Expression of Circulating MicroRNAs Associated with Obesity and their Relationships with Biochemical Parameters and Health-related Physical Fitness in Children 6 to 10 Years Old in Cali, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a public health problem worldwide; it has reached pandemic proportions in the last 40 years. Its prevalence in children and adolescents increased from 0.7% to 7.8% between 1975 and 2016. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as regulatory factors related to molecular functions under different conditions. These can be used as biomarkers of a disease to estimate risks in the early stages. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the expression levels of miRNAs associated with childhood obesity and their relationships with biochemical parameters and Health-related Physical Fitness (HRPF). METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which a population of 40 children between 6 and 10 years of age of both sexes from Cali, Colombia, was evaluated; the children were classified as 20 normal-weight and 20 obese. Blood biochemistry, HRPF, and miRNA expression levels were determined (hsa-miR-122-5p, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-191-5p, hsa-miR-486-3p, hsa-miR-222-3p. Comparisons were made between the groups, miRNA associations between the studied variables, and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty normal-weight and 20 obese patients were evaluated. Both groups had an average age of eight years old. The miRNA hsa-miR-122-5p (p < 0.05) was overexpressed in the obese group. According to the linear regression analysis, the amount of adipose tissue may be associated with the production of miRNAs (hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-122-5p, and hsamiR- 191-5p). CONCLUSION: Four miRNAs (hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-122-5p, and hsa-miR- 191-5p) are associated with modifications in biochemical variables of HRPF in this group. Adipose tissue mass could be associated with the production of these miRNAs, thus making them biomarkers of childhood obesity risk.

Creating psychometric scales for perceptual assessment of fruit juices' refreshing and thickness attributes.

Persons look for beverages to satisfy thirst (refresh) and feel fulfilled (thick). However, refreshing and thickness are concepts that lack a measurement instrument that captures an accurate judgment of consumers' perceptions. This research aims to propose a tool to assess consumers' refreshing and thickness expectations of fruit juices. Items were developed through a two-stage qualitative-exploratory study, followed by a quantitative study describing the scale's composition using an Item Response Theory approach. Hence, we suggest a set of items to consider when measuring both concepts from a perception task. Moreover, results show that thickness and refreshing are distinct and independent ideas. We provide a theoretical contribution defining each construct and recognizing the attributes that best describe refreshing and thickness for five different fruit juices. Our methodological contribution is creating a scale for each of the concepts. Practically, developing a thickness and refreshing scale is useful for product developers and marketers who expect to satisfy consumers' needs for soft drinks.

[Concordance of the assessment of pubertal development with the Tanner scale between adolescents and a trained physician]. / Concordancia en la evaluación del desarrollo puberal mediante la escala de Tanner entre adolescentes y un médico entrenado.

OBJECTIVES.: To assess the concordance between self-assessment of pubertal development with the Tanner scale performed by adolescents compared to the assessment performed by a trained physician. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: As part of the SIMAC project, data was collected on 244 adolescents. At baseline, we included an anthropometric and pubertal development assessment, with a self-assessment by the participants. RESULTS.: We included 229 teenagers from 12 to 17 years old. The agreement between the self-assessment and the clinical evaluation with the Tanner scale presented an 88.3% agreement and a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.554. The self-assessment in women showed a good agreement ( kappaweighted=0.653) and in men a moderate agreement (kappaweighted=0.464). The only variable with a significant influence on the agreement ability was gender; the disagreement probability in males was 63% greater than in females, regardless of age, height, or weight (95% CI: 1,18-2, 26). CONCLUSIONS: . Self-assessment was not accurate enough to replace medical examination, especially in males. More research is needed on this subject considering the impact that self-assessment of sexual development could have.

OBJETIVOS.: Evaluar la concordancia entre la autoevaluación del desarrollo puberal mediante la escala de Tanner realizada por adolescentes, comparado con la evaluación efectuada por un médico entrenado. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Los datos de 244 adolescentes fueron recolectados como parte del proyecto SIMAC. En la línea de base incluimos una evaluación antropométrica y del desarrollo puberal, con una autoevaluación por parte de los participantes. RESULTADOS.: Incluimos 229 adolescentes de 12 a 17 años. La concordancia entre la autoevaluación y la evaluación clínica de la escala de Tanner presentó un acuerdo obtenido de 88,3% y un coeficiente kappa ponderado de 0,554. La autoevaluación en mujeres demostró una concordancia buena (kappapond=0,653), y en varones una concordancia moderada (kappapond=0,464). La única variable con una influencia significativa sobre la capacidad de acuerdo fue el sexo; la probabilidad de desacuerdo en los varones fue 63% mayor que en las mujeres, independiente de edad, talla y peso (IC 95%:1,18-2,26). CONCLUSIONES.: La autoevaluación no fue lo suficientemente precisa para reemplazar el examen médico, sobre todo en los varones. Se requieren más estudios en relación con este tema, reconociendo el impacto que podría llegar a tener la autoevaluación del desarrollo sexual.

