A state-of-art-review on emerging contaminants: Environmental chemistry, health effect, and modern treatment methods.

Pollution problems are increasingly becoming e a priority issue from both scientific and technological points of view. The dispersion and frequency of pollutants in the environment are on the rise, leading to the emergence have been increasing, including of a new class of contaminants that not only impact the environment but also pose risks to people's health. Therefore, developing new methods for identifying and quantifying these pollutants classified as emerging contaminants is imperative. These methods enable regulatory actions that effectively minimize their adverse effects to take steps to regulate and reduce their impact. On the other hand, these new contaminants represent a challenge for current technologies to be adapted to control and remove emerging contaminants and involve innovative, eco-friendly, and sustainable remediation technologies. There is a vast amount of information collected in this review on emerging pollutants, comparing the identification and quantification methods, the technologies applied for their control and remediation, and the policies and regulations necessary for their operation and application. In addition, This review will deal with different aspects of emerging contaminants, their origin, nature, detection, and treatment concerning water and wastewater.

Perception of military specialists on physical preparation in the armed forces / Percepción de los especialistas militares sobre la preparación física en las fuerzas armadas

This work analyzes the perception of military specialists in Physical Education on how physical preparation is implemented and could be optimized in the Armed Forces. It is a quantitative, descriptive study (N = 227) having created an ad hoc questionnaire to collect these perceptions. The results indicate that the facilitators believe that: i. The current physical preparation and its evaluation bear little relation to the possible operational contexts; ii. Health and military instruction are perceived as the main training objectives; iii. The traditional training methodology does not seem to be the most suitable to achieve the operational objectives of the Units; iv. The most relevant physical qualities are swimming skill, strength, and endurance; v. The training contents during the mesocycle are still based mainly on running and calisthenics, performed at a moderate intensity; vi. Specific preparation before, during and after Operations should be increased. (AU)

Este trabajo analiza la percepción de diplomados militares en Educación Física sobre cómo se implementa y podría optimizarse la preparación física en las Fuerzas Armadas. Es un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo (N = 227) habiéndose creado un cuestionario ad hoc para recoger estas percepciones. Los resultados señalan que los diplomados opinan que: i. La preparación física actual y su evaluación tienen poca relación con los posibles contextos operativos; ii. La salud y la instrucción se perciben como los principales objetivos formativos; iii. La metodología tradicional del entrenamiento no parece ser la más idónea para conseguir los objetivos operativos de las Unidades; iv. Las cualidades físicas consideradas más relevantes son competencia en agua, fuerza y resistencia; v. Los contenidos de entrenamiento durante el mesociclo se siguen basando fundamentalmente en la carrera y la calistenia, realizados a una intensidad moderada; vi. Debe incrementarse la preparación específica antes, durante y después de las Operaciones. (AU)

2009-2019: evolución de la epidemiología de lesiones deportivas en las Fuerzas Armadas / 2009-2019: evolution of the epidemiology of sports injuries in the Armed Forces

Introducción: Las lesiones músculo-esqueléticas son la principal causa de bajas consideradas no de combate en las Fuerzas Armadas. Es fundamental recoger y analizar datos sobre las mismas para determinar los factores de riesgo. Esto debería traducirse en el desarrollo de una planificación adecuada de la preparación física, que permita la prevención, la recuperación del personal lesionado y el cumplimiento de los cometidos asignados a cada puesto táctico. Material y método: Diseño epidemiológico observacional de tipo descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo, extrayendo de las estadísticas oficiales publicadas por el Ministerio de Defensa datos sobre accidentes sufridos por el personal militar entre los años 2009 y 2019, entre los que se incluyen los ocasionados por la práctica deportiva. Resultados: Las lesiones debidas a la realización de actividades deportivas suponen aproximadamente un 50 % de los accidentes sufridos por los militares. Los afectados mayoritariamente son el personal de tropa y marinería (85 %), sobre todo del Ejército de Tierra (86 %). Las lesiones más frecuentes son traumáticas (en torno al 65 %), si bien de carácter leve. El mayor número de sucesos ocurren en instrucción y en preparación física; la carrera, la gimnasia y las pruebas de valoración de la condición física (con un 65 % del total) son las tareas más lesivas. Conclusiones: Aunque el número absoluto de lesionados ha disminuido a lo largo de la década analizada, la tendencia y la frecuencia relativa de casos apenas ha variado, por lo que deberían revisarse la metodología del entrenamiento y el mecanismo de recogida de datos.(AU)

