[Risk factors associated with adherence to medical oncology treatment in pediatrics]. / Factores de riesgos asociados a la adherencia al tratamiento médico oncológico en pediatría.

In Chile, between 450 and 500 cases of cancer are diagnosed annually in children and adolescents. Treatment is financed by the state, but there are non-financial elements that could condition adherence to treatment. OBJECTIVE: to explore family, socioeconomic, housing, and support network risk factors that could affect adherence to medical treatment in children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Descriptive observational study in pediatric oncology hospitals of a national cancer program. Through a "Social Care Form" applied to 104 caregivers of children and adolescents, between August 2019 and March 2020, socioeconomic data of children diagnosed with cancer were recorded in four dimensions: i) Individual/family/health; ii) Work/education/socioeconomic; iii) Housing/environment; and iv) Participation/support networks. RESULTS: 99% of the children and adolescents were registered in the public health system; 69% belonged to the lowest income brackets. Care for children and adolescents was mainly provided by the mother (91%). 79% reported living in a house; 48% owned or were paying for their home. Housing quality was described as good (70%), with low levels of overcrowding. 56% of households had access to Wi-Fi internet connection, while 27% reported no access. The main support network reported was the family (84%). CONCLUSIONS: Family, socioeconomic, housing, and support network risk factors were observed in children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer; socioeconomic and gender aspects highlight the social inequalities in these families. Descriptive baseline results were obtained, so it is suggested to re-observe its evolution and thus measure its impact on adherence to treatment.

AGING-ASSOCIATED COGNITIVE DECLINE IS REVERSED BY D-SERINE SUPPLEMENTATION.

Brain aging is a natural process that involves structural and functional changes that lead to cognitive decline, even in healthy subjects. This detriment has been associated with N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction due to a reduction in the brain levels of D-serine, the endogenous NMDAR co-agonist. However, it is not clear if D-serine supplementation could be used as an intervention to reduce or reverse age-related brain alterations. In the present work, we aimed to analyze the D-serine effect on aging-associated alterations in cellular and large-scale brain systems that could support cognitive flexibility in rats. We found that D-serine supplementation reverts the age-related decline in cognitive flexibility, frontal dendritic spine density, and partially restored large-scale functional connectivity without inducing nephrotoxicity; instead, D-serine restored the thickness of the renal epithelial cells that were affected by age. Our results suggest that D-serine could be used as a therapeutic target to reverse age-related brain alterations.SIGNIFICANT STATEMENTAge-related behavioral changes in cognitive performance occur as a physiological process of aging. Then, it is important to explore possible therapeutics to decrease, retard or reverse aging effects on the brain. NMDA receptor hypofunction contributes to the aging-associated cognitive decline. In the aged brain, there is a reduction in the brain levels of the NMDAR co-agonist, D-Serine. However, it is unclear if chronic D-serine supplementation could revert the age-detriment in brain functions. Our results show that D-serine supplementation reverts the age-associated decrease in cognitive flexibility, functional brain connectivity, and neuronal morphology. Our findings raise the possibility that restoring the brain levels of D-serine could be used as a therapeutic target to recover brain alterations associated with aging.

Revisiting and reanalysing the concept of bioreceptivity 25 years on.

2020 marks 25 years since Olivier Guillitte defined the term 'bioreceptivity', to describe the ability of a building material to be colonised by living organisms. Although Guillitte noted in his 1995 paper that several issues required further investigation, to the best of our knowledge the bioreceptivity concept has not been restated, reviewed, reanalysed or updated since then. The present paper provides an opinionated exposition of the status and utility of the bioreceptivity concept for built heritage science and conservation in the light of current knowledge, aimed to stimulate further discussion. A bibliometric analysis highlights the key dimensions of the past 25 years of published research, showing that the term bioreceptivity has been widely used in the field of built cultural heritage. In our reanalysis of the concept, special attention is devoted to the six types of bioreceptivity (primary, secondary, tertiary, intrinsic, extrinsic and semi-extrinsic) articulated by Guillitte in 1995. We propose that field-based studies of bioreceptivity are urgently needed, and that the intrinsic, extrinsic and semi-extrinsic types of bioreceptivity should be dropped, and a new category (quaternary bioreceptivity) added. Additionally, we propose that bioreceptivity in submerged and subsoil environments should also be considered. Bioreceptivity remains an important concept for managing both new build and built heritage, as it provides the key to understanding the drivers and patterns of biological colonisation of building materials.

