Impact of serpentinized peridotite mine waste on the composition and quality of sediments in the Ría de Ortigueira (Galicia, NW Spain)

The Ría de Ortigueira is an environmentally well conserved; however, the sediments show high concentrations of toxic elements. In some zones, the concentrations of Ni (60-1080 mg kg^-1) and Cr (9-567 mg kg^-1) were extremely high, while the concentrations of other toxic elements were within normal ranges. PCA revealed that metal enrichment was due to dumping of waste sludge from a peridotite mine. The study of marine currents showed that the exit of the contaminated waste towards the external zone is restricted by the low energy of the residual currents, and the sludge therefore remains trapped in the internal zones. The potential ecological risk was moderate for all areas of the ría, reaching high values close to the mouth of the river Landoi. Finally, geochemical fractioning showed that most of the metals are associated with Fe oxyhydroxides which can become unstable and release adsorbed or coprecipitated metals, especially Ni.

Fraction of high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions attributable to genotypes targeted by a nonavalent HPV vaccine in Galicia, Spain

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) bivalent and quadrivalent vaccines have been widely implemented in worldwide organized immunization programs. A nonavalent HPV vaccine is now available in several countries. The objective was to describe the fraction of squamous non-invasive high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions attributable to genotypes targeted by bi-quadrivalent vaccines and by nonavalent vaccine according to age and diagnosis in women living in the city of Vigo (Galicia, Spain).

Methods

Cervical scrapings (2009–2014) of women with histological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2, n = 145) and grade 3-carcinoma in situ (CIN3-CIS, n = 244) were tested with Linear Array HPV Genotyping test (Roche diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). Hierarchical estimation of the fraction attributable to HPV 16/18 or HPV 31/33/45/52/58 detected alone or in combination was calculated. Absolute additional fraction attributable to genotypes targeted by nonavalent vaccine compared to genotypes targeted by bi-quadrivalent vaccines was calculated as the increment of attributable cases with respect to all studied cases. Age group 1, 2 and 3 included women 18 to 34, 35–44 and ≥45 years old, respectively. EPIDAT 3.1 was used.

Results

Fraction attributable to genotypes targeted by bi-quadrivalent vaccines was 59% CIN2 vs. 69% CIN3-CIS (p < 0.001). It was 63/51/50% of CIN2 and 78/66/45% of CIN3-CIS in age group 1, 2, 3, respectively. Fraction attributable to genotypes targeted by nonavalent vaccine was 86% CIN2 and 86% CIN3-CIS. It was 87/91/75% of CIN2 and 90/86/76% of CIN3-CIS in age group 1, 2, 3, respectively. Fraction attributable to genotypes targeted by these vaccines tended to decrease as age increased (p-trend <0.05). Globally, absolute additional attributable fraction was 16%, 26% and 29% in age group 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p < 0.005).

Conclusions

Absolute additional fraction of CIN2 and CIN3-CIS attributable to genotypes targeted by nonavalent vaccine was observed in women of any age, especially in those over 35 years old.

Darstellung, Eigenschaften und Kristallstruktur von [Diaqua-1,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)-2,5-dithiahexan-nickel(II)]dibromid-Dihydrat / Synthesis, Properties and Molecular Structure of [Diaqua-1,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)-2,5-dithiahexane-nickel(I I)]dibromide Dihydrate

The synthesis, crystal structure and some spectroscopic properties of [Ni(BBDH)(OH2)2]Br2.2 H2O, (BBDH = 1,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)-2,5-dithiahexane), are reported. The compound is obtained from nickel bromide hydrate and BBDH in ethanol. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1̄ with a = 1155.5(3), b = 1203.9(2), c = 1047.0(2) pm, α = 111.62(4), β = 114.25(2), γ = 86.74(3)°, and Z = 2. The structure consists of [Ni(BBDH)(OH2)2]2+ cations joined through hydrogen bonding to two Br- ions and two molecules water of crystallization. BBDH is bound to the Ni2+ ion as quadridentate ligand with two N atoms of the two imidazole moieties in axial positions and the two S atoms in equatorial arrangement. The sixfold coordination is completed by two water molecules in trans-position to the S atoms. Raman, IR and mass spectra are discussed.

