Perfil biosociodemográfico del cuidador principal informal del adulto mayor en una región de Ecuador / Biosociodemographic profile of the primary informal caregiver of the elderly in a region of Ecuador

La necesidad de servicios de cuidados prolongados a adultos mayores origina la actividad de ayuda no profesional y a la figura del cuidador principal informal. El objetivo de la investiga-ción fue describir el perfil del cuidador principal informal acompañante del paciente a consulta externa del Hospital de Atención Integral del Adulto Mayor en el último trimestre de 2021. Se hizo un estudio cuantitativo, observacional y descriptivo, en una población de 322 cuidadores principales informales de adultos mayores en el último trimestre de 2021, seleccionando una muestra de 190 individuos mediante un procedimiento del tipo sujetos voluntarios. El instrumento aplicado fue una guía de entrevista estructurada basada en la Encuesta de caracterización del cuidado de la díada cuidador familiar-persona con enfermedad crónica. Existió un predominio del cuidador de sexo femenino (83,2%); los hijos de los adultos mayores (57,9%); las personas casadas (48,9%); los que viven con el adulto mayor (42,6%); aquellos que ejercen esa función desde entre 1 y 6 años (57,9%) y los que dedican hasta 15 horas (58,9%). Además, el 86,3% realiza quehaceres domésticos. Se observó un deterioro de la condición de salud luego de iniciar en las funciones del cuidado y todos mencionaron padecer de alguna enfermedad; sin embargo, prevalecieron los que señalan recibir efectos emocionales positivos a partir del cuidado.

The need for long-term care services for the elderly originates the activity of non-professional help and the figure of the informal primary caregiver. This research aimed to describe the profile of the primary informal caregiver who accompanied the patient to the outpatient clinic of the Hospital de Atención Integral del Adulto Mayor in the last quarter of 2021. A quantitative, obser-vational, and descriptive study was carried out in a population of 322 primary informal caregi-vers of the elderly in the last quarter of 2021, selecting a sample of 190 individuals through a voluntary subject-type procedure. The applied instrument was a structured interview guide based on the Survey of Characterization of the Care of the Family Caregiver-person with a Chro-nic Illness Dyad. The care falls on the woman (83.2%), children (57.9%), married (48.9%), live with the elderly (42.6%), care for up to 4 family members; 17.9% who never receive help, care for between 1 and 6 years and dedicate up to 15 hours. In addition, 86.3% do housework. A dete-rioration of the health condition was observed after starting the care functions, and all of them mentioned suffering from some disease; however, those who reported receiving positive emotio-nal effects from care prevailed

Identificación de variantes genéticas asociadas a hipercolesterolemia familiar en niños y adolescentes de la Región del Biobío, Chile / Identification of genetic variants associated with familial hypercholesterolemia in Chilean children and adolescents

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is commonly associated with mutations in-LDL receptor (LDLR), apolipoprotein B (APOB) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Aim: To identify genetic variants associated with FH in a population of children and adolescents with hypercholesterolemia or a family history of-demonstrated early CVD. Material and Methods: Clinical and biochemical parameters were evaluated, and nine genes related to FH were sequenced namely LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, LDLRAP1, LIPA, APOE, ABCG5, ABCG8 and STAP1, in 55 children and adolescents aged 1 to 18 years old, from non-consanguineous families. Results: Mutations associated with FH were found in 17 children and adolescents, corresponding to p.Asp47Asn, duplication of exons 13-15 and p.Ser326Cys of the LDLR gene; p.Glu204* and Ile268Met of the APOE gene. Thirteen patients were heterozygous, two homozygous, two compound heterozygous, and one double heterozygous. Conclusions: Children and adolescents carrying mutations associated with FH were found by selective screening, which constitutes the first stage in the identification of genetic variants in our country.

