Ecological Location of a Water Source and Spatial Dynamics of Behavior Under Temporally Scheduled Water Deliveries in a Modified Open-Field System: An Integrative Approach.

It has been reported in non-contingent schedules that the variety of patterns of behavior is affected by the temporal variation of water deliveries. While temporal variation is accomplished by delivering water at fixed or variable times, spatial variation is usually accomplished by varying the number of dispensers and distance among them. Such criteria do not consider the possible ecological relevance of the location of water dispensers. Nevertheless, it is plausible to suppose that the intersection of the programed contingencies (e.g., time-based schedules), the ecological differentiated space (e.g., open vs. closed zones), and the relative location of relevant objects and events (e.g., location of the water source-peripherical vs. center zone) could set up an integrated system with the behavioral patterns of the organism. In the present study, we evaluated the eco-functional relevance of two locations of the dispensers upon behavioral dynamics in Wistar rats using fixed and variable time schedules in a modified open-field system. In Experiment 1, three subjects were exposed to a fixed time 30-s water delivery schedule. In the first condition, the water dispenser was located at the center of the experimental chamber. In the second condition, the water dispenser was located at the center of a wall of the experimental chamber. Each location was present for 20 sessions. In Experiment 2, conditions were the same, but a variable time schedule was used. Routes, distance to the dispenser, recurrence patterns, time spent in zones, entropy, and divergence were analyzed. Our findings suggest a robust differential relevance of the location of the dispensers that should be considered in studies evaluating behavioral dynamics. Results are discussed from an integrative, ecological-parametric framework.

Effectiveness of interventions for the reversal of a metabolic syndrome diagnosis: An update of a meta-analysis of mixed treatment comparison studies / Efectividad de las intervenciones para revertir el diagnóstico del síndrome metabólico: actualización de un metaanálisis de comparación mixta de tratamientos

Introduction: Identifying the most effective interventions to reverse the metabolic syndrome can be key in the design of clinical strategies to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Objective: To estimate the effect size of the interventions used for the reversal of metabolic syndrome. Materials and methods: We searched in Embase and Medline databases for randomized clinical trials with an outcome defined as the reversal of the metabolic syndrome diagnosis. We classified the interventions in four dimensions: 1) lifestyle (diet and exercise); 2) pharmaceuticals; 3) a combination of both, and 4) control groups, and we conducted a mixed treatment comparison analysis. Results: Additional to the previous meta-analysis published by Dunkley, et al. in 2012, we dentified two other studies. Lifestyle interventions had 2.61 more chances to achieve the reversal of the metabolic syndrome than the control group, with a credible interval between 1.00 and 5.47. Pharmaceutical treatments showed a 3.39 higher chance of reversing the syndrome compared with the control group, but the credible interval was estimated from 0.81 to 9.99. Lifestyle interventions had 1.59 more chance of reversal than the pharmaceutical treatments. Conclusion: Diet and physical activity-based interventions had a higher probability of effectiveness to reverse a metabolic syndrome diagnosis.

Introducción. El conocer las intervenciones más efectivas para revertir el síndrome metabólico es clave para el diseño de estrategias clínicas de prevención de enfermedades como la diabetes mellitus de tipo 2 y la enfermedad cardiovascular. Objetivo. Sintetizar el tamaño del efecto de las intervenciones disponibles para revertir un diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo la búsqueda en Embase y Medline, incluyendo los ensayos clínicos en los que la variable "respuesta" se definía como la reversión del diagnóstico del síndrome metabólico. Se categorizaron las intervenciones en cuatro dimensiones: 1) estilo de vida (dieta y ejercicio); 2) farmacia; 3) combinación de estilo de vida y farmacia, y 4) grupos de control; finalmente, se hizo una comparación mixta de tratamientos. Resultados. Se detectaron dos estudios adicionales a los incluidos en el metaanálisis publicado por Dunkley, et al., en el 2012. Se estimó que las intervenciones relacionadas con el estilo de vida tuvieron 2,61 veces (intervalo de credibilidad entre 1,00 y 5,47) más probabilidades de revertir el síndrome metabólico que las de los grupos de control y las relacionadas con los tratamientos farmacéuticos, una probabilidad de 3,39 veces más que las del grupo de control, pero con un intervalo de credibilidad entre 0,81 y 9,99. Las intervenciones sobre el estilo de vida tuvieron 1,59 veces más probabilidades de revertir el síndrome metabólico que las del tratamiento farmacéutico. Conclusión. Las estrategias basadas en la dieta y la actividad física de las personas, tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de ser más efectivas para revertir el diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico.

