A mindfulness training program based on brief practices (M-PBI) to reduce stress in the workplace: a randomised controlled pilot study.

Work stress is a major contributor to absenteeism and reduced work productivity. A randomised and controlled study in employee-volunteers (with Perceived Stress Scale [PSS-14]>22) was performed to assess a mindfulness program based on brief integrated mindfulness practices (M-PBI) with the aim of reducing stress in the workplace. The PSS-14 of the employees before and after 8-weeks M-PBI program, as well as after a 20-week follow-up, was assessed (primary endpoint). The employees also carried the following questionnaires (secondary endpoints): Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), Experiences Questionnaire-Decentering (EQ-D), and Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). Heart Rate Variability (HRV) was measured during each session in a subgroup of employees (n = 10) of the interventional group randomly selected. A total of 40 employees (77.5% female median [SD] age of 36.6 [5.6] years) took part in this study: 21 and 19 in the intervention and control group, respectively. No differences in baseline characteristics were encountered between the groups. Results show a significant decrease in stress and increase in mindfulness over time in the intervention group (PSS-14 and FFMQ; p < 0.05 both). Additionally, an improvement in decentering (EQ-D), self-compassion (SCS) and burnout (MBI-GS) were also observed compared to the control group (p < 0.05 in all). HRV measurement also showed an improvement. In conclusion, a brief practices, 8-weeks M-BIP program is an effective tool to quickly reduce stress and improve well-being in a workplace.

Detection of α-thalassaemia in neonates on cord blood and dried blood spot samples by capillary electrophoresis.

INTRODUCTION: Haemoglobin Bart's (Hb Bart's) level is associated with α-thalassaemia traits in neonates, enabling early diagnosis of α-thalassaemia. The study aimed to detect and quantify the Hb Bart's using Cord Blood (CB) and CE Neonat Fast Hb (NF) progammes on fresh and dried blood spot (DBS) specimen respectively by capillary electrophoresis (CE). METHODS: Capillarys Hemoglobin (E) Kit (for CB) and Capillarys Neonat Hb Kit (for NF) were used to detect and quantify Hb Bart's by CE in fresh cord blood and dried blood spot (DBS) specimens respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using the ß-Thal Short Programme was also performed concurrently with CE analysis. Confirmation was obtained by multiplex ARMS Gap PCR. RESULTS: This study was performed on 600 neonates. 32/600 (5.3%) samples showed presence of Hb Bart's peak using the NF programme while 33/600 (5.5%) were positive with CB programme and HPLC methods. The range of Hb Bart's using NF programme and CB programme were (0.5-4.1%) and (0.5-7.1%), respectively. Molecular analysis confirmed all positive samples possessed α-thalassaemia genetic mutations, with 23/33 cases being αα/--SEA, four -α3.7/-α3.7, two αα/-α3.7 and three αα/ααCS. Fifty Hb Bart's negative samples were randomly tested for α-genotypes, three were also found to be positive for α-globin gene mutations. Thus, resulting in sensitivity of 91.7% and 88.9% and specificity of 100% for the Capillarys Cord Blood programme and Capillarys Neonat Fast programme respectively. CONCLUSION: Both CE programmes using fresh or dried cord blood were useful as a screening tool for α-thalassaemia in newborns. All methods show the same specificity (100%) with variable, but acceptable sensitivities in the detection of Hb Bart.

[The relationship between headache and sleep disorders: findings from an epidemiological study in a population of Spanish school-age children]. / Relación entre cefalea y trastornos del sueño: resultados de un estudio epidemiológico en población escolar.

INTRODUCTION: Headache and sleep disorders have a high impact in children, both from the point of view of prevalence and from the perspective of the quality of life of the subjects who suffer their consequences. AIM. To determine the prevalence of sleep disorders among the child population that suffers from headaches. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Spanish version of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of the child and teenage population that attend the different schools in the town of Gandia. This questionnaire includes two questions about the existence of headache. RESULTS: In all, 887 subjects answered the survey (68% of respondents). The sleep disorders that are clearly associated with headache are: rhythmic movement disorders, sleep-talking, nightmares, waking up more than twice during the night, unwillingness to go to bed, early waking, delayed onset of sleep, insomnia, irregular hours of going to bed and getting up, excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring and positive screening for apnea-hypopnea syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: It is shown that the population with headaches has a greater number of sleep disorders, mainly insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness and parasomnias. It is important to gather information about sleep habits in any child who is attended because of headache.

[Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sleep disturbances. Results of an epidemiological study in schoolchildren in Gandia, Spain]. / Relación entre el trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad y los trastornos del sueño. Resultados de un estudio epidemiológico en la población escolar de la ciudad de Gandía.

