Sustainable removal of nutrients (n and p) in a wastewater treatment plant, with eggshell (biocalcium).

Biological treatments have become insufficient to treat municipal wastewater with greater toxicity and excess nitrogen and phosphate species, thus affecting the organisms that consume the water. In this work, a process was implemented for the removal of nutrients through three stages: stage A, complete aeration (24 h, 43 months); stage B, decreased aeration (12 h, 17 months); and stage C, decreased aeration with biocalcium (12 h, 19 months). The addition of biocalcium from eggshell promoted the formation of flocks, which resulted in the removal of nitrites (61 %), nitrates (84 %), total nitrogen (57 %), total phosphorus (8.3 %), sedimentable solids (50 %), total suspended solids (69 %), BOD5 (76 %), helminth eggs (50 %) and fecal coliforms (54 %). The statistical analyses in the three stages indicated that there is a strong correlation between the concentration of fats and oils and the removal of sedimentable solids and total suspended solids, since these parameters were correlated by 97 and 89 %, respectively. Sedimentable solids were correlated with total suspended solids by 94 %, while nitrates and total nitrogen were correlated 92 %, which favors the removal of nutrients in wastewater. The increase in the concentration of nitrogen in the sludge in stage C generated a C:N ratio of 7.98. This ratio shows that the sludge is feasible for use as a mediator of soils and a biofertilizer because of the high contents of calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen. In addition, biocalcium promoted the precipitation of hydroxyapatite, struvite, calcite and quartz. In general, the three stages of the treatment contributed to the stabilization of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in an efficient, economical, and safe way.

Treatment of gaseous streams polluted with H2S: Comparison of electrolytic and electro-Fenton assisted absorption processes.

H2S is a gaseous compound that contributes to air pollution. In this work, the electrochemical oxidation treatment of gaseous streams polluted with H2S is evaluated using a jet mixer and electrochemical cell device, in which the performance of electrolytic and electro-Fenton assisted absorption processes are compared. Results demonstrate the feasibility of both processes to remove H2S, reaching coulombic efficiencies of nearly 100% in the electrolytic assisted absorption, and 70-80% in the electro-Fenton assisted absorption. Aqueous solutions containing phosphate salts as electrolyte were found to be suitable as absorbents for the process. Efficiency in the cathodic production of H2O2 in these solutions using the experimental device was found to be as high as 32.8% (1.184 mgH2O2/min) at 12 °C and atmospheric pressure. Sequential formation of SO2 and SO3 is obtained by the oxidation of H2S contained in the gas. These species are hydrolysed, and a part remained in the absorbent as SO32- and SO42-, while the rest is dragged in the outlet gas. SO3 production is promoted by electrolytic assisted absorption and polysulphides by the electro-Fenton technology. Low concentrations of elemental sulphur are detected in the solid suspensions formed during the process.

Atención estomatológica y COVID-19 / Dental care and COVID-19

Introducción: la COVID-19 modificó los protocolos de comportamiento social y de los sistemas de salud. La atención estomatológica mantuvo la asistencia a urgencias y otros tratamientos limitados con el cumplimiento estricto de medidas de bioseguridad por ser el personal sanitario más expuesto. Objetivo: analizar las condiciones y riesgos de la atención estomatológica en tiempos de pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica sistemática para desarrollar un análisis reflexivo del tema en las bases de datos PubMed, SciELO Cuba, Cumed y en Google Académico, fueron seleccionados artículos de los últimos cinco años y 23 estudios con el 100 % de actualización. Las palabras claves utilizadas fueron: capacitación, COVID-19, educación médica. Tras la identificación de los estudios preseleccionados se realizó la lectura de los títulos y resúmenes para comprobar su pertinencia en el estudio. Desarrollo: se concretan aspectos generales relacionados con la enfermedad de COVID-19, las investigaciones realizadas sobre el virus SARS-CoV-2 y su incidencia en las condiciones de la consulta odontológica. Conclusiones: la información acerca de las condiciones y riesgos de la atención estomatológica en tiempos de pandemia de COVID-19 es fundamental para poder brindar una atención estomatológica con información suficiente, responsabilidad y evitar el contagio.

Introduction: COVID-19 modified the protocols of social behavior and health systems. dental care maintained emergency assistance and other limited treatments with strict compliance with biosafety measures as they are the most exposed health personnel. Objective: to analyze the conditions and risks of dental care in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: a systematic bibliographic review was carried out to develop a reflective analysis of the subject in the PubMed, SciELO Cuba, Cumed and Google Scholar databases, articles from the last five years and 23 studies with 100% updating were selected. The keywords used were: training, COVID-19, medical education. After the identification of the preselected studies, the titles and abstracts were read to verify their relevance to the study. Development: general aspects related to the COVID-19 disease, the research carried out on the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its incidence in the conditions of the dental office are specified. Conclusions: the information about the conditions and risks of dental care in times of the COVID-19 pandemic essential to maintain dental cares with sufficient information, responsibility and avoiding contagion.

The impact of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in water: potential risks.

This review summarizes research data on SARS-CoV-2 in water environments. A literature survey was conducted using the electronic databases Science Direct, Scopus, and Springer. This complete research included and discussed relevant studies that involve the (1) introduction, (2) definition and features of coronavirus, (2.1) structure and classification, (3) effects on public health, (4) transmission, (5) detection methods, (6) impact of COVID-19 on the water sector (drinking water, cycle water, surface water, wastewater), (6.5) wastewater treatment, and (7) future trends. The results show contamination of clean water sources, and community drinking water is vulnerable. Additionally, there is evidence that sputum, feces, and urine contain SARS-CoV-2, which can maintain its viability in sewage and the urban-rural water cycle to move towards seawater or freshwater; thus, the risk associated with contracting COVID-19 from contact with untreated water or inadequately treated wastewater is high. Moreover, viral loads have been detected in surface water, although the risk is lower for countries that efficiently treat their wastewater. Further investigation is immediately required to determine the persistence and mobility of SARS-CoV-2 in polluted water and sewage as well as the possible potential of disease transmission via drinking water. Conventional wastewater treatment systems have been shown to be effective in removing the virus, which plays an important role in pandemic control. Monitoring of this virus in water is extremely important as it can provide information on the prevalence and distribution of the COVID-19 pandemic in different communities as well as possible infection dynamics to prevent future outbreaks.

Prácticas al momento de la ablactación en Chitré, Herrera / Practices at the time of weaning in Chitre, Herrera

Resumen Introducción: Durante los años 90 en Panamá, un programa patrocinado por los EE. UU. llevo a cabo la Iniciativa para los Hospitales Amigos de los Niños (IHAN) como guía para educar a los profesionales clínicos, al público y a las mujeres en edad reproductiva sobre los beneficios de la lactancia materna. Como resultado, Panamá tiene actualmente la mayor proporción de mujeres que ofrece el pecho materno dentro de la primera hora de vida (89.9%), pero una de las menores tasas en la región de alimentación exclusiva al pecho materno hasta los 6 meses de edad. Este estudio explora la relación entre las practicas alrededor del periodo de ablactación y la historia nutricional del lactante en mujeres panameñas con un niño de hasta 1 año de edad utilizando un diseño transversal. Materiales y Métodos: Se invito una muestra por conveniencia de 35 binomios madre-hijo en dos Centros de Salud de Chitré, Herrera. Las mujeres que consintieron participar en el estudio completaron la Escala de Autoeficacia para la Lactancia Materna, Formulario Corto (BSES-SF) y se compararon las medidas antropométricas del niño utilizando los nomogramas de los CDC. Resultados: Los puntajes del BSES-SF variaron entre 29 y 56 (media = 44.2, DE = 7.9) puntos. Siete lactantes fueron considerados a riesgo para retraso en el Desarrollo; 40% estuvieron a riesgo de talla baja y 2 estuvieron a riesgo de sobrepeso. Conclusión: A pesar de que Panamá duplicó su cantidad de IHAN a 16%, muchos lactantes continúan a riesgo nutricional.

