An approach to zoning in the wine growing regions of “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry” and “Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda” (Cádiz, Spain)

The Appellations of Origin “Jerez-Xérès-Sherry” and “Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda” occupy one of the oldest and most world renowned viticultural areas in the peninsula, but it is not exempt from the serious problems that are to be found throughout the sector. In order to try to adapt to the present situation, zoning plans are being promoted whereby priority is given to the quality of the product, sustainable development and the economic interests. This work undertakes an approach to the viticultural zoning. The nutritional state of the grapevines is studied by means of foliage analysis at veraison. The quality of production was measured by means of the berry weight and the analysis of the most usual variables of the must at the time of harvest (°Baumé, pH and titratable acidity) over five seasons, in the 21 plots where the soil profiles were opened for analysis. As a result of applying statistical analysis, the plots are grouped into five classes, two of which are subdivided. The most significant differences were established between the plots of class CL1, on Miocene limestone, and those of class CL5, on Pliocene-Quaternary sands and clays. Class CL1 presented the highest content of ash (mean ± sd CL1; CL5) (15.36 ± 1.73; 12.36 ± 1.77) and calcium (3.42 ± 0.90; 2.65 ± 0.72), the lowest berry weight (2.10 ± 0.30; 2.47 ± 0.50) and a greater Baumé degree (10.55 ± 0.86; 9.63 ± 0.98) than the CL5. This new approach takes other essential factors for the quality of the production into account such as the climate and the geomorphology (altitude, slope, and physiography)Las Denominaciones de Origen Jerez-Xérès-Sherry y Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda ocupan una de las zonas de producción más antiguas de la península y de mayor reconocimiento a nivel mundial, aunque no están exentas de la grave problemática por la que atraviesa el sector. Para intentar adaptarse a la situación actual se están promoviendo planes de zonificación en donde prima la calidad del producto, el desarrollo sostenible y los intereses económicos. En este trabajo se realiza una aproximación a la zonificación vitícola. Para ello, se estudia el estado nutricional de las vides mediante el análisis foliar en el envero, la calidad de producción mediante el peso de los granos de uva y el análisis de las variables más usuales del mosto en la época de vendimia (°Baumé, pH y acidez total) durante 5 campañas, en 21 parcelas coincidentes con la apertura de los perfiles. Como resultado de aplicar el análisis estadístico, se han agrupado las parcelas en cinco clases, dos de ellas a su vez subdivididas. Las principales diferencias significativas se encontraron en las parcelas de las clases CL1, sobre albarizas del Mioceno, y las de la clase CL5, sobre arenas y arcillas del Plioceno-Cuaternario. La clase CL1 presenta el contenido más elevado de cenizas (mean ± sd CL1; CL5) (15,36 ± 1,73; 12,36 ± 1,77) y calcio (3,42 ± 0,90; 2,65 ± 0,72), el menor peso de grano de uva (2,10 ± 0,30; 2,47 ± 0,50) y un mayor grado Baumé (10,55 ± 0,86; 9,63 ± 0,98) que la CL5. Esta nueva aproximación tiene en cuenta otros factores esenciales para la calidad de la producción como son el clima y la geomorfología (altitud, pendiente, fisiografía

Analyzing the Risk of Being a Victim of School Bullying. The Relevance of Students’ Self-Perceptions

This work was supported by grant from the Ministry of Economy, Knowledge, Business and University, of the Andalusian Government, within the framework of the FEDER Andalusia 2014–2020 operational program. Specific objective 1.2.3. «Promotion and generation of frontier knowledge and knowledge oriented to the challenges of society, development of emerging technologies») within the framework of the reference research project (UPO-1380624). FEDER co-financing percentage 80%.School bullying is a growing concern in almost all developed economies, bringing negative and serious consequences for those students involved in the role of victims. In this paper, we propose to analyze this topic for the case of Spain, considering the data compiled in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) report in 2018. The sample size consists of 12,549 15-old-year students (51.84% females and 48.16% males). With the help of structural equation models (SEM), we aim to detect the relationship between the risk of being a victim of bullying and several self-appreciations expressed by the students. We have considered variables that try to measure individual perceptions in several aspects, such as the self-image, the help provided by parents and teachers and how the school environment’s safety is perceived. A multigroup analysis was also performed to see the impact of the socioeconomic level of the families and the students’ academic performances on the proposed model. We conclude that several of those aspects are directly related with the risk of being bullied and this risk is higher in those students who present school failure and have a lower socioeconomic status. In this regard, the results would permit pointing out some aspects in which the decision-makers can focus their proposals to establish prevention measures.Departamento de Economía, Métodos Cuantitativos e Historia Económica. Universidad Pablo de Olavid

Adaptación a los nuevos Grados de las metodologías docentes empleadas en una asignatura de Estadística Económico-Empresarial

Durante el presente curso 2009/2010 la Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO), de Sevilla, ha puesto en marcha el nuevo mapa de titulaciones adaptado al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES), el cual está compuesto por 16 grados y 6 dobles grados. Hasta llegar a este punto la UPO trabajó duro durante más de 6 años en la adaptación de su docencia al nuevo marco establecido por dicho EEES. Con tal objetivo, se puso en marcha en la Facultad de Empresariales, entre otras, una Experiencia Piloto de implantación del sistema de créditos europeos pretendiendo, fundamentalmente, renovar la metodología docente, incrementar la calidad de la docencia y de hacerla más cercana al alumno, siempre atendiendo a los planes de estudio actualmente vigentes. En el presente trabajo mostramos la adaptación que se realizó en la asignatura de Estadística e Introducción a la Econometría de la extinta Licenciatura en Administración y Dirección de Empresas en el marco de la Experiencia Piloto y los cambios que se acometieron posteriormente para su implantación en el nuevo Grado en Administración y Dirección de Empresas bajo el nombre: Estadística Empresarial I. Haremos hincapié en aquellos aspectos más destacados relativos al nuevo sistema de evaluación basado en evaluación continua.Artículo revisado por pare

Uso de pulsos de metilprednisolona de repetición en adultos hospitalizados por neumonía y síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo por COVID-19: un estudio preliminar de tipo antes-después (estudio CortiCOVID)

[EN] Introduction: The use of systemic corticosteroids in severely ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is controversial. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of corticosteroid pulses in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: A quasi-experimental study, before and after, was performed in a tertiary referral hospital, including admitted patients showing COVID-19-associated pneumonia. The standard treatment protocol included targeted COVID-19 antiviral therapy from 23rd March 2020, and additionally pulses of methylprednisolone from 30th March 2020. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint combining oro-tracheal intubation (OTI) and death within 7 days. Results: A total of 24 patients were included. Standard of care (SOC) (before intervention) was prescribed in 14 patients, while 10 received SOC plus pulses of methylprednisolone (after intervention). The median age of patients was 64.5 years and 83.3% of the patients were men. The primary composite endpoint occurred in 13 patients (92.9%) who received SOC vs. 2 patients (20%) that received pulses of methylprednisolone (odds ratio, 0.02; 95% confidence interval, 0.001 to 0.25; p = 0.019). Length of hospitalization in survivors was shorter in the corticosteroids group (median, 14.5 [8.5–21.8] days vs. 29 [23–31] days, p = 0.003). There were no differences in the development of infections between both groups. There were 3 deaths, none of them in the corticosteroids group. Conclusions: In patients with severe pneumonia due to COVID-19, the administration of methylprednisolone pulses was associated with a lower rate of OTI and/or death and a shorter hospitalization episode.[ES] Introducción: El uso de corticosteroides sistémicos en pacientes gravemente enfermos por enfermedad coronavírica de 2019 (covid-19) es controvertido. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la eficacia y la seguridad de los pulsos de corticoesteroides en los pacientes con neumonía por covid-19. Métodos: Se realizó un ensayo cuasiexperimental, tipo antes y después, en un hospital terciario de referencia que incluyó a pacientes ingresados por neumonía asociada a covid-19. El protocolo de tratamiento estándar incluía un tratamiento antiviral dirigido contra el virus de la covid-19 desde el 23 de marzo de 2020 y añadió pulsos de metilprednisolona desde el 30 de marzo de 2020. El resultado primario fue un criterio combinado compuesto por la intubación orotraqueal y el fallecimiento durante los siguientes siete días. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 24 pacientes. El protocolo de tratamiento (antes de la intervención) se prescribió en 14 pacientes, mientras que 10 recibieron el protocolo de tratamiento además de los pulsos de metilprednisolona (después de la intervención). La edad media de los pacientes fue de 64,5 años y el 83,3% de los pacientes eran hombres. El resultado combinado primario tuvo lugar en 13 pacientes (92,9%) que recibieron el protocolo de tratamiento frente a 2 pacientes (20%) que recibieron los pulsos de metilprednisolona (odds ratio = 0,02; intervalo de confianza del 95% = 0,001-0,25; p = 0,019). La duración de la hospitalización en los supervivientes fue más corta en el grupo que recibió corticoesteroides (media = 14,5 [8,5-21,8] días frente a 29 [23-31] días, p = 0,003). No hubo diferencias en el desarrollo de infecciones entre ambos grupos. Hubo tres fallecimientos, ninguno de ellos en el grupo que recibió corticoesteroides. Conclusiones: En los pacientes con neumonía grave por covid-19, la administración de pulsos de metilprednisolona se asoció a unas tasas menores de intubación orotraqueal y/o muerte y a episodios de hospitalización más cortos

