Relationship of limited joint mobility and foot deformities with neurological examination in patients with diabetes.

AIMS: The aim is to define the association of forefoot deformity and limited joint mobility in the ankle and hallux joints in patients with diabetes mellitus subject to different diagnostic tests for diabetic neuropathy. Prospective study with 118 type 2 diabetic patients (68 men, mean age of 65.6±9.9 years) enrolled consecutively from the Diabetic Foot Unit of the Complutense University of Madrid subject to evaluation of plantar surface sensitivity by 10-g Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament, vibratory threshold by biothesiometer, and sudomotor dysfunction by Neuropad®. The patients presented with limited joint mobility of the ankle and the first metatarsophalangeal joints, and forefoot deformities were registered. Statistical analysis was done through a univariate model to test the association between neurological and biomechanical alteration. There was an association of abnormal Monofilament (p=0.01; OR=3.9) and biothesiometer tests (p=0.01; OR=2.6) with the presence of forefoot deformity. Furthermore, a relation was found between abnormal Monofilament (p=0.02; OR=4.8) and biothesiometer (p<0.00; OR=12.8) tests with limited mobility of the first metatarsophalangeal joint both in loading and off-loading. Abnormal sudomotor function test was related with limited joint mobility of the ankle joint with the knee flexed (p=0.04; OR=2.8). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show discordance between biomechanical abnormalities and neuropathy depending on the diagnostic test used. Tests that assess large myelinated nerve fibers are associated with the presence of deformities. Abnormal sudomotor function test is associated with limited joint mobility and this test has a greater capacity for selecting patients at risk.

Adquisición de competencias transversales en alumnos de pregrado de Ciencias de la Salud en la Universidad Complutense: una experiencia positiva / Acquisition of general skills in undergraduate students in Health Sciences in the Complutense University: a positive experience

Introducción. Presentamos los resultados de la evaluación de las Jornadas Complutenses de Investigación para alumnos de pregrado en Ciencias de la Salud, una actividad académica con dos años de experiencia y una participación de 1.434 alumnos, creada en nuestra universidad para impulsar en los alumnos de pregrado habilidades comunicativas y de metodología en investigación. Sujetos y métodos. Mediante una encuesta anónima se evaluó en los alumnos el grado de satisfacción e interés(aprender metodología científica, aprender a hablar en público, etc.) y también en los moderadores de mesas(originalidad, planteamiento metodológico, presentación iconográfica, exposición oral, viabilidad y relevancia de las comunicaciones presentadas). Resultados. En las I Jornadas se inscribieron 500 alumnos, todos de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), y se presentaron un total de 169 comunicaciones (129 orales, 40 pósters). En las II Jornadas lo hicieron 934 alumnos, 838 de la UCM y 96 de otras nueve universidades, y se presentaron un total de286 comunicaciones (180 orales, 106 pósteres). Conclusiones. Es una actividad en la que el alumno pasa a ser un gestor activo y difusor de aprendizaje, y potencia de una manera dinámica habilidades en comunicación científica. También tiene beneficios para el profesorado y la institución universitaria, que la convierten en una ‘terapia pedagógica holística’ (AU)

Introduction. We present here the results of the appraisal of the Complutense Conference on Research for undergraduate students in Health Sciences, an academic activity which has been running for two years, with the participation of 1,434students. It was set up in this University to encourage communication skills and research methodology among undergraduate students. Subjects and methods. By means of an anonymous survey, the levels of satisfaction and interest of the students were evaluated (learning scientific methodology, learning to speak in public, etc.); similarly, that of the panel moderators (originality, methodological approach, iconographic presentation, oral presentation, viability and relevance of presentations given). Results. The First Conference had 500 registered students, all from the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), with a total of 169 presentations(129 oral, 40 poster). In the Second Conference there were934 students, 838 from the UCM and 96 from nine other universities, with a total of 286 presentations (180 oral, poster106). Conclusions. This is an activity in which the student becomes an active manager and imparter of learning, and dynamically reinforces his or her skills in science communication. It also has benefits for teachers and the University itself, making it a ‘holistic pedagogical therapy’ (AU)

Influencia del tabaco sobre la Proteína C Reactiva en una población aparentemente sana / Influence of tobacco on C-reactive protein in an apparently healthy population

Introducción: Es nuestro objetivo determinar en qué medida el tabaco induce elevación de Proteína C Reactiva (PCR) en suero y definir el riesgo relativo de enfermedad inflamatoria subyacente en la población fumadora según los valores publicados por The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention y la American Heart Association.Material y métodos: El presente estudio se ha llevado a cabo en una muestra sana masculina de 544 individuos, formada por personal aeronáutico cuyas edades se sitúan entre los 19 y los 60 años, media de 40 años con desviación típica de 10. De los 544 pilotos, 344 eran no fumadores y 200 fumadores. La PCR se determinó mediante el test ultrasensible.Resultados: La concentración sérica media en individuos no fumadores es de 1,6 mg/l (Intervalo de Confianza 95%: 1,4-1,7), mientras que en fumadores es de 2,09 mg/l (Intervalo de Confianza 95%: 1,9-2,3). El 65,5% de la población fuma-dora obtenía una PCR > 1 mg/l frente al 51,5% de la población no fumadora. Los fumadores tenían 27,3% más riesgo de presentar una PCR sérica superior a 1 mg/l (Riesgo Relativo: 1,273; Intervalo de Confianza 95%: 1,103-1,470) que los no fumadores.Discusión: La PCR es un buen marcador de inflamación, pudiendo utilizarse como factor predictivo de riesgo cardiovascular y de alteración broncopulmonar.Conclusiones: Se puede estimar el valor de 1,2 mg/l para la PCR en suero como referencia en una población masculina adulta sana. La edad y sobrepeso son factores que afectan a la relación entre tabaquismo y PCR sérica, pero es el consumo de tabaco el principal factor determinante de una elevación de la PCR

Introduction: We aim to determine up to what degree tobacco induces and elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) in serum and define the relative risk of underlying inflammatory disease in the population that smokes according to the values published by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention and the American Heart Association.Material and methods: The present study was conducted in a healthy male sample of 544 individuals made up of aeronautic personnel whose ages ranged from 19 to 60 years, with a mean of 40 years and standard deviation of 10. A total of 344 out of the 544 pilots did not smoke and 200 smoked. The CRP was measured with the ultrasensitive test.Results: The means serum concentration in subjects who did not smoke was 1.6 mg/l (95% Confidence Interval: 1.4-1.7) while it was 2.09 mg/l (95 % Confidence Interval: 1.9-2.3) in those who smoked. A total of 65.5% of the population who smoked obtained a CRP > 1 mg/l versus 51.5% of the population who did not smoke. Those who smoked had 27.3% more risk of having a serum CRP value greater than 1 mg/l (Relative Risk: 1.273; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.103-1.470) than those who did not smoke.Discussion: CRP is a good marker of inflammation and can be used as a predictive factor of cardiovascular risk andbronchopulmonary disorder.Conclusions: The value of 1.2 mg/l for CRP in serum can be estimated as reference in a healthy adult masculine population. Age and overweightness are factors that affect the relationship between smoking and serum CRP. However tobacco consumption is the main determining factor of an increase in CRP (AU)

[Bibliometric analysis of the Spanish Journal of Chemotherapy (1996-2000)]. / Análisis bibliométrico de la Revista Española de Quimioterapia (1996-2000).

A bibliometric study of the output of Spanish scientific research into antimicrobial and antiparasitic chemotherapy was carried out, based on articles published in the Spanish Journal of Chemotherapy from 1996 to 2000. The 20 issues of the journal corresponding to the 5-year period studied were analyzed using the main indicators for bibliometry: article typology; output; Bradford's Law and Lotka's estimation; collaboration index; institutional origin; geographic location; subject; and advertising. The majority of the articles were original, and a small group of high-output authors and an appropriate level of contribution were identified. The greatest percentage of scientific output was from the autonomous regions of Madrid and Valencia. The majority of studies included in the analysis were hospital-based and the most researched topic was antimicrobial drugs. A reduction in the amount of advertising was noted.