Analyzing results of cervical sagittal parameters in patients operated with polyetheretherketone cages without plate.

Study Design: This was a retrospective longitudinal observational study. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of cervical sagittal parameters on preoperative and postoperative lateral radiographs in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). ACDF is believed to change craniocervical parameters and thus cervical curvature using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or titanium cages with or without self-locking as well as an anterior plate, the latter of which has not been shown to provide better clinical or radiological results. Overview of Literature: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a common degenerative pathology that can affect one or more levels and treatment has varied over time trying to maintain sagittal parameters within acceptable values where the ACDF is the main treatment. Materials and Methods: The study was performed in patients with CSM who underwent anterior cervical discectomy, and their pre- and postoperative radiographs were analyzed using Surgimap software a few days before and 3 months after surgery. Results: Fifteen files were included in the study. Statistically significant sagittal balance variables were observed in cervical lordosis (CL) with an increase of 4.73° (P = 0.019) and T1 slope (T1S)-CL with a decrease of -5.93° (P = 0.007). Conclusions: CL and T1S-CL showed favorably modified values when performing ACDF using stand-alone PEEK cages without the need for self-blocking or an anterior plate.

Mercury distribution in the coastal zone of Central Chile, Southeast Pacific: A comprehensive assessment of seawater, sediment, and biota.

This study examines the mercury content in the marine matrices water column, surface sediment and benthic invertebrates of Coronel and Coliumo bays, central Chile, under winter and summer conditions. Coronel Bay has been subject to intense industrialization in the last three decades, while Coliumo Bay remains as a fisherman's cove and a popular summer tourism destination. Our results reveal significantly higher mercury concentrations in the three environmental matrices analyzed for Coronel Bay, while Coliumo Bay exhibits levels within the range considered natural. Moreover, the mercury levels in Coronel Bay exceed the optimal criteria for aquatic life, indicating a deterioration in environmental quality of this locality. Industrial development is identified as main factor explaining the differences observed between these two coastal water bodies. This study presents the most updated record of mercury levels in the Southeast Pacific and represents the first comprehensive evaluation of marine environmental matrices in two bays with divergent activities.

Marco para entender y atender la corrupción sistémica en gobiernos locales / Estrutura para entender e abordar a corrupção sistêmica nos governos locais / Framework to understand and address the systemic corruption in local governments

Resumen La corrupción es un fenómeno complejo. Los diagnósticos empleados para justificar medidas anticorrupción usualmente tienden a desestimarla. En línea con el modelo de bote de basura (Cohen, March, & Olsen, 1972), donde las soluciones buscan problemas, en este caso, el problema de corrupción se caracteriza de forma que sea "atendible" con la política en cuestión. Esta situación tiene graves consecuencias. Entre ellas, que la política implementada sea falible. El artículo revisa el fenómeno de la falibilidad de las políticas anticorrupción. Argumentamos que cuando la política anticorrupción se diseña sin tomar en cuenta que el tipo de corrupción que enfrenta es parte de un sistema más amplio de corrupción sistémica, esta tiene altas probabilidades de fracasar. Trazamos nuestro argumento a lo largo de una serie de implicaciones que se desprenden del marco de consolidación de la corrupción (Corruption Consolidation Framework - CCF) (Meza & Pérez-Chiqués, 2021). Apoyados en el CCF derivamos una serie de implicaciones con la intención de reorientar la discusión y futuras líneas de investigación en torno a entender y atender el fenómeno de la corrupción sistémica.

Resumo A corrupção é um fenômeno complexo. Os diagnósticos usados ​​para justificar medidas anticorrupção costumam descartá-la. Em consonância com o modelo da lata de lixo (Cohen, March, & Olsen, 1972), onde as soluções procuram os problemas, neste caso, o problema da corrupção é caracterizado de tal forma que é "endereçável" com a política em questão. Esta situação tem consequências graves. Entre eles, que a política implementada é falível. O artigo revisa o fenômeno da falibilidade das políticas anticorrupção. Argumentamos que quando a política anticorrupção é desenhada sem levar em conta que o tipo de corrupção com a qual ela lida faz parte de um sistema mais amplo de corrupção sistêmica, ela tem uma alta probabilidade de falhar. Traçamos nosso argumento por meio de uma série de implicações que emergem do quadro de consolidação da corrupção (Corruption Consolidation Framework - CCF) (Meza & Pérez-Chiqués, 2021). Com o apoio do CCF, extraímos uma série de implicações com a intenção de reorientar a discussão e futuras linhas de pesquisa em torno da compreensão e abordagem do fenômeno da corrupção sistêmica.

