Teaching Competencies in Nursing Professors: Visions of Students and Academics / Competencias docentes en profesores de Enfermería: visión de alumnos y académicos

Objective. This work sought to know the view of Nursing professors and students about the competencies the faculty staff must have to deploy their educational function with maximum quality and efficiency. Methods. Descriptive qualitative study through focus groups conducted with professors, students and recent Nursing career graduates from universities in Spain. Results. The importance of the proposed teaching competencies was delved into, highlighting the importance of professors knowing the context in which they teach, having the ability to self-evaluate their activity, and having adequate interpersonal communication skills, and deploy the teaching-learning process by performing proper planning, using new technologies, and knowing how to engage in teamwork. Moreover, a small discrepancy was detected in relation to disciplinary competence, which students felt was of importance, but which academics indicated is taken for granted in nursing professors; competencies directly related to the act of teaching must be enhanced. Conclusion.Practical unanimity was found between academics and students in affirming that the competencies investigated are important for adequate development of the teaching activity in nursing professors. In all cases, the urgent need was highlighted for nursing professors to have adequate teaching training to provide their students with formation of the highest quality.

Objetivo. Conocer la visión de profesores y alumnos de Enfermería acerca de las competencias que deben presentar los docentes para desplegar su función educativa con la máxima calidad y eficacia. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo cualitativo a través de grupos focales realizados con profesores, alumnos y recién egresados del Grado en Enfermería de universidades de España. Resultados. Se profundizó en la importancia de las competencias docentes propuestas, destacando la relevancia de que los profesores conozcan el contexto en el que desarrollan la docencia, tengan la habilidad de autoevaluar su actividad, dispongan de unas adecuadas habilidades de comunicación interpersonal, y desplieguen el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje realizando una correcta planificación, empleando las nuevas tecnologías y sabiendo trabajar en equipo. Por otro lado, se detectó una pequeña discrepancia con relación a la competencia disciplinar, a la que los estudiantes brindaron una gran importancia, pero que los académicos indicaron que se da por supuesta en los profesores enfermeros, debiendo ser potenciadas las competencias directamente relacionadas con el acto docente. Conclusión. Se ha hallado una práctica unanimidad entre académicos y estudiantes en afirmar que las competencias investigadas son importantes para un adecuado desarrollo de la actividad docente en los profesores de Enfermería. En todos los casos, se destacó la imperiosa necesidad de que los profesores de Enfermería dispongan de una adecuada capacitación docente para poder brindar a sus estudiantes una formación de la máxima calidad.

Teaching Competencies in Nursing Professors: Visions of Students and Academics.

Objective: This work sought to know the view of Nursing professors and students about the competencies the faculty staff must have to deploy their educational function with maximum quality and efficiency. Methods: Descriptive qualitative study through focus groups conducted with professors, students and recent Nursing career graduates from universities in Spain. Results: The importance of the proposed teaching competencies was delved into, highlighting the importance of professors knowing the context in which they teach, having the ability to self-evaluate their activity, and having adequate interpersonal communication skills, and deploy the teaching-learning process by performing proper planning, using new technologies, and knowing how to engage in teamwork. Moreover, a small discrepancy was detected in relation to disciplinary competence, which students felt was of importance, but which academics indicated is taken for granted in nursing professors; competencies directly related to the act of teaching must be enhanced. Conclusion: . Practical unanimity was found between academics and students in affirming that the competencies investigated are important for adequate development of the teaching activity in nursing professors. In all cases, the urgent need was highlighted for nursing professors to have adequate teaching training to provide their students with formation of the highest quality.

Felicidad en enfermeras durante su actividad profesional / Happiness in nurses during their professional activity

