Groundwater arsenic content in Raigón aquifer system (San José, Uruguay)

As a Medical Geology research issue, an environmental arsenic risk assessment study in the most important sedimentary aquifer in southern Uruguay is presented. The Raigón Aquifer System is the most exploited in Uruguay. It has a surface extent of about 1,800 square kilometres and 10,000 inhabitants in San Jose Department, where it was studied. Agriculture and cattle breeding are the main economic activities and this aquifer is the basic support. The groundwater sampling was done on 37 water samples of PRENADER (Natural Resources Management and Irrigation Development Program) wells. Outcropping sediments of Raigón Formation and the overlying Libertad Formation were also sampled in the Kiyú region. The analyses were performed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed 80% samples with arsenic levels exceeding the 10 μg/l of WHO as limit for waters, and 11% exceeds the 20 μg/l limit of uruguayan regulation. The median, maximum and minimum water arsenic concentrations determined have been 14.24, 24.19 and 1.44 μg/l, respectively. On the other hand, nine sediment samples of Raigón and Libertad Formations in Kiyú region were analysed and yielded median, maximum and minimum arsenic concentrations of 5.03, 9.82 and 1.18 ppm, respectively. This issue leads to the supposition that the population, as well as industrial and agricultural activities, are consuming water with arsenic concentrations over the national and international maximum recommended limit.Como una aproximación a la Geología Médica en Uruguay se presentan los resultados de un estudio sobre el estado del Sistema Acuífero Raigón en relación a la presencia de arsénico, en el entendido que es el acuífero más explotado en el país. En particular, el área cubierta por este trabajo es de unos 1800 km2 en un territorio con una población de unos 10,000 habitantes en el departamento de San José. La colecta de aguas del acuífero se realizó en perforaciones de la base de datos de PRENADER (Proyecto de Manejo de Recursos Naturales y Desarrollo del Riego) obteniéndose 37 muestras, y sobre 9 muestras de sedimentos tanto de la Formación Raigón como la suprayacente Libertad en afloramientos de la región de Kiyú. Los análisis fueron realizados mediante ICP-MS. Un 80% de las muestras de aguas analizadas mostraron contenidos mayores a los límites de la OMS (10 μg/l) y un 11% de las muestras superaron el límite de la OSE (20 μg/l). El valor medio, máximo y mínimo determinado en el caso del agua subterránea fue de 14.24, 24.19 and 1.44 μg/l, respectivamente. Por otro lado, las nueve muestras de sedimentos analizados mostraron concentraciones media, máxima y mínima de arsénico de 5.03, 9.82 and 1.18 ppm, respectivamente, descartándose en principio un origen geogénico.Cooperation between the University of the Republic (Uruguay) and CSIC from Spain (Ref. 2005UY0001). DINACYT-Uruguay, Project of the Technological Development Program PDT # 45/14 which included the doctoral thesis work of MSc. Rosario Guerequiz. CYTED Iberoarsen Network and the International Medical Geology Association contributed with scientific and technical support to improve the knowledge on environmental arsenic and health impacts, with a multidisciplinary approach in Uruguay. This work was performed under the Research Consolidated Groups SGR-2005-795 PEGEFA (Petrology and Geochemistry Basic and Applied) and SGR-2005-00589 (Mineral Resources), funded by AGAUR-DURSI, Generalitat de Catalunya.Peer reviewe

Comparative study of two proteomic quantitative methods, Dige and Itraq using 2-D gel or Lc-Esi Qtof

Comunicaciones a congreso

Using Chemical Modeling to Asses Water Quality in the Raigón Aquifer System in Southern Uruguay

The Raigón aquifer is an important groundwater system in southern Uruguay. The increasing use of groundwater resources in the last decades has provoked changes in the concentration of many elements which are strongly related to anthropogenic pollution sources. Concentration levels are useful to detect changes in reservoir status but it is also necessary to analyze their chemical significance in order to make an accurate assessment of the sources of contamination and the causes of changes. In this work we use the available thermodynamic data to calculate chemical speciation on these groundwater samples. Trace elements present as anions, in particular Se and Mo, are especially focused to show the chemical modeling possibilities. Both elements form anionic species, predominantly MoO42- and SeO42-. Results show that these anions interact in solution and are greatly influenced by the concentration of the abundant calcium ion. Localized changes in pH can strongly affect the situation. The same is observed with the pE parameter, but only in the case of Se. Chemical speciation of trace elements is in general highly dependent on pH, pE and concentration of major elements. In consequence, for a fixed analytical total concentration, these parameters can markedly change the situation, affecting the mobility, the bioavailability and environmental fate of these elements. The strategy employed in this work can also be extended to the study of many other environmental water scenarios.The authors are grateful to CSIC (Programa de Apoyo a Grupos) and ANII (Project FCE_2011_6491), Uruguayan organizations, for financial support.Peer Reviewe

Legal issues in clouds: towards a risk inventory.

Cloud computing technologies have reached a high level of development, yet a number of obstacles still exist that must be overcome before widespread commercial adoption can become a reality. In a cloud environment, end users requesting services and cloud providers negotiate service-level agreements (SLAs) that provide explicit statements of all expectations and obligations of the participants. If cloud computing is to experience widespread commercial adoption, then incorporating risk assessment techniques is essential during SLA negotiation and service operation. This article focuses on the legal issues surrounding risk assessment in cloud computing. Specifically, it analyses risk regarding data protection and security, and presents the requirements of an inherent risk inventory. The usefulness of such a risk inventory is described in the context of the OPTIMIS project

Transplantation of Human Amniotic Membrane over the Liver Surface Reduces Hepatic Fibrosis in a Cholestatic Model in Young Rats

Purpose. Biliary atresia precedes liver cirrhosis and liver transplantation. Amniotic membrane (AM) promotes tissue regeneration, inhibits fibrosis, and reduces inflammation. Here, we test amniotic membrane potential as a therapeutic tool against cholestatic liver fibrosis. Methods. Three groups of rats were used: sham surgery (SS), bile duct ligature (BDL), and bile duct ligature plus human amniotic membrane (BDL + AM). After surgery, animals were sacrificed at different weeks. Biochemical and histopathological analyses of liver tissue were performed. Collagen was expressed as a percentage of total liver tissue area. qPCR was performed to analyse gene expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (Tgfb1) and apelin (Apln). Statistical analysis performed considered p<0.05 was significant. Results. Groups undergoing BDL developed cholestasis. Biochemical markers from BDL + AM group improved compared to BDL group. Ductular reaction, portal fibrosis, and bile plugs were markedly reduced in the BDL + AM group compared to BDL group. Collagen area in BDL + AM group was statistically decreased compared to BDL group. Finally, expression levels of both Apln and Tgfb1 mRNA were statistically downregulated in BDL + AM group versus BDL group. Conclusion. AM significantly reduces liver fibrosis in a surgical animal model of cholestasis. Our results suggest that AM may be useful as a therapeutic tool in liver cirrhosis

Strategies to improve telehealth access for culturally and linguistically diverse communities:A systematic review

Aims CaLD populations face considerable digital health inequities; strategies are needed to ensure telehealth models of care are available to all. We aimed to identify and describe interventions that enhance telehealth access for CaLD communities. Methods We systematically searched four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and CINAHL). Included studies were published between 2011 and 2024 and reported on at least one of the outcomes described in the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) Framework. Two authors independently screened articles, solutions were synthesized qualitatively. Results Twenty-seven articles were included in the review and primarily used videoconferencing as the predominant telehealth modality (n = 14, 52%). Five strategies were identified to promote telehealth use across CaLD communities including: (i) Provide bilingual options; (ii) Enhance staff cultural competence; (iii) Provide flexible adaptions to align with consumer needs; (iv) Supply technology and technological support; and (v) Involve digital health navigators and/or health educators. Conclusions Culturally competent professionals supported by language services and technological support are strategies which can help improve equity of access to telehealth services for people from CaLD communities. Such strategies can support the implementation of practical solutions to overcome health inequities and prevent access gaps.</p

Quality assurance through laboratory reference materials (LRMs): dataset for non-certified elements (Al, Fe, Li, Mn and Pb) in estuarine sediment BCR-277R

Datasets for aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), lithium (Li), manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) in the commercial estuarine sediment BCR-277RThree specialized laboratories examined the determination of non-certified trace elements (Al, Fe, Li, Mn and Pb) in a commercial CRM and therefore, produced a so-called laboratory reference material (LRM). The dataset (total mass fractions and their associated uncertainties) were estimated both using parametric and non-parametric methods. The results provided a coherent assessment for all except for Pb, in agreement with the results found by the CRM producer. We discuss the feasibility of the implementation of small-sized specialized laboratory comparisons to produce LRMs (from CRMs) for non-certified chemicals and strongly discourage attempts by a single laboratory

Factors influencing the effectiveness of remote patient monitoring interventions:A realist review

Objectives Our recent systematic review determined that remote patient monitoring (RPM) interventions can reduce acute care use. However, effectiveness varied within and between populations. Clinicians, researchers, and policymakers require more than evidence of effect; they need guidance on how best to design and implement RPM interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to explore these results further to (1) identify factors of RPM interventions that relate to increased and decreased acute care use and (2) develop recommendations for future RPM interventions. Design Realist review - a qualitative systematic review method which aims to identify and explain why intervention results vary in different situations. We analysed secondarily 91 studies included in our previous systematic review that reported on RPM interventions and the impact on acute care use. Online databases PubMed, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched in October 2020. Included studies were published in English during 2015-2020 and used RPM to monitor an individual's biometric data (eg, heart rate, blood pressure) from a distance. Primary and secondary outcome measures Contextual factors and potential mechanisms that led to variation in acute care use (hospitalisations, length of stay or emergency department presentations). Results Across a range of RPM interventions 31 factors emerged that impact the effectiveness of RPM innovations on acute care use. These were synthesised into six theories of intervention success: (1) targeting populations at high risk; (2) accurately detecting a decline in health; (3) providing responsive and timely care; (4) personalising care; (5) enhancing self-management, and (6) ensuring collaborative and coordinated care. Conclusion While RPM interventions are complex, if they are designed with patients, providers and the implementation setting in mind and incorporate the key variables identified within this review, it is more likely that they will be effective at reducing acute hospital events. PROSPERO registration number CRD42020142523. </p

Análisis de las alteraciones en la estructura neurofisiológica en la migraña

La migraña es un trastorno neurológico que se divide en dos subtipos dependiendo de la frecuencia de los ataques al mes: migraña crónica (MC) y episódica (ME). No existen biomarcadores que permitan realizar un diagnóstico preciso. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio es cuantificar las posibles alteraciones producidas por los subtipos de migraña en la estructura de relaciones formada por las diferentes jerarquías de la actividad cerebral (activación local y sincronización global). Para ello, se ha analizado la actividad electroencefalográfica de 86 sujetos (18 controles, 35 pacientes con MC y 33 con ME). Se han calculado diversas medidas para caracterizar los niveles neurofisiológicos y se han evaluado las correlaciones entre ellas para generar redes de asociación que permitan realizar un análisis completo. Asimismo, se han calculado seis parámetros de red sobre las redes resultantes, analizándolos estadísticamente. Los resultados muestran que las redes de migraña presentan mayores propiedades “small world” con respecto a los controles, mostrando un mayor coeficiente de agrupamiento y una menor longitud de camino. Además, el análisis de entropía y complejidad de grafo presenta otra visión de cómo las redes presentan topologías más óptimas en MC y ME respecto a los sujetos de control. Por último, se ha observado una disminución de la centralidad y aumento de la modularidad en las redes de MC y ME, lo que indica configuraciones más robustas. Dichos cambios podrían deberse a un proceso de reestructuración cerebral mediado por fenómenos de neuroplasticidad, con el fin de mantener la integridad funcional.Este estudio ha sido financiado por el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación / Agencia Estatal de Investigación / 10.13019/501100011033, por el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) ‘Una manera de hacer Europa’, bajo el proyecto PID2022-138286NB-I00, y por el CIBER en Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN) a través del Instituto de Salud Carlos III. V. Gutiérrez-de Pablo es beneficiario de un contrato PIF-UVa de la Universidad de Valladolid

Oral Medicine in Latin America and the Caribbean: a comprehensive survey of recognition, training, and practice

This study aimed to investigate the scope of training and practice in Oral Medicine in Latin American and Caribbean countries. It explored legal, professional, and academic scope of regional OM practice, as well as current challenges perceived by experts in the field. We employed an observational, cross-sectional approach, utilizing a self-administered questionnaire delivered through the REDCap web platform. Oral Medicine is officially recognized as a dental specialty in 66.7% of Latin American and Caribbean countries, and 66.7% countries recognize it as a standalone field, separate from Oral Pathology. Additionally, 23.8% of the surveyed countries have national postgraduate Oral Medicine programs. Nearly half (47.6%) of the countries lack specific regulations, and there is significant variation in understanding clinical competencies. Private practice emerged as the dominant field of work for Oral Medicine practitioners. Notably, 90.5% of respondents identified the lack of recognition by multidisciplinary teams as a significant barrier to the practice. This study provides information on the current landscape of Oral Medicine practice in Latin American and Caribbean countries. It highlights disparities in recognition, regulation, and performance of the specialty. These findings call for international initiatives aimed at enhancing training pathways, scope of practice and the impact of Oral Medicine in the region