Identification of hazardous organic compounds in e-waste plastic using non-target and suspect screening approaches.

End-of-life electric and electronic devices stand as one of the fastest growing wastes in the world and, therefore, a rapidly escalating global concern. A relevant fraction of these wastes corresponds to polymeric materials containing a plethora of chemical additives. Some of those additives fall within the category of hazardous organic compounds (HOCs). Despite the significant advances in the capabilities of analytical methods, the comprehensive characterization of WEEE plastic remains as a challenge. This research strives to identify the primary additives within WEEE polymers by implementing a non-target and suspect screening approach. Gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-QTOF-MS), using electron ionization (EI), was applied for the detection and identification of more than 300 substances in this matrix. A preliminary comparison was carried out with nominal resolution EI-MS spectra contained in the NIST17 library. BPA, flame retardants, UV-filters, PAHs, and preservatives were among the compounds detected. Fifty-one out of 300 compounds were confirmed by comparison with authentic standards. The study establishes a comprehensive database containing m/z ratios and accurate mass spectra of characteristic compounds, encompassing HOCs. Semi-quantification of the predominant additives was conducted across 48 WEEE samples collected from handling and dismantling facilities in Galicia. ABS plastic demonstrated the highest median concentrations, ranging from 0.154 to 4456 µg g-1, being brominated flame retardants and UV filters, the families presenting the highest concentrations. Internet router devices revealed the highest concentrations, containing a myriad of HOCs, such as tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), tribromophenol (TBrP), triphenylphosphate (TPhP), tinuvin P and bisphenol A (BPA), most of which are restricted in Europe.

[Translated article] Mechanical properties variations of immature bone in the earliest stages of development.

INTRODUCTION: Bone as a material varies its composition and mechanical properties throughout life. Although these variations are better understood in adulthood, there is little experimental information on the variation of these properties in early stages of development. The objective of this study is to analyze the mechanical behavior and chemical properties of cortical bone tissue from two animal species in these earliest stages. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: Twenty specimens of cortical bone were manufactured from bovine and ovine species that were in different stages of development (feeding exclusively on breast milk, in the transition period to feed or pasture, and young animals but on a solid food diet). The specimens were subjected to tensile tests, recorded with a high-speed camera to obtain deformation maps. Measurements of the tensile force until the specimen broke were also carried out. A fractographic study was carried out with a scanning electron microscope to analyze the fracture surface and an analysis of the amount of calcium in each of the specimens using X-ray dispersion spectroscopy. RESULTS: A statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the elastic modulus of the specimens and their calcium content. A trend towards more rigid behavior with age was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Young bone tissue tends to stiffen with age as the calcium content increases with an increase in elastic modulus.

[Medial discoid meniscus in a pediatric patient. Case report and review of the literature]. / Menisco discoide medial en paciente pediátrico. Presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Discoid meniscus is a congenital morphological variant of the meniscus, which tends to occur more frequently in its lateral form than in the medial form. This anomaly is characterized by central hypertrophy of the meniscus and a larger diameter than the normal meniscus, resulting in an abnormal shape and greater coverage of the tibial plateau. The clinical presentation of this condition varies depending on the stability of the meniscus. In pediatric patients, in particular, it is common to experience progressive and atraumatic symptoms, such as pain and limited mobility. Diagnosis is based on imaging studies, with magnetic resonance imaging being the preferred tool, where the "bowtie sign" is a classic finding. Surgery is recommended for symptomatic patients, with a focus on preserving the peripheral portion of the meniscus. Saucerization is the most commonly used technique, followed by stability assessment to determine if additional procedures are required. In this case, a 9-year-old patient with a medial discoid meniscus presented symptoms following trauma. Despite this atypical presentation, a successful outcome was achieved through arthroscopic surgery, underscoring the importance of accurate diagnosis and proper management of this condition in pediatric patients. Understanding the anatomical and pathophysiological characteristics of the discoid meniscus is essential for an effective therapeutic approach.

El menisco discoide es una variante morfológica congénita del menisco, que suele presentarse con mayor frecuencia en su forma lateral que en la medial. Esta anomalía se caracteriza por la hipertrofia central del menisco y un diámetro mayor que el menisco normal, lo que resulta en una forma anormal y una mayor cobertura del platillo tibial. La presentación clínica de esta condición varía según la estabilidad del menisco. En pacientes pediátricos, en particular, es común experimentar síntomas progresivos y atraumáticos, como dolor y limitación de la movilidad. El diagnóstico se basa en estudios de imagen, siendo la resonancia magnética la herramienta preferida, donde el "signo del corbatín" es un hallazgo clásico. Se recomienda la cirugía para pacientes sintomáticos, con un enfoque en preservar la porción periférica del menisco. La saucerización es la técnica más utilizada, seguida de la evaluación de la estabilidad para determinar si se requiere un procedimiento adicional. En el presente caso, se describe a un paciente de nueve años con un menisco discoide medial que manifestó síntomas después de un traumatismo. A pesar de esta presentación atípica, se logró un resultado exitoso mediante una cirugía artroscópica, lo que resalta la importancia de un diagnóstico preciso y un manejo adecuado de esta condición en pacientes pediátricos. La comprensión de las características anatómicas y patofisiológicas del menisco discoide es esencial para un enfoque terapéutico efectivo.

Validation of ADNEX and IOTA two-step strategy and estimation of risk of complications during follow-up of adnexal masses in low-risk population.

OBJECTIVES: The aim is to evaluate the ability of the Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa model (ADNEX) and the International Ovarian Tumour Analysis (IOTA) two-step strategy to predict malignancy in adnexal masses detected in an outpatient low-risk setting, and to estimate the risk of complications in masses with benign ultrasound morphology managed with clinical and ultrasound follow-up. METHODS: This single center (Hospital Universitari Dexeus Barcelona) study was performed using interim data of the ongoing prospective observational IOTA phase 5 study. The primary aim of the IOTA 5 study is to describe the cumulative incidence of complications during follow-up of adnexal masses classified as benign on ultrasound. Consecutive patients with adnexal masses detected between June 2012 and September 2016 in a private center offering screening for gynecological cancers were included and followed-up until February 2020. Tumors were classified as benign or malignant based on histology (if patients underwent surgery) or outcome of clinical and ultrasound follow-up at 12 (±2) months. Multiple imputation was used when follow-up information was uncertain. The ability of the ADNEX model without CA125 and of the IOTA two-step strategy to distinguish benign from malignant masses was evaluated retrospectively using the prospectively collected data. We describe performance as discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, AUC), calibration, classification (sensitivity and specificity) and clinical utility (Net Benefit). In the group of patients with a benign looking mass selected for conservative management we evaluated the occurrence of spontaneous resolution or any mass complication during the first 5 years of follow-up by assessing the cumulative incidence for malignancy, torsion, cyst rupture, or minor mass complications (inflammation, infection, or adhesions) and the time to occurrence of an event. RESULTS: A total of 2654 patients were recruited to the study. After application of exclusion criteria, 2039 patients with a newly detected mass were included for the model validation. 1684 (82.6%) masses were benign, 49 (2.4%) masses were malignant and for 306 (15.0%) masses the outcome was uncertain and imputed. The AUC was 0.95 (95% CI 0.89-0.98) for ADNEX and 0.94 (95% CI 0.88-0.97) for the two-step strategy. Calibration performance could not be meaningfully interpreted due to few malignancies resulting in very wide confidence intervals. The two-step strategy had better clinical utility than ADNEX at malignancy risk thresholds < 3%. 1472 (72%) patients had a mass judged to be benign based on pattern recognition by an experienced ultrasound examiner and were managed with clinical and ultrasound follow-up. In this group, the 5-year cumulative incidence was 66% for spontaneous resolution of the mass (95% CI 63-69), 0% for torsion (95%CI 0-0.002), 0.1% for cyst rupture (<0.1-0.6), 0.2% for a borderline tumor (<0.1-0.6), and 0.2% (0.1-0.6) for invasive malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: The ADNEX model and IOTA two-step strategy performed well to distinguish benign from malignant adnexal masses detected in a low-risk population. Conservative management is safe for masses with benign ultrasound appearance in such a population. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Variants rs2758346, rs5746094, and rs2758331 of SOD2 gene: association study with breast cancer in a Mexican population and their analysis in silico.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the association between the superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) gene variants rs2758346, rs5746094, and rs2758331 and breast cancer (BC) in the Mexican population as well as to perform in silico assessments of the variants' potential impact. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed in silico analysis and analyzed 489 healthy women and 467 BC patients using TaqMan assays and Real-Time PCR. RESULTS: The TT genotype, the T allele of the rs2758346 variant, and the CC genotype of both rs5746094 and rs2758331 were identified as BC risk factors (p < 0.05). The TT and CTTT genotype of the rs2758346 variant stratified by the presence of ki-67 (> 20%), TCCC, and estrogen receptor (ER)-positive of the rs5746094 variant, and the CC and CT genotypes of rs2758331 stratified by menopause status and non-chemotherapy response were risk factors. The TTC and TTA haplotypes are risk factors for BC. In silico analysis revealed that the rs2758346, rs5746094, and rs2758331 variants could influence SOD2 gene regulation by transcription factors and circulating RNAs (circRNAs). CONCLUSIONS: The rs2758346, rs5746094, and rs2758331 variants of the SOD2 gene were associated with BC risk and could influence SOD2 regulation by transcription factors and circRNAs.

Controversies in point-of-care 3D printing for oncological and reconstructive surgery with free software in oral and maxillofacial surgery: European regulations, costs, and timeframe.

The aim of this paper is to discuss the controversies surrounding the most recent European regulations, as well as the cost, for a 3D printing workflow using free-source software in the context of a tertiary level university hospital in the Spanish public health system. Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) for head and neck oncological surgery with the printing of biomodels, cutting guides, and patient-specific implants has made it possible to simplify and make this type of highly complex surgery more predictable. This technology is not without drawbacks, such as increased costs and the lead times when planning with the biomedical industry. A review of the current European legislation and the literature on this subject was performed, and comparisons made with the authors' in-house 3D printing setup using free software and different 3D printers. The cost analysis revealed that for the cheapest setup with free software, it would be possible to amortize the investment from case 2, and in all cases the initial investment would be amortized before case 9. The timeframe ranged from 2 weeks with the biomedical industry to 72 h with point-of-care 3D printing. It is now possible to develop point-of-care 3D printing in any hospital with almost any budget.

Assessment of the occurrence and interaction between pesticides and plastic litter from vineyard plots.

In this research, aged plastic fragments collected from vineyards were characterized in terms of composition, residues of pesticides, and their potential to exchange these compounds with the aquatic media. To this end, we employed the qualitative and quantitative information provided by complementary analytical techniques, including chromatography, organic and inorganic mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy and electronic microscopy. Debris of weathered plastics were identified as polypropylene and polyethylene, containing different types of additives, from organic UV stabilizers to inorganic fillers, such as calcium salts. Regardless of polymer type, plastic litter collected from vineyards contained residues of pesticides, and particularly of fungicides, with total concentrations in the range of values from 114 ng g-1 to 76.4 µg g-1. Data obtained under different extraction conditions suggested that a fraction of these compounds was absorbed in aged polymers, penetrating inside the material. The parallel analysis of plastic litter and vineyard soils reflected higher pesticide residues in the former matrix. Furthermore, several fungicides, considered as labile in vineyard soils (i.e. zoxamide and folpet), were those showing the highest levels in plastic litter. Simulated sorption-desorption studies, with plastic debris in contact with surface water, demonstrated the higher affinity of aged materials by moderately polar pesticides than their new counterparts. For the first time, the manuscript highlights the presence of plastic litter in vineyards soils, reflecting the accumulation of several fungicides in this matrix, in some cases, with a different stability pattern to that observed in the soil from same vineyards.

Mechanical properties variations of immature bone in the earliest stages of development. / Variación de las propiedades mecánicas del hueso inmaduro en las etapas más tempranas del desarrollo.

INTRODUCTION: Bone as a material varies its composition and mechanical properties throughout life. Although these variations are better understood in adulthood, there is little experimental information on the variation of these properties in early stages of development. The objective of this study is to analyze the mechanical behavior and chemical properties of cortical bone tissue from two animal species in these earliest stages. MATERIAL AND METHODOLOGY: Twenty specimens of cortical bone were manufactured from bovine and ovine species that were in different stages of development (feeding exclusively on breast milk, in the transition period to feed or pasture, and young animals but on a solid food diet). The specimens were subjected to tensile tests, recorded with a high-speed camera to obtain deformation maps. Measurements of the tensile force until the specimen broke were also carried out. A fractographic study was carried out with a scanning electron microscope to analyze the fracture surface and an analysis of the amount of calcium in each of the specimens using X-ray dispersion spectroscopy. RESULTS: A statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the elastic modulus of the specimens and their calcium content. A trend towards more rigid behavior with age was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Young bone tissue tends to stiffen with age as the calcium content increases with an increase in elastic modulus.

Analysis of the biological and chemical characteristics of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L.) Fed with compost based on sugarcane residues.

The pandemic and the geopolitical conflict between Russia and Ukraine are events that have caused economic instability in Peru. Reason that was investigated on the analysis of the biological and chemical characteristics of cabbage fed with compost based on sugarcane residues. The objective was to analyze the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of cabbage from the adequate dose of compost based on sugarcane residues and distance between plants. It is based on the methodology applied with an experimental approach, for which the Completely Random Block Design with a 4x 2 factorial arrangement was used, which consisted of 3 blocks and 8 treatments that were the combination: F1 with 0, F2 with 8, T3 with 10 and F4 with 12 t/ha and spacing (D1) with 0.30 m between plants and 0.60 m between rows and (D2) with 0.35 m between plants and 0.60 m between rows. The physical characteristics of cabbage were evaluated and processed by analysis of variance, nutrient concentrations in leaves and stomatal density were analyzed. The results determined that T7 stood out in plant height with 41.88 cm, yield with 26.76 tn/ha and T6 in root length with 20.22 cm. In chemical analysis of leaves T1 stood out in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and T4 in calcium, magnesium and sulfur. In T7 stomata density with 977 stomata/mm2. It concludes that at an adequate dose and greater distance that T7 stands out in the concentration of nutrients that are within normal values and high density of stomata; Therefore, these characteristics influenced the optimal biochemical reactions, which obtained good development and yield that differed at 51.39% and 32.17% with respect to the controls T1 and T5.

Epidemiology and determinants of reemerging bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and emerging STIs in Europe.

In this scoping review, we offer a comprehensive understanding of the current and recent epidemiology, challenges, and emerging issues related to bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the WHO European Region. We endeavour in collating data from both EU/EEA and non- EU/EEA countries, thereby giving a complete picture of the region which highlights the higher notification rates in Northern and Western countries than other regions, likely due to differences in testing, access to testing, and surveillance capacity. We provide an up-to-date review on the current knowledge of determinants and persistent inequities in key populations as well as the use of molecular epidemiology for identifying transmission networks in gonorrhoea and syphilis, and detecting chlamydia mutations that evade molecular diagnosis. Finally, we explore the emerging STIs in the region and the evolving transmission routes of food and waterborne diseases into sexual transmission. Our findings call for harmonized STI surveillance systems, proactive strategies, and policies to address social factors, and staying vigilant for emerging STIs.

A new technique in the treatment of intestinal malrotation. / Una nueva técnica en el tratamiento de la malrotación intestinal.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal malrotation is a congenital pathology with potentially catastrophic complications, such as volvulus, whose treatment has barely not changed in nearly 100 years (Ladd's procedure). Dr. Abu-Elmagd recently described a new technique that was applied in one of our patients. CLINICAL CASE: 12-year-old boy who had undergone Ladd's procedure as a result of intestinal volvulus secondary to malrotation when he was 2 days old. He had subocclusion and eventually obstruction, with intestinal volvulus compatible imaging. Intraoperative findings: duodenal subocclusion, volvulus and lymphangiectasias. Kareem's procedure: bowel positioning in normal rotation, duodenopexy (duodenal C posterior to the mesenteric vessels), formation of neo-Treitz, and fixation of the cecum, the ascending colon, and the mesenteric root. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 6 and remains asymptomatic after 1 year of follow-up. DISCUSSION: Kareem's procedure is a safe and effective malrotation repair technique. It can replace Ladd's procedure as it reduces the risk of re-volvulation and improves digestive symptoms.

INTRODUCCION: La malrotación intestinal es una patología congénita con complicaciones potencialmente catastróficas, destacando el vólvulo, cuyo tratamiento no ha variado significativamente en casi 100 años (procedimiento de Ladd). Recientemente el Dr. Abu-Elmagd describió una técnica que hemos aplicado en un paciente. CASO CLINICO: Varón de 12 años, intervenido con 2 días de vida por vólvulo intestinal secundario a malrotación realizándose procedimiento de Ladd. Presenta cuadros suboclusivos y finalmente obstructivo con imágenes compatibles con vólvulo intestinal. Hallazgos intraoperatorios: suboclusión duodenal, vólvulo y linfangiectasias. Procedimiento de Kareem: posicionando intestino en normorotación, duodenopexia (C duodenal posterior a vasos mesentéricos), formación de neoTreitz, fijación de ciego, colon ascendente y raíz mesentérica. Alta hospitalaria al 6º día postoperatorio, asintomático en 1 año de seguimiento. COMENTARIOS: El procedimiento de Kareem es una técnica segura y efectiva que corrige la malrotación, pudiendo reemplazar al procedimiento de Ladd al disminuir el riesgo de revolvulación y mejorar síntomas digestivos.

Una nueva técnica en el tratamiento de la malrotación intestinal / A new technique in the treatment of intestinal malrotation

Introducción: La malrotación intestinal es una patología congénitacon complicaciones potencialmente catastróficas, destacando el vólvulo,cuyo tratamiento no ha variado significativamente en casi 100 años(procedimiento de Ladd). Recientemente el Dr Abu-Elmagd describióuna técnica que hemos aplicado en un paciente.Caso clínico: Varón de 12 años, intervenido con 2 días de vidapor vólvulo intestinal secundario a malrotación realizándose procedimiento de Ladd. Presenta cuadros suboclusivos y finalmente obstructivo con imágenes compatibles con vólvulo intestinal. Hallazgosintraoperatorios: suboclusión duodenal, vólvulo y linfangiectasias.Procedimiento de Kareem: posicionando intestino en normorotación,duodenopexia (C duodenal posterior a vasos mesentéricos), formaciónde neoTreitz, fijación de ciego, colon ascendente y raíz mesentérica.Alta hospitalaria al 6º día postoperatorio, asintomático en 1 año deseguimiento. Comentarios: El procedimiento de Kareem es una técnica seguray efectiva que corrige la malrotación, pudiendo reemplazar al procedimiento de Ladd al disminuir el riesgo de revolvulación y mejorarsíntomas digestivos.(AU)

Introduction: Intestinal malrotation is a congenital pathology withpotentially catastrophic complications, such as volvulus, whose treatment has barely not changed in nearly 100 years (Ladd’s procedure). Dr. Abu-Elmagd recently described a new technique that was appliedin one of our patients. Clinical case. 12-year-old boy who had undergone Ladd’s procedure as a result of intestinal volvulus secondary to malrotation when hewas 2 days old. He had subocclusion and eventually obstruction, withintestinal volvulus compatible imaging. Intraoperative findings: duodenalsubocclusion, volvulus and lymphangiectasias. Kareem’s procedure:bowel positioning in normal rotation, duodenopexy (duodenal C posterior to the mesenteric vessels), formation of neo-Treitz, and fixationof the cecum, the ascending colon, and the mesenteric root. The patientwas discharged on postoperative day 6 and remains asymptomatic after1 year of follow-up. Discussion: Kareem’s procedure is a safe and effective malrotationrepair technique. It can replace Ladd’s procedure as it reduces the riskof re-volvulation and improves digestive symptoms.(AU)

Occurrence and risk assessment of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in viticulture impacted watersheds from Northwest Spain.

An automated analytical methodology was developed, validated and applied to monitor 73 organic pollutants (pesticides and pharmaceuticals) in surface and groundwater samples obtained in watersheds from an intensive viticulture, rural region, in the Northwest of Spain. Filtered samples were concentrated using a reusable solid-phase extraction sorbent, on-line combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The analytical procedure achieved limits of quantification between 1 ng L-1 and 10 ng L-1, with a throughput of 2 samples hour-1, providing accurate recoveries for more than 90% of the 73 selected compounds, using calibration solutions prepared in ultrapure water (in presence of methanol and formic acid) as neat solvent. The distribution and the concentrations of pesticides in small streams impacted by discharges of treated municipal wastewaters were different in rural and residential areas. On the other hand, pharmaceuticals showed a similar distribution in both streams. In surface waters from viticulture impacted watersheds, with a limited influence of municipal wastewaters, pulses of pesticides were noticed, with values above 100 ng L-1 for several fungicides. Cardiovascular pharmaceuticals, psychiatric drugs and/or their transformation products were also ubiquitous in these samples, with low, but relatively stable concentrations among sampling campaigns. Within the suite of investigated compounds, maximum pesticide residues remained below their predicted-non effect concentration (PNEC) in all samples. On the other hand, the environmental concentrations of the cardiovascular drug olmesartan stayed systematically above its PNEC in fresh water samples.