Literature review and update of lower limb neural mobilization

Summarize the available literature descriptions of neural mobilization (NM) techniques and neural provocation tests (NPT) for the Lower Limb (LL). Compilation of data was performed in May 2016 using MEDLINE data base, Google Scholar and the library of the European University of Madrid. After application of inclusion/exclusion criterions 5 books and 14 journal publications where found to be of interest and used during data extraction.Results: a list of 8 different LLNM techniques are applied in a rhythmic alternating oscillatory cycle fashion, starting in the initial position from where the therapist proceeds to move the limb in order to achieve a final position. LL NPTs are useful tools for differential diagnose and selecting the proper LLNM procedure. There is no consensus about the time frame of repetition intervals or amount of tensile strength during NPT never the less it is found to normally be performed at a rate of 2-4 seconds per complete cycle of movement, during 1-5 minutes, 3-5 times a week. LLNM treatment techniques all thou increasingly popular in clinical practice are found to be frugally described and lack proper standardization in regards to therapeutic dosification.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the longitudinal relationship between eating pathology and depression.

OBJECTIVE: Undertake a meta-analysis to provide a quantitative synthesis of longitudinal studies that assessed the direction of effects between eating pathology and depression. A second aim was to use meta-regression to account for heterogeneity in terms of study-level effect modifiers. METHOD: A systematic review was conducted on 42 studies that assessed the longitudinal relationship between eating pathology and depression. Of these 42 studies, multilevel random-effects meta-analyses were conducted on 30 eligible studies. RESULTS: Meta-analysis results showed that eating pathology was a risk factor for depression (rm  = 0.13) and that depression was a risk factor for eating pathology (rm  = 0.16). Meta-regression analyses showed that these effects were significantly stronger for studies that operationalized eating pathology as an eating disorder diagnosis versus eating pathology symptoms, and for studies that operationalized the respective outcome measure as a categorical variable (e.g., a diagnosis of a disorder or where symptoms were "present"/"absent") versus a continuous measure. Results also showed that in relation to eating pathology type, the effect of an eating disorder diagnosis and bulimic symptoms on depression was significantly stronger for younger participants. DISCUSSION: Eating pathology and depression are concurrent risk factors for each other, suggesting that future research would benefit from identifying factors that are etiological to the development of both constructs. RESUMEN OBJETIVO: Llevar a cabo un meta-análisis para proporcionar una síntesis cuantitativa de los estudios longitudinales que evaluaron la dirección de los efectos entre la alimentación patológica y la depresión. Un segundo objetivo fue utilizar la meta-regresión para dar cuenta de la heterogeneidad en términos de modificadores del efecto a nivel de estudio. MÉTODO: Una revisión sistemática se llevó a cabo en 42 estudios que evaluaron la relación longitudinal entre la alimentación patológica y la depresión. De estos 42 estudios, se realizaron meta-análisis de multinivel de efectos aleatorios en 30 estudios elegibles. RESULTADOS: Los resultados del meta-análisis mostraron que la alimentación patológica era un factor de riesgo para depresión (rm=0.13) y que la depresión era un factor de riesgo para la alimentación patológica (rm=0.16). Los análisis de meta-regresión mostraron que estos efectos eran significativamente más fuertes para estudios que operacionalizaban la alimentación patológica como un diagnóstico de trastorno de la conducta alimentaria versus síntomas de alimentación patológica, y para los estudios que operacionalizaban la medida respectiva de resultado como una variable categórica (e.g., un diagnóstico de trastorno o cuando los síntomas estaban "presentes"/"ausentes") versus una medida continua. Los resultados mostraron que en relación al tipo de alimentación patológica, el efecto de un diagnóstico de trastorno de la conducta alimentaria y síntomas bulímicos en la depresión era significativamente más fuerte para participantes más jóvenes. DISCUSIÓN: La alimentación patológica y la depresión son factores de riesgo concurrentes uno para el otro, lo que sugiere que la investigación futura se beneficiaría de identificar factores que son etiológicos al desarrollo de ambos constructos. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016;49:439-454).

Dietary sodium intake and overweight and obesity in children and adults: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity in children and adults is a major public health concern. Emerging evidence suggests dietary sodium intake may be associated with obesity. This systematic review and meta-analysis will aim to (i) assess the relation between dietary sodium intake and measures of adiposity in children and adults and (ii) examine the relation between sodium intake and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, which is a known risk factor for obesity. METHODS/DESIGN: An electronic search will be conducted using Medline Complete, CINAHL, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane central register of controlled trials (CENTRAL). The search strategy will identify published peer-reviewed articles that report on dietary sodium and either a marker of adiposity or SSB consumption. Only human studies (ages >1 year) in English will be included, and no limits will be placed on publication date. No restrictions will be placed on the method of sodium intake assessment. Cross-sectional, prospective studies, and randomised controlled trials with a duration of ≥ 3 months will be included. Studies with participants with renal disease, cancer, type 1 diabetes or heart failure or who are pregnant will be excluded. To assess the quality of studies, the Cochrane's Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials will be used for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale will be used for cross-sectional and prospective studies. Meta-analysis will be used to assess the relation of sodium intake with two primary outcomes: (i) BMI and body weight in adults and BMI z-score in children and (ii) weight category (i.e. healthy weight vs. overweight/obese). For any outcomes in which meta-analysis is not possible, we will present data as a systematic review. Findings will be grouped and reported separately for children and adolescents (ages 1-17 years) and adults (ages >18 years). DISCUSSION: This review and meta-analysis will provide insight into the relation between dietary sodium intake and overweight and obesity. This information can be used to inform public health policies which target population sodium consumption.

mHealth technologies to influence physical activity and sedentary behaviors: behavior change techniques, systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: mHealth programs offer potential for practical and cost-effective delivery of interventions capable of reaching many individuals.

PURPOSE: To (1) compare the effectiveness of mHealth interventions to promote physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behavior (SB) in free-living young people and adults with a comparator exposed to usual care/minimal intervention; (2) determine whether, and to what extent, such interventions affect PA and SB levels and (3) use the taxonomy of behavior change techniques (BCTs) to describe intervention characteristics.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines was undertaken to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing mHealth interventions with usual or minimal care among individuals free from conditions that could limit PA. Total PA, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA), walking and SB outcomes were extracted. Intervention content was independently coded following the 93-item taxonomy of BCTs.

RESULTS: Twenty-one RCTs (1701 participants-700 with objectively measured PA) met eligibility criteria. SB decreased more following mHealth interventions than after usual care (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.26, 95 % confidence interval (CI) -0.53 to -0.00). Summary effects across studies were small to moderate and non-significant for total PA (SMD 0.14, 95 % CI -0.12 to 0.41); MVPA (SMD 0.37, 95 % CI -0.03 to 0.77); and walking (SMD 0.14, 95 % CI -0.01 to 0.29). BCTs were employed more frequently in intervention (mean = 6.9, range 2 to 12) than in comparator conditions (mean = 3.1, range 0 to 10). Of all BCTs, only 31 were employed in intervention conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: Current mHealth interventions have small effects on PA/SB. Technological advancements will enable more comprehensive, interactive and responsive intervention delivery. Future mHealth PA studies should ensure that all the active ingredients of the intervention are reported in sufficient detail.

Text2PreventCVD: Protocol for a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of text-message based interventions for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Introduction Text message interventions have been shown to be effective in prevention and management of several non-communicable disease risk factors. However, the extent to which their effects might vary in different participants and settings is uncertain. We aim to conduct a systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials examining text message interventions aimed to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVD) through modification of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs). Methods and analysis Systematic review and IPD meta-analysis will be conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis of IPD (PRISMA-IPD) guidelines. Electronic database of published studies (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library) and international trial registries will be searched to identify relevant randomised clinical trials. Authors of studies meeting the inclusion criteria will be invited to join the IPD meta-analysis group and contribute study data to the common database. The primary outcome will be the difference between intervention and control groups in blood pressure at 6-month follow-up. Key secondary outcomes include effects on lipid parameters, body mass index, smoking levels and self-reported quality of life. If sufficient data is available, we will also analyse blood pressure and other secondary outcomes at 12 months. IPD meta-analysis will be performed using a one-step approach and modelling data simultaneously while accounting for the clustering of the participants within studies. This study will use the existing data to assess the effectiveness of text message-based interventions on CVRFs, the consistency of any effects by participant subgroups and across different healthcare settings. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was obtained for the individual studies by the trial investigators from relevant local ethics committees. This study will include anonymised data for secondary analysis and investigators will be asked to check that this is consistent with their existing approvals. Results will be disseminated via scientific forums including peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international conferences.

Interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour in 0-5-year-olds: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Aim or objective To evaluate the effectiveness of behavioural interventions that report sedentary behaviour outcomes during early childhood. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Academic Search Complete, CINAHL Complete, Global Health, MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus with Full Text and EMBASE electronic databases were searched in March 2016. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Inclusion criteria were: (1) published in a peer-reviewed English language journal; (2) sedentary behaviour outcomes reported; (3) randomised controlled trial (RCT) study design; and (4) participants were children with a mean age of =5.9 years and not yet attending primary/ elementary school at postintervention. Results 31 studies were included in the systematic review and 17 studies in the meta-analysis. The overall mean difference in screen time outcomes between groups was -17.12 (95% CI -28.82 to -5.42) min/day with a significant overall intervention effect (Z=2.87, p=0.004). The overall mean difference in sedentary time between groups was -18.91 (95% CI -33.31 to -4.51) min/day with a significant overall intervention effect (Z=2.57, p=0.01). Subgroup analyses suggest that for screen time, interventions of =6 months duration and those conducted in a community-based setting are most effective. For sedentary time, interventions targeting physical activity (and reporting changes in sedentary time) are more effective than those directly targeting sedentary time. Summary/conclusions Despite heterogeneity in study methods and results, overall interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour in early childhood show significant reductions, suggesting that this may be an opportune time to intervene.

