This paper presents an integrated overview of the literature linking institutions, financial development, and economic growth. From the large body of research on institutional development, the paper ...first selects those contributions that make it possible to study the role of institutional arrangements in ameliorating/worsening the information frictions and transaction costs that characterize the development of financial markets. The paper then investigates the theoretical mechanisms by which these specific frictions affect economic growth and presents the stock of empirical evidence quantifying the impact of institutions on growth through financial development.
We realize a nationwide population-based retrospective study to analyze the characteristics and risk factors of fungal co-infections in COVID-19 hospitalized patients as well as describe their ...causative agents in the Spanish population in 2020 and 2021. Data were obtained from records in the Minimum Basic Data Set of the National Surveillance System for Hospital Data in Spain, provided by the Ministry of Health, and annually published with two years lag. The assessment of the risk associated with the development of healthcare-associated fungal co-infections was assessed using an adjusted logistic regression model. The incidence of fungal co-infection in COVID-19 hospitalized patients was 1.41%. The main risk factors associated were surgery, sepsis, age, male gender, obesity, and COPD. Co-infection was associated with worse outcomes including higher in-hospital and in ICU mortality, and higher length of stay. Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. were the microorganisms more frequent. This is the first study analyzing fungal coinfection at a national level in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Spanish population and one of the few studies available that demonstrate that surgery was an independent risk factor of Aspergillosis coinfection in COVID-19 patients.
The preparation of standardized soft rock specimens to perform unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests is typically difficult, expensive and time-consuming. Needle penetration test (NPT) was ...originally developed in Japan as an alternative for the indirect estimation of UCS of soft rocks. The needle penetrometer is a simple, portable and non-destructive testing device that measures applied load and penetration depth for the rock to calculate the needle penetration index (NPI). A complimentary, portable and widely used destructive test is the point load test (PLT), which measures regular and irregular specimens by the application of a concentrated load using two coaxial conical platens that yield the point load strength index (
I
S(50)
). We investigated and compared the NPT and PLT in terms of measuring changes induced by water saturation and obtaining UCS and the static Young’s modulus (
E
st
) for dry and saturated soft sedimentary rocks. The results point to significant correlation functions from which to infer UCS and
E
st
in terms of NPI and
I
S(50)
in dry and saturated soft rocks. Furthermore, both NPT and PLT are suitable tests for evaluating changes in strength and deformability induced by water saturation. We also found a good correlation between the NPI and
I
s(50)
.
Animal survival depends on the ability to adjust behaviour according to environmental conditions. The circadian system plays a key role in this capability, with diel changes in the quantity ...(irradiance) and spectral content ('colour') of ambient illumination providing signals of time-of-day that regulate the timing of rest and activity. Light also exerts much more immediate effects on behaviour, however, that are equally important in shaping daily activity patterns. Hence, nocturnal mammals will actively avoid light and dramatically reduce their activity when light cannot be avoided. The sensory mechanisms underlying these acute effects of light are incompletely understood, particularly the importance of colour. To define sensory mechanisms controlling mouse behaviour, we used photoreceptor-isolating stimuli and mice with altered cone spectral sensitivity (Opn1mwR), lacking melanopsin (Opn1mwR; Opn4.sup.-/-) or cone phototransduction (Cnga3.sup.-/-) in assays of light-avoidance and activity suppression. In addition to roles for melanopsin-dependent irradiance signals, we find a major influence of spectral content in both cases. Hence, remarkably, selective increases in S-cone irradiance (producing a blue-shift in spectrum replicating twilight) drive light-seeking behaviour and promote activity. These effects are opposed by signals from longer-wavelength sensitive cones, indicating a true spectrally-opponent mechanism. Using c-Fos-mapping and multielectrode electrophysiology, we further show these effects are associated with a selective cone-opponent modulation of neural activity in the key brain site implicated in acute effects of light on behaviour, the subparaventricular zone. Collectively, these data reveal a mechanism whereby blue-shifts in the spectrum of environmental illumination, such as during twilight, promote mouse exploratory behaviour.