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•Antimicrobial films were obtained from functional latex particles containing cationic block copolymers as polymeric surfactants.•Block copolymers based on quaternized 1,3-thiazole ...and 1,2,3-triazole side chain groups were synthesized by ATRP and CuAAC click chemistry reactions.•Quaternized copolymers demonstrated a great antimicrobial activity, particularly against gram-positive bacteria, and non-toxic properties against RBCs with good selectivities.
New amphiphilic block copolymers with antimicrobial properties were obtained by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and copper catalyzed cycloaddition following two approaches, a simultaneous strategy or a two-step synthesis, which were proven to be very effective methods. These copolymers were subsequently quaternized using two alkyl chains, methyl and butyl, to amplify their antimicrobial properties and to investigate the effect of alkyl length. Antimicrobial experiments in solution were performed with three types of bacteria, two gram-positive and one gram-negative, and a fungus. Those copolymers quaternized with methyl iodide showed better selectivities on gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, against red blood cells, demonstrating the importance of the quaternizing agent chosen. Once the solution studies were performed, we prepared poly(butyl methacrylate) latex particles functionalized with the antimicrobial copolymers by emulsion polymerization of butyl methacrylate using such copolymers as surfactants. The characterization by various techniques served to test their effectiveness as surfactants. Finally, films were prepared from these emulsions, and their antimicrobial activity was studied against the gram-positive bacteria. The results indicate that the antimicrobial efficiency of the films depends not only on the copolymer activity but also on other factors such as the surface segregation of the antimicrobial agent to the interface.
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most important fruit crops in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. On the coast of Granada and Malaga (SE Spain), irrigated subtropical fruit species ...have been introduced and cultivated on terraces with a considerable economic importance as the only European production region. The subtropical fruit production in this zone is possible with intensive irrigation on terraces, which are economically more profitable than traditional rainfed crops (almond and olive), which have been replaced or abandoned. A 2-year monitoring period was conducted using drainage lysimeters to determine the crop coefficients (Kc) and fruit yield in mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Osteen) orchards. Also, some quality parameters such as titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and vitamin C were evaluated under these conditions. The averaged Kc values of mango trees varied within production cycle of 0.43, 0.67, and 0.63 at flowering, fruit set, and fruit growth, respectively. In this study, the fruit yield under full water requirements (100% ET
C
) averaged 24.1 kg tree
−1
, amounting to 21.2 kg ha
−1
mm
−1
in terms of water-use efficiency. The quality parameters of the mango fruits harvested in the study area were satisfactory. Thus, this study highlights the need to optimize the irrigation-water use according to actual mango requirements, thereby achieving more sustainable Mediterranean subtropical farming in orchard terraces.
Antifungal resistance is increasing by the emergence of intrinsically resistant species and by the development of secondary resistance in susceptible species. A previous study performed in Spain ...revealed levels of azole resistance in molds of between 10 and 12.7%, but secondary resistance in
was not detected. We used itraconazole (ITZ)-supplemented medium to select resistant strains. A total of 500 plates supplemented with 2 mg/liter of ITZ were sent to 10 Spanish tertiary hospitals, and molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility testing were performed. In addition, the
gene in those
strains showing azole resistance was sequenced. A total of 493 isolates were included in the study. Sixteen strains were isolated from patients with an infection classified as proven, 104 were isolated from patients with an infection classified as probable, and 373 were isolated from patients with an infection classified as colonization.
was the most frequent genus isolated, at 80.3%, followed by
(7.9%),
(4.5%),
(2.6%), and the order
(1%). Antifungal resistance was detected in
species,
,
, and
Three strains of
were resistant to azoles; two of them harbored the TR
+L98H mechanism of resistance, and the other one had no mutations in
The level of azole resistance in
remains low, but cryptic species represent over 10% of the isolates and have a broader but overall higher range of antifungal resistance.
•We described sedentariness and physical activity in adolescents with Down syndrome.•There were no differences in time spent in both behaviours throughout the week.•Males are more active than females ...during weekend days.•Sedentary time increases and PA decreases with advancing age.•It is important to decrease sedentariness and increase PA in this population.
This study aimed to examine the patterns of sedentary time and physical activity (PA) throughout the week in adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). The study comprised 109 adolescents with DS (68 males and 41 females) aged 11–20 years, participating in the UP&DOWN study, but only a total of 100 adolescents provided valid data. Sedentary time and total, light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were measured by accelerometers. There were no significant differences in the time spent in sedentary time and PA levels between weekdays vs. weekend days, as well as between school time vs. after school-time periods (all p>0.05). Adolescent males engaged in more total PA, moderate PA, vigorous PA and MVPA than females on weekend days (all p<0.05). Differences between age groups showed that sedentary time increases and PA decreases with advancing age in all analyses, so that the oldest groups were more sedentary and less active (all p<0.05). Only 43% of adolescents with DS met the PA recommendations of ≥60min/day of MVPA. Our findings show valuable information to be considered in future interventions aiming to decrease sedentary time and increase PA levels in adolescents with DS.
To examine the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) at baseline and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in 6- to 10-year-olds (cross-sectional) and 2 years later (8- to 12-year-olds ...longitudinal) and whether changes with age in CRF are associated with CVD risk in children aged 8 to 12 years.
Spanish primary schoolchildren (n=236) aged 6 to 10 years participated at baseline. Of the 23 participating primary schools, 22% (n=5) were private schools and 78% (n=18) were public schools. The dropout rate at 2-year follow-up was 9.7% (n=23). The 20-m shuttle run test was used to estimate CRF. The CVD risk score was computed as the mean of 5 CVD risk factor standardized scores: sum of 2 skinfolds, systolic blood pressure, insulin/glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
At baseline, CRF was inversely associated with single CVD risk factors (all P<.05) and CVD risk score at baseline and follow-up (P<.001). Cardiorespiratory fitness cutoff points of 39.0 mL/kg per minute or greater in boys and 37.5 mL/kg per minute or greater in girls are discriminative to identify CVD risk in childhood (area under the curve, >0.85; P<.001) and to predict CVD risk 2 years later (P=.004). Persistent low CRF or the decline of CRF from 6-10 to 8-12 years of age is associated with increased CVD risk at age 8 to 12 years (P<.001).
During childhood, CRF is a strong predictor of CVD risk and should be monitored to identify children with potential CVD risk.
This study presents an analysis of three hydrological years (2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10) of precipitation, runoff and sediment yield collected from a small (669.7 ha) semi-arid watershed in ...southeastern Spain (Lanjarón). At the watershed outlet the runoff, suspended sediment concentration, total solute concentrations and dissolved nutrients (N-NO₃, N-NH₄, H₂PO₄ and K) in streamflow were continuously monitored. The runoff was highly variable, ranging between 53.4 and 154.7 mm year⁻¹, with an average of 97.6 mm year⁻¹. In contrast, sediment yields were more regular, averaging 1.8 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. The hydrological response of the watershed depended mainly on rainfall intensity. Formerly, 32% of the watershed was forested and runoff was more regular, despite the typical Mediterranean rainfall cycle; however, due to forest area reduction to 17% and the increase in abandoned farmland area (18%) in recent decades, the runoff variability has increased. Greater amounts of solutes (32.7 Mg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) were exported, so that this water is considered as poor for irrigation use. The temporal nutrient export was related to seasonal discharge fluctuations as well as daily concentrations. In addition, the nutrient concentrations of the water discharged were lower than threshold limits cited in water-quality standards for agricultural use and for potable water, with the exception of K (65.9 mg L⁻¹), which may degrade surface waters as well as irrigated soils. Thus, hydrological and erosive processes depended on the watershed features, but also on prior conditions in combination with the characteristics of rainfall episodes.Citation Durán, Z.V.H., Francia, M.J.R., Garcia, T.I., Rodríguez, P.C.R., Martínez, R.A., and Cuadros, T.S., 2012. Runoff and sediment yield from a small watershed in southeastern Spain (Lanjarón): implications for water quality. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (8), 1610–1625.
Kawasaki disease is a self-limiting acute vasculitis that affects small and medium-sized vessels, and is the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in our environment. Up to 25% of ...untreated patients develop coronary aneurysms. It is suspected that an infectious agent may be the trigger of the disease, but the causative agent is still unknown. Based on the previous evidence, recommendations are proposed for the diagnosis, treatment of acute disease, and the long-term management of these patients, in order to unify criteria. The diagnosis must be quick, based on easy-to-use algorithms and with the support of complementary tests. This document includes the indication of available imaging techniques, as well as the planning of cardiological examinations based on the initial involvement. Intravenous immunoglobulin is the basis of the initial treatment. The role of corticosteroids is still controversial, but there are studies that support its use as adjuvant treatment. A multidisciplinary working group has developed a scheme with different treatment guidelines depending on the risk factors at diagnosis, the patient's clinical situation, and response to previous treatment, including indications for thromboprophylaxis in patients with coronary involvement. The stratification of risk for long-term treatment is essential, as well as the recommendations on the procedures based on the initial cardiological involvement and its progression. Patients with coronary aneurysms require continuous and uninterrupted cardiological monitoring for life.
La enfermedad de Kawasaki es una vasculitis aguda autolimitada que afecta a vasos de pequeño y mediano calibre y es la causa más común de enfermedad cardiaca adquirida en niños en nuestro medio. Hasta un 25% de pacientes no tratados desarrollan aneurismas coronarios. Se sospecha que un agente infeccioso puede ser el desencadenante de la enfermedad, pero aún se desconoce el agente causal. En base a la evidencia previa, se proponen recomendaciones para el diagnóstico, tratamiento de la enfermedad aguda y manejo a largo plazo de estos pacientes, con el fin de unificar criterios. El diagnóstico debe ser rápido, basado en algoritmos de fácil manejo y con el apoyo de pruebas complementarias. Este documento recoge la indicación de las técnicas de imagen disponibles, así como la planificación de las revisiones cardiológicas en función de la afectación inicial. La inmunoglobulina intravenosa es la base del tratamiento inicial. El papel de los corticoides aún es controvertido, pero cada vez hay más estudios que avalan su uso como tratamiento adyuvante. Un equipo multidisciplinar ha elaborado un esquema con diferentes pautas de tratamiento en función de los factores de riesgo al diagnóstico, situación clínica del paciente y respuesta al tratamiento previo, incluyendo indicaciones sobre tromboprofilaxis en pacientes con afectación coronaria. La estratificación del riesgo para el tratamiento a largo plazo es esencial, así como las recomendaciones acerca del proceder en función de la afectación cardiológica inicial y su evolución. Los pacientes con aneurismas coronarios requieren un seguimiento cardiológico continuo e ininterrumpido de por vida.
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