Cristóbal Colón y el "Plus Ultra"

Copia digital. Valladolid : Junta de Castilla y León. Consejería de Cultura y Turismo, 2009-201

Investigation of linezolid resistance in staphylococci and enterococci

The objective of this study was to investigate an apparent increase in linezolid-nonsusceptible staphylococci and enterococci following a laboratory change in antimicrobial susceptibility testing from disk diffusion to an automated susceptibility testing system. Isolates with nonsusceptible results (n = 27) from Vitek2 were subjected to a battery of confirmatory testing which included disk diffusion, Microscan broth microdilution, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) reference broth microdilution, gradient diffusion (Etest), 23S rRNA gene sequencing, and cfr PCR. Our results show that there is poor correlation between methods and that only 70 to 75% of isolates were confirmed as linezolid resistant with alternative phenotypic testing methods (disk diffusion, Microscan broth microdilution, CLSI broth microdilution, and Etest). 23S rRNA gene sequencing identified mutations previously associated with linezolid resistance in 16 (59.3%) isolates, and the cfr gene was detected in 3 (11.1%) isolates. Mutations located at positions 2576 and 2534 of the 23S rRNA gene were most common. In addition, two previously undescribed variants (at positions 2083 and 2345 of the 23S rRNA gene) were also identified and may contribute to linezolid resistance

Analytical and clinical evaluation of DiaSorin Liaison® Calprotectin fecal assay adapted for serum samples

Background Calprotectin is a calcium-binding protein that can be measured in serum, plasma, and feces. Increased serum and plasma calprotectin concentrations have been found in chronic inflammatory rheumatic disorders. An analytical and clinical evaluation of the DiaSorin Liaison (R) fecal Calprotectin assay using LIAISON (R) XL was performed. Methods The protocol included an analytical and clinical evaluation in which imprecision, the linearity of dilution, differences between serum and plasma samples and method comparison with CalproLab (TM) ELISA kit were assessed. Serum calprotectin concentrations in active (n = 26) and remission (n = 23) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were compared. Results The intra-day and inter-day analytical imprecision CVs ranged from 2.9% to 4.0% and 2.7% to 10.4%, respectively. Correlation between measured and expected values was high (R > 0.99), indicating good linearity. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that serum and plasma matched samples presented statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) being the highest concentrations of calprotectin observed in serum samples. Deming regression equation was as follows: Diasorin calprotectin (mu g/ml) = -0.32 (95% CI: -0.65 - -0.05) +1.58 (95% CI: 1.42-1.79).* Calprolab calprotectin (mu g/ml). Significantly higher serum calprotectin levels were found in RA patients with active disease when compared to patients with low disease activity or in clinical remission (mean +/- SD) [(3.35 mu g/ml +/- 1.55) vs. (1.63 mu g/ml +/- 0.52), p < 0.001] and these levels correlated well with all disease activity indices. Conclusions The DiaSorin Liaison (R) fecal Calprotectin assay adapted for serum samples showed adequate technical performances and the clinical performances were similar to other assays

Analysis of the urine microbiological results and its impact on the protocol of the prophylaxis of the urology department in our area

Objetivos: Analizar cuáles son los microorganismos más frecuentemente aislados en los urinocultivos realizados en nuestro centro hospitalario. Estudiar el antibiograma de dichos gérmenes para definir cuál es la mejor profilaxis preoperatoria en la cirugía urológica en nuestro medio. Material y métodos: Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de todos los urinocultivos de pacientes adultos recogidos en el Servicio de Microbiología de nuestro hospital durante el año 2015. La identificación y estudio de sensibilidad de los microorganismos aislados se realizó mediante el sistema automático Vitek 2 (BioMèrieux), seleccionando los antibióticos en función del microorganismo aislado. Se estudió el antibiograma comparándolo con las sugerencias recogidas en la última actualización de las Guías Europeas de Urología sobre infecciones urológicas, que recomiendan ampliamente el empleo de fluorquinolonas, cotrimoxazol, aminopenicilinas/betalactamasas y cefalosporinas en la cirugía limpia-contaminada, la más frecuente en nuestra actividad quirúrgica. Resultados: Se estudió un total de 11.987 muestras de orina, de las cuales 3.457 (28%) fueron positivas en la detección de microorganismos. Los más frecuentes aislados fueron Escherichia coli (46%%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14%) y Enterococcus faecalis (11%). En el análisis de los antibiogramas se detectaron resistencias superiores al 30% en E.coli frente a los antibióticos recomendados en las Guías de referencia. De igual forma, E. faecalis, otro de los uropatógenos más frecuentes es intrínsecamente resistente a cefalosporinas. Conclusión: El empleo de guías clínicas con grados de recomendación es de vital importancia en la patología infecciosa urológica, debiéndose adecuar al entorno microbiológico de cada área. En nuestro caso, inferimos que tanto el empleo de amoxicilina-clavulánico como fosfomicina se perfilan como la mejor opción para la profilaxis preoperatoria en pacientes de bajo riesgo así, como para el manejo empírico en casos de infección urinaria.Object: To analyze which are the more often microorganism isolated in the urine cultures in our hospital. To study the antibiogram to define which is the best preoperative prophylaxis in our urological surgeries. Material and methods: We retrospective reviewed consecutive urine culture samples assembled in adult patients in the Service of Microbiology in our hospital during 2015. The identification and study of sensibility of the isolated microorganisms was realized by means of the automatic system Vitek 2 (BioMèrieux), selecting the antibiotics according to the isolated microorganism. The antibiogram was studied comparing the suggestions gathered in the last update of the European Guides of Urología in urological infections, that recommend employment extensively: fluoroquinolones, cotrimoxazole, aminopenicillins / beta-lactamases and cephalosporins in the clean-contaminated, most frequent surgery in our daily surgical practice. Results: In total 11.987 urine samples were evaluated, 3.457 (28%) were positive. The most frequent micro-organisms isolated were Escherichia coli (46%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14%) and Enterococcus faecalis (11%). In the antibiogram analysis resistances was detected up to 30% in E. coli, opposite to the antibiotics recommendations in the Guides of reference. Even, E. faecalis, another of the most frequent uropathogens is intrinsically resistant to cefalosporins. Conclusions: The use of clinical guides with grade of recommendation it is of vital importance in the urological infection pathology, and they should be adapted to the microbiological environment of each area. In our case, we infer that the use of Amoxicillin-clavulanic and Fosfomycin are outlined like the best option for preoperative prophylaxis in low risk patients and for empirical handling in cases of urine infection

Soft X-ray harmonic comb from relativistic electron spikes

We demonstrate a new high-order harmonic generation mechanism reaching the `water window' spectral region in experiments with multi-terawatt femtosecond lasers irradiating gas jets. A few hundred harmonic orders are resolved, giving uJ/sr pulses. Harmonics are collectively emitted by an oscillating electron spike formed at the joint of the boundaries of a cavity and bow wave created by a relativistically self-focusing laser in underdense plasma. The spike sharpness and stability are explained by catastrophe theory. The mechanism is corroborated by particle-in-cell simulations

Spatial and temporal evolution of Liassic to Paleocene arc activity in southern Peru unraveled by zircon U-Pb and Hf in-situ data on plutonic rocks

International audienceCordilleran-type batholiths are built by prolonged arc activity along active continental margins and provide detailed magmatic records of the subduction system evolution. They complement the stratigraphic record from the associated forearcs and backarcs. We performed in-situ U-Pb geochronology and Hf isotope measurements on zircon grains from a large set of plutonic rocks from the Coastal Batholith in southern Peru. This batholith emplaced into the Precambrian basement and the Mesozoic sedimentary cover. We identify two major periods of voluminous arc activity, during the Jurassic (200-175 Ma) and the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene (90-60 Ma). Jurassic arc magmatism mainly resulted in the emplacement of a dominantly mafic suite with εHf values ranging from − 9.5 to + 0.1. Published ages south of the Arequipa area suggest that the arc migrated southwestward out of the study area during the Middle Jurassic. After a magmatic gap of 85 Ma, arc activity abruptly resumed 90 Ma ago in Arequipa. Intrusive bodies emplaced into both basement and older Jurassic intrusions and strata. This activity culminated between 70 and 60 Ma with the emplacement of very large volumes of dominantly quartz-dioritic magmas. This last episode may be considered as a flare-up event, characterized by intense magmatic transfers into the crust and rapid relief creation. The Late Cretaceous-Paleocene initial εHf are shifted toward positive values (up to + 3.3 and + 2.6) compared to the Jurassic ones, indicating either a larger input of juvenile magmas, a lesser interaction with the ancient crust, or an increase of re-melting of young mantle-derived mafic lower crust. These magmatic fluxes with juvenile component are coeval with the onset of the crustal thickening at 90 Ma and represent a significant contribution to the formation of the continental crust in this area

