Use of data imputation tools to reconstruct incomplete air quality datasets:a case-study in Temuco, Chile

© 2018 Elsevier LtdMissing data from air quality datasets is a common problem, but is much more severe in small cities or localities. This poses a great challenge for environmental epidemiology as high exposures to pollutants worldwide occur in these settings and gaps in datasets hinder health studies that could later inform local and international policies. Here, we propose the use of imputation methods as a tool to reconstruct air quality datasets and have applied this approach to an air quality dataset in Temuco, a mid-size city in Chile as a case-study. We attempted to reconstruct the database comparing five approaches: mean imputation, conditional mean imputation, K-Nearest Neighbor imputation, multiple imputation and Bayesian Principal Component Analysis imputation. As a base for the imputation methods, linear regression models were fitted for PM2.5 against other air quality and meteorological variables. Methods were challenged against validation sets where data was removed arti

Validación e implementación de técnicas de captación pasiva para el estudio de los niveles y efectos de ozono troposférico y dióxido de nitrógeno en un área costera mediterránea

Este trabajo de investigación mide los niveles de ozono troposférico y dióxido de nitrógeno en la zona geográfica de la Plana de Castellón y sus alrededores y comprueba la existencia de niveles elevados de ozono en áreas alejadas del núcleo urbano de Castellón y niveles elevados de dióxido de nitrógeno en áreas próximas a Castellón y carreteras, mediante captadores pasivos por difusión. Este trabajo valida experimentalmente los datos que proporcionan los sistemas pasivos frente a los métodos de referencia de determinación de O3 y NO2. Además, en este estudio se obtienen los datos necesarios de niveles de ozono troposférico y de dióxido de nitrógeno de la zona de estudio, con el fin de realizar un inventario de inmisión de niveles de ozono con los cuales poder confeccionar un mapa de isoconcentraciones de dichos contaminantes, identificar zonas calientes y así poder trazar mapas de riesgo ambiental y sanitario para determinar las zonas agredidas cuantificando la incidencia negativa que sobre la salud, la vegetación y los materiales pudiera derivarse de estos contaminantes. Además, se comparan los niveles del dióxido de nitrógeno con los niveles de ozono troposférico medidos y se ven las posibles relaciones existentes entre contaminante primario y secundario. Finalmente, con la consecución de varias campañas de muestreo durante varios años, se obtienen datos para estimar la tendencia anual que experimentan los niveles de ozono troposférico y dióxido de nitrógeno en el área de estudio

The effects of heavy metal exposure on brain and gut microbiota: A systematic review of animal studies

The gut-brain axis is a crucial interface between the central nervous system and the gut microbiota. Recent evidence shows that exposure to environmental contaminants, such as heavy metals, can cause dysbiosis in gut microbiota, which may affect the gut-brain communication, impacting aspects of brain function and behavior. This systematic review of the literature aims to evaluate whether deleterious effects on brain function due to heavy metal exposure could be mediated by changes in the gut microbiota profile. Animal studies involving exposure to heavy metals and a comparison with a control group that evaluated neuropsychological outcomes and/or molecular outcomes along with the analysis of microbiota composition were reviewed. The authors independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed risk of bias using the protocol of Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) for preclinical studies. A search in 3 databases yielded 16 eligible studies focused on lead (n = 10), cadmium (n = 1), mercury (n = 3), manganese (n = 1), and combined exposure of lead and manganese (n = 1). The animal species were rats (n = 7), mice (n = 4), zebrafish (n = 3), carp (n = 1) and fruit fly (n = 1). Heavy metals were found to adversely affect cognitive function, behavior, and neuronal morphology. Moreover, heavy metal exposure was associated with changes in the abundance of specific bacterial phyla, such as Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, which play crucial roles in gut health. In some studies, these alterations were correlated with learning and memory impairments and mood disorders. The interplay of heavy metals, gut microbiota, and brain suggests that heavy metals can induce direct brain alterations and indirect effects through the microbiota, contributing to neurotoxicity and the development of neuropsychological disorders. However, the small number of papers under review makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. Further research is warranted to unravel the underlying mechanisms and evaluate the translational implications for human health

Genetic Load of SARS-CoV-2 in Aerosols Collected in Operating Theaters

After the outbreak of COVID-19, additional protocols have been established to prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 from the patient to the health personnel and vice versa in health care settings. However, in the case of emergency surgeries, it is not always possible to ensure that the patient is not infected with SARS-CoV-2, assuming a potential source of transmission of the virus to health personnel. This work aimed to evaluate the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 and quantify the viral load in indoor air samples collected inside operating rooms, where emergency and scheduled operations take place. Samples were collected for 3 weeks inside two operating rooms for 24 h at 38 L/min in quartz filters. RNA was extracted from the filters and analyzed using RT-qPCR targeting SARS-CoV-2 genes E, N1 and N2 regions. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 11.3% of aerosol samples collected in operating rooms, despite with low concentrations (not detected at 13.5 cg/m3 and 10.5 cg/m3 in the scheduled and emergency operating rooms, respectively). Potential sources of airborne SARS-CoV-2 could be aerosolization of the virus during aerosol-generating procedures and in open surgery from patients that might have been recently infected with the virus, despite presenting a negative COVID-19 test. Another source could be related to health care workers unknowingly infected with the virus and exhaling SARS-CoV-2 virions into the air. These results highlight the importance of reinforcing preventive measures against COVID-19 in operating rooms, such as the correct use of protective equipment, screening programs for health care workers, and information campaigns. IMPORTANCE: Operating rooms are critical environments in which asepsis must be ensured. The COVID-19 pandemic entailed the implementation of additional preventative measures in health care settings, including operating theaters. Although one of the measures is to operate only COVID-19 free patients, this measure cannot be always implemented, especially in emergency interventions. Therefore, a surveillance campaign was conducted during 3 weeks in two operating rooms to assess the level of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material detected in operating theaters with the aim to assess the risk of COVID-19 transmission during operating procedures. SARS-CoV-2 genetic material was detected in 11% of aerosol samples collected in operating rooms, despite with low concentrations. Plausible SARS-CoV-2 sources have been discussed, including patients and health care personnel infected with the virus. These results highlight the importance of reinforcing preventive measures against COVID-19 in operating rooms, such as the correct use of protective equipment, screening programs for health care workers and information campaigns.Authors are grateful to funding received from the Fundación BBVA for the project “Detección del SARS-CoV-2 en aerosol atmosférico como herramienta de vigilancia y alerta de la transmisión del COVID-19– AYUDAS FUNDACIÓN BBVA A EQUIPOS DE INVESTIGACIÓN CIENTÍFICA SARS-CoV-2 y COVID-19” (ECO-VET-COVID-BBVA_0029). Authors are also grateful to funding received from Generalitat Valenciana for the project “Detección del SARS-CoV-2 en aerosol atmosférico en ambientes interiores como herramienta de evaluación de medidas sanitarias de prevención y de alerta de la transmisión del COVID-19 (IDIEX COVID-proyecto 4)”. J.M. Delgado-Saborit is a recipient of funds from Generalitat Valenciana - Regional Ministry of Education, Research, Culture and Sport under the Talented Researcher Support Program - Plan GenT (CIDEGENT/2019/064). R. de Llanos was funded by a Beatriz Galindo Fellowship of the Ministerio de Educación y Formación Profesional, Spanish Government (BGP18/00062). S. Porru is a recipient of funds from Margarita Salas postdoctoral contract MGS/2021/19(UP2021-021) financed by the European Union-NextGenerationEU. M. Barneo Muñoz was funded through a “Ajudes Postdoctorals per a la Incorporació a Grups d’Investigació de la UJI” fellowship of the Universitat Jaume I (POSDOC-A/2018/35). We are grateful to R. Navarro Beneito, V. Villalobos Reina and M. Marco López for their help in collecting the samples in the operating theaters. We also want to thank all of the collaborators in the surgical unit of the General University Hospital of Castellón for their participation in this study. COVID-Lap working group: Serrano, J.A.; Badenes, X.; Laguna, M.; Rodrigo, M.; Garau, C.M.; Bosquet Serra, A.; Climent, M.T.; Cañete, S.; Mosteirin, A.; Gomez-Quiles, L.; Villarin, A.; Beltran, H.; Maiocchi, K.; Alos, M.; Jimenez, M.; Garcia, M.; Barrue, P.; Cervera, E.; Vilar, M.J.; Navarro R.; Gutierrez A.; Roger P.; Marco M

Development of Spatio-Temporal Land Use Regression Models for Fine Particulate Matter and Wood-Burning Tracers in Temuco, Chile

Biomass burning is common in much of the world, and in some areas, residential wood-burning has increased. However, air pollution resulting from biomass burning is an important public health problem. A sampling campaign was carried out between May 2017 and July 2018 in over 64 sites in four sessions, to develop a spatio-temporal land use regression (LUR) model for fine particulate matter (PM) and wood-burning tracers levoglucosan and soluble potassium (Ksol) in a city heavily impacted by wood-burning. The mean (sd) was 46.5 (37.4) μg m−3 for PM2.5, 0.607 (0.538) μg m−3for levoglucosan, and 0.635 (0.489) μg m−3 for Ksol. LUR models for PM2.5, levoglucosan, and Ksol had a satisfactory performance (LOSOCV R2), explaining 88.8%, 87.4%, and 87.3% of the totalvariance, respectively. All models included sociodemographic predictors consistent with the pattern of use of wood-burning in homes. The models were applied to predict concentrations surfaces and to estimate exposures for an epidemiological study.<br/

Adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in Latin America and the Caribbean:systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE. To estimate the point prevalence and likely ranges of pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, low birth weight and preterm delivery in Latin America and the Caribbean, and evaluate the heterogeneity of the estimates. METHODS. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies reporting the prevalence of maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes in populations in Latin American and the Caribbean published between 2000 and 2019 in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. We searched PubMed, Embase, and LILACS. We estimated the point prevalence and evaluated overall heterogeneity and, in sub-group analyses, heterogeneity by study design and level of bias. RESULTS. Of 1087 records retrieved, 50 articles were included in the review: two on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, 14 on pre-eclampsia, six on gestational diabetes, nine on low birth weight and 19 on preterm birth. No meta-analysis for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy could be done because of the small number of studies. Point prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, low birth weight, and preterm birth were: 6.6% (95% CI: 4.9%, 8.6%), 8.5% (95% CI: 3.9%, 14.7%), 8.5% (95% CI: 7.2%, 9.8%), and 10.0% (95% CI: 8.0%, 12.0%), respectively. We observed substantial heterogeneity overall and by study design. No major differences in estimates were observed by level of bias. CONCLUSIONS. The results of this study provide updated estimates of some of the most prevalent adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in Latin America and the Caribbean. They highlight that important heterogeneity exists in prevalence estimates, which may reflect the diversity of populations in the region

Development of Spatio-Temporal Land Use Regression Models for Fine Particulate Matter and Wood-Burning Tracers in Temuco, Chile

Biomass burning is common in much of the world, and in some areas, residential wood-burning has increased. However, air pollution resulting from biomass burning is an important public health problem. A sampling campaign was carried out between May 2017 and July 2018 in over 64 sites in four sessions, to develop a spatio-temporal land use regression (LUR) model for fine particulate matter (PM) and wood-burning tracers levoglucosan and soluble potassium (Ksol) in a city heavily impacted by wood-burning. The mean (sd) was 46.5 (37.4) μg m−3 for PM2.5, 0.607 (0.538) μg m−3for levoglucosan, and 0.635 (0.489) μg m−3 for Ksol. LUR models for PM2.5, levoglucosan, and Ksol had a satisfactory performance (LOSOCV R2), explaining 88.8%, 87.4%, and 87.3% of the totalvariance, respectively. All models included sociodemographic predictors consistent with the pattern of use of wood-burning in homes. The models were applied to predict concentrations surfaces and to estimate exposures for an epidemiological study.<br/

Temporal and Spatial Trends of Adverse Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes in a Sample of Births from a Public Hospital in Chile

Understanding temporal and spatial trends in pregnancy and birth outcomes within an urban area is important for the monitoring of health indicators of a population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all births in the public hospital of Temuco, a medium-sized city in Southern Chile between 2009 and 2016 (n = 17,237). Information on adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, as well as spatial and maternal characteristics (insurance type, employment, smoking, age, and overweight/obesity), was collected from medical charts. Home addresses were geocoded and assigned to neighborhood. We tested whether births and prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes changed over time, whether birth events were spatially clustered (Moran’s I statistic), and whether neighborhood deprivation was correlated to outcomes (Spearman’s rho). We observed decreases in eclampsia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and small for gestational age, while gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and low birth weight increased over the study period (all p < 0.01 for trend), with little changes after adjusting for maternal characteristics. We observed neighborhood clusters for birth rate, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Neighborhood deprivation was negatively correlated with low birth weight and preterm birth, but not correlated with eclampsia, preeclampsia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, small for gestational age, gestational diabetes, nor stillbirth. Several encouraging downward trends and some increases in adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, which, overall, were not explained by changes in maternal characteristics were observed. Identified clusters of higher adverse birth outcomes may be used to evaluate preventive health coverage in this setting