Malaria Models with Spatial Effects

Malaria, a vector-borne infectious disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite, is still endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, Western Pacific, Americas, and Europe. In 2010 there were about 219 million malaria cases, with an estimated 660,000 deaths, mostly children unde

IL-6 serum levels predict severity and response to tocilizumab in COVID-19: An observational study

Background: Patients with coronavirus disaese 2019 (COVID-19) can develop a cytokine release syndrome that eventually leads to acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Because IL-6 is a relevant cytokine in acute respiratory distress syndrome, the blockade of its receptor with tocilizumab (TCZ) could reduce mortality and/or morbidity in severe COVID-19. Objective: We sought to determine whether baseline IL-6 serum levels can predict the need for IMV and the response to TCZ. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed in hospitalized patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Clinical information and laboratory findings, including IL-6 levels, were collected approximately 3 and 9 days after admission to be matched with preadministration and postadministration of TCZ. Multivariable logistic and linear regressions and survival analysis were performed depending on outcomes: need for IMV, evolution of arterial oxygen tension/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio, or mortality. Results: One hundred forty-six patients were studied, predominantly males (66%); median age was 63 years. Forty-four patients (30%) required IMV, and 58 patients (40%) received treatment with TCZ. IL-6 levels greater than 30 pg/mL was the best predictor for IMV (odds ratio, 7.1; P < .001). Early administration of TCZ was associated with improvement in oxygenation (arterial oxygen tension/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio) in patients with high IL-6 (P = .048). Patients with high IL-6 not treated with TCZ showed high mortality (hazard ratio, 4.6; P = .003), as well as those with low IL-6 treated with TCZ (hazard ratio, 3.6; P = .016). No relevant serious adverse events were observed in TCZ-treated patients. Conclusions: Baseline IL-6 greater than 30 pg/mL predicts IMV requirement in patients with COVID-19 and contributes to establish an adequate indication for TCZ administrationThis study was funded by Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (grant nos. RD16/0011/0012 and PI18/ 0371 to I.G.A., grant no. PI19/00549 to A.A., and grant no. SAF2017-82886-R to F.S.-M.) and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The study was also funded by ‘‘La Caixa Banking Foundation’’ (grant no. HR17-00016 to F.S.-M.) and ‘‘Fondos Supera COVID19’’ by Banco de Santander and CRUE. None of these sponsors have had any role in study design; in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publicatio

Estratigrafía, sedimentología y materias primas minerales del Neógeno de la Cuenca de Madrid

Peer reviewe

Up-to-date Spanish continental Neogene synthesis and paleoclimatic interpretation

A synthesis of the Spanish continental Neogene is presented by designing an integrated correlative chart of the Neo" gen-e "succes"Siuns-ofthe "lberian-PeninsuIa-. -Ninemain-sedimentary-breaks-have-been -distinguished-in-most-of-the "basins. They are considered a valuable criteria for correlation as they occur in similar time intervals from basin to basin. The determined sedimentary breaks occur in the Agenian, Ramblian, Middle Aragonian, Late Aragonian, Late Vallesian, Middle Turolian, Late Turolian, Late Ruscinian-Early Villafranchian, and Villafranchian ages. The larger interior basins (Ebro, Tajo, Duero) show a fairly complete Neogene sedimentary record in which the aboye mentioned sedimentary breaks are usually well recognized. A good correlation may be established from basin to basin. Likewise, there is a fairly good correlation among the Upper Miocene-Pliocene sedimentary record of basins spreading out in Levante and southeastern Spain. However, the correlation is not as c1ear in those basins located within the Iberian and Catalan Coastal Ranges, which usually do not show a similar sedimentary pattern. The comparison between Neogene stratigraphic logs in most of the Spanish continental basins and the pattern of global events from currentIy accepted Cenozoic Cyc1e Charts allows recognition of chronological coincidences, especially with regard to the age of seven major sedimentary ruptures (those developed at about 24.5 Ma, 22 Ma, 16 Ma, 13.5 Ma, 9.5 Ma, 5.5 Ma, 3.3 Ma). Evolutionary sedimentary trends in both offshore Mediterranean areas and inland peripheral zones of the Iberian Peninsula show also striking coincidences regarding the chronology of major sedimentary breaks observed in continental successions. Paleoc1imatic curves for the Spanish continental Neogene display four relative temperature peaks indicative of warm c1imatic conditions (Late Agenian, Early-Middle Aragonian, Vallesian-Turolian, and Late Villafranchian) as well as five relatively dry periods (Early Ramblian, Middle-Late Aragonian, Middle Turolian, Late Ruscinian, and Middle Villafranchian ages)

Approach to the Spanish continental Neogene synthesis and palaeoclimatic interpretation.

Peer reviewe

Approach to the Spanish continental Neogene synthesis and paleoclimatic interpretation

Peer reviewe