Aspects of paediatric in-patient care: views of parents and school aged children

The objectives of this project were to investigate the idea of family-centred care from the parents' and children's perspectives, to find out the difference between theory and practice, and to seek parents' views on methods for improving hospital environment and its facilities for children and parents. This study was conducted in a junior school in County Durham using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The data were obtained via surveying parents and children, interviewing parents whose children had been in hospital and collecting drawings from children. The facilities for families, parents and children in hospital might have shown some improvement, however there are several aspects that still need to be achieved. Some parents asserted that their basic needs were not being met during their hospital stay with their children. The mothers argued that having a sick child in hospital has an impact on the whole family and hospitals need to give some attention to their concerns. Although many professionals presume that they are working with a family-centred care approach, it is not clear to what extent this concept has been put into practice. The mothers reported the need for adequate communication and negotiation with health professionals to facilitate mutual collaboration and to avoid the anxiety that the participation in care might cause to parents and children. It has been proposed by some parents that home care could replace hospital-based care. The concern was that support for home care might be inadequate. Mothers in this study also proposed that the practice of home care could be facilitated by having direct communication with named nurses and doctors, using dedicated phone lines. Community nurses have also a part to play in home care. It would be important to consider innovations more proactive to health promotion such as parenting advice about healthy and unhealthy behaviour

Enfermería basada en la evidencia. La investigación y el cuidado

En esta presentación se abordan conceptos relacionados con los atributos del rol avanzado relativos a la investigación y la práctica basada en la evidencia (PBE), se definen los conceptos relacionados con la enfermería basada en la evidencia (EBE) y se plantea brevemente sugerencias finales sobre cómo promover la PBE

Evaluation of evoh-coated pp films with oregano essential oil and citral to improve the shelf-life of packaged salad

[EN] The aim of this study was to improve the present packaging of salad by combining modified atmosphere packaging with a new antimicrobial active bag consisting of PP/EVOH film with oregano essential oil or citral, with the purpose of extending shelf-life and reducing possible microbiological risks. The (O-2) and CO2 barrier properties of PP/EVOH, mechanical properties (Young's modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break) were determined and compared with those of standard PP films. Antimicrobial tests were carried out for enterobacteria, total aerobic counts, yeasts and moulds, and lactic acid bacteria and psychrotrophic bacteria, and the effect of the release of the antimicrobial agent on the sensory characteristics of the salads was also studied. The application of the EVOH coating results in an increase in the tensile resistance of the PP films and a reduction in the elongation at break. The results showed that microorganism counts bacteria decreased especially at the beginning of the storage period. OEO and CITRAL samples had reductions of 1.38 log and 2.13 log respectively against enterobacterias, about 2 log against yeasts and moulds. The total aerobic counts reduced 1.08 log with OEO and 1.23 log with CITRAL and the reduction of lactic acid bacteria and psychrotrophic was about 2 log. Citral-based films appeared to be more effective than materials containing oregano essential oil in reducing spoilage flora during storage time. Sensory studies also showed that the package with citral was the most accepted by customers at the end of the shelf-life. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved,Authors thank the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project AGL2009-08776 and V.M-G fellowships), EU (Nafispack project 212544), Generalitat Valenciana (J.P.C. fellowship) and Mr. Karel Clapshaw (translation services).Muriel Galet, V.; Cerisuelo, JR.; López Carballo, G.; Aucejo, S.; Gavara Clemente, R.; Hernández Muñoz, P. (2013). Evaluation of evoh-coated pp films with oregano essential oil and citral to improve the shelf-life of packaged salad. Food Control. 30(1):137-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.06.032S13714330

Effects of Osteopathic Visceral Treatment in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Osteopathic manual treatment has been recommended as a non-pharmacological therapy for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). However, to date, no study has supported the effectiveness of this intervention with respect to the symptoms of the disease. Our goal was to assess the effect of an osteopathic manual technique for the lower esophageal sphincter on GERD symptoms, cervical mobility and on the C4 spinous process pressure pain threshold (PPTs). Methods: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Sixty subjects suffering from GERD participated in this study and were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG) (n = 29), who received the osteopathic technique for the lower esophageal sphincter, or to a control group (CG) (n = 31), who received a manual contact, which mimicked the osteopathic technique without exerting any therapeutic force. Randomization was computer-generated, with allocation concealed by sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. The GerdQ questionnaire was used to assess symptom changes the week after intervention. Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) and algometer were used to evaluate cervical mobility and PPTs before and after both treatments. Before-after between groups comparison (t-test) was used for statistical analysis of the outcome, with two measurement points (GerdQ), while repeated-measures ANOVA was used for those outcomes with four measurement points (CROM and PPT). Results: The application of the osteopathic manual treatment in subjects with GERD produced a significant improvement in symptoms one week after the intervention (p = 0.005) with a between-groups difference of 1.49 points in GerdQ score (95% CI: 0.47-2.49). PPT C4 improved in the EG after the treatment (p = 0.034; eta(2) = 0.048) (between-groups difference 8.78 Newton/cm(2); 95% CI: 0.48-17.09). CROM also increased in the EG compared to the CG (p < 0.001; eta(2) = 0.108) (between-groups difference 33.89 degrees; 95% CI: 15.17-52.61). Conclusions: The manual osteopathic technique produces an improvement in GERD symptoms one week after treatment, cervical mobility, and PPTs. This may mean that osteopathic treatment is useful for improving symptoms of GERD

