The Infancia y Procesamiento Sensorial (InProS—Childhood and Sensory Processing) Project: Study Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Analysis of Parental and Children’s Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Features and Children’s Sensory Processing

Sensory processing difficulties may have potential detrimental consequences on the physical, social and intellectual development of children. It includes serious disturbances affecting emotional regulation, motor performance, social behavior and daily life functioning, among others factors. Since these symptoms are more frequent among children with disabilities, most research has been carried out in clinical populations. However, recent studies have suggested that sensory problems may be prevalent in around 20% of children without clinical conditions. To date, epidemiological research on sensory dysfunctions in normally developing children is lacking; therefore, it is unknown whether or not sensory processing difficulties are significant factors that affect child's development. Hence, this study has a double general purpose: (1) to determine the sensory profile of school-aged children; (2) to examine the associations between atypical sensory processing patterns and socio-demographic, health and lifestyle features of these children and their parents. The Infancia y Procesamiento Sensorial (InProS, Childhood and Sensory Processing in English) project is a population-based cross-sectional study of Spanish children aged 3-7 years. Data were gathered from different ad hoc questionnaires and several standardized tests. We propose an objective and reliable methodology using statistical and research procedures to describe and determine associations with sensory processing outcomes. We believe that this project will contribute to filling the gap in epidemiological research on sensory issues by providing more convincing evidence. Nevertheless, the potential results should be corroborated in other larger samples

Association between Body Mass Index and Sensory Processing in Childhood: InProS Study

We assessed the association between body mass index (BMI) and sensory processing in 445 Spanish children aged 3-7 from the InProS project. Child sensory processing was measured using the short sensory profile (SSP); an atypical sensory performance was defined as an SSP total score <155 and scores of tactile sensitivity <30; taste/smell sensitivity <15; movement sensitivity <13; under-responsive/seeks sensation <27; auditory filtering <23; low energy/weak <26; and visual/auditory sensitivity <19. The BMI was calculated according to the cutoffs by the World Health Organization for children aged 0-5 and 5-19 years. We used multiple Poisson regression models with robust variance to obtain prevalence ratios (PR). No associations between children's overweight and obesity and the prevalence of atypical sensory outcomes were observed. A one-point increase in BMI was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of atypical tactile sensitivity (PR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02; 1.12). A statistically marginal association was also observed for atypical total SSP (PR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00; 1.07) and atypical movement sensitivity (PR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00; 1.10). To our knowledge, this is the first time the association between children's BMI and sensory processing has been reported. Our findings suggest that sensory processing issues may play a part in the complex context of childhood obesity. Further research is required to confirm these findings

Sleep duration and quality and sensory reactivity in school -aged children. The Spanis cross-sectional InProS study

Background: The relationship between children’s sleep and health has been widely examined; however, research focused on the link between sleep and sensory reactivity in children without medical conditions is relatively new and based on studies with small samples. Hence, we aimed at exploring the association between sleep duration and quality and prevalence of sensory reactivity in a population-based sample of children aged 3–7. Methods: We examined data on 579 school-age children from the InProS project, a cross-sectional population-based study. Children’s sleep duration was classified as <10 vs. ≥10 h/day, and sleep quality was measured using the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, defining poor quality sleep as a score of ≥0.33. The Short Sensory Profile (SSP) was used to classify children with or without sensory reactivity using the cut-off points proposed by W. Dunn for SSP total score and each SSP subscale. Prevalence ratios (PR) using Poisson multiple regression models with robust variance were estimated to examine main associations. Results: Around a third (32.6%; n = 189) slept <10 h/day and 10.4% presented poor sleep quality. The prevalence of sensory reactivity was 29.5%for total SSP (<155), 11.4% for tactile sensitivity (<30), 15% for taste/smell sensitivity (<15), 22.5% for movement sensitivity (<13), 49.1% for under-responsive/seeks sensation (<27), 44.4% for auditory filtering (<23), 12.4%for low energy/weak (<26), and 25.4%for visual/auditory sensitivity (<19). Main findings indicated that poor sleep quality was significantly associated with a greater prevalence of sensory reactivity for SSP total score (PR = 1.27; IC 95%: 1.18; 1.38), tactile sensitivity (PR = 1.09, IC95%: 1.00–1.19), taste/smell sensitivity (PR = 1.18, IC95%: 1.08–1.30), under-responsive/seeks sensation (PR = 1.28, IC95%: 1.20–1.37), auditory filtering (PR = 1.31, IC95%: 1.23–1.39), low energy/weak (PR = 1.14, IC95%: 1.04–1.25) and audiovisual sensitivity (PR = 1.15, IC95%: 1.05–1.26) scores after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusions: In this study, we observed that poor sleep quality was statistically significantly associated with a higher prevalence of sensory reactivity as measured by the total SSP and almost all SSP subscales. To our knowledge, this is the first time that this association has been explored and reported. Further research from prospective studies is required to confirm these findings

