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Introduction: Most of existing work on burden among family caregivers has methodological sample constraints. Moreover, there is contradictory information regarding sociodemographic variables, especially those related to care, clinical variables, and burden. Few studies have analysed the self-esteem and personality characteristics as correlates of burden. In this study, an analysis is performed on the prevalence of burden among family caregivers and the relationship with their sociodemographic, care-related, and clinical characteristics. Materials and methods: The study consisted of a randomly selected sample of 294 family caregivers (mean age 55.3 years, 89.8% women) from the Autonomous Region of Galicia, Spain. Trained psychologists assessed the presence of burden via the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (CBI). Information was also collected on sociodemographic, care-related variables, social support, personality characteristics, and self-esteem. Results: More than half (55.4%) of the surveyed caregivers exhibited burden (CBI > 24), with mean score of 27.3 (SD = 13.3). Not being employed outside the home and having higher scores in neuroticism were associated with a greater probability of presenting with burden, while being older and having higher social support were associated with a lower risk. Conclusions: A significant number of caregivers suffered from burden in the current study. Psychotherapeutic interventions need to be developed for those who are already suffering from burden, as well as prevention strategies for those who have not yet developed it.

Factorial analyses are frequently used in ecological studies to identify different groups, which is a valid approach if those variables which show the highest variability also best differentiate among groups. Here we present VIDTAXA, an algorithm designed to identify statistically different groups in Principal Components and Correspondence analyses, without previous knowledge of the various potential groups present in the dataset. VIDTAXA is freely available as a function of the VARSEDIG package, which is available as an RWizard application and as an R package on CRAN. As a demonstration of VIDTAXA's potential, we used the algorithm in an example of phenetic taxonomy, for the identification of statistically different taxa in a number of marine Scorpaeniform species. This algorithm. however, it may be used with any kind of data, whether qualitative or quantitative, for the identification of statistically different groups in ecological studies.

1. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) studies are most frequently focused on assessing the possible impacts of a proposal and identifying alternatives, in order to minimize environmental damage. Little attention has been paid, however, to the development of statistical methods for evaluation of potential changes in the environment after the impact, particularly when control sites are not available. 2. Here, the EIA algorithm is presented, available as an RWizard ( Guisande et al., 2014 ) application on http://www.ipez.es/RWizard . This algorithm provides tools for the detection of variables which change significantly, following environmental impact (EI), once the time at which the impact occurred is available. 3. In the algorithm, the following steps are taken: 1) variables are prioritized by their discrimination capacity to distinguish between the before and after of the EI; 2) estimation of the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of Receiver Operating Characteristic curves (ROC curves) is obtained for the before and after of the EI, 3) comparison of the AUC of the ROC curves (before and after the EI), with an AUC of 0.5 (the situation in which two distributions are equal), 4) identification, with a Monte-Carlo test, of the sampling sites for each sampling time, following the EI, which are significantly different than before the EI (hereinafter, outliers), 6) the augmented Dickey-Fuller test is used to determine whether there is a significant increasing trend in the percentage of outliers after the EI. 4. As a demonstration of the potential of the EIA algorithm, monthly climatic and quarterly agronomic data from sampling sites near the Sogamoso reservoir (Santander, Colombia) were used. Throughout the manuscript, the main strengths of the EIA algorithm are shown, which can be summarized as follows: 1) it allows a real, multivariate approach 2) it may be used with any kind of experimental design (Before-After, Before-After-Control-Impactor, Impact vs. Reference Sites analysis, and even designs with information from before the EI, if impact and control sites are available), 3) it overcomes the shortcomings of often-used statistical methods in EIA studies for identification of changes following an EI, and finally, 4) it allows for differentiation between natural and impact-induced variability on different temporal scales.

There is no single diversity index that adequately summarises species diversity, since this is a multidimensional concept and hence should be quantified using a compound statistical measure. Here, we present the DER algorithm, available as an R package on CRAN and as an RWizard application on http://www.ipez.es/RWizard . This algorithm provides tools for differentiating assemblages on the basis of five compounds of diversity: rarity, heterogeneity, evenness, taxonomic/phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity. For all the samples, the algorithm calculates a total of 39 of the indices most often used. All indices of all samples are transformed to a scale range of between 0 and 1, and the algorithm calculates the polar coordinates of all samples with all possible combinations for all five groups of indices. Thus, for each combination, an index of rarity, heterogeneity (species richness is included in this group), evenness, taxonomic/phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity is used for each group to calculate the polar coordinates of all samples. When the polar coordinates of the samples are obtained for each combination, the convex hull and the mean Euclidean distance between samples are calculated. The algorithm selects the combination of indices with the highest value of the mean between convex hull and mean Euclidean distance between samples; priority is therefore given to maximising dispersion between the samples. The polar coordinates of the selected combination are depicted using a diagram from which it is possible to determine the differences in terms of rarity, heterogeneity, evenness, taxonomic/phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity between assemblages.

