Indoor radon in a Spanish region with different gamma exposure levels.

In the beginning of 1990s within the framework of a national radon survey of more than 1500 points, radon measurements were performed in more than 100 houses located in Galicia region, in the Northwest area of Spain. The houses were randomly selected only bearing in mind general geological aspects of the region. Subsequently, a nationwide project called MARNA dealt with external gamma radiation measurements in order to draw a Spanish natural radiation map. The comparison in Galicia between these estimations and the indoor radon levels previously obtained showed good agreement. With the purpose of getting a confirmation of this relationship and also of creating a radon map of the zone, a new set of measurements were carried out in 2005. A total of 300 external gamma radiation measurements were carried out as well as 300 measurements of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K content in soil. Concerning radon, 300 1-m-depth radon measurements in soil were performed, and indoor radon concentration was determined in a total of 600 dwellings. Radon content in soil gave more accurate indoor radon predictions than external gamma radiation or 226Ra concentration in soil.

Population dose in the vicinity of old Spanish uranium mines.

Regional surveys were conducted to determine exposure to natural sources of radiation for people in the vicinity of old Spanish uranium mines. The surveys evaluated indoor radon concentrations and outdoor and indoor external gamma dose rates. Indoor radon concentrations were measured in 222 dwellings by means of nuclear track-etched detectors. The terrestrial gamma ray dose rate was measured outdoors and indoors at a total of 256 points and 115 points, respectively. Estimates mean annual effective doses for the six areas studied ranged from 3.2 to 5.1 mSv per year, which is between 1.2 and 2 times higher than the average national value.

Conversion factors for external gamma dose derived from natural radionuclides in soils.

Field in situ gamma radiation exposure rates and laboratory measured radioactivity contents of 1500 Spanish soils were compared. The main objective was to determine if published theoretically derived conversion factors would yield accurate quantitative activity concentration (Bq kg(-1)) for the data carried out in different surveys developed by our laboratory during the last ten years. The in situ external gamma dose rate results were compared to laboratory gamma analysis of soils samples gathered from each site, considering the concentrations of seven radionuclides: 40K, 214Pb, 214Bi, 212Bi, 212Pb, 208Tl and 228Ac. The coefficient of correlation found between these variables indicate a good relationship. A discussion of the factors contributing to the uncertainties as well as measurement procedure are also given in this paper.

Natural radiation exposure in the vicinity of Spanish nuclear power stations.

Nationwide and regional surveys have been conducted to evaluate natural radiation exposure of people in the vicinity of the Spanish nuclear power stations. In these surveys, indoor radon, external gamma dose rates outdoors and indoors and radioactivity in soils were measured. Measurements of indoor radon concentrations were performed in 214 dwellings by using nuclear track-etched detectors. External exposure from terrestrial gamma rays outdoors and indoors were measured in a total of 596 points. Radioactivity in soil samples collected at 293 sampling sites are also reported in this paper. By taking into account all sources of natural radiation exposure, mean annual effective doses to the population in the surroundings of the six Spanish nuclear power stations have been estimated and compared with those coming from their normal operation.

Infección por parvovirus B1 9 con rash petequial en un adulto / No disponible

No disponible

Enfermedades importadas 'tropicales': experiencia de una consulta especializada en un hospital general / Imported 'tropical' diseases: experience of a specialty clinic in a general hospital

Introducción. En los últimos años el incremento de viajeros, organizaciones de cooperación internacional y de inmigrantes ha originado un aumento considerable de las enfermedades importadas, y por ello la creación de unidades especializadas. Material y métodos. Se realiza un estudio de las características de los pacientes atendidos en la Unidad de Enfermedades Tropicales del Hospital de Basurto desde el inicio de su funcionamiento en marzo de 1996 hasta marzo de 1999.Resultados. En el período del estudio fueron atendidos, tras estancia en zonas tropicales, 171 pacientes. De éstos, 72 eran turistas, 50 cooperantes de Organizaciones No Gubernamentales (ONG) y 49 inmigrantes. Las áreas de procedencia fueron: África en 84 casos, Centroamérica-Caribe en 49, Sudamérica en 23 y Asia en 15. Los principales motivos de consulta fueron: fiebre (61 casos), síntomas digestivos (40 casos) y problemas cutáneos (31 casos), y los diagnósticos más frecuentes: paludismo (34), fiebre autolimitada (17), diarrea autolimitada (16), amebiasis (8), giardiasis (6), sarna (7) y larva migrañas cutánea (5).Conclusiones. La actividad asistencial ha incluido aspectos preventivos, pero fundamentalmente el diagnóstico y tratamiento de enfermedades importadas. Entre las personas atendidas se encuentran no solamente viajeros, sino una proporción importante de inmigrantes y cooperantes de ONG. Las enfermedades más frecuentes han sido el paludismo y enfermedades digestivas y cutáneas (AU)

["Tropical" imported diseases: experience of a specialized unit in a general hospital]. / Enfermedades importadas "tropicales": experiencia de una consulta especializada en un hospital general.

BACKGROUND: In the last few years a considerable increase in imported diseases has occurred as a result of an increase in the numbers of travellers, international collaborative organizations, and immigrants. Altogether, this has prompted the setting-up of specialized units. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A report is given of the characteristics of patients attended at the Tropical Diseases Unit in the Basurto Hospital, since its set-up in March 1996 to March 1999. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were attended at this unit after staying in tropical areas. Patients were classified as tourists (72), ONG collaborators (50) and immigrants (49). The origin areas were Africa (84 cases), Central America (49 cases), South America (23 cases) and Asia (15 cases). The main complaints included fever (61 cases), digestive symptoms (40 cases), skin problems (31 cases). The most common diagnoses were malaria (34), self-limited fever (17), self-limited diarrhoea (16), amebiasis (8), giardiasis (6), scabies (7) and cutaneous larva migrans (5). CONCLUSIONS: Health care activities included preventive issues, but mainly diagnosis and treatment of imported diseases. Among the attended individuals, there were not only travellers but also a significant proportion of immigrants and ONG collaborators. The most common diseases were malaria and digestive and cutaneous conditions.

[Tuberculous otitis media: a case report]. / Otitis media tuberculosa. A propósito de un caso.

Tuberculosis is endemic in Spain and the primary site is pulmonary in 70% of cases. Extrapulmonary foci have increased in frequency and the incidence of tuberculous middle otitis, which often is difficult to diagnose, is about 0.04%. A case of chronic tuberculous middle otitis is reported.

Placenta percreta with bladder involvement: case report and review of literature.

The authors present a very infrequent case of invasive placenta in a 33-year-old caucasian primigravida, admitted in our Department because of labor. In the course of a cesarean section performed for failure of progress, the presence of a highly adherent placenta located in the anterior part of the lower uterine segment which affected the posterior vesical wall was discovered. Recommendations for management are discussed.