Antimony Selenide Solar Cells Fabricated by Hybrid Reactive Magnetron Sputtering.

The fabrication of Sb2Se3 thin-film solar cells deposited by a pulsed hybrid reactive magnetron sputtering (PHRMS) was proposed and examined for different growth conditions. The influence of growth temperature and Se pulse period were studied in terms of morphology, crystal structure, and composition. The Sb2Se3 growth showed to be dependent on the growth temperature, with a larger crystal size for growth at 270 °C. By controlling the Se pulse period, the crystal structure and crystal size could be modified as a function of the supplied Se amount. The solar cell performance for Sb2Se3 absorbers deposited at various temperatures, Se pulse periods and thicknesses were assessed through current-voltage characteristics. A power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.7% was achieved for a Sb2Se3 solar cell with 900 nm thickness, Sb2Se3 deposited at 270 °C and Se pulses with 0.1 s duration and period of 0.5 s. Finally, annealing the complete solar cell at 100 °C led to a further improvement of the Voc, leading to a PCE of 3.8%, slightly higher than the best reported Sb2Se3 solar cell prepared by sputtering without post-selenization.

New approaches in the nutritional treatment of advanced chronic kidney disease.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) have a high prevalence of malnutrition. The dietary restrictions that we usually apply in terms of macro and micronutrients force our patients to follow dietary guidelines that deviate from healthy patterns. OBJETIVES: To determine if a personalized nutritional intervention program, minimizing the usual restrictions would be justified in case it improved the evolution of kidney disease compared to standard treatment. SECUNDARY OBJETIVES: To determine changes in nutrient intakes and in anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as quantify episodes of hyperkalemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center, randomized and controlled educational intervention clinical trial was conduct in patients from the ERCA outpatients clinic at the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete. 75 patients were included, assigning 35 to a Control group and 40 to the Intervention group with 1-year follow-up. The nutritional status was determined using anthropometric data, body composition by Bioimpedance, blood and urine biochemical parameters and a 24-h recall questionnaire. The nutritional intervention was carried out in three different ways: individual, collective and telephone recall. RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, the BMI showed a situation of weight excess with a mean of 28.83 kg/m2 (5.4) in men and 26.96 kg/m2 (4.09) in women. 70% of our patients had overweight. The abdominal circumference was 105.3 cm (10.2) and 92.3 cm (13.7) for men and women respectively without significant changes throughout the study. The percentage of fat mass (FM) was high in both groups for men and women throughout the study. We did not find biochemical parameters of malnutrition and only significant differences were observed in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which increased in the intervention group. No patient presented any episodes of hyperkalemia during the study. The energy intake in both groups showed an inadequate distribution of macronutrients with a poor intake of carbohydrates (CH) that was supplemented with an excess of fat. In the case of micronutrients, we did observe an increase in potassium and fiber intakes with a decrease in sodium and phosphorus in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is not exclusively an intake defficit and encompasses both the problems derived from a deficit and an excess of nutrients intake. Un to 70% of our patients showed weight excess and a fat mass higher than desirable. The implementation of an individualized nutritional education program, including a vegetables and fiber rich diet, less atherogenic, not only did not cause electrolyte alterations but also slowed the progression of kidney disease.

Nuevo enfoque en el tratamiento nutricional de la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada / New approaches in the nutritional treatment of advanced chronic kidney disease

Introducción: El paciente con enfermedad renal crónica avanzada (ERCA) presenta una elevada prevalencia de malnutrición. Las restricciones dietéticas que aplicamos habitualmente en cuanto a macro y micronutrientes obligan a nuestros pacientes a seguir pautas dietéticas alejadas de los patrones saludables.ObjetivoDeterminar si un programa de intervención nutricional personalizado, minimizando las restricciones habituales estaría justificado si mejorase la evolución de la enfermedad renal comparado con el tratamiento estándar.Objetivos secundariosDeterminar los cambios en las ingestas de nutrientes y en los parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos, así como los episodios de hiperpotasemia.Material y métodosSe realizó un ensayo clínico de intervención educativa, unicéntrico, randomizado y controlado en los pacientes de la consulta ERCA del Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete. Se incluyeron 75 pacientes, asignando 35 en un grupo control y 40 en el grupo de intervención con seguimiento a un año. La situación nutricional se determinó mediante datos antropométricos, composición corporal por bioimpedancia, parámetros bioquímicos en sangre y orina y cuestionario de recuerdo de 24 h. La intervención nutricional se realizó de tres formas: individual, colectiva y recuerdo telefónico.ResultadosAl inicio del estudio, el IMC mostró una situación de exceso de peso con una media en hombres de 28,83 kg/m2 (5,4) y de 26,96 kg/m2 (4,09) en mujeres. El 70% de nuestros pacientes mostraron exceso de peso. La circunferencia abdominal fue de 105,3 cm (10,2) y 92,3 cm (13,7) para hombres y mujeres, respectivamente, sin cambios significativos a lo largo del estudio. El porcentaje de masa grasa (MG) fue elevado tanto hombres como en mujeres durante todo el estudio. ... (AU)

Introduction: Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) have a high prevalence of malnutrition. The dietary restrictions that we usually apply in terms of macro and micronutrients force our patients to follow dietary guidelines that deviate from healthy patterns.ObjectivesTo determine if a personalized nutritional intervention program, minimizing the usual restrictions would be justified in case it improved the evolution of kidney disease compared to standard treatment.Secondary objectivesTo determine changes in nutrient intakes and in anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as quantify episodes of hyperkalemia.Material and methodsA single-center, randomized and controlled educational intervention clinical trial was conduct in patients from the ERCA outpatients clinic at the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete. 75 patients were included, assigning 35 to a Control group and 40 to the Intervention group with 1-year follow-up. The nutritional status was determined using anthropometric data, body composition by Bioimpedance, blood and urine biochemical parameters and a 24-h recall questionnaire. The nutritional intervention was carried out in three different ways: individual, collective and telephone recall.ResultsAt the beginning of the study, the BMI showed a situation of weight excess with a mean of 28.83 kg/m2 (5.4) in men and 26.96 kg/m2 (4.09) in women. 70% of our patients had overweight. The abdominal circumference was 105.3 cm (10.2) and 92.3 cm (13.7) for men and women respectively without significant changes throughout the study. The percentage of fat mass (FM) was high in both groups for men and women throughout the study. We did not find biochemical parameters of malnutrition and only significant differences were observed in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which increased in the intervention group. No patient presented any episodes of hyperkalemia during the study. ... (AU)

Real-Space Image of Charged Patches in Tunable-Size Nanocrystals.

The remarkable dual nature of faceted-charge patchy metal fluoride nanocrystals arises from the spontaneous selective coordination of anionic and cationic ligands on the different facets of the nanocrystals. In previous studies, the identification and origin of the charge at the patches were obtained by combining computer simulations with indirect experimental evidence. Taking a step further, we report herein the first direct real-space identification by Kelvin probe force microscopy of the predicted faceted-charge patchy behavior, allowing the image of the dual faceted-charge surfaces. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals the detailed nanocrystal faceting and allows unambiguously inferring the hydrophilic or hydrophobic role of each facet from the identification of the surface atoms exposed at the respective crystallographic planes. The success of the study lies in a foresighted synthesis methodology designed to tune the nanocrystal size to be suitable for microscopy studies and demanding applications.

Improving management of severe hypoparathyroidism: a case series.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoparathyroidism is considered a rare endocrine disease. Despite being a deficiency of parathyroid hormone, the standard therapy is based on oral calcium and active vitamin D supplementation. This approach provides satisfactory management in most cases but may be inadequate for patients in the most complex spectrum of the disease. Other therapies are being explored, and among them, the use of recombinant human parathyroid hormone (PTH) has proved to decrease the requirements of calcium and active vitamin D to reach adequate therapeutic goals. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to provide information on the effectiveness of the current recombinant parathyroid hormone analogs in the clinical management of difficult to control cases of hypoparathyroidism. METHOD AND MATERIALS: We report our experience using teriparatide and PTH (1-84) through five complex cases of hypoparathyroidism of diverse etiologies. We describe each case and report the effectiveness of treatment in clinical practice. RESULTS: Four patients with postsurgical hypoparathyroidism and one patient with autoimmune hypoparathyroidism, all of them with suboptimal control under the standard treatment with calcium and calcitriol supplements or calcium gluconate infusion, are presented. They were all started on teriparatide or PTH (1-84), and all of them showed a diminishment of symptoms and were able to maintain normocalcemia without parenteral calcium despite a reduction of oral treatment. CONCLUSION: This article highlights the effectiveness and safety of hormonal replacement treatment in difficult to manage hypoparathyroidism and provides evidence which justifies its off-label prescription in the case of teriparatide. We consider that this treatment should be considered in cases in which standard treatment fails to reach adequate therapeutic goals.