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Introducción: el alcohol y el tabaco son las drogas legales más consumidas en el mundo. Muchos jóvenes tienen su primer contacto con estas sustancias entre los 12 y los 17 años. Objetivo: describir ...la incidencia del alcoholismo y el tabaquismo en los estudiantes de medicina de un Centro Universitario Municipal. Holguín-Cuba. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal, cuyo universo estuvo conformado por los 73 estudiantes, seleccionados a través de un muestreo no probabilístico intencionado, que brindaron su cometimiento informado trabajándose con la totalidad. Resultado: la edad predominante fue de 21 a 23 años y el sexo femenino representó la mayoría de la muestra (48). El 87,6 % y el 80,8 % consume bebidas alcohólicas y tabaco respectivamente; el consumo varía de bajo a medio, con predominio del consumo en grupo con 37,5 % y 49,1 %. El conocimiento sobre el efecto del alcoholismo (OR: 1,01 p=0,0002) y el tabaquismo (OR: 7,7 p=0,01). La presencia de estrés se relacionó el consumo de alcohol (OR: 4,46 IC: 1,01-18,8 p=0,03) y tabaquismo (OR: 9,79 IC: 2,61-36,7 p=0,0001). Conclusiones: predominó el consumo de alcohol y tabaco en frecuencia baja, siendo más común la ingestión de bebidas alcohólicas que el hábito de fumar y el consumo en grupo sobre el individual. El tener conocimiento sobre los efectos nocivos de estas sustancias y la presencia de estrés aumentaron el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas y tabaco.
Abstract
Background
We performed a nationwide population-based retrospective study to describe the epidemiology of bacterial co-infections in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-hospitalized patients ...in Spain in 2020. We also analyzed the risk factors for co-infection, the etiology and the impact in the outcome.
Methods
Data were obtained from records in the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) of the National Surveillance System for Hospital Data in Spain, provided by the Ministry of Health and annually published with 2 years lag. COVID-19 circulated in two waves in 2020: from its introduction to 31st June and from 1st July to 31st December. The risk of developing a healthcare-associated bacterial co-infection and the risk for in-hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) mortality in co-infected patients was assessed using an adjusted logistic regression model.
Results
The incidence of bacterial co-infection in COVID-19 hospitalized patients was 2.3%. The main risk factors associated with bacterial co-infection were organ failure, obesity and male sex. Co-infection was associated with worse outcomes including higher in-hospital, in-ICU mortality and higher length of stay. Gram-negative bacteria caused most infections. Causative agents were similar between waves, although higher co-infections with Pseudomonas spp. were detected in the first wave and with Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae in the second.
Conclusions
Co-infections are not as common as those found in other viral respiratory infections; therefore, antibiotics should be used carefully. Screening for actual co-infection to prescribe antibiotic therapy when required should be performed.
Evaluar la seguridad y la eficacia de la inducción de tolerancia oral mediante pauta rush en pacientes con alergia a proteínas de leche de vaca persistente.
Estudio prospectivo realizado en 3 ...hospitales españoles. Se incluyó a niños mayores de 3 años con alergia IgE-mediada a proteínas de leche de vaca, a los que se administraron dosis crecientes de leche durante 5 días, desde 1cc al 1% hasta 200 cc de leche pura en régimen de hospital de día. Las reacciones adversas a la administración de leche fueron registradas y se trataron atendiendo a la clasificación de Clark. Se realizó seguimiento clínico durante 2 años. Se determinaron los niveles de IgE específica basales y a los 6, 12 y 24 meses.
Se incluyó a 18 niños (13 varones) entre 3 y 14 años (media 5,96). De 271 dosis administradas, 55 presentaron algún tipo de reacción. Un 84% de las mismas fueron leves. Al finalizar el protocolo, el 100% presentaba algún grado de tolerancia (39% total). Tras 2 años, el 72% de los pacientes realizaba una dieta sin restricción de productos lácteos. Dos pacientes presentaron pérdida de la tolerancia alcanzada. Se observó un descenso significativo de los niveles de IgE específica a leche de vaca y α-lactoalbúmina a los 24 meses, y de caseína a los 6, 12 y 24 meses respecto de los niveles basales.
La desensibilización mediante pauta rush es una opción terapéutica eficaz y segura a medio plazo para pacientes con alergia persistente a proteínas de leche de vaca.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral rush desensitization in children with cow milk allergy.
