Mindfulness-based emotional regulation for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: A randomized pilot study of efficacy, applicability, and safety.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions to reduce anxiety or improve quality of life (QoL) in patients with cardiac pathologies is well established. However, there is scarce information on the efficacy, applicability, and safety of these interventions in adult patients with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). In this study, we examined their efficacy on QoL, psychological and biomedical variables, as well as the applicability and safety of a mindfulness-based intervention in patients with an ICD. METHODS: Ninety-six patients with an ICD were randomized into two intervention groups and a control group. The interventions involved training in mindfulness-based emotional regulation, either face-to- -face or using the "REM Volver a casa" mobile phone application (app). RESULTS: The sample presented medium-high QoL baseline scores (mean: 68), low anxiety (6.84) and depression (3.89), average mindfulness disposition (128), and cardiological parameters similar to other ICD populations. After the intervention, no significant differences were found in the variables studied between the intervention and control groups. Retention was average (59%), and there were no adverse effects due to the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: After training in mindfulness-based emotional regulation (face-to-face or via app), no significant differences were found in the QoL or psychological or biomedical variables in patients with an ICD. The intervention proved to be safe, with 59% retention.

Effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy vs. psychoeducational intervention on plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cognitive function in bipolar patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Few controlled trials have assessed the benefits of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on cognitive functions and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in bipolar disorder (BD). This study aims to evaluate the impact of MBCT adjunctive treatment on these variables. Main hypothesis was that MBCT would improve cognitive functioning and BDNF more than Psychoeducation and TAU. Methods: Randomized, multicenter, prospective and single-blinded trial. Included BD outpatients randomly assigned to three treatment arms: MBCT plus treatment as usual (TAU), Psychoeducation plus Tau and TAU. Cognitive functions were assessed with Continuous Performance Test-III, Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, Digit Span and Letter-Number Sequencing from Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III, Face Emotion Identification Task and Face Emotion Discrimination Task. BDNF serum level was measured with ELISA. Patients were assessed at baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months. Results: Eighty-four patients were recruited (TAU = 10, Psychoeducation = 34, MBCT = 40). No significant differences between treatment groups were found. MBCT does not achieve better results than Psychoeducation or TAU. Discussion: Being Psychoeducation and TAU efficient interventions, as well as the scarce duration of a more complex intervention, such as MBCT, are suggested as explanatory variables of these results. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02133170. Registered 04/30/2014.

Insights into the Social Determinants of Health in Older Adults.

In this paper, we review the social determinants of health in older adults and their complex interrelationship with medical diseases. Also, we provide recommendations to address these determinants in the integrated healthcare plan. The social determinants in older adults and its influence in health outcomes have been studied for decades. There is solid evidence for the interrelationship between social factors and the health of individuals and populations; however, these studies are unable to define their complex interrelatedness. Health is quite variable and depends on multiple biological and social factors such as genetics, country of origin, migrant status, etc. On the other hand, health status can affect social factors such as job or education. Addressing social determinants of health in the integrated healthcare plan is important for improving health outcomes and decreasing existing disparities in older adult health. We recommend a person-centered approach in which individualized interventions should be adopted by organizations to improve the health status of older adults at the national and global level. Some of our practical recommendations to better address the social determinants of health in clinical practice are EHR documentation strategies, screening tools, and the development of linkages to the world outside of the clinic and health system, including social services, community activities, collaborative work, and roles for insurance companies.

Adsorption of pesticides and personal care products on pristine and weathered microplastics in the marine environment. Comparison between bio-based and conventional plastics.

The hydrophobicity of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) makes them adsorb on microplastics in the marine environment, affecting their distribution, persistence, or their transfer to the trophic chain. Fragrances and non-polar pesticides can be adsorbed by microplastics in the marine environment because of their physico-chemical characteristics. In this work, the adsorption of two pesticides (α-endosulfan and chlorpyrifos) and 6 musk fragrances (musk xylene, musk ketone, musk moskene, galaxolide, tonalide, and celestolide) on polyamide (PA6) (a petroleum based polymer) and on polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) (biopolymer) in seawater was studied, considering also the effect of water temperature and plastic weathering. Results show higher adsorption of the selected pollutants for PHB than PA, being PA more affected by the water temperature and the plastic weathering. The highest percentage of adsorption was achieved in most cases at 24 h. In addition, this process was irreversible, as it showed the leaching assays. Besides, this work revealed that plastics mitigate the degradation of α-endosulfan in aquatic media (hydrolysis), showing that plastics can act as inhibitors of degradation of POPs, increasing its persistence in the environment.

