Analysis of the psychometric properties of the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC‑13) in patients with cardiovascular risk factors: a study of the method efects associated with negatively worded items

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to analyze the psychometric properties of the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC-13), determine the role of the method efect in the performance of the instrument, and identify the relationship with health perception, quality of life, and sleep quality in patients at cardiovascular risk. Methods: The fnal sample consisted of 293 patients at cardiovascular risk, with a mean age of 61.9 years (SD=8.8), 49.8% of whom were women. The SOC-13, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale (MOS-Sleep) were administered. In addition, the participant’s self-perceived health and quality of life were also evaluated. All analyses were carried out with SPSS 26.0 and EQS 6.1 statistical software. Results: The results showed adequate reliability for the SOC-13, with a Cronbach’s alpha of .789. The ft of the structures was not adequate in any of the cases (.26 to .62 for one factor, .26 to.73 for three factors, .20 to .54 for one second-order factor, and .25, .42, and .54 for three frst-order factors). The three structure models showed an improved ft when adding a latent factor resulting from the method efect (.6 to .85 for one factor, .11 to.90 for three factors, and .11 to .96 for one second-order factor). Moreover, positive correlations were found with health perception, perceived quality of life, and perceived sleep quality. Conclusion: The SOC-13 is a suitable instrument for patients with cardiovascular risk in Spain, and it is also an indica‑ tor of health perception, quality of life, and perceived quality of sleep. Control of the method efect improves the ft of the instrument’s structure. As a future direction, it is recommended to conduct new studies in this and other samples and using diferent versions of the SOC. Trial registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN76069254, 08/04/2015 retro‑ spectively registered.This work has been granted from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias of Insti‑ tuto de Salud Carlos III (PI13/01477) of the Spanish Government cofnanced by FEDER-Unión Europea (“Una manera de hacer Europa”) and by Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Huelva. The funding sources had not involvement in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the article and in the decision to submit it for publication

Body Adiposity Index Utilization in a Spanish Mediterranean Population: Comparison with the Body Mass Index

BACKGROUND: Body fat content and fat distribution or adiposity are indicators of health risk. Several techniques have been developed and used for assessing and/or determining body fat or adiposity. Recently, the Body Adiposity Index (BAI), which is based on the measurements of hip circumference and height, has been suggested as a new index of adiposity. The aim of the study was to compare BAI and BMI measurements in a Caucasian population from a European Mediterranean area and to assess the usefulness of the BAI in men and women separately. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a Caucasian population. All participants in the study (1,726 women and 1,474 men, mean age 39.2 years, SD 10.8) were from Mallorca (Spain). Anthropometric data, including percentage of body fat mass obtained by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, were determined. Body Mass Index (BMI) and BAI were calculated. BAI and BMI showed a good correlation (r = 0.64, p<0.001). A strong correlation was also found between BAI and the % fat determined using BIA (r = 0.74, p<0.001), which is even stronger than the one between BMI and % fat (r = 0.54, p<0.001). However, the ROC curve analysis showed a higher accuracy for BMI than for the BAI regarding the discriminatory capacity. CONCLUSION: The BAI could be a good tool to measure adiposity due, at least in part, to the advantages over other more complex mechanical or electrical systems. Probably, the most important advantage of BAI over BMI is that weight is not needed. However, in general it seems that the BAI does not overcome the limitations of BMI

La tecnica del Factoring como fuente de financiacion de ventas

Centro de Informacion y Documentacion Cientifica (CINDOC). C/Joaquin Costa, 22. 28002 Madrid. SPAIN / CINDOC - Centro de Informaciòn y Documentaciòn CientìficaSIGLEESSpai

Caffeine supplementation induces higher IL-6 and IL-10 plasma levels in response to a treadmill exercise test

Background An acute bout of exercise induces an inflammatory response characterized by increases in several cytokines. Caffeine ingestion could modify this inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of caffeine supplementation on plasma levels of cytokines, mainly IL-10 and IL-6, in response to exercise. Methods In a randomized, crossover, double-blinded study design, thirteen healthy, well-trained recreational male athletes performed, on two different occasions, a treadmill exercise test (60 min at 70% VO2max) after ingesting 6 mg/kg body mass of caffeine or placebo. Blood samples were taken before exercising, immediately after finishing and 2 h after finishing the exercise. Plasma concentrations of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-8, IL-12 and IFN-γ, adrenaline, cortisol and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were determined. The capacity of whole blood cultures to produce cytokines in response to endotoxin (LPS) was also determined. Changes in blood variables were analyzed using a time (pre-exercise, post-exercise, recovery) x condition (caffeine, placebo) within-between subjects ANOVA with repeated measures. Results Caffeine supplementation induced higher adrenaline levels in the supplemented participants after exercise (257.3 ± 53.2 vs. 134.0 ± 25.7 pg·mL− 1, p = 0.03) and higher cortisol levels after recovery (46.4 ± 8.5 vs. 32.3 ± 5.6 pg·mL− 1, p = 0.007), but it did not influence plasma cAMP levels (p = 0.327). The exercise test induced significant increases in IL-10, IL-6, IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-8, IL-12 and IFN-γ plasma levels, with IL-6 and IL-10 levels remaining high after recovery. Caffeine supplementation influenced only IL-6 (3.04 ± 0.40 vs. 3.89 ± 0.62 pg·mL− 1, p = 0.003) and IL-10 (2.42 ± 0.54 vs. 3.47 ± 0.72 pg·mL− 1, p = 0.01) levels, with higher concentrations after exercise in the supplemented condition. No effect of caffeine was observed on the in vitro stimulated cytokine production. Conclusions The results of the present study indicate a significant influence of caffeine supplementation increasing the response to exercise of two essential cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-10. However, caffeine did not influence changes in the plasma levels of other cytokines measured and the in vitro-stimulated cytokine production

Bebida isotónica energética y procedimiento de obtención

Número de publicación: 2 178 975 Número de solicitud: 200101607Bebida isotónica energética y procedimiento de obtención. Enriquecida con nutrientes antioxidantes, principalmente liposolubles, fibra y determinados oligoelementos, vitaminas hidrosolubles y que comprende leche de almendras. El procedimiento de obtención de dicha bebida comprende una primera etapa de escaldado de almendras; una segunda etapa de trituración; una tercera etapa en la que se adicionan zumos de frutas o infusiones; una cuarta etapa en la que se esteriliza o pasteuriza la mezcla; una quinta etapa en la que se corrige la pérdida de nutrientes y una última etapa en la que se ajusta el pH y la osmolalidad.Universidad de Granad

Effects of Habitual Caffeine Intake, Physical Activity Levels, and Sedentary Behavior on the Inflammatory Status in a Healthy Population

Low-grade chronic inflammation is associated with many chronic diseases and pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of regular caffeine intake, physical activity levels, and sedentary behavior on the inflammatory status in healthy participants. In total, 112 men and 132 women aged 18 to 55 years and belonging to the staff and student population of the University of the Balearic Islands volunteered to participate in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers were measured. Weight, height, and body composition (bioelectrical impedance) were determined. Caffeine intake, physical activity levels and sitting time, and diet quality were determined using questionnaires. Statistical regression analysis showed that caffeine intake was a negative predictor of C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.001). Body fat percentage was positively associated with CRP (p &lt; 0.001) and inversely associated with adiponectin (p = 0.032) and interleukin (IL)-10 levels (p = 0.001). Visceral fat was the main predictor for IL-6 (p &lt; 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&alpha; (p &lt; 0.001). Sitting time was found to be the main, inverse, predictor for IL-10 (p &lt; 0.001), and a positive predictor for TNF-&alpha; (p &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, regular caffeine consumption induced very limited anti-inflammatory effects. Sedentary behavior and body fat accumulation induced significant pro-inflammatory effects

Effectiveness of physical activity prescription by primary care nurses using health assets: A randomized controlled trial

[eng] Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a 12‐month multifactorial intervention by primary care nurses using health assets in increasing adherence to physical activity prescription (150 min/week) in patients with two or more cardiovascular risk factors. Background Physical activity promotion is a priority and helps to decrease mortality risk due to cardiovascular diseases. However, adherence to the habitual physical activity prescription in primary healthcare settings is low. Design Multicentre, single‐blind, parallel randomized (in two different branches) clinical trial. Methods In total, 263 participants from 20 primary healthcare centres in Mallorca completed the randomized controlled trial study (intervention group N = 128, control group N = 135). The intervention consisted in four visits and included a motivational interview and an individualized prescription of physical activity using health assets. Primary outcome measure was the number of participants performing at least 150 min of weekly physical activity. Secondary outcomes included physical activity level and physical fitness, Sense of Coherence, cardiovascular risk, sociodemographic data, trans‐theoretical stage of change, sleep quality, and depression. Results Adherence to the recommendation of at least 150 min of physical activity was higher in the intervention than in the control group (χ2 = 3.951, p = .047). However, this higher adherence did not suppose higher physical activity levels because no differences between groups were found in the total physical activity performed after intervention (t=−0.915, p = .361). At the end of the intervention participants randomized to the intervention group spent more time walking than participants in the control group (t = 2.260, p = .025). Conclusion The multifactorial intervention performed by primary care nurses induced a higher adherence to the 150‐min of weekly physical activity recommendation. Impact Adherence to the usual physical activity prescription in primary care is low. Physical activity prescription performed by primary care nurses and based on health assets and motivational interview can help to increase physical activity levels of patients. The main finding of the present study was that prescription using this approach was shown to be effective, leading to a higher adherence in the intervention group. This intervention is feasible in the nurse's primary healthcare setting, thus it could be implemented as the main tool when exercise is prescribed. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN76069254

Nutritional Status and Implementation of a Nutritional Education Program in Young Female Artistic Gymnasts

Adolescent high-performance gymnasts are considered to be at risk for low energy intake. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of implementing a nutritional education program during the sports season on the nutritional status and nutrition knowledge of the female artistic gymnasts from the Technification Center of the Balearic Islands (n = 24; age, 14.1 ± 2.3 years). A quasi-experimental intervention design was applied, which consisted of implementing a nutritional education program of seven sessions given during eight months. Measurements of nutritional intake, nutrition knowledge, and anthropometric parameters, as well as hematological and biochemical blood parameters, were performed. Gymnasts reported low energy and carbohydrate intakes, with significant increases during the study (energy, 28.3 ± 1.4 vs. 32.8 ± 1.4 kcal kg−1, p = 0.015, carbohydrate 3.2 ± 0.2 vs. 3.9 ± 0.2 g kg−1, p = 0.004). The average values for parameters such as hemoglobin, ferritin, lipoprotein, and vitamin C and E levels in the plasma were within normal ranges. Low intakes of most of the food groups were observed during the study, with similar initial and final values. Nutrition knowledge did not change as a result of the study (28.0 ± 1.7 vs. 31.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.185). In conclusion, gymnasts reported low energy intakes. However, blood markers and most of the anthropometrical parameters measured were within normal ranges. The nutrition education program implemented did not produce significant improvements in the dietary habits or nutritional knowledge of gymnasts