Application of empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to chronological series of active fires from MODIS satellite

Mestrado em Engenharia Florestal e dos Recursos Naturais - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaFire is a global phenomenon, acting as an important disturbance process. Africa is one of the continents that has higher fire density, particularly in savanna regions, making it the subject of innumerous studies about fire regime and behavior. Here, a new method of time series analysis called Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) was applied to monthly fire counts time series from MODIS Terra/Aqua sensors. The goals were to analyze the differences between the time series from the two instruments (MODIS Terra and Aqua), the differences in the behavior of the active fire time series from the north and south parts of Africa and they‟re relationships with climatic modes (ENSO and IOD). For most of the time series, the application of the EMD resulted in four IMF‟s and a residue. Although there is always an IMF related with seasonality, the physical meaning of the other isn‟t clear. This may be due to various reasons, some related with intrinsic problems of the method, other with the applicability of the method to this type of series

Online group consultation on labor analgesia for pregnant women: is it feasible?

Introduction: Our department of anesthesiology has been conducting weekly, for several years, a group consultation to educate childbearing people about labor analgesia. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic forced an adaptation to a virtual consultation format. Since there are no studies about online group consultation on labor analgesia in order to understand its role, an anonymous questionnaire was created and applied. The objective was to evaluate this new consultation format, namely the ease of access, usefulness of the content provided, and its impact on the satisfaction and experience of childbirth. Materials and methods: An observational prospective study was conducted. A questionnaire was sent by email after childbirth to all childbearing people participating in the online consultation from January 20, 2021, to March 2, 2022. SPSS Statistics version 28.0 (IBM Corp. Released 2021. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp) was used for statistical analysis. Internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha. Results: A total of 563 participants were eligible, and 404 (71.8%) completed questionnaires were analyzed. A few technical problems were reported. The participants considered their privacy respected, and more than 90% were satisfied with the content of the online consultation, the opportunity to pose questions, and the help managing expectations. Considering face-to-face consultation, 89.6% of patients considered the online format an effective alternative, 63.2% believed it could replace the old model, and 96.3% would recommend it. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that online consultation on labor analgesia was a good strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic and has the potential to be used in this format in the future.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pompa dorada. Orfebrería en oro del grupo étnico africano akan

El oro ha sido uno de los componentes íntegros de los akan, un grupo de etnias del África subsahariana Occidental donde destacan los asante. La profusión de minas auríferas en la zona ha sido fuente de riqueza y viva actividad comercial para estos pueblos ubicados en la actual Ghana. No obstante, el objeto de atención de este trabajo se cierne sobre la creación artística que ha permitido la abundancia del codiciado material. Así, han dado luz a un repertorio de orfebrería único gracias a su magistral dominio de la fundición, trabajando el metal dorado con técnicas tales como el martilleado o la aplicación de láminas de oro sobre madera. El momento más brillante de la joyería akan fue en el siglo XVII, mas el grueso de las piezas preservadas pertenecen a centurias postreras. Existen sin embargo ciertas excepciones que por fortuna han sorteado el destino de la mayoría de la orfebrería creada por este pueblo, objeto de saqueo, exportación y refundición. Estas piezas funcionan como símbolo nacional, prestigian y engalanan a los dirigentes y su corte, pero también forman parte de tesoros familiares. Muchas representaciones son susceptibles de interpretación metafórica, ejerciendo de este modo como vehículo de los saberes tradicionales akan

Decreased antimony uptake and overexpression of genes of thiol metabolism are associated with drug resistance in a canine isolate of Leishmania infantum

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania infantum, is one of the most important zoonotic diseases affecting dogs and humans in the Mediterranean area. The presence of infected dogs as the main reservoir host of L. infantum is regarded as the most significant risk for potential human infection. We have studied the susceptibility profile to antimony and other anti-leishmania drugs (amphotericin B, miltefosine, paromomycin) in Leishmania infantum isolates extracted from a dog before and after two therapeutic interventions with meglumine antimoniate (subcutaneous Glucantime®, 100 mg/kg/day for 28 days). After the therapeutic intervention, these parasites were significantly less susceptible to antimony than pretreatment isolate, presenting a resistance index of 6-fold to SbIII for promastigotes and >3-fold to SbIII and 3-fold to SbV for intracellular amastigotes. The susceptibility profile of this resistant L. infantum line is related to a decreased antimony uptake due to lower aquaglyceroporin-1 expression levels. Additionally, other mechanisms including an increase in thiols and overexpression of enzymes involved in thiol metabolism, such as ornithine decarboxylase, trypanothione reductase, mitochondrial tryparedoxin and mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase, could contribute to the resistance as antimony detoxification mechanisms. A major contribution of this study in a canine L. infantum isolate is to find an antimony-resistant mechanism similar to that previously described in other human clinical isolates.This work was supported by the Spanish Grants Proyecto de Excelencia, Junta de Andalucía Ref. CTS-7282 (to F.G.), SAF2012-34267 (to F.G.), FEDER funds from the EU to S.C. and F.G., and by the University of Granada (CEI-Biotic project 2013/1/4 and Pilot Prototypes and Experiences PR/12/011)Peer reviewe

