Apego e identidad con el lugar de población española residente en Alemania

El presente estudio analiza cómo se relacionan las variables psicosociales ambientales de apego e identidad con el lugar con la satisfacción vital de población española residente en Alemania, es decir, en relación a la evaluación de la experiencia migratoria. Se tienen en cuenta también factores sociodemográficos en esta evaluación: empleo, ingresos mensuales recibidos y la clase social percibida. Con una muestra de 206 personas, los resultados muestran un nivel medio o medio alto en todas las variables psicosociales consideradas. Respecto a los factores sociodemográficos estudiados, no se muestran diferencias significativas para las variables apego e identidad con el lugar. Sin embargo, las diferencias si son significativas en satisfacción vital según la clase social percibida y los ingresos mensuales recibidos. Así, a mayores ingresos y percepción de una clase social más alta, mejor es la evaluación de la experiencia migratoria. Por otra parte, todas las variables psicosociales correlacionan de forma significativa entre ellas. Los resultados también indican que apego e identidad con el lugar predicen la satisfacción vital explicando un 21% de la varianza. Así, muestran mayores niveles de satisfacción aquellas personas que se sienten unidas y a gusto en la ciudad en la que residen.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Satisfacción residencial: Influencia en la comunidad y el bienestar

La satisfacción residencial se considera un componente de la calidad de vida percibida, cabe esperar que se vincule al bienestar y concretamente a la satisfacción vital, entendemos que una mayor satisfacción implica que los individuos deseen mantener y cuidar los entornos que habitan. En esta línea el sentido de comunidad supone un avance de una concepción aislada hacia un sentido de pertenencia mayor que vincula a los individuos. El presente trabajo pretende: 1. Confirmar las relaciones entre satisfacción residencial, satisfacción vital y sentido de comunidad. 2. Comprobar las diferencias en satisfacción residencial atendiendo a la influencia de variables sociodemográficas.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Mortality trends for accidental falls in older people in Spain, 2000-2015

BACKGROUND: Accidental falls in older people are a major public health problem but a relatively limited number of studies have analyzed the mortality trends from this cause. Effective public health interventions have been found to prevent the incidence of falls and their complications. Therefore, characterizing the mortality trends of falls for different subpopulations can help to identify their needs and contribute to develop more appropriate prevention programs for specific target groups. METHODS: This study was based on a longitudinal analysis of death rates from accidental falls (2000-2015) stratified by sex for the population ≥ 65 years and by age groups (65-74, 75-84, ≥85). A joinpoint regression model was used to identify trend inflection points. The Annual Percent Change (APC) was estimated for each trend. RESULTS: Mortality rates per 100,000 person-years increased from 20.6 to 30.1 for men and 13.8 to 20.8 for women between 2000 and 2015. Men presented a relevant trend increase between 2008 and 2015 (APC [95% CI] 7.2% [5.3;9.2]) and women between 2008 and 2013 (7.9% [4.1;11.8]) There were no trend differences between sexes. For 65-74 years old men we found a relevant increase in the last period (2011-2015) (7.8% [1.0;15.1]). Those aged 75-84 years showed a trend increase between 2007 and 2015 (6.4% [4.4;8.4]) and men ≥85 years presented a remarkably high trend between 2008 and 2015 (9.0% [5.2;13]). There were no relevant differences between age groups. Women aged 65-74 had no relevant trend through the period. Those aged 75-84 presented an uniform trend increase for the whole period, 2000-2015, (3.4% [2.3;4.4]) and women ≥85 had and important trend increase between 2008 and 2013 (11.1% [5.3;17.2]), that has reached an stable level in the last 2 years. There were no relevant differences between the 75-84 and ≥85 age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Recent mortality trends from accidental falls increased in men ≥65 years and women ≥75 years. These results recommend the implementation of specific preventive programs.This work was supported by grant PI15CIII/00037 from the “Carlos III” Institute of Health.S

Identification of active oxalotrophic bacteria by Bromodeoxyuridine DNA labeling in a microcosm soil experiments