Effect of the Instant Controlled Pressure Drop Technology in Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) Essential Oil Extraction and Antioxidant Activity.

Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is an outspread spice native to Asia, which is well appreciated for its sensory characteristics, delicate aroma, and unique taste. Currently, the main cardamom extracts are essential oils (EOs), and regarding current market tendencies, this market is in high growth. For this reason, technologies such as the instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) have been applied to reach higher yields and better quality of EO. Then, this study explores the impact of DIC as a pretreatment before hydrodistillation (HD) on the EO yield and their antioxidant activity. Obtained results showed that the coupling of DIC-HD increased the yield of essential oil and also had a positive impact on their antioxidant capacity. The EO yield of DIC-HD (140 °C and 30 s) was 4.43% vs. 2.52% for control; the AOX of DIC-HD (165 °C and 30 s) was 86% inhibition vs. 57.02% for control, and the TEAC of DIC-HD (140 °C and 30 s) was 1.44 uMTE/g EO vs. 13.66 uMTE/g EO.

Instant Controlled Pressure Drop as Blanching and Texturing Pre-Treatment to Preserve the Antioxidant Compounds of Red Dried Beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.).

Red beetroot is rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, betaxanthins, betacyanins, among others. According to selected processing methods, the bioaccessibility of these compounds could be either enhanced or decreased. This study evaluated the effect of four different drying conditions: (1) Traditional Drying (TD), (2) Swell Drying (SD), (3) DIC Blanching + Traditional Drying (BTD), and (4) DIC Blanching + Swell Drying (BSD) on the antioxidant content and the antioxidant activity of red beetroots. Obtained results showed that in all the cases, by comparing to Traditional Drying (TD), the coupling of a DIC Blanching pre-treatment to a Swell Drying treatment (BSD) maintained or enhanced the preservation of the Total Phenolic Compounds (TPC), the Total Flavonoids Compounds (TFC), the Betanin Concentration (BC), the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC), and the Free Radical Scavenging Activity by DPPH (IC50) of red beetroots. Various studies have shown that thanks to the expanded and porous structure triggered by the Swell Drying process, it has been possible to achieve better antioxidants extraction and better whole quality. Hence, by coupling DIC as a blanching-steaming pre-treatment, it was possible to preserve better the antioxidant content and the antioxidant activity of red dried beetroots.

Antioxidant Content of Frozen, Convective Air-Dried, Freeze-Dried, and Swell-Dried Chokecherries (Prunus virginiana L.).

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana L.) is rich in bioactive molecules as phenolics, which can act as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, among others; however, due to its high perishability, most of this fruit is wasted. Freezing and sun drying have been the most adopted techniques to avoid its postharvest deterioration. Nevertheless, both processes have presented some drawbacks as high storage costs and losses of bioactive molecules. Therefore, to preserve these molecules, this study compared the impact of convective airflow drying (CAD), freezing (FR), freeze drying (FD), and swell drying (SD). Total phenolics content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), kuromanin concentration (KC), and antioxidant activity (antiradical activity (ARA) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay (TEAC)) of chokecherries were measured. "Swell drying" is a drying process coupling convective airflow drying to the Instant Controlled Pressure Drop (DIC) expansion. A central composite rotatable design was applied to optimize the DIC variables and responses. Results showed that both freezing and swell drying effectively preserve the TPC, TFC, KC, and ARA. Moreover, SD samples also presented the highest TEAC. Contrary, in the case of CAD, it caused the highest losses of both antioxidant content and activity. Swell drying remedies the shrinkage and collapsing of dried food structure, which results in a better antioxidants extraction.

Preclinical Efficacy of Endoglin-Targeting Antibody-Drug Conjugates for the Treatment of Ewing Sarcoma.