Introduction: Musculoskeletal injuries are the main cause of non-combat casualties in the Armed Forces. It is essential to collect and analyze data on them to determine risk factors. This should translate into the development of adequate physical preparation planning, which allows prevention, recovery of injured personnel and the fulfillment of the tasks assigned to each tactical position. Material and method: Descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective observational epidemiological design, extracting from the official statistics published by the Ministry of Defense data on accidents suffered by military personnel between 2009 and 2019, including those caused by sport practice. Results: Injuries due to sports activities account for approximately 50 % of the accidents suffered by the military. Those most affected are the enlisted service members (85 %), especially in the Army (86 %). The most frequent injuries are traumatic (around 65 %), although with a minor nature. The largest number of events occur in instruction and physical preparation; running, gymnastics and tests to assess physical condition (with 65 % of the total) are the most damaging tasks. Conclusions: Although the absolute number of injured has decreased throughout the decade analyzed, the trend and relative frequency of cases has hardly changed, in this sense the training methodology and the data collection mechanism should be reviewed.(AU)

¿Penaliza el tipo de suelo en la prueba de agilidad-velocidad de las FFAA? / Does the type of surface adversely affect the performance of the military speed agility test of the armed forces?

Introducción:La agilidad-velocidad es una de las cualidades más importantes para el militar. El test empleado para su evaluación en las Fuerzas Armadas (FFAA) se desarrolla habitualmente en asfalto. El tipo de superficie es un elemento que puede influir en la marca y en la posibilidad de sufrir una lesión. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar cómo afecta la superficie y su estado al resultado de la prueba.Material y método:Se realizó un estudio descriptivo con control de un grupo, formado por 30 alumnos de la Escuela Central de Educación Física.Durante 2 días, separados 48 horas, realizaron la prueba de agilidad-velocidad tres veces en cinco superficies distintas (asfalto, hormigón, sintético, hierba y tierra) en seco un día y en mojado el otro. La pausa entre cada recorrido era de 9' y entre cada superficie de 12'. Tres cronometradores experimentados registraron el mejor tiempo empleado en cada superficie.Resultados:Respecto al asfalto, las marcas empeoraban en todas las superficies, de forma significativa (p<0,01) en hierba (+3,6%), asfalto mojado (+5,64%), hormigón pulido (+11,03%) y tierra (+21,1%), con tamaños del efecto moderado a grande (0,44< r < 0,85).Respecto al asfalto mojado, los tiempos también empeoraban, significativamente (p<0,01, 0,36< r < 0,86) en hormigón pulido seco (+5,1%), tierra mojado (+6,32%), hierba mojado (+8,84%) y hormigón pulido mojado (+30,1%).No se registró ninguna lesión.Conclusiones:Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que, en cualquier condición climatológica, el asfalto es la superficie en la que mejor marca se obtiene en el test de agilidad-velocidad de las FFAA, aunque en mojado la pérdida de rendimiento es significativa. (AU)

Introduction:Agility is one of the most important qualities for the military members. The test performed for its evaluation in the Armed Forces is usually carried out on asphalt. The type of surface is an element that can influence the record and the possibility of injury. The objective of this study is to analyze how the surface and its condition affect the test result.Material and method:A descriptive study was carried out with control of a group, made up of 30 students from the Central School of Physical Education.During 2 days, 48 hours apart, they performed the agility-speed test three times on five different surfaces (asphalt, concrete, synthetic, grass and soil) in dry one day and in wet the other. The pause between each set was 9' and between each surface 12'. Three experienced timekeepers recorded the best time spent on each surface.Results:Regarding asphalt, times registered worsened on all surfaces, significantly (p <0.01) on grass (+ 3.6%), wet asphalt (+ 5.64%), polished concrete (+11, 03%) and soil (+ 21.1%), with moderate to large effect sizes (0.44

Time after a peak-pesticide use period and neurobehavior among ecuadorian children and adolescents: The ESPINA study.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists regarding transient neurobehavioral alterations associated with episodic pesticide exposures or agricultural pesticide spray periods. We previously observed that children examined soon after a pesticide spray period (the Mother's Day flower harvest [MDH]) had lower neurobehavioral performance than children examined later. The present study builds on our previous work by incorporating longitudinal analyses from childhood through adolescence. METHODS: We examined participants in agricultural communities in Ecuador (ESPINA study) during three periods: July-August 2008 (N = 313, 4-9-year-olds); April 2016 (N = 330, 11-17-year-olds); July-October 2016 (N = 535, 11-17-year-olds). Participants were examined primarily during a period of low floricultural production. Neurobehavior was assessed using the NEPSY-II (domains: Attention/Inhibitory Control, Language, Memory/Learning, Visuospatial Processing, and Social Perception). Linear regression and generalized linear mixed models were used to examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between examination date (days) after the MDH and neurobehavioral outcomes, adjusting for demographic, anthropometric, and socio-economic variables. RESULTS: Participants were examined between 63 and 171 days after the MDH. Mean neurobehavioral domain scores ranged from 1.0 to 17.0 (SDrange = 2.1-3.1) in 2008 and 1.0 to 15.5 (SDrange = 2.0-2.3) in 2016. In cross-sectional analyses (2016 only; N = 523), we found significant or borderline positive associations between time after the MDH and Attention/Inhibitory Control (difference/10 days [ß] = 0.22 points [95% CI = 0.03, 0.41]) and Language (ß = 0.16 points [95% CI = -0.03, 0.34]). We also observed positive, longitudinal associations (2008-2016) with Attention/Inhibitory Control (ß = 0.19 points [95% CI = 0.04, 0.34]) through 112 days after the harvest and Visuospatial Processing (ß = 3.56, ß-quadratic = -0.19 [95% CI: -0.29, -0.09]) through 92 days. CONCLUSIONS: Children examined sooner after the harvest had lower neurobehavioral performance compared to children examined later, suggesting that peak pesticide spray seasons may transiently affect neurobehavior followed by recovery during low pesticide-use periods. Reduction of pesticide exposure potential for children during peak pesticide-use periods is advised.

Effects of Naringin on Cardiomyocytes From a Rodent Model of Type 2 Diabetes.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a primary disease in diabetic patients characterized by diastolic dysfunction leading to heart failure and death. Unfortunately, even tight glycemic control has not been effective in its prevention. We have found aberrant diastolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]d), decreased glucose transport, elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increased calpain activity in cardiomyocytes from a murine model (db/db) of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Cardiomyocytes from these mice demonstrate significant cell injury, increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 and expression of the transcription nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Furthermore, decreased cell viability, and reduced expression of Kir6.2, SUR1, and SUR2 subunits of the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels. Treatment of T2D mice with the citrus fruit flavonoid naringin for 4 weeks protected cardiomyocytes by reducing diastolic Ca2+ overload, improving glucose transport, lowering reactive oxygen species production, and suppressed myocardial inflammation. In addition, naringin reduced calpain activity, decreased cardiac injury, increased cell viability, and restored the protein expression of Kir6.2, SUR1, and SUR2 subunits of the KATP channels. Administration of the KATP channel inhibitor glibenclamide caused a further increase in [Ca2+]d in T2D cardiomyocytes and abolished the naringin effect on [Ca2+]d. Nicorandil, a KATP channel opener, and nitric oxide donor drug mimic the naringin effect on [Ca2+]d in T2D cardiomyocyte; however, it aggravated the hyperglycemia in T2D mice. These data add new insights into the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of naringin in T2D cardiomyopathy, thus suggesting a novel approach to treating this cardiovascular complication.

Malignant hyperthermia, environmental heat stress, and intracellular calcium dysregulation in a mouse model expressing the p.G2435R variant of RYR1.

BACKGROUND: The human p.G2434R variant of the RYR1 gene is most frequently associated with malignant hyperthermia (MH) in the UK. We report the phenotype of a knock-in mouse that expresses the RYR1 variant p.G2435R, which is isogenetic with the human variant. METHODS: We observed the general phenotype; determined the sensitivity of myotubes to caffeine-, KCl, and halothane-induced Ca2+ release; determined the in vivo response to halothane or increased ambient temperature; and determined the in vivo myoplasmic intracellular Ca2+ concentration in skeletal muscle before and during exposure to volatile anaesthetics. RESULTS: RYR1 pG2435R/MH normal (MHS-Heterozygous[Het]) or RYR1 pG2435R/pG2435R (MHS-Homozygous[Hom]) mice were fully viable under typical rearing conditions, although some male MHS-Hom mice died spontaneously. The normalised half-maximal effective concentration (95% confidence interval) for intracellular Ca2+ release in myotubes in response to KCl [MH normal, MHN, 21.4 (19.8-23.1) mM; MHS-Het 16.2 (15.2-17.2) mM; MHS-Hom 11.2 (10.2-12.2) mM] and caffeine (MHN, 5.7 (5-6.3) mM; MHS-Het 4.5 (3.9-5.0) mM; MHS-Hom 1.77 (1.5-2.1) mM] exhibited a gene dose-dependent decrease, and there was a gene dose-dependent increase in halothane sensitivity. Intact animals show a gene dose-dependent susceptibility to MH with volatile anaesthetics or to heat stroke. RYR1 p.G2435R mice had elevated skeletal muscle intracellular resting [Ca2+]i, (values are expressed as mean (SD)) (MHN 123 (3) nM; MHS-Het 156 (16) nM; MHS-Hom 265 (32) nM; P<0.001) and [Na+]i (MHN 8 (0.1) mM; MHS-Het 10 (1) mM; MHS-Hom 14 (0.7) mM; P<0.001) that was further increased by exposure to volatile anaesthetics. CONCLUSIONS: RYR1 pG2435R mice demonstrated gene dose-dependent in vitro and in vivo responses to pharmacological and environmental stressors that parallel those seen in patients with the human RYR1 variant p.G2434R.

Clinical factors influencing mortality risk in hospital-acquired sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Identification of factors that confer an increased risk of mortality in hospital-acquired sepsis (HAS) is necessary to help prevent, and improve the outcome of, this condition. AIM: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in patients with HAS. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with HAS in a major Spanish Hospital from 2011 to 2015. Data from adults receiving any of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes associated with sepsis were collected. Those fulfilling the SEPSIS-2 definition with no evidence of infection during the first 48 h following hospitalization were included (N = 196). Multivariate analysis was employed to identify the risk factors of mortality. FINDINGS: HAS patients were found to have many of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (male sex, ageing, antecedent of cardiac disease, arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, smoking habit) and cancer. Vascular disease or chronic kidney disease were associated with 28-day mortality. Time from hospital admission to sepsis diagnosis, and the presence of organ failure were risk factors for 28-day and hospital mortality. Experiencing more than one episode of sepsis increased the risk of hospital mortality. 'Sepsis code' for the early identification of sepsis was protective against hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: This study identifies several major factors associated with mortality in patients suffering from HAS. Implementation of surveillance programmes for the early identification and treatment of sepsis translate into a clear benefit.

Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation, a cost-effective treatment for abdominal mesh exposure.

PURPOSE: Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation (NPWTi) has been proved to be a safe and effective treatment option for abdominal wall wound dehiscence with mesh exposure. Our aim in this study is to examine whether it is also cost-effective. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study with 45 patients treated for postoperative abdominal wall wound dehiscence and exposed mesh: 34 were treated with conventional wound therapy (CWT) and 11 with NPWTi. We carried out a cost analysis for each treatment group using the Diagnosis-related group (DRG) system and a second evaluation using the calculated costs "per hospital stay". The differences between NPWTi and CWT were calculated with both evaluation systems. Comparative analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Mean costs using the DRG estimation were 29,613.71€ for the CWT group and 15,093.37€ for the NPWTi group, and according to the calculated expenses "per hospital stay", 17,322.88€ for the CWT group and 15,284.22€ for the NPWTi group. NPWTi showed a reduction in the total expense of treatment, related to a reduction in episodes of hospitalization and number of surgeries required to achieve wound closure. However, differences were not statistically significant in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: NPWTi proves to be an efficient treatment option for abdominal wall wound dehiscence with mesh exposure, compared to CWT. More trials aimed to optimize treatment protocols will lead to an additional increase in NPWTi efficiency. In addition, to generalize our results, further studies with larger samples would be necessary.

Electroless controllable growth of ZnO films and their morphology-dependent antimicrobial properties.

An electroless deposition process was used to synthesize with a controlled morphology, polycrystalline ZnO on glass substrates as antimicrobial coatings. The influence of deposition temperature (Tdep) on the physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of the ZnO films was analyzed. The results indicated that a change in deposition temperature greatly affected the morphology and the degree of crystallinity of the films. Scanning electron microscope images show that the film surface is porous at a deposition temperature of 40 and 50 °C, whereas hexagonal-plate shaped morphology predominated at 60 °C and finally at 70 and 80 °C the films consisted of rod-like particles. The films showed good transparency in the visible region. All ZnO films presented notable antimicrobial activity against the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). It was found that the antimicrobial efficiency is strongly dependent on morphology and structural properties. The best antimicrobial performance was recorded for the films consisting of rod-like morphology with a high degree of crystallinity. The procedure used in this investigation is strongly recommended for the development of functional surfaces.

Divergence in mating signals correlates with genetic distance and behavioural responses to playback.

Animals use acoustic signals to defend resources against rivals and attract breeding partners. As with many biological traits, acoustic signals may reflect ancestry; closely related species often produce more similar signals than do distantly related species. Whether this similarity in acoustic signals is biologically relevant to animals is poorly understood. We conducted a playback experiment to measure the physical and vocal responses of male songbirds to the songs of both conspecific and allopatric-congeneric animals that varied in their acoustic and genetic similarity. Our subjects were territorial males of four species of neotropical Troglodytes wrens: Brown-throated Wrens (Troglodytes brunneicollis), Cozumel Wrens (T. beani), Clarion Wrens (T. tanneri) and Socorro Wrens (T. sissonii). Our results indicate that birds respond to playback of both conspecific and allopatric-congeneric animals; that acoustic differences increase with genetic distance; and that genetic divergence predicts the strength of behavioural responses to playback, after removing the effects of acoustic similarity between subjects' songs and playback stimuli. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the most distantly related species have the most divergent songs; that male wrens perceive divergence in fine structural characteristics of songs; and that perceptual differences between species reflect evolutionary history. This study offers novel insight into the importance of acoustic divergence of learned signals and receiver responses in species recognition.

Health status sensed by the adult Latin American immigrant population in the city of Seville, Spain.

The immigrant population in Seville has grown over the last 10 years, most of which are Latin Americans. Our aim was to describe the health status perceived in this emerging population. In 2011, a cross-sectional study was performed on a representative sample of 190 Latin American immigrants between the ages of 25 and 44 years residing in Seville (Spain). The self-sensed health status was 18% excellent, 28% very good, 42% good, 11% regular, and 1% poor. The average number of days of satisfactory health status during the last month was 22. Statistically significant differences were found: (a) higher satisfactory perception of health in men than in women (30 vs. 9%) and (b) higher average number of days with excellent health in people with satisfactory perception than those with an unsatisfactory perception of their health status (23 and 15, respectively). Logistic regression, educational level, number of days of good health, and doing physical exercise were the variables that best explained the satisfactory perception of health status. Most people studied have a positive self-assessment of their health status, especially men, who engage in physical activity and those who have 3 and more weeks of good health per month. Our results permit us to support, to a large extent, the theory of the "healthy immigrant".

K+ channels expression in hypertension after arterial injury, and effect of selective Kv1.3 blockade with PAP-1 on intimal hyperplasia formation.

INTRODUCTION: K(+) channels are central to vascular pathophysiology. Previous results demonstrated that phenotypic modulation associates with a change in Kv1.3 to Kv1.5 expression, and that Kv1.3 blockade inhibits proliferation of VSMCs cultures. PURPOSE: To explore whether the Kv1.3 to Kv1.5 switch could be a marker of the increased risk of intimal hyperplasia in essential hypertension and whether systemic treatment with Kv1.3 blockers can prevent intimal hyperplasia after endoluminal lesion . METHODS: Morphometric and immunohistochemical analysis were performed in arterial segments following arterial injury and constant infusion of the Kv1.3 blocker PAP-1 during 28 days. Differential expression of K(+) channel genes was studied in VSMC from hypertensive (BPH) and normotensive (BPN) mice, both in control and after endoluminal lesion. Finally, the migration and proliferation rate of BPN and BPH VSMCs was explored in vitro. RESULTS: Changes in mRNA expression led to an increased Kv1.3/Kv1.5 ratio in BPH VSMC. Consistent with this, arterial injury in BPH mice induced a higher degree of luminal stenosis, (84 ± 4% vs. 70 ± 5% in BPN, p < 0.01), although no differences in migration and proliferation rate were observed in cultured VSMCs. The in vivo proliferative lesions were significantly decreased upon PAP-1 systemic infusion (18 ± 6% vs. 58 ± 20% with vehicle, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension leads to a higher degree of luminal stenosis in our arterial injury model, that correlates with a decreased expression of Kv1.5 channels. Kv1.3 blockers decreased in vitro VSMCs proliferation, migration, and in vivo intimal hyperplasia formation, pointing to Kv1.3 channels as promising therapeutical targets against restenosis.

[Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and their relationship with child abuse: predictor and consequence]. / Sintomatología del trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad y su relación con el maltrato infantil: predictor y consecuencia.

The current literature increasingly associates the presence of symptoms of ADHD in both physical and psychological and sexual child abuse. This implies the need for greater accuracy in the differential diagnosis, as until a few years ago, post-traumatic stress disorder was considered the reference symptoms for this type of case. Thus, it is necessary to define and conceptualize an increasingly broad and detailed world of sequels and consequences, where ADHD may be related to the psychological damage suffered by child abuse. Furthermore, the particular vulnerability of children with ADHD can, in turn, become a factor of risk that needs to be considered by the professionals who care for this type of patient.