Search

Abstract: Business simulation games are a motivational and engaging tool for teaching business management. However, relatively little is known about what factors contribute to their success. This study explores the role of flow experienced while using business simulation games. Specifically, this research investigates the influence of challenge, skills, feedback, and goal clarity on students' flow experience. It also explores the impact of flow on generic skills development, perceived learning, and satisfaction. Based on a survey of 167 undergraduate students who used a classroom‐based business simulation game, the findings show that the challenge provided by the game, students' skills to meet the challenge, and instant feedback positively influenced students' flow. Conversely, goal clarity did not foster the optimal experience. Flow positively impacted generic skills development, perceived learning, and satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent chronic arrhythmia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists and now direct oral anticoagulants have been and are the fundamental pillars for the prevention of thromboembolic events. However, there are no randomized clinical trials on the risk-benefit profile of oral anticoagulation in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 on peritoneal dialysis and there is little evidence in the literature in this population. The objective of our study was to know the prevalence, treatment and professionals involved in the management of atrial fibrillation in peritoneal dialysis patients. For this purpose, we performed a descriptive analysis through a survey sent to different peritoneal dialysis units in Spain. A total of 1,403 patients on peritoneal dialysis were included in the study, of whom 186 (13.2%) had non-valvular atrial fibrillation. In addition, the assessment of the scores of thromboembolic and bleeding risks for the indication of oral anticoagulation was mainly carried out by the cardiologist (60% of the units), as well as its prescription (cardiologist 47% or in consensus with the nephrologist 43%). In summary, patients on peritoneal dialysis have a remarkable prevalence of non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Patients frequently receive oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists, as well as direct oral anticoagulants. The data obtained regarding the scores used for the assessment of thromboembolic and bleeding risk, treatment and involvement by Nephrology indicates that there is a need for training and involvement of the nephrologist in this pathology., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Introduction: Chronic heart failure (HF) has high rates of mortality and hospitalization in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (aCKD). However, randomized clinical trials have systematically excluded aCKD population. We have investigated current HF therapy in patients receiving clinical care in specialized aCKD units., Methods: The Heart And Kidney Audit (HAKA) was a cross-sectional and retrospective real-world study including outpatients with aCKD and HF from 29 Spanish centers. The objective was to evaluate how the treatment of HF in patients with aCKD complied with the recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of HF, especially regarding the foundational drugs: renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi), angiotensin receptor blocker/neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI), beta-blockers (BBs), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i)., Results: Among 5,012 aCKD patients, 532 (13%) had a diagnosis of HF. Of them, 20% had reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 13% mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF), and 67% preserved EF (HFpEF). Only 9.3% of patients with HFrEF were receiving quadruple therapy with RASi/ARNI, BB, MRA, and SGLT2i, but the majority were not on the maximum recommended doses. None of the patients with HFrEF and CKD G5 received quadruple therapy. Among HFmrEF patients, approximately half and two-thirds were receiving RASi and/or BB, respectively, while less than 15% received ARNI, MRA, or SGLT2i. Less than 10% of patients with HFpEF were receiving SGLT2i., Conclusions: Under real-world conditions, HF in aCKD patients is sub-optimally treated. Increased awareness of current guidelines and pragmatic trials specifically enrolling these patients represent unmet medical needs., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Unlike other areas in renal transplantation, delayed graft function (DGF) remains an apparently unavoidable complication owing to the characteristics of current donors. The aim of this study was to analyze risk factors for DGF in relation to graft and patient survivals. We retrospectively analyzed 507 renal transplant recipients with a median follow-up of 74.83 ± 45.06 months. DGF, which occurred among 189 patients (36.8%) was defined as requirement for dialysis within the first week after transplantation. Donor (P = .000) and recipient (P = .000) age were greater in the DGF group without differences in recipient or donor gender, HLA sensitization, or dialysis time before transplantation. Donor factors as the cause of death associated with DGF were secondary cerebrovascular stroke (P = .002) and hypertensive history (P = .000). Recipient characteristics associated therewith were higher body mass index (P = .000), smoking habit (P = .003), ischemic cardiopathy (P = .01), and dyslipidemia (P = .05). Moreover, the DGF group showed longer cold ischemia (P = .01) and vascular anastomosis (P = .02) times. On multivariate analysis, recipient age (P = .00) and smoking habit (P = .01) together with a donor history of hypertension (P = .02) were independent risk factors for DGF. No differences were observed in acute rejection incidence (P = .07) with worse renal function during follow-up (P < .05). Graft (81% vs 88%; P = .00) and patient (89% vs 95%; P = .00) survivals at 5 years were lower among the DGF group. In conclusion, DGF which was associated with factors related to the donor, the recipient, and the surgical times, produced worse graft and patient survivals. Shortening the cold ischemia time seems to be a modifiable variable to reduce DGF., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: On September 25 2005, more than 100 inmates (almost 5% of the 1,800 prison population) experienced sudden onset gastroenteritis. This outbreak was the largest foodborne outbreak described in a prison population in Spain. Our objective was to confirm the outbreak, identify risk factors, implement control measures, and provide recommendations., Methods: We conducted a cohort analysis of a stratified random sample of all the inmates, a cohort analysis of the one of the prison blocks, and an environmental investigation., Results: A total of 221 inmates were selected, of which 196 were interviewed. Twenty-eight percent had gastroenteritis and the main symptoms were abdominal pain (85%) and diarrhea (71%). All foods consumed caused similar attack rates. Factors associated with the risk of illness were eating the entire portion of seafood cocktail at lunch or all of the fried shrimp at dinner on September 24 (RR = 2; 95% CI, 1.1-3.8, and RR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.1). Analysis of one of the prison blocks yielded results similar to those of the random sample. Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli were isolated from a sample of the seafood cocktail., Conclusion: A gastroenteritis outbreak caused by several pa-thogens was confirmed. Both the reported symptoms and the calculated incubation periods corresponded to the pathogens isolated. Preparation of food in prison facilities should meet minimum safety standards, including refrigeration and training of food handlers.

Background: Prisons are recognized as high-risk settings for tuberculosis transmission. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of prisoners with tuberculosis and to determine the extent of transmission of tuberculosis in the prison population of Madrid., Patients and Methods: Patients with positive culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis between 1997 and 1998 from the prison system of Madrid were included. The medical records for these patients were reviewed, and they were also interviewed. Patients were included in clusters when their isolates contained 1) six or more IS6110 bands in an identical pattern or 2) five or fewer IS6110 bands that matched identically and had an identical spoligotyping pattern., Results: Culture-proven tuberculosis was diagnosed in 97 prisoners (case rate: 693 per 100.000 per year). Isolates from 73 (75%) patients were available for fingerprinting. The mean age of these patients was 33 yr (SD: 6,9), 92% were male, and 14% were immigrants. Seventy-one percent (71%) of patients were HIV-positive, 32% were active intravenous drug users and 70% nonintravenous drug users in the last two years. Primary drug resistance to isoniazid was 1,8%. Forty-one percent of prisoners (41%) were grouped in 9 clusters. Epidemiological links were found in 37% of clustered patients. Risk factors for clustering were not detected., Conclusion: The results suggest recent transmission of tuberculosis in the prisons of Madrid. It is essential that correctional facilities comply fully with the recomendations for prevention and control of tuberculosis.

Background: Intestinal parasitoses are frequent in populations in tropical and subtropical areas, HIV infection has favoured an increase in the prevalence of some of these parasitoses . Both conditions concur in innate populations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of the intestinal parasitosis in a penitentiary population from the Madrid area., Methods: On the basis of the data from the Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology in the Hospital General Penitenciario, patients with the diagnosis of intestinal parasitosis were retrospectively reviewed. The study period covered 29 months (from 1/8/91 to 31/12/93). Samples were taken from patients admitted to, and attended, in the outpatient area of this hospital in addition to those held in dependents prisons. Processing was done by direct macroscopic and microscopic visualization (400x) of the sediment obtained by the formol-ether concentration method (Ritchie). Modified Ziehl staining was carried out. Demographic, clinical-evolutive and microbiologic data of the patients were analyzed., Results: One thousand two hundred eighty-one samples corresponding to 1,033 patients were studied 131 (10.2%) positives corresponding to 96 (9.3%) patients were observed. 88.5% (n = 85) were males. The mean age was 31.2 years (CI 95%: 29.3-32.9). The patients were from Europe in 39.7% of the cases (Spain: 94%), Africa 28.9% and Latin America 28.9%. Twenty-five patients were HIV+ (46%) with a mean CD4 count of 160/mm3 (CI 95%: 65-255) and 29 were HIV-. Globally, the most frequently found parasites were uncinaria (22%), Giardia lamblia (21%) and Cryptosporidium parvum (20%). One case of intestinal capillariasis was diagnosed. Fifteen mixed parasitoses (15.6%) were observed and the most frequent association was Trichuris trichiura and uncinaria in 8 patients (5 HIV+ and 3 unknown HIV). Clinical manifestations were present in 63.7% (42/66) of the patients with diarrhea being the most frequent (25 cases). In patients in whom the clinical evolution could be evaluated, it was favorable in most of the cases except in those with Cryptosporidium parasitosis., Conclusions: Intestinal parasites are of relevance within a prison population, presenting some differences to the intestinal parasites observed in a general population. The most frequently observed parasite was uncinaria in HIV- patients and Cryptosporidium parvum in HIV+ patients. Mixed parasitosis was not infrequent (15.6%). 25% of the intestinal parasitosis are asymptomatic. When symptomatology does exist, diarrhea is the most common clinical manifestation. The clinical evolution is usually favourable with the exception of some cases of diarrhea by Cryptosporidium in severely immunosuppressed HIV+ patients.

Background: To know the prevalence of resistant tuberculosis and the characteristics of the same in the penitentiary medium in the Madrid area (Spain)., Methods: From March 1, 1991 to August 31, 1993 a prospective study was carried out in patients with isolations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to some of the common antituberculous drugs within the context of tuberculosis in a penitentiary population attended in the Hospital General Penitenciario (Madrid). Demographic, clinical, analytical, and microbiological data were collected as was that on the antituberculous treatment used. The study of sensitivities was performed by the proportions method., Results: Tuberculosis was diagnosed in 275 patients according to strict microbiological criteria (positive Löwenstein culture). The antibiogram was performed in 218 isolations. Twenty strains resistant to some first line antituberculous drug (9%) (confidence interval [CI] p < 0.05:6-14), 9 of which were found to be multiresistant, were detected in 20 patients. Out of the patients in whom the sensitivity of the isolate was known, 173 had not previously undergone antituberculous treatment. Six of these patients were found to be resistant to isoniazide (3.5%) (CI p < 0.05:1.4-7.7) and 2 patients were resistant to rifampicin (1.2%) (CI p < 0.5:0.2-4.5). The other 45 patients had previously undergone antituberculous drugs with 8 isolates presenting resistance to isoniazide and 11 to rifampicin. Eighty-four percent of the patients with resistant tuberculosis and 90% of the sensitive cases were coinfected with HIV infection with the differences not being statistically significant. The HIV positive patients with resistant tuberculosis showed a mean CD4 positive lymphocytes of 0.76 x 10(9)/l (CI p < 0.5:0.028-0.213) and those with sensitive tuberculosis had 0.165 x 10(9)/l (CI p < 0.05:0.133-0.196) (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Tuberculosis resistant to common antituberculous drugs was detected in a Spanish penitentiary population. The level of the resistance of the isolations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be monitored both inside and outside of the penitentiary medium in an attempt to avoid the progression of resistant tuberculosis within the Community.

Background: Tuberculosis continues to be a disease of great importance in Spain with few data known on prison populations. In the present study an analysis of the incidence and characteristics of tuberculosis in the prison population people is done., Methods: The General Penitentiary Hospital attends a prison population from the penitentiary centers of Madrid and its surrounding areas. From 1 March 1991-31 August 1992 a retrospective study of the patients with tuberculosis diagnosed by culture isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis was performed. Demographic, clinical, analytical, microbiologic analysis as well as data concerning to associated infections, antituberculous treatment and its possible toxicity as well as the evolution of the patients were collected., Results: During the period studied 138 patients--120 corresponding to the area of Madrid and 18 to patients referred from other penitentiary areas--were diagnosed. The rate of incidence of tuberculosis in the penitentiary population in the area of Madrid was of 1170.5 cases per 100,000 prisoners per year (confidence interval [CI] 95%; 961-1380). The mean age was 30 years (CI 95%; 29-31) and 97% were males. Eighty-four percent were positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 84% were intravenous drug addicts. The clinical form of presentation of the tuberculosis in the HIV positive patients was: pulmonary in 57% of the cases, disseminated in 29% and extrapulmonary in 14% and was pulmonary in all the cases of HIV negative patients. The mean CD4 lymphocytes count was 0.216 x 10(9)/l in HIV positive patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, and in disseminated tuberculosis was 0.062 x 10(9)/l (p < 0.001). The positivity of acid-alcohol resistant staining in the sputum samples and/or induced sputum was 67.4% in the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 77.4% in disseminated tuberculosis. Ten percent of the patients were found to abandon antituberculous treatment in the first trimester., Conclusions: The incidence of tuberculosis in the prison population in much higher than that for the general population in Spain, largely due to the high prevalence of HIV infection in this population.

Background: Since the appearance of AIDS, bacteremia by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an event described with ever greater frequency. The isolation of M. tuberculosis in blood cultures in patients coinfected by the human immunodeficiency virus and M. tuberculosis may vary the initial clinical diagnosis and confirm the picture as disseminated tuberculosis., Methods: The clinical records of patients admitted to the General Penitentiary Hospital of Madrid with significant bacteremia during the study period (March 1, 1991-September 1992) were retrospectively and prospectively reviewed. Special attention was given to the bacteremias by M. tuberculosis with the most significant clinical evolutive data being collected. The blood cultures were performed according to the routine technique using a non radiometric system with 10-day incubation and posterior processing of the sample for visualization and culture for mycobacteria., Results: In an 18 moth period and out of a total of 284 positive blood cultures (154 significant isolations) 14 episodes of bacteremia by M. tuberculosis were studied in 12 prison patients coinfected by the human immunodeficiency virus with associated severe immunosuppression (mean of CD4 = 0.068 x 10(9)/l). All the patients were intravenous drug addicts. Likewise, 37 other significant bacteremias were reviewed. The positivity of the blood culture as the sole sample or associated to respiratory isolations, changed the initial diagnosis and classified the picture as disseminated tuberculosis on 6 occasions (43%). All the patients presented pictures of disseminated tuberculosis although only four had been previously diagnosed of AIDS., Conclusions: Bacteremia by M. tuberculosis is frequent in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. M. tuberculosis (27.4%) was the most frequently isolated microorganism in blood cultures in this study. The processing of blood cultures for mycobacteria may be useful in patients positive for the human immunodeficiency virus with tuberculosis in order to confirm the diagnosis of disseminated tuberculosis. The isolation of M. tuberculosis in the blood may vary the initial diagnosis and could modify the prevalence of AIDS cases in Spain.