New approaches in the nutritional treatment of advanced chronic kidney disease. / Nuevo enfoque en el tratamiento nutricional de la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) have a high prevalence of malnutrition. The dietary restrictions that we usually apply in terms of macro and micronutrients force our patients to follow dietary guidelines that deviate from healthy patterns. OBJECTIVES: To determine if a personalized nutritional intervention program, minimizing the usual restrictions would be justified in case it improved the evolution of kidney disease compared to standard treatment. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: To determine changes in nutrient intakes and in anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as quantify episodes of hyperkalemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single-center, randomized and controlled educational intervention clinical trial was conduct in patients from the ERCA outpatients clinic at the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete. 75 patients were included, assigning 35 to a Control group and 40 to the Intervention group with 1-year follow-up. The nutritional status was determined using anthropometric data, body composition by Bioimpedance, blood and urine biochemical parameters and a 24-h recall questionnaire. The nutritional intervention was carried out in three different ways: individual, collective and telephone recall. RESULTS: At the beginning of the study, the BMI showed a situation of weight excess with a mean of 28.83 kg/m2 (5.4) in men and 26.96 kg/m2 (4.09) in women. 70% of our patients had overweight. The abdominal circumference was 105.3 cm (10.2) and 92.3 cm (13.7) for men and women respectively without significant changes throughout the study. The percentage of fat mass (FM) was high in both groups for men and women throughout the study. We did not find biochemical parameters of malnutrition and only significant differences were observed in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which increased in the intervention group. No patient presented any episodes of hyperkalemia during the study. The energy intake in both groups showed an inadequate distribution of macronutrients with a poor intake of carbohydrates (CH) that was supplemented with an excess of fat. In the case of micronutrients, we did observe an increase in potassium and fiber intakes with a decrease in sodium and phosphorus in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition is not exclusively an intake deficit and encompasses both the problems derived from a deficit and an excess of nutrients intake. Un to 70% of our patients showed weight excess and a fat mass higher than desirable. The implementation of an individualized nutritional education program, including a vegetables and fiber rich diet, less atherogenic, not only did not cause electrolyte alterations but also slowed the progression of kidney disease.

Double Beneficial Role of Fluorinated Fullerene Dopants on Organic Thin-Film Transistors: Structural Stability and Improved Performance.

The present work assesses improved carrier injection in organic field-effect transistors by contact doping and provides fundamental insight into the multiple impacts that the dopant/semiconductor interface details have on the long-term and thermal stability of devices. We investigate donor [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]-[1]benzothiophene (BTBT) derivatives with one and two octyl side chains attached to the core, therefore constituting asymmetric (BTBT-C8) and symmetric (C8-BTBT-C8) molecules, respectively. Our results reveal that films formed out of the asymmetric BTBT-C8 expose the same alkyl-terminated surface as the C8-BTBT-C8 films do. In both cases, the consequence of depositing fluorinated fullerene (C60F48) as a molecular p-dopant is the formation of C60F48 crystalline islands decorating the step edges of the underlying semiconductor film surface. We demonstrate that local work function changes along with a peculiar nanomorphology lead to the double beneficial effect of lowering the contact resistance and providing long-term and enhanced thermal stability of the devices.

Frailty, physical function and affective status in elderly patients on hemodialysis.

OBJETIVES: To analyze depression, cognition, and physical function change in older adults on hemodialysis at 12-month follow-up, depending on frailty status. DESIGN: Ongoing cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 117 patients older than 69 years on hemodialysis; 75 men. MEASUREMENTS: Frailty was measured with the frailty phenotype, disability in basic and instrumental activities of daily living with the Barthel and Lawton index respectively, physical function with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), cognitive status with the Mini Cognitive Examination, and depression with the Yesavage´s Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), at hemodialysis initiation and after 12-month follow-up. Inflammatory and nutrition profile was determined with C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and haemoglobin levels. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 78.1 years; 63 (53.8 %) were frail. Frail participants had a higher 12-month mortality risk compared to the non frail ones, hazard ratio 2.6 (95 % CI 0.9-7.9). Frail 12-month survivors presented an improvement in median GDS scores (10 to 9; p = .009). There was no change in frail survivors from SPPB ≤ 6 to SPPB > 6 and a shift in 29.3 % of non-frail survivors from SPPB > 6 to SPPB ≤ 6 (p = .007) after 12-month follow-up. Median CRP and haemoglobin levels improved in frail 12-month survivors from 13.9 to 8.3 mg/dL (p = .019) and 9.9-11.1 g/dL (p < .001) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Frail older adults that initiate hemodialysis present higher mortality than the non-frail ones at 12-month follow-up. Frail patients that survive improve physical function, depression and inflammatory profile compared to the non frail ones.

Pero, doctor, ¿entonces qué puedo comer? / So doctor, what could I eat then?

Introducción: las estrictas restricciones dietéticas que imponemos en la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada (ERCA) tienen un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida. Objetivo: determinar si estas restricciones están justificadas y si un programa de educación nutricional mejoraría los parámetros de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS). Material y métodos: realizamos un ensayo clínico de intervención educativa, unicéntrico, randomizado y controlado en los pacientes de la consulta ERCA de Albacete. Se incluyeron 75 pacientes, 35 en el grupo control y 40 en el de intervención. Se realizó la valoración nutricional mediante valoración global subjetiva (VGS) e índice de masa corporal (IMC). Para medir la CVRS se empleó el cuestionario de salud SF-36. En el grupo intervención se realizó la intervención nutricional individual, colectiva y por recuerdo telefónico, adaptando a cada paciente el consejo dietético y ajustando las restricciones de forma personalizada. Resultados: la malnutrición medida por VGS fue del 20% en el grupo control y del 29,3% en el grupo intervención, donde mejoró aunque no fue significativo. El IMC mostró sobrepeso con una media de 28,83 (DE: 5,4) y 26,96 kg/m2 (DE: 4,09) respectivamente, sin cambios a lo largo del estudio. La intervención nutricional supuso una mejoría en las puntuaciones de todas las subescalas excepto en el dolor corporal. Además, los componentes físico y mental también mejoraron sus puntuaciones en el grupo intervención y empeoraron significativamente (p < 0,001) en el control. Conclusiones: la calidad de vida se puede mejorar en los pacientes con ERCA aplicando un programa de educación nutricional

Introduction: the strict dietary recommendations we impose on patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) have negative impact on quality of life. Objective: determine whether such restrictions are justified and if an educational program can improve health-related quality of life (HRQL) parameters. Methods: we carried out an educational intervention, single center, randomized, controlled clinical trial on ACKD outpatients in Albacete. Seventy-five patients were included, 35 in the control group and 40 in the intervention group. Nutritional assessment was based on the Subjetive Global Assessment (SGA) and body mass index (BMI). We used the SF-36 health questionnaire to measure HRQL. In the intervention group we carried out individual, collective and telephone nutritional interventions, adapting diet advice and restrictions in a personalized way. Results: malnutrition measured by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) in the control group was 20%; meanwhile, in the intervention group it was 29.3% and it improved at the end of the study, but not significantly. BMI showed overweight with a mean of 28.83 kg/m² (DE: 5.4) and 26.96 kg/m² (DE: 4.09), respectively, and did not change throughout the study. The nutritional intervention improved the score in all the subscales except for body pain score. Besides, mental and physical components also improved their scores in the intervention group and worsened them in the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: quality of life can be improved in ACKD patients applying an educational nutrition program

[So doctor, what could I eat then?] / Pero, doctor, ¿entonces qué puedo comer?

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: the strict dietary recommendations we impose on patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD) have negative impact on quality of life. Objective: determine whether such restrictions are justified and if an educational program can improve health-related quality of life (HRQL) parameters. Methods: we carried out an educational intervention, single center, randomized, controlled clinical trial on ACKD outpatients in Albacete. Seventy-five patients were included, 35 in the control group and 40 in the intervention group. Nutritional assessment was based on the Subjetive Global Assessment (SGA) and body mass index (BMI). We used the SF-36 health questionnaire to measure HRQL. In the intervention group we carried out individual, collective and telephone nutritional interventions, adapting diet advice and restrictions in a personalized way. Results: malnutrition measured by Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) in the control group was 20%; meanwhile, in the intervention group it was 29.3% and it improved at the end of the study, but not significantly. BMI showed overweight with a mean of 28.83 kg/m² (DE: 5.4) and 26.96 kg/m² (DE: 4.09), respectively, and did not change throughout the study. The nutritional intervention improved the score in all the subscales except for body pain score. Besides, mental and physical components also improved their scores in the intervention group and worsened them in the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: quality of life can be improved in ACKD patients applying an educational nutrition program.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: las estrictas restricciones dietéticas que imponemos en la enfermedad renal crónica avanzada (ERCA) tienen un impacto negativo en la calidad de vida. Objetivo: determinar si estas restricciones están justificadas y si un programa de educación nutricional mejoraría los parámetros de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS). Material y métodos: realizamos un ensayo clínico de intervención educativa, unicéntrico, randomizado y controlado en los pacientes de la consulta ERCA de Albacete. Se incluyeron 75 pacientes, 35 en el grupo control y 40 en el de intervención. Se realizó la valoración nutricional mediante valoración global subjetiva (VGS) e índice de masa corporal (IMC). Para medir la CVRS se empleó el cuestionario de salud SF-36. En el grupo intervención se realizó la intervención nutricional individual, colectiva y por recuerdo telefónico, adaptando a cada paciente el consejo dietético y ajustando las restricciones de forma personalizada. Resultados: la malnutrición medida por VGS fue del 20% en el grupo control y del 29,3% en el grupo intervención, donde mejoró aunque no fue significativo. El IMC mostró sobrepeso con una media de 28,83 (DE: 5,4) y 26,96 kg/m2 (DE: 4,09) respectivamente, sin cambios a lo largo del estudio. La intervención nutricional supuso una mejoría en las puntuaciones de todas las subescalas excepto en el dolor corporal. Además, los componentes físico y mental también mejoraron sus puntuaciones en el grupo intervención y empeoraron significativamente (p < 0,001) en el control. Conclusiones: la calidad de vida se puede mejorar en los pacientes con ERCA aplicando un programa de educación nutricional.

Boosting Self-Assembly Diversity in the Solid-State by Chiral/Non-Chiral ZnII -Porphyrin Crystallization.

A chiral ZnII porphyrin derivative 1 and its achiral analogue 2 were studied in the solid state. Considering the rich molecular recognition of designed metalloporphyrins 1 and 2 and their tendency to crystallize, they were recrystallized from two solvent mixtures (CH2 Cl2 /CH3 OH and CH2 Cl2 /hexane). As a result, four different crystalline arrangements (1 a,b and 2 a,b, from 0D to 2D) were obtained. Solid-state studies were performed on all the species to analyze the role played by chirality, solvent mixtures, and surfaces (mica and HOPG) in the supramolecular arrangements. By means of combinations of solvents and substrates a variety of microsized species was obtained, from vesicles to flower-shaped arrays, including geometrical microcrystals. Overall, the results emphasize the environmental susceptibility of metalloporphyrins and how this feature must be taken into account in their design.

Decoding the Vertical Phase Separation and Its Impact on C8-BTBT/PS Transistor Properties.

