Beliefs, attitudes, death anxiety in a multidisciplinary team oncology palliative care

En el ámbito de la salud, se ha puesto en evidencia la necesidad de profundizar en las actitudes y creencias ante la muerte en los propios profesionales ya que pueden influir en la calidad de los cuidados, especialmente las derivadas de procesos de muerte y duelo, por lo que el objetivo de la investigación fue explorar y analizar actitudes y creencias ante la muerte en el personal de salud en Cuidados Paliativos Oncológicos. Fue un estudio, transversal y descriptivo; se utilizó un muestreo intencional, los instrumentos utilizados fueron: Formato de datos personales y profesionales, Escala de Ansiedad ante la muerte de Templer, Creencias con relación al paciente terminal y Cuestionario de Actitudes ante la Muerte (CAM). Se analizaron los datos estadísticamente: análisis de frecuencias y correlación de Spearman, con una alta tendencia en considerar que es mejor que el paciente terminal fallezca en casa, en el uso de la morfina como tratamiento para el dolor en cáncer avanzado y recibir una atención integral. Dentro de las principales actitudes del personal de salud hacia el paciente terminal y la muerte se encontraron: mayor responsabilidad y atención hacia la vida, y promoción del crecimiento personal para aceptar su propia muerte.In the field of health, has highlighted the need to delve into the attitudes and beliefs about death in the professionals because they can influence the quality of care, especially those derived from processes of death and mourning, for what the objective of the research was to explore and analyze attitudes and beliefs about death in health personnel Oncology Palliative Care. The study was a cross-sectional and descriptive, purposive sampling was used, the instruments used were format personal and professional, Anxiety Scale Templer’s death, beliefs regarding the terminal patient and Attitudes Questionnaire Death (CAM ). Data were analyzed statistically: Frequency analysis and Spearman correlation, with a high tendency to consider that is better than the terminal patient dies at home, in the use of morphine as a treatment for pain in advanced cancer and receiving comprehensive care. Among the main attitudes in the health staff towards the patient and death were found: more responsibility and attention to the promotion of life and personal growth to take his own life

Challenges in Chagas Disease Drug Discovery: a review

Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Although the number of infected individuals has decreased, about 6-7 million people are infected worldwide. The chemotherapy drugs currently used are limited to benznidazole and nifurtimox. They are effective in acute phase, congenital transmission and children with chronic infection; however, recent clinical trials have shown limitations in adults with chronic infection, presenting drawbacks during the treatment. Thus, there is an urgent need for new effective, safe and affordable drugs to fight against this complex disease. There were high expectations for azole derivatives as they appeared to be the most promising drugs for the treatment of Chagas disease during the last decade; however, the disappointing results obtained so far in clinical trials evidenced the lack of correlation between preclinical and clinical development. Therefore, the feedback obtained from these studies should define the starting point for addressing a roadmap for the drug discovery process in the fight against this disease. To tackle this challenge, it is important to keep in mind the drug target profile, already defined by panels of experts, and the coordinated work involving multi-disciplinary networks focusing not only on the discovery of new drugs but also on the standardization of the protocols that would allow acceleration in the Chagas disease drug discovery process

Trend changes of African airmass intrusions in the marine boundary layer over the subtropical Eastern North Atlantic region in winter

African dust intrusions in the marine mixing layer of the Eastern North Atlantic subtropical region (23.5°N to 35°N) are favoured in winter when the eastern edge of the Azores High covers Southwestern Europe and North Africa. In situ ground pressure observations and reanalysis from National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) indicate that the Azores High has strengthened and shifted eastward in winter over the last three decades. This is evidenced by the increase over time of the Madrid–Tenerife Index which is defined as the geopotential height anomaly difference at 1000 mb between Tenerife (28.5°N; 16.3°W) and Madrid (40.5°N; 3.5°W) in winter and of the African Index which is defined as the residence time over Africa of air mass trajectories entering the subtropical Eastern North Atlantic Ocean. Barcelona Supercomputing Center/Dust Regional Atmospheric Model (BSC-DREAM) dust regional model simulations from 1958 to 2006 were performed, assuming that the soil characteristics of dust sources remained unchanged over time. Simulated winter dust concentration levels are well correlated (0.67) with the available background observations for the 1998–2004 period. The model results show a two-fold increase in winter dust concentrations over the 1980–2006 period with respect to the 1958–1979 period, corresponding to the strengthening and eastward shift of the Azores High

