An overview on metal pollution on touristic sandy beaches: Is the COVID-19 pandemic an opportunity to improve coastal management?

The worldwide spread of the SARS-CoV-2 caused an unprecedented lockdown measures in most countries with consequences on the world society, economy, and sanitary systems. This situation provided an opportunity to identify the effects of human confinement on natural environments, like touristic sandy beaches, which are stressed due to anthropogenic pressures. Based on previous articles about heavy metals sources and levels in these ecosystems, this paper discusses the dynamic of these pollutants and a regulatory scenario associated with COVID-19 sanitation policies. The main findings suggest that 39% of the studies were on Asian sandy beaches, 16% from Europe, while America and Africa with 23% each. Also Co, Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, Ni, Fe and Mn were the most frequently analyzed metals in sediments and in several cases their concentrations exceed international guidelines assessment. Finally, even though beaches are under several metals inputs, tourism plays a key role in these ecosystems quality. After analyzing the potential indirect effect of COVID-19 measures on metals dynamics, we propose some key recommendations and management strategies to mitigate heavy metal pollution on sandy tourist beaches. These proposals are useful for decision-makers and stakeholders to improve sandy beach management, mainly those beaches not addressed from a management perspective; and their implementation should be adapted according to the regulations and legislation of each country.

[Clinical and spirometric correlation with home allergens and with pollutants]. / Correlación clínica y espirométrica con alergenos intradomiciliarios y con contaminantes.

INTRODUCTION: Environmental contamination causes an increase in respiratory symptoms, especially in patients with asthma. The severity of allergic asthma in children is associated with the presence of intradomicilliary aeroallergens and intramural contaminants. OBJECTIVE: Correlation to clinical abnormalities, spyrometryand skin test with the intradomiciliary pollution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children who participated ranged in age from 6 to 15 years, attended public schools, and were classified as healthy and asthmatic. A questionnaire was applied to them, as well as a clinical history, spirometry, skin tests, and an environmental study at home. RESULTS: Fifty-seven children were studied, of 10 years of age (+/- 3). Group 1 (23 healthy children): Positive skin tests, dust 66.6%, cockroaches 66.6%, mites 33.3%, cat 33.3%, dog 4.3%. Principal clinical symptoms were cough 91.3%, wheezing 78.3%, respiratory difficulty 39.1% with a morning predominance of 78.3%. Spirometry showed an obstructive pattern in 30.5%. Group 2 (34 asthmatic children): Positive skin tests, mites 52.1%, dust 47.8%, cockroach 21.7%, cat 21.7%, dog 4.3%, passive exposure to tobacco smoke 79.5%. Principal clinical symptoms were cough 91.3%, respiratory 82.3%, wheezing 79.4%, predominantly at night 70.5%. Spirometry showed obstructive pattern in 67.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Children with asthma present great contact and sensitivity for intradomicilliary allergens such as mites in household dust, proteins from cat, dog, and cockroach feces, in addition to greater frequency of passive smoking. It is important to point out that these factors can be modifiable at low cost, thus presenting the conditions for a better quality of life for the patient and diminishing costs of medical attention.

[Results of an education program for adult asthmatics]. / Resultados de un programa educativo para adultos asmáticos.

Bronchial asthma is a chronically disease with huge social economical consequences. Educational programs, which have been design for asthmatic patients and diminish asthma mobility and reduce medical cost. They also improve the patients quality of life. We show the results of our educational programs for asthmatic adults which were evaluated through a questionnaire applied to these patient one year after the program was introduced. The results show decreased of medicine required asthmatic crisis.

[Hyper-IgE syndrome treated with interferon alpha 2 beta. Report of a case]. / Síndrome de hiper IgE con tratamiento de interferón alfa 2 beta. Reporte de un caso.

The hyper IgE syndrome is characterized by recurrent abscess on the skin, and airways and itching dermatitis. The data acquired in the lab is hypergammaglobulinemy, eosinophil in blood, tissue, sputum, with fagocitos, and quimiotaxis defect. Since 1972 it has been reported 150 cases in the world without no geographic difference and 2:1 relation with the masculine gender. The therapeutic ways are even controversial. The therapy with interferon alpha 2 beta is the alternative treatment so diminish the dermis inflammation as the seric IgE reduction. This case shows a patient with the classic clinic data and seric IgE levels who didn't present response to the habitual therapy, because of this. He was the switch to the interferon alpha 2 beta. Later on the therapy it wasesented clinical changes over the symptomatology with reduction in the over seric IgE.