Hábitos alimentarios y rendimiento académico en escolares chilenos de quinto a octavo año básico

RESUMEN Introducción: Los hábitos alimentarios en escolares se han relacionado con las habilidades cognitivas y el rendimiento académico. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre hábitos alimentarios y rendimiento académico en escolares chilenos. Métodos: Estudio transversal en 733 escolares de quinto al octavo básico. Se evaluaron hábitos alimentarios mediante frecuencia de consumo de grupos de alimentos, tiempos de comida, habilidades culinarias y gusto por preparar alimentos. Estas variables se relacionaron con calificaciones de las asignaturas de matemática y lenguaje. Resultados: Los escolares presentaron baja proporción de frecuencia de consumo saludable (FCS). Las niñas presentaron mayor FCS de pan (p<0,001), los niños presentaron mayor FCS de lácteos (p= 0,016). Por sexo, se observó diferencia en el rendimiento académico en lenguaje (p= 0,013). La FCS de lácteos se asoció con diferencias del rendimiento académico en lenguaje (p= 0,017) y matemática (p= 0,035). Desayunar se asoció a diferencias en el rendimiento académico en matemática (p= 0,028) y lenguaje (p= 0,001). No consumir pasteles y masas dulces (p= 0,016), y papas fritas, completos y masas fritas (p= 0,025) se asoció al rendimiento académico en matemática. Un 29,1% tiene habilidades culinarias, siendo 54% niñas (p= 0,006). La presencia de habilidades culinarias se relacionó significativamente con 7 de los 12 grupos de alimentos analizados. Conclusión: Los hábitos alimentarios se asociaron con el rendimiento académico de escolares.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Eating habits in school-age children have been associated with cognitive skills and academic performance. Aim: To determine the relationship between eating habits and academic performance in Chilean school-age children. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 733 school-age children. Eating habits were assessed by the frequency of consumption of food groups, mealtimes, cooking skills and if they liked to cook. Grades of math and language subjects were reported. Results: There was a low proportion of healthy consumption frequency (HCF). Girls had a higher HCF of bread (p<0.001), boys had a higher HCF of dairy (p= 0.016). By sex, academic performance in language was different in girls (p= 0.013). HCF of dairy was associated with academic performance in language (p= 0.017) and mathematics (p= 0.035). Eating breakfast was associated with academic performance in mathematics (p= 0.028) and language (p= 0.001). Not consuming cakes and sweet doughs (p= 0.016), French fries, hot dogs and sopaipillas (p= 0.025) was associated with academic performance in mathematics. 29.1% of children had cooking skills, 54.0% being girls (p= 0.006). Having cooking skills was significantly associated with 7 of the 12 food groups analyzed. Conclusion: Eating habits are associated to the academic performance of Chilean school-age children.

Perfil de usuarios con diabetes e hipertensión arterial y su relación con indicadores de resultado clínicos / Diabetes and hypertension; how user profile relates to indicators of clinical outcomes

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir el perfil de usuarios con diabetes mellitus (DM) e hipertensión arterial (HTA) y su relación con indicadores de resultado clínico. Sujetos y métodos: Estudio transversal, correlacional en usuarios con DM y/o HTA, reclutados desde 4 centros de salud de un Servicio de Salud del centro sur de Chile. Los instrumentos y mediciones incluyeron: cuestionario de variables biodemográficas, "Evaluación de la atención de enfermedades crónicas para pacientes", hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c), presión arterial sistólica (PAS) y diastólica (PAD). Resultados: Se evaluaron 222 personas con HTA y/o DM con edad promedio 53,9 (DE 7,5) años, la mayoría mujeres (67,6%). Se encontró un predominio de HTA (53,6%), seguido de DM+HTA (31,1%) y DM (15.3%). El promedio de PAS y de HbA1c fue levemente superior en usuarios con patología mixta (DM+HTA). El promedio de la evaluación de la atención desde la perspectiva del paciente fue 2,61 (DE 1,13), siendo mejor evaluado el "Diseño de un sistema de entrega de cuidados/Apoyo a la decisión". Se encontró relación significativa en usuarios con HTA entre PAS y n° de fármacos (p=0,026); en personas con DM entre HbA1c y años de enfermedad (p=0,002) y en usuarios con multimorbilidad (HTA+ DM) entre años de enfermedad con HbA1c (p=0,01) y con PAS (p=0,01). Conclusión: La evaluación de la atención sugiere la necesidad de mayor esfuerzo en el control de los parámetros terapéuticos, incorporando mejoras en la atención proporcionada. Se necesita más investigación para definir la relación entre el perfil de usuarios con enfermedades crónicas y los resultados clínicos.

