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Polyurethane foam (PUF) disks in passive air samplers (PAS) and passive dry deposition (Pas-DD) collectors were used to assess the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and current-use pesticides (CUPs) in a rural area of central Chile (Peumo, VI Region). The samplers were exposed from September 2015 (spring) to March 2016 (summer), with the PUFs collected at intervals of 30, 60, and 90 days. Both samplers (PUF-PAS and Pas-DD) captured more than one pesticide per sampling period. Chlorpyrifos-ethyl and pyrimethanil presented the highest air concentration with PUF-PAS (3470.2 ng m−3 for chlorpyrifos-ethyl and 52.8 ng m−3 for pyrimethanil). The deposited amount of chlorpyrifos-ethyl, pyrimethanil, penconazole, diazinon and malathion in some Pas-DD, was superior to amount of pesticides captured by PUF-PAS. Differences between the amount deposited and captured by each sampler should be studied in greater detail, because wind speed, atmospheric particulate matter size and sampler design are some fundamental variables in this process. These results provide preliminary information on the presence of current-use pesticides in the atmosphere of Peumo, VI Region, serving as a foundation for future environmental monitoring programs.

Introduction: The increase in survival of children with severe diseases has led to the rise of children with chronic diseases, sometimes with lifelong disabilities. In 2008, a unit for the specific care of medically complex children (MCC) was created in Hospital La Paz. Objectives: To describe the work and care activities of this Unit. Patients and methods: An analysis was performed on all discharge reports of the Unit between January 2014 and July 2016. Results: The MCC Unit has 6 beds and a daily outpatient clinic. A total of 1.027 patients have been treated since the creation of the unit, with 243 from 2014. The median age was 24.2 months (IQ: 10.21–84.25). The large majority (92.59%) have multiple diseases, the most frequent chronic conditions observed were neurological (76.95%), gastrointestinal (63.78%), and respiratory diseases (61.72%). More than two-thirds (69.54%) of MCC are dependent on technology, 53.49% on respiratory support, and 35.80% on nutritional support. Hospital admission rates have increased annually. There have been 403 admissions since 2014, of which 8.93% were re-admissions within 30 days of hospital discharge. The median stay during 2014–2016 was 6 days (IQ: 3–14). The occupancy rate has been above 100% for this period. Currently, 210 patients remain on follow-up (86.42%), and 11 children (4.53%) were discharged to their referral hospitals. The mortality rate is 9.05% (22 deaths). The main condition of these 22 patients was neurological (9 patients). Infectious diseases were the leading cause of death. Conclusion: MCC should be treated in specialised units in tertiary or high-level hospitals. Resumen: Introducción: El incremento de la supervivencia de niños con enfermedades graves ha supuesto el aumento de niños con patología crónica altamente compleja, en ocasiones con discapacidades de por vida. En el año 2008 se creó una unidad para la atención específica de los niños con patología crónica compleja (NPCC) en el Hospital La Paz. Objetivos: Describir el funcionamiento y la actividad asistencial de esta unidad. Pacientes y métodos: Se analizaron todos los informes de alta de la unidad entre enero de 2014 y julio de 2016. Resultados: La unidad dispone de consulta y 6 camas de hospitalización. Se han atendido 1.027 pacientes, 243 desde 2014. La mediana de edad fue de 24,2 meses (IC: 10,21-84,25). Un 92,59% presentaron pluripatología, siendo las condiciones crónicas más frecuentemente observadas las neurológicas (76,95%), gastrointestinales (63,78%) y respiratorias (61,72%). Un 69,54% de los NPCC fueron dependientes de tecnología, el 53,49% de soporte respiratorio y el 35,80% nutricional. El número de ingresos ha aumentado anualmente, hasta 403 desde 2014, con un 8,93% de reingresos. La mediana de la estancia fue de 6 días (IC: 3-14). La tasa de ocupación fue superior al 100% en este período. En la actualidad se mantienen en seguimiento 210 pacientes (86,42%), 11 niños han sido dados de alta a sus hospitales de referencia y 22 han fallecido (9,05%). De estos 22 pacientes, la principal condición fue neurológica, y la principal causa desencadenante del fallecimiento fue infecciosa. Conclusión: La unidad de NPCC ha incrementado su actividad en estos años, poniendo de manifiesto la necesidad de crear estas unidades en los hospitales terciarios.

