Key factors in electromembrane microextraction systems for metals analysis in natural waters

This is an original manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry o 2018, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2018.1533006].Application of an electric potential to hollow fibre liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME) systems previously optimised for metals preconcentration from natural waters could improve their analytical performance increasing enrichment factors and reducing operation times. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the direct application of an electric potential to these systems may be limited due to the effects produced by other operational parameters. In this work, the effect of a variable electric potential on the enrichment factors of four HF-LPME systems used for the analysis of trace metals in natural waters (Cd, Ni, Ag and Cu) has been studied. In addition, the effect of organic phase composition, distance between electrodes and electrodes diameter has been also studied. From the results obtained, composition of organic phase can be considered as the key factor in electromembrane (EME) systems, since its polarity determine the operational range of the applied electric potential and consequently the enrichment factor that could be achieved. EMEs have demonstrated to be a real alternative to preconcentrate Cd, Ag and Cu from natural water samples in very short times (30 min). In fact, enrichment factors increased up to one order of magnitude if compared with HF-LPME methodology without application of an electrical potential

Electromembrane extraction and capillary electrophoresis with capcitively coupled contactless conductivity detection: multi-extraction capabilities to analyse trace metals from saline samples

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Silva, M., Mendiguchía, C., Moreno, C. and Kubáň, P. (2018), Electromembrane extraction and capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection: Multi-extraction capabilities to analyses trace metals from saline samples. ELECTROPHORESIS, 39: 2152-2159, which has been published in final form at [https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.201800125]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived VersionsSimultaneous electromembrane extraction (EME) of six trace metal cations (Cu2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Cd2+) from saline samples was investigated. CE with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection (C4D) was used to determine the metals in acceptor solutions due to its excellent compatibility with the minute volumes of acceptor solutions. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate (DEHPA) was selected as a suitable nonselective modifier for EME transport of target metal cations. Both, the individual effect of each major inorganic cation (Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+) and their synergistic effect on EME of the trace metal cations were evaluated. In both cases, a decrease in extraction efficiency was observed when major inorganic cations were present in the sample. This effect was more significant for Ca2+ and Mg2+. The system was optimized for simultaneous extractions of the six target metals from saline samples (50 mM Na+, 5 mM Mg2+, 1 mM K+, and 1 mM Ca2+) and following EME conditions were applied. Organic phase consisted of 1-nonanol containing 1% (v/v) DEHPA, acceptor solution was 1 M acetic acid (HAc) and sample pH was adjusted to 5. Sample was stirred at 750 rpm and EMEs were carried out at extraction potential of 10 V for 20 min. The method presented a repeatability between 8 and 21.8% (n = 5), good linearity in 0.5–10 μM concentration range (R2 = 0.987-0.999) and LOD better than 2.6 nM. Applicability of the EME–CE–C4D method to the analyses of metal cations in drinking water, seawater, and urine samples was also demonstrated

BRCA1 and BRCA2 founder mutations account for 78% of germline carriers among hereditary breast cancer families in Chile.

Identifying founder mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in specific populations constitute a valuable opportunity for genetic screening. Several studies from different populations have reported recurrent and/or founder mutations representing a relevant proportion of BRCA mutation carriers. In Latin America, only few founder mutations have been described. We screened 453 Chilean patients with hereditary breast cancer for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. For recurrent mutations, we genotyped 11 microsatellite markers in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in order to determine a founder effect through haplotype analysis. We found a total of 25 mutations (6 novel) in 71 index patients among which, nine are present exclusively in Chilean patients. Our analysis revealed the presence of nine founder mutations, 4 in BRCA1 and 5 in BRCA2, shared by 2 to 10 unrelated families and spread in different regions of Chile. Our panel contains the highest amount of founder mutations until today and represents the highest percentage (78%) of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. We suggest that the dramatic reduction of Amerindian population due to smallpox and wars with Spanish conquerors, a scarce population increase during 300 years, and the geographic position of Chile constituted a favorable scenario to establish founder genetic markers in our population

