A Study in a Regional Hospital of a Mid-Sized Spanish City Indicates a Major Increase in Infection/Colonization by Carbapenem-Resistant Bacteria, Coinciding with the COVID-19 Pandemic

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has proven difficult to control over the past few decades. The large group of multidrug-resistant bacteria includes carbapenemase-producing bacteria (CPB), for which limited therapeutic options and infection control measures are available. Furthermore, carbapenemases associate with high-risk clones that are defined by the sequence type (ST) to which each bacterium belongs. The objectives of this cross-sectional and retrospective study were to describe the CPB population isolated in a third-level hospital in Southern Spain between 2015 and 2020 and to establish the relationship between the ST and the epidemiological situation defined by the hospital. CPB were microbiologically studied in all rectal and pharyngeal swabs and clinical samples received between January 2015 and December 2020, characterizing isolates using MicroScan and mass spectrometry. Carbapenemases were detected by PCR and Sanger sequencing, and STs were assigned by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Isolates were genetically related by pulsedfield gel electrophoresis using Xbal, Spel, or Apal enzymes. The episodes in which each CPB was isolated were recorded and classified as involved or non-involved in an outbreak. There were 320 episodes with CPB during the study period: 18 with K. pneumoniae, 14 with Klebisella oxytoca, 9 with Citrobacter freundii, 11 with Escherichia coli, 46 with Enterobacter cloacae, 70 with Acinetobacter baumannii, and 52 with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The carbapenemase groups detected were OXA, VIM, KPC, and NDM with various subgroups. Synchronous relationships were notified between episodes of K. pneumoniae and outbreaks for ST15, ST258, ST307, and ST45, but not for the other CPB. There was a major increase in infections with CPB over the years, most notably during 2020, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study highlights the usefulness of gene sequencing techniques to control the spread of these microorganisms, especially in healthcare centers. These techniques offer faster results, and a reduction in their cost may make their real-time application more feasible. The combination of epidemiological data with real-time molecular sequencing techniques can provide a major advance in the transmission control of these CPB and in the management of infected patients. Real-time sequencing is essential to increase precision and thereby control outbreaks and target infection prevention measures in a more effective manner

Synthesis and DNA interaction of ethylenediamine platinum(II) complexes linked to DNA intercalants

A series of ethylenediamine platinum(II) complexes connected through semi-rigid chains of 1,2-bis(4-\ud pyridyl)ethane to DNA intercalating subunits (naphthalene, anthracene or phenazine) has been synthesized,\ud and their interactions with calf thymus (CT) DNA have been evaluated by viscometric titrations\ud and equilibrium dialysis experiments. The parent ligands that contain anthracene or phenazine chromophores\ud showed a monointercalative mode of DNA interaction (especially the anthracene derivative),\ud with apparent association constants in the order of 104 M 1. The corresponding platinum(II) complexes\ud bind CT DNA through bisintercalation, as established by the significant increase of DNA contour length\ud inferred from viscosity measurements, and the association constants are in the order of 105 M 1. The\ud naphthalene derivatives, however, exhibit a mixed mode of interaction, which suggests a partial contribution\ud of both intercalation and groove binding for the ligand, and monointercalation in the case of the\ud platinum(II) complex. Competition dialysis experiments carried out on the intercalative compounds have\ud revealed a moderate selectivity towards GC DNA sequences for the derivatives containing the anthracene\ud chromophore

The online sale of antibiotics for veterinary use

[EN] Antibiotics are essential medicines against infectious diseases in both humans and animals. An inappropriate use of antibiotics can impair animal health and enhance the risk of bacterial resistance, as well as its transfer from animals to humans. The objective of this study was to assess the possibility of purchasing antibiotics for veterinary use on the internet, to evaluate if a prescription is required, and to determine the availability of drugs classified as the highest priority critically important antimicrobials (HP-CIA). The Google and Bing search engines and both simple and complex search strings in Spanish and in English were used. The simple search string was “buy veterinary antibiotics”. Complex searches used wildcards and specific syntax. The searches carried out in Spanish revealed that 50% of websites operated in South America, and 65% of websites did not require a valid prescription. Fluoroquinolones were offered in 84% of these websites (45% without prescription), macrolides were offered in 63% of these websites (43% without prescription), and 3rd– and 4th–generation cephalosporins in 54% of these websites (38% without prescription). For the searches in English, 57% of these websites operated in the United States of America (USA), and 55% of them did not require a prescription. Fluoroquinolones were offered in 79% of these websites (49% without prescription), macrolides were offered in 72% of these websites (45% without prescription), and 3rd– and 4th–generation cephalosporins were offered in 49% of these websites (27% without prescription). Therefore, it is easy to illegally access antibiotics via the internet.SIThis research received no external funding

