The quality of specialized family placement social services

Introducción: El objetivo de esta investigación ha sido determinar atributos de calidad propios para Servicios Sociales Especializados a través de la perspectiva de los profesionales. Material y métodos: Se ha realizado una evaluación de calidad en un servicio de acogimiento familiar. Primeramente, se ha hecho un estudio de las expectativas y percepciones mediante las dimensiones de calidad de la herramienta SERVQUAL. Además en el marco del Modelo EFQM en su adaptación al sector público y las entidades de voluntariado de la Junta de Andalucía, se ha desarrollado un estudio exploratorio de la entidad y una autoevaluación de calidad. Resultados: Los datos muestran la importancia de la evaluación de la calidad en estos servicios y las ventajas de combinar distintas técnicas para obtener información. De las respuestas de los participantes se han extraído una serie de atributos de calidad que generan calidad al servicio y a los profesionales. Discusión: La evaluación ha permitido identificar tres puntos clave en la calidad del servicio de acogimiento familiar que son comunes para el resto de Servicios Sociales Especializados. Al mismo tiempo, se han identificado las dificultades que presentan los modelos de calidad para aplicarse directamente a estos servicios. Los resultados obtenidos avalan la necesidad de adaptar los modelos de calidad de referencia a cada realidad introduciendo indicadores de calidad específicos.Introduction: The main goal of this study is to obtain specific quality dimensions for specialized social services from a professional perspective. Material and Methods: In this study, quality assessment was conducted in the area of family placement services. The first step was a study of the expectations and perspectives using the service dimensions of the SERVQUAL tool. In addition, using the EFQM Excellence Model in an adaptation created for the public sector and volunteer organizations of the Junta of Andalusia, an exploratory study was carried out about the functioning of the organization and a quality self-evaluation. Results: The data shows that quality assessment is very important for these services. The different means of approximating quality provides advantages. Participants have contributed to obtain quality dimensions for quality service and for professional satisfaction. Discussion: this research study reveals three key aspects for quality in family placement services, which reveals the great similarity between specialized social services. There is also a difficulty in understanding and applying the existing quality models in these services. It suggests that quality models need to be adapted by introducing some specific indicators in order to be more effective

Experiencia Piloto en Psicología: Evolución del Rendimiento Académico

El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido evaluar la utilidad de la experiencia piloto de adaptación al sistema del crédito europeo (ECTS) en la licenciatura de Psicología en la Universidad de Jaén. Para ello se han considerado las asignaturas troncales y obligatorias de los tres primeros cursos de la titulación y se ha comparado el porcentaje de alumnos que han superado las asignaturas antes de la implantación de la experiencia y después de ella. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que, en general, el rendimiento de los alumnos ha mejorado si bien existe una gran variabilidad entre las diferentes asignaturas y cursos

Perceived vulnerability to Coronavirus infection: impact on dental practice

SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus responsible for the outbreak of the respiratory disease COVID-19, which has spread to several countries around the world, causing considerable consternation and a fear of contagions in global healthcare settings. The objective of this study is to identify, among Madrid’s adult population, the impact of COVID-19 on self-perceived vulnerability, infectiousness, aversion to germs, and other behaviors in the current situation regarding dental practice. This cross-sectional observational study involves 1,008 persons randomly surveyed on the streets of Madrid, Spain between March 1 and March 8, 2020. Their perceived vulnerability to disease was measured using the perceived vulnerability to disease scale. An additional questionnaire evaluated basic sociodemographic aspects, medical history, personal hygiene behavior, willingness to go to certain places and the perception of the risk of contagion when going to a dental practice. There are significant differences by sex on the germ aversion subscale (p < 0.05) and in the risk of waiting in the waiting room (p < 0.01), tooth extraction ((p < 0.05), endodontics (p < 0.05) and fillings ((p < 0.05). Women consider the risk to be higher than men do. The risk group (over 60 and with systemic disease) has significant differences on the subscales of infectivity (p < 0.01) and germ aversion (p < 0.01). Our study shows high levels of vulnerability regarding contracting COVID-19 and avoiding dental care as perceived by the population over 60 years old and with a systemic disease

Effect of Spatiotemporal Parameters on the Gait of Children Aged from 6 to 12 Years in Podiatric Tests: A Cross Sectional Study

The use of lower limb tests in the paediatric population is of great importance for diagnostic evaluations. The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between the tests performed on the feet and ankles, covering all of its planes, and the spatiotemporal parameters of children’s gait. Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study. Children aged between 6 and 12 years participated. Measurements were carried out in 2022. An analysis of three tests used to assess the feet and ankles (FPI, the ankle lunge test, and the lunge test), as well as a kinematic analysis of gait using OptoGait as a measurement tool, was performed. Results: The spatiotemporal parameters show how Jack’s Test is significant in the propulsion phase in its % parameter, with a p-value of 0.05 and a mean difference of 0.67%. Additionally, in the lunge test, we studied the % of midstance in the left foot, with a mean difference between the positive test and the 10 cm test of 10.76 (p value of 0.04). Conclusions: The diagnostic analysis of the functional limitation of the first toe (Jack’s test) is correlated with the spaciotemporal parameter of propulsion, as well as the lunge test, which is also correlated with the midstance phase of gait.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Pulmonary transcriptomic responses indicate a dual role of inflammation in pneumonia development and viral clearance during 2009 pandemic influenza infection

Background: The interaction between influenza virus and the host response to infection clearly plays an important role in determining the outcome of infection. While much is known on the participation of inflammation on the pathogenesis of severe A (H1N1) pandemic 09-influenza virus, its role in the course of non-fatal pneumonia has not been fully addressed. Methods: A systems biology approach was used to define gene expression profiles, histology and viral dynamics in the lungs of healthy immune-competent mice with pneumonia caused by a human influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus, which successfully resolved the infection. Results: Viral infection activated a marked pro-inflammatory response at the lung level paralleling the emergence of histological changes. Cellular immune response and cytokine signaling were the two signaling pathway categories more representative of our analysis. This transcriptome response was associated to viral clearance, and its resolution was accompanied by resolution of histopathology. Discussion: These findings suggest a dual role of pulmonary inflammation in viral clearance and development of pneumonia during non-fatal infection caused by the 2009 pandemic influenza virus. Understanding the dynamics of the host's transcriptomic and virological changes over the course of the infection caused by A (H1N1) pdm09 virus may help identifying the immune response profiles associated with an effective response against influenza virus

Reparación artroscópica con anclaje capsular en pacientes con lesiones periféricas del complejo del fibrocartílago triangular: evolución funcional a seis meses

Introduction: Injuries to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) are a frequent diagnosis in the practice of hand surgery. Standardized treatment depends on the level of involvement of the distal radio-ulnar ligaments (RCD) in the wrist.Objectives: To describe the functional results of arthroscopic repair with capsular anchorage in patients with peripheral injuries to the TFCC and their postoperative evolution at 6 months followup.Material and methods: Patients were included in a retrospective cohort, with a diagnosis of peripheral injury to the TFCC, treated by capsular anchorage, with a 6-month follow-up. The patients were evaluated from March 2018 to December 2020, using QuickDASH and the Mayo Wrist Score, before the surgical procedure, and at 3 and 6 months after surgery.Results: The mean time to injury in our patients was 11 weeks (range 4-24 weeks). Average time of physical therapy was of 4 weeks (range 3-6 weeks), with authorization to return to sports activity at 3 weeks. There were 4 complications, of which 1 did not improve, 2 patients had resolved transient ulnar paresthesia, and 1 resolved superficial soft tissue infection.Conclusion: The capsular anchoring technique developed in the study is reproducible with satisfactory results, using scales such as the QuickDASH and the Mayo Wrist Score.Introducción. Las lesiones del complejo del fibrocartílago triangular (CFCT) son una causa frecuente de consulta por cirugía de la mano debido al dolor cubital que ocasionan. Estas lesiones son tratadas de formas estandarizadas dependiendo del nivel de afección de los ligamentos radiocubitales distales (RCD) en la muñeca. Objetivo. Describir los resultados funcionales de la reparación artroscópica con anclaje capsular en pacientes con lesiones periféricas del CFCT y su evolución postquirúrgica a seis meses. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo realizado entre marzo del 2018 y diciembre del 2020 y en el que se incluyeron 32 pacientes con diagnóstico de lesión periférica del CFCT que hubieran sido tratados mediante anclaje capsular y tuvieran un seguimiento de seis meses. El estado de los participantes se midió antes del procedimiento quirúrgico y a los tres y seis meses postquirúrgicos con las herramientas QuickDASH y Mayo Wrist Score. Resultados. El tiempo promedio de lesión en los pacientes analizados fue de 11 semanas (rango de cuatro a 24 semanas), y el tiempo promedio de terapia de rehabilitación fue de cuatro semanas (rango de tres a seis semanas), con autorización a la reincorporación a actividad deportiva a las tres semanas. Se presentaron cuatro complicaciones: un paciente no tuvo mejoría, dos pacientes presentaron parestesias cubitales transitorias resueltas y el otro paciente presentó una infección de tejidos blandos superficial que también fue resuelta. Conclusión. La técnica de anclaje capsular empleada en el presente estudio es reproducible, pues según las escalas QuickDASH y Mayo Wrist Score los pacientes intervenidos tuvieron resultados satisfactorios

