Evolución de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda secundaria a infarto agudo de miocardio tratados con ventilación mecánica no invasiva / Outcome of patients with acute heart failure secondary to acute myocardial infarction treated with noninvasive mechanical ventilation

Introducción y objetivos: La ventilación no invasiva (VNI) es capaz de reducir la necesidad de intubación endotraqueal y la mortalidad de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA). Sin embargo, de muchos de los ensayos clínicos se ha excluido a los pacientes con ICA secundaria a síndrome coronario agudo o infarto agudo de miocardio (SCA-IAM). El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la efectividad de la VNI entre pacientes con ICA desencadenada por SCA-IAM y por otras causas. Métodos: Estudio prospectivo de cohortes, durante un periodo de 20 años, de todos los pacientes con ICA tratados con VNI ingresados en una unidad de cuidados intensivos. Se agrupó a los pacientes por la presencia o ausencia de SCA-IAM como causante del evento de ICA. Se definió el fracaso de la VNI por la necesidad de intubación endotraqueal o muerte. Resultados: Se analizó a 1.009 pacientes, 403 (40%) con SCA-IAM y 606 (60%) con otras etiologías. La VNI fracasó en 61 casos (15,1%) del grupo de SCA-IAM y 64 (10,6%) del grupo sin SCA-IAM (p=0,031), sin diferencias en la mortalidad hospitalaria (el 16,6 y el 14,9%; p=0,478). Conclusiones: El SCA-IAM como causa desencadenante de la ICA no influye en el pronóstico de los pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria aguda que precisan asistencia respiratoria no invasiva (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has been shown to reduce the rate of endotracheal intubation and mortality in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). However, patients with AHF secondary to acute coronary syndrome/acute myocardial infarction (ACS-AMI) have been excluded from many clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of NIV between patients with AHF triggered by ACS-AMI and by other etiologies. Methods: Prospective cohort study of all patients with AHF treated with NIV admitted to the intensive care unit for a period of 20 years. Patients were divided according to whether they had ACS-AMI as the cause of the AHF episode. NIV failure was defined as the need for endotracheal intubation or death. Results: A total of 1009 patients were analyzed, 403 (40%) showed ACS-AMI and 606 (60%) other etiologies. NIV failure occurred in 61 (15.1%) in the ACS-AMI group and in 64 (10.6%) in the other group (P=.031), without differences in in-hospital mortality (16.6% and 14.9%, respectively; P=.478). Conclusions: The presence of ACS-AMI as the triggering cause of AHF did not influence patients with acute respiratory failure requiring noninvasive respiratory support (AU)

Causes and impacts of a mine water spill from an acidic pit lake (Iberian Pyrite Belt).

In May 2017, a spill from La Zarza pit lake (SW Spain) resulted in the release of approximately 270,000 m3 of extremely acidic waters to the Odiel River. Around 780 × 103 kg of Fe, 170 × 103 kg of Al, 2.15 × 103 kg of As and high amounts of other trace metals and metalloids were spilled. The purpose of this study is to explain the causes, consequences and impacts of the mine spill on the receiving water bodies. To this end, an extensive sampling along the mine site, river and estuary as well as a hydrological model of the pit lake was performed. Around 53 km of the Odiel River's main course, which was already contaminated by acid mine drainage (AMD), were affected. The mine spill resulted in an incremental impact on the Odiel River water quality. Thus, dissolved concentrations of some elements increased in the river up to 450 times; e.g. 435 mg/L of Fe and 0.41 mg/L of As. Due to low pH values (around 2.5), most metals (e.g., Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd) were transported in the dissolved phase to the estuary, exhibiting a conservative behavior and decreasing their concentration only due to dilution. However, dissolved concentrations of Fe, Cr, Pb, Se, Sb, Ti, V and especially As decreased significantly along the river due to Fe precipitation and sorption/coprecipitation processes. At the upper zone of the estuary, a noticeable increment of metal concentrations (up to 77 times) was also recorded. The water balance illustrates the existence of groundwater inputs (at least 16% of total) to the pit lake, due probably to local infiltration of rainwater at the mining zone. The probable existence of an ancient adit connected to the pit lake indicates that potential releases could occur again if adequate prevention measures are not adopted.

