Risks of adverse outcomes in COVID-19 patients and vaccination status in a secondary hospital in Spain.

Introduction: In December 2020, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 started in Spain. Until March 2022, 91.1% of the target population was vaccinated. The objective of the study is to describe the characteristics of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, the risk of serious outcomes and their vaccination status. Material and methods: Retrospective longitudinal analytical observational study. Demographic characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 infections and vaccination history from 01/01/2021-08/10/2021 were collected from electronic medical records and the Unified Vaccination Registry. Data analysis was performed with Excel and Stata 16. Results: 4161 COVID-19 cases were detected; of which 185 (4.5%) had received a complete vaccination schedule. The most affected age group was 80-89 years (34.1%). 1697 patients were hospitalized, of whom 78 (4.6%) had been vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. No patient admitted to the ICU had a history of vaccination. The mean hospitalization time in unvaccinated patients was 11 days (95% CI -41.54-63.54) compared to 8.5 days (95% CI 7.04-9.96) in vaccinated patients. The relative risk of hospitalization in vaccinated patients compared to unvaccinated patients for the age group 40 to 59 years was 0.29 (95% CI 0.11-0.72) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.67-0). 0.90) for people over 60 years of age. Conclusions: The risk of hospitalization and death was lower in vaccinated patients compared to unvaccinated patients in the age groups 40-59 and older than 60 years. This finding supports current clinical evidence.

Introducción: En diciembre 2020 inició la vacunación frente al SARS-CoV-2 en España. Hasta principios de marzo 2022 el 91,1% de la población diana ha sido vacunada. El objetivo del estudio es describir las características de los pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2, el riesgo de desenlaces graves y el estado de vacunación. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional analítico longitudinal retrospectivo. Se recogieron características demográficas y desenlace de infecciones COVID-19 de casos confirmados y sus antecedentes de vacunación desde 01/01/2021­10/08/2021 de las historias clínicas electrónicas y del Registro Unificado de Vacunación. El análisis de datos se realizó con Excel y Stata 16. Resultados: Se detectaron 4161 casos COVID-19; 185 (4,5%) recibieron pauta de vacunación completa. El grupo de edad más afectado fue 80­89 años (34,1%). 1697 pacientes hospitalizaron, de los cuales 78 (4,6%) recibieron pauta de vacunación completa. Ningún paciente ingresado en UCI tenía antecedentes de vacunación. El tiempo medio de hospitalización en no vacunados fue de 11 días (IC95% -41,54-63,54) frente a 8,5 días (IC95% 7,04-9,96) en vacunados. El riesgo relativo de hospitalización en vacunados respecto a no vacunados para el grupo de edad de 40 a 59 años fue de 0,29 (IC95% 0,11-0,72) y de 0,77 (IC95% 0,67-0,90) para las personas de más de 60 años. Conclusiones: El riesgo de hospitalización y muerte fue menor en los pacientes vacunados en comparación con los no vacunados en los grupos de edad 40­59 y mayores de 60 años. Este hallazgo está de acuerdo con los datos de la evidencia clínica actual.

Adolescent Involvement in Cybergossip: Influence on Social Adjustment, Bullying and Cyberbullying.

Gossip is a type of social behavior present in all types of social networks, and cybergossip is an emerging kind of online social behavior which can both promote and hinder relationships between peers. The aim of this study was to explore the relation between involvement in cybergossip and the development of behavior of social adjustment, bullying and cyberbullying (aggression and victimization), based on gender and age. A total of 510 secondary school students (49.4% girls) aged 12 to 17 years old (M = 14.01; SD = 1.38) were surveyed by self-report. Questionnaires validated with adolescents were used to measure bullying, social adjustment and cyberbullying. The results showed that a high prevalence of involvement in cybergossip was associated with bullying and cyberbullying behavior (aggression and victimization), with girls showing the greatest involvement in cybergossip. The discussion of the results focuses on the gender difference, as well as the importance of the need for training in the proper use of digital devices for social education and socialization.

