The influence of age, period, and cohort factors on the incidence of kidney cancer in Spain 1990-2019: Evidence from the global burden of disease study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the influence of age, period, and cohort (A-P-C) factors on kidney cancer (KC) incidence trends in Spain from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: Employing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we employed joinpoint analysis to determine long-term patterns and A-P-C modelling to quantify net drift, local drift, longitudinal age curves, and rate ratios (RRs) of period and cohort effects. RESULTS: Over the period 1990-2019, an estimated 142,811 cases of KC were diagnosed in Spain. A consistent upward trend in KC incidence was observed for both men and women, with the male-to-female ratio remaining stable at 2.6. Joinpoint analysis identified three distinct periods for men: An initial period (1990-1995) characterised by a significant increase in rates, a subsequent period (1995-2016) characterised by a slowdown in the rate of increase, and a final period (2016-2019) in which rates have plateaued. In women, 2 time periods were observed: an initial period (1990-2007) in which rates increased significantly, followed by a period of stabilization (2007-2019). Men born in the early-mid 20th century had a rising KC risk, peaking in the 1960s. Women's risk rose steadily, peaking in the late 1990s. CONCLUSION: A-P-C analysis reveals steady KC incidence increase in both genders over three decades. This highlights the need for targeted public health policies and effective prevention strategies.

Geographical differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality trends by sex, Spain, 1980-2021.

BACKGROUND: To analyse changes in trends in mortality due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain by Autonomous Community (AC) and sex during the period 1980-2021.METHODS: Data on population and COPD death records (International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, codes J40â-"J44 and J47) were retrieved from the National Institute of Statistics for the study period. Age-standardised mortality rates by AC and sex were assessed using joinpoint regression models.RESULTS: There were 562,668 deaths due to COPD (423,855 in men and 138,813 in women), with an average annual increase of 1.6%. COPD deaths in men increased in most ACs, except for Asturias (â-"0.5% per year). The Canary Islands (14% per year) and Madrid (6.5% per year) had the highest increases. In women, the figures show a wide range of values at the AC level (from a â-"1.4% decrease to 7.9% increase). Nationally, the sex ratio increased from 1980 to 2021. In men, six ACs showed a significant decrease, while in women only two ACs showed a significant decrease.CONCLUSION: A steady decrease in COPD mortality was observed in most ACs for men, while a different trend was observed in women in several ACs. Despite past and ongoing tobacco control initiatives, this condition remains a leading cause of death.

Tendencias de la mortalidad por cáncer de vejiga en España, 1980-2021 / Bladder cancer mortality trends in Spain: 1980-2021

Objetivo Nos proponemos actualizar las tasas de mortalidad por cáncer de vejiga en España de 1980 a 2021, estandarizadas por sexo, grupo de edad y comunidades autónomas (CC. AA.). Materiales y métodos Se utilizaron las bases de datos públicas en línea del Instituto Nacional de Estadística para obtener datos sobre población y mortalidad por cáncer de vejiga. Se calcularon las tasas de mortalidad estandarizadas por edad (TMEE) para todas las edades y las truncadas (<75 y ≥75 años) y se presentaron como tasas por cada 100.000 personas. Se utilizó el modelo de regresión Joinpoint para el cálculo y análisis de las tendencias de las TMEE por cáncer de vejiga. Resultados En la última década, las TMEE por cáncer de vejiga (todas las edades,<75 años y ≥75 años) disminuyeron significativamente en España para ambos sexos. Esta tendencia se observó en 12 CC. AA. para los hombres y en 4 CC. AA. (Andalucía, Canarias, Cataluña y Madrid) para las mujeres, aunque en proporciones diferentes. Para los hombres, la TMEE permaneció estable en Castilla-León y La Rioja (<75 años), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha y Valencia (≥75 años) y las 2 regiones castellanas (todas las edades). En el caso de las mujeres, las TMEE también disminuyeron en Valencia (<75 y ≥75), Castilla-León (≥75), Galicia (≥75 y todas las edades) y Navarra (<75 y todas las edades). Conclusión Nuestros resultados revelan variaciones significativas en las tendencias por CC. AA., sexo y grupo de edad, enfatizando la necesidad de un seguimiento continuado e intervenciones específicas para reducir aún más las tasas de mortalidad por cáncer de vejiga en España (AU)

Objective We propose to update bladder cancer mortality rates in Spain from 1980 to 2021, by sex and age-group, by autonomous community (AC). Materials and methods The public online databases of the National Statistical Institute were used to obtain data on population and bladder cancer mortality. Age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs), all ages and truncated (<75 and ≥75) were estimated and reported as rates per 100,000 persons. Joinpoint regression software was used for estimation and trend analysis of ASMRs bladder cancer. Results In the last decade, the ASMR for bladder cancer (all ages,<75 years and ≥75 years) decreased significantly in Spain for both sexes. This trend was observed in 12 ACs for men and in 4 ACs (Andalusia, Canary Islands, Catalonia and Madrid) for women, although to different degrees. For men, ASMR remained stable in Castilla-León and La Rioja (<75 years), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha and Valencia (≥75years) and the 2 Castilian regions (all ages). For women, ASMR also decreased in Valencia (<75 and ≥75), Castilla-León (≥75), Galicia (≥75 and all ages) and Navarre (<75 and all ages). Conclusion Our results reveal significant variations in trends by AC, sex and age group, emphasizing the need for continued follow-up and targeted interventions to further reduce bladder cancer mortality rates in Spain (AU)

Bladder cancer mortality trends in Spain: 1980-2021.

OBJECTIVE: We propose to update bladder cancer mortality rates in Spain from 1980 to 2021, by sex and age-group, by autonomous community (AC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The public online databases of the National Statistical Institute were used to obtain data on population and bladder cancer mortality. Age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs), all ages and truncated (<75 and ≥75) were estimated and reported as rates per 100,000 persons. Joinpoint regression software was used for estimation and trend analysis of ASMRs bladder cancer. RESULTS: In the last decade, the ASMR for bladder cancer (all ages, <75 years and ≥75 years) decreased significantly in Spain for both sexes. This trend was observed in 12 ACs for men and in 4 ACs (Andalusia, Canary Islands, Catalonia and Madrid) for women, although to different degrees. For men, ASMR remained stable in Castilla-León and La Rioja (<75 years), Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha and Valencia (≥75 years) and the 2 Castilian regions (all ages). For women, ASMR also decreased in Valencia (<75 and ≥75), Castilla-León (≥75), Galicia (≥75 and all ages) and Navarre (<75 and all ages). CONCLUSION: Our results reveal significant variations in trends by AC, sex and age group, emphasizing the need for continued follow-up and targeted interventions to further reduce bladder cancer mortality rates in Spain.

Thrombectomy with embed aspiration in acute ischaemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: In addition to stent retrievers, direct aspiration has become a reasonable thrombectomy strategy. OBJECTIVES: We carried out the thrombectomy by guiding the aspiration catheter fully over the clot and performing immediate manual aspiration; we call this procedure "embed aspiration". METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomised, single-centre study, we included all patients treated at a high volume-of-care stroke centre between 2017 and 2018 for the TRIANA (Thrombectomy in Andalusia using Aspiration) registry. Thrombectomy was carried out by embed aspiration. Patients were classified according to the success (eTICI 2b67-2c-3) or failure (eTICI 0-1-2a-2b50) of the procedure. Baseline clinical data and outcomes were compared, and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: The embed aspiration technique was used in 370 patients. Treatment was successful in 90.3% of patients. Mean puncture-to-recanalisation time was 25 minutes. The overall rate of good outcomes (mRS 0-2) at 3 months was 64%. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports real-life evidence that standardised embed aspiration may be an alternative to stent retrievers for thrombectomy.

¿Ha dejado de disminuir la mortalidad por enfermedades cerebrovasculares en España? / Has stroke mortality stopped declining in Spain?

Objetivos: Analizar los cambios en las tendencias de la mortalidad por enfermedades cerebrovasculares según comunidad autónoma y sexo en España durante el período 1980-2016 utilizando modelos de regresión joinpoint. Métodos: Los datos de mortalidad se obtuvieron del Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Para cada comunidad autónoma y sexo se calcularon las tasas brutas y estandarizadas. El análisis de regresión joinpoint se utilizó para identificar los puntos más adecuados donde se produjo un cambio estadísticamente significativo en la tendencia. Resultados: El análisis joinpoint permite diferenciar comunidades en las que las tasas muestran un descenso continuado a lo largo de todo el periodo en ambos sexos (Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León, Ceuta y Melilla) o solo en los hombres (Extremadura). En los hombres, en las comunidades en las que se observan cambios en la tendencia se aprecia, en todas ellas (excepto en Aragón, Baleares y Murcia, donde las tasas permanecen estables), un primer periodo de descenso, que oscila entre el −3,4% en Cataluña y Extremadura y el −6,0% en Madrid, y un periodo final donde las tasas muestran tendencias divergentes: siguen descendiendo en Andalucía, Aragón, Baleares y Madrid, han comenzado a estabilizarse en Castilla-La Mancha y Murcia y aumentan en Canarias. En las mujeres, en las comunidades en que se observan cambios en la tendencia se aprecia, en todas ellas (excepto en Aragón, Murcia y País Vasco, donde las tasas permanecen estables), un primer periodo de descenso, que oscila entre el −3,1% en Cataluña y el −6,4% en Navarra, y un periodo final donde las tasas muestran tendencias divergentes: siguen descendiendo en Andalucía, Aragón, Cataluña, Galicia, Madrid y País Vasco, han comenzado a estabilizarse en Extremadura y Murcia, y aumentan en Canarias. [...] (AU)

Objectives: To analyse the changes in stroke mortality trends in Spain by autonomous community and by sex during the period 1980-2016, using joinpoint regression models. Methods: Mortality data were obtained from the Spanish National Statistics Institute. Crude and standardised rates were calculated for each Spanish autonomous community, and for each sex. Joinpoint analysis was used to identify the best-fitting points showing a statistically significant change in the trend. Results: Joinpoint analysis enabled us to differentiate between communities in which mortality rates showed a continuous decline throughout the study period in both sexes (Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and Leon, Ceuta, and Melilla) or in men only (Extremadura). In men, in all those communities in which changes in the trend were observed (all but Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Murcia, where rates remained stable), we observed an initial period of decline (ranging from –3.4% in Catalonia and Extremadura, to –6.0% in Madrid) and a final period where the trends diverged: mortality rates continued to fall in Andalusia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Madrid, but began to stabilise in Castile-La Mancha and Murcia and to increase in the Canary Islands. In women, in those communities where changes were observed (all but Aragon, Murcia, and the Basque Country, where rates remained stable), we observed an initial period of decline (ranging from –3.1% in Catalonia to –6.4% in Navarre) and a final period where divergent trends were observed: rates continued to decline in Andalusia, Aragon, Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid, and the Basque Country, but began to stabilise in Extremadura and Murcia and to increase in the Canary Islands. [...] (AU)

Has stroke mortality stopped declining in Spain?

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the changes in stroke mortality trends in Spain by autonomous community and by sex during the period 1980-2016, using joinpoint regression models. METHODS: Mortality data were obtained from the Spanish National Statistics Institute. Crude and standardised rates were calculated for each Spanish autonomous community, and for each sex. Joinpoint analysis was used to identify the best-fitting points showing a statistically significant change in the trend. RESULTS: Joinpoint analysis enabled us to differentiate between communities in which mortality rates showed a continuous decline throughout the study period in both sexes (Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and Leon, Ceuta, and Melilla) or in men only (Extremadura). In men, in all those communities in which changes in the trend were observed (all but Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Murcia, where rates remained stable), we observed an initial period of decline (ranging from -3.4% in Catalonia and Extremadura, to -6.0% in Madrid) and a final period where the trends diverged: mortality rates continued to fall in Andalusia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Madrid, but began to stabilise in Castile-La Mancha and Murcia and to increase in the Canary Islands. In women, in those communities where changes were observed (all but Aragon, Murcia, and the Basque Country, where rates remained stable), we observed an initial period of decline (ranging from -3.1% in Catalonia to -6.4% in Navarre) and a final period where divergent trends were observed: rates continued to decline in Andalusia, Aragon, Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid, and the Basque Country, but began to stabilise in Extremadura and Murcia and to increase in the Canary Islands. CONCLUSIONS: Current data show that stroke mortality rates have decreased (in women in Andalusia), stabilised (in both sexes in Murcia, in men in Castile-La Mancha, and in women in Extremadura), and have even reversed (in both sexes in the Canary Islands). Further study is needed to identify the causes of these trends.

Patrón espacial de la mortalidad por EPOC en los municipios de Sevilla (2013-2017) / Spatial pattern of COPD mortality in the municipalities of Seville (2013-2017)

OBJETIVO: analizar el patrón espacial de la mortalidad por EPOC en los municipios de la provincia de Sevilla durante el período 2013-2017. SUJETOS Y MÉTODO: los datos de mortalidad por EPOC y las poblaciones necesarias para el cálculo de los indicadores fueron facilitados por el Instituto de Estadística de Andalucía. Para analizar el patrón espacial de la mortalidad por EPOC a nivel de los municipios de Sevilla se usaron tres estimadores de riesgo: la Razón de Mortalidad Estandarizada (RME), el Riesgo Relativo Suavizado (RRs) y la Probabilidad Posteriores (PP) de que el RRs sea mayor que 1. RESULTADOS: los valores de RRs en los hombres oscilan entre 0,95 en Mairena del Alcor y 1,9 en Badolatosa y El Real de la Jara y en las mujeres los valores oscilan entre 0,78 en La Puebla de Cazalla y 3,4 en Lora del Rio. Se observan 76 municipios en los hombres y 23 en las mujeres con una PP mayor o igual a 0,80. CONCLUSIÓN: nuestros hallazgos ayudan a identificar áreas de alto riesgo para futuros estudios más completos destinados a identificar los factores de riesgo específicos asociados con las áreas críticas observadas y para guiar los esfuerzos de control de la EPOC

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the spatial pattern of COPD mortality in the municipalities of the province of Seville during the 2013-2017 period. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: the COPD mortality data and the populations needed to calculate the indicators were provided by the Andalusian Institute of Statistics. To analyze the spatial pattern of COPD mortality at the level of the municipalities of Seville, three risk estimators were used: Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR), Relative Risk Smoothing (RRs) and Posterior Probability (PP) that the RRs is greater than 1. RESULTS: RRs values in men range between 0.95 in Mairena del Alcor and 1.9 in Badolatosa and Real de la Jara and in women the values range between 0.78 in La Puebla de Cazalla and 3.4 in Lora del Rio. There are 76 municipalities in men and 23 in women with a PP greater than or equal to 0.80. CONCLUSION: our findings help identify high-risk areas for more complete future studies to identify specific risk factors associated with the critical areas observed and to guide COPD control efforts

Tendencias recientes en cáncer de próstata en España / Recent trends in prostate cancer in Spain

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las tendencias recientes de incidencia, supervivencia y mortalidad por cáncer de próstata en España utilizando datos actualizados. Sujetos y método: Las defunciones por cáncer de próstata se han obtenido del Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE). Los casos incidentes se han obtenido de las bases de datos Cancer incidence in five continents (CI5) y European Cancer Information System. Para el análisis de tendencias se usaron modelos de regresión joinpoint. En los resultados se muestran los años (período) que componen cada tendencia, así como el porcentaje de cambio anual (PCA) para cada una de ellas. La dirección y magnitud de las tendencias recientes (últimos 5 años disponibles) se evaluaron mediante los porcentajes de cambio anual medio (PCAM). RESULTADOS: Las tasas de incidencia aumentaron de forma significativa, pasando de 16,4 en 1980 a 61,3 en 2014. El análisis joinpoint muestra 3 períodos: 2 iniciales de incrementos significativos (1980-1990; 3,5% y 1990-2004; 8,4%) seguidos de uno final en el que las tasas se estabilizan (2004-2014; -0,5%, no significativo). Las tasas de mortalidad descienden pasando de 12,9 en 1980 a 7,9 en el año 2018, con un PCAM de -1,2% (p < 0,05). Sin embargo, el análisis joinpoint identificó 3 períodos de tiempo: un período inicial de aumento estadísticamente significativo (1980-1998; PCA: 0,6%, p < 0,05) y 2 períodos de disminución en las tasas (1992-2008; PCA: -3,3%, p < 0,05 y 2008-2018; PCA: -2,4%, p < 0,05). CONCLUSIÓN: Las tendencias recientes (últimos 5 años) muestran que las tasas de mortalidad han disminuido y que las tasas de incidencia se han estabilizado e incluso descendido en algunos grupos de edad

OBJECTIVE: To assess recent trends in prostate cancer incidence, survival and mortality in Spain using updated data. Subjects and method: Prostate cancer mortality data have been obtained from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Incidence cases have been obtained from the databases Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) and European Cancer Information System. Joinpoint regression models were used for trend analysis. The results show the duration (years) of each trend, as well as the Annual Percent Change (APC) for each of them. The direction and magnitude of recent trends (last 5 years available) were evaluated using the percentages of Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC). RESULTS: Incidence rates increased significantly from 16.4 in 1980 to 61.3 in 2014. The joinpoint analysis shows three periods: two initial periods of significant rise (1980-1990; 3.5% and 1990-2004; 8.4%) followed by a final one in which rates stabilize (2004-2014; -0.5%, non-significant). Mortality rates drop from 12.9 in 1980 to 7.9 in 2018, with an AAPC of -1.2% (p < 0.05). However, the joinpoint analysis identified three time periods: an initial period of statistically significant rise (1980-1998; APC: 0.6%, p < 0.05) and two periods of decreasing rates (1992-2008; APC: -3.3%, p < 0.05 and 2008-2018; APC: -2.4%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Recent trends (last 5 years) show that mortality rates have decreased and incidence rates have stabilized or even decreased in some age groups

Recent trends in prostate cancer in Spain. / Tendencias recientes en cáncer de próstata en España.

OBJECTIVE: To assess recent trends in prostate cancer incidence, survival and mortality in Spain using updated data. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Prostate cancer mortality data have been obtained from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Incidence cases have been obtained from the databases Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) and European Cancer Information System. Joinpoint regression models were used for trend analysis. The results show the duration (years) of each trend, as well as the Annual Percent Change (APC) for each of them. The direction and magnitude of recent trends (last 5 years available) were evaluated using the percentages of Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC). RESULTS: Incidence rates increased significantly from 16.4 in 1980 to 61.3 in 2014. The joinpoint analysis shows three periods: two initial periods of significant rise (1980-1990; 3.5% and 1990-2004; 8.4%) followed by a final one in which rates stabilize (2004-2014; -0.5%, non-significant). Mortality rates drop from 12.9 in 1980 to 7.9 in 2018, with an AAPC of -1.2% (p<0.05). However, the joinpoint analysis identified three time periods: an initial period of statistically significant rise (1980-1998; APC: 0.6%, p<0.05) and two periods of decreasing rates (1992-2008; APC: -3.3%, p<0.05 and 2008-2018; APC: -2.4%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Recent trends (last 5 years) show that mortality rates have decreased and incidence rates have stabilized or even decreased in some age groups.

Has stroke mortality stopped declining in Spain? / ¿Ha dejado de disminuir la mortalidad por enfermedades cerebrovasculares en España?

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the changes in stroke mortality trends in Spain by autonomous community and by sex during the period 1980-2016, using joinpoint regression models. METHODS: Mortality data were obtained from the Spanish National Statistics Institute. Crude and standardised rates were calculated for each Spanish autonomous community, and for each sex. Joinpoint analysis was used to identify the best-fitting points showing a statistically significant change in the trend. RESULTS: Joinpoint analysis enabled us to differentiate between communities in which mortality rates showed a continuous decline throughout the study period in both sexes (Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and Leon, Ceuta, and Melilla) or in men only (Extremadura). In men, in all those communities in which changes in the trend were observed (all but Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Murcia, where rates remained stable), we observed an initial period of decline (ranging from -3.4% in Catalonia and Extremadura, to -6.0% in Madrid) and a final period where the trends diverged: mortality rates continued to fall in Andalusia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, and Madrid, but began to stabilise in Castile-La Mancha and Murcia and to increase in the Canary Islands. In women, in those communities where changes were observed (all but Aragon, Murcia, and the Basque Country, where rates remained stable), we observed an initial period of decline (ranging from -3.1% in Catalonia to -6.4% in Navarre) and a final period where divergent trends were observed: rates continued to decline in Andalusia, Aragon, Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid, and the Basque Country, but began to stabilise in Extremadura and Murcia and to increase in the Canary Islands. CONCLUSIONS: Current data show that stroke mortality rates have decreased (in women in Andalusia), stabilised (in both sexes in Murcia, in men in Castile-La Mancha, and in women in Extremadura), and have even reversed (in both sexes in the Canary Islands). Further study is needed to identify the causes of these trends.

Análisis de las tendencias en la mortalidad por enfermedades cerebrovasculares en Andalucía (1980-2014) / Analysis of cerebrovascular disease mortality trends in Andalusia (1980-2014)

Introducción: En las últimas décadas las tasas de mortalidad por enfermedades cerebrovasculares (ECV) han descendido de forma importante en muchos países. En este estudio se analizan los cambios recientes en la evolución de la mortalidad por ECV en Andalucía (1980-2014) para verificar si las tendencias observadas previamente por sexo y grupos de edad continúan. Pacientes y métodos: Los datos de mortalidad por ECV y las poblaciones necesarias para el cálculo de los indicadores fueron facilitados por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Se calcularon las tasas específicas por grupos de edad y estandarizadas mediante el método directo (población estándar europea). Mediante análisis de regresión «joinpoint» estimamos el porcentaje de cambio anual de las tasas e identificamos puntos de cambio significativos en la tendencia. Además se han estimado las razones de tasas entre Andalucía y España. Resultados: Las tasas estandarizadas en ambos sexos muestran en el análisis joinpoint 3 periodos: un periodo inicial de descenso significativo (1980-1997), un periodo de estabilización en las tasas (1997-2003) y un periodo de marcado descenso significativo (2003-2014). Conclusiones: En el periodo 1997-2003 las tasas de Andalucía se estabilizaron, mientras que a nivel nacional las tasas continuaron descendiendo. Esto determinó un aumento en la brecha entre las tasas de Andalucía y España en ambos sexos y en la mayoría de los grupos de edad

Introduction: In recent decades, mortality rates for cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) have decreased significantly in many countries. This study analyses recent tendencies in CVD mortality rates in Andalusia (1980-2014) to identify any changes in previously observed sex and age trends. Patients and methods: CVD mortality and population data were obtained from Spain's National Statistics Institute database. We calculated age-specific and age-standardised mortality rates using the direct method (European standard population). Joinpoint regression analysis was used to estimate the annual percentage change in rates and identify significant changes in mortality trends. We also estimated rate ratios between Andalusia and Spain. Results: Standardised rates for both males and females showed 3 periods in joinpoint regression analysis: an initial period of significant decline (1980-1997), a period of rate stabilisation (1997-2003), and another period of significant decline (2003-2014). Conclusions: Between 1997 and 2003, age-standardised rates stabilised in Andalusia but continued to decrease in Spain as a whole. This increased in the gap between CVD mortality rates in Andalusia and Spain for both sexes and most age groups

Analysis of cerebrovascular disease mortality trends in Andalusia (1980-2014). / Análisis de las tendencias en la mortalidad por enfermedades cerebrovasculares en Andalucía (1980-2014).

INTRODUCTION: In recent decades, mortality rates for cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) have decreased significantly in many countries. This study analyses recent tendencies in CVD mortality rates in Andalusia (1980-2014) to identify any changes in previously observed sex and age trends. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CVD mortality and population data were obtained from Spain's National Statistics Institute database. We calculated age-specific and age-standardised mortality rates using the direct method (European standard population). Joinpoint regression analysis was used to estimate the annual percentage change in rates and identify significant changes in mortality trends. We also estimated rate ratios between Andalusia and Spain. RESULTS: Standardised rates for both males and females showed 3 periods in joinpoint regression analysis: an initial period of significant decline (1980-1997), a period of rate stabilisation (1997-2003), and another period of significant decline (2003-2014). CONCLUSIONS: Between 1997 and 2003, age-standardised rates stabilised in Andalusia but continued to decrease in Spain as a whole. This increased in the gap between CVD mortality rates in Andalusia and Spain for both sexes and most age groups.

Assessing the influence of working hours on general health by migrant status and family structure: the case of Ecuadorian-, Colombian-, and Spanish-born workers in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between working hours (WHs) and the likelihood of poor self-reported general health (SRGH) in the first data wave from a cohort of immigrant and native workers in Spain. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analyses from a prospective cohort study. METHODS: Data were drawn from the first wave of the Platform of Longitudinal Studies on Immigrant Families. The selected sample was composed of 217 immigrant workers and 89 native-born workers. We explored differences by immigrant status and family structure, assessing prevalences and Poisson regression models; an additional analysis explored statistically optimized work hour cut points. RESULTS: Highest prevalence of poor SRGH (72.7%) was reported by immigrant, single-parent workers working >40 WH/week. Immigrant single-parent families were more likely to report poor SRGH for three WH categories: ≤20 WH/week (prevalence ratio [PR] = 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6-7.2), >30-≤40 WH/week (PR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-6.4), and >40 WH/week (PR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.8-10.1). In two-parent families, immigrants working standard hours (i.e. >30-≤40) and native-born workers in the highest and lowest categories of WHs (i.e. ≤20 and >40) had similar PRs for poor SRGH compared with native-born workers working standard hours. Findings suggested that native-born workers residing in two-parent families were able to work more than 10 h longer per week than immigrant workers before reporting equivalent prevalences of poor SRGH. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the association of WHs and poor SRGH among immigrants in Spain seem to be explained by family structure, which suggests that the influence of WHs on health differentially affects vulnerable groups, such as immigrant workers residing in single-parent families.

Different natures of surface electronic transitions of carbon nanoparticles.

The photoluminescence behaviour of carbon-based nanodots is still debated. Both core and surface structures are involved in the emission mechanism, and the electronic transitions can be modified by external agents such as metal ions or pH, but the general relation between the structure and the optical function is poorly understood. Here, we report a comparative study on the effects of these variables, changing the core structure from crystalline to amorphous, and modifying the surface structure by different passivation procedures. Our results highlight that the emission mechanism of the tunable visible fluorescence is identical for crystalline and amorphous samples, indicating the independence of the emission from the core structure. Furthermore, surface functionalization weakly influences the emission peak position, but has large consequences on their interaction with different metal ions. This suggests the involvement of quasi-degenerate electronic states originating from the high density of different interacting groups on the surface. Finally, we report the presence of an unusual ultraviolet emission band for the amorphous sample, likely involving localized molecular-type chromophores with carboxyl ends. Our findings provide new information on the emission mechanisms of CDs and can be used to engineer sub-types of CDs displaying very similar emission features, but specifically tailored for different sensing applications.

Análisis de las tendencias en la mortalidad por enfermedades cerebrovasculares en España 1980-2011 / Analysis of cerebrovascular mortality trends in Spain from 1980 to 2011

Introducción: En las últimas décadas las tasas de mortalidad por enfermedades cerebrovasculares (ECV) han descendido de forma importante en muchos países. En este estudio se analizan los cambios recientes en la evolución de la mortalidad por ECV en España (1980-2011) para verificar si las tendencias observadas previamente continúan. Pacientes y métodos: Los datos de mortalidad por ECV y las poblaciones necesarias para el cálculo de los indicadores fueron facilitados por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística. Se calcularon las tasas específicas por grupos de edad y estandarizadas globales y truncadas (35-64 años) mediante el método directo (población estándar europea). Mediante análisis de regresión «joinpoint» estimamos el porcentaje de cambio anual de las tasas e identificamos puntos de cambio significativos en la tendencia. Resultados: La mortalidad por ECV se ha reducido de forma contundente y sostenida en los últimos 32 en todos los grupos de edad y sexo en España. En ambos sexos el análisis joinpoint identifica un periodo final de mayor descenso (2005-2011 [-6,3%] en mujeres y 2007-2011 en varones [-7,2%]). Conclusiones: Existe un marcado y continuo descenso en la mortalidad por ECV en España (1980-2011). Teniendo en cuenta el proceso de envejecimiento de la población, es esperable un incremento de la prevalencia y, por ello, de la magnitud de las ECV medida en términos de discapacidad y costes de salud, lo que representará un gran reto para nuestro sistema sanitario

Introduction: In recent decades, mortality rates for cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) have declined significantly in many countries. This study analyses changes in CVD mortality rates in Spain (1980-2011) to determine if previously observed trends remain. Patients and methods: Data on CVD mortality rates and the population data needed for the analysis were provided by Spain's National Statistics Institute. We calculated age-specific mortality rate, age-standardised overall mortality, and age-truncated mortality (35-64 years) using the direct method and standard European population structure. Joinpoint analysis was used to estimate the percentage of annual change in rates and identify significant changes in trends. Results: CVD mortality rate decreased considerably and continuously over the last 32 years in all age groups and in both sexes in Spain. For both sexes, joinpoint analysis identifies a final period with more marked decline: 2005-2011 in women (−6.3%) and 2007-2011 in men (−7.2%). Conclusions: CVD mortality rates displayed a marked and continuous decline in Spain between 1980 and 2011. Due to the ageing of the population, doctors expect an increase in CVD prevalence and therefore its magnitude in terms of disability and healthcare costs, which poses a challenge to our health system

Fluorescent carbon quantum dot hydrogels for direct determination of silver ions.

The paper reports for the first time the direct determination of silver ion (Ag(+)) using luminescent Carbon Quantum Dot hydrogels (CQDGs). Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) with different superficial moieties (passivate-CQDs with carboxylic groups, thiol-CQDs and amine-CQDs) were used to prepare hybrid gels using a low molecular weight hydrogelator (LMWG). The use of the gels results in considerable fluorescence enhancement and also markedly influences selectivity. The most selective CQDG system for Ag(+) ion detection proved to be those containing carboxylic groups onto their surface. The selectivity towards Ag(+) ions is possibly due to its flexible coordination sphere compared with other metal ions. This fluorescent sensing platform is based on the strong Ag-O interaction which can quench the photoluminescence of passivate-CQDs (p-CQDs) through charge transfer. The limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of the proposed method were 0.55 and 1.83µgmL(-1), respectively, being applied in river water samples.

Effect of CYP2C19 Polymorphisms on the Platelet Response to Clopidogrel and Influence on the Effect of High Versus Standard Dose Clopidogrel in Carotid Artery Stenting.

OBJECTIVES: Genetic background has been identified to be a major predictor of post-clopidogrel platelet inhibition in patients undergoing coronary stenting. However, there is a lack of data on clopidogrel response regarding genotype in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS). The influence of the most common allelic variants of CYP2C19 phenotypes and genotypes on response to baseline clopidogrel and on the pharmacodynamic effect of dose adjustment (high or standard dose of clopidogrel) in patients with high on-treatment reactivity after CAS was investigated. METHODS: Platelet reactivity was assessed before and 30 days after carotid stenting using the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay to obtain P2Y12 reactivity unit (PRU) values. RESULTS: A total of 209 patients (79.4% male, 44.1% currents smokers) were treated by CAS. Smokers improved responsiveness to clopidogrel (p = .034). With respect to CYP2C19 enzymatic function, 61 subjects (29.1%) were ultra-rapid metabolizers, 95 patients (45.5%) were extensive metabolizers, 51 (24.4%) were intermediate metabolizers, and two (0.96%) were poor metabolizers. Baseline PRU was significantly higher among intermediate-poor metabolizers compared with ultra-rapid (p = .001) or extensive metabolizers (p = .005). At 30 days follow up, in non-responding patients with the intermediate-poor metabolizer phenotype, the PRU value and inhibition percentage were significantly reduced with standard dose (p = .008; p = .0029) and high dose of clopidogrel (p = .00 0; p = .000). However, high dose clopidogrel did not achieve a more intense pharmacodynamic effect at 30 days (p = .994) compared with standard dose. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing carotid stenting, those with the CYP2C19*2 allele had increased basal PRU values and in fact clopidogrel non-responders increased significantly among intermediate-poor metabolizers. Although high dose and standard dose clopidogrel therapy was effective in lowering the 30 day PRU values in patients with high on-treatment reactivity who are intermediate-poor metabolizers, the use of high dose clopidogrel did not result in statistically significantly greater reductions in reactivity compared with the standard dose.

Semiconductor and carbon-based fluorescent nanodots: the need for consistency.

Fluorescent nanodots have become increasingly prevalent in a wide variety of applications with special interest in analytical and biomedical fields. The present overview focuses on three main aspects: (i) a systematic description and reasonable classification of the most relevant types of fluorescent nanodots according to their nature, quantum confinement and crystalline structure is provided, starting with a clear distinction between semiconductor and carbon-based dots (graphene quantum dots, carbon quantum dots and carbon nanodots). A new set of abbreviations and definitions for them to avoid contradictions found in literature is also proposed; (ii) a rational classification allows the establishment of clear-cut differences and similarities among them. From a basic point of view, the origins of the photoluminescence of the different nanodots are also established, which is a relevant contribution of this overview. Additionally, the most outstanding similarities and differences in a great variety of criteria (i.e. year of discovery, synthesis, the physico-chemical characteristics like structure, nature, shape, size, quantum confinement, toxicity and solubility, the optical characteristics including the quantum yield and lifetime, limitations, applications as well as the evolution of publications) are thoroughly outlined; and (iii) finally, the promising future of fluorescent nanodots in both analytical and biomedical fields is discussed using selected examples of relevant applications.