Aportación al conocimiento de los líquenes epífitos de Pinus halepensis, P. nigra, P. pinaster y P. sylvestris en la Península Ibérica

Se presenta el estudio de la diversidad liquénica epífita en diferentes pinares de la Península Ibérica. Se han estudiado 84 pinares (37 de Pinus nigra, 6 de P. halepensis, 17 de P. pinaster y 24 de P. sylvestris). El total de especies liquénicas herborizadas es de 170. Se han identificado 49 especies sobre P. halepensis, 77 sobre P. pinaster, 79 sobre P. sylvestris y 123 líquenes sobre P. nigra. En los pinares de Pinus sylvestris, situados en zonas más continentales, domina una flora de líquenes, en algunos casos, similar a la de los bosques de coníferas del norte de Europa. El elemento de amplia distribución es el más abundante. El porcentaje de especies de distribución submediterránea-mediterránea es más elevado a medida que descendemos en altitud y latitud, mientras que el porcentaje de especies boreales es mayor a medida que nos situamos en cotas más altas y zonas más septentrionales.A study about the lichenic epiphytic diversity on different pine forests in the Iberian Peninsula is presented. A total of 84 pine forests are studied (37 of Pinus nigra, 6 of P. halepensis, 17 of P. pinaster and 24 of P. sylvestris). The number of collected species is 170, 49 species on P. halepensis, 77 on P. pinaster, 79 on P. sylvestris and 123 lichens on P. nigra. Lichens on Pinus sylvestris in more continental areas were similar to the species growing in conifer forests of Northern Europe. The widespread element is the most abundant. The percentage of submediterranean- mediterranean lichen species is higher at lower latitude and altitude, whereas boreal species are most frequent at higher latitude and altitude

Dermatological scientific production from European Union authors (1987-2000)

To evaluate the contribution to international dermatological literature made by authors from European Union (EU) countries. Using MedLine, a selection was made of articles by EU authors published between 1987 and 2000 in 32 dermatological journals, classified as such by the Institute for Scientific Information. Overall 19,225 documents were published by European authors in the selected dermatological journals from 1987 to 2000. The leading countries in terms of output were the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France. The leading countries in number of articles after taking into account the gross domestic product and the population were Denmark, Finland and Sweden. The main journals were the British Journal of Dermatology (14.5% of articles from European authors), Contact Dermatitis (13.7%), Journal of Investigative Dermatology (7.3%), Journal of American Academy of Dermatology (6.4%), and Acta Dermato-Venereologica (6.1%). The country with the highest output of papers by journal was the United Kingdom (11 journals) followed by Germany (9 journals), Italy (6 journals), France (3 journals), Spain (2 journals) and Sweden (1 journal). In conclusions: the scientific production of European Union research on dermatology is highest in northern countries

Skin Tumors in Patients Aged 90 Years and Older

Background: The aging of the population in the developed world is an accepted fact. Consequently, the number of patients aged 90 years or over with cutaneous cancer will increase in coming years. Objective: The objective was to determine the nature of skin lesions amenable to dermatologic surgery in patients aged 90 years or more. Methods: We studied the clinical histories of 52 outpatients in their 90 s, who had had histopathologic studies made of their skin tumors when attended in the Hospital General de Alicante (Spain) between January 1999 and July 2002. We studied sex, age, type of tumor, site, associated disorders, regular medications, type of anesthesia, and type of treatment given. Results: The average age of the patients was 92.4 years. Thirty-six patients were women and 16 were men. Altogether the 52 patients had a total of 72 lesions. The most frequent diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma with 36 lesions, followed by 20 squamous cell carcinomas. The overall ratio of basal cell carcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma was 1.8. Patients had an average of 1.5 comorbid medical conditions and were taking an average of 2.3 regular medications. Conclusion: Dermatologists often attend patients aged 90 years or over with nonmelanoma skin cancer. The most important decision is as to what is the best management of these patients

Non-Melanocytic Benign Skin Tumors in Children

Background: Dermatologists often attend children with benign skin tumors and cysts. The decision to perform dermatologic surgery in children may be difficult to make, especially in cases of benign tumors. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the nature of non-melanocytic benign skin tumors amenable to dermatologic surgery in children. Methods: Histopathologic studies of skin tumors in children treated by our department between January 2004 and December 2005 were studied. Malignant and melanocytic tumors were excluded. Age, sex, type of tumor, diagnostic category, site, size, reason for removal, type of anesthesia, and any other associated disorders were recorded. Results: The records revealed that 121 patients presented 129 non-melanocytic benign skin tumors (73 in boys and 56 in girls). A total of 27 different anatomopathologic diagnoses were found. The most frequent was pilomatrixoma with 27 cases (20.9%), followed by infundibular cyst with 14 (10.9%), and molluscum contagiosum with 13 (10.1%). Tumors were located on the head and neck (45.7%), trunk (34.1%), and limbs (20.1%). The most frequently affected age group was children aged 11-14 years, which included 50 patients (38.8%). The main type of anesthesia used was local in 54.6% of the cases, sedation plus local anesthesia in 39.7%, and general anesthesia in 5.7%. The reasons that led to removal of the tumors were: increase in the size of the tumor (49%); various types of discomfort, such as severe itching or pain (30%); parental concern (4%); diagnostic uncertainty (16%); and esthetic reasons (1%). Conclusion: There is a wide diversity of non-melanocytic benign skin tumors in children, some of which require surgical treatment. Pilomatrixomas appear to be the most frequent benign tumors; there are also high frequencies of infundibular cysts, pyogenic granulomas, and viral tumors. Most can be removed under local anesthesia, with or without sedatio

Topics and PRISMA Checklist Compliance for Meta-analyses in Dermatology: Journal Case Study

Meta-analyses are usually the final step of systematic reviews and provide robust scientific evidence (1,2). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Statement is a useful tool to improve the reporting of meta-analyses (3)

Remnants fragments preserve genetic diversity of the old forest lichen Lobaria pulmonaria in a fragmented Mediterranean mountain forest

Fragmentation represents a serious threat to biodiversity worldwide, however its effects on epiphytic organisms is still poorly understood. We study the effect of habitat fragmentation on the genetic population structure and diversity of the red-listed epiphytic lichen, Lobaria pulmonaria, in a Mediterranean forest landscape. We tested the relative importance of forest patch quality, matrix surrounding fragments and connectivity on the genetic variation within populations and the differentiation among them. A total of 855 thalli were sampled in 44 plots (400m2) of 31 suitable forest fragments (beeches and oaks), in the Sierra de Ayllón in central Spain. Variables related to landscape attributes of the remnant forest patches such as size and connectivity and also the nature of the matrix or tree species had no significant effects on the genetic diversity of L. pulmonaria. Values of genetic diversity (Nei's) were only affected by habitat quality estimated as the age patches. Most of the variation (76%) in all populations was observed at the smallest sampled unit (plots). Using multiple regression analysis, we found that habitat quality is more important in explaining the genetic structure of the L. pulmonaria populations than spatial distance. The relatively high level of genetic diversity of the species in old forest patches regardless of patch size indicates that habitat quality in a highly structured forest stand determines the population size and distribution pattern of this species and its associated lichen community. Thus, conservation programmes of Mediterranean mountain forests have to prioritize area and habitat quality of old forest patche

Therapeutic goals and treatment response evaluation in moderate to severe psoriasis: an experts opinion document

Objective: To critically analyse and define therapeutic objectives, response to treatment evaluation and related decisions in psoriasis. Methods: Expert consensus meetings, a systematic and narrative reviews and a collaborative Delphi procedure were carried out. A steering committee from the Spanish Group of Psoriasis was established who based on the reviews generated a set of related statements. Subsequently, a group of 40 experts tested their agreement with the statements, through 3 Delphi rounds. Results: We found a great variability in clinical guidelines regarding to the definition of treatment goal and the response. In general, treatment failure was considered if a PASI50 is not achieved. The panel of experts agreed on (1) clearly differentiate between ideal and a realistic goals when establishing the therapeutic goal in moderate to severe psoriasis; (2) treatment goals should be in general established regardless of the type of drug for psoriasis; (3) treatment failure if PASI75 response is not reached; (4) an absolute PASI is in general preferred to the rate of PASI improvement from baseline; (5) disease characteristics, patients and physicians opinions/needs and treatment adherence influence treatment goals. Conclusions: A clear treatment decision making framework is vital to improve management of psoriasis.KEY MESSAGES Psoriasis characteristics, patients and physicians opinions/needs and treatment adherence influence treatment goals. Different disease indexes could be used to assess treatment response but absolute PASI is preferred In general psoriasis treatment failure should be considered if PASI75 response is not reachedThis project was promoted and funded by the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) with unrestricted grant from Leo Pharma

Diseños de Investigación en Psicología: Casos prácticos para resolver con SPSS

En este documento se presentan una serie de casos prácticos para trabajar en las clases de la asignatura Diseños de Investigación que se imparte en el grado de Psicología de la Universidad de Barcelona. Se incluyen también diez archivos de datos que complementan a los casos prácticos del documento y que pueden utilizarse para analizarlos con el software estadístico SPSS

Indicaciones del tratamiento radioterápico en el cáncer de mama

Purpose: Breast cancer is the first leading cancer-related cause of death among USA women. In Europe, breast cancer occurs as frequently as in the United States and thus we encounter this pathology on a regular basis in Oncology Services such as Radiation Oncology, General Surgery, Gynecology and Medical Oncology. Nevertheless, the number of services working with this kind of patients is increasing: Primary Health Care, Nutrition, Psycho-oncology, Rehabilitation centers, Pain Clinics and Nursing among others. Reviewing radiotherapy treatment indications shall bring this modality and its procedures closer to other medical specialties. Methods: Exposition of all clinical indications that might include radiotherapy treatment. Results: There is scientific evidence that proves that radiotherapy is needed in order to reduce locoregional risk of recurrence, which shall determine global survival. Conclusions: Breast cancer requires a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach for which radiotherapy is essential in the conservative treatment as well as in other cancer cases.Objetivo: El cáncer de mama es la primera causa de muerte por cáncer en la mujer en Estados Unidos. Esta patología es igualmente frecuente en Europa y forma parte de las con¬sultas diarias de los Servicios dedicados a la oncología (Oncología Radioterápica, Cirugía General, Ginecología, y Oncología Médica), aunque cada vez hay más Servicios implica¬dos en el manejo de estas pacientes (Atención Primaria, Nutrición, Psico-oncología, Rehabi¬litación, Unidad del Dolor, Enfermería…). La revisión de las indicaciones del tratamiento radioterápico permite acercar esta modalidad terapéutica al resto de Especialidades. Méto¬do: Exposición de todas las situaciones clínicas susceptibles de radioterapia. Resultado: Existe evidencia científica que demuestra la necesi¬dad de administrar radioterapia para disminuir el riesgo de recidiva loco-regional y ello influ¬ye en la supervivencia global. Conclusiones: El cáncer de mama precisa un abordaje tera¬péutico multidisciplinar siendo la radioterapia indispensable en el tratamiento conservador y en otros muchos casos

Análisis de la demanda asistencial en dermatología de la población inmigrante

Objetivos: Conocer la demanda asistencial en dermatología de la población inmigrante (PI) y compararla con la de la población autóctona (PA).Métodos: Durante un año, se recogió prospectivamente el número de enfermedades atendidas en dermatología en el Departamento de Salud 19 de la Comunidad Valenciana.Resultados: De 39.160 episodios, 1.625 fueron en PI (4,1%). La asistencia por urgencias fue mayor en PI que en PA (el 7,7 frente al 3,0%; p < 0,001) y la actividad quirúrgica en PI fue menor que en PA (el 2,6 frente al 5%; p < 0,001). La demanda en la PI fue de 5,7 episodios por 100 inmigrantes, inferior a la PA (16,2). La razón de tasas estandarizada fue de 0,34. Los pacientes del norte de África (5,6 por 100 inmigrantes), Europa del este (4,8), África subsahariana (5,3) y Asia (4,2) consultaron menos que los latinoamericanos (8,5; p < 0,001).Conclusiones: La demanda en PI fue inferior a la PA y con un patrón de utilización diferente por países.Objective: To determine the utilization rate of a dermatology service among the immigrant population and compare this rate with that among the autochthonous population.Methods: Over a 1-year period, data on all patients attended in the Dermatology Service of Health Department 19 in the autonomous community of Valencia were prospectively collected.Results: Of 39,160 consultations, 1,625 were made by immigrants (4.1%). Attendance for dermatologic emergencies was greater in immigrants than in the autochthonous population (7.7% vs 3.0%; p<0.001), while surgical activity was lower in immigrants than in Spanish-born patients (2.6% vs 5%; p<0.001). Demand for consultation in the immigrant population was 5.7 visits per 100 immigrants, lower than that in the autochthonous population (16.2). The standardized rate ratio was 0.34. North Africans (5.6 per 100 immigrants), East Europeans (4.8), sub-Saharan Africans (5.3) and Asians (4.2) consulted less than Latin Americans (8.5; p<0.001).Conclusions: Demand was lower in the immigrant than in the autochthonous population, and the utilization pattern differed according to country