Determination of denudation rates by the measurement of meteoric 10Be in Guadiana river sediment samples (Spain) by low-energy AMS.

The concentration of meteoric 10Be in estuarine sediment samples has been measured by Spanish Accelerator for Radionuclides Analysis (SARA) at CNA and subsequently used to assess the denudation rate in Guadiana river basin together with the sediment budget method, on both sides of the frontier between Spain and Portugal. The two methods yielded coincident results. The estimation by the 10Be method gave the denudation rate of (0.76 ±â€¯0.10) × 10-2 cm/y. After correcting for an approximate 80% attenuation of the sediment discharge into the ocean, caused by the river dams, the sediment budget method yielded the rate of (0.77 ±â€¯0.17) × 10-2 cm/y.

Gas phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein over WO3-based catalysts prepared by non-hydrolytic sol-gel synthesis.

Solid acid catalysts based on WO3-SiO2 and WO3-ZrO2-SiO2 were prepared by one-pot non-hydrolytic sol-gel method and tested in the gas phase glycerol dehydration to acrolein. Their structural and textural characteristics were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Their acid characteristics were studied by both temperature programmed desorption of ammonia (NH3-TPD) and FTIR of adsorbed pyridine. Under our operating conditions, all the catalysts were active and selective in the transformation of glycerol to acrolein, which was always the main reaction product. The high selectivity to acrolein is achieved on catalysts presenting a higher proportion of Brønsted acid sites. In addition, the role of oxygen in the feed on catalytic performance of these catalysts is also discussed.

Spirocercosis in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in a natural reserve located in a meso-Mediterranean area.

Spirocerca lupi Rudolphi 1809 (Nematoda Spirocercidae) has an indirect cycle involving intermediate and paratenic hosts, having domestic or wild canids as the main definitive hosts. The most frequent pathology affecting dogs is a granulomatous tumor-like growth containing adults in the oesophagus and aorta. There are very few references about the presence of nodules in the stomach. There is scant information about the epidemiology of this disease in wild red foxes in meso-Mediterranean areas. In this work we report on the natural infection of wild red foxes by Spirocerca lupi and the damage produced in the stomach wall in an area where contact with other potential definitive hosts (canids) is very rare. From July 2015 to November 2016, 61 red foxes were sampled. 18.03% of the stomach walls examined had nodules containing Spirocerca lupi adults and eggs. The prevalence of infection was similar for young and adult groups (23.81 and 18.18%; χ2 = 0.25; df = 1; P = 0.6171) and it was higher in females than in males (25.81 versus 10.00%, χ2 = 2.58; df = 1; P = 0.1082). The red fox population in the area seems to be well established judging from their age distribution and the fact that they could be captured all year round. It would appear that in the absence of other main definitive host S. lupi population is able to survive just parasitizing red foxes. Pathologic effects of this parasite on red foxes seems to show some differences related to domestic dogs. These results also indicates as predator control programs can maintain suitable host populations with reduced level of infection.

Rare earth elements mobility processes in an AMD-affected estuary: Huelva Estuary (SW Spain).

Huelva Estuary is a transition zone where REE-rich acidic waters interact with saline-alkaline seawater. This mixing process influences the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of particulate and dissolved fractions. The Tinto River has >11,000µgL-1 dissolved REE (pH=1.66), whereas seawater only reaches 8.75·10-2µgL-1 dissolved REE (pH=7.87). REE-normalized patterns in "pH<6 solutions" are parallel and show similarities, diminishing their concentration as pH increases. Sequential extraction performed on the generated precipitates of mixed solutions indicates that most REE are associated to the residual phase. In a second order, REE are associated with soluble salts at pH3 and 3.5 whereas in sediments generated at pH4 and 5, they are distributed in salts (1° extraction), poorly crystallized Fe-bearing minerals (schwertmannite, 3° extraction) and well crystallized Fe-bearing minerals (goethite - hematite, 4° extraction). Finally, precipitated REE are highest at pH6 newly formed minerals with a release to solution in higher pH.

Assessment of metal contamination, bioavailability, toxicity and bioaccumulation in extreme metallic environments (Iberian Pyrite Belt) using Corbicula fluminea.

The Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Iberian Peninsula) has intense mining activity. Currently, its fluvial networks receive extremely acid lixiviate residue discharges that are rich in sulphates and metals in solution (acid mine drainage, AMD) from abandoned mines. In the current study, the sediment and water quality were analysed in three different areas of the Odiel River to assess the risk associated with the metal content and its speciation and bioavailability. Furthermore, sediment contact bioassays were performed using the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea to determine its adequacy as a biomonitoring tool in relation to theoretical risk indexes and regulatory thresholds. Reburial activity and mortality were used as the toxic responses of clams when exposed to contaminated sediment. The results showed coherence between the water and sediment chemical contamination for most of the metals. The reburial activity was correlated with the metal toxicity, but no clam mortality was registered. The bioaccumulation of the studied metals in the clam did not have a significant correlation with the bioavailable fraction of the metal content in the environment, which could be related to a potential different speciation in this singular environment. The bioaccumulation responses were negative for As, Cd and Zn in highly contaminated environments and were characterized as severe, considerable and low potential environmental risks, respectively. The results show that C. fluminea is a good biomonitor of Cu and Pb.

Water acidification trends in a reservoir of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain).

Scarcity of waters is the main limiting factor of economic development in most arid and semi-arid regions worldwide. The construction of reservoirs may be an optimal solution to assure water availability if the drainage area shows low disturbances. This is the quandary of mining areas where economic development relies on water accessibility. Water acidification trends were investigated in the Sancho Reservoir (SW Spain) in the last 20 years. The acidity (pH3-5) and high dissolved metal concentrations (e.g., 4.4 mg/L of Al, 2.1mg/L of Mn, 1.9 mg/L of Zn) observed in the Sancho, together with the large volume stored (between 37 and 55 Mm(3)), makes this reservoir an extreme case of surface water pollution worldwide. A progressive acidification has been observed since 2003, as evidenced by decreasing pH values and increasing dissolved metal concentrations, especially noticeable after 2007. The increase in the net acidity in the reservoir originates from the higher input of metals and acidity due to the rebound effect after the mining closure in 2001. This trend was not detected in the river feeding the reservoir due to its great hydrological and hydrochemical variability, typical of the Mediterranean climate. Chemical analysis and absolute dating of sediments identified a progressive enrichment in S and metals (i.e., Fe, Zn Cu, Ni, Co and Cd) in the upper 20 cm, which reinforce the year 2002/03 as the onset of the acidification of the reservoir. The decrease of pH values from 4-5 to 3-4 occurred later than the increase in sulfate and metals due to pH-buffering by Al. The acid mine drainage (AMD) pressure has caused an increment of dissolved Fe and other metals, as well as a change in the pH buffering role, exerted now by Fe. These processes were simulated by PHREEQC, which confirms that the acidification trend will continue, causing pH values to reach 2.5 if AMD pressure persists.

On the origin of the spontaneous formation of nanocavities in hexagonal bronzes (W,V)O3.

Hexagonal (W,V)O3-x oxides of high thermal stability have been synthesized hydrothermally through the intermediate products Nax(W,V)O3·zH2O and (NH4)0.33-x(W,V)O3-y. The obtained crystals show nanostructured surface via the formation of a dense population of polyhedral nanocavities self-distributed along particular crystallographic directions. Nanocavities present a regular size that ranges from 5 to 10 nm in both length and width. The synthesis process involves a significant topotactic relationship between the as-synthesized product and the desired final product and this relationship is suggested as the origin of the observed surface nanostructure. The comparison of our results with observations in different solids has allowed us to suggest that the formation of nanocavities is an extensive spontaneous process when materials are obtained by the chemical reactions of solids leading to products with defined crystallographic orientation with respect to the original compound. The characterization provides evidence regarding the potential relevance of nanocavities in the functional properties of the resulting solids.

Assessment of the dissolved pollutant flux of the Odiel River (SW Spain) during a wet period.

The abandoned mining districts of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB, SW Spain) are an extreme source of pollution by acid mine drainage (AMD) to the Tinto and Odiel rivers. The pollutant flux transported by the Odiel River during a high stage period was assessed using concentration-discharge relationships and concentration-conductivity relationships, for the hydrological year 2009/10 (which was especially wet). Both correlations were high (R(2)>0.80) for most of the elements studied. The two methods for flux calculation gave similar results with differences generally lower than 10%. The dissolved contaminant flux transported by the Odiel River just before its mouth mainly includes sulphate (257,534±13,464 t/yr), Al (13,259±1071 t/yr), Zn (4265±242 t/yr), Mn (2532±146 t/yr) and Cu (1738±136 t/yr), and minor amounts of other elements. These findings confirm that, up to our knowledge, the Odiel River can be considered to be the largest contributor of mining-related pollutants to the world's oceans.

Premenstrual asthma and leukotriene variations in the menstrual cycle.

BACKGROUND: Several authors have reported an increase in leukotriene C4 in the premenstrual phase in women with severe premenstrual asthma, indicating that antileukotrienes could be used in treatment. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the role of leukotrienes in premenstrual asthma. METHODS: A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and peak flow during one complete menstrual cycle was given to women of fertile age to define them as asthmatics who suffered from premenstrual asthma or not. Premenstrual asthma (PMA) was defined as a clinical or functional deterioration (≥20%) in the premenstrual phase compared with the preovulatory phase. Blood samples to measure leukotriene C4 were taken during the preovulatory and premenstrual phases. RESULTS: Blood samples were taken in 62 asthmatic women, 34 of whom (54.3%) presented PMA criteria, all with a premenstrual deterioration of between 20 and 40%. There was no difference in leukotriene C4 levels between the preovulatory and premenstrual phases in the women who suffered from PMA (1.50ng/mL vs. 1.31ng/mL; p=0.32) and those who did not (1.40ng/mL vs. 1.29ng/mL; p=0.62). Neither were there any differences in leukotriene levels between women with or without PMA. The results were similar for each category of asthma severity. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that leukotriene C4 does not appear to be involved in the pathogenesis of premenstrual asthma, or support the use of anti-leukotrienes in the specific treatment of premenstrual asthma, at least in women with a moderate premenstrual deterioration. No differences appeared in any of the categories of asthma severity.

[Quality of initial prescription of home oxygen therapy in a healthcare area of the Murcia Region (Spain)]. / Calidad de la prescripción inicial de la oxigenoterapia domiciliaria en un área sanitaria de la Región de Murcia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the quality of the prescription of home oxygen therapy (OT) in a health area of Murcia. METHODS: A prospective study of 125 patients in a respiratory therapy clinic, evaluated with a questionnaire and blood-gas analysis while breathing ambient air. Related respiratory therapy was also assessedin COPD and asthma patients. RESULTS: We studied 125 cases in the 3 months following the prescription of home oxygen therapy in 72 men (58%) and 53 women (42%) with a mean age of 77.2 ± 11.6. The most common type of home OT prescribed was for palliative cases in 45 patients (36%), followed by COPD in 42 (33.6%). In 88 (92%) of the 96 medical reports that we evaluated, insufficient data as to how to administer oxygen were available. Twenty-five percent of home OT prescriptions were given without blood-gas analyses, and in the 65 cases with a blood-gas analysis only 11 (17%) met oxygen value criteria for home OT as per regulations. Oxygen desaturation was not present in 31% of the palliative care home OT cases. The analysis of blood-gases during the clinic visit in non-palliative care cases demonstrated that 61% did not meet the blood-gas criteria to continue on home OT. Eighty percent of COPD and asthma patients on home OT did not receive the correct respiratory therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Quality problems in the prescription of home OT exist in our area. Palliative care is the principal reason for home OT prescriptions. In COPD and asthma patients who receive home OT, related respiratory therapy is not ideal.

Calidad de la prescripción inicial de la oxigenoterapia domiciliaria en un área sanitaria de la Región de Murcia / Quality of initial prescription of home oxygen therapy in a healthcare area of the Murcia Region (Spain)

Objetivo. Analizar la calidad de la prescripción de oxigenoterapia domiciliaria (OD) en un área sanitaria de Murcia. Métodos. Estudio prospectivo de 125 pacientes en consulta de terapias respiratorias, a los que se evaluó con un cuestionario y gasometría arterial respirando aire del ambiente. En EPOC y asma se valoró también el tratamiento inhalador asociado. Resultados. Estudiamos 125 casos en los 3 meses siguientes a la indicación de OD, 72 varones (58%) y 53 mujeres (42%), con una media de edad de 77,2±11,6 años. La indicación de OD más frecuente se consideró paliativa en 45 (36%), seguida de la EPOC, en 42 (33,6%). En 88 de los 96 informes médicos que se evaluaron (92%), no había datos suficientes de cómo administrar el oxígeno. Un 25% de las indicaciones de OD se realizaron sin gasometría arterial y, de 65 donde había gasometría, sólo en 11 (17%) los valores de oxígeno reunían criterios de OD según las normativas. En el 31% de las indicaciones paliativas de OD, no estaba la desaturación de oxígeno. El análisis de los gases arteriales en el momento de la consulta en los casos sin indicación paliativa, constató que el 61% no tenía criterios gasométricos de continuación de OD. El 80% de los pacientes con EPOC y asma con OD no recibía tratamiento inhalador correcto. Conclusiones. Se detectaron problemas de calidad en la prescripción de la OD en nuestra área. El tratamiento paliativo fue la principal causa de indicación de OD. En pacientes con EPOC y asma que recibían oxígeno domiciliario, el tratamiento inhalador asociado no resultó óptimo(AU)

Objective. To analyse the quality of the prescription of home oxygen therapy (OT) in a health area of Murcia. Methods. A prospective study of 125 patients in a respiratory therapy clinic, evaluated with a questionnaire and blood-gas analysis while breathing ambient air. Related respiratory therapy was also assessedin COPD and asthma patients. Results. We studied 125 cases in the 3 months following the prescription of home oxygen therapy in 72 men (58%) and 53 women (42%) with a mean age of 77.2±11.6. The most common type of home OT prescribed was for palliative cases in 45 patients (36%), followed by COPD in 42 (33.6%). In 88 (92%) of the 96 medical reports that we evaluated, insufficient data as to how to administer oxygen were available. Twenty-five percent of home OT prescriptions were given without blood-gas analyses, and in the 65 cases with a blood-gas analysis only 11 (17%) met oxygen value criteria for home OT as per regulations. Oxygen desaturation was not present in 31% of the palliative care home OT cases. The analysis of blood-gases during the clinic visit in non-palliative care cases demonstrated that 61% did not meet the blood-gas criteria to continue on home OT. Eighty percent of COPD and asthma patients on home OT did not receive the correct respiratory therapy. Conclusions. Quality problems in the prescription of home OT exist in our area. Palliative care is the principal reason for home OT prescriptions. In COPD and asthma patients who receive home OT, related respiratory therapy is not ideal(AU)

Phenol removal from hypersaline wastewaters in a Membrane Biological Reactor (MBR): operation and microbiological characterisation.

In this study, two Membrane Biological Reactors (MBR) with submerged flat membranes, one at lab-scale conditions and the other at pilot-plant conditions, were operated at environmental temperature to treat an industrial wastewater characterised by low phenol concentrations (8-16 mg L(-1)) and high salinity (∼ 150-160 mS cm(-1)). During the operation of both reactors, the phenol loading rate was progressively increased and less than 1mg phenol L(-1) was detected even at very low HRTs (0.5-0.7 days). Membrane fouling was minimized by the cross flow aeration rate inside the MBRs and by intermittent permeation. Microbial community analysis of both reactors revealed that members of the genera Halomonas and Marinobacter (gammaproteobacteria) were major components. Growth-linked phenol degradation by pure cultures of Marinobacter isolates demonstrated that this bacterium played a major role in the removal of phenol from the bioreactors.

Source and impact of lead contamination on δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity in several marine bivalve species along the Gulf of Cadiz.

Coastal areas and estuaries are particularly sensitive to metal contamination from anthropogenic sources and in the last few decades the study of space-time distribution and variation of metals has been extensively researched. The Gulf of Cadiz is no exception, with several rivers draining one of the largest concentrations of sulphide deposits in the world, the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). Of these rivers, the Guadiana, one of the most important in the Iberian Peninsula, together with smaller rivers like the Tinto and Odiel, delivers a very high metal load to the adjacent coastal areas. The purpose of this work was to study the source and impact of lead (Pb) drained from historical or active mining areas in the IPB on the activity of a Pb inhibited enzyme (δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, ALAD) in several bivalve species along the Gulf of Cadiz. Seven marine species (Chamelea gallina, Mactra corallina, Donax trunculus, Cerastoderma edule, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Scrobicularia plana and Crassostrea angulata) were collected at 12 sites from Mazagón, near the mouth of the rivers Tinto and Odiel (Spain), to Cacela Velha (Ria Formosa lagoon system, Portugal). Lead concentrations, ALAD activity and lead isotope ratios ((206)Pb/(204)Pb, (207)Pb/(204)Pb and (208)Pb/(204)Pb) were determined in the whole soft tissues. The highest Pb concentrations were determined in S. plana (3.50±1.09 µg g(-1) Pb d.w.) and D. trunculus (1.95±0.10 µg g(-1) Pb d.w.), while M. galloprovincialis and C. angulata showed the lowest Pb levels (<0.38 µg g(-1) Pb d.w.). In general, ALAD activity is negatively correlated with total Pb concentration. However this relationship is species dependent (e.g. linear for C. gallina ALAD=-0.36[Pb]+0.79; r=0.837; or exponential for M. galloprovincialis ALAD=2.48e(-8.3[Pb]); r=0.911). This indicates that ALAD activity has considerable potential as a biomarker of Pb and moreover, in marine bivalve species with different feeding habits. Lead isotope data showed significant seasonal and spatial changes in bivalve isotopic composition reflecting seasonal and geographic differences in bioaccumulation. Within the study area, Pb can be modelled as a mixing between geogenic Pb and mine-related, discharges of Pb from the IPB. For some sites at the mouth of the Guadiana River, the bivalves show contamination from other anthropogenic sources, such as leaded boat/aviation fuel and/or leaded paint. Finally, the study demonstrates convincingly the need to consider species-specific variation when using bivalve ALAD activity as a biomarker for Pb.

Utilidad del omalizumab en un paciente con asma grave y aspergilosis broncopulmonar alérgica / Use of omalizumab in a patient with severe asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergilosis

Mujer de 64 años diagnositicada de asma bronquial en la juventud, catalogada como asma de difícil control y corticode pendiente. En las pruebas complementarias se ha objetivado una eosinofilia mantenida (>7%), IgE total elevada con un pico (..) (AU)

A 64 year-old woman diagnosed with bronchial asthma, proven difficult to control and corticoid-dependent since an early age, was studied. Complementary test performed demonstrated (..) (AU)

[Habits and lifestyles modifiable in children with overweight and obesity]. / Hábitos y estilos de vida modificables en niños con sobrepeso y obesidad.

INTRODUCTION: In the prevention for being overweight and for obesity, much attention is given to the influence of dietary factors, making the joint evaluation with other modifiable factors necessary. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this project is to study the association between modifiable factors (physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and dietary habits) with the prevalence of being overweight or obese in the youth population. METHODS: Cross-Sectional study of 1283 school children between the ages of 3 and 16 years old, with measurements of the MBI, dietary habits, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and family history of being overweight. Physical activity measured in MET was classified according to Pate criteria. RESULTS: 22.4% of the boys and 32.9% of the girls were overweight. The presence of a BMI>25 in parents multiplied by 2.4 the risk of being overweight in children (OR CI 95% 1.5-3.7). 63.6% of overweight boys meet physical activity recommendations compared with 52.2% of girls, although in their case, it was greater than the average (45%). Sedentary time was 141 minutes for men and 128 minutes for women, with more sedentary behaviors associated with being overweight, especially in girls over 12 years of age (66.7%). Consuming cereal (OR 0.8) and having five meals per day (OR 0.5) act as protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with overweight, the levels of physical activity are close to those recommended levels, so which the values of a sedentary lifestyle together with dietary habits (if the parents have overweight) acquire a new relevance in intervention strategies of this problem.