Mental illness and social exclusion: assessment of the risk of violence after release.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the predictive validity of the HCR-20 (The Historical Clinical Risk Management-20) to predict future violent incidents in a representative sample of patients with severe mental disorders and with a history of previous admission to prison, who after release are in a situation of extreme social exclusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study sample was selected from the 235 patients treated by the Mental Health Street Team of Madrid (ECASAM) from June 2014 to June 2017, including those with a previous history of a previous internment in a penitentiary (about which, the HCR-20 was completed). RESULTS: Of the 44 patients included, 29.6% (n=13) ended up participating in a violent incident after the release. The ROC curves (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis indicated that the total score of HCR-20 (AUC 0.98, p=0.01) has a high predictive validity. CONCLUSIONS: The social and medical changes that take place after the release of patients with severe mental illness justify the need to reassess the risk of violence. In this evaluation, the HCR-20 guide is a useful tool for predicting the risk of involvement in future violent incidents, and the inclusion of factors such as social exclusion and its consequences, as well as problems with substance use is especially important.

Enfermedad mental y exclusión social: valoración del riesgo de violencia tras la excarcelación / Mental illness and social exclusion: assessment of the risk of violence after release

OBJETIVOS: Examinar la validez predictiva de la guía HCR-20 (The Historical Clinical Risk Management-20) para predecir futuros incidentes violentos en una muestra representativa de pacientes con trastorno mental grave y con antecedentes de ingreso previo en prisión, que tras la excarcelación presentan una situación de exclusión social extrema. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: La muestra del estudio se seleccionó de los 235 pacientes atendidos por el Equipo de Calle de Salud Mental (ECASAM) de Madrid, desde junio de 2014 hasta junio de 2017, incluyendo finalmente a aquellos con antecedentes de un internamiento previo en un establecimiento penitenciario, sobre los que posteriormente se cumplimentó la HCR-20. RESULTADOS: De los 44 pacientes incluidos, un 29,6% (n=13) terminaron protagonizando un incidente violento tras la excarcelación. El análisis de curvas ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) indicó que la puntuación total de la HCR-20 (área bajo la curva o AUC: 0,98, p = 0,01) tiene una alta validez predictiva. CONCLUSIONES: Los cambios sociosanitarios que se van a producir tras la excarcelación de los pacientes con trastorno mental grave justifican la necesidad de revaluar el riesgo de violencia. En esta evaluación, la aplicación de la guía HCR-20 resulta una útil herramienta para predecir el riesgo de protagonizar futuros incidentes violentos, siendo especialmente relevante la consideración de factores como la exclusión social y sus consecuencias, así como los problemas con el consumo de sustancias

OBJECTIVES: To examine the predictive validity of the HCR-20 (The Historical Clinical Risk Management-20) to predict future violent incidents in a representative sample of patients with severe mental disorders and with a history of previous admission to prison, who after release are in a situation of extreme social exclusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study sample was selected from the 235 patients treated by the Mental Health Street Team of Madrid (ECASAM) from June 2014 to June 2017, including those with a previous history of a previous internment in a penitentiary (about which, the HCR-20 was completed). RESULTS: Of the 44 patients included, 29.6% (n=13) ended up participating in a violent incident after the release. The ROC curves (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analysis indicated that the total score of HCR-20 (AUC 0.98, p = 0.01) has a high predictive validity. CONCLUSIONS: The social and medical changes that take place after the release of patients with severe mental illness justify the need to reassess the risk of violence. In this evaluation, the HCR-20 guide is a useful tool for predicting the risk of involvement in future violent incidents, and the inclusion of factors such as social exclusion and its consequences, as well as problems with substance use is especially important

Bioreceptivity index for granitic rocks used as construction material.

Bioreceptivity is a fundamental concept in the ornamental stone industry and in the fields of cultural heritage and civil engineering to understand the susceptibility of stone constructions to biological colonisation and subsequent biodeterioration. However, a bioreceptivity index (BI) has not yet been established for any construction material. The aim of the present study is developing a simple, robust and well-founded BI for granitic rocks. For this purpose, a standardised laboratory protocol was used to grow phototrophic biofilms on several varieties of granite. The colonisation was then assessed by chlorophyll fluorescence and colour measurements. Based on the results thus obtained, a BI including two components (BIgrowth and BIcolour) is proposed. BIgrowth quantifies the extent of the biological growth and BIcolour quantifies the colour change undergone by the stone due to the colonisation, which can be considered the bioreceptivity perceptible to the human eye. The values of BI, BIgrowth and BIcolour were fitted to a scale of 0-10, thus enabling qualitative classification of the lithotypes according to their primary bioreceptivity. Eleven varieties of granite commonly used as construction material and with a honed surface finish (one variety with three additional surface finishes: polished, sawn and sanded) were thus assigned the corresponding BI, which represents a new quality factor for the stone industry. The index can therefore be used by end-users as a decision-making tool in the selection of appropriate lithotypes for building and/or ornamental purposes.

Diagnóstico de la dinámica cardiaca durante 16 horas desde los sistemas dinámicos aplicable en UCI / Diagnosis of cardiac dynamics for 17 hours from dynamical systems applicable to ICU

RESUMEN Introducción: El comportamiento caótico de la dinámica cardiaca normal y aguda ha sido caracterizado en el contexto de la teoría de los sistemas dinámicos y la geometría fractal. Objetivo: Desarrollar una nueva metodología diagnóstica para la evaluación de la dinámica cardiaca en pacientes de UCI, durante 16 horas. Metodología: Este es un estudio en pacientes ingresados a Cuidados Intensivos posquirúrgicos (UCI) y sujetos sanos, tomando un total de 47 registros electrocardiográficos continuos y/o Holter, normales y con patología aguda, evaluados en 16 horas. Se desarrolló una inducción con dos dinámicas normales y tres de UCI; a partir de los valores máximos y mínimos de la frecuencia cardiaca/hora y total de latidos/hora, registrados durante 16 horas se construyeron atractores para evaluar sus espacios de ocupación y dimensión fractal, con el fin de establecer diferencias e igualdades respecto a estados normales y patológicos. Se realizaron medidas de sensibilidad y especificidad con las dinámicas restantes para comparar el diagnostico matemático con el diagnóstico clínico. Resultados: Los espacios de ocupación de los atractores cardiacos diferencian dinámicas cardiacas normales de dinámicas con enfermedad crónica y aguda, detectando además dinámicas patológicas con valores superiores a los límites de normalidad, logrando valores de sensibilidad de 0,937 y especificidad del 1. Conclusión: se estableció una nueva metodología de evaluación de la dinámica cardiaca de utilidad para el seguimiento clínico en pacientes de UCI.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The chaotic behavior of normal and acute cardiac dynamics has been characterized in the context of theory of dynamical systems and fractal geometry. Objective: to establish a new diagnostic method for assessing cardiac dynamics in ICU patients, for 16 hours. Methodology: This is a study in post-surgical patients admitted to intensive care (ICU) and in healthy subjects, taking a total of 47 continuous electrocardiographic recordings and/ or Holter, normal and acute pathology, evaluated in 16 hours. Induction with two normal and three UCI dynamics was developed; from the maximum and minimum values of the heart/time and total frequency of beats/minute for 16 hours recorded attractors they were constructed to assess their areas of occupation and fractal dimension, in order to establish differences and equalities regarding normal states and pathological. Sensitivity and specificity measurements were performed with the remaining dynamic to compare mathematical diagnosis with clinical diagnosis. Results: Space occupancy heart attractors differ dynamic normal cardiac dynamics with chronic and acute illness, in addition detecting dynamic pathological with above normal limits values, achieving sensitivity values of 0.937 and specificity of 1. Conclusion: a new methodology for evaluating cardiac dynamics useful for clinical monitoring in ICU patients was established.

Subaerial biofilms on granitic historic buildings: microbial diversity and development of phototrophic multi-species cultures.

Microbial communities of natural subaerial biofilms developed on granitic historic buildings of a World Heritage Site (Santiago de Compostela, NW Spain) were characterized and cultured in liquid BG11 medium. Environmental barcoding through next-generation sequencing (Pacific Biosciences) revealed that the biofilms were mainly composed of species of Chlorophyta (green algae) and Ascomycota (fungi) commonly associated with rock substrata. Richness and diversity were higher for the fungal than for the algal assemblages and fungi showed higher heterogeneity among samples. Cultures derived from natural biofilms showed the establishment of stable microbial communities mainly composed of Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria. Although most taxa found in these cultures were not common in the original biofilms, they are likely common pioneer colonizers of building stone surfaces, including granite. Stable phototrophic multi-species cultures of known microbial diversity were thus obtained and their reliability to emulate natural colonization on granite should be confirmed in further experiments.

Manifestaciones cutáneas atipícas en la sífilis / Atypical Cutaneous Manifestations in Syphilis

Aunque es por todos bien conocida la heterogeneidad de manifestaciones clínicas con la que puede presentarse la sífilis, esta también puede mostrarse con patrones atípicos. Ya sea por su capacidad de mimetizar otras dermatosis conocidas, por saltarse los patrones clínicos clásicos o por su originalidad clínica, la sífilis en sus formas atípicas puede llevar a confusiones en el diagnóstico, retrasos en el tratamiento y por tanto un alto riesgo de transmisión. Entre pacientes coinfectados por el VIH se han descrito más frecuentemente casos de sífilis atípica. El hecho de que se trate de una infección venérea cuya incidencia está aumentando en los últimos años, especialmente en pacientes con VIH, hace necesario que los dermatólogos se familiaricen también con estas formas clínicas menos conocidas

Although the diversity of the clinical manifestations of syphilis is well-known, atypical presentations can also occur. Such atypical presentations are associated with a high risk of transmission as a result of diagnostic confusion and treatment delays owing to the disease's ability to mimic other common skin diseases, deviate from classic clinical presentations, and adopt unique forms. Cases of atypical syphilis have been described most frequently in patients with concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Because the incidence of syphilis has been growing over recent years -particularly in patients with HIV co-infection- dermatologists need to be familiar with the less well-known clinical presentations of this venereal disease

Nueva metodología de evaluación del Holter basada en los sistemas dinámicos y la geometría fractal: confirmación de su aplicabilidad a nivel clínico / New methodology in Holter evaluation based on dynamics systems and fractal geometry: confirmation of its applicability at clinical level

Introducción: La teoría de sistemas dinámicos establece medidas cuantitativas de evolución de los sistemas mediante la construcción de atractores. Medidas de ocupación espacial de atractores cardiacos en el espacio fractal de Box Counting diferenciaron normalidad y enfermedad crónica de enfermedad aguda. Objetivo: Aplicar la metodología desarrollada para evaluar matemáticamente el estado cardiaco de Holter con diferentes patologías, confirmando la aplicabilidad de esta metodología para la detección de dinámicas agudas mediante medidas de concordancia estadística respecto al Gold Standard. Metodología: Se analizaron 170 Holter, incluyendo normales, crónicos y en estado agudo. Se construyeron simulaciones de la totalidad de la dinámica basada en número de latidos y frecuencia mínima y máxima cada hora durante 21 horas, para construir atractores en el espacio de fases. Se calculó la dimensión fractal de los atractores evaluando su ocupación espacial en el espacio de Box Counting, estableciendo cuáles corresponden a normalidad y enfermedad aguda de acuerdo con resultados matemáticos previos. Se comparó el diagnóstico matemático con el diagnóstico convencional del Holter, tomado como Gold Standard, estableciendo valores de sensibilidad, especificidad y coeficiente Kappa. Resultados: La dimensión fractal no logró evidenciar diferencias cuantitativas mientras que la metodología detectó en todos los casos dinámicas normales y en estado agudo independientemente de la patología, logrando valores de sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y negativo de 100%, y coeficiente Kappa de 1. Conclusiones: Se confirmó la capacidad de la metodología físico-matemática para detectar dinámicas agudas independientemente de la patología asociada, confirmando una auto-organización acausal de la dinámica del sistema cuya evaluación permite establecer medidas de aplicabilidad clínica.

