1,279 research outputs found

    Barcos para la construcción de paraques eólicos Offshore: Ventanas temporales y clssificación COVEMA

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    En las últimas décadas, la Ingeniería eólica ha dado el gran salto desde tierra firme al medio marino. El desarrollo de parques cada vez más grandes, unido a la instalación de aerogeneradores de mayor tamaño y potencia, así como a la creciente demanda energética social, medioambiental y política, han hecho que dichos parques cada vez se diseñen a mayores profundidades: es la era de la Ingeniería Eólica Offshore. Para ello se emplea gran cantidad y tipologías de barcos de construcción. Dichos barcos serán reutilizados posteriormente en las fases de O&M de los parques. Del diseño y uso de dichos buques depende en gran medida el éxito de la instalación offshore. Es por esto que en este artículo se busca la optimización de los buques de construcción de parques eólicos, dando como resultado de la investigación una innovadora clasificación de los mismos: la matriz COVEMA

    Distribution of lesions in red and fallow deer naturally infected with Mycobacterium bovis

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    Wild deer have an important role in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The aims of this study were (1) to compare the pattern of lesions present in wild red (Cervus elaphus) and fallow (Dama dama) deer that were naturally infected with Mycobacterium bovis, and (2) to use this information to develop a sampling strategy for the isolation of M. bovis from the lymphoid tissues of the head of these animals. Culture of head lymphoid tissues demonstrated that 28 of 95 red deer and 22 of 100 fallow deer sampled were infected with M. bovis. Approx- imately 30% of each deer population had no gross lesions. Fallow deer were significantly more likely to have thoracic lesions than red deer. Lesions were observed in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes of 64% of the culture-positive red deer and 43% of the culture positive fallow deer. One third of the red deer, but none of the fallow deer, had well-encapsulated abscess lesions. There were no microscopical differences in the lesions in the lymph nodes of the red and fallow deer. Bacteriological culture from both the tonsil and retro- pharyngeal lymph nodes increased the rate of isolation of M. bovis by 22% over culture of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes alone in both species. These findings indicate that investigation of wild deer for bTB-compatible lesions should include examination of the medial retropharyngeal, left tracheobronchial, mediastinal, mesen- teric and ileocaecal lymph nodes. Sampling for bacteriological culture from head lymphoid tissues should be from the tonsil and the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes. These protocols may prove useful in bTB surveil- lance and control in regions where wild deer contribute to the circulation of M. bovis.This study was funded by Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía. This is a contribution to CICYT – MEC research grant AGL2008-03875 and FEDER, and to EU grant TB-STEP 212414. Studies on diseases shared between domestic animals and wildlife are also supported by grants and contracts from INIA, Principado de Asturias, Castilla – La Mancha (GC-006), Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino (OAPN and SDGSPP), and Grupo Santander – Fundacion Marcelino Botin. MPM-H acknowledges a post doctoral contract from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III.Peer reviewe

    Distribution of lesions in red and fallow deer naturally infected with Mycobacterium bovis

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    Wild deer have an important role in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The aims of this study were (1) to compare the pattern of lesions present in wild red (Cervus elaphus) and fallow (Dama dama) deer that were naturally infected with Mycobacterium bovis, and (2) to use this information to develop a sampling strategy for the isolation of M. bovis from the lymphoid tissues of the head of these animals. Culture of head lymphoid tissues demonstrated that 28 of 95 red deer and 22 of 100 fallow deer sampled were infected with M. bovis. Approx- imately 30% of each deer population had no gross lesions. Fallow deer were significantly more likely to have thoracic lesions than red deer. Lesions were observed in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes of 64% of the culture-positive red deer and 43% of the culture positive fallow deer. One third of the red deer, but none of the fallow deer, had well-encapsulated abscess lesions. There were no microscopical differences in the lesions in the lymph nodes of the red and fallow deer. Bacteriological culture from both the tonsil and retro- pharyngeal lymph nodes increased the rate of isolation of M. bovis by 22% over culture of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes alone in both species. These findings indicate that investigation of wild deer for bTB-compatible lesions should include examination of the medial retropharyngeal, left tracheobronchial, mediastinal, mesen- teric and ileocaecal lymph nodes. Sampling for bacteriological culture from head lymphoid tissues should be from the tonsil and the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes. These protocols may prove useful in bTB surveil- lance and control in regions where wild deer contribute to the circulation of M. bovis.This study was funded by Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía. This is a contribution to CICYT – MEC research grant AGL2008-03875 and FEDER, and to EU grant TB-STEP 212414. Studies on diseases shared between domestic animals and wildlife are also supported by grants and contracts from INIA, Principado de Asturias, Castilla – La Mancha (GC-006), Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino (OAPN and SDGSPP), and Grupo Santander – Fundacion Marcelino Botin. MPM-H acknowledges a post doctoral contract from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III.Peer reviewe

