Humans In Spain Research Articles

Absence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in wild lagomorphs and their ticks in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in different European countries. Since 2013, clinical and fatality cases associated with CCHFV infection have been reported in humans in Spain. During the last few years, endemic circulation of this virus has been detected in ticks and wild ungulates in this country, but the role of other sympatric wild species in the sylvatic cycle of this multi-host virus remains poorly understood. The aims of the present study were to assess exposure to CCHFV in wild lagomorphs in southern Spain, a CCHFV endemic area, and to determine the presence of the virus in ticks feeding on these species. Serum samples from 473 European wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and 162 Iberian hares (Lepus granatensis), and 120 ticks feeding on 85 of these wild lagomorphs were collected on 133 hunting grounds between 2018/2019 and 2021/2022 hunting seasons. The presence of antibodies against CCHFV was assessed in all serum samples using a commercial ELISA, whereas ticks were tested for the presence of CCHFV-RNA by a multiplex RT-qPCR that detects all known genotypes of this virus. None of the 635 (0.0 %; 95 %CI: 0.0–0.6) lagomorphs tested had anti-CCHFV antibodies and CCHFV-RNA was not found in any of the 120 (0.0 %; 95 %CI: 0.0–3.0) ticks analyzed. To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first epidemiological study conducted on CCHFV in Iberian hare worldwide. Our findings indicate absence of exposure to CCHFV in European wild rabbit and Iberian hare populations, as well as in their ticks, which suggests that they do not seem to play a relevant role in the epidemiology of CCHFV in Mediterranean ecosystems of southern Spain.

Epidemiological surveillance of Leishmania infantum in wild lagomorphs in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems

Wild lagomorphs play a key epidemiological role as reservoirs of Leishmania infantum, causative agent of the largest outbreak of human leishmaniosis in Europe to date. A large-scale survey study was conducted on wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) populations in Spanish Mediterranean ecosystems to evaluate the exposure of L. infantum and investigate potential risk factors associated with exposure to this zoonotic parasite. Between 2018 and 2021, a total of 631 wild lagomorphs (471 wild rabbits and 160 Iberian hares) were collected in Andalusia (southern Spain) and tested for antibodies against L. infantum using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Spleen samples from 563 of the wild lagomorphs sampled (441 wild rabbits and 122 Iberian hares) were also evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) for detection of Leishmania kDNA. Exposure to L. infantum (positive by IFAT and/or qPCR) was detected in 56.4 % (356/631; 95 %CI: 52.3–60.3) of the lagomorphs analyzed. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were found in 12.8 % (81/631; 95 %CI: 10.2–15.5) of the animals, and L. infantum kDNA was detected in 59.0 % (332/563; 95 %CI: 54.9–63.0) of the spleen samples tested. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high homology (99.9–100 %) between L. infantum sequences obtained and strains previously isolated from humans in Spain. While apparent seroprevalence was significantly higher in Iberian hares (19.4 %; 95 %CI: 13.3–25.5) compared to wild rabbits (10.6 %; 95 %CI: 7.9–13.4), no significant differences in prevalence were found between wild rabbits (61.0 %; 95 %CI: 56.5–65.6) and Iberian hares (51.6 %; 95 %CI: 42.8–60.5). At least one positive animal was found on 64.8 % (70/108) of the hunting grounds sampled, and a high-risk spatial cluster (P < 0.001) was also identified in central Andalusia. The multivariable analysis identified bioclimatic level (meso-Mediterranean climate) and the presence of goats on hunting grounds as risk factors potentially associated with L. infantum exposure in wild lagomorphs. This study shows high, widespread exposure, but heterogeneous distribution of L. infantum in wild lagomorph populations in Mediterranean ecosystems in southern Spain. The results point to the need to promote integrated surveillance programs for the detection of Leishmania spp. in wild lagomorphs in order to establish effective control measures against human leishmaniosis under a One Health approach.

