New Insights for the Renewed Phytoplankton-Bacteria Coupling Concept: the Role of the Trophic Web.

It is widely accepted that in many aquatic ecosystems bacterioplankton is dependent on and regulated by organic carbon supplied by phytoplankton, leading to coupled algae-bacteria relationship. In this study, an in-depth analysis of this relationship has been carried out by combining two approaches: (i) a correlation analyses between heterotrophic bacterial production (BP) vs. primary production (PP) or algal excretion of organic carbon (EOC), (ii) the balance between bacterial carbon demands (BCD) and the supply of C as EOC, measured as BCD:EOC ratio. During the study period (2013-2016), the algae-bacteria relationship was constantly changing from a coupling in 2013, uncoupling in 2014 and 2015, and an incipient return to coupling (in 2016). Our results show that top-down control (bacterivory) by algal mixotrophy acts as a decoupling force since it provides a fresh C source different to algal EOC to satisfy bacterial carbon demands. Notably, a relationship between the BCD:EOC ratio and the ecosystem metabolic balance (Primary production (PP): respiration (R)) was found, suggesting that PP:R may be a good predictor of the algae-bacteria coupling. This analysis, including the comparison between basal and potential ecosystem metabolic balance, can be a tool to improve knowledge on the interaction between both biotics compartments, which the traditional analyses on coupling may not capture.

Results of an early intervention programme for patients with bacteraemia: analysis of prognostic factors and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Bacteraemia is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to hospital. The aim of this study is to analyse the results of a two-year programme for the early optimisation of antibiotic treatment in patients admitted to the Costa del Sol Hospital (Marbella. Spain). METHODS: A prospective two-year cohort study was conducted, evaluating all episodes of bacteraemia at the Costa del Sol Hospital. Epidemiological and microbiological characteristics, any modification of the initial antibiotic treatment, prognostic risk stratification, early mortality related to the episode of bacteraemia, and mortality after the seventh day, were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Seven hundred seventy-three episodes of bacteraemia were treated, 61.6% males and 38.4% females. The mean age was 65.2 years. The condition was most commonly acquired in the community (41.4%). The bacteraemia was most frequently urological in nature (30.5%), and E coli was the microorganism most frequently isolated (31.6%). In 51.1% of the episodes, a modification was made to optimise the treatment. In the first week, 8.2% died from bacteraemia, and 4.5% had died when they were located. The highest rates of death were associated with older patients, nosocomial acquisition, no source, McCabe score rapidly fatal, Charlson index ≥3, Pitt index ≥3 and treatment remained unmodified. CONCLUSION: The existence of bacteraemia control programmes and teams composed of clinicians who are experienced in the treatment of infectious diseases, can improve the disease outcome by enabling more severe episodes of bacteraemia to be recognised and their empirical treatment optimised.

Efficacy and safety of switching to abacavir/lamivudine (ABC/3TC) plus rilpivirine (RPV) in virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients on HAART.

We analysed the efficacy and safety of switching from a regimen based on nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) or integrase inhibitors (INI) to ABC/3TC + RPV in virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients. This multicentre, retrospective study comprised asymptomatic HIV-infected patients who switched from 2 NRTI + NNRTI or 2 NRTI + INI to ABC/3TC + RPV between February 2013 and December 2013; all had undetectable HIV viral load prior to switching. Efficacy and safety, and changes in lipids and cardiovascular risk (CVR) were analysed at 48 weeks. Of 85 patients (74.1 % men, mean age 49.5 years), 83 (97.6 %) switched from a regimen based on NNRTI (EFV 74, RPV 5, ETV 2, NVP 2), and 45 (53 %) switched from TDF/FTC to ABC/3TC. The main reasons for switching were toxicity (58.8 %) and convenience (29.4 %). At 48 weeks, 78 (91.8 %) patients continued taking the same regimen; efficacy was 88 % by intention to treat, and 96 % by per protocol. Two patients were lost to follow-up and five ceased the new regimen (4 due to adverse effects and 1 virologic failure). Mean CD4 cell counts increased (744 vs. 885 cells/µL; p = 0.0001), and there were mean decreases in fasting total cholesterol (-15.9 mg/dL; p < 0.0001) and LDL-cholesterol (-11.0 mg/dL; p < 0.004), with no changes in HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol:HDL-cholesterol ratio, and CVR. ABC/3TC + RPV is effective and safe in virologically-suppressed patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Forty-eight weeks after switching the lipid profile improved with decreases in total and LDL cholesterol.

The impact of an antimicrobial stewardship programme on the use of antimicrobials and the evolution of drug resistance.

Misuse of antibiotics can provoke increased bacterial resistance. There are no immediate prospects of any new broad-spectrum antibiotics, especially any with activity against enterobacteria, coming onto the market. Therefore, programmes should be implemented to optimise antimicrobial therapy. In a quasi-experimental study, the results for the pre-intervention year were compared with those for the 3 years following the application of an antimicrobial stewardship programme. We describe 862 interventions carried out as part of the stewardship programme at the Hospital Costa del Sol from 2009 to 2011. We examined the compliance of the empirical antimicrobial treatment with the programme recommendations and the treatment optimisation achieved by reducing the antibiotic spectrum and adjusting the dose, dosing interval and duration of treatment. In addition, we analysed the evolution of the sensitivity profile of the principal microorganisms and the financial savings achieved. 93 % of the treatment recommendations were accepted. The treatment actions taken were to corroborate the empirical treatment (46 % in 2009 and 31 % in 2011) and to reduce the antimicrobial spectrum taking into account the antibiogram results (37 % in 2009 and 58 % in 2011). The main drugs assessed were imipenem/meropenem, used in 38.6 % of the cases, and cefepime (20.1 %). The sensitivity profile of imipenem against Pseudomonas aeruginosa increased by 10 % in 2011. Savings in annual drug spending (direct costs) of 30,000 Euros were obtained. Stewardship programmes are useful tools for optimising antimicrobial therapy. They may contribute to preventing increased bacterial resistance and to reducing the long-term financial cost of antibiotic treatment.

Impact of the most frequent chronic health conditions on the quality of life among people aged >15 years in Madrid.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to ascertain to what degree health-related quality of life (HRQL) in the City of Madrid was affected by each of the most frequent chronic health conditions, and the specific quality-of-life (QL) domains on which such health conditions had the greatest impact, taking co-morbidity and socio-demographic variables into account. METHODS: A descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted covering 7341 subjects aged >or=16 years in the City of Madrid. Data were collected on self-reported diagnosed morbidity, including hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, varicose veins, diabetes, chronic asthma/bronchitis, myocardial infarction/angina pectoris, stomach problems, allergy, arthrosis/arthritis or rheumatism, depression/anxiety, cataracts, cerebrovascular accidents (CVACs), chronic constipation, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease or dementia. HRQL was measured using the COOP/WONCA questionnaire. The effects of diagnosis, age, social class, gender and the co-morbidity were analysed using a multivariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: The chronic health conditions that registered the worst overall mean scores on the COOP/WONCA questionnaire were Alzheimer's disease or dementia, Parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, CVACs and depression, with scores of over 26 points in all cases. After the introduction of socio-demographic variables in the model, the highest values of Snedecor's F-test corresponds to depression (F = 461.63), 'arthrosis/arthritis or rheumatism' (F = 175.41), Alzheimer's disease or dementia (F = 65.70), gastric disorders (F = 65.17), cancer (F = 43.08) and CVACs (F = 41.65). CONCLUSIONS: Depression and 'arthrosis/arthritis or rheumatism' are the two chronic health conditions, which have the greatest impact on HRQL in Madrid's citizens, therefore is mandatory to propose and implement public health strategies that would reduce the prevalence and morbidity of such disorders.

Ankle-branch index and HIV: the role of antiretrovirals.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and abnormal ankle-branch index (ABI) and to compare the risk factors for altered ABI. METHODS: Patients coming to the office from April 2007 until July 2007 were offered the chance to take part in the study. ABI was obtained by the standard technique. Those < or = 0.9 or > or = 1.3 were considered altered ABI. Clinical reports were reviewed to examine traditional vascular risk factors, coinfection with hepatitis C virus and/or hepatitis B virus, tobacco use, highly active antiretroviral therapy use and its components and length of use of each ARV drug. RESULTS: ABI was measured in 147 patients, 82.3% males. Thirty-three patients (22.45%) had an altered ABI, and it was related to CD4 cell nadir, dyslipidaemia and protease inhibitor (PI) use. When logistic regression was carried out, only dyslipidaemia (OR 2.68, CI 95%: 1.06-6.91) and PI use (OR 2.79, CI 95%: 1.15-6.54) remained in the model. CONCLUSIONS: Altered ABI is associated with PI use independently of dyslipidaemia. Probably, it marks patients with high vascular risk not identified with traditional scales.

Memory effect in triglycine sulfate induced by a transverse electric field: specific heat measurement.

The influence of a transverse electric field on the specific heat of triglycine sulfate (TGS) has been studied. The specific heat of TGS has been measured on heating the sample from the ferroelectric to the paraelectric phase after prolonged application of transverse electric field (i.e. perpendicular to the ferroelectric axis). It is shown that the specific heat of TGS can 'remember' the temperature T(s) at which the transverse field was previously applied.

Fragilidad y riesgo de dependencia: el cuestionario de Barber en estudios poblacionales / Frailty and risk of dependency: Barber's questionnaire in population based studies

Introducción: La dependencia funcional es un problema creciente, vinculado al incremento de edad, especialmente en países industrializados. Los estudios poblacionales permiten un acercamiento a la magnitud del problema. Objetivo: El cuestionario de Barber es un instrumento ampliamente utilizado para la detección de riesgo de dependencia, vulnerabilidad o fragilidad en adultos mayores. No se han encontrado trabajos que lo apliquen en estudios poblacionales, en los que, por su sencillez, podría resultar útil. Metodología: Se incluyó el cuestionario en una encuesta de salud, con una muestra representativa (n = 1.882 sujetos) de personas de 65 años o más, de una gran ciudad (Madrid, España) y se presentan las evidencias de validez basada en la estructura interna y la relación con otras variables de tipo convergente y discriminante. Resultados: Se obtuvo una solución unifactorial, con adecuada consistencia interna según varios indicadores multivariados. Se encontraron diferencias significativas por sexo, tanto al nivel de la escala como de los ítems. También aparecieron correlaciones significativas entre la puntuación total de la prueba y la de otras variables, como la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, la edad y la sensación de soledad. Un 58,1% de la muestra obtuvo puntuaciones que sugieren vulnerabilidad (el 65,3% de las mujeres). Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren la utilidad del cuestionario de Barber, como prueba fiable y válida, para detectar situaciones de fragilidad o vulnerabilidad en adultos mayores, lo que facilitaría la comparabilidad entre encuestas poblacionales, superando la actual tendencia a incluir decenas de preguntas en otras encuestas de índole regional o nacional (AU)

Introduction: Functional dependence is a growing problem, linked to increasing age, especially in industrialized countries. Population studies allow an approach to the magnitude of the problem. Objectives: Barber's questionnaire is a widely used instrument for the detection of risk of dependence, vulnerability or frailty in older adults. No works have been found that apply it in population-based studies, where, due to its simplicity, it could be useful. Methodology: The questionnaire was included in a Health Survey, with a representative sample (n = 1,882 subjects) of people aged 65 years or more, from a big city (Madrid, Spain) and the evidence of validity is presented based on the internal structure and the relationship with other variables of convergent and discriminant type. Results: A unifactorial solution was obtained, with adequate internal consistency according to several multivariate indicators. Significant differences were found by sex, both at the scale and item level. Significant correlations also appeared between the total test score and other variables, such as health-related quality of life, age, and sense of loneliness. A total of 58.1% of the sample obtained scores suggesting vulnerability (65.3% of the women). Conclusions: The results suggest the usefulness of the Barber questionnaire, as a reliable and valid test, to detect situations of frailty or vulnerability in older adults, which would facilitate comparability between population surveys, overcoming the current tendency to include dozens of questions in other regional or national surveys (AU)

The influence of hepatitis C virus-human immunodeficiency virus co-infection on the appearance of liver enzyme elevation in people on high activity antiretroviral treatment.

BACKGROUND: Liver enzyme elevation (LEE) as a consequence of HAART is a problem among patients with HIV-HCV co-infection. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 145 patients with HIV who were on HAART and who developed LEE grades 3 and 4 of the World Health Organization (WHO) were followed up. Basal ALT, alcohol consumption, and HCV and HBV co-infection were recorded. Comparisons were made between patients with and without HCV co-infection. RESULTS: Three patients without co-infection presented LEE grade 3 versus 38 with co-infection (104 episodes). An increase in basal ALT (RR: 1.01) and HCV co-infection (RR: 6.6) were the variables associated with LEE grade 3. The number of days that HAART had to be withdrawn due to LEE was 58.15 and 4.85 in subjects with and without co-infection, respectively (p=0.024). CONCLUSION: Patients with HCV-HIV co-infection have more episodes of LEE and must go longer without HAART than people without co-infection.

Repair of chordae tendineae for rheumatic mitral valve disease. A twenty-year experience.

Sixty-two patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease (mean age 42.2 +/- 10.2 years) underwent repair of chordae tendineae between June 1974 and May 1994. Chordal shortening was done in 38 patients, fenestration in 17, resection of secondary chordae in 3, replacement in 2, and transposition in 2. In 41 patients, mitral commissurotomy was also done. Ring annuloplasty was done in all patients. The mean follow-up was 10.2 years (range 2 months to 20 years). The completeness of follow-up during the closing interval (January to July 1994) was 100%. Hospital mortality occurred in four patients (6.5%) and nine patients died during the late follow-up. The actuarial survival curve at 20 years was 65.8% +/- 10%. Six patients with mitral valve dysfunction (restenosis 4, insufficiency 2) and one with aortic valve dysfunction (structural deterioration of bioprosthesis) underwent reoperation. The actuarial curve of freedom from reoperation at 20 years for mitral valve dysfunction was 73.1% +/- 10.5%. In the 49 surviving patients, a Doppler echographic study during the closing interval showed a mean mitral valve area of 1.9 +/- 0.3 cm2. In the 43 patients with a repaired native valve, absent or trivial mitral regurgitation was documented in 35 and mild or moderate regurgitation in 8. In conclusion, repair of chordae tendineae in rheumatic mitral valve disease when feasible is a stable and safe procedure with a low prevalence of reoperation. However, the type of reconstructive operation and experience of the surgical team are major considerations in successful repair of the mitral valve.

Color Doppler diagnosis of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm.

A patient underwent mitral valve replacement because of mitral insufficiency secondary to bacterial endocarditis. Early postoperatively, routine examination with "color Doppler" correctly identified the presence of a left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. To our knowledge, this is the first case of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm diagnosed by this new technique.

Disappearance of lupus anticoagulant after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Lupus anticoagulant antibodies have never been reported to disappear after either allogeneic or autologous bone marrow transplantation in humans. We report the first case of disappearance of lupus anticoagulant antibodies in a patient without systemic lupus erythematosus or clinical evidence of other autoimmune disorders, who received an allogeneic bone marrow transplant as treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia. Although marrow transplantation is not a recognized therapy for antiphospholipid syndrome, our observation should be considered another example of the capability of intensive chemo-radiotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation to ablate a pathologic marrow clone resulting in an autoimmune disorder and improve, or even cure, some severe autoimmune diseases.

Random catecholaminergic differentiation of mesencephalic neural precursors.

We investigated how several factors influence the catecholaminergic phenotype establishment from embryonic mesencephalic neural precursors in culture. Using a semiquantitative RT-PCR procedure we found no significant effect of several growth factors or conditioned media on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA levels. Nevertheless, neural precursor cells expanded by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) showed the ability to express TH mRNA. Subcultures of EGF expanded neural precursor cells expressed TH mRNA, but not all individual secondary colonies obtained had this characteristic. Preferential dopaminergic differentiation was observed in our culture conditions. Our results suggest that EGF stimulates the proliferation of neural precursor cells that have the potential but differentiate randomly to catecholaminergic cells.

Mycobacterium fortuitum complex endocarditis-case report and literature review.

Endocarditis due to Mycobacterium fortuitum complex is a rare entity generally linked to the hospital environment. Only 18 cases have been published since 1966. Here we present a case of a female who developed an endocarditis due to Mycobacterium chelonae after valve replacement as well as a review of the literature. The course of this kind of endocarditis is generally subacute and the outcome is usually fatal. Blood cultures were positive in 75% of cases of metallic valve endocarditis, versus 20% in bioprostheses. The treatment must include antibiotics that have shown activity against these mycobacteria, such as amikacin, imipenem, cefoxitin, fluorinated quinolones and macrolides (especially clarithromycin). Surgical removal is recommended. Although the prognosis for the patient is poor, we should expect better outcomes with the use of new antibiotic regimens.

Paradoxical responses in a cohort of HIV-1-infected patients with mycobacterial disease.

