Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention combining a smartphone app and smart band on body composition in an overweight and obese population: Randomized controlled trial (EVIDENT 3 study)

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect

CMS physics technical design report : Addendum on high density QCD with heavy ions

Peer reviewe

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Registro ACESUR: atención de pacientes adultos con crisis epilépticas en servicios de urgencias: diferencias entre primer episodio y recurrencia

Objetivo. Describir las características y la atención recibida de pacientes adultos que consultan por crisis epiléptica (CE) en los servicios de urgencias hospitalarios (SUH), diferenciando entre primera crisis y recurrencia en epiléptico conocido. Método. ACESUR es un registro observacional de cohortes multipropósito, prospectivo y multicéntrico con un muestreo sistemático, los días pares de febrero y julio alternando con los impares de abril y octubre de 2017. Se incluyeron pacientes 18 años con diagnóstico de CE en los SUH. Se recogieron variables clínico-asistenciales de la visita índice de pacientes, distinguiendo entre primera CE y recurrencia en epiléptico. Resultados. El registro ACESUR recogió a 664 pacientes procedentes de 18 SUH españoles, 229 (34, 5%) con primera CE y 435 (65, 5%) con CE recurrentes. Los pacientes con primera CE fueron de mayor edad (p < 0, 001), presentaron motivos de consulta distintos (p < 0, 001) y requirieron más traslados en ambulancia (p < 0, 001). La atención recibida en el SUH fue diferente, en pacientes con primera CE se solicitó con mayor probabilidad una prueba complementaria específica (OR ajustada = 13, 94; IC95%:7, 29-26, 7; p < 0, 001) y se necesitó mayor hospitalización o estancia prolongada en el SUH (OR ajustada = 1, 69; IC95%:1, 11-2, 58; p = 0, 015). No hubo diferencias en cuanto al tratamiento farmacológico en fase aguda ni preventivo (OR ajustada = 1, 40; IC95%:0, 94-2, 09; p = 0, 096). Se inició tratamiento con fármacos antiepiépticos (FAE) en 100 pacientes (43, 7%) tras primera CE y se reinició o modificó añadiendo nuevo FAE en 142 pacientes (32, 6%) con CE recurrentes. Conclusiones. Las características clínicas y la atención recibida de pacientes adultos con primera CE en SUH en España difieren de las recurrencias en epiléptico conocido. Objective. To describe the characteristics of care received by patients who come to the emergency department with a first epileptic seizure versus a recurrent seizure in a patient with diagnosed epilepsy. Methods. ACESUR (Acute Epileptic Seizures in the Emergency Department) is a prospective multicenter, multipurpose registry of cases obtained by systematic sampling on even days in February and July 2017 and on odd days in April and October 2017. Patients were aged 18 years or older and had an emergency department diagnosis of epileptic seizure. We recorded clinical variables and details related to care given during each patient''s visit, including whether the event was a first or recurrent seizure. Results. A total of 664 patients attended by 18 Spanish emergency departments were entered into the ACESUR registry. Two hundred twenty-nine (34.5%) were first seizures and 435 (65.5%) were recurrences. Patients who were attended for first seizures were older, consulted for a wider variety of reasons, and were transported in ambulances (P<.001, all comparisons). Care received differed between patients with first seizures versus recurrent seizures. Specific complementary testing was more likely in patients with first seizures (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 13.94; 95% CI, 29-26.7; P<.001), and they were more often hospitalized or stayed longer in the emergency department, (aOR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.11-2.58; P=.015). Pharmacologic treatment did not differ between the groups, either in the acute phase or for prevention (aOR, 1.40; 95% CI, 0.94-2.09; P=.096). Antiepileptic drugs were given to 100 patients (43.7%) after a first seizure and were restarted or changed in 142 patients with recurrent seizure (32.6%). Conclusions. The clinical characteristics of adults attended for a first epileptic seizure differ from those of patients with diagnosed epilepsy who were attended for recurrent seizures in Spain. The care received also differs

Temporal muscle thickness predicts mortality and disability in older adults diagnosed with mild dementia

