Carbon footprint, economic benefits and sustainable fishing: Lessons for the future from the Western Mediterranean.

Ensuring an economically viable, sustainable and low CO2 emission extractive fishery is critical in order to achieve the life below water UN sustainable development goals and the climate change commitments of Paris agreement. This challenge is even more relevant in the most overexploited region of the world: The Mediterranean Sea. Here, we use the socio-ecological system of the Spanish Mediterranean commercial fisheries (Northern Alboran Sea, Northern Spain and the Balearic Islands) to develop an integrative impact assessment, including detailed socio-economic, ecosystem indices of the trophic structure of extractive fishery and CO2 emission analyses combining different gear, vessel size classes as well as a wide range estimation of carbon release from the seafloor by bottom trawling. Northern Alboran Sea preferentially requires reduction in purse seine fishery while in Northern Spain bottom trawling should be reduced first to reach sustainable exploitation. Fuel CO2 footprint of purse seine and bottom trawling are among the lowest footprints of animal protein production, but considering sweeping released CO2 from the seafloor the bottom trawling footprint becomes the animal protein production with the highest footprint. Moreover, the lowest bottom released CO2 estimation overrides 2.7-10 times the CO2 buried in the seafloor through the biological pump in trawled areas potentially turning the continental shelf from a CO2 sink to a CO2 source. Net profit per fuel derived CO2 emission for all fleets is lower than 1€ kgCO2-1, being lowest for large bottom trawler (0.025 € kgCO2-1). Thus, urgent mitigation and adaptation measures are necessary to obtain sustainable fishery in terms of net profit, sustainable seafood extraction and CO2 emission reduction. Our study provides scientific bases to develop these measures such as the restriction of harmful fishing gear in carbon rich river influenced areas, reduction of bottom contact of the fishing gear, favouring purse seine fishery and smaller bottom trawlers.

Relación de variables sociodemográficas con niveles de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes universitarios / PRelation of socio-demographic variables with levels of depression, anxiety and stress in university students

RESUMEN: Introducción: La salud mental en universitarios es un tema que cada vez cobra más relevancia y la importancia que tiene identificar factores que afectan su aparición, así como también en qué medida influyen en el desempeño académico. Método: Se utilizó un diseño cuantitativo no experimental, descriptivo, correlacional y de corte transversal. Se aplicó Chi Cuadrado para evaluar asociación entre variables. La muestra fue no probabilística de 166 estudiantes de enfermería, nutrición y dietética, fonoaudiología y kinesiología. Se aplicó la versión chilena abreviada de las escalas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés DASS - 21, constituida por 21 ítems, con cuatro alternativas de respuesta en formato en escala Likert y un cuestionario sociodemográfico, éste instrumento consideró variables personales, etnia Mapuche y nivel de escolaridad de los padres. El protocolo de investigación realizado fue aprobado por el Comité Ético Científico del Servicio de Salud Del Reloncaví. Resultados: El 54, 82% de la muestra presenta algún nivel de alteración o riesgo de padecer ansiedad, un 47,59% de estrés y un 31,33% depresión. El 42,17% se identifica como perteneciente a la etnia mapuche, mientras que el 56,02% se identifica como no mapuche. En relación al nivel de escolaridad del padre y de la madre, el porcentaje más alto corresponde a la categoría de enseñanza media completa (padre 37,95% y madre 36,14%). Conclusiones: Existe una asociación entre sexo femenino y los niveles ansiedad, estrés y depresión. Además, una relación entre pertenecer al género femenino, cursar las carreras de Enfermería y nutrición y dietética con presentar algún nivel de ansiedad, destacándose una asociación entre ansiedad, depresión y estrés.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Mental health in university students is a topic that is becoming more and more relevant and the importance of identifying factors that affect its appearance, as well as to what extent they influence academic performance. Method: A non-experimental, descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional quantitative design was used. Chi Square was applied to evaluate the association between variables. The sample was non-probabilistic of 166 students from nursing, nutrition and dietetics, speech therapy, and kinesiology. The abbreviated Chilean version of the DASS-21 depression, anxiety and stress scales was applied, consisting of 21 items, with four response alternatives in Likert scale format and a sociodemographic questionnaire, this instrument considered personal variables, Mapuche ethnic group and level of parental education. The research protocol carried out was approved by the Scientific Ethics Committee of the Del Reloncaví Health Service. Results: 54.82% of the sample presented some level of alteration or risk of suffering from anxiety, 47.59% stress and 31.33% depression. 42.17% identify themselves as belonging to the Mapuche ethnic group, while 56.02% identify themselves as non-Mapuche. Regarding the level of education of the father and mother, the highest percentage corresponds to the category of complete secondary education (father 37.95% and mother 36.14%). Conclusions: There is an association between female sex and levels of anxiety, stress and depression. In addition, there is a relationship between belonging to the female gender, studying nursing, nutrition and dietetics careers with presenting some level of anxiety. An association between anxiety, depression and stress stands out.

