Unveiling the radiative local density of optical states of a plasmonic nanocavity by STM

Atomically-sharp tips in close proximity of metal surfaces create plasmonic nanocavities supporting both radiative (bright) and non-radiative (dark) localized surface plasmon modes. Disentangling their respective contributions to the total density of optical states remains a challenge. Electroluminescence due to tunnelling through the tip-substrate gap could allow the identification of the radiative component, but this information is inherently convoluted with that of the electronic structure of the system. In this work, we present a fully experimental procedure to eliminate the electronic-structure factors from the scanning tunnelling microscope luminescence spectra by confronting them with spectroscopic information extracted from elastic current measurements. Comparison against electromagnetic calculations demonstrates that this procedure allows the characterization of the meV shifts experienced by the nanocavity plasmonic modes under atomic-scale gap size changes. Therefore, the method gives access to the frequency-dependent radiative Purcell enhancement that a microscopic light emitter would undergo when placed at such nanocavityWe acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry for Economy and Competitiveness (grants FIS2015-72482-EXP, FIS2015-64951-R, FIS2016-78591-C3-1-R, PGC2018-098613—B-C21, PGC2018-096047-B-I00, RTI2018-099737-B-I00 and MAT2014-53432-C5-5-R), the regional government of Comunidad de Madrid (grant S2018/NMT-4321), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM/48 and UAM/134) and IMDEA Nanoscience. Both IMDEA Nanoscience and IFIMAC acknowledge support from the Severo Ochoa and Maria de Maeztu Programmes for Centres and Units of Excellence in R&D (MINECO, Grants SEV-2016-0686 and MDM-2014-0377). We also acknowledge support by the QuantERA program of the European Union with funding by the Spanish AEI through project PCI2018-09314

A multiple dating-method approach applied to the Sanabria Lake moraine complex (NW Iberian Peninsula, SW Europe)

New evidence in the NW region of the Iberian Peninsula (c. 42º N 6 ºW) of a glacial advance coeval with the global Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) of the Marine Isotope Stage 2 has been identified through a dataset of exposure ages based on 23 10Be concentration measurements carried out on boulder samples taken from a set of latero-frontal moraines. Results span the interval 19.2e15.4 10Be ka, matching the last deglaciation period when Iberia experienced the coldest and driest conditions of the last 25 ka, and are consistent with Lateglacial chronologies established in other mountain regions from SW Europe. The extent of the LGM stade identified in this work is similar to the local maximum ice extent stade recorded and dated as prior to 33 ka using radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence. This work showcases how multiple-dating approaches and detailed geomorphological mapping are required to reconstruct realistic palaeoglacier evolution models

Projecte Portfoli a les practiques de Microbiologia.

Projecte: 2018PID-UB/B09Projecte d’utilització de la eina portfoli en les practiques de laboratori de microbiologia a odontologia. Actuacions d'avaluacio gamificades

Detection of blaCTX-M-15 in an integrative and conjugative element in four extensively drug-resistant Haemophilus parainfluenzae strains causing urethritis

Haemophilus parainfluenzae is a commensal organism with rising numbers of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. This pathogen is of increasing clinical relevance in urogenital infection. The aim of this work was to identify and characterise the molecular mechanisms of resistance associated with four cephalosporin-resistant H. parainfluenzae strains collected from patients with urethritis. Antimicrobial resistance was determined by microdilution following European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing cri-teria. Strains were then analysed by whole-genome sequencing to determine clonal relationship and the molecular basis of antimicrobial resistance. Finally, a phylogenetic analysis was performed on all urogen-ital MDR strains of H. parainfluenzae previously isolated in our hospital. All strains were resistant to ,B- lactams, macrolides, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, chloramphenicol, cotrimoxazole, and aminoglycosides. The resistance profile was compatible with the presence of an extended-spectrum ,B-lactamase (ESBL). Whole-genome sequencing detected blaCTX-M-15 that conferred high minimum inhibitory concentrations to cephalosporins in two novel integrative and conjugative elements (ICEHpaHUB6 and ICEHpaHUB7) that also harboured a blaTEM-1 ,B-lactamase. This study shows a novel bla CTX-M-15 ESBL carried in an integrative conjugative element in four extensively drug-resistant H. parainfluenzae strains. This resistance determi-nant could be transmitted to other sexually transmitted pathogens and this is a cause for concern. (c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Spherical probe for the thermophysical characterization of regoliths for planetary exploration using frequency methods

© 2022 Elsevier. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/The objective of this paper is to analyse the capability of a spherical thermoprobe, recently proposed as a 3D heat flux sensor for regoliths, and additionally to characterize the thermophysical properties of regoliths. The sensor is based on the spherical structure of a Mars wind sensor. The characterization is carried out using frequency methods. Extensive experimental results have been obtained with eight regolith simulants made of glass microbeads. Errors in thermal conductivity and diffusivity are smaller than ± 7%, for these simulants.Funded in part by MICINN, grants no. RTI2018-098728-B-C33 and PID2021-126719OB-C42, and ESA contract 4000128070/19/NL/KML for the MiniPINS study.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Spanish Consensus Document on the Treatment Algorithm for Rosacea

Recent scientific evidence and the incorporation of new drugs into the therapeutic arsenal against rosacea have made it necessary to review and update treatment criteria and strategies. To this end, a panel of 15 dermatologists, all experts in rosacea, was formed to share experiences and discuss treatment options, response criteria, and changes to treatment. Based on a critical review of the literature and a discussion of the routine practices of Spanish dermatologists, the panel proposed and debated different options, with consideration of the experience of professionals and the preferences of patients or equality criteria. Following validation of the proposals, the final recommendations were formulated and, together with the evidence from the main international guidelines and studies, used to produce this consensus document. The goal of this consensus document is to provide dermatologists with practical recommendations for the management of rosacea. Las últimas evidencias científicas y la incorporación de nuevos fármacos al arsenal terapéutico de la rosácea hacen necesario revisar y actualizar los criterios y estrategias de tratamiento. Con este fin, un grupo de 15 dermatólogos expertos en esta enfermedad aportaron y discutieron acerca de las diferentes terapias y los criterios de respuesta y cambio de tratamiento. Partiendo de la revisión crítica de la bibliografía y de la exposición de los hábitos de los dermatólogos españoles en su práctica clínica, se formularon distintas propuestas que fueron debatidas teniendo en consideración tanto la experiencia profesional como las preferencias de los pacientes o los criterios de equidad. Una vez validadas las propuestas, se formularon las recomendaciones finales que, junto con la evidencia aportada por las principales guías y estudios internacionales, dieron lugar al presente documento. El objetivo de este consenso es ofrecer al dermatólogo un enfoque práctico para abordar la rosácea

Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis: a review

Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are considered a single entity with variability in the extent of the lesions, characterized by erythema multiforme that may involve mucosa. Severe cutaneous reactions secondary to medications are classified according to the area of epidermal detachment. The activation of cytotoxic T cells and macrophages is mediated mainly by IL-2 and interferon gamma secreted by Th1 lymphocytes, and the activation of eosinophils and B lymphocytes in IgE is mediated by secreted IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 and IL13 by B lymphocytes. The topography of SJS is predominantly central, affecting the trunk and sometimes a generalized dissemination is shown that affects a body surface area of less than 10%, characterized by irregular violaceous erythematous macules of target shooting, which can form confluent blisters. TEN is characterized by a skin detachment greater than 30% of the body surface, whose predominant lesion is diffuse erythema with individual macules, which give rise to detachment surfaces greater than 5 cm. The treatment is symptomatic, nonspecific, and aimed at avoiding complications, carried out in specialized intensive care units, due to ignorance of the pathogenesis. Integral management with different therapeutic alternatives can represent a crucial part in the multisystemic management of SJS and TEN

Valutazione della gestione dei sottoprodotti no destinati al consumo umano e provenienti dalla attività cinegetica, come misura di controllo sulla tubercolosi bovina, dovuta al numero elevato e al ruolo che hanno gli ungulati silvestri

Trabajo presentado al 35º Encuentro GEEFSM (Groupe d’Etudes sur l’Eco-pathologie de la Faune Sauvage de Montagne), celebrado en Cofrentes, Muela de Cortes (España) del 1 al 4 de junio de 2017.[ES]: La tuberculosis (TB) es una enfermedad de declaración obligatoria sometida a programas de erradicación en diferentes países europeos. Pese a los esfuerzos realizados, en determinadas regiones del centro-sur de España se ha producido un estancamiento o incluso un aumento en la prevalencia de TB en el ganado bovino en los últimos años. El incremento en las densidades de ungulados silvestres, así como el papel de estas especies como reservorios naturales de la TB, son factores potencialmente implicados en la persistencia de esta enfermedad en el ganado bovino en estas regiones. En respuesta a esta situación, el gobierno regional de Andalucía redactó la Orden del 2 de Mayo de 2012, que desarrolla las normas de control de subproductos animales no destinados al consumo humano en la práctica cinegética de caza mayor. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de dicha Orden como medida de control de la TB en ungulados silvestres en España. Durante las temporadas cinegéticas 2009/2010 a 2016/2017 se obtuvieron muestras de sangre de un total de 1181 jabalíes (Sus scrofa) y 1514 ciervos (Cervus elaphus), procedentes de 69 cotos de caza mayor en Andalucía. Así mismo, en Castilla-La Mancha (CLM, zona control), donde no tiene efecto la Orden del 2 de Mayo de 2012, se obtuvieron muestras de sangre de 330 jabalíes y 467 ciervos en 13 cotos geográficamente próximos a las áreas de muestreo de Andalucía, durante el mismo periodo. El 26,9% de los ungulados silvestres procedentes de Andalucía, así como el 61,9% de CLM, se muestrearon durante las temporadas cinegéticas 2009/2010 a 2012/2013, mientras que el 73,1% y el 38,8% de las muestras recogidas en Andalucía y CLM, respectivamente, se obtuvieron durante el periodo 2013/2014 a 2016/2017. La detección de anticuerpos frente a TB se realizó mediante ensayo inmunoenzimático “inhouse” (MPB83/P22-ELISA). Así mismo, se tomaron 112 muestras (91 jabalíes y 21 ciervos) de lesiones compatibles con TB en Andalucía. Estas muestras se sometieron a cultivo y espoligotipado. Un animal se consideró infectado por TB si mostró resultado positivo a ELISA o cultivo. En Andalucía, antes de la Orden (periodo 2009/2010 a 2012/2013), el 77,3% (177/229) de los jabalíes y el 10,7% (53/496) de ciervos fueron positivos a TB; mientras que el 47,7% (454/952) de los jabalíes y el 9,2% (94/1018) de los ciervos, presentaron seropositividad tras la implantación de la misma. En jabalí, la seroprevalencia fue significativamente mayor (P<0,001) antes de la implantación de la Orden. En ciervo, no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre periodos (P=0,210). En CLM, el 42,7% (96/225) de los jabalíes y el 10,8% (29/268) de los ciervos muestreados antes de la Orden, presentaron anticuerpos frente a TB; mientras que el 44,8% (47/105) de los jabalíes y el 11,6% (23/199) de los ciervos analizados tras su entrada en vigor, fueron seropositivos. En ninguna de las especies se detectaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre animales muestreados antes y después de la Orden. La disminución significativa obtenida en la seroprevalencia en jabalí en Andalucía tras la implantación de la Orden, podría estar asociada al comportamiento carroñero de esta especie. Nuestros resultados indican que la gestión correcta de subproductos animales procedentes de la actividad cinegética de caza mayor, tiene una consecuencia directa en la disminución de la prevalencia de TB en las poblaciones de ungulados silvestres. Al igual que en Andalucía, la implementación de este tipo de medidas en otras regiones puede ser una herramienta complementaria para el control de la TB en fauna silvestre, e indirectamente, en especies domésticas simpátricas.Peer reviewe

Use of IP-10 detection in dried plasma spots for latent tuberculosis infection diagnosis in contacts via mail

The aim of this study was to test the use of IP-10 detection in dried plasma from contact studies individuals (contacts of smear positive patients), by comparing it with IP-10 and IFN-γ detection in direct plasma, to establish IP-10 detection in DPS as a useful assay for LTBI diagnosis. Whole blood samples were collected from 80 subjects: 12 with active tuberculosis (TB), and 68 from contact studies. The amount of IFN-γ produced by sensitized T cells was determined in direct plasma by QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube test. IP-10 levels were determined in direct and dried plasma by an in-house ELISA. For dried plasma IP-10 determination, two 25 µl plasma drops were dried in Whatman903 filter paper and sent by mail to the laboratory. Regarding TB patients, 100.0%, 91.7% and 75.0% were positive for IFN-γ detection and IP-10 detection in direct and dried plasma, respectively. In contacts, 69.1%, 60.3% and 48.5% had positive results after IFN-γ and IP-10 in direct and dried plasma, respectively. The agreement among in vitro tests was substantial and IP-10 levels in direct and dried plasma were strongly correlated (r = 0.897). In conclusion, IP-10 detection in dried plasma is a simple and safe method that would help improve LTBI management