Comparative performance of vulvovaginal swab sampling versus endocervical sampling for the detection of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Trichomoniasis: a cross-sectional study in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: The global increase in sexual transmitted infections (STI) makes it necessary to seek public health strategies that facilitate rapid and minimally invasive diagnosis. The objective was to evaluate the concordance between vaginal and endocervical samples for STI diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out on vaginal and endocervical samples from women attended in our reference area with symptoms suggestive of vulvovaginitis or for STI screening during the study period. RESULTS: A total of 130 paired samples were analyzed; fifty-seven and 59 samples were positive for vaginal and endocervical specimens (Kappa index of 0.969 (Standard error = 0.022). The sensitivity of the vaginal samples was 96.5% (IC95%: 87.2-99.4), with a specificity of 100% (IC95%: 93.0-100). DISCUSSION: The introduction of STI screening in vaginal samples in our environment can facilitate rapid and effective diagnosis and allow early treatment of STI. Additionally, it facilitates sample collection and diagnosis in the community setting, essential for optimal screening.

Cadaveric study of the ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block over the transverse process of the twelfth thoracic vertebra in dogs: Transversal vs longitudinal approach.

This study describes a transversal (TV) ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block technique over the transverse process of T12. And evaluates the distribution of the dye and affected nerves branches compared to a longitudinal (LNG) approach over the transverse process of T12 in canine cadavers. Secondly, it also compares de anatomy and dimensions of the transverse processes of T12 with T9 and T5. For this double-masked, cadaveric experimental study, 12 adult Beagle cadavers were injected with 0.6 mL/kg of dye/contrast. Spread was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and dissection. Mean bodyweight was 9.76 (±0.59) kg. The TV and LNG approaches stained a median (range) of four (2-6) and three (1-6) medial branches of the dorsal rami of the spinal nerves, three (2-6) and three (2-5) lateral branches, and one (0-3) and one (0-4) ventral branches, respectively. Dye was detected in the epidural space in 55.6% and 66.7% of cases for the TV and LNG approaches, respectively (P=0.63). And in the ventral paravertebral compartment in 22.2% and lymphatics in 88.8% in both approaches. There were no statistical differences for the spread. The dorsolateral edge of the transverse process (TP) was not visible with CT at T12. The mean (±SD) length of the TP was significantly shorter at T12 [3.34 (±0.22)] mm, compared to T9 [6.08 (±0.47)] mm and T5 [5.93 (±0.62)] mm (P <0.001). This study showed similar distribution whether using a TV or LNG approach and differences in the anatomy and length of the T12 TP.

Marinade injection of pork as a possible technological strategy to reduce boar taint: Response and attitude of the consumer.

Sensory evaluation by consumers allows validation of a solution for the food industry to overcome boar taint and market entire male pork with high levels of boar taint considered "unfit for human consumption". One possible technological strategy for improvement is the injection marination of entire male pork to help minimise the impact of boar taint and improve its marketability. The responses of 120 regular pork consumers, to entire males with high levels of boar taint and castrated pork, both injection-marinated, were evaluated. The results showed a similar response between entire and castrated male pork regardless of sex, and the detection of unpleasant odours and flavours (as farm/animal), thus offering a new alternative to the pork sector to mask the boar taint and revalue this pork. However, it was observed that consumer information on castration and animal welfare of entire male pork is scarce, and it is important to increase their knowledge so that they can place a value on this technological strategy with entire male pork and thus increase their purchase intention.

Conocimiento sobre chemsex, profilaxis pre-exposición contra el VIH (PrEP) y entrevista sexual en atención primaria: ¿estamos preparados? / Awareness of chemsex, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and sexual behavior in primary health care in Spain

