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Aim: To explore trends in multiple sclerosis incidence rates in Spain between 1990 and 2019. Methods: We use data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to calculate age-standardised incidence rates of multiple sclerosis and identify significant changes over time using the Joinpoint regression model. We also use the Age-Period-Cohort model to understand the separate influences of age, historical period, and birth cohort on these trends. Results: Between 1990 and 2019, Spain reported 31,152 cases of multiple sclerosis, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%, slightly higher in men (1.40%) than in women (1.28%). Joinpoint analysis revealed non-parallel trends of incidence between sexes, with men experiencing increases and declines along five differentiated periods, while women showed increasing rates until 2015, followed by stabilization. The incidence of multiple sclerosis increased over time in both sexes achieving an average annual increase of 1.6% for men and 1.4% for women. Individuals born in the early to mid-20th century experienced a different trajectory compared to later generations. For both sexes, their MS risk steadily climbed from the mid-20th century, reaching a peak in the 1970s and 1980s for men and potentially later in the 1990s for women. This peak was then followed by a plateauing of risk in subsequent years. Conclusions: Overall, this study offers valuable insights into MS incidence trends in Spain, highlighting sex disparities, age effects, and generational patterns. Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay of age, period, and cohort effects, as well as regional and environmental factors contributing to risk of new cases of multiple sclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients admitted to neonatal intensive care units are up to eight times more likely to experience medication errors than patients admitted to adult intensive care units. Prescribing errors account for up to 74% of medication errors. Electronic prescribing has been postulated as a tool to reduce errors. The objective was to analyse prescribing errors with the e-prescribing system and risk factors. All patients who were admitted for at least 24 h and who received active pharmacological treatment during the study period were included. Prescriptions were made using electronic assisted prescription software integrated into the medical record system. Treatment was reviewed daily by a pharmacist, and errors were graded according to taxonomic criteria. A total of 240 patients were included, 13,876 prescriptions were reviewed and 455 errors were found (3.3% of prescriptions were wrong). Prescribing errors were concentrated in 40 drugs/nutritional products. The most frequent error was a discrepancy between the prescription and the associated text-free field (n = 196). The drugs with the most errors were Lactobacillus acidophilus, caffeine citrate, acetaminophen, gentamycin and cholecalciferol. Patients with a birth weight from 1000 to 1500 g were 82% more likely to experience an error than those with an extremely low birth weight (< 1000 g) (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.42–2.89, p < 0.05). Patients at the highest risk were those with gestational ages from 28 to 32 weeks, with a 29.80% greater risk of prescribing errors than those with gestational ages less than 28 weeks (OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.02–1.65, p < 0.05). Prescribing errors occur due to complex dosing rules based on patient characteristics and free-text use, highlighting process issues rather than specific medication risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This research critically explores deficiencies in the palliative care system, focusing on evaluation and treatment aspects for both adult and paediatric patients. Using a qualitative methodology, the study engages healthcare professionals and family caregivers to uncover perspectives on the existing state of palliative care. Conducted through three focus groups and a semi-structured in-depth interview with participants recruited from Virgen de la Arrixaca University Clinical Hospital, this research illustrates critical issues, highlighting the insufficient healthcare workforce and resources to meet the comprehensive needs of patients and their families. Recommendations include holistic care addressing social, emotional, psychological, socio-familiar, and economic dimensions, supported by embedded support groups and the enforcement of relationships with palliative associations. This study also advocates for improved health institutional coordination, social worker support, and ongoing health professional satisfaction monitoring. In paediatric care, specific demands involve specialised units, medical team continuity, 24 h paediatrician care, and a more professional paediatric approach. Beyond problem identification, this study offers valuable insights for shaping health policies and tools, incorporating new indicators and introducing grief bereavement support in clinical reports, contributing to the advancement of patient evaluation in palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increased rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is reported in extremely preterm infants. A potential role of human milk feeding in protecting against this condition has been suggested. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted based on data about morbidity in the population of infants born between 22+0 and 26+6 weeks of gestation, included in the Spanish network SEN1500 during the period 2004–2019 and discharged alive. The primary outcome was moderate-severe BPD. Associated conditions were studied, including human milk feeding at discharge. The temporal trends of BPD and human milk feeding rates at discharge were also studied. Results: In the study population of 4341 infants, the rate of moderate-severe BPD was 43.7% and it increased to >50% in the last three years. The factors significantly associated with a higher risk of moderate-severe BPD were birth weight, male sex, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, duration of invasive mechanical ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide, patent ductus arteriosus, and late-onset sepsis. Exclusive human milk feeding and any amount of human milk at discharge were associated with a lower incidence of moderate-severe BPD (OR 0.752, 95% CI 0.629–0.901 and OR 0.714, 95% CI 0.602–0.847, respectively). During the study period, the proportion of infants with moderate-severe BPD fed any amount of human milk at discharge increased more than twofold. And the proportion of infants with moderate-severe BPD who were exclusively fed human milk at discharge increased at the same rate. Conclusions: Our work shows an inverse relationship between human milk feeding at discharge from the neonatal unit and the occurrence of BPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe the trends in the delivery room approach and survival of extremely premature infants over the past two decades. Methods: Time‐series analysis of infants included in the Spanish SEN1500 network from 2004 to 2019. Patients born from 22 + 0 to 26 + 6 weeks were included. The primary outcome was an active approach in the delivery room. Survival and temporal trends were also studied. Results: The study population included 8284 patients. At 22 and 23 weeks, an active approach was followed in 41.4% and 80.8%. A temporal trend toward a more active approach was observed at 23 weeks. Antenatal steroids were administered in 19.6% and 58.1% at 22 and 23 weeks. From 24 weeks, an active approach was applied in nearly all cases throughout the period, and more than 80% of patients received antenatal steroids. The rates of survival after an active approach were 8.7%, 21.6%, 40.6%, 59.9%, and 74.7% at 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 weeks and significantly increased over the period, except for infants born at 22 weeks. Conclusion: Active management and survival of infants born from 23 weeks increased over the period, but the frequency of antenatal steroid administration was lower than the intention to resuscitate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2021-updated guidelines of the Spanish Society of Neonatology Guidelines have moved the zone of parental discretion to 23 + 0–23 + 6 weeks. The objective of this study was to describe the changes in perinatal management at this gestational age along the last decade and to determine if a more active perinatal management has contributed to improved outcomes. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the 23-week infants included in the Spanish SEN 1500 neonatal network during the period 2010–2019. The main study outcomes were survival at discharge and survival without major morbidity of actively managed infants. Two periods were compared: 2010–2014 (Period 1) and 2015–2019 (Period 2). NICUs were classified into low activity NICUs (less than 50 admissions of very low birth weight infants per year) and high activity NICUs (50 or more admissions) A total of 381 infants were included, 182 in Period 1 and 199 in Period 2. In Period 2 an increase in the use of intrapartum magnesium sulfate (21.5% vs 39.9%, p.002), antenatal steroids (56.6% vs 69.3%, p.011) and active neonatal approach in delivery room (76.9% vs 86.9%, p.011) were observed. The clinical outcomes of the actively managed 313 infants were similar in both periods, except for less arterial hypotension in Period 2. Survival was 27.1% in Period 1 and 25% in Period 2 (p.068) and survival without major morbidity was 2.1% and 2.3% respectively (p.914). No difference was found between low and high activity NICUs. A change to a more active intention to treat infants born at 23 weeks is taking place in Spain. But the survival rate of the actively-managed infants has remained stable around 25–30% during the study period. A multidisciplinary effort is needed to improve outcomes in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal marine lagoons are environments highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures such as agriculture nutrient loading or runoff from metalliferous mining. Sediment microorganisms, which are key components in the biogeochemical cycles, can help attenuate these impacts by accumulating nutrients and pollutants. The Mar Menor, located in the southeast of Spain, is an example of a coastal lagoon strongly altered by anthropic pressures, but the microbial community inhabiting its sediments remains unknown. Here, we describe the sediment prokaryotic communities along a wide range of environmental conditions in the lagoon, revealing that microbial communities were highly heterogeneous among stations, although a core microbiome was detected. The microbiota was dominated by Delta- and Gammaproteobacteria and members of the Bacteroidia class. Additionally, several uncultured groups such as Asgardarchaeota were detected in relatively high proportions. Sediment texture, the presence of Caulerpa or Cymodocea, depth, and geographic location were among the most important factors structuring microbial assemblages. Furthermore, microbial communities in the stations with the highest concentrations of potentially toxic elements (Fe, Pb, As, Zn, and Cd) were less stable than those in the non-contaminated stations. This finding suggests that bacteria colonizing heavily contaminated stations are specialists sensitive to change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigaciones Feministas is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To evaluate trends in respiratory care practices and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) among very preterm infants born in Spain between 2010 and 2019.Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study of data obtained from a national population-based database (SEN1500 network). Changes in respiratory care and BPD-free survival of infants with gestational age (GA) of 230-316 weeks and <1500 g were assessed over two 5-year periods. Temporal trends were examined by joinpoint and Poisson regression models and expressed as the annual per cent change and adjusted relative risk (RR) for the change per year.Results: A total of 17 952 infants were included. In the second period, infants were less frequently intubated in the delivery room and during neonatal intensive care unit stay. This corresponded with an increase in use of non-invasive ventilation techniques. There were no significant differences between the periods in BPD-free survival or survival without moderate-to-severe BPD. After adjusting for covariates, the RR for the change per year was significant for the following variables: never intubated (RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.04); intubation in the delivery room (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99); use of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (RR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.11); and BPD-free survival (only in the group with the lowest GA; RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99).Conclusion: Our findings reveal significant changes in respiratory care practices between 2009 and 2019. Despite an increase in use of non-invasive respiratory strategies, BPD-free survival did not improve and even worsened in the group with the lowest GA (230-256). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigaciones Feministas is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The critically endangered fan mussel Pinna nobilis, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, faces a drastic population decline all over the Mediterranean Sea owing to an infectious disease.Coastal lagoons represent one of this species' last reservoirs; thus, knowledge of the population conservation status in these ecosystems is essential.An extensive monitoring programme was conducted during 2014, 2017 and 2019 in the Mar Menor lagoon, a highly eutrophicated lagoon from Spain. On average, 32,535 m2 have been surveyed each year to determine population densities, distributions and size structures.The cumulative impacts produced by intensive agriculture activity around the lagoon, together with a catastrophic meteorological phenomenon that occurred in 2019, have triggered a significant decline in fan mussel population densities and in population mean shell sizes over the years. Additionally, some fan mussels were infected by the protozoan Haplosporidium pinnae.Therefore, the current P. nobilis population from the Mar Menor is mainly composed of young individuals in specific areas that are facing an extreme situation. Urgent management and conservation actions focused on restoring the ecosystem and protecting P. nobilis individuals are urgently needed, together with reinforcement projects to increase the species' stock in one of its last reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Iberian Algyroides (Algyroides marchi) is a lacertid lizard with one of the narrowest distribution ranges in continental Europe, restricted to a minute area in the Subbaetic mountains in SE Spain. Due to specific habitat requirements, this species is considered threatened by climate change and habitat degradation. Here, an improved and time-calibrated multilocus phylogenetic analysis, combining two mitochondrial, three nuclear markers as well as a battery of 12 microsatellite loci, was performed. Moreover, ancestral changes in effective population size were determined under Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) analysis. In parallel, past, present and future habitat suitability was inferred using Ecological Niche Models (ENMs). The diversification of A. marchi in the Iberian Peninsula began during the Upper-Pleistocene around 0.10 Mya. However, during the Last Interglacial the species had much larger suitable habitats along NE Iberia and/or the Cantabrian region. Indeed, ABC analysis indicates that not the Last Interglacial, but instead the Last Glacial Maximum led to a population bottleneck followed by a recovery/expansion. The footprint of this complex evolutionary history is reflected today in six monophyletic lineages, with little genetic differentiation and geographic coherency. This pattern most likely arises from the climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene, leading to a complete range shift and secondary contact, with very divergent haplogroups in sympatry and exchanging genes. Finally, the ENMs predict a considerable future retraction and shift in the area suitable for the species, which should be taken into account for conservation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to evaluate the diversity in reptile communities in wetland landscapes located in the Mediterranean region. For this, the status of the reptile populations linked to different Mediterranean wetlands in relation to the different types of land use established in the nearby drainage basins (500 m around the wetlands perimeter) was determined. The different types of land use were determined together with the presence/absence, abundance and size class of the different reptile species. The results showed that areas with high anthropic pressure had a lower diversity of species, as well as a less balanced community structure, that could put at risk the effective recruitment and hence the maintenance of the