Epitaxial Thin-Film vs Single Crystal Growth of 2D Hofmann-Type Iron(II) Materials: A Comparative Assessment of their Bi-Stable Spin Crossover Properties.

Integration of the ON-OFF cooperative spin crossover (SCO) properties of FeII coordination polymers as components of electronic and/or spintronic devices is currently an area of great interest for potential applications. This requires the selection and growth of thin films of the appropriate material onto selected substrates. In this context, two new series of cooperative SCO two-dimensional FeII coordination polymers of the Hofmann-type formulated {FeII(Pym)2[MII(CN)4]·xH2O}n and {FeII(Isoq)2[MII(CN)4]}n (Pym = pyrimidine, Isoq = isoquinoline; MII = Ni, Pd, Pt) have been synthesized, characterized, and the corresponding Pt derivatives selected for fabrication of thin films by liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE). At ambient pressure, variable-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction, magnetic, and calorimetric studies of the Pt and Pd microcrystalline materials of both series display strong cooperative thermal induced SCO properties. In contrast, this property is only observed for higher pressures in the Ni derivatives. The SCO behavior of the {FeII(L)2[PtII(CN)4]}n thin films (L = Pym, Isoq) were monitored by magnetization measurements in a SQUID magnetometer and compared with the homologous samples of the previously reported isostructural {FeII(Py)2[PtII(CN)4]}n (Py = pyridine). Application of the theory of regular solutions to the SCO of the three derivatives allowed us to evaluate the effect on the characteristic SCO temperatures and the hysteresis, as well as the associated thermodynamic parameters when moving from microcrystalline bulk solids to nanometric thin films.

