Wastewater sludges pretreated by different oxidation systems at mild conditions to promote the biogas formation in anaerobic processes

The effect of different oxidation processes at mild conditions including the coupled-Fenton (sono-Fenton, photo-Fenton, and sono-photo-Fenton) and their blank systems (ultrasound, ultraviolet, zero valent iron, and Fenton) on anaerobic digestion of the sludge for biogas production was investigated. Ultrasounds led to the highest organic matter solubilization (3.8 up to 5.2 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/L, for the raw and treated sludge, respectively), while for the rest, organic matter transformation was observed resulting in an almost soluble COD net balance. Results indicated that for the most oxidative processes, the released organic matter was probably mineralized by the hydroxyl radicals produced during the treatments. It is interesting to remark that even if the biochemical methane potential was barely enhanced by the different methods applied, all the methods demonstrated to enhance the overall kinetics of the biomethanation processes, increasing the rapidly biodegradable fraction of the sludge.

Iron Deficiency in the Acute-Phase Reaction After Open Aortic Surgery

The objective of this study was to quantify the magnitude of iron deficiency in the postoperative period after open aortic surgery. This was a prospective observational study in 55 consecutive patients. Blood samples were obtained on postoperative days 1, 2, 4, 30, and 45, and the parameters determined were the following: iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation index, transferrin-soluble receptor, ferritin, red cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and number of blood units transfused. We performed statistical ANOVA test for repetitive measurements (lower bound) in regard to its basal level. Iron deficiency and its parameters reached the maximum at 48 hours postoperatively (iron: 18.92 g/dL and transferrin saturation index: 11.1%) (P <.05). There was not a complete recovery after 45 days (iron: 51.23 g/dL and transferrin saturation index: 18.0%) (P <.05). A similar evolution was observed in the other measured parameters (red cell count: 3.5 x 106/L.; hemoglobin: 10.4 g/dL; hematocrit: 30.7%) (P <.005), none affecting the values of concentration or volume (P <.05). Transferrin-soluble receptors, normal at first, were increased at postoperative days 30 and 45 (2.7 and 2.4 mg/dL respectively, P <.005). After open aortic surgery there is an important acute-phase reaction, a dramatic iron deficiency, and a lack of its transporters until the 45th analyzed day. The elevation of transferrin-soluble receptors in the 4th and 6th weeks denotes a necessity of iron supplementation for a correct development of the immature hematic cells since blood parameters do not reach normal levels in the 6th postoperative week.

The social impact of Parkinson's disease in Spain: Report by the Spanish Foundation for the Brain

INTRODUCTION

Understanding the social and economic impact of Parkinson's disease is essential for resource planning and raising social awareness.

DEVELOPMENT

Researchers reviewed the data published to date on epidemiology, morbidity and mortality, dependency, and economic impact of Parkinson's disease in Spain. In addition, a study has been carried out in order to define the public and private health care resources of Spanish patients affected by Parkinson's disease by means of an e-mail survey of all neurologists specialising in this disease and belonging to the Spanish Society of Neurology's study group for movement disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence and prevalence rates of Parkinson's disease in Spain are similar to those in the rest of Europe. According to current population estimates, there are at least 300.000 patients with Parkinson's disease and one new case per 10.000 habitants per year in Spain. This has a major impact on the patient's quality of life and nearly doubles patient mortality. In addition, the disease generates sizeable costs for the country that may exceed 17.000€ per year per patient; costs will rise due to the ageing of the population and the new therapies employed. Healthcare professionals and administrators dedicate their efforts to providing quality care to patients. Despite the above, we still have a long way to go in order to provide quality, efficient, multidisciplinary, and universal healthcare.

Morphological expression of the anterior spinal artery and the intracranial segment of the vertebral artery: a direct anatomic study

Given its importance for clinical diagnosis and management, the purpose of this study was to determine the morphological expression of the intracranial segment of both vertebral and spinal arteries. Ninety-five fresh cadaveric specimens autopsied at the Instituto de Medicina Legal of Bucaramanga (Colombia) were perfused with polyester resins at the vertebrobasilar vascular bed, by canalizing the proximal segment of the internal carotids and vertebral arteries. The intracranial segment of the vertebral arteries (VA) had a length of 33.2±5.2 mm and a caliber of 3.03±0.81 mm. The left vertebral artery had a caliber of 3.12±0.85 mm, this being greater than the caliber of the right artery in 59.6% of the cases. The VA junction was seen at the level of the ponto-medullary sulcus in 44.2%, above this level in 30.5%, and below it in 25.3%. The distance from the origin of the anterior spinal branches (ASBs) to the VA junction was 7.34±2.71 mm, with a greater distance corresponding to the right ASBs, a difference that did not reach statistical significance (p=0.32). The anterior spinal arteries (ASA) had a bilateral origin in 65.3% of the cases, with the caliber being balanced in 37 (39%) and dominant at the right side in 15.8%. A right unilateral origin of the ASA was observed in 13.7% and a left unilateral origin in 9.5% of the specimens. There is disagreement in the literature as to the level of the junction of the two vertebral arteries. The unilateral origin of the spinal arteries is more frequent than most prior studies have indicated.

Post-Chernobyl accident radioactivity measurements in the Comunidad Autonoma de Valencia, Spain

Increased atmospheric radioactivity after the accident in Chernobyl was first detected on air filters. Measurements were begun in Valencia on May 2, 1986, with the maximum activity being observed around May 3-4, 1986. As a consequence of this accident, annual campaigns of measurements on migrating birds (several species of aquatic birds and song-thrushes) were started. The data corresponding to the campaign immediately after the accident (1986/87) show a generalized contamination (approximately 50% of the measured specimens). Significant levels of 134Cs, 137Cs and 110Agm were found. It is important to note that 110Agm is only present in Aythya ferina. In the successive campaigns in 1988/89 and 1989/91 few samples were found to be contaminated and only 137Cs was identified. Strontium-90 was measured and identified in some specimens, mainly in their bones.