Assessing the pharmaceutical residues as hotspots of the main rivers of Catalonia, Spain.

The global increase in pharmaceutical consumption, driven by factors such as aging populations and chronic diseases, has raised concerns regarding the environmental impact of pharmaceutical contaminants. Europe, and more specifically Catalonia (Spain), exhibits high pharmaceutical consumption rates, potentially exacerbating environmental contamination. Pharmaceuticals enter rivers through various pathways, persisting after wastewater treatment plants and posing risks to aquatic organisms and human health. Llobregat and Besòs Rivers in Catalonia, crucial water sources, demonstrate detectable pharmaceutical levels, necessitating comprehensive analysis. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proves effective in detecting pharmaceutical residues, facilitating their risk assessment. This paper reviews the occurrence, fate, and risks associated with 78 pharmaceuticals and metabolite in Llobregat and Besòs Rivers, using LC-MS/MS for analysis. Understanding pharmaceutical impacts on Catalonian River ecosystems is essential for developing mitigation strategies.

Advanced mass spectrometry profiling of phenolic and minerals compounds in herbal beverages.

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has led to an increased interest in herbal infusions as natural remedies since 2020. This has also heightened the need for controlling the composition of these dietary supplements to ensure consumer health and prevent food fraud. In the present work, various mass spectrometry techniques were used to analyze the organic and inorganic composition of 23 herbal infusion samples. UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS was used to determine target, suspect, and nontarget polyphenolic compounds. Thus, 8 phenolic compounds were identified in the target analysis and additionally, 80 extra-compounds were identified through suspect and nontargeted screening. ICP-MS was used to monitor the metals released during tea leaf infusion, providing a complete mineral composition of each sample. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Analysis (DA) were utilized to identify relevant compounds for differentiating and grouping the samples, thus serving as specific markers to detect potential food fraud.

Lower tourniquet pressure does not affect pain nor knee-extension strength in patients after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The use of a tourniquet in total knee replacement has advantages and drawbacks. Some studies suggest that using ischaemia at low pressures could reduce its negative effects. Our objective is to verify whether the use of ischaemia at low pressures (100 mmHg above the systolic blood pressure) produces greater pain and loss of strength than surgery without a tourniquet. METHODS: By the means of a prospective randomized clinical trial, patients were assigned to the control group (no tourniquet, NT) or the experimental group (tourniquet, T). The main variables measured were pain (VAS) and isometric muscle strength (preoperatively, 10 days and 3 months after surgery). Secondary variables were haemoglobin at 24 h, transfusion index, need for rescue drugs and days of admission. RESULTS: A total of 71 patients (73 prosthesis) were studied. Both groups were homogeneous in terms of age, body mass index, sex ratio, preoperative strength and level of anesthetic risk. We did not find significative differences in any of the main variables (pain and strength) nor in the secondary ones. We could only find differences in the days of admission (2.77 vs. 3.05; p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Use of a tourniquet at low pressures (100 mmHg above systolic blood pressure) did not result in an increase in postoperative pain or a decrease in quadriceps extension force within the first 3 months after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1-Randomized controlled trial.

Epitope Mapping of Food Allergens Using Noncontact Piezoelectric Microarray Printer.

Peptide microarrays have been used to study protein-protein interaction, enzyme-substrate profiling, epitope mapping, vaccine development, and immuno-profiling. Unlike proteins, peptides are cheap to produce, and can be produced in a high-throughput manner, in a reliable and consistent procedure that reduces batch-to-batch variability. All this provides the peptide microarrays a great potential in the development of new diagnostic tools. Noncontact printing, such as piezoelectric systems, results in a considerable advance in protein and peptide microarray production. In particular, they improve drop deposition, sample distribution, quality control, and flexibility in substrate deposition and eliminate cross-contamination and carryover. These features contribute to creating reproducible assays and generating more reliable data. Here we describe the methods and materials for epitope mapping of food allergens using peptide microarrays produced with a noncontact piezoelectric microarray printer.

The implementation of a reflex locomotion program according to Vojta produces short-term automatic postural control changes in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Imbalance is common in people with multiple sclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of a Vojta locomotion reflex program as short-term automatic postural control in patients with Multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Quasi-experimental controlled trial with a pretest-post-test design. PARTICIPANTS: People with Multiple Sclerosis (N = 21) able to walk 100 m but unable to maintain 30-s tandem stance with arms alongside the body. INTERVENTION: in two consecutive weeks two interventions were conducted: Vojta group(A) and standard therapy group(B). Primary outcome were: Berg Balance scale (BBS), Tandem test, 10 m Walk in the 1st session (pre and post) then at the end of the study 2 weeks later. RESULTS: Intervention A had significant results in contrast to intervention B in BBS when referred to equilibrium variables (p = 0.026) and Tandem test (p = 0.01). In the 10 m Walk test a significant improvement was seen in both interventions, p = 0.00 in group A, p = 0.038 in group B. In addition, an association was found between the variable Core activation and the main equilibrium variable (BBS) in the intervention A. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Vojta therapy has a short-term effect improved balance in everyday skills according to BBS and the other tests (walking) in people with MS compared to a standard therapeutic procedure. www.ClinicalTrial.gov. REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03887507.

Increased HIV infection in patients with stroke in Spain. A 16-year population-based study / Aumento de la infección por VIH en pacientes con ictus en España. Estudio poblacional a nivel nacional a lo largo de 16 años

INTRODUCTION: An increased incidence of stroke in HIV-infected patients has already been reported, suggesting that HIV infection may be a cerebrovascular risk factor. The objective of this study was to assess temporal trends in the proportion of HIV infection among patients with stroke in Spain. METHODS: Data were obtained from the minimum basic dataset (MBDS) of all patients hospitalized in Spain between 1997 and 2012 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of stroke. The annual proportion of HIV infection and time trends (stratifying by type of stroke and HIV stage) were calculated, and predictors of HIV infection and the social and economic impact of HIV-infected (HIV+) and non-infected (HIV−) patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 857,371 patients hospitalized with an incident stroke, 2134 (0.25%) had HIV infection. A 2.5% year-on-year increase (OR 1.025, 95% CI 1.015-1.036, p < 0.0001) of the proportion of HIV-infected patients was observed due to an increase in the asymptomatic stage of the infection (per year OR 1.077, 95% CI 1.057-1.097, p < 0.0001), as the proportion of patients with AIDS remained stable. Factors independently associated with HIV infection and stroke were active smoking, stimulating drugs and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A higher mortality rate, longer hospital stay and a higher cost per hospitalized patient was observed among HIV+ patients. CONCLUSIONS: From 1997 to 2012, there was an increase in the proportion of HIV infection among patients hospitalized with stroke irrespective of the classical vascular risk factors, reinforcing the role of HIV infection as a cerebrovascular risk factor

INTRODUCCIÓN: Se ha observado previamente un aumento de la incidencia de ictus en pacientes con VIH (VIH+), lo que sugiere que esta infección es un factor de riesgo cerebrovascular (FRCV). El objetivo fue analizar las tendencias temporales del porcentaje de VIH+ en pacientes con ictus en España. MÉTODOS: Los datos se obtuvieron del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos (CMBD), incluyendo a todos los pacientes hospitalizados en España entre 1997 y 2012 con un diagnóstico primario o secundario de ictus. Se calcularon el porcentaje anual de infección por VIH y las tendencias temporales (estratificados por el tipo de ictus y el estadio del VIH), así como los factores predictores independientes de infección por VIH en pacientes con ictus. La mortalidad, las estancias hospitalarias y el coste por paciente fueron similares entre los pacientes VIH+ y los pacientes no infectados por el VIH (VIH-). RESULTADOS: De los 857.371 pacientes hospitalizados con un ictus incidente, 2.134 (0,25%) presentaban infección por VIH. Se observó un aumento de un 2,5% anual (OR: 1,025; IC del 95%: 1,015-1,036; p < 0,0001) en el porcentaje de infección por VIH, secundario a un aumento en el estadio asintomático de la infección (OR anual: 1,077; IC del 95%: 1,057-1,097; p < 0,0001), puesto que el porcentaje permaneció estable en pacientes con SIDA. La infección por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC), el consumo de drogas estimulantes y el tabaquismo activo fueron factores independientemente asociados a sufrir un ictus y presentar VIH. Se observó una mayor mortalidad (OR: 1,81; p < 0,0001) y una mayor estancia hospitalaria y coste por paciente hospitalizado en los pacientes VIH+. CONCLUSIONES: De 1997 a 2012, se ha observado un aumento del porcentaje de infección por VIH en pacientes hospitalizados con ictus independientemente de los factores de riesgo clásicos, lo que refuerza el papel de las infecciones por VIH como FRCV

