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This project aims to develop eligibility criteria for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). The tool should be similar to those already established for contraception A consortium of scientific societies coordinated by the Spanish Menopause Society met to formulate recommendations for the use of MHT by women with medical conditions based on the best available evidence. The project was developed in two phases. As a first step, we conducted 14 systematic reviews and 32 metanalyses on the safety of MHT (in nine areas: age, time of menopause onset, treatment duration, women with thrombotic risk, women with a personal history of cardiovascular disease, women with metabolic syndrome, women with gastrointestinal diseases, survivors of breast cancer or of other cancers, and women who smoke) and on the most relevant pharmacological interactions with MHT. These systematic reviews and metanalyses helped inform a structured process in which a panel of experts defined the eligibility criteria according to a specific framework, which facilitated the discussion and development process. To unify the proposal, the following eligibility criteria have been defined in accordance with the WHO international nomenclature for the different alternatives for MHT (category 1, no restriction on the use of MHT; category 2, the benefits outweigh the risks; category 3, the risks generally outweigh the benefits; category 4, MHT should not be used). Quality was classified as high, moderate, low or very low, based on several factors (including risk of bias, inaccuracy, inconsistency, lack of directionality and publication bias). When no direct evidence was identified, but plausibility, clinical experience or indirect evidence were available, "Expert opinion" was categorized. For the first time, a set of eligibility criteria, based on clinical evidence and developed according to the most rigorous methodological tools, has been defined. This will provide health professionals with a powerful decision-making tool that can be used to manage menopausal symptoms.

Objective Based on the SUCCOR study database, our primary objective was to identify the independent clinical pathological variables associated with the risk of relapse in patients with stage IB1 cervical cancer who underwent a radical hysterectomy. Our secondary goal was to design and validate a risk predictive index (RPI) for classifying patients depending on the risk of recurrence. Methods Overall, 1116 women were included from January 2013 to December 2014. We randomly divided our sample into two cohorts: discovery and validation cohorts. The test group was used to identify the independent variables associated with relapse, and with these variables, we designed our RPI. The index was applied to calculate a relapse risk score for each participant in the validation group. Results A previous cone biopsy was the most significant independent variable that lowered the rate of relapse (odds ratio [OR] 0.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17–0.60). Additionally, patients with a tumor diameter >2 cm on preoperative imaging assessment (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.33–3.5) and operated by the minimally invasive approach (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.00–2.57) were more likely to have a recurrence. Based on these findings, patients in the validation cohort were classified according to the RPI of low, medium, or high risk of relapse, with rates of 3.4%, 9.8%, and 21.3% observed in each group, respectively. With a median follow-up of 58 months, the 5-year disease-free survival rates were 97.2% for the low-risk group, 88.0% for the medium-risk group, and 80.5% for the high-risk group (p < 0.001). Conclusion Previous conization to radical hysterectomy was the most powerful protective variable of relapse. Our risk predictor index was validated to identify patients at risk of recurrence.

Background: Efficacy of the nine-valent human papillomavirus (9vHPV; HPV types 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) vaccine was demonstrated in a phase 3 study in women 16 & ndash;26 years of age. We present a phase 3 immunogenicity and safety study of the 9vHPV vaccine in women 27 & ndash;45 versus 16 & ndash;26 years of age. Methods: This international, open-label study (NCT03158220) was conducted in women 16 & ndash;45 years of age. Participants (16 & ndash;26 years, n = 570 and 27 & ndash;45 years, n = 642) received a three-dose 9vHPV vaccination regimen (day 1, month 2, month 6). Month 7 geometric mean titers (GMTs) and seroconversion percentages to anti-HPV 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 were assessed. Participants were followed for safety throughout the study. Results: At month 7, anti-HPV 6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58 GMTs in women 27 & ndash;45 years were compared to those in women 16 & ndash;26 years of age. The primary hypothesis of non-inferiority of anti-HPV 16/18/31/33/45/52/58 GMTs in older versus younger women was met. The lower bound of the GMT ratio 95% confidence interval (27 & ndash;45 years to 16 & ndash;26 years) was 0.60 & ndash;0.67 depending on HPV type, exceeding the non-inferiority margin of 0.5 for all HPV types. Month 7 seroconversion percentages in women 27 & ndash; 45 years of age were >99% for all HPV types. Injection-site and vaccine-related systemic adverse events (AEs) were observed in 87.5% and 25.1% of women 16 & ndash;26 years, and 85.2% and 24.1% of women 27 & ndash; 45 years of age, respectively; no vaccine-related serious AEs were reported and no deaths occurred during the study. Conclusions: The 9vHPV vaccine elicited non-inferior anti-HPV GMTs in women 27 & ndash;45 years compared with women 16 & ndash;26 years of age for HPV 16/18/31/33/45/52/58. The vaccine was generally well tolerated with a similar AE profile across the age groups. These data support bridging 9vHPV vaccine efficacy findings in women 16 & ndash;26 years to women 27 & ndash;45 years of age. Clinical trial registration NCT03158220. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The primary objective was to evaluate the response rate of conservative treatment for endometrial cancer, and the secondary objective was to assess oncological, fertility and obstetric outcomes in patients who underwent fertility preservation treatment.This multicentre, observational, retrospective study evaluated endometrial cancer patients who underwent fertility-sparing treatment in Spanish centres between January 2010 and January 2020. Seventy-three patients with stage IA endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterus were included in the study.The levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) was the most common fertility-sparing treatment (53.4%), followed by megestrol acetate (20.5%) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (16.4%). During the 24-month follow-up period, the rate of complete response to fertility-sparing management was 74% (n = 54), and 8.2% (n = 6) of patients presented a partial response. Additionally, 13 (17.8%) patients presented with persistent disease and six (8.2%) relapsed after response. The LNG-IUD was associated with a higher complete response rate than the other methods (87.2 vs. 58.8%; p = 0.01). Surgical treatment (at least hysterectomy) was performed in 44 (60.3%) patients as the end of fertility-sparing treatment. Four (5.5%) patients presented relapse after surgery, associated with final FIGO stage III (p = 0.036), myometrial invasion 50% (p = 0.018) and final tumour grade 2-3 (p = 0.018). The mean follow-up period was 57.8 (range 6-159) months. The 5-year relapse-free survival and overall survival rates were 92.6% [95% CI (81.3, 97.2)] and 93.5% [95% CI (80.7, 97.9)], respectively. During follow-up, three patients (4.1%) died of the disease after completion of surgical treatment. Up to 50.7% of patients included in the study attempted to get pregnant. Of these, the rate of pregnancy was 81.1% (n = 30/37), and reproductive techniques were used for this purpose in 78.4% of cases.Fertility-sparing management presented a high response rate in patients with endometrial cancer. LNG-IUD was associated with a better response rate compared to the other treatment options. Moreover, in patients using this management method, pregnancy could be achieved using reproductive techniques.

Introduction/Background Real-life studies inform on the ‘effectiveness’ of a treatment what is intended to do in routine circumstances. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Papilocare® - a multi-ingredient Coriolus versicolor-based vaginal gel- on repairing high-risk (HR) HPV-dependent low-degree cervical lesions and HR-HPV clearance in real-life practice. Methodology Observational, multicenter, prospective, one-cohort study (PAPILOBS study ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT04199260). Currently recruiting 300 vaccinated or not HPV-positive women aged > 25y with Pap smear of ASCUS or LSIL and concordant colposcopy during routine clinical visits in Spain. Patients are treated with Papilocare® 1 cannula/day for 21 days the first month + 1 cannula/alternate days for 5 months. After this 6-month period, patients with altered cytology and/or HPV persistency are treated for a 6-month extension treatment period with the same dosage. Interim analysis of HR-HPV patients with normal Pap smear and concordant colposcopy image (primary endpoint) and patient with HR-HPV cleared (patients with total clearance or partial clearance together with negative Pap smear and normal colposcopy) at 6/12 months is presented. The study was approved by the ethical committee of Public University Hospital of Puerta de Hierro (Madrid). Informed consent was signed by all patients. Results At 6 months, data of 148 and 146 patients for Pap smear/colposcopy and HR-HPV presence, respectively, were available. 67.6% of patients (100/148) had negative Pap smear and concordant colposcopy. HR-HPV clearance was observed in 58.9% of patients (86/146). Data of 46 and 44 patients included in the 6-month extension treatment period for Pap smear/colposcopy and HR-HPV presence, respectively, were available. At 12 months, 78.3% (36/46) of patients had negative Pap smear and concordant colposcopy and HR-HPV clearance was observed in 70.5% (31/44). Considering all study period, 77% (114/148) and 72.6% (106/146) of patients repaired HR-HPV-dependent cervical lesions and cleared HR-HPV, respectively. Conclusion In this interim analysis, repairing of HR-HPV-dependent low-degree cervical lesions and clearing HR-HPV, in real life conditions, was achieved after 6-month treatment with Papilocare® (or extending it up to 12-months if needed) in 3 out of 4 patients. These findings need to be confirmed upon study completion. Disclosures Funding: Procare Health Disclosure: J.Cortes: Advisory/Consulting Role and Speaker at Procare Health. Y. Gaslain: CEO of Procare Health. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Production rules, also called antecedent-consequent rules, are a common way to express a knowledge base (KB) for reactive agents. Only one of the KB’s rules can be triggered at any specific moment in a reactive KB. This means that an order for evaluating the rules must be stablished. A top-down order is typically considered, where rules at the top of the KB have a higher priority. There are more efficient ways for describing actions in terms of attribute-value pairs than production rules. In this way, decision trees constitute a simpler alternative decision structure. A decision tree fits a KB if it strictly respect the description of the actions in terms of the attributes-just like the rules of the KB do. This paper describes a method to discover qualitative knowledge from a KB by generating a fitting and optimal decision tree from it. Whereas the consideration of the fitting factor for a decision tree depends exclusively on the KB from which it is induced, the optimality factor depends on the nature of the problem in hand. Thus, the resulting tree strictly respects all the properties and priorities of the KB’s rules as well as the optimality criterion.

SUCCOR study: an international European cohort observational study comparing minimally invasive surgery versus open abdominal radical hysterectomy in patients with stage IB1 cervical cancer FREE http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1908-3251Luis Chiva1, Vanna Zanagnolo2, Denis Querleu3, Nerea Martin- Calvo4, Juan Arévalo-Serrano5, Mihai Emil Căpîlna6, Anna Fagotti7, Ali Kucukmetin8, Constantijne Mom9, Galina Chakalova10, Shamistan Aliyev11, Mario Malzoni12, http://orcid.org/0000- 0001-5809-3535Fabrice Narducci13, Octavio Arencibia14, Francesco Raspagliesi15, Tayfun Toptas16, David Cibula17, Dilyara Kaidarova18, http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6763-9720Mehmet Mutlu Meydanli19, Mariana Tavares20, Dmytro Golub21, http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3140-4772Anna Myriam Perrone22, Robert Poka23, Dimitrios Tsolakidis24, Goran Vujić25, http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8935- 0311Marcin A Jedryka26, Petra L M Zusterzeel27, Jogchum Jan Beltman28, Frederic Goffin29, Dimitrios Haidopoulos30, Herman Haller31, Robert Jach32, Iryna Yezhova33, Igor Berlev34, Margarida Bernardino35, Rasiah Bharathan36, Maximilian Lanner37, Minna M Maenpaa38, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4403-3707Vladyslav Sukhin39, Jean-Guillaume Feron40, Robert Fruscio41, 42, Kersti Kukk43, Jordi Ponce44, Jose Angel Minguez45, http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9618- 5606Daniel Vázquez-Vicente45, Teresa Castellanos45, Enrique Chacon46 and http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9700-0853Juan Luis Alcazar47 On behalf of the SUCCOR study Group Author affiliations Abstract Background Minimally invasive surgery in cervical cancer has demonstrated in recent publications worse outcomes than open surgery. The primary objective of the SUCCOR study, a European, multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study was to evaluate disease-free survival in patients with stage IB1 (FIGO 2009) cervical cancer undergoing open vs minimally invasive radical hysterectomy. As a secondary objective, we aimed to investigate the association between protective surgical maneuvers and the risk of relapse. Methods We obtained data from 1272 patients that underwent a radical hysterectomy by open or minimally invasive surgery for stage IB1 cervical cancer (FIGO 2009) from January 2013 to December 2014. After applying all the inclusion-exclusion criteria, we used an inverse probability weighting to construct a weighted cohort of 693 patients to compare outcomes (minimally invasive surgery vs open). The first endpoint compared disease-free survival at 4.5 years in both groups. Secondary endpoints compared overall survival among groups and the impact of the use of a uterine manipulator and protective closure of the colpotomy over the tumor in the minimally invasive surgery group. Results Mean age was 48.3 years (range ; 23–83) while the mean BMI was 25.7 kg/m2 (range ; 15–49). The risk of recurrence for patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery was twice as high as that in the open surgery group (HR, 2.07 ; 95% CI, 1.35 to 3.15 ; P=0.001). Similarly, the risk of death was 2.42-times higher than in the open surgery group (HR, 2.45 ; 95% CI, 1.30 to 4.60, P=0.005). Patients that underwent minimally invasive surgery using a uterine manipulator had a 2.76-times higher hazard of relapse (HR, 2.76 ; 95% CI, 1.75 to 4.33 ; P

Neuroendocrine tumors of the breast are uncommon. For the last 10 years, the existence of neuroendocrine markers has allowed these tumors to be differentiated from other tumors of the breast. Most are tumors with a good prognosis that express hormone receptors. Once a metastatic origin has been excluded, treatment does not differ from that of other types of breast cancer, consisting of adjuvant therapy based on prognostic factors and tumoral stage at diagnosis. We report a case of neuroendocrine tumor of the breast as a postoperative finding after conservative treatment for infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast.

Resumen El utero septo, presente en el 1% de la poblacion en edad fertil, es la malformacion uterina mas frecuente, pero tambien la que da lugar a peores resultados reproductivos. La afeccion obstetrica que con mas frecuencia se asocia a esta anomalia mulleriana es aquella relacionada con el mantenimiento de la gestacion, como son los abortos tardios o el parto pretermino. Presentamos el caso de una paciente en la que la existencia de un septo en la cavidad uterina dio lugar a una microcefalia fetal como consecuencia del atrapamiento de la cabeza fetal entre el septo y una de las paredes uterinas.

Resumen El carcinoma basocelular de vulva es una entidad poco frecuente, con escasos estudios publicados al respecto, por lo que decidimos aportar un caso clinico y realizar una revision bibliografica acerca de su prevalencia, presentacion clinica, tratamiento y pronostico.

Resumen Los quistes perineurales o de Tarlov son por lo general hallazgos incidentales durante un estudio de imagen que no requieren tratamiento a menos que produzcan sintomas. Tienen una incidencia baja en la poblacion general y esto puede deberse a un error en su diagnostico, ya que simulan otras lesiones quisticas de la pelvis. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 38 anos en estudio por infertilidad primaria que en control ecografico, se aprecia lesion quistica pelvica de 4 cm, de situacion medial, y aparentemente independiente de anejos y utero. Tras dicho hallazgo, se vitrifican los embriones y se deriva al servicio de medicina interna y de neurocirugia para completar estudio. La TC abdomino-pelvica informa de la presencia formaciones quisticas que dependen de los agujeros de conjuncion sacros y que se confirman en la RMN. Dichas formaciones son compatibles con el diagnostico de quiste meningeo extradural. Al no presentar clinica, se decide tratamiento conservador. La paciente regresa a la unidad de reproduccion para completar tratamiento de infertilidad.

Rapid and reliable diagnosis of endometrial cancer (EC) in uterine aspirates is highly desirable. Current sensitivity and failure rate of histological diagnosis limit the success of this method and subsequent hysteroscopy is often necessary. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on RNA from uterine aspirates samples, we measured the expression level of 20 previously identified genes involved in EC pathology, created five algorithms based on combinations of five genes and evaluated their ability to diagnose EC. The algorithms were tested in a prospective, double-blind, multicenter study. We enlisted 514 patients who presented with abnormal uterine bleeding. EC was diagnosed in 60 of the 514 patients (12%). Molecular analysis was performed on the remnants of aspirates and results were compared to the final histological diagnoses obtained through biopsies acquired by aspiration or guided by hysteroscopy, or from the specimens resected by hysterectomy. Algorithm 5 was the best performing molecular diagnostic classifier in the case-control and validation study. The molecular test had a sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 96%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 75% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 97%. A combination of the molecular and histological diagnosis had a sensitivity of 91%, specificity of 97%, PPV of 79% and NPV of 99% and the cases that could be diagnosed on uterine aspirate rose from 76 to 93% when combined with the molecular test. Incorporation of the molecular diagnosis increases the reliability of a negative diagnosis, reduces the need for hysteroscopies and helps to identify additional cases.

Background. Vitamin D has been implicated in embryo/placental development and growth; however information in this regard is limited or unavailable. Objective. To assess 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), free b-human chorionic gonadotropin (b-hCG) and pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) status during pregnancy. Methods. Serum 25(OH)D, b-hCG, and PAPP-A levels were measured in the first trimester of otherwise healthy Spanish pregnant women (n ¼ 488). Rho Spearman coefficients were calculated to determine correlations between analytes. Results. Median serum 25(OH)D levels for the entire sample was 27.4 ng/ml (interquartile range ¼ 12.1). 25(OH)D levels were insufficient (20–29.99 ng/ml) and deficient (520 ng/ml) in 40.6% and 23.2%, respectively, in relation to ethnics, body mass index values, tobacco use, and season/gestational age at blood sampling. b-hCG and PAPP-A levels significantly correlated (r 2 ¼ 0.47) yet neither of them with 25(OH)D levels. Despite this, the three analytes significantly correlated with gestational age at sampling. Conclusion. First trimester 25(OH)D, b-hCG, and PAPP-A levels increase with gestational age; however, placental peptides do not correlate with vitamin D levels, suggesting a non-placental 25(OH)D production. More research is required in this regard.

Resumen La malformacion arteriovenosa (MAV) uterina debe incluirse en el diagnostico diferencial de pacientes con hemorragia posparto que no cede con medidas habituales y que, incluso, empeora tras el legrado. La ecografia con Doppler color puede ayudar al diagnostico y al manejo clinico. Aunque el tratamiento clasico ha sido la histerectomia, en la actualidad el tratamiento conservador con la embolizacion de la arteria uterina deberia considerarse la primera opcion terapeutica de estas lesiones ya que resulta seguro y efectivo. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con hemorragia puerperal tardia y MAV resuelta exitosamente con la embolizacion selectiva de la arteria uterina izquierda.

Resumen El embarazo heterotopico esta aumentando su incidencia como consecuencia del avance de las tecnicas de reproduccion asistida. Es importante realizar un diagnostico precoz pues la rotura de la gestacion ectopica puede llegar a ser una urgencia potencialmente mortal. Presentamos un atipico caso clinico en el que el diagnostico de la gestacion extrauterina se realizo en el transcurso de una cesarea electiva a termino.

OBJECTIVES: Our hypothesis was that during pregnancy nitric oxide acts as mediator in the hemodynamic response to volume expansion. STUDY DESIGN: The study was performed on 12 rats on days 19 to 20 of pregnancy. Six rats were injected intravenously with hexamethonium bromide plus the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase l-nitro-arginine methyl ester. For a control group, six rats were injected with hexamethonium bromide plus the l-nitro-arginine methyl ester vehicle. A volume expansion (1.2% body weight) was performed in both groups by intravenous infusion of bovine albumin (6%) solution. RESULTS: In the control group volume expansion induced a hyperdynamic circulation characterized by increased cardiac output, decreased total vascular resistance, and no change in arterial pressure; however, in the study group volume expansion induced a pressor response without hyperdynamic circulation. CONCLUSION: During pregnancy volume expansion induces a hyperdynamic circulatory state possibly mediated by nitric oxide release. A defect in the release of nitric oxide may be responsible for an inadequate hemodynamic response to volume expansion. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;178:823-9.)

Rapid and reliable diagnosis of endometrial cancer (EC) in uterine aspirates is highly desirable. Current sensitivity and failure rate of histological diagnosis limit the success of this method and subsequent hysteroscopy is often necessary. Using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction on RNA from uterine aspirates samples, we measured the expression level of 20 previously identified genes involved in EC pathology, created five algorithms based on combinations of five genes and evaluated their ability to diagnose EC. The algorithms were tested in a prospective, double-blind, multicenter study. We enlisted 514 patients who presented with abnormal uterine bleeding. EC was diagnosed in 60 of the 514 patients (12%). Molecular analysis was performed on the remnants of aspirates and results were compared to the final histological diagnoses obtained through biopsies acquired by aspiration or guided by hysteroscopy, or from the specimens resected by hysterectomy. Algorithm 5 was the best performing molecular diagnostic classifier in the case-control and validation study. The molecular test had a sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 96%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 75% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 97%. A combination of the molecular and histological diagnosis had a sensitivity of 91%, specificity of 97%, PPV of 79% and NPV of 99% and the cases that could be diagnosed on uterine aspirate rose from 76 to 93% when combined with the molecular test. Incorporation of the molecular diagnosis increases the reliability of a negative diagnosis, reduces the need for hysteroscopies and helps to identify additional cases.

Vitamin D regulates the human genome and it is thought to influence the fetal growth and development, but its relation to early ultrasound fetal measures is still unknown. To assess first trimester 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] maternal serum status and correlate with ultrasound crown-rump length (CRL) and nuchal translucency (NT) measurements. In this cross-sectional study, women with singleton pregnancies undergoing the first trimester standard two-dimensional ultrasound scan for fetal anomalies were included: CRL (n = 498) and NT (n = 487). Concomitantly, maternal serum 25(OH)D levels were also measured. Median serum 25(OH)D levels for the entire sample (n = 498) was 27.4 ng/mL (interquartile range 20.9–32.7). Serum 25(OH)D was adequate (≥30 ng/mL) in only 36.1% of gravids, whereas levels were found to be insufficient (20–29.99 ng/mL) in 41.2% and deficient (

To assess first trimester serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status and factors related to deficient levels in pregnant Spanish women.This cross-sectional study was carried out among 502 gravids (11 to 14 weeks) living in the Spanish Mediterranean sea coast (near Almería at latitude 36° N, longitude 2° W) to whom serum 25(OH)D levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Logistic and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to assess the influence of ethnicity, immigration status, season of the year at blood sampling, body mass index (BMI), parity and smoking habit over 25(OH)D levels.The median (interquartile range, IQR) serum 25(OH)D levels for the entire sample was 27.4 ng/mL (IQR = 20.9-32.8). Only 35.9% of participants had adequate serum 25(OH)D levels (≥30 ng/mL) whereas in 41.4% and 22.7% these levels were found to be insufficient (20-29.9 ng/mL) and deficient (20 ng/mL), respectively. Vitamin D status was found to be significantly lower in Arab women as compared to Caucasian women. 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with gestational age at sampling and inversely with BMI values (univariate analysis). Logistic regression analysis determined that non-Caucasian ethnicity, season at sampling (autumn/winter), and nulliparity were factors related to deficient 25(OH)D levels. Multiple linear regression found a similar model yet also including maternal weight inversely correlating with 25(OH)D levels.Despite living in one of the sunniest, warmest, and driest climates of Europe, gravids displayed a high prevalence of first trimester insufficient/deficient serum 25(OH)D levels related to season at sampling, nulliparity, maternal weight, and non-Caucasian ethnicity.

Nowadays, the Web is an essential tool for most people. Internet provides millions of web pages for each and every search term. The Internet is a powerful medium for communication between computers and accessing online documents but it is not a tool for locating or organizing information. Tools like search engines assist users in locating information. The amount of daily searches on the web is broad and the task of getting interesting and required results quickly becomes very difficult. The use of an automatic web page classifier can simplify the process by assisting the search engine in getting relevant results. The web pages can present different and varied information depending on the characteristics of its content. The uncontrolled nature of web content presents additional challenges to web page classification as compared to traditional text classification, but the interconnected nature of hypertext also provides features that can assist the process. This paper analyses the feasibility of an automatic web page classifier, proposes several classifiers and studies their precision. In this sense, Data Mining techniques are of great importance and will be used to construct the classifiers.

The stock market can be viewed as a particular data mining and artificial intelligence problem. The movement in the stock exchange depends on capital gains and losses and most people consider the stock market erratic and unpredictable. However, patterns that allow the prediction of some movements can be found. Stock market analysis deals with the study of these patterns. It uses different techniques and strategies, mostly automatic that trigger buying and selling orders depending on different decision making algorithms. It can be considered as an intelligent treatment of past and present financial data in order to predict the stock market future behavior. Therefore it can be viewed as an artificial intelligence problem in the data mining field. This paper aims to study, construct and evaluate these investment strategies in order to predict future stock exchanges. Firstly, data mining techniques will be used to evaluate past stock prices and acquire useful knowledge through the calculation of some financial indicators. Next artificial intelligence strategies will be used to construct decision making trees.

Social assistance constitutes an increasing problem in developed countries, which can be considered from two dimensions: the home and the hospital frameworks. Anyway, most of the tasks have to do with aiding people with limitations in complex environments as a hospital or a house. Intelligent agents constitute a powerful approach in designing computer systems making possible the interaction of the users (elderly and disabled people) with the elements of a domotics environment. Such a purpose can be achieved through the unification of artificial intelligence techniques, virtual reality, multimodal interfaces and digital nets with domotics services. This paper describes the design and implementation of the prototype for a virtual agent capable of attending disabled people in a home environment. The results are shown through a computer program that simulates the behaviour of the agent in developing some typical functions.

Descriptive knowledge about an Information System can be expressed in declarative form by means of a binary Boolean based language. This paper presents a contribution to the study of an arbitrary multivalued Information System structure by introducing an algebra (not binary) that allows the treatment of multiple valued data tables with systematic algebraic techniques. Elements |ti| and ||tp||, called arrays and co-arrays, are defined, operations ~, ‡ and ∘ are described. The proposed methodology allows multivalued algebraic expressions describing a multivalued Information System (multivalued Object Attribute Table). Furthermore, the same Information System can be described by several distinct, but equivalent, algebraic expressions. Among these, the prime-ar expression is singled out. The usefulness of the described algebra to represent an Information System is shown.

In this paper we present a new theoretical approach about intensional desciptions of subsets extensionally defined. In this approach some subsets of a certain domain are initially defined in an extensional way, in such a way that for each element of the subsets some attributes are known (the attributes are the same for each element). Obtaining an intensional description of the defined subsets consist of finding a property based on the attributes associated with the elements that allows classifying all the elements of the domain in their corresponding subset.

In this paper we describe a new perspective in the Inductive Acquisition of Knowledge from Examples, based on three fundamental concepts: the Object Attribute Table (OAT), the Base of Attributes and Optimality Criteria and on a two step solution. The OAT constitutes an extensional description about some concepts to be intensionally described. To transform the knowledge from the OAT into an intensional form, the two step solution must be taken: i. To obtain an optimal set of attributes or qualities to describe the concepts. ii. To obtain an optimal intensional description based on the attributes obtained in the former step.