Revisiting the epidemiology of bloodstream infections and healthcare-associated episodes: results from a multicentre prospective cohort in Spain (PRO-BAC Study)

PROBAC REIPI/GEIH-SEIMC/SAEI Group.The epidemiology of bloodstream infections (BSIs) is dynamic as it depends on microbiological, host and healthcare system factors. The aim of this study was to update the information regarding the epidemiology of BSIs in Spain considering the type of acquisition. An observational, prospective cohort study in 26 Spanish hospitals from October 2016 through March 2017 including all episodes of BSI in adults was performed. Bivariate analyses stratified by type of acquisition were performed. Multivariate analyses were performed by logistic regression. Overall, 6345 BSI episodes were included; 2510 (39.8%) were community-acquired (CA), 1661 (26.3%) were healthcare-associated (HCA) and 2056 (32.6%) hospital-acquired (HA). The 30-day mortality rates were 11.6%, 19.5% and 22.0%, respectively. The median age of patients was 71 years (interquartile range 60–81 years) and 3656 (58.3%; 95% confidence interval 57.1–59.6%) occurred in males. The proportions according to patient sex varied according to age strata. Escherichia coli (43.8%), Klebsiella spp. (8.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (8.9%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (7.4%) were the most frequent pathogens. Multivariate analyses confirmed important differences between CA and HCA episodes, but also between HCA and HA episodes, in demographics, underlying conditions and aetiology. In conclusion, we have updated the epidemiological information regarding patients’ profiles, underlying conditions, frequency of acquisition types and aetiological agents of BSI in Spain. HCA is confirmed as a distinct type of acquisition.This work was financed by grants from Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013–2016, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades [PI16/01432] and the Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI) [RD16/0016/0001; RD16/0016/0008], co‐financed by the European Development Regional Fund ‘A way to achieve Europe’, Operative program Intelligent Growth 2014–2020

Influence of temperature, calcium and sucrose concentration on viscoelastic properties of prosopis chilensis seed gum and nopal mucilage dispersions

Viscoelastic properties of two nontraditional hydrocolloid dispersions were evaluated. Prosopis chilensis seed gum was evaluated based on temperature (5-80 degrees C) and added CaCl2 (0.07%), whereas nopal mucilage was evaluated based on temperature (5-80 degrees C) and sucrose concentration (0-20%). Viscoelasticity was tested by the small strain oscillatory shear test; storage modulus (G), loss modulus (G) and tan were reported. Prosopis chilensis and nopal dispersions behaved as weak gels (G'>G'') regardless of experimental condition. Raising temperature from 20 to 80 degrees C significantly increased G'. The gel structure was strengthened by adding CaCl2 and G' increased at 40 degrees C. The sucrose effect depended on concentration and temperature; at low sucrose concentrations, G' modulus increased regardless of temperature level, but at high concentrations, it decreased at temperatures >40 degrees C. In conclusion, nopal and Prosopis chilensis dispersions show weak gel structure regardless of experimental condition. G increases as temperature increases, and these dispersions could be suitable for food applications requiring heat tolerance

Microencapsulation by spray drying of bioactive compounds from cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)

Bioactive compounds of pulp (CP) and ethanolic (CE) extracts of the cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) were encapsulated with maltodextrin (MD) or inulin (I). A 22 statistical factorial design was then used to study the stability of the powders obtained at the optimal conditions for each system (CP-MD, CP-I, CE-MD and CE-I) at 60 °C in the dark. The 3:1 ratio of core/coating material and 140 °C inlet air temperature were the optimal conditions for CP-MD and CE-MD systems; whereas, for CP-I and CE-I, the ratios were 3:1 and 5:1, respectively, and 120 °C was used for the inlet air temperature for both systems. An increase of phenolic compounds was observed in all systems during storage at 60 °C. Indicaxanthins in all systems showed a slow degradation during storage at 60 °C and were more stable than betacyanins. The microcapsules described in this study represent an interesting food additive for incorporation into functional foods, due to both the presence of antioxidants and as a red c

Extraction methods and some physical properties of mesquite (Prosopis chilensis (Mol) Stuntz) seed gum

To evaluate the potential use of mesquite (Prosopis chilensis (Mol) Stuntz) seed gum, the behaviour of the gum was studied using two extraction methods (alkaline and acid), different pH values, two concentrations (0.2 and 0.4% w/v) and different temperatures. The capacity of the gum to stabilise food foams was also evaluated. The alkaline extraction yield (24.9%) was higher than the acid extraction yield (17.7%). Owing molecular to hydrolysis caused by the acid, acid extraction resulted in a lower protein content. Gum from acid extraction had a higher viscosity than that from alkaline extraction at all temperatures investigated (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60degreesC). There were no significant differences between the viscosities of mucilage dispersions at the different values of pH studied (3.0, 4.0 and 5.0). The addition of extracted mesquite gum (obtained by either method and at either concentration studied) to egg white foam provided a higher stability and decreased the liquid drainage and collapse of the foam. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry

Encapsulation of polyphenols and anthocyanins from pomegranate (Punica granatum) by spray drying