Increased HIV infection in patients with stroke in Spain. A 16-year population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: An increased incidence of stroke in HIV-infected patients has already been reported, suggesting that HIV infection may be a cerebrovascular risk factor. The objective of this study was to assess temporal trends in the proportion of HIV infection among patients with stroke in Spain. METHODS: Data were obtained from the minimum basic dataset (MBDS) of all patients hospitalized in Spain between 1997 and 2012 with a primary or secondary diagnosis of stroke. The annual proportion of HIV infection and time trends (stratifying by type of stroke and HIV stage) were calculated, and predictors of HIV infection and the social and economic impact of HIV-infected (HIV+) and non-infected (HIV-) patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 857,371 patients hospitalized with an incident stroke, 2134 (0.25%) had HIV infection. A 2.5% year-on-year increase (OR 1.025, 95% CI 1.015-1.036, p<0.0001) of the proportion of HIV-infected patients was observed due to an increase in the asymptomatic stage of the infection (per year OR 1.077, 95% CI 1.057-1.097, p<0.0001), as the proportion of patients with AIDS remained stable. Factors independently associated with HIV infection and stroke were active smoking, stimulating drugs and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A higher mortality rate, longer hospital stay and a higher cost per hospitalized patient was observed among HIV+ patients. CONCLUSIONS: From 1997 to 2012, there was an increase in the proportion of HIV infection among patients hospitalized with stroke irrespective of the classical vascular risk factors, reinforcing the role of HIV infection as a cerebrovascular risk factor.

Clinical utility of microarray B-cell epitope mapping in food allergies: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Peptide microarray technology has been proposed as a useful tool for diagnosing food allergy. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the clinical methods and analytical procedures used to assess its diagnostic and prognostic performance. We performed a systematic review of studies that have used B-cell epitopes by peptide microarray in food allergies to identify the clinical utility of this immunologic technique. METHODS: Studies were screened in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase according to an established keyword algorithm. Data extraction was performed, and information was collected in an Excel database. Descriptive analysis was carried out using Stata software. RESULTS: Thirty relevant studies were identified. Most articles were cross-sectional (n = 24), included epitope mapping (n = 9), and assessed diagnostic utility (n = 11). All studies recruited allergic patients, and some included additional patients (sensitized, persistent, and tolerant). The primary microarray variables studied were IgE intensity (n = 29), IgG4 intensity (n = 15), and number of peptides (n = 17). Statistical approaches differed significantly between studies, with the Wilcoxon test being the most frequently used (n = 10). CONCLUSIONS: Sensitization to particular epitopes of milk, peanut, and shrimp allergens can be used to determine clinical reactivity, persistence, severity, or response to oral immunotherapy; however, important methodological questions need to be addressed before drawing definitive conclusions. More research is needed to address the accuracy and clinical benefits of microarray-based technology. Standards are required to improve consistency and reproducibility, and to allow for better understanding of research findings.

Hypoxemic Patients With Bilateral Infiltrates Treated With High-Flow Nasal Cannula Present a Similar Pattern of Biomarkers of Inflammation and Injury to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether patients with acute hypoxemia and bilateral opacities treated with high-flow nasal cannula and acute respiratory distress syndrome patients who were directly mechanically ventilated are similar in terms of lung epithelial, endothelial, and inflammatory biomarkers. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter study. SETTING: ICUs at three university tertiary hospitals. PATIENTS: Intubated and nonintubated patients admitted to the ICU with acute hypoxemia (PaO2/FIO2 ≤ 300) and bilateral opacities. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Either high-flow nasal cannula or mechanical ventilation was initiated, at the discretion of the attending physician. We measured plasma biomarkers of lung epithelial injury (receptor for advanced glycation end products and surfactant protein D) and endothelial injury (angiopoietin-2) and inflammation (interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and interleukin-33 and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2) within 24 hours of acute respiratory distress syndrome onset. Propensity score matching was performed using six different variables (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment, PaO2/FIO2, origin of acute respiratory distress syndrome, steroids, renal failure and need for vasopressors). Nonhypoxemic mechanically ventilated critically ill patients and healthy volunteers served as controls. Of the 170 patients enrolled, 127 (74.7%) were intubated and 43 (25.3%) were treated with high-flow nasal cannula at acute respiratory distress syndrome onset. After propensity score matching (39 high-flow nasal cannula patients vs 39 mechanical ventilation patients), no significant differences were observed in receptor for advanced glycation end products, surfactant protein D, angiopoietin-2, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-33, and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 between matched patients who were treated with high-flow nasal cannula and those who were intubated at acute respiratory distress syndrome onset. After matching, no differences in mortality or length of stay were observed. All biomarkers (with the exception of interleukin-33) were higher in both groups of matched acute respiratory distress syndrome patients than in both control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Acute hypoxemic patients with bilateral infiltrates treated with high-flow nasal cannula presented a similar pattern of biomarkers of inflammation and injury to acute respiratory distress syndrome patients undergoing direct mechanical ventilation. The results suggest that these high-flow nasal cannula patients should be considered as acute respiratory distress syndrome patients.

Actitudes, prácticas y estilos de vida en adolescentes de instituciones de educación secundaria de la ciudad de popayán, 2016

Objetivo: Determinar los estilos de vida de los entornos escolares, sus conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas hacia su salud, en los estudiantes de educación media vocacional en seis instituciones educativas públicas y privadas de la ciudad de Popayán. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, observacional de corte transversal, con muestra probabilística seleccionando 135 estudiantes. Se aplicó un instrumento tipo encuesta para el análisis de factores sociodemográficos, actitudes, prácticas y hábitos de vida de los adolescentes. Resultados: De los estudiantes encuestados son de grado noveno (51,9%); han fumado tabaco alguna vez (38,5%); han consumido alcohol (88,9%); han consumido sustancias psicoactivas (29,6%); realizan actividad física (87,4%); han iniciado su vida sexual (59,3%). Conclusiones: Los hábitos no saludables en los adolescentes se ven influenciados por la vulnerabilidad y entorno social, el uso de la tecnología y la vida moderna, los cuales afectan el tiempo libre y los determinantes sociales en salud.

Objective: To determine the lifestyles of school environments, their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards their health, in vocational secondary education students in six public and private educational institutions from Popayán. Materials and methods: Descriptive, observational cross -sectional study with a probabilistic sample, selecting 135 students, a survey- type instrument was used to analyze the socio-demographic factors, attitudes, practices and life customs of teenagers. Results: The respondent students, they were nineth grade (51.9%); have had smoked cigarettes (38.5%); consumed alcohol (88.9%) and psychoactive substances (29.6%); performed physical activity (87.4%); having started their sexual life (59.3%). Conclusions: Unhealthy habits in adolescents are influenced by vulnerability and social environment, the use of technology and modern life, which affect free time and social determinants in health.

Objetivo: Determinar os estilos de vida no ambiente escolar, seus conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas para sua saúde, nos estudantes do ensino meio em seis escolas públicas e privadas na cidade de Popayán. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, observacional de tipo transversal, com amostra probabilística selecionando 135 estudantes. Aplicou-se o instrumento tipo enquete para as análises dos fatores sociodemogra-ficos, atitudes, práticas e estilos de vida dos adolescentes. Resultados: Os alunos enquistados são do nono ano (51,9%), tem fumado alguma vez (38,5%), tem consumido álcool (88,9%), tem consumido substâncias psicoativas (29,6%), praticam atividade física (87,4%), tem vida sexual ativa (59,3%). Conclusões: os estilos de vida não saludáveis nos adolescentes tem influencia pela vulnerabilidade e entorno social, o uso da tecnologia, a vida moderna os quais afetam seu tempo livre e os determinantes sociais na saúde.

GUSB and ATP2B4 are suitable reference genes for CFTR gene expression data normalization in nasal epithelium cells.

BACKGROUND: CFTR expression studies contribute in understanding the relationship between CFTR transcripts and clinical outcomes. Normalization of qPCR data is an essential step to determine target gene expression. Consequently, appropriate reference genes must be selected for each gene/tissue. In this work, we have assessed the suitability of four potential reference genes for CFTR expression analysis in nasal epithelium. METHODS: B2M, GUSB, HPRT1 and ATP2B4 expression was evaluated in nasal epithelium samples (CFTR-wt controls, n=21; CFTR-splicing group, n=18) by RT-qPCR. Calibration curves were built and different analyses (geNorm, NormFinder, Mann-Whitney) were performed to evaluate gene expression stability between samples as well as between groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We have applied an accurate approach to select reference genes for CFTR expression analysis in nasal epithelium. From the four genes assessed, GUSB and ATP2B4 have been validated as a reliable gene combination for CFTR gene qPCR data normalization.

Reproducibility of asbestos body counts in digestions of autopsy and surgical lung tissue.

BACKGROUND: Asbestos body (AB) counting by a single observer is the most commonly used objective technique to demonstrate asbestos deposition in the lung. In this study, the accuracy and reliability of this procedure is analyzed by evaluating the degree of agreement between two experienced readers. METHODS: Lung tissue specimens from 66 individuals, most of whom had not been exposed to asbestos, were studied: 35 were obtained in postmortem studies (upper, middle, and lower lung) and 31 were from patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer. Overall, 167 samples were analyzed. Lung tissue sections weighing 0.5 g were obtained prospectively and processed, and the inorganic residue was analyzed by light microscopy at 400× magnification by two experienced readers. Results were expressed as AB/g of dry lung tissue. Interobserver variability was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and agreement was evaluated by the Bland-Altman method and the kappa index. RESULTS: The interobserver correlation was 0.8975: 0.8029 for autopsy samples and 0.9592 for biopsy samples. Bland-Altman plots showed that most values were grouped around the 95% limits of agreement. The kappa index was 0.87 for all samples, and 0.79, 0.65, and 0.54 for upper, middle, and lower lung specimens, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Asbestos body counting by a single reader is a reliable method, especially at low concentrations of asbestos bodies in lung tissue. Double reading may be indicated in borderline cases with asbestos body levels close to levels of 1 000 AB/g.