Introduction: Dynamic systems theory provides quantitative measures of evolution of systems by building attractors. Spatial occupation measures of cardiac attractors in fractal Box Counting space differentiated normality and chronic disease from acute illness. Objective: To apply the developed methodology to evaluate mathematically the cardiac status of Holter with different pathologies, confirming the applicability of this methodology for the detection of acute dynamic by statistical measures of agreement regarding the Gold Standard. Methodology: 170 Holter, including normal, chronic and in acute states were evaluated. Simulations were constructed the entire dynamic based on the number of beats and the minimum and maximum frequencies every hour for 21 hours, to build attractors in the phase space. The fractal dimension of attractors is calculated, evaluating the spatial occupation in the Box Counting space, establishing which corresponds to normal setting and acute disease in accordance with previous mathematical results. Mathematical diagnosis was compared with conventional diagnostic Holter, taken as the Gold Standard, setting sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and Kappa coefficient. Results: The fractal dimension failed to show quantitative differences while the methodology detected in all cases normal dynamics and acute state independently of the disease, achieving sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of 100% and a Kappa 1. Conclusions: the ability of the physical-mathematical methodology to detect acute dynamic regardless of the associated pathology was confirmed, as well as an acausal self-organization of the system dynamics, which allows for assessment of clinical applicability measures.

Atypical Cutaneous Manifestations in Syphilis. / Manifestaciones cutáneas atipícas en la sífilis.

Although the diversity of the clinical manifestations of syphilis is well-known, atypical presentations can also occur. Such atypical presentations are associated with a high risk of transmission as a result of diagnostic confusion and treatment delays owing to the disease's ability to mimic other common skin diseases, deviate from classic clinical presentations, and adopt unique forms. Cases of atypical syphilis have been described most frequently in patients with concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Because the incidence of syphilis has been growing over recent years -particularly in patients with HIV co-infection- dermatologists need to be familiar with the less well-known clinical presentations of this venereal disease.

Microbiological, physicochemical and sensory parameters of dry fermented sausages manufactured with high hydrostatic pressure processed raw meat.

The aim of this trial was to describe physicochemical, microbiological and organoleptic characteristics of dry fermented sausages produced from high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) pre-processed trimmings. During ripening of the meat products pH, weight, water activity (aw), and several microbiological parameters were measured at zero, eight, fifteen days and after 6weeks. Sensory characteristics were estimated at day 15 and after six weeks by a test panel by using several sensory tests. Enterobacteriaceae were not detected in sausages from HHP-processed trimmings. Fermentation was little affected, but weight and aw of the HHP-processed sausages decreased faster during ripening. HHP-treated sausages were consistently less favoured than non HHP-treated sausages, but the strategy may be an alternative approach if the process is optimized.

DISEÑO DE UNA PLATAFORMA INTEROPERABLE PARA UN OBSERVATORIO DE HÁBITOS Y ESTILOS DE VIDA SALUDABLE / DESIGN OF A INTEROPERABLE OBSERVATORY PLATFORM FOR HABITS ANDHEALTHY LIFESTYLES / CONCEPÇÃO DE UMA PLATAFORMA INTEROPERÁVEL PARA UM OBSERVATÓRIO HÁBITOS E ESTILOS DE VIDA SAUDÁVEIS

Esta investigación muestra el diseño de una plataforma interoperable que hace uso del estándar HL7 (Health Level Seven) y permite el registro y análisis de datos relacionados con estilos de vida saludable y prácticas de actividad física en adultos y adultos mayores de las zonas rurales de Colombia. El proyecto se centra en la utilización de las TIC para generar un sistema interoperable que permita la consolidación de los datos, con el fin de facilitar cifras epidemiológicas, hacer diagnósticos que permitan generar estrategias de promoción de la salud y prevención de la enfermedad en las que se promueva la actividad física; y consolidar un marco de referencia para las entidades interesadas. Esta plataforma provee un servicio de integración que puede ser utilizado por entidades externas, compartiendo así información relacionada con hábitos y estilos de vida saludables. Dicha plataforma, utiliza tecnología web ASP.net, con un modelo arquitectural MVC (Modelo Vista Controlador), lenguaje C#, un motor de base de datos SQLServer y servicios web a nivel de integración que usa HL7 como estándar de intercambio de mensajes. Se generó una prueba de control realizada en el año 2014, en ocho municipios del departamento de Cundinamarca en los cuales se aplicaron 304 instrumentos, con los cuales se alimentó la plataforma.

This research shows the design of an interoperable platform that uses the HL7 standard (Health Level Seven) and allows the record and analysis of data related to healthy lifestyles and practices of physical activity in adults and older adults in rural areas of Colombia. The project focuses on the use of ICT to generate an interoperable system that allows the consolidation of data, in order to facilitate epidemiological records, make diagnoses that generate strategies for health promotion and disease prevention in which promote physical activity; and build a framework for stakeholders. This platform provides an integration service that can be used by external entities, to reporting information related to habits and healthy lifestyles. This platform uses web ASP.net technology with architectural model MVC (Model View Controller), C # language, a database SQLServer motor and web services to integration with HL7 standard for the exchange of information. Was performed a control test in to 2014, in eight municipalities of the department of Cundinamarca in which 304 instruments were applied to upload to the platform.

Esta pesquisa mostra o desenho de uma plataforma interoperável que usa o HL7 (Health Level Seven) padrão e permite a gravação e análise de dados relacionados com os estilos de vida saudáveis e prática de atividade física em adultos e idosos nas zonas rurais da Colômbia. O projecto centra-se na utilização das TIC para gerar um sistema de interoperabilidade que permite a consolidação de dados, a fim de facilitar números epidemiológicos, fazer diagnósticos que podem gerar estratégias para promover a saúde e prevenção de doença em que promoção da atividade física; e construir uma estrutura para as partes interessadas. Esta plataforma fornece um serviço de integração que pode ser usado por entidades externas, a partilha de informações relacionadas a hábitos e estilos de vida saudáveis. Esta plataforma, utilizando a tecnologia web ASP.net com um padrão de arquitetura MVC (Model View Controller), a linguagem C#, banco de dados SQLServer do motor e nível de integração de serviços web usando a troca de mensagens HL7 padrão. Um teste de controle realizado em 2014, em oito municípios de Cundinamarca em que foram aplicados 304 instrumentos, com os quais a plataforma foi alimentado foi gerado.

Significados durante el puerperio: a partir de prácticas y creencias culturales / Meanings During the Postpartum Period: From Practices and Cultural Beliefs / Significados durante o puerperio: a partir de práticas e crenças culturais

Objetivo: describir el significado que le asigna la madre al cuidado cultural de ella misma y su recién nacido durante el puerperio, a partir de sus prácticas y creencias. Método: estudio con abordaje cualitativo de tipo etnográfico, realizado en Tunja, Colombia, en el que participaron ocho puérperas con parto normal y cuatro informantes generales, entre profesionales de enfermería y familiares de las puérperas. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando la guía de cuatro pasos de etnoenfermería de Leininger, y por medio de esta se identificaron códigos, patrones recurrentes, y temas principales. Resultados y discusión: el significado que le asigna la madre al cuidado cultural en el puerperio a partir de sus prácticas es diverso y está representado en cada uno de los cinco temas que emergieron del estudio: el poder secreto de las plantas, el peligro de la recaída, descubriendo el mundo de su hijo, el cuidado de sí misma, y alimentos protectores. En contraste con el modelo del sol naciente, los factores de la estructura social que tuvieron mayor influencia corresponden a las creencias, valores culturales y estilos de vida; así como el factor social de parentesco. Se identifica entonces el predominio del componente emic en el cuidado cultural durante el puerperio con relación al componente etic.

Objective: To describe the meaning that a mother gives to the cultural care of herself and her newborn during the postpartum period, from her practices and beliefs. Methodology: Ethnographic qualitative study made in Tunja, Colombia, in which eight postpartum women with normal delivery and four general informants, conformed by nurses and relatives of postpartum women. Data were analyzed using the ethnonursing four-step guide by Leininger, and through it we identified codes, recurring patterns and themes. Results and discussion: The meaning that a mother gives to the cultural care in the postpartum from her practice is diverse and is represented in each of the five themes that emerged from the study: the secret power of the plants, the risk of relapse, discovering her child's world, her self-care, and protective foods. In contrast to the sunrise model, the factors of social structure that had greater influence correspond to beliefs, cultural values and lifestyles as well as the social factor of kinship. Then, we can identify the prevalence of the emic component in the cultural care during the postpartum period in relation with the etic component.

Objetivo: descrever o significado que a mãe atribui ao cuidado cultural dela mesma e de seu recém-nascido durante o puerpério, a partir de suas práticas e crenças. Método: estudo com abordagem qualitativa, de tipo etnográfico, realizado em Tunja, Colômbia, do qual participaram oito puérperas com parto normal e quatro informantes gerais, conformadas por profissionais de enfermagem e familiares das puérperas. Os dados foram analisados utilizando o guia de quatro passos da etnoenfermagem de Leininger e, por meio desta, identificaram-se códigos, padrões recorrentes e temas principais. Resultados e discussão: o significado que a mãe atribui ao cuidado cultural no puerpério a partir de suas práticas é diverso e está representado em cada um dos cinco temas que emergiram do estudo: o poder secreto das plantas, o perigo da recaída, descobrindo o mundo de seu filho, o cuidado de si mesma e alimentos protetores. Em contraste com o modelo do sol nascente, os fatores da estrutura social que tiveram maior influência correspondem às crenças, valores culturais e estilos de vida, bem como o fator social de parentesco. Identifica-se, então, o predomínio do componente emic no cuidado cultural durante o puerpério com relação ao componente etic.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) plasma levels at oocyte retrieval and IVF outcomes.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to ascertain the influence of hCG levels at oocyte pick-up on IVF outcomes, and their relationship with clinical parameters. METHODS: A prospective study was performed including 473 women undergoing IVF, aged under 40 years. Blood samples to analyze hCG levels were obtained at the time of follicular aspiration, 36 h after the administration of 250 µg of recombinant hCG. RESULTS: Neither the numbers of oocytes obtained or fertilized, nor the pregnancy rate, were correlated with hCG levels. Moreover, hCG values were very similar in women who did and did not become pregnant (123.3 ± 48.7 and 117.5 ± 44.7 mUI/mL). Cases in which no oocytes were recovered after follicular aspiration had similar hCG levels to those in which more than 1 oocyte was obtained. On the other hand, hCG levels were negatively related to body mass index, weight, and age. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that after the administration of 250 µg of recombinant hCG, hCG levels are not responsible for failure to recover oocytes. Specifically, there was no correlation between plasma hCG levels and the number of oocytes obtained or other markers of IVF outcome. There was, however, an inverse relationship with BMI, body weight and age.

Bioreceptivity of building stones: a review.

In 1995, Guillitte defined bioreceptivity, a new term in ecology, as the ability of a material to be colonized by living organisms. Information about the bioreceptivity of stone is of great importance since it will help us to understand the material properties which influence the development of biological colonization in the built environment, and will also provide useful information as regards selecting stones for the conservation of heritage monuments and construction of new buildings. Studies of the bioreceptivity of stone materials are reviewed here with the aim of providing a clear set of conclusions on the topic. Definitions of bioreceptivity are given, stone bioreceptivity experiments are described, and finally the stone properties related to bioreceptivity are discussed. We suggest that a standardized laboratory protocol for evaluating stone bioreceptivity and definition of a stone bioreceptivity index are required to enable creation of a database on the primary bioreceptivity of stone materials.

Spectrophotometric color measurement for early detection and monitoring of greening on granite buildings.

This paper addresses the detection and monitoring of the development of epilithic phototrophic biofilms on the granite façade of an institutional building in Santiago de Compostela (NW Spain), and reports a case study of preventive conservation. The results provide a basis for establishing criteria for the early detection of phototrophic colonization (greening) and for monitoring its development on granite buildings by the use of color changes recorded with a portable spectrophotometer and represented in the CIELAB color space. The results show that parameter b* (associated with changes of yellowness-blueness) provides the earliest indication of colonization and varies most over time, so that it is most important in determining the total color change. The limit of perception of the greening on a granite surface was also established in a psycho-physical experiment, as Δb*: +0.59 CIELAB units that correspond, in the present study, to 6.3 µg of biomass dry weight cm(-2) and (8.43 ± 0.24) × 10(-3) µg of extracted chlorophyll a cm(-2).

Degradation of nitrocellulose-based paint by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541.

Nitrocellulose is one of the most commonly used compounds in ammunition and paint industries and its recalcitrance to degradation has a negative impact on human health and the environment. In this study the capability of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 13541 to degrade nitrocellulose as binder in paint was assayed for the first time. Nitrocellulose-based paint degradation was followed by monitoring the variation in nitrate, nitrite and ammonium content in the culture medium using Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy. At the same time cell counts and ATP assay were performed to estimate bacterial density and activity in all samples. Infrared spectroscopy and colorimetric measurements of paint samples were performed to assess chemical and colour changes due to the microbial action. Microscope observations of nitrocellulose-based paint samples demonstrated the capability of the bacterium to adhere to the paint surface and change the paint adhesive characteristics. Finally, preliminary studies of nitrocellulose degradation pathway were conducted by assaying nitrate- and nitrite reductases activity in D. desulfuricans grown in presence or in absence of paint. We found that D. desulfuricans ATCC 13541 is able to transform nitrocellulose as paint binder and we hypothesised ammonification as degradation pathway. The results suggest that D. desulfuricans ATCC 13541 is a good candidate as a nitrocellulose-degrading bacterium.

Mid-follicular LH supplementation in women aged 35-39 years undergoing ICSI cycles: a randomized controlled study.

This single-centre, randomized, parallel group, comparative study aimed to identify potential benefits of mid-follicular recombinant human LH (r-HLH) supplementation in women aged 35-39 years undergoing ovarian stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The main endpoint was the number of metaphase II oocytes retrieved. After pituitary suppression with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, ovarian stimulation was initiated with recombinant human FSH (r-HFSH; 300-450 IU/day). On stimulation day 6, patients were randomized to receive r-HFSH alone or r-HFSH + r-HLH (r-HLH 150 IU/day) for the remainder of the stimulation period. Final follicular maturation was triggered with 250 µg of recombinant human chorionic gonadotrophin. After assessing oocyte nuclear maturity, oocyte were fertilized by ICSI and afterwards embryo quality was analyzed. Of the 131 women enrolled, 68 were allocated to r-HFSH alone and 63 to r-HFSH + r-HLH. No significant differences were observed in markers of either oocyte or embryo quality or quantity. However, higher rates of implantation and live birth per started cycle were observed with r-HLH supplementation than with r-HFSH alone. Although additional large studies are required to further investigate these findings, r-HLH supplementation for women aged 35-39 years undergoing ICSI is recommended as it may have a beneficial action on implantation.