Development and Validation of the Psychotherapeutic Effectiveness Attribution Questionnaire (PEAQ-12) in a Spanish Population.

In recent decades, the study of psychotherapy effectiveness has been one of the pillars of clinical research because of its implication for therapeutic cure. However, although many studies have focused their interest on the patient's perception, there are no instruments oriented to the study of psychotherapists' attributions of effectiveness: to what factors psychotherapists attribute responsibility for the cure of the therapies they provide. The present study aimed to develop and validate an instrument for assessing the attribution of the effectiveness of psychotherapy in a population of 69 psychotherapists of different theoretical orientations. After an initial process of inter-judge content validation, 12 items were selected for validation in the targeted population, adequately fulfilling the quality requirements in the validity-reliability tests, and grouped into four factors after principal component analysis. These factors were as follows: (1) therapeutic alliance enhancers; (2) psychotherapist emotional characteristics; (3) therapy-specific variables; and (4) facilitators of patient engagement with therapy. This four-factor structure also showed a good fit for the fit indices checked in confirmatory factor analysis. In summary, we can conclude that the Psychotherapeutic Effectiveness Attribution Questionnaire (PEAQ-12) developed in our research can be helpful if tested on a larger number of individuals. The results can be replicated in other populations of psychotherapists.

Perception of the Attributes of Sherry Wine and Its Consumption in Young People in the South of Spain.

The wine with the designation of origin "Jerez-Xerez-Sherry" is one of the most produced in Spain and with a greater volume of exports abroad. This study analyzes the preferences of Sherry Wine and its different varieties, based on gender and knowledge and interest in the world of wine. Similarly, the influence of the attributes of Sherry Wine on its choice and consumption is investigated. For this purpose, 1502 participants (1407 wine consumers) were recruited; among the consumers, 58.5% are women, and 74.3% have little knowledge of wine (Mean age 22.6; SD = 3.07; range 18-30). Data collection was done through an online survey. The results reveal that among the types of wines from Sherry, the Fino and the Manzanilla are the most chosen. The young people who have the highest consumption of wine are those who have the most prior knowledge of wine. Also, these young people attribute their choice of wine to intrinsic factors, and even women and connoisseurs are more important in this type of dimension. But the importance of the attributes differs according to the types of wines (Fino/Cream-flavor, Palo Cortado/Pedro Ximénez-color, Amontillado/Manzanilla-price and Oloroso-prizes). These findings will allow establishing measures for their promotion, as well as for the design and specific sales strategies for each type of wine.

Effects of Carpobrotus edulis invasion on soil gross N fluxes in rocky coastal habitats.

The effects of alien plants on whole nutrient cycles have been scarcely studied, despite the increasing evidence on their impact on nutrient pools and fluxes. Carpobrotus edulis, a dangerous invasive plant in coastal areas worldwide, is considered an ecosystems engineer which, by changing many soil properties, benefits its own invasion and hampers the restoration of the invaded habitats. To study, for the first time, the 'true' impact of C. edulis on the soil N cycle, we used a paired 15N labelling experiment and a Ntrace compartment model to estimate the gross N fluxes in the 0-5cm and 5-10cm soil layers of non-invaded and C. edulis invaded areas of two temperate-humid coastal rocky locations. Carpobrotus edulis invasion generally increased NH4+ immobilization (INH4, 1.19-4.48×), presumably due to a lower N availability for the microbiota. The invasion also decreased autotrophic nitrification (ONH4, 0.20-0.79×), either by a direct effect over soil microbiota or by the acidification triggered by C. edulis. Unexpectedly, the dissimilatory nitrate reduction (DNRA) was the exclusive NO3- consuming process modelled on most of the studied soils, although the incubation was aerobic. Apparently, the high organic C content of these soils induced a higher O2 consumption and the formation of anaerobic microsites where the DNRA could have taken place. The lower NO3- availability of invaded soils could explain their lower DNRA rates (0.04-0.70×) compared to native soils. Both DNRA and ONH4 were more affected in the 0-5cm layer, but the invasion also significantly affected N rates in the 5-10cm layer. Overall, net nitrification and mineralization generally decreased in the invaded soils. This study shows that the invasion of C. edulis alters soil gross and net N fluxes in a 0-10cm depth through its effects on soil properties and microbiota.

