Improved Recovery of Complete Spinal Cord Transection by a Plasma-Modified Fibrillar Scaffold.

Complete spinal cord injury causes an irreversible disruption in the central nervous system, leading to motor, sensory, and autonomic function loss, and a secondary injury that constitutes a physical barrier preventing tissue repair. Tissue engineering scaffolds are presented as a permissive platform for cell migration and the reconnection of spared tissue. Iodine-doped plasma pyrrole polymer (pPPy-I), a neuroprotective material, was applied to polylactic acid (PLA) fibers and implanted in a rat complete spinal cord transection injury model to evaluate whether the resulting composite implants provided structural and functional recovery, using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, diffusion tensor imaging and tractography, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, locomotion analysis, histology, and immunofluorescence. In vivo, MR studies evidenced a tissue response to the implant, demonstrating that the fibrillar composite scaffold moderated the structural effects of secondary damage by providing mechanical stability to the lesion core, tissue reconstruction, and significant motor recovery. Histologic analyses demonstrated that the composite scaffold provided a permissive environment for cell attachment and neural tissue guidance over the fibers, reducing cyst formation. These results supply evidence that pPPy-I enhanced the properties of PLA fibrillar scaffolds as a promising treatment for spinal cord injury recovery.

Ecological urbanism as a condition underpinning urban life for internally displaced peoples in Colombia.

This paper employs the concepts of sustainability and habitability to define and measure ecological urbanism in informal settlements founded by people who have been forcibly displaced by violence. The objective is to identify the obstacles in meeting the tenets of ecological urbanism in informal settlements. We offer primary research from La Primavera, an informal settlement founded by internally displaced people in the late 1970s, located in the corregimiento El Hatillo of Barbosa, Antioquia in northwestern Colombia. Primary research includes qualitative and quantitative data gathered through 72 surveys and 45 technical assessments of properties and houses in the settlement. Situated between the Aburrá River and the northbound highway, above a gas pipeline and under an electricity pylon, La Primavera exists in a state of extreme risk, exacerbated by increasing migration which threatens to exceed the carrying capacity of the territory. Moreover, in Article 35 of Law 388 of 1997, the territory was declared a protected or restricted area and earmarked for the development of the regional commuter train, called the Tren de Cercanías, in 2017. The case study highlights the contradictions in the development agenda in Colombia by showing how development projects designed for the economic betterment and environmental conservation of the region negatively impact the quality of life for the most vulnerable inhabitants and expose them to greater environmental, economic, and social risk.

ADC restriction is not associated with clinical response to plasma exchange following a cerebral attack of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: MS is the most common CNS inflammatory demyelinating disease. Plasma exchange (PLEX) has well-demonstrated efficacy in acute corticosteroid-refractory attacks of demyelination but identifying the factors that predict favorable PLEX response remains elusive. We aimed to determine if apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) restriction on brain MRI predicts clinical response to PLEX in individuals with an acute cerebral attack of MS. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of individuals with a cerebral attack of MS who underwent PLEX at Mayo Clinic. RESULTS: We identified 34 individuals who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-seven (79%) responded to plasma exchange, with 16/34 (47%) having moderate and 11/34 (32%) marked improvement. Twenty-three (68%) people had ADC restriction on brain MRI prior to PLEX.  ADC restriction did not predict response (p = 0.51). Several other pre-PLEX factors, including sex, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at initial attack, time to PLEX, and concurrent spinal cord attack, also failed to predict response. Plasma-exchange responders had less disability at 6-month follow-up compared to non-responders (median EDSS 2.5 (range 1.0-10.0) vs. 7.5 (5.5-10.0), p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Acute cerebral attacks of MS have a high rate of plasma exchange response resulting in a lower EDSS at 6-months. ADC restriction does not predict response to plasma exchange.

Some Contributions From The Scientific Realism of Evandro Agazzi to Discursive Social Psychology.

This article aims to show how the scientific realism proposed by the philosopher Evandro Agazzi contributes to the epistemological development of social discursive psychology. To do this, the debates led by Ian Parker and John Greenwood in the early 1990s about scientific and critical realism are addressed. In this debate, the limits of naive empiricism and discursive idealism, which began to predominate in discursive social psychology, are highlighted. Evandro Agazzi's assumptions about scientific realism are then presented to account for the contributions of scientific realism to the epistemological development of discursive social psychology.

