Electric charge of atmospheric nanoparticles and its potential implications with human health

This research presents a pilot project developed within the framework of the COST Action 15,211 in which atmospheric nanoparticles were measured in July 2018, in a maritime environment in the city of Santander in Northern Spain. ELPI (R) + (Electrical low-Pressure Impactor) was used to measure nanoparticle properties (electric charge, number, size distribution and surface area) from 6 nm to 10,000 nm with 14 size channels. This study focused on the range between 6 and 380 nm. It considered atmospheric nanoparticle electric charge with surface area, deposited and number by size distribution at human respiratory tract regions in a standard person in Santander according to the human respiratory tract model of ICRP 94. An empirical distribution of nanoparticles deposited in the human respiratory tract model and its electric charge is presented for the city of Santander as the main output. Percentages of total and regional deposition in human respiratory tract model were calculated for the Atlantic climate. Nanoparticles have shown an alveolar surface area deposition plateau with a size distribution range between 6 nm to 150 nm. Negative charge of nanoparticles was clearly associated with primary atmospheric nanoparticles being mainly deposited in the alveolar region where a Brownian mechanism of deposition is predominant. We can demonstrate that electric charge may be a key element in explaining Brownian deposition of the smallest particles in the human respiratory tract and that it can be linked to theoretical positive and negative impacts on human health according to several biometeorological studies. To support our analysis, aerosol samples were characterized with transmission electron microscopy and Confocal Raman spectrometer to determinate morphology, size, chemical composition, and structure. The toxicological effects of the samples with the alveolar surface area had a greater deposition, remain to be studied.Peer reviewe

Donkeys in transition: changing use in a changing world

Os jumentos têm uma longa história no desenvolvimento das sociedades humanas. Normalmente referidos como bestas de carga, seus usos tradicionais incluem o transporte de pessoas e bens, atividades agrícolas e florestais, acesso a água, assim como oferecer uma forma de rendimento para comunidades em países de rendimento baixo e médio. No entanto, o aumento da mecanização, o desenvolvimento de técnicas agrícolas modernas e maior disponibilidade de veículos motorizados fizeram com que os jumentos e os muares se  tornassem desnecessários nos seus papéis tradicionais em muitas partes do mundo. Neste artigo os autores fornecem exemplos onde os jumentos fizeram a transição, com sucesso, dos papéis tradicionais para novos papéis não tradicionais, tanto na Europa como na América do Norte; e demonstramos que, embora o papel e o uso de jumentos e muares estejam mudando num mundo em rápido desenvolvimento, podemos aprender lições com o passado e aplicá-las aos desafios atuais. À medida que diminui a necessidade de equídeos de trabalho no transporte e na agricultura, eles ainda têm grande valor no que toca a fins recreativos, terapêuticos e ecológicos no uso de tração animal.Donkeys have a long history in the development of human societies. Typically referred to as a beast of burden, traditional uses for donkeys have included the transportation of goods and people, use in agricultural and forestry activities, to access water, and provide citizens in low- and middle-income countries a means of making an income for communities. However, the rise of mechanization, the development of modern farming techniques, and the increasing availability of motorized vehicles have led to donkeys and mules becoming redundant from traditional roles in many parts of the world. We provide examples of where donkeys have successfully transitioned from traditional roles to new, non-traditional roles in Europe and North America, and demonstrate that, although the roles and use of donkeys and mules are changing in a rapidly developing world, we can learn lessons from the past and apply them to current challenges. As the need for working equids declines in transport and agriculture, they still hold great value for recreational, therapeutic, and environmentally friendly methods of animal traction.

The effects of regularity of simulated ship motions on the behaviour and physiology of sheep

Floor movement influences sheep responses to transport, but the importance of movement regularity and interactions between sheep are unknown. To test this, sheep were restrained in pairs in a crate mounted on a moveable, programmable platform for 60 min periods, changing treatments over 12 consecutive days. In an initial experiment a repeated speed of movement and change in angle (regular movement) was compared to variable angles and speeds (irregular movement) of roll, pitch or combined movements, for sheep behaviour, heart rate and feed and water intake responses. Feed intake was increased by irregular roll+pitch motion (P = 0.04). During irregular sequences sheep affiliated more, with their heads one above the other (P = 0.001) and supported themselves against the crate (P < 0.001) or kneeling (P = 0.03). Irregular sequences and combined roll and pitch synergistically increased stepping behaviour, indicating loss of balance, and heart rate, possibly indicating stress (P < 0.001). Heat rate data demonstrated that the RMSSD band was reduced during irregular movement (P = 0.04), and LF/HF ratio increased during irregular sequences of roll+pitch (P = 0.007), suggesting less parasympathetic nervous system activity. In a second experiment, we investigated the effects of these floor motion patterns with and without a barrier to separate the sheep. With no barrier or irregular motion, sheep stepped more to avoid loss of balance (P < 0.001) and were again more affiliative. During irregular motion they supported themselves more against the crate (P < 0.001). With no barrier there was more agonistic behaviour (body pushing (P = 0.02), butting (P = 0.02) and evading the other sheep (P = 0.001) and less rumination (P = 0.02), which together with a reduction in RMSSD and NN50 suggested that sheep welfare was reduced by the close proximity of the other sheep. The ratio of low to high frequency beats was highest (P = 0.005) and the RMSSD and NN50 were lowest (P < 0.001) during irregular motion and no barrier. Evidence is provided that sheep were both more stressed in this combination of treatments and also exercising more, through stepping behaviour. Thus irregular sequences and combined roll and pitch caused stress and increased activity to correct loss of balance, as well as increased affiliative behaviour. Separating sheep during irregular motion reduced body instability and stress, suggesting that close stocking is detrimental to their welfare

The human-animal relationship and its influence in our culture: the case of donkeys

Os jumentos (Equus asinus) estão enfrentando uma crise global. A saúde, o bem-estar e, principalmente, a sobrevivência dos jumentos está sendo comprometida à medida que a demanda por suas peles aumenta. Essa demanda por peles de jumento visa abastecer a indústria de ejiao. Ejiao é um remédio tradicional feito de colágeno de pele de jumento. Alguns acreditam que possui propriedades medicinais. Estima-se que o setor exija aproximadamente 4,8 milhões de peles de jumento por ano. Independentemente do futuro que os jumentos terão, devemos garantir uma vida com o mínimo de dignidade aos animais sob nossa responsabilidade. A preocupação ética também inclui o papel cultural dos jumentos. Os jumentos desenvolveram um papel essencial no Brasil, especialmente na Região Nordeste do país, carregando nas costas todo o tipo de material de construção, água e comida e, como consequência, ajudando o ser humano a construir as cidades no sertão. Devido à estreita relação com os seres humanos, os jumentos também estão participando da cultura. Essa importância central foi reconhecida por vários artistas brasileiros ao longo da história. Temos muitos exemplos de músicas, livros, “cordéis” (literatura típica brasileira), poemas, documentários, filmes, xilogravuras e esculturas feitos em homenagem a esse importante ator. Aqui descrevemos alguns exemplos dessa relação humano-jumento e sua influência em nossa cultura.Donkeys (Equus asinus) face a global crisis. Their health, welfare, and even their local survival are compromised as the demand for their skins increases. Such demand for donkey skins aims to supply the ejiao industry. Ejiao is a traditional remedy made from the collagen of donkey skins. Some people believe it has medicinal properties. It is estimated that the ejiao industry currently requires approximately 4.8 million donkey skins per year. Although the future of the donkeys is still uncertain, we must guarantee a life free from suffering to the animals under our responsibility. The trade of donkey skins also undermines the cultural role of donkeys. Donkeys have developed an essential role in Brazil, especially in the Northeast region of the country, carrying on their backs construction materials, water, and food, and, as a consequence, helping people build cities in the deepest hinterland. The close relationship between people and donkeys affords donkeys a unique place in the local culture. This central importance has been recognized by Brazilian artists throughout history. We have many examples of songs, books, “cordeis” (typical Brazilian literature), poems, documentaries, movies, woodcuts, paintings, and sculptures, created to honor this important actor. Here we describe some examples of this human-donkey relationship, and its influence on our culture

Noise disturbance and well-being in the north of Spain

Environmental noise is considered one of the main risks for physical and mental health and well-being, with a significant associated burden of disease in Europe. This work aims to explore the main sources of noise exposure at home and its effect on well-being in northern Spain. A transversal opinion study has been performed through a closed questionnaire. The questionnaire included three different parts: sociodemographic data, noise disturbance, and the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5). A Binary Logistics Regression model was performed to analyze the relationship between noise exposure and well-being. Overall, 16.6% of the participants consider that the noise isolation of their homes is bad or very bad. The noise generated by the neighbors (air and impact noise) is considered the most disturbing indoor noise source, while street works are the most disturbing outdoor noise source in urban areas and road traffic is the most disturbing in rural areas. People who indicate that noise interferes with their life at home have a worse score on the WHO-5 (decreased perception of well-being). The exposure to outdoor noise (specifically the noise coming from the street and trains), internal impact noise produced by neighbors, and in general, the noise that wakes you up, is related to receiving a worse score in the WHO-5 (p &lt; 0.05). Administrative bodies must ensure that laws regulating at-home noise levels, which are continually being updated with stricter restrictions, are enforced.Funding: This work was partially supported by the Government of Cantabria (CONTRATO PROGRAMA GOB. CANTABRIA-UC)

Do patients diagnosed with a neurological disease present increased risk of suicide?

RESUMEN: Introducción: Las enfermedades neurológicas representan la principal causa de discapacidady la segunda causa de muerte a nivel mundial. El dolor físico y psicológico, la desesperanzay la desconexión con el medio están presentes tras el diagnóstico de numerosos procesosneurológicos y especialmente de las enfermedades neurodegenerativas.Desarrollo: Existe un mayor riesgo de suicidio en pacientes con enfermedades neurológicascomunes como la epilepsia, la migra?na y la esclerosis múltiple, así como en quienes padecentrastornos degenerativos como la enfermedad de Alzheimer, la enfermedad de Huntington, laesclerosis lateral amiotrófica o la enfermedad de Parkinson. En la mayoría de los casos, la idea-ción suicida aparece en la etapa próxima al diagnóstico, ante sintomatología invalidante, y/oen pacientes que presentan comorbilidad psiquiátrica (a menudo asociada con dichas dolenciasneurológicas).Conclusiones: Para una prevención efectiva del suicidio en este grupo de la población debeevaluarse el riesgo principalmente en pacientes recién diagnosticados, ante la expresión demarcada desesperanza, ante sintomatología invalidante y en pacientes que presentan comorbi-lidad psiquiátrica (especialmente síntomas depresivos). La formación de los especialistas paradetectar signos de alerta es fundamental tanto para que puedan hacer un correcto abordajecomo para que sean capaces de determinar cuándo es necesaria la valoración de un especialistaen psiquiatría.ABSTRACT: Introduction: Neurological diseases are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Physical and psychological pain, despair, and disconnection with the environment are observed after the diagnosis of numerous neurological processes, particularly neurodegenerative diseases. Development: A higher risk of suicide is observed in patients with such common neurological diseases as epilepsy, migraine, and multiple sclerosis, as well as in those with such degenerative disorders as Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. In most cases, suicidal ideation appears in the early stages after diagnosis, in the presence of disabling symptoms, and/or in patients with psychiatric comorbidities (often associated with these neurological diseases). Conclusions: Effective suicide prevention in this population group requires assessment of the risk of suicide mainly in newly diagnosed patients, in patients showing unmistakable despair or disabling symptoms, and in patients presenting psychiatric comorbidities (especially depressive symptoms). It is essential to train specialists to detect warning signs in order that they may adopt a suitable approach and determine when psychiatric assessment is required

Calidad de vida en pacientes con fosfatasa alcalina persistentemente baja portadores o no de mutaciones del gen ALPL

Introducción: Los niveles bajos de fosfatasa alcalina (FAlc) en suero son el sello distintivo de la hipofosfatasia, un trastorno debido a variantes patogénicas del gen ALPL. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en adultos con fosfatasa alcalina baja y explorar las diferencias entre pacientes con y sin mutaciones en ALPL. Material y métodos: Estudiamos 35 pacientes adultos con FAlc persistentemente baja en los que se excluyeron causas adquiridas y se secuenció ALPL. Se compararon con 35 controles de igual edad. Se completaron tres cuestionarios sobre dolor (Brief Pain Inventory, BPI), discapacidad física (Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index, HAQ-DI) y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (36-item Short-Form Health Survey, SF-36). Resultados: Las puntuaciones medias de intensidad e interferencia del dolor en el BPI fueron mayores en el grupo de pacientes (p=0,04 y 0,004, respectivamente). Todos los dominios del instrumento HAQ tendieron a puntuar peor en los pacientes, con diferencias significativas en la puntuación de "alcance" (p=0,037) y la puntuación media general (0,23 frente a 0,09; p=0,029). Los pacientes puntuaron peor que los controles en varias dimensiones del SF-36 (rol físico, p=0,039; dolor corporal p=0,046; rol emocional, p=0,025). Sin embargo, los pacientes con y sin variantes patogénicas puntuaron de manera similar en todas las pruebas, sin diferencias significativas entre los grupos. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con niveles persistentemente bajos de FAlc tienen puntuaciones significativamente peores en dolor corporal y otras dimensiones de calidad de vida relacionadas con la salud, sin diferencias entre pacientes con y sin variantes patogénicas en el gen ALPL. Esto es consistente con la hipótesis de que estos últimos presenten mutaciones en regiones reguladoras, habitualmente no secuenciadas, del gen ALPL

The future of cephalopod populations, fisheries, culture, and research in Europe

International audienc