Desarrollo y validación psicométrica de la Escala de Privacidad en la Vivienda / Construction and Psychometric Validation of the Dwelling's Privacy Scale

El propósito de este estudio fue generar un instrumento que permita medir la privacidad en las viviendas urbanas de México de manera confiable y válida. Para lo cual se construyó una escala conformada por 20 reactivos con cinco opciones de respuesta; para realizar su validación psicométrica se aplicó a 200 habitantes de la Ciudad de México, de entre los 14 y 75 años de edad, 110 mujeres y 90 hombres con diferentes ocupaciones y grados de escolaridad. Se llevaron a cabo análisis para conocer el poder discriminativo de los reactivos; la confiabilidad y la estructura factorial válida para la población de la Ciudad de México. La escala final estuvo constituida por 11 reactivos, organizados en tres factores Control de Acceso a la Información, Control de Acceso a la Persona e Intimidad.

The main objective of this research was to generate a reliable and valid scale that assessed dwelling privacy in Mexico City's population. A scale was developed specifically for this purpose. The scale included 20 items with five options for answers (Never, few times, sometimes, frequently and always). The scale was applied to a sample of 200 Mexico City's inhabitants in order to obtain its psychometrical validation. The distribution of the participants was as follow: age between 14 to 75; 110 women and 90 men: diverse occupations and school levels. A proper analysis took place in order to learn about the items discriminative power, reliability and valid factorial structure. The final scale was conformed by 11 items organized by three factors as follow: 1) Information Access Control, 2) Person Access Control and 3) Intimacy it explains 68% of variance and has a reliability of Cronbach Alpha =0.89. Afterwards a Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted to verify if the structure obtained from the Principal Component Analysis was correct, and a good fit was achieved (df=39, x2= 48.07, p=.151; CFI= .987; RMSEA= .032).

Sustainability of residential environments / Sostenibilidad de los entornos residenciales

In the late eighties, Mercado and González (1991) developed the concept of Habitability, defined as the suitability of the built environment for its residents, focused on residential environments. The evidence suggests that housing habitability is an important aspect of social sustainability, as it affects family's quality of life, social climate and health. In this paper we sought to describe several studies that are supported by the Habitability Model which is considered a way of evaluating residential environments, related to a set of design variables and consequences for the inhabitants. The Model was first developed using Multidimensional Scaling, and later confirmed through Path Analysis. The Model shows a central global measure of habitability and three groups of variables surround it: emotional, symbolic and behavioral. The model seems to explain relationships between architectonic design and residential environmental evaluation through habitability, and family's social processes that are linked to sustainability. Practical and theoretical implications of the results are discussed.

A finales de los años ochenta, Mercado y González (1991) desarrollaron el concepto de habitabilidad, entendida ésta como la adecuación de un entorno construido para sus residentes, centrado en los entornos residenciales. La evidencia sugiere que la habitabilidad de una vivienda es un aspecto importante de la sostenibilidad social, puesto que afecta la calidad de vida de las familias, así como el clima social y la salud. En el presente trabajo nos dimos a la tarea de describir varios estudios que son compatibles con el modelo de habitabilidad; dicho modelo se considera una forma de evaluar los entornos residenciales en relación con un conjunto de variables de diseño y sus consecuencias para los habitantes. Se desarrolló el modelo por primera vez utilizando el escalamiento multidimensional, y luego se confirmó a través de Análisis de Ruta. El modelo muestra una medida global central de habitabilidad, así como tres grupos de variables que le rodean: las emocionales, las simbólicas, y las comportamentales. El modelo parece explicar las relaciones entre el diseño arquitectónico y la evaluación del entorno residencial a través de la habitabilidad y de los procesos sociales de la familia que están vinculados a la sostenibilidad. Se discuten las implicaciones prácticas y teóricas de los resultados.

Oral fibrosarcoma in a black iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata).

A case of oral fibrosarcoma in a 13-yr-old male black iguana (Ctenosaura pectinata) is reported here. The iguana exhibited new tissue formation involving a large part of the maxilla and hard palate, which histologically and ultrastructurally corresponded to a primary fibrosarcoma of the oral cavity. Although there are reports of fibrosarcomas in other reptiles, such as snakes and crocodiles, no reports of this neoplasm in the oral cavity of an iguana were reported, which suggests that it is either infrequent or infrequently sampled for histological diagnosis. As an isolated case in an adult iguana living at a conservation center, it is likely that this diagnosis is associated with advanced age. The prognosis is considered unfavorable.

Partitioning CO2 effluxes from an Atlantic pine forest soil between endogenous soil organic matter and recently incorporated 13C-enriched plant material.

Soil CO2 effluxes from recently added 13C-labeled phytomass versus endogenous soil organic matter (SOM) were studied in an acid soil from Atlantic pine forests (NW Spain). After several cultures to incorporate fresh 13C-enriched Lolium perenne to a Humic Cambisol with predominance of humus--Al over humus--Fe complexes, potential soil C mineralization was determined by laboratory aerobic incubation (84 days). Isotopic 13C analyses of SOM fractions were assessed to know in which organic compartments the 13C was preferentially incorporated. Although in the 13C-labeled soil the C mineralization coefficient totalized less than 3% of soil C, the 13C mineralization coefficient exceeded 14%, indicating a greater lability of the newly incorporated organic matter. Organic compounds coming from added phytomass showed a higher lability and contributed considerably to the total soil CO2 effluxes (52% of total soil CO2 evolved during the first decomposition stages and 27% at the end), even though added-C comprised less than 4% of total soil C. Good determination coefficients, when values of CO2--C released were fitted to a first-order double exponential kinetic model, support the existence of two C pools of different lability. Kinetic parameters obtained with this model indicated that phytomass addition augmented the biodegradability of the labile pool (instantaneous mineralization rate k increased from 0.07 d(-1) to 0.12 d(-1)) but diminished that of the recalcitrant pool (instantaneous mineralization rate h decreased from 2.7 x 10(-4) d(-1) to 1.6 x 10(-4) d(-1)). Consequently, the differentiation between both SOM pools increased, showing the importance of SOM quality on CO2 emissions from this kind of soil to the atmosphere.

13C-isotopic fingerprint of Pinus pinaster Ait. and Pinus sylvestris L. wood related to the quality of standing tree mass in forests from NW Spain.

Pine forest plantations of Pinus pinaster Ait. and P. sylvestris L. located in Galicia, NW Spain, were selected to study the 13C/12C-isotopic fingerprint in wood core samples in order to find possible relationships between the delta(13)C at natural abundance levels and the quality of the standing tree mass. For each pine species, 24 forests growing on acidic soils were studied: half developed over granite and half over schists. Two dominant trees from each plot, corresponding to all possible combinations of forest stands with high or low site index and with adults or young trees, were drilled at the basal part of trunks using a Pressler drill to obtain tree ring samples. The C-isotopic compositions of the litter and the soil organic matter from different soil depths were also determined and statistically significant correlations between these values and the 13C content of the wood were observed. Despite internal variations due to the influence of site index, tree age and parent material, the isotopic fingerprint of P. pinaster wood (mean value delta13C=-26.2+/-0.8 per thousand) significantly differed (P<0.001) from that of P. sylvestris (mean value delta13C=-24.6+/-0.7 per thousand). Relationships between the quality of the stand and the C-isotopic composition of the wood were observed, high quality stands having trees more 13C-depleted than low quality ones. A high correlation between wood delta13C and site index values for P. pinaster stands (r=-0.667, P<0.001) was found, this correlation being even clearer when only P. pinaster growing over schists (r=-0.833, P<0.001) are considered. Again, the correlation between the site index and the wood delta13C of young P. pinaster trees is higher when plots over granite or schists are separately considered. A similar fact occurs for adult P. sylvestris trees from schists stands, high quality specimens being 13C-depleted compared with low quality ones. On the other hand, 13C natural abundance of wood from P. sylvestris trees seems to be also strongly influenced by the underlying parent material, young trees from granite stands having a statistically higher 13C-isotopic composition (P<0.05) than young trees from schists stands.

