CATALYTIC PYROLYSIS OF DISCARDED COVID-19 MASKS OVER SEPIOLITE

This research aims to develop a new strategy to valorize wasted COVID-19 masks based on pyrolysis to convert them into useful products. First, surgical and FFP2 masks were thermally pyrolyzed at temperatures of 450–550 ºC with the purpose of determining gas, liquid (oil) and solid (char) yields. At low temperatures, solid yield was high, while at high temperatures the gas product was enhanced. The highest yield of liquid was found at an operating temperature of 500 ºC in both surgical and FPP2 masks pyrolysis. The liquid product yields were 59.08% and 58.86%, respectively. Then, the volatiles generated during thermal pyrolysis of residual masks were cracked over sepiolite as catalyst at a temperature of 500 ºC. The catalytic pyrolysis increased the yield of gas product (43.89% against 39.52% for surgical masks and 50.53% against 39.41% for FFP2 masks) and decreased the viscosity of the liquid product. Finally, the effect of sepiolite regeneration and reuse in consecutive pyrolysis tests was examined. Results showed that, with the higher regeneration-reuse of sepiolite, the catalyst was degraded obtaining a liquid product with higher molecular mass. This effect was hardly noticeable in the case of FFP2 masks. © 2022 International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) contamination in coastal areas of Granada, Spain.

The use of disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) as a control measure to avoid transmission against COVID-19 has generated a challenge to the waste management and enhances plastic pollution in the environment. The research aims to monitor the presence of PPE waste and other plastic debris, in a time interval where the use of face mask at specific places was still mandatory, on the coastal areas of Granada (Spain) which belongs to the Mediterranean Sea. Four beaches called La Rijana, La Charca, La Rábita and Calahonda were examined during different periods. The total amount of sampled waste was 17,558 plastic units. The abundance, characteristics and distribution of PPE and other plastic debris were determined. Results showed that the observed amount of total plastic debris were between 2.531·10-2 and 24.487·10-2 units per square meter, and up to 0.136·10-2 for PPE debris, where face masks represented the 92.22 % of the total PPE debris, being these results comparable to previous studies in other coastal areas in the world. On the other hand, total plastic debris densities were in the range from 2.457·10-2 to 92.219·10-2 g/m2 and densities were up to 0.732·10-2 for PPE debris. PPE debris supposed 0.79 % of the weight of total waste and the 0.51 % of total items. Concerning non-PPE plastic waste: cigarettes filters, food containers and styrofoam were the most abundant items (42.95, 10.19 and 16.37 % of total items, respectively). During vacation periods, total plastic debris amount increased 92.19 % compared to non-vacation periods. Regarding type of beaches, the presence of plastic debris was significantly higher on touristic/recreational than in fishing beaches. Data showed no significant differences between accessible and no-accessible beaches, but between periods with restrictive policy about mask face use and periods with non-restrictive policy data suggest significant differences between densities (g/m2) for PPE litter. The amount of PPEs debris is also correlated with the number of cigarettes filters (Person's r = 0.650), food containers (r = 0.782) and other debris (r = 0.63). Finally, although interesting results were provided in this study, further research is required to better understand the consequences of this type of pollution and to provide viable solutions to this problem.

Characterization of the Products of the Catalytic Pyrolysis of Discarded COVID-19 Masks over Sepiolite

This research aims to develop a new strategy to valorize wasted COVID-19 masks based on chemical recycling by pyrolysis to convert them into useful products. First, surgical and filtering face piece masks, as defined in Europe by the EN 149 standard (FFP2), were thermally pyrolyzed at temperatures of 450, 500, and 550 °C, and the yields of valuable solid (biochar), liquid (biooil), and syngas products and their characteristics were determined. At low temperatures, biochar formation was favored over biooil and syngas production, while at high temperatures the syngas product yield was enhanced. The highest yield of biooil was found at a pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C, with both surgical and FFP2 masks achieving biooil yields of 59.08% and 58.86%, respectively. Then, the pyrolysis experiments were performed at 500 °C in a two-stage pyrolysis catalytic reactor using sepiolite as a catalyst. Sepiolite was characterized using nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Results showed that the two-stage process increased the final yield of syngas product (43.89% against 39.52% for surgical masks and 50.53% against 39.41% for FFP2 masks). Furthermore, the composition of the biooils significantly changed, increasing the amount of 2,4-Dimethyl-1-heptene and other olefins, such as 3-Eicosene, (E)-, and 5-Eicosene, (E)-. Additionally, the methane and carbon dioxide content of the syngas product also increased in the two-stage experiments. Ultimately, the effect of sepiolite regeneration for its use in consecutive pyrolysis tests was examined. Characterization data showed that, the higher the use-regeneration of sepiolite, the higher the modification of textural properties, with mainly higher changes in its pore volume. The results indicated that the pyrolysis of face masks can be a good source of valuable products (especially from biooil and syngas products). © 2023 by the authors.

Perception of professors regarding the transition to emergency remote teaching in a large public university in Mexico during the pandemic

This paper presents the most relevant results from a follow-up questionnaire applied to a sample of professors from the largest public university in Mexico — the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). It further investigates the issues identified by a questionnaire applied at the start of the pandemic (whose results were also published), sending a follow-up questionnaire to the university faculty months later. The research sought to identify and describe the opinions, experiences, characteristics, and conditions in which these professors had to switch to remote teaching using technological tools during the pandemic. Data were collected by an exploratory online survey with Likert-type multiple choice and open questions applied to a non-random sample of 513 professors at UNAM. Results show that 43% of the participants considered the quality of remote teaching to be equal to classroom teaching, 23% reported an improvement, and 34% stated that it was worse. Most respondents said they spent an average of 1 to 10 hours per week on teaching activities, with assessing and providing feedback on student assignments being the most time-consuming. Clearly, the experiences and teaching activities of university professors are changing as the pandemic continues. Post-pandemic times will require a more compelling answer from higher education institutions regarding the social inequalities generated by the pandemic © This content is licensed under a Creative Commons attribution-type BY-NC

Analysing risk factors for thrombosis in COVID-19 and cancer patients

Background : Cancer patients are at increased risk of thrombosis due to multiple factors. Millions of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been detected worldwide and there is multiple evidence of its association with arterial and venous thrombosis.At present, we do not know if Covid-19 adds an increased thrombotic risk to cancer patients. Aims : The aim of our study is to analyze the incidence and risk factors of thrombosis in oncological patients with Covid-19. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 86 patients with active cancer and Covid-19 admitted to the general ward oh the Hospital Infanta Leonor (Madrid) between March 5th, 2020 to May 3th, 2020. Study data were collected and managed using REDCap electronic data capture tool. Results : We diagnosed 10 thrombotic events in 8 oncological patients with a cumulative incidence of 9.3%. A statistically significant association were found regarding thrombosis and history of obesity ( P = 0.009). Atrend towards significance were detected regarding a previous history of chronic kidney disease¡ were we detected 2 patients in the thrombosis cohort (25%) versus only 6 patients of the 78 (7.6%) without thrombosis ( P = 0.108). No statistically significant differences were found in tumor stage, history of hypertension, acute coronary sindrome, heart disease, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, dyslipemia and smoking. Conclusions : In patients with covid-19 and cancer, a statistically significant difference was found for the history of obesity being a classic factor predictor of the development of thrombotic events in our patients. The prothrombotic effect of Covid-19 infection does not seem to be as evident in cancer patients, probably due to the high mortality in this population group before developing thrombosis. More studies are needed to assess the impact of covid 19 in this population.

COVID-CANCER HUIL - Registry of oncological patients with diagnosis of COVID-19 at Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor in Madrid (Spain): One year of pandemic

Background: During the first year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic the management and treatment of COVID-19 have been improved. However, cancer patients continue to be one of the most affected. We evaluate the mortality rate due to COVID-19 and associated risk factors in the cancer population diagnosed in our center during the first year of pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 189 cancer patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 5, 2020 and February 28, 2021. Mortality rate nd associated risk factors were studied. Results: Mortality rate: 55/189 patients. Mean age: 72 years (34-95), 125/189 male patients. Predominant histologies: lung cancer (72/189), colorectal (31/189), breast (24/189). Predominant staging: metastatic disease (113/189). Predominant cancer treatment: chemotherapy (63/189);118/189 patients were receiving any type of oncological treatment with palliative intention. Mortality was associated with male gender (45/55 vs 10/55, p=0.004), presence of comorbidities (48/55 vs 7/55, p=0.01), lung cancer (28/72 deaths with this tumor vs 27/117 with the rest, p=0.02), palliative intention cancer treatment (41/55 vs 12/55, p=0.02), older median age (76 vs 71, p = 0.02), higher median CRP (p=115.6 mg/dl vs 46 mg/dl), lower median lymphocytes (600/mm3 vs 1000/mm3 p<0.001). No specific treatment against COVID-19 significantly decreased mortality. Neither IL-6 nor ferritin were prognostic biomarkers. In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.1-5.9, p = 0.02), lung cancer (OR 2.0, CI 1.0-3.8, p = 0.03), cancer treatment with palliative intention (OR 2.4, CI 1.07-5.3, p = 0.03), higher median CRP (OR 1.0, CI 1.00-1.01, p <0.001), as well as low lymphocyte median (OR 0.5, CI 0.25-1.0, p = 0.56), continued to be evidenced as risk factors, regardless of comorbidities, staging, sex, and palliative intention cancer-specific treatment, among other variables. Conclusions: Men with lung cancer under cancer-specific treatment with palliative intention who present, at the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection with elevated CRP above 115 mg/dl and a decrease in lymphocytes below 600/mm3 have a higher risk of presenting fatal complications. Legal entity responsible for the study: Medical Oncology department, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

First wave mortality data versus full pandemic period from the COVID-CANCER HUIL study

Background: Cancer patients are one of the most affected by the current pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. Social inequalities influence the incidence rate of this disease, as we have seen in the high incidence in our center. In our study, we asked whether the last covid-19 treatment advances, the capacity for restructuring the health centers and their non-saturation, influences the cancer patients outcomes. Methods: Retrospective review of 189 cancer patients diagnosed in our center with COVID-19 from March 5, 2020 to February 28, 2021. Study data was collected and managed using REDCap. We compared COVID-19 diagnoses in first-wave cancer patients versus the full pandemic period until data cut-off, as well as patient characteristics and mortality rates. Results: Mortality rate: 55/189 patients during the entire pandemic period vs 40/85 patients in the first wave (p = 0.03). Median age: 72 years (34-95) vs 76 (34-94), 125/189 men in all the period vs 50/85 (p = 0.2). Most frequent histologies: lung cancer (72/189 vs 22/85, p = 0.07), colorectal (31/189 vs 19/85, p = 0.23), breast (24/189 vs 10/85, p = 0.82). Staging: 113/189 metastatic disease at diagnosis of infection vs 32/85 in first wave (p <0.001). During the 2 subsequent waves in our center, where 104 more patients have been detected, mortality has dropped significantly: from the initial 47% to 14.4% in the rest of the period (40/85 vs 15/104, p <0.001), despite having more metastatic involvement in infected patients. Conclusions: In our center, one of the worst hit by the coronavirus crisis in Spain, with a supersaturation of almost 250% in the middle of the first wave, we have verified how the knowledge of the behavior of this disease, improvements in its treatment and a multidisciplinary management in Oncology ward have led to a significant decrease in mortality, going from almost 50% in the first wave to less than 15%, despite having suffered the disease during the two subsequent waves a greater number of patients with metastatic disease. Legal entity responsible for the study: Medical Oncology Department, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

COVID-CANCER HUIL STUDY:Registry of oncologic patients diagnosed with Covid-19 inInfanta Leonor University Hospital in Madrid, Spain

