Is the meaning of subjective well-being similar in Latin American countries? A cross-cultural measurement invariance study of the WHO-5 well-being index during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: There is an urgent need to assess changes in well-being on a multinational scale during the COVID-19 pandemic, thus culturally valid scales must be available. METHODS: With this in mind, this study examined the invariance of the WHO well-being index (WHO-5) among a sample of 5183 people from 12 Latin Americans countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay). RESULTS: The results of the present study indicate that the WHO-5 is strictly invariant across samples from different Latin American countries. Furthermore, the results of the IRT analysis indicate that all items of the WHO-5 were highly discriminative and that the difficulty required to respond to each of the five items is ascending. Additionally, the results indicated the presence of moderate and small size differences in subjective well-being among most countries. CONCLUSION: The WHO-5 is useful for assessing subjective well-being in 12 Latin American countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, since the differences between scores can be attributed to differences in well-being and not in other characteristics of the scale.

How stable is the intelligence over time?: evidence from Brazilian data / Quão estável é a inteligência?: evidência a partir de dados brasileiros / ¿Cómo de estable es la inteligencia?: evidencias a partir de datos brasileños

There is strong scientific evidence that intelligence remains stable from childhood to adulthood; however, no study has examined the generalizability of these findings for native Brazilian samples. Here we present a study carried out in 2002 and from 2014-2017 (average timespan of 15 years) in order to verify the stability of psychometric intelligence. A sample of 120 participants (mean age Time 1 = 10.0 yrs, mean age Time 2 = 23.6 yrs) was assessed using the Raven's Progressive Matrices and verbal subtests from the WISC-III and WAIS-III. The results indicated a moderate coefficient (around .50) for intelligence differential stability independent of the measurement administered. Regarding absolute stability, real cognitive gains were observed from Time 1 to Time 2, despite controlling the effect of the regression toward the mean. Finally, sex (female) and intelligence were statistically significant predictors of rapid educational progression. (AU)

Existe sólida evidência científica que a inteligência permanece estável desde a infância até a idade adulta, embora não existam estudos que verifique a generalidade desse pressuposto para amostra de nativos brasileiros. Aqui um estudo desenvolvido em 2002 e 2014/2017 (intervalo médio de 15 anos) que verifica a estabilidade da inteligência psicométrica é apresentado. Uma amostra de 120 participantes (Tempo 1 = 10,0 anos, Tempo 2 = 23,6 anos) foi avaliada com o uso das Matrizes Progressivas de Raven e as escalas verbais do WISC-III e do WAIS-III. Os resultados indicaram um coeficiente de estabilidade diferencial da inteligência moderado (aproximadamente 0,50), independentemente do tipo de medida administrada. Com relação à estabilidade absoluta, observaram-se ganhos cognitivos do Tempo 1 para o Tempo 2, apesar do controle do efeito da regressão à média. Finalmente, o sexo (feminino) e a inteligência foram os preditores estatisticamente significativos de uma rápida progressão educacional. (AU)

Existen fuertes evidencias científicas de que la inteligencia permanece estable desde la niñez hasta la edad adulta; sin embargo, no hay estudios que verifiquen la generalización de este supuesto para muestra de brasileños nativos. Aquí presentamos un estudio realizado en 2002 y de 2014 a 2017 (intervalo de tiempo promedio de 15 años) que comprueba la estabilidad de la inteligencia psicométrica. Se evaluó el desempeño de 120 participantes (Tiempo 1 = 10,0 años y Tiempo 2 = 23,6 años) con las Matrices Progresivas de Raven y escalas verbales del WISC-III y del WAIS-III. Los resultados indicaron un coeficiente de la estabilidad diferencial intelectual moderada (aproximadamente .50), independiente del tipo de medida administrada. En cuanto a la estabilidad absoluta, se observaron ganancias cognitivas del Tiempo 1 al Tiempo 2, a pesar de controlar el efecto de la regresión hacia la media. Por último, el sexo (femenino) y la inteligencia fueron predictores estadísticamente significativos de una rápida progresión educativa. (AU)

Field Evaluation of Novel Spatial Repellent Controlled Release Devices (CRDs) against Mosquitoes in an Outdoor Setting in the Northern Peruvian Amazon.

U.S. military troops are exposed to mosquito-borne pathogens when deployed to endemic regions. Personal protective measures such as permethrin-treated uniforms and dermal repellents are the cornerstones of mosquito-borne disease prevention for the U.S. military. These measures have limitations and additional personal protection tools, such as spatial repellent devices to decrease the risk of vector-borne pathogen transmission, are required. Novel spatial repellent controlled-release devices formulated with metofluthrin were evaluated in an outdoor setting in the northern Amazon of Peru to evaluate performance under field conditions. The metofluthrin emitting devices lowered the number of mosquitoes captured in protected human landing collections (HLC) compared to blank devices, although there were effect differences between Anopheles spp. and species in other mosquito genera. A computational-experimental model was developed to correlate HLC and active ingredient (AI) concentrations as a function of time and space. Results show a strong correlation between the released AI and the decrease in HLC. This model represents the first effort to obtain a predictive analytical tool on device performance using HLC as the entomological endpoint.

Efficacy of a spatial repellent for control of Aedes-borne virus transmission: A cluster-randomized trial in Iquitos, Peru.

Over half the world's population is at risk for viruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, such as dengue and Zika. The primary vector, Aedes aegypti, thrives in urban environments. Despite decades of effort, cases and geographic range of Aedes-borne viruses (ABVs) continue to expand. Rigorously proven vector control interventions that measure protective efficacy against ABV diseases are limited to Wolbachia in a single trial in Indonesia and do not include any chemical intervention. Spatial repellents, a new option for efficient deployment, are designed to decrease human exposure to ABVs by releasing active ingredients into the air that disrupt mosquito-human contact. A parallel, cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in Iquitos, Peru, to quantify the impact of a transfluthrin-based spatial repellent on human ABV infection. From 2,907 households across 26 clusters (13 per arm), 1,578 participants were assessed for seroconversion (primary endpoint) by survival analysis. Incidence of acute disease was calculated among 16,683 participants (secondary endpoint). Adult mosquito collections were conducted to compare Ae. aegypti abundance, blood-fed rate, and parity status through mixed-effect difference-in-difference analyses. The spatial repellent significantly reduced ABV infection by 34.1% (one-sided 95% CI lower limit, 6.9%; one-sided P value = 0.0236, z = 1.98). Aedes aegypti abundance and blood-fed rates were significantly reduced by 28.6 (95% CI 24.1%, ∞); z = -9.11) and 12.4% (95% CI 4.2%, ∞); z = -2.43), respectively. Our trial provides conclusive statistical evidence from an appropriately powered, preplanned cluster-randomized controlled clinical trial of the impact of a chemical intervention, in this case a spatial repellent, to reduce the risk of ABV transmission compared to a placebo.

Molecular Characterization by Multilocus Sequence Typing and Diversity Analysis of Rickettsia asembonensis in Peru.

Despite several reports worldwide documenting the presence of Rickettsia asembonensis in samples derived from ectoparasites, animals and more recently humans, genomic information of these specimens remains scarce, and when available, is usually limited to small genomic fragments of limited value. We generated complete sequences for two conserved (17-kDa antigen gene and gltA) and three variable (sca4, ompB and ompA) genes in five R. asembonensis DNA samples detected in cat and dog fleas in Peru. Complete gene sequences were used to conduct multi-locus sequence typing and phylogenetic analyses to assess diversity and infer relationships among strains and other reference sequences. The 17-kDa antigen gene was highly conserved across Rickettsia species. Of the variable genes ompB was the most variable, but this diversity was not captured through phylogenetics alone even when efforts were made to maximize potential diversity in terms of flea species, animal host and location. Through a combination of de novo and reference-based genome assembly we identified a 75 bp insertion in ompA that encodes a 25 aa repetitive motif found in other Rickettsia species, but not present in the original prototype strain from Kenya. R. asembonensis has only recently been shown to be a bona-fide human pathogen. As such, and compounded by a lack of available genomic information, it remains understudied. Our work directly addresses the lack of genomic information available worldwide for the study of these novel Rickettsia species and specifically contributes to our understanding of the diversity and molecular epidemiology of R. asembonensis in Peru.

Cross-cultural validation of the new version of the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale in twelve Latin American countries.

The Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) was recently developed to assess dysfunctional anxiety related to COVID-19. Although different studies reported that the CAS is psychometrically sound, it is unclear whether it is invariant across countries. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the measurement invariance of the CAS in twelve Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay). A total of 5196 people participated, with a mean age of 34.06 (SD = 26.54). Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to examine the measurement invariance of the CAS across countries and gender. Additionally, the graded response model (GRM) was used to provide a global representation of the representativeness of the scale with respect to the COVID-19 dysfunctional anxiety construct. The unidimensional structure of the five-item CAS was not confirmed in all countries. Therefore, it was suggested that a four-item model of the CAS (CAS-4) provides a better fit across the twelve countries and reliable scores. Multigroup CFA showed that the CAS-4 exhibits scalar invariance across all twelve countries and all genders. In addition, the CAS-4 items are more informative at average and high levels of COVID-19 dysfunctional anxiety than at lower levels. According to the results, the CAS-4 is an instrument with strong cross-cultural validity and is suitable for cross-cultural comparisons of COVID-19 dysfunctional anxiety symptoms in the general population of the twelve Latin American countries evaluated. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-021-02563-0.

