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INTRODUCTION: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the leading causes of disability in young adults. Its prevalence varies according to different countries. In Argentina there is a wide heterogeneity regarding data published in different areas of the country. Prevalence established in most studies is 17 cases per 100,000 inhabitants; however, most of the available data comes from studies that took place in Buenos Aires. There is little or no information from other provinces, especially from Northwest of Argentina (NOA), where there are no studies of the disease prevalence. The aim of this study is to investigate MS prevalence, phenotypes and epidemiological characteristics in Salta, Argentina, in order to contribute to the current knowledge of MS epidemiology and distribution in our country. METHODS: A descriptive, observational, transversal study was carried out in the capital city of Salta. Researchers from all public and private hospitals with a Neurology Department have participated. Private researchers who are well known leaders in demyelinating diseases in the city provided valuable information. Patients who did not have medical control for the past two years as well as patients whose last address was not registered in Salta were excluded. RESULTS: 120 registries were obtained from the four hospitals that participated and from the 12 private researchers. Ten patients were excluded due to overlapping data. The population of the area based on 2010 census was 535,310, so we estimated an MS prevalence 23.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI 20.1-27.4), 24.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in female population (95% CI 21.2-28.6) and 18.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (95% CI 15.2-21.1) in male population. In our analysis, 64 (58.2%) were female and the average age was 42.1 years. 81.8% are recurrent remitting forms, 16.4% secondary progressive and 1.8% primary progressive. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that provides epidemiological data on the prevalence and clinical forms of MS in Salta City as well as in the entire Northwest Region of Argentina(NOA). We estimate a prevalence of 23.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, which establishes a moderate risk area for MS.

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There are very few studies which have considered perception temporality when relating perceived intensity and hedonic responses in relation to body mass index (BMI; kg/cm2). The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between BMI with the dynamic perception and liking of bitter tasting solutions. For this purpose, two different categories of bitter products were applied: 6-n-propilthiouracil (PROP) solutions (0.010, 0.032 and 0.060 mmol/L) and commercial beverages (coffee, yerba mate infusion and grapefruit juice). The proposed methodology to evaluate perception and hedonic response was based on the measurement of reaction-time (R-T) and multiple-sip time-intensity (T-I) registers in people with a high BMI (25 < BMI < 30; overweight group) and a normal BMI (<25; normal-weight control group). The multiple-sip evaluation to describe perception of PROP solutions and liking of beverages was used as a more ecologically valid laboratory methodology to simulate a situation of usual consumption. In this sense, working with a multiple-sip design helped confirm that bitter taste has a cumulative effect since in every case the sip effect was significant when evaluating the maximum intensity; this effect was more important as the bitterness increased. Regarding the body weight group comparisons, the normal BMI group perceived bitter taste more intensely and the time to react to it was shorter (faster reaction) for both PROP solutions and the three beverages. Interestingly, even though the high BMI group rated the bitter taste as less intense, they had a lower level of acceptance than normal BMI. This result suggests that the hedonic rather than the sensory component might be playing a crucial role in the perception of bitter taste in individuals with high BMI.

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RESUMO Os Transtornos da personalidade são padrões psicológicos de difícil diagnóstico que exigem uma avaliação criteriosa por parte do profissional da saúde mental. A relação médico-paciente também se configura como fator de extrema importância para o manejo destes quadros. Dentro deste contexto, é imprescindível orientar os alunos das áreas de graduação em saúde sobre a existência de tal categoria de transtornos. O presente artigo consiste em uma revisão descritiva, que busca elucidar a definição de transtornos da personalidade; além de discorrer sobre aspectos históricos, nosológicos e epidemiológicos. Nesta publicação ainda serão revisadas as particularidades referentes ao diagnóstico, as comorbidades, ao curso e tratamento destes transtornos. O enfoque maior será no manejo de indivíduos com transtorno da personalidade borderline, dada a maior procura destes por unidades de atendimento psiquiátrico.(AU)

