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Objective. Digestive involvement (DI) has been reported in 10-30% of primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS) patients, and few studies have systematically analysed the prevalence of DI in pSS patients. The aim of this study was to describe DI prevalence in pSS patients from the Sjogrenser Study, and to analyse its clinical associations. Methods. All patients included in the Sjogrenser study, a Spanish multicentre randomised cohort, containing demographic, clinical and histologic data, have been analysed retrospectively. Patients were classified according to the presence of DI (oesophageal, gastric, intestinal, hepatic and pancreatic), and we have performed DI clinical associations, descriptive statistics, Student t or chi(2) test, and uni and multivariate logistic regression. Results. From 437 included patients, 95% were women, with a median age of 58 years, 71 (16.2%) presented DI: 21 (29.5%) chronic atrophic gastritis, 12 (16.9%) oesophageal motility dysfunction, 3 (4.2%) lymphocytic colitis, 18 (25.3%) primary biliary cholangitis, 15 (21.1%) autoimmune hepatitis, 7 (9.8%) pancreatic involvement and 5 (7%) coeliac disease. Half of them developed DI at the same time or after pSS diagnosis. Patients with DI were significantly older at pSS diagnosis (p=0.032), more frequently women (p=0.009), presented more autoimmune hypothyroidism and C3 hypocomplementaemia (p=0.040), and were treated more frequently with glucocorticoids, immunosuppressant and biologic therapies. Patients with pancreatic involvement presented more central nervous system and renal involvement, Raynaud's phenomenon, lymphoma and C3/C4 hypocomplementaemia. Conclusion. DI is frequent in Sjogrenser patients, mainly in the form of autoimmune disorders, and seem to be associated with a more severe phenotype. Our results suggest that DI should be evaluated in pSS patients, especially those with more severe disease.

Objective. To investigate the prevalence, associated factors, and effects of primary overt renal disease on morbidity in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS). Methods. All patients in the Sjogrenser (registry of adult pSS patients of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology) cohort were retrospectively investigated for the presence of clinically significant renal involvement directly related to pSS activity. Results. Of the 437 patients investigated, 39 (9%) presented overt renal involvement during follow-up. Severe renal disease necessitating kidney biopsy was relatively rare (2%). Renal involvement may complicate pSS at any time during the disease course and is associated with severe disease (indicated by higher scores of involvement, activity, and damage), systemic multiorgan involvement, and a higher frequency of lymphoma. Multivariate analysis showed that older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.07), higher European League Against Rheumatism Sjogren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index scores (OR 1.1, CI 1.03-1.18), serum anti-La/SSB positivity (OR 6.65, CI 1.41-31.372), and non-vasculitic cutaneous involvement (OR 5.47, 1.03-29.02) were independently associated with this complication. Chronic renal failure developed in 23 of 39 patients (59%); only 1 of them progressed to end-stage renal disease necessitating renal replacement therapy. Patients with overt renal disease showed higher Sjogren's syndrome disease damage index scores, higher rates of hospitalisation due to disease activity and higher rates of clinically relevant comorbidities. Conclusion. Overt renal involvement in pSS is not uncommon. Although it usually shows a favourable prognosis, is associated with significant morbidity.

Objective To determine the incidence and risk factors of first cardiovascular event (CVE) in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD). Methods Analysis of data after 2.5 years of follow-up from the prospective study CARMA project, that includes patients with CIRD [rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA)] and matched individuals without CIRD from 67 hospitals in Spain. CVE cumulative incidence per 1000 patients was calculated after 2.5 years from the start of the project. Weibull proportional hazard model was used to calculate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of the risk factors. Results 2595 (89.1%) patients completed the 2.5 years of follow-up visit. Cumulative incidence of CVE in patients with CIRD was 15.30 cases per 1000 patients (95% CI: 12.93-17.67), being higher in the subgroup with AS; 22.03 (95% CI: 11.01-33.04). Patients with AS (HR: 4.11; 95% CI: 1.07-15.79), those with older age (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.05-1.13), systolic hypertension (HR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.04) and long duration of the disease (HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.03-1.12) were at higher risk of first CVE during the 2.5 years of follow-up. In contrast, female gender was a protective factor (HR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.18-1.00). Conclusion Among CIRD patients prospectively followed-up at rheumatology outpatient clinics, those with AS show higher risk of first CVE. Besides cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, being a man and older

The objective of the study was to assess the ESSDAI index characteristics in the SJoGRENSER cohort (Spanish Rheumatology Association's registry of patients with Primary Sjogren Syndrome [PSS]). SJoGRENSER is a prospective multicentric study on a cohort of Spanish patients with PSS who meet the 2002 American-European consensus from rheumatology units. 298 variables were studied in patients for the inclusion of the study from an anonymous list from each department. The ESSDAI (EULAR Sjogren's syndrome disease activity index) includes 12 domains and measures systematic activity in PSS patients. Each domain is divided into 3-4 levels, (0: no activity; 1: low activity; 2: moderate activity; 3: high activity) and is attributed a weight. Each domain score is obtained by multiplying the activity level by the weight assigned. According to ESSDAI: low activity

