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Long-term preservation of gametes has been identified as a tool to improve broodstock management and increase the number of juveniles produced by artificial fertilization. Paralichthys orbignyanus is an important commercial and recreational species distributed in marine and estuarine waters from Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) to the San Matías Gulf (Argentina). This work focused on studying the seminal quality of tank-reared P. orbignyanus, demonstrating that males are fluent year-round, with the highest yields at the early reproductive season. Fresh sperm exhibited good forward swimming, and samples could be refrigerated up to 48 h while retaining their motility after activation. The optimal conditions for P. orbignyanus sperm motility activation were established as 950 mOsmol/Kg and pH values between 7 and 7.9. Additionally, a well-defined protocol for semen vitrification was developed to assess the cryotolerance of this species' sperm. We successfully produced high-quality sperm samples, using two vitrification formulations containing trehalose and both z-1000 and x-1000 polymers, that can be used in a near-future in vitro embryo production program.

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Parabens (PBs) are widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries as preservatives of products. Because of its great use, humans and other organisms are highly exposed daily. However, little is known about the effect of PBs on male infertility. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of methylparaben (MePB) and propylparaben (PrPB), alone or in combination, on the physiological characteristics of pig in vitro exposed sperm to different concentrations (0, 200, 500, and 700 µM) for viability, motility, and acrosome integrity evaluation and (0, 200, 500, 700, 1000, and 2000 µM) for DNA fragmentation index evaluation, after 4 h of exposure. The results showed that sperm viability decreased after exposure to MePB from the concentration of 500 µM. In the PrPB and mixture groups, viability decreased at all concentrations except for the control. The decrease in viability of sperm exposed to PrPB was greater than that of the mixture and MePB groups. Sperm motility decreased in all the experimental groups exposed to PBs, at all concentrations, except for the control group. Acrosome integrity was not decreased in the MePB group; however, in the PrPB group, it decreased at a concentration of 200 µM and in the mixture at 500 µM. All groups exhibited DNA damage at different concentrations, except for the control group. Additionally, the effect of PBs on sperm quality was concentration-dependent. The results demonstrated that MePB and PrPB alone or in combination can have adverse effects on sperm quality parameters. MePB had lower toxicity than did both PrPB and the mixture. The mixture did not have an additive effect on any of the parameters evaluated. This could partially explain the link between PB exposure and infertility.

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Marine microdebris (MDs, <5 mm) and mesodebris (MesDs, 5-25 mm), consist of various components, including microplastics (MPs), antifouling or anticorrosive paint particles (APPs), and metallic particles (Mmps), among others. The accumulation of these anthropogenic particles in macroalgae could have significant implications within coastal ecosystems because of the role of macroalgae as primary producers and their subsequent transfer within the trophic chain. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the abundance of MDs and MesDs pollution in different species of macroalgae (P. morrowii, C. rubrum, Ulva spp., and B. minima) and in surface waters from the Southwest Atlantic coast of Argentina to evaluate the ecological damage. MDs and MesDs were chemically characterized using µ-FTIR and SEM/EDX to identify, and assess their environmental impact based on their composition and degree of pollution by MPs, calculating the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI). The prevalence of MDs was higher in foliose species, followed by filamentous and tubular ones, ranging from 0 to 1.22 items/g w.w. for MPs and 0 to 0.85 items/g w.w. for APPs. It was found that macroalgae accumulate a higher proportion of high-density polymers like PAN and PES, as well as APPs based on alkyd, PMMA, and PE resins, whereas a predominance of CE was observed in surrounding waters. Potentially toxic elements, such as Cr, Cu, and Ti, were detected in APPs and MPs, along with the presence of epiplastic communities on the surface of APPs. According to PHI, the presence of high hazard score polymers, such as PAN and PA, increased the overall risk of MP pollution in macroalgae compared to surrounding waters. This study provided a baseline for MDs and MesDs abundance in macroalgae as well as understanding the environmental impact of this debris and their bioaccumulation in the primary link of the coastal trophic chain.

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Microplastics (MPs) and antifouling paint particles (APPs) are important components of marine microdebris (MDs), which constitute a potential environmental risk. This study analyzed baseline contamination levels of MDs and mesodebris (MesDs) in intertidal sediments at different depths, exploring the geomorphological influence in three Argentine coastal environments: Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE), Los Pocitos (LP) and Puerto Madryn (PM). The MDs and MesDs samples were characterized by µ-FTIR, SEM/EDX and XRD. The abundance of MPs and APPs in sediments, range between 19.78 and 1087.19 and between 0 and 172.93 items/kg d.w., respectively. Despite variations in population and industrial developments in these areas, MPs abundance shows no significant differences in low and high intertidal zones. However, mean MPs concentrations were higher in the surface layer (0-5 cm) compared to the deeper sediments (5-10 cm), indicating recent MPs deposition. Chemical characterization evidenced the presence of cellulose (CE) and denser polymers as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyacrylics (PAN), APPs, metallic and black MDs. Surface degradation and heavy metals (Zn, Cr, and Ba) were also detected in APPs and other MDs, either as additives or adhered to their surfaces. Changes in crystallinity were also observed on the MesDs due to weathering. The calculated polymer hazard index (PHI) and the presence of hazardous polymers such as ABS and PAN indicated an increased risk of MPs pollution on the BBE and PM coasts. The pollution load index (PLI) values (from 4.63 to 5.34) suggested unpolluted to moderately polluted levels. These findings offer insights into potential risks associated with MDs in Argentine intertidal sediments, underscoring the critical need to comprehend the geomorphology and the influence of coastal dynamics. This is crucial for effectively addressing challenges linked to MDs pollution guiding the development of robust management and mitigation strategies.

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Estuarine coastal water and sediments collected from multiple locations within the middle Río de la Plata (RDLP) estuary were analyzed in order to identify the presence of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) and mesoplastics (MePs, 5-25 mm) in one of the most significant estuaries in the Southwestern Atlantic. The present study represents one of the first researches to survey MPs and MePs contamination in key stations at RDLP estuary. Average concentrations of 14.17 ± 5.50 MPs/L and 10.00 MePs/L were detected in water samples, while 547.83 ± 620.06 MPs/kg (dry weight) and 74.23 ± 47.29 MePs/kg d.w. were recorded in sediments. The greatest abundances were observed in the more anthropized areas, near urban settlements. Fibers were the most conspicuous plastic items in water and sediments, followed by fragments. On the other hand, surface sediments, and 50 cm and 100 cm-depth sediments also presented MPs and MePs indicating they could serve as a stratigraphic indicator for recently formed sediments. The main polymer type identified were acrylic fibers, followed by polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Besides, SEM-EDX detected the presence of Si, Fe, Ti, Al and Cl onto the plastics' surface. These elements may serve as additives to enhance the plastics' properties, such as in the case of Ti, or they could originate from the environment, like biogenic Si or Fe, and Al possibly as a component of the suspended particles or sediments adhered to the micro or meso plastics. Finally, the results of the present study showed that MPs and MePs are commonly found in waters and also tend to be trapped in sediments of the RDLP estuary supporting the assertion that these areas play a substantial role in influencing the transport, dispersion, and buildup of MPs in estuarine regions.

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Introducción: La detección temprana del deterioro cognitivo en personas mayores permite disminuir la incertidumbre y mejorar las tareas de intervención. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar las características psicométricas de un protocolo de cribado online para detectar tempranamente deterioro leve en personas mayores. Método: el método usado fue de tipo mixta con preguntas de tipo cuantitativas y cualitativas. La muestra fue de 75 personas mayores del gran Concepción, región del Bio-Bio. El protocolo estaba compuesto por: Cuestionario sociodemográfico, Test del Reloj Versión Cacho, Moca, Escala Depresión Yesavage y Test Acentuación de Palabras. El procedimiento consistió en la aplicación del protocolo a través de un Tablet o Laptop, videollamadas. Resultados: Se encontró que el protocolo presenta validez discriminante y convergente. Conclusiones: se concluye que el protocolo de cribado online para detectar tempranamente deterioro leve en personas mayores es válido y fiable. Se discute el uso y la aplicación de un protocolo cribado usando la Teleneuropsicología (TeleNP), en personas mayores

ABTRACT Introduction: Early detection of cognitive impairment in the elderly allows us to reduce uncertainty and improve intervention tasks. The objective of this research was to determine the psychometric characteristics of an online screening protocol for early detection of mild impairment in the elderly. Method: the method used was of a mixed type with quantitative and qualitative questions. The sample consisted of 75 older people from the greater Concepción, Bio-Bio region. The protocol consisted of: Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Cacho Version Clock Test, Mocha, Yesavage Depression Scale and Word Stress Test. The procedure consisted of the application of the protocol through a Tablet or Laptop, video calls. Results: It was found that the protocol presents discriminant and convergent validity. Conclusions: it is concluded that the online screening protocol for early detection of mild deterioration in the elderly is valid and reliable. The use and application of a screening protocol using Teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) in older people is discussed.

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Introducción: La enfermedad de Parkinson es una afección neurológica progresiva caracterizada por la lentitud y la escasez de movimientos (bradicinesia), rigidez muscular, temblores en reposo y trastorno de la postura. Entre el período 1990-2016, las muertes atribuidas a enfermedad de Parkinson aumentaron en 16,5% y la prevalencia en 19,9%, situando a Chile como el país latinoamericano que registra el mayor aumento en la prevalencia de esta patología. Método: Se presenta estudio de carácter cuantitativo, observacional, descriptivo, ecológico y longitudinal retrospectivo relacionado a los ingresos de pacientes con un diagnóstico previo confirmado de enfermedad de Parkinson, con el objetivo general de describir los motivos de ingresos hospitalarios en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson en el Hospital Clínico Herminda Martín, Chillán, Chile, durante el período 2017-2021 a través de la descripción de esta población y sus complicaciones más frecuentes. Resultados y Conclusiones: La edad de presentación de complicaciones que requieren hospitalización más frecuente fue entre los 70 y 90 años, teniendo una distribución hombre: mujer de 3:2. La mediana de la duración de las hospitalizaciones fue de 8 días y el año en el que se presentaron mayor número de ingresos fue el 2019, con un 24% de los pacientes ingresados durante el período de estudio. En cuanto a los motivos de ingreso hospitalario más frecuente en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson fueron enfermedades cardiovasculares (30,2%), traumatismos (17,7%), descompensaciones de la enfermedad (10,4%), trastornos del tracto gastrointestinal (10,4%), neoplasias (8,3%), trastornos genitourinarios (8,3%), manifestaciones del sistema nervioso central no párkinson (7,3%), infecciones (3,1%) y Otros no clasificables (5%).

Introduction: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological condition characterized by slowness and scarcity of movement (bradykinesia), muscle stiffness, resting tremors, and postural impairment. Between 1990 and 2016, deaths attributed to Parkinson's increased by 16.5% and prevalence by 19.9%, making Chile the Latin American country with the highest increase in the prevalence of this pathology. Method: A quantitative, observational, descriptive, ecological, and retrospective longitudinal study is presented related to the admissions of patients with a previously confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, with the general objective of describing the reasons for hospital admissions in patients with Parkinson's disease at Herminda's Clinical Hospital, Martín, Chillán, Chile during the period 2017-2021 through the description of this population and its most frequent complications. Results and Conclusions: The age of presentation of complications requiring hospitalization was most frequent between 70 and 90 years, with a male:female distribution of 3:2. The average length of hospital stay was 9,8 days and the year with the highest number of admissions was 2019, with 24% of patients admitted during the study period. The most frequent reasons for hospital admission in patients with Parkinson's disease were cardiovascular diseases (30.2%), trauma (17,7%), disease decompensations (10.4%), gastrointestinal disorders (10.4%), neoplasms (8.3%), genitourinary disorders (8.3%), manifestations of the central nervous system not related to Parkinson's (7.3%), infections (3.1%) and others not classifiable (5%).