Use of 13C to monitor soil organic matter transformations caused by a simulated forest fire.

Soil organic matter (SOM) transformations caused by heating were analyzed using the stable carbon isotope (13)C as a tracer to follow C mineralization dynamics and C transfers between different organic compartments. A (13)C-labelled soil, obtained by incorporation of (13)C-enriched Lolium perenne phytomass into a pine forest soil, was heated for 10 min at 385 degrees C to reproduce conditions typical of a forest fire and changes in total C content, potential C mineralization activity and C distribution between the different soil organic fractions were determined. Changes caused by heating on the potential soil C mineralization, determined by laboratory aerobic incubation, reveal alterations to the SOM biodegradability; some stabilized SOM showed an increase in biodegradability, whereas less stabilized SOM became more resistant to microorganisms. Chemical fractionations of SOM allowed us to monitor changes in its composition. As a consequence of heating, the less polymerized humic fractions were the most strongly affected, with the total disappearance of fulvic acids. A significant increase in the quantity and degree of polymerization of the humic acids at the expense of other more (13)C-enriched substances was also found. Finally, a large decrease in humin was observed, its solubilizable part disappearing completely, probably as a consequence of the incorporation of the byproducts into the free organic matter fraction.

40-year experience in surgical treatment of congenital chest deformations--ethiopathogenesis, operative techniques and clinical results.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to assess the results of surgical treatment of 58 patients with pectus excavatum and 11 with pectus carinatum and discuss the problems connected with ethiopathogenesis and operative techniques. MATERIAL: 69 chest deformations treated between 1961-2001. METHODS: The clinical results were analyzed with 1) Kopera-Król Rtg-index, 2) Gizycka's Rtg-index of chest flattening, 3) Haller and Nakahara CT-index, 4) Heart position after operation, 5) Frequency of upper respiratory infections, 6) Appearance of postoperative scar, 7) Patient's opinion. Histopathological investigations were used to assess ethiopathogenesis of chest deformations. RESULTS: 90% permanent correction achieved in group of patients operated in the age from 12 to 17. Otherwise we noted between the patients who were operated in the age from 6 to 10-37% recurrence of deformity. Generally we had 70% excellent and good results. The opinion of patients (including cosmetics effects, psychical state and exercise tolerance) was much better-86.6%. Particularly correction of pectus carinatum gives good cosmetics effects as well as improvement of exercise tolerance. DISCUSSION: Nuss modified correction employing a substernal stabilizing plate is an alternative for transsternal traction in the classical Ravitsch' procedure. Authors present advantages and disadvantages of both methods. The optimal age for surgical correction and inter and post operative procedure are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Ethipathogenesis of pectus excavatum and carinatum remains unsettled. Disturbances in endochondral ossification and growth of costal cartilage seem to be more probable cause of the deformities than diaphragm underdevelopment. Mild and severe forms of the two deformities result in circulatory-respiratory malfunctions, cosmetic defects and psychical problems. Due to possible circulatory-respiratory disorder, appropriate premedication as well as intra- and postoperative monitoring of RR, ECG, O2, CO2 are very important on the first day after the surgery. Ravistch-Garnier procedure for pectus excavatum and Chen procedure for pectus carinatum remain operations of choice. Transsternal traction can be replaced with internal stabilisation with a bar placed under the sternum what considerably reduces the time of hospitalisation but requires one more hospitalisation to remove the bar. Correction of pectus carinatum is permanent, correction of pectus excavatum turned out to be permanent in 90% cases providing that they were performed in patients aged 12-16. When patients were at the age 6-10, recurrence of the deformity occurred in 37% of cases. According to the clinical assessment, in both age groups, the proportion of very good or good scores equalled 70% and according to patient's evaluation--86.6%.

Insight into the partial oxidation of propene: the reactions of 2-propen-1-ol on clean and O-covered Mo(110).

