Go Green in Neuroradiology: towards reducing the environmental impact of its practice.

Raising public awareness about the relevance of supporting sustainable practices is required owing to the phenomena of global warming caused by the rising production of greenhouse gases. The healthcare sector generates a relevant proportion of the total carbon emissions in developed countries, and radiology is estimated to be a major contributor to this carbon footprint. Neuroradiology markedly contributes to this negative environmental effect, as this radiological subspecialty generates a high proportion of diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures, the majority of them requiring high energy-intensive equipment. Therefore, neuroradiologists and neuroradiological departments are especially responsible for implementing decisions and initiatives able to reduce the unfavourable environmental effects of their activities, by focusing on four strategic pillars-reducing energy, water, and helium use; properly recycling and/or disposing of waste and residues (including contrast media); encouraging environmentally friendly behaviour; and reducing the effects of ionizing radiation on the environment. The purpose of this article is to alert neuroradiologists about their environmental responsibilities and to analyse the most productive strategic axes, goals, and lines of action that contribute to reducing the environmental impact associated with their professional activities.

Synthesis and Characterization of Multilayered CrAlN/Al2O3 Tandem Coating Using HiPIMS for Solar Selective Applications at High Temperature.

The effect of applying a negative bias during deposition of a previously designed multilayer solar selective absorber coating was studied on two types of substrates (316L stainless steel and Inconel 625). The solar selective coating is composed of different chromium aluminum nitride layers deposited using a combination of radiofrequency (RF), direct current (DC), and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) technologies. The chemical composition is varied to generate an infrared reflective/absorber layer (with low Al addition and N vacancies) and two CrAlN intermediate layers with medium and high aluminum content (Al/Cr = 0.6 and 1.2). A top aluminum oxide layer (Al2O3) is deposited as an antireflective layer. In this work, a simultaneous DC-pulsed bias (-100 V, 250 kHz) was applied to the substrates in order to increase the film density. The optical performance, thermal stability, and oxidation resistance was evaluated and compared with the performance obtained with similar unbiased coating and a commercial Pyromark paint reference at 600, 700, and 800 °C. The coating remained stable after 200 h of annealing at 600 °C, with solar absorptance (α) values of 93% and 92% for samples deposited on stainless steel and Inconel, respectively, and a thermal emittance ε25°C of 18%. The introduction of additional ion bombardment during film growth through bias assistance resulted in increased durability, thermal stability, and working temperature limits compared with unbiased coatings. The solar-to-mechanical energy conversion efficiency at 800 °C was found to be up to 2 times higher than Pyromark at C = 100 and comparable at C = 1000.

Valores del perímetro abdominal e índice cintura-cadera en pacientes con hipertensión arterial / Values of abdominal perimeter and waist-hip ratio in patients with hypertension i: en

Introducción: La hipertensión arterial constituye un problema de salud pública en casi todo el mundo. Entre los factores de riesgo vinculados a ella se destaca la acumulación de grasa, que puede, a su vez, establecer los riesgos, las comorbilidades y la mortalidad asociados a esta entidad nosológica. Objetivo: Determinar las variaciones de los valores del perímetro abdominal y el índice cintura-cadera en pacientes con hipertensión arterial, según variables epidemiológicas y clínicas seleccionadas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y transversal de 221 pacientes con hipertensión arterial, pertenecientes al Consultorio 19 del Policlínico Docente Josué País García del municipio de Santiago de Cuba, desde junio del 2019 hasta diciembre del 2020. Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino y el grupo etario de 65-74 años (28,5 %). Los indicadores antropométricos perímetro abdominal e índice cintura-cadera tuvieron valores que superaron los parámetros normales establecidos para ambos sexos. El cálculo del perímetro abdominal reveló un predominio de la obesidad en el sexo femenino, en tanto se clasificó como aumentado en el sexo masculino. Conclusiones: Los valores del índice cintura-cadera y del perímetro abdominal en ambos sexos estuvieron por encima de los clasificados por la Organización Mundial de la Salud como de alto riesgo de presentar la enfermedad.

