Infaunal macrobenthos in the Porcupine Bank (NE Atlantic)

The results of the macroinfaunal communities distributions from the annual series surveys PORCUPINE are shown. Those surveys were realized during the months of September and October in the years 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the Instituto Español de Oceanografía aboard the R /V Vizconde de Eza, within the research project ERDEM. This survey series has as main objective the obtainment of abundance indexes of the benthonic and demersal fauna from Porcupine Bank, west of Ireland, with special attention on the commercial species exploited by the Spanish fleet (hake, angler fish, megrim and norwegian lobster). For the study of the infaunal macrobenthos a total of 50 samples were analyzed from selected places of the Bank, where the bottom characteristics, the climatology or the survey schedule allowed. Samples were taken with an ULSNER box corer with 0.09 m2 of sampling area. Samples for the faunal study were sieved aboard with a 0.5 mm mesh size sieve. The material collected in the sieve was preserved with 8 % formaldehyde neutralized with borax, and stained with Rose Bengal solution for the posterior sorting and identification of fauna. Additional samples were taken to estimate the organic content of the sediment and to perform the granulometric analyses. Once in the laboratory, the granulometry was analyzed following the method recommended by Buchanan (1984); which consists in a combination of dry sieving of the coarse fraction (> 62 µm) and the sedimentation at 20 ºC of the fine fraction (< 62 µm) in a distilled water column. Sediment organic matter content was calculated as the percentage of weight loss by means of 24 hours sample calcination at 500 ºC, after dried it at 100 ºC during the same time. Complementary, in order to obtain a better coverage of the sedimentary types from the study area, more than 350 samples were collected with a net collector coupled to the trawling fishing gear (Baca-GAV 39/52). Globally, the sediments of the majority of the sampled stations are mainly formed by sand, between fine and very fine, except in deep areas of the southeast, where there are large muddy areas with elevated organic content and high selection coefficient. In the north, around the shallowest area, we found thicker sandy sediments, with lower organic content and moderate selection. The macroinfaunal communities from the Porcupine Bank are characterized by the dominance of the faunistic group of polychaetes (68.8 %), mainly represented by the families Owenidae, Spionidae, Paraonidae and Sabellidae. The next in number are the group of molluscs (17.6 %), dominated by the family Kelliellidae, which reaches maximum abundances up to 7520 ind•m-2. The poorest represented groups are the crustaceans (5.0 %), echinoderms (4.3 %) and the “others” (sipunculids, nemertine, etc.), being the latter the least abundant (3.7 %). In relation with the spatial distribution four macroinfaunal groups were indentified in the Porcupine Bank: - Group 1: located in intermediate depth areas, over sandy sediments with low organic content. The infaunal community is dominated by polychaetes from the Owenidae family, mainly represented by the specie Galathowenia oculata. - Group 2: occupies the sandy and low organic content sediments from the shallowest area of the Bank. Polychaetes are the most representative faunistic group, highlighting the dominance of the families Spionidae and Paraonidae. Prionospio fallax and Aricidea wassi are the most representative species of the group. - Group 3: situated in two deep areas in the south area of the Bank with muddy and high organic matter content sediments. It has the lowest infaunal abundance of the study, being dominated by the bivalve molluscs from the family Kelliellidae and by the annelids polychaetes from the family Paraonidae. - Group 4: Is the cluster that includes more stations in throughout the study. It is distributed spatially in the south area of the Bank, in different bathymetries, with the most heterogeneous sediments and moderate organic content. The bivalve molluscs from the Kelliellidae family again become dominant, with Kelliella miliaris reaching abundance over 7500 ind•m-2.IE

Bacteriuria asintomática y factores de riesgo en mujeres de pregrado de dos profesiones

Este estudio transversal descriptivo busca analizar si la formación profesional de las estudiantes de enfermería influye para que presenten menor frecuencia de bacteriuria asintomática (BA) y factores de riesgo respecto a las de trabajo social. Previo consentimiento informado, se seleccionó un grupo de alumnas de enfermería y otro de trabajo social mediante muestreo simple aleatorio. Se excluyeron quienes estaban embarazadas o en tratamiento con antibióticos. El diagnóstico de BA se hizo con base en tres criterios químicos y de laboratorios validados por la literatura médica. Para identificar factores de riesgo de BA, se aplicó un instrumento de diez preguntas que evalúan situaciones que favorecen infecciones urinarias. Se realizó un estudio piloto y las respuestas permitieron adecuar el instrumento. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva y chi cuadrado para identificar asociación entre frecuencia de BA y área de formación de las estudiantes. Las diferencias se consideraron estadísticamente significativas cuando p≤ 0,05. Se identificó un solo caso de BA en alumnas de enfermería y cuatro en trabajo social, lo cual no es estadísticamente significativo (p=0,26, OR=0,29). Los factores de riesgo que resultaron significativos entre ambos grupos fueron: higiene vaginal inadecuada (p=0,0016, OR=0,17), presencia de lavados vaginales frecuentes (p=0,005, OR=0,26) e ingesta de suplementos vitamínicos (p=0,0008, OR=4,23). Se concluye que los casos de BA positivos no están relacionados con el área de formación profesional; los casos positivos de BA se deben más a factores y hábitos de higiene local que a factores socioculturales y de nutrición

Tween 80 Improves the Acid-Fast Bacilli Quantification in the Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Colorimetric Biosensing Assay (NCBA)

Despite its reduced sensitivity, sputum smear microscopy (SSM) remains the main diagnostic test for detecting tuberculosis in many parts of the world. A new diagnostic technique, the magnetic nanoparticle-based colorimetric biosensing assay (NCBA) was optimized by evaluating different concentrations of glycan-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (GMNP) and Tween 80 to improve the acid-fast bacilli (AFB) count. Comparative analysis was performed on 225 sputum smears: 30 with SSM, 107 with NCBA at different GMNP concentrations, and 88 with NCBA-Tween 80 at various concentrations and incubation times. AFB quantification was performed by adding the total number of AFB in all fields per smear and classified according to standard guidelines (scanty, 1+, 2+ and 3+). Smears by NCBA with low GMNP concentrations (≤1.5 mg/mL) showed higher AFB quantification compared to SSM. Cell enrichment of sputum samples by combining NCBA-GMNP, incubated with Tween 80 (5%) for three minutes, improved capture efficiency and increased AFB detection up to 445% over SSM. NCBA with Tween 80 offers the opportunity to improve TB diagnostics, mainly in paucibacillary cases. As this method provides biosafety with a simple and inexpensive methodology that obtains results in a short time, it might be considered as a point-of-care TB diagnostic method in regions where resources are limited

Susceptibility of biological stages of the horn fly, Haematobia irritans, to entomopathogenic fungi (Hyphomycetes)

The susceptibility of the egg, pupa, and adult of Haematobia irritans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae) to isolates of the fungi Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sor., Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill., and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus (Wize) Brown and Smith, was evaluated under laboratory conditions. Groups of 20 eggs than 4 h old, pupae less than 48h old and adults were sprayed with a conidial suspension of each isolate. Eggs, pupae and adults of horn fly were susceptible to these entomopathogenic fungi. For treated eggs, the isolates Ma3, Ma 15, Ma25, Pfr1, and Pfr8 reduced adult emergence to 3.8% to 6.3% in comparison with the control (72%). The mortality of pupae infected by the isolates Ma2, Ma25, and Pfr10 ranged between 50% and 71.3%. Mortality of adults after treatment with the isolates Ma6, Ma 10, Ma 14, Ma 15, Pfr 1, Pfr 9, Pfr 10, Pfr 11, and Pfr12 were higher than 90%. The isolate Ma6 produced the lowest LC(50) against adult horn flies (8.08 &times 10(2)conidia/ml). These findings supported the hypotheses that isolates of M. anisopliae, and P. fumosoroseus are pathogenic against the different biological stages of horn flies by reducing adult emergence when applied on groups of eggs and pupae, and producing mortality when applied to adults

Specialized pro-resolving mediators prevents cardiac dysfunction by modulating Ca2+ handling and NRF2 axis

Trabajo presentado en el ESC Congress 2021 - The Digital Experience, celebrado en modalidad virtual el 27 de agosto de 2021

Valor pronóstico del índice de riesgo nutricional en receptores de trasplante cardiaco

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. To study the prognostic impact of preoperative nutritional status, as assessed through the nutritional risk index (NRI), on postoperative outcomes after heart transplantation (HT). Methods. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study of 574 patients who underwent HT from 1991 to 2014. Preoperative NRI was calculated as 1.519 × serum albumin (g/L) + 41.7 × (body weight [kg] / ideal body weight [kg]). The association between preoperative NRI and postoperative outcomes was analyzed by means of multivariable logistic regression and multivariable Cox regression. Results. Mean NRI before HT was 100.9 ± 9.9. According to this parameter, the prevalence of severe nutritional risk (NRI < 83.5), moderate nutritional risk (83.5 ≤ NRI < 97.5), and mild nutritional risk (97.5 ≤ NRI < 100) was 5%, 22%, and 10%, respectively. One year post-transplant mortality rates in these 4 categories were 18.2%, 25.3%, 7.9% and 10.2% (P < .001), respectively. The NRI was independently associated with a lower risk of postoperative infection (adjusted OR, 0.97; 95%CI, 0.95-1.00; P = .027) and prolonged postoperative ventilator support (adjusted OR, 0.96; 95%CI, 0.94-0.98; P = .001). Patients at moderate or severe nutritional risk had significantly higher 1-year post-HT mortality (adjusted HR, 1.55; 95%CI, 1.22-1.97; P < .001). Conclusions. Malnourished patients have a higher risk of postoperative complications and mortality after HT. Preoperative NRI determination may help to identify HT candidates who might benefit from nutritional intervention.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. Analizar el impacto del estado nutricional preoperatorio, evaluado mediante el índice de riesgo nutricional (IRN), en el pronóstico tras el trasplante cardiaco (TxC). Métodos. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 574 pacientes que recibieron un TxC entre 1991 y 2014 en un centro. El IRN preoperatorio se calculó como 1,519 × albúmina (g/l) + 41,7 × (peso real [kg] / peso ideal [kg]). La asociación entre IRN preoperatorio y eventos clínicos posoperatorios se analizó mediante modelos multivariables de regresión logística y regresión de Cox. Resultados. El IRN preoperatorio medio de la población del estudio era de 100,9 ± 9,9. Según este parámetro, las prevalencias de riesgo nutricional grave (IRN < 83,5), moderado (83,5 ≤ IRN < 97,5) y leve (97,5 ≤ IRN < 100) antes del TxC eran el 5, el 22 y el 10% respectivamente. Las tasas de mortalidad a 1 año tras el TxC en estas 4 categorías fueron del 18,2, el 25,3, el 7,9 y el 10,2% (p < 0,001) respectivamente. El IRN preoperatorio resultó predictor independiente de menor riesgo de infección posoperatoria (odds ratio ajustada [ORa] = 0,97; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%], 0,95-1,00; p = 0,027) y ventilación mecánica prolongada posoperatoria (ORa = 0,96; IC95%, 0,94-0,98; p = 0,001). Los pacientes con riesgo nutricional moderado a grave mostraron mayor mortalidad a 1 año tras el TxC (hazard ratio ajustada = 1,55; IC95%, 1,22-1,97; p < 0,001). Conclusiones. Los pacientes desnutridos tienen mayor riesgo de complicaciones posoperatorias y muerte tras el TxC. La determinación del IRN podría facilitar la identificación de candidatos a TxC que se beneficien de intervenciones nutricionales en espera del órgano

Scanning tunneling microscopy of electrochemically activated platinum surfaces : A direct ex-situ determination of the electrode nanotopography

A direct scanning tunneling microscopy ex-situ determination on the nanometer scale of the topography of electrochemically highly activated platinum electrodes is presented. A correlation between catalytic activity and surface microtopography becomes evident. This result gives support to a structural model for the activated electrode surface. In the model, a volume with a pebble-like structure allows electrocatalytic processes to occur practically free of diffusion relaxation contributions under usual voltammetric conditions.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicada

In-Hospital Post-Operative Infection after Heart Transplantation: Epidemiology, Clinical Management, and Outcome

Observational study[Abstract] Background: Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after heart transplantation (HT). Little information about its importance in the immediate post-operative period is available. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics, incidence, and outcomes of in-hospital post-operative infections after HT. Methods: We conducted an observational, single-center study based on 677 adults who underwent HT from 1991 to 2015 and who survived the surgical intervention. In-hospital post-operative infections were identified retrospectively according to the medical finding in the clinical records. Results: Over a mean hospital stay of 24.5 days, 239 patients (35.3%) developed 348 episodes of infection (2 episodes per 100 patient-days). The most common sources of infection were those related to invasive procedures (respiratory infections, 115 [33%]; urinary tract infections, 47 [13.5%]; bacteremia, 42 [12.1%]; surgical site infections, 25 [7.2%]), in addition to abdominal focus (33, 9.5%). Enterobacteriaceae (76, 21.8%) and gram-positive cocci (58, 16.7%) were the predominant germs, although opportunistic infections were not infrequent (69, 19.8%). Ninety-five septic episodes were detected with a mean Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score of 9.5 ± 5.3 points, with hemodynamic failure being the most severe organ dysfunction and renal dysfunction the most frequent one. Management included broad-spectrum antibiotics in 48.8% of episodes and surgical management in 13.8%. The overall antimicrobial success rate was 96.3%. Higher in-hospital mortality was observed among infected patients (15.1% vs. 10.3%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.067). The one-year survival and events were not different between patients suffering from a post-operative infection and those who did not. Conclusions: In-hospital infections were frequent in the post-operative period after HT and were associated with a poor short-term outcome. Patients who survived sepsis had a similar one-year morbidity and mortality compared with patients who did not develop an infection

El valor de la recerca formativa per a la innovació docent i el desenvolupament competencial

2012PID-UB/117El projecte ha consistit en la introducció d’innovacions docents en dues assignatures del Grau de Pedagogia de la Facultat de Pedagogia ('Informàtica aplicada a la recerca educativa' i 'Orientació i Gènere') i una assignatura del Grau de Mestre en Educació Infantil de la Facultat de Formació del Professorat ('Observació i Innovació a l'aula) promovent la investigació formativa com a eina pedagògica. Conscients que la configuració de l'Espai Europeu d'Educació Superior planteja un gran repte per a l'aprofundiment de la investigació en el nou marc formatiu universitari, aquest projecte ha volgut validar mètodes d'ensenyament per al desenvolupament competencial (De Miguel, et al., 2006) que operativitzen la investigació formativa: l'Aprenentatge Basat en Problemes, l'Aprenentatge orientat a Projectes i l'ús de les narratives digitals (Rodríguez i Londoño, 2009) per fomentar l'autoaprenentatge i l'autogestió del coneixement. Els resultats obtinguts evidencien el valor d'aquestes estratègies pedagògiques instrumentalitzades per la investigació formativa per a l'assoliment de tres competències transversals comunes a la Universitat de Barcelona (Vicerrectorat de Política Docent, 2008): el compromís ètic, la capacitat d'aprenentatge i responsabilitat, i la capacitat comunicativa. A més també animen a avançar en el treball interdisciplinari per a l'avaluació de les mateixes, mitjançant l'elaboració de rúbriques específiques coherents amb les innovacions docents en les assignatures implicades.CONVOCATÒRIA D’AJUTS PER AL DESENVOLUPAMENT DE PROJECTES D’INNOVACIÓ DOCENT A LA UB. 2012PID-UB/11

VAMOS: a Pathfinder for the HAWC Gamma-Ray Observatory

VAMOS was a prototype detector built in 2011 at an altitude of 4100m a.s.l. in the state of Puebla, Mexico. The aim of VAMOS was to finalize the design, construction techniques and data acquisition system of the HAWC observatory. HAWC is an air-shower array currently under construction at the same site of VAMOS with the purpose to study the TeV sky. The VAMOS setup included six water Cherenkov detectors and two different data acquisition systems. It was in operation between October 2011 and May 2012 with an average live time of 30%. Besides the scientific verification purposes, the eight months of data were used to obtain the results presented in this paper: the detector response to the Forbush decrease of March 2012, and the analysis of possible emission, at energies above 30 GeV, for long gamma-ray bursts GRB111016B and GRB120328B.Comment: Accepted for pubblication in Astroparticle Physics Journal (20 pages, 10 figures). Corresponding authors: A.Marinelli and D.Zaboro