Cross-Cultural Validation of a New Version in Spanish of Four Items of the Preventive COVID-19 Infection Behaviors Scale (PCIBS) in Twelve Latin American Countries.

The invariance of the Preventive COVID-19 Infection Behaviors Scale (PCIBS) was evaluated in 12 Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay). A total of 5183 people from the aforementioned countries participated, selected using the snowball sampling method. Measurement invariance was assessed by multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MG-CFA) and Multi-Group Factor Analysis Alignment (CFA-MIAL). In addition, item characteristics were assessed based on Item Response Theory. The results indicate that the original five-item version of the PCIBS is not adequate; whereas a four-item version of the PCIBS (PCIBS-4) showed a good fit in all countries. Thus, using the MG-CFA method, the PCIBS-4 achieved metric invariance, while the CFA-MIAL method indicated that the PCIBS-4 shows metric and scalar invariance. Likewise, the four items present increasing difficulties and high values in the discrimination parameters. The comparison of means of the PCIBS-4 reported irrelevant differences between countries; however, Mexico and Peru presented the highest frequency of preventive behaviors related to COVID-19. It is concluded that the PCIBS-4 is a unidimensional self-report measure which is reliable and invariant across the twelve participating Latin American countries. It is expected that the findings will be of interest to social and health scientists, as well as those professionals directly involved in public health decision making.

Molecular Characterization of Bartonella Species Discovered in Ectoparasites Collected from Domestic Animals, Cuzco, Peru.

Rickettsiae and bartonellae are Gram-negative bacteria that can cause zoonotic and human diseases and are vectored by hematophagous arthropods. In the Americas, rickettsioses and bartonelloses have reemerged as significant public health threats. Bartonella species have been identified as causing zoonotic infections responsible for a variety of clinical syndromes in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution, prevalence, and molecular heterogeneity of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. among ectoparasites collected from domestic animals in 14 farming communities in the Andes Mountains of Cuzco, Peru. A total of 222 domestic animals representing 8 different species (sheep, donkeys, goats, cattle, pigs, llamas, guinea pigs, and horses) were sampled. Nine species of ectoparasites (n = 1,697) collected from 122 animals were identified resulting in 1,657 chewing lice, 39 ticks, and 1 flea. DNA was individually extracted from a random sample of 600 (35.4%) considering variability of ectoparasite species, hosts, and sample location elevation. All 600 samples were negative for rickettsial DNA by a genus-specific molecular assay. A subset of 173 (28.8%) samples were selected based on variability of arthropods species, host, and location for Bartonella testing. Ninety-one (52.6%) of these samples including Melophagus ovinus (90/110) and Bovicola bovis (1/7) were positive for Bartonella by a genus-specific molecular assay. Five Bartonella genes of seven DNA samples from M. ovinus were analyzed by the multilocus sequence typing for characterization. We identified five identical Bartonella melophagi specimens and two specimens with Bartonella species related to B. melophagi from the seven M. ovinus. The Bartonella agents detected were widely distributed and frequent in multiple studied locations.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Rickettsia and Leptospira Infection in Four Ecologically Distinct Regions of Peru.

Rickettsia and Leptospira spp. are under-recognized causes of acute febrile disease worldwide. Rickettsia species are often placed into the spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) and typhus group rickettsiae (TGR). We explored the antibody prevalence among humans for these two groups of rickettsiae in four regions of Peru (Lima, Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, and Tumbes) and for Leptospira spp. in Puerto Maldonado and Tumbes. We also assessed risk factors for seropositivity and collected serum samples and ectoparasites from peri-domestic animals from households in sites with high human seroprevalence. In total, we tested 2,165 human sera for antibodies (IgG) against SFGR and TGR by ELISA and for antibodies against Leptospira by a microscopic agglutination test. Overall, human antibody prevalence across the four sites was 10.6% for SFGR (ranging from 6.2% to 14.0%, highest in Tumbes) and 3.3% for TGR (ranging from 2.6% to 6.4%, highest in Puerto Maldonado). Factors associated with seroreactivity against SFGR were male gender, older age, contact with backyard birds, and working in agriculture or with livestock. However, exposure to any kind of animal within the household decreased the odds ratio by half. Age was the only variable associated with higher TGR seroprevalence. The prevalence of Leptospira was 11.3% in Puerto Maldonado and 5.8% in Tumbes, with a borderline association with keeping animals in the household. We tested animal sera for Leptospira and conducted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect Rickettsia species among ectoparasites collected from domestic animals in 63 households of seropositive participants and controls. We did not find any association between animal infection and human serostatus.

Rickettsia asembonensis Characterization by Multilocus Sequence Typing of Complete Genes, Peru.

While studying rickettsial infections in Peru, we detected Rickettsia asembonensis in fleas from domestic animals. We characterized 5 complete genomic regions (17kDa, gltA, ompA, ompB, and sca4) and conducted multilocus sequence typing and phylogenetic analyses. The molecular isolate from Peru is distinct from the original R. asembonensis strain from Kenya.

The Dissociation between Adult Intelligence and Personality with Respect to Maltreatment Episodes and Externalizing Behaviors Occurring in Childhood.

Here we analyze the simultaneous relationships among five variables. Two refer to childhood (episodes of various forms of maltreatment and externalizing behaviors), whereas three refer to early adulthood (intelligence, personality, and socialization difficulties). The 120 individuals considered for the present report were invited from the 650 schoolchildren participating in the Longitudinal Study of Intelligence and Personality (Minas Gerais, Brazil). The complete sample was recruited in 2002 (T1; mean age = 10.0; standard deviation (SD) = 2.2) and 120 were tested again in 2014-17 (T2; mean age = 23.5; SD = 2.2). Externalizing behaviors were registered at T1, whereas the remaining variables were obtained at T2. These were the main results: (1) externalizing behaviors predict future social effectiveness (as estimated by the general factor of personality derived from the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R) and socialization difficulties computed from the socialization scale (SOC)) and future intelligence performance (as assessed by a set of fluid and crystallized tests); (2) episodes of self-reported childhood maltreatment predict social effectiveness, but not intelligence; (3) maltreatment and externalizing behaviors are unrelated; and (4) social effectiveness (personality) and intelligence are unrelated. Therefore, the findings support the dissociation between adult intelligence and personality with respect to maltreatment episodes and externalizing behaviors occurring in childhood. Implications of these findings for social policies aimed at preventing adult socially ineffective personalities are underscored.

Socioeconomic environment effect on inferential reasoning of Latin American students / Efecto ambiental socioeconómico sobre el raciocinio inferencial de estudiantes latinoamericanos

Abstract Introduction Inferential reasoning (IR) is a major component of intelligence, which comprises many different cognitive processes such as perception, memory, and logic. Many studies have proposed that socioeconomic status (SES) has a negligible association with IR, but more recent findings suggest that they may have a higher association when evaluating group instead of individual SES. Objective The aim of this study is to test the effects of both individual (students) and group (schools) socioeconomic status on IR, comparing different countries of Latin America. Method The sample was composed of 2 358 students aged 14 and 15 years from 52 different schools (44% public) of five Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru). Participants took part in an inferential reasoning test and answered a socioeconomic questionnaire. Results SES student showed a small positive correlation with IR (r = .10, p < .001), while SES school had a more pronounced effect on IR (F [2, 1944] = 74.68, p < .001, ηp2 = .07), with higher IR at schools with higher SES. A significant difference of IR between countries (F [4, 1976] = 20.68, p < .001, ηp2 = .04), was also found with Peru showing the highest mean. Peru was the country with the higher percentage of private schools in the present study. A multilevel model was fitted using individual and group SES as predictors. Discussion and conclusion Our findings showed that group SES have a higher predictive value of IR when compared to individual SES. This result suggests that individuals with low SES can benefit from studying on higher SES schools. Future research and the importance of public policies are discussed.

Resumen Introducción El razonamiento inferencial (IR) es un componente importante de la inteligencia que comprende diversos procesos cognitivos, como la percepción, la memoria y la lógica. Muchos estudios han propuesto que el nivel socioeconómico (NSE) tiene una baja asociación con IR, pero hallazgos más recientes sugieren que el NSE del grupo puede tener mayor asociación que el NSE individual con el IR. Objetivo El objetivo de este estudio es investigar los efectos del nivel socioeconómico individual (estudiantes) y de grupo (escuelas) sobre el IR, haciéndose comparaciones entre diferentes países de América Latina. Método La muestra estuvo compuesta por 2 358 estudiantes con edades comprendidas entre los 14 y los 15 años, de 52 escuelas diferentes (44% públicas), de cinco países de América Latina (Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia y Perú). Los participantes fueron evaluados con una prueba de razonamiento inferencial y un cuestionario socioeconómico. Resultados El NSE individual mostró una pequeña correlación positiva con IR (r = .10 p < .001), mientras que el NSE de grupo tuvo un efecto más pronunciado sobre IR (F [2, 1944] = 74.68, p < .001, ηp2 = .07) con mayor IR en las escuelas con mayor NSE. También se encontró una diferencia significativa de IR entre los países (F [4, 1976] = 20.68, p < .001, ηp2 = .04), con un promedio más alto para Perú, el país con mayor número de escuelas particulares en el presente estudio. Se ajustó un modelo multinivel utilizando las variables principales. Discusión y conclusión Nuestros resultados demostraron que el NSE de grupo tiene un mayor valor predictivo de IR en comparación con el SES individual. Este resultado sugiere que los individuos con un nivel socioeconómico bajo pueden beneficiarse de estudiar en escuelas con SES superiores. Se discuten las futuras investigaciones y la importancia de las políticas públicas.