Efectividad de las intervenciones para revertir el diagnóstico del síndrome metabólico: actualización de un metaanálisis de comparación mixta de tratamientos / Effectiveness of interventions for the reversal of a metabolic syndrome diagnosis: An update of a meta-analysis of mixed treatment comparison studies

Introducción. El conocer las intervenciones más efectivas para revertir el síndrome metabólico es clave para el diseño de estrategias clínicas de prevención de enfermedades como la diabetes mellitus de tipo 2 y la enfermedad cardiovascular. Objetivo. Sintetizar el tamaño del efecto de las intervenciones disponibles para revertir un diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo la búsqueda en Embase y Medline, incluyendo los ensayos clínicos en los que la variable "respuesta" se definía como la reversión del diagnóstico del síndrome metabólico. Se categorizaron las intervenciones en cuatro dimensiones: 1) estilo de vida (dieta y ejercicio); 2) farmacia; 3) combinación de estilo de vida y farmacia, y 4) grupos de control; finalmente, se hizo una comparación mixta de tratamientos. Resultados. Se detectaron dos estudios adicionales a los incluidos en el metaanálisis publicado por Dunkley, et al., en el 2012. Se estimó que las intervenciones relacionadas con el estilo de vida tuvieron 2,61 veces (intervalo de credibilidad entre 1,00 y 5,47) más probabilidades de revertir el síndrome metabólico que las de los grupos de control y las relacionadas con los tratamientos farmacéuticos, una probabilidad de 3,39 veces más que las del grupo de control, pero con un intervalo de credibilidad entre 0,81 y 9,99. Las intervenciones sobre el estilo de vida tuvieron 1,59 veces más probabilidades de revertir el síndrome metabólico que las del tratamiento farmacéutico. Conclusión. Las estrategias basadas en la dieta y la actividad física de las personas, tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de ser más efectivas para revertir el diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico.

Introduction: Identifying the most effective interventions to reverse the metabolic syndrome can be key in the design of clinical strategies to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Objective: To estimate the effect size of the interventions used for the reversal of metabolic syndrome. Materials and methods: We searched in Embase and Medline databases for randomized clinical trials with an outcome defined as the reversal of the metabolic syndrome diagnosis. We classified the interventions in four dimensions: 1) lifestyle (diet and exercise); 2) pharmaceuticals; 3) a combination of both, and 4) control groups, and we conducted a mixed treatment comparison analysis. Results: Additional to the previous meta-analysis published by Dunkley, et al. in 2012, we identified two other studies. Lifestyle interventions had 2.61 more chances to achieve the reversal of the metabolic syndrome than the control group, with a credible interval between 1.00 and 5.47. Pharmaceutical treatments showed a 3.39 higher chance of reversing the syndrome compared with the control group, but the credible interval was estimated from 0.81 to 9.99. Lifestyle interventions had 1.59 more chance of reversal than the pharmaceutical treatments. Conclusion: Diet and physical activity-based interventions had a higher probability of effectiveness to reverse a metabolic syndrome diagnosis.

Prevalence and risk factors of lens opacities in the elderly in Cuenca, Spain.

PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence of lens opacities in a group of elderly people and evaluate their relation with diverse risk factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study of the cohort of all persons over the age of 64 years from an urban area and a rural nucleus of the province of Cuenca, Spain. Information on sociodemographic parameters and smoking was compiled using a structured questionnaire. A physical examination was made in which weight, height, and waist circumference were measured, and an ophthalmologic examination was made of visual acuity and lens opacities. Cataracts were classified using the method of the WHO cataract group. RESULTS: The study included 1155 subjects out of 1435 elderly persons who were invited to participate (response rate 80.5%). The prevalence of cataract in men was 69.2% and in women, 65.5% (p>0.05). The percentage of persons with aphakia/pseudophakia was 17.8% in men and 17.5% in women (p>0.05). In a logistic regression model, age, obesity of more than 35 kg/m2, and low educational level were associated with the presence of cataract or aphakia/pseudophakia. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cataract in people over 64 years is similar to that of other countries, but the prevalence of subjects with previous surgery for cataracts is the highest reported in the literature. Age, body mass index of more than 35 kg/m2, and low educational level were associated with the probability of having cataracts or undergoing surgery for cataracts.