Working memory training improves episodic memory in older people: transfer based on controlled retrieval processes.

Introduction: The results of working memory (WM) training to improve episodic memory in older people are inconsistent. This inconsistency could be due to the fact that the episodic memory tests used do not share the same cognitive resources as the trained WM task. The aim of this study was to assess whether performance on an episodic memory test will improve only when this test requires controlled processes of retrieval of information from secondary memory or recollection, similar to the processes exercised during WM training. Method: Fifty-five people over 60 years of age participated in the study: 27 were randomly assigned to the experimental group (EG) and the rest to the control group (CG). The EG was trained in complex span tasks. Before and after training, both groups were tested on episodic memory tests (a verbal and a visuospatial recognition test) and WM span tasks (reading, digit and spatial location). Results: ANOVAs revealed a greater improvement of recollection estimates in the EG than in the CG for both verbal recognition (p = 0.023) and visuospatial recognition (p = 0.014). Discussion: Our results provide support for a cognitive mechanism whose shared presence favored transfer from training on a WM task to a test of episodic memory. Consistent with our predictions, training on complex span tasks improved performance on recognition tests only when recall required a controlled search process in secondary memory, or recollection. We therefore stress the importance of identifying other cognitive resources that are susceptible to transfer from a training task to other untrained tasks. A better understanding of the phenomenon of transfer is crucial for the design of increasingly effective intervention programs for older people.

Effects of Teacher Enthusiasm and Type of Text on the Motivation and Achievement of Schoolchildren.

This study aims to analyze the effects of teacher enthusiasm and type of text on student motivation and achievement. The participants were 369 elementary school students. We used four videos showing a teacher presenting two texts (narrative or descriptive) in two conditions of enthusiasm (high or neutral). A MANOVA revealed additive effects due to enthusiasm and text type on motivation and achievement, but no interaction. Mediation analyzes indicated that enthusiasm showed direct and indirect effects through motivation only for descriptive text. Therefore, the motivational mediation between teacher enthusiasm and student achievement could be especially important when the text is descriptive.

Asociación de concentraciones elevadas de ácido úrico y síndrome metabólico en adolescentes obesos / Association of elevated concentrations of uric acid and metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents

Objetivo. Determinar la asociación entre elevación de concentraciones de ácido úrico y síndrome metabólico (SM) en una población de adolescentes obesos. Material y Métodos. Se realizó un estudio caso-control, prospectivo. Se evaluó una población de 308 obesos de 10 a 17 años que acudieron al Servicio de Endocrinología del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza de Lima. Los casos fueron quienes presentaron SM según los criterios de Cook y quienes no fueron los controles. Se incluyó 70 casos y 70 controles. Se definió elevación de ácido úrico a valores mayores de 5,5 mg/dL. La asociación entre elevación de concentraciones de ácido úrico y síndrome metabólico se calculó mediante la determinación del odds ratio (OR). resultados. El 60% de adolescentes que presentó SM tuvo valores de ácido úrico mayor a 5,5 mg/dL, con promedio de 5,95 mg/dL (4,52-6,65 mg/dL). El OR para elevación de concentraciones de ácido úrico y SM fue 5,06 (95% IC 2,2-11,3). El OR para elevación de ácido úrico y perímetro de cintura (percentil > 90) fue 7,02 (0,91-313), con presión arterial elevada (percentil > 90) fue 3,09 (1,04-9,8), con glicemia (≥ 110 mg/dL) fue 1,8 (0,37-9,6), y triglicéridos elevados (≥ 110 mg/dL) fue 4,4 (1,7-12,09) y con HDL-c (< 40 mg/dL) fue 2,7 (1,2-5,8). Conclusión. El síndrome metabólico está asociado a valores elevados de ácido úrico en adolescentes obesos.

Objective. To determine the association between elevated concentrations of uric acid and the metabolic syndrome in a population of obese adolescents. Material and Methods. It was carried out a case-control and prospective study. We evaluated a population of 308 obese adolescents from 10-17 years old who were followed up in the Endocrinology Service of the Arzobispo Loayza National Hospital, Lima. They were diagnosed as a case of metabolic syndrome according to the CookÆs criteria and those who were not were considered as the controls. We included 70 cases and 70 controls. An elevated concentration of acid uric was defined as uric acid values > 5,5 mg/dL. The association between elevated concentrations of acid uric and metabolic syndrome was determined by odds ratio (OR). results. Sixty per cent of adolescents had metabolic syndrome had uric acid values greater than 5,5 mg/dL, with an average value of 5,95 mg/dL (4,52-6,65). Elevated concentrations of acid uric and metabolic syndrome odds ratio was 5,06 (95% IC 2,2-11,3). The odds ratio (95% CI) for elevated of uric acid and waist circumference (percentile > 90) 7,02 (0,91 to 313) and high blood pressure (percentile > 90) 3,09 (1,04-9,8), and glucose (≥ 110 mg/dL) 1,8 (0,37-9,6) and elevated triglycerides (≥ 110 mg/dL) 4,4 (1,7-12,09) and HDL (< 40 mg/dL) 2,7 (1,2-5,8). Conclusion. The metabolic syndrome is associated with an elevated concentrations of uric acid in obese adolescents.

Adrenoleucodistrofia: reporte de caso / Adrenoleukodystrophy: case report

Se reporta el caso de un adulto afectado con enfermedad de Addison debido a una patología poco frecuente en nuestro medio, como es la adrenoleucodistrofia. Se describen las manifestaciones clínicas de insuficiencia suprarrenal con alteraciones del sistema central y periférico, así como las típicas lesiones en los estudios de neuroimágenes.

We report the case of an adult affected with AddisonÆs disease due to a rare condition in our country, such as adrenoleukodystrophy. It is described the clinical manifestations of adrenal insufficiency with impaired central and peripheral nervous system and the typical lesions in neuroimaging studies.