Creación de un Aula de Formación en Atención Farmacéutica en la Universidad de Salamanca

Objetivos: Formar un grupo de trabajo, de estudiantes, farmacéuticos y profesores, que lidere actividades formativas y proyectos de investigación en atención farmacéutica desde un aula de la Facultad de Farmacia.Material y métodos: Fases del proyecto: Organización del espacio físico y obtención de recursos, formación del equipo, identidad y medios de difusión de las actividades, diseño de las líneas de trabajo.Resultados y discusión: Se ha constituido el equipo responsable: decano de la Facultad, vicedecano responsable de Proyección Farmacéutica, profesor de Atención farmacéutica, titulares de farmacia comunitaria, representante del CGCOF y estudiante de posgrado. Con recursos aportados por la Facultad se ha acondicionado un aula con espacio para impartir talleres a 24 personas, mesas de trabajo y 12 ordenadores. Se ha diseñado un logo y una página en la web de la Facultad. Se ha catalogado una biblioteca, y organizado un sistema de préstamo, con material bibliográfico y software donado por el CGCOF. Se han definido tres líneas de trabajo: impartir talleres de formación en competencias y habilidades asistenciales, impulsar la realización de trabajos Fin de Grado y coordinar un grupo de investigación profesionales-universidad. En conclusión, se ha creado AUSAF, un Aula de Atención Farmacéutica en la Universidad de Salamanca, que pretende la colaboración entre profesionales farmacéuticos y universidad para iniciar proyectos de investigación y adecuar la formación de nuestros graduados a la evolución actual de la profesión, hacia una farmacia asistencial centrada en el paciente. También pretende servir de apoyo a la formación continua de los profesionales

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi isolates in Portugal, between January 1994 and May 2024

Os serotipos Typhi e Paratyphi causam infeções sistémicas graves, sendo crucial a administração de antibioterapia adequada. No entanto, o aumento crescente da taxa de multirresistência aos antibióticos, especialmente no caso de Salmonella Typhi, dificulta a escolha dos antibióticos a administrar. Em Portugal, os casos de febre tifoide e paratifoide são raros. Com este estudo pretendeu-se identificar e caracterizar os perfis de resistência aos antibióticos de isolados de Salmonella Typhi e Salmonella Paratyphi A, B e C, entre janeiro de 1994 e maio de 2024, e avaliar a sua proximidade genética. Após confirmação do serotipo, 86 isolados foram submetidos a testes de suscetibilidade aos antibióticos e sequenciação total do genoma. Neste estudo, 60,5% dos isolados foram resistentes a pelo menos um antibiótico, dos quais 15,4% eram multirresistentes. Entre 1994-2016 todos os isolados foram suscetíveis, mas a partir de 2017 foi possível observar uma tendência crescente na resistência aos antibióticos, especialmente para S. Typhi. A resistência à pefloxacina foi a mais frequente, seguida da resistência ao ácido nalidíxico, ampicilina, trimetoprim, sulfametoxazol e cloranfenicol. Dos diversos genes de resistência identificados, destaca-se a presença do gene blaCTX- M-15 num isolado de Salmonella Typhi de 2020, resistente a antibióticos de importância crítica. Foram identificados 11 pequenos clusters. Apesar dos serotipos tifoides e paratifoides não serem endémicos em Portugal, é essencial manter uma vigilância laboratorial contínua, de forma a caracterizar os isolados circulantes em Portugal e detetar potenciais surtos.Typhi and Paratyphi serovars are responsible for severe systemic infections that require appropriate antimicrobial therapy. However, the increasing rate of multidrug resistance, particularly in Salmonella Typhi, complicates therapeutics. In Portugal, typhoid and paratyphoid fever cases are rare. This study aimed to identify and to characterize the antibiotic resistance profiles of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi A, B, and C isolates from 1994 to May 2024, and to assess their genetic proximity. Af ter serotyping confirmation, 86 isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibilit y testing and Whole Genome Sequencing. In this study, 60.5% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, of which 15.4% were multidrug-resistant. Between 1994 and 2016, all isolates were susceptible, but an increasing trend in antibiotic resistance was observed af ter 2017, par ticularly in S. Typhi. Resistance to pefloxacin was most frequent, followed by nalidixic acid, ampicillin, trimethoprim, sulphamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol. Among the resistance genes identified, blaCTX-M-15 gene was found in a S. Typhi isolate from 2020, resistant to critically impor tant antibiotics. Eleven small clusters were identified. Although typhoid and paratyphoid serotypes are not endemic in Por tugal, continuous laborator y surveillance is essential to characterize circulating isolates and to detect potential outbreaks.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Increase in Salmonella Typhimurium cases in 2024: phenotypic and genotypic characterization of isolates

