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Introduction Burnout was reclassified in 2019 as an occupational phenomenon in ICD-11. The new condition includes the classic tridimensional definition with symptoms in areas of fatigue/energy depletion, mental distance/cinism and sense of ineffectiveness/lack of accomplishment. Objectives To evaluate the knowledge and perceptions of psychiatrists regarding new ICD-11 burnout definition. To analyse the frequency of burnout symptoms in the psychiatric consultations and among the psychiatrists as healthcare professionals. Methods An online survey (designed with Microsoft® Forms) was sent in June 2023 to psychiatrists from three regions of Spain, contacted form local scientific societies. Psychiatrists, currently working, had to consent and answer a brief survey (average time: 2 min 32 sec) of 9 questions regarding the definition of burnout, their experience in clinical practice, their own symptoms and symptoms observed in colleagues. Results 164 psychiatrists answered, 114 females (69.5%), mean age: 43.61 ± 11.28 years. 48.2% assured they had never used the term Burnout or the ICD codes Z73.0/QD85, whereas a 9.1% used them frequently in clinical practice. 58.5% considered burnout just a condition related to work and a 38.4% either a syndrome or a disorder. Most psychiatrists referred that their patients exhibited symptoms of the three dimensions. Fatigue was the most common, attended frequently by 79.5% of the surveyed, followed by ineffectiveness (73.1%) and cinism (65.3%). When reporting their own symptoms, only 16.5% psychiatrists referred not suffering any symptom. The most frequently involved was fatigue (66.5%), then ineffectiveness (56.1%) and cinism (41.5%). 28,7% reported concomitant symptoms of the three dimensions. 70.7% recognized fatigue symptoms in their colleagues, 61% ineffectiveness, 72.6% cinism and 45,5% recognized symptoms from the three dimensions. Only a 7.3% did not identify any of them. A younger age was related to higher probability of suffering cinism (T:2.546; p=0.012) and ineffectiveness (T:2.900; p=0.004) and to a higher probability of recognizing cinism (T=3,293; p=0,001) an ineffectiveness in others (T=2.355; p=0.020) Females showed a higher frequency of ineffectiveness symptoms (61.4% vs 44%; χ2:4.274; p=0,029). Image: Image 2: Image 3: Conclusions Psychiatrists’ concept of burnout is diverse but the main construct is convergent with ICD definition, not a medical illness but a condition related to work. The three classic dimensions of burnout are common in clinical conditions and also in the laboral environment of psychiatrists themselves. Psychiatrists tend to recognized more easily burnout in other colleagues, particularly cinism symptoms. Cinism and ineffectiveness appear to be related to younger age that can be associated to an imbalance between work demands and individual resources. These results highlight the challenge of preventing, detecting and addressing burnout syndrome in psychiatric services. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction Exercise and other lifestyles are key treatment strategies to improve diabetes outcome, prevent cardiovascular risk and may also result in further results in quality if life and emotional symptoms. Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of an exercise intervention program for people with diabetes or cardiovascular risk. To evaluate the influence of previous metal health and quality of life status in the results. Methods 61 people with a type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular risk factors were recruited from health primary health centers in Ponferrada (EL Bierzo), including patients from the mental health association. After informed consent they were included in a 20 week, twice a week supervised walking training program to improve exercise and other lifestyles. A poster used for advertisement of the adtivity (“the way/walk to change diabetes”) is displayed in image 1). Baseline and after 20 weeks BMI and Waist perimeter were assessed, quality of life was evaluated with EQ-5D-5L and WHO-5 scales and the weekly steps walked were recorded previously and after the intervention with the subject usual mobile device. Differences in the variables were compared with Paired Ts and repeated ANCOVAs measures adjusted by gender, age and initial steps. Results 46 subjects (75.4%) completed more than 90% of the sessions and 3 more 70-90%. The 19.7% that did not complete had worse scores in SF-12 Role Physical (t 2.261, p=0.041) and Role Emotional (t:2.048, p=0.045) and Mental Component Summary (t:2,313; p=0,036) and WHO5 Total Score (t:2.101; p=0,040) at Baseline. Main reasons for dropout (Image 2) were health related problems (50%) and adherence to exercise and motivation problems (31.25%). Those who completed the training improve number of weekly steps (baseline: 42022,92 +- 18836,35, final: 66448.06 +-28914,58; t:5.038; p