The reactions of 2-propen-1-ol (allyl alcohol) were studied on clean and O-covered Mo(110) to understand the effect of resonance stabilization and the presence of surface oxygen on reaction selectivity. Propene is the only gaseous hydrocarbon product evolved from allyl alcohol reaction on O-covered Mo(110). Water and dihydrogen are also produced, along with a small amount of adsorbed carbon. We estimated, using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, that approximately 70% of the 0.11 ML of 2-propen-1-ol that reacts forms propene. In contrast, the dominant reaction pathway on the clean surface is nonselective decomposition to adsorbed carbon and hydrogen, leading to a 23% selectivity for propene formation. On both clean and O-covered Mo(110), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy identify allyloxy as the reaction intermediate yielding propene. These results are discussed in the context of propene oxidation and periodic trends in reactivity.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and nitrotyrosine during the evolution of experimental pulmonary tuberculosis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a relevant antimycobacterial factor in mouse macrophages. NO is a product of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). NO toxicity is greatly enhanced by reacting with superoxide to form peroxynitrite that reacts with many biological molecules. Tyrosine is one of the molecules with which NO reacts and the product is nitrotyrosine (NT). The production of peroxynitrite and the nitrosylation of proteins might play a role in bacterial killing and also in mediating host injury. In this study, we used a well-characterized mouse model of pulmonary tuberculosis to examine the local kinetics of expression and cellular distribution of iNOS and NT at the cellular and subcellular level. The histopathological study showed two phases of the disease: early and late. The early phase was characterized by mononuclear inflammation and granuloma formation. During this phase, high percentages of activated macrophages were observed that were immunostained for iNOS and NT. Immuno-electronmicroscopy showed NT immunoreactivity in lysosomes and mycobacterial wall and cytoplasm. The concentration of iNOS mRNA and NO metabolites were also elevated. The late phase was characterized by progressive pneumonia with focal necrosis and a decrease of iNOS mRNA and NO metabolites. The strongest NT immunostained areas were the necrotic tissue. Macrophages became foamy cells with scarce iNOS immunostaining but strong NT immunoreactivity. At the ultrastructural level, these cells showed NT immunolabeling in cytoskeleton, mitochondria, lysosomes and cell membrane. NT was also located in bronchial epithelial cell mitochondria, in cell membranes and cytoplasm of endothelial cells and in actin bundles within smooth muscle cells. These results suggest an important role of NO in mycobacterial killing, particularly during the early phase of the infection. They also suggest an important participation by NO in tissue damage during the late phase of the disease.

[Tibia vara infantum--long-term results]. / Tibia vara infantum--odlegle wyniki leczenia.

We are presenting 23 patients with infantile tibia vara (Blount disease) treated with proximal tibial osteotomy between 1968 and 1992. Average age at the osteotomy was 6 years and 4 months. Average age at the final follow-up was 20 years and 5 months. Average length of follow-up was 14 years. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. The main complaint at the final check-up was pain. Correction of the lower leg alignment did not guarantee good knee function. Horizontal orientation of the knee joint line seems to influence greatly the knee function. Patients operated on before the age of 5 were pain free with good knee form and function. In majority of those either operated on late or with recurrence of deformity early degenerative changes ensued.

Acetabular wall deficiency in primary and secondary total hip replacement.

Thirty-eight cases of reconstruction of acetabular wall deficiency in primary and secondary total hip replacement were evaluated according to Merle d'Aubigne-Postel and Gruen's ratings, after a follow-up of between 1 and 8 years. 16 of them were considered very good, 11 good, 7 fair and 4 poor.The reconstructions were performed by inserting cemented Weller's or cementless Parhoffer-Mönch's or Mittelmeier's cups, depending on patients age and the nature of the lesion.In dysplastic hips the bone stock deficiency of the anterior wall and the roof were reconstructed with the use of massive autogenous cortical bone graft fixed with screws.In cases of Otto-Chrobak disease and in protrusions of Austin-Moore's prostheses, cancellous auto- or allogenous bone grafts healed correctly even after implantation of cemented sockets.The reconstruction of the acetabulum in an intrapelvic protrusion of the endoprosthesis, especially cemented ones, was always technically difficult, threatening the vessels and intrapelvic organs. This operation requires good experience as well as:-thorough radiographic diagnosis (CT, angiography external iliac artery and vein),-an appropriate surgical approach,-the use of a sufficient amount of cortico-cancellous bone auto- or allograft,-implantation of cemented or cementless cups depending on the patient's age,-restriction of weight-bearing even up to 5 months. In old patients, an alternative to full reconstruction is to remove the endoprosthesis and to leave a hanging hip (Girdlestone pseudarthrosis).

[Enoxaparin (clexane) in the prevention of thromboembolism after total hip replacement]. / Enoxaparyna (clexane) w zapobieganiu powiklaniom zakrzepowo-zatorwym po calkowitej endoprotezoplastyce stawu biodrowego.

The efficiency and safety of use of enoxaparin (clexane Rhone-Poulenc Rorer) in antithrombotic prophylaxis after total hip replacement is presented. The subcutaneous dose of 40 mg daily proved to be highly efficient and of minor side-effects.

Coxa vara infantum, hip growth disturbances, etiopathogenesis, and long-term results of treatment.

The literature concerning coxa vara infantum (CVI) contains only a few long-term follow-up reports of the treatment. This study was performed to define the clinical and roentgenographic features of coxa vara infantum (CVI) in children and skeletally mature patients. Special attention was given in follow-up evaluations to the growth and impairment of the hip joint (acetabulum, femoral head, and neck) before and after operative treatment in different age groups. Because in difficult cases the results of subtrochanteric osteotomy have not been satisfactory and have led to recurrences, the use of overcorrecting of the neck-shaft angle value into valgus position has been adopted. To gain further insight into etiopathogenesis of CVI, histologic investigations were carried out. These investigations revealed growth and endochondral ossification disorders. Similar changes found in the growth zone of the iliac bone seem to indicate that the ossification disturbances are multifocal. Expansion of the fibrous connective and calluslike tissues is evidence of the overload syndrome in CVI.

New refractive method for laser thermal keratoplasty with the Co:MgF2 laser.

We have observed corneal curvature changes from laser thermal keratoplasty with a Co:MgF2 laser. We studied corneal curvature changes in rabbits and have identified specific treatment patterns and laser parameters that can correct myopia and astigmatism. These corneal changes, some as large as 8 diopters, have been stable for at least one year, and slitlamp examination demonstrates clear central corneas with normal appearance.

[Arthrodesis of the hip joint as a treatment of degenerative changes--anachronism or an alternative for endoprosthetic arthroplasty?]. / Usztywnienie stawu biodrowego w leczeniu jego zmian zwyrodnieniowych--anachronizm czy alternatywa endoprotezoplastyki?

On the basis of the observation of 22 patients with arthrodesis of the hip (the average age -- 34 years), the value of the method in the treatment of osteoarthritis that joint has been discussed. The comparison of intraarticular arthrodesis with stable compression with pelvis osteotomy and stabilization by the "cobra" plate has proved that the second method is better because of elimination of immobilization by a plaster cast and low percentage of complications of union. The clinical analysis of the majority of the patients has not revealed negative influence of arthrodesis on the other hip, the lumbar spine and the knee. Arthrodesis of the hip has improved walking efficiency and ability to work in 17 from 22 patients. Very good and good results have been obtained in 16 patients, fair in 3, and poor in 3.

Chrono-coherent imaging for medicine.

We describe a new method for imaging with visible and near visible light inside media, such as tissues, which have strong light scattering. The chrono-coherent imaging (CCI) method is demonstrated in this paper for a transmission geometry where an absorbing object is completely hidden from normal visual observation by light scattering of the media. The resultant images are most similar to X rays, with cumulative transmission showing absorption features and refractive index differences in the media. We discuss laser coherence properties, coherence measurements, the relation of CCI to light-inflight holography, holographic film properties relevant to CCI, a particular optical setup for CCI, the results of a demonstration experiment imaging an absorbing object hidden by light scattering, and an experiment to estimate the clinical applicability of CCI.