Diagnostic performance of CerTest and Panbio antigen rapid diagnostic tests to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection

Objectives Antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT) have been developed as reliable tools to control the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The objective of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of two Ag-RDTs. Methods We evaluated CerTest SARS-CoV-2 Ag One Step Card Test and Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device Ag-RDTs. We included 320 nasopharyngeal samples: 150 PCR negative samples to assess the specificity and 170 PCR positive samples to evaluate the sensitivity. We also evaluated their sensitivity according to cycle threshold (Ct) values and the time from the onset of symptoms. Tests were compared using the McNemar?s test and agreement was evaluated using the kappa score (k). Results Both Ag-RDTs showed a specificity of 100 %. Overall sensitivity was 53.5 % for CerTest and 60.0 % for Panbio. For samples with 25, sensitivity was 94.0 % for CerTest and 96.4 % for Panbio (p = 0.500). Regarding samples with Ct>25, sensitivity was 14.0 % for CerTest and 24.4 % for Panbio (p = 0.004). Sensitivity for samples within the first 5 days after the onset of symptoms were 84.8 % for CerTest and 91.3 % for Panbio (p = 0.250) and notably decreased for samples taken after the fifth day. Both Ag-RDTs showed an excellent agreement between them (agreement = 96.7 %, k = 0.920). Agreement with PCR was also excellent for high viral load samples (Ct<25) for CerTest (98.0 %, k = 0.954) and Panbio (98.8 %, k = 0.973). Conclusions CerTest SARS-CoV-2 and Panbio COVID-19 Ag showed excellent performance and agreement results for samples with high viral loads (Ct 25) or samples taken within the first 5 days after the onset of symptoms

Digital solutions to optimize guideline-directed medical therapy prescription rates in patients with heart failure: a clinical consensus statement from the ESC Working Group on e-Cardiology, the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions of the European Society of Cardiology, the ESC Digital Health Committee, the ESC Council of Cardio-Oncology, and the ESC Patient Forum

The 2021 European Society of Cardiology guideline on diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure (HF) and the 2023 Focused Update include recommendations on the pharmacotherapy for patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II–IV HF with reduced ejection fraction. However, multinational data from the EVOLUTION HF study found substantial prescribing inertia of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) in clinical practice. The cause was multifactorial and included limitations in organizational resources. Digital solutions like digital consultation, digital remote monitoring, digital interrogation of cardiac implantable electronic devices, clinical decision support systems, and multifaceted interventions are increasingly available worldwide. The objectives of this Clinical Consensus Statement are to provide (i) examples of digital solutions that can aid the optimization of prescription of GDMT, (ii) evidence-based insights on the optimization of prescription of GDMT using digital solutions, (iii) current evidence gaps and implementation barriers that limit the adoption of digital solutions in clinical practice, and (iv) critically discuss strategies to achieve equality of access, with reference to patient subgroups. Embracing digital solutions through the use of digital consults and digital remote monitoring will future-proof, for example alerts to clinicians, informing them of patients on suboptimal GDMT. Researchers should consider employing multifaceted digital solutions to optimize effectiveness and use study designs that fit the unique sociotechnical aspects of digital solutions. Artificial intelligence solutions can handle larger data sets and relieve medical professionals’ workloads, but as the data on the use of artificial intelligence in HF are limited, further investigation is warranted

European Journalism Observatory- a platform for training and professional networks in the Faculty of Information Sciences

The launching of a Spanish platform within the Observatory will serve as a training laboratory for undergraduate and graduate students of the Faculty of Information Sciences at the same time as for establishing a professional media network in and outside Spain. The European Journalism Observatory (EJO) is a network of 14 non-profit media research institutes in 11 countries where Spain continue to be the missing element. All researchers in the EJO network actively strive to transfer their knowledge to the media industry as well as interested publics outside the scientific community, as a platform to enable online availability of at least a portion of many publications in several languages