Objetivo: conocer la visión de enfermeras de la Comunidad de Madrid sobre la vivencia de la profesión y el impacto que esta tiene en su felicidad. Método: estudio cualitativo fenomenológico realizado en enfermeras de la Comunidad de Madrid, las cuales fueron seleccionadas de manera intencional, buscando profesionales en activo de las principales áreas de ejercicio profesional. La recogida de la información se efectuó a través de entrevista semiestructurada. Tras la transcripción literal se procedió al análisis (codificación y generación de categorías y subcategorías). Fueron utilizados los criterios de credibilidad, transferencia, consistencia y confirmabilidad de Lincoln para garantizar la calidad del estudio. Resultados: los y las enfermeras participantes manifestaron que iniciaron sus estudios por vocación, siendo el acto de cuidar a los demás el motor de su felicidad laboral. Por otra parte, uno de los factores que impactan de manera directa en desarrollar sentimientos de frustración, insatisfacción e infelicidad en el trabajo es la falta de tiempo suficiente para brindar unos cuidados de calidad a sus pacientes, ya sea por falta de personal o por exceso de carga de trabajo. Conclusión: si bien en el ámbito individual, los y las profesionales de Enfermería son felices en el cuidado íntimo y cercano a los pacientes y sus familiares, en el ámbito colectivo, la profesión parece estar viviendo un momento de desafección e infelicidad, principalmente motivadas por aspectos externos a la propia prestación de estos cuidados, como son la gestión que se efectúa de su ejercicio diario y la imagen que existe sobre la profesión.(AU)

Objective: to understand the point of view of nurses in the Community of Madrid about their professional experience and its impact on their happiness. Method: a qualitative phenomenological study conducted in nurses from the Community of Madrid, who were purposively selected, looking for professionals currently working in the main areas of professional activity. Data collection was conducted through semistructured interviews. After verbatim transcription, there was subsequent analysis (coding and generation of categories and subcategories). Lincoln’s credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability criteria were used to guarantee the quality of the study. Results: the participating nurses claimed that they started studying by vocation, and the act of caring for others was the driver for their happiness at work. On the other hand, one of the factors with direct impact on the development of feelings of frustration, dissatisfaction and unhappiness at work was the lack of enough time to offer quality care to their patients, either due to lack of staff or excessive workload. Conclusion: although nursing professionals in their individual setting are happy in terms of personal and close care for patients and relatives, the profession seems to be going through a moment of disaffection and unhappiness in the collective setting, and this is mainly caused by aspects external to this provision of care, such as the management of their daily practice and the existing image of the profession.(AU)

Reproducibility and Applicability of Traditional Strength Training Prescription Recommendations.

Background: The aim of this study was to verify the reproducibility of a resistance training protocol in the bench press (BP) exercise, based on traditional recommendations, analysing the effect of the muscle fatigue of each set and of the whole exercise protocol. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, thirty male physical education students were divided into three groups according to their relative strength ratio (RSR), and they performed a 1RM BP test (T1). In the second session (T2), which was one week after T1, the participants performed a BP exercise protocol of three sets with the maximum number of repetitions (MNR) possible to muscle failure, using a relative load corresponding to 70% 1RM determined through the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) obtained from the individual load−velocity relationship, with 2 min rests between sets. Two weeks later, a third session (T3) identical to the second session (T2) was performed. The MPV of each repetition of each set and the blood lactate level after each set were calculated, and mechanical fatigue was quantified through the velocity loss percentage of the set (% loss MPV) and in a pre-post exercise test with an individual load that could be lifted at ~1 m·s−1 of MPV. Results: The number of repetitions performed in each set was significantly different (MNR for the total group of participants: set 1 = 12.50 ± 2.19 repetitions, set 2 = 6.06 ± 1.98 repetitions and set 3 = 4.20 ± 1.99 repetitions), showing high variation coefficients in each of the sets and between groups according to RSR. There were significant differences also in MPVrep Best (set 1 = 0.62 ± 0.10 m·s−1, set 2 = 0.42 ± 0.07 m·s−1, set 3 = 0.36 ± 0.10 m·s−1), which significantly reduced the % loss MPV of all sets (set 1 = 77.4%, set 2 = 64%, set 3 = 54.2%). The lactate levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) (set 1 = 4.9 mmo·L−1, set 2 = 6 mmo·L−1, set 3 = 6.5 mmo·L−1), and MPV loss at 1 m·s−1 after performing the three sets was 36% in T2 and 34% in T3, with acceptable intrasubject variability (MPV at 1 m·s−1 pre-exercise: SEM ≤ 0.09 m·s−1, CV = 9.8%; MPV at 1 m·s−1 post-exercise: SEM ≤ 0.07 m·s−1, CV = 11.7%). Conclusions: These exercise propositions are difficult to reproduce and apply. Moreover, the number of repetitions performed in each set was significantly different, which makes it difficult to define and control the intensity of the exercise. Lastly, the fatigue generated in each set could have an individual response depending on the capacity of each subject to recover from the preceding maximum effort.

Analysis of the Use and Applicability of Different Variables for the Prescription of Relative Intensity in Bench Press Exercise.

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the use of variables such as % of one-repetition maximum (1RM) and number of maximal repetitions (xRM) with execution velocity to define and control the intensity of resistance training in bench press exercise. Hence, exercise professionals will achieve better control of training through a greater understanding of its variables. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, fifty male physical education students were divided into four groups according to their relative strength ratio (RSR) and performed a 1RM bench press test (T1). In the second test, participants performed repetitions to exhaustion (T2), using a relative load corresponding to 70% 1RM determined through the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) obtained from the individual load-velocity relationship. This same test was repeated a week later (T3). Tests were monitored according to the MPV of each repetition and blood lactate values (LACT). Results: Regarding MPV, the best (fastest) repetition of the set (MPVrep Best) values were similar between groups (0.62 m·s-1-0.64 m·s-1), with significant differences in relation to the high RSR group (p < 0.001). The average maximum number of repetitions (MNR) was 12.38 ± 2.51, with no significant differences between the RSR groups. Nonetheless, significant variation existed between groups with regards to MNR (CV: 13-29%), with greater variability in the group corresponding to the lowest RSR values (CV: 29%). The loss of velocity in the MNR test in the different groups was similar (p > 0.05). Average LACT values (5.72 mmol·L-1) showed significant differences between the Medium RSR and Very Low RSR groups. No significant differences were found (p > 0.05) between T2 and T3 with regards to MNR, MPVrep Best, or MPVrep Last, with little variability seen between participants. Conclusions: The use of variables such as the 1RM, estimated using an absolute load value, or an MNR do not allow an adequate degree of precision to prescribe and control the relative intensity of resistance training. Besides, execution velocity control can offer an adequate alternative to guarantee an accurate prescription of intensity with regard to resistance training.

Caracterización de pacientes postoperados de cirugías electivas que ingresan a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital de Clínicas / Characterization of elective surgery post-operative patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Hospital de Clínicas

El ingreso a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) de un paciente post operado es para optimizar el estado clínico corrigiendo trastornos relacionados con el estrés quirúrgico y las complicaciones intraoperatorias. El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar los pacientes post operados que ingresaron a la UCI. Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal en 163 pacientes post operados de cirugías electivas que ingresaron a UCI. La muestra representó el 4,6% de las cirugías electivas. El 94,5% fueron ingresos previstos y el 5,5% imprevistos. Dentro de los casos previstos (n=154), el 68% ingresaron estables y extubados para monitoreo, el 19% por inestabilidad hemodinámica y el 13% por imposibilidad de extubación. El promedio de días de internación en la UCI fue 4 ± 3 días. 7 pacientes fallecieron (4,3%). En conclusión, se encontró una alta frecuencia de ingresos previstos. La mayoría fueron para un monitoreo postoperatorio por la envergadura de la cirugía o por las comorbilidades del paciente. La mayoría de los pacientes ingresaron hemodinámicamente estables y extubados. Los servicios que más ingresos requirieron fueron Cirugía General y Neurocirugía. El tiempo promedio de internación fue 4 días. La mortalidad fue 4,3%

The admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a post-operative patient is to optimize clinical status by correcting disorders related to surgical stress and intraoperative complications. The objective of the study was to characterize the post-operated patients who entered to the ICU. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 163 post-operative patients of elective surgeries that entered ICU. The sample represented the 4.6% of elective surgeries, 94.5% was planned admissions and 5.5% unexpected. Within the expected cases (n-154), 68% entered stable and extubated for monitoring, 19% for hemodynamic instability and 13% for impossibility of extubation. The average number of days of ICU internment were 4 ± 3 days and seven patients died (4,3%). In conclusion, a high frequency of expected admissions was found. Most of them were for postoperative monitoring by the size of the surgery or by the patient's comorbidity. Most patients entered hemodynamically stable and extubated. The services that required most admittances were General Surgery and Neurosurgery. The average hospitalization time were 4 days and mortality was 4.3%

Bicipital groove cross-sectional area on ultrasonography: Does a correlation to intra-articular tendon pathology exist?

