Non-intervention Condition Research Articles

Neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in the central nervous system injuries: a systematic review.

The number of people with central nervous system (CNS) injuries increases worldwide and only a few therapies are used to mitigate neurological damage. Crude extracts, compounds, and isolated molecules obtained from plants have neuroprotective effects; however, their actions on the central nervous system are still not fully understood. This systematic review investigated the neuroprotective effects of crude extracts, compound, and isolated molecules obtained from plants in different CNS lesions. This PICO (Population/Problem, Intervention, Control, Outcome) systematic review included in vivo and in vitro studies that used small rodents as experimental models of CNS injuries (P) treated with crude extracts, compounds, and/or isolated molecules obtained from plants (I), compared to non-intervention conditions (C), and that showed a neuroprotective effect (O). Fourteen out of 5,521 studies were selected for qualitative analysis. Several neuroprotective effects (improvement of antioxidant activity, modulation of the inflammatory response, tissue preservation, motor and cognitive recovery) in the brain and spinal cord were reported after treatment with different doses of crude extracts (10 studies), compounds (2 studies), and isolated molecules (2 studies). Crude extracts, compounds, or isolated molecules obtained from plants showed promising neuroprotective effects against several CNS injuries in both the brain and spinal cord, regardless of gender and age, through the modulation of inflammatory activity and oxidative biochemistry, tissue preservation, and recovery of motor and cognitive activity.

Determining the Impact of an Educational Intervention on Family Medicine Residents’ Social Cognitions and Behavior for Discussing Physical Activity

Problem: Primary care providers are recognized as important advocates for physical activity (PA); yet, clinical PA discussions remain infrequent. Educational approaches promoting the uptake of strategies that are proven to increase patient PA levels are effective for improving primary care providers’ social cognitions and behavior for discussing PA with patients. However, research on the effectiveness of such educational interventions among family medicine residents is limited. Intervention : Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), an interactive, educational intervention was developed to increase PA discussion between first year family medicine residents and their patients. This study aimed to determine the impact of the intervention on residents’ social cognitions and behavior for discussing PA with all adult (18–64 years) patients. Context : The intervention condition was comprised of 15 first year residents (2017/2018) who: (1) received the full intervention, and (2) completed both the pre- and post-intervention TPB questionnaires assessing changes in PA discussion social cognitions, and (3) had their medical charts reviewed for PA discussion behavior. The nonintervention condition was comprised of 15 first-year residents (2016/2017) who were randomly selected to have their medical charts reviewed for PA discussion behavior. Impact : Although no significant differences in social cognitions were observed pre- vs. post-intervention, intervention condition residents’ perceptions of feeling adequately trained to discuss PA increased post-intervention (p = 0.005). A difference in residents’ PA discussion behavior was observed between conditions at post (p = 0.01), where PA was discussed at more patient visits among intervention condition residents. Lessons Learned : Findings suggest that the observed effect of resident PA discussion behavior being greater in the intervention condition at post may be attributed to the intervention condition residents having received the theory-based, educational workshops. This study highlights the importance of educating and training residents on strategies for PA discussion; however, future interventions should address both the reflective and automatic processing aspects of behavior and strive to influence organizational factors that impact resident behavior for discussing PA. Supplemental data for this article is available online at at 10.1080/10401334.2021.1891542

Enhancer II-targeted dsRNA decreases GDNF expression via histone H3K9 trimethylation to inhibit glioblastoma progression

