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.

Fracturas de maléolo posterior: indicaciones de fijación y vías de abordaje / Posterior malleolar fractures: Indications and surgical approaches

Las fracturas del maléolo posterior están presentes en 7-44% del total de fracturas de tobillo.El objetivo de esta revisión es conocer la evidencia actual sobre las indicaciones de fijación interna y la elección del abordaje quirúrgico para el tratamiento de estas fracturas.Las indicaciones clásicas de fijación eran el tamaño mayor a 25-30% de la superficie articular y el desplazamiento mayor a 2 mm; sin embargo, la evidencia actual sugiere que, en lugar del tamaño, se deben considerar factores tales como la inestabilidad sindesmal, el escalón articular mayor a 1-2 mm, la impactación de la superficie articular y la presencia de fragmentos intercalares.Al comparar las vías de abordaje, la bibliografía apoya el uso de los abordajes posteriores, reservando la recomendación de abordaje anterior para casos excepcionales.Para el tratamiento de esta lesión es fundamental conocer la anatomía del tobillo y considerar los factores descritos, además de la presencia de lesiones concomitantes.(AU)

Posterior malleolus fractures are frequent injuries, present in 7–44% of all ankle fractures.The objective of this study is to review the evidence to indicate the fixation of this fracture and to choose the appropriate surgical approach.The classic indications for fixation were fragment size greater than 25–30% of the articular surface and displacement greater than 2 mm. However, current evidence suggests that, rather than size, factors such as syndesmotic instability, intra-articular step-off greater than 1–2 mm, plafond impaction and the presence of intercalary fragments should be considered.When comparing the different surgical approaches, the literature supports the use of posterior approaches and reserves the recommendation of the traditional approach for exceptional cases.For the treatment of this injury it is essential to know the anatomy of the ankle and to consider all the factors described above, in addition to the presence of concomitant injuries.(AU)

[Translated article] Posterior malleolar fractures: Indications and surgical approaches / Fracturas de maléolo posterior: indicaciones de fijación y vías de abordaje

Las fracturas del maléolo posterior están presentes en 7-44% del total de fracturas de tobillo.El objetivo de esta revisión es conocer la evidencia actual sobre las indicaciones de fijación interna y la elección del abordaje quirúrgico para el tratamiento de estas fracturas.Las indicaciones clásicas de fijación eran el tamaño mayor a 25-30% de la superficie articular y el desplazamiento mayor a 2 mm; sin embargo, la evidencia actual sugiere que, en lugar del tamaño, se deben considerar factores tales como la inestabilidad sindesmal, el escalón articular mayor a 1-2 mm, la impactación de la superficie articular y la presencia de fragmentos intercalares.Al comparar las vías de abordaje, la bibliografía apoya el uso de los abordajes posteriores, reservando la recomendación de abordaje anterior para casos excepcionales.Para el tratamiento de esta lesión es fundamental conocer la anatomía del tobillo y considerar los factores descritos, además de la presencia de lesiones concomitantes.(AU)

Posterior malleolus fractures are frequent injuries, present in 7–44% of all ankle fractures.The objective of this study is to review the evidence to indicate the fixation of this fracture and to choose the appropriate surgical approach.The classic indications for fixation were fragment size greater than 25–30% of the articular surface and displacement greater than 2 mm. However, current evidence suggests that, rather than size, factors such as syndesmotic instability, intra-articular step-off greater than 1–2 mm, plafond impaction and the presence of intercalary fragments should be considered.When comparing the different surgical approaches, the literature supports the use of posterior approaches and reserves the recommendation of the traditional approach for exceptional cases.For the treatment of this injury it is essential to know the anatomy of the ankle and to consider all the factors described above, in addition to the presence of concomitant injuries.(AU)

Posterior malleolar fractures: Indications and surgical approaches. / Fracturas de maléolo posterior: indicaciones de fijación y vías de abordaje.

