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Objectives: Potassium iodide (KI) is a treatment to neutralize radioactive agents that could be inhaled or ingested in nuclear incidents. The inorganic salt KI constitutes a source of iodine, which in the body acts by accumulating in the thyroid gland, producing its saturation, and thus preventing the fixation of radioactive iodine species. In Spain, the Military Defence Pharmacy Centre (CEMILFARDEF) was challenged to develop this antidote to be distributed among the population surrounding nuclear power plants, in only one new solid pharmaceutical form for oral administration, in order to replace the two pharmaceutical forms available, which are capsules for adults and oral solution for children, considered less versatile. Methods: A selection of excipients was carried out to achieve pharmacotechnical behaviour suitable for the industrial manufacture of potassium iodide in tablets, complying with the pre-established process and finished product quality parameters. The development allowed the preparation of three industrial-sized batches on which the stability of the developed formulation was studied. Results: An uncoated 65 mg double-scored potassium iodide tablet was developed using easily accessible excipients in the formulation and direct compression as the manufacturing method. The formula complied with the stability tests, with which the development carried out can respond to the eventual demand that its elaboration would entail in the event of nuclear incidents. Conclusions: The developed formulation of a 65 mg double-scored potassium iodide tablet allows the great variability of user needs, from infants to adults with a single pharmaceutical form, which additionally implies logistical benefits in distribution, stock control and appropriate renewal according expiration dates, among the population surrounding nuclear power plants and available to deployed military personnel, in the event of potential nuclear incidents.

El modelo de educación bimodal adoptado por algunas universidades españolas durante el post-confinamiento se ha fundamentado en la compatibilización de la enseñanza presencial y la no presencial, para acomodarse de forma satisfactoria a la nueva realidad de las aulas universitarias. El salto a la virtualidad del curso pasado nos permitió enriquecer el modelo de enseñanza tradicional con respecto al futuro, y el recorrido del curso actual nos lleva a la combinación de ambos tipos de educación, presencial y virtual, cuya principal contribución es la de dar continuidad a un curso lectivo, y también, la de lograr la flexibilización de las estrategias pedagógicas. Además, el replanteamiento del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje ha supuesto una importante reestructuración de espacios y procesos que aseguran no sólo la salud de todos los miembros de la comunidad universitaria, sino una docencia de calidad orientada a promover el desarrollo personal e intelectual permanente de los estudiantes en el tiempo. El éxito de la transformación social en la que estamos inmersos depende en gran medida de la educación, por ello, la comunidad educativa debe ajustase adecuadamente a esas nuevas circunstancias. En el futuro será importante indagar con perspectiva sobre la repercusión de todos los cambios provocados por la COVID en el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de estudiantes y profesores. Un aspecto transcendental será conocer el progreso de los estudiantes en la era postpandemia y adoptar las acciones pedagógicas que sean necesarias para adaptarnos a dicho nuevo escenario.

Humans can potentially be exposed to Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. from topsoils when playing or spending time in recreational areas. Two hundred and seventy-seven topsoil samples were collected across Alcalá de Henares (Spain) in July 2017: one hundred and fifty-five urban, sixty industrial and twelve from a public garden. Simultaneous detection was performed using a SYBR Green real-time PCR following the appropriate extraction of DNA with Fast-Prep for Soil®. The organic matter content (OM), pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and soil texture (percentages of sand, clay and silt) were also determined. E. bieneusi was detected in nine (five urban, four industrial); meanwhile, Encephalitozoon spp. was detected in 22 topsoil samples (sixteen urban, six industrial; ten E. intestinalis, nine E. intestinalis/E. hellem and three E. cuniculi). The presence of E. bieneusi was associated with urban soils that presented lower EC (0.50 vs. 0.71 dS/m; p-value = 0.0110), as this factor may provide a richer environment for the survival of spores. The presence of microsporidian spores was higher in those topsoils with a higher OM content for E. bieneusi (6.96% vs. 4.98%; p-value = 0.0342) and E. intestinalis/E. hellem in one of the four quadrants into which the urban area was divided (5.54% vs. 3.12%; p-value = 0.0007). E. intestinalis is present in industrial topsoils with significantly lower contents of sand (14.5% vs. 21.74; p-value = 0.00003) but higher contents of silt (78.5% vs. 64.9%; p-value = 0.0229), which might be attributed to the differences in the capacity of topsoils to retain moisture, depending on their texture. Moreover, the provision of enough oxygen might play a role in the higher presence of E. intestinalis/E. hellem in urban topsoils with lower contents of clay (11% vs. 19%; p-value = 0.0200). A better understanding of these potential associations is critical in selecting appropriate decontamination techniques and strategies to prevent and minimise human exposure.

Human pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA), specifically Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris and Naegleria fowleri, are rarely studied in animals’ gastrointestinal (GI) tracts or their faeces as they do not have an obligate parasitic life cycle; however, FLA from different taxa have been recently recovered and identified in pigs’ GI tracts and their faeces. The presence of these FLA species was studied in faeces from cows and pigs monitored across Bombali and Tonkolili Districts, Sierra Leone (West Africa). Fresh faecal samples were aseptically collected, either from recent deposition or during defecation, from 12 pigs and eight cows in Spring 2019. Fourteen samples were collected from five locations across Makeni city (Bombali District): an animal market (five cows, one pig), general and pig slaughterhouses (five pigs), Lorrey Park (two cows) and Comforti (one cow). Additionally, six pigs were monitored in Royanka, within the Tonkolili District. Samples were processed by a triplex real-time TaqMan PCR assay after extracting DNA from pre-concentrated faecal samples using a FastDNA® Spin Kit. Although all the faecal samples screened were negative, our results should be considered as inconclusive owing to the limited number of animals and specific FLA species monitored. Moreover, we detected Acanthamoeba spp. in water reservoirs (wells and ponds) used for drinking by those animals from which samples were collected/screened. We also detected B. mandrillaris in the river in Royanka, which would confirm the presence of this emerging FLA in Tonkolili District, with this being the first time it has been reported in the literature. Further monitoring studies would be required to understand the presence/circulation of these opportunistic FLA species in farm animals across these Sierra Leonean districts to control the presence of foodborne pathogens.

Acanthamoeba spp., an emerging opportunistic human parasite, has been previously detected in open-water systems across Leicester city and surrounding rural areas (Leicestershire, England), suggesting a potential risk for the population. A total of 190 grass samples were collected over a year (June 2017 to August 2018) to study the temporal variation, in and around Leicester city and adjacent rural areas. After appropriate pre-treatment to resuspend potential cysts/amoebas present in the grass avoiding potential soil contamination, DNA was extracted from each pre-concentrated sample using the Fast DNA® Spin kit. Acanthamoeba spp. were detected using a triplex real-time TaqMan PCR assay in 22 grass samples (11.57%). The seasonal study revealed the following prevalence percentages from summer 2017 to summer 2018: 15.7, 10.5, 13.1, 7.89, and 10.5%. To our knowledge, this is the first report reporting the presence and seasonal distribution of Acanthamoeba spp. in grass across Leicestershire.

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are poorly synthesised in the human body and are substantially lower in Western diets compared with their shorter-chain omega-3 essential fatty acid precursors, α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3; ALA). We assessed their intake among 111 (20.45 years old; 78 females) De Montfort University (DMU, England) students. The dietary intakes of total fat (100.55 vs. 81.72; p-value = 0.032), PUFA (14.61 vs. 12.91; NS), linoleic acid (LA; 3.893 vs. 2.787; p-value = 0.0019), ALA (0.925 vs. 0.613; p-value = 0.00008), arachidonic acid (AA; 0.109 vs. 0.082; p-value = 0.0303), EPA (0.088 vs. 0.075; NS), DHA (0.153 vs. 0.121; NS), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; 0.043 vs. 0.032 all in g/day; NS) were significantly higher or higher in male participants, respectively. The dietary intakes of DHA + EPA in the whole group monitored (0.130 + 0.079 = 0.209 g/day) were lower than the RDI of 0.5 g/day, which considers the intake of one to two portions of fish per week. Our results highlight that some DMU students did not meet the nutritional goals for ALA, EPA, and DHA. DMU students should specifically enhance the intake of oily fish (12.422, 13.406, and 10.054 g/day for the overall, female, and male population, respectively), as these intakes only provide around 0.228, 0.246, and 0.184 g of DHA + EPA/day. Education would be required to increase awareness of the importance of consuming more fish among these young adults. Another option would be to encourage the intake of dietary fish oil supplements or the enrichment of food items largely consumed by young British adults with these long-chain PUFAs.

About 30–40% of the general population in the United Kingdom (UK) has been reported to have vitamin D deficiency during winter months, representing a public health risk. The aim of this study was to assess the dietary intake of vitamin D in university students at De Montfort University (DMU, UK). Nutrient intake data were collected from 111 (20.45 yrs old; 78 female) DMU students (41 Asian, 41 African and 27 European; 2 unclassified). The dietary intake of vitamin D was slightly higher in male participants (4.287 vs. 3.853 µg/day; p-value = 0.196), which could be attributed to the generally higher intake of food products rich in this vitamin, specifically cereals (436.165 vs. 308.750 g/day; p-value = 0.002), meat (271.553 vs. 193.063 g/day; p-value = 0.016) and bacon (4.911 vs. 1.551 g/day; p-value = 0.024), intakes of which were significantly higher in males. The dietary intakes of vitamin D recorded are lower than the amount of 10 µg/day recommended by the UK’s National Health Service. Intake did not show statistical differences according to ethnic background (Asian (3.708) < African (4.109) < European (4.199); all in µg/day), which might reflect poor and similar dietary habit/choices when students transition from home to university regardless of ethnic background. Our results suggest some prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in DMU students which should be tackled to prevent diseases related to vitamin D deficiency.

The aim was two-fold: to characterise the risks of lead (Pb) in Agaricus bitorquis collected in the city of Leicester (England), and to evaluate its presence in urban topsoils. Pb was monitored by ICP-MS in twenty-two homogenised mushroom samples (caps and stipes) mineralised with HNO3/H2O2 [LoD = 0.872 mg/kg dry weight (dw)]. Moreover, 450 topsoil samples were collected from 18 urban parks across Leicester; Pb was also measured by ICP-MS after appropriate digestion (LoD = 0.698 mg/kg). Levels were significantly higher in the mushroom caps (p-value = 3 × 10−5); median and ranges are provided in mg/kg dw: 2.461 (1.806–6.664) vs. 1.579 (0.988–4.223). Concentrations were much higher than those reported in sixteen A. bisporus (median < 1.0 mg/kg DW) specifically cultivated in high-traffic areas in the inner city of Berlin, suggesting some contamination by Pb. All caps monitored exceeded the established maximum concentration limit for Pb in cultivated mushrooms in the European Union (3 mg/kg dw), in line with the high accumulative metal capability described in the literature for Agaricus spp. Although non-carcinogenic risks characterised for Pb were negligible in the monitored mushrooms, a high consumption of wild green edibles in Leicester’s city should be limited as there are multiple additional sources of Pb and other metals, and they should be substituted by cultivated edibles where possible.

The aims were: (a) to biomonitor vanadium (V) in wild edible mushrooms collected from urban/rural areas across Leicestershire (England); (b) to characterise the risk to humans caused by its content in topsoils. Thirty-four mushrooms were collected: twenty-two Agaricus bitorquis from a green area close to a busy traffic area; four Marasmius oreades from the NE; and eight Coprinus atramentarius from Bradgate Park, which is northwest of Leicester city. Moreover, 850 topsoil samples were collected and processed as composite samples (eighteen urban and eight rural), which were further processed in duplicate. The level of V was measured twice in each of the 52 composite samples and in the cleaned, dried and homogenised mushrooms by ICP-MS. Significant higher levels of V were found in C. atramentarius (0.856 (0.175–4.338)) than in the edible mushrooms collected in the urban areas (M. oreades, 0.305 (A. bitorquis, 0.078 (

Background: Tenofovir is an antiretroviral drug, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor formulated as tenofovir disoproxil in its saline form, which acts as a prodrug of tenofovir. Its clinical use is indicated in the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). In this work, a solid oral formulation in coated tablets of tenofovir disoproxil has been designed, using an appropriate manufacturing process to overcome any possible problems of stability, compressibility and bioavailability. Materials and Methods: Compatibility studies have been carried out through thermal analysis (Differential Scanning Calorimetry, DSC) and infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), pharmacotechnical characterization through analysis of flow time, angle of repose, Hausner Ratio and Carr Index, and Pharmacochemical characteristics (weight, hardness, disintegration, thickness and friability). Results: In the pharmaceutical industry, the selection of the most correct tablet production method depends on the individual characteristics of the components and their ability to flow, compress and disintegrate. In this work, a wet granulation process was selected, key to achieving specific granulation, followed by compression and film coating. DSC and FT-IR spectral studies demonstrated that there is no interaction between the active pharmaceutical ingredient and the excipients. Excellent results were found in the pharmacotechnical and physicochemical characterization to obtain the tablets, demonstrating the adequate production process. Conclusion: Tenofovir film coated tablets were successfully formulated using the wet granulation compression method and film coating. The methodologies used demonstrated the appropriate selection of the excipients in terms of physical and chemical compatibility and the suitability of the mixture for use in the process of obtaining the tablet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]