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RESUMEN Los Niveles de Referencia para Diagnóstico (NRD) son una herramienta dinámica que gana cada vez una mayor importancia para la optimización de las exposiciones médicas. La disponibilidad de información científica es esencial en este proceso de optimización para Medicina Nuclear (MN) y Radiología Diagnóstica (RD). Este trabajo presenta un estudio de la disponibilidad de información sobre los NRD para MN y RD en la base PubMed, en los últimos 20 años, empleando diferentes palabras clave. Se analizó de forma crítica la información disponible, buscando los cambios principales que se han producido como tendencia en diferentes aspectos del establecimiento de los NRD. Se verificó un desbalance significativo en la disponibilidad de literatura científica en estas dos áreas, aunque se ha incrementado la información para equipos híbridos y de forma general para todas las tecnologías. Este desbalance se hace mayor para estudios de medicina nuclear en pediatría. Se observaron avances en la forma de recolectar datos, la manera de organizar la información y analizarla, en especial con la disponibilidad de sistemas de monitoreo de dosis. Se encontró que, en los estudios TC e intervencionismo, las agrupaciones por localización anatómica están siendo acotadas o restringidas, por indicaciones clínicas que tienen similitudes en los requisitos de calidad de imagen para el diagnóstico adecuado. Similarmente en MN se vislumbra la incorporación de la actividad por peso como NRD en las tecnologías híbridas y estudios pediátricos. Este estudio demuestra que, en general, la literatura científica disponible sobre los NRD es mucho más amplia para pacientes adultos. Se requiere más estudios pediátricos, especialmente en el área de MN

ABSTRACT Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) are a dynamic tool that is gaining more and more importance for the optimization of medical exposures. The availability of scientific information is essential in this optimization process for Nuclear Medicine (NM) and Diagnostic Radiology (DR). This work presents a revision of the information's availability about DRL in the PubMed database, in the last 20 years, using different search combinations. The available information was critically analyzed, looking for the main changes that have occurred as a trend in different aspects of the establishment of the NRD. A significant disparity in the amount of information between the two areas on the subject was verified, although there has been an increase of available scientific papers for hybrid equipment, and in general for all technologies. The disparity becomes greater for NM studies in pediatrics population. The way to collect data, the mode to organize the information and analyze it, has also undergone changes, mainly with radiation dose management systems. In CT and interventional studies, the grouping by anatomical locations is being constrained or modulated by clinical indications with analogous image quality requirements for proper diagnosis. Something similar happens in MN, where the incorporation of activity/patient's weight is envisioned as NRD for hybrid technologies and pediatric studies. In general, the study showed that, the scientific paper's availability about DRL for adult population are much wider. More pediatric studies on these subjects are needed, especially in NM

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Background: In Mexico less than half of the treated hypertensive patients reach blood pressure (BP) targets. Most hypertensive individuals rely on the standard medical care (SMC) to achieve the BP control goals; however, the efficacy of BP telemonitoring (BPT) to achieve BP targets has been poorly studied. Aim: To compare the efficacy of BPT versus SMC to achieve BP goals in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Methods: A two-arm, open-label clinical trial was conducted in patients ≥18 years with uncontrolled hypertension. The participants were randomized to 2 arms (BPT vs SMC) and followed for 12 weeks. For the statistical analysis, the chi-squared test and covariance were used. Results: One hundred and seventy-eight participants were included, BPT (n = 94) and SMC (n = 84), after 12 weeks of follow up, we observed a baseline-adjusted reduction in systolic BP with both BPT (-13.5 [1.3] mmHg) and the SMC (-5.9 [1.4] mmHg; p < 0.001) but a greater decrease with BPT (p < 0.001). Likewise, we found a baseline-adjusted reduction of diastolic BP with BPT (-6.9 [0.9] mmHg) and SMC (-2.7 [0.9] mmHg) (p = 0.007) with a more significant percentage change from baseline with BPT (-6.8% [1.0] vs 2.5% [1.1]; p = 0.007). In the BPT arm, a larger proportion of patients achieved the BP target versus SMC (30.5% vs 12.8%; p = 0.005). Conclusion: BPT showed a greater proportion of patients achieving office BP control goals (<140/90 mmHg), compared to standard medical care.

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This study focuses on the radiolysis (up to 36 kGy) of guanine and adenine (nitrogenous bases) adsorbed in hectorite and attapulgite to highlight the potential role of clays as protective agents against ionizing radiation in prebiotic processes. In this framework, the study investigated the nitrogenous bases' behavior in two types of systems: a) aqueous suspension of adenine-clay systems and b) guanine-clay systems in the solid state. This research utilized spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques for its analytical purposes. Regardless of the reaction medium conditions, the results reveal that nitrogenous bases are stable under ionizing irradiation when adsorbed on both clays.