Model for predicting early and late-onset postoperative pulmonary complications in perioperative patients receiving neuromuscular blockade: a secondary analysis

Pulmonary complications continue to be the most common adverse event after surgery. The main objective was to carry out two independent predictive models, both for early pulmonary complications in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and late-onset pulmonary complications after 30 postoperative days. The secondary objective was to determine whether presenting early complications subsequently causes patients to have other late-onset events. This is a secondary analysis of a cohort study. 714 patients were divided into four groups depending on the neuromuscular blocking agent, and spontaneous or pharmacological reversal. Incidence of late-onset complications if we have not previously had any early complications was 4.96%. If the patient has previously had early complications the incidence of late-onset complications was 22.02%. If airway obstruction occurs, the risk of atelectasis increased from 6.88 to 22.58% (p = 0.002). If hypoxemia occurs, the incidence increased from 5.82 to 21.79% (p < 0.001). Based on our predictive models, we conclude that diabetes mellitus and preoperative anemia are two risk factors for early and late-onset postoperative pulmonary complications, respectively. Hypoxemia and airway obstruction in Post-Anesthesia Care Unit increased four times the risk of the development of pneumonia and atelectasis at 30 postoperative days

Cultura y Lengua aplicadas a las enseñanzas de la Información (II)

Se trata de un proyecto de integración cultural y lingüística dirigido a alumnos sinohablantes para ayudarles a desarrollar competencias culturales y lingüístico-pragmáticas en español en el ámbito de la comunicación y la información. Se exponen los objetivos alcanzados, la metodología y las actividades desarrolladas en la segunda edición del proyecto, la descripción de los seminarios "Aula sin fronteras: ¡comunícate!" y del "Cinefórum sin fronteras"

Prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish populations: A reanalysis of dementia prevalence surveys, 1990-2008

Background This study describes the prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish elderly. Methods We identified screening surveys, both published and unpublished, in Spanish populations, which fulfilled specific quality criteria and targeted prevalence of dementia in populations aged 70 years and above. Surveys covering 13 geographically different populations were selected (prevalence period: 1990-2008). Authors of original surveys provided methodological details of their studies through a systematic questionnaire and also raw age-specific data. Prevalence data were compared using direct adjustment and logistic regression. Results The reanalyzed study population (aged 70 year and above) was composed of Central and North-Eastern Spanish sub-populations obtained from 9 surveys and totaled 12,232 persons and 1,194 cases of dementia (707 of Alzheimer's disease, 238 of vascular dementia). Results showed high variation in age- and sex-specific prevalence across studies. The reanalyzed prevalence of dementia was significantly higher in women; increased with age, particularly for Alzheimer's disease; and displayed a significant geographical variation among men. Prevalence was lowest in surveys reporting participation below 85%, studies referred to urban-mixed populations and populations diagnosed by psychiatrists. Conclusion Prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Central and North-Eastern Spain is higher in females, increases with age, and displays considerable geographic variation that may be method-related. People suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Spain may approach 600,000 and 400,000 respectively. However, existing studies may not be completely appropriate to infer prevalence of dementia and its subtypes in Spain until surveys in Southern Spain are conductedFinancial aid was obtained from the Spanish RECSP C03-09, CIEN C03-06 and CIBERNED networks, and from the Pfizer Foundation in particularS

Blockage of autophagic ux is associated with lymphocytosis and higher percentage of tumoral cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cells

Póster presentado al 42nd Congress of the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SEBBM), celebrado en Madrid del 16 al 19 de julio de 2019.[Objective] Autophagy has lately emerged as an important biological process with implications in several hematological pathologies. Recently, a growing body of evidence supports a putative role of autophagy in chronic lymphocytic leukemia, however no definitive clue has been established so far. To elucidate this issue, we have developed a pilot study to measure autophagic flux in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, and explored its correlation with classical clinical/analytical parameters. [Methods/Patients] Thirty-three chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients participated in the study. Autophagic flux in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was determined by western blot measuring the levels of the proteins p62 and lipidated LC3. Moreover, p62 mRNA levels were studied by RT-qPCR. [Results] Lymphocytosis and the percentage of tumoral lymphocytes in chronic lymphocityc leukemia patients statistically correlates with a blocked autophagic flux. [Conclusion] Alterations in autophagic flux could play an important role in the physiopathology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Fundación Leticia Castillejo Castillo, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Sociedad Castellano Manchega de Hematología y Hemoterapia. RSP and MJRH Research Institutes, and the work carried out in their laboratories received support from the European Community through the Regional Development Funding Program (FEDER).Peer reviewe