INTRODUCTION: The evaluation of comorbidity is an important factor in the treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Sleep disturbances are one of the most common features of this disorder. OBJECTIVE: To find out the frequency of sleep disturbances among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used the Spanish version of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire, which was given out to a representative sample in Gandia (Spain). RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 887 (68 % of the sample). The sleep disturbances that showed a clear relationship with the three ADHD variables studied are: snoring, enuresis, rhythmic movement disturbances, night awakenings, and bedtime resistance. Sleep-disorder breathing, bruxism, somniloquy, day sleepiness, early awakenings and difficulty falling sleep are associated with only one of the three variables studied. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that the population with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder has more sleep disturbances. The association with the enuresis is of particular interest due to the possible clinical implications.

[Sleep patterns and sleep disturbances among schoolchildren in the town of Gandia]. / Patrones normales y trastornos del sueño entre la población escolar de la ciudad de Gandía.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of sleep patterns and sleep disturbances among healthy children is interesting, particularly, amongst other things, for carrying out comparative studies with children with certain diseases. The objective of the present study was to study sleep patterns and the prevalence of sleep disturbances among schoolchildren. METHODS: We used the Spanish version of the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, which was given out to a representative sample of Gandia Town. RESULTS: The prevalence of sleep disturbances were as follows: insomnia 10.5 %, daytime sleepiness 13 %, a positive score for sleep-disorder breathing 5.7 %, snoring 5.7 %, enuresis 5.3 %, sleepwalking 12.5 %, night terrors 18.4 %, nightmares 12.8 %. As regards sleep patterns, the average time for getting up was 7:45 am, the average time for going to bed was 22:13 pm, and the average sleep duration was 9 hours and 30 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison among different populations studies is difficult due to the use of different instruments to measure the same variables. Our results are similar to other studies, with the exception of sleep-disorder breathing and snoring, where the prevalences are lower in our study. The sleep patterns also did not show any differences between other published studies.

Linezolid y tuberculosis resistente, una nueva y potente arma / Linezolid and tuberculosis, a new and useful treatment

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[The work of Santiago Ramón y Cajal in the Revista Trimestral Micrográfica (Trabajos del Laboratorio de Investigaciones Biológicas)]. / La obra de Santiago Ramón y Cajal en Revista Trimestral Micrográfica (Trabajos del Laboratorio de Investigaciones Biológicas).

AIM: This paper is based on a study of Revista Trimestral Micrografica (Trabajos del Laboratorio de Investigaciones Biologicas) between its creation by Santiago Ramon y Cajal in 1896 and his death in 1934. DEVELOPMENT: The journal Revista Trimestral Micrografica was the main way in which Santiago Ramon y Cajal and his school published their work since its creation. Ramon y Cajal created the journal for two main reasons: first, he needed a rapid system to publish his own work; second, the journal could serve to encourage his pupils. The journal published many important reports defending the neuronal theory which expanded the cellular one to include the nervous system.

[Morbidity, physical growth and psychopathology in marginal populations in suburban areas]. / Morbilidad, crecimiento fisico y psicopatología en poblaciones marginadas en áreas suburbanas.

A comparative study between two distinctive groups of children documenting morbidity, physical growth and psychopathology was completed. 186 children belonging to a marginal and deprived suburban community from Valencia was defined as a experimental group (EG). 100 randomly selected children attending the emergency room of La Fe Children's Hospital was defined as control group (CG). Significant statistical differences were found between the two groups in: type and quality of prenatal care, vaccinations, low stature, depressive symptomatology and bizarre personality and behaviour. No significant statistical differences were found between the two groups in: breast feeding patterns, incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, weight, prematurity, low birth weight, caries and anxiety.

PIP: Aspects of the morbidity, growth, and psychopathology were studied in 186 children living in the barrio of La Coma, a marginal urban zone of Valencia. The children were compared with 100 controls randomly selected at the emergency room of the La Fe Children's Hospital. The barrio of La Coma contained around 5000 low income and disadvantaged residents. 46% of the population was under 16 and 20% were gypsies. Parents or grandparents of the 186 subjects and 100 controls were interviewed in 1991. 2 groups of 55 subjects and 100 controls aged 12- 14 were formed for the study of mental health. 2 questionnaire scales measuring children's anxiety levels were used, the "State Trait Anxiety Inventory of Children" and the "Children's Anxiety Scale". The "Children's Depression" questionnaire scale was used to measure symptoms of depression, and a scale test was used to obtain personality profiles. Both groups were similar in age, sex, and birth place. The control group had a significantly higher average duration of residence in the current location, 14.46 years vs. 3.86 years. The subject children were significantly less likely to have health coverage and more likely to live in female-headed households. The average educational level of the subject children's parents was lower, they were less likely to own their homes, and they had significantly fewer consumer goods such as telephones, automobiles, and televisions. None of the control children lived in households affected by drug addiction, prostitution, delinquency, or alcoholism, but 13.2% of subject children had at least one family member with one of these conditions. Control children were significantly more likely to have received prenatal care and to be completely vaccinated. No significant differences were observed in rates of prematurity or low birth weight, initiation of breastfeeding, dental caries in children over 15 months old, incidence of respiratory or gastrointestinal illness, weight, or anxiety. Control children were significantly taller than subject children. Subject children had significantly higher rates of depression and of personality disorders and overall psychological pathology.