[Primary tumours and pseudotumors of the hand in adults. Epidemiological analysis of cases, management and evolution]. / Tumores y seudotumores primarios de la mano en adultos. Análisis epidemiológico de casos, manejo y evolución.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors in the hand are rare, and malignant tumors in the hand are peculiar; However, primary pseudotumoral lesions of the hand, such as ganglion, are very frequent. Most of the tumors found in the bone and soft tissue can be presented in the same way in the hand but their frequency and distribution is different. Despite the low incidence of benign and malignant tumors in the hand, these can be locally invasive or compromise the hand function. The main objective of this study is to determine the epidemiology, types, location and management of tumors and pseudotumors of the hand in adults in the Mexican population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We designed a retrospective study by review of clinical records of patients in our institution with diagnosis of tumors or pseudotumors in hand from January 2007 to December 2016 evaluating variables such as age, gender, laterality, Diagnosis, histological lineage, localization and treatment. RESULTS: Our study comprises 215 patients with an average age of 44.23 years, predominantly women. Pseudotumors are the most frequently encountered (synovial cyst), followed by benign soft tissue tumors, benign bone tumors, and, finally, malignant tumors. DISCUSSION: After all we suggests a possible new classification for the hand that is simple, reproducible and give guidance for treatment. The need for a classification system is imminent to standardize diagnostics, guide future research, focus treatments and preserve hand function.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los tumores en la mano son poco frecuentes y los tumores malignos son particularmente raros; sin embargo, las lesiones seudotumorales primarias de la mano, como gangliones, son muy frecuentes. La mayoría de los tumores que se encontraron en el hueso y tejido blando pueden presentarse de igual manera en la mano, pero su frecuencia y distribución es distinta. A pesar de la baja incidencia de los tumores benignos y malignos en la mano, éstos pueden ser localmente invasivos o comprometer su función. El objetivo principal de este estudio es determinar la epidemiología, tipos, localización y manejo de los tumores y seudotumores de la mano en adultos en población mexicana. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se diseñó un estudio retrospectivo mediante revisión de expedientes clínicos de pacientes de nuestra institución con diagnóstico de tumores o seudotumores en la mano de Enero de 2007 a Diciembre de 2016 evaluando variables como edad, género, lateralidad, abordaje diagnóstico, estirpe histológica, localización y tratamiento. RESULTADOS: Nuestro estudio comprende 215 pacientes con una edad promedio de 44.23 años, predominantemente mujeres. Los seudotumores son los que con más frecuencia se detectan (quiste sinovial), seguidos de los tumores benignos de tejido blando, tumores óseos benignos y, por último, los tumores malignos. DISCUSIÓN: Después de todo, sólo sugerimos una clasificación para la mano que es sencilla y reproducible y dar orientación para el tratamiento. La necesidad de un sistema de clasificación es inminente para estandarizar los diagnósticos, guiar futuras investigaciones, enfocar tratamientos y preservar la función de la mano, independientemente de la epidemiología que se observe.

Tumores y seudotumores primarios de la mano en adultos. Análisis epidemiológico de casos, manejo y evolución / Primary tumours and pseudotumors of the hand in adults. epidemiological analysis of cases, management and evolution

Resumen: Introducción: Los tumores en la mano son poco frecuentes y los tumores malignos son particularmente raros; sin embargo, las lesiones seudotumorales primarias de la mano, como gangliones, son muy frecuentes. La mayoría de los tumores que se encontraron en el hueso y tejido blando pueden presentarse de igual manera en la mano, pero su frecuencia y distribución es distinta. A pesar de la baja incidencia de los tumores benignos y malignos en la mano, éstos pueden ser localmente invasivos o comprometer su función. El objetivo principal de este estudio es determinar la epidemiología, tipos, localización y manejo de los tumores y seudotumores de la mano en adultos en población mexicana. Material y métodos: Se diseñó un estudio retrospectivo mediante revisión de expedientes clínicos de pacientes de nuestra institución con diagnóstico de tumores o seudotumores en la mano de Enero de 2007 a Diciembre de 2016 evaluando variables como edad, género, lateralidad, abordaje diagnóstico, estirpe histológica, localización y tratamiento. Resultados: Nuestro estudio comprende 215 pacientes con una edad promedio de 44.23 años, predominantemente mujeres. Los seudotumores son los que con más frecuencia se detectan (quiste sinovial), seguidos de los tumores benignos de tejido blando, tumores óseos benignos y, por último, los tumores malignos. Discusión: Después de todo, sólo sugerimos una clasificación para la mano que es sencilla y reproducible y dar orientación para el tratamiento. La necesidad de un sistema de clasificación es inminente para estandarizar los diagnósticos, guiar futuras investigaciones, enfocar tratamientos y preservar la función de la mano, independientemente de la epidemiología que se observe.