Concordancia en la evaluación del desarrollo puberal mediante la escala de Tanner entre adolescentes y un médico entrenado / Concordance of the assessment of pubertal development with the Tanner scale between adolescents and a trained physician

RESUMEN Objetivos. Evaluar la concordancia entre la autoevaluación del desarrollo puberal mediante la escala de Tanner realizada por adolescentes, comparado con la evaluación efectuada por un médico entrenado. Materiales y métodos. Los datos de 244 adolescentes fueron recolectados como parte del proyecto SIMAC. En la línea de base incluimos una evaluación antropométrica y del desarrollo puberal, con una autoevaluación por parte de los participantes. Resultados. Incluimos 229 adolescentes de 12 a 17 años. La concordancia entre la autoevaluación y la evaluación clínica de la escala de Tanner presentó un acuerdo obtenido de 88,3% y un coeficiente kappa ponderado de 0,554. La autoevaluación en mujeres demostró una concordancia buena (kappapond=0,653), y en varones una concordancia moderada (kappapond=0,464). La única variable con una influencia significativa sobre la capacidad de acuerdo fue el sexo; la probabilidad de desacuerdo en los varones fue 63% mayor que en las mujeres, independiente de edad, talla y peso (IC 95%:1,18-2,26). Conclusiones. La autoevaluación no fue lo suficientemente precisa para reemplazar el examen médico, sobre todo en los varones. Se requieren más estudios en relación con este tema, reconociendo el impacto que podría llegar a tener la autoevaluación del desarrollo sexual.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To assess the concordance between self-assessment of pubertal development with the Tanner scale performed by adolescents compared to the assessment performed by a trained physician. Materials and Methods. As part of the SIMAC project, data was collected on 244 adolescents. At baseline, we included an anthropometric and pubertal development assessment, with a self-assessment by the participants. Results. We included 229 teenagers from 12 to 17 years old. The agreement between the self-assessment and the clinical evaluation with the Tanner scale presented an 88.3% agreement and a weighted kappa coefficient of 0.554. The self-assessment in women showed a good agreement ( kappaweighted=0.653) and in men a moderate agreement (kappaweighted=0.464). The only variable with a significant influence on the agreement ability was gender; the disagreement probability in males was 63% greater than in females, regardless of age, height, or weight (95% CI: 1,18-2, 26). Conclusions . Self-assessment was not accurate enough to replace medical examination, especially in males. More research is needed on this subject considering the impact that self-assessment of sexual development could have.

Code and data on the categorization of soft-drink bottles using image silhouettes.

This data article includes the visual stimuli used to test the categorization of a set of soft drink bottle silhouettes. Additionally, subjects' perceptual categorization was associated with each visual stimuli. The silhouette of the soft drink bottles was characterized by calculating the most common object shape measurements such as width, height and area and combining them with more complex and specific quantitative shape measurements such as the principal moment statistics. Finally, this data article includes the code for extracting these shape characteristics from image silhouettes. For interpretation and discussion, please see the original article entitled "Quantitative analysis of product categorization in soft drinks using bottle silhouettes" (Arboled and Arce-Lopera, 2015) [1].

The French, German, and Spanish sound of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

A set of onomatopoeic expressions for eating fruits and vegetables is compared across subjects whose native language is Spanish, French, or German. Subjects chose the onomatopoeia that best represented the sound of eating a fruit or vegetable (celery, banana, strawberry, passion fruit, mango, apple, orange, and tomato). Results show there are onomatopoeias that have a higher frequency of response in one language compared to the others. Thus, it is possible to assume that depending on the language there is a better way to express haptic and auditory information associated to fruit and vegetable consumption. Moreover, and considering the three languages, results show there are three categories of responses based on the relative strength of the material (strong and medium strength, and soft). Thus, there is some consistency in the onomatopoeias that represent the sound of eating a fruit or a vegetable. To conclude, results differ by language, but they are consistent within a category of sound.

Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en docentes universitarios / Cardiovascular risk factors in university teachers

Se realizó una investigación cualitativa en 21 docentes de la Universidad para percibir el conocimiento de algunos factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV). A través de una encuesta estructurada, se identificaron algunas variables relacionados con problemas cardiovasculares. Por medio de entrevista en profundidad, se indagó sobre la experiencia personal, su conocimiento y relación con problemas cardiovasculares, controles y prevención. Predominó el tabaquismo, la hipertensión, la herencia de problemas cardiovasculares, el colesterol alto y la diabetes mellitus. Además, el estrés y el sedentarismo.Un solo docente presenta estrés, tabaquismo y alcoholismo; otro, colesterol alto, estrés y tabaquismo y 7 docentes, cada uno con dos factores de riesgo. Para los docentes, los FRCV se conciben como "efectos al corazón, prácticas dañinas, hábitos de vida insana, problemas, causas, no hay diferencia con un factor de riesgo, es un enfoque, situación de alerta, relacionado con las venas". Sentimientos expresados: "situaciones cotidianas, inconformismo, rebeldía, promesa de mejoría, conciencia de sobrepeso, reconocimiento de falta de ejercicio, consumo de grasa, sedentarismo, sobrepeso, satisfacción al dejar de fumar, manifestación de ser hipertenso, responsabilidad de sus propios actos". Promoción de la salud: "costos, acciones, información, mejoría, manejo de situaciones, mantenimiento de la salud, desconocimiento, conductas saludables, prácticas de autocuidado, ejercicios y alimentos, propaganda, socialización, programas preventivos". Estilo de vida: "orden, control, buena docencia, educación de los hijos, organización económica, cotidianidad, acciones, adición, intranquilidad, equilibrio, integración, relaciones con los demás". Autocuidado: "felicidad, cuidado, tranquilidad, convicción, costumbres sanas, cuidarse de uno mismo".

It has made a qualitative research in 21 teachers from the University, to perceive the knowledge about sorne cardiovascular risk factors. It was identified through structure investigation to know variables related to cardiovascular problems. By means of deep interview, was inquired about whom have been their personal experience, that teachers have about cardiovascular problems, controls and prevention. The results predominated found were: smoking, inheritance on cardio-vascular problems, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus. Moreover were also foundsedentary and stress. Only one teacher presented tobacco addition, alcoholism, and stress; another teacher show, hypercholesterolemia, stress and tobacco addition, and seven teachers presented each one, two risk factors.They claimed that cardiovascular risk factors are «heart conditions, practices that hurt, unhealthy habits, problems, causes, there is none diffirence with risk factors, it's a point of view, locations, alertness situation, there is not enough knowledge, and it's related to the veins¼. The feelings related to risk factors, were expressed as «everyday situations, conformism, rebellion,promises to improve, to be conscious ofoverweightproblems, awareness of lack of exercise and fat consumption, no cardiovascutar risk factors, acknowledge of sedentary, overweight, satisfaction atgiving up smoking, to have high blood pressure, to be responsible of one's and they own acts¼. About the meaning of health promotion, they said that it was «costs, actions, information,improvement, and situations management, to be healthy, ignorance, action to get better, selfcarepractices, exercise and diet, publicity, socialization, prevention campaigns¼. For teachers, lifestyle was «order, control, good teaching practices, children's education, economic organization, routine, actions, additions, equilibrium, mental and physical balance, selfcare practice, relations withothers¼...

Management practices as antecedents of safety culture within the trucking industry: similarities and differences by hierarchical level.

PROBLEM: A homogeneous perception of safety is important for the achievement of a strong safety culture; however, employees may differ in their safety perceptions, depending on their position and/or hierarchical level within the organization. Moreover, there is limited information on the antecedents of safety culture. This study examines how safety training, driver scheduling autonomy, opportunity for safety input, and management commitment to safety influence individuals' perceptions of safety culture. METHOD: Data for this study were drawn from 116 trucking firms, stratified by three safety performance levels. The data were collected from drivers (lowest hierarchical level), dispatchers (medium hierarchical level), and safety directors (highest hierarchical level), regarding their perceptions of their respective corporate safety cultures. Perceptions of safety culture were analyzed through a linear regression using dummy variables to differentiate among the three hierarchical groups. The resulting model allowed for examination of the specific antecedents of safety culture for the three employee groups and the extent to which the hierarchical groups were in agreement with each other. RESULTS: Driver fatigue training, driver opportunity for safety input, and top management commitment to safety were perceived to be integral determinants of safety culture in all three groups. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Trucking firms seeking to strengthen employees' perceptions of safety culture might begin by improving these safety management practices while appreciating that they may have a different impact depending on the employee's hierarchical position (e.g., drivers' perceptions of safety culture are more influenced by top management commitment and driver fatigue training). A fourth safety practice examined, driver scheduling autonomy, was not found to be instrumental in shaping safety culture for any of the three hierarchical levels. Consistent with previous research, implementation of stronger safety cultures should result in fewer accidents.