PURPOSE: Endoglin (ENG; CD105) is a coreceptor of the TGFß family that is highly expressed in proliferating endothelial cells. Often coopted by cancer cells, ENG can lead to neo-angiogenesis and vasculogenic mimicry in aggressive malignancies. It exists both as a transmembrane cell surface protein, where it primarily interacts with TGFß, and as a soluble matricellular protein (sENG) when cleaved by matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14). High ENG expression has been associated with poor prognosis in Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer that primarily occurs in adolescents and young adults. However, the therapeutic value of ENG targeting has not been fully explored in this disease. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We characterized the expression pattern of transmembrane ENG, sENG, and MMP14 in preclinical and clinical samples. Subsequently, the antineoplastic potential of two novel ENG-targeting monoclonal antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), OMTX503 and OMTX703, which differed only by their drug payload (nigrin-b A chain and cytolysin, respectively), was assessed in cell lines and preclinical animal models of Ewing sarcoma. RESULTS: Both ADCs suppressed cell proliferation in proportion to the endogenous levels of ENG observed in vitro. Moreover, the ADCs significantly delayed tumor growth in Ewing sarcoma cell line-derived xenografts and patient-derived xenografts in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, these studies demonstrate potent preclinical activity of first-in-class anti-ENG ADCs as a nascent strategy to eradicate Ewing sarcoma.

Effect of Breast Irradiation on Cardiac Disease in Women Enrolled in BCIRG-001 at 10-Year Follow-Up.

PURPOSE: To investigate cardiac toxicity associated with breast radiation therapy (RT) at 10-year follow-up in BCIRG-001, a phase 3 trial comparing adjuvant anthracycline chemotherapy (fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide) with anthracycline-taxane chemotherapy (docetaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide) in women with lymph node-positive early breast cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Prospective data from all 746 patients in the control arm (fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide) of BCIRG-001 at 10-year follow-up were obtained from Project Data Sphere. Cardiac toxicities examined included myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure (HF), arrhythmias, and relative and absolute left ventricular ejection fraction decrease of >20% from baseline. Toxicities were compared between patients who received RT versus no RT, left-sided RT versus no RT, and internal mammary nodal RT versus no RT. RESULTS: Of the 746 patients, 559 (75%) received RT to a median dose of 50 Gy. Myocardial infarction occurred in 3 RT patients (0.5%) versus 6 no-RT patients (3%) (P=.01). Heart failure was seen in 15 RT patients (2.7%) versus 3 no-RT patients (1.6%) (P=.6). Among these, 35 RT patients (18%) had a left ventricular ejection fraction relative decrease of >20% baseline versus 7 (10%) who did not receive RT (P=.1). Arrhythmias were more common in RT patients (3.2%) versus no-RT patients (0%) (P=.01). On univariable and multivariable analysis HF was not significantly associated with RT, and MI was negatively associated with RT. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis of prospective toxicity outcomes, there is an increased risk of arrhythmias but no clear evidence of significantly increased risk of MI or HF at 10 years in lymph node-positive women treated with breast RT and uniform adjuvant doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. Given the low incidence of these outcomes, studies with larger numbers are needed to confirm our findings.

Interacción entre tratamientos oncológicos y soporte nutricional / Interaction between oncological treatments and nutritional support

Durante la última década, el conocimiento de nuevos mecanismos implicados en el desarrollo del cáncer ha permitido el diseño de nuevos fármacos para su tratamiento y la mayor parte de ellos son fármacos que se administran por vía oral. Uno de los principales problemas de los pacientes oncohematológicos es la desnutrición, que suele tener causas multifactoriales (de la propia enfermedad, de los pacientes y de los diferentes tratamientos administrados). Para minimizar el impacto de la desnutrición es necesaria una intervención nutricional, ya sea adaptando la dieta o mediante la instauración de soporte nutricional artificial, en función de la gravedad de cada caso. En cualquier paciente que esté recibiendo un tratamiento oncológico hay que evaluar las posibles interacciones que pueden existir con el soporte nutricional instaurado, ya sea dieta oral, suplementación oral o nutrición enteral. Estas interacciones pueden disminuir la eficacia, aumentar la toxicidad de los tratamientos o producir déficits nutricionales. Se detallan las principales interacciones que se pueden producir, las interacciones entre los tratamientos oncológicos y el soporte nutricional (AU)

