Characterization of PAHs bound to ambient ultrafine particles around runways at an international airport.

The impact of airport activities on air quality, is not sufficiently documented. In order to better understand the magnitude and properly assess the sources of emissions in the sector, it is necessary to establish databases with real data on those pollutants that could have the greatest impact on both health and the environment. Particulate matter (PM), especially ultrafine particles, are a research priority, not only because of its physical properties, but also because of its ability to bind highly toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Samples of PM were collected in the ambient air around the runways at Barajas International Airport (Madrid, Spain) during October, November and December 2021. Samples were gathered using three different sampling systems and analysed to determine the concentration of PAHs bound to PM. A high-volume air sampler, a Berner low-pressure impactor, and an automated off-line sampler developed in-house were used. The agreement between the samplers was statistically verified from the PM and PAH results. The highest concentration of PM measured was 31 µg m-3, while the concentration of total PAH was 3 ng m-3, both comparable to those recorded in a semi-urban area of Madrid. The PAHs showed a similar profile to the particle size distribution, with a maximum in the 0.27-0.54 µm size range, being preferentially found in the submicron size fractions, with more than 84% and around 15-20% associated to UFPs. It was found that the ratio [PAHs(m)/PM(m)] was around 10-4 in the warmer period (October), whereas it more than doubled in the colder months (November-December). It is significant the shift in the relative distribution of compounds within these two periods, with a notable increase in the 5 and 6 ring proportions in the colder period. This increase was probably due to the additional contribution of other external sources, possibly thermal and related to combustion processes, as supported by the PAH diagnostic ratios.

Sample treatment based on molecularly imprinted polymers for the analysis of veterinary drugs in food samples: a review.

The use of veterinary drugs in medical treatments and in the livestock industry is a recurrent practice. When applied in subtherapeutic doses over prolonged times, they can also act as growth promoters. However, residues of these substances in foods present a risk to human health. Their analysis is thus important and can help guarantee consumer safety. The critical point in each analytical technique is the sample treatment and the analytical matrix complexity. The present manuscript summarizes the development, type of synthesis, characterization, and application of molecularly imprinted polymers in the separation, identification, and quantification techniques for the determination of veterinary drug residues in food samples in extraction, clean-up, isolation, and pre-concentration systems. Synthesized sorbents with specific recognition properties improve the interactions between the analytes and the polymeric sorbents, providing better analysis conditions and advantages in comparison with commercial sorbents in terms of high selectivity, analytical sensitivity, easy performance, and low cost analysis.

Severe Clostridium difficile colitis as potential late complication associated with COVID-19.

Spain has been one of the most affected countries by the COVID-19 outbreak. After the high impact of the pandemic, a wide clinical spectrum of late complications associated with COVID-19 are being observed. We report a case of a severe Clostridium difficile colitis in a post-treatment and recovered COVID-19 patient. A 64-year-woman with a one-month hospital admission for severe bilateral pneumonia associated with COVID-19 and 10 days after discharge presented with diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Severe C. difficile-associated colitis is diagnosed according to clinical features and CT findings. An urgent pancolectomy was performed due to her bad response to conservative treatment. Later evolution slowly improved to recovery. C. difficile-associated colitis is one of the most common hospital-acquired infections. Significant patient-related risk factors for C. difficile infection are antibiotic exposure, older age, and hospitalisation. Initial therapeutic recommendations in our country included administration broad-spectrum antibiotics to all patients with bilateral pneumonia associated with SARS-CoV-2. These antibiotics are strongly associated with C. difficile infection. Our patient developed a serious complication of C. difficile due to the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The appearance of late digestive symptoms in patients diagnosed and treated for COVID-19 should alert clinicians to the possibility of C. difficile infection. The updated criteria for severe colitis and severe C. difficile infection should be considered to ensure an early effective treatment for the complication.

Blend design tools for Medium Combustion Plants (MCP) firing biomass wastes.

