Projected changes in clear-sky erythemal and vitamin D effective UV doses for Europe over the period 2006 to 2100.

The benefits and the harmful effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure have been well discussed. Most studies show concern for the solar overexposure in the tropics and low latitude sites and its scarcity at higher latitudes. Both cases are of concern, the first for diseases such as skin cancer and the second for the lack of vitamin D production in the skin. In this study, we evaluate the influence of climate change scenarios on the total ozone content (TOC) and typical aerosol properties, such as the optical depth (AOD) and single scattering albedo (SSA), over Europe. From these parameters, we estimate the erythemal and the vitamin D effective UVR doses from 2006 to 2100. Our results indicate a small reduction of the UVR daily doses caused by the ozone layer recovery and partially compensated by an AOD diminution through this century. The attenuation will be larger at high latitudes, during the springtime and for more polluted scenarios during this century. However, this diminution should not be sufficient to provide a protection condition for erythema. On the other hand, at higher latitudes, it possibly contributes to a relevant increase in the exposure time necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D, mainly during autumn and spring seasons.

Comparison between UV index measurements performed by research-grade and consumer-products instruments.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, skin cancer and other related diseases are not just subjects of scientific literature. Nowadays, these themes are also discussed on television, newspapers and magazines for the general public. Consequently, the interest in prevention of sun overexposure is increasing, as the knowledge of photoprotection methods and UVR levels. The ultraviolet index (UVI) is a well-known tool recommended by the World Health Organization to avoid harmful effects of UV sunlight. UVI forecasts are provided by many national meteorological services, but local UVI measurements can provide a more realistic and appropriate evaluation of UVR levels. Indeed, as scientific instruments are very expensive and difficult to manipulate, several manufacturers and retail shops offer cheap and simple non-scientific instruments for UVI measurements, sometimes included in objects of everyday life, such as watches, outfits and hand-held instruments. In this work, we compare measurements provided by several commercial non-scientific instruments with data provided by a Bentham spectrometer, a very accurate sensor used for UV measurements. Results show that only a few of the instruments analyzed provide trustworthy UVI measurements.

Colgajo frontal total para cobertura de trauma facial severo a propósito de un caso clínico / Total front flap for severe facial trauma coverage of a case report

Los traumas faciales severos con perdida importante de tejidos blandos constituye un gran reto para el cirujano plástico actual, la cobertura cutánea y la devolución de la función facial no siempre son satisfactorios. El tiempo prolongado de hospitalización, las cirugías repetidas y asociadas aumentan la morbilidad complicando aun más la resolución del mismo. En nuestro paciente donde hubo perdida total de la hemicara derecha con exposición ósea, (malar, rama horizontal y ascendente de mandíbula encías y dientes) lesión del nervio facial y mitad derecha del labio superior e inferior; se eligió cubrir el defecto con un colgajo fasciocutaneo frontal total dependiente de la arteria frontal rama de la temporal superficial; en dos tiempos quirúrgicos (retardo) logrando un resultado aceptable dada la complejidad del caso.