Evaluación del efecto de una intervención en WhatsAPP para pacientes hipertensos / Avaliação do efeito de uma intervenção no whatsapp para pacientes com hipertensão / Assessment of the effect of a whatsapp based intervention for patients with high blood pressure

Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de una intervención utilizando WhatsApp dirigida a personas con hipertensión arterial en Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Material y Métodos: Se diseñó un ensayo clínico controlado aleatorizado, se reclutaron 40 pacientes hipertensos en cada grupo. Se desarrollaron 65 elementos en WhatsApp considerando las Behaviour Change Techniques. Las variables que se consideraron fueron tanto sociodemográficas, antropométricas, clínicas, adherencia terapéutica y conocimientos sobre hipertensión arterial. Para el tratamiento de las pérdidas se realizó un análisis por intención de tratar. Resultados: En el grupo experimental, el cambio que se observó estuvo relacionado con la modificación en la alimentación y en la realización de ejercicio, lo que contrasta con quienes solo recibían el tratamiento habitual. Discusión: El recibir información por WhatsApples motiva e impulsa a cuidarse. Se recomienda replicar este tipo de intervenciones en poblaciones diferentes o con otras enfermedades.

Objective: To assess the effect of an intervention using Whatsapp aimed at people with high blood pressure in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. Material and Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was designed; 40 patients with high blood pressure were recruited in each group. Considering Behavior Change Techniques, 65 elements were developed and distributed via WhatsApp. Different variables were considered: anthropometric, physiological, clinical, therapeutic adherence and knowledge about hypertension, among them. An intention-to-treat analysis was carried out for the treatment of losses. Results: In the experimental group, the observed change was related to modifications in eating habits and exercise, contrasting with those subjects who only received the usual treatment. Discussion: Receiving information via WhatsApp motivates and makes patients take care of themselves. It is recommended to reproduce this type of intervention in different populations or with other diseases

Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de uma intervenção usando WhatsApp dirigida em pessoas com hipertensão em Xalapa, Veracruz, México. Material e Métodos: Um ensaio clínico controlado randomizado foi desenhado, 40 pacientes hipertensos foram recrutados em cada grupo. 65 elementos foram desenvolvidos no WhatsApp considerando as Behaviour Change Techniques. As variáveis consideradas foram: sociodemográficas, antropométricas, clínicas, adesão terapêutica e conhecimento sobre hipertensão arterial. Para o tratamento das perdas, foi realizada uma análise de intenção de tratar. Resultados: Na turma experimental, a mudança observada foi relacionada à modificação na alimentação e à atividade física, o que contrasta com aqueles que receberam apenas o tratamento usual. Discussão: Receber informações através do WhatsApp motiva e incentiva o autocuidado. Recomenda-se replicar este tipo de intervenção em diferentes populações ou com outras doenças

Biomechanical Evaluation of Cervicothoracic Junction Fusion Constructs.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of different cervicothoracic construct design variables on biomechanical stability in vitro. METHODS: Six fresh-frozen human cadaveric spines (C5-T4) were used. After intact analysis, each specimen was destabilized and reconstructed, with all groups having 4.0-mm pedicle screws placed at T1-T3. The 2 hook-rod constructs included interlaminar hooks at C6 and C7, with either 3.5-mm or 4.0-mm rods (C6-T3). The 2 screw-rod constructs tested included lateral mass screws at C6 and C7, with either 3.5-mm or 4.0-mm rods (C6-T3). The 2 screw-connector-rod constructs tested included lateral mass screws at C6 and C7, with either 3.5-mm or 4.0-mm rods; 1 rod spanned C6-C7 with a connector to a second rod of the same size spanning T1-T3. Global (C6-T3) and intervertebral (C6-C7, C7-T1, T1-T2, and T2-T3) ranges of motion were compared for each construct. RESULTS: In terms of global (C6-T3) stability, 3.5-mm versus 4.0-mm rod constructs were not significantly different, regardless of whether the construct was hook-rod, screw-rod, or screw-connector-rod. The hook-rod constructs provided less stability compared with the screw-rod and screw-connector-rod constructs in lateral bending (P < 0.04) and axial rotation (P < 0.001). The screw-rod constructs demonstrated a similar range of motion to that of the screw-connector-rod constructs, except for significantly less axial rotation at the C6-C7 level with 3.5-mm rods (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: We found that the rod diameter of a construct does not appear to significantly influence the biomechanical stability of subaxial constructs. The screw-rod construct resulted in certain biomechanical advantages compared with the screw-connector-rod construct, and both were significantly superior to the hook-rod construct.

