First Insight into the Genome Sequences of Two Linezolid-Resistant Nocardia farcinica Strains Isolated from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

The draft genome sequences of two Nocardia farcinica strains isolated from two patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and linezolid, are reported here. The estimated genome sizes were 5.8 Mb with a 70.63% G+C content. Transposases from Tn916 were detected, but not 23S rRNA mutation (G2576T) related to linezolid resistance.We are grateful to G. Carrasco, P. Jimenez, and J. A. Saéz-Nieto for their help in different stages of genome sequencing, and Adrian Burton for editing and language assistance (Physical Evidence Scientific Translations; http://www.physicalevidence.es). This work was funded by project MPY1278/15 of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III.S

Location of intertidal zones suitable for clam culture in the Piedras River (southwestern Iberian Peninsula)

Clam ongrowing in the intertidal zone of Huelva (southwestern Iberian Peninsula) is a fast-rising industry in the area. Therefore, it is necessary for the local authorities to regulate this activity. The success of seabed cultivation will largely depend on the selection of appropriate sites (e.g., substrate, exposure, seabed area, environmental requirements). The present study aimed to characterise and quantify the intertidal substrate suitable for bivalve culture in the Piedras River, in order to establish criteria for intertidal zone use. The results obtained showed that there are 694 525 m² that could be used for ongrowing the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (Adamsampersand Reeve, 1850); of these, it is necessary to improve the substrate of 66 625 m², whilst 2 800 m² can be occupied immediately. The area for culture of the carpet shell Ruditapes decussatus (L., 1758) was estimated at 19 906 m² of the total area.El impulso que está recibiendo el engorde de almejas en la zona intermareal de los caños, esteros y estuarios de la provincia de Huelva, justificado por los buenos resultados obtenidos con la almeja japonesa Ruditapes philippinarum (Adamsampersand Reeve, 1850), se refleja en el aumento de solicitudes de autorizaciones y concesiones administrativas. Para la ordenación de la actividad es necesario, entre otras evaluaciones, caracterizar y cuantificar la superficie de la franja intermareal con potencialidad para el cultivo y establecer una escala que permita priorizar su aprovechamiento y las posibilidades de ocupación. Con los diferentes valores estimados analíticamente, las asignaciones empíricas y las ponderaciones correspondientes, se considera que en el río Piedras existen 69 425 m² de superficie susceptible de ser utilizada para el engorde de la almeja japonesa, de los que 19 906 m² podrían destinarse al de la almeja fina Ruditapes decussatus (L., 1758). Del total, 66 625 m² necesitarán enmiendas del sustrato y 2 800 m² son ocupables de forma inmediata.Instituto Español de Oceanografí

Prediction of poor outcome in clostridioides difficile infection: A multicentre external validation of the toxin B amplification cycle

Producción CientíficaClassification of patients according to their risk of poor outcomes in Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) would enable implementation of costly new treatment options in a subset of patients at higher risk of poor outcome. In a previous study, we found that low toxin B amplification cycle thresholds (Ct) were independently associated with poor outcome CDI. Our objective was to perform a multicentre external validation of a PCR-toxin B Ct as a marker of poor outcome CDI. We carried out a multicentre study (14 hospitals) in which the characteristics and outcome of patients with CDI were evaluated. A subanalysis of the results of the amplification curve of real-time PCR gene toxin B (XpertTM C. difficile) was performed. A total of 223 patients were included. The median age was 73.0 years, 50.2% were female, and the median Charlson index was 3.0. The comparison of poor outcome and non–poor outcome CDI episodes revealed, respectively, the following results: median age (years), 77.0 vs 72.0 (p = 0.009); patients from nursing homes, 24.4% vs 10.8% (p = 0.039); median leukocytes (cells/μl), 10,740.0 vs 8795.0 (p = 0.026); and median PCR-toxin B Ct, 23.3 vs 25.4 (p = 0.004). Multivariate analysis showed that a PCR-toxin B Ct cut-off <23.5 was significantly and independently associated with poor outcome CDI (p = 0.002; OR, 3.371; 95%CI, 1.565–7.264). This variable correctly classified 68.5% of patients. The use of this microbiological marker could facilitate early selection of patients who are at higher risk of poor outcome and are more likely to benefit from newer and more costly therapeutic options

