Effectiveness of a primary care-based intervention to reduce sitting time in overweight and obese patients (SEDESTACTIV): a randomized controlled trial; rationale and study design

Background: There is growing evidence suggesting that prolonged sitting has negative effects on people's weight, chronic diseases and mortality. Interventions to reduce sedentary time can be an effective strategy to increase daily energy expenditure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a six-month primary care intervention to reduce daily of sitting time in overweight and mild obese sedentary patients. Method/Design: The study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Professionals from thirteen primary health care centers (PHC) will randomly invite to participate mild obese or overweight patients of both gender, aged between 25 and 65 years old, who spend 6 hours at least daily sitting. A total of 232 subjects will be randomly allocated to an intervention (IG) and control group (CG) (116 individuals each group). In addition, 50 subjects with fibromyalgia will be included. Primary outcome is: (1) sitting time using the activPAL device and the Marshall questionnaire. The following parameters will be also assessed: (2) sitting time in work place (Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire), (3) health-related quality of life (EQ-5D), (4) evolution of stage of change (Prochaska and DiClemente's Stages of Change Model), (5) physical inactivity (catalan version of Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool), (6) number of steps walked (pedometer and activPAL), (7) control based on analysis (triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, glycemia and, glycated haemoglobin in diabetic patients) and (8) blood pressure and anthropometric variables. All parameters will be assessed pre and post intervention and there will be a follow up three, six and twelve months after the intervention. A descriptive analysis of all variables and a multivariate analysis to assess differences among groups will be undertaken. Multivariate analysis will be carried out to assess time changes of dependent variables. All the analysis will be done under the intention to treat principle. Discussion: If the SEDESTACTIV intervention shows its effectiveness in reducing sitting time, health professionals would have a low-cost intervention tool for sedentary overweight and obese patients management.

Correlation between charge transport and electroluminescence properties of Si-rich oxide/nitride/oxide-based light emitting capacitors.

The electrical and electroluminescence (EL) properties at room and high temperatures of oxide/ nitride/oxide (ONO)-based light emitting capacitors are studied. The ONO multidielectric layer is enriched with silicon by means of ion implantation. The exceeding silicon distribution follows a Gaussian profile with a maximum of 19%, centered close to the lower oxide/nitride interface. The electrical measurements performed at room and high temperatures allowed to unambiguously identify variable range hopping (VRH) as the dominant electrical conduction mechanism at low voltages, whereas at moderate and high voltages, a hybrid conduction formed by means of variable range hopping and space charge-limited current enhanced by Poole-Frenkel effect predominates. The EL spectra at different temperatures are also recorded, and the correlation between charge transport mechanisms and EL properties is discussed.

Alonso Rodríguez Gamarra en el comercio de libros con la América colonial (1607-1613)

Alonso Rodríguez Gamarra fue un impresor sevillano activo entre 1604 y 1622. Envió libros en 1607 a Santo Domingo y en 1613 a Guatemala y México. Estos tres envíos sumaban 71, 295 y 186 ejemplares respectivamente. Además, estos envíos incluían en total doce resmas de menudencias impresas (6.000 pliegos) que formaban en su conjunto un surtido notable. En dos de las tres hojas de registro se incluyó el detalle de los títulos embarcados con un nivel de descripción poco habitual, pues se anotaron los datos del autor, el título y el pie de imprenta. Esto último nos ha deparado alguna sorpresa, ya que permite realizar precisiones sobre la producción de los talleres de Gamarra. Es necesario destacar la referencia a una edición desconocida por los bibliógrafos, que aparece declarada por el propio impresor como"Oraciones y exercicios de fr. Luis de Granada Seuilla por Alonso Rodríguez Gamarra 1612".

La poética de Juan Carlos Onetti a través de sus artículos periodísticos

El presente ensayo analiza y verifica como en los artículos periodísticos de Onetti, escritos en su primera época, ya se dan las características y la visión de su posterior mundo de ficción. Se traza una línea paralela entre sus crónicas periodísticas y sus novelas o primeros cuentos para llegar a la Poética del autor.

Ignacio Arellano y José Antonio Rodríguez Garrido (eds.), 'El teatro en la Hispanoamérica colonial'

Este volumen, publicado por la Universidad de Navarra y la editorial Iberoamerica-Vervuert, recoge las contribuciones realizadas durante el encuentro celebrado en Lima, del 5 al 7 de abril de 2006, en el que , bajo la organización del Instituto Riva-Agüero de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú y del Grupo de Investigación Siglo de Oro de la Universidad de Navarra, numerosos especialistas pusieron en común el resultado de sus investigaciones sobre el teatro colonial hispanoamericano.

