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A transthoracic infection involving a low dose of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been used to establish a new model of infection in minipigs. The 20-week monitoring period showed a marked Th1 response and poor humoral response for the whole infection. A detailed histopathological analysis was performed after slicing the formalin-fixed whole lungs of each animal. All lesions were recorded and classified according to their microscopic aspect, their relationship with the intralobular connective network and their degree of maturity in order to obtain a dissemination ratio (DR) between recent and old lesions. CFU counts and evolution of the DR with time showed that the proposed model correlated with a contained infection, decreasing from week 9 onwards. These findings suggest that the infection induces an initial Th1 response, which is followed by local fibrosis and encapsulation of the granulomas, thereby decreasing the onset of new lesions. Two therapeutic strategies were applied in order to understand how they could influence the model. Thus, chemotherapy with isoniazid alone helped to decrease the total number of lesions, despite the increase in DR after week 9, with similar kinetics to those of the control group, whereas addition of a therapeutic M. tuberculosis fragment-based vaccine after chemotherapy increased the Th1 and humoral responses, as well as the number of lesions, but decreased the DR. By providing a local pulmonary structure similar to that in humans, the mini-pig model highlights new aspects that could be key to a better understanding tuberculosis infection control in humans.

The prophylactic capacity of the RUTI® vaccine, based on fragmented cells of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has been evaluated in respect to aerosol challenge with virulent bacilli. Subcutaneous vaccination significantly reduced viable bacterial counts in both lungs and spleens of C57Bl mice, when challenged 4 weeks after vaccination. RUTI® protected the spleen less than BCG. Following a 9 month vaccination-challenge interval, protection was observed for the lungs, but not for the spleen. Survival of infected guinea pigs was prolonged by vaccination given 5 weeks before challenge. Inoculations of RUTI® shortly after infection significantly reduced the viable bacterial counts in the lungs, when compared with infected control mice. Thus, vaccination by RUTI® has potential for both the prophylaxis and immunotherapy of tuberculosis.

Visual symptoms are common among the non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease. The aims of this study were to assess the diagnostic accuracy and relationship of retinal morphologic and functional changes with motor and non-motor symptoms disturbances in Parkinson’s disease. Thirty patients with Parkinson’s disease, with a median Hoehn–Yahr stage of 2 (1–4), were compared to 30 age- and gender-matched controls. Retinal thinning and function were measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual evoked potentials (VEP), and pattern electroretinography. Motor impairment and motor laterality were measured using the Short Parkinson’s Evaluation Scale/Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s disease, and non-motor symptoms severity using the non-motor symptoms questionnaire. Only pattern electroretinography, P50 and N95 amplitudes, were lower in patients with Parkinson’s disease, compared to controls ( p  = 0.01, respectively). Age, disease duration, levodopa dose, motor, and non-motor impairment were not significantly associated with retinal thinning and functional changes. The patients vs. controls area under the curve of OCT, VEP, and pattern electroretinography receiver-operating-characteristic curves were <0.50. In conclusion, morphologic and functional retina changes are not significantly correlated with motor and non-motor symptoms impairment severity, and do not discriminate between Parkinson’s disease and controls.

Durante los siglos XIX y XX, a lo largo de la geografía europea proliferaron los balnearios, edificaciones destinadas a facilitar los baños termales y marinos como fuente de salud, tan de moda en aquellos años. Como caso de estudio se analizan los de la playa de Alicante, primer puerto de mar comunicado con la capital española por ferrocarril y uno de los primeros focos de atracción del turismo del interior de la península. Los balnearios levantinos eran estructuras sencillas de madera, compuestas por plataformas cubiertas sobre el mar, apoyadas sobre pilotes enclavados en la arena, a modo de sofisticados muelles. De forma paradigmática, se analiza la construcción y tipología de uno de esos balnearios. Con este artículo se pretende demostrar la relevancia de estas edificaciones que, a pesar de su marcado carácter estacional, formaron parte del paisaje de la fachada marítima alicantina durante más de un siglo.

This article explores the applicability of the model developed by Chourabi et al. (2012) to the urban reality of Shanghai, China. The eight variables of the model: 1) governance and public urban planning 2) management and organization 3) technology 4) policy context 5) people and communities 6) economy 7) built-in infrastructure, 8) and natural environment, are examined against the Shanghai case. The findings are that for Shanghai the smart city plan inherits a process of transformation in place from the beginning of 1990sin four areas of public policy: governance, technology, built-in infrastructure and economy. The smart city plan, however, develops specificities for management and organization and shows a built-in capacity to develop a favorable policy context with the central government more recently. We have found a limited scope for people and communities and the natural environment shaping changes which are so-called smart. The framework applied allows us to show the significant role that the local government plays in the city through public policy. This framework contributes to extend the scope of comparative urban theory and analysis beyond the western world, in the East Asian context, allowing further comparison across cities. Final results might be used to complete new research programs, as we conclude.