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Spread of a SARS-CoV-2 variant through Europe in the summer of 2020

[EN] Following its emergence in late 2019, the spread of SARS-CoV-21,2 has been tracked by phylogenetic analysis of viral genome sequences in unprecedented detail3,4,5. Although the virus spread globally in early 2020 before borders closed, intercontinental travel has since been greatly reduced. However, travel within Europe resumed in the summer of 2020. Here we report on a SARS-CoV-2 variant, 20E (EU1), that was identified in Spain in early summer 2020 and subsequently spread across Europe. We find no evidence that this variant has increased transmissibility, but instead demonstrate how rising incidence in Spain, resumption of travel, and lack of effective screening and containment may explain the variant’s success. Despite travel restrictions, we estimate that 20E (EU1) was introduced hundreds of times to European countries by summertime travellers, which is likely to have undermined local efforts to minimize infection with SARS-CoV-2. Our results illustrate how a variant can rapidly become dominant even in the absence of a substantial transmission advantage in favourable epidemiological settings. Genomic surveillance is critical for understanding how travel can affect transmission of SARS-CoV-2, and thus for informing future containment strategies as travel resumes.S

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

El Caribe: Origen del mundo moderno

[EN] This book is a result of the European project titled Connected Worlds: The Caribbean, Origin of the Modern World. This project is directed by Consuelo Naranjo-Orovio from Institute of History (CSIC). The book is presented so that the educational community has the latest and necessary scientific knowledge, in a clear and accessible way, for its transmission to new generations, and contributes -through education and historical knowledge- to combat the discrimination against non-white populations in Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. Through studies we try to promote, rescue and protect our historical memory and cultural expressions of different peoples, as well as enhance dialogue, debate and international cooperation.With this volume we want to contribute, in short, to the knowledge of the past and present of Caribbean countries and their connection with the rest of Latin America, Europe and Africa. The various themes emphasize topical issues that cannot be missing in the higher education of our societies, whose classrooms, a true reflection of society, are marked by integration, multiculturalism and coexistence between different cultures. Education therefore must contribute to the integration of human diversity and the banishment of concepts of one upmanship between populations, based on the misconception regarding the existence of races in the human species.In this book, teachers and students will find multimedia resources that expand the gathered information and various interviews with Caribbean history specialists, designed and conducted by Consuelo Naranjo Orovio and edited by Luis Centurión, from Ediciones Doce Calles publishing house team, who is also a project member: http://youtube.com/c/ConnecCaribbeanProyecto[ES] Este libro es el resultado del proyecto europeo titulado Connected Worlds: The Caribbean, Origin of the Modern World. Este proyecto está dirigido por Consuelo Naranjo-Orovio del Instituto de Historia (CSIC). El libro se presenta para que la comunidad educativa tenga el conocimiento científico más reciente y necesario, de manera clara y accesible, para su transmisión a las nuevas generaciones, y contribuye, a través de la educación y el conocimiento histórico, a combatir la discriminación contra las poblaciones no blancas en Europa, el Caribe y América Latina. A través de los estudios tratamos de promover, rescatar y proteger nuestra memoria histórica y expresiones culturales de diferentes pueblos, así como mejorar el diálogo, el debate y la cooperación internacional. Con este volumen queremos contribuir, en resumen, al conocimiento del pasado y el presente de los países del Caribe y su conexión con el resto de América Latina, Europa y África. Los diversos temas enfatizan temas de actualidad que no pueden faltar en la educación superior de nuestras sociedades, cuyas aulas, un verdadero reflejo de la sociedad, están marcadas por la integración, el multiculturalismo y la convivencia entre diferentes culturas. La educación, por lo tanto, debe contribuir a la integración de la diversidad humana y al destierro de los conceptos de un solo dominio entre las poblaciones, basado en el concepto erróneo sobre la existencia de razas en la especie humana. En este libro, maestros y estudiantes encontrarán recursos multimedia que amplían la información recopilada y varias entrevistas con especialistas en historia del Caribe, diseñadas y dirigidas por Consuelo Naranjo Orovio y editadas por Luis Centurión, del equipo de la editorial Ediciones Doce Calles, que también es miembro del proyecto: http://youtube.com/c/ConnecCaribbeanProyectoPeer reviewe