Cognitive Functioning of Unaffected First‑degree Relatives of Individuals With Late‑onset Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta‑analysis

First-degree relatives of individuals with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) are at increased risk for developing dementia, yet the associations between family history of LOAD and cognitive dysfunction remain unclear. In this quantitative review, we provide the first meta-analysis on the cognitive profile of unaffected first-degree blood relatives of LOAD-affected individuals compared to controls without a family history of LOAD. A systematic literature search was conducted in PsycINFO, PubMed /MEDLINE, and Scopus. We fitted a three-level structural equation modeling meta-analysis to control for non-independent effect sizes. Heterogeneity and risk of publication bias were also investigated. Thirty-four studies enabled us to estimate 218 effect sizes across several cognitive domains. Overall, first-degree relatives (n = 4,086, mean age = 57.40, SD = 4.71) showed significantly inferior cognitive performance (Hedges’ g = -0.16; 95% CI, -0.25 to -0.08; p < .001) compared to controls (n = 2,388, mean age = 58.43, SD = 5.69). Specifically, controls outperformed first-degree relatives in language, visuospatial and verbal long-term memory, executive functions, verbal short-term memory, and verbal IQ. Among the first-degree relatives, APOE ɛ4 carriership was associated with more significant dysfunction in cognition (g = -0.24; 95% CI, -0.38 to -0.11; p < .001) compared to non-carriers (g = -0.14; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.01; p = .04). Cognitive test type was significantly associated with between-group differences, accounting for 65% (R2 3 = .6499) of the effect size heterogeneity in the fitted regression model. No evidence of publication bias was found. The current findings provide support for mild but robust cognitive dysfunction in first-degree relatives of LOAD-affected individuals that appears to be moderated by cognitive domain, cognitive test type, and APOE ɛ4.University of Otago Doctoral Scholarshi

Utilización de los métodos productivos en la disciplina Didáctica de la Química para la Licenciatura en Educación. Química (Revisión)

The Didactics of Chemistry at the different levels of education in Cuba implements the general positions of didactics in the teaching-learning process of chemistry, in correspondence with the objectives and content of planned learning. Taking into account the development and knowledge achieved, the goals to be achieved by the students are in turn a starting point for the different Chemistry teaching methodologies that can be developed derived from the theoretical positions that make up this didactics. The objective of this research is to design a proposal for the didactic-methodological structuring of a conference, with the use of productive methods in the Chemistry Didactics discipline for students in the 3rd year of the Bachelor of Education career. Chemistry at the University of Granma. The development is based on the use of theoretical methods, such as analytical-synthetic and inductive-deductive; methods of the empirical level, including observation and survey. The current and novelty of the research lies in the dynamic nature of the different planned activities and at the same time its developer nature, which contribute to the learning of the Chemistry subject in an active and conscious way.La Didáctica de la Química en los diferentes niveles de enseñanza en Cuba instrumenta las posiciones generales de la didáctica en el proceso de enseñanza – aprendizaje de la química, en correspondencia con los objetivos y el contenido de aprendizajes previstos. &nbsp;Teniendo en cuenta el desarrollo y conocimientos alcanzados, las metas a alcanzar por los educandos estas constituyen a su vez punto de partida para las distintas metodologías de enseñanza de la Química que puedan desarrollarse derivadas de las posiciones teóricas que la conforman esta didáctica. En la presente investigación se persigue como objetivo diseñar una propuesta de estructuración didáctico-metodológica de una conferencia, con la utilización de los métodos productivos en la disciplina Didáctica de la Química para los estudiantes de 3er año de la carrera Licenciatura en Educación. Química en la Universidad de Granma. En el desarrollo se fundamenta la utilización de métodos teóricos, tales como: analítico-sintético e inductivo-deductivo; métodos del nivel empírico, entre ellos: la observación y la encuesta. La actualidad y novedad de la investigación radican en el carácter dinámico de las diferentes actividades planificadas y a la vez su carácter desarrollador, las cuales contribuyen al aprendizaje de la asignatura Química de forma activa y consciente