Las variables sociales y la conciencia meta-cognitiva de los jóvenes adultos colombianos / Social variables and metacognitive awareness of Colombian young adults / Variáveis sociais e consciência metacognitiva de jovens adultos colombianos

Resumen (analítico) La metacognición se define como un proceso reflexivo que permite a las personas monitorear, controlar y autorregular su comportamiento. Sin embargo, la metacognición rara vez se ha estudiado con variables más allá del contexto educativo, como variables sociales, conductuales o clínicas. Así, el propósito del presente estudio fue explorar la relación entre las variables sociales y la conciencia metacognitiva subjetiva y si estas mismas variables sociales predicen componentes de la conciencia metacognitiva (conocimiento y regulación de la cognición). Con una muestra de estudiantes universitarios (N = 246), los resultados revelaron que no solo existen correlaciones significativas entre algunas variables sociales y ambos componentes de la conciencia metacognitiva, sino que esas mismas variables sociales predijeron la conciencia metacognitiva. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados en contextos educativos y clínicos.

Abstract (analytical) Metacognition is defined as a higher-order reflective process that allows individuals to monitor, control, and self-regulate their behavior. However, metacognition has rarely been studied with variables beyond the educational context such as social, behavioral and clinical variables. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between social variables and subjective metacognitive aware-ness and whether these same social variables can predict components of metacognitive awareness (knowledge and regulation of cognition). Working with a sample of university students (N = 246), the results of this study identified that there were not only significant correlations between some social variables and both components of metacognitive awareness, but that those same social variables could predict metacognitive awareness. Implications for these outcomes in educational and clinical contexts are discussed.

Resumo (analítico) A metacognição é definida como um processo reflexivo de ordem superior que permite às pessoas monitorar, controlar e autorregular seu comportamento. No entanto, a metacognição raramente foi estudada com variáveis fora do contexto educacional, como variáveis sociais, comportamentais ou clínicas. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi explorar a relação entre as variáveis sociais e a consciência metacognitiva subjetiva e se essas mesmas variáveis sociais predizem os componentes da consciência metacognitiva (conhecimento e regulação da cognição). Com uma amostra de estudantes universitários (N = 246), os resultados revelaram que não apenas existem correlações significativas entre algumas variáveis sociais e ambos os componentes da consciência metacognitiva, mas que essas mesmas variáveis sociais predizem a consciência metacognitiva. As implicações desses resultados em contextos educacionais e clínicos são discutidas.

Un estúdio exploratório de la relación entre el estilo cognitivo y el monitoreo metacognitivo en una muestra de estudiantes universitários colombianos / An Exploratory Study of the Relation between Cognitive Style and Metacognitive Monitoring in a Sample of Colombian University Students

Resumen. Si bien la investigación sobre la metacognición y los estilos cognitivos es sólida para cualquier campo solo, pocas investigaciones han abordado los dos juntos. Además, ningún estudio hasta la fecha ha examinado objetivos más específicos relacionados con aspectos específicos de la metacognición, como la habilidad de monitoreo y su relación con el estilo cognitivo. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio investigó medidas de confianza, rendimiento y precisión para tres tipos de juicios metacognitivos (predicción, concurrente y postdicción) y tres tipos diferentes de preguntas metacognitivas: preguntas sobre la tarea, preguntas sobre uno mismo y preguntas en diferentes momentos (antes, durante y después) y cómo se relacionan con el estilo cognitivo (dependiente del campo, intermedio, independiente del campo) en una muestra de 57 estudiantes universitarios colombianos. Los resultados revelaron que había diferencias en la precisión y el sesgo del monitoreo metacognitivo en función del estilo cognitivo, y que estos hallazgos fueron similares entre los diferentes momentos y entre los juicios metacognitivos. Con respecto al estilo cognitivo, aquellos con un estilo cognitivo intermedio o independiente del campo informaron una mayor precisión de monitoreo y menos sesgo que las personas con un estilo dependiente del campo. Se discuten las implicaciones para la investigación, la teoría y la práctica.

Abstract. While research on metacognition and cognitive styles is robust for either field alone, few studies have broached the two together. In addition, no studies to date have examined finer-grained objectives related to specific aspects of metacognition such as monitoring skill and its relation to cognitive style. Thus, the present study investigated confidence, performance, and accuracy measures for three types of metacognitive judgments (prediction, concurrent and postdiction) and three different types of metacognitive questions-questions about the task, questions about the self, and questions at different moments (before, during, and after)-and how these are related to cognitive style (field dependent, intermediate, field independent) in a sample of 57 Colombian university students. Results revealed that there were differences in metacognitive monitoring accuracy and bias as a function of cognitive style, and that these findings were similar both between different moments and across metacognitive judgments. Regarding cognitive style, those with an intermediate or field independent cognitive style reported greater monitoring accuracy and less bias than individuals with a field dependent style. Implications for research, theory, and practice are discussed.

Diagnosis of coexistent neurodegenerative dementias in multiple sclerosis.