Floating boom performance under waves and currents

Floating booms constitute a fundamental tool for the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems against accidental oil spills. Their containment performances in exposed areas are often impaired by the action of waves, currents and winds in a manner which is dependent on the boom's response as a floating body, and which is not fully understood at present. In this work the relationship between the design parameters of a floating boom section and its efficiency against the mode of failure by drainage under a variety of wave and current combinations is investigated by means of physical modelling. Seven boom models with different geometries and buoyancy-weight ratios are tested with an experimental setup that allows them to have and rotate freely. The model displacements under waves (both regular and irregular) and currents, as well as those of the free surface adjacent to the model, are measured with a Computer Vision system developed ad hoc. Two efficiency parameters are defined-the significant and minimum effective boom drafts-and applied to the results of an experimental campaign involving 315 laboratory tests. Thus, the manner in which the design parameters influence the boom's efficiency under different wave and current conditions is established.

UV-vis spectroscopic study of Co(II)/Co(III) oxidation in poly[M-protoporphyrins] films and their interaction with axial ligands

A bathochromic shift for both Soret and Q bands in the polyCo(III)PP were indicative of Co(III) oxidation state in film. The presence of an isosbestic point indicates a chemical equilibrium between polyCo(III)PP (band I) in polyCo(III)PP with water as axial neutral ligand (band II). Concentration levels of iodide of 10(-1) M showed irreversible broadening of Soret band with a maximum shift from 400 nm to 380 nm attributed to film reduction. The thiocyanate anion shows a remarkable effect on polyCo(III)PP spectra. The degree of configuration interaction for Q and B transitions is nearly constant in air and water for Ni(II)PP, Cu(II)PP and Zn(II)PP films. The poly[Co(III)-protoporphyrin IX] showed strong deviation from the pattern. This result indicates that the Co atom does not present a planar conformation in polyCo(III)PP which is consistent with the less packed structure of this film. The apparent diffusion coefficients (D') were calculated for electroactive species using the polyNi(II)PP chemically modified electrode, with an experiment short enough to avoid preconcentration. D' was compared with D (diffusion coefficient), obtained with the bare working electrode. Apparent diffusion coefficients (D') changed regularly with molecular volume indicating certain molecular sieving effect.

Feeding in the first month of life, by social strata, in Córdoba, Argentina

A study was made of the feeding history from birth to 1 month of age in a cohort of children born and residing in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, in 1993. The sample was divided into six social strata, in accordance with the occupation of the individual primarily responsible for family support. A total of 620 mothers were surveyed 1 month (mean = 31 days; SD = 1.2 days) following delivery in order to obtain information on the occupational, housing, and demographic characteristics of the family. In addition, information was collected on the first food given to infants following birth as well as on the type of food received at 1 month of age, the latter being based on 24-hour recall. The living conditions and demographic characteristics of the families were associated with their social strata. Families in Stratum I (high) and strata II and III (intermediate) tended to have higher standards of living and to have parents who were older when the children were born than did families in the lowest strata (V and VI), while families in Stratum IV tended to approach the average values found for the entire sample. With regard to feeding practices, it was found that 98% of the children had begun breast-feeding during the first week of life. A statistical association was observed between first food and social strata, with breast-feeding being more prevalent among the very low strata (V and VI) and use of bottle feeding being more prevalent in strata I and III. At 1 month of age, 26% of the sample was receiving complete natural breast-feeding, 60% was receiving partial natural breast-feeding, and 14% was being entirely bottle-fed. A significant association (P < 0.05) was observed between type of breast-feeding and social strata, with a figure of 38% complete natural breast-feeding recorded for Stratum I as compared to 16% for Stratum IV and 17% for Stratum V. Other findings of this study that stood out were that a high percentage of children in all the strata were initially breast-fed; a high percentage of the children were given breast-milk substitutes during the first month of life; and a low prevalence of complete natural breast-feeding was observed at 1 month of age.

Results of cholescintigraphy in a VA hospital

In a review of 200 hepatobiliary imaging studies done in a VA hospital over a 5-year period, a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 88% were obtained. In a subgroup of 40 patients with alcoholic liver disease, the specificity dropped to 60% although the sensitivity remained high (100%). These data indicated that in patients with alcoholic liver disease a positive DISIDA scan is not diagnostic of acute cholecystitis and cannot be interpreted as an indication for cholecystectomy. Possible modifications of imaging techniques, including delayed imaging and morphine-augmented cholescintigraphy, may prove to increase the specificity of cholescintigraphy in these patients. A prospective study using these modifications would help in determining the current role of cholescintigraphy in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis in patients with alcoholic liver disease.