Semi-metric topology characterizes epidemic spreading on complex networks

Network sparsification represents an essential tool to extract the core of interactions sustaining both networks dynamics and their connectedness. In the case of infectious diseases, network sparsification methods remove irrelevant connections to unveil the primary subgraph driving the unfolding of epidemic outbreaks in real networks. In this paper, we explore the features determining whether the metric backbone, a subgraph capturing the structure of shortest paths across a network, allows reconstructing epidemic outbreaks. We find that both the relative size of the metric backbone, capturing the fraction of edges kept in such structure, and the distortion of semi-metric edges, quantifying how far those edges not included in the metric backbone are from their associated shortest path, shape the retrieval of Susceptible-Infected (SI) dynamics. We propose a new method to progressively dismantle networks relying on the semi-metric edge distortion, removing first those connections farther from those included in the metric backbone, i.e. those with highest semi-metric distortion values. We apply our method in both synthetic and real networks, finding that semi-metric distortion provides solid ground to preserve spreading dynamics and connectedness while sparsifying networks.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures. Supplementary Text: 6 pages, 1 table, 5 figure

Inferring spatial source of disease outbreaks using maximum entropy

Mathematical modeling of disease outbreaks can infer the future trajectory of an epidemic, allowing for making more informed policy decisions. Another task is inferring the origin of a disease, which is relatively difficult with current mathematical models. Such frameworks, across varying levels of complexity, are typically sensitive to input data on epidemic parameters, case counts, and mortality rates, which are generally noisy and incomplete. To alleviate these limitations, we propose a maximum entropy framework that fits epidemiological models, provides calibrated infection origin probabilities, and is robust to noise due to a prior belief model. Maximum entropy is agnostic to the parameters or model structure used and allows for flexible use when faced with sparse data conditions and incomplete knowledge in the dynamical phase of disease-spread, providing for more reliable modeling at early stages of outbreaks. We evaluate the performance of our model by predicting future disease trajectories based on simulated epidemiological data in synthetic graph networks and the real mobility network of New York State. In addition, unlike existing approaches, we demonstrate that the method can be used to infer the origin of the outbreak with accurate confidence. Indeed, despite the prevalent belief on the feasibility of contact-tracing being limited to the initial stages of an outbreak, we report the possibility of reconstructing early disease dynamics, including the epidemic seed, at advanced stages

Synthesis and leishmanicidal activity of cinnamic acid esters: structure–activity relationship

Several cinnamic acid esters were obtained via Fischer esterification of cinnamic acids derivatives with aliphatic alcohols. Structures of the products were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antileishmanial activity against L. (V) panamensis amastigotes and cytotoxic activity was evaluated against mammalian U-937 cells. The compounds 11, 15–17, and 23, were active against Leishmania parasite and although toxic for mammalian cells, they still are potential candidates for antileishmanial drug development. A SAR analysis indicates that first, while smaller alkyl chains lead to higher selectivity indices (10, 11 vs. 12–17); second, the degree of oxygenation is essential for activity, primarily in positions 3 and 4 (17 vs. 18–20 and 22); and third, hydroxyl groups increase both activity and cytotoxicity (14 vs. 23). On the other hand, the presence of a double bond in the side chain is crucial for cytotoxicity and leishmanicidal activity (12 vs. 21). However, further studies are required to optimize the structure of the promising molecules and to validate the in vitro activity against Leishmania demonstrated here with in vivo studies.The authors thank Dr. Javier Garcés for his help in this study. We acknowledge the support by the Universidad de Antioquia (Estrategia de Sostenibilidad 2013–2014 and CIDEPRO) and Colciencias (contract No. 357-2011)

Optimización de la hemoglobina preoperatoria en cirugía ortopédica mayor utilizando hierro intravenoso con o sin eritropoyetina. Estudio epidemiológico

Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad del tratamiento con hierro intravenoso, solo o asociado a eritropoyetina (rHuEPO), mediante el incremento de hemoglobina (Hb). Como objetivo secundario se analizó la relación del incremento de Hb con los parámetros utilizados para evaluar la anemia. Material y método: Estudio observacional retrospectivo realizado en 2 centros entre enero de 2005 y diciembre de 2009. Se incluyeron pacientes sometidos a cirugía ortopédica electiva con déficit de hierro y que fueron tratados con hierro sacarosa intravenosos solo o asociado a rHuEPO. Se analizó la efectividad del tratamiento mediante la diferencia entre la Hb basal y la Hb previa a la cirugía y se valoró la relación entre los parámetros hematimétricos y del metabolismo del hierro con la efectividad del tratamiento. Resultados: Se incluyeron 412 pacientes que recibieron una mediana de 800mg de hierro sacarosa. A 125 pacientes (30,4%) se les asoció 2,4 viales de rHuEPO. El incremento de Hb fue de 0,8 (1,1) g/dL en los pacientes tratados con hierro intravenoso y de 1,5 (1,3) g/dL en los que se asoció rHuEPO (p<0,01). El incremento de Hb en los pacientes tratados con hierro se correlacionó con el porcentaje de hematíes hipocromos (r=0,52) y el valor del receptor soluble de la transferrina (r=0,59). Conclusiones: La efectividad del tratamiento con hierro sacarosa en pacientes con déficit de hierro para la optimización de la Hb preoperatoria fue moderada, siendo mayor con la administración adyuvante de eritropoyetina. La determinación de los parámetros funcionales del estado del hierro nos podría guiar para mejorar la efectividad del tratamiento

Efectividad del apósito Nursicare® versus lanolina en el tratamiento de las grietas en el pezón en mujeres lactantes. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Introducción. Las grietas en los pezones y el dolor constituyen uno de los principales motivos para el abandono de la lactancia materna. Por ello es necesario encontrar productos que ayuden a mejorar esta situación tanto para los sanitarios como para las pacientes. Objetivo. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la eficacia de este apósito frente a la lanolina, en el control del dolor y la cicatrización de las heridas en los pezones a los siete días postparto. Metodología. Se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorizado ciego simple con mujeres gestantes del Hospital Viamed Montecanal de Zaragoza. El grupo de intervención fue tratado con el apósito Nursicare® y el grupo control con lanolina, para el tratamiento de las grietas en los pezones. Se obtuvo la aprobación del Comité de Ética de la Investigación de la Comunidad de Aragón. Participaron 106 mujeres, 53 en el grupo intervención y 53 en el de control. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el tamaño de la lesión tras aplicar el tratamiento y el tiempo de cicatrización, siendo menor en el grupo de intervención. El nivel de dolor se redujo de una forma mayor en el grupo de intervención que en el control, con una diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Conclusión. El apósito Nursicare® ha demostrado efectos positivos estadísticamente significativos en el tratamiento de grietas en los pezones, siendo más eficaz que la lanolina en el tratamiento de las heridas en los pezones, acelerando el proceso de curación y disminuyendo el dolor. Introduction. Cracked nipples and pain are one of the main reasons for abandoning breastfeeding. Therefore, it is necessary to find products that help improve this situation for both health workers and patients. Goals. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of this dressing against lanolin, in the control of pain and the healing of wounds in the nipples at seven days postpartum. Methodology. A single blind randomized clinical trial was conducted with pregnant women from the Viamed Montecanal Hospital in Zaragoza. The intervention group was treated with the Nursicare® dressing and the control group with lanolin, for the treatment of cracks in the nipples. The approval of the Research Ethics Committee of the Community of Aragon was obtained. 106 women participated, 53 in the intervention group and 53 in the control group. Results. Statistically significant differences were observed in the size of the lesion after applying the treatment and the healing time, being less in the intervention group. The level of pain was reduced in a greater way in the intervention group than in the control, with a statistically significant difference. Conclusion. Nursicare® dressing has shown statistically significant positive effects in the treatment of nipple cracks, being more effective than lanolin in treating nipple wounds, speeding up the healing process and reducing pain

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1042–1111

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Cladosporium arenosum from marine sediment sand. Argentina, Kosmimatamyces alatophylus (incl. Kosmimatamyces gen. nov.) from soil. Australia, Aspergillus banksianus, Aspergillus kumbius, Aspergillus luteorubrus, Aspergillus malvicolor and Aspergillus nanangensis from soil, Erysiphe medicaginis from leaves of Medicago polymorpha, Hymenotorrendiella communis on leaf litter of Eucalyptus bicostata, Lactifluus albopicri and Lactifluus austropiperatus on soil, Macalpinomyces collinsiae on Eriachne benthamii, Marasmius vagus on soil, Microdochium dawsoniorum from leaves of Sporobolus natalensis, Neopestalotiopsis nebuloides from leaves of Sporobolus elongatus, Pestalotiopsis etonensis from leaves of Sporobolus jacquemontii, Phytophthora personensis from soil associated with dying Grevillea mccutcheonii. Brazil, Aspergillus oxumiae from soil, Calvatia baixaverdensis on soil, Geastrum calycicoriaceum on leaf litter, Greeneria kielmeyerae on leaf spots of Kielmeyera coriacea. Chile, Phytophthora aysenensis on collar rot and stem of Aristotelia chilensis. Croatia, Mollisia gibbospora on fallen branch of Fagus sylvatica. Czech Republic, Neosetophoma hnaniceana from Buxus sempervirens. Ecuador, Exophiala frigidotolerans from soil. Estonia, Elaphomyces bucholtzii in soil. France, Venturia paralias from leaves of Euphorbia paralias. India, Cortinarius balteatoindicus and Cortinarius ulkhagarhiensis on leaf litter. Indonesia, Hymenotorrendiella indonesiana on Eucalyptus urophylla leaf litter. Italy, Penicillium taurinense from indoor chestnut mill. Malaysia, Hemileucoglossum kelabitense on soil, Satchmopsis pini on dead needles of Pinus tecunumanii. Poland, Lecanicillium praecognitum on insects' frass. Portugal, Neodevriesia aestuarina from saline water. Republic of Korea, Gongronella namwonensis from freshwater. Russia, Candida pellucida from Exomias pellucidus, Heterocephalacria septentrionalis as endophyte from Cladonia rangiferina, Vishniacozyma phoenicis from dates fruit, Volvariella paludosa from swamp. Slovenia, Mallocybe crassivelata on soil. South Africa, Beltraniella podocarpi, Hamatocanthoscypha podocarpi, Coleophoma podocarpi and Nothoseiridium podocarpi (incl. Nothoseiridium gen. nov.)from leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Gyrothrix encephalarti from leaves of Encephalartos sp., Paraphyton cutaneum from skin of human patient, Phacidiella alsophilae from leaves of Alsophila capensis, and Satchmopsis metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros excelsa. Spain, Cladophialophora cabanerensis from soil, Cortinarius paezii on soil, Cylindrium magnoliae from leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, Trichophoma cylindrospora (incl. Trichophoma gen. nov.) from plant debris, Tuber alcaracense in calcareus soil, Tuber buendiae in calcareus soil. Thailand, Annulohypoxylon spougei on corticated wood, Poaceascoma filiforme from leaves of unknown Poaceae. UK, Dendrostoma luteum on branch lesions of Castanea sativa, Ypsilina buttingtonensis from heartwood of Quercus sp. Ukraine, Myrmecridium phragmiticola from leaves of Phragmites australis. USA, Absidia pararepens from air, Juncomyces californiensis (incl. Juncomyces gen. nov.) from leaves of Juncus effusus, Montagnula cylindrospora from a human skin sample, Muriphila oklahomaensis (incl. Muriphila gen. nov.)on outside wall of alcohol distillery, Neofabraea eucalyptorum from leaves of Eucalyptus macrandra, Diabolocovidia claustri (incl. Diabolocovidia gen. nov.)from leaves of Serenoa repens, Paecilomyces penicilliformis from air, Pseudopezicula betulae from leaves of leaf spots of Populus tremuloides. Vietnam, Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus and Roridomyces pseudoirritans on rotten wood. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1042–1111

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: Antarctica, Cladosporium arenosum from marine sediment sand. Argentina, Kosmimatamyces alatophylus (incl. Kosmimatamyces gen. nov.) from soil. Australia, Aspergillus banksianus, Aspergillus kumbius, Aspergillus luteorubrus, Aspergillus malvicolor and Aspergillus nanangensis from soil, Erysiphe medicaginis from leaves of Medicago polymorpha, Hymenotorrendiella communis on leaf litter of Eucalyptus bicostata, Lactifluus albopicri and Lactifluus austropiperatus on soil, Macalpinomyces collinsiae on Eriachne benthamii, Marasmius vagus on soil, Microdochium dawsoniorum from leaves of Sporobolus natalensis, Neopestalotiopsis nebuloides from leaves of Sporobolus elongatus, Pestalotiopsis etonensis from leaves of Sporobolus jacquemontii, Phytophthora personensis from soil associated with dying Grevillea mccutcheonii. Brazil, Aspergillus oxumiae from soil, Calvatia baixaverdensis on soil, Geastrum calycicoriaceum on leaf litter, Greeneria kielmeyerae on leaf spots of Kielmeyera coriacea. Chile, Phytophthora aysenensis on collar rot and stem of Aristotelia chilensis. Croatia, Mollisia gibbospora on fallen branch of Fagus sylvatica. Czech Republic, Neosetophoma hnaniceana from Buxus sempervirens. Ecuador, Exophiala frigidotolerans from soil. Estonia, Elaphomyces bucholtzii in soil. France, Venturia paralias from leaves of Euphorbia paralias. India, Cortinarius balteatoindicus and Cortinarius ulkhagarhiensis on leaf litter. Indonesia, Hymenotorrendiella indonesiana on Eucalyptus urophylla leaf litter. Italy, Penicillium taurinense from indoor chestnut mill. Malaysia, Hemileucoglossum kelabitense on soil, Satchmopsis pini on dead needles of Pinus tecunumanii. Poland, Lecanicillium praecognitum on insects' frass. Portugal, Neodevriesia aestuarina from saline water. Republic of Korea, Gongronella namwonensis from freshwater. Russia, Candida pellucida from Exomias pellucidus, Heterocephalacria septentrionalis as endophyte from Cladonia rangiferina, Vishniacozyma phoenicis from dates fruit, Volvariella paludosa from swamp. Slovenia, Mallocybe crassivelata on soil. South Africa, Beltraniella podocarpi, Hamatocanthoscypha podocarpi, Coleophoma podocarpi and Nothoseiridium podocarpi (incl. Nothoseiridium gen. nov.)from leaves of Podocarpus latifolius, Gyrothrix encephalarti from leaves of Encephalartos sp., Paraphyton cutaneum from skin of human patient, Phacidiella alsophilae from leaves of Alsophila capensis, and Satchmopsis metrosideri on leaf litter of Metrosideros excelsa. Spain, Cladophialophora cabanerensis from soil, Cortinarius paezii on soil, Cylindrium magnoliae from leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, Trichophoma cylindrospora (incl. Trichophoma gen. nov.) from plant debris, Tuber alcaracense in calcareus soil, Tuber buendiae in calcareus soil. Thailand, Annulohypoxylon spougei on corticated wood, Poaceascoma filiforme from leaves of unknown Poaceae. UK, Dendrostoma luteum on branch lesions of Castanea sativa, Ypsilina buttingtonensis from heartwood of Quercus sp. Ukraine, Myrmecridium phragmiticola from leaves of Phragmites australis. USA, Absidia pararepens from air, Juncomyces californiensis (incl. Juncomyces gen. nov.) from leaves of Juncus effusus, Montagnula cylindrospora from a human skin sample, Muriphila oklahomaensis (incl. Muriphila gen. nov.)on outside wall of alcohol distillery, Neofabraea eucalyptorum from leaves of Eucalyptus macrandra, Diabolocovidia claustri (incl. Diabolocovidia gen. nov.)from leaves of Serenoa repens, Paecilomyces penicilliformis from air, Pseudopezicula betulae from leaves of leaf spots of Populus tremuloides. Vietnam, Diaporthe durionigena on branches of Durio zibethinus and Roridomyces pseudoirritans on rotten wood. Morphological and culture characteristics are supported by DNA barcodes

TalentoEDU: teacher training for educational attention on giftedness

Se presenta TalentoEDU, Proyecto de Innovación que surge ante las necesidades formativas de los futuros docentes respecto al alumnado con Alta Capacidad Intelectual. Este proyecto que se ha insertado en algunas de las asignaturas que conforman el Plan de Estudios de los Títulos de Grado que se imparten en el Centro de Magisterio “Sagrado Corazón”, adscrito a la Universidad de Córdoba. Pretende promover competencias para la atención a la diversidad en este ámbito. Los resultados de la experiencia indican que TalentoEDU ha contribuido a dicha formación, dada la satisfacción mostrada por los universitarios.This paper frames TalentoEDU Innovation Project that emerges from the academic needs of future teachers considering High Ability students. This project has been included in some of the subjects within the study plan of the Bachelor Degrees belonging to “Sagrado Corazón” teacher-training center, attached to the University of Cordoba. It aims at promoting skills related to attention to diversity in this field. The results of this experience suggest that TalentoEDU has contributed to the training on this field, according to the satisfaction that our college students showed

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

Meeting abstrac