Among people with multiple sclerosis, cognitive impairment occurs commonly and is a potent predictor of disability. Some multiple sclerosis patients present with severe cognitive impairment, and distinguishing multiple sclerosis-related cognitive impairment from co-existent progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease poses a diagnostic challenge. The use of biomarkers such as PET and CSF proteins may facilitate this distinction. The study was a retrospective, descriptive study on convenience samples of separate cohorts, one of cognitively impaired multiple sclerosis patients evaluated on autopsy to demonstrate coincidence of both multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative cognitive diseases. The second cohort were cognitively impaired multiple sclerosis patients evaluated by biomarker to investigate possible additional neurodegenerative cognitive disorders contributing to the cognitive impairment. We investigated selected biomarkers among 31 severely impaired patients (biomarker cohort) and 12 severely impaired patients assessed at autopsy and selected 24 (23 biomarker cohort, 1 autopsy cohort) had comprehensive neurocognitive testing. Biomarker cohort investigations included 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET and/or CSF amyloid Aß1-42, phospho-tau and total tau levels. The autopsy cohort was evaluated with comprehensive neuropathological assessment for aetiology of cognitive impairment. The cohorts shared similar sex, age at multiple sclerosis onset and multiple sclerosis clinical course. The autopsy-cohort patients were older at diagnosis (69.5 versus 57 years, P = 0.006), had longer disease duration [median (range) 20 years (3-59) versus 9 (1-32), P = 0.001] and had more impaired bedside mental status scores at last follow-up [Kokmen median (range) 23 (1-38) versus 31 (9-34) P = 0.01]. Autopsy-cohort patients confirmed, or excluded, coexistent neurogenerative disease by neuropathology gold standard. Most biomarker-cohort patients had informative results evaluating coexistent neurogenerative disease. Biomarkers may be useful in indicating a coexistent neurodegenerative disease earlier, and in life, in patients with multiple sclerosis and significant cognitive impairment.

Características psicométricas de la escala de autoconcepto AF5 en estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Manizales / Psychometric characteristics of the AF5 self-concept scale in College students from Manizales, Colombia

Resumen El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo establecer las características psicométricas y la estructura factorial subyacente a los ítems de la Escala de Autoconcepto AF5. Se realizó una investigación descriptiva de corte transversal. Se aplicó el instrumento en 1386 (798 mujeres y 588 hombres) estudiantes de tres universidades ubicadas en una ciudad de la región central del país, una de carácter público y dos privadas. Entre los resultados se encontraron adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para la prueba, así como una estructura hexadimensional del constructo, desde la cual el autoconcepto físico pareció subdividirse en dos dimensiones independientes, condición física y atractivo físico. A manera de conclusión puede indicarse que el AF5 se presenta como un instrumento sólido con adecuadas propiedades psicométricas para ser usado en muestras de estudiantes universitarios colombianos.

Abstract To establish the factorial structure underlying the items of the AF5 Self-Concept Scale. Descriptive, cross-sectional study. To carry it out, a validation study of the instrument was performed with 1382 students from three major universities located in a city in the central region of the country. Two out of the three universities were private, the sample was composed by 798 women and 588 men. Adequate psychometric properties were found for the test, as well as a six-dimensional structure of the construct, from which the physical self-concept seemed to be subdivided into two dimensions: physical condition and physical attractiveness, this dimension behaving as two independent factors. The AF5 is presented as a solid instrument with adequate psychometric properties to be used in samples of Colombian college students.

Pyrrole Plasma Polymer-Coated Fibrillar Scaffold Implant: Pilot Study in Rat Spinal Cord Transection with MRI.

Despite extensive research on spinal cord injury (SCI) therapies for the recovery of motor, sensory and autonomic function, currently there are no effective treatments to completely restore tissue structure and function. In this work, a polylactic acid (PLA) fibrillar scaffold coated with pyrrole plasma polymer doped with iodine (pPPy/I), was studied as therapeutic strategy in a SCI transection model. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate tissue response to the implant. Behavioral analysis using the BBB open-field testing was conducted to evaluate functional response. MRI analysis showed the SCI model completely disrupted tissue continuity, and diffusion indices were altered at the injury site. The animals had completely paralyzed hindlimbs and bladder control loss after injury. After 8 weeks of treatment, in contrast to control and PLA-implanted animals, PLA+pPPy/I-implanted animal had regained bladder control autonomy and frequent to consistent weight supported plantar steps and occasional coordination between forelimbs and hindlimbs. These results suggest fibrillar scaffolds coated with pPPy/I constitute a promising therapy for SCI.

