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Assessment of Dietary Sodium, Potassium and Sodium-Potassium Ratio Intake by 72 h Dietary Recall and Comparison with a 24 h Urinary Sodium and Potassium Excretion in Dominican Adults
No full textPublisher Copyright: © 2025 by the authors.Background: PAHO-WHO reports that sodium intake is currently high in the Caribbean. The objective was to estimate sodium (Na) and potassium (K) intakes by 72 h dietary recall and compare them with those obtained from 24 h urinary excretion in Dominican adults. Methods: A total of 69 adults (33 men) completed a 3-day dietary recall with emphasis on added salt and seasonings. The 24 h urine samples were analysed by indirect potentiometry using the membrane ion-selective electrode technique. The WHO-PAHO Questionnaire on Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour toward Dietary Salt and Health was completed. Results: Dietary Na intake ranged from 1.0 to 8.3 g. Median dietary and urinary Na concentrations were similar (2.7 and 2.5 mmol/d). Mean dietary Na and K concretertentrations were higher than those excreted in 24 h urine (133.0 ± 59.7 vs. 103.7 ± 44.5 mmol Na/d, p = 0.001; 69.0 ± 21.0 vs. 36 ± 16.3 mmol K/d, p < 0.001). The Na-to-K ratio was lower in dietary than in 24 h urine samples (2.0 ± 1.1 vs. 3.2 ± 1.6 mmol/d, p < 0.001). Urinary Na concentration was associated with sex (r = 0.280, p = 0.020) and obesity (r = 0.244, p = 0.043) and K with sex (r = 0.356, p = 0.003). Urinary Na-to-K was inversely related to age (r= −0.291, p = 0.015). Sex and obesity explained 11% of the variance in urinary Na concentration and sex only of the variance in urinary K concentration. The only significant correlation between dietary and urinary concentrations was that of K (r = 0.342, p = 0.004). This correlation matrix, controlled for overweight and sex, maintained the level of significance and was equal in almost 12% of the data. Conclusions: These data, which are the first data on Na and K intakes in Dominicans assessed by dietary assessment, showed a higher mean sodium intake (mean of dietary recall and urinary excretion data: 2.7 g Na, 6.8 g salt/day) and a lower K intake (2.06 g/day) than the WHO recommendations (<2.0 g Na, ≥3.5 g K). Potassium, but not sodium, intake from 72 h food recall and 24 h urinary excretion showed a correlation when controlling for sex and obesity, but not enough to consider them interchangeable.Peer reviewe
Characteristics of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use in elite Spanish basketball players
Full text linkPublisher Copyright: 2025 Crespo, Herranz, Estella, Morencos, Herranz and Rodas.Introduction: Previous research has shown how menstrual-related symptoms (e.g., abdominal cramps, tiredness/fatigue) can limit athletes’ ability to train. Nonetheless, the specific characteristics of the menstrual cycle (MC) and their relationship with performance, well-being, and injuries in athletes are not well understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to better understand the characteristics of the MC (menarche, length, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, etc.) and the use of hormonal contraceptives among the elite Spanish basketball players. Methods: A total of 228 healthy elite female basketball players from both first division and second division of the Spanish league were included in this cross-sectional study. Subjects were assessed for MC characteristics using a validated questionnaire. Results: The menarche age in the study population was 13.21 ± 1.55 years. The majority of players (78.51%) experienced a regular MC of 27.69 ± 3.78 days, with a range from 17 to 40 days. One hundred ninety-eight out of the 228 players surveyed (86.84%) experienced dysmenorrhea during their periods, and 41.67% took pain medication. Moreover, 77.63% of the players showed symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Amenorrhea was also reported by 22.81% of them, and 3.51% of the players had been pregnant at some point in their lives. No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing the characteristics of the MC between first and second division players. Less than a quarter of the studied population referred using hormonal contraceptives regularly. Conclusion: MC alterations are prevalent among female basketball players. More research is necessary to understand how this can affect the quality of life, the performance, and the injury susceptibility of female athletes.Peer reviewe
Acompañamiento educativo. Revisión exploratoria de publicaciones académicas.
Full text linkPublisher Copyright: Copyright © 2025 López González, Crespí and Gambarini.Introduction: Educational accompaniment (EA) has gained increasing relevance in recent years, particularly in Spain, with applications across education, healthcare, and social domains. Despite its growing presence, there is no comprehensive synthesis of the academic literature on EA. This review aims to identify and analyze the main models, definitions, and benefits associated with EA. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using three databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and nDICEs-CSIC. The search focused exclusively on the term educational accompaniment, which narrowed the scope but ensured conceptual specificity. Inclusion criteria targeted studies that explicitly addressed EA, excluding those using the term in a colloquial or unrelated sense. A total of 28 studies were selected and analyzed following PRISMA guidelines. Results: The review identified four distinct paradigms of EA: psychosocial, personalist, socio-educational, and competency-based. Each model is grounded in specific theoretical and methodological frameworks. An integrated definition of EA is proposed as an intentional educational action through which one person enlightens and supports another in their integral development, facilitating their autonomy, maturity, and realization of a fulfilling life. Key findings highlight the importance of the quality of the accompaniment relationship, sustained engagement, practitioner training, and stakeholder coordination. Reported benefits include enhanced learner autonomy, holistic development, and improved employability. Discussion: EA emerges as a salient and evolving discipline with strong theoretical foundations and practical relevance. It is increasingly recognized as a valuable pedagogical approach in diverse fields, including education, healthcare, and social services, where its relational and formative nature supports autonomy, personal growth, and holistic development.Peer reviewe
Are Plant-Based Diets Detrimental to Muscular Strength? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Full text linkPublisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.Background: The increasing interest in plant-based diets (PBDs) results from their beneficial impact on human health and environmental sustainability. However, the effect of PBDs on muscular strength in athletes remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the impact of PBDs on muscular strength compared to omnivorous diets in adult populations. Methods: The methodology was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to ensure a comprehensive and transparent review process. Four electronic databases—MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus—were searched from their inception to September 2, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the impact of PBDs on the lower body, upper body, and overall muscular strength were included. The risk of bias for the included RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were used to estimate effect sizes, and multiple random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using an inverse variance model with Paule-Mandel adjustment. Results: Eight RCTs met the inclusion criteria, involving a total of 188 participants (46% women; mean age between 20 and 65 years). The meta-analysis indicated that there were no significant differences between PBDs and omnivorous diets in terms of upper body muscular strength (SMD, − 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], − 0.50 to 0.27; n = 146), lower body muscular strength (SMD, 0.18; 95% CI, − 0.31 to 0.67; n = 188), and overall muscular strength (SMD, 0.21; 95% CI, − 0.16 to 0.58; n = 188). Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggests that PBDs do not compromise muscular strength compared to omnivorous diets. Further investigation considering key nutrients is necessary to ascertain the long-term effects of these dietary patterns on strength outcomes.Peer reviewe
Harnessing Extended Reality for Neurocognitive Training in Chronic Pain : State of the Art, Opportunities, and Future Directions
No full textPublisher Copyright: © 2025 by the authors.Chronic pain is a significant burden affecting more than 30% of people worldwide. Within the multiple biopsychosocial factors affected in people suffering from chronic pain, neurocognitive impairments represent a significant but often under-recognized aspect of the chronic pain experience that impacts daily life and healthcare. Multiple neurocognitive domains, including attention, executive function, learning, and memory, have been commonly associated with chronic pain. Within novel approaches, extended reality (XR) has been highlighted for its potential in chronic pain management. XR offers unique features to enhance traditional neurocognitive interventions, including dual tasks, gamification, ecological validity, and enriched experience, to increase engagement and motivation in rehabilitation. This systematic–narrative hybrid literature review aims to shed light on the potential benefits, challenges, and future directions of XR technology to address neurocognitive impairments associated with chronic pain. While preliminary evidence suggests that XR-based neurocognitive training may be beneficial in overcoming neurocognitive impairments found in chronic pain, some challenges still need to be addressed for effective translation into clinical practice. Within a transdiagnostic approach, XR-based neurocognitive training appears to be valuable across different diagnoses in chronic pain, wherein XR may emerge as a promising first-line intervention toward personalized multimodal management for chronic pain. Despite the rapid development of substantial growing evidence for XR, enhanced methodological rigor and reporting quality are recommended in future studies. More research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms and optimal application of XR-based neurocognitive training in different chronic pain conditions.Peer reviewe
The Sacramental Meaning of Creation in C. S. LewisChrist, the Church, Humanity, and the World
Full text linkPublisher Copyright: © 2025 Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid. All rights reserved.The aim of this paper is to analyze the particular meaning C. S. Lewis assigns to reality from a sacramental perspective, focusing on four key realities: Christ, the Church, humanity, and the world. Through specific examples from his works, the article demonstrates how Lewis interprets all of creation as a sacrament, a novel idea in the existing scholarship on the author. Lewis perceives the elements of the visible world as signs pointing to a deeper reality, their Creator, thus participating in a Christian tradition linked to medieval theology. The study is divided into two parts: the first explores Lewis’s definition and conceptualization of the sacrament, and the second applies this concept to the aforementioned sacramental realities. The conclusion asserts that, for Lewis, all of creation functions as a sacrament, with a hierarchy among its elements, as each reflects the divine imprint left by the Creator.Peer reviewe
Decoding Micro-Credentials : Analysis of Initial Intentions and Early Implementations in the Erasmus+ Framework
Full text linkPublisher Copyright: © 2025, Commonwealth of Learning. All rights reserved.Micro-credentials have gained significant interest due to their potential to create flexible learning pathways and offer real-time, up-to-date training for the rapidly evolving labour market. Additionally, international organisations have highlighted their capacity to elevate the value of non-formal education and foster inclusive higher education ecosystems involving diverse stakeholders. This research critically examined the initial conceptualisation of micro-credentials, as presented in foundational OECD and European Commission documents, emphasising their objectives, their role in formal and non-formal education, and the inclusion of diverse actors. A systematic review of completed Erasmus+ projects integrating micro-credentials was conducted using the PRISMA protocol to explore their practical application, including the types of competencies developed, delivery frameworks, and actors involved. Findings reveal a disconnect between the initial intentions and real-world implementations, with a predominant focus on professional competencies, limited engagement with non-formal education, and insufficient involvement of diverse stakeholders. The study concludes with recommendations to harness the full potential of micro-credentials to revitalise higher education by embracing a holistic, inclusive, and equity-driven approach.Peer reviewe
FORMATS, Taxonomy for the Study of Audiovisual Seriality
Full text linkPublisher Copyright: © 2025, VisualCOM Scientific Publications. All rights reserved.This article examines the state of the art in narrative genre and format concepts, demonstrating the laxity of the former and justifying the analytical practicality of the latter. It proposes a 12-parameter tool for taxonomising serialised audiovisual fiction formats. The application of this tool to case studies that will also examine plot structures will help to identify the determinants (possibilities and limitations) that certain production variables, initially considered merely technical or formal, impose on content development. These include the narratives and the poetic possible worlds in which they unfold.Peer reviewe
The association between internet-use-disorder symptoms and loneliness : A systematic review and meta-analysis with a categorical approach
No full textPublisher Copyright: © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press.Loneliness may lead individuals to spend more time on the internet and increase the likelihood of experiencing internet-use disorders. Similarly, individuals with internet-use disorders may feel lonelier. In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, pre-registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023390483), we quantified associations between internet-use-disorder symptoms (e.g. internet gaming disorder and online gambling disorder) and loneliness. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and an institutional database aggregator for references that compared degrees of loneliness in groups of individuals with and without symptoms of internet-use disorder. Means and standard deviations of loneliness, or alternatively, odds ratios, were transformed into Cohen's d for statistical pooling through a random-effects model. After screening 2,369 reports, we extracted data from 23 studies. The total number of individuals across the studies was 36,484. Participants were between 13 and 30 years of age (median 20). The pooled difference between those with and without internet-use-disorder symptoms yielded a standardized effect (Cohen's d) of 0.53 (95% CI 0.35-0.7). While heterogeneity was high, there was no indication of publication or small sample biases. Similar effect sizes were found when limiting to specific types of internet-use disorder symptoms. Moreover, meta-regressions did not show an effect of age, sex, or sample size. Individuals with symptoms of internet-use disorders scored 49.35 (43.84-54.85) points on the UCLA-Loneliness scale on average, compared to 43.78 (37.47-50.08) in individuals without symptoms of internet-use disorders (Standardized Mean Difference: 5.18, 95% CI = 2.05-8.34). Individuals with internet-use-disorder symptoms experience greater loneliness. The effect appears moderately sized.Peer reviewe