Environmental Factors Involved in the High Incidence of Bladder Cancer in an Industrialized Area in North-Eastern Spain

Neoplasias de la vejiga; Contaminantes atmosféricos; Exposición ambientalUrinary bladder neoplasms; Air pollutants; Environmental exposureCàncer de bufeta; Contaminants atmosfèrics; Exposició ambientalBackground: Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common of those affecting the urinary tract, and a significant proportion of the cases are attributable to tobacco use as well as occupational and environmental factors. Objective: The aim of this study is to estimate the current incidence of BC in an industrialized area in northeastern Spain and to analyze its time trends over three decades from an ecological perspective. Methods: Patients diagnosed with histologically confirmed primary BC, during 2018-2019, in an area in northeastern Spain (430,883 inhabitants) were included. Crude and age-standardized incidence rates were estimated per 100,000 person-years based on the number of individuals getting their first diagnosis. An exploratory time trend analysis was carried out to describe the evolution in tobacco use and occupational or environmental risk factors and the incidence of BC in the same area from the 1990s. Results: 295 patients were included (age 72.5 ± 10.3 years; 89.8% men). The crude rate was 62.6 (95% CI: 51.9-73.2) for men and 6.8 (95% CI: 3.4-10.3) for women. The annual rate adjusted to the European Standard Population was 85.3 (95% CI:75.0-95.5) for men and 7.0 (95% CI:4.5-9.5) for women. From 1994 to 2018, the prevalence of smokers decreased in men (42.3% to 30.9%) as well as in the active population working in the industry (44.36% to 22.59%). Nevertheless, the car fleet, especially diesel, has increased considerably. The annual mean concentrations of air (PM10, PM2.5, O3, and NO2) and water (nitrates, arsenic, trihalomethanes) pollutants were within the regulatory limit values, but not the maximum levels. Conclusions: The incidence of BC is one of the highest in men but not in women, despite the decrease in tobacco use and industrial activity (perhaps related to high latency after carcinogen exposure cessation) and despite the control of environmental pollution (the maximum regulatory limit probably needs to be lowered). Finally, a similar exposure to the carcinogen would result in a gender-specific differential incidence

Estado serológico frente a Toxoplasma gondii en receptores de trasplante cardiaco: ¿un factor pronóstico independiente?

[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Analizar la influencia pronóstica del estado serológico frente a Toxoplasma gondii en receptores de trasplante cardiaco (TC). Métodos. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo unicéntrico con 657 receptores de TC entre 1991 y 2015. Mediante dos modelos multivariantes de Cox se comparó la supervivencia y la incidencia de episodios clínicos adversos de los receptores seropositivos (n = 481) y los receptores seronegativos (n = 176) frente a T. gondii. El modelo 1 incluyó edad y sexo, y el modelo 2 incluyó otros factores de confusión potenciales. Resultados. Con una mediana de seguimiento de 2.903 días (rango intercuartílico: 898-4.757), fallecieron 250 pacientes seropositivos (52%) y 72 receptores seronegativos (41%) frente a T. gondii. Los pacientes seropositivos presentaron mayor mortalidad no ajustada tras el TC (hazard ratio [HR] = 1,31; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%], 1,00-1,70). Tras el ajuste multivariante, este efecto perdió su significación estadística (modelo 1: HR = 1,09; IC95%, 0,83-1,43; modelo 2: HR = 1,12; IC95%, 0,85-1,47). La seropositividad frente a T. gondii del receptor se asoció de modo independiente con mayor riesgo de rechazo agudo (modelo 1: HR = 1,36; IC95%, 1,06-1,74; modelo 2: HR = 1,29; IC95%, 1,01-1,66). Los modelos multivariantes no pusieron de manifiesto una influencia significativa del estado serológico frente a T. gondii del receptor sobre la incidencia de infección, neoplasias, enfermedad vascular del injerto o el desenlace combinado muerte cardiaca o retrasplante. Tampoco se observó una influencia pronóstica significativa de la concordancia donante-receptor respecto al estado serológico frente a T. gondii. Conclusiones. El presente estudio no ha puesto de manifiesto un efecto pronóstico independiente del estado serológico frente a T. gondii en los receptores de TC

Valor pronóstico del índice de riesgo nutricional en receptores de trasplante cardiaco

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. To study the prognostic impact of preoperative nutritional status, as assessed through the nutritional risk index (NRI), on postoperative outcomes after heart transplantation (HT). Methods. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of 574 patients who underwent HT from 1991 to 2014. Preoperative NRI was calculated as 1.519 × serum albumin (g/L) + 41.7 × (body weight [kg] / ideal body weight [kg]). The association between preoperative NRI and postoperative outcomes was analyzed by means of multivariable logistic regression and multivariable Cox regression. Results. Mean NRI before HT was 100.9 ± 9.9. According to this parameter, the prevalence of severe nutritional risk (NRI < 83.5), moderate nutritional risk (83.5 ≤ NRI < 97.5), and mild nutritional risk (97.5 ≤ NRI < 100) was 5%, 22%, and 10%, respectively. One year post-transplant mortality rates in these 4 categories were 18.2%, 25.3%, 7.9% and 10.2% (P < .001), respectively. The NRI was independently associated with a lower risk of postoperative infection (adjusted OR, 0.97; 95%CI, 0.95-1.00; P = .027) and prolonged postoperative ventilator support (adjusted OR, 0.96; 95%CI, 0.94-0.98; P = .001). Patients at moderate or severe nutritional risk had significantly higher 1-year post-HT mortality (adjusted HR, 1.55; 95%CI, 1.22-1.97; P < .001). Conclusions. Malnourished patients have a higher risk of postoperative complications and mortality after HT. Preoperative NRI determination may help to identify HT candidates who might benefit from nutritional intervention.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Analizar el impacto del estado nutricional preoperatorio, evaluado mediante el índice de riesgo nutricional (IRN), en el pronóstico tras el trasplante cardiaco (TxC). Métodos. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 574 pacientes que recibieron un TxC entre 1991 y 2014 en un centro. El IRN preoperatorio se calculó como 1,519 × albúmina (g/l) + 41,7 × (peso real [kg] / peso ideal [kg]). La asociación entre IRN preoperatorio y eventos clínicos posoperatorios se analizó mediante modelos multivariables de regresión logística y regresión de Cox. Resultados. El IRN preoperatorio medio de la población del estudio era de 100,9 ± 9,9. Según este parámetro, las prevalencias de riesgo nutricional grave (IRN < 83,5), moderado (83,5 ≤ IRN < 97,5) y leve (97,5 ≤ IRN < 100) antes del TxC eran el 5, el 22 y el 10% respectivamente. Las tasas de mortalidad a 1 año tras el TxC en estas 4 categorías fueron del 18,2, el 25,3, el 7,9 y el 10,2% (p < 0,001) respectivamente. El IRN preoperatorio resultó predictor independiente de menor riesgo de infección posoperatoria (odds ratio ajustada [ORa] = 0,97; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%], 0,95-1,00; p = 0,027) y ventilación mecánica prolongada posoperatoria (ORa = 0,96; IC95%, 0,94-0,98; p = 0,001). Los pacientes con riesgo nutricional moderado a grave mostraron mayor mortalidad a 1 año tras el TxC (hazard ratio ajustada = 1,55; IC95%, 1,22-1,97; p < 0,001). Conclusiones. Los pacientes desnutridos tienen mayor riesgo de complicaciones posoperatorias y muerte tras el TxC. La determinación del IRN podría facilitar la identificación de candidatos a TxC que se beneficien de intervenciones nutricionales en espera del órgano

Mid-Infrared Laser Spectroscopy Applications I: Detection of Traces of High Explosives on Reflective and Matte Substrates

Mid-infrared (MIR) lasers have revolutionized infrared vibrational spectroscopy, converting an already dominant spectroscopic analysis technique into an even more powerful, easier to use, and quicker turn-around cadre of versatile spectroscopic tools. A selection of applications, revisited under the umbrella of MIR laser-based properties, very high brightness, collimated beams, polarized sources, highly monochromatic tunable sources, and coherent sources, is included. Applications discussed concern enhanced detection, discrimination, and quantification of high explosives (HEs). From reflectance measurements of chemical residues on highly reflective metallic substrates to reflectance measurements of HEs deposited on non-reflective, matte substrates is discussed. Coupling with multivariate analyses (MVA) techniques of Chemometrics allowed near trace detection of HEs, with sharp discrimination from highly MIR absorbing substrates