Relation between students' expectations about their grade and metacognitive monitoring and a deeper understanding of metacognitive judgments / Relación entre las expectativas de los estudiantes sobre su nota y el monitoreo metacognitivo y una comprensión más profunda de los juicios metacognitivos

Abstract Metacognition is an important higher-order thinking process for successful learning. The present study investigated the relation between students' (N = 65) expectations about their grade (expressed as difference scores between expected grade and actual grade) and their metacognitive monitoring accuracy and bias and the extent to which these difference scores in expected grade versus actual grade predicted accuracy and bias, employing an explanatory sequential quantitative(QUALITATIVE mixed method research design. The study also explored how students develop and refine metacognitive judgments and the types of strategies they employ during this process. Results revealed that there were significant relations between difference scores in expected grade versus actual grade and accuracy and bias (r = .02 to r = .89 in absolute value), and that difference scores significantly predicted both accuracy (R 2 = .52) and bias (R 2 = .69). Further, qualitative findings revealed that there were differences in how students developed and refined metacognitive judgments as a function of four aspects of learning: effort/preparation, strategy selection/implementation, planning, and evaluation. Educators should explicitly teach metacognitive monitoring skills to improve students' self-regulated learning.

Resumen La metacognición es un proceso importante de pensamiento de orden superior para un aprendizaje exitoso. El presente estudio investigó la relación entre las expectativas de los estudiantes sobre su nota (expresadas como puntuaciones de diferencia entre la nota esperada y la nota real) (N = 65) y su precisión y sesgo de monitoreo metacognitivo y el grado en que estas diferencias en la nota esperada versus la nota real predijeron la precisión y el sesgo, empleando un diseño de investigación secuencial explicativo cuantitativo-CUALITATIVO de método mixto. El estudio también exploró cómo los estudiantes desarrollan y refinan juicios metacognitivos y los tipos de estrategias que emplean durante este proceso. Los resultados revelaron que había relaciones significativas entre las diferencia de puntajes en la nota esperada versus la nota real y la precisión y el sesgo (r = .02 to r = .89, en valor absoluto), y que estas diferencia de puntajes predijo significativamente tanto la precisión (R 2 = .52) como el sesgo (R 2 = .69). Además, los hallazgos cualitativos revelaron que había diferencias en la forma en que los estudiantes desarrollaban y refinaban juicios metacognitivos en función de cuatro aspectos del aprendizaje: esfuerzo / preparación, selección / implementación de estrategias, planificación y evaluación. Los docentes deben enseñar explícitamente habilidades de monitoreo metacognitivo para mejorar el aprendizaje autorregulado de los estudiantes.

Validación y examen de la estructura factorial del Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) en español con una muestra colombiana de estudiantes universitarios / Validation and examination of the factor structure of the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) in Spanish with a colombian sample of university students

RESUMEN Objetivo: El Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) fue desarrollado originalmente en inglés por Schraw & Dennison en 1994 para medir las habilidades metacognitivas. Desde su validación inicial, el MAI ha sido considerado como el instrumento más utilizado en el mundo para evaluar las habilidades metacognitivas de autoinforme de las personas, razón por la que ha sido traducido y empleado en varios idiomas, demostrándose así, en diferentes investigaciones sobre la estructura psicométrica de la prueba una alta confiabilidad de consistencia interna y una validez de constructo adecuada. Sin embargo, ningún estudio hasta la fecha había examinado si el instrumento en su forma original, cuando se usa en el idioma español, mantiene una estructura factorial consistente con lo informado por Schraw & Dennison (1994). Así mismo, en el presente trabajo se buscó proporcionar evidencia empírica del uso práctico de este instrumento en poblaciones de estudiantes universitarios de habla hispana. Método: El presente estudio buscó establecer la estructura factorial del MAI en español en una muestra sólida de estudiantes universitarios colombianos de nivel de pregrado (N=528). En cuanto a la edad y el género, 315 estudiantes se identificaron como mujeres y 213 como hombres, con edades comprendidas entre los 20 y 30 años (M=23,90; Mediana=23). En el estudio primero se emplearon análisis factoriales exploratorios (AFE) con extracción de factores comunes (factorización del eje principal) y una rotación oblicua (promax), seguidos posteriormente, de análisis factoriales confirmatorios (AFC; estándar y de orden superior). En la fase de los AFE, se compararon tres modelos, una solución inicial de diez factores, seguida de una con ocho y finalmente otra con dos factores. En la fase de los AFC, se evaluaron dos modelos competidores, un modelo de orden superior de diez factores y un modelo de dos factores. Resultados: Se encontró que en la fase de los AFE, la solución de dos factores produjo el mejor ajuste en comparación con los otros dos. En la fase de los AFC, al igual que el estudio de validación original de Schraw & Dennison (1994), la solución de ocho factores compuesta por cada componente individual no se ajustaba a los datos; sin embargo, una solución de dos factores (conocimiento de la cognición y regulación de la cognición) mostró un ajuste superior a los datos y fue un modelo significativamente mejor en comparación con la solución de ocho factores, consistente con los resultados del estudio de validación de 1994. Conclusiones: En esta versión en español del MAI que se propone en el presente estudio, se establecieron métricas apropiadas de confiabilidad de consistencia interna y validez de constructo. Por lo tanto, los investigadores y los profesionales en campos como la psicología y las ciencias del aprendizaje pueden emplear con seguridad la medida para examinar la conciencia metacognitiva de estudiantes universitarios colombianos y de habla hispana.