Introduction Humanization in Mental Health is a concept that treat to conceal in the last decades the quality, efficiency and safety of care of complex diseases and conditions with individual values, needs and preferences and involves the patient and society in the decision-making priority. Objectives to stablish and evaluate the priorities of different groups of interest in the development of a new humanization plan for mental health Methods During 2022 a Humanization plan for the Spanish region of Castilla y Leon (2.400.000 habs) was developed with a Delphi model. Participants included 36 stakeholders including mental health services, administration, social services, associations, patients and families. They stablished 32 objectives distributed in 7 strategic lines: 1. “People First” (Rights, Autonomy and Information); 2. “From People to Services” (Participation of users in mental heal services); 3. “Person-Centered-Assistance” 4. “Processes sensible to change” (reduction of coercion); 5. “Human ambient” (Improvement of units, psychosocial interventions). 6. Innovation, training and climate (not evaluated here). 7. “People without marks” (battle against stigma). Priorities in the lines were stablished by representatives from mental health and other healthcare professionals, social and educational stakeholders, scientific societies, patients and families. After agreeing to participate in the process, they had to answer an online survey. For each line, they have to score it from 0 to 10. Results 500 subjects participated (38.6% Healthcare workers, 14% Mental Health Care users, 9.8% Social Services, 8.8% Associations, 7.8% Drug Services 6% Management of Health System, 5.8% Education Services, 3.8 Justice). Humanization was the most appreciated plan within the mental health plan 2022-2026 in Castilla y Leon (8.81±1.43). The Highest priority score was given to the Rights (8.68 + 1.54), Information (8.44 + 1.60) and Stigma (8.43 + 1.89) lines and the lowest were the evaluation of satisfaction (7.62 + 1.90) and Reduction of Coercion (7.29 + 2.12). Differences were found between groups. Scores in Rights and Autonomy (F:3.474; p

Introduction Motivation is an essential determinant of performance, particularly for those working in difficult conditions, such as the conditions facing many health workers. The relationship between motivation and performance is influenced by the health workers’ organizational environment and social context. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors may influence the impulse to head for and maintain and effort to achieve the objectives of the organization these may include acknowledgements, status and incentives, but also auto efficacy perception, personal growth, welfare and physical and mental health. In the last years and particularly during COVID-19 pandemic health organizations have suffered a crisis of lack of motivation and high turnover rates in health professional, particularly among highly specialized professions. Objectives to develop a quality program to promote mental health and motivation, detect risk of mental disorders and improve communication skills in the health workers of the Health Area of El Bierzo (GASBI). Methods A committee with four members form the psychiatry and mental health service, two from the Quality and Security Unit and 1 from the Occupational Risk Prevention Service analyzed the GASBI with a SWOT-CAME matrix analysis. Actions to be implemented were ordered with a Hanlon method score according to a representative sample of the employees of GASBI. Results The CAME matrix recommended an offensive strategy, given a number of strengths and the opportunities for an administration sensible to new paradigms. The program proposed included 6 main lines (evaluation, access to mental health consultation, prevention of suicide behavior, resilience group, communication and relation groups and a group of actions to improve motivation and prevent burnout called “10 actions to dream together”, displayed in figures 1 and 2. The Hanlon classified suicide behaviour as the highest priority (score: 16,25 points), mental disorders the second (score: 13.75), then fatigue (13 p), burnout and resilience (12p) and the less prioritary was motivation (7 points). The project was displayed in a canvas business model (figure 3) Image: Image 2: Image 3: Conclusions Mental health, fatigue, burnout and motivation of health workers is a complex problem that affect health organizations and quality of services. Mental Health service have an important role in the promotion of wellbeing and prevent burnout in the health system. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction The interest have focused in the effects of COVID-19 in mental symptoms. However, the pandemic and restrictions such as the lockdown decreed in Spain limited access to resources and lead to a change in assistance organization. Objectives to compare the incidence and characteristics of psychiatric emergencies during the Spanish 2020 Lockdown with the same period in 2019 Methods All the emergencies attended the the emergency room (Hospital El Bierzo) From 01/02/2019 to 30/06/2019 and those from 01/02/2020 to 30/06/2020 were analysed by two senior psychiatrists. Cases were selected if attended by any psychiatric reason. The cases were evalueated identifying ICD-10 diagnosis (according to clinical records and best criteria matching), sociodemographics, factors associated to the emergency and resolution. Results 23360 cases were attended in 2019 (799 psychiatric), 14907 (578) in 2020. That means a 36.19% of reduction in general emergencies and 27.66% in psychiatric emergencies (psychiatric emergencies proportion increased form 3.42% to 4.03%). The reduction started the week just before the lockdown declaration, minimal records coincided with the highest COVID-19 incidence and the recovery starts in early june for psychiatric and late June for general emergencies (figure 1). A decrease of 62.79% of anxiety cases and 45.9% of depresion was observed with no incresaes in any diagnosis. A slight increase in suicide attempts (two cases) was observed. Conclusions The lockdown seem to decrease psychiatric emergency care. Only suicidability was maintained/increased during the period. Psychiatry services must be aware of the risk of unattended inicidence that may cause an increase of cases after the lockdown. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Together with agranulocytosis, fever and immflamatory manifestations are clozapine side effects to be monitorized during initial treatment. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, implied mechanisms, and symptomatology should be carefully controlled. Objectives To analyze the clinical analytic and inflammatory chracterisctics the resembles and differenciates clozapine immune response and SARS-CoV-2 infection. To describe a case of clozapine induced fever and pneumonitis during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A case of clozapine-induced pneumonitis during COVID-19 pandemic is described.- A mini-review of clozapine inflamamtory effects, induced-pneumonitis and SARS-CoV-2 was performed. Results A 33 year old afrolatin male started treatment with clozapine up to 250 mg daily. He developed fever and respiratory symptoms in the 11th day of treatment. The exploration revealed pulmonary sounds decreased and 91% basal saturation, making the probable causes viral infection (local incidence of SARS-CoV-2 >800/100000hab), nosocomial bacterial infection or pulmonary thromboembolism. The patient was isolated due to probable COVID-19. Blood tests showed leucocytosis (13400/mcL), Lymphocytopenia (11.8%), high PCR (14.4mg/dL), Ferritine (506.9ng/mL), Fibrinigen (663.83 mg/dL), D-Dimer (1.61mg/dL), and Interleukin-9 /25.8pg/mL). The angioTC revealed a pleural efusion and ground glass infiltrates (figure1). Only after 2 weeks eosinophilia was discovered (88/mcL) After 2 negative consecutieve PCRs for SARS-CoV-2, no imrovement with ampirical antibiotics and all infectious pannels negative, we started decreasing clozapine with improvement of the symptoms and resolution after suspending clozapine completely. Conclusions Clozapine may induce a generalize inflammatory response mediated by interleukin-6. Patients treated with clozapine may exhibit fever and rarely, insterstitial lung inflammation. The expression of induced pneumonitis resembles viral infections, particularly SARS-CoV-2 Disclosure No significant relationships.