Propiedades probabilísticas relacionadas con el envejecimiento de sistemas. Aplicaciones en fiabilidad.

En el siguiente trabajo se muestran algunas de las propiedades más interesantes relacionadas con el envejecimiento de sistemas, aplicados en fiabilidad. En particular, nos centraremos en sistemas con tasa de fallo monótona. Finalmente, se expone un estudio de los datos presentados en uno de los artículos más clasicos en la teoría de fiabilidad escrito por Frank Proschan en 1963. <br /

Immobilization of beta-cyclodextrin in ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer for active food packaging applications

[EN] Current developments in active food packaging are focusing on incorporating agents into the polymeric package walls that will release or retain substances to improve the quality, safety and shelf-life of the food. Because cyclodextrins are able to form inclusion complexes with various compounds, they are of potential interest as agents to retain or scavenge substances in active packaging applications. In this study, beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD) was successfully immobilized in an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer with a 44% molar percentage of ethylene (EVOH44) by using regular extrusion with glycerol as an adjuvant. Films with 10%, 20% and 30% of beta CD were flexible and transparent. The presence of the agent slightly increased the glass-transition temperature and the crystallinity percentage of the polymer, that is to say, it induced some fragility and a nucleating effect. The water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier properties of the materials containing beta CD were determined and compared with those of the pure polymeric material. Permeability to these three permeants increased with the addition of beta CD due to the presence of discontinuities in the matrix and to the internal cavity of the oligosaccharide. Also the CO2/O-2 permselectivity increased with the addition of beta CD. Finally, the potential effect of the composites in the food aroma was analyzed. The materials with beta CD preferentially sorbed apolar compounds such as terpenes. This characteristic could be useful in active packaging applications for preferentially retaining undesired apolar food components like hexanal or cholesterol. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, projects AGL2006-02176 and Fun-C-Food CSD2007-00063, and the C. L-d-D fellowship (FPU program). Mary Georgina Hardinge provided assistance with the English language text.Lopez-De-Dicastillo, C.; Gallur, M.; Catala Moragrega, R.; Gavara Clemente, R.; Hernandez-Muñoz, P. (2010). Immobilization of beta-cyclodextrin in ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer for active food packaging applications. Journal of Membrane Science. 353(1-2):184-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2010.02.049S1841913531-

Improving the Antioxidant Protection of Packaged Food by Incorporating Natural Flavonoids into Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH) Films

This document is the unedited Author s version of a Submitted Work that was subsequently accepted for publication in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/jf1022324[EN] Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) films containing catechin or quercetin as antioxidant agents were successfully produced by extrusion. The addition of these bioactive compounds did not modify greatly their water and oxygen permeabilities, T-g, or crystallinity but improved their thermal resistance. Exposure of the films to different food simulants showed that both compounds were released, although the extent and kinetics of release were dependent on the type of food. In aqueous and alcoholic food simulants their release was greater in the case of the catechin-containing samples. Exposure of the films to isooctane and ethanol 95% (fatty food simulants) provided controversial results; no release was observed in isooctane, whereas both bioactive compounds were extracted by ethanol due to their high solubility in alcohol and the plasticizing effect of ethanol on the polymer. Packaging applications of these films can improve food stability and provide a method for adding such bioactive compounds.Received for review June 10, 2010. Revised manuscript received August 24, 2010. Accepted September 16, 2010. We acknowledge the financial support of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Projects AGL2006-02176, AGL2009-08776, and Fun-C-Food CSD2007-00063, and the C.L.-d.-D. fellowship (FPU program).Lopez-De-Dicastillo, C.; Alonso, JM.; Catala Moragrega, R.; Gavara Clemente, R.; Hernandez-Muñoz, P. (2010). Improving the Antioxidant Protection of Packaged Food by Incorporating Natural Flavonoids into Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (EVOH) Films. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 58(20):10958-10964. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf1022324S1095810964582

