Aproximación ecológica y epidemiológica para establecer la relación entre las proliferaciones de Ostreopsis cf. ovata y sus impactos sobre la salud humana

Blooms of the benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis have been related to sporadic acute respiratory symptoms and general malaise in people exposed to marine aerosols on some Mediterranean beaches. However, the direct link between recurrent Ostreopsis blooms and health problems has not been clearly established. In order to establish and elucidate the connection, we conducted a joint ecology and epidemiology study in an Ostreopsis hot spot. Throughout the bloom, which extended from the end of June until the end of October 2013, 81% of the human cohort that we studied experienced at least one Ostreopsis-related symptom. Paradoxically, the time when the effects were greatest was during a short time window in early August. This corresponded to the transition from the exponential growth to the stationary phase of the bloom. Negligible symptoms were reported from August to mid-October, during the stationary period of the proliferation, when O. cf. ovata maintained high concentrations of epiphytic cells. No clear patterns in the landward wind component were noted during the time when health effects were greatest. Our main hypothesis is that the irritants present in the aerosol are produced during a particular physiological phase of the Ostreopsis cells during the bloom.Las proliferaciones del dinoflagelado bentónico Ostreopsis en algunas playas del Mediterráneo se han relacionado con síntomas respiratorios agudos esporádicos y malestar general en las personas expuestas a los aerosoles marinos. Sin embargo, la relación directa entre las proliferaciones recurrentes de Ostreopsis y los problemas en la salud no ha sido claramente establecida. Con el fin de establecer esta conexión se realizó un estudio ecológico y epidemiológico conjunto en una playa afectada por dichos eventos. A lo largo de la proliferación, que se extendió desde finales de junio hasta finales de octubre de 2013, el 81% de la cohorte humana estudiada presentó al menos un síntoma relacionado con los potencialmente producidos por Ostreopsis. Paradójicamente, la mayoría de los efectos se produjeron durante un breve período de tiempo, a principios de agosto, coincidiendo con la transición de la fase de crecimiento exponencial de la proliferación a la fase estacionaria. A partir de agosto y hasta mediados de octubre, durante dicha fase estacionaria en que se mantuvieron concentraciones elevadas de O. cf. ovata, los síntomas fueron negligibles. Durante el período de tiempo con mayor afectación en la salud, no se observó un patrón claro en la componente de viento de mar hacia tierra. Nuestra hipótesis principal es que los compuestos irritantes presentes en el aerosol se producen durante una fase fisiológica particular de las células de Ostreopsis en un momento concreto de la proliferación

Tres lecciones científicas que nos deja el coronavirus

El coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 y la enfermedad COVID-19 son una experiencia dolorosa, pero también nos proporciona excelentes lecciones de ciencia. Entre ellas destacaríamos tres: La salud del planeta es también nuestra salud [...]Peer reviewe

Malignant asbestos‐related disease in a population exposed to asbestos

Abstract Objectives: The first asbestos fiber cement plant in Spain operated in Cerdanyola, in the Barcelona metropolitan area, between 1907 and 1997. We describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with the malignant asbestosrelated disease (ARD) in the area of the plant between 2007 and 2016. Methods: A prospective, descriptive study was undertaken in the 12 municipalities of the county of Barcelona most proximate to the plant. We describe malignant ARD cases by time of diagnosis, source of exposure, periods of exposure and latency, and distribution by sex. Cumulative incidence and age‐standardized incidence rates (ASIR) are calculated. Results: Of 477 patients diagnosed with ARD between 2007 and 2016, 128 (26%) presented with asbestos‐associated malignancy. Pleural mesothelioma was noted in 105 patients (82.0%) with a linear trend Z‐score of −0.2 (NS) in men and 2.7 (P < .01) in women. The highest ASIRs for malignant ARD (6.1/100 000 residents/year; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2‐13.3) and pleural mesothelioma (4.8/100 000 residents/ year; 95% CI, 1.5‐11.6) occurred in municipalities closest to the focal point of contamination. The origin of malignant ARD was nonoccupational in 32.2% of men and 81.6% of women (P < .001). Conclusions: More than 20 years after the closure of the fiber cement plant, the grave consequences of exposure to asbestos remain. The detection of cases of pleural mesothelioma in men seems to have plateaued whereas in women an ascending trend continues, which principally has its origin in nonoccupational exposures

Programa de vigilància postocupacional de la salut dels treballadors que han estat exposats a l’amiant

Treballadors exposats a l'amiant; Vigilància sanitària; Protecció de la salutTrabajadores expuestos al amianto; Vigilancia sanitaria; Protección de la saludWorkers exposed to asbestos; Health surveillance; Health protectionEn el Pla de Govern per a la prevenció de riscos laborals 2005- 2008, que va aprovar el Govern de la Generalitat el dia 16 de febrer de 2006, es preveia en l’apartat 2.17: “Desenvolupar segons l’article 37.3.e del Reial decret 39/1997, el Programa Integral de Vigilància de la Salut dels treballadors exposats a l’amiant (PIVISTEA), aprovat per la Comissió Nacional de Seguretat i Salut en el Treball i en el Consell Interterritorial del Sistema Nacional de Salut”. És per això que, l’any 2006, el Comitè Científic creat a aquest efecte va desenvolupar el Programa esmentat i l’any 2007 se’n va publicar el Protocol. Aquest Programa de vigilància postocupacional de la salut dels treballadors que han estat exposats a l’amiant tenia i té uns objectius que, passats 14 anys, continuen sent totalment vàlids però, per poder-los assolir adequadament, calia fer una revisió del protocol que tingués en compte l’estat actual de coneixements en aquest àmbit, els canvis normatius que hi ha hagut (com la inclusió del càncer de laringe per amiant en el quadre de malalties professionals) i les disfuncions o dificultats que s’han detectat en l’aplicació del Programa. Aquesta revisió, a més, respon al III Pla de Govern de Seguretat i Salut Laboral 2015-2020, que, en la línia 4.4.2, estableix: “Seguiment, actualització i millora del Programa de vigilància de la salut postocupacional d’amiant”

Risk factors of mortality from all asbestos-related diseases: A competing risk analysis.

Background. The mortality from all malignant and nonmalignant asbestos-related diseases remains unknown. The authors assessed the incidence and risk factors for all asbestos-related deaths. Methods. The sample included 544 patients from an asbestos-exposed community in the area of Barcelona (Spain), between Jan 1, 1970, and Dec 31, 2006. Competing risk regression through a subdistribution hazard analysis was used to estimate risk factors for the outcomes. Results. Asbestos-related deaths were observed in 167 (30.7%) patients and 57.5% of these deaths were caused by some type of mesothelioma. The incidence rate after diagnosis was 3,600 per 100,000 person-years. In 7.5% of patients death was non-asbestos-related, while pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma were identified in 87 (16.0%) and 18 (3.3%) patients, respectively. Conclusions. Age, sex, household exposure, cumulative nonmalignant asbestos-related disease, and single malignant pathology were identified as risk factors for asbestos-related death. These findings suggest the need to develop a preventive approach to the community and to improve the clinical follow-up process of these patients

Risk Factors of Mortality from All Asbestos-Related Diseases: A Competing Risk Analysis

Background. The mortality from all malignant and nonmalignant asbestos-related diseases remains unknown. The authors assessed the incidence and risk factors for all asbestos-related deaths. Methods. The sample included 544 patients from an asbestos-exposed community in the area of Barcelona (Spain), between Jan 1, 1970, and Dec 31, 2006. Competing risk regression through a subdistribution hazard analysis was used to estimate risk factors for the outcomes. Results. Asbestos-related deaths were observed in 167 (30.7%) patients and 57.5% of these deaths were caused by some type of mesothelioma. The incidence rate after diagnosis was 3,600 per 100,000 person-years. In 7.5% of patients death was non-asbestos-related, while pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma were identified in 87 (16.0%) and 18 (3.3%) patients, respectively. Conclusions. Age, sex, household exposure, cumulative nonmalignant asbestos-related disease, and single malignant pathology were identified as risk factors for asbestos-related death. These findings suggest the need to develop a preventive approach to the community and to improve the clinical follow-up process of these patients

Risk factors associated with asbestos-related diseases: a community-based case-control study

Abstract Background: Asbestos is a first level carcinogen. However, few epidemiological studies analyse the risk and protective factors associated with asbestos-related diseases and follow up these conditions in the general population. Pleural mesothelioma, caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres at work, at home or in the environment, is the most representative asbestos-related disease. The objectives of this study are to analyse the risk and protective factors associated with asbestos-related diseases and to investigate the incidence of new clinical manifestations in patients already diagnosed with some form of ARD. Methods/Design: We have designed a matched case-control study with follow up of both cohorts from a population of a health district of the Barcelona province that has been exposed to asbestos for a period of 90 years. Discussion: A better understanding of asbestos-related diseases should improve i) the clinical and epidemiological follow up of patients with this condition; ii) the design of new treatment strategies; iii) and the development of preventive activities. At the end of the study, the two cohorts created in this study (affected cases and healthy controls) will constitute the basis for future research

Risk Factors of Mortality from All Asbestos-Related Diseases: A Competing Risk Analysis

Amiant; Mortalitat; Factors de riscAsbestos; Mortality; Risk factorsAmianto; Mortalidad; Factores de riesgoBackground. Themortality fromallmalignant and nonmalignant asbestos-related diseases remains unknown. The authors assessed the incidence and risk factors for all asbestos-related deaths. Methods.Thesampleincluded544patientsfrom anasbestos- exposed community in the area of Barcelona (Spain), between Jan 1, 1970, and Dec 31, 2006. Competing risk regression through a subdistribution hazard analysis was used to estimate risk factors for the outcomes. Results. Asbestos-related deaths were observed in 167 (30.7%) patients and 57.5% of these deathswere caused by some type ofmesothelioma. The incidence rate aſter diagnosis was 3,600 per 100,000 person-years. In 7.5%of patients deathwas non-asbestos-related,while pleural and peritonealmesotheliomawere identified in 87 (16.0%) and 18 (3.3%) patients, respectively. Conclusions. Age, sex, household exposure, cumulative nonmalignant asbestos-related disease, and single malignant pathology were identified as risk factors for asbestos-related death. These findings suggest the need to develop a preventive approach to the community and to improve the clinical follow-up process of these patients. 1

The roses ocean and human health chair: A new way to engage the public in oceans and human health challenges

Involving and engaging stakeholders is crucial for studying and managing the complex interactions between marine ecosystems and human health and wellbeing. The Oceans and Human Health Chair was founded in the town of Roses (Catalonia, Spain, NW Mediterranean) in 2018, the fruit of a regional partnership between various stakeholders, and for the purpose of leading the way to better health and wellbeing through ocean research and conservation. The Chair is located in an area of the Mediterranean with a notable fishing, tourist, and seafaring tradition and is close to a marine reserve, providing the opportunity to observe diverse environmental conditions and coastal and maritime activities. The Chair is a case study demonstrating that local, collaborative, transdisciplinary, trans-sector, and bottom-up approaches offer tremendous opportunities for engaging coastal communities to help support long-lasting solutions that benefit everyone, and especially those living by the sea or making their living from the goods and services provided by the sea. Furthermore, the Chair has successfully integrated most of its experts in oceans and human health from the most prestigious institutions in Catalonia. The Chair focuses on three main topics identified by local stakeholders: Fish and Health; Leisure, Health, and Wellbeing; and Medicines from the Sea. Led by stakeholder engagement, the Chair can serve as a novel approach within the oceans and human health field of study to tackle a variety of environmental and public health challenges related to both communicable and non-communicable diseases, within the context of sociocultural issues. Drawing on the example provided by the Chair, four principles are established to encourage improved participatory processes in the oceans and human health field: bottom-up, “think local”, transdisciplinary and trans-sectorial, and “balance the many voices”.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Roses Ocean and Human Health Chair: A New Way to Engage the Public in Oceans and Human Health Challenges

Involving and engaging stakeholders is crucial for studying and managing the complex interactions between marine ecosystems and human health and wellbeing. The Oceans and Human Health Chair was founded in the town of Roses (Catalonia, Spain, NW Mediterranean) in 2018, the fruit of a regional partnership between various stakeholders, and for the purpose of leading the way to better health and wellbeing through ocean research and conservation. The Chair is located in an area of the Mediterranean with a notable fishing, tourist, and seafaring tradition and is close to a marine reserve, providing the opportunity to observe diverse environmental conditions and coastal and maritime activities. The Chair is a case study demonstrating that local, collaborative, transdisciplinary, trans-sector, and bottom-up approaches offer tremendous opportunities for engaging coastal communities to help support long-lasting solutions that benefit everyone, and especially those living by the sea or making their living from the goods and services provided by the sea. Furthermore, the Chair has successfully integrated most of its experts in oceans and human health from the most prestigious institutions in Catalonia. The Chair focuses on three main topics identified by local stakeholders: Fish and Health; Leisure, Health, and Wellbeing; and Medicines from the Sea. Led by stakeholder engagement, the Chair can serve as a novel approach within the oceans and human health field of study to tackle a variety of environmental and public health challenges related to both communicable and non-communicable diseases, within the context of sociocultural issues. Drawing on the example provided by the Chair, four principles are established to encourage improved participatory processes in the oceans and human health field: bottom-up, "think local", transdisciplinary and trans-sectorial, and "balance the many voices"