Riesgos en asfaltado de carreteras: Riesgos Higiénicos y Ergonómicos.

Visión de los olvidados riesgos higiénicos y ergonómicos, en una actividad de la construcción, como es el asfaltado de carreteras, en el cual se suelen respirar humos de asfalto presentes en la categoria 2A de la IARC y con VLA-ED=0,5mg/m3, y una breve discusión sobre la cancerigenicidad de los mismos. Ademas de proponer una serie de propuestas para minimizar o suprimir estos riesgos en los trabajadores, y estudio de tecnologías innovadoras encaminadas a un extendido de aglomerado asfáltico mas seguro

SIMPLIT: Ensuring technology usability for the elderly

Purpose The aim of this work is to establish a reliable methodology to test if a product is simple, practical, and user-friendly for the elderly. We pursue a twofold objective: (i) to respond to companies that want to be responsive to this increasingly demanding group; (ii) to guarantee that the certified products are easy to use for the elderly. The methodol-ogy will consist of reliable protocols according to the quality required by the recognised certification bodies-in the Spanish case AENOR. Method The method we followed involves several steps: (i) assure the participation of elderly people with the collaboration one of the most important Spanish elderly associations: UDP 1.500.000 members; (ii) a field study (441 questionnaires) to obtain and classify the problems that elderly people experience with products; (iii) define testing proto-cols based on the fulfilling mandatory standards and usability tests. Usability tests are based on a hierarchical classifica-tion of tasks and a categorical classification of the problems. We obtained data on the effectiveness, efficiency and ease of learning, with which elderly people achieve specified goals in particular environments; (iv) checking the process with 4 practical cases that cover low-tech and hi-tech products: the wardrobe, an activity park, an oven, and a tablet computer; (v) submitting protocols satisfying the requirements of a quality certification body. Results & Discussion As result we have developed a methodology with four steps. (i) Verification of the regulation (standards). We check compliance with the legislation on safety and ergonomics of the product to guarantee that it fulfills the minimum conditions. (ii) Ease-of-use tests. We analyse the learning of tasks, ease-of-use and efficacy of implementation, performing a diagnosis of the product based also on the assessment of elderly users. (iii) Global product diagnosis. (iv) Quality verification. We make sure that the product diagnosis is performed systematically by audit of the certification body (AENOR). The assessment of effectiveness, efficiency and ease of learning, are tasks classified on 4 levels: (a) basic & high frequency, (b) basic & low frequency, (c) no basic & high frequency, (d) no basic & low frequency. The problems that appear during the tasks are classified in 18 categories (e.g. dexterity, reaching, equilibrium, etc.). This problem classification facilitates the search for solutions and helps designers to improve the design. This methodology has resulted in a new certificate: SIMPLIT. SIMPLIT is a quality label that guarantees that products have been developed with a design aimed at elderly people. This certificate is now being used and several products have obtained the quality label. Moreover, we use the methodol-ogy in projects to develop new products for the elderly.Durá-Gil, JV.; Laparra Hernandez, J.; Poveda Puente, R.; Marzo Rosello, R.; López Vicente, MA.; Bollain Pastor, C. (2012). SIMPLIT: Ensuring technology usability for the elderly. Gerontechnology: international journal on the fundamental aspects of technology to serve the ageing society. 11(2):163-163. doi:10.4017/gt.2012.11.02.279.0016316311

La figura del defensor del menor en la Comunidad de Madrid: un análisis intergubernamental y comparado