Concepto de espiritualidad del equipo multidisciplinario de una unidad de cui¬dados paliativos: un estudio descriptivo

Spirituality is a fundamental need in palliative care; however, the literature reports that there are inconsistencies in the definition of the terms “spirituality” and “religiosity,” which creates confusion in how to approach these issues with the patients. The present study was exploratory, with the aim to better understand the concept of spirituality and religiosity that a multidisciplinary team has in an oncology palliative care unit. The study was not experimental, cross-sectional and descriptive, with 34 health professionals. To obtain each concept, the natural semantic networks technique was used; using two stimulus words: spirituality and religiosity. Among the results, similarities between the two concepts were found, being both defined as faith, god, belief, love, religion, hope. However, there are differences that distinguish the concept of spirituality; defined as peace, soul, tranquility, harmony, meditation, kindness, spirit, and transcendence; from the concept of religiosity; defined as church, rituals, bigotry, spirituality, commitment, prayer, rules, and priest. Concluding that the concepts are confusing to the palliative care team, however they have personal resources to identify the spiritual needs although they lack of information and formal training to address this.La espiritualidad, es una necesidad fundamental en el cuidado paliativo, sin embargo, la literatura reporta que existen inconsistencias en la definición de los términos “espiritualidad” y “religiosidad”, lo que genera confusión en su abordaje con los pacientes. El presente estudio fue exploratorio, con el objetivo de conocer la concepción de espiritualidad y religiosidad que tiene un equipo multidisciplinario en una unidad de cuidados paliativos oncológicos. El estudio fue no experimental, transversal y descriptivo; con 34 profesionales de la salud. Para la obtención del concepto se empleó la técnica de redes semánticas naturales, utilizando dos palabras estímulo: Espiritualidad y Religiosidad. Dentro de los resultados se encontraron semejanzas entre ambas palabras, al ser definidos como: fe, dios, creencia, amor, religión, esperanza, creencias. Sin embargo, se presentan diferencias en el concepto de espiritualidad; definida como paz, alma, tranquilidad, armonía, meditación, bondad, espíritu; y trascendencia; mientras que el concepto de religiosidad; fue definida como iglesia, ritos, fanatismo, espiritualidad, compromiso, oración, reglas, y sacerdote. Concluyendo que los conceptos resultan confusos para el equipo de cuidados paliativos, sin embargo, cuentan con recursos personales para identificar las necesidades espirituales aunque carecen de información y entrenamiento formal para su abordaje

Decomposition and biological colonization of native and exotic leaf litter in a Central Spain stream

Riparian invasion by exotic trees may lead to changes in the quality of leaf-litter inputs to freshwater ecosystems. Leaflitter inputs are especially important in headwater streams, where aquatic food webs largely depend on the organic matter provided by the terrestrial vegetation. In a headwater stream of Central Spain, North of Guadalajara Province (Tagus basin) we compared the decomposition and biological colonization of leaf litter among two exotic (Ailanthus altissima Mill. Swingle and Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and two native trees (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. and Populus alba L.) co-existing in riparian zones. We hypothesized a lower biological colonization of exotic leaves due to organisms have not co-evolved with the exotic trees according to the Novel Weapons Hypothesis (NWH) and, consequently, lower decomposition rates of exotic leaves. To test our hypothesis, litter bags with different mesh sizes (coarse (C) and fine (F)), were used to distinguish between the total and microbial decomposition. The litter bags were placed in the stream and recovered after 2, 20, 39, 62 and 82 days of incubation. After each collection, we assessed the amount of remaining litter, analysed the nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) in the litter, identified the macroinvertebrates and quantified the fungal biomass. Consistent with our hypothesis, we found greater fungal biomass buildup on native leaves than on exotic leaves. However, decomposition rates (k) were species-specific, being the ranking in C-bags (A. altissima = F. angustifolia > P. alba > R. pseudoacacia) slightly different than in F-bags (A. altissima > F. angustifolia > P. alba > R. pseudoacacia). The k in both the C-bags and F-bags were correlated with leaf traits, such as lignin, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and lignin:P. There was not a clear effect of the exotic species on macroinvertebrate variables, but the contribution of macroinvertebrates to litter decomposition was lower in exotic litter than in native litter, as shown by a lower ratio between k in C-bags and k in F-bags (kC : kF). Our results supported that invasive species might impact both biological colonization and decomposition rates in stream ecosystems by the addition of different quality leaf litter when compared to native vegetation. The differences in the biological colonization may be explained by the NWH, but differences in the decomposition rates were better explained by litter quality

About identification of features that affect the estimation of citrus harvest

Accurate models for early harvest estimation in citrus production generally involve expensive variables. The goal of this research work was to develop a model to provide early and accurate estimations of harvest using low-cost features. Given the original data may derive from tree measurements, meteorological stations, or satellites, they have varied costs. The studied orchards included tangerines (Citrus reticulata x C. sinensis) and sweet oranges (C. sinensis) located in northeastern Argentina. Machine learning methods combined with different datasets were tested to obtain the most accurate harvest estimation. The final model is based on support vector machines with low-cost variables like species, age, irrigation, red and near-infrared reflectance in February and December, NDVI in December, rain during ripening, and humidity during fruit growth. Highlights: Red and near-infrared reflectance in February and December are helpful values to predict orange harvest. SVM is an efficient method to predict harvest. A ranking method to A ranking-based method has been developed to identify the variables that best predict orange production.  Accurate models for early harvest estimation in citrus production generally involve expensive variables. The goal of this research work was to develop a model to provide early and accurate estimations of harvest using low-cost features. Given the original data may derive from tree measurements, meteorological stations, or satellites, they have varied costs. The studied orchards included tangerines (Citrus reticulata x C. sinensis) and sweet oranges (C. sinensis) located in northeastern Argentina. Machine learning methods combined with different datasets were tested to obtain the most accurate harvest estimation. The final model is based on support vector machines with low-cost variables like species, age, irrigation, red and near-infrared reflectance in February and December, NDVI in December, rain during ripening, and humidity during fruit growth. Highlights: Red and near-infrared reflectance in February and December are helpful values to predict orange harvest. SVM is an efficient method to predict harvest. A ranking method to A ranking-based method has been developed to identify the variables that best predict orange production

APORTES EDUCATIVOS EN SALUD INTEGRAL EN MUJERES ADOLESCENTES

Las actividades de extensión desarrolladas en la comunidad nos permiten llegar a un gran número de personas con alta vulnerabilidad. El objetivo de este trabajo de extensión fue lograr una mejor calidad de vida tratando en forma integral la salud de un grupo de mujeres adolescentes en estado de vulnerabilidad. Basamos nuestra labor en la motivación hacia el cuidado de la salud en general y la salud bucodental a través de charlas informativas y acciones preventivas donde se trabajó sobre factores que interfieren el equilibrio del estado de salud. Charlas educativas, talleres sobre educación sexual, prevención de enfermedades sexuales y métodos de cuidado, respaldado en leyes nacionales vigentes. Los resultados fueron satisfactorios, se logró despertar el interés, motivación y acciones de mejoramiento en hábitos de higiene bucal, logrando niveles compatibles con salud en un 80% de las adolescentes intervenidas. Relacionar estas manifestaciones bucales, con las de salud general brindó herramientas para el autocuidado de mujeres adolescentes

Decomposition and biological colonization of native and exotic leaf litter in a stream

Riparian invasion by exotic trees may lead to changes in the quality of leaf-litter inputs to freshwater ecosystems. Leaflitterinputs are especially important in headwater streams, where aquatic food webs largely depend on the organic matterprovided by the terrestrial vegetation. In a headwater stream of Central Spain, North of Guadalajara Province (Tagus basin)we compared the decomposition and biological colonization of leaf litter among two exotic (Ailanthus altissima Mill. Swingleand Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and two native trees (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. and Populus alba L.) co-existing in riparianzones.We hypothesized a lower biological colonization of exotic leaves due to organisms have not co-evolved with the exotictrees according to the Novel Weapons Hypothesis (NWH) and, consequently, lower decomposition rates of exotic leaves. Totest our hypothesis, litter bags with different mesh sizes (coarse (C) and fine (F)), were used to distinguish between the totaland microbial decomposition. The litter bags were placed in the stream and recovered after 2, 20, 39, 62 and 82 days ofincubation. After each collection, we assessed the amount of remaining litter, analysed the nitrogen (N) and phosphorous(P) in the litter, identified the macroinvertebrates and quantified the fungal biomass. Consistent with our hypothesis, we foundgreater fungal biomass buildup on native leaves than on exotic leaves. However, decomposition rates (k) were species-specific,being the ranking in C-bags (A. altissima = F. angustifolia > P. alba > R. pseudoacacia) slightly different than in F-bags (A.altissima > F. angustifolia > P. alba > R. pseudoacacia).La invasión de las riberas por árboles exóticos puede provocar cambios en la calidad de las entradas de hojarasca a los ecosistemas de agua dulce, especialmente importantes en arroyos de cabecera, donde las redes tróficas dependen en gran medida de los aportes de materia orgánica proporcionada por la vegetación terrestre. En un arroyo de cabecera del Centro de España, Norte de la provincia de Guadalajara (Cuenca del Tajo), comparamos entre la descomposición y colonización biológica de la hojarasca de dos árboles exóticos (Ailanthus altissima Mill. Swingle y Robinia pseudoacacia L.) y dos nativos (Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl. y Populus alba L.), que coexisten en zonas de ribera. Hipotetizamos que habrá una menor colonización biológica de las hojas exóticas debido a que los organismos del arroyo no han co-evolucionado con los árboles exóticos de acuerdo con la Hipótesis de las Nuevas Armas (NWH) y, por tanto, menores tasas de descomposición de éstas. Para testar nuestra hipótesis, se sumergieron en el arroyo bolsas de descomposición con distinta de luz de malla, gruesa (C) y fina (F) –usadas para distinguir entre descomposición total y microbiana– y se recuperaron después de 2, 20, 39, 62 y 82 días de incubación. Después de la recolección pesamos la cantidad de hojarasca remanente, analizamos el nitrógeno (N) y fósforo (P) de la hojarasca, identificamos los macroinvertebrados y cuantificamos la biomasa fúngica. De acuerdo con nuestra hipótesis, encontramos mayor biomasa fúngica acumulada en hojas nativas que en exóticas. Sin embargo, la tasa de descomposición (k) fue específica de la especie, siendo el ranking en las bolsas C (A. altissima = F. angustifolia > P. alba > R. pseudoacacia) ligeramente diferente al de las bolsas F (A. altissima > F. angustifolia > P. alba > R. pseudoacacia). Ambas k (en bolsas C y F) se correlacionaron con lignina, fibra ácido detergente (ADF) y lignina:P. No hubo un efecto claro de las especies exóticas sobre las variables de macroinvertebrados, pero la contribución de los macroinvertebrados a la descomposición fue menor en la hojarasca exótica que en la nativa, como muestra el menor ratio entre k en bolsas C y F (kC : kF). Nuestros resultados apoyan que las especies invasoras pueden impactar tanto la colonización biológica como las tasas de descomposición de la hojarasca en los ecosistemas de arroyos mediante el aporte de hojarasca de distinta calidad respecto de la vegetación nativa. Las diferencias en colonización biológica pueden ser explicadas por la NHW pero las diferencias en descomposición son mejor explicadas por la calidad de la hojarasca.Ministerio de Economía y CompetitividadJunta de Comunidades de Castilla-La ManchaComunidad de Madri