Methane concentration and isotopic composition (d13C-CH4) in the Nerja Cave system (South Spain)

Air in underground caves often has methane (CH4) concentrations below the atmospheric level, due to methanotrophic or other unkown CH4 consuming processes. Caves are thus considered a potential sink for atmospheric methane. If globally important, this underground CH4 oxidation should be taken into account in the atmospheric methane budget, in addition to the known soil methanotrophy and tropospheric/stratospheric sinks. A large set of data is however necessary to understand how and how much methane from external atmospheric air is consumed in the caves. While methane concentration data are available for several caves worldwide, its isotopic composition and variations in space and time are poorly documented. We measured methane concentration and stable C isotope composition (d13C) in the Nerja cave (Southern Spain) air during two surveys in March and April 2015. CH4 concentration decreases progressively from the more external cave rooms, with atmospheric levels of 1.9 ppmv, to the more internal and isolated rooms down to 0.5 ppmv. d13C increases correspondingly from -47 h to -41 h (VPDB). CH4 is systematically 13C-enriched (d13C > -45 permil) in areas of the cave where the concentration is below 1.4 ppmv. This combination of concentration decrease and 13C-enrichment towards the more internal and isolated zones of the cave confirms the importance of CH4 oxidation, likely driven by methanotrophic bacteria. Further data, including stable H isotope composition of subatmospheric CH4 concentrations, CO2 and microbial analyses, shall be acquired over time to assess the actual role of methanotrophic bacteria and seasonal controls in the CH4 consumption process.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Platinum-Group-Elements and Total Organic Carbon in hyperalkaline springs at the Ronda peridotites (Malaga, Spain) as proxies of the origin of dissolved methane gas.

The serpentinization of ultramafic rocks is a process in which minerals of ferromagnesian nature (e.g., olivine) are transformed into serpentine and produce groundwater with a very high pH. In these settings, CH4 can be produced by combining H2 from serpentinization and CO2 from the atmosphere, soil, carbon-bearing rocks, or mantle, although the microbial generation of CH4, mediated by methanogens utilizing CO2, formate and/or acetate can be another source in these aquifers. In this sense, the hydrochemistry of hyperalkaline springs can provide valuable information about gas origin. The Ronda peridotites (Malaga province, Spain) are one of the world’s largest outcrops of the subcontinental mantle (~450 km2). Hyperalkaline springs (pH>10) emerging along faults present a permanent low outflow (<1 L/s), Ca2+- OH- facies and residence times exceeding 2,000 years. The fluids, poor in Mg2+ and rich in K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Cl-, also contain significant concentrations of dissolved CH4 and other hydrocarbons. Water samples have been collected from eight hyperalkaline springs and analyzed for major, minor and trace elements, including Platinum Group Elements (PGE) and Total Organic Carbon (TOC). The most mobile PGEs (Pd and Rh) are present in all the springs, indicating the existence of potential catalysts for the abiotic synthesis of CH4. High TOC concentrations are observed in some studied springs where previous analyses (i.e., bulk CH4 isotopes) have indicated a microbial CH4 origin.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Analysis of the Lifestyle of Spanish Undergraduate Nursing Students and Comparison with Students of Other Degrees

Background: Nursing students are exposed to concepts of healthy lifestyles while they are attending university. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze whether nursing students have a healthier lifestyle than non-nursing students and to determine whether their behaviour is consistent with their beliefs. Methods: A cross-sectional study, with 293 university students was performed by using a validated questionnaire to measure beliefs and behaviour regarding health. Results: The lifestyle pattern of the nursing students evaluated was characterised by a high percentage of nurses with low levels of physical activity, poor balanced diet and smoking habits. The comparative analysis showed no significant differences between nursing students and students from other degrees. Conclusions: Students have a positive attitude and knowledge about healthy lifestyle, but do not transfer it to their own lives. Nurses’ lifestyle can unintentionally affect the behaviour of other people through their own behaviour and beliefs because they serve as a model for a healthy lifestyle. These findings support that nurse educators have an active role as promoter of health by using lessons to modify the behaviour of their students

Condensation water in heritage touristic caves: Isotopic and hydrochemical data and a new approach for its quantification through image analysis

Condensation water is a major factor in the conservation of heritage caves. It can cause dissolution of the rock substrate (and the pigments of rock art drawn on it) or covering thereof with mineral components, depending on the chemical saturation degree of the condensation water. In show caves, visitors act as a source of CO2 and thus modify the microclimate, favouring negative processes that affect the conservation of the caves. In spite of their interest, studies of the chemical composition of this type of water are scarce and not very detailed. In this work we present research on the condensation water in the Nerja Cave, one of the main heritage and tourist caves in Europe. The joint analysis of isotopic, hydrochemical, mineralogical and microbiological data and the use of image analysis have allowed us to advance in the knowledge of this risk factor for the conservation of heritage caves, and to demonstrate the usefulness of image analysis to quantify the scope of the possible corrosion condensation process that the condensation water could be producing on the bedrock, speleothem and rock art. To our knowledge, this application of image analysis (relative to the condensation water in caves) is the first one of this type that has been documentedNerja Cave Foundation Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Mice lacking endoglin in macrophages show an impaired immune response

24 p.-9 fig.-1 tab. Ojeda Fernández, Luisa et al.Endoglin is an auxiliary receptor for members of the TGF-β superfamily and plays an important role in the homeostasis of the vessel wall. Mutations in endoglin gene (ENG) or in the closely related TGF-β receptor type I ACVRL1/ALK1 are responsible for a rare dominant vascular dysplasia, the Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT), or Rendu-OslerWeber syndrome. Endoglin is also expressed in human macrophages, but its role in macrophage function remains unknown. In this work, we show that endoglin expression is triggered during the monocyte-macrophage differentiation process, both in vitro and during the in vivo differentiation of blood monocytes recruited to foci of inflammation in wild-type C57BL/6 mice. To analyze the role of endoglin in macrophages in vivo, an endoglin myeloid lineage specific knock-out mouse line (Engfl/flLysMCre) was generated. These mice show a predisposition to develop spontaneous infections by opportunistic bacteria. Engfl/flLysMCre mice also display increased survival following LPS-induced peritonitis, suggesting a delayed immune response. Phagocytic activity is impaired in peritoneal macrophages, altering one of the main functions of macrophages which contributes to the initiation of the immune response. We also observed altered expression of TGF-β1 target genes in endoglin deficient peritoneal macrophages. Overall, the altered immune activity of endoglin deficient macrophages could help to explain the higher rate of infectious diseases seen in HHT1 patients.This work was funded by: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (SAF2011-23475 to LMB; SAF2013-43421-R and SAF2010- 19222 to CB.Peer reviewe

5to. Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad. Memoria académica

El V Congreso Internacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación para la Sociedad, CITIS 2019, realizado del 6 al 8 de febrero de 2019 y organizado por la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, ofreció a la comunidad académica nacional e internacional una plataforma de comunicación unificada, dirigida a cubrir los problemas teóricos y prácticos de mayor impacto en la sociedad moderna desde la ingeniería. En esta edición, dedicada a los 25 años de vida de la UPS, los ejes temáticos estuvieron relacionados con la aplicación de la ciencia, el desarrollo tecnológico y la innovación en cinco pilares fundamentales de nuestra sociedad: la industria, la movilidad, la sostenibilidad ambiental, la información y las telecomunicaciones. El comité científico estuvo conformado formado por 48 investigadores procedentes de diez países: España, Reino Unido, Italia, Bélgica, México, Venezuela, Colombia, Brasil, Estados Unidos y Ecuador. Fueron recibidas un centenar de contribuciones, de las cuales 39 fueron aprobadas en forma de ponencias y 15 en formato poster. Estas contribuciones fueron presentadas de forma oral ante toda la comunidad académica que se dio cita en el Congreso, quienes desde el aula magna, el auditorio y la sala de usos múltiples de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana, cumplieron respetuosamente la responsabilidad de representar a toda la sociedad en la revisión, aceptación y validación del conocimiento nuevo que fue presentado en cada exposición por los investigadores. Paralelo a las sesiones técnicas, el Congreso contó con espacios de presentación de posters científicos y cinco workshops en temáticas de vanguardia que cautivaron la atención de nuestros docentes y estudiantes. También en el marco del evento se impartieron un total de ocho conferencias magistrales en temas tan actuales como la gestión del conocimiento en la universidad-ecosistema, los retos y oportunidades de la industria 4.0, los avances de la investigación básica y aplicada en mecatrónica para el estudio de robots de nueva generación, la optimización en ingeniería con técnicas multi-objetivo, el desarrollo de las redes avanzadas en Latinoamérica y los mundos, la contaminación del aire debido al tránsito vehicular, el radón y los riesgos que representa este gas radiactivo para la salud humana, entre otros

Problemática Suicida. Un Estudio Descriptivo de los Ingresos por Guardia en Hospital General de la Ciudad de Paraná Entre 2018 y 2022

Suicide is a public health problem. The present study was carried out in the context of on-call admissions at the Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina, San Martín Hospital that had any of the following reasons for consultation: suicide attempt, self-injurious behaviors without intent to kill, and suicide attempts in context of problematic substance use in the period 2018-2022. The objectives were: to describe the frequency of reasons for consultation within suicidal problems in the period 2018-2022; to evaluate the association between the reasons for consultation and the year of admission; the reasons for consultation and sex; the reasons for consultation and the age of the subjects; and describe the protective and risk factors. We worked with 893 clinical histories, which corresponded to 295 men (33%) and 598 women (67%) between 15 and 93 years of age (M= 31.16 DS= 14.76). A questionnaire prepared by experts in the field of mental health at the hospital was used. Frequencies were obtained and Pearson's Chi squares were calculated to assess the association between categorical variables. An association was found between the reason for consultation and the year of admission, with an increase in the frequency of self-harm without the intention of killing in 2022 and an increase in suicides in the context of problematic consumption in 2021. An association was observed between the reason for consultation and age with an increase in suicide attempts in young people and an increase in self-harm without the intention of killing in middle adulthood. An association was observed between the reason for consultation and age. As a risk factor, the presence of stressful life factors stands out and family support stands out as protective factors, although schooling and peer support decrease in adolescents and young people.La problemática suicida es un problema de salud pública. El presente trabajo se realizó en el contexto de los ingresos por guardia del Hospital San Martín de Paraná, Entre Ríos, Argentina que tuviese alguno de los siguientes motivos de consulta: intento de suicidio, conductas autolesivas sin intencionalidad de muerte e intentos de suicidio en contexto de consumo problemático de sustancias en el período 2018 – 2022. Los objetivos fueron: describir la frecuencia de motivos de consulta dentro de la problemática suicida en el período 2018-2022; evaluar la asociación entre los motivos de consulta y el año de ingreso; los motivos de consulta y el sexo; los motivos de consulta y la edad de los sujetos; y describir los factores protectores y de riesgo. Se trabajó con 893 historias clínicas, las cuales correspondían a 295 varones (33%) y 598 mujeres (67%) de entre 15 y 93 años (M= 31.16 DS= 14.76). Se utilizó un cuestionario confeccionado por expertos en la temática en salud mental del hospital. Se obtuvieron frecuencias y se calcularon Chi cuadrados de Pearson para evaluar la asociación entre variables categóricas. Se halló asociación entre motivo de consulta y año de ingreso, con aumento de frecuencia de autolesiones sin intencionalidad de muerte en 2022; un aumento de intentos de suicidios en contexto de consumo problemático en 2021. Se observó asociación entre motivo de consulta y edad con un aumento de intento de suicidios en jóvenes y un aumento de autolesiones sin intencionalidad de muerte en la adultez media. Se observó asociación entre motivo de consulta y edad. Como factor de riesgo se destaca la presencia de factores vitales estresantes y como factores protectores se destaca el apoyo familiar, aunque disminuye en adolescentes y jóvenes la escolarización, y el apoyo de pares

Quasiexperimental intervention study protocol to optimise the use of new antibiotics in Spain: the NEW_SAFE project