SETTING: Paradoxical worsening or relapse of opportunistic infections has been described after initiation of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. DESIGN: Retrospective study of a group of 33 HIV-infected patients with mycobacterial disease analysing the incidence and characteristics of patients with and without paradoxical response after starting HAART and/or mycobacterial treatment. RESULTS: Nine patients in the group had paradoxical response. No significant difference of baseline characteristics was observed in these patients. The decrease in viral load was significantly greater among patients with paradoxical response than in patients without. CONCLUSION: No clinical difference was found in the evolution of HIV-infected patients with mycobacterial disease after the resolution of the episode of paradoxical response.

[Severe disorders of auriculoventricular conduction after aortic valve replacement. A postoperative electrophysiological study in 36 patients and the long-term follow-up]. / Trastornos severos de la conducción auriculoventricular tras recambio valvular aórtico. Estudio electrofisiológico postoperatorio en 36 pacientes y evolución a largo plazo.

Cardiac conduction defects (CD) are common in patients with aortic valve diseases. Several studies have suggested that the occurrence of complete heart block at the time of valve replacement is related with preoperative conduction defects and with other factors like calcium deposits, aortic gradient or poor left ventricular function. We evaluated 36 patients undergoing isolated aortic valve replacement in 29 of them, combined mitroaortic in four, isolated mitral valve replacement in two and subvalvular myectomy in one. In all of them an electrophysiologic study was done at the postoperative period. In group 2 (with preoperative CD) patients were older (mean age +/- SEM; 56.57 +/- 8.90) than in group 1 (without CD) (45.64 +/- 14.79) (p less than 0.02). Surgical times were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.005). The site of block was distal to the His bundle in 59% of patients in group 1 and in 47% in group 2 (p-NS). Complete AV block occurred in 70.5% of patients in group 1 while was of 36.8% in group 2 (p less than 0.05). Severity of conduction defects was unrelated with the type of valve disease, aortic valve calcification or gradient or with poor left ventricular function. Preoperative conduction defects were not responsible of more severe postoperative conduction defects. On late follow-up permanent pacemakers were unnecessary in 33% of patients in group 1 and in 75% in group 2 (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Traumatic tricuspid insufficiency]. / Insuficiencia tricúspide traumática.

Isolated tricuspid valve regurgitation is a rare finding after nonpenetrating chest trauma. The clinical course is usually benign and the time of surgery can be delayed for many years. Two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography is an essential procedure in the diagnosis of chordae tendineae or papillary muscle traumatic injury. We present two cases of traumatic tricuspid regurgitation with mild symptoms undiagnosed for sixteen and forty-three years, respectively.

[Guidelines of the Spanish Society of Cardiology on requirements and equipment in electrophysiology]. / Guías de práctica clínica de la Sociedad Española de Cardiología sobre requerimientos y equipamiento en electrofisiología.

Due to the enormous qualitative and quantitative evolution that clinical electrophysiology has experienced over the past years, specific Units dedicated to the management of patients with cardiac arrhythmias have been created. In these guidelines, the minimum technical and human needs of an Arrhythmia Unit are discussed.

[Pulsed Doppler of the hepatic veins: a new test in the assessment of aortic insufficiency]. / Doppler pulsado de las venas hepáticas: un nuevo test en la valoración de la insuficiencia aórtica.

In order to determine the value of the analysis of the hepatic vein flow pattern in the gradation of aortic regurgitation, two-dimensional and Doppler studies were carried out in 13 healthy individuals (control group) and 36 patients with aortic regurgitation (study group), in a prospective fashion. By 2-D and Doppler Echocardiography, aortic regurgitation was graded as mild in 5 patients, moderate in 13 and severe in the remaining. In 25 patients of the study group, hemodynamic and angiographic studies were available. Moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension was detected in 11 patients. Peak and integral velocities of the systolic, diastolic and "A" waves were measured on pulsed Doppler hepatic veins flow tracings. Both peak and integral hepatic vein diastolic flow velocities in postexpiratory apnea were significant lower in patients with severe aortic regurgitation with respect to the remaining study group patients and control group patients. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of severe aortic regurgitation were 100 and 67% respectively. An postexpiratory increase in the retrograde "A" wave was observed in 11 patients with severe and 6 with moderate aortic regurgitation. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of severe aortic regurgitation were 58 and 67% respectively. In this study, characteristic pulsed Doppler hepatic vein flow patterns are defined for patients with aortic regurgitation. Sensitivity and specificity of the findings allows the identification of severe AR. This results could have diagnostic and therapeutic implications.