Academics in the semi-periphery: Translation and linguistic strategies on the rocky road to publishing in English

Publishing in English is now essential for securing tenure and promotion in the social sciences and humanities in Spain, as academic performance is largely evaluated by number of publications in journals indexed in Journal Citation Reports (JCR) or Scimago Journal Rank (SJR). This relatively new situation has forced academics with varying levels of English to dedicate significant time, effort, and money to obtaining publishable texts. This article investigates academic translation in terms of widespread and invisible translation and editing practices into English, providing a different perspective from previous studies of the transnational circulation of knowledge. Based on semi-structured interviews with scholars from sociology and translation studies, it reflects on their strategies, choices, and preferences for how their texts should be translated or edited, as well as the relationships and routines they develop with their trusted language professionals. All the interviewees expressed a preference for assimilatory strategies or, in other words, the assimilation of their texts into standard or ‘native’ academic English, which should be seen as a means to covet the prestige unfairly reserved for Anglophone scholars. One of the key contributions of this article is to move beyond the popular notion of epistemicide, exploring through empirical detail the linguistic, methodological, and structural issues that these semi-peripheral academics highlight in relation to publishing in the lingua franca for global academia.

MALDI-TOF MS as a tick identification tool in a tertiary hospital in Spain

In Spain, as in other countries, the spectrum of tick-borne diseases and their number have increased in recent years. The tick identification, at species level, can be challenging outside research centers although this information is very usufull for decisions making. The performance of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in tick identification of specimens collected from patients have been seldomly reported. The aim of the present study was to desing a protein-extraction protocol and build a tick-legs reference spectra. This protocol was then validated using specimens from both patients and non-patient sources. Nine species of ticks that usually bites humans in Spain were included: Dermacentor marginatus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Haemaphysalis punctata, Hyalomma lusitanicum, Hyalomma marginatum, Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus pusillus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato. Other less-frequent biting species were also included: Haemaphysalis inermis, Haemaphysalis concinna, Hyalomma scupense, Ixodes frontalis, Ixodes hexagonus, and Argas sp. specimens were identified by PCR and sequencing of a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of ticks. In the tests performed with non-patient collected specimens, a 100% correlation was observed between molecular methods and MS, while in the tests performed with ticks collected from patients a 92.59% correlation was observed. Misidentification was observed only in two of I. ricinus nymphs (identified as Ctenocephalides felis). Therefore, mass- spectrometry can be confidently used as a tick identification tool in a hospital setting for the rapid identification of tick vectors.

Nasotracheal enterococcal carriage and resistomes: detection of optrA-, poxtA- and cfrD-carrying strains in migratory birds, livestock, pets, and in-contact humans in Spain

This study determined the carriage rates and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes of enterococci from nasotracheal samples of three healthy animal species and in-contact humans. Nasal samples were collected from 27 dog-owning households (34 dogs, 41 humans) and 4 pig-farms (40 pigs, 10 pig-farmers), and they were processed for enterococci recovery (MALDI-TOF–MS identification). Also, a collection of 144 enterococci previously recovered of tracheal/nasal samples from 87 white stork nestlings were characterized. The AMR phenotypes were determined in all enterococci and AMR genes were studied by PCR/sequencing. MultiLocus-Sequence-Typing was performed for selected isolates. About 72.5% and 60% of the pigs and pig-farmers, and 29.4% and 4.9%, of healthy dogs and owners were enterococci nasal carriers, respectively. In storks, 43.5% of tracheal and 69.2% of nasal samples had enterococci carriages. Enterococci carrying multidrug-resistance phenotype was identified in 72.5%/40.0%/50.0%/23.5%/1.1% of pigs/pig-farmers/dogs/dogs’ owners/storks, respectively. Of special relevance was the detection of linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) in (a) 33.3% of pigs (E. faecalis-carrying optrA and/or cfrD of ST59, ST330 or ST474 lineages; E. casseliflavus-carrying optrA and cfrD); (b) 10% of pig farmers (E. faecalis-ST330-carrying optrA); (c) 2.9% of dogs (E. faecalis-ST585-carrying optrA); and (d) 1.7% of storks (E. faecium-ST1736-carrying poxtA). The fexA gene was found in all optrA-positive E. faecalis and E. casseliflavus isolates, while fexB was detected in the poxtA-positive E. faecium isolate. The enterococci diversity and AMR rates from the four hosts reflect differences in antimicrobial selection pressure. The detection of LRE carrying acquired and transferable genes in all the hosts emphasizes the need to monitor LRE using a One-Health approach.

An approach to telmophagous Nematocera (Ceratopogonidae, Psychodidae, and Simuliidae) of Spain, with emphasis on its medical and veterinary importance

Nematocera are a suborder of Diptera which historically influenced human history more than any other arthropod group. Four families show a hematophagous behaviour, one being solenophagous (Culicidae), feeding directly on blood vessels, and three being telmophagous (Ceratopogonidae, Psychodidae, and Simuliidae), feeding on blood which pools at the site where their mouthparts have formed a laceration. Although mosquitoes rank first in importance, the telmophagous are also of great interest. Objectives: to update the status of these nematocerans through a transdisciplinary approach, reviewing the main characteristics of each family, the situation of the main vector-borne diseases transmitted by them in the country, especially during the 21st century, and the most relevant species or species groups from a medical and veterinary perspective. Methods: a literature search of databases was conducted and supplemented by browsing specialized journals and citation searching. Results were reviewed and filtered. Results: to date, 84 species of biting midges (Ceratopogonidae), 13 species of sand flies (Psychodidae), and 53 species of black flies (Simuliidae) have been reported in Spain. Culicoides imicola and the Obsoletus complex stand out as the most important biting midges, as they are incriminated in the transmission of bluetongue and Schmallemberg virus; Phlebotomus perniciosus and Phlebotomus ariasi are the vectors of Leishmania infantum; and Simulium erythrocephalum and the Ornatum complex cause the greater part of nuisance and bites to humans in Spain. Conclusions: there is a need to increase research capacity in Spain in order to address several health challenges arising from the presence of telmophagous Nematocera in particular, and of blood-sucking atropods in general.

Avian influenza overview September - December 2022.

Between October 2021 and September 2022 Europe has suffered the most devastating highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epidemic with a total of 2,520 outbreaks in poultry, 227 outbreaks in captive birds, and 3,867 HPAI virus detections in wild birds. The unprecedent geographical extent (37 European countries affected) resulted in 50 million birds culled in affected establishments. In the current reporting period, between 10 September and 2 December 2022, 1,163 HPAI virus detections were reported in 27 European countries in poultry (398), captive (151) and wild birds (613). A decrease in HPAI virus detections in colony-breeding seabirds species and an increase in the number of detections in waterfowl has been observed. The continuous circulation of the virus in the wild reservoir has led to the frequent introduction of the virus into poultry populations. It is suspected that waterfowl might be more involved than seabirds in the incursion of HPAI virus into poultry establishments. In the coming months, the increasing infection pressure on poultry establishments might increase the risk of incursions in poultry, with potential further spread, primarily in areas with high poultry densities. The viruses detected since September 2022 (clade 2.3.4.4b) belong to eleven genotypes, three of which have circulated in Europe during the summer months, while eight represent new genotypes. HPAI viruses were also detected in wild and farmed mammal species in Europe and North America, showing genetic markers of adaptation to replication in mammals. Since the last report, two A(H5N1) detections in humans in Spain, one A(H5N1), one A(H5N6) and one A(H9N2) human infection in China as well as one A(H5) infection without NA-type result in Vietnam were reported, respectively. The risk of infection is assessed as low for the general population in the EU/EEA, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people.

