Search

Difficulties in implementing effective instruction for at‐risk students arise from two challenges: the transfer of evidence‐based knowledge and the lack of economic resources. Computer‐assisted programmes offer a suitable solution, providing quality instruction using low‐cost resources. Thirty‐two first‐grade students with early learning difficulties were identified and paired based on at least three of the pre‐intervention reading measures (reading efficiency of monosyllabic and disyllabic items, words, pseudowords and text reading speed). Each pair was assigned to one of two different intervention programmes: a computer‐assisted intervention programme (CAIP) focused on syllables or the programme provided by the Spanish State School Assistance Services (SSAS). Every week, the CAIP participants received in pairs four 15‐min training sessions on syllable decoding plus one 30‐min group comprehension session. The CAIP was delivered by trainee students. The SSAS programme typically consisted of a 1‐hr individual or in small groups sessions per week delivered by trained practitioners. Both programmes were administered for 11 weeks. The CAIP intervention showed better results than the SSAS intervention for both decoding and comprehension, with moderate to large effect sizes. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Implementing effective instruction for at‐risk students presents two challenges: evidence‐based knowledge transfer and lack of economic resources.The use of computer‐assisted programmes to provide quality instruction for at‐risk students is not a common practise in the Spanish context. What this paper adds: A comparison between a computer‐assisted instructional programme (CAIP) and a programme provided by the Spanish State School Assistance Services (SSAS).A programme designed to be applied by professionals or non‐professionals with minor guidance.The CAIP intervention showed better results after 11 weeks of application, replicating the positive effects of computer programmes in other languages. Implications for practise and/or policy: Findings showed that computer programmes represent an effective tool for the transfer of scientific knowledge to educational practise with little economic cost, minor teaching training and short time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Lipoatrophy is a long-term adverse effect of some antiretrovirals that affects quality of life, compromises adherence and may limit the clinical impact of HIV treatments. This paper explores the effect of tenofovir/emtricitabine ( TDF/ FTC) on the amount of limb fat in patients with virological suppression. Methods A randomized, prospective clinical trial was performed to compare continuation on a zidovudine/lamivudine ( ZDV/3TC)-based regimen with switching to a TDF/ FTC-based regimen in terms of the effect on limb fat mass as assessed by DEXA over a 72-week period. Results Eighty patients were included (39 in the TDF/ FTC arm and 41 in the ZDV/3 TC arm) and 73 completed the study (37 and 36, respectively). In the switch arm, limb fat increased by a median of 540 g from baseline ( P = 0.022), while in the ZDV/3TC arm it decreased by a median of 379 g ( P = 0.112; p between groups = 0.007). Subjects with baseline limb fat ≤ 7200 g, previous time on ZDV > 5 years or a body mass index > 25 kg/m2 experienced higher limb fat gains than other subjects, and these differences were statistically significant. Haemoglobin increased by a median of 1.0 g/d L in the TDF/ FTC arm ( P < 0.001) and remained unchanged in the ZDV/3TC arm (p between groups = 0.0002). There were no significant differences between groups in other secondary endpoints (body weight, total body and trunk fat content, total body bone mineral density, laboratory parameters, CD4 cell count and viral load). Conclusions Switching from a ZDV/3TC-based to a TDF/ FTC-based regimen led to a statistically significant improvement in limb fat, in contrast to the progressive loss of limb fat in subjects continuing ZDV/3TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To compare the effect of two newly formulated chlorhexidine ( CHX) and cetylpyridinium chloride ( CPC) mouthrinses after scaling and root planing ( SRP) in terms of clinical, microbiological, patient-based variables and adverse events, with a positive control with the same active components, already marketed and tested. Methods A pilot, randomized clinical trial, double-blind, parallel design with 1-month follow-up was conducted. Chronic periodontitis patients requiring non-surgical periodontal therapy were enrolled and randomly assigned to: (i) SRP and test-1 (new reformulation: 0.12% CHX and 0.05% CPC); (ii) SRP and test-2 (new formulation: 0.03% CHX and 0.05% CPC); or (iii) SRP and positive control (commercial product: 0.12% CHX and 0.05% CPC). All variables were evaluated at baseline and 1 month after SRP. Quantitative variables were compared by means of anova or Kruskal-Wallis test and qualitative variables by chi-square or McNemar tests. Results Thirty patients (10 per group) were included. After 1 month, there were significant differences among groups in plaque levels ( P = 0.016) as test-1 showed less sites with plaque than test-2 (31.15% [standard error- SE 2.21%] versus 49.39% [ SE 4.60%), respectively). No significant differences were found for global patient perception of the product or in adverse effects. Test groups showed better results in levels and proportions ( P = 0.022) of Capnocytophaga spp. Conclusions Within the limitations of this pilot study, it can be concluded that the newly formulated 0.12% CHX and 0.05% CPC mouthrinse showed larger plaque level reductions, without showing more adverse effects, when compared to the other two mouthrinses, after SRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To assess the efficacy of a 0.07% cetylpyridinium chloride ( CPC) mouth rinse in the control of plaque and gingival inflammation during a 6-month period. Material and Methods Adult subjects with moderate gingivitis were selected [≥40% bleeding on marginal probing ( BOMP)]. After retrieving microbiological samples and evaluating the clinical parameters (plaque, BOMP and stain indexes), a professional prophylaxis was performed and subjects were randomly assigned to the test ( CPC mouth rinse) or to the placebo group. Subjects were re-assessed after 3 and 6 months. Results A total of 67 patients (35 test, 32 placebo) were included in the analysis. At 6 months, intra-group significant plaque reductions were observed in the test group (0.691, p < 0.001), but not in the placebo (0.181, p = 0.653). At 6 months, the mean BOMP values were lower in the test group ( p = 0.052). Changes between baseline and 6 months were significantly higher in the test group both for plaque ( p = 0.002) and BOMP ( p = 0.037) when compared with the placebo. A microbiological impact was observed in the test group, especially for Prevotella intermedia. Conclusion The evaluated 0.07% CPC-based mouth rinse, used three times per day adjunctively to mechanical tooth cleaning, prevents plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation, as compared to the placebo, for at least 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]