BackgroundGlial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is expressed in both astrocytes and glioblastoma (GBM) cells. GDNF expression is significantly increased in GBM, and inhibiting its expression can retard GBM progression. However, there is no known method for specific inhibition of GDNF in GBM cells. MethodsPromoter-targeted dsRNA-induced transcriptional gene silencing or activation was recently achieved in human cells. This approach has the potential to specifically regulate gene transcription via epigenetic modifications. In this study, we designed six candidate dsRNAs targeting the enhancer or silencer in GDNF gene promoter II to check their effects on GDNF transcription and GBM progression. ResultsAmong these dsRNAs, enhancer II-targeted dsRNA significantly inhibited U251 GBM progression by downregulating GDNF (P < 0.05), while silencer II-targeted dsRNA exerted an opposite effect. Moreover, enhancer II-targeted dsRNA did not significantly change GDNF expression in human astrocytes (HA) and the proliferation and migration of HA cells (P > 0.05). Bisulfate PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that both DNA methylation and trimethylation of histone 3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3) at silencer II-targeted region significantly increased, and H3K9me3 at enhancer II-targeted region significantly decreased, in U251 cells compared with HA cells in non-intervention condition (P < 0.05). Both enhancer II- and silencer II-targeted dsRNA significantly increased H3K9me3 methylation rather than DNA at the targeted site in U251 cells (P < 0.05). The expression and activity of histone methyltransferase SETDB1 increased dramatically in U251 cells compared with HA cells, and it was recruited to enhancer II targeting region after enhancer II-targeted dsRNA treatment in U251 cells (P < 0.05). ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that a promoter-targeted dsRNA can silence or promote gene transcription depending on its targeted site in different cis-acting elements in the gene promoter. Targeted inhibition of GDNF by enhancer II-targeted dsRNA may be explored as a novel treatment for GBM.

Intervention, stimulus control, and generalization effects of response interruption and redirection on motor stereotypy

This study evaluated the effects of response interruption and redirection (RIRD) on motor stereotypy (hand and body movements) in a child with neurodevelopmental disorders. We also assessed whether a stimulus paired with RIRD could acquire inhibitory control when tested during nonintervention conditions. Compared with baseline phases in a reversal design, RIRD decreased both hand and motor stereotypies, and there was evidence of stimulus control. Extending RIRD to a second setting was also effective. The care providers responsible for intervention implemented RIRD with fidelity, and they rated the procedure positively. Clinical and research implications from these findings are discussed.

Increasing physical activity through an Internet-based motivational intervention supported by pedometers in a sample of sedentary students: A randomised controlled trial

Objective:The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of an Internet-based motivational intervention (IMI) supported by pedometers (in comparison with IMI alone and non-intervention) on increasing daily steps and changing constructs related to physical activity (PA) in a sample of sedentary students.Design:A randomised-controlled trial was conducted with 76 sedentary or low-active college students. The purpose of the IMI was to deliver information to increase motivation and set individualised PA goals. It involved a 3-week intervention and a 3-months follow-up.Outcome measures:Objective measures were used to measure daily steps, and self-report questionnaires to assess different constructs related to PA.Results:Results revealed that IMI supported by pedometers condition increased significantly more the daily steps (post-intervention: M = 2069; SD = 1827; follow-up: M = 2227; SD = 2477) and enjoyment than non-intervention condition at both points in time. Moreover, results showed that IMI alone condition increased more the scores in variables involved in PA behaviour than non-intervention condition.Conclusions:This study shows the effectiveness of a self-administered IMI using pedometers in increasing PA and enjoyment, and the effectiveness of the IMI alone in changing different theoretical constructs related to the PA behaviour.

Perioperative participation of orthopedic patients and surgical staff in a nasal decolonization intervention to reduce Staphylococcus spp surgical site infections

With the goal of reducing rates of surgical site infections in our spine patients, we initiated a trial to investigate the impact of adding perisurgical nasal decolonization involving patients and surgical and nursing staff. We combined immediate presurgical application of a nonantibiotic alcohol-based nasal antiseptic with existing chlorhexidine bath or wipes in a comprehensive pre- and postoperative decolonization protocol. Mean infection rates were significantly decreased by 81% from 1.76 to 0.33 per 100 surgeries during the 15-month trial, when compared with the prior 9-month baseline.

A different role of angiotensin II type 1a receptor in the development and hypertrophy of plantaris muscle in mice.

