Sensing Bisphenol A by Means of Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations to Elucidate the Enhancement Mechanism That Dominates the Spectrum

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) was employed as a spectroscopic tool to detect Bisphenol A (BPA), a building block in polycarbonate and epoxy resins or an additive in other polymer plastics like PVC, which has an endocrine disruptor effect. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by using different reducing agents such as hydroxylamine (Ag@HX), citrate (Ag@Cit), borohydride (Ag@BH), and β-cyclodextrin (Ag@βCD) were employed, aiming to select the best standard SERS substrate. The lowest limit of quantification was reached at a concentration of 0.01 mM (2.3 μg/mL) of a sonicated aqueous solution by using Ag@Cit NPs and identifying two enhanced bands recorded at about 350 and 460 cm−1. In order to gain insight into the nature of the enhanced bands, and therefore into which mechanism governs the SERS signal, electrochemical spectra recorded at different electrode potentials were acquired and TD-DFT calculations were applied to a neutral silver complex of BPA, Ag2-BPA, and to its monohydroxylated chemical specie, Ag2-BPA(OH), which is present in sonicated solution. The calculated electronic structure and the resonance Raman spectra point out that a surface plasmon-like resonance inside the silver cluster dominates the SERS spectrum corresponding to the physisorbed BPA(OH) species, a charge transfer enhancement mechanism or an intramolecular resonance transition localized in the phenolic framework was then discardedThis research was funded by Junta de Andalucía/FEDER (UMA18-FEDERJA-049 and P18-RT-4592). Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Triagem para transtorno de estresse pós-traumático em pessoas afetadas pelo terremoto chileno de 2010

Se analizó un screening de trastornos de estrés postraumático en habitantes chilenos, como consecuencia del terremoto de febrero de 2010; a partir de una Encuesta Post Terremoto con una muestra multietápica de 24.982 personas mayores de 18 años, a quienes se aplicó la Escala de Trauma de Davidson. La prevalencia de screening positivo para los trastornos de estrés postraumático fue del 11% en el país, pero a menor nivel de desagregación llegaron a observarse prevalencias del 30%. El modelo de regresión logística para la estimación de la variable trastornos de estrés postraumático identificó como factores de riesgo el hecho de pertenecer un hogar pobre, haber sufrido daños en la vivienda, haber tenido algún problema de salud en el último mes y ser mujer (p<0,05). También se encontró que el afrontamiento del sismo en familia resultó como un factor protector, en relación a afrontarlo con otros colectivos sociales (vecinos), la mayor cantidad de años de educación formal también fue identificada como un factor de protección (p<0,05). Se observaron claras desigualdades sociales en las personas que presentaron un screening positivo.The authors conducted an assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder screening in the Chilean population following the February 2010 earthquake, based on the Post Earthquake Survey with a multistage sample of 24,982 individuals over 18 years of age, applying the Davidson Trauma Scale. Multivariate analysis was performed with significance set at p<0.05. Prevalence of positive screening for post-traumatic stress disorder was 11% for the country as a whole, but reached 30% at lower-level disaggregation. The logistic regression model for post-traumatic stress disorder identified the following risk factors: belonging to a low-income family, having suffered damage to the household, a history of health problems in the previous month, and female gender (p<0.05). Family coping with the earthquake proved to be a protective factor as compared to other social or neighborhood groups, and more years of schooling were also protective (p<0.05). Positive screening for posttraumatic stress disorders revealed clear social inequalities.Foram analisados dados associados a transtornos de estresse pós-traumáticos apresentados por uma população do Chile, após o terremoto de fevereiro de 2010, a partir de uma pesquisa pós-terremoto (EPT 2010, Chile) com uma amostra multiestágio de 24.982 pessoas de mais de 18 anos, com aplicação da Escala de Trauma Davidson. A prevalência de casos positivos de screening para transtornos avaliados foi de 11% no país, mas em um nível inferior de desagregação, a prevalência observada atingiu 30%. O modelo de regressão logística para estimar a variável transtornos de estresse pós-traumático identificou como fatores de risco o fato de pertencer a uma família pobre, ter sofrido danos em seu domicílio, ter problemas de saúde no último mês e ser do sexo feminino (p<0,05). Também se encontrou que enfrentar o terremoto em família resultou como um fator de proteção em comparação com outros grupos sociais ou vizinhos, o maior número de anos de educação formal também foi identificado como um fator de proteção (p<0,05). Foram observadas claras desigualdades sociais em pessoas que tiveram screening positivo.Fil: Abeldaño Zuñiga, Roberto Ariel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Alicia Ruth. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Estario, Juan Carlos. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; ArgentinaFil: Enders, Julio Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; ArgentinaFil: López de Neira, María Josefina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; Argentin

