Short Communication Analysis, Toxicity and Biodegradation of Organic Pollutants in Groundwater from Contaminated Land

Headspace (HS) gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (HS-GC-FID) and purge and trap (P&T) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (P&T-GC-MS) were used for the determination of methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTEX) in groundwater. In this work, we present the first data on the levels of MTBE and BTEX in different groundwater wells in the area of Catalonia (northeast Spain). This monitoring campaign corresponded to 28 groundwater wells that were located near petrol service stations, oil refinery storage tanks, and/or chemical industry at different locations of Catalonia during the period of 1998/1999. The levels of MTBE detected varied between 4-300 µg/l, but two sites had MTBE levels up to 3 and 13 mg/l. In many cases, the BTEX levels were below 1 µg/l, whereas 7 sites had levels varying from 19 µg/l up to 3 mg/l. Most of them were related to leakage from underground tanks in petrol service stations, while the remaining three corresponded respectively to chemical industrial pollution of undetermined origin and to a leak from high-ground petrol tanks in petrochemical refinery factories. The aquifers involved were constituted by detritus coarse materials, sands, and conglomerates. Piezometric levels were roughly comprised between 3 and 40 m, and permeability (K) and transmissivity (T) values were estimated from field measurements. The MTBE/BTEX ratio was also calculated and reached values up to 250. These values were expected, since if we consider that spilled oxygenated gasoline is the source of well contamination and based on solubility considerations alone, the MTBE source concentrations would be about 200 times higher than any BTEX compounds

Visual assessment of [¹⁸F]flutemetamol PET images can detect early amyloid pathology and grade its extent

PURPOSE: To investigate the sensitivity of visual read (VR) to detect early amyloid pathology and the overall utility of regional VR. METHODS: [¹⁸F]flutemetamol PET images of 497 subjects (ALFA+ N = 352; ADC N = 145) were included. Scans were visually assessed according to product guidelines, recording the number of positive regions (0-5) and a final negative/positive classification. Scans were quantified using the standard and regional Centiloid (CL) method. The agreement between VR-based classification and published CL-based cut-offs for early (CL = 12) and established (CL = 30) pathology was determined. An optimal CL cut-off maximizing Youden's index was derived. Global and regional CL quantification was compared to VR. Finally, 28 post-mortem cases from the [¹⁸F]flutemetamol phase III trial were included to assess the percentage agreement between VR and neuropathological classification of neuritic plaque density. RESULTS: VR showed excellent agreement against CL = 12 (κ = .89, 95.2%) and CL = 30 (κ = .88, 95.4%) cut-offs. ROC analysis resulted in an optimal CL = 17 cut-off against VR (sensitivity = 97.9%, specificity = 97.8%). Each additional positive VR region corresponded to a clear increase in global CL. Regional VR was also associated with regional CL quantification. Compared to mCERAD_{SOT}-based classification (i.e., any region mCERAD_{SOT} > 1.5), VR was in agreement in 89.3% of cases, with 13 true negatives, 12 true positives, and 3 false positives (FP). Regional sparse-to-moderate neuritic and substantial diffuse Aβ plaque was observed in all FP cases. Regional VR was also associated with regional plaque density. CONCLUSION: VR is an appropriate method for assessing early amyloid pathology and that grading the extent of visual amyloid positivity could present clinical value

Prolonged Sitting Time: Barriers, Facilitators and Views on Change among Primary Healthcare Patients Who Are Overweight or Moderately Obese

Background and Objectives Prolonged sitting time has negative consequences on health, although the population is not well aware of these harmful effects. We explored opinions expressed by primary care patients diagnosed as overweight or moderately obese concerning their time spent sitting, willingness to change, and barriers, facilitators, goals and expectations related to limiting this behaviour. Methods A descriptive-interpretive qualitative study was carried out at three healthcare centres in Barcelona, Spain, and included 23 patients with overweight or moderate obesity, aged 25 to 65 years, who reported sitting for at least 6 hours a day. Exclusion criteria were inability to sit down or stand up from a chair without help and language barriers that precluded interview participation. Ten in-depth, semi-structured interviews (5 group, 5 individual) were audio recorded from January to July 2012 and transcribed. The interview script included questions about time spent sitting, willingness to change, barriers and facilitators, and the prospect of assistance from primary healthcare professionals. An analysis of thematic content was made using ATLAS.Ti and triangulation of analysts. Results The most frequent sedentary activities were computer use, watching television, and motorized journeys. There was a lack of awareness of the amount of time spent sitting and its negative consequences on health. Barriers to reducing sedentary time included work and family routines, lack of time and willpower, age and sociocultural limitations. Facilitators identified were sociocultural change, free time and active work, and family surroundings. Participants recognized the abilities of health professionals to provide help and advice, and reported a preference for patient-centred or group interventions. Conclusions Findings from this study have implications for reducing sedentary behaviour. Patient insights were used to design an intervention to reduce sitting time within the frame of the SEDESTACTIV clinical trial

Presa de Caruachi. Estudio del comportmiento hidráulico de las compuertas de los conductos de desvío

Se presenta el estudio desarrollado en el Laboratorio de Modelos Reducidos del Dpto. de Ing. Hidráulica, Marítima y Ambiental de la UPC, para el análisis del comportamiento hidráulico de las compuertas a utilizar en la operación de cierre de la presa de Caruachi en el río Caroní (Venezuela). Se han analizado la capacidad de desagüe, la aireación de los conductos de desvío, las presiones en los mismos durante la operación, así como las vibraciones y fuerza vertical descendente (down-pull) sobre las compuertas. The present article describes the study carried out at the Reduced Model Laboratory (Hydraulic, Maritime and Environmental Engineering Department, UPC) into the hydraulic behaviour of the gates employed in the closing operation of the Caruachi dam on the River Caroní (Venezuela). An analysis is made of the discharge and aeration capacity of the diversión conduits, the operation pressures in the same and the vibration and down-pull on the gates

EXPLOtació de les dades de la xarxa de control d’aigües subterrànies

ÈN]The groundwater management, taking into account the sustainable exploitation of water resources, makes indispensable the implementation of monitoring programs. The general objective of these programs is to evaluate and to analyse the modification of the hydrogeological units, taking like reference its original intrinsic characteristics. The main difficulties for the implementation of these monitoring programs are: the availability of observation points (wells), and the availability of information of the hydrogeological system and, also, of the wells sensu strictu. In this setting, a protocol for the exploitation of groundwater monitoring databases has been developed, which facilitates the analysis and evaluation of the quality of the hydrogeological units and its temporary evolution. This protocol or methodology of EXPLOitation, denominated EXPLO, is for general application, because minimizes the heterogeneity of the systems (geology, climate and causes of contamination), and allows compare wells of the same hydrogeological unit, and also among different units.[ES]La gestión de las aguas subterráneas desde una perspectiva de explotación sostenible de los recursos hídricos hace imprescindible la implementación de las redes de control. El objetivo general de estas redes es evaluar y analizar el grado de modificación de las unidades hidrogeológicas, tomándose como referencia sus características intrínsecas originales. La principal dificultad que presenta la implementación de estas redes es: la disponibilidad de puntos de observación (pozos), y la disponibilidad de información, tanto del sistema hidrogeológico como de los pozos sensu strictu. En este contexto se ha desarrollado un protocolo de explotación de las bases de datos de la red de control de calidad de las aguas subterráneas de la Junta de Sanejament de la Generalitat de Catalunya, que facilita el análisis y evaluación del estado de las unidades hidrogeológicas y su evolución temporal. Este protocolo o metodología de EXPLOtación, denominado EXPLO, es de aplicación general, pues minimiza la heterogeneidad de los sistemas (geología, clima y causas de contaminación), y permite comparar no tan solo pozos de una misma unidad hidrogeológica, sino también las diferentes unidades entre sí.[CAT]La gestió de les aigües subterrànies des d’una perspectiva d’explotació sostenible dels recursos hídrics fa imprescindible l’implementació de xarxes pel seu control. L’objectiu general d’aquestes xarxes és avaluar i analitzar el grau de modificació de les unitats hidrogeològiques, prenent com referència les seves característiques intrínseques originals. Les principals dificultats que té l’implementació d’aquestes xarxes són: la disponibilitat de punts d’observació (pous), i la disponibilitat d’informació, tant del sistema hidrogeològic com del pou sensu strictu. En aquest context, s’ha desenvolupat un protocol d’explotació de la base de dades de la xarxa de control de qualitat de les aigües subterrànies, que facilita l’anàlisi i l’avaluació de l’estat de les unitats hidrogeològiques i la seva evolució temporal. Aquest protocol o metodologia d’EXPLOtació, que ha estat anomenat EXPLO, és d’aplicació general, doncs minimitza la heterogeneïtat dels sistemes (geologia, clima i causes de contaminació), i permet comparar no sols els pous d’una mateixa unitat hidrogeològica, sinó també les diferents unitats entre sí.Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Medi Ambient, Junta de SanejamentN

