2,5-Dimethylfuran as a Validated Biomarker of Smoking Status.

Introduction: Exposure biomarkers are required in tobacco use studies to accurately assess smoking status since self-reporting usually results in misclassification estimates. This study uses breath analysis and assesses some volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as potential biomarkers of tobacco smoke exposure.

Methods: Forced-expiratory breath samples were obtained from 377 volunteers (174 smokers and 203 nonsmokers).

[Influence of personal, professional and cross-national factors in burnout syndrome in Hispanic Americans and Spanish health workers (2007)].

Background: Burnout syndrome is related to cultural and individual factors. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of burnout and the scores for its three components with the perceptions and the demographic and professional characteristics of the workers.

Methods: Burnout syndrome was studied in 11,530 Hispanic Americans and Spanish healthcare professionals (51% male, mean age 41.

[Burnout syndrome in health workers and relationship with personal and environmental factors].

Objectives: High rates of professional burnout syndrome have been found among health service professionals. Our objective was to study the prevalence of burnout syndrome in hospital health workers and to determine its relationship with personal and environmental factors.

Methods: A total of 2290 health workers from five hospitals in the province of Girona (Spain) were invited to participate.

Semi-intensive monitoring in acute stroke and long-term outcome.

Background And Purpose: Factors that determine the benefit of stroke units (SU) are unknown. The aim of our study was to analyze whether semi-intensive monitoring during the acute phase of stroke reduces mortality and dependency at long term.

Methods: We studied patients with an ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage, consecutively admitted to our SU within 24 h of symptoms onset.