Objetivo Describir el grado de conocimiento de los profesionales de atención primaria sobre la práctica del chemsex, sus potenciales efectos secundarios y la profilaxis pre-exposición (PrEP) contra el VIH. Métodos Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal, mediante encuesta en línea dirigida a profesionales de atención primaria. La encuesta constaba de 25 preguntas sobre: a)datos sociodemográficos; b)realización de entrevista sexual en la consulta; c)nivel de conocimiento sobre el uso de chemsex y sus complicaciones; d)grado de conocimiento sobre la PrEP, y e)necesidades formativas de los profesionales. La encuesta se diseñó en ArgisSurvey123 y se distribuyó a través de SEMERGEN mediante lista de distribución y correo corporativo. Resultados Se obtuvieron 157 respuestas durante el periodo de distribución de la encuesta (febrero-marzo 2022). La mayoría de los encuestados fueron mujeres (71,8%). El porcentaje de entrevista sexual en la práctica clínica habitual fue bajo. La mayoría de los encuestados (73%) habían oído hablar del chemsex, pero no se sentían cómodos con su conocimiento de las propiedades farmacocinéticas de las principales drogas utilizadas en esta práctica. El 52,3% de los respondedores afirmaban no tener conocimientos sobre la PrEP. Conclusiones Actualizar y dar respuesta a las necesidades formativas de los profesionales respecto al chemsex y la PrEP es fundamental para garantizar el cuidado y la calidad de la atención a nuestros pacientes (AU)

Objective To describe the degree of knowledge of primary care professionals about the practice of chemsex, its potential side effects and pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV (PrEP). Material and methods Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study using an online survey aimed at primary care professionals. The survey consisted of 25 questions on: (i)sociodemographic data; (ii)performance of sexual interview in the consultation; (iii) level of knowledge about the use of chemsex and its complications; (iv)degree of knowledge about PrEP, and (v)training needs of professionals. The survey was designed in ArgisSurvey123 and distributed through SEMERGEN via distribution list and corporate mail. Results One hundred and fifty-seven responses were obtained during the survey distribution period (February-March 2022). The majority of respondents were women (71.8%). The percentage of sexual interviewing in routine clinical practice was low. Most respondents (73%) had heard of chemsex, but were not comfortable with their knowledge of the pharmacokinetic properties of the main drugs used in this practice. 52.3% of respondents claimed to have no knowledge of PrEP. Conclusions Updating and responding to the training needs of professionals regarding chemsex and PrEP is essential to ensure the care and quality of care for our patients (AU)

Consumer perception of entire male pork coated with spiced edible films as a new product to mask boar taint.

Pork production has undergone a shift towards the rearing of entire male pigs, however, its meat might carry with the presence of boar taint and it would be considered "unfit for human consumption". To offer a new alternative to the pork sector tailored to the needs of consumers, a viable option would be the use of edible spiced gelatin films to help minimize boar taint and improve its marketability. The responses of 120 regular meat consumers to entire pork with high levels of boar taint and castrated pork free of boar taint, both coated with spiced gelatin films were evaluated. They showed a similar response between entire and castrated male pork coated with spiced films, regardless of whether consumers usually detected unpleasant odours (as farm/animal) when consuming pork or not. Therefore, the new spiced films offer a new range of products to consumers as they contribute to the improvement of the sensory quality of entire male pork, especially among consumers who tend to buy new products.

[Awareness of chemsex, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and sexual behavior in primary health care in Spain]. / Conocimiento sobre chemsex, profilaxis pre-exposición contra el VIH (PrEP) y entrevista sexual en atención primaria: ¿estamos preparados?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the degree of knowledge of primary care professionals about the practice of chemsex, its potential side effects and pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV (PrEP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study using an online survey aimed at primary care professionals. The survey consisted of 25 questions on: (i)sociodemographic data; (ii)performance of sexual interview in the consultation; (iii) level of knowledge about the use of chemsex and its complications; (iv)degree of knowledge about PrEP, and (v)training needs of professionals. The survey was designed in ArgisSurvey123 and distributed through SEMERGEN via distribution list and corporate mail. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-seven responses were obtained during the survey distribution period (February-March 2022). The majority of respondents were women (71.8%). The percentage of sexual interviewing in routine clinical practice was low. Most respondents (73%) had heard of chemsex, but were not comfortable with their knowledge of the pharmacokinetic properties of the main drugs used in this practice. 52.3% of respondents claimed to have no knowledge of PrEP. CONCLUSIONS: Updating and responding to the training needs of professionals regarding chemsex and PrEP is essential to ensure the care and quality of care for our patients.

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound signs for detecting adnexal torsion: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different ultrasound signs for diagnosing adnexal torsion, using surgery as the reference standard. METHODS: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1990 and November 2021 evaluating ovarian edema, adnexal mass, ovarian Doppler flow findings, the whirlpool sign and pelvic fluid as ultrasound signs (index tests) for detecting adnexal torsion, using surgical findings as the reference standard. The search for studies was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov and Web of Science databases. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were calculated separately, and the post-test probability of adnexal torsion following a positive or negative test was also determined. RESULTS: The search identified 1267 citations after excluding duplicates. Eighteen studies were ultimately included in the qualitative and quantitative syntheses. Eight studies (809 patients) analyzed the presence of ovarian edema, eight studies (1044 patients) analyzed the presence of an adnexal mass, 14 studies (1742 patients) analyzed ovarian Doppler flow, six studies (545 patients) analyzed the whirlpool sign and seven studies (981 patients) analyzed the presence of pelvic fluid as ultrasound signs of adnexal torsion. Overall, the quality of most studies was considered to be moderate or good. However, there was a high risk of bias in the patient-selection and index-text domains (with the exception of the whirlpool sign) in a significant proportion of studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios of each ultrasound sign were 58%, 86%, 4.0 and 0.49 for ovarian edema, 69%, 46%, 1.3 and 0.67 for adnexal mass, 65%, 91%, 7.6 and 0.38 for the whirlpool sign, 53%, 95%, 11.0 and 0.49 for ovarian Doppler findings and 55%, 69%, 1.7 and 0.66 for pelvic fluid. Heterogeneity was high for all analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of an adnexal mass or pelvic fluid have poor diagnostic accuracy as ultrasound signs of adnexal torsion, while the presence of ovarian edema, the whirlpool sign and decreased or absent ovarian Doppler flow have good specificity but moderate sensitivity for detecting adnexal torsion. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[The postal code as a "bar code" of antimicrobial resistance]. / El código postal como "código de barras" de las resistencias antimicrobianas.

OBJECTIVE: The need to integrate local resistances into clinical practice is increasingly urgent, especially in Primary Care where empirical treatment is frequent. METHODS: A retrospective observational study of positive microbiological isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae from any location (urethral, cervical, pharyngeal, rectal or urine) was carried out in the health area of Alcalá de Henares. Sociodemographic characteristics and resistance to cephalosporins, azithromycin, penicillin and quinolones were analyzed. Each isolate was related to its postal code of origin. RESULTS: We analyzed 256 microbiological samples of N.gonorrhoeae, most of them male (92.9%) with a mean age of 33 years. Half of the samples (49.8%) were resistant to ciprofloxacin. Temporal and spatial evolution of antimicrobial resistance was integrated in heat maps. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing local resistances can help to prescribe more adequate empirical treatments, especially in Primary Care, avoiding inadequate antibiotics and decreasing resistance rates.

Tasas de letalidad por SARS-CoV-2 según Comunidades Autónomas durante la segunda onda epidémica en España / Case-fatality rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to Autonomous Communities during the second epidemic wave in Spain

Introducción: En España, los sistemas sanitarios están transferidos a las Comunidades Autónomas (CC.AA.), constituyendo 19 sistemas sanitarios con gestión y recursos diferenciados. Durante la primera onda epidémica de la COVID-19 se objetivaron diferencias en los sistemas de declaración y en las tasas de letalidad (TL) entre las CC.AA. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las TL por CC.AA. durante la segunda onda epidémica (del 20 de julio al 25 de diciembre de 2020) y su relación con la prevalencia de la infección. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo con la información disponible sobre el número de fallecidos por COVID-19 registrados en el Ministerio de Sanidad, Consejerías de Salud y los Departamentos de Salud Pública de las CC.AA. y según el exceso de mortalidad informado por el Sistema de Monitorización de Mortalidad Diaria (MoMo). La prevalencia de la infección se estimó a partir de las diferencias entre la segunda y cuarta ronda del estudio ENE-COVID y sus intervalos de confianza del 95%. Se calcularon las TL (fallecidos por cada mil infectados) globales, por sexo, grupos de edad (< 65 y ≥ 65 años) y CC.AA. Se calculó la razón estandarizada de letalidad por edad (REL) de las CC.AA. utilizando las TL de España para cada grupo de etario. Estas estimaciones se realizaron con las defunciones declaradas oficialmente (TLo) y el exceso de defunciones estimadas por MoMo (TLMo). Se estimaron las correlaciones entre las prevalencias de infección y las TLo y TLMo, ponderando por población. Resultados: Para el conjunto de España, la TLo durante la segunda onda epidémica fue del 7,6%, oscilando entre 3,8% de Baleares y 16,4% de Asturias, y la TLMo fue de 10,1%, oscilando entre el 4,8% de Madrid y el 21,7% en Asturias. Se observaron diferencias significativas entre la TLo y la TLMo en Canarias, Castilla la Mancha, Extremadura, Comunidad Valenciana, Andalucía y las Ciudades Autónomas de Ceuta y Melilla (AU)

Introduction: In Spain, health systems are transferred to the Autonomous Communities (AC), constituting 19 health systems with differentiated management and resources. During the first epidemic wave of COVID-19, differences were observed in reporting systems and in case-fatality rates (FR) between the AC. The objective of this study was to analyze the FR according to AC. during the 2 nd epidemic wave (from July 20 to December 25, 2020), and its relationship with the prevalence of infection. Material and methods: A descriptive observational study was carried out, extracting the information available on the number of deaths from COVID-19 registered in the Ministry of Health, the Health Councils and the Public Health Departments of the AC, and according to the excess mortality reported by the System Monitoring of Daily Mortality (MoMo). The prevalence of infection was estimated from the differences between the second and fourth rounds of the ENE-COVID study and their 95% confidence intervals. The global FR (deaths per thousand infected) were calculated according to sex, age groups (< 65 and ≥ 65 years) and AC. The age-Standardized Fatality Rates (SFR) of the AC were calculated using the FR of Spain for each age group. These estimates were made with officially declared deaths (FRo) and excess deaths estimated by MoMo (FRMo). The correlations between the prevalences of infection and the FRo and FRMo were estimated, weighting by population. Results: For the whole of Spain, the FRo during the second epidemic wave was 7.6%, oscillating between 3.8% in the Balearic Islands and 16.4% in Asturias, and the TLMo was 10.1%, oscillating between 4.8% from Madrid and 21.7% in Asturias. Significant differences were observed between the FRo and the FRMo in the Canary Islands, Castilla la Mancha, Extremadura, the Valencian Community, Andalusia and the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla. The FRo was significantly higher in men (8.2%) than in women (7.1%) (AU)

[Case-fatality rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to Autonomous Communities during the second epidemic wave in Spain]. / Tasas de letalidad por SARS-CoV-2 según Comunidades Autónomas durante la segunda onda epidémica en España.

INTRODUCTION: In Spain, health systems are transferred to the Autonomous Communities (AC), constituting 19 health systems with differentiated management and resources. During the first epidemic wave of COVID-19, differences were observed in reporting systems and in case-fatality rates (FR) between the AC. The objective of this study was to analyze the FR according to AC. during the 2 nd epidemic wave (from July 20 to December 25, 2020), and its relationship with the prevalence of infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive observational study was carried out, extracting the information available on the number of deaths from COVID-19 registered in the Ministry of Health, the Health Councils and the Public Health Departments of the AC, and according to the excess mortality reported by the System Monitoring of Daily Mortality (MoMo). The prevalence of infection was estimated from the differences between the second and fourth rounds of the ENE-COVID study and their 95% confidence intervals. The global FR (deaths per thousand infected) were calculated according to sex, age groups (< 65 and ≥ 65 years) and AC. The age-Standardized Fatality Rates (SFR) of the AC were calculated using the FR of Spain for each age group. These estimates were made with officially declared deaths (FRo) and excess deaths estimated by MoMo (FRMo). The correlations between the prevalences of infection and the FRo and FRMo were estimated, weighting by population. RESULTS: For the whole of Spain, the FRo during the second epidemic wave was 7.6%, oscillating between 3.8% in the Balearic Islands and 16.4% in Asturias, and the TLMo was 10.1%, oscillating between 4.8% from Madrid and 21.7% in Asturias. Significant differences were observed between the FRo and the FRMo in the Canary Islands, Castilla la Mancha, Extremadura, the Valencian Community, Andalusia and the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla. The FRo was significantly higher in men (8.2%) than in women (7.1%). The FRo and FRMo were significantly higher in the age group ≥ 65 years (55.4% and 72.2% respectively) than in the group <65 years (0.5% and 1.4% respectively). The Basque Country, Aragon, Andalusia and Castilla la Mancha presented SFR significantly higher than the global FR of Spain. The correlations between the prevalence of infection and the FRo were inverse. CONCLUSIONS: The case-fatality from COVID-19 during the second epidemic wave in Spain improved compared to the first wave. The case-fatality rates were higher in men and the elderly people, and varied significantly between AC. It is necessary to delve into the analysis of the causes of these differences.

Decalogue for the selection of oral antibiotics for lower respiratory tract infections.

Lower respiratory tract infections, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (COPD-E) and community acquired pneumonia (CAP), are one of the most frequent reasons for consultation in primary care and hospital emergency departments, and are the cause of a high prescription of antimicrobial agents. The selection of the most appropriate oral antibiotic treatment is based on different aspects and includes to first consider a bacterial aetiology and not a viral infection, to know the bacterial pathogen that most frequently cause these infections and the frequency of their local antimicrobial resistance. Treatment should also be prescribed quickly and antibiotics should be selected among those with a quicker mode of action, achieving the greatest effect in the shortest time and with the fewest adverse effects (toxicity, interactions, resistance and/or ecological impact). Whenever possible, antimicrobials should be rotated and diversified and switched to the oral route as soon as possible. With these premises, the oral treatment guidelines for mild or moderate COPD-E and CAP in Spain include as first options beta-lactam antibiotics (amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate and cefditoren), in certain situations associated with a macrolide, and relegating fluoroquinolones as an alternative, except in cases where the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is suspected.

Antibiofilm potential over time of a tricalcium silicate material and its association with sodium diclofenac.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study are to investigate, over time, the antimicrobial activity against polymicrobial biofilms and ability to inhibit biofilm formation, of Biodentine (BD) alone and with 5% and 10% sodium diclofenac (DC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The antimicrobial activity of BD alone and modified with 5% and 10% DC against polymicrobial biofilm growth in dentin was determined by a modified direct contact test. The study groups were (1) BD; (2) BD + 5% DC; and (3) BD + 10% DC. The viability of microorganisms after 1 and 4 weeks was quantified by means of an ATP assay and flow cytometry. The antibiofilm efficacy of the materials, preventing polymicrobial biofilm formation over time, was assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). RESULTS: The results obtained with both the ATP test and flow cytometry showed that BD alone and with 5% and 10% DC exerted antibiofilm activity with respect to the control, in the two evaluated times (p < 0.001). Comparison between groups showed a tendency of increased antimicrobial effect, both over time and depending on the DC concentration. These results coincide with those obtained in CLSM analysis, where efficacy increased with time and DC concentration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Biodentine, over time, showed antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy on polymicrobial biofilms. The addition of 5% and 10% DC to BD enhanced this effect, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner.

[Vaccination against community acquired pneumonia in adults. Update 2021 of the position paper by Neumoexpertos en Prevención Group]. / Vacunación frente a la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad del adulto. Actualización 2021 del posicionamiento del Grupo de Neumoexpertos en Prevención.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) continues to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in adults. The aim of this study is to update the practical prevention guide for CAP through vaccination in Spain developed in 2016 and updated in 2018, based on available vaccines and evidence through bibliographic review and expert opinion. The arrival of COVID-19 as a new cause of CAP and the recent availability of safe and effective vaccines constitutes the most significant change. Vaccines against pneumococcus, influenza, pertussis and COVID-19 can help to reduce the burden of disease from CAP and its associated complications. The available evidence supports the priority indications established in this guide, and it would be advisable to try to achieve a widespread dissemination and implementation of these recommendations in routine clinical practice.

Service-Learning, Movies, and Infectious Diseases: Implementation of an Active Educational Program in Microbiology as a Tool for Engagement in Social Justice.

Service-Learning is an educational methodology that allows student learning while addressing community needs. A program in microbiology and infectious diseases was implemented in Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. University lecturers, clinical microbiologists, doctorate students, and undergraduates from several Bachelor Degrees and courses worked in an interdisciplinary team along with social institutions that attend disadvantaged persons. Using commercial movies that deal with infectious diseases, the students learn clinical microbiology, prepare divulgation materials, visit social centers to accompany, and help others to know about illnesses and prevention. The program was developed through two academic years and involved 58 voluntary students, 13 teachers and tutors, and 4 social entities as community partners. Postsurvey evaluation of the program revealed a highly satisfactory achievement of goals: acquiring scientific and personal competencies by university students, including critical analysis and science diffusion, solving problems or collaborative team working, and contributing, together with the tutors, to the social responsibility of the university.

Influence of soil salinity on the protein and fatty acid composition of the edible halophyte Halimione portulacoides.

As the worldwide population continues to rise, so does global demand for agricultural production. This scenario of uncertain food supply is exacerbated by the high salinization of soils worldwide, a serious constraint to crop productivity. In this context, there is an increasing need for alternative sustainable crops. Halophytes are thought to be a promising alternative food source due to their natural ability to grow in saline soils and their multiple potential uses in the food industry. In this study, the protein and fatty acid content of the halophyte Halimione (Atriplex) portulacoides (L.) was studied in different saline conditions. Although more studies are needed to explore the nutritional properties of H. portulacoides, the data presented here suggest that this halophyte should be considered as a promising food crop for saline agriculture.

A laboratory study of root canal and isthmus disinfection in extracted teeth using various activation methods with a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and etidronic acid.

AIM: To evaluate in a laboratory setting the antibiofilm activity of several irrigating protocols including conventional irrigation, ultrasonic activation and XP-endo Finisher, with a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and etidronic acid in infected isthmuses and root canals of extracted human mandibular molar teeth. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-six mesial roots of mandibular molars, half of them with a continuous isthmus from the cervical to the apical third between the two root canals (type 1), and the other half with a continuous isthmus from the cervical to the middle third and one canal in the apical third (type 2), were included. The root canals were contaminated for 7 days with an Enterococcus faecalis suspension. There were three experimental groups plus a control group (n = 7 per type of root canal anatomy). All the root canals, except for the control group that was not treated, were chemomechanically prepared and then assigned to one of the experimental groups according to the final adjunctive procedure: conventional irrigation, ultrasonic activation or XP-endo Finisher activation. The irrigating solution used was a combination of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 9% etidronic acid, and the final protocols were applied for three cycles of 30 s with a 3 mL volume. The antibiofilm activity was evaluated at each location (root canal and isthmus) and third (cervical, middle and apical) using confocal laser scanning microscopy and the live/dead technique. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (descriptive statistics) and SUDAAN (P-value calculations). RESULTS: Root canals had significantly lower biovolume values than the isthmuses (P < 0.05). The biovolume in the root canals was significantly reduced in all the experimental groups in all the thirds except for conventional irrigation in the apical third (P > 0.05). In the cervical and middle thirds, ultrasonic activation was associated with the lowest biovolumes (P < 0.05), followed by XP-endo Finisher. In the isthmus, disinfection was similar in all the thirds for all the protocols. Conventional irrigation was associated with intermediate values with no significant differences from the control group or from the activated protocols (P > 0.05), although the latter were significantly different from the control group (P < 0.05). No differences were found between ultrasonic activation and XP-endo Finisher in the middle and apical thirds (P > 0.05) in the isthmuses. CONCLUSIONS: In this laboratory study on extracted teeth, the isthmus was more difficult to disinfect than root canals. In the root canals, ultrasonic activation and XP-endo Finisher had a greater effectiveness than conventional irrigation. In the isthmuses, no differences were observed between the two activation techniques and conventional irrigation.

Estimando el número de casos de COVID-19 mediante una herramienta web: resultados de la primera semana del proyecto «Covid-19 Trends» en Euskadi / Estimating the number of COVID-19 cases using a web-based tool: results from the first week of the 'Covid-19 Trends' project in the Basque Country

OBJETIVO: En Euskadi, dos casos de COVID-19 fueron diagnosticados el 28 de febrero de 2020. El 14 de marzo el Gobierno español estableció el estado de alarma. La única información acerca del número de casos de COVID-19 eran los confirmados por RT-PCR. Lanzamos una herramienta de vigilancia basada en la web para estimar el número mínimo de casos sintomáticos de COVID-19 y generar información útil para la toma de decisiones en salud pública. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Implementamos un cuestionario web anónimo y lo difundimos a través de redes sociales. Recopilamos información epidemiológica sobre variables de «tiempo» (fecha de inicio de los síntomas), «lugar» (código postal) y «persona» (género, edad). Comparamos los casos positivos detectados mediante RT-PCR con los casos estimados según la definición de caso del Ministerio de Sanidad Consumo y Bienestar Social. Calculamos la tasa de respuesta al cuestionario y la incidencia acumulada a 14días. RESULTADOS: Entre el 19 y 26 de marzo de 2020 el cuestionario fue contestado por 128.182 personas (5,5% de la población vasca). De ellas, 27.599 cumplieron la definición de caso. Los casos estimados fueron seis veces más que los RT-PCR positivos para COVID-19. La incidencia acumulada a 14días fue de 463,3 por 100.000 habitantes, mientras que la de los casos positivos por RT-PCR fue de 139,6 por 100.000 habitantes. CONCLUSIONES: Esta herramienta mostró su utilidad para estimar el mínimo número de casos sintomáticos en Euskadi, lo cual podría apoyar acciones de salud pública

OBJECTIVE: In the Basque Country, two cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed on February 28 2020. On March 14, the Spanish Government established a state of alarm. Only cases confirmed by molecular biology (reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]) were known. We launched a web-based surveillance tool to estimate the number of symptomatic cases of COVID-19 to contribute to Public Health decision-making. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We implemented an anonymous web questionnaire and disseminated it through online social media social. We collected epidemiological information about «time» (date of onset of symptoms), «place» (zip code), and «person» (gender, age). We compared cases detected by RT-PCR with the estimated cases, according to the case definition of the Ministry of Health. We calculated the questionnaire response rate and the cumulative incidence at 14days. RESULTS: Between March 19 and 26, 128,009 people answered the questionnaire (5.5% of the Basque population). Of these, 26,375 met the case definition (symptom prevalence of 21.4%). The estimated cases were almost six times more than COVID-19 positive RT-PCR. The estimated 14-day cumulative incidence was 578.3 per 100,000 population compared to RT-PCR positive cases, which was 139.6 per 100,000 population. CONCLUSIONS: This tool was useful in estimating the minimum number of symptomatic cases in the Basque Country, which could support Public Health actions

Use of masking strategies to avoid the boar taint perception in chorizo: consumers' acceptability.

The production of entire male pigs is an alternative to surgical castration. However, boar taint may be present in the meat of entire male animals. The aim of the present paper was to investigate the acceptability and sensory properties of chorizo, elaborated under three different levels of androstenone [castrated 0-0.3 mg / kg, medium 0.4-0.9 mg / kg and high 1-2.75 mg / kg] and two masking strategies [rosemary, and rosemary plus smoking] using a Check-All-That-Apply questionnaire. The results showed that, of the strategies employed, the rosemary plus smoked chorizo was the most effective masking strategy to reduce the boar taint in chorizos with high androstenone level (3.7% selection rate for animal flavour), while the closest to the ideal product, according to consumers' description, was high androstenone level plus rosemary chorizo.

[Estimating the number of COVID-19 cases using a web-based tool: Results from the first week of the 'Covid-19 Trends' project in the Basque Country]. / Estimando el número de casos de COVID-19 mediante una herramienta web: resultados de la primera semana del proyecto «Covid-19 Trends¼ en Euskadi.

OBJECTIVE: In the Basque Country, two cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed on February 28 2020. On March 14, the Spanish Government established a state of alarm. Only cases confirmed by molecular biology (reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]) were known. We launched a web-based surveillance tool to estimate the number of symptomatic cases of COVID-19 to contribute to Public Health decision-making. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We implemented an anonymous web questionnaire and disseminated it through online social media social. We collected epidemiological information about «time¼ (date of onset of symptoms), «place¼ (zip code), and «person¼ (gender, age). We compared cases detected by RT-PCR with the estimated cases, according to the case definition of the Ministry of Health. We calculated the questionnaire response rate and the cumulative incidence at 14days. RESULTS: Between March 19 and 26, 128,009 people answered the questionnaire (5.5% of the Basque population). Of these, 26,375 met the case definition (symptom prevalence of 21.4%). The estimated cases were almost six times more than COVID-19 positive RT-PCR. The estimated 14-day cumulative incidence was 578.3 per 100,000 population compared to RT-PCR positive cases, which was 139.6 per 100,000 population. CONCLUSIONS: This tool was useful in estimating the minimum number of symptomatic cases in the Basque Country, which could support Public Health actions.