Understanding the spread of agriculture in the Western Mediterranean (6th-3rd millennia BC) with Machine Learning tools.

The first Neolithic farmers arrived in the Western Mediterranean area from the East. They established settlements in coastal areas and over time migrated to new environments, adapting to changing ecological and climatic conditions. While farming practices and settlements in the Western Mediterranean differ greatly from those known in the Eastern Mediterranean and central Europe, the extent to which these differences are connected to the local environment and climate is unclear.

Household storage, surplus and supra-household storage in prehistoric and protohistoric societies of the Western Mediterranean.

The objective of this paper is to assess foodstuff storage throughout Recent Prehistory (5600-50 BCE) from the standpoint of the three different types (household, surplus and supra-household) identified in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. The volumetric data of the underground silos serves as a proxy to evaluate the link between them and the agricultural systems and technological changes. The study also assesses the ability, and specifically, the will of the ancient communities of the northeastern Iberia to generate domestic and extra-domestic surpluses.

Color-Tunable White-Light-Emitting Materials Based on Liquid-Filled Capsules and Thermally Responsive Dyes.

Color-tunable white-light-emitting materials are currently attracting much attention because of their potential applications in artificial lighting, sensing, and imaging. However, preparation of these systems from organic emitters is often cumbersome due to the interchromophoric interactions occurring upon solvent drying in the final solid materials, which can be hardly predicted and may lead to detrimental effects. To circumvent these obstacles, we have developed a new fabrication methodology that relies on dye encapsulation within liquid-filled capsules, thus enabling direct transfer of the luminescent properties from solution to the solid state and as such, rational design of miniaturized white-light-emitting materials.

A multi-stimuli responsive switch as a fluorescent molecular analogue of transistors.

Although the quantum nature of molecules makes them specially suitable for mimicking the operation of digital electronic elements, molecular compounds can also be envisioned to emulate the behavior of analog devices. In this work we report a novel fluorescent three-state switch capable of reproducing the analog response of transistors, an ubiquitous device in modern electronics. Exploiting the redox and thermal sensitivity of this compound, the amplitude of its fluorescence emission can be continuously modulated, in a similar way as the output current in a transistor is amplified by the gate-to-source voltage.

Molecular epidemiology and virulence of Escherichia coli O16:H5-ST131: comparison with H30 and H30-Rx subclones of O25b:H4-ST131.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of the clonal subgroup O16:H5-ST131 and the H30 and H30-Rx subclones among E. coli isolates causing extraintestinal infections and to know their virulence potential. The ST131 clonal group accounted for 490 (16%) of the 2995 isolates obtained from clinical samples in five Spanish hospitals during the study period (2005-2012).

Role of IncHI2 plasmids harbouring blaVIM-1, blaCTX-M-9, aac(6')-Ib and qnrA genes in the spread of multiresistant Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains in different units at Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.

Seven Enterobacter cloacae isolates and seven Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates harbouring a phenotype compatible with the production of a metallo-β-lactamase were recovered between 2009 and 2011 in three Intensive Care Units of Hospital Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona, Spain). The presence of bla(VIM), bla(IMP), bla(NDM), bla(CTX-M), aac(6')-Ib, qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Clonal relatedness of the isolates was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and, in the case of K.

National survey of Escherichia coli causing extraintestinal infections reveals the spread of drug-resistant clonal groups O25b:H4-B2-ST131, O15:H1-D-ST393 and CGA-D-ST69 with high virulence gene content in Spain.

Objectives: To evaluate the current prevalence of the three clonal groups O25b:H4-B2-ST131, O15:H1-D-ST393 and CGA-D-ST69 (where ST stands for sequence type) among Escherichia coli isolates causing extraintestinal infections in Spain and to characterize their virulence background, 500 consecutive non-duplicate E. coli isolates causing extraintestinal infections were analysed.

Methods: The 500 isolates were collected during February 2009 from five hospitals in different Spanish regions.

[Microbiological diagnosis of central nervous system infections].

The infections of the central nervous system are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Several agents including bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa can invade the CNS. They are different clinical presentations of these infections: meningitis, encephalitis, brain and epidural abscesses and cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections.

Diagnostic accuracy of a 16S ribosomal DNA gene-based molecular technique (RT-PCR, microarray, and sequencing) for bacterial meningitis, early-onset neonatal sepsis, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

The diagnostic accuracy of a 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene-based molecular technique for bacterial meningitis (BM), early-onset neonatal sepsis (EONS), and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is evaluated. The molecular approach gave better results for BM diagnosis: sensitivity (S) was 90.6% compared to 78.

Spread of Escherichia coli O25b:H4-B2-ST131 producing CTX-M-15 and SHV-12 with high virulence gene content in Barcelona (Spain).

Objectives: The present study was carried out to evaluate the current prevalence of the clonal group O25b:H4-B2-ST131 among extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBLEC) collected in the Hospital Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona (Spain) with regard to other clonal groups and to characterize their genetic background.

Methods: Ninety-four consecutive non-duplicate ESBLEC isolates collected from May to December 2008 were studied. ESBL enzymes, phylogenetic groups, serotypes, virulence genes, sequence types (STs) and PFGE profiles were determined.

Characterisation of the CTX-M-15-encoding gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae strains from the Barcelona metropolitan area: plasmid diversity and chromosomal integration.

The localisation and genetic organisation of bla(CTX-M-15) were studied in 37 CTX-M-15-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected from 2005 to 2008 within the Barcelona metropolitan area. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based replicon typing and Southern hybridisations were used to identify the bla(CTX-M-15) location. The genetic environment was analysed by PCR mapping and sequencing, and transferability of bla(CTX-M-15) was evaluated by conjugation and transformation assays.

Phylogroups, virulence determinants and antimicrobial resistance in stx(2) gene-carrying Escherichia coli isolated from aquatic environments.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant stx(2) gene-carrying Escherichia coli isolated from human and animal wastewater with regard to their animal/human origin, serotype, phylogenetic background and virulence factors. The isolates were characterized by PCR in relation to stx variant, phylogenetic group and other virulence genes (stx(1), ehxA and saa). Antibiotic resistance was found in 92% of the stx(2) gene-carrying E.

First detection of plasmid-encoded blaOXY beta-lactamase.

Three Klebsiella oxytoca isolates and one Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate from three children admitted to the Hematology Unit of Hospital Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona, Spain) exhibited a susceptibility pattern suggesting OXY beta-lactamase hyperproduction. All the isolates contained a 95-kb plasmid that harbored bla(OXY-1), which was transferred by electrotransformation but could not be self-transferred by conjugation. A qnrS1 gene was also harbored in the bla(OXY-1)-carrying plasmid.

Electrochemically triggered conversion between metacyclophan-1-ene and dihydropyrene molecular switching systems.

The electrochemical oxidation of either open or closed metacyclophanene isomers, which is a positive-photochromic system due to open isomers being more stable than closed ones, quantitatively yields a stable fluorescent dihydropyrene intermediate, a well-known negative T-photochromic system where the closed form is more stable than the open one. This is one of the first examples in which two different molecular switching systems can be electrochemically triggered.

Structure and urovirulence characteristics of the fecal Escherichia coli population among healthy women.

The fecal Escherichia coli population structure may influence the occurrence and etiology of extraintestinal infection, but is poorly understood. Accordingly, fecal E. coli from 39 healthy women (30 putative colonies per subject) were characterized for clonal identity, urinary tract infection-associated virulence traits, and phylogenetic background.

Role of host and bacterial virulence factors in Escherichia coli spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Objectives: Host factors and bacterial virulence determinants may play a role in Escherichia coli (E. coli) spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. We evaluated the importance of these factors in the emergence of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains and outcome in cirrhotic patients with E.

Relationship between Escherichia coli strains causing acute cystitis in women and the fecal E. coli population of the host.

Previous epidemiological assessments of the prevalence versus special-pathogenicity hypothesis for urinary tract infection (UTI) pathogenesis in women may have been confounded by underlying host population differences between women with UTI and healthy controls and have not considered the clonal complexity of the fecal Escherichia coli population of the host. In the present study, 42 women with acute uncomplicated cystitis served as their own controls for an analysis of the causative E. coli strain and the concurrent intestinal E.

Virulence and antimicrobial resistance profiles among Escherichia coli strains isolated from human and animal wastewater.

To gain insight into whether Escherichia coli isolated from humans and resistant to some common antimicrobial agents are derived from animals, 85 E. coli strains were selected by ERIC-PCR from human and animal wastewater samples. Phylogroup, pathogenicity islands (PAIs), resistance to quinolones, fluoroquinolones and presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) were analyzed.

Dissemination of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria: the food-borne outbreak lesson.

Objectives: Commensal and opportunistic bacteria producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL-PB) have undergone a broad and rapid spread within the general population; however, the routes of dissemination have not been totally elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine whether individuals involved in an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis, in addition to the enteropathogenic microorganism, share an ESBL-PB as indirect demonstration of its transmission from a common food source.

Methods: From 2003 to 2004 in Barcelona, Spain, stool samples from 905 people involved in 132 acute gastroenteritis outbreaks and 226 food handlers related to the outbreaks were investigated.

Prevalence of qnr genes among extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacterial isolates in Barcelona, Spain.

Objectives: To evaluate the presence of qnr genes among enterobacterial isolates carrying extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) in Barcelona, Spain.

Methods: Screening for the qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes was carried out by PCR amplification with specific primers in 305 non-duplicate, clinically relevant ESBL-producing enterobacterial isolates obtained from February 2003 to August 2004. ESBLs from all qnr-positive isolates were characterized by isoelectric focusing, PCR amplification and DNA sequencing.

[Characterization of Escherichia coli isolates derived from phylogenetic groups A and B1 causing extraintestinal infection].

Introduction: Escherichia coli isolates from the non-pathogenic phylogenetic groups A and B1 rarely cause extraintestinal infections. The aim of this study was to analyze 37 E. coli isolates pertaining to phylogenetic groups A and B1 and compare them with 37 E.

ESBL- and plasmidic class C beta-lactamase-producing E. coli strains isolated from poultry, pig and rabbit farms.

This study aims to determine the presence of extended-spectrum (ESBL) and plasmidic class C beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in poultry, pig and rabbit farms of Catalonia (Spain). PFGE typing showed a low clonal relationship among strains carrying these mechanisms of resistance. Ninety-three percent of them were resistant to two or more of the non-beta-lactam antimicrobials tested and harboured ESBL and plasmidic class C beta-lactamases.

In vivo reversion to the wild-type beta-lactam resistance phenotype mediated by a plasmid carrying ampR and qnrA1 in Enterobacter cloacae.

Resistance to beta-lactams and quinolones in two isogenic Enterobacter cloacae isolates was studied. One was susceptible to cefoxitin and amoxicillin-clavulanate. The other one showed its natural beta-lactam resistance pattern.