Effects of Cognitive Training on Cognitive Performance of Healthy Older Adults.

The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of cognitive training on healthy older adults and verify the transfer effects of targeted and non-targeted abilities. The design consisted of a semi-randomized clinical controlled trial. The final sample was composed of 80 volunteers recruited from a Brazilian community (mean age = 69.69; SD = 7.44), which were separated into an intervention group (N = 47; mean age = 69.66, SD = 7.51) and a control group (N = 33; mean age = 69.73, SD = 7.45). Intervention was characterized by adaptive cognitive training with 12 individual training sessions of 60 to 90 minutes (once a week). Eight instruments were used to assess effects of cognitive training. Five were used to assess trained abilities (near effects), including: Memorization Tests (List and History), Picture Completion, Digit Span, Digit Symbol-Coding, and Symbol Search (the last four from WAIS-III). Two instruments assessed untrained abilities (far effects): Arithmetic and Matrix Reasoning (WAIS-III). The non-parametric repeated measures ANOVA test revealed a significant interaction between group by time interaction for Picture Completion [F(74) = 14.88, p = .0002, d = 0.90, CLES = 73.69%], Digit Symbol-Coding [F(74) = 5.66, p = .019, d = 0.55, CLES = 65.21%] and Digit Span [F(74) = 5.38, p = .02, d = 0.54, CLES = 64.85%], suggesting an interventional impact on these performance tasks. The results supported near transfer effects, but did not demonstrate a far transfer effects.

Mothers-Offspring Resemblance in Intelligence and Its Relationship to Socioeconomic Status / Semelhança Entre Mães e Filhos em Inteligência e sua Relação com o Nível Socioeconômico / Semejanza Entre Madres e Hijos e su Relacion con el Nivel Socioeconómico

Abstract: Kinship studies have shown that most cognitive ability variances are attributable to genotypic variance. Additionally, kinship correlations are generally increased when tasks that are highly g loaded are considered, a result known as the "Jensen effect". Alternatively, some studies have suggested socioeconomic status as an important factor for explaining differences in cognition. The present study investigated these premises in a sample of 141 mothers (mean age = 36.6; SD = 6.0) and their offspring (53.2% girls; mean age = 11.0; SD = 2.1). The Standard Progressive Matrices of Raven (mothers and offspring) and six other cognitive measures (offspring only) were administered. The findings suggested evidence of g heritability (Jensen effect), which is consistent with published literature on intelligence. However, kinship correlation coefficients were lower (.041 to .177) when compared to other published findings. Finally, the difference between the mother's IQ score and that of her child was influenced by SES and mother's education level.

Resumo: Estudos familiares demonstram que grande parte da variância das habilidades cognitivas é atribuída à variância genotípica. Além disso, correlações de parentesco possuem, geralmente, maiores valores quando as tarefas são altamente carregadas de g, fenômeno conhecido como "efeito Jensen". No entanto, em outra linha de investigação, estudos sugerem que o nível socioeconômico é um fator importante para explicar as diferenças cognitivas. O presente estudo investigou essas premissas em uma amostra de 141 mães (idade media = 36,6; DP = 6,0) e seus filhos (53,2% meninas;idade média = 11,0; DP = 2,1). Administrou-se as Matrizes Progressivas de Raven (em mães e filhos) e seis outras medidas cognitivas (nos filhos). Os resultados sugeriram uma evidência de herdabilidade em g (efeito Jensen). No entanto, os coeficientes de correlações familiares foram menores (0,041 a 0,177) a outros comumemente publicados. Por outro lado, a diferença entre os scores de QI das mães e de seus filhos foi influenciada pelo nível socioeconômico (NSE) e pelo nível de escolaridade da mãe. No geral, advoga-se por uma interação gene x ambiente das diferenças de habilidades cognitivas dependente do contexto socio-econômico.