Adolescent Involvement in Cybergossip: Influence on Social Adjustment, Bullying and Cyberbullying

Gossip is a type of social behavior present in all types of social networks, and cybergossip is an emerging kind of online social behavior which can both promote and hinder relationships between peers. The aim of this study was to explore the relation between involvement in cybergossip and the development of behavior of social adjustment, bullying and cyberbullying (aggression and victimization), based on gender and age. A total of 510 secondary school students (49.4% girls) aged 12 to 17 years old (M = 14.01; SD = 1.38) were surveyed by self-report. Questionnaires validated with adolescents were used to measure bullying, social adjustment and cyberbullying. The results showed that a high prevalence of involvement in cybergossip was associated with bullying and cyberbullying behavior (aggression and victimization), with girls showing the greatest involvement in cybergossip. The discussion of the results focuses on the gender difference, as well as the importance of the need for training in the proper use of digital devices for social education and socialization. (AU)

Epidemiological characteristics of the COVID-19 outbreak in a secondary hospital in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: In 2019 Chinese authorities alerted of the appearance of a cluster of cases of unknown pneumonia related to a new type of coronavirus. Spain is among the most affected countries. Our aim is to describe the cases of COVID-19 at Infanta Sofía University Hospital (Madrid), a public secondary hospital that increased its hospital beds to provide assistance during the outbreak. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study of cases that met COVID-19 clinical diagnosis criteria or had a positive PCR test from February 27 to June 29, 2020. A description of demographic variables, hospital stay, mortality and the epidemiological curve was performed. RESULTS: Of 1,828 confirmed cases, 64.4% were hospitalised, 5.6% were admitted to the ICU. About 52.2% were male. The median age was 63.2 years. About 13.1% were nursing home residents. Nineteen percent were of Latin American origin of which 6.8% were admitted to the ICU. Overall case fatality was 14.6%. We observed a biphasic epidemiological curve. CONCLUSIONS: Sixty to 79-year-old males were admitted and deceased more often than women. Mortality reached 14.7%. Latin Americans were admitted more often to the ICU. Further studies about epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 in hospitals are necessary.

Academic Performance of Immigrant Students and Teachers' Expectations / Desempenho Acadêmico de Alunos Imigrantes e Expectativas Docentes / Rendimiento Académico de los Estudiantes Inmigrantes y Expectativas Docentes

Abstract This study focuses on whether teachers' thinking is prophetic, that is, whether these attitudes and actions permeate the students and condition their academic performance. To this end, we analyzed the beliefs of 167 teachers of Early Childhood, Elementary and High School Education in the province of Córdoba (Spain). A questionnaire was used to know the relationship between teachers' beliefs about immigrant students and their possible influence on academic achievements. In the first place, the findings show the teachers' lack of confidence in non-native students, a phenomenon that is largely unconscious; in the second place, lower school results in these students in relation to natives; and, finally, an external attributional style in teachers, for whom the families and the organizational resources of the school institution, not them, are the determining factors of school achievement.

Resumo Este estudo teve por objetivo investigar se o pensamento dos professores é um pensamento profético, ou seja, se suas atitudes e ações sugestionam os alunos e condicionam o seu desempenho acadêmico. Para este fim, são analisadas as crenças de 167 professores de Educação Infantil, Educação Básica e Ensino Médio da província de Córdoba (Espanha). Foi utilizado um questionário para saber a relação entre os alunos imigrantes e sua possível influência no desempenho acadêmico. Os resultados mostram, em primeiro lugar, a baixa confiança dos professores nos alunos não nativos, fenômeno em grande parte inconsciente; em segundo lugar, registra-se um desempenho acadêmico mais baixo neste corpo discente em relação aos autóctones e, finalmente, um estilo de atribuição externo aos professores, para os quais as famílias e os recursos organizacionais da instituição escolar, e não eles, são os fatores determinantes do desempenho acadêmico.

Resumen El presente estudio de investigación se centra en conocer si el pensamiento del docente es un pensamiento profético, es decir, si esas actitudes y acciones docentes penetran en el alumnado y condicionan su desempeño académico. Para ello se analizan las creencias de 167 docentes de Educación Infantil, Educación Primaria y Educación Secundaria de la provincia de Córdoba (España). Se utilizó un cuestionario para conocer la relación entre el alumnado inmigrante y su posible influjo en el logro académico. Los hallazgos evidencian, en primer lugar, la escasa confianza del profesorado en el alumnado no autóctono, fenómeno que es en gran medida inconsciente; en segundo lugar, resultados escolares más bajos en este alumnado con relación al autóctono; y, finalmente, un estilo atribucional externo en los docentes, para quienes las familias y los recursos organizativos de la institución escolar, no ellos, son los factores determinantes del logro escolar.