The role of angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptors in muscle development and hypertrophy remains unclear. This study was designed to reveal the effects that a loss of AT1 receptors has on skeletal muscle development and hypertrophy in mice. Eight-week-old male AT1a receptor knockout (AT1a(-/-)) mice were used for this experiment. The plantaris muscle to body weight ratio, muscle fiber cross-sectional area, and number of muscle fibers of AT1a(-/-) mice was significantly greater than wild type (WT) mice in the non-intervention condition. Next, the functional overload (OL) model was used to induce plantaris muscle hypertrophy by surgically removing the two triceps muscles consisting of the calf, soleus, and gastrocnemius muscles in mice. After 14 days of OL intervention, the plantaris muscle weight, the amount of fiber, and the fiber area increased. However, the magnitude of the increment of plantaris weight was not different between the two strains. Agtr1a mRNA expression did not change after OL in WT muscle. Actually, the Agt mRNA expression level of WT-OL was lower than WT-Control (C) muscle. An atrophy-related gene, atrogin-1 mRNA expression levels of AT1a(-/-)-C, WT-OL, and AT1a(-/-)-OL muscle were lower than that of WT-C muscle. Our findings suggest that AT1 receptor contributes to plantaris muscle development via atrogin-1 in mice.

Dissociation between the cognitive and interoceptive components of mindfulness in the treatment of chronic worry

ObjetivesDespite the increasing interest in mindfulness, the basic components and action mechanisms of mindfulness remain controversial. The present study aims at testing the specific contribution of two components of mindfulness -attention to cognitive experience (metacognition) and awareness of interoceptive sensations (metainteroception)- in the treatment of chronic worry. MethodForty five female university students with high scores in the Penn State Worry Questionnaire were split into three groups: a mindfulness cognitive training group, a mindfulness interoceptive training group, and a non-intervention control group. Participants were assessed before and after the intervention using physiological indices of autonomic regulation (skin conductance, heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia) and self-report indices of mindfulness and clinical symptoms (chronic worry, depression, positive and negative affect, and perceived stress). ResultsBoth mindfulness training groups showed significant improvement after the intervention in self-report indices of mindfulness and clinical symptoms. However, the interoceptive training group was superior in also showing significant improvement in the physiological indices of autonomic regulation. LimitationsThe relatively small sample size may have increased the probabilities of type I and II errors. Our Intervention program was relatively short. The participants were all female. ConclusionsThese results support the hypothesis that, in the context of treating chronic worry, the interoceptive and cognitive components can be somewhat dissociated and that, when both components are applied separately, compared to a non-intervention condition, the interoceptive component is more effective.

What Works Well in HIV Prevention Among Spanish Young People? An Analysis of Differential Effectiveness Among Six Intervention Techniques.

The AIDS epidemic remains a concern of public health among young people and adolescents. Prevention programs have revealed diverse deficiencies to attain their main goal: preventing risky behaviors. This experimental study evaluates the differential effectiveness of six intervention techniques for preventing HIV/AIDS based on informational-motivational-behavioral Model (talk, website, attitudinal discussion, participation of a seropositive person, fear induction and role play). 239 Spanish young people took part in an experimental design to evaluate six intervention techniques and a non-intervention condition, through changes in their knowledge, attitudes and protective sex behavior. Our findings support a general effectiveness of preventive intervention techniques comparing non-intervention. In particular, the motivational techniques reveal more effectiveness for these Spanish young people. Therefore, it is required identifying a differential impact of the intervention techniques when implementing HIV behavioral interventions.