Digital humanities in Spain: Historical perspective and current scenario

The objective of this study was to provide the global community of interested scholars with an updated understanding of digital humanities in Spain, in terms of researchers and research centres, disciplines involved and research topics of interest, trends in digital resources development, main funding bodies and the evolution of their investment since the early nineties. One of the characteristics that differentiates this study from previous approaches is the information used to carry out the research. It combines large datasets of publicly available data from trusted sources with a handpicked selection of records grouping information scattered over the Web. Most of the evidence detected by other studies has been numerically confirmed. At the same time, the new metrics and values established constitute a reference base for monitoring the future evolution of the discipline, and thus favour comparisons. Half of the researchers were found to be affiliated to only nine institutions, whereas the other half of them were scattered across 84 locations. Department affiliation showed a varied pattern of the different degrees of specialization in each institution. Although the major historic role played by Philology was confirmed, the rising interest of other areas of the Humanities and Social Science produces a wider picture, which helped to identify five large clusters of research topics, centred on major disciplines. The quantitative analysis of funding, a dimension almost unexplored in the Humanities, proved to be a valuable way to assess the discipline and its historical evolution. In fact, it revealed interesting trends that led to our proposal of a three-phase periodization in the consolidation of digital humanities in Spain. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations regarding how to deal with issues that could harm the future development of this research area and the role that Spanish researchers can play in the international context.

Zoonotic Microsporidia in Wild Lagomorphs in Southern Spain.

Simple SummaryA cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the presence of zoonotic microsporidia in organ meats of European wild rabbits and Iberian hares consumed by humans in Spain. Between July 2015 and December 2018, kidney samples from 383 wild rabbits and kidney and brain tissues from 79 Iberian hares in southern Spain were tested by species-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) for the detection of microsporidia DNA. We confirmed the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in three wild rabbits and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in one wild rabbit and three Iberian hares. However, none of the 462 sampled wild lagomorphs showed Encephalitozoon hellem nor Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection. This is the first report of E. intestinalis infection in wild rabbits and Iberian hares. The presence of E. bieneusi and E. intestinalis in organ meats from wild lagomorphs can be of public health concern. Additional studies are required to determine the real prevalence of these parasites in European wild rabbit and Iberian hare.Microsporidia are obligate intracellular protist-like fungal pathogens that infect a broad range of animal species, including humans. This study aimed to assess the presence of zoonotic microsporidia (Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon hellem, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi) in organ meats of European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis) consumed by humans in Spain. Between July 2015 and December 2018, kidney samples from 383 wild rabbits and kidney and brain tissues from 79 Iberian hares in southern Spain were tested by species-specific PCR for the detection of microsporidia DNA. Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection was confirmed in three wild rabbits (0.8%; 95% CI: 0.0–1.7%) but not in hares (0.0%; 95% CI: 0.0–4.6%), whereas E. intestinalis DNA was found in one wild rabbit (0.3%; 95% CI: 0.0–0.8%) and three Iberian hares (3.8%; 95% CI: 0.0–8.0%). Neither E. hellem nor E. cuniculi infection were detected in the 462 (0.0%; 95% CI: 0.0–0.8%) lagomorphs analyzed. The absence of E. hellem and E. cuniculi infection suggests a low risk of zoonotic foodborne transmission from these wild lagomorph species in southern Spain. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of E. intestinalis infection in wild rabbits and Iberian hares. The presence of E. bieneusi and E. intestinalis in organ meats from wild lagomorphs can be of public health concern. Additional studies are required to determine the real prevalence of these parasites in European wild rabbit and Iberian hare.

From Ecocriticism to Environmental Humanities: A Brief Overview of Publications in Spain

This review essay focuses on an overview of relevant publications regarding ecocriticism, and its corollary, the environmental humanities, with a specific focus on Spain, through three main publications: Ecocríticas. Literatura y medio ambiente (2010); Visiones ecocríticas del mar en la literatura (2016); and Humanidades ambientales: pensamiento, arte y relatos para el siglo de la gran prueba (2018). This essay also mentions other relevant volumes and monographic issues published in Spain in the last ten years. The purpose of this essay is to give the reader a general view of the work done within the fields of ecocriticism and the environmental humanities in Spain in the last decade.

Confluence between library and information science and digital humanities in Spain. Methodologies, standards and collections

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study the relevance of heritage collections and the convergence of methodologies and standards traditionally linked to Library and Information Science (LIS) in the development of digital humanities (DH) research in Spain.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on a systematic review of scientific publications that are representative of DH in Spain and were published between 2013 and 2018. The analysis considered doctoral theses, journal articles and conference papers.FindingsThe results highlight the synergies between documentary heritage, LIS and DH. However, it appears that there is a scarcity of scientific literature to support the confluence of LIS and DH and a limited formal connection between heritage institutions and the areas of academia that reuse and enrich these source collections.Research limitations/implicationsThe review of representative scholarly DH publications was mainly based on the metadata that describe the content of articles, thesis and conference papers. This work relies on the thematic indexing (descriptors and keywords) of the analysed documents but their level of quality and consistency is very diverse.Originality/valueThe topic of the study has not been explored before and this work could contribute to the international debate on the interrelation and complementarity between LIS and DH. In addition, this paper shows the contribution that standards and documentary methodologies make to projects in which technology is applied to humanities disciplines. The authors propose that there is an urgent need to strengthen the “scientific relationships” between heritage institutions, as well as enhancing links between the academic field of DH and LIS in order to improve teaching and research strategies in conjunction.

Evidence of exposure to zoonotic flaviviruses in zoo mammals in Spain and their potential role as sentinel species

A serosurvey was carried out to assess emerging flavivirus exposure in zoo mammals in Spain and to determine the dynamics of seropositivity in species that were longitudinally sampled during the study period. Sera from 570 zoo animals belonging to 120 mammal species were collected at ten zoos (A–J) in Spain between 2002 and 2019. Twenty-one of these animals, belonging to ten different species, were sampled longitudinally at four of the zoos during the study period. Antigenically-related flavivirus antibodies were detected in 19 (3.3 %; 95 %CI: 2.0–5.2) of the 570 animals analyzed using bELISA. Seropositivity was observed in ten (8.3 %) of the 120 species tested. Five (23.8 %) of the 21 animals sampled more than once presented seropositivity in all samplings whereas seroconversion was only observed in one white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Flavivirus antibodies were found at six of the ten sampled zoos and in consecutive years between 2008 and 2018. Virus neutralization tests confirmed West Nile virus (WNV), Usutu virus (USUV) and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection in ten (1.8 %; 95 %CI: 0.7–2.8), five (0.9 %; 95 %CI: 0.1–1.6) and one (0.2 %; 95 %CI: 0.0−0.5) animal, respectively. Antibodies against Meaban virus (0 %; 95 %CI: 0.0−0.7 %) were not found in the tested sera. The results demonstrate WNV, USUV and TBEV exposure in zoo mammals, which may be of public health and conservation concern. Seropositivity to WNV and USUV was detected in regions where these viruses have not been reported previously. Anti-WNV antibodies found in zoo animals sampled in 2009 point to WNV circulation at least one year before the first outbreaks were reported in horses and humans in Spain. Our results indicate that zoo mammals could be useful sentinel species for monitoring emerging flavivirus activity in urban areas.

Uso y tendencias de las técnicas bibliométricas en Ciencias Sociales y Humanas a nivel internacional

El objetivo del presente trabajo es ampliar a un ámbito internacional los resultados presentados en el trabajo anterior «Características y tendencias en Bibliometría en Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades en España» con el propósito de estudiar las características y tendencias en otros países y de esta forma poder comparar los resultados obtenidos con los anteriores. Los documentos se han obtenido realizando búsquedas bibliográficas en las principales bases de datos internacionales de Información y Documentación Científica y Biblioteconomía, así como en las de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas (Psicología, Educación, Sociología, etc.). La cobertura temporal abarca el período 1981-1990. Se analiza la producción científica, la procedencia geográfica, la evolución cronológica, la orientación temática, etc. Se comparan los resultados entre las diferentes disciplinas. Se analizan con más profundidad los documentos publicados en revistas especializadas en Información y Documentación Científica y Biblioteconomía: Debido a que gran parte de los trabajos publicados están orientados al estudio de la productividad de los autores y revistas, o al análisis del estado de la cuestión de una disciplina o área particular, existe una gran dispersión en las publicaciones. Los resultados muestran que existen diferencias entre las disciplinas estudiadas se encuentra un mayor porcentaje de publicaciones en Sociología, Educación y Psicología; el porcentaje de literatura orientada hacia la mejora de los servicios en Centros de Documentación o Bibliotecas no es tan bajo como en el estudio antes citado.