Evaluation of the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in patients on biological therapy: results of the RIER cohort study.

To evaluate the response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine in patients on biological therapy. Adults with autoimmune inflammatory diseases on biological therapy such as anti-TNFα, rituximab, tocilizumab, abatacept, or anakinra were included. Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) was measured by ELISA before and after vaccination. Seroconversion was considered when an anti-HBs titer > 10 mIU/mL was achieved. The effect of treatment on the immunoprotective state was studied. The response was compared with that obtained in patients on synthetic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and healthy controls. A total of 187 patients on biologicals, 48 on synthetic DMARDs, and 49 on healthy controls were analyzed. More than 80% of patients on biologics responded to the vaccine but required more boosters and second vaccine series. Patients who achieved seroconversion were younger than those who did not (47.10 ± 12.99 vs. 53.18 ± 10.54 years, p = 0.012). Being on etanercept or golimumab was associated with seroconversion, while being on rituximab was not. Seroconversion was achieved in 93.75% of patients on synthetic DMARDs and 97.96% of healthy controls. The seroconversion rate in the biologics group was lower than in the synthetic DMARD group (p = 0.043) and tended to be lower than in the healthy group (p = 0.056). In patients on biological therapy, a high rate of HBV vaccine response can be achieved when a complete vaccination schedule is administered. Vaccination while not on biological agents reduces the requirement for boosters and revaccination. Key points: • Patients on biological therapy can achieve high rates of immune response to HBV vaccine when complete vaccination schedules are administered. • However, to achieve such a high seroconversion rate, more boosters and second vaccination series are required. • This supports the proposal already made to provide HBV vaccination to all patients with an autoimmune inflammatory disease after the diagnosis is made and not when the use of a biological treatment is under consideration.

New insights in oocyte dynamics shed light on the complexities associated with fish reproductive strategies.

Information on temporal variations in stock reproductive potential (SRP) is essential in fisheries management. Despite this relevance, fundamental understanding of egg production variability remains largely unclear due to difficulties in tracking the underlying complex fluctuations in early oocyte recruitment that determines fecundity. We applied advanced oocyte packing density theory to get in-depth, quantitative insights across oocyte stages and seasons, selecting the commercially valuable European hake (Merluccius merluccius) as a case study. Our work evidenced sophisticated seasonal oocyte recruitment dynamics and patterns, mostly driven by a low-cost predefinition of fecundity as a function of fish body size, likely influenced also by environmental cues. Fecundity seems to be defined at a much earlier stage of oocyte development than previously thought, implying a quasi-determinate - rather than indeterminate - fecundity type in hake. These results imply a major change in the conceptual approach to reproductive strategies in teleosts. These findings not only question the current binary classification of fecundity as either determinate or indeterminate, but also suggest that current practices regarding potential fecundity estimation in fishes should be complemented with studies on primary oocyte dynamics. Accordingly, the methodology and approach adopted in this study may be profitably applied for unravelling some of the complexities associated with oocyte recruitment and thereby SRP variability.

Antibody responses to influenza vaccine in patients on biological therapy: Results of RIER cohort study / Respuesta a la vacuna contra la gripe en pacientes que reciben tratamientos biológicos: resultados del estudio de cohortes RIER