Abstract The diagnoses made to justify anticorruption measures tend to minimize the complexity of the phenomenon of corruption. In line with the garbage can model (Cohen, March, & Olsen, 1972), where solutions look for problems, the corruption problem is characterized as something "addressable" by the anticorruption policy, which brings serious consequences, such as the implementation of a fallible policy. The article reviews the phenomenon of the fallibility of anticorruption policies. We argue that anticorruption policies are likely to fail when they are designed without recognizing that the type of corruption faced is embedded in a wider scheme of systemic corruption. We trace our argument along a series of implications that emerge from the Corruption Consolidation Framework (CCF) (Meza & Pérez-Chiqués, 2021). Supported by the CCF, we derive a series of implications to reorient the discussion and future lines of research around understanding and addressing the phenomenon of systemic corruption.

High-Throughput Nanoparticle Characterization via Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy Elemental Mapping.

Nanoparticle (NP) characterization is critical in many fields due to the use of NPs in numerous applications. Traditional NP characterization techniques, however, are limited by low sample throughput, and few can measure the size and elemental composition. Furthermore, sample throughput limitations are compounded in elemental mapping (EM) techniques for obtaining NP spatial distribution. Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) EM can provide large area maps directly and cost-effectively from solid samples within tens of seconds. Here, GDOES EM is demonstrated for the first time for NP characterization in terms of mass, elemental composition, and size/structure dimensions. The effects of GD pulsed power, pressure, and sample substrate were studied, and optimized conditions resulted in limits of detection at single pg levels. While this is not at the level of single nanoparticle sensitivity, size differentiation of Ag and Au nanoparticles was successfully demonstrated between 5 and 100 nm, while the internal dimensions of complex core-shell NPs were also identified through the optical emission changes as a function of time.

Comparison of Fear of COVID-19 in Medical and Nonmedical Personnel in a Public Hospital in Mexico: a Brief Report.

The world is social distancing, and compulsory confinement has caused stress, psychological instability, stigmatization, fear, and discrimination in the general population. In this cross-sectional survey study, we administered the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to hospital medical and nonmedical personnel. A total of 1216 participants were surveyed from May 25 to May 29 of 2020. We asked all the staff for their participation in the study, and physical copies of the survey were distributed to the staff willing to participate. All surveys were answered anonymously. We found that the global FCV-19S mean score was 16.4 ± 6.1, with a significant difference between women and men's scores. Medical students presented higher scores than experienced medical personnel. Additionally, the medical and nursing personnel presented a higher level of fear than hospital staff who did not work directly with COVID-19 patients. Our findings suggest that greater knowledge of medicine or infectious diseases could decrease the overall psychological impact of the pandemic disease.

Sediment mercury concentration changes as a response to increased industrial activity in Coronel Bay, Chile.

Among the main sources of atmospheric mercury emissions are thermoelectric plants that use coal to generate electricity. This heavy metal is transported by air from its origin to neighboring coastal areas, where it is deposited in the sediment record. This research evaluated the content and temporal distribution of Hg in the coastal sediments of Central Chile, Coronel Bay, industrialized zone with two operative thermoelectric plants, and Coliumo Bay, reference zone free of industry. To this end, sediment cores from the centers of the two bays were obtained. Laboratory results show that the greatest Hg contents were found in the surface strata of the Coronel Bay core, with concentrations up to an order of magnitude greater than those obtained in the same strata in Coliumo Bay. This increase in Hg concentration coincides with the beginning of industrial activity in Coronel, with greater concentrations observed from 2012 on, the year in which the industrial operation of two coal-fired thermoelectric plants on the bay began. Based on 210Pb activity and the relationships between Hg content and organic matter, it was established that the main pathway of Hg to sediment is atmospheric deposition, while Coliumo presented inputs that reflect local non anthropogenic sources.

Ellagic acid and allopurinol decrease H2O2 concentrations, epileptiform activity and astrogliosis after status epilepticus in the hippocampus of adult rats.

Status epilepticus (SE) can result in an overproduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which contributes to oxidative stress and brain injury during different phases of epileptogenesis and seizures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ellagic acid and allopurinol administered after SE on H2O2 concentrations, electrical activity and GFAP immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of rats evaluated on Day 18 after SE. H2O2 levels were measured using an online technique with high temporal resolution and simultaneous electrical activity recording. For this purpose, the lateral ventricles of male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were injected with pilocarpine (2.4 mg/2 µl) to induce SE. After SE, rats were injected with ellagic acid (50 mg/kg i.p., and two additional doses at 24 and 48 h) or allopurinol (50 mg/kg i.p., single dose). Administration of ellagic acid or allopurinol after SE significantly reduced the H2O2 concentrations and decreased the presence of epileptiform activity and GFAP immunoreactivity in the hippocampus 18 days after SE. In conclusion, the administration of antioxidants potentially reduces oxidative stress, which indicates the possible attenuation of the neurobiological consequences after SE.

Fear of COVID-19 Scale for Hospital Staff in Regional Hospitals in Mexico: a Brief Report.

The presence of COVID-19 has had psychological consequences among health personnel; these include fear, anxiety, and depression. In the current study, we used the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to assess the response to fear within health staff in Mexico. This was a cross-sectional survey study in which we administered the Spanish version of the FCV-19S to hospital staff. The FCV-19S is a seven-item questionnaire that assesses the severity of fear caused by COVID-19. A total of 2860 participants-1641 female and 1218 male personnel from three hospitals-were included in the study. The internal reliability of the scale was good, with Cronbach's alpha of .902. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted on the seven items of the FCV-19S, showing good model fit (χ 2 (7) = 29.40, p < .001; CFI = .99; TLI = .99; RMSEA = .03; SRMR = .010; AIC = 71.40). We found a global FCV-19S mean score of 19.3 ± 6.9, with a significant difference in scores between women and men. Our survey shows a significantly higher level of fear in nursing and administrative personnel, which may be explained by the nursing staff being in close contact with infected patients and the administrative staff lacking understanding of the possible implications of the infection, compared with nonclinical hospital personnel. Our results are consistent with those of other researchers. We must remember that fear is a reaction and that we must be courageous enough to trust validated infection prevention practices to provide the highest standard of care, in the safest environment that we can, for as long as we can.

Correction to: Fear of COVID-19 Scale for Hospital Staff in Regional Hospitals in Mexico: a Brief Report.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00413-x.].

The Benefit of Perineural Injection Treatment with Dextrose for Treatment of Chondromalacia Patella in Participants Receiving Home Physical Therapy: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Chondromalacia patella is the degeneration of articular cartilage on the posterior facet of the patella and may indicate the onset of osteoarthritis. Conservative management is the main treatment option, and surgical intervention is considered the last option in a small percentage of patients. Perineural Injection Treatment (PIT) is a recently developed treatment option that is directed adjacent to the peripheral nerves that are the source of pathology causing neurogenic inflammation and pain. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of PIT combined with a home physical therapy program in patients with a diagnosis of chondromalacia patella compared with a control group receiving physical therapy only. Methods: Two patient groups were involved in this randomized clinical trial. The first received PIT combined with physical therapy (PIT + PT group) and the second was managed with physical therapy alone (PT group). Both groups were indicated to follow a 6-week home therapy plan afterward. The Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index was used to assess the patients at baseline and 6 months after therapy interventions. Results: Fifty patients (38 women and 12 men, median age 54.7 ± 14.8 years) were included; sex distribution and age did not differ between groups. Both groups had chondromalacia grade II or III, but the degree of gonarthrosis did not differ significantly between groups. The PIT + PT group outperformed PT group for pain (7.3 ± 3.5 vs. 3.2 ± 2.9 points; p < 0.010), stiffness (3 ± 1.69 vs. 1.6 ± 1.5 points; p < 0.010), and functional capacity (23.2 ± 10.7 vs. 11.1 ± 8.9 points; p < 0.010). Conclusions: Compared with physical therapy alone, PIT plus physical therapy reduced pain and stiffness and restored functional capacity. ClinicalTrials.gov Register Number #NCT03515720.

Reglas proambientales: Análisis a partir de su relevancia, consecuencias asociadas y esfuerzo para seguirlas / Pro-environmental rules: Analysis based on their relevance, associated consequences, and effort to follow them

Resumen A pesar de varias décadas de estudios sobre las actitudes hacia el medio ambiente y las variables personales y sociales asociadas a ellas, la educación ambiental no ha logrado generar cambios significativos en la adopción de comportamientos ambientales. La educación en reglas verbales se propone como una alternativa para lograr los cambios comportamentales requeridos, por considerar que sugiere soluciones pragmáticas para reducir la distancia entre el decir-hacer y orientar la investigación futura sobre el comportamiento proambiental. . Un total de 469 participantes de diferentes grupos de edad tomó parte de este estudio: 376 informaron de las frecuencias del seguimiento de reglas proambientales a través de un cuestionario y 93 clasificaron diferentes tipos de comportamientos proambientales en un procedimiento de selección libre, y también en relación con las consecuencias y esfuerzo asociados a estos comportamientos. Los resultados permiten observar los efectos que ha tenido la educación ambiental en la conceptualización del comportamiento proambiental, pero con carencias en el establecimiento de la conexión de estos comportamientos con consecuencias sociales y naturales. Se discuten las implicaciones para la educación ambiental.

Abstract Despite several decades of studies on attitudes to the environment and the personal and social variables associated to them, environmental education has largely failed to make substantial gains in the adoption of pro-environmental behaviors. Education on rule-governed behavior is proposed as an alternative for reducing the distance between saying and doing behavioral change that suggests pragmatic solutions and promising avenues for future investigation on pro-environmental behavior. A total of 469 participants from different age groups took part of this study. 376 reported the frequencies of following pro-environmental rules through a questionnaire, and 93 categorized different kinds of pro-environmental behaviors in a free sorting procedure and also in relation to consequences and effort associated to these behaviors. Even though results evidence the effects of environmental education in recognizing environmental relevant behaviors they lack in establishing the connection of these behaviors with social and natural consequences. Implications for environmental education are discussed.

Diagnostic utility of the serum-ascites albumin gradient in Mexican patients with ascites related to portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Analysis of ascitic fluid is necessary to determine the etiology and to distinguish portal hypertension (PH)-related and unrelated ascites. Numerous diagnostic parameters have been studied, but no single parameter has completely distinguished these. We aimed to validate the serum albumin-ascites gradient (SAAG) for the diagnosis of ascites secondary to PH and to establish cutoff points to predict PH using its sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on patients diagnosed with ascites of any etiology. The SAAG and albumin concentration in ascitic fluid (AFA) were measured to establish their sensitivity and specificity for determining the presence or absence of PH. Cutoff points and levels of statistical significance were established based on the area under the curve. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were evaluated, of whom 74 (84%) were men, with an average age of 54.0 ± 13.6 years. Seventy-two (83%) were diagnosed at admission with PH-related ascites and 15 (17%) with non-PH-related ascites. SAAG correctly classified 48 (67%) patients, but 24 (33%) were classified incorrectly, while AFA classified 59 (82%) correctly and only 13 (17%) incorrectly. The diagnostic accuracy of SAAG was 57 versus 73% for AFA. AFA had a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 66% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.93), while SAAG had a sensitivity of 66% but a specificity of 86% (95% CI: 0.72-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The SAAG showed poor diagnostic performance with low sensitivity but high specificity. The diagnostic accuracy of AFA is superior to that of SAAG in discriminating between PH and non-PH ascites.

Gender Differences in Postoperative Pain, Nausea and Vomiting After Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Although reports suggest that pain and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) may be more frequent in women, the evidence is inconsistent. The objective of this study was to investigate whether women are more sensitive to pain and PONV after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: A total of 370 women and 275 men were included in a retrospective cohort study. All underwent LC under standardized general anesthesia. The variables analyzed included clinical and anthropometric parameters. End points were the incidence of nausea, vomiting, pain, and the requirement for additional pain relievers and antiemetics to control these. RESULTS: The women were younger and had lower body weight than the men (p < 0.001). Body mass index was within the normal range for 50% of women and 30% of men (p < 0.001). Pain was more common in women at 1, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery (p < 0.02). Narcotics in addition to the doses used to lessen pain intensity (p = 0.01) were required in 60 women and 19 men (p < 0.001). PONV was more frequent in women at 1 and 6 h after surgery (p < 0.01). Rescue antiemetics were required in 35 women and 11 men (p = 0.008). Hospital stay was shorter for men (p < 0.001). Four patients in each group developed postoperative complications (p = 0.14). There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Early postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting after LC were more common in women, who more frequently required analgesic and antiemetic rescue medication.

Associations between stressors and difficulty sleeping in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) experience sleep disruption caused by a variety of conditions, such as staff activities, alarms on monitors, and overall noise. In this study, we explored the relationship between noise and other factors associated with poor sleep quality in patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study. We used the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire to explore sleep quality in a sample of patients admitted to the ICU of a private hospital. We measured the noise levels within each ICU three times a day. After each night during their ICU stay, patients were asked to complete a survey about sleep disturbances. These disturbances were classified as biological (such as anxiety or pain) and environmental factors (such as lighting and ICU noise). RESULTS: We interviewed 71 patients; 62% were men (mean age 54.46 years) and the mean length of stay was 8 days. Biological factors affected 36% and environmental factors affected 20% of the patients. The most common biological factor was anxiety symptoms, which affected 28% of the patients, and the most common environmental factor was noise, which affected 32.4%. The overall mean recorded noise level was 62.45 dB. Based on the patients' responses, the environmental factors had a larger effect on patients' sleep quality than biological factors. Patients who stayed more than 5 days reported less sleep disturbance. Patients younger than 55 years were more affected by environmental and biological factors than were those older than 55 years. CONCLUSIONS: Patient quality of sleep in the ICU is associated with environmental factors such as noise and artificial lighting, as well as biological factors related to anxiety and pain. The noise level in the ICU is twice that recommended by international guides. Given the stronger influence of environmental factors, the use of earplugs or sleeping masks is recommended. The longer the hospital stay, the less these factors seem to affect patients' sleep quality.

Ethyl (3S)-3-[(3aR,5R,6S,6aR)-6-hy-droxy-2,2-di-methyl-tetra-hydro-furo[4,5-d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl]-3-{(3S)-3-[(3aR,5R,6S,6aR)-6-hy-droxy-2,2-di-methyl-tetra-hydro-furo[4,5-d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl]-5-oxoisoxazolidin-2-yl}propano-ate chloro-form monosolvate.

The title compound, C22H33NO12·CHCl3, was obtained as a product of a double aza-Michael addition of hydroxyl-amine on a Chiron with a known absolute configuration. The enanti-opure compound crystallized as a chloro-form solvate, in space group P1, and diffraction data were collected at room temperature with Ag Kα radiation. The Flack parameter refined to x = -0.01 (16); however, the Flack and Watkin 2AD plot clearly shows that differences between Friedel opposites (the D component of the plot) do not carry any reliable information about resonant scattering of Cl atoms, and are rather dominated by random and systematic errors. The RD factor calculated using 1941 acentric Friedel pairs is RD = 0.995. On the other hand, the 2A component of the plot, related to average intensities of Friedel pairs, shows that data are of good quality (RA = 0.069). This example illustrates that while using Ag Kα radiation (λ = 0.56083 Å), scatterers heavier than Cl should be present in a chiral crystal in order to determine confidently the absolute structure of the crystal.

Deciphering the hydrogen-bonding scheme in the crystal structure of triphenylmethanol: a tribute to George Ferguson and co-workers.

The crystal structure of triphenylmethanol, C19H16O, has been redetermined using data collected at 295 and 153 K, and is compared to the model published by Ferguson et al. over 25 years ago [Ferguson et al. (1992). Acta Cryst. C48, 1272-1275] and that published by Serrano-González et al., using neutron and X-ray diffraction data [Serrano-González et al. (1999). J. Phys. Chem. B, 103, 6215-6223]. As predicted by these authors, the hydroxy groups are involved in weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the crystal, forming tetrahedral tetramers based on the two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, one of which is placed on the threefold symmetry axis of the R-3 space group. However, the reliable determination of the hydroxy H-atom positions is difficult to achieve, for two reasons. Firstly, a positional disorder affects the full asymmetric unit, which is split over two sets of positions, with occupancy factors of ca 0.74 and 0.26. Secondly, all hydroxy H atoms are further disordered, either by symmetry, or through a positional disorder in the case of parts placed in general positions. We show that the correct description of the hydrogen-bonding scheme is possible only if diffraction data are collected at low temperature. The prochiral character of the hydrogen-bonded tetrameric supramolecular clusters leads to enantiomorphic three-dimensional graphs in each tetramer. The crystal is thus a racemic mixture of supS and supR motifs, consistent with the centrosymmetric nature of the R-3 space group.

Virulence factors and integrons are associated with MDR and XDR phenotypes in nosocomial strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Venezuelan university hospital.

Multidrug resistance (MDR), virulence and transferable elements potentiate Pseudomonas aeruginosa's role as an opportunistic pathogen creating a high risk for public health. In this study, we evaluated the possible association of multidrug resistance, virulence factors and integrons with intrahospital P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients at Cumana hospital, Venezuela. Relevant clinical-epidemiological data were collected to study 176 strains (2009-2016) isolated from different hospital units. Bacterial resistance was classified as susceptible, low-level resistant (LDR), multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Most strains produced pyoverdine, DNase, gelatinase and hemolysin. Around 73% of the strains showed some type of movement. MDR and XDR strains increased from 2009 (24.2% and 4.8%, respectively) to 2016 (53.1% and 18.8%); while LDR decreased from 64.5% to 6.3%. The exoU and exoS genes were found in a significant number of strains (38.1 and 7.4%, respectively). Class I integrons were detected in 35.8% of the strains and the frequency was associated with resistance (42.9, 22.4, 41.4 and 61.9%, for susceptible, LDR, MDR and XDR, respectively). The MDR/XDR strains were positively associated with hemolysins and exoU, but negatively associated with bacterial twitching. MDR/XDR phenotypes were also associated with the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), septicemia, bronchial infection and diabetic foot ulcers, as well as long hospital stay (≥10 days) and previous antimicrobial treatment. High frequency of MDR/XDR strains and their association with class I integrons and virulence factors can increase the infection potential, as well as morbidity and mortality of patients attending this hospital and could spread infection to the community, creating a health risk for the region.

Impact of forest fires on the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans in coastal waters of central Chile.

The relationship between the occurrence of forest fires in central Chile and the total concentration of dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) in nearby coastal waters was analyzed. The data for this analysis was obtained from a long-term environmental monitoring program (PROMNA) in the Bio-Bio Region. Quantification of PCDD/F was performed using HRGC/HRMS at the MSS laboratory in England. Between 2006 and 2014, peaks were observed in February 2007 and 2012. These concentration maxima coincided with major forest fires in the Bio-Bio Region and particularly with those in the Itata River Basin. The January 2012 fires generated an intense short-term response that was associated with atmospheric transport which increases medium toxicity furan-type congeners concentrations (TCDF, PCDF and HxCDF) and six months later a concentration increase of low toxicity dioxin-type congeners was observed (OCDD, HpCDD and HxCDD) coinciding with maximum winter river flow. These results suggest that forest fires near the coastal zone are responsible for increases in PCDD/F concentration observed in the study area.