The impact of economic recessions on depression and individual and social well-being: the case of Spain (2006-2013).

PURPOSE: Although there is abundant evidence about the impact of economic crises on depression and other mental health problems, little is known about the protective role of variables linked to positive functioning (i.e., psychological well-being). METHODS: We analyzed data from Spain, one of the European countries most affected by the 2008-2013 economic recession, collected in Round 3 (R3, 2006) and Round 6 (R6, 2013) of the European Social Survey interviews. Both surveys included measures of psychological well-being, social well-being and depression. Both samples were nationally representative of the general population (R3: 1877 participants, 49.2% men; R6: 1889 participants, 48.9% men). RESULTS: Data from the R6 survey showed that, compared to data gathered in R3 (i.e., before the onset of the recession) Spanish citizens showed significantly less life satisfaction (95% CIs 0.37-0.63), less personal optimism (95% CIs 0.03-0.15), less social optimism (95% CIs 0.75-0.85), and higher levels of depressive symptoms (95% CIs - 0.74 to - 0.19). Structural equation modeling revealed that protective factors for depression changed in both rounds. In R3 (2006), close relationships, social optimism and social trust were significant mediators between well-being and depression. However, social optimism and social trust were no longer significant in R6 (2013), whereas close relationships remained a partial mediator of the effects of psychological well-being on depression. CONCLUSIONS: Economic crises are associated with a significant increase in depressive symptoms. Furthermore, financial crises seem to have a corrosive impact on mental health by reducing the mediating effects of positive beliefs regarding the good nature of society.

Responses of inferior collicular cells to species-specific vocalizations in normal and enucleated rats.

The inferior colliculus (IC) is an obligatory relay for the ascending and descending auditory pathways. Cells in this brainstem structure not only analyze auditory stimuli but they also play a major role in multi-modal integration of auditory and visual information. The aim of the present study was to determine whether cells in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (CNIC) of normal rats respond selectively to complex auditory signals, such as species-specific vocalizations, and compare their responses to those obtained in neonatal bilateral enucleated (P2-P3) adult rats. Extra-cellular recordings were carried out in anesthetized normal and enucleated rats using auditory stimuli (pure tones, broadband noise and vocalizations) presented in free field in a semi-anechoic chamber. The results indicate that most cells in the CNIC of both groups respond selectively to species-specific vocalizations better than to the same but inverted sounds. No significant differences were found between the normal and enucleated rat groups in their responses to broadband noise and pure tones.

Design and application of new 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes for the Azospirillum-Skermanella-Rhodocista-cluster.

The genera Azospirillum, Skermanella and Rhodocista form a phylogenetic subgroup within the alfa subclass of Proteobacteria. Based on comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis a nested set of new oligonucleotide probes was designed. It comprises probes for the whole genus cluster Azospirillum-Skermanella-Rhodocista, for the Azospirilli subcluster I including A. lipoferum, A. doebereinerae, A. largimobile, A. brasilense and A. halopraeferens, for the Azospirilli subcluster II including A. amazonense, A. irakense and the genus Skermanella, for the genus Rhodocista as well as for all Azospirilli species or species cluster. The new probes allow a fast and reliable in situ identification of bacteria belonging to the Azospirillum-Skermanella-Rhodocista-cluster at different phylogenetic levels. The specificity of the new probes was tested with 56 strains of the Azospirillum-Rhodocista-Skermanella-cluster and selected reference cells from other genera by hybridising with the complete probe set. In addition, applications of the fluorescently labelled probes for in situ identification of isolates and for the in situ localisation of A. brasilense on maize roots were demonstrated using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Lower malfunction rate with self-locating catheters.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed malfunction rates (obstruction, omental wrapping, displacement) and catheter survival for self-locating catheters as compared with other Tenckhoff catheter designs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted our survey at two centers, prospectively studying all self-locating catheters implanted from May 1997 to October 2000 and used for peritoneal dialysis (PD). Tenckhoff catheters of other designs used previously in our units were used as the control group. We analyzed removal causes and catheter survival. RESULTS: We studied 173 catheters (105 self-locating catheters, 53 straight catheters, and 15 coiled catheters) implanted in 139 patients (43% of them women) with a mean age of 53 +/- 14 years. The analysis of catheter removal showed that 3 of 105 self-locating catheters, 3 of 15 coiled catheters, and 17 of 53 straight catheters were removed owing to malfunction (chi2: p = 0.0000). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the bulk of removals for malfunction occurred within the first 3 months after PD start. The group of self-locating catheters showed better survival (log-rank: p = 0.0009). Other causes for catheter removal included peritonitis (n = 22), exit-site infection alone (n = 4), and end of PD treatment (n = 66). No significant differences were seen in the annual peritonitis rate (straight-tip: 0.955 +/- 2.315 episodes annually; coiled-tip: 0.651 +/- 0.864 episodes annually; self-locating: 0.720 +/- 1.417 episodes annually; t-test: p > 0.400). No gut or bladder perforations were observed. CONCLUSION: In our survey, self-locating catheters were associated with better survival and fewer removals for malfunction than were Tenckhoff catheters of other designs.

Cell-surface lectins of Azospirillum spp.

Cell-surface lectins were screened in seven strains of Azospirillum brasilense and A. lipoferum. The presence of lectins was determined by particle agglutination assays employing latex beads coated with neoglycoproteins and by Western blot with neoglycoproteins labeled with horseradish peroxidase as a probe. Seven strains were agglutinated with the assayed sugar residues. The highest agglutination was with fucose and glucose and to a lesser extent with mannose residues. Cell-wall proteins extracted from two Azospirillum spp. strains exhibit lectin-like activities. We believe that lectins are present in the cell-wall of Azospirillum spp.

[The response of ventricular tachycardia to adenosine administration]. / Respuesta de la taquicardia ventricular a la administración de adenosina.

Ten patients with ventricular tachycardia were studied. Two groups were formed. Group A included 5 patients with idiopathic ventricular tachycardia and group B included 5 patients with coronary heart disease. In all patients an electrophysiologic study was performed and monomorphic sustained ventricular tachycardia was induced through programmed stimulation. All patients received 12 mg of intravenous adenosine. The response was satisfactory in 3 of 5 patients in group A, with the presence of sinus rhythm. No response was seen in the other 2 patients. None of the patients in group B responded to the administration of intravenous adenosine. We concluded that adenosine may be useful in patients with cyclic AMP-mediated triggered activity ventricular tachycardia, in contrast to the coronary heart disease patients in which the mechanism is reentry. This interpretation is supported by results obtained in 15 experiments in canine heart.

Seguimiento de un grupo de mujeres que utilizan el dispositivo intrauterino como método de planificación familiar en profamilia: 1988-1992 / Iud use as contraceptive method

En el estudio se hizo un seguimiento de cuatro años cuatro meses de un grupo de mujeres que asistieron a PROFAMILIA (Santafé de Bogotá D.C.), en Enero de 1988 para colocarles el DIU. Se estudió la eficacia y complicaciones del dispositivo intrauterino, como método de planificación y se tuvieron en cuenta variables como edad, escolaridad, citologías con su respectivo soporte, quien lo aplicó, número de controles, tiempo de uso del dispositivo y causas más frecuentes de retiro. Del total de 239 historias clínicas revisadas, se encontró que 5 mujeres quedaron embarazadas con el DIU, obteniéndose una eficacia del 97.8 por ciento, lo cual corresponde con la literatura revisada, 12 pacientes fueron perdidas del estudio, la mayoría por cambio de domicilio. El grupo de edad que con mayor frecuencia utilizó el DIU, fué de 21 a 29 años con 51.4 por ciento igualmente las multíparas con un 57.3 por ciento. La principal causa del retiro fué el deseo de embarazo. No se encontró diferencia importante en cuanto a la falla del DIU relacionada con el tiempo de utilización. El efecto secundario más frecuente fué enfermedad pélvica inflamatoria, diferente a lo que se encuentra en la bibliografía, la cual reporta al sangrado como el principal efecto secundario

[Transfusion management of a patient with multiple anti-erythrocyte antibodies (anti-c + anti-K + anti-Fyb + anti-Jkb) subjected to a valvular reoperation using extracorporeal circulation]. / Manejo transfusional de un paciente con múltiples anticuerpos antieritrocitarios (anti-c + anti-K + anti-Fyb + anti-Jkb) sometido a reintervención valvular bajo cirugía extracorpórea (CEC).

A woman with multiple anti-red cell antibodies (anti-c, anti-K, anti-Jkb, anti-Fyb) due to previous transfusions was admitted to the hospital for valvular replacement. To ensure enough transfusional supply, a high number of packed red cell units was typed and screened prior to previous operation. Haemorrhagic complications developing during surgery led to transfusion of 32 blood units, 20 of them compatible. Besides this, measures directed to prevent complications derived from haemolytic disease were instituted. These included intravenous fluids and diuretics to maintain circulatory integrity and improve renal cortical blood flow. High-dose gammaglobulin was also administered in an attempt to decrease extravascular haemolysis. Despite therapy, severe adult distress respiratory syndrome caused patient's death nine days after surgery. We remark the need of storing frozen blood of low-frequency phenotypes in blood banks to face significant transfusional problems, providing sufficient numbers of antibody-compatible blood.

Prospective assessment of donor blood screening for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen as a means of preventing posttransfusion non-A, non-B, hepatitis.

The relationship between donor status for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen and the occurrence of non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis in the recipient was prospectively studied in 112 patients undergoing open-heart surgery who were followed for 6.5 months after surgery. Non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis occurred in five (7.93%) of 63 patients who had received at least one anti-HBc-positive blood unit compared to seven (14.28%) of 49 patients who received anti-HBc-negative blood only. Statistical analysis revealed that the incidence of non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis was independent of the use of blood positive for anti-HBc. Based upon these results and the high prevalence (17.3%) of anti-HBc among our blood donor population, the exclusion of anti-HBc-positive blood does not seem appropriate to achieve a reduction in the incidence of non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis.