Assessment of the environmental compatibility and antifouling performance of an innovative biocidal and foul-release multifunctional marine coating.

The control of marine biofouling has raised serious environmental concerns, thus the continuous release of toxic and persistent biocidal agents applied as anti-biofouling coatings have triggered the search for non-toxic strategies. However, most of them still lack rigorous evaluation of their ecotoxicity and antifouling effects under real scenarios and their correlation with simulated assays. In this work, the biocide releasing risk and ecotoxicity of a biocidal and foul-release polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based marine coating containing grafted Econea biocide (<0.6 wt.%) were evaluated under simulated real mechanical wear conditions at a pilot-scale system, and under extreme wear scenarios (washability settings). The coating system demonstrated low environmental impact against the model Vibrio fischeri bacterium and marine algae, associated with the effective biocide grafting in the coating matrix and subsequent biocide release minimization. This multifunctional coating system also showed auspicious antifouling (AF) effects, with an AF performance index significantly higher (API > 89) than a single foul-release system (AF < 40) after two and half years at a real immersion scenario in the Portuguese shore of the Atlantic Ocean. These field results corroborated the antibiofilm performance evaluated with Pseudoalteromonas tunicata at simulated dynamic marine conditions after seven-week assays. This eco-friendly multifunctional strategy, validated by both simulated testing conditions and real field tests, is believed to be a powerful tool for the development of AF technologies and a potential contribution to the quest for new environmentally friendly antifouling solutions.

Evaluation of Protective Coatings for High-Corrosivity Category Atmospheres in Offshore Applications.

The interest in renewable energies obtained from the resources availed in the ocean has increased during the last few years. However, the harsh atmospheric conditions in marine environments is a major drawback in the design of offshore structures. The protective systems that are employed to preserve offshore steel structures are regulated by several standards (ISO 12944, NORSOK M-501), which classify the corrosivity category of offshore installations as C5-M and Im2. In this work, three coatings employed in offshore components protection have been evaluated according to these standards by performing weathering aging tests in different climatic cabinets. The coatings studied were a thermally sprayed carbide coating with an organic sealant (C1), a thermally sprayed aluminum (TSA) coating with an organic topcoat (C2), and an epoxydic organic coating reinforced with ceramic platelets (C3). The only coating that reached the higher categories in all the tests was the C2 coating. The C1 coating presented ferric corrosion products coming from the substrate in some of the tests, and blistering was detected in the C3 coating.

Grado de adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea e ingesta de nutrientes durante las guardias de 24h del personal residente de medicina del Hospital Reina Sofía de Córdoba, España / Degree of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and nutrient intake duringthe 24-hour shifts of the resident medical staff at the Reina Sofia Hospital in Cordoba, Spain

Introducción: Diversos estudios sugieren que el personal sanitario, que realiza guardias de 24h y turnos de noche, sigue una alimentación poco saludable. Una situación que afecta directamente a su calidad de vida y que puede repercutir en la calidad de la atención a los pacientes. Objetivo: Valorar el grado de adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea y la adecuada ingesta de nutrientes de residentes de medicina del Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba que realizan guardias de 24h. Métodos: Estudio transversal con una muestra de 35 residentes de medicina. Se empleó una aplicación diseñada específicamente para el estudio (App eFoodDiary) para recoger información de dos cuestionarios de adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea y el registro diario de alimentos durante el día de guardia de 24h, el día anterior y posterior. Se aplicó el Modelo Lineal General Multivariante (MLGM) a las puntuaciones obtenidas por ambos test (PrediMed y MedLife) y un estudio de correlación entre las puntuaciones de ambos cuestionarios (curvas ROC). Para la valoración nutricional se realizó un estudio estadístico de los %IDR del día completo y por tomas a través del MLGM. Resultados: Los resultados muestran una adherencia baja a la Dieta Mediterránea de los participantes (71%). Respecto a la valoración nutricional, los resultados denotan una ingesta de energía inferior a la recomendada y una dieta poco equilibrada a nivel de nutrientes, resaltando una ingesta superior a la recomendada de proteínas y ácidos grasos saturados, y un déficit de ingesta de hierro entre las mujeres (p<0.001). Durante las guardias de 24h se observa una mayor ingesta de energía, carbohidratos, vitamina A y B6. Conclusión: El bajo porcentaje de personal residente de medicina que sigue una dieta saludable y adecuada a sus necesidades nutricionales, evidencia la importancia de incorporar programas que mejoren la alimentación de este colectivo.(AU)

ntroduction: Various studies suggest that health person-nel, who carryout 24-hour shifts and nightshifts, follow an un-healthy diet. A situation that directly affects their quality oflife and that can affect the quality of patientcare. Objective: To assess the degree of adherence to theMediterranean Diet and nutritional status of the medical residents of the Reina Sofia de Córdoba University Hospital whocarry out 24-hour shifts. Methods: Cross-sectional study with a sample of 35 med-ical residents. An application designed specifically for thestudy (App eFoodDiary) was used to collect information fromtwo questionnaires of adherence to the Mediterranean Dietand the daily food record of the day on duty, the previous andthe subsequent one. The Multivariate General Linear Model(MLGM) was applied to the scores obtained by both tests(PrediMed and MedLife) and a correlation study between thescores of both questionnaires (ROC curves). For the nutri-tional assessment, a statistical study of the% RDI of the fullday and by doses was carried out through the MLGM. Results: The results show a low adherence to the Medite -rranean Diet of the participants (71%). Regarding the nutri-tional assessment, the results denote an energy intake lowerthan recommended and a diet that is not very balanced interms of nutrients, highlighting an intake higher than the rec-ommended protein and saturated fatty acids, and a deficit ofiron intake among the women (p <0.001). During the 24-hourshifts, a higher intake of energy, carbohydrates, vitamin A andB6 is observed. Conclusion: The low percentage of medical residents whofollow a healthy diet appropriate to their nutritional needs,shows the importance of incorporating programs that improvethe diet of this group.(AU)

Development of Ti-C-N coatings with improved tribological behavior and antibacterial properties.

In artificial metallic joint implants, the failure is provoked by two effects in most of the cases: mass loss and wear debris removed due to tribological-corrosive effects on the implant alloy, and infections due to the presence of bacteria. In this work, several Ti-C-N corrosion and wear protective coatings were developed by Physical Vapour Deposition technology, and deposited on Ti6Al4V alloy. In order to provide the implant antibacterial properties, an additional silver top coating has been deposited. Tribological behavior was characterized through tribocorrosion and fretting tests. On the other hand, wettability tests were performed to study the grade of hydrophilicity/hydrophobia. Additionally, antibacterial properties were evaluated by means of bacterial adhesion tests. As a result of these characterization studies, the coating with the best performance was selected. The as-coated material includes excellent protection against tribocorrosion and fretting effects (in relation to the uncoated one) and the silver layer has been confirmed to exhibit antibacterial properties.