Recommendations for Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families: A Report from the Field.

Given the persistent shift in racial and ethnic demographics in the United States, board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) will increasingly serve culturally and linguistically diverse families. There has been a recent increase in published resources to help behavior analysis practitioners navigate working with diverse populations. The purpose of this article is to add to these resources and demonstrate how these recommendations can be put into action. We outline five recommendations for working with culturally and linguistically diverse families in the context of a small company that has incorporated these practices in their own work focused on serving a large percentage of immigrant families.

Kappa free light chains index in multiple sclerosis very long-term prognosis.

Introduction: The role of the kappa-free light chain (kFLC) in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and, to a lesser extent, its role as a medium-term prognostic marker have been extensively studied. This study aimed to explore its potential as a long-term prognostic marker for MS. Methods: We performed an exploratory retrospective observational study by selecting patients systemically followed up in our MS unit with available cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples at the time of initial evaluation. Two groups were defined: benign MS (bMS), defined as patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤ 3 at 10 years of follow-up, and aggressive MS (aMS), defined as patients with EDSS ≥ 6 at 15 years of follow-up. Clinical variables were collected, and the immunoglobulin G (IgG) index, kFLC index, and oligoclonal bands (OCB) were determined for all patients and compared between the groups. Results: Twenty bMS and 15 aMS patients were included in this study. Sixty percent (21/35) were female, and the mean age at the time of the first symptom was 31.5 ± 9.45 years, with no statistical differences between groups. Median follow-up time was 19.8 years (Interquartile range, IQR 15.9-24.6). The median EDSS scores at the last follow-up were 1.5 and 7.5 in the bMS and the aMS group, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in the kFLC index between the two groups (136.6 vs. 140.27, p=0.59). The IgG index was positive in 62.9% of patients (55% bMS vs. 73.3% aMS, p>0.05), and OCB was positive in 88.6% (90% bMS vs. 86.7% aMS, p>0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between IgG and kFLC indices (rs = 0.85, p<0.001). Conclusion: Given the absence of differences between the two groups with opposite disease courses, it is unlikely that the kFLC index is a reliable and powerful marker of long-term prognosis in MS.

Natalizumab continuation versus switching to ocrelizumab after PML risk stratification in RRMS patients: a natural experiment.

BACKGROUND: Natalizumab (NTZ) and ocrelizumab (OCR) can be used for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In patients treated with NTZ, screening for JC virus (JCV) is mandatory, and a positive serology usually requires a change in treatment after 2 years. In this study, JCV serology was used as a natural experiment to pseudo-randomize patients into NTZ continuation or OCR. METHODS: An observational analysis of patients who had received NTZ for at least 2 years and were either changed to OCR or maintained on NTZ, depending on JCV serology status, was performed. A stratification moment (STRm) was established when patients were pseudo-randomized to either arm (NTZ continuation if JCV negativity, or change to OCR if JCV positivity). Primary endpoints include time to first relapse and presence of relapses after STRm and OCR initiation. Secondary endpoints include clinical and radiological outcomes after 1 year. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients included, 40 continued on NTZ (60%) and 27 were changed to OCR (40%). Baseline characteristics were similar. Time to first relapse was not significantly different. Ten patients in the JCV + OCR arm presented a relapse after STRm (37%), four during the washout period, and 13 patients in the JCV-NTZ arm (32.5%, p = 0.701). No differences in secondary endpoints were detected in the first year after STRm. CONCLUSIONS: The JCV status can be used as a natural experiment to compare treatment arms with a low selection bias. In our study, switching to OCR versus NTZ continuation led to similar disease activity outcomes.

Recommendations for Recruitment and Retention of a Diverse Workforce: A Report from the Field.

There has been increased interest and attention to the need for equity, diversity, and inclusion, in the field of applied behavior analysis in recent years. Several publications have focused on these topics and educational curricula and professional development opportunities have been developed. One aspect that has received less attention is how companies providing behavior analytic services can help to promote and sustain a diverse workforce. The purpose of this article is to provide examples and recommendations for how these overarching goals can be addressed. The examples and recommendations are described in the context of a small company that has made important strides in addressing this topic through its mission to serve members of marginalized communities.