Impact of interstitial lung disease on the survival of systemic sclerosis with pulmonary arterial hypertension

To assess severity markers and outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with or without pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH-SSc/non-PAH-SSc), and the impact of interstitial lung disease (ILD) on PAH-SSc. Non-PAH-SSc patients from the Spanish SSc registry and PAH-SSc patients from the Spanish PAH registry were included. A total of 364 PAH-SSc and 1589 non-PAH-SSc patients were included. PAH-SSc patients had worse NYHA-functional class (NYHA-FC), worse forced vital capacity (FVC) (81.2 +/- 20.6% vs 93.6 +/- 20.6%, P < 0.001), worse tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (17.4 +/- 5.2 mm vs 19.9 +/- 6.7 mm, P < 0.001), higher incidence of pericardial effusion (30% vs 5.2%, P < 0.001) and similar prevalence of ILD (41.8% vs. 44.9%). In individuals with PAH-SSc, ILD was associated with worse hemodynamics and pulmonary function tests (PFT). Up-front combination therapy was used in 59.8% and 61.7% of patients with and without ILD, respectively. Five-year transplant-free survival rate was 41.1% in PAH-SSc patients and 93.9% in non-PAH-SSc patients (P < 0.001). Global survival of PAH-SSc patients was not affected by ILD regardless its severity. The multivariate survival analysis in PAH-SSc patients confirmed age at diagnosis, worse NYHA-FC, increased PVR, reduced DLCO, and lower management with up-front combination therapy as major risk factors. In conclusion, in PAH-SSc cohort risk of death was greatly increased by clinical, PFT, and hemodynamic factors, whereas it was decreased by up-front combination therapy. Concomitant ILD worsened hemodynamics and PFT in PAH-SSc but not survival regardless of FVC impairment

Impact of interstitial lung disease on the survival of systemic sclerosis with pulmonary arterial hypertension

To assess severity markers and outcomes of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) with or without pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH-SSc/non-PAH-SSc), and the impact of interstitial lung disease (ILD) on PAH-SSc. Non-PAH-SSc patients from the Spanish SSc registry and PAH-SSc patients from the Spanish PAH registry were included. A total of 364 PAH-SSc and 1589 non-PAH-SSc patients were included. PAH-SSc patients had worse NYHA-functional class (NYHA-FC), worse forced vital capacity (FVC) (81.2 ± 20.6% vs 93.6 ± 20.6%, P &lt; 0.001), worse tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (17.4 ± 5.2 mm vs 19.9 ± 6.7 mm, P &lt; 0.001), higher incidence of pericardial effusion (30% vs 5.2%, P &lt; 0.001) and similar prevalence of ILD (41.8% vs. 44.9%). In individuals with PAH-SSc, ILD was associated with worse hemodynamics and pulmonary function tests (PFT). Up-front combination therapy was used in 59.8% and 61.7% of patients with and without ILD, respectively. Five-year transplant-free survival rate was 41.1% in PAH-SSc patients and 93.9% in non-PAH-SSc patients (P &lt; 0.001). Global survival of PAH-SSc patients was not affected by ILD regardless its severity. The multivariate survival analysis in PAH-SSc patients confirmed age at diagnosis, worse NYHA-FC, increased PVR, reduced DLCO, and lower management with up-front combination therapy as major risk factors. In conclusion, in PAH-SSc cohort risk of death was greatly increased by clinical, PFT, and hemodynamic factors, whereas it was decreased by up-front combination therapy. Concomitant ILD worsened hemodynamics and PFT in PAH-SSc but not survival regardless of FVC impairment

Deciphering the quality of SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response associated with disease severity, immune memory and heterologous response

SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response has been associated with disease severity, immune memory and heterologous response to endemic coronaviruses. However, an integrative approach combining a comprehensive analysis of the quality of SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response with antibody levels in these three scenarios is needed. In the present study, we found that, in acute infection, while mild disease was associated with high T-cell polyfunctionality biased to IL-2 production and inversely correlated with anti-S IgG levels, combinations only including IFN-γ with the absence of perforin production predominated in severe disease. Seven months after infection, both non-hospitalised and previously hospitalised patients presented robust anti-S IgG levels and SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response. In addition, only previously hospitalised patients showed a T-cell exhaustion profile. Finally, combinations including IL-2 in response to S protein of endemic coronaviruses were the ones associated with SARS-CoV-2 S-specific T-cell response in pre-COVID-19 healthy donors’ samples. These results could have implications for protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and recurrent COVID-19 and may help for the design of new prototypes and boosting vaccine strategies.NIH (contract to AS, DW), Grant/AwardNumber: 75N9301900065; “Contratación de Personal Investigador Doctor”supported by the European Social Fund and Junta de Andalucía (PAIDIDOCTOR- Convocatoria 2019-2020 toFJO, SB); Instituto de Salud Carlos III,Fondos FEDER. ERM was supported bythe Spanish Research Council (CSIC);Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades Junta de Andalucía (research project to ERM), Grant/AwardNumber: CV20-85418; Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en SIDA, whichis included in the Acción Estratégica en Salud, Plan Nacional de InvestigaciónCientífica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica, 2008 to 2011 and 2013 to 2016,Grant/Award Numbers: RD16/0025/0020,RD16/0025/0026; Consejeria de Salud Junta de Andalucia (Research contract toJV), Grant/Award Number:RH-0037-2020; Instituto de Salud CarlosIII (PI19/01127 to ERM, CP19/00159 toAGV, FI17/00186 to MRJL, FI19/00083 toCGC, CM20/00243 to APG andCOV20/00698 to support COHVID-GS)Peer reviewe

Description of SARS-CoV-2 T-cell polyfunctionality features

SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response has been associated with disease severity, immune memory and heterologous response to endemic coronaviruses. However, an integrative approach combining a comprehensive analysis of the quality of SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response with antibody levels in these three scenarios is needed. In the present study we found that, in acute infection, while mild disease was associated with high T-cell polyfunctionality biased to IL-2 production and inversely correlated with anti-S IgG levels, combinations only including IFN-gamma; with absence of perforin production predominated in severe disease. Seven months after infection, both non-hospitalized and previously hospitalized patients presented robust anti-S IgG levels and SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response. In addition, only previously hospitalized patients showed a T-cell exhaustion profile. Finally, combinations including IL-2 in response to S protein of endemic coronaviruses, were the ones associated with SARS-CoV-2 S-specific T-cell response in pre-COVID-19 samples from healthy donors. These results have implications for protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and recurrent COVID-19 and may help for the design of new prototypes and boosting vaccine strategies.Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades Junta de Andalucia (research Project CV20-85418) (ERM) NIH contract 75N9301900065 (AS, DW) Consejeria de Salud Junta de Andalucia (Research Contract RH-0037-2020 to JV) Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CP19/00159 to AGV, FI17/00186 to MRJL, FI19/00083 to CGC, CM20/00243 to APG and COV20/00698 to support COHVID-GS) Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en SIDA (RD16/0025/0020; RD16/0025/0026), which is included in the Acción Estratégica en Salud, Plan Nacional de Investigación Científica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnológica, 2008 to 2011 and 2013 to 2016 Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondos FEDER. ERM was supported by the Spanish Research Council (CSIC). “Contratación de Personal Investigador Doctor” supported by the European Social Fund and Junta de Andalucía (PAIDI DOCTOR- Convocatoria 2019-2020). (FJO, SB).N

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Epsilon

Título, resumen y palabras clave en español e inglésResumen basado en el de la publicaciónSe presentan los resultados obtenidos al realizar una prueba inicial a alumnos de nuevo ingreso en la universidad Pablo de Olavide en los diferentes estudios de la Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales. Se comprueba en base a dichos resultados, que los alumnos presentan grandes deficiencias de conocimientos en lo relativo al lenguaje formal y al conocimiento de diferentes símbolos matemáticos, con pocas diferencias entre los distintos tipos de bachilleratos cursados por ellos.ES