Over the past decade new knowledge on mechanisms involved in cancer growth has contributed to develop new drugs -for the most part orally administered drugs- to fight the disease. One of the main problems affecting oncohematological patients is malnutrition, which is caused by a multitude of factors such as the disease itself, patients' condition, the treatments used, etc. In order to mitigate the impacts of malnutrition, nutritional intervention is required. Diet can be either modified or supplemented with artificial nutritional supplements, depending on the malnutrition severity of each patient. Potential interactions between artificial nutritional support -whether dietary intervention, oral supplementation or enteral feeding- and cancer treatment should be assessed. These interactions may reduce efficiency, increase treatment toxicity or cause further nutritional deficiencies. Major interactions between cancer treatments and nutritional supplements are described bellow (AU)

Factores sociodemográficos y seguimiento prenatal asociados a la mortalidad perinatal en gestantes de Colombia / Sociodemographic factors and adequacy of prenatal care associated perinatal mortality in Colombian pregnant women

Introducción: el adecuado seguimiento clínico y el cumplimiento de los requerimientos nutricionales, son aspectos esenciales para el adecuado desarrollo fetal y la culminación exitosa del embarazo. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre los factores sociodemográficos y el seguimiento prenatal asociados a la mortalidad perinatal en gestantes de Colombia. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo y transversal secundario a la información obtenida en la Encuesta Nacional de la Situación Nutricional 2010 (ENSIN 2010) y la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud (ENDS 2010), en 14.754 mujeres gestantes de entre 13 y 44 años de edad. Los factores sociodemográficos: sexo del recién nacido, región geográfica (atlántica, oriental, central, pacífica, Bogotá, territorios nacionales), nivel socioeconómico- Sisbén (I al VI) y área geográfica (cabecera municipal, centro poblado, población dispersa), el seguimiento prenatal (control de peso, altura uterina, presión arterial, fetocardia, bioquímica sanguínea, análisis de orina) y la suplementación con hierro, calcio y ácido fólico se recogieron a través de una encuesta estructurada. Se establecieron asociaciones mediante la construcción de modelos de regresión logística binaria simple y multivariable. Resultados: de las variables sociodemográficas, residir en centros poblados, región oriental o pacífica, y pertenecer al nivel Sisbén I, son las que mostraron mayor frecuencia de muerte perinatal, con valores de 1,7%, 1,5%, 1,4% y 1,4%, respectivamente. Tras ajustar por sexo del recién nacido, área, región geográfica y puntaje de Sisbén, se encontró que un inadecuado seguimiento en el control del peso (OR 5,12), la presión arterial (OR 5,18), la bioquímica sanguínea (OR 2,19) y la suplementación con hierro (OR 2,09), calcio (OR 1,73) y ácido fólico (OR 2,73) se asociaron como factores predisponentes a la mortalidad perinatal. Conclusiones: la mortalidad perinatal cambia según los factores sociodemográficos y el seguimiento prenatal estudiados. El Estado podría usar los resultados de este estudio para fomentar intervenciones que mejoren el seguimiento prenatal durante la gestación (AU)

Background: an adequate monitoring and the compliance of the nutritional requirements are essential for fetal development and successful control of pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and the pre-birth monitoring associated with perinatal mortality in pregnant women from Colombia. Methods: this was a cross-sectional analysis from the 2010 Colombian Demographic and Health Survey and the National Nutritional Survey that included 14 754 pregnant women between 13 and 44 years old. Sociodemographic factors included: new born sex, geographic region, socioeconomic status (SISBEN), pre-birth monitoring (weight control, uterus height, blood pressure, fetal cardiac activity, biochemistry essays, urine analysis) and the supplementation of iron, calcium and folic acid, were collected by structured questionnaire. Associations were established through multivariable and binary regression models. Results: sociodemographic factors such as living in high-density cities, pacific and western regions and low socioeconomic status (SISBEN I) showed a highest perinatal mortality with rates of 1.7%, 1.5%, 1.4% and 1.4%, respectively. After adjustment by new born sex, geographic region and SISBEN score, an adequate monitoring of weight control (OR = 5.12), blood pressure (OR = 5.18), biochemistry essays (OR = 2.19), supplementation of iron (OR = 2.09), calcium (OR=1.73) and folic acid (OR = 2.73) were associated as facilitators of perinatal mortality. Conclusions: perinatal mortality is determined by the sociodemographic factors and pre-birth follow-up included in this study. Government and decision makers can take these results to garbage actions aiming to improve pregnancy monitoring (AU)

[SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS AND ADEQUACY OF PRENATAL CARE ASSOCIATED PERINATAL MORTALITY IN COLOMBIAN PREGNANT WOMEN]. / FACTORES SOCIODEMOGRÁFICOS Y SEGUIMIENTO PRENATAL ASOCIADOS A LA MORTALIDAD PERINATAL EN GESTANTES DE COLOMBIA.

BACKGROUND: an adequate monitoring and the compliance of the nutritional requirements are essential for fetal development and successful control of pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to determine the association between sociodemographic factors and the pre-birth monitoring associated with perinatal mortality in pregnant women from Colombia. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional analysis from the 2010 Colombian Demographic and Health Survey and the National Nutritional Survey that included 14 754 pregnant women between 13 and 44 years old. Sociodemographic factors included: new born sex, geographic region, socioeconomic status (SISBEN), pre-birth monitoring (weight control, uterus height, blood pressure, fetal cardiac activity, biochemistry essays, urine analysis) and the supplementation of iron, calcium and folic acid, were collected by structured questionnaire. Associations were established through multivariable and binary regression models. RESULTS: sociodemographic factors such as living in high-density cities, pacific and western regions and low socioeconomic status (SISBEN I) showed a highest perinatal mortality with rates of 1.7%, 1.5%, 1.4% and 1.4%, respectively. After adjustment by new born sex, geographic region and SISBEN score, an adequate monitoring of weight control (OR = 5.12), blood pressure (OR = 5.18), biochemistry essays (OR = 2.19), supplementation of iron (OR = 2.09), calcium (OR=1.73) and folic acid (OR = 2.73) were associated as facilitators of perinatal mortality. CONCLUSIONS: perinatal mortality is determined by the sociodemographic factors and pre-birth follow-up included in this study. Government and decision makers can take these results to garbage actions aiming to improve pregnancy monitoring.

Introducción: el adecuado seguimiento clínico y el cumplimiento de los requerimientos nutricionales, son aspectos esenciales para el adecuado desarrollo fetal y la culminación exitosa del embarazo. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la asociación entre los factores sociodemográficos y el seguimiento prenatal asociados a la mortalidad perinatal en gestantes de Colombia. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo y transversal secundario a la información obtenida en la Encuesta Nacional de la Situación Nutricional 2010 (ENSIN 2010) y la Encuesta Nacional de Demografía y Salud (ENDS 2010), en 14.754 mujeres gestantes de entre 13 y 44 años de edad. Los factores sociodemográficos: sexo del recién nacido, región geográfica (atlántica, oriental, central, pacífica, Bogotá, territorios nacionales), nivel socioeconómico- Sisbén (I al VI) y área geográfica (cabecera municipal, centro poblado, población dispersa), el seguimiento prenatal (control de peso, altura uterina, presión arterial, fetocardia, bioquímica sanguínea, análisis de orina) y la suplementación con hierro, calcio y ácido fólico se recogieron a través de una encuesta estructurada. Se establecieron asociaciones mediante la construcción de modelos de regresión logística binaria simple y multivariable. Resultados: de las variables sociodemográficas, residir en centros poblados, región oriental o pacífica, y pertenecer al nivel Sisbén I, son las que mostraron mayor frecuencia de muerte perinatal, con valores de 1,7%, 1,5%, 1,4% y 1,4%, respectivamente. Tras ajustar por sexo del recién nacido, área, región geográfica y puntaje de Sisbén, se encontró que un inadecuado seguimiento en el control del peso (OR 5,12), la presión arterial (OR 5,18), la bioquímica sanguínea (OR 2,19) y la suplementación con hierro (OR 2,09), calcio (OR 1,73) y ácido fólico (OR 2,73) se asociaron como factores predisponentes a la mortalidad perinatal. Conclusiones: la mortalidad perinatal cambia según los factores sociodemográficos y el seguimiento prenatal estudiados. El Estado podría usar los resultados de este estudio para fomentar intervenciones que mejoren el seguimiento prenatal durante la gestación.

Inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious psychiatric disease. Choice of acute inpatient care for AN is driven by the severity of symptoms and the level of risk to the patient. Inpatient hospitalization of patients with AN typically includes a behavioral weight gain protocol that is designed to address the core features of the disorder: weight, appetite, and distorted thoughts and behavior. Some add-on treatments may also be included in the inpatient treatment model and may have potential benefits, including faster or greater weight gain; such treatments include psychotherapy, psychoeducation, pharmacological treatment, and nutritional replacement. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to systematically review randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that have compared the efficacy of different forms of add-on treatment delivered during admission to a 24-hour hospital and to summarize the existing data regarding weight gain associated with such pharmacological, medical, and psychological interventions. METHODS: Systematic electronic and manual searches were conducted to identify published RCTs concerning inpatient treatment of AN. Weight gain was used as the main outcome variable. RESULTS: Overall, no significant increase in weight recovery was reported with atypical antipsychotics compared to placebo or therapy as usual. Only one study showed slight benefits in young patients during hospitalization (d=0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.09-1.64). No significant effects on weight recovery were found for antidepressants (d=-0.10; 95% CI=-0.63-0.42). In addition, none of the add-on psychotherapy techniques that were evaluated demonstrated superiority compared with control interventions in the inpatient setting. Cyclic enteral nutrition was studied in one RCT in which it demonstrated superiority compared to oral refeeding only (d=0.97; 95% CI=0.51-1.47). Other less common treatments such as bright light therapy and lithium carbonate were not found to produce additional significant weight improvement compared with placebo. CONCLUSION: Most add-on treatments during the acute inpatient phase of AN treatment are not effective in increasing weight recovery. Long-term follow-up studies after the acute treatment phase are needed to make evidence-based recommendations.

Imagen corporal, autoestima, motivación y rendimiento en practicantes de danza / Body image, motivation and academic achievemetn in young dancers / Imagem corporal, auto-estima, motivação e desempenho em jovens praticantes de dança

En este trabajo se analizaron las implicaciones de la imagen corporal, la motivación y la autoestima sobre el rendimiento académico del alumnado de Danza del Conservatorio de Córdoba. Sobre una muestra de 75 estudiantes Aplicando el método de investigación-acción sobre una muestra de 75 estudiantes, se realizó un análisis antropométrico y conductual centrado en la apreciación de la imagen corporal y un estudio de su autoestima y motivación, estableciendo relaciones de todo ello sobre el rendimiento. Posteriormente, se implementó un programa de educación emocional para mejorar las deficiencias detectadas. El estudio de los efectos de esta intervención y la evolución de los resultados académicos mostraron la gran influencia ejercida por la autoestima y la motivación sobre el rendimiento. Asimismo se reveló la importancia del trabajo de la autoestima para la construcción de una imagen corporal ajustada y la necesidad de una educación emocional y del empleo sistemático de herramientas de diagnóstico para prevenir trastornos de la conducta alimentaria

In this paper the implications of body image, motivation and self-esteem on academic performance of students at the Dance Conservatory of Córdoba were analyzed. In a sample of 75 students, we developed an anthropometric and behavioral analysis focused on the assessment of body image and a study of self-esteem and motivation, establishing relationships between these factors and performance. Subsequently, an emotional education program was implemented to improve the deficiencies identified. The study of the effects of this intervention and the development of academic results showed the large influence of self-esteem and motivation on performance. The study also revealed the importance of working on self-esteem to build an appropriate body image and the need for emotional education and the systematic use of diagnostic tools to prevent eating behaviour disorders

Neste trabalho foram analisadas as implicações da imagem corporal, motivação e auto-estima no desempenho acadêmico dos alunos emDança Conservatório de Córdoba. Em uma amostra de 75 estudantes foram realizadas análises antropométrica e comportamental com enfoque naavaliação da imagem corporal e auto-estima. Foram estudadas a motivação e as relações estabelecidas com o desempenho. Posteriormente, um programade educação emocional foi implementado para melhorar as deficiências identificadas. O estudo dos efeitos desta intervenção e o desenvolvimento deresultados acadêmicos mostrou a grande influência da auto-estima e motivação no desempenho. A importância do trabalho de auto-estima foi reveladona construção de uma imagem do corpo, para além disso a necessidade de uma educação emocional e o uso sistemático de ferramentas de diagnósticopara prevenir o comportamento com transtornos alimentares

Capability of different microalgae species for phytoremediation processes: wastewater tertiary treatment, CO2 bio-fixation and low cost biofuels production.

Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella kessleri and a natural Bloom were cultivated in batch experiments, under controlled conditions, in urban wastewater (WW) and synthetic wastewater (SW) under 5% CO2 in air, with the object of estimating their capacity for nutrient removal, carbon dioxide biofixation, and generation of valuable biomass. In both culture media, the Bloom (Bl) and Scenedesmus (Sc) showed higher final biomass concentration (dried weight, dw) than the other species; the maximum yield obtained was 1950 ± 243 mg L(-1) for Bl and the minimum 821 ± 88 mg L(-1) for Cv, both in synthetic wastewater. Maximum specific growth rate values do not show significant differences between any of the 4 strains tested (p ≤ 0.05), nor between the 2 culture media. A new homogeneous method of calculating productivities has been proposed. Nitrogen removal in all the reactors was higher than 90%, except for BlSW (79%), and for phosphorus, the removal was higher than 98% in all trials. Maximum CO2 consumption rates reached were 424.4 and 436.7 mg L(-1) d(-1) for ScSW and ScWW respectively.

Impact of mindfulness training on attentional control and anger regulation processes for psychotherapists in training.

OBJECTIVES: Little empirical literature focuses on psychotherapists' cultivation of internal states of mind necessary for controlling attention and responding empathically to the client. We explore the effects of mindfulness training on emotional and attentional measures in Spanish resident intern psychiatrists and clinical psychologists. METHOD: One hundred and three residents were assigned to an experimental group (n = 60) that completed an 8-week mindfulness training versus a wait-list control group (n = 43). We evaluated emotional variables (sadness, anxiety, and anger, using standard instruments), state of mindfulness (using the Mindfulness Awareness Attention Scale), and attentional control variables using objective measures such as a continuous performance task and the Stroop task before and after mindfulness training. RESULTS: Our study provides data that suggest that mindfulness training significantly improves measures of trait anger and attentional control. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to replicate these findings, explore the effects of mindfulness training on other aspects of emotional regulation and cognition, and evaluate the impact of these effects within clinical situations.

Low-level laser treatment accelerated hair regrowth in a rat model of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA).

Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is one of the most distressing side effects of antineoplastic chemotherapy for which there is no effective interventional approach. A low-level laser (LLL) device, the HairMax LaserComb®, has been cleared by the FDA to treat androgenetic alopecia. Its effects may be extended to other settings; we have demonstrated that LaserComb treatment induced hair regrowth in a mouse model for alopecia areata. In the current study, we tested whether LLL treatment could promote hair regrowth in a rat model for CIA. Chemotherapy agents cyclophosphamide, etoposide, or a combination of cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin were administered in young rats to induce alopecia, with or without LLL treatment. As expected, 7-10 days later, all the rats developed full body alopecia. However, rats receiving laser treatment regrew hair 5 days earlier than rats receiving chemotherapy alone or sham laser treatment (with the laser turned off). The accelerated hair regrowth in laser-treated rats was confirmed by histology. In addition, LLL treatment did not provide local protection to subcutaneously injected Shay chloroleukemic cells. Taken together, our results demonstrated that LLL treatment significantly accelerated hair regrowth after CIA without compromising the efficacy of chemotherapy in our rat model. Our results suggest that LLL should be explored for the treatment of CIA in clinical trials because LLL devices for home use (such as the HairMax LaserComb®) provide a user-friendly and noninvasive approach that could be translated to increased patient compliance and improved efficacy.

Effects of allergen exposure on methacholine and AMP-induced air trapping in pollen-sensitive subjects.

