Analytical challenges in breath analysis and its application to exposure monitoring

There is an increasing interest in the use of breath analysis for monitoring human physiology and exposure to toxic substances or environmental pollutants. This review focuses on the current status of the sampling procedures, collection devices and sample-enrichment methodologies used for exhaled breath-vapor analysis. We discuss the different parameters affecting each of the above steps, taking into account the requirements for breath analysis in exposure assessments and the need to analyze target compounds at sub-ppbv levels. Finally, we summarize the practical applications of exposure analysis in the past two decades

The Andean Biotic Index (ABI): revised tolerance to pollution values for macroinvertebrate families and index performance evaluation.

Score-based biotic indices are widely used to evaluate the water quality of streams and rivers. Few adaptations of these indices have been done for South America because there is a lack of knowledge on mac-roinvertebrate taxonomy, distribution and tolerance to pollution in the region. Several areas in the Andes are densely populated and there is need for methods to assess the impact of increasing human pressures on aquatic ecosystems. Considering the unique ecological and geographical features of the Andes, macroinvertebrate indices used in other regions must be adapted with caution. Here we present a review of the literature on mac-roinvertebrate distribution and tolerance to pollution in Andean areas above 2 000masl. Using these data, we propose an Andean Biotic Index (ABI), which is based on the BMWP index. In general, ABI includes fewer macroinvertebrate families than in other regions of the world where the BMWP index has been applied because altitude restricts the distribution of several families. Our review shows that in the high Andes, the tolerance of several macroinvertebrate families to pollution differs from those reported in other areas. We tested the ABI index in two basins in Ecuador and Peru, and compared it to other BMWP adaptations using the reference condi-tion approach. The ABI index is extremely useful for detecting the general impairment of rivers but class quality boundaries should be defined independently for each basin because reference conditions may be different. The ABI is widely used in Ecuador and Peru, with high correlations with land-use pressures in several studies. The ABI index is an integral part of the new multimetric index designed for high Andean streams (IMEERA). Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 2): 249-273. Epub 2014 April 01.

Case-Crossover Analysis of Air Pollution Health Effects: A Systematic Review of Methodology and Application

Case-crossover is one of the most used designs for analyzing the health-related effects of air pollution. Nevertheless, no one has reviewed its application and methodology in this context. Objective: We conducted a systematic review of case-crossover (CCO) designs used to study the relationship between air pollution and morbidity and mortality, from the standpoint of methodology and application.Data sources and extraction: A search was made of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases.Reports were classified as methodologic or applied. From the latter, the following information was extracted: author, study location, year, type of population (general or patients), dependent variable(s), independent variable(s), type of CCO design, and whether effect modification was analyzed for variables at the individual level. Data synthesis: The review covered 105 reports that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of these, 24 addressed methodological aspects, and the remainder involved the design’s application. In the methodological reports, the designs that yielded the best results in simulation were symmetric bidirectional CCO and time-stratified CCO. Furthermore, we observed an increase across time in the use of certain CCO designs, mainly symmetric bidirectional and time-stratified CCO. The dependent variables most frequently analyzed were those relating to hospital morbidity; the pollutants most often studied were those linked to particulate matter. Among the CCO-application reports, 13.6% studied effect modification for variables at the individual level.Conclusions: The use of CCO designs has undergone considerable growth; the most widely used designs were those that yielded better results in simulation studies: symmetric bidirectional and time-stratified CCO. However, the advantages of CCO as a method of analysis of variables at the individual level are put to little use

Association between Long-Term Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Subclinical Atherosclerosis: The REGICOR Study

Background: Epidemiological evidence of the effects of long-term exposure to air pollu tion on the chronic processes of athero genesis is limited. Objective: We investigated the association of long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollu tion with subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and ankle–brachial index (ABI). Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data collected during the reexamination (2007–2010) of 2,780 participants in the REGICOR (Registre Gironí del Cor: the Gerona Heart Register) study, a population-based prospective cohort in Girona, Spain. Long-term exposure across residences was calculated as the last 10 years’ time-weighted average of residential nitrogen dioxide (NO2) estimates (based on a local-scale land-use regression model), traffic intensity in the nearest street, and traffic intensity in a 100 m buffer. Associations with IMT and ABI were estimated using linear regression and multinomial logistic regression, respectively, controlling for sex, age, smoking status, education, marital status, and several other potential confounders or intermediates. Results: Exposure contrasts between the 5th and 95th percentiles for NO2 (25 μg/m), traffic intensity in the nearest street (15,000 vehicles/day), and traffic load within 100 m (7,200,000 vehicle-m/day) were associated with differences of 0.56% (95% CI: –1.5, 2.6%), 2.32% (95% CI: 0.48, 4.17%), and 1.91% (95% CI: –0.24, 4.06) percent difference in IMT, respectively. Exposures were positively associated with an ABI of > 1.3, but not an ABI of < 0.9. Stronger associations were observed among those with a high level of education and in men ≥ 60 years of age. Conclusions: Long-term traffic-related exposures were associated with subclinical markers of atherosclerosis. Prospective studies are needed to confirm associations and further examine differences among population subgroups.key words: ankle–brachial index, average daily traffic, cardiovascular disease, exposure assessment, exposure to tailpipe emissions, intima media thickness, land use regression model, Mediterranean diet, nitrogen dioxide

Influence of EfOM on the oxidation of micropollutants by Ozone and UV/H2O2 in secondary effluents

The aim of this work was to study the influence of effluent organic matter (EfOM) on micropollutants removal by ozone and UV/H2O2. To perform the experiments, deionized water and municipal secondary effluents (SE) were artificially contaminated with atrazine (ATZ) and treated by the two proposed methods. ATZ concentration, COD and TOC were recorded along the reaction time and used to evaluate EfOM effect on the system efficiency. Results demonstrate that the presence of EfOM can significantly reduce the micropollutant removal rate due to competition of EfOM components to react with radicals and/or molecular ozone. The hydroxyl radical scavenging caused by EfOM was quantified as well as the contribution of molecular ozone and �OH radicals during the ozonation of SE. EfOM components promoted higher inhibition of ATZ oxidation by hydroxyl radicals than by molecular ozone.

Pharmaceuticals occurrence in a WWTP with significant industrial contribution and its input into the river system

Occurrence and removal of 81 representative Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs) were assessed in a municipal WWTP located in a highly industrialized area, with partial water reuse after UV tertiary treatment and discharge to a Mediterranean river. Water monitoring was performed in an integrated way at different points in the WWTP and river along three seasons. Consistent differences between therapeutic classes were observed in terms of influent concentration, removal efficiencies and seasonal variation. Conventional (primary and secondary) treatment was unable to completely remove numerous compounds and UV-based tertiary treatment played a complementary role for some of them. Industrial activity influence was highlighted in terms of PhACs presence and seasonal distribution. Even if global WWTP effluent impact on the studied river appeared to be minor, PhACs resulted widespread pollutants in river waters. Contamination can be particularly critical in summer in water scarcity areas, when water flow decreases considerably

Effects of the sewage pollution in the structure and dynamics of the community of Cystoseira mediterranea (Fucales, Phaeophyceae)

We performed a study on the specific composition, structure, and dynamics of two Cystoseira mediterranea communities from the north-western Mediterranean submitted to different degrees of pollution. The structural complexity (species richness, specific distribution, and species and pattern diversity) and biomass production were lower in the polluted site. In this station, opportunistic algae (mainly Ulva rigida) loomed, and Mesophyllum lichenoides and some encrusting brown algae increased their cover. Other species (Jania rubens, and some Ceramiales) decreased their abundance when compared with the polluted site

Simulació de vent en temps real per paisatges

La simulació de la realitat és un fenomen que va sorgir fa uns anys per tal de predir esdeveniments sense haver de malbaratar recursos. El problema inicial de la simulació va ser la necessitat de simplificar la realitat a causa de la manca de capacitat dels ordinadors de l’època. Amb aquest projecte volem ajudar, per exemple, a estudis científics sobre la difusió de la contaminació en grans nuclis a causa de l’efecte del vent, càlculs de trajectòries amb forces externes degudes al vent, o incorporar en el món de la multimèdia efectes realistes de vent. El principal objectiu d’aquest projecte és desenvolupar un sistema que permeti realitzar simulacions realistes de vent per un paisatge 2D, i estudiar com el vent és veu afectat per la geometria de l’escena. Un punt important, és que tot ha de ser en temps real. Per aconseguir-ho, utilitzarem tècniques basades en el mètode de Lattice-Boltzmann, el qual consisteix en una xarxa regular que representa el fluid en posicions discretes, i estudiar com flueix. Escollint els paràmetres correctes de la simulació, es pot demostrar que aquest mètode convergeix a les equacions continues de Navier-Stokes, les qual són les més importants per descriure el comportament macroscòpic d’un fluid. Per accelerar tots els càlculs, utilitzarem la capacitat i la potencia de les targes gràfiques, ajustarem l’algorisme per poder-lo utilitzar en paral•lel, tot tenint en compte les restriccions de les GPUs. També haurem de generar un sistema per poder llegir les escenes 2D sobre les que realitzarem la simulació. Finalment, haurem de “pintar” el vent per tal de poder visualitzar el resultat de la simulació

Impactes

Fa dues setmanes vaig parlar de la importància d'assistir a reunions científiques i de les conseqüències ambientals de la recerca. Un treball recent ha analitzat l'impacte d'un congrés al qual van assistir 15.000 especialistes, el desplaçament dels quals va generar 11.000 tones de CO2, les mateixes que emeten 110.000 txadians en un any [...].

Congrés científic

Un dels requisits perquè la ciència avanci és que sigui compartida, a la qual cosa contribueixen les publicacions especialitzades. Tanmateix, els contactes personals són extremadament productius. Aquesta és la finalitat dels congressos i les reunions científiques [...].

Estudi sobre el consum de tabac en dones hospitalitzades i intervencions per deixar de fumar a l’àrea de Maternitat de l’Hospital de la Vall d’Hebron.

Introducció: El consum de tabac és la principal causa de morbiditat i mortalitat prematura en els països desenvolupats. Els pacients hospitalitzats constitueixen una població diana d’intervencions que faciliten l’abandonament del tabac. De fet, les intervencions realitzades pels professionals sanitaris durant el període d’hospitalització que inclouen un mes de seguiment han demostrat la seva eficàcia. Objectius: Analitzar la prevalença del consum de tabac entre les dones ingressades a l’àrea de maternitat de l’Hospital de la Vall d’Hebron. A més, pretén conèixer els serveis d’atenció al fumador que ofereix el centre i el compliment de la legislació vigent que regula el consum de tabac als hospitals d’aguts a Espanya. Material i Mètodes: Estudi quantitatiu, descriptiu i transversal. La recollida de dades es va dur a terme a través d’entrevistes realitzades a les pacients ingressades entre el mes de novembre i desembre del 2014. Aquestes pacients van ser seleccionades a través d’un mostreig aleatori, simple i probabilístic. Es van analitzar les següents variables: les dades sociodemogràfiques, el patró de consum habitual i durant l’ingrés hospitalari, els exfumadors, la cooximetria, el coneixement i el compliment de la normativa per a tots els fumadors i no fumadors i el grau en què es duen a terme les intervencions infermeres (5A: Ask, Advice, Assess, Assist, Arrange). Resultats: De les 35 pacients que van ser entrevistades només 4 dones eren fumadores (11,4%), 9 eren exfumadores i 22 no havien fumat mai. Només a 4 pacients se’ls havia explicat en què consistia la normativa del centre, no obstant, un 100% ja la coneixien. El grau d’intervencions d’infermeria realitzades d’acord amb les 5A va ser molt baix, ja que de les 4 pacients fumadores només a un 50% se’ls hi va preguntar si fumaven. Conclusions: La prevalença del consum de tabac en les dones que es troben ingressades a l’àrea de maternitat és baixa i és inferior (12,5%) a la de la població general (27,1%). Es presenta un alt grau de coneixement de la normativa vigent del centre, ja que el 100% de les pacients entrevistades saben en què consisteix. Fent referència al nivell d’intervencions per deixar de fumar d’acord amb les 5A és molt baixa, sobretot si les comparem amb altres països.

Simulación con paciente estándar como instrumento para ayudar a la adquisición y desarrollo de competencias

Introducción. La simulación clínica es un escenario creado para permitir que los estudiantes del grado de enfermería experimenten la representación de un acontecimiento real con la finalidad de adquirir nuevas competencias y poder desarrollar conocimientos teóricos en la práctica en un entorno real y seguro. Se ha realizado esta revisión de la literatura ya que la última que se realizó fue en el 2009 y se realiza para que pueda observarse que esta metodología se sigue impartiendo en diferentes países del mundo, así como ver si ha habido algunos cambios en la evaluación de esta metodología. Metodología. Revisión de la literatura con estudios publicados desde Enero del 2005 hasta marzo de 2015. Las bases de datos utilizadas son: PubMed, SciELO, LILACS y CUIDEN. La búsqueda realizada incluye estos términos: ‘Paciente estándar’, ‘paciente simulado’, ‘paciente estandarizado, ‘simulación clínica’, ‘grado de enfermería’, ‘educación enfermera’, ‘estudiantes enfermería’. Resultados. Nueve estudios son los incluidos en esta revisión. Entre estos se encuentran: revisiones de la literatura, estudios cualitativos y cuantitativos (cuasi experimentales, experimentales y estudios post-intervención). Gran parte de los estudios muestran una gran satisfacción y desarrollo de competencias, entre ellas el pensamiento crítico, gracias a la metodología del paciente estándar. Conclusión. La simulación con paciente estándar es un método de enseñanza eficaz que promueve el aprendizaje y las habilidades de liderazgo y pensamiento crítico pero se necesita más investigación para poder diseñarlo y desarrollarlo en la enseñanza del grado de enfermería.

La Regi??n de Murcia y sus aguas : unidad did??ctica para Educaci??n Secundaria Obligatoria

Primer premio de la Primera Edici??n de Premios a la Elaboraci??n de Materiales de Estudio sobre la Regi??n de Murcia en la modalidad de Educaci??n Secundaria Obligatoria.

Diagnosi ambiental d'oportunitats de minimització a l'Ajuntament de Banyoles

Aplicació d'una DAOM (Diagnosi Ambiental d’Oportunitats de Minimització)a l'Ajuntament de Banyoles. Una DAOM és una eina desenvolupada pel Centre per a l’Empresa i el Medi Ambient, que consisteix en l’avaluació d’una activitat o procés, per determinar les possibles oportunitats de prevenció i reducció en origen de la contaminació, i aportar-hi alternatives d’actuació tècnica i econòmicament viables