Repositorio académico de acceso abierto (Univ. Autonóma de Chile)
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Long-term social isolation stress exacerbates sex-specific neurodegeneration markers in a natural model of Alzheimer’s disease
No full textSocial interactions have a significant impact on health in humans and animal models. Social isolation initiates a cascade of stress-related physiological disorders and stands as a significant risk factor for a wide spectrum of morbidity and mortality. Indeed, social isolation stress (SIS) is indicative of cognitive decline and risk to neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of chronic, long-term SIS on the propensity to develop hallmarks of AD in young degus (Octodon degus), a long-lived animal model that mimics sporadic AD naturally. We examined inflammatory factors, bioenergetic status, reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, antioxidants, abnormal proteins, tau protein, and amyloid-β (Aβ) levels in the hippocampus of female and male degus that were socially isolated from post-natal and post-weaning until adulthood. Additionally, we explored the effect of re-socialization following chronic isolation on these protein profiles. Our results showed that SIS promotes a pro-inflammatory scenario more severe in males, a response that was partially mitigated by a period of re-socialization. In addition, ATP levels, ROS, and markers of oxidative stress are severely affected in female degus, where a period of re-socialization fails to restore them as it does in males. In females, these effects might be linked to antioxidant enzymes like catalase, which experience a decline across all SIS treatments without recovery during re-socialization. Although in males, a previous enzyme in antioxidant pathway diminishes in all treatments, catalase rebounds during re-socialization. Notably, males have less mature neurons after chronic isolation, whereas phosphorylated tau and all detectable forms of Aβ increased in both sexes, persisting even post re-socialization. Collectively, these findings suggest that long-term SIS may render males more susceptible to inflammatory states, while females are predisposed to oxidative states. In both scenarios, the accumulation of tau and Aβ proteins increase the individual susceptibility to early-onset neurodegenerative conditions such as AD. Copyright © 2023 Oliva, Lira, Jara, Catenaccio, Mariqueo, Lindsay, Bozinovic, Cavieres, Inestrosa, Tapia-Rojas and Rivera.Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico, FONDECYT, (11190603, 11220157, 1221178)Universidad Autónoma de Chil
Antarctic Soil Yeasts with Fermentative Capacity and Potential for the Wine Industry
No full textLow fermentation temperatures are usually employed to obtain high-quality wines. This is especially interesting for white wine production since it prevents the loss of volatile compounds and a browning appearance; however, available fermentative yeasts do not usually tolerate low temperatures. Therefore, an interesting place to find new yeasts with cryotolerance is the Antarctic continent. From soil samples collected in Antarctica, 125 yeasts were isolated, of which 25 exhibited fermentative activity at 10 °C. After a fingerprinting assay, we classified the candidates into nine isotypes and sequenced internal transcribed spacer regions for their identification. These yeasts were identified as part of the Mrakia genus. Sugar and alcohol tolerance tests showed that some of these Antarctic soil yeasts were able to grow up to 9% alcohol, and 25% sugar was reached; however, they exhibited longer latency periods compared to the control Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The optimal growing temperature for the isolated Antarctic yeasts was between 10 °C and 15 °C. A comprehensive analysis of the results obtained showed that the isolates 10M3-1, 4M3-6, and 4B1-35 could be good candidates for fermentation purposes due to their alcohol, sugar tolerance, and growth features. Our results prove that it is possible to isolate fermentative yeasts from Antarctic soil with promising characteristics for their potential use in the wine production industry. © 2023 by the authors.Instituto Nacional Antártico Chileno-INACH, (DIUA 260-2023); Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología, Conocimiento e Innovación, CTCI; Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, UAdeC, (VIU23P0021); Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo, ANIDUniversidad Autónoma de ChileVicerrectoría de Investigación y DoctoradoInstituto de Ciencias Biomédica
Validation of the Collaborative Outcomes study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT) questionnaire for adults
No full textBackground: The Collaborative Outcome study on Health and Functioning during Infection Times (COH-FIT; www.coh-fit.com) is an anonymous and global online survey measuring health and functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to test concurrently the validity of COH-FIT items and the internal validity of the co-primary outcome, a composite psychopathology “P-score”. Methods: The COH-FIT survey has been translated into 30 languages (two blind forward-translations, consensus, one independent English back-translation, final harmonization). To measure mental health, 1–4 items (“COH-FIT items”) were extracted from validated questionnaires (e.g. Patient Health Questionnaire 9). COH-FIT items measured anxiety, depressive, post-traumatic, obsessive-compulsive, bipolar and psychotic symptoms, as well as stress, sleep and concentration. COH-FIT Items which correlated r ≥ 0.5 with validated companion questionnaires, were initially retained. A P-score factor structure was then identified from these items using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) on data split into training and validation sets. Consistency of results across languages, gender and age was assessed. Results: From >150,000 adult responses by May 6th, 2022, a subset of 22,456 completed both COH-FIT items and validated questionnaires. Concurrent validity was consistently demonstrated across different languages for COH-FIT items. CFA confirmed EFA results of five first-order factors (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic, psychotic, psychophysiologic symptoms) and revealed a single second-order factor P-score, with high internal reliability (ω = 0.95). Factor structure was consistent across age and sex. Conclusions: COH-FIT is a valid instrument to globally measure mental health during infection times. The P-score is a valid measure of multidimensional mental health.Universidad Autónoma de Chil
Social cohesion and attitudinal changes toward migration: A longitudinal perspective amid the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has impacted social interactions and coexistence around the globe in dimensions that go far beyond health issues. In the case of the Global South, the pandemic has developed along with growing South-South migratory movements, becoming another key factor that might reinforce social conflict in increasingly multicultural areas as migrants have historically served as “scapegoats” for unexpected crises as a way to control and manage diversity. Chile is one of the main destination countries for migrants from the Latin American and Caribbean region, and COVID-19 outbreaks in migrant housing have intensified discrimination. In such a context, there is a need for understanding how the pandemic has potentially changed the way non-migrants perceive and interact with migrant neighbors. Drawing on the national social cohesion panel survey study ELSOC (2016–2021, N = 2,927) the aim is to analyze the changes in non-migrants' attitudes toward migrants—related to dimensions of social cohesion—over the last years and their relation with individual status and territorial factors. We argue that social cohesion in increasingly multicultural societies is partially threatened in times of crisis. The results indicate that after the pandemic, convivial attitudes toward Latin American migrants decreased. Chileans started perceiving them more negatively, particularly those respondents with lower educational levels and who live in increasingly multicultural neighborhoods with higher rates of migrant residents.Universidad Autónoma de Chil
Research Mapping of Trauma Experiences in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Bibliometric Analysis
No full textThe number of research related to traumatic experiences in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has grown exponentially, yet there are no bibliometric studies in this field. This article aimed to analyze the literature related to trauma and ASD published in Web of Science (WoS). Papers on trauma and ASD were retrieved from the WoS. Analysis and visualization of selected documents were performed using MS Excel (v16.0), VOS viewer (version 1.6.15), and R package (Biblioshiny, version 2.0). A total of 147 articles were included in this study. The results showed that production has been increasing over the last few years. Among the countries identified, the USA published the largest number of articles. Arvid Nikolai Kildahl, Sissel Berge Helverschou, and Liliana Dell’Osso were the authors with the most number of publications on this topic, and Autism was the most productive journal. The main research topics associated with ASD were post-traumatic stress and traumatic experiences in childhood. This bibliometric study contributes to understanding research trends on trauma and ASD by evaluating relevant publications in the last decades. The results of this bibliometric analysis can serve as a basis and orientation for new studies. © 2023 by the authors.Fondo para estadías de investigación en el extranjero2022; Universidad de Talca, UTALCAUniversidad Autónoma de Chil
Experiences of the step-out technique in emotion-focused therapy for clients with autistic process
No full textLower levels of experiential processing are associated with poorer therapeutic outcomes. Clients with autistic process are reported to experience sensory-body awareness processing problems which is recognized as an interoception marker. The Step-Out is a simple bodily technique, used within the Alba Method, to achieve an emotionally neutral, relaxed, and alert state. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of clients with autistic process with the Step-Out. Eleven clients learned and spoke about the technique. A thematic analysis of clients’ responses produced an overall theme ‘In sensing me to connecting to you’. This contained three broad themes: In-and-out of interoceptive contact, letting go of tension and beyond self-experience. Clients were able to verbally describe their internal sensations and perceptions following the task. Responses ranged across an experiential continuum from emotional overwhelm, to no felt change to experiences of relational connection. Preliminary findings provide promising support for the utility of the Step-Out as a mini experiential task to help clients with autistic process shift their attention from an externalized to an internalized process, and to recognize, express, and regulate their internal states. Findings are tentative due to the exploratory nature, limited participants, and lack of assessment measures. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Universidad Autónoma de Chil
Relationship between age and handgrip strength: Proposal of reference values from infancy to senescence
No full textIntroduction: Measurement of hand grip strength (HGS) has been proposed as a key component of frailty and has also been suggested as a central biomarker of healthy aging and a powerful predictor of future morbidity and mortality. Objectives: (a) To determine whether a nonlinear relationship model could improve the prediction of handgrip strength (HGS) compared to the linear model and (b) to propose percentiles to evaluate HGS according to age and sex for a regional population of Chile from infancy to senescence. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was developed in a representative sample of the Maule region (Chile). The volunteers amounted to 5,376 participants (2,840 men and 2,536 women), with an age range from 6 to 80 years old. Weight, height, HGS (right and left hand) according to age and sex were evaluated. Percentiles were calculated using the LMS method [(L (Lambda; asymmetry), M (Mu; median), and S (Sigma; coefficient of variation)]. Results and discussion: There were no differences in HGS from 6 to 11 years of age in both sexes; however, from 12 years of age onwards, males presented higher HGS values in both hands (p < 0.05). The linear regression between age with HGS showed values of R2 = 0.07 in males and R2 = 0.02 in females. While in the non-linear model (cubic), the values were: R2 = 0.50 to 0.51 in men and R2 = 0.26 in women. The percentiles constructed by age and sex were: P5, P15, P50, P85, and P95 by age range and sex. This study demonstrated that there is a nonlinear relationship between chronological age with HGS from infancy to senescence. Furthermore, the proposed percentiles can serve as a guide to assess and monitor upper extremity muscle strength levels at all stages of life.Universidad Autónoma de Chil
Comparative Effect of Two Types of Physical Exercise for the Improvement of Exercise Capacity, Diastolic Function, Endothelial Function and Arterial Stiffness in Participants with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (ExIC-FEp Study): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
No full text(1) Background: Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for approximately 50% of all patients with HF. In the absence of pharmacological treatments that have been successful in reducing mortality or morbidity in this pathology, physical exercise is recognized as an important adjunct in the treatment of HF. Therefore, the objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of combined training and high intensity interval training (HIIT) on exercise capacity, diastolic function, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness in participants with HFpEF. (2) Methods: The ExIC-FEp study will be a single-blind, 3-arm, randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted at the Health and Social Research Center of the University of Castilla-La Mancha. Participants with HFpEF will be randomly assigned (1:1:1) to the combined exercise, HIIT or control group to evaluate the efficacy of physical exercise programs on exercise capacity, diastolic function, endothelial function, and arterial stiffness. All participants will be examined at baseline, at three months and at six months. (3) Results: The findings of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. (4) Conclusions: This RCT will represent a significant advance in the available scientific evidence on the efficacy of physical exercise in the treatment of HFpEF. © 2023 by the authors.Consejería de Educación, Cultura y Deportes—Junta de Comunidades de Castilla–La Mancha; University Ministry, (2022-PRED-21183); European Social Fund, ESF, (2018-CPUCLM-7939, 2020-PREDUCLM-16746); Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, UCLM; European Regional Development Fund, ERDF, (SBPLY/21/180501/000112)Universidad Autónoma de Chil
Are the Conformity Guarantee Terms a Limit to the Durability Requirement of Goods?
No full textThe work comparatively analyzes whether it is possible to consider that the expira-tion periods of the guarantees of conformity exclude a higher durability standard. In this research, three situations were distinguished. A first solution prohibits planned obsolescence. Other legislations, without penalizing obsolescence, contemplate other duties that transcend the term of the guarantees (spare parts, information, etc.). Fi-nally, an explicit reference to longer terms is omitted. However, this does not exclude their origin, if they are derived from the principle of sustainable consumption or the general or public interest.Universidad Autónoma de Chil
Physicochemical and Organoleptic Differences in Chardonnay Chilean Wines after Ethanol Reduction Practises: Pre-Fermentative Water Addition or Metschnikowia pulcherrima
No full textClimate change is posing a major challenge to the wine industry, with rising alcohol levels emerging as an issue of concern affecting quality, economics and health. This study explores two methods to reduce alcohol content in Chardonnay wines from Chile. Firstly, 5% and 10% of water was added to grape must. Secondly, the sequential inoculation of Metschnikowia pulcherrima with Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined. The main objectives were to assess the efficacy of these treatments in reducing alcohol levels and their impact on organoleptic properties. Our findings revealed that the presence of M. pulcherrima in winery conditions was less effective in reducing ethanol. Nevertheless, wines resulting from this treatment exhibited an interesting composition with distinct sensory profiles. Furthermore, the Sc-5% W condition displayed promising results by reducing ethanol content by 0.47% (v/v), with less significant changes in the sensory profile. Although the Sc-10% W wines showed a more substantial ethanol reduction of 1.73% (v/v), they exhibited a decreasing trend in volatile compounds and polysaccharides, ultimately being perceived as less complex in sensory analysis and not being preferred by consumers. This research contributes to understanding how these approaches affect the alcohol content and sensory attributes of white wines and is fundamental to the sustainability of the sector and the ability of the sector to recover from climate challenges. © 2023 by the authors.SC-RISE; Spanish Research Agency; European Commission, EC; Generalitat de Catalunya, (2020 FISDU 00359)Universidad Autónoma de Chil