Sistema de actividades de trabajo independiente para el aprendizaje de las reacciones de oxidación-reducción (Revisión)

The research deals with the need to promote the independent learning of oxidation-reduction reactions in the teaching-learning process of the Chemistry subject in eleventh-grade students of the IPU “Micaela Riera” of Manzanillo. A system of independent work activities is presented and founded with various activities to be developed in the teaching-learning process of said subject, which have been developed taking into account the psycho-pedagogical characteristics of this type of student. The development is based on the use of theoretical methods, such as analytical-synthetic and inductive-deductive; methods of the empirical level, among them: the observation, the survey, the interview, and the pedagogical experiment, as well as the mathematical one of the statistical level. The current and novelty of the research lies in the dynamic nature of the different planned activities and at the same time its developer nature, which contribute to the learning of the Chemistry subject in an active and conscious way.La investigación trata la necesidad de favorecer el aprendizaje, de manera independiente, de las reacciones de oxidación-reducción en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la asignatura Química, en los alumnos de onceno grado de el IPU “Micaela Riera” de Manzanillo. Se presenta y fundamenta un sistema de actividades de trabajo independiente con variadas actividades para desarrollarlas en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de dicha asignatura, las cuales han sido elaboradas teniendo en cuenta las características psico-pedagógicas de este tipo de alumno. En el desarrollo se fundamenta la utilización de métodos teóricos, tales como: analítico-sintético e inductivo-deductivo; métodos del nivel empírico, entre ellos: la observación, la encuesta, la entrevista, y el experimento pedagógico, así como el matemático del nivel estadístico. La actualidad y novedad de la investigación radican en el carácter dinámico de las diferentes actividades planificadas y a la vez su carácter desarrollador, las cuales contribuyen al aprendizaje de la asignatura Química de forma activa y consciente

Comparison of knee sonography and pressure pain threshold after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadriceps tendon versus hamstring tendon autografts in soccer players

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the pressure pain threshold and muscle architecture after an anatomic single bundle reconstruction with quadriceps tendon and hamstring tendon autografts of the anterior cruciate ligament in competitive soccer players. We hypothesized that both procedures will obtain similar outcomes. Methods: Fifty-one participants were enrolled in this secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial and were categorised into two groups: quadriceps tendon (QT) group (23 men and 3 women; mean age 18.7 ± 3.6; BMI 23.0 ± 2.2) or hamstring tendon (HT) group (16 men and 9 women; mean age 19.2 ± 3.6 BMI 23.5 ± 3.5). Both groups followed the same rehabilitation staged protocol. Pressure pain threshold (PPT), as a measure of perceived pain, was obtained in several points of quadriceps and hamstring muscles. Ultrasound imaging measurements were obtained in quadriceps tendon and knee cartilage thickness. Four measurements were taken in this study: baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Results: The analysis of PPT did not find significant differences in both groups x interaction time in the points evaluated: epicondyle (QT = 421.1 ± 184.1 vs HT = 384.7 ± 154.1 kPa), vastus lateralis (QT = 576.2 ± 221.3 vs HT = 560.1 ± 167.7 kPa), vastus medialis (QT = 544.7 ± 198.8 vs HT = 541.1.1 ± 181.77 kPa), patellar tendon (QT = 626.3 ± 221.1 vs HT = 665.0 ± 205.5 kPa), QT (QT = 651.1 ± 276.9 vs HT = 660.0 ± 195.2 kPa). (QT = 667.8 ± 284.7 vs HT = 648.2 ± 193.4 kPa) injured knee (all P > 0.05). The results of ultrasound imaging did not show significant differences in both groups interaction time in the thickness of the QT (QT = 9.9 ± 2.4 vs HT = 9.4 ± 1.7 kPa) and patellar cartilage (QT = 3.2 ± 0.6 vs HT = 3.2 ± 0.4 kPa) (P > 0.05). Conclusion: A QT autograft produces similar results to a HT autograft in ACL reconstructions in terms of pressure pain threshold and ultrasound muscle architecture during the 1-year follow-up. Level of Evidence: Level I, Therapeutic Study

