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Resumen Antecedentes y objetivo Previamente se habia iniciado el proceso metodologico para la validacion transcultural al idioma espanol de la escala Hair Specific Skindex-29 (HSS-29), que mide el impacto de la alopecia androgenica femenina sobre la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS). Para finalizar el proceso, el objetivo del estudio fue completar la validacion a traves de la determinacion de su sensibilidad al cambio y su correlacion con una escala generalista de CVRS (SF-12). Material y metodo Se establecieron dos visitas, una basal y otra tras 6 meses de tratamiento con suplemento alimenticio con actividad inhibidora de la enzima 5-alfa reductasa. En cada visita, investigadores y pacientes valoraron la gravedad de la alopecia mediante la escala Sinclair, el estado de la apariencia del cabello, y se administraron las escalas HSS-29 y SF-12. Resultados Participaron 983 mujeres con alopecia androgenica. La media de puntuacion en la escala HSS-29 cambio de 27,5 ± 18,7 en la visita basal a 19,3 ± 15,7 en la de seguimiento, y sus dimensiones funcional, emocional y sintomatica tambien cambiaron significativamente. Tanto las diferencias entre basal y seguimiento en el indice HSS-29 global como en cada una de sus dimensiones se correlacionaron significativamente con las diferencias encontradas en las dimensiones de SF-12. Los coeficientes de correlacion de Pearson oscilaron entre −0,1 y −0,4, y en todos los casos el grado de significacion fue p Conclusiones La version en espanol de la escala HSS-29 posee sensibilidad, es decir, detecta cambios relacionados con la calidad de vida cuando las condiciones objetivas varian. Igualmente, se observo una correlacion entre las escalas HSS-29 y SF-12.

La eficiencia energética es un tema de interés creciente en la industria agroalimentaria. Un problema habitual en este tipo de industrias es la escasez de información sobre los indicadores clave de rendimiento (Key Performance Indicators –KPIs- en inglés) en el aspecto energético, información que sería útil para que una industria individual evaluara si sus índices de eficiencia energética están dentro de los rangos habituales en su sector. El estudio se ha realizado en el marco de los proyectos europeos SCOoPE (https://scoope.eu/) y TESLA (https://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/projects/en/projects/tesla). Se ha realizado en los sectores de la industria cárnica, láctea, secaderos de cereales y forraje, y la industria de transformación de productos hortofrutícolas. La Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, dentro del proyecto SCOoPE, identificó 50 parejas de indicadores eléctricos (valor medio/ valor óptimo): 18 de tipo general, 7 del sector cárnico, 8 del sector lácteo, 7 del sector de secado, y 10 del sector hortofrutícola. Para cada indicador o KPI eléctrico se identificó el valor medio en el sector, y el valor óptimo o valor de la mejor industria del sector en ese indicador. En paralelo, dentro del mismo proyecto SCOOPE, el organismo de investigación italiano ENEA identificó 50 parejas de indicadores térmicos. La metodología utilizada incluyó una amplia revisión bibliográfica, y la validación de parte de los indicadores obtenidos en la revisión bibliográfica, con datos reales de 67 cooperativas. En cada caso se identificaron los factores implicados más relevantes. Se espera que la relación de indicadores obtenida será útil a los cuatro sectores estudiados para la evaluación de su eficiencia, y para la identificación de objetivos realistas en sus procesos de mejora energética.

A parametric analysis of a solar still with an inverted V-shaped glass condenser is presented. Results are based on a new mathematical model obtained from a lumped-parameter analysis of the still, with an approach that makes each glass plate of the condensing system sensitive to orientation and depicts its thermal differences. Numerical computations are made to evaluate productivity and temperature differences between the condensing plates as a function of condenser orientation, extinction coefficient and thickness. From this study it was found a significant influence of incident solar radiation on the thermal performance of each condensing plate. Large extinction coefficients and thick glass plates increase absorption losses that result in an appreciable temperature difference. An extinction coefficient of 40 m-1 produces a temperature difference of 2.5°C between both condensers. A glass thickness of 10 mm may increase this temperature difference up to 3.5°C. With respect to the production, due to the still orientation, a difference of 8.7% was found for the condensing plates facing an east-west direction. The proposed model is able to reproduce the temperature and distillate production differences that arise between both condensers in good agreement with experimental data. The overall performance of the still, studied with this new approach, was also in accordance with the widely used traditional models for solar distillation. In addition, the condensing plates parameters of the still can be used to force a differential heating such that for the whole day the temperature of one condensing plate is always higher.

Resumen La cirugia del sistema nervioso simpatico toracico (SNST) ha experimentado un gran auge en los ultimos anos, generando gran expectacion entre la poblacion general y la comunidad cientifica. Esto se ha debido a los excelentes resultados que ha obtenido la simpatectomia toracica por videotoracoscopia en el tratamiento de la hiperhidrosis esencial y en otros trastornos del SNST. Esta tecnica de cirugia minimamente invasiva ha demostrado ser efectiva y con baja morbilidad, aceptada como una de las mejores opciones terapeuticas para el tratamiento de la hiperhidrosis palmar y axilar bilateral, viendose incrementado de manera considerable el numero de pacientes que consultan con intencion de operarse. Aunque la sudoracion compensadora, intensa en ocasiones, aparece con gran frecuencia tras la cirugia, este y otros efectos secundarios de la tecnica son bien tolerados por los pacientes. La evidencia actual respecto a la cirugia del SNST y del tratamiento de la hiperhidrosis esencial se basa en estudios observacionales, haciendo dificil comparar series y extraer conclusiones. Se ha discutido mucho para unificar la tecnica, definir los niveles de seccion mas favorables y elegir el tipo de denervacion con menos efectos secundarios. Este hecho crea la necesidad de elaborar esta normativa que clarifique y unifique criterios para el manejo de los pacientes con trastornos del SNST.

Trusted computing is a complex and multidimensional issue, and its application to embedded systems has some particularities not found in business and desktop computing. Trust for embedded systems differs from traditional trust because these systems have physical accessibility, resource constraints and real-time requirements. In this paper, we describe the approach followed to specify trust requirements for the ITEA2 project TECOM (Trusted Embedded Computing)1. Using these requirements, the project partners developed embedded systems in diverse areas such as home control, video surveillance, digital content delivery, automotive, and communications gateways for remote maintenance. The approach for the engineering of trust requirements presented here is based on two principles: a common conceptual model to identify the trust concepts for embedded systems and their relationships, and a well-defined process to elicit and specify embedded systems requirements.

The present study is carried out for dry hot climate places, where excessive solar heating is felt throughout the year. The effect of tree shadowing buildings is found to reduce heating loads; hence trees have a beneficial effect in energy economics. The emerging economic value of tree shadows in hot climate cities grants the development of an appropriate simulation numerical method to establish relative advantages on energy savings related to dwelling envelopes. The results demonstrate that large trees can provide up to 70% shade during spring and autumn, thus saving a very large amount of energy along the whole year. Hence, economic value of larger trees is greater than that of younger species.

The basic technical and economic issues related to the production of distilled water from geothermally heated waters in coastal areas of Baja California, Mexico, are compiled and reviewed. A mathematical model that takes into consideration water temperature, production flow rate and plant design is presented. The use of colder waters in the condenser that results in increased production rates and reduced initial investments is studied, as well as different possible plant designs. It is shown that in coastal areas fresh water produced from this type of low-enthalpy geothermal resources can be cost effective.

Resumen Introduccion con objeto de analizar la situacion actual y realizar una prevision de futuro de las necesidades de especialistas de cirugia toracica, se ha llevado a cabo un estudio descriptivo teniendo en cuenta las incorporaciones y posibles salidas del sistema de medicos de esta especialidad. Material y metodos como base de datos se han tomado las de la Sociedad Espanola de Neumologia y Cirugia Toracica (n=304), Club de Cirujanos Toracicos (n=122) y Consejo Espanol de Colegios de Medicos (n=225). Tambien se ha considerado el numero actual de medicos residentes (n=84). Se han anadido otros especialistas no censados en esta base de datos de los que se tiene constancia de su ejercicio (n=10). El total de especialistas en ejercicio considerados ha sido de 211. Resultados actualmente hay 52 unidades de cirugia toracica con actividad y el mayor numero de especialistas activos se registra en Madrid (n=44), Cataluna (n=33) y Andalucia (n=33). La prevision de jubilaciones (edad de 65 anos) y nuevas incorporaciones de medicos especialistas hace que se prevea un excedente de cirujanos toracicos de 57 en los proximos 5 anos. Conclusiones la especialidad de cirugia toracica deberia moderar su oferta de formacion de nuevos especialistas en los proximos 5 anos como minimo.

Objective The objective of this descriptive study was to analyze the current situation and forecast the future requirements for specialists in thoracic surgery, taking into account the number of doctors entering and those possibly leaving this specialty. Material and methods The data for this study were taken from the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) (n=304), Thoracic Surgeons’ Club (n=122), and the Spanish Council of Medical Associations (n=225). We also took into account the current number of resident surgeons (n=84). Other specialists were included who are not recorded in these databases but who are known to be practicing (n=10). The total number of practicing specialists obtained was 211. Results There are currently 52 working thoracic surgery departments and the highest number of practicing specialists was recorded in Madrid (n=44), Catalonia (n=33), and Andalusia (n=33). The forecast number of retirements (at age 65 years) and incorporations of new specialists means that there will be a surplus of 57 thoracic surgeons in the next 5 years. Conclusions Thoracic surgery needs to limit the intake of new trainee specialists for at least the next 5 years.

Simple climate models performed with a widespread computer tool (Microsoft® Excel) could be useful for researchers or even greenhouse growers. A model of this type was used in three independent studies (heating, ventilation and cooling). The error in the calculation of temperature was lower than 2.5 ºC, and the error in the calculation of relative humidity was lower than 9%, in the validation of the model. The main advantage of the method of modelling is the possibility of fitting the coefficients with the tool SOLVER of Microsoft® Excel in each greenhouse, an easy method for both scientist and growers.

Objetivo Investigamos los factores del sindrome de apneas-hipopneas durante el sueno (SAHS) que activan los mecanismos de riesgo cardiovascular, a traves del estudio de las concentraciones plasmaticas del fragmento N-terminal del precursor del peptido natriuretico cerebral (NTproBNP) y de la proteina C reactiva de alta sensibilidad (PCRas), asi como el efecto que sobre ellos tiene el tratamiento con presion positiva continua de la via aerea nasal (CPAPn). Pacientes y metodos Se estudio a 42 pacientes con SAHS (leve-moderado en 15 casos y grave en 27), comparados con 14 personas sin SAHS. No tomaban farmacos ni presentaban diabetes, hipertension, dislipemia importante o enfermedad cardiovascular, que se descarto tanto clinicamente como por ecocardiografia y tomografia computarizada por emision de foton cinico-esfuerzo con 99m Tc-tetrofosmina. En los pacientes con SAHS grave se estudiaron los efectos de 6 meses con CPAPn. Resultados Ajustando por edad, indice de masa corporal y tabaquismo, las medias de los biomarcadores no fueron significativamente mas altas en los pacientes con SAHS grave que en aquellos con SAHS leve-moderado o en los controles. Sin embargo, en los pacientes con SAHS el principal factor que influyo en las concentraciones de NTproBNP fue el porcentaje de tiempo con saturacion arterial de oxigeno nocturna menor del 90% (r = 0,37; p = 0,017), sin que se encontrara ningun predictor de los valores sericos de la PCRas. La aplicacion de CPAPn hizo descender, pero no significativamente, las concentraciones de los biomarcadores. Conclusiones Mientras que la hipoxemia nocturna en el SAHS es la responsable de las variaciones en los valores del NTproBNP, derivado de la afectacion cardiaca, el SAHS no parece estar asociado con el biomarcador inflamatorio PCRas, cuando se excluye a los pacientes con alteraciones cardiacas, factores de riesgo cardiovascular o en tratamiento farmacologico.

A mathematical model of the lumped parameter type was developed in order to analyze the water temperature in bioreactors for outdoor biomass production. A photobioreactor (PBR) water tank was employed to properly validate the model outcome by means of the experimental data and the main environmental parameters such as solar radiation, relative humidity, ambient temperature and wind velocity. Solar radiation control is achieved by means of shading the water tank. The model allows modifying the aspect ratio of the bioreactor and studying the temperature variations, one of the variables of major concern in the growth of biomass, for different mesh shading and for any given day along the year. Hence, geometry selection and reactor design, coupled with the design of the shading device, can be chosen to reduce conventional energy usage and capitalize thermal exchange with the environment. Hence, optimization of bioreactor design can be attained once the optimal conditions for commercial production are established for a particular biomass production.

4 páginas, 1 figura, 5 tablas, 37 referencias.-- V International Symposium on Olive Growing, celebrado del 27 de septiembre-2 de octubre 2004, en Izmir, Turquía., For olive genetic improvement work it is very important to obtain a high rate of seed germination and a shortening of the juvenile period of the plants raised. By in vitro embryo culture, a 100% of germination is attained in a few days and the supply of adequate nutritive solutions and photoperiod speeds up seedling development during hardening, thus shortening juvenility. Mycorrhizal is another resource to improve plant development. This work attempts to know the effect of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal Glomus intraradices on the survival and development of olive seedlings obtained by in vitro embryo germination, during greenhouse hardening phase. Olive seedlings obtained by in vitro embryo germination were transplanted to pots with sterile sandy soil. Half of the pots were inoculated with 5g of Glomus intraradices. Afterwards, the pots were transferred to a greenhouse and watered at field capacity. After 180 days in this conditions, the number of dead plants, stem and shoot length of the surviving plants, and leaves, stems, shoots, roots and whole plant fresh and dry weight were recorded. Also, the nutritive status of the above indicated organs was analysed. N was determined by Kjeldahl digestion and mineral nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn) by ICP-OES. Soil texture was determined according to the method of Gee and Bauder (1986) and chemical fertility according to Page et al. (1982). The treatment with mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices significatively increased (from 71 to 88%) the number of surviving plants after ex vitro transfer. The effect of the symbiosis plant-fungus was even more spectacular on the development of the surviving plants, three-folding fresh weight, dry weight and plant size (from 6 to 18 g, 2.5 to 7.6 g and 31 to 91 cm, respectively) after 180 days of culture. The better growth of the treated plants coincided with a higher nutrient acquisition, particularly P, in a low chemical fertility medium, as was the substrate used.

A simple, straightforward procedure to estimate the effective thermal mass of a building is established. Basic measurements of inside and outside temperatures are shown to exhibit several common characteristics, so that a single value for the effective thermal inertia can be derived. A relationship between the delay in the internal temperature to attain a maximum value with respect to the ambient, and the temperature amplitude attenuation inside the building, is found to exist, and its dependence on maximum outside temperature is explored. This procedure is shown to be useful to rapidly classify buildings or dwellings according to the effectiveness of the participation of its thermal mass in damping extreme temperatures, such as those found in regions with dry climates. The procedure hereby proposed has also been useful to estimate the relevance of thermal mass of a given building in power savings in HVAC.

By synthesis and biological studies of new naphthalene analogues of combretastatins, we have found that the naphthalene is a good surrogate for the isovanillin moiety (3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) of combretastatin A-4, always generating highly cytotoxic analogues when combined with the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl or related systems. On the other hand, when the naphthalene replaces the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl moiety, the cytotoxic activity is largely decreased. The most cytotoxic naphthalene analogues of combretastatins, which also produce inhibition of tubulin polymerization, exerted their antimitotic effects through microtubule network disruption and subsequent G2/M arrest of the cell cycle in human cancer cells., This research has been supported by “Junta de Castilla y León” (073/02), Ministerios de “Ciencia y Tecnología” (PPQ2001-1977) and “Educación y Ciencia” (CTQ2004-369/BQU), European Union (Structural funds), and “Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria” (FIS-02/1199).

A mathematical model that describes the dynamics of the heat transfer in an inflatable-tunnel solar collector for air heating is proposed and validated. The model is distributed-parameters, one-dimensional and unsteady-state. It considers the thermal inertia of a pebble bed acting as the absorber surface and is constituted by three equations that describe the temperature distributions of the three system components: polyethylene cover, transfer fluid (air) and absorber surface. To solve the governing equations, a novel numerical scheme that differs from the standard method of finite differences in the form of generating the discretization equations is proposed. In this scheme, the dimensionless versions of the equations are reduced to linear canonical forms of first order and then are solved analytically in small spatial domains to produce discretization equations in an explicit form. To validate the quality of the present model, some experimental tests in a 50 m long inflatable-tunnel solar collector were carried out. Results of the model compare favorably with experimental results.

Solar distillation literature reports a generalized use of stills with single and double slope condensing covers, where modeling equations describe a solution approach that considers the condenser as a single element. The solution for a double slope still analysis is generally forced to the case of one with a single flat condensing cover. This paper proposes a new lumped parameters mathematical model to study the asymmetries that arise in the temperature and distillate yield in double slope solar stills. The condenser is studied as a two-element system and non-simplified equations for heat transfer and optical transmission characteristics are used. The model is tested for the case with the strongest thermal differences and validated with experimental data. Overall results show a good correlation between predictions and experimentation.

Objetivo Estudio de los factores clinicos y demograficos asociados a las demoras diagnosticas del cancer de pulmon(CP). Pacientes Y Metodos Estudio prospectivo de dos anos de evolucion de pacientes ingresados en la planta de neumologia por sospecha de CP. Se estudiaron variables demograficas, de atencion sanitaria, habitat y demoras en las exploraciones. Se definieron los tiempos diagnosticos siguientes: de consulta (desde el primer sintoma hasta la visita del primer medico), medio (el que va desde la visita medica hasta el in-greso) y diagnostico (desde el ingreso hasta el diagnostico histologico y la estadificacion clinica). Resultados Se estudio a 113 pacientes con una edad me-dia de 65 anos (intervalo, 36–90), de los que 103 eran varones y 10, mujeres. Los sintomas mas frecuentes por los que consulto el paciente fueron: tos (10,6%), hemoptisis (19,5%), dolor toracico (26,5%) y disnea (9,7%). El 72% de los pacientes consultaba por primera vez al medico de atencion primaria (MAP), el 22% a urgencias del hospital y el 6% al neumolo-go. El 44% realizo entre dos y tres visitas al medico. Las medias ± desviaciones tipicas, en dias, de los diferentes tiempos fueron: consulta, 30,3 ± 60; diagnostico, 18,6 ± 19; medio, 37,9 ± 63, y total, 85,7 ± 87. El tiempo medio, el tiempo hasta el diagnostico y el tiempo total fueron inferiores cuando el paciente fue remitido, por el MAP, a urgencias o ingresado directamente en el hospital (p Conclusiones Los tiempos de demora diagnostica en el CP son elevados. La actitud del MAP y su relacion con la atencion especializada es importante para su reduccion.

The economic evaluation of some passive thermal comfort techniques is performed in order to compare long-term energy savings. A direct comparison is made of vernacular architecture, based on adobe walls, against modern, concrete brick building of low-income family housing in tropical, dry-climate conditions in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The expected energy requirements of each type, for the same comfort level, are calculated by means of a calibrated mathematical model, and present value of each option is obtained by conventional means using 10% interest over 15 years. The results indicate that, in cases as those analyzed, the use of vernacular passive techniques is more comfortable and economic than present light buildings by a very wide margin.

A simple lumped parameter model is used to represent the time variations of internal temperature of a simple house, under hot, extreme weather variation, characteristic of northwestern Mexico. Results are validated by experimental work in a physical model without ventilation, with materials and building techniques typical of low-income family housing in this region. Energy balance in the present work is achieved by means of a system of three simultaneous differential equations, each depicting energy equilibrium in one of the basic building elements: the window glazing, the building materials, and inside air. With the mathematical model properly calibrated, heat transfer coefficients between walls, ceiling and windows are calculated. Passive techniques, such as window shading, orientation and thermal inertia, are evaluated by a normalized temperature index. Results show that interior temperature in the house can be reduced resulting in comfort increase. Then economical pertinence of studied passive elements can be evaluated.

An experimental setup was built in order to evaluate the distillate yield for a double slope laboratory still under controlled conditions for basin water and collector temperatures within typical operating ranges. Additionally, experimental data previously gathered are correlated to propose a new empirical model to estimate mass flow rates in single slope solar stills. This model is compared with those from other published relations and with the double slope still experimental data. It was found that the proposed model reproduces in good agreement shallow stills experimental data and that there is not significant difference in productions between single and double slope cases subject to the same water and cover temperature. Dunkle’s model [R.V. Dunkle, Solar water distillation: the roof type still and a multiple effect diffusion still, International Development in Heat Transfer (Part 5) (1961) 895–902] is found to slightly underestimate production in shallow solar stills.

Studies carried out in the past ten years have found the prevalence or smoking among children and adolescents to be high, with the greatest increase observed for girls and young women, indicating increasing gender-related differences. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalences and differences among children and adolescents of both sexes with regard to experimentation and use of tobacco products and to determine any possible influence related to urban or rural environment. Eight hundred fourteen students participated, with 809 providing valid data for study: 385 males and 424 females ranging in age from 13 to 24 years old (15.90 +/- 1.73 years). The subjects studied in either an urban or a rural school. Data was collected on campus by questionnaire and carbon monoxide in expired air was measured. Smoking had been tried by 68.2%: 241 males (62.5%) and 31 females (73.3%) (p < 0.001). Habitual smoking was reported by 27.2%: 78 males (20.2%) and 142 females (33.4%) (p < 0.001). Mean ages of experimenters (16.18 +/- 1.78 years) and smokers (16.55 +/- 1.85 years) were higher than the mean age of non-experimenters (15.29 +/- 1.43) (p < 0.001). Habitual smokers consumed a mean 2.71 +/- 1.68 cigarettes/day and consumption was similar for both sexes. CO in expired air was 12.61 +/- 6.39 ppm in these smokers, significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that found in experimenters and non smokers (p 0.001). One hundred eighty students (22.2%), 119 females and 61 males (p < 0.001), reported having smoked on the morning of the study. In total, 81.8% of the students who described themselves as smokers had smoked that morning: 78.2% of the males and 83.9% of the females. CO in this group was 13.95 +/- 1.69 ppm, significantly higher than that found for the other groups (non smokers or experimenters). We found no significant differences between number of cigarettes/day smoked by students who reported being habitual smokers and the number consumed the morning of data collection by students who had smoked the day of the study. Changes can be observed in patterns of tobacco use among children and young people. We found that nearly all aspects related to experimentation and consumption of tobacco are significantly higher in females.

Dynamic effects in shallow solar stills are shown to dampen and delay the time response of state variables. The thermal inertia of these systems might reside in the glazing, in the tray materials including insulation, and even more in the brine itself. A combination of these with solar irradiance and weather conditions can conceivably enhance overall still performance, particularly if coupled with adequate operating practices. Conversely, thermal dynamic effects can combine with weather to magnify thermal losses. A numerical study, based on a lumped parameter mathematical model of the Cooper-type, reveals the expected sensitivity of productivity to the thermal capacity of the intervening elements. Sensitivity to thermal inertia results in markedly different distillate production patterns before and after noon. Variations correspond to narrow ranges of temperature differences. Weather results in variable production rates through a complex variation in temperature differences, heat transfer coefficients and initial brine depth. This paper explores the limit values these variables might attain under typical desert conditions, and the expected interaction between those variables.

The activity level of a confined shrimp is evaluated through direct measurement. The developed technique is shown to be several orders of magnitude more sensitive than hot-wire anemometry; it is capable of remotely recording very faint pulses originated from the motion of an organism confined in an aquarium without disturbing the individual.

7 pages, 6 tables, 30 references.-- V International Symposium on Olive Growing, celebrado del 27 de septiembre-2 de octubre 2004, en Izmir, Turquía., Zygotic mature olive embryos from olive plants growing in the World Olive Plant Collection of Cordoba (Spain) and in high salinity marshes, were cultured in vitro on 1/3 MS medium with different NaCl concentrations: 0, 4, 6 and 8 gL-1 (0, 68.4, 102.6 and 136.9 mM respectively). Close to 100% of the embryos cultured in control medium formed normal seedlings, showing good growth. The addition of NaCl to the medium decreased these parameters but different responses were observed due to the natural genetic variability of the embryos. Thus, some embryos showed low ability to grow at low saline concentrations while others, even from the same mother plant, were able to germinate and grow well at salt concentrations of 8 gL-1. But, in general, embryos from plants growing in saline areas, germinated better in salt than those from cultivated olive trees. Explants from low and high salt tolerant seedlings were propagated in vitro by subculturing in media without salt and the clonal lines obtained were tested for their salt tolerance by culturing in vitro on 1/3 MS media with different NaCl concentrations: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 gL-1 (0, 34.2, 68.4, 102.6, 136.9, 171.1 and 205.3 mM respectively). A correspondence between the tolerance observed for the original seedlings and the plantlets obtained from them was found. Plants with low ability to grow in low salt concentration (low salt tolerant) and plants which could grow at 12 gL-1 (high salt tolerant) were selected to be tested in outside conditions.

Thoracic sympathetic nervous system (TSNS) surgery has increased in importance in the last few years, generating great expectations among the general population and the scientific community. This has been due to the excellent results obtained by videothoracoscopy-assisted thoracic sympathectomy in the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis and other TSNS disorders. This minimally invasive surgical technique has been shown to be effective, and with a low morbidity it is accepted as one of the best therapeutic options for the treatment of palmar and bilateral axillary hyperhidrosis and the number of patients consulting with the intention of having the operation has increased considerably. Although compensatory sweating, which is occasionally intense, often occurs after the surgery, this and other secondary effects of the technique are well tolerated by patients. The current evidence on TSNS and the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis is based on observational studies, making it difficult to compare series and draw conclusions. There has been much discussion on standardising the technique, defining the most favourable levels for clipping, and choosing the type of denervation with least secondary effects. This has led to the need to draw up these guidelines which should clarify and standardise the criteria for managing patients with disorders of TSNS.

Strains of the same bacterial species often show considerable genomic variation. To examine the extent of such variation in Rhizobium etli , the complete genome sequence of R. etli CIAT652 and the partial genomic sequences of six additional R. etli strains having different geographical origins were determined. The sequences were compared with each other and with the previously reported genome sequence of R. etli CFN42. DNA sequences common to all strains constituted the greater part of these genomes and were localized in both the chromosome and large plasmids. About 700 to 1,000 kb of DNA that did not match sequences of the complete genomes of strains CIAT652 and CFN42 was unique to each R. etli strain. These sequences were distributed throughout the chromosome as individual genes or chromosomal islands and in plasmids, and they encoded accessory functions, such as transport of sugars and amino acids, or secondary metabolism; they also included mobile elements and hypothetical genes. Sequences corresponding to symbiotic plasmids showed high levels of nucleotide identity (about 98 to 99%), whereas chromosomal sequences and the sequences with matches to other plasmids showed lower levels of identity (on average, about 90 to 95%). We concluded that R. etli has a pangenomic structure with a core genome composed of both chromosomal and plasmid sequences, including a highly conserved symbiotic plasmid, despite the overall genomic divergence.

Objective In this study, we assessed factors associated with cardiovascular risk in patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) through analysis of plasma concentrations of N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). In addition, we analyzed the effect of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) on these markers. Patients and Methods Forty-two patients with SAHS (mild to moderate in 15 cases and severe in 27) were compared with 14 individuals without SAHS. The participants were not receiving drug treatment and they did not have diabetes, hypertension, marked dyslipidemia, or cardiovascular disease, which was ruled out both clinically and by echocardiography and 99mTc-tetrofosmin scintigraphy at rest and during exercise. The effects of nCPAP in patients with severe SAHS were analyzed after 6 months of treatment. Results Following adjustment for age, body mass index, and smoking habit, the mean concentrations of markers were not significantly higher in patients with severe SAHS than in those with mild-to-moderate SAHS or in control subjects. Nevertheless, in patients with SAHS the main factor influencing NTproBNP concentrations was the percentage of time with a nocturnal arterial oxygen saturation of less then 90% (r=0.37,P=.017). No variables predictive of hsCRP concentration were identified. The concentrations of the markers were reduced by nCPAP, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions While nocturnal hypoxemia in SAHS is responsible for variations in the plasma concentration of NTproBNP (as a result of cardiovascular changes), SAHS appears not to be associated with the inflammatory marker hsCRP when patients with heart disease, cardiovascular risk factors, or those receiving pharmacologic treatment are excluded.

4 pages, 1 figure, 1 table, 8 references.-- V International Symposium on Olive Growing, celebrado del 27 de septiembre-2 de octubre 2004, en Izmir, Turquía., In this work, differential protein expression in olive tissues after salt treatments has been investigated. Olive clones selected in vitro according to their salt tolerance were submitted, also in vitro, to high salt concentrations. After each treatment, the leaves and stems were collected and protein extracts of them subjected to polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis to analyse their band patterns. Some differences were observed referring to 2 bands of approximately 24 kD and 40 kD which appeared in the extracts after exposition to salt. It is discussed the possible implication of this polypeptide in the response of olive tree to salt stress and similarities with other proteins described in other plant species.

The objective of this descriptive study was to analyze the current situation and forecast the future requirements for specialists in thoracic surgery, taking into account the number of doctors entering and those possibly leaving this specialty.The data for this study were taken from the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) (n=304), Thoracic Surgeons' Club (n=122), and the Spanish Council of Medical Associations (n=225). We also took into account the current number of resident surgeons (n=84). Other specialists were included who are not recorded in these databases but who are known to be practicing (n=10). The total number of practicing specialists obtained was 211.There are currently 52 working thoracic surgery departments and the highest number of practicing specialists was recorded in Madrid (n=44), Catalonia (n=33), and Andalusia (n=33). The forecast number of retirements (at age 65 years) and incorporations of new specialists means that there will be a surplus of 57 thoracic surgeons in the next 5 years.Thoracic surgery needs to limit the intake of new trainee specialists for at least the next 5 years.

Soil contains the most complex communities of microorganisms (Tringe et al. 2005). The earth’s global ecology depends largely on the metabolic activities of different soil bacteria. One of these processes is biological nitrogen fixa-tion. Nitrogen from the atmosphere is made available to plants either by free-living bacteria or symbionts associated with leguminous plants. There are ample bacterial species that are able to establish nitrogen fixing symbiosis. Ordinarily known as rhizobia, they are grouped in different taxonomic families of the α-proteobacteria classified as Rhizobiaceae, Phylobacteriaceae and Bradyrhizobiaceae (Table 7.1) (Garrity et al. 2002). Recently, it was reported that some strains of

An array of 4-(aryl or indolyl)pyrrolo[3,4- c ]carbazole-1,3-diones (open analogues of indolocarbazole alkaloids), 10-(aryl or indolyl)pyrrolo[3,4- b ]carbazole-1,3-diones, and different derivatives have been prepared using a Diels–Alder plus Fischer indolization approach and tested as cytotoxic agents. Some representative compounds display interesting cytotoxic profiles.

4 páginas, 1 figura, 15 referencias.-- II International Symposium on Olive Growing, Jerusalem, Israel, celebrado del 6-10 de septiembre 1993., The effect of the source (KNO3, (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3) and concentration (5, 10, 20 and 30 mM N) of inorganic nitrogen on total N incorporation and distribution into different fractions (ammoniacal, amino, amide and protein) has been determined in olive seedlings. Increasing concentrations of the nitrogen source resulted in higher total N content in tissues, except for KNO3 at 10 mM N. In addition, ammonium applications clearly increased the N-amino and N-ammoniacal fractions. Incorporation of N into N-amide was not affected significantly by any treatment, and only KNO3 and NH4NO3 additions showed significant increasing concentrations of N-protein fractions.