Redes sociales en prevención y promoción de la salud. Una revisión de la actualidad = Social networks in prevention and health promotion. A review of the current

Resumen: Estamos presenciando la revolución de las redes sociales en Internet. La facilidad que las redes sociales nos ofrecen para comunicarnos y encontrar información es infinita. El ámbito de la salud no iba a ser menos y se engancha a esta revolución. En las principales redes sociales de la actualidad como son Facebook y Twitter podemos encontrar desde páginas Facebook de salud, a grupos de profesionales y/o usuarios, donde comparten información, conocimientos, experiencias, técnicas, etc., sin olvidar Twitter, ese microblogging que en apenas 140 caracteres te permite difundir gran cantidad de información, permitiendo que cualquier persona pueda opinar. Las redes sociales nos llevan a interaccionar y abrir debates sobre infinidad de temas. Y la presencia de revista científicas en estas redes sociales, abre y permite el acceso a la información a un público más elevado y más exigente en lo que se publica: exigencia de veracidad. La creación de redes sociales específicas por grupos de trabajo o de investigación, o por universidades, provoca una revolución en la enseñanza actual y la creación de conocimiento facilitándonos enormemente la facilidad la recogida de datos e información que estas redes sociales nos ofrecen.Palabras clave: Redes sociales, salud, Internet, promoción de la salud Abstract: We are witnessing a revolution in social networking. The ease that social networks offer us to communicate and find information is infinite. It is no surprise that this revolution has also had an effect on the health field. On the main current social networks as Facebook and Twitter numerous resources can be found, from Facebook health-related pages professional to groups and /or users, where they share information, knowledge, experience, skills, etc...,without forgetting Twitter, the microblogging by means of which in just 140 characters you can disseminate large amounts of information, allowing anyone give their opinion. Social networks lead us to interact and open discussions on numerous topics. And the presence of scientific journals on these social networks opens and allows access to public information to a public more educated and more demanding about what is published: demand of veracity. The creation of social specific networks for groups of work or investigation, or for universities, provokes a revolution in current education and creation of knowledge making it easier to collect data and information that these social networks offer us.Keywords: Social Networks, health, Internet, health promotio

Perceptions about the sexuality of women with fibromyalgia syndrome: a phenomenological study

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore and understand the perceptions and experiences of women with fibromyalgia syndrome regarding their sexuality. Background: Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic pathology, which compromises a woman’s physical, mental and emotional health. Although concerns related to sexuality are commonly reported, research has tended to focus on the physical symptoms. Design: An interpretive qualitative research methodology using Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics was carried out. Methods: This qualitative study explores the sexuality of women with fibromyalgia syndrome. A focus group and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 women with fibromyalgia syndrome. Data were collected between April - June 2014. Participants were recruited until findings reached saturation. Findings: Three themes define the perception of sexuality for these women: (i) Physical impact: don’t touch, don’t look; (ii) Sexuality and identity: fighting against their loss; (iii) Impact on the relationship: sexuality as a way of connecting the couple. Conclusion: Despite limitations, sexuality is important for the identity and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia syndrome. Together with the physical symptomology, guilt, fear and a lack of understanding compromise the coping process. Women need the support of their partner, their socio-family environment and health professionals. Nurses can aid the successful adjustment to sexual problems related to fibromyalgia syndrome

Psychometric evaluation and cultural adaptation of the Spanish version of the “Scale for End-of Life Caregiving Appraisal”

Objective: To translate, culturally adapt and psychometrically evaluate the Spanish version of the ‘Scale for End-of Life Caregiving Appraisal’ (SEOLCAS). Methods: Observational cross-sectional study. Convenience sample of 201 informal end-of-life caregivers recruited in a southern Spanish hospital. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed through its internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and temporal stability (Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r) between test-retest). The content validity index of the items (I-CVI) and the scale (S-CVI/Ave) was calculated. Its criterion validity was explored through performing a linear regression analysis to evaluate the SEOLCAS’ predictive validity. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine its construct validity. Results: The SEOLCAS’s reliability was very high (Cronbach’s α=0.92). Its content validity was excellent (all items’ content validity index=0.8–1; scale’s validity index=0.88). Evidence of the SEOLCAS’ criterion validity showed that the participants’ scores on the SEOLCAS explained approximately 79.3% of the between-subject variation of their results on the Zarit Burden Interview. Exploratory factor analysis provided evidence of the SEOLCAS’ construct validity. This analysis revealed that two factors (‘internal contingencies’ and ‘external contingencies’) explained 53.77% of the total variance found and reflected the stoic Hispanic attitude towards adversity. Significance of the results: The Spanish version of the ‘Scale for End-of Life Caregiving Appraisal’ has shown to be an easily-applicable, valid, reliable and culturally-appropriate tool to measure the impact of end-of-life care provision on Hispanic informal caregivers. This tool offers healthcare professionals the opportunity to easily explore Hispanic informal end-of-life caregivers’ experiences and discover the type of support they may need (instrumental or emotional) even when there are communicational and organisational constraints

Unravelling the Genetics of Ischaemic Stroke

Hugh Markus discusses genetic factors in stroke risk, and emphasizes the importance of large sample studies and rigorous replication of results in genetic stroke research

Genetic Testing for Early Detection of Individuals at Risk of Coronary Heart Disease and Monitoring Response to Therapy: Challenges and Promises

Coronary heart disease (CHD) often presents suddenly with little warning. Traditional risk factors are inadequate to identify the asymptomatic high-risk individuals. Early identification of patients with subclinical coronary artery disease using noninvasive imaging modalities would allow the early adoption of aggressive preventative interventions. Currently, it is impractical to screen the entire population with noninvasive coronary imaging tools. The use of relatively simple and inexpensive genetic markers of increased CHD risk can identify a population subgroup in which benefit of atherosclerotic imaging modalities would be increased despite nominal cost and radiation exposure. Additionally, genetic markers are fixed and need only be measured once in a patient’s lifetime, can help guide therapy selection, and may be of utility in family counseling

Cognitive event-related brain potentials (P300) in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus. Results of a prospective study

Objective: To determine the response to cognitive event-related potentials (P300) in patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and their relationship with clinical and cognitive status before and after shunt surgery. Methods: We performed a prospective study in a series of 26 patients with NPH who underwent clinical and cognitive assessment before surgery and 6 months afterwards. Visual P300 potentials obtained before and after treatment were also compared with those obtained in 18 healthy volunteers. Results: Before shunting, the P300 wave was detected in 11 (42.3%) NPH patients, compared with the 18 (100%) volunteers. Six months after shunting, the P300 wave was found in 20 (76.9%) NPH patients. P300 latency was significantly longer in NPH patients than in the control group before surgery, but not at 6 months after surgery. No significant differences in neuropsychological studies or in the level of dependence for daily life activities were found between the subgroups of NPH patients with and without presurgical P300 waves, or between changes in P300 parameters and clinical and cognitive changes. Conclusions: The P300 wave was delayed or undetectable in a substantial percentage of patients with NPH before surgery. These alterations can be reversed by shunting. P300 analysis and neuropsychological tests could be complementary measures to evaluate functional status in patients with NPH. Resumen: Objetivos: Determinar la respuesta a los potenciales evocados visuales (P300) en pacientes con hidrocefalia de presión normal (NPH) antes y después de la implantación de una derivación de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) y establecer su relación con la situación clínica y cognitiva antes y después del tratamiento quirúrgico. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo en una serie de 26 pacientes con NPH a los que se realizó una valoración clínica y neuropsicológica y se analizó la P300 antes y 6 meses después del tratamiento quirúrgico. Los resultados de la P300 de los pacientes antes y después del tratamiento se compararon con los de un grupo control de 18 voluntarios sanos. Resultados: Once de los pacientes con una NPH (42,3%) presentaron onda P300 antes del tratamiento quirúrgico, mientras que esta onda estaba presente en los 18 individuos del grupo control (100%). La latencia de la onda fue significativamente superior en los pacientes que en el grupo control. Seis meses después de la implantación de la derivación de LCR, 20 (76,9%) de los pacientes con NPH presentaron la onda P300, sin que hubiera diferencias significativas en las latencias de la onda entre ambos grupos. No hubo diferencias en los estudios neuropsicológicos y en el grado de independencia en la realización de las actividades de la vida diaria entre los pacientes que presentaron la P300 antes de la cirugía y los que no la presentaron, ni entre los cambios de la P300 y los cambios clínicos o cognitivos después del tratamiento quirúrgico. Conclusiones: Un porcentaje importante de pacientes con una NPH no presentan onda P300 o su latencia está incrementada. Estas alteraciones pueden revertirse en muchos pacientes al implantar una derivación de LCR. Keywords: Normal pressure hydrocephalus, Neuropsychology, Cognitive event-related brain potentials, Visual event-related potentials, P300, Palabras clave: Hidrocefalia de presión normal, Neuropsicología, Potenciales evocados cognitivos, Potenciales evocados visuales, P30

