Proteinuria is prevalent. When considered together, dipstick-positive proteinuria, blood pressure level, body mass index > or =30 m(2)/kg, and abnormal fasting blood glucose measured on a single occasion identifies different segments of the population. Studies such as this may be a suitable initial clinical approach to general population screening for renal and cardiovascular risk stratification.

This paper reviews and discusses the main procedures and policies that need to be followed when designing and implementing a binational survey such as the United States of America (U.S.)-Mexico Border Diabetes Prevalence Study that took place between 2001 and 2002. The main objective of the survey was to determine the prevalence of diabetes in the population 18 years of age or older along U.S.-Mexico border counties and municipalities. Several political, administrative, financial, legal, and cultural issues were identified as critical factors that need to be considered when developing and implementing similar binational projects. The lack of understanding of public health practices, implementation of existing policies, legislation, and management procedures in Mexico and the United States may delay or cancel binational research, affecting the working relation of both countries. Many challenges were identified: multiagency/multifunding, ethical/budget clearances, project management, administrative procedures, laboratory procedures, cultural issues, and project communications. Binational projects are complex; they require coordination between agencies and institutions at federal, state, and local levels and between countries and need a political, administrative, bureaucratic, cultural, and language balance. Binational agencies and staff should coordinate these projects for successful implementation.

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The aim of the present work was to describe the importance of establishing a strong patient radiation protection program in computed tomography (CT) departments. Radiation protection in computed tomography (CT) deserves special attention since CT is the largest contributor to patient radiation exposure in diagnostic radiology. Radiation protection in CT examinations has been recommended by international organizations as well as AIEA program. As part of our proposals is the dose reduction in CT systems used, ALARA principle application and the enshrined the international guide regulations for the protection of patients were based on. For our staff working with ionizing radiation in CT departments is supervised under national authorities by legal limits but for patient radiation protection has not been involved in the national legislation.