Open-source controller for dynamic cardiovascular models

Cardiovascular pressure sensors require dedicated, reliable, and customisable performance testing equipment. Devices available on the market, such as pulsatile pumps and pulse multipliers, offer limited adaptability to the needs of pressure sensor testing or are highly complex tools designed for other purposes. Therefore, there is a strong need to provide an adaptable and versatile device for characterisation during prototype development, prior to animal model testing. Early development requires detailed characterisation of a sensor performance in a realistic environmental scenario. To address this need, we adapted an off-the-shelf pressure chamber with a custom Arduino-based controller to achieve a rapid change in pressure that simulates the pulsatile profile of human blood pressure. The system is a highly customisable tool, and we have experimentally shown that it works successfully in a wide range of pressures from 30 mmHg to 400 mmHg with a resolution of 2 mmHg. By adjusting the chamber volume using a water balloon, we achieved a cycle rate of up to 120 beats per minute. The device can be operated directly from the Arduino IDE or with a customised graphical user interface developed by our research group. The proposed system is intended to assist other researchers in the development of industrial and biomedical pressure sensors.

Performance Evaluation of a Novel Combination of Four- and Five-Carbon [Butyric and Valeric] Short-Chain Fatty Acid Glyceride Esters in Broilers

A novel combination of Butyric and Valeric acid glycerol esters with oregano oil in a dry powder form was evaluated for performance improvements in broilers. The dosing regimen (500 g/Ton feed in starter and grower; 250 g/Ton in finisher feed) was considered low compared to conventional practices using non-esterified Butyric and Valeric short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). Six trials were conducted at various trial facilities in Italy, United Kingdom, Spain, and Poland. Supplemented broilers weighed significantly more than the control birds at 28 days of age (+3.4%; 1459 g vs. 1412 g; p = 0.0006) and at 42 days of age (+2.5%; 2834 g vs. 2763 g; p = 0.0030). Supplementation significantly reduced mortality from 1.9% to 0.8% during the finisher phase (from 29 to 42 days of age); however, average mortality was 3.2% for the whole 42-day growth period and was not affected. Further, supplemented broilers grew more (66.4 vs. 64.5 g/day; p = 0.0005), ate more feed (104.7 vs. 103.1 g/day; p = 0.0473), converted feed significantly more efficiently (1.58 vs. 1.60; p = 0.0072), leading to better EPEF value (410 vs. 389; p = 0.0006) than the control broilers. Meta-analysed trial performance data for novel SCFA formulations such as these are not commonly available, and serve to facilitate efficacy determination from an end-user perspective. The use of short- and medium-chain fatty acid esters in optimal low-dose combinations to reliably augment gut health and performance appears promising in commercial broiler production, and may lead to further improvements in industry practices and reduced antibiotic use.

Optimizing Cardiac Wireless Implant Communication: A Feasibility Study on Selecting the Frequency and Matching Medium

Cardiac wireless implantable medical devices (CWIMD) have brought a paradigm shift in monitoring and treating various cardiac conditions, including heart failure, arrhythmias, and hypertension. One of the key elements in CWIMD is the implant antenna which uses radio frequency (RF) technology to wirelessly communicate and transmit data to external devices. However, wireless communication with a deeply implanted antenna using RF can be challenging due to the significant loss of electromagnetic (EM) signal at the air-skin interface, and second, due to the propagation and reflection of EM waves from different tissue boundaries. The air-skin interface loss of the EM wave is pronounced due to the absence of a matching medium. This paper investigates the EM propagation losses in the human body and presents a choice of optimal frequency for the design of the cardiac implant antenna and the dielectric properties of the matching medium. First, the dielectric properties of all tissues present in the human thorax including skin, fat, muscle, cartilage, and heart are analyzed as a function of frequency to study the EM wave absorption at different frequencies. Second, the penetration of EM waves inside the biological tissues is analyzed as a function of frequency. Third, a transmission line (TL) formalism approach is adopted to examine the optimal frequency band for designing a cardiac implant antenna and the matching medium for the air-skin interface. Finally, experimental validation is performed at two ISM frequencies, 433 MHz and 915 MHz, selected from the optimal frequency band (0.4-1.5 GHz) suggested by our analytical investigation. For experimental validation, two off-the-shelf flexible dipole antennas operating at selected ISM frequencies were used. The numerical and experimental findings suggested that for the specific application of a cardiac implant with a penetration depth of 7-17 cm, the most effective frequency range for operation is within 0.4-1.5 GHz. The findings based on the dielectric properties of thorax tissues, the penetration depth of EM waves, and the optimal frequency band have provided valuable information on developing and optimizing CWIMDs for cardiac care applications.