Background and objectives: Influenza vaccine is recommended for patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases who receive biological therapy. To evaluate if biological therapy impairs immunization after seasonal influenza vaccine. Material and methods: Patients with inflammatory arthopathies, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or connective tissue diseases who were receiving or were going to initiate biological therapy were included and vaccinated during 2014-2015 influenza season. ELISA was used to measure influenza antigen A and B antibodies, before and after vaccination. Demographic parameters, diagnosis and kind of treatment were recorded and their influence on the final serological status against influenza was studied. Results: 253 subjects were analyzed. After vaccination, 77% of participants presented detectable antibodies against antigen A and 50.6% of them had detectable antibodies against antigen B. Final seropositivity rate against antigen B antibodies increased from baseline (50.6% vs 43.5%, p<0.001). Anti-TNF drugs were associated with better response and rituximab with the worst (79.2% vs 55.0% for final seropositivity against antigen A, p=0.020). Vaccine response in the rituximab group tended to improve when the interval between the drug administration and the vaccination was at least 12 weeks (seropositivity rate 80.0% in those with the longer interval vs 25.0% in the other group, p=0.054). Conclusions: Among the patients on biological therapy vaccinated against influenza, anti-TNF therapy was identified as a predictive factor of final seropositivity. Rituximab presented a lower rate of final seropositivity, which could be increased with an accurate administration schedule

Antecedentes y objetivos: La vacunación antigripal está recomendada en pacientes con enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas que reciben tratamientos biológicos. Evaluar si la terapia biológica puede perjudicar la inmunización después de la administración de la vacuna contra la gripe estacional. Material y métodos: Los pacientes con artropatías inflamatorias, psoriasis, enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal o enfermedades del tejido conectivo, que estaban en tratamiento o que iban a iniciar tratamiento con terapia biológica, fueron incluidos en el estudio y vacunados durante la temporada de influenza 2014-2015. Se utilizó ELISA para medir los anticuerpos contra los antígenosA y B de la gripe, antes y después de la vacunación. Se registraron los datos demográficos, diagnósticos y el tipo de tratamiento y se estudió su influencia sobre el estado serológico final contra la influenza. Resultados: Se analizaron 253 sujetos. Después de la vacunación, el 77% de los participantes presentaron anticuerpos detectables contra el antígeno A y el 50,6% de ellos tenían anticuerpos detectables contra el antígeno B. La tasa de seropositividad final de anticuerpos contra el antígeno B aumentó desde los valores basales (50,6% frente a 43,5%, p<0,001). Los fármacos anti-TNF se asociaron con la mejor respuesta y rituximab con la peor (79,2% vs. 55,0% para la seropositividad final contra el antígeno A, p=0,020). La respuesta a la vacuna en el grupo de rituximab tuvo tendencia a mejorar cuando el intervalo entre la administración del fármaco y la vacunación fue por lo menos de 12 semanas (tasa de seropositividad del 80,0% en aquellos con el intervalo más largo frente al 25% en el otro grupo, p=0.054). Conclusiones: Entre los pacientes en terapia biológica vacunados contra la influenza, la terapia anti-TNF se identificó como un factor predictivo de la seropositividad final. Rituximab presentó una tasa más baja de seropositividad final, que podría aumentarse con un programa de administración preciso

Antibody responses to influenza vaccine in patients on biological therapy: Results of RIER cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Influenza vaccine is recommended for patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases who receive biological therapy. To evaluate if biological therapy impairs immunization after seasonal influenza vaccine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with inflammatory arthopathies, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or connective tissue diseases who were receiving or were going to initiate biological therapy were included and vaccinated during 2014-2015 influenza season. ELISA was used to measure influenza antigen A and B antibodies, before and after vaccination. Demographic parameters, diagnosis and kind of treatment were recorded and their influence on the final serological status against influenza was studied. RESULTS: 253 subjects were analyzed. After vaccination, 77% of participants presented detectable antibodies against antigen A and 50.6% of them had detectable antibodies against antigen B. Final seropositivity rate against antigen B antibodies increased from baseline (50.6% vs 43.5%, p<0.001). Anti-TNF drugs were associated with better response and rituximab with the worst (79.2% vs 55.0% for final seropositivity against antigen A, p=0.020). Vaccine response in the rituximab group tended to improve when the interval between the drug administration and the vaccination was at least 12 weeks (seropositivity rate 80.0% in those with the longer interval vs 25.0% in the other group, p=0.054). CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients on biological therapy vaccinated against influenza, anti-TNF therapy was identified as a predictive factor of final seropositivity. Rituximab presented a lower rate of final seropositivity, which could be increased with an accurate administration schedule.

