ABSTRACT Introduction: The rational use of transfusions is extremely important for the community and for those who practice medicine. This requires constant training events. Objective: To characterize the professional development activities provided to improve the quality of transfusion indication. Development: An intervention study on professional development activities was carried out. The training actions foreseen in the schedule were given in the first quarter of each year from 2010 to 2020 with updated information on each topic. The staff of the transfusion committee, blood bank and hospital services requiring blood transfusions participated. The activities were carried out with good quality, achieving an adequate level of satisfaction in the trainees since they were conducted in an active manner through the use of the different participatory techniques: lectures, workshop, directed discussions, and group dynamics. Conclusions: The training program contributes to making the transfusion committee's activity more dynamic, going from a retrospective evaluation of the transfusions already applied, to carrying out this activity before the indication in question is fulfilled. This ensures that each transfusion procedure performed in health institutions is approved by expert personnel in this activity and fully justified with the corresponding criteria, so that patients receive it safely in order to avoid unnecessary transfusions and the risk of adverse reactions and infections.

RESUMEN Introducción: El uso racional de las transfusiones es sumamente importante para la comunidad y para quienes practican la medicina. Esto requiere de eventos de superación constante. Objetivo: Caracterizar las actividades de superación profesional impartidas para mejorar la calidad de la indicación de la transfusión. Desarrollo: Se realizó un estudio de intervención sobre las actividades de superación profesional. Se impartieron las acciones de capacitación previstas en el cronograma en el primer trimestre de cada año desde 2010 hasta 2020 con información actualizada en cada tema. Participó el personal del comité transfusional, del banco de sangre y de los servicios del hospital que requieren de transfusiones sanguíneas. Las actividades se realizaron con buena calidad, se logró un nivel de satisfacción adecuado en los cursistas ya que se realizaron de manera activa a través del empleo de las diferentes técnicas participativas: conferencias, taller, discusiones dirigidas y dinámicas grupales. Conclusiones: El programa de capacitación contribuye a que la actividad del comité transfusional se dinamice, pasa de una valoración retrospectiva de las transfusiones ya aplicadas, a realizar esta actividad antes de que se cumpla la indicación en cuestión. Con esto se garantiza que cada acto transfusional que se realice en las instituciones de salud, esté aprobado por personal experto en esta actividad y plenamente justificado con los criterios correspondientes, de manera tal que los pacientes la reciban de forma segura para evitar transfusiones innecesarias y el riesgo de reacciones adversas e infecciones.

ABSTRACT Introduction: One of the tools developed by the Cuban Health System in the confrontation of communicable and non-communicable diseases has been the active population screening. Objective: To describe the results of active population screening with students of medical sciences in San Cristóbal I, Artemisa. Development: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample consisted of 12 students from different university careers in the medical sciences and 2 of their teachers, who conducted a survey in the San Cristóbal I Popular Council, Artemisa, from November 1 to 30, 2020; with previous training on aspects of the COVID-19 and biosecurity measures to avoid contagion. During the period, no COVID-19 cases were reported among the students or among the participating teachers. In April, more than 80 % of the population of this popular council was screened daily. There was only one positive case from medical office 12, and only 4 contacts who were transferred to isolation centers, which were negative. Conclusions: The work of active population screening for the confrontation of COVID-19, with students of medical sciences in the Popular Council San Cristóbal I, and rectored by the Teaching Polyclinic "Camilo Cienfuegos" of Artemisa was stable during the month of April and contributed to the early detection of respiratory infection and COVID-19. The screening has been safe for students and teachers.

RESUMEN Introducción: Una de las herramientas desarrolladas por el Sistema de Salud cubano en el enfrentamiento a enfermedades transmisibles y no transmisibles, ha sido la pesquisa activa en población. Objetivo: Describir los resultados de la pesquisa activa poblacional con estudiantes de las ciencias médicas en San Cristóbal I, Artemisa. Desarrollo: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal. La muestra fue de 12 estudiantes de diferentes carreras universitarias de las ciencias médicas y 2 de sus profesores, los cuales pesquisaron en el Consejo Popular San Cristóbal I, Artemisa del 1ro. al 30 de noviembre de 2020; con previa capacitación sobre aspectos de la COVID-19 y medidas de bioseguridad para evitar contagio. En el período no se reportaron enfermos de COVID-19 entre los estudiantes ni entre los profesores participantes. En abril, fue pesquisada más del 80 % de la población de este consejo popular diariamente. Hubo solo un caso positivo del consultorio médico 12, y solo 4 contactos que fueron trasladados a centros de aislamiento, los cuales resultaron negativos. Conclusiones: El trabajo de pesquisa activa poblacional para el enfrentamiento de la COVID-19, con estudiantes de las ciencias médicas en el Consejo Popular San Cristóbal I, y rectorada por el Policlínico Docente “Camilo Cienfuegos” de Artemisa fue estable durante el mes de abril y contribuyó a la detección temprana de infección respiratoria y de COVID-19. La pesquisa ha sido segura para estudiantes y profesores.

ABSTRACT Background: Phytoplankton is considered an important indicator of natural and anthropogenic processes that take place in basins and coastal environments. An example of these systems is the formed by the El Carmen, Pajonal and La Machona lagoons, in which there is intense fishing and oyster farming activity, as well as agricultural activities, oil extraction and forestry in their surroundings. Goals: Identifying the phytoplankton species, with emphasis on the potentially harmful and / or toxic ones, their distribution and differences between the samplings, north winds (2015) and rainy (2016), as well as reporting the physicochemical variables was the aimed of this work. Methods: Net samples with a mesh size of 20 µm were taken and physicochemical variables were measured with a water quality sonde. 300 organisms were counted and the specific richness, relative abundances and diversity index were calculated. To identify differences between the two seasons sampled the Mann-Whitney U test was performed. In addition, the most important physicochemical variables were identified to explore their relationship with the species through a distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA). Results: A total of 86 species were identified, of which ten are new records and 15 are potentially harmful and / or toxic ones. The taxonomic group with the most species in both seasons was Bacillaryophyta (43 Northeast and 22 Rains). Specific richness was significantly different between seasons. In the north winds season, the most abundant species were from the Cyanoprokaryota and Bacillaryophyta groups, while for rainy season they were from the Dinoflagellata. Conclusions: Water temperature and salinity were the physicochemical variables that defined the phytoplankton composition in the CPM lagoons; the presence of potentially toxic species is an alert for the lagoon system because it reflects a latent situation that could trigger blooms at any time.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: El fitoplancton es considerado un indicador importante de los procesos naturales y antropogénicos que se desarrollan en las cuencas y en los ambientes costeros. Un ejemplo de estos sistemas es el conformado por las lagunas El Carmen, Pajonal y La Machona (CPM), en las cuales hay una intensa actividad pesquera y de ostricultura, así como actividades agrícolas, extracción petrolera y forestal a sus alrededores. Objetivo: El objetivo fue identificar las especies fitoplanctónicas, con énfasis en las potencialmente nocivas y/o tóxicas, su distribución y diferencias entre los muestreos, nortes (2015) y lluvias (2016), así como reportar las variables fisicoquímicas. Métodos: Se tomaron muestras de red de 20 µm de abertura de malla y midieron las variables con una sonda de calidad de agua. Se contabilizaron 300 organismos y se obtuvieron la riqueza específica, abundancias relativas e índice de diversidad. Para identificar diferencias entre las dos temporadas muestreadas se realizó la prueba U de Mann-Whitney. Además, se identificaron las variables fisicoquímicas más importantes para explorar su relación con las especies mediante un análisis de redundancia basado en distancias (dbRDA). Resultados: Se identificaron un total de 86 especies de las cuales diez son nuevos registros para el área y 15 son potencialmente tóxicas. El grupo taxonómico con más especies fue el de las Bacillaryophyta (43 nortes y 22 lluvias). La riqueza específica fue significativamente diferente entre temporadas. Las especies más abundantes fueron de los grupos de las Cyanoprokaryota y las Bacillaryophyta para la temporada de nortes, mientras que para la temporada de lluvias fueron del grupo Dinoflagellata. Conclusiones: La temperatura y la salinidad fueron las variables que determinaron la composición del fitoplancton en las lagunas CPM; la presencia de especies potencialmente tóxicas es una alerta para el sistema lagunar debido a que refleja una situación latente que podría desencadenar florecimientos en cualquier momento.