Abstracts: Aim: To decribe the profile of users of a health program for chronic diseases (CD), especifically Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Hypertension (HT), and its relation to indicators of clinical results. Subjects and methods: The subjects had DM and/or HT and were randomly selected form 4 health centers in southern Chile. Questionaires exploring demographic variables, Patient Assessement of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC) measurements of HbA1c, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) pressures were used as indicators of clinical results. Results: 222 subjects with DM and/or HT were evaluated. Mean age was 53.9 years-old (SD 7.5), 67.6% were females. The prevalence of CD was 53.6% for HT, 31.1% for DM+HT and 15.3% for DM. Mean BP and mean HbA1c were slightly higher in users with DM+HT. As perceived by the patient, the evaluation of care had a mean score 2.61 (SD 1.13). "Design of a method of care delivery / decission support" obtained the highest score. In subjects with HT there was a significant correlation between SBP and the number of drugs being received (p=0.03). Also, a significant correlation between HbA1c and disease duration was found in subjects with DM (p=0.02). In subjects with DM+HT significant correlation (p=0.01) existed between disease duration and both HbA1c and SBP. Conclusion: The evaluation of care suggests the need for a stronger effort in controlling therapeutic measures. Further studies are needed to refine the relation of user profile and clinical results.

Detection of intracellular Helicobacter pylori in Candida. SPP from neonate oral swabs

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: There is evidence of detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the stool of newborns and in the yeast that colonizes the oral cavity of this age group. However, there is a lack of research to confirm it. This study proposes to determine the existence of the bacteria at an early age, specifically in newborns. OBJECTIVE: To identify intracellular H. pylori in oral yeasts and to detect antigens of the bacteria in newborn stools. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional and descriptive study. Samples were obtained from infants (oral swab and meconium). Identification of yeast species was performed using the following techniques: CHROMagar Candida, Germinal Tube Test and API Candida Identification System, then the yeasts were observed by light microscopy and fluorescence. Detection of H. pylori antigen in meconium and PCR were performed to amplify specific genes of the bacterium (rRNA16S, cagA, vacA s1a, vacA s1b, vacA s2, vacA m1, vacA m2 and dupA). RESULTS: Intracellular H. pylori was detected in yeast of the species Candida glabrata (C. glabrata) isolated from an oral swab of a newborn. CONCLUSION: The results of this study evidenced the existence of intracellular H. pylori in newborns.

RESUMO ANTECEDENTES: Há evidências de detecçâo de Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) em fezes de recém-nascidos, como também dentro de leveduras que colonizam a cavidade oral dessa faixa etária. No entanto, faltam investigações que confirmem esses achados. OBJETIVO: Identificar H. pylori intracelular em leveduras de origem oral e detectar antígenos dessa bactéria em fezes neonatais. METODOLOGIA: Estudo transversal e descritivo. As amostras foram obtidas de bebês (zaragatoa oral e mecônio). As identificações das espécies de leveduras foram realizadas utilizando as seguintes técnicas: CHROMagar Candida, teste de tubo germinativo e sistema de identificação API Cândida. As leveduras foram observadas por microscopía óptica e fluorescência. Realizou-se a detecçâo de antígeno de H. pylori em mecônio e PCR para a amplificação de genes específicos desta bactéria (rRNA16S, cagA, vacA s1a, vacA s1b, vacA s2, vacA m1, vacA m2 e dupA). RESULTADOS: Foi detectado H. pylori intracelular em leveduras da espécie Candida glabrata (C. glabrata) isoladas a partir de zaragatoas oral de um recém-nascido. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados deste estudo evidenciaram a existência interna de levedura de H. pylori em recém-nascidos.

Conciencia sintáctica y comprensión de lectura en niñez vulnerable / Syntactic awareness and reading comprehension in vulnerable children / Consciência sintática e compreensão de leitura em infância vulnerável

La relación entre Conciencia Sintáctica y Comprensión de Lectura ha sido insuficientemente investigada en escolares de habla hispana. El presente trabajo tiene como propósito analizar el desarrollo de la Conciencia Sintáctica y su relación con la Comprensión de Lectura en escolares chilenos socialmente desfavorecidos que asisten a escuelas vulnerables. El estudio utilizó una metodología de tipo transversal, descriptiva y correlacional. La muestra consideró 161 escolares básicos de ambos sexos: 61 de segundo año, 55 de tercer año y 57 de cuarto año de enseñanza básica, de dos centros educacionales. Los resultados muestran rendimientos bajo el promedio esperado para la edad, tanto en Comprensión de Lectura como en Conciencia Sintáctica en todos los grupos. El estudio evidencia además, una relación significativa entre las variables estudiadas.

