Cannabis dependence in Swiss adolescents: An exploration of the role of anxiety, coping styles and psychosocial difficulties

This naturalistic cross-sectional study explores how and to what extent cannabis dependence was associated with intrapersonal aspects (anxiety, coping styles) and interpersonal aspects of adolescent functioning (school status, family relationships, peer relationships, social life). A convenience sample of 110 adolescents (aged 12 to 19) was recruited and subdivided into two groups (38 with a cannabis dependence and 72 nondependent) according to DSM-IV-TR criteria for cannabis dependence. Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y), the Coping Across Situations Questionnaire (CASQ), and the Adolescent Drug Abuse Diagnosis (ADAD) interview investigating psychosocial and interpersonal problems in an adolescent's life. Factors associated with cannabis dependence were explored with logistic regression analyses. The results indicated that severity of problems in social life and peer relationships (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.21 - 2.33) and avoidantcoping (OR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.01 - 17.73) were the only discriminatory factors for cannabis dependence. This model correctly classified 84.5% of the adolescents. These findings are partially consistent with the "self-medication hypothesis" and underlined the importance of peer relationships and dysfunctional coping strategies in cannabis dependence in adolescence. Limitations of the study and implications for clinical work with adolescents are discussed.

Molecular epidemiology of pseudomonas aeruginosae in intensive care units (ICUs) over a 10-year period (1998-2007)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, une bactérie environnementale ubiquitaire, est un des pathogènes nosocomiaux les plus fréquents aux soins intensifs. La source de ce microorganisme peut être soit endogène, 2,6 à 24 % des patients hospitalisés étant colonisés au niveau digestif, soit exogène. La proportion des cas d'infections à P. aeruginosa d'origine exogène, donc secondaires à une transmission par manuportage ou par l'eau du réseau utilisée pour la toilette ou d'autres soins, reste débattue. Or une meilleure évaluation du taux d'infections exogènes est importante pour la mise en place de mesures de contrôle appropriées. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer sur une période de 10 ans les rôles respectifs des sources exogènes (robinets, autres patients) et endogène dans la colonisation et/ou l'infection par P.aeruginosa chez les patients des Soins Intensifs, ainsi que de documenter les variations épidémiologiques au cours du temps. L'étude a été menée dans les unités de Soins Intensifs du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV). Les patients colonisés et/ou infectés par P. aeruginosa entre 1998 et 2007ont été identifiés via la base de données du laboratoire de microbiologie. Ils ont été inclus dans l'étude s'ils étaient hospitalisés dans une des unités de Soins Intensifs, Durant cette période, des prélèvements pour recherche de P. aeruginosa ont été effectués sur des robinets des soins intensifs. Un typage moléculaire a été effectué sur toutes les souches cliniques et environnementales isolées en 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004 et 2007. Les patients inclus dans l'étude ont été répartis en quatre catégories (A-D) selon le résultat du typage moléculaire leur souche de P. aeruginosa. La catégorie A inclut les cas pour lesquels le génotype de P. aeruginosa est identique à un des génotypes retrouvé dans l'environnement. La catégorie B comprend les cas pour lesquels le génotype est identique à celui d'au moins un autre patient. La catégorie C comprend les cas avec un génotype unique et la catégorie D comprend les cas pour lesquels la souche était non disponible pour le typage. Les cas des catégories A et B sont considérés comme ayant une origine exogène. Au cours des années de l'étude, le nombre d'admissions aux soins intensifs est resté stable. En moyenne, 86 patients par année ont été identifiés colonisés ou infectés par P. aeruginosa aux Soins Intensifs. Durant la première année d'investigation, un grand nombre de patients colonisés par une souche de P. aeruginosa identique à une de celles retrouvées dans l'environnement a été mis en évidence. Par la suite, possiblement suite à l'augmentation de la température du réseau d'eau chaude, le nombre de cas dans la catégorie A a diminué. Dans la catégorie B, le nombre de cas varie de 1,9 à 20 cas/1000 admissions selon les années. Ce nombre est supérieur à 10 cas/1000 admissions en 1998, 2003 et 2007 et correspond à des situations épidémiques transitoires. Tout au long des 10 ans de l'étude, le nombre de cas dans la catégorie C (source endogène) est demeuré stable et indépendant des variations du nombre de cas dans les catégories A et B. En conclusion, la contribution relative des réservoirs endogène et exogène dans la colonisation et/ou l'infection des patients de soins Intensifs varie au cours du temps. Les facteurs principaux qui contribuent à de telles variations sont probablement le degré de contamination de l'environnement, la compliance des soignants aux mesures de contrôle des infections et la génétique du pathogène lui-même. Etant donné que ce germe est ubiquitaire dans l'environnement aqueux et colonise jusqu'à 15% des patients hospitalisés, la disparition de son réservoir endogène semble difficile. Cependant, cette étude démontre que son contrôle est possible dans l'environnement, notamment dans les robinets en augmentant la température de l'eau. De plus, si une souche multi-résistante est retrouvée de manière répétée dans l'environnement, des efforts doivent être mis en place pour éliminer cette souche. Des efforts doivent être également entrepris afin de limiter la transmission entre les patients, qui est une cause importante et récurrente de contamination exogène. - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading nosocomial pathogens in intensive care units (ICUs). The source of this microorganism can be either endogenous or exogenous. The proportion of cases as a result of transmission is still debated, and its elucidation is important for implementing appropriate control measures. To understand the relative importance of exogenous vs. endogenous sources of P. aeru¬ginosa, molecular typing was performed on all available P. aeruginosa isolated from ICU clinical and environmental specimens in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2007. Patient samples were classified according to their P. aeruginosa genotypes into three categories: (A) identical to isolate from faucet; (B) identical to at least one other patient sample and not found in faucet; and (C) unique genotype. Cases in cat¬egories A and Β were considered as possibly exogenous, and cases in category C as possibly endogenous. A mean of 34 cases per 1000 admissions per year were found to be colonized or infected by P. aeruginosa. Higher levels of faucet contamination were correlated with a higher number of cases in category A. The number of cases in category Β varied from 1.9 to 20 cases per 1000 admissions. This num¬ber exceeded 10/1000 admissions on three occasions and was correlated with an outbreak on one occasion. The number of cases con¬sidered as endogenous (category C) was stable and independent of the number of cases in categories A and B. The present study shows that repeated molecular typing can help identify variations in the epidemiology of P. aeruginosa in ICU patients and guide infection control measures.

