Pedicle morphometry of the C7 and T1 vertebrae in an argentine population.

Background: We evaluated how and whether the pedicular morphometry of the C7 and T1 vertebrae might impact C7/T1 spinal fusions for patients from Argentina. Methods: Using computed tomography (CT) scans, we evaluated the pedicular morphology at the C7 and T1 levels. Results: Among 102 male and female CT studies, we observed significant differences in the height, width, length, and morphometry of the C7 and T1 pedicles. Conclusion: This study of C7/T1 CT scans revealed significant sex-based morphometric differences, particularly in pedicle height, width, and length at C7 and T1. Given the notable variability in vertebral characteristics observed in our study sample, we recommend preoperative planning with CT scans for C7/T1 fusion.

The Impact of the Successive Outbreaks of COVID-19, Vaccination, and Physical Activity on Mental Health in the Argentine Population: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and objectives A controversy regarding the duration of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic arose, stating that these symptoms last a short time, perhaps a few months, or that they are more persistent over time. After more than three years of the pandemic, this is still a question that requires an answer. The main goal of this work was to record the levels of self-perceived GAD and depression in the Argentine population at several time points during the pandemic to characterize whether they were transient or persisted over the successive waves of contagion. Furthermore, we studied the association between anti-COVID-19 vaccination and the high frequency of physical activity with GAD and depression levels to evaluate a possible protective role of these factors on mental health. Methods We used a descriptive and correlational research design. We carried out a repeated cross-sectional study performing seven online surveys (collection period: four to 15 days) at different time points in October 2020, May, August, October, and December 2021, and February and April 2022. The participants (24,308) were recruited through Instagram campaigns performed by renowned local scientific communicators and responded to the survey through Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, CA). Generalized anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The respondents reported their symptoms using a four-point Likert scale, which led us to calculate the scores and also the prevalence (% of the population with moderate to severe symptoms) for GAD and depression and the frequency they performed physical activity per week. Data were statistically analyzed using the unpaired Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-squared, Spearman correlation, or Tukey's post hoc test after two-way ANOVA. Results Our results show that the highest prevalence for GAD and depression correspond to those of the second wave of infections (May 2021: 57.3% and 54.19%, respectively) and that the lower levels were reported by the end of the third wave (April 2022: 43.21% and 43.65%, respectively). Such levels were even lower than those reported during the first wave at the beginning of our study (October 2020: 45.94% and 48.92%, respectively). In other words, even though the third wave tripled the number of people infected with respect to the second one, its effects on mental health were attenuated. The increment in the vaccine doses inoculated between the last two waves of contagion was associated with a decrease in the GAD score (mean ± SEM: 10.75 ± 0.06 vs. 8.88 ± 0.13) and the depressive symptoms (mean ± SEM: 10.76 ± 0.07 vs. 9.23 ± 0.14). Throughout the entire study period, the fraction of the population that practiced physical activity three or more times per week was self-perceived with lower levels of GAD and depression than those who exercised less frequently. Conclusions Of the three waves of contagion that the Argentine population suffered, the highest rates of GAD and depression were recorded in the second wave, and these symptoms decreased over the months, even during the third wave, which presented the highest number of infections. Our results also suggest that the progress of the vaccination campaign and the practice of physical exercises with high frequency could play a protective role in the mental health of the population during COVID-19.

Valoración de los patrones de consumo alimentario y actividad física en universitarios de tres carreras respecto a las guías alimentarias para la población argentina

RESUMEN Numerosos estudios coinciden en que el inicio de la vida universitaria se asocia a cambios poco saludables en prácticas alimentarias y estilos de vida que pueden consolidarse en la edad adulta. El objetivo fue valorar en qué medida estudiantes de tres carreras cumplen con las recomendaciones de las nuevas Guías Alimentarias para la Población Argentina de 2016. Se encuestaron 164 alumnos de Bioquímica (BQ), Licenciatura en Nutrición (LN) y Licenciatura en Biotecnología (LB) de la Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Los alumnos de LN se acercaron más a las recomendaciones que BQ y LB: mayor porcentaje realizaba cuatro comidas (45,0% vs 22,4% LB y 21,8% BQ, p= 0,009) y consumía diariamente leche/yogur (p= 0,042); los estudiantes de BQ presentaron el menor consumo de frutas (p= 0,000), mientras los de LB presentaron la menor ingesta de verduras (p= 0,023). El 79,3% del total realizaba actividad física y de ellos 59,8% alcanzó los 30 minutos diarios recomendados. La Universidad ofrece espacios de alimentación saludable (comedor universitario) y actividad física (predio de deportes) que no resultaban suficientemente aprovechados. Se concluye que resulta necesario planificar intervenciones para fomentar y/o mejorar patrones, consumo de alimentos y actividad física acordes a estilos más saludables en estos universitarios.

ABSTRACT Numerous studies agree that the beginning of university life is associated with unhealthy changes in eating practices and lifestyles that can be consolidated in adulthood. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which the nutrition and physical activity of university students from three career programs comply with the recommendations of the new Dietary Guidelines for the Argentine Population (2016). One hundred and sixty-four (164) students of Biochemistry (BQ), Bachelor of Nutrition (LN) and Bachelor of Biotechnology (LB) of the Universidad Nacional del Litoral were surveyed. LN students approached the recommendations more than BQ and LB students: a higher percentage had four meals per day (45.0% LN vs. 22.4% LB and 21.8% BQ, p-value= 0.009) and consumed a daily portion of milk/yogurt (p-value= 0.042); the BQ students had the lowest fruit consumption (p-value= 0.000), while the LB students had the lowest vegetable intake (p-value= 0.023). All students presented patterns of intake and consumption of foods strongly influenced by the Argentine culture. Almost eighty percent (79.3%) of students did physical activity, but only 59.8% reached the recommended 30 minutes a day. The University offers healthy eating spaces (university canteen) and physical activity (sports grounds) that were not sufficiently exploited. It is concluded that it is necessary to plan interventions to promote and / or improve patterns of food consumption and physical activity, according to healthier lifestyles for university students.

Argentine validation of the Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFC-14) / Validación argentina de la escala de Consideración de las Consecuencias Futuras (CFC-14)

Abstract Consideration of future consequences is the extent to which people anticipate and are influenced by the potential future consequences of their current behavior. A well-established tool to measure this behavior is the 14-item Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFC-14). The CFC-14 has shown appropriate psychometric properties in several languages. This scale comprises two factors: the CFC-Immediate (CFC-I, 7 items) and the CFC-Future (CFC-F, 7 items). The main goal of this study was to assess the psychometric properties and internal consistency of the CFC-14 Scale in Spanish, using an Argentine sample. A second goal was to determine its convergent validity with impulsivity, and determine differences and invariance across gender and age groups. Using a web-based survey, data were collected from 512 participants (75.2% women) aged 13-74 years (M = 30.8). CFA showed a two-factor model as the best solution for the 13-items version (CFI .961, TLI .952, RMSEA .064 90%IC .054/.074, WRMR 0.979). Standardized regression weights (p ≤ .05) ranged from .50 to .66 for CFC-F and between .43 and .83 for CFC-I. Composite reliability was also adequate: CFC-F achieved p = .80 and CFC-I p = .82. There were no differences across gender and age, but there was a progressive invariance between these groups. The CFC-F and UPPS-P subscales correlations were negative and significant, highlighting the negative and moderate correlation between CFC-F and the lack of premeditation (r=-.41). Thus, CFC-14 has adequate psychometric properties in an Argentine population, although more studies are necessary to determine the robustness of these findings.

Resumen La consideración de las consecuencias futuras se define como el grado en el cual las personas anticipan y son influenciadas por las potenciales consecuencias futuras de su comportamiento actual, y una herramienta muy utilizada para medirla es la Escala de Consideración de las Consecuencias Futuras (CFC-14). Esta escala ha exhibido propiedades psicométricas adecuadas en varios idiomas y se encuentra conformada por dos factores: CFC-Inmediato (CFC-I, 7 ítems) y CFC-Futuro (CFC-F, 7 ítems). El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas y la consistencia interna de la versión en español de la CFC-14 en una muestra argentina, además de identificar las evidencias de validez convergente con la Escala de Impulsividad y la invarianza en función del género y la edad de los participantes. Para esto, se evaluó mediante una encuesta online a 512 participantes (75.2 % mujeres) de 13 a 74 años (M = 30.8) y se realizó un AFC en el que se encontró un modelo de dos factores como aquel con mejor ajuste para una versión de la escala de 13 ítems (CFI = .961; TLI = .952; RMSEA = .064; IC 90 % = .054-.074; WRMR = 0.979). Específicamente, los pesos de regresión estandarizados (p ≤ .05) fueron de .50 a .66 para CFC-F y de .43 a .83 para CFC-I; los valores de confiabilidad compuesta fueron adecuados, con un p = .80 para CFC-F y un p = .82 para CFC-I; no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en función del sexo y la edad de los participantes, no obstante, hubo una invarianza progresiva entre estos grupos; y las correlaciones entre las subescalas de la Escala de Impulsividad (UPPPS-P) y la CFC-F fueron negativas y significativas, siendo llamativa la correlación negativa y moderada entre la falta de premeditación y la CFC-F (r = -.41). De este modo, la CFC-14 mostró propiedades psicométricas adecuadas en una muestra argentina, aunque se necesita de más estudios para determinar la robustez de estos resultados.

CONOCIMIENTO Y PRÁCTICA DE RECOMENDACIONES SOBRE ALIMENTACIÓN SALUDABLE EN ESTUDIANTES UNIVERSITARIOS / KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF RECOMMENDATIONS ON HEALTHY FOOD IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

En la actualidad resulta evidente la relación que existe entre la alimentación y la salud. La etapa universitaria es un momento clave en la autonomía en la cual los jóvenes adquieren hábitos alimentarios propios, guiados en mayor o menor medida por gustos personales, influencias del entorno, factores económicos y la búsqueda de la salud, entre otros aspectos.

Spectrum and visual outcomes of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in Argentina.

AIM: To review all cases of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease in an Inflammatory Eye Disease Service in Argentina and to describe the clinical profile and outcomes of treatment. METHODS: The records from patients with VKH disease between January 1980 and December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed for clinical profile, complications, and treatment. Patients were classified according to their initial treatment in group 1: high corticosteroid dose [≥1 mg/(kg·d)] within 2wk of illness onset; group 2: high corticosteroid dose, 2 to 4wk of onset and group 3: patients who received the high dose after 1mo of illness onset, patients who received lower oral doses than 1 mg/(kg·d) without regarding the time of beginning of the disease. RESULTS: A total of 210 eyes of 105 patients were included. The mean age at presentation was 32.6±13y (range: 10-74y), and 86.7% were female. The mean duration of follow up was 144±96.6mo. Patients in the group 1 had significantly higher visual acuity than the other groups (P<0.0001), none had (loss of, or no) light perception at the end of follow up, whereas 24.7% patients in group 3 ended in light perception (P<0.004). CONCLUSION: Patients with early high dose corticosteroid treatment have better visual acuity and fewer complications. Proper timing in referral and treatment is critical for better visual outcome in VKH disease.

Impact of CPS1 Gene rs7422339 Polymorphism in Argentine Patients With Hyperhomocysteinemia

Abstract Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) is a key gene in the first step of urea cycle and has been correlated with nitric oxide level and vascular smooth muscle activity. A functional single-nucleotide polymorphism C/A at position 4217 in CPS1 (National Center for Biotechnology Information SNP database no. rs7422339, T1405N) was reported to be associated with high homocysteine (Hcy) plasma values. Although genetic variants of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are known to influence Hcy concentration, other genetic determinants of Hcy remain largely unknown. The association between the CPS1 rs7422339 and the risk of hyperhomocysteinemia in Latin American populations is unknown. Here, we study this association in 100 patients having hyperhomocysteinemia without MTHFR c.677C>T polymorphism and 100 controls. CPS1 rs7422339 was studied using polymerase chain reaction and enzymatic restriction. Comparisons of the CPS1 rs7422339 genotype distributions revealed a significant difference between groups (P = 2.3 × 10−3). Patients carrying polymorphic allele showed almost 3 times higher risk (odds ratio [OR] = 2.47) of hyperhomocysteinemia than wild-type allele, suggesting that rs7422339 SNP is associated with high Hcy levels in the Argentine population.