The oxalate-carbonate pathway (OCP) leads to a potential carbon sink in terrestrial environments. This process is linked to the activity of oxalotrophic bacteria. Although isolation and molecular characterizations are used to study oxalotrophic bacteria, these approaches do not give information on the active oxalotrophs present in soil undergoing the OCP. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity of active oxalotrophic bacteria in soil microcosms using the Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) DNA labeling technique. Soil was collected near an oxalogenic tree (Milicia excelsa). Different concentrations of calcium oxalate (0.5%, 1%, and 4% w/w) were added to the soil microcosms and compared with an untreated control. After 12 days of incubation, a maximal pH of 7.7 was measured for microcosms with oxalate (initial pH 6.4). At this time point, a DGGE profile of the frc gene was performed from BrdU-labeled soil DNA and unlabeled soil DNA. Actinobacteria (Streptomyces- and Kribbella-like sequences), Gammaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria were found as the main active oxalotrophic bacterial groups. This study highlights the relevance of Actinobacteria as members of the active bacterial community and the identification of novel uncultured oxalotrophic groups (i.e. Kribbella) active in soil

An additional set of phages to characterize epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from Spain (1989-92).

In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in Spain have increased dramatically; in 1986 there were only 1.2% MRSA amongst all nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus (SA) isolates, by 1989 this percentage had risen to 44% in some hospital causing a very serious epidemic situation in the country. We have characterized these isolates by direct, reverse and Fisk phage typing and we have also looked for an additional local set of phages to help us to differentiate these strains. We have been able to differentiate an epidemic strain from other MRSA strains which cause sporadic hospital outbreaks, and we have also distinguished between some variants of the epidemic strain.This research has been supported by a grant from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social (FISS), Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, Spain; No. 93/0144.S

Seasonal variation in grass water content estimated from proximal sensing and MODIS time series in a Mediterranean Fluxnet site

This study evaluates three different metrics of water content of an herbaceous cover in a Mediterranean wooded grassland (dehesa) ecosystem. Fuel moisture content (FMC), equivalent water thickness (EWT) and canopy water content (CWC) were estimated from proximal sensing and MODIS satellite imagery. Dry matter (Dm) and leaf area index (LAI) connect the three metrics and were also analyzed. Metrics were derived from field sampling of grass cover within a 500 m MODIS pixel. Hand-held hyperspectral measurements and MODIS images were simultaneously acquired and predictive empirical models were parametrized. Two methods of estimating FMC and CWC using different field protocols were tested in order to evaluate the consistency of the metrics and the relationships with the predictive empirical models. In addition, radiative transfer models (RTM) were used to produce estimates of CWC and FMC, which were compared with the empirical ones. <br><br> Results revealed that, for all metrics spatial variability was significantly lower than temporal. Thus we concluded that experimental design should prioritize sampling frequency rather than sample size. Dm variability was high which demonstrates that a constant annual Dm value should not be used to predict EWT from FMC as other previous studies did. Relative root mean square error (RRMSE) evaluated the performance of nine spectral indices to compute each variable. Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI) provided the lowest explicative power in all cases. For proximal sensing, Global Environment Monitoring Index (GEMI) showed higher statistical relationships both for FMC (RRMSE = 34.5 %) and EWT (RRMSE = 27.43 %) while Normalized Difference Infrared Index (NDII) and Global Vegetation Monitoring Index (GVMI) for CWC (RRMSE = 30.27 % and 31.58 % respectively). When MODIS data were used, results showed an increase in <i>R</i>² and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) as the best predictor for FMC (RRMSE = 33.81 %) and CWC (RRMSE = 27.56 %) and GEMI for EWT (RRMSE = 24.6 %). Differences in the viewing geometry of the platforms can explain these differences as the portion of vegetation observed by MODIS is larger than when using proximal sensing including the spectral response from scattered trees and its shadows. CWC was better predicted than the other two water content metrics, probably because CWC depends on LAI, that shows a notable seasonal variation in this ecosystem. Strong statistical relationship was found between empirical models using indices sensible to chlorophyll activity (NDVI or EVI which are not directly related to water content) due to the close relationship between LAI, water content and chlorophyll activity in grassland cover, which is not true for other types of vegetation such as forest or shrubs. The empirical methods tested outperformed FMC and CWC products based on radiative transfer model inversion

Positive Outcomes Influence the Rate and Time to Publication, but Not the Impact Factor of Publications of Clinical Trial Results