Disentangling the details of the vertical distribution of small semiconductor molecules blended with polystyrene (PS) and the contact properties are issues of fundamental value for designing strategies to optimize small-molecule:polymer blend organic transistors. These questions are addressed here for ultrathin blends of 2,7-dioctyl[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (C8-BTBT) and PS processed by a solution-shearing technique using three different blend composition ratios. We show that friction force microscopy (FFM) allows the determination of the lateral and vertical distribution of the two materials at the nanoscale. Our results demonstrate a three-layer stratification of the blend: a film of C8-BTBT of few molecular layers with crystalline order sandwiched between a PS-rich layer at the bottom (a few nm thick) acting as a passivating dielectric layer and a PS-rich skin layer on the top (∼1 nm) conferring stability to the devices. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measurements performed in operating organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) reveal that the devices are strongly contact-limited and suggest contact doping as a route for device optimization. By excluding the effect of the contacts, field-effect mobility values in the channel as high as 10 cm2 V-1 s-1 are obtained. Our findings, obtained via a combination of FFM and KPFM, provide a satisfactory explanation of the different electrical performances of the OFETs as a function of the blend composition ratio and by doping the contacts.

Real Space Demonstration of Induced Crystalline 3D Nanostructuration of Organic Layers.

The controlled 3D nanostructuration of molecular layers of the semiconducting molecules C22H14 (pentacene) and N,N'-dioctyl-3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI-C8) is addressed. A tip-assisted method using atomic force microscopy (AFM) is developed for removing part of the organic material and relocating it in up to six layer thick nanostructures. Moreover, unconventional molecular scale imaging combining diverse friction force microscopy modes reveals the stacking sequence of the piled layers. In particular, we unambiguously achieve epitaxial growth, an issue of fundamental importance in thin film strategies for the nanostructuration of more efficient organic nanodevices.

A molecular-scale portrait of domain imaging in organic surfaces.

Progress in the general understanding of structure-property relationships in organic devices requires experimental tools capable of imaging structural details, such as molecular packing or domain attributes, on ultra-thin films. An operation mode of scanning force microscopy, related to friction force microscopy (FFM) and known as transverse shear microscopy (TSM), has demonstrated the ability to reveal the orientation of crystalline domains in organic surfaces with nanometer resolution. In spite of these promising results, numerous questions remain about the physical origin of the TSM domain imaging mechanism. Taking as a benchmark a PTCDI-C8 sub-monolayer, we demonstrate experimentally and theoretically that such a mechanism is the same atomic scale stick-slip ruling FFM leading to the angular dependence of both signals. Lattice-resolved images acquired on top of differently oriented PTCDI-C8 molecular domains are crucial to permit azimuthal sampling, without the need for sample rotation. The simulations reveal that, though the surface crystallography is the direct cause of the FFM and TSM signals, the manifestation of anisotropy will largely depend on the amplitude of the surface potential corrugation as well as on the temperature. This work provides a novel nanoscale strategy for the quantitative analysis of organic thin films based on their nanotribological response.

Dinoprostone vaginal slow-release system (Propess) compared to expectant management in the active treatment of premature rupture of the membranes at term: impact on maternal and fetal outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective study of 744 women at the Virgen del Camino Hospital in Pamplona concerning two variants for the active treatment of premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). The main purpose of the study was to assess the differences between two variants for the active treatment of PROM at term in pregnant women with negative vaginal-rectal culture screening for Group B Streptococci, and a Bishop test of 4 or less on admission. METHODS: Retrospective study of 744 patients with single pregnancy at term, PROM, and Bishop test <4. The patients, who were not randomised, were treated with dinoprostone (Propess) or expectant therapy, according to the physician's choice. Induction with oxytocin was started 12 h after PROM. Qualitative data were analysed using the chi(2) test, while quantitative data were analysed using the Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U-test according to the distribution of the variables. Regression models were applied to correct the biases caused by confounding variables. RESULTS: Of the 744 patients, the cervix of 13% was maturated with pericervical dinoprostone, while 87% were subject to expectant management until 12 h after rupture of the membranes. The time of dilation and the time until labour were significantly shorter in the dinoprostone group (p=0.0). The rate of caesarean sections was also lower in the dinoprostone group at 9.3% compared to 17.6% in the expectant management group, reaching statistical significance (p=0.04). There were no differences in the parameters of fetal well being (Apgar and pH). CONCLUSIONS: The use of therapy with dinoprostone in patients with PROM could be a safe method and more effective than expectant management.

Cartas al director: repercusión del calcio del baño en los episodios de hipotensión intradialítica / Letters to the editor: influence of calcium in the bath in intradyalisis hypotension episodes

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