Relaciones entre el bullying y el cyberbullying: prevalência y co-ocurrencia / Relations between Bullying and Cyberbullying: Prevalence and Co-ocurrence / Relações entre o bullying e o cyberbullying: prevalência e co-ocorrência

Objetivo. El estudio del bullying ha sido objeto de investigación durante más de 40 años y ha abierto camino hacia el análisis de nuevas formas de violencia, como es el caso del cyberbullying. Las evidencias revelan un cierto solapamiento entre el alumnado participante de ambos fenómenos. Sin embargo, la continuidad en los roles que conforman estas dinámicas parece no haber encontrado un consenso. Por tal razón, este estudio tuvo como objetivo avanzar en el conocimiento sobre el sistema que modela las relaciones entre aquellos que forman parte de ambos fenómenos. Método. Se empleó el Cuestionario para la Investigación de la Violencia Escolar en Andalucía (CIVEA) para entrevistar a 1278 escolares de primaria (cursos 5° y 6°) y se identificaron tanto los fenómenos como los roles de participación en cada uno de ellos. Resultados. Las pruebas chi-cuadrado y los análisis de correspondencias señalan la existencia de un 28.9% de escolares que participan en comportamientos de acoso de ambas vías. Conclusión. Los resultados señalan un alto porcentaje de escolares implicados en bullying y cyberbullying aunque con diferencias en los roles desarrollados en cada fenómeno. Se subraya el valor explicativo de un fenómeno sobre otro.

Objective. The study of bullying has been investigated for more than 40 years leading the way towards new forms of violence such as cyberbullying. The evidence reveals a certain overlap between the participating pupils of both phenomena. However, continuity in roles that make up these dynamics seems not to have found a consensus. Therefore, the work presented aims to advance in the knowledge about the system that models the relationship among those who form part of both phenomena. Method. The Questionnaire for Research on School Violence in Andalusia (CIVEA) was used to interview 1278 students of primary school (grades 5º and 6º) which identified the phenomena and the roles of participation in each of them. Results. The chi-square and correlational analyzes indicate the existence of a 28.9% of students involved in bullying and cyberbullying pointing to an exchange of roles. Conclusion. The results show a high percentage of students involved in bullying and cyberbullying but with differences in the roles developed in each phenomenon. The explicative value of a phenomenon over another must be emphasized.

Escopo. O estudo do bullying tem sido objetivo de pesquisas durante mais de 40 anos e tem aberto caminho para a análise de novas formas de violência, como é o caso do cyberbulling. As evidencias revelam um certo solapamento entre o alunado participante de ambos fenômenos. Contudo, na continuidade nos roles que conformam estas dinâmicas parece não haver um consenso. Por este motivo este estudo teve como objetivo avançar no conhecimento sobre o sistema que modela as relações entre aqueles que formam parte de ambos fenômenos. Metodologia. Foi empregado o Questionário para a Pesquisa da Violência Escolar em Andaluzia (CIVEA por sua sigla em espanhol) para entrevistar a 1.278 escolares de primaria (curso 5º e 6º) e foram identificados tanto os fenômenos quanto os roles de participação em cada um deles. Resultados. As provas chi-quadrado e as analises de correspondências assinalam a existência de um 28.9% de escolares que participam em comportamentos de acosso de ambas vias. Conclusão. Os resultados assinalam uma alta porcentagem de escolares implicados em bullying e cyberbullying embora com diferencias nos roles desenvolvidos em cada fenômeno. É importante ressaltar o valor explicativo de um fenômeno sobre o outro.

Temor a hablar en público en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios españoles / The fear of public speaking in a Spanish sample of university students

Las nuevas demandas del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior sobre el alumnado han propiciado el desarrollo de tareas estresoras que pueden generar ansiedad a los estudiantes, tal es el caso de las presentaciones orales. A pesar de los numerosos estudios sobre el tema, a nivel nacional encontramos pocos centrados en universitarios y posteriores a la implantación del Sistema Europeo de Trasferencia de Créditos. El objetivo del presente trabajo está dirigido a conocer los factores relacionados con el fenómeno. Sobre una muestra de 200 universitarios fueron administradas la Audience Anxiousness Scale, la Assertiveness Scale y el Inventario de Situaciones y Respuestas de Ansiedad. Los análisis de regresión múltiple mostraron que existe relación entre la asertividad y la ansiedad interpersonal y los comportamientos de miedo al hablar en público. Las conclusiones subrayan la importancia de saber gestionar nuestras conductas y cómo relacionarnos, como factores protectores contra la ansiedad cuando se habla en público

The new demands of the European Higher Education Area on students have stimulated the development of stressful tasks that can generate anxiety in students, as is the case of oral presentations. Despite the numerous studies on this topic, few national studies have focused on university students after the implementation of European Credit Transfer System. The aim of this study is to find out the factors that may be linked to this phenomenon. A sample of 200 university students completed the Audience Anxiousness Scale, the Assertiveness Scale and the Inventory of Situations and Responses of Anxiety. The regression analyses showed a strong relationship between assertiveness and interpersonal anxiety, and fear of public speaking. The findings highlight the importance of social skills and behavior management as protective factors against public speaking anxiety

Explicative factors of face-to-face harassment and cyberbullying in a sample of primary students / Factores explicativos del acoso cara a cara y del ciberacoso en escolares de primaria

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that there is a co-occurrence between bullying and cyberbullying in relation to certain variables that describe and explain them. The present study aims to examine the differential influence of individual and contextual variables on perception of the role played in the involvement in both phenomena. METHOD: Participants were 1278 schoolchildren (47.7 % girls) of primary education, aged 10 to 14 years (M=11.11, SD= 0.75). RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis indicated that social adjustment, normative adjustment, disruptiveness, gender, and self-esteem explain a substantial part of the involvement in both violent phenomena as victims, aggressors, and bully/victims. CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed regarding the weight that must attributed to individual versus contextual factors, concluding that the explicative weight of the immediate social elements and educational context may make the difference

ANTECEDENTES: la investigación ha puesto de manifiesto cierta co-ocurrencia entre el bullying y el cyberbullying en determinadas variables que los describen y explican. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo examinar la influencia diferencial de variables individuales y de contexto en la percepción del rol jugado en la implicación en bullying y cyberbullying. MÉTODO: participaron 1278 escolares de Educación Primaria (47.7% chicas) con edades comprendidas entre los 10 y los 14 años (M = 11.11;DT=0.75). RESULTADOS: los análisis de regresión logística señalaron que el ajuste social, el ajuste a las normas, la disruptividad, el género y la autoestima explican una parte sustancial de la implicación, en ambos fenómenos violentos, de víctimas, agresores y agresores victimizados. CONCLUSIONES: se discuten los resultados en relación al peso que debe atribuirse a factores individuales frente a factores contextuales próximos, concluyéndose que el peso explicativo de los elementos sociales inmediatos y de contexto educativo pueden estar marcando las diferencias

Explicative factors of face-to-face harassment and cyberbullying in a sample of primary students.

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that there is a co-occurrence between bullying and cyberbullying in relation to certain variables that describe and explain them. The present study aims to examine the differential influence of individual and contextual variables on perception of the role played in the involvement in both phenomena. METHOD: Participants were 1278 schoolchildren (47.7 % girls) of primary education, aged 10 to 14 years ( M =11.11, SD = 0.75). RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis indicated that social adjustment, normative adjustment, disruptiveness, gender, and self-esteem explain a substantial part of the involvement in both violent phenomena as victims, aggressors, and bully/victims. CONCLUSIONS: The results are discussed regarding the weight that must attributed to individual versus contextual factors, concluding that the explicative weight of the immediate social elements and educational context may make the difference.

