RESUMEN
Microphytobenthos (MPB) provides important ecosystem functions and services, contributing significantly to the total primary production in shallow coastal ecosystems. However, determining the factors that regulate the seasonal changes of MPB and its distribution patterns at larger scales is hindered by the considerable spatial and temporal variability in these environments. Here, we studied the dynamics of intertidal MPB biomass, cover, and net growth rates in a south European tidal flat (Cadiz Bay, Spain) over a four-year period using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) calculated from Sentinel-2 satellite images. Pixels dominated by different benthic communities (MPB, Zostera sp., Caulerpa sp. and green macroalgae) were identified at a 10-m resolution using a Random Forest (RF) machine learning classification algorithm. MPB dominated the intertidal zone. MPB cover did not show a clear seasonal pattern and was clearly higher in the middle of the intertidal range of sea level. Despite interannual variability, MPB biomass was always higher during winter, coinciding with observations from other low latitude intertidal flats with temperate climate, and in the upper-middle intertidal. Net rates of MPB biomass change, calculated from the differences in MPB NDVI over time, showed maximal net growth rates from autumn to winter and maximum loss rates during spring and summer, although with high variability. Our study demonstrates that RF algorithms allow mapping MPB and other intertidal communities from Sentinel-2 multispectral satellite imagery accurately obtaining invaluable information from large areas at very high spatio-temporal resolution. The dissimilarities observed in the patterns of MPB variables over time or sea level, indicate differences in their ecological regulation, still largely unknown both here and in other temperate climate intertidal flats. High resolution remote sensing can aid in their detailed and systematic study producing a more integrated view of these systems and contributing to their science-based management and conservation.
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Ecosistema , Imágenes Satelitales , Biomasa , Estaciones del Año , EspañaRESUMEN
Diel primary production patterns of intertidal microphytobenthos (MPB) have been attributed to short-term physiological changes in the photosynthetic apparatus or to diel changes in the photoautotrophic biomass in the sediment photic layer due to vertical migration. Diel changes in primary production and vertical migration are entrained by external factors like photoperiod and tides. However, the role of photoperiod and tides has not been experimentally separated to date. Here, we performed laboratory experiments with sediment cores kept in immersion, in the absence of tides, with photoperiod or under continuous light. Measurements of net production, made with O2 microsensors, and of spectral reflectance at the sediment surface showed that, in intertidal sediments, the photoperiod signal was the major driver of the diel patterns of net primary production and sediment oxygen availability through the vertical migration of the MPB photoautotrophic biomass. Vertical migration was controlled by an endogenous circadian rhythm entrained by photoperiod in the absence of tides. The pattern progressively disappeared after 3 days in continuous light but was immediately reset by photoperiod. Even though a potential contribution of a subjective in situ tidal signal cannot be completely discarded, Fourier and cross spectral analysis of temporal patterns indicated that the photosynthetic circadian rhythm was mainly characterized by light/dark migratory cycles.
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Alicycliphilus is a promising candidate for participating in the development of novel xenobiotics bioremediation processes. Members of the Alicycliphilus genus are environmental bacteria mostly found in polluted sites such as landfills and contaminated watercourses, and in sewage sludges from wastewater treatment plants. They exhibit a versatile metabolism and the ability to use oxygen, nitrate and chlorate as terminal electron acceptors, which allow them to biodegrade xenobiotics under oxic or anoxic conditions. Pure cultures of Alicycliphilus strains are able to biodegrade some pollutants such as industrial solvents (acetone, cyclohexanol and N-methylpyrrolidone), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene and anthracene), as well as polyurethane varnishes and foams, and they can even transform Cr(VI) to Cr(III). In addition, Alicycliphilus has also been identified in bacterial communities involved in wastewater treatment plants for denitrification, and the degradation of emerging pollutants such as triclosan, nonylphenol, N-heterocyclic aromatic compounds (indole and quinoline), and antibiotics (tetracycline and oxytetracycline). This work summarizes the current knowledge on the Alicycliphilus genus, describing its different metabolic characteristics, focusing on its xenobiotic biodegradation abilities and examining the distinct pathways and molecular bases that sustain them. We also discuss the progress made in genetic manipulation and 'omics' analyses, as well as Alicycliphilus participation in novel bioremediation strategies.