Abstract: Background and Aims: Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) commonly occur in the Mexican Pacific, being important HABs of Gymnodinium catenatum (Gc) and of Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum (Pbc) for being saxitoxin-producing dinoflagellates that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. The latter is a taxon that sporadically occurs in the tropical Mexican Pacific. This study describes the behavior of both taxa throughout the annual cycle and analyzes their morphology, abundance, distribution, and their bloom dynamics, in relation to environmental and climatological parameters. Methods: Phytoplankton collections were made ten times from October 2009 to January 2011 within Acapulco Bay and its surroundings, together with measurements of physicochemical parameters. Climatic data were obtained from Acapulco weather station. Abundance of phytoplankton was evaluated with the Utermöhl method. Statistical analyses were carried out to investigate the relationship of Gc and Pbc abundances with environmental and climatic parameters. Key results: Gc was present throughout the year 2010 in low densities and in November 2010 it reached a maximum of 189×103 cells l-1, associated with several species of diatoms and dinoflagellates, including Pbc. Gc bloom coincided with decrease in ammonium and decrease in water temperature with respect to the average. Pyrodinium bahamense morphometry from Acapulco corresponds to var. compressum. Pbc formed an intense HAB in July 2010 (reaching a maximum abundance of 773×103 cells l-1), causing significant toxicity and had an upturn in November. Conclusions: Pbc HABs in Acapulco require the occurrence of a previous HAB in the central Pacific or Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico, horizontal transportation of their cysts, as well as high water temperature conditions, abundant rainfall that increased the concentration of phosphates, which is propitiated in the periods of transition “El Niñoˮ-“La Niñaˮ events. Gc HABs in Acapulco are related to “La Niña” events, with an abrupt change in water temperature and an increase in nitrogenous forms.

Resumen: Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los florecimientos algales nocivos (FAN) ocurren comúnmente en el Pacífico mexicano, siendo importantes los de Gymnodinium catenatum (Gc) y Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum (Pbc), dinoflagelados productores de saxitoxina que causan envenenamiento paralítico por mariscos. Pbc se presenta esporádicamente en el Pacifico tropical mexicano. El estudio describe el comportamiento de ambos taxa en un ciclo anual y analiza su morfología, abundancia, distribución y dinámica del FAN en relación con parámetros ambientales y climatológicos. Métodos: Se realizaron diez recolectas de fitoplancton (octubre 2009-enero 2011) en la Bahía de Acapulco y zona costera adyacente, y mediciones de parámetros fisicoquímicos. Los datos climáticos se obtuvieron de la estación meteorológica de Acapulco. La abundancia del fitoplancton se evaluó con el método de Utermöhl. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos para investigar la relación de las abundancias de Gc y Pbc con parámetros ambientales y climáticos. Resultados clave: Gc estuvo presente durante todo el año 2010 con densidades bajas; en noviembre de 2010 alcanzó un máximo de 189×103 células l-1, asociado con especies de diatomeas y dinoflagelados, incluyendo Pbc. El florecimiento de Gc coincidió con disminución de amonio y disminución de temperatura del agua con respecto al promedio. La morfometría de Pb de Acapulco correspondió con la var. compressum. Pbc formó un intenso FAN en julio de 2010 (abundancia máxima de 773×103 células l-1), causando una toxicidad significativa y tuvo un repunte en noviembre. Conclusiones: Los FAN de Pbc en Acapulco requieren un FAN previo en el Pacífico central o en el Golfo de Tehuantepec, transporte horizontal de sus quistes, alta temperatura del agua y abundante precipitación que aumente la concentración de fosfatos; condiciones que se propician en los períodos de transición”El Niño”-“La Niña”. Los FAN de Gc en Acapulco están relacionados con eventos “La Niña”, siendo importantes el cambio abrupto de temperatura del agua y el aumento de formas nitrogenadas.

Abstract Objective: Perform a bioeconomic analysis of the fishery of jumbo squid fishery Dosidicus gigas in northwestern Mexico. Methodology: The population dynamics was modeled using Schaefer´s algorithm (1954). This was with two pairs of values for the intrinsic population growth rate (r). Those represents the increase of a population in a given period. Also represents the carrying capacity: (k); r = 1.23 year-1, k = 243,836 t and r = 1.68-1, k = 190,468 t. Official data were used for total annual catch (1974-2012), and fishing effort (2010-2012), differentiated for small boats and ships, as 2012 is the last year with commercial catches, prior to the collapse that began in 2013 and that remains. Fishing costs and selling prices were obtained through interviews with anglers in the region. The Schaefer´s biological model and the bioeconomic model of two-fleet competing for a stock, with fishing power, costs and product value different for each fleet were appliqued. Results: Total effort in 2012 was close to that needed for the maximum economic yield fMEY in both fleets, and the total authorized effort was operating in suboptimal levels between the effort in fMEY and the effort in bioeconomic equilibrium fBE, reaching a population equilibrium PE at 34 % of k, regardless the values of r and k. The estimated biomass in economic equilibrium BEEC was very low, in the order of 16 % of k for small boats and 32 % of k for ships, with small boats being below the required limit reference point of 20 % of k, established in the National Fishing Chart of Mexico. Limitations: There are no official data available after 2012: The study assumes a constant catchability coefficient. Conclusions: If density-dependent catchability exists, the estimated biomass must have been smaller than the one obtained with the biological model (19 %), meaning that small boats could have already reached their fMEY, at a biomass level that is risky to the stock.

