Organic geochemistry of the Villaviciosa estuary record since 1400 AD (North of Spain)

We have reconstructed the palaeoenvironmental conditions in the Villaviciosa estuary during the last 600 yrs, from the biomarker content (alkanes and alkanoic acids) of the sediment. The amino acid racemization method in ostracodes allowed determining that the sedimentation in the Selorio bay started in 1400 AD. Organic matter was well preserved, although certain microbial activity was interpreted. Three periods were established from the alkane content: 1.- Between 1400 and 1580 AD terrestrial input was dominant; 2.- Between 1580 and 1720 AD there was a major influence of aquatic macrophytes, coinciding with the Little Ice Age, 3.- Between 1720 and 2015 AD there were alternating periods during which land plants or aquatic macrophytes predominated, probably linked to anthropogenic activitiesSe han reconstruido las condiciones paleoambientales de la zona de la ría de Villaviciosa de los últimos 600 años, a partir de los biomarcadores (alcanos y ácidos alcanoicos) presentes en el sedimento. El método de racemización de aminoácidos en ostrácodos ha permitido determinar el inicio de la sedimentación en la ensenada de Selorio, en la ría de Villaviciosa, que comenzó en 1400. La preservación de la materia orgánica es buena, aunque se observa una actividad microbiana importante. A partir de los alcanos se han establecido tres episodios: 1.- Entre 1400 y 1580 predominó el aporte de vegetación terrestre, 2.- Entre 1580 y 1720 hubo una mayor abundancia de macrofitas acuáticas, coincidiendo con la Pequeña Edad del Hielo, 3.- Entre 1720 y 2015, hubo una alternancia de aportes terrestres y de macrofitas acuáticas, posiblemente ligados a la acción antrópic

Evaluación preliminar de la calidad del aire en locales de la Oficina Cubana de la Propiedad Industrial

El estudio microbiológico se efectuó en dos departamentos de la Oficina Cubana de la Propiedad Industrial, con los objetivos de determinar la concentración fúngica ambiental, la calidad de los ambientes y la capacidad biodeteriogénica de los hongos ambientales aislados. El muestreo microbiológico se realizó tanto en ambientes interiores como en el exterior con un biocolector SAS y placas de Petri con un medio de cultivo apropiado. Se determinó la relación interior/exterior (I/E), indicativo de la calidad ambiental y el coeficiente de similitud de Sørensen (QS) para comparar la composición de taxones obtenidos en los ambientes interiores con el exterior. Se midió la temperatura y la humedad relativa en el momento del muestreo. Al total de cepas se les determinó cualitativamente la actividad celulolítica, amilolítica y proteolítica, así como la excreción de pigmentos y de ácidos. La temperatura promedio en los locales fluctuó entre 26°C y 26.8°C y la humedad relativa entre 67.1% y 71.3%. Las concentraciones fúngicas oscilaron entre 47 y 350 UFC/m3. La mayoría de los locales mostraron índices I/E ≤ 1.0 indicativo de ambientes de buena calidad, solo un local reveló un valor de 2.7 propio de un ambiente de mala calidad y pobre circulación de aire. Se observó un elevado QS entre los taxones fúngicos, indicativo de que el ambiente exterior influyó en el ambiente interior de los locales. Los taxones predominantes en el aire interior fueron Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium y un micelio no esporulado. El 100% de las cepas estudiadas degradaron el almidón, las cepas celulolíticas oscilaron entre 86.6% y 96.6%, el 63.3% degradaron la gelatina, el 46.7% excretaron ácidos, mientras que solo el 40% de las cepas excretaron pigmentos. Estos resultados demostraron que los hongos ambientales tienen un amplio potencial biodeteriogénico, lo que representa alto riesgo para las colecciones documentale

Reply to Comment on Cobo-Cuenca, A.I.; Laredo-Aguilera, J.A.; Rodríguez-Borrego, M.-A.; Santacruz-Salas, E.; Carmona-Torres, J.M. Temporal Trends in Fecal Occult Blood Test: Associated Factors (2009–2017). Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 2120

In this study [...

Temporal Trends in Fecal Occult Blood Test: Associated Factors (2009–2017)

A cross-sectional study with 27,821 records of non-institutionalized people in Spain aged between 50–69 years old (59.94 ± 5.8 years), who participated in the European Health Survey in Spain (2009, 2014) and National Health Survey (2011/12, 2017). Fecal occult testing, the reason for performing the test, age, sex, nationality, social status, marital status, education level, body mass index (BMI), and place of residence. Overall, 54% were women, 93.9% were Spanish, 47.8% had a secondary study, and 66.4% were married. Across the years, the rate of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) increased significantly (p < 0.001). This increase can be accounted for a letter campaign advising testing (45%, p < 0.001). FOBT was associated with more age (odds ratio—OR 1.04, 95% confidence interval—CI 1.04–1.05, p < 0.001), Spanish nationality (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.25–2.93, p = 0.003), being married (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02–1.25, p = 0.025), having a higher level of education (OR 2.46, 95% CI 2.17–2.81, p < 0.001), belonging to high social classes (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.12–1.64, p = 0.001), and BMI <25 (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25–2.37). Frequency of FOBT has increased in recent years. Performing FOBT is associated with age, nationality, marital status, higher education level, and social class

Geoquímica orgánica del registro de la Ría de Villaviciosa desde 1400 ad (norte de España)

We have reconstructed the palaeoenvironmental conditions in the Villaviciosa estuary during the last 600 yrs, from the biomarker content (alkanes and alkanoic acids) of the sediment. The amino acid racemization method in ostracodes allowed determining that the sedimentation in the Selorio bay started in 1400 AD. Organic matter was well preserved, although certain microbial activity was interpreted. Three periods were established from the alkane content: 1.- Between 1400 and 1580 AD terrestrial input was dominant; 2.- Between 1580 and 1720 AD there was a major influence of aquatic macrophytes, coinciding with the Little Ice Age, 3.- Between 1720 and 2015 AD there were alternating periods during which land plants or aquatic macrophytes predominated, probably linked to anthropogenic activities. RESUMEN Se han reconstruido las condiciones paleoambientales de la zona de la ría de Villaviciosa de los últimos 600 años, a partir de los biomarcadores (alcanos y ácidos alcanoicos) presentes en el sedimento. El método de racemización de aminoácidos en ostrácodos ha permitido determinar el inicio de la sedimentación en la ensenada de Selorio, en la ría de Villaviciosa, que comenzó en 1400. La preservación de la materia orgánica es buena, aunque se observa una actividad microbiana importante. A partir de los alcanos se han establecido tres episodios: 1.- Entre 1400 y 1580 predominó el aporte de vegetación terrestre, 2.- Entre 1580 y 1720 hubo una mayor abundancia de macrofitas acuáticas, coincidiendo con la Pequeña Edad del Hielo, 3.- Entre 1720 y 2015, hubo una alternancia de aportes terrestres y de macrofitas acuáticas, posiblemente ligados a la acción antrópica

Prevalence and factors associated with polypharmacy in the older people: 2006-2014

To analyse the prevalence, risk factors and evolution over time of polypharmacy and self-medication in the older people in Spain from 2006-2014.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Maltrato en el entorno familiar a las personas mayores en las Islas Azores

Objetivos: dimensionar el maltrato a personas mayores vulnerables en el entorno familiar y comunitario de las Islas Azores, identificar factores de riesgo de maltrato y definir el perfil del anciano maltratado. Método: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal. Muestreo aleatorio. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: historias clínicas de los usuarios, Mini-Examen Cognitivo, test de autonomía para las Actividades Básicas de la Vida Diaria, Test de APGAR Familiar, Índice de Sospecha de Maltrato hacia Personas Mayores y Formulario de Evaluación de Trabajo Social. El análisis estadístico fue descriptivo para las variables cualitativas y cuantitativas y una regresión logística múltiple para identificar los factores asociados al maltrato. Resultados: se identificó sospecha de maltrato en el 24,5% de los ancianos participantes. El maltrato psicológico fue el tipo de maltrato más común y los desencadenantes de ese maltrato fueron principalmente los hijos. Conclusión: se asocia ser mujer y pertenecer a familia disfuncional con mayor probabilidad de padecer maltrato; el alto nivel de la violencia domestica a los ancianos en las Islas Azores sigue la línea que en el resto de Portugal.Objetivos: dimensionar os maus-tratos contra as pessoas idosas vulneráveis no ambiente familiar e comunitário nas Ilhas dos Açores, identificar fatores de risco para maus-tratos e definir o perfil do idoso maltratado. Método: estudo descritivo transversal. Amostragem aleatória. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: prontuários dos usuários, Mini Exame do Estado Mental, teste de autonomia para as Atividades Básicas da Vida Diária, Escala APGAR Familiar, Índice de Suspeição de Abuso no Idoso e Formulário de Avaliação de Trabalho Social. Análise estatística descritiva foi usada para as variáveis qualitativas e quantitativas e regressão logística múltipla foi usada para identificar os fatores associados aos maus-tratos. Resultados: suspeita de maus-tratos foi identificada em 24,5% dos idosos participantes. O abuso psicológico foi o tipo de maus-tratos mais comum e os responsáveis por esses maus-tratos foram principalmente os filhos. Conclusão: ser mulher e pertencer a uma família disfuncional está associado com uma maior probabilidade de sofrer maus-tratos; o alto nível de violência doméstica contra os idosos nas Ilhas dos Açores segue o mesmo padrão do resto de Portugal.Objectives: to dimension abuse against vulnerable adults within the family and community environment in the Azores Islands, identify risk factors for abuse and describe the profile of an abused elder. Method: descriptive cross-sectional study. Random sampling. The instruments used were: clinical histories of the users, Mini-Mental State Examination, Index of Independence in Basic Activities of Daily Living, Family APGAR Scale, Elder Abuse Suspicion Index and Social Work Assessment Form. Descriptive statistical analysis was used for qualitative and quantitative variables and multiple logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with elder mistreatment. Results: abuse suspicion was identified in 24.5% of elderly participants. Psychological abuse was the most common type of abuse and sons were the main abusers. Conclusion: being a woman and belonging to a dysfunctional family is associated with an increased risk of becoming a victim of abuse; the high level of domestic violence against the elderly in the Azores Islands is in line with the rest of Portugal

Combined Effect of Air Pollution and House Dust Mite Exposure Over the airways

Introdução: A asma é uma doença respiratória crónica, cujo agravamento pode estar associado a factores ambientais, entre os quais os relacionados com a qualidade do ar. Objectivo: O presente trabalho pretendeu avaliar o efeito da exposição individual a poluentes atmosféricos em termos de função respiratória, num grupo de crianças com história de sibilância, entrando em consideração com o grau de infestação de ácaros do pó doméstico. Métodos: Um grupo de 51 crianças com história de sibilância, seleccionadas através do questionário do estudo ISAAC, foi acompanhado prospectivamente num estudo com medidas repetidas, que envolveu avaliações médicas padronizadas que incluíram a realização de espirometria, avaliação da exposição aos ácaros do pó e cálculo do valor de exposição individual a uma variedade de poluentes do ar: PM10, O3, NO2, benzeno, tolueno, xileno, etilbenzeno e formaldeído. Resultados: Observou -se uma elevada percentagem de colchões com um grau de infestação de ácaros médio ou elevado. Com excepção dos valores de PM10, os valores de exposição aos poluentes do ar não alcançaram valores elevados. Na análise multivariável, tanto os poluentes (designadamente PM10, NO2, benzeno, tolueno e etilbenzeno) como o grau de infestação de ácaros do pó associaram -se a deterioração da função pulmonar. Conclusão: O presente trabalho vem reforçar o interesse da exposição aos poluentes do ar em crianças com história de sibilância, que à semelhança do que acontece com os ácaros do pó influenciam as vias aéreas

Levels of Physical Activity, Obesity and Related Factors in Young Adults Aged 18–30 During 2009–2017

The objective of this study was to analyze the temporal trend of physical activity and body mass index in young adults aged 18–30 in Spain and to ascertain their relationship with sociodemographic and psychosocial variables in the period of 2009–2017. Methods: A descriptive study with a sample of 10,061 young adults aged 18–30 years was performed. The data were obtained from the European Health Survey in Spain in 2009 and 2014 and the National Health Survey in 2011/2012 and 2017. The chi-square test was used for qualitative variables, and multiple linear regression analysis was performed for physical activity. Results: Sedentary levels had decreased in 2017 as compared to 2011/2012 (p < 0.001); smokers were more sedentary than non-smokers (p < 0.001); men were more active than women (p < 0.001); and the year with the highest physical activity was 2014. Body mass index in the total sample increased from 2009 to 2017 (p < 0.01), showing a significant increase in obesity in women (p < 0.05) and no difference in men (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusions: In the period 2011/2012–2017, the sedentary lifestyle of young adults was reduced and physical activity was increased, with men being more active than women

Biomarkers and inorganic proxies in the paleoenvironmental reconstruction of mires: The importance of landscape in Las Conchas (Asturias, Northern Spain)

We determined the lipid distributions (n-alkanes, n-alkan-2-ones, n-alkanoic acids), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), Ca/Mg and ash content in Las Conchas mire, a 3.2 m deep bryophyte-dominated mire in Northern Spain covering 8000 cal yr BP. Bog conditions developed in the bottom 20 cm of the profile, and good preservation of organic matter (OM) was inferred from n-alkanoic acid distribution, with the exception of the uppermost 20 cm (last ca. 200 yr). Microbial synthesis of long chain saturated fatty acids from primary OM likely produced a dominance of short chain n-alkanoic acids with a bimodal distribution, as well as the lack of correspondence between the n-alkane and n-alkanoic acid profiles in the upper 20 cm. This was accompanied by an increase in ash content, a decrease in TOC and variation in n-alkane ratios, thereby suggesting significant changes in the mire, namely drainage and transformation to a meadow, in the last ca. 200 yr. The distribution of n-alkan-2-ones indicated an increase in bacterial source from the bottom of the record to 94 cm, whereas their distribution in the upper part could be attributed mainly to plant input and/or the microbial oxidation of n-alkanes. The different n-alkane proxies showed variations, which we interpreted in terms of changes in vegetation (Sphagnum vs. non-Sphagnum dominated phases) during the last 8000 cal yr BP. C23 was the most abundant homolog throughout most of the record, thereby suggesting dominant humid conditions alternating with short drier phases. However, such humid conditions were not linked to paleoclimatic variation but rather to geomorphological characteristics: Las Conchas mire, at the base of the Cuera Range, receives continuous runoff—even during drier periods—which is not necessarily accompanied by additional mineral input to peat, producing the development of Sphagnum moss typical of waterlogged ecotopes and damp habitats. Thus, although geochemical proxies indicated an ombrotrophic regime in the mire, geomorphological characteristics may make a considerable contribution to environmental conditions