Modelling of the UV Index on vertical and 40° tilted planes for different orientations.

In this study, estimated data of the UV Index on vertical planes are presented for the latitude of Valencia, Spain. For that purpose, the UVER values have been generated on vertical planes by means of four different geometrical models a) isotropic, b) Perez, c) Gueymard, d) Muneer, based on values of the global horizontal UVER and the diffuse horizontal UVER, measured experimentally. The UVER values, obtained by any model, overestimate the experimental values for all orientations, with the exception of the Perez model for the East plane. The results show statistical values of the MAD parameter (Mean Absolute Deviation) between 10% and 25%, the Perez model being the one that obtained a lower MAD for all levels. As for the statistic RMSD parameter (Root Mean Square Deviation), the results show values between 17% and 32%, and again the Perez model provides the best results in all vertical planes. The difference between the estimated UV Index and the experimental UV Index, for vertical and 40° tilted planes, was also calculated. 40° is an angle close to the latitude of Burjassot, Valencia, (39.5°), which, according to various studies, is the optimum angle to capture maximum radiation on tilted planes. We conclude that the models provide a good estimate of the UV Index, as they coincide or differ in one unit compared to the experimental values in 99% of cases, and this is valid for all orientations. Finally, we examined the relation between the UV Index on vertical and 40° tilted planes, both the experimental and estimated by the Perez model, and the experimental UV Index on a horizontal plane at 12 GMT. Based on the results, we can conclude that it is possible to estimate with a good approximation the UV Index on vertical and 40° tilted planes in different directions on the basis of the experimental horizontal UVI value, thus justifying the interest of this study.

UV Index on tilted surfaces.

Solar ultraviolet erythemal irradiance (UVER) has been studied on inclined planes with different orientations in Valencia, Spain. To do this a platform was designed that could turn through 90 degrees on its own axis. The radiometers were inclined at an angle close to the latitude of Valencia (39.5 degrees N). Using two timers the platform could be turned through 90 degrees every 5 min. On clear or partially cloudy days, including those with different turbidity values, it was observed that the UVER showed a maximum at 1200 h GMT, very close to solar noon, in the north and south positions, while the maximum for east and west orientations was found at approximately one hour before and one hour after midday respectively. It was also observed how the irradiance for the south orientation was greater and for the north was less than for the horizontal plane, as well as the opposite performances of the east and west orientations, for four days close to the summer and winter solstices and each equinox. Some experimental results were also compared with the results from the SMARTS2.9 model for the same conditions. It was found that the model frequently overestimated the experimental data. With respect to the maximum calculated UV Index in the different planes this was always higher for the south orientation than for the north, while it was similar for east and west orientations throughout the year. Finally the accumulated erythemal dosage for the considered period was obtained as a function of phototype and orientation, confirming that the accumulated erythemal dosage decreased by around 37% in the north orientation compared to the horizontal value, while in the south position it was only 6% less and some 20% and 15% less in the east and west positions, respectively.

The UV Index on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.

An analysis is made of measured ultraviolet erythemal solar radiation (UVER) data recorded during the year 2003 by the networks of the Catalan Weather Service and the Environment Department of Valencia (both on the Spanish Mediterranean coast). Results show a latitudinal variation at sea level, of 3-4% per degree and an increase with altitude of 10% per km. Based on these data the UV Index has been evaluated for the measuring stations. The maximum experimental value of the UV Index was around 9 during the summer, although higher values were recorded at two stations, one at the highest elevation and the other at the lowest latitude. The annual accumulated doses of irradiation on a horizontal plane have been presented as well as the evolution through the year in units of energy, Standard Erythemal Doses and Minimum Erythemal Doses according to different phototypes. Lastly, the UV Index forecast, determined with a multiple scattering radiative transfer model, has been analyzed. Total agreement or only one unit of difference between measured and modelled values was found in 94% of cloud-free cases.

[An analysis of hospital bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients undergoing selective intestinal decontamination]. / Análisis de las infecciones bacterianas intrahospitalarias en pacientes cirróticos sometidos a descontaminación intestinal selectiva.

Cirrhotic patients with ascites and low levels of ascitic fluid C3 and total protein and cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage are at high risk of infection. Selective intestinal decontamination with oral norfloxacin is useful to decrease the incidence of infections in cirrhotic patients at high risk. This study analyzes hospital acquired bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients with ascites and low levels of total protein in ascitic fluid (n = 53) and cirrhotic patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage (n = 26), both submitted to selective intestinal decontamination with norfloxacin during the hospitalization. Seven patients developed eight infections (8.8%): three patients with ascites and low levels of total protein in ascitic fluid and four patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage (5.6% vs 15.3%, pNS). Gram negative bacilli were not isolated in any case, but Gram positive cocci were isolated in seven cases. These results suggest that Gram positive cocci must be empirically covered when infection is suspected in cirrhotic patients submitted to selective intestinal decontamination. The analysis of antibiograms in these infections showed a high sensitivity of Gram positive cocci to amoxycillin and clavulanic acid, which could be used as empirical treatment when infection is suspected in these patients.

Comparison of seven commercial DNA extraction kits for the recovery of Brucella DNA from spiked human serum samples using real-time PCR.

We compared the relative recovery of extraction of bacterial DNA from serum using seven commercial kits (UltraClean DNA BloodSpin Kit, Puregene DNA Purification System, Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit, High Pure PCR Template Preparation Kit, GFX Genomic Blood DNA Purification Kit, NucleoSpin Tissue Kit, and QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit). Human serum samples were spiked with known concentrations of Brucella melitensis Rev 1; the DNA was extracted and tested in genus-specific LightCycler polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The UltraClean DNA BloodSpin Kit proved to be as sensitive as the QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit isolation method and could detect down to 100 fg of DNA, though only the former had no contamination. All the other procedures yielded DNA isolation results that were less sensitive and were always contaminated. Our results show that the UltraClean DNA Blood Spin Kit was the commercially available assay tested that yielded the best sensitivity, purity, and lack of contamination for Brucella DNA isolation from serum.

[Degree of public awareness regarding intensive care units (ICUs) and intensive care physicians in Castilla y León]. / Nivel de conocimiento sobre las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) y los médicos intensivistas entre los ciudadanos de Castilla y León.

AIM: To determine degree of public awareness regarding the activities and health care professionals that comprise intensive care units (ICUs) in the autonomous community of Castilla y León. DESIGN: Questionaire in the form of a true-false test dealing with a) description of an ICU; b) description of ICU patients, and c) degrees and qualifications held by ICU physicians. LOCATION: Waiting rooms of outpatient clinics and ICUs of 9 hospitals in Castilla y León. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: During the period from 1 October 2003 to 29 February 2004, there were surveyed a group of those persons accompanying outpatients arriving for appointments (OP, n = 2,293), and a group comprised of relatives of ICU patients (ICU, n = 727) upon discharge from the ICU. RESULTS: The average age of those subjects surveyed was 45.6 years old. 62.1% were women and 52.8% had received education through secondary level or higher. Of the 1,354 analyzed OP questionnaires, 27.7%, 25.5% and 48.4% responded correctly to questions A, B and C, respectively. Of the 284 analyzed ICU questionnaires, 38.6%, 41.0%, and 63.5% responded correctly to questions A, B and C, respectively. Differences between results from the two surveyed groups were statistically significant, and the best results from the ICU group were found among those subjects whose family members had remained in ICU for 2 days or more. CONCLUSIONS: In the described scope, of the citizens of Castilla y León, 27.7% know as it is a ICU, 25.5% know what type of patients usually is entered there, and 48.4% recognize their doctors like ICU specialists specifically. These knowledge improve significantly after having some relative entered in ICU for more than 2 days.

The effect of chromium on the hemoglobin concentration of Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri (Oligochaeta: Tubificidae).

The purpose of this study was to determine the toxic effects of polluted sediments, mainly chromium, the El Niagara reservoir (Aguascalientes, Mexico) on a benthic oligochaete species. Acute toxicity tests with hexavalent chromium in an artificial sediment-water system resulted in 24-, 48-, and 96-h LC50 values of 49.53, 22.81, and 5.11 mg available chromium/kg dry sediment, respectivley, in Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri. The uptake of chromium by tubificids from artificial and polluted reservoir sediments was found to increase with metal concentration in sediments and exposure time. The increase was higher in experiments with artificial sediment. Cr concentration in worms was related to hemoglobin content, which decreased significantly when Cr concentrations were above 1.0 microg/g dry weight. Bioavailable chromium in the El Niágara reservoir sediments may be an important factor limiting the benthic species in this ecosystem.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of ebrotidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study.

Ebrotidine (N-[(E)-[[2-[[[2-[(diaminomethylene)amino]-4 -thiazoly]methyl]thio]ethyl]amino]methylene]-4-bromo-benzenesulfon amide, CAS 100981-43-9, FI-3542) is a new H2-receptor antagonist characterized by its high receptor affinity and gastroprotective effect. This Phase II study has been undertaken to establish the efficacy and safety of ebrotidine, administered in four dosages as a single evening dose versus placebo in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. A total of 110 duodenal ulcer patients were studied in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre clinical trial. The patients were assigned to 5 groups: placebo, 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg of ebrotidine once daily. Controls were performed at baseline and every two weeks at four follow-up visits unless ulcer healed before. Endoscopic examination was the main parameter for the assessment of treatment efficacy and ulcer healing rate. Vital signs and blood/ urine analysis were used to establish safety. The three groups treated with higher dosages (400 to 800 mg of ebrotidine daily) showed an endoscopic ulcer healing rate of 90-95%, significantly higher than 55% achieved with placebo (p < 0.05), whilst the differences between these three dosages of ebrotidine were not statistically significant. Healing rate in the group treated with 200 mg of ebrotidine daily was not significantly different from that in the placebo group. The development of symptoms, number of episodes of ulcer-related pain, total ulcerated surface area or subjective ratings by the patients and investigators also differed significantly between ebrotidine (400, 600 and 800 mg daily) and placebo, and again, no marked differences were found between these three doses of ebrotidine. As far as tolerance is concerned, no clinically or statistically significant changes were observed in vital signs and analytical parameters. The incidence of side effects was less than that presented by the placebo group, possibly due to a greater consumption of antacids in this group. Results showed that a daily dose of 400 mg ebrotidine is effective and safe in the treatment of duodenal ulcers.

Selective intestinal decontamination increases serum and ascitic fluid C3 levels in cirrhosis.

Selective intestinal decontamination for 7 days with norfloxacin was performed in 14 cirrhotic patients with ascites and low ascitic fluid total protein. Variations in serum and ascitic fluid of C3 and C4 and ascitic fluid total protein after therapy were compared with those of a control group of 14 untreated patients with similar characteristics. After oral norfloxacin administration, we saw a significant increase of C3 in serum (p less than 0.05) and ascitic fluid (p = 0.01). A significant increase was also observed in ascitic fluid total protein (p less than 0.05) but not in serum and ascitic fluid C4. There were no changes in serum C3, ascitic fluid C3, ascitic fluid C4 or in ascitic fluid total protein in group 2. These data demonstrate that selective intestinal decontamination increases serum and ascitic fluid C3 levels and, therefore, might be useful in preventing spontaneous infections in cirrhotic patients at high risk of infection.

Nivel de conocimiento sobre las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) y los médicos intensivistas entre los ciudadanos de Castilla y León / Degree of public awareness regarding Intensive Care Units (ICU) and intensive care physicians in Castilla y León

Objetivo. Determinar el nivel de conocimiento que los ciudadanos de Castilla y León tienen sobre las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI), su actividad y sus profesionales. Diseño. Encuesta de tipo test con respuestas falsas y verdaderas ante las siguientes preguntas: a) ¿cómo es una UCI?; b) ¿qué tipo de pacientes suelen ingresar en la UCI?, y c) ¿qué titulación tienen sus médicos? Ámbito. Las salas de espera de las consultas externas (CCEE) y de las UCI de 9 hospitales de Castilla-León. Personas y métodos. Del 1 de octubre de 2003 al 29 de febrero de 2004, fueron encuestados los acompañantes de los enfermos citados en las CCEE (grupo CCEE, n = 2.293) y los familiares de los enfermos ingresados en la UCI (grupo UCI, n = 727) en el momento del alta de la UCI. Resultados. Los encuestados tenían una edad media de 45,6 años, un 62,1% eran mujeres y un 52,8% tenían estudios medios o superiores. De las 1.354 encuestas analizadas del grupo CCEE, la tasa de respuesta correcta fue del 27,7% a la pregunta A, del 25,5% a la pregunta B y del 48,4% a la pregunta C. De las 284 encuestas analizadas del grupo UCI, la tasa de respuesta correcta fue del 38,6% para la pregunta A, del 41,0% para la pregunta B y del 63,5% para la pregunta C. Las diferencias entre ambos grupos de encuestados fueron estadísticamente significativas, y el mejor nivel de conocimiento del grupo UCI se observó entre los familiares de los pacientes ingresados en la UCI durante dos o más días. Conclusiones. En el ámbito descrito, de los ciudadanos de Castilla y León, el 27,7% conoce cómo es una UCI, el 25,5% sabe qué tipo de pacientes se suelen ingresar en ella y el 48,4% reconoce a sus médicos como especialistas específicamente de UCI. Estos conocimientos mejoran significativamente tras tener algún familiar ingresado en la UCI durante más de 2 días

Aim. To determine degree of public awareness regarding the activities and health care professionals that comprise intensive care units (ICUs) in the autonomous community of Castilla y León. Design. Questionaire in the form of a true-false test dealing with a) description of an ICU; b) description of ICU patients, and c) degrees and qualifications held by ICU physicians. Location. Waiting rooms of outpatient clinics and ICUs of 9 hospitals in Castilla y León. Subjects and methods. During the period from 1 October 2003 to 29 February 2004, there were surveyed a group of those persons accompanying outpatients arriving for appointments (OP, n = 2,293), and a group comprised of relatives of ICU patients (ICU, n = 727) upon discharge from the ICU. Results. The average age of those subjects surveyed was 45.6 years old. 62.1% were women and 52.8% had received education through secondary level or higher. Of the 1,354 analyzed OP questionnaires, 27.7%, 25.5% and 48.4% responded correctly to questions A, B and C, respectively. Of the 284 analyzed ICU questionnaires, 38.6%, 41.0%, and 63.5% responded correctly to questions A, B and C, respectively. Differences between results from the two surveyed groups were statistically significant, and the best results from the ICU group were found among those subjects whose family members had remained in ICU for 2 days or more. Conclusions. In the described scope, of the citizens of Castilla y León, 27.7% know as it is a ICU, 25.5% know what type of patients usually is entered there, and 48.4% recognize their doctors like ICU specialists specifically. These knowledge improve significantly after having some relative entered in ICU for more than 2 days