SYNTHESIS OF SOL-GEL SILICA: OPTIMIZATION OF SUPPORTS FOR CATALYSTS USING ORANGE BIO-RESIDUES

Citrus bio-residues play an important role in obtaining different materials through the sol-gel method. This method is a friendly technique. These waste consists of organic compounds with a wide variety and chemical reactivity. In this way, it has been recognized that this kind of waste, generated mostly by the food industry, has an important potential to obtain silica to be used as a catalyst support. Provided that the principles of green chemistry and circular economy are present. This work aims to use the peel and juice of orange bio-residues, in acidic hydrolysis to obtain sol-gel silica. FT-IR spectra confirm silica formation according to the centered band at 1070 cm-1. In addition, SEM and TEM images of the synthesized materials were compared to a reference sample to contrast their morphology. Strictly speaking, orange bio-residues promote silica polymerization, due to the availability of complex organic compounds and their abundant acidic contribution.

A novel wireless implant for central venous pressure measurement: First animal experience

Background/Objective

Central venous pressure (CVP) serves as a surrogate for right atrial pressure, and thus could potentially predict a wider range of heart failure conditions. The purpose of this work is to assess CVP, through an implantable sensor incorporated with a novel anchor design, in the inferior and superior vena cava of an animal model.

Methods

Two animals (Dorset sheep) were implanted with sensors at 3 different locations: inferior vena cava (IVC), superior vena cava (SVC), and pulmonary artery (PA). Two sensors with distinct anchor designs considering anatomical requirements were used. A standard PA sensor (trade name Cordella) was deployed in the PA and SVC, whereas a sensor with a modified cylindrical anchor with various struts was designed to reside in the IVC. Each implant was calibrated against a Millar catheter reference sensor. The ability of the central venous sensors to detect changes in pressure was evaluated by modifying the fluid volume of the animal.

Results

The sensors implanted in both sheep were successful, which provided an opportunity to understand the relationship between PA and CVP via simultaneous readings. The mapping and implantation in the IVC took less than 15 minutes. Multiple readings were taken at each implant location using a hand-held reader device under various conditions. CVP recorded in the IVC (6.49 mm Hg) and SVC (6.14 mm Hg) were nearly the same. PA pressure (13-14 mm Hg) measured was higher than CVP, as expected. The SVC waveforms showed clear beats and respiration. Respiration could be seen in the IVC waveforms, but not all beats were easily distinguishable. Both SVC and IVC readings showed increases in pressure (3.7 and 2.7 mm Hg for SVC and IVC, respectively) after fluid overload was induced via extra saline administration.

Conclusion

In this work, the feasibility of measuring CVP noninvasively was demonstrated. The established ability of wireless PA pressure sensors to enable prevention of decompensation events weeks ahead can now be explored using central venous versions of such sensors.

Determination of optimal implantation site in central venous system for wireless hemodynamic monitoring

Background/purpose

In recent years, treatment of heart failure patients has proved to benefit from implantation of pressure sensors in the pulmonary artery. Despite this, pulmonary artery pressure is related to the left ventricle, and cannot provide information on the right side of the heart. By contrast, pressure in the central venous system is directly connected to the right atrium and could potentially predict a wider range of heart failure conditions. The purpose of this work is to find an optimal site for implantation in the central venous system of a hemodynamic wireless sensor for heart failure monitoring. Since all previous hemodynamic sensors were located in the pulmonary artery, there is no existing information about an optimal site in the central venous system.

Methods

This study analysed data obtained from CT scans of most relevant anatomical features in the inferior vena cava. The most important parameters of the sites of interest were extracted, analysed statistically and compared, with the purpose to select an optimal site of implantation.

Results

The results obtained show that the area comprised between the iliac bifurcation and the lower renal vein (and between the second and third lumbar veins) is the most suitable site of implantation for a hemodynamic sensor. Parameters such as its straight anatomy, diameter (21 mm) and link distance (106 mm) present it as a convenient location for implantation. Its procedure appears relatively easy, as access from the femoral vein is close to the site of interest. In addition, there are not major delicate structure in its surroundings that may pose a risk to the patient.

Conclusion

This study concludes that the area between the iliac join and the lower renal vein (and the 2nd and 3rd lumbar veins) is an optimal site for the accommodation of a hemodynamic sensor.