Potenciales evocados cognitivos (P300) en pacientes con hidrocefalia de presión normal

Resumen: Objetivos: Determinar la respuesta a los potenciales evocados visuales (P300) en pacientes con hidrocefalia de presión normal (NPH) antes y después de la implantación de una derivación de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) y establecer su relación con la situación clínica y cognitiva antes y después del tratamiento quirúrgico. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo en una serie de 26 pacientes con NPH a los que se realizó una valoración clínica y neuropsicológica y se analizó la P300 antes y 6 meses después del tratamiento quirúrgico. Los resultados de la P300 de los pacientes antes y después del tratamiento se compararon con los de un grupo control de 18 voluntarios sanos. Resultados: Once de los pacientes con una NPH (42,3%) presentaron onda P300 antes del tratamiento quirúrgico, mientras que esta onda estaba presente en los 18 individuos del grupo control (100%). La latencia de la onda fue significativamente superior en los pacientes que en el grupo control. Seis meses después de la implantación de la derivación de LCR, 20 (76,9%) de los pacientes con NPH presentaron la onda P300, sin que hubiera diferencias significativas en las latencias de la onda entre ambos grupos. No hubo diferencias en los estudios neuropsicológicos y en el grado de independencia en la realización de las actividades de la vida diaria entre los pacientes que presentaron la P300 antes de la cirugía y los que no la presentaron, ni entre los cambios de la P300 y los cambios clínicos o cognitivos después del tratamiento quirúrgico. Conclusiones: Un porcentaje importante de pacientes con una NPH no presentan onda P300 o su latencia está incrementada. Estas alteraciones pueden revertirse en muchos pacientes al implantar una derivación de LCR Abstract: Objective: To determine the response to cognitive event-related potentials (P300) in patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and their relationship with clinical and cognitive status before and after shunt surgery. Methods: We performed a prospective study in a series of 26 patients with NPH who underwent clinical and cognitive assessment before surgery and 6 months afterwards. Visual P300 potentials obtained before and after treatment were also compared with those obtained in 18 healthy volunteers. Results: Before shunting, the P300 wave was detected in 11 (42.3%) NPH patients, compared with the 18 (100%) volunteers. Six months after shunting, the P300 wave was found in 20 (76.9%) NPH patients. P300 latency was significantly longer in NPH patients than in the control group before surgery, but not at 6 months after surgery. No significant differences in neuropsychological studies or in the level of dependence for daily life activities were found between the subgroups of NPH patients with and without pre-surgical P300 waves, or between changes in P300 parameters and clinical and cognitive changes. Conclusions: The P300 wave was delayed or undetectable in a substantial percentage of patients with NPH before surgery. These alterations can be reversed by shunting. P300 analysis and neuropsychological tests could be complementary measures to evaluate functional status in patients with NPH. Palabras clave: Hidrocefalia de presión normal, Neuropsicología, Potenciales evocados cognitivos, Potenciales evocados visuales, P300, Keywords: Normal pressure hydrocephalus, Neuropsychology, Cognitive event-related brain potentials, Visual event-related potentials, P30

Influence of Thermal and Magnetic History on Direct DTad Measurements of Ni49+xMn36xIn15 Heusler Alloys

In the present work, using Heusler Ni49+xMn36-xIn15 (with x = 0 and 0.5) alloys, it is shown that the choice of the appropriate measurement protocol (erasing the prior state of the sample in between experiments) in DTad first shot characterization is crucial for obtaining reliable results. Unlike indirect measurements, for which incorrect protocols produce overestimates of the characteristics of the material, erroneous direct measurements underestimate DTad in the region close to its first order phase transition. The error in DTad is found to be dependent on the temperature step used, being up to ~40% underestimation, including a slight shift in its peak temperature.Peer reviewe