Auditoría urbana: indicadores y tipología de las ciudades europeas

La ciudad es algo más que una simple concentración de actividades económicas y residenciales. El análisis urbano considera a las ciudades como entidades socioeconómicas con auténtica autonomía en sí mismas. Una ciudad es un lugar para vivir, desarrollarse, trabajar, estudiar y convivir en sociedad. Por este motivo, existe un interés creciente por estudiar cuestiones como el grado de habitabilidad en las ciudades, su nivel de bienestar y competitividad. Para conocer la realidad socioeconómica global de las ciudades es preciso recurrir al establecimiento de indicadores de «auditoría urbana». Precisamente, ésta es la línea que se aborda en el proyecto Urban Audit de Eurostat, que se centra en la recopilación y publicación de indicadores de contenido socioeconómico, con el fin de conocer y medir la calidad de vida en las ciudades europeas, posibilitando así una tipología de las ciudades existentes en Europa. En este artículo se exponen todos estos temas con más amplitud

New insights in osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment: Nano-strategies for an improved disease management

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic joint pathology that has become a predominant cause of disability worldwide. Even though the origin and evolution of OA rely on different factors that are not yet elucidated nor understood, the development of novel strategies to treat OA has emerged in the last years. Cartilage degradation is the main hallmark of the pathology though alterations in bone and synovial inflammation, among other comorbidities, are also involved during OA progression. From a molecular point of view, a vast amount of signaling pathways are implicated in the progression of the disease, opening up a wide plethora of targets to attenuate or even halt OA. The main purpose of this review is to shed light on the recent strategies published based on nanotechnology for the early diagnosis of the disease as well as the most promising nano-enabling therapeutic approaches validated in preclinical models. To address the clinical issue, the key pathways involved in OA initiation and progression are described as the main potential targets for OA prevention and early treatment. Furthermore, an overview of current therapeutic strategies is depicted. Finally, to solve the drawbacks of current treatments, nanobiomedicine has shown demonstrated benefits when using drug delivery systems compared with the administration of the equivalent doses of the free drugs and the potential of disease-modifying OA drugs when using nanosystems. We anticipate that the development of smart and specific bioresponsive and biocompatible nanosystems will provide a solid and promising basis for effective OA early diagnosis and treatment. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacemen

First evidence of a pro-inflammatory response to severe infection with influenza virus H1N1

The great majority of infections caused by the pandemic variant of the influenza virus (nvH1N1) are self-limited, but a small percentage of patients develop severe symptoms requiring hospitalization. Bermejo-Martin and colleagues have presented a pilot study describing the differences in the early immune response for patients both mildly and severely infected with nvH1N1. Patients who develop severe symptoms after nvH1N1 infection showed Th1 and Th17 'hypercytokinemia', compared to mildly infected patients and healthy controls. The mediators involved with the Th1 and Th17 profiles are known to be involved in antiviral, pro-inflammatory and autoimmune responses. This is the first work reporting the association of a pro-inflamatory immune response with a severe pandemic infection, although it is likely that more studies are needed to understand the detrimental or beneficial roles these cytokines play in the evolution of mild and severe nvH1N1 infection

Control térmico de la meteorización de superficies endurecidas en rocas graníticas (La Pedriza de Manzanares, España)

[ES] La Pedriza de Manzanares es parte del Parque Nacional del Guadarrama en el Sistema Central Español. Se caracteriza por formar un paisaje laberíntico constituido por una alternancia de bloques y grandes paredes de granito. Gran parte de las superficies de estas rocas están recubiertas por costras endurecidas de espesores milimétricos, que controlan la alteración superficial y favorecen el desarrollo y distribución de micro-relieves sobre las paredes. Para explicar el proceso de alteración que favorece la formación de irregularidades sobre la superficie del granito, en este trabajo se analizan algunas variables tales como la temperatura, índice de esclerometría y morfología de los micro-relieves. Por otra parte, el artículo establece relaciones entre la primera fase de formación de las superficies endurecidas en condiciones subedáficas, asociada al frente de alteración, con los espesores de las costras endurecidas y la erosión del regolito. Las relaciones definidas y resultados obtenidos son de aplicación en otras regiones graníticas del mundo de características similares.[EN] Pedriza de Manzanares is part of the Guadarrama National Park in the Spanish Central System. It is characterized by a labyrinthine landscape composed of alternating blocks and large walls of granite. Case-hardened crusts of millimetric thickness covering most of these rock surfaces control the surface alteration and favor the development and distribution of micro-reliefs on the walls. Some variables such as temperature, sclerometric index and micro-relief morphology are analyzed in this paper in order to explain the destructive process of alteration that favors the formation of irregularities on the granite surface. On the other hand, the paper establishes the relation between the first stage of case-hardening in sub-edaphic conditions, which is associated with the alteration front, and the thickness of such crusts and regolith erosion. These results can be applied to other granitic regions with similar characteristics all over the world.Peer reviewe

Deporte y competencias genéricas en la universidad: diseño y validación del “competest”

The competest is an instrument which has been designed to measure specific generic skills, by means of a self-evaluation, which are useful for the professional development of university students.  This test is set within the framework of broader research aimed at collecting evidence to support maximizing the educational potential of sports in present-day university settings, thereby responding to an ever increasing demand for a development in professionalism within the university.  The main objective of this article is the metric study of the questionnaire, which is based on a description of the process followed by the design and validation of the content of the competest and a summary of the empirical study done after carrying out a pilot test done with a sampling of 288 Spanish and Mexican university students and graduates, whose average age is 22, with 35.8% males and 64.2% females, together with a high percentage of participants active in sports (80.2%).  The results show evidence towards the reliability of the questionnaire (a=0.958) and the concurrent reliability and validity of its items, as well as its usefulness for evaluating the impact in the self-perception of one’s abilities of the practice of sports.El competest es un instrumento diseñado para medir, mediante autoinforme, determinadas competencias genéricas útiles para el desempeño profesional de los universitarios, en el marco de una investigación más amplia que pretende obtener evidencia en la que apoyarse para maximizar el potencial formativo del deporte en la universidad actual, a la que se le demanda una función profesionalizante cada vez más exigente. El objetivo concreto de este artículo es el estudio métrico del cuestionario, que parte de la descripción del proceso seguido para el diseño y validación de contenido del competest y resume el trabajo empírico, realizado a partir de su aplicación piloto a una muestra de 288 universitarios españoles y mexicanos, con una edad media de 22 años, en la que el 35,8% son varones y el 64,2% mujeres, y en la que el 80,2% practica deporte. Los resultados aportan evidencia acerca de la fiabilidad del cuestionario (a=0.958) y la fiabilidad y validez concurrente de sus ítems, así como de su utilidad para evaluar el impacto en la autopercepción competencial de la práctica deportiva

Occurrence and Genomic Characterization of Clone ST1193 Clonotype 14-64 in Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections Caused by Escherichia coli in Spain

We conducted a prospective, multicenter, specific pilot study on uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTI). One-hundred non-duplicated uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) from uUTI occurred in 2020 in women attending 15 primary care centers of a single health region of northern Spain were characterized using a clonal diagnosis approach. Among the high genetic diversity showed by 59 different phylogroup-clonotype combinations, 11 clones accounted for 46% of the isolates: B2-ST73 (CH24-30); B2-ST73 (CH24-103); B2-ST131 (CH40-30); B2-ST141 (CH52-5); B2-ST372 (CH103-9); B2-ST404 (CH14-27); B2-ST404 (CH14-807); B2-ST1193 (CH14-64); D-ST69 (CH35-27); D-ST349 (CH36-54), and F-ST59 (CH32-41). The screening of the UPEC status found that 69% of isolates carried ≥ 3 of chuA, fyuA, vat, and yfcV genes. Multidrug resistance to at least one antibiotic of ≥ 3 antimicrobial categories were exhibited by 30% of the isolates, with the highest rates of resistance against ampicillin/amoxicillin (48%), trimethoprim (35%), norfloxacin (28%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (26%), and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (24%). None extended-spectrum beta-lactamase/carbapenemase producer was recovered. According to our results, fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin should be considered as empirical treatment of choice for uUTI by E. coli (resistance rates 4% and 2%, respectively). We uncover the high prevalence of the pandemic fluoroquinolone-resistant ST1193 clone (6%) in uUTI, which represents the first report in Spain in this pathology. The genomic analysis showed similar key traits than those ST1193 clones disseminated worldwide. Through the SNP comparison based on the core genome, the Spanish ST1193 clustered with isolates retrieved from the Enterobase, showing high genomic similarity than the global ST1193 described in the United States, Canada and Australia. IMPORTANCE Analyzing the clonal structure and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolates implicated in uncomplicated urinary tract infections, one of the most frequent visits managed in primary health care, is of interest for clinicians to detect changes in the dynamics of emerging uropathogenic clones associated with the spread of fluoroquinolone resistance. It can also provide consensus concerning optimal control and antibiotic prescribingThis study was supported by the projects and funds PID2019-104439RB-C21/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI, Spain), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union: A Way to Make Europe (ERDF); FIS PI17-00728 (Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain), co-funded by ERDF; GRUPIN IDI/2022/000033 by the Regional Ministry of Science of Asturias (IDI/2022/000033). ED431C 2021/11 from the Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria (Xunta de Galicia) and ERDF. I.G-M. and V.G. acknowledge the Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia for their post-doctoral grants (Grant Number ED481B-2021-006 and ED481-B2018/018, respectively). The research stay of I.G-M at the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias was funded by a grant from the Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC). L.L. acknowledges the Ministry of Education of Spain for her predoctoral grant FPU19/01127.S

