Characterisation of clays from Alicante province (SE Spain) for use in the recovery of degraded soils.

The goal of this paper is the characterisation of seven clays of the province of Alicante (SE Spain) and their possible use to improve the fertility, water absorption and contaminant-retaining capacity of degraded soils. Three soils affected by the dumping of construction debris were also studied to diagnose the problems and possible recovery strategies. Several physicochemical properties were measured, such as the water holding capacity, soil organic matter, lime, pH, EC and CEC. A high correlationship between mineralogical and elemental composition was obtained. Illite was present in all clays and soils. Some of the samples also contained kaolinite and significant amounts of lime. The CEC, as expected, was more closely related to the organic matter content. Soil organic matter was detected in the second derivative of the FTIR spectra by the signals of the CH2 groups at 2850 and 2919. This way, the FTIR spectrum for the soils of the area would make it possible to estimate both the organic matter content and the CEC. Despite their origin, soils did not show heavy metal pollution; however, salinisation risk seemed to be the most probable cause of degradation. According to the organic matter, lime and illite content, two clays were selected as the most suitable for soil degradation recovery. Furthermore, organic matter additions may help to improve the self-depurative ability of the soil.

Highly Adsorptive and Magneto-Inductive Guefoams (Multifunctional Guest-Containing Foams) For Enhanced Energy-Efficient Preconcentration and Management of VOCs.

The design of multifunctional materials is a current demand for high-end technological applications that need to combine different functions unable to be accomplished by a single material. The aim of this work is to present, at first glance, a new family of recently patented multifunctional porous materials developed by locating granular phases with specific functionality (guests) within the cavities of open-pore cellular materials (hosts) and, at second glance, the use of a set of these materials for the preconcentration and management of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These materials (herein known as Guefoams, acronym for Guest-containing foams), present host foams and guest phases that are not bonded and therefore allow fluids to pass through. The processing method is the gas pressure infiltration of a host precursor into preforms containing particulate guest phases covered by a NaCl martyr coating, which is later dissolved in water. The manuscript shows the manufacture and characterization of a specific set of Guefoams composed of aluminum foams that incorporate both steel particles and activated carbon particles as guest phases into the same material. These guest phases make the materials highly adsorbent and susceptible to rapid desorption by magnetic induction, two properties never achieved with traditional foams that transform these materials into perfect candidates for preconcentration and energy-efficient management of VOCs. The manuscript concludes with a discussion on advisible properties to consider when exploring the use of these materials in the mentioned applications.

Mineralogical Analysis of Historical Mortars by FTIR.

A method for quantitative mineralogical analysis by ATR-FTIR [1] has been used first time for analysis of historical mortars. Mixtures of different minerals and gypsum were used in order to measure the minimum band intensity that must be considered for calculations and the detection limit. In this way, the molar absorptivity coefficient in the Lambert⁻Beer law and the components of a mixture in mol percentage can be calculated. The GAMS equation modeling environment and the NLP solver CONOPT (©ARKI Consulting and Development) were used to correlate the experimental data in the samples considered. The characterization of the vernacular mortars by FTIR analysis identifies the predominant minerals of the samples, and in conjunction with XRF and XRD, shows the exact composition of historical mortars, which will optimize the restoration and conservation of monuments, preserving our heritage.

Arsenolite: a quasi-hydrostatic solid pressure-transmitting medium.

This study reports the experimental characterization of the hydrostatic properties of arsenolite (As4O6), a molecular solid which is one of the softest minerals in the absence of hydrogen bonding. The high compressibility of arsenolite and its stability up to 15 GPa have been proved by x-ray diffraction measurements, and the progressive loss of hydrostaticity with increasing pressure up to 20 GPa has been monitored by ruby photoluminescence. Arsenolite has been found to exhibit hydrostatic behavior up to 2.5 GPa and a quasi-hydrostatic behavior up to 10 GPa at room temperature. This result opens the way to explore other molecular solids as possible quasi-hydrostatic pressure-transmitting media. The validity of arsenolite as an insulating, stable, non-penetrating and quasi-hydrostatic medium is explored by the study of the x-ray diffraction of zeolite ITQ-29 at high pressure.