BACKGROUND: The etiology and relevance of long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) pathology is debated. As it can have important therapeutic consequences and physical examination can be misleading, various morphologic parameters have been described to try to predict it. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that bicipital groove cross-sectional area (CSA), as assessed by ultrasonography, could be related to intra-articular tendon pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive consenting patients who underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery at our hospital were selected. Diagnosis consisted mainly of rotator cuff tears, but also of anterior instability and subacromial impingement. Before surgery, ultrasonography was performed to measure width, depth and cross-sectional area of the bicipital groove. LHBT pathology was assessed during arthroscopy and classified as tendinopathy, partial disruption or complete tear and correlated to the ultrasonography measurements. RESULTS: Bicipital groove width was of 6.7±1.2mm in patients with a normal LHBT and 7.3±1.9mm with patients with an abnormal LHBT (p=0.234). Bicipital groove depth was of 3.5±0.5mm in patients with a normal LHBT and 3.7±1.1mm with patients with an abnormal LHBT (p=0.251). Bicipital groove CSA was of 16.6±4.5 mm2 in patients with a normal LHBT and 19.1±7.1 mm2 with patients with an abnormal LHBT (p=0.108). CONCLUSION: Our results do not support any correlation between LHBT pathology and the bicipital groove CSA, even though this measurement, as its width and depth, are somewhat higher in patients with a LHBT injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I; diagnostic study.

Anestesia en paciente pediátrico con Síndrome de Treacher Collins / Anesthesia in pediatric patient with Treacher Collins Syndrome

El Síndrome de Treacher Collins (STC) constituye un reto para el anestesiólogo por malformaciones craneofaciales que complican el manejo de su vía aérea e intubación. Presentamos el caso de una paciente (8 años) con diagnóstico de STC que debía someterse a una cirugía de colocación de implante de conducción ósea bajo anestesia general. Presentaba un antecedente de intubación difícil, marcada micrognatia y distancia tiromentoniana de 2 cm. Se planteó un esquema de intubación en dos etapas secuenciales. En la primera etapa se realizó una evaluación de la vía aérea (visualización de la glotis) bajo sedación con dexmedetomidina, remifentanilo y propofol. Al visualizar la glotis se pasó a la segunda etapa para realizar la intubación posterior a la inducción anestésica. El manejo exitoso se fundamentó en una sedación adecuada y la utilización de un videolaringoscopio con pala curva para la evaluación previa de la vía aérea y posterior intubación sin complicaciones.

Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) constitutes a challenge for the anesthesiologist due to craniofacial malformations that make management of the airway and intubation difficult. We present a case of a patient (8-year-old) diagnosed with TCS who had to undergo surgery for the placement of a bone conduction implant under general anesthesia. She had a history of difficult intubation, marked micrognathia and a thyromental distance of 2 cm. An intubation scheme in two sequential stages was proposed. In the first stage, an evaluation of the airway (visualization of the glottis) was carried out under sedation with dexmedetomidine, remifentanil and propofol. When the glottis was visualized, we proceeded to the second stage to carry out intubation after anesthetic induction. The successful management of this case was based on adequate sedation and the use of a video laryngoscope with a curved blade for prior evaluation of the airway and subsequent intubation without complications.

Anestesia en paciente pediátrico con Síndrome de Treacher Collins / Anesthesia in a pediatric patient withTreacher Collins Syndrome / Anestesia em paciente pediátrico com Síndrome de Treacher Collins

El Síndrome de Treacher Collins (STC) constituye un reto para el anestesiólogo por malformaciones craneofaciales que complican el manejo de su vía aérea e intubación. Presentamos el caso de una paciente (8 años) con diagnóstico de STC que debía someterse a una cirugía de colocación de implante de conducción ósea bajo anestesia general. Presentaba un antecedente de intubación difícil, marcada micrognatia y distancia tiromentoniana de 2 cm. Se planteó un esquema de intubación en dos etapas secuenciales. En la primera etapa se realizó una evaluación de la vía aérea (visualización de la glotis) bajo sedación con dexmedetomidina, remifentanilo y propofol. Al visualizar la glotis se pasó a la segunda etapa para realizar la intubación posterior a la inducción anestésica.El manejo exitoso se fundamentó en una sedación adecuada y la utilización de un videolaringoscopio con pala curva para la evaluación previa de la vía aérea y posterior intubación sin complicaciones

Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) constitutes a challenge for the anesthesiologist due to craniofacial malformations that make management of the airway and intubation difficult. We present a case of a patient (8-year-old) diagnosed with TCS who had to undergo surgery for the placement of a bone conduction implant under general anesthesia. She had a history of difficult intubation, marked micrognathia and a thyromental distance of 2 cm. An intubation scheme in two sequential stages was proposed. In the first stage, an evaluation of the airway (visualization of the glottis) was carried out under sedation with dexmedetomidine, remifentanil and propofol. When the glottis was visualized, we proceeded to the second stage to carry out intubation after anesthetic induction.The successful management of this case was based on adequate sedation and the use of a video laryngoscope with a curved blade for prior evaluation of the airway and subsequent intubation without complications

A síndrome de Treacher Collins (STC) constitui um desafio para o anestesiologista devido às malformações craniofaciais que dificultam o manejo da via aérea e a intubação. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente (8 anos) com diagnóstico de STC que foi submetida a uma cirurgia para colocação de implante de condução óssea sob anestesia geral. Ela tinha história de intubação difícil, micrognatia acentuada e distância tiromentoniana de 2 cm. Foi proposto um esquema de intubação em duas etapas sequenciais. Na primeira etapa, foi realizada avaliação das vias aéreas (visualização da glote) sob sedação com dexmedetomidina, remifentanil e propofol. Quando a glote foi visualizada, a segunda etapa foi realizada para realização da intubação após a indução anestésica. O manejo bem-sucedido baseou-se na sedação adequada e no uso de videolaringoscópio com lâmina curva para avaliação prévia da via aérea e posterior intubação sem complicações

Degradation of 2-mercaptobenzothizaole in microbial electrolysis cells: Intermediates, toxicity, and microbial communities.

The compound 2-mercaptobenzothizaole (MBT) has been frequently detected in wastewater and surface water and is a potential threat to both aquatic organisms and human health (its mutagenic potential has been demonstrated). This study investigated the degradation routes of MBT in the anode of a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) and the involved microbial communities. The results indicated that graphene-modified anodes promoted the presence of more enriched, developed, and specific communities compared to bare anodes. Moreover, consecutive additions of the OH substituent to the benzene ring of MBT were only detected in the reactor equipped with the graphene-treated electrode. Both phenomena, together with the application of an external voltage, may be related to the larger reduction of biotoxicity observed in the MEC equipped with graphene-modified anodes (46.2 eqtox∙m-3 to 27.9 eqtox∙m-3).

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty for Treatment of 3- and 4-Part Proximal Humeral Fractures: Clinical and Radiological Analysis With Minimum Follow-Up of 2 Years.

BACKGROUND: Hemiarthroplasty has been associated with inferior and unpredictable outcomes when used in the treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients. In this age-group, reverse shoulder arthroplasty is gaining popularity due to the promising results presented in recent evidence. Our aim is to analyze the cases of complex proximal humeral fractures treated by reverse shoulder arthroplasty, regarding functional results and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five fractures from 33 patients with the mean age of 73.5 (65-81) years were treated with reverse shoulder arthroplasty for complex fractures of the proximal humerus. These patients were followed for a mean of 38.3 months (24-68) and analyzed regarding clinical outcomes and complications. RESULTS: The average Quick-Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were 6.8 points and 78.3%, respectively. The mean Constant score on the affected side was 64.4 points, 19.5% less than the nonoperated side. The mean active elevation was 123°, abduction 109°, external rotation 38°, and internal rotation 41°. The radiographic tuberosity healing rate was 85.7%. There were no significant differences in outcomes, between patient with healed and reabsorbed tuberosities. Inferior scapular notching was seen in 8 patients. The global complication rate was 12.8%. CONCLUSION: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty yields good and reproductive results with acceptable complication rates in selected elderly patients with complex proximal humeral fractures.

Tumor-Associated Fibroblasts Promote HER2-Targeted Therapy Resistance through FGFR2 Activation.

