Development of a Methodology for Determination of Dioxins and Dioxin-like PCBs in Meconium by Gas Chromatography Coupled to High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (GC-HRMS).

An analytical strategy was applied to investigate polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) in newborn meconium samples. The methodology includes extraction by selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE), followed by a clean-up multicolumn step. The samples were injected by gas chromatography coupled to a high-resolution mass spectrometer (GC-HRMS). The surrogate recoveries ranged from 68% to 95%, and the average of the limit of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 0.03 to 0.08 pg g-1 wet weight (ww) for PCDD/Fs and 0.2 to 0.88 pg g-1 ww for dl-PCBs. The strategy was applied to 10 samples collected in Valencia (Spain) in 2022. In total, 18 out of 29 analysed congeners were detected in at least one sample, whereas 6 of them were detected in all the samples (OCDD, PCB-123, PCB-118, PCB-105, PCB-167, and PCB-156). The levels for the sum of the 17 congeners of PCDD/Fs and 12 congeners of dl-PCBs in the upper-bound (UB), expressed as picograms of toxic equivalency quantity (TEQ) per gram of ww, ranged from 0.19 to 0.31 pg TEQ g-1 ww.

Variations of body composition, physical activity and caloric intake in schoolchildren during national holidays.

UNLABELLED: Scientific literature has described that a significant body weight increase in schoolchildren occurs during some holiday periods (summer, winter, and thanksgiving holidays), harming their health. In this regard, it is thought that this phenomenon is mainly due to changes in eating habits and the variation in levels of physical activity; however, this approach has not yet been explored during national holidays (NAH) in Chile. PURPOSE: To determine any changes in body composition, physical activity and caloric intake during NAH. METHODS: A total of 46 schoolchildren (24 boys, age 10.5 ± 0.5; BMI 21.7 ± 4.7) participated. Measurements were performed 2 days before and after the NAH (9 days). Weight was measured and fat percentage was established using the Slaughter formula. Levels of physical activity were measured with accelerometers, validating 3 weekdays and 1 weekend; caloric intake was established through a 24-h recall. RESULTS: Weight, percentage of fat and caloric intake increased significantly (250 g, 2.2 % and 733.3 kcal, respectively; p < 0.05); however, none of the variables of physical activity showed significant changes. CONCLUSION: The change in caloric intake seems to be the main cause of weight and fat gain during the NAH.

Afectación Neuropsicológica de la Función Ejecutiva en Pacientes con Insuficiencia Renal Crónica / Neuropsychological Impairment of Executive Function in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Resumen Objetivos: Analizar las diferencias en el rendimiento neuropsicológico de las funciones ejecutivas en pacientes tratados con Diálisis Peritoneal (DP) y Hemodiálisis (HD), además de valorar el nivel de afectación de las modalidades de tratamiento (DP vs HD) y las variables demográficas y clínicas sobre la respuesta cognitiva. Método: Estudio de corte transversal con muestreo no probabilístico que incluyó a 40 pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica (IRC), divididos en dos grupos: 20 pacientes sometidos a DP y 20 a HD. Se utilizó una batería de pruebas neuropsicológicas que incluyeron El Test de Palabras y Colores de STROOP, la parte B del Trail Making Test (TMT), la Torre de Hanoi y el subtest de Dígitos Inversos de la Escala Wechsler; además de un cuestionario sobre variables clínicas y demográficas. Resultados: Se evidenciaron diferencias significativas en el número de errores del TMT B y el número de movimientos de la Torre de Hanoi, siendo los pacientes sometidos a DP quienes rindieron mejor que los pacientes sometidos a HD. Por otra parte, los años de escolaridad y la edad de los pacientes parecen tener un efecto significativo sobre el rendimiento en las pruebas neuropsicológicas utilizadas. Conclusiones: Los pacientes sometidos a DP tienen un mejor rendimiento en pruebas de función ejecutiva, pero dicho rendimiento es modulado por los años de escolaridad y la edad. Se discute el papel de la escolarización y la edad sobre el rendimiento neuropsicológico y las posibles causas de las diferencias encontradas en los grupos evaluados.

Abstract Objectives: Analyze differences in neuropsychological performance of executive functions in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD), and to assess the level of impact of treatment modalities (HD vs PD) and the demographic and clinical variables over cognitive function. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study with non-probability sampling that included 40 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) divided into two groups, 20 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis and 20 in hemodialysis. It was used a battery of neuropsychological tests including test Stroop words and colors, Part B of the Trail Making Test (TMT), Tower of Hanoi, and indirect Digit subtest of the Wechsler scale; and a questionnaire on demographic and clinical variables. Results: Significant differences were found in the number of errors of TMT B and the number of movements of the Tower of Hanoi, with the PD patients who performed better than patients undergoing HD. Moreover, years of schooling and the age of patients appear to have a significant effect on performance in the neuropsychological tests used. Conclusions: Patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis have better performance on executive function tests, but this performance is modulated by the years of schooling and age. It is discussed the role of schooling and age on neuropsychological performance and possible causes of the differences in the evaluated groups.