Detection of markers of cardiovascular and renal risk in Cuba: Isle of Youth Study (ISYS).

UNLABELLED: Chronic vascular diseases constitute a growing global health problem. OBJECTIVES: To (a) determine marker positivity for renovascular damage in the total adult population of the Isle of Youth, Cuba; (b) describe marker association with common risk factors for renal and related chronic vascular conditions, and (c) identify best predictors of renovascular damage. METHODS: Previous informed consent was obtained, the population studied was 55,646, and subjects were aged ≥20 years. Blood pressure, weight and height were measured and a questionnaire applied. Urine markers for renovascular damage (hematuria, proteinuria and microalbuminuria) were also determined. RESULTS: Positive markers were detected in 21.3%: hematuria (12.6%), microalbuminuria (6.8%), proteinuria (0.9%), and proteinuria + hematuria (0.9%). Risk factors were highly prevalent: 15.1% were aged ≥60 years; 32.3% overweight, 13.9% obese, and 25.1% smokers. Prevalence of high blood pressure (30%), diabetes mellitus (5.4%) and cardiovascular disease (5%) was also high, while cerebrovascular disease registered 0.9%. Markers were more prevalent in older people and in those suffering from diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, overweight or obesity. Risk factor regression tree analysis identified hypertension as the best predictor of renovascular damage. CONCLUSIONS: Adult population-wide screening revealed hidden morbidity and permitted better risk stratification. Results serve to inform community-based multidisciplinary and intersectoral disease prevention and management.

Green liquor dregs effect on Kraft mill secondary sludge composting.

Increased Kraft pulp mill production generates increased solid wastes. In response, composting has emerged as an interesting alternative for disposal of these solid wastes. A central composite factor design was used to investigate the influence of incubation conditions (dregs addition and operation time) on chemical and biological parameters, determining the best in-vessel conditions in order to develop a correct composting design. Dregs helped reduce the pH drop that occurs at the beginning of the process. Biological activities presented high values during the active phase, followed by a decrease with stable final values along with N-NH(4)(+) and N-NO(3)(-) trend, which were indicative of mature compost. Dregs addition had not significant effect on the biological activities during composting of Kraft mill sludge. However, moderate amounts of dregs (between 5% and 8%) at operation time of 60-70 days would be the best compromise.

[Intracranial trigeminal schwannoma with extension to infratemporal fossa, parapharyngeal space, orbit, maxillary sinus and nasal fossa]. / Schwannoma trigeminal intracraneal con extensión a la fosa infratemporal, espacio parafaríngeo, órbita, seno maxilar y fosa nasal. A propósito de un caso.

Schwannomas reach 8 to 10% of all intracranial tumors. Most originate at the vestibular root of VIII cranial nerve, but trigeminal tumors are infrequent. We present the case of a patient admitted at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Manuel Velasco Suárez" (Mexico City) with a mass occupying the infratemporal fossa with involvement of nearby structures. Schwannomas with extension to the infratemporal fossa are rare. We review the anatomy of this region, the surgical approaches, which have been used and propose a different approach.

[Colon and rectum ameboma. Clinico-pathological experience with 3 patients]. / Ameboma de colón y recto. Experiencia clínico-patológica en tres pacientes.

Amebas are an uncommon complication of amebic colitis. The specific medical treatment rely on the suspicion and a secure diagnosis that permits to the patient, a better clinical course.