Mercury in waters from south-eastern Spain: possible sources of pollution

Se determinaron los niveles de mercurio en aguas potables, aguas de riego y aguas residuales de distintos lugares de la provincia de Granada (sureste de España). Se analizaron un total de 74 muestras mediante espectrometría de absorción atómica de vapor frío, y se verifi caron la sensibilidad, la exactitud y la precisión del método. No se detectó mercurio en las muestras de agua potable, pero los valores detectados en el agua de riego oscilaron entre valores indetectables y 0,12 μg/l. Aunque estos valores no son motivo de alarma general, algunos puntos de muestreo presentaron signos evidentes de contaminación. Sin embargo, no se pudo identifi car con certeza el origen de dicha contaminación. Dado que la concentración de base de mercurio en la tierra es, por lo general, bastante baja, los valores superiores registrados parecen ser atribuibles a la actividad antropogénica (uso intensivo de productos fi tosanitarios, residuos industriales y urbanos, etc.) Los niveles de mercurio en aguas residuales fueron ligeramente más elevados, entre 2,83 y 3,95 μg/l, lo que indica que es necesario vigilar y controlar de manera periódica dicho nivel de contaminación.We determined Hg levels in drinking, irrigation and waste waters from different locations in the province of Granada (South-east Spain). A total of 74 samples were analysed using cold-vapour atomic-absorption spectrometry, and the sensitivity, accuracy and precision of the method were verifi ed. Hg was not detected in drinking water samples but values in irrigation water were found to range from undetectable to 0.12 μg/l. Although these values do not give cause for general alarm, some sampling points showed clear evidence of contamination. However, the origins of such could not be identifi ed with any certainty. In the light of the fact that background Hg levels in soil are in general fairly low, the higher values recorded seem to be attributable to anthropogenic activity (extensive use of phytosanitory products, urban and industrial waste,…). Hg levels in wastewater were somewhat higher, ranging from 2.83 to 3.95 μg/l, indicating that such a degree of contamination requires surveillance and periodic controls.Este estudio ha sido financiado por el contrato de investigación F2000 de la Fundación Empresa-Universidad de Granada

Nasotracheal Microbiota of Nestlings of Parent White storks with Different Foraging Habits in Spain

Migratory storks could be vectors of transmission of bacteria of public health concern mediated by the colonization, persistence and excretion of such bacteria. This study aims to determine genera/species diversity, prevalence, and co-colonization indices of bacteria obtained from tracheal (T) and nasal (N) samples from storks in relation to exposure to point sources through foraging. One-hundred and thirty-six samples from 87 nestlings of colonies of parent white storks with different foraging habits (natural habitat and landfills) were obtained (84 T-samples and 52 N-samples) and processed. Morphologically distinct colonies (up to 12/sample) were randomly selected and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS. About 87.2% of the total 806 isolates recovered were identified: 398 from T-samples (56.6%) and 305 from N-samples (43.4%). Among identified isolates, 17 genera and 46 species of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were detected, Staphylococcus (58.0%) and Enterococcus (20.5%) being the most prevalent genera. S. sciuri was the most prevalent species from T (36.7%) and N (34.4%) cavities of total isolates, followed by E. faecalis (11.1% each from T and N), and S. aureus [T (6.5%), N (13.4%)]. Of N-samples, E. faecium was significantly associated with nestlings of parent storks foraging in landfills (p = 0.018). S. sciuri (p = 0.0034) and M. caseolyticus (p = 0.032) from T-samples were significantly higher among nestlings of parent storks foraging in natural habitats. More than 80% of bacterial species in the T and N cavities showed 1–10% co-colonization indices with one another, but few had ≥ 40% indices. S. sciuri and E. faecalis were the most frequent species identified in the stork nestlings. Moreover, they were highly colonized by other diverse and potentially pathogenic bacteria. Thus, storks could be sentinels of point sources and vehicles of bacterial transmission across the “One Health” ecosystems.This work was supported by the project PID2019-106158RB-I00 of the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 of Spain and project SBPLY/19/180501/000325 of the regional government of Castilla—La Mancha co-financed by the European Union’s funds for regional development (Feder). Also, it received funding from the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agrrement No. 801586. J.P.-P. was supported by a postdoctoral grant Margarita Salas from the European Union – Next GenerationEU through the Complutense University of Madrid.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature.Peer reviewe

Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in the Nasotracheal Cavities of White Stork Nestlings (Ciconia ciconia) in Spain: Genetic Diversity, Resistomes and Virulence Factors

The molecular ecology of Staphylococcus aureus in migratory birds (such as white storks) is necessary to understand their relevance in the “One Health” ecosystems. This study determined the nasotracheal carriage rates of S. aureus from white storks in Southern Spain and genetically characterized the within-host diversity. A collection of 67 S. aureus strains, previously obtained from 87 white stork nestlings (52 nasal and 85 tracheal samples) fed by their parents with food foraged in natural and landfill habitats, were tested for their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes. Moreover, the AMR genotypes, immune evasion cluster (IEC), virulence genes and the detection of CC398 lineage were studied by PCR. The spa types and multilocus-sequencing-typing (MLST) were also determined by PCR and sequencing. Staphylococcus aureus carriage was found in 31% of storks (36.5%/11.9% in nasal/tracheal samples). All isolates were methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and 8.8% of them were also susceptible to all tested antibiotics. The AMR phenotype/percentage/genes detected were as follows: penicillin/79.1%/blaZ; erythromycin-clindamycin-inducible/19.1%/ermA, ermT; tetracycline/11.9%/tetK; clindamycin/4.5%/lnuA and ciprofloxacin/4.5%. Twenty-one different spa types, including 2 new ones (t7778-ST15-CC15 and t18009-ST26-CC25), were detected and ascribed to 11 clonal complexes (CCs). MSSA-CC398 (8.2%), MSSA-CC15 (7.1%) and MSSA-ST291 (5.9%) were the most prevalent lineages in storks. Moreover, tst-positive (MSSA-CC22-t223 and MSSA-CC30-t1654), eta-positive (MSSA-CC9-t209) and etb-positive strains (MSSA-CC45-t015) were detected in four storks. The 18.5% of storks harboured distinct MSSA strains (with different lineages and/or AMR genes). Nestlings of storks foraging in landfills (10 CCs) had more diverse S. aureus strains than those of parents foraging in natural habitats (3 CCs). Low level of AMR was demonstrated among S. aureus strains. The predominance of MSSA-CC398 (an emergent clade) and toxigenic MSSA strains in stork nestlings highlight the need for continuous surveillance of S. aureus in wild birds.Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature.This work was financed by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 of Spain. Also, it received funding from the European Union’s H2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement N° 801586. It was supported by project SBPLY/19/180501/000325 of the regional government of Castilla – La Mancha by the European Union’s funds for regional development (FEDER).Peer reviewe

Daily Pattern of Physical Activity and Social Organization of Labour in the Pre-Hispanic Gran Canaria: The Contribution of the Skeletal Markers of Physical Activity (11th-15 Th AD Centuries)

El propósito de este artículo es discutir una reciente aportación que desde el ámbito de la bioarqueología ha abordado ciertas cuestiones acerca de los modos de vida de los antiguos canarios. Esta contribución se focaliza en el estudio de la organización social del trabajo a partir del análisis de algunos marcadores óseos de actividad física. Concretamente, los músculo-esqueléticos o cambios entésicos y las dimensiones métricas de los huesos largos en una serie esquelética de 138 individuos. Esta muestra procede de diez necrópolis prehispánicas datadas por AMS entre los siglos xi y xv. Los resultados permiten describir un patrón cotidiano de actividad física que es congruente con una organización social del proceso productivo articulada a partir de una división sexual y social del trabajo.The aim of this paper is to discuss a recent bioarchaeological contribution concerning to the pre-Hispanic inhabitants of Gran Canaria and their ways of life. This approach is focused on the study of the social organization of labour, based on the observation/identification of some skeletal markers of physical activity. Specifically, the musculoskeletal stress markers or entheseal changes and measurements of long bones are analyzed in a sample of 138 individuals. This population is from 10 pre-Hispanic cemetery located on the coast and dated by AMS between 11th and 15th AD centuries. The results reflect a pattern of daily physical activity which is consistent with a social organization of the production articulated from a sexual and social division of labour