ABSTRACT Objective: The Metacognitive Awareness Inventory (MAI) was originally developed in English by Schraw and Dennison in 1994 to measure metacognitive skills. Since its initial validation, the MAI has been employed countless times in various languages -mainly English- to assess individuals' self-report metacognitive skills, with the instrument consistently reporting high internal consistency reliability and adequate construct validity. However, no research to date has examined whether the instrument, when used in languages other than English, maintains a consistent factor structure to that reported by Schraw and Dennison. Further, the present study sought to provide empirical evidence of the practical use of this instrument in Spanish-speaking populations. Method: Thus, the present study investigated the factor structure of the MAI in Spanish in a robust sample of Colombian undergraduate students (N=528). Regarding age and gender, 315 identified themselves as female and 213 as male, between 20 and 30 years old (M=23,90; Median=23). First, exploratory factor analyses (EFA) with common factor extraction (principal axis factoring) and an oblique rotation (promax) were employed, followed by confirmatory factor analyses (CFA; standard and higher-order). In the EFA phase, three models were compared, an initial solution of 10 factors followed by one with eight and one with two factors. In the CFA phase, two competing models were evaluated, a 10-factor higher-order model and a two-factor model. Results: Findings revealed that, in the EFA phase, the two-factor solution yielded the best fit compared to the other two. In the CFA phase, like the original 1994 validation study, the eight-factor solution comprised of each individual component was ill fitting to the data; however, a two-factor solution (knowledge of cognition and regulation of cognition) exhibited superior fit to the data and was a significantly better model compared to the eight-factor solution, which mirrors the findings of the 1994 validation study. Conclusions: This Spanish version of the MAI demonstrates appropriate internal consistency reliability and construct validity metrics. Thus, researchers and practitioners can employ the measure to examine metacognitive awareness in Spanish-speaking samples.

Pyrrole Plasma Polymer-Coated Electrospun Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering.

Promising strategies for neural tissue engineering are based on the use of three-dimensional substrates for cell anchorage and tissue development. In this work, fibrillar scaffolds composed of electrospun randomly- and aligned-oriented fibers coated with plasma synthesized pyrrole polymer, doped and undoped with iodine, were fabricated and characterized. Infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the functional groups and molecular integration of each scaffold, as well as the effect of plasma polymer synthesis on crystallinity. Scanning microscopy imaging demonstrated the porous fibrillar micrometric structure of the scaffolds, which afforded adhesion, infiltration, and survival for the neural cells. Orientation analysis of electron microscope images confirmed the elongation of neurite-like cell structures elicited by undoped plasma pyrrole polymer-coated aligned scaffolds, without any biochemical stimuli. The MTT colorimetric assay validated the biocompatibility of the fabricated composite materials, and further evidenced plasma pyrrole polymer-coated aligned scaffolds as permissive substrates for the support of neural cells. These results suggest plasma synthesized pyrrole polymer-coated aligned scaffolds are promising materials for tissue engineering applications.

Differences in Metacognitive Skills among Undergraduate Students in Education, Psychology, and Medicine / Diferencias en Habilidades Metacognitivas entre Estudiantes de Pregrado en Educación, Psicología y Medicina

Abstract Metacognitive skills such as when and why to apply strategies successfully given task demands (conditional knowledge) and those that assist in regulation like comprehension monitoring are essential for effective learning. However, the debate regarding whether metacognitive skills are domain general or domain specific continues to rage among scholars. Presumably, if metacognitive skills are domain specific, there should be significant differences between domains whereas if they are domain general, there should be no differences across domains. Thus, in the present study we examined the generality/specificity of metacognitive skills (knowledge of cognition: declarative, procedural, and conditional; regulation of cognition: planning, information management, debugging, comprehension monitoring, and evaluation) in a sample of Colombian university students (N = 507) studying education (n = 156), psychology (n = 166), and medicine (n = 185) employing the Spanish version of the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory. Results revealed that there were significant differences in all but two metacognitive skills (procedural knowledge and debugging) across domains, largely supporting the domain specific hypothesis, but also partially supporting the domain general view. Implications and recommendation of the findings for theory, research, and practice are discussed.