Resumen: Los estudios familiares han mostrado que gran parte de la varianza de las habilidades cognitivas es dada por la varianza genotípica. Además, las correlaciones de parentesco generalmente tienen mayor valor cuando las tareas demandan alto g, fenómeno conocido como "efecto Jensen". Sin embargo, considerando otra línea de investigación, los estudios sugieren que el nivel socioeconómico es un factor importante para explicar las diferencias cognitivas. El presente estudio investigó estas premisas en una muestra de 141 madres (edad media = 36,6; DT = 6,0) y sus hijos (53,2% niñas; edad media = 11,0; DT = 2,1). Fue administrado las Matrices Progresivas de Raven (en madres y niños) y otras seis medidas cognitivas (en niños). Los resultados sugieren evidencia de herdabilidad en g (efecto Jensen), hallazgo consistente con la literatura. Con todo, los coeficientes de correlación de parentesco fueron inferiores (0.041 a 0.177) en comparación con otras publicaciones. Finalmente, la diferencia entre las puntuaciones de CI de madres y sus hijos fue influenciado por el nivel socioeconómico (SES) y el nivel educativo de la madre.

Development of a cognitive training program for the elderly / Desenvolvimento de um programa de treino cognitivo para idosos

Abstract Introduction: Plasticity in intellectual functioning has been the target of significant research investment. Among non-pharmacological interventions, cognitive training appears as a promising option for delaying the effects of aging on cognition. Objective: The present study describes the procedures of a cognitive training program for healthy Brazilian elderly persons (without diagnosis of dementia). Method: Cognitive tasks for the training of attention, processing speed, episodic memory and working memory were carried out. The program training was performed over 12 individual sessions, and included an Instruction Book, a Stimulus Book and Protocol Record. To assess the effects of training, five subtests of the WAIS-III test were used: Picture completion, Coding, Arithmetic, Matrix Reasoning and Digit Span. The cognitive training program was tested with 15 individuals, divided into an experimental group (EG), which received training, and a control group (CG). The EG was formed of seven participants, aged between 70 and 82 years (M=73.57, SD=4.11) and with an average schooling of 5.8 years (SD=1.02). The CG was formed by 8 participants, aged 69-77 years (M=74.00, SD=4.58), and who had an average schooling of 2.88 years (SD=2.58). Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a training effect for three subtests: Coding: [F(1)=5.40, p=0.03, η2G=0.09], Arithmetic [F(1)=9.03, p=0.01, η2G=0.004] and Picture completion [F(1)=8.01, p=0.01, η2G=0.19]. There were no gain effects for Matrix Reasoning [F(1)=1.43, p=0.25] and Digit Span [F(1)=10.04, p<0.001]. Conclusion: The results of this pilot study show the importance of testing the impact of cognitive training through a randomized clinical trial to verify its effects on the mental performance of older adults. The importance of greater disclosure in literature of the construction procedures involved in cognitive training tasks, as well as the formulation of intervention strategies, is highlighted. AU

Resumo Introdução: Dentre as modalidades não farmacológicas de intervenção para idosos, o treino cognitivo apresenta-se como uma alternativa promissora para atenuar ou retardar os efeitos do envelhecimento sobre a cognição. Objetivo: Apresentar os procedimentos de desenvolvimento de um protocolo de treino cognitivo para idosos saudáveis em um contexto brasileiro. Método: Foram elaboradas tarefas cognitivas com foco na estimulação e ensino de estratégias voltadas para atenção, velocidade de processamento, memória episódica e memória de trabalho. As tarefas foram distribuídas em 12 sessões de treino individual, com frequência semanal e duração dos encontros de 90 minutos cada. Como medidas cognitivas para avaliar os efeitos do treino, foram utilizados cinco subtestes da Escala Wechsler de Inteligência para Adultos (WAIS-III). O protocolo foi testado em um grupo de 15 idosas: o grupo experimental (GE, n=7), com idade entre 70 e 82 anos (M=73,57, DP=4,11) e média de escolarização de 5,8 anos (DP=1,02); e o grupo controle (GC, n=8), com idade entre 69 a 77 anos (M=74,00, DP=4,58) e média de escolarização de 2,88 anos (DP=2,58). Resultados: O teste ANOVA revelou efeito de treino para três subtestes: Códigos: [F(1)=5,40, p=0,03, η2 G=0,09], Aritmética [F(1)=9,03; p=0,01, η2 G=0,004] e Completar Figuras [F(1)=8,01; p=0,01, η2 G=0,19]. Não foram observados efeitos de ganho para Raciocínio Matricial [F(1)=1,43, p=0,25] e Dígitos [F(1)=10,04, p<0,001]. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo piloto apontam para a importância de testar o impacto do programa desenvolvido em um ensaio clínico randomizado para verificar seus efeitos no desempenho mental de idosos. Conclui-se sobre a importância de uma maior divulgação, na literatura, dos procedimentos de construção das tarefas dos programas de treino cognitivo, bem como da formulação das estratégias de intervenção. AU

Identification of Blood Meals from Potential Arbovirus Mosquito Vectors in the Peruvian Amazon Basin.

The transmission dynamics of many arboviruses in the Amazon Basin region have not been fully elucidated, including the vectors and natural reservoir hosts. Identification of blood meal sources in field-caught mosquitoes could yield information for identifying potential arbovirus vertebrate hosts. We identified blood meal sources in 131 mosquitoes collected from areas endemic for arboviruses in the Peruvian Department of Loreto by sequencing polymerase chain reaction amplicons of the cytochrome b gene. Psorophora (Janthinosoma) albigenu, Psorophora (Grabhamia) cingulata, Mansonia humeralis, Anopheles oswaldoi s.l., and Anopheles benarrochi s.l. had mainly anthropophilic feeding preferences; Aedes (Ochlerotatus) serratus, and Aedes (Ochlerotatus) fulvus had feeding preferences for peridomestic animals; and Culex (Melanoconion) spp. fed on a variety of vertebrates, mainly rodents (spiny rats), birds, and amphibians. On the basis of these feeding preferences, many mosquitoes could be considered as potential enzootic and bridge arbovirus vectors in the Amazon Basin of Peru.

Rickettsial Disease in the Peruvian Amazon Basin.

Using a large, passive, clinic-based surveillance program in Iquitos, Peru, we characterized the prevalence of rickettsial infections among undifferentiated febrile cases and obtained evidence of pathogen transmission in potential domestic reservoir contacts and their ectoparasites. Blood specimens from humans and animals were assayed for spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) and typhus group rickettsiae (TGR) by ELISA and/or PCR; ectoparasites were screened by PCR. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between patient history, demographic characteristics of participants and symptoms, clinical findings and outcome of rickettsial infection. Of the 2,054 enrolled participants, almost 2% showed evidence of seroconversion or a 4-fold rise in antibody titers specific for rickettsiae between acute and convalescent blood samples. Of 190 fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and 60 ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) tested, 185 (97.4%) and 3 (5%), respectively, were positive for Rickettsia spp. Candidatus Rickettsia asemboensis was identified in 100% and 33% of the fleas and ticks tested, respectively. Collectively, our serologic data indicates that human pathogenic SFGR are present in the Peruvian Amazon and pose a significant risk of infection to individuals exposed to wild, domestic and peri-domestic animals and their ectoparasites.

Working memory training does not improve intelligence: evidence from brazilian children / Treinamento em memória de trabalho não promove mudanças intelectuais: evidências em crianças brasileiras

Recent investigations applying working memory training have indicated that it is possible to train intelligence. This work aimed to verify the effectiveness of a cognitive training program aimed at increasing children's intelligence. Fifty-three Brazilian children, enrolled in the sixth year of elementary school (M=11.17 years, SD=.37), were selected from a larger original group. This selected sample was randomly assigned into the experimental group/EG (n=27) and the control group/CG (n=26). All children were evaluated by cognitive measures in the pre-test and post-test phase. Three working memory tasks encompassed the cognitive training program. The cognitive training was administered to the EG twice a week for eight weeks. The post-test assessment was administered two weeks following the conclusion of the training program. The statistical analysis indicated no significant differences between EG and CG after training for cognitive measurements. These results demonstrate partial support of the selective literature that indicates the difficulty of achieving significant intellectual changes through specific intervention programs.

Investigações recentes utilizando a memória de trabalho tem mostrado que é possível treinar a inteligência. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a efetividade de um programa de treinamento de memória de trabalho para melhorar a inteligência de crianças. Participaram do estudo cinquenta e três crianças brasileiras do sexto ano do ensino fundamental (M= 11,17 anos, DP= 0,37), as quais foram aleatoriamente designadas para compor o grupo experimental/GE (n=27) e o grupo controle/GC (n = 26). No pré-teste e no pós-teste, as crianças foram avaliadas com medidas cognitivas e de desempenho escolar. Para o programa de treinamento foram utilizadas três tarefas de memória de trabalho. O treinamento cognitivo foi administrado ao GE duas vezes por semana por oito semanas. O pós-teste foi realizado duas semanas após o final do treinamento. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre o grupo de treinamento e controle no pós-teste para nenhuma das medidas cognitivas e de desempenho escolar. Os resultados encontrados encontram suporte parcial na literatura e apontam para dificuldade de se encontrar mudanças intelectuais genuínas com programas de intervenção de curta duração.

Establishment of a free-mating, long-standing and highly productive laboratory colony of Anopheles darlingi from the Peruvian Amazon.

BACKGROUND: Anopheles darlingi is the main malaria vector in the Amazon region and is among the most efficient malaria vectors worldwide. However, due to the lack of a well-established laboratory colony, key control-relevant aspects of the bionomics, behaviour, genetics, and vector-parasite relationships of An. darlingi remain unknown. Here, biological parameters that had been successful in initiating other Anopheles colonies were optimized and improved for An. darlingi, with the aim of establish a free-mating, stable, and highly productive laboratory colony. METHODS: Wild An. darlingi adult females were field collected from Zungarococha, Loreto Department, Peru (03°49'32.40″S, 73°21'00.08″W), and taken to the NAMRU-6 Insectary in Iquitos where F(1) offspring were produced and reared. Natural copulation was successfully induced in F1 adults under a thermoperiod of 30 ± 1 °C during the day and 25 ± 1 °C at night, and with a 30-min LED light stimulation period at dusk. Oviposition success was enhanced using egg-laying containers with a dark-coloured surface. Larval feeding regimes were standardized for optimal larval development. Optimized copulation induction methods were used to facilitate mating in An. darlingi until the F(10) generation. No copulation induction assistance was needed in subsequent generations. RESULTS: In 19 generations, the An. darlingi colony produced a total of 763,775 eggs; 441,124 larvae; 248,041 pupae; and 231,591 adults. A mean of 0.56 sexual encounters/female/cage (n = 36 cages) was recorded across the first ten generations (F(1)-F(10)). A mean insemination rate of 54.7 % (n = 5,907 females) ranging from 43.6 % (F(2)) to 66.6 % (F(10)) was recorded across nine generations (F(2)-F(10)). Free-mating was casually observed in the F(8) generation, and subsequently confirmed in the F(9) and F(10) generations; comparable insemination rates and egg laying between stimulated (51.6 %, 12.9 eggs/female), and non-stimulated (52.3 %, 11.2 eggs/female) females were recorded. The time from egg to adult development ranged from 10 to 20 days. Moreover, the colony was relocated to a new laboratory within Iquitos in the F(14) generation without any noted changes in its productivity. By March 2015, the An. darlingi colony has been successfully reared to the F(26) generation. CONCLUSIONS: This constitutes the first report of a free-mating, highly productive, and long-standing An. darlingi laboratory colony established through natural copulation induction, which will support critical malaria research. This rearing methodology may be a transferable, cost-effective alternative to labour-intensive forced mating practices widely used in maintaining other Anopheles colonies.

Diferenças de sexo em uma habilidade cognitiva específica e na produção científica / Sex differences in a specific cognitive ability and scientific production / Diferencias sexuales en una habilidade cognitiva especifica y en produccion científica

O presente estudo visou investigar dois aspectos relacionados às diferenças de sexo: o desempenho de universitários no teste Matrizes Progressivas de Raven-Escala Avançada e a análise da autoria por sexos de artigos publicados em revistas de impacto. Para tanto, avaliou-se o desempenho de 547 estudantes de diferentes cursos universitários e contabilizou-se a autoria principal de 12.797 artigos científicos publicados em periódicos nacionais e internacionais no período de 2000 a 2010. Os resultados mostraram diferenças significativas a favor do sexo masculino no teste Raven para a amostra geral e para os cursos de Engenharia, Medicina e Psicologia. Na análise da produtividade científica, constatou-se predominância de autoria principal do sexo masculino para três áreas do conhecimento (Humanas, Biológicas e Exatas). Os resultados sugeriram diferenças na especialização cognitiva entre os sexos, que podem ser expressas tanto nas habilidades de raciocínio visuoespacial quanto na produção científica.(AU)

Two aspects related to sex differences were investigated in the present study: the performance of university students in the Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices Test and the analysis of articles published, according to sex, in major scientific journals. 547 students from different university courses were assessed and, the authorship of 12797 scientific articles published in national and international journals during the period 2000 and 2010 was accounted. Significant differences in favor of male in the Raven's Test for the overall sample as well as for Engineering, Medicine and Psychology courses were found. In addition, there was a predominantly male first authorship in three areas of knowledge (Humanities, Biological and Exact). The findings suggested cognitive specialization differences between sexes, which may be expressed into visuospacial reasoning skills, and scientific production.(AU)

El estudio que se presenta tuvo como objetivo investigar dos aspectos de las diferencias entre los sexos: el desempeño de estudiantes de universidades en las Matrizes Progresivas de Raven, escala avanzada, y la autoria por sexo en la producción científica publicada en revistas de impacto. Se evaluó el desempeño de 547 estudiantes de diferentes carreras universitarias, y se contabilizó el autor principal de 12.797 artículos científicos publicados en revistas nacionales e internacionales en el período 2000-2010. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas a favor de los hombres en el test Raven para la muestra total y para los cursos de Ingeniería, Medicina y Psicología. En el análisis de la productividad científica, hubo predominio de la autoría principal masculina en tres áreas de conocimiento (Humanidades, Biológica y Exactas). Los resultados sugieren diferencias en la especialización cognitiva entre los sexos, que pueden se reflejar en las habilidades visuo-espaciales y en la producción científica.(AU)