How does a CBT-based transdiagnostic program for separation anxiety symptoms work in children?: Effects of Super Skills for Life

¿Es eficaz un programa transdiagnóstico basado en TCC para los síntomas de ansiedad por separación infantil? Resultados del programa Super Skills. Super Skills for Life (SSL) es un programa transdiagnóstico de origen anglosajón basado en la terapia cognitiva conductual, dirigido a tratar problemas emocionales infantiles. Se ha traducido e implementado en población española, logrando reducciones significativas en síntomas de ansiedad y depresión. El objetivo del presente estudio fue examinar la eficacia a corto y largo plazo de SSL en escolares con ansiedad por separación. Participaron 86 niños hispanohablantes de 8 a 12 años, que fueron evaluados antes de recibir la intervención, inmediatamente después y 12 meses después. Los resultados indicaron mejoras estadísticamente significativas tanto en el problema principal, la ansiedad por separación, como en otros síntomas o problemas comórbidos (depresión, problemas de comportamiento, problemas con los compañeros, interferencia de ansiedad en la vida diaria, etc.). En general, los resultados muestran que el programa fue más efectivo a largo plazo que a corto plazo. Los hallazgos del estudio sugieren que SSL puede ser útil para tratar problemas emocionales en niños con ansiedad por separación. Se discuten las implicaciones prácticas de estos hallazgos.Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a transdiagnostic program of Anglo-Saxon origin based on cognitive behavioural therapy, aimed at treating emotional problems in children. It has been translated and implemented in the Spanish population, achieving significant reductions in anxious and depressive symptoms. The objective of the current study was to examine the short- and long-term efficacy of SSL in schoolchildren with separation anxiety. The program was attended by 86 Spanish-speaking children aged 8-12 years, who were evaluated before receiving the intervention, immediately after and 12 months later. Results indicated statistically significant improvements both in the main problem, separation anxiety and other comorbid symptoms or problems (depression, behaviour problems, problems with peers, interference of anxiety in daily life, etc.). Overall, the results show that the program was more effective in the long-term than in the short-term. The findings of the study suggest that SSL can be useful for treating emotional problems in children with separation anxiety. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed

¿Tienen los preadolescentes con exceso de peso y baja autoestima peor rendimiento académico? Un estudio transversal con una muestra española

La obesidad y el sobrepeso infantil se han convertido en un relevante problema mundial, tanto por su prevalencia como por sus repercusiones en la salud de niños y adolescentes. Diversos estudios han analizado las consecuencias del exceso de peso a nivel físico, psicológico y social, pero existen pocos trabajos y, muchos de ellos con resultados poco concluyentes, que exploren la relación entre la obesidad y el sobrepeso con el rendimiento académico. El objetivo de este estudio es examinar en los preadolescentes españoles la relación entre el rendimiento académico y la categoría ponderal, teniendo en cuenta la autoestima y la edad como variables moderadoras. Participaron 626 preadolescentes españoles de edades comprendidas entre 10 y 12 años, el 50.48% de sexo femenino. El Índice de Masa Corporal se determinó siguiendo los criterios de la WHO Child Growth Standards. El rendimiento académico de los participantes se estableció mediante el número de suspensos, de suficientes, de bienes, de notables y de sobresalientes. La autoestima se valoró utilizando la subescala del Cuestionario de Depresión Infantil. Para el análisis de los datos se llevaron a cabo análisis multivariados de la varianza. Se hallaron diferencias significativas en el rendimiento académico en función de la categoría ponderal sólo en el sexo femenino, resultando la autoestima significativa como variable moderadora. En concreto, las niñas con exceso de peso que tenían baja autoestima obtenían más suficientes, mientras que las niñas con normopeso que presentaban mejor autoestima obtenían más sobresalientes. Los resultados confirman los hallazgos de estudios previos que encuentran una relación entre el exceso de peso infantil y el rendimiento académico, destacando la importancia de la autoestima como variable moderadora de dicha asociación.Do preadolescents with excess weight and low self-esteem have worse academic performance? A cross-sectional study with a Spanish sample. Obesity has become a significant global problem in terms of prevalence and its impact on the health of children and adolescents. Several studies have analysed the physical, psychological, and social consequences of the excess of weight, but there is a lack of conclusive studies exploring the relationship between obesity in children/adolescents and academic performance. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the academic performance of a sample of Spanish preadolescents and the participants’ weight category, taking into account the self-esteem and the age as moderating variables. The participants were 626 Spanish preadolescents from 10 to 12 years old, 50.48% girls. The Body Mass Index was determined according to the WHO Child Growth Standards criteria. The academic performance of the participants was established by the number of courses evaluated as fail, satisfactory, good, very good, and excellent. The self-esteem was assessed using the subscale of the Children’s Depression Inventory. Multivariate analyses of variance were performed for the analysis of the data. Significant differences were only found in girls, highlighting the self-esteem as a moderating variable in the relationship between the weight category and the academic performance. Specifically, girls with excess weight and low self-esteem had more courses evaluated as satisfactory, while girls with a normal weight and good self-esteem had more courses evaluated as excellent. The results confirm the findings of previous studies that find a relationship between excess of weight and academic performance, highlighting the importance of the self-esteem as a moderating variable of this association

Adaptation, reliability and validity of a Brief Multicomponent AIDS Phobia Scale (MAPS) in Colombian adolescents

