Deep-sea mining rock-fragment dispersal scenarios associated with submesoscale forcings: A case study in the Atlantic.

In the last few years, the exploitation of deep-sea regions for minerals extraction raised international attention as an economically viable source for the mining industry. However, most of these minerals are found close to sensitive ecosystems that can be harmed by mining activities. Given the potential impact, there is a need for the establishment of best practices towards the adoption of preventive strategies for the sustainable management and exploitation of deep-sea environments. To accomplish this objective, numerical models have proven to be reliable tools to support decision-making. In the present study, a high-resolution eddy-resolving ocean numerical model was configured and integrated with a semi-Lagrangian model aiming to map the transport of rock-fragments associated with mining activities. The model was applied to an area rich in polymetallic sulphides at the Northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge (NMAR). Model results showed that local topography and circulation dynamics played an important role for the dispersion and settling of the rock-fragments. In the presence of local submesoscale processes, the residence time do not follow the neutral relation H/vs. It was demonstrated that, depending on the local hydrodynamics, rock-fragments released at sub-surface depth can impact wider areas, with a predicted impact on pelagic and benthic organisms.

The stigma of intellectual disability in Spain: a nationally representative survey.

BACKGROUND: Stigma towards people with intellectual disability affects various aspects of their lives, including access to employment, housing, health and social care services. Furthermore, this stigma reduces their social opportunities and is even reflected in laws that diminish their autonomy. Due to the practical significance of this issue, the aim of this research is to explore for the first time the social stigma associated with intellectual disability in a representative sample of the Spanish population. METHOD: A cross-sectional quantitative descriptive study was conducted, involving a representative sample of the population (N = 2746). The study includes descriptive analyses and hierarchical regressions to examine various dimensions of stigma, such as attitudes, attributions, and intentions of social distance. RESULTS: Medium levels of stigma are found regarding attitudes and attributions towards people with intellectual disability, while levels are medium-low concerning the intention of social distance. The most reliable indicators of stigma across its various dimensions encompass attitudes, attributions, and the intention of social distance. Factors that contribute to lower stigma include knowing someone with an intellectual disability, being willing to discuss intellectual disability with an acquaintance who has it and having a progressive political ideology. People with intellectual disability show more negative attributions towards themselves. Living with a person with an intellectual disability is another predictor of more stigmatising attitudes, but less intention of social distance. Results are mixed regarding age, gender, and educational level. CONCLUSION: Combating the stigmatisation of people with intellectual disabilities must include comprehensive actions to address attitudes, attributions and behavioural intentions. Public policies, such as national campaigns and programmes, should include contact with and open conversations about intellectual disability, and sensitivity to sociodemographic variables.

Soporte telemático de autogestión para pacientes con apnea obstructiva del sueño en tratamiento con CPAP: aspectos metodológicos y resultados preliminares del ensayo clinico telesas / Telematic self-management support for patients with obstructive sleep apnea under CPAP treatment: methodological aspects and preliminary results of the telesas clinical trial

Objetivo: Comprobar si un programa de telemedicina mejora el cumplimiento con CPAP, alcanzando un uso de, al menos, 4 horas al día en el 90% de los pacientes. Realizamos un estudio piloto para comprobar la viabilidad de un proyecto multicéntrico en el que perfeccionaremos dicho programa. Metodología: Pacientes con AOS severa poco sintomáticos en tratamiento con CPAP fueron randomizados a seguimiento habitual o seguimiento habitual más un programa de telemedicina durante 6 meses. Dentro de este programa, las variables de telemonitorización, la aparición de efectos secundarios y la presencia de sueño reparador eran analizadas para generar alarmas e instrucciones al paciente para la autogestión precoz de los problemas presentados con la CPAP. Resultados: 60 pacientes fueron randomizados, 33 al grupo intervención y 27 al grupo control, sin diferencias significativas en las variables basales. El 80% eran hombres con un rango de edad entre los 24 y 75 años. Solo hubo un abandono en el grupo control. Conclusiones: El uso de nuestro programa de telemedicina no ha supuesto ningún problema para los pacientes incluidos a pesar de la horquilla amplia de edad, siendo viable el desarrollo de un estudio a mayor escala con una herramienta de telemedicina perfeccionada. (AU)

Basis: poor compliance with CPAP is a problem at a clinical and research level, assuming the expected results are not achieved. The benefits of using telemedicine in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are inconclusive, with its positive effect on compliance being the most consistent in the literature. Objective: to check if a telemedicine program improves compliance with CPAP, reaching use of at least 4 hours a day in 90% of patients. We carried out a pilot study to verify the viability of a multicenter project in which we will perfect this program. Method: patients with severe OSA with few symptoms on CPAP treatment were randomized to usual follow-up or usual follow-up plus a telemedicine program for 6 months. Within this program, the telemonitoring variables, the appearance of side effects and the presence of restorative sleep were analyzed to generate alarms and instructions to the patient for early self-management of the problems presented with CPAP. Preliminary results: 60 patients were randomized, 33 to the intervention group and 27 to the control group, with no significant differences in the baseline variables. 80% were men with an age range between 24 and 75 years. There was only one dropout in the control group. Conclusions: the use of our telemedicine program has not posed any problems for the included patients despite the wide age range, making it feasible to develop a larger-scale study with an improved telemedicine tool. (AU)

Socio-economic factors affecting the distribution of marine litter: The Portuguese case study.

Marine litter is a growing global problem with serious environmental, economic, social, and health threats. Understanding the socio-economic factors that influence the types and amounts of litter is of utmost importance. In this study, an integrative analysis of the socio-economic factors that characterize the beach litter distribution in continental Portugal and the Azores archipelago was conducted via a cluster analysis, implementing a novel technique to support the difficult task of marine litter characterization. The results highlighted that the most abundant beach litter material is plastic (92.9 %), followed by paper (2.2 %), wood (1.5 %), and metal (1.3 %). The majority of the items could not be attributed to a specific source (46.5 %). The remaining were attributed to public litter (34.5 % of total aggregated items), fishing (9.8 %), sewage-related debris (6.4 %) and shipping (2.2 %). The top-three beach litter categories were small plastic pieces (0-2.5 cm, 43.5 %), cigarette butts (30.1 %), and medium plastic pieces (2.5-50 cm, 26.4 %). A positive relation between both municipality environment expenditures and population density and the quantity and typology of litter was found. Beach litter quantity and categories were also associated with specific economic sectors, as well as with geographical/hydrodynamic conditions, demonstrating the utility of the technique and its applicability to other regions.

Foot injuries in sport climbers: footwear and other associated factors / Alteraciones podológicas en la escalada: pies de gato y otros factores asociados

Foot injuries are frequent among climbers. This may be due to several factors, such as the use of climbing shoes. Objectives: To perform a descriptive analysis of foot injuries in sport climbers and to examine their possible relationship with various factors, including the use of climbing shoes. Methods: 26 climbers participated in the study. General characteristics, foot pain during climbing, observed podiatric conditions and the reductions in the size (cm) of climbing shoes compared to daily footwear were noted. Results: All climbers presented foot injuries and most had foot pain. In addition, hallux valgus, grazes, and hyperkeratosis were related to the small size of climbing shoes. Conclusions: Foot disorders and foot pain are very frequent in sport climbing. Furthermore, along with other associated factors, the size of the reduction of climbing shoes increases the probability of developing various podiatric conditions. (AU)

Introducción: Los escaladores presentan alteraciones podológicas frecuentemente. Esto puede deberse a distintos factores, incluido el uso de los pies de gato. Objetivos: Realizar un análisis descriptivo de las afecciones podológicas en la escalada y analizar su posible relación con varios factores, incluidos los pies de gato. Métodos: 26 escaladores participaron en el estudio. Se anotaron sus características generales, el dolor de pies sufrido al escalar, las alteraciones podológicas presentes y la reducción del tamaño de los pies de gato respecto al calzado habitual. Resultados: Todos los escaladores padecían alteraciones podológicas y la gran mayoría escalaba con dolor. Asimismo, el hallux valgus, las rozaduras y la hiperqueratosis se relacionaron con el tamaño reducido de los pies de gato. Conclusiones: Las alteraciones y el dolor de pies son muy habituales en escaladores, siendo varias las alteraciones propiciadas por la magnitud de la reducción de los pies de gato, entre otros factores asociados. (AU)

Analysis of perceived risk and satisfaction with telematic follow-up in patients and families of congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients during SARS-CoV-2 pandemia.

BACKGROUND: The impact of COVID-19 in families and patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is unknown, this situation has generated uncertainty not only in family members but also in the optimal outpatient follow-up. Telehealth has become a fundamental tool for the follow-up during the pandemic. The objective of this survey is to evaluated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 in families and patients with CDH and the satisfaction with telematic follow-up. METHODS: Telephone survey of patient's caregivers with CHD, aged 1-16 years, followed in neonatal surgery outpatients, from January 31, 2020 to November 15, 2020. The ethical clearance for this study was taken from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of our Research Institute vide letter number VHIR/239283/01.01.2021. RESULTS: 81 surveys of 100 patients with active follow-up were carried out. There were no refusals in any contacted parents. There were 30 contacts (37%), 44.8% at school and 27.6% from cohabiting family members. Four infections (4.9%) were diagnosed, half symptomatic. In 40 patients (49.4%) the follow-up was telematic, with a mean score of 3.1±1.3 out of 5. For future controls, 65% prefer presential follow-up, 25% alternate and 10% telematics. 50.6% reported greater anxiety and 34.6% (28/81) extreme measures of isolation, being more accentuated in the group of 3-6 years (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The impact of COVID19 in patients with CHD is not greater than in the general pediatric population. Although the incorporation of the telehealth was well valued, most of the caregivers prefer the face-to-face outpatient follow-up.

Advertising Games of Chance in Adolescents and Young Adults in Spain.

Gambling advertising can influence attitudes and gaming behavior of adolescents and young adults (A&Y). To study the effect of advertising on the attitudes and gaming behavior of a sample of 2887 Spanish A&Y (12-22 years old), by means of a self-report assessment. On average, participants show a weak effect of advertising, however there are great variations, estimating that 11% of A&Y acknowledge being influenced by advertising and 5% recognize being severely affected. Men see themselves more impacted than women, without age differences. Those who play videogames signal a stronger effect of this kind of advertising and although these differences are not substantial in effect size, they reach statistically significance in 12 of the 13 questions assessed. A&Y who showed higher scores indicating problematic use of videogames in the IDGS9-SF, are those who indicate a greater impact of advertising on their attitudes towards gaming, as well as on the way they play or on their intention to play. These results support the idea that videogames can, albeit modestly, predispose engagement in games of chance.

Dual disruption of aldehyde dehydrogenases 1 and 3 promotes functional changes in the glutathione redox system and enhances chemosensitivity in nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are multifunctional enzymes that oxidize diverse endogenous and exogenous aldehydes. We conducted a meta-analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus data and detected genetic alterations in ALDH1A1, ALDH1A3, or ALDH3A1, 86% of which were gene amplification or mRNA upregulation, in 31% of nonsmall cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). The expression of these isoenzymes impacted chemoresistance and shortened survival times in patients. We hypothesized that these enzymes provide an oxidative advantage for the persistence of NSCLC. To test this hypothesis, we used genetic and pharmacological approaches with DIMATE, an irreversible inhibitor of ALDH1/3. DIMATE showed cytotoxicity in 73% of NSCLC cell lines tested and demonstrated antitumor activity in orthotopic xenografts via hydroxynonenal-protein adduct accumulation, GSTO1-mediated depletion of glutathione and increased H2O2. Consistent with this result, ALDH1/3 disruption synergized with ROS-inducing agents or glutathione synthesis inhibitors to trigger cell death. In lung cancer xenografts with high to moderate cisplatin resistance, combination treatment with DIMATE promoted strong synergistic responses with tumor regression. These results indicate that NSCLCs with increased expression of ALDH1A1, ALDH1A3, or ALDH3A1 may be targeted by strategies involving inhibitors of these isoenzymes as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy to overcome patient-specific drug resistance.

Linking contaminant distribution to hydrodynamic patterns in an urban estuary: The Douro estuary test case.

An increase in anthropogenic activities in coastal regions can put at risk their flora and fauna and their ecosystem services. Therefore, it is important to evaluate possible impacts. In particular, we need to understand the links between contaminants concentrations and the hydrodynamic patterns of these highly productive regions to anticipate the effects of contaminants in the environment. Towards that aim there is the need to carry out regular campaigns to monitor the evolution of the coastal systems. In this work we analyse in-situ measurements of physico-chemical parameters, and look for possible relations between observed contaminants patterns and estuarine hydrodynamics. Data collected in the Douro estuary, one of the main estuarine regions of the Iberian western coast, revealed the presence of 5 hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 6 trace metals in water and sediment samples. Water temperature and salinity analysis revealed a strong variability, which can affect the water solubility properties and the organisms' tolerance to certain toxins. A relationship between the salinity and the HNS and PAHs concentrations was found, caused by the existence of a salt-wedge that triggers the salting-out effect. Sinker contaminants (PAHs and trace metals) can be re-suspended both during low and high flow conditions associated with the salt-wedge and with strong river flows. Floater contaminants (HNS) are completely depended on the tide, which has the capacity to distribute them through the entire estuary, during low river flow regimes. However, strong river flows, with associated river plumes, can distribute both sinker and floater contaminants to the coastal region trapping them over the inner-shelf. The results clearly show that hydrodynamic patterns are a major driver for contaminants dispersion and pathways in coastal areas, inducing harmful effects to the flora and fauna and, consequently, to the ecosystem services of these regions.

The last frontier: Coupling technological developments with scientific challenges to improve hazard assessment of deep-sea mining.

The growing economic interest in the exploitation of mineral resources on deep-ocean beds, including those in the vicinity of sensitive-rich habitats such as hydrothermal vents, raise a mounting concern about the damage that such actions might originate to these poorly-know ecosystems, which represent millions of years of evolution and adaptations to extreme environmental conditions. It has been suggested that mining may cause a major impact on vent ecosystems and other deep-sea areas. Yet, the scale and the nature of such impacts are unknown at present. Hence, building upon currently available scientific information it is crucial to develop new cost-effective technologies embedded into rigorous operating frameworks. The forward-thinking provided here will assist in the development of new technologies and tools to address the major challenges associated with deep sea-mining; technologies for in situ and ex situ observation and data acquisition, biogeochemical processes, hazard assessment of deep-sea mining to marine organisms and development of modeling tools in support of risk assessment scenarios. These technological developments are vital to validate a responsible and sustainable exploitation of the deep-sea mineral resources, based on the precautionary principle.

Rotura del aneurisma del seno de Vasalva / Rupture of aneurysm of sinus of Vasalva

No disponible

Ginsenosides Rd and Re co-treatments improve rotenone-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial impairment in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play key roles in Parkinson's disease (PD) initiation and progression. Ginsenosides are major compounds of Ginseng species and they are responsible for pharmacological activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effects and mechanism of the major ginsenosides Rd and Re in rotenone-induced oxidative stress model in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Co-treatments with both ginsenosides inhibited the increased intracellular ROS production and by-products lipid peroxidation accumulation caused by rotenone. Moreover, these ginsenosides upregulated SOD and aconitase enzymes activities, and glutathione system; these antioxidant properties are related to Nrf2 induction and radical scavenger effect. Additionally, the results showed that both Rd and Re attenuated the extent of depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and restored calcium levels. Furthermore, these compounds prevented apoptosis by modulating Bax and Bcl-2 proteins and inhibiting cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation. The ginsenoside Rd resulted to be more active than ginsenoside Re. These findings highlighted the efficacy of these compounds as neuroprotectant compounds for PD prevention and treatment through reducing oxidative stress, improving mitochondrial integrity and functions, and inhibiting apoptosis.

A Cartographic Tool for Managing African Swine Fever in Eurasia: Mapping Wild Boar Distribution Based on the Quality of Available Habitats.

The current African swine fever (ASF) epidemic in Eurasia represents a risk for the swine industry with devastating socio-economic and political consequences. Wild boar appears to be a key factor in maintaining the disease in endemic areas (mainly the Russian Federation) and spreading the disease across borders, including within the European Union. To help predict and interpret the dynamics of ASF infection, we developed a standardized distribution map based on global land cover vegetation (GLOBCOVER) that quantifies the quality of available habitats (QAH) for wild boar across Eurasia as an indirect index for quantifying numbers of wild boar. QAHs were estimated using a seven-level scale based on expert opinion and found to correlate closely with georeferenced presence of wild boar (n = 22 362): the highest wild boar densities (74.47%) were found in areas at the two highest QAH levels, while the lowest densities (5.66%) were found in areas at the lowest QAH levels. Mapping notifications from 2007 to 2016 onto the QAH map showed that in endemic areas, 60% of ASF notifications occurred in domestic pigs, mostly in agricultural landscapes (QAHs 1.75 and 1) containing low-biosecurity domestic pig farms. In the EU, in contrast, 95% of ASF notifications occurred in wild boar, within natural landscapes (QAH 2). These results suggest that the QAH map can be a useful epi-tool for defining risk scenarios and identifying potential travel corridors for ASF. This tool will help inform resource allocation decisions and improve prevention, control and surveillance of ASF and potentially of other diseases affecting swine and wild boar in Eurasia.

Update on the Risk of Introduction of African Swine Fever by Wild Boar into Disease-Free European Union Countries.

Despite efforts to prevent the appearance and spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the European Union, several Member States are now affected (Lithuania, Poland, Latvia and Estonia). Disease appearance in 2014 was associated with multiple entrances linked to wild boar movement from endemic areas (EFSA Journal, 8, 2015, 1556), but the risk of new introductions remains high (Gallardo et al., Porcine Health Management, 1, and 21) as ASF continues to be active in endemic countries (Russian Federation, Belarus and Ukraine). Since 2014, the number of ASF notifications has increased substantially, particularly in wild boar (WB), in parallel with slow but constant geographical advance of the disease. This situation suggests a real risk of further disease spread into other Member States, posing a great threat to pig production in the EU. Following the principles of the risk-based veterinary surveillance, this article applies a methodology developed by De la Torre et al. (Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 62, and 272) to assess the relative risk of new introductions of ASF by natural movements of WB according to the current epidemiological situation. This update incorporates the most recent available data and an improved version of the most important risk estimator: an optimized cartographic tool of WB distribution to analyse wild boar suitable habitat. The highest relative risk values were estimated for Slovakia (5) and Romania (5), followed by Finland (4), Czech Republic (3) and Germany (3). Relative risk for Romania and Finland is associated mainly with disease entrance from endemic areas such as the Russian Federation and Ukraine, where the disease is currently spreading; relative risk for Germany and Czech Republic is associated mainly with the potential progress of the disease through the EU, and relative risk for Slovakia is associated with both pathways. WB habitat is the most important risk estimator, whereas WB density is the least significant, suggesting that WB presence is more relevant than density. These results can provide actionable advice for dealing with risk. They can be directly used to inform risk-based national strategies and identify countries that may need to pay greater attention to surveillance or conduct additional evaluations at the subnational level.