How Effective Are Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Reducing Stress and Weight? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Stress contributes to the development and maintenance of obesity. Mindfulness-based therapies are being used to reduce stress and promote weight reduction and maintenance. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for stress and weight reduction in the short, medium, and long term. Searches on PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, WOS, and Science Direct were conducted until March 2021. Intervention studies with a sample of adults were included; these evaluated a mindfulness-based intervention and used stress and weight or body mass index as outcome variables. These criteria were met by 13 articles. A meta-analysis of 8 of the 13 articles was performed with a random-effects or fixed-effects model, depending on the level of heterogeneity between studies. Mindfulness-based interventions had a small effect on stress reduction over a 3-month period: effect size (standardized mean difference) = −0.29 (95% CI: −0.49, −0.10). However, no significant evidence was found for stress reduction from 3 months onwards, nor for weight or body mass index reduction in any period. Mindfulness-based interventions are effective in reducing stress in the short term, but not in the medium or long term, nor are they effective for weight or body mass index. More robust and longer study designs are needed to determine their effects.This research was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education, as allocated to the intern E.S.-C., with reference number [FPU18/04620]

Effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving grief and depression in caregivers of people with dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Caregivers of people suffering from dementia may go through a grieving process prior to the death of the cared-for person, which is related to mental health and physical problems. Interventions aimed at improving grief and depression are being used in response to these difficulties. The aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving the grief process in home-based caregivers of people with dementia with the aim of reducing grief and depression. A systematic review, including a meta-analysis, was designed. Following the PRISMA guideline, original articles were searched in the databases: Medline, WOS, Scopus and PsycINFO, up to September 2022. Articles that evaluated interventions aimed at improving the grief process in caregivers of people with dementia, whose care recipients were alive at the beginning of the study at minimum and living at home were selected. Grief and depression were considered outcome variables. A meta-analysis was carried out with a fixed effects model for these variables and for the domains of the Caregiver Grief Scale (CGS). Eight articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most of the interventions aimed at improving the grief process showed an improvement in grief and depression. The "emotional pain" and "absolute loss" domains of the CGS stood out with an improvement in these variables. Interventions aimed at improving the grief process are relatively effective in reducing grief and depression. Interventions that are even more effective and more robust studies are needed.The Spanish Ministry of Universities has supported the first author of this research through the University Teacher Training Programme, with reference number (FPU19/04001). Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBUA

Ciguatoxin-like toxicity distribution in flesh of amberjack (Seriola spp.) and dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)

Ciguatoxins (CTXs) are marine neurotoxins that cause ciguatera poisoning (CP), mainly through the consumption of fish. The distribution of CTXs in fish is known to be unequal. Studies have shown that viscera accumulate more toxins than muscle, but little has been conducted on toxicity distribution in the flesh, which is the main edible part of fish, and the caudal muscle is also most commonly targeted for the monitoring of CTXs in the Canary Islands. At present, whether this sample is representative of the toxicity of an individual is undisclosed. This study aims to assess the distribution of CTXs in fish, considering different muscle samples, the liver, and gonads. To this end, tissues from four amberjacks (Seriola spp.) and four dusky groupers (Epinephelus marginatus), over 16.5 kg and captured in the Canary Islands, were analyzed by neuroblastoma-2a cell-based assay. Flesh samples were collected from the extraocular region (EM), head (HM), and different areas from the fillet (A-D). In the amberjack, the EM was the most toxic muscle (1.510 CTX1B Eq·g−1), followed by far for the caudal section of the fillet (D) (0.906 CTX1B Eq·g−1). In the dusky grouper flesh samples, D and EM showed the highest toxicity (0.279 and 0.273 CTX1B Eq·g−1). In both species, HM was one of the least toxic samples (0.421 and 0.166 CTX1B Eq·g−1). The liver stood out for its high CTX concentration (3.643 and 2.718 CTX1B Eq·g−1), as were the gonads (1.620 and 0.992 CTX1B Eq·g−1). According to these results, the caudal muscle next to the tail is a reliable part for use in determining the toxicity of fish flesh to guarantee its safe consumption. Additionally, the analysis of the liver and gonads could provide further information on doubtful specimens, and be used for CTX monitoring in areas with an unknown prevalence of ciguatera.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cefditoren and ceftriaxone enhance complement-mediated immunity in the presence of specific antibodies against antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal strains

