Dipòsit Digital de la Universitat de Barcelona
El Dipòsit Digital de la Universitat de Barcelona és el repositori institucional que conté en format digital els materials derivats de l'activitat docent, investigadora i institucional de la comunitat universitària.
Enviaments recents
ArticleMacrolide resistance determinants and their associations in streptococci from selected livestock and wildlife species from Catalonia, Northeast Spain(American Society for Microbiology, 2026-03-16) López de Egea, Guillem; González-Díaz, Aida; Aragon, Virginia; Cabezón Ponsoda, Òscar; Guédon, Gérard; Berbel, Dàmaris; Cadenas Jiménez, Irene; Espunyes, Johan; Planellas, Marta; Domínguez Luzón, Ma. Ángeles (María Ángeles); Leblond Bourget, Nathalie; Ardanuy Tisaire, María CarmenThe increasing macrolide resistance in Streptococcus spp. causing human and animal infections in the last decades is a concern for global health. The objectives of this study were to analyze the macrolide resistance rates of Streptococcus spp. from animals and their resistance determinants. We conducted a retrospective study of an animal Streptococcus collection (307 isolates) from farm, wild animals, and pets in Catalonia, Northeast Spain. Identification was done by MALDI-TOF, and antimicrobial susceptibility to erythromycin and clindamycin was assessed by disk diffusion (EUCAST). Resistant strains were further tested for susceptibility to other antimicrobial agents using disk diffusion and microdilution methods. Selected isolates (n = 50) were subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Mobile genetic elements (MGEs), such as integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) and integrative and mobilizable elements (IMEs), were identified using ICEscreen. Streptococcal strains were mainly isolated from domestic swine (50.5%) and wild boars (19.2%), with S. suis (54.4%) and S. hyovaginalis (14%) the predominant species. The macrolide resistance phenotypes found were MLSB (n = 145), M (n = 6), and L (n = 30). Macrolide (84.5%) and lincosamide (94.8%) resistance rates from swine strains were higher than those from other animals (13.2% and 18.4%, respectively, P < 0.001). The predominant resistant genes found were erm(B) (n = 38), tet(O) (n = 28), vga(F) (n = 20), and lnu(B)-lsa(E) (n = 10), and were mostly associated with ICEs or defective ICEs (dICEs) belonging to the Tn5252 family. Animal streptococci presented high macrolide resistance rates, especially concerning swine strains, associated with a variety of resistance determinants. MGEs were the main carriers of resistance determinants and contributors to its spread.- ArticleInequities in Waiting Times for Major Elective Surgery Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Socioeconomic and Sex Differences in the Southern Barcelona Metropolitan Area(MDPI, 2026-03-01) Pericas Escale, Carles; Vilaplana Carnerero, Carles; Poltorak, Violeta; Redondo, Ana; Masuet Aumatell, Cristina; Tor Roca, Alba; Pagès Fernández, Constança; Grau, MaríaBackground: Waiting times for elective surgery are widely used as indicators of health system performance, particularly following the disruption caused by COVID-19. The objective of this study is to compare the waiting times for major elective surgeries in the Southern Barcelona Metropolitan Area before (2018–2019) and after (2022–2023) the pandemic, examining differences according to sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted using data from the Southern Barcelona Metropolitan Area between 2018 and 2023. Adults registered on the waiting list for major elective surgical procedures were included. All analyses were stratified by sex. A stratified pre–post pandemic analysis was conducted to examine differences in waiting times by Socioeconomic Index. Waiting times were modelled using generalized linear models with a Gamma distribution and log link, adjusting for age and Socioeconomic Index quartiles. Interaction between period and Socioeconomic Index was tested. Results: The analysis included 73,055 individuals (50.5% women). Median waiting time decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic for both sexes (women: 128 to 121 days; men: 99 to 94 days). This reduction showed an inverse socioeconomic gradient. Adjusted analyses showed longer waits in the lowest versus highest Socioeconomic Index quartile after the pandemic (women: RR = 1.23; men: RR = 1.30). Conclusions: Waiting times for major elective surgery decreased after COVID-19. An exclusive focus on waiting time indicators may conceal structural barriers to access and contribute to inequalities. Equity-sensitive monitoring of elective care is essential to ensure a fair recovery of surgical services.
