COVID-19 in a common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha): First evidence of fatal outcome in a nonhuman primate after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Since then, viral spread from humans to animals has occurred worldwide. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have been found to be susceptible to reverse-zoonosis transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but initial research suggested that platyrrhine primates are less susceptible than catarrhine primates. Here we report the natural SARS-CoV-2 infection of a common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha) from a wildlife rehabilitation center in Ecuador. The course of the disease, the eventual death of the specimen, and the pathological findings are described. Our results show the susceptibility of a new platyrrhine species to SARS-CoV-2 and provide evidence for the first time of a COVID-19-associated death in a naturally infected NHP. The putative route of transmission from humans, and implications for captive NHPs management, are also discussed. Given that common woolly monkeys are at risk of extinction in Ecuador, further understanding of the potential threat of SARS-CoV-2 to their health should be a conservation priority. A One Health approach is the best way to protect NHPs from a new virus in the same way that we would protect the human population.

Key points for translating wound regenerative agents from in vivo assays in mice to clinical validation.

Skin wound healing leads to the recovery of tissue structure and homeostasis after injury. Numerous factors can hamper wound healing and complete recovery of the harmed tissue, causing the formation of scars or chronic wounds. Therapeutic options to improve wound regeneration are limited, possibly due to failure during pre-clinical validation toward clinical trials. In this article, the authors aim to convey key points and provide recommendations for the development of regenerative agents that improve wound healing using mouse models.First, the authors highlight the differences in the wound healing processes of mice and humans. Later, the authors apply a quasi-systematic research approach based on a search algorithm of 32 terms that focuses on in vivomouse model assays of regenerative factors. The authors analyze the top 20 most cited articles of 2241 hits produced by Scopus. The authors focus the search on a period covering the last 10 years (January 2011 to October 2021). The authors synthesize information from the top 20 articles and present the most common type of mouse model used, mouse characteristics (strain, sex, age, weight), surgical wounding technique employed (size, location, equipment), agents tested, methods of wound monitoring, regeneration assessment and key points to consider for the translational potential of these agents. This knowledge will help the scientific community design better in vivo assays and translate their results to further research and clinical validation.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Aflibercept Treat and Extend for Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy in the ATLANTIC Study: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) is far less common and studied in a Caucasian population than in an Asian population, and the optimal treatment approach remains to be confirmed. METHODS: A 52-week, double-masked, sham-controlled, phase 4, investigator-initiated randomized clinical trial (RCT) in naive symptomatic Caucasian patients with PCV treated with aflibercept in a treat-and-extend regimen (T&E) (intravitreal aflibercept injection [IVAI] T&E). Patients were randomized at week 16 to receive IVAI T&E plus either sham photodynamic therapy (PDT) or standard fluence PDT with verteporfin. The main outcome measures were changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline to 52 weeks and polyp occlusion at week 52. Data are presented as median (interquartile range [IQR]) for BCVA, number of IVAI, and change in central retinal thickness (CRT). RESULTS: Of the 50 patients included in the study, 48 patients completed the 52 weeks of follow-up. During this period, a significant median (IQR) BCVA gain of 6 [2-12] Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters was observed for all patients (p < 0.001), after 8 (7-9) injections, with a significant reduction of -93.0 [-154.0, -44.0] µm in central macular thickness (p < 0.001). Using indocyanine green angiography, a complete occlusion of polypoidal lesions was documented in 72% of the cases. Still, no significant difference was detected between the sham PDT and the aflibercept PDT arms, at week 52, for BCVA change (6.5 [2-11] vs. 5 [2-13] letters (p = 0.98)), number of IVAIs (8.5 [7-9] vs. 8 [7-9] (p = 0.21)), change in CRT (-143 [-184; -47] vs. -89 [-123; -41.5] µm [p = 0.23]), and rates of complete polyp occlusion: 77 versus 68% (p = 0.53) or presence of fluid: 68 versus 57% (p = 0.56). No serious ocular adverse events were registered in the 2 arms. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: To our knowledge, this is the first RCT to compare aflibercept T&E monotherapy with aflibercept T&E plus verteporfin PDT in a Caucasian population with PCV. Aflibercept monotherapy in a T&E showed to be effective and safe with a significant median BCVA improvement of 6 letters and a complete occlusion of polypoidal lesions in near 3 quarters of the eyes, at 1 year. As only 22% of the eyes underwent PDT treatment, the benefit of combined treatment for PCV in Caucasian patients could not be definitively elucidated from this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The clinical trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02495181 and the European Union Drug Regulating Authorities Clinical Trials Database EudraCT No. 2015-001368-20.

Mpox (formerly monkeypox) in women: epidemiological features and clinical characteristics of mpox cases in Spain, April to November 2022.

Over 79,000 confirmed cases of mpox were notified worldwide between May and November 2022, most of them in men who have sex with men. Cases in women, for whom mpox might pose different risks, are rare, and Spain has reported more than one third of those in Europe. Using surveillance data, our study found similar time trends, but differences in delay of diagnosis, sexual transmission and signs and symptoms between men and women.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Spain (ENE-COVID): a nationwide, population-based seroepidemiological study.

BACKGROUND: Spain is one of the European countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Serological surveys are a valuable tool to assess the extent of the epidemic, given the existence of asymptomatic cases and little access to diagnostic tests. This nationwide population-based study aims to estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Spain at national and regional level. METHODS: 35 883 households were selected from municipal rolls using two-stage random sampling stratified by province and municipality size, with all residents invited to participate. From April 27 to May 11, 2020, 61 075 participants (75·1% of all contacted individuals within selected households) answered a questionnaire on history of symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and risk factors, received a point-of-care antibody test, and, if agreed, donated a blood sample for additional testing with a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Prevalences of IgG antibodies were adjusted using sampling weights and post-stratification to allow for differences in non-response rates based on age group, sex, and census-tract income. Using results for both tests, we calculated a seroprevalence range maximising either specificity (positive for both tests) or sensitivity (positive for either test). FINDINGS: Seroprevalence was 5·0% (95% CI 4·7-5·4) by the point-of-care test and 4·6% (4·3-5·0) by immunoassay, with a specificity-sensitivity range of 3·7% (3·3-4·0; both tests positive) to 6·2% (5·8-6·6; either test positive), with no differences by sex and lower seroprevalence in children younger than 10 years (<3·1% by the point-of-care test). There was substantial geographical variability, with higher prevalence around Madrid (>10%) and lower in coastal areas (<3%). Seroprevalence among 195 participants with positive PCR more than 14 days before the study visit ranged from 87·6% (81·1-92·1; both tests positive) to 91·8% (86·3-95·3; either test positive). In 7273 individuals with anosmia or at least three symptoms, seroprevalence ranged from 15·3% (13·8-16·8) to 19·3% (17·7-21·0). Around a third of seropositive participants were asymptomatic, ranging from 21·9% (19·1-24·9) to 35·8% (33·1-38·5). Only 19·5% (16·3-23·2) of symptomatic participants who were seropositive by both the point-of-care test and immunoassay reported a previous PCR test. INTERPRETATION: The majority of the Spanish population is seronegative to SARS-CoV-2 infection, even in hotspot areas. Most PCR-confirmed cases have detectable antibodies, but a substantial proportion of people with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 did not have a PCR test and at least a third of infections determined by serology were asymptomatic. These results emphasise the need for maintaining public health measures to avoid a new epidemic wave. FUNDING: Spanish Ministry of Health, Institute of Health Carlos III, and Spanish National Health System.

Toenails as a biomarker of exposure to arsenic: A review.

This systematic review summarizes the current evidence related to the reliability of toenail total arsenic concentrations (thereafter "arsenic") as a biomarker of long-term exposure. Specifically, we reviewed literature on consistency of repeated measures over time, association with other biomarkers and metal concentrations, factors influencing concentrations, and associations with health effects. We identified 129 papers containing quantitative original data on arsenic in toenail samples covering populations from 29 different countries. We observed geographic differences in toenail arsenic concentrations, with highest median or mean concentrations in Asian countries. Arsenic-contaminated drinking water, occupational exposure or living in specific industrial areas were associated with an increased toenail arsenic content. The effects of other potential determinants and sources of arsenic exposure including diet, gender and age on the concentrations in toenails need further investigations. Toenail arsenic was correlated with the concentrations in hair and fingernails, and with urine arsenic mainly among highly exposed populations with a toenail mean or median ≥1 µg/g. Overall, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that arsenic content from a single toenail sample may reflect long-term internal dose-exposure. Toenail arsenic can serve as a reliable measure of toxic inorganic arsenic exposure in chronic disease research, particularly promising for cancer and cardiovascular conditions.

Impact of Visual Design Elements and Principles in Human Electroencephalogram Brain Activity Assessed with Spectral Methods and Convolutional Neural Networks.

The visual design elements and principles (VDEPs) can trigger behavioural changes and emotions in the viewer, but their effects on brain activity are not clearly understood. In this paper, we explore the relationships between brain activity and colour (cold/warm), light (dark/bright), movement (fast/slow), and balance (symmetrical/asymmetrical) VDEPs. We used the public DEAP dataset with the electroencephalogram signals of 32 participants recorded while watching music videos. The characteristic VDEPs for each second of the videos were manually tagged for by a team of two visual communication experts. Results show that variations in the light/value, rhythm/movement, and balance in the music video sequences produce a statistically significant effect over the mean absolute power of the Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma EEG bands (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we trained a Convolutional Neural Network that successfully predicts the VDEP of a video fragment solely by the EEG signal of the viewer with an accuracy ranging from 0.7447 for Colour VDEP to 0.9685 for Movement VDEP. Our work shows evidence that VDEPs affect brain activity in a variety of distinguishable ways and that a deep learning classifier can infer visual VDEP properties of the videos from EEG activity.

Use of Individual Relative Thresholds to Assess Acceleration in Young Soccer Players According to Initial Speed.

ABSTRACT: Martínez-Cabrera, FI, Núñez-Sánchez, FJ, Losada, J, Otero-Esquina, C, Sánchez, H, and De Hoyo, M. Use of individual relative thresholds to assess acceleration in young soccer players according to initial speed. J Strength Cond Res 35(4): 1110-1118, 2021-The aims of the current study were (a) to analyze the characteristics of acceleration efforts using individual relative thresholds according to the initial speed during official matches in elite young soccer players according to player position and (b) to compare the differences between absolute and relative thresholds in assessing high-intensity acceleration. Player acceleration profiles were assessed using an individual relative threshold based on their acceleration capacity at different initial speeds (standing, 6, 10.8, and 15 km·h-1), and the number of accelerations (>75% of the maximal acceleration) performed during soccer matches was divided into 3 categories attending to the initial speed. (S1 = 0-7 km·h-1; S2 = 7.1-14 km·h-1; and S3 = ≥14.1 km·h-1). Within-group analyses showed that the number of accelerations performed in each category was higher when the effort started from a static or walking position than at moderate- or high-intensity running (S1 > S2 > S3; very likely to almost certain). Between-group analyses revealed substantial differences between some playing positions according to initial speed. In S1 and S3, central defenders had the lowest number of accelerations (likely to almost certain), whereas midfielders had the greatest number of high-intensity accelerations in S1 and S2. There were also substantial differences between the other playing positions (possibly to almost certain). Regarding relative and absolute thresholds (>3 m·s-2), the results showed that absolute threshold overestimated the number of high-intensity accelerations compared with the individual relative threshold in S1 and underestimated the results in S2 and S3 (almost certain). The use of an individual relative threshold to measure acceleration demands allows to distinguish between the numbers of accelerations in function of the initial speed and playing positions. In addition, the absolute acceleration threshold could overestimate or underestimate the acceleration demands in young soccer players as a function of the initial speed. Then, the absolute acceleration thresholds should be taken with caution in the assessment of acceleration activities.

Morphological and molecular identification of the invasive freshwater snail Physa acuta (Gastropoda: Physidae) into Llanquihue Lake, Chilean Patagonia.

The sewage snail Physa acuta, native to North America, is an effective invasive species around the world. In Chile, it was first reported in 2014 in the north central area of the country. So far, the species has not been recorded in southern Chile. Sampling performed in 2015 in three localities from Llanquihue Lake, Chilean Patagonia, only provided native freshwater snails. However, new collections performed in February 2018 in the same three sites were successful for physid specimens suggesting a biological invasion entailing a large southward range expansion of these snails. Here we performed morphological, microstructural and phylogenetic analyses to investigate whether the new samples belong to Physa acuta. The shell morphology, male copulatory complex and radula microstructure of the new material agree with those of the sewage snail. The molecular phylogenetic analyses using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene confirmed morphological identification. We suggest to take prompt measures to prevent the expansion of Physa acuta in Llanquihue Lake or nearby aquatic ecosystems.

Primary allogeneic mitochondrial mix (PAMM) transfer/transplant by MitoCeption to address damage in PBMCs caused by ultraviolet radiation.

BACKGROUND: Artificial Mitochondrial Transfer or Transplant (AMT/T) can be used to reduce the stress and loss of viability of damaged cells. In MitoCeption, a type of AMT/T, the isolated mitochondria and recipient cells are centrifuged together at 4 °C and then co-incubated at 37 °C in normal culture conditions, inducing the transfer. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can affect mitochondria and other cell structures, resulting in tissue stress, aging, and immunosuppression. AMT/T could be used to repair UVR cellular and mitochondrial damage. We studied if a mitochondrial mix from different donors (Primary Allogeneic Mitochondrial Mix, PAMM) can repair UVR damage and promote cell survival. RESULTS: Using a simplified adaption of the MitoCeption protocol, we used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as the recipient cell model of the PAMM in order to determine if this protocol could repair UVR damage. Our results showed that when PBMCs are exposed to UVR, there is a decrease in metabolic activity, mitochondrial mass, and mtDNA sequence stability as well as an increase in p53 expression and the percentage of dead cells. When PAMM MitoCeption was used on UVR-damaged cells, it successfully transferred mitochondria from different donors to distinct PBMCs populations and repaired the observed UVR damage. CONCLUSION: Our results represent an advancement in the applications of MitoCeption and other AMT/T. We showed that PBMCs could be used as a PAMM source of mitochondria. We also showed that these mitochondria can be transferred in a mix from different donors (PAMM) to UVR-damaged, non-adherent primary cells. Additionally, we decreased the duration of the MitoCeption protocol.

Clinical Decision-Making when Treating Diabetic Macular Edema Patients with Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implants.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease frequently associated with comorbidities that include diabetic macular edema (DME). The current medical approach to treating DME involves intravitreal injections with either anti-vascular endothelial growth factors or steroids. However, the burden associated with intravitreal injections and DM-derived complications is high, underlining the need to find optimal treatment regimens. In this article we describe the considerations we apply when treating DME patients with dexamethasone intravitreal implants (Ozurdex®), particularly those that influence the clinical decision-making process during the follow-up period. These considerations are based both on the available medical literature and on our clinical experience following the use of these implants in this type of patient, the goal being to optimize the number of injections and the clinical outcome of this therapy. We also provide a general overview of the pathophysiology of DME, highlighting the inflammatory component as a rationale to use steroids in these patients.

A New Gene Expression Signature for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Frozen Fresh Tissue before Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer tumors. Comparisons between TNBC and non-triple negative breast cancer (nTNBC) may help to differentiate key components involved in TNBC neoplasms. The purpose of the study was to analyze the expression profile of TNBC versus nTNBC tumors in a homogeneous population from northeastern Mexico. A prospective study of 50 patients was conducted (25 TNBC and 25 nTNBC). Clinic parameters were equally distributed for TNBC and nTNBC: age at diagnosis (51 vs 47 years, p=0.1), glucose levels (107 mg/dl vs 104 mg/dl, p=0.64), and body mass index (28 vs 29, p=0.14), respectively. Core biopsies were collected for histopathological diagnosis and gene expression analyses. Total RNA was isolated and expression profiling was performed. 40 genes showed differential expression pattern in TNBC tumors. Among these, 9 over-expressed genes (PRKX/PRKY, UGT8, HMGA1, LPIN1, HAPLN3, and ANKRD11), and one under-expressed (ANX9) gene are involved in general metabolism. Based on this biochemical peculiarity, and the over-expression of BCL11A and FOXC1 (involved in tumor growth and metastasis, respectively) we validated by qPCR the expression profile of 7 genes out of the signature. In this report, a new gene signature for TNBC is proposed. To our knowledge, this is the first TNBC signature which describes genes involved in general metabolism. The findings may be pertinent for Mexican patients and require to be evaluated in further ethnic groups and populations.

Paediatric cardiac surgery in a peripheral European region: is a joint programme a safe alternative to regionalisation?

BACKGROUND: In 2007, a partnership was initiated between a small-volume paediatric cardiac surgery unit located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and a large-volume cardiac surgery unit located in Milan, Italy. The main goal of this partnership was to provide surgical treatment to children with CHD in the Canary Islands. METHODS: An operative algorithm for performing surgery in elective, urgent, and emergency cases was adopted by the this joint programme. Demographic and in-hospital variables were collected from the medical records of all the patients who had undergone surgical intervention for CHD from January, 2009 to March, 2013. Data were introduced into the congenital database of the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association Congenital Database and the database was interrogated. RESULTS: In total, 65 surgical mission trips were performed during the period of this study. The European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association Congenital Database documented 214 total patients with a mean age at operation of 36.45 months, 316 procedures in total with 198 cardiopulmonary bypass cases, 46 non-cardiopulmonary bypass cases, 26 cardiovascular cases without cardiopulmonary bypass, 22 miscellaneous other types of cases, 16 interventional cardiology cases, six thoracic cases, one non-cardiac, non-thoracic procedure on a cardiac patient with cardiac anaesthesia, and one extracorporeal membrane oxygenation case. The 30-day mortality was 6.07% (13 patients). CONCLUSIONS: A joint programme between a small-volume centre and a large-volume centre may represent a valid and reproducible model for safe paediatric cardiac surgery in the context of a peripheral region.

Application of customized birth weight curves in the assessment of perinatal outcomes in infants of diabetic mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of customized curves (CC) allows better detection of large- (LGA) or small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants at risk of adverse perinatal morbidity than non-CC in women with diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A model of CC was applied to all infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) who attended the Hospital Universitario Materno Infantil de Canarias between 2008 and 2011. We compared perinatal outcomes of IDM classified as LGA or SGA by non-CC versus CC. RESULTS: One of 4 LGA was appropriate for gestational age (AGA) by CC (false-positive rate: 25%) and 30% of SGA by CC were not identified by non-CC (false-negative rate). False-positive LGA and SGA showed similar perinatal outcomes to AGA infants. The rates of cesarean section, cephalopelvic disproportion, total fetal distress and shoulder dystocia were significantly higher in false-negative LGA than in AGA by CC (p < 0.004, p < 0.02, p < 0.04 and p < 0.04, respectively). Fetal distress was higher in false-negative SGA than in AGA by CC (p < 0.03). DISCUSSION: In pregnancies complicated by DM, the use of CC allowed more accurate identification of LGA and SGA infants at high risk of perinatal morbidity than non-CC.

The administration of Cerebrolysin elicits neuroprotective and neurorepair effects in an animal model of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder impacting cerebral function. The administration of Streptozotocin (STZ) is a well-known animal model of insulinopenic type 1 DM in rats. STZ-induced DM results in a myriad of alteration in the periphery and central nervous system (CNS). Cerebrolysin (CBL) is a neuropeptide preparation that promotes synaptic and neuronal plasticity in various animal models. In all cases, CBL was administered when the model was established. This research aims to investigate the neuroprotective and neurorepair effect of CBL on the cytoarchitecture of neurons and spine density in pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal (PFC) and the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus, as well as spheroidal neurons of the dentate gyrus (DG), in STZ-induced DM. In the first experimental condition, STZ and CBL are administered at the same time to evaluate the potential preventive effect of CBL. In the second experimental condition, CBL was administered two months after establishing the DM model to measure the potential neurorepair effect of CBL. STZ-induced hyperglycemia remained unaltered by the administration of CBL in both experimental conditions. In the first experimental condition, CBL treatment preserved the neuronal morphology in PFC layer 3, PFC layer 5 and the DG of the hippocampus, while also maintaining spine density in the PFC-3, DG and CA1 hippocampus. Furthermore, CBL induced neurorepair in neurons within the PFC-3, PFC-5 and CA1 regions of the hippocampus, along with an increase in spine density in the PFC-3, DG and CA1 hippocampus. These findings suggest that CBL´s effects on neuroplasticity could be observed before or after the damage was evident.

Computer simulation study of nutrient-driven bacterial biofilm stratification.

Here, employing computer simulation tools, we present a study on the development of a bacterial biofilm from a single starter cell on a flat inert surface overlaid by an aqueous solution containing nutrients. In our simulations, surface colonization involves an initial stage of two-dimensional cell proliferation to eventually transition to three-dimensional growth leading to the formation of biofilm colonies with characteristic three-dimensional semi-ellipsoids shapes. Thus, we have introduced the influence of the nutrient concentration on bacterial growth, and calculated the cell growth rate as a function of nutrient uptake, which in turn depends on local nutrient concentration in the vicinity of each bacterial cell. Our results show that the combination of cell growth and nutrient uptake and diffusion leads to the formation of stratified colonies containing an inner core in which nutrients are depleted and cells cannot grow or divide, surrounded by an outer, shallow crust in which cells have access to nutrients from the bulk medium and continue growing. This phenomenon is more apparent at high uptake rates that enable fast nutrient depletion. Our simulations also predict that the shape and internal structure of the biofilm are largely conditioned by the balance between nutrient diffusion and uptake.

Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis): Exploring Normal Head Anatomy through Cross-Sectional Anatomy, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Cory's shearwater, or Calonectris borealis, stands out as a symbolic figure in the world of seabirds, playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems globally. Belonging to the Procellariidae family, it is singularized by its imposing wingspan and intricate migration patterns connecting it to various regions from the North Atlantic to the Pacific. Its role in the marine food chain, specialized diet and adaptation for nesting in the Canary Archipelago underscore its ecological importance. However, Cory's shearwater also faces important threats, such as the invasion of foreign species, highlighting the need for its conservation. Among the conservation issues, studies on its biology, the main threats it faces and its normal anatomy are essential to preserve marine biodiversity. Additionally, a variety of imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance, facilitates the understanding of the bird's neuroanatomy and opens future research possibilities in comparative neuroscience. Moreover, this approach proves particularly relevant given the increasing attention these seabirds receive in environments such as zoos, rehabilitation centers and their natural habitat, where veterinarians play a crucial role in their care and well-being.

Impact and evolution of risk factors associated with hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 during the six epidemic waves in Mexico.

Objectives: This study aims to analyze and compare the main risk factors for hospitalization and deaths due to COVID-19 during the six epidemic waves from February 2020 to June 2023 in Mexico. Methods: First, a descriptive analysis of the risk factors that led to hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 was performed. Next, the degree of relationship of each risk factor with hospitalization and death was determined using Cramer's V coefficient. Finally, logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratios of the most statistically significant risk factors for hospitalization and mortality. Results: A direct relationship between age and the possibility of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 was found. Moreover, the comorbidities most likely to lead to hospitalization and death were pneumonia, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and CKD. It is also remarkable that the second factor of death is endotracheal intubation. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico revealed the reality of an epidemiological scenario where infectious diseases and chronic degenerative diseases coexist and interrelate.

Natural remediation of an unremediated soil twelve years after a mine accident: trace element mobility and plant composition.

The long-term influence of a mine spill in soil was studied 12 years after the Aznalcóllar accident. Soils where the pyritic sludge was not removed, a fenced plot established for research purposes (2000 m(2)) and soils where the process of remediation was accomplished successfully were sampled and studied in detail. Soils were characterized at different depths, down to 100 cm depth, determining chemical parameters and total concentrations of major and trace elements. Moreover plants colonizing remediated (RE) and non remediated (NRE) soils were also analysed attending their potential risk for herbivores. Strong acidification was observed in the NRE soil except in surface (0-10 cm). The progressive colonization of natural vegetation, more than 90% of the fenced plot covered by plants, could facilitate this increased pH values in the top soil (pH 6). In the NRE soil, the successive oxidation and hydrolysis of sulphide in the deposited sludge on the surface after the accident resulted in a re-dissolution of the most mobile element (Cd, Cu and Zn) and a penetration to deeper layers. Trace element concentrations in plants growing in the NRE soil showed normal contents for higher plants and tolerable for livestock. Nitrogen and mineral nutrients were of the same order in both soils, and also normal for high plants and adequate for animal nutrition. Despite of the natural remediation of the NRE soil, results demonstrate that the remediation tasks carried out in all the area, the Guadiamar Green Corridor at present, were necessary to avoid the leaching of the most mobile elements and minimize the risk of contamination of groundwater sources, many of them close to the Doñana National Park.

The snail Theba pisana as an indicator of soil contamination by trace elements: potential exposure for animals and humans.

BACKGROUND: The ability of snails to accumulate trace elements is well known. We analysed the snail Theba pisana as an indicator of soil contamination by trace elements after a mine spill accident, to assess the exposure of animal and human consumption. Snails were collected in autumn and spring, when they are most active. RESULTS: In general, trace elements in the soft tissues reached greater concentrations in the contaminated soils than in the non-contaminated soils, although significant differences were only found for As, Cd, Cu Fe and Hg. Cadmium content in tissues, with a maximum value of 10 mg kg⁻¹ (dry matter), was the most worrying result. Trace element concentrations in the snail bodies were still of concern for human consumption; As and Cd concentrations were sometimes higher than the maximum concentration authorised in foodstuffs. Generally, nutritional status of the contaminated snails was not altered; concentrations of the main nutrients (Ca, K, Mg, P and S) were similar to those of the non-contaminated snails. CONCLUSIONS: Results reveal a potential risk for animal and human consumption of T. pisana. It seems thus advisable to avoid collecting this species for human consumption in the affected area. Periodic monitoring is recommended to assess the evolution of potential risk for animal consumption.