PURPOSE: Despite the therapeutic success of existing HER2-targeted therapies, tumors invariably relapse. This study aimed at identifying new mechanisms responsible for HER2-targeted therapy resistance. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We have used a platform of HER2-targeted therapy-resistant cell lines and primary cultures of healthy and tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAF) to identify new potential targets related to tumor escape from anti-HER2 therapies. RESULTS: We have shown that TAFs promote resistance to HER2-targeted therapies. TAFs produce and secrete high levels of FGF5, which induces FGFR2 activation in the surrounding breast cancer cells. FGFR2 transactivates HER2 via c-Src, leading to resistance to HER2-targeted therapies. In vivo, coinoculating nonresistant cell lines with TAFs results in more aggressive and resistant tumors. Resistant cells activate fibroblasts and secrete FGFR ligands, creating a positive feedback loop that fuels resistance. FGFR2 inhibition not only inhibits HER2 activation, but also induces apoptosis in cells resistant to HER2-targeted therapies. In vivo, inhibitors of FGFR2 reverse resistance and resensitize resistant cells to HER2-targeted therapies. In HER2 patients' samples, α-SMA, FGF5, and FGFR2 contribute to poor outcome and correlate with c-Src activation. Importantly, expression of FGF5 and phospho-HER2 correlated with a reduced pathologic complete response rate in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant trastuzumab, which highlights the significant role of TAFs/FGF5 in HER2 breast cancer progression and resistance. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified the TAF/FGF5/FGFR2/c-Src/HER2 axis as an escape pathway responsible for HER2-targeted therapy resistance in breast cancer, which can be reversed by FGFR inhibitors.

Diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests directed to the long head of biceps tendon in a surgical population: a combination of old and new tests.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to examine the clinical utility of old and new clinical tests directed to the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) and to quantify the importance of proper test interpretation. METHODS: A consecutive 65 patients scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery were selected. Before surgery, 5 clinical tests were performed: Speed, Yergason, upper cut, biceps resisted flexion (BRF), and modified BRF (mBRF) using a dumbbell. Pain in an area other than the bicipital groove was noted. The presence of LHBT disease was assessed at arthroscopy, and the clinical utility of the tests was calculated. RESULTS: The upper cut test was the most sensitive test and the one with the lowest negative likelihood ratio (0.90 and 0.26, respectively); the Yergason test was the most specific and the one with the highest positive likelihood ratio (0.83 and 2.20, respectively). BRF strength did not correlate with an LHBT lesion. The mBRF test has a sensitivity of 0.34 and a specificity of 0.75. Higher age predicted an increased risk of an LHBT lesion (1.2 times). Different interpretations of the tests can result in a difference of up to 29 percentage points in performance (ie, sensitivity). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the upper cut test should be used as a screening test and that after a positive result, the Speed and the Yergason tests should be used as confirmatory tests.

Visión de la felicidad de profesionales de Enfermería en el desarrollo de su práctica profesional / View of happiness among nurses in the development of their professional practice

Objetivo: explorar la vivencia de la profesión enfermera y el impacto que esta tiene en la felicidad. Método: estudio cualitativo desarrollado a través de un grupo de discusión. Se realizó un muestreo intencional buscando perfiles representativos de la realidad enfermera en función del ámbito profesional, género, edad y años de experiencia, estableciendo como criterios de inclusión que los participantes fueran trabajadores en activo y desempeñaran su actividad profesional en la Comunidad de Madrid. Resultados: se encontraron cuatro categorías: definición de felicidad, felicidad con la profesión, factores relacionados con la felicidad en la profesión enfermera y perspectivas de futuro. Los participantes describen que lo que hace felices a las enfermeras es el cuidado del otro, el trato cercano y directo con los pacientes, sin influir el ámbito de trabajo o servicio donde desarrollan su labor, siempre que haya sido elegido por ellas. Finalmente, destacan que en el ámbito colectivo hay una situación de desafección profesional, principalmente motivada por la estructura donde trabajan y la gestión que se realiza de su trabajo. Conclusión: en el ámbito individual, el acto de cuidar a otro se ve como el factor fundamental que genera felicidad en las enfermeras, no presentando influencia el ámbito donde se desarrolla, siempre y cuando sean estas las que tengan el control de su vida profesional y el ambiente sea el adecuado. Sin embargo, desde un punto de vista colectivo, la profesión enfermera parece estar viviendo un momento de infelicidad, principalmente motivado por aspectos estructurales y de gestión de su actividad laboral

