Transport of North African industrial pollutants mixed with desert dust in the Saharan Air Layer

Comunicación presentada en: V Reunión Española de Ciencia y Tecnología de Aerosoles – RECTA 2011 celebrada del 27 al 29 de junio de 2011 en CIEMAT, Madrid

Randomized phase II study of fulvestrant plus palbociclib or placebo in endocrine-sensitive, hormone receptor-positive/HER2-advanced breast cancer: GEICAM/2014-12 (FLIPPER).

Este artículo ha sido publicado en la revista European Journal of Cancer. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Background: The potential benefit of adding palbociclib to fulvestrant as first-line treatment in hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative endocrine-sensitive advanced breast cancer (ABC) patients remains uncharacterized. Patients and methods: In this randomized (1:1), double-blind, phase II study, postmenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative ABC with de novo metastatic disease or those who relapsed after >12 months of adjuvant endocrine therapy received palbociclib/fulvestrant or placebo/fulvestrant. Stratification was based on recurrent versus de novo metastatic disease and visceral involvement. The primary objective was one-year progression-free survival (PFS-1y) rate. The sample size was 190 patients. The two-sided alpha of 0.2, 80% of power to detect a difference between the arms, assuming PFS rates of 0.695 and 0.545 for palbociclib/fulvestrant and placebo/fulvestrant, respectively. Results: In total, 189 patients were randomized to palbociclib/fulvestrant ([n = 94] or placebo/fulvestrant [n = 95]). 45.5% and 60.3% of patients had de novo metastatic disease and visceral involvement, respectively. PFS-1y rates were 83.5% and 71.9% in the palbociclib/fulvestrant and placebo/fulvestrant arms, (HR 0.55, 80% CI 0.36-0.83, P = 0.064). The median PFS were 31.8 and 22.0 months for the palbociclib/fulvestrant and placebo/fulvestrant arms (aHR 0.48, 80% CI 0.37-0.64, P = 0.001). The most frequent grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia (68.1% vs. 0%), leucopenia (26.6% vs. 0%), anemia (3.2% vs. 0%), and lymphopenia (14.9% vs. 2.1%) for the palbociclib/fulvestrant and placebo/fulvestrant, respectively. The most frequent non-hematologic grade 3-4 adverse event was fatigue (4.3% vs. 0%). Conclusions: Palbociclib/fulvestrant demonstrated better PFS-1y rates and median PFS than placebo/fulvestrant in HR-positive/HER2-negative endocrine-sensitive ABC patients

Eficacia del gel vaginal de coriolus versicolor en mujeres con lesiones cervicales asociadas al virus del papiloma humano. El estudio Paloma

Objetivo: el objetivo del estudio fue determinar la eficacia de un gel vaginal con Coriolus versicolor, Papilocare®, en la reparación de las lesiones cervicales de bajo grado causada por el virus del papiloma humano (VPH). Material y métodos: estudio multicéntrico, abierto, aleatorizado y controlado que implicó 91 mujeres positivas en VPH con alteraciones de bajo grado en citología cervical y colposcopia concordante. Resultados: el porcentaje de mujeres con citología normal y colposcopia concordante después de tres y seis meses de tratamiento con el gel fue significativamente mayor (78,0% y 84,9%) que en el grupo control (54,8% y 64,5%), principalmente en pacientes con VPH de alto riesgo (79,5% y 87,8% frente a 52,0% y 56,0%). A los seis meses, el aclaramiento de VPH fue mayor en pacientes que recibieron tratamiento respecto a las que no lo recibieron (59,6% frente a 41,9%), especialmente en las de alto riesgo (62,5% frente a 40,0%). En comparación con basal, el estrés percibido por las pacientes se redujo en el grupo de tratamiento (de 21,1 a 19,0), mientras que se incrementó en el grupo control (de 17,7 a 20,7). Se describieron siete posibles/probables efectos adversos relacionados con el tratamiento; la mayoría de severidad leve o moderada. Conclusión: el tratamiento con el gel vaginal con Coriolus versicolor ha demostrado un mayor beneficio clínico que la conducta clínica habitual, espera vigilante, tanto en la muestra total como en el subgrupo de alto riesgo, respecto a su eficacia para el tratamiento de las lesiones cervicales de bajo grado y el aclaramiento de las cepas de VPH después de seis meses de tratamiento. El gel vaginal ha presentado además un perfil de seguridad y tolerabilidad alto y ha conferido adicionalmente una importante mejora de la reepitelización cervical, una reducción del estrés percibido y una alta adherencia terapéutica.2021-2

Prevalence of and factors associated with homebound status among adults in urban and rural Spanish populations

BACKGROUND: There is a marked growth in the number of homebound older adults, due mainly to increased life expectancy. Although this group has special characteristics and needs, it has not been properly studied. This study thus aimed to measure the prevalence of homebound status in a community-dwelling population, and its association with both socio-demographic, medical and functional characteristics and the use of health care and social services. METHODS: We used instruments coming under the WHO International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework to carry out a cross-sectional study on populations aged 50 years and over in the province of Zaragoza (Spain), covering a total of 1622 participants. Persons who reported severe or extreme difficulty in getting out of the house in the last 30 days were deemed to be homebound. We studied associations between homebound status and several relevant variables in a group of 790 subjects who tested positive to the WHODAS-12 disability screening tool. RESULTS: Prevalence of homebound status was 9.8 % (95 % CI: 8.4 to 11.3 %). Homebound participants tended to be older, female and display a lower educational level, a higher number of diseases, poorer cognition and a higher degree of disability. In fully adjusted models including disability as measured with the ICF-Checklist, the associated variables (odds ratios and [95 % confidence intervals]) were: female gender (3.75 [2.10–6.68]); urban population (2.36 [1.30–4.29]); WHODAS-12 disability (6.27 [2.56–15.40]); depressive symptoms (2.95 [1.86–4.68]); moderate pain (2.37 [1.30–4.31] and severe pain (3.03 [1.31–7.01]), as compared to the group with no/mild pain; hospital admissions in the previous 3 months (2.98 [1.25–7.11]); and diabetes (1.87 [1.03–3.41]). Adjustment for ICF-Checklist disability had a notable impact on most associations. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that homebound status is a common problem in our setting, and that being disabled is its main determinant. Socio-demographic characteristics, barriers and chronic diseases can also be assumed to be playing a role in the onset of this condition, indicating the need for further research, including longitudinal studies on its incidence and associated factors

Innovación en las enseñanzas universitarias: experiencias presentadas en las III Jornadas de Innovación Educativa de la ULL

En este libro se recoge un conjunto de experiencias de innovación educativa desarrolladas en la ULL en el curso 2011-12. Se abordan distintos ámbitos y ramas del conocimiento, y ocupan temáticas variadas que han sido desarrolladas con rigor, y con un claro potencial para su extrapolación a efectos de la mejora educativa en el ámbito universitario. Esta publicación constituye una primera edición de una serie que irá recogiendo las experiencias de innovación educativa de la ULL. Este es un paso relevante para su impulso en nuestra institución, como lo es el de su vinculación con la investigación educativa, para potenciar su publicación en las revistas científicas en este ámbito cada vez más pujante y relevante para las universidades. Sobre todo representan el deseo y el compromiso del profesorado de la ULL para la mejora del proceso educativo mediante la investigación, la evaluación y la reflexión compartida de nuestras prácticas y planteamientos docentes

Relationship of Weather Types on the Seasonal and Spatial Variability of Rainfall, Runoff, and Sediment Yield in the Western Mediterranean Basin

Rainfall is the key factor to understand soil erosion processes, mechanisms, and rates. Most research was conducted to determine rainfall characteristics and their relationship with soil erosion (erosivity) but there is little information about how atmospheric patterns control soil losses, and this is important to enable sustainable environmental planning and risk prevention. We investigated the temporal and spatial variability of the relationships of rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield with atmospheric patterns (weather types, WTs) in the western Mediterranean basin. For this purpose, we analyzed a large database of rainfall events collected between 1985 and 2015 in 46 experimental plots and catchments with the aim to: (i) evaluate seasonal differences in the contribution of rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield produced by the WTs; and (ii) to analyze the seasonal efficiency of the different WTs (relation frequency and magnitude) related to rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield. The results indicate two different temporal patterns: the first weather type exhibits (during the cold period: autumn and winter) westerly flows that produce the highest rainfall, runoff, and sediment yield values throughout the territory; the second weather type exhibits easterly flows that predominate during the warm period (spring and summer) and it is located on the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula. However, the cyclonic situations present high frequency throughout the whole year with a large influence extended around the western Mediterranean basin. Contrary, the anticyclonic situations, despite of its high frequency, do not contribute significantly to the total rainfall, runoff, and sediment (showing the lowest efficiency) because of atmospheric stability that currently characterize this atmospheric pattern. Our approach helps to better understand the relationship of WTs on the seasonal and spatial variability of rainfall, runoff and sediment yield with a regional scale based on the large dataset and number of soil erosion experimental stations

Caracterización y tipología de eventos de “suradas” del golfo de Tehuantepec al centro del estado de Veracruz, México

Ponencia presentada en: XI Congreso de la Asociación Española de Climatología celebrado en Cartagena entre el 17 y el 19 de octubre de 2018.[ES]El estado de Veracruz (México), debido a su ubicación geográfica se ve afectado por fenómenos meteorológicos muy variados a lo largo del año, tales como sistemas tropicales (ondas y ciclones tropicales) en verano y sistemas frontales (frentes fríos y ciclones extratropicales) en invierno. La alta presión asociada a los sistemas frontales provoca un gradiente horizontal de presión, generando vientos intensos de componente norte en el litoral del Golfo de México, localmente conocidos como “Nortes” Previo a su paso se observa una disminución de la presión atmosférica y humedad relativa, un incremento de temperatura, cielo mayormente despejado, y viento de componente sur. En el centro del estado de Veracruz, este viento cálido y relativamente seco se intensifica debido a la cadena montañosa. A este fenómeno se le conoce localmente como “surada” En este trabajo se presenta una tipología y caracterización de los patrones sinópticos que dan origen a las “suradas”.[EN]The state of Veracruz, due to its geographical location, is affected by very varied weather phenomena throughout the year, such as tropical systems (tropical waves and cyclones) in summer and frontal systems (cold fronts and extratropical cyclones) in winter. The high pressure associated with the frontal systems, causes a horizontal pressure gradient, generating intense winds of northern component in the coast of the Gulf of Mexico locally known as "Nortes". Prior to the passage of this phenomenon, there is a decrease in atmospheric pressure and relative humidity, an increase in temperature, a mostly clear sky, and a southerly wind. In the center of the state of Veracruz, this warm and relatively dry wind intensifies due to the mountain range. This phenomenon is locally known as "surada". This paper shows a typology and characterization of the synoptic patterns that give rise to the "suradas".Este trabajo ha sido desarrollado y financiado por el proyecto de investigación "Interacción superficie/atmósfera en la zona montañosa central de la vertiente del Golfo de México: observaciones y modelación a alta resolución" SEP-CONACYT CB-2012-01;000000000183040

Prevalence of and factors associated with homebound status among adults in urban and rural Spanish populations

BACKGROUND: There is a marked growth in the number of homebound older adults, due mainly to increased life expectancy. Although this group has special characteristics and needs, it has not been properly studied. This study thus aimed to measure the prevalence of homebound status in a community-dwelling population, and its association with both socio-demographic, medical and functional characteristics and the use of health care and social services. METHODS: We used instruments coming under the WHO International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework to carry out a cross-sectional study on populations aged 50 years and over in the province of Zaragoza (Spain), covering a total of 1622 participants. Persons who reported severe or extreme difficulty in getting out of the house in the last 30 days were deemed to be homebound. We studied associations between homebound status and several relevant variables in a group of 790 subjects who tested positive to the WHODAS-12 disability screening tool. RESULTS: Prevalence of homebound status was 9.8 % (95 % CI: 8.4 to 11.3 %). Homebound participants tended to be older, female and display a lower educational level, a higher number of diseases, poorer cognition and a higher degree of disability. In fully adjusted models including disability as measured with the ICF-Checklist, the associated variables (odds ratios and [95 % confidence intervals]) were: female gender (3.75 [2.10-6.68]); urban population (2.36 [1.30-4.29]); WHODAS-12 disability (6.27 [2.56-15.40]); depressive symptoms (2.95 [1.86-4.68]); moderate pain (2.37 [1.30-4.31] and severe pain (3.03 [1.31-7.01]), as compared to the group with no/mild pain; hospital admissions in the previous 3 months (2.98 [1.25-7.11]); and diabetes (1.87 [1.03-3.41]). Adjustment for ICF-Checklist disability had a notable impact on most associations. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that homebound status is a common problem in our setting, and that being disabled is its main determinant. Socio-demographic characteristics, barriers and chronic diseases can also be assumed to be playing a role in the onset of this condition, indicating the need for further research, including longitudinal studies on its incidence and associated factors.This study was funded by the Carlos III Institute of Health (projects EPI 1637–1606 and 1530–1507), Health Research Fund (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias/FIS grants PI06/1098 and PI 07/90206), Consortium for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas/CIBERNED), Zaragoza Provincial Authority, and the Farasdués Foundation.S

Transport of desert dust mixed with North African industrial pollutants in the subtropical Saharan Air Layer [Discussion paper]

An analysis of chemical composition data of particulate matter samples (TSP, PM10 and PM2.5) collected from 2002 to 2008 in the North Atlantic free troposphere at the Izaña Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW) observatory (Tenerife, Canary Islands) shows that desert dust is very frequently mixed with particulate pollutants in the Saharan Air Layer (SAL). The study of this data set with Median Concentrations At Receptor (MCAR) plots allowed the identification of the potential source regions of the dust and particulate pollutants. Areas located at the south of the southern slope of the Atlas mountains emerge as the most frequent source of the soil desert dust advected to the northern edge of the SAL in summer. Industrial emissions occurring in Northern Algeria, Eastern Algeria, Tunisia and the Atlantic coast of Morocco appear as the most important source of the nitrate, ammonium and a fraction of sulphate (at least 60 % of the sulphate <10 μm transported from some regions) observed in the SAL. These emissions are mostly linked to crude oil refineries, phosphate-based fertilizer industry and power plants. Although desert dust emissions appear as the most frequent source of the phosphorous observed in the SAL, high P concentrations are observed when the SAL is affected by emissions from open mines of phosphate and phosphate based fertilizer industry. The results also show that a significant fraction of the sulphate (up to 90 % of sulphate <10 μm transported from some regions) observed in the SAL may be influenced by soil emissions of evaporite minerals in well defined regions where dry saline lakes (chotts) are present. These interpretations of the MCAR plots are consistent with the results obtained with the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF2) receptor modelling. The results of this study show that North African industrial pollutants may be mixed with desert dust and exported to the North Atlantic in the Saharan Air Layer.This study has been carried out within the Global Atmospheric Watch Program (financed by AEMET), and in the framework of the research projects GRACCIE (CSD2007- 00067; Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain), CARIATI (CGL2008-06294/CLI; Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain), AER-REG (P07-RNM-03125; Department of Innovation, Science and Enterprise of the Government of Andalusia) and REDMAAS (CGL2010-11095-E; Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain)

Celebrating a face-to-face congress of young researchers in Optics after the pandemic years: the I NW MYRO

This contribution reports the organization and celebration after the Covid-19 pandemic of a singular scientific conference focused on early-career researchers from the Spanish universities of Santiago de Compostela and Salamanca: the “I Northwest Meeting of Young Researchers in Optics (I NW MYRO)”