Background: Covid-19 has been shown to present more complications in immunosuppressed patients. Wedetermine whether differences exist in Covid-19-related mortality between cancer patients and general population inour hospital, and we also describe associated risk factors. Methods: We reviewed 2,216 medical records of all patients admitted to hospitalization in Infanta Leonor UniversityHospital in Madrid, Spain, with Covid-19 diagnosis between 5 March and 13 May, 2020. Study data were collectedand managed using REDCap electronic data capture tools. We described Covid-19 cumulative incidence in cancerpatients, treatment outcome, mortality, and associated risk factors. Results: We detected 85/2,216 cancer patients between all Covid-19 diagnoses. Mortality rate: 40/85 cancerpatients vs. 260/2,131 in general ward (p<0.001). Median age: 76 years old (34-94), 50/85 male patients. Mostfrequent histologies were lung cancer (22/85), colorectal cancer (19/85), prostate cancer (15/85), and breast cancer(10/85). Most frequent staging was metastatic disease (32/85). Only 2/85 patients were admitted to ICU. Mortality was associated with older median age (79.5 vs. 73, p=0.03), high d dimer levels (1630 vs. 830, p=0.03), high LDHlevels (315.5 vs. 224, p=0.003), bilateral pneumonia (24/42 vs. 5/22 with unilateral pneumonia, p=0.02), ARDS(12/13 vs. 28/72 without ARDS, p<0.0001), and metastatic disease (20/32 metastatic vs. 20/53 non-metastaticpatients, p=0.02). Differences were maintained in multivariate analyses regarding ARDS (OR 23.7, p=0.007) andmetastatic disease (OR 2.5, p=0.05). Conclusions: Covid-19 had a significant mortality in cancer patients. High D dimer and LDH levels and ARDSdevelopment in elderly metastatic patients carry an elevated risk of death in cancer patients diagnosed with Covid-19. However, only 2/85 patients were admitted to ICU and these data were decisive. It is a priority to createmeasures to avoid Covid-19 transmission in oncologic patients.

COVID-19 and lung cancer: What do we know?

Background: Currently we still have limited information on how COVID-19 infection has affected lung cancer patients. In our study, we analysed whether there are differences in terms of mortality from COVID-19 between patients diagnosed with lung cancer and the overall population within our hospital health area (320,000 people). We have also studied the most frequent characteristics of lung cancer patients who develop infection with COVID-19, and we have analysed possible factors of poor prognosis, as well as treatment outcome. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of a total of 2216 patients admitted to Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor in Madrid between March 5 and May 13, 2020 to identify the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in patients with lung cancer and make a description of the characteristics of these patients, treatment outcome, risk factors for poor prognosis and mortality. We performed uni and multivariate logistic regression. Results: 22/2216 of the total number of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in our hospital had lung cancer (0.99%). 12/22 lung cancer patients with a COVID-19 diagnosis died (54.5%) vs 300/2216 COVID-19 patients in our hospital (p<0.0001). Lung cancer patients who died had a median age of 72 years (range of 49-84 years). Infection with COVID-19 in lung cancer patients was more frequent in men (72.73%). 18/22 (81.81%) had locally advanced or metastatic tumours. We observed a trend towards higher mortality among patients with hypertension than among non-hypertensive patients (10/15 vs 2/7;P=0.095). We found higher mortality among patients who developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) than among those who did not (4/4 vs 8/12;P=0.044). There seems to be a trend towards lower mortality among patients who received treatment with the combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin than among those who did not (6/14 vs 6/8;P=0.145). Conclusions: Lung cancer patients who became infected with COVID-19 have higher mortality than the general population. It is more frequent among men and the development of ARDS results in a worse prognosis with higher mortality. Although treatment with azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine appears to be a good treatment option, we must wait until we have more data on the safety of the combination and results in larger patient series. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Is cancer what determines COVID-19 oncological patient's outcome or are other external factors involved? Experience in a hospital in Madrid, Spain

Background: There are no large reported series determining the outcome of cancer patients with COVID-19. We aimed to determine whether differences exist in COVID-19 related mortality between cancer patients and the general population in our hospital, and we also describe associated risk factors. Methods: We reviewed 2216 medical records of all patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 diagnosis between 5 March and 13 May 2020. Study data were collected using REDCap electronic data capture tools. We described COVID-19 cumulative incidence in cancer patients, treatment outcome, mortality and associated risk factors. Results: We detected 85/2216 cancer patients in all COVID-19 diagnoses. Mortality rate: 40/85 cancer patients vs 260/2131 patients in the general ward (P<0.001). Median age: 76 years old (34-94), 50/85 male patients. Most frequent histologies: lung cancer (22/85), colorectal cancer (19/85) and prostate cancer (15/85). Most frequent staging: metastatic disease (32/85). Only 2/85 patients were admitted to ICU. Mortality was associated with older median age (79.5 vs 73, P=0.03), high d dimer levels (1630 vs 830, P=0.03), high LDH levels (315.5 vs 224, P=0.003), bilateral pneumonia (24/42 vs 5/22 with unilateral pneumonia, P=0.02), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (12/13 vs 28/72 without ARDS, P<0.0001) and metastatic disease (20/32 metastatic vs 20/53 non-metastatic, P=0.02). Differences were maintained in multivariate analyses regarding ARDS (OR 23.7, P=0.007) and metastatic disease (OR 2.5, P=0.05). Combined treatment with hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin showed a better outcome in uni and multivariate analyses with only 21/61 dead patients (OR 0.13, P=0.005), adjusted by sex, histology, staging, ARDS and comorbidities. Conclusions: COVID-19 had significant mortality in cancer patients. High D dimer and LDH levels and ARDS development in elderly metastatic patients carry an elevated risk of death in cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19. However, only 2/85 patients were admitted to ICU and this data was decisive. Combined hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin could be a good treatment option in COVID-19 cancer patients. It is a priority to create measures to avoid COVID-19 transmission in oncological patients. Legal entity responsible for the study: Medical Oncology Department, HU Infanta Leonor. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Do breast cancer patients with COVID-19 have a poor prognosis? Experience in a hospital in Madrid

Background: Small case series of patients with active cancer and coronavirus infection have been described since the beginning of the pandemic. The patients most affected by this infection are those with lung cancer but it also affects other types of cancer such as breast cancer. We described the characteristics of patients with breast cancer and COVID 19, their associated risk factors, treatment and evolution. Methods: We reviewed 2216 medical records of all patients admitted to hospitalization with COVID-19 diagnosis between 5 March and 13 May 2020. Study data were collected and managed using RedCap electronic data capture tools. We described breast cancer patients, associated risk factors, mortality and outcome. Results: We detected 85/2216patients cancer with a mortality rate 47% (40/85). Of all cancer patients, 11% (10/85) had breast cancer. Median age breast cancer patients was 70.5 years old (35-86). Most frecuent staging was locally advanced (50 %, 5/10) and most of them were on hormone therapy (50%, 5/10). As associated risk factors, 20% (2/10) had heart disease, 50% (5/10) had hypertension, 20 (2/10) were obese, 30% (3/10) had diabetes, 40% (4/10) had dyslipemia and only 10% (1/10) was smoker. Half the patients 50% (5/10) had bilateral pneumonia, none of them were admitted to the ICU and 20% (2/10) died. All patients were treated with the combination of azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine and 40% (4/10) with lopinavir/ritonavir. Mortality was associate with high LDH levels (1529 vs. 264 U/L, p=0,0002), high PCR levels (159.15 vs. 29 mg/L, p=0.0140), ARDS (1/1 vs. 1/9 without ARDS p=0.035). A posible relation has been found with history of hypertension (2/5 vs. 0/5 without hypertension, p=0.114) and bilateral pneumonia (2/5 vs. 0/5, p= 0.114). Conclusions: COVID 19 appears to have lower mortality in breast cancer patients than in other tumor types. High LDH and PCR levels and ARDS could be related with increased risk of death. Combined treatment in these patients with azithromycin and hydroxychloroquine might be a good option. Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors. Funding: Has not received any funding. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Covid-19 transmission, outcome and associated risk factors in cancer patients at the first month of the pandemic in a Spanish hospital in Madrid.

BACKGROUND: There are no large reported series determining the Covid-19 cancer patient's characteristics. We determine whether differences exist in cumulative incidence and mortality of Covid-19 infection between cancer patients and general population in Madrid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed 1069 medical records of all cancer patients admitted at Oncology department between Feb 1 and April 7, 2020. We described Covid-19 cumulative incidence, treatment outcome, mortality, and associated risk factors. RESULTS: We detected 45/1069 Covid-19 diagnoses in cancer patients vs 42,450/6,662,000 in total population (p < 0.00001). Mortality rate: 19/45 cancer patients vs 5586/42,450 (p = 0.0001). Mortality was associated with older median age, adjusted by staging and histology (74 vs 63.5 years old, OR 1.06, p = 0.03). Patients who combined hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin presented 3/18 deaths, regardless of age, staging, histology, cancer treatment and comorbidities (OR 0.02, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Cancer patients are vulnerable to Covid-19 with an increase in complications. Combined hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin is presented as a good treatment option.