The impact of prenatal mercury on neurobehavioral functioning longitudinally assessed from a young age to pre-adolescence in a Spanish birth cohort.

The objective is to investigate the relation between cord blood mercury concentrations and child neurobehavioural functioning assessed longitudinally during childhood until pre-adolescence. METHODS: The study involves mothers and their offspring engaged in the Spanish INMA birth cohort (n = 1147). Total mercury (THg) was determined in cord blood. Behavioural problems were assessed several times during childhood using the ADHD-DSM-IV at age 4, SDQ at ages 7 and 11, CPRS-R:S and the CBCL at ages 7, 9 and 11. Covariates were obtained through questionnaires during the whole period. Multivariate generalised negative binomial (MGNB) models or mixed-effects MGNB (for those tests with information at one or more time points, respectively) were used to investigate the relation between cord blood THg and the children's punctuations. Models were adjusted for prenatal fish intake. Effect modification by sex, prenatal and postnatal fish intake, prenatal fruit and vegetable intake, and maternal polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations (PCBs) was assessed by interaction terms. RESULTS: The geometric mean ± standard deviation of cord blood THg was 8.22 ± 2.19 µg/L. Despite adjusting for fish consumption, our results did not show any statistically significant relationship between prenatal Hg and the children's performance on behavioural tests conducted between the ages of 4 and 11. Upon assessing the impact of various factors, we observed no statistically significant interaction. CONCLUSION: Despite elevated prenatal THg exposure, no association was found with children's behavioural functioning assessed from early childhood to pre-adolescence. The nutrients in fish could offset the potential neurotoxic impact of Hg. Further birth cohort studies with longitudinal data are warranted.

[Niveles de mercurio en pescado en la Comunitat Valenciana: evolución temporal (2011-2017) y factores asociados.] / Mercury levels in fish in the Valencian Community: temporal evolution (2011-2017) and associated factors.

OBJECTIVE: Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal, and dietary exposure is the main one in humans, especially fish consumption. In order to reduce Hg exposure, maximum levels in fish products have been established. We aimed to describe total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in fish species consumed in Comunitat Valenciana, as well as factors associated and their tendency during the period 2011-2017. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study of Hg levels in fish meat samples in Comunitat Valenciana between 2011 and 2017 and their temporal trend was carried out, both in general and by fish groups. Data comes from Generalitat Valenciana's Health Surveillance of Food Program. We created multivariate linear regression models to evaluate the association between sampling year, fish group and origin and THg (n=560) / MeHg (n=206) concentrations. The average annual trend of THg and MeHg levels throughout the period was evaluated. RESULTS: The median was 0.20 mg/kg for THg and 0.14 mg/kg for MeHg. Swordfish, fresh tuna/albacore and canned tuna, in that order, showed the highest concentrations. Global tendency of THg levels was descending when adjusting by swordfish annual percentage. When we analized the tendency in swordfish, we observed a 7% decrease on average per year. CONCLUSIONS: Global temporal trend of THg levels in fish in Comunitat Valenciana during the period 2011-2017 is descending after adjusting by the relative weight of swordfish over the total number of samples by year. We observe a descending tendency when studied by species (swordfish).

OBJETIVO: El mercurio (Hg) es un metal tóxico cuya principal fuente de exposición en humanos es la dieta, principalmente el consumo de pescado. Para reducir la exposición al Hg se han establecido unos niveles máximos permitidos en productos de pesca. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir las concentraciones de mercurio total (THg) y metilmercurio (MeHg) en las especies de pescado dispuestas para el consumo en la Comunitat Valenciana, así como los factores asociados a dichas concentraciones y su evolución en el período 2011-2017. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de los niveles de Hg en muestras de pescado y de su evolución temporal, tanto en general como por grupos de pescado. Los datos proceden del Programa de Vigilancia Sanitaria de Alimentos de la Generalitat Valenciana. Se construyeron modelos de regresión lineal multivariantes para evaluar la asociación del año de muestreo, el grupo de pescado y el origen del mismo con las concentraciones de THg (n=560) y MeHg (n=206). Se evaluó la tendencia anual media de los niveles de THg y MeHg a lo largo del período. RESULTADOS: La mediana para THg fue de 0,20 mg/kg, y de 0,14 mg/kg para MeHg. El pez espada/emperador fue el grupo de pescado que presentó niveles más altos, seguido del atún/bonito frescos y del atún en lata. La tendencia global de los niveles de THg fue descendente ajustando por el peso anual de las muestras de pez espada/emperador. Al analizar la tendencia en pez espada/emperador se observó una disminución del 7% en promedio por año. CONCLUSIONES: La evolución temporal de los niveles de THg en pescado en la Comunitat Valenciana en el período 2011-2017 presenta una tendencia global descendente cuando se ajusta por el peso relativo de pez/espada emperador sobre el total de muestras para cada año. Además, al estudiar los niveles de THg en este grupo se observa una tendencia decreciente.

