Occurrence and dynamics of microplastics and emerging concern microparticles in coastal sediments: Impact of stormwater upgrade and port-associated facilities.

Urban runoff is a significant source of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, especially in coastal areas. Despite urban stormwater runoff being considered a major pathway of anthropogenic particles there's no studies about the impact of stormwater upgrades on microparticle transport. Moreover, due to the influence of anthropogenic activities, including maritime traffic and maintenance, on coastal environments, it is crucial to identify plastic debris from both inland and in-shore sources. This study evaluates characteristics, abundance, and distribution of microplastics in subtidal sediments from the southwestern Atlantic region, influenced by a recently upgraded stormwater outfall and port facilities. Herein, we have analyzed temporal trends, including seasonal dynamics and their relation with the pre- and post-upgrade of the stormwater outfall. Three main types of anthropogenic microparticles were observed: common plastic (MPs), paints (Pps), and tire wear particles (TWPs). Microparticle groups varied in morphology, color, and size distribution, including uncommon microparticle debris. Analysis by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies allows the identification of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, and polyacrylonitrile polymers for MPs mainly. Pigments such as Naphthol AS, phthalocyanine, and quinacridone have been identified in Pps. SEM-EDS and FTIR analysis of collected TWPs revealed similar trace metals constituents and infrared signals to those observed in tire road samples. Spatial and temporal abundances of microparticle groups were significantly different (p < 0.05), mainly related to the distance from the stormwater outfall and seasons. TWPs showed the most significant seasonal increment rate among pre and post-upgrade periods. Furthermore, the upgrades made to the stormwater system have been observed to intensify the transport and increase the presence of specific anthropogenic microparticles in subtidal sediments. Based on these findings, the occurrence of TWPs emerges as a reliable urban runoff indicator to differentiate ex and in-situ sources in multipolluted coastal environments.

Programa Enhanced Recovery After Surgery en un hospital terciario portugués: una auditoría a los primeros 6 meses de implementación en cirugía colorrectal electiva / ERAS programme in a Portuguese tertiary hospital: An audit of the first six months of implementation in elective colorectal surgery

Introducción y objetivos: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) es una estrategia multimodal diseñada para optimizar la recuperación postoperatoria y reducir la morbilidad, la duración de la estancia hospitalaria y los costes de la atención. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el cumplimiento y los resultados clínicos transcurridos 6 meses de la implementación del programa en cirugía colorrectal programada en un hospital terciario. Material y métodos: Se analizaron los datos de 209 pacientes sometidos a cirugía colorrectal electiva, comparándose los primeros 102 pacientes (grupo pre-ERAS) sometidos a cirugía entre enero y mayo de 2018, antes de la implementación del programa, con los 107 tratados entre mayo y octubre de 2019, tras la implementación del programa ERAS. Los resultados principales fueron la educación y el asesoramiento al paciente, el uso de líquidos intravenosos, la movilización temprana, la incidencia de náuseas y vómitos postoperatorios, el retorno de la función intestinal, la duración de la estancia, las complicaciones, la mortalidad y el cumplimiento general. Resultados: El programa ERAS estuvo asociado a un incremento significativo de la educación y el asesoramiento al paciente (p<0,001) y a la reducción significativa de la administración IV de líquidos peri y postoperatoriamente (p=0,007 y p<0,001, respectivamente), así como a las náuseas o vómitos postoperatorios (17,6% vs 5%, p=0,007). El tiempo transcurrido hasta el retorno a las actividades de la vida diaria (5,29 vs. 2,85 días; p<0,001), hasta la ingesta oral de sólidos (6,21 vs. 4,35 días; p<0,001), hasta el primer flato (2,41 vs. 1,51 días; p<0,001) y defecación (3,35 vs. 1,66 días; p<0,001) se redujeron con ERAS. No se produjeron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto a duración de la estancia, las complicaciones o la mortalidad. Conclusión: El presente estudio reflejó que el programa ERAS mejoró los resultados perioperatorios...(AU)

Introduction and objectives: The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program consists in a multimodal strategy of optimize the recovery of the patient, reduce morbidity, length of hospital stay and hospital costs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the first six months compliance and clinical outcomes after implementation of the program in elective colorectal surgery in a tertiary hospital. Material and methods: An analysis was performed on 209 patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery. The first 102 patients (pre-ERAS group) who underwent surgery between January and May 2018, before the implementation of the program, were compared to the 107 patients treated between May and October 2019, after ERAS implementation. The main outcomes were patient education and counselling, intravenous fluids, early mobilization, postoperative nausea and vomiting, return of bowel function, length of stay, complications, mortality and overall compliance. Results: ERAS program was associated with a significant increase in patient education and counselling (p<0.001) and with a significant reduction in intra and postoperative IV fluids volume (p=0.007 and p<0.001, respectively) and postoperative nausea or vomiting (17.6% vs 5.0%, p=0.007). Postoperative days to recover ADL (5.29 vs 2.85 days; p<0.001), time to solid oral intake (6.21 vs 4.35 days; p<0.001), time to first flatus (2.41 vs 1.51 days; p<0.001) and defecation (3.35 vs 1.66 days; p<0.001) decreased whit ERAS. There was no statistical difference in length of stay, complications and mortality. Conclusion: This study showed that ERAS program allowed to improve perioperative outcomes and postoperative recovery of colorectal patients in this hospital.

Effects of immobilization and remobilization on the ankle joint in Wistar rats

A sprained ankle is a common musculoskeletal sports injury and it is often treated by immobilization of the joint. Despite the beneficial effects of this therapeutic measure, the high prevalence of residual symptoms affects the quality of life, and remobilization of the joint can reverse this situation. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of immobilization and remobilization on the ankle joint of Wistar rats. Eighteen male rats had their right hindlimb immobilized for 15 days, and were divided into the following groups: G1, immobilized; G2, remobilized freely for 14 days; and G3, remobilized by swimming and jumping in water for 14 days, performed on alternate days, with progression of time and a series of exercises. The contralateral limb was the control. After the experimental period, the ankle joints were processed for microscopic analysis. Histomorphometry did not show any significant differences between the control and immobilized/remobilized groups and members, in terms of number of chondrocytes and thickness of the articular cartilage of the tibia and talus. Morphological analysis of animals from G1 showed significant degenerative lesions in the talus, such as exposure of the subchondral bone, flocculation, and cracks between the anterior and mid-regions of the articular cartilage and the synovial membrane. Remobilization by therapeutic exercise in water led to recovery in the articular cartilage and synovial membrane of the ankle joint when compared with free remobilization, and it was shown to be an effective therapeutic measure in the recovery of the ankle joint.

Effects of immobilization and remobilization on the ankle joint in Wistar rats.

A sprained ankle is a common musculoskeletal sports injury and it is often treated by immobilization of the joint. Despite the beneficial effects of this therapeutic measure, the high prevalence of residual symptoms affects the quality of life, and remobilization of the joint can reverse this situation. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of immobilization and remobilization on the ankle joint of Wistar rats. Eighteen male rats had their right hindlimb immobilized for 15 days, and were divided into the following groups: G1, immobilized; G2, remobilized freely for 14 days; and G3, remobilized by swimming and jumping in water for 14 days, performed on alternate days, with progression of time and a series of exercises. The contralateral limb was the control. After the experimental period, the ankle joints were processed for microscopic analysis. Histomorphometry did not show any significant differences between the control and immobilized/remobilized groups and members, in terms of number of chondrocytes and thickness of the articular cartilage of the tibia and talus. Morphological analysis of animals from G1 showed significant degenerative lesions in the talus, such as exposure of the subchondral bone, flocculation, and cracks between the anterior and mid-regions of the articular cartilage and the synovial membrane. Remobilization by therapeutic exercise in water led to recovery in the articular cartilage and synovial membrane of the ankle joint when compared with free remobilization, and it was shown to be an effective therapeutic measure in the recovery of the ankle joint.

Lectin of Pisum arvense seeds induces in-vivo and in-vitro neutrophil migration.

PAL is a glucose/mannose-specific lectin isolated from Pisum arvense seeds. Previously, we demonstrated the capacity of other leguminous lectins to induce oedema formation and neutrophil stimulation. To investigate the potential pro-inflammatory activity of PAL, we have studied its ability to induce neutrophil migration into peritoneal cavities of rats and neutrophil chemotaxis in-vitro. The role of resident cells and sugar residues on PAL activity was analysed. PAL or saline (control) were administered intraperitoneally to rats, and total and differential leucocyte (macrophages, neutrophils and mast cells) counts were performed. The role of resident cells on the PAL effect was evaluated using three strategies: reducing the total resident cell population by lavage of rat cavities with saline; increasing macrophage population by treating animals with thioglycolate; and depleting mast cell population by subchronic treatment of rats with compound 48/80. PAL induced in-vitro and in-vivo neutrophil migration. In-vivo, PAL (50, 100, 200 and 300 microg) significantly (P < 0.05) and dose-dependently increased neutrophil migration by 600, 740, 900 and 940%, respectively, showing maximal effect 4 h after injection. PAL induced mononuclear cell migration. The neutrophil stimulatory effect of PAL was potentiated in animals treated with both thioglycolate and compound 48/ 80. The indirect lectin chemotactic effect was shown in rats injected with supernatant from cultured macrophages stimulated by PAL. In conclusion, PAL was shown to exhibit in-vivo and in-vitro proinflammatory activity. The in-vivo effect seemed to occur by a dual mechanism that was independent, but also dependent, on resident cells.