Objective: to explore the experience of the Nursing profession and its impact on happiness. Method: a qualitative study conducted through a discussion group. Intentional sampling was conducted, looking for profiles representative of the Nursing reality, based on their professional setting, gender, age, and years of experience. The inclusion criteria established were: participants should be currently working, and conducting their professional activity in the Community of Madrid. Results: four categories were found: definition of happiness, happiness with the profession, factors associated with happiness in the Nursing profession, and future prospects. The participants described that what makes nurses happy is caring for others, the close and direct contact with patients, without any influence by the setting of work or unit where they conducted their work, as long as it had been chosen by them. Finally, they pointed out that in the collective setting there is a situation of professional disaffection, mainly motivated by the structure where they work and the management of their work. Conclusion: in the individual setting, the act of caring for others is seen as the essential factor that generates happiness in nurses, without any influence by the setting where this is conducted, as long as nurses have control over their professional life and the environment is adequate. However, from a collective point of view, the nursing profession seems to be going through a moment of unhappiness, mainly motivated by structural and management aspects regarding their work activity

Impact of the start-up process on the microbial communities in biocathodes for electrosynthesis.

This study seeks to understand how the bacterial communities that develop on biocathodes are influenced by inocula diversity and electrode potential during start-up. Two different inocula are used: one from a highly diverse environment (river mud) and the other from a low diverse milieu (anaerobic digestion). In addition, both inocula were subjected to two different polarising voltages: oxidative (+0.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and reductive (-0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl). Bacterial communities were analysed by means of high throughput sequencing. Possible syntrophic interactions and competitions between archaea and eubacteria were described together with a discussion of their potential role in product formation and current production. The results confirmed that reductive potentials lead to an inconsistent start-up procedure regardless of the inoculum used. However, imposing oxidative potentials help to quickly develop an electroactive biofilm ready to withstand reductive potentials (i.e. biocathodic operation). The microbial structure that finally developed on them was highly dependent on the raw community present in the inoculum. Using a non-specialised inoculum resulted in a highly specialised biofilm, which was accompanied by an improved performance in terms of consumed current and product generation. Interestingly, a much more specialised inoculum promoted a rediversification in the biofilm, with a lower general cell performance.

Influencia del solvente de extracción en el contenido fenólico y nivel de capacidad antioxidante de un suplemento alimenticio comercial de hojas de Moringa oleifera / Influence of extraction solvent on phenolic content and antioxidant capacity level of a commercial food supplement from Moringa oleifera leaves

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of extraction solvent on phenolic compounds content (total phenols, total flavonoids) and antioxidant capacity levels (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) of a commercial food supplement from Moringa oleifera leaves. The content of total phenols, total flavonoids and total non-flavonoids ranged from 55.98 to 226.20 mg ChlAE/g, from 17.63 to 23.46 mg CatE/g and from 38.34 to 202.73 mg CatE/g mg/g, respectively, while condensed tannins were not detected in none of the extracts. Non-flavonoids compounds were the most abundant group of phenolics in all the extracts ranging from 68 to 90% of the total phenols content. Levels of antioxidant capacity ranged from 22.43 to 124.93, 101.03 to 245.25 and 77.06 to 214.17 µmolTE/g in ABTS, DPPH and FRAP, respectively. In addition, EtOH 50% and EtOH 100% extracts showed the highest and lowest content in phenolics content and antioxidant capacity level. Finally, data obtained in the content of phenolics and antioxidant capacity levels of the present study are higher than most of data of scientific literature reported previously by other authors(AU)

