The Miguel Hernández University (UMH, Spanish: Universidad Miguel Hernández, Valencian: Universitat Miguel Hernández, Latin: Universitas Miguel Hernández illicitana), is a Spanish Public University, open to the world, offering education, research and services facilitating the comprehensive development of its students. It is located in the province of Alicante and was established in 1996. Its name is meant to commemorate the Spanish poet Miguel Hernández.The UMH offers bachelor's degrees, Master's and PhD programs adapted to the European Higher Education Area in the fields of the arts, experimental and technical sciences, engineering, and health and social sciences at its four university campuses (Elche -main administration offices-, Altea, Orihuela and Sant Joan d'Alacant).
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) pose urgent threats to public and environmental health, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Yet most EDC research training remains siloed within disciplines like epidemiology, toxicology, or molecular biology, limiting cross-disciplinary collaboration. Despite rising awareness of EDCs’ widespread impact, traditional academic training fails to equip scientists for the interdisciplinary, community-engaged, and policy-oriented work these challenges demand. We propose a training framework based on four pillars: (1) Interdisciplinary Science to integrate diverse approaches; (2) Community Engagement Reflexivity to ensure research aligns with community needs; (3) Science Communication to share findings clearly and combat misinformation; and (4) Public Health Policy to turn evidence into action. The aim is not to master every method but to foster collaboration across fields. We highlight this model through a case study of the Marine Biological Laboratory’s “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Hazards and Opportunities” (ECHO), a two-week course uniting scientists from various disciplines for immersive training. This approach empowers researchers to bridge science and policy, promote environmental justice, and address the complex realities of chemical exposures and environmental inequities.
Objective To assess compliance with GeSIDA pneumococcal and HBV vaccination indicators among people living with HIV (PLWH) followed at a Spanish hospital and identify clinical and organizational factors associated with complete vaccination coverage. Methods Retrospective study including 198 adult PLWH from the Infectious Diseases Unit at Hospital Clínico Universitario San Juan. We analysed pneumococcal and HBV vaccination coverage, Preventive Medicine (MPRE) referral and attendance, demographic variables (age, sex, nationality), clinical parameters (baseline and referral CD4 count, viral load, ART, ACRG3 complexity), and organizational factors using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Results Complete vaccination coverage was 60.8% for pneumococcus (108/178 eligible patients) and 72.6% for HBV (114/157 eligible). Missed vaccination opportunities reached 23.7% for pneumococcus (unvaccinated) and 27.4% for HBV. Univariate analysis showed significant associations between complete vaccination and MPRE referral (p < 0.001 both vaccines), MPRE attendance (p < 0.001), and time since HIV diagnosis (p = 0.030 HBV). Multivariate analysis identified no independent significant variables for pneumococcal vaccination; HBV showed complete separation due to MPRE attendance. Conclusions Although better than previous studies, vaccination coverage remains below GeSIDA standards. MPRE referral and attendance represent the main organizational barriers. Targeted interventions to optimize care pathways are needed to improve vaccine protection in this vulnerable population.
Chemical speciation and oxidative potential (OP) analysis of airborne particles in African schools has not been previously conducted. In this study, daily atmospheric particulate matter (PM10) sampling was carried out in classrooms of four primary schools in Luanda, Angola. Samples were analysed for elemental composition, organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) and water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC). OP was measured using two acellular assays: dithiothreitol (DTT) and ascorbic acid (AA). PM10 concentrations ranged from 10.2 to 183 mu g m(-3), exceeding the WHO guideline on similar to 70 % of days, with weekday averages (61.0 mu g m(-3)) more than twice those recorded on Saturdays (26.2 mu g m(-3)). Carbonaceous constituents accounted for 21.3 % of PM10 mass, with a consistent OC/EC ratio of 2.26 +/- 0.74. On average, 77 % of OC was estimated to be secondary, while WSOC/OC ratios ranged from 0.15 to 0.90, averaging 0.42 +/- 0.18. The most abundant elements were Ca, S, Cl, and K, with the highest concentrations observed in a school affected by structural issues and proximity to an unpaved road. Enrichment factor analysis revealed extremely high anthropogenic contributions for Br, S, Cl, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cu, V, and Cr, while correlations between elements indicated major sources such as resuspended mineral dust, vehicular emissions, fuel combustion, and industrial activities, with additional contributions from road dust, construction sites, and sea spray. Average OPAA values ranged from 1.36 to 2.21 nmol min(-1) m(-3), while OPDTT values spanned from 0.507 to 0.854 nmol min(-1) m(-3). OC, WSOC, and several transition metals were key contributors to OPDTT, whereas OPAA showed significant correlations only with Ni and Sr.
To evaluate the functional, short-term oncologic and clinical outcomes of robotic rectal resection using the Hugo™ RAS (Robotic-assisted surgery) system compared with those of conventional laparoscopic surgery. This retrospective cohort study was based on a prospectively maintained database. Baseline demographics, perioperative variables, postoperative complications (Clavien‒Dindo), and both functional (LARS score, pain, urinary and sexual function) and oncologic outcomes were compared. Functional outcomes were assessed at one, three and six months postoperatively. A total of 40 consecutive patients with rectal cancer who underwent surgery were included. 25 patients underwent laparoscopic resections and the remaining 15 patients received robotic resections using the Hugo™ RAS system. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups. At the six-month follow-up compared to the laparoscopic group, the robotic group had significantly lower mean LARS scores (19.2 vs. 9.8; p = 0.008), a greater proportion without LARS (53
The rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure across the Iberian Peninsula presents new challenges for the conservation of endangered species, such as the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti). We assessed the spatial overlap between operational wind and photovoltaic energy facilities and the key ecological areas used by juvenile Spanish imperial eagles and areas occupied by resident breeding adults. We analysed GPS-tracking data from 61 juveniles monitored between 2017 and 2023, together with breeding data from official records, to estimate dispersal and breeding ranges. We found that 40 % of the juvenile dispersal area suffers moderate to highrisk from energy installations, and that these areas host over 46 % of all wind turbines and 67 % of the photovoltaic energy surface in the study area. Of the eagles monitored, 36 % died during the study period, with 59 % of the human-activity related deaths linked to energy infrastructure, primarily due to electrocution. We also evaluated the current and zones excluded from the designation of go-to areas for renewable energy implementation under Directive (EU) 2023/2413 and found that only 21.3 % of the juvenile dispersal area and 38 % of the breeding range are currently protected. Proposed extensions to exclusion zones would significantly increase the protected area (18-26 %) but still leave ecologically sensitive areas at risk. These results underscore the urgent need to integrate fine-scale ecological data into renewable energy planning to reduce conflicts with endangered species conservation.