Interactions among mitochondrial proteins altered in glioblastoma

Mitochondrial dysfunction is putatively central to glioblastoma (GBM) pathophysiology but there has been no systematic analysis in GBM of the proteins which are integral to mitochondrial function. Alterations in proteins in mitochondrial enriched fractions from patients with GBM were defined with label-free liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. 256 mitochondrially-associated proteins were identified in mitochondrial enriched fractions and 117 of these mitochondrial proteins were markedly (fold-change &#8805;2) and significantly altered in GBM (p &#8804; 0.05). Proteins associated with oxidative damage (including catalase, superoxide dismutase 2, peroxiredoxin 1 and peroxiredoxin 4) were increased in GBM. Protein–protein interaction analysis highlighted a reduction in multiple proteins coupled to energy metabolism (in particular respiratory chain proteins, including 23 complex-I proteins). Qualitative ultrastructural analysis in GBM with electron microscopy showed a notably higher prevalence of mitochondria with cristolysis in GBM. This study highlights the complex mitochondrial proteomic adjustments which occur in GBM pathophysiology

Regional Genetic Structure in the Aquatic Macrophyte Ruppia cirrhosa Suggests Dispersal by Waterbirds

The evolutionary history of the genus Ruppia has been shaped by hybridization, polyploidisation and vicariance that have resulted in a problematic taxonomy. Recent studies provided insight into species circumscription, organelle takeover by hybridization, and revealed the importance of verifying species identification to avoid distorting effects of mixing different species, when estimating population connectivity. In the present study, we use microsatellite markers to determine population diversity and connectivity patterns in Ruppia cirrhosa including two spatial scales: (1) from the Atlantic Iberian coastline in Portugal to the Siculo-Tunisian Strait in Sicily and (2) within the Iberian Peninsula comprising the Atlantic-Mediterranean transition. The higher diversity in the Mediterranean Sea suggests that populations have had longer persistence there, suggesting a possible origin and/or refugial area for the species. The high genotypic diversities highlight the importance of sexual reproduction for survival and maintenance of populations. Results revealed a regional population structure matching a continent-island model, with strong genetic isolation and low gene flow between populations. This population structure could be maintained by waterbirds, acting as occasional dispersal vectors. This information elucidates ecological strategies of brackish plant species in coastal lagoons, suggesting mechanisms used by this species to colonize new isolated habitats and dominate brackish aquatic macrophyte systems, yet maintaining strong genetic structure suggestive of very low dispersal.Fundacao para a Cincia e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) [PTDC/MAR/119363/2010, BIODIVERSA/0004/2015, UID/Multi/04326/2013]Pew FoundationSENECA FoundationMurcia Government, Spain [11881/PI/09]FCT Investigator Programme-Career Development [IF/00998/2014]Spanish Ministry of Education [AP2008-01209]European Community [00399/2012]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of immunocastration on behaviour and blood parameters (cortisol and testosterone) of Holstein bulls

To evaluate the effect that immunocastration has on behaviour, testosterone and cortisol levels of feedlot Holstein bulls, 720 intact animals aged between 7 and 8 months, weighing 232±1.19 kg were randomly assigned to two treatments: immunocastration using the Bopriva vaccine and a placebo (360 animals per treatment). The bulls were slaughtered at day 239 of treatment. Animals were vaccinated on days 1, 21, 101, and 181, and on those same days testosterone levels were measured; while cortisol, glucose and creatin kinase measurements were done on day 181 and during exanguination at slaughter. Sexual, aggressive and social behaviours were evaluated and it was found that intact bulls showed a higher average of head butts, mounting, threats, flehmen sign and sniffing (P&lt;0.05), no differences were found for vocalisations, lowering of the head and grooming (P&gt;0.05). Testosterone levels in intact bulls remained at 0.47ng/mL throughout the study, however, by day 181 differences (P&lt;0.05) were observed in immunised bulls, with values of 0.22ng/mL. At slaughter, testosterone levels were 0.21 ± 0.06 ng/mL in immunocastrated bulls and 0.54 ± 0.06 ng/mL in the placebo group. The use of immunocastration with Bopriva has shown to be effective to reduce testosterone, sexual and aggressive behaviours on Holstein bulls