Clonal Structure, Virulence Factor-encoding Genes and Antibiotic Resistance of Escherichia coli, Causing Urinary Tract Infections and Other Extraintestinal Infections in Humans in Spain and France during 2016.

Escherichia coli is the main pathogen responsible for extraintestinal infections. A total of 196 clinical E. coli consecutively isolated during 2016 in Spain (100 from Lucus Augusti hospital in Lugo) and France (96 from Beaujon hospital in Clichy) were characterized. Phylogroups, clonotypes, sequence types (STs), O:H serotypes, virulence factor (VF)-encoding genes and antibiotic resistance were determined. Approximately 10% of the infections were caused by ST131 isolates in both hospitals and approximately 60% of these infections were caused by isolates belonging to only 10 STs (ST10, ST12, ST58, ST69, ST73, ST88, ST95, ST127, ST131, ST141). ST88 isolates were frequent, especially in Spain, while ST141 isolates significantly predominated in France. The 23 ST131 isolates displayed four clonotypes: CH40-30, CH40-41, CH40-22 and CH40-298. Only 13 (6.6%) isolates were carriers of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) enzymes. However, 37.2% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Approximately 40% of the MDR isolates belonged to only four of the dominant clones (B2-CH40-30-ST131, B2-CH40-41-ST131, C-CH4-39-ST88 and D-CH35-27-ST69). Among the remaining MDR isolates, two isolates belonged to B2-CH14-64-ST1193, i.e., the new global emergent MDR clone. Moreover, a hybrid extraintestinal pathogenic E.coli (ExPEC)/enteroaggregative isolate belonging to the A-CH11-54-ST10 clone was identified.

Salmonella Surveillance Systems in Swine and Humans in Spain: A Review

Salmonella Surveillance Systems in Swine and Humans in Spain: A Review

Epidemiological distribution of genotypes of Giardia duodenalis in humans in Spain

BackgroundAlthough the distribution of Giardia duodenalis genotypes in humans has been increasingly reported in recent years, data on possible differences in pathogen transmission between age groups and virulence between genotypes are scarce. The purpose of this study is to investigate the genetic diversity of G. duodenalis in humans in Spain and compare the distribution of G. duodenalis assemblages A and B between children and adults and clinical presentations between the two genotypes.MethodsIn the present study, 125 microscopy-positive fecal samples were collected from humans in Spain over a 7-year period. PCR and sequence analyses of the triosephosphate isomerase, β-giardin and glutamate dehydrogenase genes were used to identify the multilocus genotypes of G. duodenalis.ResultsSequence analysis of three genetic loci identified both G. duodenalis assemblages A (29) and B (66), with co-infections of the two in two patients. Among the sequences obtained in this study, four multilocus genotypes (MLGs) of the sub-assemblage AII were observed within assemblage A. In contrast, 19 MLGs were detected within assemblage B due to the high sequence diversity at each locus. One MLG, however, was found in 51.9% (27/52) of assemblage B samples. Children were more commonly infected by assemblage B (44/53 or 83%) than adults (22/42 or 52.4%; χ2 = 10.371, df = 1, P = 0.001). Asymptomatic infection was more common in patients with assemblage A (4/29 or 13.8%) than in those with assemblage B (1/66 or 1.5%; χ2 = 6.091, df = 1, P = 0.029), and the frequency of abdominal pain occurrence was higher in assemblage B patients (65/66 or 98.5%) than assemblage A patients (25/29 or 86.2%; χ2 = 6.091, df = 1, P = 0.029).ConclusionsThese results illustrate the existence of differences in genotype distribution between children and adults and clinical presentations between G. duodenalis genotypes. They are useful in understanding the transmission of G. duodenalis in humans in Spain.

Salmonella Surveillance Systems in Swine and Humans in Spain: A Review.

Non-typhoid salmonellosis is a common and problematic foodborne zoonotic disease in which pork and pork products can be an important potential source of infection. To prevent this disease, important efforts to monitor the situation in the main source, livestock, are conducted in most developed countries. In the European Union, European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) and European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) compile information at the member-state level, even though important differences in production systems and surveillance systems exist. Here, Salmonella surveillance systems in one of the main sources of foodborne salmonellosis, swine, and humans in Spain were reviewed to identify potential gaps and discuss potential ways of integration under a “One-Health” approach. Despite the extensive information generated through the surveillance activities, source attribution can be only routinely performed through ad-hoc outbreak investigations, and national reports on human outbreaks do not provide sufficiently detailed information to gain a better understanding of the epidemiology of the pathogen. Human and animal monitoring of Salmonella would benefit from a better exchange of information and collaboration. Analysis of spatio-temporal trends in livestock and humans could help to identify likely sources of infection and to target surveillance efforts in areas with higher prevalence or where specific strains are found.

The Adoption of Humanism in Catholic Spain (1470-1520)

ABSTRACTThis article re-evaluates the role and impact of Italian humanism in Spain, where scholars trained in Italy occupied the most important teaching posts of Latin in universities and schools from the 1470s. As a result, within one or two generations the entire educational system in Spain had been transformed by humanism. By reconstructing what humanism meant for different groups in society, its successes, as well as its limitations, are explained. Latin was important for the academic and governing elites. Additionally, humanism provided them with a cultural code, which – primarily in its aesthetic dimension – enabled them to differentiate themselves from others. However, the humanists’ aspiration to be on a par with nobles and equal in authority to lawyers and theologians was rejected. Noble blood, traditional legal attitudes and religious orthodoxy stood firm against a culture based on classical language and letters. Theologians in particular rejected the humanists’ interest in pagan mythology.

Iniciar al alumnado de Estudios Ingleses en la investigación científica a partir de TFGs centrados en revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura

&lt;p&gt;A diferencia de otras áreas, que cuentan con una larga tradición en la realización de TFGs, en España las áreas de Humanidades empezaron hace solo unos años, a raíz de la adaptación al plan Bolonia, a incluir en sus titulaciones la realización obligatoria de TFGs. Con el objetivo de compartir y debatir nuestra propia experiencia con otros docentes presentaremos los resultados de diversas tutorizaciones de trabajos basados revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura, llevadas a cabo en el Grado de Estudios Ingleses. La realización de estas no solo ayuda al estudiante a madurar, sino además a familiarizarse con motores de búsqueda, los cuales se muestran como una de las herramientas fundamentales para hacer un trabajo de investigación sólido y de interés para la comunidad científica. Aspectos claves en la tutela de los trabajos fueron, entre otros, la orientación del estudiante para identificar temas relevantes de investigación; la estructuración del trabajo de investigación a partir de una o varias hipótesis; el uso de una metodología científica apropiada para hacer un trabajo que permitiese contrastar las hipótesis establecidas y, por último, la presentación de los resultados obtenidos en un formato open-science a fin de que otros investigadores pudieran acceder a ellos y así maximizar su difusión.&lt;/p&gt;

Extramuros: el arabismo fuera del Centro de Estudios Históricos: la correspondencia de Julián Ribera con José Castillejo

Between 1907 and 1916, the group of Spanish Arabists known as the “school of Codera” (Beni Codera, as expressed by the scholar Emilio García Gómez) was part of an inclusive institution that comprised different academic fields, both scientific and humanistic, in Spain. This institution was the Junta para Ampliación De Estudios (the Council for Extension of Studies and Scientific Research). The work carried out by this group in the Center for Historical Studies (an institution dependent on the Council) represents one of its most fruitful periods of research activity. But in 1916, the participation of Asín Palacios in the Board in charge of evaluating the candidates for the chair of Sociology at the University Complutense of Madrid a field foreign to the Spanish school of Arabists), and to which applied the Council’s Secretary, José Castillejo, resulted in the withdrawal of the Arabist group from both the Center and the Junta. This led to the isolation of Arabism from the development of the area of humanities in Spain. The correspondence between Julián Ribera, at the time the patriarch of Arabism, and Castillejo, describes the context of this breaking and contributes to the understanding of the evolution of contemporary Spanish Arabism.