[Introduction] Ceftaroline, tedizolid, dalbavancin, ceftazidime-avibactam and ceftolozane-tazobactam are novel antibiotics used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens (MDR). Their use should be supervised and monitored as part of an antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP). Appropriate use of the new antibiotics will be improved by including consensual indications for their use in local antibiotic guidelines, together with educational interventions providing advice to prescribers to ensure that the recommendations are clearly understood.[Methods and analysis] This study will be implemented in two phases. First, a preliminary historical cohort (2017–2019) of patients from 13 Andalusian hospitals treated with novel antibiotics will be analysed. Second, a quasiexperimental intervention study will be developed with an interrupted time-series analysis (2020–2021). The intervention will consist of an educational interview between prescribers and ASP leaders at each hospital to reinforce the proper use of novel antibiotics. The educational intervention will be based on a consensus guideline designed and disseminated by leaders after the retrospective cohort data have been analysed. The outcomes will be acceptance of the intervention and appropriateness of prescription. Incidence of infection and colonisation with MDR organisms as well as incidence of Clostridioides difficile infection will also be analysed. Changes in prescription quality between periods and the safety profile of the antibiotics in terms of mortality rate and readmissions will also be measured.[Ethics and dissemination] Ethical approval will be obtained from the Andalusian Coordinating Institutional Review Board. The study is being conducted in compliance with the protocol and regulatory requirements consistent with International Council of Harmonisation E6 Good Clinical Practice and the ethical principles of the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at national and international conferences.[Trial registration number] NCT03941951; Pre-results.The study is funded by the Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía, grant PI-0077-2018. The investigators also receive funds for research from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD16/0016/0001) through the Plan Nacional de I+D+ i 2013‐2016, cofinanced by European Development Regional Fund “A way to achieve Europe”, Operative program Intelligent Growth 2014‐2020

Laparoscopic surgery in 3D improves results and surgeon convenience in sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity

Purpose Advanced laparoscopic procedures are still challenging. One critical issue is the lack of stereoscopic vision. The aim of this surgical study is to evaluate whether 3D vision offers any advantages for surgical performance over 2D vision during sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity using a laparoscopic system that allows changing between 2D and 3D optics. Methods A total of 78 patients were analyzed, with 37 in the 2D group and 41 in the 3D group. Performance time, hospital stay, complications, and early outcomes were collected. To assess the quality of the 2D and 3D techniques, visual analog scales from 0 to 10 were designed, and image quality, depth of field, precision in performing tasks, and general ergonomics were measured. Results According to the vision system used, the mean duration of surgery was 85 ± 16.8 min for patients operated on with the 2D system and 69 ± 16.9 min for those operated on with the 3D system. There were no significant differences between the overall percentages of complications according to the type of vision used. However, postoperative complications were more severe in the 2D laparoscopy group. The average length of stay was shorter for patients in the 3D group. Regarding the differences perceived by the surgeon, the depth of field and the precision of tasks were better in the 3D vision group. Conclusion The 3D system provided greater depth perception and precision in more complex tasks, enabling safer surgery. This led to a reduction in the operative time and hospital stay. Moreover, the severity of complications was less

Riesgos, juegos y espectáculos. Itinerarios de comunicación para la paz

Este libro materializa los resultados de proyectos recientes del grupo de investigación Comunicación, Paz-Conflicto, adscrito a la Facultad de Comunicación Social de la Universidad Santo Tomás y de algunos colaboradores externos, en la comunicación y las ciencias sociales. Los actores sociales que hacen parte de las comunidades involucradas en las investigaciones presentadas en cada capítulo asumen riesgos, algunos de los cuales se magnifican cuando la comunicación y la información participan en sus configuraciones. Los excombatientes se arriesgan en su proceso de reincorporación; los electores, cuando toman una posición y votan en un plebiscito; los ciudadanos militantes de movimientos sociales, cuando manifiestan sus inconformidades y propuestas de cambio pese a los obstáculos; los campesinos, al incorporar tecnologías de información que no manejaban; las mujeres transgénero, al intentar presentarse ellas mismas ante la sociedad que resalta su alteridad miserable; los museos, cuando innovan sus exhibiciones y sus contenidos se separan de la inmutabilidad de lo arcaico; los investigadores, cuando publican un artículo para que sus ideas hagan parte de los espacios interlocutivos de la verdad; e incluso los docentes universitarios, cuando deben adaptarse a nuevos marcos pedagógicos que les exigen problematizar la realidad más que imponer verticalmente sus saberes formales. Por medio de esta aproximación a las realidades de dichos actores sociales y medios de comunicación y de los desarrollos conceptuales y analíticos específicos de los investigadores, esta obra busca contribuir al crecimiento y a la consolidación del campo de la comunicación para la paz, aún en construcción