Utilización de contaminantes criterios (CO, NO2, SO2, O3, MP y Pb) para determinar diferentes condiciones ambientales en la Ciudad de Córdoba (Arg.)

Fil: Mateos, A. C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: Mateos, A. C. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. . Cátedra de Química General; Argentina.Fil: Amarillo, A. C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: Amarillo, A. C. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. . Cátedra de Química General; Argentina.Fil: González, C. M. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: González, C. M. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. . Cátedra de Química General; Argentina.El objetivo de este trabajo fue discriminar sitios con diferente calidad atmosférica en un ambiente urbano (ciudad de Córdoba y alrededores), según las concentraciones de los seis contaminantes criterios definidios por la US-EPA, empleando distintos tipos de monitores instrumentales.https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByqV5RYgKgANZ2hjaEphelpMa2M/viewFil: Mateos, A. C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: Mateos, A. C. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. . Cátedra de Química General; Argentina.Fil: Amarillo, A. C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: Amarillo, A. C. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. . Cátedra de Química General; Argentina.Fil: González, C. M. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: González, C. M. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. . Cátedra de Química General; Argentina.Ciencias Medioambientales (los aspectos sociales van en 5.7 "Geografía Económica y Social

Genotoxicidad de hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos adsorbidos en material particulado presente en la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina

Fil: Tames, M. F. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Tames, M. F. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: Amarillo, A. C. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Amarillo, A. C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: Wannaz, E. D. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, H. A. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, H. A. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.El material particulado es un contaminante atmosférico con potencialidad para causar problemas en la salud. Adsorbidos al MP se encuentran hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (HAPs), que son producto de la combustión incompleta, y algunos están clasificados por la Agencia Internacional de Investigación en Cáncer como mutagénicos y/o carcinogénicos, aún en bajas concentraciones. Entre los test para evaluar genotoxicidad de contaminantes, el ensayo cometa es uno de los más empleados. En el presente trabajo se evaluó el efecto genotóxico causado por HAPs extraídos de MP recolectado en zonas con fuentes de contaminación diferentes. Se colectaron muestras diarias de MP10 en 4 zonas de la provincia de Córdoba durante 3 años consecutivos con un muestreador de mediano volumen. Se extrajeron los HAPs sonicando los filtros con diclorometano y luego concentrándolos en evaporador rotatorio. Para la cuantificación e identificación de los compuestos orgánicos se empleó cromatografía líquida de alta resolución con fluorescencia. Los extractos orgánicos extraídos del MP10 fueron empleados para exponer linfocitos humanos, con los que luego se realizó el ensayo cometa según la metodología descripta por Singh et al (1988) modificada. Los datos obtenidos fueron procesados utilizando CometScore y luego analizados estadísticamente mediante análisis de la varianza y análisis de componentes principales con Infostat. Las zonas con mayor concentración total de HAPs fueron Ferreyra y Centro, mientras que en Malagueño y Saldán se obtuvieron los valores más bajos. Asimismo, en Malagueño se alcanzaron los mayores porcentajes de ADN en la cola de los cometas, mientras que los valores más bajos se registraron en Saldán. Las diferencias observadas se podrían deber tanto a la concentración como a la composición de HAPs, correspondientes a las diferentes zonas de muestreo. Las concentraciones de HAPs asociados al MP analizado indican un potencial riesgo de exposición del hombre a estos compuestos.http://www.congresosetacnqn.com.ar/stc/images/archivos/LibroResumenes_SETAC2014.pdfFil: Tames, M. F. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Tames, M. F. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: Amarillo, A. C. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Amarillo, A. C. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Fil: Wannaz, E. D. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, H. A. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; Argentina.Fil: Carreras, H. A. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina.Otras Ciencias de la Tierra y relacionadas con el Medio Ambient

A Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of Single-Dose Praziquantel at 40 mg/kg vs. 60 mg/kg for Treating Intestinal Schistosomiasis in the Philippines, Mauritania, Tanzania and Brazil

Control of urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis is based on mass administration of praziquantel at the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended dose of 40 mg/kg, though some countries use 60 mg/kg. This multi-country randomized clinical trial compared the efficacy (cure and egg reduction rates three weeks post-treatment) and safety of these two doses for treating intestinal schistosomiasis in 856 patients in Brazil, Mauritania and Tanzania (Schistosoma mansoni), and The Philippines (S. japonicum). Transmission and infection intensities varied across the sites, but there was no bias or heterogeneity in efficacy outcomes. The two doses are equally effective in curing intestinal schistosomiasis; the higher dose may be less well tolerated, though effects are generally mild and transient. In endemic areas people can be re-infected; one year post-treatment patients on 60 mg/kg had fewer re-infections but this finding is difficult to explain. This study was conducted to respond to the demand for evidence about the dose of praziquantel when deployed in endemic countries. The results, along with those of systematic reviews, support the current WHO recommendation for using praziquantel at 40 mg/kg and should inform policy decisions in countries. The Philippines has already changed from 60 to 40 mg/kg after this study

Increasing Compliance with Mass Drug Administration Programs for Lymphatic Filariasis in India through Education and Lymphedema Management Programs

Global elimination of lymphatic filariasis requires giving drugs at least annually to populations who live at risk of becoming infected with the parasite. At least 80% of people at risk need to take the drugs annually for 5 or more years to stop transmission of the infection. People suffering from the long-term effects of infection, such as swollen legs, benefit from programs that teach self-care of their affected limbs. In this study, we assessed the impact of an educational campaign that, after addressing previously identified predictors of compliance, significantly improved drug compliance. The specific factors improving compliance included knowing about the drug distribution in advance, knowing that everyone is at risk for acquiring the infection, knowing that the drug distribution was for lymphatic filariasis prevention, and knowing at least one component of leg care. We also found that areas with programs to assist people with swollen legs had greater increases in compliance. This research provides evidence that program evaluation can be used to improve drug compliance. In addition, our work shows for the first time that programs to benefit people with swollen legs caused by lymphatic filariasis also increase the participation of people without disease in drug treatment programs

National Mass Drug Administration Costs for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination

Lymphatic filariasis (LF), commonly known as elephantiasis, is a profoundly disfiguring parasitic disease caused by thread-like nematode worms. This disease can often be disabling, thus reducing the potential productivity of the affected individuals. The WHO places the number of people at risk in 83 countries at 1.307 billion. This study was undertaken in seven countries—Burkina Faso, Ghana, Egypt, Tanzania, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti—using a common protocol to determine the costs of mass drug administration (MDA) programs to interrupt transmission of infection with LF, because there is lack of sufficient information about the costs of these programs. The results demonstrate that LF MDA is affordable and relatively inexpensive when compared to other public health programs. In the context of initiatives for integrating programs for the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases, this study adds specifically to the relatively scarce body of information about the costs of MDA programs for LF. It also adds to the general knowledge about the application of methods that can be used to estimate the costs and cost-effectiveness of an integrated approach

The Scales Project, a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scales

Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants’ interactions with components of the built environment such as adjustments of thermostats and/or opening windows and strongly related to the energy use in buildings. Understanding causes for thermal (dis-)comfort is crucial for design and operation of any type of building. The assessment of human thermal perception through rating scales, for example in post-occupancy studies, has been applied for several decades; however, long-existing assumptions related to these rating scales had been questioned by several researchers. The aim of this study was to gain deeper knowledge on contextual influences on the interpretation of thermal perception scales and their verbal anchors by survey participants. A questionnaire was designed and consequently applied in 21 language versions. These surveys were conducted in 57 cities in 30 countries resulting in a dataset containing responses from 8225 participants. The database offers potential for further analysis in the areas of building design and operation, psycho-physical relationships between human perception and the built environment, and linguistic analyses

A Community-Based Study of Factors Associated with Continuing Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis in Leogane, Haiti

Seven rounds of mass drug administration (MDA) have been administered in Leogane, Haiti, an area hyperendemic for lymphatic filariasis (LF). Sentinel site surveys showed that the prevalence of microfilaremia was reduced to <1% from levels as high as 15.5%, suggesting that transmission had been reduced. A separate 30-cluster survey of 2- to 4-year-old children was conducted to determine if MDA interrupted transmission. Antigen and antifilarial antibody prevalence were 14.3% and 19.7%, respectively. Follow-up surveys were done in 6 villages, including those selected for the cluster survey, to assess risk factors related to continued LF transmission and to pinpoint hotspots of transmission. One hundred houses were mapped in each village using GPS-enabled PDAs, and then 30 houses and 10 alternates were chosen for testing. All individuals in selected houses were asked to participate in a short survey about participation in MDA, history of residence in Leogane and general knowledge of LF. Survey teams returned to the houses at night to collect blood for antigen testing, microfilaremia and Bm14 antibody testing and collected mosquitoes from these communities in parallel. Antigen prevalence was highly variable among the 6 villages, with the highest being 38.2% (Dampus) and the lowest being 2.9% (Corail Lemaire); overall antigen prevalence was 18.5%. Initial cluster surveys of 2- to 4-year-old children were not related to community antigen prevalence. Nearest neighbor analysis found evidence of clustering of infection suggesting that LF infection was focal in distribution. Antigen prevalence among individuals who were systematically noncompliant with the MDAs, i.e. they had never participated, was significantly higher than among compliant individuals (p<0.05). A logistic regression model found that of the factors examined for association with infection, only noncompliance was significantly associated with infection. Thus, continuing transmission of LF seems to be linked to rates of systematic noncompliance

Evaluating assumptions of scales for subjective assessment of thermal environments – Do laypersons perceive them the way, we researchers believe?

People's subjective response to any thermal environment is commonly investigated by using rating scales describing the degree of thermal sensation, comfort, and acceptability. Subsequent analyses of results collected in this way rely on the assumption that specific distances between verbal anchors placed on the scale exist and that relationships between verbal anchors from different dimensions that are assessed (e.g. thermal sensation and comfort) do not change. Another inherent assumption is that such scales are independent of the context in which they are used (climate zone, season, etc.). Despite their use worldwide, there is indication that contextual differences influence the way the scales are perceived and therefore question the reliability of the scales’ interpretation. To address this issue, a large international collaborative questionnaire study was conducted in 26 countries, using 21 different languages, which led to a dataset of 8225 questionnaires. Results, analysed by means of robust statistical techniques, revealed that only a subset of the responses are in accordance with the mentioned assumptions. Significant differences appeared between groups of participants in their perception of the scales, both in relation to distances of the anchors and relationships between scales. It was also found that respondents’ interpretations of scales changed with contextual factors, such as climate, season, and language. These findings highlight the need to carefully consider context-dependent factors in interpreting and reporting results from thermal comfort studies or post-occupancy evaluations, as well as to revisit the use of rating scales and the analysis methods used in thermal comfort studies to improve their reliability

Prioritization of genes driving congenital phenotypes of patients with de novo genomic structural variants

Background:Genomic structural variants (SVs) can affect many genes and regulatory elements. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms driving the phenotypes of patients carrying de novo SVs are frequently unknown. Methods:We applied a combination of systematic experimental and bioinformatic methods to improve the molecular diagnosis of 39 patients with multiple congenital abnormalities and/or intellectual disability harboring apparent de novo SVs, most with an inconclusive diagnosis after regular genetic testing. Results: In 7 of these cases (18%), whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed disease-relevant complexities of the SVs missed in routine microarray-based analyses. We developed a computational tool to predict the effects on genes directly affected by SVs and on genes indirectly affected likely due to the changes in chromatin organization and impact on regulatory mechanisms. By combining these functional predictions with extensive phenotype information, candidate driver genes were identified in 16/39 (41%) patients. In 8 cases, evidence was found for the involvement of multiple candidate drivers contributing to different parts of the phenotypes. Subsequently, we applied this computational method to two cohorts containing a total of 379 patients with previously detected and classified de novo SVs and identified candidate driver genes in 189 cases (50%), including 40 cases whose SVs were previously not classified as pathogenic. Pathogenic position effects were predicted in 28% of all studied cases with balanced SVs and in 11% of the cases with copy number variants. Conclusions:These results demonstrate an integrated computational and experimental approach to predict driver genes based on analyses of WGS data with phenotype association and chromatin organization datasets. These analyses nominate new pathogenic loci and have strong potential to improve the molecular diagnosis of patients with de novo SVs

The Scales Project, a cross-national dataset on the interpretation of thermal perception scales

Thermal discomfort is one of the main triggers for occupants' interactions with components of the built environment such as adjustments of thermostats and/or opening windows and strongly related to the energy use in buildings. Understanding causes for thermal (dis-)comfort is crucial for design and operation of any type of building. The assessment of human thermal perception through rating scales, for example in post-occupancy studies, has been applied for several decades; however, long-existing assumptions related to these rating scales had been questioned by several researchers. The aim of this study was to gain deeper knowledge on contextual influences on the interpretation of thermal perception scales and their verbal anchors by survey participants. A questionnaire was designed and consequently applied in 21 language versions. These surveys were conducted in 57 cities in 30 countries resulting in a dataset containing responses from 8225 participants. The database offers potential for further analysis in the areas of building design and operation, psycho-physical relationships between human perception and the built environment, and linguistic analyses