Determination of thiacloprid, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid in tea samples by quenching terbium luminescence.

Consumption of herbal teas, infusions and other plant-related products has always been popular due to the related health benefits. However, the safety of these products needs to be assessed, for example monitoring the potential presence of contaminants such as pesticides. In this paper, we report an analytical method for determining three neonicotinoid insecticides - thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid - that are widely used worldwide. This method is based on quenching by analytes of the luminescence signal of terbium ions. Terbium presents a time-resolved luminescence signal at 256/545 nm/nm, which is quenched by the presence of low concentrations of the selected analytes. Detection limits of 0.1, 0.2 or 0.75 µg ml-1 were obtained for thiamethoxam, thiacloprid and imidacloprid, respectively. Recovery experiments in different teas (green tea, black tea, chamomile, peppermint) were performed at concentrations lower than the maximum residue limits established by the European Union and the Codex Alimentarius for tea samples. In all cases, satisfactory recovery yields were observed, and the results were compared with a chromatographic reference method. The proposed method therefore proved suitable for quantifying these insecticides, fulfilling the current legislation.

Dosimetric impact assessment using a general algorithm in geant4 simulations for a complex-shaped multileaf collimator.

PURPOSE: We have developed an inhouse algorithm for the multileaf collimator (MLC) geometry model construction with an appropriate accuracy for dosimetric tests. Our purpose is to build a complex type of MLC and analyze the influence of the modeling parameters on the dose calculation. METHODS: Using radiochromic films as detector the following tests were done: (I) Density test field: to compare measured and calculated dose distributions in order to determine the tungsten alloy physical density value. (II) Leaf ends test field: to verify the penumbra shape sensitivity against the discretization level set to simulate the curved leaf ends. (III) MLC-closed field: to obtain the value of the air gap between opposite leaves for a closed configuration which completes the modeling of the MLC leakage radiation. (IV) Picket-fence field: to fit the leaf tilt angle with respect of the divergent ray emerging from the source. RESULTS: For a 18.5g/cm3 density value we have obtained a maximum, minimum and mean leakage values of 0.43%, 0.36% and 0.38%, similar to the experimental ones. The best discretization level in the leaf ends field shows a 5.51mm FWHM, very close to the measured value (5.49mm). An air gap of 370µm has been used in the simulation for the separation between opposite leaves. Using a 0.44° tilt angle, we found the same pattern as the experimental values. CONCLUSIONS: Our code can reproduce complex MLC designs with a submilimetric dosimetric accuracy which implies the necessary background for dose calculation of high clinical interest small fields.

LabVIEW-based control and acquisition system for the dosimetric characterization of a silicon strip detector.

The aim of this work is to present a new data acquisition, control, and analysis software system written in LabVIEW. This system has been designed to obtain the dosimetry of a silicon strip detector in polyethylene. It allows the full automation of the experiments and data analysis required for the dosimetric characterization of silicon detectors. It becomes a useful tool that can be applied in the daily routine check of a beam accelerator.

[Multicentre study of infection incidence in knee prosthesis]. / Estudio multicéntrico sobre la incidencia de infección en prótesis de rodilla.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of surgical site infection in knee prosthesis surgical procedure for a follow-up period of one year in twelve hospitals in Madrid region. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study was carried out from January to December 2009 using a national surveillance system called Indicadores Clínicos de Mejora Continua de Calidad. Primary and revision knee joint replacements in patients operated on in the previous year were included. Criteria used to define surgical site infection and patient risk index categories were those established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance. The incidence rates were worked out crude and adjusted by hazard ratio. RESULTS: 2,088 knee prosthesis procedures were analyzed. The overall incidence of surgical site infection was 2.1%. Sixty-five percent of the infections were organ/space. Sixty percent of the infections were identified in the early postoperative period. Of all surgical site infections, 41.9% were microbiologically confirmed. Antibiotic prophylaxis was implemented correctly in 63.3% of the cases. The most important cause of inappropriate prophylaxis was an unsuitable duration in 85.7% of the cases. The presurgical preparation was carried out correctly in 50.3% of surgical operations. The incidence of knee arthroplasty infection was twice as high as in the National Healthcare Safety Network and similar to national rates. DISCUSSION: In this study, the incidence of infection was within the range of infection rates in other published European studies. Surveillance and control strategies of health care for associated infections allow us to assess trends and the impact of preventive measures.