Análise dos indicadores de saúde infantil na Argentina, em relação com os objecivos do milnio traçados pela organização das Nações Unidas

Objetivos: A la luz del 4° Objetivo de Desarrollo del Milenio trazado por Naciones Unidas, este trabajo tuvo como objetivos analizar la epidemiología de la mortalidad de menores de 1 año y menores de 5 años en la Argentina entre los años 1990 y 2011, y describir la cobertura de vacunación antisarampionosa en niños de 1 año entre 1990 y 2009. Método: Se midieron indicadores epidemiológicos con datos nacionales de fuentes secundarias: Tasa de mortalidad infantil y tasa de mortalidad en menores de 5 años; y porcentaje de cobertura de vacunación antisarampionosa en Argentina. Resultados: Los resultados muestran un descenso del 54,2% en la tasa de mortalidad infantil, y del 54,5% en la mortalidad de menores de 5 años. Las causas de muerte más frecuentes durante los primeros 5 años de vida están asociadas principalmente a las afecciones perinatales y anomalías congénitas. En relación a la cobertura de vacunación antisarampionosa, se observa una evolución positiva de ese indicador llegando en el año 2009 al 100% de cobertura. Conclusiones: La mortalidad infantil representa un indicador indiscutible de muertes evitables e innecesarias, que pueden prevenirse mediante acciones sanitarias y políticas sociales orientadas a influir sobre los determinantes sociales y económicos, en ese sentido se torna indispensable avanzar hacia la reducción prevista entre los compromisos que las Naciones Unidas establecieron en el marco de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio.Aim: In view of the 4th Millennium Development Goal set by the UN, this study aimed at analyzing the epidemiology of mortality of children under age 1 and under age 5 in Argentina between 1990 and 2011, and describing measles vaccination coverage in oneyear-old children between 1990 and 2009. Methods: Epidemiological indicators were measured using national data from secondary sources: Infant mortality rate and mortality rate in children under 5; and percentage of coverage in measles vaccination in Argentina. Results: Results show a 54.2% decrease in infant mortality rate, and 54.5% in mortality of children under 5. The most common causes of death during the first five years of life are usually associated to perinatal problems and congenital anomalies. In relation to measles vaccination coverage, there is a positive evolution of this indicator, reaching 100% coverage in 2009. Conclusions: Infant mortality represents an undeniable indicator of avoidable and unnecessary deaths that can be prevented by health actions and social policies designed to influence social and economic determinants. In this regard, it becomes essential to move towards the reduction considered among the commitments established by the United Nations within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals.Objectivos: À luz do 4º Objetivo do Milênio traçado pela Organização das Nações Unidas, este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o perfil epidemiológico da mortalidade em crianças menores de 1 ano e menores de 5 anos na Argentina entre 1990 e 2011, e descrever a cobertura da vacinação contra o sarampo em crianças de 1 ano, entre 1990 e 2009. Método: indicadores epidemiológicos foram medidos através de dados nacionais de fontes secundárias: Taxa de mortalidade infantil e da taxa de mortalidade em crianças menores de 5 anos; e percentual de cobertura de vacinação contra o sarampo na Argentina. Resultados: Os resultados mostram uma diminuição de 54,2% na taxa de mortalidade infantil, e de 54,5% na mortalidade de crianças menores de 5 anos. As causas mais frequentes de morte durante os primeiros 5 anos de vida são principalmente associados com condições perinatais e anomalias congênitas. Em relação à cobertura da vacinação contra o sarampo, salienta-se uma evolução positiva deste indicador chegando em 2009 para 100% de cobertura. Conclusões A mortalidade infantil é um indicador incontestável de mortes evitáveis e desnecessárias, que podem ser prevenidas através de ações sanitárias e políticas sociais voltadas a influenciar os determinantes sociais e econômicos, nesse senso torna-se indispensável avançar na redução prevista entre os compromissos que Organização das Nações Unidas definiu de acordo com as Metas de Desenvolvimento do Milênio.Fil: Abeldaño Zuñiga, Roberto Ariel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: López de Neira, María Josefina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; ArgentinaFil: Burrone, Maria Soledad. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Enders, Julio Enrique. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Alicia Ruth. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Estario, Juan Carlos. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Escuela de Salud Pública; Argentin

An open and private-by-design Active and Healthy Ageing smart home platform

The increasing trend in the percentage of older people among the European population, and in the number of older people living alone, poses a number of challenges, some of which can be addressed from digital solutions monitoring and supporting comfort, physical activity and health. Nowadays, research efforts seek to ensure, through technology-based solutions, the quality of life as people age and the needs that arise during the process. The home environment can host modern home-automation solutions supporting information gathering, monitoring and early intervention to prevent risks to lead to major consequences. Smart homes can thus make a positive contribution to the Active and Healthy Ageing paradigm. However, one of the biggest limitations preventing smart homes from being a reality is the lack of interoperability among different-vendor devices or the fact that most of the commer-tial solutions rely on cloud-based solutions. This work faces these limitations and proposes an architecture that, based on the use of commercial sensors, ensures that information is gathered and processed locally, independently of the commercial solution provided by the manufacturer of the device. The architecture has been experimentally validated by implementing a monitoring system based on environmental and security sensors interconnected by means of the ZigBee wireless communication protocol. The proposed system also supports caregivers caring for their older people who will be granted access to collected data. Thus, the system offers a remote monitoring system based on an information storage and visualisation solution. This system is intended to provide a solution that improves the quality of life and extends the time of independent living at home for older people.La tendencia creciente en el porcentaje de personas mayores entre la población europea y en el número de personas mayores que viven solas plantea una serie de desafíos, algunos de los cuales pueden abordarse a partir de soluciones digitales que controlen y apoyen la comodidad, la actividad física y la salud. Hoy en día, los esfuerzos de investigación buscan asegurar, a través de soluciones basadas en tecnología, la calidad de vida a medida que las personas envejecen y las necesidades que surgen durante el proceso. El entorno del hogar puede albergar soluciones modernas de automatización del hogar que respaldan la recopilación de información, el monitoreo y la intervención temprana para evitar riesgos que tengan consecuencias importantes. Por lo tanto, los hogares inteligentes pueden hacer una contribución positiva al paradigma del envejecimiento activo y saludable. Sin embargo, Una de las mayores limitaciones que impiden que los hogares inteligentes sean una realidad es la falta de interoperabilidad entre dispositivos de diferentes proveedores o el hecho de que la mayoría de las soluciones comerciales se basan en soluciones basadas en la nube. Este trabajo enfrenta estas limitaciones y propone una arquitectura que, basada en el uso de sensores comerciales, asegura que la información sea recopilada y procesada localmente, independientemente de la solución comercial proporcionada por el fabricante del dispositivo. La arquitectura ha sido validada experimentalmente mediante la implementación de un sistema de monitorización basado en sensores ambientales y de seguridad interconectados mediante el protocolo de comunicación inalámbrica ZigBee. El sistema propuesto también apoya a los cuidadores que cuidan a sus personas mayores a quienes se les otorgará acceso a los datos recopilados. De este modo, el sistema ofrece un sistema de monitoreo remoto basado en una solución de almacenamiento y visualización de información. Este sistema pretende dar una solución que mejore la calidad de vida y amplíe el tiempo de vida independiente en el hogar de las personas mayores

Length–weight relationships of kitefin shark Dalatias licha, and little sleeper shark Somniosus rostratus from the western Mediterranean Sea, and long snouted lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox from the eastern North Atlantic Ocean

This paper provides length-weight relationships (LWR) for three species: long snouted lancetfish Alepisaurus ferox, kitefin shark Dalatias licha and little sleeper shark Somniosus rostratus. Samples were collected occasionally from 2009 to 2013. A total of 49 D. licha and 24 S. rostratus samples from the western Mediterranean Sea, and 211 samples of A. ferox from the eastern North Atlantic Ocean were recorded for LWR. For each species, regression coefficients and parameters “a” and “b” were calculated with 95% confidence interval. The LWR parameter b for all species ranged from 2.889 to 3.5048, with R2 ranging from 0.717 to 0.823.Postprin

Prediction of hepatic fibrosis in patients coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus based on genetic markers

Objective: To assess the ability of the cirrhosis risk score (CRS) to predict liver fibrosis progression in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. Design: Retrospective follow-up study. Methods: Based on a minimum follow-up time of 10 years with HCV infection, 190 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients were classified according to their METAVIR score: (1) 25 nonprogressor patients who did not develop fibrosis (F0) and (2) 165 progressor patients who developed fibrosis (F ≥ 1). Seven polymorphisms of CRS signature and IL28B genotype were performed using the GoldenGate assay. The CRS signature was calculated by naive Bayes formula as previously described. Results: Nonprogressors had CRS values significantly lower than progressors (0.61 versus 0.67; P = 0.043). Among the progressors, we observed similar CRS values through all the fibrosis stages (F1/F2/F3/F4). The percentage of patients with CRS > 0.70 (high risk of developing fibrosis) was higher in progressors than in nonprogressors; but the percentages with values between 0.50 and 0.70 (intermediate risk) and <0.50 (low risk) were quite similar for each of the fibrosis stages (P = 0.047). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of CRS for discriminating nonprogressor versus progressor was 0.625 (P = 0.043). When clinical variables were considered (age at HCV infection, intravenous drug use, gender, IL28B, and HCV genotype), the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of CRS improved up to 0.739 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: CRS itself seems not to be a good marker for identifying HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who are at high risk of developing liver fibrosis. However, CRS score coupled with clinical factors might help to distinguish between nonprogressors and progressors patients.Supported by Fondo de Investigacion de Sanidad en España (FIS) (Spanish Health Founds for Research) Grants PI08/0738, PI11/00245; PI08/0928, and PI11/01556; Red Española de Investigación en SIDA (RIS) (AIDS Research Network) Grants RD12/0017/0024 and RD12/0017/0004; and “Fundación para la Investigación y la Prevención del Sida en España” (FIPSE) Grant 361020/10. A. F. R., M. G. F., P. G. B., and M. A. J. S. are supported by “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” Grants UIPY-1377/08, CM09/00031, FI12/00036, and CM10/00105, respectively.S

Tau pathology and astroglial reactivity: a comparative study of two mouse models of tauopathy

Objectives: Astrocytes are becoming crucial players in the context of neurodegenerative proteinopathies, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Astroglial response has been mainly analyzed in amyloidogenic scenarios, but less is known about their involvement in tauopathies. Here, we aimed to analyze astroglial reactivity to hyperphosphorylated-tau (ptau) in the hippocampus of two transgenic mouse models of tauopathy, ThyTau22 and P301S (2- to 12/18-months). Methods: Proteinopathy was assessed by western-blotting and immunohistochemistry (AT8). Neuroinflammation was analyzed by qPCR and bright-field immunohistochemistry, glial-ptau relationship by confocal and transmission electron microscopy. Results: P301S mice exhibited an intense reactive astrogliosis, increasing progressively with aging accordingly to a strong ptau accumulation, whereas ThyTau22 model showed slighter astrocytosis related to lesser proteinopathy. P301S astrogliosis correlated with an acute DAM-like microglial activation, not observed in ThyTau22 hippocampus. In both models, reactive astrocytes contained ptau, especially around vessels. Conclusions: Our results support that astrocytes respond to ptau in the absence of Abeta. This reactivity correlates with tau pathology and depends on microglial DAM-like activation. In addition, reactive astrocytes may play a role in the elimination/spreading of ptau species through the brain. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying these processes might allow the development of strategies to slow down the progression of AD and other tauopathies.Supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III of Spain, co-financed by FEDER funds from European Union, through grants PI18/01557 (to AG),PI18/01556 (to JV), and Junta de Andalucia through Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento grants UMA18-FEDERJA-211 (AG), P18-RT-2233 (AG) and US-1262734 (JV) co-financed by Programa Operativo FEDER 2014-2020. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Historical and ecological drivers of the spatial pattern of Chondrichthyes species richness in the Mediterranean Sea

Chondrichthyes, which include Elasmobranchii (sharks and batoids) and Holocephali (chimaeras), are a relatively small group in the Mediterranean Sea (89 species) playing a key role in the ecosystems where they are found. At present, many species of this group are threatened as a result of anthropogenic effects, including fishing activity. Knowledge of the spatial distribution of these species is of great importance to understand their ecological role and for the efficient management of their populations, particularly if affected by fisheries. This study aims to analyze the spatial patterns of the distribution of Chondrichthyes species richness in the Mediterranean Sea. Information provided by the studied countries was used to model geographical and ecological variables affecting the Chondrichthyes species richness. The species were distributed in 16 Operational Geographical Units (OGUs), derived from the Geographical Sub-Areas (GSA) adopted by the General Fisheries Commission of the Mediterranean Sea (GFCM). Regression analyses with the species richness as a target variable were adjusted with a set of environmental and geographical variables, being the model that links richness of Chondrichthyes species with distance to the Strait of Gibraltar and number of taxonomic families of bony fishes the one that best explains it. This suggests that both historical and ecological factors affect the current distribution of Chondrichthyes within the Mediterranean Sea.Postprin

Descripción de la Pandemia por COVID-19 en las Parroquias Samborondón, Daule y Durán

In Ecuador, the highest number of daily infections due to SARS-CoV-2 occurred in Guayaquil between April 4th and May 3th. The objective of this study is to perform a descriptive analysis of the quantitative PCR tests in real-time in Samborondón, Daule, and Durán during the months of April to August in the UEESBiolab laboratory. The results according to gender indicated that men register a greater number of positive cases compared to the female gender. People with an age within the Economically Active Population (EAP) were the ones who attended the test the most and who were positive in 13.9%. Additionally, for positive results, it was found that there is no statistically significant difference between groups for variables gender, age, canton, and parish. Finally, an increase in positive patients is observed in rural areas during this first wave of infection, with the rural population of Samborondón with the highest number of infections.En Ecuador, el mayor número de contagios diarios  por SARS-CoV-2 ocurrió en Guayaquil entre el 4 de abril al 3 de mayo. Este estudio, tiene como objetivo realizar un análisis descriptivo de las pruebas PCR cuantitativa en tiempo real en las parroquias de Samborondón, Daule y Durán durante los meses de abril a agosto en el laboratorio UEESBiolab. Los resultados en función del género indicaron que, los hombres registran un mayor número de casos positivos en comparación al género femenino. Las personas con una edad dentro de la Población Económicamente Activa (PEA) fueron los que más acudieron a realizarse la prueba y que resultaron positivos en un 13,9 %.  Adicionalmente, para los resultados positivos se comprobó que no existe diferencia estadística significativa entre grupos para variables género, edad, cantón y parroquia. Finalmente, se observa un incremento de los pacientes positivos en zonas rurales durante esta primera ola de infección, siendo con mayor número de contagios la población rural de Samborondón

Antarctic ozone hole modifies iodine geochemistry on the Antarctic Plateau

Polar stratospheric ozone has decreased since the 1970s due to anthropogenic emissions of chlorofluorocarbons and halons, resulting in the formation of an ozone hole over Antarctica. The effects of the ozone hole and the associated increase in incoming UV radiation on terrestrial and marine ecosystems are well established; however, the impact on geochemical cycles of ice photoactive elements, such as iodine, remains mostly unexplored. Here, we present the first iodine record from the inner Antarctic Plateau (Dome C) that covers approximately the last 212 years (1800-2012 CE). Our results show that the iodine concentration in ice remained constant during the pre-ozone hole period (1800-1974 CE) but has declined twofold since the onset of the ozone hole era (~1975 CE), closely tracking the total ozone evolution over Antarctica. Based on ice core observations, laboratory measurements and chemistry-climate model simulations, we propose that the iodine decrease since ~1975 is caused by enhanced iodine re-emission from snowpack due to the ozone hole-driven increase in UV radiation reaching the Antarctic Plateau. These findings suggest the potential for ice core iodine records from the inner Antarctic Plateau to be as an archive for past stratospheric ozone trends.Fil: Spolaor, Andrea. Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche. Istituto Di Scienze Polari.; Italia. Universita' Ca' Foscari Di Venezia; ItaliaFil: Burgay, François. Universita' Ca' Foscari Di Venezia; Italia. Paul Scherrer Institute; SuizaFil: Fernandez, Rafael Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas. - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Turetta, Clara. Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche. Istituto Di Scienze Polari.; Italia. Universita' Ca' Foscari Di Venezia; ItaliaFil: Cuevas, Carlos A.. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Química Física; EspañaFil: Kim, Kitae. Korea Polar Research Institute; Corea del SurFil: Kinnison, Douglas E.. National Center for Atmospheric Research; Estados UnidosFil: Lamarque, Jean-François. National Center for Atmospheric Research; Estados UnidosFil: de Blasi, Fabrizio. Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche. Istituto Di Scienze Polari.; Italia. Universita' Ca' Foscari Di Venezia; ItaliaFil: Barbaro, Elena. Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche. Istituto Di Scienze Polari.; Italia. Universita' Ca' Foscari Di Venezia; ItaliaFil: Corella, Juan Pablo. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Química Física; EspañaFil: Vallelonga, Paul. Universidad de Copenhagen; Dinamarca. University of Western Australia; AustraliaFil: Frezzotti, Massimo. Università Roma Tre Iii. Dipartimento Di Scienze.; ItaliaFil: Barbante, Carlo. Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche. Istituto Di Scienze Polari.; Italia. Universita' Ca' Foscari Di Venezia; ItaliaFil: Saiz López, Alfonso. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Química Física; Españ