The impact of stable 27Al in 26Al/10Be meteoric ratio in PM2.5 from an urban area.

Meteoric 10Be and 26Al radionuclides are produced in the atmosphere, and the relationship between them has potential applications in atmospheric and climate research. In particular, the meteoric 26Al/10Be ratio has potential applications such as a chronometer for old ice, a tracer for the air exchange between the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere, production and distribution in the atmosphere of both radionuclides, and the study on solar activity. In this work, their concentrations in the fine fraction of airborne particulate matter from an urban area have been precisely determined using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). To obtain new data about the 26Al/10Be ratio and its subsequent applications, PM2.5 in aerosol samples has been analyzed. The average ratio in samples from Mexico City was significantly higher than those previously reported by other authors. The high enrichment factors for stable Aluminum indicate that both resuspended and anthropogenic 27Al content in PM2.5 contributes significantly to the high values of 26Al in the 26Al/10Be ratio. An adjustment of 27Al concentrations from external contributions was carried out, and the corrected 26Al/10Be ratios were similar to those previously reported. In this study, a precise assessment of the possible contribution of other Aluminum sources to the aerosol samples has been carried out. Finally, the obtained ratios indicate the possibility of its future use in applications such as the dating of glaciers.

Could we reduce adhesions to the intra-abdominal mesh in the first week? Experimental study with different methods of fixation.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion formation is a major problem when a mesh is exposed to intraabodminal viscera, with potential severe complications (bowel occlusion, fistulas or abscesses). New methods for preventing adhesions from a polypropylene mesh placed intra-abdominally or to solve difficult situations, such as when the peritoneum cannot be closed during a TAPP repair for an inguinal hernia, are still being seeked. This study mimics in an animal model a situation that can be found in clinical practice during laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty. A polypropylene mesh could be exposed to the intra-abdominal cavity even when the peritoneum is closed due to different circumstances, with no options to guarantee the prosthetic material of being exposed to the intrabdominal viscera. Different options have been suggested to solve these situations, being proposed in this study to cover the visceral surface of the mesh with an absorbable sponge containing thrombin, fibrinogen, and clotting factors (Tachosil®, Nycomed, Takeda, Osaka, Japan), to assess its use as a barrier to prevent postoperative adhesion formation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar white rats (300-450 mg) were included in this study as experimental animals, being randomized into three groups (A, B, and C). We performed a bilateral prosthetic repair with conventional polypropylene mesh (2 × 2 cm, 82 kD). Prosthesis fixation was performed as follows. Group A: absorbable suture; group B: metal staples; group C: metal tackers. A piece of insulating absorbable sponge (Tachosil® 5 × 5 cm) was placed to cover the visceral surface of mesh placed at the right side of each animal. After 10 days, we performed a gross examination (by laparoscopy and laparotomy), measuring the quantity and the quality of the adhesions. Samples were taken for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Tachosil®-treated prostheses showed a statistically significant decrease in the quality of the adhesion found (p < 0.05). In addition, a smaller quantity of adhesions was identified in barrier-treated animals, although this lacked statistical significance. The histologic analysis showed no significant differences: more edema with the untreated mesh and increased angiogenesis and a lower degree of necrosis in mesh covered with Tachosil®. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Tachosil® as a barrier material led to the absence of strong adhesions as it prevented direct contact between the mesh and the internal organs, preventing major problems associated with strong adhesions.

[Giant loss of domain hernia: Preoperative treatment with botulinum toxin of the abdominal oblique muscles]. / Hernia abdominal con pérdida del domicilio: tratamiento preoperatorio con toxina botulínica de la musculatura oblicua abdominal.

In giant loss of domain hernia there is a high risk of abdominal compartment syndrome and restrictive lung disease after complete surgical repair of the fascial defect. We report the case of a 54-year-old man with a late-stage right giant mesogastric loss of domain hernia who began preoperative treatment with progressive pneumoperitoneum. After evaluation of the muscles and skin, ultrasound and electromyographic-guided infiltration of botulinum toxin type A was performed in the abdominal oblique muscles. It caused a flaccid paralysis of the wall and allowed advancement of the lateral flaps without weakening them. The patient underwent surgery one month later with complete closure of the defect and with no signs of respiratory failure or compartment syndrome. The use of botulinum toxin in the preoperative treatment of patients with loss of domain hernias seems a safe and effective therapeutic option.

Hernia abdominal con pérdida del domicilio: tratamiento preoperatorio con toxina botulínica de la musculatura oblicua abdominal / Giant loss of domain hernia: Preoperative treatment with botulinum toxin of the abdominal oblique muscles

En las hernias gigantes con pérdida del domicilio existe un alto riesgo de síndrome compartimental abdominal y de enfermedad respiratoria restrictiva tras la reparación quirúrgica completa del defecto fascial. Presentamos el caso de un paciente de 54 años con una eventración gigante mesogástrica con pérdida del derecho al domicilio de años de evolución, que ha iniciado tratamiento preoperatorio con neumoperitoneo progresivo. Tras valoración de la pared abdominal y del estado dérmico, se realiza infiltración bajo guía ecográfica y electromiográfica de musculatura oblicua de toxina botulínica tipo A. Provoca una parálisis flácida de la pared y permite el avance de los colgajos laterales sin debilitarlos. Posteriormente se interviene sin presentar signos de insuficiencia respiratoria y con un cierre completo del defecto sin signos de síndrome compartimental. El uso de toxina botulínica en el tratamiento preoperatorio de las hernias gigantes con pérdida del domicilio parece una alternativa terapéutica efectiva y segura

In giant loss of domain hernia there is a high risk of abdominal compartment syndrome and restrictive lung disease after complete surgical repair of the fascial defect. We report the case of a 54-year-old man with a late-stage right giant mesogastric loss of domain hernia who began preoperative treatment with progressive pneumoperitoneum. After evaluation of the muscles and skin, ultrasound and electromyographic-guided infiltration of botulinum toxin type A was performed in the abdominal oblique muscles. It caused a flaccid paralysis of the wall and allowed advancement of the lateral flaps without weakening them. The patient underwent surgery one month later with complete closure of the defect and with no signs of respiratory failure or compartment syndrome. The use of botulinum toxin in the preoperative treatment of patients with loss of domain hernias seems a safe and effective therapeutic option

Design and field-scale implementation of an "on site" bioremediation treatment in PAH-polluted soil.

An "on site" bioremediation program was designed and implemented in soil polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially naphthalene. We began by characterizing the soil's physical and chemical properties. A microbiological screening corroborated the presence of microorganisms capable of metabolizing PAHs. We then analyzed the viability of bioremediation by developing laboratory microcosms and pilot scale studies, to optimize the costs and time associated with remediation. The treatment assays were based on different types of biostimulants, such as a slow or fast-release fertilizer, combined with commercial surfactants. Once the feasibility of the biostimulation was confirmed, a real-scale bioremediation program was undertaken in 900 m(3) of contaminated soil. The three-step design reduced PAH contamination by 94.4% at the end of treatment (161 days). The decrease in pollutants was concomitant with the selection of autochthonous bacteria capable of degrading PAHs, with Bacillus and Pseudomonas the most abundant genera.

[A comparison of 2 survey methods: the telephone versus the mails in the diabetic population of a health center]. / Comparación de dos métodos de encuesta: teléfono frente a correo en la población diabética de un centro de salud.

OBJECTIVE: To find the differences between telephone and mail interview respect on answer rate, economic cost and characteristics of participants. To determine the knowledge of our diabetics about their disease. DESIGN: A descriptive transversal study. SETTING: Primary care Centro de San Gregorio, Telde, Las Palmas. PATIENTS: The diabetics type 1 and 2 (n = 566) of our centre, whose ages were 18-70 years. In order to apply the same health questionnaire through two different ways, we divided the sample into two random groups: mail group (n = 283) and telephone group (n = 283). RESULTS: The global answer rate was 51.6% (292 patients), 48% in the mail group (136 patients) and 55% in the telephone group (156 patients). The total cost of the mail survey was 41,000 pts. (104 pts. per mail), and the cost of telephone survey was 5.100 pts. (25.5 pts. per useful call). In the whole sample, we observed women more frequently in the answer group (56% of 292) than in the no answer group (44% of 274) (CI 95% 8.1-12.8). Also, in the answer group, the age was greater than in the no answer group (58.8 +/- 9.8 yr vs. 55.8 +/- 12.5 yr) (CI 95% 1.14-4.8). When we analyzed gender and age in each group, we observed the same differences in the telephone group but not in the mail group. More than the half questionnaire were correctly answer by 64% (167 patients). In the telephone group the "fit" rate was greater (70.6% of 153) than in the mail group (55.7% of 106) (CI 95% 3.2-26.6). CONCLUSIONS: A suitable answer rate was reached through both methods of interview, but telephone survey's was smaller. In the mail group, both genders and all ages groups answered in the same way. The knowledge of our diabetics about their disease was like as the found in another studies.