Enhancing Phosphorus and Nitrogen Uptake in Maize Crops with Food Industry Biosolids and Azotobacter nigricans.

The problem of phosphorus and nitrogen deficiency in agricultural soils has been solved by adding chemical fertilizers. However, their excessive use and their accumulation have only contributed to environmental contamination. Given the high content of nutrients in biosolids collected from a food industry waste treatment plant, their use as fertilizers was investigated in Zea mays plants grown in sandy loam soil collected from a semi-desert area. These biosolids contained insoluble phosphorus sources; therefore, given the ability of Azotobacter nigricans to solubilize phosphates, this strain was incorporated into the study. In vitro, the suitable conditions for the growth of Z. mays plants were determined by using biosolids as a fertilizer and A. nigricans as a plant-growth-promoting microorganism; in vitro, the ability of A. nigricans to solubilize phosphates, fix nitrogen, and produce indole acetic acid, a phytohormone that promotes root formation, was also evaluated. At the greenhouse stage, the Z. mays plants fertilized with biosolids at concentrations of 15 and 20% (v/w) and inoculated with A. nigricans favored the development of bending strength plants, which was observed on the increased stem diameter (>13.5% compared with the negative control and >7.4% compared with the positive control), as well as a better absorption of phosphorus and nitrogen, the concentration of which increased up to 62.8% when compared with that in the control treatments. The interactions between plants and A. nigricans were observed via scanning electron microscopy. The application of biosolids and A. nigricans in Z. mays plants grown in greenhouses presented better development than when Z. mays plants were treated with a chemical fertilizer. The enhanced plant growth was attributed to the increase in root surface area.

Advances in the knowledge and therapeutics of schizophrenia, major depression disorder, and bipolar disorder from human brain organoid research.

Tridimensional cultures of human induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs) experimentally directed to neural differentiation, termed "brain organoids" are now employed as an in vitro assay that recapitulates early developmental stages of nervous tissue differentiation. Technical progress in culture methodology enabled the generation of regionally specialized organoids with structural and neurochemical characters of distinct encephalic regions. The technical process of organoid elaboration is undergoing progressively implementation, but current robustness of the assay has attracted the attention of psychiatric research to substitute/complement animal experimentation for analyzing the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Numerous morphological, structural, molecular and functional insights of psychiatric disorders have been uncovered by comparing brain organoids made with iPSCs obtained from control healthy subjects and psychiatric patients. Brain organoids were also employed for analyzing the response to conventional treatments, to search for new drugs, and to anticipate the therapeutic response of individual patients in a personalized manner. In this review, we gather data obtained by studying cerebral organoids made from iPSCs of patients of the three most frequent serious psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia, major depression disorder, and bipolar disorder. Among the data obtained in these studies, we emphasize: (i) that the origin of these pathologies takes place in the stages of embryonic development; (ii) the existence of shared molecular pathogenic aspects among patients of the three distinct disorders; (iii) the occurrence of molecular differences between patients bearing the same disorder, and (iv) that functional alterations can be activated or aggravated by environmental signals in patients bearing genetic risk for these disorders.

Multicomponent Exercise Program to Improve the Immediate Sequelae of COVID-19: A Prospective Study with a Brief Report of 2-Year Follow-Up.

COVID-19 placed teams of professionals in a hostile and unfamiliar environment where the lack of knowledge of its pathology led to the adaptation of programs used so far for other conditions to try to address the immediate sequelae of COVID-19 infection. That is why the aim of this study was to assess the effects of a multicomponent exercise program (MEP) in improving cardio-respiratory performance, health status, disability due to dyspnea, aerobic capacity and endurance, and the immediate sequelae of COVID-19. Thirty-nine patients referred from different hospital services were included in this study. An intervention of seven weeks with sessions twice a week was carried out, where patients underwent intervallic training sessions followed by strengthening exercises and individualized respiratory physiotherapy exercises. The results of this study show a significant improvement in cardio-respiratory performance, health status, disability due to dyspnea, and aerobic capacity and endurance after intervention; and an increase in health status and reduction in disability due to dyspnea at the 2-year follow-up. In addition, none of the patients had any adverse effects either pre-post treatment or at the 2-year follow-up. Individualized and monitored MEP in survivors of COVID-19 showed positive effects in a pre-post evaluation and the 2-year follow up, improving the immediate sequelae of post-COVID-19 patients. This highlights the importance of the professional background of the rehabilitation teams in adapting to an unknown clinical environment.

