Dietary guidelines for children under 2 years of age in the context of nurturing care

Dietary guidelines provide advice on what to eat to different subsets of the population but often do not take into account the “how” to eat. Responsive feeding is a key dimension of responsive parenting involving reciprocity between the child and caregiver during the feeding process and is characterized by caregiver guidance and recognition of the child's cues of hunger and satiety. Evidence indicates that providing responsive feeding guidance to mothers on how to recognize and respond appropriately to children's hunger and satiety cues can lead to improved feeding practices and weight status and developmental outcomes among infants and young children. In addition, early and nurturing exposures to foods with different tastes and textures and positive role modelling help children to learn to eat healthy foods. The importance of improving caregiver's responsive feeding behaviours to ensure the adequate introduction of complementary foods is becoming increasing recognized, but responsive feeding principles have not been taken into account in a comprehensive way in the development of dietary guidelines. The incorporation of all responsive feeding principles into dietary guidelines has a strong potential to enhance their impact on early childhood development outcomes for infants and young children but will require adaptation to the different contexts across countries to ensure that they are culturally sensitive and grounded in a deep understanding of the types of foods and other resources available to diverse communities

Decalcification of cement mortars: Characterisation and modelling

This paper presents the results of a thorough microstructural characterisation of a set of cement mortars (made with three w/b ratios and five different cement types), degraded by the ammonium nitrate method. Both destructive and ultrasonic non-destructive techniques were used to characterise the samples. The initial calcium content of the samples plays a dominant role in both the advance of the degradation process and the degradation grade of the samples. In addition, the decalcification process kinetics and the degradation grade are modelled, using Fick’s second law of diffusion and the shrinking unreacted- core model. Two parametric equations are presented and used to estimate the decalcification process kinetics and the degradation grade using accessible microstructural parameters of the native mortars, such as the initial CaO content, the open porosity, and the cementitious matrix volume fraction. Furthermore, the degraded depth in the samples is measured using ultrasonic testing with an average error of about 10%

Famílies botàniques de plantes medicinals

Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona. Ensenyament: Grau de Farmàcia, Assignatura: Botànica Farmacèutica, Curs: 2013-2014, Coordinadors: Joan Simon, Cèsar Blanché i Maria Bosch.Els materials que aquí es presenten són els recull de 175 treballs d’una família botànica d’interès medicinal realitzats de manera individual. Els treballs han estat realitzat per la totalitat dels estudiants dels grups M-2 i M-3 de l’assignatura Botànica Farmacèutica durant els mesos d’abril i maig del curs 2013-14. Tots els treballs s’han dut a terme a través de la plataforma de GoogleDocs i han estat tutoritzats pel professor de l’assignatura i revisats i finalment co-avaluats entre els propis estudiants. L’objectiu principal de l’activitat ha estat fomentar l’aprenentatge autònom i col·laboratiu en Botànica farmacèutica

Actas de las V Jornadas ScienCity 2022. Fomento de la Cultura Científica, Tecnológica y de Innovación en Ciudades Inteligentes

ScienCity es una actividad que viene siendo continuada desde 2018 con el objetivo de dar a conocer los conocimientos y tecnologías emergentes siendo investigados en las universidades, informar de experiencias, servicios e iniciativas puestas ya en marcha por instituciones y empresas, llegar hasta decisores políticos que podrían crear sinergias, incentivar la creación de ideas y posibilidades de desarrollo conjuntas, implicar y provocar la participación ciudadana, así como gestar una red internacional multidisciplinar de investigadores que garantice la continuación de futuras ediciones. En 2022 se recibieron un total de 48 trabajos repartidos en 25 ponencias y 24 pósteres pertenecientes a 98 autores de 14 instituciones distintas de España, Portugal, Polonia y Países Bajos.Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología-Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; Consejería de la Presidencia, Administración Pública e Interior de la Junta de Andalucía; Estrategia de Política de Investigación y Transferencia de la Universidad de Huelva; Cátedra de Innovación Social de Aguas de Huelva; Cátedra de la Provincia; Grupo de investigación TEP-192 de Control y Robótica; Centro de Investigación en Tecnología, Energía y Sostenibilidad (CITES

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Conditional cash transfer programs and the health and nutrition of Latin American children

ABSTRACT Objective To 1) describe the benefits, conditions, coverage, funding, goals, governance, and structure of well-established conditional cash transfer programs (CCTs) in Latin America and 2) identify their health and nutritional impacts among children under 5 years old. Methods A realist review was conducted. CCTs were included if they met the following inclusion criteria: 1) current national-level program; 2) coverage of at least 50% of the target population; 3) continuous operation at scale for 10+ years; 4) clear description of structure, funding sources, and governance; 5) both health/nutrition- and education-related conditions for participation; and 6) available impact evaluation studies with health, development, and/or nutrition indicators among children under 5 years old. Three CCTs (one each in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico) met the criteria. Results There was consistent evidence that the three CCTs selected for review had positive impacts on child health and nutrition outcomes in their respective countries. In all three countries, the programs were scaled up and positive impacts were documented relatively quickly. All three programs had strong political support and clear and transparent governance structures, including accountability and social participation mechanisms, which might explain their success and sustainability. Conclusions CCTs in Latin America have had a positive impact on child health and nutrition outcomes among the poorest families. A key challenge for the future is to reform these programs to help families move out of not only extreme poverty but all poverty in order to lead healthy and productive lives, as called for in the post-2105 Sustainable Development Goals

Acculturation Patterns and Depressive Symptoms among Low-income Pregnant Latina Women

Abstract This article examined the relationship between levels of acculturation and depression among pregnant Latina women. Among child bearing Latinas, higher acculturation has been found to be significantly associated with increased mental health problem

Acculturation, socioeconomic status, obesity and lifestyle factors among low-income Puerto Rican women in Connecticut, U.S., 1998-1999 Aculturación, clase social, obesidad y factores relacionados con el estilo de vida en mujeres puertorriqueñas de bajos ingresos residentes del estado de Connecticut, Estados Unidos, 1998-1999

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of socioeconomic status and acculturation with obesity and lifestyle characteristics that may be risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease among low-income Puerto Rican women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1998 and 1999 by interviewing a convenience sample of 200 low-income Puerto Rican female caretakers of young children in Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America. Various recruitment methods were used to ensure adequate representation of the target community. The associations of obesity (body mass index > 30.0) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, food intake) with socioeconomic status (education, employment, car ownership), acculturation, age, and marital status were examined with Spearman rho, chi-squared, and Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Mean age was 29 years. Obesity (40%), physical inactivity (47%), and cigarette smoking (32%) were common. Less acculturated participants were 57% less likely to smoke and 54% less likely to be obese than their more acculturated counterparts. Lower socioeconomic status (not finishing high school or not owning a car) was associated with a higher likelihood of obesity, but unemployed (vs. employed) women were less likely to be obese (P OBJETIVOS: Examinar las asociaciones entre el estado socioeconómico y la aculturación con las características del estilo de vida que podrían constituir factores de riesgo de diabetes y de enfermedades cardiovasculares en mujeres puertorriqueñas de bajos ingresos. MÉTODOS: Este estudio transversal se llevó a cabo entre 1998 y 1999 mediante entrevistas a una muestra de conveniencia compuesta de 200 mujeres puertorriqueñas de bajos ingresos que cuidaban a niños pequeños en Hartford, Connecticut, Estados Unidos de América. Se usaron diversas formas de reclutamiento para conseguir que hubiera una buena representación de la comunidad blanco. Las asociaciones entre la obesidad (índice de masa corporal > 30,0) y factores propios del estilo de vida (actividad física, tabaquismo, consumo de alcohol, alimentación) por un lado y la clase social (escolaridad, empleo, tenencia de un automóvil), aculturación, edad y estado civil por el otro se examinaron mediante la prueba de rho de Spearman, la de ji al cuadrado y la de la U de Mann-Whitney y análisis de regresión logística. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio fue de 29 años. La obesidad (40%), inactividad física (47%) y el tabaquismo (32%) fueron comunes. Las participantes con menos grado de aculturación fueron 57% menos propensas a ser fumadoras y 54% menos propensas a ser obesas que las que estaban más aculturadas. Pertenecer a una clase social más baja (no haber terminado la secundaria o no tener automóvil) se asoció con una mayor probabilidad de ser obesa, pero las mujeres sin trabajo (por oposición a las que sí lo tenían) mostraron menor propensión a ser obesas (P < 0,05). Las mujeres que no tenían automóvil consumían carne, huevos y pescado con menos frecuencia que las que sí lo tenían. Las fumadoras tenían más probabilidad de tener una alimentación malsana que las que no fumaban. CONCLUSIONES: Las asociaciones entre el grado de aculturación y el estado socioeconómico con algunas características del estilo de vida apuntan a la necesidad de crear programas apropiados desde el punto de vista cultural para promover conductas sanas en esta comunidad de bajos ingresos

Household food insecurity is associated with greater autonomic dysfunction testing score in Latinos with type 2 diabetes.

AimWe examined household food insecurity (HFI) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in a subset of low-income Latinos with type 2 diabetes with data from a stress management trial.MethodsInclusionLatino or Hispanic, Spanish speaking, age less than 18 years, ambulatory status, type 2 diabetes more than 6 months, A1c less than 7.0%. ExclusionPain or dysfunction in hands (e.g., arthritis) precluding handgrip testing; medical or psychiatric instability. HFI was assessed with the 6-item U.S. household food security survey module; with responses to > = 1 question considered HFI. An ANS dysfunction index was calculated from xix autonomic function tests which were scored 0 = normal or 1 = abnormal based on normative cutoffs and then summed. Autonomic function tests were: 1) 24-hour heart rate variability as reflected in standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (SDNN) heart rate acquired with 3-channel, 7-lead ambulatory electrocardiogram (Holter) monitors; 2) difference between the highest diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during sustained handgrip and the average DBP at rest; 3) difference between baseline supine and the minimal BP after standing up; and, from 24-hour urine specimens 4) cortisol, 5) normetanephrine, and, 6) metanephrine.ResultsThirty-five individuals participated, 23 (65.7%) of them were women, age mean = 61.6 (standard deviation = 11.2) years, HbA1c mean = 8.5% (standard deviation = 1.6) and 20 participants (57.1%) used insulin. Twenty-two participants (62.9%) reported HFI and 25 (71.4%) had one or more abnormal ANS measure. Independent t-tests showed that participants with HFI had a higher ANS dysfunction index (mean = 1.5, standard deviation = 0.9) than patients who were food secure (mean = 0.7, standard deviation = 0.8), p = 0.02. Controlling for financial strain did not change significance. Total ANS index was not related to glycemia, insulin use or other socioeconomic indicators. In this sample, HFI was associated with ANS dysfunction. Policies to improve food access and affordability may benefit health outcomes for Latinos with diabetes