Estudio multicéntrico sobre la incidencia de infección en prótesis de rodilla / Multicentre study of infection incidence in knee prosthesis

Objetivo. Determinar la incidencia de infección de localización quirúrgica en el procedimiento prótesis de rodilla, durante un año de seguimiento en 12 hospitales madrileños. Material y método. Estudio prospectivo de enero a diciembre de 2009, utilizando el programa Indicadores Clínicos de Mejora Continua de Calidad. Se incluyeron prótesis de rodilla primarias y de revisión intervenidas el año previo. Se utilizaron criterios de infección de localización quirúrgica y categorías por índice de riesgo de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades y del National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance. Se calcularon tasas crudas y ajustadas por índice de riesgo. Resultados. Se analizaron 2.088 procedimientos quirúrgicos de prótesis de rodilla. La tasa global de infección de localización quirúrgica fue del 2,1%. El 65% de las infecciones fueron de órgano/espacio. El 60% de las infecciones se identificaron precozmente. Se obtuvo confirmación microbiológica en el 41,9% de los casos. La profilaxis quirúrgica fue adecuada en el 63,3%, siendo la principal causa de inadecuación su duración en el 85,7%. La preparación prequirúrgica fue correcta en el 50,3% de los pacientes. La tasa de infección en artroplastias de rodilla fue dos veces superior a la esperada según el National Healthcare Safety Network y similares a las tasas nacionales. Discusión. La tasa de infección de nuestro estudio se encuentra dentro del rango de las tasas de infección descritas en otros estudios europeos ya publicados. Las estrategias de vigilancia y control de las infecciones asociadas a la asistencia sanitaria permiten evaluar tendencias y el impacto de las medidas de prevención (AU)

Objective. To determine the incidence of surgical site infection in knee prosthesis surgical procedure for a follow-up period of one year in twelve hospitals in Madrid region. Material and method. A prospective study was carried out from January to December 2009 using a national surveillance system called Indicadores Clínicos de Mejora Continua de Calidad. Primary and revision knee joint replacements in patients operated on in the previous year were included. Criteria used to define surgical site infection and patient risk index categories were those established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance. The incidence rates were worked out crude and adjusted by hazard ratio. Results. 2,088 knee prosthesis procedures were analyzed. The overall incidence of surgical site infection was 2.1%. Sixty-five percent of the infections were organ/space. Sixty percent of the infections were identified in the early postoperative period. Of all surgical site infections, 41.9% were microbiologically confirmed. Antibiotic prophylaxis was implemented correctly in 63.3% of the cases. The most important cause of inappropriate prophylaxis was an unsuitable duration in 85.7% of the cases. The presurgical preparation was carried out correctly in 50.3% of surgical operations. The incidence of knee arthroplasty infection was twice as high as in the National Healthcare Safety Network and similar to national rates. Discussion. In this study, the incidence of infection was within the range of infection rates in other published European studies. Surveillance and control strategies of health care for associated infections allow us to assess trends and the impact of preventive measures (AU)

[Tuberculosis in the elderly in a general hospital in the Region of Madrid, 1994-2003]. / Tuberculosis en ancianos en un hospital general de la Comunidad de Madrid, 1994-2003.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis in the elderly is a health problem that is on the increase nowadays in industrialised countries. The aim of this study is to describe epidemiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics of tuberculosis in elderly patients in a general hospital in the Region of Madrid from 1994 to 2003. METHODS: Only microbiologically and/or histopathologically confirmed tuberculosis were studied. Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological variables were analyzed. Microbiological and histopathological laboratory results and medical records were collected. RESULTS: The proportion of cases occurring among the elderly rose from 12.4% between 1994 and 1998 to 17.8% between 1999 and 2003 (p <0.05). A total of 160 tuberculosis cases were studied: 92.5% were microbiologically (culture) confirmed and 7.5% histopathologically confirmed. The average time to culture positivity was 18.8 days (SD: 6.5). 88.7% isolates were susceptible to streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. The main locations of tuberculosis were pulmonary (59.4%), ganglionary (11.9%) and genitourinary (10.0%). A positive smear in the sputum was discovered for 52.6% of pulmonary tuberculosis. The most prevalent risk factors were immunosuppression (14.8%) and diabetes mellitus (12.3%). Neither of them were VIH, intravenous drug users or immigrants. 50.7% cases were hospitalized. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculosis in the elderly is on the increase in our region nowadays. The epidemiological pattern of tuberculosis in the elderly differs from that observed in younger patients. Therefore specific control and prevention strategies are needed in order to reduce tuberculosis incidence in aged populations.

Tuberculosis en ancianos en un hospital general de la Comunidad de Madrid, 1994-2003 / Tuberculosis in the elderly in a general hospital in the Region of Madrid, 1994-2003

Introducción: La tuberculosis en ancianos constituye un problema de salud pública en países industrializados. El objetivo es describir las características de la tuberculosis en ancianos en un hospital de la Comunidad de Madrid entre 1994 y 2003. Métodos: Se estudiaron las tuberculosis confirmadas por cultivo y/o histopatología. Se analizaron variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y microbiológicas. Las fuentes de recogida de información fueron las historias clínicas y los resultados del laboratorio de micobacterias y de anatomía patológica. Resultados: La tuberculosis en ancianos ha pasado de representar el 12,4% del total de tuberculosis entre 1994 y 1998, al 17,8% entre 1999 y 2003, siendo la diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,05). De los 160 casos analizados el 92,5% se confirmaron por cultivo y el 7,5% por histopatología. El tiempo medio de crecimiento del cultivo fue de 18,8 días (DE: 6,5). El 88,7% de las cepas en las que se estudiaron resistencias fueron sensibles a estreptomicina, isoniacida, rifampicina, etambutol y pirazinamida. Las localizaciones pulmonar (59,4%), linfática (11,9%) y genitourinaria (10%) fueron las más frecuentes. El 52,6% de las formas pulmonares eran bacilíferas. Los factores de riesgo más prevalentes fueron inmunosupresión (14,8%) y diabetes (12,3%). No se encontraron pacientes VIH, ni ADVP, y en todos los casos se trataba de población autóctona. El 50,7% de los casos precisó ingreso hospitalario. Conclusiones: La tuberculosis en ancianos presenta una ligera tendencia creciente en nuestro medio. El patrón epidemiológico de esta población difiere del observado en cohortes jóvenes. Sería necesario plantear estrategias específicas de prevención y control para lograr una reducción en la incidencia de tuberculosis en esta población

Introduction: Tuberculosis in the elderly is a health problem that is on the increase nowadays in industrialised countries. The aim of this study is to describe epidemiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics of tuberculosis in elderly patients in a general hospital in the Region of Madrid from 1994 to 2003. Methods: Only microbiologically and/or histopathologically confirmed tuberculosis were studied. Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological variables were analyzed. Microbiological and histopathological laboratory results and medical records were collected. Results: The proportion of cases occurring among the elderly rose from 12.4% between 1994 and 1998 to 17.8% between 1999 and 2003 (p <0.05). A total of 160 tuberculosis cases were studied: 92.5% were microbiologically (culture) confirmed and 7.5% histopathologically confirmed. The average time to culture positivity was 18.8 days (SD: 6.5). 88.7% isolates were susceptible to streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. The main locations of tuberculosis were pulmonary (59.4%), ganglionary (11.9%) and genitourinary (10.0%). A positive smear in the sputum was discovered for 52.6% of pulmonary tuberculosis. The most prevalent risk factors were inmunosuppression (14.8%) and diabetes mellitus (12.3%). Neither of them were VIH, intravenous drug users or inmigrant. 50.7% cases were hospitalized. Conclusions: Tuberculosis in the elderly is on the increase in our region nowadays. The epidemiological pattern of tuberculosis in the elderly differs from that observed in younger patients. Therefore specific control and prevention strategies are needed in order to reduce tuberculosis incidence in aged populations

[Sexual behaviour and use of condoms by adolescents in our environment]. / Comportamientos sexuales y uso de preservativos en adolescentes de nuestro entorno.

OBJECTIVE: To identify sexual behaviour in adolescents. DESIGN: Transversal, descriptive study, by means of an anonymous structured questionnaire. SETTING: Urban secondary school. PARTICIPANTS: Simple random sample of 84 students (4th year of ESO--c. 15/16 years old). MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Personal details, sexual practices, use of condoms. RESULTS: 61.9% were girls. Average age was 16.4 (95% CI, 16.2-16.6). They had a girl/boy-friend or casual partner (33.7%) and stable partner (60.7%). 82.2% had total or sufficient trust. Boys' first masturbation was between 14 and 16 (46.8%). 100% had done so by the age of 16. 72.3% of girls had never masturbated at this age (P<.001).Boys' first kiss on the lips occurred between 14 and 16 (46.8%); 100% had done so by 16. 60.7% of girls had done so between 14 and 16, and 92.2% by 16.30.1% of boys had had their first experience of coitus by the age of the questionnaire, whereas 22.5% of girls had. Both sexes used a condom on 71.4% of occasions.38.1% had sex with penetration, 46.2% masturbated. 22.2% had had 2 sexual partners, 8.9% had had 3, and 40.0% had had 4 or more. Condoms were used in 83.3% of relationships with penetration. CONCLUSIONS: This is a sexually active population, susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and unwanted pregnancies, as it does not use condoms in every relationship involving penetration. Health education activities need to be encouraged.

Gestión de residuos biosanitarios y citotóxicos en un centro hospitalario / Management of bio-sanitary and cytotoxic wastes at a hospital centre

Los residuos sanitarios generados diariamente, van en aumento y la innovación en las actividades hospitalarias han traído consigo un gran incremento del volumen de desechos clínicos. A una pequeña fracción de éstos, se le atribuyen riesgos asociados a la salud pública y precisarán una gestión diferenciada. El interés por la correcta gestión de estos residuos es creciente y, sin embargo, hay dificultad en la aplicación del sistema de gestión y en el cumplimiento del marco legal. El plan de gestión de residuos es una herramienta para promover una adecuada gestión de residuos en los centros sanitarios. Los profesionales sanitarios y no sanitarios deben ser partícipes, del mismo modo que la información y formación es clave en nuestro trabajo diario, para garantizar un entorno seguro y en mejores condiciones técnicas e higiénicas (AU)

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