Objective Cardiovascular (CV) disease is one of the main causes of morbi-mortality in spondyloarthritis (SpA), partially explained by traditional CV risk factors. Information on lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a non-conventional risk factor, in SpA is scarce. In this study we assessed the prevalence of hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) in SpA patients and analysed the possible related factors. Methods A baseline analysis was made of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients and controls included in the CARMA project (CARdiovascular in RheuMAtology), a 10-year prospective study evaluating the risk of CV events in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases. A multivariate logistic regression model was performed using hyperlipoproteinaemia( a) (Lp(a) >50 mg/dl) as a dependent variable and adjusting for confounding factors. Results 19.2% (95% CI: 16.80-22.05) of the SpA patients [20.7% (95% CI: 16.91-24.82) of those with AS and 17.7% (95% CI: 14.15-21.75) of those with PsA] and 16.7% (95% CI: 13.23-20.86) of the controls had hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) (p=0.326). Adjusting for age and sex, SpA patients were more likely to have hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) than controls (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.00-2.04; p=0.05), especially those with AS (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.18-2.77; p=0.007). In the adjusted model, apolipoprotein B in all patients, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in AS, and female sex in PsA, were associated with hyperlipoproteinaemia(a). No disease-specific factors associated with hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) were identified. Conclusion SpA patients show a moderately increased risk of hyperlipoproteinaemia(a) compared to controls, especially those with AS. Lp(a) determination may be of interest to improve the CV risk assessment in SpA patients.

Mediterranean mountain landscapes have high ecological and cultural values. However, since 1950, a large number of these landscapes have been subject to degradation as a consequence of land abandonment. Some regional administrations have enacted measures that favour the regeneration of pasturelands through scrubland clearing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of clearing and the regeneration of pasturelands on landscape structure and the recovery of extensive livestock in La Rioja. The results indicate that between 1986 and 2011 an area of 29,659 ha was cleared in the mountains of La Rioja, although 62·6% of this was cleared in the period 2000–2011. In 1956, the landscape was dominated by cultivated fields, but by 2001, much of the agricultural area had been abandoned and replaced by scrubland, natural woods and reforested areas. Furthermore, the landscape was more fragmented in 1956 than in 2001. The landscape structure varied following clearing, with a doubling in the number of patches and an increase in heterogeneity. The consequences of clearing have included an increase in the area of pastureland and the number of large animals. In addition, the number of farms has decreased, but their mean size has increased. Clearing is an appropriate way for spatial reorganization in marginal mountain areas. It does not require excessive investment but favours the reintegration of abandoned fields and an increase in pasturelands. The results of this study contribute to the debate about reclaiming mountain landscapes affected by human activities and subject to intense degradation processes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Support for this research was provided by the project HIDROCAES (CGL2011-27574-C02-01 and -02), INDICA (CGL2011-27753-C02-01 and 02) funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competition, and by the European project MED-AFFOREST (PIEF-GA-2013-624974) funded by the Seventh European Union (EU) Framework Programme. E. Nadal-Romero was the recipient of a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowships grant (Seventh EU Framework Programme).

3 páginas

Information from 152 experiments of rainfall simulation was jointly analysed. The study was done in 17 land uses with contrasted vegetation cover situations from 4 geographic contexts (NE Catalonia, high and medium lands from the Ebro Valley and Southern range of Central Pyrenees). Experiments were done using similar rainfall simulators, with the same spray nozzle, spraying components and plot size, with a wide spectrum of precipitation intensities. Results showed significant differences in runoff amounts and erosion rates, which were mostly associated with land uses, even more than precipitation differences. In fact, even though the highest rainfall intensities were applied in the most natural areas with dense vegetation cover, the most intense responses were produced in the most altered environments. These results agreed with the causedeffect relationships observed in some antecedent studies. Likewise, this analysis has provided comparable information between environments, allowing estimate proportionally factors and favouring their classification., El estudio se ha realizado mediante fondos de los proyecto CETSUS (CGL2007-666-44-C04-01/HID), HIDROCAES (CGL2011-27574-C02-01 y 02) e INDICA (CGL2011-27753-C02-01 y 02).

13 páginas, [ES] El efecto más evidente de la marginación productiva de la montaña española es la revegetación de numerosas laderas, lo que tiene efectos positivos y negativos. De ahí, que se planteen dos alternativas: dejar que el proceso continúe o intervenir en el territorio. En este trabajo se aporta información, a partir de varios estudios realizados en el Pirineo y Sistema Ibérico, sobre los impactos que tiene el desbroce de matorrales en campos abandonados. En los casos estudiados se ha podido comprobar que, en áreas seleccionadas, la sustitución del matorral por prados y pastos implica aumentar la cantidad de agua, incrementar la disponibilidad de forraje, reducir los desequilibrios estacionales en la oferta de pastos, mejorar la estructura del paisaje y reducir el riesgo de génesis y propagación de incendios, sin apenas efectos ambientales negativos., [EN] Natural revegetation is the main effect of the productive marginalization in the Spanish mountains. This process has both positive and negative effects and two alternative scenarios future can be considered: i) to leave the lands to the natural revegetation without human interference and ii) to apply land management practices to control revegetation. This work provides information based on case-studies from the Pyrenees and the Iberian Range about the impact of the clearance of shrub areas, in abandoned fields. Our data show that the replacement of the shrubs by pastures in selected areas has very few negative consequences and several positive impacts: i) the increase of water resources, ii) more forage production, iii) better seasonal balance in the availability of pastures, iv) a more diverse landscape and v) the reduction of the fire risk., Este trabajo se ha realizado en el marco de los proyectos de investigación: PROBASE (CGL2006-11619/HID), FIREGLOBE (CGL2008-01083/CLI), INDICA (CGL2011- 27753-CO2-01 y 02) e HIDROCAES (CGL2011-27574-CO2-02), financiados por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Ha contado también con la ayuda de la D.G.A. al Grupo de Investigación Consolidado: Geomorfología y Cambio Global.

[ES] La marginación socioeconómica de la montaña mediterránea española ha producido notables cambios en la estructura del paisaje. Uno de los rasgos más característicos de este fenómeno es el abandono de grandes extensiones de tierras cultivadas y el desarrollo de un proceso de recolonización vegetal. En este trabajo se analiza la diversidad de la cubierta vegetal en campos abandonados de Cameros Viejo en relación con la edad de abandono. La delimitación del espacio agrícola se realizó con las fotografías aéreas de 1956 y 1978, mientras que la cubierta actual se obtuvo del SIOSE (Sistema de Información de Ocupación del Suelo de España). La cartografía elaborada indica que el espacio agrícola llegó a ocupar 15490,9 ha (39,1% del área de estudio), habiéndose abandonado el 99,6%. Por otro lado, los resultados señalan la gran complejidad de la cubierta vegetal derivada del proceso de sucesión, habiéndose identificado 231 combinaciones. Los matorrales, como cubierta única o formando parte de asociaciones con frondosas, coníferas y pastizales, ocupan la mayor extensión: 10327,2 ha (66,7%). Los pastizales son la segunda cubierta con 3417,7 ha (22,1%), mientras que el estadio forestal se ha alcanzado en muy pocos campos (1496,8 ha, 9,7%). Se comprueba también que la edad de abandono tiene más influencia en la presencia de árboles que en la de matorrales y pastizales, que pueden permanecer en los campos durante mucho tiempo., Este trabajo se ha realizado en el marco de los proyectos de investigación: PROBASE: Procesos y balances hidrológicos y de sedimentos a diferentes escalas en ambientes mediterráneos: Efectos de las fluctuaciones climáticas y de los cambios de uso del suelo (CGL2006-11619/HID), FIREGLOBE: Análisis de escenarios de riesgo a escala nacional y global (CGL2008-01083/CLI), INDICA: Indicadores geomorfológicos de los cambios de uso del suelo en áreas de montaña submediterránea (CGL2011-27753-CO2-01 y 02) e HIDROCAES: Impactos hidrológicos del cambio global en España (CGL2011-27574-CO2-02), financiados por el Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología. Ha contado también con una Ayuda a la Investigación del Instituto de Estudios Riojanos al tema: Los campos abandonados como componente esencial del paisaje de Camero Viejo: diversidad ecológica, percepción y valoración social.

