Air quality in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Studies of different gaseous contaminants and particulate matter were made in several cities of the Buenos Aires Province in Argentina. These cities have noticeable differences in relation to the number of inhabitants, vehicular density, industrial activities, etc. They are La Plata, Bahía Blanca, Mar del Plata, Pergamino and San Nicolás, among other towns. In each city, continuous monitoring equipment with electrochemical sensor technology was installed, in order to determine the NOx, CO, HC, SO2 and O3 concentration. The particulate matter samples were picked up using high volume equipment and daily concentrations corresponding to total suspended solids (PM) were determined by a gravimetric method. The particles were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron diffraction analysis X-ray (EDAX). The results obtained showed a direct relationship between the type and quantity of the present particles and the general characteristics of the towns. The present study is part of the research project "Study of the Air Quality in Buenos Aires Province", financially supported by the National Agency of Scientific and Technological Promotion, Argentina.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada

Particulate matter dynamics

A substantial fraction of the particulate matter released into the atmosphere by industrial or natural processes corresponds to particles whose aerodynamic diameters are greater than 50 mm. It has been shown that, for these particles, the classical description of Gaussian plume diffusion processes, is inadequate to describe the transport and deposition. In this paper we present new results concerning the dispersion of coarse particulate matter. The simulations are done with our own code that uses the Bulirsch Stoer numerical integrator to calculate threedimensional trajectories of particles released into the environment under very general conditions. Turbulent processes are simulated by the Langevin equation and weather conditions are modeled after stable (Monin-Obukhov length L> 0) and unstable conditions (L <0). We present several case studies based on Monte Carlo simulations and discusses the effect of weather on the final deposition of these particles.Comment: In spanish. 11 pages, 4 figs. Conference paper: Proyecto Integrador para la Mitigaci\'on de la Contaminaci\'on Atmosf\'erica Proyecto Integrador para la Determinaci\'on de la Calidad del Agua Tercera Reuni\'on Anual PROIMCA Primera Reuni\'on Anual PRODECA, Agosto, 201

Air quality in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Studies of different gaseous contaminants and particulate matter were made in several cities of the Buenos Aires Province in Argentina. These cities have noticeable differences in relation to the number of inhabitants, vehicular density, industrial activities, etc. They are La Plata, Bahía Blanca, Mar del Plata, Pergamino and San Nicolás, among other towns. In each city, continuous monitoring equipment with electrochemical sensor technology was installed, in order to determine the NOx, CO, HC, SO2 and O3 concentration. The particulate matter samples were picked up using high volume equipment and daily concentrations corresponding to total suspended solids (PM) were determined by a gravimetric method. The particles were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron diffraction analysis X-ray (EDAX). The results obtained showed a direct relationship between the type and quantity of the present particles and the general characteristics of the towns. The present study is part of the research project "Study of the Air Quality in Buenos Aires Province", financially supported by the National Agency of Scientific and Technological Promotion, Argentina.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada

Blood–brain barrier impairment in patients living with hiv: Predictors and associated biomarkers

Despite the substantial changes resulting from the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remains substantial. Blood–brain barrier impairment (BBBi) is a frequent feature in people living with HIV (PLWH) and it may persist despite effective antiretroviral treatment. A cross-sectional study was performed in PLWH who underwent lumbar puncture for clinical reasons or research protocols and several cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers were studied. BBBi was defined as cerebrospinal fluid-to-serum albumin ratio (CSAR) &gt;6.5 (&lt;40 years) or &gt;8 (&gt;40 years). We included 464 participants: 147 cART-naïve and 317 on cART. Male sex was prevalent in both groups (72.1% and 72.2% respectively); median age was 44 (38–52) years in naïve and 49 (43–57) years in treated subjects. BBBi was observed in 35.4% naïve and in 22.7% treated participants; the use of integrase inhibitors was associated with a lower prevalence (18.3 vs. 30.9%, p = 0.050). At multivariate binary logistic regression (including age and sex) nadir CD4 cell count (p = 0.034), presence of central nervous system (CNS) opportunistic infections (p = 0.024) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV RNA (p = 0.002) in naïve participants and male sex (p = 0.021), a history of CNS opportunistic infections (p = 0.001) and CSF HIV RNA (p = 0.034) in treated patients were independently associated with BBBi. CSF cells and neopterin were significantly higher in participants with BBBi. BBBi was prevalent in naïve and treated PLWH and it was associated with CSF HIV RNA and neopterin. Systemic control of viral replication seems to be essential for BBB integrity while sex and treatment influence need further studies

Epidemiological surveillance of trachoma in a school in an urban area in Southeastern Brazil

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological surveillance activities undertaken after the detection of an active trachoma case in the APAE-SP are described. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 1,009 pupils, employees and household contacts had an eye examination. Treatment control was carried out at the institution 4 times at 45 day-intervals. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was of 5.9%, 5.1% being of follicular trachoma (TF), 0.3% of intense trachoma (TF/TI) and 0.5% of cicatricial trachoma (TS). At the first control exercise 45.5% of the trachoma cases had no signs of the disease and 40.0% underwent treatment. At the last control exercise 20% were found to have been cured with no vestigial scars. Non-attendance was of 38.2%. The distribution of secondary cases showed great dispersion, suggesting dissemination throughout Greater S. Paulo . DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The trachoma control activities do not show satisfactory results, perhaps due to the prolonged duration of the treatment and follow up. The development of strategies of clinical intervention should be implemented for better control of the disease.OBJETIVO: Verificar as condições de vigilância epidemiológica do tracoma desencadeadas a partir da detecção de um caso de tracoma inflamatório na APAE - SP. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram submetidos a exame ocular 1.009 pessoas entre alunos, funcionários e comunicantes intradomiciliares. Os controles de tratamento foram realizados em uma instituição, por 4 vezes, em intervalos de 45 dias. RESULTADOS: A prevalência total foi de 5,9%, sendo 5,1% de tracoma folicular (TF), 0,3% de tracoma folicular intenso (TF/TI) e 0,5% de tracoma cicatricial (TS). No primeiro controle 45,5% dos casos apresentou alta clínica e 40,0% manteve tratamento. No último controle 20,0% apresentou alta curado sem cicatrizes. A taxa de faltosos alcançou 38,2%. A distribuição espacial dos casos secundários mostrou ampla dispersão na Grande São Paulo, indicando que o tracoma deve estar disseminado por toda a região. DISCUSSÃO/CONCLUSÕES: As ações de controle do tracoma não apresentaram resultados satisfatórios, provavelmente devido ao prolongado tempo de tratamento e acompanhamento. Estratégias de intervenção clínica devem ser desenvolvidas para melhor controle da doença.Secretaria de Estado da Saúde (SES). São PauloSES. São PauloUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)APAESecretaria Municipal de Saúde. São PauloUNIFESPSciEL

Niveles de contaminación de aire: relación con distintos factores

Se realizaron estudios de diferentes contaminantes gaseosos y material particulado en varias ciudades de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Estas ciudades tienen diferencias notables respecto del número de habitantes, la densidad vehicular, la actividad industrial, etc. Ellas son La Plata, Bahía Blanca, Mar del Plata, Pergamino, San Nicolás, entre otras. En cada ciudad, se instaló un equipo de monitoreo continuo con tecnología de sensores electroquímicos para determinar NOx, CO, HC, SO2 y O3. Las muestras del material particulado total para su análisis fisicoquímico fueron recogidas usando un equipo de alto volumen, y las concentraciones diarias de PM10 fueron determinadas por analizador de tecnología láser. Las partículas fueron caracterizadas por microscopías óptica y electrónica de barrido, y análisis por difracción electrónica de Rayos X. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron una relación directa entre el tipo y la cantidad de las partículas presentes y las características generales de las ciudades

Air quality in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Studies of different gaseous contaminants and particulate matter were made in several cities of the Buenos Aires Province in Argentina. These cities have noticeable differences in relation to the number of inhabitants, vehicular density, industrial activities, etc. They are La Plata, Bahía Blanca, Mar del Plata, Pergamino and San Nicolás, among other towns. In each city, continuous monitoring equipment with electrochemical sensor technology was installed, in order to determine the NOx, CO, HC, SO2 and O3 concentration. The particulate matter samples were picked up using high volume equipment and daily concentrations corresponding to total suspended solids (PM) were determined by a gravimetric method. The particles were characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron diffraction analysis X-ray (EDAX). The results obtained showed a direct relationship between the type and quantity of the present particles and the general characteristics of the towns. The present study is part of the research project "Study of the Air Quality in Buenos Aires Province", financially supported by the National Agency of Scientific and Technological Promotion, Argentina.Facultad de Ciencias ExactasCentro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada

Seroprevalence of five neglected parasitic diseases among immigrants accessing five infectious and tropical diseases units in Italy: a cross-sectional study.

: This multicentre cross-sectional study aims to estimate the prevalence of five neglected tropical diseases (Chagas disease, filariasis, schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, toxocariasis) among immigrants accessing health care facilities in five Italian cities (Bologna, Brescia, Florence, Rome, Verona). : Individuals underwent a different set of serological tests, according to country of origin and presence of eosinophilia. Seropositive patients were treated and further followed up. : A total of 930 adult immigrants were enrolled: 477 men (51.3%), 445 women (47.9%), 8 transgender (0.8%); median age was 37.81 years (range 18-80). Most of them were coming from the African continent (405/930, 43.5%), the rest from East Europe, South America and Asia. A portion of 9.6% (89/930) were diagnosed with at least one of the infections under study. Seroprevalence of each specific infection varied from 3.9% (7/180) for Chagas diseases to 9.7% (11/113) for toxocariasis. Seropositive people were more likely to be 35 to 40 years-old male and to come from South East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa or South America. : The results of our study confirm that neglected tropical diseases represent a substantial health problem among immigrants and highlight the need for addressing this emerging public health issue.<br/