Here, we present SPEDInstabR, available as an R package on CRAN and as an RWizard application on http://www.ipez.es/RWizard, which provides tools for the identification of the environmental factors that better discriminate between the conditions prevailing in the area of a species and those existing in the geographical background over which the study is carried out. This could include the world, countries, regions, river basins, etc. or the extent of occurrence of the species estimated by using convex hull, α-shape or Kernel density distributions. The procedure consists of dividing each factor into a number of intervals or bins decided by the user, calculating the number of records in each bin, separately considering the cells where the species occur and those of the selected geographical background. A peak of instability is observed when there are important differences in the factor comparing the bins of presence with the corresponding ones of extent. We consider that those factors with a higher percentage contribution to the Instability index better discriminate between the cells of presence and the extent. We tested the algorithm using virtual species, comparing the generated selections with those produced by MaxEnt.

Acacia dealbata Link, a leguminous tree native of Australia, has become a major problem due to its invasiveness throughout the world. However, little is known about its impact over time. In this study, we have explored the impact of A.dealbata on soil nutrients and on soil microbial community function and structure in 4 mixed invaded forest sites in NW Spain, in a chronosequence of invasion: (1) a minimum of 25 years; (2) an average of 15 years; (3) an average of 7 years and (4) less than 3 years. pH significantly diminished over time as organic matter increased. Soil nutrients were progressively altered under A.dealbata; total C, N and P invariably increased as different periods of invasion time also increased, whilst Ca2+, K+ and Mg2+ contents showed irregular trends during the different periods of invasion. In addition, soil enzymatic activities of acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase, urease and N-acetyl glucosaminidase increased significantly, and soil basal respiration enhanced over the sequence of the invasion. DGGE analyses suggested variations in the structure of microbial and fungal communities over the whole assessed period due to A.dealbata presence. This is the first time that chronological sequences have been included to investigate the impact of A.dealbata invasion. Our results show that the initial dominance of A.dealbata and its negative impact on soil and microbial parameters cannot be recovered even long periods after the invasion.

The aim of the SINENVAP algorithm is to facilitate the estimation of spatial interpolations within polygons, by using simple, ordinary, and universal kriging. This algorithm is available as a function of the EcoIndR package, which is available as an RWizard application and an R package on CRAN. The main strengths of this algorithm include: the possibility of using different file formats for polygon variable and coordinate inputs (CSV, EXCEL, RData, shape or ASC), compatibility with UTM or decimal coordinates, estimation of optimal grid cell size, the possibility of selecting only points inside polygons from the entire dataset, the application of a jitter function or to estimate the mean value of the variable for duplicated coordinates, reservation a percentage of data for validation, selection of those grid coordinates nearest the data coordinates reserved for validation, the possibility of fitting 13 different models into the semivariogram, automatic selection of the model that best predicts the data reserved for validation through the use of seven accuracy measures, the possibility of using countries, regions, departments, river basins, or even alpha shape distribution as polygons, and finally, depiction of contour plots with the spatial interpolation of the variable and the error within polygons. The spatial interpolation of the temperature in North America and the distribution of a virtual species are used as examples of this algorithm's potential to perform spatial interpolations on both large and small scales.

A model was developed in this paper in order to study and compare the paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) transfer and accumulation of two different potential PST vectors in the planktonic community, the heterotrophic dinoflagellate in its red form Noctiluca scintillans and the copepod Acartia clausi. Different factors that influence the toxin transfer such as toxin synthesis, grazing on toxic and non-toxic food and population size of PST producers and vectors were considered in the model. Moreover, a laboratory experiment was conducted in order to calculate the detoxification rates of Noctiluca fed on Alexandrium catenella. According to the model results, the two grazers showed a significant difference mainly in the timing of the PST accumulation. Noctiluca exhibited a rapid response to the grazing of Alexandrium with high initial toxin accumulation, followed by a reduction to zero concentration of toxins in a period of almost two days. In contrast, Acartia showed a considerable delay in comparison to Noctiluca to accumulate the same amount of toxin in the population. This delay is linked to the slower reproduction rates that characterize the copepod. The range of the initial values used for the sensitivity analysis of the model is representative of the coastal environment of a Galician ria (embayment located at the NW of Iberian Peninsula), where the two grazers and Alexandrium may co-exist. The model for Acartia showed less sensitivity to these key parameters probably due to the time delay in accumulation of significant amount of toxins. Both grazers showed a rapid (50 h) reduction of ingested toxin, suggesting inefficiency to transfer toxins through predation in the food web.

In this study, we evaluated the ingestion and clearance rates of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans (Macartney) fed on the toxic microalgae Alexandrium minutum Halim in laboratory cultures. Specimens of the red form of N. scintillans were collected in the Ria de Vigo and kept in culture. The results showed that N. scintillans actively fed on A. minutum , with maximum ingestion rates of 0.37 μg C ind −1 day −1 , showing that there was non-satiated feeding by N. scintillans on A. minutum . The mean cellular toxin content of A. minutum in the stock culture ranged from 2.57 to 3.44 fmol cell −1 . The HPLC analyses of the extracts from N. scintillans fed with 4 different abundances of A. minutum revealed no detectable amounts of toxin. This suggested that although N. scintillans was able to ingest a toxic dinoflagellate such as A. minutum into its vacuoles, the ingested toxin was bioconverted or excreted by Noctiluca . Our findings support the theory that Noctiluca may inflict grazing pressure on the growth of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST) species in the field, and could therefore play an important role as a regulator against PST-producing phytoplankton. This is the first report about grazing rates of N. scintillans on Alexandrium cells.

9 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables, In recent years, Alexandrium minutum (A. minutum) has provoked repeated toxic episodes of harmful algal blooms. The existing method for accurate identification of this dinoflagellate is based on morphological traits and requires taxonomic expertise. However, this is impractical when rapid identification of toxic strains is required, when the microalgae are in low density or when automatic monitoring is needed. In this study, the generation and application of two monoclonal antibodies (M90.3 and M54.3) directed against an intracellular antigen of the A. minutum strain AL1V are described. Specificity and cross-reactivity were tested with cells from clonal cultures. In an immunofluorescence assay, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry showed that the antibodies specifically labeled the two tested A. minutum strains (AL1V and AMP13) and did not show cross-reaction with other Alexandrium species, such as Alexandrium tamarense SZN19, A. tamarense MDQ1096, Alexandrium catenella IEO715 and Alexandrium andersonii SZN12, or tested members of other phylogenetic classes. Furthermore, M90.3 showed highly specific recognition when used for the detection of A. minutum in natural seawater samples. Thus, the mAbs presented here could be used in microalgae monitoring, allowing a specific unequivocal identification of the toxic dinoflagellate A. minutum, This work was supported by the Xunta de Galicia, the University of Vigo (Spain) and Consolider Ingenio 2010

This study focuses on the interactions between toxic phytoplankton and zooplankton grazers. The experimental conditions used are an attempt to simulate situations that have, so far, received little attention. We presume the phytoplankton community to be a set of species where a population of a toxic species is intrinsically diverse by the presence of coexisting strains with different toxic properties. The other species in the community may not always be high-quality food for herbivorous zooplankton. Zooplankton populations may have developed adaptive responses to sympatric toxic phytoplankton species. Zooplankton grazers may perform a specific feeding behaviour and its consequences on fitness will depend on the species ingested, the effect of toxins, and the presence of mechanisms of toxin dilution and compensatory feeding. Our target species are a strain of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum and a sympatric population of the copepod Acartia clausi . Mixed diets were used with two kinds of A. minutum cells: non-toxic and toxic. The flagellate Rhodomonas baltica and the non-toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense were added as accompanying species. The effect of each alga was studied in separate diets. The toxic A. minutum cells were shown to have negative effects on egg production, hatching success and total reproductive output, while, in terms of its effect on fitness, the non-toxic A. minutum was the best quality food offered. R. baltica and A. tamarense were in intermediate positions. In the mixed diets, copepods showed a strong preference for toxic A. minutum cells and a weaker one for A. tamarense cells, while non-toxic A. minutum was slightly negatively selected and R. baltica strongly negatively selected. Although the level of toxins accumulated by copepods was very similar, in both the diet with only toxic A. minutum cells and in the mixed diet, the negative effects on fitness in the mixed diet could be offset by toxin dilution mechanisms. The implications of these findings are the fact that mesozooplankton may not play an important role in phytoplankton blooms development. Phytoplankton endotoxin production does not seem to be an evolutionary stable strategy as a defence against some herbivores.