The role of specialist nurses in detecting spasticity and related symptoms in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Spasticity is a frequent symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), which may negatively influence daily living activities (ADL). OBJECTIVES: To (1) explore the feasibility to conduct a structured interview by specialist nurses about limitations in ADL; (2) determine the percentage of people with MS (PwMS) with limitations in ADL related to spasticity; (3) to assess the knowledge about spasticity and describe its clinical features. DESIGN: Observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study in 16 MS units of Catalonia (Spain). Participants were recruited from the outpatient facility and day-care hospital between July 2018 and June 2019 and met the following criteria: (1) age 18 or older, (2) diagnosis of MS according to McDonald criteria 2010 and (3) no clinical relapse in previous 30 days. METHODS: Specialist nurses conducted a structured interview divided in two parts: the assessment of (1) limitations in the ADL and (2) the presence of spasticity and associated symptoms. The usefulness of this intervention was requested. This study met the STROBE reporting guidelines checklist for observational studies. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty eight pwMS (244 women) with a mean age of 46 years and a median Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 2.5 (range, 0-8.5) were included. 262 (71%) pwMS had limitations in the ADL, and spasticity was reported as the most limiting symptom in 59 (23%). As a result of the interview, spasticity was observed in 199 (76%) participants; 47 (24%) of them were unaware that they had spasticity and 102 (51%) would not have reported it spontaneously. The level of the interview satisfaction was high (90%). CONCLUSIONS: Spasticity is a complex and limiting symptom in MS. The structured interview conducted by specialist nurses is feasible and has good acceptance. PATIENT CONTRIBUTION: Specialist nurses can be proactive in MS clinical assessment, which may help to detect symptoms with negative impact on quality of life.

The age at onset of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis has increased over the last five decades.

BACKGROUND: Patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) most commonly experience their first symptoms between 20 and 40 years of age. The objective of this study was to investigate how the age at which the first symptoms of RRMS occur has changed over the past decades. METHODS: Patients who were followed up in our unit after an initial diagnosis of RRMS using the Poser or McDonald criteria and who experienced their first symptoms between January 1970 and December 2019 were included in the study. The cohort was divided into five groups according to the decade in which the first symptoms appeared. The age at disease onset was compared across decades. Changes in age were also determined after excluding patients with early-onset disease (<18 years of age) and those with late-onset disease (>50 years of age) to avoid bias. RESULTS: The cohort included 1,622 patients with RRMS, 67.6% of whom were women. Among them, 5.9% and 4% had early-onset and late-onset disease, respectively. The mean age ± standard deviation at onset was 31.11 ± 9.82 years, with no differences between men and women. The mean ages at onset were 23.79 ± 10.19 years between 1970 and 1979, 27.86 ± 9.22 years between 1980 and 1989, 30.07 ± 9.32 years between 1990 and 1999, 32.12 ± 9.47 between 2000 and 2009, and 34.28 ± 9.83 years between 2010 and 2019. The ages at disease onset were progressively higher in the later decades; this trend was statistically significant (p < 0.001), with a Pearson linear correlation coefficient R of 0.264 and R2 of 0.070 (p < 0.001). The results were similar when analysing men and women separately. We conducted an analysis of 1,460 patients (mean age at onset: 31.10 ± 7.99 years), after excluding patients with early-onset and late-onset disease. In this specific subgroup, the mean ages at disease onset were 28.38 ± 8.17 years between 1970 and 1979, 29.22 ± 7.51 years between 1980 and 1989, 30.06 ± 8.02 years between 1990 and 1999, 31.46 ± 7.77 years between 2000 and 2009, and 33.37 ± 7.97 years between 2010 and 2019. The trend was also statistically significant (p < 0.001), with a Pearson linear correlation coefficient R of 0.193 and R2 of 0.037 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that the age at RRMS onset has increased over the past decades.

Cost associated with a relapse-free patient in multiple sclerosis: A real-world health indicator.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in multiple sclerosis (MS) are well known; however, owing to their high costs, determining real-world outcomes is essential to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to investigate the variability in the annual cost of DMTs associated with a relapse-free patient in a representative population cohort of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and whether this could serve as an appropriate health indicator. METHODS: We analyzed the patients followed up in our MS clinic during the years 2016 and 2019, and selected patients belonging to our health district diagnosed with RRMS. The treatment cost associated with a relapse-free patient was the ratio between the total cost of DMTs and the number of relapse-free patients, treated and not treated, during the year of the study. RESULTS: A total of 158 patients with RRMS in 2016 and 183 in 2019 were included in our study. In 2016, 101 patients with RRMS (63.9%) received treatment with DMTs and 120 patients (75.9%) remained relapse-free. The mean cost of DMTs per patient in 2016 was €7414.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6325.2-8503.4) considering all the patients (treated and not treated). In 2019, 126 patients (68.9%) received DMTs and 151 patients (82.5%) remained relapse-free. The mean cost of DMTs per patient in 2019 was €6985.4 (95% CI: 5986.9-7983.9) considering all the patients. The cost per year of DMTs to achieve a relapse-free patient was €9762.2 in 2016 and €8465.8 in 2019. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment cost per year to achieve a relapse-free patient was stable during successive measurements in the same population. Therefore, it may be considered a good real-world health indicator for patients with RRMS treated with DMTs.

Virus respiratorios detectados a través de biología molecular en niños hospitalizados por Infección respiratoria aguda en tiempos de SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 / Respiratory viruses detected through molecular biology in childrenhospitalized for acute respiratory infection in times of SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19

Resumen Introducción: las infecciones respiratorias agudas virales se consideran una de las principales causas de mortalidad y morbilidad en pediatría, El Síndrome Respira torio Agudo Severo o Grave 2 (SARS-CoV-2), se ha convertido en un importante problema para la salud pública mundial por su alta transmisibilidad, el objetivo del estudio es describir el comportamiento de los virus respiratorios detectados por RT-PCR en niños hospitalizados por infección respiratoria aguda (IRA) en tiempos de SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 en un centro de atención pediátrica de Cali-Colombia. Metodología: Estudio observacional de corte transversal retrospectivo, donde se evaluaron 113 pacientes mayores de 28 días y menores de 18 años entre marzo y noviembre del 2020, hospitalizados con diagnostico confirmado IRA y con Reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo Real (RT-PCR) positiva para virus respiratorios. Resultados: Predominio del género masculino (64.6%). en 74.3% se diagnosticó con IRA baja, los principales síntomas fueron tos en 92% y fiebre 74.3% Se identificó SARS-CoV-2 en 53%, Human Rhinovirus/Enterovirus en 27.41% y Virus Respiratorio Sincitial en 15%. El 34.5% de los pacientes requirieron unidad de cuidados intensivos y 15.9% ventilación mecánica Conclusiones: La infección por SARS-CoV-2 fue más común en los pacientes hospitalizados tanto en salas generales como en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos

Abstract Introduction: viral acute respiratory infections have been considered of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in pediatrics, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has become an important problem for global public health for its high transmissibility. The objective of the study is to describe the behavior of respiratory viruses detected by RT-PCR in children hospitalized for acute respiratory infection (ARI) in times of SARS-CoV-2 / COVID19 in pediatric care center in Cali Colombia Methodology: observational with a retrospective cross-sectional study. 113 patients older than 28 days and under 18 years in March to November 2020, hospita lized with a confirmed diagnosis of ARI and Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) positive for respiratory viruses. Results: Predominance of gender male 64.6%. 74.3% with a diagnosis of low ARI, main symptoms presented were cough 92% and fever 74.3%, SARS-CoV-2 identified 53%, Human Rhinovirus / Enterovirus 27.41% and Respiratory Syncytial Virus 15%. 34.5% of the patients required an intensive care unit with mechanical ventilation requirement 15.9% Conclusions: infection by SARS-CoV-2 was more common in hospitalized patients in both general wards as in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Hipertensión portal secundario a trombosis de la vena porta y várices esofágicas / Secondary portal hypertension to portal venous thrombosis and esophageal varices

Resumen La hipertensión portal se define como la alteración patológica en el gradiente de presión a nivel del sistema portal, es decir, la diferencia entre la presión de la vena porta y la vena cava inferior. El valor normal es entre 1-5 mm Hg y se considera hipertensión cuando es mayor de 10 mm Hg. En este artículo, se describe el caso de una paciente de 5 años con un cuadro de hipertensión portal secundario a várices esofágicas y trombosis de la vena porta, confirmado por endoscopia de vías digestivas alta y angioresonancia magnética. La paciente fue atendida en la Fundación Clínica Infantil Club Noel de la ciudad de Cali, Colombia, entre los meses de diciembre del 2018 y febrero del 2019.

Abstract Portal hypertension is defined as the pathological increase in the portal pressure gradient, which is the difference between the pressure of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava. Normally portal vein pressure ranges between 1-5 mmHg and is considered hypertension when it is higher than 10 mmHg. In this study the case of a 5-year-old patient that suffers from secondary portal hypertension to portal venous thrombosis and esophageal varices is presented. The diagnostic is confirmed by an endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract and by a magnetic angioresonance. The patient was treated at the Fundacion Clinica Infantil Club Noel located in Cali, Colombia, between the months of December 2018 and February 2019.

Leukocyte adhesion molecule dynamics after Natalizumab withdrawal in Multiple Sclerosis.

Cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs) dynamics in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients have been widely studied after Natalizumab (NTZ) introduction. However, their temporal dynamics after NTZ withdrawal (NTZ-W) has not been described. We prospectively evaluate changes in the expression levels of CAMs (CD49d, CD29, L-Selectin and CD11a) involved in T cell migration of 22 MS patients after NTZ-W. CD49d, CD29 and CD11a expression experienced a continuous increase expression two months after NTZ-W and Cd49d expression at month six after NTZ-W correlated to NTZ treatment duration, both in CD45+CD4+ and CD45+CD8+. CD49d expression up to month three after NTZ-W was related to MS activity in CD45+CD8+ at the end of the study. Results from this study suggest that patients with a longer NTZ treatment are more susceptible to present a "molecular rebound" after NTZ-W. CD49d determination may be a useful tool to closely monitor MS activity in patients who interrupt NTZ.

[Health-Related Quality of Life as an Explanatory Variable of Primary Care Consultations: sex Differences]. / Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud como variable explicativa del consumo de consultas en atención primaria: un análisis por sexo.

BACKGROUND: It is well known the inverse relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the use of consultations. However, most studies deal sex as a confounding variable rather than to explicitly investigate sex differences. The study aims to know the influence of HRQoL of the elderly on the use of Primary Care consultations in a sex analysis. METHODS: Throughout 2013, 191 women and 155 men aged 65 years or older were enrolled in the study and assessed with interviews and analysis of medical records. We used the EuroQol-5D to assess the HRQoL and several demographic, clinical and social support variables were also analyzed. Two multiple linear regression models were developed. RESULTS: HRQoL showed a negative correlation with the use of consultations (Spearman's rho=-0,22; p=0,0001) and a crude OR value of 1,85 (95% CI:1,2-2,9). The association remained significant after adjusting for demographic [OR=1,99 (95% CI: 1,2-3,2)], clinical [OR=1,79 (95% CI: 1,1-2,9)] or social support covariates [OR=1,83 (95% CI: 1,1-2,9)]. In regression analysis, the values of standardized coefficient (ß) related to HRQoL were 0,22 (95% CI:-36,7- -6,9) in females and 0,03 (95% CI:-15,6-23,1) in males. CONCLUSIONS: In women ≥ 65 years, HRQoL shows the greatest explanatory power of use of consultations, after adjusting for demographic, clinical and social support covariates. By contrast, its influence on men is negligible.

Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud como variable explicativa del consumo de consultas en atención primaria: un análisis por sexo / Health-Related Quality of Life as an Explanatory Variable of Primary Care Consultations: Sex Differences

Fundamentos: Es conocida la asociación inversa que existe entre la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) y el consumo de consultas. Sin embargo, el sexo es considerado habitualmente como variable de confusión, y son escasos los estudios que han analizado explícitamente las diferencias de sexo en esta cuestión. El objetivo fue conocer la influencia de la CVRS sobre el uso de consultas de Atención Primaria en las personas >65 años, en un análisis diferenciado por sexo. Métodos: La selección de participantes se realizó a lo largo de 2013, 191 mujeres y 155 varones de ≥65 años fueron estudiados mediante entrevista y análisis de historias clínicas. Se utilizó el Cuestionario EuroQol-5D y fueron analizadas variables demográficas, clínicas y de apoyo social. Se elaboraron 2 modelos de regresión múltiple, uno dirigido a las mujeres y otro a los varones. Resultados: La CVRS se correlacionó de forma negativa con el consumo de consultas (Rho-Spearman=-0,22; p=0,0001), con una OR cruda de 1,85 (IC95%: 1,2-2,9). La asociación se mantuvo significativa al ajustar tanto por variables demográficas [OR=1,99 (IC95%: 1,2–3,2)], como por variables clínicas [OR=1,79 (IC95%: 1,1-2,9)] o de apoyo social [OR=1,83 (IC95%: 1,1–2,9)]. En el análisis de regresión, los valores del coeficiente estandarizado (β) asociado a la CVRS fueron 0,22 (IC95%: -36,7– -6,9) en las mujeres, y 0,03 (-15,6–23,1) en los varones. Conclusiones: En las mujeres de ≥65 años la CVRS es la variable con mayor capacidad explicativa de consumo de consultas, tras ajustar por variables demográficas, clínicas y de apoyo social. Por el contrario, en los varones su influencia es prácticamente nula (AU)

Background: It is well known the inverse relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the use of consultations. However, most studies deal sex as a confounding variable rather than to explicitly investigate sex differences. The study aims to know the influence of HRQoL of the elderly on the use of Primary Care consultations in a sex analysis. Methods: Throughout 2013, 191 women and 155 men aged 65 years or older were enrolled in the study and assessed with interviews and analysis of medical records. We used the EuroQol-5D to assess the HRQoL and several demographic, clinical and social support variables were also analyzed. Two multiple linear regression models were developed. Results: HRQoL showed a negative correlation with the use of con-sultations (Spearman´s rho=-0,22; p=0,0001) and a crude OR value of 1,85 (95% CI:1,2–2,9). The association remained significant after adjusting for demographic [OR=1,99 (95% CI: 1,2–3,2)], clinical [OR=1,79 (95% CI: 1,1–2,9)] or social support covariates [OR=1,83 (95% CI: 1,1–2,9)]. In regression analysis, the values of standardized coefficient (β) related to HRQoL were 0,22 (95% CI:-36,7– -6,9) in females and 0,03 (95% CI:-15,6–23,1) in males. Conclusions: In women ≥65 years, HRQoL shows the greatest explanatory power of use of consultations, after adjusting for demographic, clinical and social support covariates. By contrast, its influence on men is negligible (AU)

Dynamique identitaire, implication et representations sociales du travail: dinâmica identitária e implicação / Social representations of work: identity dynamic and psychosocial involvement / Representações sociais do trabalho

Dans cette recherche, on étudie l'impact des modalités d'ancrage de la représentation sociale du travail en fonction du statut professionnel (cadres / employés) pour une population de salariés de la fonction publique française. La représentation du travail que le groupe « cadres ¼ mobilise renvoie aux pratiques professionnelles, celle du groupe « employés ¼ renvoie) à une dimension économique et sociale qui s'exprime par l'importance accordée au salaire et aux relations de travail. L'examen des résultats montre que les éléments de la dimension normative d'un groupe correspondent aux éléments fonctionnels de l'autre groupe, mettant ainsi en évidence la nature de l'asymétrie des groupes étudiés.Cette différence représentationnelle est fondée sur la compositionqualitative des noyaux centraux des représentations du travail des deux groupes étudiés (objectivation différente). La discussion portenotamment sur le lien entre les résultats obtenus et l'implication au travail.

In this research we study the impact of anchoring modalities of social representations of work for two groups of French employees supposed to have a different social status in work. On the one side we can see the group "cadre" is particularly oriented by the pragmatic aspects of professional activity, on the other side, the representation of "work" for the group "employés" is oriented by economical and social principles. The results show an opposition between normative dimensions organizing the social representations of one group and a functional dimension structuring the representation of the other group, emphasizing the asymmetrical relation between groups. It shows that the differences of representations are based on a processes group and therefore they have and show different degrees of involvement in job. This difference between groups based on the qualitative composition of central nucleus of social representations of work leads to differences in involvement on work.

Nesta pesquisa, estudamos o impacto das modalidades da ancoragem da representação social do trabalho de acordo com o estatuto profissional (gerentes e empregados) para uma população de funcionários (assalariados) do serviço público francês. A representação do trabalho do grupo "quadros" refere-se às práticas profissionais, o grupo "empregados" refere-se a uma dimensão econômica e social que se expressa pela importância dada aos salários e relações de trabalho. O exame dos resultados mostra que os elementos da dimensão normativa de um grupo correspondem aos elementos funcionais do outro grupo, ressaltando assim a natureza da diferença assimétrica dos grupos estudados. Essa representação baseia-se na composição qualitativa dos núcleos centrais das representações dos dois grupos estudados (objetivação diferente). A discussão centra-se sobretudo na relação entre resultados e « implicação ¼ (envolvimento) no trabalho.

Relaciones públicas en almacenes universales SA

En la investigación se diagnosticarán los principales públicos de la empresa objeto de estudio, los cuales lo constituyen sus empleados y clientes. Por medio del diagnóstico se podrá obtener suficiente información sobre aspectos que de una forma u otra afectan los resultados de la entidad

Aseguramiento d la calidad en la etapa analítica en química clínica / Quality assurance in the analytical stage in clinical Chemistry

Se realizó un estudio analítico transversal en el departamento de química clínica del Hospital Universitario "Manuel Ascunce Domenech" durante el año 2005, se investigó el aseguramiento de la calidad en la etapa analítica al valorar la precisión de los métodos de ensayos mediante la aplicación de la reproducibilidad como técnica del control interno con el objetivo con el objetivo de asegurar la calidad de los ensayos de química clínica en el laboratorio central. Los datos se recogieron en registros de reproducibilidad y fueron procesados en una microcomputadora, se encontraron medidas de tendencia central (media) y de dispersión (desviación estándar y coeficiente de variación). Casi la totalidad de las determinaciones presentaron coeficientes de variación aceptables y adaptando el control de calidad a las condiciones se confeccionaron procedimientos normalizados de operación e instructivos de trabajo.

A cross-sectional analytic study in the clinical chemistry department at "Manuel Ascunce Domenech" University Hospital was conducted during the year 2005, the quality assurance in the analytic stage to assess the accuracy of testing methods through the application of the reproducibility as a technique of internal control was investigated with the objective to assure the quality of the tests of clinical chemistry in the central laboratory. Data were collected in registrations and were processed in a microcomputer, measures of central tendency (average) and dispersion (standard deviation and coefficient of variation) were found. Almost the totality of determinations presented coefficients of acceptable variation and adapting quality control to the conditions normalized procedures of operation and work instructions were accomplished.

Circuito Quirúrgico Informatizado. Una herramienta para la mejora de la atención al paciente quirúrgico / Improving the Care level on a surgery-needed patient through a Computer-Aided Surgery Cares Program

El Programa de Atención al Paciente Quirúrgico en el Hospital Puerta del Mar (Cádiz) surge con el objetivo de personalizar la atención y garantizar la continuidad de cuidados y la seguridad de nuestros pacientes en cada una de las unidades por las que va desarrollándose la actividad quirúrgica. Este programa se soporta en una herramienta informática que es el circuito quirúrgico, la cual ha sido diseñada siguiendo la metodología de mejora continua y la participación desde el inicio de los profesionales enfermeros como actores de su desarrollo e implantación. En sólo ocho meses se ha conseguido que más del 55 % de los pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente disponga de un registro informatizado en el que se valoran, diagnostican, planifican y abordan los aspectos relacionados con la propia intervención quirúrgica como una parte añadida a las respuestas humanas que la misma ocasiona tanto a él como a su familia. Todo ello haciendo uso de las taxonomías enfermeras NANDA, NOC y NIC, con un enfoque holístico, centrado en la persona como agente y receptor de cuidados. Acompaña a este registro un sistema de información desde el que se explotan aspectos tales como la prevalencia diagnóstica enfermera, intervenciones realizadas, alergias, profilaxis antibiótica administrada, etc

The Surgery-needed Care Program, currently under test at the Puerta del Mar Hospital in Cadiz, has been conceived with the aim of both tuning the care level to each individual patient and, at the same time, to secure a continuous assistance through all the units involved in the surgery process. It is based on a computer tool so called Surgery Program. This computer application has been designed on the basis of continually-improving approach while counting with the enrolment, from the very first phases, of nurses in the affected units both in development and set-up steps. After just eight months running this Program, we have been able to create a digital database keeping record about up to 55% of the surgery assistances appointed in this period. In each of these records, the expected emotional responses of both the patient and relatives against the surgery process are diagnosed and carefully evaluated. Likewise those care actions planned to face such responses with the aim of alleviating patient and family-environment anxieties or fears are also recorded. For this, NANDA, NOC and NIC taxonomies has been used with a holistic perspective and considering the person both as the agent and as the final receiver of cares. The information recorded in this database is complemented with other provided by a parallel information system keeping track of additional relevant details as nurse diagnosis, list of all the interventions performed, patient allergies or antibiotic prophylaxis provided to the patient (AU)

Effect on ejaculatory performance and semen parameters of sexually-satiated male goats (Capra hircus) after changing the stimulus female.

The association between stimulation of sexual activity and semen characteristics of sexually mature goats was evaluated. Nine 2-year-old criollo bucks were used. Each buck was subjected to 8-weekly trials in which one of the following two treatments was alternately applied. In treatment 1, males were individually exposed to the same estrus-induced female during a 4-h period, and ejaculates were collected and analyzed throughout. Treatment 2 was the same, except that a different doe replaced the stimulus animal for the third and fourth hours. The total number of ejaculations and total sperm number for four sets of data was different (P<0.01) for treatments 1 and 2 (184 versus 252 ejaculations with a total of 354.3 versus 477.1 billion sperm, respectively). In treatment 2, when first and last ejaculation of each male with the (original) stimulus animal were compared, total sperm per ejaculate decreased (P=0.08) from 4.14+/-3.8 x 10(9) to 0.77+/-0.7 x 10(9), while this value increased (P=0.05) to 3.04+/-2.3 x 10(9) after a new female was introduced, which represented a recovery of 67.35%. All males achieved a first ejaculation with the original stimulus animal while on average, only three achieved a seventh service. After changing the stimulus animal, all males ejaculated again. It is concluded that changing the stimulus animal after a 2-h continuous exposure to an estrous female stimulates sexual activity and increases sperm output in male goats.

[Premature death from infectious diseases in Spain, 1908-1995]. / Mortalidad prematura por enfermedades infecciosas en España, 1908-1995.

OBJECTIVES: Infectious diseases have traditionally been one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. The objectives of this research were to: 1) quantify the importance of infectious diseases as a cause of premature mortality in Spain between 1908 and 1995, and 2) determine the frequency and distribution of the infectious diseases with the greatest impact on premature death. METHODS: The study was carried out based on data on mortality from infectious causes published by the National Institute of Statistics in the Movimiento natural de la población (Natural Movement of the Population) for the study period. Three indicators of premature mortality were used: the potential years of life lost (PYLL), the crude rate of PYLL per 1 000 population, and the percentage and the average of PYLL. RESULTS: Between 1908 and 1995, the number and the rate of PYLL from infectious causes clearly declined. The decrease was more prominent starting in the 1950s, and it was seen in all age groups. Tuberculosis was the leading cause of premature death from the beginning of the century until the 1970s, but after that, the leading causes became pneumonia and AIDS. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of infectious diseases as determinants of premature death in Spain declined during the 20th century, especially starting in the 1970s.