Flora y vegetation briofítica higro-hidrófila de la comunidad Valenciana (Este de España)

The bryophyte flora and vegetation have been studied in aquatic and wet environments of Valencia County (eastern Spain). A catalogue of 74 taxa is given, 3 species are new for eastern Spain and 6 for provinces of Valencia County (Valencia = 4, Castellón = 2). Aquatic communities have been studied according to the Braun-Blanquet (1952) method. Nine associations belonging to the classes Adiantetea, Montio-Cardaminetea and Platyhypnidio-Fontinalietea have been recognized. One association has been described as new, Fontinaletum hypnoidis ass. nova, which always grows submerged in calcareous, unpolluted and flowing water. Ecological and syntaxonomical data on problematical communities in the Mediterranean region (EucladioAdiantetum, Eucladietum and Eucladio-Didymodonetum) are given, as well as information on the dynamics of the communities.     

Epidemiología de la acromegalia en España

Epidemiology of acromegaly in Spain does not differ from that reported in other published series. Prevalence rate is approximately 60 cases per million, peak incidence occurs in middle age, more women are affected (61%), and there is a substantial delay between occurrence of the first symptoms and diagnosis. Studies REA (Spanish Acromegaly Registry) and OASIS analyzed the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and management of the disease in Spain. Surgery, performed in more than 80% of patients, has been (and continues to be) the main treatment for the past four decades. In the past decade, however, more patients have received somatostatin analogs (SSAs) as first-line treatment. Use of radiation therapy has significantly decreased in recent decades. Somatostatin analogs (SSAs) are the most commonly used drugs, administered to 85% of patients; however, only 12%-15% continue on drug treatment alone. The surgical remission rate was 38.4% in the last decade, with a significant improvement over decades. Preoperative treatment with SSAs has no influence on surgical cure rates. Second-line therapies used after surgical failure in the past decade included SSAs in 49% of patients, repeat surgery in 27%, radiotherapy in 11%, pegvisomant in 15%, and dopamine agonists in 5%. Mean cost of acromegaly treatment was 9.668€ (data estimated in 2009 and adjusted in 2010), of which 71% was due to the cost of SSAs. Patients treated with pegvisomant have a more aggressive form of the disease and higher comorbidity rates.     

Análisis ecológico de las comunidades liquénicas de la Catedral de León (España)

Ecological analysis of Leon Cathedral lichen communities (Spain).A study of the lichen communities present on Leon Cathedral showed there to be 39 species present, mainly crustose forms of the Teloschistaceae and Lecanoraceae. Two lichen communities were found on calcareous stonework and on highly nitrified habitats. Species distribution depends mainly on nitrophytism, hygrophytism, photophytism and pH indexes, and to a lesser extent on angle of inclination, exposure and substrate type.     

Epidemia de tiña por Trichophyton tonsurans en un área sanitaria de la Comunidad de Madrid (España)

BackgroundTrichophyton tonsurans is a dermatophyte fungus that can cause ringworm outbreaks. In our health area in September 2013, two cases of T. tonsurans ringworm were diagnosed in children who lived in a Children's Centre.AimsTo determine the origin and extent of the outbreak.MethodsMycological cultures of scalp and skin samples from the contacts of the diagnosed cases were performed, as well as environmental samples from the Children's Centre. The patients started with a treatment for their ringworm, and an environmental disinfection of the centre was performed.ResultsTwelve cases of ringworm were detected, along with three asymptomatic scalp carriers of T. tonsurans among 20 children in the Centre. The index case was a resident in whose family, that had just returned from their country of origin, Nigeria, three cases of ringworm were diagnosed. From November 2013 to February 2014 another five cases of ringworm were diagnosed among schoolmates of three cases from the Children's Centre.ConclusionsThe antifungal treatment of the children resulted in the mycological and clinical resolution, and from February to November 2014 no other cases of ringworm by T. tonsurans in the same health area were diagnosed.     

Nouveaux regards sur la Grotte de La Peña (San Román de Candamo,Asturies, Espagne)

This article presents the first results of the interdisciplinary study of the Palaeolithic art of La Peña Cave (San Román de Candamo) recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The systematic exploration of the cave and the application of new technologies for documenting Palaeolithic graphs have allowed us to locate new heretofore unknown sets and to extend the number of known decorated topographic units. The making of a new topographical survey allows us to locate the previously known catalogue (figurative representations and signs) precisely as well as the new findings of paintings and engravings. In parallel to this, the use of different geotechnologies has allowed us to obtain digital models of the original structure of the La Peña Cave of San Román de Candamo (Spain), and also to obtain orthophotos that faithfully reflect the cave's dimensional and textural characteristics for subsequent technical study by a team of prehistorians.     

Comportamiento adaptativo de las personas con limitación funcional: la adaptación funcional de la vivienda en España

Introduction

Most elderly people or those with disabilities wish to stay in their own home rather than any other residential option, even when long-term care is required. The functional adaptation of homes is one of the key factors in doing this with safety and quality of life. This paper investigates whether people with disabilities (arising mainly from their advanced age) develop adaptive behaviours aimed at compensating for their functional loss through improvements in their home and environment, as well as knowing the covariables that explain it.

La salud de las personas mayores en España durante la crisis económica

Introduction

Numerous studies have shown that economic crises are linked to a worsening of health conditions of the population. During the current economic crisis in Spain, there have been significant cuts in social and health services and a general worsening of the emotional well-being of the population. All these changes could have an impact on the health of the population, especially in the most vulnerable groups like older people.