Investment by bladderwort ( Utricularia foliosa L.) in carnivory, in terms of biochemical composition (carbohydrates per bladder), elemental composition (carbon and nitrogen per bladder), and morphology of the bladders (length, depth, size of the trap door, and size of antennae), was estimated in seven plants located in Yahuarcaca creek (Colombian Amazon) five times from March to May 2005. The aims were to determine whether investment in carnivory varies temporally (over the growing season of the plant) and/or spatially, and if this potential change in carnivory investment varies according to nutrient conditions. The main differences in the investment in carnivory (changes in bladder number and bladder size, and changes in the size of the antennae) were among locations and there were not important differences over the growing season of the plant. Nitrogen and not phosphorus, was the element that stimulated the investment in carnivory. In addition to changes in bladder number and bladder size, we observed a new strategy to enhance prey capture under nitrogen limitation: changes in the size of the antennae. The size of the antennae was approximately 1.3 higher in those plants located in sites with low NO 3 − . However, we did not observed changes in the carbon/nitrogen ratio of the bladders or in the relationship between bladder length with bladder depth or size of the trap door. The amount of carbohydrates per bladder was also 1.8 higher in those plants located in sites with low NO 3 − (0.13 μM) than those with higher NO 3 − concentration (0.39 μM). However, the amount of carbohydrates in the bladder was related with the abundance of periphyton and, hence, it is not possible to conclude that carbohydrate production was a strategy of the plant to enhance the capture of prey. Therefore, our findings do not support the carbohydrate mucilage lure speculations.

Investment by bladderwort (Utricularia foliosa) in carnivory, in terms of total C and N of bladders per leaf, was estimated in places with different nutrient concentrations from the Yahuarcaca Creek in the Colombian Amazon. The aims were to determine whether nutrient limiting conditions stimulate the investment in carnivory, and the relative balance between C and N invested in carnivory versus C and N obtained from prey. There were no significant differences either for phosphate (PO43−) concentration or for ammonia (NH4+) concentration among five sampling areas, along approximately 5 km long stretch of the creek, with a pooled mean ± S.D. of 0.19 ± 0.06 and 8.6 ± 3.0 μM, respectively. However, there were significant differences in the nitrate (NO3−) concentration ranging from 0.6 to 2.5 μM. Total C and N of bladders per leaf increased with decreasing NO3−. This corroborates the hypotheses that the carnivorous plant U. foliosa optimises its investment in carnivory according to nutrient availability in the water, and that N is a limiting factor that stimulates the investment in carnivory. The numbers of prey per bladder were also higher under NO3− limitation, thus enhancing the input of nutrients toward the plant through the bladders. The ratio of total C of prey captured/total C invested in bladders was always lower than 1. However, the efficiency of N was higher since when NO3− concentration was lower than 1 μM, the ratio of total N of prey captured/total N invested in bladders ranged between 0.97 and 1.67.

Age structure and growth parameters for the anchovy fishery, Engraulis encrasicolus , were estimated for the first time in the Strait of Sicily. Environmental factors including sea surface temperature and chlorophyll concentrations were considered in order to explain differences in growth parameters between different areas. The sampling was carried out from May 2000 to October 2001 on board commercial fishing vessels. The age structure of the catches was dominated by the second-year-class (55–63%) and the first-year-class (30–41%), whereas the 0-year-class (1–5%) and the third-year-class (3–5%) represented a small proportion of the catches. The von Bertalanffy growth model and back-calculation analyses were applied to estimate anchovy growth parameters using the FiSAT program. There were not significant differences between males and females, pooled mean parameters were L ∞ =18.6 cm, k =0.29 per year and t 0 =−1.81 years. The estimated parameter k of the Sicilian anchovy was at the lower end of the range observed for this fish species in different areas, ranging from 0.26 (Algeria) to 2.44 (north Adriatic sea). Average chlorophyll concentrations (from 1997 to 2002), and sea surface temperatures (from 1971 to 2000) derived from satellite images for each area, explained the 88% of the variance observed in the growth of the anchovy between the areas. As fish production results basically from recruitment success and fish growth, we conclude that specifically for each species, relationships between fish growth with habitat conditions (mainly primary productivity and temperature) could be used to assess the potential fishery yields of a region, in addition to considering all factors that potentially could affect recruitment success in that region.

The relationship between growth rate versus phosphorus concentration and cellular toxin content was determined for Alexandrium minutum AL1V, Alexandrium tamarense MDQ1096, A. tamarense EF04 and Alexandrium andersoni EF12 under different nitrogen and phosphorus supplies. The aim was to determine whether those species with a lower phosphorus uptake affinity, and hence potentially of lower competitive ability at low phosphorus concentrations, were more toxic. The range and mean of toxic content per cell (as fmol per cell) of the species were 13.5–256.5 and 140.2±50.8 for A. tamarense MDQ1096, 0.5–16.5 and 2.9±2.6 for A. minutum, 0–2.0 and 0.2±0.3 for A. tamarense EF04 and, 0–3.3 and 0.06±0.4 for A. andersoni. Ks for culture cell growth (per day),representing the phosphate concentration at which the specific culture cell growth rate is one half the maximum rate, and Kmin (per day), the phosphate concentration at which the specific culture cell growth rate is zero, were used as indicators of species’ potential competitive ability at low phosphorus concentrations. Low values for both Ks and Kmin indicate a high relative ability of the species to use low levels of phosphate and, hence, expected to outcompete higher Ks and Kmin species under phosphorus limitation. Ks and Kmin were 1.68 and 0.48 for A. tamarense MDQ1096, 1.16 and 0.39 for A. minutum, 1.0 and 0.38 for A. tamarense EF04 and, 0.74 and 0.34 for A. andersoni, respectively. There was a significant positive relationship between toxin content per cell with both Ks and Kmin, indicating that those species with lower ability to compete under phosphorus limitation were more toxic. The findings support the hypothesis that toxin production by dinoflagellates species could be an adaptation evolved to offset the ecological disadvantage of having low nutrient affinity.

Studies were undertaken to identify the bacteria involved in a disease of wild octopus (Octopus vulgaris). Signs of the disease include round hard lesions in the arms or head mantle, leading, in advanced cases, to the loss of skin and the exposure of the muscle beneath. Bacterial strains isolated from sterile organs have been evaluated taxonomically and by experimental infections. Different phenotypes and ribotypes of Vibrio lentus were identified. Experimental infection by bath challenge demonstrated that V. lentus was able to reproduce the skin lesions, colonize the internal organs and induce mortality in healthy octopuses. V. lentus was re-isolated from the skin lesions and gill heart of dead octopuses, as confirmed by numerical taxonomy analysis. No effects were produced in sea bream or turbot by intraperitoneal injection of the bacterial isolate.

An ingestion experiment was carried out in Rde Pontevedra (Spain) with the copepod Temora longicornisin order to determine ingestion rates of the DSP toxin-producers, Dinophysis spp. (Dinophyceae), and the excretion rate of Dinophysis spp. cells within the faecal pellets. Ingestion rate was a function of dinoflagellate abundance and did not vary with either the amount, or the composition of the co-occurring phytoplankton species in the food suspension. Faecal pellet production increased at higher food concentrations. Intact Dinophysisspp. cells representing 34.4% of the total Dinophysiscells ingested by the copepods were found within the pellets. T. longicornis was the only dominant copepod species in the area that fed on Dinophysis spp., thus the pellets produced by T. longicornis were the main source of copepod "toxic" pellets in the media during blooms of Dinophysis spp. These "toxic" pellets might contribute to the maintenance of the toxic algal blooms, if the cells inside the pellets remain viable, can spread the potential toxicity of the toxic dinoflagellates throughout the pelagic food web due to coprophagy, and/or be an important toxic vector into the benthic food web. However, during a Dinophysis spp. bloom, the percentage of cells excreted daily within the pellets was lower than 1% of the total dinoflagellate population and, moreover, copepod faecal pellets represent a small fraction of the sinking material in this area. Although it was not possible to measure the amount of toxins in the pellets, we concluded that copepod faecal pellets do not have an important role in the transport of DSP toxins through the food web in this area. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Whether microalbuminuria (MA) is the result of intrarenal hemodynamic changes induced by increased systemic blood pressure (BP) or a marker of capillary leakiness at the glomerular level that reflects more generalized atherosclerotic vascular damage is still debated. To address this question, 319 patients without diabetes, 154 men and 165 women aged 57 ± 8.6 years (range, 37 to 73 years), but with essential hypertension (EH) never treated with drugs were enrolled onto the study. Using a multiple linear regression analysis, we analyzed the prevalence of MA and its relationship with BP level as well as with other risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. MA was present in 40% of the population studied. A univariable analysis of ambulatory BP monitoring measurements showed that only 24-hour systolic BP ( P = 0.04), daytime systolic BP ( P = 0.02), and 24-hour daytime and nighttime systolic BP load ( P P P P P

Echinospartum algibicum is a very recently described species. It is currently only known from one population in southern Spain and is in serious danger of extinction as only three out of 92 living plants are able to flower and set fruit because of grazing. The aim of the work presented in this paper was to study the seed density and distribution in the permanent soil seed bank, and to assess the possibility of replenishing this species from the seed bank. A total of 101.25 litres of soil from 90 soil cores at three different depth levels (0-5, 5-10 and 10-15 cm) in three different plots was sampled within the population. Each recovered buried seed was individually weighed and tested for viability, together with a sample of 30 freshly collected seeds; seedling development was also monitored. One hundred and thirteen seeds (167 seeds m -e) were recovered and the number of seeds was not statistically different among plots. Mean seed mass of buried seeds was significantly different between plots and also compared to fresh seeds. Scarification significantly increased seedling emergence, after a 20-day test. Germination differed among plots but not among the soil layers at different depths. Viable seeds had greater mean seed mass than non-viable seeds, but there did not seem to be a critical seed mass for germination. Most seedlings died before 20 weeks; therefore, despite the high germination percentages observed in this study both in buried and fresh seeds, seedling survival was extremely low. In-situ conservation measures and studies are suggested. © 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd

Background Transplantation is the treatment of choice for many patients with end-stage liver disease. We evaluated the results of liver transplantation in Galicia, an autonomous community in Northwest Spain. Methods We analyzed 452 patients and 490 grafts from 1996 to 2000 for causes of loss with respect to recipient and donor variables using the actuarial method, Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank test, and Cox proportional risks model. Results The overall graft survival was 77% and 64% at 1 and 5 years, respectively; while that of the patients was 83% and 69%. The risk factors for graft loss were donation in heart failure (HR = 4.91, CI:2.51–9.61); donor age (HR = 1.70, CI:1.01–2.85 between 40 and 60 years; HR = 2.37, CI:1.37–4.10 in those over 60 years, as compared to patients under 40); urgent transplant (HR = 3.95, CI:2.07–7.54); and transplant due to acute liver failure (HR = 3.53, CI:1.72–7.25) as compared to alcoholic cirrhosis. For patient death the risk factors were age of recipient over 60 years, compared to those under 40 (HR = 2.42, CI:1.11–5.28); foreign place of origin (HR = 2.02, CI:1.14–3.59); transplant due to viral cirrhosis (HR = 1.76, CI:1.03–3.02) and transplant due to acute liver failure (HR = 4.62, CI:2.12–10.06), as compared to alcoholic cirrhosis; urgent transplant (HR = 2.65, CI:1.48–4.72), and age of donor over 60 years, as compared to those under 40 (HR = 2.65, CI:1.48–4.72). Infections were the principal cause of death (45%), mostly in the first month (72%); while after the first year, 74% were due to recurrence of the primary disease and de novo malignancy. Conclusions Graft and patient survivals were comparable to international registries. The donor characteristics had a greater influence on graft survival than on patient survival.

IntroducciónLa negativa familiar (NF) a la donación representa el mayor obstáculo a la generación de órganos para trasplante, superando en nuestro medio el 30%1. La información supone la mejor estrategia para incrementar la concienciación social sobre la donación (DO) y, en este sentido, la transmitida por los profesionales de la atención primaria (AP) tiene un efecto determinante2.ObjetivoConocer y analizar la información que sobre DO se ofrece a la población desde los centros de salud (CS).DiseñoEstudio descriptivo de tipo transversal.EmplazamientoProvincia de A Coruña, con 3 áreas sanitarias y 129 CS.ParticipantesMediante un cuestionario y el contacto por vía telefónica, se requirió información sobre DO en los 129 CS. Las cuestiones se centraron en 4 temas: trámites precisos para ser donante, consentimiento familiar, concepto de muerte cerebral y testamento vital.ResultadosEn 22 CS (17%) los interlocutores fueron personal sanitario, médicos o enfermeros, mientras que en el resto fueron mayoritariamente personal administrativo. En el 81% de los casos no obtuvimos la información requerida, con diferencia significativa (p