Methodology to design a municipal solid waste generation and composition map: a case study

The municipal solid waste (MSW) management is an important task that local governments as well as private companies must take into account to protect human health, the environment and to preserve natural resources. To design an adequate MSW management plan the first step consists in defining the waste generation and composition patterns of the town. As these patterns depend on several socio-economic factors it is advisable to organize them previously. Moreover, the waste generation and composition patterns may vary around the town and over the time. Generally, the data are not homogeneous around the city as the number of inhabitants is not constant nor it is the economic activity. Therefore, if all the information is showed in thematic maps, the final waste management decisions can be made more efficiently. The main aim of this paper is to present a structured methodology that allows local authorities or private companies who deal with MSW to design its own MSW management plan depending on the available data. According to these data, this paper proposes two ways of action: a direct way when detailed data are available and an indirect way when there is a lack of data and it is necessary to take into account bibliographic data. In any case, the amount of information needed is considerable. This paper combines the planning methodology with the Geographic Information Systems to present the final results in thematic maps that make easier to interpret them. The proposed methodology is a previous useful tool to organize the MSW collection routes including the selective collection. To verify the methodology it has been successfully applied to a Spanish town.

Methodology to design a municipal solid waste generation and composition map: a case study

The municipal solid waste (MSW) management is an important task that local governments as well as private companies must take into account to protect human health, the environment and to preserve natural resources. To design an adequate MSW management plan the first step consist in defining the waste generation and composition patterns of the town. As these patterns depend on several socio-economic factors it is advisable to organize them previously. Moreover, the waste generation and composition patterns may vary around the town and over the time. Generally, the data are not homogeneous around the city as the number of inhabitants is not constant nor it is the economic activity. Therefore, if all the information is showed in thematic maps, the final waste management decisions can be made more efficiently. The main aim of this paper is to present a structured methodology that allows local authorities or private companies who deal with MSW to design its own MSW management plan depending on the available data. According to these data, this paper proposes two ways of action: a direct way when detailed data are available and an indirect way when there is a lack of data and it is necessary to take into account bibliographic data. In any case, the amount of information needed is considerable. This paper combines the planning methodology with the Geographic Information Systems to present the final results in thematic maps that make easier to interpret them. The proposed methodology is a previous useful tool to organize the MSW collection routes including the selective collection. To verify the methodology it has been successfully applied to a Spanish town.

[Compliance with current dietary recommendations and geographical variability of diet in women participating in 7 screening programs for breast cancer in Spain]

INTRODUCTION

A healthy diet is especially important during menopause, a period which increases the risk of various health problems. We analyzed the diet of periand postmenopausal Spanish women and the degree of compliance with current recommendations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We studied 3574 women 45-68 years old who attended breast cancer screening programmes in 7 centres (A Coruña, Barcelona, Burgos, Palma de Mallorca, Pamplona, Valencia and Zaragoza). Diet information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire validated for the Spanish population. For the assessment of compliance with current guidelines we used the recommendations by the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition for food groups intake and by the Spanish Federation of Nutrition, Food and Dietetics for energy, vitamins and minerals intake.

RESULTS

The 29% of women were obese and 42% overweight. The average caloric intake was 2.053 kcal (SD 480). The general energy profile was: 43% of the energy from the carbohydrates, 36% from fats, and 20% from proteins. There was a low vitamin D intake in all centres of the study, with an overall mean intake of 2.14 mg/day. A deficit of vitamin E intake in A Coruña and Burgos was also detected. Intake of dairy products and vegetables was high in all the study centers. The consumption of fruits and vegetables was very heterogeneous, with high intakes observed in Mallorca and Valencia and low for both food groups in A Coruña. The olive oil intake was high in all centers except Burgos with 74.3% of the women studied below the recommended 3 servings per day.

CONCLUSIONS

A diet with less fat and protein and a higher consumption of vegetables, nuts and foods rich in carbohydrate might balance the energy intake and improve the quality of the diet correcting the low intakes of vitamins D and E. These recommendations are especially important in cities far from the Mediterranean coast where more breaches have been detected over the current recommendations with a lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet.

[Colonoscopic findings from a pilot screening study for colorectal cancer in Catalonia]

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate lesions detected in two screening rounds performed in a pilot screening programme for colorectal cancer in Catalonia, Spain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

a colorectal cancer screening programme was initiated in 2000. The target population included men and women aged 50-69 years. Screening consisted of biennial guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), and colonoscopy for participants with a positive FOBT. Any polyps found were removed, and biopsies were performed for any masses.