Resumen Entre las habilidades metacognitivas se encuentran la capacidad para saber cómo, cuándo y por qué aplicar estrategias de forma exitosa según las demandas de la tarea (conocimiento condicional) y aquellas otras capacidades que ayudan en la regulación cognitiva, como la supervisión en línea de la actividad de aprendizaje en curso, y la comprensión (monitoreo). Dichas habilidades se consideran esenciales para un aprendizaje efectivo. Sin embargo, el debate sobre si las habilidades metacognitivas son de dominio general o específico continúa siendo un tema de controversia entre los académicos. Presumiblemente, si estas habilidades son específicas de un dominio, debería haber diferencias significativas entre dominios, mientras que, si son de dominio general, estas diferencias no deberían de estar presentes. De acuerdo con lo anterior, en el presente estudio se examinó la generalidad/especificidad de las habilidades metacognitivas (conocimiento de la cognición: declarativo, procedimental y condicional; regulación de la cognición: planificación, gestión de la información, monitoreo, depuración y evaluación) en una muestra colombiana de estudiantes universitarios (N = 507) que, para el momento del estudio, se encontraban cursando un programa de pregrado en educación (n = 156), psicología (n = 166) y medicina (n = 185), mediante el uso de la versión en español del Inventario de Conocimiento Metacognitivo. Los resultados revelaron diferencias significativas en todas las habilidades metacognitivas evaluadas para las diferentes áreas de dominio, con excepción de dos habilidades metacognitivas: conocimiento procedimental y depuración, lo que respalda en gran medida la hipótesis específica del dominio, pero también apoya parcialmente la vista general del dominio. Se discuten las implicaciones y recomendaciones de los hallazgos para la teoría, la investigación y la práctica.

Root colonization and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community composition in a genetically modified maize, its non-modified isoline, and a landrace.

The use of genetically modified (GM) plants has increased in recent decades, but there are uncertainties about their effects on soil microbial communities. Aiming to quantify root colonization and characterize arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) communities associated with roots and rhizosphere soil of different maize genotypes, a field trial was carried out in Southern Brazil with three maize genotypes as follows: a GM hybrid (DKB 240 VTPRO), its non-modified isoline (DKB 240), and a landrace (Pixurum). Soil samples were collected to evaluate the occurrence of AMF during the growth of corn genotypes at sowing and V3 (vegetative), R1 (flowering), and R3 (grain formation) stages of the crop. The occurrence of AMF was determined by the morphological identification of spores, and by analyzing AMF community composition in soil and roots of maize, using PCR-DGGE. The GM genotype of maize promoted lower mycorrhizal colonization in the vegetative stage and had lower sporulation at grain development than the conventional hybrid and the landrace maize. Twenty AMF morphotypes were identified and 13 were associated with all maize genotypes. The genera Acaulospora, Glomus, and Dentiscutata had the largest numbers of species. There were no differences in AMF community composition due to maize genotypes or genetic modification, but crop phenological stages affected AMF communities associated with maize roots.

El Inventario de Conciencia Metacognitiva para Docentes (MAIT): Adaptación cultural y validación en una muestra de docentes colombianos / The Metacognitive Awareness Inventory for Teac hers (MAIT): Cultural ada ptation and validation in a Sample of Colombian Teac hers

Resumen Comprender cómo operan los constructos inobservables en función de la cultura y el lenguaje es un objetivo importante para los investigadores. Debido a que el idioma y la cultura ejercen una influencia tan poderosa en la forma en que se experimentan los fenómenos psicológicos, los constructos latentes pueden no funcionar universalmente entre culturas e idiomas. Por lo tanto, el propósito del presente estudio fue doble. Primero, se realizó un proceso de adaptación cultural del Inventario de Conciencia Metacognitiva para Docentes (MAIT) de 24 ítems, desarrollado originalmente por Balcikanli (2011). En segundo lugar, se probó y validó el instrumento traducido en una muestra de docentes colombianos (N = 755). Se presume una estructura de factor modificada a partir de la propuesta en el estudio de validación original. Los resultados revelaron que, después de la eliminación de tres ítems que no encajaban, la estructura de factores hipotética propuesta por el equipo para el MAIT-R de 21 ítems demostró un excelente ajuste a los datos.

Abstract Understanding how unobservable constructs operate based on culture and language is an important objective for researchers. Because language and culture exert such a powerful influence on the way we experience psychological phenomena, latent constructs may not function universally between cultures and languages. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was twofold. First, we translated the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory for Teachers (MAIT) with 24 items, originally developed by Balcikanli (2011). Second, we test and validate the instrument translated to Spanish using a sample of Colombian teachers (N = 755). We hypothesized a modified factor structure based on the proposal in the original validation study. The results revealed that, after the elimination of three items that did not fit, our hypothetized factor structure for the MAIT-R of 21 items demonstrated an excellent fit to the data.

Prognostic value of mean velocity at the pulmonary artery estimated by cardiovascular magnetic resonance as a prognostic predictor in a cohort of patients with new-onset heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) conveys a worse prognosis in heart failure (HF), in particular when right ventricular (RV) dysfunction ensues. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) non-invasively estimates pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which has shown prognostic value in HF. Importantly, RV to pulmonary artery (PA) coupling is altered early in HF, before significant rise in PV resistance occurs. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of mean velocity at the pulmonary artery (mvPA), a novel non-invasive parameter determined by CMR, in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) with and without associated PH. METHODS: Prospective inclusion of 238 patients admitted for new-onset HFrEF. MvPA was measured with CMR during index admission. The primary endpoint was defined as a composite of HF readmissions and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 25 months, 91 patients presented with the primary endpoint. Optimal cut-off value of mvPA calculated by the receiver operator curve for the prediction of the primary endpoint was 9 cm/s. The primary endpoint occurred more frequently in patients with mvPA≤9 cm/s, as indicated by Kaplan-Meier survival curves; Log Rank 16.0, p <  0.001. Importantly, mvPA maintained its prognostic value regardless of RV function and also when considering mortality and HF readmissions separately. On Cox proportional hazard analysis, reduced mvPA≤9 cm/s emerged as an independent prognostic marker, together with NYHA III-IV/IV class, stage 3-4 renal failure and ischemic cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSIONS: In our HFrEF cohort, mvPA emerged as an independent prognostic indicator independent of RV function, allowing identification of a higher-risk population before structural damage onset. Moreover, mvPA emerged as a surrogate marker of the RV-PA unit coupling status.

Executive function performance in patients with obesity: a systematic review / Desempeño en tareas de funcionamiento ejecutivo en pacientes con obesidad: una revisión sistemática

Abstract Executive dysfunction is associated with the inability to control aberrant behaviors, such as chronic overeating (Moore, Sabino, Koob, & Cottone, 2017). Obese individuals often report great difficulties controlling eating behaviors, despite a desire to successfully lose weight (Dohle, Diel, & Hofmann, 2018). However, current literature lacks a systematic review about the relationship between executive dysfunction and Obesity. The aim of this study is to present the most important findings about this matter. First, a bibliometric analysis shows the evolution of the topic. Then, the Tree of Science tool is used to show a chronological review that provides a general description of the roots and current perspectives of the state of literature. Finally, clustering analysis of the co-citation network was employed to identify the different perspectives of the topic. The main findings suggest four approaches: (1) effects of body mass index on executive functioning, (2) executive functioning in children with overweight and obesity, (3) physical activity for adult obesity and (4) structural and functional brain changes in obesity. Preliminary data state that in obesity, poor food choices may be associated with frontal cognitive impairments that contribute to reduced orbitofrontal cortex volume.

Resumen Las alteraciones en el funcionamiento ejecutivo están relacionadas con la incapacidad de controlar conductas como comer en exceso. Pacientes con diagnóstico de obesidad reportan dificultades para controlar las conductas alimentarias, a pesar del deseo de perder peso. Sin embargo, la literatura actual carece de una revisión sistemática sobre la relación entre las alteraciones del funcionamiento ejecutivo y la obesidad. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar los hallazgos más importantes sobre este tema. Primero, un análisis bibliométrico muestra la evolución del tema. Luego, desde la herramienta Tree of Science se presenta una revisión cronológica que proporciona una descripción general de estudios seminales y perspectivas actuales del estado de la literatura. Finalmente, se empleó el análisis de agrupamiento de la red de co-citaciones para identificar las diferentes perspectivas del tema. Los hallazgos sugieren cuatro perspectivas: (1) los efectos del índice de masa corporal en el funcionamiento ejecutivo, (2) el funcionamiento ejecutivo en niños con sobrepeso y obesidad, (3) la actividad física en adultos con obesidad y (4) los cambios cerebrales estructurales y funcionales en la obesidad. Los datos preliminares sugieren que, en la obesidad, la mala elección de alimentos puede asociarse con deficiencias cognitivas frontales que pueden ser el resultado de disminuciones en el volumen de la corteza orbitofrontal.

Aproximación a una propuesta metodológica para evaluar la sostenibilidad en el entorno de la vivienda social en Medellín / An Approach to a Methodological Proposal for Evaluating Sustainability in the Setting of Social Housing in Medellín

Resumen La gran mayoría de las alternativas y soluciones propuestas, adolecen de un enfoque holístico, que permita enfrentar el problema desde una óptica integradora como consecuencia, no se cuenta en la actualidad en la ciudad de Medellín, con una alternativa que permita suplir el déficit de vivienda digna, segura, económica y sostenible. La duplicación de esfuerzos, el despilfarro de recursos y la ineficiencia en los procesos, se han convertido en una constante permanente de los proyectos que termina ofreciendo el Estado, el rechazo por parte de la comunidad y los usuarios ante las soluciones propuestas, genera un impacto social de grandes proporciones, que termina agudizando el problema existente.

Abstract The vast majority of the alternatives and solutions proposed, suffer from a holistic approach, which allows to tackle the problem from an integrative perspective as a consequence, currently, in the city of Medellín there does not exist, an alternative, which allows to supply the deficit of a dignified, safe, economic and sustainable housing. The duplication of efforts, the waste of resources, and the inefficiency in the processes have become a permanent constant of the projects, which the State ends up offering, the rejection by the community, and the users in the light of the proposed solutions. It generates a social impact of great proportions, which ends up sharpening the existing problem.

Calidad de sueño y somnolencia diurna excesiva en estudiantes universitarios de diferentes dominios / Sleep quality and excessive day drowsiness in university students from different careers / Qualidade de sono e sonolência diurna excessiva em estudantes universitarios de diferentes domínios

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar el estado de la calidad del sueño y de la somnolencia diurna excesiva en universitarios de diferentes carreras de pregrado en una universidad pública de Manizales durante el primer semestre de 2016. Metodología: Investigación descriptiva correlacional de carácter transversal en la que se trabajó con una muestra de 547 estudiantes que de manera voluntaria participaron de la investigación. Los instrumentos que se emplearon fueron la escala de somnolencia de Epworth y el índice de calidad de sueño de Pittsburgh. Para comparar los diferentes promedios de los puntajes totales entre estudiantes, hombres y mujeres, se utilizó la prueba t de Student para medias independientes (o la U de Mann-Whitney, en caso de no existir normalidad en los datos). La dependencia entre variables cualitativas se determinó mediante la prueba Chi-cuadrado de Pearson. Resultados: Se trabajó con 258 mujeres (47,2 %) y con 289 hombres (52,8 %) cuyas edades medias y desviaciones estándar fueron de 22,9 años y 3,8 años para los hombres y de 20,9 años y 2,7 años para el caso de las mujeres. Se encontró que, en general, los estudiantes tienden a tener una calidad de sueño que merece atención y tratamiento médico (77,1 %). Asimismo, que el 70,3 % presenta somnolencia leve o moderada. Conclusiones: La pobre calidad del sueño y la somnolencia diurna se presentan en diferentes áreas de dominio y disciplinas, y no solo en los pregrados en salud. Se requiere una mayor educación en relación con la higiene del sueño.

Abstract Objective: To establish the status of sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in undergraduate students of different careers at a public University in Manizales during the first semester of 2016. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study, in which 547 students voluntarily participated in the research was carried out. The instruments used were the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESE) and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). To compare the different averages of the total scores between male and female students, the Student t-test for independent means (or the Mann-Whitney U, in case there was no normality in the data) was used. Dependence between qualitative variables was determined by Pearson's Chi-square test. Results: The sample was composed by 258 women (47.2%) and 289 men (52.8%), whose mean ages and standard deviations were 22.9 years and 3.8 years for men, and 20 years, 9 years and 2.7 years for women. It was found that, in general, students tend to have a quality of sleep that deserves medical attention and treatment (77.1%). It was also found that 70.3% show mild or moderate somnolence. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality and associated daytime sleepiness occur in different careers and disciplines, and not only in health undergraduates. Early intervention is required as well as more education in relation to sleep hygiene.

Resumo Objetivo: Determinar o estado da qualidade do sono e da sonolência diurna excessiva em universitários de diferentes profissões de formatura em uma universidade pública de Manizales durante o primeiro semestre de 2016. Metodologia: pesquisa descritiva correlacional de caráter transversal no que se trabalho com uma amostra de 547 estudantes que de maneira voluntaria participaram na pesquisa. Os instrumentos que se utilizaram foram a escada de sonolência de Epworth e o índice de qualidade de sono de Pittsburgh. Para comparar as diferentes médias das pontuações totais entre estudantes, homens e mulheres, utilizou se o teste t de Student para medias independentes (ou a U de Mann-Whitney, em caso de não existir normalidade nos dados). A dependência entre variáveis qualitativas se determinou mediante o teste Chi-quadrado de Pearson. Resultados: Trabalhou se com 258 mulheres (47,2 %) e com 289 homens (52,8 %) cujas idades medias e desvios standard foram de 22,9 anos e 3,8 anos para os homens e de 20,9 anos e 2,7 anos para o caso das mulheres. Encontro se que, em geral, os estudantes tendem a ter uma qualidade de sono que merece atenção e tratamento médico (77,1 %). Além disso, que o 70,3 % presenta sonolência ligeira ou moderada. Conclusões: A pobre qualidade do sono e a sonolência diurna se presentam em diferentes áreas de domínio e disciplinas, e não só de formatura em saúde. Precisa se uma maior educação em relação com a higiene do sono.