Clinical outcome of spontaneous non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in 108 patients.

Background: The cause of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is unknown in 15% of cases; idiopathic SAH has a better prognosis than aneurysmal SAH. When bleeding is confined to the perimesencephalic cisterns, SAH has an especially benign course.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 108 patients admitted for spontaneous non-aneurysmal SAH between 1991 and 2004.

[Non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: 60 cases].

Introduction: Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is idiopathic in 15% of cases. They represent a group whose characteristics are different from those with an aneurysmal etiology. We present a retrospective longterm follow up of 60 patients, analyzing symptomatology, complications and evolution and identify a subgroup of patients with a perimesencephalic pattern (PMP) in computed tomography (CT) for their excellent prognosis.

Short-term prediction of Betula airborne pollen concentration in Vigo (NW Spain) using logistic additive models and partially linear models.

Betula pollen is a common cause of pollinosis in localities in NW Spain and between 13% and 60% of individuals who are immunosensitive to pollen grains respond positively to its allergens. It is important in the case of all such people to be able to predict pollen concentrations in advance. We therefore undertook an aerobiological study in the city of Vigo (Pontevedra, Spain) from 1995 to 2001, using a Hirst active-impact pollen trap (VPPS 2000) situated in the city centre.

Usefulness of anticoagulants in the prevention of ischemic stroke.

Oral anticoagulants are drugs commonly used in the prevention of vascular diseases, especially in embolic-type processes. Although several studies have assessed the possibility of using them in arterial processes, the experience has not been satisfactory so far. Heart diseases with major emboligenic flow are still the main indication, while the prevention of other low-risk heart diseases and treatment of large- or small-artery disease can be based on antiaggregant treatment.

Effect of air temperature on forecasting the start of the Betula pollen season at two contrasting sites in the south of Europe (1995-2001).

In order to survive periods of adverse cold climatic conditions, plant requirements are satisfied by means of physiological adaptations to prevent cells from freezing. Thus, the growth of woody plants in temperate regions slows down and they enter into a physiological state called dormancy. In order to identify the chilling and heat requirements to overcome the dormancy period of Betula in the south of Europe, a comparative study was carried out with aerobiological pollen data of a 7-year (1995-2001) period in Vigo (Spain) and Perugia (Italy).

Pinus pollen in the atmosphere of Vigo and its relationship to meteorological factors.

The Pinus genus has an elevated pollen production and an anemophilous nature. Although considered to be hypoallergenic, numerous cases of allergies caused by Pinus pollen have been cited and different authors believe that its allergenicity should be studied in more depth. In the city of Vigo several patients have tested positive for Pinus pollen extracts in skin tests, some of them being mono-sensitive to such pollens.

[Purely bulbar hematomas].

Introduction: Purely bulbar hematomas are not common (0.25%-0.50% of all intraparenchymatous hematomas), probably because of the particular characteristics of the anatomy and hemodynamics of the bulbar circulation.

[The involvement of the parenchyma of the central nervous system in Behçet disease].

Introduction: Behçet disease is a systemic form of vasculitis which presents with neurological symptoms with a frequency varying between 16 and 40%. Involvement of the parenchyma has been found to worsen the prognosis in patients with neuroBehçet (NB).

Objective: To review the clinical features and course of patients with NB involving the parenchyma of the central nervous system (CNS).

Social network associations with contraceptive use among Cameroonian women in voluntary associations.

This paper examines the association between social networks and contraceptive use. Using data from a survey of women belonging to voluntary associations in Yaoundé, Cameroon, we find that the behavior and characteristics of the members of a respondent's personal networks are associated with her contraceptive use, over and above a set of her own individual characteristics that are usually found to be important. Respondents who report that their network partners approve of contraception, use it, and encourage the respondent to use are more likely to use contraception themselves; the association with encouragement is particularly strong.

Community participation in rural health care.

Shortage of health professionals in rural health is a reality with which health care providers in Cameroon are battling and will continue for some time to come. In the meantime, while attempts are being made to solve the problem by increase in the training of health personnel there are alternative approaches which offer some solutions. One of these approaches is community participation.