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Objectives: The objective of this research was to study the prevalence of obesity and excess weight in a population of school children and adolescents, and to verify the effectiveness of an educational intervention, as reflected in the variation of their body mass index values.Materials: The population sample was composed of 977 school children and adolescents from 9 to 17 years of age, belonging to 13 public elementary schools and high schools in the city and province of Granada (Spain).Methodology: This longitudinal cohort study was analytical, muticentric, and observational. It was carried out in three phases. The first phase involved the evaluation of the nutritional state of the sample population by means of anthropometric measurements (weight, height, body mass index, six skin folds and four body perimeters) as well as arterial blood pressure. The second phase entailed an educational intervention focusing on good nutritional habits and physical exercise. The third and final phase evaluated the effectiveness of the intervention.Results: A higher obesity prevalence (15.1%) was found in school girls between 12 and 13. In the case of boys, obesity prevalence was lower up to age 13 though afterwards, it progressively increased (12.6%). The educational intervention produced an important reduction in body mass index values in both sexes though this reduction was more significant in young females.Conclusions: There is a currently an alarming increase in obesity and overweight prevalence among the population evaluated in this study. The significant reduction in body mass index values resulting from this research confirmed the effectiveness of the educational intervention to reduce excess weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the relationship beween employment and psychosocial working conditions and well-being of native and migrant workers in the working population of Spain. Data from the 7th Spanish Survey of Working Conditions was used to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis (n = 8508) to identify the main latent variables that influenced well-being. Using structural equation modeling and multivariate analysis, we found different patterns and perceptions of well-being and working conditions in these two groups. We discuss the reasons for these differences and suggest directions for further research in this area.

A portable device based on a colorimetric sensor to determine the atmospheric level of CO 2 gas is presented in this work. The system is based on a low-cost, low-power System on a Chip (SoC) microcontroller with integrated Wi-Fi. A user-friendly application was developed to monitor and log the CO 2 measurements when the system is connected to a Wi-Fi network. The sensing membrane is directly deposited on the surface of the colour detector, thus reducing the complexity of the system. This sensing membrane is formed by a pH indicator α-naphtholphthalein, tetramethylammonium hydroxide pentahydrate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, Tween 20 and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose as the hydrophilic polymer. The system has been fully characterized, obtaining response and recovery times of 1.3 and 2.5 s, respectively, a limit of detection of 51 ppm, and an average resolution of 6.3 ppm. This portable device was applied for the in-situ determination of CO 2 gas in the atmosphere inside classrooms in several secondary schools. The measurements were taken during complete workdays and the results were statistically compared with the same measurements taken using a commercially available non-dispersive infra-red (NDIR) device. No significant statistical differences were found between the results obtained using both devices. A complete statistical treatment of the measurements made with the proposed portable device was carried out. The obtained results show that the concentration of CO 2 gas in some schools was higher than the desired concentration, with regard to influencing the student's health, safety, productivity and comfort. This demonstrates the need to control this parameter to ensure appropriate indoor environmental quality (IEQ)., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the resectability and effectiveness of repeat hepatectomy for relapsing liver metastases of colorectal origin in terms of morbidity, mortality, overall survival, and disease-free survival., Methods: A retrospective study was performed on a prospective cohort of patients with colorectal liver metastases who underwent repeat surgery at Hospital Universitario San Cecilio, Granada (Spain), from March 2003 to June 2013. Primary outcome variables included survival and morbidity within 30 days post-surgery., Results: A total of 147 patients with colorectal liver metastases underwent surgical excision during the study period; 61 patients had liver recurrence, and 34 of these received repeat surgery. The overall survival rate at 5 and 10 years for resected patients (n=27/34) was 48% and 48%. Mean hospital stay was 8.9 ± 3.5 days, morbidity was 9%, and mortality was 0%., Conclusion: Repeat liver resection for colorectal liver metastases is a safe, effective surgical procedure whose results are similar to those obtained after initial liver resection.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to estimate the effectiveness of surgery in liver metastasis from colorectal cancer., Methods: We conducted a prospective and observational study of patients with colorectal liver metastasis operated on at the San Cecilio University Hospital of Granada from March 2003 until June 2013. The primary variables of the result were survival and morbidity before 30 days of the post-operative period. We also measured preoperative and surgical variables., Results: A total of 147 patients with liver metastasis of colorectal origin underwent surgical removal during the period of study, 38 of whom had repeat surgery. 34 had a second resection, 3 had a third one and one only patient had a fourth one, for a total of 185 registered operations. The global 5-year survival rate was 38 and 17 % after 10 years. There were 115 patients who had neither radiofrequency nor exploratory laparotomy, 38 % of them survived over 60 months. The average disease-free time was 23.6 months ± 47.3, with significant differences observed between types of procedures. Patients that were operated on just once (n = 25) had a five-year actuarial survival rate of 35 %, a morbidity rate of 24 % and a mortality rate of 0.6 % (1 patient only). The average hospital stay was 13.8 days and the disease-free time was 15.8 months., Conclusion: The results obtained in our surgical unit in terms of morbidity, mortality and five-year actuarial survival rates are comparable to those of other units at large institutions, which are currently considered the standards of quality.

Objectives: The main research objective was to analyze the intake of macronutrients and micronutrients in a population of adolescents. The purpose of the study was to verify a significant correlation between the habit of breafasting at home each morning and the nutritional status of the sample population., Sample and Methodology: The sample population was composed of 100 adolescents, 12-15 years of age, who attended two public secondary schools in the city of Granada. The study conducted was descriptive, cross-sectional, and multi-centered, and involved a comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional status of the subjects by using anthropometry. The analysis of food intake and dietary habits was based on a 72-hour record of the subjects' food intake. The protocol used had previously been elaborated and validated by the research team., Results: For all subjects, the energy intake was found to be higher than the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). The female subjects had a mean protein intake of 16% in regards to total calorific value (TCV). In the case of the male subjects, the mean protein intake was 15%. The mean consumption of fats was 106.1 for the male subjects, whereas for the females, it was 110.4 grams. The females were found to ingest more carbohydrates at a rate of 297.4 grams per day in comparison to the male subjects, whose rate of carbohydrate ingestion was 251 grams per day. The ingestion of minerals varied in both sexes though in all cases it was lower than the RDA. However, the male subjects had a calcium and zinc intake higher than the RDA for these minerals. The vitamin intake was varied and balanced in both male and female subjects, and covered the requirements for both age and sex. Regarding the variable, breakfast, a significant relation was found (p < 0.0001) between the dietary habit of breakfasting at home before going to school and the nutritional status of the students., Conclusions: The results of this study showed that an optimal nutritional and health status requires a balanced food intake and healthy dietary habits., (Copyright © AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2013. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Background: In Spain the prevalence of obesity shows a north-south distribution. In the province of Granada its distribution is unknown., Objectives: (1) To study the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a sample population of school children and adolescents from different districts in the province of Granada. (2) To verify whether there are significant differences, depending on the district where the students reside. (3) To find a possible correlation between the nutritional state of the students and that of their parents., Methods: The population sample was composed of 977 school children and adolescents from 9 to 17 years of age, attending 13 public elementary schools and high schools in the city and province of Granada (Spain). In this analytical and multicentric study, the nutritional state of the subjects was evaluated by means of anthropometric measurements. Furthermore, data were collected by means of questionnaire to discover whether the respondents had a family history of overweight or obesity., Results: We found a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among the studied population. In girls, the greater prevalence of both overweight and obesity ranged from 12 to 14 years of age. In boys, there was an increase in the prevalence of overweight at twelve years of age. Regarding obesity, their rates were significantly lower than those described among girls. There were statistically significant differences for weight (F = 4,154; p = 0,003) but not for height (F = 1,928; p =0,105). But for the variable BMI was statistically significant difference (F = 5.037; P < 0.001) between the studied geographical areas. The results showed that the nutritional state of students with a family history of obesity was significantly worse (p < 0.01)., Discussion: A high prevalence of obesity was found in the sample, especially among the girls. There exists a geographical distribution pattern, possibly derived from the socioeconomic characteristics of each area in the province. The existence of a family history of obesity is an important factor that can determine whether the child will also become obese in the future.

Background: Several studies have analyzed the relation between obesity and the hormonal imbalances generated by overweight and a family history of breast cancer. All of these factors are potentially implicated in the early development of breast cancer., Aim: To verify the existence of a significant relation between the nutritional status of breast cancer patients, their hormone serum levels (estrogens, prolactin, and progesterone), and the existence of a family history of breast cancer., Material and Methods: Retrospective data was collected from clinical records of 524 women diagnosed with breast cancer in a Spanish hospital., Results: There was a positive association between estrogen, progesterone and prolactin serum levels and body mass index. The elevations in hormone levels occurred earlier in life among women with a family history of breast cancer. A two way ANOVA found a significant association between progesterone and prolactin levels with the age at diagnosis of breast cancer., Conclusions: Extreme serum levels of these hormones appear to be related to the early development of breast cancer, which in turn is influenced by the existence of a family history of cancer among those women with normal or average hormone levels.

The objective of this study was to first determine the nutritional state of a sample population of school children, and then analyze the distribution pattern of their subcutaneous fat layer. The sample was composed of 977 school children from the city and province of Granada (Spain). All of the children (524 girls and 452 boys) were 9-17 years of age. To study their nutritional state and the distribution of the subcutaneous fat layer, they were given a complete anthropometric evaluation, which included measuring their weight, height, body mass index, skin folds, and body perimeters. The results obtained showed a 23.01% prevalence of overweight in the female subjects and 20.81% in the male subjects. Furthermore, the female subjects had an obesity prevalence of 12.70% in comparison to the male subjects, whose obesity prevalence was 4.98%. The distribution pattern of subcutaneous fat was found to be mainly located in the central part of body. The high percentage of overweight and obesity along with the development of a central fat distribution pattern (neck, chest, and abdomen) in these school children is clear evidence of potential cardiovascular risk.

Introduction: Several authors have found correlations between anthropometric parameters and blood pressure levels in overweight and obese subjects. This paper is an update on the potential of these parameters as a tool for predicting cardiovascular risk., Aims: to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Second verify the existence of a significant correlation between the main anthropometric indicators and the blood pressure levels., Sample: The population consisted of 977 children and adolescents between 9 and 17 years of age belonging to 13 schools in the province of Granada and city., Methodology: anthropometric evaluation in which they were assessed six skinfolds, waist circumference, hip and determination of blood pressure in three consecutive occasions. The anthropometric assessment phase began in March 2008 lasted until April 2009., Results: We found that the prevalence of overweight in girls varied between 18.3% and 32.2%. For its part, the prevalence among boys was between 10.9% and 26.1%. Regarding the prevalence of obesity, the girls had similar rates between 4.5% and 15.1%. Among boys the prevalence of obesity was similar, and found rates between 4.7% and 12.6%. Of all the parameters measured, body mass index and waist circumference were the anthropometric indicators that showed a better correlation to blood pressure., Conclusions: BMI and WC are useful anthropometric indicators to predict cardiovascular risk in non adults.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common gynecological tumor in young women in Western countries. Its profound implications for health and an increasingly early age of diagnosis have been carefully analyzed its causes and possible preventive measures, making their study in a primary goal of epidemiological research., Sample and Methods: We reviewed medical records pertaining to 504 female patients aged 19 to 91 years. All of them were diagnosed and treated for breast cancer between 2003-2008 at the Hospital Universitario "San Cecilio" of Granada (Spain)., Results: We found a significant correlation (p = 0.001) between the age of cancer diagnosis, length of breastfeeding, and the existence of personal and family history for cancer. By contrast, there were no statistically significant differences test (t-test) between the average age of diagnosis of cancer and having had offspring or not (t = 0.559, p = 0.576)., Conclusions: Breastfeeding for periods of longer than six months, not only provides children with many health benefits, but may also protect the mother from serious diseases, such as breast cancer.

This work is an in vitro study of the efficiency of catalytic antisense RNAs whose catalytic domain is the wild-type sequence of the hairpin ribozyme, derived from the minus strand of the tobacco ringspot virus satellite RNA. The sequence in the target RNA recognized by the antisense molecule was the stem-loop structure of the human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) TAR region. This region was able to form a complex with its antisense RNA with a binding rate of 2 x 10(4) M(-1)s(-1). Any deletion of the antisense RNA comprising nucleotides of the stem-loop resulted in a decrease in binding rate. Sequences 3' of the stem in the sense RNA also contributed to binding. This stem-loop TAR-antisense segment, covalently linked to a hairpin ribozyme, enhanced its catalytic activity. The highest cleavage rate was obtained when the stem-loop structure was present in both ribozyme and substrate RNAs and they were complementary. Similarly, an extension at the 5'-end of the hairpin ribozyme increased the cleavage rate when its complementary sequence was present in the substrate. Inclusion of the stem-loop at the 3'-end and the extension at the 5'-end of the hairpin ribozyme abolished the positive effect of both antisense units independently. These results may help in the design of hairpin ribozymes for gene silencing.

A novel method for the estimation of HCV RNA levels in vivo was developed, based on competitive RT-PCR. The use of the Tth DNA polymerase and 5' 32P-labeled antisense primer respectively reduced cross-contamination and permitted the direct quantification of viral loads by the analysis of the radioactivity of PCR products derived from a clinical sample and a competitive deleted template, separated previously on a polyacrilamide gel. A HCV fragment (H) and a competitive (deltaH) RNA templates were synthesized for optimizing the method. The minimal starting RNA detectable by RT-PCR was 40 copies. RT-PCR performed with ratios deltaH/H ranging from 1/1 to 1/20 revealed different relative percentages of both H and deltaH products, changing from 90% of deltaH product when the ratio was 1/1 to 5%, when it was 1/20. Regression analysis was adjusted to a linear model and served to further estimate HCV RNA loads from clinical samples. HCV RNA quantitation was carried out in 19 patients. Higher viral loads were related to type 1b infection and persistence of HCV RNA after interferon therapy. This method is simple, reproducible and useful for rapid estimation of HCV RNA load in vivo.