The ATENción Plena en Enfermedad de Alzheimer (ATENEA-Mindfulness in Alzheimer's Disease) Program for Caregivers : Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

A person affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) gradually loses the ability to perform activities of daily living and becomes dependent on caregivers, thereby having a negative impact on the caregivers' quality of life. There is evidence that suggests that interventions aimed at caregivers, such as mindfulness, may be effective at reducing this burden and emotional issues, such as depression and anxiety, and improving their quality of life. However, there is a lack of consistency in the findings and conclusions remain tentative. In addition, as neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) of AD are major determinants of the caregiver's burden, these interventions should examine the relationship between these symptoms and caregiver outcomes. Importantly, to improve the design of therapeutic interventions for caregivers and complement the treatment of AD, aspects related to occupational performance and the participation of people with AD and their caregivers should also be considered. Therefore, this study will aim to examine first, the effects of a mindfulness-based program designed for caregivers on NPSs of AD and caregivers' anxiety and depression; second, the effects of this program on patients' functional capacity, cognitive performance, executive functions, and quality of life, and on caregivers' burden, quality of life, occupational balance, executive functions, psychological wellbeing, and self-compassion. We believe that the findings of this study will have significant implications for future healthcare strategies focused on improving the quality of life and wellbeing of caregivers

Desarrollo y combate de una infección Zombie, y… algo más

[SPA] En esta comunicación presentamos una experiencia innovadora para el Grado de Matemáticas de la Universidad de Murcia. Un grupo de alumnos debió, en primer lugar, elaborar un proyecto de investigación como parte de la asignatura “Laboratorio de Modelización” del tercer curso. El objeto del trabajo, “Desarrollo y combate de una infección Zombie”, y su profundidad fue determinado por los propios alumnos, que debieron usar las TIC para crear simulaciones por ordenador que apoyaran el estudio. A continuación, los alumnos deben convertir dicho trabajo en un resultado de investigación y someterlo a publicación en una revista profesional, así como presentarlo y defenderlo en un congreso o conferencia adecuado. La labor de selección de la revista y la conferencia, así como la preparación de los trabajos y su remisión y defensa es responsabilidad de los propios alumnos. Esta experiencia presenta un enfoque innovador en nuestra Facultad, no sólo porque adopta el esquema de “Enseñanza Basada en Proyectos”, sino porque se extiende más allá de una asignatura, e incluso del término temporal de un curso académico, para intentar alcanzar competencias transversales del Grado en Matemáticas en su conjunto e introducir a los alumnos en el ejercicio profesional de un investigador en Matemáticas. [ENG] In this paper we present an innovative experience for the Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, University of Murcia. A group of students had to, first of all, develop a research project as part of the course “Laboratorio de Modelización” from the third year. The objective of the task, “Development and combat of a Zombie infectio”, and its depth was determined by the students, who had to use TIC to create computer simulations which helped their study. Next, students should turn their work into a research result and submit it for publication in a professional journal, as well as present and defend it at a proper congress or conference. The responsability of choosing the journal and conference, as well as the preparation of the work and its defense lies with the students. This experience presents an innovative approach in our faculty, not only because it adopts the scheme of “Projects Based Learning”, but also because it extends beyond a subject, and even the temporary end of an academic year, to try to reach transversal skills of the Degree in Mathematics and introduce students to the practice of a mathematic researcher

Biodegradation of olive washing wastewater pollutants by highly efficient phenol-degrading strains selected from adapted bacterial community

The bacterial community of an olive washing water (OWW) storage basin was characterized, by both cultivation and cultivation-independent methods. PCR-TGGE fingerprints analysis of different samples, taken along the olive harvesting season, revealed important variations of the bacterial community structure showing rapid establishment of prevalent bacterial populations. Several bacteria, isolated from OWW, were cultivated, in media containing increasing amounts of polyphenols, in order to select high phenol-degrading strains for the effluent pollutants reduction. Strains PM3 and PM15, affiliated to Raoultella terrigena and Pantoea agglomerans by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were selected and used for OWW biological treatment under batch conditions in shake flasks cultures. The OWW content of phenols, BOD5, COD and colour, was reduced by 93, 91, 89 and 62%, respectively, permitting effluent disposal and/or reuse with no additional treatments.This research was supported by European project Algatec (FP7/SME/2008/1/232331)

Reporting Quality in Abstracts of Randomized Controlled Trials Published in High-Impact Occupational Therapy Journals

Importance: Adequate reporting in the abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is essential to enable occupational therapy practitioners to critically appraise the validity of findings. Objective: To evaluate the reporting quality and characteristics of RCT abstracts published between 2008 and 2018 in the occupational therapy journals with the five highest impact factors in 2018. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Data sources: The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ), Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy (CJOT), Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy (SJOT), and Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics (POTP) were identified using a Web of Science search. Study selection and data collection: We searched Scopus for abstracts in the five included journals. We used a 17-point scale based on the CONSORT for Abstracts (CONSORT-A) checklist to assess reporting quality. We also identified characteristics of the abstracts. Findings: Seventy-eight RCT abstracts were assessed and showed moderate to low adherence to the CONSORT-A checklist (Mdn = 8, interquartile range = 7-9). Abstracts of articles with authors from a higher number of institutions, European first authors, and >200 words had higher CONSORT-A scores. The most underreported CONSORT-A items were trial design, blinding, numbers analyzed, outcome (results), harms, trial registration, and funding. Conclusions and relevance: Between 2008 and 2018, the reporting quality in RCT abstracts from the five highest impact occupational therapy journals was moderate to low. Inadequate reporting in RCT abstracts raises the risk that occupational therapy practitioners will make ineffective clinical decisions based on misinterpretation of findings. What This Article Adds: Reporting quality in RCT abstracts in occupational therapy journals is moderate to low. Journal editors should require authors of RCTs to use the CONSORT-A checklist to promote optimal reporting and transparency in abstract

Taller Integrado I "Orgía Mecánica". Innovación Educativa

Un espacio pedagógico de convergencia para el aprendizaje y la práctica dialógica de la Aequitectura. Memoria de la experiencia realizada en la Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid en Noviembre de 200

Detection of kinase domain mutations in BCR::ABL1 leukemia by ultra-deep sequencing of genomic DNA

The screening of the BCR::ABL1 kinase domain (KD) mutation has become a routine analysis in case of warning/failure for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) Philadelphia (Ph)-positive patients. In this study, we present a novel DNA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) methodology for KD ABL1 mutation detection and monitoring with a 1.0E-4 sensitivity. This approach was validated with a well-stablished RNA-based nested NGS method. The correlation of both techniques for the quantification of ABL1 mutations was high (Pearson r = 0.858, p < 0.001), offering DNA-DeepNGS a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 82%. The clinical impact was studied in a cohort of 129 patients (n = 67 for CML and n = 62 for B-ALL patients). A total of 162 samples (n = 86 CML and n = 76 B-ALL) were studied. Of them, 27 out of 86 harbored mutations (6 in warning and 21 in failure) for CML, and 13 out of 76 (2 diagnostic and 11 relapse samples) did in B-ALL patients. In addition, in four cases were detected mutation despite BCR::ABL1 < 1%. In conclusion, we were able to detect KD ABL1 mutations with a 1.0E-4 sensitivity by NGS using DNA as starting material even in patients with low levels of disease