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Environmental contamination by chromium represents a serious public health problem. Therefore, it is crucial to develop and optimize remediation technologies to reduce its concentration in the environment. The aims of this study were to evaluate the uptake of chromium by live and complete microbial mats in experimental mesocosms under different pH and salinity conditions to understand how these factors affect the microphytobenthic community and, consequently, how chromium removal process is influenced. Microbial mats from the estuarine environment were exposed to 15 mg Cr/L under different pH (2, 4, and 8) and salinity (2, 15, and 33) conditions. Salinity, redox potential, and pH were measured throughout the trial in solutions and in microbial mats, while total Cr determinations were performed at the end of the assay. The results demonstrated that the removal efficiency of Cr by microbial mats was significantly improved in solutions at pH 2, remaining unaffected by variations in salinity. Notably, both cyanobacteria and diatoms showed remarkable resistance to Cr exposure under all conditions tested, highlighting their exceptional adaptability. Microbial mats have proved to be effective filters for reducing the concentration of chromium in aqueous solutions with varying pH and salinity levels.

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This study addresses the limited understanding of chromium-microbial mat interactions in estuarine tidal flats. The aims were to evaluate (1) the efficiency of the microbial consortium in Cr(III) removal from seawater; (2) the elemental and mineralogical composition of the microbial mat as a natural system in the Cr removal, (3) the effects of metal on microphytobenthos, and (4) possible interactions of Cr with other metals present in the consortium. Microbial mats were exposed to Cr(III) solutions at different concentrations (2-30 mg Cr/L). Analysis such as metal concentration, organic matter content, chlorophyll a and phaeopigment concentrations, abundance of diatoms and cyanobacteria, SEM-EDS, and XRD were performed. Most of the Cr(III) was deposited, as chromium oxide/hydroxide, on the surface of all microbial mat components. The complete microbial mat, comprising sediments, detritus, EPS, and diverse microorganism communities, exhibited a remarkable capacity to accumulate Cr(III), retaining over 87% in the solution.

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Objetivo: Determinar el riesgo de padecer enfermedades respiratorias por el uso del cigarrillo electrónico. Materiales y métodos: Revisión integrativa, basada en el análisis de artículos científicos completos en bases de datos como: PubMed, Scopus y SciELO utilizando el método PRISMA, en el periodo 2018-2023, en los idiomas inglés y español. Resultados: Se obtuvo 95 artículos científicos, de los cuales se excluyeron un total de 75 por no cumplir con los criterios de selección, quedando seleccionados 20 artículos científicos que responden a los objetivos planteados. Conclusiones: Este estudio identificó los riesgos de padecer enfermedades respiratorias por el uso del cigarrillo electrónico, siendo las más relevantes: enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, neumonía, lesión pulmonar asociada al cigarrillo electrónico o al vapeo, síndrome de distrés respiratorio, hipertensión pulmonar y asma, además de acompañarse de signos y síntomas como infección de las vías aéreas, el desarrollo de enfermedades cardiovasculares, gastrointestinales y el inicio de adicciones. El estudio identificó que el sexo masculino es el predominante en exponerse más al riesgo de enfermedades respiratorias y la edad oscila entre los 14 a 35 años, convirtiéndose en un problema de salud pública que cada año va en aumento.

Objective: To determine the risk of respiratory diseases due to the use of electronic cigarettes. Materials and Methods: Integrative review, based on the analysis of complete scientific articles in databases such as: PubMed, Scopus and SciELO, using the PRISMA method, in the period 2018-2023, in English and Spanish. Results: Of the 95 scientific articles that were obtained, 20 met the selection criteria and were selected to meet the stated objectives. The remaining 75 articles were excluded. Conclusions: This study identi fied the risks of suffering from respiratory diseases associated with the use of electronic cigarettes. The most significant risks include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, lung injury associated with electronic cigarettes or vaping, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, and asthma. Symptoms may also include signs and symptoms of respiratory infections, development of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, and the onset of addiction. The study found that males are more susceptible to respiratory diseases, with the 14-35 age group being particularly affected. This is becoming a growing public health concern.

Objetivo: Determinar o risco de doenças respiratórias devido ao uso de cigarros eletrônicos. Materiais e métodos: Revisão integrativa, baseada na análise de artigos científicos completos em bases de dados como: PubMed, Scopus e SciELO, utilizando o método PRISMA, no período de 2018 a 2023, em inglês e espanhol. Resultados: Foram obtidos 95 artigos científicos, dos quais um total de 75 foram excluídos por não atenderem aos critérios de seleção, restando 20 artigos científicos selecionados que respondem aos objetivos estabelecidos. Conclusões: Este estudo identificou os riscos de doenças respiratórias decorrentes do uso de cigarros eletrônicos, sendo as mais relevantes a doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica, pneumonia, lesão pulmonar associada ao cigarro eletrônico ou vaping, síndrome do desconforto respiratório, hipertensão pulmonar e asma, além de serem acompanhadas de sinais e sintomas como infecção das vias aéreas, desenvolvimento de doença cardiovascular, doença gastrointestinal e início de dependência. O estudo identificou que o sexo masculino está predominantemente exposto ao risco de doenças respiratórias e a idade varia de 14 a 35 anos, tornando-se um problema de saúde pública que aumenta a cada ano.

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Resumen El objetivo del trabajo fue comparar el desempeño del tamizaje treponémico y no treponémico en dos períodos próximos en el tiempo en donantes de sangre y analizar la asociación de la intensidad de la señal de la prueba quimioluminiscente (QL) con la reactividad del enzimoinmunoanálisis (ELISA) y la reagina plasmática rápida (RPR). Se realizó el tamizaje con pruebas treponémicas. Se analizó la distribución de los valores de señal/valor de corte (S/CO) obtenidos por QL en función del ELISA y RPR y se evaluó su asociación entre dos grupos de resultados de laboratorio (1) ELISA+/RPR+ y (2): ELISA+/RPR-. Se procesaron 76 794 donaciones voluntarias. Al comparar las medianas entre grupos, se encontró que la relación S/CO de QL fue significativamente mayor para los donantes del Grupo 1 (19,5 vs. 8,10; p<0,001). Se concluye que la intensidad de la señal de la prueba cualitativa QL estaría asociada con la reactividad de la RPR y guardaría relación con el curso de la infección.

Abstract The objective of this work was to compare the performance of treponemal and non-treponemal screening in two periods close in time in blood donors and to analyse the association of the signal strength (signal-to-cutoff, S/ CO) of the chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA) with the reactivity of the enzymeimmunoassay (EIA) and the rapid plasma reagin (RPR). Donors were screened with treponemal tests. The distribution of the S/CO values obtained by CIA was analysed based on EIA and RPR, and its association was evaluated. Group 1: ELISA+/RPR+ donors and Group 2: ELISA+/RPR-. A total of 76,794 voluntary donations were processed. Comparing the means between groups, it was found that the CIA S/CO ratio was significantly higher for Group 1 donors (19.5 vs. 8.10; p<0.001). In conclusion, the signal strength of the qualitative CIA test would be associated with the reactivity of the RPR and would be related to the course of the infection.

Resumo O objetivo do trabalho foi comparar o desempenho da triagem treponêmica e não treponêmica em dois períodos próximos no tempo em doadores de sangue e analisar a associação da intensidade do sinal da prova quimioluminescente (QL) com a reatividade da análise imunoenzimática (ELISA) e a reagina plasmática rápida (RPR). Foi realizada uma triagem com provas treponêmicas. Foi analisada a distribuição dos valores de sinal/valor de corte (S/CO) obtidos por QL em função da ELISA e RPR, e também a associação entre dois grupos de resultados laboratoriais (1): ELISA+/RPR+ e (2) ELISA+/ RPR-). Foram procesadas 76 794 doações de sangue voluntárias. Ao comparar as medianas entre os grupos, obteve-se que a relação S/CO de QL foi significativamente maior para os doadores de sangue do grupo 1 (19,5 vs. 8,10; p<0,001). Em conclusão, a intensidade do sinal da prova qualitativa QL estaria associada com a reatividade da RPR e guardaria relação com o curso da infecção.

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Microbial mats have a special role in the removal of metals in marine environment. This study aimed to experimentally determine the efficiency of Cr removal from seawater by microbial mats. The effect of Cr on the microphytobenthic community and the influence of an aerated condition on the removal of metal and microorganisms were also considered. Hence, microbial mat samples were subdivided in 4 groups: submerged in Cr (chromium 2 mg/L without aeration), Cr + O2 (chromium 2 mg/L with aeration), SW + O2 (filtered seawater with aeration), and a control: SW (filtered seawater with neither chromium nor aeration). Water and microbial mat subsamples were used to determine Cr concentrations, organic matter content, granulometry, physicochemical parameters, chlorophyll a, phaeopigments, and quantitative analysis of the microphytobenthic community. Cr removal efficiency from seawater was 95% for the Cr treatment and 99% for the Cr + O2 treatment. The abundance of cyanobacteria tended to decrease between the initial and final days of the assay, whereas the opposite trend was observed for diatoms. Two aspects are worth noting in the paper: microbial mats efficiently removed Cr from seawater at a concentration of 2 mg Cr/L and the removal of Cr by microbial mats was more efficient with water aeration.

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Objetivo: Conocer el nivel de ansiedad en los adolescentes con sobrepeso u obesidad. Material y Método: Estudio cuantitativo, no experimental, descriptivo y transversal, realizado entre abril y agosto 2023 en una Unidad Educativa del cantón Ambato, provincia de Tungurahua, Ecuador. De una población de 109 estudiantes, la muestra definitiva fueron 71 adolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad pertenecientes al Octavo, Noveno y Décimo grado de Educación General Básica (EGB). Para medir la ansiedad se aplicó el cuestionario Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) validado y con alto nivel de confiabilidad (Alfa Cronbach: 0,82); para el estado nutricional se midieron la Circunferencia de Cintura (CC) y el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) junto a variables demográficas: sexo y edad. Resultados: 54% de sexo masculino, 38% en noveno año de EGB y un nivel moderado de ansiedad. Conclusión: Más de la mitad de los adolescentes presentan sobrepeso u obesidad, evidenciándose predominio del sexo masculino, específicamente en el noveno año de EGB y existe un nivel moderado de ansiedad en la mayoría de la muestra estudiada con mayor frecuencia en el sexo femenino. Es importante que el personal de enfermería eduque a la población sobre todo a los adolescentes sobre los beneficios que otorga a la salud el llevar un estilo de vida saludable.

Objective: To determine the level of anxiety in overweight or obese adolescents. Material and Method: Quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive and cross-sectional study, conducted from April to August 2023, in an educational unit of the canton of Ambato, Province of Tungurahua, Ecuador. From a population of 109 students, the final sample consisted of 71 adolescents with overweight or obesity belonging to the eighth, ninth and tenth grades of General Basic Education (GBS). To measure anxiety, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) questionnaire was used, which has been validated with high reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.82); for nutritional status, waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) were measured, along with the demographic variables sex and age. Results: 54% male, 38% in the ninth year of GBS and a moderate level of anxiety. Conclusions: More than half of the adolescents are overweight and obese, with a predominance of males, especially in the ninth year of GBS, and there is a moderate level of anxiety in most of the sample studied, with a higher frequency in females. It is important for nursing staff educate the population, especially adolescents, about the health benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Objetivo: Determinar o nível de ansiedade em adolescentes com sobrepeso ou obesidade. Material e Método: Estudo quantitativo, não experimental, descritivo e transversal, realizado entre abril e agosto de 2023, em uma unidade educacional do cantão de Ambato, província de Tungurahua, Equador. De uma população de 109 estudantes, a amostra final foi composta por 71 adolescentes com sobrepeso ou obesidade pertencentes ao oitavo, nono e décimo anos do Ensino Básico Geral (EGB). Para mensurar a ansiedade foi utilizado o questionário Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), que foi validado com alta confiabilidade (alfa de Cronbach: 0,82); para o estado nutricional foram aferidos a circunferência da cintura (CC) e o índice de massa corporal (IMC), além das variáveis demográficas sexo e idade. Resultados: 54% do sexo masculino, 38% no nono ano de EBG e nível moderado de ansiedade. Conclusões: Mais da metade dos adolescentes apresentam excesso de peso e obesidade, com predominância do sexo masculino, sobretudo no nono ano de EGB, e existe um nível moderado de ansiedade na maior parte da amostra estudada, com maior frequência no sexo feminino. E importante que a equipe de enfermagem eduque a população, principalmente os adolescentes, sobre os benefícios para a saúde de um estilo de vida saudável.

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Several vaccines have been developed to control the COVID-19 pandemic. CoronaVac®, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, has demonstrated safety and immunogenicity, preventing severe COVID-19 cases. We investigate the safety and non-inferiority of two immunization schedules of CoronaVac® in a non-inferiority trial in healthy adults. A total of 2302 healthy adults were enrolled at 8 centers in Chile and randomly assigned to two vaccination schedules, receiving two doses with either 14 or 28 days between each. The primary safety and efficacy endpoints were solicited adverse events (AEs) within 7 days of each dose, and comparing the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection 14 days after the second dose between the schedules, respectively. The most frequent local AE was pain at the injection site, which was less frequent in participants aged ≥60 years. Other local AEs were reported in less than 5% of participants. The most frequent systemic AEs were headache, fatigue, and myalgia. Most AEs were mild and transient. There were no significant differences for local and systemic AEs between schedules. A total of 58 COVID-19 cases were confirmed, and all but 2 of them were mild. No differences were observed in the proportion of COVID-19 cases between schedules. CoronaVac® is safe, especially in ≥60-year-old participants. Both schedules protected against COVID-19 hospitalization.

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Every year the concern from environmental pollution increases as it affects human health. In the current paper, it is analyzed the evolution of the air quality in different cities on international level related to the reduction in mobility trend due to the emergence of the pandemic. The air pollution is studied in order to achieve healthier cities in the future and create an awareness for the citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic situation was declared during the first months of 2020 and has shown (indirectly) the effects that restrictions on human activity and road traffic have on atmospheric pollutant values. This pandemic condition derived, in most cases, in mobility restrictions in order to decrease the spread of the virus through the density of population in different places and, as a result of these restrictions, pollutant presence decreased equally. This article analyzes some of the largest cities around the world, such as Tsuen Wan district in Hong Kong (China), Los Angeles (USA), London (UK), São Paulo (Brazil), Bangalore (India), Johannesburg (South Africa), and Sydney (Australia) in order to check the different mobility restriction policies established in each location, and how those restrictions led to decrease the levels of some pollutant particles such as NO2 in the atmosphere. This should serve as a focus of awareness of the city and political interests of how it affects human activity, and those measures should be taken to reduce pollutants.

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Rifampicin is one of the most commonly used antibiotics for treating tuberculosis, but shows low bioavailability and requires long-term administration, and hence its use may result in severe side effects. Encapsulation of rifampicin in polymeric reservoirs allows it to be administered locally and improves its pharmacological action. High rifampicin loading is crucial for obtaining an adequate therapeutic effect. Generally, the drug loading is a complex function of reservoir fabrication parameters. In the current work, we systematically varied the drug (rifampicin), polymer (PLGA) and dispersed phase contents as well as the solvent evaporation rate, particle size and number of particle washing cycles to characterize the challenges involved in encapsulating rifampicin. Physical insight into the low encapsulation efficiencies was provided, as well as an optimization of fabrication conditions to achieve higher drug loading levels. The particle solidification stage was found in the current work to be the most crucial step, where a significant amount of rifampicin was lost enhanced by its solubility in the aqueous medium. Increases in polymer concentration, solvent evaporation rate and particle size each significantly improved the drug loading by hindering of solvent-assisted escape of the drug. Based on our observation of the drug loading being extremely sensitive to the particle recovery and washing procedure after the solvent evaporation, most of the encapsulated rifampicin was concluded to be located on or very near the reservoir surface. Encapsulation could be significantly improved by fabricating multiple emulsions, especially double w/o/w emulsions, but the resultant particles were relatively large and porous, which might be a drawback for drug administration.

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