Variability in the prevalence of premenstrual asthma.

Our aim is to analyse the differences in the prevalence of premenstrual asthma (PMA) according to a set of criteria, the relationship between them and the influence of asthma severity. The answer "Yes" to "Does your asthma get worse before menstruation?" was considered subjective PMA. A daily respiratory symptoms register of fertile asthmatic females was taken during two consecutive menstrual cycles. For the semi-objective diagnosis, an exacerbation of > or =20% was required in the symptoms register. Objective diagnosis was a premenstrual worsening of > or =20% of peak flow. We selected 103 patients. Subjective premenstrual deterioration was perceived in 43.7%. The semi-objective deterioration of symptoms in the first cycle occurred in 44.7%, and in 22.3% in both cycles. A total of 54.3% of females with semi-objective criteria in the first cycle perceived a subjective deterioration of symptoms, versus 35.1% of those without semi-objective criteria (p = 0.05). PMA was present at all levels of asthma severity, with no clear link to the degree of severity. The detection of PMA prevalence, the subjective perception of this deterioration and its presence at all levels of asthma severity lead us to urge research into possible premenstrual deterioration in all fertile asthmatic females.

Life-style factors associated with overweight and obesity among Spanish adults.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between life styles and eating habits with the overweight and obesity prevalence in a Spanish adult population. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study conducted on 2640 subjects older than 15 years, in Cádiz (Spain). Surveys were conducted in subjects' homes to obtain life styles, eating habits, and anthropometric data. Logistic regression has been used to study the association between the life style variables and overweight and obesity. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Cadiz is 37% and 17%, respectively; higher in males and increases with age. BMI has an inverse relationship with educational level (PR = 2.3, 1.57-2.38). The highest levels of obesity are associated with daily alcohol consumption (PR = 1.39, 1.29-1.50), greater consumption of television,and sedentary pursuit (PR 1.5, 1.07-1.24). A lower prevalence of obesity is observed among those with active physical activity (10.9% vs 21.6%), with differences between sex. Following a slimming diet is more frequent in the obese and in women but dedicate more hours than men to passive activities. In men is greater the consumption of alcohol, high energy foods and snacks. Overweight and obesity is associated with the male sex (OR = 3.35 2.75-4.07), high consumption of alcohol (OR = 1.38 1.03-1.86) and watching television (OR = 1.52 1.11-2.07), and foods likes bread and cereals (OR = 1.47 1.13-1.91). Exercise activities is a protective factor (OR = 0.76 0.63-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Life styles factors associated with overweight and obesity present different patterns in men and women and is necessary to understand them to identify areas for behavioural intervention in overweight and obesity patients.

Inorganic arsenic speciation at river basin scales: the Tinto and Odiel rivers in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain.

The Tinto and Odiel rivers are heavily affected by acid mine drainage from mining areas in the Iberian Pyrite Belt. In this work we have conducted a study along these rivers where surface water samples have been collected. Field measurements, total dissolved metals and Fe and inorganic As speciation analysis were performed. The average total concentration of As in the Tinto river (1975 microg L(-1)) is larger than in the Odiel river (441 microg L(-1)); however, the mean concentration of As(III) is almost four times higher in the Odiel. In wet seasons the mean pH levels of both rivers (2.4 and 3.2 for the Tinto and Odiel, respectively) increase slightly and the amount of dissolved total arsenic tend to decrease, while the As(III)/(V) ratio strongly increase. Besides, the concentration of the reduced As species increase along the water course. As a result, As(III)/(V) ratio can be up to 100 times higher in the lower part of the basins. An estimation of the As(III) load transported by both rivers into the Atlantic Ocean has been performed, resulting in about 60 kg yr(-1) and 2.7t yr(-1) by the Tinto and Odiel rivers, respectively.