PBL in Programming Subjects at Engineering

This paper presents the PBL learning methodology applied to the subject of Programming in Engineering. We show two different perspectives, teacher and student. First, the point of view of the teacher considers the design of the project, and secondly student that considers its implementation

Assessment of the antioxidant/hypolipidemic relationship of sideritis hyssopifolia in an experimental animal model

[EN] Many publications have described the potential cardioprotective action of different medicinal plants, relating this effect with blood lipid levels. However, these publications do not justify the right amount of plant administered, which can vary greatly. Sideritis hyssopifolia is a little woody plant endemic to western and southwestern Europe. We have quantified its antioxidant activity, which can be used as an indicator of its cardioprotective action. This study evaluates the antioxidant capacity of Sideritis hyssopifolia to design a feed whose hypolipidemic effects are proven in cholesterol-fed New Zealand rabbits. Antioxidant action was assessed in infusions, which were prepared with 1 or 3 g of plant in 200 mL of water by using an ABTS assay and expressed as Ascorbic acid Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (AEAC). Aqueous infusions with infusion times of 10 min and prepared with 3 g plant exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity. Sideritis hyssopifolia showed an intermediate antioxidant capacity for the concentrations and times of the infusion tested. According to our results, we suggest incorporating 2.36 g of S. hyssopifolia every 150 g of rabbit feeding stuff (15.73 g/kg). This chow decreased cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides levels in cholesterol-fed rabbits, as well as the atherogenic index. This reduction was similar to that obtained with simvastatin.S

Availability of antibiotics for veterinary use on the internet: a cross-sectional study

[EN] The misuse or overuse of antibiotics can favor the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, with a direct impact on human and animal health as well as on ecosystems. In this work, we have analyzed the web pages in which antibiotics for veterinary use can be purchased online. By using a specifically developed software, we carried out a detailed search to know if each individual antibiotic and the families included in the OIE list of antimicrobial agents of veterinary importance (in English and in Spanish) were sold, reviewing the offers according to the administration route and the species for which the antibiotics were intended. The greatest offer of antibiotics was for those compounds considered critically important by OIE. In the search in English, penicillins were available on 55.8% of the sites, tetracyclines on 55.0%, and fluoroquinolones on 52.7%. In Spanish, the families with the greatest presence were fluoroquinolones (67.9% of the sites), tetracyclines (67.9% of the sites), and penicillins (65.4% of the sites). Regarding individual antibiotics, the most offered in both searches were amoxicillin (49.6% of the sites in English and 57.7% in Spanish) and doxycycline (46.5% of the sites in English and 53.8% in Spanish). Most offers were for oral and parenteral administration and intended for cats and dogs and for bovines.S

La competencia de ‘conocimiento e interacción con el mundo físico y natural’: Análisis de las pruebas de evaluación de diagnóstico de Andalucía

