Molecular fingerprinting of Campylobacter and Arcobacter isolated from chicken and water

The potential of a fingerprinting method based on the single-enzyme amplified fragment length polymorphism (s-AFLP) technique was evaluated for its efficacy in detecting foodborne Campylobacter and Arcobacter species. Campylobacter and Arcobacter isolates from chicken and water samples were subjected to s-AFLP and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiling. Molecular typing revealed a high degree of heterogeneity. AFLP was found to be appropriate for differentiating minimal genomic variations, which makes this technique a valuable tool for the identification of isolates. PFGE was effective in showing epidemiological relationships among closely related isolates. Either technique allowed the discrimination of A. butzleri from A. cryaerophilus and A. skirrowii. When used together, s-AFLP and PFGE can be applied to determine taxonomic and epidemiological relationships among campylobacteria. [Int Microbiol 2007; 10(2):85-90

La expresión de los conceptos <<Dentro / Fuera>> a través de una secuencia visual en niños de 5 años

En el presente trabajo se realiza un estudio de conceptos tipo en el lenguaje de la etapa preescolar con un enfoque eminentemente didáctico. Dada la amplia gama de conceptos que el niño expresa en este nivel, nos centramos en la valoración de la expresión de los conceptos «dentro/fuera». Para realizarlo se ha seguido una metodología de tipo experimental con la finalidad de conseguir la muestra objeto del análisis y de llegar a los resultados y conclusiones previstos en la hipótesis de partida

Un enfoque múltiple para resolver problemas geoarqueológicos: inferencias de la minería de oro romana en el valle del Eria (León)

The Eria River valley exhibits one of the largest gold mining complexes in NW Iberia from Roman age. In this study, a geoarchaeological work is presented, combining a multiapproach based on airborne LiDAR remote sensing, descriptive geology and radiocarbon dating. The studied area is characterized by the presence of a mining infrastructure comprised of hydraulic canals driving the water at different levels to the mines. Mining works were associated with Plio-Quaternary raña deposits and Quaternary materials consisting of hillside and periglacial deposits, and fluvial terraces. The washing of the gold deposits used the hydraulic force to break up and drag out the sediment, giving rise to three different types of exploitation depending on the characteristics of the different materials. The results shed light on the geological materials exploited and other geographical aspects that conditioned the exploitation techniques. The work contributes to improving the knowledge about Roman gold mining and its geological context in northwest IberiaEl valle del río Eria presenta uno de los mayores complejos de minería aurífera de época romana del noroeste de la península ibérica. En este trabajo se presenta un estudio geoarqueológico que combina un enfoque multidisciplinar basado en el análisis por teledetección con LiDAR aerotransportado, geología descriptiva y datación radiocarbónica. La zona estudiada presenta un entramado minero compuesto por una red de canales que dirigían el agua a distinta cota hasta las explotaciones. Los desmontes fueron realizados sobre materiales plio-cuaternarios de tipo raña y cuaternarios constituidos por depósitos de ladera, periglaciares y terrazas fluviales. El lavado de los depósitos auríferos empleó la fuerza hidráulica para deshacer y arrastrar el sedimento, dando lugar a tres tipos distintos de explotación en función de las características que presentan los diferentes depósitos. Los resultados arrojan luz sobre los materiales geológicos explotados y otros aspectos geográficos que condicionaron las técnicas de explotación de los yacimientos. El trabajo contribuye a mejorar el conocimiento sobre la minería aurífera del noroeste y su contexto geológic

Botrylactone: new interest in an old moleculedreview of its absolute configuration and related compounds

The absolute configuration of botrylactone, a unique compound with an interesting polyketide lactone skeleton with two oxirane bridges previously isolated from Botrytis cinerea and described as a powerful antibiotic, has been reviewed on the basis of sign of the optical rotation, NOE experiments and NMR method. The isolation of 7-deoxybotrylactone and 5-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxydec-2(3)-enoyl) botrylactone enables us to characterize an intriguing new family of compounds with this interesting polyketide skeleton. A common biosynthetic origin with botcinin derivatives is proposed

Differential prefrontal-like deficit in children after cerebellar astrocytoma and medulloblastoma tumor