Objectives: Publication bias may affect the validity of evidence based medical decisions. The aim of this study is to assess whether research outcomes affect the dissemination of clinical trial findings, in terms of rate, time to publication, and impact factor of journal publications. Methods and Findings: All drug-evaluating clinical trials submitted to and approved by a general hospital ethics committee between 1997 and 2004 were prospectively followed to analyze their fate and publication. Published articles were identified by searching Pubmed and other electronic databases. Clinical study final reports submitted to the ethics committee, final reports synopses available online and meeting abstracts were also considered as sources of study results. Study outcomes were classified as positive (when statistical significance favoring experimental drug was achieved), negative (when no statistical significance was achieved or it favored control drug) and descriptive (for non-controlled studies). Time to publication was defined as time from study closure to publication. A survival analysis was performed using a Cox regression model to analyze time to publication. Journal impact factors of identified publications were recorded. Publication rate was 48·4% (380/785). Study results were identified for 68·9% of all completed clinical trials (541/785). Publication rate was 84·9% (180/212) for studies with results classified as positive and 68·9% (128/186) for studies with results classified as negative (p<0·001). Median time to publication was 2·09 years (IC95 1·61-2·56) for studies with results classified as positive and 3·21 years (IC95 2·69-3·70) for studies with results classified as negative (hazard ratio 1·99 (IC95 1·55-2·55). No differences were found in publication impact factor between positive (median 6·308, interquartile range: 3·141-28·409) and negative result studies (median 8·266, interquartile range: 4·135-17·157). Conclusions: Clinical trials with positive outcomes have significantly higher rates and shorter times to publication than those with negative results. However, no differences have been found in terms of impact factor

Diagnosis and Stratification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infected Patients by Immunochemical Quantitative Determination of Pyocyanin From Clinical Bacterial Isolates

Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Monoclonal antibody; PyocyaninPseudomonas aeruginosa; Anticuerpo monoclonal; PiocianinaPseudomonas aeruginosa; Anticòs monoclonal; PiocianinaThe development of a highly sensitive, specific, and reliable immunochemical assay to detect pyocyanin (PYO), one of the most important virulence factors (VFs) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is here reported. The assay uses a high-affinity monoclonal antibody (mAb; C.9.1.9.1.1.2.2.) raised against 1-hydroxyphenazine (1-OHphz) hapten derivatives (PC1; a 1:1 mixture of 9-hydroxy- and 6-hydroxy-phenazine-2-carobxylic acids). Selective screening using PYO and 1-OHphz on several cloning cycles allowed the selection of a clone able to detect PYO at low concentration levels. The microplate-based ELISA developed is able to achieve a limit of detection (LoD) of 0.07 nM, which is much lower than the concentrations reported to be found in clinical samples (130 μM in sputa and 2.8 μM in ear secretions). The ELISA has allowed the investigation of the release kinetics of PYO and 1-OHphz (the main metabolite of PYO) of clinical isolates obtained from P. aeruginosa-infected patients and cultured in Mueller-Hinton medium. Significant differences have been found between clinical isolates obtained from patients with an acute or a chronic infection (~6,000 nM vs. ~8 nM of PYO content, respectively) corroborated by the analysis of PYO/1-OHphz levels released by 37 clinical isolates obtained from infected patients at different stages. In all cases, the levels of 1-OHphz were much lower than those of PYO (at the highest levels 6,000 nM vs. 300 nM for PYO vs. 1-OHphz, respectively). The results found point to a real potential of PYO as a biomarker of P. aeruginosa infection and the possibility to use such VF also as a biomarker for patient stratification[2] and for an effective management of these kinds of infections.This work has been funded by the Spanish Government to M-PM through the Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF2015-67476-R, RTI2018-096278-B-C21, PI, M-PM) and by Fundació Marató de TV3 (201825-30-31, PI, M-PM). The Nb4D group is a consolidated research group (Grup de Recerca) of the Generalitat de Catalunya and has support from the Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació de la Generalitat de Catalunya (expedient: 2017 SGR 1441). CIBER Actions are financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Moreover, BR-U has an FI fellowship from the AGAUR (Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris I de Recerca) of the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya) (2019FI_B00289). El Fons social Europeu Inverteix en el teu futur

Efecto del tipo de jaula sobre el comportamiento de conejas

El objetivo de este ensayo fue evaluar el efecto del tipo de jaula (convencional vs. enriquecida) y el estado fisiológico de las conejas (gestación vs. lactación) sobre su comportamiento. Se realizaron grabaciones de 12 conejas multíparas durante 24 h en dos momentos distintos. Los comportamientos observados se clasificaron en tres grupos independientes (localización, locomoción y acciones). Se observó una predominancia clara por el uso del reposapatas (principalmente en la fase de lactación), pero este tiempo disminuyó significativamente en jaulas enriquecidas debido al uso de la plataforma (67,1 vs. 48,2%; Pmenor que0,05). Las conejas permanecieron tumbadas y sentadas el 78,4 y 20,7% del día, respectivamente, sin tener efecto ni el tipo de jaula ni el estado fisiológico. Las conejas se ponían de pie únicamente para comer u oler las heces retenidas sobre la plataforma. Las conejas se mostraron más nerviosas en la fase de lactación tratando de huir de los gazapos, siendo esta huida exitosa cuando las conejas tenían la posibilidad de utilizar la plataforma. Las conejas gestantes estuvieron significativamente más tiempo que las lactantes acicalándose, mordiendo barrotes e interaccionando con las vecinas (Pmenor que0,01; 0,05 y 0,05, respectivamente). Las conejas lactantes dedicaron más tiempo a beber (Pmenor que0,05) que las gestantes. De este trabajo se desprende que el aumento del espacio disponible con la colocación de una plataforma elevada podría ser una buena alternativa para la mejora del bienestar de las conejas, sobre todo en la fase final de la lactación, aunque la retención de heces sobre la plataforma y las deyecciones pueden ocasionar problemas de higiene

An Immunochemical Approach to Detect the Quorum Sensing-Regulated Virulence Factor 2-Heptyl-4-Quinoline N-Oxide (HQNO) Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates

Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Quorum sensing; VirulencePseudomonas aeruginosa; Detecció de quòrum; VirulènciaPseudomonas aeruginosa; Detección de quórum; VirulenciaUnderstanding quorum sensing (QS) and its role in the development of pathogenesis may provide new avenues for diagnosing, surveillance, and treatment of infectious diseases. For this purpose, the availability of reliable and efficient analytical diagnostic tools suitable to specifically detect and quantify these essential QS small molecules and QS regulated virulence factors is crucial. Here, we reported the development and evaluation of antibodies and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for HQNO (2-heptyl-4-quinoline N-oxide), a QS product of the PqsR system, which has been found to act as a major virulence factor that interferes with the growth of other microorganisms. Despite the nonimmunogenic character of HQNO, the antibodies produced showed high avidity and the microplate-based ELISA developed could detect HQNO in the low nM range. Hence, a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.60 ± 0.13 nM had been reached in Müeller Hinton (MH) broth, which was below previously reported levels using sophisticated equipment based on liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The HQNO profile of release of different Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates analyzed using this ELISA showed significant differences depending on whether the clinical isolates belonged to patients with acute or chronic infections. These data point to the possibility of using HQNO as a specific biomarker to diagnose P. aeruginosa infections and for patient surveillance. Considering the role of HQNO in inhibiting the growth of coinfecting bacteria, the present ELISA will allow the investigation of these complex bacterial interactions underlying infections. IMPORTANCE Bacteria use quorum sensing (QS) as a communication mechanism that releases small signaling molecules which allow synchronizing a series of activities involved in the pathogenesis, such as the biosynthesis of virulence factors or the regulation of growth of other bacterial species. HQNO is a metabolite of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa-specific QS signaling molecule PQS (Pseudomonas quinolone signal). In this work, the development of highly specific antibodies and an immunochemical diagnostic technology (ELISA) for the detection and quantification of HQNO was reported. The ELISA allowed profiling of the release of HQNO by clinical bacterial isolates, showing its potential value for diagnosing and surveillance of P. aeruginosa infections. Moreover, the antibodies and the ELISA reported here may contribute to the knowledge of other underlying conditions related to the pathology, such as the role of the interactions with other bacteria of a particular microbiota environment.This work has been funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF2015-67476-R and RTI2018-096278-B-C21) and Fundación Marató de TV3 (TV32018-201825-30-31). The Nb4D group is a consolidated research group (Grup de Recerca) of the Generalitat de Catalunya and has support from the Departament d’Universitats, Recerca i Societat de la Informació de la Generalitat de Catalunya (expedient: 2017 SGR 1441). CIBER-BBN is an initiative funded by the Spanish National Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation from 2013 to 2016, Iniciativa Ingenio 2010, Consolider Program, and CIBER Actions were financed by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III with assistance from the European Regional Development Fund. Enrique J. Montagut and Juan Raya wish to thank the FPI fellowship (BES-2016-076496 and PRE2019-087542, respectively) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. The Custom Antibody Service (CAbS) is acknowledged for its assistance and support in the production of HQNO antibodies