RESULTS

colonoscopies were performed in 442 of 495 people with positive FOBT. In 213 (48.2%), 36 invasive cancers, 121 high-risk adenomas, 29 low-risk adenomas, and 27 hyperplastic polyps were diagnosed. Lesion size was smaller than 10 mm in 25.8% of cases. Most detected lesions (37.2%) were located in the distal colon, followed by the proximal colon (5.7%) and both locations (5.2%). Advanced neoplasm was significantly associated with male gender and distal location. The prevalence of advanced proximal neoplasms among patients with no distal polyps was 5.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

the most common lesions detected by colonoscopy were high-risk adenomas located in the distal colon. FOBT is a suitable method for detecting small precancer lesions during population screening, and is thus a key factor in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer.

Assessing heavy metal sources in agricultural soils of an European Mediterranean area by multivariate analysis

According to the European Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection, the characterization of the content and source of heavy metals in soils are necessary to establish quality standards on a regional level that allow the detection of sampling sites affected by pollution. In relation to this, the surface horizons of 54 agricultural soils under vegetable crops in the Alicante province (Spain), a representative area of the European Mediterranean region, were sampled to determine the content of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn. Analytical determinations were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy after microwave sample digestion in acid solution. Results indicated that heavy metal levels were similar to those reported by authors working on agricultural soils from other parts of the Mediterranean region, with the exception of Cu and Pb in some samples. Multivariate analysis (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) was performed to identify a common source for heavy metals. Moreover, soil properties were determined in order to characterize agricultural soils and to analyze relationships between heavy metal contents and soil properties. The content of Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn were associated with parent rocks and corresponded to the first principal component called the lithogenic component. A significant correlation was found between lithogenic metals and some soil properties such as soil organic matter, clay content, and carbonates, indicating an important interaction among them. On the other hand, elements such as Cd, Cu and Pb were related to anthropic activities and comprised the second (Cu and Pb) and third principal components (Cd), designated the anthropogenic components. Generally, Cd, Cu and Pb showed a lower correlation with soil properties due to the fact that they remain in available forms in these agricultural soils. Taking into account these results and other achieved in other parts of the European Mediterranean region, it can be concluded that soil quality standards are highly needed to declare soils affected by human induced pollution. This is particularly relevant for anthropogenic metals (Cd, Cu and Pb, and in some areas also Zn). Further research in other agricultural areas of the region would improve the basis for proposing such soil quality standards.

Nosocomial outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections related to a flexible bronchoscope

An outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections affecting 17 patients was detected in the 27-bed intensive care unit (ICU) of a community hospital from 1 July to 30 September 2003. An ambidirectional cohort study was conducted to identify the risk factors for infection. Nosocomial infections were defined using the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Random arbitrary polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction was used for genotypic characterization. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that case patients were more likely than non-cases to have had a longer stay in the ICU, and to have undergone mechanical ventilation and antimicrobial treatment. The multi-variate analysis identified recent bronchoscopy [risk ratio (RR) 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5-3.9] and exposure to an infected patient (RR 2.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.7) as independent risk factors. Molecular analysis showed that of the nine isolates available, four patients had a similar strain. The factor with the strongest influence on the risk of death was infection with P. aeruginosa (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0-2.4, P=0.04). A combined infection control strategy was implemented, including strict compliance with isolation precautions and recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting bronchoscopes, and a sharp reduction in the incidence of P. aeruginosa infection followed. It is thought that this outbreak was caused by patient-to-patient transmission and infection from a common source, i.e. the flexible bronchoscope.

Smoking Cessation in a Population-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To study the incidence rates and the determinants of smoking cessation in a population-based cohort.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used data from the Cornellà Health Interview Survey Follow-up Study. Subjects who declared they were daily smokers at baseline (1994) and had complete follow-up, with information on smoking status in 2002, entered into analysis. We calculated incidence rates and the relative risks of cessation (with 95% confidence intervals) using the Cox model.

RESULTS

Out of 353 daily smokers, 100 quit smoking during the follow-up period (cumulative incidence of 28.3%). The incidence rate of cessation was higher among men (42.34 per 1000 person-years) than among women (24.97 per 1000 person-years), with a relative risk of cessation of 1.69 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.79) for men. Age and level of education were associated with a higher relative risk of quitting in men.

CONCLUSIONS

The main determinants for smoking cessation are sociodemographic (sex, age, and level of education).

Trends in Childhood Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Catalonia, Spain, 1975–1998

Childhood cancer mortality has sharply declined in most economically developed countries over the last years, whereas no substantial changes in the incidence have been observed. In Catalonia (Spain), childhood cancer mortality showed a considerable decline until 1992, but incidence trends have not been analysed in this population. To assess both recent incidence and mortality trends in this population, we analysed childhood (0-14 years) cancer data from the population-based Tarragona Cancer Registry and from the Mortality Registry of Catalonia (Spain) from 1980 to 1998. All cancer mortality decreased by -2.6% annually in boys (95% confidence interval, 95% CI -3.7, -1.6) and -3.7% in girls (95% CI -4.9, -2.5). Mortality due to leukaemia decreased annually -3.0% in boys (95% CI -4.7, -1.4) and -4.4% in girls (95% CI -6.3, -2.4). Mortality for brain tumours showed a reduction of -3.2% in boys (95% CI -5.5, -0.9) and of -4.4% in girls (95% CI -6.3, -2.4). No significant trend in incidence rates, either in boys or in girls, was observed (annual per cent of change for all cancers -0.5%, 95% CI -3.5, 2.7, in boys and 1.7%, 95% CI -1.9, 5.5, in girls). These results suggest an improvement in both childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment, which may explain current higher childhood cancer survival rates.

Recent decline in cancer mortality in Catalonia (Spain). A joinpoint regression analysis

The aim of this paper was to analyse recent changes in cancer mortality in Catalonia (Spain) between 1975 and 1998 using joinpoint regression models. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Registry of Catalonia. For each sex, age-standardised (standard world population) mortality rates were computed by the direct method, and joinpoint analysis was used to identify the best fitting points where a statistically significant change in the rates had occurred. In men, the overall cancer mortality (except skin non-melanoma) was highest in 1991 and decreased thereafter. Lung cancer was the main cause of cancer mortality, with an increase until 1989, and a subsequent levelling off (-0.8% annual between 1989 and 1998). Colorectal cancer was the second cause of cancer death, both in men and women, with a levelling-off of the rates since 1991 and 1989, respectively. In women, the mortality rate decreased for total cancer (except skin non-melanoma) since 1991 (-0.9% annually). Breast cancer increased until 1975, levelled-off and begun to decline since 1992 (-3.8% annual). Lung cancer increased since 1988 (+2.1%) and became the third cancer cause of death among women in 1998. These changes are mainly due to the decline of smoking prevalence in males, but not in females, and to the introduction of new diagnostic techniques and improved therapies for female breast cancer.

[Trends in cancer mortality in Catalonia (1975-1998)]

BACKGROUND

Aimed at assessing recent trends of cancer mortality in Catalonia (Spain), we analysed mortality rates for main tumour locations in men and women between 1975 and 1998.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Registry of Catalonia. For each sex, age-standardized (standard world population) mortality rates were determined by means of the direct method, and generalized lineal models with Poisson distribution were adjusted to obtain annual change percentages.

RESULTS

In men, the overall cancer mortality (except skin non-melanoma) was highest within 1991-1992 (age-standardized rate: 181.39/100,000) and decreased thereafter until 169.47/100,000 in 1995-1996. Lung cancer was the main cause of cancer mortality, displaying a 4% annual increase until 1989-1990, and a subsequent stabilization (-0.5% annual between 1989 -1990 and 1997 - 1998); Colorectal cancer was the second cause of cancer death, both in men and women, with a mortality rate stabilization since the 1990s. Prostate cancer became the third cause of cancer death in 1997-1998. In women, overall cancer (except skin non-melanoma) mortality rate was of 77.98/100,000 in 1997-98, showing a 0.9% annual decrease since 1989-1990. Breast cancer was the chief cause of cancer death within 1997-1998: after a sustained increase since 1975-1976, mortality started to decline (-2.0% annual) since 1989-1990. Lung cancer became the third cause of cancer death among women within 1997-1998, just after breast cancer and colorectal cancer, while gastric and uterine cancer became the fourth and fifth cancer death causes during this period, respectively.

CONCLUSION

After years of a steady increase, mortality rates for main cancer types stabilized since 1989-1990 in Catalonia.

[News about cancer in the press]

BACKGROUND

News on health and health care are increasingly common in the mass media, and cancer is one of the most prominent topic among these news due to its health impact.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All news published in major newspapers in Catalonia, Spain between April to December 1996 were analysed, together with items from science and health supplements general information and science journals. Types of cancer-related topics, sources of information, the importance of cancer in the news item and the theme of the piece were analysed.

RESULTS

During the period analysed, 974 news items were published which dealt with cancer. Of these, cancer was the principal topic in 53.5% of the items published in the national press, and 63.4% of the items published in the regional press. Cancer was the subject of an editorial comment on only four occasions. The source of information was mentioned in 64.8% of the items, and mean number of sources was 1.6. Political institutions were the most frequent source of information in newspapers, while science and health supplements and other magazines tended to cite scientific and health care institutions, as well as scientific journals. Basic research was the most common topic for news (30.3%) in science and health supplements while risk and environmental factors (29.6%) were the most common topics in magazines; environmental and technological risk factors (18,6%) and conflicts with health administrative bodies (16%) were the most frequent topics in the newspapers.

CONCLUSION

News about risk factors and their prevention as well as technological and environmental factors related to cancer were among the most important topics published in the general press and magazines, together with conflicts with administrative bodies. Informations related to new therapies were a less frequent topic. Scientific journals have an important role as an information source for mass media together with political and scientific institutions.

[Knowledge of health professionals about the prevention of cancer the cervix. Alternatives to medical education]

OBJECTIVE

Several studies have shown the importance of health care professionals as predictors of the use of cervical cancer screening (CCS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 520 health care professionals in the State of Morelos during 1998, in order to evaluate and quantify their level of knowledge on the impact, etiology, screening, diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer. A 1 to 10 scale questionnaire was given, and the sample included family medicine specialists, general practitioners, specialist and general nurses, and social workers. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A knowledge mean of 4.74 (95% CI 4.57-4.88) was observed for a scale of 10; specialist physicians scored higher (mean 5.21, 95% CI 4.81-5.60) than social workers (mean 3.07, 95% CI 2.31-3.82). Periodicity of the Pap test in most cases was less than 1 year and there was poor consensus about the age period during which the Pap test should be obtained. The knowledge level was lower when trying to identify etiologic aspects and treatment perspectives.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study show that, besides the improvement of undergraduate academic programs, it is necessary to improve educational interventions for health care professionals through the updating, recycling, training, health education, and continuing medical education, among others, to promote professional competence and thus improve the quality of medical care.

Native gel analysis of ribonucleoprotein complexes from a Leishmania tarentolae mitochondrial extract

Two polypeptides of 50 and 45 kDa were adenylated by incubation of a mitochondrial extract from Leishmania tarentolae with [alpha-32P]ATP. These proteins were components of a complex that sedimented at 20S in glycerol gradients and migrated as a single band of approximately 1800 kDa in a native gel. The facts that RNA ligase activity cosedimented at 20S and that the ATP-labeled p45 and p50 polypeptides were deadenylated upon incubation with a ligatable RNA substrate suggested that these proteins may represent charged intermediates of a mitochondrial RNA ligase. Hybridization of native gel blots with guide RNA (gRNA) probes showed the presence of gRNA in the previously identified T-IV complexes that sedimented in glycerol at 10S and contained terminal uridylyl transferase (TUTase) activity, and also in a previously unidentified class of heterodisperse complexes that sedimented throughout the gradient. gRNAs were not detected in the p45 + p50-containing 1800 kDa complex. The heterodisperse gRNA-containing complexes were sensitive to incubation at 27 degrees C and appear to represent complexes of T-IV subunits with mRNA. Polyclonal antiserum to a 70 kDa protein that purified with terminal uridylyl transferase activity was generated, and the antiserum was used to show that this p70 polypeptide was a component of both the T-IV and the heterodisperse gRNA-containing complexes. We propose that the p45 + p50-containing 1800 kDa complex and the p70 + gRNA-containing heterodisperse complexes interact in the editing process. Further characterization of these various complexes should increase our knowledge of the biochemical mechanisms involved in RNA editing.

Reorganization of human cortical motor output maps following traumatic forearm amputation

We report the results of serial transcranial magnetic stimulation mapping of cortical motor outputs to the face and upper extremity in a subject studied before and repeatedly after traumatic amputation of the right arm immediately below the elbow. The results of the mapping studies illustrate the time course of plastic changes in the motor cortical representation in humans following a traumatic amputation and allow the correlation of subjective perceptions of phantom limbs with the reorganization of cortical outputs.