Heterogeneity in the association between prediabetes categories and reduction on glomerular filtration rate in a 5-year follow-up.

Prediabetes and not just diabetes can cause kidney damage. This study assess the association of prediabetes with development of impaired renal function (IRF). We used data from PREDAPS prospective study a cohort of 1072 subjects with prediabetes and another cohort of 772 subjects without prediabetes were follow-up from 2012 to 2017. Prediabetes was defined according to American Association of Diabetes criteria. IRF was defined as having a glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Incidence rates of IRF in both cohorts and in different categories of prediabetes, based on impaired glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and/or fasting plasma glucose (FPG), were calculated. Hazard ratios (HR) for the association of the prediabetes with IRF, adjusting for potential confounders, were estimated by Cox regression models. Incidence rates of IRF per 100 person-years were 1.72 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34-2.21) and 1.79 (95%CI: 1.45-2.20) for those without and with prediabetes, respectively .The HR of IRF in subjects with prediabetes with respect to subjects without prediabetes was 0.76 (95% CI: 0. 54-1.07). Corresponding HRs for type of prediabetes was 0.68 (95%CI: 0.40-1.15) for those with both altered parameters, 0.68 (95%CI: 00.40-1.15) for those with only impaired HbA1c and 1.12 (95%CI: 0.68-1.85) for those with only impaired FPG. The present study reflects an overall trend towards a slightly decreased risk of IRF onset associated to prediabetes except for individuals with only isolated impaired FPG. Further studies are warranted to fully assess the renal progression of each group.

Implementation of a Mindfulness-Based Crisis Intervention for Frontline Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Outbreak in a Public General Hospital in Madrid, Spain.

Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak is having an impact on the well-being of healthcare workers. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown effectiveness in reducing stress and fostering resilience and recovery in healthcare workers. There are no studies examining the feasibility of brief mindfulness-based interventions during the COVID-19 outbreak. Materials and Methods: This is an exploratory study with a post intervention assessment. We describe an on-site brief mindfulness intervention and evaluate its helpfulness, safety, and feasibility. Results: One thousand out of 7,000 (14%) healthcare workers from La Paz University Hospital in Madrid (Spain) participated in at least one session. One hundred and fifty out of 1,000 (15%) participants filled out a self-report questionnaire evaluating the helpfulness of the intervention for on-site stress reduction. Ninety two subjects (61%) participated in more than one session. Most of the participants were women (80%) with a mean age of 38.6 years. Almost half of the sample were nurses (46%). Sessions were perceived as being helpful with a mean rating of 8.4 on a scale from 0 to 10. Only 3 people (2%) reported a minor adverse effect (increased anxiety or dizziness). Discussion: Our data supports the utility, safety and feasibility of an on-site, brief mindfulness-based intervention designed to reduce stress for frontline health workers during a crisis. There is a need to continue testing this type of interventions, and to integrate emotion regulation strategies as an essential part of health workers' general training. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT04555005.

Cognición y capacidad funcional en el adulto mayor / Cognition and Functional Capacity in the Elderly Adult

