Synthesis and Characterization of Elongated-Shaped Silver Nanoparticles as a Biocompatible Anisotropic SERS Probe for Intracellular Imaging: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Verification

Progress in the field of biocompatible SERS nanoparticles has promising prospects for biomedical applications. In this work, we have developed a biocompatible Raman probe by combining anisotropic silver nanoparticles with the dye rhodamine 6G followed by subsequent coating with bovine serum albumin. This nanosystem presents strong SERS capabilities in the near infrared (NIR) with a very high (2.7 × 107) analytical enhancement factor. Theoretical calculations reveal the effects of the electromagnetic and chemical mechanisms in the observed SERS effect for this nanosystem. Finite element method (FEM) calculations showed a considerable near field enhancement in NIR. Using density functional quantum chemical calculations, the chemical enhancement mechanism of rhodamine 6G by interaction with the nanoparticles was probed, allowing us to calculate spectra that closely reproduce the experimental results. The nanosystem was tested in cell culture experiments, showing cell internalization and also proving to be completely biocompatible, as no cell death was observed. Using a NIR laser, SERS signals could be detected even from inside cells, proving the applicability of this nanosystem as a biocompatible SERS probe.España, Regional Ministry of Economy, Junta de Andalucía, P07-FQM-02595 (to CC), P10-FQM-06615 (to JMOM), P10-CTS-6928 (to DP) and PAIDI2020 Program (FQM319 to RFM and CTS677 to DP)Junta de Andalucía, PI-0070/2008 (to PZ) and PI-0068/2008 (to DP

Which one? A comparative study of traditional and sports uniforms on academic achievement, cognitive performance, playtime, bullying, and discrimination in adolescents: The Cogni-Action Project

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare academic achievement, cognitive performance, playtime, bullying, and discrimination in adolescents according to traditional uniforms (TUs) and sports uniforms (SUs) worn at school, while simultaneously exploring the influence of the school vulnerability index. MethodsA total of 988 Chilean adolescents (52.6% boys) aged 10-14 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Academic achievement was evaluated by the average grade in maths, language, and science grades, while cognitive performance was assessed through eight cognitive tasks. TUs affecting physical activity, playtime, bullying, and discrimination were queried. Mixed model analyses were performed. ResultsNo differences were observed in academic achievement (TU: 5.4 +/- 0.1 vs. SU: 5.5 +/- 0.2, p = 0.785) or in cognitive performance (TU: 99.6 +/- 0.8 vs. SU: 98.9 +/- 1.8, p= 0.754) according to the school uniformtype. Moreover, 64.1 % of participants declared that wearing TU affects their physical activity (traditional uniforms: + 8 min and sports uniforms: + 20 min), and those who believed so spent more time playing than those who answered negatively (14.5 min, p = 0.012). Finally, adolescents wearing SU displayed a lower feeling of bullying and discrimination; this finding depended mainly on the school's vulnerability. ConclusionIt is concluded that wearing TU does not show an educational advantage at an academic and cognitive level that justifies its obligation. In addition, it could be suggested that schools consider adolescents' opinions in adopting a more comfortable uniform, such as the SU. This feasible and low-cost measure would help to increase adolescents' physical activity during the school day, and, contrary to belief, it would not be related to increased feelings of bullying and discrimination.CONICYT/FONDECYT INICIACION2016 grantNo. 11160703 (Chile

El perfil de las mujeres en riesgo de exclusión social en una ciudad multicultural

Las mujeres solo por el hecho de ser mujer son más vulnerables en la sociedad por ello hemos querido investigar los factores que les lleva a este tipo de situación. Con este estudio hemos querido conocer el perfil de un grupo de mujeres en riesgo de exclusión social en la Ciudad Autónoma de Melilla, España. Se utilizado una metodología de estudio no experimental de corte transversal y de naturaleza descriptiva pasando unos cuestionarios a mujeres que asistían al Centro de Atención a la Mujer perteneciente a la Viceconsejería de la Mujer enmarcada en la Consejería de Educación y Colectivos Sociales. Se han estudiado diferentes ámbitos de sus vidas como son el formativo, el laboral, el sociosanitario, el económico, el social, el residencial y por último el ámbito de ocio y tiempo libre, todo estos ámbitos son factores condicionantes que pueden llevar a las mujeres a la exclusión, asimismo si añadimos que en este estudio la mayoría de ellas son extranjeras y analfabetas hace que las causas se intensifique. Como conclusiones de este estudio se obtiene de la valoración de los objetivos propuestos