Abstract: Introduction: Tumors in the hand are rare, and malignant tumors in the hand are peculiar; However, primary pseudotumoral lesions of the hand, such as ganglion, are very frequent. Most of the tumors found in the bone and soft tissue can be presented in the same way in the hand but their frequency and distribution is different. Despite the low incidence of benign and malignant tumors in the hand, these can be locally invasive or compromise the hand function. The main objective of this study is to determine the epidemiology, types, location and management of tumors and pseudotumors of the hand in adults in the Mexican population. Material and methods: We designed a retrospective study by review of clinical records of patients in our institution with diagnosis of tumors or pseudotumors in hand from January 2007 to December 2016 evaluating variables such as age, gender, laterality, Diagnosis, histological lineage, localization and treatment. Results: Our study comprises 215 patients with an average age of 44.23 years, predominantly women. Pseudotumors are the most frequently encountered (synovial cyst), followed by benign soft tissue tumors, benign bone tumors, and, finally, malignant tumors. Discussion: After all we suggests a possible new classification for the hand that is simple, reproducible and give guidance for treatment. The need for a classification system is imminent to standardize diagnostics, guide future research, focus treatments and preserve hand function.

An experience in integrated management of clinical risks.

BACKGROUND: Manage clinical risks under the integrated risk management model of the BUPA organization (British United Provident Association). MATERIALS AND METHODS: BUPA is an international group that provides health insurance and healthcare services. The project has been limited to Europe and Latin America (ELA) and this article presents the results related to hospitals. The integral risk management model was based on a governance structure, a risk management framework and the risk management itself (continuous process of identification, evaluation, management, monitoring and reporting). For the latter, a catalog of potential clinical risks was drawn up, using the Joint Commission International (JCI) standards as a reference and applied to a hospital to identify the risk to which they were exposed in their daily activity. An evaluation was conducted, based on its impact and probability of occurrence and depending on the residual and inherent score obtained, the action on each risk and the effectiveness of the controls were determined. A continuous monitoring of the risk profile and the information to share with the Board was defined. RESULTS: The catalog consisted of 126 risks and 479 controls, divided by areas of application. In the assessment of the inherent risk, 84% of the risks were at an acceptable and assumable level, and in 16% it was necessary to establish an action plan. CONCLUSIONS: Under the conditions of the study, we believe the benefits of implementing an integrated management of clinical risk system consisted in providing services that meet the legal requirements and standards of good practice (in our case, the JCI's standards). They allowed us to advance in the organization's management of, improving its efficiency in the allocation of resources for risk management and adaptation to the environment and the patient. In addition, this strategy can facilitate decision-making and encourage the organization's transformation capacity.

International consensus statement on the peri-operative management of anaemia and iron deficiency.

Despite current recommendations on the management of pre-operative anaemia, there is no pragmatic guidance for the diagnosis and management of anaemia and iron deficiency in surgical patients. A number of experienced researchers and clinicians took part in an expert workshop and developed the following consensus statement. After presentation of our own research data and local policies and procedures, appropriate relevant literature was reviewed and discussed. We developed a series of best-practice and evidence-based statements to advise on patient care with respect to anaemia and iron deficiency in the peri-operative period. These statements include: a diagnostic approach for anaemia and iron deficiency in surgical patients; identification of patients appropriate for treatment; and advice on practical management and follow-up. We urge anaesthetists and peri-operative physicians to embrace these recommendations, and hospital administrators to enable implementation of these concepts by allocating adequate resources.

Psychometric validation of the behavioral indicators of pain scale for the assessment of pain in mechanically ventilated and unable to self-report critical care patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychometric properties of the behavioral indicators of pain scale (ESCID) when applied to a wide range of medical and surgical critical patients. DESIGN: A multicentre, prospective observational study was designed to validate a scale measuring instrument. SETTING: Twenty Intensive Care Units of 14 hospitals belonging to the Spanish National Health System. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 286 mechanically ventilated, unable to self-report critically ill medical and surgical adult patients. PROCEDURE: Pain levels were measured by two independent evaluators simultaneously, using two scales: ESCID and the behavioral pain scale (BPS). Pain was observed before, during, and after two painful procedures (turning, tracheal suctioning) and one non-painful procedure. MAIN VARIABLES: ESCID reliability was measured on the basis of internal consistency using the Cronbach-α coefficient. Inter-rater and intra-rater agreement were measured. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between ESCID and BPS. RESULTS: A total of 4386 observations were made in 286 patients (62% medical and 38% surgical). High correlation was found between ESCID and BPS (r=0.94-0.99; p<0.001), together with high intra-rater and inter-rater concordance. ESCID was internally reliable, with a Cronbach-α value of 0.85 (95%CI 0.81-0.88). Cronbach-α coefficients for ESCID domains were high: facial expression 0.87 (95%CI 0.84-0.89), calmness 0.84 (95%CI 0.81-0.87), muscle tone 0.80 (95%CI 0.75-0.84), compliance with mechanical ventilation 0.70 (95%CI 0.63-0.75) and consolability 0.85 (95%CI 0.81-0.88). CONCLUSION: ESCID is valid and reliable for measuring pain in mechanically ventilated unable to self-report medical and surgical critical care patients. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT01744717.

