los animales para el estudio histopatológico. Los resultados evidencian que los animales irradiados del grupo control presentaron daños  en la capa mucosa y submucosa de las células esofágicas, así mismo infiltrados celulares desde la serosa hasta la mucosa e hiperplasia de células de la capa basal, por el contrario los animales del grupo experimental mostraron un epitelio escamoso estratificado normal  y células escamosas conservadas en el esófago de Rattus rattus var. albinus. Se concluye que la dieta con Triticum aestivum  (trigo) evita el daño celular de las radiaciones X, en esófago de Rattus rattus var. Albinus.  Palabras clave: Triticum aestivum, Rayos X,  esófago, Rattus rattus var. albinu

Rainbow Trout Erythrocytes ex vivo Transfection With a DNA Vaccine Encoding VHSV Glycoprotein G Induces an Antiviral Immune Response

Fish red blood cells (RBCs), are integral in several biologic processes relevant to immunity, such as pathogen recognition, pathogen binding and clearance, and production of effector molecules and cytokines. So far, one of the best strategies to control and prevent viral diseases in aquaculture is DNA immunization. DNA vaccines (based on the rhabdoviral glycoprotein G [gpG] gene) have been shown to be effective against fish rhabdoviruses. However, more knowledge about the immune response triggered by DNA immunization is necessary to develop novel and more effective strategies. In this study, we investigated the role of fish RBCs in immune responses induced by DNA vaccines. We show for the first time that rainbow trout RBCs express gpG of viral hemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) (GVHSV) when transfected with the DNA vaccine ex vivo and modulate the expression of immune genes and proteins. Functional network analysis of transcriptome profiling of RBCs expressing GVHSV revealed changes in gene expression related to G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-downstream signaling, complement activation, and RAR related orphan receptor α (RORA). Proteomic profile functional network analysis of GVHSV-transfected RBCs revealed proteins involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species, interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) antiviral mechanisms, antigen presentation of exogenous peptides, and the proteasome. Conditioned medium of GVHSV-transfected RBCs conferred antiviral protection and induced ifn1 and mx gene expression in RTG-2 cells infected with VHSV. In summary, rainbow trout nucleated RBCs could be actively participating in the regulation of the fish immune response to GVHSV DNA vaccine, and thus may represent a possible carrier cells for the development of new vaccine approaches

Low Doses of Glyphosate/Roundup Alter Blood–Testis Barrier Integrity in Juvenile Rats

It has been postulated that glyphosate (G) or its commercial formulation Roundup (R) might lead to male fertility impairment. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of G or R treatment of juvenile male rats on blood-testis barrier function and on adult male sperm production. Pups were randomly assigned to the following groups: control group (C), receiving water; G2 and G50 groups, receiving 2 and 50 mg/kg/day G respectively; and R2 and R50 groups receiving 2 and 50 mg/kg/day R respectively. Treatments were performed orally from postnatal day (PND) 14 to 30, period of life that is essential to complete a functional blood-testis barrier. Evaluation was done on PND 31. No differences in body and testis weight were observed between groups. Testis histological analysis showed disorganized seminiferous epithelium, with apparent low cellular adhesion in treated animals. Blood-testis barrier permeability to a biotin tracer was examined. A significant increase in permeable tubules was observed in treated groups. To evaluate possible mechanisms that could explain the effects on blood-testis barrier permeability, intratesticular testosterone levels, androgen receptor expression, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the expression of intercellular junction proteins (claudin11, occludin, ZO-1, connexin43, 46, and 50 which are components of the blood-testis barrier) were examined. No modifications in the above-mentioned parameters were detected. To evaluate whether juvenile exposure to G and R could have consequences during adulthood, a set of animals of the R50 group was allowed to grow up until PND 90. Histological analysis showed that control and R50 groups had normal cellular associations and complete spermatogenesis. Also, blood-testis barrier function was recovered and testicular weight, daily sperm production, and epididymal sperm motility and morphology did not seem to be modified by juvenile treatment. In conclusion, the results presented herein show that continuous exposure to low doses of G or R alters blood-testis barrier permeability in juvenile rats. However, considering that adult animals treated during the juvenile stage showed no differences in daily sperm production compared with control animals, it is feasible to think that blood-testis barrier impairment is a reversible phenomenon. More studies are needed to determine possible damage in the reproductive function of human juvenile populations exposed to low doses of G or R.Fil: Gorga, Agostina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada"; ArgentinaFil: Rindone, Gustavo Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada"; ArgentinaFil: Centola, Cecilia Lucia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada"; ArgentinaFil: Sobarzo, Cristian Marcelo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Pellizzari, Eliana Herminia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada"; ArgentinaFil: Camberos, Maria del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada"; ArgentinaFil: Marin Briggiler, Clara Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Cohen, Debora Juana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Riera, Maria Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada"; ArgentinaFil: Galardo, Maria Noel Lujan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada"; ArgentinaFil: Meroni, Silvina Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada". Fundación de Endocrinología Infantil. Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergada"; Argentin

