Sources of PM ionic species in the South-West Mediterranean (Algeria).

The contents of water-soluble major's ions (MSA, Cl, NO, SO, Na, NH, K, Mg, and Ca) in the PM particle fraction were investigated thanks to detailed measurements of the main chemical constituents of PM in remote coastal areas in Bou-Ismail; in the South-West of the Mediterranean Sea (Algeria), during a 2-year period; from July 2011 to August 2013, under the framework of the ChArMEx project (Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment, http://charmex.lsce.ipsl.

Chemical composition of PM at a rural site in the western Mediterranean and its relationship with the oxidative potential.

A comprehensive chemical characterization (water-soluble ions, organic and elemental carbon, water- and methanol-soluble organic carbon, levoglucosan, and major and trace metals) of PM samples collected in a rural area located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula was performed. Additionally, the oxidative potential of the samples, used as an indicator of aerosol toxicity, was determined by the ascorbic acid (OP) and dithiothreitol (OP) assays. The average concentration of PM during the study period, spanning from late winter to early spring, was 20.

Organic tracers in fine and coarse aerosols at an urban Mediterranean site: contribution of biomass burning and biogenic emissions.

The concentrations of anhydrosugars (levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan), polyols (inositol, xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol), and glucose were measured in PM and PM samples collected during 1 year at a traffic site in the city of Elche (southeastern Spain). Levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan were mainly found in the PM fraction since they are mainly emitted from biomass burning (BB). Likewise, inositol, xylitol, and sorbitol were primarily distributed in the fine mode, suggesting a non-negligible contribution from anthropogenic sources (specifically BB) to the levels of these compounds.

Impact of a Nurse-Driven Patient Empowerment Intervention on the Reduction in Patients' Anxiety and Depression During ICU Discharge: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a nurse-driven patient empowerment intervention on anxiety and depression of patients during ICU discharge.

Design: A prospective, multicenter, randomized clinical trial.

Setting: Three ICUs (1 medical, 1 medical and surgical, and 1 coronary) of three tertiary hospitals.

Patients' experience while transitioning from the intensive care unit to a ward.

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients can experience emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder when they leave the ICU, also referred to as post-intensive care syndrome. A deeper understanding of what patients go through and what they need while they are transitioning from the ICU to the general ward may provide input on how to strengthen patient-centred care and, ultimately, contribute to a positive experience.

Aim: To describe the patients' experience while transitioning from the ICU to a general ward.

Changes in the concentration and composition of urban aerosols during the COVID-19 lockdown.

This work investigates the impact of COVID-19 restrictive measures on the mass concentrations of PM and PM, and their chemical components (water-soluble ions, organic and elemental carbon, and major and trace metals) at an urban site in the western Mediterranean. The evolution of gaseous pollutants (NO, O and some volatile organic compounds) was also analyzed. The concentrations measured during the lockdown in 2020 were compared to those obtained during the same period over the preceding five years.

PM chemical composition at a residential site in the western mediterranean: Estimation of the contribution of biomass burning from levoglucosan and its isomers.

The composition of PM, including molecular markers of biomass burning (levoglucosan, mannosan and galactosan), was determined at a residential site in southeastern Spain during winter and early spring. The average PM concentration was 25.0 μg m, being organic carbon (OC, 6.

Clinical validation demonstrates concordance of qSOFA and POC lactate Bayesian model: Results from the ACDC Phase-2 program.

Unlabelled: Sepsis is a common and lethal medical problem. The objective of this study was to validate a Bayesian Model that integrates qSOFA and prehospital Lactate, with a comparison analysis from a real clinical data of patients with sepsis.

Methods: We conducted a two tired validation study with one arm focusing on Bayesian modeling and a second retrospective observational arm addressing real data validation.

Personalized Therapy Approach for Hospitalized Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experiencing respiratory symptoms have different complications (inflammatory, co-infection, and thrombotic) that are identifiable by analytics patterns. Personalized treatment decisions decreased early mortality (odds ratio [OR] .144; 95% confidence interval [CI] .

Chemical characterization of fine particles (PM) at a coastal site in the South Western Mediterranean during the ChArMex experiment.

As part of the ChArMEx project (Chemistry-Aerosol Mediterranean Experiment, http://charmex.lsce.ipsl.

A Bayesian decision support sequential model for severity of illness predictors and intensive care admissions in pneumonia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the USA. Our objective was to assess the predictive value on critical illness and disposition of a sequential Bayesian Model that integrates Lactate and procalcitonin (PCT) for pneumonia.

Methods: Sensitivity and specificity of lactate and PCT attained from pooled meta-analysis data.

PM events and changes in the chemical composition of urban aerosols: A case study in the western Mediterranean.

More than 400 PM and 400 PM daily samples were collected in the urban center of Elche (close to the Spanish Mediterranean coast) from February 2015 to February 2018. Samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of major and trace components with the aim of evaluating the influence of specific pollution events on the chemical composition of both PM fractions. The concentrations of crustal elements in PM significantly increased during Saharan dust outbreaks, particularly titanium, which has been identified as a good tracer of these events in the study area.

Multi-professional simulation and risk perception of health care workers caring for Ebola-infected patients.

Introduction: Treatment of infections that require high-level isolation can cause anxiety and fear among health care workers. Adequate and complete multi-professional simulation-based training could reduce those feelings and improve patient care.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of multi-professional simulation-based training on the risk perception and preparedness of health care workers (registered nurses, doctors and ancillary staff) who care for patients assessed to be at risk or confirmed to have Ebola, level 3-4 biohazard.

Incremental diagnostic quality gain of CTA over V/Q scan in the assessment of pulmonary embolism by means of a Wells score Bayesian model: results from the ACDC collaboration.

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic value of computed tomography angiography (CTA) and ventilation perfusion (V/Q) scan in the assessment of pulmonary embolism (PE) by means of a Bayesian statistical model.

Methods: Wells criteria defined pretest probability. Sensitivity and specificity of CTA and V/Q scan for PE were derived from pooled meta-analysis data.

Regional and long-range transport of aerosols at Mt. Aitana, Southeastern Spain.

More than 150 particulate matter (PM) samples with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 1 and 10μm (PM and PM, respectively) were collected during an 18-month sampling campaign at Mt. Aitana (1558m a.s.

Acute Care Diagnostic Collaboration: Bayesian modeling comparative diagnostic assessment of lactate, procalcitonin and CRP in risk stratified population by Mortality in ED (MEDS) score.

Objective: To assess and compare the diagnostic value of lactate, procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in low, moderate, and high-risk stratified population applying Mortality in Emergency Department (MEDS) risk score using Bayesian statistical modeling.

Methods: MEDS criteria was used to risk stratify into low, moderate and high risk. Each population was attributed a percentage risk, and used as pre-test probability in the Bayesian nomogram.

The role of red blood cell exchange for severe imported malaria in the artesunate era: a retrospective cohort study in a referral centre.

Background: Intravenous artesunate has replaced quinine as the first-line therapy for severe imported malaria, given its anti-malarial superiority shown in clinical trials conducted in endemic countries. Evidence for red blood cell (RBC) exchange in patients with severe malaria treated with artesunate is lacking. This retrospective cohort study describes the experience at Hospital Clinic of Barcelona with the use of artesunate for severe malaria and the joint use of RBC exchange in selected cases.

Evaluation of a Mixing versus a Cycling Strategy of Antibiotic Use in Critically-Ill Medical Patients: Impact on Acquisition of Resistant Microorganisms and Clinical Outcomes.

Objective: To compare the effect of two strategies of antibiotic use (mixing vs. cycling) on the acquisition of resistant microorganisms, infections and other clinical outcomes.

Methods: Prospective cohort study in an 8-bed intensive care unit during 35- months in which a mixing-cycling policy of antipseudomonal beta-lactams (meropenem, ceftazidime/piperacillin-tazobactam) and fluoroquinolones was operative.

In vivo evolution of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from patients admitted to an intensive care unit: mechanisms of resistance and antimicrobial exposure.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship among the in vivo acquisition of antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates, the underlying molecular mechanisms and previous exposure to antipseudomonal agents.

Methods: PFGE was used to study the molecular relatedness of the strains. The MICs of ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam, imipenem, meropenem, ciprofloxacin and amikacin were determined.

Acquisition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its resistance phenotypes in critically ill medical patients: role of colonization pressure and antibiotic exposure.

Introduction: The objective of this work was to investigate the risk factors for the acquisition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its resistance phenotypes in critically ill patients, taking into account colonization pressure.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study in an 8-bed medical intensive care unit during a 35-month period. Nasopharyngeal and rectal swabs and respiratory secretions were obtained within 48 hours of admission and thrice weekly thereafter.

Effects of different antigenic stimuli on thymic function and interleukin-7/CD127 system in patients with chronic HIV infection.

Background: We tested if an increase in immune activation and a decrease in CD4⁺ T cells induced by different antigenic stimuli could be associated with changes in the thymic function and the interleukin (IL)-7/CD127 system.

Methods: Twenty-six HIV-infected patients under combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) were randomized to receive, during 12 months, a complete immunization schedule (7 vaccines and 15 doses) or placebo. Thereafter, cART was interrupted during 6 months.