Natural radiactivity from building materials in Spain

The industrial construction sector is very important in Spain. Building materials used in this industry are sources of radiation from natural radionuclides they contain. The European Commission published some recommendations to facilitate the trade of these materials in the E.U. The studies about this subject have increased notably during last years. This, probably, can be associated with the increase interest from natural radiation radiological risk on indoor exposure.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear. CSN-201

Influence of Soft Drinks with Low pH on Different Ni-Ti Orthodontic Archwire Surface Patterns

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of soft drinks on the surface of Ni-Ti archwires and their corrosion behavior. Archwires with different patterns (smooth, scratch, dimple, and crack) were selected and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and laser confocal microscopy. Immersion tests were performed in artificial saliva (pH 6.7) with a soft drink with a pH of 2.5 for 28 days. The results showed an increase in the surface defects and/or roughness of the dimple, crack and scratch patterns with the immersion times, and a decrease in corrosion resistance. A relationship between the surface pattern and the extent of the corrosion in Ni-Ti archwires with soft drinks at low pH has been demonstrated. Pattern should be taken into account in future studies, and manufacturing processes that produce surface defects (especially cracks) should be avoided

Epidemiología de las lesiones endometriales en mujeres obesas mayores de 50 años / Epidemiology of the endometrial lesions in obese women older than 50 years old

Se realizó una investigación retrospectiva y analítica, con el objetivo de identificar los factores de riesgo asociados a las lesiones endometriales en las mujeres obesas mayores de 50 años en el municipio Pinar del Río. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por la totalidad de las mujeres residentes en el área de salud Hermanos Cruz. Se seleccionó un grupo de estudio conformado por las mujeres obesas mayores de 50 años y un grupo de control conformado por las mujeres mayores de 50 años no obesas. Para obtener los datos, se utilizó una encuesta-formulario, donde se incluyeron variables generales de la mujer, antecedentes personales y familiares e historia ginecobstétrica, la cual fue aplicada a ambos grupos, con previo consentimiento. Se realizó un estudio ultrasonográfico a las mujeres incluidas en la investigación y uno histológico del endometrio cuando el examen ultrasonográfico resultó anormal (mayor de 4 mm en posmenopáusicas y de 14 mm en premenopáusicas.). Se confeccionó una base de datos con las variables estudiadas. Los resultados obtenidos se agruparon en cuadros (simples y de contingencia). Para su procesamiento estadístico se utilizaron la frecuencia absoluta y porcentual, el estadígrafo Ji cuadrado, pruebas de probabilidad de Fisher, los odds ratio (crudo y ponderado) y Z. La obesidad estuvo asociada con mayor probabilidad de tener un resultado ultrasonográfico anormal de la medida del grosor endometrial y de lesiones premalignas y cáncer endometrial, principalmente cuando existieron antecedentes familiares de cáncer de mama o colon y antecedentes personales de menarquía precoz, paridad y sangrado uterino anormal. Palabras clave: adenocarcinoma, neoplasias, epidemiología,hiperplasia endometrial,biopsia. ABSTRACT A retrospective and analytic research was carried out with the purpose of identifying risk factors associated with endometrial lesions in obese women older than 50 years old in Pinar del Rio municipality. The universe was comprised of the total of women living at "Hermanos Cruz" health sector. A group of obese women older than 50 years old and a control group of non-obese women older than 50 years old were chosen. To collect data, a survey-form was used; including general variables of women, personal, familial, gynecological and obstetric records. The survey was applied for both groups having a previous consent. A sonographic study was conducted to women participating in the research and performing an endometrial-histological examination when the Sonography showed abnormalities (greater 4mm in postmenopausal and 14mm in premenopausal women). A database using the variables studied was created; and the results were grouped in charts (simple and of contingency). In the statistical process absolute frequency and percentage, chi square, Fisher's probability test, odds ratio (raw and adjusted), and Z test were used. Obesity was associated with a major probability of having an abnormal sonographic result of the endometrial thickness, premalignant lesions and endometrial cancer; mainly when familial history of breast or colon cancers existed as well as personal records of early menarche, parity and abnormal uterine bleeding. Key words: Adenocarcinoma, Endometrial neoplasm, epidemiology, Endometrial hyperplasia, biopsy

Expansión volumétrica y comportamineto de oligoamnios / Volumetric expansion and behavior of the oligoamnios

Con el objetivo de demostrar la efectividad de la expansión volumétrica materna en el incremento del volumen de líquido amniótico en pacientes con tiempo de gestación de 28 a 39 semanas y oligoamnios, mediante la infusión endovenosa con soluciones isotónicas, se realizó una investigación de intervención-acción, analítica y de cohorte en el Hospital "Abel Santamaría" durante el año 2007. Se seleccionó un grupo estudio conformado por las embarazadas con tiempo de gestación de 28 a 39 semanas, con oligoamnios, a las que se les indicó expansión volumétrica (n=125) y dos grupos de control: el primero conformado por las embarazadas sin oligoamnios y que parieron en ese mismo período (n=125); el segundo, por las embarazadas con oligoamnios detectado a las 40 semanas y más de gestación y que no tuvieron posibilidad de la expansión volumétrica (n=125) y finalmente, la muestra quedó constituida por 375 gestantes. En el análisis estadístico se utilizó el porcentaje y el Ji cuadrado al 95% de certeza. Se obtuvo un incremento del índice de líquido amniótico (ILA) en el 96,8% de las gestantes posterior a 3 dosis de tratamiento, las rincipales causas de cesárea fueron: el sufrimiento fetal agudo, la presentación pelviana e inducción fallida asociado a bajo índice de inducciones y nacimientos pretérminos con morbilidad neonatal baja. Por lo que se concluye que la expansión volumétrica es una opción terapéutica eficaz en el tratamiento del oligoamnios, pues permitió prolongar el embarazo sin incremento de la morbilidad neonatal.Palabras clave: expansores del volumen de plasma, trabajo de parto inducido, cesárea; morbilidad. ABSTRACT An intervention-action, analytical and cohort research was conducted at "Abel Santamaria Cuadrado" University Hospital-2007, aimed at showing the effectiveness of maternal volumetric expansion in the increase of the amniotic-fluid volume in 28-39 weeks-pregnant women presenting oligoamnios by means of intravenous infusion with isotonic solutions. The study group was comprised of 28-39 weeks-pregnant women presenting oligoamnios, to whom volumetric expansion was indicated (n=125) and two control groups: the first comprised of pregnant women without oligoamnios and delivering in the same period (n=125); the second group of pregnant women that presented oligoamnios detected at 40 weeks or more of pregnancy and without the possibility of volumetric expansion (n=125), 375 pregnant women were in the final sample. To the statistical analysis the percentage method and the chi-square test with 95% of certainty were used. An increase was obtained in the amniotic-fluid rate (AFR), 96, 8% of the pregnant women after the third dose of treatment, the main causes to perform the cesarean section were: acute fetal distress, pelvic presentation and failed labor induction associated to a low rate of induction and preterm births with low neonatal morbidity. Concluding that; volumetric expansion is an efficient therapeutic option in the treatment of oligoamnios, extending pregnancy without increasing neonatal morbidity. Key words: plasma volume expander, induced labor, cesarean section, morbidity

Expansión volumétrica y comportamineto de oligoamnios / Volumetric expansion and behavior of the oligoamnios

Con el objetivo de demostrar la efectividad de la expansión volumétrica materna en el incremento del volumen de líquido amniótico en pacientes con tiempo de gestación de 28 a 39 semanas y oligoamnios, mediante la infusión endovenosa con soluciones isotónicas, se realizó una investigación de intervención-acción, analítica y de cohorte en el Hospital "Abel Santamaría" durante el año 2007. Se seleccionó un grupo estudio conformado por las embarazadas con tiempo de gestación de 28 a 39 semanas, con oligoamnios, a las que se les indicó expansión volumétrica (n=125) y dos grupos de control: el primero conformado por las embarazadas sin oligoamnios y que parieron en ese mismo período (n=125); el segundo, por las embarazadas con oligoamnios detectado a las 40 semanas y más de gestación y que no tuvieron posibilidad de la expansión volumétrica (n=125) y finalmente, la muestra quedó constituida por 375 gestantes. En el análisis estadístico se utilizó el porcentaje y el Ji cuadrado al 95% de certeza. Se obtuvo un incremento del índice de líquido amniótico (ILA) en el 96,8% de las gestantes posterior a 3 dosis de tratamiento, las rincipales causas de cesárea fueron: el sufrimiento fetal agudo, la presentación pelviana e inducción fallida asociado a bajo índice de inducciones y nacimientos pretérminos con morbilidad neonatal baja. Por lo que se concluye que la expansión volumétrica es una opción terapéutica eficaz en el tratamiento del oligoamnios, pues permitió prolongar el embarazo sin incremento de la morbilidad neonatal.Palabras clave: expansores del volumen de plasma, trabajo de parto inducido, cesárea; morbilidad. ABSTRACT An intervention-action, analytical and cohort research was conducted at "Abel Santamaria Cuadrado" University Hospital-2007, aimed at showing the effectiveness of maternal volumetric expansion in the increase of the amniotic-fluid volume in 28-39 weeks-pregnant women presenting oligoamnios by means of intravenous infusion with isotonic solutions. The study group was comprised of 28-39 weeks-pregnant women presenting oligoamnios, to whom volumetric expansion was indicated (n=125) and two control groups: the first comprised of pregnant women without oligoamnios and delivering in the same period (n=125); the second group of pregnant women that presented oligoamnios detected at 40 weeks or more of pregnancy and without the possibility of volumetric expansion (n=125), 375 pregnant women were in the final sample. To the statistical analysis the percentage method and the chi-square test with 95% of certainty were used. An increase was obtained in the amniotic-fluid rate (AFR), 96, 8% of the pregnant women after the third dose of treatment, the main causes to perform the cesarean section were: acute fetal distress, pelvic presentation and failed labor induction associated to a low rate of induction and preterm births with low neonatal morbidity. Concluding that; volumetric expansion is an efficient therapeutic option in the treatment of oligoamnios, extending pregnancy without increasing neonatal morbidity. Key words: plasma volume expander, induced labor, cesarean section, morbidity

Queymi N° 20

Revista de difusión cultural, publicada por el INC, filial Ancash, en diciembre de 1982. Cuenta con la colaboración de autores locales y notas informativas sobre la actividad institucional del INC-FA. Contiene: Nota editorial -- Cartas -- Ancash en la Historia. El periodismo huaracino en la década de los 30, por Manuel S. Reina Loli -- La diócesis de Huarás, por Eduardo Velásquez T. -- Primeras manifestaciones culturales en el Departamento de Ancash, por Juan de Dios Alba -- Personajes. Pedro C. Kochatzin de la Cruz “Uchcu Pedro”, por Santiago Maguiña -- Actividades del INC-FA -- Astronomía andina, por Rubén Almendrades Z. -- Crónicas. Ecos de una Actuación Musical Inolvidable, por Francisco Gonzáles – El entierro de la Manta y el Pañolón, por Francisco Gonzáles -- Transcripción. Una excursión trasandina (del Boletín de la Soc. Geog. Lima T.XV año XIV) -- Poética. El viajante, por Herbert Sawanay

Building and surroundings: thermal coupling

Energy building performance can be different according to outdoor conditions or urban environment, at the same time that this last assess, buildings are also affected by the building envelope, as obvious consequence of the thermal and Aeraulic coupling existing between the indoor and outdoor conditions in buildings. Thus, in this coupling is fundamental to typify the transmission phenomenon through the building envelope. Doing this, it is possible to estimate transmission heating losses and gains and also the superficial temperatures of the envelope. In order to assess the transient behaviour of the building envelope it is necessary to develop a predictive model, precise enough, to be integrated in a simulating tool. Detailed and multidimensional models, based in numerical methods, like Finite Element Method (FEM), has a high precision, but its complexity imply resources consumption and computational time, too high to be integrated in these kind of tools. On the contrary, simplified methods are good enough because they are simple and fast, with an acceptable precision in almost all the situations. The present work is focused: (a) Firstly, to develop a simplified RC-network model. The aim of the model is to characterize and to implement with precision the behaviour of a wall in a simulating software tool based on urban environment, (b) secondly, to express in form of equivalences, the different indoor and outdoor excitations that can exist in the building envelope, and (c) finally, to calibrate the simplified model through its characteristic parameters. For a homogeneous wall and two types of excitations, it has been obtained the characteristic parameters of the model that represent the better adjustment to the real wall. In a first step, it has been obtained the results of the proposal model and a reference model based on FEM, in terms of wall external surface heat flow. Results of both models have been compared, and the resultant characteristic parameters of the model have been obtained through an optimisation method. Results for the wall and for the excitations under analysis show: (1) Characteristic longitude ec, or capacitive node position, it is determined according to a certain value of Fo equal to 2 for both excitations, this value remains constant in time, (2) useful wall thickness, on the contrary, vary as time function, according to a logarithmic law for both excitations, although this function is different depending on the considered excitation, (3) using a constant excitation, coefficients from the previous logarithmic function depends on the range of the excitation, while these are practically independent of the lineal excitation gradient

Queymi N° 23

Revista de difusión cultural, publicada por el INC, filial Ancash, en setiembre de 1983. Cuenta con la colaboración de autores locales y notas informativas sobre la actividad institucional del INC-FA. Contiene: Nota Editorial – Cartas -- Homenaje al libertador Simón Bolívar en el Bicentenario de su nacimiento – Discurso de orden, 21 de julio. Carás, por Francisco Gonzáles -- Discurso de orden, 24 de julio. Plazuela Bolívar de Huarás, por Francisco Gonzáles – Itinerario y cronología de Bolívar en el norte del Perú, por Manuel S. Reyna L. – Bolívar y la amistad, por Sergio Quijada Jara – La última frase de Bolívar – tradición de Ricardo Palma – Actividades del INC-DA – Ancash en la historia. El ambiente revolucionario en Ancash a la llegada de Luzuriaga, por Augusto Alba Herrera – Personajes. Ladislao F. Meza, por Pedro Barrantes – Aurelio Arnao Loli, por Juan de Dios Alba

Reduction of ureteral stent encrustation by modulating the urine pH and inhibiting the crystal film with a new oral composition: a multicenter, placebo controlled, double blind, randomized clinical trial

Background: Encrustation of ureteral double J stents is a common complication that may affect its removal. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new oral composition to prevent double J stent encrustation in indwelling times up to 8 weeks. Methods: A double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 105 patients with indwelling double J stents enrolled across 9 public hospitals in Spain. The patients were randomly assigned (1:1) into intervention (53 patients) or placebo (52 patients) groups for 3 to 8 weeks and both groups self-monitored daily their morning urine pH levels. The primary outcome of analysis was the degree of stent ends encrustation, defined by a 4-point score (0 - none; 3 - global encrustation) using macroscopic and electron microscopy analysis of crystals, after 3 to 8-w indwelling period. Score was exponentially transformed according to calcium levels. Secondary endpoints included urine pH decrease, stent removal, and incidence of adverse events. Results: The intervention group benefits from a lower global encrustation rate of stent ends than placebo group (1% vs 8.2%; p < 0.018). Mean encrustation score was 85.12 (274.5) in the placebo group and 18.91 (102.27) in the intervention group (p < 0.025). Considering the secondary end points, treated patients reported greater urine pH decreases (p = 0.002). No differences in the incidence of adverse events were identified between the groups. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the use of this new oral composition is beneficial in the context of ureteral double J indwelling by decreasing mean, as well as global encrustation

A multi-stage genome-wide association study of bladder cancer identifies multiple susceptibility loci.

We conducted a multi-stage, genome-wide association study of bladder cancer with a primary scan of 591,637 SNPs in 3,532 affected individuals (cases) and 5,120 controls of European descent from five studies followed by a replication strategy, which included 8,382 cases and 48,275 controls from 16 studies. In a combined analysis, we identified three new regions associated with bladder cancer on chromosomes 22q13.1, 19q12 and 2q37.1: rs1014971, (P = 8 × 10⁻¹²) maps to a non-genic region of chromosome 22q13.1, rs8102137 (P = 2 × 10⁻¹¹) on 19q12 maps to CCNE1 and rs11892031 (P = 1 × 10⁻⁷) maps to the UGT1A cluster on 2q37.1. We confirmed four previously identified genome-wide associations on chromosomes 3q28, 4p16.3, 8q24.21 and 8q24.3, validated previous candidate associations for the GSTM1 deletion (P = 4 × 10⁻¹¹) and a tag SNP for NAT2 acetylation status (P = 4 × 10⁻¹¹), and found interactions with smoking in both regions. Our findings on common variants associated with bladder cancer risk should provide new insights into the mechanisms of carcinogenesis