Aplicación de la clasificación de Robson como método útil para estandarizar el manejo del parto. Un ejercicio que reduce la tasa de cesáreas / Application of Robson's Ten Group Classification System to standardize patient management. A useful way to reduce cesarean rates

Introducción: La tasa de cesárea es un motivo de controversia y la clasificación de Robson es un método de estandarización que evalúa las causas de esta. En nuestro trabajo analizamos si las medidas de mejora de manejo prenatal e intraparto implementadas tras la revisión de Robson suponen un descenso de índice de cesáreas sin incrementar los de morbimortalidad neonatal y materna. Material y método: Estudio cuasi experimental antes-después, entre 2019 y 2020, con un total de 2.181 pacientes con parto en el Hospital Universitario de Valme (1.027 en el grupo 2019 y 1.154 en el de 2020). Resultados: Observamos que se produjo una disminución estadísticamente significativa de la tasa de cesárea entre 2019 y 2020 (21 vs. 15,8%; p = 0,001) sin ser relevante la reducción en ningún subgrupo de estudio. Hubo un menor índice de parto inducido (29,3 vs. 24,6%; p = 0.01), un aumento en la tasa de parto vaginal (79 vs. 84,2%; p = 0,001) tanto de eutócicos como instrumentales (57,9 vs. 60,3%; 21 vs. 23,9%; p = 0.005) y una baja estadísticamente significativa de la de cesáreas por fallo de inducción o no progresión del parto (NPP) (34,7 vs. 20,9%; p = 0,008). En las inducciones mediante balón de Cook observamos una disminución del índice de cesárea (45,3 vs. 22,2% p = 0,001). Hallamos que redujo el porcentaje de ingreso en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN) (10,5 vs. 7.6%; p = 0,016) y la morbilidad neonatal global (11,4 vs. 8,2%; p = 0,013) sin encontrar diferencia en los resultados maternos. Conclusiones: La aplicación de la clasificación de Robson puede ser un método útil para identificar grupos que requieran de medidas específicas destinadas a estandarizar el manejo de las pacientes, con lo que se permite reducir la tasa de cesáreas.(AU)

Background: Cesarean section rate is controversial and the Robson classification is a method for standardizing the evaluation of the causes of cesarean section. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the measures to improve prenatal and intrapartum management implemented after the Robson classification evaluation lead to a decrease in the rate of cesarean sections without increasing the rates of neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Material and method: Quasi-experimental study before-after,between-2019 and 2020, including a total of 2181 patients with delivery at Hospital-Universitario-Valme(1027 patients in Group-2019, and 1154 patients in group-2020).Results: We observed that there was a statistically significant decrease in the cesarean section rate between 2019 and 2020 (21.0% vs 15.8%; p = 0.001) without the decrease being significant in any study subgroup. There was a lower rate of induced labor(29.3% vs 24.6%; p = 0.01), an increased rate of vaginal delivery (79.0% vs 84.2%; p = 0.001), both eutocic and instrumental deliveries (57.9% vs 60.3%; 21% vs 23.9%; p = 0.005) and a statistically significant decrease in the rate of cesarean sections due to failure of induction or non-progression of labor(34.7% vs 20.9%;p = 0.008). In inductions using the balloon-Cook we observed a decrease in the rate of cesarean section (45.3% versus 22.2% p = 0.001). We found a decrease in the percentage of admission to the Neonatal ICU (10.5% vs 7.6%; p = 0.016) and global neonatal morbidity(11.4% vs 8.2%; p = 0.013) without observing a difference in maternal outcomes. Conclusions: The application of the Robson classification can be a useful method to identify groups that require the application of specific measures aimed at standardizing the management of these patients, thus allowing to reduce the rate of cesarean sections.(AU)

Motor imagery EEG signal classification with a multivariate time series approach.

