Indoor/outdoor relationships and mass closure of quasi-ultrafine, accumulation and coarse particles in Barcelona schools

Altres ajuts: MAGRAMA/CGL2011-26574Altres ajuts: MAGRAMA/UCA2009020083The mass concentration, chemical composition and sources of quasi-ultrafine (quasi-UFP, PM0.25), accumulation (PM0.25−2.5) and coarse mode (PM2.5−10) particles were determined in indoor and outdoor air at 39 schools in Barcelona (Spain). Quasi-UFP mass concentrations measured (25.6 μgm−3 outdoors, 23.4 μgm−3 indoors) are significantly higher than those reported in other studies, and characterised by higher carbonaceous and mineral matter contents and a lower proportion of secondary inorganic ions. Results suggest that quasi-UFPs in Barcelona are affected by local sources in the schools, mainly human activity (e.g. organic material from textiles, etc., contributing 23-46% to total quasi-UFP mass) and playgrounds (in the form of mineral matter, contributing about 9% to the quasi-UFP mass). The particle size distribution patterns of toxicologically relevant metals and major aerosol components was characterised, displaying two modes for most elements and components, and one mode for inorganic salts (ammonium nitrate and sulfate)and elemental carbon (EC). Regarding metals, Ni and Cr were partitioned mainly in quasi-UFPs and could thus be of interest for epidemiological studies, given their high redox properties. Exposure of children to quasi-UFP mass and chemical species was assessed by comparing the concentrations measured at urban background and traffic areas schools. Finally, three main indoor sources across all size fractions were identified by assessing indoor / outdoor ratios (I / O) of PM species used as their tracers: human activity (organic material), cleaning products, paints and plastics (Cl− source), and a metallic mixed source (comprising combinations of Cu, Zn, Co, Cd, Pb, As, V and Cr). Our results support the need to enforce targeted legislation to determine a minimum "safe" distance between major roads and newly built schools to reduce exposure to traffic-derived metals in quasi-UFPs

Relato de experiência: xilogravuras como recurso para aprender sobre escorpionismo para crianças de escolas primárias na cidade de Córdoba, Argentina

8 p.Fil: Pons, Alberto J. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Pizzi, Hugo Luis. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Pizzi, Rogelio D. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Páez Rearte, Mirtha G. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Tomás, Axel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Miranda, Adriana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes; Argentina.Fil: Pedrerol, Laura. Universidad Blas Pascal; Argentina.Introducción: Los accidentes con escorpiones datan de tiempos inmemoriales, sin embargo, recién a principios del año 2000, comenzaron a ser registrados a causa de la nueva normativa impulsada por el Ministerio de Salud de la Nación1 . El escorpionismo o alacranismo en la ciudad de Córdoba, tiene un impacto importante en la salud pública, generando cada año numerosos accidentes por picaduras2, 3, 4. Los escorpiones o alacranes de importancia médica en Argentina pertenecen al género Tityus y T. trivittatus es la especie más frecuente en Argentina;1 Tucumán y Córdoba son las provincias con mayor cantidad de casos notificados2 . Los accidentes por escorpiones para el período comprendido entre los años 2000 y 2011, fueron de 69.156 casos para el total del territorio nacional. La tasa de morbilidad cada 100.000 habitantes fue de 2,7 y la de letalidad fue de 0,05%, con 31 casos mortales1. Objetivos: El propósito fue informar a los alumnos y docentes de 2 escuelas periféricas de esta ciudad sobre la problemática del escorpionismo y proveer de las herramientas intelectuales para el reconocimiento de los arácnidos, el desarrollo de acciones preventivas y las conductas apropiadas una vez sucedido un accidente.Materiales y métodos: Se desarrolló la modalidad Taller 10 para la exposición e intercambio de contenidos entre tutores universitarios, docentes de las escuelas y alumnos;se afectaron a 354 alumnos. El programa de estudio abordó la temática sobre escorpionismo y herramientas de promoción de la salud, prácticas preventivas y de erradicación de los escorpiones. Apoyados en los recientes aportes de las neurociencias para favorecer el aprendizaje y concitar el interés, la atención y la emoción de los niños-elementos centrales para lograr aprendizajes duraderos-8 , se asoció una técnica creativa, la xilografía para representar los escorpiones en grabados sobre madera. Evaluación: se pudo valorar un alto compromiso de los educadores afectados y gran disposición de los niños durante todo el proceso, siendo capaces de representar las características morfológicas de los escorpiones como corolario del recorrido educativo, dando grandes muestras de satisfacción por la ejecución del trabajo creativo, todo lo cual se aprecia en las expresiones corporales de la documentación fotográfica (Fotos 1,2,3,4). El momento final de esta experiencia tuvo lugar con exposición de las estampas xilográficas en el Pabellón Argentina y Brujas de la Facultad de Artes Visuales de la UNC. Conclusiones: La presente experiencia demuestra que otro modo de enseñanza es posible con la sinergia entre el arte y la ciencia; se dimensiona un nuevo rol de la Universidad en la gestión del conocimiento hacia la generación de conductas transformadoras de la realidad en prácticas sanitarias valiosas. Por otra parte, supone un enfoque en que cada participante del proceso educativo -profesores, maestros y alumnos-, se constituye en vehículo eficiente de transmisión de la información para el cuidado dela salud y agente con vocación de cambio y transformación de la realidad.Introduction: Although accidents with scorpions date from ancient times, they started to be registered as required by a new law fostered by the National Ministry of Health1 at the beginning of the year 2000. In the city of Cordoba, scorpionism has an important impact on public health, and every year there are numerous accidents due to stings2, 3, 4.Scorpions with medical relevance in Argentina belong to the type Tityus and T. trivittatusis the most frequent spices in Argentina1. Tucuman and Cordoba are the provinces where the greatest number of cases have been reported2. Between 2000 and 2011, there were 69,156 cases of accidents by scorpions in the country. Morbidity rate every 100,000 inhabitants was 2.7 and lethality was 0.05% with 31 deaths1. Objectives: To inform students and teachers at two schools on the outskirts of the city about the problems of scorpionism and provide the necessary intellectual tools to recognize the insect, develop preventive actions and appropriate behavior in case of accident. Material and Methods: Contents were presented and interchanged in workshops where university tutors, school teachers and students participated; 354 students were involved. The study program presented the topic of scorpionism, together with health promotion tools, preventive measures and eradication techniques. Supported by recent contributions from neurosciences in order to foster learning and arouse the children’s interest, attention and emotion - key elements to achieve long lastin learning-8, xylography, a creative technique, was associated to represent scorpions on wood engraving. Evaluation: High commitment of teachers and great disposition of the children were observed throughout the whole process, being able to represent the morphologic characteristics of scorpions as the corollary of the educational path, showing satisfaction when performing the creative work; as can be seen in the body expressions in the photographic documents (Photos 1,2,3,4). The experience finished with the exhibition of xylography images at Pabellón Argentina and PabellónBrujas, School of Visual Arts, National University of Cordoba. Conclusions: This experience shows that another type of learning is possible with the synergy between art and science; a new role of the University is seen, in the administration of knowledge towards the creation of conducts that can transform reality in valuable health practices. On the other hand, it implies an approach in which each participant of the educational process - professors, teachers and students - becomes an efficient vehicle to transmit health care information and an agent willing to change and transform reality.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionFil: Pons, Alberto J. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Pizzi, Hugo Luis. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Pizzi, Rogelio D. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Páez Rearte, Mirtha G. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Tomás, Axel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Cátedra de Parasitología y Micología Médicas. Centro de Enfermedades Tropicales; Argentina.Fil: Miranda, Adriana. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Artes; Argentina.Fil: Pedrerol, Laura. Universidad Blas Pascal; Argentina.Medicina General e Intern

Airborne copper exposure in school environments associated with poorer motor performance and altered basal ganglia

Children are more vulnerable to the effects of environmental elements. A variety of air pollutants are among the identified factors causing neural damage at toxic concentrations. It is not obvious, however, to what extent the tolerated high levels of air pollutants are able to alter brain development. We have specifically investigated the neurotoxic effects of airborne copper exposure in school environments. Speed and consistency of motor response were assessed in 2836 children aged from 8 to 12 years. Anatomical , diffusion tensor imaging, and functional were used to directly test the brain repercussions in a subgroup of 263 children. Higher copper exposure was associated with poorer motor performance and altered structure of the basal ganglia. Specifically, the architecture of the caudate nucleus region was less complete in terms of both tissue composition and neural track water diffusion. Functional consistently showed a reciprocal connectivity reduction between the caudate nucleus and the frontal cortex. The results establish an association between environmental copper exposure in children and alterations of basal ganglia structure and function

Height and body-mass index trajectories of school-aged children and adolescents from 1985 to 2019 in 200 countries and territories: a pooled analysis of 2181 population-based studies with 65 million participants

Summary Background Comparable global data on health and nutrition of school-aged children and adolescents are scarce. We aimed to estimate age trajectories and time trends in mean height and mean body-mass index (BMI), which measures weight gain beyond what is expected from height gain, for school-aged children and adolescents. Methods For this pooled analysis, we used a database of cardiometabolic risk factors collated by the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends from 1985 to 2019 in mean height and mean BMI in 1-year age groups for ages 5–19 years. The model allowed for non-linear changes over time in mean height and mean BMI and for non-linear changes with age of children and adolescents, including periods of rapid growth during adolescence. Findings We pooled data from 2181 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in 65 million participants in 200 countries and territories. In 2019, we estimated a difference of 20 cm or higher in mean height of 19-year-old adolescents between countries with the tallest populations (the Netherlands, Montenegro, Estonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina for boys; and the Netherlands, Montenegro, Denmark, and Iceland for girls) and those with the shortest populations (Timor-Leste, Laos, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea for boys; and Guatemala, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Timor-Leste for girls). In the same year, the difference between the highest mean BMI (in Pacific island countries, Kuwait, Bahrain, The Bahamas, Chile, the USA, and New Zealand for both boys and girls and in South Africa for girls) and lowest mean BMI (in India, Bangladesh, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, and Chad for boys and girls; and in Japan and Romania for girls) was approximately 9–10 kg/m2. In some countries, children aged 5 years started with healthier height or BMI than the global median and, in some cases, as healthy as the best performing countries, but they became progressively less healthy compared with their comparators as they grew older by not growing as tall (eg, boys in Austria and Barbados, and girls in Belgium and Puerto Rico) or gaining too much weight for their height (eg, girls and boys in Kuwait, Bahrain, Fiji, Jamaica, and Mexico; and girls in South Africa and New Zealand). In other countries, growing children overtook the height of their comparators (eg, Latvia, Czech Republic, Morocco, and Iran) or curbed their weight gain (eg, Italy, France, and Croatia) in late childhood and adolescence. When changes in both height and BMI were considered, girls in South Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and some central Asian countries (eg, Armenia and Azerbaijan), and boys in central and western Europe (eg, Portugal, Denmark, Poland, and Montenegro) had the healthiest changes in anthropometric status over the past 3·5 decades because, compared with children and adolescents in other countries, they had a much larger gain in height than they did in BMI. The unhealthiest changes—gaining too little height, too much weight for their height compared with children in other countries, or both—occurred in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, New Zealand, and the USA for boys and girls; in Malaysia and some Pacific island nations for boys; and in Mexico for girls. Interpretation The height and BMI trajectories over age and time of school-aged children and adolescents are highly variable across countries, which indicates heterogeneous nutritional quality and lifelong health advantages and risks