La fobia al sida consiste en un miedo persistente, anormal e injustificado a contraer el VIH. Uno de los instrumentos disponibles para evaluar la fobia al sida es la Multicomponent AIDS Phobia Scale (MAPS). El objetivo de este estudio fue adaptar y validar la MAPS en adolescentes colombianos. Participaron 859 estudiantes entre 14-19 años respondiendo a la MAPS y otros autoinformes para analizar su validez (conocimientos sobre las ITS, actitud hacia el VIH y ansiedad por la salud). El análisis factorial confirmó la estructura bifactorial (F1: miedo a la infección y F2: miedo a otros), de acuerdo con la versión original. Se obtuvo evidencias de fiabilidad y validez consistentes con la teoría. La aplicación de la MAPS es idónea para evaluar miedo al VIH/sida y estudiar su relación con factores de riesgo sexual (uso de condón, múltiples parejas sexuales) a nivel investigador y comunitario en Colombia. También puede ser útil para evaluar el impacto de campañas sociales para reducir el estigma hacia el VIH y programas de prevención dirigidos a promover una sexualidad saludable en adolescentes mediante la transmisión de conocimientos adecuados y actitudes más tolerantes hacia las personas que viven con VIH.The AIDS phobia is a persistent, abnormal and unjustified fear of contracting HIV. The objective of this study was to adapt and validate MAPS in Colombian adolescents. Participants included 856 students aged 14-19 years who responded to the MAPS and other self-reports to analyze its validity (including knowledge about STIs, attitude towards HIV and health anxiety). Factor analysis confirmed the bifactorial structure (F1: fear of infection and F2: fear of others), according to the original version. Evidence of reliability and validity was obtained consistently with the theory. The application of MAPS is appropriate for assessing fear of HIV/AIDS and to study its relationship with sexual risk factors (e.g. condom use, multiple sexual partners) at research and community levels in Colombia. It also can be useful for assessing the impact of social campaigns to reduce stigma towards HIV and prevention programs aimed at promoting healthy sexuality in adolescents through the transmission of adequate knowledge and more favorable attitudes toward people living with HI

The role of statins on helicobacter pylori eradication : Results from the european registry on the management of h. pylori (hp-eureg)

Funding: This project was promoted and funded by the European Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group (EHMSG), the Spanish Association of Gastroenterology (AEG), and the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Clinical guide of the Spanish Society of Nephrology on the prevention and treatment of peritoneal infection in peritoneal dialysis

[Resumen] Las infecciones peritoneales siguen constituyendo una complicación muy relevante de la diálisis peritoneal, por su incidencia todavía elevada y por sus importantes consecuencias clínicas, en términos de mortalidad, fracaso de la técnica y costes para el sistema sanitario. Las prácticas de prevención y tratamiento de esta complicación muestran una notable heterogeneidad derivada, entre otros factores, de la complejidad del problema y de la escasez de evidencia clínica que permitan responder de manera clara a muchas de las dudas planteadas. El propósito de este documento es proporcionar una revisión completa y actualizada de los métodos de diagnóstico, prevención y tratamiento de estas infecciones. El documento se ha elaborado tomando como referencia de partida la guía más reciente de la Sociedad Internacional de Diálisis Peritoneal (2016). Mientras que para el capítulo diagnóstico se ha adoptado una estructura más narrativa, el análisis de las medidas de prevención y tratamiento ha seguido una metodología sistemática (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation [GRADE]), que especifica el nivel de evidencia y la fuerza de las sugerencias y recomendaciones propuestas, y facilita actualizaciones futuras de la guía. La gran extensión y numerosas recomendaciones o sugerencias emanadas de la revisión ponen de manifiesto la complejidad y gran número de facetas a tener en cuenta para un adecuado abordaje de esta importante complicación de la diálisis peritoneal.[Abstract] Peritoneal infections still represent a most feared complication of chronic peritoneal dialysis, due to their high incidence and relevant clinical consequences, including direct mortality, technique failure and a significant burden for the health system. The practices for prevention and treatment of this complication show a remarkable heterogeneity emerging, among other factors, from the complexity of the problem and from a paucity of quality evidence which could permit to respond clearly to many of the raised questions. The purpose of this document is to provide a complete and updated review of the main methods of diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these infections. The document has been elaborated taking as a reference the most recent guidelines of the International Society of Peritoneal Dialysis (2016). The diagnostic considerations are presented in a narrative style while, for prevention and therapy, we have used a systematic methodology (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation [GRADE]), which specifies the level of evidence and the strength of the proposed suggestions and recommendations and facilitates future updates of the document. The length of the document and the many suggestions and recommendations coming out of the review underline the large number and the complexity of the factors to be taken into consideration for an adequate approach to this complication of peritoneal dialysis

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Clinical validation of cutoff target ranges in newborn screening of metabolic disorders by tandem mass spectrometry: A worldwide collaborative project

PURPOSE:: To achieve clinical validation of cutoff values for newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry through a worldwide collaborative effort. METHODS:: Cumulative percentiles of amino acids and acylcarnitines in dried blood spots of approximately 25-30 million normal newborns and 10,742 deidentified true positive cases are compared to assign clinical significance, which is achieved when the median of a disorder range is, and usually markedly outside, either the 99th or the 1st percentile of the normal population. The cutoff target ranges of analytes and ratios are then defined as the interval between selected percentiles of the two populations. When overlaps occur, adjustments are made to maximize sensitivity and specificity taking all available factors into consideration. RESULTS:: As of December 1, 2010, 130 sites in 45 countries have uploaded a total of 25,114 percentile data points, 565,232 analyte results of true positive cases with 64 conditions, and 5,341 cutoff values. The average rate of submission of true positive cases between December 1, 2008, and December 1, 2010, was 5.1 cases/day. This cumulative evidence generated 91 high and 23 low cutoff target ranges. The overall proportion of cutoff values within the respective target range was 42% (2,269/5,341). CONCLUSION:: An unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration has allowed the objective definition of cutoff target ranges for 114 markers to be applied to newborn screening of rare metabolic disorders. © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins