A biostimulant yeast, Hanseniaspora opuntiae, modifies Arabidopsis thaliana root architecture and improves the plant defense response against Botrytis cinerea.

MAIN CONCLUSION: The biostimulant Hanseniaspora opuntiae regulates Arabidopsis thaliana root development and resistance to Botrytis cinerea. Beneficial microbes can increase plant nutrient accessibility and uptake, promote abiotic stress tolerance, and enhance disease resistance, while pathogenic microorganisms cause plant disease, affecting cellular homeostasis and leading to cell death in the most critical cases. Commonly, plants use specialized pattern recognition receptors to perceive beneficial or pathogen microorganisms. Although bacteria have been the most studied plant-associated beneficial microbes, the analysis of yeasts is receiving less attention. This study assessed the role of Hanseniaspora opuntiae, a fermentative yeast isolated from cacao musts, during Arabidopsis thaliana growth, development, and defense response to fungal pathogens. We evaluated the A. thaliana-H. opuntiae interaction using direct and indirect in vitro systems. Arabidopsis growth was significantly increased seven days post-inoculation with H. opuntiae during indirect interaction. Moreover, we observed that H. opuntiae cells had a strong auxin-like effect in A. thaliana root development during in vitro interaction. We show that 3-methyl-1-butanol and ethanol are the main volatile compounds produced by H. opuntiae. Subsequently, it was determined that A. thaliana plants inoculated with H. opuntiae have a long-lasting and systemic effect against Botrytis cinerea infection, but independently of auxin, ethylene, salicylic acid, or jasmonic acid pathways. Our results demonstrate that H. opuntiae is an important biostimulant that acts by regulating plant development and pathogen resistance through different hormone-related responses.

P53 expression correlates with low axillary tumor burden in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The p53 mutation in breast cancer confers a worse prognosis and is usually associated with p53 overexpression (p53+) on immunohistochemistry. Previous studies have shown that p53+ tumors could be associated with low axillary tumor burden (ATB). OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the association between p53+ and ATB in a large series of breast cancers as an aid to personalizing axillary surgical treatment. METHODS: We retrieved 1762 infiltrating breast carcinomas from our database that were treated with upfront surgery in Hospital del Mar from 2004 to 2018. We compared p53+ and p53-negative (p53-) tumors in terms of the percentage of cases with high ATB and overall survival. This comparison was made overall and for each immunophenotype. RESULTS: Overall, 18.7% of breast tumors were p53+. High ATB was less common in p53+ tumors than in p53- tumors in the luminal B-Her2-negative immunophenotype (6.2% versus 16.9%, respectively, P = 0.025), but not in the other immunophenotypes or overall. Overall survival was worse in patients with p53+ breast cancer (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: p53+ breast cancers were associated with worse overall survival. However, low ATB was more common in these tumors than in p53- tumors in the luminal B-Her2-negative subtype. Information on p53 expression could be of use to predict ATB in some breast cancer tumors.

Relationship between Urinary Parameters and Double-J Stent Encrustation.

(1) Background: This study aimed to determine the relationship between metabolic urine conditions and the formation, severity, and composition of encrustations in ureteral stents. (2) Methods: Ninety stone-former patients requiring a double-J stent were prospectively enrolled. We collected 24 h metabolic urine samples and demographic data, including indwelling time and previous stone composition. The total deposit weight was obtained, and a macroscopic classification according to the degree of encrustation (null, low, moderate, and high) was created, allowing for intergroup comparisons. Stereoscopic and scanning electron microscopy were performed to identify the type of embedded deposits (calcium oxalate, uric acid, and infectious and non-infectious phosphates). (3) Results: In total, 70% of stents were encrusted; thereof, 42% had a moderate degree of encrustation. The most common encrustation type was calcium oxalate, but infectious phosphates were predominant in the high-encrustation group (p < 0.05). A direct correlation was observed between the purpose-built macroscopic classification and the encrustation weights (p < 0.001). Greater calciuria, uricosuria, indwelling time, and decreased diuresis were observed in stents with a higher degree of encrustation (p < 0.05). The urinary pH values were lower in patients with uric acid encrustations and higher in those with infectious phosphate encrustations (p < 0.05). When compared to non-encrusted stents, patients with calcium-oxalate-encrusted stent showed greater calciuria, phosphaturia, indwelling time, and reduced diuresis; patients with uric-acid-encrusted stent showed greater uricosuria; and patients with infectious and non-infectious phosphate encrustation showed greater urinary pH (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Metabolic urine conditions play a critical role in the formation, composition, and severity of double-J stent encrustation.

What Donation Features are Related to Complications in Donation after Circulatory Death Kidney Transplant? Analysis of Risk Factors for Complication after Circulatory Death Kidney Transplant.

OBJECTIVE: Complications in donation after circulatory death (DCD) kidney transplants (KT) are barely described, while in some urological complications the cause is unknown. The aim of this study is to describe surgical and urological complications and analyze what donation features could be involved. METHODS: A prospective, single center study was performed from 2016 to 2019 including all KT from controlled cardiac death donors (cDCD). RESULTS: A total of 86 cDCD KT were included in the study. Recipient BMI, residual urine output (RUO) <500 mL/day, delayed graft function (DGF), and wound complication were related to UTI (p = 0.020, p = 0.008, p = 0.016, and p = 0.004, respectively). Features related to early graft nephrectomy were recipient BMI and recipients with diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.025 and p = 0.036, respectively). DM in recipients was significantly associated with hematuria (p = 0.046). Urinary leak (UL) was associated to vascular complication and ureteral stricture (US) (p = 0.029 both). UL and lymphocele were associated to US (p = 0.029 both). Features related to lymphocele were recipient BMI and US (p = 0.028 and p = 0.029, respectively). History of previous transplant, time from cardiac arrest (CA) to cold flush, and DGF, were associated to wound complication (p = 0.040, p = 0.011 and p = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical and urological complications after KT are an important issue to resolve. Our data revealed an association between RUO <500 mL/day, DGF, and wound complication with urinary infection, as well as between recipient DM and hematuria. Recipient BMI and DM were related to early graft nephrectomy. Vascular complications were associated with urinary leak, and lymphocele with US. Finally, wound complication was related to previous transplant, DGF, and time from CA to cold flush. This data revealed interesting associations between donor and recipient features and cDCD KT complications, providing more information to improve prevention and management.

Effect of Ischemia Times and Donor and Recipient Features on Maastricht Category III Kidney Transplant Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Expansion of the donor pool has been enabled by the use of donation after circulatory death (DCD). The aim of this study is to identify what donation features are able to predict kidney transplant (KT) outcomes from DCD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis of all DCD KT from June 2016 to November 2019 was conducted. Association between donor and recipient features, and ischemia times with delayed graft function (DGF) and serum creatinine (Cr) at discharge, and at three and twelve months were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 86 KT were performed. The results revealed a relationship between donor age (p = 0.014) and receptors on haemodialysis (p = 0.001) with DGF. There was no association between different ischemia times and DGF. Residual urine output greater than 500mL/day and being on peritoneal dialysis were found to be protective factors for DGF. Correlation analysis illustrated a significant correlation between donor age and Cr at discharge and at 3 months. CONCLUSION: Higher donor age and being on haemodialysis were risk factors for DGF. Likewise, donor age did not show a significant association with 12-month serum Cr. These results demonstrate that donor age is a risk factor for DGF but does not affect long term graft function.

Effect of Ischemia Times and Donor and Recipient Features on Maastricht Category III Kidney Transplant Outcomes

Objective: Expansion of the donor pool has been enabled by the use of donation after circulatory death (DCD). The aim of this study is to identify what donation features are able to predict kidney transplant (KT) outcomes from DCD. Materials and Methods: A prospective analysis of all DCD KT from June 2016 to November 2019 was conducted. Association between donor and recipient features, and ischemia times with delayed graft function (DGF) and serum creatinine (Cr) at discharge, and at three and twelve months were analysed. Results: A total of 86 KT were performed. The results revealed a relationship between donor age (p = 0.014) and receptors on haemodialysis (p = 0.001) with DGF. There was no association between different ischemia times and DGF. Residual urine output greater than 500mL/day and being on peritoneal dialysis were found to be protective factors for DGF. Correlation analysis illustrated a significant correlation between donor age and Cr at discharge and at 3 months. Conclusion: Higher donor age and being on haemodialysis were risk factors for DGF. Likewise, donor age did not show a significant association with 12-month serum Cr. These results demonstrate that donor age is a risk factor for DGF but does not affect long term graft function (AU)

What Donation Features are Related to Complications in Donation after Circulatory Death Kidney Transplant? Analysis of Risk Factors for Complication after Circulatory Death Kidney Transplant

Objective: Complications in donation after circulatory death (DCD) kidney transplants (KT) are barely described, while in some urological complications the cause is unknown. The aim of this study is to describe surgical and urological complications and analyze what donation features could be involved. Methods: A prospective, single center study was performed from 2016 to 2019 including all KT from controlled cardiac death donors (cDCD). Results: A total of 86 cDCD KT were included in the study. Recipient BMI, residual urine output (RUO) <500 mL/day, delayed graft function (DGF), and wound complication were related to UTI (p = 0.020, p = 0.008, p = 0.016, and p = 0.004, respectively). Features related to early graft nephrectomy were recipient BMI and recipients with diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = 0.025 and p = 0.036, respectively). DM in recipients was significantly associated with hematuria (p = 0.046). Urinary leak (UL) was associated to vascular complication and ureteral stricture (US) (p = 0.029 both). UL and lymphocele were associated to US (p = 0.029 both). Features related to lymphocele were recipient BMI and US (p = 0.028 and p = 0.029, respectively). History of previous transplant, time from cardiac arrest (CA) to cold flush, and DGF, were associated to wound complication (p = 0.040, p = 0.011 and p = 0.016, respectively). Conclusions: Surgical and urological complications after KT are an important issue to resolve. Our data revealed an association between RUO <500 mL/day, DGF, and wound complication with urinary infection, as well as between recipient DM and hematuria. Recipient BMI and DM were related to early graft nephrectomy (AU)

Melatonin in the Prophylaxis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Workers (MeCOVID): A Randomised Clinical Trial.

We evaluated in this randomised, double-blind clinical trial the efficacy of melatonin as a prophylactic treatment for prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Healthcare workers fulfilling inclusion criteria were recruited in five hospitals in Spain and were randomised 1:1 to receive melatonin 2 mg administered orally for 12 weeks or placebo. The main outcome was the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections. A total of 344 volunteers were screened, and 314 were randomised: 151 to placebo and 163 to melatonin; 308 received the study treatment (148 placebo; 160 melatonin). We detected 13 SARS-CoV-2 infections, 2.6% in the placebo arm and 5.5% in the melatonin arm (p = 0.200). A total of 294 adverse events were detected in 127 participants (139 in placebo; 155 in melatonin). We found a statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events related to treatment: 43 in the placebo arm and 67 in the melatonin arm (p = 0.040), and in the number of participants suffering from somnolence related to treatment: 8.8% (n = 14) in the melatonin versus 1.4% (n = 2) in the placebo arm (p = 0.008). No severe adverse events related to treatment were reported. We cannot confirm our hypothesis that administration of melatonin prevents the development of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers.

Whole-Genome Analysis Surveillance of Influenza A Virus Resistance to Polymerase Complex Inhibitors in Eastern Spain from 2016 to 2019.

Molecular surveillance by whole-genome sequencing was used to monitor the susceptibility of circulating influenza A viruses to three polymerase complex inhibitors. A total of 12 resistance substitutions were found among 285 genomes analyzed, but none were associated with high levels of resistance. Natural resistance to these influenza A antivirals is currently uncommon.

Impact of the implementation of best practice guidelines on nurse's evidence-based practice and on nurses' work environment: Research protocol.

AIM: To determine the impact of the Best Practice Spotlight Organization® initiative on nurses' perception of their work environment and their attitudes to evidence-based practice. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, multicentre study. The intervention is the participation in Best Prectice Spotilight Organizations to implement Best Practice Guidelines. METHODS: The study will include seven centres in the interventional group and 10 in the non-equivalent control group, all of them belonging to the Spanish national health system. The Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index, and the Health Sciences Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire will be administered to a sample of 1,572 nurses at the beginning of the programme and at 1 year. This 3-year study started in April 2018 and will continue until December 2021. Statistical analyses will be carried out using the SPSS 25.0. This project was approved by the Drug Research Ethics Committee of the Parc de Salut Mar and registered in Clinical Trials. DISCUSSION: The study findings will show the current state of nurses' perception of their work environment and attitudes to evidence-based practice, and possible changes in these parameters due to the programme. IMPACT: The findings could provide a strong argument for health policymakers to scale up the Best Practice Spotlight Organization® initiative in the Spanish national health system.

Arabidopsis adc-silenced line exhibits differential defense responses to Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae infection.

During plant-microbe interactions, polyamines participate in the plant defense response. Previously, we reported that silencing of ADC genes in Arabidopsis thaliana causes a drastic reduction of polyamine levels as well as increments in reactive oxygen species content. In this study, we examined the response of the adc-silenced line to Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae infection. The adc-silenced line was more susceptible to Botrytis cinerea, showing larger lesion length and a higher incidence of fungal infection. Pre-treatments with putrescine reestablished the response of the adc-silenced line to Botrytis cinerea, resulting in a similar phenotype to the parental plant. Expression levels of defense-related genes were analyzed during fungal infection showing that the salicylic acid-induced gene PR1 was up-regulated, while the jasmonic acid-related genes LOX3 and PDF1.2, as well as, the camalexin biosynthetic gene PAD3 were down-regulated in the adc-silenced line. Furthermore, methyl jasmonate pre-treatments reduced Botrytis cinerea infection in the adc-silenced line. On the other hand, the adc-silenced line showed an increased resistance to Pseudomonas syringae infection. SA-related genes such as PR1, ZAT1.2, WRKY54 and WRKY70 were highly expressed in the adc-silenced line upon bacterial interaction. Our data show that the adc-silenced line has altered the defense-response against Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae, that is consistent with deregulation of SA- and JA-mediated response pathways.

Treatment and Outcomes of Children With Febrile Urinary Tract Infection Due to Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing Bacteria in Europe: TOO CUTE Study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Εnterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) is increasing globally. ESBL-PE are an important cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. We aimed to characterize the clinical presentation, treatment and outcomes of childhood UTI caused by ESBL-PE in Europe. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective cohort study. Children 0 to 18 years of age with fever, positive urinalysis and positive urine culture for an ESBL-PE uropathogen, seen in a participating hospital from January 2016 to July 2017, were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measure: day of defervescence was compared between (1) initial microbiologically effective treatment (IET) versus initial microbiologically ineffective treatment (IIT) and (2) single initial antibiotic treatment versus combined initial antibiotic treatment. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical and microbiologic failure of initial treatment. RESULTS: We included 142 children from 14 hospitals in 8 countries. Sixty-one children had IET and 77 IIT. There was no statistical difference in time to defervescence for effective/ineffective groups (P = 0.722) and single/combination therapy groups (P = 0.574). Two of 59 (3.4%) and 4/66 (6.1%) patients exhibited clinical failure during treatment (P = 0.683) when receiving IET or IIT, respectively. Eight of 51 (15.7%) receiving IET and 6/58 (10.3%) receiving IIT patients (P = 0.568) had recurring symptoms/signs suggestive of a UTI. Recurrence of a UTI occurred 15.5 days (interquartile range, 9.0-19.0) after the end of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Time to defervescence and clinical failure did not differ between IET/IIT groups. Non-carbapenem beta-lactam antibiotics may be used for the empiric treatment of ESBL febrile UTIs, until susceptibility testing results become available.

Características y resultados tras un año en pacientes ancianos ingresados con insuficiencia cardiaca y fracción de eyección reducida, intermedia o conservada / Characteristics and one-year outcomes in elderly patients hospitalised with heart failure and preserved, mid-range and reduced ejection fraction

INTRODUCCIÓN: La última guía de insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología define 3 tipos de IC según la fracción de eyección (FE): FE reducida (ICFEr) cuando FE<40%, FE intermedia (ICFEi), cuando FE 40-49%, y FE conservada (ICFEc) cuando FE≥50%. El objetivo es analizar las características y resultados de los ancianos ingresados con IC según la nueva categorización por la FE. MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo con 531 pacientes diagnosticados de IC, categorizados según la FE, mayores de 75 años e ingresados en 6 servicios de Geriatría en España. Se analizan las características demográficas, clínicas y las comorbilidades, así como la morbimortalidad al año de seguimiento. RESULTADO: Un 17,1% de los pacientes se encuadraron en ICFEr, 10% en ICFEi y 72,9% en ICFEc. Aquellos con ICFEi eran similares a los de ICFEr en cuanto a la menor edad, predominio de hombres e ingreso previo por IC, así como en el uso de fármacos para el bloqueo neurohormonal. En los pacientes con ICFEr, respecto a aquellos con ICFEi e ICFEc, se objetivó mayor porcentaje de muertes (35,2, 24,5 y 25,1%), reingresos por IC (17,6, 15,1 y 14,2%) y eventos (59,3, 45,3 y 50,6%), aunque no hubo diferencias significativas. Tampoco se observaron diferencias en el análisis de supervivencia entre los grupos de FE y las variables de resultados tiempo-dependientes. CONCLUSIONES: En ancianos hospitalizados con IC, los categorizados como ICFEi no muestran claras diferencias en las características clínicas respecto a aquellos con ICFEr o ICFEc. No hubo diferencias en cuanto a la morbimortalidad

INTRODUCTION: The latest European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure (HF) guidelines define three types of HF according to the ejection fraction (EF): HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) when EF<40%, HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF), when EF 40-49%, and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) when EF≥50%. The objective of this study was to analyse the characteristics and results of elderly patients hospitalised with HF according to the new classification using EF. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out with 531 HF patients aged ≥75 years classified according to EF, and admitted in the geriatric wards of 6 hospitals in Spain. An analysis was performed on the demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as well as the morbidity and mortality at one year of follow-up. RESULTS: As regards EF, 17.1% had HFrEF, 10% had HFmrEF, and 72.9% had HFpEF. Patients with HFmrEF were more similar to those with HFrEF in terms of a younger age, predominance of men, and previous admission due to HF. This was also the case with the use of drugs for neurohormonal blockade. Patients with HFrEF (compared to those with HFmrEF and HFpEF), had higher mortality (35.2%, 24.5%, and 25.6%, respectively), more readmissions for HF (17.6%, 15.1%, and 14.5%, respectively), and more events (61.5%, 45.3%, and 52.5%, respectively), although there were no significant differences. There were also no differences observed in the survival analysis between the EF groups and the time-dependent outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients hospitalised with HF, those classified as HFmrEF did not show any clear differences with respect to those with HFrEF or HFpEF. There were no differences in terms of morbidity and mortality

Influence of pneumococcal vaccination on the hospitalization of healthy pediatric patients due to typical Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most frequent causes of hospital admission in children. Our objective is to measure the impact of the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on the hospitalization of previously healthy children due to CAP. METHOD: From 2011 to 2016, a partially retrospective, prospective, and descriptive study was carried out on healthy pediatric patients (3 months-14 years old) with CAP, who required hospital admission. Clinical, epidemiological, and demographic characteristics were collected, and vaccination status was obtained from medical records. RESULTS: A total of 292 cases were included, with a mean age of 33.4 months, 54% males. There was a progressive and significant 42% decrease in the number of admissions each year, without significant changes in the annual percentage of parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE). Fifty-six percent of patients were immunized with a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). The percentage of children who were not vaccinated decreased by 14%, and the coverage with PCV-13 increased by 46%. This revealed a significant increase of PPE in vaccinated patients with PCV-7 (63%) compared with unvaccinated (45%) and with PCV-13 (57%), without association with the presence of severe PPE. Moreover, no significant differences in severity or hospital stay were observed in unvaccinated patients, compared to those who were vaccinated. In >2-year-olds, we observed a significant increase in PPE (59%) compared to 45% in younger children. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in vaccination coverage with PCV-13 resulted in a decrease in hospitalizations due to CAP and PPE. Vaccination with PCV-7 is associated in our sample with an increase in PPE but not with severe PPE nor an increase in the hospital stay. There was an epidemiological shift of severe forms of pneumonia and empyema at later ages (>2 years).

Desmontando mitos en cuidados paliativos / Busting palliative care myths

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[Characteristics and one-year outcomes in elderly patients hospitalised with heart failure and preserved, mid-range and reduced ejection fraction]. / Características y resultados tras un año en pacientes ancianos ingresados con insuficiencia cardiaca y fracción de eyección reducida, intermedia o conservada.

INTRODUCTION: The latest European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure (HF) guidelines define three types of HF according to the ejection fraction (EF): HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) when EF<40%, HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF), when EF 40-49%, and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) when EF≥50%. The objective of this study was to analyse the characteristics and results of elderly patients hospitalised with HF according to the new classification using EF. METHODS: A prospective study was carried out with 531 HF patients aged ≥75 years classified according to EF, and admitted in the geriatric wards of 6 hospitals in Spain. An analysis was performed on the demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as well as the morbidity and mortality at one year of follow-up. RESULTS: As regards EF, 17.1% had HFrEF, 10% had HFmrEF, and 72.9% had HFpEF. Patients with HFmrEF were more similar to those with HFrEF in terms of a younger age, predominance of men, and previous admission due to HF. This was also the case with the use of drugs for neurohormonal blockade. Patients with HFrEF (compared to those with HFmrEF and HFpEF), had higher mortality (35.2%, 24.5%, and 25.6%, respectively), more readmissions for HF (17.6%, 15.1%, and 14.5%, respectively), and more events (61.5%, 45.3%, and 52.5%, respectively), although there were no significant differences. There were also no differences observed in the survival analysis between the EF groups and the time-dependent outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients hospitalised with HF, those classified as HFmrEF did not show any clear differences with respect to those with HFrEF or HFpEF. There were no differences in terms of morbidity and mortality.

Patología neurológica aguda por enterovirus: revisión de casos clínicos en un hospital andaluz de tercer nivel tras brote epidémico de Cataluña / Acute neurological disease due to enterovirus: A review of clinical cases in a tertiary hospital in Andalusia after an outbreak in Catalonia

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