Esta publicación da cuenta de una investigación, financiada por el Defensor del Menor de la Comunidad de Madrid (Asamblea de la Comunidad de Madrid) en que, de manera pionera, se aplica la metodología de análisis intergubernamental en España a una institución pública. También se aplica el análisis comparativo. La investigación contó con la participación en el trabajo de campo de decenas de organizaciones e instituciones públicas españolas y extranjeras. El estudio se desenvuelve en ocho capítulos, sin contar las conclusiones y las fuentes y anexos. En los primeros se realiza una aproximación a la metodología intergubernamental como marco de comprensión del conjunto de trabajo, se tratan los asuntos normativos y se analizan las redes de actores de que forma parte del Defensor del Menor, mostrando el lugar central que ocupa en varias de ellas. El capítulo VI profundiza en la legitimidad y realiza una operativización cualitativa de la misma a partir de la clásica distinción entre legitimidad institucional y por rendimientos, esquema que se confronta con las actuaciones del Defensor. El capítulo VII se plantea en qué medida el Defensor del Menor puede considerarse una organización moderna, en tanto que el VIII se centra en el análisis comparativo de esta figura con otras organizaciones defensoras de los derechos de la infancia tanto a nivel nacional como internacional

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and adherence to Mediterranean diet in an adult population: the Mediterranean diet index as a pollution level index

Background Research related to sustainable diets is is highly relevant to provide better understanding of the impact of dietary intake on the health and the environment. Aim To assess the association between the adherence to an energy-restricted Mediterranean diet and the amount of CO2 emitted in an older adult population. Design and population Using a cross-sectional design, the association between the adherence to an energy-reduced Mediterranean Diet (erMedDiet) score and dietary CO2 emissions in 6646 participants was assessed. Methods Food intake and adherence to the erMedDiet was assessed using validated food frequency questionnaire and 17-item Mediterranean questionnaire. Sociodemographic characteristics were documented. Environmental impact was calculated through greenhouse gas emissions estimations, specifically CO2 emissions of each participant diet per day, using a European database. Participants were distributed in quartiles according to their estimated CO2 emissions expressed in kg/day: Q1 (= 2.80 kg CO2). Results More men than women induced higher dietary levels of CO2 emissions. Participants reporting higher consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole cereals, preferring white meat, and having less consumption of red meat were mostly emitting less kg of CO2 through diet. Participants with higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet showed lower odds for dietary CO2 emissions: Q2 (OR 0.87; 95%CI: 0.76-1.00), Q3 (OR 0.69; 95%CI: 0.69-0.79) and Q4 (OR 0.48; 95%CI: 0.42-0.55) vs Q1 (reference). Conclusions The Mediterranean diet can be environmentally protective since the higher the adherence to the Mediterranean diet, the lower total dietary CO2 emissions. Mediterranean Diet index may be used as a pollution level index

Associations Between the Modified Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in an Elderly Population

Background: Helping consumers to improve the nutritional quality of their diet is a key public health action to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The modified version of the Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index (FSAm-NPS DI) underpinning the Nutri-Score front-of-pack label has been used in public health strategies to address the deleterious consequences of poor diets. This study aimed to assess the association between the FSAm-NPS DI and some CVD risk factors including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, plasma glucose levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Materials and Methods: Dietary intake was assessed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up using a 143-item validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Dietary indices based on FSAm-NPS applied at an individual level were computed to characterize the diet quality of 5,921 participants aged 55-75 years with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome from the PREDIMED-plus cohort. Associations between the FSAm-NPS DI and CVD risk factors were assessed using linear regression models. Results: Compared to participants with a higher nutritional quality of diet (measured by a lower FSAm-NPS DI at baseline or a decrease in FSAm-NPS DI after 1 year), those participants with a lower nutritional quality of diet (higher FSAm-NPS DI or an increase in score) showed a significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference (beta coefficient [95% confidence interval]; P for trend) (1.67 [0.43, 2.90]; <0.001; 6.27 [2.46, 10.09]; <0.001; 0.56 [0.08, 1.05]; 0.001; 0.51 [0.41, 0.60]; <0.001; 1.19 [0.89, 1.50]; <0.001, respectively). No significant associations in relation to changes in HDL and LDL-cholesterol nor with systolic blood pressure were shown. Conclusion: This prospective cohort study suggests that the consumption of food items with a higher FSAm-NPS DI is associated with increased levels of several major risk factors for CVD including adiposity, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure. However, results must be cautiously interpreted because no significant prospective associations were identified for critical CVD risk factors, such as HDL and LDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure

Determination of the optical depth of a DI diesel spray

The optical depth is responsible of limiting the optical diagnostic using visible wavelength in the sprays. This paper proposes to measure the optical depth directly in a real Diesel spray through line-of-sight laser extinction measurements. This easily reproducible method which does not require expensive or complex optical techniques is detailed and the measurement procedure is presented in this paper. As diesel sprays are mostly optically thick, the measurements in the denser region are not reliable and a fuel concentration model has been used to derive the results to the entire spray. This work provides values of SMD at different distance from the nozzle tip depending on the specific parameters like injection pressure or discharge density. The values extracted from a combined experimental/computational approach have been compared to PDPA measurements under the same testing conditions. The results have shown that the maximum optical depth was higher than 10 and that an increase of the injection pressure led to higher ¿ values. The SMD values appeared to be below the results measured by the PDPA and the droplet diameter showed to be the main responsible of the optical depth of the jet under the tested conditions. © 2011 The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.Payri González, F.; Pastor, JV.; Payri, R.; Manin, JL. (2011). Determination of the optical depth of a DI diesel spray. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology. 25(1):209-219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-1024-xS209219251L. Pickett and D. Siebers, Non-sooting, low flame temperature mixing-controlled DI diesel combustion, SAE Paper, 2004-01-1399 (2004).S. Cheng, A. Upatnieks and C. J. Mueller, Investigation of fuel effects on dilute, mixing-controlled combustion in an optical direct-injection diesel engine, Energy & Fuels, 21 (2007) 1989–2002.S. Park, H. Kim and B. Choi, Emission characteristics of exhaust gases and nanoparticles from a diesel engine with biodiesel-diesel blended fuel (BD20), J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 23(9) (2009) 2555–2564.J. Benajes, S. Molina, K. De Rudder and T. Rente, Influence of injection rate shaping on combustion and emissions for a medium duty diesel engine, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 20(9) (2006) 1436–1448.S. Som, S. K. Aggarwal, E. M. El-Hannouny, D. E. Longman, Investigation of Nozzle Flow and Cavitation Characteristics in a Diesel Injector, J. of Eng. Gas Turb. and Power, 132(4) (2010).J. Lee and K. Min, Effects of needle response on spray characteristics in high pressure injector driven by piezo actuator for common-rail injection system, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 19(5) (2005) 1194–1205.R. Payri, F. J. Salvador, J. Gimeno and V. Soare, Determination of diesel sprays characteristics in real engine in-cylinder air density and pressure conditions, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 19 (2005) 2040–2052.Y. Yue, C. F. Powell, R. Poola and J. Wang, Quantitative measurements of diesel fuel spray characteristics in the near-nozzle region by using x-ray absorption, Atomization Sprays, 11(4) (2001).M. Linne, M. Paciaroni, T. Hall and T. Parker, Ballistic imaging of the near field in a diesel spray, Experiments in Fluid,s 40(6) (2006) 836–846.H. E. Albrecht, N. Damaschke, M. Borys and C. Tropea, Laser Doppler and Phase Doppler Measurement Techniques, Springer Berlin (2003).R. Domann and Y. Hardalupas, Quantitative Measurement of planar Droplet Sauter Mean Diameter in sprays using Planar Droplet Sizing, 11th Int. Symp. on App. of Laser Techniques to Fluid Mechanics (Lisbon Portugal) (2002).M. Van der Mark, M. Van Albada and A. Lagendijk, Light scattering in strongly scattering media: Multiple scattering and weak localization, Physical Review, B 37(7) (1988).L. Araneo and R. Payri, Experimental quantification of the planar droplet sizing technique error for micro-metric monodispersed spherical particles, Proc. of the Inst. for Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems Conf. (Como Italy) (2008).G. Hiromi, Multiple scattering correction in the measurement of particle size and number density by the diffraction method, Applied Optics 25(19) (1986) 3552–3558.C. Dumouchel, P. Yongyingsakthavorn and J. Cousin, Light multiple scattering correction of laser-diffraction spray drop-size distribution measurements, International Journal of Multiphase Flow 35(3) (2009) 277–287.J. V. Pastor, R. Payri, L. Araneo and J. Manin, Correction method for droplet sizing by laser-induced fluorescence in a controlled test situation, Optical Engineering, 48(1) (2009).C. Espey and J. E. Dec, The effect of TDC temperature and density on the liquid-phase fuel penetration in a Di Diesel engine, SAE transactions, 104(4) (1995) 1400–1414.J. M. Desantes, R. Payri, A. García and J. Manin, Experimental Study of Biodiesel Blends’ Effects on Diesel Injection Processes, Energy & Fuels, 23 (2009) 3227–3235.C. R. Kitchin, Stars, Nebulae and the Interstellar Medium: Observational Physics and Astrophysics CRC Press (1987).M. A. Linne, Spectroscopic Measurement: An Introduction to the Fundamentals, Academic Press (London, UK) (2002).J. V. Pastor, J. J. Lopez, J. E. Juliá and J. V. Benajes, Planar laser-induced fluorescence fuel concentration measurements in isothermal sprays, Opt. Express, 10(7) (2002) 309–323.J. Benajes, R. Payri, S. Molina, A.H. Plazas, Investigation of the influence of injection rate shaping on the spray characteristics in a diesel common rail system equipped with a piston amplifier, Journal of fluids engineering-transactions of the ASME, 127(6) (2005) 1102–1110.V. Bermudez, R. Payri, F. J. Salvador and A. H. Plazas, Study of the influence of nozzle seat type on injection rate and spray behavior, ImechE, Journal of automobile engineering, Part D, 219 (2005) 677–689.R. Payri, J. M. Garcia, F. J. Salvador and J. Gimeno, Using spray momentum flux measurements to understand the influence of diesel nozzle geometry on spray characteristics, Fuel, 84 (2005) 551–561.J. M. Desantes, R. Payri, F. J. Salvador and A. Gil, Development and validation of a theoretical model for diesel spray penetration, Fuel, 85 (2006) 910–917.H. Hattori, K. Narumiya, M. Tsue and T. Kadota, Analysis of initial breakup mechanism of diesel spray injected into high-pressure ambience, SAE Paper, 2004-01-0528 (2004).J. D. J. Ingle and S. R. Crouch, Spectrochemical Analysis, Prentice Hall (New Jersey, USA) (1988).F. V. Tinaut, A. Melgar, F. Castro, M. L. Sanchez and B. A. Gimenez, Method to determine liquid concentration in nonstationary axisymmetric sprays, Experiments in Fluids, 23 (1997) 299–305.P. Laven, Simulation of Rainbows, Coronas and Glories by the use of Mie theory, Applied Optics 43(3) (2003) 436–444.J. M. Desantes, R. Payri, J. M. Garcia and F. J. Salvador, A contribution to the understanding of isothermal diesel spray dynamics, Fuel, 86(7–8) (2007) 1093–1101.R. Payri, L. Araneo, J. Shakal and V. Soare, Phase doppler measurements: system set-up optimization for characterization of a diesel nozzle, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 22 (2008) 1620–1632.E. Berrocal, D. L. Sedarsky, M. E. Paciaroni, I. V. Meglinski and M. A. Linne, Laser light scattering in turbid media Part I: Experimental and simulated results for the spatial intensity distribution, Optics Express, 15 (2007) 10649–10665.C. Roze, T. Girasole, L. Mevcs, G. Grehan, L. Hespel and A. Delfour, Interaction between ultra short pulses and a dense scattering medium by Monte Carlo simulation: consideration of particle size effect, Optics Communications, 220(4–6) (2003) 237–245.E. Berrocal, D. L. Sedarsky, M. E. Paciaroni, I. V. Meglinski and M. A. Linne, Laser light scattering in turbid media Part II: Spatial and temporal analysis of individual scattering orders via Monte Carlo simulation, Optics Express, 17 (2009) 13792–13809.E. Berrocal, Multiple scattering of light in optical diagnostics of dense sprays and other complex turbid media, PhD Thesis Cranfield University (2006).J. Naber and D. Siebers, Effects of gas density and vaporization on penetration and dispersion of diesel sprays, SAE Paper, 960034 (1996).V. Soare, Phase Doppler Measurements in Diesel Dense Sprays: Optimisation of Measurements and Study of the Orifice Geometry Influence over the Spray at Microscopic Level PhD Thesis, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, (2007).G. Wigley, Measurement techniques and data analyses for direct injection fuel sprays, in Phase Doppler measurements in Ultra-dense sprays, University of Darmstad (2005).J. Koo and J. Kim, Assessment of a Phase Doppler Anemometry Technique in Dense Droplet Laden Jet, KSME International Journal, 17(7) (2003) 1083–1094.J. S. Kim and J. S. Kim, A characterization of the spray evolution by dual-mode phase doppler anemometry in an injector of liquid-propellant thruster, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 23(6) (2009) 1637–1649.J. Labs and T.E. Parker, Two-dimensional droplet size and volume fraction distributions from the near-injector region of high-pressure diesel sprays, Atomization & Sprays, 16 (2006) 843–855

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption is Inversely Associated with Plasma Saturated Fatty Acids at Baseline in Predimed Plus Trial

I.D.-L. is supported by the [FI_B 00256] from the FI-AGAUR Research Fellowship Program, Generalitat de Catalunya and M.M.-M is supported by the FPU17/00513 grant. a.-H. is supported by the [CD17/00122] grant and S.K.N. is supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Fellowship. We also thank all the volunteers for their participation in and the personnel for their contribution to the PREDIMED-Plus trial. This research was funded by CiCYT [AGL2016-75329-R] and CIBEROBN from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, ISCIII from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades, (AEI/FEDER, UE), Generalitat de Catalunya (GC) [2017SGR196]. The PREDIMED-Plus trial was supported by the official Spanish Institutions for funding scientific biomedical research, CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBERobn) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), through the Fondo de Investigacion para la Salud (FIS), which is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (four coordinated Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias projects lead by J.S.-S. and J.V., including the following projects: PI13/00673, PI13/00492, PI13/00272, PI13/01123, PI13/00462, PI13/00233, PI13/02184, PI13/00728, PI13/01090, PI13/01056, PI14/01722, PI14/00636, PI14/00618, PI14/00696, PI14/01206, PI14/01919, PI14/00853, PI14/01374, PI14/00972, PI14/00728, PI14/01471, PI16/00473, PI16/00662, PI16/01873, PI16/01094, PI16/00501, PI16/00533, PI16/00381, PI16/00366, PI16/01522, PI16/01120, PI17/00764, PI17/01183, PI17/00855, PI17/01347, PI17/00525, PI17/01827, PI17/00532, PI17/00215, PI17/01441, PI17/00508, PI17/01732, PI17/00926 and PI19/00781), the Especial Action Project entitled Implementacion y evaluacion de una intervencion intensiva sobre la actividad fisica Cohorte PREDIMED-Plus grant to J.S.-S., European Research Council (Advanced Research Grant 2014-2019, 340918) to M.a.M.-G., the Recercaixa grant to J.S.-S. (2013ACUP00194), grants from the Consejeria de Salud de la Junta de Andalucia (PI0458/2013, PS0358/2016, and PI0137/2018), a grant from the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2017/017), a SEMERGEN grant, Fundacio la Marato de TV3 (PI044003), 2017 SGR 1717 from Generalitat de Catalunya, a CICYT grant provided by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades (AGL2016-75329-R), and funds from the European Regional Development Fund (CB06/03 and CB12/03). Food companies Hojiblanca (Lucena, Spain) and Patrimonio Comunal Olivarero (Madrid, Spain) donated extra virgin olive oil, and the Almond Board of California (Modesto, CA, USA), American Pistachio Growers (Fresno, CA, USA), and Paramount Farms (Wonderful Company, LLC, Los Angeles, CA, USA) donated nuts. J.K. was supported by the "FOLIUM" program within the FUTURMed project entitled Talent for the medicine within the future from the Fundacio Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Illes Balears. This call was co-financed at 50% with charge to the Operational Program FSE 2014-2020 of the Balearic Islands. This work is partially supported by ICREA under the ICREA Academia programme to J.S.-S.Scope: Plasma fatty acids (FAs) are associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome. The aim of our study is to assess the relationship between fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption and plasma FAs and their subtypes. Methods and Results: Plasma FAs are assessed in a cross-sectional analysis of a subsample of 240 subjects from the PREDIMED-Plus study. Participants are categorized into four groups of fruit, vegetable, and fat intake according to the food frequency questionnaire. Plasma FA analysis is performed using gas chromatography. Associations between FAs and F&V consumption are adjusted for age, sex, physical activity, bodymass index (BMI), total energy intake, and alcohol consumption. Plasma saturated FAs are lower in groups with high F&V consumption (-1.20 mg cL−1 [95% CI: [-2.22, - 0.18], p-value = 0.021), especially when fat intake is high (-1.74 mg cL−1 [95% CI: [-3.41, -0.06], p-value = 0.042). Total FAs and n-6 polyunsaturated FAs tend to be lower in high consumers of F&V only in the high-fat intake groups. Conclusions: F&V consumption is associated with lower plasma saturated FAs when fat intake is high. These findings suggest that F&V consumption may have different associations with plasma FAs depending on their subtype and on the extent of fat intake.Generalitat de Catalunya FI_B 00256Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)Consejo Interinstitucional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CICYT)European Commission AGL2016-75329-RCIBEROBN from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III ISCIII from the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades, (AEI/FEDER, UE)Generalitat de Catalunya 2017SGR196CIBER Fisiopatologia de la Obesidad y Nutricion (CIBERobn)Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), through the Fondo de Investigacion para la Salud (FIS)European Commission PI13/00673 PI13/00492 PI13/00272 PI13/01123 PI13/00462 PI13/00233 PI13/02184 PI13/00728 PI13/01090 PI13/01056 PI14/01722 PI14/00636 PI14/00618 PI14/00696 PI14/01206 PI14/01919 PI14/00853 PI14/01374Especial Action Project entitled Implementacion y evaluacion de una intervencion intensiva sobre la actividad fisica Cohorte PREDIMED-Plus grantEuropean Research Council (ERC) European Commission 340918Recercaixa grant 2013ACUP00194Junta de Andalucia PI0458/2013 PS0358/2016 PI0137/2018Generalitat Valenciana European Commission PROMETEO/2017/017SEMERGEN grant, Fundacio la Marato de TV3 PI044003Generalitat de Catalunya 2017 SGR 1717Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades AGL2016-75329-R"FOLIUM" program within the FUTURMed project within Fundacio Institut d'Investigacio Sanitaria Illes BalearsICREA under the ICREA Academia programmeThe European Regional Development Fund PI17/01347 PI17/00525 PI17/01827 PI17/00532 PI17/00215 PI17/01441 PI17/00508 PI17/01732 PI17/00926 PI19/00781 CB06/03 CB12/03European Commission PI14/00972 PI14/00728 PI14/01471 PI16/00473 PI16/00662 PI16/01873 PI16/01094 PI16/00501 PI16/00533 PI16/00381 PI16/00366 PI16/01522 PI16/01120 PI17/00764 PI17/01183 PI17/00855 FPU17/00513 CD17/0012

Feline Leukemia Virus and Other Pathogens as Important Threats to the Survival of the Critically Endangered Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)

BACKGROUND: The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is considered the most endangered felid species in the world. In order to save this species, the Spanish authorities implemented a captive breeding program recruiting lynxes from the wild. In this context, a retrospective survey on prevalence of selected feline pathogens in free-ranging lynxes was initiated. METHODOLOGY/ PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We systematically analyzed the prevalence and importance of seven viral, one protozoan (Cytauxzoon felis), and several bacterial (e.g., hemotropic mycoplasma) infections in 77 of approximately 200 remaining free-ranging Iberian lynxes of the Doñana and Sierra Morena areas, in Southern Spain, between 2003 and 2007. With the exception of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), evidence of infection by all tested feline pathogens was found in Iberian lynxes. Fourteen lynxes were feline leukemia virus (FeLV) provirus-positive; eleven of these were antigenemic (FeLV p27 positive). All 14 animals tested negative for other viral infections. During a six-month period in 2007, six of the provirus-positive antigenemic lynxes died. Infection with FeLV but not with other infectious agents was associated with mortality (p<0.001). Sequencing of the FeLV surface glycoprotein gene revealed a common origin for ten of the eleven samples. The ten sequences were closely related to FeLV-A/61E, originally isolated from cats in the USA. Endogenous FeLV sequences were not detected. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: It was concluded that the FeLV infection most likely originated from domestic cats invading the lynx's habitats. Data available regarding the time frame, co-infections, and outcome of FeLV-infections suggest that, in contrast to the domestic cat, the FeLV strain affecting the lynxes in 2007 is highly virulent to this species. Our data argue strongly for vaccination of lynxes and domestic cats in and around lynx's habitats in order to prevent further spread of the virus as well as reduction the domestic cat population if the lynx population is to be maintained

Associations Between the Modified Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in an Elderly Population

BackgroundHelping consumers to improve the nutritional quality of their diet is a key public health action to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The modified version of the Food Standard Agency Nutrient Profiling System Dietary Index (FSAm-NPS DI) underpinning the Nutri-Score front-of-pack label has been used in public health strategies to address the deleterious consequences of poor diets. This study aimed to assess the association between the FSAm-NPS DI and some CVD risk factors including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, plasma glucose levels, triglyceride levels, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and diastolic and systolic blood pressure.Materials and MethodsDietary intake was assessed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up using a 143-item validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Dietary indices based on FSAm-NPS applied at an individual level were computed to characterize the diet quality of 5,921 participants aged 55–75 years with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome from the PREDIMED-plus cohort. Associations between the FSAm-NPS DI and CVD risk factors were assessed using linear regression models.ResultsCompared to participants with a higher nutritional quality of diet (measured by a lower FSAm-NPS DI at baseline or a decrease in FSAm-NPS DI after 1 year), those participants with a lower nutritional quality of diet (higher FSAm-NPS DI or an increase in score) showed a significant increase in the levels of plasma glucose, triglycerides, diastolic blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference (β coefficient [95% confidence interval]; P for trend) (1.67 [0.43, 2.90]; &lt;0.001; 6.27 [2.46, 10.09]; &lt;0.001; 0.56 [0.08, 1.05]; 0.001; 0.51 [0.41, 0.60]; &lt;0.001; 1.19 [0.89, 1.50]; &lt;0.001, respectively). No significant associations in relation to changes in HDL and LDL-cholesterol nor with systolic blood pressure were shown.ConclusionThis prospective cohort study suggests that the consumption of food items with a higher FSAm-NPS DI is associated with increased levels of several major risk factors for CVD including adiposity, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, and diastolic blood pressure. However, results must be cautiously interpreted because no significant prospective associations were identified for critical CVD risk factors, such as HDL and LDL-cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure