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Summary Background Renal disease in people with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) continues to pose a major health threat. Inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) slow the decline of renal function in advanced renal disease, but their effects at earlier stages are unclear, and the degree of albuminuria at which treatment should start is not known. Methods We carried out a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the ACE inhibitor lisinopril in 530 men and women with IDDM aged 20–59 years with normoalbuminuria or microalbuminuria. Patients were recruited from 18 European centres, and were not on medication for hypertension. Resting blood pressure at entry was at least 75 and no more than 90 mm hg diastolic, and no more than 155 mm hg systolic. Urinary albumin excretion rate (AER) was centrally assessed by means of two overnight urine collections at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Findings There were no differences in baseline characteristics by treatment group; mean AER was 8.0 μg/min in both groups; and prevalence of microalbuminuria was 13% and 17% in the placebo and lisinopril groups, respectively. On intention-to-treat analysis at 2 years, AER was 2.2 μg/min lower in the lisinopril than in the placebo group, a percentage difference of 18.8% (95% CI 2·0–32·7, p=0·03), adjusted for baseline AER and centre, absolute difference 2.2 μg/min. In people with normoalbuminuria, the treatment difference was 1·0 μg/min (12·7% [−2·9 to 26·0], p=0·1). In those with microalbuminuria, however, the treatment difference was 34.2 μg/min (49·7% [−14·5 to 77·9], p=0·1; for interaction, p=0·04). For patients who completed 24 months on the trial, the final treatment difference in AER was 38·5 μg/min in those with microalbuminuria at baseline (p=0·001), and 0·23 μg/min in those with normoalbuminuria at baseline (p=0·6). There was no treatment difference in hypoglycaemic events or in metabolic control as assessed by glycated haemoglobin. Interpretation Lisinopril slows the progression of renal disease in normotensive IDDM patients with little or no albuminuria, though greatest effect was in those with microalbuminuria (AER ≥20 μg/min). Our results show that lisinopril does not increase the risk of hypoglycaemic events in IDDM.

Las aromáticas son los productos que principalmente se producen en el Dpto. Belén, Provincia de Catamarca, destacándose especialmente el pimiento para pimentón, anís, ajo y comino. También hay producciones de frutas que son destinadas al deshidratado. Estos cultivos son realizados por pequeños productores. La renta derivada de estos productos deshidratados no es la óptima debido a que la conservación es inadecuada. En el presente trabajo se propone un secadero solar mixto construido sobre un tendalero cubierto con un plástico y con convección forzada. Está formado por dos partes: un colector solar y a continuación la cámara de secado. La circulación del aire se realiza mediante dos ventiladores. Se muestra la caracterización del secado del pimiento para pimentón durante los meses de invierno, para muestras sin y con tratamiento (blanqueado y metabisulfito de sodio); se analizan las variaciones de temperaturas y humedades, la velocidad de secado en función del contenido de humedad y del tiempo. Si bien el secado fue adecuado y el producto de buena calidad, la baja radiación y temperatura ambiente, aumentaron el tiempo de secado. Los tratamientos mejoraron el color del producto seco y disminuyeron el tiempo de secado en un 25 % y 12,5 % respectivamente., Spice and condiment are mainly produced by small farmers in Belén, Province of Catamarca, including particularly the pepper for paprika, anise, garlic and cumin. There are also productions of fruits to be dehydrated. The income from these dehydrated products is not optimal because the preservation is inadequate. In this paper a mixed force convection solar tunnel drier is proposed. It consists of a transparent plastic covered flat plate collector and a drying chamber connected in series. The air circulates by means of two fans. The characterization of drying pepper for paprika is shown in samples with and without treatment, during winter. The variations of temperatures and humidity’s and the drying rate as a function of moisture content and time are analyzed. Even though the final product was of good quality, low radiation and ambient temperature increased drying time. Blanching and sulphiting treatment improved the dry pepper´s color and reduced drying time in a 25% and 12.5 % respectively., Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES)

El secado solar de frutas y hortalizas está siendo utilizado en distintos lugares del mundo y particularmente en Argentina. Si bien existen numerosos diseños de distinta complejidad, se presentan algunos problemas que requieren atención y estudio, especialmente en lo que se refiere a la tecnología de secaderos en convección natural. En el presente trabajo se detallan los aspectos constructivos de un tendalero adaptado para funcionar como secadero solar pasivo con una chimenea solar incorporada. El sistema básicamente consiste de un colector solar, cámara de secado y chimenea. Para el modelo de simulación se utilizó el SIMUSOL. Se analiza el sistema térmicamente y los resultados del ajuste de la simulación. Se muestran los resultados de los ensayos realizados: secado de pimiento para pimentón y membrillos. La simulación permitió determinar el flujo másico de aire dentro del secadero y resultó ser una herramienta útil a la hora del diseño. Los productos obtenidos son de buena calidad y el tiempo de secado se considera razonable para este tipo de secadero., Solar drying of fruits and vegetables is being used worldwide and particularly in Argentina. Although there are numerous designs of different complexity, they present some problems that require attention and study, especially when natural convection driers are used. This paper describes building aspects of a “tendalero” adapted for working as a passive solar drier with an incorporated solar chimney. The system essentially consists of a solar collector, a drying unit and a chimney. The simulation model used was SIMUSOL. A thermal analysis of the system is done and the results of adjustment simulation are considered. The results of the assays carried out, pepper for paprika and quince, are also shown. The simulation allowed to determine the mass flow rate of air inside the drier, and proved to be an important tool for design. The quality of dried products is good and the drying time is considered reasonable for this type of driers., Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES)

To evaluate the accuracy of a new subcutaneous glucose sensor (Glucoday; A. Menarini Diagnostics) compared with venous blood glucose measurement in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.A multicenter study was performed in 70 diabetic patients. A microdialysis fiber was inserted subcutaneously into the periumbelical region and perfused with a buffer solution. Glucose concentrations in the dialysate were then measured every 3 min by the glucose sensor over a 24-h period, during which nine venous blood samples were also collected throughout the day.Both the insertion of the fiber and the wearing of the device were well tolerated by the patients. Subcutaneous glucose levels were well correlated with venous glucose measurements (r = 0.9, P0.001) over a wide range (40-400 mg/dl) for up to 24 h, with a single-point calibration. An analysis of 381 data pairs showed a linear relationship between the GlucoDay and serial venous blood glucose levels, and 97% of the data fell in the A and B regions of the error grid analysis. Percentage bias between the GlucoDay and the blood venous levels was -2.0% in the hypoglycemic range (70 mg/dl), 6.9% in the euglycemic range (70-180 mg/dl), and 11.2% in the hyperglycemic range (180 mg/dl).The GlucoDay system demonstrated high reliability and reported values that closely agreed with venous blood glucose measurements. The system was well tolerated and thus constitutes a relatively easy method to monitor glucose excursions in diabetic patients.