Prospective study. We included IgE-mediated cow milk allergy children over 3 years in 3 Spanish hospitals. Increasing doses of cow milk for 5 days from 1cc of 1% to 200 cc of pure milk were administered. Clinical follow-up was conducted and we compared specific IgE levels at onset, 6, 12 and 24 months after desensitization.
We included 18 children (13 males) between 3 and 14 years (mean 5.96). A total of 271 doses were administered; there were 55 adverse reactions (84% mild). At the end of the protocol, 100% showed some degree of tolerance (39% total). Full tolerance was achieved in 72% of patients after two years. Two children failed to achieve tolerance. There was a significant decrease in the levels of specific IgE to cow milk and alpha-lactalbumin at 24 months, and to casein at 6, 12 and 24 months, compared to baseline.
Oral rush desensitization is a safe and effective therapeutic option for patients with persistent cow milk allergy to medium term.
► Iron and copper oxides as materials for negative electrodes for Li ion batteries. ► Precursor composed of dissolved metal salts in presence of PVdF binder successfully electrosprayed. ► Nanosized ...oxide particles directly and homogeneously dispersed with PVdF onto the electrode. ► Electrostatic spray pyrolysis suitable for the direct production of nanocomposite electrode coatings.
Nanostructured composite electrodes based on iron and copper oxides for applications in Li-ion batteries are produced by Electrostatic spray pyrolysis (ESP). The electrodes are directly formed by electrospraying precursor solutions containing either iron or copper salts dissolved in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) together with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) as binder. The morphology and the structure of the deposited electrodes are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), which show that sub-micrometric deposits are formed as a composite of oxide nanoparticles of a few nanometers in a PVdF polymer matrix. Electrochemical characterization by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests demonstrate that the conversion reactions in these electrodes enable initial discharge capacities of about 800mAhg−1 and 1550mAhg−1 for CuO and Fe2O3, respectively. The capacity retention in both cases needs further improvements.
Objetivos La neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM) es una de las principales complicaciones en el postoperatorio de cirugía cardíaca que se acompaña de un importante aumento de la ...morbimortalidad. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar el impacto que el desarrollo de é sta en los pacientes intervenidos de cirugía cardíaca tiene en la evolución a largo plazo. Material y métodos Estudio prospectivo observacional en el que se analizaron durante el periodo de tiempo junio de 2004 - febrero de 2008 232 pacientes que precisaron ventilación mecánica (VM) prolongada tras cirugía cardíaca de una muestra de 1.714 pacientes. Se realizó un seguimiento del 100%. Resultados La tasa de NAVM en los pacientes con VM prolongada fue de 44,83%, con una mortalidad intrahospitalaria de 55,8%. Los pacientes que desarrollaron neumonía presentaron mayor comorbilidad y complicaciones postoperatorias (p < 0,005). Superada la neumonía la tasa de supervivencia a partir de los 3 meses se igual ó con respecto a los que no la presentaron (p = 0,0001), salvo en el grupo de pacientes con insuficiencia renal ( hazard ratio HR: 11,402 1,483–4,414; p = 0,001), diabéticos (HR: 7,209 1,185–2,962; p = 0,007) y aquellos que desarrollaron fracaso renal postoperatorio (HR: 4,829 1,079–3,768; p = 0,028). Conclusiones La supervivencia a medio-largo plazo de los pacientes con NAVM en el contexto de la cirugía cardíaca que superan dicha complicación tiende a igualarse respecto a los que no la desarrollan, hecho que debe tenerse en cuenta en el manejo postoperatorio, seguimiento y asignación de recursos.
In this work a novel method is used to fabricate uniform thin layer electrodes based on nano-silicon composite material. The manufacture process, based on a combination of Laser assisted Chemical ...Vapor Pyrolysis and Electro-Spray Deposition, allows the forming of highly uniform and highly porous surface electrodes. By controlling the particle synthesis and deposition parameters it is possible to obtain samples that are highly reproducible in terms of their morphology. Electrosprayed nano-composite electrodes show high specific capacity. The capacity retention of these types of electrodes is strongly dependant on the binder's nature. The capacity fading mechanism has been further investigated and we suggest a simple mechanical model, which is supported by one of the two CMC binding mechanism already proposed in literature.
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