Percepción de estudiantes de bachillerato sobre contenidos relacionados con el consumo de alcohol y marihuana en las redes sociales / High school student's perception of contents related to alcohol and marijuana consumption on social networks

RESUMEN Las redes sociales son espacios virtuales, en los que millones de adolescentes alrededor del mundo se comunican libremente acerca de temas relevantes para su desarrollo y entretenimiento. La literatura internacional indica que, la exposición a contenidos relacionados con el consumo de alcohol y marihuana, contribuye al desarrollo de una menor percepción de riesgo al consumo, y una mayor tolerancia social hacia el uso de estas drogas. La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo explorar la percepción del consumo de alcohol y marihuana, que aparece en las redes sociales, en una muestra de 35 estudiantes de bachillerato. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo exploratorio a través de cuatro grupos focales, integrados por alumnos de bachillerato de la ciudad de Xalapa, Veracruz, de ambos sexos, de entre 15 y 19 años de edad, provenientes de distintos contextos socioeconómicos. El contenido de las entrevistas grupales fue transcrito y analizado, utilizando la metodología de la teoría fundamentada. Los resultados indican que, las redes sociales eran la principal fuente de información de los estudiantes, sobre la disponibilidad y los efectos del alcohol y la marihuana, sobrepasando a la televisión, los padres y los profesores. Los estudiantes percibieron el contenido sobre el consumo de drogas en las redes sociales, como una extensión de la presión de sus pares para iniciarse en el consumo de alcohol y marihuana.

ABSTRACT Social networks are virtual spaces in which millions of teenagers around the world communicate freely about themes relevant to their development and entertainment. International literature indicates that constant exposure to social networks' content related to alcohol and marijuana consumption contributes to the development of a more tolerant perception of drugs and their use. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of high school students regarding the alcohol and marijuana consumption posts on social networks in a sample of 35 high school students. Four focus groups were conducted with a sample of high school students from the city of Xalapa, Veracruz. Participants were both males and females whose ages ranged between 15 and 19 years and had different scio-economic backgrounds. The focus groups verbatim was transcribed and analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results they indicated that the content posted on social networks was participants' main source of information about the effects and availability of alcohol and marijuana, surpassing television, teachers and parents. The online content was perceived as an extension of the peer pressure teenagers experienced to start using drugs.

Contribution of Neural Elements to Thoracic Stability.

AIM: Studies of spinal biomechanics typically do not focus on the contributions to range of motion (ROM) of the primary components of the spinal canal, dura, arachnoid, pia, spinal cord, nerve roots, ligaments, and vessels. We sought to determine the stability offered by these soft tissues in vitro. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human cadaveric segments were tested intact, after osteoligamentous destabilization, and after transection of T8-9 spinal canal components. Specimens were induced into flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending using non-constraining, non-destructive pure moment while tracking motion response stereophotogrammetrically. The range of motion (ROM) was compared in each condition after adjusting for soft tissue creep. RESULTS: After spinal canal element transection, ROM increased in all directions (mean 4.7%). This increase was most pronounced during lateral bending (p=0.055). The cumulative ROM from all directions of loading showed a statistically significant mean increase of 3.3% (p=0.040). CONCLUSION: Sectioning of canal elements was found to cause a measurable increase in ROM. Although nonviable tissues were tested, living tissues are also likely to contribute to spinal stability.

Same-sex cohabitation under the effects of quinpirole induces a conditioned socio-sexual partner preference in males, but not in female rats.

The effects of the dopamine D2-type receptor agonist quinpirole (QNP) were examined on the development of conditioned same-sex partner preference induced by cohabitation in rats. In Experiment 1, males received either saline or QNP (1.25mg/kg) and cohabited during three trials with almond-scented stimulus males that were sexually naïve. In Experiment 2, males received six trials, and in Experiment 3 received three trials with sexually expert stimulus males. During a final drug-free preference test, males chose between the familiar or a novel male partner. In Experiments 1, 2 and 3 only QNP-treated males displayed a social preference for the familiar male, observed with more time spent together. In Experiment 3 males also displayed a sexual preference observed with more non-contact erections when were exposed to their male partner. In Experiment 4 we tested the effects on OVX, E+P primed females that received 1 systemic injection of either saline or QNP during three conditioning trials. In Experiment 5, females received 2 injections 12-h apart during each trial. Results indicated that both saline and QNP-treated females failed to develop partner preference. These data demonstrate that enhanced D2-type receptor activity during cohabitation facilitates the development of conditioned same-sex partner preference in males, but not in female rats. We discuss the implications for same-sex partner preferences.