C-reactive protein concentrations across the mood spectrum in bipolar disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory processes and neural-immune interactions have been implicated in the pathogenesis of psychiatric conditions, but studies in bipolar disorder are inconclusive so far. We aimed to investigate whether peripheral concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute-phase response protein of inflammatory activity, are increased in bipolar disorder across the mood spectrum. METHODS: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge from database inception to Aug 14, 2016, for studies that measured serum and plasma CRP concentrations in adult patients with bipolar disorder (as defined by DSM-IV-TR) and healthy controls. We extracted data from published reports. We did three between-group meta-analyses comparing CRP concentrations in patients in mania, depression, or euthymia, with those in healthy controls (cross-sectional studies), and two within-group meta-analyses comparing changes in CRP concentrations before and after treatment of an index manic or depressive episode (longitudinal studies). We used Hedges' adjusted g to calculate effect sizes and pooled results using random-effect models. We also did meta-regression analyses by mood state to investigate possible moderators of CRP concentrations. FINDINGS: We identified 27 studies representing 2161 patients with bipolar disorder and 81 932 healthy controls. Compared with healthy individuals, CRP concentrations were moderately increased in people with bipolar disorder during depression (g 0·67, 95% CI 0·23 to 1·11; p=0·003) and euthymia (0·65, 0·40 to 0·90; p<0·0001) and more substantially increased during mania (0·87, 0·58 to 1·15; p<0·0001). The extent of the increases in CRP concentrations in mania and depression was not related to symptom severity (p=0·256 for mania and p=0·626 for depression). CRP concentrations were moderately decreased after resolution of an index manic episode (-0·36, -0·66 to -0·05; p=0·022) and slightly decreased after resolution of an index depressive episode (-0·18, -0·30 to -0·07; p=0·002). INTERPRETATION: CRP concentrations are increased in bipolar disorder regardless of mood state, but are higher during mania than in depression and euthymia, suggesting an increased inflammatory burden in mania.

FTO genotype and weight loss: systematic review and meta-analysis of 9563 individual participant data from eight randomised controlled trials

OBJECTIVE:  To assess the effect of the FTO genotype on weight loss after dietary, physical activity, or drug based interventions in randomised controlled trials.

DESIGN:  Systematic review and random effects meta-analysis of individual participant data from randomised controlled trials.

DATA SOURCES:  Ovid Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane from inception to November 2015.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR STUDY SELECTION:  Randomised controlled trials in overweight or obese adults reporting reduction in body mass index, body weight, or waist circumference by FTO genotype (rs9939609 or a proxy) after dietary, physical activity, or drug based interventions. Gene by treatment interaction models were fitted to individual participant data from all studies included in this review, using allele dose coding for genetic effects and a common set of covariates. Study level interactions were combined using random effect models. Metaregression and subgroup analysis were used to assess sources of study heterogeneity.

RESULTS:  We identified eight eligible randomised controlled trials for the systematic review and meta-analysis (n=9563). Overall, differential changes in body mass index, body weight, and waist circumference in response to weight loss intervention were not significantly different between FTO genotypes. Sensitivity analyses indicated that differential changes in body mass index, body weight, and waist circumference by FTO genotype did not differ by intervention type, intervention length, ethnicity, sample size, sex, and baseline body mass index and age category.

CONCLUSIONS:  We have observed that carriage of the FTO minor allele was not associated with differential change in adiposity after weight loss interventions. These findings show that individuals carrying the minor allele respond equally well to dietary, physical activity, or drug based weight loss interventions and thus genetic predisposition to obesity associated with the FTO minor allele can be at least partly counteracted through such interventions.

Trandisciplinarity and Design: Comparative Review and Synthesis for the Design Process

Transdisciplinarity gained importance in the 1970s, with the initial signs of weakness of both multi- and interdisciplinary approaches. This weakness was felt due to the increased complexity in the social and technological landscapes. Generally, discussion over the transdisciplinary topic is centred in social and health sciences. Therefore, the major challenge in this research is to adapt design research to the emerging transdisciplinary discussion. Based on a comparative and critical review of several engineering and design models for the design process, we advocate the importance of collaboration and conceptualisation for these disciplines. Therefore, a transdisciplinary and conceptual cooperation between engineering and industrial design disciplines is considered as decisive to create breakthroughs. Furthermore, a synthesis is proposed, in order to foster the cooperation between engineering and industrial design.

Las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en los procesos de orientación para el estudio a distancia. 'Ict in the orientation processes for distance learning'.

Resumen tomado de la publicación. Con el apoyo económico del departamento MIDE de la UNED. Incluye anexos

On-line support for students studying engineering management off-campus in summer semester

An on-line site was created to support students studying a time shortened, off-campus unit in engineering management that was being offered over summer semester for the first time. An evaluation exercise was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of this arrangement, to identify what types of on-line resources students rated as important, and to identify those on-line resources that students actually used in their summer semester studies. Most students reported that they were successful in achieving their summer semester study goals, and that summer semester study was as good as or better than studying in a standard semester. The types of on-line resources ranked most highly by students were those that assisted in strategic study and exam preparation. The on-line resource ranked as least important and used least in practice was a discussion forum for all students. Other results and statistical analysis are presented.

A educação sexual e suas entrelinhas nas concepções dos gestores

Pós-graduação em Educação Sexual - FCLAR

Inventory of pedagogy and practice: Confirmatory factor analysis of multiple facets of teaching

Student perceptions of teaching have often been used in tertiary education for evaluation purposes. However, there is a paucity of research on the validity, reliability, and applicability of instruments that cover a wide range of student perceptions of pedagogies and practices in high school settings for descriptive purposes. The study attempts to validate an inventory of pedagogy and practice (IPP) that provides researchers and practitioners with a psychometrically sound instrument that covers the most salient factors related to teaching. Using a sample of students (N = 1515) from 39 schools in Singapore, 14 factors about teaching in English lessons from the students’ perspective were tested with confirmatory factor analysis (classroom task goal, structure and clarity, curiosity and interest, positive class climate, feedback, questioning, quality homework, review of students’ work, conventional teaching, exam preparation, behaviour management, maximizing learning time, student-centred pedagogy, and subject domain teaching). Two external criterion factors were used to further test the IPP factor structure. The inventory will enable teachers to understand more about their teaching and researchers to examine how teaching may be related to learning outcomes.

A review of the selective reduction of NOx, with hydrocarbons under lean-burn conditions with non-zeolitic oxide and platinum group metal catalysts

Research on the selective reduction of NOx with hydrocarbons under lean-burn conditions using non-zeolitic oxides and platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts has been critically reviewed. Alumina and silver-promoted alumina catalysts have been described in detail with particular emphasis on an analysis of the various reaction mechanisms that have been put forward in the literature. The influence of the nature of the reducing agent, and the preparation and structure of the catalysts have also been discussed and rationalised for several other oxide systems. It is concluded for non-zeolitic oxides that species that are strongly adsorbed on the surface, such as nitrates/nitrites and acetates, could be key intermediates in the formation of various reduced and oxidised species of nitrogen, the further reaction of which leads eventually to the formation of molecular nitrogen. For the platinum group metal catalysts, the different mechanisms that have been proposed in the literature have been critically assessed. It is concluded that although there is indirect, mainly spectroscopic, evidence for various reaction intermediates on the catalyst surface, it is difficult to confirm that any of these are involved in a critical mechanistic step because of a lack of a direct quantitative correlation between infrared and kinetic measurements. A simple mechanism which involves the dissociation of NO on a reduced metal surface to give N(ads) and O(ads), with subsequent desorption of N-2 and N2O and removal of O(ads) by the reductant can explain many of the results with the platinum group metal catalysts, although an additional contribution from organo-nitro-type species may contribute to the overall NOx reduction activity with these catalysts.

In vitro microbial inoculum: A review of its function and properties

This review considers microbial inocula used in in vitro systems from the perspective of their ability to degrade or ferment a particular substrate, rather than the microbial species that it contains. By necessity, this required an examination of bacterial, protozoal and fungal populations of the rumen and hindgut with respect to factors influencing their activity. The potential to manipulate these populations through diet or sampling time are examined, as is inoculum preparation and level. The main alternatives to fresh rumen fluid (i.e., caecal digesta or faeces) are discussed with respect to end-point degradabilities and fermentation dynamics. Although the potential to use rumen contents obtained from donor animals at slaughter offers possibilities, the requirement to store it and its subsequent loss of activity are limitations. Statistical modelling of data, although still requiring a deal of developmental work, may offer an alternative approach. Finally, with respect to the range of in vitro methodologies and equipment employed, it is suggested that a degree of uniformity could be obtained through generation of a set of guidelines relating to the host animal, sampling technique and inoculum preparation. It was considered unlikely that any particular system would be accepted as the 'standard' procedure. However, before any protocol can be adopted, additional data are required (e.g., a method to assess inoculum 'quality' with respect to its fermentative and/or degradative activity), preparation/inoculation techniques need to be refined and a methodology to store inocula without loss of efficacy developed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.