Sustainability Assessment of the Anthropogenic System in Panama City: Application of Biomimetic Strategies towards Regenerative Cities.

To understand the sustainability problem for Panama's metropolitan area, its urban metabolism was investigated. A way to evaluate its current state was obtained by estimating a sustainable indicator based on the Green City Index. With the abstraction of the identified problems, the biomimetic strategy "problem-based approach" was carried out, where different pinnacles of nature were selected as a reference for the design of regenerative solutions. These were inspired by the understanding of the living world and how to include ecosystems in urban designs. Therefore, a framework was proposed for positive generation and natural solutions in cities to take advantage of the regenerative potential in Panama City. Using ecosystem services, a set of indicators were developed to measure regeneration over the years at the city scale. The results indicate that from the 11 selected pinnacles, 17 solutions inspired in nature were proposed to regenerate cities. Consequently, a SWOT analysis was realized along with a questionnaire by experts from different fields. The findings obtained show that the feasible solutions were: arborization, green facades, solar roofs, e-mobility, green corridors, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and biofilters. This research represents a step towards creating and developing regenerative cities, thus improving the quality of life of living beings and ecosystems present in society.

Sobrecarga y calidad de vida de vida del cuidador de un paciente con esquizofrenia / Overload and quality of life of the caregiver of a patient with schizophrenia

El propósito del estudio fue evaluar el grado de sobrecarga y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud de los cuidadores primarios informales de pacientes con esquizofrenia. Se propuso estudio de tipo descriptivo observacional. Fueron encuestados 131 cuidadores con la escala de Sobrecarga de Zarit, y el Test SF-36. Se analizó la asociación entre variables; además del nivel de significación. En los resultados se identificó el 94,8% de los cuidadores se encuentran entre los grupos de edades de 19 a 68 años, el género que más aporta al cuidado es femenino con el 63%, se evidencia que el 63% de los cuidadores se encuentran en algún grado de sobrecarga (32% ligera) (31% intensa), la calidad de vida del cuidador en la función física obtuvo las puntuaciones más altas, junto con la dimensión de salud general, seguidas por la vitalidad y la salud mental con las puntuaciones más bajas. Podemos concluir el ejercicio del cuidado de un paciente con esquizofrenia representa un cambio en la calidad de vida del cuidador y este se encuentra directamente relacionado con el grado de sobrecarga asociado al cuidado.

The purpose of the study was to assess the degree of overload and quality of life related to the health of informal primary caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. An observational descriptive study was proposed. A total of 131 caregivers were surveyed with the Zarit overload scale and the SF-36 test. The association between variables was analyzed; in addition to the level of significance. In the results we identified 94.8% of the caregivers are among the age group of 19 to 68 years, the gender that contributes most to care is female with 63%, it is evident that 63% of the caregivers are in some degree of overload (32% light) (31% intense), the quality of life of the caregiver in physical function obtained the highest scores, along with the general health dimension, followed by vitality and mental health with the scores lower. We conclude the exercise of caring for a patient with schizophrenia represents a change in the quality of life of the caregiver and this is directly related to the degree of overload associated with care.

Acute Effects of High Intensity, Resistance, or Combined Protocol on the Increase of Level of Neurotrophic Factors in Physically Inactive Overweight Adults: The BrainFit Study.

The purpose of this study was to compare the neurotrophic factor response following one session of high-intensity exercise, resistance training or both in a cohort of physically inactive overweight adults aged 18-30 years old. A randomized, parallel-group clinical trial of 51 men (23.6 ± 3.5 years; 83.5 ± 7.8 kg; 28.0 ± 1.9 kg/m2) who are physically inactive (i.e., < 150 min of moderate-intensity exercise per week or IPAQ score of <600 MET min/week for >6 months) and are either abdominally obese (waist circumference ≥90 cm) or have a body mass index, BMI ≥25 and ≤ 30 kg/m2 were randomized to the following four exercise protocols: high-intensity exercise (4 × 4 min intervals at 85-95% maximum heart rate [HRmax] interspersed with 4 min of recovery at 75-85% HRmax) (n = 14), resistance training (12-15 repetitions per set, at 50-70% of one repetition maximum with 60 s of recovery) (n = 12), combined high-intensity and resistance exercise (n = 13), or non-exercising control (n = 12). The plasma levels of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin-4 (also known as neurotrophin 4/5; NT-4 or NT-4/5), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were determined before (pre-exercise) and 1-min post-exercise for each protocol session. Resistance training induced significant increases in NT-3 (+39.6 ng/mL [95% CI, 2.5-76.6; p = 0.004], and NT-4/5 (+1.3 ng/mL [95% CI, 0.3-2.3; p = 0.014]), respectively. Additionally, combined training results in favorable effects on BDNF (+22.0, 95% CI, 2.6-41.5; p = 0.029) and NT-3 (+32.9 ng/mL [95% CI, 12.3-53.4; p = 0.004]), respectively. The regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between changes in BDNF levels and changes in NT-4/5 levels from baseline to immediate post-exercise in the combined training group (R2 = 0.345, p = 0.034) but not the other intervention groups. The findings indicate that acute resistance training and combined exercise increase neurotrophic factors in physically inactive overweight adults. Further studies are required to determine the biological importance of changes in neurotrophic responses in overweight men and chronic effects of these exercise protocols. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02915913 (Date: September 22, 2016).

Active commuting to and from university, obesity and metabolic syndrome among Colombian university students.

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence concerning how active commuting (AC) is associated with health benefits in young. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between AC to and from campus (walking) and obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a sample of Colombian university students. METHODS: A total of 784 university students (78.6% women, mean age = 20.1 ± 2.6 years old) participated in the study. The exposure variable was categorized into AC (active walker to campus) and non-AC (non/infrequent active walker to campus: car, motorcycle, or bus) to and from the university on a typical day. MetS was defined in accordance with the updated harmonized criteria of the International Diabetes Federation criteria. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MetS was 8.7%, and it was higher in non-AC than AC to campus. The percentage of AC was 65.3%. The commuting distances in this AC from/to university were 83.1%, 13.4% and 3.5% for < 2 km, 2-5 km and > 5 km, respectively. Multiple logistic regressions for predicting unhealthy profile showed that male walking commuters had a lower probability of having obesity [OR = 0.45 (CI 95% 0.25-0.93)], high blood pressure [OR = 0.26 (CI 95% 0.13-0.55)] and low HDL cholesterol [OR = 0.29 (CI 95% 0.14-0.59)] than did passive commuters. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in young adulthood, a key life-stage for the development of obesity and MetS, AC could be associated with and increasing of daily physical activity levels, thereby promoting better cardiometabolic health.

Ansiedad en el paciente prequirúrgico: un problema que nos afecta a todos / Preoperative anxiety: a problem affecting all of us

Introducción. La ansiedad es el estado mental que conduce al ser humano a experimentar reacciones de incomodidad, angustia, miedo, preocupación o excitación. Los procesos quirúrgicos desencadenan una serie de reacciones mentales, emocionales y físicas que pueden aumentar el grado de ansiedad, llegando al punto de influir en el proceso de recuperación de los pacientes que son sometidos a cirugías. Los objetivos de nuestro estudio fueron determinar el estado de ansiedad de los pacientes llevados a colecistectomía en un servicio de cirugía y determinar la asociación entre el grado de ansiedad y el sexo, la presencia de antecedentes quirúrgicos y el tiempo de hospitalización previo al procedimiento quirúrgico. Materiales y métodos. Se aplicó la escala de ansiedad de Beck en pacientes que iban a ser sometidos a colecistectomía laparoscópica entre abril y julio de 2016. En estos pacientes se utilizaron técnicas de intervención y estabilización emocional. Se compararon los niveles de ansiedad en términos de sexo, presencia o ausencia de antecedentes quirúrgicos, y realización de la intervención antes o después de las primeras 24 horas del ingreso. Resultados. Se incluyeron 21 pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente, con un rango de edad entre los 23 y los 93 años, en quienes se practicó colecistectomía laparoscópica. Todos los pacientes intervenidos presentaron algún grado de ansiedad: leve en 7, moderada en 11 y grave en 3. Los hombres presentaron con mayor frecuencia niveles altos de ansiedad (p=0,3458). Los pacientes que presentaron un antecedente quirúrgico previo al procedimiento tuvieron menores grados de ansiedad (p=0,0071). Nueve pacientes cursaron con procesos de adaptación hospitalaria y 12 fueron intervenidos el mismo día de la hospitalización, sin diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el grado de ansiedad. Conclusiones. Los resultados de este estudio muestran que no se encuentra asociación entre el grado de ansiedad y el sexo, o el tiempo de hospitalización previo a la realización del procedimiento quirúrgico, mientras que la presencia de antecedentes quirúrgicos genera un menor grado de ansiedad en quienes van a ser intervenidos. La intervención psicológica prequirúrgica y posquirúrgica podría permitir identificar factores que generan ansiedad, mejorar la adaptación antes y después del procedimiento, y generar espacios óptimos para complementar información y aclarar dudas sobre el procedimiento

Background. Anxiety is a mental state that leads people to reactions of discomfort, anguish, fear, preoccupation or excitation. Surgical interventions trigger a series of mental, emotional and physical responses that can increase the levels of anxiety to the point of affecting the recovery of the patients following surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the state of anxiety of patients undergoing cholecystectomy and the association of the level of anxiety with the patient´s gender, the history of previous surgical interventions and the time of hospital stay previous to the scheduled procedure. Patients and methods. Beck anxiety inventory scale was applied in 21 patients in whom laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in the period August 1st to December 31st, 2015. Interventional and emotional stabilization techniques were applied, and we compared the anxiety levels regarding gender, presence or absence of previous surgical interventions and the performance of the operation before or after 24 hour hospital admission. Results. Twenty one patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included, with ages ranging from 23 to 93 years. Thirteen were male and eight female. All patients presented some degree of anxiety: mild 7, moderate 11, and severe 3. Higher levels of anxiety were more frequent in males, with no statistically significant difference (10 vs. 4 patients respectively, p = 0.3458). Patients who had history of previous surgery exhibited lower levels of anxiety than the patients without such history (p = 0.0071). Nine patients had hospital stays longer than 24 hours before surgery and in 12 patients were operated on the same day of admission, with no statistically significant difference in the level of anxiety. Conclusions. These results show that there was no association between the level of anxiety and gender, or the time of hospital stay prior to the operation, while the history of previous surgery is associated lower levels of anxiety. Pre and postoperative psychological intervention could identify factors that generate anxiety, improve the emotional adaptation before and after the procedure, and generate ample spaces to complement information and clear doubts regarding the surgical procedure

Biorremediación de lodos contaminados con aceites lubricantes usados / Bioremediation of sludge contaminated with used lubricants

Los lodos contaminados con residuos de aceites lubricantes usados generan gran impacto ambiental negativo al no ser manejados adecuadamente. Se propuso la biorremediación para disminuir la concentración de dichos contaminantes. Los ensayos fueron realizados en las instalaciones de la planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales (PTAR) de Río Frío (Girón, Santander, Colombia), donde se evaluaron consorcios microbianos nativos, que posteriormente se adicionaron a las biopilas conformadas por lodos deshidratados provenientes del tratamiento primario de aguas residuales domésticas (usados como fuente de materia orgánica), lodos provenientes de lavaderos de carros y lodos de alcantarillado de la zona industrial de la ciudad de Bucaramanga (Colombia). Se aislaron, identificaron y conservaron cepas microbianas con capacidad degradadora de hidrocarburos totales de petróleo (TPH) como Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter spp., Bacillus brevis, Micrococcus spp y Nocardia spp. Se hizo una serie de pruebas piloto donde se inoculó cada montaje con un consorcio bacteriano a una concentración de 3x108 UFC/ml de bacterias y microorganismos fúngicos como Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp., a una concentración de 1x106 esporas/ml; se monitorearon parámetros de temperatura, pH, humedad y oxigenación. Se realizaron dos ensayos para verificar el comportamiento de dichos tratamientos; se analizó la variable continua TPH en ppm mediante el método de modelos mixtos lineares en bloques aleatorios completos, que revelaron diferencias significativas entre la biopila control y las biopilas bajo prueba; se obtuvieron porcentajes de remoción hasta de 94% de TPH en 120 días y 84% en 40 días, lo que reflejó un efecto positivo en la utilización de los consorcios de microorganismos bajo prueba en la descontaminación de lodos de alcantarillado industrial y lodos de lavaderos de carros.

The sludge contaminated with residues of used lubricating oils produce large negative environmental impact by not being handled properly. We proposed Biorremediation to decreasethe concentration of these polltants. The trials were conducted on the waste water treatment plant (WWTP) Río Frío (Girón, Santander, Colombia) ,we evaluate native microbial associations, and subsequently they were added to biopiles, made up of dried sludge the waste water treatment (source of organic mater) sludge from washing cars and sewage sludge from the industrial area of the city Bucaramanga (Colombia). Several pilot test were completed and we isolated, identified and retained microbial atrains with ability to degrading total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) such as Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia coli, Citrobacter spp., Bacillus brevis, Micrococcus spp., among others. We inoculated each pilot assembly with a bacterial concentration of 3x108 UFC/ml and fungal microorganisms like Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp. in a concentration of 1x106 Spores/ml. Parameters such as temperature, pH, humidity, oxygenation were monitoring frequently. Two trials were completed to verify the behabior and results of treatment, we analized continuously the concentration of TPH using linear mixed models approach in a randomized complete blocks, which revealed significant differences between control biopile (without microorganism consortia) and biopiles under test, obtaining removal percentages to 94% of TPH in 120 days, and 84% in 40 days, reflecting a positive effect on the use of consortia of microorganisms under test in the decontamination of domestic sewage sludge and industrial sludge and sludge the car wash.