Socioeconomic differences in COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation and mortality in urban areas in a region in the South of Europe

Background: To analyse differences in confirmed cases, hospitalisations and deaths due to COVID-19 related to census section socioeconomic variables. METHODS: Ecological study in the 12 largest municipalities in Andalusia (Spain) during the first three epidemic waves of the COVID-19 (02/26/20-03/31/21), covering 2,246 census sections (unit of analysis) and 3,027,000 inhabitants. Incidence was calculated, standardised by age and sex, for infection, hospitalisation and deaths based on average gross income per household (AGI) for the census tracts in each urban area. Association studied using a Poisson Bayesian regression model with random effects for spatial smoothing. Results: There were 140,743 cases of COVID-19, of which 12,585 were hospitalised and 2,255 died. 95.2% of cases were attributed to the second and third waves, which were jointly analysed. We observed a protective effect of income for infection in 3/12 cities. Almeria had the largest protective effect (smoothed relative risk (SRR) = 0.84 (0.75-0.94 CI 95%). This relationship reappeared with greater magnitude in 10/12 cities for hospitalisation, lowest risk in Algeciras SRR = 0.41 (0.29-0.56). The pattern was repeated for deaths in all urban areas and reached statistical significance in 8 cities. Lowest risk in Dos Hermanas SRR = 0.35 (0.15-0.81). Conclusions: Income inequalities by geographical area were found in the incidence of COVID-19. The strengths of the association increased when analysing the severe outcomes of hospitalisations and, above all, deaths.This work was supported by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) under the project Fundación BBVA.DGVI 256/22 "COVID 19 Urban Atlas Spain".S

“Aprovechamiento de recursos hídricos renovables para el tratamiento, distribución y comercialización de agua en el municipio de Quipile”

El proyecto APROVECHAMIENTO DE RECURSOS HÍDRICOS RENOVABLES PARA EL TRATAMIENTO, DISTRIBUCIÓN Y COMERCIALIZACIÓN DE AGUA EN EL MUNICIPIO DE QUIPILE tiene como objetivo identificar la posibilidad de mejorar la calidad de vida de los habitantes del municipio de Quipile, especialmente los de la zona rural del mismo, ya que es en dicha zona donde se pudo evidenciar la mayor escasez de agua potable, esto se comprobó realizando una investigación exploratoria donde se tuvo la oportunidad de conocer a profundidad la opinión de los habitantes, para poder satisfacer las necesidades de los consumidores y los requerimientos de los mismos y es acá donde se toma la decisión de diseñar una planta de tratamiento de agua, aprovechando el recurso hídrico ubicado en la finca La Cristalina. Por esta razón se realiza un estudio de factibilidad en donde se muestren las características que se deben cumplir en cuanto recurso técnico y económico para alcanzar este objetivo

Sex Differences and Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality among Patients with COVID-19: Results from the ANCOHVID Multicentre Study

Spain is one of the countries most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although risk factors for severe disease are published, sex differences have been widely neglected. In this multicentre study, we aimed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality in men and women hospitalised with COVID-19. An observational longitudinal study was conducted in the cohort of patients admitted to four hospitals in Andalusia, Spain, from 1 March 2020 to 15 April 2020. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from hospital records. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate 30-day survival and multiple Cox regression models were applied. All analyses were stratified by sex. A total of 968 patients were included (54.8% men, median age 67.0 years). In-hospital mortality reached 19.1% in men and 16.0% in women. Factors independently associated with an increased hazard of death were advanced age, higher CURB-65 score and not receiving azithromycin treatment, in both sexes; active cancer and autoimmune disease, in men; cardiovascular disease and chronic lung disease, in women. Disease outcomes and predictors of death differed between sexes. In-hospital mortality was higher in men, but the long-term effects of COVID-19 merit further research. The sex-differential impact of the pandemic should be addressed in public health policies

Evaluation of cervical cancer prevention plan in a remote rural area in Bolivia

Objetivos: Evaluar el plan de prevención del cáncer de cérvix en Roboré como ejemplo de zona rural remota de Bolivia e identificar los principales elementos favorables y desfavorables a la implantación del mismo para formular recomendaciones. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado mediante una combinación de métodos: análisis de indicadores relacionados con la cobertura de cribado, oportunidad de tratamiento y cobertura vacunal durante 2018 y 2019; cuestionario sobre conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas dirigido a usuarias del programa de cribado; cuestionario a profesionales implicados en el programa de cribado sobre los puntos fuertes y débiles del programa. Resultados: Las coberturas de cribado fueron bajas (41-46%) en los últimos 2 años, así como la oportunidad de tratamiento (13-16,7%). Las coberturas vacunales fueron altas (92-98%). Tras entrevistar a 82 usuarias se evidenció que un mayor conocimiento sobre el cáncer de cérvix está asociado a un mayor nivel de estudios y a una mayor frecuencia de citologías. Las mujeres tienen una actitud positiva hacia la vacunación a pesar del escaso conocimiento sobre el virus del papiloma humano (VPH) y la vacuna. Los profesionales sanitarios refieren contar con un personal implicado pero escaso, la falta de infraestructuras y la necesidad de incrementar las campañas de concienciación. Conclusiones: Recomendamos aumentar las campañas de concienciación y las estrategias de cribado móviles, disponer de un consultorio propio para la realización de las citologías, incrementar el personal a cargo del programa y mejorar el seguimiento de las mujeres.Objectives: Evaluate the cervical cancer prevention programme in Roboré as an example of a remote rural area of Bolivia, and identify its main strengths and weaknesses in order to formulate recommendations. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study using a combination of methods: analysis of indicators related to screening coverage, treatment opportunities, and vaccination coverage during 2018 and 2019; questionnaire to users of the screening programme on their knowledge, attitudes and practices; questionnaire to professionals involved in the screening programme about the strengths and weaknesses of the programme. Results: Screening coverage was low (41-46%) in the last 2 years, as was the opportunity for treatment (13-16.7%). Vaccine coverage was high (92-98%). After interviewing 82 users, it was shown that a greater knowledge of cervical cancer is associated with a higher level of education and a higher frequency of cytologies. Women have a positive attitude towards vaccination despite poor knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the vaccine. Health professionals report having committed but limited staff, lack of infrastructure and the need to increase awareness campaigns. Conclusions: We recommend increasing the number of awareness campaigns and mobile screening strategies, having separate offices to carry out cytologies, increasing the staff in charge of the programme and improving the follow-up of women

Mammals’ sperm microbiome: current knowledge, challenges, and perspectives on metagenomics of seminal samples

Bacterial growth is highly detrimental to sperm quality and functionality. However, during the last few years, using sequencing techniques with a metagenomic approach, it has been possible to deepen the study of bacteria-sperm relationships and describe non-culturable species and synergistic and antagonistic relationships between the different species in mammalian animals. We compile the recent metagenomics studies performed on mammalian semen samples and provide updated evidence to understand the importance of the microbial communities in the results of sperm quality and sperm functionality of males, looking for future perspectives on how these technologies can collaborate in the development of andrological knowledge

Destino de los artículos rechazados en Medicina Intensiva en el período 2015-2017.

Introducción: Estudio retrospectivo sobre trabajos rechazados en Medicina Intensiva (MI) en 2015-2017 y publicados hasta 2019. Se analiza: tiempo de publicación, factor de impacto (FI), citas generadas y variables asociadas a la publicación. Resultados: De 344 originales y 263 cartas científicas, se rechazaron 420 (69,2%). Se publicaron después 205 (48,8%), y 66 de ellos generaron 180 citas. El FI de las revistas fue menor en 173 casos (84,4%). En 21 el número de citas válidas para FI fue mayor que el FI de MI. El origen del manuscrito OR 2,11 (IC 95% 1,29 – 3,46), la mujer como autora OR 1,58 (IC 95% 1,03-2,44), que estuviera en lengua inglesa OR 2,38 (IC 95% 1,41-4.0) y que el artículo hubiera sido pasado a revisores OR 1,71 (IC 95% 1,10-2,66). se asociaron con mayor tasa de publicación en revistas indexadas en PubMed. Conclusiones: Los artículos rechazados en MI tienen una tasa media de publicación en otras revistas, principalmente revistas con menos FI y generando menor número de citas que el FI de MI.pre-print269 K