Influence of grape variety and their phenolic composition on vasorelaxing activity of young red wines

Red wine has been reported to exert beneficial effects in preventing cardiovascular diseases probably due to their polyphenols constituents. The vasorelaxant capacity and phenolic composition of four monovarietal young red wines Merlot, Tempranillo, Garnacha and Cabernet-Sauvignon obtained from grapes from 2004 vintage, cultivated under the same climatic and agricultural conditions, wine-making technology and storage conditions, were determined using vascular reactivity assay in rat aortic and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells from Wistar rats were also used to evaluate their survival prevention activity as well. Every studied wine present vasorelaxation effect, but the higher value corresponds to the analyzed Merlot wine, especially rich in phenolic compounds, mainly catechins and oligomeric proanthocyanidins and anthocyanin glycosides. This study further demonstrated previous investigations about the phenolic composition of wines relation with their vasorelaxation activityMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (España)Depto. de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y BotánicaFac. de FarmaciaTRUEpu

Sistema automático de análisis en continuo de la evolución del vino.

Fecha de Presentación internacional: 23.05.2006.- Titulares:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC).- Instituto Madrileño de Investigación Aagraria y Alimetaria (IMIA).[EN]The invention relates to a system that can be used in real time and continuously to analyse wine in containers without having to take samples, which is based on the electronic nose concept. The inventive system comprises: an array of gas sensors which are not specific to any chemical compound, but which are sensitive to wine aromas; a system for extracting aromas from containers or barrels containing wine; an instrumentation system for measuring the different system variables and the responses from the sensors, as well as for controlling and automating the entire system; and pattern-recognition techniques. In addition, using a regression between the responses from the sensors and the data from other analysis techniques, the system can be used to make predictions of the response from said techniques for samples which are unknown but measured using the inventive system. The system is completely automatic and can be remotely monitored and controlled, for example, using the Internet.[ES]La presente invención se refiere a un sistema para el análisis del vino en los mismos depósitos sin la necesidad de extraer muestras, en tiempo real e incluso de forma continua, que se basa en el concepto de nariz electrónica. El sistema está formado por un conjunto de sensores de gases no específicos a ningún compuesto químico pero sensibles a los aromas del vino, un sistema de extracción de aromas de los depósitos o barricas donde se encuentra almacenado el vino, un sistema de instrumentación para la medida de las distintas variables del sistema y las respuestas de los sensores, así como para el control y automatización de todo el sistema, y técnicas de reconocimiento de patrones. Además, mediante una regresión entre las respuestas de los sensores y los datos de otras técnicas de análisis, el sistema permite realizar predicciones de la respuesta de estas técnicas frente a muestras desconocidas pero medidas con la presente invención. El sistema es completamente automático y puede ser monitorizado y controlado a distancia,por ejemplo mediante internet.Peer reviewe

Cartografía temática de praderas de angiospermas marinas para la obtención de información de los stocks de carbono azul en Andalucía