This article is part of an investigation focusing on educational assessment competence Learn how to learn. One purpose of the study was to analyze the potential of external evaluations and diagnostic to estimate the degree of acquisition of basic skills by students. As part of our project, we have established three committees of researchers to address the analysis of the Diagnostic Evaluation tests of Andalusia, just as they did with the evidence from PISA. This article lists the most important findings of the research on testing in the specific area of science, defined as 'Competence in knowledge and interaction with the physical and natural world'. Drawing on six matrix scientific capabilities (reproduction, application, reflection, transfer, heuristic and argument), we conclude that these tests mainly require low complexity scientific capabilities, with little presence of higher-order skills in them. It specifies the methodology, based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the tests, distinguishing the different capacities involved and the difficulty level in which they appear. We offer the most outstanding results of the stage both Primary and Secondary in relation to skills assessment, we submit for discussion in the last section of the article. As a final discussion section, we make an assessment of the gap between the overall competence concept proposed in the report DeSeCo (OECD), the conceptual framework itself Diagnostic Evaluation tests of Andalusia, and it really seems to assess the evidence in light of the results obtained.El presente artículo forma parte de una investigación centrada en la evaluación educativa de la competencia de Aprender cómo Aprender1. Uno de los propósitos del estudio ha sido analizar el potencial de las evaluaciones externas y diagnósticas para estimar el grado de adquisición de las competencias básicas por parte de los estudiantes. En el marco de nuestro proyecto, se han establecido tres comisiones de investigadores2 para abordar el análisis de las pruebas de Evaluación Diagnóstica de Andalucía (EDA), tal y como ya hicieran con las pruebas del programa PISA. El presente artículo recopila los hallazgos más sobresalientes de la investigación sobre las pruebas en el área específica de Ciencias, definida como ‘Competencia en el conocimiento y la interacción con el mundo físico y natural’. Tomando como matriz seis capacidades científicas (reproducción, aplicación, reflexión, transferencia, heurística y argumentación), se concluye que estas pruebas demandan principalmente capacidades científicas de baja complejidad con escasa presencia de capacidades de orden superior. Se especifica la metodología empleada, basada en análisis cualitativos y cuantitativos de las pruebas, distinguiendo las diferentes capacidades implicadas y el nivel de dificultad en el que aparecen. Se ofrecen los resultados más destacables tanto de la etapa de Primaria como de Secundaria en relación con la evaluación de competencias, que sometemos a discusión en el último apartado del artículo. También en este último apartado, se realiza una valoración de la distancia existente entre el concepto global de competencia propuesto en el informe DeSeCo (OCDE), el marco conceptual de la EDA, y lo que realmente parecen evaluar las pruebas a la luz de los resultados obtenidos.Palabras clave: competencias básicas; competencia científica; educación; evaluación diagnóstica; evaluación externa.‘Knowledge and interaction with the physical and natural world’ competence: Analysis of the diagnostic assessment tests AndalusiaThis article is part of an investigation focusing on educational assessment competence Learn how to learn. One purpose of the study was to analyze the potential of external evaluations and diagnostic to estimate the degree of acquisition of basic skills by students. As part of our project, we have established three committees of researchers to address the analysis of the Diagnostic Evaluation tests of Andalusia, just as they did with the evidence from PISA. This article lists the most important findings of the research on testing in the specific area of science, defined as 'Competence in knowledge and interaction with the physical and natural world'. Drawing on six matrix scientific capabilities (reproduction, application, reflection, transfer, heuristic and argument), we conclude that these tests mainly require low complexity scientific capabilities, with little presence of higher-order skills in them. It specifies the methodology, based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the tests, distinguishing the different capacities involved and the difficulty level in which they appear. We offer the most outstanding results of the stage both Primary and Secondary in relation to skills assessment, we submit for discussion in the last section of the article. As a final discussion section, we make an assessment of the gap between the overall competence concept proposed in the report DeSeCo (OECD), the conceptual framework itself Diagnostic Evaluation tests of Andalusia, and it really seems to assess the evidence in light of the results obtained.Keywords: education; external assessment; diagnostic assessment; key competence; scientific competence

Distribution of flumequine in intestinal contents and colon tissue in pigs after its therapeutic use in the drinking water

[EN] Flumequine concentrations in plasma, colon tissue and intestinal contents were evaluated in 12 healthy pigs after oral administration (12 mg/kg every 24 h for 5 consecutive days in drinking water). Plasma, colon tissue and intestinal content samples were collected from animals sacrificed on days 3, 6 and 7. Concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography after having validated the method, following the European Medicines Agency (EMA) requirements. The drug was not detected in any plasma sample. In colon tissue, concentrations were higher on day 3 (0.230 ± 0.033 µg/g, descending colon; 0.156 ± 0.093 µg/g, ascending colon) than on day 6 (0.187 ± 0.123 µg/g, descending colon; 0.107 ± 0.007 µg/g, ascending colon). Concentrations were considerably higher in intestinal contents, again on day 3 (1.349 ± 1.401 µg/g, descending colon; 0.591 ± 0.209 µg/g, ascending colon) than on days 6 (0.979 ± 0.346 µg/g, descending colon; 0.595 ± 0.075 µg/g, ascending colon) and 7 (0.247 ± 0.172 µg/g, descending colon; 0.172 ± 0.086 µg/g, ascending colon). Measured concentrations were lower than those effective against the most common intestinal pathogenic microorganisms in swine and, more specifically, Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.SIThis research was funded by Laboratorios Syva S.A.U

‘Knowledge and interaction with the physical and natural world’ competence: Analysis of the diagnostic assessment tests Andalusia

El presente artículo forma parte de una investigación centrada en la evaluación educativa de la competencia de Aprender cómo Aprender1. Uno de los propósitos del estudio ha sido analizar el potencial de las evaluaciones externas y diagnósticas para estimar el grado de adquisición de las competencias básicas por parte de los estudiantes. En el marco de nuestro proyecto, se han establecido tres comisiones de investigadores2 para abordar el análisis de las pruebas de Evaluación Diagnóstica de Andalucía (EDA), tal y como ya hicieran con las pruebas del programa PISA. El presente artículo recopila los hallazgos más sobresalientes de la investigación sobre las pruebas en el área específica de Ciencias, definida como ‘Competencia en el conocimiento y la interacción con el mundo físico y natural’. Tomando como matriz seis capacidades científicas (reproducción, aplicación, reflexión, transferencia, heurística y argumentación), se concluye que estas pruebas demandan principalmente capacidades científicas de baja complejidad con escasa presencia de capacidades de orden superior. Se especifica la metodología empleada, basada en análisis cualitativos y cuantitativos de las pruebas, distinguiendo las diferentes capacidades implicadas y el nivel de dificultad en el que aparecen. Se ofrecen los resultados más destacables tanto de la etapa de Primaria como de Secundaria en relación con la evaluación de competencias, que sometemos a discusión en el último apartado del artículo. También en este último apartado, se realiza una valoración de la distancia existente entre el concepto global de competencia propuesto en el informe DeSeCo (OCDE), el marco conceptual de la EDA, y lo que realmente parecen evaluar las pruebas a la luz de los resultados obtenidos.This article is part of an investigation focusing on educational assessment competence Learn how to learn. One purpose of the study was to analyze the potential of external evaluations and diagnostic to estimate the degree of acquisition of basic skills by students. As part of our project, we have established three committees of researchers to address the analysis of the Diagnostic Evaluation tests of Andalusia, just as they did with the evidence from PISA. This article lists the most important findings of the research on testing in the specific area of science, defined as 'Competence in knowledge and interaction with the physical and natural world'. Drawing on six matrix scientific capabilities (reproduction, application, reflection, transfer, heuristic and argument), we conclude that these tests mainly require low complexity scientific capabilities, with little presence of higher-order skills in them. It specifies the methodology, based on qualitative and quantitative analysis of the tests, distinguishing the different capacities involved and the difficulty level in which they appear. We offer the most outstanding results of the stage both Primary and Secondary in relation to skills assessment, we submit for discussion in the last section of the article. As a final discussion section, we make an assessment of the gap between the overall competence concept proposed in the report DeSeCo (OECD), the conceptual framework itself Diagnostic Evaluation tests of Andalusia, and it really seems to assess the evidence in light of the results obtained

Forecasting PM10 in the Bay of Algeciras Based on Regression Models

Different forecasting methodologies, classified into parametric and nonparametric, were studied in order to predict the average concentration of PM10 over the course of 24 h. The comparison of the forecasting models was based on four quality indexes (Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the index of agreement, the mean absolute error, and the root mean squared error). The proposed experimental procedure was put into practice in three urban centers belonging to the Bay of Algeciras (Andalusia, Spain). The prediction results obtained with the proposed models exceed those obtained with the reference models through the introduction of low-quality measurements as exogenous information. This proves that it is possible to improve performance by using additional information from the existing nonlinear relationships between the concentration of the pollutants and the meteorological variables