18 páginas, 4 figuras, 5 tablas., [EN]: The landscape changes in Alto Iregua are described and quantified from the cartography of vegetation and land uses of 1956 and 2001. Also several parameters used in studies of landscape ecology have been applied (number, size and form of the patches, diversity, dominance, equitativity and fractal dimension). Land use changes are characterised by an important process of expansion of deciduous and coniferous forests. In 1956, the forests only occupied 33,6% of the study area; in 2001 they occupy 67,5%. In the landscape, a reduction accused of the fragmentation is observed (from 1162 patches in 1956 to 735 in 2001), with the logical increase of the average size of the patches (from 44,1 to 69,7 ha). Diversity index of Shannon and Equitativity index of Evenness have decreased between both dates, from 1,707 to 1,55, and from 0,712 to 0,646 respectively, whereas the Dominancy shows a positive evolution (the values 0,691 in 1956 and 0,848 in 2001). In conclusion, the Alto Iregua landscape is less diverse at present than 50 years ago., [ES]: Se describen y cuantifican los cambios de paisaje en el Alto Iregua a partir del análisis de la cartografía de vegetación y coberturas del suelo de 1956 y 2001 y la aplicación de varios parámetros utilizados en estudios de ecología del paisaje: número, tamaño y forma de las manchas, diversidad, dominancia, equitatividad y dimensión fractal. Los cambios en las coberturas han tendido hacia un acusado proceso de expansión de los bosques de frondosas y coníferas. En 1956, los bosques sólo ocupaban el 33,6% del territorio, mientras que en 2001 ocupan el 67,5%. En el paisaje se observa un descenso acusado de la fragmentación, pasando de 1162 manchas en 1956 a 735 en 2001, con el lógico incremento de su tamaño medio (de 44,1 a 69,7 ha). Los índices de diversidad de Shannon y de equitatividad de Evenness han disminuido entre ambas fechas, pasando de 1,707 a 1,55 y de 0,712 a 0,646, respectivamente, mientras que la dominancia muestra una evolución positiva (valores de 0,691 en 1956 y de 0,848 en 2001). En definitiva, el paisaje del Alto Iregua es menos diverso en la actualidad que hace 50 años., Este trabajo se ha realizado en el marco de los proyectos de investigación: PROBASE: Procesos y balances de sedimentos a diferentes escalas espaciales en ambientes mediterráneos: Efectos de las fluctuaciones climáticas y de los cambios de uso del suelo (CGL2006-11619/HID), FIREGLOBE: Análisis de escenarios de riesgo a escala nacional y global (CGL2008-01083-CLI) y CETSUS: Comportamiento y modelización espacio-temporal de la transferencia de sedimentos en diferentes usos del suelo: laderas con uso intensivo agrario (SGL2007-66644-CO4-03/HID), financiados por el Ministerio de Ciencia y tecnología. Ha contado también con el apoyo de la DGA al Grupo de Excelencia “Geomorfología y Cambio Global” y del Instituto de Estudios Riojanos (Gobierno de La Rioja).

Observar si el almacenamiento de la 99mTc-tetrofosmina durante el tiempo indicado por el fabricante de estabilidad del radiofármaco, 12 horas, a diferentes temperaturas (18-25º C o Tª ambiente, 32º C y 4-8º C), podría infl uir en la PRQ del radiofármaco y en su estabilidad, ya sea en los mismos viales del equipo reactivo como en jeringas. Del mismo modo, estudiar si la incubación requerida para la preparación del radiofármaco (20 min) va a afectar a la PRQ de la dosis si ésta ha sido cargada antes o después de ese tiempo. Material y Métodos: Los 40 viales de la fosfi na se marcaron siguiendo las indicaciones del fabricante. Se estudiaron 3 condiciones de almacenamiento en función de la temperatura en la que mantuviéramos el radiofármaco, para estudiar las condiciones ambientales extremas en las que se puede encontrar una dosis del fármaco. Resultados: Los valores medios de la PRQ (%) cuando el radiofármaco se incubaba en vial o en jeringa fueron de 95,79±2,32 y 96,16±2,32 respectivamente, no observándose diferencias en los valores. La estabilidad del radiofármaco a distintas temperaturas, y a diferentes tiempos fueron superiores al 90% en todos los casos. Conclusiones: El complejo 99mTc-tetrofosmina es estable durante 12 horas tanto si la incubación se realiza en el vial original del equipo reactivo como si se realiza en jeringa de insulina con aguja. El radiofármaco es estable durante 12 horas a diferentes temperaturas de almacenamiento., Aim: To determine the stability and radio chemical purity (RCP) of 99mTc-tetrofosmin kept for different time intervals of up to 12 hours, the maximum recommended by the manufacturers, at different temperatures (18-25º C or room temperature, 32ºC & 2-8ºC), in both reactive equipment vials or in syringes, and to determine whether shorter or longer incubation times, other than the recommended 20 minute period, could affect the RCP of doses of the radiopharmaceutical. Materials and Methods: 40 vials of phosphine were labelled in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations. Three different storage temperature conditions were studied, in order to determine how possible extremes may affect dosages of the drug. Results: The average RCP percentages of the radiofarmaceutical incubated in vials and syringes were 95.79±2.32 & 96.16±2.32 respectively, with no signifi cant differences observed. Stability at different temperatures and different time intervals was over 90% in all cases. Conclusions: The 99mTc-tetrofosmin complex remains stable for 12 hours, whether it is incubated in the original reactive equipment or within insulin syringes with needle. Additionally, the radiopharmaceutical also remained stable at the different studied storage temperatures and at all time intervals for up to 12 hours.