Future Trends for In Situ Monitoring of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water Sources: The Role of Immunosensing Techniques

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are hazardous environmental pollutants found in water, soil, and air. Exposure to this family of chemicals presents a danger to human health, and as a result, it is imperative to design methods that are able to detect PAHs in the environment, thus improving the quality of drinking water and agricultural soils. This review presents emerging immunoassay techniques used for in situ detection of PAH in water samples and how they compare to common-place techniques. It will discuss their advantages and disadvantages and why it is required to find new solutions to analyze water samples. These techniques are effective in reducing detection times and complexity of measurements. Immunoassay methods presented here are able to provide in situ analysis of PAH concentrations in a water sample, which can be a great complement to existing laboratory techniques due to their real-time screening and portability for immunoassay techniques. The discussion shows in detail the most relevant state-of-the-art surface functionalization techniques used in the field of immunosensors, with the aim to improve PAH detection capabilities. Specifically, three surface functionalization techniques are key approaches to improve the detection of PAHs, namely, substrate surface reaction, layer-by-layer technique, and redox-active probes. These techniques have shown promising improvements in the detection of PAHs in water samples, since they show a wider linear range and high level of sensitivity compared to traditional PAH detection techniques. This review explores the various methods used in the detection of PAH in water environments. It provides extra knowledge to scientists on the possible solutions that can be used to save time and resources. The combination of the solutions presented here shows great promise in the development of portable solutions that will be able to analyze a sample in a matter of minutes on the field.

Stillbirth rates in 20 countries of Latin America: an ecological study

OBJECTIVE

To describe country-level stillbirth rates and their change over time in Latin America, and to measure the association of stillbirth rates with socio-economic and health coverage indicators in the region.

DESIGN

Ecological study.

SETTING

20 countries of Latin America.

POPULATION OR SAMPLE

Aggregated data from pregnant women with countries as units of analysis.

METHODS

We used stillbirth estimates, and socio-economic and healthcare coverage indicators reported from 2006 to 2016 from UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme and World Bank datasets. We calculated Spearman's correlation coefficients between stillbirths rates and socioeconomic and health coverage indicators.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

National estimates of stillbirth rates in each country.

RESULTS

The estimated stillbirth rate for Latin America for 2015 was 8.1 per 1000 births (range 3.1-24.9). Seven Latin America countries had rates higher than 10 stillbirths per 1000 births. The average annual reduction rate for the region was 2% (range 0.1-3.8%), with the majority of Latin America countries ranging between 1.5 and 2.5%. National stillbirth rates were correlated to: women's schooling (rS = -0.7910), gross domestic product per capita (rS = -0.8226), fertility rate (rS = 0.6055), urban population (rS = -0.6316), and deliveries at health facilities (rS = -0.6454).

CONCLUSIONS

Country-level estimated stillbirth rates in Latin America varied widely in 2015. The trend and magnitude of reduction in stillbirth rates between 2000 and 2015 was similar to the world average. Socio-economic and health coverage indicators were correlated to stillbirth rates in Latin America.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Stillbirth rates decreased in Latin America but remain relatively high, with wide variations among countries.

Organizational readiness for knowledge translation in chronic care: a Delphi study

Background

Health-care organizations need to be ready prior to implement evidence-based interventions. In this study, we sought to achieve consensus on a framework to assess the readiness of health-care organizations to implement evidence-based interventions in the context of chronic care.

Methods

We conducted a web-based modified Delphi study between March and May 2013. We contacted 76 potentially eligible international experts working in the fields of organizational readiness (OR), knowledge translation (KT), and chronic care to comment upon the 76 elements resulting from our proposed conceptual map. This conceptual map was based on a systematic review of the existing frameworks of Organizational Readiness for Change (ORC) in health-care. We developed a conceptual map that proposed a set of core concepts and their associated 17 dimensions and 59 sub-dimensions. Experts rated their agreement concerning the applicability and importance of ORC elements on a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 indicates total disagreement and 5 indicates total agreement. Two rounds were needed to get a consensus from the experts. Consensus was a priori defined as strong (≥75%) or moderate (60-74%). Simple descriptive statistics was used.

Results

In total, 14 participants completed the first round and 10 completed the two rounds. Panel members reached consensus on the applicability and importance of 6 out of 17 dimensions and 28 out of 59 sub-dimensions to assess OR for KT in the context of chronic care. A strong level of consensus (≥75%) was attained on the Organizational contextual factors, Leadership/participation, Organizational support, and Motivation dimensions. The Organizational climate for change and Change content dimensions reached a moderate consensus (60-74%). Experts also reached consensus on 28 out of 59 sub-dimensions to assess OR for KT. Twenty-one sub-dimensions reached a strong consensus (≥75%) and seven a moderate consensus (60-74%).