Posterior malleolus fractures are frequent injuries, present in 7-44% of all ankle fractures. The objective of this study is to review the evidence to indicate the fixation of this fracture and to choose the appropriate surgical approach. The classic indications for fixation were fragment size greater than 25-30% of the articular surface and displacement greater than 2 mm. However, current evidence suggests that, rather than size, factors such as syndesmotic instability, intra-articular step-off greater than 1-2 mm, plafond impaction and the presence of intercalary fragments should be considered. When comparing the different surgical approaches, the literature supports the use of posterior approaches and reserves the recommendation of the traditional approach for exceptional cases. For the treatment of this injury it is essential to know the anatomy of the ankle and to consider all the factors described above, in addition to the presence of concomitant injuries.

[Translated article] Posterior malleolar fractures: Indications and surgical approaches.

Posterior malleolus fractures are frequent injuries, present in 7-44% of all ankle fractures. The objective of this study is to review the evidence to indicate the fixation of this fracture and to choose the appropriate surgical approach. The classic indications for fixation were fragment size greater than 25-30% of the articular surface and displacement greater than 2mm. However, current evidence suggests that, rather than size, factors such as syndesmotic instability, intra-articular step-off greater than 1-2mm, plafond impaction and the presence of intercalary fragments should be considered. When comparing the different surgical approaches, the literature supports the use of posterior approaches and reserves the recommendation of the traditional approach for exceptional cases. For the treatment of this injury it is essential to know the anatomy of the ankle and to consider all the factors described above, in addition to the presence of concomitant injuries.

Comprende el medicamento/descubre al farmacéutico. Resultados preliminares 2021 y 2022 en Canarias. Cursos diana / Understand the medicine/discover the pharmacist. Preliminary results 2021 and 2022 in the Canary Islands. Target courses

INTRODUCCIÓN: en 2021 el proyecto CONÓCEME: comprende el medicamento/descubre al farmacéutico, va dirigido también a estudiantes de 4º o 3º Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) con el fin de llegar a todos los adolescentes.OBJETIVOS: evaluar la diferencia de aprendizaje de las nociones básicas del uso adecuado del medicamento entre estudiantes de 1º bachillerato, 4º y 3º ESO. Impartir la intervención educativa (IE) como una actividad complementaria en el programa educativo para inculcar buenos hábitos desde la adolescencia con la finalidad de conseguir un uso responsable del medicamento a medio y largo plazo. Evaluar el grado de satisfacción con la actividad de los estudiantes participantes.MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio observacional descriptivo, transversal, prospectivo, multicéntrico, realizado en las dos provincias canarias durante 2021/2022. Se realizaron formaciones específicas a los farmacéuticos comunitarios (FC) que impartieron las IE informándoles sobre el proyecto y proporcionándoles la documentación asociada, con la finalidad de conseguir intervenciones lo más homogéneas posibles en todas las provincias. La actividad fue impartida por uno o dos FC en dos sesiones. Después de cada IE los estudiantes resolvieron cinco ejercicios en la plataforma del proyecto. Tras los ejercicios rellenaron una encuesta de satisfacción. RESULTADOS: a fecha 11/03/2022, participaron 9 centros educativos, 6 en Santa Cruz de Tenerife y 3 en Las Palmas. Participaron 393 estudiantes, 246 de 1º bach, 75 de 4º ESO y 72 de 3º ESO. Colaboraron 13 FC impartiendo la IE en 19 aulas, 12_1ºbach, 3_4ºESO y 4_3ºESO. (AU)

Proyecto el farmacéutico que necesitas. Carpa de salud 19 abril 2022. L@s farmacéutic@s con la Palma / The pharmacist you need project. Health tent 19 April 2022. Pharmacists with La Palma

INTRODUCCIÓN: la erupción del Volcán de Cumbre Vieja en La Palma. "Este desastre natural ha acarreado a lo largo de tres meses de actividad la muerte de una persona, el desplazamiento de más de 7.000 en una comunidad de algo más de 80.000 residentes, la desaparición de más de 1.200 edificaciones que incluyen viviendas, empresas, colegios, iglesias y hasta cementerios, más de 1.000 hectáreas de terreno de cultivo y la destrucción o deterioro de infraestructuras vitales como carreteras, conducciones eléctricas e hidrológicas. El día a día se ha acompañado de terremotos cotidianos, el rugido y el tremor volcánico, la emisión por el cráter de gases tóxicos, cenizas y piroclastos y el progreso arrasador de la lava incandescente a través de distintas coladas. Evidentemente, esta situación de indefensión y sufrimiento puede originar consecuencias en la salud mental de los afectados, especialmente aquellos más vulnerables como personas con patologías previas, escaso apoyo social o que han sufrido un daño más significativo, tal como se ha visto en otras catástrofes, con la previsible aparición, más o menos diferida, de trastornos como el estrés postraumático, la ansiedad, la depresión o el aumento en el consumo de alcohol y sustancias”.OBJETIVOS: poner de manifiesto, a través de la presencia de los farmacéuticos comunitarios (FC) de Canarias y la acción profesional en las áreas de salud de la carpa, el compromiso de la Sociedad Española de Farmacia Clínica, Familiar y Comunitaria (SEFAC) con la población afectada en la Isla de La Palma con motivo de la erupción del Volcán de Cumbre Vieja del pasado 19 de septiembre de 2021. Ofrecer servicios de educación sanitaria sobre los trastornos de salud derivados de la erupción más prevalentes detectados en las farmacias comunitarias de la isla a través de la labor humanística de escucha, apoyo y motivación del FC como profesional sanitario. (AU)

Low-cost system for sunlight incidence angle measurement using optical fiber.

The development and optimization of renewable energy systems are some of the most necessary topics to advance towards secure and sustainable energy models. Photovoltaic energy is one of those sustainable options that could contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The optimal angle of solar incidence producing the highest absorption in a day is an important parameter to install photovoltaic systems. This value is often estimated using simulation models based on geographic location; however, those models ignore the influence of nearby obstruction objects, albedo, and local weather conditions. Such a problem is addressed in this work by designing a system to estimate the optimum angle of solar incidence for the photovoltaic panels. The system is based on an arrangement of 33 measurement points spaced in arcs every 45 degrees in azimuth and every 22.5 degrees in elevation, which provides a wide range for analysis. The light captured by each optical fiber is transmitted to a flat array where the power is measured using a single RGB camera.

Protective effects of melatonin on changes occurring in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Melatonin has been related to the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), and its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties have been proved in numerous neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to find out whether a melatonin supplement in MS is able to act as a benefit to its clinical status, i.e. oxidative stress, inflammation and indirect biomarkers of bacterial dysbiosis, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein (LBP), verifying its therapeutic potential and its possible clinical use in patients with MS. METHODS: The animal MS model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), was employed whereby 25 male Dark Agouti rats (5 animals per group) were divided into: a control group (not manipulated); a control+vehicle group; a control+melatonin group; an EAE group; an EAE+melatonin group. Melatonin was administered daily for 51 days, at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight/i.p., once a day, five days a week. RESULTS: The results from the administration of melatonin demonstrated an improvement in clinical status, a diminution in oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as in bacterial dysbiosis. CONCLUSION: Melatonin could play an effective role against MS, either alone or as a therapy combined with traditional agents.

Diagnóstico del delirium en pediatría: una tarea ardua pero imprescindible / The diagnosis of delirium in pediatric intensive care: A burdensome yet essential task

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The mechanochemical synthesis of PbTe nanostructures: following the Ostwald ripening effect during milling.

A fundamental understanding of the Ostwald ripening effect (ORE) during the mechanochemical synthesis of PbTe nanostructures is presented. The ripening process involves the coarsening of larger particles from those of smaller size; this phenomenon was systematically evaluated at different stages of milling by microscopy analyses (AFM, TEM, STEM and HRTEM). At the early stage of milling, smaller particles and quantum dots are eventually dissolved to lower the total energy assciated with their surfaces. The ripening process - during milling - involves short-range mass transfer among particles. HRTEM analyses allowed us to identify that coarsening occurs by thermo-mechanically activated cooperative mechanisms. The detachment of the atoms from smaller particles to form bigger ones plays a major role in the particle coarsening. It was found that the coarsening process was not limited to crystalline nanostructures; so grain boundaries, edge dislocations and boundaries among crystalline and amorphous phases also play an important role to determine how species migration contributes to generate coarse particles. Those serve as sites for inducing coarsening in an equivalent way as surfaces do. Secondary ion mass spectrometry and elemental chemical mapping (EDX-STEM) revealed that both the purity and the chemical homogeneity of the PbTe nanostructures are prominent features of this material. Additionally, a direct band gap enhancement (780 nm) compared to bulk PbTe (3859 nm) was detected. It occurred due to the quantum confinement effect, lattice imperfections and even surface properties of the nanostructures. It is important to point out that the whole optical behaviour of the PbTe nanostructures was dependent upon the embedded nanoparticles and quantum dots in the clusters and coarse particles ranging from 15 nm to 35 nm.

A CFD approach to understand nasoseptal perforations.

INTRODUCTION: Nasoseptal perforations (NSP) are becoming common in the modern world, and can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including a sensation of nasal obstruction, epistaxis, crusting, dryness, headache, nasal pain and a whistling sound. There is an extensive range of surgical treatment techniques, but reported results were rarely statistically significant. The lack of consistent surgical results may be related to the lack of knowledge about the pathophysiology of NSP and how they affect the nasal flow. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has proved to be a very useful tool to study nasal function. METHODS: We have used CFD software (the program MECOMLAND® and the Digbody® tool for virtual surgery) to investigate the behaviour of the parameters R-[Formula: see text] based on CFD results, when four subjects underwent virtual surgery to induce a septal perforation: two subjects with healthy noses and two patients suffering from nasal airway obstruction. For each case a CFD study was performed, before and after creating an anterior (close to nostrils) or a posterior (close to choanae) NSP. RESULTS: In all cases analyzed, a posterior septal perforation did not result in a significant volumetric flow rate [Formula: see text] through the perforation between nasal passages. However, for anterior defects only in those nasal cavities considered diseased or unhealthy, high values of [Formula: see text] were found. CONCLUSION: The induced NSP only rendered significant flow alterations in noses with preexisting nasal airway obstruction alterations, whereas in nasal cavities considered as normal the creation of a NSP did not produce significant differences between both sides. We strongly suggest that this finding can explain the variety of symptoms and the number of asymptomatic patients bearing NSP.

DigBody®: A new 3D modeling tool for nasal virtual surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Recent studies have demonstrated that a significant number of surgical procedures for nasal airway obstruction (NAO) have a high rate of surgical failure. In part, this problem is due to the lack of reliable objective clinical parameters to aid surgeons during preoperative planning. Modeling tools that allow virtual surgery to be performed do exist, but all require direct manipulation of computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. Specialists in Rhinology have criticized these tools for their complex user interface, and have requested more intuitive, user-friendly and powerful software to make virtual surgery more accessible and realistic. In this paper we present a new virtual surgery software tool, DigBody®. METHODS: This new surgery module is integrated into the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program MeComLand®, which was developed exclusively to analyze nasal airflow. DigBody® works directly with a 3D nasal model that mimics real surgery. Furthermore, this surgery module permits direct assessment of the operated cavity following virtual surgery by CFD simulation. RESULTS: The effectiveness of DigBody® has been demonstrated by real surgery on two patients based on prior virtual operation results. Both subjects experienced excellent surgical outcomes with no residual nasal obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: This tool has great potential to aid surgeons in modeling potential surgical maneuvers, minimizing complications, and being confident that patients will receive optimal postoperative outcomes, validated by personalized CFD testing.

Experience and Security of the Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy of a Living Donor in a Public Health Center.

BACKGROUND: Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HALDN) is currently the procedure of choice for obtaining living donor kidneys for transplantation. In our institution, it has been the standard procedure for 5 years. Previous studies have shown the same function of the graft as that obtained by open surgery, with a lower rate of bleeding and no differences in complications. We sought to demonstrate the experience and safety of HALDN compared with open donor nephrectomy in healthy donors for kidney transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective analytical observational study was conducted, reviewing the records of the living donors for kidney transplant undergoing open donor nephrectomy or HALDN in our center from March 1, 2009, to March 1, 2016. Renal function was assessed by the estimated glomerular filtration rate by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease method before and after donation, as well as bleeding (mL), and complications (according to Clavien), performing a comparative analysis between the two techniques using parametric or nonparametric tests. RESULTS: A total of 179 living donor nephrectomies were performed during the study period-31 open donor nephrectomy (17.3%) and 148 HALDN (82.7%)-without relevant baseline differences, except for creatinine. HALDN has a shorter surgical time (156,473 ± 87.75 minutes vs 165,484 ± 69.95 minutes) and less bleeding (244.59 ± 416.08 mL vs 324.19 ± 197.986 mL) and a shorter duration of hospital stay (3.74 ± 1.336 days vs 4.75 ± 1.226 days). There were no significant differences in surgical complications at 30 days, or graft loss reported; there were 3 conversions (1.7%) from the HALDN to the open technique. There were no differences in renal function in the donors or recipients at the 5th day or the month after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy has replaced open surgery as the gold standard for living kidney donors. HALDN is a safe and feasible procedure when compared with open donor nephrectomy, achieving a shorter surgical time with less bleeding, and no difference in the number of complications. This procedure lowers costs by decreasing the duration of the hospital stay, making is feasible to perform it at any institution with appropriately trained personnel.

Biomarcadores Salivales en Pacientes Diagnosticados con Fibrosis Quística, Concepción, 2016 / Salivary Biomarkers in Patients Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, Concepción, 2016

RESUMEN: El odontólogo como profesional integral del área de la salud, debe tener conocimiento acerca de distintas manifestaciones bioquímicas que pueden tener repercusión en la cavidad oral. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar las manifestaciones bioquímicas y alteraciones en biomarcadores salivales en la cavidad oral producto de la fibrosis quística o del consumo crónico de medicamentos para el tratamiento de la FQ. Se seleccionó un total de cinco personas con fibrosis quística y cuatro personas sanas, pertenecientes a la ciudad de Concepción en la Octava Región de Chile. Se midió pH salival, capacidad buffer, concentración de proteínas totales, tasa de flujo salival estimulado y se determinó presencia de ciertas enzimas salivales en pacientes que padecen la enfermedad. Se pudo evidenciar que el pH salival en sujetos con fibrosis quística tiende a ser mayor a los valores de referencia, la tasa de flujo salival es mucho menor al igual que la capacidad buffer, la concentración de proteínas totales en saliva se encuentra igual a los valores de referencia y se determinó la presencia biomarcadores salivales a través de la técnica de electroforesis. La fibrosis quística afecta de muchas formas a las personas que la padecen, genera cambios a nivel de los biomarcadores salivales como también en la cavidad oral, por lo que el odontólogo debe estar capacitado para identificar estos cambios y poder tratar de la mejor manera a todo tipo de paciente.

ABSTRACT: The dentist as an integral health professional must have knowledge of various biochemical manifestations that may have repercussions on the oral cavity. The objective of the study was to determine the biochemical manifestations and salivary biomarker alterations in the oral cavity resulting from cystic fibrosis or chronic consumption of drugs for the treatment of CF. We selected a total of five people with cystic fibrosis and four healthy people, from the city of Concepcion in the eighth region of Chile. Salivary pH, buffer capacity, total protein concentration, stimulated salivary flow rate and the presence of certain salivary enzymes were measured in patients suffering from the disease. It was observed that the salivary pH in subjects with cystic fibrosis tends to be higher than the reference values, the salivary flow rate and buffer capacity are less than normal, the total protein concentration in saliva is equal to the reference values and the presence of salivary biomarkers was determined through the electrophoresis technique. Cystic fibrosis affects those who suffer the disease in many ways, it generates changes at the salivary biomarker level, as well as in the oral cavity. The dentist must therefore, be able to identify these changes in order to treat them in the best possible approach for all types of patients.

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.