Development of poly(lactic acid) films with propolis as a source of active compounds: biodegradability, physical, and functional properties

Active films (AFs) using poly(lactic acid) (PLA) as a polymeric matrix containing various propolis concentrations (5, 8.5, and 13%) as the active agent (AA) were developed using a casting method. The purpose was to determine the effects of the incorporation of AA on the physical properties of the films and to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Tensile strength and elastic modulus of the AFs decreased relative to the control (PLA without AA). Introducing the active substances from propolis into the PLA also affected its thermal properties (glass transition). Adding AAs to the polymer generated more opacity with a green-yellowish color compared to the control. In addition, AFs exhibited reduced water vapor permeability as the AA concentration increased. Biodegradation assay showed that the AFs degraded faster than the control. AFs exhibited antioxidant activity, which was measured as the ability to scavenge free radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate)), due to the presence of bioactive compounds (phenolics). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Escherichia coli and showed a reduction over 4-log cycles. Therefore, incorporation of propolis is a useful strategy for the development of active packaging with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, which increase the shelf life of food products. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47090.Direccion de Investigacion of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso [DI-037-362-14]University of Santiago de Chile [1555-Vridei O81771GL_CONT

Effects of Osteopathic Visceral Treatment in Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Osteopathic manual treatment has been recommended as a non-pharmacological therapy for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). However, to date, no study has supported the effectiveness of this intervention with respect to the symptoms of the disease. Our goal was to assess the effect of an osteopathic manual technique for the lower esophageal sphincter on GERD symptoms, cervical mobility and on the C4 spinous process pressure pain threshold (PPTs). Methods: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Sixty subjects suffering from GERD participated in this study and were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG) (n = 29), who received the osteopathic technique for the lower esophageal sphincter, or to a control group (CG) (n = 31), who received a manual contact, which mimicked the osteopathic technique without exerting any therapeutic force. Randomization was computer-generated, with allocation concealed by sequentially numbered, opaque, sealed envelopes. The GerdQ questionnaire was used to assess symptom changes the week after intervention. Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) and algometer were used to evaluate cervical mobility and PPTs before and after both treatments. Before–after between groups comparison (t-test) was used for statistical analysis of the outcome, with two measurement points (GerdQ), while repeated-measures ANOVA was used for those outcomes with four measurement points (CROM and PPT). Results: The application of the osteopathic manual treatment in subjects with GERD produced a significant improvement in symptoms one week after the intervention (p = 0.005) with a between-groups difference of 1.49 points in GerdQ score (95% CI: 0.47–2.49). PPT C4 improved in the EG after the treatment (p = 0.034; η 2 = 0.048) (between-groups difference 8.78 Newton/cm2 ; 95% CI: 0.48–17.09). CROM also increased in the EG compared to the CG (p < 0.001; η 2 = 0.108) (between-groups difference 33.89 degrees; 95% CI: 15.17–52.61). Conclusions: The manual osteopathic technique produces an improvement in GERD symptoms one week after treatment, cervical mobility, and PPTs. This may mean that osteopathic treatment is useful for improving symptoms of GER

Parental Self-Efficacy to Promote Children’s Healthy Lifestyles: A Pilot and Feasibility Study

Positive parenting programs are a key strategy to promote the development of parental competence. We designed a pilot study based on parental self-efficacy to promote healthy lifestyles in their children aged between 2 to 5 years old. In this pilot study, we aimed to assess the effects of a parenting program on parental self-efficacy and parenting styles. Twenty-five parents were allocated into intervention (N = 15) and control group (N = 10). Parents from the intervention group received four group sessions (120 mi per session) to develop a positive parenting, parenting styles and parenting skills regarding to children’s diet, exercise, and screen time, and two additional sessions about child development and family games. Parents from the control group received these two latter sessions. Parental self-efficacy, parenting styles, and meal-related parenting practices were measured before and after the intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Acceptability and feasibility of the program was also measured. Quantitative data were analyzed using the repeat measures ANOVA and ANCOVA tests and the effect size calculation. Content analysis was used to analyse open questions. Positive trends were found regarding parental self-efficacy and the use of authoritative parenting style. Parents also reported a great acceptability of the program getting high satisfaction. According to the feasibility barriers and facilitators aspects were identified. The positive trends founded in this study support the development of parenting programs to promote healthy lifestyle in children