Conclusion

This study results provided the most important and applicable dimensions and sub-dimensions for assessing OR-KT in the context of chronic care. They can be used to guide the design of an assessment tool to improve knowledge translation in the field of chronic care.

Talin-bound NPLY motif recruits integrin-signaling adapters to regulate cell spreading and mechanosensing

β3 integrin residue Y747 is required for cell spreading and paxillin adapter recruitment to substrate-bound integrins in response to substrate stiffness.

Integrin-dependent cell adhesion and spreading are critical for morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and immune defense but also tumor growth. However, the mechanisms that induce integrin-mediated cell spreading and provide mechanosensing on different extracellular matrix conditions are not fully understood. By expressing β3-GFP-integrins with enhanced talin-binding affinity, we experimentally uncoupled integrin activation, clustering, and substrate binding from its function in cell spreading. Mutational analysis revealed Tyr747, located in the first cytoplasmic NPLY⁷⁴⁷ motif, to induce spreading and paxillin adapter recruitment to substrate- and talin-bound integrins. In addition, integrin-mediated spreading, but not focal adhesion localization, was affected by mutating adjacent sequence motifs known to be involved in kindlin binding. On soft, spreading-repellent fibronectin substrates, high-affinity talin-binding integrins formed adhesions, but normal spreading was only possible with integrins competent to recruit the signaling adapter protein paxillin. This proposes that integrin-dependent cell–matrix adhesion and cell spreading are independently controlled, offering new therapeutic strategies to modify cell behavior in normal and pathological conditions.

Intensificación agrícola y pérdida de servicios ambientales en el partido de Azul (Provincia de Buenos Aires) entre 2002-2011

En las últimas décadas, la agricultura Argentina, especialmente en la ecorregión de las Pampas, ha experimentado una notable expansión basada en el desarrollo tecnológico. Este proceso permite aumentar la productividad pero incrementa los costos en términos de pérdida de servicios ambientales. El presente trabajo propone analizar la pérdida de algunos servicios de soporte y regulación en el período 2002-2011, en un área representativa de la ecorregión: el partido de Azul. Para ello, se utilizaron dos indicadores de sustentabilidad: conservación de la calidad de suelos y agua (CCSA) y conservación de la biodiversidad (CB). Previamente, se analizaron los cambios de uso del suelo mediante el procesamiento y clasificación de imágenes satelitales, entrevistas y campañas de campo. Los resultados obtenidos indican una intensificación y expansión agrícola (13,79%), a expensas de la ganadería (-5,24%) y de la superficie cubierta con agua en 2002. Dichos cambios se reflejan en la pérdida de servicios ambientales y se traducen en la estimación de los indicadores: el indicador de CCSA disminuyó 33,8% y el de CB 16,03%. Ante lo enunciado, se considera prioritario generar estrategias agroproductivas contemplando que los servicios que prestan los ecosistemas son indispensables para el sostenimiento del Partido y la región.

Specific antibody and interferon-gamma responses associated with immunopathological forms of bovine paratuberculosis in slaughtered Friesian cattle

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection causes a chronic granulomatous inflammatory regional enteritis in ruminants. Cell-mediated immune responses are assumed to be protective and therefore, to be associated with its more delimited lesion types, while humoral responses are mainly associated with diffuse histopathological lesions. However, this duality of immune responses has been recently questioned. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between both types of immunological responses and the type and extension of intestinal lesions and the presence of MAP in bovine tissues. Standard histopathological examinations, two microbiological procedures (culture and real time PCR (rtPCR)), as well as MAP specific antibody and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRA) were performed on tissues and blood of 333 slaughtered Holstein-Friesian animals. Paratuberculous lesions were observed in 176 (52.9%) of the animals and overall MAP detection rates were estimated at 13.5% and 28.5% for tissue culture and rtPCR, respectively. Unlike the relatively constant non-specific IFN-γ release, both the antibody levels and the specific IFN-γ release significantly increased with tissue damage. Delimited immunopathological forms, which accounted for 93.2% of all forms, were mostly related to positive testing in the IGRA (38.4%) whereas diffuse ones (6.8%) were associated with antibody seropositivity (91.7%). However, since the frequency of positive immune responses in both tests increased as the lesions severity increased, polarization of Th1/Th2 responses was less prominent than expected. MAP was detected in the majority of ELISA-positive animals (culture+: 90%, rtPCR+: 85%) but the bacteria was only confirmed in the 36.1% of IGRA-positive animals by any of the two microbiological tests. In terms of diagnosis, the antibody test was a good indicator of advanced tissue damage (diffuse forms), but the IGRA did not associate well with more delimited forms or with MAP detection.

Immunization of adult dairy cattle with a new heat-killed vaccine is associated with longer productive life prior to cows being sent to slaughter with suspected paratuberculosis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new heat-killed Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) vaccine for control of premature culling in tuberculosis-free dairy cattle. Feces and gastrointestinal tissues were collected from 50 vaccinated cows and 38 nonvaccinated cows at slaughter and analyzed by bacteriological culture and histopathology. Vaccination was associated with a significant reduction of the frequency of vaccinated animals with MAP in feces and gut tissues compared with the nonvaccinated animals. In addition, the frequency of vaccinated animals with heavy bacterial load in gut tissues was 40% lower than the frequency of the nonvaccinated animals with the same MAP load. The peak age of paratuberculosis-associated culling was from 4.5 to 5 yr old (21%) in the vaccinated animals and from 3 to 4.5 yr old (60%) in the nonvaccinated animals. The vaccinated and nonvaccinated animals with suspected paratuberculosis were culled at an average age of 4.7 and 3.7 yr old, respectively. Therefore, a significant increase in the productive life of the vaccinated animals sent to slaughter with suspected paratuberculosis was observed. In addition, our analysis revealed a positive effect of the vaccine on the carcass weights of the animals with severe histopathological lesions at slaughter compared with the nonvaccinated animals. In summary, our findings suggest a therapeutic effect of the vaccine and a significant attenuation of pre-existing infection in cows naturally infected with paratuberculosis that were adults at the time of vaccination.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) can reverse AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and S6 kinase (P70S6K) activities induced by fluctuations in glucose levels in hypothalamic areas involved in feeding behaviour

The anorexigenic peptide, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), reduces glucose metabolism in the human hypothalamus and brain stem. The brain activity of metabolic sensors such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) responds to changes in glucose levels. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and its downstream target, p70S6 kinase (p70S6K), integrate nutrient and hormonal signals. The hypothalamic mTOR/p70S6K pathway has been implicated in the control of feeding and the regulation of energy balances. Therefore, we investigated the coordinated effects of glucose and GLP-1 on the expression and activity of AMPK and p70S6K in the areas involved in the control of feeding. The effect of GLP-1 on the expression and activities of AMPK and p70S6K was studied in hypothalamic slice explants exposed to low- and high-glucose concentrations by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and by the quantification of active-phosphorylated protein levels by immunoblot. In vivo, the effects of exendin-4 on hypothalamic AMPK and p70S6K activation were analysed in male obese Zucker and lean controls 1 h after exendin-4 injection to rats fasted for 48 h or after re-feeding for 2-4 h. High-glucose levels decreased the expression of Ampk in the lateral hypothalamus and treatment with GLP-1 reversed this effect. GLP-1 treatment inhibited the activities of AMPK and p70S6K when the activation of these protein kinases was maximum in both the ventromedial and lateral hypothalamic areas. Furthermore, in vivo s.c. administration of exendin-4 modulated AMPK and p70S6K activities in those areas, in both fasted and re-fed obese Zucker and lean control rats.

Genetic variation of toll-like receptor genes and infection by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in Holstein-Friesian cattle

Toll-like receptors (TLR) are membrane proteins that play a key role in innate immunity, by recognizing pathogens and subsequently activating appropriate responses. Mutations in TLR genes are associated with susceptibility to inflammatory and infectious diseases in humans. In cattle, 3 members of the TLR family, TLR1, TLR2, and TLR4, are associated with Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection, although the extent of this association for the TLR1 and TLR4 receptors has not yet been determined. Moreover, the causal variant in the TLR2 gene has not yet been unequivocally established. In this study, 24 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the bovine TLR1, TLR2, and TLR4 genes were selected from the literature, databases, and in silico searches, for a population-based genetic association study of a Spanish Holstein-Friesian sample. Whereas previous results regarding the TLR1 gene were not corroborated, a risk haplotype was detected in TLR2; however, its low frequency indicates that this detected association should be interpreted with caution. In the case of the TLR4 gene, 3 tightly linked SNP were found to be associated with susceptibility to M. avium ssp. paratuberculosis infection. Moreover, one of these SNP, the SNP c.-226G>C, which is localized in the 5'UTR region of the TLR4 gene, has been reported to be able to alter TLR4 expression, raising the possibility that this mutation may contribute to the response of the individual to infection.