A feasible alternative for agricultural or forestry waste management is the operation of a distributed network of sustainable Medium Combustion Plants (MCPs). However, one of the main factors that hinder its development is the propensity to operational problems derived from corrosion, slagging and fouling characteristics of both bottom and fly ashes. Therefore, a cost-effective approach for these multi-product MCP could be based on predictive tools for an optimal formulation of a fuel blend. This work focuses on the assessment of the ability of these methods to provide guidance for preventing ash-related operational problems and to provide fuel-blending rules. The more widespread tools pertain to two types: compositional classification based on chemical analysis of laboratory ashes, and thermodynamic prediction of the most likely species and phases. Both criterion numbers and compositional maps are ranking methods based on the chemical analysis at a given ashing temperature. Thermodynamic equilibrium modeling is not constrained by any difference in the physical conditions of the MCP compared to those in the laboratory. Both kind of prediction tools have been validated in an MCP firing olive tree pruning residues as well as its typical blends in order to mimic a plausible pattern of fuels along a full year operating campaign. An intensive experimental campaign encompasses plant monitoring and off-line analysis of the ashes along the process line. Interpretation of compositional plots has revealed to be potentially sensitive to ashing temperature. Here are presented examples showing how this variable could lead to either insignificant differences or to a substantial disparity in the a priori fuel diagnosis. Some inconsistencies have been observed between the predictions based on criterion numbers, even for the same fuel and for ranking rules specifically formulated for biomasses. Moreover, it does not match consistently with the information obtained from phase diagrams. Therefore, their use should be limited to the case of a well-established selection of a fuel index for a well-defined fuel provided empirical evidence of an enough good description of the ash behavior, which is not the most frequent case. Thermodynamic equilibrium calculations allow a more precise prediction of the main species in the condensed phase, without the constraint of the ashing temperature. Elemental closure of main ash-forming elements with the chemical analysis of the process ashes presents small differences, and their proximity localization on the phase diagrams denote similar prediction between predicted and process ashes.

[Swallowing phobia: a case report]. / Fobia a tragar: a propósito de un caso.

Choking phobia is characterized by fear and avoidance of swallowing food, fluids or pills. It often appears in women after an episode of choking on food. We present the case of an adolescent beginning her phobia after a mononucleosis with severe dysphagia. Patient's solid restriction raised concerns about differential diagnosis with eating disorders. She was treated with psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring and graduated exposure in vivo, achieving a total recovery.

Fobia a tragar: a propósito de un caso / Choking phobia: a case report

La fobia a ahogarse al tragar se caracteriza por miedo (y evitación) a tragar comida, líquidos o pastillas. Suele surgir en mujeres tras un episodio de ahogarse con comida. Presentamos el caso de una adolescente, que inició la fobia tras una mononucleosis infecciosa que cursó con disfagia severa. La restricción de sólidos de la paciente planteó el diagnóstico diferencial con trastornos de conducta alimentaria, entre otros. Se realizó psicoeducación, reestructuración cognitiva y exposición gradual in vivo, lográndose la resolución del cuadro (AU)

Differential effects of biotin deficiency and replenishment on rat liver pyruvate and propionyl-CoA carboxylases and on their mRNAs.

Although the role of vitamins as prosthetic groups of enzymes is well known, their participation in the regulation of their genetic expression has been much less explored. We studied the effect of biotin on the genetic expression of rat liver mitochondrial carboxylases: pyruvate carboxylase (PC), propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC), and 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC). Rats were made biotin-deficient and were sacrificed after 8 to 10 weeks, when deficiency manifestations began to appear. At this time, hepatic PCC activity was 20% of the control values or lower, and there was an abnormally high urinary excretion of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid, a marker of biotin deficiency. Biotin was added to deficient primary cultured hepatocytes. It took at least 24 h after the addition of biotin for PCC to achieve control activity and biotinylation levels, whereas PC became active and fully biotinylated in the first hour. The enzyme's mass was assessed in liver homogenates from biotin-deficient rats and incubated with biotin to convert the apocarboxylases into holocarboylases, which were detected by streptavidin blots. The amount of PC was minimally affected by biotin deficiency, whereas that of the alpha subunits of PCC and of MCC decreased substantially in deficient livers, which likely explains the reactivation and rebiotinylation results. The expression of PC and alphaPCC was studied at the mRNA level by Northern blots and RT/PCR; no significant changes were observed in the deficient livers. These results suggest that biotin regulates the expression of the catabolic carboxylases (PCC and MCC), that this regulation occurs after the posttranscriptional level, and that pyruvate carboxylase, a key enzyme for gluconeogenesis, Krebs cycle anaplerosis, and fatty acid synthesis, is spared of this control.

Urinary organic acids in infant malnutrition.

The metabolic derangements in severe protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) are only partially known, due to the limitations of blood collection in these patients. Urinary excretion of organic acids was studied by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 39 infants with four types of PEM: 1) upon hospital admission, as soon as eventual infections had been cleared, and salt and water deficits corrected, but before oral feeding was started; 2) after start of protein alimentation; 3) on the day of discharge. All of the patients showed an increased excretion of various organic acids at some point of their hospital stay, regardless of the clinical type of PEM. In nearly half of the malnourished children, results were suggestive of blocks in the pathways of propionate (15.4% with increased methylmalonate and 25.6% with 2-methylcitrate), of fatty acid beta-oxidation (30.8% with raised dicarboxylic acids with low or low normal 3-hydroxybutyrate), or of both pathways (12.8%). These abnormalities may have been caused by cofactor deficiencies (biotin, vitamin B12, riboflavin, carnitine, niacin). Dicarboxylic acids were excreted in high amounts since the initial sample, probably due to increased mobilization of fatty acids. Increased 2-methylcitrate and methylmalonate excretion was observed more frequently once patients started to be orally fed. The accumulation of potentially toxic acyl-CoA precursors of these compounds could contribute to the known clinical worsening of some malnourished infants after suddenly increased protein intake. Other less specific metabolites, such as 3-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, 4-hydroxyphenyllactate, fumarate, succinate, and 4-hydroxyphenylacetate, were also abnormally excreted in some patients. The analysis of urinary organic acids provides a new approach for the metabolic study of PEM and may have diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to isoflurane by measurement of isoflurane exhaled breath.

The relationship between isoflurane environmental concentrations in operating rooms and the corresponding isoflurane concentration in the exhaled air of the operating personnel at the end of the exposure has been investigated. Isoflurane was retained in an adsorbent cartridge and after thermal desorption the concentration was estimated by gas chromatography. Significant correlation between environmental and exhaled air isoflurane concentrations allowed the establishment of a biological exposure index and biological exposure limits corresponding to proposed atmospheric threshold values.

Application of thermal desorption to the biological monitoring of organic compounds in exhaled breath.

We have developed a thermal desorption-gas chromatographic method for the analysis of organic compounds in exhaled breath air, to be used in the biological monitoring of environmental exposure. The exhaled breath sampler is based on the concentration of compounds present in alveolar air in a solid sorbent material. Isoflurane (1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethyl-difluoromethyl-ether), an inhaled anaesthetic used widely in surgery, and styrene, used in boat construction and the manufacture of fibreglass-reinforced plastics, are partially eliminated from the body in exhaled breath, samples of which can therefore be used to monitor biological exposure to these two organic compounds. Recoveries were tested in controlled atmospheres of isoflurane or styrene, with Chromosorb 106 or Tenax, respectively, as the adsorbent. We also investigated the influence of relative humidity, an important factor in breath sampling, on adsorption.

Flow injection fluorimetric determination of thiamine and copper based on the formation of thiochrome.

The reaction, involving the oxidation of thiamine by copper(II) in basic solutions to fluorescent thiochrome, has been adapted to the determination of thiamine by flow-injection analysis. Linear calibration graphs are obtained between 0.30 and 6.02 mug/ml with a sampling rate of 50 samples/hr and a relative standard deviation of 0.53%. This reaction has also been adapted to the determination of copper(II) over the range 0.5-5.0 mug/ml. The applicability of both methods for determination of thiamine and copper is demonstrated by investigating the effect of potential interferences and by the analysis of real samples (pharmaceuticals for thiamine and ores and alloys for copper).

[Carbamazepine: an efficient adjuvant treatment in schizophrenia]. / La carbamacepina: un tratamiento adjunto eficaz en las esquizofrenias.

Different studies published in the last years have focused on the psychotropic effects of carbamazepine (CBZ). This study tries to investigate the efficacity of CBZ as an adjunct treatment of schizophrenia. 20 patients with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, according to the RDC, have been investigated by double-blind method. Subjects are divided in two groups (n = 10). The first one is treated with CBZ (with dose in order to reach a plasma level between 8-12 mg /l) and Haloperidol (oral fixed dose: 30 mg /day). The second group only with Haloperidol (same dose). Clinic and psychopathological disturbances are evaluated with the BPRS, and secondary effects with the UKU scale. A clinical improvement (90%, measured by the BPRS) was observed for both groups, without significant differences. Patients treated with CBZ show an important reduction of neurological secondary effects related to neuroleptics (Haloperidol). Carbamazepine appears to be a useful treatment, combined with neuroleptics, for acute schizophrenic episodes.

[Carbamazepine: an effective adjuvant treatment in the schizophrenias]. / La carbamacepina: un tratamiento adjunto eficaz en las esquizofrenias.

Different studies published in the last years have focused on the psychotropic effects of carbamazepine (CBZ). This study tried to investigate the efficacity of CBZ as an adjunct treatment of schizophrenia. 20 patients with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, according to the RDC, have been investigated by double-blind method. Subjects are divided in two groups (n = 10). The first one is treated with CBZ (with dose in order to reach a plasma level between 8-12 mg/l) and haloperidol (oral fixed dose: 30 mg/day). The second group only with haloperidol (same dose). Clinical and psychopathological disturbances are evaluated with the BPRS, and secondary effects with the UKU scale. A clinical improvement (greater than 70%, measured by the BPRS) was observed for both groups, without significant differences. Patients treated with CBZ show an important reduction of neurological secondary effects related to neuroleptics (haloperidol). Carbamazepine appears to be a useful treatment, combined with neuroleptics, for acute schizophrenic episodes.

[New hospitals of the program for reconstruction and reorganization of health services in the metropolitan area]. / Los nuevos hospitales del programa de reconstrucción y reordenamiento de los servicios de salud en el area metropolitana.

This article describes the stages in the building of the general hospitals of 144 beds included in the Health Services Reconstruction and Reordering Program. The Program is being carried out by the Health Ministry in the metropolitan area of Mexico City, emphasizing the reordering sense of the activities developed to cope with the observed unbalances in the distribution of health services among the various zones in the area. The article examines also the coordination among the internal units of the Health Ministry and other agencies in the Health Sector. Finally, the lessons of the experience derived from those processes are discussed.

Deficiencia congenita de factor XIII.Reporte de una familia. / Congenital deficiency of factor XIII. Report of a family

La deficiencia congenita de F XIII es un padecimiento raro que se manifiesta por sangrado anormal caracteristicamente de aparicion tardia y cicatrices quirurgicas defectuosas.Ambas manifestaciones son el resultado de la estabilizacion inadecuada de los polimeros de fibrina. Se describe una familia con 2 miembros afectados; la proposita ha presentado 3 episodios severos de sangrado. El comportamiento clinico semejo a las hemofilias. El diagnostico se confirmo con la prueba de la urea 5M. La transfusion de sangre fresca y plasma ha resuelto los episodios de sangrado.Un hermano de la proposita, portador de deficiencia de F XIII fallecio por insuficiencia respiratoria de causa no identificada