Spatial and Seasonal Nutrient Trends in Manila Bay Aquaculture Farms

Sampling was done in duplicates during dry (May 2014 and February 2015) and wet season (September 2014 and November 2014) following the blocking scheme for the nutrient trends. As for the nutrient loading, water samples were collected in three ponds after flooding (water intrusion) and prior to draining (water release). Colorimetric analyses by UV-Vis Spectroscopy following the US EPA standard methods were used to determine the samples’ nutrient levels specifically, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and phosphorus. Results showed that ammonia had the highest levels followed by phosphorus, nitrate, and nitrite. Geographically, higher concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus were observed in Eastern Bulacan aquaculture farms, which is attributed to the farmers’ disregard of the important pond preparation activities. Varying seasonal trends were noted among nutrient species due to the different reactions of each analyte under changing climatic conditions. Nutrient levels in sediments were several folds higher than that in the water column. Results of correlation analyses of nutrients in water and sediments showed: a) a good correlation for phosphorus, b) weak correlation for ammonia, and c) no correlation for nitrites and nitrates, implying that sediments maybe a possible contributor of phosphorus and ammonia in water but not nitrite and nitrate. Ammonia and TKN were significantly higher during the flooding suggesting that water coming in to the pond already contains high levels of said nutrients possibly due to higher organic load. Conversely, nitrite and nitrate levels were significantly higher during the draining suggesting transformation of ammonia into these less toxic substances by nitrifying bacteria

Heavy Metal Contamination in Water and Fishery Resources in Manila Bay Aquaculture Farms

Heavy metals (HM) are high-atomic weight elements hazardous at very low concentrations. Despite the health risk HM contamination brings, studies conducted were only confined to the offshore and marine portions of the bay. Hence, this study was conducted to establish baseline information and compare the spatial and seasonal distribution of heavy metal contamination in water and fishery resources in aquaculture farms and coastal areas in Manila Bay. Water and major aquaculture commodities were collected in November 2014, February 2015 and April 2015 and were analyzed for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) using the following methods: (1) Graphite Furnace Atomizer-Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (GFA-AAS) for Pb and Cd and (2) Mercury Vaporizing Unit-AAS (MVU-AAS) for Hg. Cd (Bataan, Cavite, Bulacan, and Pampanga) and Hg (Cavite and Pampanga) in water were found significantly higher during the dry season (p < 0.05). In contrast, Pb in water was relatively higher during the wet season but levels were not significantly different with those in the dry. Several sites in Bataan, Bulacan, and Cavite, exceeded DENR regulatory limits for Pb and Hg in water by 1.35 to 1.8%. As for the fishery commodities, 2/12 milkfish samples and 1/9 exceeded regulatory limit for Pb in finfish (0.3 mg/kg) by 1.03 to 3.57% while 1/12 milkfish samples and 1/13 oyster samples exceeded the limit for Hg in bivalves (0.5 mg/kg) by 0.45 to 0.75%

Dental Health and Mortality in People With End-Stage Kidney Disease Treated With Hemodialysis: A Multinational Cohort Study

Background Dental disease is more extensive in adults with chronic kidney disease, but whether dental health and behaviors are associated with survival in the setting of hemodialysis is unknown. Study Design Prospective multinational cohort. Setting & Participants 4,205 adults treated with long-term hemodialysis, 2010 to 2012 (Oral Diseases in Hemodialysis [ORAL-D] Study). Predictors Dental health as assessed by a standardized dental examination using World Health Organization guidelines and personal oral care, including edentulousness; decayed, missing, and filled teeth index; teeth brushing and flossing; and dental health consultation. Outcomes All-cause and cardiovascular mortality at 12 months after dental assessment. Measurements Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models fitted with shared frailty to account for clustering of mortality risk within countries. Results During a mean follow-up of 22.1 months, 942 deaths occurred, including 477 cardiovascular deaths. Edentulousness (adjusted HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10-1.51) and decayed, missing, or filled teeth score ≥ 14 (adjusted HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.33-2.17) were associated with early all-cause mortality, while dental flossing, using mouthwash, brushing teeth daily, spending at least 2 minutes on oral hygiene daily, changing a toothbrush at least every 3 months, and visiting a dentist within the past 6 months (adjusted HRs of 0.52 [95% CI, 0.32-0.85], 0.79 [95% CI, 0.64-0.97], 0.76 [95% CI, 0.58-0.99], 0.84 [95% CI, 0.71-0.99], 0.79 [95% CI, 0.65-0.95], and 0.79 [95% CI, 0.65-0.96], respectively) were associated with better survival. Results for cardiovascular mortality were similar. Limitations Convenience sample of clinics. Conclusions In adults treated with hemodialysis, poorer dental health was associated with early death, whereas preventive dental health practices were associated with longer survival

Septic patients in the intensive care unit do not have higher systemic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than healthy volunteers