RESUMEN Objetivo: determinar la relación entre cognición y capacidad funcional en el adulto mayor. Método: Investigación descriptiva transversal, correlacional, realizada en 2015-2016 en La Libertad (Perú) con 1110 adultos mayores de 60 años y más, ambos sexos, aptos o no física y mentalmente, quienes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión y aceptaron voluntariamente participar en el estudio. Se midieron las variables cognición con el Minimental State Examination (MMSE) de Folstein y cols, la capacidad funcional con el indice de Katz para actividades básicas de la vida diaria (ABVD) y la escala de Lawton y Brody para las actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria (AIVD). Recolectada la información, se hizo un análisis bivariado para determinar la relación entre las variables utilizando la prueba chi cuadrado. Resultados: El mayor porcentaje (22.7%) de los adultos fue 60-64 años, 58.8% mujeres, 47.4% con instrucción primaria, 93.6 % cognición normal, y 83,4 y 60 % fueron independientes en actividades básicas de la vida diaria y en actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria, respectivamente. Existe relación altamente significativa entre cognición y capacidad funcional de las actividades básicas de la vida diaria (x2=206.0 valor p= 0.000) y actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria (x2=289.0 valor p= 0.000). Conclusiones: Existe una íntima relación entre la cognición y la capacidad funcional a través de las actividades de la vida diaria determinantes importantes para el envejecimiento saludable y bienestar en la vejez, y para enfermería son desafíos promover y/o mantener estos determinantes al nivel más alto posible.

SUMMARY Objective: To determine the relationship between cognition and functional capacity in the elderly. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive, correlational research conducted in 2015-2016 in La Libertad (Peru) with 1110 adults over 60 years of age and older, both sexes, physically or mentally fit or not. who met the inclusion criteria and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The variables were measured: cognition with the Minols State Examination (MMSE) of Folstein and cols., and the functional capacity with the Katz index for basic activities of daily living (ABVD) and the Lawton and Brody scale for activities instruments of daily life (AIVD). Once the information was collected, a bivariate analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the variables using the chi-square test. Results: The highest percentage (22.7 %) of the elderly were 60-64 years old, 58.8 % women, 47.4 % with primary education, 93.6 % normal cognition, and 83.4 % and 60 % were independent in basic life activities daily, and in instrumental activities of daily life, respectively. There is a highly significant relationship between cognition and functional capacity of the basic activities of daily life (x2 = 206.0 p-value = 0.000) and instrumental activities of daily life (x2 = 289.0 p-value = 0.000). Conclusions: There is an intimate relationship between cognition and functional capacity through the activities of daily life important determinants for healthy aging and well-being in old age, and for nursing it is challenges to promote and / or maintain these determinants at the highest possible level.

Sports facilities, socio-economic context and overweight among the childhood population in two southern European cities: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate relationship between socio-economic environment and overweight in Madrid and Barcelona, adjusting for possible confounding factors. METHODS: We obtained three indicators which reflected socio-economic context, namely, unemployment rate, percentage of population with tertiary education, and percentage with a second home. The design is a cross sectional study. The association with overweight was estimated using odds ratios by multilevel logistic regression. The statistical analysis, data synthesis, or model creation was performed from the 2017. In all, 707 children from 21 districts of Madrid and 474 children from 10 districts of Barcelona were analysed. RESULTS: In Madrid, standardised ORs for personal and family characteristics were 1.17, 1.53 and 1.57 by reference to unemployment rate and percentages of population with a university education and second home. After adjustment, only the OR obtained with unemployment rate decreased, specifically by 58%. In Barcelona, the following ORs were obtained: 1.80 with unemployment rate; 1.80 with population having a university education; and 1.86 with population having a second home. After being standardised, these ORs decreased by 14% in the case of unemployment rate, 10% in the case of population with a university education, and 9% in the case of population with a second home. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight displayed a risk gradient in Madrid and Barcelona alike. This risk of overweight is not accounted for by physical inactivity and could, in part, be due to the availability of sports facilities.

Histological analysis of different local haemostatic agents used for periapical surgery: An experimental study with Sprague-Dawley rats.

The aim of the present study was to analyse differences in the tissue response to the different haemostatic agents used for periapical surgery (BloodSTOP iX® (oxicellulose), Expazen® (aluminum chloride), calcium sulphate (CS), Gelatamp® (gelatin sponge) and Hemocor® (ferric sulphate). Seventy-two bone defects were made on the calvarium of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats. The specimens were euthanised at 3, 6 and 12 weeks. Histological analysis revealed a giant cell foreign body reaction against BloodStop iX® , Gelatamp® and Hemocor® . Leukocytes persisted at the surgical bed during the healing process longer as expected with Gelatamp® (6 weeks) and Hemocor® (12 weeks). We confirmed a generalised delay in bone formation. Calcium sulphate did not cause any foreign body reaction. CS showed excellent results with a high degree of compatibility, there was no inflammatory reaction with this agent after 12 weeks and was not associated with a significant foreign body reaction at any time during the study.

Etnobotánica de las flores de la pasión (Passiflora) en la provincia andina de Angaraes (Huancavelica, Perú) / Ethnobotany of passion flowers (Passiflora) in the Andean province of Angaraes (Huancavelica, Perú)

A study about the useful species of the genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae) found in a mountains province of Angaraes (Huancavelica, Perú) is presented. The methodology used was based on guided visits and semi-structured interviews to 50 informants who lived in the province of Angaraes. Seven species grouped in five categories of use were reported. Categories with a higher quantity of reported usage were food for humans (95 reports) and medicine (65 reports). The category with greater diversity of species was fodder (6 species). The part of the plant used most often was the fruit (80%). Two species were described as cultivated and five have been recorded as in wildlife state. The species with greater cultural importance were P. tripartita var. mollissima and P. pinnatistipula, since their fruits are much appreciated by the locals and commercialized in province fairs, demonstrating that the cultivation of these plant resources is the main livelihood in the region. Finally, a key is included in order to allow the identification of each of the species of Passiflora which inhabit in the study area.

Se presenta un estudio sobre las especies útiles del género Passiflora (Passifloraceae) de una provincia andina de Angaraes (Huancavelica, Perú). La metodología utilizada se basó en visitas guiadas y entrevistas semiestructuradas a 50 informantes de la provincia de Angaraes. Se reportaron siete especies agrupadas en cinco categorías de uso. Las categorías con mayores reportes de uso fueron alimento para humanos (95 reportes) y medicinal (65 reportes). La categoría con mayor riqueza de especies es alimento para animales (seis especies). La parte utilizada con mayor frecuencia es el fruto (80%). Dos especies fueron descritas como cultivadas y cinco han sido registradas en estado silvestre. Las especies con mayor importancia cultural fueron P. tripartita var. mollissima y P. pinnatistipula, siendo sus frutos muy apreciados y comercializados en las ferias de la provincia, lo cual demuestra que los pobladores dependen de sus recursos vegetales para su subsistencia. Finalmente, se incluye una clave que permite diferenciar las especies de Passiflora que habitan en la zona de estudio.

Dimensiones claves para fortalecer la atención primaria en el Perú a cuarenta años de Alma Ata / Key dimensions to strengthen primary care in Peru to forty years of Alma Ata

El Perú es un país de ingreso mediano, con un sistema de salud fragmentado. Para fortalecer el sistema de salud basado en atención primaria de salud, existen dimensiones claves que deben ser analizadas: gobernanza, financiamiento, recursos humanos, accesibilidad, longitudinalidad, integralidad, coordinación, equidad, eficiencia y calidad. El logro del desarrollo de estas dimensiones puede llevar a garantizar una atención primaria de salud fuerte, con mejoras en la salud de las personas.

Peru is a middle-income country, with a fragmented health system. To strengthen the health system based on primary health care there, are key dimensions that must be analyzed: governance, financing, human resources, accessibility, longitudinality, comprehensiveness, coordination, equity, efficiency and quality. The achievement of the development of these dimensions can lead to guarantee a strong primary health care, with improvements in the health of people.

Aplicación de las celulas madre al conocimiento y tratamiento de las enfermedades psiquiatricas / Application of stem cells to the knowledge and treatment of psychiatric diseases

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Two stage heterotrophy/photoinduction culture of Scenedesmus incrassatulus: potential for lutein production.

A biomass production process including two stages, heterotrophy/photoinduction (TSHP), was developed to improve biomass and lutein production by the green microalgae Scenedesmus incrassatulus. To determine the effects of different nitrogen sources (yeast extract and urea) and temperature in the heterotrophic stage, experiments using shake flask cultures with glucose as the carbon source were carried out. The highest biomass productivity and specific pigment concentrations were reached using urea+vitamins (U+V) at 30°C. The first stage of the TSHP process was done in a 6L bioreactor, and the inductions in a 3L airlift photobioreactor. At the end of the heterotrophic stage, S. incrassatulus achieved the maximal biomass concentration, increasing from 7.22gL-1 to 17.98gL-1 with an increase in initial glucose concentration from 10.6gL-1 to 30.3gL-1. However, the higher initial glucose concentration resulted in a lower specific growth rate (µ) and lower cell yield (Yx/s), possibly due to substrate inhibition. After 24h of photoinduction, lutein content in S. incrassatulus biomass was 7 times higher than that obtained at the end of heterotrophic cultivation, and the lutein productivity was 1.6 times higher compared with autotrophic culture of this microalga. Hence, the two-stage heterotrophy/photoinduction culture is an effective strategy for high cell density and lutein production in S. incrassatulus.

Congo red dye affects survival and reproduction in the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia. Effects of direct and dietary exposure.

Nearly 7 00000 tons of dyes are produced annually throughout the world. Azo dyes are widely used in the textile and paper industries due to their low cost and ease of application. Their extensive use results in large volumes of wastewater being discharged into aquatic ecosystems. Large volume discharges constitute a health risk since many of these dyes, such as Congo Red, are elaborated with benzidine, a known carcinogenic compound. Information regarding dye toxicity in aquatic ecosystems is limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Congo Red on survival and reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia. We determined the 48 h median lethal concentration (LC50) and evaluated the effects of sublethal concentrations in subchronic exposures by using as food either fresh algae or algae previously exposed to the dye. LC50 was 13.58 mg L-1. In subchronic assays, survival was reduced to 80 and 55 %, and fertility to 40 and 70 %, as compared to the control, in C. dubia fed with intoxicated cells or with the mix of intoxicated + fresh algae, respectively, so the quantity and type of food had a significant effect. We determined that Congo Red is highly toxic to C. dubia since it inhibits survival and fertility in concentrations exceeding 3 mg L-1. Our results show that this dye produces negative effects at very low concentrations. Furthermore, our findings warn of the risk associated with discharging dyes into aquatic environments. Lastly, the results emphasize the need to regulate the discharge of effluents containing azo dyes.

Streptomycin affects the growth and photochemical activity of the alga Chlorella vulgaris.

Antibiotics are increasingly being used in human and veterinary medicine, as well as pest control in agriculture. Recently, their emergence in the aquatic environment has become a global concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of streptomycin on growth and photosynthetic activity of Chlorella vulgaris after 72h exposure. We found that growth, photosynthetic activity and the content of the D1 protein of photosystem II decreased. Analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence emission shows a reduction in the energy transfer between the antenna complex and reaction center. Also the activity of the oxygen evolution complex and electron flow between QA and QB were significantly reduced; in contrast, we found an increase in the reduction rate of the acceptor side of photosystem I. The foregoing can be attributed to the inhibition of the synthesis of the D1 protein and perhaps other coded chloroplast proteins that are part of the electron transport chain which are essential for the transformation of solar energy in the photosystems. We conclude that micromolar concentrations of streptomycin can affect growth and photosynthetic activity of Chlorella vulgaris. The accumulation of antibiotics in the environment can become an ecological problem for primary producers in the aquatic environment.

Socio-economic environment, area facilities and obesity and physical inactivity among children.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate whether the relationship between socio-economic environment and obesity and physical inactivity in children can be explained by household socio-economic position and area facilities. METHODS: Two indicators of the socio-economic context of neighbourhood of residence based on wealth and deprivation were estimated in a sample of 727 children and adolescents residents in Madrid (Spain). Multilevel logit models were used to calculate the relationship between each indicator and obesity and physical inactivity. RESULTS: After adjusting for household socio-economic position, obesity prevalence was 3.79 times higher among subjects living in deprived areas than among those living in non-deprived areas (CI: 1.95-7.34), and 2.38 higher among subjects living in less wealthy areas than in those living in wealthier areas (CI: 0.85-6.65). Adjustment for the availability of retail shops in subjects' neighbourhood of residence failed to change the magnitude of the association. Neither neighbourhood socio-economic context nor availability of sports facilities was related to physical inactivity. CONCLUSION: In the city of Madrid, socio-economic context of neighbourhood of residence shows an inverse relationship with obesity but not with physical inactivity among children. The relationship observed with obesity is not explained by the availability of area facilities.

Influencia de la mortalidad en las personas con bajo nivel educativo en la variación de las desigualdades de mortalidad en las comunidades autónomas / Variation in mortality inequalities in the Autonomous Communities of Spain: the influence of mortality in people with less education

Fundamento. Dada la importancia de las tasas de mortalidad en cada grupo socioeconómico, como explicación de la variación en las desigualdades de mortalidad entre las poblaciones, el objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar si la variación regional en las desigualdades de mortalidad en España está relacionado con las tasas de mortalidad en diferentes grupos socioeconómicos. Métodos. El estudio incluyó a todas las personas de 30-74 años que vivían en España en 2001 y a las que se realizó un seguimiento para conocer su estado vital más de 7 años. En cada una de las 17 comunidades autónomas se han estimado las tasas de mortalidad en personas con bajo y con alto nivel educativo, así como dos medidas de desigualdad de la mortalidad de acuerdo a la educación: diferencia de tasas de mortalidad y razón de tasas de mortalidad. Se calculó el valor de la mediana de las desigualdades de mortalidad en las comunidades autónomas con las tasas de mortalidad más altas y bajas y en aquellas con las tasas de mortalidad intermedias. Y se estimó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson para evaluar la relación entre las tasas de mortalidad y las medidas de desigualdad en mortalidad. Resultados. Los coeficientes de correlación de la tasa de mortalidad en personas con bajo nivel educativo con la diferencia de tasa de mortalidad y con la razón de tasas de mortalidad fueron 0,87 y 0,78 en mujeres y 0,81 y 0,73 en los hombres, respectivamente. Los coeficientes de correlación de la tasa de mortalidad en personas con alto nivel educativo con la diferencia de tasa de mortalidad y con la razón de tasas de mortalidad fueron -0,07 y -0,24 en mujeres y 0,10 y -0,06 en los hombres, respectivamente. Conclusión. Las comunidades autónomas con las tasas de mortalidad más bajas y más altas en las personas con bajo nivel educativo generalmente tienen las menores y las mayores desigualdades en mortalidad. La variación en la magnitud de las desigualdades en mortalidad de un lugar a otro puede ser explicada por la variación en la tasa de la mortalidad en las personas con bajo nivel educativo.No se observó relación entre la tasa de mortalidad en personas con alto nivel educativo y las desigualdades de la mortalidad. (AU)

Background. Given the importance of mortality rates in each socioeconomic group, as explanation for the variation in mortality inequalities across populations, the objective of the present study is to evaluate whether regional variation in mortality inequalities in Spain is related to the mortality rates in different socioeconomic groups. Methods. The study included all persons aged 30-74 years living in Spain in 2001 and followed up for mortality over 7 years. In each of the 17 autonomous communities of Spain mortality rates were estimated for those with low and high education, as well as two measures of mortality inequality according to education: mortality rate difference and mortality rate ratio. Median value of mortality inequalities was calculated for the regions with the highest and lowest mortality rates and for those with intermediate mortality rates. And the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to estimate the relation between mortality rates and the measures of mortality inequality. Results. The correlation coefficients between mortality rate in low education and mortality rate difference and mortality rate ratio were 0.87 and 0.78 in women and 0.81 and 0.73 in men, respectively. The correlation coefficients between mortality rate in high education and mortality rate difference and mortality rate ratio were -0.07 and -0.24 in women and 0.10 and -0.06 in men, respectively. Conclusion. Regions with the lowest and highest mortality rates in low education people generally had the lowest and highest inequalities in mortality. The variation in the magnitude of inequalities in mortality from one place to another can be explained by the variation in mortality in low education people. No relation was observed between mortality rate in high education and mortality inequality (AU)

Socioeconomic position and childhood-adolescent weight status in rich countries: a systematic review, 1990-2013.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity is a major problem in rich countries due to its high prevalence and its harmful health consequences. An exploratory analysis conducted in the PubMed database highlighted that the number of papers published on the relationship between socioeconomic position (SEP) and childhood-adolescent weight status had risen substantially with respect to an earlier review which had covered the period 1990-2005. METHODS: To describe the findings on the relationship between SEP and childhood-adolescent weight status in papers published in rich countries from 1990 through 2013, studies were identified in the following databases: PubMed; Web of Knowledge (WOK); PsycINFO; Global Health; and Embase. We included observational studies from the 27 richest OECD countries, which covered study populations aged 0 to 21 years, and used parental education, income and/or occupation as family SEP indicators. A total of 158 papers met the inclusion criteria and reported 134 bivariable and 90 multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Examination of the results yielded by the bivariable analyses showed that 60.4% of studies found an inverse relationship, 18.7% of studies did not found relationship, and 20.9% of studies found a relationship that varied depending on another variable, such as age, sex or ethnic group; the corresponding percentages in the multivariable analyses were 51.1, 20.0 and 27.8%, respectively. Furthermore, 1.1% found a positive relationship. CONCLUSION: The relationship between SEP and childhood-adolescent weight status in rich countries is predominantly inverse and the positive relationship almost has disappeared. The SEP indicator that yields the highest proportion of inverse relationships is parents' education. The proportion of inverse relationships is higher when the weight status is reported by parents instead using objective measurements.

Bioremoval of the azo dye Congo Red by the microalga Chlorella vulgaris.

Discharge of dye-containing wastewater by the textile industry can adversely affect aquatic ecosystems and human health. Bioremoval is an alternative to industrial processes for detoxifying water contaminated with dyes. In this work, active and inactive biomass of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris was assayed for the ability to remove Congo Red (CR) dye from aqueous solutions. Through biosorption and biodegradation processes, Chlorella vulgaris was able to remove 83 and 58 % of dye at concentrations of 5 and 25 mg L(-1), respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity at equilibrium was 200 mg g(-1). The Langmuir model best described the experimental equilibrium data. The acute toxicity test (48 h) with two species of cladocerans indicated that the toxicity of the dye in the effluent was significantly decreased compared to the initial concentrations in the influent. Daphnia magna was the species less sensitive to dye (EC50 = 17.0 mg L(-1)), followed by Ceriodaphnia dubia (EC50 = 3.32 mg L(-1)). These results show that Chlorella vulgaris significantly reduced the dye concentration and toxicity. Therefore, this method may be a viable option for the treatment of this type of effluent.

[Variation in mortality inequalities in the autonomous communities of Spain: a matter of mortality in people with less education].

BACKGROUND: Given the importance of mortality rates in each socioeconomic group, as explanation for the variation in mortality inequalities across populations, the objective of the present study is to evaluate whether regional variation in mortality inequalities in Spain is related to the mortality rates in different socioeconomic groups. METHODS: The study included all persons aged 30-74 years living in Spain in 2001 and followed up for mortality over 7 years. In each of the 17 autonomous communities of Spain mortality rates were estimated for those with low and high education, as well as two measures of mortality inequality according to education: mortality rate difference and mortality rate ratio. Median value of mortality inequalities was calculated for the regions with the highest and lowest mortality rates and for those with intermediate mortality rates. And the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to estimate the relation between mortality rates and the measures of mortality inequality. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients between mortality rate in low education and mortality rate difference and mortality rate ratio were 0.87 and 0.78 in women and 0.81 and 0.73 in men, respectively. The correlation coefficients between mortality rate in high education and mortality rate difference and mortality rate ratio were -0.07 and -0.24 in women and 0.10 and -0.06 in men, respectively. CONCLUSION: Regions with the lowest and highest mortality rates in low education people generally had the lowest and highest inequalities in mortality. The variation in the magnitude of inequalities in mortality from one place to another can be explained by the variation in mortality in low education people. No relation was observed between mortality rate in high education and mortality inequality.