Double-task exercise programmes to strengthen cognitive and vascular health in older adults at risk of cognitive decline: protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive and physical declines are frequent causes of disability among older adults (OAs) in Mexico that imposes significant burden on the health system and OAs' families. Programmes to prevent or delay OAs' cognitive and physical decline are scarce. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A double-blind randomised clinical trial will be conducted. The study will aim to evaluate two 24-week double-task (aerobic and cognitive) square-stepping exercise programmes for OAs at risk of cognitive decline-one programme with and another without caregiver participation-and to compare these with an aerobic-balance-stretching exercise programme (control group). 300 OAs (100 per group) affiliated with the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) between 60 and 65 years of age with self-reported cognitive concerns will participate. They will be stratified by education level and randomly allocated to the groups. The intervention will last 24 weeks, and the effect of each programme will be evaluated 12, 24 and 52 weeks after the intervention. Participants' demographic and clinical characteristics will be collected at baseline. The outcomes will include: (1) general cognitive function; (2) specific cognitive functions; (3) dual-task gait; (4) blood pressure; (5) carotid intima-media thickness; (6) OAs' health-related quality of life; and (7) caregiver burden. The effects of the interventions on each outcome variable will be examined using a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), with study groups as the between-subjects variable and time as the within-subject variable. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the IMSS Ethics and Research Committees (registration number: 2018-785-095). All participants will sign a consent form prior to their participation. The study results will be disseminated to the IMSS authorities, healthcare providers and the research community. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04068376).

Integrity of the oral tissues in patients with solid-organ transplants.

The relationship between the use of immunosuppressants in solid-organ transplant patients and oral tissue abnormalities has been recognized. The objective of this study was to determine the state of oral tissue integrity in renal, heart, and liver transplant patients who are on continuous medical and dental control. Forty patients of both sexes were clinically evaluated at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile to identify pathologies of oral mucosa, gingival enlargement (GE), decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index, and salivary flow. The average age of the transplant subjects was 49.4 years, and the age range was 19 to 69 years. Most subjects maintained a good level of oral hygiene, and the rate mean of DMFT was 14.7. The degree of involvement of the oral mucosa and GE was low (10%). Unlike other studies, the frequency of oral mucosal diseases and GE was low despite the fact that these patients were immunosuppressed. Care and continuous monitoring seem to be of vital importance in maintaining the oral health of transplant patients.

Influencia de la práctica del ejercicio en la funcionalidad física y mental del adulto mayor / Influence of exercising in the physical and mental functionality of elderly population

Introducción: El ejercicio ha tenido gran importancia para la salud por los beneficios que aporta en todos los aparatos y sistemas del cuerpo humano. La inactividad física está asociada a diversas enfermedades crónico-degenerativas y a la pérdida de la funcionalidad, razón por la cual, una de las metas de la enfermería en geriatría es mejorar la calidad de vida del anciano con programas de educación y promoción para el autocuidado donde se incluya el ejercicio. Objetivo: Evaluar la funcionalidad física y mental en una población de adultos mayores que realizan y no realizan ejercicio. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo con una muestra de 60 adultos mayores de la zona suburbana del Estado de México. Se integraron dos grupos de 30 personas cada uno, se efectúo evaluación por medio de una encuesta, y la aplicación de 6 instrumentos (escalas de actividades y funcionalidad física y mental), los datos se analizaron con medidas descriptivas. Resultados: El total de los sujetos que realizan ejercicio, son funcionales para las actividades de la vida diaria, 100% no presenta depresión. En las edades de 70 a 79 años, 70% sin deterioro mental y 30% presenta un deterioro leve. De los sujetos que no realizan ejercicio, se observó que 4% del grupo de edad entre 60 y 69 años, es dependiente en las actividades de arreglo personal y caminar en un cuarto pequeño. 83% con depresión, 50% sin deterioro mental, 33% deterioro leve y 17% con deterioro grave

Introduction: Exercise has been very important for health due to the benefits which it contributes to all organs and systems in the human body. Physical inactivity is associated to several chronicdegenerative diseases, as well as the loss of functionality. For this reason, one of the goals of geriatric nursing is improving the life quality of the elderly through educational programs and promotion of self-care where exercise is included. Objective: To evaluate physical and mental functionality in an elderly population who do exercise and those who do not. Methodology: A descriptive study was done with a sample of 60 elder people from the developing zone of Estado de Mexico. Two groups of 30 individuals each were integrated. Through a survey, an evaluation was done, applying 6 different items. (Scales of activities and physical and mental functionality). Data was analyzed with descriptive measurements. Results: The total of subjects who exercise, are functional for activities of daily living. 100% do not present depression. From the age of 70 to 79 years old, 70% are without mental deterioration and 30% present a light deterioration. From the subjects who do not exercise, it was observed that 4% in the age range from 60 to 69 years old is dependent in personal dressing activities, as well as walking in a small room. 83% has depression without mental deterioration, 33% with light deterioration, and 17% with severe deterioration

