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Background: Among the clinical predictors of a heart failure (HF) prognosis, different personal factors have been established in previous research, mainly age, gender, anemia, renal insufficiency and diabetes, as well as mediators (pulmonary embolism, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), arrhythmias and dyslipidemia). We do not know the role played by contextual and individual factors in the prediction of in-hospital mortality. Methods: The present study has added hospital and management factors (year, type of hospital, length of stay, number of diagnoses and procedures, and readmissions) in predicting exitus to establish a structural predictive model. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee of the province of Almeria. Results: A total of 529,606 subjects participated, through databases of the Spanish National Health System. A predictive model was constructed using correlation analysis (SPSS 24.0) and structural equation models (SEM) analysis (AMOS 20.0) that met the appropriate statistical values (chi-square, usually fit indices and the root-mean-square error approximation) which met the criteria of statistical significance. Individual factors, such as age, gender and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were found to positively predict mortality risk. Isolated contextual factors (hospitals with a greater number of beds, especially, and also the number of procedures performed, which negatively predicted the risk of death. Conclusions: It was, therefore, possible to introduce contextual variables to explain the behavior of mortality in patients with HF. The size or level of large hospital complexes, as well as procedural effort, are key contextual variables in estimating the risk of mortality in HF.

Daphnia is a good model organism for studying factors affecting dispersal and patterns of genetic diversity. Within this genus, the Daphnia pulex species complex includes lineages from North America and Europe, with some considered invaders in various continents, although their colonization history is poorly known. We used mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite markers to identify the D. pulex complex lineages in Sierra Nevada, determine their reproductive mode and reconstruct their genetic history (over the past ~25 to 65 years). We present the first recording of North American (NA) D. cf. pulex in a European high-mountain lake, showing its arrival ~65 years ago in lake Borreguil without temporal changes in its genetic structure. European (Eu) D. cf. pulicaria is the only lineage present in other Sierra Nevada lakes and also showed no genetic change over time. The results for both species are congruent with obligate parthenogenetic reproduction mode. Moreover, water mineralization may influence the clonal distribution of the D. pulex complex in Sierra Nevada, without ruling out dispersal limitation and/or founder effects. Although NA D. cf. pulex had not spread to other Sierra Nevada lakes, it could threaten Eu D. cf. pulicaria in Sierra Nevada and other European alpine lakes.

Aquatic invertebrates can be geographically dispersed by abiotic vectors (wind, rain and water flow) or organisms (mainly by insects, fishes and waterbirds). However, there is a lack of information on the dispersal by waterbirds of cladocerans and especially rotifers, and on the hatching success of the dispersed propagules. Here, we quantify the dispersal of cladocerans and rotifers by waterbirds through analysis of their faecal droppings collected in a wetland formed by two natural lakes located in Donana National Park (Spain). We also study the influence of different photoperiod and temperature conditions on the hatching success of the dispersal propagules. Diapausing propagules of 22 species of rotifers or cladocerans were identified in waterbird faecal droppings, with a mean number of 0.9 diapausing propagules per dropping. The hatching success rate, which was not influenced by photoperiod or temperature, was low (~ 12.5%). Nevertheless, the role of rotifer dispersal by waterbirds appears to have been underestimated in the past. In this study area, the dispersal of rotifers by waterbirds may be at least as relevant as their dispersal by air currents. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relative importance of dispersal mechanisms (mainly air currents and animal vectors) in different geographical areas.

Agronomic responses to the use of agricultural inputs have been used in agriculture to identify the optimal level of nutrients to be supplied for high yield. This strategy helps to avoid economic losses and excessive application of fertilizers that has caused pollution of aquifers and soil degradation. The aim of the study was to evaluate water use efficiency, agronomic efficiency of nitrogen, heat units and use of evapotranspiration in yield and its components in sunflowers under hot climate conditions in function of nitrogen fertilizer application during two sowing season. The experiment was conducted in the field. The treatments were two sowing seasons and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer application and one control: 0, 60, 80 and 120 kg N ha-1. The nitrogen source was urea. The experimental design was complete random blocks with factorial array and four replications. The occurrence of cv. Cobalto sunflower phenological stages were not modified by the treatments. Urea favored agronomic efficiency and water use efficiency. Yield components were modified positively, with increasing receptacle area, 100-grain weight, and grain yield per receptacle. Application of nitrogen fertilizer favored sunflower development, although environmental conditions are of critical importance as demonstrated by a clear interaction between the yield response to fertilizer application and the environment where the plants grew. jjjj As respostas agronómicas ao uso dos insumos agrícolas, têm sido usados na agricultura para identificar o nível óptimo de fornecimento de nutrimentos para um alto rendimento, estratégia que ajuda a evitar perdas económicas, e a evitar o excessivo aplicativo de fertilizantes que têm provocado contaminação de mantos acuíferos e degradação do solos. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a eficiência no uso da água, eficiência agronômica do nitrogênio, unidades calor e uso da evapotranspiração no rendimento e componentes do rendimento de girassol em condições quentes em duas épocas de cultivo em função da fertilização de nitrógeno. Foi realizada no campo em condições experimentais. Os tratamentos consistiram em duas épocas e três níveis de aplicação de fertilização nitrogenada e um controle de 0, 60 80 e 120 kg N ha-1, sendo usado como fonte de nitrogênio uréia. O delineamento experimental foi blocos completos randomizados, com arranjo fatorial e quatro repetições. A ocorrência de estádios fenológicos em cv de girassol. O cobalto não foi modificado pela aplicação de tratamentos. A aplicação de uréia, favoreceu a eficiência agronômica e eficiência no uso da água, modificou positivamente os componentes do rendimento aumentando a área do capítulo, o peso de 100 grãos e o rendimento de grãos por capítulo. A adubação nitrogenada se manifestou em favor do girassol, embora as condições ambientais sejam de importância crítica, como demonstrado em uma clara interação entre a resposta ao rendimento e a fertilização e o ambiente onde foi desenvolvido.

Organisms with wide environmentally-induced morphological plasticity and cosmopolitan distribution, e.g., the common freshwater rotifer Keratella cochlearis, are ideal models to study the evolution of plastic polymorphisms and the capacity of zooplankton to adapt to local selection conditions. We investigated population-level differences (population-by-environment interaction) in sensitivity to food availability and temperature-induced phenotypic plasticity between two clones of K. cochlearis (Gosse) isolated from neighboring populations in Ruidera Natural Park (Spain) with different trophic statuses: Tinaja (TIN) lake (mesotrophic) and Cueva Morenilla (MOR) lake (eutrophic). Using common-garden experiments, each clone proved to have a different sensitivity to food availability, with substantial phenotypic differences between them. When rotifers grew at moderate temperature (15.6°C), low food levels were more efficiently used by the TIN versus MOR clone, whereas high food levels were more efficiently used by the MOR versus TIN clone. The posterior spine was much longer and the lorica wider in the TIN versus MOR clone, with no difference in lorica length. Phylogenetic analysis based on COI sequences showed that both populations have the same haplotype. This is the first study to show possible local adaptation by a rotifer species to habitats that consistently differ in food availability. We also detected an intriguing deviation from the expected negative relationship between posterior spine length and temperature. Our experimental results indicate that intermediate temperatures may activate the gene responsible for spine elongation in K. cochlearis. This suggests that rotifers in nature could use water temperature as proxy signal of a change in predation risk before defense is needed.

espanolIntroduccion: El uso de puntos de referencia externos (ERP) como el pin nasal (NP) y el canto medial del ojo (EMC) proporciona puntos de referencia estables y reproducibles para el reposicionamiento maxilar. Los ERP son ampliamente utilizados por su practicidad para lograr el resultado estetico deseado en cirugia ortognatica (OS). Objetivos: El proposito de este estudio es comparar los ERP (NP y EMC), para definir cual es el mas preciso, y tambien definir sus limitaciones, en la fase intraoperatoria para el reposicionamiento vertical del maxilar. Pacientes y metodos: Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo en 26 pacientes que se sometieron a OS desde diciembre de 2015 hasta agosto de 2018. Antes de la osteotomia de Le Fort I, se realizaron las mediciones verticales. Se considero el ERP mas preciso el que obtuvo la menor diferencia promedio entre la medicion vertical de la planificacion prequirurgica y la obtenida en el periodo intraoperatorio. Resultados: El movimiento vertical planeado fue un promedio de -1,73 mm ± 1,97 SD, con el mayor movimiento de impactacion maxilar de -6 mm y el mayor descenso maxilar de 2 mm. La diferencia entre el movimiento vertical planificado y las medidas obtenidas de cambio vertical para NP tuvo un promedio de 0,05 mm ± 0,51 DE (IC 95 %, -0,15 - 0,26), y la diferencia entre el movimiento vertical planificado y las medidas obtenidas para EMC tuvo un promedio de 1,23 mm ± 1,29 DE (IC 95 %, 0,71 - 1,75), con una diferencia estadisticamente significativa (p = 0,0001) entre ellos de -1,18 mm ± 1,23 (IC 95 %, -1,67 - -0,68). Conclusiones: El uso del NP como ERP proporciona mayor precision y previsibilidad del movimiento en el reposicionamiento vertical del complejo maxilomandibular, en comparacion con el uso de EMC. Ambas tecnicas se pueden utilizar como complemento, teniendo en cuenta el efecto de la triangulacion. EnglishIntroduction: The use of external reference points (ERP) like the nasal pin (NP) and eye's medial canthus (EMC) provides a stable and reproductible landmarks for maxillary repositioning. ERP are widely used, for its practicality to achieve the desired aesthetic result in orthognathic surgery (OS). Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the ERPs: NP and EMC, to define which is the most accurate, and also define its limitations, in the intraoperative phase for vertical repositioning of the maxilla. Patients and methods: We performed a retrospective study on 26 patients who underwent OS from December 2015 to August 2018. Previous to the Le Fort I osteotomy, the vertical measurements were made. The most accurate ERP was considered to be the one that obtained the least average difference between the vertical measurement of the pre-surgical planning and that obtained in the intraoperative period. Results: The planned vertical movement was an average of -1.73 mm ± 1.97 SD, with the largest maxillary impaction movement of -6 mm and the largest maxillary descent of 2 mm. The difference between planned vertical movement and obtained measurements of vertical change for NP had an average 0.05 mm ± 0.51 SD (95 % CI, -0.15 - 0.26), and the difference between planned vertical movement and obtained measurements for EMC had an average 1.23 mm ± 1.29 SD (95 % CI, 0.71 - 1.75), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001) between them of -1.18 mm± 1.23 (95 % CI, -1.67 - -0.68). Conclusions: The use of the NP as an ERP provides greater precision and predictability of movement in the vertical repositioning of the maxillomandibular-complex, compared to the use of EMC. Both techniques can be used as a complement, being aware of the effect of triangulation.

Organisms with wide environmentally induced morphological plasticity and cosmopolitan distribution, e.g. the common freshwater rotifer

RESUMEN: La condromatosis sinovial (CS), es una lesión benigna poco frecuente y de clínica bastante inespecífica. Suele afectar articulaciones de huesos largos como la rodilla, el codo y la cadera, presentándose generalmente de manera unilateral. Se cree que solo un 3 % de los casos de CS afecta la articulación temporomandibular. Esta condición se caracteriza por ser un trastorno metaplásico del tejido conectivo sinovial que suele manifestarse con la formación de pequeños y múltiples nódulos de cartílago que posteriormente pueden desprenderse, calcificarse y formar cuerpos libres dentro del espacio articular. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 55 años con condromatosis sinovial de la articulación temporomandibular, tratada desde hace 3 años bajo el diagnóstico de desórdenes temporomandibulares. A pesar de ser considerada una lesión de tipo benigna, esta puede llegar a ser localmente agresiva, extendiéndose como en nuestro reporte hacia la fosa craneal media, adelgazando parte del hueso temporal.

La presente investigación tiene un diseño metodológico descriptivo y transversal, no experimental, enfocado al estudio de las plantas cultivadas en las huertas y el manejo por sus propietarios con el fin de asegurar la seguridad alimentaria y la diversidad biológica. Se evaluaron diez huertas urbanas familiares ubicadas en el municipio de Sibundoy, Putumayo, Colombia, en las cuales se estudió un total de 31.776 individuos pertenecientes a 113 especies de 45 familias botánicas. Según los propietarios de las huertas, se consideraron importantes 91 especies de plantas comestibles que fueron incluidas en la categoría de uso comestible, siendo la alimentación la principal finalidad de estas huertas familiares, destacando en segundo plano las plantas de uso medicinal. Se evaluó la diversidad biológica con los índices de Margalef, Shannon, Simpson, el análisis de similitud de Jaccard y el método de rarefacción con la ayuda del software libre DIVA-GIS 7,5 © para analizar la riqueza y distribución de especies, encontrando un alto índice de biodiversidad en las huertas estudiadas. The present investigation had a descriptive and transversal methodological design, not experimental, focused on the study of plants grown in the gardens and the management by their owners in order to guarantee food security and biological diversity. Ten family urban gardens located in the municipality of Sibundoy, Putumayo, Colombia were evaluated, 31,776 individuals belonging to 113 species from 45 botanical families were studied. According to the owners of the orchards, 91 species of edible plants that were included in the category of edible use were considered important, with food being the main purpose of these family gardens, highlighting in the background the medicinal plants. The biological diversity was evaluated with the indices of Margalef, Shannon, Simpson, the Jaccard similarity analysis and the rarefaction method with the help of the free software DIVA-GIS 7.5 © to analyze the richness and distribution of species, finding a high biodiversity index in the orchards studied.

AIMS: To investigate differences and similarities in college students' drinking motives in Spain and in Hungary. METHODS: A total of 550 Spanish (mean age 22.7, SD = 3.2) and 997 Hungarian (mean age 22.4, SD = 2.7) college students completed the Drinking Motive Questionnaire Revised Short Form (DMQ-R SF) and answered other alcohol-related questions. Data were analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis, t-test and structural equation modeling. RESULTS: The DMQ-R SF demonstrated good psychometric properties in both countries. The rank order of the motives (social > enhancement > coping > conformity) was identical in the two countries. However, Hungarian students scored higher on enhancement, social and coping motives than Spanish students. In both the Hungarian and the Spanish population, enhancement motives were associated with drinking frequency and drunkenness, while coping motives were associated with alcohol-related problems. Among Spanish students, a significant relationship was found between alcohol-related problems and enhancement motives as well. CONCLUSION: Despite the substantial differences in the drinking culture of both countries, drinking motives showed overwhelming similarities (e.g. rank order of motives and the particular relationships between motives and alcohol outcomes). Only few differences (e.g. Hungarian college students indicated a higher level of motives) were found in cross-national comparison. Our results imply that programs targeting risky drinking motives are likely to be successfully adapted to different drinking cultures in Europe. Language: en

Objetivos: Mostrar la importancia de la histopatología en el diagnóstico del quiste folicular inflamatorio para un correcto tratamiento y la relevancia de una nomenclatura precisa. Material y Métodos: Búsqueda en Pubmed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO-host de «odontogenic-cysts», «dentigerous cyst of inflammatory origin» y “follicular inflammatory-cyst» como key-words, full-text en inglés o español de los últimos 10 años. Resultados: Paciente 10 años de edad, presenta tumoración vestibular de zona de diente 5.3, de consistencia dura, asintomático y cubierto por mucosa normal. Diente asociado sin lesiones cariosas. La radiografía evidenció una extensa área radiolúcida bien definida, rodeando la corona del diente 1.3, desplazando y reteniéndolo. Tras evaluación radiográfica, los diagnósticos diferenciales fueron tumor-odontogénico-adenomatoide, queratoquiste y QD. La histopatología confirmó QFI. Originándose la lesión a partir de la pieza 5.4 con tratamiento pulpar. Conclusiones: Se debe considerar al QFI como una lesión similar a otros quistes inflamatorios (paradentales o radiculares). Se sugiere considerar en dentición mixta, que QFI y quiste radicular del diente temporal son la misma lesión y las diferencias en su aspecto clínico dependerán del tiempo de evolución y la relación de proximidad entre folículo y proceso inflamatorio del diente temporal. Objectives: To show the importance of histopathology in the diagnosis of follicular inflammatory cyst for a correct treatment and the relevance of a precise nomenclature. Material and Methods: Pubmed search, ScienceDirect, EBSCO-host “odontogenic cysts”, “inflammatory dentigerous cyst” and “follicular inflammatory cyst” as keywords, full text in English or Spanish for the last 10 years. Results: A 10-year-old patient presented vestibular tumor of the tooth area 5.3, with a hard consistency, asymptomatic and covered by normal mucosa. Associated tooth without carious lesions. The radiograph evidenced a radiolucent area with well-defined limits, around the crown of the tooth 1.3, displacing and retaining it. After radiographic evaluation, the differential diagnoses were tumor-odontogenic-adenomatoid, keratocyst and QD. Histopathology confirmed QFI. Originating the lesion from piece 5.4 with pulp treatment. Conclusions: The QFI should be considered as an similar to other inflammatory (paradental or root) cysts. It is suggested to consider in mixed dentition, that QFI and radicular cyst of the temporal tooth are the same lesion and the differences in their clinical aspect will depend on the evolution time and the proximity relation between follicle and inflammatory process of temporal temporal.

The Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) Consortium has refined its recommendations about the clinical and pathologic diagnosis of DLB, updating the previous report, which has been in widespread use for the last decade. The revised DLB consensus criteria now distinguish clearly between clinical features and diagnostic biomarkers, and give guidance about optimal methods to establish and interpret these. Substantial new information has been incorporated about previously reported aspects of DLB, with increased diagnostic weighting given to REM sleep behavior disorder and 123iodine-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy. The diagnostic role of other neuroimaging, electrophysiologic, and laboratory investigations is also described. Minor modifications to pathologic methods and criteria are recommended to take account of Alzheimer disease neuropathologic change, to add previously omitted Lewy-related pathology categories, and to include assessments for substantia nigra neuronal loss. Recommendations about clinical management are largely based upon expert opinion since randomized controlled trials in DLB are few. Substantial progress has been made since the previous report in the detection and recognition of DLB as a common and important clinical disorder. During that period it has been incorporated into DSM-5, as major neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies. There remains a pressing need to understand the underlying neurobiology and pathophysiology of DLB, to develop and deliver clinical trials with both symptomatic and disease-modifying agents, and to help patients and carers worldwide to inform themselves about the disease, its prognosis, best available treatments, ongoing research, and how to get adequate support.

Letter to the editor.Se pretende realizar con el presente estudio, un análisis exploratorio de variables que puedan ayudar a explicar el éxito o fracaso en cesación tabáquica mediante autoabandono. El presente estudio obtuvo el informe favorable de la Comisión de Bioética de la Universidad de Almería, cuyo número de referencia es UALBIO2011/025. Los participantes del estudio se consiguieron mediante anuncios en prensa y radio y centros de salud, se les realizó una entrevista dirigida al registro de distintas variables relacionadas con el consumo de tabaco, edad de inicio, edad de abandono, años de uso del tabaco, número de cigarrillos al día y dependencia nicotínica.

In many studies of transportation is required to estimate trips intensity that generates certain land use, in order to measure their impact on adjacent streets. Typically, when the data cannot be obtained directly, or by planning approach, parameters suggested by the Trip Generation Handbook (TGH) of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) are used. However, the use of these parameters in places outside its application scope might not be appropriate. Therefore, this work proposes a research aimed to obtain trip generator models for different land uses, through random sampling, in schools of the Libertador municipality, in Merida-Venezuela. Evaluated transportation modes are: private car, school transport, public transport, motorcycle and travel on foot. Data collection methodology presented a redundancy problem, due to quantify trips made by different people in the same vehicle; this requires a change in future surveys. However, the incorporation of occupation indices and statistical analysis help to quantify trips by mode making inference to the population. The influence of the socio-economic level in mode choice is evidenced, resulting useful trip generation rates that can be compared and incorporated into the Red Iberoamericana data base as a contribution.

Oryza sativa and Luziola peruviana present a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 24 and basic number x = 12, confirmed by means metaphase chromosomes counts in young root tips of these species. Hybrid plants O. sativa × L. peruviana, with 2n = 24 chromosomes are originated from simple crosses and present abnormalities in the meiotic behavior, chromosomal aberrations and cytological alteration. This genetic incompatibility is caused by different factors as absence of pairing and recombination, different spindles arrangements, cytoskeleton instability, apoptosis process and chromosomal elimination, leading to micronuclei formation, unbalanced gametes and sterile pollen grains. The chromosome elimination is established as a dynamic process of stabilization of the genome that occurs during hybridization. It is a common phenomenon among intergeneric crosses and corresponds to cytoplasmic and nuclear bodies that reflect chromosomal aberrations resulting from the combination of two genomes with high genetic distance. The genomic conflict occurs in meiosis, possibly by asynchronism and cell cycle length of the genomes involved, or by time differences in replication between parental species leading to strand breaks and genomic rearrangements.

Introduccion En diversas publicaciones de los ultimos anos se senala una mortalidad hospitalaria mayor de la cirugia de revascularizacion miocardica en pacientes con antecedente de intervencionismo coronario percutaneo previo exitoso; por su parte, los modelos de riesgo de mortalidad en cirugia cardiaca publicados hasta la actualidad no han incluido este antecedente como factor de riesgo. Objetivo Analizar si el intervencionismo coronario percutaneo previo es un factor de riesgo de mortalidad hospitalaria en la cirugia de revascularizacion coronaria. Material y metodos Entre enero de 1997 y diciembre de 2007 se analizaron un total de 78.794 pacientes sometidos a cirugia coronaria, recogidos en la base de datos del Ministerio de Sanidad de Espana. Tras aplicar los criterios de exclusion, el estudio se realizo sobre un total de 63.420 pacientes, de los que 2.942 (4,6%) tenian intervencionismo coronario percutaneo previo. Las variables continuas se compararon con las pruebas de U de Mann-Whitney o de la t de Student y las variables categoricas, mediante chi cuadrado. Se realizo un analisis de regresion logistica univariado y multivariado y un analisis multivariado que incluia un indice de propension. Resultados El intervencionismo coronario percutaneo previo no fue un predictor independiente de mortalidad hospitalaria en el analisis multivariado (odds ratio 0,88; intervalo de confianza del 95% 0,72-1,07; p = 0,20) ni en el modelo que incluia un indice de propension (odds ratio 0,9; intervalo de confianza 95% 0,75-1,08; p = 0,27). Conclusion El intervencionismo coronario percutaneo previo parece no ser un factor de riesgo independiente de mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes con intervencion quirurgica coronaria.

Se pretende realizar con el presente estudio, un análisis exploratorio de variables que puedan ayudar a explicar el éxito o fracaso en cesación tabáquica mediante autoabandono. El presente estudio obtuvo el informe favorable de la Comisión de Bioética de la Universidad de Almería, cuyo número de referencia es UALBIO2011/025. Los participantes del estudio se consiguieron mediante anuncios en prensa y radio y centros de salud, se les realizó una entrevista dirigida al registro de distintas variables relacionadas con el consumo de tabaco, edad de inicio, edad de abandono, años de uso del tabaco, número de cigarrillos al día y dependencia nicotínica.

Teachers constitute one of the professional collectives most affected by psychological problems. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to examine the efficacy of a mindfulness training programme to reduce psychological distress in a group of teachers. The sample comprised 68 teachers of Secondary School Education, from various public schools; half of them formed the experimental group, and the another half the control group. The levels of psychological distress were measured, in both groups, by the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) before and after the application of the programme. Statistical analysis shows the significant reduction of three general measures of psychological distress (Global Severity Index, Positive Symptom Distress Index, and Positive Symptom Total), as well in all its dimensions (somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensibility, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism), in the experimental group compared with the control group. Follow-up measures show that these results were maintained for four months after termination of the intervention in the experimental group.

La investigación científica en uno de los pilares fundamentales que caracteriza a toda institución de educación superior seria y comprometida en las soluciones más viables para el pueblo. Estas soluciones deberán fundamentarse en la búsqueda de la verdad y en la propuesta de alternativas de solución que nos permitan ayudar a resolver parte de esa agenda a la que estamos obligados a poner atención.Las pequeñas y las medianas empresas (Pymes) juegan un papel fundamental en las naciones; América Latina no es la excepción. El Salvador es un país que ha venido experimentando cambios sociales, políticos y económicos, a veces leves, a veces bruscos pero su gente sigue con pie derecho y adelante.Es de hacer notar que, en la década perdida del siglo pasado en El Salvador, las Pymes tuvieron un papel preponderante al igual que hoy. Ellas han sido un bastión básico para oxigenar la economía y, por ende, en la mantención de empleos. En este amplio sector de las Pymes, nos encontramos con tres sectores claves: el comercio, la industria y los servicios.

Al llevar a feliz término la realización de esta investigación, que al inicio la consideramos un reto y un desafío, en seguida la convertimos en una gran oportunidad, porque el tema conforme se fue desarrollando lo asimilamos como una cuestión de interés nacional, depositamos este producto de apoyo valioso como herramienta de consulta en las manos de docentes, estudiantes, accionistas, profesionales y otros usuarios de la información financiera.

Nowadays, given the current growing awareness about the preservation of the environment, asphalt technicians are assessing and trying to correct result-ing impacts from the manufacture and application of bituminous mixtures. The concept of sustainability has come to the field of bituminous mixtures with two main components: reducing emissions and reducing the consumption of raw mate-rials, preserving resources for the future. Conservation and rehabilitation activities of road pavements generate an increasing amount of waste from the milling of the layers of damaged asphalt mixtures. This material, which has great costs and ex-ceptional properties, should be reused in manufacturing new mixtures of the same type and function. Moreover, it is necessary to reduce the emissions from the manufacturing and application of asphalt mixtures. This paper presents the efforts carried out to develop a technology that allows manufacturing and applying half-warm mix asphalt in surface layers of low speed roads at low temperatures using high percentages of reclaimed asphalt pavement. The research project focused on designing asphalt mixtures to be placed in urban areas. Continuously graded mix-tures were manufactured at 100ºC and compacted at 80ºC with different percent-ages of RAP, ranging from 50% to 100%. The results obtained from testing labor-atory specimens indicated that their mechanical properties, regarding cracking resistance and fatigue resistance, were very close to those expected from regular HMA mixtures.

The aim of the following study was to evaluate the dimensions of the type C behavior pattern, and its relation withthe cognition towards disease, in 58 diagnosed colostomized patients with colorectal cancer, of both sexes, 6 monthsafter the surgical treatment. As measurement instruments were used three of the scales of the Questionnaire of TypeC Behavior Pattern (López Martínez, Ramírez Maestre, Esteve Zarazaga & Anarte, 2002) and the Questionnaire ofCognition towards disease (ICQ), adapted from the Dutch version by Evers et al. (2001). The reliability of bothquestionnaires, from the calculation of alpha coefficient, throws satisfactory results in both cases. The results showthat a clear relation between the answers to both instruments exists. Concretely, elevated scores in Rationality areassociated to a greater capacity on the part of the patients to adapt to their disease; contrary, scores elevated inUnderstanding and Emotional Repression are associated to greater difficulties in order to accept the health state.

A longitudinal study was conducted to assess the presence of beliefs about symptoms related to hypertension and the time since diagnosis in which they appear. A randomly selected sample of hypertensive patients (67% women, mean age 53.27 years and range 20- 65) was divided into four groups according to the time from diagnosis. All patients (N = 171) were interviewed at the beginning (initial assessment) and 12 months later (final assessment) and the patients (n = 75) who did not report beliefs about symptoms at the initial assessment were interviewed in a follow-up schedule. The results showed that 56% of patients reported beliefs about symptoms at the initial assessment, and this percentage increased to 77% at the final assessment (p < .001) finding significant differences between the two groups with a more recent diagnosis and the two groups of long-standing patients. Longitudinal analysis of the group with the recent diagnosis showed that the critical period for the emergence of beliefs was the first year from diagnosis. This period could be decisive in order to prevent them. Healthcare professionals should pay attention to the emergence of these beliefs, as they could negatively affect treatment adherence. Se realizó un estudio para evaluar creencias sobre síntomas relacionados con la hipertensión y el tiempo transcurrido desde el diagnóstico. Una muestra elegida al azar de pacientes con hipertensión (media de edad 53,27 años, rango 20-65; 67% mujeres) se dividió en cuatro grupos de acuerdo al tiempo transcurrido desde el diagnóstico. Se entrevistó a todos los pacientes (N = 171) al comienzo del estudio (evaluación inicial) y 12 meses después (evaluación final). A los pacientes que no informaron creencias en síntomas (n = 75) se les entrevistó cada tres meses de acuerdo a un programa de seguimiento. Los resultados indicaron que en la evaluación inicial el 56% de los pacientes informó creencias en síntomas, elevándose al 77% en la evaluación final (p < .001), y diferencias significativas entre los grupos con menor y mayor tiempo desde el diagnóstico. El análisis longitudinal del grupo de pacientes de reciente diagnóstico mostró que el primer año es el período crítico para la emergencia de creencias en síntomas, información que resulta clave para planear la prevención. Los profesionales de la salud deberían prestar atención a la emergencia de creencias en síntomas dado que pueden afectar negativamente a la adherencia al tratamiento.

Background: Inhaled ipratropium bromide, through a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), is a first-line treatment for the prevention of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, MDIs are often used incorrectly by patients, and the efficacy of inhaled medications may be affected as a result. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of inhaled ipratropium bromide versus oral mepifylline in the prevention of medical events among patients with COPD. Methods: This was an open-label, randomized, parallel-group, active-controlled study. Patients with stable COPD were randomly assigned to receive 75 mg mepifylline by the oral route every 8 hours or 0.04 mg ipratropium bromide inhaled every 6 hours, for 6 months. A medical event was defined as any unanticipated, COPD-related event requiring extra medical care. Secondary end points were pulmonary function, intensity of dyspnea on the Borg scale, distance on the 6-minute walking test (and intensity and subjective feelings of dyspnea before and/or after the test), blood gas and inspiratory pressures, and use of any type of medication to control COPD symptoms. Results: A total of 134 patients were enrolled. After 6 months of treatment, oral mepifylline and inhaled ipratropium bromide were equally effective in preventing medical events. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ) and forced vital capacity (FVC) decreased slightly but significantly versus baseline ( P = 0.018). In both groups, a decrease in dyspnea ( P = 0.054) and an increase in the distance covered in the walking test were observed. The subjective feeling of dyspnea after the 6-minute walking test decreased significantly among the patients treated with mepifylline ( P = 0.01 vs baseline), but not among those treated with ipratropium bromide ( P = 0.172 vs baseline). The need for rescue medication decreased throughout the study, with no differences between treatment groups. A significantly greater number of gastrointestinal adverse events were seen in the mepifylline group ( P = 0.003). Conclusion: Mepifylline is as effective as ipratropium bromide in controlling symptoms and preventing medical events in patients with COPD, and can be considered a good therapeutic alternative to inhaled ipratropium bromide.

espanolEn el presente estudio se analiza las propiedades psicometricas de la version en castellano del Cuestionario de Actitudes de los Estudiantes hacia la Esquizofrenia. Se trata de un instrumento disenado y aplicado originalmente en Alemania. Los resultados encontrados senalan un alpha de Cronbach de .95. El Analisis Factorial Exploratorio senalo la existencia, al igual que la version original, de dos factores con una varianza total explicada del 59.94%. Esta estructura fue confirmada por el Analisis Factorial Confirmatorio. Sin embargo, el contenido y significado de estos dos factores difieren ligeramente de la muestra alemana. En este caso, el primer factor haria referencia a miedo o temor hacia las personas con esquizofrenia, el segundo se refiere a distancia social. Se discute la importancia de estos resultados. EnglishThe present study analyzes the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Student Attitudes Questionnaire towards Schizophrenia. It is an instrument originally designed and applied in Germany. The results found point to a Cronbach alpha of .95. The Exploratory Factor Analysis indicated the existence, as the original version, of two factors with a total variance explained of 59.94%. This structure was confirmed by the Factorial Confirmatory Analysis. However, the content and significance of these two factors differ slightly from the German sample. In this case, the first factor would refer to fear or fear towards people with schizophrenia, the second refers to stereotypes. The importance of these results is discussed. Key words: Stigma, Schizophrenia, Attitudes, Discrimination, Mental Health.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo principal es evaluar el comportamiento del grupo relacionado de diagnóstico (GRD) 127 (insuficiencia cardíaca; ICC) en Andalucía durante el año 2002 en pacientes mayores de 45 años. Los objetivos secundarios son determinar la variabilidad en función del sexo y los factores asociados con una estancia superior a la media. DISEÑO: Estudio descriptivo, transversal y no concurrente. PARTICIPANTES: Se seleccionó a todos los pacientes mayores de 45 años ingresados en Andalucía bajo el GRD 127 –ICC– durante el año 2002, para lo cual se utilizó como fuente el CMBD de dicho año. Las variables principales analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, estancia, número de diagnósticos al alta (NDA), número de procedimientos efectuados al alta (NP), estancia superior a la media (ESM) considerando como tal aquella superior a 9,6 días. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 7.893 ingresos, de los que el 58% eran mujeres. La media de edad fue de 75,98 ± 0,14 años para las mujeres frente a 72,29 ± 0,17 años para los varones (p

ObjetivoEl objetivo principal es evaluar el comportamiento del grupo relacionado de diagnóstico (GRD) 127 (insuficiencia cardíaca; ICC) en Andalucía durante el año 2002 en pacientes mayores de 45 años. Los objetivos secundarios son determinar la variabilidad en función del sexo y los factores asociados con una estancia superior a la media.DiseñoEstudio descriptivo, transversal y no concurrente.ParticipantesSe seleccionó a todos los pacientes mayores de 45 años ingresados en Andalucía bajo el GRD 127 –ICC– durante el año 2002, para lo cual se utilizó como fuente el CMBD de dicho año. Las variables principales analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, estancia, número de diagnósticos al alta (NDA), número de procedimientos efectuados al alta (NP), estancia superior a la media (ESM) considerando como tal aquella superior a 9,6 días.ResultadosSe analizaron 7.893 ingresos, de los que el 58% eran mujeres. La media de edad fue de 75,98±0,14 años para las mujeres frente a 72,29±0,17 años para los varones (p

International audience; Among various filamentous fungi, Aspergillus niger ATCC 9142 was the most efficient strain to convert confertifolin in high yield into its 3ß-hydroxy derivative, which was then chemically converted to 1a-hydroxy-, 1a,11a-dihydroxy- and 1a-acetoxy-11a-hydroxyconfertifolin, new compounds structurally related to bioactive natural products isolated from plants or marine sponges. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.