Geographical Areas Of Spain Research Articles

Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack Incidence Rate in Spain: The IBERICTUS Study

Background: In Spain, stroke is a major public health concern, but large population-based studies are scarce and date from the 1990s. We estimated the incidence and in-hospital mortality of stroke through a multicentered population-based stroke register in 5 geographical areas of Spain, i.e. Lugo, Almería, Segovia, Talavera de la Reina and Mallorca, representing north, south, central (×2) and Mediterranean areas of Spain, respectively, the aim and novelty being that all methodologies were standardized, and diagnoses were verified by a neurologist using neuroimaging techniques. Methods: The register identified subjects >17 years of age who suffered a first-ever stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) between 1 January and 31 December 2006. Stroke and TIA were defined according to the WHO criteria. The Lausanne Stroke Registry definitions were used to classify ischemic stroke subtypes, as follows: (1) large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA); (2) cardioembolism (CE); (3) lacunar stroke or small-artery occlusion (SAO); (4) stroke of other infrequent cause (SIC), and (5) stroke of undetermined cause (UND). We used several complementary data sources such as hospital discharge registers, emergency room registers and primary care surveillance systems. Results: In the 1-year study period, we identified 2,700 first-ever cerebrovascular episodes (53% men; 2,257 strokes + 443 TIA episodes). Brain CT in the acute stage was performed in 99% of cases. Of a total of 2,257 stroke patients, 1,817 (81%) had cerebral infarction, 350 (16%) had intracerebral hemorrhage, 59 (3%) had subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and 31 (1%) had unclassifiable stroke. The overall unadjusted annual incidence for all cerebrovascular events was 187 per 100,000 [95% confidence interval (CI) 180–194; incidence for men: 202, 95% CI 189–210; incidence for women: 187, 95% CI 180–194]. The subtype of ischemic stroke could be determined in 1,779 patients and was classified as LAA in 624 (35%), CE in 352 (20%), SAO in 316 (18%), SIC in 56 (3%) and UND in 431 (24%). The incidence rates per 100,000 (95% CI) standardized to the 2006 European population were as follows: all cerebrovascular events, 176 (169–182); all stroke (non-TIA), 147 (140–153); TIA, 29 (26–32); ischemic stroke, 118 (112–123); intracerebral hemorrhage, 23 (21–26), and SAH, 4.2 (3.1–5.2). Incidence rates clearly increased with age in both genders, with a peak at or above 85 years of age. The in-hospital mortality was 14%. Conclusions: Our results show that the incidence of stroke and TIA in Spain is moderate compared to other Western and European countries. However, it is expected that these figures will change due to progressively aging populations.

Pedagogical practices in the teaching of early literacy in Spain: voices from the classroom and from the official curricula

Children’s success in learning to read in the first grade is crucial for their ultimate success in schooling. This study aimed at identifying self‐declared practices in preschool and first grade in Spain and contrasting these practices with the official recommendations for the initial teaching of reading and writing. A characterisation of the ways of teaching and of the broader institutional context which can support or hinder teachers’ work is fundamental for determining the best conditions for successful literacy learning. A 30‐item questionnaire was used to collect teachers’ preferences on a six‐point Likert scale describing the frequency with which they reported adopting a certain practice in four areas: (1) organisation of the class, (2) planning, (3) activities and content, and (4) evaluation. A total of 2250 teachers, 1193 from preschool and 1057 from first year of primary school from nine geographic areas of Spain responded to the questionnaire. A cluster analysis of teachers’ responses revealed three practice profiles. The first gathers teachers’ preferences for explicit instructional practices, highly focused on the learning outcomes but less concerned with autonomous writing and occasional learning. The second brings together situational practices, more concerned with spontaneous writing and occasional learning than with explicit instruction and learning outcomes. The third reunites multidimensional practices focusing both on explicit instruction and leaning outcomes and on autonomous writing. The distribution of these practice profiles differed significantly with the teacher’s age, school level (preschool or primary school), type of school (private, public or subsidised), the location of the school, level of participation in in‐training service and the self‐declared methodology for teaching literacy. In the official recommendations, Andalusia and Catalonia support practices included under the situational oriented profile whereas Madrid appears more closely aligned with the instructional profile of practices

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.

