Different Geographical Areas Of Spain Research Articles

Clinical implementation of a multiplex PCR detection method for HPV causing plantar warts and genotype distribution in different geographical areas of Spain

Human papillomavirus is the ethological agent of various tumors, including plantar warts as one of the most frequent clinical presentations. Diagnosis of these warts continues to be mainly clinical, and a significant incidence of misdiagnosis leads to inadequate treatment. The aim of this study is to implement and validate a multiplex PCR detection method in the clinical setting to detect HPV in samples and to study genotype distribution in Spain to improve future molecular diagnostics. Viral DNA was extracted from 128 samples of clinically suspected plantar warts from various locations in Spain. A multiplex PCR was run alongside internal controls, and amplicons were processed for sequencing and HPV genotyping. The method was validated by assessing both inter- and intra-run repeatability. The PCR detection method returned 81.2 % (n = 104) positive results in the samples tested. Inter- and intra-run repeatability tests showed excellent intra-run agreement (κ = 1.00, p < 0.001) and good inter-run agreement (κ = 0.737, p < 0.001). The most frequent HPV type was HPV1, followed by HPV27, showing a statistical difference between the distribution of HPV genotypes in different areas of Spain. Clinical implementation of a DNA PCR detection method for plantar warts can avoid 18.8 % of unnecessary treatments in doubtful cases, and the method is reliable and validated for the purpose. HPV types show an asymmetric geographical distribution that should be considered for diagnosis and treatment.

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in household domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) in Spain, 2019–2023

SARS-CoV-2 is the causal agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans that emerged in late 2019. This virus is able to infect humans and different animal species. Among pets, cats and ferrets are more susceptible to be infected by the SARS-CoV-2. Epidemiological studies are an important tool to provide information under natural conditions of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 virus. In comparison to cats, limited epidemiological studies have been performed in domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) reporting the presence of antibodies in this species. This study analysed the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 432 cliend-owned ferrets from different geographical areas of Spain during the different waves of COVID-19 outbreaks from December 2019 to May 2023 (42 months). For this purpose, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent method (ELISA) using the receptor binding domain (RBD) of Spike antigen and confirmed by serum virus neutralization assay. Eighteen of the 432 ferrets included were seroreactive by the in-house ELISA (4.17%, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.65–6.49). In this sense, the wave of COVID-19 with the higher number of seropositive ferrets occurred during the seventh wave when the different Omicron subvariants were the dominant virus variants. Our results suggest that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in domestic ferrets in natural conditions is low. Further research is need to evaluate the potential risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from human to pets.

Use of polyphenolic fingerprints established by comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography for the classification of honeys according to their floral origin

In this work, the polyphenolic composition of honeys from three different floral origins (chestnut, heather, and thyme), coming from different geographical areas of Spain was investigated. First, samples were characterized in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity, which was established by three different assays. The results revealed that the studied honeys presented similar TPCs and antioxidant capacities, with a wide variability within each floral origin. Next, a comprehensive two-dimensional liquid chromatography method was developed for the first time to establish polyphenol fingerprints of the three types of honeys, after optimizing the separation in terms of column combination and mobile phase gradient programs. After that, the detected common peaks were used for the construction of a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) model able to discriminate honeys according to their floral origin. The LDA model obtained was adequate for the classification of the floral origin of the honeys based on polyphenolic fingerprint data.

Geographical and Temporal Variability of Ultra-Processed Food Consumption in the Spanish Population: Findings from the DRECE Study.

The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased in recent decades, worldwide. Evidence on the negative impacts of food processing on health outcomes has also been steadily increasing. The aim of this study is to describe changes in consumption patterns of ultra-processed foods in the Spanish population over time and their geographical variability. Data from four representative cohorts of the Spanish population were used (1991–1996–2004–2008). Dietary information was collected using a validated frequency questionnaire and categorized using the NOVA classification. A total increase of 10.8% in UPF consumption between 1991 and 2008 was found in Spain (p-value < 0.001). The products contributing most to UPF consumption were sugar-sweetened beverages, processed meats, dairy products, and sweets. Those who consumed more ultra-processed foods were younger (p-value < 0.001) and female (p-value = 0.01). Significant differences between the different geographical areas of Spain were found. The eastern part of Spain was the area with the lowest UPF consumption, whereas the north-western part was the area with the highest increase in UPF consumption. Given the negative effect that the consumption of ultra-processed foods has on health, it is necessary to implement public health policies to curb this increase in UPF consumption.

Volatile and Non-Volatile Characterization of White and Rosé Wines from Different Spanish Protected Designations of Origin

The quality of wines has often been associated with their geographical area of production, as well as the grape variety used in their elaboration. Many research studies have been carried out to characterize and differentiate between red wines labeled with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) from different geographical areas, but very few have been carried out on white and rosé wines. The objective of this work was to characterize white and rosé PDO wines from different geographical areas of Spain very close to each other elaborated with different grape varieties and select the variables that most contribute to their differentiation. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used as statistical methods. The ethanol content was the nonvolatile variable that most contributed to differentiating between some of the white and rosé wines according to their PDO. The white wines from RD (Ribera del Duero) and BI (Bierzo) were characterized by a high terpenic content (floral notes) while the wines from RU (Rueda), TO (Toro) and CI (Cigales)by a high content of ethyl esters and alcohol acetates (fruity aromas). The rosé wines elaborated with the Mencía grape variety from BI were characterized by their highest polysaccharidic content, which could have a positive sensory effect on the mouthfeel. The rosé wines from CI were characterized by their volatile profile complexity, having the highest content of volatile compounds from the oak wood, terpenes and C6 alcohols which provide pleasant woody, floral and herbaceous aromas. On the contrary, the RD wines were richest in alcohol acetates responsible for fruity aromas.

IgE-Mediated Sensitization to Galactose-α-1,3- Galactose (α-Gal) in Urticaria and Anaphylaxis in Spain: Geographical Variations and Risk Factors.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of sIgE to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-gal) in individuals with acute urticaria or anaphylaxis from different geographical areas of Spain and to evaluate the relevance of demographics and lifestyle as risk factors for this immune response. Participants were recruited from allergy departments at 14 Spanish hospitals. Patients aged 18 years or older presenting with urticaria or anaphylaxis were enrolled into one of 2 arms: cases and controls. An interviewer-administered questionnaire collecting demographic data, lifestyle habits, and the presence of cofactors was obtained from each participant. sIgE to α-gal and total IgE were determined using ImmunoCAP. sIgE levels ≥0.35 kU/L were considered a positive result. The study population comprised 160 cases and 126 controls. The median age was 44 years. The overall prevalence of a positive result of sIgE to α-gal was 15.7%; this was higher in cases (26.3%) than in controls (2.4%). The sIgE anti-α-gal positivity rate ranged from 37.68% (rural) to 15.38% (semiurban), and 7.85% (urban). The rates of positivity were 46.32%, (Northern), 0.72% (Center), and 0% (Mediterranean). A positive result for sIgE to α-gal was associated with a history of tick bites, participation in outdoor activities, pet ownership, and ingestion of mammalian meats or innards before the onset of symptoms. Only alcohol consumption could be implicated as a cofactor. Sensitization to α-gal in patients with urticaria or anaphylaxis differs considerably between the 3 geographical areas studied and is related to tick bites.

Complexity in the Acceptance of Sustainable Search Engines on the Internet: An Analysis of Unobserved Heterogeneity with FIMIX-PLS

This paper analyses the complexity of user behaviour when facing the challenge of using sustainable applications, such as Internet search engines. This paper analyses an acceptance model using extended TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) with Trust as an added external variable. It was suggested that Trust indirectly influences the final Intention to Use with the perceptions of Utility and Ease of Use. To test the proposed model, a survey was carried out with users from different geographical areas of Spain (n=445). The second aim of this study was to understand the complexity of marketing segmentation by separating the application users into different user groups. Users were grouped by their preference of favorite Internet search engine. Unobserved heterogeneity was studied using FIMIX-PLS, and three different user behaviours with search engines were identified. These corresponded to the number of inhabitants who live in the user area. In this way, the impact that the environment has on user choice, acceptance, and use of this type of sustainable applications was shown. The results were checked using PLS-SEM and showed that the model for the adoption of sustainable search engines is explanatory and predictive because confidence and acceptance for this TAM were validated. The conclusions are interesting for developers of environmentally sustainable and responsible applications which want to coincide with current trends to ensure that users prefer them.

Infection Rates of Wolbachia sp. and Bartonella sp. in Different Populations of Fleas.

In the present study, a molecular detection of Bartonella sp. and Wolbachia sp. in Ctenocephalides felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) isolated from Canis lupus familiaris from different geographical areas of Spain, Iran and South Africa, and in Stenoponia tripectinata tripectinata isolated from Mus musculus from the Canary Islands has been carried out by amplification of the 16S ribosomal RNA partial gene of Wolbachia sp. and intergenic spacer region (its region) of Bartonella sp. A total of 70% of C. felis analysed were infected by W. pipientis. This percentage of prevalence was considerably higher in female fleas than in male fleas. Bartonella DNA was not detected in C. felis from dogs, while Bartonella elizabethae was detected and identified in S. t. tripectinata from M. musculus from the Canary Islands representing 43.75% prevalence. This report is the first to identify B. elizabethae in S. t. tripectinata collected in M. musculus from the Canary Islands. Thus, our results demonstrate that this flea is a potential vector of B. elizabethae and might play roles in human infection. The zoonotic character of this bartonellosis emphasizes the need to alert public health authorities and the veterinary community of the risk of infection.

Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers: Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation in Spain

Early detection and treatment have been shown to be effective in reducing disability severity caused by Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). As Spanish pediatricians have no detection tool, the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was first translated into and culturally adapted to Spanish. Validity and reliability studies were carried out in two different geographical areas of Spain, where M-CHAT was administered to two different samples, namely: 2,480 high- and low-risk children; and 2,055 low-risk children. The results obtained were similar to those yielded by the original M-CHAT studies. Differences were found in positive predictive value, due to the low ASD frequency observed in this study. M-CHAT is still being studied in a large population-based screening program in Spain.

The Spanish Environment and Childhood Research Network (INMA study)

Prenatal and early life exposure to environmental agents, including dietary exposure, is associated with child health and human development and predisposes to late adult effects. Children are more vulnerable than adults to chemical, physical and biological hazards in air, water and soil, because they are still growing and their immune system and detoxification mechanisms are not fully developed. The physical, social and intellectual development of children from conception to the end of adolescence requires a protected environment that is also protective of their health. Following WHO and European Union recommendations, the Cooperative Environment and Childhood Research Network was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Health to study effects of environment and diet on foetal and early childhood development in different geographical areas of Spain. This network integrates different multidisciplinary research groups and is comprised of six cohorts – three pre-existing and three de novo – which will prospectively follow up 3600 pregnant women from start of pregnancy until the children are 4–6-year old.

Human herpesvirus-8 infection and Kaposi's sarcoma after liver and kidney transplantation in different geographical areas of Spain

Since data on human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection in Spain is not available, our purpose was to determine the prevalence of HHV-8 infection and the risk of developing Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) among organ transplant recipients in different geographical areas of Spain. The study population consisted of 1019 liver and kidney transplant recipients recruited in four transplant units in Spain. Only post-transplant serum samples were available for all participants. IgG anti-HHV-8 latent and lytic antigens were detected by using an indirect immunofluorescence assay as well as enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays. In available samples, HHV-8 DNA genome was detected by using a nested polymerase chain reaction in sera, blood mononuclear cells and KS tissues. The prevalence of HHV-8 infection after transplantation was calculated. To determine risk factors for infection, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated. Of the 788 kidney transplants, 5 (0.6%) were HHV-8-positive shortly after transplantation. Of the 231 liver transplant individuals, 8 (3.4%) developed IgG anti-HHV-8 antibodies after transplantation. Thus, incidence of HHV-8 infection is significantly higher among liver transplant recipients in comparison with that in the control population (OR = 6, 95% CI = 1.2–28.5, p < 0.05). In this series, HHV-8 prevalence in liver transplant recipients was higher in the northern (6.6–6.9%) than in the central (2.9%) or the southeastern (1.4%) areas of Spain. Four renal transplant recipients (0.5%) and five of the liver transplant recipients (2.16%) developed KS after transplantation. Time of KS diagnosis after transplant is significantly higher in kidney transplant patients (33.7 months) than in liver transplant recipients (10.4 months), indicating that the latter have a higher risk of developing KS.

La red de investigación "infancia y medio ambiente"(Red INMA): Protocolo de estudio

Increasingly greater evidence exists as to the influence which diet and exposure to low doses of toxic substances during the prenatal stage and early childhood has on health and well-being throughout later stages of life. Following the WHO and European Union recommendations in 2003, the Cooperative Environment and Childhood Research Network was set up to study the effects of the environment and diet on fetal and early childhood development in different geographical areas of Spain. This Network integrates different multidisciplinary research groups and is comprised of six cohorts--three pre-existing and three de novo--which will follow up prospectively 3,600 pregnant women, from the start of pregnancy up to age 4-6 years of the child. This network's general objectives are: (1) To describe individual exposure to toxic substances in the environment during gestation and early childhood. (2) To evaluate the effects of exposure to toxic substances and diet on fetal and early childhood development. (3) To evaluate the interaction among toxic, nutritional and genetic factors in fetal and early childhood development. The follow-up is done every three months during gestation, at birth, at age one and up to age four or six. The information is gathered by means of questionnaires, clinical data, physical examinations, echographs, biomarkers and environmental measurements. The general characteristics of the network and a description of the current situation of each one of the cohorts are provided in this study.

In vitro susceptibility of Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes to GM 237354 derivative of the sordarin class.

In vitro susceptibility to the sordarin derivative GM 237354 and amphotericin B were tested in a total of 190 Cryptococcus neoformans clinical isolates from different geographical areas of Spain and South American countries. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were obtained using the NCCLS reference microbroth dilution method and analysed according the serotypes of Cr. neoformans. The MICs for amphotericin B were lower than 1.0 microg ml(-1) (MIC90% 0.5 microg ml(-1) , MIC50% 0.125 microg ml(-1)) but five isolates showed MICs of 2.0 microg ml(-1) to GM 237354 (MIC90% 1.0 microg ml(-1), MIC50% 0.5 microg ml(-1)). Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii serotype B, was significantly less susceptible than A and AD serotypes (P = 0.047 and P = 0.022, respectively).

Resistance to bacterial blight (Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi) in Spanish pea (Pisum sativum) landraces

Pea bacterial blight (Pseudomonas syringae pv. pisi) has long been known to be present in pea growing areas of Spain and to cause serious crop losses, although there is no published record of its occurrence. A collection of 16 isolates from a winter pea trial in Valladolid in 1991 which were shown in this study to be P.s. pv. pisi races 4 and 6 would appear to be the first published record of the disease in Spain. This occurrence of races 4 and 6 is the same as reported for winter-sown peas in the South of France. Ten Pisum sativum landraces from different geographical areas of Spain and considered to be representative of the traditional pea crop, were tested for resistance to seven races of P.s. pv. pisi. Seedlings of each landrace were stem inoculated with the type strain of each race in a glasshouse. Resistance exhibited by the different landraces mainly conformed to those previously described in pea cultivars indicating various combinations of the main resistance genes: R3, R2+4, R3+4 and R2+3+4. R3 was the most frequent R gene, being present in all landraces. R4 was present in four and R2 in three of the landraces tested. Variation for resistance within landraces was limited except for landrace accessions ZP-0102, ZP-0109 and ZP-0137 which also showed variation for morphological traits. The resistance responses of landrace ZP-0109 were difficult to interpret, but suggested a genetic mixture with some evidence of less well documented R genes, R5 and/or R6, and possibly some unknown resistance to race 6.

Antigenic characterization of bovine viral diarrhoea virus isolates from Spain with a panel of monoclonal antibodies.

A group of 47 bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) strains isolated from a variety of bovine tissues from eight different geographical areas of Spain and two BVDV strains isolated from a cell line were characterized antigenically with a panel of 23 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The mAbs were directed at one of three viral proteins: E2, Erns and NS2-3. A peroxidase-linked assay was used to test the mAbs for reactivity against infected cell monolayers. The data were analysed by two computational methods: the Antigenic Distance Program (MAP) and the Phylogeny Inference Package (PHYLIP), and compared with those obtained previously using the same mAbs with other pestiviruses, including reference strains and UK field isolates. All the Spanish field strains studied appeared to be broadly similar to reference strains of BVDV and were included in the subgroup of classical BVDV, meanwhile the two strains isolated from a cell line were included in the subgroup of atypical pestiviruses.

Fusarin C Production by Fusarium spp. from Spain

From 657 samples of grains and feedstuffs (1991 to 1992 and 1992 to 1993 surveys), collected in two different geographical areas of Spain, 154 isolates of Fusarium spp. were obtained. The isolates were screened for their ability to produce fusarin C in a modified 10% ICI N synthetic liquid medium. The production of fusarin C was verified by means of spectrophotometry, thin layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Results showed that more than 57% of tested isolates were able to produce fusarin C at levels of 0.04 to 200 μg/liter of ICI medium. There were no statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between levels of fusarin C production and the geographical origin of the Fusarium isolates. The Fusarium isolates that produced fusarin C were identified as F. moniliforme, F. oxysporum, F. sporotrichioides, and F. poae. This is the first report of fusarin C production by F. oxysporum.

Bacillus salexigens sp. nov., a new moderately halophilic Bacillus species.

Bacillus salexigens sp. nov. is proposed based on the characteristics of six moderately halophilic, grampositive, rod-shaped strains isolated from salterns and hypersaline soils located in different geographical areas of Spain. These strains were motile, formed endospores, were strictly aerobic, were catalase and oxidase positive, and contained peptidoglycan of the meso-diamlnopimelic acid type in their vegetative cell walls. The DNA base compositions of these strains ranged from 36.3 to 39.5 mol%, and these organisms constitute a homology group with levels of DNA-DNA homology ranging from 73 to 100%. The 16S rRNA sequence of strain C-20MoT, which was used as the representative strain of these isolates, groups with the 16S rRNA sequences of members of the genus Bacillus, and the highest level of similarity is 95.4%. The type strain is strain C-20Mo (= ATCC 700290 = DSM 11483 = CCM 4646).

Lead, cadmium and mercury contents in average Spanish market basket diets from Galicia, Valencia, Andalucía and Madrid.

This study was undertaken in order to monitor the intake of lead, cadmium and mercury in different geographical areas of Spain. The intakes of four populations were estimated from their habitual diets and compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) or the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) to estimate the health risk of toxicity. Representative market basket diets from four areas, Galicia, Valencia, Andalucía and Madrid, were collected and their contents of cadmium, lead and mercury determined. The number of different foodstuffs used in each area (64, 67, 71 and 73) was based on the number of foods providing 95% of the total energy intake. Data on the contribution of food groups to the total daily intake of heavy metals were also obtained. The daily amounts of lead in the diets were between 37 and 521 micrograms/day, the Madrid population having the highest average intake of this metal and exceeding the PTWI, because of the vegetables and cereals consumed. The average total dietary cadmium intakes--provided mainly by fish including crustacea and molluscs--were about 25-45% of the PTWI. The intake of mercury, which is mainly provided by the fish group (66-90%), was about 9-17% of the PTWI.

Taxonomic Study of Non-alkaliphilic Halococci

SUMMARY: Ninety-six extremely halophilic, non-alkaliphilic cocci were isolated from several salterns in different geographical areas of Spain. These strains, together with seven reference strains of the genus Halococcus, were characterized by means of 114 phenotypic features, the results being analysed by numerical techniques using the simple matching (SSM ) coefficient and the unweighted pair group clustering (UPGMA) algorithm. At the 70% similarity level, four phenons were obtained. Phenon A contained 87 strains, including all the reference strains, and was considered to comprise members of the only named species of the genus Halococcus, H. morrhuae. Phenons B and C, which included five and seven strains respectively, showed greater metabolic versatility than phenon A. The four strains belonging to phenon D were significantly different from the other phenons in that they produced acid from glucose and were able to use most of the organic compounds tested. The results indicate that there is phenotypic diversity among the members of the genus Halococcus and that phenon D may constitute a new taxon.