To analyze the SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology in the Balearic Islands, a unique setting in which the course of the pandemic has been influenced by a complex interplay between insularity, severe ...social restrictions and tourism travels.
Since the onset of the pandemic, more than 2,700 SARS-CoV-2 positive respiratory samples have been randomly selected and sequenced in the Balearic Islands. Genetic diversity of circulating variants was assessed by lineage assignment of consensus whole genome sequences with PANGOLIN and investigation of additional spike mutations.
Consensus sequences were assigned to 46 different PANGO lineages and 75% of genomes were classified within a VOC, VUI, or VUM variant according to the WHO definitions. Highest genetic diversity was documented in the island of Majorca (42 different lineages detected). Globally, lineages B.1.1.7 and B.1.617.2/AY.X were identified as the 2 major lineages circulating in the Balearic Islands during the pandemic, distantly followed by lineages B.1.177/B.1.177.X. However, in Ibiza/Formentera lineage distribution was slightly different and lineage B.1.221 was the third most prevalent. Temporal distribution analysis showed that B.1 and B.1.5 lineages dominated the first epidemic wave, lineage B.1.177 dominated the second and third, and lineage B.1.617.2 the fourth. Of note, lineage B.1.1.7 became the most prevalent circulating lineage during first half of 2021; however, it was not associated with an increased in COVID-19 cases likely due to severe social restrictions and limited travels. Additional spike mutations were rarely documented with the exception of mutation S:Q613H which has been detected in several genomes (
= 25) since July 2021.
Virus evolution, mainly driven by the acquisition and selection of spike substitutions conferring biological advantages, social restrictions, and size population are apparently key factors for explaining the epidemic patterns registered in the Balearic Islands.
Liver cirrhosis is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Adequate diagnosis and treatment of decompensating events requires of both medical skills and updated technical resources. The objectives of ...this study were to search the demographic profile of hospitalized cirrhotic patients in a group of Latin American hospitals and the availability of expertise/facilities for the diagnosis and therapy of decompensation episodes.
A cross sectional, multicenter survey of hospitalized cirrhotic patients.
377 patients, (62% males; 58±11 years) (BMI>25, 57%; diabetes 32%) were hospitalized at 65 centers (63 urbans; 57 academically affiliated) in 13 countries on the survey date. Main admission causes were ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis/other infections. Most prevalent etiologies were alcohol-related (AR) (40%); non-alcoholic-steatohepatitis (NASH) (23%), hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) (7%) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (6%). The most frequent concurrent etiologies were AR+NASH. Expertise and resources in every analyzed issue were highly available among participating centers, mostly accomplishing valid guidelines. However, availability of these facilities was significantly higher at institutions located in areas with population>500,000 (n=45) and in those having a higher complexity level (Gastrointestinal, Liver and Internal Medicine Departments at the same hospital (n=22).
The epidemiological etiologic profile in hospitalized, decompensated cirrhotic patients in Latin America is similar to main contemporary emergent agents worldwide. Medical and technical resources are highly available, mostly at great population urban areas and high complexity medical centers. Main diagnostic and therapeutic approaches accomplish current guidelines recommendations.
To describe clinical features, complications, serotypes and antibiotic resistance in pneumococcal pneumonia in our environment after the generalization of the heptavalent conjugate vaccine (PCV-7) in ...paediatrics.
Prospective study of episodes of pneumococcal pneumonia, with positive cultures in patients treated in the emergency department from January 2006 to February 2010.
We studied 346 episodes in 320 patients, 335 belonged to 309 adult patients, 221 (71.5%) males, median age 68 years (range 16-94), and 11 episodes to patients<15 years. Two-hundred and thirty seven (68.5%) episodes were community acquired. Bacteraemia was present in 130 (37.6%) cases, with a tendency towards an increased risk in patients < 65 years (OR=1.56, 95% CI 0.96- 2.56, P=.07). Thirteen (3.8%) patients developed empyema and 33 (9.5%) septic shock. The mean age of patients with empyema was lower (P=.03). In the multivariate analysis were related to the presence of bacteraemia: a history of chronic respiratory disease (OR=0.45, 95% CI 0.25-0.81, P=.008), positive urinary antigen (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1 13-3.62, P=.01) and pleural effusion (OR=3.86, 95% CI 1.79-8.35, P=.001). Shock was associated with Fine IV-V stage (OR=23.6, 95% CI 4.96-112.82, P<.001), age < 65 years (OR=4.47, 95% CI 1.75-11.39, P=.002) and pleural effusion (OR=4.15, 95% CI 1.65 to 10.41, P=.002). Increased mortality risk was associated with presence of any complication (OR=6.6, 95% CI 1.5-27.2, P=.009) and specifically septic shock (OR=3.3, 95% CI 1.06-10.3, P=.04). Most serotypes obtained were not included in the VNC-7.
Pneumococcal pneumonia after generalisation of PCV-7 is mainly related to non-vaccine serotypes. Younger patients without respiratory disease are at increased risk of bacteraemia, empyema, and septic shock, the latter being associated with a higher mortality.
Since March 2008, several linezolid and teicoplanin-resistant Staphylococcus hominis (S. hominis) isolates have been recovered from patients admitted to the two major hospitals on the island of ...Majorca, Spain. For this reason, a study was conducted to determine the molecular epidemiology of these isolates and the mechanism of linezolid resistance.
The molecular epidemiology study was performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis, after digestion with ApaI. Linezolid resistance mechanisms were evaluated by PCR amplification of a fragment of the domain V of the 23S rRNA gene (followed by sequencing) and cfr gene.
From March 2008 to February 2009, 15 linezolid and teicoplanin-resistant S. hominis isolates were recovered from 14 patients. All of them, except one, were hospitalised in the intensive care units of either of the two institutions. Isolates were obtained mainly from blood cultures (9). The majority of infected patients (12 of 15 infectious episodes, 80.0%) had received courses of linezolid prior to detection of the resistant isolate. PFGE analysis revealed the presence of a unique clone among linezolid resistant S. hominis isolates. The G2576T mutation was detected in all the linezolid resistant strains. None of the resistant isolates showed a positive PCR for the cfr gene. All of the isolates were also resistant to penicillin, oxacillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and tobramicin; whereas all of them were susceptible to erythromycin, tetracycline, gentamicin, and daptomycin. The MIC of vancomycin was 4μg/ml for all the strains.
The detection of linezolid resistant Staphylococci highlights the need to rationalise the use of linezolid, and maintain an active surveillance of its resistance to preserve the clinical usefulness of this antimicrobial.
This paper deals with the influence that the processing variables and the nature of the low‐molecular‐weight emulsifier used exert on the evolution of the droplet size distributions and linear ...viscoelasticity functions of concentrated oil‐in‐water emulsions during the emulsification process, and the way these variables affect the final characteristics of the emulsions. With this aim four different surfactants and two impeller geometries were used. Influences of the emulsification time, agitation speed and temperature of emulsification were studied. From the experimental results obtained, a correlation between the plateau modulus, a linear viscoelastic parameter related to the strength of the interdroplet interactions, and the volume diameter is proposed.
On traite dans cet article de l'influence que les variables de procédé et la nature des émulsifiants de faible poids moléculaire exercent sur l'évolution des distributions de tailles de gouttelettes et les functions de viscoélasticité linéaires d'émulsions concentrées d'huile dans l'eau lors du procédé d'émulsification, en examinant également comment ces variables influent sur les caractéristiques finales des émulsions. Quatre surfactants différents et deux géométries de turbine ont été employées. L'influence du temps d'émulsification, de la vitesse d'agitation et de la température d'émulsification ont été étudiées. À partir des résultats expérimentaux obtenus, on propose une corrélation entre le module de plateau, un paramètre viscoélastique linéaire relié à la force des interactions inter‐gouttelettes et le diamètre du volume.
Existence of anthropogenic contaminants (ACs) in different environmental matrices is a serious and unresolved concern. For instance, ACs from different sectors, such as industrial, agricultural, and ...pharmaceutical, are found in water bodies with considerable endocrine disruptors potency and can damage the biotic components of the environment. The continuous ACs exposure can cause cellular toxicity, apoptosis, genotoxicity, and alterations in sex ratios in human beings. Whereas, aquatic organisms show bioaccumulation, trophic chains, and biomagnification of ACs through different entry route. These problems have been found in many countries around the globe, making them a worldwide concern. ACs have been found in different environmental matrices, such as water reservoirs for human consumption, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), groundwaters, surface waters, rivers, and seas, which demonstrate their free movement within the environment in an uncontrolled manner. This work provides a detailed overview of ACs occurrence in water bodies along with their toxicological effect on living organisms. The literature data reported between 2017 and 2018 is compiled following inclusion-exclusion criteria, and the obtained information was mapped as per type and source of ACs. The most important ACs are pharmaceuticals (diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, ofloxacin, acetaminophen, progesterone ranitidine, and testosterone), agricultural products or pesticides (atrazine, carbendazim, fipronil), narcotics and illegal drugs (amphetamines, cocaine, and benzoylecgonine), food industry derivatives (bisphenol A, and caffeine), and personal care products (triclosan, and other related surfactants). Considering this threatening issue, robust detection and removal strategies must be considered in the design of WWTPs and DWTPs.
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•Data of global occurrence of ACs in water resources from 2017 to 2018 was mapped.•Adverse effects of ACs on living organisms in polluted environments were analyzed.•ACs occurrence in drinking water reservoirs and bottled water was discussed.•Challenges and perspectives of ACs occurrence within water bodies are presented.
Most research on the effects of wildfires on stream water quality has focused on suspended sediment and nutrients in streams and water bodies, and relatively little research has examined the effects ...of wildfires on trace elements. The purpose of this study was two-fold: 1) to determine the effect of the 2009 Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest northeast of Los Angeles, CA on trace element concentrations in streams, and 2) compare trace elements in post-fire stormflow water quality to criteria for aquatic life to determine if trace elements reached concentrations that can harm aquatic life. Pre-storm and stormflow water-quality samples were collected in streams located inside and outside of the burn area of the Station Fire. Ash and burned soil samples were collected from several locations within the perimeter of the Station Fire. Filtered concentrations of Fe, Mn, and Hg and total concentrations of most trace elements in storm samples were elevated as a result of the Station Fire. In contrast, filtered concentrations of Cu, Pb, Ni, and Se and total concentrations of Cu were elevated primarily due to storms and not the Station Fire. Total concentrations of Se and Zn were elevated as a result of both storms and the Station Fire. Suspended sediment in stormflows following the Station Fire was an important transport mechanism for trace elements. Cu, Pb, and Zn primarily originate from ash in the suspended sediment. Fe primarily originates from burned soil in the suspended sediment. As, Mn, and Ni originate from both ash and burned soil. Filtered concentrations of trace elements in stormwater samples affected by the Station Fire did not reach levels that were greater than criteria established for aquatic life. Total concentrations for Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn were detected at concentrations above criteria established for aquatic life.
In this study, we have analyzed the expression of the Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 mexAB-oprM efflux pump operon and of the regulatory gene pmeR, and we have investigated the role of the ...PmeR protein on transcription from both promoters. We demonstrate that mexAB-oprM and pmeR are expressed in vivo at a relatively high and moderate basal level, respectively, which, in both cases, increases in the presence of different flavonoids and other compounds, such as butyl and methylparaben. We show that PmeR is the local repressor of the mexAB-oprM promoter and is able to regulate its own expression. The mechanism for this regulation includes binding to a pseudopalindromic operator site which overlaps both mexAB-oprM and pmeR promoters. We have also proven that flavonoids are able to interact with PmeR and induce a conformational change that interferes with the DNA binding ability of PmeR, thereby modulating mexAB-oprM and pmeR expression. Finally, we demonstrate by in vivo experiments that the PmeR/MexAB-OprM system contributes to the colonization of tomato plants. These results provide new insight into a transcriptional regulator and a transport system that play essential roles in the ability of P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000 to resist the action of flavonoids produced by the host.
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