Activated carbons obtained from sewage sludge by chemical activation: gas-phase environmental applications.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the adsorption capacity for toluene and SO2 of low cost activated carbons prepared from sewage sludge by chemical activation at different impregnation ratios. Samples were characterized by proximate and ultimate analyses, thermogravimetry, infrared spectroscopy and N2 adsorption. Because of the low carbon content of the raw material, the development of porosity in the activated carbons was mainly of a mesoporous nature, with surface areas lower than 300 m(2)/g. The study of gas-phase applications for activated carbons from sewage sludge was carried out using both an organic and an inorganic compound in order to screen for possible applications. Toluene adsorption capacity at saturation was around 280 mg/g, which is a good level of performance given the high ash content of the activated carbons. However, dynamic experiments at low toluene concentration presented diffusion problems resulting from low porosity development. SO2 adsorption capacity is associated with average micropore size, which can be controlled by the impregnation ratio used to prepare the activated carbons.

Kinetics of the hydrothermal treatment of tannin for producing carbonaceous microspheres.

Aqueous solutions of condensed tannins were submitted to hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) in a stainless steel autoclave, and the kinetics of hydrothermal carbon formation was investigated by changing several parameters: amount of tannin (0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0 g in 16 mL of water), HTC temperature (130, 160, 180 and 200°C) and reaction times (from 1 to 720 h). The morphology and the structure of the tannin-based hydrothermal carbons were studied by TEM, krypton adsorption at -196°C and helium pycnometry. These materials presented agglomerated spherical particles, having surface areas ranging from 0.6 to 10.0 m(2) g(-1). The chemical composition of the hydrothermal carbons was found to be constant and independent of reaction time. HTC kinetics of tannin were determined and shown to correspond to first-order reaction. Temperature-dependent measurements led to an activation energy of 91 kJ mol(-1) for hydrothermal conversion of tannin into carbonaceous microspheres separable by centrifugation.

Influence of temperature and regeneration cycles on Hg capture and efficiency by structured Au/C regenerable sorbents.

The objective of this work is to evaluate a novel regenerable sorbent for mercury capture based on gold nanoparticles supported on a honeycomb structured carbon monolith. A new methodology for gold nanoparticles deposition onto carbon monolith support has been developed to obtain an Au sorbent based on the direct reduction of a gold salt onto the carbon material. For comparison purposes, colloidal gold method was also used to obtain Au/C sorbents. Both types of sorbents were characterized by different techniques in order to obtain the bulk gold content, the particle size distribution and the chemical states of gold after deposition. The mercury capture capacity and mercury capture efficiency of sorbents were tested in a bench scale facility at different experimental conditions. The regenerability of the sorbents was tested along several cycles of Hg capture-regeneration. High retention efficiencies are found for both types of sorbents comparing their gold content. Moreover, the high retention efficiency is maintained along several cycles of Hg capture-regeneration. The study of the fresh sorbent, the sorbent after Hg exposition and after regeneration by XPS and XRD gives insight to explain those results.

[Anxiety and depression in carers of dependent patients]. / Ansiedad y depresión en cuidadores de pacientes dependientes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety in main carers of dependent patients as defined by the Dependent Care Law 39/2006. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We selected 294 main carers of dependent patients as defined by Law 39/2006, and performed a descriptive, cross-sectional and multi-centre study. They were recruited during the first semester of 2009 in 8 urban centres and 2 rural ones in the Communities of Andalusia and Murcia. We measured levels of anxiety and depression using the Hamilton scale, the social support by means of the Duke-UNK scale, sociodemographic, medical variables and associated with the support to the dependent person. The Chi-squared (chi), WiLcoxon and Student t tests were used to describe the data. Multivariate analysis was performed on the most significant data. RESULTS: A total of 254 carers showed anxiety (86%) (95% CI: 82.47-90.31%) and depression 191 (65%) (95% CI: 59.51-70.41%). The presence of anxiety was statistically significant (P = .043) when associated to: being an unpaid carer, low social support, previous diagnosis of anxiety and depression, taking of psychiatric drugs, and diagnosis of depression using the Hamilton depression scale. The depression presence of depression is associated with: being an unpaid carer, family relationship, previous diagnosis of anxiety and depression, taking of psychiatric drugs, and with an anxiety diagnosis according to the Hamilton scale. No statistically significant differences were detected in the association between Levels of dependency and the appearance of depression and/or anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression and anxiety in the carers of dependent patients is significantly greater than in the general population. The greater the social support the lower the prevalence of these disorders.

[Predictive factors of 2009 H1N1 virus infection in patients with influenza syndrome]. / Factores predictivos de infección por el virus de la gripe H1N1 2009 en pacientes con síndrome gripal.

INTRODUCTION: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is one of the better techniques for viral detection in nasopharyngeal swabs. The objective of this study was to assess the percentage of positive swabs and to determine whether there were differences according to PCR positivity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 362 patients with flu syndrome attended at the Emergency Department between July 15 and December 15, 2009, in whom PCR of nasopharyngeal swabs for the detection of H1N1 2009 influenza virus was performed. Those cases in which swab testing was adequately requested were identified, and patients were divided into two groups according to positive or negative results for H1N1 2009 influenza virus. RESULTS: Nasopharyngeal swab was inadequately ordered in 87. In the remaining 275 patients, PCR was positive in 141. Patients with positive nasopharyngeal swabs were younger (mean [SD] age 36.1 [15] vs 42.3 [18] years, P= 0.002), had lower white blood cell, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, lower serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (5.15 [5] vs 10.5[12] mg/dL, P= 0.036) and lower incidence of radiological infiltrates (20.5% vs 33%, P= 0.036). In the logistic regression analysis, age, serum C-reactive protein levels, and lymphocyte count were independently associated with a positive nasopharyngeal swab. CONCLUSIONS: About 50% of patients with flu syndrome had positive nasopharyngeal swabs for H1N1 2009 influenza virus. Age, C-reactive protein, and lymphocyte count were independent predictors of positivity.

Mejorar la calidad asistencial en la atención a la mujermaltratada en los servicios de urgencias / Improving emergency care for battered women

Objetivo: Analizar la frecuentación, los factores de riesgo, la detección por parte del personal sanitario y el funcionamiento del circuito establecido con los servicios sociales(SS), para las mujeres atendidas por violencia de género (VG) en los servicios de urgencias(SU), con la finalidad de mejorar la calidad en la asistencia. Metodología: Estudio transversal, observacional y prospectivo de las mujeres atendidas por VG en los SU del Institut Municipal d’Assistència Sanitària (IMAS) durante el 2004.Los datos se recogieron en el mapa anatómico. Se consideró frecuentación un mínimo de tres visitas durante el año 2004.Resultados: Se realizaron 157.482 asistencias a pacientes mayores de 14 años, 79.787(50,1%) fueron mujeres. La atención por VG, 604 casos, representó el 0,76% de las asistencias. El 10,4% de los casos fueron detectados por el personal sanitario. El 29,6%eran frecuentadoras, los motivos de consulta más habituales y significativos (p < 0,001)fueron los trastornos inespecíficos, los ginecológicos, los traumatológicos, psiquiátricos, digestivos y neurológicos. El 52,6% presentaba factores de riesgo de VG, y los más frecuentes fueron gestación, abortos previos, relaciones sexuales no consentidas y aumento de la violencia. En el 3% de los casos no llegó la información a los SS. Conclusiones: Casi un tercio de las mujeres con VG fueron frecuentadoras a los SU, y más de la mitad presentaban factores de riesgo. La detección por parte del personal sanitario fue bajo (10,4%). Como resultado del estudio, se han adoptado las siguientes medidas para mejorar la calidad en la asistencia: 1. Cursos de formación para los residentes de primer año y de formación continuada dirigidos al personal del IMAS. 2. Informatización del mapa anatómico, que incluye de forma específica los factores de riesgo más frecuentes en nuestra área de influencia. 3. Se ha recomendado la detección rutinaria (AU)

Objective: To analyze the frequent use of emergency health services by battered women, risk factors for abuse, detection by health care staff, and referral to social services, with a view to improving quality of care. Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study of battered women receiving emergency care from the municipal health care services (IMAS, Institut Municipal d’Assistencia Sanitària) in Barcelona. Data were recorded on a standardized data collection sheet. Individuals who used the services at least 3 times in 2004 were considered frequent users. Results: The emergency services handled 157 482 calls for assistance from patients over the age of 14 years; 79 787(50.1%) were women. Gender-based violence accounted for 0.76% of the cases. Health care personnel detected gender-based violence in 10.4%. Of these, 29.6% women were frequent users. Nonspecific disorders, gynecologic complaints, trauma, psychiatric disorders, digestive complaints, and neurologic symptoms were significantly more frequent (P<.001) than other reasons for seeking care. Risk factors for gender-based violence were present in 52.6% of the cases, the most common factors being pregnancy, prior abortions, nonconsensual sex, and escalating violence. Social services were not contacted in 3% of the cases. Conclusions: Nearly a third of women suffering from gender based violence and more were frequent users of emergency services and more than half these women had risk factors. The rate of detection by health care staff was low(10.4%). The committee for assistance to battered women has adopted the following measures to improve quality of care: 1) training courses for first-year residents and continuing professional development courses for members of the staff; 2) computerization of the data collection sheet, including the most common risk factors in our health care area; and 3) routine detection systems (AU)

Coal fly ash based carbons for SO2 removal from flue gases.

Two different coal fly ashes coming from the burning of two coals of different rank have been used as a precursor for the preparation of steam activated carbons. The performance of these activated carbons in the SO(2) removal was evaluated at flue gas conditions (100 degrees C, 1000 ppmv SO(2), 5% O(2), 6% H(2)O). Different techniques were used to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the samples in order to explain the differences found in their behaviour. A superior SO(2) removal capacity was shown by the activated carbon obtained using the fly ash coming from a sub-bituminous-lignite blend. Experimental results indicated that the presence of higher amount of certain metallic oxides (Ca, Fe) in the carbon-rich fraction of this fly ash probably has promoted a deeper gasification in the activation with steam. A more suitable surface chemistry and textural properties have been obtained in this case which explains the higher efficiency shown by this sample in the SO(2) removal.

Carbon-enriched coal fly ash as a precursor of activated carbons for SO2 removal.

Carbon-enriched coal fly ash was evaluated in this work as a low-cost adsorbent for SO2 removal from stack gases. The unburned carbon in coal fly ash was concentrated by mechanical sieving and vegetal oil agglomeration. The carbon concentrates were activated with steam at 900 degrees C in order to develop porosity onto the samples. The performance of these samples in the SO2 abatement was tested in the following conditions: 100 degrees C, 1000 ppmv SO2, 5% O2, 6% water vapor. A good SO2 removal capacity was shown by some of the studied samples that can be related to their textural properties. Cycles of SO2 adsorption/regeneration were carried out in order to evaluate the possibility of thermal regeneration and re-use of these carbons. Regeneration of the exhausted carbons was carried out at 400 degrees C of temperature and a flow of 25 ml/min of Ar. After each cycle, the SO2 removal capacity of the sample decreases.

Preparation and characterization of carbon-enriched coal fly ash.

Carbon-enriched fractions have been obtained from two coal fly ash (FA) samples. The FA came from two pulverized-coal fired power stations (Lada and Escucha, Spain) and were collected from baghouse filters. Sieving was used to obtain carbon-enriched fractions, which were further subjected to two beneficiation processes: acid demineralization using HCl and HF, and oil agglomeration using soya oil-water. Yield in weight after sieving, unburned carbon content, and several physicochemical characteristics of the obtained fractions were used to compare the performance of the beneficiation methods. Low carbon concentration was obtained by sieving, particularly in the case of Escucha FA. However, after acid demineralization or oil agglomeration, fractions containing unburned carbon in a range of 63% to 68% were obtained. These fractions showed differences in mineral phase composition and distribution depending on the FA and on the beneficiation method used. The textural properties of the obtained fractions varied as a function of their carbon content and the beneficiation method used. However, no significant differences in morphology of the carbonaceous particles were found.

Clinical and hemodynamic profile of patients with advanced heart failure considered for heart transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The present study evaluated the clinical and hemodynamic situation of patients with advanced heart failure considered for heart transplantation (HT) to examine the possible impact of prior cardiac disease. METHODS: We analyzed the pretransplant clinical, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic parameters of 422 consecutive HT patients. Pediatric and heart plus lung transplants were excluded, as were retransplantations. The results were compared by dividing the patients into three groups according to the background heart disease that led to HT: ischemic heart disease (IHD), dilated myocardiopathy (DMC), or valvular disease. RESULTS: Differences were observed in the baseline characteristics according to the type of heart disease. Male gender, hypertension, and diabetes were more frequent among IHD, while DMC patients tended to be younger. There were no differences in the clinical parameters such as liver and kidney function, in the functional class, or in the need for inotropic treatment over the days prior to transplantation. Likewise, no differences were recorded in the hemodynamic parameters, such as pulmonary pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, or transpulmonary pressure gradient. As regards the echocardiographic parameters, the patients with DMC showed greater ventricular diameters and lesser ejection fractions for both ventricles. CONCLUSION: No important differences were recorded in the clinical situation or hemodynamic parameters of patients with advanced heart failure accepted for transplantation, according to the background cardiac disease. This observation could be due to the homogenization by strict transplant waiting list inclusion criteria.

Differences in clinical profile and survival after heart transplantation according to prior heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare baseline characteristics and long-term survival among patients undergoing heart transplantation (HT) according to the 3 main types of prior heart disease: ischemic, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), and valvular. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred twenty-three HTs performed between 1989 and 2005 were included. We excluded pediatric transplantation, retransplantations, combined transplantations (lung and kidney), and transplantations due to heart diseases other than ischemic, IDC, and valvular. Baseline characteristics of the recipients were analyzed, as well as short-term and long- term survival by groups. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for continuous variables and chi-square was used for categorical variables. Survival analysis was computed using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test, as well as multivariate analysis using logistic regression. RESULTS: The ischemic and valvular heart disease groups were older and had a more frequent history of prior heart surgery and circulatory support at the time of transplantation compared with the IDC group. The incidence of arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia was higher among ischemic heart disease recipients. Survival rates at 30 days did not show significant differences (ischemic, 88%; IDC, 93%; and valvular; 84%; P = .21). Long-term survival rates were greater in the IDC than in the valvular or ischemic heart disease groups (75% vs 65% and 62%, respectively; P = .021). The multivariate analysis showed an association between the IDC group and long-term survival (odds ratio [OR], 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35-0.89; P = .015). CONCLUSIONS: (1) Patients showed a different clinical profiles depending on their pretransplantation heart disease. (2) There were no differences in early mortality between the groups. (3) Long-term survival was significantly greater among IDC transplant recipients and similar in ischemic and valvular heart disease transplant recipients.

Course of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection undergoing heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the clinical course of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection undergoing heart transplantation (HT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 499 patients transplanted in our hospital between January 1989 and September 2006, 11 subjects (2.2%) had chronic HCV infection. We analyzed liver function laboratory parameters pretransplantation as well as at 3, 6, 12 months, and last available, pre- and postsurgical hepatobiliary ultrasounds, and mortality. The mean time since HT was 32 +/- 23 months. RESULTS: No abnormalities in the liver parenchyma were observed on the ultrasound examinations performed before or after transplantation. There were 3 deaths (27%), none of which was related to HCV infection. Liver function laboratory parameters remained stable during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course of patients with chronic HCV infection undergoing HT whose presurgical assessment did not show significant liver damage was favorable. No morphological or laboratory abnormalities were observed that would suggest reactivation of the infection during the follow-up.

Mortality after heart transplantation in adults with congenital heart disease: a single-center experience.

UNLABELLED: The number of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients transplanted to date is small. The results are comparable to those undergoing heart transplantation (HT) for other etiologies. However, advances in pediatric surgery over recent years (eg, the Fontan procedure) has increased the demand for HT by a growing number of children who reach adulthood and who also have a different profile. We analyzed the clinical profile and survival of our CHD patients compared with other etiologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 17, 1991 to December 31, 2006, eight HT were performed in our center for CHD. A descriptive study determined the baseline characteristics and survival of these patients, compared with those of the overall transplant group and other subgroups (dilated cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease). RESULTS: Mean age was 26 years. Four (50%) CHD patients were diagnosed with single-ventricle anatomy, associated or not with other lesions; none had been operated with the Fontan procedure. Two patients died prematurely. Early, 1-, and 10-year survival was 75% at each time point. Early, 1-, and 10-year survival in the group with other diagnoses was 90%, 78%, and 60%, respectively, and in the dilated cardiomyopathy group it was 94%, 86%, and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The current number of CHD transplant patients was small and young. The most common etiology was single-ventricle anatomy without a prior Fontan operation. Overall survival was comparable to HT for dilated cardiomyopathy.

Mortality after heart-lung transplantation experience in a reference center.

UNLABELLED: The 2006 International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation registry reported that there were differences in mortality after heart-lung transplantation (HLT) depending on the etiology for transplantation. Our objective was to conduct an analysis on mortality after HLT at our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1991 to December 2006, 25 HLT were performed on patients with the following characteristics: mean age of 38 +/- 11 years with 62% males and 4% with previous surgery. The cohort included 17% urgent transplants. The mean ischemia time was 198 +/- 60 minutes. We divided patients into four etiologic groups: congenital heart disease of the Eisenmenger type; primary pulmonary hypertension; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/emphysema/fibrosis with right ventricular impact; or pulmonary dysfunction with concomitant left ventricular depression. Three patients were excluded from the analysis because they did not fit in any of the groups. RESULTS: The mean follow-up of the sample was 862 +/- 1290 days. The overall hospital survival as well as that at 1 and 5 years was 59%, 50%, and 37%, respectively. In the Eisemmenger's syndrome cohort no death occurred during hospitalization and survival at 5 years was 50%. CONCLUSIONS: HLT was a therapeutic option with high mortality. Hospital mortality was high in absolute terms. Congenital heart disease of the Eisenmenger type may be a lower risk group.

Analysis of the impact of donor gender on early mortality.

INTRODUCTION: Many studies have shown a detrimental effect of female donor gender on heart transplantation (HT) outcome. OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively evaluated our experience in HT to determine the effect of donor gender on early survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We divided the sample of 464 primary HT from November 1997 to September 2006 into 4 groups: G1, female donor to a male recipient; G2, male donor to a male recipient; G3, male donor to female recipient; and G4, female donor to a female recipient. We performed a descriptive study of the baseline characteristics. The chi(2) test was used to determine differences in early mortality (30 days) between groups and a multivariate analysis to identify confounding factors to increase mortality. RESULTS: Although the univariate study showed that G1 showed a significantly lower early survival rate (84%) than G2 (91%), the multivariate study adjusted for donor and recipient weight and size, urgency level, previous surgery, and age only showed urgency level (odds ratio [OR] 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-5.57; P = .016) and previous surgery (OR 5.8; 95% CI 2.7-12.4; P < .01) to be predictors of early mortality. When baseline characteristics were analyzed, we found that 31% of HT in G1 were urgent versus 18% in G2, and 32% of patients in G1 had previous surgery versus 17% in G2. CONCLUSIONS: Donor gender did not appear to negatively affect early survival. In our series, urgent HT in male recipients with a female was more frequent than with a male donor heart. The higher early mortality in male recipients of an urgent HT from a female than from a male donor was attributable to a higher baseline risk profile.

Impact of smoking on survival after heart transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is an important risk factor in any population group. According to previous studies, having been a smoker before heart transplantation (HT) confers a greater likelihood of developing any type of tumor or other complication after HT. Our objective was to determine the impact of having been a smoker before HT on survival, respiratory complications during the postoperative period, and long-term tumor development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After excluding combined transplantations, pediatric transplantations, and retransplantations, we retrospectively reviewed 288 HT performed between November 1987 and September 2006. We divided patients into nonsmokers (including those who quit smoking more than 1 year before HT (n = 163), exsmokers for less than 1 year (n = 76), and those who smoked until HT (n = 49). The statistical tests were chi-square, Student t, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: There were more male patients among smokers and exsmokers than nonsmokers (93.9% vs 96.1% vs 82%, respectively; P = .003). There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. Exsmokers remained intubated for a longer time than smokers or nonsmokers (33.4 +/- 44.6 vs 14.2 +/- 7.3 vs 17.9 +/- 19.2, respectively; P = .05). We observed the same trend in recovery unit stay (7.9 +/- 10.5 days vs 4.4 +/- 1.88 days vs 4.84 +/- 3.49 days, respectively; P = .021). The development of any type of tumor was also more frequent among smokers and exsmokers, although not significantly. The survival rate was similar in nonsmokers and exsmokers, although higher than in smokers (89.57 vs 92.11% vs 81.63%, respectively; P = .031). We did not observe differences in the causes of death. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who smoke or have smoked until shortly before HT showed a poorer prognosis and a longer recovery unit stay. There was also a trend to increased tumor development.

[Nasal glioma]. / Glioma nasal: a propósito de un caso.

Congenital midline nasal masses are rare and therefore easily misdiagnosed, but due to their possible complications, they require prompt diagnosis and management. In this article we review the three most common: dermoid cyst, glioma and encephalocele. Their tendency to have a similar presentation requires very good skills in taking the history and performing the physical exam as well as an adequate radiologic diagnosis including CT, MRI or both. It is very important that we always consider them to avoid taking a biopsy.

[Calcaneous ultrasonography as measurement of osteoporosis prevalence in the general population in relation to the diagnostic criterion utilized. Data of the study GIUMO]. / Prevalencia de osteoporosis en la población española por ultrasonografía de calcáneo en función del criterio diagnóstico utilizado. Datos del estudio GIUMO.

CONTEXT: In recent years, a large number of techniques have been developed to estimate the bone mineral density for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. However, diagnostic criteria established by WHO are invariably applied for the interpretation of dual radiological densitometry (DEXA), which could not be correct in the case of the interpretation of ultrasound. METHOD: We studied 2,589 randomly chosen people of both sexes, 1,138 males and 1,451 women from 10 to 99 years, in 11 spanish provinces. We carried out a measurement of the following calcaneous ultrasound parameters with the Sahara and Hologic devices: speed of the sound (SOS), coefficient of attenuation of wide band (BUA), index of consistency (QUI) and estimated bone mineral density (est. BMD). The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was calculated by applying the WHO criteria (osteopenia Tscore < or = 1 and osteoporosis Tscore < or = 2.5) and the prevalence of osteoporosis by applying a Tscore 1.8 as threshold. RESULTS: According to the WHO criteria, osteoporosis (Tscore < or = 2.5) is seen in 1.5 % males and 5.9 % females from 51 to 70 years, and in 2.6% males and 22.1% females over 70 years. Using a Tscore 1.8 as threshold, osteoporosis prevalence increases to 8.2% males and 21.9% females from 51 to 70 years, and to 8.4% males and 40.9% females over 70 years. CONCLUSION: Osteoporosis prevalence in spanish people of both sexes differs notably when applying the cut off point in a Tscore of 2.5, as WHO recommends, or in a Tscore of 1.8 as is suggested by other authors. Consensus is necessary to establish the appropriate cut off point or threshold for the diagnosis of osteoporosis with quantitative ultrasonography of calcaneum.

Influence of the activation temperature on the SO2 removal capacity and mechanical performance of pelletized activated chars.

The influence of steam activation temperature on the SO2 removal capability of subbituminous coal char pellets (SCCP) as well as the changes in their mechanical properties, were studied. The SCCP were prepared by pressing at 125 MPa a blend of a char, obtained by carbonization at 850 degrees C, and a commercial coal tar pitch. After a curing stage in air at 200 degrees C and a heat treatment at 900 degrees C in nitrogen, the SCCP were activated with steam (10g H2O min(-1)) for two hours at several temperatures: 600, 700, 750 and 800 degrees C. The SO2 adsorption capacity tests carried out at simulated flue gas conditions (100 degrees C, 10% H2O, 6% O2, 1s space velocity) show an important increase in the amount of adsorbed SO2 of the activated SCCP with respect to parent ones, whereas their mechanical performance decreases in the same proportion, mainly in the interval 700-750 degrees C. Increasing the temperature of activation, the SCCP undergo significant changes in textural features (total surface area measured in N2 and CO2, pore volume) as well as in surface oxygenated groups, as shown by TPD experiments. There is an optimum ratio between both parameters (around 8 micromol g(-1)) for the SO2 conversion at the studied conditions.

Evaluación del grado de conocimiento y satisfacción del tratamiento hormonal sustitutivo en una cohorte de mujeres menopáusicas / Evaluation of kowledge degree and satisfaction with hormonal replacement therapy among a cohort of menopausal women

La terapia hormonal sustitutiva (THS) posee un efecto antirresortivo que la convierte en la terapia más fisiológica para la prevención y tratamiento de la osteoporosis postmenopáusica. Conocer la opinión y el grado de satisfacción de las mujeres postmenopáusicas en THS es un dato importante para mejorar el tratamiento.Pacientes y método. Se realizó una encuesta con 16 preguntas a 100 mujeres en THS que acudieron de forma consecutiva a la Unidad de Densitometría de nuestro centro para realizar una exploración densitométrica. Una enfermera especializada realizó la encuesta y los datos se tabularon para su análisis. La comparación de medias se realizó mediante el análisis de la varianza (ANOVA) y se aplicó la prueba del Chi cuadrado para la comparación de frecuencias utilizando el paquete SPSS 8.0 for windows.Resultados. Se hallaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la edad de instauración de la menopausia en el grupo con menopausia natural 47 ñ 4 (media ñ DE) frente a quirúrgica 44 ñ 6 (media ñ DE), p < 0,01, y en el tiempo transcurrido desde la menopausia y la instauración del tratamiento 2,6 ñ 2,2 años (media ñ DE) en las mujeres con menopausia natural frente a 4,1 ñ 4,7 años (media ñ DE), p = 0,05, en las mujeres con menopausia quirúrgica. Un 72,2 por ciento sabía que el THS les era beneficioso para el hueso y las sofocaciones y solamente un 1 por ciento conocía su efecto sobre el aparato cardiovascular. El 59,8 por ciento desconocía los posibles efectos secundarios de la THS y solamente a un 8 por ciento le preocupaba el tema del cáncer de mama. La duración del tratamiento era 46 ñ 26 (media ñ DE) meses, con un intervalo de 4 a 120 meses. De las 128 mujeres que ya no realizaban tratamiento el 50 por ciento lo habían abandonado dentro del primer año. Un 73,2 por ciento reconocía no saber el tiempo que tenía que tomar el tratamiento.Conclusiones. Las mujeres en THS poseen escaso conocimiento del beneficio y de los efectos secundarios. Como autorreflexión, podríamos aconsejar una mayor comunicación con las mujeres menopáusicas explicándoles más ampliamente el THS, sus ventajas, inconvenientes y la duración prevista del mismo (AU)