Exercise-induced bronchospasm diagnosis in children. Utility of combined lung function tests.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma or bronchospasm (EIB) is a complex dare in daily clinical practice. The consensus is that if bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) is demonstrated in a patient with symptoms consistent with EIB, then that patient can be diagnosed with exercise-induced bronchospasm. The aim of this study was to determine which BHR test is the most efficient to diagnose EIB. METHODS: Children under 16, without previous asthma diagnosis, or with stable asthma, complaining of asthma-like symptoms triggered by exercise were included. Bronchodilator, methacholine, mannitol, and exercise tests were performed on all patients, following established protocols. The performance of single and combined tests was determined. RESULTS: Of 46 patients (median age: 12 yr, ranged 8-16 y.o.) were recruited, 30 (70%) previously diagnosed of asthma. BHR was detected in 93.47% of the children. The exercise challenge test detected BHR in 11 of 46 (23.90%) patients, bronchodilator test in 10 of 46 (21.70%), mannitol in 36 of 45 (80%) and methacholine in 41 of 45 (91.11%). The total number of patients with BHR was detected using a combination of the methacholine and mannitol tests. A combination of the methacholine test performed first, followed by the mannitol test, was able to diagnose BHR in 100% of children with lower number of tests (n = 45) than if the order was reversed (n = 50). CONCLUSIONS: Methacholine and mannitol tests detect BHR in most children with suspected EIB. Bronchodilator and exercise tests show a low positivity rate. A combination of the methacholine test, followed by the mannitol test, gives the highest return to identify BHR in children for the diagnosis of EIB.

Actitudes homófobas de los jóvenes hacia gays y lesbianas / No disponible

La homofobia constituye un problema social que lejos de eliminarse parece adaptarse a los tiempos actuales tomando formas más sutiles que son explicadas en base a factores personales. El objetivo de esta investigación está dirigido a conocer los niveles de homofobia de los jóvenes. Para ello, se tomó una muestra de 601 estudiantes universitarios y de ciclos formativos con edades comprendidas entre 17.46 y 34.47 años (M = 22.47 años y D.T. = 2.96), de los cuales el 65.1% son mujeres, a los que se les administró la escala Homphobia Modern Scale (Raja y Stokes, 1998) validada al español por Rodríguez, Lameiras, Carrera y Vallejo (2013). Pese a que los niveles de homofobia de los participantes son bajos, existen diferencias significativas entre los diferentes grupos en función de sus características. Los análisis de ANOVA factorial mostraron que los mayores niveles de homofobia quedan explicados por ser hombre, no universitario, no tener amigos homosexuales y por estar en los cursos iniciales de la rama de conocimiento de ciencias y experimentales. Las conclusiones subrayan la importancia de la formación para la promoción de actitudes positivas hacia las personas homosexuales

Homophobia is a social problem that is far from disappearing and instead seems to adapt to the current times becoming a much more subtle forms that are explained for personal factors. The aim of this study is to find out the levels of homophobia among young people. For this, a sample of 601 university and vocational training students ranging from 17.46 to 34.47 years old (M = 22.47, SD = 2.96) was selected, of which 65.1% are women, who were administered the Modern Homphobia Scale (Raja & Stokes, 1998) validated the Spanish for Rodriguez, Lameiras, Carrera & Vallejo (2013). Even though homophobia levels of participants are low, there are significant differences between the groups, according to their characteristics. The factorial ANOVA analysis showed that the greater levels of homophobic attitudes are explained as be a man, not college, not having gay friends and being in the beginning courses of the branch of knowledge of sciences and experimental. The conclusions underline the importance of training to promote positive attitudes toward homosexual persons

Dehydrated egg white: an allergen source for improving efficacy and safety in the diagnosis and treatment for egg allergy.

BACKGROUND: Raw and cooked eggs are used as allergens in oral food challenge (OFC). Raw egg is the best option, as it keeps proteins intact and retains their allergenicity, albeit microbiologically safe manipulation is difficult. Therefore, the use of dehydrated egg white (DEW) could improve the efficacy and safety profile of OFC. The aim of the study was to compare the allergenicity of DEW, a product that undergoes a double heat treatment (pasteurization and drying), with that of raw egg white (REW) and determine the efficacy of DEW in the diagnosis of egg allergy. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 40 egg-allergic patients who visited our outpatient clinic. Each patient underwent OFC with DEW and REW to determine the correlation between the tests. DEW and REW extracts were analyzed using SDS-PAGE. We compared the allergenicity of both extracts using IgE immunoblotting with a serum pool from patients with positive OFC results. RESULTS: Ten patients (25%) had positive OFC results with both DEW and REW, and the doses that triggered an allergic reaction in each patient were similar (p > 0.05). All 30 patients (75%) with a negative OFC result with DEW also had negative OFC results with REW. SDS-PAGE and IgE immunoblotting revealed that the protein composition and IgE-binding capacity of both extracts were virtually identical. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first time that it is shown that the allergenicity of commercially available DEW is equivalent to raw egg whites. In vivo and in vitro tests showed that processing of DEW does not affect the allergenicity of egg proteins. DEW is an effective and microbiologically safer source of allergen for the diagnosis of egg allergy. Furthermore, DEW can be used in egg oral immunotherapy.