- ArticleComparison of microstructure and mechanical properties of Fe3Al/TiC coatings produced by cold gas spray and high velocity oxygen fuel(Elsevier B.V., 2026-01-01) Clave, Genís; Betancor, Lorena; Barreneche, Camila; Martín-Vilardell, Anna; Dosta Parras, SergiFe3Al powders reinforced with TiC were synthesized and deposited as coatings using Cold Gas Spraying (CGS) and High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) techniques. Fe3Al intermetallic compounds are known for their excellent resistance to sulfidizing and carburizing environments. However, their mechanical properties can be enhanced through reinforcement with TiC particles. The Fe3Al/TiC feedstock powder was produced via agglomeration and sintering, resulting in a homogeneous distribution of TiC particles around the Fe3Al matrix. Coatings were deposited onto AISI 316L stainless steel substrates and characterized using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), as well as adhesion and erosion tests. The results indicate that CGS coatings exhibit lower oxidation levels, whereas HVOF coatings demonstrate superior adhesion and hardness due to their denser microstructure and greater particle deformation. Hardness increased with the incorporation of TiC. Erosion testing revealed that CGS coatings performed better, attributed to their reduced brittleness compared to HVOF coatings. These findings highlight the potential of Fe3Al/TiC coatings for high-temperature and wear-resistant applications. Moreover, the study demonstrates that comparable performance can be achieved using CGS as with HVOF for depositing Fe3Al/TiC intermetallic coatings.
- ArticleLow-carbon cementitious material from municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash for street furniture and outdoor paving: A circular economy perspective.(Univerzitet u Beogradu, 2026-02-16) Cuspoca, Fabian; Mañosa Bover, Jofre; Rosell, Joan Ramon; Faneca, Gerard; Chimenos Ribera, Josep Ma.This study investigates the feasibility of employing municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (WBA) as the sole precursor for producing alkali-activated binders (AAWBA), with the aim of developing low-carbon mortars and concretes for nonstructural urban applications within a circular-economy framework. The precursor, originally in the 8-30 mm particle-size fraction reported in previous studies, was milled to obtain material below 125 µm. A series of activation conditions was examined by varying the NaOH concentration, the NaOH-to-sodium-silicate ratio, and the liquid-to-solid ratio, together with three precursor particle-size ranges (≤63 µm, 90-100 µm, and 100-125 µm). The optimal formulation (1:4/0.6/4 M; 90-100 µm) achieved satisfactory mechanical performance in paste form and developed a dense microstructure characterised by the formation of C-(A)-S-H/N-A-S-H gels, as evidenced by TGA, FT-IR, and SEM analyses. As a proof of concept, this binder was used to manufacture a full-scale concrete pedestrian paving element, which exhibited adequate mechanical performance for outdoor pedestrian use at 28 days. Leaching and ecotoxicity tests indicated low metal release and no significant toxic effects, thereby demonstrating the environmental safety of the material and its potential contribution to more sustainable construction systems.
- ArticleInpatient hospital admissions for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A position statement by the international college of obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders(Elsevier B.V., 2026-04) Brakoulias, Vlasios; Albert, Umberto; Chamberlain, Samuel R.; Dell'Osso, Bernardo; Ferretti, Casara J.; Girone, Nicolaja; Hollander, Eric, 1957-; Ioannidis, Konstantinos; Lochner, Christine; Menchón Magriñá, José Manuel; Mpavaenda, Davis; Pallanti, Stefano; Pampaloni, Ilenia; Pellegrini, Luca; Stein, Dan J., 1962-; Van Ameringen, Michael; Zohar, Joseph; Fineberg, Naomi A.Background: The hospitalization of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is less common in comparison to other mental disorders, and often a significant and distressing event. Objectives: This paper presents a position statement, developed by the International College of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders, on the indications for hospital admission for people with OCD, the treatment that is offered within hospital, the complications that may occur in this setting, and principles for best practice. Methods: Current literature was critically reviewed and narratively synthesized by a group of international experts in the field of OCD. Results; An inpatient hospital admission may be required for people with severe OCD who are unable to accept or tolerate pharmacological or psychological treatment as an outpatient or where there would be significant risks to the individual or those around them. Admissions have been associated with significant reductions in OCD severity. Inpatient treatment often involves psychoeducation of staff, patients and family members, pharmacotherapy, exposure and response prevention psychological work, addressing comorbidity as well as psychosocial issues such as family-relational issues, homelessness, grief or loss. Admissions can be distressing, and intensive inpatient-based therapy programs require the comprehensive assessment of risk. Conclusions: The inpatient treatment of people with OCD is an important management option that needs to be well considered and managed. Admissions often require close monitoring of risks, additional support to staff who may be unfamiliar with OCD, addressing comorbidity, pharmacotherapy and exposure and response prevention therapy.