Efficient photocatalytic activity and selective adsorption of UiO-67 (Zr)/g-C3N4 composite toward a mixture of parabens.

In this study, UiO-67 (Zr)/g-C3N4 composites (U67N) were synthesized at wt.% ratios of 05:95, 15:85, and 30:70 using the solvothermal method at 80 °C for 24 h followed by calcination at 350 °C. The composites were characterized using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and nitrogen physisorption analysis. In addition, thermal stability analysis of UiO-67 was conducted using thermogravimetric analysis. The photocatalytic performance of the composites was assessed during the degradation and mineralization of a mixture of methylparaben (MeP) and propylparaben (PrP) under simulated sunlight. The adsorption process of U67N 15:85 was characterized through kinetic studies and adsorption capacity experiments, which were modeled using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, respectively. The influence of pH levels 3, 5, and 7 on the photocatalytic degradation of the mixture was investigated, revealing enhanced degradation and mineralization at pH 3. The U67N composite exhibited dual capability in removing contaminants through adsorption and photocatalytic processes. Among the prepared composites, U67N 15:85 demonstrated the highest photocatalytic activity, achieving removal efficiencies of 96.8% for MeP, 92.5% for PrP, and 45.7% for total organic carbon in 300 kJ/m2 accumulated energy (3 h of reaction time). The detoxification of the effluent was confirmed through acute toxicity evaluation using the Vibrio fischeri method. The oxidation mechanism of the heterojunction formed between UiO-67 (Zr) and g-C3N4 was proposed based on PL analysis, photoelectrochemistry studies (including photocurrent response, Nyquist, and Mott-Schottky analyses), and scavenger assays.

Metastasis Models: Thermodynamics and Complexity.

The thermodynamic formalism of nonequilibrium systems together with the theory of complex systems and systems biology offer an appropriate theoretical framework to explain the complexity observed at the macroscopic level in physiological phenomena. In turn, they allow the establishment of an appropriate conceptual and operational framework to address the study of phenomena such as the emergence and evolution of cancer.This chapter is organized as follows: In Subheading 1, an integrated vision of these disciplines is offered for the characterization of the emergence and evolution of cancer, seen as a nonlinear dynamic system, temporally and spatially self-organized out of thermodynamic equilibrium. The development of the various mathematical models and different techniques and approaches used in the characterization of cancer metastasis is presented in Subheading 2. Subheading 3 is devoted to the time course of cancer metastasis, with particular emphasis on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT henceforth) as well as chronotherapeutic treatments. In Subheading 4, models of the spatial evolution of cancer metastasis are presented. Finally, in Subheading 5, some conclusions and remarks are presented.

Patterns of Sexualized Drug Use among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV: Insights from a Comprehensive Study-The U-SEX-2 GESIDA 9416 Study.

BACKGROUND: Sexualized drug use (SDU) has become a public health concern in recent years. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SDU in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men living with HIV (HIV + GBMSM) in Madrid during 2019/2020 and compare it with data from 2016/2017 in order to detect changes in patterns. METHODS: We analyzed the frequency of SDU in a sample of HIV + GBMSM attending HIV clinics, who participated in an anonymous online survey regarding sexual behavior and recreational drug use. The association between SDU, sexual risk behaviors, and STIs was evaluated. RESULTS: This study included 424 HIV + GBMSM, with a mean age of 40 (10.43) years. Overall, 94% (396) reported being sexually active. Additionally, 33% (140) had been diagnosed with an STI within the previous year. Moreover, 54% (229) had used drugs in the last year, 25% (107) engaged in SDU, and 16% (17) reported engagement in slamsex. After adjusting for confounding factors, SDU was associated with STIs, fisting, unprotected anal intercourse, and having >24 sexual partners in the last year. According to the DUDIT test scores, 80% (81) probably had problematic drug use (≥6 points), and 8% (8) probable drug dependence (≥25 points). When comparing the U-SEX-1 (2016/2017) data with the U-SEX-2 (2019/2020) data, no significant differences were found in the proportion of participants practicing SDU or slamming. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SDU among HIV + GBMSM has remained high in recent years and without significant changes. The risk of problematic drug use among those who practice SDU is high. We observed a clear association between SDU, high-risk sexual behaviors, and STIs.