Introducción. El daño oxidativo es postulado como parte de la fisiopatología de la sepsis. Las especies reactivas de oxígeno (reactive oxygen species, ROS) serían su causa. No hay evidencia de los niveles de ROS medidos en sangre venosa en pacientes sépticos y su relación con la mortalidad en terapia intensiva (UTI). Objetivos. Observar si hay diferencias entre los niveles de ROS medidos en sangre venosa en pacientes sépticos y aquellos obtenidos en controles sanos y determinar si los pacientes que mueren en UTI tienen niveles de ROS más altos que los que sobreviven. Material y métodos. Estudio prospectivo observacional. Se incluyeron pacientes sépticos internados en UTI mayores de 18 años y menores 80 años entre 2014 y 2016 y voluntarios sanos. Se excluyeron pacientes embarazadas. Se midió con la técnica de diclorofluorosceína. Resultados. No hubo diferencias significativas en los niveles de ROS medidos con diclorofluorosceína entre pacientes sépticos y voluntarios sanos (emisión media: 0,1 contra 0,109 [p = 0,36]) ni entre los pacientes que morían en la internación en UTI y los que sobrevivían (emisión media, 0,103 contra 0,099 [p = 0,7]). Conclusiones. Los pacientes sépticos no tienen mayores niveles de ROS sistémicos que los voluntarios sanos y los pacientes que mueren en terapia no tienen mayores niveles de ROS sistémicos que aquellos que sobreviven. Los niveles de ROS en sangre venosa no serían parte de la fisiopatología de la sepsis.Introduction. Oxidative damage is postulated as part of the pathophysiology of sepsis. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) would be the cause of said damage. There is no evidence of ROS levels in septic patients’ venous blood and their association with mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU). Goals. To observe if there are differences between ROS levels measured in venous blood in septic patients and those obtained in healthy controls, and to determine whether patients who die in an ICU have higher ROS levels than those who survive. Material and methods. Prospective observational study. We included septic patients hospitalized in ICUs above 18 years and below 80 years of age between 2014 and 2016, and healthy volunteers. Pregnant patients were excluded. Levels were measured through dichlorofluororescein technique. Results. There were no significant differences in ROS levels measured through dichlorofluororescein technique between septic patients and healthy volunteers (mean emission, 0.1 vs 0.109 [p = 0.36]) or between patients dying while being hospitalized in the ICU and those who survived (mean emission, 0.103 vs. 0.099 [p = 0.7]). Conclusions. Septic patients do not have higher systemic ROS levels than healthy volunteers, and patients who die while being in intensive care do not have higher systemic ROS levels than those who survive. ROS levels in venous blood would not be part of the pathophysiology of sepsis.Fil: Chapela, Sebastián P.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Burgos, Isabel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Ballestero, Florencia M.. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Raña, María S.. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Lascar, Florencia. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Sac, Santiago. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Lucero, Pablo. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Descotte, Emiliano J.. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Soloaga, Elías D.. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Blasco, Miguel A.. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Alonso, Manuel. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Ciclo Básico Común; ArgentinaFil: Stella, Carlos Alberto. Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; Argentin

Dental Health and Mortality in People With End-Stage Kidney Disease Treated With Hemodialysis: A Multinational Cohort Study

BackgroundDental disease is more extensive in adults with chronic kidney disease, but whether dental health and behaviors are associated with survival in the setting of hemodialysis is unknown.Study DesignProspective multinational cohort.Setting & Participants4,205 adults treated with long-term hemodialysis, 2010 to 2012 (Oral Diseases in Hemodialysis [ORAL-D] Study).PredictorsDental health as assessed by a standardized dental examination using World Health Organization guidelines and personal oral care, including edentulousness; decayed, missing, and filled teeth index; teeth brushing and flossing; and dental health consultation.OutcomesAll-cause and cardiovascular mortality at 12 months after dental assessment.MeasurementsMultivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models fitted with shared frailty to account for clustering of mortality risk within countries.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up of 22.1 months, 942 deaths occurred, including 477 cardiovascular deaths. Edentulousness (adjusted HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.10-1.51) and decayed, missing, or filled teeth score ≥ 14 (adjusted HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.33-2.17) were associated with early all-cause mortality, while dental flossing, using mouthwash, brushing teeth daily, spending at least 2 minutes on oral hygiene daily, changing a toothbrush at least every 3 months, and visiting a dentist within the past 6 months (adjusted HRs of 0.52 [95% CI, 0.32-0.85], 0.79 [95% CI, 0.64-0.97], 0.76 [95% CI, 0.58-0.99], 0.84 [95% CI, 0.71-0.99], 0.79 [95% CI, 0.65-0.95], and 0.79 [95% CI, 0.65-0.96], respectively) were associated with better survival. Results for cardiovascular mortality were similar.LimitationsConvenience sample of clinics.ConclusionsIn adults treated with hemodialysis, poorer dental health was associated with early death, whereas preventive dental health practices were associated with longer survival