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) bioactive compounds (polyphenols and anthocyanins) of juice (PJ) and ethanolic extracts (PE) were encapsulated with maltodextrin (MD) or soybean protein isolates (SPI) by spray drying using a 22 statistical factorial design for each systems studied (PJ-MD, PJ-SPI, PE-MD and PE-SPI) considering the proportion of coating material and the inlet temperature as independent variables. The stability of the bioactive compounds microcapsules powders obtained under optimal conditions for each system was studied at 60 degrees C in oven for 56 days. The polyphenols encapsulating efficiency was significantly better in SPI matrix whereas for anthocyanins was in MD matrix. By the other hand, during the storage, the MD microcapsules provided a significant greater protective effect on the polyphenols and anthocyanins than SPI, as was shown by the lower degradation rate constants. When the microcapsules were added to yogurt the stability of the bioactive compounds followed a similar behaviour to those without encapsulation, except for PE-MD

Use of Alternative Sanitizers on Minimally Processed Watercress Harvested in Two Different Seasons

Artículo de publicación ISIThere is an increasing concern about the formation of halogenated compounds when sodium hypochlorite (SH) is used as food sanitizer. This research evaluated the quality of watercress harvested in two seasons treated with alternative sanitizers combined with modified atmosphere packaging. Chlorine dioxide (5-10 mg/L), acidified sodium chlorite (250-500 mg/L), peroxyacetic acid (5090 mg/L) and SH (100 mg/L) were used. Initial respiration rate decreased from 80-135 to 40-72 mg CO2 kg/h in spring-and summer-harvested watercress. Chlorine dioxide and SH caused a reduction in aerobic mesophilic bacteria of 1.8 and 1.3 log colony-forming unit (cfu/g), respectively. Enterobacteriaceae reductions of 1.1 log cfu/g were achieved using SH and peroxyacetic acid in spring and 1.4 log cfu/g by applying acidified sodium chlorite in summer. None of the sanitizers could handle high initial microbial loads for more than 8 days, showing that a raw material with low initial microbial count is required to guarantee the product safety.FONDECYT-CONICYT 1090059 1120274 79100005 313046

Clarification of purple cactus pear juice using microfiltration membranes to obtain a solution of betalain pigments

Betalains are fruit pigments possessing health-giving properties. To isolate the pigments, the juice must be separated from the fruit matrix, which contains biopolymers. The aim of this study was to clarify cactus pear juice by microfiltration to obtain a clarified juice containing betalains. For this purpose, two 0.2 μm pore size microfiltration membranes (ceramic and polymeric) were tested. The permeates were clear, free of turbidity and high in betalains (20%), also containing polyphenols and antioxidant activity, whereas the retained fractions were high in mucilage. The best separation was obtained using the ceramic membrane

Estudio químico comparativo de salsas de tomate elaboradas por tres industrias nacionales

Debido al consumo relativamente elevado de las salsas de tomate en el país y como una contribución a la TABLA DE COMPOSICION QUIMICA DE LOS ALIMENTOS CHILENOS, se consideró de interés conocer la composición química de las diferentes variedades de salsas que producen las diferentes industrias nacionales

Adquisición de materiales curriculares básicos

Se propone que el alumnado adquiera materias instrumentales básicas, como la lecto-escritura, para garantizar la escolaridad de la mayor parte de ellos. Los objetivos son determinar los alumnos con dificultades de aprendizaje en lectura y escritura, fomentar la utilización de materiales didácticos específicos, estrategias educativas y sistemas de organización que favorezcan su desarrollo, y trabajar aspectos como la diversidad, dificultades de aprendizaje, necesidades educativas especiales y adaptaciones. Se aplica una metodología especializada y muy participativa. Desarrolla contenidos referidos a aspectos pedagógicos y de necesidades educativas especiales, diagnóstico de dificultades de aprendizaje y elaboración de programas de reeducación. La valoración por los alumnos es positiva, pues observan que son atendidos individualmente.Madrid (Comunidad Autónoma). Consejería de Educación y CulturaMadridMadrid (Comunidad Autónoma). Subdirección General de Formación del Profesorado. CRIF Las Acacias; General Ricardos 179 - 28025 Madrid; Tel. + 34915250893ES

Tocilizumab in giant cell arteritis. Observational, open-label multicenter study of 134 patients in clinical practice.

Tocilizumab (TCZ) has shown efficacy in clinical trials on giant cell arteritis (GCA). Real-world data are scarce. Our objective was to assess efficacy and safety of TCZ in unselected patients with GCA in clinical practice Methods: Observational, open-label multicenter study from 40 national referral centers of GCA patients treated with TCZ due to inefficacy or adverse events of previous therapy. Outcomes variables were improvement of clinical features, acute phase reactants, glucocorticoid-sparing effect, prolonged remission and relapses. A comparative study was performed: (a) TCZ route (SC vs. IV); (b) GCA duration (≤6 vs. >6 months); (c) serious infections (with or without); (d) ≤15 vs. >15 mg/day at TCZ onset. 134 patients; mean age, 73.0 ± 8.8 years. TCZ was started after a median [IQR] time from GCA diagnosis of 13.5 [5.0-33.5] months. Ninety-eight (73.1%) patients had received immunosuppressive agents. After 1 month of TCZ 93.9% experienced clinical improvement. Reduction of CRP from 1.7 [0.4-3.2] to 0.11 [0.05-0.5] mg/dL (p  In clinical practice, TCZ yields a rapid and maintained improvement of refractory GCA. Serious infections appear to be higher than in clinical trials