Characterization of two nuclear-encoded protein components of mitochondrial ribonucleoprotein complexes from Leishmania tarentolae

Two mitochondrial proteins with molecular masses of 18 and 51 kDa were isolated from Leishmania tarentolae, and N-terminal amino-acid sequences were obtained. The cDNAs and genes encoding these proteins were cloned using RT-PCR. The proteins were identified as components of the previously characterized mitochondrial ribonucleoprotein complexes, T-Ia and T-VI, by comigration in native gels. The p18 and p51 genes contain 17 and 9-amino-acid N-terminal sequences, which are not present in the mature proteins and may represent cleavable mitochondrial targeting sequences. There are two identical p18 genes separated by 1.7 kb in tandem array and both are transcribed. The p18 amino-acid sequence is not similar to any sequence in the database. Antiserum to p18 expressed in Escherichia coli reacts with the entire tubular mitochondrion. The p51 gene is single copy, and the amino-acid sequence is similar to mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenases from other organisms. The N-terminal amino-acid sequences of 71 and 62-kDa mitochondrial proteins which co-migrated in native gels with several other T-complexes were also obtained. The p71 sequence proved to be similar to hsp70 sequences from other organisms. The p62 sequence was identical to an hsp60 sequence from Trypanosoma brucei.

Characterization of two classes of ribonucleoprotein complexes possibly involved in RNA editing from Leishmania tarentolae mitochondria

The molecular mechanism of RNA editing in trypanosomatid mitochondria is an unsolved problem. We show that two classes of ribonucleoprotein complexes exist in a mitochondrial extract from Leishmania tarentolae and appear to be involved in RNA editing. The 'G' class of RNP complexes consists of 170-300 A particles which contain guide RNAs and proteins, show little terminal uridylyl transferase (TUTase) activity and exhibit an in vitro RNA editing-like activity. The 'T' class consists of approximately six RNP complexes, the endogenous RNA of which can be self-labeled with [alpha-32P]UTP. The most abundant T complex, T-IV, is visualized by electron microscopy as 80-140 A particles. This complex exhibits TUTase activity in the native gel and contains guide RNAs. Both G and T complexes are possibly involved with RNA editing in vivo. These results are a starting point for the analysis of the biochemistry of RNA editing.

An intergenic G-rich region in Leishmania tarentolae kinetoplast maxicircle DNA is a pan-edited cryptogene encoding ribosomal protein S12

Six short G-rich intergenic regions in the maxicircle of Leishmania tarentolae are conserved in location and polarity in two other kinetoplastid species. We show here that G-rich region 6 (G6) represents a pan-edited cryptogene which contains at least two domains edited independently in a 3'-to-5' manner connected by short unedited regions. In the completely edited RNA, 117 uridines are added at 49 sites and 32 uridines are deleted at 13 sites, creating a translated 85-amino-acid polypeptide. Similar polypeptides are probably encoded by pan-edited G6 transcripts in two other species. The G6 polypeptide has significant sequence similarity to the family of S12 ribosomal proteins. A minicircle-encoded gRNA overlaps 12 editing sites in G6 mRNA, and chimeric gRNA/mRNA molecules were shown to exist, in agreement with the transesterification model for editing.

Morphology and distribution of cytoplasmic inclusions in adrenoleukodystrophy

We report some additional observations on the pathognomonic cytoplasmic inclusions in a typical case of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). Study of the linear inclusions by means of tilt-stage electron microscopy indicated that they represent trilaminar sheet-like structures distinct from materials seen in various other storage disorders. This study emphasizes that the inclusions in the adrenal and testicular parenchymal cells morphologically differ from those in the brain macrophages. In the latter they occur as membrane-bound discrete structures while in the parenchymal cells they are always seen lying free in the cytoplasm and associated with cleft-like spaces. This morphologic variation of the inclusions is noteworthy and probably reflects a biochemical difference in the storage materials in these two most severely affected organs. In addition, this study demonstrates the presence of linear inclusions within macrophages in otherwise normal-appearing liver, spleen, thymus and also in the renal tubular cells. These findings suggest that the abnormal materials containing very long chain fatty acids enter the blood stream and become sequestered in the reticuloendothelial system and possibly are also excreted in the urine. Detection of these abnormal fatty acids in blood and urine may simplify diagnosis of ALD.