Factors associated with children’s food preferences

Objetivo. Presentar una revisión bibliográfica de la influencia de las familias y la escuela sobre las preferencias alimentarias de los niños. Su objetivo es comprender aquellos factores asociados a las preferencias alimentarias infantiles. Metodología. Se hizo análisis de información de investigaciones realizadas en el tema con el fin de indagar cómo estamos ante la prevención de la malnutrición en los niños y el fomento de hábitos alimenticios saludables. Resultados. La familia es determinante en la formación de las preferencias alimentarias de los niños, pero también lo es en la aparición de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria. El entorno educativo es fundamental en la promoción de hábitos alimentarios saludables. Conclusiones. En la consolidación de hábitos alimentarios durante la niñez, además de considerar la influencia de la familia y la escuela, deben tenerse en cuenta asuntos como la inapetencia, la neofobia alimenticia y la construcción de la personalidad.Objective. The main objective is to introduce a literature review of the influence of families and schools on children’s food preferences and to understand those factors associated with children´s food preferences. Methodology. An analysis of information of the existing research around this topic was carried out in order to investigate condition of of malnutrition prevention in kids and in the promotion of healthy eating habits. Results. The family is a determining factor in the formation of children’s dietary preferences, but also in the appearance of eating disorders. The educational environment is fundamental in the promotion of healthy eating habits. Conclusions. In the consolidation of eating habits during childhood, in addition to considering the influence of the family and the school, issues such as lack of appetite, alimentary neophobia and the development of the personality should be taken into account

The Volatile Organic Compounds of Streptomyces spp.: An In-Depth Analysis of Their Antifungal Properties

[EN] The study of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has expanded because of the growing need to search for new bioactive compounds that could be used as therapeutic alternatives. These small molecules serve as signals to establish interactions with other nearby organisms in the environment. In this work, we evaluated the antifungal effect of VOCs produced by different Streptomyces spp. This study was performed using VOC chamber devices that allow for the free exchange of VOCs without physical contact between microorganisms or the diffusible compounds they produce. Antifungal activity was tested against Escovopsis weberi, a fungal pathogen that affects ant nest stability, and the results showed that Streptomyces spp. CS014, CS057, CS131, CS147, CS159, CS207, and CS227 inhibit or reduce the fungal growth with their emitted VOCs. A GS-MS analysis of volatiles produced and captured by activated charcoal suggested that these Streptomyces strains synthesize several antifungal VOCs, many of them produced because of the presence of E. weberi, with the accumulation of various VOCs determining the growth inhibition effect.SIThis research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, project numbers MCIU-19-RTI2018-093562-B-I00 and PRE2019-089448 (to J.A.S and C.O.) and MCI- 21-PID2020-113062RB-100 (to C.M.)

Novel implementations for microstrip resonator filters in transversal topology

This paper presents novel implementations of bandpass filters in multilayered microstrip technology. The structures presented implement transversal filter topologies of order three. In order to allow for easy implementation of the required couplings, multilayered broadside configurations are proposed. We demonstrate that with the proposed configurations, both dualband and quasi-elliptic responses can be easily synthesized, by only changing the sign of certain entries in the coupling matrix. To easily adjust the signs of the couplings, novel resonators are proposed, including simple half-wavelength transmission line resonators, meander line resonators and short-circuited resonators. Experimental validation for one prototype is presented, demonstrating the validity and usefulness of the proposed configurations.The authors thank Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia of Spain, which has supported this work under Grant TEC2007- 67630-C03/TCM

Drivers who tested positive for cannabis in oral fluid: a longitudinal analysis of administrative data for Spain between 2011 and 2016

Producción CientíficaObjectives: This study aimed to assess the association between positive roadside tests for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other driving-impairing substances and THC concentrations and the age and gender of THC-positive drivers. Design: This study is based on administrative data. Setting,: participants and exposures National administrative data on drivers who tested positive in confirmation analysis of driving-impairing substances in oral fluid were assessed (2011–2016, 179 645 tests). Primary and secondary outcome measures Frequencies of positivity for THC, THC alone and THC plus non-THC substances (stratification by age and gender in 2016) and THC concentration were obtained. Comparisons and univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Results: Of the 65 244 confirmed drug-positive tests, 51 869 were positive for THC (79.5%). In 50.8% of the THC-positive tests, cocaine and amphetamines were also detected. Positivity for THC and non-THC substances predominated among drivers with low THC concentrations and represented 58.6% of those with levels lower than 25 ng/mL. The mean±SD for age was 29.6±7.7 years (year 2016, n=24 941). Men accounted for 96.3% of all THC-positive drivers. With increasing age, positivity for THC decreased (OR 0.948; 95% CI 0.945 to 0.952; p<0.0001), and positivity for THC and non-THC substances increased (OR 1.021; 95% CI 1.017 to 1.024; p<0.0001). Men were associated with higher THC concentrations (OR 1.394; 95% CI 1.188 to 1.636; p<0.0001). Conclusions: Cannabis positivity is frequent among drivers, and polysubstance use is common. Hence, focusing on younger drivers and those with low THC concentrations is encouraged. This study provides evidence on the current implementation of roadside drug testing in Spain and aims to characterise driving under the influence (DUI) of cannabis to increase the awareness of all involved to help them avoid DUI. This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited, appropriate credit is given, any changes made indicated, and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/.Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant RD16/0017/0006