Impact of 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza A Virus on Veterinary Students' Perception of Xenotransplantation.

The pandemic influenza virus A (H1N1) in 2009, which was initially associated with pigs (swine flu), could have had a negative influence on attitudes toward xenotransplantation (XT), particularly after the social alarm it caused. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of this pandemic on the acceptance of XT among veterinary science students. METHODS: A control group sample was taken of students registered in the veterinary degree course (academic year 2007-2008). For the study group, the study was repeated on the same students (year 2008-2009) after the pandemic (April 2009). Pair-matching was carried out between both groups taking into account that (1) the questionnaire was anonymous but included the student's initials and (2) when the study was repeated, the students were in the next academic year. Attitude was assessed using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: After comparing the surveys from the control group (n = 515) and study group (n = 465), 287 matched pairs were obtained. Acceptance of organ XT did not differ significantly before and after the outbreak, assuming similar results to those using human organs (89% vs 89%; P = .10) or with a greater risk than human donation (10% vs 13%; P = .37). There was no difference between the attitude toward tissue XT before and after (94% vs 93%; P = .69) and toward cell XT (97% vs 98%; P = .30); 82% (n = 236) believed that the pandemic had not changed their perception of XT, although 43% (n = 124) considered that it had negatively affected society's perception. CONCLUSION: The pandemic influenza virus A (H1N1) did not change the attitude of veterinary science students toward XT.

Optimized sound diffusers based on sonic crystals using a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm.

Sonic crystals have been demonstrated to be good candidates to substitute for conventional diffusers in order to overcome the need for extremely thick structures when low frequencies have to be scattered, however, their performance is limited to a narrow band. In this work, multiobjective evolutionary algorithms are used to extend the bandwidth to the whole low frequency range. The results show that diffusion can be significantly increased. Several cost functions are considered in the paper, on the one hand to illustrate the flexibility of the optimization and on the other hand to demonstrate the problems associated with the use of certain cost functions. A study of the robustness of the optimized diffusers is also presented, introducing a parameter that can help to choose among the best candidates. Finally, the advantages of the use of multiobjective optimization in comparison with conventional optimizations are discussed.

Are veterinary students in favour of xenotransplantation? Comparative opinion study in a Brazilian and a Spanish university.

BACKGROUND: The shortage of organs has made it necessary to search for new alternatives such as xenotransplantation. However, the use of animal organs could be opposed by society and the personnel involved in its implementation. This study aimed to analyze the attitude of veterinary degree students in a Brazilian university towards xenotransplantation, to determine factors that affect its acceptance, and to compare the attitudes among a control group of veterinary degree students in a Spanish university. METHODS: Of the 422 students registered for a veterinary course from 2010 to 2011, 374 were surveyed with a questionnaire completion rate of 89%. Attitudes were evaluated using a validated questionnaire that was self-administered administered anonymously. The process was coordinated by an independent health care worker. We applied the student t and the chi-squared-tests for statistical analysis. RESULTS: If xenotransplantation was confirmed as a clinical reality, 90% (n = 338) of Brazilian students would accept the use of a xenotransplanted organ; 94% (n = 350), tissue; and 97% (n = 360), cell xenotransplantation. Attitudes toward xenotransplantation were not determined by the academic year, any psychosocial variable, or attitudes toward deceased human organ donation (P = .167). However, the attitudes would be affected by a belief that the transplanted animal organ would not change anything (P = .001). Interaction with other people was also related to more favorable attitudes (P = .015). Subjects who expressed a more favorable attitude tended to more readily accept cell (P = .000) or tissue xenotransplantation (P = .000). In Spain (control group), the results were similar: 91% (n = 436) would accept a xenotransplantation; 95% (n = 457) tissue; and 97% (n = 467), cell xenotransplantation. Also, this attitude was not affected by the academic year, any psychosocial variable, or attitude toward organ donation (P = .779). CONCLUSION: Both Brazilian and Spanish veterinary students had favorable attitudes toward xenotransplantation.

Are veterinary students in favor of xenotransplantation? An opinion study in a Spanish university with a xenotransplantation program.