ANTECEDENTES: La sarcopenia contribuye al aumento de las hospitalizaciones, deterioro cognitivo, caídas y mortalidad por todas las causas. Diagnóstico actual métodos, como la resonancia magnética corporal y la energía dual. La absorciometría de rayos X es costosa y poco práctica. Cabe destacar que no hay Enfoque estandarizado para evaluar la sarcopenia en clínicas de demencia. Nosotros estudió la asociación del grosor del músculo temporal (TMT) con clave Factores pronósticos en personas con enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) y Lewy. Demencia corporal (DLB). MÉTODOS: Utilizamos datos del DemVest, una cohorte longitudinal estudio, e incluyó participantes clínicamente diagnosticados con EA leve o DLB. El TMT se midió mediante resonancias magnéticas iniciales. El resultado principal Las medidas fueron cognición, rendimiento funcional, desnutrición y mortalidad. Se consideraron varios factores demográficos y clínicos como posibles factores de confusión. RESULTADOS: La muestra de AD estuvo compuesta principalmente por mujeres (76,9%), 75,5 años (DE 6,95). La muestra DLB estuvo compuesta mayoritariamente por hombres (63,6%), edad 75,8 (DE 6,85). Al inicio del estudio, el TMT mostró asociación con el rendimiento cognitivo en el grupo DLB (Est.=0,593, valor p=0,049). El análisis longitudinal reveló importantes asociaciones entre TMT y deterioro funcional en DLB (Est. = -0,123, valor p 0,007) y aumento de la mortalidad en toda la muestra(HR=0,815, valor p 0,002), el grupo AD (HR=0,834 valor p=0,031) y el grupo DLB grupo (HR=0,767 valor p=0,019) respectivamente. Estas asociaciones siguió siendo significativo después de ajustar por factores de confusión. CONCLUSIONES: La medición TMT se asoció con la mortalidad. en ambos grupos de demencia, así como con la cognición y la función en DLB. TMT surge como una medida rentable de masa muscular que indica relevancia clínica y utilidad en entornos sanitarios. La implementación de la evaluación TMT podría mejorar la atención al paciente y ayudar a identificar a las personas en riesgo de resultados adversos en la demencia leve. Palabras clave: Sarcopenia, Demencia, Grosor del músculo temporal (TMT), músculo, funcionalidad, desnutrición.Q1Q1BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia contributes to increased hospitalizations, cognitive impairment, falls, and all-cause mortality. Current diagnostic methods, like body Magnetic Resonance Imaging and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, are costly and impractical. Notably, there is no standardized approach for assessing sarcopenia in dementia clinics. We studied the association of temporal muscle thickness (TMT) with key prognostic factors in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Lewy body dementia (DLB). METHODS: We utilized data from the DemVest, a longitudinal cohort study, and included participants clinically diagnosed with mild AD or DLB. TMT was measured using baseline MRI scans. The main outcome measures were cognition, functional performance, malnutrition, and mortality. Various demographic and clinical factors were considered as potential confounders. RESULTS: The AD sample was mainly composed by females(76.9%), age 75.5(SD 6.95). The DLB sample was mostly composed by men(63.6%), age 75.8(SD 6.85). At baseline TMT showed significant association with cognitive performance in the DLB group (Est.=0.593, p-value=0.049). The longitudinal analysis revealed significant associations between TMT and functional decline in DLB (Est.=-0.123, p-value 0.007) and increased mortality in the whole sample(HR=0.815, p-value 0.002), the AD group (HR=0.834 p-value=0.031), and the DLB group (HR=0.767 p-value=0.019) respectively. These associations remained significant after adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The TMT measurement was associated with mortality in both dementia groups as well as with cognition and function in DLB. TMT emerges as a cost-efficient measure of muscle mass indicating clinical relevance and utility in healthcare settings. Implementing TMT assessment could improve patient care and aid in identifying individuals at risk of adverse outcomes in mild dementia. Key words: Sarcopenia, Dementia, Temporal muscle thickness (TMT), muscle, functionality, malnutrition.https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5832-0603https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=MrICwaMAAAAJ&hl=enhttps://scienti.minciencias.gov.co/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0001429659Revista Internacional - IndexadaS

Reflective practice applications: "Guided Weekly Reflection Papers" extended from Alcalá University (Spain) to De Montfort University (UK).

Knowledge has to be developed firmly based on reflections and thoughts as much as evidence. Being conscious of this principle, our innovation teaching group from the University of Alcalá has developed a reflective pedagogical approach called Guided Weekly Reflection Papers (GWRP) and implemented it since 2007. In this approach students hand in to the lecturer their “weekly work”, in which they schematically express the most important ideas related with the topic presented during the classes, and their reflections and comments on those aspects which they found especially difficult or interesting. Moreover students have to apply the concepts developed during the week to solve some questions or problems proposed by the lecturers to find solutions to real life situations and to explore beyond the walls of the classroom to discover where in the world around them they can find application of the material presented by the lectures. This innovative pedagogical approach has deeply contributed to the development of the student learning process and consequently be reflected in our teaching practice. The outcomes of the GWRP activity do not depend upon how much students have been studying but upon the level of comprehension of the knowledge we have shared with them. Therefore this strategy is very useful to prove the efficiency and quality of our teaching practice which lead us to continuously improve our way of teaching. When along this years we have shown our results both in internal meetings in our University and in International Conferences, our colleagues have been caught up by our enthusiasm, which promotes their involvement in our model. Thus, different academics and organizations have adopted our reflective tool. The most recent incorporation of this approach has been implemented by selected academic staff at De Montfort University (DMU), Leicester (United Kingdom). This versatile methodology is being tested in a new university educational environment using a student cohort with a different set of characteristics and academic context in the academic course for 2015/16. This communication will describe the adaptation of the GWRP to teaching in the Clinical Biochemistry module delivered as part of two different Bachelor degrees taught at DMU: Biomedical and Medical Sciences. The response of students enrolled in this programmes at DMU will be also analysed