Personality disorders are psychological patterns of difficult diagnosis that require careful evaluations from mental health professionals. The physician-patient relationship is a crucial condition for the management of these disorders. On this view it must be important guide undergraduate students from health care areas through the existence of such a category of disorders. This article consists of a descriptive review aiming at clarifying the definition of personality disorders; furthermore discuss historical, physiological and epidemiological aspects. On this publication will be reviewed some particularities from diagnostic comorbidity, course and treatment of these disorders. The management of individuals with borderline personality disorder will be emphasized in this publication due to increased seek from this public for mental health care units. (AU)

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Population growth in urban areas changes freshwater ecosystems, and this can have consequences for macrophyte communities as can be seen in the municipalities that border the Capibaribe River, Pernambuco, Brazil. This study reports the effects of urbanization on the composition and structure of macrophyte communities in areas along that river. The following urbanized and non-urbanized sampling sites were chosen: Sites 1 and 2 (municipality of Santa Cruz do Capibaribe), Sites 3 and 4 (municipality of Toritama), and Sites 5 and 6 (metropolitan region of Recife). These sites were visited every two months from January to July 2013 to observe seasonal variation (wet and dry seasons). Thirty-one species were identified. Generally, the non-urbanized sites had a higher number of species. Multivariate analyses indicated significant overall differences between urbanized and non-urbanized areas (R = 0.044; p 0.001) and between seasons (R = 0.018; p 0.019). Owing to the large variation in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics between urbanized and non-urbanized areas, we found that urbanization significantly influenced the floristic composition and structure of macrophyte communities.(AU)

O crescimento populacional em áreas urbanas causa alterações em ecossistemas aquáticos continentais com consequência sobre as comunidades de macrófitas. Este fato vem ocorrendo nos municípios que margeiam o rio Capibaribe, Pernambuco, Brasil. Este trabalho analisa os efeitos da urbanização sobre a composição e estrutura das macrófitas em trechos do referido Rio. Levando em consideração áreas urbanizadas e não urbanizadas, foram escolhidos os seguintes Pontos de Coleta: Pontos 1 e 2 no Município de Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Pontos 3 e 4 no Município de Toritama, Pontos 5 e 6 na Região Metropolitana do Recife. Estes pontos foram visitados bimestralmente (janeiro julho/2013), para a observação da variação sazonal (estações seca e chuvosa). Foram identificadas 31 espécies. Geralmente, os pontos das áreas não urbanizadas apresentaram um número maior de espécies. As análises multivariadas indicaram diferenças globais significativas entre áreas urbanizadas e não urbanizadas (R = 0,044, p 0,001) e também entre as estações (R = 0,018; p 0,019). Devido à grande variação física, química e biológica entre as áreas urbanizadas e não urbanizadas, observou-se que o fator urbanização influenciou significativamente na composição florística e na estrutura das comunidades de macrófitas.(AU)

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Abstract Population growth in urban areas changes freshwater ecosystems, and this can have consequences for macrophyte communities as can be seen in the municipalities that border the Capibaribe River, Pernambuco, Brazil. This study reports the effects of urbanization on the composition and structure of macrophyte communities in areas along that river. The following urbanized and non-urbanized sampling sites were chosen: Sites 1 and 2 (municipality of Santa Cruz do Capibaribe), Sites 3 and 4 (municipality of Toritama), and Sites 5 and 6 (metropolitan region of Recife). These sites were visited every two months from January to July 2013 to observe seasonal variation (wet and dry seasons). Thirty-one species were identified. Generally, the non-urbanized sites had a higher number of species. Multivariate analyses indicated significant overall differences between urbanized and non-urbanized areas (R = 0.044; p < 0.001) and between seasons (R = 0.018; p < 0.019). Owing to the large variation in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics between urbanized and non-urbanized areas, we found that urbanization significantly influenced the floristic composition and structure of macrophyte communities.