Cardiac and placental mitochondrial characterization in a rabbit model of intrauterine growth restriction

[Background]: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with cardiovascular remodeling persisting into adulthood. Mitochondrial bioenergetics, essential for embryonic development and cardiovascular function, are regulated by nuclear effectors as sirtuins. A rabbit model of IUGR and cardiovascular remodeling was generated, in which heart mitochondrial alterations were observed by microscopic and transcriptomic analysis. We aimed to evaluate if such alterations are translated at a functional mitochondrial level to establish the etiopathology and potential therapeutic targets for this obstetric complication. [Methods]: Hearts and placentas from 16 IUGR-offspring and 14 controls were included to characterize mitochondrial function. [Results]: Enzymatic activities of complexes II, IV and II + III in IUGR-hearts (−11.96 ± 3.16%; −15.58 ± 5.32%; −14.73 ± 4.37%; p < 0.05) and II and II + III in IUGR-placentas (−17.22 ± 3.46%; p < 0.005 and −29.64 ± 4.43%; p < 0.001) significantly decreased. This was accompanied by a not significant reduction in CI-stimulated oxygen consumption and significantly decreased complex II SDHB subunit expression in placenta (−44.12 ± 5.88%; p < 0.001). Levels of mitochondrial content, Coenzyme Q and cellular ATP were conserved. Lipid peroxidation significantly decreased in IUGR-hearts (−39.02 ± 4.35%; p < 0.001), but not significantly increased in IUGR-placentas. Sirtuin3 protein expression significantly increased in IUGR-hearts (84.21 ± 31.58%; p < 0.05) despite conserved anti-oxidant SOD2 protein expression and activity in both tissues. [Conclusions]: IUGR is associated with cardiac and placental mitochondrial CII dysfunction. Up-regulated expression of Sirtuin3 may explain attenuation of cardiac oxidative damage and preserved ATP levels under CII deficiency.This work was supported by Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria [FIS PI12/01199, PI15/00817, PI15/00903 and PI15/00130], CIBERER (an initiative of ISCIII) and InterCIBER [PIE1400061] granted by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and cofinanced by the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional de la Unión Europea “Una manera de hacer Europa”; Suports a Grups de Recerca [SGR893/2017] and CERCA Programme from the Generalitat de Catalunya; CONACyT; Fundació La Marató de TV3 [87/C/2015]; Fundació Cellex; and “la Caixa” Foundation

CSF synaptic biomarkers in the preclinical stage of Alzheimer disease and their association with MRI and PET: a cross-sectional study

Background and objectives: To determine whether CSF synaptic biomarkers are altered in the early preclinical stage of the Alzheimer continuum and associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) risk factors, primary pathology, and neurodegeneration markers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Alzheimer's and Families (ALFA+) cohort, comprising middle-aged cognitively unimpaired participants. CSF neurogranin and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) were measured with immunoassays, and synaptosomal-associated protein-25 (SNAP-25) and synaptotagmin-1 were measured with immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry. AD CSF biomarkers β-amyloid (Aβ)42/40, phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and total tau and the neurodegeneration biomarker neurofilament light chain (NfL) were also measured. Participants underwent structural MRI and fluorodeoxyglucose and Aβ PET imaging. General linear modeling was used to test the associations between CSF synaptic biomarkers and risk factors, Aβ pathology, tau pathology, and neurodegeneration markers. Results: All CSF synaptic biomarkers increased with age. CSF neurogranin was higher in females, while CSF SNAP-25 was higher in APOE ε4 carriers. All CSF synaptic biomarkers increased with higher Aβ load (as measured by CSF Aβ42/40 and Aβ PET Centiloid values), and it is important to note that the synaptic biomarkers were increased even in individuals in the earliest stages of Aβ deposition. Higher CSF synaptic biomarkers were also associated with higher CSF p-tau and NfL. Higher CSF neurogranin and GAP-43 were significantly associated with higher brain metabolism but lower cortical thickness in AD-related brain regions. Discussion: CSF synaptic biomarkers increase in the early preclinical stages of the Alzheimer continuum even when a low burden of Aβ pathology is present, and they differ in their association with age, sex, APOE ε4, and markers of neurodegeneration.The research leading to these results has received funding from “la Caixa” Foundation (LCF/PR/GN17/10300004) and the Alzheimer's Association and an international anonymous charity foundation through the TriBEKa Imaging Platform project (TriBEKa-17-519007). Additional support has been received from the Universities and Research Secretariat, Ministry of Business and Knowledge of the Catalan Government under grant 2017-SGR-892. J.D.G. holds a “Ramón y Cajal” fellowship (RYC-2013-13054). E. Arenaza-Urquijo is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities–Spanish State Research Agency (RYC2018-026053-I). N. Vilor-Tejedor is funded by a postdoctoral grant, Juan de la Cierva Programme (FJC2018-038085-I), Ministry of Science and Innovation– Spanish State Research Agency. Her research has received additional support of “la Caixa” Foundation (LCF/PR/GN17/10300004) and the Health Department of the Catalan Government (Health Research and Innovation Strategic Plan 2016–2020 grant SLT002/16/00201). All Centre for Genomic Regulation authors acknowledge the support of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities to the EMBL partnership, the Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa, and the CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. O. Grau-Rivera is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (FJCI-2017-33437) and receives funding from the Alzheimer's Association Research Fellowship Program (2019-AARF-644568). A. Sala-Vila is the recipient of an Instituto de Salud Carlos III Miguel Servet II fellowship (CP II 17/00029). H. Zetterberg is a Wallenberg Scholar supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council (No. 2018-02532), European Research Council (No. 681712), Swedish State Support for Clinical Research (No. ALFGBG-720931), Alzheimer Drug Discovery Foundation (No. 201809-2016862), and the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL. K. Blennow is supported by the Swedish Research Council (No. 2017-00915), Alzheimer Drug Discovery Foundation (No. RDAPB-201809-2016615), Swedish Alzheimer Foundation (No. AF-742881), Hjärnfonden, Sweden (No. FO2017-0243), the Swedish state under the agreement between the Swedish government and the county councils, the ALF agreement (No. ALFGBG-715986), European Union Joint Program for Neurodegenerative Disorders (JPND2019-466-236), and NIH (No. 1R01AG068398-01). M. Suárez-Calvet receives funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (grant agreement 948677). M. Suárez-Calvet also receives funding from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI19/00155) and from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Juan de la Cierva Programme grant IJC2018-037478-I