Browsing by Author "Molina Cando, María José"

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Caracterización del proceso tradicional del pelado de maíz con ceniza a ser utilizado como estrategia de detoxificación de aflatoxinas y fumonisinas. Caso de estudio: Nabón – Ecuador
(2015-05-20) Molina Cando, María José; Ochoa Avilés, María Cristina; Ortiz Ulloa, Silvia Johana
The aim of this study was to characterize the process of dehulling maize using wood ash and to evaluate its effectiveness as a detoxification strategy for mycotoxins. Particurally, the presence of aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1) and G2 (AFG2) and fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) of 40 samples of dried and no-dehulled maize and 40 samples of wood ash dehulled maize from small producercs from Nabon were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography with florescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Low prevalence of contamination with aflatoxins was observed in dried maize (2,5 % AFG2, 12,5% AFG1, 17,5% AFB2, 7,5%AFB1,) and an important prevalence of contamination with fumonisins (42,5% FB1, y 35% FB2); wich was reduced in dehulled maize (10,5% AFG1, 18% FB1 y 8% FB2). None of the samples exceed the maximum limits for aflatoxins established in Ecuador or FDA for fumonisin. The detoxifying effectiveness of the process of dehulling maize using wood ash was assessed by contrasting the concentrations of mycotoxins before and after the dehulling process, finding significant reductions in contamination for AFB1 (P = 0.004 ), AFB2 (P <0.001), FB1 (P = 0.033) and FB2 (P = 0.023). In addition, the influence of agricultural practices on aflatoxin and fumonisins contamination of maize was evaluated. Harvest in the period July-September was identified as a protective factor for AFG1 (OR; 0,087; IC: 0,008-0,87; P=0,039) and AFB2 (OR= IC: 0,128; P=0,027) . Also, cultivation in warm zones (OR=0,147; IC: 0,03-0,62; P=0,010) and rainwater irrigation (0,111; IC: 0,01-0,66; P=0,016) were identified as protective factors for FB2.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on asthmasymptoms and management: a prospectiveanalysis of asthmatic children in Ecuador
(2021) Rodríguez, Alejandro; Romero Sandoval, Natalia Cristina; Cruz, Alvaro A.; Cooper , Philip John; Arteaga Vaca, Karen Alexandra; Maldonado G., Augusto; Maestre Calderón, Manolo Patricio; Chis Ster, Irina; Rodas Espinoza, Claudia Rosana; Molina Cando, María José; Morillo Argudo, Diana Alexandra; Ochoa Avilés, María Cristina; Ochoa Avilés, Angélica María
ackground:Asthma affects up to 33% of children in Latin American settings. The ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on access to and use of health services. Weaimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on asthma exacerbations, medical facilityvisits, and use of asthma medications in children.Methods:We used data from a prospective cohort of 213 children aged 5–17 years in 3 Ecua-dorian cities and analysed the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on asthma. Outcomes (asthmaexacerbations, emergency room [ER] visits, planned and unplanned outpatient visits, and use ofinhaled corticosteroids and Beta-2 agonists) were analysed using repeated Poisson counts (ie,number of events per participant before and during the COVID-19 lockdown).Results:During compared to before lockdown: a) the number of asthma exacerbations remainedconstant (IRR, 0.87; 95% CI: 0.72–1.05; p¼0.152); b) outpatient visits (IRR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14–0.47,p<0.001) declined 74% while ER visits declined 89% (IRR 0.11, 95% CI 0.04–0.32, p<0.001); andc) there was no change in inhaled corticosteroids use (IRR 1.03, 95% CI 0.90–1.16, P¼0.699) whileBeta-2 agonist use increased (IRR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10–1.58, P¼0.003).Conclusions:In a cohort of Ecuadorian children with asthma, health services attendancedecreased dramatically after COVID-19 lockdown, but asthma exacerbations and use of inhaledcorticosteroids were unchanged. Future analyses will address the question of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on asthma exacerbations and control in this paediatric population.
miR-146 como potencial biomarcador de riesgo cardiometabólico en niños que asisten a escuelas públicas en la región andina del Ecuador
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2021-12-08) Molina Cando, María José; Ochoa Avilés, Angélica María
Background: Childhood obesity is a risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases in adulthood. Changes in the expression patterns of circulating microRNAs have been correlated with the development of diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Objective: To determine and correlate the serum level of miR-146a in overweight or obese schoolchildren and healthy children from the cities of Quito and Cuenca with anthropometric measurements and serum leptin and adiponectin values. Methods: A case-control study was carried out in children with overweight or obesity (cases) and normal weight (controls) between 6 and 8 years old in the cities of Quito and Cuenca, Ecuador. Anthropometric data and serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were obtained using standardized techniques. The quantification of miR-146a in serum was performed by real-time PCR using the 4-channel ABI QuantStudio5 equipment (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA, USA). The association between the relative expression of miR-146a and the sociodemographic variables and risk factors were determined using a linear regression model. Results: No significant differences were found in the expression of miR-146a between cases and controls. However, when comparing cases and controls, a trend of greater relative expression of miR-146a was observed in the cases. The miR-146a was not significantly correlated with the anthropometric and metabolic measures of the population with the exception of the sex variable. Girls presented a lower relative expression of miR-146a compared to boys (β: -5.41; -10.50 - 0.33; p = 0.037). Conclusions: The present study suggests that the expression of miR-146a is dependent on the sex of the participant. Boys have higher serum levels of miR-146a compared to girls. No associations were found between the relative expression of miR-146a between cases and controls. However, a trend of greater relative expression of miR-146a in serum was observed in overweight or obese children, which biologically could be associated with an imbalance in the regulation of pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines. Future studies should evaluate other microRNAs and adipokines that could influence the development of obesity and its complications in adulthood.
Nature relatedness as a potential factor to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior in Ecuadorian children
(2021) Escandón Dután, Samuel Adrián; Van Dyck, Delfien; Cardon, Greet Maria; Salvo, Deborah; Fiebelkorn, Florian; Andrade Tenesaca, Dolores Susana; Ochoa Avilés, María Cristina; Garcia Garcia, Ana Angelica; Brito Parra, Jorge Eduardo; Alvarez Alvarez, Mario; Ochoa Avilés, Angélica María; Molina Cando, María José
Background Nature relatedness can be associated with health-related outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the associations of nature relatedness with physical activity and sedentary behavior. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 9–12 year old children living in Cuenca, Ecuador, was conducted between October 2018 and March 2019. Questionnaires were used to evaluate physical activity (PAQ-C), out-of-school sedentary behavior, nature relatedness and wellbeing. Associations of nature relatedness with physical activity, and sedentary behavior were evaluated using linear regression models or tobit regressions adjusted by age, sex, school type, wellbeing, and body mass index z-score. Results A total of 1028 children were surveyed (average age:10.4±1.22 years, 52% female.). Nature relatedness was positively associated with physical activity (β = 0.07; CI 95%: 0.05–0.09; p < 0.001) and non-screen-related sedentary leisure (β = 3.77 minutes; CI 95%: 0.76–6.68; p < 0.05); it was negatively associated with screen time (β = -5.59 minutes; CI 95%: -10.53–0.65; p < 0.05). Conclusions Findings suggest that nature relatedness is associated with physical activity and some sedentary behaviors among Ecuadorian school-age children. The promotion of nature relatedness has the potential to improve health.
Percentile of physical condition in children and adolescents from Cuenca-Ecuador: Alpha -fit battery
(2023) Andrade Tenesaca, Dolores Susana; Escandón Dután, Samuel Adrián; Ochoa Avilés, Angélica María; Zamora Burbano, Zulma Beatriz; Molina Cando, María José
The physical condition was evaluated and the normative reference values were obtained using the Alpha-Fit Battery. The main objective of this study was to establish the percentiles, their respective curves and differences between the sexes for the tests, thus providing an instrument that facilitates the evaluation of physical condition. With a sample of 604 children and adolescents (9-12 years old) with a normal body mass index (BMI) and no conditions that affect their physical performance. A significant difference was evidenced, with a higher average in women, in the measurements of body composition (BMI, height, body weight and skin folds). As well as higher averages in men in the long jump, 20-m shuttle run and shuttle run 4 x 10m. Likewise, there were higher averages in the long jump, shuttle run 4 x 10m and handgrip, as age increased, regardless of sex.