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Comamonadaceae/genética , Comamonadaceae/metabolismo , Contaminantes Ambientales/metabolismo , Xenobióticos/metabolismo , Biodegradación Ambiental , Cloratos/metabolismo , Comamonadaceae/clasificación , Genoma Bacteriano/genética , Redes y Vías Metabólicas/genética , Nitratos/metabolismo , Oxígeno/metabolismo , Aguas del Alcantarillado/microbiologíaRESUMEN
Addressing language and cultural nuance is required to improve the quality of care among all patients. The tenth version of the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health Care (CLAS) recommends implementing ongoing assessments to integrate specific actions into measurement and continuous quality improvement activities. To this end, we have created the Interventional Cultural and Language Assistance Program (ICLAP). As part of ICLAP, we conducted a cross-sectional needs assessment survey with 564 consecutive patients receiving outpatient Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging at a comprehensive cancer center in the five most prevalent languages of New York City: English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Arabic. The purpose of this study is to describe the language assistance characteristics and needs of a sample of patients receiving care in the cancer center. We examined the relationship between race, ethnicity, birthplace, communication and language assistance characteristics and the satisfaction with the care received. Our results show that race and ethnicity, birthplace, cultural beliefs, language assistance, and communication characteristics were all factors associated with patients' satisfaction with care, illustrating that there is an unmet need among cancer patients to have cultural and linguistic sensitive services.
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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use and effectiveness of a routine invasive strategy (RIS) in patients with acute coronary syndrome without persistent ST-segment elevation with renal dysfunction in the real world scenario. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study based on the ARIAM-SEMICYUC Registry (2011-2014) was carried out. Renal dysfunction was defined as GFR (Cockroft-Gault)<60ml/min (moderate dysfunction) or<30ml/min (severe dysfunction). Patients in which early angiography (<72h) was performed due to cardiogenic shock or recurrent myocardial ischemia were excluded. The primary endpoint was hospital mortality. Confounding factors were controlled using propensity score analysis. RESULTS: A total of 4,279 patients were analyzed, of which 26% had moderate renal dysfunction and 5% severe dysfunction. Patients with renal dysfunction had greater severity and comorbidity, higher hospital mortality (8.6 vs. 1.8%), and lesser use of the RIS (40 vs. 52%). The adjusted OR for mortality in patients without/with renal dysfunction were 0.38 (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.17 to 0.81) and 0.52 (95%CI 0.32 to 0.87), respectively (interaction P-value=.4779). The impact (adjusted risk difference) of RIS was higher in the group with renal dysfunction (-5.1%, 95%CI -8.1 to -2.1 vs. -1.6%, 95%CI -2.6 to -0.6; interaction P-value=.0335). No significant interaction was detected for the other endpoints considered (ICU mortality, 30-day mortality, myocardial infarction, acute renal failure or moderate/severe bleeding). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the effectiveness of IRS is similar in patients with normal or abnormal renal function, and alert to the under-utilization of this strategy in such patients.