Social Learning Theory Parenting Intervention Promotes Attachment-Based Caregiving in Young Children: Randomized Clinical Trial

Parenting programs for school-aged children are typically based on behavioral principles as applied in social learning theory. It is not yet clear if the benefits of these interventions extend beyond aspects of the parent–child relationship quality conceptualized by social learning theory. The current study examined the extent to which a social learning theory–based treatment promoted change in qualities of parent–child relationship derived from attachment theory. A randomized clinical trial of 174 four- to six-year-olds selected from a high-need urban area and stratified by conduct problems were assigned to a parenting program plus a reading intervention (n = 88) or nonintervention condition (n = 86). In-home observations of parent–child interactions were assessed in three tasks: (a) free play, (b) challenge task, and (c) tidy up. Parenting behavior was coded according to behavior theory using standard count measures of positive and negative parenting, and for attachment theory using measures of sensitive responding and mutuality; children's attachment narratives were also assessed. Compared to the parents in the nonintervention group, parents allocated to the intervention showed increases in the positive behavioral counts and sensitive responding; change in behavioral count measures overlapped modestly with change in attachment-based changes. There was no reliable change in children's attachment narratives associated with the intervention. The findings demonstrate that standard social learning theory–based parenting interventions can change broader aspects of parent–child relationship quality and raise clinical and conceptual questions about the distinctiveness of existing treatment models in parenting research.

The Moderating Effects of Parent Antisocial Characteristics on the Effects of Parent Management Training-Oregon (PMTO™)

The degree to which parent antisocial characteristics moderated the effects of the Oregon model of Parent Management Training (PMTO™) on observed parenting practices over 2 years after baseline was assessed in a sample of recently married biological mother and stepfather couples with at-risk children. Sixty-seven of the 110 participating families were randomly assigned to PMTO, and 43 families to a non-intervention condition. Using an intent-to-treat analysis, PMTO was reliably related to growth in positive parenting and to decreases in coercive parenting. Parent antisocial characteristics moderated the effect of PMTO on coercive but not on positive parenting practices. PMTO resulted in greater reductions in coercive parenting as parent antisocial histories were more extensive, and this moderator effect was found for both mothers and stepfathers. The findings support the effectiveness of PMTO as a preventive intervention for child conduct problems, and indicate that the parenting behaviors of antisocial parents are malleable and serve as important mediators of their impact on child conduct problems.

Police strategies to reduce illegal possession and carrying of firearms: effects on gun crime

