Synthesis of CuOx nanostructures in novel electrolytes under hydrodynamic conditions for photoelectrochemical applications.

In this work, CuOx (x = 1 and 2) nanostructures have been synthesized by electrochemical anodization in ethylene glycol based electrolytes using oxalic acid or NaF (with or without NaOH) as complexing agents. The influence of hydrodynamic conditions and time during anodization of copper have also been evaluated. A comprehensive morphological, structural, electrochemical and photoelectrochemical characterization of the nanostructures has been performed. The results revealed the convenient use of oxalic acid and 250 rpm for 5 minutes during electrochemical anodization to obtain homogeneous CuOx nanostructures formed by spheres with Cu2O as a predominant phase. Using this nanostructure as a photocathode for N2O photoelectron-reduction, almost 100% of N2O removal was achieved after 1 h, showing the improvement of the photoelectrochemical approach vs. the photo or the electro performance.

[Undescended testicle treated with FSH and HCG]. / Tratamiento médico del testículo no descendido con FSH y HCG.

Medical treatment with FSH and HCG was tested during 21 days in 47 cases (76 testis) of undescended testis. The average testis size, as measured by ecography, increased from 0.828 cc to 1.57 cc 48 hours after completing the treatment. Three months later the average testis size was 1.025 cc and 1.24 cc at six months. FSH increased slightly and total testosterone and free testosterone increased significantly. After treatment, 68% of the previously undescended testis descended.

[A giant abdominoscrotal hydrocele]. / Hidrocele abdominoescrotal gigante.

The authors describe the case of a 3.5 years old boy with abdominoscrotal hydrocele. The abdominal mass increase in the last days with abdominal pain symptoms and, in the operation, they found nonspecific reaction of the appendix and lymph nodes in the ileocecal zone. A review of the literature is made.

[Evaluation of a program for monitoring of nosocomial infections]. / Validación de un programa de vigilancia de infecciones nosocomiales.

The results of two nosocomial infection surveillance programs are presented. They were conducted sequentially during a period of eight months, in a general hospital in Mexico City. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the results of a previously installed program based on the investigation of the incidence of episodes of nosocomial infections through the results of the investigation of the prevalence of these episodes. The observed prevalence and incidence rates and the calculated incidence rate were 23 percent, (127 episodes in 547 patients); 4.52 percent (134 episodes in 2,963 discharges) and 4 percent. The commonest problems detected by both studies were surgical wound and urinary tract infections. Pseudomonas and coagulase negative Staphylococcus were isolated most frequently during each period. It is concluded the system based on the investigation of the incidence of nosocomial infections works adequately in this hospital. The advantages of the design of the prevalence system are discussed, since it permitted the analysis of the infection risk associated to different invasive procedures. The odds ratio for acquiring respiratory infection was 152 (C.I. 95%: 31,732) in patients that underwent tracheostomy, 20 (C.I. 95%: 4 90) in patients with respirator, 34 (C.I. 95%: 8,142) in patients with endotracheal tube and 33 (C.I. 95%: 8,137) in patients with nasogastric tubes.

[Chronology of the surgical repair of inguinal hernia in children]. / Cronología de la reparación quirúrgica en la hernia inguinal infantil.

We have made a revision of 243 cases of inguinal hernia operated in Children Surgery Department of the Military Hospital Gómez Ulla during five years. The conclusion of this work was that once the diagnostic is true the patient must be operated as soon as possible (two weeks). It should be dedicated special attention in case of previous crisis of hernia incarceration and when the symptoms are constipation, frequent cough, phimosis, constant irritability or others process with sudden increase of intraabdominal pressure. There is a description of "distension of intestinal as a sign", which exist in 11,11% of the preoperative studies, and "stomach chamber sign" present in 6,58%, both of them needs treatment as soon as possible. The 6,9% of the patients required a second operation because a new hernia in the contralateral side. We think about unjustified the bilateral systematic surgical exploration.