Myofascial Induction Therapy Improves the Sequelae of Medical Treatment in Head and Neck Cancer Survivors: A Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Cross-Over Study

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Yet, less than 60% of HNC survivors receive adequate therapy for treatment-related sequelae. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of myofascial induction therapy (MIT) in improving cervical and shoulder pain and range of motion, maximal mouth opening, and cervical muscle function in HNC survivors. This crossover, blinded, placebo-controlled study involved 22 HNC survivors (average age 56.55 ± 12.71) of which 13 were males (59.1%) who received, in a crossover fashion, both a single 30-min session of MIT in the form of manual unwinding and simulated pulsed shortwave therapy (placebo), with a 4-week washout interval between the two. Cervical and shoulder pain (visual analogue scale) and range of motion (cervical range of motion device and goniometer), maximum mouth opening (digital caliper), and cervical muscle function (deep cervical flexor endurance test) were measured before and after the treatment and placebo sessions. A single session of MIT improved cervical and affected side shoulder pain, cervical range of motion, maximum mouth opening, and cervical muscle function. The associated effect sizes ranged from moderate to large. The present study suggests that MIT, in the form of manual unwinding, improves cervical (−3.91 ± 2.77) and affected-side shoulder (−3.64 ± 3.1) pain, cervical range of motion (flexion: 8.41 ± 8.26 deg; extension: 12.23 ± 6.55; affected-side rotation: 14.27 ± 11.05; unaffected-side rotation: 11.73 ± 8.65; affectedside lateroflexion: 7.95 ± 5.1; unaffected-side lateroflexion: 9.55 ± 6.6), maximum mouth opening (3.36 ± 3.4 mm), and cervical muscle function (8.09 ± 6.96 s) in HNC survivors.European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the “University of Granada, Excellence Actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)” programUniversity of Granada: “Proyectos de Investigación Precompetitivos para Jóvenes Investigadores. Plan Propio 2020” Code: PPJIA2020.15

Association between Physiological and Subjective Aspects of Pain and Disability in Post-Stroke Patients with Shoulder Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Patients often experience pain as a result of a stroke. However, the mechanism of this pain remains uncertain. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) and disability pain in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP). Methods: Twenty-six post-stroke patients (age 53.35 +/- 13.09 years) and healthy controls (54.35 +/- 12.37 years) participated. We investigated spontaneous shoulder pain, disability pain perception through the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), and the PPTs over joint C5–C6, upper trapezius, deltoid, epicondyle, second metacarpal, and tibialis anterior, bilaterally. Results: The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences in pain between groups (p < 0.001) and differences in the SPADI (p < 0.001) between groups but not between sides for PPTs over deltoid (group: p = 0.007; side: p = 0.750), epicondyle (group: p = 0.001; side: p = 0.848), and tibialis anterior (group: p < 0.001; side: p = 0.932). Pain in the affected arm was negatively associated with PPTs over the affected epicondyle (p = 0.003) and affected tibialis anterior (p = 0.009). Pain (SPADI) appeared negatively correlated with PPTs over the affected epicondyle (p = 0.047), and disability (SPADI) was negatively associated with PPTs over the affected tibialis anterior (p = 0.041). Conclusions: Post-stroke patients showed a relationship between widespread pressure pain hypersensitivity with lower PPT levels and pain disability perception, suggesting a central sensitization mediated by bilateral and symmetric pain patterns

Tratamiento metodológico de la conferencia de Química a partir de fundamentos de la didáctica desarrolladora (Revisión)

The guiding nature of the objectives and the close relationship between them and the contents, methods, means and evaluation, as essential components of this formative process, as well as the philosophical, sociological, psychological and pedagogical foundations are the current starting point of Education in Cuba. This research aims to guide teachers, through argumentation and demonstration, the methodological aspects for the achievement of the didactic-methodological structuring of the class, so that it contributes to the preparation for the execution of the teaching-learning process developer of the students of the first year of the Bachelor of Education career Chemistry at the University of Granma. Theoretical, empirical and statistical methods are used to carry out the research. Among the theorists: analysis-synthesis, deduction-induction, among the empirical: observation, survey, and documentary analysis. Of the mathematical statistician: techniques of descriptive statistics and percentage calculation. The novelty of the research lies in the methodological treatment of the conference on chemical equilibrium from the foundations of the developer didactics for the integration of the knowledge acquired with a scientific, systemic, integrative and developer approach of the teaching-learning process as well as the development of the skills and values that students should apply in their profession life.El carácter rector de los objetivos y la estrecha relación entre ellos y los contenidos, los métodos, los medios y la evaluación, como componentes esenciales de este proceso formador, así como los fundamentos filosóficos, sociológicos, psicológicos y pedagógicos son el punto de partida actual de la Educación en Cuba. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo &nbsp;orientar a los profesores, mediante la argumentación y demostración, los aspectos de carácter metodológico para el logro de la estructuración didáctico-metodológica de la clase, de manera que contribuya a la preparación para la ejecución del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje desarrollador de los estudiantes del primer año de la carrera Licenciatura en Educación. Química en la Universidad de Granma.&nbsp; Para el desarrollo de la investigación se utilizan métodos teóricos, empíricos y estadísticos. Entre los teóricos: análisis-síntesis, deducción- inducción, entre los empíricos: la observación, la encuesta, y análisis documental. Del estadístico matemático: técnicas de la estadística descriptiva y el cálculo porcentual. La novedad de la investigación radica en el Tratamiento metodológico de la conferencia sobre el equilibrio químico a partir de los fundamentos de la didáctica desarrolladora para la integración de los conocimientos adquiridos&nbsp; con un enfoque científico, sistémico, integrador y desarrollador del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje&nbsp; así como el desarrollo de las habilidades y valores que deberán aplicar los estudiantes en su vida profesión

A Web-Based Exercise System (e-CuidateChemo) to Counter the Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Patients With Breast Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Breast cancer patients have to face a high-risk state during chemotherapy, which involves deterioration of their health including extensive physical deterioration. Face-to-face physical exercise programs have presented low adherence rates during medical treatment, and telehealth systems could improve these adherence rates. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a Web-based exercise program (e-CuidateChemo) to mitigate the side effects of chemotherapy on the physical being, anthropometric aspects, and body composition. Results: Functional capacity improved significantly in the e-CuidateChemo group compared to the control group (6-minute walk test: 62.07 [SD 130.09] m versus –26.34 [SD 82.21] m; 6-minute walk test % distance predicted: 10.81% [SD 22.69%] m versus –4.60% [SD 14.58%]; between-group effect: P=.015 for both). The intervention group also showed significantly improved secondary outcomes such as between-group effects for abdominal (24.93 [SD 26.83] s vs –18.59 [SD 38.69] s), back (12.45 [SD 10.20] kg vs 1.39 [10.72] kg), and lower body (–2.82 [SD 3.75] s vs 1.26 [SD 2.84] s) strength; all P<.001 compared to the control group. Conclusions: This paper showed that a Web-based exercise program was effective in reversing the detriment in functional capacity and strength due to chemotherapy.The study was funded by a research project grant from the Andalusian Health Service, Junta de Andalucia, call for subsidies for the financing of biomedical research and health sciences in Andalusia (SAS-0457-2010) and by the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU14/01069 and FPU17/00939)

Effect of mHealth plus occupational therapy on cognitive function, mood and physical function in people after cancer: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Supplementary material associated with this article can be found, in the online version, at doi:10.1016/j.rehab.2022.101681Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Plan Estatal de I+D+I 2013-2016)Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI14/01627)Fondos Estructurales de la Unión Europea (FEDER)Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU14/01069 and FPU18/03575)University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Excellence Actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES)Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBU