Políticas de medio ambiente y participación ciudadana

Citizen participation is often presented as a necessary part of the process of defining and managing environmental policies. In fact, it is generally regulated in a variety of ways that affect people’s rights to enquire, request and receive information. This article examines three aspects of this issue within the context of Spain: the legal and political limits of citizen participation rights, showing their inferior position in relation to conventional political participation; specific examples of citizen involvement in environmental conflicts, which operates by means that are often outside the regulated channels; and the social functions of requests for regulated participation, which indicate a remarkably contradictory situation. In actual fact, this participation takes very different forms, sometimes going through the channels defined by governments, though often consciously ignoring or questioning them. To ensure a sufficiently comprehensive analytical approach, it should include a sociological view of the conflict.Citizen participation, environmental policies, ecological sociology, socio-ecological conflicts.

Development of Polylactic Acid Thermoplastic Starch Formulations Using Maleinized Hemp Oil as Biobased Plasticizer

[EN] In this study, hemp seed oil was reacted with maleic anhydride in an ene reaction to obtain maleinized hemp seed oil (MHO). The use of MHO as a plasticizer and compatibilizer has been studied for polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends (80/20, respectively). By mechanical, thermal and morphological characterizations, the addition of MHO provides a dual effect, acting as plasticizer and compatibilizer between these two partially miscible biopolymers. The addition of MHO up to 7.5 phr (parts by weight of MHO per hundred parts of PLA and TPS) revealed a noticeable increase in the ductile properties, reaching an elongation at break 155% higher than the PLA/TPS blend. Furthermore, contrary to what has been observed with maleinized oils such as linseed oil, the thermal properties do not decrease significantly as a result of the plasticizing effect, due to the compatibilizing behavior of the MHO and the natural antioxidants present in the oil. Finally, a disintegration test was carried out in aerobic conditions at 58 degrees C, for 24 days, to demonstrate that the incorporation of the MHO, although causing a slight delay, does not impair the biodegradability of the blend, obtaining total degradation in 24 days.M. Herrero-Herrero wishes to thank Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad for his grant, BES-2016-078024. J. Gomez-Caturla wish to thank Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for his FPI grant.Lerma-Canto, A.; Gómez-Caturla, J.; Herrero-Herrero, M.; Garcia-Garcia, D.; Fombuena, V. (2021). Development of Polylactic Acid Thermoplastic Starch Formulations Using Maleinized Hemp Oil as Biobased Plasticizer. Polymers. 13(9):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091392S11713

Contribution to a Circular Economy Model: From LignocellulosicWastes from the Extraction of Vegetable Oils to the Development of a New Composite

[EN] The present works focuses on the development of a novel fully bio-based composite using a bio-based high-density polyethylene (Bio-HDPE) obtained from sugar cane as matrix and a by-product of extraction of chia seed oil (CO) as filler, with the objective of achieving a circular economy model. The research aims to revalorize an ever-increasing waste stream produced by the growing interest in vegetable oils. From the technical point of view, the chia seed flour (CSF) was chemically modified using a silane treatment. This treatment provides a better interfacial adhesion as was evidenced by the mechanical and thermal properties as well as field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The effect of silane treatment on water uptake and disintegration rate was also studied. On the other hand, in a second stage, an optimization of the percentage of treated CSF used as filler was carried out by a complete series of mechanical, thermal, morphological, colour, water absorption and disintegration tests with the aim to evaluate the new composite developed using chia by-products. It is noteworthy as the disintegration rate increased with the addition of CSF filler, which leads to obtain a partially biodegradable wood plastic composite (WPC) and therefore, becoming more environmentally friendly.I. D-C wants to thank Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for his FPI grant (PAID-2019-SP20190013) and Generalitat Valenciana (GVA) for his FPI grant (ACIF/2020/233).Domínguez-Candela, I.; Garcia-Garcia, D.; A. Perez-Nakai; Lerma-Cantó, A.; Lora-García, J.; Fombuena, V. (2021). Contribution to a Circular Economy Model: From LignocellulosicWastes from the Extraction of Vegetable Oils to the Development of a New Composite. Polymers. 13(14):1-26. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13142269S126131

Comparative Study of the Properties of Plasticized Polylactic Acid with Maleinized Hemp Seed Oil and a Novel Maleinized Brazil Nut Seed Oil

[EN] In this study, for the first time, Brazil nut seed oil was chemically modified with maleic anhydride to obtain maleinized Brazil nut seed oil (MBNO). The same process was developed to obtain maleinized hemp seed oil (MHO). The use of MBNO and MHO was studied as bio-based plasticizers by incorporating them with different contents ranging from 0 to 10 phr in a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. By means of mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical characterization techniques, the properties of the different formulations were studied to evaluate the plasticizing effect of the MBNO and MHO. With the addition of both plasticizers, a significant increase in ductile properties was observed, reaching an increase in elongation at break of 643% with 7.5 phr MBNO and 771% with 10 phr MHO compared to neat PLA. In addition, it has been observed that the mechanical resistant properties do not decrease, since the oils enhance the crystallization of PLA by increasing the free volume between its chains and counteracting the effect. Finally, a disintegration test was carried out under thermophilic conditions at 58 degrees C for 27 days, demonstrating that the incorporation of MHO and MBNO does not significantly affect the biodegradability of neat PLA.I.D.-C. wants to thank Universitat Politecnica de Valencia for his FPI grant (PAID-2019SP20190013) and Generalitat Valenciana (GVA) for his FPI grant (ACIF/2020/233). J.M.F. thanks the postdoc contract (APOSTD/2019/122) Generalitat Valenciana (2019-2021).Perez-Nakai, A.; Lerma-Cantó, A.; Domínguez-Candela, I.; Garcia-Garcia, D.; Ferri Azor, JM.; Fombuena, V. (2021). Comparative Study of the Properties of Plasticized Polylactic Acid with Maleinized Hemp Seed Oil and a Novel Maleinized Brazil Nut Seed Oil. Polymers. 13(14):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13142376S117131

Measuring Enzymatic HIV-1 Susceptibility to Two Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors as a Rapid and Simple Approach to HIV-1 Drug-Resistance Testing

Simple and cost-effective approaches for HIV drug-resistance testing are highly desirable for managing increasingly expanding HIV-1 infected populations who initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART), particularly in resource-limited settings. Non-nucleoside reverse trancriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens with an NRTI backbone containing lamivudine (3TC) or emtricitabine (FTC) are preferred first ART regimens. Failure with these drug combinations typically involves the selection of NNRTI- and/or 3TC/FTC- resistant viruses. Therefore, the availability of simple assays to measure both types of drug resistance is critical. We have developed a high throughput screening test for assessing enzymatic resistance of the HIV-1 RT in plasma to 3TC/FTC and NNRTIs. The test uses the sensitive “Amp-RT” assay with a newly-developed real-time PCR format to screen biochemically for drug resistance in single reactions containing either 3TC-triphosphate (3TC-TP) or nevirapine (NVP). Assay cut-offs were defined based on testing a large panel of subtype B and non-subtype B clinical samples with known genotypic profiles. Enzymatic 3TC resistance correlated well with the presence of M184I/V, and reduced NVP susceptibility was strongly associated with the presence of K103N, Y181C/I, Y188L, and G190A/Q. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting resistance were 97.0% and 96.0% in samples with M184V, and 97.4% and 96.2% for samples with NNRTI mutations, respectively. We further demonstrate the utility of an HIV capture method in plasma by using magnetic beads coated with CD44 antibody that eliminates the need for ultracentifugation. Thus our results support the use of this simple approach for distinguishing WT from NNRTI- or 3TC/FTC-resistant viruses in clinical samples. This enzymatic testing is subtype-independent and can assist in the clinical management of diverse populations particularly in resource-limited settings

Monitoring of virgin coconut oil (VCO) adulteration with palm oil using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Virgin coconut oil (VCO) may be adulterated with cheaper oils, such as palm oil (PO). Thus, the detection and quantification of VCO adulteration with PO was monitored using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, combined with chemometrics of partial least square (PLS) and discriminant analysis at frequency regions of 3,010–3,000, 1,660–1,650 and 1,120–1,105/cm. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) measurements were made on pure VCO and that adulterated with varying concentrations of PO (0.5–50% w/w in VCO). PLS calibration exhibited a good relationship between actual and FTIR-predicted values with coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.999 and standard error of calibration of 0.533. The cross validation was performed by removing one standard at a time, and the final R2 value of 0.996 and standard error of prediction of 0.953 were obtained. The discriminant analysis using seven principal components was able to classify pure VCO and that adulterated with PO

Incidence of urinary incontinence after hip fracture surgery and associated risk factors: a prospective study

Background The contribution of the postoperative process to developing or worsening urinary incontinence (UI) after hip fracture surgery (HFS) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate UI incidence and worsening among older patients undergoing HFS, and explore associated risk factors.Methods This prospective cohort study included patients >= 75 years admitted between October 2019 and October 2021 to the Traumatology Service of three hospitals in the Consorci Sanitari de Alt-Pened & egrave;s i Garraf (Barcelona, Spain) with hip fracture requiring surgical treatment. UI was assessed using the first two questions of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF) at baseline and at days 30 (+/- 3 days) and 90 (+/- 3 days) after HFS. Surgery-related data and post-surgical complications were recorded.Results A total of 248 patients with a mean (SD) age of 85.8 (6.78) years were included; 77.8% were female and 154 (62.1%) had UI at baseline. After HFS, 3.24% experienced urinary tract infections (UTIs), 3.64%, acute urinary retention (AUR), 8.57%, constipation, and 53.9%, prolonged catheterization (> 24 h). Fifty-eight patients without baseline UI developed UI at 30 days, resulting in a UI incidence of 61.7% (95% CI 51.1-71.54) between days 0 and 30. Of the 248 patients, 146 (59.1%) experienced worsening of UI. AUR and UTIs were identified as risk factors for UI development and worsening after HFS, respectively.Conclusion The incidence of UI in older patients after HFS is significant. Patient management protocols should consider AUR and UTIs to reduce or eliminate the incidence of UI in older patients undergoing HFS

T Cell Chemo-Vaccination Effects after Repeated Mucosal SHIV Exposures and Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with anti-viral drugs is currently in clinical trials for the prevention of HIV infection. Induction of adaptive immune responses to virus exposures during anti-viral drug administration, i.e., a “chemo-vaccination” effect, could contribute to PrEP efficacy. To study possible chemo-vaccination, we monitored humoral and cellular immune responses in nine rhesus macaques undergoing up to 14 weekly, low-dose SHIVSF162P3 rectal exposures. Six macaques concurrently received PrEP with intermittent, oral Truvada; three were no-PrEP controls. PrEP protected 4 macaques from infection. Two of the four showed evidence of chemo-vaccination, because they developed anti-SHIV CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; SHIV-specific antibodies were not detected. Control macaques showed no anti-SHIV immune responses before infection. Chemo-vaccination-induced T cell responses were robust (up to 3,940 SFU/106 PBMCs), predominantly central memory cells, short-lived (≤22 weeks), and appeared intermittently and with changing specificities. The two chemo-vaccinated macaques were virus-challenged again after 28 weeks of rest, after T cell responses had waned. One macaque was not protected from infection. The other macaque concurrently received additional PrEP. It remained uninfected and T cell responses were boosted during the additional virus exposures. In summary, we document and characterize PrEP-induced T cell chemo-vaccination. Although not protective after subsiding in one macaque, chemo-vaccination-induced T cells warrant more comprehensive analysis during peak responses for their ability to prevent or to control infections after additional exposures. Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring these responses in clinical PrEP trials and suggest that a combination of vaccines and PrEP potentially might enhance efficacy