Creencias y alimentación

En el mundo hay un aumento en las tasas de sobrepeso, obesidad e inactividad física y de las enfermedades crónicas relacionadas a la nutrición (ECRN); (ECNT). En Venezuela es necesario un cambio en el patrón de alimentación pues se demostró la aparición de síndrome metabólico. Las intervenciones nutricionales preventivas deben efectuarse antes de la concepción, mantenerse durante la infancia y modificar los patrones de alimentación familiar. Tradicionalmente las campañas educativas que informan e instruyen a la población muestran resultados poco duraderos y no hay política de estado sistemática. El ejemplo contrastante por sus excelentes resultados es el programa “Food Dudes”. Sin embargo, para que los resultados sean duraderos es necesario mantener el programa y se implementó recientemente una fase II. En este trabajo se revisan otras evidencias que demuestran que las creencias de la población a intervenir pueden ser un factor de resistencia al cambio de conducta tal como se propone en los tres modelos conductuales revisados. Además se sugieren estrategias para confrontar y negociar las creencias limitantes generando un nuevo sistema de creencias propicio al cambio. Por último se presentan las fases de un modelo de intervención donde se estudian los factores determinantes del inicio, instalación y mantenimiento de la nueva conducta. En nuestro criterio lo novedoso de esta revisión es la presentación del uso de herramientas cognitivo-conductuales para la planificación de conductas que permiten asociar a la persona a sus logros futuros y se traducen en nuevas estrategias que facilitan mantener el nuevo estilo de vida.There has been an increase in overweight, obesity and diminished physical activity worldwide. In Venezuela the presence of metabolic syndrome was reported, therefore the change in dietary habits is mandatory. Preventive nutritional interventions should be a continuum from preconception until late childhood making a change in family habits. Traditionally nutrition educational programs inform and teach but the results measured as nutritional habit changes are poor due to the fact that there is no systematic nutritional intervention policy. The counter example is the “Food Dudes” program with excellent results. Nonetheless recent reviews showed that if the program is not maintained the results do not consolidate. Therefore a phase II is being implemented. This paper reviews other evidences showing that when a behavioral change is proposed personal and cultural beliefs could be partly responsible for the resistance to change, as it derives from the three behavioral models discussed. Strategies to confront and negotiate opposing beliefs are suggested in order to modify the belief system of the population into one prone to the behavioral change. An intervention model is reviewed and factors in the initiating, enacting and maintaining phases of behavioral change are discussed

KisSnp

E' un Software per la mappatura di SNPs su dati di sequenziamento grezzi (preassemblaggio)

MRI image artifact ontology: A Proposed Method for Improved Recognition.

International audienceMagnetic Resonance Imaging is an essential diagnostic imaging technique. The complexity of interpreting MRI images is often compounded by the presence of a wide range of artifacts which are often challenging to identify and eliminate. Ontology permits the construction of a knowledge database with which users can interact given an appropriate interface. The goal of this work is to create an interactive tool for the ontology of MRI artifacts that will allow a radiologist to compare any given MRI artifact image with those contained in the ontology. Material and method: Using Protégé 4, we have constructed the ontology with input from an expert in MRI artifacts and utilizing images exemplifying such artifacts. The graphical user interface has been built in Java and the linkage with the ontology made with Owl API. Results: Using the tool, users can compare imaging artifacts encountered in daily practice to those in the database. Once a user has identified the image the most similar to their own, they then have instantaneous access to the knowledge contained in the ontology about the artifact. Individual users can also submit images and have access to DICOM data

Genetic polymorphism for IFNγ +874T/A in patients with acute toxoplasmosis

INTRODUCTION: A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the gene encoding gamma interferon influences its production and is associated with severity of infectious diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association of IFNγ+874T/A SNP with duration of disease, morbidity, and development of retinochoroiditis in acute toxoplasmosis. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted among 30 patients and 90 controls. RESULTS: Although statistical associations were not confirmed, A-allele was more common among retinochoroiditis cases and prolonged illness, while T-allele was more frequent in severe disease. CONCLUSIONS: Despite few cases, the results could indicate a relation between IFNγ+874T/A single nucleotide polymorphism and clinical manifestations of toxoplasmosis