El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el efecto del solvente de extracción en el contenido de compuestos fenólicos (fenoles totales, flavonoides totales) y los niveles de capacidad antioxidante (DPPH, ABTS y FRAP) de un suplemento comercial de hojas de Moringa oleifera. El contenido de fenoles totales, flavonoides totales, no-flavonoides totales oscilaron de 55.98 a 226.20 mg ChlAE/g, de 17.63 a 23.46 mg CatE/g y de 38.34 a 202.73 mg/g, respectivamente, mientras que no fue detectada la presencia de taninos condensados en ninguno de los extractos. Los compuestos fenólicos noflavonoides fueron el grupo más abundante de compuestos fenólicos en todos los extractos y oscilaron de 68 a 90% del total de los fenoles totales. Los niveles de capacidad oscilaron de 22.43 a 124.93, de 101.03 a 245.25 y de 77.06 a 214.17 µmolTE/g en ABTS, DPPH y FRAP, respectivamente. Además, los extractos con EtOH 50% y EtOH 100% mostraron el contenido más alto y más bajo de fenólicos y niveles de capacidad antioxidante, respectivamente. Finalmente, los datos obtenidos en el contenido de compuestos fenólicos y los niveles de capacidad antioxidante del presente estudio son más altos que la mayoría de los datos reportados previamente en literatura por otros autores(AU)

Methodology for Fast and Facile Characterisation of Carbon-Based Electrodes Focused on Bioelectrochemical Systems Development and Scale Up.

The development and practical implementation of bioelectrochemical systems (BES) requires an in-depth characterisation of their components. The electrodes, which are critical elements, are usually built from carbon-based materials due to their high specific surface area, biocompatibility and chemical stability. In this study, a simple methodology to electrochemically characterise carbon-based electrodes has been developed, derived from conventional electrochemical analyses. Combined with classical electrochemical theory and the more innovative fractal geometry approach, our method is aimed at comparing and characterising the performance of carbon electrodes through the determination of the electroactive surface and its fractal dimension. Overall, this methodology provides a quick and easy method for the screening of suitable electrode materials to be implemented in BES.

Detection of premature ventricular contractions using the RR-interval signal: a simple algorithm for mobile devices.

BACKGROUND: Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are cardiac abnormalities that may occur in subjects with/without cardiovascular disorder. Detection is usually performed from electrocardiograms (ECGs); heart activity for a long period of time must be recorded at hospital or with ambulatory electrocardiography. An alternative with a common mobile device would be very interesting, because a simple heart rate sensor should be sufficient. OBJECTIVE: To develop an algorithm to detect PVCs using the RR-interval (distance between consecutive beats) extracted from ECGs or from the heart rate signal captured by mobile devices. METHODS: Feature extraction and classification techniques were included: 1) two timing interval features (prematurity and compensatory pause) were extracted. 2) A linear classifier was applied. To validate the method, the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database was used. Considering the existence of unbalanced classes (normal beats and PVCs) at different decision costs, validation was performed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: A sensitivity of 90.13% and a specificity percentage of 82.52% were achieved. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.928. CONCLUSIONS: The method is advantageous since it only uses the RR-interval signal for PVC detection, and results compare well with more complex methods that use ECG recording.

Gongylonema sp. infection in the scops owl (Otus scops).

Since 1997, it has been observed that fledging scops owls often develop necrotic plaques in their oral cavities, which in severe cases can even affect bone tissue. This condition has been defined as a necrotic oropharyngeal disease based on gross lesions. In 2011 alone, thirty-five cases were identified at the Brinzal Owl Rescue Centre (Madrid, Spain), of which four were chosen to perform a complete diagnostic study. Histopathology was carried out in three cases and cytology in one case. Using morphological traits cytology identified two larvae as third-stage larvae of a Spiruridae nematode. Histology detected parasite sections in the mucosal epithelium of the mouth of one owl. In addition, four samples of mucosal lesions were subjected to a PCR amplification of the nematode ribosomal RNA gene using a pair of universal primers, three of which were positive. Of available sequences, the sequence obtained showed the closest affinity to that of Gongylonema pulchrum (97.8-98.0%). Clinical treatment was based on supportive therapy, the daily removal of caseous material from the oral cavity and the administration of fenbendazol (50mg/kg PO for 5 days). Approximately 60% of the affected scops owls that arrived at the rescue centre in 2011 were cured and released back into the wild. Clinical, pathological and molecular findings are consistent with Gongylonema sp. infection. Since no evidence of the presence of adult parasites was found, we suggest that these scops owls should be considered as accidental hosts. This is the first description of severe Gongylonema infection in fledgling scops owls, a disease can lead to starvation and death if proper treatment is not provided.