Effects of intubation timing in patients with COVID-19 throughout the four waves of the pandemic : a matched analysis

The primary aim of our study was to investigate the association between intubation timing and hospital mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated respiratory failure. We also analysed both the impact of such timing throughout the first four pandemic waves and the influence of prior non-invasive respiratory support on outcomes. This is a secondary analysis of a multicentre, observational and prospective cohort study that included all consecutive patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 from across 58 Spanish intensive care units (ICU) participating in the CIBERESUCICOVID project. The study period was between 29 February 2020 and 31 August 2021. Early intubation was defined as that occurring within the first 24 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to achieve balance across baseline variables between the early intubation cohort and those patients who were intubated after the first 24 h of ICU admission. Differences in outcomes between early and delayed intubation were also assessed. We performed sensitivity analyses to consider a different timepoint (48 h from ICU admission) for early and delayed intubation. Of the 2725 patients who received invasive mechanical ventilation, a total of 614 matched patients were included in the analysis (307 for each group). In the unmatched population, there were no differences in mortality between the early and delayed groups. After PS matching, patients with delayed intubation presented higher hospital mortality (27.3% versus 37.1%, p =0.01), ICU mortality (25.7% versus 36.1%, p=0.007) and 90-day mortality (30.9% versus 40.2%, p=0.02) when compared to the early intubation group. Very similar findings were observed when we used a 48-hour timepoint for early or delayed intubation. The use of early intubation decreased after the first wave of the pandemic (72%, 49%, 46% and 45% in the first, second, third and fourth wave, respectively; first versus second, third and fourth waves p<0.001). In both the main and sensitivity analyses, hospital mortality was lower in patients receiving high-flow nasal cannula (n=294) who were intubated earlier. The subgroup of patients undergoing NIV (n=214) before intubation showed higher mortality when delayed intubation was set as that occurring after 48 h from ICU admission, but not when after 24 h. In patients with COVID-19 requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, delayed intubation was associated with a higher risk of hospital mortality. The use of early intubation significantly decreased throughout the course of the pandemic. Benefits of such an approach occurred more notably in patients who had received high-flow nasal cannul

Prognostic implications of comorbidity patterns in critically ill COVID-19 patients: A multicenter, observational study

Background The clinical heterogeneity of COVID-19 suggests the existence of different phenotypes with prognostic implications. We aimed to analyze comorbidity patterns in critically ill COVID-19 patients and assess their impact on in-hospital outcomes, response to treatment and sequelae. Methods Multicenter prospective/retrospective observational study in intensive care units of 55 Spanish hospitals. 5866 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients had comorbidities recorded at hospital admission; clinical and biological parameters, in-hospital procedures and complications throughout the stay; and, clinical complications, persistent symptoms and sequelae at 3 and 6 months. Findings Latent class analysis identified 3 phenotypes using training and test subcohorts: low-morbidity (n=3385; 58%), younger and with few comorbidities; high-morbidity (n=2074; 35%), with high comorbid burden; and renal-morbidity (n=407; 7%), with chronic kidney disease (CKD), high comorbidity burden and the worst oxygenation profile. Renal-morbidity and high-morbidity had more in-hospital complications and higher mortality risk than low-morbidity (adjusted HR (95% CI): 1.57 (1.34-1.84) and 1.16 (1.05-1.28), respectively). Corticosteroids, but not tocilizumab, were associated with lower mortality risk (HR (95% CI) 0.76 (0.63-0.93)), especially in renal-morbidity and high-morbidity. Renal-morbidity and high-morbidity showed the worst lung function throughout the follow-up, with renal-morbidity having the highest risk of infectious complications (6%), emergency visits (29%) or hospital readmissions (14%) at 6 months (p<0.01). Interpretation Comorbidity-based phenotypes were identified and associated with different expression of in-hospital complications, mortality, treatment response, and sequelae, with CKD playing a major role. This could help clinicians in day-to-day decision making including the management of post-discharge COVID-19 sequelae. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd