The presence of a large patent foramen ovale reduces acute and chronic success in atrial fibrillation ablation.

PURPOSE: In this study, we analyzed PFO implications in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. METHODS: Six hundred and twenty-five consecutive patients with AF undergoing PV isolation were included. We considered that a large and/or compliant PFO was present if the catheters advanced gently into the LA without puncturing the septum. Atrial tachyarrhythmias after the 3-month blanking period were classified as a recurrence. RESULTS: Out of the 625 patients included, 36 (5.8%) were found to have PFO. No significant differences were observed in the clinical characteristics of patients with PFO compared with patients without PFO. Nevertheless, patients with PFO had lower acute success in PV isolation compared with patients without PFO (98.2% vs. 88.5%; p = 0.006) even after adjusting for age, sex, type of AF, LA area, cardiomyopathy, time from AF diagnosis to the ablation, and ablation technique (odds ratio: 0.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.02-0.9; p = 0.039). In 546 patients followed more than 6 months, the recurrence rate of any atrial tachyarrhythmia after 18.6 ± 11.9 months was significantly higher in patients with PFO compared with patients without PFO (41.9 vs. 70%; p = 0.012). This difference remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, type of AF, LA area, cardiomyopathy, time from AF diagnosis to the ablation, and ablation technique (hazard ratio: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1-3.3; p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a large and/or compliant PFO is an independent factor for PV isolation failure and arrhythmia recurrence rate after the ablation.

Long-term photosynthetic CO2 removal from biogas and flue-gas: Exploring the potential of closed photobioreactors for high-value biomass production.

The long-term performance of a tubular photobioreactor interconnected to a gas absorption column for the abatement of CO2 from biogas and flue-gas was investigated. Additionally, a novel nitrogen feast-famine regime was implemented during the flue-gas feeding stage in order to promote the continuous storage of highly-energetic compounds. Results showed effective CO2 (~98%) and H2S (~99%) removals from synthetic biogas, supported by the high photosynthetic activity of microalgae which resulted in an alkaline pH (~10). In addition, CO2 removals of 99 and 91% were observed during the flue-gas operation depending on the nutrients source: mineral salt medium and digestate, respectively. A biomass productivity of ~8 g m-2 d-1 was obtained during both stages, with a complete nitrogen and carbon recovery from the cultivation broth. Moreover, the strategy of feeding nutrients during the dark period promoted the continuous accumulation of carbohydrates, their concentration increasing from 22% under normal nutrition up to 37% during the feast-famine cycle. This represents a productivity of ~3 g-carbohydrates m-2 d-1, which can be further valorized to contribute to the economic sustainability of the photosynthetic CO2 removal process.

Xerostomía causada por el consumo de diuréticos en pacientes hipertensos / Xerostomia caused by diuretic taking in hypertensive patients

Fundamento: la xerostomía, o síndrome de boca seca, afecta principalmente a pacientes ancianos. Por sí misma no parece estar relacionada directamente con la edad, sino con las enfermedades o fármacos que se suelen administrar en esa etapa de la vida.Objetivo: caracterizar pacientes hipertensos de 60 años y más que consumen diuréticos y presentan síntomas de xerostomía, pertenecientes al área de salud del Policlínico Universitario “Gustavo Aldereguía Lima”.Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el Consultorio Médico de Familia Nº 8, de la referida área de salud, municipio de Las Tunas, en el período de enero a junio de 2016. La muestra estuvo conformada por 48 pacientes hipertensos de 60 años y más, con indicación del consumo de diuréticos y que mostraron indicios de xerostomía.Resultados: en el estudio predominó el sexo femenino y el grupo de edad de 60-69 años, con el 56,2 por ciento de pacientes en ambos casos. Los principales síntomas de xerostomía fueron la sequedad de la mucosa bucal en todos los casos; seguido de los labios con aspecto reseco en el 81,2 por ciento; dificultad para la alimentación, masticación y deglución, en un 75 por ciento; y ardor y dolor de la mucosa en el 70,8 por ciento de los pacientes. En cuanto al consumo de diuréticos, hubo prevalencia de los pacientes entre 20 y 24 años consumiendo, con 31,2 por ciento, y en el grupo de edad de 60-69 años con 55,5 por ciento.Conclusiones: se caracterizó a los pacientes estudiados, predominando los del grupo de edad de 60-69 años. El principal síntoma de xerostomía fue la sequedad de la mucosa (AU)

Background: xerostomia or dry mouth syndrome affects mainly old patients. It does not seem to be directly related to age, but to diseases and drugs that are usually administered during this period of life.Objective: to characterize hypertensive patients who are 60 years of age and older, who take diuretics and suffer from xerostomia, belonging to the health district of “Gustavo Aldereguía Lima” Teaching Pyliclinic.Methods: a descriptive study was conducted at Doctors Office No. 8 of the herein mentioned health district of Las Tunas municipality, from January to June, 2016. The sample was made up of 48 hypertensive patients 60 years of age and older, who had prescription of diuretics and presented signs of xerostomia.Results: the female sex and the 60 to 69 age group prevailed with 56,2 percent in both cases. The main symptoms of xerostomia were dryness of the buccal mucosa in all the cases, followed by dry-like lips in 81,2 percent, difficulty feeding, chewing and swallowing in 75 percent, and pain and burning in the mucosa in 70,8 percent of the patients. Concerning diuretic taking there was a prevalence of patients who had taken the medicines for 20-24 years for 31,2 percent, and in the 60 to 69 age group for 55,5 percent.Conclusions: the studied patients were characterized with a prevalence of those of the 60 to 69 age group. The main symptom of xerostomia was dryness of the mucosa (AU)

Comportamiento clínico epidemiológico de las pulpitis irreversibles como urgencias estomatológicas ocasionadas por caries dental / Clinic-epidemiological behaviour of irreversible pulpitis as dental emergencies caused by dental caries

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, en el servicio de urgencias de la clínica estomatológica, perteneciente al policlínico Dr Gustavo Aldereguía Lima, en el período comprendido entre enero de 2007 y julio de 2008, para determinar el comportamiento clínico epidemiológico de las pulpitis irreversibles, ocasionadas por caries dental. El universo estuvo constituido por los 2359 pacientes que acudieron a esta consulta con diagnóstico de pulpitis, tomándose como muestra 1764 que presentaron pulpitis irreversible ocasionadas por caries dental. Los grupos de edades más afectados fueron el de 25-34 y 35-59 años; con relación al sexo no se presentaron diferencias significativas; en cuanto a la ocupación y nivel cultural, los grupos poblacionales más afectados fueron los trabajadores estatales y los preuniversitarios. Los tipos de caries en cuanto a localización y profundidad que más frecuentemente originaron estas afecciones, fueron las de fosas y fisuras y de dentina profunda, respectivamente. El tipo de pulpitis irreversible más frecuente fue la supurada (AU)

A descriptive and cross- sectional study was carried out at the emergency service of the clinic at Gustavo Aldereguía Polyclinics from January 2007 to July 2008 in order to determine the clinic-epidemiological behaviour of irreversible pulpitis caused by dental caries. The universe of study was composed by the 2359 patients who attended the doctors office with a diagnosis of pulpitis and the sample consisted of 1764 patients who suffered from irreversible pulpitis caused by dental caries. The most affected group ages were those from 25 to 34 and from 35 to 59 years old, showing no significant differences concerning the sex, and concerning the occupations and cultural level the most affected groups were state workers and high school students. The caries type that mostly triggered this condition according to location and depth, were those of fossas and fissures as well as deep dentin, respectively. Suppurative irreversible pulpitis was the most frequent type of pulpitis (AU)

Caracterización de una población bruxómana / Characterization of a bruxism population

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, con el propósito de caracterizar el bruxismo en la población mayor de 15 años, perteneciente al área de la policlínica Dr Gustavo Aldereguía Lima en el municipio Las Tunas, en el período comprendido desde septiembre de 2005 a mayo de 2006. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por 274 pacientes, que se examinaron en la consulta estomatológica durante las 4 horas dedicadas a la investigación. Se diagnosticaron 110 pacientes como portadores del hábito de bruxismo, los que representaron un 40.1 por ciento. De estos pacientes eran 61 del sexo femenino y 49 del masculino. En la edad de 45 a 64 años se ubicó el mayor porciento de pacientes. Los profesionales y técnicos medios predominaron sobre los demás grupos ocupacionales. El bruxismo diurno prevaleció sobre el nocturno. El mayor porciento de pacientes se agrupó en la categoría de seriamente vulnerable al estrés. Las interferencias oclusales, las facetas de desgastes anormales y la hipertonicidad muscular resultaron los signos más característicos, mientras que el dolor muscular y la cefalea, fueron los síntomas que sobresalieron(AU)

A descriptive transversal study was carried out , with the purpose to characterize bruxism in the population over 15 years of age in the area of Gustavo Aldereguía polyclinic, in Las Tunas municipality, between September 2005 and May 2006. 274 patients were examined in the Dentistry Surgery consultation during the 4 hours devoted to the investigation. From the universe, 110 patients were diagnosed as carriers of bruxism , representing 40.1 per cent, 61 patients were females and 49 were males. The highest percentages of patients were between the ages of 45 to 64 years of age. Professionals and technicians ruled over other occupational groups. Diurnal bruxism prevailed over the nocturnal one. The highest percentage of patients was grouped in the category seriously vulnerable to stress. The most characteristic signs were occlusal interferences, abnormal wearing facet and the muscular hypertonicity, whereas the muscular pain and headaches were the most outstanding symptoms(AU)

Caracterización de una población bruxómana / Characterization of a Bruxisn Population

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, con el propósito de caracterizar el bruxismo en la población mayor de 15 años, perteneciente al área de la policlínica Dr Gustavo Aldereguía Lima en el municipio Las Tunas, en el período comprendido desde septiembre de 2005 a mayo de 2006. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por 274 pacientes, que se examinaron en la consulta estomatológica durante las 4 horas dedicadas a la investigación. Se diagnosticaron 110 pacientes como portadores del hábito de bruxismo, los que representaron un 40,1 por ciento. De estos pacientes eran 61 del sexo femenino y 49 del masculino. En la edad de 45 a 64 años se ubicó el mayor porciento de pacientes. Los profesionales y técnicos medios predominaron sobre los demás grupos ocupacionales. El bruxismo diurno prevaleció sobre el nocturno. El mayor porciento de pacientes se agrupó en la categoría de seriamente vulnerable al estrés. Las interferencias oclusales, las facetas de desgastes anormales y la hipertonicidad muscular resultaron los signos más característicos, mientras que el dolor muscular y la cefalea, fueron los síntomas que sobresalieron (AU)

A descriptive transversal study was carried out , with the purpose to characterize bruxism in the population over 15 years of age in the area of Gustavo Aldereguía polyclinic, in Las Tunas municipality, between September 2005 and May 2006. 274 patients were examined in the Dentistry Surgery consultation during the 4 hours devoted to the investigation. From the universe, 110 patients were diagnosed as carriers of bruxism , representing 40,1 per cent, 61 patients were females and 49 were males. The highest percentages of patients were between the ages of 45 to 64 years of age. Professionals and technicians ruled over other occupational groups. Diurnal bruxism prevailed over the nocturnal one. The highest percentage of patients was grouped in the category seriously vulnerable to stress. The most characteristic signs were occlusal interferences, abnormal wearing facet and the muscular hypertonicity, whereas the muscular pain and headaches were the most outstanding symptoms (AU)

Intervención educativa sobre higiene bucal y dieta cariogénica en niños del círculo infantil Volodia / Educational intervention on oral hygiene and cariogenic diet in children from Volodia Day Care Center

Se realizó una investigación de desarrollo en el campo de los servicios estomatológicos consistente en una intervención educativa sobre higiene bucal deficiente y dieta cariogénica como factores de riesgo de la caries dental en el período comprendido de septiembre 2005 hasta mayo 2006. Se tomaron como muestra ­­­100 niños de 4 a 6 años de edad pertenecientes a un universo de 186 niños del Círculo Infantil Volodia del municipio Las Tunas, a quienes se les confeccionó la Historia Clínica Individual. Se determinó el índice de análisis e higiene bucal de Love y colaboradores para evaluar la misma. Luego se realizó una entrevista estructurada a los niños y a través del modelo de David Leyva González se detectaron las necesidades educativas y temas a tratar en el programa educativo Mis Dientes Sanos. Se evaluaron los resultados de la estrategia educativa aplicada y se logró elevar el nivel de conocimientos sobre estos factores de riesgo de la caries dental (AU)

An odontological investigation was carried out concerning stomatological services and consisting on the implemetantion of an educational strategy to deal with deficient oral hygiene and cariogenic diet as risk factors for dental caries from September 2005 to May 2006. The sample consisted of 100 children aged 4-6 years belonging to a universe formed by 186 from Volodia Day Care Center, in Las Tunas municipality. Every personal patient record was made and the analysis index according to Love's method was determined to evaluate them. After this, David Leyva's model was made to interview them. A number educational needs were determined, as well as some topics to deal with in the educational program My Sound Teeth. The results of the educational strategy were evaluated when comparing the initial and final outcomes, so a survey was carried out again bringing about that the population increased the knowledge about dental caries risk factors(AU)