Remoción de sulfuros presentes en el agua residual del proceso de curtido mediante cavitación hidrodinámica

(HC), um processo de oxidação avançada, analisado a partir de diferentes parâmetros de funcionamento como o pH inicial da pressão de águas residuais e da entrada para um tempo de resposta fixo de 90 minutos; parâmetros de projeto foram estabelecidos através da utilização de dois protótipos, variando o número e o diâmetro dos furos no ponto de estrangulamento com o objetivo de determinar as condições ideais para o tratamento deste tipo de contaminante do reator a águas residuais. Obteve um máximo de afastamento de 32,6% da concentração inicial de enxofre sem aplicar qualquer catalisador ou reagente químico; da mesma forma um análise custo-benefício devido a eficiência da tecnologia aplicada em comparação com a energia necessária pelo reator utilizado, mostrando uma diminuição de 198% do custo total do tratamento atual. Finalmente, cavitação hidrodinâmica é uma tecnologia sustentável para o indústria de curtimento de couro.El sulfuro presente en el agua residual de la industria del curtido de cueros proviene de la operación de pelambre (depilado de la piel) en concentraciones que afectan significativamente la calidad del agua del cuerpo receptor debido a la toxicidad del vertimiento produciendo la mortandad de flora y fauna, responsable de la presencia de olores desagradables en el cauce y la notable disminución del oxígeno disuelto en el agua del afluente. En la presente investigación, la remoción de sulfuro es evaluada empleando la técnica cavitación hidrodinámica (CH), un proceso de oxidación avanzada analizado desde diferentes parámetros de operación como pH inicial del agua residual y presión de entrada para un tiempo de reacción fijo de 90 minutos; parámetros de diseño fueron establecidos mediante el uso de dos prototipos, variando el número y diámetro de orificios en el punto de estrangulamiento con el objetivo de determinar las condiciones óptimas del reactor para el tratamiento de este tipo de contaminante en las aguas residuales. Se obtuvo una remoción máxima del 32,6 % de la concentración inicial de sulfuro sin aplicar algún tipo de catalizador o reactivo químico; de igual modo se realizó un análisis costobeneficio debido a la eficiencia de la tecnología aplicada en comparación con la energía requerida por el reactor empleado, donde se observa una disminución del 198 % del costo total del tratamiento actual. Finalmente, la cavitación hidrodinámica es una tecnología sustentable para la industria del curtido de cueros.Sulfide present in the wastewater from industrial tanneries is resulting from unhairing (depilated of the skin) in concentrations that affects significantly the water system due to its toxicity, producing the mortality of flora and fauna, responsible for the presence of unpleasant odors in the riverbed and decreasing the dissolve oxygen in the water of the receiver stream. In the present research, removal of sulfide is evaluated using hydrodynamic cavitation (HC). An advanced technology is analyzed by different parameters as initial pH solution and inlet pressure, set in two prototypes established for a reaction time of 90 minutes. Design parameters as number and diameter of holes in the constriction are estimated according on the degradation extent with the objective of knowing best reactor characteristics for wastewater treatment applying this technique. A maximum extent of sulfide oxidation of 32.6% was reached without using any further reagents; cost – benefit analysis had been discussed in the present investigation due to the enhance of cavitation hydrodynamic reached compared with the energy required by the reactor observing a shortfall of 198% related with the conventional treatment, HC was found as a sustainable technology for tannery industries

Anosognosia in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment is Related to Diminished Hippocampal Volume Comparable to Alzheimer's Disease Dementia:Preliminary MRI Findings

Although the presence of anosognosia in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) may be predictive of conversion to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), little is known about its neural correlates in AD and aMCI. Four different groups were compared using volumetric and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging metrics in regions of interest (hippocampus and cingulum cortex gray matter, cingulum bundle white matter): aMCI subjects with anosognosia (n = 6), aMCI subjects without anosognosia (n = 12), AD subjects with anosognosia (n = 6), and AD subjects without anosognosia (n = 9). aMCI subjects with anosognosia displayed a significantly lower gray matter density (GMD) in the bilateral hippocampus than aMCI subjects without anosognosia, which was accounted for by bilateral hippocampal differences. Furthermore, we identified that the mean hippocampal gray matter density of aMCI subjects with anosognosia was not statistically different than that of AD subjects. The groups of aMCI and AD subjects with anosognosia also displayed a lower GMD in the bilateral cingulum cortex compared to subjects without anosognosia, but these differences were not statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were found in the fractional anisotropy or mean diffusivity of the hippocampus or cingulum between subjects with and without anosognosia in aMCI or AD groups. While these findings are derived from a small population of subjects and are in need of replication, they suggest that anosognosia in aMCI might be a useful clinical marker to suspect brain changes associated with AD neuropathology

Evaluación neuropsicológica de una población ambientalmente expuesta a manganeso

La sobre-exposición a manganeso (Mn) produce neurotoxicidad (un síndrome parkinsónico) y alteraciones psiquiátricas ("locura mangánica"). En estudios previos se han documentado alteraciones motoras y cognitivas asociadas con la exposición a Mn en ambientes laborales. Sin embargo, existen pocos estudios acerca de los efectos de la exposición ambiental en poblaciones no ocupacionales. El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar el riesgo de alteraciones motoras y cognitivas relacionadas con la exposición a Mn en personas residentes de un distrito manganesífero en México. Se estudiaron 288 personas (169 hombres y 120 mujeres) de ocho comunidades a diferentes distancias de las plantas de extracción o procesamiento de Mn en el distrito de Molango, en el estado de Hidalgo, México. Se midieron concentraciones de Mn en partículas suspendidas en aire, agua, suelos y cosechas, y se evaluaron las posibles rutas de exposición a Mn. Se tomaron muestras de sangre para determinar concentraciones de Mn. Se utilizó la batería “Esquema de Diagnóstico Neuropsicológico” de Ardila y Ostrosky-Solís para evaluar funciones motoras, y se aplicó una batería neuropsicológica que explora funciones cognitivas (atención, memoria, lenguaje y visoconstrucción), así como dos escalas de depresión. El Mn extraído de suelos tuvo un rango de entre 6 y 280 mg/kg-1 , y las medias fueron mayores al estar cerca de las plantas de extracción o procesamiento de Mn. Las concentraciones de Mn en aire mostraron un rango de entre 0.003 y 5.86 µg/m3 , el valor de la media fue de 0.42 µg/m3 , la mediana fue de 0.10 µg/m3 y el valor promedio (media geométrica) fue de 0.13 µg/m3 . La media de las concentraciones de Mn en sangre fue de 10.16 µg/L, y la media geométrica de 9.44 µg/L, con un rango de entre 5.0 - 31.0 µg/L. No se encontró asociación entre las concentraciones de Mn en sangre y las pruebas motoras y cognitivas. Las concentraciones de Mn en aire se correlacionaron con las concetraciones de Mn en sangre (R=0.199, p<0.01). Se encontró una asocación estadísticamente significativa entre las concentraciones de Mn en aire y las pruebas motoras que evalúan la coordinación de dos movimientos (RM=1.99; IC 95%=1.15,3.43) y cambios en la posición de movimientos de las manos (RM= 3.09; IC 95%= 1.07- 8.92). También se encontró una asociación con pruebas que evalúan reacciones conflictivas (una tarea que explora la regulación verbal de los movimientos) (RM= 2.30; IC 95%= 1.00-5.28). Las concentraciones de Mn en aire se asociaron con alteraciones de la atención (RM= 1.75; IC 95%= 1.00-3.06). De acuerdo con los resultados, parece que las personas que viven cerca de minas y plantas de procesamiento de Mn sufren de un déficit motor incipiente y una alteración en la atención como resultado de la inhalación de polvos ricos en Mn.Overexposure to manganese (Mn) causes neurotoxicity (a Parkinson-like syndrome) and psychiatric damage (“manganese madness”). Motor and cognitive impairment associated with exposure to Mn in the workplace has been documented in previous studies. However, there are few studies about the effects of environmental exposure of non-occupational populations. The objective of this study was to estimate the risk of motor and cognitive alterations related to Mn exposure in people living in a mining district in Mexico. We studied 288 individual people (168 men and 120 women) from eight communities at various distances from manganese extraction or processing facilities in the district of Molango, in Hidalgo State, Mexico. We measured Mn concentrations in airborne particles, water, soil and crops, and evaluated the possible routes of Mn exposure. We also took samples of people’s blood and determined their concentrations of Mn and lead (Pb). We used the neuropsychological battery “Esquema de Diagnóstico Neuropsicológico” by Ardila and OstroskySolís to evaluate motor functions, and a neuropsychological battery, which explores cognitive functions (attention, memory, language and visoconstruction), was applied, as well as two depression scales. Extracted Mn in soils ranged between 6 and 280 mg kg-1 and means were largest when being close to Mn extraction or processing facilities. Air Mn concentration ranged between 0.003 and 5.86 µg/m3 ; the mean value was 0.42 µg/m3 and the median was 0.10 µg/m3 , the average value (geometric mean) resulted to be 0.13 µg/m3 . Mean blood manganese concentration was 10.16 µg/L, and the geometric mean was 9.44 µg/L, with a range between 5.0 – 31.0 µg/L. We found no association between blood Mn concentrations and motor and cognitive tests. Air Mn concentrations were correlated with blood Mn concentrations (R=0.199, p<0.01). There was a statistically significant association between air Mn concentrations and motor tests that assessed the coordination of two movements (RM=1.99; IC 95%=1.15,3.43) and position changes in hand movements (OR= 3.09; 95% CI= 1.07-8.92). An association with tests evaluating conflictive reactions (a task that explores verbal regulations of movements) was also found (OR= 2.30; 95% CI= 1.00-5.28). Air Mn concentrations were associated with attention impairment (OR= 1.75, 95% CI= 1.00-3.06). Blood Mn concentrations were not associated with any cognitive test. It seems from these results that people living close to the Mn mines and processing plants suffer from an incipient motor deficit and attention impairment as a result of their inhaling Mn-rich dust

A mixed‐methods study of cultural beliefs about dementia and genetic testing among Mexicans and Mexican‐Americans at‐risk for autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease

Trials to prevent autosomal dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) are critical and timely. However, cultural beliefs about AD and genetic testing may preclude informed consent and participation, especially among racial/ethnic minorities. This mixed-methods study examines cultural beliefs about AD and genetic screening among at-risk populations of Mexican heritage. We surveyed 86 Mexican and 37 Mexican-American family members of patients with ADAD and interviewed 18 respondents in Mexico to explore perceptions and knowledge regarding AD and genetic testing. While most respondents understood that AD is inherited in their families, they also had limited understanding of the genetic mechanisms behind AD. Many believed that AD is a normal part of aging or that it is a mental illness caused by bad habits. However, beliefs that AD is caused by a curse or God's will were uncommon. The interviews demonstrated that very few at-risk respondents understood their own risk for harboring the mutation causing AD in their family. Once informed, most expressed a strong interest in genetic testing, largely motivated by the desire to be better prepared for the development of AD. Health professionals treating and investigators enrolling members from families with ADAD cannot assume that they fully understand the nature of the illness; therefore, providers should provide comprehensive information about ADAD and genetic testing

A mixed‐methods study of cultural beliefs about dementia and genetic testing among Mexicans and Mexican‐Americans at‐risk for autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease

Trials to prevent autosomal dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) are critical and timely. However, cultural beliefs about AD and genetic testing may preclude informed consent and participation, especially among racial/ethnic minorities. This mixed-methods study examines cultural beliefs about AD and genetic screening among at-risk populations of Mexican heritage. We surveyed 86 Mexican and 37 Mexican-American family members of patients with ADAD and interviewed 18 respondents in Mexico to explore perceptions and knowledge regarding AD and genetic testing. While most respondents understood that AD is inherited in their families, they also had limited understanding of the genetic mechanisms behind AD. Many believed that AD is a normal part of aging or that it is a mental illness caused by bad habits. However, beliefs that AD is caused by a curse or God's will were uncommon. The interviews demonstrated that very few at-risk respondents understood their own risk for harboring the mutation causing AD in their family. Once informed, most expressed a strong interest in genetic testing, largely motivated by the desire to be better prepared for the development of AD. Health professionals treating and investigators enrolling members from families with ADAD cannot assume that they fully understand the nature of the illness; therefore, providers should provide comprehensive information about ADAD and genetic testing

Additional file 1 of Attitudes about involvement in hypothetical clinical trial protocols in Mexican and Mexican-American at risk for autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease

Additional file 1: Table S1. Scores obtained on the GenQuest and RAQ questionnaires for both ADAD family members samples

Percived ethical misconduct: a survey of Neuropsychology professionals in Mexico

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of perceived ethical misconduct in the practice of neuropsychology in Mexico. Method: One hundred fourteen psychologists answered a survey which assessed perceptions of ethical misconduct in four areas of professional practice in the field of neuropsychology. Results: The area of professional training contained the highest percentage of perception of ethical misconduct, followed by research and publications, clinical care, and professional relationships. Conclusion: The high frequency of ethical misconduct perceived by neuropsychology professionals in Mexico is a cause for concern. The results suggest the need to create and implement a system to make sure that professionals follow the ethics standards required by the profession, and to provide consequences for those who fail to do so. The profession of neuropsychology and training of professionals in the field must be regularized in the country, to reduce the frequency of future ethical misconducts

Suicidal Ideation After Acute Traumatic Brain Injury:A Longitudinal Actor-Partner Interdependence Model of Patients and Caregivers in Latin America

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with depression, anxiety, and even suicidality in individuals with TBI and in caregivers. Moreover, emotional functioning in individuals with TBI is linked with caregiver functioning. However, no known studies to date have examined linkages in suicidal ideation in individuals with TBI and family caregivers. This is especially important in Latin America, where TBI rates are high, and where cultural norms influence family caregiving. This study examined associations among self-reported suicidal ideation in individuals with TBI and their primary caregivers over time in Mexico and Colombia. Research Method/Design: A total of 109 individuals and their primary caregivers completed measures during hospitalization for TBI and at 2 and 4-months posthospitalization. The primary outcome was Item 9 from the Spanish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, assessing for thoughts of death or suicide in the previous 2 weeks. Results: Patients and caregivers reported high levels of suicidal ideation (18.3%–22.4% and 12.4%–15.7%, respectively) at each time point, and suicidal ideation at one time point strongly predicted ideation at the next. When patients endorsed suicidal ideation in the hospital, their caregivers tended to endorse suicidal ideation 2 months later. Although unaccounted for variables could be driving these relationships, they may also provide possible evidence of causal preponderance between patient and caregiver suicidal ideation post-TBI. Conclusions/Implications: Clinicians and rehabilitation specialists can use these findings to inform suicide risk assessment by expanding these practices to caregivers of patients who endorsed suicidal ideation. Interventions after TBI should incorporate caregivers given this study showed significant interdependence of suicidality between patients and caregiver

Relationship Satisfaction and Depression After Traumatic Brain Injury An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model of Patients and Caregivers in Mexico and Colombia

#nofulltext#Objective Traumatic brain injury represents a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like in Latin America. Family members are often caregivers for individuals with traumatic brain injury, which can result in significant stress. Research is needed to examine depression and quality of the caregiving relationship in these dyads. This study examined relationship quality and depression longitudinally after traumatic brain injury within the caregiving relationship. Design Dyads (N= 109) composed of individuals with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers were recruited from three hospitals in Mexico and Colombia. They self-reported depression and relationship satisfaction during hospitalization and at 2 and 4 mos after hospitalization. Results A 2-lag Actor Partner Interdependence Model demonstrated that patients and caregivers reporting high relationship satisfaction at baseline experienced lower depression 2 mos later, which then predicted higher caregiver relationship satisfaction at 4 mos. Moreover, patients with high relationship satisfaction at baseline had caregivers with lower depression at 2 mos, which was then associated with patients' higher satisfaction at 4 mos. Conclusions Within individuals with traumatic brain injury and caregivers, depression and relationship satisfaction seem to be inversely related. Furthermore, patients' and caregivers' depression and relationship satisfaction impact each other over time, demonstrating interdependence within the caregiving relationshi