Study of TiO2/Ti4O7 photo-anodes inserted in an activated carbon packed bed cathode: Towards the development of 3D-type photo-electro-Fenton reactors for water treatment.

In this work, commercially available Polymethyl-meta-acrylate (PMMA) spectroscopy cells were modified on the external walls with films of TiO2, Ti4O7 or TiO2/Ti4O7 mixtures. Film characterization was carried out using SEM and UV-vis spectroscopy. The results of photocatalytic (PC), electro-oxidation (EO), and photoelectrochemical (PEC) experiments on the decolorization of a methyl orange (MO) model dye solution showed that while anatase provides better photocatalytic properties and the partially reduced Ti4O7 larger electronic conductivity, the TiO2/Ti4O7 composite film behaves as a semiconductor substrate that combines the advantages of both materials (for PEC experiments for instance, decolorization values for the model dye solution using TiO2, Ti4O7 and a TiO2/Ti4O7 mixed film, corresponded to 35%, 46% and 53%, respectively). In order to test this film as an effective photoanode material in a 3-D type reactor for water treatment processes, a TiO2/Ti4O7 modified PMMA spectroscopy cell was inserted in an activated carbon (AC) bed so that the semiconductor material could be illuminated using an external UV source positioned inside the PMMA cell. The connected AC particles that were previously saturated with MO dye were used as cathode sites for the oxygen reduction reaction so that the photoelectrochemical reactions that take place in the anode could be complemented with coupled electro-Fenton processes in the cathode. As expected, the combination resulted in an effective decolorization of the dye solution that results from a complex combination of processes. The experimental decolorization data was successfully fitted to a pseudo-first order kinetic model so that a deeper understanding of the contribution of each process in the reactor could be obtained.

Influence of pretreatments on oil absorption of plantain and cassava chips.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of pretreatments of CaCl2 and osmotic dehydration (OD) on oil absorption in plantain and cassava chips. Plantain and cassava slices (1 mm thickness and 35 mm diameter) were prepared. Pretreatment with and without 5% CaCl2 solution before applying OD with sucrose solutions at 30 and 45%, and NaCl at 3 and 6% in a product/solution ratio of 1:25, at 40 °C were employed. OD kinetics and diffusivity were estimated by Page's model and Fick's law, respectively. Best OD treatments for plantain chips were 45% sucrose with CaCl2 and 6% NaCl without CaCl2. However, for cassava chips, the best OD treatments were 45% sucrose without CaCl2 and 3% NaCl with CaCl2. Page's model predicted the OD experimental results with an R2 = 0.94-0.97. Effective diffusivity of water (EDW) and effective diffusivity of solids (EDS) for osmo-dehydrated cassava samples, with and without CaCl2, decreased as the concentration of the osmotic solutions was increased. However, in general, the inverse effect was obtained for plantain samples for EDW and EDS. Use of CaCl2 when applying OD reduced EDW and EDS in plantain and cassava chips. In general, it was observed that when increasing the concentration of the osmotic solution, oil absorption capacity decreased. Treatments that showed the lowest oil absorption were 45% sucrose OD in plantain chips pretreated with CaCl2 (11.49%) and fresh cassava chips with 45% sucrose OD (10.72%). The results and effectiveness will depend on food, process conditions and type of osmotic agent.

Effect of enzymatic pretreatment on the physical quality of plantain (Musa ssp., group AAB) employing airflow reversal drying.

This work aimed to evaluate the effect of enzymatic pretreatment on the color and texture of plantain (Musa ssp., group AAB) dried by airflow reversal drying. Plantain slices 1.0 cm thick were used. Pretreatment with two commercial enzymes, Pectinex Ultra SPL (Aspergillus aculeatus) and Pectinex 3XL (Aspergillus niger), was performed. Drying kinetics were determined with and without pretreatment at temperatures of 50, 65 and 80 °C using a fixed bed convective dryer. An air speed of 6 m/s, a bed height of 5 cm and either unidirectional flow or airflow reversal (every 15 min) were used for drying. Color and texture were analyzed, and consumer acceptance of the results of the best treatments was determined. Pretreatment with the enzyme A. niger and airflow reversal gave the best drying kinetics and showed the greatest reduction in drying time (59.0%) at 80 °C. The best hardness results were found at 80 °C with A. niger enzymatic pretreatment with both types of air flow. Brightness and hue angle showed that samples pretreated with enzymes and dried at 65 °C had a lighter yellow color compared to non-pretreated samples. Plantain samples enzymatically pretreated and dried at 65 and 80 °C were the most accepted by consumers. This kind of enzymatic pretreatment on plantain could allow the conservation of some physical properties and reduction of drying times relative to the current methodology.

Optimization and characterization of an extruded snack based on taro flour (Colocasia esculenta L.) enriched with mango pulp (Mangifera indica L.).

The aim of this study was to optimize and characterize an extruded snack made with taro flour and mango pulp. A central experimental design composed of the following three variables was used: mango pulp proportion (MPP = 0-10 g/100 g) in taro flour, feed moisture content (FMC = 16-30 g/100 g) and extrusion temperature (zone 4 of extruder) (T = 80-150 °C) using a single-screw extruder with a compression screw ratio of 3:1. Increasing FMC values decreased the torque, pressure, specific mechanical energy (SME), expansion index (EI), water solubility index and pH values and increased the residence time, bulk density (BD), hardness and total colour difference. Increasing T values led to a decrease in the torque, pressure, BD and hardness values, while increasing MPP values only caused a significant increase in the hardness values and ß-carotene content and a decrease in the pressure value. The optimal extrusion conditions were T = 135.81 °C, FMC = 18.84 g/100 g and MPP = 7.97 g/100 g, with a desirability value of 0.772, to obtain a snack with EI = 1.52, BD = 0.66 g/cm3, hardness = 24.48 N, ß-carotene content = 99.1 µg/g and SME = 428.54 J/g. The mango pulp is an available and economical source of ß-carotene for the enrichment of extruded expanded taro snacks.

Network efficient power control for wireless communication systems.

We introduce a two-loop power control that allows an efficient use of the overall power resources for commercial wireless networks based on cross-layer optimization. This approach maximizes the network's utility in the outer-loop as a function of the averaged signal to interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) by considering adaptively the changes in the network characteristics. For this purpose, the concavity property of the utility function was verified with respect to the SINR, and an iterative search was proposed with guaranteed convergence. In addition, the outer-loop is in charge of selecting the detector that minimizes the overall power consumption (transmission and detection). Next the inner-loop implements a feedback power control in order to achieve the optimal SINR in the transmissions despite channel variations and roundtrip delays. In our proposal, the utility maximization process and detector selection and feedback power control are decoupled problems, and as a result, these strategies are implemented at two different time scales in the two-loop framework. Simulation results show that substantial utility gains may be achieved by improving the power management in the wireless network.

Retrospective study of pilomatricoma: 261 tumors in 239 patients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Pilomatricoma is the second most common skin tumor in childhood and youth and it has a broad differential diagnosis. The main objective of the present study was to determine the incidence of pilomatricomas in our hospital and to analyze the following variables: patient age and sex, tumor site, symptoms, previous trauma, clinical diagnosis, associated diseases, number of cases of multiple tumors, ultrasound findings, anesthetic and surgical techniques, and postoperative complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study of the pilomatricomas surgically excised between January 2004 and December 2012 and registered in the database of the pathology department of our hospital. RESULTS: We found 261 pilomatricomas in 239 patients (120 female and 119 male) between 1 and 83 years of age (mean age, 26.4 years). The most common presentation was as a firm subcutaneous nodule, which was asymptomatic in 82% of cases. Tumors most commonly affected the head and neck (49.81%). Preoperative diagnosis was correct in 54.4% of cases, concomitant diseases were present in 59 cases, and 7 patients reported a history of trauma in the area of the tumor. There were 17 cases of multiple tumors, 1 case in a patient with familial disease and 2 in patients with Steinert disease. Soft-tissue ultrasound was performed on 57 lesions; images were compatible with pilomatricoma in 48 cases. Tumor excision was performed under local anesthesia in 185 cases and under local and general anesthesia in 76. The postoperative complications were hypertrophic scarring and wound dehiscence (1 case each). CONCLUSIONS: This was a retrospective study with the largest series recorded in Spain and with one of the highest incidences. In addition, we report on variables not described in other studies.

Is Segmental Colon Resection an Alternative Treatment for Splenic Flexure Cancer?

Background: Optimal elective surgery for splenic flexure cancer is unclear. Three types of surgical treatment methods are commonly used, subtotal colectomy (STC), left hemicolectomy (LHC), and segmental colon resection (SCR), but consensus is lacking as to which is the optimal method. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively compared clinicopathological and operative results, morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival in patients with splenic flexure cancer who underwent surgery between 1998 and 2018. Results: The study included 124 patients in the study. Following retrospective evaluation of the database, patients were classified into one of three groups according to the surgical approach: (1) STC (n: 41), (2) LHC (n: 55), and (3) SCR (n: 28). No statistically significant differences were found between groups regarding operative results, hospital stay, pathological data, mortality, recurrence, or long-term survival outcomes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that surgical procedures such as STC and LHC have no statistically significant clinical benefits over less aggressive approaches such as SCR. We thus conclude that SCR seems both a safe and effective alternative for splenic flexure tumors.

Preparation of betulinic acid nanoemulsions stabilized by ω-3 enriched phosphatidylcholine.

Bioactive compounds such as ω-3 fatty acids and terpenes, have been associated with beneficial health effects; however, their solubility in the gastrointestinal tract and its bioavailability in the body are low. Nanoemulsions offer a viable alternative to disperse lipophilic compounds and improve their dissolution, permeation, absorption and bioavailability. Enzyme modified phosphatidylcholine (PC) with ω-3 fatty acids was used as emulsifier to stabilize oil-in-water nanoemulsions generated using ultrasound device. These systems were used as carriers of betulinic acid, which has reported anti-carcinogenic activity. Phospholipase-catalyzed modification of PC allowed the incorporation of 50 mol% of ω-3 fatty acids. Formation variables such as oil type and ultrasound amplitude had effects on nanoemulsion characteristics. Incorporation of betulinic acid affected globule size; however, betulinic acid nanoemulsions below 200 nm could be prepared. The conditions under which betulinic acid nanoemulsions were obtained using the modified phosphatidylcholine with the smaller globule size (91 nm) were 10% PC, 25% glycerol, medium chain oil and 30% amplitude for 12 min in the sonicator. Storage temperature had an effect on the stability of the nanoemulsions, at 5°C we observed the smallest growth in globule size. The use of olive oil decreased the globule size growth during storage of the nanoemulsion stabilized with modified phosphatidylcholine, although globule size obtained was greater than 200 nm. Medium pH had a significant effect on the nanoemulsions; alkaline pH values improved storage stability. These results provide useful information for using this type of carrier system on the formulation of products in the pharmaceutical or food industry.

[Pharmacologic reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction]. / Reperfusión farmacológica en el infarto agudo del miocardio.

Reperfusion therapy is fundamental in the treatment of the acute myocardial infarct and can be accomplished either through pharmacological methods or through direct angioplasty. Undoubtedly, pharmacological reperfusion is the most available and it has modified the natural history of the acute myocardial infarct. Reperfusion therapy must be as dynamic and multifactorial as the physiopathology per se of the acute myocardial infarct. Reperfusion is defined as: to reestablish blood flow after an obstruction has been caused and to be useful it must be close to normal both in the epicardial and transmyocardial vessels.

[Perception of reproductive risk factors]. / Percepción de factores de riesgo reproductivo.

The objective of this study was to identify risk perception on several factors related to reproductive health, with the goal of implementing an educational intervention based on detected needs. 405 women between 12 and 44 years were interviewed at home. 62.2% perceived the risk of pregnancy at 17 years and younger; 78.8% the risk of pregnancy at 35 years and older; 76.6% the risk of parity of 5 and higher; and 55.1% the risk of birth interval of 2 years and less. 60.5% recognized family history of birth defects, 80.2% age 35 years and older, and 84.4% rubella during pregnancy, as risk factors for newborns with congenital malformations. 27.7% identified history of a low birth weight and 61.0% birth interval of 1 year and less, as risk factors for low birth weight. The majority perceived the risk of tobacco, alcohol and drugs consumption during pregnancy, diseases with no treatment and deficient nutrition. There was an inconsistent influence of social and obstetric variables on risk perception. No linear correlation was detected. Health educators should recognize differences on knowledge and behavior of future receptors before an educational intervention starts.

PIP: 405 lower class women aged 12-44 in the Delegacion Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City, were interviewed in their homes in an effort to identify patterns in their perceptions of reproductive risk factors. The women were interviewed in late 1989 with a largely precoded questionnaire containing items described in the literature as risk factors for pregnancy, low birth weight, and birth defects. 7.9% of the respondents were 12-15 years old, 17.3% were 16-20, 37.0% were 21-30, 24.4% were 31-40, and 13.3% were 41-44. 24.9% were single, 59.5% were married, and 12.0% were in free union. 7.9% had no education, 33.8% had primary, 33.8% secondary, 20.9% preparatory, and 3.5% professional educations. Among the 300 women who had children, 23.6% had 1, 48.9% had 2-3, and 28.3% had 4 or more. 22.7% had histories of abortion, 1.3% of stillbirths, 15.7% of premature labor, 11.3% of low birth weight infants, 4.7% of neonatal deaths, and 5.0% of infant death. 62.2% perceived the risk of pregnancy at 17 years or younger, 78.8% the risk of pregnancy at age 35 or over, 70.6% the risk of a 5th or higher order pregnancy, and 55.1% the risk of a birth interval of less than 2 years. The majority perceived smoking, drinking alcohol, untreated pathologies during pregnancy, and inadequate nutrition to be risk factors. 27.7% identified a history of low birth weight infants and 61.0% birth intervals of 1 year or less as risk factors for low birth weight. 60.5% recognized family history of birth defects, 80.2% maternal age of 35 or over, and 84.4% rubella during pregnancy as risk factors for congenital malformations. The influence of sociodemographic and obstetric variables on perception of risks was inconsistent and no linear correlations were detected. Health educators should recognize differences in levels of knowledge and behavior in the target population when the educational program is designed.

[Attitudes and behavior for reproductive health]. / Actitudes y conductas para la salud reproductiva.

Educational interventions represent an alternative for the reproductive well-being. The objective of this investigation was to identify in a mexican community, attitudes and behaviors related to reproductive health, with the goal of implementing a specific health education program. The study population consisted of women between 12 and 44 years old, living in non-residential areas of the Delegation Miguel Hidalgo, D.F. Variables of interest were analyzed only in women with parity (n = 300). Data were collected through interview. The mean age was 31 +/- 8 years. 93.3% were married or in consensual union. 63% had elementary, junior high or prevocational studies. 89% answered that would visit the doctor before considering a pregnancy (junior high+, p < .05), 99% would seek prenatal care if they were pregnant, and 92.7% would have a hospital delivery (parity < or = 3, p < .003). 69.5% had a preconceptional visit before their last pregnancy and 89.9% received prenatal care (junior high+, p < .008). 92.5% had only hospital deliveries (< or = 30 years, p < .05, junior high+, p < .0001, primigravida p < .002, with institutionalized medical services, p < .001), 1.7% had only out-of-hospital deliveries, and 5.8% both. Agreement between attitudes and behaviors are presented. An educational program consisting of confirmation and support to positive attitudes, values and beliefs, and reinforcement to decision making, will result in a final behavior: early assistance to medical care.

[Myths, prejudices and reality about dental treatment during pregnancy. A medical opinion]. / Mitos, prejuicios y realidades del tratamiento odontológico durante el embarazo. Opinión médica.

The education and assistance strategies aimed al preserving oral health must play an important role in the overall care of the pregnant woman. It has been demonstrated that there are beliefs and practices in our culture that relegate, odontologic care in this stage, where attitudes and behaviors on the health-disease process are influenced by the prevailing medical culture, which includes the physician's opinion. The objective was To obtain the physician's opinion on the odontologic care during pregnancy. A previously validate survey which included 15 questions, was applied to a randomly selected sample of 700 physicians. Of the 650 surveys analyzed, 57% were applied to general practitioners, 24% to gynecologists and obstetrician, and 19% to other medical specialist regularly consulted by women during their prenatal care. There is low referral of pregnant women to the regularly check their patients teeth of gums 53% physicians said that the odontologist did not need to consult them about dental treatment, while 593 thought otherwise, 362 surveyed practitioners point out the convenience of using the lead apron when taking periapical x-ray. These results point out the importance of establishing a good communication channel between the physician and dentist. It is clear that there is a lack of truth in the oral health specialist's ability to provide treatment to pregnant patients, and that the physician ignores many of the odontological procedures and their low risk.

[Community education in perinatal health]. / Educacion comunitaria en salud perinatal

PIP: The National Institute of Perinatology develops educational programs for the population using its services in order to promote positive behavior related to reproduction. One of the most frequently observed problems during prenatal control is patient abandonment of the services offered by health institutions. We present an investigation of the relationship between the educational program for pregnant women offered by the Institute and compliance with prenatal care. A group of 215 patients elected to participate in the educational program. The program consisted of themes on the evolution and culmination of the pregnancy, preparation for nursing, nutrition, developmental milestones, and dental health. Another group was selected at the same time, equal in size to the first but without participation in the course, as a control group. Both groups contained patients categorized in the 3 perinatal risk groups accepted by the Institute.^ieng

[Education for dental health in pregnancy]. / Educación para la salud dental durante el embarazo.

In health education it is important to emphasize knowledge about oral hygienic techniques in order to decrease the morbidity due to caries and periodontal disease. The Dental Office of the National Institute of Perinatology has developed educational activities with patients during the last ten years. With this experience, we have created an educational program concerning hygienic techniques designed to prevent the commonest oral diseases. We undertook an investigation to evaluate the results of this educational program. Experimental and control groups were subjected to a program including a 90 minute conference, a booklet and a video about caries, periodontal disease and oral hygienic techniques. The experimental group also had six practical sessions related to teeth brushing and dental thread usage. We evaluated the knowledge and the oral hygienic techniques. The results show an initial increase in knowledge in both groups; however, a later evaluation showed a decrease towards the original level. The difference in the group with practical training was evident. We agree with other authors on the necessity of a continuous education program.

[Oral health education for expectant mothers]. / Educación para la salud bucal en la madre gestante.

Current tendency in education for oral health centers on identifying high-risk groups, in order to offer them proper attention as to preventive measures. As a specific strategy toward such ends, the authors propose performing a program of education for oral health during the gestation period, which may enable women to prevent oral diseases both in themselves and their babies.

[Perception of common symptomatology during pregnancy, puerperium and lactation]. / Percepción de sintomatología común durante embarazo, puerperio y lactancia.

The objective of this investigation was to identify women's perception on normal and abnormal symptoms of pregnancy, puerperium and breastfeeding; its purpose was to assess the varying educational needs in the geographical area where a reproductive health education program will be implemented. 405 fertile females living in non-residential areas were interviewed in their homes. A predominantly pre-coded questionnaire was used; items related to reproductive health, preventable and susceptible to education were included. Symptomatology perceived incorrectly as normal: a) In pregnancy: Dysuria: 24 percent, genital hemorrhage: 15 per cent, absence of fetal movement: 23 per cent, did not know how to recognize preterm birth symptoms: 70 per cent. b) In puerperium: Increased quantity in lochia rubra: 17 per cent, fever: 22 per cent, fetid lochia: 28 per cent, and c) In breastfeeding: Breasts red and warm: 48 per cent, fever: 30 per cent, nipple fissures: 70 per cent. Symptomatology perceived incorrectly as abnormal: a) In pregnancy: Frequent urination: 17 per cent, morning nausea in the 1st trimester: 9 per cent, emotional instability: 21 per cent, Braxton Hicks contractions: 41 per cent, and b) Postpartum period: Decreased quantity in lochia rubra: 9 per cent, non-fetid lochia alba: 43 per cent, calostrum: 20 per cent. The assessment educational needs showed an inaccurate identification of abnormal and normal obstetric events; its frequency varied. It is essential that a pregnant woman be well informed and educated in order to preserve her own health as well as that of her unborn child. She must be able to recognize warning signs, take action and demand appropriate medical care. Health care personnel and health educators must be responsible for the promoting of maternal and child health during pregnancy.

[Myocardial infarct and rupture of the left ventricular free wall. Some considerations on incidence, morphological characteristics and risk factors]. / Infarto del miocardio y ruptura de la pared libre del ventrículo izquierdo. Algunas consideraciones sobre la frecuencia, características morfológicas y factores de riesgo.

Rupture of the left ventricle free wall is a sudden and unexpected event in myocardial infarction. It is considered the third most common cause of death, following cardiogenic shock and arrhythmias. The frequency of rupture varies because many patients may survive the initial insult of myocardial infarction. Conflicting reports regarding risk factors have been published by several authors. With these considerations in mind, the present investigation was undertaken to evaluate ventricular rupture in an autopsy population from the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología. We analyzed the salient morphologic features and the risk factors. Our results indicated an incidence rate of 17.7% of cardiac rupture in patients who died of acute myocardial infarction and were autopsied. Ruptures are more common in elderly female patient during their first infarct, they were localized preferentially in the anterior wall and occurred within the first four days after infarction. Chance of rupture was greater in hypertensive patients, whereas a history of previous infarct protected against this contingency.

[The thickness/radius ratio (t/r) in patients with dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]. / La relación grosor/radio (h/r) en las miocardiopatías hipertrófica y dilatada.

We studied 17 patients with cardiomyopathy (10 hypertrophic and 7 dilated). With two-dimensional echocardiography, we obtained a short axis view at the level of papillary muscle. We calculated the ratio between thickness (h), of ventricular wall and cavity's radius (r) in diastole and systole (h/r ratio). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has a high h/r ratio in diastole (inappropriate hypertrophy), hypercontractility and low and systolic wall stress. Dilated cardiomyopathy has a low diastolic h/r ratio (inadequate hypertrophy) with low contractility and elevated end-systolic, wall stress. We discuss the mechanisms and consequences of different patterns of hypertrophy on the ventricular performance.

[Attitudes and practices related to pregnancy and birth in a population from the State of Mexico]. / Actividades y conductas sobre el embarazo y nacimiento en una poblacion del estado de Mexico

PIP: A project about attitudes and practices related to pregnancy and birth was presented by a team of doctors at the Gustavo Baz Hospital in the Municipality of Tlalnepantla and at the National Institute of Perinatology, both in Mexico. The objective of this study was to describe the concepts, the attitudes, and the practices concerning the reproductive process that women and their partners have, in order to use them as a basis for the elaboration of an educational program about reproduction, which will be applied at government Health Centers. 100 pregnant women attending these Health Centers, 1st level, Out-Patient, 2nd level, were selected; all these women had requested prenatal care. A questionaire was used, previously pilot tested, which consisted of 32 questions grouped in 7 areas; 1) General characteristics, 2) Background factors, 3) Reaction when pregnancy was known, 4) Participation of the male partner, 5) Preparation for the newborn, 6) Prenatal Control, and 7) Education about reproduction. The results showed a lack or little planning about the pregnancy preparation for the newborn, limited participation of the male partner, prenatal control initiated with more frequency in the 1st trimester of the pregnancy and a desire to receive information, principally about child care. 2 principal benefits will be derived from modifying the traditional behaviors that intervene in the health and reproduction of the couples studied: Greater responsibility and a positive attitude toward pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium, and child care on the part of the mother and her partner. A high rate of compliance in adhering to instructions from the team of health professionals, acceptance of therapeutic indications, and knowledge on the part of mother and partner will benefit the health of the mother and child diad. (author's)^ieng

[Electrocardiographic aspects of right ventricular repolarization in interauricular septal defect]. / Aspectos electrocardiográficos de la repolarización ventricular derecha en la comunicación interauricular.

In order to know the value of a peculiar right ventricular repolarization in the diagnosis of atrial septal defect. We studied-one hundred patients with main right bundle branch block and atrial septal defect confirmed by cardiac catheterization. The peculiar right ventricular repolarization consist in a straight and long S-T segment (longer than 160 msc) that form a 60 degrees or greater angle with the ascendent branch of the T wave. This electrocardiographic sign was found in 82 patients (sensitivity 82%). There were no differences between the age groups or the pulmonary pressure levels. In sixty five patients with main right bundle branch block without atrial septal defect, this peculiar right ventricular repolarization was investigated. It was found in fourteen cases (specificity 78.4%). Positive predictive value was 85.4%, negative predictive value 73.9% and diagnostic efficiency 80.6%. When the atrial septal defect was repaired (76 patients), the peculiar right ventricular repolarization disappeared in 87.7% of the cases (p less than 0.0001). It can be concluded that the peculiar right ventricular repolarization, in presence of main bundle branch block supports the diagnosis of atrial septal defect.