Early Effects of a Pain-Informed Movement Program in Patients with Post-COVID-19 Condition Experiencing Persistent Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

(1) Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated 771 million confirmed cases. Of these patients, 60% have developed persistent symptoms including pain. This pain is a complex symptom that needs comprehensive therapeutic strategies to address it holistically. The main objective of this study will be to evaluate the early impact of the Pain Informed Movement (PIM) program in patients with post-COVID-19 conditions experiencing new-onset persistent pain. (2) Methods: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial will be performed. Patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) to the experimental or control group. The experimental group will undergo a PIM program consisting of low-intensity functional exercises, pain neuroscience education, and relaxation techniques. The control group will receive no intervention. (3) Results: The results will be published as a peerreviewed article. (4) Conclusions: This study will provide a basis for future research to support the implementation of comprehensive therapeutic approaches in the care of patients with post-COVID-19 persistent pain.Spanish Ministry of Education (Grant numbers FPU: 21/00451, FPU 20/01670, and FPU 19/02609)College of Physiotherapists of Andalucia, Proyect Ref: 06195/21D/M

Relationship between Pain Intensity, Physical Factors, Pronociceptive Pain Modulation Profile and Psychological Vulnerability on Upper Limb Disability in Older Patients with Chronic Shoulder Pain

Background: Chronic shoulder pain is a very prevalent condition causing disability and functional impairment. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between pain intensity, physical variables, psychological vulnerability, pronociceptive pain modulation profile and disability in older people with chronic shoulder pain. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 56 participants with non-specific chronic shoulder pain of the “Complejo Hospitalario Universitario” (Granada) and 56 healthy controls were included. The outcomes evaluated were pain intensity (visual analogue scale), physical factors (dynamometry for grip strength), psychological vulnerability (Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), pronociceptive pain modulation profile (pain pressure algometry) and disability (Quick Disability Arm Shoulder Hand questionnaire). Results: Disability showed a positive correlation with pain and psychological vulnerability (p < 0.05) and a negative correlation with pronociceptive pain variables and dynamometry (p < 0.001). Psychological vulnerability also presented a strong negative correlation with proprioceptive pain variables and dynamometry and a positive correlation with pain (p < 0.05). In regard to the pronociceptive pain modulation profile, a strong negative correlation with pain (p < 0.001) and a positive moderate correlation with dynamometry (p < 0.001) were shown. Conclusions: Our results support a strong association between disability, psychological vulnerability and pronociceptive pain modulation profile in older adults with chronic shoulder pain.German Research Foundation (DFG) FPU: 20/2167

Desafíos para el diseño de nuevas pedagogías basadas en tecnología móviles

A pesar del incremento de la inversión en tecnología en Latinoamérica todavía se conoce poco acerca de la integración de dispositivos móviles en las prácticas educativas. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar el acceso, la percepción de utilidad y la frecuencia de uso de los ordenadores portátiles entregados gratuitamente por el Plan Ceibal de Uruguay en la práctica pre-profesional de los estudiantes de profesorado. Se aplicó un método mixto de investigación que incluye una encuesta a 385 estudiantes y 15 entrevistas en profundidad. Los resultados revelan un escaso aprovechamiento pedagógico de los dispositivos móviles e importantes desafíos para las pedagogías emergentes. La mayoría de los participantes incorporan los dispositivos móviles en enfoques tradicionales de enseñanz

Long-Term In Vitro System for Maintenance and Amplification of Root-Knot Nematodes in Cucumis sativus Roots

Los nematodos (gusanos del suelo) son parásitos de las plantas que producen grandes pérdidas en las cosechas. Los nematodos representan una de las plagas agrícolas más importantes en todo el mundo. Después de la infección, provocan en la raíz estructuras hinchadas llamadas agallas que contienen sus células de alimentación. Entre las técnicas de control más eficientes para esta plaga están las estrategias basadas en la biotecnología que requieren de un profundo conocimiento de los procesos de biología molecular y celular existentes en la interacción planta-nematodo. Estas técnicas biotecnológicas requieren condiciones experimentales asépticas (sin contaminación), debido a que la contaminación no detectada con otros microorganismos podría comprometer la interpretación de los resultados obtenidos. Aquí, presentamos un método sencillo, eficaz y de largo plazo para la amplificación de nematodos en raíces de pepino en asepsia. Con éste método se ha conseguido una amplificación de 40 veces la población inicial. Además, el método fue verificado para tres especies distintas de nematodos (Meloidogyne javanica, Meloidogyne incognita y Meloidogyne arenaria), produciendo gusanos viables para su estudio en diferentes plantas de aplicación agronómica tales como tomate, patata y tabaco; así como, posibilitar el mantenimiento y amplificación de las poblaciones para cada una de las especies de nematodos estudiadas

Ciber agricultura familiar en tiempo de COVID 19, contexto Guano- Ecuador

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic generated a socio-economic crisis, making traditional transactions impossible due to quarantine and social distancing, it was necessary to adapt to new forms and family farming is no exception. Digital platforms have supported commercialization involving different actors, electronic commerce for farmers allowed a great technological leap, and an online market was created in Ecuador that contributed to creating a sustainable local food system of mutual benefit between farmer and consumer. Objective. Propose electronic commerce for peasant family agriculture in the Guano Canton in the context of the Covid 19 pandemic. Methodology. The main business models suitable for the commercialization of agricultural products of the Guano Canton were analyzed, the behavior of consumers and producers in virtual stores was evaluated in the framework of the COVID 19 pandemic, a business model was defined for the commercialization of agricultural products and derived from Canton Guano. Results. The study determined that for the Guano Canton the business model is B2C, business to consumer, with a classic merchant pattern. In addition, the design of the web page is presented based on the results of the investigation, with a user profile and an administrator profile with their respective menus for their functionality to support family farming in the Guano canton. Conclusion. The B2C business model for electronic commerce in the Guano canton allowed direct transactions between producer and final consumer. The platform "one click from your harvest" guarantees the management of a virtual agenda where the producers associated with their respective products offered are listed, guaranteeing the producer virtual marketing of their products at a fair price through the standardization of prices, in addition, this achieved that These products are part of the family baskets since the application of the Field School ensures the quality and quantity of production to comply with food sovereignty.Introducción. La pandemia por la COVID-19, generó una crisis socio económica, imposibilitando las transacciones tradicionales por la cuarentena y el distanciamiento social, fue necesario acoplarnos a nuevas formas y la agricultura familiar no es la excepción.&nbsp; Las plataformas digitales han apoyado a la comercialización implicando diferentes actores, el comercio electrónico para agricultores permitió un gran salto tecnológico, ya se creó un mercado online en Ecuador que contribuyó a crear un sistema de alimentación local sostenible de beneficio mutuo entre agricultor y consumidor. Objetivo. Proponer comercio electrónico para la agricultura familiar campesina del Cantón Guano en el contexto de la pandemia Covid 19. Metodología. Se analizó los principales modelos de negocio aptos para la comercialización de productos agrícolas del Cantón Guano, se evaluó el comportamiento de consumidores y productores en tiendas virtuales en el marco de la pandemia COVID 19, se definió un modelo de negocio para la comercialización de productos agrícolas y derivados del Cantón Guano. Resultados. El estudio determinó que para el Cantón Guano el modelo de negocio es del tipo B2C, empresa a consumidor, con un patrón comerciante clásico. Además, se presenta el diseño de la página web en base a los resultados de la investigación, con un perfil de usuario y el de administrador con sus respectivos menús para su funcionalidad apoyar a la agricultura familiar en el cantón Guano. Conclusión. El modelo de negocio B2C para comercio electrónico en el cantón Guano permitió transacciones directas entre productor y consumidor final. La plataforma “a un clic de tu cosecha” garantiza el manejo de una agenda virtual donde constan los productores asociados con sus respectivos productos ofertados, garantizando al productor comercialización virtual de sus productos a un precio justo mediante la estandarización de precios, además este logró que estos productos formen parte de las canastas familiares ya que la aplicación de la Escuela de Campo asegura la calidad y cantidad de producción para cumplir la soberanía alimentaria