BACKGROUND: Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals record electrical activity on the scalp. Measured signals, especially EEG motor imagery signals, are often inconsistent or distorted, which compromises their classification accuracy. Achieving a reliable classification of motor imagery EEG signals opens the door to possibilities such as the assessment of consciousness, brain computer interfaces or diagnostic tools. We seek a method that works with a reduced number of variables, in order to avoid overfitting and to improve interpretability. This work aims to enhance EEG signal classification accuracy by using methods based on time series analysis. Previous work on this line, usually took a univariate approach, thus losing the possibility to take advantage of the correlation information existing within the time series provided by the different electrodes. To overcome this problem, we propose a multivariate approach that can fully capture the relationships among the different time series included in the EEG data. To perform the multivariate time series analysis, we use a multi-resolution analysis approach based on the discrete wavelet transform, together with a stepwise discriminant that selects the most discriminant variables provided by the discrete wavelet transform analysis RESULTS: Applying this methodology to EEG data to differentiate between the motor imagery tasks of moving either hands or feet has yielded very good classification results, achieving in some cases up to 100% of accuracy for this 2-class pre-processed dataset. Besides, the fact that these results were achieved using a reduced number of variables (55 out of 22,176) can shed light on the relevance and impact of those variables. CONCLUSIONS: This work has a potentially large impact, as it enables classification of EEG data based on multivariate time series analysis in an interpretable way with high accuracy. The method allows a model with a reduced number of features, facilitating its interpretability and improving overfitting. Future work will extend the application of this classification method to help in diagnosis procedures for detecting brain pathologies and for its use in brain computer interfaces. In addition, the results presented here suggest that this method could be applied to other fields for the successful analysis of multivariate temporal data.

Modeling Respiratory Syncytial Virus Adult Vaccination in the United States With a Dynamic Transmission Model.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is shown to cause substantial morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality in infants and older adults. Population-level modeling of RSV allows to estimate the full burden of disease and the potential epidemiological impact of novel prophylactics. METHODS: We modeled the RSV epidemiology in the United States across all ages using a deterministic compartmental transmission model. Population-level symptomatic RSV acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) cases were projected across different natural history scenarios with and without vaccination of adults aged ≥60 years. The impact of vaccine efficacy against ARIs, infectiousness and vaccine coverage on ARI incidence were assessed. The impact on medical attendance, hospitalization, complications, death, and other outcomes was also derived. RESULTS: Without a vaccine, we project 17.5-22.6 million symptomatic RSV ARI cases annually in adults aged ≥18 years in the US, with 3.6-4.8 million/year occurring in adults aged ≥60 years. Modeling indicates that up to 2.0 million symptomatic RSV-ARI cases could be prevented annually in ≥60-year-olds with a hypothetical vaccine (70% vaccine efficacy against symptomatic ARI and 60% vaccine coverage) and that up to 0.69 million/year could be prevented in the nonvaccinated population, assuming 50% vaccine impact on infectiousness. CONCLUSIONS: The model provides estimated burden of RSV in the US across all age groups, with substantial burden projected specifically in older adults. Vaccination of adults aged ≥60 years could significantly reduce the burden of disease in this population, with additional indirect effect in adults aged <60 years due to reduced transmissibility.

Limited-Distance Pollen Dispersal and Low Paternal Diversity in a Bird-Pollinated Self-Incompatible Tree.

Bird pollination in Asia is regarded as an uncommon phenomenon and, therefore, only a few investigations on mating pattern and paternity in fruits of Asian bird-pollinated plants have been conducted. Here, we examined spatial genetic structure, pollen dispersal, and multiple paternity in a natural population of Bombax ceiba (B. ceiba) (Malvaceae) in Hainan Island, South China, using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. A low genetic diversity (H e = 0.351 ± 0.0341 and 0.389 ± 0.043, respectively, for adults and offspring) and bottleneck effects were observed. Genetic kinship was significant within 400 m or in 1,800-3,800 m. Both the mating pattern and paternity analysis confirmed obligate xenogamy and a low multiple paternity in B. ceiba. There was a strongly negative relationship between the frequency of matings and the distance between mating pairs. The average pollen dispersal distance was 202.89 ± 41.01 m (mean ± SE) and the farthest distance of > 1 km was recorded. Realized mating events showed an extremely leptokurtic distribution within 1,200 m, suggesting that the pollen dispersal distance was consistent with the optimal foraging theory of generalist birds such as Zosterops spp. and Pycnonotus spp. Paternity per tree ranged from two to six and the average effective number of pollen donors per maternal plant was 3.773, suggesting a low level of paternity diversity as compared to other bird-pollinated plants. We concluded that optimal foraging behavior by generalist birds could explain the leptokurtic pollen dispersal distribution and predominantly near-neighbor matings in B. ceiba. The limited pollen dispersal distance and low multiple paternity were consistent with low fruit setting rate (3.27 ± 0.93%) in this self-incompatible tree, which was caused mainly by the restricted flight distance of birds and human disturbances. Low genetic diversity and significant spatial genetic structure might have largely resulted from logging and human collection of fruits.