Resumo O crescimento populacional em áreas urbanas causa alterações em ecossistemas aquáticos continentais com consequência sobre as comunidades de macrófitas. Este fato vem ocorrendo nos municípios que margeiam o rio Capibaribe, Pernambuco, Brasil. Este trabalho analisa os efeitos da urbanização sobre a composição e estrutura das macrófitas em trechos do referido Rio. Levando em consideração áreas urbanizadas e não urbanizadas, foram escolhidos os seguintes Pontos de Coleta: Pontos 1 e 2 no Município de Santa Cruz do Capibaribe, Pontos 3 e 4 no Município de Toritama, Pontos 5 e 6 na Região Metropolitana do Recife. Estes pontos foram visitados bimestralmente (janeiro – julho/2013), para a observação da variação sazonal (estações seca e chuvosa). Foram identificadas 31 espécies. Geralmente, os pontos das áreas não urbanizadas apresentaram um número maior de espécies. As análises multivariadas indicaram diferenças globais significativas entre áreas urbanizadas e não urbanizadas (R = 0,044, p < 0,001) e também entre as estações (R = 0,018; p < 0,019). Devido à grande variação física, química e biológica entre as áreas urbanizadas e não urbanizadas, observou-se que o fator urbanização influenciou significativamente na composição florística e na estrutura das comunidades de macrófitas.

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Population growth in urban areas changes freshwater ecosystems, and this can have consequences for macrophyte communities as can be seen in the municipalities that border the Capibaribe River, Pernambuco, Brazil. This study reports the effects of urbanization on the composition and structure of macrophyte communities in areas along that river. The following urbanized and non-urbanized sampling sites were chosen: Sites 1 and 2 (municipality of Santa Cruz do Capibaribe), Sites 3 and 4 (municipality of Toritama), and Sites 5 and 6 (metropolitan region of Recife). These sites were visited every two months from January to July 2013 to observe seasonal variation (wet and dry seasons). Thirty-one species were identified. Generally, the non-urbanized sites had a higher number of species. Multivariate analyses indicated significant overall differences between urbanized and non-urbanized areas (R = 0.044; p < 0.001) and between seasons (R = 0.018; p < 0.019). Owing to the large variation in physical, chemical, and biological characteristics between urbanized and non-urbanized areas, we found that urbanization significantly influenced the floristic composition and structure of macrophyte communities.

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Introduction: The methodological quality (MQ) is a complex multidimensional concept that assesses multiple items as design, methodology and analysis. There are few tools to assess MQ of studies in the field of therapy and these are also partially validated. The aim of this study is to determine the intra and inter observer reliability of the MINCIR scale for assess MQ of therapy articles. Methods: study of validation scales. Was calculate sample size considering confidence level of 95 percent, accuracy of 2 points and standard deviation of 4.95, which gives 21 articles, select by simple random probabilistic sampling with Stata 10.0. Was determined intra and inter observer reliability of the scale and each one of its domains using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: the ICC for interobserver reliability was 0.9. The ICC observed for the domains one, two and three was 0.97, 0.88 and 0.64 respectively. The ICC observed for intraobserver reliability was 0.99. The ICC observed for the domains one, two and three were 1; 1 and 0.91 respectively. Conclusion: interob-server and intraobserver reliability for the MINCIR scale to assess MQ of therapy articles were determined.

Introducción: La calidad metodológica (CM) es un constructo multidimensional complejo que evalúa múltiples ítems como diseño, metodología y análisis realizados. Existen escasos instrumentos para valorar CM de estudios en el ámbito de la terapia y además estos se encuentran parcialmente validados. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la confiabilidad intra e interobservador de la escala MINCIR para valorar CM en estudios de terapia. Material y Método: diseño de validación de escalas. Se calculó un tamaño de muestra considerando un nivel de confianza de 95 por ciento, una precisión de 2 puntos, y una desviación estándar de 4,95; lo que arrojó 21 artículos. Estos fueron seleccionados mediante muestreo probabilístico aleatorio simple con programa Stata 10.0. Se determinó confiabilidad intra e interobservador de la escala y de cada uno de sus dominios mediante coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI). Resultados: la escala evaluada presenta un CCI para confiabilidad interobservador de 0,9; el CCI para el dominio uno, dos y tres es de 0,97; 0,88 y 0,64 respectivamente. El CCI para la confiabilidad intraobservador de la escala es de 0,99 y para los dominios uno, dos y tres es de 1; 1; y 0,91 respectivamente. Conclusión: se determinó confiabilidad inter e intraobservador de la escala MINCIR para valorar CM de artículos de terapia.

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Introduction: Despite the methodological quality (MQ) of scientific publications is a multidimensional concept difficult to understand, their evaluation is essential at the time of making decisions that support our clinical practice. However, in the field of diagnostic tests (DT), which is in a steady and rapid development, there are no valid and reliable instruments to assess MQ. Aim: To report the results of the generation of items and domains of a scale to determine MQ in studies of DT and to determine interobserver reliability of this scale. Material and Methods: Construction of a scale to assess MQ of DT articles and pilot study to determine interobserver reliability. Designed scale was applied to 20 DT studies randomly selected. Interobserver reliability of the scale and each of the domains that compose it was determined by applying intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: The created scale has 9 items grouped into three domains. The ICC observed was 1.0 for the domain 1, 0.90 for the domain 2 and 0.86 for the domain 3. The overall ICC was 0.96. Conclusion: A scale to determine MQ in DT studies was created and it interobserver reliability was determined with a significant level of agreement between observers.

Introducción: A pesar que la calidad metodológica (CM) de las publicaciones científicas es un concepto multidimensional de difícil comprensión, su evaluación es fundamental para la toma de decisiones que apoyen nuestra práctica clínica. No obstante ello, en el ámbito de las pruebas diagnósticas (PD), que se encuentra en constante y rápido desarrollo, no existen instrumentos válidos y confiables que permitan evaluar CM. Objetivo: Reportar los resultados del proceso de generación de ítems y dominios de una escala para determinar CM en estudios de PD; y determinar la confiabilidad interobservador de esta escala. Material y Método: Construcción de una escala de CM de estudios de PD y estudio de confiabilidad interobservador. Se aplicó la escala diseñada a 20 artículos de PD seleccionados en forma aleatoria. Se determinó confiabilidad interobservador de la escala en general y de cada uno de los dominios que la componen mediante aplicación del coeficiente de correlación intraclase. Resultados: La escala generada quedó compuesta por 9 ítems agrupados en tres dominios. El CCI observado para el dominio uno fue de 1,0; para el dominio dos de 0,90; y para el dominio tres de 0,86. El CCI general de la escala fue de 0,96. Conclusión: Se generó una escala para medir CM en estudios de PD y se determinó confiabilidad interobservador de ella y los dominios que la componen. Se observó un nivel de acuerdo significativo entre los evaluadores.

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BACKGROUND: Petcoke is a remnant of the oil refining process that contains Ni and other heavy metals. Undesired human exposure to these compounds may result from petcoke combustion in plants located in the vicinity of the cities. AIM: To compare levels of urinary Ni in schoolchildren residing in cities exposed and not exposed to petcoke pollution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was done in schoolchildren aged 7 to 8 years old in two cities in northern Chile: Mejillones (n = 59), near to a petcoke plant, and Tocopilla (n = 56) as the reference city. First, morning urinary samples were collected and urinary Ni was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Socioeconomic and environmental exposure information of families was obtained applying a questionnaire to parents. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify other variables that may explain urinary Ni differences among the cities. RESULTS: Median level of Ni was higher in Mejillones (4.9 fig/L) than in Tocopilla (3.9 fig/L). Residing in the exposed city was the most important explaining factor (B = 0.26; IC 0.107 - 0.428). Additionally years of residency was associated with urinary Ni (B = 0.03; IC 0.004 - 0.060). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary Ni in schoolchildren is higher in the city exposed to petcoke emissions. The difference does not imply that there are concrete hazards for the population's health. However, it warns about the existence of a higher exposure in places where petcoke is used.

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