Efficacy of oral immunotherapy protocol for specific oral tolerance induction in children with cow's milk allergy.

BACKGROUND: In the last two decades milkoralimmunotherapy has gained interest as an effective treatment option for milk-allergic patients. OBJECTIVES: To report on the efficacy of a milk oral immunotherapy. METHODS: Children with immunoglobulin E-mediated cow's milk allergy were included in the protocol. The treatment consisted of an induction phase in which milk doses were increased weekly in the hospital, while the tolerated dose was continued daily at home. The goal was to achieve a minimum milk intake of 200 ml a day. During the maintenance phase, patients ingested at least 200 ml of milk in a single dose every day. RESULTS: The protocol was applied to 105 milk-allergic children diagnosed by specific IgE to milk and controlled oral food challenge. The mean duration of the induction phase was 19 weeks. Of the 105 subjects, 86 (81.9%) successfully complied with the protocol and 19 (19.1%) failed. Causes of failure were moderate/severe reactions in 12 patients (12.44%) and personal reasons in 7 (6.66%). A total of 182 adverse reactions occurred during the induction phase, most of them mild. Baseline specific IgE to milk and casein was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the successfully treated group compared to the group in which the treatment failed. CONCLUSIONS: Milk oral immunotherapy is a safe and effective treatment for milk-allergic children, although adverse reactions may occur. Baseline milk and casein-specific IgE may be useful to predict a good response to milk oral immunotherapy.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to varicella-zoster virus in Madrid (Spain) in the absence of vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: to ascertain the seroprevalence of antibodies to varicella-zoster virus in the Madrid population prior to the introduction of vaccination. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional antibody seroprevalence study. POPULATION: persons aged 2 to 40 years in Madrid. Field work: September 1999 to April 2000. Data were collected on demographic and socio-economic variables and on a number of exposures. IgG antibodies were determined using Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA), and antibody prevalence broken down by age group. Logistic regression was used to analyse the association between the presence of antibodies and the respective study variables. The results were compared against those of an earlier seroprevalence survey in Madrid (1993). RESULTS: A total of 2,131 subjects were included, with a non-response rate of 20.4%. Antibody prevalence was estimated at 90.2%; the 90% mark was reached at 11 years of age and almost 100% of adults presented with antibodies. In the case of children, school attendance associated with the presence of antibodies. No significant differences were observed vis-à-vis the results of the earlier survey. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence profile coincides with those of other Spanish regions and European countries, and remains stable over time. Antibody presence rises sharply in children from aged 2 years to adolescence. Further seroprevalence studies are called for to study the disease trend and assess preventive measures.

[Incidence of pneumococcal disease in the autonomous Region of Madrid (1998--2006)]. / Incidencia de enfermedad neumocócica en la Comunidad de Madrid en el período 1998--2006.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The availability of antipneumococcal vaccines makes it necessary to go deeply into the knowledge of pneumococcal disease. This study aims at describing the magnitude and incidence of pneumococcal disease in the Region of Madrid from 1998 to 2006. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Retrospective study of Computerized Hospital Discharge Data registered from 1998 to 2006. Incidence per 100,000 inhabitants and lethality were calculated. Temporal evolution was analyzed. RESULTS: 20,813 cases of pneumococcal disease were registered (annual average incidence 41.87/100,000 inhabitants). Incidence was 40.65 for pneumoniae and 0.77 for meningitis. People over 64 years old (185.04) and under 1 year of age (67.22) showed the highest incidence. Lethality was 10.1% (15.8% for meningitis). Incidence in 2004--2006 was lower than 1998--2000 (before the introduction of conjugate vaccine). Incidence trend has declined slightly. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence is higher than that shown by other studies. Selected source of data can explain this difference, since our data included suspected cases. However, pneumococcal meningitis incidence is similar to that described by others.