Syntactic awareness is one of the metalinguistic skills used in readingcomprehension that has been less researched in the Spanish language. This study aims to analyze thedevelopment of syntactic awareness and its relation to the development of reading comprehensionskills among socially disadvantaged children who attend schools classified as vulnerable. The studyuses a descriptive correlational and transversal methodology. The sample consists of 161 childrenof both sexes: 61 in the 2nd Grade, 55 in the 3rd Grade and 57 in the 4th Grade in two schools. Theresults of the study indicate a level of performance that is below the expected average in terms ofreading comprehension skills based on students’ age, as well as below average results for syntacticawareness. The study also reveals a high significant correlation between both variables.

A relação entre Consciência Sintática e Compreensão de leitura temsido insuficientemente investigada em escolas de língua espanhola. Este trabalho tem por objetivoanalisar o desenvolvimento da consciência sintática e sua relação com o desenvolvimento dacompreensão de leitura em estudantes chilenos socialmente desfavorecidos que freqüentam escolasvulneráveis. O estudo utilizou uma metodologia transversal, descritiva e correlacionai. A amostra foicomposta por 161 escolas básicas de ambos os sexos: 61 alunos do segundo ano, 55 do terceiro ano e57 do quarto ano do ensino básico de dois centros educacionais. Os resultados mostram rendimentosabaixo da média esperada para a idade, tanto na compreensão de leitura como em consciênciasintática em todos os grupos. O estudo evidencia também uma correlação altamente significativaentre as variáveis estudadas.

Perfiles de estilos de aprendizaje y rendimiento académico en estudiantes de primer año de enfermería / Learning style profiles and academic improvement in the first year of nursing

Objetivo: Identificar los perfiles de estilos de aprendizaje y relacionarlos con el rendimiento académico en dos asignaturas de primer año de Enfermería. Método: Se aplicó el Cuestionario de Honey-Alonso de Estilos de Aprendizaje (CHAEA) disponible a los estudiantes en una planilla electrónica que respondieron y enviaron por correo electrónico 193 estudiantes, quienes respondieron de acuerdo a normas éticas establecidas. Los análisis comparativos, puntajes de los estilos de aprendizaje y las calificaciones de las evaluaciones parciales de cada asignatura, se realizaron usando el programa estadístico Infostat. Se analizaron dos cohortes sucesivas (20092010). Resultados: La mayor parte de los estudiantes presentan 3 o más estilos de aprendizaje con puntaje superior o igual a moderado, con evaluaciones parciales con notas igual o superior al promedio de cada año. Conclusión: Se sugiere que con el fin de obtener un mejor rendimiento, los docentes conozcan los estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes y diseñen herramientas pedagógicas para fomentar estilo de aprendizaje y que los estudiantes tomen conciencia de su propio estilo.

Objective: To identify nursing students' learning styles profiles and statistically relate them to their academic performance in two courses in the first year of Nursing. Method: Honey-Alonso Learning Styles Questionnaire (CHAEA) was applied. It was available to 193 students who responded it on an electronic spreadsheet and sent it via e-mail, according to established ethic rules. Comparative analyses, scores of learning styles and grades of evaluations of each course were carried out using the Infostat program. Two successive cohorts (2009-2010) were analysed. Results: Most of the students present 3 or more learning styles with moderate to higher than moderate scores, who showed test results with grades that were average or higher each year. Conclusion: It is suggested that in order to get better academic performance, teachers must know the students' learning styles and design pedagogical tools to promote the different learning styles so students can become aware of their own style.

Impacto del Programa de manejo de la obesidad Bright Bodies aplicado a niños y adolescentes chilenos / Effects of the Bright Bodies Program in Chilean obese children

Background: Yale University’s Bright Bodies Program consists on a lifestyle intervention, in areas such as nutrition and exercise, while focusing on behavior modification and family support. Aim: To evaluate the impact of the Program in Chilean children and adolescents with obesity who participated in the Program during 8 months. Material and Methods: The weight management Program was carried out during 8 months and consisted in weekly sessions directed by dietitians or psychologists and exercise sessions twice per week in charge of physical education teachers. The family component was based on sessions for parents or caregivers to achieve the same goals of children activities. Results: Twenty eight obese children aged 9.5 ± 2 years completed the eight months of intervention. There was a significant 5% reduction of body mass index (BMI), a 15% reduction of BMI z score and a 2.9% reduction of waist circumference. Bioelectrical impedance showed a 9% reduction of percentage body fat and a 7% increase in lean body mass. Blood pressure, blood glucose, total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly, without changes in HOMA-IR. The frequency of metabolic syndrome decreased from 36% at baseline to 18% at the end of the intervention. A 43% reduction in caloric intake and an improvement in physical condition was also observed. Conclusions: The Bright Bodies Program produced significant and positive changes on anthropometric and metabolic parameters in this group of children.