El Proyecto Life Blue Natura (LIFE14 CCM/ES/000957), cuyas actividades comenzaron en 2015, tiene como uno de sus objetivos principales cuantificar los depósitos y las tasas de secuestro de carbono de los hábitats de las praderas de angiospermas marinas (Acción C1) y marismas de marea (Acción C2) en Andalucía (los resultados de esta segunda acción son objeto de otro trabajo en este mismo volumen). Previamente, dentro del Proyecto se acometió otro objetivo básico dirigido a elaborar una cartografía integrada actualizada de praderas (Acción A1) que completara la información previa y vinculara la distribución y extensión de las formaciones de angiospermas marinas con el tipo de sustrato y la batimetría. Esta cartografía integrada ha resultado fundamental para avanzar en otras acciones del proyecto, como la estima de los stocks de carbono azul en Andalucía. El presente trabajo se centra en la Acción A1 de cartografía y caracterización de hábitats. Durante el Life Blue Natura, el Programa de Gestión Sostenible del Medio Marino Andaluz (Junta de Andalucía) ha cartografiado 11 áreas con presencia de praderas que no pudieron incluirse en el Proyecto Life+ Posidonia Andalucía (LIFE 09 NAT/ES/000534) (2011-2015) al no pertenecer a la Red Natura 2000. Estas cartografías nuevas, o que han actualizado otras existentes, realizadas desde Almería a Cádiz, han permitido aportar casi 1600 ha al inventario previo, lo que significa un 13,6% del total, destacando las 340 ha de Posidonia oceanica estudiadas en la ensenada de Almerimar (Almería), las 308 ha de Cymodocea nodosa frente a la Universidad de Almería, y las 425 ha de Zostera noltei en el Parque Natural Bahía de Cádiz. Se detallan las fuentes de información empleadas (cartografías, batimetrías, capas de tipos de fondos, etc.), el proceso de elaboración, así como los resultados de la cartografía integrada. De las 11.751 ha de praderas de angiospermas marinas que se conocen actualmente en Andalucía, 11.212 ha están dentro de espacios naturales protegidos, lo que representa el 95,41% del total. La mayoría son de P. oceanica con 7.097 ha (60,40% del total), seguida por C. nodosa con 4.179 ha (35,36%), por Z. noltei con 474 ha (4,03%) y por Zostera marina con 0,09 ha (0,0008%). Una vez estuvo operativa la cartografía integrada, se incorporaron los datos del estudio de flujo y stock de CO2 obtenidos en praderas andaluzas para el Life Blue Natura (Acción C1) por el equipo del Grupo de Ecología de Macrófitos Acuáticos (GAME, por sus siglas en inglés) del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). Estos estudios se han realizado sobre P. oceanica, C. nodosa y Z. noltei, en 32 estaciones donde se recogieron 88 testigos (cores), 14 de ellos con vibrocorer, a distintas profundidades y en diferentes tipologías de pradera (sanas y degradadas, sobre sedimento o sobre roca, etc.), empleando tanto técnicas de buceo autónomo, como instrumental del buque oceanográfico García del Cid, del CSIC. Toda esta información se suma a obtenida por la Red POSIMED del estado de las praderas de P. oceanica con 35 estaciones fijas de seguimiento. Además, se han considerado 8 tramos de litoral para que los resultados se ajustaran al gradiente natural este-oeste existente en Andalucía. De esta forma se han podido obtener mapas temáticos de flujo, de stock de CO2 y de biomasa del dosel foliar que constituyen uno de los principales logros del Life Blue Natura. Todos estos resultados son públicos y pueden consultarse en la Red de Información Ambiental de Andalucía (REDIAM), http://www.juntadeandalucia.es/medioambiente/site/rediam

Los cuentos extremeños en la biblioteca de Educación Infantil

Recopilación de cuentos populares extremeños acompañados de juegos y actividades que tienen como objetivos impulsar la formación y utilización de la biblioteca en Educación Infantil, facilitar el conocimiento de los cuentos populares extremeños como medio de aprendizaje y disfrute y conocer las técnicas de narración de cuentos, su uso y su valor formativo.ExtremaduraES

ESC Working Group on e-Cardiology Position Paper: accuracy and reliability of electrocardiogram monitoring in the detection of atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke patients : In collaboration with the Council on Stroke, the European Heart Rhythm Association, and the Digital Health Committee

The role of subclinical atrial fibrillation as a cause of cryptogenic stroke is unambiguously established. Long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring remains the sole method for determining its presence following a negative initial workup. This position paper of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on e-Cardiology first presents the definition, epidemiology, and clinical impact of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke, as well as its aetiopathogenic association with occult atrial fibrillation. Then, classification methods for ischaemic stroke will be discussed, along with their value in providing meaningful guidance for further diagnostic efforts, given disappointing findings of studies based on the embolic stroke of unknown significance construct. Patient selection criteria for long-term ECG monitoring, crucial for determining pre-test probability of subclinical atrial fibrillation, will also be discussed. Subsequently, the two major classes of long-term ECG monitoring tools (non-invasive and invasive) will be presented, with a discussion of each method's pitfalls and related algorithms to improve diagnostic yield and accuracy. Although novel mobile health (mHealth) devices, including smartphones and smartwatches, have dramatically increased atrial fibrillation detection post ischaemic stroke, the latest evidence appears to favour implantable cardiac monitors as the modality of choice; however, the answer to whether they should constitute the initial diagnostic choice for all cryptogenic stroke patients remains elusive. Finally, institutional and organizational issues, such as reimbursement, responsibility for patient management, data ownership, and handling will be briefly touched upon, despite the fact that guidance remains scarce and widespread clinical application and experience are the most likely sources for definite answers

ESC Working Group on e-Cardiology Position Paper: accuracy and reliability of electrocardiogram monitoring in the detection of atrial fibrillation in cryptogenic stroke patients : In collaboration with the Council on Stroke, the European Heart Rhythm Association, and the Digital Health Committee

The role of subclinical atrial fibrillation as a cause of cryptogenic stroke is unambiguously established. Long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring remains the sole method for determining its presence following a negative initial workup. This position paper of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on e-Cardiology first presents the definition, epidemiology, and clinical impact of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke, as well as its aetiopathogenic association with occult atrial fibrillation. Then, classification methods for ischaemic stroke will be discussed, along with their value in providing meaningful guidance for further diagnostic efforts, given disappointing findings of studies based on the embolic stroke of unknown significance construct. Patient selection criteria for long-term ECG monitoring, crucial for determining pre-test probability of subclinical atrial fibrillation, will also be discussed. Subsequently, the two major classes of long-term ECG monitoring tools (non-invasive and invasive) will be presented, with a discussion of each method’s pitfalls and related algorithms to improve diagnostic yield and accuracy. Although novel mobile health (mHealth) devices, including smartphones and smartwatches, have dramatically increased atrial fibrillation detection post ischaemic stroke, the latest evidence appears to favour implantable cardiac monitors as the modality of choice; however, the answer to whether they should constitute the initial diagnostic choice for all cryptogenic stroke patients remains elusive. Finally, institutional and organizational issues, such as reimbursement, responsibility for patient management, data ownership, and handling will be briefly touched upon, despite the fact that guidance remains scarce and widespread clinical application and experience are the most likely sources for definite answers

La enseñanza del derecho en Europa y América: planes de estudio, metodologías, evaluación y acceso a las profesiones jurídicas

La obra trata de la enseñanza universitaria del Derecho en 19 países europeos y americanos: Alemania, Argentina, Bélgica, Brasil, Canadá, Chile, Dinamarca, España, Estados Unidos, Finlandia, Francia, Italia, México, Países Bajos, Polonia, Reino Unido, Rusia, Suecia y Suiza. No se trata de una obra exhaustiva, sino de alta divulgación; académica pero no erudita. El capítulo de cada país ha sido escrito por un autor español, experto o profundo conocedor del sistema universitario del país descrito, en estrecha colaboración con un académico del país estudiado, por lo que se ha obtenido información de primera mano y, además, se ha recurrido a fuentes originales. Pretendemos informar a un amplio elenco de lectores, entre los que no faltaran juristas y profesionales de la docencia del Derecho. Todos los capítulos presentan la estructura de los estudios superiores y el acceso a la universidad; la descripción del plan de estudios del título de Derecho: materias y asignaturas impartidas, duración o peso académico de cada una (unidad de medida, en su caso), semestralización, obligatoriedad y optatividad, etc.; la atención a las metodologías docentes y al sistema de evaluación, dos elementos que se encuentran intrínsecamente unidos, y el acceso a las profesiones jurídicas. Finalmente, se presentan referencias legislativas, bibliografía y enlaces a webs de interés