Assessing soil erosion in a semiarid ecosystem in Central Argentina using 137Cs and 7Be measurements.

Argentina is a Latin American country which encounters soil degradation problems. The most productive regions have implemented conservative land practices (no-till). However, agricultural frontier has been displaced to marginal lands with arid and semiarid climates, with the consequent disappearance in many areas of native forest and land degradation. In this work, the fallout of gamma-emitting radionuclides, 137Cs and 7Be, was jointly used to assess changes in soil erosion in a recently converted semiarid ecosystem into agricultural land. 137Cs was utilized to estimate the erosion over the past 60 years, whereas 7Be was employed to estimate the erosion after the conversion of the area to cultivated land and soil tillage. For 137Cs the Proportional Model (PM), the Mass Balance Model II (MBMII) and the MODERN model were used, for 7Be the Profile Distribution Model (PDM) and the MODERN model were used. 137Cs indicates mean erosional rates of 8.2, 10.5 and 6.5 Mg ha-1 a-1, using MBMII, PM and MODERN, respectively, and that a soil layer between 0.5 and 0.8 mm was annually lost by erosion. By applying a 7Be tracer, we measured erosion rates of 2.4 and 3.3 Mg ha-1 (with PDM and Modern, respectively), indicating the loss of the upper 0.2 mm of soil. This erosion can be attributed to a few heavy rainfalls that occurred within the past 90 days. The results suggest that current land management practices have led to an increase in soil erosion. This could be attributed to the fact that the soil remains bare after crop harvest, which may compromise its conservation and future productivity.

Caracterización de pacientes con dolor lumbar crónico tratados con bloqueo epidural transforaminal / Characterization of patients with chronic low back pain treated with transforaminal epidural block

Introducción: Mediante el presente estudio se realizará la caracterización clínica y demográfica de pacientes con lumbalgia crónica intervenidos con inyección epidural transforaminal de esteroides (bloqueo) en un hospital de cuarto nivel de complejidad. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico retrospectivo de temporalidad longitudinal en el que se incluyeron 85 pacientes adultos con lumbalgia crónica intervenidos con bloqueo transforaminal desde el 1 de enero de 2020 al 31 de marzo de 2021. Resultados: 53 adultos (62,4%) eran mujeres y 32 (37,6) eran hombres. En promedio, la edad de estos individuos fue de 54+/- 14 an ̃os. En 37 casos (43,5%) se realizó de forma bilateral y 42 individuos (49,4%) requirieron este tipo de bloqueo en tres niveles lumbares. La media de síntomas relacionados fue de 24,37+/- 23,5 meses. Como etiología desencadenante, 33 individuos (38,8%) tenían enfermedad degenerativa del disco, 25 (29,4%) por espondiloartrosis, 16 (18,8%) por espondilolistesis. En relación al dolor lumbar subjetivo se registró una disminución de -4,1 ± 3,4 (CV = 82,1%) (p = 0,00). Discusión: La inyección epidural transforaminal de esteroides en pacientes con lumbalgia crónica es un procedimiento seguro y mínimamente invasivo, que durante el período de tiempo estudiado no presentó complicaciones ni hospitalización posterior. La mayoría de la población intervenida corresponde a mujeres entre 35 y 55 an ̃os. Se observó una disminución de la lumbalgia subjetiva después de un mes de realizar este procedimiento. Nivel de evidencia: Estudio analítico retrospectivo de temporalidad longitudinal. Nivel III

Introduction: Through this study, the clinical and demographic characterization of patients with chronic low back pain who underwent transforaminal epidural injection of steroids (block) will be carried out in a fourth level of complexity hospital. Materials and methods: A retrospective analytical study of longitudinal temporality was carried out in which 85 adult patients with chronic low back pain who underwent transforaminal block surgery were included from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. Results: 53 adults (62.4%) were women and 32 (37.6) were men. On average, the age of these individuals was 54+/- 14 years. In 37 cases (43.5%) it was performed bilaterally and 42 individuals (49.4%) required this type of block at three lumbar levels. The mean number of related symptoms was 24.37+/- 23.5 months. As a triggering etiology, 33 individuals (38.8%) had degenerative disc disease, 25 (29.4%) due to spondyloarthrosis, 16 (18.8%) due to spondylolisthesis. In relation to subjective low back pain, a decrease of -4.1 ± 3.4 (CV = 82.1%) was recorded (p = 0.00). Discussion: Transforaminal epidural injection of steroids in patients with chronic low back pain is a safe and minimally invasive procedure, which during the period of time studied did not present complications or subsequent hospitalization. The majority of the operated population corresponds to women between 35 and 55 years old. A decrease in subjective low back pain was observed after one month of performing this procedure. Level of evidence: Retrospective analytical study of longitudinal temporality. Level III

Complicaciones quirúrgicas del abordaje endoscópico endonasal transesfenoidal en macroadenomas hipofisarios no funcionantes: estudio de centro único.