Abstract Introduction: In the 1990's, a U.S. sponsored program ran a campaign using the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives (BFHI) as a guide to educate clinical professionals, the public, and women of child-bearing age in Panama about the benefits of breastfeeding. As a result, Panama has the highest proportion of women who breastfeed in the first hour of life (89.9%), but one of the lowest rates for breastfeeding at 6 months (UNICEF, 2014). This study explores the relationship between breastfeeding practices and infant nutritional history in Panamanian women with a child up to 1 year of age using a cross-sectional design. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of 35 mother/baby dyads was recruited from two public health centers in the Azuero region of Panamá. Women who consented completed the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, Short Form (BSES-SF), eight items from the Baby's Feeding and Health (BFH) instrument; and infant measurements were evaluated using the Centers for Disease Control standardized growth charts. Results: Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale, Short Form scores ranged from 29 to 56 (mean = 44.2, SD = 7.9). Seven infants were at risk for developmental delay; 40% were at risk for short stature; 2 were at risk for overweight. Conclusion: Even though Panama has doubled its rate of Baby Friendly Hospitals to 16%, many infants remain at nutritional risk.

Polyphenolic profile by FIA/ESI/IT/MSn and antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic extract from the barks of Maytenus cajalbanica (Borhidi & O. Muñiz) Borhidi & O. Muñiz.

Medium and high polarity extracts from Maytenus species are known to contain polyphenolic compounds such as proanthocyanidins. The high polarity and structural complexity of these compounds make very difficult their isolation even by modern chromatographic techniques. Maytenus cajalbanica (Borhidi & O. Muñiz) Borhidi & O. Muñiz is endemic from Cuba. So far, there are reports neither of phytochemical work nor of biological evaluation of extracts from this subspecies. The goal of this work is to determine the polyphenolic profile and the antioxidant capacity of the ethanolic extract from the barks of Maytenus cajalbanica. FIA/ESI/IT/MSn analysis allowed the identification of 5 flavan-3-ol monomers, 33 proanthocyanidins, 2 free flavonoids and their respective glycosides as major compounds of the ethanolic extract, which showed a strong radical scavenging capacity and a significant ferric reduction power. FIA/ESI/IT/MSn technique led the rapid, effective and sensitive determination of the polyphenolic profile of Maytenus cajalbanica without previous separation.

Diagnóstico molecular de distrofia muscular de Duchenne/Becker en una familia sin antecedentes patológicos de la enfermedad / Molecular Diagnosis of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy in a family with no pathological antecedents of the disease

Fundamento: Las distrofias musculares de Duchenne y de Becker son enfermedades neuromusculares progresivas, con un patrón de herencia recesivo ligado al cromosoma X y causadas por mutaciones en el gen que codifica para la distrofina. El estudio de posibles portadoras en las familias afectadas resulta crucial, ya que genera expectativas y opciones frente al asesoramiento genético.Objetivos: describir el diagnóstico molecular de distrofia muscular de Duchenne/Becker en una familia sin antecedentes patológicos de la enfermedad.Métodos: se realizó un estudio experimental, de las deleciones en el gen distrofia muscular de Duchenne/Becker, en un paciente con diagnóstico clínico de la enfermedad, para lo cual se empleó la técnica de PCR-multiplex siguiendo los métodos descritos por Beggs y Chamberlain. También fueron estudiadas las mujeres de la familia, a través del análisis de marcadores polimórficos mediante repeticiones cortas en tándem de (CA)n.Resultados: fueron identificadas en el paciente deleciones de los exones 47 al 52; así como la procedencia del cromosoma X ligado a la enfermedad (abuelo materno). Se determinó el estado de no portadora en tres mujeres de la familia. No se pudo excluir mosaicismo germinal en la madre del niño.Conclusión: se infirió la ocurrencia de una mutación de novo. El diagnóstico molecular permitió la confirmación diagnóstica de la enfermedad en el niño afectado, además de la posibilidad de brindar un adecuado asesoramiento genético a la familia.

Foundation: Duchenne and  Becker muscular dystrophies are progressive neuromuscular diseases with a pattern of recessive inherited link to chromosome X and caused by mutations in the gene which codifies for dystrophin. The study of possible carriers in affected families is crucial since it generates expectations and options on genetic advisory.Objective: to describe the molecular diagnosis of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy  in a family without pathological antecedents of the disease.Methods: an experimental study was developed about the deletions of Duchenne/Becker gene of muscular dystrophy, in a patient with clinical diagnosis of the disease. It was used multiple PCR technique following the methods described by Beggs and Chamberlain. In addition, the women of the family were studied by the analysis of polymorphic markers through short repetitions in (CA) n tandem.Results: deletions of exons from 47 to 52 were identified in the patient; so as the precedence of the X chromosome related to the disease (maternal grandfather). It was determined the state of non-carrier in three women of the family. It was not possible to exclude germline mosaicism in the child´s mother.Conclusion: the occurrence of a novo mutation was inferred. The molecular diagnosis allowed confirming the diagnosis of the affected child; in addition it was possible to offer adequate genetic advisory to the family.

Eating disorders associated risk factors: trends from 2007 to 2010.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the trends on risk factors associated to eating disorders in bachelor students from an urban setting in Hidalgo in the period 2007-2010. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Students were censored both in 2007 and in 2010, and registered as 455 (50.5% female, 49.5% male) students in 2007 and 434 (49.8% female, 50.2% male) in 2010, aged 15-19 years in both cases. Three questionnaires were used to assess sociocultural factors, disordered eating behaviors, and body aesthetic thin-ideal internalization. Body dissatisfaction was measured with nine body figure analogic. To assess body mass index, each subject was weighed and height measured. Comparisons by year and gender were obtained. RESULTS: Body shape distress increased from 20.8% in 2007 to 21.7% in 2010; disordered eating behaviors trends increased from 2007 to 2010 both in females and males, but were statistically significant only in males. The percentage of subjects with body dissatisfaction in the sense to be thinner was the same in both years (39.8%). The risk analysis showed an increase in those with disordered eating, in thin-ideal internalization, advertising influence, and body shape distress, mainly in women. CONCLUSIONS: These findings must be considered in the design of preventive programs and early case detection in adolescents from Hidalgo.

Consentimiento informado en la punción lumbar. Una propuesta para su ejecución / Consent in the lumbar puncture. A proposal for execution

La punción lumbar es un procedimiento invasivo, no exento de riesgos y para hacerlo es necesario solicitar el consentimiento informado del paciente o de un familiar. En este trabajo se aportan elementos éticos y prácticos necesarios para la realización de un correcto consentimiento informado en los pacientes a quienes se practica este proceder. Se propone un modelo de consentimiento informado para este fin que incluye información sobre: la explicación del procedimiento, contraindicaciones, complicaciones y cuidados después del procedimiento. Se resalta que el consentimiento informado para la punción lumbar, más que una exigencia institucional o legal, constituye una exigencia ética para el médico y un derecho exigible por parte de los pacientes por lo que urge instituirlo como práctica sistemática.

Lumbar puncture is an invasive procedure, not exempt of risks and to do so it is necessary to request the consent of the patient or a family member. This paper provides practical and ethical elements necessary to carry out a proper informed consent in patients to whom this procedure is practiced. Proposes a model of informed consent for this purpose which includes information on: the explanation of the procedure, contraindications, complications and care after the procedure. It highlights that informed consent for lumbar puncture, rather than a legal, or institutional requirement constitutes an enforceable right by patients and an ethical requirement for medical by which urges to establish it as a systematic practice.

Frecuencia de algunas enfermedades genéticas en Neuropediatría / Frequency of some genetic diseases in Neuropediatrics

Introducción: las enfermedades neurológicas en Pediatría son diversas y obedecen a un gran número de causas: infecciosas, genéticas, metabólicas y degenerativas, entre otras. El diagnóstico genético, dentro del método clínico en Neurología, está relacionado con el diagnóstico etiológico. Existen muy pocas publicaciones que reflejen la frecuencia de las enfermedades neurogenéticas como grupo etiológico.Objetivo: describir la frecuencia de algunas enfermedades neuropediátricas en la Consulta de Neurogenética del Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía.Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva y prospectiva en el periodo 2008-2010. Se clasificó a los pacientes por grupos etarios, y se calculó el porcentaje de frecuencia para la atrofia muscular espinal de la infancia, la distrofia muscular tipo Duchenne/Becker, las lesiones estáticas del sistema nervioso central de causa prenatal genética, y para la clasificación de los grupos según tipo de herencia.Resultados: el universo de estudio estuvo conformado por 161 pacientes, 72,6 por ciento del sexo masculino, para una razón de la variable sexo de 2,5. Los escolares fueron mayoría (37,8 por ciento), y la edad promedio 5 años. La distrofia muscular tipo Duchenne fue la enfermedad más frecuente (24,8 por ciento). El 41,40 por ciento clasificó en la herencia autosómica recesiva. Los resultados coinciden con lo reportado en la literatura.Conclusiones: las enfermedades neuromusculares hereditarias, y las lesiones estáticas del sistema nervioso central de causa prenatal genética, son las más frecuentes de solicitud de asesoramiento genético en un servicio de Neurogenética(AU)

Introduction: diverse neurological diseases are present in pediatrics and respond to a great number of causes, that is, infectious, genetic, metabolic and degenerative, among others. Within the clinical method in neurology, the genetic diagnosis is related to the etiological diagnosis. There are very few publications that show the frequency of neurogenetic diseases as an etiologic group.Objective: to describe the frequency of some neuropediatric diseases in the Neurogenetics Service of the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery.Methods: a prospective and descriptive research study was conducted in the 2008-2010 period. The patients were grouped by age and the frequency rate was estimated for infantile spinal muscular atrophy, Dechenne/Becker-type muscular dystrophy, the static lesions of prenatal genetic origin in the central nervous system, and finally for the classification of the groups by the type of inheritance.Results: the universe of study was composed by 161 patients of whom 72.6 percent were males, for a sex ratio of 2.5. The schoolchildren were the majority (37.8 percent) and the average age was 5 years. Duchene type muscular dystrophy was the most frequent (24.8 percent). Of the total number, 41.40 percent was classified as recessive autosomal inheritance. The results agreed with those of the literature.Conclusions: the hereditary neuromuscular diseases and the static lesions of the central nervous system of prenatal genetic origin are the most common reasons for the request of genetic counseling in the Neurogenetics Service(AU)

Frecuencia de algunas enfermedades genéticas en Neuropediatría / Frequency of some genetic diseases in Neuropediatrics

Introducción: las enfermedades neurológicas en Pediatría son diversas y obedecen a un gran número de causas: infecciosas, genéticas, metabólicas y degenerativas, entre otras. El diagnóstico genético, dentro del método clínico en Neurología, está relacionado con el diagnóstico etiológico. Existen muy pocas publicaciones que reflejen la frecuencia de las enfermedades neurogenéticas como grupo etiológico. Objetivo: describir la frecuencia de algunas enfermedades neuropediátricas en la Consulta de Neurogenética del Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía. Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva y prospectiva en el periodo 2008-2010. Se clasificó a los pacientes por grupos etarios, y se calculó el porcentaje de frecuencia para la atrofia muscular espinal de la infancia, la distrofia muscular tipo Duchenne/Becker, las lesiones estáticas del sistema nervioso central de causa prenatal genética, y para la clasificación de los grupos según tipo de herencia. Resultados: el universo de estudio estuvo conformado por 161 pacientes, 72,6 % del sexo masculino, para una razón de la variable sexo de 2,5. Los escolares fueron mayoría (37,8 %), y la edad promedio 5 años. La distrofia muscular tipo Duchenne fue la enfermedad más frecuente (24,8 %). El 41,40 % clasificó en la herencia autosómica recesiva. Los resultados coinciden con lo reportado en la literatura. Conclusiones: las enfermedades neuromusculares hereditarias, y las lesiones estáticas del sistema nervioso central de causa prenatal genética, son las más frecuentes de solicitud de asesoramiento genético en un servicio de Neurogenética.

Introduction: diverse neurological diseases are present in pediatrics and respond to a great number of causes, that is, infectious, genetic, metabolic and degenerative, among others. Within the clinical method in neurology, the genetic diagnosis is related to the etiological diagnosis. There are very few publications that show the frequency of neurogenetic diseases as an etiologic group. Objective: to describe the frequency of some neuropediatric diseases in the Neurogenetics Service of the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Methods: a prospective and descriptive research study was conducted in the 2008-2010 period. The patients were grouped by age and the frequency rate was estimated for infantile spinal muscular atrophy, Dechenne/Becker-type muscular dystrophy, the static lesions of prenatal genetic origin in the central nervous system, and finally for the classification of the groups by the type of inheritance. Results: the universe of study was composed by 161 patients of whom 72.6 % were males, for a sex ratio of 2.5. The schoolchildren were the majority (37.8 %) and the average age was 5 years. Duchene type muscular dystrophy was the most frequent (24.8 %). Of the total number, 41.40 % was classified as recessive autosomal inheritance. The results agreed with those of the literature. Conclusions: the hereditary neuromuscular diseases and the static lesions of the central nervous system of prenatal genetic origin are the most common reasons for the request of genetic counseling in the Neurogenetics Service.

A combined electrocoagulation-electrooxidation treatment for industrial wastewater.

This study addresses the elimination of persistent organic compounds in industrial wastewater using a synergistic combination of electrocoagulation and electrooxidation. Electrocoagulation is a relatively quick process (30 min), which is very effective in removing colloidal and suspended particles, as seen in changes in coliforms, turbidity, and color and in the general absorbance by UV-vis spectroscopy. However, it is relatively ineffective in eliminating stable persistent organic compounds--in this work, only half of the COD was eliminated from wastewater and an oxidation peak in the cyclic voltammetry scan remained. Electrooxidation is very effective in breaking down organic compounds through oxidation as reflected in the elimination of COD, BOD(5), and oxidative peak in cyclic voltammetry, but requires so much time (21 h) that it has very limited practicality, especially when colloidal and suspended particles are present. Electrooxidative mineralization of electrocoagulated wastewater, in which most of the colloids and charged species have been removed, takes less than 2h. In the coupled technique, electrocoagulation quickly coagulates and removes the colloidal and suspended particles, as well as many charged species, then electrooxidation oxidizes the remaining organics. The coupled process eliminates COD, BOD(5), color, turbidity, and coliforms in a practical amount of time (2h).

Comunicación de malas noticias a pacientes con enfermedades neurodegenerativas: habilidades del personal médico / Communicating bad news to patients with neurodegenerative diseases: physicians's skilss / Comunicaço das mmás noticias aos pacientes com doenças neurodegenerativas: habilidades do pessoal médico

Introducción: Los pacientes con enfermedades neurodegenerativas y su familia se enfrentan a una importante crisis que provoca reacciones emocionales intensas. La habilidad primordial para facilitar una respuesta adecuada a la pluralidad de necesidades del enfermo en esta situación es la comunicación. Objetivo: Al existir en Cuba escasas referencias sobre estudios que describan esta habilidad en nuestros médicos, nos propusimos como objetivo de este trabajo identificar las habilidades en la comunicación del profesional/médico que atiende a estos pacientes. Materiales y métodos: Este estudio comprendió a 98 médicos de los tres niveles de atención de salud a los que se aplicó un cuestionario validado. Para el procesamiento de los datos numéricos se utilizaron técnicas estadísticas como el análisis de frecuencias relativas y porcientos. El sistema estadístico utilizado fue SPSS 11.5 sobre Windows. Resultados: Esta investigación reafirma que el modelo de relación médico-paciente que más se pone de manifiesto en nuestro país es el activo-pasivo con un enfoque paternalista. Se identificaron deficiencias en el proceso de comunicación como: la preferencia por no comunicar una mala noticia o el diagnóstico de la enfermedad al paciente y mucho menos informar la verdad; el desconocimiento o no valoración del componente no verbal de la comunicación; la falta de empatia y confianza mutua durante el proceso de comunicación; falta de exploración de lo que el paciente sabe, quiere saber y le preocupa, entre otros. Conclusiones: Este estudio reveló que muchos de los médicos encuestados no han desarrollado suficientemente la habilidad de la comunicación.

Introduction: Patiens with neurodegenerative diseases and their families are facing a major crisis that causes intense emotional reactions. The basic skill to facilitate an appropriate response to the multiple needs of patients in this situation is communication. Aim: In Cuba there are few references to studies that describe this skill in our doctors, for this reason we set the objective of this work to identify the communication skills of medical professional that assist of these patients. Materials and methods: This study involved 98 physicians from the three levels of health care who were underwent a validated questionnaire. For the processing of numerical data statistical techniques were used such as frequency analysis and relative percent. SPSS 11.5 on Windows was employed as statistical system. Results: This research reaffirms that the model of doctor-patient relationship that is evident in our country is an active-passive with a paternalistic approach. We identified deficiencies in the communication process such as a preference not to communicate bad news or diagnosis to the patient, much less report the truth; ignorance or nonverbal assessment component of the communication; lack of empathy and mutual trust in the communication process; lack of exploration of what the patient knows and wants to know and is concerned, among others. Conclusions: This study revealed that many of the physicians surveyed did not have sufficiently developed communication skills.

Introdução: Os pacientes com doenças neurodegenerativas e sua família se enfrentam em uma importante crise que provoca reações emocionais intensas. A habilidade primordial para facilitar uma resposta adequada para a pluralidade das necessidades do doente nesta situação para a comunicação. Objetivo: Ao existir em Cuba, escassas referencias sobre estudos que descrevam esta habilidade nos nossos médicos, nós nos propusemos como objetivo deste trabalho identificar as habilidades na comunicação do profissional médico que atende estes pacientes. Materiais e métodos: Este estudo compreendeu a 98 médicos dos três níveis de atenção de saúde aos que se aplicou um questionário. Para o processamento dos dados numéricos se utilizaram técnicas estatísticas como a análise de freqüências relativas e por centos. O sistema estatístico utilizado foi SPSS 11.5 sobre Windows. Resultados: Esta pesquisa reafirma que o modelo de relação médico-paciente que mais se usa no nosso país é o ativo-passivo com um enfoque paternalista. Identificaram-se deficiências no processo de comunicação como: a preferência por não dizer uma má notícia ou o diagnóstico da doença e muito menos informar a verdade; o desconhecimento ou a não valorização do componente não verbal da comunicação; a falta de empatia e confiança mútua durante o processo de comunicação; falta de exploração do que o paciente sabe, quer saber e lhe preocupa, entre outros. Conclusões: Este estudo revelou que muitos dos médicos entrevistados não tinham desenvolvido suficiente a habilidade da comunicação.

A combined electrocoagulation-sorption process applied to mixed industrial wastewater.

The removal of organic pollutants from a highly complex industrial wastewater by a aluminium electrocoagulation process coupled with biosorption was evaluated. Under optimal conditions of pH 8 and 45.45 Am(-2) current density, the electrochemical method yields a very effective reduction of all organic pollutants, this reduction was enhanced when the biosorption treatment was applied as a polishing step. Treatment reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 84%, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD(5)) by 78%, color by 97%, turbidity by 98% and fecal coliforms by 99%. The chemical species formed in aqueous solution were determined. The initial and final pollutant levels in the wastewater were monitored using UV-vis spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Finally, the morphology and elemental composition of the biosorbent was characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectra (EDS).

Toxoplasmosis ocular: un breve repaso / Ocular toxoplasmosis: a review brief

La toxoplasmosis ocular es una de las principales manifestaciones clínicas de la infección humana con el parásito toxoplasma gondii. Es la causa más comunmente identificable de uveítis posterior, caracterizada por recurrencias que conlleva a una pérdida significativa de la visión. La manifestación ocular más frecuente es la coriorretinitis, tanto en una primoinfección como en la recidiva de una forma congénita. Los síntomas más comunes en los pacientes con toxoplasmosis ocular son visión borrosa, fotofobia, alta presión ocular, dolor ocular y ojo rojo. El diagnóstico se basa en el aspecto clínico de las lesiones oculares y resultados positivo para la enfermedad en el análisis de laboratorio. La necesidad de la terapia, tipo droga a utilizar y duración del tratamiento son individualizados y determinados por factores como localización de la infección, severidad de la respuesta inflamatoria, amenaza a la visión, estado del ojo y estado inmune del paciente