Pre-operative haematological assessment in patients scheduled for major surgery.

Peri-operative anaemia, blood loss and allogeneic blood transfusion are associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality, and prolonged hospital stay. A multidisciplinary, multimodal, individualised strategy, collectively termed 'patient blood management', may reduce or eliminate allogeneic blood transfusion and improve outcomes. This approach has three objectives: the detection and treatment of peri-operative anaemia; the reduction of peri-operative bleeding and coagulopathy; and harnessing and optimising the physiological tolerance of anaemia. This review focuses on the pre-operative evaluation of erythropoiesis, coagulation status and platelet function. Where possible, evidence is graded systematically and recommended therapies follow recently published consensus guidance.

Patterns in spontaneous adverse event reporting among branded and generic antiepileptic drugs.

Spontaneous adverse event reports constitute an important source of information on previously unknown adverse reactions to marketed medicines. However, the dynamics of such reporting following generic introduction are poorly understood. Using adverse event reports on five antiepileptic drugs from the US Food and Drug Administration's Adverse Event Reporting System, we describe temporal trends in adverse event reporting before and after generic introduction, and survey the quality of product-identifying information contained therein. The majority of reports were sent by innovator drug manufacturers while few were sent by generic manufacturers, even when generics accounted for >90% of dispensed prescriptions. We manually reviewed narratives from 2,500 reports and found that the suspect product type (brand or generic) could not be determined in 84% of reports, while generic products (16%) were identified more often than brand-name products (<1%). These results suggest that pharmacovigilance stakeholders should act to promote more detailed reporting practices.

Evaluating the role of primary care physicians in the treatment of latent tuberculosis: a population study.

SETTING: Latent tuberculous infection (LTBI) remains a significant source of new active tuberculosis cases. Recent guidelines encourage primary care physicians to prescribe LTBI treatment; however, there have been no investigations into the impact on treatment completion. OBJECTIVE: To estimate LTBI treatment initiation and completion rates by primary care physicians. DESIGN: A historical cohort study was conducted with Quebec residents dispensed isoniazid (INH) between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2005. Information was obtained from administrative health insurance data. Regression modeling was used to estimate the association of completion rates with prescribing physician specialty, after adjustment for initial health status and other patient characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 14,753 people were dispensed INH for LTBI treatment. Primary care physicians initiated 3863 (26%) treatments. This proportion decreased from 28.7% in 1998 to 21.1% in 2005. Patients initiated on treatment by primary care physicians were less likely to complete treatment (OR 0.79, 95%CI 0.72-0.86). Only 5977 (40.5%) patients completed treatment; the average treatment duration of the primary care physician group was 11 days less (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Primary care physicians initiated a substantial number of LTBI treatments, but less than half of patients completed treatment regardless of the physician specialty. Primary care physicians should be supported to enhance treatment completion.

Establishing the importance of human health risk assessment for metals and metalloids in urban environments.

Rapid development, industrialisation, and urbanisation have resulted in serious contamination of soil by metals and metalloids from anthropogenic sources in many areas of the world, either directly or indirectly. Exponential urban and economic development has resulted in human populations settling in urban areas and as a result being exposed to these pollutants. Depending on the nature of the contaminant, contaminated urban soils can have a deleterious effect on the health of exposed populations and may require decontamination, recovery, remediation and restoration. Therefore, human health risk assessments in urban environments are very important. In the case of Spain, there are few studies regarding risk assessment of trace elements in urban soils, and those that exist have been derived mainly from areas potentially exposed to industrial contamination or in the vicinity of point pollution. The present study analysed Al, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn, Ti, Tl, V and Zn soil concentrations in and around the city of Alcalá de Henares (35 km NE of Madrid). Soil samples were collected in public parks and recreation areas within the city and in an industrial area on the periphery of the city. From these results, an assessment of the health risk for the population was performed following the methodology described by the US EPA (1989). In general, it was observed that there could be a potential increased risk of developing cancer over a lifetime from exposure to arsenic (As) through ingestion of the soils studied (oral intake), as well as an increased risk of cancer due to inhalation of chromium (Cr) present in re-suspended soils from the industrial area. Our group has previously reported (Granero and Domingo, 2002; Peña-Fernández et al., 2003) that there was an increased risk of developing cancer following exposure to As in the same soils in a previous study. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the levels of contaminants in these soils, especially As and Cr as these have been found to exceed safe levels for human health.

Utility and cost of low-vacuum reinfusion drains in patients undergoing surgery for subcapital hip fracture repair. A before and after cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative blood loss may be a risk factor for allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) in patients undergoing subcapital hip fracture (SHF) repair. We investigated the utility and costs of using a low-vacuum reinfusion drain (Bellovac ABT) within a blood management protocol for reducing ABT requirements in consecutive SHF. METHODS: The blood management protocol consisted of the application of a restrictive transfusion trigger (Hb < 8 g/dl), the peri-operative administration of IV iron sucrose (3 × 200 mg/48 h) ± recombinant erythropoietin (1 × 40 000 IU sc) and the use of Bellovac ABT (Group 2, n = 117). An immediate previous SHF series managed without Bellovac ABT served as control (Group 1, n = 138). RESULTS: Overall, 72 out of 255 (28%) received at least one ABT unit (2·1 ± 1·0 U/transfused patient) without differences between groups. However, in the subgroup of patients with admission Hb < 13 g/dl, the use of Bellovac ABT reduced postoperative ABT rates (16% vs. 46%, for groups 2 and 1, respectively; P = 0·001), although only 3 were reinfused, and was cost-saving. The use of Bellovac ABT also resulted in fewer wound bleeding complications, but there were no differences in Hb at postoperative days 7 and 30 between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In SHF patients with admission Hb < 13 g/dl and managed with peri-operative IV iron ± recombinant erythropoietin plus restrictive transfusion indication, the use of Bellovac ABT was associated with reduced ABT requirements, without increasing postoperative complications, and cost-savings.

Long-term outcome of the Cloward procedure for single-level cervical degenerative spondylosis. Clinical and radiological assessment after a 22-year mean follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of the classical Cloward procedure in single-level cervical spondylosis. METHODS: A retrospective study of 28 patients who were affected by cervical degenerative spondylosis at C4-C7 segments and treated by the Cloward technique at a single level from 1985-1995 was conducted. The average follow-up period was 22 years (range, 17-27 years). Preoperative clinical complaints were recorded and compared to the current clinical status. Preoperative, 3-6 months postoperative and a current radiographic study were analysed by evaluating the segmental and global sagittal alignment of the cervical spine as well as the occurrence of adjacent disc degeneration. RESULTS: The most frequently operated segment was C5-C6 (57.1 %), followed by C6-C7 (32.1 %) and C4-C5 (7.1 %). Pain relief and symptom recovery experienced 3-6 months following the surgery was maintained at the most recent follow-up in 85 % of patients. Adjacent disc degeneration was detected in a total of 17 cases (60.7 %). Overall, a group of 14 cases (50 %) had increased lordosis at C2-C7 at the most recent follow-up, with a mean gain of 1.5º Cobb. According to Odom's criteria, 17 patients (60.8 %) presented with excellent clinical outcome, 6 (21.4 %) presented with good outcome, 5 had a (17.8 %) fair outcome, and none had a poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The Cloward technique provided excellent long-term clinical outcome in the treatment of single-level cervical degenerative spondylosis. There were no major alterations of the cervical sagittal balance, and the development of adjacent segment disease (ASD) was not specifically associated with the previous surgery.

