Health Literacy and Its Sociodemographic Predictors: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Population in Madrid (Spain)

Background: Health literacy enhances a population’s self-care capacity and helps to reduce health inequalities. This work examines the health literacy of a population attending primary care services and explores its relationship with sociodemographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted at a healthcare center in the Madrid region (Spain), involved adult patients requiring primary care nursing services. One hundred and sixty-six participants were recruited via systematic random sampling. Health literacy was measured using the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Results: The studied population showed higher health literacy scores for literacy dimensions 1 (feeling understood and supported by healthcare providers) and 4 (social support for health); the lowest scores were recorded for dimensions 5 (appraisal of health information) and 8 (ability to find good health information). People with a better perceived health status showed a higher level of health literacy. People over 65 years of age, those with an incomplete secondary education, and those who were unemployed returned lower scores for several literacy dimensions. Conclusions: The results contribute to our understanding of the factors that influence health literacy. Identifying the areas in which patients show the poorest health literacy may help us comprehend their needs and better support them

Declarative and procedural learning in children and adolescents with posterior fossa tumours

BACKGROUND: This quasi-experimental study was designed to assess two important learning types – procedural and declarative – in children and adolescents affected by posterior fossa tumours (astrocytoma vs. medulloblastoma), given that memory has an important impact on the child's academic achievement and personal development. METHODS: We had three groups: two clinical (eighteen subjects) and one control (twelve subjects). The learning types in these groups were assessed by two experimental tasks evaluating procedural-implicit and declarative memory. A Serial Reaction-Time Task was used to measure procedural sequence learning, and the Spanish version [1] of the California Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version- CVLT- [2] to measure declarative-explicit learning. The learning capacity was assessed considering only the blocks that represent learning, and were compared with MANOVA in clinical and normal subjects. The Raven, simple reaction-time, finger-tapping test, and grooved pegboard tests were used to assess the overall functioning of subjects. The results were compared with those from a control group of the same age, and with Spanish norm-referenced tools where available RESULTS: The results indicate the absence of procedural-implicit learning in both clinical groups, whereas declarative-explicit learning is maintained in both groups. CONCLUSION: The clinical groups showed a conservation of declarative learning and a clear impairment of procedural learning. The results support the role of the cerebellum in the early phase of procedural learning

Programa de seguridad y salud ocupacional para prevenir riesgos, enfermedades profesionales y accidentes laborales de los empleados y estudiantes en el colegio de la iglesia evangélica El Dios de Israel, ubicado en el municipio de San Salvador.

Desde siempre para la humanidad han existido situaciones o hechos que ponen en riesgo la vida o salud del hombre. De la misma manera, el hombre ha desarrollado métodos para protegerse. Sin embargo, el énfasis, en el ámbito laboral, ha estado en la producción masiva y cumplimiento de metas dejando rezagada la seguridad de quienes llevan a cabo el proceso de producción. En las últimas décadas la seguridad en los centros de trabajo ha cobrado relevancia lo que ha permitido el desarrollo de maneras efectivas de combatir los riesgos a los que se exponen los trabajadores. El “Colegio de la Iglesia Evangélica el Dios de Israel” a pesar de los esfuerzos en materia de seguridad y salud ocupacional ha carecido, desde su fundación, de un programa específico en esta materia para contrarrestar los riesgos a los que están expuestos los alumnos y todo el personal que labora en esta institución, es por esa razón que se promueve el desarrollo de la presente investigación denominada Programa de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional para prevenir riesgos, enfermedades profesionales y accidentes laborales de los empleados y estudiantes en el “Colegio de la Iglesia Evangélica el Dios de Israel” ubicado en el municipio de San Salvador. El objetivo del presente trabajo de investigación es el desarrollo de una propuesta de un Programa de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional que sea de utilidad para mejorar las condiciones en el lugar de trabajo para los empleados y los estudiantes y de esa manera prevenir y controlar la ocurrencia de enfermedades y accidentes en el desempeño de las diversas actividades que tienen lugar en el “Colegio de la Iglesia Evangélica el Dios de Israel”. La metodología en que se fundamentó la presente investigación consistió en la aplicación de los métodos analítico, sintético y deductivo, además el tipo de investigación empleado es el correlacional y se utilizó como diseño el no experimental. Las fuentes de recolección de la información de las que se hizo uso fueron las primarias y secundarias, pues de ellas se obtuvo la información necesaria para llevar a cabo la investigación. Las técnicas aplicadas para la recolección de la información fueron la encuesta, la entrevista y la observación directa mediante el uso de su respectivo instrumento, cuestionario, guía de entrevista y lista de cotejo, cada uno de estos instrumentos enfocados a un grupo específico de empleados y alumnos. Tomando de referencia los resultados obtenidos se procedió al desarrollo de un diagnóstico, sustentado en información verídica y confiable, del cual se logró conocer la situación actual sobre la prevención de enfermedades profesionales, accidentes y los riesgos inherentes en el lugar de trabajo. Y posteriormente al análisis de la información obtenida se establecieron las conclusiones así como las soluciones a las problemáticas detectadas en la investigación para que de esta forma se tomaran en cuenta y con ello asegurar la disminución de accidentes y enfermedades en el “Colegio de la Iglesia Evangélica el Dios de Israel”

Regulation and symbiotic significance of nodulation outer proteins secretion in Sinorhizobium fredii HH103

In this work we show that the Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 ttsI gene is essential for the expression of the tts genes and secretion of nodulation outer proteins (Nops). Moreover, we demonstrate for the first time, to our knowledge, that the nod box preceding ttsI is necessary for Nops secretion. TtsI is responsible for the transcriptional activation of nopX, nopA, rhcJ and rhcQ. We confirm that the S. fredii HH103 ttsI gene is activated by NodD1 and repressed by NolR. In contrast, NodD2 is not involved in the regulation of ttsI expression. Despite the dependence of expression of both ttsI and nodA on NodD1 and flavonoids, clear differences in the capacity of some flavonoids to activate these genes were found. The expression of the ttsI and nodA genes was also sensitive to differences in the pH of the media. Secretion of Nops in the ttsI mutant could not be complemented with a DNA fragment containing the ttsI gene and its nod box, but it was restored when a plasmid harbouring the ttsI, rhcC2 and y4xK genes was transferred to the mutant strain. The symbiotic effect of Nops secretion was host-dependent but independent of the type of nodule formed by the host legume. Nops are beneficial in the symbiosis with Glycine max and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and detrimental in the case of the tropical legume Erythrina variegata

A pyrF auxotrophic mutant of Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 impaired in its symbiotic interaction with soybean and other legumes

Transposon Tn5-Mob mutagenesis allowed the selection of a Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 mutant derivative (SVQ 292) that requires the presence of uracil to grow in minimal media. The mutated gene, pyrF, codes for an orotidine-5 ́- monophosphate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.23). Mutant SVQ 292 and its parental prototrophic mutant HH103 showed similar Nod-factor and lipopolysaccharide profiles. The symbiotic properties of mutant SVQ 292 were severely impaired with all legumes tested. Mutant SVQ 292 formed small ineffective nodules on Cajanus cajan and abnormal nodules (pseudonodules) unable to fix nitrogen on Glycine max (soybean), Macroptitlium atropurpureum, Indigofera tinctoria, and Desmodium cana-dense. It also did not induce any macroscopic response in Macrotyloma axillare roots. The symbiotic capacity of SVQ 292 with soybean was not enhanced by the addition of uracil to the plant nutritive solution

A pyrF auxotrophic mutant of Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 impaired in its symbiotic interactions with soybean and other legumes

Transposon Tn5-Mob mutagenesis allowed the selection of a Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 mutant derivative (SVQ 292) that requires the presence of uracil to grow in minimal media. The mutated gene, pyrF, codes for an orotidine-5´- monophosphate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.23). Mutant SVQ 292 and its parental prototrophic mutant HH103 showed similar Nod-factor and lipopolysaccharide profiles. The symbiotic properties of mutant SVQ 292 were severely impaired with all legumes tested. Mutant SVQ 292 formed small ineffective nodules on Cajanus cajan and abnormal nodules (pseudonodules) unable to fix nitrogen on Glycine max (soybean), Macroptitlium atropurpureum, Indigofera tinctoria, and Desmodium canadense. It also did not induce any macroscopic response in Macrotyloma axillare roots. The symbiotic capacity of SVQ 292 with soybean was not enhanced by the addition of uracil to the plant nutritive solution. [Int Microbiol 2007; 10(3):169-176

Alveolar Bone Ridge Augmentation Using Polymeric Membranes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This work was funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and European Regional Development Fund (MINECO/FEDER MAT2017-85999P). University of Granada/Regional Government of Andalusia Research Fund from Spain and European Regional Development Fund (A-BIO-157-UGR-18/FEDER). This research is part of M.T-O.'s Ph.D. research study.The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.Alveolar bone ridge resorption occurred after natural teeth loss and it can restrict the possibility of dental implants placement. The use of bone regenerative procedures is frequently required. The existing evidence regarding the efficacy of horizontal bone ridge augmentation trough guided bone regeneration (GBR) using polymeric membranes was stated. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. Electronic and manual literature searches were conducted. Screening process was done using the National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE by PubMed), Embase, and the Cochrane Oral Health. Included articles were randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Weighted means were calculated. Heterogeneity was determined using Higgins (I2). If I2 > 50% a random-effects model was applied. It was found that the mean of horizontal bone gain was 3.95 mm, ranging from 3.19 to 4.70 mm (confidence interval 95%). Heterogeneity is I2 = 99% (confidence interval 95%) and significance of the random-effects model was p < 0.001. The complications rate was 8.4% and membrane exposure was the most frequent. Through this study, we were able to conclude that the existing scientific evidence suggests that GBR using polymeric membranes is a predictable technique for achieving horizontal bone augmentation, thus, permitting a proper further implant placement.Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness MINECO/FEDER MAT2017-85999PEuropean Commission MINECO/FEDER MAT2017-85999P A-BIO-157-UGR-18/FEDERUniversity of Granada/Regional Government of Andalusia Research Fund from Spai

Corporeal-composition indicators, and physiological alterations in dental eruption

Worldwide, obesity leads to major diseases in adults. Infants are affected as well, particularly because of growth and development issues. In this article we describe cases of early dental eruption in overweight and obese children, almost 1 year earlier than expected. The relations and mechanisms that cause these alterations remain to be determined