Journal Article;BACKGROUND This study was realized thanks to the collaboration of children and adolescents who had been resected from cerebellar tumors. The medulloblastoma group (CE+, n = 7) in addition to surgery received radiation and chemotherapy. The astrocytoma group (CE, n = 13) did not receive additional treatments. Each clinical group was compared in their executive functioning with a paired control group (n = 12). The performances of the clinical groups with respect to controls were compared considering the tumor's localization (vermis or hemisphere) and the affectation (or not) of the dentate nucleus. Executive variables were correlated with the age at surgery, the time between surgery-evaluation and the resected volume. METHODS The executive functioning was assessed by means of WCST, Complex Rey Figure, Controlled Oral Word Association Test (letter and animal categories), Digits span (WISC-R verbal scale) and Stroop test. These tests are very sensitive to dorsolateral PFC and/or to medial frontal cortex functions. The scores for the non-verbal Raven IQ were also obtained. Direct scores were corrected by age and transformed in standard scores using normative data. The neuropsychological evaluation was made at 3.25 (SD = 2.74) years from surgery in CE group and at 6.47 (SD = 2.77) in CE+ group. RESULTS The Medulloblastoma group showed severe executive deficit (</= 1.5 SD below normal mean) in all assessed tests, the most severe occurring in vermal patients. The Astrocytoma group also showed executive deficits in digits span, semantic fluency (animal category) and moderate to slight deficit in Stroop (word and colour) tests. In the astrocytoma group, the tumor's localization and dentate affectation showed different profile and level of impairment: moderate to slight for vermal and hemispheric patients respectively. The resected volume, age at surgery and the time between surgery-evaluation correlated with some neuropsychological executive variables. CONCLUSION Results suggest a differential prefrontal-like deficit due to cerebellar lesions and/or cerebellar-frontal diaschisis, as indicate the results in astrocytoma group (without treatments), that also can be generated and/or increased by treatments in the medulloblastoma group. The need for differential rehabilitation strategies for specific clinical groups is remarked. The results are also discussed in the context of the Cerebellar Cognitive Affective Syndrome.This work was possible thanks to financial support from the MEC (DGICYT).Ye

Value of Travel Time Savings for University Students and Preference Heterogeneity

This paper examines the sensitivity of value of travel time savings (VTTS) to assumptions on individual preferences in a random utility discrete choice framework. Preferences heterogeneity is incorporated by introducing random parameters and by interacting characteristics of travel modes with characteristics of the individual. The data set is a revealed preference survey on student travel mode choice. The results indicate that there is a systematic influence of gender on VTTS and additional heterogeneity is explained by unobserved characteristics. The evidence also suggests model specifications that impose preferences homogeneity tend to produce lower estimates of VTTS compared with more flexible structures that allow random variation of parameters over individuals. However, the degree of underestimation seems to be context dependent..Random utility discrete choice models, preference heterogeneity, subjective value of travel time, random parameter logit.

Relationship between the level of physical activity and sedentary, overweight and health-related quality of life in scholar-age asthmatic children: an explanatory study in Seville

The aim of this study was: 1) To determine the differences between normal-weight asthmatic children and overweight asthmatic children in terms of HRQoL and amount of physical activity and sedentary and 2) To determine the relationship between amount of physical activity, sedentary and BMI and their influence on the HRQoL of this population in Seville. Method. We used a cohort design study that included 69 school-age children with controlled persistent asthma. The measures included in the study were: the questionnaire PAQL (S), to assess the HRQoL of children and the IPAQ-A questionnaire to assess the amount of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle of children. BMI was also calculated and determined if the participant was of normal-weight or overweight. Results. Overweight children scored worse on HRQoL and IPAQ-A values than their peers with normal-weight. Positive correlations were also observed between BMI and the amount of sedentary lifestyle. Negative correlations were observed between BMI and the amount of physical activity and also negative correlations were observed between BMI and HRQoL. Conclusion. BMI negatively affect HRQoL in school- age asthmatic childre

Relación entre el nivel de actividad física y sedentarismo, sobrepeso y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en niños asmáticos en edad escolar: un estudio exploratorio en Sevilla

Objetivo. En este estudió se pretendió un objetivo doble; 1) Constatar las diferencias entre niños asmáticos con sobrepeso y normopeso en cuanto a CVRS y cantidad de actividad física y sedentarismo y 2) Determinar la relación existente entre cantidad de actividad física, sedentarismo e IMC y su influencia en la CVRS de esta población en Sevilla. Método. Se usó un diseño de cohorte que incluyó a 69 niños en edad escolar con asma persistente controlado. Las medidas incluidas en el estudio fueron: el cuestionario PAQL(S), para evaluar la CVRS de los niños y el cuestionario IPAQ-A, para evaluar la cantidad de actividad física y sedentarismo de los niños. También se calculó el IMC y se determinó si el participante estaba en normopeso o sobrepeso. Resultados. Los niños con sobrepeso obtuvieron peores valores en CVRS e IPAQ-A que sus pares con normopeso. Además se observaron correlaciones positivas entre el IMC y la cantidad de sedentarismo y negativas entre el IMC y también entre éste y el valor en las escalas de valoración de la CVRS. Conclusión. El IMC afecta negativamente a la CVRS a los niños asmáticos en edad escolar.Objective. The aim of this study was: 1) To determine the differences between normal-weight asthmatic children and overweight asthmatic children in terms of HRQoL and amount of physical activity and sedentary and 2) To determine the relationship between amount of physical activity, sedentary and BMI and their influence on the HRQoL of this population in Seville. Method. We used a cohort design study that included 69 school-age children with controlled persistent asthma. The measures included in the study were: the questionnaire PAQL (S), to assess the HRQoL of children and the IPAQ-A questionnaire to assess the amount of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle of children. BMI was also calculated and determined if the participant was of normal-weight or overweight. Results. Overweight children scored worse on HRQoL and IPAQ-A values than their peers with normal-weight. Positive correlations were also observed between BMI and the amount of sedentary lifestyle. Negative correlations were observed between BMI and the amount of physical activity and also negative correlations were observed between BMI and HRQoL. Conclusion. BMI negatively affect HRQoL in school- age asthmatic children