Introduction: Hypertension constitutes a problem of public health in almost all over the world. Among the risk factors associated with it, the accumulation of fat is notable, which can, in turn, establish risks and determine comorbidities and mortality associated with this nosological entity. Objective: To determine the variations in the values of the abdominal perimeter and waist-hip ratio in patients with hypertension, according to selected epidemiological and clinical variables. Methods: A descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional study was carried out on 221 patients with hypertension, belonging to doctor's office 19 of Josué País García Teaching Polyclinic in Santiago de Cuba municipality, from June, 2019 to December, 2020. Results: There was a prevalence of the female sex and the 65-74 age group (28.5%). The anthropometric indicators, abdominal perimeter and waist-hip ratio, had values that exceeded the established normal parameters for both sexes. The calculation of the abdominal perimeter revealed a predominance of obesity in the female sex, while it was classified as increased in the male sex. Conclusions: The values of the waist-hip ratio and abdominal perimeter exceeded those classified by the World Health Organization as high risk of presenting the disease in both sexes.

Molecular Modeling of Double Retrograde Vaporization Using Monte Carlo Simulations and Equations of State.

Vapor-liquid equilibria of binary systems consisting of a low-boiling (i.e., more volatile) and a high-boiling compound may exhibit unexpected behavior near the critical point of the low-boiling compound. Near the critical temperature of the low-boiling compound and for compositions rich in the low-boiling compound, increasing the pressure may result in multiple crossings of the dew- and bubble-point curves. This phenomenon is often called double retrograde vaporization (or condensation) and may play a role in oil field operations and gas transport through pipelines, but the microscopic driving forces for the unusual shape of the dew-point curve are not well understood. Monte Carlo simulations in the constant-pressure, constant-temperature Gibbs ensemble using the united-atom version of the TraPPE force field were carried out for the methane/n-butane mixture at temperatures ranging from 0.95 to 1.05 of the reduced (T/Tc) temperature of methane. The simulations predict a wealth of additional thermodynamic data (densities and free energies of transfer) and structural data that are used to provide much needed molecular-level insights into the fluid properties associated with double retrograde vaporization. Simulated thermodynamic data are also compared with calculations using the Peng-Robinson and PC-SAFT equations of state.

Comparing workload and performance during demanding push force and mental tasks.

BACKGROUND: The effects of performing occupational tasks that demand physical and mental efforts in combined and simultaneous approaches are unknown, especially when pushing force is analyzed as a physical effort and solving arithmetic problems as a mental effort. OBJECTIVE: In this study, physical and mental demands were simulated in a lab environment to assess the workload. METHODS: Using a push force dynamometer, the maximum push force strength of each participant was recorded, and the physical demand was simulated exerting the push force in low, medium, and high levels. Mental demands were simulated solving arithmetic tasks in low, medium, and high levels. Two experimental conditions were defined: (1) task with combined physical and mental workload (performing physical demands first and mental demands after) and (2) task in a simultaneous way (performing both demands at the same time. NASA-TLX Traditional and RAW were applied to assess the workload. RESULTS: The time to complete the tasks was significantly longer in the combined than the simultaneous approach, and performance was significantly higher in the combined than the simultaneous tasks. CONCLUSION: The combined approach obtained better results than simultaneous and Traditional NASA-TLX presented a significantly higher level of global workload index than RAW.

A Highly Stable and Sustainable Low-Temperature Selective Absorber: Structural and Ageing Characterisation.

Solar absorbers in a three-layer configuration have been prepared by dip-coating onto aluminium substrates. They are constituted by two spinel layers with one silica layer on the top and values of solar absorptance above 0.950 and thermal emittance below 0.04 were obtained. The effects of using different sintering conditions of the upper silica layer on the optical behaviour and durability tests have been studied. Results obtained in accelerated ageing methods, such as thermal stability tests and condensation tests, clearly show that the proposed selective absorber exhibits excellent thermal stability and very good humidity resistance. The results show that the protective action is due not only to the silica layer but also to the alumina layer produced during the absorber preparation. The phase composition of the individual layers was independently confirmed using X-ray diffraction and corroborated by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Spinel-like phases were obtained in both the first and second layers. The ageing study shows that the three-layer configuration proposed has a very high potential, in terms of both durability and optical behaviour, for solar thermal low-temperature applications.

Directional Response of Randomly Dispersed Carbon Nanotube Strain Sensors.

Tests on a double lap bonded joint, with transverse strips of randomly oriented carbon nanotubes (CNT) sprayed onto an epoxy adhesive film, showed a positive increment in electrical resistance under tensile load, even though the transverse strains were negative. Other experiments included in this work involved placing longitudinal and transversal CNT sensors in a tensile loaded aluminum plate, and, as reported by other authors, the results confirm that the resistance change is not only dependent on the strains oriented with the electrode line, while the other strain components also influence the response. This behavior is quite different to that of conventional strain gages which have a near zero sensitivity to strains not aligned to the sensor direction. The dependence of the electrical response on all the strain components makes it quite difficult, possibly unfeasible, to experimentally determine the individual strain components with this kind of sensors; however, the manufacturing of aligned CNT sensors could deal with this issue.

Synthesis and Characterization of Inulin-Based Responsive Polyurethanes for Breast Cancer Applications.

In this study, new polyurethanes (PUs) were prepared by using inulin and polycaprolactone as polyols. Their structure and morphology were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman dispersive spectroscopy, Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whereas their mechanical properties were evaluated by a universal testing machine. Additionally, their water uptake, swelling behavior, and degradation were evaluated to be used as drug delivery carriers. Therefore, an anti-cancer drug was loaded to these PUs with 25% of loading efficiency and its release behavior was studied using different theoretical models to unveil its mechanism. Finally, the ability of the new PUs to be used as a clip marker in breast biopsy was evaluated. The results clearly demonstrate that these PUs are safe and can be used as intelligent drug release matrices for targeted drug delivery and exhibits positive results to be used for clip marker and in general for breast cancer applications.

Author Correction: Design of amidobenzimidazole STING receptor agonists with systemic activity.

Change history: In this Letter, author Ana Puhl was inadvertently omitted; this error has been corrected online.An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Rationale and design of the PHYSICALFAV trial: a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of preoperative isometric exercise on vascular calibre and maturation of autologous arteriovenous fistulas.

BACKGROUND: A good vascular access (VA) is vital for haemodialysis (HD) patients. HD with an autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is associated with higher survival, lower health care costs and fewer complications. Although a distal forearm AVF is the best option, not all patients are good candidates for this approach and the primary failure rate ranges from 20% to 50%. The optimal AVF depends mainly on the anatomical and haemodynamic characteristics of the artery and the vein chosen for the anastomosis. These characteristics can be modified by performing physical exercise. VA guidelines suggest that isometric exercises should be performed both before and after the AVF is created. While the literature contains few data on the potential efficacy of preoperative exercise, small observational studies point to an improvement in venous and arterial calibre. Postoperative exercise also seems to improve maturation, although there is no consensus on the appropriate exercise protocol. METHODS: The PHYSICALFAV trial (NCT03213756) is an open-label, multicentre, prospective, controlled, randomized trial designed to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative isometric exercise (PIE) in pre-dialysis patients or in prevalent HD patients who are candidates for a new AVF. Patients are randomized 1:1 to the PIE group (isometric exercises for 8 weeks) or the control group (no exercise). The main endpoint is whether the rate of primary failure is lower in the PIE group than in the control group. RESULTS: The trial has already started, with 40 patients having been enrolled as of 21 March 2018; 26.5% of the estimated sample.

Design of amidobenzimidazole STING receptor agonists with systemic activity.

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a receptor in the endoplasmic reticulum that propagates innate immune sensing of cytosolic pathogen-derived and self DNA1. The development of compounds that modulate STING has recently been the focus of intense research for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases and as vaccine adjuvants2. To our knowledge, current efforts are focused on the development of modified cyclic dinucleotides that mimic the endogenous STING ligand cGAMP; these have progressed into clinical trials in patients with solid accessible tumours amenable to intratumoral delivery3. Here we report the discovery of a small molecule STING agonist that is not a cyclic dinucleotide and is systemically efficacious for treating tumours in mice. We developed a linking strategy to synergize the effect of two symmetry-related amidobenzimidazole (ABZI)-based compounds to create linked ABZIs (diABZIs) with enhanced binding to STING and cellular function. Intravenous administration of a diABZI STING agonist to immunocompetent mice with established syngeneic colon tumours elicited strong anti-tumour activity, with complete and lasting regression of tumours. Our findings represent a milestone in the rapidly growing field of immune-modifying cancer therapies.

Bamboo-Polylactic Acid (PLA) Composite Material for Structural Applications.

Developing an eco-friendly industry based on green materials, sustainable technologies, and optimum processes with low environmental impact is a general societal goal, but this remains a considerable challenge to achieve. Despite the large number of research on green structural composites, limited investigation into the most appropriate manufacturing methodology to develop a structural material at industrial level has taken place. Laboratory panels have been manufactured with different natural fibers but the methodologies and values obtained could not be extrapolated at industrial level. Bamboo industry panels have increased in the secondary structural sector such as building application, flooring and sport device, because it is one of the cheapest raw materials. At industrial level, the panels are manufactured with only the inner and intermediate region of the bamboo culm. However, it has been found that the mechanical properties of the external shells of bamboo culm are much better than the average cross-sectional properties. Thin strips of bamboo (1.5 mm thick and 1500 mm long) were machined and arranged with the desired lay-up and shape to obtain laminates with specific properties better than those of conventional E-Glass/Epoxy laminates in terms of both strength and stiffness. The strips of bamboo were bonded together by a natural thermoplastic polylactic acid (PLA) matrix to meet biodegradability requirements. The innovative mechanical extraction process developed in this study can extract natural strip reinforcements with high performance, low cost, and high rate, with no negative environmental impact, as no chemical treatments are used. The process can be performed at the industrial level. Furthermore, in order to validate the structural applications of the composite, the mechanical properties were analyzed under ageing conditions. This material could satisfy the requirements for adequate mechanical properties and life cycle costs at industrial sectors such as energy or automotive.

Analysis of spatial mobility in subjects from a Dengue endemic urban locality in Morelos State, Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: Mathematical models and field data suggest that human mobility is an important driver for Dengue virus transmission. Nonetheless little is known on this matter due the lack of instruments for precise mobility quantification and study design difficulties. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a cohort-nested, case-control study with 126 individuals (42 cases, 42 intradomestic controls and 42 population controls) with the goal of describing human mobility patterns of recently Dengue virus-infected subjects, and comparing them with those of non-infected subjects living in an urban endemic locality. Mobility was quantified using a GPS-data logger registering waypoints at 60-second intervals for a minimum of 15 natural days. RESULTS: Although absolute displacement was highly biased towards the intradomestic and peridomestic areas, occasional displacements exceeding a 100-Km radius from the center of the studied locality were recorded for all three study groups and individual displacements were recorded traveling across six states from central Mexico. Additionally, cases had a larger number of visits out of the municipality´s administrative limits when compared to intradomestic controls (cases: 10.4 versus intradomestic controls: 2.9, p = 0.0282). We were able to identify extradomestic places within and out of the locality that were independently visited by apparently non-related infected subjects, consistent with houses, working and leisure places. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study show that human mobility in a small urban setting exceeded that considered by local health authority's administrative limits, and was different between recently infected and non-infected subjects living in the same household. These observations provide important insights about the role that human mobility may have in Dengue virus transmission and persistence across endemic geographic areas that need to be taken into account when planning preventive and control measures. Finally, these results are a valuable reference when setting the parameters for future mathematical modeling studies.

Absence of antibodies specific to Besnoitia spp. in European sheep and goats from areas in Spain where bovine besnoitiosis is endemic.

Besnoitia besnoiti and B. caprae, which infect bovids (cattle and antelopes) and goats, respectively, are responsible for besnoitiosis, a chronic and debilitating disease. Bovine besnoitiosis is considered to be a reemerging disease in Central and Western Europe. In addition, infection by Besnoitia spp. has been reported in reindeer from Sweden and Finland. Recently, the parasite was also detected in roe deer and red deer from Spain, where an interconnection between the domestic and sylvatic cycles of B. besnoiti has been presumed. In contrast, caprine besnoitiosis seems to be enzootic to Kenya and Iran. The presence of Besnoitia spp. in small domestic ruminants has never been explored in Europe, and the role that these species might play in the epidemiology of bovine besnoitiosis, as intermediate hosts or reservoirs of B. besnoiti, remains unknown. Herein, the first serosurvey conducted in European sheep and goats from areas in Spain where bovine besnoitiosis is endemic is described. Convenience sampling was conducted of 1943 sheep and 342 goats close to cattle from the Pyrenees and Central Spain that were infected with endemic Besnoitia spp. Serum samples were first analyzed by ELISA and then by confirmatory Western blot. Specific antibodies were not found in any sampled animal. Thus, sheep are unlikely to play a role in the epidemiology of bovine besnoitiosis, at least in the sampled areas. A larger serosurvey is necessary to determine whether goats might be a putative reservoir. To confirm the results of this study, sheep and goats should be further studied in other European countries and regions where their numbers are high and where bovine besnoitiosis is spreading.

Análisis multivariable de la composición química de aceite esencial dehojas de Melaleuca quinquenervia que crece en Cuba / Multivariate analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oil from leaves of Melaleuca quinquenervia growing in Cuba

El aceite esencial de Melaleuca quinquenervia de la Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba, obtenido a escala piloto con un rendimiento promedio de 0,8%, presentó una densidad relativa y un índice de refracción promedios de 0,9253g/mL y 1,4827 respectivamente. La determinación de su composición química por cromatografía de gases acoplada a espectrometría de masas permitió identificar 42 compuestos, de los cuales 26 se sometieron al Análisis por Componentes Principales y al Análisis por Conglomerados. Dichos análisis permitieron la separación de las muestras en dos grupos con diferencias significativas (p<0,05) entre los contenidos promedios de sus principales constituyentes. A partir de dichos análisis se estableció la presencia de dos quimiotipos diferentes: uno con elevados contenidos de viridiflorol (33,8 por ciento), seguido por el 1,8-cineol (21,8 por ciento), y otro quimiotipo del tipo 1,8-cineol (30,0 por ciento) con un contenido relativamente elevado de viridiflorol (24,6 por ciento). Ambos quimiotipos presentaron concentraciones similares de los monoterpenos limoneno y αlfa-pineno.

The essential oil of Melaleuca quinquenervia from Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba, obtained at pilot scale with average yield of 0.8%, showed average relative density and refraction index of 0.9253g/mL and 1.4827 respectively. It ́s chemical composition determination by gas chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry allow identifying 42 compounds, 26 of which were submitted to Principal Components Analysis and to Conglomerates Analysis. Such analyses allowed the separation of the samples into two groups with significant differences (p<0.05) between the average contents of its main components. From such analyses, it was established the presence of two different chemotypes: one with high contents of viridiflorol (33.8 percent), followed by 1,8-cineol (21.8 percent), and another chemotype rich in 1,8-cineol (30,0 percent) with a relatively high content in viridiflorol (24.6 percent). Both chemotypes showed similar concentrations of limonene and αlfa-pinene monoterpenes.

Perfil del cuidador principal y su relación con el cuidado del personal de enfermería / Main caregiver profile and its relation with the nursery staff services

Resumen:

Introducción: los cuidados proporcionados por personas ajenas al equipo de salud suelen pasar desapercibidos; sin embargo, no se puede negar que su ayuda es muchas veces insustituible y sus actividades van más allá de proporcionar afecto al enfermo hospitalizado.

Objetivo: determinar el perfil del cuidador principal y su relación con el cuidado que el personal de enfermería ofrece a pacientes hospitalizados de un hospital general de Manzanillo, Colima. Metodología: se realizó un estudio correlacional, prospectivo y transversal. La muestra estuvo constituida por 117 sujetos. Se utilizó una adaptación validada del instrumento de Aurora Quero Rufián, el cual se aplicó mediante entrevista al cuidador principal, teniendo previamente identificadas las 15 necesidades de cuidado del paciente hospitalizado.

Resultados: el promedio de edad del cuidador fue de 39.08 años (DE ± 13.22 años); 86.3 % eran mujeres. En cuanto a la escolaridad, prevaleció la educación primaria y secundaria con 70.9 %. En el 67.5 % de los casos, el cuidador vivía con el paciente, y 30.8 % era esposo(a) o pareja. Respecto al paciente, 53.8 % eran hombres y 50.4 % se encontraba hospitalizado en Medicina Interna; en la evaluación de 15 necesidades de cuidado, los cuidadores (65 %) consideraron que las tareas propias del cuidado debían ser realizadas por ellos; el resto refirió que debían efectuarlas el personal de enfermería. Conclusiones: se aprecia el deslinde de responsabilidad de enfermería hacia el cuidador, quien deberá ser entrenado al alta del paciente para evitar recaídas o complicaciones; no se debe olvidar que el responsable de otorgar los cuidados durante la estancia hospitalaria debe ser el equipo de enfermería.

Abstract:

Introduction: The care provided by persons not belonging to the health team goes unnoticed; however, it cannot be denied that help given by these people is often irreplaceable and their activities go beyond providing endearment to the hospitalized patient.

Objective: To determine the primary caregiver's profile and its relationship with the care provided by nurses to the inpatients of a general hospital in Manzanillo, Colima, México. Methodology: A correlational, prospective and cross-sectional study was performed. The sample consisted of 117 subjects. We validated and used an adapted instrument, based on the proposed by Aurora Quero Rufián. This instrument was applied through direct interview to the primary caregiver. In order to do this, we previously identified 15 care needs of the inpatient. Results: The average age was 39.08 years (SD ± 13.22 years); 86.3 % were females. About schooling, primary and secondary education prevailed with 70.9 %. In 67.5 % of the cases, the caregiver lived with the patient, and 30.8 % was spouse or partner. Regarding the patient, 53.8 % were men and 50.4 % were inpatients in Internal Medicine service. When the assessment of the 15 care needs was done, 65 % of the caregivers considered that the tasks had to be carried out by them; the remaining 35 % referred that those tasks should be made by the nursing staff.

Conclusions: The boundaries of responsibility between the nursing staff and the caregiver are clearly set out, despite the caregivers should be trained to the inpatient discharge in order to prevent relapse or complications. We must not forget that the responsible to provide cares during hospitalization should be the nursing staff.

Outcomes of the use of fully covered esophageal self-expandable stent in the management of colorectal anastomotic strictures and leaks.

Introduction. Colorectal anastomotic leak or stricture is a dreaded complication leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The novel use of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) in the management of postoperative colorectal anastomotic leaks or strictures can avoid surgical reintervention. Methods. Retrospective study with particular attention to the indications, operative or postoperative complications, and clinical outcomes of SEMS placement for patients with either a colorectal anastomotic stricture or leak. Results. Eight patients had SEMS (WallFlex stent) for the management of postoperative colorectal anastomotic leak or stricture. Five had a colorectal anastomotic stricture and 3 had a colorectal anastomotic leak. Complete resolution of the anastomotic stricture or leak was achieved in all patients. Three had recurrence of the anastomotic stricture on 3-month flexible sigmoidoscopy follow-up after the initial stent was removed. Two of these patients had a stricture that was technically too difficult to place another stent. Stent migration was noted in 2 patients, one at day 3 and the other at day 14 after stent placement that required a larger 23 mm stent to be placed. Conclusions. The use of SEMS in the management of colorectal anastomotic leaks or strictures is feasible and is associated with high technical and clinical success rate.

Analgesia acupuntural para la regulación menstrual en pacientes atendidas en el Policlínico Universitario "Josué País García" / Acupuncture analgesia for menstrual regulation in patients attended in "Josué País García" University Polyclinic

Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 60 pacientes, atendidas en la consulta de regulación menstrual del Policlínico Universitario "Josué País García" de Santiago de Cuba, desde abril hasta junio del 2009, con vistas a evaluar los resultados de la analgesia acupuntural empleada para tratar a estas féminas. Entre las variables analizadas figuraron: edad, escolaridad, ocupación, intensidad del dolor percibido, complicaciones y grado de satisfacción. Para resumir la información se emplearon las frecuencias absolutas y relativas (porcentaje). En la serie predominaron el grupo etario de 15-19 años, el nivel escolar preuniversitario, las estudiantes, el sangrado como la complicación más frecuente y el dolor moderado como el de mayor intensidad. Asimismo, prevaleció el tratamiento efectivo y existió una adecuada satisfacción por parte de las pacientes en cuanto al uso de la citada técnica.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in 60 patients attended in the menstrual regulation department of "Josué País García" University Polyclinic of Santiago de Cuba, from April to June 2009, with the purpose of evaluating the results of acupuncture analgesia used to treat these females. Among the analyzed variables were age, education, occupation, severity of perceived pain, complications and satisfaction. To summarize the information the absolute and relative frequencies were used (percentage). The age group of 15-19 years, high school level, students, and bleeding as the most frequent complication and moderate pain as that of more severity predominated in the case material. Also, the effective treatment prevailed and there was an adequate satisfaction of the patients in the use of that technique.

[Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency in the population over 65 years: a descriptive study]. / El déficit de vitamina B12 y ácido fólico en la población mayor de 65 años: estudio descriptivo.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency in the population of 65 years and over in semi-urban and rural area, as well as investigating the risk factors, and the determining factors of this deficiency in this population and its relationship with the prevalence of concomitant cardiovascular and cognitive diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectrionall study conducted in the Geriatrics Outpatients in the period between 2008 and 2010. Demographic, clinical and laboratory were collected at 3 different times.A bivariate analysis was performed with lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid, as the outcome variables. RESULTS: Vitamin B12 defieciency was found in 16.5% of the sample, and no folic acid deficiency. A strong association was found with vitamin B12 deficiency and cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases, vascular risk factors and drugs administered in prevention of cardiac events and ischaemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in the elderly population in the catchment area of Medina del Campo compared to that found in the literature, but not so with the isolated deficiency of folic acid.

Analytical modeling for the bending resonant frequency of multilayered microresonators with variable cross-section.

Multilayered microresonators commonly use sensitive coating or piezoelectric layers for detection of mass and gas. Most of these microresonators have a variable cross-section that complicates the prediction of their fundamental resonant frequency (generally of the bending mode) through conventional analytical models. In this paper, we present an analytical model to estimate the first resonant frequency and deflection curve of single-clamped multilayered microresonators with variable cross-section. The analytical model is obtained using the Rayleigh and Macaulay methods, as well as the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. Our model is applied to two multilayered microresonators with piezoelectric excitation reported in the literature. Both microresonators are composed by layers of seven different materials. The results of our analytical model agree very well with those obtained from finite element models (FEMs) and experimental data. Our analytical model can be used to determine the suitable dimensions of the microresonator's layers in order to obtain a microresonator that operates at a resonant frequency necessary for a particular application.