Charles Bernheimer (ed.), Comparative Literature in the Age of Multiculturalism, Baltimore & Londres, The John Hopkins University Press ("Parallax; Re-visions of Culture and Society"), 1995, 207 pp.

National audienceCette contribution vise à documenter le rapport à l'écriture de la recherche d'information que l'école développe, en lien avec les formes sociales d'écriture qui sont quotidiennement celles éprouvées par les adolescents. Comment se redessinent les contours du processus d'écriture de l'information aujourd'hui ? En nous appuyant sur le concept de translittéracie, nous montrerons, à partir d'investigations de terrain menées en établissements scolaires, combien le processus d'écriture de la recherche d'information est aujourd'hui ré-agencé et enrichi sous l'influence double des formes sociales et de dispositifs institutionnels. Ce sont de nouvelles compétences scripturales qui sont ainsi mises à jour

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) in the physical evaluation of patients with shoulder pain

La presente tesis, con título “Exploración ecográfica en la valoración músculo esquelética en pacientes con hombro doloroso” ha sido realizada en régimen de cotutela entre la Universidad de Málaga y la Universidad de Amberes, Bélgica. A continuación, se expone un resumen en castellano sobre el contenido de la misma. El primer capítulo sirve de introducción general, a través de un marco conceptual donde se abordan conceptos generales de la ecografía y su uso dentro de la valoración del hombro, utilizado en la clínica diaria. El segundo y tercer capítulos justifican el motivo de la tesis y enumeran los objetivos del presente proyecto, que estudia el uso de la ecografía en la valoración del hombro. En el tercer capítulo, se desarrolla el primer objetivo de la tesis, a través del estudio bajo el título “Efectos a corto plazo del kinesio taping en el espacio acromiohumeral en sujetos sanos: un ensayo controlado aleatorizado”. En dicho estudio, reclutamos sesenta y dos participantes sin dolor de hombro, y fueron evaluados para su inclusión en el estudio. Finalmente, cuarenta y nueve sujetos fueron incluidos. Se investigó si el kinesio taping puede aumentar la DAH en sujetos asintomáticos en comparación con el tape placebo. Los participantes fueron asignados aleatoriamente entre los grupos 1 y 3. Al grupo 1 (KT1) se le aplicó kinesio taping de la forma tradicional, de anterior a posterior. Al grupo 2 (KT2) se le aplicó el kinesio taping de posterior a anterior, y al grupo 3 (KT3) se le aplicó kinesio taping placebo. A todos los participantes se les aplicó el kinesio taping el día después del examen inicial y se les midió la DAH antes y después de la aplicación del kinesio taping, en 0 y 60 grados de elevación activa del hombro en el plano escapular. Los resultados demostraron que la DAH, medida por ecografía, puede ser incrementada por el kinesio taping significativamente. Nuestros resultados también sugieren que no hay diferencia respecto a la aplicación del kinesio tape, si es de anterior a posterior o viceversa. E el capítulo 4 se desarrolla el estudio realizado con el título “¿Realmente importa la distancia acromiohumeral en el hombro doloroso crónico?”, en el que se investiga el nivel de asociación entre la DAH, dolor, funcionalidad y ROM del hombro en pacientes con dolor crónico de hombro, antes de recibir un tratamiento de fisioterapia. Por tanto, el estudio sigue un diseño transversal. Una muestra comprendida por 110 pacientes con dolor de hombro crónico (más de 3 meses de duración) fue reclutada en tres centros de atención primaria diferentes, de los que 97 fueron incluidos finalmente. Nuestros resultados mostraron una relación estadísticamente significativa pero débil entre la DAH en 0 grados de elevación del hombro, dolor y funcionalidad medido a través del SPADI: a mayor dolor y discapacidad del paciente, menor tamaño aparente de la DAH. Cuando fue analizado el ROM activo de elevación del hombro, no se encontró correlación con DAH en 0 y 60 grados. Los resultados mostraron una fiabilidad intraobservador excelente para ambas medidas de la DAH. Si la perpetuación de los síntomas en etapas avanzadas (cronicidad) es asociada con un descenso de la DAH mantenida permanece incierta, por lo tanto, es crucial establecer la asociación entre DAH, dolor y discapacidad, así como ROM activo libre de dolor en el hombro crónico. Futuros estudios deberían determinar el alcance real de la DAH en la práctica clínica, analizando sus cambios tras la aplicación de distintos tratamientos de fisioterapia, en pacientes que sufren de dolor de hombro crónico. Además, se necesita más investigación para determinar qué cantidad de incremento en la DAH podría ser funcional y clínicamente importante en esta población. En el capítulo 5 desarrollamos el estudio con el título “El espacio coracohumeral en el dolor crónico anterior de hombro. ¿Está asociado con el dolor, función y rango de movimiento?”. Una muestra comprendida por 102 pacientes con dolor crónico anterior de hombro fue reclutada de tres centros diferentes de atención primaria. Un número de 87 sujetos fueron finalmente incluidos en el estudio, siguiendo un diseño transversal, y evaluados antes de recibir tratamiento de fisioterapia. El primer objetivo del estudio fue determinar la fiabilidad intraobservador de la DCH medida por ecografía en pacientes con dolor crónico anterior del hombro. Los resultados muestran una excelente fiabilidad tanto en 0 como 60 grados de elevación del hombro. El segundo objetivo fue analizar el nivel de asociación entre la DCH y el dolor de hombro, la función y ROM libre de dolor. No existió ninguna correlación entre todas las mediciones. Desde nuestro conocimiento, este es el primer y mayor estudio mostrando mediciones de la DCH en pacientes con dolor crónico anterior de hombro medido por ecografía. Este estudio proporciona resultados en respuesta a la falta de estudios de calidad en el campo de la fiabilidad de la DCH medido por ecografía. El auténtico rol de la DCH en la explicación de la severidad del dolor, alteración de la función y limitación del ROM en pacientes con dolor crónico anterior de hombro, aún no está claro. Por tanto, futuros estudios deberían centrarse en determinar la importancia tanto de los factores extrínsecos como de los intrínsecos, y determinar si la DCH puede considerarse como factor pronóstico y predictor en la prevención y manejo del hombro crónico doloroso, y si podría ser el factor clave para direccionar hacia un tratamiento de fisioterapia y/o quirúrgico. Finalmente en el capítulo 6 presentamos una discusión general de la tesis, así como sus limitaciones y prospectivas para futuras investigaciones

Changes in Circadian Variations in Blood Pressure, Pain Pressure Threshold and the Elasticity of Tissue after a Whole-Body Photobiomodulation Treatment in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Tripled-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

This study analysed circadian variation changes in blood pressure (BP), the pain pressure threshold (PPT) and the elasticity of tissue in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) after a whole-body photobiomodulation (PBM) treatment. This was a tripled-blinded randomized clinical trial including forty participants with FM. Participants using validated self-measurement BP devices attained readings that were used to calculate the circadian variation. Additionally, a standard pressure algometer of 1cm2 was used to assess 13 tender points by exerting a pressure of up to 4 kg, and strain elastography assessed the elasticity of tissue. Circadian variations in BP showed significant differences after the PBM intervention (p = 0.036). When comparing PPT between groups, statistically significant differences were found in the occiput (p = 0.039), low cervical (p = 0.035), trapezius (p = 0.037), second rib (p < 0.001) and medial epicondyle points (p = 0.006). Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in both the trapezius and the forearm at the distal dorsal third SEL values (p <= 0.001) when comparing groups. Whole-body PBM produces changes in circadian blood pressure, the pain pressure threshold and the elasticity of tissue after a treatment program was carried out. However, more studies are needed to corroborate our findings as well as to better understand the underlying mechanisms

Short- and long-term effects of whole-body photobiomodulation on pain, functionality, tissue quality, central sensitisation and psychological factors in a population suffering from fibromyalgia: protocol for a triple-blinded randomised clinical trial

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research has been funded by THOR Photomedicine by providing the equipment needed.Background: The development of an integral and global treatment to improve the quality of life in those with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is challenging. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of whole-body photobiomodulation (PBM) on pain perception, functionality, quality of soft tissue, central sensitisation and psychological factors in patients suffering with FMS. Methods: This study is a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 44 participants will be recruited in a private care practice and randomised to receive either a whole-body PBM therapy programme or placebo in the same care centre. The parameters of the PBM programme are as follows: wavelengths of red and near-infrared LEDs 50:50 ratio with 660–850 nanometers; fluence of 25.2 J/cm2; treatment time of 1200 s and a total power emitted of 967 W. Treatment sessions will be 3 times weekly for a period of 4 weeks, totalling 12 treatment sessions. Primary outcome will be pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale; Widespread Pain Index; Symptom Severity Score). Secondary outcomes will be functionality (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire; the Leisure Time Physical Activity Instrument), quality of soft tissue (elastography), central sensitisation (pain pressure threshold and the Autonomic Symptom Profile) and psychological factors (Pain Catastrophising scale, Tampa Scale, Self-Efficacy questionnaire). Assessments will be at baseline (T1), after session 6 (T2), after treatment (T3) and 2 weeks (T4), 3 (T5) and 6 (T6) month follow-up. Discussion: PBM therapy has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation and to increase the rate of tissue repair for a wide range of conditions, but its potential use as a whole-body treatment in FM is yet to be explored. This trial will investigate whether whole-body PBM therapy is effective at reducing pain intensity, improving functionality, quality of soft tissue, central sensitisation symptoms and psychological measurements. Furthermore, 3- and 6-month follow-up will investigate long-term efficacy of this treatment.THOR Photomedicin

Narco-culturas transatlánticas: Espacios fronterizos y globalización en La reina del sur

The article studies Arturo Perez-Reverte’s best-selling novel La reina del Sur (2002) as a paradigmatic example of the globalized trends in the promotion and distribution of narco-literature. From northwestern Mexico to southern Spain and Morocco, the novel’s is a Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Continental story of a female drug trafficker who inserts herself into larger structures of power to eventually dominate over most of her male criminal competitors. My reading focuses on Pérez-Reverte’s depiction of frontiers at multiple levels (geographical, cultural, ethnic, linguistic, literary, and sexual) within the context of two of the most pervasive examples of globalization: drug/human trafficking and migratory movements. At first sight, the novel seems to transgress these frontiers and to denounce the most abject aspects of globalization, but in the end La reina del Sur is simply a hollow tale that fails to denounce (and, in fact, embraces) neoliberal modes of circulation of capital and humans. The novel’s adaptation (2011) in one of the most successful, albeit technically deficient, narco TV series, in which moral critique is blatantly absent, only attest to the limitations of narco-novels to adopt a critical stance in the debate on criminality and globalization

Mid- and Long-Term Results Using 448 kHz Stimulation on the Elasticity of the Supraspinatus Tendon Measured by Quantitative Ultrasound Elastographyin Badminton Professionals: Prospective Randomized Double-Blinded Clinical Trial with Nine Months of Follow-Up

The aim of this study is to analyse the changes that occur in the elasticity of the supraspinatus tendon after the application of a 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMR) at 3, 6 and 9 months in professional badminton players. A randomized double-blinded clinical trial that included 9 months of follow-up was used. A private care practice was used to recruit the participants of this study. They were randomly assigned either the CRMR treatment (n = 19) or the placebo treatment (n = 19). The experimental group received a total of nine treatments of 448 kHz CRMR divided into three treatments per week. The control group received the same regimen but with no radiofrequency. Quantitative ultrasound strain elastography was used to report the main values for three areas of the supraspinatus tendon. These were measured at the start (T1) and directly after (T2), one week after, (T3), three months after (T4), six months after (T5) and nine months after (T6) the completion of the intervention program. There were statistically significant differences in the supraspinatus tendon elasticity immediately after (p <= 0.001), one week after (p <= 0.001) and three months after (p = 0.01) the intervention program. No significant changes were found six or nine months after the intervention program. A three-week intervention program using 448 kHz produced significant changes in the elasticity of the supraspinatus tendon, with the changes lasting up to approximately three months when compared to the control group

Patellar and Achilles Tendon Thickness Differences among Athletes with Different Numbers of Meals per Day: A Cross-Sectional Study

The objective of this study is to analyse differences in the thickness of the patellar (PT) and Achilles tendons (AT) among athletes with different number of meals per day. The design is a cross-sectional, observational study. A total of thirty-six male athletes (with mean age groups ranging from 31 to 40) were recruited and divided into three groups based on the number of daily meals they had (3, 4 or 5 meals). PT and AT were assessed by ultrasound. There were statistically significant differences in PT when comparing groups 1 and 3, at both longitudinal (p < 0.03) and transversal (p < 0.002) planes. There were no differences when comparing groups 1 and 2 or groups 2 and 3. There was a negative correlation between the number of meals per day and tendon thicknesses in both PT (longitudinal plane: r = -0.384; p = 0.02/transversal plane: r = -0.406; p = 0.01) and AT (transversal plane: r = -0.386; p = 0.02). In conclusion, there were patellar tendon thickness differences between participants and the number of daily meals could play a key role in tendon thickness, healing and performance

Short-Term Effects of Whole-Body Photobiomodulation on Pain, Quality of Life and Psychological Factors in a Population Suffering from Fibromyalgia: A Triple-Blinded Randomised Clinical Trial

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multifunctional chronic musculoskeletal pain condition characterised by sensory hypersensitivity. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has shown a positive impact on relieving pain; however, no studies to our knowledge have analysed a whole-body PBM intervention in subjects with FM. The aims of the study were to compare the effects of whole-body PBM with placebo PBM on pain, functionality and psychological symptoms in patients suffering from FM. Methods: Forty-two subjects were recruited from a private care practice. The design of the study is a randomised, triple-blinded, placebocontrolled clinical trial. Participants received 12 treatment sessions. Pain, quality of life, level of physical activity and psychological factors were assessed at baseline (T0), after session 6 (T1), after treatment (T2) and at 2-week (T3) followup. Results: There were statistically significant differences in pain at 4 weeks (p B 0.001) (T2) and the 2-week follow-up (T3) (p B 0.001). In relation to the quality of life, there were statistically significant improvements after session 6 (p B 0.001) (T1), immediately after treatment (p B 0.001) (T2) and at the 2-week (T3) follow-up (p B 0.001). Kinesiophobia presented significant differences between groups immediately after treatment (p B 0.001) (T2) and at the 2-week (T3) follow-up (p B 0.001), with self-efficacy only showing significant differences between groups 2 weeks after the treatment (p = 0.01) (T2). There were no differences between groups when comparing pain catastrophising at any time. Conclusion: Whole-body PBM resulted in a significant reduction in pain and an improvement in quality of life in those participants suffering from FM after receiving 4 weeks of treatment. Furthermore, psychological factors such as kinesiophobia and self-efficacy were also improved. Thus, a whole-body PBM treatment is presented as a possible new multifactorial treatment with potential benefits for those with FM and more studies are needed to corroborate our findings