De los modelos animales a la práctica psicológica: el surgimiento de algunas técnicas aplicadas a problemas de salud

The paper stands out the relevance and necessity of basic research as a particular mode of knowledge. The emergence of animal models and research paradigms in the origins of psychological science is described and mentioned several animal models used for studying certain human diseases. Finally, we illustrate the link between basic research with animals and the practice of psychology.Se destaca la relevancia y necesidad de la investigación básica como un modo particular de generación de conocimiento. Se describe el surgimiento de los modelos animales como paradigmas de investigación en los orígenes de la ciencia psicológica y se menciona el uso de varios de ellos para el estudio de ciertas patologías en humanos. Finalmente, se ilustra el vínculo entre la investigación básica con animales y la práctica de la psicología

Anorexia basada en actividad como un fenómeno de termorregulación

La Anorexia Basada en Actividad (ABA) es un fenómeno que resulta de exponer a ratas a un programa de alimentación de entre 1 y 1.5 h al día, concediéndole libre acceso a una rueda de actividad el resto del tiempo. Los efectos reportados son niveles altos de actividad sin una aparente compensación en la ingesta de comida y, en consecuencia, bajo peso corporal. Existen varias interpretaciones sobre las causas de este fenómeno, sin embargo, se reconocen dos principales teorías. Una de ellas afirma que la ABA es producto de un fallo adaptativo al nuevo régimen de alimentación y que la actividad en la rueda interfiere con esta adaptación. La segunda postura teórica afirma que la actividad adquiere propiedades reforzantes debido a la restricción de los alimentos, y que ella genera pérdida de peso y a su vez mayor actividad. Hasta el momento, ambas teorías han sido interpretadas contradictoriamente, no obstante, una serie de estudios ha revelado que la temperatura ambiental, y en consecuencia la temperatura corporal de los sujetos, juega un papel esencial en los hallazgos en el área, lo cual da sentido a ambas teorías y pone en evidencia su complementariedad. El objetivo de este documento es revisar la evidencia empírica que apoya la hipótesis de la ABA como un fenómeno de termorregulación

Formação de classes de equivalência em crianças pré-linguísticas de 11 meses de idade

Several studies have attempted to assess the role of naming in the emergence of equivalence relations, but results are inconsistent; on the one hand, there are reports of equivalence emerging without naming and on the other hand, some authors claim that naming is necessary for equivalence to emerge. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the emergence of equivalence relations in pre-linguistic infants. Five infants aged 11-to-12 months received training in four conditional discriminations (A1-B1, A2-B2, B1-C1, and B2-C2) in order to establish two three-member classes. The participants were tested in reflexivity, symmetry, transitivity and equivalence, and all scored higher than 75% on all tests. On the reflexivity tests, percentages were above 80%; on the symmetry tests, they varied from 75% to 100%; on the transitivity tests, they averaged 75%; while on the equivalence tests results ranged from 87.5% to 100% of correct responses. These results suggest that displaying some degree of expressive language is not necessary for the emergence of equivalence relations.Em vários estudos, tem-se tentado avaliar o papel da nomeação na emergência de relações de equivalência, contudo os resultados são inconsistentes, visto que, por um lado, existem relatos de emergência de equivalência em ausência de nomeação e, por outro, alguns autores indicam que a nomeação é necessária para que emerja equivalência. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a emergência de relações de equivalência em crianças pré-linguísticas; especificamente, usou-se uma amostra de cinco crianças de entre 11 e 12 meses que foram treinadas em quatro discriminações condicionais (A1-B1, A2-B2, B1-C1, B2C2) para formar duas classes de três membros. Os participantes foram avaliados em reflexividade, simetria, transitividade e equivalência, e todos atingiram pontuações maiores a 75 % de acertos em todos os testes. Como resultado, as porcentagens de respostas corretas foram maiores a 80 % no teste de reflexividade, variaram entre 87.5 % e 100 % no de equivalência. Esses resultados apontam a que não é necessário contar com algum tipo de repertório linguístico expressivo para que relações de equivalência emerjam. Palavras-chave: crianças pré-linguísticas, desenvolvimento linguístico, igualação arbitrária, nomear, relações de equivalência.En varios estudios se ha intentado evaluar el rol del nombramiento en la emergencia de relaciones de equivalencia, sin embargo, los resultados son inconsistentes, ya que existen reportes de emergencia de equivalencia en ausencia de nombramiento, y algunos autores señalan que el nombramiento es necesario para que emerja equivalencia. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la emergencia de relaciones de equivalencia en niños prelingüísticos. Se usó una muestra de cinco infantes de entre 11 y 12 meses de edad que fueron entrenados en cuatro discriminaciones condicionales (A1-B1, A2-B2, B1-C1, B2-C2) para formar dos clases de tres miembros. Los participantes fueron evaluados en reflexividad, simetría, transitividad y equivalencia, y todos lograron puntajes mayores al 75 % de aciertos en todas las pruebas. Como resultado, los porcentajes de respuestas correctas fueron mayores al 80 % en la prueba de reflexividad, variaron entre 75 y 100 % en la de simetría, promediaron 75 % en la de transitividad, y variaron entre 87.5 % y 100 % en la de equivalencia. Estos resultados apuntan a que no es necesario contar con algún tipo de repertorio lingüístico expresivo para que emerjan relaciones de equivalencia

Efectos del reforzamiento demorado en ratas expuestas a condiciones espacialmente variables

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effects of manipulating the reinforcement delay and the spatial distance between the manipulandum (lever) and the reinforcer (water) on the response maintenance by rats. Four groups were exposed to temporally defined programs, the first response within a 30 seconds cycle produced the reinforcer delivery. The Group 1 was exposed to conditions of increased spatial distance through three phases. Group 2 was exposed to conditions of decreased spatial distance through three phases. The reinforcer was delivered at the end of the cycle (delay). For Groups 3 and 4 the reinforcer was delivered after the first lever press. The results showed that the response rate was an inverse function of increasing the reinforcement delay and the spatial distance between the manipulandum and the light-liquid dispenser set. But, this effect was most pronounced when these variables were combined.Se evaluaron los efectos de manipular la demora de reforzamiento y la distancia espacial entre el manipulandum (palanca) y el reforzador (agua) sobre el mantenimiento del palanqueo en ratas. Cuatro grupos fueron expuestos a programas temporales en los que podían producir el reforzador si presionaban una palanca al menos una vez a lo largo de un ciclo de 30 segundos. Para el Grupo 1 la distancia espacial entre el manipulandum y el bebedero fue aumentando a través de tres fases, mientras que para el Grupo 2 esta distancia fue disminuyendo. Para ambos grupos el reforzador se entregó al final del ciclo. A los Grupos 3 y 4 el reforzador fue entregado de forma inmediata. Los resultados mostraron que la tasa de respuesta fue una función inversa de aumentar la demora de reforzamiento y la distancia espacial. Pero, este efecto fue más pronunciado al combinar estas variables

Biodiversity of vertebrates in Argentina: patterns of richness, endemism and conservation status

Optimising conservation efforts requires an accurate record of the extant species as well as their geographic distributions. Nevertheless, most current conservation strategies start from an incomplete biodiversity inventory. Argentina has an extraordinary diversity of species, however, until now an updated inventory of its fauna has not been carried out. In this context, the main objective of this work is to present the results of the first national inventory of vertebrate species. Experts from each major vertebrate taxonomic group assembled and compiled its respective inventory. The information gathered included taxonomic rank, conservation status, endemism and geographic distribution. Species richness and representativeness were calculated for each taxonomic group, distinguishing between native, endemic and exotic, for each Argentinian province. Our results show Argentina harbours 3,303 species: 574 marine fish, 561 freshwater fish, 177 amphibians, 450 reptiles, 1,113 birds, and 428 mammals. Native species constitute 98.1% of the total taxa. The results achieved were spatially represented showing a pattern of higher richness from north to south and from east to west. Species considered as threatened account for 17.8% and 15.2% are endemic. There are five Extinct species. These results provide key information on developing strategies and public policies at the national and provincial levels and constitute a tool for the management and conservation of biodiversity.Fil: Bauni, Valeria. Universidad Maimónides; ArgentinaFil: Bertonatti, Claudio. Universidad Maimónides; ArgentinaFil: Giacchino, Adrián. Universidad Maimónides; ArgentinaFil: Schivo, Facundo Mauro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Biodiversidad, Limnología y Conservación; ArgentinaFil: Mabragaña, Ezequiel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Roesler, Carlos Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Bariloche; Argentina. Aves Argentinas. Asociación Ornitológica del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Rosso, Juan Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Teta, Pablo Vicente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Williams, Jorge Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados; ArgentinaFil: Abba, Agustin Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Cassini, Guillermo Hernán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Cousseau, María Berta. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Flores, David Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Fortunato, Damian Marcelo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Giusti, Maria Emilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Jayat, Jorge Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; ArgentinaFil: Liotta, Jorge. Museo Regional de Ciencias Naturales "A. Scasso"; ArgentinaFil: Lucero, Sergio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Martínez Aguirre, Tomás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados; ArgentinaFil: Pereira, Javier Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Crisci, Jorge Victor. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentin

The involvement of thaumatin-like proteins in plant food cross-reactivity: a multicenter study using a specific protein microarray.

Cross-reactivity of plant foods is an important phenomenon in allergy, with geographical variations with respect to the number and prevalence of the allergens involved in this process, whose complexity requires detailed studies. We have addressed the role of thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) in cross-reactivity between fruit and pollen allergies. A representative panel of 16 purified TLPs was printed onto an allergen microarray. The proteins selected belonged to the sources most frequently associated with peach allergy in representative regions of Spain. Sera from two groups of well characterized patients, one with allergy to Rosaceae fruit (FAG) and another against pollens but tolerant to food-plant allergens (PAG), were obtained from seven geographical areas with different environmental pollen profiles. Cross-reactivity between members of this family was demonstrated by inhibition assays. Only 6 out of 16 purified TLPs showed noticeable allergenic activity in the studied populations. Pru p 2.0201, the peach TLP (41%), chestnut TLP (24%) and plane pollen TLP (22%) proved to be allergens of probable relevance to fruit allergy, being mainly associated with pollen sensitization, and strongly linked to specific geographical areas such as Barcelona, Bilbao, the Canary Islands and Madrid. The patients exhibited mayor que50% positive response to Pru p 2.0201 and to chestnut TLP in these specific areas. Therefore, their recognition patterns were associated with the geographical area, suggesting a role for pollen in the sensitization of these allergens. Finally, the co-sensitizations of patients considering pairs of TLP allergens were analyzed by using the co-sensitization graph associated with an allergen microarray immunoassay. Our data indicate that TLPs are significant allergens in plant food allergy and should be considered when diagnosing and treating pollen-food allergy

Compromising between European and US allergen immunotherapy schools: Discussions from GUIMIT, the Mexican immunotherapy guidelines

Background: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has a longstanding history and still remains the only disease-changing treatment for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Over the years 2 different schools have developed their strategies: the United States (US) and the European. Allergen extracts available in these regions are adapted to local practice. In other parts of the world, extracts from both regions and local ones are commercialized, as in Mexico. Here, local experts developed a national AIT guideline (GUIMIT 2019) searching for compromises between both schools. Methods: Using ADAPTE methodology for transculturizing guidelines and AGREE-II for evaluating guideline quality, GUIMIT selected 3 high-quality Main Reference Guidelines (MRGs): the European Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (EAACI) guideines, the S2k guideline of various German-speaking medical societies (2014), and the US Practice Parameters on Allergen Immunotherapy 2011. We formulated clinical questions and based responses on the fused evidence available in the MRGs, combined with local possibilities, patient's preference, and costs. We came across several issues on which the MRGs disagreed. These are presented here along with arguments of GUIMIT members to resolve them. GUIMIT (for a complete English version, see Supplementary data) concluded the following: Results: Related to the diagnosis of IgE-mediated respiratory allergy, apart from skin prick testing complementary tests (challenges, in vitro testing and molecular such as species-specific allergens) might be useful in selected cases to inform AIT composition. AIT is indicated in allergic rhinitis and suggested in allergic asthma (once controlled) and IgE-mediated atopic dermatitis. Concerning the correct subcutaneous AIT dose for compounding vials according to the US school: dosing tables and formula are given; up to 4 non-related allergens can be mixed, refraining from mixing high with low protease extracts. When using European extracts: the manufacturer's indications should be followed; in multi-allergic patients 2 simultaneous injections can be given (100% consensus); mixing is discouraged. In Mexico only allergoid tablets are available; based on doses used in all sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) publications referenced in MRGs, GUIMIT suggests a probable effective dose related to subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) might be: 50–200% of the monthly SCIT dose given daily, maximum mixing 4 allergens. Also, a table with practical suggestions on non-evidence-existing issues, developed with a simplified Delphi method, is added. Finally, dissemination and implementation of guidelines is briefly discussed, explaining how we used online tools for this in Mexico. Conclusions: Countries where European and American AIT extracts are available should adjust AIT according to which school is followed

Maternal dietary patterns and acute leukemia in infants: results from a case control study in Mexico

BackgroundChildhood cancer is the leading cause of disease-related mortality among children aged 5–14 years in Mexico, with acute leukemia being the most common cancer among infants. Examining the overall dietary patterns allows for a comprehensive assessment of food and nutrient consumption, providing a more predictive measure of disease risk than individual foods or nutrients. This study aims to evaluate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in Mexican infants.MethodsA hospital-based case–control study was conducted, comparing 109 confirmed acute leukemia cases with 152 age-matched controls. All participants (≤24 months) were identified at hospitals in Mexico City between 2010 and 2019. Data on a posteriori dietary patterns and other relevant variables were collected through structured interviews and dietary questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to estimate the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the risk of acute leukemia in infants.ResultsThe “Balanced & Vegetable-Rich” pattern, characterized by a balanced consumption of various food groups and higher vegetable intake, exhibited a negative association with acute leukemia when compared to the “High Dairy & Cereals” Pattern (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29, 0.90). We observed that mothers who gave birth to girls and adhered to a healthy dietary pattern during pregnancy exhibited significantly lower odds of their children developing AL compared to those who gave birth to boys [OR = 0.32 (95% CI 0.11, 0.97)]. Our results underscore the significance of maternal nutrition as a modifiable factor in disease prevention and the importance of prenatal health education

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio