CO19 168. Impacto de la hipertensión pulmonar en la evolución de los ancianos sometidos a sustitución valvular aórtica

ObjetivoEstudiar la influencia de la hipertensión pulmonar (HTP) en la evolución de los ancianos sometidos a sustitución valvular aórtica (SVA).Material y métodosDesde octubre de 1999 hasta noviembre de 2009, 517 ancianos (rango 70-87 años) fueron sometidos a SVA. Trescientos cincuenta y cinco (68,7%) enfermos (grupo I) tenían hipertensión pulmonar (ligera 157; moderada 149; grave 49) frente a 162 (31,3%) (grupo II) con presiones pulmonares normales. El seguimiento medio fue de 4,3 años.ResultadosLa edad media fue de 76,4±3,9 años. La fibrilación auricular (29,5 vs 5,6%; p=0,001) y la insuficiencia mitral moderada preoperatorias (13,7 vs 5,1%; p=0,003) fueron más frecuentes en el grupo I. La mortalidad hospitalaria fue 4,3%, siendo significativamente superior en los pacientes con HTP (I: 5,7% vs II: 0,8%; p=0,027). Los pacientes con HTP moderada (7,3%) o grave (13,9%) tuvieron una mortalidad significativamente superior a la de los pacientes con HTP ligera (1,7%) (p=0,016). La supervivencia actuarial a los 5 años, de los pacientes dados de alta, aunque superior en los pacientes sin HTP (I: 80,9% vs II: 90,6%; p=0,162), no alcanzó significación. La HTP moderada-grave se asoció de manera independiente a la mortalidad hospitalaria (odds ratio [OR]: 2,07; p=0,015), pero no a una menor supervivencia en el seguimiento.ConclusionesLa HTP moderada-grave es un factor de riesgo independiente de mortalidad hospitalaria en los ancianos sometidos a SVA. Su influencia en la supervivencia a medio plazo es menos clara

Influence of the zro2 crystalline phases on the nature of active sites in pdcu/zro2 catalysts for the methanol steam reforming reaction-an in situ spectroscopic study

In this work, the electronic properties of the metal sites in cubic and monoclinic ZrO2 supported Pd and PdCu catalysts have been investigated using CO as probe molecule in in-situ IR studies, and the surface composition of the outermost layers has been studied by APXPS (Ambient Pressure X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy). The reaction products were followed by mass spectrometry, making it possible to relate the chemical properties of the catalysts under reaction conditions with their selectivity. Combining these techniques, it has been shown that the structure of the support (monoclinic or cubic ZrO2) affects the metal dispersion, mobility, and reorganization of metal sites under methanol steam reforming (MSR) conditions, influencing the oxidation state of surface metal species, with important consequences in the catalytic activity. Correlating the mass spectra of the reaction products with these spectroscopic studies, it was possible to conclude that electropositive metal species play an imperative role for high CO2 and H2 selectivity in the MSR reaction (less CO formation)The research leading to these results has received funding from European Research council project SYNCATMATCH (671093) and from Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities with the project “I + D + I research challenges (RTI2018-099668-B-C21)”. This work also was financially supported by: Base Funding-UIDB/00511/2020 of the Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy—LEPABE-funded by national funds through the FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); European Union’s Seventh Framework Program (FP/2007-2013) for the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative under grant agreement no. 303476.Peer reviewe

Comparison of different methods for delayed post-mortem diagnosis of falciparum malaria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Between 10,000 and 12,000 cases of imported malaria are notified in the European Union each year. Despite an excellent health care system, fatalities do occur. In case of advanced autolysis, the post-mortem diagnostic is impaired. Quicker diagnosis could be achieved by using rapid diagnostic malaria tests.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In order to evaluate different methods for the post-mortem diagnosis of <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>malaria in non-immunes, a study was performed on the basis of forensic autopsies of corpses examined at variable intervals after death in five cases of fatal malaria (with an interval of four hours to five days), and in 20 cases of deaths unrelated to malaria. Detection of parasite DNA by PCR and an immunochromatographic test (ICT) based upon the detection of <it>P. falciparum </it>histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) were compared with the results of microscopic examination of smears from cadaveric blood, histopathological findings, and autopsy results.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all cases of fatal malaria, post-mortem findings were unsuspicious for the final diagnosis, and autoptic investigations, including histopathology, were only performed because of additional information by police officers and neighbours. Macroscopic findings during autopsy were unspecific. Histopathology confirmed sequestration of erythrocytes and pigment in macrophages in most organs in four patients (not evaluable in one patient due to autolysis). Microscopy of cadaveric blood smears revealed remnants of intraerythrocytic parasites, and was compromised or impossible due to autolysis in two cases. PCR and ICT performed with cadaveric blood were positive in all malaria patients and negative in all controls.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In non-immune fatalities with unclear anamnesis, ICT can be recommended as a sensitive and specific tool for post-mortem malaria diagnosis, which is easier and faster than microscopy, and also applicable when microscopic examination is impossible due to autolysis. PCR is more expensive and time-consuming, but may be used as confirmatory test. In highly endemic areas where asymptomatic parasitaemia is common, confirmation of the diagnosis of malaria as the cause of death has to rely on histopathological findings.</p

Ceres Scales Ground Validation Campaigns for Gerb. Assessment of the Valencia Anchor Station Capabilities

Proceedings del 3rd MSG RAO Workshop, celebrado el 15 de junio de 2006 en Helsinki, Finlandia.The Valencia Anchor Station (VAS) was set up by the University of Valencia at the natural region of UtielRequena Plateau in 2001. The plateau is a large and reasonably homogeneous area suitable for validation of low spatial resolution satellite data and products such as GERB's. In the framework of the EUMETSAT/ESA MSG-RAO Project no. 138 GIST Proposal for Calibration/Validation of SEVIRI and GERB, and of the Spanish Research Programme on Space Project SCALES (SEVIRI & GERB Cal/Val Area for Largescale Field ExperimentS), three GERB ground validation campaigns have so far been carried out at the VAS under different land surface conditions. CERES instruments onboard NASA EOS Aqua and Terra satellites, operating in PAPS (Programmable Azimuth Plane Scanning) mode, have generously provided additional SW and LW radiance measurements to support validation efforts. These have shown to be most valuable as intermediate validation step between ground measurements and the large GERB pixel size

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in non-carnivorous wildlife from Spain

Serum samples from 1034 non-carnivorous wildlife from Spain were tested for antibodies to Neospora caninum by competitive screening enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). High agreement was observed between results in both techniques (kappa value higher than 0.9). Prevalences of N. caninum antibodies positive by both techniques were 11.8% of 237 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 7.7% of 13 barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), 6.1% of 33 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and 0.3% of 298 wild boar (Sus scrofa). In one of 53 hares (Lepus granatensis), antibodies were found in the ELISA but could not be confirmed by IFAT due to lack of sample. Antibodies to N. caninum were not found in any of 251 wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), 79 fallow deer (Dama dama), 27 mouflon (Ovis ammon), 40 chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) and three Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica). Statistically significant differences were observed between N. caninum seroprevalence in red deer and management of hunting estates (open versus fenced) with higher prevalence in fenced estates, and among sampling sites. Seroprevalence was particularly high in some areas (MO estate in South-Central Spain or some estates of Catalonia, North-East Spain), while no contact with N. caninum was observed in others. Results indicate that in certain areas of Spain, N. caninum is present in wildlife, especially in red deer. These results have important implications in both sylvatic cycles and may influence the prevalence of infection in cattle farms in those areas. To our knowledge, this is the first report of antibodies to N. caninum in wildlife from Spain and the first report of N. caninum antibodies in barbary sheep and wild boar.This is a contribution to the agreements between Yolanda Fierro and UCLM, CSIC, OAPN and SDGSA, Ministerio de Agricultura. Fran Ruiz-Fons received financial support through a grant from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. This study received support from the Spanish CICYT, grant AGL2004-06103-C02-01/GAN and AGL2005-07401-CO3-01-GAN, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología and FEDER.Peer reviewe

Factors affecting compliance with the measles vaccination schedule in a Brazilian city

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The success of vaccination campaigns depends on the degree of adherence to immunization initiatives and schedules. Risk factors associated with children's failure to receive the measles vaccine at the correct age were studied in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Case-control and exploratory study, in the metropolitan area of São Paulo. METHODS: The caregivers of 122 children were interviewed regarding their perceptions and understanding about the measles vaccination and the disease. RESULTS: The results showed that age, region of residence, marital status and education level were unrelated to taking measles vaccines adequately. Most individuals remembered being informed about the last annual vaccination campaign by television, but no communication channel was significantly associated with vaccination status. The answers to questions about knowledge of the disease or the vaccine, when analyzed alone, were not associated with taking measles vaccinations at the time indicated by health agencies. The results showed that, when parents felt sorry for their children who were going to receive shots, they delayed the vaccination. Most of the children did not take the measles vaccination on the exactly recommended date, but delayed or anticipated the shots. CONCLUSION: It is clear that there is no compliance with the government's recommended measles vaccination schedule (i.e. first dose at nine and second at 15 months of age, as recommended in 1999 and 2000). Feeling sorry for the children receiving shots can delay vaccination taking

European registry on helicobacter pylori management: Effectiveness of first and second-line treatment in Spain

The management of Helicobacter pylori infection has to rely on previous local effectiveness due to the geographical variability of antibiotic resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of first and second-line H. pylori treatment in Spain, where the empirical prescription is recommended. A multicentre prospective non-interventional registry of the clinical practice of European gastroenterologists concerning H. pylori infection (Hp-EuReg) was developed, including patients from 2013 until June 2019. Effectiveness was evaluated descriptively and through a multivariate analysis concerning age, gender, presence of ulcer, proton-pump in-hibitor (PPI) dose, therapy duration and compliance. Overall, 53 Spanish hospitals were included, and 10, 267 patients received a first-line therapy. The best results were obtained with the 10-day bismuth single-capsule therapy (95% cure rate by intention-to-treat) and with both the 14-day bismuth-clarithromycin quadruple (PPI-bismuth-clarithromycin-amoxicillin, 91%) and the 14-day non-bismuth quadruple concomitant (PPI-clarithromycin-amoxicillin-metronidazole, 92%) therapies. Second-line therapies were prescribed to 2448 patients, with most-effective therapies being the triple quinolone (PPI-amoxicillin-levofloxacin/moxifloxacin) and the bismuth-levofloxacin quadruple schemes (PPI-bismuth-levofloxacin-amoxicillin) prescribed for 14 days (92%, 89% and 90% effective-ness, respectively), and the bismuth single-capsule (10 days, 88.5%). Compliance, longer duration and higher acid inhibition were associated with higher effectiveness. “Optimized” H. pylori therapies achieve over 90% success in Spain