Nonparametric analysis of the time structure of seismicity in a geographic region

As an alternative to traditional parametric approaches, we suggest nonparametric methods for analyzing temporal data on earthquake occurrences. In particular, the kernel method for estimating the hazard function and the intensity function are presented. One novelty of our approaches is that we take into account the possible dependence of the data to estimate the distribution of time intervals between earthquakes, which has not been considered in most statistics studies on seismicity. Kernel estimation of hazard function has been used to study the occurrence process of cluster centers (main shocks). Kernel intensity estimation, on the other hand, has helped to describe the occurrence process of cluster members (aftershocks). Similar studies in two geographic areas of Spain (Granada and Galicia) have been carried out to illustrate the estimation methods suggested.

Ten-year fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction incidence in elderly populations in Spain: the EPICARDIAN cohort study

BackgroundIn Spain, more than 85% of coronary heart disease deaths occur in adults older than 65 years. However, coronary heart disease incidence and mortality in the Spanish elderly have been poorly described. The aim of this study is to estimate the ten-year incidence and mortality rates of myocardial infarction in a population-based large cohort of Spanish elders.MethodsA population-based cohort of 3729 people older than 64 years old, free of previous myocardial infarction, was established in 1995 in three geographical areas of Spain. Any case of fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction was investigated until December 2004 using the "cold pursuit method", previously used and validated by the the WHO-MONICA project.ResultsMen showed a significantly (p < 0.001) higher cumulative incidence of myocardial infarction (7.2%; 95%CI: 5.94-8.54) than women (3.8%; 95%CI: 3.06-4.74). Although cumulative incidence increased with age (p < 0.05), gender-differences tended to narrow. Adjusted incidence rates were higher in men (957 per 100 000 person-years) than in women (546 per 100 000 person-years) (p < 0.001) and increased with age (p < 0.001). The increase was progressive in women but not in men. Adjusted mortality rates were also higher in men than in women (p < 0.001), being three times higher in the age group of ≥ 85 years old than in the age group of 65-74 years old (p < 0.001).ConclusionIncidence of fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction is high in the Spanish elderly population. Men show higher rates than women, but gender differences diminish with age.

Emergence of CTX-M-15-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae of multilocus sequence types 1, 11, 14, 17, 20, 35 and 36 as pathogens and colonizers in newborns and adults

To characterize the population structure and resistance mechanisms of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates that are highly resistant to third-generation cephalosporins, collected from five Spanish hospitals. A total of 162 K. pneumoniae isolates from five hospitals located in three geographical areas of Spain were characterized. The number of isolates from each hospital ranged from 3 to 82. The genetic relationship between isolates was established by PFGE and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). bla(ESBL) types and other antibiotic resistance genes were analysed by PCR and sequencing. Plasmids were classified according to their incompatibility group by a PCR-based replicon-typing scheme. All 162 isolates carried the bla(CTX-15) gene. Fifty-eight isolates (35.8%) caused clinical infections and 104 (64.2%) were colonizers. Sixty-nine (42.6%) isolates were collected from newborns and 93 (57.4%) from adults. Using PGFE, the 162 isolates were grouped into seven clusters that were further identified as members of the MLST types 1, 11, 14, 17, 20, 35 and 36. Two hospitals each had two different clones and the remaining three hospitals had a single CTX-M-15-producing K. pneumoniae clone. All clones carried different antibiotic resistance genes, including bla(OXA-1), aac(3)-IIa, aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrS1 and qnrB. In four of the seven (57.1%) clones the bla(CTX-M-15) gene was transferred by conjugation; in all cases plasmids of the incompatibility group IncF were identified by PCR. This study shows that multiresistant K. pneumoniae producing CTX-M-15 of MLST types 1, 11, 14, 17, 20, 35 and 36 are spreading as pathogens and colonizers among newborns and adult patients in Spain.