[Healthcare management of an epilepsy clinic: factors involved in the demand for health care and clinical situation of patients]. / Gestion sanitaria de una consulta de epilepsia: factores implicados en la demanda asistencial y situacion clinica de los pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a chronic illness that requires a long-term periodic follow-up of the patient and this means that as time goes by the number of patients attended increases, with the ensuing added cost for the healthcare system. AIM: To determine the factors involved in the time until an epileptic patient's next visit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our sample consisted of a selection of patients who visited the epilepsy clinic at our hospital consecutively during one year. Their clinical situation and relationship with the medical advice they were given, together with the factors involved in the time elapsed until the next visit, were analysed by means of predictive econometric models. RESULTS: There is a clear association between the patient's clinical situation and the modification of the treatment proposed by the neurologist in the previous visit. The factors involved in the time until the next visit were the frequency of seizures, adverse side effects from medicines -above all those that affect cognition- and the medical advice given to the patient. Polytherapy, psychoaffective disorders or the patient's social situation were not found to be significant. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up visits in a specific epilepsy clinic improves the patient's situation. This is the first analysis of the demand for healthcare in patients with epilepsy conducted by means of econometric methods and from a mixed physician-patient perspective. Since the factors that determine the time until the next visit can be modified, the number of visits per year could be reduced, thus improving patients' clinical situation. We suggest a greater amount of time should be spent per visit so as to be able to have a bearing on it and thereby cut costs in the long term.

TITLE: Gestion sanitaria de una consulta de epilepsia: factores implicados en la demanda asistencial y situacion clinica de los pacientes.Introduccion. La epilepsia es una enfermedad cronica que implica un seguimiento periodico del paciente a largo plazo, lo que supone un aumento del numero de pacientes visitados con el tiempo y, por tanto, un coste al sistema sanitario. Objetivo. Determinar los factores implicados en el tiempo para la siguiente visita de un paciente epileptico. Pacientes y metodos. Seleccion de pacientes durante un ano que acuden consecutivamente a consulta de epilepsia de nuestro hospital. Se analiza su situacion clinica y relacion con el consejo medico dado, y los factores implicados en el tiempo transcurrido hasta la siguiente visita mediante modelos econometricos predictivos. Resultados. Existe una clara asociacion entre la situacion clinica del paciente y la modificacion del tratamiento propuesta por el neurologo en la visita anterior. Los factores implicados en el tiempo hasta la siguiente visita fueron frecuencia de crisis, efectos adversos medicamentosos, sobre todo los que afectan a la cognicion, y consejo medico al paciente. No resultaron significativos la politerapia, los trastornos psicoafectivos ni la situacion social del paciente. Conclusiones. El seguimiento en una consulta especifica de epilepsia mejora la situacion del paciente. Se trata del primer analisis de demanda asistencial en pacientes con epilepsia realizado mediante metodos econometricos y desde una perspectiva mixta medico-paciente. Dado que los factores que determinan el tiempo para la siguiente visita son modificables, podria disminuir el numero de visitas al ano, mejorando la situacion clinica de los pacientes. Proponemos una mayor duracion por visita para poder incidir en ello y reducir costes a largo plazo.

Assessment of meiotic spindle configuration and post-warming bovine oocyte viability using polarized light microscopy.