BACKGROUND: The shortage of available transplant organs has made it necessary to search for new alternatives, one of which is xenotransplantation. However, the use of animal organs and the personnel involved in its implementation could face opposition. Our objective was to analyze the attitudes of veterinary degree students in a Spanish university toward xenotransplantation and to determine the factors that affect its acceptance. METHODS: Of the 515 students registered in a veterinary degree course (2007-2008), we surveyed 482 94% of whom completed the questionnaire. Attitudes toward organ xenotransplantation were evaluated using a validated, self-administered questionnaire concerning organ donation, which was completed anonymously. We applied Student's t-tests and chi(2) tests. RESULTS: If xenotransplantation was confirmed as a clinical reality, 91% (n = 436) of those students surveyed would accept a xenotransplanted organ, whereas 9% (n = 46) would not. Furthermore, 95% (n = 457) would accept tissue xenotransplantation and 97% (n = 467) cell xenotransplantation. Attitudes toward xenotransplantation were not affected by the academic year in which a student was studying, even when this was the year in which it was taught as a subject. Attitudes were not associated with any pyschosocial variable or attitude toward deceased organ donation; (P = .779). The students who believed that the demand for organs is not covered had a more favorable attitude toward xenotransplantation than those who think that there is no shortage (91% vs 70%; P = .027). CONCLUSION: Veterinary students had favorable attitudes toward xenotransplantation, assuming that the animal organs functioned as well as human organs. Therefore, these students could play important roles in the future promotion of this technique.

Hole distribution in phononic crystals: design and optimization.

An exhaustive study has been made into the potential improvement in attenuation and focusing of phononic crystal arrays resulting from the deliberate creation of vacancies. Use is made of a stochastic search algorithm based on evolutionary algorithms called the epsilon variable multi-objective genetic algorithm which, in conjunction with the application of multiple scattering theory, enables the design of devices for effectively controlling sound waves. Several parameters are analyzed, including the symmetries used in the distribution of holes and the optimum number of holes. The validity and utility of the general rules obtained have been confirmed experimentally.

[Asymptomatic bilateral pharyngocele]. / Faringocele bilateral asintomático.

The diverticula of the lateral wall of the pharynx are called pharyngoceles. We present a case of a 71-year old male in whom we discovered, by chance, a bilateral pharyngocele. Given their scarcity, we review the characteristics of the process, highlighting the relevance of the oesophagopharingeal barium swallow. Finally, we describe two possible anatomical locations of the herniated sac.

[Electoral demography. The demographic dimension of a political process]. / Demografia electoral. La dimension demografica de un proceso politico.

PIP: A complete and reliable knowledge of the potential voters is indispensable for holding elections in a democratic society. In 1990 a new Federal Code of Electoral Institutions and Procedures (COFIRE) was approved in Mexico. A new list of potential voters was to be created based on the 1990 census and without reference to the old list. The planning and implementation of the 1991 electoral rolls required great efficiency in order to complete the work in time for elections, while assuring its validity and legitimacy through a clear and participatory process in which all political parties played a permanent role. COFIRE designated July 1991 as the date for completion, allowing just 10 months for the entire process from planning to completion. The 1991 work represented a political process as much as a technical challenge. A working group from the political parties provided advice on all aspects of the work, from defining the social communications campaign to cartographic review and organization of field work. Although the list potential voters not intended for demographic purposes, its validity, coverage, and variety of information make it a rich source of sociodemographic information. An estimated 95% of individuals included in the 1990 census were included in the lists of prospective voters. Of these, 39,500,000 citizens, or 86% of the census population, actually registered as of the deadline on May 31. The final coverage by states varied from a low of 79.3% in Guerrero to a high of 91.0% in the Federal District.^ieng

[Study of renal function after the administration of a low-osmolarity iodized contrast medium. Prospective study]. / Estudio de la función renal tras la administración de un contraste yodado de baja osmolaridad. Estudio prospectivo.

UNLABELLED: We analysed the development of various kidney function parameters in 40 patients on whom an intravenous urography had been carried out with a non-ionic contrast medium of low osmolarity (iohexol). No patient displayed prior renal insufficiency (serum creatinine 0.4-2mg/dl). Twenty-four hours after injection of the iodized contrast no significant variations in urea blood concentrations, creatinine, sodium or uric acid appeared. As a result of the urography an increase in urine osmolarity and a decrease in fractional sodium excretion took place. IN CONCLUSION: in patients without renal insufficiency intravenous urography with iohexol does not give rise to a significant alteration in the renal excretory function.

[2 cases of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis]. / Dos casos de parálisis diafragmática bilateral.

Bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis is characterized by severe dyspnea in decubitus, with or without known respiratory or cardiac disorders. In both patients clinical diagnosis was confirmed by measuring the transdiaphragmatic pressure which was approximately zero. The first patient, previous to the clinical onset, had an episode of gastroenteritis and later developed a pneumonia; in the second patient, clinical manifestations started after neck surgery and both the clinical and functional disorders recovered within the following eight months.