Efecto de intervención innovadora: consejería de enfermería en salud cardiovascular en atención primaria / Effect of an innovative process of nursing counseling on cardiovascular health in a primary health care setting

Antecedentes: La prevención de enfermedades cardiovasculares es un reto para los sistemas de salud. Objetivo: Establecer el efecto de una intervención innovadora de Consejería de Enfermería Personalizada, Presencial y Telefónica, dirigida a: control de factores de riesgo cardiovascular (hipertensión, dis-lipidemia, sobrepeso), mejoramiento de calidad de vida relacionada con salud (CVRS), fortaleciendo la autoeficacia, el apoyo social y estructurando el fenómeno "vivir con expectativas de cambio" en personas usuarias del programa de salud cardiovascular de los Centros de Salud Municipales de Concepción. Método: Se usó método mixto anidado, como método primario el cuantitativo, ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado. Se randomizaron controles (n=56) e intervenidos (n=53) sometidos a 10 sesiones presenciales y 5 telefónicas. Se midió CVRS, presión arterial, IMC, circunferencia abdominal, colesterol total, LDL, HDL, LDL/HDL), CT/HDL y Riesgo Coronario a 10 años. El método secundario cualitativo fue el de Parse. fenomenológico-hermenéutico. Resultados: mujeres y hombres disminuyeron circunferencia abdominal, colesterol total, colesterol-LDL, CT/HDL (p<0,05); las mujeres disminuyeron significativamente peso y aumentaron CVRS. Los hombres disminuyeron presión arterial sistólica y diastólica, LDL/HDL, y riesgo coronario a 10 años. En lo cualitativo se estructura "vivir con expectativas de cambio", como un proceso interactivo de cuidado que integran lo físico y psicológico, el cual establece alianzas que generan compromisos personales y contribuyen a enfrentar las dificultades con perseverancia y con acciones innovadoras. Conclusiones: Esta intervención es una estrategia efectiva para el control de tres factores de riesgo cardiovascular y mejoramiento de CVRS.

Background: prevention of cardiovascular disease remains a challenge for health care systems Aim: to evaluate the effect of an innovative process of personalized nursing counseling including telephone monitoring on cardiovascular risk factors and quality of life indexes. Method: the intervention took place at municipal health care facilities involved in the program for cardiovascular health in Concepción, Chile. After randomization, 56 subjects acted as controls and 53 were submitted to 10 personalized and 5 telephone counseling sessions. Variables measured included CVRS, blood pressure, pressure, BMI, abdominal circumference, total, LDL and HDL cholesterol levees and derived risk indexes. Coronary risk at 10 years was estimated. A parallel qualitative evaluation was performed through a phenomenological-hermeneutic method. Results: abdominal circumference, total and LDL cholesterol and Chol/HDL ratio decreased in both males and females. Weight decreased and CVRS increased in females. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDL/HDL ratio and 8-year risk of CVD decreased in males. Qualitative intervention was effective in developing an attitude of "living with an expectation of change" and in creating personal interactions to strengthen such attitude. Conclusion: this innovative health intervention strategy was effective in the control of three cardiovascular risk factors and in improving CVRS.

Comportamientos del cuidado percibidos por estudiantes de enfermería y receptores del cuidado / Nusing students and care receivers' perceptions of caring behavior