Introduction Stigma is one of the most important barriers to help-seeking, treating maintenance and recovery for people suffering mental disorders. These attitudes, when present in mental health workers, may have a negative effect on the quality of health care. Objectives to evaluate the levels of stigma in a representative sample of mental health workers and to explore potential modifiable factors associated to stigma attitudes. Methods An online survey was conducted on the mental health workers of Castilla y León (Spain, 2409164 habs) while projecting the 2022 Mental Health Humanization plan in order to asses educational skills, burnout (Maschlach MBI), Professional Quiality of life (CVP-35) and Stigma attitudes (Mental Illness: Cinician’s Attitudes Scales, MICA4) together with sociodemographic and work position variables. Results 193 workers completed completed the survey. Stigma Attitude values of the sample were low (MICA4: 31.71; SD:7.3) and burnout were low or medium (medium Emotional Exhaustion: 19.22; SD8.89; low Depersonalization: 4.91; SD:3.61; Medium Personal Accomplishment: 34,17; 6.3). In the linear regression (R2=0.249; F:11,527; p

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Background: Diabetes education is an integral part of the treatment for the metabolic control of patients with diabetes. The use of the Internet as a tool for diabetes education, as well as its acceptance, is still under study., Aim: To assess the usability of the educational website "I understand my diabetes" designed for patients with type 2 diabetes attending primary care clinics., Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was done in 110 patients with type 2 diabetes from two family medicine clinics, each of whom was assigned a user account on the educational website "Entiendo mi diabetes." The web site assigned a user name and password to each patient. They were able to access the educational website at home. After a 15-day review period, participants were asked to evaluate usability using the Computer System Usability Questionnaire. Additionally, we developed an eight-item questionnaire usability focusing on diabetes care. Sociodemographic data, blood pressure, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Glucose levels and lipid profiles were also measured., Results: The patients with diabetes had a mean age of 52.7 years and a median of 5 years since they were diagnosed with diabetes. The website received a good usability rating from 89.1% of participants, with favorable assessments in all three dimensions: 87.3% for information, 85.5% for quality, and 88.2% for interface. Regarding usability specifically for diabetes care, 98.2% rated it as having good usability., Conclusion: The website for education about the disease in patients "I understand my diabetes" had an adequate usability evaluation by patients, so they also considered it very useful for diabetes care. The diabetes care instrument had adequate usability and reliability., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Ortíz, Vega García, Islas Salinas, Muñoz Torres and Velázquez López.)

Variations in levels of some adipokines, myokines, osteokines, hepatokines and inflammatory cytokines contribute to abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of adiponectin, osteocalcin (OCN), irisin, FGF-21, and MCP-1 according to the body size phenotype of middle-aged women, and their associations with BMI, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and HOMA-IR. A cross-sectional study in 265 women aged from 40 to 65 years was performed. The biochemical characteristics were evaluated in metabolically healthy normal weight, metabolically unhealthy normal weight, metabolically healthy obese, and metabolically unhealthy obese women. There was an association of OCN with BMI (r = -0.107; p = 0.047); adiponectin with BMI (r = -0.217; p = 0.001), insulin (r = -0.415; p = 0.0001), HOMA-IR (r = -0.429; p = 0.0001), and VAT (r = -0.134; p = 0.025); irisin with BMI (r = 0.604; p = 0.001), insulin (r = 0.446; p = 0.0001), HOMA-IR (r = 0.452; p = 0.0001), and VAT (r = 0.645; p = 0.0001); FGF-21 with insulin (r = -0.337; p = 0.030) and HOMA-IR (r = -0.341; p = 0.03); and MCP-1 with BMI (r = 0.481; p = 0.0001), VAT (r = 0.497; p = 0.001), insulin (r = 0.298; p = 0.001), and HOMA-IR (r = 0.255; p = 0.004). A multivariate analysis showed that an elevation of OCN (OR 1.4 ( 95% CI 1.06-1.81)) and a reduction of adiponectin (OR 0.9 (0.84-0.96)) were associated factors for a metabolic unhealthy phenotype in normal weight participants. Likewise, higher irisin (OR 1.007 (1.003-1.011)) and MCP-1 (1.044 (1.008-1.083)) were risk factors for a metabolic unhealthy phenotype in woman with obesity. OCN, adiponectin, irisin, FGF-21, and MCP-1 are associated with some metabolic parameters such as BMI, HOMA-IR, and VAT, and could be possible biomarkers of an unhealthy metabolic phenotype in middle-aged women.