8 p.-4 fig.Background: Specific antibodies mediate humoral and cellular protection against invading pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae by activating complement mediated immunity, promoting phagocytosis and stimulating bacterial clearance. The emergence of pneumococcal strains with high levels of antibiotic resistance is of great concern worldwide and a serious threat for public health. Methodology/Principal Findings: Flow cytometry was used to determine whether complement-mediated immunity against three antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae clinical isolates is enhanced in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of cefditoren and ceftriaxone. The binding of acute phase proteins such as C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P component, and of complement component C1q, to pneumococci was enhanced in the presence of serum plus either of these antibiotics. Both antibiotics therefore trigger the activation of the classical complement pathway against S. pneumoniae. C3b deposition was also increased in the presence of specific anti-pneumococcal antibodies and sub-inhibitory concentrations of cefditoren and ceftriaxone confirming that the presence of these antibiotics enhances complementmediated immunity to S. pneumoniae. Conclusions/Significance: Using cefditoren and ceftriaxone to promote the binding of acute phase proteins and C1q to pneumococci, and to increase C3b deposition, when anti-pneumococcal antibodies are present, might help reduce the impact of antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae infections.This work was supported by grants SAF2009-10824 from Dirección General de Investigación Científica y Técnica, MPY 1350/10 from ISCIII and an unrestricted educational grant from Tedec-Meiji Farma S. A. (Madrid, Spain).Peer reviewe

Ciguatoxin Detection in Flesh and Liver of Relevant Fish Species from the Canary Islands

The Canary Islands are a ciguatoxin (CTX) hotspot with an established official monitoring for the detection of CTX in fish flesh from the authorised points of first sale. Fish caught by recreational fishermen are not officially tested and the consumption of toxic viscera or flesh could lead to ciguatera poisoning (CP). The objectives of this study were to determine the presence of CTX-like toxicity in relevant species from this archipelago, compare CTX levels in liver and flesh and examine possible factors involved in their toxicity. Sixty amberjack (Seriola spp.), 27 dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus), 11 black moray eels (Muraena helena) and 11 common two-banded seabream (Diplodus vulgaris) were analysed by cell-based assay (CBA) and Caribbean ciguatoxin-1 (C-CTX1) was detected by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in all these species. Most of the liver displayed higher CTX levels than flesh and even individuals without detectable CTX in flesh exhibited hepatic toxicity. Black moray eels stand out for the large difference between CTX concentration in both tissues. None of the specimens with non-toxic liver showed toxicity in flesh. This is the first evidence of the presence of C-CTX1 in the common two-banded seabream and the first report of toxicity comparison between liver and muscle from relevant fish species captured in the Canary Islands.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bone metabolism and clinical study of 44 patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws

Osteonecrosis of the jaws is a clinical entity described and linked to treatment with bisphosphonates in 2003. Its real incidence is unknown and it could increase due to the large number of patients treated with these drugs, and its cumulative effect on the bone. State of the art knowledge regarding its etiopathogeny, clinical course and suitable treatments is limited. Objectives: To study the clinical characteristics of 44 patients with bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws and the state of their bone mineral metabolism: bone remodeling state, prevalence of fractures, bone mineral density study, and assessment of the different treatment strategies. Design of the Study: Observational. Information was gathered prospectively through interviews, clinical examinations, additional tests and review of medical records. Results: We studied 16 men and 28 women with a mean age of 64.7 years. Breast cancer was the most frequent underlying disease. Zoledronate was used in 82% of the cases and in the non-oncology group of patients; alendronate was the most frequently used bisphosphonate. The mean duration of the zoledronate and alendronate treatments was 25 months and 88 months respectively. The lower jaw was the most frequent location, and previous exodontias- among the triggering factors known-were the most closely linked to its onset. We found considerable osteoblastic activity in patients suffering from neoplasia, with artifacts present in their bone densitometry and a high percentage of vertebral fractures. Conclusions: According to our results, osteonecrosis of the jaws affects elderly patients. We found a direct relationship between the duration of exposure and the accumulated dose. Other relevant factors are: Poor oral and dental health, corticoids, diabetes and teeth extractions. In essence, it is a clinical diagnosis. Prevention is the best strategy to handle this clinical entity

Whole-Genome Sequence of Serratia liquefaciens HUMV-21, a Cytotoxic, Quorum-Sensing, and Biofilm-Producing Clinical Isolate

A clinical isolate of Serratia liquefaciens (strain HUMV-21) was obtained from a skin ulcer of an adult patient. We report here its complete genome assembly using PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing, which resulted in a single circular chromosome with 5.3 Mb. About 5,844 protein-coding genes are predicted from this assembly

Alma para educar, alma para innovar una escuela que forma la transformación : sistematización de la experiencia de la Institución Educativa Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Huancayo, Junín, Perú

Refleja los procesos innovadores de la Institución Educativa, que le ha permitido consolidarse como una organización que aprende constantemente y se transforma con autonomía desde una lectura permanente de su entorno y los desafíos que deben asumir sus estudiantes frente a un mundo globalizado, una sociedad de permanentes cambios, signados por el avance de la tecnología, el crecimiento económico y las demandas sociales. A partir de una dinámica de reflexión permanente y de cultura investigativa flexible y abierta a propuestas creativas, la Institución Educativa se pregunta, ¿qué clase de mujeres estamos formando?, ¿cómo desarrollar conocimientos y competencias sólidos y pertinentes para ponerlos al servicio de un mundo más humanizado, en el que primen valores sociales? En la aventura de descubrir sus propias respuestas, la sistematización recorre su cultura organizacional y de liderazgos compartidos, sus paradigmas epistemológicos, sus principios pedagógicos, y las estrategias que han concretado un estilo de innovación que empuja la mejora permanente, tanto de estudiantes como de docentes

Vocabulario de la sociedad civil, la ruralidad y los movimientos sociales en América Latina

El Vocabulario de la Sociedad Civil, la Ruralidad y los Movimientos Sociales en América Latina tiene como objetivo desarrollar vocablos relacionados con temas de gran trascendencia para la vida colectiva de la población Latinoamericana; pretende introducir a estudiantes, personas del ámbito académico y activistas en la comprensión de estas categorías de análisis. A través de la mirada de 70 especialistas que participaron en este vocabulario, es posible comprender muchos de los términos que se utilizan dentro de la investigación social y áreas relacionadas con las ciencias políticas, ambientales y rurales, a partir de una mayor explicación y detalle. Es por ello que se inserta este trabajo desde una mirada colectiva y amplia de los conceptos que se exponen. En este libro podrá encontrar las ideas de varios autores y autoras de distintas universidades, con una visión multi, inter y transdisciplinaria. El esfuerzo que se realizó para conjuntar varios términos y analizar su compleja red de interpretaciones, permitirá que este manuscrito pueda ser consultado por estudiantes, personas del ámbito científico-académico, y ciudadanía; porque contiene el estado del arte, la historia del paulatino avance de múltiples conceptos y su vigencia en el contexto actual

Examining the immune signatures of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy and the impact on neurodevelopment: Protocol of the SIGNATURE longitudinal study

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a valuable opportunity to carry out cohort studies that allow us to advance our knowledge on pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric diseases. One of these opportunities is the study of the relationships between inflammation, brain development and an increased risk of suffering neuropsychiatric disorders. Based on the hypothesis that neuroinflammation during early stages of life is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and confers a greater risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders, we propose a cohort study of SARS-CoV-2-infected pregnant women and their newborns. The main objective of SIGNATURE project is to explore how the presence of prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and other non-infectious stressors generates an abnormal inflammatory activity in the newborn. The cohort of women during the COVID-19 pandemic will be psychological and biological monitored during their pregnancy, delivery, childbirth and postpartum. The biological information of the umbilical cord (foetus blood) and peripheral blood from the mother will be obtained after childbirth. These samples and the clinical characterisation of the cohort of mothers and newborns, are tremendously valuable at this time. This is a protocol report and no analyses have been conducted yet, being currently at, our study is in the recruitment process step. At the time of this publication, we have identified 1,060 SARS-CoV-2 infected mothers and all have already given birth. From the total of identified mothers, we have recruited 537 SARS-COV-2 infected women and all of them have completed the mental health assessment during pregnancy. We have collected biological samples from 119 mothers and babies. Additionally, we have recruited 390 non-infected pregnant women.This work has received support from the Fundación Alicia Koplowitz to realize the epigenetic wide association study and to the clinical assessment to the children. This work has also received public support from the Consejería de Salud y Familias para la financiación de la investigación, desarrollo e innovación (i + d + i) biomédica y en ciencias de la salud en Andalucía (CSyF 2021 - FEDER). Grant Grant number PECOVID- 0195-2020. Convocatoria financiada con Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) al 80% dentro del Programa Operativo de Andalucía FEDER 2014-2020. Andalucía se mueve con Europa. NG-T received payment under Rio Hortega contract CM20-00015 with the Carlos III Health Institute.Peer reviewe