Nihilismo y voluntad de engaño en El astillero, de Juan Carlos Onetti

En este artículo se estudia la novela El astillero de Juan Carlos Onetti a la luz de los conceptos nietzscheanos de"nihilismo" y"voluntad de engaño"

El Museo de Árboles Históricos de la Argentina en el Complejo Museológico 'Pino de San Lorenzo'

El Museo de Árboles Históricos de la Argentina forma parte del Complejo Museológico"Pino de San Lorenzo", este último establecido en la Avenida San Martín 1562 de San Lorenzo, la Provincia de Santa Fe, en tierras que pertenecen a la Provincia Franciscana"San Miguel". El mencionado museo comparte este espacio con el Museo Histórico Sanmartiniano. Se inauguró el 10 de setiembre de 2009, gracias al sostenimiento que le ha otorgado el Municipio de San Lorenzo, así como a la colaboración que hizo Fray Jorge Gustavo Rodríguez por el Convento San Carlos de los franciscanos. Mientras el Museo Histórico Sanmartiniano recupera la historia de vida de San Martín desde su nacimiento hasta su fallecimiento producido en 1850 en Boulougne sur Mer, Francia, el Museo de Árboles Históricos de la Argentina intenta ser una"muestra gráfica y fotográfica actualizada de todos aquellos ejemplares arbóreos que poseen significatividad desde el punto de vista histórico". De acuerdo al tríptico que sirve de divulgación, los visitantes pueden apreciar diversos ejemplares históricos a través de"giganto-grafías" que cubren 2,00 metros de alto, por 1,30 metros de ancho, y, en especial, con fotos de alta resolución que fueron obtenidas en quince provincias del país.

The use of cost per life year gained as a measurement of cost-effectiveness in Spain: a systematic review of recent publications

The objective of this study was to evaluate the methodological characteristics of cost-effectiveness evaluations carried out in Spain, since 1990, which include LYG as an outcome to measure the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. METHODS: A systematic review of published studies was conducted describing their characteristics and methodological quality. We analyse the cost per LYG results in relation with a commonly accepted Spanish cost-effectiveness threshold and the possible relation with the cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained when they both were calculated for the same economic evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 62 economic evaluations fulfilled the selection criteria, 24 of them including the cost per QALY gained result as well. The methodological quality of the studies was good (55%) or very good (26%). A total of 124 cost per LYG results were obtained with a mean ratio of 49,529 and a median of 11,490 (standard deviation of 183,080). Since 2003, a commonly accepted Spanish threshold has been referenced by 66% of studies. A significant correlation was found between the cost per LYG and cost per QALY gained results (0.89 Spearman-Rho, 0.91 Pearson). CONCLUSIONS: There is an increasing interest for economic health care evaluations in Spain, and the quality of the studies is also improving. Although a commonly accepted threshold exists, further information is needed for decision-making as well as to identify the relationship between the costs per LYG and per QALY gained.

Supramolecular Gold Metallogelators: The Key Role of Metallophilic Interactions

Gold metallogelators is an emerging area of research. The number of results published in the literature is still scarce. The majority of these gels is observed in organic solvents, and the potential applications are still to be explored. In this work, we present an overview about gold metallogelators divided in two different groups depending on the type of solvent used in the gelation process (organogelators and hydrogelators). A careful analysis of the data shows that aurophilic interactions are a common motif directly involved in gelation involving Au(I) complexes. There are also some Au(III) derivatives able to produce gels but in this case the organic ligands determine the aggregation process. A last section is included about the potential applications that have been reported until now with this new and amazing class of supramolecular assemblies.

Cancer mortality inequalities in urban areas: a Bayesian small area analysis in Spanish cities [correcció]

After publication of this work in 'International Journal of Health Geographics' on 13 january 2011 was wrong. The map of Barcelona in Figure two (figure 1 here) was reversed. The final correct Figure is presented here

Terutroban, A TP-receptor antagonist, reduces portal pressure in cirrhotic rats.