Intermetallic coinage metal-catalyzed functionalization of alkanes with ethyl diazoacetate : gold as a ligand

The complexes [Au2M2(C6F5)4(NCMe)2]n (M = Cu, 1; M = Ag, 2) have been tested as catalysts for the functionalization of alkanes by the carbene insertion methodology, using ethyl diazoacetate as the carbene source. Moderate to high conversions have been obtained. The observed selectivities seem to favor the proposal that the active metal for catalysis is the Cu/Ag center, the Au(C6F5)2 unit acting as a spectator ligand in both cases.DGI for funding (CTQ2008-00042/BQU and CTQ2010-20500-C02-02

COEDU-IN Project: an inclusive co-educational project for teaching computational thinking and digital skills at early ages

Learning to program is the new literacy of the 21st century. Computational thinking, closely related to programming, requires thinking and solving problems with different levels of abstraction and is independent of hardware devices. The early childhood education stage provides teachers with the opportunity to lay the foundations for a comprehensive quality education using innovative tools and technologies. Educational robotics in early childhood education becomes a tool that facilitates the acquisition of knowledge to children, playfully, based on the principles of interactivity, social interrelationships, collaborative work, creativity, constructivist and constructionist learning, and a student-centered didactic approach, allowing in turn that student can acquire digital competencies and develop logical and computational thinking in an underlying way. This project explores the current state of teaching and learning computational thinking and programming in early childhood education in an inclusive manner. Moreover, the lack of diversity and inequality is particularly latent in science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Therefore, this work considers this problem and presents an inclusive coeducation approach to this new literacy, eliminating gender stereotypes and extending them to people with Down syndrome and hospitalized minors

Mid-Infrared Laser Spectroscopy Applications in Process Analytical Technology: Cleaning Validation, Microorganisms, and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in Formulations

Mid-infrared (MIR) lasers are very high-brightness energy sources that are replacing conventional thermal sources (globars) in many infrared spectroscopy (IRS) techniques. Although not all laser properties have been exploited in depth, properties such as collimation, polarization, high brightness, and very high resolution have contributed to recast IRS tools. Applications of MIR laser spectroscopy to process analytical technology (PAT) are numerous and important. As an example, a compact grazing angle probe mount has allowed coupling to a MIR quantum cascade laser (QCL), enabling reflectance-absorbance infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) measurements. This methodology, coupled to powerful multivariable analysis (MVA) routines of chemometrics and fast Fourier transform (FFT) preprocessing of the data resulted in very low limits of detection of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and high explosives (HEs) reaching trace levels. This methodology can be used to measure concentrations of surface contaminants for validation of cleanliness of pharmaceutical and biotechnology processing batch reactors and other manufacturing vessels. Another application discussed concerns the enhanced detection of microorganisms that can be encountered in pharmaceutical and biotechnology plants as contaminants and that could also be used as weapons of mass destruction in biological warfare. In the last application discussed, the concentration of APIs in formulations was determined by MIR laser spectroscopy and was cross validated with high-performance liquid chromatography

Venous thromboembolism in heart transplant recipients: Incidence, recurrence and predisposing factors

[Abstract] Background. A high frequency of venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been observed after lung, kidney, and liver transplantation. However, data about the incidence of this complication among heart transplant (HT) recipients are lacking. Methods. We analyzed the incidence, recurrence, and predisposing factors of VTE in a single-center cohort of 635 patients who underwent HT from April 1991 to April 2013. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) were considered as VTE episodes. Results. During a median post-transplant follow-up of 8.4 years, 62 VTE episodes occurred in 54 patients (8.5%). Incidence rates of VTE, DVT, and PE were, respectively, 12.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.7–16.3), 8.4 (95% CI, 6.0–11.4), and 7.0 (95% CI 4.8–9.7) episodes per 1,000 patient-years. Incidence rates of VTE during the first post-transplant year and beyond were, respectively, 45.1 (95% CI, 28.9–67.1) and 8.7 (95% CI 6.2–11.2) episodes per 1,000 patient-years. The incidence rate of VTE recurrence after a first VTE episode was 30.5 (95% CI, 13.2–60.2) episodes per 1,000 patient-years. By means of multivariable Cox regression, chronic renal dysfunction, older age, obesity, and the use of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors were identified as independent risk factors for VTE among HT recipients. Conclusions. VTE is a frequent complication after HT, mainly during the first post-operative year. In view of a high recurrence rate, long-term anti-coagulation should be considered in HT recipients who experience a first VTE episode

The O3N2 and N2 abundance indicators revisited: improved calibrations based on CALIFA and T e-based literature data

Astronomy and Astrophysics 559 (2013): A114 reproduced with permission from Astronomy and AstrophysicsThe use of integral field spectroscopy is since recently allowing to measure the emission line fluxes of an increasingly large number of star-forming galaxies, both locally and at high redshift. Many studies have used these fluxes to derive the gas-phase metallicity of the galaxies by applying the so-called strong-line methods. However, the metallicity indicators that these datasets use were empirically calibrated using few direct abundance data points (Te-based measurements). Furthermore, a precise determination of the prediction intervals of these indicators is commonly lacking in these calibrations. Such limitations might lead to systematic errors in determining the gas-phase metallicity, especially at high redshift, which might have a strong impact on our understanding of the chemical evolution of the Universe. The main goal of this study is to review the most widely used empirical oxygen calibrations, O3N2 and N2, by using newdirect abundance measurements. We pay special attention to (1) the expected uncertainty of these calibrations as a function of the index value or abundance derived and (2) the presence of possible systematic offsets. This is possible thanks to the analysis of the most ambitious compilation of Te-based H ii regions to date. This new dataset compiles the Te-based abundances of 603 H ii regions extracted from the literature but also includes new measurements from the CALIFA survey. Besides providing new and improved empirical calibrations for the gas abundance, we also present a comparison between our revisited calibrations with a total of 3423 additional CALIFA H ii complexes with abundances derived using the ONS calibration from the literature. The combined analysis of T e-based and ONS abundances allows us to derive their most accurate calibration to date for both the O3N2 and N2 single-ratio indicators, in terms of all statistical significance, quality, and coverage of the parameters space. In particular, we infer that these indicators show shallower abundance dependencies and statistically significant offsets compared to others'. The O3N2 and N2 indicators can be empirically applied to derive oxygen abundances calibrations from either direct abundance determinations with random errors of 0.18 and 0.16, respectively, or from indirect ones (but based on a large amount of data), reaching an average precision of 0.08 and 0.09 dex (random) and 0.02 and 0.08 dex (systematic; compared to the direct estimations), respectivelyR.A. Marino is funded by the Spanish program of International Campus of Excellence Moncloa (CEI). D. Mast thank the Plan Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo funding programs, AYA2012-31935 of the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, for the support given to this project. S.F.S thanks the the Ramón y Cajal project RyC-2011-07590 of the spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, for the support giving to this project. F.F.R.O. acknowledges the Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) for financial support under the program Estancias Postdoctorales y Sabáticas al Extranjero para la Consolidación de Grupos de Investigación, 2010-2012. We acknowledge financial support for the ESTALLIDOS collaboration by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación under grant AYA2010- 21887-C04-03. BG-L also acknowledges support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) under grant AYA2012- 39408-C02-02. J.F.-B. acknowledges financial support from the Ramón y Cajal Program and grant AYA2010-21322-C03-02 from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO), as well as to the DAGAL network from the People’s Program (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program FP7/2007-2013/ under REA grant agreement number PITN-GA-2011-289313. CK has been funded by project AYA2010-21887 from the Spanish PNAYA. P.P. acknowledges support by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) under project FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-029170 (Reference FCT PTDC/FIS-AST/3214/2012), funded by FCT-MEC (PIDDAC) and FEDER (COMPETE). R.M.G.D. and R.G.B. also acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) under grant AyA2010-15081. V.S., L.G., and A.M.M. acknowledge financial support from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) under program Ciência 2008 and the research grant PTDC/CTE-AST/112582/200

Axillary implantation of Impella CP allows early rehabilitation of patients in cardiogenic shock bridged to heart transplantation

Abstract poste