A Comparative Analysis of the Chronic Effects of Fine Particulate Matter

The American Cancer Society study (ACS) and the Harvard Six Cities study (SCS) are the two landmark cohort studies for estimating the chronic effects of fine particulate matter PM2.5 on mortality. To date, no comparative analysis of these studies has been carried out using a different study design, study period, data, and modeling approach. In this paper, we estimate the chronic effects of PM on mortality for the period 2000-2002 by using mortality data from Medicare and \PM levels from the National Air Pollution Monitoring Network for the same counties included in the SCS and the ACS. We use a log-linear regression model which controls for individual-level risk factors (age and gender) and area-level covariates (education, income level, poverty and employment). We found that a 10 units increase in the yearly average PM2.5 is associated with 10.9% (95% CI: 9.0, 12.8) and with 20.8% (95% CI: 12.3, 30.0) increase in all-cause mortality by using Medicare data for the ACS and SCS counties. The results are similar to those reported by the original SCS and ACS indicating that fine particulate matter is still significantly associated with mortality when more recent air pollution and mortality data are used. Our findings suggest that national government based data, like the Medicare, are useful for advancing our understanding of the chronic effects of ambient air pollution on health

Modeling COVID-19 with Uncertainty in Granada, Spain. Intra-Hospitalary Circuit and Expectations over the Next Months

Mathematical models have been remarkable tools for knowing in advance the appropriate time to enforce population restrictions and distribute hospital resources. Here, we present a mathematical Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) model to study the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 in Granada, Spain, taking into account the uncertainty of the phenomenon. In the model, the patients moving throughout the hospital’s departments (intra-hospitalary circuit) are considered in order to help to optimize the use of a hospital’s resources in the future. Two main seasons, September–April (autumn-winter) and May–August (summer), where the hospital pressure is significantly different, have been included. The model is calibrated and validated with data obtained from the hospitals in Granada. Possible future scenarios have been simulated. The model is able to capture the history of the pandemic in Granada. It provides predictions about the intra-hospitalary COVID-19 circuit over time and shows that the number of infected is expected to decline continuously from May without an increase next autumn–winter if population measures continue to be satisfied. The model strongly suggests that the number of infected cases will reduce rapidly with aggressive vaccination policies. The proposed study is being used in Granada to design public health policies and perform wise re-distribution of hospital resources in advance.Spanish Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO)Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI)Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER UE) grant MTM2017-89664-PEuropean Union through the Operational Program of the [European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)/European Social Fund (ESF)] of the Valencian Community 2014–2020Ramón Areces Foundation, Madrid, Spain (CIVP18A3920)

In vitro bio-functional performances of the novel superelastic beta-type Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-0.5N alloy

International audienceThe materials used for internal fracture fixations and joint replacements are mainly made of metals which still face problems ranging from higher rigidity than that of natural bone to leaching cytotoxic metallic ions. Beta (β)-type titanium alloys with low elastic modulus made from non-toxic and non-allergenic elements are desirable to reduce stress shielding effect and enhance bone remodeling. In this work, a new β-type Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-0.5N alloy with a Young's modulus of approximately 50 GPa was designed and characterized. The behavior of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts on the new alloy, including adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, was evaluated by examining the cytoskeleton, focal adhesion formation, metabolic activity and extracellular matrix mineralization. Results indicated that the pre-osteoblast cells exhibited a similar degree of attachment and growth on Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-0.5N and Ti-6Al-4V. However, the novel alloy proved to be significantly more efficient in sustaining mineralized matrix deposition upon osteogenic induction of the cells than Ti-6Al-4V control. Further, analysis of RAW 264.7 macrophages cytokine gene and protein expression indicated no significant inflammatory response. Collectively, these findings suggest that the Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-0.5N alloy, which has an increased mechanical biocompatibility with bone, allows a better osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast precursor cells than Ti-6Al-4V and holds great potential for future clinical prosthetic applications

Cercetări privind comportarea unor soiuri de cireş cu diferite epoci de coacere în condiţiile zonei de N-E a României

The aim of this study is to improve the sweet cherry tree assortment for the Northeastarea of Romania by promoting the new cultivars created at RSFG Iasi, renewing the current sweet cherry tree assortment with new quality cultivars and especially extending the sweet cherry season, filling the existing gaps during the consumption period. At this time, the market is unbalanced in favor of cultivars in the first part of the fruit season. The tendency is towards rebalancing, by reducing the proportion of cultivars with medium season maturity and increasing the early and the late ones. In termsof productivity, the three-year average production (2016-2018) cultivars as followes Golia (19.7 kg / tree), Margonia (23.3 kg / tree) and Bucium (24.7 kg / tree) was remarkable. Regarding the average weight of the fruit, it recorded values between 4.8 g (Cetatuia) and 7.6 g (Bucium)