    Modelling the TB spatial risk in a complex multi-host system assessed by drones

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    Trabajo presentado a la VI International M. bovis Conference, celebrada en Cardiff (Reino Unido) del 16 al 19 de junio de 2014.The present work has benefited from the financial aid of research grants JCCM (PEII10-0262-7673), MINECO (AGL2010-20730‐C02‐01), Aeromab Project (P07‐RNM‐03246), and the PLANET Project (EU, Cooperation, 7th FP, 2010). J.A.B. holds an FPU pre‐doctoral scholarship. P.A. is supported by MINECO‐UCLM through ‘Ramón y Cajal’ contract (RYC‐2012‐11970) and partly by EMIDA‐ERA‐NET grant APHAEA (219235‐FP7‐ERA‐NET‐EMIDA; www.aphaea.eu). Acknowledgements We would like to thank E. Guerrero and M.A. Aguilar, the pilots and technicians who controlled the UAS and prepared the image mosaic. The present work has benefited from the financial aid of research grants JCCM (PEII10‐0262‐7673), MINECO (AGL2010‐20730‐C02‐01), Aeromab Project (P07‐RNM‐03246), and the PLANET Project (EU, Cooperation, 7th FP, 2010). J.A.B. holds an FPU pre‐doctoral scholarship. P.A. is supported by MINECO‐UCLM through ‘Ramón y Cajal’ contract (RYC‐2012‐11970) and partly by EMIDA‐ERA‐NET grant APHAEA (219235‐FP7‐ERA‐NET‐EMIDA; www.aphaea.eu).Peer Reviewe

    Very early Guillain-Barré syndrome: A clinical-electrophysiological and ultrasonographic study

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    Objectives: Using recent optimized electrodiagnostic criteria sets, we primarily aimed at verifying the accuracy of the initial electrophysiological test in very early Guillain-Barré syndrome (VEGBS), ?4 days of onset, compared with the results of serial electrophysiology. Our secondary objective was to correlate early electrophysiological results with sonographic nerve changes. Methods: This is a retrospective study based on consecutive VEGBS patients admitted to the hospital. Each patient had serial nerve conduction studies (NCS) in at least 4 nerves. Initial NCS were done within 4 days after onset, and serial ones from the second week onwards. Electrophysiological recordings of each case were re-evaluated, GBS subtype being established accordingly. Nerve ultrasonography was almost always performed within 2 weeks after onset. Results: Fifteen adult VEGBS patients were identified with a mean age of 57.8 years. At first NCS, VEGBS sub-typing was only possible in 3 (20%) cases that showed an axonal pattern, the remaining patterns being mixed (combining axonal and demyelinating features) in 6 (40%), equivocal in 5 (33.3%), and normal in 1 (6.7%). Upon serial NCS, 7 (46.7%) cases were categorized as acute demyelinating polyneuropathy, 7 (46.7%) as axonal GBS, and 1 (6.6%) as unclassified syndrome. Antiganglioside reactivity was detected in 5 out of the 7 axonal cases. Nerve US showed that lesions mainly involved the ventral rami of scanned cervical nerves. Conclusions: Serial electrophysiological evaluation is necessary for accurate VEGBS subtype classification. Ultrasonography helps delineate the topography of nerve changes. Significance: We provide new VEGBS pathophysiological insights into nerve conduction alterations within the first 4 days of the clinical course.Acknowledgement: This paper was supported by IDIVAL (ID APG/11) and CIBERNED. The authors are most grateful to Mrs Marta de la Fuente for secretarial assistance

    Characterizing the phenotype and mode of inheritance of patients with inherited peripheral neuropathies carrying MME mutations

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    [EN] Background Mutations in the metalloendopeptidase (MME) gene were initially identified as a cause of autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 (CMT2). Subsequently, variants in MME were linked to other late-onset autosomal dominant polyneuropathies. Thus, our goal was to define the phenotype and mode of inheritance of patients carrying changes in MME. Methods We screened 197 index cases with a hereditary neuropathy of the CMT type or distal hereditary motor neuropathy (dHMN) and 10 probands with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) using a custom panel of 119 genes. In addition to the index case subjects, we also studied other clinically and/or genetically affected and unaffected family members. Results We found 17 variants in MME in a total of 20 index cases, with biallelic MME mutations detected in 13 cases from nine families (three in homozygosis and six in compound heterozygosis) and heterozygous variants found in 11 families. All patients with biallelic variants had a similar phenotype, consistent with late-onset axonal neuropathy. Conversely, the phenotype of patients carrying heterozygous mutations was highly variable [CMT type 1 (CMT1), CMT2, dHMN and fALS] and mutations did not segregate with the disease. Conclusion MME mutations that segregate in an autosomal recessive pattern are associated with a late-onset CMT2 phenotype, yet we could not demonstrate that MME variants in heterozygosis cause neuropathy. Our data highlight the importance of establishing an accurate genetic diagnosis in patients carrying MME mutations, especially with a view to genetic counselling.The authors thank the patients and healthy relatives for having participated in this project. We are grateful to the Eurobiobank CIBERER and the Biobank La Fe for their participation in the collection and processing of patient samples. We also thank the technicians at the Department of Genomics and Translational Genetics (CIPF) who participated in the quality control and processing of DNA samples (Virginia Rejas and Laura Ramírez), and the Bachelor¿s thesis student Andrea Ballester who helped with some clinical data collection. This project was funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), FEDER (Grants no. PI12/00946 and PI16/00403 to TS, PI15/00187 to CE). MF holds a grant funded by the IIS La Fe (Grant no. 2015/0085). AS-M holds a grant funded by the Fundació Per Amor a l'Art (FPAA). JFV-C holds a ' Rio Hortega' contract funded by the ISCIII.Lupo, V.; Frasquet, M.; Sánchez-Monteagudo, A.; Pelayo-Negro, A.; García-Sobrino, T.; Sedano, MJ.; Pardo, J.... (2018). Characterizing the phenotype and mode of inheritance of patients with inherited peripheral neuropathies carrying MME mutations. Journal of Medical Genetics. 55(12):814-823. https://doi.org/10.1136/jmedgenet-2018-105650814823551

    Preliminary Design for Wave Run-Up in Offshore Wind Farms: Comparison between Theoretical Models and Physical Model Tests

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    Estimation of wave run-up has been of increasing concern for offshore wind structures and a critical aspect for designers. The highly nonlinear phenomenon makes the study difficult. That is the reason for the very few design rules and experimental data available to estimate it. Actual wave run-up is greater than commonly predicted. The goal of this research is to benchmark the theoretical formulations with the results of the physical model tests performed by Deltares in the field of crest elevation, run-up, forces and pressures. The laboratory reproduced in a wave tank (75 m length; 8.7 m width; 1 m depth; and a 1:60 scale, with Froude similarity) an offshore power converter platform located at intermediate water depths (25–43.80 m) in the Southern North Sea, designed by the Norwegian company Aibel. The purpose of this research is to offer a preliminary design guide for wave run–up using theoretical expressions both for cylinders and gravity based structures (GBS), leaning on the cited laboratory tests to validate the results obtained by such theoretical models.This research was funded by La Caixa PhD Program Fellowship

    Evaluation of a New Monoclonal Chemiluminescent Immunoassay Stool Antigen Test for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Spanish Multicentre Study

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    The stool antigen test (SAT) represents an attractive alternative for detection of Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of a new SAT, the automated LIAISON(R) Meridian H. pylori SA based on monoclonal antibodies, compared to the defined gold standard C-13-urea breath test (UBT). This prospective multicentre study (nine Spanish centres) enrolled patients >= 18 years of age with clinical indication to perform UBT for the initial diagnosis and for confirmation of bacterial eradication. Two UBT methods were used: mass spectrometry (MS) including citric acid (CA) or infrared spectrophotometry (IRS) without CA. Overall, 307 patients (145 naive, 162 with confirmation of eradication) were analysed. Using recommended cut-off values (negative SAT = 1.10) the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 67%, 97%, 86%, 92% and 91%, respectively, obtaining an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.85. Twenty-eight patients, including seven false positives and 21 false negatives, presented a discordant result between SAT and UBT. Among the 21 false negatives, four of six tested with MS and 11 of 15 tested with IRS presented a borderline UBT delta value. In 25 discordant samples, PCR targeting H. pylori DNA was performed to re-assess positivity and SAT accuracy was re-analysed: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, accuracy and AUC were 94%, 97%, 86%, 99%, 97% and 0.96, respectively. The new LIAISON(R) Meridian H. pylori SA SAT showed a good accuracy for diagnosis of H. pylori infection

    Tendance temporelle de la tuberculose dans la communauté d’ongulés du Parc National de Doñana

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    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]: El control de las enfermedades infecciosas compartidas entre la fauna silvestre y el ganado es complejo debido al escaso conocimiento de los procesos epidemiológicos que determinan la transmisión y persistencia de patógenos en la comunidad de hospedadores. La tuberculosis animal (TB) causada por la infección crónica del Complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (CMT) es endémica en jabalí (Sus scrofa), ciervo (Cervus elaphus) y gamo (Dama dama) en el centro-sur de España. En este contexto es clave conocer la dinámica temporal de la infección y los factores que modulan el mantenimiento de la TB en el medio natural y, consecuentemente, en el ganado en extensivo. Así, en este estudio utilizamos datos de seguimiento sanitario de ungulados silvestres y de bovino del Parque Nacional de Doñana (PND) para evaluar la tendencia temporal en la prevalencia de TB e identificar sus determinantes. Entre 2006 y 2016 se ha realizado la necropsia, el diagnóstico clínico- lesional y confirmación por cultivo microbiológico en un total de 852 jabalíes, 356 ciervos y 338 gamos dentro del plan de vigilancia sanitaria del PND. Por otro lado, la información sanitaria de 1139 cabezas de ganado bovino ha sido facilitada por los servicios veterinarios oficiales. El análisis espacio-temporal de la infección y sus principales factores de riesgo se ha realizado usando sistemas de información geográfica y modelos lineales generalizados. Los resultados muestran prevalencias de TB más elevadas en jabalí (69,44%), seguido de ciervo (43,38%) y gamo (19,88%); mientras que la incidencia en bovino es del 9%. La tendencia temporal de la infección durante el período estudiado es creciente en ungulados silvestres y se mantiene estable en el ganado bovino, a pesar de los intensos esfuerzos de erradicación en esta especie. En general, varios factores individuales, poblacionales, climatológicos y geográficos están involucrados en la dinámica de la enfermedad. Los individuos adultos muestran una prevalencia elevada respecto a los jóvenes en todas las especies, como se ha sugerido previamente en enfermedades de carácter crónico. En cuanto a la distribución espacial de la infección, se mantiene un marcado gradiente Norte- Sur descrito previamente en 2008, observándose valores superiores de prevalencia en aquellas áreas situadas al norte del PND. Esta situación podría estar mediada por las diferencias en la densidad de hospedadores y en el uso de los recursos. Por ejemplo, se aprecia un mayor riesgo relativo de TB en la cercanía a zonas de elevada agregación de individuos, como es el húmedo borde de la marisma. Estos resultados sobre la dinámica de la TB son fundamentales para comprender la epidemiología de la enfermedad en la comunidad de hospedadores y permitirán ayudar en el diseño de futuras estrategias de control.[IT]: Il controllo delle malattie infettive condivise tra la fauna selvatica e il bestiame è complesso a causa della scarsa conoscenza dei processi epidemiologici che determinano la trasmissione e la persistenza dei patogeni nella comunità di animali ospiti. La tubercolosi animale (TB) causata dall’infezione cronica da parte del Complesso Mycobacterium tuberculosis (CMT) è endemica nel cinghiale (Sus scrofa), cervo (Cervus elaphus) e daino (Dama dama) nel centro- sud della Spagna. In questo contesto è essenziale conoscere la dinamica temporale dell’infezione e i fattori che modulano il mantenimento della TB nell’ambiente naturale e, di conseguenza, nell’allevamento estensivo. In questo studio vengono utilizzati dati di controllo sanitario di ungulati silvestri e bovini nel Parco Nazionale della Dognana (PND), per valutare l’evoluzione temporale nella prevalenza della TB e identificarne i fattori determinanti. Tra il 2006 e il 2016 sono stati realizzati necroscopia, diagnosi clinico-lesionale e conferma tramite coltura microbiologica su un totale di 852 cinghiali, 356 cervi e 338 daini nell’ambito del piano di vigilanza sanitaria del PND. Le informazioni relative a 1139 teste di bestiame (bovino) sono state fornite invece dai servizi sanitari veterinari ufficiali. L’analisi spazio-temporale dell’infezione e dei suoi principali fattori di rischio è stata realizzata utilizzando sistemi di informazione geografica e modelli lineari generalizzati. I risultati mostrano prevalenza di TB più alta nelcinghiale (69,44%), seguito da cervo (43,38%) e daino (19,88%), mentre l’incidenza nel bestiame è del 9%. Durante il periodo studiato l’infezione è andata aumentando negli ungulati selvatici e si è mantenuta stabile nel bestiame, nonostante gli intensi sforzi di eradicazione in questa specie. In generale, vari fattori individuali, demografici, climatologici e geografici sono coinvolti nella dinamica della malattia. Gli individui adulti mostrano una prevalenza più elevata rispetto ai giovani in tutte le specie, come si era già visto precedentemente in altre malattie a carattere cronico. In quanto alla distribuzione spaziale dell’infezione, si mantiene una marcata prevalenza a nord rispetto al sud, già descritta prima nel risultando valori superiori nelle aree situate al nord del PND. Questa situazione potrebbe essere dovuta alle differenze di densità demografica degli ospiti e nell’uso condiviso delle risorse. Per esempio, è stato riscontrato un maggiore rischio relativo di TB nella vicinanza di zone con un alto indice di aggregazione degli individui, come ad esempio i terreni paludosi. Questi risultati sulla dinamica della TB sono fondamentali per comprendere l’epidemiologia della malattia nella comunità degli animali che ne sono ospiti e permetteranno lo sviluppo di future strategie di controllo.[FR]: Le contrôle des maladies infectieuses communes à la faune sauvage et à l’élevage est complexe dû aux faibles connaissances des processus épidémiologiques qui déterminent la transmission et la persistance des pathogènes dans la population d’hôtes. La tuberculose animale (TB) causée par l’infection chronique du Complejo Mycobacterium tuberculosis (CMT) est endémique chez le sanglier (Sus scrofa), le cerf (Cervus elaphus) et le daim (Dama dama) dans le centre-sud de l’Espagne. Dans ce contexte, il est primordial de connaître la dynamique temporelle de l’infection et les facteurs qui modulent le maintien de la TB dans le milieu naturel et, par conséquent, dans l’élevage extensif. Ainsi, dans cette étude, nous utilisons des données de suivi sanitaire des ongulés sauvages et des bovins du Parc National de Doñana (PND) pour évaluer la tendance temporelle dans la prévalence de TB et identifier ses déterminants. Entre 2006 et 2016, il a été réalisé l’autopsie, le diagnostic clinique et la confirmation par culture microbiologique sur un total de 852 sangliers, 356 cerfs et 338 daims dans le plan de vigilance sanitaire du PND. D’autre part, l’information sanitaire de 1139 têtes de bovins a été apportée par les services vétérinaires officiels. L’analyse spatio-temporelle de l’infection et ses principaux facteurs de risque a été réalisée en utilisant ses systèmes d’information géographique et des modèles linéaux généraux. Les résultats indiquent des prévalences de TB plus élevées chez le sanglier (69,44%), suivi du cerf (43,38%) et du daim (19,88%) ; alors que l’incidence chez les bovins es de 9%. La tendance temporelle de l’infection durant la période étudiée est croissante chez les ongulés sauvages et reste stable chez les bovins domestiques, malgré les efforts intenses d’éradication dans cette espèce. En général, plusieurs facteurs individuels, de groupes, climatologiques et géographiques sont impliqués dans la dynamique de la maladie. Les individus adultes présentent une prévalence élevée par rapport aux jeunes et ce dans toutes les espèces, ce qui est généralement le cas pour beaucoup de maladies chroniques. Par rapport à la distribution spatiale de l’infection, elle est surtout située dans le Nord-Sud, comme il a été décrit précédemment en 2008, où des valeurs supérieures de prévalence ont été observées dans les aires situées au nord du PND. Cette situation pourrait être due aux différences dans la densité des hôtes et dans l’utilisation des ressources. Par exemple, on observe un risque plus grand de TB à proximité des zones de densité élevée d’individus, comme le bord humide des marais. Ces résultats sur la dynamique de la TB sont fondamentaux pour comprendre l’épidémiologie de la maladie dans la communauté d’hôte et permettent d’aider pour le développement de futures stratégies de contrôle.Peer reviewe

    Accurate and timely diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis improves over time in Europe. An analysis of the EoE CONNECT Registry

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    BACKGROUND: Poor adherence to clinical practice guidelines for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) has been described and the diagnostic delay of the disease continues to be unacceptable in many settings. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of improved knowledge provided by the successive international clinical practice guidelines on reducing diagnostic delay and improving the diagnostic process for European patients with EoE. METHODS: Cross‐sectional analysis of the EoE CONNECT registry based on clinical practice. Time periods defined by the publication dates of four major sets of guidelines over 10 years were considered. Patients were grouped per time period according to date of symptom onset. RESULTS: Data from 1,132 patients was analyzed and median (IQR) diagnostic delay in the whole series was 2.1 (0.7‐6.2) years. This gradually decreased over time with subsequent release of new guidelines (p < 0.001), from 12.7 years up to 2007 to 0.7 years after 2017. The proportion of patients with stricturing of mixed phenotypes at the point of EoE diagnosis also decreased over time (41.3% vs. 16%; p < 0.001), as did EREFS scores. The fibrotic sub‐score decreased from a median (IQR) of 2 (1‐2) to 0 (0‐1) when patients whose symptoms started up to 2007 and after 2017 were compared (p < 0.001). In parallel, symptoms measured with the Dysphagia Symptoms Score reduced significantly when patients with symptoms starting before 2007 and after 2012 were compared. A reduction in the number of endoscopies patients underwent before the one that achieved an EoE diagnosis, and the use of allergy testing as part of the diagnostic workout of EoE, also reduced significantly over time (p = 0.010 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic work‐up of EoE patients improved substantially over time at the European sites contributing to EoE CONNECT, with a dramatic reduction in diagnostic delay
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