Estrés en padres de niños con diagnóstico de trastorno del espectro autista en una institución privada, Lima-Perú, 2022

Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de estrés en padres de niños diagnosticados de trastorno del espectro autista (TEA), en el Instituto para el Desarrollo Infantil-ARIE, sede San Juan de Lurigancho (SJL), 2022. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo y transversal en el Instituto para el Desarrollo Infantil-ARIE, sede SJL, Lima-Perú. Se incluyeron a todos los padres (n = 79) con hijos ≤8 años con TEA y que cursaban terapias durante el 2022, por lo que no se requirió muestreo. Se utilizó el cuestionario de estrés parental (PSI-SF) para hallar el estrés en los padres. Este test se ha utilizado en otras investigaciones, y posee una valoración de coeficiente alfa de Cronbach de 0,93. Se analizaron las variables sexo de los padres y del menor, edad, grado de instrucción y tipo de familia con el programa SPSS, versión 27, mediante estadística descriptiva y chi cuadrado. Resultados: Se encuestó a 79 padres, cuya edad promedio fue 35,20 (DE: 5,217) y cuyo sexo predominante fue el femenino (68,35 %). El 73,41 % de padres tiene estudios superiores. El estrés parental percibido por las madres (83,33 %) es ligeramente más alto que el de los padres (60 %) (p < 0,05). Hay asociación entre el nivel de estrés de los padres y el sexo del hijo, siendo los varones (82,1 %) quienes producen mayor estrés en comparación con las mujeres (60,9 %). Las familias monoparentales han presentado mayor nivel de estrés, con un 95,46 %, a diferencia de las biparentales, con un 64,42 % (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: La mayoría de los padres y madres con hijos con TEA presentan estrés clínicamente significativo, con puntaje mayor a 90, siendo las segundas las que presentan un mayor grado de estrés. Hay asociación significativa entre el estrés parental y el sexo del hijo y el tipo de familia (p < 0,05)

Evidence against a cognitive advantage in the older bilingual population

Recent evidence has challenged long-standing claims that multi-language acquisition confers long-term advantages in executive function and may protect against age-related cognitive deterioration. We assessed evidence for a bilingual advantage in older monolingual and bilingual residents matched on age, gender and socioeconomic status. A comprehensive battery of tests was administered to measure non-verbal reasoning, working memory capacity, visuo-spatial memory, response inhibition, problem-solving and language proficiency. Analyses, including Bayes factors, revealed comparable performance in both groups, with no significant differences on any task (and the only trend, found for the Tower of London task performance, indicated a monolingual advantage). Overall, therefore, our findings run counter to the bilingual advantage hypothesis. We consider the implications of our study, and offer suggestions for future work in this area

Potential use of isomaltulose to produce healthier marshmallows

Isomaltulose is a non-cariogenic sugar with a lower glycemic index but with the same caloric value and visual appearance as sucrose. Therefore, isomaltulose could potentially be used to produce healthier candies. In this regard, the aim of this research was to evaluate isomaltulose as a traditional sugar replacer in soft marshmallow type candies, in order to provide added value to these widely consumed products, making it possible to capture a new market niche. 18 formulations were studied combining different sugars (sucrose, glucose syrup, fructose and isomaltulose) and different percentages of gelatine (4, 5 and 6). Analyses of composition (degrees Brix and moisture content), pH and water activity (a(w)), instrumental colour and texture as well as a sensorial analysis were performed. Marshmallows with isomaltulose combined with fructose exhibited the lowest values of pH (4.99-5.14). Moreover, formulations with similar amount of isomaltulose and fructose presented lower instrumental hardness, higher cohesiveness and springiness, and the best sensory acceptance. A PLS multivariate analysis showed a good correlation between instrumental and sensory mechanical parameters. Therefore, instrumental measures of texture could be suitable for discerning an overall preference for marshmallows without using trained panellists. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.The authors thank the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for funding the project PAID 2011-ref: 2012 and the PhD scholarship.Periche Santamaría, A.; Heredia Gutiérrez, AB.; Escriche Roberto, MI.; Andrés Grau, AM.; Castelló Gómez, ML. (2015). Potential use of isomaltulose to produce healthier marshmallows. Food Science and Technology. 62(1):605-612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2014.12.024S60561262

Acute effects of interferon-alpha on cellular anabolic and catabolic processes are associated with the development of fatigue during Interferon-alpha-based therapy for Hepatitis-C: A preliminary study

Introduction Interferon-alpha (IFN-α) is a key mediator of antiviral immune responses used to treat Hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection. Though clinically effective, IFN-α frequently induces functionally impairing mood and motivation symptoms, particularly fatigue. Unlike mood impairment, which typically emerges after weeks of treatment, fatigue tends to emerge and evolve rapidly, typically within hours of the first IFN-α injection. Despite being a major source of functional impairment during IFN-α and other immune-based therapies, the biological mechanisms underlying fatigue remain poorly understood. Here, we aimed to identify acute immune-response signatures to IFN-α that could predict the later development of fatigue. Methods In this exploratory study, we analyzed whole blood transcriptomics in a longitudinal sample of 27 HCV patients initiating IFN-α and Ribavirin therapy. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and 4½ hours after the first IFN-α dose and transcriptomic data was obtained using Affymetrix Human Gene 1.1 ST Array Strips. Gene expression data visualization and quality control were assessed using Partek Genomics Suite V6.6 and protein–protein interaction networks using STRING and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). A Fatigue Visual Analogue Scale (fVAS) was utilized to record fatigue symptoms at baseline, 4½ hours and 4 weeks after initiation of treatment. Results IFN-α was associated with an upregulation of 526 transcripts and a downregulation of 228 genes, indicating a rapid transcriptomic response in whole blood within 4½ hours of injection. 93 genes were significantly positively correlated with changes in fatigue, with gene expression changes measured from baseline to 4.5 h and increases in fatigue assessed from baseline to week 4 on the fVAS. We identified a novel network of predominantly cytosolic ribosomal units and ubiquitin proteins implicated in modulating mTOR signaling that was associated with the development of fatigue 4 weeks after initiation of IFN-α treatment (p = 0.0078). Conclusion Our findings suggest that acute activation of this anabolic/catabolic network by IFN-α may predispose to the experience of fatigue similar to evidence found in cancer-related fatigue. Further investigation is warranted to confirm the exploratory nature of these observations

Physicochemical characteristics of citrus jelly with non cariogenic and functional sweeteners

In this study the effect of sweeteners with low glycemic index and non-cariogenic characteristics (isomaltulose, oligofructose and tagatose) in jelly prepared with citrus juice has been evaluated considering a citrus jelly formulated with sucrose as reference. The soluble solids, moisture content, pH, water activity, antioxidant capacity, optical and mechanical properties of jelly made using different sweeteners was determined during storage. Besides, mesophilic aerobics and moulds and yeasts was also counted to determine their stability over time. Sensory evaluation of the citrus jelly has also been done. The results showed the antioxidant activity decreased during storage in all formulations. Tagatose increased lightness whereas coordinates a*, b* and chrome of all the jellies prepared using new sweeteners were lower than jellies with sucrose. However, citrus jelly with only oligofructose or tagatose or with the mixture of isomaltulose and tagatose were most closely resembled to the control jelly with respect to mechanical properties. Jelly prepared with the combination of isomaltulose and tagatose in equal proportions obtained the best score in the sensorial analysis.The authors would like to thank the Serigo-Andres family for donating the raw materials, and also the GVA projects GV/2013/029, GV/2014/012 as well as the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia (Spain) for the financial support given to this research study (UPV PAID-06-12 SP20120889).Rubio-Arraez, S.; Capella Hernández, JV.; Castelló Gómez, ML.; Ortolá Ortolá, MD. (2016). Physicochemical characteristics of citrus jelly with non cariogenic and functional sweeteners. 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Arsenic in Peruvian rice cultivated in the major rice growing region of Tumbes river basin

Arsenic (As) exposure from surface and groundwater in Peru is being recognised as a 16 potential threat but there are limited studies on As in the food-chain and none on As in 17 Peruvian rice. In this study, we have determined the As content in rice cultivated in the 18 Tumbes river basin located in the northern province of Peru, an area known for extensive rice 19 cultivation. We collected rice and soil samples from agricultural fields, soil was collected 20 using grid sampling technique while rice was collected from the heaps of harvested crop 21 placed across the fields. The average total As concentration in rice was 167.94 ± 71 μg kg-1 22 (n=29; range 68.39-345.31 μg kg-1). While the rice As levels were not highly elevated, the As 23 content of few samples (n=7) greater than 200 μg kg-1 could contribute negatively to human health upon chronic exposure. Average concentration of As in soil was 8.63 ± 7.8 mg kg-1 25 (n=30) and soil to grain transfer factor was 0.025 ± 0.018 for 12 matched samples. Compared 26 to our previous pilot study in 2006 (samples collected from the same agricultural fields but 27 not from exact locations) there was a 41% decrease in As soil concentration in this study. 28 Rice samples collected in 2006 (n=5) had a mean concentration of 420 ± 109 μg kg-1. Our 29 data provides a baseline of rice grain As concentrations in Peruvian province of Tumbes and 30 warrants further studies on factors affecting uptake of As by the rice varieties cultivated in 31 Peru and any potential human health risks

The discharge and shell temperatures in hermetic compressors during its operation in tropical weather conditions

Abstract Hermetic compressors are essential components of domestic refrigerators and freezers and are usually designed to operate in ambient temperatures under 32°C. This study measures the discharge and shell temperatures of hermetic compressors at different ambient temperatures. To this end, calorimetric tests are conducted in three different hermetic compressors to define the impact of tropical ambient temperatures on the discharge and shell temperatures. Environmental temperatures of 35, and 38°C and voltages of 93, 115, and 127 V were considered during the tests. Thi results are compared to the nominal parameters at 32°C and 115V. Furthermore, to identify if the wear-out of the different components affect the discharge and shell temperatures, the three compressors were tested in the calorimeter after an accelerated life test. In all cases, the evaporation temperature was controlled at -23 °C. Results show that the discharge and shell temperatures of hermetic compressors increase with the ambient temperature. Additionally, it is evidenced that the technology of hermetic compressors strongly influences the discharge and shell temperatures.</jats:p