Salmonelose é a segunda zoonose mais frequente a nível mundial. É causada por Salmonella enterica, sendo S. Typhimurium um dos serotipos mais reportados na União Europeia. Um dos maiores riscos para a saúde pública é a presença de Salmonella spp. em alimentos, e consequente associação a surtos que podem atingir uma dimensão transfronteiriça. Este estudo teve como principal objetivo caraterizar fenotípica e genotipicamente isolados de Salmonella Typhimurium recebidos no Laboratório Nacional de Referência de Infeções Gastrintestinais do Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, na sequência do aumento considerável de isolados deste serotipo observado entre abril e maio de 2024. Foram estudados 83 isolados, dos quais 64 integravam o mesmo cluster genético (77,1%), Cluster 1, identificado por core genome multilocus sequence typing (Enterobase cgMLST V2 + HierCC V1). Todos os isolados pertenciam à sequência tipo 19. Foi identificada a presença dos genes de resistência blaCARB-2, sul1, aadA2, aac(6’)-Iaa, tet(G) e floR em 67 isolados, perfil concordante com o fenótipo encontrado, AMP-AMC-TET-CHL. A análise de cgMLST permitiu ainda identificar quatro isolados europeus que integravam o Cluster 1.Salmonellosis is the second most frequent zoonosis worldwide. It is caused by Salmonella enterica, with S. Typhimurium being one of the most repor ted serotypes in the European Union. One of the major public health risks is the presence of Salmonella spp. in food, leading to outbreaks that can reach cross-border dimensions. The main goal of this study was to characterise, phenotypically and genotypically, the Salmonella Typhimurium isolates received at the National Reference Laboratory for Gastrointestinal Infections of the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, due to the considerable increase observed between April and May 2024. In this work, 83 isolates were studied, of which 64 (77.1%) belonged to the same cluster, Cluster 1, identified by core genome multilocus sequence typing (Enterobase cgMLST V2 + HierCC V1). All isolates belonged to sequence type 19. The resistance genes blaCARB-2, sul1, aadA2, aac(6’)-Iaa, tet(G) and floR were identified in 67 isolates, concordant with the phenotype detected, AMP-AMC-TET-CHL. Subsequent cgMLST analysis identified four isolates from other European countries that were also included in Cluster 1.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Genomic characterization of Salmonella Newport: identification of genetic clusters, January 1991-May 2024

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Newport (S. Newport) é um serotipo pouco frequente na União Europeia. No entanto, devido à sua associação com alguns surtos de origem alimentar, a sua importância não deve ser negligenciada. Em Portugal, os dados sobre a infeção por S. Newport são escassos. Este estudo teve como principais objetivos caracterizar fenotípica e genotipicamente isolados clínicos de S. Newport entre 1991 e maio de 2024, e identificar possíveis clusters genéticos. Após serotipagem, 98 isolados foram submetidos a testes de suscetibilidade aos antibióticos e sequenciação total do genoma. Apesar da maioria dos isolados estudados (96,9%) terem sido suscetíveis aos antibióticos testados, em 2024 foi identificado um isolado multirresistente, que, entre outros, continha o gene blaDHA-1. A análise core genome multilocus sequence typing (Enterobase cgMLST V2 + HierCC V1), considerando um threshold de cinco diferenças alélicas, permitiu identificar oito clusters distintos, dois dos quais de maiores dimensões: o Cluster 1, com 32 isolados de 2019, e o Cluster 2, com quatro isolados de 2022 e 18 de 2023. Embora S. Newport seja um serotipo pouco frequente em Portugal e não apresentar, na maioria dos casos, resistências aos antibióticos, é essencial manter uma vigilância laboratorial contínua, que permita de forma atempada implementar medidas de prevenção e controlo eficazes.Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Newport (S. Newport) is a relatively uncommon serotype within the European Union. Nevertheless, due to the relevance of some related outbreaks, its significance should not be underestimated. In Portugal, data on S. Newport infection is scarce. The objectives of this study were to characterise clinical isolates of S. Newpor t received between Januar y 1991 and May 2024, and to identif y potential genetic clusters. Following serotyping, 98 isolates were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing. Most of the isolates (96.9%) were susceptible to the tested antibiotics. However, a multidrug-resistant isolate was identified in 2024, which contained the blaDHA-1 gene, among others. The core genome multilocus sequence typing analysis (Enterobase cgMLST V2 + HierCC V1), with a threshold of five allelic dif ferences, enabled the identification of eight clusters, two of them considered as major clusters: Cluster 1, comprising 32 isolates from 2019, and Cluster 2 including four isolates from 2022 and 18 from 2023. Although S. Newpor t is an uncommon serotype in Por tugal and most of the isolates do not exhibit antibiotic resistance, it is essential to maintain a continuous laborator y surveillance programme in order to implement ef fective prevention and control measures.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pangenome-level analysis of nucleoid-associated proteins in the Acidithiobacillia class: insights into their functional roles in mobile genetic elements biology

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are relevant agents in bacterial adaptation and evolutionary diversification. Stable appropriation of these DNA elements depends on host factors, among which are the nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs). NAPs are highly abundant proteins that bind and bend DNA, altering its topology and folding, thus affecting all known cellular DNA processes from replication to expression. Even though NAP coding genes are found in most prokaryotic genomes, their functions in host chromosome biology and xenogeneic silencing are only known for a few NAP families. Less is known about the occurrence, abundance, and roles of MGE-encoded NAPs in foreign elements establishment and mobility. In this study, we used a combination of comparative genomics and phylogenetic strategies to gain insights into the diversity, distribution, and functional roles of NAPs within the class Acidithiobacillia with a special focus on their role in MGE biology. Acidithiobacillia class members are aerobic, chemolithoautotrophic, acidophilic sulfur-oxidizers, encompassing substantial genotypic diversity attributable to MGEs. Our search for NAP protein families (PFs) in more than 90 genomes of the different species that conform the class, revealed the presence of 1,197 proteins pertaining to 12 different NAP families, with differential occurrence and conservation across species. Pangenome-level analysis revealed 6 core NAP PFs that were highly conserved across the class, some of which also existed as variant forms of scattered occurrence, in addition to NAPs of taxa-restricted distribution. Core NAPs identified are reckoned as essential based on the conservation of genomic context and phylogenetic signals. In turn, various highly diversified NAPs pertaining to the flexible gene complement of the class, were found to be encoded in known plasmids or, larger integrated MGEs or, present in genomic loci associated with MGE-hallmark genes, pointing to their role in the stabilization/maintenance of these elements in strains and species with larger genomes. Both core and flexible NAPs identified proved valuable as markers, the former accurately recapitulating the phylogeny of the class, and the later, as seed in the bioinformatic identification of novel episomal and integrated mobile elements

Universidad, discapacidad e integración

En la actualidad, la proliferación de investigaciones dedicadas a la integración de las personas con discapacidad se ha incrementado notablemente. Uno de los campos más implicados en esta temática es el ámbito educativo, en el que las actitudes que los estudiantes muestran hacia la discapacidad son fundamentales para la integración del alumnado con discapacidad. El propósito del estudio consiste en evaluar las actitudes de los estudiantes universitarios hacia los alumnos con discapacidad en función del curso y la titulación de los estudiantes. Participaron 349 alumnos de la Universidad de Alicante con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 32 años (M= 21,60, DT= 2,32). Diseñamos un cuestionario tipo Likert (1=nada de acuerdo, 5= totalmente de acuerdo), donde se estiman las actitudes de los estudiantes. Los resultados de los análisis de varianza indicaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las actitudes de los estudiantes en función del curso y de la titulación. Nuestro estudio muestra que, en general, los alumnos presentan actitudes favorables hacia los alumnos con discapacidad, no obstante, encontramos que desde ciertas titulaciones, y en los cursos superiores, los estudiantes indican mayor nivel de sensibilización hacia la discapacidad