The objective of this study is to establish a methodological proposal in order to carry out qualitative systematic reviews and apply these findings to a review of Omega-3 Fatty Acids with respect to health and illness. Based on a methodological proposal, a general protocol was developed to provide a sound basis for the preparation of the reviews in this journal supplement. A systematic technique was proposed in order to revise the existing scientific literature on Omega-3 Fatty Acids, with particular emphasis on aspects relating to health and illness. The aim of qualitative systematic reviews is to collate and summarise the results of the primary studies reviewed which will be carried out through a descriptive synthesis. It can be concluded that systematic reviews provide a summary of the existing primary documents on a specific scientific question. The detailed and explicit methods used lead to the identification, critical evaluation and synthesis of the scientific literature. Furthermore, both bias and random effects are reduced, resulting in more reliable data from which to draw conclusions and make recommendations to support decision-making.
Assessing sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, in institutionalized older adults is a challenging task. Data on its prevalence in residential facilities are scant and highly variable. Our objective was to report the prevalence of sarcopenia in older adults living in residential facilities (nursing/long term-care homes and assisted-living facilities) and review the criteria and methodologies used to diagnose sarcopenia in this setting. Bibliographic searches were carried out in 6 electronic databases (Medline via PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, LILACS, and Cochrane) with the use of the Medical Subject Heading terms "Sarcopenia" and "Residential Facilities." We included studies that evaluated the prevalence of sarcopenia among older adults (aged ≥60 y) living in residential facilities. Forty-four studies were identified, of which 21 studies were included after applying eligibility criteria. The reported prevalence of sarcopenia ranged widely between 17.7% and 73.3% in long term-care homes and between 22% and 87% in assisted-living facilities. Most studies (n = 14) followed the consensus on sarcopenia diagnosis published by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. In the other 7 studies, sarcopenia was diagnosed according to muscle mass, which was measured via 5 different techniques, most frequently bioelectrical impedance analysis, establishing cutoff scores for low muscle mass with the use of 5 different indexes, most frequently the skeletal muscle index. There are major differences in study design, methodology, and the approach to sarcopenia diagnosis in this setting, which would, in part, explain the enormous variability in the reported prevalence data. The lack of consensus on the correct diagnostic approach hampers the implementation of appropriate nutritional interventions.
BackgroundThe internet is now the primary source of information that young people use to get information on issues related to sex, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections.ObjectiveThe goal of the research was to review the scientific literature related to the use of Web 2.0 tools as opposed to other strategies in the prevention of curable sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).MethodsA scoping review was performed on the documentation indexed in the bibliographic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud, PsycINFO, Educational Resources Information Center, the databases of Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas in Spain, and the Índice Bibliográfico Español de Ciencias de la Salud from the first available date according to the characteristics of each database until April 2017. The equation search was realized by means of the using of descriptors together with the consultation of the fields of title register and summary with free terms. Bibliographies of the selected papers were searched for additional articles.ResultsA total of 627 references were retrieved, of which 6 papers were selected after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The STDs studied were chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The Web 2.0 tools used were Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. The 6 papers used Web 2.0 in the promotion of STD detection.ConclusionsWeb 2.0 tools have demonstrated a positive effect on the promotion of prevention strategies for STDs and can help attract and link youth to campaigns related to sexual health. These tools can be combined with other interventions. In any case, Web 2.0 and especially Facebook have all the potential to become essential instruments for public health.
Food consumers understand and value easily recognizable logos more than the information found on nutritional composition labels. Therefore, use of alternative logos that facilitate this information and are also standardized could be justified. This situation is reinforced because the inclusion of symbols that are easily understandable favors the most adequate choice by consumers.
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