El “engagement” puede definirse como un estado psicológico en el que el individuo centra toda su atención y disfruta de la actividad que está realizando. La literatura resalta la importancia de la búsqueda por parte de gobiernos y administraciones de este estado en el ámbito de la participación ciudadana. Las ciudades inteligentes poseen iniciativas de participación ciudadana. Sin embargo, hasta donde llega nuestro conocimiento, las claves previstas en la literatura sobre cómo puede fomentarse el engagement en participación ciudadana no han sido estudiadas en profundidad. Abordando este hecho, este artículo tiene como objetivo elaborar un marco teórico del engagement del ciudadano en participación ciudadana dentro de las ciudades inteligentes. Para ello, en primer lugar, se ofrece una definición del concepto y se identifican una serie de atributos que lo caracterizan. Además se presenta una revisión de la literatura sobre herramientas de participación en ciudades inteligentes. Posteriormente, se analizan si esas herramientas influyen en atributos del engagement. El resultado del estudio es la elaboración de un marco teórico con aplicaciones prácticas que integra atributos característicos del engagement en el campo de la participación ciudadana, y la identificación de herramientas de participación analizando si pueden ser diseñadas para incrementar los niveles de engagement de los ciudadanos.

Many governments and firms do believe that technology can supplant governance and human responsibility. This belief poses the question of who will really benefit from smart cities. This article explores this fundamental question through the study of digital media platforms. The ultimate goal is to understand the link between e-governance and smart city initiatives in our cases of study by testing whether these projects are explicitly for citizens. This article shows how e-platforms represent the use of information and communication technologies with the aim of encouraging citizen participation in decision-making processes, improving information and service delivery, reinforcing transparency, accountability, as well as credibility. Thirteen digital media platforms are surveyed, mostly in cities across countries. These e-platforms raise implementation challenges for both firms and policy makers, and new research opportunities for scientist to build up new research and to experiment with the aim to make the benefits for citizens wider and the participatory dimension stronger.

Background Antiretroviral treatment administered within 48–72 h after exposure might reduce the risk of acquiring HIV infection. Due to the urgency of an initiating treatment, some of these PEP treatments are prescribed in the emergency department (ED) by a non-HIV specialist. Therefore, PEP starter packs were created to ensure the correct treatment until the visit to an HIV specialist. Purpose To describe the use of PEP treatment starter packs in ED. We also calculated the cost savings resulting from dispensing daily packs until the HIV specialist visit. Materials and methods The PEP treatment was agreed between the HIV team and pharmacy department according to European ART clinical practice guidelines. Daily PEP kits containing lopinavir/ritonavir, emtricitabine and tenofovir are prepared in the pharmacy department and are available in ED with enclosed information for the patient. If a patient arrives at the ED with suspected exposure, PEP kits are dispensed until the visit to the HIV specialist. Data were collected since the introduction of PEP packs in December 2011 from hospital electronic records. Treatment cost was calculated from manufacturer sales price plus 4% VAT. Results 36 PEP were initiated. 64% male, with a mean age of 33.7 (17–52). After visiting the HIV specialist, 27 (75%) patients remained on the same treatment while 9 (25%) were changed: 4 (11%) patients from lopinavir to darunavir, 3 (8%) to atazanavir and 2 (6%) to raltegravir. 7 (20%) patients changed due to gastrointestinal side effects, 1 (2.5%) for drug interactions and 1 (2.5%) for unknown reasons. Treatment with lopinavir/ritonavir, emtricitabine and tenofovir cost 800.6 €/month; therefore PEP kits have saved the hospital 7,205.49 € from those patients who changed treatment. Conclusions PEP kits have guaranteed that the correct treatment is supplied in the ED. Treatment is well tolerated, nevertheless in some patients must be changed. Accordingly, dispensing daily packs instead of full drug containers seems to be a cost-effective strategy. No conflict of interest.

This article explores the applicability of the model developed by Chourabi et al. (2012) to the urban reality of Shanghai, China. The eight variables of the model: 1) governance and public urban planning 2) management and organization 3) technology 4) policy context 5) people and communities 6) economy 7) built-in infrastructure, 8) and natural environment, are examined against the Shanghai case. The findings are that for Shanghai the smart city plan inherits a process of transformation in place from the beginning of 1990sin four areas of public policy: governance, technology, built-in infrastructure and economy. The smart city plan, however, develops specificities for management and organization and shows a built-in capacity to develop a favorable policy context with the central government more recently. We have found a limited scope for people and communities and the natural environment shaping changes which are so-called smart. The framework applied allows us to show the significant role that the local government plays in the city through public policy. This framework contributes to extend the scope of comparative urban theory and analysis beyond the western world, in the East Asian context, allowing further comparison across cities. Final results might be used to complete new research programs, as we conclude.

This work stresses the importance of AI accountability to citizens and explores how a fourth independent government branch/institutions could be endowed to ensure that algorithms in today´s democracies convene to the principles of Constitutions. The purpose of this fourth branch of government in modern democracies could be to enshrine accountability of artificial intelligence development, including software-enabled technologies, and the implementation of policies based on big data within a wider democratic regime context. The work draws on Philosophy of Science, Political Theory (Ethics and Ideas), as well as concepts derived from the study of democracy (responsibility and accountability) to make a theoretical analysis of what artificial intelligence (AI) means for the governance of society and what are the limitations of such type of AI governance. The discussion shows that human ideas, as cement of societies, make it problematic to enshrine governance of artificial intelligence into the world of devices. In ethical grounds, the work stresses an existing trade off between greater and faster advancement of technology, or innovation on the one hand, and human well being on the oher, where the later is not automatically guaranteed by default. This trade off is yet unresolved. The work contends that features of AI offer an opportunity to revise government priorities from a multilevel perspective, from the local to the upper levels.