This Campbell systematic review examines the impacts of police strategies to reduce illegal possession and carrying of firearms on gun crime. Examples include gun detection patrols in high‐crime areas, enhanced surveillance of probationers and parolees, weapon reporting hotlines, consent searches, and other similar tactics.Four studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting a total of seven non‐randomized tests of directed patrols focused on gun carrying in three American cities (five tests) and two Colombian cities (two tests).These studies suggest that directed patrols focused on illegal gun carrying prevent gun crimes. However, conclusions and generalizations must be qualified based on the small number of studies, variability in study design and analytic strategy across the studies, pre‐intervention differences between intervention and comparison areas, and limited data regarding factors such as implementation, crime displacement, and long‐term impact. There is also a strong need for rigorous study of other strategies to reduce illegal possession and carrying of firearms.Executive summary/AbstractBACKGROUNDCriminal misuse of firearms is among the world's most serious crime problems. Strategies to reduce gun violence include efforts to restrict the manufacture and sale of firearms, interrupt the illegal supply of guns, deter gun possession, reduce gun carrying in public places, toughen responses to illegal gun use, reduce demand for firearms, promote responsible ownership of guns, and address community conditions that foster gun crime. In this review, we examine research on the effectiveness of selected law enforcement strategies for reducing gun crime and gun violence.OBJECTIVESThis review examines the impacts of police strategies to reduce illegal possession and carrying of firearms on gun crime. Examples include gun detection patrols in high‐crime areas, enhanced surveillance of probationers and parolees, weapon reporting hotlines, consent searches, and other similar tactics.CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION OF STUDIESStudies using randomized designs or quasi‐experimental designs involving a nonintervention condition were eligible for inclusion. Eligible studies had to include pre and post‐intervention measurements of the outcome measure(s) for an intervention area(s) or group(s) and at least one comparison area or group without the intervention. However, we also included studies involving repeated interventions with one group or area in which the intervention and comparison units consisted of samples of time with and without the intervention. Eligible studies also had to measure gun‐related crime (e.g., gun murders, shootings, gun robberies, gun assaults). The review does not include studies in which eligible interventions were implemented simultaneously with other new crime‐reduction efforts.SEARCH STRATEGYWe searched 11 national and international databases for published and unpublished literature available through the end of 2009; examined 25 reviews and compilations of research on policing, gun control, and violence reduction; and searched the websites of five prominent police and criminal justice organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom. Four studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting a total of 7 non‐randomized tests of directed patrols focused on gun carrying in three American cities (5 tests) and two Colombian cities (2 tests).DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSISFrom each included study, we extracted data pertaining to research design, subject characteristics, intervention(s), and outcome measure(s). We present a detailed narrative assessment of each included study, followed by a qualitative and quantitative synthesis of key features and results across studies. Our synthesis does not include a statistical meta‐analysis of the results due to variability in the study designs and problems in computing a usable standardized effect size index for the studies.MAIN RESULTSSix of the seven tests (not all of which were independent) suggest that directed patrols reduced gun crime in high‐crime places at high‐risk times. The Colombian studies, which were based on before and after changes from repeated interventions measured at the city level, estimated that crackdowns on gun carrying reduced firearm homicides 10% to 15%. Estimated effects were generally larger and more variable in the American studies, which examined before and after changes in smaller target areas (beats or patrol zones) relative to changes in comparison areas. With one exception, the American studies found that gun crime declined by 29% to 71%, depending on the outcome measures and statistical techniques used. Authors' Conclusions: These studies suggest that directed patrols focused on illegal gun carrying prevent gun crimes. However, conclusions and generalizations must be qualified based on the small number of studies, variability in study design and analytic strategy across the studies, pre‐intervention differences between intervention and comparison areas, and limited data regarding factors such as implementation, crime displacement, and long‐term impact. There is also a strong need for rigorous study of other strategies to reduce illegal possession and carrying of firearms.

PROTOCOL: The Impact of Land Property Rights Interventions on Agricultural Productivity in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

PROTOCOL: The Impact of Land Property Rights Interventions on Agricultural Productivity in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review

Meta-Analysis of Studies Incorporating the Interests of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders into Early Intervention Practices

Incorporating the interests and preferences of young children with autism spectrum disorders into interventions to promote prosocial behavior and decrease behavior excesses has emerged as a promising practice for addressing the core features of autism. The efficacy of interest-based early intervention practices was examined in a meta-analysis of 24 studies including 78 children 2 to 6 years of age diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Effect size analyses of intervention versus nonintervention conditions and high-interest versus low-interest contrasts indicated that interest-based intervention practices were effective in terms of increasing prosocial and decreasing aberrant child behavior. Additionally, interest-based interventions that focused on two of the three core features of autism spectrum disorders (poor communication, poor interpersonal relationships) were found most effective in influencing child outcomes. Implications for very early intervention are discussed in terms addressing the behavior markers of autism spectrum disorders before they become firmly established.

The Effects of Video Feedback on Coaches’ Behavior and the Coach-Athlete Relationship

This study examined the effects of video feedback on the nonverbal behavior of handball coaches, and athletes’ and coaches’ anxieties and perceptions. One intervention group (49 participants) and one control group (63 participants) completed the Coaching Behavior Assessment System, Coaching Behavior Questionnaire, and Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 on two separate occasions, with 7 weeks of elapsed time between each administration. Coaches in the intervention condition received video feedback and a frequency table with a comparison of their personal answers and their team’s answers on the CB AS. Repeated-measures ANOVAs showed that over time, athletes in the intervention group reported significantly less anxiety and perceived their coaches significantly more positively compared with athletes in the nonintervention condition. Over time, coaches in the intervention group perceived themselves significantly more positively than coaches in the nonintervention condition. Compared with field athletes, goalkeepers were significantly more anxious and perceived their coaches less positively. It is concluded that an intervention using video feedback might have positive effects on anxiety and coach perception and that field athletes and goalkeepers possess different profiles.