Geographic variation in the frequency of isolation and fluconazole and voriconazole susceptibilities of Candida glabrata: an assessment from the ARTEMIS DISK Global Antifungal Surveillance Program.

Geographic differences in frequency and azole resistance among Candida glabrata may impact empiric antifungal therapy choice. We examined geographic variation in isolation and azole susceptibility of C. glabrata. We examined 23 305 clinical isolates of C. glabrata during ARTEMIS DISK global surveillance. Susceptibility testing to fluconazole and voriconazole was assessed by disk diffusion, and the results were grouped by geographic location: North America (NA) (2470 isolates), Latin America (LA) (2039), Europe (EU) (12 439), Africa and the Middle East (AME) (728), and Asia-Pacific (AP) (5629). Overall, C. glabrata accounted for 11.6% of 201 653 isolates of Candida and varied as a proportion of all Candida isolated from 7.4% in LA to 21.1% in NA. Decreased susceptibility (S) to fluconazole was observed in all geographic regions and ranged from 62.8% in AME to 76.7% in LA. Variation in fluconazole susceptibility was observed within each region: AP (range, 50-100% S), AME (48-86.9%), EU (44.8-88%), LA (43-92%), and NA (74.5-91.6%). Voriconazole was more active than fluconazole (range, 82.3-84.2% S) with similar regional variation. Among 22 sentinel sites participating in ARTEMIS from 2001 through 2007 (84 140 total isolates, 8163 C. glabrata), the frequency of C. glabrata isolation increased in 14 sites and the frequency of fluconazole resistance (R) increased in 11 sites over the 7-year period of study. The sites with the highest cumulative rates of fluconazole R were in Poland (22% R), the Czech Republic (27% R), Venezuela (27% R), and Greece (33% R). C. glabrata was most often isolated from blood, normally sterile body fluids and urine. There is substantial geographic and institutional variation in both frequency of isolation and azole resistance among C. glabrata. Prompt species identification and fluconazole susceptibility testing are necessary to optimize therapy for invasive candidiasis.

¿Cómo los académicos españoles se enfrentan con el cambio? respuesta desde una investigación de historias de vida profesionales

[spa] Este documento forma parte de la investigación, Los efectos de los cambios sociales en el trabajo y la vida profesional de los docentes universitarios, parcialmente financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (SEJ2006-01876), en el que hemos explorado los cambios en la legislación, la organización, los contextos de la investigación y la docencia, etc., en los últimos treinta años. El principal objetivo de este documento es profundizar en nuestra comprensión sobre el impacto del cambio económico, social, cultural, tecnológico y laboral que están experimentando las universidades españolas en la vida y la identidad profesional del personal docente e investigador, teniendo en cuenta el contexto nacional y europeo. Este trabajo recoge parte de los resultados obtenidos en el proyecto, siendo su principal objetivo contribuir a mejorar el conocimiento basado en la investigación sobre el saber profesional y la experiencia laboral en las universidades españolas, y en consecuencia, favorecer nuestra comprensión sobre cómo los académicos se están enfrentando con los cambios actuales.

How are Spanish academics coping with changes? Responses from a life histories research.

[eng] This report is part of the research project, The effects of social changes in work and professional life of Spanish academics, partially financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SEJ2006-01876), that has explored change in legislation, organisation, research schemes and so on, in the last thirty years. The main aim of this project is deepening our understanding of the impact of undergoing economic, social, cultural, technological and labour change in Spanish universities in the life and professional identity of the teaching and research staff, taking into account the national and european context. This paper gathers part of the results gained from the project, being its primary objective to contribute to an improved knowledge-base on professional knowledge and work experience in higher education institutions in Spain and, as a consequence, to understand how Spanish academics are coping with current changes.

L'insertion sociale plurielle des femmes cadres supérieurs en Suisse : contribution à l'étude du bien-être subjectif au quotidien : approche qualitative intégrative

RESUME« L'insertion sociale plurielle des femmes cadres supérieurs en Suisse. Contribution à l'étude du bien-être subjectif au quotidien. Approche intégrative qualitative. »Depuis une quarantaine d'années, nombreux sont les travaux qui étudient les relations entre les différents milieux de vie au quotidien et, plus particulièrement, l'impact de leurs articulations singulières sur la santé. Nous y identifions deux axes principaux : l'un aborde ce phénomène selon une perspective de « conflit travail-famille » en termes de « stress », l'autre se focalise davantage sur la promotion du « bien-être » au travers d'une approche d'« équilibre travail-vie ». Or, l'ensemble de ces recherches considère comme «pathogènes» les désajustements, les contradictions et les tensions vécus au quotidien. Selon cette tendance, le « bien-être » apparaît comme un état d'équilibre ultime indépendant du contexte de vie du sujet. Toutefois, peu de recherches portent sur la dimension située du bien-être dans son rapport à l'activité concrète au sein des milieux deNotre étude s'intéresse à cette question auprès des femmes cadres supérieurs, selon une perspective critique et développementale en psychologie de la santé (Lyons & Chamberlain, 2006 ; Santiago-Delefosse, 2002,2011 ; Malrieu, 1989 ; Vygotski, 1985). En effet, cette population constitue un terrain privilégié pour comprendre le sens donné à l'activité à partir des contraintes, responsabilités et demandes perçues dans des contextes parfois contradictoires, et pour analyser le rôle de ces derniers dans un bien-être subjectif.En cohérence avec notre positionnement théorique, nous avons mené des entretiens qualitatifs focalisés sur l'activité quotidienne auprès de 20 femmes, et ceci en deux temps (T1-T2) (40 entretiens). Les résultats issus des analyses du contenu des discours permettent de définir le vécu de l'articulation des milieux de vie chez nos participantes, selon trois axes à la fois interdépendants et autonomes. Chaque axe se définit par une série de supports spécifiques jouant un rôle structurant dans leur bien-être subjectif. Ainsi, le premier axe se caractérise par des supports de maîtrise subjective, ainsi que par l'appropriation de contraintes sociales et corporelles, selon un rythme de l'activité soutenu. Le deuxième s'accompagne de supports qui favorisent la prise de distance au travers du relâchement du rythme et du lâcher prise de la maîtrise, par la création d'espaces personnels et sociaux « pour soi ». Enfin, le troisième porte sur le positionnement de soi par rapport à autrui en termes de « personnalisation ».Construits en rapport à la corporéité et à autrui au sein de contextes spécifiques, ces différents supports prennent leur sens au sein d'un système de pratiques global, unique pour chaque femme. Selon cette conception critique, le bien-être subjectif chez les femmes cadres se définit comme le fruit d'un processus mouvant issu des tensions vécues entre les trois axes de l'articulation des milieux de vie. Il est par conséquent social, corporel et psychologique.Nos résultats ouvrent des perspectives de recherche et d'intervention, notamment en santé et travail. Ces ouvertures sont orientées vers une approche intégrative en psychologie de la santé, c'est-à-dire, de la prise en compte dans des questions de santé et de bien-être du processus de construction du sujet en relation à son insertion sociale plurielle.ABSTRACT« Plural social participation among women senior managers in Switzerland. Contribution to the study of subjective well-being in everyday life. An integrative and qualitativeapproach.»For the last forty years, a large body of literature has studied the relationships between different social realms in everyday life and, more particularly, the impact of their singular intertwinements with health. We identify two main trends : The first one focuses on this phenomenon through the « work-family conflict » perspective in terms of « stress » whilst the second one is more concerned by the promotion of « well-being » through a « work-life balance » approach. However, both of these trends consider disadjustments, contradictions and tensions in everyday life as « pathogenic ». According to this conception, « well- being » appears as an ultimate state of balance which is indépendant from the subject's life context. Nevertheless, few studies have examined the situated dimension of well-being in its link to concrete activity in social realms.Our research is concerned with this issue among women senior managers from a critical and developmental perspective in Health Psychology (Lyons & Chamberlain, 2006 ; Santiago-Delefosse, 2002, 2011 ; Malrieu, 1989 ; Vygotski, 1985). In fact, this population represents a favourable field so as to study : how the meaning of daily activity is constructed accross different and often conflictive social realms ; to understand the many ways in which this population deals with perceived constraints, responsibilities and requests, and to analyse the role of situated plural activity in subjective well-being.Consitent with our theoretical framework, we have designed a qualitative method. We have conducted two-time (T1-T2) interviews with 20 women by focusing on their daily activity (40 interviews). The Thematic Content Analysis reveals that four different social realms are articulated among our participants through three main axes, which are at the same time interdependent and autonomous. Each one of these axis is defined by a certain number of specific supports that play an important role in these women's subjective well- being. The first axis is concerned by several supports that signify a « feeling of control » along with the appropriation of social and body constraints by means of a rapid pace of activity. The second one regards the use of supports that contribute to « put things into perspective » by means of the slowing down of the pace of activity and through letting go of the feeling of control. This mechanism includes the creation of personal and social spaces of « one's own ». The third axis is defined by the positioning of the self in regard to others through a process of « personnalization ».Developed in specific contexts through the intertwinnements between the body and social others, supports belonging to these axes acquire significance and meaning on the basis of their relationship to a global system of activities of which they are part. However, this articulation is uniquely defined for each participant. According to this critical approach, subjective well-being among women senior managers emerges as a meaningful and changing process, situated in a plural social context. This is, it appears as the result of conflictual interactions defining the three different axis that we have identified. Subjective well-being is hence a social, embodied and psychological phenomena that is closely linked to the articulation of different social realms. Our findings open new research and practice perspectives, especially concerning health and work issues. These perspectives convey an integrative approach in Health Psychology by considering health and well-being by taking into account the process of construction of the subject in regard to his or her plural social participation.

