University of Seville

About: University of Seville is a education organization based out in Seville, Andalucía, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Model predictive control. The organization has 20098 authors who have published 47317 publications receiving 947007 citations. The organization is also known as: Universidad de Sevilla.

Programas de optimización de uso de antimicrobianos (PROA) en hospitales españoles: documento de consenso GEIH-SEIMC, SEFH y SEMPSPH

Abstract: The antimicrobial agents are unique drugs for several reasons. First, their efficacy is higher than other drugs in terms of reduction of morbidity and mortality. Also, antibiotics are the only group of drugs associated with ecological effects, because their administration may contribute to the emergence and spread of microbial resistance. Finally, they are used by almost all medical specialties. Appropriate use of antimicrobials is very complex because of the important advances in the management of infectious diseases and the spread of antibiotic resistance. Thus, the implementation of programs for optimizing the use of antibiotics in hospitals (called PROA in this document) is necessary. This consensus document defines the objectives of the PROA (namely, to improve the clinical results of patients with infections, to minimise the adverse events associated to the use of antimicrobials including the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, and to ensure the use of the most cost-efficacious treatments), and provides recommendations for the implementation of these programs in Spanish hospitals. The key aspects of the recommendations are as follows. Multidisciplinary antibiotic teams should be formed, under the auspices of the Infection Committees. The PROA need to be considered as part of institutional programs and the strategic objectives of the hospital. The PROA should include specific objectives based on measurable indicators, and activities aimed at improving the use of antimicrobials, mainly through educational activities and interventions based more on training activities directed to prescribers than just on restrictive measures.

Soil physical properties, water depletion and crop development under traditional and conservation tillage in southern Spain

Abstract: Tillage methods affect soil physical properties and, thus, have a direct influence on the replenishment and depletion of soil water storage and crop performance. This study was conducted to determine the effects of traditional and conservation tillage on soil physical properties, soil water replenishment and depletion, and crop development and yield under southern Spanish conditions. The experiments were carried out from 1992 to 1995 in a sandy clay loam soil (Xerofluvent). The traditional tillage (TT) method consisted mainly of the use of mouldboard ploughing, and the conservation tillage (CT) was characterized by not using mouldboard ploughing, by reduction of the number of tillage operations and leaving the crop residues on the surface as mulch. In both tillage treatments a wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.)-sunflower (Helianthus annuus, L.) crop rotation was established. In each treatment, systematic measurements of bulk density, resistance to penetration, infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity (using tension disc infiltrometers) in the soil top layer were carried out. Changes in water profiles through the experimental period were also followed using a neutron probe. Crop development and yield were determined. The soil bulk density in the 0 to 20 cm layer was significantly higher in the CT than in the TT treatment, mainly after tillage operations (between 10% and 24% higher in CT than in TT). After 3 years of continuous tillage treatments, the soil bulk density did not increase. The resistance to penetration at any time was higher in the CT than in the TT treatment, but not always significantly different. Infiltration rates were significantly higher in the TT than in the CT treatment (about 35% higher in TT than in CT). After 3 years of the tillage treatments the hydraulic conductivity of the soil surface layer, at a pressure head of 0 mm, was significantly higher in the CT (124 mm h−1) than in the TT (66 mm h−1). This is related to the existence of preferential paths created by an increase of the earthworm population in the CT treatment. Soil water profiles showed higher replenishment of soil water storage in the CT than in the TT treatment, particularly from October 1994 to June 1995 when the lowest precipitation of the experimental period was recorded. Plant height, leaf area index (LAI) and root length density (RLD) of the first sunflower crop were significantly higher in the TT than in the CT treatment. Nevertheless, the seed yield was slightly higher in the CT than in the TT treatment. In the second sunflower crop, plant height, LAI, RLD were significantly higher in the CT than in the TT treatment except early in the season, and yield was significantly (and extremely) higher in the CT (1521 kg ha−1) than in the TT (473 kg ha−1) treatment. During the wheat crop season, plant height and RLD were higher in the TT than in the CT treatment, but grain yield was again slightly higher in the CT than in the TT treatment. The conservation tillage applied seems to be highly effective in enhancing soil water recharge and water conservation, particularly in years with much lower than average precipitation.

Reduced Prepulse Inhibition as a Biomarker of Schizophrenia.

Abstract: The startle response is composed by a set of reflex behaviors intended to prepare the organism to face a potentially relevant stimulus. This response can be modulated by several factors as, for example, repeated presentations of the stimulus (startle habituation), or by previous presentation of a weak stimulus (Prepulse Inhibition [PPI]). Both phenomena appear disrupted in schizophrenia that is thought to reflect an alteration in dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. In this paper we analyze whether the reported deficits are indicating a transient effect restricted to the acute phase of the disease, or if it reflects a more general biomarker or endophenotype of the disorder. To this end, we measured startle responses in the same set of thirteen schizophrenia patients with a cross-sectional design at two periods: 5 days after hospital admission and 3 months after discharge. The results showed that both startle habituation and PPI were impaired in the schizophrenia patients at the acute stage as compared to a control group composed by 13 healthy participants, and that PPI but not startle habituation remained disrupted when registered 3 months after the discharge. These data point to the consideration of PPI, but not startle habituation, as a schizophrenia biomarker.

Impact of land use and land cover changes on organic carbon stocks in mediterranean soils (1956-2007)

Abstract: During the last few decades, land use changes have largely affected the global warming process through emissions of CO2. However, C sequestration in terrestrial ecosystems could contribute to the decrease of atmospheric CO2 rates. Although Mediterranean areas show a high potential for C sequestration, only a few studies have been carried out in these systems. In this study, we propose a methodology to assess the impact of land use and land cover change dynamics on soil organic C stocks at different depths. Soil C sequestration rates are provided for different land cover changes and soil types in Andalusia (southern Spain). Our research is based on the analysis of detailed soil databases containing data from 1357 soil profiles, the soil map of Andalusia and the Land Use and Land Cover Map of Andalusia. Land use and land cover changes between 1956 and 2007 implied soil organic C losses in all soil groups, resulting in a total loss of 16� 8Tg (approximately 0� 33Tg y � 1 ). Afforestation increased soil organic C mostly in the topsoil, and forest contributed to sequestration of 8� 62Mgha � 1 of soil organic C (25� 4 per cent). Deforestation processes implied important C losses, particularly in Cambisols, Luvisols and Vertisols. The information generated in this study will be a useful basis for designing management strategies for stabilizing the increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations by preservation of C stocks and C sequestration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Supporting information may be found in the online version of this article.