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Síndrome Coronario Agudo/terapia , Angiografía Coronaria , Enfermedades Renales/complicaciones , Revascularización Miocárdica , Infarto del Miocardio sin Elevación del ST/terapia , Síndrome Coronario Agudo/complicaciones , Síndrome Coronario Agudo/diagnóstico por imagen , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Humanos , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos/estadística & datos numéricos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Infarto del Miocardio sin Elevación del ST/complicaciones , Infarto del Miocardio sin Elevación del ST/diagnóstico por imagen , Puntaje de Propensión , Recurrencia , Sistema de Registros , Estudios Retrospectivos , Riesgo , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , España/epidemiología , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To measure accessibility to health care among diabetic patients and analyze whether differences in delay explain differences in hospital mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome with ST-segment elevation included in the ARIAM-SEMICYUC registry (2010-2013). Crude and adjusted analyses were performed using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 4817 patients were analyzed, of whom 1070 (22.2%) were diabetics. No differences were found in access to health care between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Diabetic patients presented with longer patient delay (90 min vs. 75 min; p=.004) and prehospital delay (150 min vs. 130 min; p=.002). Once the health system was contacted, diabetic patients had a lower reperfusion rate (50% vs. 57.7%; p<.001), but no longer delay in treatment was observed compared with the non-diabetic individuals. Diabetic patients have greater in-hospital mortality (12.5 vs. 6%; p <.001), though neither patient delay nor prehospital delay were identified as independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic patients had a longer delay in access to health care, though such delay was not independently related to increased mortality.
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Síndrome Coronario Agudo/terapia , Diabetes Mellitus , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud , Estudios de Cohortes , Electrocardiografía , Mortalidad Hospitalaria , Humanos , Infarto del Miocardio , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
UNLABELLED: Elastofibroma dorsi has been described in the literature as an unusual tumor or pseudotumor. However, autopsies and imaging studies have revealed that it is a non-negligible finding. PURPOSE: The aim of this study has been to illustrate and become familiar with this type of lesion in order to prevent misdiagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 3 December 2008 to 5 January 2010, 1,751 patients were evaluated with (18)FDG-PET/CT. Of these, 29 cases of elastofibroma dorsi were recorded as an incidental finding. A retrospective and descriptive analysis was performed on this study series. RESULTS: The study showed a prevalence of 1.66%. Out of the 29 findings, 22 (75.86%) were females and 7 (24.14%) males. Seventeen (58.62%) cases were bilateral, 12 (41.38%) unilateral and the SUVmax ranged from 1.4 to 3.2. These lesions were reported as soft tissue density images with mild or moderate diffuse metabolic activity. CONCLUSION: The elastofibroma dorsi is a relatively common finding in PET/CT that should be known in order to avoid making wrong diagnoses.
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Fibroma/diagnóstico por imagen , Radioisótopos de Flúor , Fluorodesoxiglucosa F18 , Imagen Multimodal , Tomografía de Emisión de Positrones , Radiofármacos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Anciano , Enfermedades Asintomáticas , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Femenino , Fibroma/diagnóstico , Fibroma/patología , Humanos , Hallazgos Incidentales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Metástasis de la Neoplasia/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias Primarias Múltiples/diagnóstico por imagen , Estudios RetrospectivosAsunto(s)
Pared Abdominal , Anticoagulantes/efectos adversos , Hematoma/inducido químicamente , Hemoperitoneo/inducido químicamente , Heparina de Bajo-Peso-Molecular/efectos adversos , Anciano , Anticoagulantes/administración & dosificación , Resultado Fatal , Femenino , Heparina de Bajo-Peso-Molecular/administración & dosificación , HumanosAsunto(s)
Obstrucción de las Vías Aéreas/inducido químicamente , Angioedema/inducido químicamente , Fibrinolíticos/efectos adversos , Insuficiencia Respiratoria/inducido químicamente , Terapia Trombolítica/efectos adversos , Activador de Tejido Plasminógeno/efectos adversos , Anciano , Obstrucción de las Vías Aéreas/tratamiento farmacológico , Angioedema/tratamiento farmacológico , Antialérgicos/uso terapéutico , Fibrinolíticos/administración & dosificación , Humanos , Masculino , Infarto del Miocardio/complicaciones , Infarto del Miocardio/tratamiento farmacológico , Insuficiencia Respiratoria/tratamiento farmacológico , Terapia Trombolítica/métodos , Activador de Tejido Plasminógeno/administración & dosificación , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Numbers and species of motile Aeromonas were determined in freshly caught freshwater fish, in the surrounding environment, and also during iced chilled storage of fish specimens. Although no significant differences were observed in water samples, initial levels for skin, gill, and intestines were significantly lower in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) than in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) and pike (Esox lucius). During storage of wild specimens, naturally occurring aeromonads grew fairly well on the surfaces of skin and body cavity. Of 171 strains assigned to the genus Aeromonas, 88% were identified to phenospecies and putative genospecies level by using comprehensive biochemical schemes. The isolates were allocated to putative hybridization groups (HGs) 1 and 3 Aeromonas hydrophila (29%); putative HG 8 Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria (19%); putative HG 2 Aeromonas bestiarum (18%); putative HG 9 Aeromonas jandaei (16%); putative HGs 4 and 5a Aeromonas caviae (2%); putative HG 12 Aeromonas schubertii (2%); and putative HG 11 (unnamed, 0.6%). The remaining 20 isolates (12%) resembled A. schubertii but could not be allocated to currently recognized phenospecies or to putative HGs. Although cultured rainbow trout yielded strains of putative HGs 1, 4, and 8, which appear to be of major clinical importance, most isolates assigned to putative HGs 1 and 8 were recovered from pike. Differences among HGs found in wild animals could be related to their origin (unpolluted rivers for brown trout and urban rivers for pike). The recovery of these aeromonads species was not related to sampling site. The initial levels of motile aeromonads, their behavior during storage, and the strong potential spoilage activity of most isolates confirm that these bacteria can contribute to deterioration of iced wild freshwater fish. Although adequate cooking would inactivate motile aeromonads, the high incidence of isolates belonging to gastroenteritis-associated HGs should be regarded as a potential health concern, particularly for susceptible populations when there is a possibility of cross-contamination.
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Aeromonas/aislamiento & purificación , Acuicultura , Microbiología del Agua , Aeromonas/clasificación , Animales , Animales Salvajes , Esocidae/microbiología , Peces , Trucha/microbiologíaRESUMEN
Three phenotypic identification systems were employed to identify 106 strains of gram-negative, nonmotile, aerobic bacteria obtained during iced storage of wild (Salmo trutta and Esox lucius) and farmed (Oncorhynchus mykiss) freshwater fish. Using diagnostic tables and computer-assisted identification, the isolates were Psychrobacter (64 strains), Acinetobacter (24 strains), Moraxella (6 strains), Chryseobacterium (5 strains), Myroides odoratus (2 strains), Flavobacterium (1 strain), Empedobacter (1 strain), and unidentified (3 strains). Overall similarities of all strains were determined for 108 characters by numerical analysis (simple matching coefficient of similarity [S] and clustering by unweighted pair group average linkage [UPGMA]). At the 77% similarity level, 92 strains formed nine major clusters (3 or more strains) and four small clusters (2 strains). Cluster 1 (25 isolates divided into two main subclusters) could be assigned to Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus, clusters 2 and 3 (26 isolates) were designated as Psychrobacter immobilis, and clusters 4 (3 isolates) and 7 (4 isolates) were identified as Psychrobacter urativorans and Psychrobacter spp., respectively. Clusters 5 (five isolates), 6 (three isolates), and 9 (five isolates) were labeled as Acinetobacter spp., Acinetobacter johnsonii, and Acinetobacter lwoffii, respectively. Cluster 8 (12 isolates), with a high resemblance to Thornley's phenon 4 (a heterogeneous group of bacteria isolated from poultry and related to Acinetobacter), remained unnamed. The restriction pattern was identical for strains grouped into clusters 2 and 3 (P. immobilis) but was different for the remaining Psychrobacter isolates. A large proportion of isolates belonging to the family Moraxellaceae were closely related. Psychrobacters and A. johnsonii were present in freshly caught fish and river water. In the latter stages of storage, P. phenylpyruvicus and acinetobacters tended to decrease, whereas P. immobilis increased.
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Peces/microbiología , Manipulación de Alimentos , Bacterias Aerobias Gramnegativas/clasificación , Animales , Técnicas de Tipificación Bacteriana , Frío , ADN Ribosómico/análisis , ADN Ribosómico/genética , Esocidae/microbiología , Agua Dulce , Bacterias Aerobias Gramnegativas/aislamiento & purificación , Análisis Numérico Asistido por Computador , Oncorhynchus mykiss/microbiología , Fenotipo , ARN Ribosómico 16S/genética , Mapeo Restrictivo , Trucha/microbiologíaRESUMEN
The aim of this study was to determine the presence of hemolytic and elastolytic enzymes in several strains of Plesiomonas shigelloides in relation to the availability of iron in culture media. Hemolytic activity and elastolytic activity were detected in strains of P. shigelloides and were enhanced when the strains were grown in an iron-depleted medium and lost after thermal treatment at 100 degrees C for 10 min. Also, elastolytic activity was inactivated by phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride, an inhibitor of serine proteases. Hemolytic activity was detected extracellularly in cell-free supernatants, whereas elastin degradation activity was cell associated. Both activities may be related to the virulence of P. shigelloides.
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Proteínas Hemolisinas/metabolismo , Hierro/farmacología , Elastasa Pancreática/metabolismo , Plesiomonas/enzimología , Medios de Cultivo , Calor , Plesiomonas/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
The hemolytic activity and siderophore production of several strains of motile aeromonads were determined. The hemolytic activity of Aeromonas caviae and Aeromonas eucrenophila was enhanced after trypsinization of the samples. The enhancement of hemolysis was observed in strains that carried an aerolysin-like gene, detected by a PCR procedure. Siderophore production was demonstrated in all but one strain of Aeromonas jandaei. No apparent relationship was observed between the presence of plasmid DNA and hemolysis or siderophore production.
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Aeromonas/fisiología , Aeromonas/patogenicidad , Toxinas Bacterianas/genética , Esocidae/microbiología , Hemólisis , Oncorhynchus mykiss/microbiología , Sideróforos/biosíntesis , Trucha/microbiología , Aeromonas/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Proteínas Hemolisinas/genética , Plásmidos , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Proteínas Citotóxicas Formadoras de Poros , Conejos , OvinosRESUMEN
Initial numbers of bacteria associated with wild (brown trout and pike) and cultured (rainbow trout) freshwater fish as well as with the water in which they were caught were determined. Subsequently, a total of 979 randomly selected isolates were characterized and identified to the genus level. For all counts performed (aerobes, psychrotrophs, anaerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, and enterococci), no significant differences were observed in water samples, the highest level corresponding to psychrotrophs in pike environments (4.23 X 10(3) CFU/ml). Overall, the skin and intestinal content of brown trout were the most contaminated, while rainbow trout specimens (gills and gut) yielded the lowest numbers. For all bacterial groups, pike gills had the highest numbers. Counts for all of the sampling sites compare well with findings in other temperate geographical environments. Biological characteristics (feeding and skin properties) and the use of antimicrobials in aquaculture might have influenced these results. Motile and nonmotile aerobic gram-negative bacteria together with Enterobacteriaceae accounted for 50 to 70% of the psychrotrophs isolated from water. Micrococcaceae, lactic acid bacteria, Bacillus, and coryneforms were also found. The groups represented in psychrotrophic isolates from the outer surfaces do not reflected those detected in water, so it was common that those organisms recovered in significant numbers from fish were not detected in surrounding habitat of the fish. Motile aeromonads and Carnobacterium were the dominant psychrotrophs in the guts of pike and brown trout, respectively. The intestinal content of reared fish gave a high incidence of Bacillus and coryneforms, while Enterobacteriaceae was absent. Again, rearing practices could have influenced this finding. Listeria monocytogenes was not detected in any of the examined samples. Two strains of Salmonella, which belonged to the same serovar and lysotype, were recovered from pond-water samples taken from one facility on different sampling days. From the gut of a pike specimen and from the pike's environment, two Plesiomonas shigelloides strains of different serovars were recovered. These latter four strains were resistant to a considerable number of antimicrobial compounds (multiple antibiotic resistance indices > 0.2).
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Acuicultura/métodos , Trucha/microbiología , Animales , Esocidae/microbiología , Productos Pesqueros/microbiología , Microbiología de Alimentos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Oncorhynchus mykiss/microbiología , Microbiología del AguaRESUMEN
The prevalence of aeromonads in the initial mixes of 14 batches of chorizo and longaniza obtained from three small- and middle-sized factories was 78.5%, with counts ranging from >1.00 to 4.47 log10 CFU/g. Only 2 of 10 mixture samples prepared at a large and modern processing plant yielded these organisms, with levels below 1 log10 CFU/g. The hygienic status of factories significantly affected incidence and counts. Of 39 presumptive isolates from glutamate starch penicillin agar, 36 were confirmed as motile aeromonads and allocated to Aeromonas hydrophila (n = 24), A. veronii biovar sobria (n = 10), and A. caviae (n = 2). All of them were beta-hemolytic and capable of growing at 5 degrees C. Regardless of initial contamination, aeromonads were rapidly inactivated during the early stages of manufacture.
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Aeromonas/patogenicidad , Productos de la Carne/microbiología , Industria de Alimentos , Microbiología de Alimentos , Concentración de Iones de Hidrógeno , Ácido Láctico/metabolismo , Lactobacillus/metabolismo , SerologíaRESUMEN
We discuss a case of a 68 years old man with an acute myocardial infarction and a cardiopulmonary arrest that 3 days after his admission developed a continuous abdominal pain and findings of peritoneal inflammation. The mesenteric angiographical study was normal. A laparotomy was practised and disclosed a local peritonitis and a colonic infarction without mesenteric vascular occlusion. This picture is very unusual in patients with acute myocardial infarction or cardiopulmonary arrest.
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Colitis Isquémica/etiología , Infarto del Miocardio/complicaciones , Dolor Abdominal/etiología , Anciano , Colitis Isquémica/diagnóstico , Colon/irrigación sanguínea , Humanos , Infarto/diagnóstico , Infarto/etiología , MasculinoRESUMEN
The current report summarizes the available published and unpublished data from several investigators on resistance in clinical isolates following prolonged stavudine therapy. Results suggest that stavudine resistance is both modest in degree and infrequent in appearance. Phenotypic evaluation of 61 patients on stavudine therapy showed only modest changes in drug sensitivity following up to 29 months of treatment. The post-treatment isolates from 15 patients exhibited an increase in EC50 value > fourfold (level above variability of assay) when compared with the corresponding pretreatment isolates. However, the vast majority (11) of these pretreatment isolates either had unexpectedly low EC50 levels and/or had post-treatment isolates that lacked any amino acid changes within their reverse transcriptase (RT) gene to account for the observed change in sensitivity. Of the four remaining isolates, two appeared to have a multi-resistant phenotype to several nucleoside analogues and two had no detectable RT amino acid changes to account for the observed change in stavudine sensitivity. To date, clinical HIV-1 isolates displaying stavudine-specific resistance have yet to be reported. Furthermore, full or partial RT sequence analysis of 194 post-treatment isolates failed to identify any consistent amino acid changes. The strain-specific V75T mutation reported to confer stavudine resistance to the HXB2 HIV-1 strain in vitro, was found in only six isolates and did not correlate with stavudine resistance. This low incidence of stavudine resistance is in striking contrast to that observed with other nucleoside analogues and further supports the use of stavudine in first-line combination therapy for HIV patients.