reptile populations in these areas. The reasons behind the decline in the reptile community are similar to those put forward for explaining the decline in amphibians in the same area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean endemic seagrass Posidonia oceanica is generally regarded as a stenohaline species, highly sensitive to salinity increments; however, in a few particular cases, natural populations can grow under salinity levels above its normal threshold of tolerance. One such case is a population of P. oceanica in the southeastern coastal region of Spain, which is able to survive under the fluctuating influence of hypersaline waters coming from an adjacent coastal lagoon (Mar Menor). The present work examines the physiological mechanisms underlying the species' ability to overcome this hypersaline stress and persist in the long term. To this end, the physiological, morphological, and population statuses of plants from the site of influence were compared to those from a reference site where plants grew under normal conditions. P. oceanica leaves from the influenced sites showed more negative water potentials than those from the reference sites as a response to maintain a positive water balance under hypersaline conditions. However, these lower water potentials were not explained by the accumulation of intracellular solutes since their osmotic potential were similar to reference leaves and their ionic content generally lower. In addition, these leaves also accumulated higher concentrations of proline and soluble sugars but these organic osmolytes are more likely acting as osmo-protectants, rather than as osmoticums. These responses indicated that plants growing at the influenced site have developed physiological strategies to maintain lower ion concentration in their leaf tissues in order to avoid the alteration of ion homeostasis (i.e., ionic ratios), which can be toxic for plant metabolism. Photosynthesis and photochemistry were not adversely affected in leaves exposed to hypersalinity; in fact, these processes showed a tendency to become enhanced, possibly to support the assimilation of anthropogenic nitrogen coming from the lagoon waters. At the individual and population levels, P. oceanica plants growing under the influence of hypersaline waters exhibited a marked reduction in shoot size compared to those at the reference site, while shoot density and population growth rates were similar to those of the reference site and remained stable over time. This shoot size reduction involves a lower demand of metabolic resources necessary to maintain vegetative structures, which is mainly required for metabolic adjustments at the physiological level. We propose that this morphological adaptation serves as a stress-coping mechanism, helping the species to inhabit this unfavorable environment, as has been widely described for terrestrial plants subjected to long-term environmental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing penetration of distributed energy resources (DER) is pushing to increase the coordination between the transmission system operator (TSO) and the distribution system operator (DSO) to improve the power systems efficiency for active distribution network (DN) scenarios. In this context, the European CoordiNet project seeks to develop tools to measure the potential benefit of efficient TSO–DSO coordination in Greece, Spain, and Sweden networks, considering demand response, storage systems, and small-scale generation. This article presents the TSO–DSO coordination framework for the Spanish demonstration through developing a DSO platform that manages the services provided by the DERs, maintaining the congestion and voltage level in the operational ranges for the day-ahead and intraday markets. Thus, a deterministic mixed-integer non-linear model, based on the AC-OPF, is introduced for congestion management in two Spanish DNs (MV and MV/LV). The operational model constraints and the MV and MV/LV networks have been validated using the power system modeling software PandaPower. The results show that the DSO platform developed under the CoordiNet project guidelines allows for managing congestion and voltage issues at the distribution level through the flexibility provided by the DERs. • A DSO platform framework for the CoordiNet project Spanish demonstration is presented. • A mixed-integer optimization model is introduced to manage flexibility services. • Congestion and voltage issues are managed through a flexibility market framework. • The model is tested in two real Spanish distribution networks with DERs presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Advances in perinatal care can influence morbidity and mortality in newborns at the limit of viability. Knowledge of these changes over time may help improve clinical decision making, optimize resource allocation and increase quality of care. Objectives: To evaluate the influence on morbidity and mortality of changes introduced in the perinatal care of preterm infants (22-26 weeks' gestational age, GA) in Spain between two consecutive periods (2002-2006 and 2007-2011). Methods: An analysis of prospectively collected data in a national database network (SEN1500) was performed. All live newborn infants of 22-26 weeks' GA born in or transferred to referral centers of the SEN1500 network in the first 28 days of life were included. Perinatal interventions, clinical management, neonatal morbidity, and survival until hospital discharge were retrieved. Results: A total of 5,470 newborns were included (2,533 and 2,937 in each period, respectively). The major changes introduced during the second period were as follows: (1) lower proportion of extramural births (11.0 vs. 8.9%, p = 0.01), (2) increase in antenatal steroids (69.5 vs. 80.8%, p < 0.001), (3) delivery by C-section (41.8 vs. 48.3%, p < 0.001) and (4) use of CPAP during resuscitation (7.8 vs. 20.7%, p < 0.001). Death in the delivery room decreased from 5.1 to 3.2% (p < 0.001). Survival increased from 49.9 to 57.9% (p < 0.001), and survival without major morbidity increased from 18.1 to 21.2% (p = 0.006). Conclusions: During the second period, a greater attachment to practices proven to have a beneficial impact on survival and reduction of morbidity in the extremely preterm infant was noted, and survival and survival without major morbidity increased. A more conservative approach was detected for newborns of 22 weeks' GA. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Toxicología is the property of Asociacion Espanola de Toxicologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

According to different studies, speed reduction is considered one of the major factors in contributing road safety. For that reason, several guidelines have been recommended for maximum desirable speed reductions from tangents to horizontal curves and for maximum differentials between design and operating speeds on horizontal curves. The Interactive Highway Safety Design Model (IHSDM) Design Consistency Module presents an analysis of the relationship between speed reduction and crashes for horizontal curves on U.S. two-lane rural highways. This paper presents the relationship between speed reduction and crashes for horizontal curves on Spanish two-lane rural roads. A model for using regression analysis to predict crashes is presented. Exposure, curve length (CL), and difference in 85th-percentile speeds () between successive tangents and horizontal curves, as well as between successive curves, are used. The model's coefficients were different from the ones obtained for U.S. highways, although the values of the goodness-of-fit criteria were similar. In addition, the relationship between crashes and different speeds is analyzed, taking the difference in speed as a speed differential not exceeded by 85% of the drivers traveling under free-flow conditions (), instead of considering it as . The two models ( versus ) give very similar results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To analyze the diagnostic validity of accommodative and binocular tests in a sample of patients with a large near exophoria with moderate to severe symptoms. Methods. Two groups of patients between 19 and 35 years were recruited from a university clinic: 33 subjects with large exophoria at near vision and moderate or high visual discomfort and 33 patients with normal heterophoria and low visual discomfort. Visual discomfort was defined using the Conlon survey. A refractive exam and an exhaustive evaluation of accommodation and vergence were assessed. Diagnostic validity by means of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp), and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+, LR-) were assessed. This analysis was also carried out considering multiple tests as serial testing strategy. Results. ROC analysis showed the best diagnostic accuracy for receded near point of convergence (NPC) recovery (area = 0.929) and binocular accommodative facility (BAF) (area = 0.886). Using the cut-offs obtained with ROC analysis, the best diagnostic validity was obtained for the combination of NPC recovery and BAF (S = 0.77, Sp = 1, LR+ = value tending to infinity, LR- = 0.23) and the combination of NPC break and recovery with BAF (S = 0.73, Sp = 1, LR+ = tending to infinity, LR- = 0.27). Conclusions. NPC and BAF tests were the tests with the best diagnostic accuracy for subjects with large near exophoria and moderate to severe symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the main findings of a study on the portrayal of occupational roles in fiction series broadcast by the general nationwide channels during the 2009/2010 season in Spain. Fiction is one of the most highly appreciated genres amongst audiences, thus the study of fiction characters allows us to identify the models and roles portrayed and transmitted by television. The gender- related variable shows that the representation of male and female occupational roles in television fiction remains unequal, although there has been some improvement in relation to previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attachment of microorganisms to electrodes is of great interest for electricity generation in microbial fuel cells (MFC) or other applications in bioelectrochemical systems (BES). In this work, a microcosm of the acidic ecosystem of Río Tinto was built and graphite electrodes were introduced at different points. This allowed the study of electricity genera- tion in the sediment/water interface and the involvement of acidophilic microorganisms as biocatalysts of the anodic and cathodic reactions in a fuel-cell configuration. Current densities and power outputs of up to 3.5 A/m² and 0.3 W/m², respectively, were measured at pH 3. Microbial analyses of the electrode surfaces showed that Acidiphilium spp., which uses organic compounds as electron donors, were the predominant biocatalysts of the anodic reactions, whereas the aerobic iron oxidizers Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum spp. were detected mainly on the cathode surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which aims to investigate the spread of green alga Caulerpa racemosa on the Mediterranean coast of Murcia, Spain. To understand its spreading dynamics, 42 sampling stations have been selected along the Murcia coastline based and studied from 2005 to 2007. To determine biometric valuables, samples from most invaded stations were processed in the laboratory to gather information such as frond height and total biomass. It is also reported that most stations colonised by the alga are deep and rocky.

The article discusses findings of a study which examined the consequences of the use of plant cover in rainfed vineyards at Campo Real, Madrid, Spain. The treatments used to evaluate erosion control, soil characteristics and vineyard production included traditional tillage as the control group, soil covered by Brachypodium distachyon and soil covered by Secale cereale. The study area was characterized with a semi-arid Mediterranean climate with hot and occasionally stormy summers and cold winters.

During surveys for Phytophthora ramorum in garden centres in Majorca, Spain, 31 isolates of Phytophthora were recovered from potted strawberry trees ( Arbutus unedo) showing leaf and twig blights. Many isolates of Phytophthora syringae and Phytophthora citrophthora as well as single isolates of P. ramorum, Phytophthora tropicalis and Phytophthora nicotianae were identified on morphological features and on the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions from ribosomal DNA genes. Phytophthora syringae was collected most frequently in late autumn and winter, whereas P. citrophthora was dominant during late summer and autumn. In vitro pathogenicity of P. syringae and P. citrophthora was compared with that of P. ramorum by inoculating intact detached leaves of A. unedo with zoospores and twigs with mycelial plugs. In addition, in vitro sporangial production was examined on inoculated excised leaves and on agar plugs at 12, 15 and 20°C. Phytophthora citrophthora produced the largest lesions both on leaves and on twigs at all temperatures. Phytophthora ramorum formed lesions comparable in size to those of P. syringae, but it significantly produced more sporangia on excised leaves and agar plugs. In a log inoculation assay, P. syringae caused large lesions in the inner bark, whereas those of P. ramorum were moderate. Strawberry tree blight has not yet been observed in natural ecosystems in the western Mediterranean areas. Possible biological and environmental limitations hindering disease spread in the wild are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bovine respiratory disease is a common health and economic problem that mainly affects calves raised in feedlots. Several viruses and bacteria may be involved, but Mycoplasma bovis can cause disease chronification and poor response to antimicrobial treatment. This study investigated the role of Mycoplasma bovis in cases of clinical respiratory disease unresponsive to treatment that affected feedlot calves in southeast Spain, and tested the in vitro susceptibility of a selection of isolates to the specific set of antimicrobials used for therapy in vivo. Mycoplasma bovis was found in 86.9% (20/23) of the calves, predominantly in the lungs (78.26%; 18/23) where it was involved in pulmonary lesions. Furthermore, the selected isolates were found to be resistant in vitro to most of the antimicrobials specifically used for treating the animals in vivo. These results highlight the implication of Mycoplasma bovis in the bovine respiratory disease affecting feedlot calves in Spain. Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is an important viral and/or bacterial disease that mainly affects feedlot calves. The involvement of Mycoplasma bovis in BRD can lead to chronic pneumonia poorly responsive to antimicrobial treatment. Caseonecrotic bronchopneumonia is a pulmonary lesion typically associated with M. bovis. In Spain, M. bovis is widely distributed in the feedlots and circulating isolates are resistant to most antimicrobials in vitro. However, the role of this species in clinical respiratory disease of feedlot calves remains unknown. Furthermore, available data are relative to a fixed panel of antimicrobials commonly used to treat BRD, but not to the specific set of antimicrobials that have been used for treating each animal. This study examined 23 feedlot calves raised in southeast Spain (2016–2019) with clinical signs of respiratory disease unresponsive to treatment. The presence of M. bovis was investigated through bacteriology (culture and subsequent PCR), histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The pathogen was found in 86.9% (20/23) of the calves, mainly in the lungs (78.26%; 18/23). Immunohistochemistry revealed M. bovis antigens in 73.9% (17/23) of the calves in which caseonecrotic bronchopneumonia was the most frequent lesion (16/17). Minimum inhibitory concentration assays confirmed the resistance of a selection of 12 isolates to most of the antimicrobials specifically used for treating the animals in vivo. These results stress the importance of M. bovis in the BRD affecting feedlot calves in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]