ANTECEDENTES: Los abordajes quirúrgicos de la región selar han sido un reto para los neurocirujanos. Con la introducción de la técnica endoscópica se ha minimizado el trauma quirúrgico, pero esta técnica no se encuentra exenta de complicaciones. OBJETIVO: Describir nuestra experiencia institucional en pacientes sometidos a resección de macroadenomas hipofisarios por vía microquirúrgica endonasal transesfenoidal asistida por endoscopia con énfasis en las complicaciones resultantes. MÉTODO: Revisamos los expedientes electrónicos de 17 pacientes sometidos a dicho procedimiento de manera consecutiva entre 2017 y 2018, y recabamos variables como edad, sexo, clasificación imagenológica, tiempo de diagnóstico al momento de la cirugía, complicaciones posoperatorias y recurrencia. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 45.23 años y el 70.59% eran mujeres. Radiológicamente predominó el grado 2 Knosp (47.05%). La complicación principal fue diabetes insípida transitoria (23.52%), seguida por la fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo (11.76%). CONCLUSIONES: El manejo microquirúrgico asistido por endoscopia ha demostrado ser un recurso valioso para tratar macroadenomas hipofisarios, pero presenta grados variables de complicaciones, por lo cual se requiere la adquisición de habilidades para el uso del endoscopio, la planeación preoperatoria adecuada y el manejo conjunto multidisciplinario con el fin de evitarlas. BACKGROUND: Surgical approaches to the sellar region have been a challenge for the neurosurgeon. With the introduction of the endoscopic technique, surgical trauma has been minimized, however it is not free of complications. OBJECTIVE: To describe our institutional experience in patients undergoing resection of pituitary macroadenomas by endoscopic-assisted microsurgical approach, with emphasis on the resulting complications. METHOD: We reviewed the electronic files of 17 patients who underwent this procedure consecutively between 2017 and 2018, collecting variables such as age, sex, imaging classification, time of diagnosis at the time of surgery, postoperative complications and recurrence. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 45.23 years, with 70.59% women. Radiologically, grade 2 Knosp predominated (47.05%). The main complication was transient diabetes insipidus (23.52%) followed by cerebrospinal fluid fistula (11.76%). CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic-assisted microsurgical approach has proven to be a valuable resource for treating pituitary macroadenomas, however it presents variable degrees of complications, which requires the acquisition of skills for the use of the endoscope, adequate preoperative planning, and multidisciplinary joint management in order to avoid them.

Temporal Attenuation of Gamma Dose Rate in Air Due to Radiocesium Downward Mobility in Soil.

ABSTRACT: The Chernobyl and Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accidents have demonstrated that radiocesium deposited on the ground was one of most important pathway contributions to the air dose rate. Cesium-134 contributes more significantly in the first period of 2-3 y. However, 137Cs external exposure may remain relevant for decades. The contribution to the air dose rate attributable to these radionuclides is maximum at the deposition time and then usually decreases over time. The dose rate temporal reduction is a consequence of both the radionuclide physical decay and the radionuclide downward mobility in soil. In this investigation, this decreasing behavior of the air dose rate is approached using an empirical attenuation function, and its coefficients are computed in terms of the effective diffusion coefficient and downward migration rates of radiocesium in soil. The methodology is tested for different hypothetical scenarios and in real situations, including areas affected by the two major accidents at nuclear power plants.

Exploring innovative techniques for identifying geochemical elements as fingerprints of sediment sources in an agricultural catchment of Argentina affected by soil erosion.

Identification of hot spots of land degradation is strongly related with the selection of soil tracers for sediment pathways. This research proposes the complementary and integrated application of two analytical techniques to select the most suitable fingerprint tracers for identifying the main sources of sediments in an agricultural catchment located in Central Argentina with erosive loess soils. Diffuse reflectance Fourier transformed in the mid-infrared range (DRIFT-MIR) spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) were used for a suitable fingerprint selection. For using DRIFT-MIR spectroscopy as fingerprinting technique, calibration through quantitative parameters is needed to link and correlate DRIFT-MIR spectra with soil tracers. EDXRF was used in this context for determining the concentrations of geochemical elements in soil samples. The selected tracers were confirmed using two artificial mixtures composed of known proportions of soil collected in different sites with distinctive soil uses. These fingerprint elements were used as parameters to build a predictive model with the whole set of DRIFT-MIR spectra. Fingerprint elements such as phosphorus, iron, calcium, barium, and titanium were identified for obtaining a suitable reconstruction of the source proportions in the artificial mixtures. Mid-infrared spectra produced successful prediction models (R2 = 0.91) for Fe content and moderate useful prediction (R2 = 0.72) for Ti content. For Ca, P, and Ba, the R2 were 0.44, 0.58, and 0.59 respectively.

La Salud Pública en el Ecuador de la Revolución Ciudadana / Public Health in Ecuador of the Citizen Revolution

En estos últimos años de gobierno la salud ha sido un importante pendón de la gestión del gobierno de la Revolución Ciudadana. Se destaca el enorme crecimiento de la red de atención en salud, con el incremento de hospitales y centros de salud, muchos de estos equipados con importante tecnología, la inclusión en la atención médica a importantes sectores sociales, el crecimiento significativo del personal de salud y la adopción del Modelo Atención Integral de Salud Familia y Comunitario (MAISFC). A pesar de ello, los indicadores de salud NO mejoraron, y los principales problemas de morbi-mortalidad NO fueron solucionados. Se observó un deterioro de las condiciones laborales de los trabajadores de salud, y un rompimiento de las relaciones entre los actores públicos y privados de la salud pública. (AU)

Abstract:in these last years of government, healthcare has been an important symbol of the management of the government of the Revolución Ciudadana. The enormous growth of the health care network stands out, with the increase of hospitals and health centers, many of them equipped with important technology, the inclusion in medical attention to other important social sectors, the significant growth of health personnel and the adoption of the Integral Family and Community Health Care Model (MAISFC). Despite this, the health indicators did NOT improve, and the main morbidity and mortality problems were NOT solved. There was a deterioration in the working conditions of health workers, and a breakdown in relations between public and private public health actors. (AU)

[Clinical competence measurement in Mexican resident physicians for diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease]. / Evaluación de la competencia clínica en médicos residentes mexicanos para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la enfermedad de Chagas.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate clinical competence of a mexican resident physicians sample for diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and analytic study in 122 resident physicians of epidemiology, family medicine and internal medicine specialty, assigned to a third level medical unit from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, taking a sample for convenience. An instrument was designed and validated for to evaluate clinical competence in five dimensions: risk factors identification, clinical data identification, diagnostic test interpretation, diagnostic integration and therapeutic resources utilization; that classified competence level in four strata: random defined, low, medium and high, with 89% of reliability accord to Kunder-Richardson test. Descriptive and no parametric inferential statistics were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 122 physicians, 55.7% males (n = 68) and 44.3% females (n = 54). Random defined clinical competence 4.9% (n = 6), low 49.2% (n = 60), medium 44.3% (n = 54) and high 1.6% (n = 2). Median significantly higher in epidemiologists (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Improve clinical competence level of resident physicians for diagnosis and treatment of Chagas disease is necessary. Intervention studies are required.

Hemorragia subaracnoidea no traumática: revisión general y protocolo de manejo en el Hospital Vozandes Quito / Nontraumatic Subarachnoid hemorrhage: overview and management protocol at Hospital Vozandes Quito

La ruptura de un aneurisma intracraneal es la principal causa de una hemorragia subaracnoidea (HSA) no traumática. Los pacientes usualmente se presentan con una combinación de síntomas, de los cuales la cefalea súbita y severa suele ser la principal manifestación. El tratamiento temprano del aneurisma es fundamental para reducir el riesgo de resangrado. La oclusión endovascular del aneurisma con "coils" ha demostrado que se asocia con mejores resultados a corto y largo plazo. Sin embargo, la vigilancia angiográfca es necesaria después del tratamiento endovascular y en ocasiones puede requerirse una embolización adicional. Una vez que el aneurisma ha sido tratado, el vasoespasmo cerebral tardío es la principal causa de daño cerebral y puede requerirse una angioplastia del vaso afectado o la infusión intraarterial de vasodilatadores. Por estas razones, los diferentes problemas del paciente deben ser abordados por un equipo médico multidisciplinario.

The rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is the main cause of bleeding nontraumatic subarachnoid (HSA). Patients usually present with a combination of symptoms, of which sudden and severe headache is usually The main manifestation. Early treatment of aneurysm is essential to reduce the risk of bleeding. Endovascular aneurysm occlusion with "coils" has been shown to be associated with better short and long results term. However, angiographic monitoring is necessary after endovascular treatment and sometimes additional embolization may be required. Once the aneurysm has been treated, late cerebral vasospasm it is the leading cause of brain damage and an angioplasty of the affected vessel or intraarterial infusion of vasodilators. For these reasons, the Different patient problems should be addressed by a medical team multi-disciplinary.

Tratamiento de un craneofaringioma intra y supraselar situado entre dos aneurismas grandes de las carótidas internas / Treatment of Craniopharyngiomas an intra supraselar and situated between two large aneurysms of the internal carotid

Los tumores localizados en el área hipotálamohipofisaria cursan con manifestaciones específicas dependiendo del efecto de masa y de las alteraciones endocrinas que causen. Así mismo, debido a su carácter de lesiones ocupantes de espacio, limitadas a una región muy circunscrita, estos tumores presentan una variedad de síntomas comunes e independientes de los efectos endocrino s específicos. En consecuencia pueden provocar trastornos neurológicos, convulsiones, desarreglos intelectuales, confusión mental o coma y alteraciones de los campos visuales, incluso pérdida de la visión. El craneofaringioma es el tumor que más frecuentemente se presenta en esta zona y excepcionalmente tiene a cada lado un aneurisma carotídeo supraclinoideo sacular, como en el caso que presentamos, en el que cada uno midió 15 mm de diámetro. El tratamiento fue combinado: quirúrgico del tumor y embolización endovascular de los dos aneurismas, alcanzando éxito total en los procedimientos.

Encefalocele Frontoetmoideo-nasoorbitario criterios para manejo quirúrgico A propósito de un caso / Frontoethmoid-nasoorbital encephalocele criteria for surgical management About a case

Los meningoencefaloceles son molformaciones congénitas, con una alta incidencia en la selva amazónica ecuatoriana. La variedad fronto-etmoidal es la más común y requiere tratamiento quirúrgico temprano. Los autores combinan un abordaje neuroquirúrgico y craneofacial realizado en un solo tiempo para corregir este tipo de defecto.

Meningoencephaloceles are congenital molformations, with a high incidence in the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle. The fronto-ethmoidal variety is the most common and requires early surgical treatment. The authors combine a neurosurgical and craniofacial approach performed in a single time to correct this type of defect.

137Cs soil-to-plant transfer for individual species in a semi-natural grassland. Influence of potassium soil content.

In the present study we assessed the radiocaesium uptake by plants in order to piece together information on factors affecting the uptake processes, particularly K supply and plant species differences. Vegetation uptake from soil contaminated by the Chernobyl accident was compared at two semi-natural grasslands. The Cs/K discrimination factor (DF), which is often used to evaluate a plant's efficiency in absorbing nutrients from soil, was estimated. The obtained DF values (0.01 to 0.8) vary with K soil concentrations and plant species, indicating that the (40)K is more efficiently absorbed than (137)Cs. The soil-to-plant relationship was evaluated by means of the transfer factor (TF). The (137)Cs TF(sp) values obtained from separated plant species varied within the range of 0.016 to 0.400 (site 1) and 0.017 to 0.171 (site 2). When mixed grass samples were considered a large variation was observed, mainly for site 1. The (137)Cs TF(mix) ranges were: 0.018 to 0.250 for site 1 and 0.017 to 0.167 for site 2. These values fall within the range of TFs commonly reported (0.0001-1). Our present data suggest that these pastures are apt for forage use. Different plant species presented different individual behavior regarding their (137)Cs TF(sp) when the (40)K soil activity concentration was taken in account. For most of the species analyzed, we observed a gradual decrease in the individual (137)Cs TF(sp) when the (40)K soil activity concentration was increased, with the exception of Taraxacum officinale at one of the sampling sites.

Remision de neuralgia trigeminal despues de derivación ventrículo peritoneal del LCR en hidrocefalia normotensa / Remission of trigeminal neuralgia after ventriculo peritoneal derivation of CSF in normotense hydrocephalus

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 61 años de edad con antecedentes de 12 meses de severa neuralgia trigeminal. Es diagnosticada de hidrocefalia normotensa y neuralgia de la segunda rama del trigémino derecho. Posteriormente a la derivación ventrículo peritoneal de LCR, inexplicablemente la paciente reportó mejoría en el trayecto de la segunda rama del trigémino. Este es el primer caso en que se reporta asociación de hidrocefalia normotensa y neuralgia trigeminal

Uso de betaemisores tópicos en craneofaringiomas / Use of topical betaemissors in craniopharyngiomas

Se pone en consideración un nuevo procedimiento neuroquirúrgico para el tratamiento de craneofaringiomas quísticos o mixtos, mediante implante intratumoral de radioisótopos, con lo que se consigue alterar el comportamiento biológico del tumor al producirse necrosis del epitelio secretor. El procedimiento se ilustra con el reporte de una caso y nota técnica que puede realizarse cuando no se dispone de equipo para cirugía estereotáxica