Serum metabolite concentrations and enzyme activities in finishing bull calves fed different types of high-grain diets

Abstract. Between the ages of 23 and 35 weeks, various serum metabolites and enzymes were monitored in three 10-animal groups of double-muscled Belgian Blue bull calves maintained in a feedlot in Galicia (NW Spain) on high-grain finishing diets that mainly differed in whether the grain used was predominantly maize (group M), predominantly barley (group B), or a mixture of maize and barley in approximately equal proportions (group MB). The parameters determined were glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total serum protein concentration (TSP), albumin, serum urea nitrogen (SUN), creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Throughout the study period, all these parameters remained within the physiological ranges for beef under intensive conditions, and no animal ever showed clinical symptoms of ruminal alterations; indicating that none of these highgrain diets were detrimental to animal health. Although average serum NEFA, creatinine, albumin, AST and GGT levels all differed among groups, only AST can be considered as possible age-independent marker of grain-type-related metabolic alterations, since the other parameters all showed significant time × group interaction. In terms of this parameter, animals fed a MB diet behaved similarly to those fed a B diet. The absence of between-group differences in blood glucose level may reflect a genetic characteristic of this double-muscled breed. Our results, in conjunction with the best productive results obtained in animals fed de B-diet, aim us to suggest that the risk of an acidogenic diet would depend strongly on the nutritional management (in terms of crude protein (CP) and quality of straw in the ration) and not only the type of grain.

Three dimensional electrochemical system for neurobiological studies

In this work we report a novel three dimensional electrode array for electrochemical measurements in neuronal studies. The main advantage of working with these out-of-plane structures is the enhanced sensitivity of the system in terms of measuring electrochemical changes in the environment of a cell culture in real time. In addition, the system is devised to offer a compact solution that helps to obtain a homogeneous distribution of current density among the active electrodes.

Significant reduction in bacterial shedding and improvement in milk production in dairy farms after the use of a new inactivated paratuberculosis vaccine in a field trial

Background

Paratuberculosis vaccination has been in use in some regions for many decades, but results have not been widely spread. A new Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) killed vaccine was studied in relationship with its effects on fecal shedding and milk production in four farms while other two were kept as controls submitted to a test and cull scheme.

Findings

Fecal detection (n = 1829) and milking records (n = 2413) have been analyzed after two (5 herds) and four (1 herd) years of the beginning of the intervention. Shedder prevalence was reduced by 100% in three of the four vaccinated farms, 68% in the total of vaccinated animals and 46% in the two control farms. Total amount of MAP shed was reduced 77% in the vaccinated farms and 94% in the control farms. Overall milk production increased up to 3.9% after vaccination, while there was no significant difference in production after intervention in the non-vaccinated farms.

Conclusion

MAP shedding reduction can be quickly accomplished both by vaccination and by testing and culling. However, vaccination appears to be a less expensive and more sustainable strategy since it required one single intervention and was also associated with an increase in milk production.

Isolation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis from muscle tissue of naturally infected cattle

Johne's disease or paratuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous inflammation of the small intestine of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Recent studies suggest an association between MAP and Crohn's disease in humans. MAP can become widely distributed within the tissues of infected animals, and meat may be a possible route of exposure of MAP to humans. In this study, 47 dairy and beef cattle were examined for the occurrence of viable MAP in diaphragm muscle. At the slaughterhouse, gut tissues, diaphragm muscle, blood, and feces of the 47 animals were collected for bacteriological culture, as well as gut samples for histopathological analysis. MAP was detected by bacteriological culture and conventional and real-time IS900 polymerase chain reaction in the diaphragm muscle of six infected cattle at slaughter (13%). The six animals showing evidence of MAP in diaphragm muscle had diffuse lesions and severe granulomatous inflammation in ileocecal lymph nodes, jejunal lymph nodes, ileocecal valve, and ileum. All six had heavy bacterial load in mesenteric lymph nodes, ileocecal valve, ileum, and jejunum, and four showed clinical signs of paratuberculosis. Two animals did not show clinical signs but had viable MAP in intestinal tissues and in diaphragm muscle as well. MAP was found in blood of only one of the six animals showing evidence of MAP in diaphragm muscle and in feces of three of them. In general, there was a positive association between enteric lesion severity, clinical signs of paratuberculosis, heavy bacterial load in intestinal tissues, fecal shedding of MAP, and the presence of disseminated MAP infection in diaphragm muscle. The results of this study demonstrated that MAP can be detected and cultured from muscle of MAP-infected cattle destined for human consumption and suggest a possible risk of exposure of humans to MAP via contaminated meat.