Differences in the response in the dermis of the tails of young and old SD rats to treatment with bipolar RF.

BACKGROUND: The passing of the years is marked by intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic aging, caused by photoaging, which is characterized by a decrease in collagen and the deposition of abnormal elastic fibers in the dermis. The use of bipolar radiofrequency (RF) increases fibroblast proliferation and differentiation, accompanied by collagen synthesis and a subsequent increase in connective tissue, and it is not known whether the biological effects of this type of radiofrequency on the dermis are similar regardless of the age of the individual or whether such effects are altered by the aging process itself. AIMS: The objective was to perform a histological study of the changes in the tail dermis of young and old rats after submitting them to bipolar RF, to determine cell proliferation and volume of connective tissue. METHODS: One part of the rat tail was fixed in formol and processed for light microscopy and another part processed for electron microscopy. RESULTS: The number of fibroblasts/unit area and cells positive to nuclear proliferation antigen was higher in young animals. Significant differences were observed regarding expression of HSP-47 protein, and the value was always lower in old rats. No significant differences were observed in the percentage of connective tissue. No histological alterations were observed in any rats. CONCLUSION: Treatment with RF increased the number of fibroblasts located in the connective tissue of the young rats. In addition, the effect of a single treatment on the population of fibroblasts in young animals was sufficient to activate the synthesis of new collagen.

Analysis of uncontrolled phosphorus precipitation in anaerobic digesters under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions.

This study compares the operation of mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge and their effects in uncontrolled phosphorus precipitation. The research has been carried out using a pilot plant consisting of two digesters of 1.6 m3 working volume, treating the mixed sludge of Alzira WWTP (Valencia, Spain). The digesters were operated in parallel, at different conditions: mesophilic (38 ± 2.0°C) and thermophilic (55 ± 2.5°C) temperatures and organic loading rates (OLR) ranging from 1.1 to 1.7 kg volatile solids (VS) m-3 d-1 and different hydraulic retention times (HRT) 20, 15 and 12 days. Uncontrolled precipitation was evaluated through P, Mg and Ca mass balances in both digesters. The results revealed that up to 82% of the available P and 81% of the available Mg precipitated in the mesophilic digester at HRT = 20 days which suggests the possible formation of struvite in both digesters. At lower HRT (HRT = 12 days) Mg and Ca precipitation was negligible and P fixation has been attributed to the possible formation of iron phosphates or adsorption processes on solid surfaces.

Experimental sulphide inhibition calibration method in nitrification processes: A case-study.

Sulphide is one of the inhibitors in the nitrification process in WWTP in regions with sulphate rich soils. As little information is currently available on sulphide nitrification inhibition, the aim of this study was to develop a method based on a modification of the Successive Additions Method to calibrate the effect of sulphide on the activity of ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidising bacteria (NOB). The developed method was then applied to activated sludge samples from two WWTPs with different influent sulphide concentrations. In both cases, sulphide had a greater inhibitory effect on NOB than AOB activity. The sulphide inhibition was found to be lower in the activated sludge fed with sulphide-rich wastewater. The AOB and NOB activity measured at different sulphide concentrations could be accurately modelled with the Hill inhibition equation.

Applying the comet assay to fresh vs frozen animal solid tissues: A technical approach.

The in vivo comet assay is usually performed in fresh tissues by processing cells immediately after collection, an approach that is not always possible from a logistical point of view. Although the comet assay has been applied to frozen rodent tissue samples on several occasions, there is currently no agreement on the best way to freeze and thaw them. We have tested two different thawing procedures and compared the levels of DNA strand breaks (SBs) and Fpg-sensitive sites in fresh and frozen (for up to year) liver, kidney and lung tissue samples, from untreated and methyl methanosulfonate treated rats. Tissues were snap frozen, stored at -80 °C and processed in such a way that the tissue remained frozen until the cells were in suspension. Our results showed that comparable levels of DNA SBs were detected in fresh and frozen liver and lung samples stored at -80 °C for up to 1 year and 3 months, respectively. In kidney, similar levels of SBs were detected either in fresh or in frozen tissues stored for up to 1 year. However, more studies are needed to control the variability observed in the Fpg-sensitive site levels in this tissue at the different freezing periods.

Loss of hamster Leydig cells during regression after exposure to a short photoperiod.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes that occur in hamster Leydig cells during regression. Animals were divided into control, mild regression (MR), strong regression (SR) and total regression (TR) groups. Leydig cells were characterised by light and electron microscopy. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies were used to detect apoptosis and proliferation respectively. Three types of Leydig cells (A, B and C) could be differentiated. Type A cells were small in size compared with Leydig cells from animals exposed to a long photoperiod, which was a result of a decreased cytoplasm and nucleus. Type B cells were even smaller than Type A cells in regression groups. Type C exhibited cytoplasm vacuolisation. The percentage of Type C cells from the control group was much lower than in the MR, SR and TR groups. (P<0.05). In the SR and TR groups, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of Type B cells compared with the control and MR groups (P<0.05). The total number of Leydig cells decreased during testicular regression (P<0.05). The total number of Type A and B cells was significantly lower in the MR, SR and TR groups compared with the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the proliferation and apoptosis index in the groups studied. The findings of the present study indicate that there are three types of Leydig cells (A, B and C) in all hamsters studied and that regression causes an increase in the number of Type C cells, so that the reduction in the number Leydig cells during the phases of regression studied must be the result of necrosis and/or necroptosis.

Towards speciation of organically bound tritium and deuterium: Quantification of non-exchangeable forms in carbohydrate molecules.

An original methodology to quantitatively explore exchangeability of hydrogen isotopes in carbohydrate molecules is proposed. To access the speciation of organically bound hydrogen isotopes, isotopic exchanges were carried out under a soft path regime in the vapor phase at 20 °C with set (D,T/H) vapor pressure ratios. When steady states were reached, the fraction of exchangeable hydrogen of microcrystalline cellulose, alpha-cellulose and wheat grains were obtained and ranged from 13 to 31% (versus a theoretical value of 30%). In cellulose, and more specifically in microcrystalline cellulose, the molecular hydrogen bonds as well as the different conformations of the network seemed to decrease the hydroxyl groups of glucose units available for isotopic exchange. On the contrary, the assumed enzymatic hydrolysis of the constitutive molecules of wheat starch into low-molecular weight carbohydrate molecules enhanced the exchangeable pool. An average value of the activity between non-exchangeable organically bound tritium (NE-OBT) and non-exchangeable organically bound hydrogen was calculated for wheat grains, (TH)NE  = 0.55 ±â€¯0.03 Bq.g-1 of hydrogen atoms.

Actividad física en prisión: ¿debe ser una intervención sanitaria de primera línea? / Physical activity in prison: should it be a first-line healthcare intervention?

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Relación entre la calidad de vida y la severidad del daño funcional en pacientes con glaucoma / Quality of life in glaucoma patients and normal subjects related to the severity of damage in each eye

Propósito: Evaluar la calidad de vida en pacientes con glaucoma y sujetos normales, y su relación con la gravedad del daño en cada ojo. Método: Estudio transversal con selección prospectiva de los casos. Se incluyó a un total de 664sujetos en el estudio. Se clasificaron en 4 categorías. En el grupo 1 los sujetos presentaban los 2 ojos normales: presión intraocular (PIO), disco óptico y campos visuales (CV) normales o los 2 ojos con glaucoma leve definido como PIO sin tratamiento > 21mmHg y CV anormal con defecto medio (DM) menor a -6 dB. En el grupo 2 se incluyó a pacientes con los 2ojos con glaucoma leve o moderado, esto es, PIO sin tratamiento > 21mmHg y CV anormal con DM entre -6 y -12dB. El grupo 3 lo formaron pacientes con glaucoma moderado o grave, esto es, PIO sin tratamiento >21 mmHg y CV anormal con DM menos de -12dB en ambos ojos. El grupo 4 estaba compuesto por pacientes con daño glaucomatoso asimétrico, eso es, un ojo con glaucoma severo y el otro ojo normal o con glaucoma leve. Todos los sujetos completaron 3 cuestionarios de calidad de vida diferentes. La calidad de vida global se evaluó con EuroQol (EQ-5D). La calidad de vida relacionada con la visión se evaluó con el Visual Functional Questionnaire (VFQ-25) y la relacionada con la superficie ocular se evaluó con el Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Resultados: En cuanto a la calidad de vida relacionada con la visión, el VFQ-25 mostró que el grupo 3 tiene puntuaciones significativamente inferiores al grupo 1 en salud mental (p = 0,006), dependencia (p = 0,006), visión de colores (p = 0,002) y visión periférica (p = 0,002). El EQ-5D no mostró diferencias significativas entre ningún grupo, pero sí se halló una tendencia a una mayor dificultad en el grupo 3 que en los grupos 1 y 2 en todas las dimensiones. El OSDI mostró una mayor puntuación, o lo que es lo mismo una mayor discapacidad, en los grupos 2 y 3 que en el grupo 1 (p = 0,021 y p = 0,014, respectivamente). Analizando los resultados en cada dimensión del VFQ-25, en los distintos grupos, solo se han encontrado diferencias significativas entre el grupo 1 y el grupo 4 en la visión general. En las dimensiones de la visión donde sí se han encontrado diferencias significativas entre los grupos 1 y 3 (los 2 ojos con grado moderado o avanzado), estas no existen en los grupos 1 y 4 (grupo en el que un ojo tiene solo daño de grado leve o sano). Este hallazgo confirma que el ojo con menor daño glaucomatoso es el que determina la calidad de vida del paciente. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados demuestran que la calidad de vida está alterada en pacientes con glaucoma, y esta alteración es mayor cuanto más avanzado es el daño por glaucoma en el mejor o en ambos ojos (AU)

Objective: To assess the quality of life in glaucoma patients and normal subjects, and to assess its relationship with the severity of damage in each eye. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with prospective selection of cases. The study included 464 subjects and were distributed into 4 categories. Subjects included in group 1 had both eyes normal, that is with a normal intraocular pressure (IOP), optic disk and visual fields (VF), or mild glaucoma, defined as untreated IOP > 21mmHg and abnormal VF with mean defect (MD) over -6 dB. Group 2 consisted of patients with both eyes with mild or moderate glaucoma, defined as untreated IO P> 21mmHg and abnormal VF with MD between -6 and-12 dB. Group 3 included patients with moderate to severe glaucoma, that is, untreated IOP > 21mmHg and abnormal VF with MD of less than -12dB in both eyes. Group 4 consisted of patients with asymmetric glaucoma damage, that is, they had one eye with severe glaucoma and the other eye normal or with mild glaucoma. All subjects completed 3 different questionnaires. Global quality of life was evaluated with EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Vision related quality of life was assessed with Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). Quality of life related to ocular surface disease was measured with Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). Results: VFQ-25 showed that group 3 had significantly lower scores than group 1 in mental health (P=.006), dependence (P=.006), colour vision (P=.002), and peripheral vision (P=.002). EQ-5D showed no significant differences between any group, but a trend was found to greater difficulty in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2, and in all dimensions. OSDI showed a higher score, or which was the same as a major disability, in groups 2 and 3 than group 1 (P=.021 and P=.014, respectively). VFQ-25 only found significant differences between group 1 and group 4. Dimensions with significant differences were found between group 1 and 3 (both eyes with advanced or moderate glaucoma). These were not found between group 1 and group 4 (the group in which one eye has only mild glaucoma or no glaucoma). This finding confirms that the eye with less glaucoma damage determines the quality of life. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that quality of life is impaired in patients with glaucoma, and this alteration is greater the more advanced is glaucoma damage in the best or both eyes (AU)

Quality of life in glaucoma patients and normal subjects related to the severity of damage in each eye. / Relación entre la calidad de vida y la severidad del daño funcional en pacientes con glaucoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of life in glaucoma patients and normal subjects, and to assess its relationship with the severity of damage in each eye. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with prospective selection of cases. The study included 464 subjects and were distributed into 4categories. Subjects included in group 1 had both eyes normal, that is with a normal intraocular pressure (IOP), optic disk and visual fields (VF), or mild glaucoma, defined as untreated IOP>21mmHg and abnormal VF with mean defect (MD) over -6dB. Group 2 consisted of patients with both eyes with mild or moderate glaucoma, defined as untreated IOP>21mmHg and abnormal VF with MD between -6 and -12dB. Group 3 included patients with moderate to severe glaucoma, that is, untreated IOP>21mmHg and abnormal VF with MD of less than -12dB in both eyes. Group 4 consisted of patients with asymmetric glaucoma damage, that is, they had one eye with severe glaucoma and the other eye normal or with mild glaucoma. All subjects completed 3 different questionnaires. Global quality of life was evaluated with EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Vision related quality of life was assessed with Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25). Quality of life related to ocular surface disease was measured with Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). RESULTS: VFQ-25 showed that group 3 had significantly lower scores than group 1 in mental health (P=.006), dependence (P=.006), colour vision (P=.002), and peripheral vision (P=.002). EQ-5D showed no significant differences between any group, but a trend was found to greater difficulty in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2, and in all dimensions. OSDI showed a higher score, or which was the same as a major disability, in groups 2 and 3 than group 1 (P=.021 and P=.014, respectively). VFQ-25 only found significant differences between group 1 and group 4. Dimensions with significant differences were found between group 1 and 3 (both eyes with advanced or moderate glaucoma). These were not found between group 1 and group 4 (the group in which one eye has only mild glaucoma or no glaucoma). This finding confirms that the eye with less glaucoma damage determines the quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that quality of life is impaired in patients with glaucoma, and this alteration is greater the more advanced is glaucoma damage in the best or both eyes.

Sludge management modeling to enhance P-recovery as struvite in wastewater treatment plants.

Interest in phosphorus (P) recovery and reuse has increased in recent years as supplies of P are declining. After use, most of the P remains in wastewater, making Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) a vital part of P recycling. In this work, a new sludge management operation was studied by modeling in order to recover P in the form of struvite and minimize operating problems due to uncontrolled P precipitation in WWTPs. During the study, intensive analytical campaigns were carried out on the water and sludge lines. The results identified the anaerobic digester as a "hot spot" of uncontrolled P precipitation (9.5 gP/kg sludge) and highlighted possible operating problems due to the accumulation of precipitates. A new sludge line management strategy was simulated therefore using DESASS© software, consisting of the elutriation of the mixed sludge in the mixing chamber, to reduce uncontrolled P precipitation and to obtain a P-rich stream (primary thickener supernatant) to be used in a crystallization process. The key operating parameters were found to be: the elutriation flow from the mixing chamber to the primary thickener, the digestion flow and the sludge blanket height of the primary thickener, with optimized values between 70 and 80 m3/d, 90-100 m3/d and 1.4-1.5 m, respectively. Under these operating conditions, the preliminary results showed that P concentration in the primary thickener overflow significantly increased (from 38 to 100 mg PO4-P/L), which shows that this stream is suitable for use in a subsequent crystallization reactor to recover P in the form of struvite.

Behaviour of emerging contaminants in sewage sludge after anaerobic digestion.

Nowadays, there is an increasing concern over the presence of contaminants in the aquatic environment, where they can be introduced from wastewater after their incomplete removal in the treatment plants. In this work, degradation of selected emerging pollutants in the aqueous and solid phases of sewage sludge has been investigated after anaerobic digestion using two different digesters: mesophilic and thermophilic. Initially, sludge samples were screened by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF MS) for identification of emerging contaminants in the samples. In a second step, a target quantitative method based on LC coupled to tandem MS was applied for selected pollutants identified in the previous screening. The behaviour of the compounds under anaerobic conditions was studied estimating the degradation efficiency and distribution of compounds between both sludge phases. Irbesartan and benzoylecgonine seemed to be notably degraded in both phases of the sludge. Venlafaxine showed a significant concentration decrease in the aqueous phase in parallel to an increase in the solid phase. The majority of the compounds showed an increase of their concentrations in both phases after the digestion. Concentrations in the solid phase were commonly higher than in the aqueous for most contaminants, indicating that they were preferentially adsorbed onto the solid particles.

Analytical methodologies based on LC-MS/MS for monitoring selected emerging compounds in liquid and solid phases of the sewage sludge.

In this work, two analytical methodologies based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were developed for quantification of emerging pollutants identified in sewage sludge after a previous wide-scope screening. The target list included 13 emerging contaminants (EC): thiabendazole, acesulfame, fenofibric acid, valsartan, irbesartan, salicylic acid, diclofenac, carbamazepine, 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AA), 4-acetyl aminoantipyrine (4-AAA), 4-formyl aminoantipyrine (4-FAA), venlafaxine and benzoylecgonine. The aqueous and solid phases of the sewage sludge were analyzed making use of Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) and UltraSonic Extraction (USE) for sample treatment, respectively. The methods were validated at three concentration levels: 0.2, 2 and 20 µg L(-1) for the aqueous phase, and 50, 500 and 2000 µg kg(-1) for the solid phase of the sludge. In general, the method was satisfactorily validated, showing good recoveries (70-120%) and precision (RSD < 20%). Regarding the limit of quantification (LOQ), it was below 0.1 µg L(-1) in the aqueous phase and below 50 µg kg(-1) in the solid phase for the majority of the analytes. The method applicability was tested by analysis of samples from a wider study on degradation of emerging pollutants in sewage sludge under anaerobic digestion. The key benefits of these methodologies are: • SPE and USE are appropriate sample procedures to extract selected emerging contaminants from the aqueous phase of the sewage sludge and the solid residue. • LC-MS/MS is highly suitable for determining emerging contaminants in both sludge phases. • Up to our knowledge, the main metabolites of dipyrone had not been studied before in sewage sludge.

Changes in Testicular Interstitial Connective Tissue of Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) During Ageing and After Exposure to Short Photoperiod.

The testicular interstitium of Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was studied during ageing and in testicular regression after exposure to a short photoperiod, in relation to the interstitial cells and their connective tissue. This tissue was assessed histochemically using Masson's trichrome technique and the expression of Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP-47) and collagen IV (α5) was assessed in Leydig cells. Finally, an ultrastructural analysis of some cells of the testicular interstitium was made. Leydig cells were positive for HSP-47 and collagen IV (α5). Ageing did not change the parameters studied while the short photoperiod altered the synthetic activity of Leydig cells. The positivity index of these cells for HSP-47 was significantly higher in the regressed testis, but was lower for collagen IV (α5). During ageing no change were observed. Ultrastructural Leydig cells showed a discontinuous basal lamina that did not change during ageing. The basal lamina was not identified in Leydig cells regressed by exposure to a short photoperiod. In conclusion; the intertubular connective tissue suffers little change with age. By contrast, in the testis regressed after exposure to a short photoperiod the studied parameters related to the intertubular connective tissue were altered. These changes are probably related with the low synthetic activity of regressed Leydig cell.

Cellular changes in the hamster testicular interstitium with ageing and after exposure to short photoperiod.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cellular changes that occur in the hamster testicular interstitium in two very different physiological situations involving testicular involution: ageing and exposure to a short photoperiod. The animals were divided into an 'age group' with three subgroups - young, adult and old animals - and a 'regressed group' with animals subjected to a short photoperiod. The testicular interstitium was characterised by light and electron microscopy. Interstitial cells were studied histochemically with regard to their proliferation, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP in situ nick end labelling (TUNEL+) and testosterone synthetic activity. We identified two types of Leydig cell: Type A cells showed a normal morphology, while Type B cells appeared necrotic. With ageing, pericyte proliferation decreased but there was no variation in the index of TUNEL-positive Leydig cells. In the regressed group, pericyte proliferation was greater and TUNEL-positive cells were not observed in the interstitium. The testicular interstitium suffered few ultrastructural changes during ageing and necrotic Leydig cells were observed. In contrast, an ultrastructural involution of Leydig cells with no necrosis was observed in the regressed group. In conclusion, the testicular interstitium of Mesocricetus auratus showed different cellular changes in the two groups (age and regressed), probably due to the irreversible nature of ageing and the reversible character of changes induced by short photoperiod.