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The present work describes an educational experience carried out in a secondary school in Spain, where the case of Tinto River is presented as a learning scenario to understand the concept of pH and its logarithmic scale. Through the use and programming of controller boards (Micro Bit) and sensors, this study aims to address the underlying level of abstraction and alternative conceptions related to these topics. The intention is to provide practical examples for the development of a teaching-learning sequence based on inquiry, modeling, and computational thinking. This sequence addresses a current socio-scientific issue, while also considering students’ comments, and considering the Spanish digital competence model. The analysis includes an evaluation of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The results indicate that the sequence can be highly motivating in understanding the concepts presented and in acquiring digital competencies. However, it also reveals limitations in terms of time required and the complexity of its design.

There has been a global consensus to develop computational thinking (CT) in primary education, but the biggest obstacle to promoting CT is teachers’ lack of sufficient CT. This study explored the effects of micro: bit educational robotics (MER) programming activities on primary teachers’ CT and programming attitudes (PA) while considering the teachers’ gender effects. We implemented a single-group pre-test and post-test experiment with 56 primary teachers in China. We also measured teachers’ CT and PA levels before and after the MER activities intervention. The results showed that MER activities significantly enhanced teachers’ CT and PA and had different effects on each dimension of their CT and PA. The analysis of variance by gender showed that male teachers had significantly higher overall CT and PA scores than female teachers. However, female teachers performed better on collaborative skills in CT, indicating that female teachers also have the potential to develop CT. In addition, we found the mediating effects of PA, which means that MER activities affect CT through PA. Furthermore, PA predicted CT positively, suggesting that PA could be a key factor in enhancing CT. This study clarified the mechanism of gender and PA influence on CT during the MER activities intervention, which provides references for future researchers to conduct teacher training.

High-speed mechanical drilling based on the micro-bit is the mainstream process technology for machining micro-holes in the printed circuit board (PCB). However, the above process to obtain PCB micro-holes is prone to defects, such as hole burrs and nail heads in the hole. In this paper, the micro electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) was used as an auxiliary means for machining PCB micro-holes to effectively eliminate the defects such as hole burrs and nail heads. However, during the process of micro-EDM, the micro-bit will be gradually worn, thus negatively affecting the machining quality of PCB micro-holes. To solve the above problems, in this paper, the temperature field model of micro-EDM-assisted machining of PCB micro-holes was established to predict the micro-bit wear by analyzing the temperature field with COMSOL Multiphysics software. This paper made an extensive study of the influences of spindle speed, machining voltage, and pulse width on temperature field and micro-bit wear. The simulation results show that with the increase in machining voltage and pulse width, the temperature of PCB micro-hole machining increases, resulting in an increase in micro-bit wear. The spindle rotation is beneficial to the updating of the machining medium and the discharge of heat generated from EDM. Therefore, with the increase in spindle speed, the temperature of PCB micro-hole machining and the micro-bit wear is reduced.

The aim of this study was to characterize the bacterial microbiome of hard ticks with affinity to bite humans in La Rioja (North of Spain). A total of 88 adult ticks (22 Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, 27 Haemaphysalis punctata, 30 Dermacentor marginatus and 9 Ixodes ricinus) and 120 I. ricinus nymphs (CRETAV collection, La Rioja, Spain), representing the main anthropophilic species in our environment, were subjected to a metagenomic analysis of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using an Illumina MiSeq platform. Data obtained with Greengenes database were refined with BLAST. Four groups of samples were defined, according to the four tick species. Proteobacteria was the predominant phylum observed in all groups. Gammaproteobacteria was the most abundant class, followed by Alphaproteobacteria for R. sanguineus, H. punctata and D. marginatus but the relative abundance of reads for these classes was reversed for I. ricinus. This tick species showed more than 46% reads corresponding to 'not assigned' OTUs (Greengenes), and >97% of them corresponded to 'Candidatus Midichloriaceae' using BLAST. Within Rickettsiales, 'Candidatus Midichloria', Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, 'Candidatus Neoehrlichia' and Wolbachia were detected. I. ricinus was the most alpha-diverse species. Regarding beta-diversity, I. ricinus and H. punctata samples grouped according to their tick species but microbial communities of some R. sanguineus and D. marginatus specimens clustered together. The metagenomics approach seems useful to discover the spectrum of tick-related bacteria. More studies are needed to identify and differentiate bacterial species, and to improve the knowledge of tick-borne diseases in Spain.

Background Borrelia infection is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks, a common tick-borne infection in Northern Europe. The establishment of Borrelia infection depends on transmission of the spirochetes, as well as the immune response generated in the skin after a bite. Here we aim to investigate the local immune response in the skin after a tick bite and assess the possible direct effects of Borrelia , by applying gene expression analysis of the immune response in skin exposed to Borrelia -infected and non-infected ticks, respectively. Methods Skin biopsies from the study participants were taken 7–10 days after the tick-bite. The ticks and skin biopsies were analysed by real-time PCR for Borrelia spp. and other tick-borne pathogens. Dermal transcriptome profiles derived from RNA sequencing with focus on immune system regulation were created. In addition, we performed enrichment analysis of dermal transcriptome profiles with focus on immune system regulation. Results Skin biopsies exposed to a Borrelia -positive tick induced an overall higher expression of immune-related genes. Cytokines involved in the regulation of T-cell and macrophage activation, pro-inflammatory regulators and Toll-like receptor 2, 3 and 7 involved in pathogen recognition were upregulated in skin exposed to Borrelia , although Borrelia DNA was not detected in the biopsies. Conclusion The evidence of upregulation of genes in Borrelia exposed skin suggests an influence on the immune system of ticks and spirochetes. Characterization of Borrelia -associated gene expression signatures in the skin could contribute to future diagnostics and increase our understanding of the development of various manifestations of Borrelia infection.

Background Scalp Eschar and Neck LymphAdenopathy after Tick bite is a zoonotic non-pathogen-specific disease most commonly due to Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia raoultii. Diagnosis is mostly based only on epidemiological and clinical findings, without serological or molecular corroboration. We presented a clinical case in which diagnosis was supported by entomological identification and by R. slovaca DNA amplifications from the tick vector. Case presentation A 6-year-old child presented with asthenia, scalp eschar and supraclavicular and lateral-cervical lymphadenopathy. Scalp Eschar and Neck LymphAdenopathy After Tick bite syndrome following a Dermacentor marginatus bite was diagnosed. Serological test on serum revealed an IgG titer of 1:1024 against spotted fever group rickettsiae, polymerase chain reaction assays on tick identified Rickettsia slovaca . Patient was successfully treated with doxycycline for 10 days. Conclusions A multidisciplinary approach including epidemiological information, clinical evaluations, entomological identification and molecular investigations on tick, enabled proper diagnosis and therapy.

Background Borrelia ( B .) valaisiana is a tick-borne spirochete within the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. In Sweden, it occurs in Ixodes ricinus ticks, but its role as a human pathogen remains uncertain. In the Tick-Borne Diseases STING study conducted during 2007–2015, adult participants from Sweden and the Åland Islands, Finland, provided ticks, blood samples for serological analyses, and questionnaires at inclusion and at a 3-month follow-up. Medical records were reviewed for those seeking care. Ticks were characterised, feeding duration assessed, and pathogens detected by real-time PCR. During 2008–2009, B. valaisiana was identified by PCR in 1.6% (34/2,154) of the ticks. Since its significance as a human pathogen is unclear, we chose to examine this tick-bitten cohort in greater detail. Accordingly, the objective of the study was to assess whether participants bitten by B. valaisiana -positive ticks developed Borrelia-specific antibodies and/or symptoms suggestive of infection. Materials and methods Participants bitten by B. valaisiana -positive ticks (VPOS, n  = 33; one bitten twice) were compared with an age- and sex-matched group bitten by Borrelia-negative ticks (VNEG, n  = 67). Borrelia-specific IgG was analysed in paired blood samples. Results Median age in VPOS was 67 years; 58% were women. Seroconversion for Borrelia-specific IgG occurred significantly more often in VPOS than VNEG ( p  = 0.03). Common symptoms in VPOS included neck pain, myalgia/arthralgia, numbness, and headache, but none sought medical care. No significant difference in symptom occurrence was observed between groups. Conclusion Tick bites involving B. valaisiana were associated with higher Borrelia antibody seroconversion, without significant symptom associations or need for medical intervention. The results of this study provide new insights into the potential human impact of B. valaisiana .

By using PCR testing, we found Neoehrlichia mikurensis DNA in 1.1% of ticks removed from persons in Sweden and Finland. Symptoms developed in 2 immunocompetent persons. Despite low transmission risk, infection can occur after short tick attachment. Our findings highlight the need to consider N. mikurensis in patients with unexplained symptoms after tick bite.

Evidence-based guidelines for the management of patients with Lyme disease were developed by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). The guidelines address three clinical questions - the usefulness of antibiotic prophylaxis for known tick bites, the effectiveness of erythema migrans treatment and the role of antibiotic retreatment in patients with persistent manifestations of Lyme disease. Healthcare providers who evaluate and manage patients with Lyme disease are the intended users of the new ILADS guidelines, which replace those issued in 2004 (Exp Rev Anti-infect Ther 2004;2:S1-13). These clinical practice guidelines are intended to assist clinicians by presenting evidence-based treatment recommendations, which follow the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. ILADS guidelines are not intended to be the sole source of guidance in managing Lyme disease and they should not be viewed as a substitute for clinical judgment nor used to establish treatment protocols.

Background Tick-borne pathogens other than Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato – the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis – are common in Ixodes ricinus ticks. How often these pathogens cause human disease is unknown. In addition, diagnostic tools to identify such diseases are lacking or reserved to research laboratories. To elucidate their prevalence and disease burden, the study ‘Ticking on Pandora’s Box’ has been initiated, a collaborative effort between Amsterdam University Medical Center and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. Methods The study investigates how often the tick-borne pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum , Babesia species, Borrelia miyamotoi , Neoehrlichia mikurensis , spotted fever group Rickettsia species and/or tick-borne encephalitis virus cause an acute febrile illness after tick-bite. We aim to determine the impact and severity of these tick-borne diseases in the Netherlands by measuring their prevalence and describing their clinical picture and course of disease. The study is designed as a prospective case-control study. We aim to include 150 cases – individuals clinically suspected of a tick-borne disease – and 3 matched healthy control groups of 200 persons each. The controls consist respectively of a group of individuals with either a tick-bite without complaints, the general population and of healthy blood donors. During a one-year follow-up we will acquire blood, urine and skin biopsy samples and ticks at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks. Additionally, participants answer modified versions of validated questionnaires to assess self-reported symptoms, among which the SF-36, on a 3 monthly basis. Discussion This article describes the background and design of the study protocol of ‘Ticking on Pandora’s Box’. With our study we hope to provide insight into the prevalence, clinical presentation and disease burden of the tick-borne diseases anaplasmosis, babesiosis, B. miyamotoi disease, neoehrlichiosis, rickettsiosis and tick-borne encephalitis and to assist in test development as well as provide recommendations for national guidelines. Trial registration NL9258 (retrospectively registered at Netherlands Trial Register, trialregister.nl in in February 2021).