Effects of malate supplementation on acid-base balance and productive performance in growing/finishing bull calves fed a high-grain diet

This study investigated the effects of malate supplementation on blood acid-base balance and serum lactate levels in a 137-day feedlot experiment with bull calves. Animals were allotted to one of two experimental groups: (1) A control group (no supplementation), and (2) a group receiving a salt of DL-malic acid. Blood pH, pCO2, HCO3-, base excess, serum L-lactate and productivity parameters were evaluated. Our data reveal that under the conditions of the present experiment malate supplementation did not have any significant effect on productivity parameters by comparison with non-supplemented animals. As regards acid-base balance, no significant effects attributable only to malate were observed. In conclusion, the time-course and the overall means of serum L-lactate for both groups in both growing and finishing periods (0.44 +/- 0.04 mmol/l and 0.39 +/- 0.02 mmol/l, respectively, for control animal; and 0.54 +/- 0.03 mmol/l and 0.49 +/- 0.01 mmol/l, respectively, for supplemented animals) suggests that malate does not have any beneficial effects in animals fed a diet of similar characteristics to that given in this study.

Les mutilations sexuelles féminines

Each year, two million young girls are at risk of female sexual mutilation. Pediatricians are likely to be confronted with this problem. They must know to identify it as well as the complications to ensure a concerned assumption of the families, in the respect of the law.

[History of patients with pelvic floor dysfunction]

OBJECTIVES

1) To determine differences between sexes; 2) To determine differences by sex and age groups in symptom onset, time of evolution, clinical forms and probable associated causes.

POPULATION AND SAMPLE

83 consecutive patients with diagnosed PCP (X age = 50.9 SE 2.21). 25 males (30.1% x 51.2 years-old, SE 4.1) and 58 females (69.9%, X 50.8 years-old, SE 2.2). Patients with organic colon-rectum pathology (with the exception of hemorrhoidal pathology, proctologic surgery and active anus fissure) had been excluded.

METHODS

Colonic Double-contrasted Rx, rectum-sigma endoscopy, and eventually a Colonofibroscopy Historic facts and syndromic protocol. Diagnosis criteria: 1) Perineal inspection: perineal contraction with pujo; 2) Rectal tact; 3) Ano-Rectum manometry with perfused system; 4) 150 ml Rectal balloon expulsion dynamic; 5) Utoreported signs and symptoms from a cuestionnaire ad hoc. Division into evolutive groups (continuous and intermittent). Division by age (< = 5, 5.1-25, > 25 years old).

EXPERIMENT DESIGN

descriptive, comparative, correlation, prospective, simple blind.

STATISTICS

Levene, descriptive, chi square, ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis, Kendal tau b.

RESULTS

1) Difference in sex proportion was significative (p = 0.0001); 2) There were not differences between sexes in age media at the moment of the study (p = 0.92; 3) The continue evolutive form represented 77.1%, (p = 0.0001) but there weren't differences between sexes (p = 0.19) There weren't evolutive differences between age groups. (p = 0-78) 4) Age of onsec: x = 24.04 years-old, SE 2.02 (4-80 years-old), without differences between sexes (p = 0.16). 14.5% started before age of 5, 85% after that age, without differences between sexes (p = 0.07); 5) The time of evolution x = 26.7 years, SE 2.21, without differences between sexes (p = 0.25); 6) Potential causes were divides into tree categories: I "the patient doesn't remember associated facts" (30.1%, II: psychological or physical stress (39.8%), III: facts related to sexual trauma (30.1%). The differences (p = 0.0001); 7) Analyzed in general by sec, the most common cause was psychological-physical stress rather than sexual trauma in men, while among women sexual trauma was most common than psychological-physical stress (p = 0.03); 8) Analyzed by age groups: in the under 5 years-old group: main cause was "I don't remember". In 5.1-25-years-old group: sexual trauma; and psychological-physical stress was the main cause in > 25 years-old group (p 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

1) Women suffer from or consult much more frequently than man; 2) Once the disease is present, there would not be differences in age, age of onset, or time or evolution into proportions by sex; 3) The continue forms were the predominant ones; 4) The probable associated causes vary for each age group; 5) The sub-group "I don't remember" could represent in many cases a mismatch learning, but not constantly (there are cases of stress in familiar context); 6) In the subgroup "late childhood-adolescence" the predominant causes were traumatic experiences in erotic zones (rapping intent, sexual abuse, fantasies, elimination of parasites by the anus); 7) in the subgroup "older than 25 years-old" the predominant causes were physical stress, (violence, accidents, surgery) or emotional stress (familiar environment, social environment, affective losses). Some paradigmatic cases are presented. Anismus would be a complex situation involving an striated, voluntary, automatizated muscle (puborectalis) controlling independently genital-sexual, urinary and ano-rectal functions.

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of phthalocyanine--fullerene hybrids

Phthalocyanines linked to C60 have been synthesized by two general strategies. One of them involves the addition of an azomethine ylide prepared in situ from a formyl phthalocyanine to C60, and the other one involves a statistical condensation of two substituted phthalonitriles, one of them bearing the C60 moiety covalently attached. These new phthalocyanine-fullerene dyads have been studied by cyclic voltammetry and Osteryoung square wave voltammetry, and inter- and intramolecular electronic interactions between the two electroactive subunits have been demonstrated.

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 3' terminal region of a wasabi strain of crucifer tobamovirus genomic RNA: subgrouping of crucifer tobamoviruses

The 3' terminal 2378 nucleotides of a wasabi strain of crucifer tobamovirus (CTMV-W) infectious to crucifer plants was determined. This includes the 3' non-coding region of 235 nucleotides, coat protein (CP) gene (468 nucleotides), movement protein (MP) gene (798 nucleotides) and C-terminal partial readthrough portion of 180 K protein gene (940 nucleotides). Comparison of the sequence with homologous regions of thirteen other tobamovirus genomes showed that it had much higher identity to those of four other crucifer tobamoviruses, 85.2% to cr-TMV and turnip vein-clearing virus (TVCV), 87.4% to oilseed rape mosaic virus (ORMV) and 87.1% to TMV-Cg, than to those of other tobamoviruses. Thus CTMV-W was most similar to ORMV and TMV-Cg in sequence, but only marginally so, whereas the location and size of its MP gene was the same as cr-TMV amd TVCV. These results, together with other analyses, show that CTMV-W is a new crucifer tobamovirus, that the five crucifer tobamoviruses can be classified into two subgroups based on MP gene organization, and that the rate of sequence change is not the same in all lineages.

Nuclear DNA introgression across a Pyrenean hybrid zone between parapatric subspecies of the grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus

Two parapatric subspecies of the European grasshopper Chorthippus parallelus meet along the Pyrenees and form a hybrid zone. A nuclear DNA sequence marker (cpnl-1), involving the presence or absence of a 5 bp insertion, was found to differentiate between the two subspecies along either side of the High Pyrenees but further electrophoretic and sequence analyses revealed that considerable mixing of the subspecific genomes had occurred towards the western and eastern ends of the Pyrenees. The cline for this marker was relatively narrow in two adjoining western central high cols (Peyrelue: 9.7 km and Portalet: 13.3 km) but was significantly wider in another central high col towards the east (Quillane: 42.3 km), indicating that a different combination of forces has been operating on this locus in different regions of the Pyrenees.

Presence of highly repetitive DNA sequences in Tribolium flour-beetles

Digestion of genomic DNA from seven species of Tribolium (Coleoptera) with Sau3AI, TaqI and ClaI restriction enzymes shows the presence of remarkable amounts of highly repetitive DNA sequences in these species. In Tribolium freemani the sequences are tandemly repeated with a satellite monomer of 166 bp, A-T rich (70.5 per cent), representing 31 per cent of the total genome and located in centromeric chromosome areas as demonstrated by in situ hybridization. The sequence has the potential to form secondary structures such as stems or cruciforms due to the presence of frequent inverted repeats. Tribolium castaneum, T. anaphe and T. madens show homologous sequences to T. freemani satellite DNA but T. confusum, T. audax, T. brevicornis and other tenebrionid beetles, such as Tenebrio molitor and Misolampus goudoti, do not. A phylogenetic dendrogram, based on the homology and abundance of highly repetitive sequences deduced by dot-blot hybridization, chemotaxonomic and karyological characters, is proposed for the seven studied species of Tribolium.

Fecal chymotrypsin levels in children with pancreatic insufficiency

The fecal chymotrypsin (FC) levels in samples collected over 24 h were determined by a new commercial colorimetric method from Boehringer Mannheim in 82 children suffering from various pancreatic disorders. The patients were divided into 4 groups, in accordance with the following etiologies: cystic fibrosis of the pancreas (CFP), chronic severe hepatic disorders (CSH), primary malabsorption syndrome (PMS) and malnutrition due to nondigestive causes (M). The control group comprised 48 children of similar ages. The 24th FC levels as U/g (mean +/- SD) were: 34 +/- 6 in the control group, 2 +/- 2 in the CFP group, 15 +/- 6 in the M group, 19 +/- 9 in the CSH group and 43 +/- 13 in the PMS group. The differences between the CFP patients and all the other groups were statistically significant. These results indicate that the FC levels may be suitable as a diagnostic indication of CFP and capable of differentiating between this disorder and other causes of pancreatic insufficiency.