Foreword

Viral hepatitis; Liver cirrhosisHepatitis viral; Cirrosis del hígadoHepatitis viral; Cirrosi del fetg

Preliminary study of natural reservoirs as sentinels of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis in Soria, northern Spain

The serum of foxes and red deer from the Prov- ince of Soria (northern Spain) was screened in indirect immunofluorescence assays to deter- mine whether these animals could be used as sentinels of the tick-borne pathogens Anaplas- ma phagocytophilum and Ehrlichia chaffeensis. The results suggest that foxes and red deer would not make good sentinels in epidemiol- ogical studies on E. chaffeensis in this region, although red deer could be used as such for the study of A. phagocytophilum transmission

Biomaterials for bone regeneration

Objective: This article reviews the literature on biomaterials used for bone regeneration. Material and method: A total of seventeen bibliographic sources were found using the MEDLINE database and to avoid the variability of the search terms the thesaurus Mesh was used. Results: These materials act essentially due to their osteoconductive ability, although their osteoinductive capacity is being improved with the use of growth factors. As to their effectiveness, many differences exist between them and some even affect bone regeneration negatively. Conclusions: Biomaterials used for bone regeneration are valid when the correct material is used. As yet the osteogenic capacity of autogenous bone has not been equalled by biomaterials. Tissue engineering has caused great interest because of its many possibilities, although more studies are necessary in order to achieve the ambitious expectations when it comes to tissue or organ regeneration in the human bod

Seguimiento del grado de Ciencias del Mar. Curso 2014-15

Una vez implantado completamente el Grado de Ciencias del Mar en la Universidad de Alicante y a punto de finalizar la segunda promoción, es el momento de revisar el funcionamiento del programa formativo. Por una parte, es necesario continuar con el intenso trabajo de coordinación horizontal y vertical para asegurar la coherencia en contenidos, metodologías, evaluación y guías docentes. Y por otra parte, hay que evaluar si los posibles errores detectados con anterioridad han sido resueltos. Como metodología de trabajo, desde la Facultad de Ciencias se han constituido ocho comisiones de semestre. Cada una de estas comisiones está integrada por un coordinador de semestre, los responsables de las asignaturas de ese semestre, el coordinador del Grado y el/la delegado/a del alumnado. Cada una de estas comisiones se reúne, por lo menos, dos veces por curso. Los resultados de este trabajo permiten la detección de problemas actuales y si las medidas adoptadas han sido útiles para solucionar incidencias pasadas

A Comparative Analysis of 2D and 3D Tasks for Virtual Reality Therapies Based on Robotic-Assisted Neurorehabilitation for Post-stroke Patients

Post-stroke neurorehabilitation based on virtual therapies are performed completing repetitive exercises shown in visual electronic devices, whose content represents imaginary or daily life tasks. Currently, there are two ways of visualization of these task. 3D virtual environments are used to get a three dimensional space that represents the real world with a high level of detail, whose realism is determinated by the resolucion and fidelity of the objects of the task. Furthermore, 2D virtual environments are used to represent the tasks with a low degree of realism using techniques of bidimensional graphics. However, the type of visualization can influence the quality of perception of the task, affecting the patient's sensorimotor performance. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate if there were differences in patterns of kinematic movements when post-stroke patients performed a reach task viewing a virtual therapeutic game with two different type of visualization of virtual environment: 2D and 3D. Nine post-stroke patients have participated in the study receiving a virtual therapy assisted by PUPArm rehabilitation robot. Horizontal movements of the upper limb were performed to complete the aim of the tasks, which consist in reaching peripheral or perspective targets depending on the virtual environment shown. Various parameter types such as the maximum speed, reaction time, path length, or initial movement are analyzed from the data acquired objectively by the robotic device to evaluate the influence of the task visualization. At the end of the study, a usability survey was provided to each patient to analysis his/her satisfaction level. For all patients, the movement trajectories were enhanced when they completed the therapy. This fact suggests that patient's motor recovery was increased. Despite of the similarity in majority of the kinematic parameters, differences in reaction time and path length were higher using the 3D task. Regarding the success rates were very similar. In conclusion, the using of 2D environments in virtual therapy may be a more appropriate and comfortable way to perform tasks for upper limb rehabilitation of post-stroke patients, in terms of accuracy in order to effectuate optimal kinematic trajectories

Four chamber right ventricular longitudinal strain versus right free wall longitudinal strain. Prognostic value in patients with left heart disease

Background: There is no consensus on which right ventricle (RV) strain parameter should be used in the clinical practice: four chamber RV longitudinal strain (4CH RV-LS) or free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS). The aim of this study was to analyze which RV strain parameter better predicts prognosis in patients with left heart disease. Methods: One hundred and three outpatients with several degrees of functional tricuspid regurgitation severity secondary to left heart disease were prospectively included. 4CH RV-LS and FWLS were assessed using speckle tracking. Left ventricular (LV) systolic function was determined using LV ejection fraction and RV systolic function using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Patients were followed up for 23.1 ± 12.4 months for an endpoint of cardiac hospitalization due to heart failure. Results: The cutoff value related to RV dysfunction (TAPSE < 17 mm) was lower, in absolute value, for 4CH RV-LS (4CH RV-LS = –17.3%; FWLS = –19.5%). There were 33 adverse events during the follow-up. Patients with 4CH RV-LS > –17.3% (log rank [LR] = 22.033; p < 0.001); FWLS > –19.5% (LR = 12.2; p < 0.001), TAPSE < 17 mm (LR = 17.4; p < 0.001) and LV systolic dysfunction (LR = 13.3; p < 0.001) had lower event-free survival (Kaplan Meier). In Cox multivariate analysis, 4CH RV-LS > –17.3% (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.593; p < 0.002), TAPSE < 17 (HR = 2.093; p < 0.055) and LV systolic dysfunction (HR = 2.087; p < 0,054) had prognostic value, whereas FWLS did not reach significance. Conclusions: Although both 4CH RV-LS and FWLS have prognostic value, 4CH RV-LS is a better predictor of episodes of heart failure in patients with left heart disease, providing additional information to that obtained by TAPSE.

Risk of Acute Myocardial Infarction Among New Users of Allopurinol According to Serum Urate Level: A Nested Case-Control Study

Abstract: Objectives: To test the hypothesis that allopurinol reduces the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in hyperuricemic patients and to assess whether the effect is dependent on dose, duration and serum uric acid (SUA) level attained after treatment. Methods: Nested case-control study over the period 2002?2015. From a cohort of patients aged 40?99 years old, we identified incident AMI cases and randomly selected five controls per case, matched for exact age, sex and index date. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% CI were computed through unconditional logistic regression. Only new users of allopurinol were considered. Results: A total of 4697 AMI cases and 18,919 controls were included. Allopurinol use was associated with a reduced risk of AMI mainly driven by duration of treatment (AOR ?180 days = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.60?0.84). Among long-term users (>180 days), the reduced risk was only observed when the SUA level attained was below 7 mg/dL (AOR7mg/dL = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.75?1.46; p for trend = 0.001). A dose-effect was observed but faded out once adjusted for the SUA level attained. The reduced risk of AMI occurred in both patients with gout and patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia. Conclusions: The results confirm a cardioprotective effect of allopurinol which is strongly dependent on duration and SUA level attained after treatment

Intelligent system for upper limb motor function assessment of patients with hemiparesis

[Resumen] La evaluación de la función motora del miembro superior de los pacientes con hemiparesia tras un ictus es necesaria para llevar a cabo el seguimiento de la recuperación de los pacientes y para adaptar la terapia a sus necesidades. Para ello, es necesario desarrollar nuevos métodos sencillos, rápidos y fiables que ayuden al personal clínico. Este artículo presenta un nuevo sistema de evaluación a través de dispositivos Magnetic, Angular Rate, and Gravity Sensor (MARG), con métodos de aprendizaje automático en base a técnicas de alineamiento temporal (DTW) para medir de forma objetiva la calidad de los movimientos ejecutados por el paciente. En este estudio se presentan los primeros resultados obtenidos de un estudio transversal cuyo objetivo es comprobar la eficiencia de este nuevo sistema de evaluación relacionando los resultados obtenidos mediante este sistema, con la clasificación de la función motora del miembro superior de pacientes con ictus basada en la evaluación de la escala Fugl-Meyer (FMA).[Abstract] The assessment of upper limb motor function in stroke patients with hemiparesis is necessary to monitor patients’ recovery and to adapt therapy to their needs. To this end, new simple, fast and reliable methods need to be developed to assist therapists. This article presents a new evaluation system using MARG devices, with machine learning techniques based on temporal alignment techniques to objectively measure the quality of the movements executed by the patient. This study presents the preliminary results obtained from a cross-sectional study whose objective is to evaluate the performance of this new evaluation system by relating the results obtained through this system, with the classification of upper limb motor function of stroke patients based on the evaluation of the Fugl-Meyer scale.Generalitat Valenciana; INNVA1/2021/7

Intelligent Multimodal Framework for Human Assistive Robotics Based on Computer Vision Algorithms

[EN] Assistive technologies help all persons with disabilities to improve their accessibility in all aspects of their life. The AIDE European project contributes to the improvement of current assistive technologies by developing and testing a modular and adaptive multimodal interface customizable to the individual needs of people with disabilities. This paper describes the computer vision algorithms part of the multimodal interface developed inside the AIDE European project. The main contribution of this computer vision part is the integration with the robotic system and with the other sensory systems (electrooculography (EOG) and electroencephalography (EEG)). The technical achievements solved herein are the algorithm for the selection of objects using the gaze, and especially the state-of-the-art algorithm for the efficient detection and pose estimation of textureless objects. These algorithms were tested in real conditions, and were thoroughly evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The experimental results of the object selection algorithm were excellent (object selection over 90%) in less than 12 s. The detection and pose estimation algorithms evaluated using the LINEMOD database were similar to the state-of-the-art method, and were the most computationally efficient.The research leading to these results received funding from the European Community's Horizon 2020 programme, AIDE project: "Adaptive Multimodal Interfaces to Assist Disabled People in Daily Activities" (grant agreement No: 645322).Ivorra Martínez, E.; Ortega Pérez, M.; Catalán, JM.; Ezquerro, S.; Lledó, LD.; Garcia-Aracil, N.; Alcañiz Raya, ML. (2018). Intelligent Multimodal Framework for Human Assistive Robotics Based on Computer Vision Algorithms. Sensors. 18(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/s18082408S18

Seguimiento del grado de Ciencias del Mar 15-16

Tras la implantación en el curso 2010-2011 de la titulación de Ciencias del Mar en la Universidad de Alicante, durante este curso debe llevarse a cabo el primer proceso de reacreditación del grado. Durante el proceso de evaluación del título, han participado los distintos actores implicados. Se han tenido en cuenta los distintos indicadores producidos por el Sistema de Garantía Interno de la Calidad y la información aportada por el personal docente y el alumnado, principalmente durante la celebración de las reuniones de las Comisiones de Semestre. El objetivo principal de estas reuniones ha sido la identificación y corrección de las posibles deficiencias durante la implantación y desarrollo del título. Esta información, junto con la obtenida a través de encuestas, ha permitido la elaboración del informe de seguimiento y la propuesta de un plan de mejoras para próximos cursos