Teorías implícitas predominantes en docentes de cinco carreras profesionales / Predominant implicit theories in the teaching process of different degree teachers

Introducción: Esta investigación ubicada en el enfoque histórico cultural, estudia las teorías implícitas de los profesores como las representaciones construidas de experiencias académicas obtenidas en contacto con ciertos modelos socioculturales, determinados por sus prácticas de interacción social, que posibilitan la comprensión de intercambios y procesos de negociación implicados en la enseñanza. Su conocimiento permitió inferir las teorías implícitas que aplica y desarrolla el docente en su ejercicio profesional, como representación de la realidad, en donde se manifiesta sus procesos cognitivos para interpretar situaciones, predecir y comprender el comportamiento de otros y planificar el propio. Las actividades que los alumnos y profesores desarrollen al interior del aula, deben vincularse a una realidad social donde se aplicarán previamente estos conocimientos adquiridos, construyendo representaciones significativamente nuevas. Objetivo: Analizar las teorías implícitas del profesor a través de un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo. La muestra comprendió 84 maestros de 7 carreras de la FES Zaragoza UNAM. Se utilizó un instrumento adaptado de Rodrigo, Rodríguez y Marrero para ubicar el modelo de pensamiento a través del cual, el maestro construye, transmite y negocia los significados en el aula Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos permitieron conocer las teorías implícitas predominantes en el proceso enseñanza y considerarlas, antes que competir con ellas, para reemplazar o tratar de modificarlas en programas de formación docente. En el caso de enfermería las teorías predominantes son la constructivista, activa y técnica, que reflejan el sistema de enseñanza de la institución, las características de la profesión y las teorías implícitas de los maestros.

This research, placed within the historical cultural perspective has as a proposal an evaluation of implicit theories used by professors. This means that the built representations consist of academic experiences obtained because of the contact with certain socio-cultural models, defined by cultural practices and social interaction formats. This evaluation facilitates the understanding of the exchange and negotiation processes implied in the teaching process. In the educational exercise, the knowledge of implicit theories possessed by teachers allows to infer those used on their practice. The presentation of the reality is based in the use of their cognitive processes for interpreting situations, predicting and understanding other people's behavior and planning their own. Activities that students and professors should develop in the classroom must be linked to a social reality where the acquired knowledge will be applied by building new representations with high meaning levels. Objective: To analyze the implicit theories the teachers have through a descriptive, prospective study. The sample included 84 teachers from 7 different majors of the FES Zaragoza, UNAM, throughout using an adapted survey (from Rodrigo, Rodriguez & Marrero, 1993) in order to identify a thinking pattern with which the teacher builds, transmits, and negotiates the meanings in the classroom. Results: The results showed the predominant implicit theories used in the teaching process, and also, consider switching or trying to modify them in teaching formation programs, rather than compete with them. In the single case of nursing, predominant theories are constructivist, active and technical, which reflect the institutional teaching system, the professional characteristics and the implicit theories used by teachers.

La identidad como proceso biológico-psicosocial y su construcción en enfermería / The Identity as a biological, psychological and social process and its construction in nursing

La búsqueda de la identidad es un cambio que involucra toda la vida. Incluye aspectos socioculturales y cognitivos que influyen en la vida del hombre en la construcción de su identidad personal. La identidad es parte esencial de la personalidad, marca las diferencias personales y se constituye en un aprendizaje continuo y de interrelación. Su construcción implica el descubrimiento de uno mismo y el desarrollo del autoestima, del autoconcepto y de la conducta. Es la forma de expresar o el conjunto de formas de comportamiento del ser humano, vinculado a los procesos somáticos, psicológicos y sociales determinados por el sexo. Dichos procesos dan paso a las relaciones afectivas y de género y a la confirmación de la identidad biológica y social. La relación que guarda la construcción de la identidad personal con la profesión de enfermería es, que esta construcción se da también en un contexto sociocultural. Hacer conciencia del rol social de enfermería es básico para mejorar su proceso de adaptación y la búsqueda de su identidad personal redundará en el desarrollo favorable de la profesión.

The search of identity is a road that involve the way of life. This includes social, cultural and cognitives aspects that have influence in man life in his personal identity construction. The identity is an essential part of the personality that mark the personal differences and constituted a constant apprenticeship. The construction involves the discovery of each one and the development of our own esteem, concept and conduct. Is the form to express the human behavior linked to the somatic, pychological and social process determined by the sex or genus. This process give place to the affective and genus relations and the confirmation of the biological and social identity. The relation between the personal identity contruction with nursing profession is that the construction grows in a social and cultural context. To become aware of the social role of nursing is basic to improve the adaptation process; the search of the personal identity could be important in the favorable development of the profession.