Predictors of onset of cannabis and other drug use in male young adults: results from a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: The use of cannabis and other illegal drugs is particularly prevalent in male young adults and is associated with severe health problems. This longitudinal study explored variables associated with the onset of cannabis use and the onset of illegal drug use other than cannabis separately in male young adults, including demographics, religion and religiosity, health, social context, substance use, and personality. Furthermore, we explored how far the gateway hypothesis and the common liability to addiction model are in line with the resulting prediction models. METHODS: The data were gathered within the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF). Young men aged around 20 years provided demographic, social, health, substance use, and personality-related data at baseline. Onset of cannabis and other drug use were assessed at 15-months follow-up. Samples of 2,774 and 4,254 individuals who indicated at baseline that they have not used cannabis and other drugs, respectively, in their life and who provided follow-up data were used for the prediction models. Hierarchical logistic stepwise regressions were conducted, in order to identify predictors of the late onset of cannabis and other drug use separately. RESULTS: Not providing for oneself, having siblings, depressiveness, parental divorce, lower parental knowledge of peers and the whereabouts, peer pressure, very low nicotine dependence, and sensation seeking were positively associated with the onset of cannabis use. Practising religion was negatively associated with the onset of cannabis use. Onset of drug use other than cannabis showed a positive association with depressiveness, antisocial personality disorder, lower parental knowledge of peers and the whereabouts, psychiatric problems of peers, problematic cannabis use, and sensation seeking. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration of the predictor variables identified within this study may help to identify young male adults for whom preventive measures for cannabis or other drug use are most appropriate. The results provide evidence for both the gateway hypothesis and the common liability to addiction model and point to further variables like depressiveness or practising of religion that might influence the onset of drug use.

De llibertat, autoritat i in/dependències (a la vida i l'obra de Maria-Mercè Marçal)

This article pays attention to two moments in the life and work (inseparably united) of Maria-Mercè Marçal. The first refers to a search of small objects presided by the moon. Taking this search as a motif, the freedom which the poet confers to the nocturnal light ¿mythical and magical symbol of femaleness- and, therefore, to that which symbolises the heavenly body, is revealed. The second moment revolves around the reflection of Marçal on the ¿female authority¿, a concept which this author, inspired by the philosophical community of Diotima, distinguishes from power. Throughout history, Maria-Mercè Marçal remarked, many women have gained strength from the free atribution of authority to other women, to their texts, to their experiences.

Cannabis Dependence in Swiss Adolescents Exploration of the Role of Anxiety, Coping Styles, and Psychosocial Difficulties

This naturalistic cross-sectional study explores how and to what extent cannabis dependence was associated with intrapersonal aspects (anxiety, coping styles) and interpersonal aspects of adolescent functioning (school status, family relationships, peer relationships, social life). A convenience sample of 110 adolescents (aged 12 to 19) was recruited and subdivided into two groups (38 with a cannabis dependence and 72 nondependent) according to DSM-IV-TR criteria for cannabis dependence. Participants completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y), the Coping Across Situations Questionnaire (CASQ), and the Adolescent Drug Abuse Diagnosis (ADAD) interview investigating psychosocial and interpersonal problems in an adolescent's life. Factors associated with cannabis dependence were explored with logistic regression analyses. The results indicated that severity of problems in social life and peer relationships (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.21 - 2.33) and avoidant coping (OR = 4.22, 95% CI = 1.01 - 17.73) were the only discriminatory factors for cannabis dependence. This model correctly classified 84.5% of the adolescents. These findings are partially consistent with the "self-medication hypothesis" and underlined the importance of peer relationships and dysfunctional coping strategies in cannabis dependence in adolescence. Limitations of the study and implications for clinical work with adolescents are discussed.

Testing Guide for Implementing Concrete Paving Quality Control Procedures, March 2008

Construction of portland cement concrete pavements is a complex process. A small fraction of the concrete pavements constructed in the United States over the last few decades have either failed prematurely or exhibited moderate to severe distress. In an effort to prevent future premature failures, 17 state transportation agencies pooled their resources, and a pooled fund research project, Material and Construction Optimization for Prevention of Premature Pavement Distress in PCC Pavements, was undertaken in 2003. Its purpose was to evaluate existing quality control tests, and then select and advance the state-of-the-practice of those tests most useful for optimizing concrete pavements during mix design, mix verification, and construction. This testing guide is one product of that project. The guide provides three recommended testing schemes (Levels A, B, and C, depending on a pavement’s design life and traffic volumes, etc.) that balance the costs of testing with the risk of failure for various project types. The recommended tests are all part of a comprehensive suite of tests described in detail in this guide.