Principles for School-Age Language Intervention: Insights from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Principles for School-Age Language Intervention: Insights from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of the Oregon model of Parent Management Training (PMTO) on marital adjustment in new stepfamilies: A randomized trial.

Effects of intervention with the Oregon model of Parent Management Training (PMTO) on marital relationship processes and marital satisfaction in recently married biological mother and stepfather couples were examined. Sixty-seven of the 110 participating families were randomly assigned to PMTO, and 43 families to a non-intervention condition. Intervention had reliable positive indirect effects on marital relationship processes 24 months after baseline which in turn were associated with higher marital satisfaction. These indirect effects were mediated by the impact of PMTO on parenting practices 6 months after baseline. Enhanced parenting practices resulting from PMTO prevented escalation of subsequent child behavior problems at school. Consistent with a family systems perspective and research on challenges to marital quality in stepfamilies, improved co-parenting practices were associated with enhanced marital relationship skills and marital satisfaction as well as with prevention of child behavior problems.

Enhancement of Antibody Responses to Influenza Vaccination in the Elderly following a Cognitive-Behavioural Stress Management Intervention

Background: Previous research has demonstrated that the psychological morbidity experienced by informal caregivers is associated with increased vulnerability to infectious diseases, in particular influenza. A pragmatic trial was conducted to examine whether a stress management intervention (SMI) could reduce psychological morbidity and enhance the antibody response to influenza vaccination in the elderly, and whether changes in immune response of SMI participants were associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. Methods: Forty-three elderly spousal carers of dementia patients and 27 non-carer controls were recruited. Sixteen carers were allocated to an 8-week SMI or a non-intervention condition (n = 27). The non-carers formed a no treatment, ‘normal’ comparison group. At the end of the SMI or its equivalent time period, all participants received an influenza vaccination. IgG antibody titres to the vaccine were measured 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks post-vaccine. Results: There was evidence of elevated distress in both carer groups compared with non-carer controls throughout the SMI period, but no between-group differences in salivary cortisol. Immune responses to the vaccine revealed that 50% of SMI carers, 7% of non-intervention carers and 29% of non-carer controls produced a four-fold increase in antibody titre. Conclusions: The immune response to influenza vaccination appears amenable to improvement through stress management, although the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear.

Software Usability Testing: Do Evaluator Intervention and Task Structure Make any Difference?

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of evaluator intervention, task structure, and user experience on the user's subjective evaluation of software usability. The study employed a 2 − 2 − 2 factorial between-subjects design with two levels of Evaluator Intervention (Intervention vs. Non-Intervention), 2 levels of Task Structure (Guided-Exploration [free-form] vs. Standard Laboratory), and 2 levels of User Experience (Novice, Experienced). The users were asked to learn to use and then subjectively evaluate a restricted subset of 12 common word processing features over four hours of participation. Day 1 was a training day and Day 2 was a test day. The major finding was that the user's subjective impression of the software was affected by both user Experience and evaluator Intervention. For difficult to use word processing features, experienced users rated the features as more difficult to use under the intervention than non-intervention condition. For novice users, this difference was in the opposite direction but not significant. The same pattern of results was obtained for the subjective rating of ease of learning, overall evaluation of the software, and confidence in ability to use the software. These results were interpreted within context of attribution theory. The effect of structure, although not as prevalent, interacted with user experience in the evaluation of screen features and system capabilities. The relative lack of task structure effects was attributed to the difficulty in implementing free form learning and the number of problems encountered in use of the software under Guided Exploration which counteracted any of its benefits.