Escherichia coli producing SHV-type extended-spectrum -lactamase is a significant cause of community-acquired infection

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBLEC) is an increasingly significant cause of community-acquired infection worldwide. The epidemiological features of CTX-M- and SHV-producing ESBLEC causing community-acquired infections are compared. A multicentre cohort study including all community-acquired infections caused by ESBLEC in four geographical areas of Spain was carried out. ESBL characterization was by isoelectric focusing, PCR and sequencing. Demographics, previous healthcare contact, co-morbidity, use of antimicrobials, invasive procedures and type of infection were collected for all patients. Patients with CTX-M- and SHV-producing isolates were compared using logistic regression. One hundred and twenty-two cases (95% urinary tract infections) were included. ESBLs were characterized in 112 isolates; 77 isolates (69%) produced CTX-M, 36 (32%) produced SHV and 7 (6%) produced TEM enzymes (8 produced >1 ESBL). Patients with isolates producing CTX-M enzymes only (CTX-M group, n = 70) and SHV enzymes only (SHV group, n = 31) were compared. There were no differences in terms of underlying disease, previous healthcare contact, invasive procedures, antibiotic use or type of infection. Multivariate analysis including geographical area showed that a Charlson Index score of >2 (OR = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.2-12.6) was associated with SHV isolates, while age >60 (4.7; 1.7-12.5) was associated with CTX-M isolates. SHV-producing ESBLEC is a significant cause of community-acquired infection in Spain; the clinical epidemiology of such isolates seems very similar to that of CTX-M-producing E. coli.

Los complejos clonales de alto riesgo CC2 y CC9 están ampliamente representados en cepas hospitalarias de Enterococcus faecalis aisladas en España

Our previously described multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for Enterococcus faecalis has provided insight into the population structure and global epidemiology of this organism. Two high-risk complexes, CC2 and CC9, especially adapted to the hospital environment and widely distributed in Europe and America, were identified. The purpose of this study was to define the presence of CC2 and CC9 among E. faecalis strains isolated in Spain. A total of 81 E. faecalis isolates recovered from several sources and geographic areas of Spain were characterized using MLST. Because of their clinical and epidemiological interest, strains were included from each of the vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis hospital outbreaks described in Spain. Among the isolates, CC2 and CC9 were detected in the hospital setting. Included in these CC were the vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis isolates causing hospital outbreaks in La Coruña, Palma de Mallorca and Valencia, as well as vancomycin-susceptible hospital isolates. The Index of Association (Ia), which measures linkage disequilibrium between alleles, revealed an epidemic population structure on a background of high recombination rates. High-risk complexes (CC2 and CC9) particularly adapted to the hospital environment were detected in Spain. Evolution of these CC in different areas depended on the local gene pool. Future infection control policies should be orientated to detect high-risk CC with the aim of predicting potential trends toward acquisition of specific resistance, such as to vancomycin.

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.

Influencia de la climatología, según la clasificación de Koppën e índice de Lang, sobre la tasa bruta de mortalidad asociada al cáncer de próstata en el área geográfica de España.

ObjectiveTo evaluate if the climatic factors of temperature and rainfall influence mortality associated with prostate cancer for a period of five years. Material and methodsThe mortality trends associated with prostate cancer will be evaluated in the period ranging from 1st january 1998 to 31st december 2002, in the geographical area of Spain. The demographic and mortality data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and the climatologically data on temperature and rainfall were obtained from the National Meteorology Institute applying the values registered in 2002. Based on the meteorological data, the different provinces are classified in accordance with Koppën climate classification and climatic index of Lang that defines them from the mean annual and monthly temperature and rainfall data. Mortality rates will be expressed by 100.000 men year, applying for their study the Kruskall-Wallis test for “n” independent samples through the SPSS v12.0 Windows software. ResultsThree main climatic areas are obtained, one area with type B climate, which accounts for 13% of the total population, a Csa climate, and a Csb, accounting for 67 and 20% respectively. The mortality found is higher in the Csb type for prostate cancer (p= 0.007), as compared to the other two climatic areas. ConclusionsMortality associated with prostate cancer is significantly higher in the regions with a lower sun exposure. However, randomized prospective studies confirming these findings are warranted.

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).

High Incidence of Non-B and Recombinant HIV-1 Strains in Newly Diagnosed Patients in Galicia, Spain: Study of Genotypic Resistance

The objectives of this study are to describe the incidence of non-B and recombinant HIV-1 strains in newly diagnosed HIV-1 infections in Galicia, northwest of Spain, during a 2-year period (May 2000 to June 2002), and the frequency of resistance-associated mutations in reverse transcriptase (RT) and protease (PR) genes, analysing the polymorphisms more frequently detected in non-B and recombinant viruses. All newly diagnosed HIV-1-infected patients attending the nine public hospitals of the seven main cities of Galicia were included in this study. RT, PR and V3 regions from HIV-1 RNA plasma were amplified and sequenced, being the corrected sequences sent to the Stanford HIV RT and Protease Sequence Database. Nineteen of 85 patients (22.3%) were infected by non-B or recombinant viruses: three subtype C, two G, one F1, one Dpol/A1V3, five CRF02_AG, one CRF14_BG, five BGpol/BV3 and one UKpol/UV3 (U, unknown fragment). Eleven of these 19 patients (57.9%) were foreign individuals living in Galicia infected through heterosexual contact, and the other eight (42.1%) were Spanish intravenous drug users who had shared injection equipment. Five of 85 patients (5.9%), all infected with B subtype viruses, showed resistance-associated mutations in RT (M184V, M41L, L210W, T215Y/D and K219Q). In one patient (1.2%) infected with a subtype G strain, resistance-associated mutations in PR (K20I+M36I+M46I+V82I) were detected. In subtype B viruses resistance mutations in PR were not detected. Several polymorphisms in RT: D123S, Q174K, D177E, T200A, V245Q, and PR: I13V, K20I, M36I, R41K, H69K, L89M were detected more frequently in non-B and recombinants than in B strains (P<0.01 to P<0.001). This study reports a high incidence (22.3%) of newly diagnosed patients infected by different non-B and recombinant HIV-1 strains, in a geographical area of Spain, showing also a high frequency of polymorphisms in RT and PR genes.

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.

An insight into recent consanguinity within the Basque area in Spain. Effects of autochthony, industrialization and demographic changes

The importance of studying the genetic kinship of those human groups characterized by a deeply rooted ethnicity has traditionally been and still is an interesting goal of anthropological and population genetic studies. However, only a few surveys have aimed to learn about the impact of industrial development on the consanguinity of these populations and even those have concentrated on industrialized regions. This approach is worth analysing in Spain, where industrialization was late in relation to other western European countries. In this work we analyse the characteristics of inbreeding in Guipúzcoa from 1951 to 1995. This Basque province underwent industrial and tourist development earlier than other Spanish regions. It has the highest density of Basque speakers and has always occupied a central position within the map of distribution of the Basque language. Guipúzcoa is geographically placed in the core of the Basque area. SUDJECTS AND METHODS: Data on consanguineous marriages recorded in the province of Guipúzcoa between 1951 and 1995 were taken from Roman Catholic dispensations stored in the Diocesan Archives of San Sebastián, the province's capital city. Over the whole time period, a total of 1152 consanguineous marriages were registered. The high frequencies of first cousin (M22) (F = 1/16) and uncle-niece, aunt-nephew (M12) (F = 1/8) consanguineous marriages distinguish Guipúzcoa from the rest of Iberian populations. The M22/M33 ratio (with M33 being second cousins) has never dropped below 0.67, which represents a significant deviation from the expectation value of 0.25. When consanguineous marriages are classified according to marriage partner birthplaces interesting results emerge. Provincial endogamy shows the highest consanguinity rates (57%) and the proportion of M22/M33 is also rather high (0.63). However, a major contribution to the consanguinity levels and mean inbreeding coefficient recorded in Guipúzcoa over recent decades has been made by immigrant relative groups coming from other geographical areas of Spain. In this segment of population the observed M22/M33 rates are 1.44. This study shows again how important preferentiality (or avoidance) is in human consanguinity, and also how human groups, in spite of being spatially settled in the same territory, present differential attitudes for given consanguinity patterns.

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.