Objetivo: Determinar los comportamientos del cuidado percibido por estudiantes de último año de la carrera y la congruencia con la percepción de los mismos, por los usuarios receptores del cuidado. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, realizado el año 2012 en estudiantes de Enfermería de Internado y receptores del cuidado de éstos, de tres instituciones de formación universitaria, comuna de Concepción, Chile. Muestra conformada por 96 internas/os y 96 receptores del cuidado. Se utilizó el Cuestionario CBI de Zane Wolf, basado en la Teoría del cuidado humano de Jean Watson, versiones estudiante y usuario. Resultados: Los estudiantes presentan edades entre 21 y 33 años, cursaron entre 8 y 6 años antes de alcanzar el 5° nivel. Los estudiantes de las universidades 2 y 3 desarrollaron práctica en servicios generales, en tanto los de la universidad 1 lo hicieron en unidades de especialidad. El promedio de edad de los usuarios fue de 54,6 años. En relación a los comportamientos del cuidado brindado, referidos por internos para las dimensiones 1, 2 y 5, existió una sobreestimación de percepción de los estudiantes acerca del cuidado brindado, por sobre la percepción referida por usuarios. En la dimensión 4, "conocimiento y destreza profesional", los estudiantes de las universidades 2 y 3 subestiman sus comportamientos de cuidado respecto a lo percibido por usuarios. Conclusión: Los usuarios estarían en condiciones de evaluar asertivamente comportamientos del cuidado humanizado en dimensiones 1, 2, 3 y 5, y no así, el conocimiento y destreza profesional de la dimensión 4.

Objective: To analyze nursing students and care receiver's perceptions of caring behavior. Method: Descriptive study carried out in 2012, on nursing students' internship and care receivers from three institutions of higher education located in Concepción, Chile. Data were collected from a sample of 96 interns and 96 care receivers. Caring Behaviours Inventory (CBI) developed by Zane Wolf and based on the theory of human caring proposed by Jean Watson, was used in a version for students and another of users. Results: Students aged 21 to 33 years who studied between 8 and 6 years before reaching the fifth level. Students from the university 2 and 3 performed a practice in general services while the students of university 1 did it in (health) specialist units. The average age of the users was 54.6 years old. In relation to the behaviors of the care provided, refered by interns there was an overestimation of the students' perceptions about the care provided above the perception reported by the users for dimensions 1, 2 and 5. In dimension 4, "professional knowledge and skills", the students form universities 2 and 3 underestimate their caring behaviors in relation to the users' perception. Conclusion: Users would be able to assertively evaluate behaviors of humanized care in the dimensions 1, 2, 3, and 5. But concerning dimension 4 "professional knowledge and skills", would not.

Efecto del estado nutricional neonatal en la asociación entre polimorfismo rs9939609 del gen FTO y obesidad en niños chilenos de origen amerindio / Effects of neonatal undernutrition on the association of obesity with rs9939609 polymorphism of FTO gene among Amerindian children

The presence of A allele in FTO gene is associated with a higher risk of obesity. Aim: to investigate the effect of neonatal nutritional status on the association between FTO gene rs9939609 variant and obesity in a cohort of Chilean children with Amerindian ancestry. Material and Methods: using birth registries, the neonatal ponderal index of 238 obese and 136 normal weight children was calculated. Nutritional status of participants was determined using cutoff points proposed by the Center for Disease Control. FTO polymorphism was measured by real time polymerase chain reaction. Results: the presence of FTO A allele was associated with a higher risk of obesity (odds ratio (OR) 1.87 95 percent confidence intervals (CI) 1.14-3.06, p < 0.01). The effect of this allele was only significant among males. The risk of obesity associated with A allele presence was non-significantly higher among males with a neonatal ponderal index below percentile 10, as compared with their counterparts with a neonatal ponderal index above this value (OR 5.65 95 percent CI 0.87-60.4). A logistic regression analyzing the presence of A allele as a risk factor for obesity using neonatal nutritional status and gender as control variables, did not substantially change the results. Conclusions: there is a non-significant effect of neonatal undernutrition on the risk of obesity conferred by the presence of A allele of FTO gene...

Efecto del estado nutricional neonatal en el riesgo de síndrome metabólico en niños obesos de 2 comunas de la Región del Bío-Bío / Effects of neonatal nutritional status on the risk for metabolic syndrome in Chilean obese children

Background: Neonatal malnutrition defined by birth weight (BW) is a risk factor for obesity and cardio-metabolic diseases in adults. Neonatal ponderal index (NPI) may have better diagnostic value than BW to establish nutritional status. Aim: To determine the effect of neonatal nutritional status, established by the three NPI curves available in Chile, on the risk of Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in obese school children. Material and Methods: A nested case/control study in a sample of 410 obese school children aged 10 to 16 years (57% males) was performed. The dichotomous response variable was the presence of MS defined as International Diabetes Federation (IDF) or Cook’s criteria. The exposure variable was having NPI < percentile (p) 10. Results: The frequency of MS was 36 and 39% according to the IDF and Cook criteria, respectively. The proportion of children with neonatal malnutrition exceeded 20%. A significantly increased risk for MS was only found when PNI was defined according to Lagos´s Table and MS was defined using IDF criteria. Having a PNI > p90, however, showed a trend towards a reduced risk of MS, which only reached significance using Lagos´s Table and Cook´s Criteria. Conclusions: Neonatal malnutrition defined by NPI is common in obese school children. The condition of neonatal under nutrition defined as PNI < p10 may be a risk factor for developing MS. Instead, having a NPI > p90 could be protective.

Asociación entre polimorfismos del gen de adiponectina y estado nutricional en escolares de la comuna de Hualpén / Association between adiponectin gene polymorphisms and obesity in school age children from Hualpén, Chile

Background: Several genetic polymorphisms of adiponectin have been associated to metabolic diseases as obesity and co-morbidities. Aim: To investigate if there are associations between +45TG, +276GT, -11,377CG y -11,391GA adiponectin SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) with obesity in a Chilean children population. Material and Methods: A case-control study was performed in 241 obese and 126 normal weight children (7-11 years old) from the urban community of Hualpén, Biobío region. Children were classified as normal or obese, according to age and gender-specificpercentiles defined by Centerfor Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The analysis of serum markers was carried out using commercial kits. Adiponectin polymorphisms were determined through a High Resolution Melting (HRM)-enabled real time PCR and by DNA fragment sequencing. Results: The observed allelic frequencies of the studied SNPs were over 11%. The 11,377CG polymorphism was associated with a high risk of obesity, calculated by the additive inheritance model (odds ratio = 1.389, 95% confidence interval: 1.001-1.929,p = 0.049). Conclusions: Obese school children of the Biobío Region, have an increased risk of carrying the susceptibility allele polymorphism 11377CG of adiponectin gene.

Epidemiología del sobrepeso y obesidad infanto-juvenil en las comunas de Concepción, Coronel y Hualpén, VIII Región de Chile / Frequency of obesity and overweight among school age children living in southern Chile

Background: The frequency of obesity is increasing steadily in Chile. Aim: To assess the prevalence of obesity and overweight in children and teenagers living in three southern Chilean cities. Material and Methods: The database of an evaluation performed in 2006 in schools, was used to obtain weight and height of 32514 subjects aged 12 ± 4 years (48 percent males). Criteria proposed by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) were used to define obesity and overweight. Results: According to CDC criteria the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 11.2 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. According to IOTF criteria, the fgures were 13.2 and 4 percent, respectively. The higher frequency of overweight and obesity was observed among children aged less than eight years. Conclusions: There is a high frequency of obesity and overweight in the studied sample.

Changes in morpho-physiological attributes of Eucalyptus globulus plants in response to different drought hardening treatments

Morpho-physiological attributes exhibited in response to drought hardening at the end of the growing season of Eucalyptus globulus Labill under nursery conditions were studied to evaluate the effect of three drought hardening treatments in morpho-physiological traits used as suitable indicators of drought hardiness, such as, plant growth, root growth potential, plant water relationships and survival. Freezing resistance of drought hardened plants was also studied in order to evaluate cross hardening effects in cuttings of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. Drought hardening consisted in induced water stress by watering restriction, until plant stem xylem water potentials (psipd) reached to-0.2, -1.3 and -2.4 MPa. Two water stress-rewatering cycles were applied during 54 days of treatment. The hardening treatments caused a significant reduction in plant height, leaf area, specific leaf area, plant, leaf, stem and root biomass. However, stem diameter was not affected. Root growth potential increased with the exposure to moderate water stress (-1.3 MPa). Drought hardening treatments have not effect on water relationship parameters such as saturation osmotic potential (psipisat), volumetric module of elasticity (e), relative water content (RWCtlp) and osmotic potential (psitlp) at the turgor loss point. Only 1.7 percent and 6 percent of dehydrated dead plants were observed on treatments at -1.3 and -2.4 MPa respectively. Finally, the freezing damage index of leaves (LT50) was not significantly affected by drought hardening treatments. Furthermore, a reduction of 1.1ºC of supercooling capacity was observed at -2.4 MPa. As a conclusion, drought hardening is an important step of plants production programs during the final phase of nursery, because changes in morphological attributes caused by exposure to moderate drought, enable the plants to maintain the balance between transpiration and absorption areas and increase the capacity of plants to generate n...