Structure of a novel 13 nm dodecahedral nanocage assembled from a redesigned bacterial microcompartment shell protein.

We report the crystal structure of a novel 60-subunit dodecahedral cage that results from self-assembly of a re-engineered version of a natural protein (PduA) from the Pdu microcompartment shell. Biophysical data illustrate the dependence of assembly on solution conditions, opening up new applications in microcompartment studies and nanotechnology.

Characterization of water dissolved organic matter under woody vegetation patches in semi-arid Mediterranean soils.

Woody patches in semiarid environments favor the establishment of other plants. Facilitation may be favored by an increase in soil fertility. Dissolved organic matter (DOM), is the most active fraction of soil organic matter and may contain compounds affecting plant establishment, as allelochemicals, hormone-like substances and metal carriers. However, information on DOM contents and composition in these environments is scarce. In this paper, we study the impact of woody patches on DOM in Stipa tenacissima L. steppes and discuss its implications for community dynamics. DOM under patch- and inter-patch areas, was analyzed for elemental composition, UV-Vis indices and organic acid content. Element concentration and composition in DOM, and organic acid concentration were similar in patch- and inter-patch areas. Yet, soils under patches were richer in DOC, aromatic species and organic acids (particularly fumaric acid) than soils in inter-patch areas. Dominant species affected organic matter concentration and quality in complex ways. Thus, patches dominated by Ephedra fragilis showed higher concentrations of TOC and aromatics than those dominated by other species. Rhamnus lycioides patches showed the highest accumulation of fumaric acid, which may contribute to its successful recruitment rate and expansion in the area. Our results show substantial differences in the amount and composition of DOM and specific compounds affecting soil functionality and plant dynamics. Further studies on the effects of such changes on seedling performance are needed to increase our understanding of plant-plant interactions in semiarid environments.

Eyelid myokymia in patients with migraine taking topiramate.

OBJECTIVE: Although ocular side effects of topiramate are common, neuroophthalmologic manifestations such as blepharospasm, myokymia and oculogyric crisis are scarcely reported. METHODS: We present a serie of 8 patients with migraine who developed eyelid myokymia after treatment with topiramate. We reviewed all patients with migraine treated with topiramate attending the headache outpatient clinic of our hospital from January 2008 to December 2012. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 140 patients with migraine were treated with topiramate in our headache clinic. Eight presented eyelid myokymia after beginning treatment with topiramate (5,7%). Topiramate was stopped and myokymia disappeared in all patients, it was prescribed again and eyelid myokymia reappeared with their previous characteristics in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Eyelid myokymia is an underreported side-effect of topiramate in patients with migraine, of unknown cause, so that in future, further studies are need to examine whether patients with migraine are predisposed or not to this adverse effect.

Migraine education brochures and patient-perceived satisfaction.

INTRODUCTION: Brochures are commonly used as educational tools in daily neurological practice. They are provided to increase the general population's knowledge of a specific disease and also to combat sources of erroneous information. Surveys are the most commonly used method of ascertaining user satisfaction with services received. OBJECTIVES: This study will assess patient-perceived satisfaction and provide feedback to measure the comprehensibility and overall utility of an educational brochure on migraine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Open prospective multicentre study of a group of patients diagnosed with migraine in neurology clinics in Alicante province. During the initial visit, each patient received a migraine brochure prepared by the Valencian Society of Neurology's study group for headaches (CEFALIC). During a follow-up visit, they were then asked to fill out a personal survey on the overall quality of the information in the brochure. RESULTS: We included a total of 257 patients diagnosed with migraine (83% episodic migraine; 17% chronic migraine); mean age was 37.6 years. Two hundred seven patients confirmed having read the brochure (80.5%); 50 patients (19.5%) either forgot to read it or had no interest in doing so. The brochure seemed interesting and easy to understand according to 90% of the patients. Seventy-six per cent of the respondents stated that reading the brochure increased their overall knowledge of migraine, while 50% of the patients found the brochure useful for improving migraine control. CONCLUSIONS: Patients found the migraine educational brochure to be comprehensible, a means of increasing overall knowledge of the disease, and useful for increasing control over migraines. Evaluations of the educational brochures that we provide to our patients with migraine should be studied to discover the causes of dissatisfaction, determine the level of quality of service, and investigate potential areas for improvement.

Red de cuidadores informales de los pacientes con demencia en la provincia de Alicante, descripción de sus características / Characteristics of informal caregivers of patients with dementia in Alicante province

Introducción: Los cuidadores informales garantizan el cuidado de los pacientes con demencia, prolongando la estancia en su domicilio. Objetivos: Describir las características de los pacientes con demencia de la provincia de Alicante, así como los perfiles y roles de los cuidadores implicados en su manejo. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio prospectivo multicéntrico realizado en 4 consultas de neurología de la provincia de Alicante (junio del 2009-enero del 2010). Inclusión consecutiva de familiares/cuidadores de pacientes con demencia. Analizamos: a) datos demográficos del paciente y cuidadores (edad/sexo, estado civil/laboral, estudios, parentesco); b) unidad de convivencia del paciente; c) motivación para el cuidado del cuidador principal (CP); d) roles del cuidador secundario (CS); e) nacionalidad del cuidador formal (CF) y origen remuneración (privada/institucional), y f) formación en demencias de los cuidadores. Resultados: Nuestros pacientes residen en su domicilio (74,8%). Principalmente, son mujeres (69%) con enfermedad de Alzheimer (78,4%) moderadamente grave (GDS 4-5, 71,6%). CP y CS son mujeres (72,1% vs 60,5%), de edad media, parentesco directo (hijo/a 64,3% vs 54,4%), nivel cultural bajo y amas de casa. Las primeras garantizan el cuidado por obligación moral (75%), las segundas se ocupan del ocio/estimulación del paciente (82,3%). Los grandes ausentes son los varones (73,3%), quienes residen lejos del familiar (52,4%). El CF es una mujer (91,7%), espa˜nola (81,8%) con remuneración privada. Conclusiones: La mujer es el elemento principal en la red de cuidadores de pacientes con demencia: como CP, de apoyo o CF (todos con escasa formación en demencias), siendo el varón el gran ausente. Conocer la estructura de cuidados de estos pacientes facilitará su manejo (AU)

Introduction: Informal caregivers provide care to dementia patients, and this service prolongs their stay at home. Objectives: To describe characteristics of dementia patients in the province of Alicante, as well as the profiles and roles of caregivers who assist them. Patients and methods: Multi-centre prospective study carried out in 4 neurology departments in Alicante (June 2009 to January 2010). Dementia patients’ relatives/caregivers were included in sequential order. The following variables were analysed: a) Demographic information pertaining to the patient and caregivers (age, sex, marital and employment status, educational level, relationship to patient); b) patient’s family unit; c) motivating factor for primary caregiver (PC); d) secondary caregiver (SC) roles; e) country of citizenship of formal caregiver (FC) and source of remuneration (private/public); f) caregivers’ knowledge of dementia. Results: Most of our patients live at home (74.8%), and are female (69%) with Alzheimer’s disease (78.4%) in a moderately severe stage (GDS level 4-5, 71.6%). PCs and SCs are mainly women (72.1% and 60.5% respectively), middle-aged and directly related to the patient (sons/daughters account for 64.3% of the PCs and 54.4% of the SCs); most are homemakers with a low educational level. Caregivers in the first category (PC) provide care due to moral obligation (75%), while those in the second (SC) involve patients in leisure or other stimulating activities (82.3%). Absent caregivers tend to be males (73.3%) residing long distances from the relative (52.4%). The FC tends to be female (91.7%), Spanish (81.8%) and privately remunerated. Conclusions: Women dominate the network of caregivers for dementia patients, whether as principal caregivers, supporting caregivers or formal caregivers (in all cases, they have only limited training in dementia management). Males are largely absent. Better knowledge of the care structure supporting dementia patients may be helpful in the overall management of these patients (AU)

Characteristics of informal caregivers of patients with dementia in Alicante province.

INTRODUCTION: Informal caregivers provide care to dementia patients, and this service prolongs their stay at home. OBJECTIVES: To describe characteristics of dementia patients in the province of Alicante, as well as the profiles and roles of caregivers who assist them. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Multi-centre prospective study carried out in 4 neurology departments in Alicante (June 2009 to January 2010). Dementia patients' relatives/caregivers were included in sequential order. The following variables were analysed: a) Demographic information pertaining to the patient and caregivers (age, sex, marital and employment status, educational level, relationship to patient); b) patient's family unit; c) motivating factor for primary caregiver (PC); d) secondary caregiver (SC) roles; e) country of citizenship of formal caregiver (FC) and source of remuneration (private/public); f) caregivers' knowledge of dementia. RESULTS: Most of our patients live at home (74.8%), and are female (69%) with Alzheimer's disease (78.4%) in a moderately severe stage (GDS level 4-5, 71.6%). PCs and SCs are mainly women (72.1% and 60.5% respectively), middle-aged and directly related to the patient (sons/daughters account for 64.3% of the PCs and 54.4% of the SCs); most are homemakers with a low educational level. Caregivers in the first category (PC) provide care due to moral obligation (75%), while those in the second (SC) involve patients in leisure or other stimulating activities (82.3%). Absent caregivers tend to be males (73.3%) residing long distances from the relative (52.4%). The FC tends to be female (91.7%), Spanish (81.8%) and privately remunerated. CONCLUSIONS: Women dominate the network of caregivers for dementia patients, whether as principal caregivers, supporting caregivers or formal caregivers (in all cases, they have only limited training in dementia management). Males are largely absent. Better knowledge of the care structure supporting dementia patients may be helpful in the overall management of these patients.

Cefalea menstrual: subtipos, fenotipos clínicos y tratamiento / Menstrual headache: subtypes, clinical phenotypes and treatment

Introducción. Más del 60% de las mujeres refieren presentar cefalea relacionada con el ciclo menstrual. Se ha incluido la ‘migraña menstrual’ en la segunda edición de la Clasificación Internacional de las Cefaleas; sin embargo, la ‘cefaleatensional durante la menstruación’ es una entidad no reconocida por la Sociedad Internacional de Cefaleas.Objetivos. Evaluar la prevalencia de los diferentes subtipos de cefalea menstrual y analizar sus características clínicas y eltratamiento prescrito.Pacientes y métodos. Evaluamos de forma prospectiva a todas las mujeres atendidas en varias consultas de neurología,desde enero a noviembre de 2008, cuya cefalea aparecía durante el período menstrual. Resultados. Se incluyeron un total de 108 pacientes durante el período del estudio, con una edad media de 34,8 ± 8,9 años. El 29,3% presentaba migraña menstrual pura, el 58,7% migraña menstrual relacionada con la menstruación, el 4,5% cefalea tensional pura durante la menstruación y el 7,5% cefalea tensional relacionada con la menstruación. Conclusiones. Nuestros resultados sugieren que la cefalea tensional en el contexto de la menstruación existe, con unaprevalencia en torno al 12% en las pacientes valoradas en nuestras consultas (AU)

Introduction. Up to 60% of women relate their episodes of headache to menstrual cycle. Menstrual migraine has been included in the second edition of the International Classification of Headache disorders. Menstrual tension-type headache has not yet been recognised by the International Headache Society. Aims. To evaluate the prevalence of different subtypes of menstrual headache and to analyze their clinical features and the treatment prescribed. Patients and methods. We prospectively included women attending several neurology outpatient clinics, from January toNovember 2008 whose headache appeared during the menstrual period. Results. A total of 108 patients were included during the study period. Mean age was 34.8 ± 8.9 years-old. 29.3% sufferedfrom pure menstrual migraine, 58.7% from menstrual related migraine, 4.5% from pure menstrual tension-type headacheand 7.5% from menstrual related tension type headache.Conclusions. Our data suggest that menstrual related tension-type headaches exist with a prevalence found about 12%, inour neurology outpatient clinics

Carcinosarcoma ovárico. A propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura médica / Carcinosarcoma of the ovary. Apropos of a case and review of the literature

El carcinosarcoma ovárico, también conocido como tumor maligno mixto mesodérmico o tumor mülleriano, es el menos frecuente y el más complejo de tratar. Representa del uno al 4% de todos los tumores ováricos. No hay muchos estudios aleatorizados al respecto, así como tampoco grandes ensayos clínicos. Su tratamiento se basa en publicaciones de casos, estudio de series retrospectivas o extrapolaicones del tratamiento aplicado en otras tumoraciones con un proceso patológico similar en otras localizaciones. A continuación se presenta un caso clínico que los autores de este artículo diagnosticaron y trataron, y que esperan pueda contribuir a ampliar la experiencia en este tipo de tumores (AU)

Carcinosarcoma of the ovary, also known as malignant mixed mesodermal or Müllerian tumors, are the least frequent and most complex ovarian neoplasms to treat. These tumors account for 1–4% of all ovarian masses. There are few randomized studies or large clinical trials. Therefore, management is based on case reports, series of retrospective studies, or extrapolations from neoplasms with similar characteristics in other locations. We present a case of carcinosarcoma of the ovary diagnosed and treated in our department with a view to increasing the experience reported with this type of tumor (AU)

Prognostic irrelevance of HLA-G in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

In the last few years, it has been suggested that the involvement of human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) in several tumoral processes and its likely participation as a factor of immune tolerance in malignant cells. Recently, positive HLA-G surface expression has been associated with a poor prognosis in a small group of patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), a lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by a heterogeneous clinical course. In the present work, 169 patients suffering from B-CLL were analyzed for the expression of HLA-G by flow cytometry in order to verify its prognostic value in a larger cohort. We observed a low expression of this molecule on leukemic B cells and no significant relation to clinical data or progression-free survival time, indicating that this molecule is not as good immunologic prognostic marker for B-CLL as suggested.

[Pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome: a well-defined clinical condition with a heterogeneous immunological profile]. / Variante faringocervicobraquial del síndrome de Guillain-Barré: una entidad clínica bien definida con un perfil inmunológico heterogéneo.

INTRODUCTION: The pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is rare. This variant has its own specific clinical aspects but a heterogeneous immunological profile. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old male who presented progressive symptoms of dysphagia, dysphonia and weakness hindering movement of the upper limbs. Two weeks earlier, the patient had presented acute self-limiting diarrhoea. He displayed predominantly right-side bilateral peripheral facial paresis, and paresis of the 9th and 12th cranial nerves and upper limbs (proximal 0/5, distal 1/5), although strength in the lower limbs was not compromised; sensitivity was preserved and deep tendon reflexes were diminished (0 in the upper limbs and + in the lower extremities). At 24 hours after admission, he suffered severe respiratory distress and had to be moved to the Intensive Care Unit with invasive mechanical ventilation. An electronystagmography/electromyogram study revealed severe demyelinating damage that predominantly involved the brain, but also included a small axonal component. The most striking immunological finding was the presence of positive IgG anti-GQ1b, IgM anti-GMI and IgM anti-asialo GM1 titres. CONCLUSIONS: The pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant is a clinical condition with its own clinical characteristics and well-established diagnostic criteria that allow it to be distinguished from the other variants of GBS. Our case highlights the wide clinical spectrum of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies and the important degree of heterogeneity that exists as regards the immunological parameters.

Variante faringocervicobraquial del síndrome de Guillain-Barré: una entidad clínica bien definida con un perfil inmunológico heterogéneo / Pharyngel-cervical-brachial variant of guillain-barre syndrome: A well-defined clinical condition with a heterogeneous immunological profile

Introducción. Una variante poco frecuente del síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB) es la faringocervicobraquial. Dicha variante posee aspectos clínicos específicos, pero un perfil inmunológico heterogéneo. Caso clínico. Varón de 38 años de edad que presentó cuadro progresivo de disfagia, disfonía y debilidad para movilizar las extremidades superiores. Dos semanas antes, presentó un cuadro diarreico autolimitado. Mostraba paresia facial periférica bilateral de predominio derecho, y paresia de los IX y XII pares craneales y de miembros superiores (proximal 0/5, distal 1/5), sin afectación de la fuerza en miembros inferiores, sensibilidad conservada y reflejos osteotendinosos disminuidos (0 en miembros superiores y + en inferiores). A las 24 horas de ingreso sufrió deterioro respiratorio grave, que requirió traslado a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivoscon ventilación mecánica invasiva. La electronis-tagmografía/electromiograma mostró un grave daño desmielinizante de predominio cefálico y cierto componente axonal. Inmunológicamente destacó la presencia de títulos positivos de IgG anti-GQ1b, IgM anti-GM1 e IgM anti-asialo GM1. Conclusiones. La variante faringocervicobraquial es una entidad clínica con características clínicas propias y criterios diagnósticos establecidos que permiten distinguirla de las otras variantes del SGB. Nuestro caso pone de relieve el amplio espectro clínico de las polirradiculoneuropatías desmielinizantes inflamatorias agudas y la gran heterogeneidad existente respecto a parámetros inmunológicos

Introduction. The pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is rare. This variant has its own specific clinical aspects but a heterogeneous immunological profile. Case report. A 38-year-old male who presented progressive symptoms of dysphagia, dysphonia and weakness hindering movement of the upper limbs. Two weeks earlier, the patient had presented acute self-limiting diarrhoea. He displayed predominantly right-side bilateral peripheral facial paresis, and paresis of the 9th and 12th cranial nerves and upper limbs (proximal 0/5, distal 1/5), although strength in the lower limbs was not compromised; sensitivity was preserved and deep tendon reflexes were diminished (0 in the upper limbs and + in thelower extremities). At 24 hours after admission, he suffered severe respiratory distress and had to be moved to the Intensive Care Unit with invasive mechanical ventilation. An electronystagmography/electromyogram study revealed severe demyelinating damage that predominantly involved the brain, but also included a small axonal component. The most striking immunologicalfinding was the presence of positive IgG anti-GQ1b, IgM anti-GMI and IgM anti-asialo GM1 titres. Conclusions. Thepharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant is a clinical condition with its own clinical characteristics and well-established diagnostic criteria that allow it to be distinguished from the other variants of GBS. Our case highlights the wide clinical spectrum of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies and the important degree of heterogeneity that existsas regards the immunological parameters

[Massive cerebral infarction secondary to apoplexy due to pituitary adenoma]. / Infarto cerebral masivo secundario a apoplejía de un adenoma hipofisario.

INTRODUCTION: Pituitary apoplexy is a rare clinical entity. It is a rare cause of stroke, whose pathogenic mechanism has not been fully understood. Compression in intracavernous carotid artery and vasospastic mechanism have been described. It may initially begin as a meningeal syndrome, in which neuroimaging techniques may be fundamental, above all resonance magnetic imaging for a correct diagnosis of the disease and its complications. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 23 year-old male who suffered a massive stroke due to bilateral carotid compression in its intracavernous portion due to apoplexy of a previously unknown pituitary tumor. The diffusion sequences and acute angioresonance of the circle of Willis are presented. CONCLUSIONS: This is a rare entity with controversial management. An exhaustive review of cases and series of patients with pituitary apoplexy related stroke is also presented.

[Passive smoking as a cerebrovascular risk factor]. / El fumador pasivo como factor de riesgo cerebrovascular.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries today. Smoking is a risk factor that is associated with arteriosclerotic disease. AIM: To evaluate the risk of having a stroke associated to both active and passive smoking in a case-control study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case-control study was conducted which included 151 stroke patients who were admitted to hospital in the Neurology Service at the Hospital General Universitario in Alicante over a 12-month period. The control group (302) was obtained from patients who visited the emergency department at the hospital with no history of strokes and who reported clinical signs and symptoms that were not compatible with a stroke. The cases and controls were paired according to age and sex, including two controls of the same sex and whose ages were within a year of that of each case which was obtained. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 70.6 years (range: 59-81 years). Males predominated in the sample (57.6%). Stroke patients had a significantly higher percentage of hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, heart disease and dyslipidemia than the control group. The most frequently affected vascular territory was the carotid (33.8%). The most frequent presenting symptom of the stroke was motor syndrome together with language disorders (39.4%). The risk of suffering a stroke associated to active smoking was 1.40 (CI 95% = 0.91-2.15) and in the case of passive smoking it was 1.45 (CI 95% = 0.82-2.58). CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest there is a relevant association between environmental exposure to tobacco smoke and increased vascular risk (which confirms other results that have been published in the literature) and stress how important it is for non-smokers to find smoke-free zones.

El fumador pasivo como factor de riesgo cerebrovascular / Passive smoking as a cerebrovascular risk factor

El ictus es actualmente una de las principales causas de morbimortalidad en los países desarrollados.El tabaco es un factor de riesgo que está relacionado con la enfermedad arterioesclerótica. Objetivo. Valorar el riesgo de presentación de ictus asociado al tabaquismo tanto activo como pasivo en un estudio de casos y controles. Pacientes y métodos.Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles en el que se incluyó a 151 pacientes con ictus que fueron ingresados en el Servicio de Neurología del Hospital General Universitario de Alicante durante un período de 12 meses. El grupo control (302 sujetos) se obtuvo de pacientes que acudieron a urgencias del hospital sin antecedentes de ictus y que referían una clínica no compatible con un ictus. Los casos y controles se aparearon por edad y sexo, incluyendo dos controles del mismo sexo y ± un año que cada caso obtenido. Resultados. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 70,6 años (rango: 59-81 años). El 57,6% correspondíaa varones. Los pacientes con ictus tenían de forma significativa un porcentaje mayor de hipertensión, arteriopatía periférica, cardiopatía y dislipemia que el grupo control. El territorio vascular más afectado fue el carotídeo (33,8%). La clínica de presentación más frecuente del ictus fue el síndrome motor junto con alteración del lenguaje, con un 39,4%. El riesgode ictus asociado al tabaquismo activo fue de 1,40 (IC 95% = 0,91-2,15) y al tabaquismo pasivo fue de 1,45 (IC 95% = 0,82-2,58). Conclusión. Los datos obtenidos en este estudio sugieren una asociación relevante entre la exposición ambiental al tabaco y un aumento del riesgo vascular, confirmando otros trabajos publicados, y recalcan la importancia de que los no fumadoresencuentren espacios libres de humo

Introduction. Stroke is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries today. Smoking is a risk factor that is associated with arteriosclerotic disease. Aim. To evaluate the risk of having a stroke associated to both active and passive smoking in a case-control study. Patients and methods. A case-control study was conducted which included151 stroke patients who were admitted to hospital in the Neurology Service at the Hospital General Universitario in Alicante over a 12-month period. The control group (302) was obtained from patients who visited the emergency department at the hospital with no history of strokes and who reported clinical signs and symptoms that were not compatible with a stroke. Thecases and controls were paired according to age and sex, including two controls of the same sex and whose ages were within a year of that of each case which was obtained. Results. The mean age of the patients was 70.6 years (range: 59-81 years).Males predominated in the sample (57.6%). Stroke patients had a significantly higher percentage of hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, heart disease and dyslipidemia than the control group. The most frequently affected vascular territory wasthe carotid (33.8%). The most frequent presenting symptom of the stroke was motor syndrome together with language disorders (39.4%). The risk of suffering a stroke associated to active smoking was 1.40 (CI 95% = 0.91-2.15) and in the case of passive smoking it was 1.45 (CI 95% = 0.82-2.58). Conclusions. The findings from this study suggest there is a relevantassociation between environmental exposure to tobacco smoke and increased vascular risk (which confirms other results that have been published in the literature) and stress how important it is for non-smokers to find smoke-free zones

Accidente Cerebrovascular