The objectives of this study were to assess the efficiency of polarized light microscopy (PLM) in detecting microtubule-polymerized protein in in vitro-matured bovine oocytes; to examine its effects on oocyte developmental competence; and to assess the meiotic spindle of in vitro-matured oocytes after vitrification/warming and further assessment of oocyte developmental competence. In the first experiment, the presence of microtubule-polymerized protein (MPP) was confirmed as a positive PLM signal detected in 99.1% of analysed oocytes (n = 115), which strongly correlated (r = 1; p < 0.0001) with the presence of MPP as confirmed by immunostaining. In the second experiment, oocytes (n = 651) were exposed or not (controls) to PLM for 10 min and then fertilized and cultured in vitro. Oocytes exposed to PLM did not significantly differ from controls with regard to cleavage, total blastocyst and expanded blastocyst rates and cell numbers. In the third experiment, meiotic spindles were detected in 145 of 182 oocytes (79.6%) following vitrification and warming. Interestingly, after parthenogenetic activation and in vitro culture, oocytes that displayed a positive PLM signal PLM(+) differed significantly from PLM(-) in cleavage and Day 8 blastocyst rates. These results suggest that polarized light microscopy is an efficient system to detect microtubule-polymerized protein in in vitro-matured bovine oocytes and does not exert detrimental effects on bovine oocyte developmental competence. Moreover, PLM could be used as a tool to assess post-warming viability in vitrified bovine oocytes.

PET/CT with [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose in the assessment of metabolic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to prospectively evaluate FDG PET/CT in the assessment of metabolic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and correlation with tumor cellularity in locally advanced breast cancer. METHODS: Images were acquired with a PET/CT scanner in 50 patients at baseline and after completion of treatment, just before surgery. All findings were confirmed by histopathological analysis. PET/CT quantification (SUVmax) at baseline and after finishing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (4 cycles of epirubicin + cyclophosphamide +/- taxanes) were compared using RECIST criteria and Miller & Payne (M&P) scale. RESULTS: Baseline mean tumor size was 4.4±1.6 cm. Thirty eight patients were considered responders and 12 nonresponders. According to M&P scale, 10 patients had good prognosis (grades 4-5) and 40 patients had bad prognosis (grades 1-3). All patients with grade 5 M&P had no significant postchemotherapy FDG uptake. Patients with bad prognosis had lower SUVmax variation (∆SUVmax) than patients with good prognosis (60.7% vs. 80.5%, P=0.0016). ∆SUVmax was lower in nonresponders than in partial responders according to RECIST criteria (38.9% vs. 67.6%, p<0.001), and was also lower in partial responders than complete responders (67.6% vs. 85.4%, P=0.005). A cut-off ∆SUVmax value of 52% differentiates responders from nonresponders with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 90%. Probability densities of the ∆SUVmax (%) for stable disease (<45), partial (>45 to <82) and complete response (>82) showed an overall accuracy of 78% (Weighted Kappa=0.74). CONCLUSION: PET/CT is useful to monitor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer. ∆SUVmax on PET/CT correlates with tumor cellularity after completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Prevalence of malnutrition and its etiological factors in hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition among inpatients is highly prevalent, and has a negative impact on their clinical outcome. The Working Group for the Study of Malnutrition in Hospitals in Catalonia was created to generate consensus guidelines for the prevention and/or treatment of malnutrition in hospitals in Catalonia, Spain. AIMS: The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of malnutrition on admission to hospital in Catalonia and to assess relationships between malnutrition, social and demographic data, overall costs, and mortality. METHODS: Prospective and multicenter study conducted with 796 patients from 11 hospitals representative of the hospitalized population in Catalonia. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 method. RESULTS: Overall, 28.9% of the patients are malnourished or at nutritional risk. Elderly patients, non-manual workers, those admitted to hospital as emergencies and with higher co-morbidities had higher risk of malnutrition. The type of hospital (second level vs. tertiary or University referral) to which they were admitted was also a factor predisposing to malnutrition. Length of hospital stay was longer in malnourished patients (10.5 vs. 7.7 days, p < 0.0001). The need for a convalescent home on leaving hospital was higher as well as the risk of mortality (8.6% malnourished vs. 1.3% nonmalnourished, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in patients on admission to hospital in our community, resulting in elevated overall costs and higher risk of mortality. Age, social class and characteristics of the Unit and the Hospital are the main factors involved in hospital malnutrition.