BACKGROUND: The effect of pro-inflammatory stimuli on bronchoconstrictor-induced air trapping has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of natural allergen exposure, a pro-inflammatory stimulus, on methacholine- and adenosine 5'-monophospate (AMP)-induced air trapping. METHODS: Airway responsiveness to methacholine and AMP before and during the pollen season was obtained in 25 subjects with pollen allergy and in 10 healthy controls. The response was expressed by the sensitivity (PC20 value) and by the slope and intercept of the FVC values recorded at each step of the challenge against the corresponding FEV1 values. RESULTS: The slope and intercept FVC versus FEV1 values for both methacholine and AMP were significantly higher in subjects with pollen allergy than in healthy controls. In the group with pollen allergy, both methacholine and AMP PC20 values decreased significantly during the pollen season. However, the mean (95% CI) slope FVC versus FEV1 values for methacholine were 1.00 (0.84-1.16) before the pollen season and 0.99 (0.86-1.12, P = 0.90) during the pollen season. Similar results were obtained with AMP. CONCLUSIONS: Although the air trapping induced by both methacholine and AMP is significantly greater in subjects with pollen allergy than in healthy controls, natural allergen exposure is associated with a selective increase in airway sensitivity without concomitant changes in bronchoconstrictor-induced air trapping. These findings suggest that the information provided by the bronchoconstrictor-induced change in FEV1 and FVC is not equivalent and may be complementary.

Software "Plantas Medicinales": un medio de enseñanza para los estudiantes de Medicina / Software "Medicinal Plants": a teaching medium for medical students

En el presente trabajo se presenta un software que aborda el tema "Plantas Medicinales" dirigido a estudiantes de Medicina. En él se incluyen todas las plantas autorizadas por nuestro Ministerio de Salud Pública para su prescripción facultativa. El carácter interactivo del material favorece el aprendizaje y la apropiación de dicho conocimiento para una mejor aplicación posterior. Permite la independencia y participación del estudiante en el proceso de aprendizaje, tanto de forma individual como colectiva.

Patterns of iodine intake and urinary iodine concentrations during pregnancy and blood thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations in the newborn progeny.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate maternal intake of iodine during pregnancy is essential for maternal thyroxine production and thyroid status of the fetus. It should be possible to enhance iodine intake during pregnancy by using iodine fortified salt or taking iodine supplements. In the present report we determined the status of iodine nutrition in pregnant women who were stratified on the basis of their history of taking or not taking iodized salt or iodine supplements. The study was performed in Toledo (Spain), a region in which prior studies have noted borderline iodine sufficiency. Iodine nutrition was assessed by measuring urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and neonatal thyrotropin (TSH). METHODS: UIC was measured in 525 pregnant women. They were grouped according to their history of iodine intake. Diet Group 1 patients (n = 69) did not take iodized salt or iodine supplements during pregnancy. Diet Group 2 patients (n = 75) took iodized salt but not iodine supplements during pregnancy. Diet Group 3 patients (n = 381) took iodine supplements during pregnancy. Plasma determinations included TSH, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibody, and thyroglobulin antibody. UIC was measured in a single urine sample from all the pregnant women. Neonatal TSH was measured in capillary spot blood from all the neonates as part of a screening for congenital metabolic abnormalities. RESULTS: The median UIC in all subjects was 164 µg/L (interquartile range [IR]: 116-245). The median UICs in Diet Groups 1, 2, and 3 were 134.5 (IR: 90-196), 146 (IR: 103-205), and 183 (IR: 124-261) µg/L, respectively (p = not significant [NS] for Diet Group 1 vs. 2; p < 0.01 for Diet Group 2 vs. 3; all other comparisons NS). The median (IR) TSH of the neonates in all Diet Groups was 1.0 (IR: 0.7-1.6) µU/mL. Only 2 neonates had blood TSH concentrations >5 mU/L. Neonatal blood TSH concentrations were similar in all Diet Groups. CONCLUSIONS: In a region with a history of borderline iodine deficiency the UICs were below 150 µg/L in a substantial percentage of pregnant women who did not take iodine supplements, regardless of whether or not they took iodized salt. Our results support the use of iodine supplements from the start of the pregnancy, or even before pregnancy in women who live in regions with a history of even small degrees of iodine deficiency. In addition, neonate TSH screening is not the best tool to assess whether the iodine status in populations is ideal.