Accidentally Swallowing a Toothbrush in a Patient during a Vomiting Attempt: Literature Review and Case Report

Swallowing a whole toothbrush is a rare event. As of today, no case described has documented that the foreign body has passed through the entire gastrointestinal tract and has been spontaneously eliminated. Places where it is most frequently retained have been described. Only in one single case described did the foreign body reach the colon. We describe the main injuries caused by this foreign body, and the most common correct therapeutic approach for solving the problem. The third case in the literature is presented, with diagnosis and treatment of a woman who, in an attempt to induce vomiting, swallowed a toothbrush which became lodged in her stomach. The patient, at the time of the examination, only showed abdominal pain and anxiety

Creativity in people vs in methods

Ponencia presentada en el IX Congreso Internacional de Ingeniería de Proyectos celebrado en Málaga en el año 2005This paper aims to analyse the type of influence that idea-finding methods and designers’ problem solving traits exert on the way the design process unfolds and in the outcomes. This is researched by means of protocol analysis and outcome-based analysis of a design experiment. This experiment shows that stimuli can have a greater influence on the design activity than that of the designers’ problem solving traits.Esta comunicación, cuyo título se traduce al castellano como “La creatividad de las personas frente a la de los métodos”, pretende analizar el tipo de influencia que ejercen los métodos de generación de ideas y las características de las personas sobre el proceso de diseño y los resultados que se obtienen. Para ello, se ha realizado un análisis de protocolo y un análisis de soluciones producidas en un experimento de diseño. Los resultados muestran que los estímulos de los métodos de generación de ideas pueden ejercer una influencia mayor en la actividad de diseño que las características creativas de las personas que intervienen

Neurodevelopment Outcome in Children with Fetal Growth Restriction at Six Years of Age: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: This study aimed to describe neurodevelopment in fetal growth restriction children at the age of six. Secondly, we tried to demonstrate influencing factors that can improve or exacerbate this development, as well as predictive factors that might select a population at risk to assist with early childhood support. Method: It was a study of 70 children affected with FGR. FGR was based on these definitions: birth weight below the 3rd percentile or birth weight below the 10th percentile with an abnormal hemodynamic Doppler study. Neurodevelopment was assessed at 6 years old by means of Batelle Development Inventory. A global development quotient under a 100 score was considered a neurodevelopment delay. All variables regarding pregnancy care, delivery episode, postpartum, neonatal care, sociodemographic issues, and the need for support in the first years were studied. Results: The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 33.14 weeks (standard deviation (SD = 4.31), with 32.9% of early-onset diagnoses. The mean gestational age at delivery was 35.61 (SD = 3.21), and the cesarean rate was 64.3%. The average age of the children at the moment of the evaluation was 76.20-month-old (SD = 3.70). The mean global development quotient was 97.28 (SD = 13.97). We were able to record a 57.1% of global development delay. In the cases of cognition, only 17.1% of the children registered a delay. Motor and communication skills were the most frequently affected. We discovered that socioeconomic status was positively related to the global development quotient, as well as both gestational age at delivery and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index was positively related to the global development quotient. Conclusions: We found a higher neurodevelopment delay rate (57.1%). We could relate a higher gestational age at delivery and a higher MCA percentile with better global neurodevelopment quotientsBenítez Marín MJ, Blanco Elena JA, Marín Clavijo J, Jiménez López J, Lubián López DM, González Mesa E. Neurodevelopment Outcome in Children with Fetal Growth Restriction at Six Years of Age: A Retrospective Cohort Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(17):11043. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19171104

Exploitation of washing products of granitic tin-bearing sands from Conquista (Córdoba)

Se estudia un material arcilloso con alto contenido en caolinita, procedente del lavado de arenas graníticas de la formación de Los Pedroches (Córdoba). Se han realizado las siguientes determinaciones: análisis granulométrico, químico y mediante difracción de rayos X, estudio térmico por ATD-TG y dilatométrico, así como estudio de las propiedades cerámicas del material en probetas prensadas y cocidas durante dos horas hasta la temperatura de 1.300°C, obteniéndose los correspondientes diagramas de gresificación. El análisis mineralógico del material crudo lo señala,como altamente caolinítico, con variable contenido eh cuarzo, ilita, feldespatos (potásicos) y óxidos de hierro (~5% F2O3), en estado de gel en su mayor parte. Mediante cocción hasta 1.300°C de las probetas prensadas, el estudio mediante difracción de rayos X permite observar la aparición y desarrollo de nuevas fases, entre las que destaca la mullita, junto con abundante formación de fase vítrea. La situación y gran potencia del yacimiento, así como las buenas propiedades cerámicas de este material natural, permiten su empleo en la industria de pavimentos y revestimientos cerámicos gresificados de pasta roja dado su contenido en óxidos de hierro que preparados adecuadamente pueden modelarse por prensado, extrusión y colaje.An argillaceous material, high in kaolinite, from washing products of granitic sands of Pedroches (Córdoba) formation, is studied. The following determinations were carried out: mechanical analysis, chemical analysis. X-ray diffraction study, DTA-TG and dilatometric analysis, as well as a ceramic study of pressed and fîred bodies for two hours up to 1.300°C, to obttain the sintering diagrams. Through mineralogical analysis, it is concluded that the raw material is very high in kaolinite with variable contents of quartz, illite, feldspars (potassic), an iron oxides (~5% F2O3) mainly as gel. Through firing up to 1.300°C of presssed bodies, we can observe by the X-ray study the appearance and development of new phases among which mullite stands out, together with great vitreous phase formation. The location and great potential of the deposit, as well as the good ceramic properties of this material, permit their use in the good ceramic properties of this material, permit their use in the floor and tile industry due to its iron oxide content, being possible the processing by pressing, extrusion and slip casting

Estrés en graduados y técnicos en cuidados auxiliares de enfermería en las áreas quirúrgicas hospitalarias

Objectives: To analyse the stress level in Nursing Graduates and Healthcare Assistants in surgical areas of the Public Hospitals in Gran Canaria. Material and Methods: Quantitative, descriptive/observational study of cross-sectional prevalence in 143 subjects (Nursing Degree and Healthcare Assistant, henceforth (H.C.A.), in the University Hospital of Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín, henceforth U.H.G.C. Dr. Negrín and Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Materno Infantil de Canarias(Children and maternity care hospital of the Canary Islands), henceforth the C.H.U. Insular-Materno Infantil de Canarias, in the surgery services/operating rooms, Trauma Resuscitation Unit (TRU) , Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (P.A.C.U.), and Major Outpatient Surgery (M.O.S.), from 2016 to 2019. By means of an anonymous and voluntary self-completion survey based on the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) from Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., and Mermelstein, R. It was distributed in 14 items, a questionnaire of 19 demographic and socio-labour items was also carried out, applying a cross-sectional design of dependent and independent variables.Results: They show a stress level with a median of 22%. The mean is 21.79, the standard deviation is 7.26, the 25th percentile results in 17%, the 50th percentile is 22% and the 75th percentile is 39%. Total reliability is 0.86 using Cronbach's Alpha.Conclusions: H.C.A. workers and Nursing Graduates from the aforementioned units show a moderate level of stress, but institutions should intervene to minimize it as much as possible.Objetivos: Analizar el nivel de estrés que presentan los Graduados de Enfermería y los Técnicos en Cuidados Auxiliares de Enfermería en las áreas quirúrgicas de los Hospitales Públicos de Gran Canaria.Material y método: Estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo/observacional de prevalencia transversal, de 143 sujetos (Grado de Enfermería y Técnicos en Cuidados Auxiliares de Enfermería, en adelante T.C.A.E.), en Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín, en adelante H.U.G.C. Dr. Negrín, y Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Materno Infantil de Canarias, en adelante C.H.U. Insular-Materno Infantil de Canarias, en los servicios de Quirófano, Unidad de Reanimación y Cuidados Críticos (R.E.A.), Unidad de Recuperación Post-anestésica (U.R.P.A.) y Cirugía Mayor Ambulatoria (C.M.A.), durante los años 2016-2019. Mediante una encuesta autocumplimentada de carácter anónimo y voluntario formado por la Escala de estrés percibido (PSS) de Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., y Mermelstein, R. Dispuesta en 14 ítems, además se realizó un cuestionario de 19 ítems de carácter demográfico y sociolaboral, efectuándose cruce de variables dependientes e independientes.Resultados: Presentan un nivel de estrés con una mediana de 22%. La media es 21.79, la desviación típica 7.26, el percentil 25 da como resultado 17%, el percentil 50 es 22% y el percentil 75 es 39%. La fiabilidad total da como resultado 0.86 en el Alfa de Cronbach.Conclusiones: Los trabajadores TCAE y Graduados de Enfermería, de las unidades mencionadas presentan un nivel moderado de estrés, pero las instituciones deberían intervenir para minimizarlo lo máximo posible

Magnetic dispersive solid phase microextraction coupled with on-line chemical vapor generation method to extraction/preconcentration of mercury from environmental samples and determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

Mercury (Hg) is classified as priority hazardous substances. Concentrations found in the aquatic environment are at trace levels as result of natural processes, such as erosion and volcanism, and anthropogenic discharges related mainly to industrial and mining activities. Mercury is one of the most potent neurotoxins known, showing a high number of adverse health effects in animals and humans. For this reason, a simple and rapid method for the determination and preconcentration of mercury in environmental waters is proposed. This work is based on magnetic dispersive solid phase microextraction (MDSPME) coupled with on-line chemical vapour generation (CVG). Graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) was employed for the quantification of Hg. In the preconcentration step, a shell structured Fe3O4@graphene oxide was suspended in the ionic liquid carrier (1-n-butyl-3-metilimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF4]), obtaining a stable colloidal suspension called ferrofluid. This sorbent possesses as large contact surface area and a high density of polar groups on its surface. The nanoparticles, when finely dispersed in the sample solution, result in almost complete extraction of Hg within a few seconds. All experimental and instrumental variables were optimized and the method was adequately validated by the analysis of certified reference materials of environmental waters. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank Plan Propio “Proyecto Puente” de la Universidad de Málaga for financial support of this work.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Solid sampling determination of ZnO nanoparticles in eyeshadows by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The application of nanoparticles (NPs) in science and technology is a fast growing field. Therefore, reliable and straightforward analytical methods are required for their fast determination in different types of samples. In this work, a method that enables the determination of the average size of ZnO NPs, besides their concentration, discriminating them from ionic zinc, has been optimized. The method is based on solid sampling high-resolution continuum source electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (SS-HR-CS-GFAAS), and has been applied to determination and characterization of ZnO NPs in cosmetic samples. Recently, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry has been introduced as a new tool to determine the size of nanoparticles by evaluation of the following parameters: atomization delay (tad) and atomization rate (kat). In this work both parameters (besides peak area) have been obtained from absorbance signals for a line of Zn with low sensitivity. Two multiple response surface designs have been used in order to optimize the adequate furnace program to achieve our aims. All the optimization experiments were performed using baby´s skin irritation protective cream. The optimized furnace program is shown in Table 1. Table 1. Optimized furnace program The size calibrations were performed against solid (powered) ZnO standards, from 50-nm to 500-nm sized nanoparticles. The correlation coefficients (R value) of the linear calibration were not worse than 0.9982. The optimized method was tested in other types of cosmetic samples such as eyeshadow samples with good results. The determination of the MNPs’ size was validated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the Zn concentration in the solid samples was validated by atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS). Acknowledgements (optional) [Garamond font, 10 points] The authors would like to thank Plan propio “Proyecto Puente” de la Universidad de Málaga for financial support of this work.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Rapid magnetic microextraction to preconcentrate and determinate cadmium from environmental samples

A novel and greener ultrasonically assisted/modified cloud point extraction procedure for the preconcentration and extraction of trace cadmium from environmental samples was developed. The sorbent material was fabricated by scattering of magnetic iron nanoparticles (MNPs) over graphene oxide (GO) to obtain magnetic graphene oxide (MGO). The material was suspended in the ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-metilimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF4]. The obtained stable colloidal suspension is named ferrofluid. GO presents excellent adsorbent properties for organic species due to the presence of the electronic π system. For this reason, the organic ligand [1,5-bis-(2-dipyridyl) methylene] thiocarbonohydrazide (DPTH) was used in order to form an organic complex of Cd. Once the DPTH ligand has been added to sample, the ferrofluid was injected and finely dispersed in the sample solution in order to extract the formed chelate as shown in Fig. 1. The complete adsorption of the quelate took place within few seconds, after that the solid was separated from the solution with the aid of a strong magnet. Cadmium ions were desorbed from the material with 1 mL of 5% acid nitric solution and quantified by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The main parameters affecting the extraction and the furnace program were optimized using one-at-time method. The analytical performance under optimum conditions are the following: LOD: 0.005 µg/L, LOQ: 0.017 µg/L. Linear calibration: 0-0.25 µg/L and EF: 200. The reliability of the developed procedure was tested by relative standard deviation (% RSD), which was found to be < 5% (1.3%). The performance of the proposed procedure was checked by applying to certified reference material and spiking standard in real samplesUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Photocatalytic removal of patent blue V dye on Au-TiO2 and Pt-TiO2 catalysts

In this work it was studied the efficiency of a photocatalytic process for the removal of patent blue V. This dye is very difficult to remove by conventional treatments such as adsorption or coagulation therefore the photocatalytic process is a very interesting alternative for the removal this dye mainly because it does not require expensive oxidants and it can be carried out at mild temperatures and pressures. In this work it was tested the efficiency of Au-TiO2 and Pt-TiO2 photocatalysts in the Patent blue V removal. The Au-TiO2 catalysts were prepared by two different methods: chemical reduction and photochemical deposition; Pt-TiO2 catalysts were obtained only by photochemical deposition. In the synthesis of the catalysts prepared by photochemical deposition, it was evaluated the influence of some parameters, such as deposition time and the intensity of the light source over the physicochemical properties and photocatalytic activity of the materials obtained. An analysis of the effect of the catalyst dosage and initial patent blue V concentration over the dye degradation efficiency was also attempted. In general, it was observed that the presence of Au or Pt on TiO2 enhances the patent blue V photodegradation; it was found that noble metal particle size and distribution on TiO2 surface are important factors influencing the dye removal. The highest dye degradation was obtained over the Au-TiO2 catalyst prepared by photochemical deposition, using high light intensity and 15 min of deposition time during the synthesis. A discoloration and a total organic carbon (TOC) removal of 93 and 67% respectively, were obtained over this material after 180 min of UV irradiation. These values are higher than that the obtained on S-TiO2 (discoloration and TOC removal of about 25% and 3%, respectively)