Increased production of vasoconstrictive prostanoids, such as thromboxane A2 (TXA2 ), contributes to endothelial dysfunction and increased hepatic vascular tone in cirrhosis. TXA2 induces vasoconstriction by way of activation of the thromboxane-A2 /prostaglandin-endoperoxide (TP) receptor. This study investigated whether terutroban, a specific TP receptor blocker, decreases hepatic vascular tone and portal pressure in rats with cirrhosis due to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) or bile duct ligation (BDL). Hepatic and systemic hemodynamics, endothelial dysfunction, liver fibrosis, hepatic Rho-kinase activity (a marker of hepatic stellate cell contraction), and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling pathway were measured in CCl4 and BDL cirrhotic rats treated with terutroban (30 mg/kg/day) or its vehicle for 2 weeks. Terutroban reduced portal pressure in both models without producing significant changes in portal blood flow, suggesting a reduction in hepatic vascular resistance. Terutroban did not significantly change arterial pressure in CCl4 -cirrhotic rats but decreased it significantly in BDL-cirrhotic rats. In livers from CCl4 and BDL-cirrhotic terutroban-treated rats, endothelial dysfunction was improved and Rho-kinase activity was significantly reduced. In CCl4 -cirrhotic rats, terutroban reduced liver fibrosis and decreased alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen-I, and transforming growth factor beta messenger RNA (mRNA) expression without significant changes in the eNOS pathway. In contrast, no change in liver fibrosis was observed in BDL-cirrhotic rats but an increase in the eNOS pathway. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that TP-receptor blockade with terutroban decreases portal pressure in cirrhosis. This effect is due to decreased hepatic resistance, which in CCl4 -cirrhotic rats was linked to decreased hepatic fibrosis, but not in BDL rats, in which the main mediator appeared to be an enhanced eNOS-dependent vasodilatation, which was not liver-selective, as it was associated with decreased arterial pressure. The potential use of terutroban for portal hypertension requires further investigation.

Activación de expresiones idiomáticas incompletas y prominencia semántica en la Sombra del Viento de Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Las expresiones idiomáticas manifiestan comportamientos de tipos diversos, ya sea por su complejidad morfológica, por las reglas de composicionalidad o no/composicionalidad que las rigen o por el modo de inferir su significado. En la novela La sombra del viento, Carlos Ruiz Zafón experimenta con las propiedades de estos recursos lingüísticos a partir de grupos léxicos concretos cuyos componentes textuales suscitan expresiones idiomáticas. La prominencia semántica que ejercen el contexto y los elementos léxicos presentes en el texto son suficientes para recuperar la expresión idiomática al completo y su significado idiomático. En este estudio se analiza este recurso estilístico teniendo en cuenta los procesos mentales implicados en la identificación de las expresiones modificadas y los mecanismos de recuperación de sus significados idiomáticos, tales como la prominencia semántica o las relaciones entre los componentes contextuales, así como las relaciones que se establecen entre la expresión idiomática y el contexto.

Los indígenas sanapanás, Carlos Casado y las fotografias de de Sanctis

El español Carlos Casado del Alisal se estableció en la ciudad de Rosario en el año 1857, y configuró un importante número de empresas dedicadas a la producción del trigo, del quebracho colorado de la zona del Chaco Paraguayo, y en especial a la exportación de ambos recursos desde el Puerto de Rosario a Europa y a los Estados Unidos. En este artículo nos referimos a la colaboración que hizo el español republicano Matías Alonso Criado al facilitar a Casado la llegada de la Orden Salesiana a la zona costera del Chaco con la finalidad de "educar" a los indígenas sanapanás. Para elaborar este artículos hemos consultado el Archivio della Sacra Congregazione degli Affari Ecclesiastici Straordinari del Archivio Segreto Vaticano (en adelante A.S.V., A.E.S.).

Sinusoidal Endothelial Dysfunction Precedes Inflammation and Fibrosis in a Model of NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Most morbidity associated with the metabolic syndrome is related to vascular complications, in which endothelial dysfunction is a major pathogenic factor. However, whether NAFLD is associated with endothelial dysfunction within the hepatic vasculature is unknown. The aims of this study were to explore, in a model of diet-induced overweight that expresses most features of the metabolic syndrome, whether early NAFLD is associated with liver endothelial dysfunction. Wistar Kyoto rats were fed a cafeteria diet (CafD; 65% of fat, mostly saturated) or a control diet (CD) for 1 month. CafD rats developed features of the metabolic syndrome (overweight, arterial hypertension, hypertryglyceridemia, hyperglucemia and insulin resistance) and liver steatosis without inflammation or fibrosis. CafD rats had a significantly higher in vivo hepatic vascular resistance than CD. In liver perfusion livers from CafD rats had an increased portal perfusion pressure and decreased endothelium-dependent vasodilation. This was associated with a decreased Akt-dependent eNOS phosphorylation and NOS activity. In summary, we demonstrate in a rat model of the metabolic syndrome that shows features of NAFLD, that liver endothelial dysfunction occurs before the development of fibrosis or inflammation.

Cancer mortality inequalities in urban areas: a Bayesian small area analysis in Spanish cities

Intra-urban inequalities in mortality have been infrequently analysed in European contexts. The aim of the present study was to analyse patterns of cancer mortality and their relationship with socioeconomic deprivation in small areas in 11 Spanish cities