Resumen Objetivo: Realizar un análisis bioeconómico de la pesquería de calamar gigante Dosidicus gigas en el noroeste de México. Metodología: La dinámica poblacional del recurso fue modelada con el algoritmo de Schaefer (1954) usando dos pares de valores de la tasa intrínseca de crecimiento poblacional (r) que representa el aumento de una población en un período determinado y de la capacidad de carga del ambiente (k): r = 1.23-1, k = 243,836 t y r = 1.68 año-1, k =190,468 t. Se emplearon datos oficiales de capturas anuales de 1974-2012 y de esfuerzo pesquero de 2010-2012 para pangas y barcos, ya que 2012 es el último año con capturas comerciales, previo al colapso de la pesquería que inició en 2013 y que a la fecha permanece. Los costos de operación y precios de venta del producto fueron obtenidos mediante entrevistas con productores pesqueros de la región. Se aplicaron el modelo biológico de Schaefer y el modelo bioeconómico de dos flotas compitiendo por un stock, con poder de pesca y costos de operación y valor del producto diferentes. Resultados: El esfuerzo aplicado en 2012 estaba cerca del esfuerzo necesario para obtener el máximo rendimiento económico fMRE en ambas flotas, y el esfuerzo total autorizado estaría operando en condiciones económicas sub-óptimas entre el esfuerzo en el máximo rendimiento económico fMRE y el esfuerzo en equilibrio bioeconómico fEB, alcanzando un equilibrio poblacional EP en 34 % de k, independiente de los valores de r y k utilizados. La biomasa en equilibrio económico BEEC estimada fue muy baja, del orden de 16 % de k para pangas y de 32 % de k para barcos: Las pangas se ubicaron por debajo del punto de referencia límite PRL de 20 % de k establecido en la Carta Nacional Pesquera de México 2012 (Diario Oficial de la Federación, 2012) para varias especies. Limitaciones: No hay datos posteriores a 2012; Se asume un coeficiente de capturabilidad constante. Conclusiones: De existir una capturabilidad denso-dependiente, la biomasa estimada debió estar más baja que la pronosticada por el modelo biológico de 19 %, lo que implica que se pudo haber llegado al fMRE de las pangas, en un nivel de biomasa de riesgo para el stock.

Résumé L’enseignement de l’optimisation est généralement devenu un processus mécanique et dépourvu d’arguments: en général, leurs utilisations sont ignorées dans des situations spécifiques relevant d’autres disciplines, telles que l’ingénierie. Avec la théorie socio - épistémologique, nous réalisons une enquête empirique dans laquelle l’épistémologie des utilisations est problématisée pour évaluer la justification fonctionnelle exigée par d’autres domaines de la connaissance. Nous analysons des aspects du travail de Lagrange en Mécanique Analytique et des ingénieurs en mécatronique. Les ingénieurs en formation ont été définis comme la communauté d’étude et l’apparition d’une situation de sélection spécifique est prise en charge, de même que ses utilisations et son sens de l’optimisation. La méthodologie consistait en la technique de l’analyse documentaire et des entretiens semi-structurés. Il a été constaté que les situations de sélection génèrent des significations et des arguments d’optimisation.

Resumo O ensino da otimização, geralmente se torna um processo mecânico e desprovido de argumentos: em geral, seus usos são ignorados em situações específicas de outras disciplinas, como a engenharia. Com a Teoria Sócio - epistemológica, fazemos uma investigação empírica, onde a epistemologia dos usos é problematizada para avaliar a justificativa funcional exigida por outros domínios do conhecimento. Analisamos aspectos do trabalho de Mecânica Analítica de Lagrange e o trabalho de engenheiros mecatrônicos. Engenheiros em formação foram definidos como a comunidade de estudo e o surgimento de uma situação de seleção específica é sustentado como seus usos e significados da otimização da comunidade. A metodologia consistiu na técnica de análise documental e entrevistas semiestruturadas. Verificou-se que as situações de seleção geram significados e argumentos de otimização.

Abstract The teaching of optimization, has usually become a mechanical process and devoid of arguments: in general their uses are ignored in specific situations of other disciplines, such as engineering. With the Socio - Epistemological Theory, we make an empirical investigation, where the epistemology of uses is problematized to value the functional justification demanded by other domains of knowledge. We analyze aspects of the Lagrange Analytical Mechanics work and the work of mechatronic engineers. Engineers in training were defined as the study community and the emergence of a specific selection situation is supported as its uses and meanings of optimization. The methodology consisted in the technique of documentary analysis and semistructured interviews. It was found that selection situations generate optimization meanings and arguments.

Resumen La enseñanza de la optimización habitualmente se ha convertido en un proceso mecánico y desprovisto de argumentaciones: en general son ignorados sus usos en situaciones específicas de otras disciplinas, tales como la ingeniería. Con la Teoría Socioepistemológica, hacemos una investigación empírica donde se problematiza la epistemología de usos para valorar la justificación funcional que demandan otros dominios de conocimiento. Analizamos aspectos de la obra Mecánica Analítica de Lagrange y del trabajo de ingenieros mecatrónicos. Se definió a ingenieros en formación como la comunidad de estudio, y se sustenta la emergencia de una situación específica de selección así como sus usos y significados de la optimización. La metodología consistió en la técnica de análisis documental y en entrevistas semiestructuradas. Se encontró que las situaciones de selección generan significaciones y argumentaciones de optimización.

Abstract In this article, we discuss the lack of reference frames to address the mathematical functional justification demanded by other knowledge domains such as engineering. School mathematics is problematized, considering its dual function as a tool and study object, from the Social Construction of Mathematics. In this sense, with the Socioepistemological Theory of Educational Mathematics, we study the use of mathematical knowledge that emerges from the engineering communities, to form dialogue elements between mathematics and the daily engineering tasks. For this purpose, we offer three examples that question the school mathematical knowledge in school settings and in the professional engineering practices, in which mathematical uses are valued: symbiosis between prediction and simulation; Modeling of accumulation and agronomic mathematical performance.

Resumen En este artículo discutimos la falta de marcos de referencia para atender la justificación funcional matemática que demandan otros dominios de conocimiento como la ingeniería. La matemática escolar habitual es problematizada, considerando su función dual como herramienta y como objeto de estudio, desde la Construcción Social de la Matemática. En este sentido, con la Teoría Socioepistemológica de la Matemática Educativa, estudiamos el uso del conocimiento matemático que emerge de las comunidades de ingenieros para conformar elementos de diálogo entre la matemática y el quehacer cotidiano de la ingeniería. Para tal fin, ofrecemos tres ejemplos que cuestionan el saber matemático escolar en escenarios de la escuela y en las prácticas profesionales del ingeniero, en los cuales se valoran los usos matemáticos: simbiosis entre predicción y simulación; modelación de la acumulación y modelación de lo óptimo.

Resumo O picophytoplankton marinho tornou-se uma questão importante para compreender a ecologia global das formas fototróficas, devido à sua ampla distribuição e contribuição para a biomassa e a produtividade. Estudamos os pigmentos de abundância, distribuição e assinatura do picofitoplâncton procarionte Prochlorococcus e Synechococcus durante um cruzeiro oceanográfico no Pacífico central mexicano, uma zona mínima de oxigênio relativamente poco conhecida (OMZ) e o efeito de três gradientes ambientais. As abundâncias de Prochlorococcus e Synechococcus foram comparáveis às encontradas em outras áreas tropicais (0.17 to 30.37 X 104 células mL-1, e 0.9 to 30.97 X 104 células mL-1, respectivamente). As abundâncias de Prochlorococcus atingiram o maior número em águas mais profundas, coincidindo frequentemente com a segunda intensidade de fluorescência in situ profunda (e clorofila a), em estações oceânicas, abaixo da nitratoclina, enquanto as abundâncias de Synechococcus foram maiores nas águas de subsuperficie e sua concentração máxima geralmente coincidiu com os máximos de subsuperficie de fluorescência in situ, com abundâncias ligeiramente mais altas nas estações costeiras. As análises estatísticas suportam significativamente esses resultados. A distribuição da divinil-clorofila a foi errática ao longo da coluna de água e coincidiu ocasionalmente com os máximos de fluorescência in situ profundos, enquanto que a distribuição da zeaxantina seguiu geralmente a da clorofila a e as abundâncias de Synechococcus e atingiu o pico. Estes resultados são semelhantes aos encontrados anteriormente na área de estudo e em zonas mais temperadas, e também à tendência geral na OMZ, mas confirmam que a clorofila profunda a maxima é atribuída a altas densidades de Prochlorococcus. Além disso, encontramos a abundância e distribuição de Prochlorococcus e Synechococcus fortemente conduzida pelos gradientes ambientais observados.

Abstract Marine picophytoplankton has become an important issue to understand the global ecology of phototrophic forms, due to its wide distribution and contribution to biomass and productivity. We studied the abundance, distribution and signature pigments of the prokaryote picophytoplankters Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus during an oceanographic cruise (26 April to 7 May, 2011) in the central Mexican Pacific, a relatively poorly-known oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), and the effect of three environmental gradients. Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus abundances were comparable with those found in other tropical areas (0.17 to 30.37 X 104 cells mL-1, and 0.9 to 30.97 X 104 cells mL-1, respectively). Prochlorococcus abundances reached highest numbers in deeper waters, often coinciding with the second deep in situ fluorescence (and chlorophyll α) maxima, at oceanic stations, below the nitratecline, whereas Synechococcus abundances were higher at subsurface waters and its concentration maxima usually coincided with the subsurface in situ fluorescence maxima, with slightly higher abundances in coastal stations. Statistical analyses support significantly these results. Distribution of divinyl-chlorophyll α was erratic along the water column and occasionally coincided with the deep in situ fluorescence maxima, whereas the distribution of zeaxanthin usually followed that of chlorophyll α and the abundances of Synechococcus, and peaked together. These results are similar to those previously found in the study area and in more temperate zones, and also to the general trend in OMZ, but confirm that the second deep chlorophyll α maxima are attributed to high Prochlorococcus densities. We additionally found the abundance and distribution of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus strongly driven by the environmental gradients observed.

ABSTRACT The population dynamics of jumbo squid Dosidicus gigas from northwest Mexico was evaluated for the period 1974-2012 using Schaefer's model, where model parameters were estimated with the catch maximum sustainable yield method (Catch-MSY) using two prior intrinsic population increase rate (r) range values (1.0 to 2.0 and 1.5 to 2.0). Estimated parameters with both prior r ranges were 1.23 and 1.68 yr−1 for r and 243,836 and 190,468 ton for carrying capacity (k), respectively. Corresponding management quantities were 75,147 and 80,098 ton for the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) and 121,918 and 95,234 ton for the biomass at MSY (BMSY). Estimated jumbo squid biomass dropped below the BMSY after 2003, and near to 0.2 k in 2012. The Schaefer's model showed that declines in estimated biomass were preceded by catches that exceeded the MSY. Strong El Niño-Southern Oscillation events can change the availability of jumbo squid in northwest Mexico through migratory processes and phenotype changes in maturation size, but stock biomass variability is most likely to be caused by fishing.

Background: Basedow Graves disease (BGD) is the leading cause of hyperthyroidism. The characteristics of patients seen at a university hospital may differ from those described in the general population. Aim: To describe the clinical features of patients with BGD seen at a university hospital. Material and Methods: Review of medical records of all patients seen at our hospital between 2009 and 2014 with the diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, hyperthyroidism or BGD. Clinical features, laboratory results and treatments were recorded. Results: We reviewed clinical records of 272 patients; 15 had to be excluded due to incomplete data. BGD was present in 77.9% (n = 212). The mean age of the latter was 42 years (range 10-81) and 76% were women. Ninety six percent were hyperthyroid at diagnosis and thyroid stimulating hormone was below 0.1 mIU/L in all patients. Median free thyroxin and triiodothyronine levels were 3.26 ng/dl and 3.16 ng/ml, respectively. Thyrotropin-receptor antibodies were positive in 98.5% and 85.7% had positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Graves orbitopathy (GO) was clinically present in 55% of patients. Of this group, 47% had an active GO, 26% had a moderate to severe disease and 7.8% had sight-threatening GO. As treatment, 26% received radioiodine, 44% anti-thyroid drugs exclusively, 28% underwent thyroidectomy and 2% did not require therapy. Conclusions: In this group of patients, we observed a greater frequency of severe eye disease and a high rate of surgical management. This finding could be explained by referral to highly qualified surgical and ophthalmological teams.