An optimized electro-fenton pretreatment for the degradation and mineralization of a mixture of ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin.

The electro-Fenton process (EFP) is a powerful advanced oxidation process beneficial to treating recalcitrant contaminants, and there has been a continuing interest in combining this technology to enhance the efficiency of conventional wastewater treatment processes. In this work, an optimized EFP process is performed as pretreatment for the degradation and mineralization of three blank fluoroquinolones (FQs) drugs: ofloxacin (OFL), norfloxacin (NOR), and ciprofloxacin (CIP). The optimization of the experiment was carried out using a Box-Behnken experimental design. Faster and complete degradation of the drugs mixture was achieved in 90 min with 61.12 ± 2.0% of mineralization in 180 min, under the optimized conditions: j = 244.0 mA cm-2, [Fe2+] = 0.31 mM, and [FQs] = 87.0 mg L-1. Furthermore, a low toxicity effluent was obtained in 90 min of the experiment, according to bioassay toxicity with Vibrio fischeri. Five short-chain carboxylic acids, including oxalic, maleic, oxamic, formic, and fumaric acids, were detected and quantified, in addition to F- and NO3- inorganic ions. The inhibition of the reactive oxygen species with scavenger proof was also evaluated in this paper.

Characterizing affect dynamics with a damped linear oscillator model: Theoretical considerations and recommendations for individual-level applications.

People show stable differences in the way their affect fluctuates over time. Within the general framework of dynamical systems, the damped linear oscillator (DLO) model has been proposed as a useful approach to study affect dynamics. The DLO model can be applied to repeated measures provided by a single individual, and the resulting parameters can capture relevant features of the person's affect dynamics. Focusing on negative affect, we provide an accessible interpretation of the DLO model parameters in terms of emotional lability, resilience, and vulnerability. We conducted a Monte Carlo study to test the DLO model performance under different empirically relevant conditions in terms of individual characteristics and sampling scheme. We used state-space models in continuous time. The results show that, under certain conditions, the DLO model is able to accurately and efficiently recover the parameters underlying the affective dynamics of a single individual. We discuss the results and the theoretical and practical implications of using this model, illustrate how to use it for studying psychological phenomena at the individual level, and provide specific recommendations on how to collect data for this purpose. We also provide a tutorial website and computer code in R to implement this approach. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Effectiveness of the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the Basque Country during the sixth wave: A nationwide cohort study.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine on the rates of hospital ward and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions around the time of emergence of the Omicron variant in the Basque Country. A retrospective cohort population-based study was conducted. The population with any records related to COVID-19 vaccination up to 28 February 2022 was classified into four cohorts by vaccination status. For every cohort, the hospital ward and ICU admission rates were calculated for each day between November 2021 and February 2022. Generalized linear models with a negative binomial distribution were used to estimate the age-adjusted hospitalization rate ratio of the cohort of individuals who had received a booster compared to the other cohorts. The age-adjusted rates of hospital ward and ICU admissions were 70.4 % and 72.0 % lower, respectively, in the fully vaccinated plus booster group compared to the fully vaccinated but no booster group. Analysing changes in the 14-day admission incidence rates showed that as the prevalence of the Omicron variant increased, the corresponding rate ratios decreased. The immunity acquired with the booster dose allowed the hospital network to meet all the demand for hospitalization during a period of high incidence of COVID-19, despite the fact that vaccine protection decreased as the prevalence of the Omicron variant increased.

Heavy metals and metalloids accumulation in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): A review.

Heavy metals (HMs) and metalloids (Ms) such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) represent serious environmental threats due to their wide abundance and high toxicity. Contamination of water and soils by HMs and Ms from natural or anthropogenic sources is of great concern in agricultural production due to their toxic effects on plants, adversely affecting food safety and plant growth. The uptake of HMs and Ms by Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants depends on several factors including soil properties such as pH, phosphate, and organic matter. High concentrations of HMs and Ms could be toxic to plants due to the increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as (O2•-), (•OH), (H2O2), and (1O2), and oxidative stress due to an imbalance between ROS generation and antioxidant enzyme activity. To minimize the effects of ROS, plants have developed a complex defense mechanism based on the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPX, and phytohormones, especially salicylic acid (SA) that can reduce the toxicity of HMs and Ms. This review focuses on evaluating the accumulation and translocation of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants and on their possible effects on the growth of Phaseolus vulgaris L. in soil contaminated with these elements. The factors that affect the uptake of HMs and Ms by bean plants, and the defense mechanisms under oxidative stress caused by the presence of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb are also discussed. Furthermore, future research on mitigating HMs and Ms toxicity in Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants is highlighted.

Brief cognitive tests as a decision-making tool in primary care. A population and validation study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Brief cognitive tests (BCT) are used in primary care (PC) for the detection of cognitive impairment (CI). Still, there are little data on their diagnostic utility (DU) in a community setting. This work evaluates the DU at the population level of Fototest, T@M, AD8 questionnaire and MMSE. It provides new cut-off points (CoP) validated in a CI early detection program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the population and validation samples, the evaluation was carried out in two phases, a first of screening and administration of BCT and a second of clinical diagnosis, blinded to the results of the BCT, applying the current NIA-AA criteria. The DU of BCT in the population sample was evaluated with the area under the ROC curve (aROC). Youden index and the CoP with the best specificity that ensured a sensitivity of 80% were used to decide on the most appropriate CoP. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for these CoP were calculated in the validation sample. RESULTS: 260 participants (23.1% with CI) from the population sample and 177 (42.4% with CI) from the validation sample were included. The Fototest has the best UD at the population level (aROC 0.851), which improves with the combination of Fototest and AD8 (aROC 0.875). The proposed CoP are AD8 ≥ 1, Fototest ≤ 35, T@M ≤ 40, and MMSE ≤ 26. CONCLUSION: BCT are helpful in detecting CI in PC. This work supports the use of more demanding PoC.

La dieta como factor de riesgo de hipovitaminosis D en la población pediátrica española / Diet as a risk factor for hypovitaminosis D in the Spanish pediatric population

Objetivo: El papel de la dieta como determinante relevante de hipovitaminosis D no está claro. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar su impacto en la prevalencia de hipovitaminosis D en población infantil sana española. Métodos: Mediante un diseño observacional se estudiaron en una muestra de población pediátrica, entre 4 y 14 años, datos demográficos, antropométricos, nutricionales, analíticos y el nivel de 25(OH) D mediante enzimo-inmuno-análisis. Se obtuvieron encuestas dietéticas mediante recordatorio de 24 horas evaluadas mediante el programa informático DietSource 3.0. La probabilidad de hipovitaminosis se analizó mediante regresión logística. Resultados: Se reclutaron 281 niños sanos con una edad media 9,0 años. La prevalencia de hipovitaminosis D (<20 ng/ml) fue de un 18,15% y la de déficit grave (<10 ng/ml) del 1,4%. La etnia, la estacionalidad, el fototipo de piel y el tiempo de exposición solar se asociaron significativamente a la presencia de hipovitaminosis D. La distribución de nutrientes no mostró diferencias entre los grupos con y sin hipovitaminosis salvo en la Piridoxina (vitamina B6) y los ácidos grasos saturados. Conclusiones: La dieta juega un papel reducido como factor de riesgo de hipovitaminosis D en población infantil sana y los factores relevantes son los relacionados con la exposición al sol. Un adecuado estilo de vida al aire libre, exposición solar libre de protectores solares y patrones dietéticos que aseguren una ingesta correcta de vitamina D y calcio siguen siendo las recomendaciones idóneas para la población general. La utilización de suplementos se debe limitar a los grupos de riesgo. (AU)

Objetives: It is not clear whether diet in the Spanish general population is also a relevant determinant of hypovitaminosis D. The objective of the study was to analyze the impact of diet on the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in healthy children. Methods: Demographic, anthropometric, nutritional, analytical data and vitamin D (25 (OH) D) level were studied using an enzyme-immuno-analysis using an observational design in a sample of the pediatric population between 4 and 14 years old. The 24-hour reminder diet survey was evaluated with the DietSource 3.0 software. The probability of hypovitaminosis was analyzed using logistic regression. Results: 280 healthy children with a mean age of 9.0 years were recruited. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (<20 ng/ml) was 18.15% and that of severe deficit (<10 ng/ml) 1.4%. Ethnicity, seasonality, skin phototype, and time of sun exposure were significantly associated with the presence of hypovitaminosis D. The distribution of nutrients did not show differences between the groups with and without hypovitaminosis except for Pyridoxine B6 and saturated fatty acids. Conclusions: Diet plays a reduced role as a risk factor for hypovitaminosis D in healthy children and the relevant factors are those related to sun exposure. An adequate outdoor lifestyle, sun exposure free of sunscreens and dietary patterns that ensure a correct intake of vitamin D and calcium remain the ideal recommendations for the general population. Supplementation should be limited to risk groups. (AU)

Dynamical Properties and Conceptual Interpretation of Latent Change Score Models.

Latent Change Score models (LCS) are a popular tool for the study of dynamics in longitudinal research. They represent processes in which the short-term dynamics have direct and indirect consequences on the long-term behavior of the system. However, this dual interpretation of the model parameters is usually overlooked in the literature, and researchers often find it difficult to see the connection between parameters and specific patterns of change. The goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive examination of the meaning and interpretation of the parameters in LCS models. Importantly, we focus on their relation to the shape of the trajectories and explain how different specifications of the LCS model involve particular assumptions about the mechanisms of change. On a supplementary website, we present an interactive Shiny App that allows users to explore different sets of parameter values and examine their effects on the predicted trajectories. We also include fully explained code to estimate some of the most relevant specifications of the LCS model with the R-packages lavaan and OpenMx.

Validez de un registro poblacional automatizado de demencia basado en las bases de datos clínicas / Validity of a computerized population registry of dementia based on clinical databases

Introducción: El manejo de la información mediante soportes digitales permite abordajes innovadores de la identificación de los casos de demencia mediante búsquedas automatizadas en las bases de datos clínicas con sistemas de codificación de los diagnósticos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la validez de un registro de demencia en Gipuzkoa basado en los sistemas de registro administrativos y clínicos existentes en el Servicio Vasco de Salud.MétodosEs un estudio descriptivo basado en la evaluación de las fuentes de datos disponibles. Primero, mediante revisión de historias clínicas se evaluó la validez diagnóstica en 2 muestras de casos identificados y no identificados como demencia. Se midió la sensibilidad, especificidad y valor predictivo positivo y negativo del diagnóstico de demencia. Posteriormente se buscaron los casos de demencia vivos a fecha 31 de diciembre de 2016 en toda la población guipuzcoana y se recogieron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas.ResultadosLas 2 muestras de validación incluyeron 986 casos y 327 no casos. La sensibilidad calculada fue del 80,2% y la especificidad del 99,9%. El valor predictivo negativo fue del 99,4% y el positivo del 95,1%. Los casos registrados en toda la población guipuzcoana fueron 10.551 que supone un 65% de los casos previstos según la literatura. Un 40% tomaban medicación antisicótica. La población institucionalizada fue del 25%.ConclusionesUn registro de demencias basado en las bases de datos clínicas y administrativas es válido y factible. Su principal aportación es mostrar la dimensión que tiene la demencia en el ámbito del sistema sanitario. (AU)

Introduction: The handling of information through digital media allows innovative approaches for identifying cases of dementia through computerized searches within the clinical databases that include systems for coding diagnoses. The aim of this study was to analyze the validity of a dementia registry in Gipuzkoa based on the administrative and clinical databases existing in the Basque Health Service.MethodsThis is a descriptive study based on the evaluation of available data sources. First, through review of medical records, the diagnostic validity was evaluated in 2 samples of cases identified and not identified as dementia. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value of the diagnosis of dementia were measured. Subsequently, the cases of living dementia in December 31, 2016 were searched in the entire Gipuzkoa population to collect sociodemographic and clinical variables.ResultsThe validation samples included 986 cases and 327 no cases. The calculated sensitivity was 80.2% and the specificity was 99.9%. The negative predictive value was 99.4% and positive value was 95.1%. The cases in Gipuzkoa were 10,551, representing 65% of the cases predicted according to the literature. Antipsychotic medication were taken by a 40% and a 25% of the cases were institutionalized.ConclusionsA registry of dementias based on clinical and administrative databases is valid and feasible. Its main contribution is to show the dimension of dementia in the health system. (AU)

Validity of a computerised population registry of dementia based on clinical databases.

INTRODUCTION: The handling of information through digital media allows innovative approaches for identifying cases of dementia through computerised searches within the clinical databases that include systems for coding diagnoses. The aim of this study was to analyse the validity of a dementia registry in Gipuzkoa based on the administrative and clinical databases existing in the Basque Health Service. METHODS: This is a descriptive study based on the evaluation of available data sources. First, through review of medical records, the diagnostic validity was evaluated in two samples of cases identified and not identified as dementia. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value of the diagnosis of dementia were measured. Subsequently, the cases of living dementia in December 31, 2016 were searched in the entire Gipuzkoa population to collect sociodemographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: The validation samples included 986 cases and 327 no cases. The calculated sensitivity was 80.2% and the specificity was 99.9%. The negative predictive value was 99.4% and positive value was 95.1%. The cases in Gipuzkoa were 10 551, representing 65% of the cases predicted according to the literature. Antipsychotic medication were taken by a 40% and a 25% of the cases were institutionalised. CONCLUSIONS: A registry of dementias based on clinical and administrative databases is valid and feasible. Its main contribution is to show the dimension of dementia in the health system.

Impacto de la demencia en la supervivencia de los pacientes con fractura de cadera intervenidos mediante prótesis total y parcial / Impact of dementia on the survival of patients with hip fracture after undergoing total and partial prosthesis

Objetivo: Realizar un análisis de la supervivencia comparativa de los pacientes diagnosticados de fracturas de cadera (FC) en el Servicio Vasco de Salud de 2010 a 2016 en función de que estuviesen o no diagnosticados de demencia y del tipo de artroplastia. Material y métodos: Estudio de tipo observacional (real world data) de supervivencia. Los datos fueron obtenidos de las bases de datos administrativas y clínicas del Servicio Vasco de Salud mediante el gestor Oracle Business Intelligence (OBI). Se analizaron todos los casos de fracturas de cuello de fémur desde el año 2010 al 2016 en Servicio Vasco de Salud. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo para detectar diferencias entre grupos según diagnóstico previo de demencia y tipo de prótesis. Para obtener las curvas de supervivencia se utilizó el método de Kaplan?Meier y su comparación se realizó por parejas mediante el logrank test. Mediante la regresión de Cox se analizó el riesgo de fallecimiento ajustado de cada grupo. Resultados: Se identificaron 5.867 pacientes con FC, siendo 1.131 pacientes sin demencia y prótesis total, 3.073 sin demencia y prótesis parcial, 176 con demencia y prótesis total y 1.487 con demencia y prótesis parcial. La mediana de la supervivencia fue de 9,08 años, 3,79 años, 2,55 años y 2,54 años respectivamente. La comparación de las curvas de supervivencia resultó significativa para todos los casos excepto entre los dos últimos grupos. Utilizando el primer grupo como referencia, el odds ratio de fallecimiento del resto fue 1,56, 2,27 y 2,37 respectivamente. Al analizar el riesgo de fallecimiento únicamente para los pacientes con demencia, el tipo de prótesis no resultó ser estadísticamente significativo. Conclusiones: La demencia influye en la curva de supervivencia de los pacientes que son sometidos a una artroplastia tras una fractura de cuello femoral, teniendo una mortalidad similar los que reciben una artroplastia total que los que se intervienen con una parcial. (AU)

Objetive: To carry out a comparative survival analysis of patients diagnosed with hip fractures (HF) in the Basque Health Service from 2010 to 2016 depending on whether or not they were diagnosed with dementia and the type of arthroplasty. Material and methods: Observational study (real world data) of survival. The data were obtained from the administrative and clinical databases of the Basque Health Service using the Oracle Business Intelligence (OBI) manager. All cases of femur neck fractures from 2010 to 2016 were analyzed in the Basque Health Service. A descriptive analysis was carried out to detect differences between groups according to previous diagnosis of dementia and type of prosthesis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to obtain the survival curves and their comparison was made in pairs using the Achievement test. The adjusted risk of death for each group was analyzed with the Cox regression model. Results: 5,867 patients with CF were identified, being 1,131 patients without dementia and total prosthesis, 3,073 without dementia and partial prosthesis, 176 with dementia and total prosthesis and 1,487 with dementia and partial prosthesis. The median survival was 9.08 years, 3.79 years, 2.55 years, and 2.54 years respectively. The comparison of the survival curves was significant for all cases except between the last two groups. Using the first group as a reference, the odds ratio of death for the rest was 1.56, 2.27 and 2.37 respectively. When analyzing the risk of death only for patients with dementia, the type of prosthesis was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Dementia influences the survival curve of patients who undergo arthroplasty after a femur neck fracture, with those who undergo a total arthroplasty have a similar mortality rate as those who undergo partial arthroplasty. (AU)

Transforming Growth Factor-induced Protein Promotes NF-κB-mediated Angiogenesis during Postnatal Lung Development.

Pulmonary angiogenesis is a key driver of alveolarization. Our prior studies showed that NF-κB promotes pulmonary angiogenesis during early alveolarization. However, the mechanisms regulating temporal-specific NF-κB activation in the pulmonary vasculature are unknown. To identify mechanisms that activate proangiogenic NF-κB signaling in the developing pulmonary vasculature, proteomic analysis of the lung secretome was performed using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. NF-κB activation and angiogenic function was assessed in primary pulmonary endothelial cells (PECs) and TGFBI (transforming growth factor-ß-induced protein)-regulated genes identified using RNA sequencing. Alveolarization and pulmonary angiogenesis was assessed in wild-type and Tgfbi null mice exposed to normoxia or hyperoxia. Lung TGFBI expression was determined in premature lambs supported by invasive and noninvasive respiratory support. Secreted factors from the early alveolar, but not the late alveolar or adult lung, promoted proliferation and migration in quiescent, adult PECs. Proteomic analysis identified TGFBI as one protein highly expressed by the early alveolar lung that promoted PEC migration by activating NF-κB via αvß3 integrins. RNA sequencing identified Csf3 as a TGFBI-regulated gene that enhances nitric oxide production in PECs. Loss of TGFBI in mice exaggerated the impaired pulmonary angiogenesis induced by chronic hyperoxia, and TGFBI expression was disrupted in premature lambs with impaired alveolarization. Our studies identify TGFBI as a developmentally regulated protein that promotes NF-κB-mediated angiogenesis during early alveolarization by enhancing nitric oxide production. We speculate that dysregulation of TGFBI expression may contribute to diseases marked by impaired alveolar and vascular growth.

Cost-Effectiveness Methods and Newborn Screening Assessment.

Nowadays, health funding decisions must be supported by sound arguments in terms of both effectiveness and economic criteria. After more than half a century of newborn screening for rare diseases, the appropriate economic evaluation framework for these interventions is still challenging. The validity of standard methods for economic evaluation heavily relies on the availability of robust evidence, but collection of such evidence is precluded by the rareness of the conditions that may benefit from screening. Furthermore, there are a series of conceptual and methodological limitations that warrant further careful consideration when assessing the cost-effectiveness of newborn screening programs. In this chapter we provide a general overview of current economic evaluation methods and the challenges for their application to newborn screening programs.

Evaluation of the colorectal cancer screening Programme in the Basque Country (Spain) and its effectiveness based on the Miscan-colon model.

The population-based Basque Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Programme started in 2009 with a biennial immunochemical quantitative test (FIT) biennial and colonoscopy under sedation in positive cases. The population target of 586,700 residents was from 50 to 69 years old and the total coverage was reached at the beginning of 2014. The aim of our study was to determine possible scenarios in terms of incidence, mortality and reduction of Life-years-Lost (L-y-L) in the medium and long term of CRC. METHODS: Invitations were sent out by the Programme from 2009 to 2014, with combined organizational strategies. Simulation was done by MISCAN-colon (Microsimulation Screening Analysis) over 30 years comparing the results of screening vs no-screening, taking the population-based Cancer Registry into account. Lifetime population and real data from the Programme were used from 2008 to 2012. The model was run differentially for men and women. RESULTS: 924,416 invitations were sent out from 2009 to 2014. The average participation rate was 68.4%, CRC detection rate was 3.4% and the Advanced Adenoma detection rate was 24.0‰, with differences observed in sex and age. Future scenarios showed a higher decrease of incidence (17.2% vs 14.7%), mortality (28.1% vs 22.4%) and L-y-L (22.6% vs 18.4%) in men than women in 2030. CONCLUSIONS: The Basque Country CRC Programme results are aligned to its strategy and comparable to other programmes. MISCAN model was found to be a useful tool to predict the benefits of the programme in the future. The effectiveness of the Programme has not been formally established as case control studies are required to determine long term benefits from the screening strategy.

Speciation analysis of organoarsenic compounds in livestock feed by microwave-assisted extraction and high performance liquid chromatography coupled to atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

The development of a new method to determine the presence of the organoarsenic additives p-arsanilic acid (ASA), roxarsone (ROX) and nitarsone (NIT) in livestock feeds by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet oxidation hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-UV/HG-AFS) after microwave assisted extraction (MAE) was proposed. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column with 2% acetic acid/methanol (96:4, v/v) as the mobile phase. The limits of detection (LODs) were 0.13, 0.09 and 0.08mgL-1, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were 0.44, 0.30 and 0.28mgL-1. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for ASA, ROX and NIT determined from five measurements of the mixed calibration standard were 3.3, 5.3, and 5.4%, respectively. MAE extraction of phenylated arsenic compounds using 1.5M H3PO4 at 120°C for 45min allowed for maximum recoveries (%) of total arsenic (As) and organoarsenic species, with no degradation of these compounds. The extraction of total As was approximately 97%, and the As species recoveries were between 95.2 and 97.0%. The results of the analysis were validated using mass balance by comparing the sum of extracted As with the total concentration of As in the corresponding samples. The method was successfully applied to determine the presence of these compounds in feed samples. ASA was the only As species detected in chicken feed samples, with a concentration between 0.72 and 12.91mgkg-1.

Photocatalytic behaviour of WO3/TiO2-N for diclofenac degradation using simulated solar radiation as an activation source.

In this study, the photocatalytic removal of an emerging contaminant, diclofenac (DCF) sodium, was performed using the nitrogen-doped WO3/TiO2-coupled oxide catalyst (WO3/TiO2-N). The catalyst synthesis was accomplished by a sol-gel method using tetrabutyl orthotitanate (C16H36O4Ti), ammonium p-tungstate [(NH4)10H2W12O42·4H2O] and ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) as the nitrogen source. For comparison, TiO2 and WO3/TiO2 were also prepared under similar conditions. Analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were conducted to characterize the synthesized materials. The photocatalytic efficiency of the semiconductors was determined in a batch reactor irradiated with simulated solar light. Residual and mineralized DCF were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography, total organic carbon analysis and ion exchange chromatography. The results indicated that the tungsten atoms were dispersed on the surface of TiO2 as WO3. The partial substitution of oxygen by nitrogen atoms into the lattice of TiO2 was an important factor to improve the photocatalytic efficiency of WO3/TiO2. Therefore, the best photocatalytic activity was obtained with the WO3/TiO2-N0.18 catalyst, reaching 100% DCF transformation at 250 kJ m-2 and complete mineralization at 400 kJ m-2 of solar-accumulated energy.

UV and visible activation of Cr(III)-doped TiO2 catalyst prepared by a microwave-assisted sol-gel method during MCPA degradation.

Photocatalytic degradation of 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) in aqueous solution using Cr(III)-doped TiO2 under UV and visible light was investigated. The semiconductor material was synthesized by a microwave-assisted sol-gel method with Cr(III) doping contents of 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06 wt%. The catalyst was characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen physisorption, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of MCPA was followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. The intermediates formed during degradation were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Chloride ion evolution was measured by ion chromatography. Characterization results showed that Cr(III)-doped TiO2 materials possessed a small crystalline size, high surface area, and mesoporous structure. UV-Vis DRS showed enhanced absorption in the visible region as a function of the Cr(III) concentration. The Cr(III)-doped TiO2 catalyst with 0.04 wt% of Cr(III) was more active than bare TiO2 for the degradation of MCPA under both UV and visible light. The intermediates identified during MCPA degradation were 4-chloro-2-methylphenol (CMP), 2-(4-hydroxy-2-methylphenoxy) acetic acid (HMPA), and 2-hydroxybuta-1,3-diene-1,4-diyl-bis (oxy)dimethanol (HBDM); the formation of these intermediates depended on the radiation source.