¿Cómo los académicos españoles se enfrentan con el cambio? respuesta desde una investigación de historias de vida profesionales

[spa] Este documento forma parte de la investigación, Los efectos de los cambios sociales en el trabajo y la vida profesional de los docentes universitarios, parcialmente financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (SEJ2006-01876), en el que hemos explorado los cambios en la legislación, la organización, los contextos de la investigación y la docencia, etc., en los últimos treinta años. El principal objetivo de este documento es profundizar en nuestra comprensión sobre el impacto del cambio económico, social, cultural, tecnológico y laboral que están experimentando las universidades españolas en la vida y la identidad profesional del personal docente e investigador, teniendo en cuenta el contexto nacional y europeo. Este trabajo recoge parte de los resultados obtenidos en el proyecto, siendo su principal objetivo contribuir a mejorar el conocimiento basado en la investigación sobre el saber profesional y la experiencia laboral en las universidades españolas, y en consecuencia, favorecer nuestra comprensión sobre cómo los académicos se están enfrentando con los cambios actuales.

¿Cómo los académicos españoles se enfrentan con el cambio? respuesta desde una investigación de historias de vida profesionales

[spa] Este documento forma parte de la investigación, Los efectos de los cambios sociales en el trabajo y la vida profesional de los docentes universitarios, parcialmente financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (SEJ2006-01876), en el que hemos explorado los cambios en la legislación, la organización, los contextos de la investigación y la docencia, etc., en los últimos treinta años. El principal objetivo de este documento es profundizar en nuestra comprensión sobre el impacto del cambio económico, social, cultural, tecnológico y laboral que están experimentando las universidades españolas en la vida y la identidad profesional del personal docente e investigador, teniendo en cuenta el contexto nacional y europeo. Este trabajo recoge parte de los resultados obtenidos en el proyecto, siendo su principal objetivo contribuir a mejorar el conocimiento basado en la investigación sobre el saber profesional y la experiencia laboral en las universidades españolas, y en consecuencia, favorecer nuestra comprensión sobre cómo los académicos se están enfrentando con los cambios actuales.

How are Spanish academics coping with changes? Responses from a life histories research.

[eng] This report is part of the research project, The effects of social changes in work and professional life of Spanish academics, partially financed by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SEJ2006-01876), that has explored change in legislation, organisation, research schemes and so on, in the last thirty years. The main aim of this project is deepening our understanding of the impact of undergoing economic, social, cultural, technological and labour change in Spanish universities in the life and professional identity of the teaching and research staff, taking into account the national and european context. This paper gathers part of the results gained from the project, being its primary objective to contribute to an improved knowledge-base on professional knowledge and work experience in higher education institutions in Spain and, as a consequence, to understand how Spanish academics are coping with current changes.

Mental imagery for full and upper human bodies: common right hemisphere activations and distinct extrastriate activations.

The processing of human bodies is important in social life and for the recognition of another person's actions, moods, and intentions. Recent neuroimaging studies on mental imagery of human body parts suggest that the left hemisphere is dominant in body processing. However, studies on mental imagery of full human bodies reported stronger right hemisphere or bilateral activations. Here, we measured functional magnetic resonance imaging during mental imagery of bilateral partial (upper) and full bodies. Results show that, independently of whether a full or upper body is processed, the right hemisphere (temporo-parietal cortex, anterior parietal cortex, premotor cortex, bilateral superior parietal cortex) is mainly involved in mental imagery of full or partial human bodies. However, distinct activations were found in extrastriate cortex for partial bodies (right fusiform face area) and full bodies (left extrastriate body area). We propose that a common brain network, mainly on the right side, is involved in the mental imagery of human bodies, while two distinct brain areas in extrastriate cortex code for mental imagery of full and upper bodies.

Una reflexión sobre la impronta romana del 'beneficio de separación de patrimonios' en el Código Civil catalán

The roman institution of the separatio bonorum is a pretorian remedy that relies on the principle of equity, created as to protect the deceased creditors and/or legatees. It provides them a"benefit" in the case of selling the goods of the heir-deubtor, enabling them to separate and reserve for themselves that whole patrimonium, as to avoid that by the act of selling, the heirs creditors could go to it; and like this they maintain intact their guarantee, which relies on the whole goods and assets left by the deceased. The separation of patrimonies implied the existence of 2 different groups of goods: that of the heirs" and that one of the deceased, which are not the same in legal terms, in spite of having a common owner at this point, the heir. This institution was regulated in the 6th title of the 42nd book of the Digesto, and in the 72th title, 7th book of the Justinean Code, and its interest is really high due to its material complexity and its procedure. The aim of this work is to analyze the institution of the separatio bonorum in Roman Law, and its importance in the same figure, actually regulated in the 4th book of the Catalan civil code.