Legionella spp., UN PELIGRO PARA LA SALUD HUMANA

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide a review that gives a general perspective of legionellosis and the different factors associated with this disease, such as the incidence, causal agents, treatment, control and prevention methods used globally in order to safeguard public health. Methodology: To develop this document, the search and analysis of pertinent information was carried out in different scientific and academic databases such as scielo, scopus, latindex, redalyc, google scholar, among others. Results: Legionellosis is caused by species of the genus Legionella spp., with L. pneumophila being commonly associated to clinical cases. Analytical methods have been developed for their detection, as well as sanitary regulations for water and hydraulic facilities for human use, in order to mitigate their impact on the population. Implications in the study: The causal agents of legionellosis inhabit aquatic ecosystems, and are capable of resisting diverse physicochemical conditions; therefore, they have been detected in hydraulic systems and equipment for human use, thus generating their dispersion and potential infection when inhaled through small drops of water (sprays). Conclusions: Legionella spp. is an emerging pathogen of importance in public health mainly in developed countries, due to its incidence, complications and mortality. It has been established that the prevention and control of legionellosis require joint actions in the microbiological control of water, development, dissemination, implementation and monitoring of the application of regular cleaning and disinfection programs by governmental entities, international health organizations, academia, industry and the general population.Objetivo: Brindar una revisión que aporte una perspectiva general de la legionelosis y de los diferentes factores asociados a esta enfermedad tales como la incidencia, agentes causales, terapéutica, métodos de control y prevención utilizados a nivel global a fin de salvaguardar la salud pública. Metodología: Para el desarrollo del presente documento se realizó la búsqueda y análisis de información pertinente en diferentes bases de datos científicas y académicas como scielo, scopus, latindex, redalyc, google académico entre otras. Resultados: La legionelosis es causada por especies del género Legionella spp., siendo L. pneumophila comúnmente asociada a casos clínicos. Se han desarrollado métodos analíticos para su detección, así como regulaciones sanitarias al agua e instalaciones hidráulicas para uso humano, a fin de mitigar su incidencia en la población. Implicaciones en el estudio: Los agentes causales de legionelosis habitan los ecosistemas acuáticos, y son capaces de resistir diversas condiciones fisicoquímicas por ende se han detectado en sistemas y equipos hidráulicos de uso humano, generando así su dispersión y potencial infección al ser inhaladas a través de pequeñas gotas de agua (aerosoles)

BIOCONSERVACIÓN, ALIMENTOS Y PESCADO

Objective: The aim of this work was to present general information regarding foodborne diseases (FDs) and bio-preservation processes with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and their metabolites as alternative to increase the shelf life, safety, sensory and nutritional properties of foods, focusing on products such as fish. Methodology: For the development of this document, a search and analysis of pertinent information was carried out in different scientific and academic databases such as Scielo, Scopus, Latindex, Redalyc, Google Scholar, among others. Results: In recent years, the trend towards consumption of natural foods, free of chemicals and minimally processed, has developed. For these purposes, the role of LAB in the generation, conservation, and safety of foods through their growth and production of bioactive metabolites has been demonstrated. Implications: Bioconservation of foods by LAB and / or their metabolites is still under study and requires more research on stability and effectiveness in different food production processes; its use should be complemented and does not substitute hygiene procedures in food processing. Conclusions: FDs are a relevant issue in public health around the world due to their incidence and mortality. Fish is considered to be a nutritious and perishable food with easy contamination and deterioration in the food chain, becoming a potential risk to consumer health. In view of this, LAB emerge as representatives in the production and bio-preservation of foods, contributing to sensory, nutritional and safety properties.Objetivo: Presentar de manera general información referente a las enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos (ETA) y procesos de bio conservación con bacterias ácido lácticas (BAL) y sus metabolitos como medidas alternativas para incrementar vida de anaquel, inocuidad, propiedades sensoriales y nutricionales de los alimentos haciendo un enfoque a productos como el pescado. Metodología: Para el desarrollo del presente documento se realizó la búsqueda y análisis de información pertinente en diferentes bases de datos científicas y académicas como scielo, scopus, latindex, redalyc, google académico entre otras. Resultados: En los últimos años se ha generado la tendencia al consumo de alimentos naturales libres de químicos y mínimamente procesados. Para tales fines se ha demostrado la función de las BAL en la generación, conservación, e inocuidad de los alimentos a través de su crecimiento y producción de metabolitos bioactivos. Implicaciones: La bioconservación de alimentos por BAL y/o sus metabolitos aún continua en estudio y requiere mayor investigación sobre la estabilidad y efectividad en distintos procesos de producción de alimentos; su uso deberá ser complementado y no sustituto de procedimientos de higiene en la elaboración de alimentos. Conclusiones: Las ETA son tema relevante en salud pública alrededor del mundo debido a su incidencia y mortalidad. El pescado es considerado un alimento nutritivo y perecedero de fácil contaminación y deterioro en la cadena alimentaria convirtiéndose en un potencial riesgo a la salud del consumidor. Ante esto las BAL surgen como representantes en la producción y bioconservación de alimentos, contribuyendo en las propiedades sensoriales, nutricionales e inocuas

Exercises using a touchscreen tablet application improved functional ability more than an exercise program prescribed on paper in people after surgical carpal tunnel release: a randomised trial

Question: In people who have undergone surgical carpal tunnel release, do sensorimotor-based exercises performed on the touchscreen of a tablet device improve outcomes more than a conventional home exercise program prescribed on paper? Design: Randomised, parallel-group trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. Participants: Fifty participants within 10 days of surgical carpal tunnel release. Intervention: Each participant was prescribed a 4-week home exercise program. Participants in the experimental group received the ReHand tablet application, which administered and monitored exercises via the touchscreen. The control group was prescribed a home exercise program on paper, as is usual practice in the public hospital system. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was functional ability of the hand, reported using the shortened form of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes were grip strength, pain intensity measured on a 10-cm visual analogue scale, and dexterity measured with the Nine-Hole Peg Test. Outcomes were measured by a blinded assessor at baseline and at the end of the 4-week intervention period. Results: At Week 4, functional ability improved significantly more in the experimental group than the control group (MD –21, 95% CI –33 to –9) on the QuickDASH score (0 to 100). Although the mean estimates of effect on the secondary outcome also all favoured the experimental group, none reached statistical significance: grip strength (MD 5.6 kg, 95% CI –0.5 to 11.7), pain (MD –1.4 cm, 95% CI –2.9 to 0.1), and dexterity (MD –1.3 seconds, 95% CI –3.7 to 1.1). Conclusion: Use of the ReHand tablet application for early rehabilitation after carpal tunnel release is more effective in the recovery of functional ability than a conventional home exercise program. It remains unclear whether there are any benefits in grip strength, pain or dexterity. Trial registration: ACTRN12618001887268

Insights onto the magnetic coupling at hexaferrite-based hard/soft bilayer systems

IBERTRIVA 2019 X Iberian Conference on Tribology – IBERTRIB, XI Iberian Vacuum Conference - RIVA, Seville, Spain,June 26-28Magnets are used in a variety of applications, such as generators, magnetic recording media, components in RF and microwave devices. However, many of these magnets contain s rare earths, critical elements whose extraction is environmentally harmful and that present price volatility risks. Their replacement by cheaper and more environmentally friendly materials is therefore sought. In our case, we have focused on magnetically hard strontium hexaferrite (SrFe 12O19, SFO) as the base for alternative permanent magnets (Figure 1a). The atomic arrangement of this ferrite results in a high magnetocrystalline anisotropy and a coercive field, however, its magnetization is moderate (1). It is well known that the coupling between a magnetically hard and soft material improved magnetization while avoiding a high cost in coercitivity loss (2). However, results have been disappointing so far as structural and geometrical limitations make it extremely challenging to fabricate. In this work, we aim at further understanding the magnetic coupling at hard -soft interfaces involving ferrites, for which we have deposited soft iron and cobalt metals on top of SrFe12O19 thin films with controlled easy-axis of magnetization. SFO thin films have been obtained by RF magnetron sputtering at 260W followed by a subsequent annealing in air of 850ºC. Their structure and composition was characterized by Raman spectroscospy (Figure 1b), Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and low-energy electron microscopy (LEEM). We have grown the magnetically soft layer by molecular-beam epitaxy and we have analyzed the resulting bilayer system through photoemission electron microscopy, LEEM and vibrating-sample magnetometry. References [1] R.C. Pullar, Hexagonal ferrites: a review of the synthesis, properties and applications of hexaferrite ceramics, Progress in Materials Science 57 (2012), pp 1191¿1334. [2] Eric E. Fullerton, J. S. Jiang, M. Grimsditch, C. H. Sowers, and S. D. Bader, Exchange-spring behavior in epitaxial hard/soft magnetic bilayers, Phys. Rev. B 58 (1998) 1219

Apex scavengers from different European populations converge at threatened savannah landscapes

Over millennia, human intervention has transformed European habitats mainly through extensive livestock grazing. “Dehesas/Montados” are an Iberian savannah-like ecosystem dominated by oak-trees, bushes and grass species that are subject to agricultural and extensive livestock uses. They are a good example of how large-scale, low intensive transformations can maintain high biodiversity levels as well as socio-economic and cultural values. However, the role that these human-modified habitats can play for individuals or species living beyond their borders is unknown. Here, using a dataset of 106 adult GPS-tagged Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) monitored over seven years, we show how individuals breeding in western European populations from Northern, Central, and Southern Spain, and Southern France made long-range forays (LRFs) of up to 800 km to converge in the threatened Iberian “dehesas” to forage. There, extensive livestock and wild ungulates provide large amounts of carcasses, which are available to scavengers from traditional exploitations and rewilding processes. Our results highlight that maintaining Iberian “dehesas” is critical not only for local biodiversity but also for long-term conservation and the ecosystem services provided by avian scavengers across the continent

A retrospective, multicenter study of the efficacy of lapatinib plus trastuzumab in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients previously treated with trastuzumab, lapatinib, or both: the Trastyvere study

[Purpose]: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lapatinib (L) and trastuzumab (T) combination in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients previously treated with T and/or L.[Materials and methods]: We conducted a retrospective, post-authorized, multicenter study including patients with HER2-positive MBC or locally advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with the combination of L–T. Concomitant endocrine therapy, as well as brain metastasis and/or prior exposure to L, were allowed.[Results]: One hundred and fifteen patients from 14 institutions were included. The median age was 59.8 years. The median number of prior T regimens in the advanced setting was 3 and 73 patients had received a prior L regimen. The clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 34.8% (95% CI 26.1–43.5). Among other efficacy endpoints, the overall response rate was 21.7%, and median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were 3.9 and 21.6 months, respectively. Heavily pretreated and ≥ 3 metastatic organ patients showed lower CBR and PFS than patients with a low number of previous regimens and < 3 metastatic organs. Moreover, CBR did not significantly change in L-pretreated compared with L-naïve patients (31.5% versus 40.5% for L-pretreated versus L-naïve). Grade 3/4 adverse events were reported in 19 patients (16.5%).[Conclusion]: The combination of L–T is an effective and well-tolerated regimen in heavily pretreated patients and remains active among patients progressing on prior L-based therapy. Our study suggests that the L–T regimen is a safe and active chemotherapy-free option for MBC patients previously treated with T and/or L.This work was supported by GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) through a contract with Medica Scientia Innovation Research (MedSIR), an academic research organization focused on independent clinical research development

Edwardsiella tarda Ewing y McWhorter 1965: alimentos y pescado

Objetivo: Brindar una revisión que aporte una perspectiva general de Edwarsiella tarda patógeno en peces destinados al consumo humano y capaz de generar enfermedad humana a través de estos alimentos, se involucran los diferentes factores asociados a la aparición de la enfermedad, control y prevención. Metodología: Para el desarrollo del presente documento se realizó la búsqueda y análisis de información de diferentes bases de datos como Scielo, Scopus, Redalyc, Google Académico entre otras. Resultados: La infección por Edwarsiella tarda en peces destinados al consumo humano constituyen un riesgo a la salud pública. Se han desarrollado métodos tradicionales y moleculares para su detección, así como acciones en sanidad animal e higiene, a fin de controlar y prevenir su incidencia en la producción de alimentos y transmisión de enfermedades al consumidor. Implicaciones en el estudio: Edwardsiella tarda habita en ecosistemas acuáticos, y son parte de la microbiota de peces, capaz de producir enfermedad en peces y el ser humano cuando las condiciones de sanidad e higiene son inadecuadas a lo largo de la cadena alimentaria. El riesgo a la salud al consumir pescado es principalmente en estado crudo o sometido a un inadecuado procesamiento. Conclusiones: Edwarsiella tarda es considerado patógeno emergente en salud pública. Se ha establecido que la prevención y control de infecciones por este patógeno en animales (peces) de consumo humano y ser humano es a través de la implementación de las buenas prácticas de higiene a lo largo de la cadena alimentaria a fin de ofrecer alimentos sanos, nutritivos e inocuos

Los Poyos del Molinillo (Frigiliana): new site of the Bronze Age in the East Axarquía (Málaga, Andalucía)

En este trabajo damos a conocer un nuevo yacimiento descubierto recientemente en el municipio de Frigiliana. La delimitación del área denominada Los Poyos del Molinillo permitió definir la existencia de un poblado y una covacha con restos de una inhumación. El estudio de los materiales arqueológicos, que incluye cerámica, piezas metálicas o elementos de molturación, o la datación AMS obtenida, permiten adscribir el yacimiento a la Edad del Bronce y ampliar el conocimiento de esta etapa en la Axarquía oriental (Málaga, Andalucía).In this work we present a new site recently discovered in the Frigiliana municipality (Málaga). The spatial delimitation of the so called Los Poyos del Molinillo area let us define a Bronze age settlement and an inhumation burial cave. The archaeological record includes ceramic, metallic items or grinding elements, all of them belonging to the Bronze Age, as well as an AMS Radiocarbon data. This site extends the knowledge about this period in the Eastern Axarquía (Málaga, Andalucía)

Prevalence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Spain: Higher than Previously Reported in other Countries?

[Abstract] Objectives: Prevalence of SLE varies among studies, being influenced by study design, geographical area and ethnicity. Data about the prevalence of SLE in Spain are scarce. In the EPISER2016 study, promoted by the Spanish Society of Rheumatology, the prevalence estimate of SLE in the general adult population in Spain has been updated and its association with sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables has been explored. Methods: Population-based multicentre cross-sectional study, with multistage stratified and cluster random sampling. Participants were contacted by telephone to carry out a questionnaire for the screening of SLE. Investigating rheumatologists evaluated positive results (review of medical records and/or telephone interview, with medical visit if needed) to confirm the diagnosis. To calculate the prevalence and its 95% CI, the sample design was taken into account and weighing was calculated considering age, sex and geographic origin. Multivariate logistic regression models were defined to analyse which sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle variables included in the telephone questionnaire were associated with the presence of SLE. Results: 4916 subjects aged 20 years or over were included. 16.52% (812/4916) had a positive screening result for SLE. 12 cases of SLE were detected. The estimated prevalence was 0.21% (95% CI: 0.11, 0.40). SLE was more prevalent in the rural municipalities, with an odds ratio (OR) = 4.041 (95% CI: 1.216, 13.424). Conclusion: The estimated prevalence of SLE in Spain is higher than that described in most international epidemiological studies, but lower than that observed in ethnic minorities in the United States or the United Kingdom