Indoor and outdoor air quality: a university cafeteria as a case study

A short but exhaustive air sampling campaign was conducted in a university cafeteria, an occupational environmental not yet studied. Carbonyls and volatile organic compounds were collected by passive diffusion samplers. Temperature, relative humidity, CO2, CO and particulate matter were continuously monitored indoors and outdoors. Simultaneous PM10 sampling with high and low volume instruments, equipped with quartz and Teflon filters, respectively, was performed during working hours and at night. The quartz filters were analysed for their carbonaceous content by a thermo-optical technique and organic constituents by GC-MS. Water-soluble ions and elements were analysed in the Teflon filters by ion chromatography and PIXE, respectively. Low air change rates (0.31–1.5 h−1) and infiltration factors of 0.14, for both PM2.5 and PM10, indicate poor ventilation conditions. Concentrations of both gaseous pollutants and particulate matter were much higher in the cafeteria than outdoors, showing strong variations throughout the day depending on occupancy and activities. The average concentration of indoor-generated PM10 was estimated to be 32 μg m−3. Organic compounds in PM10 included alkanes, PAHs, saccharides, phenolics, alcohols, acids, alkyl esters, triterpenoids, sterols, among others. The complex particle composition reveals the multiplicity of sources, formation reactions and removal processes, not yet fully known, and suggests the contribution from dust resuspension, abrasion and off-gassing of building materials, cooking emissions, tobacco smoke, and several consumer products. Many compounds are in the list of ingredients of personal care products, pesticides, plasticisers, flame retardants and psychoactive drugs. The inhalation cancer risks of metals and PAHs were found to be negligible.publishe

Transplante autólogo “melhorado” stem cells medula óssea cd34+ em pacientes com angina refratária: estudo piloto

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of 6 months of autologous CD34+ stem cells in bone marrow “enhanced” by ischemic preconditioning in patients with refractory angina.Methods: A pilot study with 14 patients with refractory angina, with a functional class greater than or equal to III clinical (NYHA and CCS), of the Department of Cardiology of the Central Military Hospital. They were selected by convenience 14 patients who were randomly assigned to two groups, the first (intervention) with autologous stem cells CD34+ bone marrow powered by ischemic preconditioning, intravenously more conventional medical treat­ment, and the second (control) with conventional medical treatment. Baseline measurements were performed and six months’ threshold angina/ischemia measured in mets and functional class.Results: Comparing the medians, the change in threshold value angina/ischemia six months later for the interven­tion group was 3.5 mets vs 0.9 mets for the control group P = 0.013. No inherent complications to treatment were recorded.Conclusions: In this study patients with refractory angina who underwent autologous stem cell transplant of bone marrow CD34+ powered by ischemic preconditioning, showed an improvement in threshold angina and functional class of 6 months.Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia a 6 meses del trasplante autólogo de células madre CD34+ de médula ósea “potenciado”, mediante pre-condicionamiento isquémico en pacientes con angina refractaria.Métodos: Estudio piloto con 14 pacientes con angina refractaria, clase funcional clínica mayor o igual a III (NYHA y CCS), del Servicio de Cardiología del Hospital Militar Central. Fueron seleccionados por conveniencia 14 pacientes los cuales se asignaron aleatoriamente a 2 grupos, el primero (intervención) con trasplante autólogo de células madre CD34+ de médula ósea potenciado mediante pre-condicionamiento isquémico por vía intravenosa más tratamiento médico convencional, y el segundo (control) con tratamiento médico convencional. Se realizaron mediciones basales a 6 meses del umbral de angina/isquemia medido en mets y clase funcional.Resultados: Al comparar las medianas, el cambio en el valor umbral de angina/isquemia 6 meses después, para el grupo intervenido fue de 3.5 mets vs 0.9 mets, para el grupo control P= 0.013. No se registraron complicaciones inherentes al tratamiento.Conclusiones: En esta investigación, los pacientes con angina refractaria intervenidos con trasplante autólogo de células madre de médula ósea CD34+ potenciado mediante precondicionamiento isquémico mostraron mejoría del umbral de angina y clase funcional a 6 meses. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia de 6 meses de células-tronco autólogas CD34 + na medula óssea “aumentada” pelo pré-condicionamento isquêmico em pacientes com angina refratária.Métodos: Um estudo piloto com 14 pacientes com angina refratária, com classe funcional maior ou igual a III clínica (NYHA e CCS), Do Departamento de Cardiologia do Hospital Militar Central. Eles foram selecionados por conveniência 14 pacientes que foram aleatoriamente designados para dois grupos, a primeira (intervenção) com cé­lulas-tronco autólogas CD34+ medula óssea alimentado por pré-condicionamento isquêmico, tratamento intravenoso mais convencional, e o segundo (controle) com tratamento médico convencional. Medidas de linha de base foram realizadas e seis meses de angina limiar /isquemia medido em mets e classe funcional.Resultados: Comparando as mediana, a alteração do valor limiar angina / isquemia seis meses depois para o grupo de intervenção foi de 3,5 mets vs 0,9 mets para o grupo de controlo P = 0,013. Não foram registadas complicações inerentes ao tratamento.Conclusões: Neste estudo, pacientes com angina refratária submetidos a transplante de células-tronco autólogas de medula óssea CD34+ alimentado por pré-condicionamento isquêmico, apresentaram melhora da angina limiar e classe funcional de 6 meses

Biological Activity and Implications of the Metalloproteinases in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Inadequate metabolic control predisposes diabetic patient to a series of complications on account of diabetes mellitus (DM). Among the most common complications of DM is neuropathy, which causes microvascular damage by hyperglycemia in the lower extremities which arrives characterized by a delayed closing. The global prevalence of diabetic neuropathy (DN) was 66% of people with diabetes in 2015, representing the principal cause of total or partial lower extremities amputation, with 22.6% of the patients with DN. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in healing. The function that these mainly play is the degradation during inflammation that has as consequence the elimination of the extracellular matrix (ECM), the disintegration of the capillary membrane to give way to angiogenesis and cellular migration for the remodeling of damaged tissue. The imbalance in MMPs may increase the chronicity of a wound, what leads to chronic foot ulcers and amputation. This chapter focuses on the role of MMPs in diabetic wound healing

Els fongs de Catalunya occidental segons les prospeccions recents. II

This paper contains the conclusion of a mycological survey of western Catalonia. The first part of the results was published in Acta Bot. Barc. 45 (Homenatge a Oriol de Bolòs): 57-89. The present part covers the last two groups of Basidiomycota: the agarics (326 species) and the gasteromycetes (44 species). The data regarding the surveyed area, collection localities, abbreviations used in the information on ecology, collectors and identifiers are found in the mentioned first part, which contains records of 37 species of Myxomycota, 5 of Zygomycota, 101 of mitosporic fungi, 8 of Teliomycetes, 1 of Ustomycetes, 16 of Phragmobasidiomycetes and 92 of Aphyllophorales. Together with the first part, the results of our survey are a useful contribution to an improved understanding of the fungal component of plant communities of the dry, warm lowlands of the western Mediterranean region, and highlight the remarkable reproductive activity of the fungi observed during late Autumn and Winter, in the studied area

Guidance on noncorticosteroid systemic immunomodulatory therapy in noninfectious uveitis: fundamentals of care for uveitis (focus) initiative

Topic: An international, expert-led consensus initiative to develop systematic, evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis in the era of biologics. Clinical Relevance: The availability of biologic agents for the treatment of human eye disease has altered practice patterns for the management of noninfectious uveitis. Current guidelines are insufficient to assure optimal use of noncorticosteroid systemic immunomodulatory agents. Methods: An international expert steering committee comprising 9 uveitis specialists (including both ophthalmologists and rheumatologists) identified clinical questions and, together with 6 bibliographic fellows trained in uveitis, conducted a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol systematic reviewof the literature (English language studies from January 1996 through June 2016; Medline [OVID], the Central Cochrane library, EMBASE,CINAHL,SCOPUS,BIOSIS, andWeb of Science). Publications included randomized controlled trials, prospective and retrospective studies with sufficient follow-up, case series with 15 cases or more, peer-reviewed articles, and hand-searched conference abstracts from key conferences. The proposed statements were circulated among 130 international uveitis experts for review.Atotal of 44 globally representativegroupmembersmet in late 2016 to refine these guidelines using a modified Delphi technique and assigned Oxford levels of evidence. Results: In total, 10 questions were addressed resulting in 21 evidence-based guidance statements covering the following topics: when to start noncorticosteroid immunomodulatory therapy, including both biologic and nonbiologic agents; what data to collect before treatment; when to modify or withdraw treatment; how to select agents based on individual efficacy and safety profiles; and evidence in specific uveitic conditions. Shared decision-making, communication among providers and safety monitoring also were addressed as part of the recommendations. Pharmacoeconomic considerations were not addressed. Conclusions: Consensus guidelines were developed based on published literature, expert opinion, and practical experience to bridge the gap between clinical needs and medical evidence to support the treatment of patients with noninfectious uveitis with noncorticosteroid immunomodulatory agents

Attitudes towards treatment among patients suffering from sleep disorders. A Latin American survey

BACKGROUND: Although sleep disorders are common, they frequently remain unnoticed by the general practitioner. Few data are available about the willingness and reasons of patients with sleep disturbances to seek for medical assistance. METHODS: The results of a cross-sectional community-based multinational survey in three major Latin American urban areas, i.e. Buenos Aires, Mexico City and Sao Paulo, are reported. Two-hundred subjects suffering sleep disturbances and 100 non-sufferers were selected from the general population in each city (total number: 600 sufferers vs. 300 non-sufferers). A structured interview was conducted, sleep characteristics, feelings about sleep disturbances and strategies to cope with those problems being recorded. Data were analyzed by employing either t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA) to the Z-transformed proportions. RESULTS: 22.7 ± 3.5 % (mean ± SEM) of subjects reported to suffer from sleep disturbances every night. About 3 out of 4 (74.2 ± 2.0 %) considered their disorder as mild and were not very concerned about it. Only 31 ± 2 % of sufferers reported to have sought for medical help. Although 45 ± 2 % of sufferers reported frequent daily sleepiness, trouble to remember things, irritability and headaches, they did not seek for medical assistance. Among those patients who saw a physician with complaints different from sleep difficulties only 1 out of 3 (33 ± 2 % of patients) were asked about quality of their sleep by the incumbent practitioner. Strategies of patients to cope with sleep problems included specific behaviors (taking a warm bath, reading or watching TV) (44 ± 1.6 %), taking herbal beverages (17 ± 1.2 %) or taking sleeping pills (10 ± 1.1 %). Benzodiazepines were consumed by 3 ± 0.6 % of sufferers. CONCLUSION: Public educational campaigns on the consequences of sleep disorders and an adequate training of physicians in sleep medicine are needed to educate both the public and the general practitioners about sleep disorders

Reseñas de libros

[EN] García Bueno, Antonio. Dibujando la Alhambra y su Entorno (por Antonio J. Gómez-Blanco Pontes) pp. 4.-- Pozo, José M.; García-Diego, Hector y García, Izaskun ( por Carlos Montes Serrano) pp. 5.-- Laura Carlevaris, Mónica Filippa (coordinadoras)(por Antonio Álvaro Tordesillas) pp. 5 y 6.-- Esteve Secall, Carlos E. La ciencia gnomónica en la España del siglo de Oro (por Joaquín Casado de Amezúa Vázquez ) pp. 6 y 7.-- Franco Taboada, José Antonio. Geometría descriptiva para la representación arquitectónica (por Lluís Villanueva Bartrina) pp. 7 y 8.--Raposo Grau, Javier Fco; Butragueño Díaz-Guerra y Paredes Maldonado, Miguel. La ciudad como espacio de relaciones dinámicas (por Margarita de Luxán García de Diego) pp. 8 y 9.-- Castellanos Gómez, Raúl. Plan Poché (por Daniel García-Escudero) pp. 9 y 10.-- Gutiérrez Mozo, María Alia; Castilla Pascual, Francisco Javier y Real Tomás, María del Carmen. 70 años de arquitectura en Albacete: 1936-2006 ( por Javier Poyatos Sebastián) pp. 10 y 11.-- García Sánchez, María Teresa. De la ciudad en vibración al ser resonante: una investigación a propósito de los conciertos de campanas de Llorenç Barber ( por Fernando Ochoa Gómez) pp. 11.-- Pernas Alonso, Inés. Escaleras de piedra en los conjuntos monásticos de la provincia de Ourense entre los siglos xVI y xVIII. Análisis gráfico (por José Antonio Franco Taboada) pp. 12 y 13.-- Rodríguez Moreno, Dª Concepción. El palacio de Pedro I en los Reales Alcázares de Sevilla: estudio y análisis (por Joaquín Casado de Amezúa) pp. 13 y 14.—Jeremías, Pablo y Gutierrez, Juan. Tiempo de arquitectura ( por Carlos L. Marcos) pp. 14 y 15.-- Domingo Gresa, Jorge. El dibujo de arquitectura en la formación de la ciudad de Alicante: Fondo Documental del Archivo Municipal (1691-1860)(por Gaspar Jaén i Urbàn)pp.15.-- García-Solera, Javier. Dibujos y palabras en la habitación tranquila (por Gaspar Jaen) pp. 16 y 17.—Anne Griswold Tyng (1920-2011)( por Noelia Galván Desvaux)pp. 18 y 19 .-- Oscar Niemeyer Un adiós al último maestro del siglo XX(por Noelia Galván Desvaux)pp. 20 y 21Gómez-Blanco Pontes, AJ.; Montes Serrano, C.; Tordesillas, AÁ.; Casado De Amezúa Vázquez, J.; Villanueva Bartrina, L.; De Luxán García De Diego, M.; García-Escudero, D.... (2013). Reseñas de libros. EGA. Revista de Expresión Gráfica Arquitectónica. 18(21):4-21. https://doi.org/10.4995/ega.2013.1708SWORD421182

Modelling climate change adaptation in European agriculture: Definitions and Current Modelling

Confidential content, in preparation for a peer-reviewed publication

Challenges of adapting English médium instruction into the Spanish university curricula and some novel solutions

The integration of the Spanish university system in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) demands a series of concrete proposals. As we advance in the implementation of the process of Bologna, it is necessary to contemplate a new paradigm of teaching/learning. Central to this new paradigm is the adaptation of the curricula into the English language medium (EMI). Among many strategies for internationalization of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) under adoption, this university has funded a project TechEnglish intends to facilitate the conversion of subjects and eventually degree programs into the delivery in the English Language. This paper details a work in progress and describes the collaboration between content teachers and applied linguistics. The three collaborative actions are currently underway: observation of classes by applied linguists, seminar delivery on topics requested by the content teachers, and materials development with the help of teaching assistants. We are convinced that this collaboration is the necessary ingredient to promote teaching and learning through English at our university

Latin American Consensus: Children Born Small for Gestational Age

72-87Cuatrimestra