The distribution of cadmium in soil and cacao beans in Peru.

Peru is the eighth largest producer of cacao beans globally, but high cadmium contents are constraining access to international markets which have set upper thresholds for permitted concentrations in chocolate and derivatives. Preliminary data have suggested that high cadmium concentrations in cacao beans are restricted to specific regions in the country, but to date no reliable maps exist of expected cadmium concentrations in soils and cacao beans. Drawing on >2000 representative samples of cacao beans and soils we developed multiple national and regional random forest models to develop predictive maps of cadmium in soil and cacao beans across the area suitable for cacao cultivation.

[Juxtaposition of the atria].

Left juxtaposition of atrial appendages is an anomaly of their origin and position which is associated with a high incidence of complex congenital heart defects. We studied six cases of juxtaposed right atrial appendages. They emerged from the anterior wall adjacent to the atrial septum and were situated to the left of the origin of the great arteries.

[Electrocardiographic findings in pulmonary arterial hypertension in children].

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) induces high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, mainly in the primary or essential type. Invasive studies are needed to confirm the diagnosis; among the non- invasive approach, the electrocardiogram has been used to suspect such entity with poor results due to inadequate diagnostic criteria. Twelve children with pulmonary hypertension of the essential type (PPH) and ten children with PH due to interventricular septal defect (VSD) were studied haemodynamically and electrocardiographically and compared to electrocardiographic data of 53 normal children.

[Tetralogy of Fallot associated with supravalvular mitral membrane].

Two children with tetralogy of Fallot and supravalvular mitral membrane are reported. In both, the diagnosis was established before surgery. In the first case, clinical data suggested the associated mitral lesion and a two-dimensional echocardiogram demonstrated a supravalvular membrane.

[Double outlet right ventricle with discordant atrioventricular connection. Clinical study].

The clinical and anatomic findings were reviewed in 17 patients with double-outlet right ventricle and atrioventricular discordance. Ten cases had atrial situs solitus, seven with right-sided heart three with left-sided heart. Seven cases had atrial situs inversus, five with left-sided heart and two with right-sided heart.