Niveles de mercurio en pescado en la Comunitat Valenciana: evolución temporal (2011-2017) y factores asociados / Mercury levels in fish in the Valencian Community: temporal evolution (2011-2017) and associated factors

Fundamentos: El mercurio (Hg) es un metal tóxico cuya principal fuente de exposición en humanos es la dieta, principalmenteel consumo de pescado. Para reducir la exposición al Hg se han establecido unos niveles máximos permitidos en productos de pesca. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir las concentraciones de mercurio total (THg) y metilmercurio (MeHg) en las especiesde pescado dispuestas para el consumo en la Comunitat Valenciana, así como los factores asociados a dichas concentraciones y suevolución en el período 2011-2017. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de los niveles de Hg en muestras de pescado y de su evolucióntemporal, tanto en general como por grupos de pescado. Los datos proceden delPrograma de Vigilancia Sanitaria de Alimentos de laGeneralitat Valenciana. Se construyeron modelos de regresión lineal multivariantes para evaluar la asociación del año de muestreo,el grupo de pescado y el origen del mismo con las concentraciones de THg (n=560) y MeHg (n=206). Se evaluó la tendencia anualmedia de los niveles de THg y MeHg a lo largo del período.Resultados: La mediana para THg fue de 0,20 mg/kg, y de 0,14 mg/kg para MeHg. El pez espada/emperador fue el grupo depescado que presentó niveles más altos, seguido del atún/bonito frescos y del atún en lata. La tendencia global de los niveles deTHg fue descendente ajustando por el peso anual de las muestras de pez espada/emperador. Al analizar la tendencia en pez espada/emperador se observó una disminución del 7% en promedio por año. Conclusiones: La evolución temporal de los niveles de THg en pescado en la Comunitat Valenciana en el período 2011-2017 presenta una tendencia global descendente cuando se ajusta por el peso relativo de pez/espada emperador sobre el total de muestraspara cada año. Además, al estudiar los niveles de THg en este grupo se observa una tendencia decreciente.(AU)

Background: Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal, and dietary exposure is the main one in humans, especially fish consumption. Inorder to reduce Hg exposure, maximum levels in fish products have been established. We aimed to describe total mercury (THg) andmethylmercury (MeHg) concentrations in fish species consumed in Comunitat Valenciana, as well as factors associated and theirtendency during the period 2011-2017. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of Hg levels in fish meat samples in Comunitat Valenciana between 2011 and 2017 andtheir temporal trend was carried out, both in general and by fish groups. Data comes from Generalitat Valenciana’sHealth Surveillance ofFood Program. We created multivariate linear regression models to evaluate the association between sampling year, fish group and originand THg (n=560) / MeHg (n=206) concentrations. The average annual trend of THg and MeHg levels throughout the period was evaluated. Results: The median was 0.20 mg/kg for THg and 0.14 mg/kg for MeHg. Swordfish, fresh tuna/albacore and canned tuna, in thatorder, showed the highest concentrations. Global tendency of THg levels was descending when adjusting by swordfish annual percentage. When we analized the tendency in swordfish, we observed a 7% decrease on average per year. Conclusions: Global temporal trend of THg levels in fish in Comunitat Valenciana during the period 2011-2017 is descending afteradjusting by the relative weight of swordfish over the total number of samples by year. We observe a descending tendency whenstudied by species (swordfish).(AU)

Ingresos de (in)migrantes por COVID-19 en un hospital de Valencia: estudio longitudinal retrospectivo de historias clínica / COVID-19 income of (im)migrants in a valencian hospital: a retrospective longitudinal study of medical records

Fundamentos: Los determinantes sociales de la salud (DSS) corresponden a aquellas circunstancias en las que las personasnacen, crecen, trabajan, viven y envejecen, incluido el conjunto más amplio de fuerzas y sistemas que influyen sobre las condicionesde vida. Los DSS generan patrones de distribución de las enfermedades en las sociedades. No hay motivos para pensar que esto nose cumpla para la COVID-19. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar el curso temporal de los ingresos hospitalarios por la COVID-19durante 2020 según su país de origen.Métdodos: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal retrospectivo de historias clínicas de personas hospitalizadas en el Hospital DoctorPeset de Valencia. Los casos fueron divididos entre personas originarias de algún país de la Unión Europea (casos comunitarios) y delresto de países (casos extracomunitarios). Las diferencias entre grupos fueron analizadas mediante las pruebas de Chi cuadrado y Tde Student. Para estudiar la asociación entre mortalidad y el país de origen se realizó un modelo de regresión logística múltiple. Lasfuerzas de asociación entre el país de origen y las variables mortalidad y proporción de ingreso hospitalario se valoraron mediantela razón deOdds (OR). El valor de significancia estadística se estableció en un p-valor menor de 0,05.Resultados: El 22,4% fueron personas de origen extracomunitario. El 78,3% de ellos provenían de países latinoamericanos. Laedad media de los extracomunitarios fue aproximadamente diecisiete años menor (IC 95% 15,2-19,7; p-valor<0,01). El 40,2% de los comu-nitarios y el 14,6% de los extracomunitarios fue hospitalizado dentro de los primeros seis meses del año. La probabilidad de ingresardurante el segundo semestre fue tres veces mayor en las personas de origen extracomunitario (OR 3,7; IC95% 1,9-7,4, p-valor<0,01).Conclusiones: Es posible que durante la segunda mitad del año 2020 existiera una mayor probabilidad de contagio en lapoblación extranjera...(AU)

Backgorund: Social determinants of health (SDH) refer to the circumstances in which people are born, grow, work, live andage, including the wider set of forces and systems that influence living conditions. SDH produce patterns of disease distribution insocieties. There is no reason to believe that this is not the case for COVID-19. The aim of this study was to analyse the time course ofhospital admissions for COVID-19 in 2020 among individuals according to their country of origin.Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted using the medical records of individuals hospitalised at the Doctor PesetHospital in Valencia. The cases were divided into those from a European Union country (community cases) and those from other countries(non-community cases). Differences between groups were analysed using the chi-squared test and Student’s t-test. A multiple logisticregression model was used to examine the association between hospitalisation and mortality. The strength of associations betweencountry of origin and the variables of mortality and hospital admission rate were assessed using Odds Ratio (OR). A significance level ofp-value<0.05 was set.Results: 22.4% of the sample were people of non-Community origin. Of these, 78.3% were from Latin American countries. Themean age of the non-community individuals was approximately seventeen years younger (95% CI 15.2-19.7; p-value<0.01). Within thefirst six months of the year, 40.2% of community cases and 14.6% of non-community cases were hospitalised. The odds of hospitalisa-tion in the second half of the year were three times higher for non-community cases (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.9-7.4, p-value<0.01).Conclusions: There may have been a higher likelihood of infection among the foreign population during the second half of2020. The social stratum occupied by migrants may lead to differential exposure, possibly related to the measures implemented tocontain the pandemic.(AU)

Exposure to mercury among Spanish adolescents: Eleven years of follow-up.

The toxic effects of mercury exposure on human health are a public health concern. The most important source of this exposure is the consumption of fish and marine mammals. This study aims to describe hair mercury concentrations and their evolution from birth until eleven years of age in adolescents from the INMA (Environment and Childhood) birth cohort study, and to assess the association of hair mercury concentrations at eleven years of age with sociodemographic and dietary factors. The sample comprised 338 adolescents from the sub-cohort of Valencia (in eastern Spain). Total mercury (THg) was measured in hair samples collected at 4, 9 and 11 years old and in cord blood at birth. The equivalent of hair for cord-blood THg concentrations was calculated. Fish consumption and other characteristics at 11 years old were collected through questionnaires. Multivariate linear regression models were conducted to explore the association between THg concentrations, fish consumption and covariates. The geometric mean of hair THg concentrations at 11 years of age was 0.86 µg/g (95%CI: 0.78-0.94) and 45.2% of the participants presented concentrations above the equivalent RfD proposed by the US EPA (1 µg/g). Consumption of fish such as swordfish, canned tuna and other large oily fish was associated with higher levels of hair mercury at 11 years of age. Swordfish had the highest effect with an increase of 125% in hair mercury (95%CI: 61.2-214.9%) given a 100 g/week increase in its consumption, and, taking into account the frequency of consumption, canned tuna was the main contributor to Hg exposure among our population. The hair THg concentrations at 11 years of age represented a reduction of around 69% with respect to that estimated at childbirth. Even though THg exposure shows a sustained decreasing trend, it can still be considered elevated. INMA birth cohort studies provide a longitudinal assessment of mercury exposure in a vulnerable population, its associated factors and temporal trends, and this information could be used to adjust recommendations about this issue.

[Descriptive study about non-formal sex education resources available in Spain.] / Estudio descriptivo de los recursos sobre Educación Sexual en el ámbito no-formal disponibles en España.

OBJECTIVE: Sex education (SE) is a fundamental element of a fulfilling and safe life. Currently, education is understood beyond what happens inside the classroom. The aim of this research was to describe and to compare sex education resources available in official webs of Autonomous Communities of Spain (ACS) that to could be used in non-formal educational context. METHODS: A review of the ACS official web pages related to healthcare, education, youth, family and equality was made. Finally, 216 resources were selected for descriptive analysis. The resources were classified based on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Technical Guidelines. RESULTS: 64% of resources were targeted at young people/adolescents. 80% dealt some specific issues, the most frequent being Reproductive Health, Violence and Gender. Values and Rights related to sexuality, Skills for Health and Well-being and Sexual behaviour are issues rarely addressed. Only 6 ACS were a social network profile related to SE. ACS with the widest diversity of issues addressed were Andalusia, Asturias and the Canary Islands. CONCLUSIONS: Homogeneity in the kind of resources and issues disparity reveals potential inequities in SE access in Spain. To enhance out-of-school environments learning can provide better successful health promotion. UNESCO's guidelines can be used to classify educational resource content and to identify the institutions that have best integrated actual SE paradigm.

OBJETIVO: La educación sexual (ES) es fundamental para una vida plena y segura. Actualmente, la educación es entendida más allá de lo que ocurre dentro de las aulas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir y comparar los materiales disponibles en las distintas webs oficiales de las comunidades y ciudades autónomas de España (CC. AA.) sobre ES y que puedan ser utilizados en contextos educativos no-formales. METODOS: Se realizó una revisión de las webs oficiales de las CC. AA. relacionadas con salud, educación, juventud, familia y/o igualdad. Se seleccionaron 216 recursos para su análisis descriptivo. Siguiendo las Orientaciones Técnicas de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO), se clasificaron los recursos en función de los temas que abordaban. RESULTADOS: El 64% de los recursos estaba dirigido a jóvenes/adolescentes. El 80% trataba algún tema en específico, siendo los más frecuentes Reproducción, Violencia y Género. Los temas: Valores y derechos relacionados con la sexualidad, Habilidades para la salud y bienestar y Conducta sexual fueron contenidos raramente tratados. Sólo 6 CC. AA. contaban con un perfil en redes sociales relacionado con ES. Las CC. AA. con mayor diversidad de temas abordados fueron Andalucía, Asturias y Canarias. CONCLUSIONES: La homogeneidad en el tipo de recursos y la disparidad de temáticas revela potenciales inequidades en el acceso a la ES en España. Potenciar medios de aprendizaje fuera de las escuelas puede lograr una promoción de la salud más efectiva. Las orientaciones de la UNESCO pueden servir para clasificar los contenidos e identificar las instituciones que mejor han integrado el actual paradigma que la ES propone.

Estudio descriptivo de los recursos sobre Educación Sexual en el ámbito no-formal disponibles en España / Descriptive study about non-formal sex education resources available in Spain

FUNDAMENTOS: La educación sexual (ES) es fundamental para una vida plena y segura. Actualmente, la educación es entendidamás allá de lo que ocurre dentro de las aulas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir y comparar los materiales disponibles en lasdistintas webs oficiales de las comunidades y ciudades autónomas de España (CC. AA.) sobre ES y que puedan ser utilizados encontextos educativos no-formales. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión de las webs oficiales de las CC. AA. relacionadas con salud, educación, juventud, familia y/o igual-dad. Se seleccionaron 216 recursos para su análisis descriptivo. Siguiendo las Orientaciones Técnicas de la Organización de las Nacio-nes Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO), se clasificaron los recursos en función de los temas que abordaban.RESULTADOS: El 64% de los recursos estaba dirigido a jóvenes/adolescentes. El 80% trataba algún tema en específico, siendo losmás frecuentesReproducción,Violencia yGénero. Los temas:Valores y derechos relacionados con la sexualidad,Habilidades para lasalud y bienestar yConducta sexual fueron contenidos raramente tratados. Sólo 6 CC. AA. contaban con un perfil en redes socialesrelacionado con ES. Las CC. AA. con mayor diversidad de temas abordados fueron Andalucía, Asturias y Canarias.CONCLUSIONES: La homogeneidad en el tipo de recursos y la disparidad de temáticas revela potenciales inequidades en el ac-ceso a la ES en España. Potenciar medios de aprendizaje fuera de las escuelas puede lograr una promoción de la salud más efectiva.Las orientaciones de la UNESCO pueden servir para clasificar los contenidos e identificar las instituciones que mejor han integradoel actual paradigma que la ES propone.(AU)

BACKGROUND: Sex education (SE) is a fundamental element of a fulfilling and safe life. Currently, education is understood beyondwhat happens inside the classroom. The aim of this research was to describe and to compare sex education resources available inofficial webs of Autonomous Communities of Spain (ACS) that to could be used in non-formal educational context.METHODS: A review of the ACS official web pages related to healthcare, education, youth, family and equality was made. Finally,216 resources were selected for descriptive analysis. The resources were classified based on United Nations Educational, Scientific andCultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Technical Guidelines.RESULTS // 64% of resources were targeted at young people/adolescents. 80% dealt some specific issues, the most frequentbeingReproductive Health,Violence andGender.Values and Rights related to sexuality,Skills for Health and Well-being andSexualbehaviour are issues rarely addressed. Only 6 ACS were a social network profile related to SE. ACS with the widest diversity of issuesaddressed were Andalusia, Asturias and the Canary Islands.CONCLUSIONS: Homogeneity in the kind of resources and issues disparity reveals potential inequities in SE access in Spain. Toenhance out-of-school environments learning can provide better successful health promotion. UNESCO’s guidelines can be used toclassify educational resource content and to identify the institutions that have best integrated actual SE paradigm.(AU)

Biochemical impact of solar radiation exposure on human keratinocytes monitored by Raman spectroscopy; effects of cell culture environment.

Understanding and amelioration of the effects of solar radiation exposure are critical in preventing the occurrence of skin cancer. Towards this end, many studies have been conducted in 2D cell culture models under simplified and unrealistic conditions. 3D culture models better capture the complexity of in vivo physiology, although the effects of the 3D extracellular matrix have not been well studied. Monitoring the instantaneous and resultant cellular responses to exposure, and the influence of the 3D environment, could provide an enhanced understanding of the fundamental processes of photocarcinogenesis. This work presents an analysis of the biochemical impacts of simulated solar radiation (SSR) occurring in immortalised human epithelial keratinocytes (HaCaT), in a 3D skin model, compared to 2D culture. Cell viability was monitored using the Alamar Blue colorimetric assay (AB), and the impact of the radiation exposure, at the level of the biomolecular constituents (nucleic acids and proteins), were evaluated through the combination of Raman microspectroscopy and multivariate statistical analysis. The results suggest that SSR exposure induces alterations of the conformational structure of DNA as an immediate impact, whereas changes in the protein signature are primarily seen as a subsequent response.

Monitoring the biochemical changes occurring to human keratinocytes exposed to solar radiation by Raman spectroscopy.

Solar radiation exposure is recognised to be a significant contributor to the development of skin cancer. Monitoring the simultaneous and consecutive mechanisms of interaction could provide a greater understanding of the process of photocarcinogenesis. This work presents an analysis of the biochemical and morphological changes occurring to immortalised human epithelial keratinocyte (HaCaT) cell cultures exposed to simulated solar radiation (SSR). Cell viability was monitored with the aid of the Alamar Blue assay, morphological examination was done with haematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) and changes to the biochemical constituents (nucleic acids and proteins) as a result of the radiation insult were demonstrated through a combination of Raman microspectroscopy and multivariate analysis of spectral patterns. The spectral results suggest that SSR induces changes to the conformational structure of DNA as an immediate result of the radiation, whereas alteration in the protein signature is mostly seen as a later response.

Structural Changes of Amyloid Beta in Hippocampus of Rats Exposed to Ozone: A Raman Spectroscopy Study.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of oxidative stress on the structural changes of the secondary peptide structure of amyloid beta 1-42 (Aß 1-42), in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus of rats exposed to low doses of ozone. The animals were exposed to ozone-free air (control group) and 0.25 ppm ozone during 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days, respectively. The samples were studied by: (1) Raman spectroscopy to detect the global conformational changes in peptides with α-helix and ß-sheet secondary structure, following the deconvolution profile of the amide I band; and (2) immunohistochemistry against Aß 1-42. The results of the deconvolutions of the amide I band indicate that, ozone exposure causes a progressively decrease in the abundance percentage of α-helix secondary structure. Furthermore, the ß-sheet secondary structure increases its abundance percentage. After 60 days of ozone exposure, the ß-sheet band is identified in a similar wavenumber of the Aß 1-42 peptide standard. Immunohistochemistry assays show an increase of Aß 1-42 immunoreactivity, coinciding with the conformational changes observed in the Raman spectroscopy of Aß 1-42 at 60 and 90 days. In conclusion, oxidative stress produces changes in the folding process of amyloid beta peptide structure in the dentate gyrus, leading to its conformational change in a final ß-sheet structure. This is associated to an increase in Aß 1-42 expression, similar to the one that happens in the brain of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients.