Background Chronic stress during adolescence has usually been evaluated through subjective measures, leaving aside objective measures such as hair cortisol concentrations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide reference ranges for hair cortisol concentrations by sex and age and to study the relationship between subjective and objective measures of stress and temporal stability. Methods The participants were 170 adolescents aged between 12 and 14 years ( mean = 12.78 years; standard deviation = 0.71 years; 52.40% girls) who completed the Perceived Stress Scale 4 and had their hair sampled. Results The results revealed hair cortisol concentrations ranging from 0.07 pg/mg to 9.54 pg/mg. Subjective and objective measures of stress were not related, nor was there intraindividual stability of the hair cortisol concentrations. Girls had higher hair cortisol concentrations, and there were no age differences. Conclusions This research provides cortisol reference values for adolescents that will allow the early detection of chronic stress. Such detection methods make it possible to prevent problems arising from stress because we can act more quickly and the treatments will be more effective. The study suggests that there is no relationship between perceived and objective stress; while perceived stress remained stable, the levels of hair cortisol were increased at 6 months. Despite the interesting findings of the study, there are some limitations: the sample was not obtained through probabilistic sampling, the age range was narrow, and some demographic, anthropomorphic and clinical factors are missing, which make the generalization of results difficult.

Background. The prevalence of Chagas disease in endemic countries varies with the kind of vector involved and the socioeconomic conditions of the population of origin. Due to recent immigration it is an emerging public health problem in Europe, especially in those countries which receive immigrant populations with a high prevalence of carriers. The study reviews the impact of the disease on Bolivian immigrants living in Europe, the preventive measures and regulations applied in European countries, and their repercussion on possible stigmatization of certain population groups. Methods. The Bolivian immigrant population resident in 2012 was estimated and the affected population in different European countries was calculated with data on carrier prevalence that were recently published. The preventive measures and regulations available in Europe were also reviewed. MEDLINE-PubMed, GoPubMed, and Embase were consulted for the literature review. Results. The Bolivian immigrant population has the highest prevalence of Chagas carriers (6.7%–25%) compared to the overall Latin American population (1.3%–2.4%). Only in Spain, France, Belgium, UK, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Germany, preventive measures are applied to this population. The established regulations are insufficient and completely different criteria are applied in the different countries and this could reflect a certain degree of stigmatization.

Objective: To determine the morbidity of malignant and pre-malignant skin lesions and people's knowledge about preventing sun exposure and dangerous habits. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study and one descriptive transversal study were conducted with a population of 25,956 inhabitants using the Abucasis® program, and 201 questionnaires were administered to patients in an emergency department; SPSS 15.0 for Windows program was then used. Results: In six years there were 228 cases of actinic keratosis, 26 melanoma and 32 malignant neoplasms of the skin. It was found that 63.7% of the population believed that sufficient solar prevention campaigns were not performed, 50.2% were unaware of the warning signs of skin cancer, and the most widely used measure used for protection was the use of sunscreens. Conclusion: The morbidity of malignant and premalignant skin lesions in the Manises population quadrupled and the knowledge about preventing sun exposure is insufficient. ResumoObjetivo: Determinar a morbilidade de lesões malignas e pré-malignas da pele e o conhecimento da população sobre prevenção solar e hábitos perigosos. Métodos: Aplica-se um estudo longitudinal retrospetivo e outro descritivo transversal a uma população de 25.956 habitantes utilizando o programa Abucasis ® e realizando 201 inquéritos a doentes do serviço de urgências; posteriormente utiliza-se o programa SPSS 15.0 para Windows. Resultados: Em seis anos registaram-se 228 casos de queratose actínica, 26 de melanoma e 32 de neoplasias malignas da pele. Encontramos que 63,7% da população crê que não se realizam suficientes campanhas de prevenção solar, 50,2% desconhece os sinais de alarme do cancro de pele e a medida de proteção mais utilizada é a utilização de filtros solares. Conclusão: A morbilidade de lesões malignas e pré-malignas da pele na população de Manises quadruplicou e o conhecimento acerca da prevenção solar é insuficiente.

Objective: Determining the contamination rate of blood cultures and its determining factors. Methods: During a period of six months, were analyzed 564 blood culture samples requested at hospital emergency wards and 46 nurses were inquired. Results: In a period of six months, among a total of 564 requests, 92 blood cultures were contaminated, which corresponds to a contamination rate of 16.31%. The determining factor was the use of low-level sterile technique. Conclusion: The contamination rate of blood cultures is directly related to the procedures used by the nursing staff, and the workload is directly related to errors in the sterile technique of collection. ResumoObjetivo: Conhecer a taxa de contaminação de hemoculturas e os seus fatores determinantes. Métodos: Foram analisadas 564 amostras de hemoculturas requisitadas num serviço hospitalar de urgências e questionados 46 enfermeiras(os) durante um período de seis meses. Resultados: Produziram-se 92 contaminações de hemoculturas de um total de 564 requisições num período de seis meses, o que corresponde a uma taxa de contaminação de 16,31%. O fator determinante foi a utilização de técnica pouco estéril. Conclusão: A taxa de contaminação das hemoculturas está diretamente relacionada aos procedimentos utilizados pelos profissionais de enfermagem e a carga de trabalho está diretamente associada a erros na técnica estéril de coleta.