Relación entre factores psicosociales negativos y el síndrome de Burnout en el personal sanitario de Florencia (Caquetá, Colombia)

Objetivo: Establecer la relación entre factores psicosociales negativos y el síndrome de burnout en el personal sanitario de Florencia (Caquetá, Colombia), 2012. Materiales y métodos: Estudio transversal. Participaron 300 sujetos de cuatro instituciones de salud de Florencia. Instrumentos: Factores Psicosociales Negativos y el Inventario de Maslach Burnout. Los datos fueron analizados en Epi-info Versión 3.4.3. Se realizó análisis bivariado de factores psicosociales negativos y el síndrome de burnout. Resultados: El 8 % presentó alto agotamiento emocional, 27 % baja realización personal y el 12,3 % alta despersonalización. En cuanto a los factores psicosociales negativos, el 61,3 % presentó baja condición en el lugar de trabajo. Alta carga de trabajo en el 7,7 %; el 2,3 % expresó alto contenido y cantidad de la tarea. Se encontró 42 % con alta exigencia laboral, 3 % alto papel laboral y desarrollo de la carrera, 80 % baja interacción social; baja remuneración en el 43,7 %. Para el agotamiento emocional se asoció la carga de trabajo (OR: 2,4), exigencia laboral (OR: 5,4), papel laboral (OR: 3,9), interacción social (OR: 1,9) y remuneración (OR: 2,3). Conclusiones: No se evidencia una prevalencia clásica del síndrome de burnout; la prin- cipal dimensión afectada fue la realización personal. Los factores psicosociales negativos asociados requieren estrategias para fomentar un cambio en la satisfacción y la motivación, acompañados de una intervención psicológica y motivacional que promueva un ambiente saludable amparado con una política de estímulos y satisfactores laborales, a partir de la estrategia de la psicología positiva

Self-rated health status and cardiorespiratory fitness in a sample of schoolchildren from Bogotá, Colombia. The FUPRECOL study

To evaluate the relationship between Self-Rated Health (SRH) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in a sample of children and adolescents enrolled in official schools in Bogotá, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was performed with 7402 children and adolescents between 9 and 17 years of age. Participants were asked to rate their health based on eight validated questions, addressing the participants propensity for headache, stomach-ache, backache, feeling-low, irritability/bad mood, nervousness, sleeping-difficulties, and dizziness. The choices were “rarely or never”, “almost every month”, “almost every week”, and “more than once a week/about every day”. Participants performed the international course-navette shuttle run test to estimate CRF, and cut-off points for age and gender were used to categorize the healthy/unhealthy fitness zone according to the FITNESSGRAM® criteria. Overall, 16.4% of those surveyed reported a perception of irritability/bad mood “more than once a week/about every day”, followed by feeling-low and nervousness (both with 9.9%). Dizziness had the lowest prevalence with a percentage of 6.9%. Unhealthy CRF in boys increased the likelihood of headaches by 1.20 times, stomach aches by 1.31 times, feeling-low by 1.29 times, nervousness by 1.24 times, and dizziness by 1.29 times. In girls, unhealthy CRF increased the likelihood of headaches by 1.19 times, backache by 1.26 times, feeling-low by 1.28 times, irritability/bad mood by 1.17 times, sleeping-difficulties by 1.20 times, and dizziness by 1.27 times. SRH was associated with CRF in both genders. Early identification of children and adolescents with low CRF levels will permit interventions to promote healthy behaviors and prevent future diseases during adulthood. © 2017 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Inserção de dispositivo intrauterino durante a cesárea em mulheres sem aconselhamento contraceptivo pré-natal : lições de um país com elevada taxa de cesárea

Objetivo O momento da admissão para o parto pode ser considerado inapropriado para oferecer o dispositivo intrauterino (DIU) para mulheres sem aconselhamento contraceptivo pré-natal. Entretanto, em países com elevadas taxas de cesáreas e aconselhamento contraceptivo deficiente, essa estratégia pode reduzir o risco de gestações não programadas e cesáreas repetidas. Métodos Estudo de coorte envolvendo 100 mulheres sem aconselhamento contraceptivo pré-natal. A inserção de DIU pós-dequitação foi oferecida após a admissão para o parto e indicação de cesárea. As taxas de continuidade com o DIU, perfuração uterina e endometrite foram avaliadas após 6 semanas e 6 meses, e a proporção de mulheres que continuaram com o DIU após 6 meses foi analisada em relação ao número de cesáreas prévias. Resultados Noventa e sete mulheres completaram o seguimento. A taxa de permanência do DIU foi de 91% em 6 semanas e 83,5% em 6 meses. A taxa de expulsão/ remoção nas primeiras 6 semanas foi não foi diferente daquela observada entre 6 emanas e 6 meses (9 vs 9,1%, respectivamente). Houve dois casos de endometrite (2,1%), e nenhum caso de perfuração uterina. Entre as 81mulheres que permaneceram como DIU após 6 meses, 31% haviam sido submetidas a apenas uma cesárea, em que o DIU foi inserido, 44% a 2, e 25% a 3 ou mais cesáreas. Conclusão Dois terços das mulheres que continuaram com o DIU após 6 meses haviam sido submetidas a 2 ou mais cesáreas. Considerando que oferecer a tentativa de parto vaginal após duas oumais cesáreas prévias é incomum, é possível que a oferta do DIU na admissão para o parto possa reduzir o risco de cesáreas repetidas e de seus riscos associados.Objective Themoment of admission for deliverymay be inappropriate for offering an intrauterine device (IUD) to women without prenatal contraception counseling. However, in countries with high cesarean rates and deficient prenatal contraception counseling, this strategy may reduce unexpected pregnancies and repeated cesarean sections. Methods This was a prospective cohort study involving 100 women without prenatal contraception counseling. Postplacental IUD was offered after admission for delivery and placed during cesarean. The rates of IUD continuation, uterine perforation, and endometritis were assessed at 6 weeks and 6 months, and the proportion of women continuing with IUD at 6 months was assessed with respect to the number of previous cesareans. Results Ninety-seven women completed the follow-up. The rate of IUD continuation was 91% at 6 weeks and 83.5% at 6 months. The expulsion/removal rate in the first 6 weeks was not different from that between 6 weeks and 6 months (9 vs 9.1%, respectively). There were 2 cases of endometritis (2.1%), and no case of uterine perforation. Among 81 women continuing with intrauterine device after 6-months, 31% had undergone only the cesarean section in which the IUD was inserted, 44% had undergone 2 and 25% had undergone 3 or more cesarean sections. Conclusion Two thirds of the women who continued with IUD at 6 months had undergone 2 ormore cesarean sections. Since offering trial of labor is unusual after 2 or more previous cesareans, we believe that offering IUD after admission for delivery may reduce the risk of repeated cesarean sections and its inherent risks

Fleas of black rats (Rattus rattus) as reservoir host of Bartonella spp. In Chile

Rattus rattus is a widely distributed, invasive species that presentsan important role in disease transmission, either directly or through vectorarthropods such as fleas. These black rats can transmit a wide variety of pathogens, including bacteria of the genus Bartonella, which can cause diseases in humans and animals. In Chile, no data are available identifying fleas from synanthropic rodents as Bartonella vectors. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in the fleas of R. rattus in areas with different climate conditions and featuring different human population densities. In all, 174 fleas collected from 261 R. rattus captured from 30 localities with different human densities (cities, villages, and wild areas) across five hydrographic zones of Chile (hyper-arid, arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, and hyper-humid) were examined. Bartonella spp. presence was determined through polymerase chain reaction, using gltA and rpoB genes, which were concatenated to perform a similarity analysis with BLAST and phylogenetic analysis.Results: Overall, 15 fleas species were identified; Bartonella gltA and rpoB fragments were detected in 21.2% (37/174) and 19.5% (34/174) of fleas, respectively. A total of 10 of the 15 fleas species found were positive for Bartonella DNA. Leptopsylla segnis was the most commonly collected flea species (n = 55), and it also presented a high prevalence of Bartonella DNA (P% = 34.5%). The highest numbers of fleas of this species were collected in villages of the arid zone. There were no seasonal differences in the prevalence of Bartonella DNA. The presence of Bartonella DNA in fleas was recorded in all hydrographic areas, and the arid zone presented the highest prevalence of this species. Regarding areas with different human densities, the highest prevalence was noted in the villages (34.8% gltA and 31.8% rpoB), followed by cities (14.8% gltA and 11.1% rpoB) and wild areas (7.4% gltA and 14.8% rpoB). The BLAST analysis showed a high similitude (>96%) with four uncharacterized Bartonella genotypes and with two species with zoonotic potential: B. mastomydisand B. tribocorum. The phylogenetic analysis showed a close relationship withB. elizabethae and B. tribocorum. This is the first study to provide evidence of the presence of Bartonella in fleas of R. rattus in Chile, indicating that the villages and arid zone correspond to areas with higher infection risk.Fil: Moreno Salas, Lucila. Universidad de Concepción. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanografía. Departamento de Zoología; ChileFil: Espinoza Carniglia, Mario Virgilio. Universidad de Concepción. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanografía. Departamento de Zoología; Chile. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Lizama Schmeisser, Nicol. Universidad de Concepción. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanografía. Departamento de Zoología; ChileFil: Torres, L. Gonzalo. Universidad de Concepción. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanografía. Departamento de Zoología; Chile. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Silva de la Fuente, María Carolina. Universidad de Concepción; Chile. Universidad San Sebastian.; ChileFil: Lareschi, Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: González Acuña, Daniel. Universidad de Concepción; Chil

La imagen y la narrativa, como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. Municipios de Cimitarra, Vélez, Floridablanca, San Gil

El conflicto armado ha sido una problemática social extensa que se ha abordado durante mucho tiempo en Colombia, por otro lado, las incidencias negativas que trae a los individuos y a las comunidades en general afectadas son variadas. Proceden de diferentes maneras, se pueden abarcar en aspectos emocionales afectando su tranquilidad y su paz mental, generando diferentes tipos de trastornos; violencia física, socioeconómica entre otros. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, las víctimas del conflicto armado han tenido que soportar hechos violentos que han impactado directa o indirectamente su vida, colocándoles en situación de vulneración de su dignidad y de los derechos humanos; han tenido que abandonar sus territorios y enfrentarse a nuevos retos, a situaciones totalmente diferentes a las que estaban acostumbrados. En esos escenarios de vulneración es donde cobra sentido y cabe resaltar la importancia del acompañamiento psicológico, orientado a las víctimas del conflicto armado y con un propósito de aunar esfuerzos con instituciones públicas y privadas para mitigar aquellas problemáticas que se logran identificar en el entorno social y el entorno individual, fortaleciendo sus habilidades y potenciando las capacidades que les permitan reconocerse como individuos sociales y políticos de su comunidad. En el análisis y estudio del caso: “Peñas Coloradas”, comunidad emergente de la violencia, construida por voluntad y esfuerzo propio de sus miembros, con leyes propias, se evidenció la afectación de la guerra en la integridad física y psicológica de estas personas, el sometimiento y desplazamiento forzoso de su territorio, sumado a la estigmatización de las fuerzas militares de Colombia y demás instituciones gubernamentales involucradas en todo proceso de reubicación, apoyo y promoción de la salud y el bienestar del individuo en el marco de los derechos humanos, sirvieron solo para generar sentimientos de abandono y desprecio. La foto voz, experiencia compartida en este documento, es un trabajo desarrollado bajo la temática de escenarios de violencia que recoge imágenes de sometimiento pero se enfoca en la transformación individual y destaca las capacidades individuales para resurgir de las amenazas y sufrimientos y propiciar nuevos escenarios con los cuales enfrentar las adversidades y construir nuevas oportunidades de vida.The armed conflict has been an extensive social problem that has been addressed for a long time in Colombia, on the other hand, the negative incidences that it brings to affected individuals and communities in general are varied. They proceed in different ways, they can be covered in emotional aspects affecting their tranquility and peace of mind, generating different types of disorders; physical, socioeconomic violence among others. Taking the above into account, the victims of the armed conflict have had to endure violent events that have directly or indirectly impacted their lives, placing them in a situation of violation of their dignity and human rights; They have had to leave their territories and face new challenges, totally different situations than the ones they were used to. In these scenarios of violation is where it makes sense and it is worth highlighting the importance of psychological support, aimed at the victims of the armed conflict and with the purpose of joining forces with public and private institutions to mitigate those problems that can be identified in the social and environmental environment. the individual environment, strengthening their skills and enhancing the capacities that allow them to recognize themselves as social and political individuals in their community. In the analysis and study of the case: “Peñas Coloradas”, an emerging community of violence, built by the will and effort of its members, with its own laws, it was evidenced that the war had affected the physical and psychological integrity of these people, the submission and forced displacement of their territory, added to the stigmatization of the Colombian military forces and other government institutions involved in any process of relocation, support and promotion of the health and well-being of the individual within the framework of human rights, served only to generate feelings of abandonment and contempt. The photo voice, an experience shared and presented in this document, is a work developed under the theme of violence scenarios that collects images of submission but focuses on individual transformation and highlights individual capacities to resurface from threats and suffering and promote new scenarios with which to face adversity and build new life opportunities

Molecular detection of Rickettsia in fleas from micromammals in Chile

Background: Rickettsial diseases are considered important in public health due to their dispersal capacity determined by the particular characteristics of their reservoirs and/or vectors. Among the latter, fleas play an important role, since the vast majority of species parasitize wild and invasive rodents, so their detection is relevant to be able to monitor potential emerging diseases. The aim of this study was to detect, characterize, and compare Rickettsia spp. from the fleas of micromammals in areas with different human population densities in Chile. Methods: The presence of Rickettsia spp. was evaluated by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing in 1315 fleas collected from 1512 micromammals in 29 locations, with different human population densities in Chile. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to identify the variables that may explain Rickettsia prevalence in fleas. Results: DNA of Rickettsia spp. was identified in 13.2% (174 of 1315) of fleas tested. Fifteen flea species were found to be Rickettsia-positive. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was higher in winter, semi-arid region and natural areas, and the infection levels in fleas varied between species of flea. The prevalence of Rickettsia among flea species ranged between 0–35.1%. Areas of lower human density showed the highest prevalence of Rickettsia. The phylogenetic tree showed two well-differentiated clades with Rickettsia bellii positioned as basal in one clade. The second clade was subdivided into two subclades of species related to Rickettsia of the spotted fever group. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of the occurrence and molecular characterization of Rickettsia spp. in 15 flea species of micromammals in Chile. In this study, fleas were detected carrying Rickettsia DNA with zoonotic potential, mainly in villages and natural areas of Chile. Considering that there are differences in the prevalence of Rickettsia in fleas associated with different factors, more investigations are needed to further understand the ecology of Rickettsia in fleas and their implications for human health.[Figure not available: see fulltext.]Fil: Moreno Salas, Lucila. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Espinoza Carniglia, Mario Virgilio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Lizama Schmeisser, Nicol. Universidad de Concepción; ChileFil: Torres Fuentes, Luis Gonzalo. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Silva de La Fuente, María Carolina. Universidad Austral de Chile; ChileFil: Lareschi, Marcela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: González Acuña, Daniel. Universidad de Concepción; Chil