Resumen: Introducción: El incremento de la supervivencia de niños con enfermedades graves ha supuesto el aumento de niños con patología crónica altamente compleja, en ocasiones con discapacidades de por vida. En el año 2008 se creó una unidad para la atención específica de los niños con patología crónica compleja (NPCC) en el Hospital La Paz. Objetivos: Describir el funcionamiento y la actividad asistencial de esta unidad. Pacientes y métodos Se analizaron todos los informes de alta de la unidad entre enero de 2014 y julio de 2016. Resultados: La unidad dispone de consulta y 6 camas de hospitalización. Se han atendido 1.027 pacientes, 243 desde 2014. La mediana de edad fue de 24,2 meses (IC: 10,21-84,25). Un 92,59% presentaron pluripatología, siendo las condiciones crónicas más frecuentemente observadas las neurológicas (76,95%), gastrointestinales (63,78%) y respiratorias (61,72%). Un 69,54% de los NPCC fueron dependientes de tecnología, el 53,49% de soporte respiratorio y el 35,80% nutricional. El número de ingresos ha aumentado anualmente, hasta 403 desde 2014, con un 8,93% de reingresos. La mediana de la estancia fue de 6 días (IC: 3-14). La tasa de ocupación fue superior al 100% en este período. En la actualidad se mantienen en seguimiento 210 pacientes (86,42%), 11 niños han sido dados de alta a sus hospitales de referencia y 22 han fallecido (9,05%). De estos 22 pacientes, la principal condición fue neurológica, y la principal causa desencadenante del fallecimiento fue infecciosa. Conclusión: La unidad de NPCC ha incrementado su actividad en estos años, poniendo de manifiesto la necesidad de crear estas unidades en los hospitales terciarios. Abstract: Introduction: The increase in survival of children with severe diseases has led to the rise of children with chronic diseases, sometimes with lifelong disabilities. In 2008, a unit for the specific care of medically complex children (MCC) was created in Hospital La Paz. Objectives: To describe the work and care activities of this Unit.Patients and methods An analysis was performed on all discharge reports of the Unit between January 2014 and July 2016. Results: The MCC Unit has 6 beds and daily outpatient clinic. A total of 1,027 patients have been treated since the creation of the unit, with 243 from 2014. The median age was 24.2 months (IQ: 10.21-84.25). The large majority (92.59%) have multiple diseases, the most frequent chronic conditions observed were neurological (76.95%), gastrointestinal (63.78%), and respiratory diseases (61.72%). More than two-thirds (69.54%) of MCC are dependent on technology, 53.49% on respiratory support, and 35.80% on nutritional support. Hospital admission rates have increased annually. There have been 403 admissions since 2014, of which 8.93% were re-admissions within 30 days of hospital discharge. The median stay during 2014-2016 was 6 days (IQ: 3-14). The occupancy rate has been above 100% for this period. Currently, 210 patients remain on follow-up (86.42%), and 11 children (4.53%) were discharged to their referral hospitals. The mortality rate is 9.05% (22 deaths). The main condition of these 22 patients was neurological (9 patients). Infectious diseases were the leading cause of death. Conclusion: MCC should be treated in specialized units in tertiary or high-level hospitals.

Pinus canariensis yields a coloured resinous heartwood which has been widely used for centuries in the Canary Islands. Nowadays, although it reaches a high commercial value, very little is known about the influence of environmental, silvicultural and genetic factors on heartwood development in this species. Thus, the influence of environment and stem growth factors on heartwood and sapwood development was investigated in Pinus canariensis 20–200 years old. Samples were taken in natural stands from La Palma and Tenerife islands. The number of growth rings, diameter under bark and radius to the 25th ring were the growth factors most strongly related to heartwood radius. Best prediction (r2 = 0.91) for average heartwood radius was obtained with a function of number of growth rings and radius to the 25th ring. Environmental parameters (annual water surplus and influence of Trade Winds) were found to be related more to sapwood width and diameter growth rates than to heartwood width. Stand density, estimated as the number of trees per hectare, was negatively correlated with heartwood and sapwood width, radius to the 25th ring, and average diameter growth rate. It is concluded that good site conditions improve both heartwood and sapwood development in Pinus canariensis.