A single bout of breast milk expression does not increase resting metabolic rate

Introduction

Breastfeeding women have elevated resting metabolic rate (RMR); however, whether a single bout of lactation increases RMR is unknown. This study aimed to determine if a single bout of lactation acutely increased RMR.

Methods

Twenty-two lactating women (age: 31 ± 0.9 year, body mass index: 27.3 ± 1.2 kg/m²) were recruited. RMR was assessed at baseline and at 1- and 2-h following breast milk expression.

Results

RMR was unchanged in lactating women following a single bout of lactation (baseline: 1437 ± 39; 1 h: 1425 ± 37 2 h: 1440 ± 31 kcal/day) (p > .05). RMR was not correlated to daily milk produced (r = 0.05, p > .05), but was correlated to body mass (r = 0.74, p < .001), fat-free mass (kg) (r = 0.61, p < .01), and fat mass (kg) (r = 0.71, p < .01).

Conclusion

RMR in lactating women appears to be more related to body mass or composition in the postpartum period rather than lactation.     

Habit formation in context: Context-specific and context-free measures for tracking fruit consumption habit formation and behaviour

Objectives

Interventions promoting habitual fruit consumption have the potential to bring about long-term behaviour change. Assessing the effectiveness of such interventions requires adequate habit and behaviour measures. Habits are based on learned context-behaviour associations, so measures that incorporate context should be more sensitive to expected habit and behaviour changes than context-free measures. This study compared context-specific and context-free measures of fruit consumption habit and behaviour following a 3-week habit formation intervention.

Design

Prospective online study (n = 58).

Methods

Behaviour frequency was assessed across five timepoints, retrospectively (Time 1 [T1], T5) or via daily diary data (uploaded weekly at T2, T3 and T4). Habit strength was assessed before (T1) and immediately after the intervention (T4), and again 2 weeks later (T5). Analyses of variance were run, with time and context specificity as within-subject factors, and habit and behaviour frequency as dependent measures.

Results

An interaction between time and context specificity was found in both analyses (habit: F(2,114) = 12.848, p < .001, part.η² = .184; behaviour: F(2,114) = 6.714, p = .002, part.η² = .105). Expected habit formation patterns 5 weeks post-baseline were only detected by the context-specific habit measure. Likewise, increased behaviour frequency was only found when the target context was specified (p's < .001).

Conclusions

Assessments of purposeful dietary habit and behaviour change attempts should incorporate context-specific measurement.     

Exploring barriers and enablers to the delivery of Making Every Contact Count brief behavioural interventions in Ireland: A cross-sectional survey study

Objectives

The public health impact of the Irish Making Every Contact Count (MECC) brief intervention programme is dependent on delivery by health care professionals. We aimed to identify enablers and modifiable barriers to MECC intervention delivery to optimize MECC implementation.

Design

Online cross-sectional survey design.

Methods

Health care professionals (n = 4050) who completed MECC eLearning were invited to complete an online survey based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Multiple regression analysis identified predictors of MECC delivery (logistic regression to predict delivery or not; linear regression to predict frequency of delivery). Data were visualized using Confidence Interval-Based Estimates of Relevance (CIBER).

Results

Seventy-nine per cent of participants (n = 283/357) had delivered a MECC intervention. In the multiple logistic regression (Nagelkerke's R² = .34), the significant enablers of intervention delivery were ‘professional role’ (OR = 1.86 [1.10, 3.15]) and ‘intentions/goals’ (OR = 4.75 [1.97, 11.45]); significant barriers included ‘optimistic beliefs about consequences’ (OR = .41 [.18, .94]) and ‘negative emotions’ (OR = .50 [.32, .77]). In the multiple linear regression (R² = .29), the significant enablers of frequency of MECC delivery were ‘intentions/goals’ (b = 10.16, p = .02) and professional role (b = 6.72, p = .03); the significant barriers were ‘negative emotions’ (b = −4.74, p = .04) and ‘barriers to prioritisation’ (b = −5.00, p = .01). CIBER analyses suggested six predictive domains with substantial room for improvement: ‘intentions and goals’, ‘barriers to prioritisation’, ‘environmental resources’, ‘beliefs about capabilities’, ‘negative emotions’ and ‘skills’.

Conclusion

Implementation interventions to enhance MECC delivery should target intentions and goals, beliefs about capabilities, negative emotions, environmental resources, skills and barriers to prioritization.     

An experimental COVID-19 messaging study in a representative sample of the Scottish population: Increasing physical distancing intentions through self-efficacy

Objectives

Self-efficacy is important for adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours (e.g., physical distancing) as also shown in the CHARIS project. We aimed to show that a theory-based short message can increase physical distancing self-efficacy and intentions to keep physical distance.

Design

Structured telephone surveys with a randomly selected nationally representative sample of adults in Scotland (N = 497).

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions: message condition (short message to increase self-efficacy via vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion and emotional arousal) or control condition (no message). Followed by measures for self-efficacy and intention for physical distancing on 4-point scales. Adherence to physical distancing was assessed on a 5-point frequency scale (never – always).

Results

Using mediation analyses with bootstrapping procedures, we first confirmed that self-efficacy was associated indirectly with adherence, via higher intentions in a partial mediation (unstandardized indirect effect .21, 95% CI .18–.25). The message increased self-efficacy; participants receiving the message reported higher self-efficacy (M = 4.23, SD = .80) compared to participants in the control condition (M = 4.08, SD = .77; standardized regression coefficient = .19, p < .05) and self-efficacy affected intention (.48, p < .001). There was a small significant indirect effect of the message on intention via self-efficacy (unstandardized indirect effect .07, CI .01–.14).

Conclusions

Increasing self-efficacy for physical distancing with a short message can successfully increase intention to physical distance via increased self-efficacy. As both self-efficacy and intentions are important predictors of adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours short messages have potential to limit the spread of COVID-19.     

Utility of temporal self-regulation theory in health and social behaviours: A meta-analysis

Purpose

Temporal self-regulation theory was developed to address an observed intention-behaviour gap across behaviours. However, a synthesis of studies has not yet been conducted to investigate the theory's utility to explain behaviour and bridge the intention-behaviour gap. This review aimed to evaluate the predictive ability of temporal self-regulation theory to understanding behaviour and pre-registered at PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021253174).

Method

Forward citation searches on the original theory publication through Google Scholar until May 2021 identified 37 eligible articles, including, 12,555 participants assessing at least two of the three theory constructs. Random-effects meta-analyses assessed the strength of associations between theory constructs on behaviour and random effects meta-regressions assessed moderators of behaviour.

Results

Findings provide support for temporal self-regulation theory to explain behaviour with very weak (self-regulatory capacity r = .039, CI = .00, –.07) to moderate (intention r = .331, CI = .26, .40; behavioural pre-potency r = .379, CI = .32, .44) effect sizes. Further, the strength of associations varied across behaviour types and contexts. However, there was high heterogeneity across studies and some moderating effects could not be assessed due to insufficient numbers of studies assessing interactions.

Conclusions

We urge researchers to assess and report interactions for better understanding of the drivers of behaviour to develop effective interventions for positive behaviour change.     

Is There a Bidirectional Link Between Insomnia and Burnout? A Prospective Study in the Swedish Workforce

Background  

Insomnia and burnout have been suggested to form a bidirectional association.     

The Cognitive and Behavioural Responses to Symptoms Questionnaire (CBRQ): Development,reliability and validity across several long-term conditions

Objectives

Cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms can worsen or maintain the severity of symptoms across long-term conditions (LTCs). Although the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses Questionnaire (CBRQ) has been used in research, its original development and psychometric properties as a transdiagnostic measure have not been reported. Our aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CBRQ and a recently proposed short version, across different LTCs.

Design

Psychometric validation study.

Methods

Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested the factor structure of the CBRQ in two datasets from the CBRQ's original development; (chronic fatigue syndrome, N = 230; and multiple sclerosis, N = 221) and in additional groups: haemodialysis (N = 174), inflammatory bowel disease (N = 182) and chronic dizziness (N = 185). Scale reliability and construct validity were assessed. The factor structure of the shortened CBRQ (CBRQ-SF) was also assessed.

Results

CFA revealed that a 7-or 8-factor structure had generally appropriate fit supporting the originally proposed 7 factors (Fear avoidance, Damage beliefs, Catastrophising, Embarrassment avoidance, Symptom focusing, All-or-nothing behaviour and Avoidance/Resting behaviour). Omega coefficients indicated satisfactory internal reliability. Correlations with related constructs suggested construct validity. The scale appeared sensitive to change. The CBRQ-SF also displayed good psychometric quality, with a better model fit than the CBRQ.

Conclusions

The CBRQ and the shortened version were shown to be reliable and valid at assessing a range of cognitive and behavioural responses to symptoms, highlighting the multi-symptom, transdiagnostic properties of this questionnaire. Further research is necessary to determine the test–retest reliability and sensitivity to change of the CBRQ and CBRQ-SF and a thorough evaluation of the content validity of the items.     

Comparative inhibition by bilastine and cetirizine of histamine-induced wheal and flare responses in humans

Objective and design  

Comparison of bilastine and cetirizine in inhibiting skin wheal and flare responses over 24 h.     

Response to comment on: Exp Brain Res. 2011 May 5th. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of macaque frontal eye fields decreases saccadic reaction time. Pierre Pouget PhD,Nicolas Wattiez MSc and Antoni Valero-Cabre MDPhD

Abstract  

(not available)     

Teaching clinical informatics to third-year medical students: negative results from two controlled trials

Background  

Prior educational interventions to increase seeking evidence by medical students have been unsuccessful.     

Anthropometric characterization of spleen in children

Purpose  

This paper aims to characterize the 3D geometry of the child spleen which is still unknown.     

A review of randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of hand held computers with paper methods for data collection

Background  

Handheld computers are increasingly favoured over paper and pencil methods to capture data in clinical research.     

An evaluation of the hypolipidemic effect of an extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa leaves in hyperlipidemic Indians: a double blind,placebo controlled trial

Background  

Hibiscus sabdariffa is used regularly in folk medicine to treat various conditions.     

A mediator model of sunscreen use: a longitudinal analysis of social-cognitive predictors and mediators

Background  

Sun safety behaviors to prevent skin cancer, such as sunscreen use, are difficult to adopt and maintain.     

Morphologic and immunophenotypic evidence of in-situ Kaposi's sarcoma

Background  

The spectrum of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has been expanded to include pre-KS lesions.     

Evaluation of testicular vein anatomy with multidetector computed tomography

Purpose  

We aimed to evaluate the normal anatomy and variations of testicular veins by multidetector CT (MDCT).     

Impact of anxiety,stress and depression related to COVID-19 pandemic on the course of hereditary angioedema with C1-inhibitor deficiency

Background

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks can be provoked with psychological factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of anxiety, depression and stress related to COVID-19 pandemic on disease activity of HAE patients during the quarantine period (QP) and the return to normal period (RTNP).

Methods

This study was conducted between March 2020 and September 2020 in four allergy centres. Demographic, clinical features and mental health status were evaluated in QP (from March to the beginning of June) and RTNP (from June to the beginning of September) applied by the government. The 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS10) was used to define the severity of HAE attacks. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) and Fear of COVID-19 (FC-19) scale were performed to assess mental health status.

Results

139 HAE patients were included in the study. In QP, median attack numbers and median VAS10 scores were 5 (min-max: 0–45) and 6 (min-max: 0–10), respectively. HAE attack numbers, DASS-21 stress, anxiety, depression and total DASS-21 scores, and FC-19 scores were higher in QP than RTNP (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). However, there was no difference in attack severity scores between the two periods (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

This study revealed that the restriction measures during COVID-19 outbreak cause an increase in the number of HAE attacks in relation to anxiety, depression, stress and fear of COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to provide psychological support to HAE patients during the pandemic.

     

The retinacula of Weitbrecht in the adult hip

Purpose  

The aim of the study was to describe the retinacula of Weitbrecht in the adult hip.     

Physical activity and sedentary behavior show distinct associations with tissue-specific insulin sensitivity in adults with overweight

Aim

The aim of this study is to investigate associations between the physical activity (PA) spectrum (sedentary behavior to exercise) and tissue-specific insulin resistance (IR).

Methods

We included 219 participants for analysis (median [IQR]: 61 [55; 67] years, BMI 29.6 [26.9; 32.0] kg/m²; 60% female) with predominant muscle or liver IR, as determined using a 7-point oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). PA and sedentary behavior were measured objectively (ActivPAL) across 7 days. Context-specific PA was assessed with the Baecke questionnaire. Multiple linear regression models (adjustments include age, sex, BMI, site, season, retirement, and dietary intake) were used to determine associations between the PA spectrum and hepatic insulin resistance index (HIRI), muscle insulin sensitivity index (MISI) and whole-body IR (HOMA-IR, Matsuda index).

Results

In fully adjusted models, objectively measured total PA (standardized regression coefficient β = 0.17, p = 0.020), light-intensity PA (β = 0.15, p = 0.045) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (β = 0.13, p = 0.048) were independently associated with Matsuda index, but not HOMA-IR (p > 0.05). A higher questionnaire-derived sport index and leisure index were associated with significantly lower whole-body IR (Matsuda, HOMA-IR) in men but not in women. Results varied across tissues: more time spent sedentary (β = −0.24, p = 0.045) and a higher leisure index (β = 0.14, p = 0.034) were respectively negatively and positively associated with MISI, but not HIRI. A higher sport index was associated with lower HIRI (β = −0.30, p = 0.007, in men only).

Conclusion

While we confirm a beneficial association between PA and whole-body IR, our findings indicate that associations between the PA spectrum and IR seem distinct depending on the primary site of insulin resistance (muscle or liver).