Maritime Antarctica is a climate-sensitive region that has experienced a continuous increase of temperature over the last 50 years. This phenomenon accelerates glacier retreat and promotes the exposure of ice-covered surfaces, triggering physico-chemical alteration of the ground and subsequent soil formation. Here, we studied the biogeochemical composition and evolution extent of soil on three recently exposed peninsulas (Fildes, Barton and Potter) on Southwest (SW) King George Island (KGI). Nine soil samples were analyzed for their lipid biomarkers, stable isotope composition, bulk geochemistry and mineralogy. Their biomarkers profiles were compared to those of local fresh biomass of microbial mats (n = 3) and vegetation (1 moss, 1 grass, and 3 lichens) to assess their contribution to the soil organic matter (SOM). The molecular and isotopic distribution of lipids in the soil samples revealed contributions to the SOM dominated by biogenic sources, mostly vegetal (i.e. odd HMW n-alkanes distributions and generally depleted δ 13 C ratios). Microbial sources were also present to a lesser extent (i.e. even LMW n-alkanes and n-alkanoic acids, heptadecane, 1-alkenes, 9-octadecenoic acid, or iso/anteiso 15: 0 and 17:0 alkanoic acids). Additional contribution from petrogenic sources (bedrock erosion-derived hydrocarbons) was also considered although found to be minor. Results from mineralogy (relative abundance of plagioclases and virtual absence of clay minerals) and bulk geochemistry (low chemical weathering indexes) suggested little chemical alteration of the original geology. This together with the low content of total nitrogen and organic carbon, as well as moderate microbial activity in the soils, confirmed little edaphological development on the recently-exposed KGI surfaces. This study provides molecular and isotopic fingerprints of SOM composition in young Antarctic soils, and contributes to the understanding of soil formation and biogeochemistry in this unexplored region which is currently being affected by thermal destabilization., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: In the development of breast cancer (BC), estrogen exposure and the increase in breast density (BD) are two determinant factors for BC risk., Objective: To identify the relationship between the XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor (ER-alpha) with BD., Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study which included 225 women, aged 40-65 years, without evident cancer data, who underwent routine mammography for early BC diagnosis in a radiology department. Two groups were formed: women with increased and with normal BD. Participants were genotyped for the XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms., Results: 19.1% had normal weight, 37.7% overweight, and 43.2% were obese women. In relation to high-risk patterns, 105 women had increased BD and 120 had normal BD (53.3%). The frequency of women with increased BD was also lower in postmenopausal women. Regarding the type of BD, there was no statistically significant difference between frequencies of PvuII and XbaI genotypes. Logistic regression showed that only age and body mass index (BMI) were associated with BD., Conclusion: PvuII and XbaI ER-alpha genotypes were similar among women with dense and non-dense breasts; differently, other factors were associated with BD (age, BMI and menopausal status). Therefore, emphasis should be placed on clinical practice in the relationship between BMI and BD., (Copyright: © 2020 Revista Medica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social.)

Introduction: Subclinical thyroid dysfunction is a possible risk factor for cognitive impairment in old age, but results are inconsistent. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among older community-dwelling adults and to see whether thyroid function impacts the cognitive status of the elderly., Methods: We included 1750 participants from the Study on Aging and Dementia in Mexico (SADEM). All subjects were evaluated clinically via specific interviews. TSH levels were analyzed by chemiluminescent immunometry assay. We classified participants into five thyroid state groups: (1) normal TSH levels (0.40-4.0 IU/L) were considered euthyroid; (2) Overt hyperthyroidism: TSH <0.3 IU/l and FT4 >23 pmol/l; (3) Overt hypothyroidism: TSH >4.8 IU/l, FT4 <13 pmol/l; (4) Subclinical hyperthyroidism: TSH <0.3 IU/l, FT4: 13-23 pmol/l; (5) Subclinical hypothyroidism: TSH >4.8 IU/l, FT4: 13-23 pmol/l., Results: The overall estimated prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Mexican population was 23.7% (95% CI, 22.66-26.77). Of these, 15.4% older adults were classified as subclinical hypothyroidism, 7.2% overt hypothyroidism, 0.5% subclinical hyperthyroidism, and 0.6% overt hyperthyroidism. The association of thyroid dysfunction with cognitive impairment was most evident in overt hypothyroidism OR = 1.261 (1.185-1.343)., Conclusions: The present study demonstrated a high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in Mexican elderly people living in the community. A relationship between cognitive impairment and the presence of hypothyroidism was also shown, and to a lesser degree in hyperthyroidism.

Background: Postmenopausal women present weight gain and intensification of obesity, especially visceral adipose tissue (VAT) increases in postmenopausal women. But it is still not clear whether abdominal fat increases during this stage independently of body weight., Objective: compare the VAT and lipid profile between postmenopausal and premenopausal Mexican women., Methods: A case control study in postmenopausal women matched for BMI with premenopausal women. Anthropometric and laboratory measurements as well as body composition analysis were performed., Results: VAT was increased in postmenopausal women in contrast with premenopausal women (114.8 ± 39.5 vs 97.3 ± 29.0, p<0.05). Compared with premenopausal women, postmenopausal women showed higher total cholesterol (231 .6 ± 56.1 vs 206.8 ± 29.5 p <0.05), and LDL-cholesterol levels (145.9 ± 48.3 vs 121.7 ± 34.1, p < 0.05), whereas H DL-cholesterol remained unchanged., Conclusion: The results of the present study have demonstrated that Mexican postmenopausal women had a significant increment in visceral adipose tissue and in other metabolic risk factors, independent of the body mass index.

Background: PAI-1 is the main inhibitor of fibrinolysis. Increase in PAI-1 levels has been associated with the risk of coronary disease; however, there are few studies on the relationship between subclinical atherosclerosis and PAI-1 levels., Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between PAI-1 level and carotid intima-media thickness in premenopausal and postmenopausal women without apparent cardiovascular disease., Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 142 women aged 45 to 60 years with no history of cardiovascular disease. Anthropometric and laboratory measurements were performed, including PAI-1 levels. All participants underwent a B-Mode ultrasound to measure intima-media thickness. Subclinical atherosclerosis was considered when intima-media thickness was ≥ 0.7 mm and/or an atheromatous plaque was observed., Results: Postmenopausal women had greater intima-media thickness than premenopausal women (0.688 ± 0.129 vs. 0.621 ± 0.113 mm; p < 0.05). Compared to women with normal intima-media thickness, women with subclinical atherosclerosis had higher PAI-1 levels (23.2 ± 13.7 vs. 30.4 ± 20.7 ng/ml; p < 0.05). In all participants, intima-media thickness correlated with PAI-1 (r = 0.302; p = 0.01) and with age (r = 0.358; p = 0001)., Conclusions: An increase in intima-media thickness was observed in postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women. Asymptomatic women with increased intima-media thickness had higher PAI-1 levels. These findings suggest that fibrinolytic activity is low in the subclinical stage of atherosclerosis.

Anemia represents a global health problem that negatively impacts quality of life in elderly population; however, its impact on the geriatric syndrome of frailty is unclear. We examined the prevalence of anemia among elderly and sought a relationship between hemoglobin and the phenotype of frailty. Baseline hemoglobin quintiles and anemia were assessed in relation to frailty status in a prospective study with 1,933 older community-dwelling adults enrolled in the Study on Aging and Dementia in Mexico (SADEM). Logistic regression was used to model the relationship between frailty and Hb, adjusting for risk factors of frailty, sociodemographic data, cognitive decline, chronic diseases, and some risky habits. Prevalence of frailty was 8.3 %. Frailty risk was highest at the lowest hemoglobin quintile (<14.3 g/dL for men; <13.3 g/dL for women), and 160 (8.3 %) were anemic (<13 g/dL for men; <12 g/dL for women). The relationship between frailty and Hb levels, adjusted for age and sex, observed in the first and fifth quintiles, compared with the fourth quintile, were 1.53 (95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.46-1.60) and 1.05 (95 % CI, 1.01-1.15). After multivariate adjustment, the odds ratios (ORs) were 1.23 (95 % CI, 1.17-1.13) and 1.06 (95 % CI, 1.01-1.11). The association was not diminished by risk factors for frailty (body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, cognitive decline, smoking, alcohol consumption, etc.). In community-dwelling older adults, low hemoglobin concentrations and anemia were independently associated with increased frailty risk. This suggests that mild anemia and low Hb levels are independent, modifiable risk factors for frailty.

Introduction and Objectives: Epicardial adipose tissue has been associated with several obesity-related parameters and with insulin resistance. Echocardiographic assessment of this tissue is an easy and reliable marker of cardiometabolic risk. However, there are insufficient studies on the relationship between epicardial fat and insulin resistance during the postmenopausal period, when cardiovascular risk increases in women. The objective of this study was to examine the association between epicardial adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue, waist circumference, body mass index, and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women., Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 34 postmenopausal women with and without metabolic syndrome. All participants underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram and body composition analysis., Results: A positive correlation was observed between epicardial fat and visceral adipose tissue, body mass index, and waist circumference. The values of these correlations of epicardial fat thickness overlying the aorta-right ventricle were r = 0.505 (P < .003), r = 0.545 (P < .001), and r = 0.515 (P < .003), respectively. Epicardial adipose tissue was higher in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome than in those without this syndrome (mean [standard deviation], 544.2 [122.9] vs 363.6 [162.3] mm(2); P = .03)., Conclusions: Epicardial fat thickness measured by echocardiography was associated with visceral adipose tissue and other obesity parameters. Epicardial adipose tissue was higher in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Therefore, echocardiographic assessment of epicardial fat may be a simple and reliable marker of cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women., (Copyright © 2013 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Three hundred and ninety-five pig fecal samples were analyzed looking for Blastocystis sp. using optical microscopy and PCR. A global prevalence of 46.8% has been observed in this study, although relative values of prevalence differ notably according to the strata examined, ranging from 9.3% in sows to 75% in weaners. Statistic analysis of the data included several risk factors such as different management systems, date of sample collection, fecal consistency, age and sex of the animals. The presence of the parasite was statistically associated to the variables "age" and "date of sample collection", being more prevalent in weaners and grower pigs and warm season. Random fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) analysis of positive PCR samples revealed a high homology in the digestion pattern, appearing as two ribotypes. The results were further confirmed by sequencing of ten randomly selected samples, showing that the samples obtained in this study were included in two genotypes: genotype I previously named by Noël et al. [Noël, C., Dufernez, F., Gerbod, D., Edgcomb, V.P., Delgado-Viscogliosi, P., Ho, L.-Ch., Singh, M., Wintjens, R., Sogin, M.L., Capron, M., Pierce, R., Zenner, L., Viscogliosi, E., 2005. Molecular phylogenies of Blastocystis isolates from different hosts: implications for genetic diversity, identification of species, and zoonosis. J. Clin. Microbiol. 43, 348-355], in which Blastocystis sp. sequences from humans, pigs and cattle were included, and genotype II, which only included Blastocystis hominis sequences obtained from human and other primates. This is the first report including Blastocystis sequences from swine origin in genotype II.