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022: a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

Background Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI <18·5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2). For schoolaged children and adolescents, we report thinness (BMI <2 SD below the median of the WHO growth reference) and obesity (BMI >2 SD above the median). Findings From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesit

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022 : a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

A list of authors and their affiliations appears online. A supplementary appendix is herewith attached.Background: Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods: We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI 2 SD above the median). Findings: From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation: The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity.peer-reviewe

Rising rural body-mass index is the main driver of the global obesity epidemic in adults

Body-mass index (BMI) has increased steadily in most countries in parallel with a rise in the proportion of the population who live in cities . This has led to a widely reported view that urbanization is one of the most important drivers of the global rise in obesity . Here we use 2,009\ua0population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in more than 112\ua0million adults, to report national, regional and global trends in mean\ua0BMI segregated by place of residence (a rural or urban area) from 1985 to 2017. We show that, contrary to the dominant paradigm, more than 55% of the global rise in mean BMI from 1985 to 2017—and more than 80% in\ua0some low- and middle-income regions—was due to increases in BMI in rural areas. This large contribution stems from the fact that, with the exception of women in sub-Saharan Africa, BMI is increasing at the same rate or faster in rural areas than in cities\ua0in low- and middle-income regions. These trends have in turn resulted in a closing—and in some countries reversal—of the gap in BMI between urban and rural areas in low- and middle-income countries, especially for women. In high-income and industrialized countries, we noted a persistently higher rural BMI, especially for women. There is an urgent need for an integrated approach to rural nutrition that enhances financial and physical access to healthy foods, to avoid replacing the rural undernutrition disadvantage in poor countries with a more general malnutrition disadvantage that entails excessive consumption of low-quality calories

Heterogeneous contributions of change in population distribution of body mass index to change in obesity and underweight NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)

From 1985 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased, and that of obesity and severe obesity increased, in most regions, with significant variation in the magnitude of these changes across regions. We investigated how much change in mean body mass index (BMI) explains changes in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, and severe obesity in different regions using data from 2896 population-based studies with 187 million participants. Changes in the prevalence of underweight and total obesity, and to a lesser extent severe obesity, are largely driven by shifts in the distribution of BMI, with smaller contributions from changes in the shape of the distribution. In East and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the underweight tail of the BMI distribution was left behind as the distribution shifted. There is a need for policies that address all forms of malnutrition by making healthy foods accessible and affordable, while restricting unhealthy foods through fiscal and regulatory restrictions

Partitioning of trace elements and metals between quasi-ultrafine, accumulation and coarse aerosols in indoor and outdoor air in schools

Particle size distribution patterns of trace elements and metals across three size fractions (<0.25 μm, quasi-ultrafine particles, q-UF; 0.25–2.5 μm, accumulation particles; 2.5–10 μm, coarse particles) were analysed in indoor and outdoor air at 39 primary schools across Barcelona (Spain). Special attention was paid to emission sources in each particle size range. Results evidenced the presence in q-UF particles of high proportions of elements typically found in coarse PM (Ca, Al, Fe, Mn or Na), as well as several potentially health-hazardous metals (Mn, Cu, Sn, V, Pb). Modal shifts (e.g., from accumulation to coarse or q-UF particles) were detected when particles infiltrated indoors, mainly for secondary inorganic aerosols. Our results indicate that the location of schools in heavily trafficked areas increases the abundance of q-UF particles, which infiltrate indoors quite effectively, and thus may impact children exposure to these health-hazardous particles.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the ERC Grant Agreement number 268479 – the BREATHE project. Additional funding for specific instrumentation was provided by national project IMPACT (CGL 2011-26574), the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment (UCA 2009020083), and projects VAMOS (CLG 2010-19464-CLI) and GRACCIE CSD2007-00067. Support is acknowledged to Generalitat de Catalunya 2009 SGR8